MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S

POV)

After a complicated, chaotic day, I finally managed to get some barely decent sleep and was ready to start the new day with a solid dose of confidence. No more chaos. No more emotional turmoil!

At least, that was the plan...

Until...

"Explain. This." That was the first sentence out of my mouth this morning, my teeth practically grinding as I stared at the scene in front of me. There, on my desk, was a bunch of lavender.

And sitting in my chair, my ex-husband.

After our encounter yesterday, I had assumed that that would be the last I'd see of him until Maverick's Open house party in two weeks! "What the hell are you doing in my office?"

No wonder Rebecca had given me that smug smile on my way in earlier, and now I understood why!

Jared glanced up from the business reports he was casually flipping through, looking annoyingly cool and too handsome for his own good.

"You're late," he said simply, like he belonged there, behind my desk.

I took a deep breath, trying, and failing, to rein in my temper. "Hello?"

"Oh, wow, don't be so harsh, Arielle..."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I struggled to keep my temper in check.

"Should I remind you that you already have a fiancée and will soon be married? You sure she'd be happy to hear you're 'running into' another woman on a Monday morning?"

I couldn't believe his audacity to show up here, especially with his engagement to Tiana now.

Jared let out a long, exaggerated sigh, totally ignoring my outburst. "Come on, Ari, don't flatter yourself," he said, setting the report down like it was no big deal. Then, he leaned back in my chair, his gaze locking onto mine, and I swear I felt a shiver run down my spine. "The restaurant hasn't been performing too well lately, has it?" He asked, using his eyes to dare me to deny it.

His words hit a sensitive nerve.

How did he know about the restaurant's recent struggle? I had been working tirelessly to keep things running and afloat, but it seemed like no matter what I did, I kept hitting a dead end.novelbin

But I was not about to admit that to Jared of all people. So I quickly masked my reaction, crossing my arms over my chest in an attempt to appear nonchalant. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that he had gotten under my skin.

"That's none of your business," I spat, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Jared's lips curled into a faint smile, and he leaned forward in the chair, the annoyingly comfortable demeanor still palpable. He seemed to be enjoying himself, and that only made me angrier.

"It's exactly my business, honey," he countered, his eyes holding mine firmly. "Look Ari, I'm not here to meddle in your life of course, especially after what happened yesterday. Please, I just don't want to show up to the Open house in two weeks and have your reputation embarrass our son in front of other parents."

His words stung like a slap to the face, or even more, making me feel a surge of contempt.

How dare he! My mind raced with all the vile things I wanted to say to him. Who does he think he is, coming into my office to criticize my business?

But before I could lash out, he raised his hand to stop me again.

"Relax. I'm really here to help!" he said crisply, standing up as he fixed me with an infuriating and irritating confident look. "Here's the deal; I'll provide you with exclusive, one-on-one business coaching. Together, we'll boost your restaurant

sales and bring your business to the

next level."

I frowned, suspicious of his motives. Why was he suddenly making such an offer and what does he want in return?

"And why would you do that? Out of the kindness of your heart, or...?" I asked, ensuring that my tone reeked of sarcasm. I didn't believe for a second that Jared was motivated by magnanimity.

He chuckled, one of his low, husky sounds that sent a shivering reaction through my body. "Not quite," he admitted. "I like to see my investments succeed."

"...Investment?" I scoffed in disbelief.

He nodded. "You, Arielle. Whether you like it or not, my son's mother is a reflection of me."

"Seriously? After we've been divorced for a century?"

His face twitched for a second before he nodded, then, like he couldn't help himself, he added, "Could you stop reminding me of that again?"

I rolled my eyes. Classic Jared.

But His words got me thinking in

another direction, and suddenly I felt uneasy. I had never thought about it in that way, but I supposed it was true. As his son's mother, my reputation indeed did reflect on him, which means that will also affect Maverick's future. Whether I liked it or not.

My head still racing with thoughts, I tried to weigh my options.

There had to be something more to this, something I wasn't seeing. Jared didn't offer help like this unless it served him somehow. Too sudden, too convenient-he was up to something, but...

As much as I hated to admit it, Jared knew his stuff.

He wasn't just any businessman; he handled half the country's major deals. And wasn't about to pretend I didn't need help-marketing wasn't my strong suit. While I excelled at gourmet cooking, the business side of running a restaurant had been a constant struggle.

Despite my lingering distrust and resentment, the potential benefits his offer bore were too juicy to ignore.

I couldn't find a more competent teacher than him if I truly wanted one.

With a sigh, I gave a curt nod. "Fine. But if I find out you've got some hidden agenda-"

"You will what?" He interrupted me, smirking. His eyes were gleaming with amusement and mischief.

I glared at him, wanting to slap that look off his face badly.

"Relax, Arielle. This is strictly professional," he said.

Internally, I rolled my eyes. Professional, huh? I didn't buy it for a second. But I was curious. Jared wasn't someone who just did things without a reason. So, yeah, I was going to watch him like a hawk.

"When will you start? I mean, what's the schedule for this... exclusive professional business coaching you've got planned?"

He looked up like he hadn't given it a second thought. "Well, I haven't really decided yet, but I'm thinking 12 hours a day. And if you'd like, I wouldn't mind sticking around for after-class activities, like, you know, dinners at your place or something—" "Jared!"

My temper really flared at the sight of his radiant smile. This is definitely going to wreak havoc on my blood pressure.