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CHAPTER 148
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A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 149
ELLA'S POV"Yehhhhh!" I squealed, throwing my arms around Ryan and hugging him tightly. I couldn't believe it - we came in third place! If it wasn't for Ryan's incredible coaching and choreography skills, there's no way we would have placed at all. Throughout the dance performance, he had been like a steady, guiding force, directing my movements with subtle cues and keeping me centered. Even when I felt like the routine was falling apart, one reassuring look from Ryan's warm eyes was enough to help me find my groove again.As the final notes faded, I was breathless with excitement and pride. We really had poured our hearts into that routine! Ryan caught me in another fierce hug as the scores were announced, twirling me around happily."You were amazing out there!" he murmured against my hair. Setting me down, his eyes were alight with joy. "How does it feel to be an award-winning dancer now?"I shook my head in disbelief, still stunned. "I'm really happy!" I finally managed. "Hones
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 150
Ella's POVMy mind was still reeling as Ryan spoke those words to me. I felt like I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, unable to fully process what he was implying."So was that why you transferred to our school?" I managed slowly. "Because you...wanted to see more of me?"Ryan's intense gaze never faltered as he gave a small nod. "Yes...I was instantly captivated by you, Ella. I just had to find a way to get closer to this amazing, beautiful woman I couldn't stop thinking about."I felt rooted to the spot, heart pounding wildly in my chest. Ryan...had feelings for me? Romantic ones? The realization made my head spin.All our dancing, the sweet gestures, the meaningful looks - it was suddenly cast in a whole new light. How had I been so blind to the depth of his feelings this entire time? He slowly began closing the distance between us. Before I knew it, his palm was cradling my cheek, rough fingertips lightly tracing along my jaw. "Don't you see it, Ella?" he murmured huskily.
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 151
TRENT'S POV I felt like I was trapped in a waking nightmare as the reality kept crashing over me. Ryan...it was Ryan the entire time. My mind replayed every interaction, every sign I had missed, ignored or misunderstood - the way Ella had been so insistent about entering that dance competition with him, the girl I saw inside Ryan's car that day at the front of Matthews Corp...it was Ella. The damn dress she wore to our couples night and not the one I had picked out for her. The shady way she'd avoided my questioning about where she got that dress.It was all because of Ryan.All along, it was him and not me.A choked sound caught in my throat as I stared at the empty street in front of me, unseeing. How had I been so blind? So painfully, pathetically blind to the deception going on right under my nose?Ella was the one I had come here to open up to, to finally share the truth I had discovered about her father's death and my dad's involvement. After weeks of agonizing over the best
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 152
Trent's POVMy heart was pounding like crazy as I stepped through the gates of the maximum security prison. The whole place just had an atmosphere of dread and despair hanging over it. Not exactly what you'd call a warm, inviting vibe, that was for sure. Still, I knew I had to be there. I had to see Mr. Stewart face-to-face. At least, that's what Mr. Matthews insisted whenever he would rant about how "the only way to truly get Donovan is by flipping one of his own crooked henchmen against him." Too bad the stubborn old man wouldn't even give me the time of day anymore ever since finding out I was a Donovan.I shook my head, letting out a frustrated huff. He was so damn convinced I must be some twisted, evil clone of my father or something. No matter how many times I tried explaining that I wanted to take Dad down just as much as he did, Matthews wouldn't hear a word of it. Our last meeting was an absolute nightmare - him accusing me of being a "traitorous snake, just like your fa
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 153
TRENT'S POV I rose to my feet, closing the distance between us until I was nearly chest-to-chest with him. My heart pounded in my ears as I stared into Stewart's cold eyes."And now, I need you to confess everything and help me take him down once and for all," I stated firmly.Stewart barked out a harsh laugh that made me flinch. "Is that what you came groveling in here for, boy? You've got a lot of nerve demanding anything from me."I clenched my jaw, pushing aside the flare of anger. Stay calm, Trent. "We already know everything my father did," I replied evenly. "We just need you to give an official confession and testify in court as a witness."That mocking laugh rang out again as Stewart shook his head slowly. From his jacket pocket, he produced a phone and tapped the screen a few times before holding it up to me with a smirk.The sound of my own voice echoed out - "And now, I need you to confess everything..." Oh no. A pit formed in my stomach as I realized what he was implying
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 154
ELLA'S POV It had been one long, agonizing week since everything fell apart with Susan and Trent. One week of walking through the halls feeling like a ghost, unable to connect with the two people who mattered most. Every time I passed by our usual hangout spot, my heart clenched painfully at the memory of all our laughter and inside jokes. Now, just tense silence and averted gazes whenever our paths crossed.I spent more nights than I cared to admit curled up on my bed, tears streaming down my face as I replayed the disastrous misunderstanding over and over.The looks of betrayal and disgust on their faces haunted me every time I closed my eyes.I must have typed out a million text drafts to both of them, desperately trying to explain, but I always just end up deleting the messages before hitting send. What's even the point if they won't let me get a word in edgewise to make them understand?Trent's absence from school this entire week had been its own special torture. Part of me ach
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 155
TRENT'S POV My heart clenched painfully as I watched Lucinda shove Ella backwards. Ella let out a startled cry as she went tumbling to the ground, her knee slamming against the hard pavement. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to rush over and scoop her up into my arms, shielding her from any more harm.Before I could take a single step towards Ella, Lucinda was there beside me again, looping her arm through mine. With a sharp tug, she was pulling me away from the scene, not even sparing Ella a second glance as she lay crumpled.Our eyes met briefly as Lucinda dragged me along. Ella's beautiful face was written with hurt and confusion that lanced straight through my heart.Part of me had wanted her to experience the sting of betrayal, just a fraction of the soul-crushing pain I had felt after witnessing her intimate moment with Ryan.But now, seeing the devastation in those gorgeous eyes...God, had I taken this too far with my cruel words and actions? A wave of regret washe
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 156
ELLA'S POV I lay there on the hard ground, my knee throbbing painfully, still crumpled in a heap. Part of me kept hoping against hope that any second now, Trent would reappear. That he'd rush over to scoop me up in his strong arms, apologies and reassurances tumbling from his perfect lips as he tended to me so gently. But as the moments ticked by...nothing. No sign of him coming back for me after all. My vision blurred with tears I refused to let fall. So this is really how it ends between us, huh? He's choosing Lucinda and casting me aside like yesterday's trash?No, I thought fiercely, blinking away the moisture. I refuse to believe that's how our story ends. What Trent and I have is so special, so real. He's just...lost right now, lashing out because he's hurting too. I have to believe we'll find our way back to each other somehow. Won't we?Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps snapped me out of my inner pity party. My heart leapt into my throat. Oh my gosh, he came bac
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