Page 191 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

“Perfect. The timing couldn’t be better.”

Henri watches me for a few seconds before asking:

“Do you really think Wald will take the bait?”

“He’s a proud man. After everything he’s invested in this operation, he’ll never accept being beaten at the last minute.”

Henri nods slowly.

“In that case… see you next week.”

“Yes. See you next week.”

By the time I return to the manor that evening, I set down my briefcase and, without even taking off my coat, cross the room and pull Valeria into my arms.

We simply hold each other in silence.

For two years, I believed I’d never be able to do this again. So ever since we found each other again, we’ve created a ritual.

No departures. No returns. Not without a real kiss—slow and deep.

For me, it’s proof that she’s alive.

For her, proof that she’s really back.

And for both of us… it’s my silent promise never to take a single moment for granted again.

I lower my head slowly until my lips find hers.

Her mouth parts immediately to welcome me.

My arms tighten around her as I deepen the kiss, savoring the warmth, the softness, the certainty of having found her again.

A smile tugs at my lips when a small, inarticulate sound escapes her. Suddenly, I want much more.

But the sound of someone clearing their throat brutally tears us away from the moment.

Mara and Stephen are standing there.

Damn it.

I reluctantly let go of my wife, still affected by the taste of her lips.

Andrea joins us a few seconds later, followed closely by Inspector Sanders. We all sit around the table.

Inspector Sanders opens his laptop and turns the screen toward us.

“We still haven’t found the hitman,” he says. “But we do have a lead on his intermediary. My men are still investigating. And, I’ve got new information on Wald. I think I finally understand how he operates.”

A diagram appears on the screen: circles, lines, company names, percentages.

“There’s a well-known method in industrial espionage, especially in biotech and pharmaceutical industries. It’s discreet, effective… and difficult to prove because it relies on perfectly legal mechanisms.”

He pauses before continuing.

“The principle is simple. Someone wants access to high-potential research without paying its true value. Instead of approaching the target directly, they use an intermediary.”

“Human assets,” Andrea says.