Chapter 7 - The Night Trevor Realized He Had Lost the Woman He Should Have Loved From the BeginningTrevor's company began growing.
Not because Naomi helped him.
Because he changed.
He became more honest.
More careful.
Less arrogant.
He paid his debts.
Stopped chasing status.
Started mentoring younger consultants.
And occasionally sent Naomi reports simply because he respected her opinion.
They had become friendly.
Then came the call.
Trevor had been offered a major corporate merger.
The company wanted Naomi's endorsement.
Trevor refused.
"I don't want her involved."
His partner stared.
"Why?"
"Because she owes me nothing."
The partner smiled.
"You're in love with her."
Trevor said nothing.
Maybe he was.
But love didn't mean entitlement anymore.
Meanwhile, Naomi received an unexpected proposal.
A billionaire investor named Julian Cross wanted to marry her.
He was charming.
Polished.
Wealthy.
Publicly perfect.
The board loved him.
The press loved him.
Gideon didn't.
"Something's wrong."
"With Julian?"
"With the deal he wants."
Naomi investigated.
Julian wasn't interested in her alone.
He wanted access to Hartley Global.
The same mistake Dorothy had warned about.
Naomi rejected him.
He became hostile.
Rumors spread.
One article claimed Naomi had inherited everything because of family favoritism.
Another claimed she was secretly bankrupt.
A third suggested she had manipulated Trevor into divorce.
Trevor saw the stories.
He called her.
"Do you need help?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He paused.
"Then I'll stay out of it."
She smiled.
"Thank you."
That was when she realized he'd truly changed.
The old Trevor would have rushed in and made the situation about himself.
The new Trevor respected her answer.
Julian's fraud was eventually exposed.
His company collapsed.
Naomi survived.
That night, Trevor sent her a message.
Proud of you.
She replied:
May you like
Thank you.
It was enough.
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