Reclaiming Her Heart

Upon returning to Ashbourne Manor, Selena resolved to dedicate the ensuing week to her convalescence.

The Fair family's agricultural holdings were under the vigilant supervision of a steward, who was tasked with reporting any anomalies directly to her. Her investment in Alex's television series also demanded her attention, providing her with ample opportunity to concentrate on her recuperation.

Within the dimly lit confines of the Sky Club, Alex was engrossed in a hushed conversation with Baxter Barnes. "Raymond won't be joining us tonight," he announced, his voice laced with intrigue.

Baxter was taken aback. He had made it known a month earlier that he would be returning to the States, and he had assumed that any significant news would have been shared amongst their circle of friends by now. "What's happened to him?" Baxter queried, a note of concern creeping into his voice.

Alex's eyes sparkled with the prospect of sharing the latest scandal.

"You may not be aware, given your recent time abroad. Raymond has developed an affection for a married woman and has proposed to become her lover. However, she's not inclined to leave her husband."

Baxter arched an eyebrow, casting a skeptical glance at Alex. It was common knowledge that Alex, a screenwriter by trade, had a flair for the dramatic.

"Alex, are you referring to Raymond? Our long-standing friend?"

The gossip Alex had just divulged seemed incongruous with the Raymond he knew.

Alex pressed his lips together, signaling for Paul to interject.

Paul, who had been observing in silence, shot him a look that suggested it was time for Alex to cease his tale.

But Alex paid it no heed.

"The object of his affection is the young designer who renovated his home, Selena. She's undoubtedly attractive, but it appears she's entangled with more than just Raymond. She had a dalliance with Caterlington, and recently she's been enamored with an actor. And would you believe it? Raymond, in a grand display of affection, gifted her 150 million dollars to secure her favored actor as the lead in my script. That's the behavior of a man accustomed to grand gestures." Baxter stared blankly at his drink before venturing, "Are you serious?"

The story was so outlandish, it seemed more akin to a wild fantasy.

Alex nudged Paul, "Paul, back me up here."

Paul, who had been quietly nursing his drink, finally broke his silence, "There's a degree of embellishment, but not much."

Baxter had spent considerable time with Raymond during his sojourn abroad, and he was well acquainted with Raymond's undeniable charm.

On one occasion on Wall Street, a woman had spiked Raymond's drink and confined him in a room, parading herself before him. When the search party finally located Raymond, they found him with a bleeding arm, while the woman was bound with ropes, her clothing untouched.

Raymond was feverish, yet he hadn't laid a finger on her.

Baxter had accompanied him to the hospital, where tests revealed traces of a potent drug, one of the most powerful on the market.

It was rumored that under its influence, an ordinary man would perceive a beast as a beauty.

Baxter was taken aback by Raymond's resistance.

And then he began to question if something was amiss with his friend.

A number of Wall Street insiders harbored the same suspicions, their doubts fueled by Raymond's conspicuous silence. The woman at the center of the scandal was a highly sought-after legal powerhouse, which only added to the intrigue. In the midst of this, Alex was regaling him with tales of Raymond's romantic exploits, even going so far as to suggest that Raymond was behaving submissively.

He responded with a light chuckle, setting his drink down.

"I recall Olivia also returned to the States," he mused. Could it be that Raymond had been nursing a deep-seated affection for Olivia all this while?

"Olivia is likely lost in the recesses of his memory by now," Alex continued. "He was all over that young designer, practically imposing himself on her. She fled the hotel in tears and ran straight into me. I couldn't help but think Raymond must have taken a blow to the head or something."

Baxter Barnes arched an eyebrow. The more he heard, the more bizarre the situation seemed. He decided to take matters into his own hands, pulling out his phone and dialing Raymond directly.

Raymond, still burning the midnight oil at the Montague family business, glanced at the flashing caller ID and answered the call with a slight frown.

"Baxter."

"If you don't make an appearance soon, Alex is going to pen an entire novel about your alleged affair with a married woman."

Raymond's expression darkened with fury. He wanted to fire back, but the mere act of opening his mouth was a painful endeavor. The executives who had visited him that day had all kept their heads low, fearful that catching his eye might land them in hot water.

Now, having missed the welcome dinner, he could only imagine the tales Alex, with his knack for storytelling, was spinning. But who was the real culprit behind all this chaos?

The more Raymond pondered, the angrier he became, still seething over the previous night's events.

When his overtime shift finally ended, it was already nine in the evening. He dialed Selena's number.

These days, whenever Selena saw Raymond's name flash on her screen, it induced a headache.

"Mr. Montague."

"Where are you? I'm coming to see you."

She was currently at Ashbourne Manor, but she didn't dare reveal her true location. She quickly rose to her feet.

"I'm at the Rose Garden."

Raymond was about to say he'd head directly to the Rose Garden when she added,

"My husband is back tonight, so if you need me, Mr. Montague, I'll have to request a leave of absence."

She had spoken briefly with Lucas Den earlier in the evening, and indeed, Lucas had returned to visit his sister that day.

Raymond, still holding his breath in frustration, felt his annoyance dissipate the moment he heard the phrase 'my husband is back'. Suddenly, he was at a loss for words, as if, in that instant, he truly felt like he was the other man.