Reclaiming Her Heart
Chapter 525 And Yet, Why Do You Pursue Me?

Selena had two phones, each typically housing a single card, though there were times when both cards were operational within the same device. Standing on the balls of her feet in a state of irritation, she reached for her phone. However, Raymond, with a heavy gaze, purposefully held the device just out of her grasp.

"So, this is indeed a business line?" he questioned.

"No, it isn't," she retorted.

As the words left her lips, her phone rang. The screen illuminated, revealing an incoming call on card 1, identified as Caterlington. Card 1 was her personal line. Given that Caterlington was privy to her true identity, there was no need for subterfuge. Consequently, he was aware of both her numbers.

Upon recognizing Caterlington's call, Raymond promptly disconnected it. He then dialed Selena's number from his own device.

This time, the screen lit up with an incoming call on card 2, labeled as Mr. Montague. The difference between Caterlington and Mr. Montague was clear; it was evident who held a closer relationship with Selena without needing to voice it. A laugh of frustration escaped Raymond, the humiliation of the moment weighing heavily on him. His gaze upon Selena hardened, his lips pressed into a thin line, sharp as a blade's edge.

"What's your personal number?" he demanded. If Caterlington had access to it, why shouldn't he?

Selena's face hardened in response, and she extended her left hand.

"Mr. Montague, I insist you return my phone."

Raymond found himself experiencing an unexpected pang in his heart, as if he'd been stabbed. The sensation was sharper than a cut on his tongue, a strange swell of emotion.

His fingers skimmed over the phone, searching for her other card number. Suddenly, Selena's foot came down hard on his own.

A shudder of pain rippled through him, contorting his features.

In a brief moment of distraction, Selena snatched the phone from his grip.

She swiftly stowed the device in her purse, her expression stormy and foreboding.

Raymond cast a fleeting glance at his leather shoe, now marred by a distinct footprint. His drink had been splashed, his shoe stepped on, and Olivia's fork flung before him. He found himself questioning why he hadn't yet lost his temper. The anger that was currently simmering within him was nothing compared to the irritation he had felt upon realizing she had given him a business number. "Give me your personal number," he demanded.

Selena feigned ignorance and attempted to step away, but a firm hand grasped her shoulder, halting her escape.

"Selena, I've noticed you seem to have quite the temper around me today," Raymond observed, leaning in and craning his neck to study her shadowed expression.

"Why?" he queried.

"Mr. Montague, I should be asking you that. Miss Stone is inside, and yet here you are, chasing after me. Why?" she retorted, holding his gaze without blinking. Raymond didn't know why himself; he just felt an inexplicable compulsion to do so. He reached out, twirling a few strands of her hair between his fingertips.

"You just witnessed your husband's spinelessness," he pointed out.

"So, what? I like him. That's enough," she countered.

"Your taste is indeed unique," he commented, a hint of mockery in his tone.

"Takes one to know one," she shot back.

Their verbal sparring continued, him mocking her for liking such a feeble man, and her retorting with jabs about his affection for a cruel woman like Olivia. Neither backed down, but eventually, Raymond stepped away. "Meet me at the hotel tonight," he instructed.

"Mr. Montague, as I've mentioned, I can pay you thirty million," she reminded him.

His hand shot out, gripping her chin fiercely, a dark shadow crossing his eyes. "Last time, I gave you thirty million to redo a painting. Now you want to use thirty million to settle a score? Do you think I'm a fool? Selena, I don't want to get angry with you. You might not fear death, but does your family feel the same?"

Selena fell silent. She could only ever match him in verbal sparring; if Raymond truly put her in a tough spot, she'd live under his shadow for the rest of her life. Unless she could one day escape abroad. But right now, the Fair family was in chaos, James was still recovering, and he had only three months left. What would happen to James if she ran at this critical moment?

Seeing her silence, Raymond felt a slight ease, "Come with me to the hotel."

Selena's gaze slid past him to the figure lurking not too far behind - Olivia, skulking in the background. Reflecting on the injury on her own hand and how much Olivia cared for Raymond, Selena couldn't help but laugh. Just then, Raymond took her chin in his grasp, "Alright, let's head to the hotel."

Seeing the smile on her face, Raymond lowered his head and kissed her. For Selena, this was a deliberate performance for Olivia's benefit. Olivia had almost wrecked her hand, and since she knew that Raymond was Olivia's weak spot, using him to poke at her jealousy seemed to be effective.

Selena responded to Raymond's kiss.

Raymond's eyes flickered with emotion as he lifted his hand to hold the back of her head, deepening their kiss, his other arm instinctively wrapping around her waist. Selena, being much shorter, had to tilt her head back to receive his kiss. Olivia, witnessing this scene from afar, was boiling with rage. She had never been so intimate with Raymond; they rarely even hugged. Raymond always behaved with restraint and propriety around her, which is why the sight of him passionately kissing another woman caught her completely off guard.

And then, thinking of the marks on that woman's neck indicated just how fervent he could be in bed. He didn't want to sleep with other women; he wanted that designer.