Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1171

Emmy glanced past the swirling snow, her eyes landing on the man just a few steps away.

She frowned at her phone, lowering her voice as she explained, “He’s just an investor I met recently.”

Then she looked over at Abis, keeping her tone polite but distant as she gestured to her phone. “Sorry, I’m on a video call with my husband. Not the best time for a chat. I’m going to head out.”

Most people would get the message and step back.

But not Abis.

He slid one hand into his coat pocket and, with long, easy strides, fell in step right behind her. His leather shoes crunched in the snow, each step soft but sure.

“Ms. Lincoln, married already? And you’re so young.” Abis’s voice had this strange, magnetic quality, smooth and teasing without even trying.

He looked at her, his eyes lingering on her face before flickering to the bright phone screen. “Who’s the lucky guy? Must be something, managing to win over someone as talented, young, and beautiful as you.”

Emmy stopped walking.

She hated people who didn’t know how to respect boundaries, especially when they interrupted her time with James.

She turned around. Her eyes were cold now. “Mr. Abis, we barely know each other. We’re not even friends. I don’t owe you any explanations about my private life.”

She lifted her chin a little, her voice firmer. “Right now, I’d really like to enjoy a little private time with my husband. Please, do as you wish.”

Without another glance in his direction, she took the down jacket Penny handed her, wrapped it around herself, and kept walking.

The snow was coming down harder. Emmy gave up on her morning run.

Abis just stood there, a black umbrella over his head, eyes following her every move.

…

James’s voice came through her earbuds, low and tense.

“Abis?”

Just his name, but there was a bite to it, a cold edge that made Emmy wince. She knew exactly what he was thinking. She quickly brought her phone closer and spoke gently, “Don’t worry. I checked up on him. He’s a low-profile billionaire from Hawaii who got his start in venture capital.”

James stayed quiet for a few seconds.

Then, “Show him to me.”

Emmy stopped, turned around, and flipped her phone’s camera. She aimed it behind her.

Abis was still there.

With snow swirling everywhere, he looked taller, a little lost under the black umbrella, just staring in her direction, completely still.

He was too far away for Emmy to make out his expression. Still, for a split second, something about him made her skin crawl. It was like looking through this stranger and seeing someone else—Dean, from her past, the one who used to suffocate her.

“I know,” Emmy replied. “He tried to take a project from me a while back, but I won.”

James sounded serious now. “He’s no amateur, Emmy. There are gaps in his background, and you’re competitors. If he’s getting close to you, he wants something. Stay away from him.”

Emmy nodded. “Relax, I’ve got Penny with me, and you’ve set up plenty of security on your end. I’m safe.”

Just then, someone knocked at the door.

A man’s voice called out, “Lin, you up?”

Emmy jumped out of bed, pulling on a jacket and whispering into her phone, “It’s just a colleague from the lab.”

She walked over and opened the door, a little surprised. “John, you’re here early.”

John held a stack of files, excitement all over his face. “Harlene and the others are back! I just got word about the Global AI Awards—big news. We need to meet in the lab.”

Emmy’s eyes lit up. “Okay, I’ll be right there!”

She hurried to the bathroom, calling out to her phone, “Something urgent just came up at the lab. I’ll talk to you later.”

But on the other end, James’s face was already stormy.

“Wait, why is he at your dorm again?”