The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna (Avery and Gideon) novel Chapter 500

“Yes,” I said. “I believe it would be a good opportunity for you to see why I have to stay here. And for me to prove that, despite being here, I’m still diligently working as a CEO. I can show you my workspace, introduce you to my new business partners, show you what I’ve been working so hard to produce.”

Another pause. I could practically hear them exchanging looks.

“Fine,” one of them finally muttered. “We’ll come. But Avery, if we don’t like what we see, we’re pulling out. Consider this your second and final chance.”

“We don’t do third chances,” another added.

My chest tightened. “Understood.”

The line went dead without another word.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the phone in my hand. My heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking again as I shoved the phone back into my pocket and walked out of the room. The banquet hall was still bustling with activity, but I couldn’t bring myself to go back in there. The noise felt too loud right now. I needed space. Quiet. A place to think and prepare for a meeting that felt doomed from the moment the words left my mouth.

The greenhouse seemed like the most logical place to go, so I headed that way.

Reaching the greenhouse, I pulled the small iron key out of my pocket and unlocked the door. I slipped inside, breathing in the familiar scent of soil and greenery. It was cooler in here, shaded from the afternoon sun by the tall plants lining the walls.

I walked over to one of the worktables and leaned against it, pressing my palms flat against the wood. My chest felt constricted, like someone had wrapped their hands around my lungs and wouldn’t let go.

One last chance to convince my shareholders to stay. And if they didn’t like what they saw, then my business would go belly up. Hundreds of people would lose their jobs. Because of me.

Just like that accountant who had to become a miner because of me.

“Fuck,” I whispered, digging my knuckles into the wood. “I can’t do that again. Not to anyone.”

“Do what?”

The sound of Gideon’s voice made me jump, but before I could move, his arms slid around my waist from behind, pulling me back against his chest. He didn’t say anything at first. Just held me.

I let out a shaky breath and leaned into him.

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