Jilted Ex-wife Billionaire Heiress

Chapter 30 Reunion

The polite smile froze on Sharon's face.

'But I thought you were going to look at Kemp Industries. Then the proposal to Solaro is

'Is to proceed as usual,' Darya cut her off. 'I said I would look at Kemp, but it doesn't mean we are giving up on Solaro. It's good to always keep our options open.'

She steepled her fingers and locked eyes with Sharon. 'Is that all?'

Sharon bit her lower lip. 'Yes. I'll...I'll get back to work.'

'Close the door on your way out.' Darya dismissed the woman without a second glance.

Sharon briefly entertained the idea of slamming the door, but it would seem too petty.

Darya didn't wait for Sharon to deliver her dossier on Kemp Industries.

She did her own research.

Sharon wasn't lying when she said Kemp had a much longer history than Solaro, but Darya refused to believe that the woman who tried to kick her off the team just a day earlier would be so kind as to offer genuine Cassistance.

Something must be wrong with Kemp.

Darya's gaze landed on her phone.

A minute later, Bianca knocked on the door and came in. 'You are looking for me?'

As Darya's executive assistant, Bianca had her own small office.

'Are you familiar with Kemp Industries?'

Bianca sat down on the visitor's chair and crossed her long legs. 'Sure. Energy giant. Involved in upstream, midstream and downstream of the oil and gas supply chain. Has been trying to make the transition into renewable energy in recent years.'

'What about their boss?'

'Old man Kemp is semi-retired, though he still holds the nominal position of chairman and president. His son, Hunter Kemp, has taken over the reins as CEO. I used to go to school with him.'

'Your take on the man?'

Bianca thought about it. 'A bit of a player back in high school. I lost touch with him after graduation, but still see him now and then at social events. I'd say he's much more interested in partying than closing deals. If not for his old man's poor health, he probably wouldn't have taken the job as CEO.'

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20:42

Chapter 30 Reunion

'I see.' Darya drummed her fingers on the desk. 'You said he's a player. Did he ever make a move on you?'

Bianca rolled her eyes.

Darya smiled. 'I take that as a yes.'

'He tried, but I wouldn't give him the time of day.' Bianca examined her fingernails. 'I don't go for guys who are

shorter than me.'

'That's right. You only go for guys who are tall, dark and handsome.' Darya looked pensive. 'Other than the "dark" part, my dear brother Avery fits the bill quite well.'

Bianca shot her friend a look that was part amused, part abashed. 'Shut up. Did you just call me here to gossip?"

'No. That was just for fun. I'd like you to get in touch with Hunter Kemp.'

Darya recounted what happened between Sharon and her earlier.

Bianca got the picture. 'You think there's something fishy going on with Kemp Industries.'

'It's just a feeling. I'd like to know for sure.'

'Leave it to me. I'll give Hunter a call later. He won't say no to dinner and a drink.'

'Charge it to the corporate account,' Darya said.

Then she added with a smile, 'Don't worry. I'll explain to Avery that it's just a business dinner. There's nothing romantic going on between you and the Hunter guy.'

Bianca blushed and tossed the nearest file to Darya. 'I'm not worried!'

She took out her tablet and checked her schedule. 'I can't do it tonight. You and I have a thing.'

'What thing?'

'Harley called earlier. She's flying back to Hagen today. She wants to meet.'

'I'll be there.' Darya was thrilled. 'How long is she in town for?'

As an internationally renowned fashion designer, Harley Stevens often flew around the world.

Darya hadn't seen her childhood pal for a long time.

'She didn't say. She booked a private room at The Hideout.'

'Just the three of us?'

'Plus Winfred and Timothy. The five of us haven't hung out for a long while.' Bianca pointed an accusing finger at Darya. 'It's all your fault. If you haven't run off and married that Michael Cavanaugh'

'Micah,' Darya corrected her. 'Not Michael.'

'As if that matters.' Bianca waved that objection away. 'Anyway, my point is, it's time for you to gel touch with your friends. The party tonight is not just for Harley. It's also for you.'

'Then I'll make sure to show up with bells on.'

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20:42

Bianca wasn't wrong.

She reminded Darya of how much she had given up by marrying Micah.

She left behind her family, her friends and her career, all for the sake of chasing after a man who kept her at

more than arm's length.

Micah was a good man, even a hero.

After all, she fell in love with him because of that.

But maybe a good man was not the same thing as a good husband, just like a good general did not necessarily make a good king.

It had taken her three long years to realise that, but it was better late than never.

'So?' Bianca tapped on her tablet. 'You are coming with me to the party tonight?'

Darya's thoughts returned to the present. 'Of course.'

'We'll leave together after six. I'll need to go home and change first.'

The Hideout, true to its name, was designed like a maze.

Deliberately dim lights and strategically placed partitions separated the drinking booths from the main dance

floor.

The music was loud, the drinks were decent, but what drew the crowd was the performances, which changed

weekly.

Tonight, flame jugglers and burlesque dancers vied for attention on two separate raised stages, while the crowd of scantily clad partiers gyrated and dry-humped random strangers.

For the old-timers who were in the know, they could duck out for a quick relaxing

dip in the swimming pool tucked away on the terrace.noveldrama

It was just past ten pm.

The party scene was heating up.

Ryan, instead of making his way through the crowd like he usually did, was sprawled on a cushioned bench seat, drowning his sorrows in a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

'That's enough!' Micah snatched the bottle away from his friend.

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