The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 54: When Boundaries Blur

Chapter 54: When Boundaries Blur

As they waited for their dinner, the soft hum of conversation and clinking silverware filled the restaurant. Suddenly, a tall man in a chef’s coat emerged from the kitchen and made his way toward their table, a broad grin on his face.

"Xavier!" the chef called out warmly.

Xavier stood, smiling, and greeted the man with a brief but familiar hug.

"Lewis," he said with fondness. "Good to see you."

When Lewis’s eyes landed on Cassidy, his grin widened mischievously.

"Aha," Lewis teased, looking between the two of them. "So this is why you’ve been hiding her."

Xavier gave an exasperated look. "Lewis—"

But Lewis was already stepping forward, extending a hand toward Cassidy. "Lewis Fontaine. I run the kitchen around here."

Cassidy stood and took his hand politely, offering a slight smile. "Cassidy."

"Of course it is," Lewis said with an exaggerated wink. "I’ve never once seen this man bring a woman to my restaurant. Never heard a whisper either. And if I had a girlfriend that stunning, I’d probably keep her a secret too."

Cassidy laughed softly while Xavier rolled his eyes.

"We’re not—" Xavier started.

Lewis raised his hands dramatically. "Say no more. I’m just glad I finally get to meet the mysterious Miss Cassidy."

With a chuckle and another wink, Lewis patted Xavier’s shoulder and said, "Your table’s in good hands tonight. I’ll make sure everything’s perfect."

Then he disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving Xavier and Cassidy exchanging amused looks across the candlelit table.

Xavier gave a small sigh and waved a hand dismissively. "Don’t mind him. He always talks nonsense."

Cassidy tilted her head, studying him with a faint smirk. "So... you’ve never taken a woman out to dinner before?"

Xavier leaned back slightly, one corner of his mouth lifting. "Well, I’ve been too busy cooking in the kitchen. Running restaurants, running after burnt sauces, dealing with chaos. I don’t really have time for dinner dates."

Cassidy raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing. "So... I’m the first?"

Xavier’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, something unspoken passing through his eyes. His voice was softer this time. "In the last six years... yes. You’re the first."

Cass smiled, her expression turning warm. "I’m honored."

They both chuckled lightly, the tension between them softening into something more comfortable, something laced with quiet familiarity.

Not long after, the waiter returned with their starters. They ate in relative silence, a comfortable quiet settling between them that lasted all the way through to dessert.

Once the final course was finished and their plates were cleared, Cassidy wiped her lips with a napkin and glanced at Xavier. "Your flight tomorrow, are you flying out from Zurich or Geneva?"

Xavier leaned in his chair and replied casually, "Geneva. I changed it. Took the same flight as you back to the States."

Cassidy blinked in surprise, then gave a small nod.

Xavier added, "I also checked into the same hotel as you. Figured it’d be easier that way. We can head to the airport together tomorrow."

Cass gave him a look. "You didn’t have to go through all that trouble."

Xavier shrugged with an easy smile. "It’s no trouble. Besides, it’s nicer having someone to talk to on a flight than sitting in silence."

Cass raised an eyebrow. "I plan to sleep through the whole thing."

Xavier laughed softly. "Then I guess I’ll just enjoy your peaceful company."

Cassidy smirked, teasing, "You sure you won’t get bored watching me nap for eight hours?"

Xavier leaned back, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "Not a chance I’d be bored. Who knows, maybe I’ll catch you snoring and record it. Claire would love to see that."

Cassidy gasped in mock horror, eyes widening. "You wouldn’t."

Xavier chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "I absolutely would. For her entertainment, of course."

Cass shook her head, laughing. "You’re impossible."

***

Meanwhile, at his villa, in his study, Zeke sat behind his desk, eyes fixed straight ahead as the call connected.

"Andrew," he said flatly. "Did you do what I asked?"

"Yes, sir," Andrew replied on the other end. "All Salvador Group shareholders have been notified."

Zeke’s gaze sharpened. "Including Cassidy?"

There was a pause.

Andrew’s voice dipped with uncertainty. "Miss Cassidy... she’s never attended a shareholders meeting before. And since you never specifically asked me to include her, I didn’t—"

Zeke’s voice dropped, his words cutting and precise. "You’re my assistant, not a strategist. When I say all shareholders, I mean all. Your job is to follow instructions, not to think for me."

That was all it took.

Andrew straightened on the other end. "Understood. I’ll send the email to Miss Cassidy right away."

Zeke ended the call without another word.

Meanwhile, Andrew sat at home, slouched on his couch in front of the television, phone in hand, confusion slowly creeping into his expression.

Since when does he care if Miss Cassidy shows up? She’d never attended before. Her absence had never mattered. Not to Zeke. Not until now.

And then—

A sudden right issue.

A mandatory meeting.

A direct order to notify Cassidy.

It didn’t feel like coincidence.

A suspicion edged into Andrew’s thoughts.

No way... is he really doing all this just to see her?

He shook his head, chuckling nervously to himself.

"No, no, no... that’d be insane."

Right?

Zeke wouldn’t blur the lines between business and personal like that.

Would he?

Andrew rose from the couch and walked into his home office, flipping open his laptop. With a sigh, he pulled up the drafted email and hit send, forwarding it straight to Cassidy.

God, I hope I’m wrong.

***

Cassidy sat cross-legged on the bed, her laptop balanced on her lap as she sifted through emails from Lucie, updates on the warehouse fire, insurance matters, inventory reports. Her eyes scanned rapidly, her fingers moving almost on autopilot. But then she saw it. An unread email from a name she hadn’t expected to see.

Andrew Hart. Zeke’s personal assistant. His secretary.

Her brows furrowed.

They had exchanged a few formal emails once, during the divorce process. Finalizing paperwork, asset transfers. Cold, efficient. She hadn’t heard from him since.

Curious, Cassidy clicked the message open.

And instantly, her face twisted.

"Notice of Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting – Salvador Group"

The subject line was enough to make her stomach flip. But the content was even worse.

A mandatory meeting.

Presence required.

Failure to attend could result in dilution of shares.

Due to a proposed rights issue.

Her fingers hovered over the trackpad. This couldn’t be real.

She had forgotten. She had pushed it out of her mind. The 2% Salvador Group shares Zeke had transferred to her name as part of their divorce settlement.

She had never touched them. Never voted, never sold, never paid them any attention.

Her intention had always been to get rid of them eventually. But with Claire... with work... with her mother’s condition... she had put it off. Buried it under more pressing matters.

And now... this?

Her pulse quickened.

Zeke. He knew she had those shares.

And now, he wanted her to show up.

Her lips pressed into a thin line as the realization settled deep in her chest. This wasn’t a coincidence.

Cass stared blankly at the screen, the glow of the email still glaring in her face.

What am I supposed to do with this?

Her mind raced with conflicting thoughts.

Did she really want to walk into a room where Zeke would be waiting? Did she want to give him the satisfaction of her presence?

But then again... if she didn’t go, she knew exactly what would happen.

He won’t stop. Zeke never did. If he wanted something, if he wanted her to show up, he would find a way to corner her eventually.

She leaned back against the headboard, arms folded tightly over her chest.

"Fine," she muttered under her breath. "If he wants a meeting, he’ll get one."

Her voice was sharp, bitter. "I want to know what the hell he’s trying to do... why now? After all this time? What does he want from me?" Her eyes narrowed.

We’re divorced.

Legally. Officially. Clean break.

So why did it feel like he was pulling strings again?

She closed her laptop with a snap.

If Zeke wanted a confrontation, she was ready.

***