The Heart System Chapter 518

Without replying at once, I made my way to the table, fished out my pack of cigarettes, and struck a light. The others gradually drew closer, their eyes locked on me.

"Nala and I got into a fight," I finally admitted. "Everyone knows about the K mess, yeah?"

"Yeah," Jasmine replied, taking a seat. "Was that what you argued about?"

"Turns out Jack Kuinn is her ex-boyfriend," I revealed. "And she knew it all along. She kept it secret from me. Worse, he's extorting her to send him her nude photos."

Tessa's face tightened. "What a slimeball. She can't actually be thinking of going through with it."

"She is," I confirmed. "Claims she'll do it to save the company."

"For the company?" Tessa snorted. "That's nuts."

"She fired me too," I threw in. "And I banned her from the penthouse."

"Damn," Kim whispered. "You two really clashed hard."

"Mrs. Nolin is... gone?" Minne murmured softly.

"Yeah," I answered. "It went south fast."

"So, what's your plan?" Kim questioned.

"I won't let Jack have his way," I declared. "I'll track him down first. Then... I'll deal with the rest."

"How exactly?" Jasmine pressed.

"I'll come up with something," I assured her. "Right now, I need you all to reason with her. Stop her from doing anything foolish."

Kim folded her arms. "When people get desperate, they make dumb choices. I understand her reasoning."

That was classic Kim. She'd pulled the exact same stunt once, believing it shielded everyone.

"It's still idiotic," Tessa insisted, shaking her head. "Handing over nudes to a blackmailing creep? Seriously?"

Jasmine agreed with a nod. "And canning you besides? That doesn't add up."

"I say screw her," Tessa went on. "Let her mess up on her own. You placed her in that CEO spot, Evan. She has no right to boot you. Isn't that biting the hand that feeds?"

Jasmine let out a breath. "I'm with you."

"No," Kim stated bluntly. "We don't abandon her. She's our friend."

"W-we can't abandon Mrs. Nolin," Minne chimed in. "Please..."

Kim turned to me. "We're sticking by her, right?"

I gave a nod. "Yeah. We will. But that doesn't mend everything. We prevent her blunder, and we stop there. Our issues won't just vanish."

Tessa lifted her shoulders. "I'm only saying, dude."

I stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray and rose, heading to the window. Rain continued pouring, tracing lines down the pane.

Every single day brought fresh chaos. Relaxation was a distant memory now. I longed for those simple times when my worst headache was a dull shift at the gas station. These days, it was nonstop turmoil.

This must be what they warn about—success dragging troubles in its wake.

Yeah.

Lucky me.

⟁ ⟁ ⟁

Carrie Beldenwar must have some sixth sense up there. Right as everything crashed and my rep sank to rock bottom, she slinked back in. She messaged that she'd returned from vacation, acting like she hadn't vanished for weeks.

Lounging on the sunbed, I eyed the text glowing on my phone—the sole illumination on the balcony. A full day had passed since the explosion with Nala. Shockingly, she'd obeyed; she never showed to collect her stuff from the penthouse. That reputation drop alert from the system earlier had hit hard. Did I really hurl all that at her? Total moron move. Time to zip it next time.

Yet I couldn't stand idle while she shipped nudes to some jerk. No chance I'd allow that. Intervention was key, though my wording sucked big time.

"Fuck."

Carrie had money and connections, didn't she? She might help pinpoint Jack Kuinn. Worth trying, except for one tangled snag.

I'd banged her in hate-fueled sessions more than I could tally. Treated her rough—like trash, even—and she'd craved it all. Begging a favor now? Felt wrong. Options were drying up, though. At dinner, I'd boasted to the girls about crushing Jack. Truth was, I had zero leads on locating him.

"Evan?"

I glanced over to see Jasmine in the doorway. She wore a crimson silk nightgown that hid almost nothing. Thin straps strained like they'd break with a deep breath, the plunging V-neck diving near her navel. Sheer and delicate fabric let her stiff nipples thrust against the red silk like twin peaks from the chilly air. The short hem skimmed her hips, flaunting those sleek, sculpted legs she'd sculpted relentlessly.

"Hey," I greeted with a weary grin.

"It's two a.m. What keeps you out here?" she wondered, approaching to perch on the sunbed's edge.

"Not sure. Just pondering, I suppose," I shrugged, scooting to give her space. "And you? You're normally out cold by now."

"Kayla's ridiculous gym app," she grumbled, rolling her eyes. "Insists I scarf two bananas right this minute for some 'metabolic window' nonsense."

"What? No way, you're kidding."

"Beats me," she said irritably. "Dumb app won't quit nagging till I log it."

"You're overdoing it, Jas," I chuckled lightly. "Why not ditch the thing? Total pain."

"Hey, aiming to stay fit and hot for you ain't a pain, old timer," she ribbed gently, voice tender.

"Eh. Could be."

I extended my arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. Reclining on the sunbed, I pulled her along. She nestled right in, head on my shoulder, one leg draped over mine. Despite the sealed glass, winter's bite lingered on the balcony. A shiver ran through her as she slipped hands beneath my t-shirt, warm palms gliding softly across my abs.

Her peaked nipples dug into my chest via the flimsy silk. Mint tinged her breath, cutting sharp against the stale cigarette whiff hanging outside.

"I see you're stressing over Nala," she breathed, her hand pausing on my belly.

Silence held as I gazed at the city glow.

"You need a break, handsome," she purred.

Meeting her eyes, I smiled. "You reckon?"