The Ruthless CEO's Revenge Wife
Chapter 145: Emma’s Date Plan

Chapter 145: Emma’s Date Plan

Logan’s expression softened. "Then why not tell me? Trust me with your feelings, Jean."

Jean looked away, chewing the inside of her cheek. "I’m not... like other women. I never knew what it meant to feel safe. Or wanted. Or touched... without fear. You make it harder to pretend I’m fine."

The vulnerability in her voice knocked the wind out of him. He closed the distance between them, gently lifting her chin with his hand.

"I don’t want you to pretend," he whispered. "Not with me."

Her eyes searched his... not for love, not yet... but for the promise of understanding. Of something real.

"I don’t know how to do this," she confessed. "Be with someone. Want someone."

"You don’t have to know," Logan said softly, leaning in just enough so she could feel the warmth of his breath. "We’ll learn together. On our terms."

Jean swallowed. "You really won’t rush me?"

His thumb gently stroked her jaw. "Never."

Their eyes stayed locked for a moment too long. A moment that could easily spiral into something more... if not for a sudden voice echoing down the hallway:

"JEAN! HAVE YOU SEEN MY PHONE?!"

Emma.

Jean immediately stepped back, lips parted, breath shaky. Logan clenched his jaw, forcing a smirk to play it cool.

"Interrupted again... ," he muttered.

Jean let out a shaky laugh, brushing past him... but not before he caught the way her fingers lingered near his for just a second longer than they needed to.

_____________________________

Emma’s phone buzzed. An Incoming call from Troy Lancaster.

Emma raised a brow. "Troy? Seriously?" She debated ignoring it, then smirked and answered with her usual sass. She purrs... "Well, well. Look who’s crawling back into relevance."

Troy, laughing awkwardly. "Come on, Em. Don’t be like that. Just thought I’d invite you to something... classy this time."

Emma sighs deadpan. "If you say dinner at another rooftop sushi place, I swear I’ll block you mid tempura."

Troy chuckled. "No, nothing like that. I’m attending an exclusive bidding ceremony tomorrow night. Prime property, high rollers, champagne towers... real power play stuff. Thought you’d enjoy the vibe."

Emma, twirling a strand of hair within her fingers... "Hm. Sounds like an auction for men in suits stroking their egos. Why would I go?"

Troy, trying to sound suave... "Because you’d be the most gorgeous woman in the room... and I might just win the bid if you’re beside me."

Emma, rolls her eyes..."Flattery? Weak. You’re still in the same suit rotation from last year."

Troy, laughing nervously, he’s clearly smitten by her. "Okay, okay... how about this. Your cousin’s attending too. Alex Adams. Word is he’s trying to snatch up the property everyone’s eyeing."

Emma suddenly stood up alert. "Wait. Alex?"

"Yeah. Big players are gonna be there. Thought it might interest you. But hey, if you’ve already got plans..."

Emma who now instantly flipped her mood. "No, no, I’m intrigued now. Send me the details."

Troy grins smugly, knowing he caught her by the hook. "Knew you couldn’t resist."

Emma muttered to him. "Oh, I’m not going for you, darling. But thanks for the ticket to the show."

"What was that?"

Emma speaks as sweetly as she can... "Nothing. Pick me up at 7. And wear a new tie this time, I beg you."

She hung up, eyes now glittering with mischief and adrenaline.

"Ugh, why do men think asking someone to do real estate bidding counts as a romantic date?" Emma grumbled, tossing her phone on the couch like it had personally offended her. She slumped dramatically, groaning like the weight of the world had just landed on her designer slippers.

___________________________

From the hallway, Logan was adjusting his cufflinks in front of a mirror when her voice reached him.

"LOGAN!"

Emma.

He winced. "She’s yelling," he muttered under his breath, "this better not be about her missing phone again."

Right then, Jean was passing by with a coffee mug in hand, pausing near the doorway with a curious raise of her brow. "What happened this time?"

Emma practically sprinted into the hallway, hair bouncing, face lit up like she’d just discovered gold. "You! And you!" she pointed dramatically at both of them. "I have a surprise of a development."

Logan arched his brow. "Is this one of those ’bombs’ where I end up doing something illegal for your benefit like last time in South Korea?"

"No. This one might actually benefit you," she grinned wickedly.

Jean crossed her arms, watching Emma with amusement. "Well, out with it."

Emma inhaled sharply. "So... Some guy I ghosted last month called me again to ask me to go to this luxury bidding event tomorrow night. I was going to say no, obviously..."

"Obviously," Logan muttered. "Does Adams’ ego come from birth?"

"But then," Emma’s voice turned sharp and teasing, "he said something interesting. Apparently, Alex Adams is attending."

Jean instantly stiffened, her fingers tightening around her cup. Logan froze.

Emma leaned closer to Logan, voice dropping into a satisfied purr. "Alex is trying to get his hands on a 100 acre land near the tech corridor. Perfect for building a resort or flipping for triple the price. And he’s one of the top contenders."

Logan’s jaw tightened. "And now I will be, too."

Jean looked at him warily. "You want to go against Alex at a public bidding?"

"No," Logan replied, his voice colder than steel. "I want to destroy him in front of every investor, broker, and business rival watching."

Emma clapped her hands like she’d just arranged the ultimate soap opera twist. "I knew you’d love it."

Jean touched his sleeve, a slight concern in her eyes. "Logan, just be careful. I know you’re angry... but don’t lose yourself to this."

His gaze softened at her concern, just for a flicker. "I’m not doing this just for revenge. I’m doing this to remind Alex that Jean Kingsley isn’t someone he can burn and walk away from."

Jean flinched at her new surname but didn’t correct him. Instead, she simply nodded.

Emma, still giddy, added, "Oh and FYI, if I have to go on a boring date with that guy to infiltrate this event, you better win the land, Logan."

Logan rolled his eyes. "Get ready. We’ve got a show to steal."