My Divorced CEO Wife Is Begging for Me Back

Chapter 8

Rhea stared at Conan as though she'd just witnessed him announce that he owned the entire city.

"The eighth floor?" she repeated.

Athena glanced at her gaping expression and waved a hand in front of her face.

"Close your mouth, darling. The mosquitoes might mistake it for a restaurant."

Rhea's expression hardened. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Rhea glared at her, but Athena had already turned her attention back to Conan.

What annoyed Rhea most was that she hadn't expected to find him here at all. She had ordered takeout earlier and hadn't even been particularly interested in dining out. 

Daven, however, had shown up and suggested bringing her to Sky Rock Hotel. He had gone to considerable lengths to impress her, even spending a fortune on connections to secure a Platinum membership card.

He'd wanted tonight to be special. A chance to show her that he could give her the kind of experience she'd never enjoyed during her marriage.

And now Conan was standing at the entrance, talking about taking someone to the eighth floor as though he could afford to do so.

"Conan, have you lost your mind?" Rhea finally demanded. "Snap out of whatever delusion you're entertaining. Do you even know where you are?"

Conan glanced at her. "I'm aware."

"Then stop boasting. You couldn't afford to eat at an average hotel when we were married. What makes you think you can suddenly walk into the eighth floor of a world class hotel like Sky Rock?"

Athena's eyebrows shot up.

"Hey! There's no need to speak to him like he's a child."

Rhea turned towards her.

Athena continued, "Even if he can't afford to dine here, I can. What's the problem? And if we can't get into the eighth floor, we'll simply eat on the third floor. It's not as though I'll starve."

She shrugged, completely unbothered.

Daven, meanwhile, had barely taken his eyes off Athena. His gaze lingered on her, taking in her curvaceous figure. Her designer outfit did little to conceal her generous bust and well-defined waist, while her hips accentuated the fullness of her frame. 

She had the kind of figure that could easily turn heads in a crowded room, and Daven was certainly not immune to it. His eyes gleamed with undisguised appreciation. A wealthy, beautiful woman with such an attractive figure standing beside him would be a rare catch. He could already imagine the envy and admiration such a relationship would bring him.

Unfortunately, her attention seemed entirely fixed on Conan.

His expression darkened with sudden lust, but he quickly concealed it beneath a sympathetic smile.

"Miss Dutcher, I think you should be careful."

Athena glanced at him. "About what?"

"About him." Daven sighed and shook his head. "I don't mean to interfere, but Conan isn't the kind of man you think he is."

Conan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Daven continued in a gentle, almost apologetic tone. "He was a live-in son-in-law in the Voss family for three years. He depended on Rhea for everything and never contributed anything meaningful. He's accustomed to women taking care of him."

He paused, looking at Athena as though he genuinely hated having to reveal such unpleasant information.

"And now, before he's even officially divorced Rhea, he's already found another wealthy woman to attach himself to. I wouldn't want someone as generous as you to be taken advantage of."

Athena looked at him for a moment. Then she laughed. "Are you finished?"

Daven's smile stiffened. "I'm only trying to help."

"Then help yourself and stop talking nonsense."

His expression changed.

Athena linked her arm more firmly through Conan's.

"I have money. If Conan needs financial assistance, I'm willing to lend him as much as he wants. But I wouldn't lend a single penny to a shifty little man like you."

Daven's face darkened.

Rhea looked between them, her confusion growing. It was only then that she took a proper look at the woman standing beside Conan.

Her eyes narrowed. "Wait. Why is it you?"

Athena tilted her head. "Excuse you?"

"Why are you here with him?"

Athena gave her a dismissive look.

"I'll go wherever I want. Why can't it be me? Not only am I going to eat here, but I'm also going to eat with your husband!"

"Your husband?" Rhea repeated, her voice rising.

She turned sharply towards Conan.

"Have you been cheating on me all along?"

Conan's patience finally snapped.

"Cheating?" he repeated coldly. "You brought Daven into our home. You allowed him to behave as though he belonged there, even while we were still married. And you're accusing me of cheating because I'm having a meal with someone?"

Rhea's lips parted.

"If anyone has been unfaithful in this marriage, it's you," Conan continued. "Athena and I are simply having dinner. Don't make it something it isn't."

Daven's eyes shifted between them. He wasn't pleased with the direction the conversation had taken.

At noon, Conan had been calling around desperately for money. Now he was standing outside Sky Rock Hotel, apparently preparing to dine on its most exclusive floor.

It was a big joke.

"That's interesting," Daven remarked, his voice dripping with disbelief. "Conan, weren't you borrowing money just some hours ago? How did you suddenly become wealthy enough to dine here?"

He turned towards Athena with an expression of pity.

"Miss Dutcher, I understand that you might find him charming, but please don't let his act fool you. A man who was begging for money at noon is now promising you dinner on the eighth floor. Doesn't that tell you something?"

Athena stared at him.

Then she looked at Conan.

The two exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter.

Daven's face tightened. "What's so funny?"

Athena wiped the corner of her eye.

"You're really something, aren't you? You talk as though you know everything about him."

She leaned slightly towards Conan, lowering her voice.

"Does he always talk this much?"

Conan glanced at her. "Unfortunately, it seems so."

Athena laughed again.

There was something unexpectedly entertaining about her. She had a sharp tongue and seemed to enjoy using it, especially when someone tried to belittle him. She didn't appear embarrassed by the attention or concerned about what others thought of her. If anything, she seemed to be having the time of her life.

Daven, however, was furious.

He had expected Athena to distance herself from Conan after hearing about his financial circumstances. Instead, she was laughing with him as though they'd known each other for years.

And Conan wasn't even trying to defend himself.

That calm expression irritated Daven more than anything.

He turned towards the hotel entrance and spotted an attendant standing nearby.

"Hey!"

The attendant immediately approached and bowed politely.

"Good evening, sir. How may I assist you?"

Daven glanced at Conan before asking loudly, ensuring everyone nearby could hear him.

"Can just anyone walk into the eighth floor of this hotel?"

The attendant maintained her professional smile.

"Certainly not, sir. Access to our exclusive floors requires verification of the appropriate membership card. Every guest's card is checked before entry, and access is granted according to their membership tier."

"Wonderful."

Daven nodded as though he'd just received confirmation of something important.

He turned towards Conan, a mocking smile spreading across his face.

"Well, you heard her. This isn't somewhere you can simply walk in and make empty promises."

He extended a hand towards Conan.

"Since you're so confident about taking Miss Dutcher to the eighth floor, why don't you show us your membership card?"

Rhea folded her arms, watching Conan expectantly.

Daven's smile widened. "Come on, Conan. Where is your card?”