I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 145: No More Games

Leila immediately jumps to her feet and runs to Arthur, wrapping him in a tight hug.

"Arthur! You’re home! Welcome!"

Arthur is a little startled by his mother’s reaction, but he doesn’t pull away. Instead, he hugs her back just as tightly.

"Mom," he says with a laugh, "judging from your reaction, it’s like I’ve been away for ten long years. You do realize I saw you this morning, right?"

Leila chuckles. "Yes, I do realize that. But after the stunt you pulled today, I was very worried about you."

She releases him and studies his face. "But now you’re home, so everything is alright again." She smiles, genuine and relieved.

Arthur looks at his mother gently. "I’m happy to be home too."

He turns to his father. "Father, I’m sorry if I made you worry."

Maurice smiles and pulls him into a brief hug. "Say no more. I know why you did what you did. It’s a parent’s job to worry about their children. Let us have that privilege."

He pats Arthur on the shoulder. "You did well, son. We’re proud of you."

Arthur smiles widely.

He can’t help but feel validated and appreciated. It doesn’t matter that he’s the CEO of a multinational company. It doesn’t matter that he’s twenty seven years old. It doesn’t matter that his achievements far surpass those of his parents.

None of that can trump one simple sentence from his father.

We’re proud of you.

Hearing it, Arthur feels as if he has reached the pinnacle of his life.

He looks at both of his parents, his eyes glistening. "Thank you. Both of you. Thank you."

Julian steps forward, breaking the harmonious moment, and nudges his brother a little too hard.

"Now spill. Tell us how you did it."

"Julian, it’s already late," Leila immediately scolds him. "I’m sure your brother hasn’t had dinner yet, and he must be tired. We can wait until tomorrow."

"It’s alright, Mom," Arthur says. "You’re right, I haven’t had dinner. I’ll tell you everything while I eat. I’m not tired right now. Probably because the adrenaline hasn’t worn off yet."

He adds, "I promise I’ll rest tomorrow. I already told Sam I’m not coming to work."

His family members exchange looks.

"You’re... you’re going to miss work? You’re staying home?" Julian asks in disbelief.

Arthur nods. "I know. Shocking, right? But yes. I think I’ll stay home tomorrow."

He smiles faintly. "Now, I’m starving."

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About fifteen minutes later, the Montroses are seated around the dining table, watching Arthur finish his meal.

"Oh, that was good. Thanks, Mom." He pushes his plate away.

Then he looks around the table, a mischievous smile forming.

"Alright. I’ll tell you what I did."

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"I was used by someone else?" Jessica asked. A flash of anger crossed her gaze. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Arthur saw that she was genuinely furious and completely unaware. He sighed.

Then he nodded. "Yes, Ms. Kwan. Unfortunately, someone did use you to get to me. And I didn’t want to tell you his name, because it would have dragged you even deeper into this mess."

Jessica sneered.

"I am already in this mess. You’re using me too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have called me here. I know you didn’t do all that just to give me the whole picture."

She stopped, thinking.

"Well... yes. You actually did," she admitted.

"But you’re also planning to use me to get back at him, right?" Jessica pressed, anger flaring.

She felt stupid and used. Not a good combination of feelings to have.

She kept her gaze locked on Arthur’s eyes, refusing to back down.

Noticing that she was serious, Arthur’s demeanor changed. He no longer looked approachable. Whatever charm he had been using disappeared.

He was Arthur the CEO again. Not cold, but firm. No nonsense. Matter of fact.

Jessica was stunned by the shift. It was as if she had just watched someone remove a mask and return effortlessly to his true self.

"Alright," he said. "If that’s what you want."

His voice was no longer warm or persuasive. It was sharp. Direct.

And yet, deep down, Jessica preferred this version of Arthur.

This Arthur didn’t confuse her. He didn’t hide behind sugar-coated words. He would tell her the truth, exactly as it was.

"First of all, the scene you saw during my video call with Sam was not an act. It was real. Sam didn’t know I would called him, and everything he told me about the crisis was real as well. I want to deal with it as soon as possible."

He continued, steady and direct. "You are also right. I did call you here to flip the coin. But I wanted you to have the whole picture not because I was playing games or trying to counterattack anyone, but because it is the truth."

Arthur paused, then said firmly, "So let’s get one thing straight. Everything I tell you is the truth. I don’t lie. I may withhold some information, but not because I want to make a fool out of you. It’s because I don’t fully trust you yet. Is that clear?"

Jessica felt something unexpected spread through her chest. Warmth.

This was the first time a man had spoken to her like this. The first man who hadn’t tried to get into her bed. The first man who treated her like a human being rather than an object of desire or a trophy to be pursued and won.

She nodded, just as firmly.

"Yes, I understand. It’s crystal clear. And you don’t need to tell me his name, because I think I already know. It’s Stille, isn’t it?" Jessica replied. She had decided not to play games anymore.

Arthur nodded. "Yes. It was him. He’s been trying to bring me down for a long time now, and I don’t know why. I don’t need to know why. If he has personal issues with me, I would rather he take them straight to me. But judging from the way he’s been acting, it’s very likely because he simply doesn’t like me."

Jessica sighed. "You’re spot on. Stille let it slip once. The only reason he doesn’t like you is because you’re successful and he’s not. He’s jealous of you. Why you specifically, I don’t know. But jealousy makes people do ridiculous things."

Arthur chuckled, the sound dry. "Good to know. And it confirms what I already believed about him. He’s a petty man, and he doesn’t deserve to sit as the Chief of Arvion DEU."

Jessica blinked a few times. "You’re planning to take him down?"

"Yes," Arthur said, his expression set.

And Jessica knew then that he wasn’t posturing or indulging in fantasies.

He meant it.