Falling For My Accidental CEO Husband-Chapter 313: An Old Acquaintance

Ella walked through the crowd alone, her mind a mess even though her face didn’t show a trace of it. She was nervous. Tonight, she would be approached. Dale had been sure of it. And deep down, so was she.

After all, the groundwork had already been laid over the last few months. Everyone in this circle knew who she was—the estranged younger sister of Aiden Hawk. The one he’d once cared for, protected, and then thrown away because of his wife. That part of the story had spread easily. It was just the kind of drama people here liked to whisper about. So, even though he was protective of her, she had been barred from returning to her country.

So, she was the little ababdoned princess. And then there was the rest of it. The version her little posse of followers had made sure people heard when they were back bit*hing about her. That she was a spoilt, angry, rebellious heiress. That she hated her brother. That she’d sworn to get back at him one day. All of it had been intentional in accordance with Dale’s plan. This would draw the right kind of attention. The kind they needed for her to infiltrate into the human trafficking circle.

It should’ve worked. And maybe it had. But she had been here for more than an hour now, walking the edges of the room, watching the crowd, and yet, no one had approached her. Not even casually. Not even by mistake. That made her nervous.

She knew, of course, that these people who wanted something from her and use her wouldn’t come out and say it. Not openly. They wouldn’t walk up and hand over their plans. They’d test her. They’d watch first. Maybe even send someone else. And maybe that’s exactly what was happening now. But still, she hadn’t expected it to take this long.

She picked up a glass from a passing tray, not because she wanted it but because she needed something to hold. Something to do with her hands. Her expression stayed flat, distant. Not inviting. Not closed off. Just there.

She needed to be patient. She had just reminded herself of that when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

She froze.

Then slowly turned around- and stopped short.

A rush of emotions hit her at once. Relieved, because at least someone had approached. But also tense, because it was someone she hadn’t expected. Someone she wasn’t sure how to read right now.

It was Sidney.

She smiled at him then, even though she wanted to run away. She knew he had been here for the past few months as well, but she had not expected him to approach her tonight of all nights. Any other time, she could have handled things just fine.

"Miss Ella. You’ve gotten even more beautiful over the last few years, hmm?"

She looked into his light cat like eyes and shivered as he took her hand in his and asked, "May I have the pleasure of a dance?"

Ella hesitated. He still held her hand lightly but she didn’t move. Her other hand tightened arounf the glass as she looked at him with a neutral expression... as if she was still deciding.

She had liked him once. A girlish fantasy. That wasn’t something she liked to admit, even to herself. He was older, charming, and dangerous in a way that had drawn her in far too easily.

And the first time she had ever hurt Serena-really hurt her and start the rift, had been because of him. Not just because he’d asked, but because Ella had wanted to impress him. To prove something. She hadn’t even thought it through back then. That single mistake had been the starting that ruined everything.

So no, she didn’t want to go anywhere near Sidney.

But she couldn’t ignore who he was either. Sidney Price. Her brother’s oldest enemy. The man Aiden hated most. The kind of man her brother would burn cities over if he touched anything that belonged to him.

Which meant that tonight, in this place, Sidney should be her friend.

Or at least, appear to be.

She forced herself to smile again, and step close to him, "One dance."

He smiled wider and she could see the triumph reflected in his eyes as he said, "That’s all I need."

He led her to the dance floor, one hand still around hers, the other settling low on her back as they moved into step. Too low. She felt the warmth of his palm against her bare skin, just under the line of her dress. He didn’t press, but she knew the contact was intentional. What she needed to know was why.

"How are you doing?" he asked, his voice low, meant for her alone.

Ella looked up at him, her expression still polite. "Well enough," she said. "As can be expected."

Sidney nodded slightly, spinning her once before settling her back into place. "I heard about your father. A shame, truly. My condolences."

She didn’t reply. Just gave a small nod.

"And now you’re here," he said, voice dipping just slightly as his thumb moved in a slow circle along the edge of her back. "Alone. A little lost, maybe. Without Aiden. Without protection."

She looked up at him sharply, but his face gave away nothing except a smile.

He leaned in, just enough for his breath to brush her ear. "If there’s anything you need, Ella... anything at all... you know you can come to me. I’ll be happy to help you through this difficult time."

Ella felt her heart go still at the words. These were the kind of words she had been told that the person who approached her would say. She had expected some low life scum to do that.. But it was Sidney... Why and how did he get involved in something like this?

As she looked into his eyes, she knew that she could not ask him that question. So, she looked into his eyes and smiled at him slowly. The contact had been made...

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