Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 116: All of him

Chapter 116: All of him

Christian slumped into the chair beside his office desk, exhaustion pressing heavily on his shoulders. It wasn’t even noon, and he was already wishing the day would end.

The past few days had been a nightmare—interview after interview, a flood of lawsuits from investors and people affected by the food poisoning. No matter what he did, nothing seemed to fix it.

Whoever was behind this mess was smart—too smart. They were careful, covering their tracks well. But deep down, Christian’s gut kept pointing to one name: Lorenzo Grey.

First his sister was attacked, then Ashley’s place. Lorenzo must’ve pieced it all together by now. The sudden blacklisting of Christian’s company? That wasn’t a coincidence. It had to be revenge.

It had to be Lorenzo.

Christian’s brows drew together. Why hadn’t he thought of this sooner?

He reached for his phone to make a call, but Katherine walked in before he could dial.

"A woman’s here to see you," she said.

He looked up. "Who is she?"

"She said her name is Charlotte. She mentioned she has information you’d find useful."

Charlotte?

If she came all the way here, then whatever she had to say had to be important—maybe even helpful to the scandal.

"Let her in," he said.

Katherine turned to leave, but he stopped her.

"I want you ready for me this evening," he said, his gaze lingering in a way that made his meaning clear.

Katherine blushed, lowering her eyes. "Okay, sir."

She stepped out, and a minute later, Charlotte entered, dressed to impress. Her bright red lipstick was so bold it was impossible to miss, even if you were blind.

"Mr. Harrington," she greeted, sliding into the chair across from him and crossing one leg over the other.

Christian leaned back, setting his phone down. "What information do you have for me?" he went straight to asking. These days, he had no time or patience for pleasantries.

"I know you’re looking for how to lure out Lorenzo Grey," Charlotte said with a sly smile. "And to get your ex-wife back. I might know a way."

Christian leaned forward, intrigued. "You sure about that?"

"I am," she said, her smile never fading. "But..."

"But what?"

"You’ll leave my niece to me. I need her."

Christian’s face darkened. "Ashley’s mine, Charlotte," he said through gritted teeth.

"I’m not saying she isn’t," Charlotte said smoothly. "Once I’m done with her, you can have her back—do whatever you want. But right now, she’s important for my business. And if I don’t get her, and the authorities catch wind of what’s happening at my brothel..." She paused, giving him a pointed look. "We both know I won’t be the only one going down.

Christian’s jaw clenched. "And how does handing Ashley to you stop any of that?"

"That’s not your concern, Mister Harrington," Charlotte said. "You help me get her, and I’ll help you take down the man who stole her from you."

Christian went quiet, thinking.

Charlotte watched him, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. The best way to destroy an enemy was to use someone who hated them just as much. And she had every reason to believe Lorenzo was behind Sheriff Boyd Mercer’s brutal death. If Lorenzo had done that to the sheriff, he wouldn’t think twice about coming for her. She needed to strike first.

"What’s the plan?" Christian asked at last.

Charlotte leaned in, lowering her voice. He listened, his eyes narrowing with interest.

When she was done, a dark smile spread across Christian’s face. He’d been thinking about how to send Lorenzo back to prison. But if Lorenzo was really behind his company’s downfall, prison wasn’t enough anymore. He wanted him gone immediately—for good.

As for Ashley? He hoped Charlotte’s plan didn’t involve killing her. He still needed her. She would be the perfect finishing touch to his revenge.

Both of them leaned back in their chairs, twin smiles curling on their lips—dark, cold, and full of twisted intentions.

***********

Ashley’s heart twisted painfully. The story Lorenzo had just shared left her shaken to her core.

Blowing out a shaky breath, she reached out and gently cupped his face, her eyes locking with his. There was so much pain in his gaze—and she wished she could take it all away.

How could one person go through so much?

Her mind reeled from the truth about his past with Kayla. Who would’ve thought they went that far back? Suddenly, Kayla’s snide remark at her CEO party—about always settling for her leftovers made sense. The nerve.

She wasn’t even too surprised that her reputation as a stupid, bitchy whore went way back.

"I’m so sorry, baby," she whispered, pulling Lorenzo into a tight hug.

She was trembling. Lorenzo felt it and gently pulled back to look at her, but Ashley turned away.

Her eyes dropped, guilt swirling inside her like a storm. She remembered the first time Lorenzo told her he’d been framed—and how she hadn’t believed him. He had always put her first. She had always felt safest with him. And still... she had doubted him so quick.

Yes, she had apologized before. But the shame suddenly flooded back, making her feel foolish, unworthy.

"Hey..." Lorenzo’s voice was soft. "Look at me, baby. What’s wrong?"

She slowly met his gaze, her throat tight. Tears pressed behind her eyes.

"I’m guessing... one of the guys you fought slipped in the drugs, didn’t they?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Lorenzo nodded. "Yeah... Mason did." He reached for her hand. "But it’s over now. I didn’t tell you all this so you’d feel bad for me."

Ashley swallowed hard. "I can’t help it. It’s heartbreaking hearing what you went through," she murmured. "And if you knew, then... why didn’t you tell the police? I’m sure they would’ve investigated, and—"

"Investigated?" Lorenzo cut in with a dry laugh.

Her words faded. Deep down, part of her already knew.

Maybe... just maybe... if he hadn’t left Bronze City because of her, none of this would’ve happened. Maybe he never would’ve met Christian. Never would’ve ended up behind bars.

"I doubt that, sweetheart," Lorenzo said, his voice heavy. "Christian’s testimony was all it took. He said he saw me selling—and that was it. I was locked up just like that."

Ashley froze. Her eyes widened. "Christian did that?"

Lorenzo’s gaze darkened, his voice thick with pain. "He was my best friend, baby." He paused, the words slicing through him like knife. "I could forgive Kayla... she was just a stupid bitch. But him?" His voice cracked again as he bit down on his lower lip, the betrayal carved deep into every line of his face.

Ashley didn’t let him say another word. She pulled him into a tighter embrace, holding him as if her arms alone could shield him from the past.

A tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, biting her lip to hold in a curse. Christian was a monster. And to think she’d once loved him... God, how blind had she been?

"I didn’t find out Mason was behind it all until I’d already spent a year in prison," Lorenzo whispered, hugging her back. His grip was firm, desperate, like she was the only thing keeping him from falling apart. "And even then... it didn’t matter. His father had too many connections."

They stayed like that for a long moment, just holding each other in silence. Then Ashley gently pulled away, took his hand, and began tracing the lines of his fingers—those strong, beautiful fingers that had held her through both heaven and hell.

Her chest burned with emotions she couldn’t name. Rage. Guilt. Love. All tangled together.

"Enzo..." Her voice trembled. "I can never say sorry enough, knowing you went through all that... because of me. And for not believing you when you said you were framed." Her eyes dropped, full of shame. "I know it doesn’t make me the best person, but... I’m really, really, really sorry."

Lorenzo frowned and gently pressed his finger to her lips.

"Shh." His voice was low but firm. "None of that was your fault, baby. It was just bad luck," he said, his thumb caressing her lips before he leaned in and stole a soft kiss.

Ashley blushed, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

"And I don’t ever want to hear you say you’re not good enough." His voice grew even gentler, his words brushing her heart like a balm. "You’re not just perfect, love... you’re an angel. You’re my sunshine. And nothing—nothing—in this world can ever change that. Do you understand?"

Her heart roared in her chest, and the tears she’d been holding back finally spilled over.

What did she ever do to deserve this man? she wondered. How could someone like him love someone as flawed as her—this much?

"Hey baby," Lorenzo whispered, cupping her face with both hands, brushing her tears away. "You know I hate seeing you cry."

But Ashley didn’t just want to hear his voice alone anymore.

She wanted him.

All of him.

Without warning, she crashed her lips to his in a kiss so fierce, so hungry, so desperate—it shattered everything else around them.

It was raw. Soul-crushing. And full of everything she hadn’t said in words.