Reserved Seat, Broken Promise, New Crown Novel

By the time the party ended , it was already one in the morning . I sat alone in the now - empty ballroom , watching the staff take down the decorations . Grant's assistant approached cautiously . " Director Sanderson , Mr. Sullivan would like to see you in his office . " " Okay . " I stood , my legs slightly numb . When I pushed the door open , Grant was standing by the floor - to - ceiling windows . Outside , the city glowed with neon lights and flowing traffic . Five years ago , we had stood here together , talking about hosting a party at the highest point in the city .

Now he'd achieved it , but everything else had changed . " What happened tonight , " he said , turning around , " was strategy . " I looked up at him . " Sophie's uncle is key to our next round of funding . " He walked over and sat across from me . " I needed to keep her steady . " " So buying her a diamond ring with company money was strategy too ? " My voice was unnervingly calm . Grant frowned . " That was my dividend . " " The company hasn't posted annual profits yet . What dividend ? " I stared at him .

" Grant Sullivan , the $ 150 million investment hasn't even been fully spent , but that doesn't mean you can move funds however you like . " His expression shifted , his tone softening . " Fine . I'll count it as a loan from the company , okay ? I'll pay it back once the funding closes . " " A loan? " I laughed . " Under what title ? A loan to buy your lover a diamond ring ? " " Natalie Sanderson ! " He shot to his feet , voice rising . Chapter 4 44.44 % " Can you stop pressing so hard ? I'm under enough pressure already ! " I met his gaze . " Then what about me ?

What do my past five years of pressure count as ? " He opened his mouth , but no words came out . His phone rang . His expression softened instantly . " I need to take this , " he said , stepping out of the office . The door closed gently behind him . I stood there , freezing from the inside out . The computer on his desk was still on , the screensaver a photo of us in that basement . Two young people squeezed beside a folding bed , grinning stupidly at the camera . Back then , there really had been light in his eyes . Now that light was gone , or maybe it just no longer shone for me .

I walked over , intending to turn off the computer . As my hand brushed the mouse , I accidentally pulled open a drawer . Inside were several documents . On top was a pregnancy test report . [ Sophie Ray . Eight weeks pregnant . ] The date was from two months ago , right when Grant had been " traveling for work " nonstop . The second document was a prenuptial agreement draft . The terms were dense , but the core was clear : if Sophie divorced him , she would receive 50 % of Grant's personal assets and 10 % of the company's shares . The third was an equity structure analysis .

A section circled in red read : [ Risks and countermeasures related to nominee - held shares . ] Beside it were handwritten notes : [ Control must be secured . If necessary , apply pressure through connections or initiate a buyback . ] My blood seemed to freeze in an instant . Not only did he know nominee shares might exist - he was actively studying how to deal with this " mysterious shareholder . " Chapter 4 44.44 % Did he already suspect me ... or did he know ? A sharp pain twisted through my chest , a bone - chilling cold following it . I braced myself against the desk , gasping for air .

The door opened . Grant saw the files in my hands and went deathly pale . " Natalie ! What are you doing ?! " I stepped back , staring at him . " What is this , Grant ? Are you researching how to deal with the company's investors ? " His eyes darted nervously as he lunged forward . " Give me those ! They're company confidential ! " " Confidential ? " My voice trembled . " Plans on how to scheme against the largest investor ? Sophie's pregnant ? You're getting married ? You're carving up equity ? Grant Sullivan , how much more have you been hiding from me ?

" Seeing the pregnancy report , he forced himself to stay calm . " Yes ! Sophie is pregnant ! We're together ! So what ? Natalie , we're not married . I have the right to choose ! " " The right to choose ? " My tears finally broke free . " So you choose to use my money while planning a future with another woman , and even planning how to push me out ?! " " Your money ? " His face contorted , shock and anger mingling . " Yes , I know ! I know the company's largest angel investor was probably connected to you ! I suspected it long ago ! I just didn't think it was actually you !

" " You hid it so well , Natalie Sanderson ! What did you take me for , a pitiful man who needed your secret charity and tests ? " So he really had known . This confession was nothing more than a vicious bite after being exposed . " So this is your revenge ? " I laughed bitterly . " Betrayal . Schemes . All to get back at me for my ' deception ' and ' handouts ' ? " Chapter 4 44.44 % " Think whatever you want ! " He raked a hand through his hair in irritation . " Sophie and her uncle can give me what I need right now ! What can you give me ?

Other than money I've already used and endless logistical chores ! " " Once the funding closes , I'll give you whatever money you want . " Each word felt like a dagger , piercing the softest part of my heart . So this was how worthless my years of devotion were to him . He had been weighing pros and cons for a long time , and I was the option he chose to discard . " Grant Sullivan , " I said coldly . " We're done . " He froze . His phone rang again at the worst possible moment . He glanced at it and immediately answered , his voice gentle . " Sophie ? What's wrong ?

Okay , I'm coming right now . " After hanging up , he looked at me , conflicted . " Sophie's not feeling well . I need to take her to the hospital . Natalie , can we talk about us tomorrow ? " I said nothing . After a brief hesitation , he grabbed his coat and hurried out . At the door , he turned back . " Go home early . " The door closed , sealing off all sound . I slowly crouched down , hugging myself as I cried silently . After an unknown amount of time , I stood up and wiped my tears away . I returned to my office and opened the safe tucked into the corner .

At the very bottom lay three original documents : the nominee shareholder agreement , the $ 150 million transfer receipt , and a letter my mother had written before she passed away . The paper had yellowed , but her neat handwriting was still clear : [ Natalie , my greatest regret was letting my partner know my last card . Remember this , your final card should only be revealed when it hurts the most . One strike . Fatal . ] Chapter 4 44.44 % I pressed the letter to my chest and closed my eyes . Mom , I'm in so much pain now ... pain enough to play my final card .

Cedella Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella's storytelling style is immersive and addictive-perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.