Burned Once, Never Again (Niamh and Castiel)

After listening to the dial tone of the landline, Castiel slammed the phone down. He felt he had already given Niamh so much ground.

He had intended to ask her to return to Maplewood. After all, as the lady of the Jamison family, this was her home.

If she was unwilling to give her corneas to Macy, he... wouldn't force her to. Hadn't he already made enough compromises?

The more he dwelled on it, the more his frustration mounted. In his frustration, he knocked the vase off the table.

Yet, his outburst did nothing to alleviate his inner turmoil. His nerves were frayed, and his face had lost its usual warmth.

While Castiel was consumed by rage, Niamh called Billie and invited her out to meet for drinks at Nocturne. Even though she was still feeling a bit down that day, the fact that she had bested Castiel for

the first time ever was cause for a celebration.

"Let everyone take it easy today," Niamh told Quinn. "We'll have a party tomorrow night."

Quinn nodded in agreement. "Everyone's been working hard these past few days."

Every successful entrepreneur had a team of dedicated employees behind them. Even though she had never been CEO of a company, she had lived with one for so many years that she had learned a thing or two. Niamh recalled how, after every triumph, Castiel would always.

throw a party for his team

Chap 10

By the time Niamh and Quinn arrived at Nocturne, Billie was already there. Her eyes lit up when she saw Niamh step out of a Bugatti Veyron.

"Woah, look at you!" she exclaimed. "You're really living it up, aren't you? You shouldve been spending his money right from the start!"This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Even though Niamh had never been one to pinch pennies, she had never flaunted her wealth quite like this before.

She reasoned that she was entitled to her husband's money because, if she wasn't willing to spend it, there were plenty of others who would-be eager to. For instance, Castiel had spent a fortune on the hospital where Macy was being treated. Niamh explained, "My uncle gave this to me, not him!"

"Your uncle?"

"Yeah."

"Woah, your uncle is so generous!" Billie looked at the luxury car, almost green with envy. She wished she had an uncle like that.

Niamh's heart swelled whenever she thought of her uncle. Ever since Simon had come into her life, she had developed a newfound appreciation for home.

Nocturne was where Greenburg's sophisticated veneer melted away

in the night. The genteel figures who roamed the city by day discarded their masks here, their true natures laid bare by the pulsating rhythms that shook the very heavens.

Half an hour later, Billie's voice cut through the blaring music. "What? You made Castiel lose tha. uge project?"

Niamh had only invited her out to celebrate, but she had no idea what

they were celebrating. Billie was completely caught off guard when she learned the celebration was for Castiel's lost project and that it was Niamh's doing. "Mm-hmm," Niamh responded.

"Damn, Niamh, you've really outdone yourself this time! Quick, tell me, was he seething with anger?"

Billie was all ears when it came to Castiel's misfortune. Considering how he had once hit Niamh because of Macy, she found this payback incredibly satisfying.

It was worth noting that any project associated with Greenburg's biotech companies ran into the billions. In other words, Niamh, whom Castiel and his family had always looked down upon, had now cost him a billion-dollar project. Projects like these were vital for planning the year ahead. Hence, Niamh had completely derailed Castiel's plans for the coming year. It was even more gratifying than slapping him in the face.

Billie couldn't help but feel more and more exhilarated as she thought about it.