Falling For My Accidental CEO Husband
Chapter 149: Alligator

Chapter 149: Alligator

"You never cease to amaze me, Sidney," Serena said, crossing her arms. "You’ve managed to have your cake and eat it too. That’s so typical of you."

"I’m trying to help you," Sidney replied calmly.

"Oh, right. By conveniently arranging everything so that, in the end, I know exactly where the credit will go." Serena arched an eyebrow, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"Serena, you’ve been missing for over a year!" Sidney’s patience was waning. "And before that, you were just starting to build your reputation as an up-and-coming leader. Do you know how many rising stars get washed out of the industry every day? It’s brutal out there. Even if I wanted to send the investor your way directly, I couldn’t do it without giving them something solid to latch onto. There needed to be more than just potential; there had to be a guarantee. I’m offering that guarantee."

Serena narrowed her eyes. "And on what basis are you giving that guarantee, Sidney? What makes you so sure they’ll trust me? Do you really think you can trust me, after everything?"

Sidney met her gaze without hesitation. "I know I can trust you. I always have. You’ve proven yourself more than once."

"That’s not the point," Serena shot back, her voice low but sharp. "Blind faith isn’t exactly a good strategy, not where we stand. Especially not with the stakes this high. I hold a grudge, Sidney and if need be, I won’t hesitate in throwing you aside. In fact, as far as I am concerned, I’d rather not keep you with me."

"Don’t worry, Rena. I am not actually doing this in blind faith, as you call it. I intend to get my fair share of profits. Of course we will discuss those afterwards.

Sidney opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the door to the private room creaked open. A waiter stepped in, bowing slightly. "Excuse me, sir, ma’am. Your guest has arrived."

Serena and Sidney exchanged a quick glance, the tension still hanging in the air. Whatever argument had been brewing between them would have to wait.

"Show them in," Sidney said, straightening up as he sent a warning glance her way. Serena rolled her eyes at him and pasted a smile on her face. Just because she looked down on Sidney does not mean she’d look a gift horse in the mouth.

The door opened, and in walked a tall man with silver-streaked hair and sharp eyes.

"Mr. Ji," Sidney greeted him with a firm handshake. "Thank you for joining us."

Mr. Ji nodded politely before turning his attention to Serena. "And this must be the Serena I’ve heard so much about. Sidney speaks very highly of you."

Serena forced a smile, "I’ll bet he does. He tends to talk more when it benefits him."

Mr. Ji let out a chuckle, seemingly amused. "I like a woman with wit." as he took a seat. As expected, the first thirty minutes passed with small talk and ordering food and Serena remembered exactly why she hated all this. It was better to discuss the profits and losses and get done with it. Business was business. There was no point in ’socialising’ too much.

It was then that Mr Ji asked her a question about her plans for future and she explained that she realized something. There was something about the way Mr. Ji glanced between her and Sidney, as if he knew something she didn’t after she explained everything. Finally, after the discussion came to an end, he said something that made her bristle.

"It’s rare to see such a strong partnership. You two make quite the formidable team—both in business and outside of it, I’m sure."

Serena froze, the meaning behind his words sinking in. She blinked, her brows knitting together. He was under the impression that they were a couple.

Her mouth opened to correct him, the words on the tip of her tongue. "Actually, we—"

Before she could finish, Sidney shot her a sharp, warning glance. His eyes locked on hers, communicating without a word: Don’t say it.

Serena’s jaw tightened as she clamped her mouth shut. She could feel the tension rolling off her, but she forced herself to smile—though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She couldn’t believe Sidney had let such a deception fester. No wonder the man was so willing to invest with Sidney was a guarantor! Sidney had falsely claimed a relationship with her. What was this man thinking.

For a moment, she thought to disregard the warning signals he was sending her way but then better sense prevailed. Saying anything now would mean almost humiliating the investor. There was no need to antagonise anyone at this point.

Mr. Ji, oblivious to the tension, continued with a chuckle, clearly pleased with his observation. "A partnership like yours—it’s built on trust. That’s rare in our business world."

"Yes," she finally said, her voice measured. "Trust is... crucial in most parnerships and yet a rarity."

Finally, the meeting came to an end and Mr Ji stood up to leave with his final words."

I look forward to working closely with you two. It’s clear this is going to be a successful venture." With a final nod, he exited the room, leaving Serena and Sidney alone.

The moment the door clicked shut, Serena spun around, her fists clenched at her sides.

"You lied," she seethed, her voice low and dangerous. "You let him think we’re a couple, Sidney! What the hell are you playing at?"

Sidney didn’t flinch under her fury. Instead, he calmly leaned back in his chair, the faintest smirk playing on his lips. "Relax, Rena. It was a harmless assumption, and it worked in our favor. Mr. Ji is more interested in investing because he believes in us—as a team. That’s all that matters."

"Harmless?" she spat, her voice rising. "You manipulated him into thinking there’s more to this—more to us—than there actually is. You made it personal. Do you even understand how wrong that is?" Then she paused and shook,"Oh right! I forgot your moral radar is broken! Let me warn you, if you really want to work together, you better clarify this misunderstanding."

"It won’t be a misunderstanding for long, Rena." Sidney spoke coldly, this time, very different from the affable man. "Let’s discuss my terms now... Take a seat."

Serena sat down slowly. It was time for the alligator to show his true form....