Chapter 17 Elena? She'd even changed her name . Sebastian's bloodshot gaze fixed on Gabriel Westwood , then whipped back to the woman behind him . And in that moment , he saw it- She looked up at Gabriel . The frost in her eyes thinned to a faint , serene smile , the kind that carried trust and quiet relief . She even gave a small shake of her head , as if to say , I'm fine . That smile . That look of reliance ... Perhaps , once , there had been a shadow of it once , in another lifetime . But it had never , ever been for him . A wave of euphoria , shock , and something far darker- a soul - ripping jealousy and raw panic - crashed over Sebastian , nearly tearing him apart . She wasn't dead . She was alive . Thriving . More radiant than ever . But she looked at him like a deranged stranger , and looked at another man as though he were her safe harbor . " No ! " Sebastian's voice split into a roar , his composure shattering . " I know it's you ! You are Vivienne ! Look at me ! How dare you pretend you don't know me ?! How dare you ?! " His outburst drew uneasy glances and whispers from the people in the studio . Elena's brows knitted tighter , the disgust in her eyes sharpening . She didn't even bother to answer him . Instead , she turned to Gabriel and spoke softly - a gentleness Sebastian had never once heard in their marriage . " Gabriel , it's too loud here . Let's go in . " Gabriel nodded , shot Sebastian one last , icy look , and guided her away toward the private workroom . " Don't you walk away from me ! " Sebastian tried to follow , but the studio staff and even his business counterparts stepped in to stop him . He could only stand there , helpless , as the two figures walked away side by side - perfectly in sync - shutting him out of their world . The meeting ended in shambles . Back at his hotel , Sebastian tore through the room , smashing anything that would break . She was alive . Alive . Right in front of him . And she had looked him in the eye and denied him . Worse , she had a man by her side . " Find out everything ! " he roared into his phone , his voice raw , nearly feral . " Who is that man ? Where has she been for the last five years ? Every detail - I want everything ! " Chispter 17 W WebNovel 4.3 FREE I knew you were trouble when you walked in Google Play OPEN 85.00 % The Sterling Group's vast intelligence network roared to life . Soon , a detailed dossier lay before him . [ Elena Hartley - formerly Vivienne Hartley . Emigrated five years ago on a special talent program . Known for her innovative approach to sustainable materials and traditional craftsmanship , she had quickly built a reputation in the local design world . Her studio was small but prestigious , collaborating with several international brands that valued sustainability . ] Attached were her recent works - vibrant , alive , breathtaking . Sebastian stared at them in disbelief . He could hardly reconcile these brilliant designs with the timid woman who once shrank under his gaze . And Gabriel - a top graduate of an elite architecture program back home , with further study abroad , now an advocate of green building and a well - regarded designer in his own right . He was her senior from university . They had worked closely together for years , their projects earning multiple awards . The report carefully noted : [ close association , frequently seen together ; no cohabitation ; publicly " friends and professional partners . ] " Friends ? Partners ? " Sebastian sneered , his jealousy boiling over . " Day and night together , sharing victories , sharing struggles - and you call that just friends ? " He pictured it all : Her fighting to start over in a foreign country , and Gabriel there , steady at her side , cheering her on . Helping her through failures . Celebrating her successes . Watching the Northern Lights together . Burning the midnight oil in the studio , sketching designs side by side . Every image cut him open like a poisoned blade . It should have been him . Her laughter , her trust , her triumphs , her rebirth - they should have been his . Y He was the one who had found her first . He was the one who had married her . And he was the one who had thrown it all away . Agony and a wild , desperate possessiveness tore through him , hot and unstoppable . " She's mine , " he rasped , fingers biting into the tablet's edge until the casing cracked . " She was always mine . She can only be mine . " He couldn't stay in the hotel another second . He haunted the streets like a sleepless ghost , lurking near her studfo , lingering at cafés and markets where she might appear . He watched her walk down the cobblestone streets , poised and graceful , greeting neighbors with a gentle smile . He watched her sit with Gabriel at an open - air café , the two of them arguing over plans , laughing , exchanging glances that spoke a language he couldn't understand . He watched her at the market , selecting materials with focused care , sunlight softening the edges of her silhouette . She lived well . Chapter 17 85.00 % W WebNovel 4.3 * FREE Google Play OPEN I knew you were trouble when you walked in She lived fully . She lived as if Sebastian had never existed . And he - consumed by her mere existence - was dragged deeper into a private hell of his own making . Sleep abandoned him entirely . The moment he closed his eyes , all he could see was the way she smiled at Gabriel . Food lost all taste . His stomach knotted with constant pain . In meetings , he would snap , lose focus , nearly tank major deals . 14 In a spite - lit fury , he began quietly sabotaging Gabriel's projects - cutting off resources , blocking partnerships , trying to grind him down . But instead of crumbling , Gabriel and Elena stood even closer together , weathering every setback , and were soon awarded a more prestigious , purpose - driven grant project than before . Sebastian's jealousy curdled into something darker - a toxic brew of rage , desire , and helplessness - leaving him tottering on the lip of madness . Chapter 17 In "Someone Loved is Never Lost" by CrushReel, readers are immersed in a captivating CEO drama that explores the intricacies of love, loss, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of corporate power struggles and personal relationships, this ongoing novel delves deep into the lives of its characters as they navigate the complexities of both the boardroom and the heart. Themes of ambition, betrayal, and resilience intertwine with complex character dynamics, making for a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. CrushReel's unique storytelling style brings a fresh perspective to the CEO genre, offering a blend of emotional depth and strategic intrigue that sets this novel apart from others in its category. What makes "Someone Loved is Never Lost" special is its ability to seamlessly blend high-stakes corporate drama with heartfelt human connections, creating a story that resonates on multiple levels. Available to read at CrushReel, this novel promises a literary experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating each new chapter.