《New beginning: Billionaire love story》 Chapter 1 As ire approach the apartment door, she can''t help but feel the butterfly in her stomach. She feels so excited and giddy. For the whole day she spent her time preparing a surprise for Alex for their 3rd year wedding anniversary. She hold the flower dearly in her arms and gazed at the food nestled in the bag, a smile lighting up her face. It was Alex''s favorite dish, and she had poured her heart into making it. Cooking wasn''t her forte, but she was determined to get it right for him. ire punched in the password of the apartment door and let herself in. She stood frozen in spot as she spotted a woman''s blouseying on the floor. She started to feel unease, but she still managed to keep calm until she saw a woman''s bra on the couch. Panic gripped her, and she hurried to the kitchen and spotted Alex. "What''s going on, Alex?" she demanded, her voice trembling. Alex nced at her casually as he poured the whiskey into his ss. "ire, you are here. Good timing. We need to talk." She hesitated before answering. "About what?" "We are getting a divorce." Alex statement hit ire like ton of bricks. Her heart pounded in her chest, and it felt like the room was getting smaller by the minute. "W-what are you talking about?" she choked out, her voice breaking. "You heard me. We are getting a divorce. I have printed you the divorce paper. I need you to sign it as soon as possible." "What if I don''t want to." Alex stared at her coldly. "Don''t make this harder than it looks. I have enough of this stupid marriage." Tears welled up in ire''s eyes. "Babe...where are you? Come back to bed, please." A soft familiar voice chime in their conversation and at that moment ire''s world shattered. "I''m in the kitchen, honey." ire turned on her heels. All the air has been knock out of her lungs as shee face to face with the woman. "You? said ire in disbelief. "C-ire?" She stood still frozen in ce as her mouth gapped open. "How could you?" "I-" Emily''s anger boiled over. "I trusted you. I have done so much for you, and this is how you repay me? By stealing my husband?" "ire, I can exin," Lisa approached her as she tried to take ahold of ire''s hand, but ire pushed her away harshly. "Don''t you dare hurt her." Alex said as he stood nest to Lisa with his arms circling her waist. ire could not believe her eyes. It felt unreal to her but at the same time it was real. "This is where you have been? You are sleeping with her on our anniversary? I-I can''t believe this. You told me you were busy with business and yet here you are. Why? Why are you doing this?" Tears streamed down ire''s face as she struggled toprehend his betrayal. ire shook her head furiously. "No! No! This cannot be happening! Tell me this is a prank, tell me!" ire said as she shook Lisa shoulder. Alex pushed her away from Lisa and shooting her a red. "You guys are messing with me, right? This is your punishment cause I broke your favorite mug, right Alex?" "You are crazy. Did you not hear what I said earlier? We are getting a divorce, ire." "Please don''t. I will do anything you want, Alex. I will be the obedient wife. I-I-I''m willing to everything you want. Just please don''t divorce me. Give me one more chance." Alex stared at her in disgust as if he can''t believe himself for marrying a woman like ire. "Look at you...so pathetic and so desperate. You are willing to do anything for this lifeless marriage." "Because I love you! I don''t understand why you want to have a divorce? l-I never do any mistake." The tears on her face kept falling like a waterfall. ire still couldn''t believe her ear. Alex scoffed. "Marrying you is the mistake." ire felt like her heart had been stabbed by a thousand knives. It hurt her. "Then why did you marry me in the first ce?" "I marry you because of my grandfather. If it wasn''t for him, I wouldn''t even touch you to begin with. Tell me ire? What did you do to him to make him like you, huh?" "I didn''t do anything!" "You are such a liar." ire was about to defend herself until Alex cut her off. "I don''t want to hear your sappy story. All I want is your signature tomorrow. If I don''t receive it before noon, you will regret it." "Then what? What are you going to do after the divorce? Marry her?" Alex turned to Lisa. His harden gaze melted as soon as he turned to her. He looks at her with gentle eyes and soft smile. ire can''t believe what she is seeing. "Yes, I am going to marry her." ire gritted her teeth in anger. Her eyes shifted to Lisa who stood there with her innocent looking eyes. It sicken ire. ire fists clenched at her sides, anger bubbling up inside her. "This is all your fault! You ruined my marriage. You are no best friend. In fact, you are nobody''s best friend." "I-I''m sorry, ire. It just happened." "You''re not sorry. You''re just sorry you got caught." She seethed. ire''s anger surged. She hurled a flower at Lisa''s face, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I hate you; I hate you!" she screamed, her voice cracking with emotion. She flung everything within reach in a fit of rage. Chairs toppled; sses shattered. The dining room transformed into a chaotic scene of destruction. "ire! Are you out of your mind? Stop it!" said Alex who protect Lisa like a knight in shining armor. Alex tried to intervene, shouting at ire to stop, but she ignored himpletely. Grabbing the food she held, she flung it in Lisa''s direction, the hot soup sttering over her legs as well as ire''s hard work go to waste. "Ouch!" Lisa cried out. Alex to step in. "Stop it, ire!" Alex yelled, trying to restrain her. "Why, Lisa?! Why are you doing this to me? I have always been nothing but nice to you!" ire screamed. Alex grasped her hands tightly, but ire struggled against his grip, desperate tosh out. "Let me go!" she yelled, but Alex''s hold only tightened. In a sudden, harsh move, he pushed her, causing ire to collide with the ss dining table with a loud thud. Lisa gasped at the scene, her own shock mirroring ire''s sudden change in demeanor. "ire, are you okay?" she called out, concernedcing her voice. For a moment, everything went silent. Food sttered across the floor, staining the pristine tiles. The air was tense. ire''s tears stopped, and an eerie calm washed over her. It was as if someone had flipped a switch, shutting off her emotions. Slowly, ire lifted her head, blood trickling down her face, but her expression was eerily calm. She fixed her dead eyes on Alex and uttered just four words. "I want a divorce."This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 2 By: NovelRead The situation is in chaos. ire, looking pale, slowly stood up. Blood still visible on her head and slowly dripping down her cheek. Alex frowned in confusion as he stared at ire in a calm state. He took a step back and shielded Lisa away from ire sight incase she pull any dangerous stunt. "What did you say earlier?" said Alex making sure he heard her right. ire clicked her tongue in annoyance and crossed her arms over her chest. "Are you deaf or something? I want a divorce." ire said firmly. Alex body stiffened for a second as if he cannot believe his ears. Earlier ire begged him to not divorce her but now is the opposite. ire calm and cool demeanor freaked Alex out, but he tried to remain calm. "Are you toying with me? Is this one of your tricks?" ire exhaled harshly and wipe the blood on her cheek with the back of her hand. "Listen, Harris, I am not ying with you." ire took a step forward. "Instead, I am dead serious." Anger are evident in Alex eyes as he stared at her. For a moment, he search ire''s face to find out if she is telling the truth or just lying. "Fine, I will get the paper." Alex exit the kitchen to proceed to bring the divorce paper. ire raised her brows at Lisa, her now ex best friend. "What?" ire said coldly, Lisa was about to respond but think otherwise. ire made her way to the living room so casually as if she owns the ce. She plopped down the expensive custom couch while her eyes capturing every detail. "You know, I have never admire the true beauty of this penthouse. No wonder he brought you here." said ire with such ease. A paper are being thrown on the coffee table. "Sign it." ire doesn''t waste time as she grab the paper and took her time reading it. "Are you reading? You are the one asking for a divorce and yet here you are taking your sweet time reading instead of signing it. You are such a witch." ire throw the paper with a loud snapped on the coffee table. A look of annoyed etched on her face as she stared at Alex from across her seat. "That divorce paper...is bullshit. Everything that you wrote there doesn''t give me any benefit. Who do you think suffer the most in this marriage, huh? Three fucking years...I endured living with you. Trying to maintain this stupid marriage even God knows is not worth saving." Alex chuckled sarcastically. "I knew it. This is one of your tricks. What are you plotting, huh?" "I''m not plotting anything." ire said innocently as she lean back to the soft cushion of the sofa. "I am only asking for my part." "Which is?" "I want 100,000.00." Alex jumped out of the couch as soon as he hear it. "Are you fucking crazy? Do you know how much money that is?" "Yeah, I am aware. After all I married the most wealthy man in London." ire shoot him a smile that makes Alex more annoyed. He shook his head in disagreement. "No, I will notply to your request." "Okay, if it is too much for you..." ire tiled her head to the side pretending to think even though she already has it in mind. "How about, your mansion and a 30% of yourpany stock?" "30%?! Are you trying to take over mypany?" ire rolled her eyes then sighed. "Fine 20% and the mansion. Take it or leave it." "You are such a gold digger. You marry me because you want money. You never want the marriage life anyway." "Tomato tomatoes...does it matter? That is my request. No negotiations. The choice is in your hand now. If you don''t want to take it...then you will stuck with me forever." A malicious smile grazing ire''s lip. Alex is fuming in anger, but he has no choice if he wants to get divorce. "I can''t believe my grandfather told me to marry you. You are only in it for the money." Alex pulled his phone and dialed hiswyer. "Like you care about it." ire rolled her eyes. "Nick, I want you to print out a new divorce paper with these new requirements." Alex listed ire request exactly as she said. "Deliver to my loft, right now." Alex balled up his fist as he stared at ire. He cannot digest ire changed of behavior. She truly deserves an Oscar for her mind-blowing performance, he thought. "You know what''s funny, Alex?" "What?" Alex response, his void cold. "That I marry a guy like you." ireughed at herself. "I cannot believe myself. How dense was I? I mean you...are clearly not worth it." her eyes fixed on Alex with a mixture of disbelief and disdain. Alex''s jaw clenched; his irritation evident in the way his eyes narrowed. He looked ready tosh out, but Lisa, standing beside ire, ced a calming hand on his shoulder, silently warning him to keep hisposure. Before the tension could escte further, the doorbell rang, interrupting the charged atmosphere. Lisa hurried to answer it, weing Nick, Alex''swyer, into the room. Nick''s eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. ire''s forehead was still marked with dried blood, but she seemed unfazed by it. He hesitated to ask about her condition, sensing the tension in the room. With a gulp, Nick approached Mr. Harris and handed him the divorce papers. Nick felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. Mr. Harris snatched them from Nick''s hand. Alex hastily signed the papers and flung them onto ire''sp. ire took the papers and scanned the documents carefully. "What you have second thoughts now? I knew it. You are doing this for attention. How low can you get, huh?" ire shoot him a red. "I need to make sure you''re not trying to pull anything dirty," she said, her voice firm. Alex scoffed, his tone dripping with contempt. "Like you have any right to doubt me after everything you''ve done," he retorted bitterly. ire''s eyes shed with anger as she met his gaze head-on. "You are the one who cheated, Alex. Don''t try to twist this around on me," she shot back, her voiceced with venom. Lisa stepped in, her voice calm but firm. "Let''s keep this civil, shall we?" she interjected. "Oh look, the husband stealer has talk." ire uttered sarcastically with a smile on her face. Nick shifted ufortably, feeling like a bystander caught in the middle of a storm. "We just need both of your signatures to finalize the divorce," he reminded them, his tone professional. ire nodded and signed the paper, her resolve hardening. I''m done with this marriage, she dered. She stood up, stering a fake smile. Send me the copy of the paper will you, Nick? Oh, and Lisa, I wish you both happy...in hell." ire smirk and turned on her heels to leave the apartment. "Don''t bothering back to take your stuff, Alex, I will dly burn it for you."This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 3 By: NovelReadThis is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. It has been 3 days after ire and Alex encounter. ire is currently staying at the mansion she requested, and she is relief with the quietness in the mansion where she doesn''t have to constantly see Alexander Harris face. The constant bell ringing interrupt her from her beauty sleep as Alex kept pressing the bell. ire trudge downstairs and yanked the door open looking annoyed. Before ire could even utter a word, arrogantly, Alex invited himself in. "Suree in." said ire feeling annoyed by his mere presence. Alex face her looking angry as usual. He pointed to his phone. "Why are you not answering your damn phone?" ire raised her brows while examining her perfectly done nails. "Why should I?" "If someone call you, you answer it. God dammit!" "For your information, I block your number. In my defense, I didn''t receive any calls." ire smiled innocently. "Since you have receive my answer, please leave. Just the thought of you being in this house make me nausea." Alex scoffed. "I could say the same thing. I would not even be here if you actually answer my call." "Yeah, yeah, excuses, excuses." ire dismissed him with the wave of her hand. "Get to the point, what do you want?" "Tomorrow, 9 am sharp, court. Be there or else." ire rolled her eyes. "You came all the way here for that? You could have just send your secretary or your people to tell me that." She stared at Alex in disbelief. "I don''t trust anyone, especially you. I''m making sure you don''t pull any stupid tricks." "You really need to get over that negativity. It doesn''t look good on you." ire said sarcastically. Alex red daggers at her as he picked up the phone from none other than his new lover. "Yes, sweetie?" In just a matter of second, Alex turned into this sweet, gentle guy. For some reason ire is still in disbelief. How stupid of Lisa to fall for a man like him? ire thought to herself. "You what? Are you okay?" Concernced on his voice. "Okay, I will contact the best hospital to take care of you. Don''t worry, sweetie, I will be right there." "Karma a bitch." ire muttered quietly while also smiling to herself. "Be there tomorrow, Peterson or you won''t get the things that you requested." Alex sneered at her. "Sure, just go and take care of your new lover. I hope she is not okay; I mean okay." A cheeky smile stered on her face as Alex walked a way from the house before shooting her onest red. "What a dick." Not even a minuteter, another car parked in the driveway. ire wonders who it will be. Is it one of Alex helpers or whatever? Nick, thewyer, hop out of the car and greet ire. She nodded her head as she is waiting for him to speak first. Usually, Nick never feel awkward or out of ce when he is with Mrs. Harris but after that incident, he can''t help but notice something different from her. "Yes, Nick?" "Oh yeah, sorry, I''m here to deliver the copy of the divorced paper." Nick handed the paper to ire. "Thank you, for delivering this." "Yes, no problem, miss," Silence filled the air as none of them uttered a word. "Nick?" "Yes, miss?" "Are you not leaving?" Nick quickly said. "Oh y-yeah. I''m going." Nick walked to his car while digesting the situation. "They really are divorcing." Nick muttered to himself as he climbed into the car and drove away. She mmed the front door shut suddenly feeling sick by all of these. ire looked around the mansion she is staying and even feel sick. She has no idea why she chose it maybe it is her way to anger Alex. After all you don''t always get on Alexander Harris nerves. It''s like a one-time opportunity. With the mansion remind her of Alex, she dialed the number which she knows by heart. The call is answered on the second ring. "It''s me." Matthew, her loyal friend and partner in crime jumped out of the chair which causing the chair to fall down. "Boss...is that you?" A smirked ying on ire lips. "Of course, who else." "Oh my God, ire, where have you been? It''s been three years. We thought something bad happened to you." Liam voiced his concern. ire is quiet. She doesn''t know how to exin to Matthew. "Hello?" "Yeah, I''m fine. So much had happened. Listen, I need you to pick me up now. I''ll send you the address." "Roger that boss, will be there before you know it." "Great. Oh, and one more thing, bring me my usual clothes." "Consider it done." ire walked pass by the big mirror and stared at herself. She looks in, she looks boring. There isn''t any color and life from her. She thought to herself, who is the woman in the mirror. She doesn''t know her at all, and it is not her. All her clothes in her walk-in closet is not to her taste at all. It is so conservative and bright. While waiting for Matthew to arrive, she open herptop andes back doing what she really enjoy. Hacking. At just a young age, she was a prodigy inputer science, her skills unmatched by many. Known as Raven in the online world, ire was the mastermind behind Cryptonic, a secretivemunity where hackers from across the globe gathered. essible only by invitation, those eager to join had to crack aplex code designed by ire herself. Her fingers tapping away at the keyboard with ease as she finally acquired a secret document from the Robertson family. A sound of a helicopter caught ire attention as she make her way to the garden where itnded. A familiar face which she is dying to see making way to her. "Boss! You are alive." She rolled her eyes at Matthew dramatic greeting. "But what happened to your head?" The bandage is still wrap around her head since Alex pushed her real hard. She waved him off and told him it was nothing. "Did you bring the clothes?" "Who hurt you, ire? Let me have a talk with him." "Okay... that is enough Matt. As you can see, I am okay. Now, clothes." Matthew handed her the clothes. ire headed to her room to get changed quickly. She now felt like herself as she stared at the mirror. A ck backless dress that hugged her waist perfectly. The slit on the side of the leg is just perfect. "Now lets take this bandage off." A wide smile spread on her lips. Perfect." Matthew can''t help but wondering what kind of life ire has been living as he waits for her to get ready. She must be miserable, thought Matthew. He will do anything, even take a bullet for her, that is how loyal Matthew is. Matthew stared at her in awe as she descended the stairs. "Wow...boss you look amazing." "Thanks, Matt. Now, let''s pay ourpany a visit, shall we?" a vicious smirk dancing on her red lips as they climbed on the helicopter. Chapter 4 "You are back now. What are you going to do?" Said Matthew who walk beside her. Remembering what ire had forgotten was definitely not in her top list. Everything was so abrupt. And it has only been 3 days since her memory came back. ire herself needs time to adjust to her old lifestyle. "Here," Matthew handed ire her old cellphone. "who knows this will give you a lead." "Where did you find this?" "I track it." "Thank you, Matt." ire smiled gratefully at him, and they entered the headquarters located on the outskirts of London. Towering trees encircle thepound, their leafy branches providing a natural shield from prying eyes. The perimeter bristles with state-of-the-art technology, seamlessly integrated into the natural surroundings. Smart sensors discreetly monitor the surroundings, detecting even the slightest fluctuations in body temperature to alert the security team of potential intruders and their identity will be swiftly identified. Security guards patrol the grounds with unwavering diligence, stationed at every corner to maintain constant vignce. ire chose this secluded location for a reason, far removed from the bustling chaos of London''s and away from prying eyes. Surrounded by trees and protected by technology that never sleeps, it is a haven of secrecy and power. ire approached her office door, ready to start her day, but found it stubbornly resistant. Matt chuckled at her confusion. "Fingerprints and face recognition, ire. Remember? You invented this." Rolling her eyes, ire retorted, "Yeah, yeah, I remember now." Surveying the spotless office, ire raised an eyebrow at Matthew. "Who cleaned up in here?" Matt scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh, me. Thought you''d appreciate a tidy workspace." ire smiled gratefully and turned to her phone, deciding to reach out to her old friend Eric, a top- notch PR agent whom she''d once rescued from professional ruin. Eric answered almost immediately, his disbelief evident in his voice. "Is this really ire Peterson?" he asked incredulously. "Yes, this is she." ire said chuckling lightly. "How are you, dear?" "I''m good. How''s life treating you?" "Surprisingly very well." "How''s Anna?" "She is fine, don''t you worry. In fact, she is now living in Los Angeles and working as an actress." ire''s face lit up with happiness at the news. "I''m d to hear that." As the conversation progressed, ire''s tone grew serious. "Eric, I need a favor." "Don''t say that, ire. You know I will help no matter what the job is. You helped me a lot in the past. So, what do you need me to do." "Thanks Eric, I need you to make a headline about myeback." "What headline?" ire clenched and unclenched her fist. "Um... ''ire Peterson of Metacortex corporation has returned."" Silence greeted her words, and she wondered if he had hung up. "Eric?" she called out. Eric''s voice finally broke through the silence. "What do you mean by that, ire?" ire took a deep breath before telling Eric. "Three years ago, there was news about a car crash where four people died because of a drunk driver. That was me and my family. But no one could identify us. Thinking about it, I find It suspicious." "I... I had no idea, ire. I thought you went on a vacation or something." ire''s reply dripped with sarcasm. "Yeah, a three-year vacation without any contact with anyone. Really believable." "I''m just d you''re okay now, ire. I''ll immediately proceed with the headline." She sighed heavily as the call ended. "You okay, boss?" "Yeah, I''m fine and please stop calling me boss." Matthew shoved his hand inside his pocket. "I won''t cause you are my boss." ire rolled her eyes but smile. "Now, I need to avenged my parents death." ire walked out of her office with Matthew at her side. "What transport should we use? The helicopter or the car?" "Well, if you want to be fast then helicopter it is but if you want to make entrance, car it is." "Prepare the Mercedes-Maybach S-ss." "Right on it." The car pulled up at the headquarters'' lobby, and they made their way to the Metacortex building. On the other hand, Alex is still in the hospital apany Lisa. "What if I don''t make it, Alex?" Alex wiped her tears away and caress her pale cheek. "Please don''t say that. You are going to make it. This operation will go perfectly." "What if it doesn''t go well? Maybe this is karma for stealing you from ire." "Baby do not ever say that. Please." Lisa has been diagnosed with a stomach tumor but like none other patient, she does not have the positivity that the operation will go well. "Incase anything happened to me, you should get back together to ire. She really loves you." Alex sighed heavily and feeling a little frustrated since Lisa kept mentioning her name which can only anger Alex. Lisa please stop mentioning ire. I am contempt with my decision, and I won''t marry other woman if is not you. I love you Lisa and I will not leave you. Besides our marriage is a dead end anyway. It was a stupid marriage that my grandfather arrange." Alex hold Lisa''s hand tightly. "Listen, I will marry you once you are healed. I promise that. We will go to Maldives for our honeymoon. The ce where you always wanted to go." Tears welled up in her eyes as they hold hand. "Really? You will do that for me?" "Anything for you, darling." ire wasted no time, heading straight inside the building. The receptionist tried to call out to her, but ire ignored her. They called the security guard who quickly intercepted her. "Ma''am, sorry, but only employees are allowed beyond this point," the guard said firmly, blocking her path. Matthew, standing nearby, chimed in casually, "I wouldn''t mess with her," nodding towards ire. Her expression was dead serious and intimidating. ire met their gaze squarely and uttered a simple phrase, "You will find out who I am soon." Without wasting a moment, ire slid her ID card, which surprisingly still worked. She couldn''t help but think how foolish Robert was for not erasing her data. Stepping into the lift, she pressed the button for the highest floor. As the lift doors opened, ire burst into the room to find Robert and a woman engaged in an intimate session. ire tilted her head to the side, raising an eyebrow at the sight. The realization hit her-Robert, the old man with a wife and child, was having an affair with a woman 25 years younger. Disgust churned in ire''s stomach at the sight. "I wonder how your wife will react if she finds out about this." The woman, startled, hurried out of the room. "Who are you barging inside my office?!" Robert eximed furiously, attempting topose himself. "You don''t remember me?" ire pretend a look of shocked as she walk closer to the man she once trusted. ire''s voice was cold as ice. "Let''s start from the beginning, shall we? Hello, Robert Robertson. I am ire Peterson. Does the name ring a bell?" A creepy smile formed on ire lips. Robert Robertson eyes widen in disbelief. "N-no. It can''t be. You are dead. H-how-" "Cat got your tongue?"This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 5 "So, Robert, are you happy to see me back?" an icy smile etched on ire lips. Robert cleared her throat trying to look calm even though inside he is freaking out. He can''t help but wonder if she is indeed ire Peterson. "Oh my God, dear you are alive." Robert rose up from his seat and embraced ire in a hugged. A look of confused stered on ire face. Earlier Robert looked as white as a ghost and suddenly he acted nice and warm. ire could not help but wonders what trick he has up on his sleeve. "I am d to see you." ire pulled away and took a step back. Something about Robert making her feel uneasy. The man who she trusted took over thepany she build. ire admit maybe it is partly her fault since she was so trusting back then, however, this is a new start for ire. "Anyway, I heard there will be a shareholders meeting. Is that right?" Robert hesitated before nodded. "Yes." "When is it?" "I think it''ll be a bitte around 2 pm." "I just got information that the meeting is currently on the go." Matthew said in a professional tone. "Shall we, Robert?" ire turned on her heels and headed to the meeting. As ire stepped into the boardroom, she scanned the faces of the shareholders, finding them all unfamiliar except for one. She felt a surge of frustration, suspecting that Robert was behind this. He seemed to have reced her trusted team with individuals more concerned with profits than technological advancement. During ire disappearance, Robert managed to rece them. Robert doesn''t one anything rted to ire that appear or exist in thispany. Robert as the CEO heading to the head of the table, interestingly enough, ire has seated herself there. Annoyance starting to build up inside Robert. He needs to remain calm since he can''t ruin his image in front of these shareholders. ire didn''t wait for the talk and whisper to subside. "So, Robert, it seems like you rece all my people." ire smiled at him. The noise quietly went down as they put their attention towards ire. "I assure you; they are all experienced businessman and woman." "How thoughtful of you." "Excuse me, who are you? This is a board meeting, not a yground." ire raised her brows at the big old man whose hair is nonexistent and has more fat on his chin than his tummy. ire calmly look at him and smiled before she stood up and introduce herself. "I''m ire Peterson. The person who build Metacortex from scratch." Everyone in the roomughed in unison. One thing that ire really hates is when people underestimate her. "A child like you create the biggest technology & softwarepany? You must be joking." ire pay no mind. "And I will take my ce back as CEO of thispany." Her tone is serious and firm radiating confidence. Those who make fun of her earlier have their mouth gapped open. "Robert what is this?!" a woman in herte 40smented. "Is this some kind of a joke?" "Calm down, Linda. I''ll deal with this." Robert said, his voice tight with irritation. "ire, dear, listen. Running apany is not as easy as ying games. You need to be serious and passionate in the business world." ire argued. "I am passionate. I build this." "Yes, yes, I know. You build this but I was there helping you." The scheming man has started his first move. Just like the game chess, he move his pawn. ire know better than sumb even though right now, no one is on her side. "I know and I am thankful, but you only lend me the money not the brain." ire spoke calmly but direct. Again, the room filled with whispers. Cannot help feeling curious, ire wonder what story Robert told them and make them believe he is the creator of Metacortex corporation. The old man could not even detect Microsoft Office and how to use it. Let alone building apany this big in the technology area. "But do you know that to be a chairman you must have at least 50% shares of thepany." ire nodded and silent for a moment. Robert took her silence as an answer that she doesn''t own even 1% of thepany shares. "Maybe one day, dear." Robert stood up as he was going to usher ire out of the room. "I know. That is why I have 51% shares in thispany." Gasped echoing through the room. Whispers are getting louder. Robert face is as white as snow. "H-How? What do you mean?" "I mean that I have 51% shares." "But- I acquire all your shares!" ire chuckled coldly. "You were so eager that you did not read the fine print." "What is the fine print?" her Cheshire smile send chill down his spine. "You should re-read it again." ire pped her hand silencing the loud noise in the room. She scanned the room, her demeanor poised andposed. "If anyone has objections, feel free to talk." They can only exchange look not daring to look ire in the eyes as they sense her seriousness. "You''re still a kid! You know nothing about business. What if you bankrupt thispany? I object this!" his voice firm full of doubt. Pedro who is also known as Robert best buddies strongly object. ire is not surprised if she hears one or two more of Robert followers objecting. "I appreciate the honesty." ire''s response was swift and direct. "I own thispany, if it goes bankrupt, it''s my responsibility. But if you''re too afraid to take the risk, feel free to sell your shares to me. Anyone else?" Pedro''s face reddened with embarrassment, realizing he had underestimated ire''s resolve. "Well, if there is no more objection, As of today, I am taking my ce back as the CEO of Metacortex corporation." At that moment, ire felt like she has been reborn. Meanwhile Alex is still at the hospital. He sat on the chair next to Lisa''s bed. The operation goes well, and the tumor has been lifted. Weirdly enough, his mind drifted back to ire. He me Lisa for constantly bring her name in every conversation. He push the thought out of his head and focus on his lover. Lisa''s eyes blinked open. "Hey," she said weakly. "Hey, how are you feeling?" Alex moved and sat on the bed next to her. "I''m okay. Why are you still here?" "I just want to make sure you are okay." Lisa could not help but feel jealous of ire. She married a handsome, sweet, kind, and wealthy man. They have been friend for 3 years but why does a nobody like ire can be so lucky, She got better job, better paycheck, and better man. Meanwhile Lisa has a shitty job, underpaid and an alcoholic boyfriend. At least she got rid of her boyfriend. She wants nothing else but ire''s life. Everything that ire''s own, she has to own it. Even if it means stealing her husband.Txt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 6 "Wait up, ire," Robert called, his tone more urgent than usual. After the tense board meeting, ire strode back to what was once Robert''s office, now hers. She could feel Robert''s presence close behind her, his footsteps echoing in the hallway. ire didn''t bother to slow down. Ignoring his calls, she pushed open the door to the office and stepped inside, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over her as she settled into thefortable chair Robert had chosen for himself. Robert followed her into the room, his irritation and anger evident on his face. "What was that stunt you pulled in there, ire?" he demanded, his voice tinged with frustration. ire met his gaze with steely determination. I''m taking back what''s rightfully mine, Robert," she said, her voice firm. "Yours? We build thispany together! You are not the only one who has rights in thispany." "You are right considering I haverger shares than you state the obvious. Besides is not like I kicked you out of thispany. I''m just taking my position back as the CEO." Robert''s eyes narrowed. "How did you acquire that 51% shares? It''s impossible doing it in a short time." ire leaned back in her chair, a small smirk ying at the corners of her lips. "Actually, Robert, I can. You might want to take a closer look at the contract you signed." Robert''s face paled slightly as realization dawned on him. He had underestimated ire once again. "Look I am d to see you still alive and healthy. However, I have doubts seeing you running thepany." "I really do appreciate your concern, but I assure you, I am capable of it. I was gone for 3 years not forever." Clearing her throat, ire stood up from her seat and walked over to where Robert was standing, patting him on the shoulder in a mocking gesture of sympathy. "I''ll give you some time to clear out your stuff," she said, her tone dripping with condescension. "But don''t take too long. I''ll be waiting." Robert clenched his fists, his mind racing as he tried toe up with a n. All his carefullyid out schemes had been thrown into disarray by ire''s unexpected move. But there was one thing she didn''t know about the secret stash he had been collecting for the past three years. "That shit! Now you appear out of the blue. Everything was doing fine until you came back." Robert muttered angrily as he ruffled his hair in frustration. As ire left the room, Robert''s thoughts turned to his hidden assets. They were scattered across different locations, carefully concealed to avoid suspicion. With a smirk of his own, he began to formte a n to retrieve them. ire might have won this battle, but the war was far from over. "Everything okay?" Matthew asked as she approached, his brow furrowing. ire smiled reassuringly, though her heart felt heavy. "Everything''s under control," she replied. They settled into the plush leather seats of the car as the driver pulled away from the curb. Inside the car, Jack was already seated, a ss of champagne in hand. Matthew handed ire a flute, and she took a sip, the bubbles tickling her throat. Turning to Jack, ire couldn''t help but voice her curiosity. "Why are you still on my side, Jack? Aren''t you not scared that Robert would find out?" Jack, a distinguished man in histe fifties, met her gaze with a steady, wise look. "Because I''ve never trusted Robert, not from the beginning. His leadership style never sat right with me." ire nodded in understanding, grateful for Jack''s loyalty. She smiled warmly at him, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over her. "Thank you for sticking by me, Jack. It means a lot." Jack returned her smile, his eyes twinkling with affection. He reached out and gently patted her shoulder, a fatherly gesture that broughtfort to ire''s troubled heart. "I''ve known you since you were a little girl, ire," Jack said softly. "Your father was a dear friend of mine, and I''ve watched you grow into the remarkable woman you are today. He would be proud of you." "Thank you, Jack," she whispered. After a long night at the hospital with Lisa, Alex finally returned to his loft at 11 pm. His butler, ever diligent, greeted him with a respectful nod. Wee back, Master Harris. Would you care for some hot tea and cookies?" Alex epted gratefully, sinking into a plush armchair as he sipped his tea. His thoughts turned to ire. Whenever he felt exhausted, ire would always have something ready for him - whether it was aforting cup of tea, a basin of warm water to soak his feet, or even a simple home-cooked meal, despite her admittedck of culinary skill. Giving his cheek a light p as if to shake himself out of his reverie. "Why am I thinking about that gold digging, attention seeker woman." Alex murmured to himself. The butler, noticing Alex''s distant expression, approached him. "Is everything alright, Master Harris? Do you need anything?" Alex waved off the concern. "I''m fine, just tired." "By the way, Master Harris, did you hear about the return of the Metacortex CEO? It''s all over the news and buzzing in the business world." "No, I haven''t heard," Alex admitted, leaning forward to listen more intently. Alex''s interest was piqued. Metacortex Corporation was one of the biggestpanies in the technology and software industry, and their CEO''s sudden disappearance had caused quite a stir. "Why did the CEO disappear? I don''t usually keep up with the news." "No one knows why she vanished. The inte only mention that the CEO is a woman." Alex''s curiosity deepened at the mention of a female CEO. He couldn''t help but feel a twinge of relief that it wasn''t Robert Robertson, the shitty CEO with whom Alex had shed in the past. "Robert Robertson," he muttered with a grimace. "Who names their son that?" He knew hispany had been eager to coborate with Metacortex, and the return of its CEO could mean new opportunities on the horizon. "James is there any email from the Raven?" Alex has heard about the Raven on the inte and follow some of his work. He is a big fan of technology and Alex even hired a hacker to hack into the Cryptonic website which he is now a member even though Alex is not the one solving the code. As long as he has the money to pay a hacker, it is not a problem for him. Alex also nned to have a coboration with the Raven on his new hotel chain in Las Vegas. He wanted to have a different vibe not just elegant but mysterious as well. "No, master." "Shit, is the Raven really that upied? How many times we have send them email?" "Around 50, sir." "And still no answer. Send it again." "Yes sir, however there is a slight problem?" "What is?" Alex frowned at James sudden nervousness. "It seems like our email has been suspended." "How?" "I''m guessing it is the Raven doing." "I''m going to find whoever that person is."Txt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 7 "You find what about Robertson?" ire and Matthew entered the luxurious penthouse. "I found information about him." Curiosity etched on Matt face. "What kind of information?" ire poured herself a ss of whiskey and downed the content in one swift. "That the bastard is not only a cheater but also a stealer." Matthew''s brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by stealer?" ire leaned against the countertop; her expression troubled. "I found some unusual transactions from an overseas bank in thepany''s financial records. They happen every three months, like clockwork, and they''re for substantial sums." Matthew''s eyes widened in realization. "You think Robert''s embezzling money?" ire nodded grimly. "It''s a possibility. Either that, or he''s bought someone off to cover his tracks." Matthew''s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "We need to expose him." ire nodded in agreement. "I agree with you, but I still need to dig deeper and collect more solid evidence." "Tell me what I can do to help. I will do anything to help you." "Thanks, Matt but for now I am capable to handle it myself." "Okay, I''m off. Tell me if you need anything." Determined, ire set to work,bing through financial records, and digging for any shred of evidence that would expose Robert''s corruption. Her mind reeling with disbelief at how she had once trusted Robert. He had seemed so supportive when they started thepany together, but now she realized he had simply been letting her do all the hard work while he took the credit. Pushing aside her frustration, ire focused on the task at hand. She needed to gather information to confront Robert and regain full control of herpany. As she delved into her research, a notification popped up on her screen. ire rolled her eyes, feeling slightly annoyed. It was another email from Alexander Harris, the persistent businessman who had been trying to contact her. "Doesn''t he ever give up?" ire muttered to herself, irritation creeping into her voice. Ignoring the email, ire decided she''d had enough of Alexander''s persistent attempts to reach her. With a determined click of her mouse, she blocked any email linked to Alexander Harris, ensuring he couldn''t contact her again. Alex sat in the back of the car; frustration gnawed at him. Stuck in traffic, he nced anxiously at his watch. It read 8:15. "Shit." He was already runningte for his visit to the hospital before heading to the courthouse. "Forget the hospital. Just drive straight to the courthouse." Realizing he had no choice but to skip the hospital visit. "Sorry, Lisa." He muttered. His fingers tapped impatiently on his phone as he attempted to text Lisa to let her know that he won''t being to the hospital to check on her. "Damn it, of all days," Alex groaned aloud, his frustration mounting. His phone was dead. The driver nced at him through the rearview mirror, concern evident in his eyes. "Everything okay, Mr. Alex?" "No, everything''s not alright," he snapped. "My phone''s dead, and I''m stuck in this godforsaken traffic. Today just isn''t my day." Alex sighed heavily, rubbing his temples in exasperation. Alex arrivedte, much to ire''s annoyance. She had been there since 8:30, and his tardiness irked her. She couldn''t help but find it ironic how he had been the one to threaten her to be present, yet here he was, runningte. ire trudged over to where Alex stood, talking to hiswyer. She couldn''t resist snapping at him for wasting her time. "Nice of you to join us, Alex, you''ve already wasted 15 minutes of my time. I could have done a lot in those 15 minutes." she said, her toneced with sarcasm. Seeing ire again stirred up mixed emotions in Alex. He couldn''t help but notice the changes in her appearance. Her hair, clothes, even her lipstick-all different from the ire he once knew. She seemed bolder, almost like apletely different person. She was dressed in a vintage white zer dress paired with ck thigh-highs and towering stilettos. Alex frowned. "What happened to you, ire? And what are you wearing? You have never wear those and red lipstick?" ire raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his scrutiny. "Who do you think you are, ordering me around? Don''t tell me you have second thought about divorcing me?" Alex''s jaw clenched in frustration. "Don''t be ridiculous. I should be the one saying that to you since you are so maniptive and cheeky." "Funny how you are still trying to control me even in the courthouse. I could say you are the one who is obsessed with me." Alex chuckled coldly. "Me? Obsessed with you? If one day you ran out of money, you can use your joker skill to entertain people." ires scoffed as she stared at him in disbelief. "I can''t believe that I marry a narcissistic jerk like you. Who always me women even if it is your fault." ire took a step forward as they faced each staring eye to eye. "I feel sorry for Lisa who have to marry a guy like you. I hope her life will be much better than mine or maybe worse...who knows." Alex clenched his jaw to suppress his anger. Today has been a lot for Alex and now he has to deal with his ex-wife. It seems today, luck is not on Alexander Harris side. ire smirked in satisfaction at her response. She really enjoy this brave, courageous, and determined ire not the old ire whose weak and constantly need Alex even begged him. She can''t help feeling disgusted by her old self. Their conversation was interrupted by the call to enter the courtroom. "From now on, I wish to not ever see you again." ire states boldly. Alex gritted his teeth and red at her. "I''m wishing the same thing."This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Decision "Where have you been? I have been calling you " Matthew, who stood in the lobby waiting for ire arrival. "I''m sorry. I had something earlier." "You had what?" "Something "ire muttered quietly. They went up to ire office and she took a seat.. "Where did you go?" Matthew stared at her curiously, Knowing Matthew, he will not let it go until he gets his answer. Sighing heavily, ire motioned him to take a seat. She faced him and intertwined both ber fingers on her desk. "Matthew, there is something I need to tell you." "Okay," he slowly said "For the past 3 years, I have been married. Had, cause 1 just got legally divorce." "Wait hold up you? Married? Divorce? How? And Why?" "Okay, that is a lot of questions mark you got there, buddy" "Tell me from the beginning "ire hesitated to tell him, since she is not sure where to tell. A lot had happened in those 3 years. "Remember the car crash that killed 4 people?" Matthew nodded his head and listened intently. "Both of my parents die as well as my driver. I thought I would die too but turns out I was safe. I woke up the next morning at the hospital with no recollection of memory." "So, you had amnesia?" padded. "I couldn''t even remember my own name. I was terrified, Matt. The pressure from the hospital staff to remember was overwhelming. I just couldn''t handle it." "And then what happened?" Matthew asked, leaning forward attentively. "I ran away," ire admitted. "I wandered the streets for what felt like forever, trying to piece together my identity. It took me nearly two weeks before it all came flooding back." Matthew reached across the table, squeezing ire''s hand in sympathy. "I can''t imagine how scary that must have been for you. But I''m d you''re okay now."Txt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. "Yeah, everything''s back to normal now." Suddenly, Matthew''s curiosity got the better of him. "But wait, if you had no memory and no money, how did you survive?" ire chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Ah, that''s a story for another time." Matthew rolled his eyes yfully. "You can''t leave me hanging like that, ire." "Sorry, buddy, I can''t spoil the story for you." ire winked at him and chuckled. "But for now, why don''t you give Pedro a call? I think it''s time we had a little chat with him." "I''m on it." Alex sat beside Lisa''s hospital bed, anxiously awaiting her discharge. He wanted to help her pack, but his mind kept drifting back to ire. Earlier at the court, she had surprised him with her boldness and determination. When the judge asked why they wanted to divorce, ire had answered without hesitation, her confidence unwavering. It was like she was apletely different person. Alex absentmindedly helped Lisa into the wheelchair. Lost in his thoughts, he identally pushed the wheelchair into the wall. He couldn''t shake the image of ire from his mind. Lisa winced in pain, clutching her leg where it had impacted. "Sorry, Lisa, I didn''t mean to," Alex apologized frantically, his heart racing with guilt. "It''s okay, just be more careful," Lisa reassured him, though her tone was strained. As they waited for the nurse to finish the discharge paperwork, Lisa noticed the troubled expression on Alex''s face. "What''s y Alex? You seem distracted." Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It''s ire. Something''s different about her." wrong. At the mention of ire''s name, Lisa''s expression darkened slightly, but she quickly masked it with a neutral facade. "Different how?" "She was so confident in court, so....assertive. And she''s been dressing differently too," Alex exined, his confusion evident in his voice. Lisa frowned, her jealousy bubbling just beneath the surface. "Well, it doesn''t matter. What''s important is that you are legally divorced now, and you and I can finally get married." Alex nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and uncertainty. He leaned over and kissed Lisa''s cheek. "You''re right, Lisa. Let''s focus on us." With Lisa discharged from the hospital, Alex wheeled her out to the parking lot. As they headed home, he couldn''t shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of his mind. Meanwhile, back at the office ire sat on the edge e of the desk and stared down at Pedro. Her eyes shot arrows at him that could bury him 6 feet under. Pedro swallowed the lump in his throat and shifted his sitting position. "Do you know what I just read to you, Mr. Petain?" "Um...my work performance? "And what is the conclusion?" "That I need to improve my worlding performance?" ire pushed herself from the desk and slowly walked to the center. "That is right, Mr. Petain. Sadly, it seems that your working performance still has not improve after 3 years of working." "I-I- "Tell me, why are you here in the first ce? What''s your purpose?" Tongue tied; Pedro Petain doesn''t have the answer to that. He never really work in the office. He got tempted by Robert invitation. He told him that this girl would nevere back, and Robert would be taking over thepany. If only he didn''t trusted Robert, he wouldn''t be in this position. "Is it knowledge you are looking for?" He shook his head. "Orwork?" ire raised her brows waiting for his answer "Maybe experience?" He nodded his head. "Yes, I am looking for experience. His awkwardugh echoing through the room and not once was ire amused by it, "A 50-year-old man searching for work experience? Doesn''t that sounds odd, Matthew?" Matthew nodded. "Indeed, quite peculiar." ire''s chuckle filled the room. Returning to her desk, ire retrieved a document and ced it deliberately on the coffee table in front of Pedro. "What''s this, Ms. P Peterson? Pedro looked at the document on the table confused. ire gestured for him to read it. chapter if Decision 000 Pedro''s eyes scanned the contents, his face contorting with anger as he absorbed the implications. "What''s the meaning of this?" he demanded. ire met his gaze evenly from across the table. "It''s a document for you to sell the rest of your shares to me," she stated matter-of-factly. Pedro''s disbelief was evident as he stared at her. "You''re out of you out of your mind. Does Robert know about this?" he retorted. ire rose from her seat and retrieved another document from her desk, tossing it onto the coffee table Pedro''s eyes widened in shock as he picked up the document, his hands trembling slightly. The color drained from his face as he read the damning evidenceid out before him. "Where did you find this?" he whispered, his voice barely above a hoarse whisper. Pedro was confident that his illegal transaction behind Robert''s back would go unnoticed. Thinking about the consequences of what he had done, Pedro''s mind raced. There are bound to be serious consequences if Robert were to discover. "Does Robert know you have been ying behind his back? I bet he doesn''t." Silence hung heavy in the air as Pedro weighed his options, his mind racing with the decision he had to make. Her lips curling into a devilish smile. "So, what will be your choice, Mr. Petain?" Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Betrayal In the meeting room, Alexid out his vision for the new hotel chain in Las Vegas. He emphasized that by the end of 2024, it would be up and running "We need to think outside the box," he said to his team, "something that will set us apart from the rest. He exined his concept in detail, highlighting what he wanted and what he didn''t want. *Luxury and elegance are overdone in Vegas," he remarked. "We need something mysterious, something that will pique people''sThis is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. curiosity. After assigning three team members to find an interior designer, the meeting concluded. Alex made his way to his office, but as he entered, he was surprised to find Christian lounging on his couch, engrossed in a game on his phone. Alex greeted him sarcastically, to which Christian responded with a grin and a salute. "Working hard, I see," Alex remarked dryly. Christian chuckled. "Just taking a breather, boss. So, tell me about this new concept for the hotel chain." "I''m thinking to go for a mysterious but technology theme." "Why?" "Because it is unusual, and it will pique people interest." Talding a seat across from Christian, Alex exined his idea for a mysterious theme. "I want to hire The Raven," he said, leaning forward "Wait, who again?" "The Raven. Christian looked puzzled. "Who names their lod "The Raven."" Alex rolled his eyes. "It''s an as. Chris." "Oh, who''s The Raven?" Alex exined that The Raven was a hacker, shrouded in mystery. "No one knows who it is, but they are known for their notorious skills." H Christian was hesitant to express his w "That is quite something. his worries despite his reservations. Alex looked genuinely enthused about the concept, after all. Christian couldn''t shake the feeling of confusion as he watched his boss as well as his best friend, Alex, enthusiastically embrace a mysterious with a technology concept for Alex project. "The idea is to create an immersive experience for guests, where they would have to solve puzzles or crack codes during their stay." Something like the Matrix," Christian remarked, catching on to the concept "Exactly," Alexagreed. "But I can''t seem to find her contact information anywhere. It seems like her email has vanished," "Have you contacted her before?" Alex nodded. "It means you still have her email then?" "That''s the problem. First my email got banned then her email suddenly disappear as if it never existed." "Didn''t you mention earlier that The Raven is a hacker? Maybe whoever that person is doing it on purpose so no one can reach them." Alex thought of what Christian has said. It makes sense to him. He had send her go email or maybe more but none of them are never answer. Christian raised an eyebrow. "So, how do you n to reach her?" Alex sighed, feeling frustrated. "I''ll figure it out. I have to." Christian offered his support. "Don''t worry, boss. We''ll find a way to contact her. We always do." Alex''s phone suddenly rang, interrupting the momentum. He quickly answered, finding his mother on the line, her voice filled with "Hello, Mum," Alex greeted. H Itis mother wasted no time in getting to the point. "Alex, I heard about the divorce with ire. Are you okay? Alex let out a weary sigh. "Yeah, Mum, everything''s fine. It''s all been taken care of, and we are officially divorced." His mother''s tone softened, but concern still lingered. "I just don''t understand why you two couldn''t work things out. ire was always so sweet and caring" "It''splicated, Mum. Things just weren''t working between us. His mother fell silent for a moment, then spoke again, her words measured, "I respect your decisions, Alex. But promise me you''ll take care of yourself. Don''t work toote and make sure you''re eating well." Alex nodded, grateful for his mother''s concern. "I promise, Mum. I''ll take better care of myself" "And I will take care of Alex aunt Me" Christians grinned mischievously which cause Alex to throw a pillow at him. "Don''t listen to him Mum. Talk to youter," As the call ended, Christian can''t help but teased Alex for still being a mama boy. Robert burst into ire''s office, his face red with anger. He couldn''t believe it. On ire''s first day was she thinking? He demanded answers, his frustration evident.y as CEO, she had fired Pedro. W What "What the hell, ire? Why did you fire Pedro?" Calmly finished signing a document before turning to face him. ire leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. "So, you''ve heard the news," ire knew this kind of news would be the talk in thepany. The employees are rather grateful since they do not like Pedro Petain Robert''s frustration grew as ire seemed unfazed by his anger. "Of course, I''ve heard the news! It''s what everyone has been talking about." he snapped ire raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by Robert''s outburst. "Do you have a problem with my decision, Robert?" "Yes, I do!" Robert eximed. "Pedro has been a valuable asset to me. He was the one who help me while you were gone, and you just fire him like that." ire saw through his excuse. She suppressed a smirk. She knew exactly what kind of "help" Pedro had been providing Robert - lining up his own pockets at the expense of thepany. She buzzed her secretary, who was now someone new "Have you meet my new secretary, Robert?" Robert''s eyes widened in surprise as he noticed the new face. She handing over the document to her new secretary. "Do you know that Pedro sold his shares to me?" ire asked, a hint of amusement in her voice. Robert''s eyes widened in disbelief. His heart sank as he realized the implications of ire owning Pedro''s shares. How could Pedro be so foolish to sell them to her instead of him? He felt a sense of betrayal creeping in. ""You''re lying." "What would I gain from lying to you?" "He sold his shares to you How could he?" Robert stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. ire''s smile widened at Robert''s stunned expression. "You should take the day off -you look like you could use some rest. As Robert turned to leave her office ire called him "A little advice for you Robert, do not trust someone that easily, once did that and it did not go well. A smirk etched on ire''s face as she atter those words. Robert know who the person ire is talking about. It was himself. With nothing left to say, Robert left ire''s office, feeling defeated and powerless. He realized then that ire was not to be underestimated she was a force to be reckoned with. ire watched him go with satisfaction. She had managed to not only fire Pedro but also acquire his shares in thepany. She is close to take over thepany and reced Robert''s people. ire has took away his knight. Her next move is to get closer to the queen. Which in this case, Robert is the queen. His eyes move to the new secretary. She has managed to reced his secretary, fired Pedro while also buying his shares, what''s next she has upon her sleeves? "I need to do something." Chapter 10 Chapter 10 No going back Robert stormed into his house, his face a mask of anger and frustration. The news of Pedro''s firing and the sale of his shares to ire had left him seething He went to his study and swept his arm across the table, sending documents crashing t He was furious with ire''s actions as well as Pedro''s betrayal. "That bastard." the floor. to the His wife cautiously entered the room. "Robert, what was that noise?" she asked softly. Robert''s temper red, and he snapped, "Just leave me alone!" "I heard ire is back." To make matters worse, his wife mentioned ire''s return, probing for information. "How did she manage toe back, Robert?" Robert''s re was enough to make his wife flinch. Without another word, she retreated from the room, closing the door quietly behind her Alone in his study, Robert paced back and forth, his mind consumed with thoughts of ire and the precarious situation at Metacortex. Meanwhile, ire, who is in her studies, is currentlying up with a n to create new software. For 3 years, Cortex software has never had a significant update. For three y years, thepany had stagnated under Robert''s leadership, with minimal updates to the Cortex software. She knew if she didn''t show up, Metacortex would soon face bankruptcy and all that hard work go to waste. Her focus shifted to the task at hand: creating Cortex 2.0. It was time to revolutionize the software and bring Metacortex back to the forefront of the industry. As she brainstormed ideas, her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. Without bothering to check the caller ID, she answered, only to be met with a familiar voice. "Hello?" "ire is this really you?" Talia''s voice quivered with disbelief. "Talia?" ire eximed, her surprise evident in her tone. ire''s heart skipped a beat. There was a pause filled with heavy breathing, as if Talia couldn''t believe her ears. "I can''t believe it. You''re alive!" ire felt a lump form in her throat. "Yes, Talia, I''m alive" Talia''s voice cracked as she spoke, tears evident in her tone. "I''ve missed you so much. I thought..after the ident..." ire''s eyes welled up with tears, her voice barely above a whisper. "I''m sorry for scaring you, Talia." Talia''s emotions poured out as she spoke, recounting the pain of losing ire without closure. "1 "I tried to search for you, ire. The police couldn''t identify the victim, but I knew it was your car. I just I''m just not sure." "Thank you, Talia for having faith in me." "Where have you been all this time? Why did you disappear like that?"Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ire hesitated. "It''splicated. I''ll tell you one day." Talia''s voice softened. "I understand, ire. I''m just d you''re okay. They talked for hours, catching up on lost time. ire listened intently, grateful for the chance to reconnect. "We should meet up sometimes." "We really should, Talia." They said their goodbyes, ire hung up the phone, She had mix emotion and in disbelief that Talia still remembers her. The next morning, ire entered the bustling meeting room, filled with faces she knew were capable of taking on the big project ahead. As she stepped in, the loud buzz of conversation gradually quieted down She greeted everyone with a warm, "Good morning, everyone. I''m ire Peterson, and I''m excited to inform this project with all of you." She began, making a quick round of introductions to ensure everyone felt included. Without wasting any time, ireunched into the heart of the matter. She disyed the presentation she had worked on tirelessly the previous night and exined the details of her n for Cortex 2.0. The room listened attentively as she outlined the vision for the new project. "As many of you know, we haven''t seen significant development in our technologies over the past few years," ire remarked, injecting a touch of humor into her tone. "It''s quite funny for a technology and softwarepany tog behind in quality Improvements, don''t you think?" A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, indicating that ire''s observation resonated with the employees. As the presentation concluded, ire''s voice rang out with excitement. "Now, here''s the fun part. We''re going to divide into groups, and each group will brainstorm ande up with innovative ideas for Cortex 2.0. The winning idea will lead this project!" The room buzzed with anticipation and energy as employees exchanged excited nces and ideas started flowing It''s been a while since experienced this thrilling excitement. "Could you please bring up the names of the groups on the screen, Sandra?" ire asked her secretary, who promptlyplied, disying the group allocations for everyone to see. "Since we are in a tight schedule, I will give you a week to brainstorm your ideas. I wish to see all of your innovative ideas. Good luck to all of you." ire said with a smile as she wrapped up the meeting, The employees dispersed into their groups, their voices no longer hushed but filled with animated discussions and brainstorming sessions. ire watched them go, a sense of pride and happiness filling her. "I was right. You really are the worst CEO, Robert" ire said as she entered her office. Throughout the day, ire had been buried under a mountain of documents, signing one after another, barely taking a break. The sun had started to dip, casting long shadows across the office as the day turned into evening. ire remained focused and serious, determined to finish her tasks before heading home. As the sky darkened, Matthew peeked into her office. He noticed how absorbed she was and decided to make his presence known. With a friendly grin, he walked in and took a seat in front of ire''s desk. "Hey there, Boss. Looks like you''ve been busy all day," Matthew remarked, trying to lighten the mood. ire, caught off guard by his sudden appearance, lifted her head from the papers and gave him a stern look. "Matthew, please stop doing that. You scared me!" Matthew chuckled, realizing his mistake. "Sorry about that. I just wanted to check in on you. Are you almost done with all these documents?" ire sighed. "I''m getting there. Why do you ask?" Matthew leaned back in his chair, a yful glint in his eyes. "Well, it''s gettingte, and I bet you haven''t had a proper meal all day. You need food, ire." "I''m not hungry, Matt." H Despite insisting earlier that she wasn''t hungry, ire''s stomach betrayed her with a load grumble at the mention of food. "Not hungry huh?" Matthew lips curl up to a smirk. Chapter 10 No ading She tried to hide her surprise but couldn''t help but smile faintly at Matthew''s "Fine, you win," ire relented, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "But where do you suggest we go?" Matthew grinned triumphantly. "I know just the ce. Let''s go to your favorite restaurant and have a nice dinner." "I can''t believe how much I missed this food," ire remarked, a content smile on her face. "It''s been three years since west had dinner like this." As ire started to gather her things, she noticed the mischievous glint in Matthew''s eyes. "Oh, no, no, no. I know that look." It was toote to back out. Special Halloween Treat: More Coins, More Thrills! Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Surprise Matthew leaned close to ire''s ear; his is voice barely audible over the pounding music of the nightclub. "Come on ire enjoy it! You used to do this every week!" ire nced around, taking in the vibrant chaos of the club. The thumping beats, the swirling lights, the people lost in the rhythm of the music-it was all so unfamiliar yet strangely familiar after three years of staying away from the club scene. As Matthew ordered shots of vodka, he teased ire, questioning her ability to handle the alcohol percentage. ire rolled her eyes yfully "Please, Matthew. I used to pour vodka in my coffee," she quipped, epting the ss They clinked their sses together and downed the contents in one go. ire felt the burn of the alcohol, but it was a wee sensation amidst the lively atmosphere. With a grin, ire shouted over the music, "So, what''s next?" Matthew motioned toward the dance floor. "Next step: have fun!" he shouted back. ire shook her head, feeling a bit self-conscious. "I don''t know, Matthew. It''s been a while.. "Watch me... Matthew sliding onto the dance floor, showing off his entric moves. ire couldn''t help butugh at his antics, her hesitation melting away, As the song ended, Matthew struck a dramatic pose, prompting ire to p and cheer. "You''ve still got it, Matthew!" she eximed, still chuckling. They decided to have another round of shots, and ire raised her ss in a toast. "To us!" Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted them. "ire?" ire turned, stunned to see Talia standing there. They hugged tightly. "Oh my God! 1 didn''t expect to see you today! Last night we just called" said Talia excitedly. "I know. I guess the universe wanted us to see each other." "You look stunning, ire." ire waved her hand in dismissal.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. "Thank you, but I just got out of work, and I think this is not a best outfit to go out "Sometimes it is not the outfit, but the person who wears it." out clubbing." Matthew raised an eyebrow, intrigued. *So, Talia, you''re ire''s best friend?" ire nodded, smiling at the unexpected reunion. "Yes, Matthew, Talia, meet my dear friend." Talia grinned, extending her hand to Matthew. "Nice to finally meet the legendary Matthew, ire talks about." Matthew chuckled, shaking Talia''s hand. "Likewise, Talia. Looks like tonight just got even more interesting." shot for the three of them and they downed the content swiftly. Mattheword hers "Okay, we have to dance and let the alcohol do the work "Ta yelled to ire over the loud, pumping music, With Talia by her side, she found herself easing into the rhythm of the music, even dating to venture onto the dance floor. The pulsating beat and perhaps a bit of alcohol had loosened ire''s inhibitions. Talia leaned in close, shouting over the music, "Hey, ire, how are you treling?" ire shed a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with newfound confidence. "I''m doing okay, Talia Just taking it all in, you know! Ta nodded, her own smile mirroring ire''s "I''m d about the unexpected reunion. It''s been a while since we have seen each other." As they danced, their conversation flowed effortlessly from one topic to another, As they made their way back to the bar, Matthew, ire''s longtime friend, observed from a distance with a smile of relief. She had been through so much and seeing her enjoying herself again brought him immense joy. Talia and ire head back to the bar after their dance session. Matthew handing them their drinks. "Cheers to a great night," he said, clinking his ss with theirs ire raised her ss, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks, Matthew. I needed this." Matthew chuckled, a protective glint in his eyes as he looked at ire, "Anytime, ire. You know I''ve always got your back" As the night progressed, Talia noticed a guy checking ire out from across the room. She nudged ire gently and tilted her head in the guy''s direction, signaling her observation. ire rolled her eyes yfully, shaking her head. "Oh please, Talia. I''m not here to find a date." Taliaughed, understanding ire''s stance. "I know, I know. Just making sure you''re aware of your admirers. And for future reference. " Talia winked at ire teasingly which she shook her head in disbelief but still smile at the situation. ire sipped her drink, her gaze sweeping across the dance floor. "You know, why don''t you two go and dance and get to lonow each other." ire didn''t wait for them to reply as she pushed Matthew and Talia to the dance floor. She giggled seeing how awkward they are especially with the slow song ying at the background, It had been a long and challenging night for Alex as he made his way to his usual club. His mind was preupied with the troubles at his hotel in New York, which had demanded his attention. Reluctantly, he had sent Christian to handle the urgent matters back in the Big Apple, knowing he couldn''t be in two ces at once. Earlier, Lisa had insisted that he go straight home, and Alex had promised her he would. However, finding himself not quite in the mood to face the reality of his personal life, he veered towards the club instead. As he ascended to the VIP lounge upstairs, Alex surveyed the lively scene below. People danced andughed, their cares seemingly forgotten in the music and lights. "Doesn''t they have problem in their lives?" then, his attention was abruptly captured by a familiar face amidst the crowd. ire. Alex''s brow furrowed in confusion. What was ire doing here, in a club of all ces? It certainly wasn''t her usual style. Alex watched ire''s every move like an eagle tracking its prey, nursing a ss of whiskey as he observed her interactions below. His gaze intensified as he noticed one man and a woman pulling ire from her seat, coaxing her onto the dance floor. He couldn''t help but feel a surge of irritation as he watched herugh and move to the music. Why did seeing her happy bother him so much? It made no sense, yet Alex couldn''t shake the feeling of annoyance gnawing at him. "she sh shouldn''t be here. She should be at home crying her heart out from our divorced." As Alex made his way downstairs, frustration gnawed at him. He had been waiting for the right moment, and when ire headed to the bathroom, he saw his chance. ire''s face was flushed with excitement and a hint of tipsiness as she stared at herself in the mirror. This was the ire he knew, her real sell With the help of Matthew and Ta, she seemed content to embrace her old lifestyle once again. As ire exited the bathroom, her thoughts consumed by her newfound freedom, a rough hand grabbed her arm, startling her. She looked up and was shocked to see the person standing in front of her. This is not what ire had in mind to end her day. The universe surely has its way to surprise her even when she vowed to never see him again. His tone filled with satisfaction. "Surprise?" Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Obsessed "Surprise" he said in a tone that sent a shiver down ire''s spine. "Alex, what are you doing here?" ire''s eyes widened in rm. Alex''s grip tightened slightly, his expression darkening "I should be asking you the same question," Alex retorted, his voiceced with usation. e of annoyance. "Let me go, Alex." ire felt a surge i Instead, Alex pinned her against the wall, his tone using "Having fun, huh? Seems like the divorce doesn''t affect you much." ire scoffed in disbelief. "You really are obsessed with me, huh? You follow me everywhere, I really need to hire a bodyguard to keep me safe from men like you." Alex red at him. "You are different now. So bold..." Alex took a step closer to her. "full of confidence. Tell me who is your next prey for the night?" She pushed him away. "You are such a jerk." "You are a maniptive woman. ire red at him, her eyes shing with anger. "What I do is none of your business. We are divorced, Alex. You have no right to control me." His expression faltered, as if her words had struck a nerve. Loosening his grip as ire pulled her hand away. She didn''t miss a beat. "You can''t just show up and act like you have a say in my life anymore. Don''t tell me you are regretting your choice divorcing me. Cause I don''t regret any." Alex was at a loss for words as ire turned and walked away, heading back to the bar where Matthew was waiting Noticing ire''s tense demeanor, Matthew asked cautiously, "Is everything alright?" ire grabbed Matthew''s drink and drank it swiftly, surprising him. "Far from it," she replied, her eyes fixed on Alex who emerged from the restroom. As Alex and ire made eye co contact, there was no warmth between them, only a look that could kill each other. An idea formed in ire''s mind as she turned to Matthew. "Would you like to dance?" she asked, a determined glint in her eyes. "Okay...What are you nning?" He did not expect ire to be blunt. He has a feeling she is up to something. ire shook her head and smiled innocently. "Nothing, I just want to dance with you. Without waiting for Matthew to respond, she pulled him to the dance floor. Unsure of what was going on, Matthew is willing to go along with whatever it is ire is doing with a hint of confusion in his eyes. As the pulsating EDM music filled the air, the crowd around them erupted into a wild dance frenzy. ire''s gaze looked onto Alex, her ex-husband, who stood watching from the stairs. There was a smugness in her smirk as she moved to the beat, her eyes daring Alex to Leaning close to Matthew''s ear over the thumping bass, ire whispered, "Put your hand on my waist." Matthew hesitated for a moment, unsure of what game ire was ying, but heplied, cing his hand on her waist as they danced. Alex, witnessing the scene, clenched his fists in frustration. Despite their divorce, seeing ire act so carefree and bold stirred up conflicting emotions in him. He couldn''t deny that there was something undeniably attractive about ire in that moment, exiding confidence and independence It frustrated him even more that he no longer had any say or control over her life. ire, sensing Alex''s gaze, continued to dance with a subtle defiance in her movements. It was almost as if she was challenging him, reveling in the power she had to provoke a reaction from him. "Okay, you got to tell me what is wrong?" "Remember when I tell you I was divorced?" Matthew nodded his head. "Well, guess what? My ex-husband is here." His eyes go wide for a second. Matthew couldn''t shake off the feeling of being caught in the middle of a tense situation "No shit." "Yes, shit." "Is this your way to make him jealous? ire scoffed. "I''m not making him jealous. That guy has another woman. I just enjoy annoyed him. Just follow my lead." o "Well, if your ex-husband is a jerk, I''ll do anything." "I assure you; he is the biggest jerk! have met." As the song reached its climax, ire pulled Matthew closer, her eyes never leaving Alex''s, Alex, struggling to contain his emotions, turned away and left the scene. He knew he had no right to interfere or express his feelings, but the sight of ire''s newfound confidence and allure lingered in his mind. "He''s gone." ire said in relief. Alex is finally out of her sight. After the song ended, ire released Matthew and shed him a yful smile. "Thanks for the dance," she said, her tone light but with an underlying hint of satisfaction. Matthew nodded, still trying to process the whirlwind of emotions and dynamies he had just witnessed. "No problemn, just give me a heads-up next time. "You know this is all your fault, right? For dragging me to this club?" They made their way back to the bar as ire crossed her arms over her chest. "Hey! Don''t me me. How would I know your husband will be here " "Hey Guys, what did I mis?" AskTalia who has just returned from her phone call Alex left the club with a mixture of emotions swirling inside him. "Why do I have to see her again? She is such a devil in disguise." He couldn''t shake off the image of ire''s sudden transformation from a pleading wife to a seductive woman at the club. "Damn you, ire. Pretending to be an angel all along" The drive home felt longer than usual as his mind raced with confusion and curiosity. As he parked in the driveway and entered his home, the quietness of the night settled around him. His phone buzzed. Taking a quick look, it was a message from Christian informing him the situation has been handle perfectly. Alex texted him to stay in New York for 2-3 days to make sure everything is under control. When he finally made his way to the bedroom, he found Lisa already asleep. Alex took a quick shower, trying to clear his mind, but thoughts of ire kept creeping back in He sighed heavily and push the thought of ire out of his mind. Tiptoeing to his side of the bed, Alex carefully not to disturb her. But Lisa, who had been lightly dozing, opened her eyes as he settled 1. in. "Alex, you''re back," Lisa said softly, her voice tinged with concern. "It''ste." Alex sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. "I know, I''m sorry. It was a work thing that rante." Lisa nced at the clock on the nightstand. "It''s past i am, Alex. You promised you''de straight home." Alex hesitated, trying toe up with an exnation "Yeah, I know, but things got a bit hectic. Let''s just sleep"N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Lisa waited for a'', to 20 minutes and let Alex doze off. When Alex is finally sound asleep, she climb out of the best and walked to the Chapter 12 Obsessed bathroom. She opened theundry basket and took it out. The smell of alcohol is obvious. Lisa turned to see Alex sleeping figure and sighed. "Did Alex just lie to me?" Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Drunk mess ire had decided that drowning her sorrows was the best course of action after her encounter with Alex. She threw herself into the party scene with reckless abanden, downing drink after drink as if trying to erase the memories. The people around her watched in awe and amusement as she took on a drinking challenge with a random stranger. ire''s "Go, ire! Go, ire! Go, ire!" someone shouted from the crowd as she raised her hands in triumph, a wild grin on her face. The music shifted to an upbeat tempo, and ire, fueled by the alcohol and the energy of the party, leaped off the table where she had been standing,nding gracefully despite her towering 7-inch heels. Matthew, who had been observing her anties from a distance, couldn''t help but be both stunned and amused by her disy. "I almost forgot how chaotic it will be if she is drunk" he mused to himself, shaking his head with a smile. As the night wore on and the club filled with more people, Matthew momentarily lost sight of ire in the crowd. The club was sprawling, and keeping track of her movements became a challenge. "Where is she? How can she gone so quickly?" He scanned the area, his eyes finallynding on her standing next to the DJ booth, waving her arms andughing uproariously. "Should we do something? ire seems to be really letting loose." Talia approached Matthew with a concerned expression. "I think she''s okay for now," Matthew replied, though he kept a watchful eye on her. He wanted ire to have her fun, especially after the tough time she had been going through arting to get a bit out of control. ire, who was now beckoning two random guys to join her on the dance floor. The situation was starting However, as the dancing became more frenzied and ire''s words started to slur, Matthew knew he couldn''t let things escte further. He made his way through the crowd and reached out to pull ire away from the two guys, who protested loudly. "Hey, man, she''s having a good time!" one of them protested. Matthew ignored them and gave them the middle finger before turning to ire. "Come on, let''s take a break." ire blinked up at him with bleary eyes, a wide smile still on her face. "Matt! You are here!" yout of itContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Talia approached them, concern evident in her expression. "Should we take her home? She''s really Matthew nodded, helping ire steady herself as they made their way towards the exit. "Yeah, I will get her home. She''s had enough. excitement for one night." ire leaned on Matthew''s shoulder, giggling intermittently as they navigated through the club. Talia walked beside them, offering a supportive presence as they guided their intoxicated friend out into the cool night air. Matthew couldn''t help but smile despite the chaotic night. "You sure know how to liven up a party, ire." "That''s what I do best, Matt. I''m fabulous." "Sure, you are ire grinned back; her eyes half-closed. The morning sun filtered through ire''s curtains, casting a gentle glow across her bedroom. As she slowly stirred from sleep, her head throbbed with a dull ache. Memories from the previous night flooded back, reminding her of the alcohol-induced haze she had sought to drown her sorrows in. A soft knock on her door startled her, and she frowned, wondering who could be bothering her at this early hour. Come in," Matthew poked his head in with a sympathetic smile. He carried a ss of warm water and an Advil, knowing exactly what she needed after a night of heavy drinking "Morning, ire. Drink this," Matthew said, offering her the ss. ire took it gratefully, not bothering to ask questions as she swallowed the pill and sipped the water. "Thanks," she mumbled, feeling like a train wreck. "How are you feeling?" Matthew asked, concern evident in his eyes. "Like shit," ire admitted with a wince. Matthew chuckled softly, patting her shoulder in aforting gesture. "Hangovers are the worst, but you''ll survive. You should take the day off, ire. After all you are the owner." ire took a sip of the water, grateful for the soothing warmth. She considered Matthew''s words, the temptation of a day of rest pulling at her weary mind. However, her sense of responsibility and determination to restore thepany''s former glory. "I appreciate the offer, Matthew, but I can''t afford to take a day off," ire replied, her voice still a bit groggy fromck of sleep. There''s too much to do, and I need to get back to work." "I understand, ire. Just don''t overexert yourself. You need to take care of yourself too" "Aw is Matthew worried about me?" "Of course, I am. You are my boss. If something happened to you, no one would pay me ire couldn''t help but crack a small smile at his attempt to lighten the mood. "I will, don''t worry. I just can''t let things slide, especially with Robert around." "You still gotta be aware around him, huh?" "Yeah, I can''t let my guard down. Albeit he is nning something to take me down." "Anyway." However, the nagging question still lingered in her mind. "Did 1 do something stupidst night?" ire finally asked, her voice tinged with worry. ire is a drunk mess when she is under the influence of alcohol. Being the CEO of the biggest technology & softwarepany, she has to definitely a wrong move for ire. to keep her image clean. Listening to Matthewst night was Matthew''sughter filled the room. "Well, not exactly. Though there was a moment when you tried to ask 2 random guys for a dance. Luckily, Talia and I were there." ire groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I swear, I''m never going to let you drag me to the club again." Matthew chuckled, knowing that ire''s antics when she drank were both amusing and exasperating, "Come on, you''ll bounce back. Besides, you have a meeting today, I made breakfast for you " As ire got ready for the day, she couldn''t help but appreciate Matthew''s thoughtfulness. When she entered the kitchen, the scent of chocte chip pancakes and fresh strawberries greeted her, lifting her spirits slightly. ""You remember." "Of course, how could I forget." Matthew grinned, cing a te in front of her. "Here it is, chocte chip pancakes with fresh strawberries. Your absolute favorite." "Thank you, Matt." ire eximed, a hint of gratitude in her voice. "Of course. Eat up and then tackle the day. You''ll be fine." ire took a bite of the pancake and her eyes lit up, "Wow this is so good. I almost forgot how it taste like." "What can I say? I''ma professional." ire chuckled lightly while shoving strawberry into her mouth. "Anyway Matt, I need you to solve a t "Oh, is it different thanst time?" firewall that I just created." ire nodded. "Yeah, I tried to make it moreplicated. I''m curious how many people can solve it." "Okay, I''ll do it." "Tell me if there is any w or if you think there are something missing Matthew saluted with his finger. "Ay-ay, captain Chapter 14 Chapter 14, He will be mine Alex woke up to an empty side of the bed. He headed downstairs and found Lisa in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, greeting her. "Good morning, babe." He nted a soft kiss on her cheek. However, Lisa''s response was muted, her mind preupied with the lingering scent of alcohol on Alex''s clothes. Instead of reciprocating his greeting, she hummed softly. Sensing something amiss, Alex pulled away slightly and leaned against the counter, studying her expression. "Is everything okay, Lisa? Are you feeling alright, or is it your stitches bothering you?" Lisa sighed, turning off the stove and facing him with crossed arms. "I''m fine," she replied curtly, her tone chilly. Noticing the change in her demeanor, Alex pressed further. "Why the cold tone, then?" Lisa hesitated before speaking up. "Where did you really gost night?" Alex hesitated for a moment, then replied, "I told youst night, that I was bust at the office." Lisa shook her head, her expression firm. "You''re lying, Alex. Your clothes reek of alcohol" Alex''s heart sank as he realized he had been caught. He paused, searching for the right words. Finally, he admitted, "I did go to a club and had a few drinks, but that''s all. I didn''t do anything wrong. Lisa looked at him sadly, her disappointment evident. "Why lie to me, Alex? You could have just told me the truth." Alex ran a hand through his hair, feeling guilty. "I know, and I''m sorry. I just didn''t want to disappoint you. I made a promise, and I couldn''t keep it" Lisa stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him in aforting embrace. "You can tell me anything, Alex. I''ll try to understand." Alex returned the bug gratefully, feeling a mix of relief and remorse. "I''m going to continue cooking breakfast. You go freshen up." "Yeah" Lisa can''t help but nced at ire and Alex wedding portrait She stood in front of the wedding portrait of Alex and ire, a determined look in her eyes. The portrait hasn''t been taken down "I will make Alex mine," she whispered to herself, her determination fueling her ambition. She promised herself that she would make Alex marry her, no matter what it took. A week had passed since ire had given her team the task of brainstorming innovative ideas for Cortex 2.0. She sat in her office, a sense of excitement bubbling within her as she prepared for the uing meeting. ire had high hopes for her team; she knew they were capable ofing up with groundbreaking concepts. As she gathered her thoughts, her secretary Sandra entered the room. "Good morning, ire. Are you ready for the meeting?" ire nodded with a smile. "Absolutely, Sandra. Let''s head to the meeting room Together, they walked to the meeting room where the team had already assembled. ire greeted everyone warmly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Good morning, everyone. I hope you''ve had a productive week brainstorming ideas for Cortex 2.0," ire began as she took her seat at the head of the table- "I''m excited to see what each team hase up with Once everyone was settled, ire made an announcement. "I''ll be randomly calling out team names, so be prepared to present your ideas. No excuses." The meeting stretched on for over two hours as each team presented their innovative concepts. It was a serious and focused atmosphere, with everyone paying close attention. After thest presentation, ire apuded the teams. "Fantastic work, everyone. Your Ideas are truly inspiring and creative. I''m proud to have such talented and hardworking employees " She informed them that the winner would be announced in a few days" time and then dismissed the meeting ire was the first to leave the room, heading back to her office. Once inside, she opened the team presentations once more, reviewing each idea carefully. She wanted to make an informed decision when choosing the winning concept. ire instructed her secretary to call jack. The only person she currently trust in thepany. She also called Matthew since technology is also his thing and his opinion matters to ire. Shortly after, Jack arrived, followed by Matthew fifteen minutester.. Jack took a seat and asked, "ire, why did you call me here?" ire motioned for Matthew to sit as well. "I wanted to discuss the presentations with both of you. I value your insights and opinions and since you Jack, are the only person I trust in thispany." The atmosphere in ire''s office was tense as she, Jack, and Matthew discussed the earlier presentation from the team to choose the winner. They were deep in conversation when Robert burst in, his irritation palpable "What''s going on here?" Robert demanded, his eyes darting between the three of them. ire raised her eyebrows at Robert''s sudden entrance. "I''m sure you know the basics of knocking, Robert? What brings you here?"" "I heard that earlier who held a meeting for the new software." "Yes, and?" "And you didn''t consult with me first when you decided to announce it?" "It has started a week ago, Robert and today I will choose the winner who will be leading this project." "Don''t you remember who I am, ire? I am still a part of the Metacortex corporation, and you left me out. ire sighed. "You are but what role do you y in thispany huh?" "Then what is Jack doing here?" "He is the vice president; his opinion matters the most in thispany. Aren''t you forgetting that?" Robert''s eyes then shifted to Matthew, a man he didn''t recognize. "And who is he? He''s not even an employee." ire smiled faintly. "Matthew is my advisor. He helps me make decisions and he is good with technology." Robert''s frustration grew, but he tried to keep his anger in check. "I still need to be included in these discussions." ire sighed, feeling exasperated. "Fine, Robert. You can join us. But keep up because this project is going to be significant, unlike the past three years with no development." Robert bristled at ire''s mocking tone, reminded that he used to be the CEO before ire reced him. He clenched his jaw, hiding his true intentions. "I''ll keep up." Robert replied curtly, taking a seat at the couch. As the meeting progressed, ire outlined the ns for the uing project, emphasizing the need for innovation and progress. Jack and Matthew chimed in with their insights and opinions Robert listened attentively, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn''t shake off the feeling of being sidelined. Once the meeting concluded, Robert lingered behind, waiting for a chance to speak with ire alone. Matthew noticed Robert staying behind. He made eye contact with ire asking her if he should stay in case something bad happened. ire shook his head. She can deal with Robert. "Robert, why are you still here?"Txt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. "I just wanted to say that I appreciate you letting me join the meeting," Robert began, trying to sound diplomatic. ire mentally rolled her eyes. What an actor! "And I''m sorry for barging in earlier. I will try to be professional next time." "Of course, Robert." If only ire knew what he was plotting behind the scenes. Special Halloween Treat More Coins, More Thrills! Chapter 15 Chapter 15 The Article Alex is currently in the meeting groom focusing his attention on the team who is presenting Just as the presenterunched into the next slide, Alex''s phone rang loudly, breaking the concentration of everyone in the room. "Please continue without me.'' Apologizing, Alex excused himself and stepped out of the meeting to answer the call. His annoyance was evident in his voice as he greeted his father on the other end of the line #Dad, w what''s u ''s up?" Alex asked, trying to keep his tone calm despite the interruption. His father wasted no time with pleasantries. "Alex, I need to talk to you about your marriage." Alex pinched the bridge of his nose, anticipating the conversation that was about to unfold. His father''s booming voice echoed through the phone, causing Alex to hold it away from his ear slightly. "Dad, can we not do this now? I''m in the middle of an important meeting." Alex interjected, hoping to steer the conversation away from his personal life. But his father was relentless. "Your grandfather wouldn''t be happy about this, Alex. It was his dying wish for you to marry ire" Alex sighed, his frustration mounting "Dad, Grandfather''s gone. And I never loved ire. I married her because of Grandfather, not because I wanted to." There was a heavy silence on the line as Alex''s words sank in. It was Alex who finally broke the silence, wanting to know how his father had found out about the divorce. "How did you even know, Dad? Mum promised she wouldn''t say anything," Alex said, referencing the agreement to keep their family matters private. His father hesitated before admitting, "I saw it in an article this morning." Alex''s brow furrowed in confusion. "An article? What are you talking about?" His father quickly sent him the link to the news article, and Alex opened it on his phone. The headline confirmed his fears - news of his divorce from ire was circting, and it was making headlines. "But who would leak this? It''s supposed to be private," Alex muttered to himself as he scanned the article. His mind immediately went to ire. She was one of the few people who knew about the divorce, including Lisa, but Lisa wouldn''t do such a thing especially when she had just healed from her sickness and the only one who could possibly do this is ire. Alex is 100% sure this is ire''s doing. Seeing her behavior at the club just proves Alex suspicion "Did you see who posted this?" Alex asked his father, hoping for some clue. "It''s anonymous," his father replied, echoing Alex''s own confusion. The Harris family was known for their privacy, and Alex had taken great care to keep his personal life out of the public eye. "This is ire. I know this is her doing." "Don''t be so sure Alex. We both don''t know who published this. On the good side, there is no photo of the two of you. So that''s a relief." "I guess so, but I need to confront ire about this matter." Mr. Harris sighed, when ites to argument her he never wins against his son. Ites in the family.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Alex tried to dial ire number; it went directly to voicemail He just remembered that ire block his number, so he doesn''t know how to contact her. The only thing Alex can do is to go to the mansion. Christian hurried to his office, finding Alex waiting for him with a troubled expression, "Why didn''t you join the meeting?" Christian asked. Alex sighed heavily before replying, "I had a phone call with my dad. It was urgent." Christian nodded. "Is everything okay?" "Not really." "Okay, your expression is scaring me. Tell me what''s up." "There''s an article about my divorce with ire, and it''s anonymous. I don''t know how this got out. Christian frowned, surprised by the news. "That''s unexpected. Have you spoken to ire about it?" Alex shook his head. "No, I haven''t. But I know this is her doing H Christian''s brows furrowed in disbelief, "Are you sure about that, Alex? I''ve met ire before, and she seems like a kind and genuine person. It''s hard to imagine her doing something like this." don''t know the real her Chris." "Even if I don''t know the real her, I don''t think this is her doing. ire would never stoop this low." Christian urged caution. "Let''s not jump to conclusions. We should investigate this before using ire of something she may not have done. "What should I do first? Christian thought for a moment before replying, "Take down the article. I''ll handle that part. Meanwhile, try to find out who published it and how they got their information." Alex sighed again, feeling the weight of the situation. "Alright, I''ll do my best." Christian patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don''t worry, Alex. We''ll get to the bottom of this " Alex is too tired to argue with Christian, so he just go with his direction even though he ended up doing things his way rather than listening to him. Christian immediately took action to have the article removed. He contacted the publication and requested they take it down. It doesn''t take long until the article is taken down and the next is to find who publish this article and that would be Alex job. In a dimly lit room, a woman sat hunched over her desk, her face illuminated by the glow of two phones. One was her personal phone, while the other was a secret device she used for secret conversations. Her sharp eyes scanned the text message on her secret phone, confirming that her informant had sessfully eavesdropped on a conversation about ire and Alex''s divorce. "Excellent work." The woman murmured to herself A wicked smile ying on her lips. She quickly dialed the number of her informant, a man whose identity she kept hidden even from herself. "Hello?" came a gruff voice at the other end. "It''s me, did you get what I needed?" The man chuckled. I''m not one to disappoint." "Good. I''ve transferred the money to your ount. Their conversation was brief but filled with an unspoken understanding of their illicit dealings. As the call ended, she leaned back in her chair, her mind already racing with ns. With a few swift keystrokes, she crafted an article that would surely grab headlines. The story of ire and Alex''s divorce,plete with juicy details she had obtained through her informant, was sure to cause a stir in the public eye. She grinned evilly as she hit the "publish" button. She had deliberately refrained from using ire and Alex''s photos, adding an air of mystery and intrigue to her piece. In just a few minutes, the article started to gain viewers andments poured in. Since a lot of people around Europe are curious about the Harris family. They always have a good image in the public eyes and now with this article, will definitely be the talk. Just like the news about the royal family that will immediately spread like wildfire in the blink of an eye. ire and Alex''s private lives were now exposed to the scrutiny of the public. Chapter 16 Chapter 16 The ne Are you sure you want to attend the party? After all it is only his son''s birthday," "I know but if I don''t show up, Robert will think I am scared of him and I am not." ire said every word with confidence in her tone. "okay, if you say so." Matthew open the car door for her and ire with her strapless ck dress filled with beautiful rhinestones on the neckline shimmering under the evening lights. A slit on the side that showcase her long legs caught the paparazzi attention, Even though Robert said this party is private he does not really mean it. Robert loves attention and he will do anything to make it one the front page of New York Times or maybe Vogue. "He paid for the paparazzi." ire whisper to Matthew who is next to her. "Well, what do you expect from the man. "Excuse me, miss? Can you pose for us?" Another paparazzi chime in. "Miss, can you turn to the right please?" The shing of the camera slightly blinded ire''s eyes. This is the first time she has experienced this scene after 3 years. ire was stunned by the loud paparazzi and shing camera. Matthew, noticing her slight stumble, quickly steadied her. "Stay confident, ire Focus on your goal," he whispered, his hand resting reassuringly on her waist. ire nodded, regaining her poise. With a confident smile or sometimes a subtle smirk, she began to pose for the cameras, each click of the shutter adding to the spectacle. The other guests, initially oblivious to ire''s arrival, couldn''t help but turn their attention as the paparazzi frenzy grew. They whispered among themselves, wondering who this captivating woman was stealing the spotlight One bold paparazzi, eager for a headline, called out to ire, "Who are you, miss?" ire turned slightly, her demeanor exuding power. "I''m ire Peterson, CEO of Metacortex Corporation." The camera shes intensified, capturing her deration as if it were breaking news. ire and Matthew finally made their way into the opulent mansion, leaving the paparazzi behind but not without asting impression, "You nailed it, ire! I knew you would." ire chuckled seeing Matthew excitement As they headed inside, ire took in thevish surroundings. A sudden memory washed over her. Matthew noticing her expression shifted raised an eyebrow. "You okay ire? Did the sh blinded your eyes?" ire shook her head, a tight smile etched on her lips. "Nothing it''s just...this mansion...my dad wanted to buy this mansion. He once brought Robert over and told buy this but then "Robert stole it from you." Matthew finished ire''s word as she nodded her head. him he really wanted to "I don''t know when Robert buy this, but my guess is after the ident that urred. He always wanted to take everything that makes me and my parents happy. He is just a petty man." Matthew put his arms around her shoulders and offered her a warm smile. "Don''t worry ire, you will get everything you own back just in due time." st in due time." "I know." ire smiled back at Matthew as they walk in thevish party.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Thevish house was abuzz with activity, filled with elegantly dressed guests and adorned with decorations fit for a grand event. ire observed the scene around her, she couldn''t shake off the feeling that this birthday party was more akin to a business party than a birthday party for an eight-year-old. While their parents appeared to be deep in conversation over sses of wine, children were running around under the watchful eyes of exhausted-loolding nannies. Robert noticed ire''s approach with Matthew by her side, his expression briefly clouded with annoyance. He couldn''t understand why Matthew was always glued to ire''s side, seemingly Inseparable from her even in social gatherings. Despite his inner irritation, Robert put on a charming smile as ire and Matthew reached them "Ah, ire, what a delightful surprise!" Robert eximed; his tone slightly forced but masking his true feelings well. "I see you bring this man.. I''m sorry who is he again?" Robert said as he nce to Matthew. He is trying to be rude but masked it with a look of politeness. ire mentally scoffed in disbelief. She always mention Matthew''s name to him. Funny if he easily forget it. "It''s Matthew, He is my advisor as well as my friend." Greta, Robert''s wife, joined in, greeting ire warmly despite the subtle tension in the air. "ire darling! It''s been so long. Where have you been? And where is your parents?" At that moment, ire felt like someone punch her in the guts. She can''t help but wonder if the Robertson genuinely innocent in the car crash ident or they pretending to be oblivious. ire honestly can''t tell. "They are dead." ire didn''t bother to be discreet as she is curious to see their reaction. As she thought Greta ce her hand on her mouth in shock while Robert pretending not to hear as he greet the other guest, but she know his ears perked up at the mention of ire parents. "How? And why didn''t you tell us? "Some much happen in the past 3 years. Maybe some day I''ll tell you. But now I just wish Mick a happy birthday. I''m sorry I didn''t bring present, but it seems like Mick has enough." ire said as she gesture to the mountain full of present. Greta waved her hand in dismissal. "Nonsense dear. Mick has enough toys. Thank you foring dear." ire''s gaze drifted towards Greta''s jewelry, and her smile faltered momentarily. It was a custom-made plece that ire had ordered for herte mother, unique and unmistakable. How did Gretae to possess such a rare item? After the greetings, ire and Matthew made their way to a table at the back of the room, strategically ced away from the center of attention. It was a move she had anticipated from Robert, a subtle attempt to minimize her presence. However, ire remained unfazed, choosing to focus on enjoying the evening with Matthew rather than getting caught up in Robert''s petty games. "Are you okay?" Matthe asked ire as they are seated. "Do you want an honest answer?" "Okay, every time you said that it scares me." ire rolled her eyes as she took a sip of the champagne. "No, I am not alright. I could flip any minute. Is this because of the question about your parents?" ire''s jaw tightened as she nced at Matthew, her eyes shing with anger. "Aside from that is the jewelry that Gretta wore that caught me off guard and also anger me." Matthew furrowed his brow in confusion. "The ne? Why does it bother you so much?" ire turned to him, her frustration evident. "That ne belonged to my mother. It was a custom order which I exclusively asked for it. You can''t find that necldace even if you search the whole world. There is only one and Gretta is wearing it." "Why didn''t you say anything?" Matthew asked. ire let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I was caught off guard. I didn''t expect to see it here. Let''s just try to enjoy the party until it''s over." Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Discovering Alex stood on his balcony at his penthouse, his phone pressed to his ear as he paced back and forth. Frustration and worry clouded his features as he tried to call ire once again, knowing deep down that she wouldn''t answer, ire had blocked his number weeks ago, and the divorce hadn''t changed that fact. Sinking onto the couch, Alex let out a harsh sigh. The article about their divorce lingered in his mind, despite Christian''s efforts to handle the media fallout. Lisa, noticing his distress, came over and sat next to him, her brow furrowing with concern "What''s bothering you, Alex?" Lis asked softly. Alex exined about the article and how it had left him feeling uneasy. "The Harris family has always been private. Such news about our personal lives shouldn''t be stered all over the inte," he said, frustration evident in his voice, Lisa Jeaned against his shoulder. "Why is it such a big deal if people find out?" "As I said, our lives needs to be private. Cause it can damaged our reputation and affect our stock market." Lisa ced her hand on Alex cheek, offeringfort. "I understand, Alex But try not to let it consume you. Everything will be okay." Back at the party, ire spotted Gretta at the buffet table, her eyes narrowing slightly. Swallowing her annoyance, she approached Gretta with a friendly smile, deciding to address the issue head-on "Hi, Gretta," ire said with a smile, trying to keep her tone pleasant. Gretta turned to her with a polite smile, unaware of ire''s inner turmoil. "Oh, hello, ire. Lovely party, isn''t it?" "It is. You really did a good job preparing it." "Oh, thank you, ire. After all it is Mick''s birthday and it have to be special." ire nodded, her eyes subtly ncing at the ne around Gretta''s neck. "Indeed. And that ne you''re wearing, it''s stunning Gretta''s hand instinctively rose to touch the ne, her smile glowing with pride under the bright lights. "Thank you, ire. It''s one of my favorites." her voice tinged with satisfaction "If you don''t mind me asking, where did you get it?" "Oh, it is a gift from Robert." "Where did Robert get it?" H Gretta shrugged nonchntly, her smile unwavering "I''m not sure, to be honest, Robert has his ways." ire''s eyes narrowed imperceptibly as she noted Gretta''s subtle avoidance of eye contact. Before ire could delve deeper, three other women joined the conversation, showering Gretta withpliments about her party and, of course, her ne. They inquired about the type of stone adorning the ne. Gretta beamed proudly, her demeanor bordering on arrogance,ombination of ruby and sapphire," she dered confidently. "It''s a ire, who had been listening intently, couldn''t help but scoff lightly. Gretta''s head turned towards her, a hint of confusion in her expression as she asked if there was a problem. With aposed smile, ire leaned in slightly.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. "Oh, no issue at all. It''s just that this ne isn''t adorned with ruby and sapphire. It''s actually abination of Painite, Red Beryl, and Alexandrite. Three of the rarest gemstones in the world. I must say. Alexandrite stone often described as "emerald by day, ruby by night" while Painite only has less than 1000 in Myanmar." The guests around them gasped in awe, impressed by ire''s knowledge and confident demeanor. Gretta''s smile faltered slightly as she struggled to find a response. Turning her attention back to Gretta, ire crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "I''m surprised you don''t know the stones in your own jewelry. Most women who own such exquisite pieces are quite familiar with them." The threedies who had joined the conversation nodded in agreement with ire''s observation, adding to Gretta''s difort. ire''s next words sent a chill down Gretta''s spine. "Are you even the real owner of this jewelry?" she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Gretta felt humiliated, her anger simmering beneath the surface as she wished for ire to disappear from the party. "I''m just joking. Of course, Gretta is the owner. She''s too rich to care about such stone" The otherdies joined in ire''sughter, easing the tension in the air. "Who are you, if you don''t mind me asking?" "I''m ire Peterson." "Oh...you are the new CEO of the Metacortex corporation, aren''t you? ire nodded her head. "I wouldn''t say new but in short yes." "My husband told me about it." For a minute, Gretta existence was being forgotten as they were caught up in a conversation until ire excused herself gracefully, leaving Gretta feeling a mix of relief and lingering embarrassment. As ire walked away, a self-satisfied smirk yed on her lips. She enjoyed wielding her wit and charm to stir up reactions, even if it meant momentarily unsettling others. Gretta, still feeling the sting of ire''s teasing, gripped the te she held tightly in her hands. Her gaze followed ire''s retreating figure with a simmering anger in her eyes. She couldn''t shake the desire for ire to disappear from their social circle, her presence now a thorn in Gretta''s side. She has confirm her suspicions. That ne indeed belongs to her mother. One question that came to mind, how did Gretta gets her hands on that ne. As she remembers correctly that necldace reside at her family house. ire can''t help thinking about the house. She was too caught up in her work andpany and trying to take what''s hers that she actually forgot about her family house. ire sighed as she made a mental note to visit the house. As she was making her way to her table, she was stopped in her tracks by a guy named Dennis. He seemed to know her, but ire couldn''t recall ever meeting him before. Dennis had a charming demeanor, with dirty blonde hair and 5''9 feet tall. ire observed him carefully as he introduced himself. "Hello, I''m Dennis Anderson," he said with a smile. "ire Peterson." "I know. So, you really came back, huh?" "Shocking, huh? How do you know me again?" "We actually met twice a few years ago." ire raised an eyebrow, trying to ce him. "We did? I''m sorry, I don''t seem to remember." Dennis chuckled. "No worries, it''s been a while. I''m actually Robert Robertson''s nephew." Recognition flickered in ire''s eyes. "Ah, I see. Nice to meet you again, Dennis " As ire turned to leave, Dennis mentioned something that caught her attention. "By the way, ire, I heard about your parents'' house," Dennis said casually. ire stopped in her tracks; her curiosity piqued. "What about it?" Dennis continued, "Why did you sold the house? ire''s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Sold? What are you talking about? That can''t be right. I never sold that house." Dennis looked puzzled. "My dad works as a real estate agent, and he mentioned that the house was sold." ire''s mind raced as she tried to make sense of the situation. "That house is very dear to me. I would never sell it." "Then if you didn''t sell it who did?" ire felt a mix of frustration and concern. If someone had sold her parents house without her knowledge or consent, it was a serious matter. "Tell me again, Dennis. What do you know?" - Special Halloween Treat More Coina, More Thrills! Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Stole the show day party "Weedies and gentlemen to Mick''s birthday H As Mick''s birthday party unfolded in a lively atmosphere, Robert took center stage, weing the guests with warmth and enthusiasm. The room erupted in apuse and cheers, everyone clearly excited to celebrate the asion ire who was eager to hear Dennis exnation got interrupted as the party is starting. Dennis immediately excused himself to go back to his table. Before ire can stop him, Dennis is out of sight. The question still lingers in her bead about the house. She is determined to seek the answers but decides to put that aside for now since the only informant has gone back to his family. was engaged in a conversation with a young woman. Sensing ire''s unease, ire decided to return to her table where Matthew was Matthew paused and asked her what was wrong ire shook her head slightly, indicating that it wasn''t the right time to discuss it. "I''ll tell youter," she murmured, trying to push aside her growing concerns about Dennis''s words. Meanwhile, Robert continued to charm the guests, expressing his gratitude for their presence, and inviting his wife and son to join him in blowing out the birthday candles. The room filled with the cheerful melody of the "Happy Birthday" song, guests pping and singing along in unison. ire watched the festivities with a nk expression, her mind preupied with thoughts of the mysterious mention of her house. She couldn''t shake off the feeling of unease, wondering why someone would imply that her house was being sold without her knowledge. Her train of thought was interrupted by a sudden burst of cheering, drawing her attention back to the party. She joined in the apuse, trying to focus on the present moment. Suddenly, Gretta, Robert''s wife, took the microphone from him, signaling an unexpected twist in the celebration. Robert looked slightly puzzled, not aware of his wife''s ns. "Greetings, everyone!" Gretta''s voice echoed through the room,manding attention. "We have a special surprise for you tonight." ire''s curiosity piqued as she wondered what Gretta had up her sleeve. The lights shifted toward ire, who was seated at the back, causing her to shield her eyes momentarily from the brightness. "ire Peterson, please join us!" ire, dressed elegantly in a floor-length gown, navigated through the crowd with a smile, her graceful demeanor befitting her role as the CEO of a prominentpany. She had no inkling of what was about to unfold. As ire stepped onto the stage beside Gretta. she couldn''t suppress a curious smile. "What''s going on, Gretta?" she whispered, her voiceced with curiosity. Gretta, wearing a smug expression, ignored ire''s question, and turned to address the guests. "Ladies and gentlemen," she announced, her voice carrying across the room, "we have a special treat tonight. ire will be delighting us with a piano performance." ire''s eyes widened in surprise and a hint of apprehension. She hadn''t anticipated Gretta''s revenge for their earlier conversation about jewelry. The thought of performing in front of such a distinguished audience made her pulse quicken However, ire wasn''t one to back down from a challenge. Despite her initial shock, she stered on a confident smile, determined not to let Gretta have the upper hand. With graceful poise, ire took her seat at the grand piano. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let her fingers glide over the krys. At first, there was a stumble, a wrong note that caused a brief moment of tension. But then, as the music flowed, ire found her rhythm... The melody of a ssical piece filled the air, and ire''s fingers danced with skill and precision. Her eyes remained closed, lost in the music''s enchantment. The audience, initially skeptical, was soon captivated by ire''s unexpected talent. Gretta, who had hoped to witness ire''s embarrassment, felt a surge of irritation as she watched the crowd''s admiration grow. Her grip on the microphone tightened, her expression souring with each note ire yed wlessly. As ire reached the crescendo of the piece, her eyes opened, meeting a standing ovation from the guests. The apuse thundered through the room, drowning out any doubts about ire''s abilities. Meanwhile, Robert, Gretta''s husband, observed the scene with a mixture of surprise and frustration. He shot a re at Gretta for letting this happen Gretta looked away and squirmed under his gaze. The party continued with renewed energy, but the talk of the evening had shifted. Instead of Mick''s birthday, the guests were buzzing about ire''s impromptu no performance, praising her talent and grace. "Ms. Peterson that was an amazing performance." "That piece was indeed difficult." ire, now surrounded by well-wishers and admirers, epted theirpliments with humility and gratitude. Robert watched with a mixture of irritation and anger. This event was supposed to be about his family, particrly his son Mick, but it seemed like all attention was on ire Unable to contain his frustration any longer, Robert grabbed Gretta, his wife, and pulled her aside into the kitchen, away from prying "What the hell was that, Gretta?" Robert hissed; his voice edged with anger. Gretta looked taken aback by Robert''s sudden outburst. "What do you mean, dear?" "Why did you ask ire to y the piano?" Robert demanded; his frustration evident. Gretta crossed her arms defensively. "I was just trying to add some excitement to the evening. Besides, ire couldn''t even y the piano properly. I thought it would be amusing" "Yeah, and you are wrong. ire yed that piano perfectly. And now everyone is talking about her not about Mick or even us. This was supposed to be our night" Gretta continued her exnation. "But ire humiliated me earlier in front of my friends. She corrected me about the ne I was wearing, sald I got the stone wrong. It was embarrassing" Robert ran a hand through his hair in exasperation, "This isn''t the way to handle it." Gretta hesitated but continue to talk. "I think ire is suspicious about the ne I wear. She kept ncing at it. Do you think she knows we stole it?" "We did not stole it, Gretta. Her family died along with her. It wasn''t our fault, we take what can be use." Behind the kitchen wall, ire listened in on their conversation, her suspicions confirmed. Her fists clenched. Without a word, ire turned and quietly left the kitchen, making sure she wasn''t seen or heard. She didn''t want Robert and Gretta to know that she had overheard their conversation. As she walked away, ire''s mind raced with thoughts of how to handle the situation. Matthew caught ire figure exiting the house and he follow suit. "ire, where are you going?" "Home" Tell me what''s wrong. You look distracted earlier." ire looked around the house to make sure e no one is listening. "I''ll tell you in the car." As their car arrived, they didn''t waste time and quickly climbed inside ire didn''t even said her goodbyes to the host due to the newfound information she eavesdropped. "Okay, now tell me." She looked out the window with a nk expression, A tear dropped down on her cheek. She turn to Matthew, her eyes zing with anger and sadness.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. "I need to find the answers." Chapter 19 Chapter 19 The house "So, this is it? This is the house?" "Yep. "Wow...It''s...so grand." "I know." ire replied with a smirk etched on her lips. Earlier, ire had instructed Matthew to set up a meeting with Dennis Anderson. She needed answers, and Dennis seemed like the key to find answer. They met at a quaint cottee shop, choosing a quiet corner for their discussion "Thank you for meeting with me, Dennis," ire began, her tone serious yet polite. Dennis nodded, his expression showing a hint of concern. "Of course, ire. You seemed quite troubled at the party yesterday." ire wasted no time getting to the point. "I want to know what happened to my family''s house. You mentioned it briefly, but we didn''t get a chance to discuss it further." Dennis sighed. "ire, about a year ago, your house was sold." "sold? But why? Who agreed to this? Dennis hesitated before answering "Turns out it was Robert. He agreed to sell the house." ire''s anger red instantly. "Robert? That''s out of line. What more does he want?" Dennis sympathized with ire''s frustration. "I''m sorry, ire. I know how much that house meant to you" ire took a moment topose herself before asking another pressing question. "Do you know what happened to my parents" belongings? Were they included in the sale?" Dennis shook his head regretfully. "I''m afraid I don''t have that information. I''m sorry, ire" ire sighed, feeling a mix of disappointment and anger. "Thank you for telling me, Dennis. It''s not easy news to hear, but I appreciate you for telling me this." After parting ways with Dennis, ire and Matthew found themselves standing in front of her family home. It was a grand house with a Victorian design, just as her parents had always wanted. The memories flooded back, both happy and bittersweet. ire inhaled deeply and pressed the doorbell, determined to confront the current owners and take back ownership of the house. ""Who are you?" "Excuse me, I am ire P Peterson and I need to speak to the oner of the house. It''s a private matter."N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ire exined firmly but politely. The maid scrutinized them for a moment before letting and leading them to the living room. ire couldn''t help but feel a rush of nostalgia as she stepped into the familiar space. "Please wait here." As they waited, ire''s mind raced with thoughts of how to approach the situation. Not long after that, an old couple that maybe around 60s and 70s approached ire and Matthew. She had half a mind to negotiate buying back the house, but seeing the old couple who eventually descended the stairs, she hesitated. "Hello. Good afternoon, I apologize for bothering your time. My name is ire Peterson, and this is my advisor, Matthew Finnegan." "Good afternoon, dear. I''m M Jenkins and this is my husband, Rod Jenkins. How may we help you?" Mrs. Jenkins kindly asked. "Um...if you don''t mind me asking, may I know how you discovered this house before you purchase it?" "Of course. It was our son who discovered this house. Rod and I just want afortable ce for us to retire and our son suggested a perfect house for us and turns out he was right. This house is very nice." "Who sell you this house?" "It was an agent as I remember." "How much did he sell the house to you?" Mr and Mrs. Jenkins shared a looked. ire noticed their hesitation and quickly assure them. "Don''t get me wrong. It''s just, my parents were the owner of the house." The look of shocked stered on the old couple face. It seems like they weren''t expecting to hear this information "What do you mean dear? I thought the owner had died. That is what the agent told us." Mrs. Jenkins said. "No, darling. I think it was the other man. Who was his name again?" In haste, ire pulls her phone out and show them Robert picture. "Is this the man you mean?" Both of the couple stared at the photo. "Yes, this is him. Do you know this man, dear?" "That man is Robert. So, what did he tell you?" "He told us, the owner of the house had died, and they had no family left. Robert sold us the house for quite a cheap price. That''s why We took it." "Oh." A look of disappointment clouded her feature. ire realized that buying back the house wasn''t an option. The Jenkins''s had made it their owIL and disrupting their peace seemed unfair. "It is a beautiful home." ire nodded her heart is heavy with emotion. ""Indeed, it is." "Earlier you mention this house is your parents? So, it means, are you the daughter?" ire nodded. A look of confusion etched on both of the Jenkins faces. "Why did Robert lie to us?" With a heavy sighed, ire leaned back to the sofa. "It''s... Complicated." ire stood up follow by Matthew. With a small smile on her lips, she thanks the Jenkins for their time and apologize for wasting their time. "Wait, Ms. ire?" ire turned on her heels and raised her brows "There''s something you should know." Mrs. Jenkins motioned for ire and Matthew to follow her towards the backyard. As they reached a small warehouse, Mrs. Jenkins unlocked the door, revealing a treasure trove of memories from ire''s past. "We didn''t dare to remove all this stuff. We hope that one day maybe someone wille back and take it and we are d we didn''t do ire''s breath caught in her throat as she stepped inside. It was a collection of her parents" belongings. Tears welled up in her eyes as she took in the familiar items that once belonged to her family. Mrs. Jenkins gently patted ire''s shoulder, offering her silent support. "Take all the time you need, dear. These things belong to you." Matthew stond..... stood by ire''s side. He wrapped his arms around her, offering aforting embrace as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Don''t cry, ire," Matthew whispered softly. "Your parents wouldn''t want to see you like this." ire nodded, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, leaving smudges of makeup on her face that she didn''t care about in that moment. She knelt and opened one of the boxes, revealing a family photo of happier times. The sight of her parents'' smiling fares brought a fresh wave of emotion, and ire couldn''t hold back the tears. "I''ll be outside, ire," Matthew said gently, sensing her need for privacy amidst her overwhelming emotions. As Matthew waited outside, he couldn''t help but feel the weight of ire''s sorrow. He knew how much her parents meant to her and seeing her in pain tugged at his heart. ire spent what felt like hours going through each box, reliving memories and cherishing the tangible remnants of her family''s past 313 Finally, ire called out to Matthew, her voice tinged with sadness. "Matthew, can you help me bring all of this to the car?" Matthew nodded. Together, they carefully packed up her parents'' belongings. As they loaded thest box into the car, Matthew promised himself to support ire through this difficult time and to do whatever it took to ensure justice for her famil Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Rejection "Woah...what happened to you? Did someone piss on your tea? Chris remarked with a teasing grin. Alex shoot Chris a red as Chris walked inside his office and plopped down at the sofa. "Still having no luck contacting ire?" "No, non, nee, nothing!" "Okay, calm down, mate." Alex eximed; his frustration palpable. "How can I calm down? It''s been 3 days. I even tried emailing her which is the same. Contacting ire is so difficult as if she is a celebrity. I don''t even remember struggling this hard when I try to contact Chris Evans." Christian chuckled at theparison. "Alright, mate. let me help you. I''ll do my best to track her down or at least find out what''s going on. Just give me the word, and I''m on it." Alex nodded gratefully, a sense of relief washing over him. "Thanks, Chris. I appreciate it more than you know." Christian saluted him jokingly with his finger. "Consider it done." Chris changed the subject as he spoke about business. "So, about the hotel project in Las Vegas. Are you still thinking of coborating with Metacortex?" Alex nodded, his focus shifting back to work. "Yes, I''m still interested in that project. It could be really beneficial for us especially with the hotel concept it really suit for us to coborate with Metacortex." Deciding to take action immediately, Alex called his secretary into the office. Within seconds, she appeared, ready to assist. "Please contact Metacortex and arrange a meeting as soon as possible," Alex instructed her. She nodded briskly before exiting the office to carry out his request. "Do you think the new CEO will ept your request?" "Of course she will. No one would refuse to coborate with Harrispany." Alex said with a smug smile on his face. Meanwhile, at ire''s penthouse, she was surrounded by boxes containing her parents'' belongings and her own. It was an emotional day for her, and she had decided to take a break from work. The thought of facing Robert and the overwhelming emotions she felt made staying home seem like the best option. As she sorted through the boxes, memories flooded back, both happy and bittersweet. She needed this time to process everything without the added stress of work. ire couldn''t bear the idea of exploding in anger or sadness if she were to encounter Robert at the office. Matthew, who is always by her side, made her a cup of warm tea hoping it wouldfort her. "Here, drink this, ire." ire smile weakly and took the cup of tea. "Do you need help to unpack? ire shook her head as she ced down the cup on the table. "It''s fine. Can you do me a favor, Matt?" Matthew leaned forward. "Sure, what is it? I''ll do anything." "Can you go to the office and keep an eye of things?" Matthew furrowed his brows slightly, a hint of curiosity in his expression. "Am I allowed to do that? I mean, without being officially designated for such tasks?" ire waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, it''s fine. You''re not just anyone; you''re my advisor and the person I trust the most even if you are not working for thepany, but you are still working under me." Matthew''s eyes softened at thepliment. "Alright then, consider it done. What specifically should I be looking out for?" "Keep an eye on Robert for me. If he tries anything suspicious, I want to know about it." Matthew chuckled. "Got it. So, I''m CEO for the day?" ire nodded with a smile "CEO for the day indeed. But don''t get too carried away." Matthew grinned mischievously. "Does that mean I can fire Robert?" ire rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at her lips. "No, let''s keep him as the "parasite for now. We''ll find the antidote eventually. Matthewughed. "Understood. I''ll keep your updated on any meetings or documents, but I won''t sign anything without your approval " "Exactly," ire affirmed. "And remember, you''re still ountable to me, CEO of the day or not." In an attempt to lighten the mood before heading to the office, Matthew couldn''t help but throw a joke that made ireugh. Once at the office, Matthew wasted no time getting down to business. He checked every document meticulously, jotting down important matters and staying vignt for any signs of trouble. It wasn''t long before Sandra, ire secretary, walked in with news about an uing meeting request from Harris regarding a coboration project. "Sir, Alexander Harris from the Harris hotel chain wants to arrange a meeting with our CEO," Sandra informed him, a hint of urgency In her tone. Matthew nodded. "Thank you, Sandra. I''ll inform ire and wait for her response." The evening sun cast long shadows as Matthew dialed ire''s number from the office. He had important updates to share with her regarding the documents and the canceled meeting from earlier that day. "ire, it''s Matthew," he greeted as soon as she picked up. ire, who was lounging at home, shifted her attention to the call "Hey, Matthew What''s up?" Matthew dove straight into business. "1 wanted to update you on the documents we discussed earlier. They''re all set, and I''ve rescheduled the meeting for tomorrow morning." ire''s interest piqued at the mention of the meeting. "Thank you so much for handling that, Matthew." "There''s one more thing." Matthew added cautiously. "The Harris hotel chain reached out. They want to schedule a meeting to discuss coboration with Metacortex." ire''s expression turned grim at the mention of the Harris name. Memories and emotions she had buried deep resurfaced at the mere mention of thepany or rather the surname. "Harris?" ire repeated, her voice tinged with unease. "Yes, they''re interested in coborating with us," Matthew exined. "It could be a great opportunity for Metacortex." ire''s annoyance was palpable. "I don''t want anything to do with Harris. Tell them we''re not interested." Matthew paused, surprised by ire''s abrupt decision. "Are you sure, ire? This could be a big deal for us."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. "I''m sure," ire insisted firmly. "Reject their offer, Matthew." Before Matthew could question her further, ire smoothly transitioned to the next topic, asking about the documents and discussing the winners of the group leading Cortex 2.0. Matthew, being a tech enthusiast, quickly shifted his focus to the exciting developments in technology, momentarily forgetting about the Harris issue. The next morning, Alex, ire''s ex-husband, had an early meeting with an interior designer for his hotel project. He was deep in conversation, passionately exining his vision for the concept of the new hotel. As the meetinge to an end, Alex head to his office to go through every little detail for the hotel in Las Vegas His secretary went inside his office to inform him about the meeting with Metacortex. "Mr. Harris, I have an update about the meeting with Metacortex." Alex''s eyes lit up with anticipation. "Oh, great. What did they say?" offer for a meeting with His secretary hesitated, knowing the news wouldn''t be received well. "Unfortunately, they rejected the offer for a Harris." Alex''s excitement deted like a popped balloon. His mood turned dark, and even his secretary avoided making eye contact with him. "They rejected?!" Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Unlucky Alex The atmosphere in the office was charged with anticipation as ire gathered the team assigned to the Cortex 20 project. Faces were filled with eagerness and nervous excitement, each member hoping to hear their team announced as the winner. ire stood at the front of the room; her expressionposed yet hinting at the excitement bubbling within her. "Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to the Cortex 2.0 project. I''m pleased to announce that the winning group is Group D." A collective cheer erupted from Group D, their faces lighting up with joy and relief. ire watched them with a smile, pleased to see their enthusiasm. She made her way to the winning team, congratting each member personally. "Congrattions, Group D! Your Innovative ideas and hard work have paid off. I''m looking forward to working closely with you an implementing Cortex 20," ire said warmly, shaking hands and exchanging words of encouragement. The team members beamed with pride, thanking ire for the opportunity. ire''s genuine appreciation for their efforts resonated with the group. As ire prepared to head back to her office, her secretary Sandra approached her with a message. "ire, you have a meeting scheduled with HP. They''re interested in partnering for their uingptopunch and are considering using Cortex for their software." ire''s interest piqued at the mention of a potential partnership with HP, a renowned tech giant. *Thank you, Sandra. Please confirm the meeting and let them know I''ll be ready to discuss our coboration." The meeting with HP took ce in a sleek conference room, with representatives from bothpanies exchanging pleasantries before delving into business discussions. ire sat at the head of the table, exuding confidence, and professionalism as she weed the HP team. "Thank you for considering Cortex for your software needs. We believe our innovative approach aligns well with HP''s vision for the newptopunch." The HP representatives nodded, impressed by ire''s directness and knowledge of their project. "We''ve reviewed Cortex''s capabilities and believe it''s the perfect fit for enhancing user experience on our newptops," one of them replied. ire outlined Cotex''s strengths, highlighting its adaptability and user-friendly interface. "We''remitted to delivering top-notch solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. Our partnership can revolutionize the way users interact with HP devices and ourpany will be releasing Cortex 2.0, the new software. It will be great if your newptop releases with our new software." Discussions delved into technical details, potential timelines, and mutual goals for the coboration. Both parties expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, recognizing the synergies between their respective offerings. "I''m excited about the possibilities this coboration brings," ire remarked, a sense of satisfaction evident in her tone. "We can''t wait for our next meeting." As the meeting concluded, handshakes were exchanged, marking the beginning of an exciting venture between Cortex and HP, "Thank you, Ms. Peterson, for giving us the chance." "No, thank you sir for considering Metacortex. It is a great honor" "We are d Robert Robertson is no longer the CEO." ire interest piqued at the mention of Robert name.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. "Oh, why is that sir?" "Let just say, he rejected us couple of times." ire can''t help but wonder what''s going on inside Robert head. Partnering with HP is a really great opportunity, especially for thepany. ire sat at her desk, focused on signing thest document. "Hey, ire, are you ready to grab some lunch? Matthew asked with a grin, leaning against the doorframe of her office. ire looked up, a faint smile touching her lips. "Matthew and his obsession with food," she teased lightly, tilting her head slightly Matthew chuckled. "Hey, food makes the world go round! Speaking of which, did you hear about the new restaurant that just opened i It''s so exclusive that even the forks have a waiting list!" ire replied with amusement etched on her face. "Oh, really? Sounds like my kind of ce." "So, are you in?" ire considered for a moment, tapping her pen against the document. "Fine. As long as it is not a sushi restaurant." "I got you. "Anyway, have you finish crack the firewall I told you?" "Yup, it is all done. I will tell you over lunch." As ire walked out of Metacortex with Matthew, their conversation was lively and filled with sharedughter. Meanwhile, Christian, who had identally spotted ire while buying coffee nearby, was puzzled. He took a double take to make sure that woman is ire and indeed it is. Christian can''t help but wondering why ire is walking out from Metacortex. Without wasting a moment, he hurried back to the office and inform Alex about this. gan When Christian arrived at the office, he immediately noticed Alex''s tense expression. Alex was pacing back and forth in his office, clearly agitated about something. "Hey, Alex, what''s with the face?" Christian asked, concerned about his friend''s state of mind. Alex let out a frustrated sigh. "We just got rejected by Metacortex for a meeting " "They just rejected us? Did they give a reason?" Alex shook his head. "No, they just said they''re not interested." Christian frowned. "That''s odd. There must be a reason. Have you tried contacting them again to get some feedback?" Alex paused, considering Christian''s suggestion. "No, I haven''t. Maybe I should give it another shot." Alex walked to the couch and plopped down. "This wasn''t supposed to be like this. Everyone wants to coborate with Harrispany. I still can''t believe they rejected us." "Easy mate, maybe they have other ns." Alex can''t help but scoffed. "Turns out that Robert guy and this new CEO is the same. They don''t understand how business work." "Let''s just wait for their feedback. If they reject us again without a good reasoning, we can stop by at their office." "Or maybe we should just do that now. Christian who sat across from Alex rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I got a good news. I saw ire earlier." His eyebrow shot up in surprise as he wasn''t expecting Christian to see ire that fast. "ire? Where did you see her?" "Well, it is a bit odd though. I saw her leaving Metacortexpany. Alex frowned just got deeper and deeper. "What is she doing there?" "Not sure but who knows maybe she is nning on working." "Working? She can''t even cook to save her life let alone working. Does she even have the qualities? I believe no." "People change, Alex. Let''s not judge her." Alex rolled his eyes and continue asking his best friend for information about ire. "Did you low where she is going? Or did you talk to her?" Christian scratched his head nervously as he forget about following ire. "Yeah, about that, I..kind of forgotten." "So, you came all the way here just to tell me you see ire?" He nodded and Alex heaved a deep sigh feeling frustrated once again. "What is wrong with people?" Don''t worry, pal, I will still keep an eye on ire. At least we both know she is alive." Christian made a good point as he made a mental note to keep an eye out for ire and maybe next time if he sees her, he should approach her. "Why am I so unluckytely." Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Kelly bag Lisa had been cooped up at home for weeks recovering from surgery, but today she finally felt well enough to venture out. Alex, her boyfriend, had given her his credit card with a smile, telling her to treat herself to something nice. It was the first time she had such freedom to splurge without worrying about the price tag, and she was eager to make the most of it. Her first stop was Hermes, a luxury boutique she had always dreamed of shopping at. As she entered, the store crew greeted her warmly, asking how they could assist her. "I''m just going to take my time and look around," Lisa replied with a grin, her eyes already scanning the shelves of beautiful bags and essories She made her way through the store, admiring the craftsmanship and exquisite designs. Her heart skipped a beat when she spotted the bag she had been lusting after for months. With Alex''s credit card in hand, she decided today was the day she would make it hers. Lost in her excitement, Lisa wandered deeper into the store until she heard a familiar voice. Curiosity piqued, she subtly peered around a disy, and her heart sank when she saw ire sitting in the lounge area, surrounded by Hermes bags, each held by a member of the store''s stall. Lisa''s mind raced with memories of thest encounter with ire. She took a step back, intending to quietly slip out of the store, but in her haste, she identally knocked into a metal statue on a nearby table, creating a ttering noise. ire, who had been engrossed in examining the bags, heard the disturbance and stood up, her eyes narrowing as she opened the curtain separating the lounge area from the rest of the store. To her surprise, she found Lisa standing there, looking equally shocked "Well, well, what a surprise." ire remarked coolly, her expression unreadable. Lisa stammered, trying toe up with an exnation. "I-I didn''t know you were here. I was just... looking around." ire''s gaze lingered on Lisa, a ss of champagne in hand. "I didn''t expect to see you here. I heard you got surgery." Lisa, feeling a bit ufortable under ire''s gaze, hastily ced the metal statue back on the table. ""Um...yes, I did." "What kind of surgery?" Tumor." ire muttered to herself quietly. "Oh, guess it really is Karina." ""Excuse me, what?" "No, I was just saying what bring you here?" Feeling a sense of unease under ire''s scrutinizing gaze. "I, uh, just came to buy myself a bag," she exined, trying to sound confident. ire''s eyes traveled up and down Lisa''s figure, a subtle gesture that made Lisa feel small and insecure. "Oh, a bag? How exciting! What kind are you looking for?" ire''s smile widened slightly. Lisa felt a knot forming in her stomach but pushed through, determined not to let ire get the best of her. "I''m interested in a Kelly bag," she replied, trying to sound assertive. what type of Kelly bag?" Lisa started to look confused since this is her first time buying a luxury bag "Well, let me show you the world of Kelly bags," she said, gesturing for Lisa to follow her. ire asked the crew store to bring out various Kelly bags, including the rate and pricey ones. As the crew brought out the assortment of Kelly bags, Lisa''s eyes sparkled as she scanned the luxurious disy of bags at the boutique, her heart set on the Hermes Kelly 25 Metallic Bronze. With an excited gesture, she pointed to it, signaling to the store crew that she had found her dream bag. "I want that one," Lisa dered, her excitement palpable. However, the crew store gave her an apologetic look. "This bag is a limited edition miss and ha-" Lisa''s initial excitement turned to offense as she cut in, "I can buy it, you know, I have the money. ed by someone." *We know miss, but the bag has been purchased "And who is this someone?" Lisa crossed her arms angrily. The store clerk''s gaze shifted ufortably to ire, who casually sipped her champagne. Lisa''s anger red as she turned to ire, using her of buying the bag. Lisa snapped looking annoyed. "You are the buyer?" ire raised her eyebrows innocently, a small smile ying on her lips. "Yes, I did. Is there a problem?" "Why would you buy the bag I wanted?"" ire shrugged her shoulder. "How would Inow you wanted that bag?" Lisa''s frustration boiled over. "I''ll buy it from you for twice the price!" she dered. ire chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "That''s not how it works, Lisa. Besides, I think the bag doesn''t suit you either. Perhaps you''d like to consider the Kellywood instead?" Lisa''s eyes narrowed, a sh of anger crossing her features. "What''s the Kellywood?" ire''s smile turned into a subtle smirk as she exined, "It''s a bag made of wood, just like how you''ve managed to ruin something beautiful." "How dare you!" she snapped, "Don''t worry it is as expensive as the other bags." No wonder Alex divorced you. You are such a snake." Lisa shouted to ire''s face. ire who stood calmly replied sarcastically to her. "Wow Lisa...I didn''t know you had anger issues?" "I-I''ll buy the most expensive bag you have in this store." The crew member intervened nervously. "I''m sorry, ma''am, but that bag has also been purchased by another customer."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Lisa''s eyes widened as she put the pieces together. She turned her gaze back to ire, her expression a mix of disbelief and indignation. "You bought that bag too?" Lisa eximed, her voice bordering on incredulity. "Bummer...you should be faster next time." ire simply smiled, a hint of mischief twinkling in her eyes. "But. I did found something that would look perfect for you." dover Lisa''s face turned red with anger, but ire remainedposed. She picked up her bag from the nearby couch and walked over to Lisa, standing face to face with her. "There''s a store across that sells bags perfectly suited for your taste," ire remarked, her tone cutting. "Maybe Zara, H&M will suit you better." Lisa''s jaw clenched in anger. ire was suggesting Lisa to shop at a fast-fashion store, a stark contrast to the high-end boutique they were in "I can''t believe we were ever friends." ire rolled her eyes at Lisa dramatic response. "I''m simply offering an alternative. After all, a bag doesn''t define elegance, it''s how one carries oneself." Somehow Lisa felt like someone punch her in the gut. Compared to Lisa herself, ire always know how to carry herself elegantly. She knows how to catch people''s attention. One that Lisa could not be able to do. Lisa watched with a mixture of disbelief and resentment as the store crew packed not just one but six bags that ire had decided to buy. "You can''t possibly need all those bags," ire nced back at Lisa with a smug smile. "One can never have too many essories, dear." Without another word, ire paid for her purchases leaving Lisa to stew in her own frustration and defeat. Once again, ire had managed to get under Lisa''s skin. Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Dramatic Lisa Lisa stormed into her penthouse, her frustration boiling over into a scream of anger that echoed through thevish despised ire with a passion that consumed her thoughts and actions. Tooms She The maid, hearing Lisa''s outburst, hurried to the living room, concern etched on her face. "Miss Lisa, is everything alright? Can I get you anything?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Lisa''s re could have frozenva. "I want ire dead, and I want you to leave me alone," she spat out, her wordsced with venom. The maid flinched at the intensity of Lisa''s anger, her eyes wide with shock. She knew Lisa''s feelings towards ire were no secret, but the extent of her hatred still managed to unsettle her. "I... I''ll give you some space, Miss Lisa," the maid managed to stammer out before quickly excusing herself. As the maid retreated, her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She had always favored ire over Lisa, finding her employer''s behavior erratic and often maniptive. However, she also knew better than to voice her opinions, especially considering Alexander Harris''s unwavering affection for Lisa The maid had witnessed Lisa''s outbursts before, but each time she chose to turn a blind eye, fearing both Lisa''s wrath and Alexander''s reaction if he were to learn of Lisa''s true nature. Meanwhile, Lisa seethed with resentment, pacing the opulent living room as her thoughts spiraled in a whirlwind of anger and envy. She could not stand the idea of ire getting the upper hand, whether it was in acquiring luxury items or in garnering favor from those around her. Lisa stormed upstairs to her room, her emotions boiling over like a tempest. Without hesitation, she began to tear through her belongings, tossing clothes and essories aside as if they were meaningless. Her walk-in closet, once a sanctuary of fashion and style, became a chaotic mess under her furious hands. Amidst the chaos, Lisa''s eyes fell upon her purse, a small yet significant item. Inside it was a photo of her and ire, taken three years ago when they were still close friends. Lisa''s hand trembled as she retrieved the photo, her expression twisted with anguish and resentment. With a sudden surge of anger, Lisa took a pen and shed ire''s face in the picture, the ink leaving a dark mark across ire''s smiling visage. Tears welled up in Lisa''s eyes as she stared at the defaced image.Txt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. "I hate you; I hate you; I hate you." It wasn''t long before Alex arrived home, his footsteps heavy with concern as he ascended the stairs. The sight that greeted him in their room left him in shock. Clothes strewn about, belongings scattered, and Li "Lisa?" Alex called out, his voice tinged with worry as he scanned the disarray. Lisa nowhere to be seen. No response came from Lisa, prompting Alex to check the bathroom next. There, he found her, curled up in the bathtub, her tear-streaked face a picture of despair. "Lisa, what happened?" Alex''s voice was gentle yet urgent as he knelt beside her, his worry deepening at the sight of her distress. Lisa could only cry harder, her sobs echoing in the tiled bathroom. Alex''s heart ached for her as he gently litted her from the tub, cradling her in his arms like a fragile bird. Bringing her to their bed, Alex wrapped Lisa in aforting nket, his touch warm and reassuring. He sat beside her, waiting patiently for her tears to subside, his heart heavy with concern. Once Lisa''s sobs had quieted to sniffles, Alex spoke softly, his voice a soothing balm. "Tell me what is wrong, Lisa. Please." Lisa took a shaky breath, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "It''s... it''s ire," she finally managed to say, her voice trembling with emotion. Alex, who had a frown on his face at the mere mention of ire''s name. ""You met ire?" Lisa nodded. Alex listened intently, his brow furrowing with concern. "What about ire, Lisa? Did something happen between you two?" Lisa nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can''t stand her. I hate her. She is so mean to me." "Tell me what is wrong" Chapter 23 Dramatic Lina She took a deep breath and began to recount the incident that had left her shaken and hurt, all because of ire "Alex, you will not believe what happened today," Lisa started, her voice quivering with emotion, "I was at the store, just minding my own business, looking at this beautiful bag I wanted to buy. "And then, out of nowhere, ire shows up," Lisa continued, her voice tinged with bitterness. "She acted all nice at first, asking about my day and pretending to be interested." Alex eyes burning in anger. He knew ire''s reputation for being maniptive. "But then," Lisa''s voice cracked, "she just turned on me. Started making snide remarks about my choice of bag, my style, everything" Alex''s jaw clenched in anger. "What did she say exactly?". Lisa recounted the events, embellishing them here and there to make ire seem even more viinous than she might have been. But in Lisa''s mind, the essence of the story was true-ire had insulted her and taken the bag she wanted right in front of her. "She made me feel so small, Alex," Lisa sobbed, her emotions raw. "I did not even want to fight with her, but she just had to be cruel." Taking Lisa''s hand in his, Alex caress her hand. "I''m so sorry you had to go through that, Lisa. ire has always been difficult, but this is uneptable" Feeling a surge of anger on Lisa''s behalf, Alex''s mind raced with thoughts of retaliation. "I promise you, Lisa, ire will pay for what she''s done. No one should treat you like that." Lisa''s tear-streaked face transformed into a satisfied smirk. "Thank you, Alex. I knew I could count on you.) As they sat together, Alex reassured Lisa that he would handle the situation, Deep down, he knew ire''s actions were inexcusable. and he couldn''t let her behavior go unpunished. In Lisa''s mind, justice would soon be served, and she couldn''t wait to see ire get what she deserved. The thought of ire facing consequences for her actions brought a small sense of satisfaction. As Alex excused himself to answer his ringing phone, Lisa waited until he was out of sight. Her expression shifted from sadness to a darker, more malicious look as she wiped away the tears. Lisa got up from the bed and stared at the picture of ire and her lying on the floor. Without hesitation, she picked it up, teeling a surge of vindictiveness coursing through her veins. "You will soon regret what you did, ire." Her voice tinged with bitterness and hatred. She walked briskly to the bathroom; her steps purposeful as she held the photo tightly in her hand. Lisa stared at ire face that is now ruin. With a swift and deliberate motion, she dropped the photo into the toilet and flushed it without a second thought She watched stoically as the image of her, and ire disappeared into the depths, carried away by the current. "You will see what I am capable of doing." Chapter 24 Chapter 24 See you soon "Wow you look happy:" ire entered her penthouse with a bright smile, her armsden with shopping bags that hinted at a sessful spree Matthew, who had been lounging on the sofa watching TV, couldn''t help but notice her radiant demeanor. "And what the heck is that?" ire''s smile widened as she set down the bags, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.: "I had a fantastic day shopping," she eximed, the excitement evident in her voice Matthew''s gaze shifted behind ire, where the bellboy stood, helping her with the numerous shopping bags. He looked a bit stunned at the sight. "Uh, ire, what''s all that?" Matthew asked, gesturing to the array of bags "Don''t worry. That is all my bags." "You bought that many bags? Do you even wear it ire turned to Matthew as she raised her brows "Matthew, it is a Birkin and Kelly. It is an investment, honey." As the bellboy finished unloading the bags, ire tipped him generously before he left. "If technology can''t distract you from the real world what will?" Matthew remarks sarcastically which ire just smiled. She headed to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. "Rx, it was a one-time thing. Besides I miss the feeling of shopping Knowing that you are rich, gives you the satisfaction." Matthew shook his head in mock disbelief. "I leave you alone for a couple of hours, and youe back with enough stuff to open your own boutique." ire yfully rolled her eyes at hisment, a yful banter that was typical of their rtionship. She returned to the living room, settling onto the sofa next to Matthew. "Something happened earlier at the store." Matthew raised his brows in alert "You''re, okay? Nothing happened to you?" "Rx, Matt nothing bad happened. But I did met someone." Matthew leaned in, listening intently as ire recounted the incident. "Who do you meet?" Lisa.'' Matthew furrowed his brow. "Who''s Lisa?" ire chuckled, realizing she hadn''t introduced Lisa properly. "Oh, she''s my ex-husband''s new girlfriend" Matthew''s eyes widened in understanding "Ah, I see," he murmured, his lips forming an ''O'' ofprehension. Curious, Matthew couldn''t help but ask, "But why were you looking happy instead of angry? Shouldn''t seeing your ex''s new me bother you?" ire waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, I''ve learned not to waste my energy on snakes like her," she replied nonchntly. "I took the high road." Matthew nodded, impressed by ire''sposed attitude. "I guess it''s better to rise above the drama " ire grinned. "Exactly! Besides, it was quite satisfying to see the flustered look on Lisa''s face." Matthew grinned back. "Remind me never to mess with you, ire," he teased.Txt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ire yfully hit his forearm. "You''re sate, Matthew. As long as you don''t get me on my bad side then you ate sale banter shifted to a more serious topic as Matthew brought up a concerning matter. "I found seething about Robert. ire face turned serious at the mention of Robert name. "What did you find ?" "I found out that Robert is putting the fund on hold for now," he informed ire, his expression growing more serious. ire''s forehead creased in confusion. "Why would he do that?" Matthew shrugged, indicating he didn''t have a definite answer: "My guess is so you," pointing a finger at ire "wouldn''t be suspicious." ire considered this for a moment. "Or Robert might have another n up his sleeves," she mused, her mind already working through various scenarios. "We have to keep our eyes and ears open. I don''t know what Robert will do but one thing I know for sure, he will do anything to get what he wants." "Talking about Robert, aren''t you going to confront him about the house he sold without telling you and your mother ne?" ire sighed. "If I''m being honest, I really want to confront him, but I don''t know something inside me are holding me back as if telling me to not do it now." Matthew ced his hand on her shoulder in aforting gesture "Don''t worry, ire. I know you got this. You are ire Peterson the CFO of Metacortex and also The Raven Alex paced back and forth in hisvish office; frustration evident on his face as he dialed his private investigator''s number. He needed to find ire, his ex-wife. "What can we help you w with, Mr. Harris?" "I need you to find ire." "We need a full name to make the search easy and faster." As soon as the investigator asked for ire''sst name, Alex''s confident facade faltered. "Uh, it''s ire_um herst name..." Alex muttered, his mind drawing a nk. He had never paid much attention to such details during their forced marriage. The investigator''s voice broke through the silence on the other end of the line. "Sir, without herst name, it''s going to be difficult to track her down." a bigpany, he couldn''t believe he hadn''t bothered to learn something as basic as Alex felt a pang of embarrassment. As a CEO of a big his ex-wife''sst name. "Never mind," Alex said abruptly, his tone indicating his frustration. "Cancel the search. It''s pointless s without that information" The investigator hesitated for a moment before acknowledging Alex''s decision. "Understood, sir. Let me know if you need anything else." As Alex ended the call, he sank into his chair with a heavy sigh. He couldn''t shake off the feeling of foolishness. How could he have been so careless? ire had always been a mystery to him, someone he hadn''t bothered to truly know Running a hand through his hair, Alex contemted his next move. He knew that even if the investigator had managed to track down ire without herst name, it would have taken days, a time he couldn''t afford to waste. ire had crossed the line and Alex needed to confront her She hurt Lisa and no one could hurt her. With a resigned sigh, Alex turned his attention back to his work, burying the thoughts of ire deep within him. He had apany to run, and dwelling on the past would only hinder his progress. As he delved deeper into his tasks, his mind wandered, and a sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lighting. He still had ire''s phone number. Why hadn''t he thought of using that to track her down before? "Damn it," Alex muttered to himself, cursing his own oversight. "I am such an idiot. Why didn''t I thought of it before?" Alex grabbed his phone and dialed his private investigator''s number. The call was answered promptly, and Alex wasted no time getting to the point. "I need you to track this phone number for me," Alex instructed, his voice tinged with urgency, The PI on the other end of the line nodded, ustomed to Alex''s requests for discreet investigations. Chapter 24 5er you scon "Consider it done, Mr. Harris. I''ll inform you as soon as we have any leads." Alex thanked the Pl and ended the call, a sense of anticipation building within him. He couldn''t help but smirk, feeling a glimmer of hope as he realized he was one step closer to finding ire again. "We will be seeing each other soon, ire." Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Liar ire sat at her favorite breakfast spot, a cozy little caf that served the best double choco bread she had ever tasted. The ce might have been smallpared to the bustling coffee shops around town, but for ire, it''sforting ambiance made it a haven. As she savored her hot chocte, lost in her own thoughts, ire was suddenly jolted out of her reverie by the unexpected presence of Alex. Her ex-husband, whom she had deliberately kept at arm''s length, stood before her. "ire," Alex had managed to track her down, a fact that surprised ire. ire didn''t thought Alex could actually use his brain considering his dumb choices in life. time and invited himself to sit in the empty chair a Alex didn''t waste any expression unreadable as she continued to sip her hot chocte. across from ire. She watched his every move, her With a hard and cold expression, Alex stared back at ire. The tension between them was palpable, each one silently daring the other to make the first move. For a tense moment, neither of them spoke, their eyes locked in a silent battle. It was as if they could both envision poisoning each other''s drinks, such was the depth of their mutual disdain. After a few moments of ufortable silence, Alex finally spoke. "It wasn''t easy finding you frustration. "he remarked, his tone tinged with Alex bristled at ire''s nonchnt response. "I called you, emailed you and even went to the mansion to find you there. I had to hire a private investigator to track you down." he exined. but you are you are never ire raised a cool eyebrow, unimpressed by Alex''sment, She didn''t care about the hurdles he had faced. "Alex." ire greeted him coolly. "What did I say to never seeing you again?" "I didn''t know you missed me that much. You should stop doing it or else Lisa will feel jealous." she said simply, not giving anything away. The atmosphere between them was tense, each moment stretching with unspoken hatred. ire''s eyes flickered with a hint of disdain, mirroring the intensity in Alex''s gaze, "We need to talk ire." "Aren''t we talking right now?" Alex scoffed in disbelief from across the table. "Are you always this difficult to deal with?" ire cut straight to the point; her eyes fixed on Alex. "Let''s just get to the point. I have lost my appetite to eat this delicious bread. What''s your purpose for being here?" she asked, her voice tinged with a no-nonsense attitude. Alex, drumming his fingers on the table, scoffed at ire''s demeanor. He could see her "I don''t give a damn" attitude, and it irked him. Meeting her gaze squarely, he asked the question that had been nagging at him. "Did you leak the news about our divorce to the media?" ire''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What? No, I didn''t. Why would I do that anyway?" she replied, genuine confusion in her voice. Alex''s expression hardened as he stared at ire, his disbelief palpable. "Don''t y dumb, ire. I know how cunning you can be." ire''s initial shock turned into annoyance. "I am not ying anything I have no idea what you''re talking about." With a determined gesture, Alex pulled out his phone and tapped on a news article. Sliding the phone across the table to ire, he said, "Take a look at this." ire picked up the phone and read the headline about their divorce. Her brows furrowed as she scanned the article, absorbing the details. After a moment, she set the phone down and looked back at Alex. "I swear, I did not do this," she insisted. Alex shook his head in frustration. "ire,e on. Just be honest with me for once." ire''s tone remained firm. "I am being honest, Why would I do something like that? Do you think I have time for stupid shit like that?" Alex paused, considering her words. He knew ire was cunning and maniptive, always calcting her moves "It could benefit you in some way," he pointed out. ire''s eyes narrowed. "How? What would I gain from this?" Alex hesitated, his mind racing with suspicions. "Maybe you want to control the narrative. Or maybe there''s something else going on that I don''t know about. I mean you are a maniptive woman; you will use every trick on your sleeve to benefit yourself." ire''s patience wore thin as she felt unfairly used, "I have nothing to gain from this, Alex. Believe me or not, it''s the truth." Alex leaned back in his chair; frustration evident in his posture. ire sighed, feeling exasperated. "I don''t care if you believe me or not." As ire made a move to leave, Alex''s voice stopped her in her tracks. "What about Lisa?" "What about her?" "She told me what you did to her at the store." As Alex mentioned Lisa, ire''s lips curved into a knowing smile. She knows how cunning Lisa can be. She just never realized it before due to her amnesia that changed ire personality into a different person. "Oh, so Lisa decided to tell you. Which version she did tell you? Me being the bitch or me being the evil witch?" Alex frowned. "What are you talking about ire?" ire leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms confidently. "Oh,e one, you know how Lisa is. She''ll spin a tale where she''s the victim, painting herself in the best light while conveniently leaving out her own misdeeds." Alex eyes burning in ager as ire used Lisa of being a liar. "Don''t you dare say that about her. She clearly told me how you treated her. She went to the store to buy a bag not to fight with you, ire." "And I am nice to Lisa because I want her to be my friend not a husband stealer." ire stated sarcastically, which made the air around them tense. Alex''s gaze hardened slightly. "ire, I mean it. Stop messing with Lisa" ire''s smirk grew, a hint of challenge in her eyes. "And what are you going to do about it Alex? Punish me? Oh right, you can''t because we are no longer in a rtionship." Her tone was Jared with defiance. Clearly Alex is unused to seeing this bold side of ire. He had always known ire for being soft, fragile, and forgiving but now seeing ire act like this still feel unusual for Alex "I mean every word I said, ire You mess with Lisa, you will regret it." ire''s smile turned into a mischievous grin. "Oh, don''t worry, Alex. I''m just putting Lisa in her ce." ire stood up from her seat and leaned towards Alex''s ear, her voice barely above whisper "And a little reminder of who''s in charge." Goosebumps ran through his skin as ire uttered those words, leaving Alex to ponder her words.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. As she walked away, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction but also anger. Alex watched ire leave the caf, His eyes follow her every move until the car she climb to disappear from his sight. He couldn''t help but wonder where this bold side of ire had been hiding all along Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Change of n ire stormed back into her office; her expensive bags tossed haphazardly onto the couch. Her jaw clenched, and her hands balled into fists as she marched to her desk, ring out of the window with simmering anger. It was clear to anyone who saw her that ire was seething. "All I wanted was a peaceful breakfast, but Alex just had to ruin it," ire muttered to herself, the frustration evident in her voice. Being used of something beneath her level felt like a personal insult, hitting a nerve deep within her pride. As ire stood there, a flicker of determination crossed her mind. She grabbed her bag from the couch and swiftly extracted her phone, removing the SIM card from her other phone and snapping it in hall. She wasn''t about to let Alex track her movements or monitor hermunications. Seated at her desk, ire opened herptop. She meticulously deleted her email. With her hacking skill, she also hacked into her email to ensure that Alex''s private investigator couldn''t find any digital breadcrumbs leading back to her. It was as if the email had never existed, a digital vanishing act orchestrated by ire''s sharp mind. ire was too caught up in her own problem about Robert and thepany that it slips from her mind to throw anything that rted to Alexander Harris. As she leaned back at her chair, her secretary, Sandra, entered the office, breaking the silence. "Good morning, Ms. Peterson. I have your schedule for today." ire nodded, gesturing for Sandra to continue as sheposed herself. "Your meeting at 1pm, has been canceled and will be rescheduled," Sandra informed her, ncing at ire for any reaction "That''s fine," ire replied briskly, her mind already shifting gears to amodate the change. Sandra continued, "You also have a meeting scheduled with Team D regarding the Cortex 2.0 projectter today. ire''s demeanor shifted slightly as she leaned forward, her focus shifting to the uing meeting, "Right, I want to make sure we''re on track with thetest developments. Let''s prioritize that." Sandra nodded, taking note of ire''s instructions. "Of course, I''ll make sure everything is prepared for the meeting." "Thank you, Sandra," ire said with a nod, acknowledging her secretary''s efficiency. ire strode confidently down the corridor, Sandra by her side, heading towards the meeting room where Team D awaited her arrival. The air was charged with anticipation as everyone geared up for a productive session. As ire entered the meeting room, she wasted no time and dove straight into the agenda. "Good morning, everyone. Today, we''re going to discuss the new software project and gather your insights." The team members nodded in unison; their attention focused on ire as she outlined her vision We want this software to provide actionable insights and seamless integration with existing systems for a smooth user experience," she exined, setting the tone for the meeting Everyone in the room took notes, capturing the key points of the discussion. The room buzzed with energy as Team D members chimed in with their ideas and suggestions. One team member brought up the importance of user interface design, emphasizing the need for a clean and intuitiveyout. ire nodded in agreement, acknowledging the crucial role of design in user adoption. Throughout the meeting, ire encouraged an open dialogue, weing criticism and feedback from her team. "I want to hear your honest thoughts. Don''t hold back," she urged, fostering a culture of constructive criticism and continuous Improvement. Despite being the CEO, ire didn''t let her status create a barrier between her and her employees. Since this project will be aeback project after 3 years, ire actively engaged with their ideas, leveraging their expertise to refine the project further. ire mentions the software design. Since they will coborate with HP, she instruct one of them tomunicate with the HP team to avoid misunderstanding The meeting progressed smoothly, with each agenda item tackled with precision and enthusiasm. Ideas flowed freely, and solutions began to take shape as the team brainstormed together. As the meeting approached its two-hour mark, ire called for a wrap-up. "Great work, everyone. We will be having this meeting every once a week." she announced, signaling hermitment to regr updates and progress checks.D The team members exchanged satisfied nces, feeling energized by the productive session. ire''s leadership style had instilled confidence and motivation, driving them to excel in their roles "That went well." ire pped her hand in satisfaction. "Yes, it did, Ms. Peterson." "I will be heading back to my office. If there is any information do not hesitate to interrupt me." As ire briskly made her way out of the meeting room, her mind already preupied with post-meeting tasks, her secretary Sandra hurried to catch up with her. ""Ms. Peterson," Sandra called out, a of urgency was noticeable ire paused, turning to face Sandra. "Yes, Sandra? What is it?" "We have received a message from The Harris Company. They want to schedule a meeting with you, the CEO of Metacortex." ire''s jaw tightened imperceptibly ly at the mention of The Harris Company. And the one thing that came to mind is none other than Alexander Harris. Despite the surge of anger she felt, ire maintained herposure and listened to Sandra''s report. "Tell them we are not interested," ire replied curtly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. However, as ire turned to leave, a cunning thought crossed her mind. She stopped in her tracks, a smirk ying at the corners of her lips. "On second thought, Sandra, ept their request," ire said, her voice betraying a hint of mischief. Sandra looked slightly taken aback by the sudden change in direction. "Are you sure, Ms. Anderson? I thought e you are not interested." ire nodded confidently. "Trust me, Sandra. I have a change of n." earlier you mention that Sandra hesitated for a moment beforeplying with ire''s instructions, sending a message epting the meeting request from The Harris Company. Meanwhile, Alex sat in his office, engrossed in his work, when a knock on the door interrupted his focus secretary entered with a sense of urgency, "Mr. Harris, I just received a message from Metacortex." Alex''s interest piqued as he leaned forward. "And?" "They epted our request for the meeting." His secretary informed him, her tone professional yet eager. "Further information will be provided soon." A slow smile spread across Alex''s face as he absorbed the news. "Excellent. Thank you for informing me and please keep me updated." She nodded and left the office.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. "I knew Metacortex wouldn''t reject a meeting from The Harris." Alex is currently beaming with happiness with the newfound information. He can''t coborate with Metacortex wait to discuss his n and also offer to On the other side, ire who stood by the expansive window while looking down at the bustling street of London with a steaming cup of coffee cradled in her hands. Her mind wandered to Alex as she imagined him beaming with happiness as he received the news. "Don''t get too excited so soon, Alex I have something in store for you." ire smirked as she stared through the tall building Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Anniversary The day weighed heavy on ire''s heart, a reminder of the tragedy that had changed her life forever. As she stood on the balcony, lost in her thoughts, memories of the ident and the loss of her parents flooded her mind like a relentless tide. ire closed her eyes, trying to push back the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. The screech of tires, the shattering ss, and the sudden void that was left in her life-all of it felt as raw and painful as if it had happened yesterday. Matthew, ire''s supportive friend and her partner in crime, entered the balcony and called out to her, breaking her reverie. She turned to him, inanaging a small smile despite the tears that welled up in her eyes. "Hey, ire. Are you okay?" Matthew asked, his concern evident in his voice as he noticed her teary eyes. ire blinked, surprised by the tears that had escaped her notice. She nodded slightly, trying topose herself. Matthew stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her in aforting hug. "It''s okay, ire. Everything is going to be fine." ire leaned into his embrace, drawingfort from his presence. "Thank you, Matthew," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. As they pulled away, ire felt a surge of courage to voice her feelings. "Today is the anniversary of the ident. The day I lost my parents." "I''m so sorry, ire. I didn''t know," ire shook her head slightly, offering him a reassuring smile. "It''s not your fault, Matthew." *I want to visit their grave, but I don''t even know where it is," she confessed, her voice tinged with sadness. The weight of not knowing where her parents wereid to rest weighed heavily on ire''s heart. Matthew ced a gentle hand on her shoulder, his eyes reflecting a determination to help ease her pain. "I''ll find out for you, ire. It might take some time, but I''ll do everything I can." ire nodded gratefully, touched by his gesture of support. As Matthew stepped back into the balcony, ire watched him make a phone call. She just wish Matthew can help her find her parents grave. As evening settled in, Matthew found ire sitting on the couch lost in her thoughts. He approached her with a serious expression. "ire, I found your parents'' grave," he said softly, his words breaking the silence ire''s eyes widened in disbelief, and she jumped up from the couch. "You did? Are you sure?" she asked, a mix of hope and doubt in her voice. Matthew nodded; his expression solemn. "It''s quite far from the city. If we want to get there before dark, we should leave now." Without hesitation, ire sprang into action, her heart racing with anticipation. She quickly changed into all ck attire, a sign of respect for the asion. "Let''s go," she said determinedly, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside her.Txt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. "Can we stop at the florist? I wanted to buy mum''s favorite flower." "Of course." This time, it was just the two of them, as ire opted not to use her driver, wanting this moment to be private and personal. They passed by the florist, and ire carefully selected her mother''s favorite flowers, lilies. The car ride was long, the silence asionally broken by the soft hum of the engine. Around 4 in the afternoon, they finally arrived at the graveyard. The scene that greeted them was disheartening. The graveyard appeared unattended, eerie in its neglect and disorder. ire couldn''t fathom that her parents were buried in such a ce. But she pushed aside those thoughts for the moment, her focus solely on finding their graves. "Don''t worry ire, we will find them." With determination in her eyes, ire and Matthew began to search, scanning the rows of graves covered in dirt and dust. It was a daunting task, but ire refused to give up. After about 30 minutes of searching, they finally located her parents'' grave. ire''s heart clenched as she saw the condition of the grave. Tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks unchecked. She didn''t care about being loud orposed; her grief and guilt poured out in raw emotion. "It''s all my fault," ire sobbed, her voice choked with so sorrow. "If only I hadn''t asked them to go on that road trip. Matthew ced aforting hand on her shoulder, his own eyes reflecting empathy and understanding. "Hey, hry, ire, it''s not your fault," he said gently but firmly. "What happened has happened, and ming yourself won''t change that they''re gode. ire leaned into Matthew''s embrace, letting herself be vulnerable for once. "I know, I just can''t help but think if only I didn''t force them to go with me." "You didn''t force them, ire. Your parents wanted to go with you because they want to spend time with their daughter, and I know they did not regret a single thing." The cemetery was quiet, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. ire stood by her parents'' grave; a bouquet of flowers sped in her hands. She carefully ced the flowers down, her expression a mix of sorrow and relief. Tears had streaked her cheeks earlier, but now they had dried, leaving behind a sense of calm. Matthew watched her with concern etched on his features. "Are you okay, ire?" he asked softly, his voice filled with genuine worry. ire sniffled and wiped her eyes, offering Matthew a small, grateful smile. "I feel slightly better now, Matthew. It''sforting to know where they rest even in a ce like this." As they stood there, ire''s thoughts turned to practical matters. "Matthew, I want you to arrange to have my parents'' grave moved to a better location," she instructed, her tone decisive. "Somewhere closer to the city, where it''s more essible. They deserve to have a much better ce to rest not this Matthew nodded, taking note of ire''s wishes. "Of course, ire. I''ll make the arrangements right away. Should I do it discreetly?" ire nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Yes, please. Let''s keep this incognito for now. I don''t want anyone knowing" "Consider it done." As they turned to leave the cemetery, Matthew couldn''t help but broach another topic that weighed on both their minds. "Have you made any progress in finding out who caused the ident?" he asked. ire shook her head, her brow furrowing slightly. "Not yet, Matthew. I have my suspicions, but I need concrete evidence before I can confront anyone." She was not one to make usations lightly, especially when it came to such serious matters. Matthew nodded, understanding ire''s approach. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he offered. ire paused, a sudden realization struck her, and she turned to Matthew with determination in her eyes. "Actually, there is, I want you to investigate the drunk driver who caused the ident," she said firmly. "Find out everything you can about him." Matthew nodded, his expression serious. "I''ll get right on it, ire. We''ll gather all the information we need." ire sighed, a mix of frustration and hope in her voice. "I just hope that man is still alive somewhere. I need to know the truth." Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Mum''s request Matthew''s phone calls led him through a maze of information, piecing together details about the car crash from three years ago His informant, a well-connected individual with ess to confidential information, finally provided a crucial piece of the puzzle the name of the drunk driver, An Smith, who had tragically died six months after the incident. Frowning with suspicion, Matthew pressed his informant for more details about An Smith''s death. "How did he die?" he asked, his voice edged with urgency. The informant sighed briefly before responding, "It was natural causes. Heart failure." Matthew processed this information, his mind racing with possibilities. Thanking his informant, he swiftly made his way to ire''s apartment, his determination fueling his steps. Meanwhile, ire, still grappling with the grief of her parents'' untimely death, found sce in revisiting their belongings. She opened a box that had remained untouched, containing her mother''s cherished items. A bittersweet smile crossed her lips as she discovered her mother''s diary and a photo album filled with precious memories. Flipping through the pages of the photo album, ire''s heart swelled with nostalgia and longing. It was then that a folded letter slipped out, catching her attention. Setting aside the photo album, she picked up the letter, recognizing her mother''s familiar handwriting. As ire unfolded the letter, tears welled up in her eyes. The words penned by her mother''s hand carried a profound emotional weight. If you''re reading this, it means I''m no longer with you The letter began, echoing the pain of loss that ire still felt keenly. ire continued to read, her mother''s voice seeming to resonate through the written words. How are you doing sweetie? I hope you are doing well and living your life to the fullest. Don''t worry about me, dear. I am doing fine with your father. This may be too much to ask, but I have favor to ask you my dear. I hope you don''t mind. There is this art club that I was a part of, and I want you to help them by funding their club. I know this is a lot to ask however, the club is where I spend most of my time with when you are too busy. They have incredible artist and I want the world to know about their talent. I''m sorry if it trouble you, dear. Just know that I love you always, mum.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ire traced the words on the letter, feeling a surge of determination mingled with sorrow. Her mother''s plea touched her deeply, and she knew she had to honor her mother''s legacy in a meaningful way. "Oh, mother, nothing is too much for you." The club was a haven for talented artists whocked sufficient funding to fully pursue their passions. cing the letter gently on the table, ire nced at a photo in the album, her mother captured in a moment of joy among the artists of the art club. The image spoke volumes about the importance of art andmunity in her mother''s life, igniting a sense of purpose within ire. As Matthew arrived at ire''s apartment, he found her lost ina mix of emotions. "ire," he said softly. ire looked up, her eyes reflecting a blend of sadness, "Matthew, I found something that my mother left for me," she exined, gesturing towards the letter. "What is it?" Matthew took a seat next beside ire and listen to her. "My mum wanted me to fund an art club for children filled with skillful and passionate talent." "Children?" ire nodded. "How did How did your mum find this art club? "Well in the letter she mention she spend so much time ich time there especially when I was busy building Metacortex. ir said with a sense of guiltiness. She hadn''t realize how much of a workaholic she was until she found out about the letter "Do you think, I''m selfish?" Matthew''s eyes widen in disbelief by ire sudden questioned. "What? No! Of course you are not selfish, ire." Matthew ce his hand on her shoulder in aforting way and gaze to her eyes. "Listen, ire, I don''t know where you get the idea of you being selfish, but you are the least selfish person I know. If you are selfish, you wouldn''t help me nor Anna and Eric. What your mum meant is for you to stop working so much and look out to the real world" "I want to help the club, Matt." "Okay, just tell me what to do." ire hesitated as she doesn''t know what first steps, she should do. "That is. I don''t know what to do." ire ced both her hands on her head feeling frustrated by the fact she can''t think ore up with an idea. "Calm down, ire. You need to be calm in order to think. While you are figuring that out, I got information for you." ire turned to Matthew her interest piqued. "You found the information about the drunk driver?" Matthew nodded. "1 managed to dig up some information about the drunk driver you ask me to find." ire leaned forward eagerly. "What did you find, Matt?" massed away about six Matthew''s expression turned serious as he ryed the news. "The drunk driver''s name was An Smith, but he passed away months after the ident." ire''s excitement turned to disbelief. "He died?" she repeated, her brow furrowing in confusion. Matthew nodded, his tone apologetic. "Yes, ire. I''m sorry." ire stood up ap from the couch, a mixture of frustration and disbelief swirling inside her. "He can''t be death," she muttered to herself. "We''ll figure it out, ire." off her But ire couldn''t shake off suspicions. "How did he die, Matthew? Did you find out?" Matthew nodded again. "It was listed as natural causes-heart failure." ire''s mind raced with questions. "Heart failure? That''s quite unusual, especially considering the timing" She turned to Matthew, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Did you find any more information about his death?" Matthew shook his head, a perplexed expression on his face. "No, ire. It''s strange, but it seems like details about his death are hard toe by. It''s almost as if someone wanted to erase it from record." "The question is why? I''m positive that the car crash is not a mere ident. Someone did orchestrated the car crash Matthew nodded in agreement. "I will keep looking into it, ire. We''ll uncover the truth, no matter what." II "Thank you, Matt. You have been such a big help. I couldn''t thank you enough." "Hey, what are friends are for? Anyway, have youe up with an idea for the art club?" "Hmm...I think. how about a charity?" "Charity?" ire nodded as she went back to her seal. "We can showcase their painting and maybe sell them." "So kinda like an art exhibition?" ''In a way, yes people can bid for the art, and they can also fund the club without buying the art." "That''s brilliant, ire! But where do we start?" Chapter 28 Mum''s request ire''s eyes found it''s way to her mum photo album where she is standing in front of the art club ce. A smirk curls on her lips as she knows what she should do next. "I know where we should start." Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Sunshine art club ire and Matthew arrived at the art club, a small and cozy ce that ire had seen in an old photo from her mother''s album. Stepping out of the car, ire held the photo in her hands,paring it to the building before her. "This is it," ire murmured, more to herself than to Matthew, as she looked at the photo once more before tucking it back into her bag As they approached the entrance, ire hesitated for a moment, feeling a rush of emotions. She took a deep breath,posed herself, and then knocked on the door. A woman in herte 50s opened the door, her warm smile putting ire at ease. "Hello there, how can I help you?" them "Is this the Sunshine Art Club?" ire asked, her voice tinged with anticipation The woman nodded. "Yes, it is. Wee!" ire extended her hand, introducing herself. "I''m ire Peterson." The woman''s eyes widened in recognition. "Peterson... Are you Mary''s daughter?" ire nodded, a mixture of surprise and relief washing over her. "Yes, I am. Do you know my mother?" the woman greeted The woman''s smile widened, and she pulled ire into a hug. "Oh, Mary was such a lovely soul. I''m Liz, and I run this art club" ire returned the hug, feeling a sense of connection. "Nice to meet you, Liz. This is Matthew," she said, gesturing to herpanion. Liz greeted Matthew warmly before inviting them inside. Once they were settled, Liz asked ire about her visit. "Why are you here, ire?" Liz inquired gently. and fulfill ire exined, "My mother asked me to help fund the art club. It was herst wish. I wanted to see the ce for myself and her wish."This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Liz nodded understandingly. "Your mother loved this ce. She spent countless hours here, bringing joy to the children." ire''s eyes softened as she listened. "I identally found a letter from my mom where she mentioned the art club. It was like of her life I didn''t know about." like a piece Liz smiled fondly. "Mary was passionate about art and children. She loved surprising the kids with toys, paints, and everything that could make them happy." Liz led ire through the bustling halls of themunity center, where children''sughter and the sound of creativity filled the air. Some kids were engrossed in yful games, while others were busy creating colorful art pieces. ire''s eyes lit up as she took in the lively atmosphere. "This ce is amazing, Liz," she remarked. "I''m d you think so. Wait till you see the art these kids create." They approached a corner where several paintings adorned the walls. ire paused in front of a particrly striking piece-a vibrant, abstract painting that seemed to burst with emotion. "Wow, this is incredible," ire murmured, her gaze fixed on the artwork. Liz nodded proudly. "Would you believe me if I told you a nine-year-old painted that?" ire''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "No way! That''s unbelievable." "It''s true," Liz confirmed. "These kids have such raw talent. It''s a shame that their work work doesn''t get the recognition it deserves." As they continued their tour, Liz showed ire a variety of paintings, each one unique and telling a different story. ire was captivated by the colors, textures, and emotions conveyed in each piece. Then, they came upon a painting disyed prominently in a frame at the center of the hall. ire''s breath caught as she studied it-a breathtakingndscape with intricate details and a sense of depth that drew her in. "Who painted this?" ire asked, her eyes wide with wonder. Liz smiled softly. "That''s Mary''s work" "My mom painted this? I had no idea she had su such talent." "It''s a beautiful painting, ire." Said Matthew who admire the painting beside her. "Mary is an amazing artist. This painting has inspired many of the children here to explore their own creativity" A spark of determination lit up ire''s eyes as she turned to Liz. "What do you think about organizing a charity event that also doubles as an art exhibition? We can showcase the children''s paintings and raise funds for the art club," "That''s a fantastic idea, ire. But what it no one shows up to the exhibition? The kids might feel disappointed." ire ced a reassuring hand on Liz''s shoulder. "Don''t worry, Liz. I''ll handle the promotion and outreach. We''ll make sure plenty of peoplee to appreciate and support these young, artists." Liz smiled, her doubts easing. "Alright, let''s make it happen. I''ll start preparing the paintings for the exhibition." Liz took her leave as she already had in mind which painting she would showcase. As Liz lett, Matthew, one of ire''s trusted advisors, turned to her with a curious expression. "ire, how do you n to ensure that people will attend the event? We need a strategy to attract guests and make the event sessful." ire didn''t hesitate. She pulled out her phone and dialed Sandra, her efficient secretary. "Sandra, I need you to arrange for a suitable building to host an art exhibition. And I want you to arrange the music, food and the decoration for the charity event." she instructed swiftly. "Noted, Ms. Peterson." While Sandra took notes and promised to handle the logistics, ire turned back to Matthew "Matthew, I''ll provide you with a list of potential guests. I want you to invite them anonymously, so they''ll feelpelled to attend without any pressure Matthew nodded, impressed by ire''s proactive approach. "That''s a great start, but we also need something to entice these guests to stay and engage with the event. Perhaps a notable figure or celebrity?" ire''s eyes lit up as she recalled a conversation she had recently. She dialed Eric''s number, a well-connected friend who had a knack for making things happen. As they walked out of the ce, ire waited for Eric to pick up the call. "Eric, it''s ire. Do you have a moment?" Eric''s voice came through the line, filled with warmth. "Of course, ire. What can I do for you?" ire wasted no time. "I need to know Anna''s schedule for this week." Eric quickly checked and replied, "She''s free. Why do you ask?" ire''s smile widened. "I''d like you to invite her to our charity art event. It''ll be a great opportunity for her to support a good cause and mingle with influential individuals." "That sounds wonderful. I''ll make sure she receives the invitation." "Also, Eric, can you arrange for a headline news piece about the charity event? I want it on the front page of major online tforms to generate buzz and draw in more attendees." Eric''s enthusiasm matched ire''s. "Consider it done, ire." "Thanks, Eric." ire shoved her phone and sighed. "This is it, Matt. I''m really doing this." "ire, your mom would be so proud of what you''ve aplished for this event," ire''s smile widened at Matthew''s words. "Thank you, Matthew. It means a lot to hear that," she replied gratefully, her heart swelling with pride. "We''re just two days away from the event. I need everything to run smoothly. I can''t disappoint her." "Don''t worry, ire. I will take care of everything and double checking every detail. Sandra and I got it covered." "I trust you, Matt," Chapter 30 Chapter 30 Charity art event The day of the charity art event had finally arrived, and ire couldn''t contain her excitement. Sandra, her assistant, had been keeping her updated, assuring her that everything was going smoothly, and people were already. starting to arrive. ire was still at her penthouse, going through the final touches before heading to the event. Her makeup and hair were expertly done, thanks to the makeup artist and hairstylist she had hired for the asion. Her dress, a stunning Sparkly Mermaid V Neck Dark Red Sequins Long gown, hung elegantly on a nearby hanger "Everything seems perfect, Ms. Peterson." Sandra said over the phone. A smile appeared on ire lips. "I''ll be there soon." After ending the call, ire slipped into her dress, the sequins catching the light and adding an extra sparkle to her already radiant appearance. As she looked at herself in the mirror, a sense of confidence washed over her. Her room buzzed with admiration as her team caught sight of her. "Wow, Ms. Peterson, you look stunning!" one of them eximed, echoing the sentiments of everyone present. ire chuckled modestly, "Just ying the part for the event," she replied, though inwardly, she was pleased with how she looked With a final nce in the mirror, ire headed downstairs to where Matthew was busy coordinatingst-minute details on his phoneThis is property ? N?velDrama.Org. "Everything under control?" ire asked as she approached him, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Matthew looked up, his eyes widening in admiration. "Wow, ire, you look absolutely beautiful," he remarked, genuine admiration in his voice. ire smiled graciously. "Thank you, Matthew. You always know how to make a woman feel good," she teased lightly. Together, they made their way to the charity event venue. As they entered, ire felt a flutter of nerves. Despite being the CEO of a highly sessful technologypany, attending such high-profile events still had a way of making her slightly anxious. Matthew noticed her apprehension and leaned in reassuringly. "You''ve got this, ire. You work hard for this event. ire shook her head in disagreement. "No, I did not work hard for this event. You and Sandra did all the work as well as the other people." "I know but all the ideas came from you. Just be yourself and be positive, ire. I''m always on your side in case you need me." "Thank you for always having my back, Matt." Alex was standing in front of the mirror, carefully arranging his tie so that it looked like a chic butterfly knot. Meanwhile, Lisa flitted around the room in a flurry of haphazard to get ready. "Slow down, darling," Alex chuckled, stepping over to help Lisa with her dress. "You''ll look stunning no matter what you wear. Lisa''s fingers paused in their frenzied activity as she looked up at Alex, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "But this is our first public appearance together as a couple. What if I don''t fit in?" Alex leaned in, nting a gentle kiss on her lips. "You''ll be the most beautiful woman there, trust me " Grateful for his reassurance, Lisa returned the kiss with a smile. She resumed getting ready, her nerves settling slightly with Alex''s words of encouragement. Once they were both ready, they made their way to the car. Lisa, still feeling a bit apprehensive, asked Alex about his interest in attending the charity art event. "Why did you want toe to this event, Alex?" Lisa inquired as they settled into their seats. Alex nced at her, his eyes alight with enthusiasm. "I want to buy a painting for our hotel in Italy, as well as one for London." "I didn''t know you like art." Alex nodded. "I may not have any artistic talents myself, but I admire people''s creativity. It''s fascinating to see how artists interpret the world." Lisa nodded, though her enthusiasm for the event was less than Alex''s. She had expected a more high-profile charity event, not a nameless one focused on children''s causes, As they arrived at the venue, a security guard opened the door for them, ushering them into a world of elegance and opulence. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement; every detail carefully curated to exude luxury. Alex''s eyes lit up as he surveyed the art pieces on disy. Paintings adorned the walls, each telling a unique story. , and Alex was captivated by it. He approached the first painting, his eyes tracing the intricate brushstrokes. It was a beautiful piece, a Liz, a curator at the event, approached then with a warm smile. "Isn''t it amazing? This painting was done by an 11-year-old prodigy It''s incredible how much talent some kids have " Alex nodded in agreement, appreciating the artwork on a deeper level. "It''s truly remarkable. I''d love to learn more about the young artist" Lisa, on the other hand, seemed less impressed. She nced at the painting with a polite smile, but her attention quickly drifted elsewhere. "It''s nice," shemented vaguely. Lisa, however, seemed somewhat disinterested, her paze wandering around the room until itnded on a familiar face-Anna White, the famous actress. "Alex, look, it''s Anna White!" Lisa eximed in a hushed tone, nudging her boyfriend as he engaged in conversation with Liz, the curator discussing the art pieces on disy. Alex turned to Lisa, a hint of contusion in his eyes. "Anna White? Who''s that?" Lisa''s eyes widened in surprise. "You don''t know Anna White? She''s a huge star!" event organizer is friends with her. It''s a special Liz, overhearing their conversation, chimed in "Oh, Anna White is here because the event invitation." "Who is the organizer?" "I am sorry I can''t disclosed the information" Ignoring the he secrecy, Lisa''s determination to meet Anna White intensified. "I''ll be right back," she told Alex, already nning to approach the actress. As Lisa navigated through the crowd, her mind raced with thoughts of getting an autograph from her favorite actress. She regretted not bringing a pen and paper. Anna White stood out among the guests, surrounded by admirers, and engaging in lively conversations. Lisa sighed, feeling irritated that she couldn''t easily get close to her Idol amidst the crowd. Meanwhile, Alex continued his conversation with Liz, curious about the mysterious organizer. "So, Liz, any idea who''s behind all this? Everything seems so well organize." Liz smiled knowingly. "I can''t reveal that, but I can assure y you it is someone with a keen eye for art and a generous heart." Alex nodded, impressed by the event''s organization. "It''s quite the event. I''m d we could be a part of it." ire stood at a distance, her eyes scanning the lively scene of the charity event. The room buzzed with excitement as guests mingled, discussing the art on disy, Inviting Anna White was clearly a good idea.. She was d Anna could attend it. A soft smile tugged at ire''s lips as she observed the sess of the event she had helped organize. Deep in her thoughts, she made a silent prayer to herte mother, knowing that this event was dedicated to her. Across the room, Alex caught a glimpse of the woman in the red dress. She looked familiar for some reason as Alex frowned deepened. "It can''t be her, can''t it?" Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Bidding As ire making her way to the other corridor, Alex trailed behind her, his steps careful as he tried to confirm whether the woman in the striking red dress was indeed his ex-wife. His heart pounded with uncertainty, wondering if his eyes were ying tricks on him amidst the crowded venue. He lost track of ire due to the amount of crowd at the exhibition. Spotting ire engaged in conversation with another guest, Alex quickened his pare. He reached out and gently tapped her shoulder. his voice tinged with hesitation. "ire?" ire turned, her eyes meeting Alex''s with a mix of surprise and curiosity, "Yes? Can I help you?" she replied politely, though a flicker of confusion crossed her features. Realization dawned on Alex as he looked into the unfamiliar eyes of the woman before him. He quickly retracted his hand, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "I''m sorry, I must have mistaken you for someone else," he apologized, his tone apologetic, The woman in the red dress, a stranger to Alex, nodded understandingly. "No worries," she replied with a polite smile before returning to her conversation. Alex took a step back, his mind racing with thoughts. "I could have sworn it was her," he muttered to himself, his brow furrowing in frustration. He nced around, trying to make sense of what had just happened. As he walked away, Alex couldn''t shake off the feeling of confusion. "Maybe I''m just imagining things," he reasoned with himself. His recent encounter with ire a few days ago shed in his memory, reminding him of her bold behavior. Regaining hisposure, Alex took a deep breath and decided to focus on enjoying the exhibition: "Why am I thinking of her? I''m here with Lisa. The most beautiful woman." Alex head back to the main hall to find Lisa The backstage area buzzed with activity as ire met with Liz, the designated host for the charity revent. Liz, in her role as the event''s host, radiated excitement mixed with a hint of nervousness. hawarm "Are you ready for tonight?" ire asked with a warm smile, her voice carrying a reassuring tone. Liz nodded eagerly, though a touch of apprehension lingered in her eyes. "I think so. I''ve rehearsed my lines. I just hope everything goes smoothly." ire ced aforting hand on Liz''s shoulder. "You''ll do great, Liz, I know you do. 1 have faith in you just like my mum did." Liz smiled gratefully at ire''s words "Thank you, ire. Your mum would be so proud of you. And thank you for organizing this wonderful charity event. It means a lot to the children." ire''s smile softened as she shook her head modestly. "I didn''t do anything, it''s all my mother. If it wasn''t for her letter, I wouldn''t have known about it. This event is a tribute to my mother''s legacy." Liz nodded understandingly. "You have your mother''s eyes. You know that." ire chuckled lightly. "Thank you, that is the biggestpliment people gave me. With a final wish of good luck, ire headed to her table. She spotted Matthew eating a te of hors d''oeuvres. "You and food, Matt." ire took a seat next to him with an amuse smile etched on her lips. "The food is amazing. You should try try it. TM "Maybeter. Anyway, thanks for helping me organizing the event. I couldn''t thank you enough." "Stop saying thank you, ire. You have said it a lot of times. I''m just doing what my boss tell me." Matthew winked at ire yfully. A minutester, Liz took the stage with confidence. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for joining us tonight," Liz began with a warm smile, her voice carrying across the room. "We have a wonderful lineup of artworks up for auction." She paused for a moment, ncing around the room before continuing. "I''d like to extend a special thanks to a dear friend who preters to remain anonymous but yed a crucial role in making tonight''s charity event possible. Let''s give her a round of silent apuse. ire, seated among the guests, nodded appreciatively at Liz''s discreet mention. She had chosen to stay behind the scenes, preferring to contribute without seeking recognition. After all. It''s all about the children not ire Peterson.Txt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. As Liz finished her introduction, the first artwork, an abstract painting by a talented 12-year-old, was unveiled. The bidding started at 160, quickly escting as the audience recognized the captivating beauty of the piece. The bids climbed steadily, reaching 150 before finallying to a halt, sold to an enthusiastic bidder at 350. The second painting, a striking artistic portrayal of a silhouette, garnered even more attention. Bidding started at 200 and climbed rapidly, reaching an impressive 1000 as the audience gasped in astonishment. The winning bid went to number 39 amidst apuse and admiration for the artwork. The bidding process continued seamlessly, with each artwork receiving its fair share of appreciation andpetitive bidding However, it was the final painting that truly captivated the audience It was the final piece by Annalise, a 15-year-old artist who had passed away from leukemia, that captured everyone''s attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, this painting holds a special story," Lizbegan, her voice tinged with emotion. "Annalise poured her heart and soul into this masterpiece, and it is thest artwork she created before she left us. Let''s honor her memory with our bids." "1000," The bidding for Annalise''s painting started strong H "62000. "5000. ire, who had been admiring the painting, felt a tug at her heartstrings hearing Annalise''s backstory. Without hesitation, she raised her bidding card and confidently dered, "50,000" A collective gasp filled the room, even surprising Liz for a moment before sheposed herself with a smile. The bid paused momentarily until suddenly, from another part of the room, a bold voice rang out, "75,000." ire''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She hadn''t expected such a high counterbid. Determination flickered in her eyes as she raised her bid once more, "80,000. The room fell into a hushed murmur as the bidding war escted. ire''spetitive spirit was evident, but Alex seemed to be equally determined. "100,000." he dered. Whispers of amazement filled the room at the staggering amount. ire scoffed inwardly She looked around, wondering who had outbid her. With a graceful gesture, she conceded defeat, her expression a mix of admiration and eptance. Liz, with a smile of appreciation for the spirited bidding, announced, "Going once, going twice... sold to bidder number 78 for 100,000. The room erupted into apuse as the painting found its new home. Alex smiled in satisfaction as he won tonight auction. It was a beautiful piece just like what he imagined. Lisa pped her hand excitedly to see her boyfriend won the bidding. She can''t help but wonder if this is how wealthy and rich people do for fun. As the painting auction at the charity event neared its end, Liz, decided to add a surprise twist to the evening. "Before we conclude tonight''s auction, I have a special treat for all of you. I''d like to showcase a stunning art piece that, surprisingly, is not up for sale tonight." A ripple of amusement spread through the audience. "It''s a masterpiece painted by none other than my dear friend, Mary Peterson." Chapter 32 They''re friends As Liz pulled away the cover, revealing the painting beneath, a collective gasp of admiration swept through the room. The artwork was indeed breathtaking, capturing the essence of beauty and emotion in its strokes and colors. Apuse filled the air. mingled with whispers of praise for Mary''s talent. Among the guests, ire couldn''t help but feel a surge of pride and joy. She had seen this very painting just two days ago at the art club when Liz gave her a tour. Witnessing the guests'' genuine appreciation and the murmur ofpliments brought a soft smile to ire''s lips. People around herplimented Mary''s painting. She is grateful that Liz decided to showcase her mum''s beautiful artwork. Deep down, ire can''t help but feel a little sad. She wish her mum''s with her to witness this moment. She knows her mum would have love it especially heating all thepliments. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears of happiness, but she quickly blinked them away, not wanting to draw attention to her emotions. Matthew, who had been observing ire''s reaction, noticed her teary eyes. He ce aa reassuring hand on her shoulder. With a warm smile, he whispered, "Your mother''s painting is very beautiful. I know she is proud of you, ire" ire nodded, grateful for Matthew''s understanding gesture. "Thanks, Matt. Her painting is beautiful indeed." she replied softly. ire joined in the apuse, genuinely admiring the painting, and feeling a sense of pride for her mum. Once the auction concluded and guests began to mingle, Alex approached Liz to discuss the payment for the auctioned painting. Liz expressed her gratitude to Alex for his generous bid, acknowledging his appreciation for art. "Thank you for supporting our art club." Liz said with a warm smile as she shook hands with Alex, finalizing the deal. Alex nodded in appreciation. "I have a deep appreciation for art," With a firm handshake, the deal was settled to both parties satisfaction. Alex excused himself and made his way to the bustling hall, intending to meet with Lisa, however a certain someone caught his attention. The woman in a red dress stood facing a painting by Mary Peterson. Alex''s gaze lingered on her back. He hesitated, unsure if he should approach her, but curiosity nagged at him, prompting him to take a step closer. "The painting is captivating, isn''t it?" The woman turned slightly at his words; Alex''s breath caught in his throat. Turns out, Alex eyes didn''t y a trick on him. The woman he saw earlier was indeed ire, but he lost sight of her. "ire?" Alex''s voice held a mix of surprise and realization. "What are you doing here?" ire maintained aposed facade, though inwardly, she was taken aback by the unexpected encounter. "I could ask you the same thing." she replied evenly, her eyes assessing Alex with a hint of curiosity. "Are you following me again? I can''t believe this." "Wait...me following you? You got to be kidding me.'' Their exchange underlying with tension. "I was here for the auction not you." Alex said his tone was firm. Realization dawned on ire as his voice remind her of the man bidding Annalise painting. "Are you the man who bid on Annalise painting?" ire asked incredulously. "And you were the one bidding against me for her painting." He stated, a note of recognition coloring his words. ire scoffed in disbelief, "I can''t believe I let you win " Feeling taken aback, Alex argue. "Excuse me? You let me win? First of all, you did not let me win, second, I have much more money than you Their gazes shooting icy res at each other. It was a familiar dance of hatred that seemed to rey every timen they crossed paths. ire''s ''s anger simmered as she prepared tounch into a heated argument with Alex, but then she caught hersell. This event was dedicated to her mother''s memory, and she couldn''t tarnish it with unnecessary drama. Taking a deep breath, ire closed her eyes briefly before opening them with a calm demeanor "Fine, Allex. Do whatever you want. I don''t care," she stated tly, her voice devoid of the usual edge it carried in their interactions. Alex was taken aback by ire''s sudden calmness, but before he could respond, she turned and walked away, leaving him with a mix of frustration and bewilderment. Meanwhile, ire approached Anna White, a famous actress, who was admiring one of the paintings "Anna, it''s so wonderful to see you here," ire said genuinely, extending a hand. Anna returned the smile, her eyes sparkling with appreciation. "ire, thank you for inviting me. This event is beautiful. They exchanged a hug, and ire expressed her gratitude for Anna''s presence at the charity event. Anna waved off the thanks, acknowledging ire''s role in her career. "It''s an honor to be invited by someone like you, ire Peterson," "Oh, it''s nothing. Anna. 1 just do what feels right." As they spoke leisurely, Lisa approached them eagerly, calling out Anna''s name. "Anna White! Oh, my goodness, I''m such a big fan!" Lisa eximed; her enthusiasm palpable. Thank you so much. I appreciate your support." Lisa''s eyes widened in surprise as she recognized ire standing with Anna. Her initial excitement dimmed slightly, reced by a forced calmness. You know, Anna, you should be careful who you associate with. Some people can tarnish your image, especially mean girls like her," Lisa gestured towards ire; her wordsced with thinly veiled disdain. ire couldn''t help but roll her eyes at Lisa''s attempt to stir the pot. She remainedposed, curious to hear what else Lisa had to say. "Oh, really? "Yes, Anna, you should surround yourself with educated and kind people. Like me for example" ire couldn''t help but chuckled. Lisa turned to her frowning as she felt offended by ire. ""What''s so funny?" "When you say educated and kind, does a homewrecker included?" Lisa red at ire and turned to Anna. *This is what I mean. A girl like her can only sprouting lies." Anna who can sees passed Lisa chimed in. "I''m sorry but what you said earlier contradict with your current behavior. My friend and I really have to go, it''s really nice to see you Lisa, have a good night." Anna and ire walked away leaving Lisa standing alone looking like a lost puppy. Her purpose to ask Anna for a photo and autograph went down the rabbit hole. She med ire for causing this. Lisa stormed out of the event, balling her fist up in anger. She can''t believe that she lost to ire again. Alex, who noticed her girlfriend, caught up to her. "Lisa?" ed to hi Lisa turned to him face red with humiliation. "Are you okay?" "No! I''m not okay. ire she is here a-and she ruin my chance with Anna White." "What did she do?" "She humites me again, Alex. Lean''t stand this anymore." Lisa started crying which make Alex embrace her to soother her crying Chapter 32 They''re trends. "Turns out Anna is friend with ire." "What? They''re friends?" Lisa nodded as she continue to sobbed. Alex can''t help but remember Liz words. "Anna White is here because the event organizer is friends with her." Chapter 32 Chapter 32 They''re friends As Liz pulled away the cover, revealing the painting beneath, a collective gasp of admiration swept through the room. The artwork was indeed breathtaking, capturing the essence of beauty and emotion in its strokes and colors. Apuse filled the air. mingled with whispers of praise for Mary''s talent. Among the guests, ire couldn''t help but feel a surge of pride and joy. She had seen this very painting just two days ago at the art club when Liz gave her a tour. Witnessing the guests'' genuine appreciation and the murmur ofpliments brought a soft smile to ire''s lips. People around herplimented Mary''s painting. She is grateful that Liz decided to showcase her mum''s beautiful artwork. Deep down, ire can''t help but feel a little sad. She wish her mum''s with her to witness this moment. She knows her mum would have love it especially heating all thepliments. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears of happiness, but she quickly blinked them away, not wanting to draw attention to her emotions. Matthew, who had been observing ire''s reaction, noticed her teary eyes. He ce aa reassuring hand on her shoulder. With a warm smile, he whispered, "Your mother''s painting is very beautiful. I know she is proud of you, ire" ire nodded, grateful for Matthew''s understanding gesture. "Thanks, Matt. Her painting is beautiful indeed." she replied softly. ire joined in the apuse, genuinely admiring the painting, and feeling a sense of pride for her mum. Once the auction concluded and guests began to mingle, Alex approached Liz to discuss the payment for the auctioned painting. Liz expressed her gratitude to Alex for his generous bid, acknowledging his appreciation for art. "Thank you for supporting our art club." Liz said with a warm smile as she shook hands with Alex, finalizing the deal. Alex nodded in appreciation. "I have a deep appreciation for art," With a firm handshake, the deal was settled to both parties satisfaction. Alex excused himself and made his way to the bustling hall, intending to meet with Lisa, however a certain someone caught his attention. The woman in a red dress stood facing a painting by Mary Peterson. Alex''s gaze lingered on her back. He hesitated, unsure if he should approach her, but curiosity nagged at him, prompting him to take a step closer. "The painting is captivating, isn''t it?" The woman turned slightly at his words; Alex''s breath caught in his throat. Turns out, Alex eyes didn''t y a trick on him. The woman he saw earlier was indeed ire, but he lost sight of her. "ire?" Alex''s voice held a mix of surprise and realization. "What are you doing here?" ire maintained aposed facade, though inwardly, she was taken aback by the unexpected encounter. "I could ask you the same thing." she replied evenly, her eyes assessing Alex with a hint of curiosity. "Are you following me again? I can''t believe this." "Wait...me following you? You got to be kidding me.'' Their exchange underlying with tension. "I was here for the auction not you." Alex said his tone was firm. Realization dawned on ire as his voice remind her of the man bidding Annalise painting. "Are you the man who bid on Annalise painting?" ire asked incredulously. "And you were the one bidding against me for her painting." He stated, a note of recognition coloring his words.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ire scoffed in disbelief, "I can''t believe I let you win " Feeling taken aback, Alex argue. "Excuse me? You let me win? First of all, you did not let me win, second, I have much more money than you Their gazes shooting icy res at each other. It was a familiar dance of hatred that seemed to rey every timen they crossed paths. ire''s ''s anger simmered as she prepared tounch into a heated argument with Alex, but then she caught hersell. This event was dedicated to her mother''s memory, and she couldn''t tarnish it with unnecessary drama. Taking a deep breath, ire closed her eyes briefly before opening them with a calm demeanor "Fine, Allex. Do whatever you want. I don''t care," she stated tly, her voice devoid of the usual edge it carried in their interactions. Alex was taken aback by ire''s sudden calmness, but before he could respond, she turned and walked away, leaving him with a mix of frustration and bewilderment. Meanwhile, ire approached Anna White, a famous actress, who was admiring one of the paintings "Anna, it''s so wonderful to see you here," ire said genuinely, extending a hand. Anna returned the smile, her eyes sparkling with appreciation. "ire, thank you for inviting me. This event is beautiful." They exchanged a hug, and ire expressed her gratitude for Anna''s presence at the charity event. Anna waved off the thanks, acknowledging ire''s role in her career. "It''s an honor to be invited by someone like you, ire Peterson," "Oh, it''s nothing. Anna. 1 just do what feels right." As they spoke leisurely, Lisa approached them eagerly, calling out Anna''s name. "Anna White! Oh, my goodness, I''m such a big fan!" Lisa eximed; her enthusiasm palpable. Thank you so much. I appreciate your support." Lisa''s eyes widened in surprise as she recognized ire standing with Anna. Her initial excitement dimmed slightly, reced by a forced calmness. You know, Anna, you should be careful who you associate with. Some people can tarnish your image, especially mean girls like her," Lisa gestured towards ire; her wordsced with thinly veiled disdain. ire couldn''t help but roll her eyes at Lisa''s attempt to stir the pot. She remainedposed, curious to hear what else Lisa had to say. "Oh, really? "Yes, Anna, you should surround yourself with educated and kind people. Like me for example" ire couldn''t help but chuckled. Lisa turned to her frowning as she felt offended by ire. "What''s so funny?" "When you say educated and kind, does a homewrecker included?" Lisa red at ire and turned to Anna. *This is what I mean. A girl like her can only sprouting lies." Anna who can sees passed Lisa chimed in. "I''m sorry but what you said earlier contradict with your current behavior. My friend and I really have to go, it''s really nice to see you Lisa, have a good night." Anna and ire walked away leaving Lisa standing alone looking like a lost puppy. Her purpose to ask Anna for a photo and autograph went down the rabbit hole. She med ire for causing this. Lisa stormed out of the event, balling her fist up in anger. She can''t believe that she lost to ire again. Alex, who noticed her girlfriend, caught up to her. "Lisa?" ed to hi Lisa turned to him face red with humiliation. "Are you okay?" "No! I''m not okay. ire she is here a-and she ruin my chance with Anna White." "What did she do?" "She humites me again, Alex. Lean''t stand this anymore." Lisa started crying which make Alex embrace her to soother her crying Chapter 32 They''re trends. "Turns out Anna is friend with ire." "What? They''re friends?" Lisa nodded as she continue to sobbed. Alex can''t help but remember Liz words. "Anna White is here because the event organizer is friends with her." Chapter 33 Chapter 33 A sessful night Anna gently tugged on ire''s arm, leading her away from the crowd with a slight frown on her face. "ire, can I be honest with you?" Anna''s voice was soft but serious. ire nced at her friend, curious about what was on her mind. "Of course, Anna What''s on your mind?" "I don''t like Lisa," Anna admitted, her expression turning sour. "She just seems so fake, always putting on a show. " ire chuckled lightly, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "I didn''t realize you noticed that, Anna. Anna raised an eyebrow. "You didn''t think I would?" wry smile on her lips. "I suppose I underestimated your observational skills, Anna. I guess being an actress ire shook her head, a wr has its own perks." Curiosity glinted in Anna''s eyes as she probed further. "What''s the deal with you two, anyway?" ire let out a sigh, her expression growing serious. "It''s a long story, Anna. But let''s just say she''s not exactly genuine. Always seeking attention and ying up to people''s expectations and also a backstabbing friend. " Anna was taken aback by the revtion. "Oh, you are friend?" "I wouldn''t say friend per se, but we were in a way. Anna nodded understandingly. "I get it. Well, whenever you''re ready to share more, I''m all ears." ire smiled gratefully at her friend. "Thank you, Anna. One day, I''ll fill you in on all the details." Meanwhile, in a car, Alex sat beside Lisa, who was still visibly upset. She vented about her dislike for ire, expressing her frustrations through tears. "I just can''t stand her, Alex. She''s always trying to one-up everyone." Alex listened attentively, though his mind was elsewhere. Despite Lisa''s emotional outpouring, his thoughts kept circling back to ire. It was almost as if he couldn''t shake the image of her from his mind. "Alex," Lisa called out, growing annoyed as she noticed his distracted state. "Are you even listening to me?" Alex snapped back to attention, offering Lisa a reassuring smile "Sorry, babe. I was just thinking." Lisa''s eyes narrowed slightly expressing her skepticism. "About what?" "Oh, just work stuff," Alex replied vaguely, not wanting to delve into theplexities of his thoughts about ire. As they continued their drive, Alex''s mind raced with questions about ire''s sudden involvement in the charity event. He knew ire had never shown much interest in such affairs during their marriage. It was out of character for her to organize such an event, especially given herck of knowledge about art and charitable causes. "Why would ire organize a charity event?" Alex muttered to himself, more to sort out his thoughts than to seek an answer from Lisa. Lisa sighed, sensing Alex''s distant demeanor. "Alex, are you sure everything''s okay?" Alex nodded quickly, fabricating a response to put Lisa''s mind at ease. "Yes, yes, everything''s fine. Just thinking about some work stuff." If it is really ire the event organizer, Alex couldn''t shake the feeling that ire was up to something. Her sudden involvement in the charity world seemed unexpected, and Alex couldn''t help but wonder if it was part of arger scheme to advance her own agenda. The charity event continued its lively course as ire navigated through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and expressions of gratitude with other guest. Amidst the chatter andughter, she spotted Liz "Liz, I wanted to thank you for showcasing my mother''sst painting tonight," ire said warmly as she approached Liz, her eyes reflecting genuine appreciation. Liz smiled warmly y in return, her eyes twinkling with sincerity. "It''s my pleasure, ire. Your mother''s art deserves to be celebrated. ire''s gaze shifted to the painting, a beautiful and poignant piece that held sentimental value for her. "I''m so grateful to you for honoring her legacy in such a meaningful way." Liz reached out to ce a hand on ire''s arm. "ire, such paintings are meant to be shared and appreciated, not kept hidden away Please, take it as a token of our friendship and as a reminder of your mother''s talent." ire hesitated, touched by Liz''s generosity but conflicted by the thought of taking the painting "I appreciate the gesture, Liz, but I can''t ept it. It''s been the source of inspiration for the children in the club." Liz nodded understandingly, but her eyes held a determined glint. "I understand your concern, ire. However, inspiration cane from various sources, not just a finished painting. The children will benefit greatly from the funds raised tonight, and this is the least I can do to thank you for your contributions to the club and the charity." ire mulled over Liz''s words, her heart torn between the children''s needs and the sentimental value of the painting "I''ll have to think about it, Liz. It''s a generous offer, but I want to make sure it''s the right decision. I don''t want to take something that meant a lot to the children." Liz smiled warmly. "Of course, take your time. But know that the children and I will be very happy if you decide to take it." Liz and ire exchanged farewells, promising to catch up soon. As ire turned to leave, Matthew nudged her shoulder gently. "Today was a sess, ire. You did a great job. ire''s smile widened at Matthew''s words of praise. "Thank you, Matthew. And thank you for all your help. It wouldn''t have been possible without you." HTxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Matthew grinned, his eyes reflecting satisfaction "Anytime, ire Let''s celebrate the sess of tonight''s event." Alex returned home from the charity event, his mind still mulling over his thoughts. Despite thete hour, his curiosity gnawed at him like an itch he couldn''t ignore. He settled into his study, the soft glow ofmplight casting a warm ambiance in the room. Alex reached for his phone and dialed the number of his private investigator. The call was answered promptly. "Hello, this is Alexander Harris. I need you to find out the anonymous event organizer for the charity art event tonight," Alex instructed, his tone firm yet tinged with curiosity. The PI on the other end of the line listened attentively as Alex provided the necessary details, including the date and location of the event. With a promise to gather the information and get back to him, the call ended, leaving Alex to wait for the results. "Why are you hiding, ire?" Feeling mentally drained, Alex decided to retire to bed. As he ascended the stairs, he noticed Lisa sleeping peacefully in their bedroom. He climbed into bed beside her, hoping that sleep would offer some respite from his restless mind. However, the night had other ns. Around 2 to 3 AM, Alex''s phone suddenly rang, startling him from his slumber. Groggily, he answered the call, his mind struggling to fully wake up. "Alex, I have the information you requested," the voice of his PI cut through the fog of sleep. "Go ahead," Alex replied, his senses sharpening as he listened intently. "The event organizer''s name is Matthew Finnegan," the PI informed him, rying the details of their findings. Alex thanked the Pl and ended the call, his mind racing with new information. Relief washed over him as he realized that ire wasn''t behind the charity event. However, a nagging uncertainty lingered in his thoughts. Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Unexpected package The next day, as the clock struck noon, a knock echoed through Alex''s penthouse. Annalise''s painting, the one he had bid on during the charity event, had arrived. Two burly men maneuvered therge artwork through the doorway, their careful steps ensuring no harm befell the valuable piece. Lisa, descending the stairs elegantly, arched an eyebrow as she took in the scene. The arrival of such a grand painting was an unusual urrence in their home "What is all this?" she inquired; her curiosity piqued. Alex, standing nearby with a sense of anticipation, turned to face Lisa. "It''s the painting I bid onst night at the charity event. Annalise painting, remember?" he exined, with a hint of excitement in his voice Lisa nodded, not particrly invested in the world of art. "Ah, that painting. Looks nice," she remarked before continuing on her way to the kitchen, her attention shifting to other matters. Meanwhile, Alex directed the two men to carefully hang the painting in the designated spot he had prepared. With practiced hands, they secured it in ce, ensuring it was perfectly aligned and showcased in all its glory. Thank you, gentlemen," Alex said appreciatively as the menpleted their task and prepared to depart. Once alone, Alex approached the covered painting, his anticipation growing. With a swift motion, he pulled down the cover, revealing the captivating artwork beneath. The vibrant colors and intricate details of Annalise''s creation came to life, filling the room with a sense of artistic brilliance. "It is even more stunning up close," Alex mused to himself, his gaze lingering on the painting''s captivating beauty. Alex couldn''t help but feel a surge of satisfaction as he gazed at the painting. The memory of the intense bidding war between himself and ire shed through his mind. *50,000." "75,000," "80,000." "100,000. "Going once, eding twice sold to bidder number 78 for 100,000," If only Alex could see her reaction as it can be a sight to see.Txt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. It had been a moment ofpetition and excitement, each bid fueling his determination to win. Weirdly enough, a slight smirk tugged at Alex''s lips as he admired the painting. It wasn''t just about the artwork itself; it was about the victory, the feeling of aplishment that came with winning the bidding at 100,000. As Lisa returned to the living room, sipping on her juice, her curiosity piqued once again. why is the painting here? I thought you mentionedst night that you''d ce it in one of your hotels," she remarked, her tone casual yet curious. Without turning to face her, Alex replied calmly, "I changed my mind. I decided I want this painting for myself, here in the penthouse." Lisa shrugged in response, her interest fleeting as she nced at the artwork briefly. "Okay, suit yourself," shemented before settling onto the nearby couch, her attention already drifting to other thoughts. Alex smiled to himself, content with his decision to keep the painting in his penthouse. It was not just a piece of art but a symbol of his victory in the bidding war with ire. In ire''s penthouse, the soft hum, of her phone call was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Setting aside her conversation, she rose to answer it. Two men stood outside, holding arge, carefully wrapped painting. "Are you ire Peterson?" one of the men asked, his tone polite. ire nodded, curiosity piqued. "Yes, that is me. What is it?" "We have a package for you from Liz," the other man exined, gesturing to the painting they held. ire''s eyebrows lifted in surprise. She wasn''t expecting anything especially since she didn''t bid any paintingst night other than Annalise, but she lost the bid to Alex "Please,e in," she invited them, opening the door wider. her bid her goodbye The men entered and carefully ced the painting near the couch as instructed by ire. Once they were done, they bid and left, leaving ire alone with the unexpected gift. With a sense of curiosity and anticipation, ire removed the wrapping covering the painting. Her expression transformed from curiosity to astonishment as she took in the artwork before her. It was her mum''s painting that Liz showcasest night. Did package is clearly unexpected to ire. Stunned by the unexpected gesture, ire crouched down to get a closer look. As she admired the details of the painting, her eyes fell upon a small envelope tucked discreetly at the bottom corner. Picking up the envelope, ire carefully opened it and retrieved the letter inside. It was from Liz, expressing her gratitude for ire''s help and mentioning how happy the children were ire''s heart warmed at the kind words. The letter continued, exining that the children wanted ire to have the painting as a token of their appreciation, assuring her that they didn''t mind parting with it. A soft smile graced ire''s features as she read the heartfelt letter. She felt touched by the thoughtfulness of Liz and the children. Making a mental note to give Liz a heartfelt phone callter, ire sat down on the floor and gazed at the painting for what seemed like hours. Matthew arrived at ire''s penthouse, intending to deliver some news about her parents'' grave site. However, his steps faltered as he entered, finding ire seated on the floor, seemingly lost in thought "Hey, ire, what are you doing down there?" Matthew inquired; his voice filled with concern as he noticed ire''s introspective gaze. ire turned to him, a hint of mncholy in her eyes. "Oh, hey, Matt Liz sent me my mother''sst painting," she exined, gesturing towards the artwork beside her. Matthew joined her on the floor, studying the painting with genuine interest. "Is this the exact painting Liz showcasest night?" ire nodded. "Wow, it is more beautiful up-close." hemented, admiring the intricate details of the artwork A soft smile touching her lips. "Yeah, it does." "Why did Liz send you this?" "She said it is a token of gratitude and it is the least she can do for me considering it is my mother''sst painting." After a moment of shared appreciation for the painting, ire turned her attention back to Matthew. "Anyway, what did you want to tell me?" Matthew''s expression turned serious as he recalled the purpose of his visit. "Right, I wanted to let you know that your parents'' gravesite has been relocated to Highgate Cemetery." ire''s gaze softened with gratitude. "Thank you for letting me know, Matt. I appreciate it." "It''s no problem at all," Matthew replied, offering her a reassuring smile. "Whenever you are ready, I can apany you to visit their resting ce." ire nodded, her voice tinged with determination. "I will definitely go soon." "Shame that you didn''t get Annalise painting." ire sighed. "I didn''t expect the bidder to bid so high." "100,000, it is all money. I wonder who the person is." A slight smirked etched on her lips. "You will be surprised." "You Imow the person is." Matthew stated that leaved no argument. "Apparently, I do." Chapter 34 Unexpected package "Who is it?" A mischievous glint spark in ire''s eyes. She decided otherwise to not tell Matthew. "Secret. Chapter 35 Chapter 35 The meeting In Jack''s spacious office, ire sat across from him, her expression focused as she briefed him on the uing meeting with the Harrispany. "Jack, I need you to take the lead in today''s meeting with Harris," ire stated, her tone serious yetposed. Jack, the vice president of thepany, listened attentively. "Sure, ire. But why the sudden change? You''re usually the one leading these meetings." ire hesitated, not wanting to reveal the personal reason behind her decision. "I have an urgent matter that requires my immediate attention," she replied vaguely, hoping Jack wouldn''t press further. Jack nodded understandingly. "I see. Don''t worry, ire, I''ve got it covered. Is there anything specific you want me to focus on during the meeting?" "Hm...just listen to what Alexander Harris has to offer and ask him the reason for choosing Metacortex." ire appreciated Jack''s professionalism and willingness to step in. "Okay, noted. I just wish you can be present at the meeting." "I just wanted to make sure that the Harris is a worthypany to partner up with before I meet them myself. I just don''t want to regret it." "Okay, consider it done." "Thank you, Jack. I really appreciate your help with this," ire said sincerely. Jack smiled reassuringly. "Anytime, ire. We''re a team, after all. Anyway, I heard about the charity you organize." ire raised her brows. "How did you know?" "Well, I have my source and I identally overheard your conversation with your secretary." ire chuckled lightly. "Looks like I couldn''t keep anything hidden from you, Jack." With their strategy set, ire left Jack''s office, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. She trusted Jack to handle the meeting professionally, allowing her to attend to the pressing matter which she had purposely made it up. She doesn''t like lying especially to Jack since he is the only one in thepany that help her but on the other side, she is not ready for Alex to find out the truth about ire. She will wait for a perfect timing to show who she really is. The clock struck 1 PM as Alex Harris arrived at the headquarters of Metacortex, a prestigious techpany. He was eager and excited to share his ideas during the meeting, anticipating the CEO''s response with a mix of enthusiasm and nerves. Apanied by Christian as well as his secretary, Alex made his way into the building. As they passed through the corridors, the employees couldn''t help but nce at Alexander Harris, a recognizable figure in the business world across Europe. The Harris family was renowned for owning 10 hotels globally and was even considering expanding into the shopping industry. Despite the attention, Alex kept aposed demeanor, his good looks not going unnoticed by the women in the office. Christian slightly leaned closer to Alex as he whisper to him. "I guess you are always the beacon of light." Alex rolled his eyes since he is used to hearing his best friend joking remarks. Hiss s secretary deftly handled the formalities, requesting a visitor card before they proceeded to the designated meeting floor. Christian, ever perceptive of his friend''s emotions, ced a reassuring hand on Alex''s shoulder. "Are you nervous, mate?" he asked with a knowing smile. -Alex scoffed, a hint of arrogance in his tone. "Nervous? Please, I''m not nervous about anything. It is only a meeting. "Of course, after you are Alexander Harris." Christian chuckled inwardly, understanding that beneath Alex''s bravado, there was a hint of excitement and perhaps a touch of nerves. However, Alex''s pride often masked his true feelings. Upon reaching the meeting room, they were greeted by Sandra, ire''s secretary, Sandra ushered them inside and introduced them to Jack, who was already present. "Mr. Harris, it''s a pleasure to have you here, Jack Winston." Jack said warmly, extending his hand in greeting. Alex shook Jack''s hand firmly, his gaze assessing the man who would be temporarily filling in for the CEO. "Likewise, Mr. Winston. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with us." Taking his seat across from Jack, Alex couldn''t help but inquire about the CEO''s absence. "If you don''t mind me asking, where is the CEO? Will she attend the meeting today?" Jack shook his head slightly, indicating that ire had othermitments. "Unfortunately, she had to attend to an urgent matter. I'' be stepping in for her during this meeting. I hope you are okay with that." Jack jokingly said. Alex smiled and nodded understanding. Though a part of him was disappointed not to meet with the CEO directly. "Of course, 1 understand. Let''s proceed then." The meetingmenced with Alex presenting his ideas and proposals with confidence. Jack listened attentively. "So, you want to partner up with Metacortex for your uing hotel in Las Vegas?" "Yes, that is indeed my n." "Interesting. What is your reason for choosing Metacortex? Because we are not the only technology & softwarepany." "Good question, Mr. Winston. I chose Metacortex because of its fame. As a businessman, I am not going to lie." Jack nodded at his courage for admitting. "However, I also know that Metacortex is one of the most reliable, fast-forward and sessful technology & softwarepany. People across the globe are using Metacortex and since the theme of my new hotel will be technology, it will only make sense choosing Metacortex." "Since Metacortex was under Robert Robertson leadership, we do not have any significant progress. We do not have any updates with our software Cortex and our stock even dip. So, what makes you so sure Metacortex is reliable?" "I always mention this lot of times, but it is not thepany however the person behind who lead thepany is the cause. I know Robert Robertson is not a good CEO, no offence, Mr. Winston," ""None taken." "I once had a deal with him. We had meetings and we sign the contract. Out of nowhere, he terminated our contract. He doesn''t give us a specific reason, he just cut us off. From that moment, I figured Robert Robertson is not a good leader. Since, you have a new CEO, I don''t doubt thispany to do the same mistake." "You really think highly of ourpany, Mr. Harris. I appreciate that." "I am a businessman, Mr. Winston. I know whichpany is good and which is bad." "I must admit, your offering today is tempting. However, I must discuss this with the CEO but don''t worry I will try and persuade her if she reject it."This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. With a bright smile, Alex and Jack shake hands ending the meeting "It was a great pleasure, Mr. Winston " "Likewise, Mr. Harris." Alex felt satisfied with the progress he made. He is positive that Jack will be the bridge to build a sessful partnership. Exiting the meeting room, Christian walk to his side. "Do you think this time will be it?" "I have a good feeling. Whatever the result, we have presented our offer and if she reject it,'' H Alex stopped in his track and face Christian. Afierce look clouded his eyes as the corner of his lips curl up to a smirk "We barge in to her office." Chapter 36 Chapter 36 Another auction "This dress is beautiful." Lisa stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting the straps of her elegant Chanel dress. The soft fabric draped perfectly over her figure, entuating her curves. She paired it with a matching Chanel bag that Alex had gifted her, along with Cartier jewelry that added a touch of luxury to her ensemble. As she put the finishing touches on her look, Lisa heard Alex''s voice calling from downstairs. "Lisa, are you ready? We should leave soon," he called out Grabbing her bag, Lisa descended the stairs gracefully, the click of her heels echoing through the room. Alex turned towards her, his eyes widening in awe at her stunning appearance. "You look absolutely breathtaking," Alexplimented sincerely, a smile ying on his lips. Lisa smiled back, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "Thank you, Alex. It''s important to dress for the asion, even if it''s just a vintage car auction." Alex chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "You always manage to look perfect, no matter where we''re going. But you know, you don''t have to dress up for this." Lisa raised an eyebrow, a yful glint in her eyes. "Oh, but I do, Alex. You never know who we might run into, and first impressions matter." Alex nodded in understanding, though he couldn''t help but feel amused by Lisa''s dedication to looking her best at all times. "Well, let''s go then. I promise to make it worth your while." As they made their way to the vintage car auction, Lisa couldn''t help but think about her true feelings regarding such events. While she appreciated the opulence and luxury associated with them, she wasn''t particrly passionate about vintage cars or art exhibitions like the one they had attended previously. In truth, Lisa had been looking forward to a day of shopping, indulging in her love for designer boutiques and high-end fashion. However, when Alex had extended the invitation to apany him, she couldn''t refuse. After all, Alex Harris was a well-known figure across Europe, and being seen with him opened doors to exclusive circles, Lisa had her sights set on a particr group - the Women''s High Tea Society, a prestigious and exclusive club in London known for its elite members andvish gatherings. Only a select few were privileged enough to be invited, and Lisa saw it as an opportunity towork and elevate her social status. "Alex, do you think we''ll meet anyone interesting today?" Alex nced at her, a knowing smile ying on his lips. "Knowing you, Lisa, I''m sure you''ll charm your way into someone''s good graces." Meanwhile, ire is also getting ready for the car auction She meticulously chose her outfit, opting for a chic white tweed zer paired with matching trousers. Once she was satisfied with her appearance, she descended the grand staircase to the main living room. Matthew greeted her with a warm smile. "You look stunning, ire." Heplimented ire with admiration. As ire reached the bottom of the stairs, Matthew''s words caught her off guard. "We''ve been spending a lot of time together," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of yfulness. ire feigned hurt, cing a hand over her heart dramatically. "Oh, Matthew, are you saying you don''t like spending time with me?" she teased, a yful glint in her eyes. Matthew quickly backtracked, realizing how his words might have been misinterpreted. "No, no, not like that," he rified, a flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "I just meant it''s been nice, you know, spending time with you." ire chuckled, patting his shoulder. "I know what you meant, silly. I''m grateful to have you by my side." Together, they made their way out of the penthouse. Matthew couldn''t resist a yful jab as they exited. "Maybe we should get married if we''re spending so much time together," he joked, earning a heartyugh from ire. "You know what, maybe we should." ire responses jokingly as theyughed.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. The drive to the vintage car auction was filled with light-hearted conversation. ire''s excitement grew as they arrived at the venue, her eyes sparkling with anticipation Stepping out of her sleek Maybach, ire couldn''t help but notice Alexander Harris, a familiar face, exiting his Aston Martin with Lisa by his side. However, ire paid them little attention, her focus solely on the vintage cars disyed at the event. As she walked through the rows of ssic automobiles, ire''s enthusiasm was palpable. Her love for cars was not just a passing interest; it was a passion inherited from her father. In her younger days, her father would take her to see sports and vintage cars, Igniting her fascination with automotive. ire''s memories flooded back as she admired each car. While she might not have inherited her mother''s artistic talents in painting, she had certainly inherited her father''s keen sense of appreciation for fine automobiles. "It''s like being in a museum," ire remarked to Matthew, her eyes gleaming with delight. "Each car tells a story, a piece of history on wheels." Matthew nodded in agreement, sharing in her excitement. "You have a good eye for these things, ire. Your dad would be proud. ire smiled warmly at the mention of her father. "He taught me well; I missed attending this event. Thank you for telling me, Matt." she replied fondly "NO "No problem, ire. Just thought you need a good refreshing before going back to work." "And you thought just right." As Alex and Lisa entered the bustling auction, they were immediately recognized as VIP guests by the car manager, Alex was ustomed to such treatment, and Lisa, by his side, reveled in the attention Meanwhile, ire and Matthew stood admiring a vintage Porsche, their interest piqued by its ssic design and pristine condition. ire was just about to inquire about the car when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "You know, ire, you really don''t understand anything about cars," Lisa remarked, her tone dripping with condescension as she joined them. ire turned to face Lisa, her brow furrowing slightly at the jab. Though she had intended for a brief break from well-known faces, it Seems that fate had other ide Crossing her arms over her chest, ire maintained herposure. "Well, hello to you too, Lisa," she replied with forced politeness. Lisa rolled her eyes, unfazed by ire''s demeanor. "Let''s be real, ire. This isn''t your scene. You may know about Birkin and Kelly, but I know how clueless you are when ites to cars." ire couldn''t help but scoff at Lisa''s arrogance. "Is that so? Well then, let''s put that to the test. Name this car," she challenged, gesturing to the vintage Porsche. Lisa hesitated for a moment, her confidence wavering. "It''s a Porsche," she replied vaguely, her expression unsure. ire raised an eyebrow. "Yes, but what type of Porsche?" Lisa frowned, growing visibly irritated. "It''s just a Porsche. They''re all the same; they don''t have types." ire and Matthew exchanged amused nces before bursting intoughter, "Oh, Lisa," ire chuckled, shaking her head. "You couldn''t be more wrong. This is a Porsche 911 Carrera, specifically from 1987. It boasts a 200-horsepower engine and a t 6 engine configuration. And you said I know nothing about cars." Chapter 37 Chapter 37 It''s mine "I know you are making that up, 11 led, "Whatever floats your boat, Lisa." ire stared at Lisa amused and since she didn''t care what Lisa think, ire chuckled. Alex, who had been listening quietly, was stunned by ire''s sudden disy of knowledge about cars. He knew firsthand that ire wasn''t particrly interested in automobiles, making her expertise in this moment all the more surprising. A flicker of admiration crossed Alex''s features as he watched ire confidently discuss the features of the car. He couldn''t deny that seeing her in this light, knowledgeable and assertive, was undeniably attractive to him. On the other hand, Lisa stood there unable to believe what she was hearing. ire, who she had always underestimated in matters outside of fashion and luxury, was proving her wrong once again. It irritated Lisa to no end, and a wave of frustration washed over her, making her want tosh out. The auction manager, brimming with excitement, approached ire with a smile. "Miss, I heard you talking about cars earlier. Are you you interested in our vintage car up for auction?" ire returned the smile, nodding. "Yes, I am. I''ve always had a passion for ssic cars." ire''s eyes briefly flicked towards Alex, a hint of irritation evident in her gaze, she walked away with Matthe and the manager as he give ire a tour. Meanwhile, Lisa, still simmering with frustration after witnessing ire''s confident demeanor, balled her hand into a fist. She couldn''t believe her bad luck at encountering ire once again, especially in such a high-profile setting. Turning to Alex, Lisa began to vent her distress. "Can you believe it? Of all ces, ire shows up here!" Alex, however, was lost in his own thoughts. Despite Lisa''s rant, his mind kept drifting back to ire, her presence suddenly striking him as attractive in a way he hadn''t noticed before. Lisa waved her hand in front of Alex, trying to regain his attention. "Alex, are you even listening?" Startled, Alex snapped out of his reverie. "Sorry, Lisa. I was just... thinking." Frustrated by Alex''s distraction, Lisa crossed her blend in with." er arms and huffed. "Eine, I''m going to look around. Maybe I''ll find someone I could With that, Lisa walked away, leaving Alex. He watched her go, but his gaze unconsciously drifted back to ire, who was engrossed in conversation with the auction manager near the vintage car disy. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Alex reminded himself that ire might simply have memorized details about the car, exining her knowledge earlier. He tried to focus on the uing auction, pushing aside any distractions. The host''s voice cut through the chatter as the auction officially began. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight. We have some exquisite items up for bidding, starting with our prized vintage car." ire, seated with Matthew by her side, crossed her legs elegantly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She couldn''t wait to participate in the bidding for the vintage car, her excitement palpable in the air. As the bidding started, the room filled with hushed murmurs and the asional enthusiastic bidder. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have here a stunning Aston Martin Lagonda, a true gem for any collector," the host dered, his words. met with eager murmurs from the audience. "We''ll start the bidding at 48,599. Do I hear any takers?" The first bidder wasted no time, raising their paddle confidently. "50,000," they called out, setting the tone for the bidding war that was about to unfold. The room came alive as bids flew back and forth, each increment raising the stakes. "55,000," chimed in the second bidder, followed swiftly by another raising it to 60,000. The host''s grin widened as he watched the bids climb. "We have 60,000 on the table. Arly further bids?" The crowd fell into a momentary hush, the tension palpable as potential buyers weighed their decisions. "Going once at 60,000," the host announced, scanning the room for any final offers. No one spoke up, and the host continued, "Going twice at 60,000." With a swift motion, he brought down the gavel. "Sold to bidder number 54 for 60,000!" he proimed, eliciting cheers and apuse from the audience. ire sat attentively at the charity auction, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as the host announced the bidding for the Porsche 911 Carrera from 1987, a car she had admired earlier in the evening "We''ll start the bidding at 40,561," The biddingmenced swiftly, with the first bidder raising the stakes. "50,000." "55,000. ire observed the back-and-forth, waiting for the opportune moment to join in. "62,000." "65.500.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. "We have 65,500 on the table. Any further bids?" ire sensed it was time to make her move. With a confident gesture, she raised her paddle and called out, "70,000." The host acknowledged her bid, announcing, "Going once at 70,000." The tension in the room heightened as everyone waited to see if there would be another bidder. When no further bids came, the host dered, "Going twice at 70,000, sold to bidder number 32." T A wave of apuse filled the room as ire''s purchase was finalized. She couldn''t contain her smile as she realized she had secured the Porsche 911 Carrera she had set her sights on. Matthew, who was seated beside ire, leaned in and whispered, "Well done, ire. That was a great bid." ire nodded graciously; her satisfaction evident. "Thank you, Matthew. I''ve had my eye on that car for a while." The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the auction for the Ferrari F40, the gem of the event, began. The crowd murmured excitedly; their eyes fixed on the sleek red beauty that was rarely seen on the market. Among them, ire''s eyes sparkled with excitement as she whispered to Matthew. "That car is gonna be mine." On the other side of the room, Alex couldn''t hide his own excitement. His gaze was firmly set on the Ferrari F40, a car he had admired for years. He, too, had made up his mind to bid for it. The auction host took the stage, setting the stage for the final and most anticipated auction item of the evening. "Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the Ferrari F40, starting at 460,000," he announced, igniting a wave of anticipation among the bidders The bids started rolling in swiftly. The first bidder raised the stakes to 480,000, then another pushed it to 500,000, and the numbers climbed rapidly until it reached an impressive 769,000. It was clear that this was going to be the highest-priced item of the evening. out," Alex raised his paddle confidently, calling out, "800,000." ire frowned slightly, not willing to lose to Alex again after the previous bid for Annalise''s painting. She raised her paddle and dered, "Eg00,000. The crowd gasped at the sudden jump in price, but the bidding war was far from over. Alex countered with a bold move. 100,000,000 11 Not to be outdone, ire raised her bid. "120,000,000. She was serious about winning th the Ferrari F40. "Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that we have apetitive bidder." "200,000,000." Alex dered. ire was silent, hesitating whether she should continue or let Alex win. "E200,000,000, going once, going twice..." 300,000,000." Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Congrattions "300,000,000," ire calling out. The bids escted rapidly as both Alex and ire, fueled by determination and perhaps a touch ofpetitiveness, continued to raise the stakes. Alex rose again, this time to 678,000,000. ire turned and spotted Alex sitting 4 rows from behind. She scoffed in disbelief and Alex smirked as he gazed into her eyes. "750,000,000. The collective gasp from the crowd was palpable as the bidding war between bidder number 32 (ire) and bidder number 67 (Alex) intensified. "Woah the stakes are getting higher and higher. It''s like watching Liverpool vs Arsenal." The guest chuckled at the jokes but still focusing their attention on Alex and ire. The tension in the room was palpable. ire drummed her finger anxiously on her thigh hoping that Alex to not continue to bid. The room was silent, not even a breath could be hear. Just when it seemed like ire might ept defeat, the host paused dramatically. "Going once, going twice..." he began, drawing out the suspense. ire''s heart raced as she waited for the final call, but then the host added, "The Ferrari F40 is sold to bidder number 32!" The room erupted into apuse as ire jumped from her seat, a wide grin spreading across her face. She hugged Matthew tightly, her excitement obvious. The crowd''s apuse only added to the celebratory atmosphere. Lisa, seated next to Alex, couldn''t help but frown at him. "Why didn''t you keep bidding? You clearly have the money," she remarked, curious about Alex''s sudden hesitation Alex shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I did it on purpose, to raise the stakes," he admitted with a yful smirk. Lisa chuckled, seeing through Alex''spetitive strategy. "Well, ire certainly looks thrilled with her new car." Alex nodded, watching ire with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction. He could indeed afford to bid much higher, even 900,000,000 or more for the Ferrari F40, but for some inexplicable reason, he had. held back and let ire win. Despite thepetitive nature of the auction and his initial desire to bid, seeing ire''s joyous expression somehow brought a smile. to his own face. The evening was aglow with the excitement of the auction, and ire''s spirits soared as she finalized the purchase of her Porsche and Ferrari She couldn''t help but sigh happily as she made her way out afterpleting the transaction. "Well, ire, looks like you''ve outdone yourself this time" he remarked, his tone teasing. ire chuckled, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "What can I say? Being a billionaire has its perks." Matthew raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "But spending this much on a car?" ire smicked, ying along with the banter, "It''s all about the lifestyle, Matthew. And besides, owning ssic cars is a part of my investment portfolio." Curiosity piqued, Matthew asked, "So, what are you going to do with these beauties?" ire''s gaze drifted thoughtfully. "I''ll have them parked in the basement of my penthouse. A Porsche and a Ferrari, a perfect duo." As they continued their conversation, Matthew''s curiosity got the best of hitn. "By the way, who were you bidding against for that Ferrari? It seemed like apetitive bid." ire''s smirk turned into a knowing smile. "That would be Alexander Harris." Matthew''s eyes widened in surprise. "The Alexander Harris?" ire nodded. "The one who wanted to have a meeting with you?" ire nodded again. "How did you know it was him?" ire chuckled softly. "Oh, I know that voice from anywhere. Anyway, I''ll be right back." Excusing herself, ire made her way to thedies'' room to freshen up. As she touched up her makeup, she heard the door open and none other than Lisa walked in. ire resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the sight of her old best friend but focused on her reflection instead. Lisa, always one to make her presence known, sidled up to the sink next to ire and began reapplying her lipstick. "So, ire, lucky win with the Ferrari, huh?" Lisa remarked casually, her tone tinged with a hint of jealousy. ire remainedposed but couldn''t help but respond. "Luck had nothing to do with it. I simply know what I want." "For your information, Alex wasn''t even interested in the car. He was just ying around to drive up the price." Lisa persisted; her wordsced with skepticism. ire turned to face Lisa directly, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Do you even know your own boyfriend, Lisa? The Ferrari F40 is every rich man''s dream. It''s not about ying games; it''s about owning a piece of history." With that, ire exited thedies'' room and headed back to the auction area. However, she was taken aback when she found Alex standing in front of her Crossing her arms over her chest, ire looked up at Alex with a sarcastic smile. "Well, well, looks like you''ve mistaken me for someone else. I''m not Lisa, in case you forgot." "I know exactly who you are, ire. And congrattions on winning the Ferrari F40." ire scoffed in disbelief; her demeanor cool. "Are you possessed?" "What do you mean?" "You are here congratting me? Did I hear that wrong? Cause I''m sure Lisa would have a heart attack if she found out you were congratting me." Alex rolled his eyes. "Why were you so keen to buy the Ferrari?" "Why did you let me win so easily?" ire lips curl up into a smirk. Each of them gazes at each other eyes with unreadable emotion. With a final nce back at Alex, ire couldn''t help but feel a mix of amusement and annoyance at the turn of events. ire couldn''t tell if Alex is in a good mood, or someone has simply taken over his body. But all in all, ire is satisfied with today''s result. Alone in his study, Robert paced back and forth in his study, his expression tense as he held his phone to his ear. "What do you mean our ount has been frozen?" Robert''s voice was sharp,ced with frustration. move an any of the money," His associate exined the situation. "Someone has put a hold on our ount. We can''t m Robert sighed harshly, his mind racing to find a solution. "Damn it. We need to find a way around this. Have you tried anything yet?" His associate besitated before responding "I was thinking of spreading the money to different ounts, taking a longer route to avoid suspicion." Robert considered the suggestion for a moment. "Yes, that might work. Do it discreetly, and make sure no one catches wind of our movements." There was a brief pause before his associate spoke again. "Robert, there''s something else." "What?"Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. "The grave of Mary and Hector Peterson has been disturbed. Someone has removed their grave." Robert''s brow furrowed in confusion. Chapter 30 Congrinitatiana "Who did it? and where is the graveyard now? "I don''t have the exact location yet, but I''m working on it. I''ll find out more," his associate assured him "Good. Keep me updated," Robert instructed before ending the call. Robert''s thoughts raced. The frozen ount was a significant setback, and the news about the Petersons'' grave only added to his linease "Could ire be behind this?" Haloween Treat More Coins, More Thrillst Chapter 39 Chapter 39 Unexpected visitor ?" ire''s voice was calm yet "Matthew, have you found any suspicious transactions in Robert''s bank ounts or any linked ounts?" serious, her eyes fixed on Matthew as he sifted through digital records on hisptop. In the headquarters, ire ask Matthew to track Robert bank activity after she froze it by hacking to the system. Matthew, a skilled analyst with a knack for uncovering hidden truths, shook his head slightly. "Not currently, ire. There haven''t been any recent transactions that raise red gs." ire sighed, tapping her fingers lightly on the table. "Thest transaction was a week ago, arge sum, right?" Matthew nodded. "Yes, that''s correct. ire''s mind raced as she considered the implications. "I think Robert may have realized that the ount was frozen, and he hasn''t made any attempts to retrieve the funds." Matthew furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "That''s possible. It could mean he''s changed his tactics or has other ns in motion." ire leaned back in her chair, a frustrated groan escaping her lips. "Trying to decipher Robert''s motives is like ying a ending game of chess." never- Matthew turned his attention fully to ire, his eyes serious. "Why don''t you just confront him directly? It seems like a more straightforward approach than ying this cat-and-mouse game." ire shook her head, her expression resolute. "I can''t confront him without concrete evidence, Matthew. I need something tangible, not just assumption. Matthew raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "But how long will you keep ying this game? Aren''t you tired of the constant uncertainty?" ire sighed, her gaze shifting to the expansive view outside the window. "I am certain. I just need enough information to make a decisive move. Until then, we have to keep digging." Matthew nodded, understanding ire''s strategies. "Fair enough. Maybe we can start by confronting Robert about the house. It'' your parents'' house, and if he''s sold it without your consent, then...that could be the first step to figure something out." ire considered Matthew''s suggestion. "You''re right. Confronting him about the house might just rattle him enough to reveal his true intentions or at least scare him." The gears in her mind were already turning, formting a n to confront Robert. Matthew watched her, his expression supportive yet cautious. "Just be careful, ire. We don''t know how far Robert is willing to go." "I will Don''t worry about me." ire shot Matthew with a reassuring smile. ire have to be ready with whatever Robert has in store for her. At the Robertson household, Gretta sat at the dining room table; her expression etched with annoyance as she waited for Robert to join her. When Robert finally descended the stairs and took his seat at the head of the table, Gretta''s frown deepened. As Robert began to eat his lunch, Gretta couldn''t contain her frustration any longer. "Robert, we need to talk aboutst night''s conversation," she said, her voice tinged with urgency. Robert nced up from his te, his brows furrowing. "What conversation are you referring to?" he asked, his tone guarded. Gretta sighed harshly. "The one about the frozen ount. I heard you," she admitted, her eyes fixed on Robert''s face. Robert''s gaze hardened as he ced his utensil down, his irritation evident. "And what of it?" he replied curtly. Gretta stared at him in disbelief. "What are you going to do about it? Are you just going to ignore the fact that our ount has been frozen?" Robert took a sip of water, his jaw set. "I have my ways of dealing with it. My trusted men are already working on a solution," he stated confidently. Gretta pressed further, her concern palpable. "Do you have any idea who might have frozen the ount? Robert''s expression darkened. "I have a hunch that ire might be behind it," he admitted, his voiceced with bitterness. Gretta''s eyes widened at the mention of ire. "ire? That means she''s onto us. She knows about our scheme," she realized aloud, aThis is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Hinge of fear creeping into her voice. et shrugged nonchntly, picking up his utensil to resume eating. "Maybe she does, maybe she doesn''t. Maybe she''s just ying ganes," he remarked casually, though his demeanor hinted at underlying tension. Gretta watched Robert eat, her mind racing with worry. She threw her napkin onto her te and crossed her arms over her chest, unable to contain her frustration any longer. Robert noticed her agitation and sighed, asking, "What''s wrong, Gretta?" "How can you be so calm about this?" Gretta blurted out. "ire is one step ahead. She''s taking our money and everything we own. She''s already throw you as the CEO, and who knows what she''ll do next?" Robert''s temper red at the mention of the CEO position. He mmed his utensil down on his te, causing Gretta to flinch. "Don''t bring up about that." he snapped, his voice sharp with anger. Gretta, undeterred by Robert''s reaction, continued to voice her concerns. "We have to do something. Robert. We can''t just sit here and let ire ruin us. Maybe we should hire someone to take care of her, you know, make her disappear," she suggested, her desperation evident Robert''s eyes narrowed as he stood up abruptly from the table, his gaze fixed on Gretta. "Don''t be foolish, Gretta. We can''t do anything that will raise suspicion," he warned, his tone firm. "I don''t care! I don''t want to see ire winning and take everything thar''s ours. Robert''s expression hardened as he stared at his wife. "Gretta, we''re already deep enough. We can''t escte things further. I won''t allow you to do something stupid." "Try me, Robert " Gretta''s jaw clenched as she red red back at Robert. She stormed out of the room, heading back to her room. Gretta paced back and forth, her mind racing with thoughts and ns. "Robert may not want to act, but I can''t just stand by and watch everything fall apart," she muttered to herself. ire arrived at the Robertson mansion the next day, her mind set on taking Matthew''s suggestion into consideration. She pressed the doorbell, waiting patiently as the grand doors swung open. A maid greeted her warmly, inviting her inside with a polite smile. "Good morning, ma''am. How may I assist you?" the maid inquired; her demeanor respectful. ire returned the smile, her voice poised as she spoke. "I''m here to see Gretta and Robert." The main nodded, offering to inform the couple about ire''s presence. "I''ll let them know ma''am." ire declined with a wave of her hand. "That won''t be necessary. I''ll just go and greet them myself." The maid nodded. "Of course, ma''am. They are at the backyard." "Thank you." ire''s heels clicked lightly on the marble floor as she made her way towards the backyard. ire spotted Gretta seated at a patio table, sipping tea and engrossed in a magazine. Nearby, Robert was ying ser with their Son "Ah, what a wonderful view," ire greeted them with a hint of sarcasm, causing Gretta to nce up from her reading and Robert to pause mid-game with their son ire''s smirk deepened as she observed their surprised expressions. "ire, what are you doing here?" Chapter 40 Chapter 40 The confrontation "Gretta, you don''t look happy seeing me here. "N-no, I was just surprised. I wasn''t expecting to see you." Gretta chuckled awkwardly as she set her magazine down. Robert quickly made his way to where ire stood at the backyard entrance. "ire, it''s been a while," a hint of formality in his tone. ire''s smirk was barely concealed as she basked in their surprised reactions. "Indeed, it has," she replied smoothly, taking a moment to soak in the atmosphere of the backyard. "Thest time I was here, I don''t remember this furniture and statue Gretta, did you have it redecorate?" "Um...well, you know me, I like to make everything perfect." Robert, growing impatient, interjected. "So, ire, what brings you here today?" ire raised an eyebrow, her gaze looking onto Robert''s. "We need to talk," she stated firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. Robert nced at Gretta before calling for the maid to bring their son, Mick, inside. ire took a seat on the couch in the backyard without waiting for an invitation, her posture exuding confidence. Gretta and Robert shared a look, Robert''s eyes conveying a message to Gretta to keep calm and not escte the situation. ire observed their silentmunication with a keen eye. "Please have a seat. Don''t be shy this is your house anyway," ire invited Robert and Gretta to sit. Lisa, observing the tension, crossed her legs and fixed her gaze on each of them in turn. Her eyes were sharp, like a snake assessing its prey. Breaking the silence, Robert addressed ire. "What is it that you need to talk about?" ire leaned back on the couch, a contemtive expression on her face. "The house," she began cryptically. Robert and Gretta exchanged puzzled nces. "What about the house?" Robert inquired, his tone guarded. ire''s gaze sharpened as she continued. "I mean my parents'' house. Did you sell it?" A tense silence hung in the air as Robert and Gretta froze, their expressions betraying a mix of surprise and unease. Robert cleared his throat, trying trying to maintainposure. "What do you mean by that, ire?" ire raised her eyebrows, her patience wearing thin. "I met the Jenkins," she stated inly. "They are the current owners of the house that once belonged to my parents. Does that ring a bell to either of you?" Gretta shifted ufortably in her seat, ncing at Robert for guidance. Robert''s jaw tightened as he processed ire''s words, realizing the gravity of the situation. "I-I don''t understand." ire''s expression remained unreadable as she absorbed their reactions. "Interesting," she murmured, her mind already piecing together the puzzle. "I think it''s time we had a more in-depth conversation about this." In a tense atmosphere, ire faced Robert and Gretta, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Someone told me about the house," ire began, her voice cold and hard, "and I''m not leaving until I get the truth." Robert sighed heavily. "Fine, ire," he relented, "I sold the house." H ire''s eyes narrowed, her anger simmering beneath the surface, "Why?" she demanded, her tone sharp and usatory. Robert struggled to find the right words. "We didn''t know what to do with it, ire. You disappeared, and your parents.... ire''s voice cut through his exnation, her eyes burning with intensity. "You sold my parents'' house without my consent, Robert. That''s not eptable. And to sell it at such a cheap price!" Robert clenched his fists, trying to control his rising anger. "We needed to move on, ire. It wasn''t about the money." Gretta, who had been silent until now, interjected nervously. "ire, we thought that you were dead along with your parents and we don''t want to be sad all the time. So, we decided to sell the house and thing that remind us of you and your parents especially when you are so nice to us." ire''s frown deepened at Gretta''s reasoning. "That''s no excuse," my family, Gretta, what about my mother''s jewelry?" She retorted sharply. "And speaking of things that remind you of Gretta froze, her eyes widening in surprise. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. ire''s smirk was both knowing and triumphant. "I thought so." Robert attempted to defend himself, his tone defensive. "I don''t know anything about the jewelry, ire. I swear." Gretta turned to her husband, her expression a mix of disbelief. ire''s gaze shifted between them, her mind calcting her next move. "To make things fair," she began, her voice measured, "how about you give me the Robertson Mansion after all it only makes sense since you two sold my parents'' house?" a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. Gretta''s eyes widened in rm, and she leaned forward, almost pleading "ire, please... We''ll do anything, but don''t take the house. This house means a lot to us." ire merely raised an eyebrow, her attention momentarily diverted to her impably polished nails. She enjoyed the power y, knowing she had the upper hand in this delicate negotiation. Robert looked at his wife incredulously, surprised by her reaction. ire raised a single brow, her expression unreadable. "Alright, I won''t take the house," she conceded, causing Gretta to visibly rx. But ire wasn''t finished. After a brief pau pause, she continued, "But I want my mother''s jewelry back." Gretta''s eyes widened in panic. "ire d-" Gretta words cut of short by Robert as he immediately made the deal "Agree, we agree. We will give you back your mother jewelry but don''t take the house." ire''s smirk turned mischievous. "Well, then I suppose we have a deal.'' Gretta''s expression fell, realizing she had little choice in the matter. "Fine," she relented reluctantly. After a brief moment of hesitation, Gretta nodded and left the room, returning clutching the precious jewelry in her hands. Robert gestured for her to approach ire. "Hand them over, Gretta." he instructed. ire stood up gracefully, her hands open to receive the jewelry. There was a heaviness in the air as Gretta reluctantly ced the jewelry in ire''s palms, her heart torn between resentment and resignation. "Thank you," ire said, though her tonecked warmth. As ire made her way to the front door, her shades back on, she turned to the couple with a final warning "Just a little reminder that any foolish actions, and I won''t hesitate to teach you a lesson." Her smile was sharp, her words a thinly veiled threat. With that, ire left the Robertson Mansion, leaving behind a sense of unease and tension in her wake. ire settled into the plush seat of her car, a contented smile gracing her lips as the driver steered away from Robertson mansion. In her hands, she held a jewelry box with a gentle click, ire opened the box, revealing a stunning ne. "It''s finally back, mum." ire muttered to herself as she admire the ne. "Driver, can we make a stop at the jewelry shop?" ire requested politely, catching the driver''s attention through the rearview mirror. "Of course,Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ma''am. Right away," the driver replied with a nod Back at the Robertson mansion, Robert and Gretta were left to consider what might happen if they happened to do something foolish in ire''s presence. Chapter 41 Chapter 41 The start of revenge? Gretta''s heart raced with anxiety as ire''s figure disappeared from view, leaving her alone with Robert in the mansion''s grand backyard. she even fit find out?" she blurted out to Robert, her voice tinged with panic. "What are we going to do about this? How did she Robert''s expression hardened as he turned to face Gretta. "Calm down, Gretta. There is nothing we can do," he said sternly, his tone brooking no argument. But Gretta was already on a rant, her emotions spilling out in a torrent of words. "I told you, Robert! I knew ire was after the mansion. And now she''s taken my jewelry too! It''s not fair!" Robert''s re silenced her instantly. "That ne is not even yours to begin with," he reminded her sharply. "You stole Mary ne." Gretta''s face flushed with embarrassment, but her anger quickly red up again. "I did not stole it! you gave it to me. You didn''t even fight back when she ask for the ne!" "Then what do you want me to do, huh? Argue with her? She has the upper hand now, Gretta. I have lost my position, and I can''t lose anything anymore." Gretta snapped. "Then you should do something instead ofying low or or ying hide and seek." "Do what? Eliminate her?" Robert sighed as he look into his wife''s eyes. "ire is smarter than I thought. She even found out about the house. So, anything we do will just make it worse." Gretta gritted her teeth in anger. "That d doesn''t matter! She''s taking everything that belongs to us!" Robert let out a tired sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Gretta, listen to me. We can''t do anything reckless. We need to handle this situation carefully." Gretta''s frustration bubbled over, and she snapped, "I will not just sit back and let her walk all over us!" Robert''s patience wore thin as he warned her sternly, "Gretta, I have warned you before. Don''t do anything stupid. You understand me?" With that, Robert turned and headed inside the house, leaving Gretta seething in the backyard. Her nails dug into her palms as tears of anger and frustration welled up in her eyes. In a fit of rage, Gretta grabbed a nearby teacup and hurled it to the ground, the shattering sound echoing in the quiet evening air. She let out a primal scream, her emotions boiling over. will take that ne back just you wait and see, ire. I will not just stand still ire strode confidently through the bustling headquarters of her side gig. As she made her way to her office, she couldn''t help but notice Matthew, sprawled in her chair with his legs propped up on the table. A mischievous smirk yed on ire''s lips as an idea formed in her mind. Quietly, she retrieved her phone and found an rm drill sound on YouTube. cing it near Matthew''s ear as she yed the sound. The sudden re echoes through the room waking Matthew from his sleeping state. His eyes widen from the rm sound. "Is there a fire?" ire couldn''t contain herughter, quickdy stopping the sound. It took a moment for Matthew to realize it was just a prank, and he shot ire a yful re before settling back into the chair with a groan. "Why''d you do that?" Matthew asked, still slightly disoriented from the sudden wake-up call. ire chuckled, taking a seat at her desk. "It''s the only way to wake you up sometimes, Matthew," As he rubbed his eyes, Matthew shifted the conversation to a recent confrontation ire had with the Robertsons. "How did the confrontation with the Robertsons go?" Matthew inquired; curiosity evident in his tone. ire shrugged nonchntly. "As expected, they denied twice and pretend to be stupid, but I held my ground." Matthew leaned in, clearly interested. "So, did the Robertsons really sell their house?" ire nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her expression. "Yes, they did. And when I found out, I decided to ask for their mansion in return. Fair trade, right?" the start of revenge Matthew''s lips curved into a smile at ire''s bold move. "And what happened?" ire''s smile widened as she leaned back in her chair. "Something unexpected obviously. Gretta Robertson begged me not to take the house. Said it held sentimental value. I decided to be generous and not press further." Matthew nodded appreciatively, impressed by ire''s tact. "You''re too kind sometimes, ire." ire waved off thepliment modestly, "I try. But I didn''t leave empty-handed. I asked for something even better." Matthew''s curiosity was piqued. "What did you ask for then?" ire leaned in closer, a yful glint in her eyes. "You''ll just have to wait and see, Matthew. Anyway, do you have any updates on An Smith, the drunk driver?" ire asked, her tone turned serious yetposed. "Let me grab the file." He replied before heading back to his office. Momentster, Matthew returned with a file in hand, which he handed to ire. She took a seat on the couch and opened the file, her eyes scanning the contents Inside, ire found a photo of An Smith along with his personal information. "He was 36 when he died, a truck driver," ire read aloud, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern. Flipping to the next page, ire''s eyes widened as she read further. "He had a family and a son," she remarked, ncing Matthew for confirmation. up at Matthew took a seat across from ire, his expression serious. "Yes, that''s correct. But when I tried to track down his family, I hit a dead end. Still working on it though." ire furrowed her brow. "We need to find them." she stated firmly. Matthew nodded. "I''ll keep digging We''ll find them." As ire delved deeper into the file file, she came across a photo of the car ident. Memories sh through her mind as she recalled that day. She could still remember the brutal crash. As if she was being transported back to the past. ire''s car got hit pretty badly that sent the car rolling and cut in half before falling down the cliff. Matthew noticed ire''s pale face and approached her side. A shudder ran through ire as she relived the moment in her mind''s eye. Her breath grew rigid, and herplexion paled noticeably. "ire are you okay?" he asked softly, his voice filled with genuine concern. ire took a moment topose herself, nodding slowly, "I''m okay, just... brought back some memories," she admitted, her voice slightly shaky. "Do you mind, I need some time alone." Understanding her need for space, Matthew gave her a reassuring nod. "Take all the time you need. I''ll be outside if you need anything," he offered before quietly leaving her office.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Alone in the silence of her office, ire took a deep breath, trying to push away the haunting memories that had resurfaced. Tears welled up in ire''s eyes. "Mum, dad, can I really do this?" She knew that confronting the past was never easy, but she also knew that there will be lots of challenges to uncover the truth. "No matter what it takes, I will bring justice to our family." Special Halloween T Treat More Coins, More Thrills! Chapter 42 Chapter 42 Wedding? In h'' spacious office with sleek modern furniture and a view of the city skyline, Alex sat at his desk, a frown etched on his face. He had just received unsettling news that the constructionpany his own firm had coborated with for years was nning to sever ties. This unexpected turn of events disrupted his ns and put a strain on the projects they were working on together. Alex tapped his pen on the desk, his mind racing with thoughts on how to fix the situation. Losing such a longstanding partnership would not only affect their ongoing projects but also cast doubt on the reliability of hispany in the eyes of potential clients. Deciding immediate action was necessary, Alex pressed the inte button. "Abby, could youe in for a moment?" he called out to his secretary. "Yes, Mr. Thompson. I''ll be right there," she replied through the inte. Mr. Harris?" Momentster, Abby entered the office with a notepad in hand. "You wanted to see me, M Alex nodded, gesturing for her to take a seat across from him. "Abby, I just got word that the constructionpany we''ve been working with for years is nning to end our partnership." That is so sudden. They have been a crucial part of our projects. What do you want me to do, sir?"This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. "1 need you to arrange a meeting with their key decision-makers as soon as possible," Alex replied, his tone firm butposed. "We need to understand their reasons and see if there''s any way we can fix this partnership." Abby jotted down the instructions swiftly. "Understood, Mr. Harris. I''ll reach out to them right away and schedule the meeting " "Thank you, Abby. Also, gather all the relevant documents and reports rted to our coboration with them. I want to be fully prepared for the meeting," Alex added, emphasizing the importance of being thorough in their approach "I''ll take care of it. Is there anything else you need right now?" Alex shook his head. "That will be all for now, Abby. Thank you." Lisa climber out from the car with a yful smile on her face. She is excited to surprise her boyfriend during his lunch break. She had wear a red dress that hugged her curves, feeling confident and wanting to catch his eye. As she walked into the bustlingpany building, her outfit turned heads, drawing attention from both male and female employees. With her lunch box in hand, Lisa confidently made her way to Alex''s office floor, her heels clicking on the polished floor. However, as she approached Alex''s office, his secretary intercepted her. "Excuse me, miss. Do you have an appointment with Mr. Alexander Harris?" the secretary inquired politely but firmly. Lisa''s expression turned sour as she frowned at the secretary. "Appointment? I don''t need an appointment to see my boyfriend," she retorted arrogantly. The secretary, taken aback by Lisa''s attitude, tried to exin, "I''m sorry, but Mr. Harris is currently busy. You can''t just barge into his office." Ignoring the secretary''s words, Lisa attempted to push past her and open the door to Alex''s office. Alex, who had been engrossed in work, looked up in surprise at themotion. His secretary quickly apologized to him for the disturbance caused by Lisa''s insistence on entering. "It''s fine, Abby. Thank you," Alex reassured her, gesturing for her to return to her desk. Lisa, with an air of triumph, strutted into Alex''s office, her gaze fixed on him. However, Alex''s expression was a mild disapproval as he took in Lisa''s attire. "Why are you dressed like that in the middle of the day?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Lisa''s initial excitement faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, putting on a shy smile. "I wanted to surprise you," she replied, trying to brush off his question. Alex let out a sigh, his tone gentle but firm. "You know, Lisa, that dress might not be suitable for the office. People might get the wrong impression and think you are a hooker." Lisa''s face fell slightly at the critique, but she masked it with a forced smile. "Oli, I see. I''ll keep that in mind," she replied, though internally, she felt a twinge of offense. Boyway, what are you doing here, Lisa?" Lise pulled Alex hand and lead him to the couch. She presented the lunch she had brought for Alex. Opening the lunch box, a delicious aroma filled the room, catching Alex''s attention immediately. Alex''s eyes lit up at the sight of the food. "Wow, this looks amazing," he eximed, taking a bite and savoring the vors. "Did you cook this by yourself?" Lisa nodded, beamed with pride. "I did." In truth Lisa has no idea when ites to cooking but she will do anything to get Alexpliment. Alex, thoroughly enjoying the meal, couldn''t help butpare Lisa''s cooking to his ex-wife''s ire couldn''t cook to save her life meanwhile Lisa is a great cooker, Or so he thought. "You are really skillful. Thank you, Lisa." he remarked with a grin. Lisa''s smile widened at thepliment. "I will do anything to make my boyfriend happy." Alex offered her a taste of the food, she declined. "I''m good. I am actually on a diet." He raised his brows in curiosity. "Why are you on a diet a all of a sudden?" Alex asked. Lisa shrugged, her face falling slightly. "I''m just trying to stick to my diet," she replied. "Is that all? You seem a bit off." Lisa hesitated before speaking, her voice softening. "I just want to look good for our wedding day." Alex''s eyes widened in surprise at her words, and he repeated, almost incredulously, "Wedding?" Lisa offered a small, innocent smile and nodded. "Yes, Alex. Our wedding " Alex blinked, processing the sudden turn in conversation. "Why are we talking about weddings all of a sudden?" Lisa''s expression shifted to one of feigned sadness. "Do y you not want to marry me, Alex?" Caught off guard by her emotional maniption, Alex quickly reassured her, "Of course I do, Lisa. But not so soon." "When then?" Alex sighed, feeling the weight of the conversation settling on his shoulders. "Soon. I promise we will get married, but let''s not rush things." Lisa''s next question caught him off guard. "What about meeting your parents?" Alex paused, his hands instinctively reaching out to rest on her shoulders. "Not right now, Lisa. Some other time." Lisa''s frustration bubbled to the surface, and she raised her voice slightly. "When is that? Are you embarrassed to have a girlfriend like me?" Alex''s expression hardened as he felt a twinge of irritation. "I''m not embarrassed, Lisa. It''s just too soon, especially after my divorce with ire" Lisa stood up abruptly, her anger evident. "It''s been a month, Alex. How can it still be too Alex pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the stress of the situation mounting. "Lisa, please. I have a lot on my te right now. We Candiscuss thister" Lisa frowned deeply and stormed out of the office. Alex watched her go, a look of frustration etched on his face. "Great," he muttered to himself, feeling the weight of personal and work pressing down on him simultaneously. "What''s with her today?" Chapter 43 Chapter 43 The proposal As Alex sat at his desk, trying to focus on work, a wave of guilt washed over him. The memory of his outburst with Lisa earlier in the day lingered in his mind, clouding his thoughts, and making it difficult to concentrate on the tasks at hand. He knew he had been harsh and impulsive, and the regret weighed heavily on his shoulders. The meeting that followed only added to Alex''s distraction. His mind kept drifting back to Lisa, imagining her tear-streaked face after their argument. "Abby, do I have another meeting?" "You don''t have any meeting, sir however you do have a dinner with Mr. Christian" "Tell him to reschedule. I have something more important things to do." H "Of course, sir. I will inform Mr. Christian about it" Around six in the evening, unable to shake off his remorse, Alex decided to call it a day and headed home earlier than usual. As he drove, the roads blurred beneath his contemtive gaze. Guilt gnawed at him, and he couldn''t bear the thought of being the cause of Lisa''s pain. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Alex''s mind raced with thoughts of how to make amends. At a red light, Alex''s fingers hovered over his phone, hesitating before dialing Lisa''s number. The first ring went unanswered, and so did the second. "Damn it! Why didn''t she answer?" Five attemptster, frustration mingled with his guilt as Lisa remained unreachable. An idea sparked in Alex''s mind, a small gesture to show Lisa that he cared. Without second-guessing himself, Alex changed his route and headed towards Cartier, a luxury jewelry store known for its exquisite pieces. Inside the store, Alex browsed through the disys, his eyes settling on a set of matching earrings and ne that he knew would suit Lisa''s style. But then, a radiant diamond ring caught his attention, its brilliance captivating him. Approaching one of the store staff, Alex inquired about the ring. "Could I take a closer look at that ring, please?" ""Of course, sir." The staff member smiled and brought out the ring, cing it delicately on a velvet tray. Alex''s eyes lit up as he examined the intricate details and the sparkde of the diamond "What do you think about the ring, sir?" "This is perfect," Alex muttered, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "Should I wrap it, sir?" *please" Without much thinking, he decided to purchase not just the earrings and ne but also the stunning diamond ring, wanting to surprise Lisa with something special. Before heading home, Alex made a quick stop at a flower shop. LE "How can I help you sir?" "Um do you have red roses? I am nning to propose." The old woman smiled. "We do have it. I will wrap it for you, sir." "Thank you, ma''am. Not only did Alex made a stop at the flower shop but also at a chocte store. He picked out a bouquet of Lisa''s favorite flowers and a box of her favorite choctes. With each purchase, Alex is keen to make things right and also to apologize to Lisa. At the penthouse, Lisa paced back and forth. Her usually confident demeanor was reced by a sense of panic that threatened to overwhelm her. Her thoughts raced, clouded by fears of what might happen if Alex didn''t want to marry her. The very idea sent a shiver down her spine, and her mind conjured images of losing everything she had worked so hard to achieve thevish lifestyle, the social status, the luxury that had be her norm, "What if he doesn''t want to marry me?" Lisa muttered to herself; her voice tinged with anxiety, "What if he leaves me?" The thought of reverting to her old life, her old apartment, and her previous job sent a wave of dread crashing over her. Lisa couldn''t bear the idea of going back to a life she had worked so tirelessly to escape. The thought alone made her want to scream in frustration and pull at her perfectly styled hair, "I can''t go back to my old life. I will never go back to that dread life. I need him to marry me," Lisa muttered, the desperation clear in her voice as she continued her restless pacingN?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Arriving home, Alex carried his thoughtful gifts inside, his heart racing with anticipation. Lisa sat on the edge of the bed, lost in her thoughts, when she heard Alex''s voice calling her. Quicklyposing herself, she wiped away imaginary tears and prepared to put on a convincing act. As Alex entered their room, he found Lisa crying. Her face buried in her hands as she let out fake sobs. Concerne he approached her gently. "Lisa, what''s wrong, he asked, his voice soft and soothing. baby?" etched on his features, Lisa''s fake cries grew louder, adding a touch of drama to her performance. She looked up at Alex with watery eyes and managed to choke out, "You don''t want to marry me." Alex''s heart sank at the sight of Lisa''s apparent distress. He sat down in front of her, his expression filled with regret. "Lisa, that''s not true," he reassured her, his voice sincere. "I do want to marry you. I'' stressed out H . I''m sorry for what happened earlier. I was just ""You mean it?" Lisa''s facade softened as she met Alex''s gaze. She sniffled, pretending to wipe away tears. Alex nodded earnestly. "Y and I was under too much stress. So please don''t be mad at me again." I do. I love you, Lisa, Please forgive me. I shouldn''t haveshed out like that to you. You were just asking. Feeling guilty for causing Lisa distress, Alex pulled out the bouquet of flower he hid behind his back along with the box of chocte he bought earlier. He handed them to Lisa with a gentle smile. "I got these for you. Your favorite. I hope they make you feel better." Lisa took the gifts, her eyes lighting up as she admired the flowers. "Red roses. They''re beautiful. Thank you, Alex." she remarked, her voice genuine despite the act she was putting on As Lisa was distracted by the flowers, Alex took a deep breath and made a decision. He got down on one knee in front of Lisa, holding out a small velvet box. "Lisa, will you marry me?" he asked, his voice filled with love and determination. Lisa''s eyes widened in surprise, momentarily caught off guard by Alex''s unexpected proposal. "You want to marry "Yes. She stood up from the bed, her movements slow and deliberate as she walk walked to the windows. Alex followed her, concerned on his features," Lisa, what''s wrong?" he asked Lisa turned to tace him. "Alex, are you sure about this? Is this because of our argument earlier?" she asked. Alex''s eyes softened as be gently cupped her cheek, his touch warm and reassuring. "No, Lisa. I want to marry you b he replied earnestly. "And I promised you, back when you were in the hospital, that I would marry you. reaching out to touch her arm. Alex went down on one knee again, his eyes locked on Lisa''s. "Lisa, will you marry m love because I love you, he asked, his voice filled with conviction and Chapter 44 Chapter 44 Invitation The seemed to hold its breath as he opened the box again, revealing a dazzling diamond ring. For a moment, Lisa was speechless, her hand flying to her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. "I-I will marry you, Alexander Harris!" A surge e of joy and relief washed over her as Alex slipped the ring onto her finger. It was a moment she had dreamed of, and now it was finallying true. Lisa felt her worries melt away, reced by a sense of tion and anticipation for their future together As Alex stood up, a smile lighting up his face, he revealed another surprise-a Cartier bag Lisa''s eyes widened once more, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of the luxurious gift. "What''s this?" She took the bag eagerly, her hands trembling with excitement. "Open it," Alex urged, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. Lisa carefully opened the bag and found a jewelry box inside. As she lifted the lid, her breath caught in her throat. Nestled within was a stunning piece of jewelry, "Oh, Alex, it''s beautiful," Lisa eximed, her eyes shining with tears of joy. She threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Thank you, thank you so much. But this is all too much, Alex." Alex returned her embrace, his heart swelling with happiness at her reaction. "You deserve it, Lisa. I want to make you happy, and 1 don''t care how much I spend as long as it makes you happy." "I''m so lucky to have you." "I think I should be the one who said that." Alec chuckled lightly. "I''m going to go freshen up." Lisa nodded; a soft smile grace her lips. As they savored the moment together, Alex excused himself to go to the bathroom, leaving Lisa alone with her thoughts. As soon as he was out of sight, Lisa''s expression shifted from joy to a sly smirk "I hate crying." She wiped away a few stray tears, her mind racing with thoughts. She hadn''t expected Alex to fall for her act so easily. Lisa had yed the part of the loving, devoted girlfriend perfectly, but deep down, her motivations were far from genuine. "I didn''t thought he will fall so easily." She muttered to herself. Gazing at the diamond ring on her finger, Lisa''s smirk widened. She was one step closer to her ultimate goal-bing Mrs. Harris. The thought of the wealth and status that woulde with marrying Alex fueled her imagination. Lisa''s mind was already plotting her next moves. She had secured her ce in Alex''s life, and now she would use that position to further her own ambitions, no matter the cost. As Alex finished freshening up, he walked toward his walk-in closet to change out of his working suit However, just as he open his closet, his phone ring with an iing call Alex retrieved his phone and answered, greeted by the familiar voice of his secretary. "Hello, Abby," Alex greeted her "Good evening, Mr. Reynolds," Abby replied promptly. "I wanted to inform you about an uing event. Mr. Saint Laurent''s birthday party is tomorrow." "Mr. Saint Laurent?" "Yes, sir." Alex became intrigued when he heard about Mr. Saint Laurent, a renowned investor. "Ah, yes. Thank you for reminding me. I assume you have the invitation?" "I was actually about to inform you and give you the invitation, but I realized you had already left the office." "No worries, Abby. Could you please send the invitation to my penthouse?" "Of course, Mr. Harris. I''ll take care of it right away," Abby assured him before ending the call. As Alex put his phone down, he couldn''t help but think about the potential benefits of attending Mr. Saint Laurent''s birthday party. Connecting with influential businessmen and women from around the world could open up new opportunities. Lisa approached him with a warm smile. "Who was that?" Alex looked up and smile as he saw Lisa. "Oh, it was my secretary. She was informing me about tomorrow event." Lisa crossed her arms over her chest. "Hm...I don''t like her." Alex raised his brows, curious to what Lisa has to say. "And why is that?" "I don''t know. Maybe because she was not allowing me to meet my boyfriend and they way she looked at me as if I''m a nobody. "Rx, Lisa she as just doing her job. I told her to not let anyone in including Christian." "Okay, anyway, the celebration dinner for our engagement is all set. Are you ready?" "You made a dinner?" Lisa nodded. "I left you for awhile and hear you are making dinner already. How perfect can you be?"Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Alex ced his hands on her waist and kissed her forehead. "I''ll meet you downstairs, okay?" ire sat in her office study at her penthouse, engrossed in reviewing some documents when her phone rang. She nced at the caller ID and answered promptly, "Hello, Sandra." "Good afternoon, ire. I just wanted to inform you that we''ve received an invitation for Mr. Saint Laurent''s birthday part ire''s eyebrows raised in surprise at the unexpected news. "Oh? That''s interesting. I wasn''t expecting an invitation, especially from Mr. Saint Laurent himself" ire thought to herself maybe the stunt she took at Robert son''s birthday party was actually not a bad idea. She couldn''t help but smile at the recalling of the incident. "Very well, Sandra. Please send the invitation to my penthouse. And also, could you do me a favor? I want you to find a ''Paul Newman! Rolex Daytona watch." Sandra''s curiosity was piqued. "A ''Paul Newman'' Rolex? May Lask why?" ire leaned back in her chair, considering her words. "Mr. Saint Laurent is a wealthy and sessful investor, so he doesn''t really need a gift. But I believe it''s important to honor him with something special, considering the asion." Sandra nodded understandingly. "I''ll take care of it, ire. Anything else you need?" ire thought for a moment before responding. "No, that''s all for now. Thank you, Sandra." After ending the call, ire returned to her work, her mind already dritting to the uing birthday celebration. She had always admired Mr. Saint Laurent''s a renowned businessman and felt it was a privilege to be invited to his special day. She thought for a while before dialing, Matthew. It doesn''t take long for him to answer it. "What''s up, boss?" ire rolled her eyes at the name calling. "Are you free tomorrow?" "Why?" "Because I wanted you to apany me to, Mr. Saint Laurent birthday party." Matthe straighten up as he heard the name as his interest piqued. "Saint Laurent? The saint Laurent?" "Yes, Matt. So, are you free?" "Hm sorry I can''t even though I really wanted to, but I can''t. There''s something wrong with the Cryptonic website." ire ears perked up at the mention of her website. "What is wrong?" "I''m still figuring out, don''t worry. It''s not as bad as you thought." "okay but inform me if you find something suspicious. I can''t have people find out about the one behind it." "I will, ire. Don''t worry. Just enjoy the party." pter 44 invitation "Okay, thanks, Matt." The call ended and ire leaned back to her chair. "Now which dress should I wear?" Special Halloween Treat: More Coins, More Thrills! Chapter 45 Chapter 45 Birthday party The day of Mr. Saint Laurent''s birthday celebration had arrived, and ire was busy preparing for the event. She had hired a makeup artist and hairstylist to ensure she looked her best for the asion. ire also has invited Talia to help her getting ready. As Talia rummaged through ire''s closet, her eyesnded on a stunning white long-sleeve split maxi dress. With excitement, she pulled it out and presented it to ire, who was in the midst of getting her nails and hair done.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ire raised her eyebrows at the sight of the white dress, a hint of skepticism in her expression "Isn''t this a bit too... I don''t know...bridal?" she remarked, her voice tinged with amusement. Talia waved off ire''s concern with a dismissive gesture. "Oh,e on, ire. It''s gorgeous, and even if it were a wedding dress, who cares? You''ll look stunning in it." ire couldn''t help but smile at Talia''s enthusiasm. "Alright, you''ve convinced me. Let''s go with it." With her hair and makeuppleted, ire turned her attention to Talia. "You shoulde to the party with me, Talia. It''ll be fun." "I don''t know...I mean I don''t even know the old man and I don''t want to be stamp as an uninvited guest who so desperately want to attend." ire chuckled. "Oh,e on no one will think that and beside you are with me, and I got the invitation." "Okay, okay, you convince me. I''lle with you," "Greta!" ire instructed the makeup artist and hairstylist to work their magic on Talia while she headed to change into her chosen dress. Just as she was about to slip into it, the doorbell of her penthouse rang. Opening the door, ire greeted Sandra with a warm smile. Sandra handed her a watch, which ire had asked her to find. "Here is the watch you told me to find, Ms. Peterson." "Thank you, Sandra. I don''t know how you managed to find it, but this will be a perfect present for Mr. Saint Laurent." ire said appreciatively, her satisfaction evident. "You''re wee, miss." cing the watch on a table, ire hurried back upstairs to change into her outfit for the evening. The white off-shoulder dress hugged her figure elegantly, and she couldn''t help but smile at her reflection in the mirror. "Talia wasn''t wrong. It does look stunning " Meanwhile, Talia emerged from the makeup session, looking stunning with her makeup and hair styled to perfection. ire insisted that Talia choose a dress from her closet for the party, adding to the excitement of their evening together. As they made their way out of the penthouse, Talis couldn''t contain her excitement. "I can''t believe we''re going to Mr. Saint Laurent''s party together! This is going to be amazing," she eximed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. ire smiled, d to see Talia''s enthusiasm. "It''s going to be a great night, Talia. I''m d you''re here with me." As the sleek ck car glided through the city streets, ire couldn''t help but feel a flutter of nervousness in her stomach. This was the first time she would be facing Mr. Saint Laurent after her disappearance, and the anticipation weighed heavily on her. Beside her, Talia, her trusted friend and confidante, noticed ire''s unease. "Are you okay, ire?" Talia asked softly, her concern evident in her voice. ire took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "I''m fine, Talia. Just a bit nervous, It''s been a while since I have seen Mr. Saint Laurent." Ta gave her a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry, ire, You''ll be fine. And he probably still be the same old man you sawst time." their elegant The car pulled up in front of the grand hotel where the extravagant event was taking ce. ire and Talia stepped out, attire befitting the asion. They made their way inside, greeted by the opulent surroundings of the ballroom. "The invitations, please," the guards requested as they reached the entrance to t the ballroom. ire handed over their invitations, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Once inside, Talia''s eyes widened in awe at the grandeur of the event. "This ce is so fancy," Talia whispered to ire, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ire chuckled softly. "Wee to Mr. Saint Laurent''s world. He spares no expense when ites to his parties," Deciding it was best to meet Mr. Saint Laurent, ire guided Talia through the sea of elegantly dressed guests. Her eyes scanned the room until she spotted him engaged in conversation with other attendees. With a confident stride, ire approached him, Talia following closely behind. "Mr. Saint Laurent," ire greeted him with a warm smile as she reached his side. His eyes widened in surprise as he turned to face her. "ire, my dear, I can''t believe it''s you. I heard you were... delight to see you again." well, gone. ire offered him a small gift wrapped in exquisite paper. "Happy birthday, Mr. Saint Laurent. It''s a pleasure to be here." "ire, you didn''t have to bring a gift." He said feeling touched by the gesture. ire waved off his concern with augh. "Nonsense, it''s the least I can do after receiving such a gracious invitation." She then turned to Talia, introducing her to Mr. Saint Laurent. "This is Talia, a dear friend of mine. I hope you don''t mind me bringing her along." Mr. Saint Laurent chuckled warmly. "Not at all, ire. The more, the merrier. Talia, it''s a pleasure to meet you." Talia smiled. "Happy birthday, sir. Thank you for allowing me toe." "Thank you dear, please enjoy the party," ire turned to her. "I''m going to meet with youter." Talia nodded, understanding the situation, and walked away. Instead, she decided to find their respective tables. Alex stared out of the window as the cityscape whizzed by. Beside him, Christian, nced over with a curious expression. "So, why''d you ask me toe along instead of Lisa?" Christian inquired, his tone casual but tinged with curiosity. Alex chuckled softly. "Mate, it''s fiance now," he corrected with a grin, watching as Christian''s eyes widened in surprise. "Fiance? Are you serious?" Christian''s disbelief was palpable as he turned fully to face Alex. Alex raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Yes, I''m serious. I proposedst night." Christian let out a low whistle, shaking his head in astonishment, "Wow, I didn''t see thating. Does your family know about this?" "Not yet, but I n on telling them soon." Christian leaned back in his seat, a mix of excitement and disbelief evident on his face. "Man, I can''t believe my best friend is getting married again." Alex rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Yeah, yeah, keep it together, mate. It''s not that big of a deal." Their conversation was interrupted by the driver announcing their arrival at their destination. "We have arrived, sir." the driver announced. As Alex and Christian stepped out of the car and walked towards the hotel entrance, Christian suddenly turned to Alex with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hey, did you remember to bring Mr. Saint Laurent a present?" Christian''s question caught Alex off guard, and his eyes widened in realization. "Shit! I totally forgot!" Chapter 46 Chapter 46 That went well ire sat next to Mr. Saint Laurent at the table, their conversation taking a serious turn as he wonder about ire disappearance for praes. to see you back in one piece, ire," Mr. Saint Laurent remarked, rellef evident in his tone as he sipped his wine. "It''s good to ire offered a small smile in return. "Thank you, Mr. Saint Laurent. It''s been quite a journey.'' His curiosity getting the better of him, Mr. Saint Laurent leaned forward slightly. "May I ask where you went for three years? I heard about your parents passing during that time." ire''s ears perked up at the mention of her parents. "Where did you hear about that?Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Mr. Saint Laurent chuckled softly. "Well, it''s a bit of a story. 2 years ago, I overheard a conversation while I was at the police station. I was there to report one of my employees, but as luck would have it, I caught wind of your parents names being mentioned." ire raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "So, you were eavesdropping?" Mr. Saint Laurent nodded, a twinkle of humor in his eyes. "It was my first time, I assure you." Curiosity gnawed at ire. "What did the police say about my parents?" Mr. Saint Laurent leaned back, recalling the moment. "They were speaking in hushed tones, so I couldn''t catch everything, apologize for this old man ear. But when I heard your parents names, I couldn''t ignore it. I approached them, and they seemed a bit taken aback." "What did they tell you?" "They mentioned that your parents bodies were never found, but they did identify the car," Mr. Saint Laurent exined gently. ire''s breath caught in her throat as she absorbed the new information. "I see." Mr. Saint Laurent nodded sympathetically. "I tried calling you multiple times, but there was no response. No one seemed to know where you were." H "I''m sorry for worrying you, Mr. Saint Laurent. "Nonsense, ire. Your father and 1 were friends, and you are like my granddaughter." ire smile gratefully at him. "Thank you, Mr. Saint Laurent." Mr. Saint Laurent reached out, cing aforting hand on ire''s shoulder. "I''m just d to see you back, ire." "Thank you for sharing this with me, Mr. Saint Laurent. It means a lot." He nodded in understanding "Of course, dear. Just never disappear without a phone call." ire chuckled lightly. "I promise, no more disappearing acts." "Anyway, my grandson hase back to London, visiting his old man. Do you mind if I introduce you to him?" ire was a bit stunned but smile. "Is he not here today?" got that f Mr. Saint Laurent rolled his eyes. "That child is a workaholic. I don''t know where he got from, but he currently is in a meeting." Even though ire is not looking for a rtionship in the moment, she couldn''t bear to reject, Mr. Saint Laurent offered especially since he is so kind towards ire and this is the least she can do for him. "Of course, sir. Just tell me when and where and I will try to spare my time. Mr. Saint Laurent pped his hands looking excited. "That is great, my dear! I am so d you agree." ire then excused herself to visit thedies. Her mind can''t help d drifted back to the information she receive from Mr. Saint Laurent. She can''t help but wonder why the police were talling in hushed tones? As if they don''t want people to find out about it. It was clear that there was more to the story than what she had initially known, and she resolved to dig deeper to find the truth about the ident. As ire was out of view, at the same time, Alex make his way to Mr. Saint Laurent. With Christian by his side, Alex walked over to Mr. Saint Laurent''s table, introducing himself with a warm smile. "Good evening, Mr. Saint Laurent. My name is Alexander Harris, and this is my colleague Christian," Alex greeted him politely, extending his hand. Mr. Saint Laurent returned the gesture with a friendly smile. "Ah, yes, Alexander Harris. I''ve heard about you. Pleasure to finally meet you in person. "Thank you, sir. The pleasure is all mine and I wish you a happy birthday, sir." "Thank you, son." Alex''s smile faltered momentarily as he realized he had forgotten to bring a present for the asion. "I apologize for not bringing a gift. Itpletely slipped my mind." Mr. Saint Laurent waved off his concern with a chuckle. "Oh, don''t worry about that, Alex. I don''t need any gifts. However, speaking of gifts..." he took the watch on the table as he show it to Alex causing his eyes to widen "This was gifted to me tonight," Mr. Saint Laurent exined, holding up the exquisite timepiece for Alex and Christian to see Alex nced at the watch box; his curiosity piqued. It was a "Paul Newman" Rolex Daytona watch, a rare and highly coveted piece known for its exclusivity. Only six of these watches existed in the entire world, making it a collector''s dream. "Wow, that''s quite a gift," Alex remarked, impressed by the rarity of the watch. Mr. Saint Laurent chuckled, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "Indeed, it is. The person who gave me this always surprising me." of has her ways o Alex couldn''t help but be intrigued. "May I ask where your guest found such a rare piece?" he inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him. Mr. Saint Laurent leaned back in his chair, a smile ying on his lips as he admired the watch. "Let''s just say she has her connections in the right ces. It is one of her specialties." Alex chuckled, acknowledging the mystery and excitement that often apanied such high-profile gatherings. "Yare lucky to have such guest, Mr. Saint Laurent." Heughed and nodded agreeing with Alex. "You are right, Mr. Harris." With the watch ced carefully back on the table, Mr. Saint Laurent smoothly transitioned the conversation to another topic of interest "Mr. Haris, I''ve heard about your hotel project in Las Vegas. How is thating along?" Mr. Saint Laurent inquired; genuine interest evident in his voice. Alex''s eyes lit up with enthusiasm as he spoke about the progress of his hotel venture. "It''s going really well. We''ve been focusing on. creating a unique experience for our guests, blending luxury with a touch of technology." Mr. Saint Laurent nodded approvingly. "That sounds unique. Las Vegas is always in need of fresh ideas and upscale amodations. I look forward to seeing your projecte to fruition." The conversation flowed smoothly as Alex shared more details about his vision for the hotel, exchanging insights with Mr. Saint Laurent about the hospitality industry and uing trends. "We should talk over coffee sometimes. Keep me updated will you, son? And maybe I will n to invest." Mr. Saint Laurent patted his shoulder as he excused himself to greet other guest. "Wow...didn''t thought that went well." Christian said as he took a ss of champagne. "That went more than well. I''m going to go order a whiskey to celebrate it." Alex head over to the bar leaving Christian alone. As he drink his champagne, someone identally bump into him spilling all the content on his suit "Shit!" Chapter 47 Chapter 47 Happy birthday Talia made her way through the crowded room of the party, her gaze focused on her phone as she checked a message. In her distraction, she identally bumped into Christian, causing his champagne to spill onto his clothes. "Oh no, I''m so sorry!" Talia gasped, her eyes widening in rm as she noticed the stain spreading on Christian''s suit. Christian blinked in surprise, then let out a soft sigh. "It''s alright, idents happen," he reassured her, though there was a hint of annoyance at the inconvenience. Feeling guilty, Ta quickly grabbed a napkin from a nearby table and started dabbing at the stain. "I''m really sorry, I didn''t mean to ruin your suit," she apologized again, her voice tinged with regret. Christian chuckled awkwardly, trying to ease the tension. "Don''t worry about it. It''s just a little spill, nothing major." Despite his reassurance, Talia''s panic didn''t subside. "I''ll rece your shirt, or I can have it dry cleaned," she offered, her voice slightly frantic. Before Christian could decline her offers, Talia kept talking, almost rambling. "I''ll do anything to make it up to you, really. I''m so sorry." Christian nced at Ta, finally taking notice of her beyond the mishap. He was struck by how beautiful she looked, even in her flustered state. "It''s really not necessary," he started to say, but Talia''s persistence caught him off guard. Talia shot him a small, apologetic smile. "I just feel terrible about this. Please, let me make it right" Christian found himself at a loss for words. He had been too preupied with his now stained suit that he didn''t take a good look of the person who bumped into him. "Hey, are you okay? Talia asked him as Christian kept staring at her. Christian nced up and nodded. "Um yes, I''m fine. Excuse me." Talia watched him go with a confused expression etched on her face. She me herself for being so clumsy and reckless. She watched his figure disappear from the crowd before continuing her walk ire gracefully made her way through the crowded venue, her confident stride drawing attention as she headed towards the bar. She settled onto a stool and ordered her favorite drink, a martini, with a hint of anticipation in her eyes. As she waited for her order, a familiar voice spoke from behind her. "Back then, you never liked to drink," the voice remarked, causing ire to turn with a frown It was Alex, standing there with an air of familiarity that she found irritating. She rolled her eyes in response to hisment. "We should really stop meeting like this. It''s bing quite tiresome," she retorted, her toneced with annoyance. Alex scoffed, his expression mirroring her irritation. "I could say the same thing," he replied dryly, leaning against the bar counter. Their drinks arrived, and ire wasted no time in taking a sip of her martini, relishing the smoothness of the alcohol. She ordered another without hesitation, a subtle defiance in her actions. Alex couldn''t help but notice her second order. "Going for round two already?" he remarked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. ire nced at him coolly: "I can handle it," she replied confidently, taking another sip as if to prove her point.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Alex shifted the conversation, his tone slightly usatory. "How did you even get in here? This party is by invitation only," he pointed out, raising an eyebrow. A smirk curled up on ire''s lips, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Oh, Alex, I have my ways," she replied cryptically, enjoying the of mystery. air Alex narrowed his eyes, not buying into her vague response. "You probably sneaked in," he remarked, a touch of arrogance in his tone. ire''s eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "Sneak in? Me? How scandalous," she quipped sarcastically, lifting her ss of martini "But enough about me. You envy me, Alex? You don''t like seeing me doing much better than you?" she added with a smirk, a subtle jab at their past encounters. Alex''s jaw clenched; his frustration evident. He took a swig of his whiskey, the burn of the alcohol serving as a distraction from the tension between them. "You always have a way with words, ire," he replied curtly, his gaze following her as she stood up and walked away. There was a lingering sense of unease in the air once ire left, a reminder of theirplicated past. Ales watched her retreating figure, his thoughts swirling with a mixture of irritation and a strange kind of admiration for her unwavering confidence. The lively chatter and clinking of sses filled the air as guests mingled at the elegant party venue. The host''s voice cut through the buzz, announcing that it was time for everyone to take their seats at their respective tables. Christian made his way towards the bar with an eager gleam in his eyes. Alex watched him, raising his brows in mild confusion at his friend sudden appearance. He followed Christian''s movements, noting the flustered expression on his face. "Hey, what''s up with you?" Alex asked as he joined Christian at the bar, curious about his friend''s unusual behavior. Christian stared nkly for a moment, lost in his thoughts before finally looking up at Alex. "Mate, I just saw the most beautiful girl," he confessed. Alex chuckled, understanding Christian''s distraction. "Ah, I see. Take it easy, mate. Don''t drink too much and make a fool of yourself," he teased lightly, patting Christian on the back. Christian snapped out of his daze. "Might as well do it. I made a fool of myself earlier." "Things happened, mate. I''m sure you will find your way to charm her." With that, they made their way back to their designated table. The atmosphere was festive, with anticipation building for the celebration ahead. As everyone settled in, the host took the stage once more, a microphone in hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for joining us tonight. We have a special asion to celebrate, as it''s Mr. Saint Laurent''s birthday!" The room erupted in apuse and cheers as Mr. Saint Laurent, a distinguished figure in the business world, acknowledged the well-wishes with a gracious smile. The host continued, "Before we proceed with the birthday festivities and the cake-cutting ceremony, we have a special treat for our guest of honor. We''ll be treated to a performance by Elton John!" Excitement buzzed through the crowd as everyone eagerly anticipated the musical performance. Alex leaned over to Christian, a grin on his face. "Looks like it''s going to be a memorable night." The lights dimmed slightly, setting the stage for the singer''s entrance. Mr. Saint Laurent''s face lit up with delight as he recognized the music. The singer''s voice was mesmerizing, drawing everyone into the performance. "Now, it''s time for the birthday celebration!" But before the guests could start singing, Mr. Saint Laurent asked the host to lend him a mic. "Thank you all for being here tonight. I am truly blessed to celebrate my 80th birthday surrounded by dear friends, colleagues, and family." Mr. Saint Laurent''s gaze then shifted,nding on ire, who was among the guests. "And it would be a shame if I didn''t acknowledge someone special who has graced us with her presence tonight. ire, would you do me the honor of joining me on stage?" Special Halloween Treat More Coins, More Thrills! Chapter 48 Chapter 48 Unexpected turn of events "ire, would you do me the honor of joining me on stage?" ire''s eyes widened in surprise; her expression momentarily stunned. However, sheposed herself quickly and offered a shy smile to the guests before making her way to the stage. Alex watched in astonishment, his mind racing with questions. He had not expected ire to have any connection to Mr. Saint Laurent, let alone be invited to join him on such an asion. As ire reached the stage, Mr. Saint Laurent greeted her warmly. Alex couldn''t help but exchange a puzzled look with Christian, both wondering about the unexpected turn of events. "Isn''t that?" Christian didn''t even finish his words as Alex cut him off. Yes. A stunned expression etched on their faces watching the unexpected turn of events in front of their eyes. The sc scene was shocking and intriguing at the same time, lending a sense of mystery to the celebration of the birthday that was very lively. As ire and Mr. Saint Laurent stood together on stage, Alex couldn''t shake off the feeling that there was more to their connection than met the eye. Alex''s mind raced with questions. How did ire know such a prominent figure in the business world? Mr. Saint Laurent wasn''t someone one could casually meet, yet ire seemed to have a powerful connection with him. Alex couldn''t help but feel a tinge of suspicion as he wandered about the woman his grandfather had brought into their lives. As the guests sang, the candles were blown, and the cake was cut, Alex observed ire and Mr. Saint Laurent Interacting on stage ire and Mr. Saint Laurent gracefully made their way down from the stage. call my name up there?"* ire, still glowing from the festivities, approached Mr. Saint Laurent with a curious smile. "Why did you call my she asked, her toneced with curiosity. Mr. Saint Laurent chuckled warmly, his eyes twinkling. "I apologize if I caught you off guard, ire. But I wanted to take that moment to celebrate your return," ire''s smile widened, touched by the gesture. "You really didn''t have to do all that," she replied, feeling grateful for the warm wee back Mr. Saint Laurent chuckled warmly. "Nonsense, ire. You''re a part of the family, and it''s only right to celebrate your return" ire''s gratitude was evident as she thanked him again. Thank you, Mr Saint Laurent." Realizing that Mr. Saint Laurent was in demand and needed to mingle with other guests, ire excused herself politely. "I won''t keep you for long. I''m sure there are others eager to speak with you." Mr. Saint Laurent nodded, giving her a warm smile. "Of course, ire. Enjoy the rest of the evening." As ire made her way back to her table, she noticed an excited look on Talia''s face. "Oh, ire, everyone is talking about you!" Talia eximed, her eyes sparkling with excitement." ire raised an eyebrow in amusement. "What are they saying?" Talia voice hushed with excitement. "They''re whispering about how Mr. Saint Laurent called you to the stage. It''s got everyone curious." ire chuckled softly, realizing the chatter surrounding her unexpected moment in the spotlight. "I suppose it did catch everyone by surprise," she remarked, recalling the moment. "They''re probably wondering what''s your rtionship is with Mr. Saint Laurent," she added. ire chuckled. "Let them wonder. I would like to keep it that way besides it is more fun." Alex''s attention was fixed on ire as she conversed with Talia, her grace and poise drawing his gaze like a ma. Beside him, Christian settled in, his eyes scanning the room beforending on the conversation between ire and Talia. "Hey, Alex," Christian leaned in, catching Alex''s attention. "That girl next to ire, she''s the one who spill champagne on me earlier." Alex diverted his gaze from ire to Christian, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "You mean she''s ire''s friend?" Christian shrugged; his expression nonchnt. "I don''t know for sure. But they seem pretty close " Alex shook his head slightly, a mix of disbelief and annoyance flickering in his eyes. "Out of all the people in this ballroom, you bump into ire''s friend?" Christian chuckled, sensing Alex''s frustration. "Hey, it was just an ident. Besides, she seems nice." "Nice?" Alex echoed incredulously. "Christian, I''ve told you before, I''m not a fan of ire or anyone associated with her. Besides, you did say you were bewitched by her beauty carlier." "Yes, but-" "But she is ire friends." Christian narrowed his eyes to Alex. "You know, just because she''s ire''s friend doesn''t mean she''s the same as ire. Besides, the nice and kind." "If only you knew." est time I met ire, she was really Christian leaned back, studying Alex with a knowing look. "Is it just because she''s friend with ire or is there more to it?" "Listen, mate, my advice would be to steer clear of ire and her circle. It''s better to avoid any unnecessary drama." "But she''s your ex-wife." "So? Do you see me talking to her?" Christian shook his head. "Exactly." Christian doesn''t seem to understand Alex dislike to ire which be can''t help but wonder how Alex married her in the first ce. ire who is enjoying a slice of cake and chatting with Talia was surprised with an unexpectedpany, She noticed Mr. Saint Laurent approaching their table, apanied by a young man who appeared to be his grandson. ire smiled warmly as they approached.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. "Ah, ire, my dear," Mr. Saint Laurent greeted her with a smile. "I''d like you to meet my grandson, Adrian " ire stood up gracefully, extending her hand to Adrian. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Adrian," she said cordially. Adrian, who seemed a bit tense and serious, shook her hand with a polite nod. "Likewise, ire Mr. Saint Laurent beamed with pride. "ire is not only a close friend, but she is also a sessful businesswoman." ire nodded, offering a friendly smile. "Thank you, Mr. Saint Laurent. That is kind of you to say that." Mr. Saint Laurent turned to his grandson. "Why don''t you you two get get to know each other a bit better? I''ll leave you to it." He then motioned for Talia to apany him. "Talia, would you dear and apany me mingling with the guest?" Talia, who had been indulging in cake and caught off guard by the sudden invitation, quickly stood up, wiping a stray crumb from her mouth. "Of course, Mr. Saint Laurent. It was lovely meeting you, Adrian," she said with a slightly apologetic smile before following Mr. Saint Laurent ire and Adrian were lett standing awkwardly for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. ire decided to break the silence with a light-heartedment. "Well, that was unexpected," she remarked with a chuckde, trying to ease the tension "I apologize for my grandfather''s impromptu introductions, He can be quite enthusiastic." ire waved off his apology with a smile. "No need to apologize, Adrian. It''s all in good spirits." They both nced around the room, taking in the lively atmosphere of the event. ire took a sip of her drink, then Adrian gestured towards the empty chair. "Shall we take a seat and chat for a bit?" Chapter 49 Chapter 49 You are unbelievable! Alex eyes trained on ire. His gaze e are filled with interest and curiosity. She was engaged in conversation with a man whom Mr. Saint Laurent had introduced earlier, and Alex''s curiosity piqued. His eyes perked up slightly, but there was also a furrow in his brow as he watched ire and the man take a seat together. He couldn''t quite pinpoint why but seeing them together irked him slightly. The background music shifted to a slower tempo, setting a more romantic ambiance. As Alex observed, something mischievous flickered in his mind. He turned to his friend Christian, leaning in to speak quietly over the music. "I will be right back," Alex announced, though he didn''t borate on his sudden departure. Christian raised an eyebrow, curious but used to Alex''s spontaneous nature. Before Christian could inquire further, Alex had already slipped away from their table, his eyes fixed on ire and herpanion. His n was to interrupt their conversation or maybe even pull a prank. However, just as Alex was about to put his n into action, a voice called out his name, causing him to pause mid-step. It was Mr. Waller, the businessman who owned the furniture shopping brand with which Alex had a long-standing partnership for all the Harris hotels "Alex, there you are! I''ve been wanting to catch up with you," Mr. Walker said warmly as he approached, his presencemanding Alex''s attention Torn between his professional etiquette and his desire to pull a prank, Alex found himself in a dilemma. He couldn''t simply ignore Mr. Walker, as it would be disrespectful given their business rtionship. "Mr. Walker, good to see you," Alex greeted him with a smile, albeit a slightly distracted one. ur new hotel in Las Mr. Walker continued, unaware of Alex''s internal struggle. "I wanted to ask you about the furniture regarding your Vegas." "Oh yeah, of course, Mr. Walker." Ignoring the n he had in mind, he decided that businesses first. He can take care of ire another time. "You can dance right?" Meanwhile on the dance floor, Adrian ask ire for a dance. ire chuckled lightly. "Don''t worry, I won''t step on your feet. The ballroom glowed with soft light, casting a warm ambiance over the dancing couples. ire and Adrian gracefully waltzed to the rhythm of the music; their steps synchronized as they engaged in light conversation. Not one for small talk, ire found herself thinking of a topic to talk. On the other hand, Adrian was good starting a conversation. "My grandpa spoke highly of you," Adrian mentioned. ire smiled warmly. "Your grandpa is such a sweet man. I''ve always enjoyed our conversations." Adrian nodded, a fond expression crossing his features. "It''s in his nature to appreciate goodpany." Their conversation naturally shifted towards business, a topic both were familiar with. Adrian''s curiosity piqued as he asked about ire''s ventures in the business world. "So, which field of business do you venture into?" Adrian inquired, his Interest evident. ire''s eyes lit up as she replied, "I''m in the technology and software industry." Adrian raised an eyebrow in pleasant surprise. "Impressive. I wouldn''t have expected that from you." ire tilted her head, curious about Adrian''s statement. "Oh? Why is that?" Adrian quickly rified, "Oh, I don''t mean to underestimate you or anything. It''s just that one might expect businesses with less risk, like fashion or makeup. women to lean towards ire chuckled softly. "I understand. But I have always had a passion for technology and creating something innovative. Computer and technology are my strengths " Adrian nodded, acknowledging her point. "I see. And what is the name of yourpany?" ire replied confidently, "Metacortex Corporation. Adrian''s expression shifted to one of surprise and admiration. "Metacortex? We use Cortex for our software. Yourpany''s work is impressive, ire smiled gratefully. "Thank you. I''m d to hear that." Curiosity now turned towards Adrian as ire inquired about his own ventures. "So, do you work in your grandfather''spany?" ire asked, intrigued by Adrian''s background in the business world. Adrian shook his head with a smile. "That''s themon assumption, but it''s not the case. I''ve built my ownpany, with my grandfather''s support, of course." ire''s interest was piqued. "Oh? What kind ofpany is it, and where is it based?" Adrian leaned in slightly, a yful glint in his eyes, "I own a club, actually. It''s based in America, which it''s been my focus." ire''s eyebrows raised in surprise, "A club? That''s unexpected,ing from the grandson of Saint Laurent." Adrian chuckled at ire''s reaction. "Yes, it''s quite different from what people might expect."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ire''s smick hinted at her curiosity. "What kind of club is it, then?" Adrian grin widened. "Hmm...I think you should go and find out yourself" ire tilted her head slightly with a yful look stered on her face. "Maybe I will." The soft melody of the song came to an end, and ire smiled graciously at Adrian, her dance partner for the evening. "Thank you for the lovely dance, Adrian. It was a pleasure," she said. Adrian returned her smile, equally pleased with their dance. "Likewise, ire. I must say, our conversation was just as delightful." ire couldn''t help but feel delighted as they said their goodbyes. It had been a fun evening filled with goodpany and lively music. She smiled brightly as she made her way through the crowd. Unfortunately, her moment was cut short when she heard Alex''s voice behind her, cold and demanding "How do you low Mr. Saint Laurent?" he demanded, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "she ire turned to face him, maintaining herposure despite his chilly demeanor. "I know a lot of people, Alex," she replied smoothly, her tone neutral Alex''s gaze intensified, his voice dripping ing with sarcasm. "Ah, of course. You always do," ire''s brows furrowed slightly at his tone, but she kept her expression controlled. Before she could respond, Alex continued, his words cutting like ice. "Found yourself a new toy att after the one I saw you dancing with at the club?" ire''s eyes red with anger as the usation lingered in the air. "That''s no you forgetting that?" she retorted, her voice firm. none of your business, Alex, After all we are divorced, are "Oh, don''t worry. I will never forget about our divorced. I''m just amaze how fast you can move form one man to another." ire scoffed. "You''re one to talk, Alex." Alex seemed unfazed by her response, stepping closer to her with a cold smirk. "Maybe you should consider marrying the man, wait three years, and then divorce him. And who knows maybe you will get his inheritance." ire''s jaw clenched, the sting of his words hitting her hard. "You are unbelievable!" she muttered, her eyes narrowing as she red at him. But before she could argue further, Alex leaned in closer, his voice now a low whisper. "Keep that calmposure, ire. After all, you have an image to uphold," he taunted, his wordsced with sarcasm With that, Alex turned and walked away, leaving ire seething with anger and frustration. She watched his retreating figure, her re feeling like arrows aimed at his back "Asshole." + Chapter 50 Chapter 50 We will see "Are you okay, ire?" "Okay? I''m fine, I am perfectly and absolutely fine. How could I not?" ire eyes still burning with anger after her encounter with Alex. She still in disbelief and can''t seem to think clearly. "You are definitely not okay." Ta pulled ire towards an empty table at the very back of the room far from prying ears and crowds. "Tell me what''s wrong because you look like you can kill someone." ire sighed heavily and cover her face with her hands. For a minute or two she hasn''t say anything, but Talia waited patiently until ire is ready or at least until she has calm down. "Okay, remember when I told you one day I will tell you about what happened to me 3 years ago?" Talia nodded "Well, today''s your lucky day." Talia ced a hand on ire shoulder in assurance. "Are you sure you are ready to tell me? You don''t have to you know," "It''s fine beside you will find out either way. Might as well tell you now."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. "Okay, I''m all cars." ire took a deep breath and looked at Talia. "So, three years ago, I lost my memory due e to the car crash." Talia''s eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively covered her mouth, her voice barely a whisper as she repeated, "You lost your memory?" ire nodded quietly, ncing around to ensure their conversation remained private. "Yes, I did. And during those years that I can''t remember, I got married." Talia''s shock was palpable as she leaned forward, her curiosity getting the better of her. "You are married?" "Were. But I got divorced a few weeks ago." "To whom?" ire''s expression turned aggravated as she mention his name. "His name is Alexander Harris." Talia''s eyes widened again, this time almostically so, as if they might pop out of her head. "Alexander Harris?!" ire red at Talia. "Not too loud, Talia." She lowered her voice. "Sorry. You mean you were married to Alexander Harris? The CEO of Harris hotel? One of the wealthiest family in Europe and the most desirable bachelor?" "If that''s what people said then yes. " "How did you get married to him?" ire took a moment before answering, her gaze distant as she recalled the unusual circumstances. "It was Alexander''s grandfather who introduced us." Talia looked confused. "But how did his grandfather even know you?" ire sighed, knowing this part of the story would sound strange. "I woke up in a hospital after the ident and was being cared for. But after three days, I couldn''t bear not knowing who I was, so I escaped." Talia''s eyes widened in surprise. "You escaped from the hospital?" ire nodded. "Yes, and that''s when I encountered Alexander''s grandfather. He was sitting alone, and I had a feeling something was wrong. People thought he was just asleep because of his sses, but I knew something was off." Talia leaned in, captivated by the story. "What did you do?" ire smiled faintly. "I checked his pulse, and I was right. He was in trouble." Talia''s curiosity peaked. "What happened next?". ire shrugged slightly. "Honestly, I froze for a moment. But then I remembered something when I stayed at the hospital for three days about treating allergies, so I looked around to find the source." Talia''s eyes widened further. "And you found something?" ire nodded. "There was a half-eaten cake and breadcrumbs on his lips. It was a lucky guess that he was allergic to nuts." Talia looked amazed, "So, you saved him?" ire nodded again. "Yes, and he felt indebted to me. He arranged for me to have a ce to stay and even helped me get a job, Eventually, he introduced me to Alexander." Talia leaned back in her seat, clearly stunned by ire''s story. "Wow, that''s like something out of a drama." ire smiled wryly. "Tell me about it." Then, Talia''s expression turned serious as she remembered ire''s earlier anger. "Wait, so what''s the connection between this story and why you were so angry earlier?" ire''s gaze hardened slightly before she replied, "I met Alexander Harris." Talia''s eyes widened again as the pieces clicked into ce. "Right. That makes sense. Sorry for being clueless." "It''s okay. Now you know why I was a bit on edge." "One question, if you don''t mind." "Sure." "Why did you get a divorce?" "Hm...I wasn''t. He was the one who initiated but something happened, I regain my memory and then I was the one who ask to get divorce." Talia thought for a while before shooting more question. "Why did he ask for a divorce?" ire sighed. "Because he had an affair with my ex best fr friend" "What a jerk!" Talia crossed her arms looking pissed after hearing the story. "And what a bitch" Talia then hugged ire as she feel bad that ire have gone through so much. "I''m really sorry that happened to you." ire patted her back and pulled away. "It''s not your fault Talia. Some things happened.'' "Did Matthew know about this?" *Well, not really, I mean he knows I was married, and I got a divorced, but I never tell him who is the man." "You gotta a tell! before he found out about it." ire waved her hand in dismissal. "It''s fine. I like to tease him." H The night had wound down, and the party''s energy bad dissipated as guests bid their farewells and made their way home. Alex and Christian, having enjoyed the festivities, climbed into their car for the ride back. Alex couldn''t help but wear a smug smile as they drove, a lingering sense of satisfaction from the evening. Christian, ever observant of Alex''s moods, raised an eyebrow at his friend''s expression. "What''s with the grin, mate?" Christian asked, his curiosity piqued. Alex shrugged nonchntly. "Just had a great time at the party, that''s all " Christian studied Alex''s features, knowing there was more to his friend''s smile than he let on. However, being ustomed to Alex''s asional cryptic behavior, Christian decided not to pry further and simply nodded in acknowledgment. Meanwhile, inside Mr. Saint Laurent''s luxurious limousine, the elder gentleman turned to his grandson, Adrian, with a warm smile. "How was the evening, Adrian? Did you enjoy yourself?" Mr. ?" Mr. Saint Laurent inquired, his voice filled with genuine interest. "It was good, Grandpa. I met a lot of amazing people. Thank you for inviting me." Mr. Saint Laurent chuckled softly. "Of course, my boy. I always enjoy having family by my side even though you did arrivedte." Adrian chuckled. "Sorry about t that, grandpa." As the limousine glided through the city y streets, M Mr. Saint Laurent''s thoughts turned to ire. phipter 50 10% "What do you think about ire? Did you two talked?" "She''s wonderful, Grandpa, Unique in her own way. I was surprised to found out she was the CEO of Metacortex." Mr. Saint Laurent''s smile widened at the praise. "She is full of surprises. I''m d to hear that. She''s a remarkable young woman." The conversation took a yful turn as Mr. Saint Laurent teased his grandson gently. "So, Adrian, do you think you''ll be seeing her again?" Adrian chuckled; his cheeks tinted with a hint of bashfulness. "Maybe, Grandpa. We''ll see." Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Congrattions Lisa "What''s with the smile?" List asked curiously, noting the grin that lingered on Alex''s lips. Lisa, sitting in the living room, greeted bim with a warm smile. Alex shook his head slightly, trying to contain his amusement. "oh, nothing, just had a good time at the party. Lisa raised an eyebrow, studying Alex''s demeanor. "Really? What did you do?" Alexchuckled lighth, not wanting to delve into the details of his encounter with ire just yet, "Nothing much just having a business conversation here and there." Usanadded. Tuming attention back to her iPad, Lisa mentioned casually, "I was browsing for wedding dresses earlier." Alex''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh, really? Already?" start nnin Lisa nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparlding with excitement. "Yes, I can''t help it. I'' I''m just so excited to sta Alex let out an amused "oh" before deciding it was time to freshen up "I''ll go and take a quick shower," he said, leaning in to kiss Lisa on the lips before making his way to the bedroom As Alex disappeared into the bathroom, Lisa continued browsing through wedding dress options, her anticipation evident in the way she scrolled through the designs with a smile on her face. Despite his attempts to focus on the present moment, memories of ire''s stunned expression lingered in his mind. Alex stood under the soothing stream of water, his mind still buzzing with thoughts from the party. He couldn''t shake off the image of ire''s stunned expression. The next day, ire strolled into the inmy Choo store, her presence exuding an air of confidence and elegance. Her purpose was clear to order a pair of custom heels that would be a statement of her impable taste. Unbelist to h to her, Lisa was also at the store, seated nearby, eyeing thetest shoe collection As ire settled into an empty seat, she was taken aback when Lisa''s voice broke the silence. "Nice day! there was an underlying tension that ire couldn''t ignore. for shoe shopping, isn''t it?" Lisa''s tone was casual, but se turned to face Lisa, a polite but cold smile on her lips. She chose to ignore Lisa''s attempt at conversation, not wanting to engage in unnecessary banter. Lisa however, doesn''t like being ignored, The store staff arrived just then as they approached ire. "Good aftemoon, miss. What can we help you with?" need two pair of custom heels, please," ire replied calmly, her attention fully focused on the task at hand. The staff nodded, acknowledging ire''s request, and went to prepare the tools. As they worked, Lisa couldn''t resist interjecting with her own demandsThis is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Don''t you have a better shoe? It''s for a wedding heel not party. If you don''t, I request a custom heel. Lisa stated arogantly, her voice loud enough to draw Hof course, ma''am. We can discuss your preferences and design options, one of them replied, keeping their tone neutral despite Lisa''s demeanor. date, who had been quietly observing the exchange, couldn''t help but smirk at Lisa''s insistence on custom shoes. However, she remainedposed and refrained from engaging in the conversation Lisa, noticing ire''s reaction, felt the need to exin I to exin herself "For your information, I''m not copying you," she stated firmly, as it seelong validation. ire simply nodded, her expression remaining unreadable. "Sure," she replied nonchntly, not wanting to fuel Lisa''s attempts at confrontation Lisa''s imitation grew as ire''s calm demeanor seemed to only fuel herown frustration. She watched as the staff bought out tools and began measuring their feet, ready to discuss design preferences Lisa''s voice rang out loudly in the bridal shop as bride," she dered with an air of confidence. as she excitedly described her vision for her wedding shoes. "I want lots of pearls and crystals, a design fit for a The mention of a bridal design caught ire''s attention. Her head turned slightly towards Lisa, a subtle shift in her demeanor as she processed the information. It was an unexpected revtion, and ire''s curiosity was piqued. Lisa''s smirk grew as she noticed ire''s reaction. Finally, she had managed to capture ine''s attention, albeit in an unexpected way. "Alex proposed to me just two days ago, the announced proodly. Lisa wasted no time in unting her diamond ring. ire''s initial surprise at the news was quickly reced by a tale smile, "Congrattions, Lisa. What a wonderful news. Turning to the stall, ire made her own request for a simpler stor design. "I''ll take something elegant but simple," the specified, nodding as acknowledged her request as the stati As the staff natured ire''s feet and discussed the shoe details, ire couldn''t resist probing further. "Have you met Alex''s patents yet? Do they know about the uing wedding or even the proposal?" she asked casually Lisa faltered for a moment, caught off guard by ire''s direct questions. "Well, not yet, but I''m sure they''ll be thrilled," she replied hesitan confident despite the uncertainty. 1. im. "If Alex truly loves u Alex truly loves you, shouldn''t he have introduced you to his parents by now?" "Thrilled, hub?" ire arched an eyebrow, her expression hinting at skepticism. she mused aloud, nting a seed of doubt in Lisa''s mind. "Just a little advice, I was once married to him. You are just another toy for Alex which he can quickly rece you in a snap of a finger." "Alex loves me!" ire raised her evebrow, her lips curl up to a smirk. "If he really do love you, you should have meet his parents and probably go bridal shopping with his mother. It''s a shame you didn''t get to experience it." ire said moldingly which just adds much pressure to Lisa. Lisa''s confidence wavered as she mulled over ire''s words, her thoughts spiraling into overthinking territory, "Oh, did rack too much?" ire pretended to feel guilty even though she enjoy adding fuel to start a fire. "Don''t worry, Lisa. I''m sure you can steal their attention just like how you steal Alex from me." The statt obviously noticing their banter but pretend to be oblivious. Lisa''s face turn red from embarrassment. Her nalls dug up to her skin as she curl her fist suppressing her anger. "You''re just sprouting lies." Deciding it was enough to argue with Lisa, ire tumed to the staff and smoothly thanked them as theypleted the shoe measurements. "Thank you for your help she said politely before turning to Lisa with a smirk "Oh, one more thing, please tell your fiance to stop stalking me. It''s getting annoying and I don''t want people to get the wrong idea. Good luck meeting the ire remarked sarcastically, her tone dripping with subtle skepticism, before gracefully exiting the shop With the newfound information, Lisa red at ire''s back with so much hatred. She was supposed to be the one leaving ire stunned not the other way around. Lisa couldn''t shake off the nagging doubts that ire''s words had stirred within ber Herdream of marrying Alex appeared to weigh heavily on her shoulders, and meeting his parents felt like a difficult task. Outside the shop, ire walked away with a satisfied smile. She had nted a seed of doubt in Lisa''s mind, subtly questioning the depth of Alex''smitment. "Good luck dealing with your fiance, Alex." ire muttered to herself as she climbed inside her car, Chapter 52 Chapter 52 Are you getting married? Lisa stopped in the least boutique, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she prepared to try on wedding dresses, she was the find to active, greeted warmly by the staff who smiled and added it they could assist her. "I have a reservation undre Lise Thumpang," she informed them with a bright smile. The staff member nodded, checking her ifat before leading Usato a nory seating area. "00 coun ?M. Thompson. Hease have a seat, and 1''il beright with you." As Lisa settled into thefortable chair, she nced amurid the boutique, admiring the array of wedding gowns on disy. Her - ttered with anticipation as she lisagitted herself in one of those shumning dresses. The statt returned, ready to assist Lisa in herdess selection "Which styles. a interested in, ne would you like to house around?" the inquired politely. Listed the smile. "I''ll wait for mync before trying anything on, thank you." Understanding her preference, the staff nudied and felt Lisa to await Alex''s arrival: Lisa took out her phone and tried calling Alex, list patiently waited, her excitement gewing with each passing minute. Finally, after thirty minutes, Alex arrived, a hint of apology in his eyes as he spotted Lisa waiting for him. "Sorry I''mte, dailing. I got held up in a meeting," Alex exined as he appenached her. Lisa sighed, but her smile remained wann "It''s okay, Alex Since you''re here now, let''s get started with trying on the dress Alex took a seat as Lisacalled the stall ever to assist her in selecting the dresses. The staff member also bought Alex agless of champagne as a wee drink. which he graciously epted, appreciating the gesture. "Thankyou" While Alex sipped his drink and checked his phone, Lisa eagerly browsed though the sacks of wedding dresses. Armand ten dresses were selected by the staff and brought over to Lisa, who looked positively thrilled at the array of options, Alex, however, seemed a bit surprised by the number of desses. "Are all these really necessary?" he asked with a raised eyebrow Lilled her eyes yfully, "Of course, Alex. I have to look my absolute best on our special day." The dress trials began, each one unveiling a different style and silhouette. Lisastepped onto a small circr stage as the curtains opened, showcasing the first wedding dress. She turned to Alex with anticipation *Well, how do I look?" Alex''s reaction was lukewarm. "It''s nice, but it makes you look a bit petite." Lisa nodded, tng note of his feedback "Okay, let''s try the next one," She moved on to the next dress, a halter top gown with sequins adorning the neckline. Alex liked the dress however Lisa dislike it "s nice, but it feels more like a prom dress than a wedding gown," she remarked, moving on to the next option The process continued as Lisa tried on various styles, from ssic ball gowns to modem sheath dresses. It seemed like none of them captured the essence of what Lisa envisioned for her wedding. After trying on six different dresses without finding the ideal one, Lisa finally slipped into the seventh dress, a stunning white long-sleeve split maxi dress. As the curtain opened to reveal her in the gown, Alex''s mouth dropped open in surprise. For a split second, he saw ire instead of Lisa, the image so vivid that he blinked several times to shake off the illusion. "What do you think about this, Alex? How do I look? Lisa asked, her eyes shining with excitement, "You look.. stunning, Alex admitted, his words since yet tinged with a hint of confusion. "Thank you, Alex," she replied, a hint of pride in her voice. Lisa''s smile brightened at hispliment. Alex couldn''t shake off the memory of ire wearing a simr dress at M emotions stirring within him. 1. Saint Laurent birthday party. He found himselfpating the two women, a conflict of Alex had always found ire''s style to be rather mundanecking the ir that would entuate her natural beauty. But seeing her in that dress at the party lud been a revtion. She had looked stunning, almost like a different person, and Alex begrudgingly admitted to himself that she had looked beautiful in away he had never seen before. Lost in his thoughts, Ales didn''t realize that Lisd been trying to get his attention the several minutes until she called his name with a hint of annoyance "Alex I''ve been calling you for ages. What''s wrong with you? Lisa''s mad expurssion snapped Alex out of his reverte Clearing his throat, Alex quicklyposed himself, "I''m sorry, love. I just remembered 1 forgot something important at the office," he lied, not wanting to exin the whirlwind of emotions he had experienced momects a Lisa''s mood deted at his response, terting brushed aslide. ime," she said tersely, her disappointment evident. Alex leaned in to kiss her on the cheek "You look beautiful in every dress, Lisa Get whatever you want," he reassited herbetone making a hasty exit from the budal Leti almue orvibe sture, Lisasenkomen are aby sata, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness ne''s words from their encounter cater chord in her must, anding to len muserumitirs, Shermuliby''t help but wonder if their was truth in what ir had told her. The besitique staft approached "Excuse me, miss, Should we continue the chess fitting he Chapter 52 Are you getting mailed? Lisa''s mood had dampened considerably. She red at the staff member, her frustration bubbling over. "Your wedding dresses suck, and your attitude sucks even more!" Lisa Lashed out her voice filled with frustration as tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly changed back into her clothes, deciding to call off the dress fitting for the day As she left the store, her mood soured by the events of the day. It was a day that had started with excitement but ended with disappointment and doubts clouding her thoughts As the day progressed into evening, Alex found himself burled under a mountain of work at the office. Despite the busy schedule, his mind kept drifting back to the events of the day, particrly the guilt gnawing at him for leaving Lisa alone at the wedding boutique. He had promised to stay until the end, but the thoughts of ire somehow infiltrating his mind didn''t sit well with him,This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. "Why am I thinking about her?" Alex muttered to himself, his brows furrowing in frustration. He couldn''t deny his dislike for ire, yet her presence seemed to linger in his thoughts, disrupting his focus The sun had already settled outside when Alex finally toolt a moment to check in with his secretary about an important matter. "Have we received any feedback from Metacortex?" "I''m sorry, Mr. Harris. There hasn''t been any email ormunication from them so far." Alex frowned however, he tried to maintain a positive thought. H As the clock struck 7, signaling the end of the workday, Alex gathered his belongings, intending to head home. Just then, his phone rang, disying his mother''s me on the scree ''Hello, Mum," Alex greeted her, expecting a usual conversation about her day or some family news. Alex, are you getting married?" Chapter 53 Chapter 53 She can''t get away with it "Alex, der you getting married?" she asked directly, catching Alexoll quant. alex free for a moment, his mind racing inprehend how his mother had found out about his uing wedding. He had recent proposal to Lisa, and now it seemed they had somehow found out "Uh, yes, Mum," Alex replied, feeling a bit tongue-tind: mned his parents about his (so sudden?" His mot her fired off questions in rapid surcession, leaving Alex "Why did you tell me? Who is this woman you want in cant in marry? And why is it so s singgling to keep up Taking a deep breath, Alex tried to cate his mother''s rising anger. "Mum, please calm down. Her name is Lisa, and I proposed to her a two days His mother, far from calm, scoffed in disbelief. "You poopose and expect me to find out like this? What about ire?u Alex''s brow furrowed in contusion. "What about ire, Mom?" His mother''s voice turned stem. "You just dived her, and now you want to marry someone else? Dan''t it toodaut? You should talk to ire about it." Arnoyancept into Alex''s voice as he defended himself. "Mum, ire, and I are officially divorced. We''ve moved on with our lives, Lisa is the one I want His mother remained uineed. "Well, if you''re serious about this, you need to bring your girlfriend to meet us. If you don''t, this marriage won''t be happening." Alex sighed, knowing his mother''s stubbornness all too well. "understand, Mum will arrange for Lisa to meet you and that soon. Detour the call ended Alex couldn''t resist asking, "Mam, where did you get this information from? His mother''s response surprised him. "Someone sent me a photo of you inside a wedding boutique with a woman "Oh, thanks fortelling me, The call ended, leaving Alex with a furrowed brow and a mind full of questions. Who could have taken that photo and sent it to his mother? I couldn''t have been Lasaj she was with him during the ditting. The mystery sagged at him as he got into the driver''s art of his car and headed home He continued to think about the unexpected turn of events during the drive, he couldn''t shake of the feeling that someone was meddling in his personal life, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it As he entered his penthouse, Lisa was in their mom, engrossed in the evening skincare routine. "Hey, Lisa," Alex called out, has tone carrying a hint of tension Lisa turned to him, noticing the seriousness in his voice. "What''s on your mind?" she asked, pausing in her routine. Alex settled onto the couch with a sigh, running a hand though his hair. "Did you tell my mum about our wedding she called earlier. Lisa''s burrowed in confusion "No, I didn''t. Why would she think that??! Wessexpression reflected his use as he exined, "My mum told me someone send her a photo of the in the wedding boutique with a woman which is you That''s why it got me thinking." Lisa joined him on the couch, concem etching her features. "Is that a problem? I mean, it''s just your mumking, right? Alex''s sigh. "It''s not just that. My family isplicated Expecially with my dad. They still hold ire in high regard, and when they found out about our divorce, it didn''t sit well with them." Lisa''s smile faltered, understanding the underlying tension. "I see. But we love each other, and that''s what matters, right?" Alexadded, grateful for Lisa''s understanding "yeah, exactly. That''s why I want us to meet my parents this week I''ll try to smooth things over and make them see how happy we are together." Lisa''s eyes softened, and she reached out to squeeze his hand. I believe everything will work out. Your parents will see how great we are together." As Alex spoke about meeting his parents, a ticket of worry crossed his mind. I just can''t shake the feeling that someone is leaking Information to my parents." Lisa''s eyes widened. "Wait, I met ire this morning. I told her about our wedding and your proposal." "she could be the one telling your your morn about our wedding Alex''s frown deepened "Why would she do that?" Lina shugged helplessly. "We had a little argument nothing serious. But maybe she wanted to stir things up! Alexa wenched in frustration have told her to stay away from you. It''s like she''s not even scared of causing mose problemas," Determined to get to the bottom of tblogs, Alex headed downstats and called his private investigator, instructing him to track ire''s movements. A few minutester, the PI called back with disappointing news. "l''insotry, Mr. Hants. We can''t tracker. All hermunication channels seem to be blocked." Alex''s frustration boiled over, evident intus tight grip on the phone. "Damn it," he muttered before hanging up Lisa followed him downstairs, sensing his anger. "Alex, maybe it''s better to let it go. It we locus on ine, she might just do something worse." Alea''s porteused. "We can''t let ne get away with it" Liturges widea at the led to calin Ales down Chapter 53 Stir cant get away with a "Alex, calm down. Just ignore her, you know how ire is, right? I''m sure she won''t stop until she is satisfied." ce to Lisa and he sighed. "Fine, but I am doing this for you not her." Alex eyes paze A smiled appear on Lisa''s lips feeling relief that Alex decided to let it go. "Thank you, habe." "So, he is getting married, huh?" ire muttered to herself as she stare at the unwatched tv show. Her thoughts were consumed by the news of Alex getting married, a fact that seemed to linger in her mind despite her attempts to push it away. "Why does it even matter?" she muttered to herself, trying to dismiss the thoughts that kept creeping in. "I don''t care about Lisa or Alex." "Hey ire, the sushi''s here!" Matthew''s voice echoed through the spacious living room.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ire called back from her spot on the couch, "I''m here, Matthew." Matthew appeared momentster, a handful of paper bags filled with sushi. ire blurted out, "My ex-husband is getting married." "Oh, so?" ire shrugged nonchntly, as if trying to convince herself of her indifference. "It''s nothing. Just wanted to tell someone." Matthew raised his brows his gaze fixed on ire. "Is the news bothering you, ire?" ire scotted, her disbelief evident in her tone. "Bothering me? Not at all. He can do whatever he likes with his life." She knew Alex well enough to understand that he wasn''t one to make hasty decisions, especially regarding something as significant as marriage. "What surprises me is how fast this wedding is happening," ire mused aloud, more to herself than to Matthew. "Alex is all about precision, and nishing into mariage doesn''t seem like him." "Maybe he found someone special?" Matthew said with a confused look on his face. ire''s lips curved into a bitter smile. "Or maybe he will regret it soon enough. Which I love to see that happening." Chapter 54 Chapter 54 Alexander Harris? Christian had just picked up his usual coffee order from his favorite coffee shop when his gaze fell upon ire entering Metacuctes building across the street. He frowned, his curiosity piqued by the sight of ire making repeated visits to the same building. It wasn''t the first time he had seen her here. Deciding to satisfy his curiosity, Christian crossed the street and followed ire inside the building. As he entered, he made his way to the receptiomat "Pacuse me," Christian began politely, addressing the receptionist. "Do you know ire? I believe she works here. The receptionist smiled politely, her professional demeanor evident. "Do you have an appointment with her, sir?": Christian shook his head. "No, I don''t "I''m sorry, sir, but we can''t disclose details about our employees due topany policies," the receptionist exined apologetically. Unbothered by the rejection, Christian requested a visitor cand. "I just want to meet with a friend," he exined, hoping to bypass the strict protocol The receptionist hesitated, clearly hesitant to grant his request without a valid reason rted to thepany. ''sit, if you don''t have as appointment or business-rted matters, I''m afraid I can''t issue a visitor card," Christian''s patience wore thin, and he sighed in frustration. "I just need to see ire. It''s personal" The receptionist''s expression softened slightly, but she remained firm. "understand, sr, but without an appointment..." Christian cut her off, growing increasingly annoyed, "I don''t need an appointment to see my friend," he insisted, his tone a mix of frustration and determination After some back-and-forth person, the receptionist reied and issued Christian visitor card. With a nod of thanks, Christian beaded to the elevator, feeling a sense of aplishment. Inside the elevator, Christian realized he didn''t know which floor ire''s office was on. Taling a chance, he pressed the button for the highest floor, hoping to get bucky. As the elevator doors opened on the top floor, Christian stepped out, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. "Maybe I mistaken someone else for ire." He muttered to himerit. Just as he turned to leave, a familiar voice echoed down the hallway. Christian''s curiosity reignited, and he peeled around theer, surprised to see ire engaged in conversation with her secretary. "Maybe I did not mistaken her for someone else." He did not expected to find ire on the top floor. Taking a deep breath, Christian decided to approach ire, has determination driving him forward. He walked down the hallway, his footsteps echoing softly on the polished floors. As he neared ire and her secretary, he cleared his throat to announce his presence. "ire." ire turned around, her eyes widening in surprise at seeing Christian inside the building. "Christian, how did you get in here?" she did, a hint of curiosity in her tone. Christian lifted up the visitor card he had used to gain ess. ire''s expression shifted from surprise to understanding as she mouthed an "oh" Tuming to her secretary, Sandra, y dismissed her with a nad. Then, tacing Christian, she gestured for him to follow her. "Come on, this way." As they entered ire''s office, Christian nced around curiously. "Whose office is this?" he asked, taking in the elegant decor.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ire settled into her chair behind the desk at the center of the room. "This is my office," she replied simply. Something dicked inside Christian''s mind, and he dropped the coffee cup he had been holding his expression a mix of shock and realization "Wait you are the CEO," he excialmed. ir sighed, confirming his observation with a nod. Sering the mess he had made, Christian quickly apologized and moved to clean it up, but ire stopped him. Leave in will call someone to clean it up," ir sald dismissively, waving off his attempts. Curiosity burring in his eyes, Christian asked, "Why are you here? And how did you manage to keep it hidden for so long?" ire considered his questions for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But seeing Christian''s genuine confusion, she decided to give him a brief exnation. "I got into an ident three years ago, lost my memory, then married Alex, she exined teisely, choosing not to delve deeper into the details. Christian still looked stunned, trying to process the information "Wow that was unexpected." he remarked, nodding slowly. Then, cariosity got the better of him. "Why does Alex hate you so much?" ire rolled her eyes at the mention of Allex''s animosity. "I''m sure Alex must have told you about our divorce," she stated, her tone tinged with frustration. Christian nodded in confirmation "Yeah, he mentioned it. Said It wasn''t pretty." ire''s lips tightened in a thin line. "It wasn''t. And I''vee to realize just how much of a douchebag Alex.can be." Well he can be quite handful sometimes," Christian stood up as he was going to take his leave. "ram really sorry for interrupting your work" H "line, Clustian No to apologize,"ire assured him, waving off hises, "Thanks for telling me Christian thanked her for sharing the information and tumed to leave. But as he reached the door, ire called out to him, stopping him in his tracks. "Christian can I ask youtora favor? Please don''t tell Alex about this," ire requested, her tone earnest. Christian hesitated, tom between loyalty to his best mate and understanding ire''s situation. After a moment, he nodded. "Okay, I won''t say anything. It''s not With that settled, Clinistian left ire''s office, muttering to himself jokingly, "I need coffee and vodka after this revtion. "The mix of surprise, confusion, and found infomation swirling in his mind left him feeling like he needed a moment to process everything. Mathew made his way down the corridor towards ire''s office, his brows furrowing as he noticed a man stepping out from her office. His expression shifted to one of confusion and curiosity as he entered ire''s office, finding her seated behind her desk "Hey ire, who was that?" Matthew asked, his tone betraying his curiosity as he gestured towards the man, he had just seen leaving her office. ire nced up, her expression casual as she replied, "Oh, he''s just a friend." Matthew raised an erebrow teasingly "Just a friend, huh? And here I thought I was your friend." Catechuckled at his yful remark. "You are, Matthew. Don''t worry about it." With a hint of amusement, Matthew continued, "So, what did he want?" Caine leaned back in her chair, considering her response. "He was just checking in Matthew confusion only deepened. "Checking in? Is there something I''m missing here?" ire''s gaze softened as she exined, "He was just malding sure that I am the same ire that he knew three years ago and he''s actually a friend of my ex- The mention of ire''s ex-husband piqued Matthew''s interest even more. "Wait, you never told me about your ex-husband. Who is he?" ire hesitated for a moment before answering, her gaze meeting Matthew''s curious eyes. "His name is Alexander Harris. Matthew''s eyes widened in surprise, as if he had just heard a shocking revtion "Alexander Harris? As in the Alexander Hamis?" Chapter 55 Chapter 55 Eavesdropping Jack entered ire''s office with a purposeful stride. He had something important to discuss with ise, but before he could bring up the subject, ire spoke up, her eyes focused on herputer screen. "Jack, have you seen Robert around?" ire asked, her voice calm but cucious pack shook his head, his brow furrowing slightly. "No, I haven''t seen him for a while. Is everything alright?= ire sighed, her mind already racing with thoughts. "I guess I''ll have to pay him another visit," she said, her gaze shifting back to her work. "what brings you to my office today?" Jack took a seat on the couch, deciding it was the right moment to bring up the matter that had been weighing on his mind. "ire, I wanted to talk to you about your decision to partner with Harris Hotel" ire paused her roping, Evingck has full attention. "Go on," she prompted, curious to bear Jack''s perspective. Jack leaned forward, his tone eamest. " attended the meeting with Alexander Harris, and I have to say, his presentation was very convincing." Calte raised an eyebrow, Intrigued by Jack''s assessment. "ch? What did he present?"This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ire listened incantly, weighing jack''s words against her own reservations, "It does sound interesting, but we decided about staying away from any dealings with Hamis Jack nodded in understanding but pressed on gently. "I don''t know what happened between you and Harris, but I know there might be personal history between you and Alexander, but this is a business decision. Think about the potential profit and the impact on ourpany''s image and stock market." ire nodded thoughtfully. tack has a point. Business business, and personal matters shouldn''t cloud ire judgment. 10tove me one more reason to convince me to meet with Alexander Harris," Jack''s exined. "I attended the meeting and I believe it is a promising project, ire, Manis has a solid n, and I think it could lead to a sessful coboration." jack smiled encouragingly. "Then again, you''re the CBD, ire. It''s ultimately your decision, but I believe meeting with Alexander Harris could change your mind." With that, back lett car''s office, leaving herto pander his words. ire sat back in her chair, contemting the pros and cons of engaging with Harris Hotel once again. Jack''swords had stacka chord, reminding her of her responsibilities as the CEO e leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling thoughtfully Groaned Enwardly, feeling the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. After a moment of tection, the pressed the inte button to inform her assistant, Sandra, Sandra, please schedule a meeting with Mr. Alexander Harris at Meepany. I''d like to discuss his proposal further," will do, miss "ire instructed, her voice decisive. Christian and at Harris Company with sense of unease gnawing at him. The unexpected encounter with ire, the CEO of Metacortex Corporation, still yed on his mind. The idea that ire, ex-wife of his best mate Alex, is nanning the very business Alex was about to pastor up with The implications of this vtion left him reeling, Imagining Alex''s reaction if he were to find out. As Christian entered his office, he was taken aback to lind Alex already there, calmly sipping on a cup of coffee. Alex''s paze slufted to Christian as he entered "Hey, where''ve you been?" Alex''stone wascual, but there was a hint of carbosity in his eyes beuration Caught off guard, Christian quickly concocted a usible excuse "oh, just needed to grab a coffer," he replied, hoping Alex wouldn''t catch on to his slight Alexrased an eyebrow, ncing at Christian''sempty hands "Coffee?" he echoed, his shepticism evident. Christian Loughed awkwardly, trying to cover up his slip. "Yeah, I finished it on the way here," he improvised, hoping Alex would buy the exnation. Alra rolled us good naturedly "Alright, mate, whatever you say I was just wondering where you''d disappeared to." Taking a seat across from Alex on the couch, Christian tried to shift the conversation away from his own whereabouts. "So, what brings you to Alerted Bonchalectly "Just bored, I guess, he replied, though Christian could sense there was more to it "There''s something on your mind, in''t there?" Christies probed gently, observing the subtle tension in Alex''s demeanor Alex let out a sigh, lits expression turning serious. "Yeah, actually I need to tell you something. Lisa and I are getting married," Christie''seebrows shut up in surprice." Congrattions? I mean I''m happy for man but you just got divorced with ire." my office?" We are getting Alex''s gaze hardened slightly, his voice tinged with annoyance. "ire had nothing to do with this Lisa and 1 love each other, sooner orter w marled airpway. What bother me is that ire hud the audacity to tell my mother about my uing wedding with Lisa" "But are you sure ire''s the one who leaked the information?" Alexmodded fimily. I''m posle 1 wanted to confront hes, but my it couldn''t tracker down." Chapter 55 Eavesdropping 317 A knocked on the door interrupted them from their conversation. "Come in," Alexcalled out, toming his attention to his secretary as she entered with a sense of urgency. "Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Harris," she began, "but I wanted to inform you that Metacortes has scheduled a meeting with Harris Company Alex''s face lit up with satisfaction upon hearing the news. "That''s fantastic. Thank you for letting mew As she left the office, Alex turned to Christian with a contented smile. "No one can reject Harris Company''s proposals. This meeting with Metacortex could open up. new opportunities for us! Christian smiled awkwardly, his mind racing with thoughts about what would happen if Alex discovered who the PCFO of Metacortex was Meanwhile, Matthew found himself at a local bakery, purchasing pastries for himself and ire. As he ced his order, his stomach churned ufortably. Hurriedly, he excused himself and made his way to the restroom. Upon entering, Matthew was met with a sight that made his eyes widen in surprise and slight panic. The men''s room was packed, each cubicle upied. Desperate to find relief for his difort, he quickly scanned the area and, seeing no one around, made a split second decision to enter the emptydies room Inside the cubicle, Matthew took a moment t to catch his breath, his moment of peace was short-lived when he heard the door at thedies room open again. "Yes, you did your job well," the woman''s voice carried a tone of satisfaction. "I made sure to pay you well. Money is no object, especially now that I''m marrying Alexander Harris." Matthew''s eyes widened at the mention of Alexander Harris''s name. He instinctively opened his phone and discreetly began recording the conversation, his heart pounding with intrigue. The woman continued. "Yes, my acting was believable Alexander even fell for it, believing it was ire whs leaked the infomation to his mother." As the woman finished her call and exited the restroom, Matthew waited a mothent to ensure she was truly gone. Heeted thedies room with furrowed brows ""Which ur she meant Chapter 56 Chapter 56 You Alex bred into the restaurant, och of guilt idem on his face as he greeted Lisa with a kiss on the cheek "Sorry I''mte, darling," he apologized, knowing he had kept her waiting- Linauwied wannly, het eyes sparkling with understanding. "It''s okay, Alex." As he settled into the seats, Lisa''s curiosity got the better of her. "What kept you so upied?" Alex leaned in slightly, sharing the details of his hectic day. "Metacortex schedule a meeting with Harrispany, and I have been preparing for the meeting.! La nodded, though business mattres were not her fonte. "That sounds important" "Its Now, let''sorder." As they perused the menu, Lisa steered the conversation towards a more personal topic "So, what should I wear this weekend?" Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why? what''s happening this weekend? Lisa''s eyes widened in surprise. "Don''t tell me you forgot! It''s the day I meet your parents." Realisation dawned on Alex, and he nodded. "Ah, right, You can wear whatever you feelfortable in, n, Lisa. My parents will like your matter what." Lisa''s smile faltered slightly, her mind already racing with preparations. "But what kind of food does your momke? I went to make a good impression Alex shrugged, his focus more on enjoying the evening than on details: "Honestly, I''m not sure. She enjoys good food, so anything delicious will do." Lisa''s frustrationbubbled to the surface. "Alex, this is important to me. I want your parents to like me." Sensing her agitation, Alex tried to reassure her. "They will, trust me. You don''t need to stress over it." Lisa leaned back in her chair, her expression still tinged with armyance. Alexcouldn''t help but notice her mood shift. "What''s wrong, Lisa?" he asked, concem evident in his voice. Lisatook a deep breath befour voicing her corns. "Do you really want this meeting to happen? Are you sure your parents will ept me?" Alex was taken aback by the sudden intensity of her questions. "Of course, I do. And yes, they will ept you. You''re amazing, Lisa, and they''ll see that. + Her agitation eased slightly at his words, though she remained apprehensive. "I just want everything to go smoothly." As they indulged in dessert, Alex''s attention wandered for a moment, catching sight of ire across the restaurant with another man. His brows furrowed at the sight of bet seemingly carefree demeanne. Memories of ire''s betrayal resurfaced, particrly the incident where she leaked information about his wedding ns to his mother. Alex had been itching to confront her about it, but Lisa''s presence and their uing meeting with his parents had pushed that thought to the back of his mind. Lisa interrupted his thoughts, asking about their ns after dinner Alex hesitated, tom between confronting to ire or ignore it to not ruin their evening together with Lisa In the end, he chose to focus on Lisa, putt 1, putting aside his n for another time. ire sat behind her desk, her expression unreadable as she summoned Robert to her office. As he entered, bis usual confident demeanor faltered slightly at the serious aura in the room, "Why did you call me here, ire?" Robert''s voice carried a hint of curiosity, though he tried to mask any unease re fixed him with a stem gaze. "Robert, I''ve noticed you haven''t beening to work regrly Care to exin?" Robert raised an eyebrow, his tone cool. "I haven''t had much to do since you took over my position, ire." The mention of ire suping his role sparked a me of anger in her, but she kept herposure. "Is there something you''re hiding, Robert Robert chuckled lightly, taking a seat on the couch. "Always assuming the worst of me, ire. Maybe try looking at things positively for once. ire''s eyes namowed slightly. "And why should 1 do that? "Because," Robert began, his tone tuming more serious, "when you were gone for those three years, 1 kept thispany afloat and even made it sessful again." tce scoffed, not buying into his justification. Thepany was already sessful, Robert. That''s not the issue here." She leaned forward, her gaze plening "Why didn''t you try harder to find ane during those three years?" Robert shifted ufortably, avoiding her intense stare. "I did try, ire. The police couldn''t find any leads, and they told me you were dead along with your parents "And yet, here Lam, alive and well Her eyes bore into Robert''s, demanding answers. "Do you know where i went during those three years? Robert hesitated, his gaze flickering yentarily, "I don''t know, ire."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Her suspicion lingered on Robert, "If you want to continue being a part of thispany, you need toe back to work," the stated firmly, her tone leaving no room for Arguilera, Behert stood up abruptly, his own inistration evident. "Youcan''t just kickine out, ire. I still have rights here" Mail that, nobest left the office, leaving ire to ponder their conversation, she knew deep down that obert had lied ainut not knowing he rainups: Her Talley had told Robert about theit tilp "Keeplying Robert, cause one day your seriet will no longer be seen m Chapter 56 You The tension in the meeting room at Harris Company was palpable as Alex and his train prepared for their crucial meeting with Metacortex at two o''clock. Alex had cailed in Christian and the other employees, including his secretary, to join lm for the meeting. They huddled around the table, discussing strategies and what they should present to make a strong impression for the CEO of Metacortex As he went over every detail of their presentation, Alex''s focus was sharp, and his demeanor was serious. He was focused on leaving a positive impression and getting what he wanted out of the meeting. However, Christian dicht have the same enthusiasm and focus as Alex, even if he was present and paying attention. Nheless, he knew the importance of the meeting and remained focused on the task at hand. During their 15-minute break, Allex noticed Christian''s gloomy mood and decided to ask about it "Hey, Christian, you seem a bit down is everything okay? Christian shrugged slightly, a hint of uncertainty in his expression "I don''t know, Alex Something just doesn''t feel right about this meeting." Alex furrowed his brows, curious about Christian''s ungase. "What do you mean? Why doesn''t it feel tight to you?" Christian shifted in his seat, hesitant to divulge his thoughtspletely. "I can''t really exin it, Alex" ell We''ll do fine." Alex let out a small sigh, patting Chistian''s shoulder reassuringly. "Maybe you''re just nervous. It''s a big meeting, but we''ve prepared well With that, the break came to an end, and it was time to resume the meeting. Alex and Christian gathered their materials and headed out towards Metacortex s office, Upon their arrival, they were e greeted by Sa Sandra, ire''s secretary, who had been waiting for them at the entrance. "I hope you have a pleasant ride. Please follow me." She led them to the meeting room on the 15th floor where the meeting was scheduled to take ce. As they entered the meeting room, Alex felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. Sandra clemed her throat and announced, "The Harris team has arrived." At her words, the person in the head chair tamed around, revealing a smile that sent a chaill down Alex''s spine. Chapter 57 Chapter 57 Another surprise He bly above t e whisper. The shock and realization hit Alex like a ton of bucks. His mihal excitement and confidence evaporated, reced by a sinking feeling of dread. It was as it some had poured an ice-cold bucket of water over him ire, everposed and professional, stood up gracefully, her gaze Exing on alex. "Are you y, Mr. Harris?" she ask, her tone neutral but curious. Alex struggled to find his voice, his mind a whithwind of emotions and answered questions. Beside him, Christian sensed the tension but temained silent.. observing the unfolding scen Summoning his professional demeanor, Alex extended his hand to ire. "I''m Alexander Has the CEO of mis hotel, he managed to introduce himself, bis voice steady despite the chaos within ire''s response was measured, as if she hadn''t just recognized her ex-husband standing in front of her "te Peterson, CEO of Metacontes," she introduced herself in retum, her tone businesslike vet polite as she weed them to the meeting. Asthey settled into their seats, Alex couldn''t shake out the surreal feeling of fading ire in this professional setting. His mind raced with questions, wondering how she could act as if they were strangers after their shared history. ire, taking charge of the meeting, directed her attention to Alex, asking about the reason behind choosing Metacortex as a partner for Harris Alex stumbled slightly in his response, still grappling with the shock of the situation. "believe Metacortex aligns well with our goals and vision for this project," Alex managed to exin, though his confidence wavered under ire''s scrutinizing his team presented theirContent ? N?velDrama.Org. ire''s subtle smirk did not go unnoticed by Alex, adding to his difort. However, he focused on the business aspects, ensuring his tea proposal professionally. Throughout the presentation, ire maintained aposed demeanor, carefully evaluating the details presented to her. Alex couldn''t help but steal nces at her, his mind still processing the revtion of her identity as the CEO of Metacost ex Questions swirled in Alex''s mind like a tempest. How had he not known? why had ite kept this a secret? Doubt and curtosity gnawed at him, fueling a burning need for answers Had ire deceived him for three years, and if so, to what end? As the meeting drew to a close, iremended the team on their innovative concept. "It''s an interesting idea, and I appreciate the effort put into it," she remacked, her tone acknowledging the business aspect of their interaction. "I would like to see our partnership happening" said ire waiting for Alex response Alex, on the other hand, was grappling with his own doubts. "Ms. Peterson, if you don''t mind, I''d like some time to think about this partnership," he said, surprising Christian and their other employee who had seen Alex''s initial enthusiasm "Of course, Mr. Haris. Take your time to considerit." As the meeting drew to a close, ire Instructed Sandra to see their guests out. However, Alex remained seated, his gaze fixed on ire with an intensity that was hard to ignore. "Why?" Alex''s voice was cold, was cold, his eyes searching ire''s face for answ answers. ite met his gaze evenly, leaning back in her chair with aposed demeanor, "I don''t understand what you mean, Alex." Alex scoffed in disbelief, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "Don''t y dumb, in. Is this your n all along? To make a fool out of me?" ire''s expression shifted, a facker of annoyance crossing her features. "I have no interest in ying games, Alex Believe what you want She stood up taking her Ipad with her and was about to leave the room until Alex reached out and grabbed her wrist. Alexwasn''t satisfied with her evasive response, "Let go, Alex," ire insisted, her tone sharp. Alex held on, his determination clear. "Not until you tell me the truth." ire''s eyes widened in surprise at his insistence. "Let it go, Alex," she repeated, trying to free her wrist from his grasp "I won''t," Alex stated firmly, his voice unwavering. "Not until i get the truth from you." Frestration and tension hung heavy in the air between them. ire''s patience wore thin as she attempted once more to break free from Alex''s hold. "Are you feeling threatened now that you know who I am?" ire''s tone turned mocking, a hint of bittemess seeping through. Alex''s grip loosened slightly, his expression conflicted "Me? Threaten? I don''t feel threaten. I just want the truth. Why didn''t you tell me ire?" "Why should 11 do not owe you anything to make me tell you about myself." Alexeyes burning with anger. "I can''t believe you. You know what? Maybe have second thoughts about this partnership." ire scotted. "You think I wanted this partnership from the start? No, I don''t 1 rejected it couple of time but you," ire yanked her wrist from Alex grip and pointed his finger at him. "you were so keen with this partnership and very excited about it. You should thank jack for convincing me to schedule a meeting with you, if it wasn''t for him, I would have never think about it." ire turned on her heels and about to leave the meeting room when Alex called her out. Alex wasted no time getting to the point. "Are you also the one who leaked the information about my wedding to mam? ire''s from derpened as she processed his question. "Wedding?" Alex took a step closet, his eyes narrowing. "Don''t y dumb, ire. My mum teceived a photo of Lisa and me at the boutique. Someone told her about it, and 1 ire''s demeanor shitted, hereves shing with a hint of anger, "I have no idea what you''re talking about, Alex. Why would I do such a thing?" Alex wasn''t convinced, has frustration evident. "Because you''ve lied to me before, ire. About your identity, about so many things. I wouldn''t put it past you to meddle in my personal life" ire''s voice rose slightly, matching his frustration "First, I didn''t lie about my identity and second, I wouldn''t stoops low as to interfere in your personal. affairs. And I certainly wouldn''t involve your ITMATTA. Their exchange grew tem tense, neither willing to back down. ire continued to deny any involvement, urging Alex to consider other possibilities. "Maybe you should ask Lisa," ire suggested, a note of exasperation in her voice. "She was the one who told me about your wedding. Before Alex could respond, ire abruptly tumed and left the meeting room, her footsteps echoing down the corridor. Alex couldn''t shake off the unsettling feeling that lingered after their confrontation. The realization about ire''s true identity had already been a shock, and now the suspicion of her involvement in leading information to his mum added anotheryer of distrust. As he processed the situation, Alex couldn''t help but feel betrayed. He had once been married to ire, believing in the person she portrayed herself to be. Now, faced with these revtions, he couldn''t help but see her in a different light-a maniptive liar who had betrayed his trust more than once, "Who is the woman, grandfather brought home?" Chapter 58 Chapter 58 She''s a liar ue''s frustration bailed over as she ined the door to her office sluit, the force echining hei anger. She pared to her desk, tossing her a fore than intended, a physical manifestation of her tuntuous potions. No matter how hard she tried, it felt impossible to control her anger at that time. The constant shes with Alex always left her seething, unable topechend why be persistently stirredup Trouble between them. The door created open, and Matthew cautiously endeard, calling out ire''s name. Startled by her abrupt arspouse, he hesitated, sensing the tension in the air, re closed her eyes belly, willing herself to regainposure betere addressing Matthew "Are you okay, ire!" Matthew approached ire with a book of conceched on his face, "I''m sorry for snapping, Matthew," ire apologierd, her tone softer but still tinged with frustration "What happened, ire? You seem really upset." He took a seat in front of her desk. "n''s just. Alex," ire began, her voice tinged with Instration as she took a seat behind her desk. in sighed heavily before recounting her counter with Alexaller in the meeting room. He found out who I am," ire exined, her hands gesturing animatedly as she recalled the heated exchange with?les. Matthew leaned forward, his expression attentive. "And then what happened 2a ire continued, detailing the argument that ensued when Alex confronted her about berpast and why she had lied to him. "He was telentless, demanding that I tell him the truth," she recounted, her voice tinged with annoyancer. Matthew frowned slightly, his mind processing the information. "Did you tell him?" he asked, curious about ire''s i ire shook her head adansantly, "No, I didn''t. I don''t owe him any exnations," she stated timely, her jaw set in dehaner. "And thende started usin leaking his wedding ns to him," lse contined, li voler tinged with disbelief. Matthew listened attentively; his brow furrowed. "What? He used you? Did he even have any prove? "He did mention someone send a photo of him and Lisa at the boutique. But that doesn''t make me the person who leaked it. That arcupation really o guard it''s like every mistake that happened in his life is because of me. Like I''m the one causing it," caught me ire''s smarowed in recollection. "I can''t believe he would think I''d do something like that. We may have our differences, but I would never stoop to such levels" Matthew leaned in, thoughtful expression on his face, "ire, What''s Alex''s full name?" She looked at him weirdly. "Why do you ask?" "Just wanted to make suce." "ry, it''s Alexander Hanis." Matthew studied her reaction before posing another question. "Did you and Lisa know each other well?" "We used to be friends, but she betrayed. Our friendship soured, to say the least." Matthew reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, opening to a specific recording. "Listen to this, this, ire. Tell me if this is the woman Alex is marrying - He pressed y, and ire''s eyes widened in recognition as she heard the voice on the recording. "Yes, my acting was believable. Alexander even fell for it, believing it was ise who leaked the information to his mother." "Yes, that''s her tisa." ire confirmed, her voice tinged with bitterness. She looked up to Matthew. "How did you get this?" Matthew check reddenin embarrassment Um.doesn''t matter how I got it. But it proves that you are not the one who leaked the information but Lisa his own nce." "I would have never thought she will stop this low. Is she crally desperate to marry Alex?" Matthew chimed in. "Before 1 second, I heard her saying something along the lines about money is not a red her bows wondering "Can it be she married Alexbecause of moory?" t a problem to her once she is married to to Alexander Hariis. " Herend who stand at her hugged his shoulder not caring about it, "Maybe yes, maybe no but who cares. The guy is a douchebag like you said." She nodded agreeing with Matthew. "You are tight. I was just curious. Even if it is real, it''stma for Alex" The driver back to Harris Company was trase, Alex''s mind consumed by thoughts of betaal and deception. He instructed the driver to divert to his usual club, Igniting Chustian''s pureled exprssion Can we doing, going to a club in the middle of the day, mate?"Chistian''s question wasced with con, but les remaid silent, his gen Chaistaan persisted, his voice taking on me insistent or "Alex,e on, talkine What''s going on! Alex fically turned to ne at Christian, bis expressioncold and distt "red a disk," he stated bluntly, the station event in his voice. Chicher SaProperty belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. The car pulled up outside the club, and without waiting for Christian''s response, Alex hurriedly stepped out and made his way inside, heading straight for the VIP area. Christian followed, trying to reason with his friend. "Alex, this isn''t the way to deal with things. Talk to me." But Alex paid no heed, grabbing a bottle of vodka and taking a long swig straight from it. Christian''s concem deepened as he watched Alex''s actions. "Stop, Alex. What''s gotten into you?" Christian''s voice carried a mix of worry and confusion. Alex finally spoke, his words dripping with bitterness, "ire, happened," Christian''s brows furrowed as he tried to piece together Alex''s words, "What do you mean? What did ire do?" Alex''s frustration spilled out as he revealed the betrayal that had shaken him to the core. "She lied to me about who she is. And now she''s the CEO of Metacortex. It''s like a punch in the gut." H Christian listened in silence, already aware of the situation but unsure of how to broach the topic. Alex''s sudden outburst only confirmed the depth of his feelings. Seeing Christian struggle for words, Alex narrowed his eyes at him, a bitter chuckle escaping him. "You knew, didn''t you?" Christian sighed heavily, deciding bonesty was the best option. "Yes, Alex, I found out yesterday. But I promised ire I wouldn''t say anything. Alex''s anger red anew at the revtion. "You knew and didn''t tell me?" His voice rose in frustration. Christian tried to reason with him, his tone pleading. "I promised her, Alex. I didn''t want to betray her trust; besides, it is not my ce to tell you about it." Alexscoffed sarcastically. "Whose friend are you, Christian? Mine or hers? No wonder you question me about the partnership with Metacortex earlier." Christian''s shoulders slumped in defeat, realizing the weight of the situation. "I''m sorry, Alex. I didn''t ma mean to hurt y you." Alex took another swig from the bottle, his mood darkening "just go away, Christian. I don''t want to see you right now." Christian wanted to protest further, but he realized that at that point it would be pointless. He left Alex alone in the VIP section with a heavy heart, hoping that in the middle of the confusion, his friend would find some sense. Alone with his thoughts and burning with anger, Alex''s phone rang, disying Lisa''s name on the screen. He tossed the phone onto the nearby couch, ignoring the call. "I''ll make you regret, daire." Chapter 59 Chapter 59 Are you crazy?! The sun filtered through the windows of ir''s office, casting a warm glow on her desk as she delved into her mock. It was a typical day filled with document reviews, team meetings to discuss Cortex 2.0 updates, and the usual hustle and bustle of a busy executive the costing tasks, re couldn''t shakeoff the events of the previous day, particrly her encounter with Alex She had hoped for a peaceful day, tree from any distraction drama, However, life had other ns. Around lunchtime, Matthew, popped into her office with an invitation for brunch ire nced up from her work, a hint of surprise on her face at the interruption Matthewasked with a friendly smille. "Hey, ire, want to pub brunch with me? ir nodded, albeit a bit distracted. "Sure, just give me a minute. I need to send this emul " Matthew took a seat, waiting patiently as ire mished up her task. Once done, they hraded down to the lobby, discussing possible lunch options along the way. "So, where should we go for brunch" Matthew asked. "Theard there''s a great ramen ce not too far from here. What do you think?" ire suggested, eager to enjoy a satisfying moral. "Sure, I love ramen!" Matthew agreed, and they set off on foot towards the restaurant, chatting amiably along the way. However, their pleasant outing took an unexpected tumas they ched a busintresection A speeding motorcycle raced through the red light, narrowly missing ire. She let out a startled scream, hecheart racing with adrenaline. Before she knew it, Matthew had pulled her out of bann''s way, and they both ended up on the ground, shaken but thankfully imhamied. "ire you okay?" Matthew asked her, a hint of worry in his tone. "Are you two, y?ed voices from the crowd asud as they helped ire and Matthew to their feet. ire''s heart raced with adrenaline as she processed what had just happened. She nodded shakly, still in a state of shock "We''re okay, thank you," Matthew replied, his voice calm but his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation Once they were steady on their feet, Matthew tumed to ire, his concem evident. "Are you sure you''re alright, ire? That was too close." She couldn''t shake off the shock of the incident, her mind racing with questions about who would want to harm her in such a manner ire took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "L.. I think so." Her thoughts immediately flew to Alex, given their recent encounter and the tension between them. Without hesitation, ire hailed a cab and swiftly departed, leaving Matthew behind with a bewildered expression She directed the driver to Harris Company, her mind set on confronting Alex about the incident Upon arrival, ire wasted no time heading inside the building, She navigated her way to the elevator, her finger pressing the button for the highest floor, even though she wasn''t entirely sure where Alex''s office was located. A passing employee in the hallway caught her attention, and ire quickly approached them. "Excuse me, is this Alexander Harris''s floor?" she inquired, her tone urgent The employee nodded, pointing her in the direction of Alex''s office. ire''s anger fueled her steps as she barged into his office unannounced, catching Alex off guard alex''s expression turned cold as he looked up from his work, surprised by daize''s abrupt entrance. "ire, what are you doing here?" he asked, his tone guarded ire''s anger bobbled to the surface as she approached him, her voiceced with usation. "Are you crazy?! Do you want to kill me?" Alex furowed his brows, genuinely puzzled by her words. "I have no idea what you''re talking about. Get away with what?" ire''s eyes shed with anger as she crossed her arms overherchest. "You may not have the guts to do it yourself, but sending someone to harm me is just despicable!" Alex''s eyes widened in shock at the usation. "ire, I didn''t do anything like that. Why would I want to harm you?" + ire''s sarcasm was palpable as she retorted, "Maybe because I didn''t tell you the truth and then you felt threatened by me and saw this as your revenge." Alex''s contusion was evident as he stood up from his desk, his voice tinged with frustration. "ire, exin what''s going on from the beginning. I have no idea about any crash or what you''re talking about." Taking a deep breath to calm herself, ire recounted the earlier incident. "When I was crossing the street, someone deliberately tried to crash into me. It was no ident, Alex" Alex considered her words for a moment before suggesting. "Maybe the driver didn''t see the red light or misjudged the distance." ire rolled her eyes, frustration evident in her tone. "Alex, it was intentional. I know when something is deliberate." Alex''s features tightened with a mix of confusion and inntation. "I didn''t hire anyone to hurt you, ire. Despite everything. I wouldn''t stop that low and if i wanted to hurt you, I rather do it myself." Their conversation hang in the tense air, both parties grappling with the tension of the situation. ire, her own emotions running high, retorted, "If it wasn''t you, then who? Alex frowned, crossing his arms defensively. "How should I know?" he replied, his tone tinged withexperation I_ Chapter 29 Ant you crazy? Alex then noticed the blood dripping from ire''s knees and a scratch on her elbow. Despite his anger at being falsely used, he couldn''t ignore her injuries, "You''re bleeding, "he pointed out. im nced down at her bloodied knees, "Shit!" Despite the pain, she seemed more focused on leaving the office than tending to her wounds. "Fine if it is not you." with a resigned sight, she turned to leave, her frustration evident in every step. Just as ire was about to step into the elevator, Christian, Alex''s best mate, appeared and walked out from the lift. He was taken aback to see ire in the Harris building and immediately questioned her presence. "What are you doing here, ire?" Christian asked, curiosity evident in his voice. Before ire could respond, Christian''s gaze fell on her bloodied knees, his eyes widening in mi "You''re hurt!" he eximed. ire waved it off, trying to downy the severity. "It''s nothing, really." Christian wasn''t convinced. "It''s not nothing," he argued, taking her an gently and guiding her to his offic at Christian''s fussing. Once inside, Christian took charge, fetching supplies to treat ire''s wounds. ire sighed, feeling a mix of gratitude and annoyance at "You really shouldn''t be doing this," ire muttered. "What happened? How did you get hurt?" ire recounting the earlier incident when someone had attempted to harm her. #Do you know who would do something like this?" ire shook her head. "I thought it might be Alex," she admitted.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Christian frowned, shaking his head. "As much of a jerk Alex can be, I don''t think he''d stoop to that level." the door to Christian''s office swung open, and Alex appeared. His expression was cold, his imitation palpable as his wounds. e eyesnded on Christian tending to ire''s "What are you doing?" Chapter 60 Chapter 60 It''s take "What are you doing?" Alex''s mice was clipped, his demeanor clearly not pleased. Christian nced up, unfazed by Alex''s Alex crossed "Taking care of air. She''s hurt." over his chest, his voice dripping with sarcasm "I''m sure ire can take care of herself perfectly fine, just like she ludes her identity." Carolled her eyes at Alex''sment. "Why? Are you jealous?" Alex direcord his attention back to her. "What are you still doing here, ire? ire raised her eyebrows in admissive manner. "I feel sad for you, Alex." Alex''s drown deepened, confused by her cryptic remark "What do you mean by that?" ire shrugged, a smirk ying on her lips. She chose not to borate further, frustrating Alex even more. Determined to get answers, Alexwalked into the office and stood in front of ire, towering over her smaller frame. ire stood up, not barking down as she met Alex''s gaze. "You should apologize to me," she stated firmly Alexughed mockingly. "Why would apologize to you?" ire''s tone tumed bitter. "If only you low who''s leaking information about your wedding to your mum Alex seyes widened in shock at ge''s words. He grabbed her arm in a moment of frustration, causing her to hiss in pain. Quickly realizing his mistake, Alexi loosened his grip and demanded, "What do you mean by that? ded to show him the evidence. She retrieved her phone ire smirked, still not willing to divulge all the details. However, seeing the fury in Alex''s eyes, she decided to from her hag and yed the voice recording that Matthew had sent her the previous day "Yes, my acting was believable. Alexander evenfell for it, believing it was ire who leaked the information to his mother." As the recording yed, Alex''s face became unreadable. "It''s fake," he muttered, trying to deny the truth ire''s bemess was evident as she replied, "Think whatever you want." She pulled her am away and left the office. Christian, who had been observing the tense exchange, spoke up cautiously. "Are you alright, Alex?" Alextumed to him, his mind racing with disbelief. "That voice in the secording wasn''t Lisa, right?" Christian hesitated, as he had only heard Lisa''s voice once during a phone call with Alex. "I don''t know for sure," he admitted, feeling uncertain. Feeling anxious and betrayed, Alex decided to call Lisa. However, his call went straight to voicemail, adding to his growing unease. He headed to the lobby, wh he tried his ear beys and drove to his penthouse where Upon arriving, Alex called out for Lisa, but there was no response. Amaid appeared, and Alex''s toile was heated with anger as he demanded to know where Lisa was The maid, feeling intimidated, lowered her gaze. "Ms. Lisa headed out, str," she replied softly. Momentster, the door to the penthouse opened, revealing Lisa with a handful of shopping bags. "Alex, look at all these clothes bought for tomorrow! I want to make a great impression to your parents," Lisa eximed, her voice filled with enthusiasen. Alexamind, however, was peupied with the voice recording that ire had yed at the office earlier. He struggled to calm his anger as he turned to face Lisa "Did you leakche information to my mother?" Alex''s question hung heavily in the air, his tone serious, Lia''s eyes widened in surprise and inence as she shook her head. "No, Alex, I didn''t. I would never do something like that." Alexpressed on, his voice bing colder. "Are you sue? Tell me the truth." Lisa remained adamant in her denial til Alex mentioned the voice recording ire had yed, suggesting that Lisa could have manipted him into using ire H Lisa''s eyes widened in realization, her voice trembling as she tried to exin. "No, Alex, you''ve misunderstood. I didn''t mean to make you use ire. It was a Alex''s posture stiffened, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at Lisa with a cold gaze. It was the first time he had looked at her this way, and Lisa telt apang of quilt and fear. "Exin," Alex demanded, 1, histone anwavering. Lisa, resorting to one of her tactics, began to cry, her wordsing out in sobs as she tried to convey her feelings. *jost wanted to meet your parents, Alex telt pressured because of what re said about spending time with a mother-inw and how you don''t love me because you didn''t introduce me to your parents." Alex sighed heavily: "Why did you tell me it was se who leaked it?" peace," Lisa struggled to find the right words amilst her tears. "Because ire always ruin everything! And I thought by doing it will give me a moment of pe Alex shook his head, Terling a mix of frustration and regret. "I teel stupid for ming ire now. Lisa, tears streaming down herce, looked up at Alex. "Wire do you care so much about how you act towards ire?" she blurted out, her emotions to desd vulnerable firfute Adex could tequat, si rished to their room and mmed the doorbell her, leaving Alex standing in the living rooms, his mind in anbaibaand ot Alex sighed harshly, realizing that the situation had spiraled out of control. He decided it was best to leave and clear his mind.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Alex sat at his desk in his office, surrounded by paperwork. He decided to spend his entire day at the officepleting his work and try to push away his argument with Lisa. His phone buzzed, indicating an iing call from his mother. Alex hesitated for a moment, knowing the conversation would likely revolve around introducing Lesa to his parents. Reluctantly, he answered the call. "Hi, Mum," Alex greeted her, his tone tired but polite. "Alex, dear, I was wondering if you will bring Lisa tomorrow," his mother''s voice came through the phone. Alexsighed inwardly, running a hand through his hair. "I''m sorry, Mum, but I''ve got a lot on my te Maybe next time?" There was a disappointed tone in his mother''s response, "Oh, alright then. Take care, dear." "Thanks, Mum. Talk to youter," Alex said, ending the call quickly. He wasn''t in the mood for small talk or discussions about rtionships. As he returned to his work, a fleeting thought crossed his mind about whether he should apologize to ire for their recent usations against each other. However, the memory of ire''s usations kept him from making any hasty decisions. Meanwhile, at the Metacortex building, ire sat in her office, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Matthew. Just as she anticipated, Matthew entered her office with a small sh drive in hand. ire''s eyes lit up with anticipation. "Did you get it?" she asked eagerly. Matthew nodded, a grin forming on his face. "Got it right here." He handed the sh drive to ire, who wasted no time inserting it into herputer. The screen flickered to life, disying surveince footage from the day of the incident. ire watched intently, reying the footage several times before slowing it down to scrutinize specific details. She zoom in on the license te, but it remain blurry. Using her skill, she applied enhancements to the footage, worlding swiftly to clear the blur. Within minutes, the previously unreadable license te became clear. LT 67 UEN. Without wasting a moment, she began tracking the te number, tapping into databases, and using her connections to identify Got it," Chapter 61 Chapter 61 Who set your ?n arramped and dimly lit staf, the rider was had been tasked with haming ter lined with fortato The used him the tallest job, ming his own insupetence and the Interference of another person who had around ire. Earlier, he had reportedbe sessful oue to his boss, knowing; there would be consequencestor his fallum "[could''ve had her. If only that mon wasn''t helping her. E nearly had her." He muttered in himmell in forstration, Stemming into his usuall living space, he tossed his br onto areaily suntare, his movements mugh with anger. His mind cared with thoughts of how he could have done better, ying the scene of his tailed attempt in his head. Aabis frustration mounted, be reached for a bottle of beer from his tridge, his hands trembling slightly with agitation. Taking a swig of the drink, he nced and beschuttesed studio, his eyesnding on abottle of hers that had bem lett umpeurdenflur table. Contusionele his mind momentarily as he realized fie never deli am emply bulile on the table. Audien af alertness surged through him, his instinctsshapening as he set the beer bottle down onthecounter. In one swift rantion, he grabbed a baseball bat leaning against the wall, readying himself for confrontation with a thick mussian ent, he bellowed into the darkness, "Who''s there?" The studio remained silent, the only illuminationing from the dim kitchen light. Slowly, he made his way towards the living room, his grip on the baseball bat tightening with each step. He felt the tension in the alt, his semes on high alert as he prepared for a potential threat. Ashe reached for the light mitch, revealing the figure sitting calmly in anamchait, his heart pared with a mix of fear and anger. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voiceced with a stem waming ire, the woman in the armchair, calmly reached to the standingmp beside her and pulled the witch. The sudden illumination revealed her fare, causing the manto drop the baseball bat in shock. His eyes widened asho recognized her. "How did you get in here?" he demanded, his voice tinged with a mixture of surpose and apprehendon. loe''s scurled into an evil smideas she regarded himcoldly. "Who sent you?" she asked pointedly, hertone curting through the tension in the room. The mansored defiantly. "No one sent me," he replied, his demeanor challenging. He made a mo move to retrieve the fallen baseball bat, but before he could, someone licked his hand, causing him to curse and wince in pain. Matthew, who was hiding in the room unnoticed, swathy book the bat way. iseaned forward, her gaze icy as she repeated her question, "Who sent you?" The man was still tending to his hand, but he was still refusing to acknowledge any connection ire got to her teet, her face bing stem "If you want to y this the hard way, then so be it," ire wamed, hervole steely. "I promise to not leak any information" ire gestured to Matthew, indicating that the rider needed to be dealt with Matthew didn''t hesitate. With a swift punch to his jaw, he sent the rider reling backward, blood trickling from his mouth as he hit the floor. ire approached him, squatting down to his level "Dit Raskolnikov. Bom in Russia, parents died at the age of six, living in the street since then and even went to all couple of times. Committed a lot of crimes including being an illegal immigrant. Wow you rally do have a great track record." ire exined his biography in detail which make his eyes widen in shocked. "Don''t be surprised," ire taunted, her smirksetuming. "I know all about you can even list all of your crimes if you want me to She leaned incloser, her voice low and threatening, "If you value your life, you''ll tell me who sent you. H Dmitri seyes darted back and forth, weighing his options. In a sudden, desperate move, he grabbed a nearby broomstick, aiming it at ire "ire!" Matthew, anticipating the theat, intervened, rolling to shield ire from the impact. With a quick soll backward, Dmitri scrambled to his feet and bolted out of the studio, his escape fueled by tear and pain Matthew moved to pursue him, but ire held him back. "Let him go," shemanded, bet tour resolute, "He can unas far as he want but he knows can''t hide forever." "You''re just going to let him go be asked incredulously, his voice tinged with urgency, "We can still chase him down." ire tumed to dare Matthew, ber expression calm yet resolute. "No, Matthew. I''m not letting him go. I''m just giving him a jump start," she exined cryptically. Matthew raised an eyebrow. "I know his name now, and wherever he goes, I''ll find him. He won''t be able to hide" For the next ten minutes, they meticulously nummaged through drawers and cabs, hoping to find something valuable that could provide a clue. As ire opened a cab below Dimitri''s desk, her eyes widened in surprise as she spotted his passport. Without hesitation, she grabbed it, tuming to show "I found his passport," Matthew, meanwhile, was trying to ess it''sptop, Frowning infrustration, he admitted, "I don''t know how to unlock it." ir red over, her mind already rating with possibilities. "Cock the hint" she suggested, hereves scaming theptop ser ֧, ԧէ ߧѧѧݧѧ ߧѧ ݧҧӧ. "What does that mean?" ire shrugged, teaching for her phone. "I''m not thent in Russian, but let''s see what Google Trante says. Matthew raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Does the trantion is urate? Cause I doubt it." ire sighed, acknowledging the uncertainty. "I''m not sure, but it''s our best shot." The ce where our love began They exchanged uncertain looks, unsure f the hint was genuine or intentionally misleading. ire decided to try the trantion again, but the result remained the "The ce where our love began," Matthew repeated, puzzled. "What does that mean? The ce where our love began? Really? ire contemted for a moment, her mind working through different possibilities. "Maybe it''s too caught people off guard mowing his job is the opposite of the hire "That man is bad news, and his password is about love?" Matthew stared at the screen in confusion. "Or maybe it could be about his first crime. The ce where his first criminal activities started" Marthew thought for a while. "That makes more sense,This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ire recalled the information about Dmitri that she found. "Moscow, 1971. He robbed a bank there." She typed the password in Russian, and to their surprise, it unlocked theptop. ire smirked smugly at Matthew, who nodded in appreciation. As they sifted through theptop''s contents, they found limited information, ire instructed Matthew to hack into the system to uncover any deleted messages or hidden documents It took them some time, but their efforts paid off when they discovered a message from an unknown sender, instructing Dmitri to harm ire. "There''s no name and it seems like the senderused a bumer number" She stare at the message and contemte. "Hmm...I wonder who." Chapter 62 Chapter 6 Uheless In the busy Harris Company offer, Alex sat at his desk and tried to lose himself in his work to block out the conflict of emotions was having Lisa''sralis had gone unanswered, each ring a reminder of the rift between them. He wasn''t angry with Lisa; instead, a deep sense of disappointment and hurt lined within him. As he died away on his keyboat, Alex''t shake off the unease feeling. Lisa bed to him and used ire, venit what she had said about ire was the that ire was the one putting doubt in Lisa''s mind he couldn''t overlook the fact that L?sa had deceived bam Ignoring another iing call mm Lisa, Alexsigheil brandly, Alex despised re for the have the bad caused his life, but he was raised with values that tight tam to maintain good manners and decency, even towards those he didn''t particrly like. Alex was having internal struggle, which made him wonder if he should apologies to ire for acting her to be the one leaking the information to his mother. However, the thought of apologizing to ire helt a bitter taste in his mouth. It would be like giving up, acknowledging fur ire''s schemes hart leaving him in dities Alexiefused to give her that satisfaction. "I can''t apologize to her. Besides she also used me of harming her, so I guess we''re even." Alex argue at himself as the topic nerupy his mind. *Dammit!" Alex bang, his fist the desk in frustration. "How did she have the recording? How did she even get it in the first ce? Is this the peaks of being the CEDol Metacortex? You can get every information?" In thevish penthouse, Lisa paced back and forth, her frustration palpable as she repeatedly dialed Alex''s mumber only to be met with voicemail each time, With a slickatesageration, she threw her phone onto the be, unable to contain her inrination. "This wasn''t supposed to happen," Lisa muttered to herself, bermind racing with question about how Alex had found out and what he meant by voice recordin Feeling a surge of frustration and confusion, Lisa dialed the number of the man she had entrested with sensitive information. As he answered, Lisa wasted no time inunching into interrogation mode. "Did you tell Alex about what the been doing? Lisa''s voor was sharp, her tone demanding answers. The man on the other end sounded bewildered. "No, Lisa, I swear I didn''t say anything to Alex." "Then how does he knows about it?" Lisa''s voice or with each word, her frustration boiling over. The man tried to exin. "I don''t know, maybe it got leaked somehow, but I didn''t tell anyone. H Lisa''s patience snapped as she cut him off mid-amtence. "Uarless! You''re alleless!" with that, she mmed the phone shut, the anger evident in her actions. As she tossed the phone onto the bed, Lisaran a hand through her hair in frustration, her mind racing to find a solution. She couldn''t afford to have Alex mad at her. Desperation coeptinas Lisaached her brain for a n she couldn''t let everything fall apart now, not when she hade this far. Taking a deep breath, she resolved to salvage the situation and ensure that her efforts didn''t go to waste. "need to think this through Lisa muttered to herself, her determination resurfacing amidst the chans of her emotions. Chase and Matthew made their way back to the headquarters instead of their intended destination at Metcortex. The atmosphere in the car was tense, with ire sitting in silence, her expression serious and contemtive.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Noticing her demeanor, Matthew spoke up with concem "im, are you y? You''ve been quiet the whole ride back." ire took moment before responding, her voice carrying a weight of worry. "I''m fine, Matthew It''s just- I can''t help but think the person who send Dmitri have anything to do with An, the drunk driver that case the ident three years ago." Matthee nodded understandingly "You mean it could be the same person who hired them?" ire nodded in agreement. "Yes, exactly. I think they are connected in someways." Matthew furrowed his brow, mind racing to grasp the situation. "It could be, but the more important thing is that someone is clearly targeting you. ire: This incident with Dit isn''t just a coincidence." ire''s eyes owed indetermination, "I know. And I have a strong feeling it''s somes within our ranks." "Do you have any suspicions?" "There''s Robert, for sure. And perhaps Lisa" she added, her tone uncertain about Lisa''s involvement. Matthew absorbed this information, mulling over the possibilities "Robert does seem like he has ulterior motives. But Lisa? Are you set mean that woman bber her own secret inpublic. I would heroves the list." "you''re right. Earlier, I assumed it was Alexander, which is why I went to his office." Matthew raised an eyebrow inprise and what did you find out?" r theokbechead, "Nothing conclume. It won''t him. But I do owe you an apology for leaving you in the middle of the street": Matthew waved it at with a smile. "Don''t worry about it, ne. We''re a team now we''ll figure about this somehow However, Robert, he''s the top of the link and why do to think thar? in didn''t hesitate interesse "You in youre how he wanted to take over Metarotes and believe he''s the one who wants to get nd of me ton not Dolent win wants to get inded you? What if there''s someone else behand all this? #polinos, infingred by Matthews suggestion "Interesting thought. Why do you think that?! Malikew pensei, dinnings words carefully "ambestly, Tuenoidea mean it''s only a thought, Everything is possible ire think over his words. After a moment she shook her head. "Yes, Tunderstand but I don''t think there''s someone who wants to get rid of me more than Robert. Three years ago, he was the one who nned that ident. I lost my parents; I lost my memories and I even lost Metacortex to him." Matthew nodded solemnly, recalling the past events that had put ire in jeopardy. "Yeah, maybe you''re right. Robert seems to have everything nned out." "The problem is, even if it''s Robert who hire Dmitri, can''t use him without enough evidence." ire drummed her fingers on her desk. "I need you to check on Dmitri. Keep me ute with his location." Matthew nodded. "You got it ire." He turned to leave the office and stop on his track as te called him "How''s An case going? Have you find his family?" Matthew shook his head, "Sorry ire. We still haven''t find it, but I promise you, I will search his family." ire nodded in understanding. "It''s fine, Matt. Thanks." Continuing his work, Matthew left ire office to keep an eye on Dmitri as well as finding An''s wife and son existence, On his way to his office, Matthew can''t help thinking if only he has An''s wife and son''s picture. It can make the search more easier. Chapter 63 Chapter 6 Long time no see end the night at work, but for some rea Alex stepped out of the office building, his mind swirling will conting thoughts. Initially, he was going in rampelled to pobune. He was drawn, for no apparent reason, in the towering Metacortes building standing across the staret as die "This is stupid." He mustered to himself. Frowning, Alexsat in his car, contemting whether to contron ire at her office and clear up the misunderstanding that had been lingering between them, fot as he was weighing his options, his phone cane, disying amundnown number Scamching his brows indiosity, Alex answered the call. "ood evening, is this Alexander Hans?" a temale voice spoke... "Yrk, good evening. This is Alexander." He greeted The female voite the other end spoke formally. "Mr. Harris, I''m calling to inform you i Du Thompunhas been admitted to the hospital." Alea''s eyes widened in shock and conrem "What? Which hospital?" he asked unprotly, already starting his car and driving towards the Incation she mentioned Upon arriving at the hospital, Alex parked hastily and rushed in the front desk, his heart racing with worry for Lisa. "I need to know Lisa Thompson''s mom," he bold the nurse, his voice edged with urgency. The muse directed bhu to Lisa''s room, and Ales huntedly made his way there. When he entered, he saw Lisa sleeping, her face peaceful yet trail railt washed mere himashe med Hussell lot betanddecopse. Appusaching her bedside, Alex gently caressed her forehead, his voice filled with remorse ashe whispered apologies, even though she remained asleep. As he touched her hand, Lisa''s eyes uttered open, and she managed a weak smile, *Alex. "Her voice was soft and tired. Alex wasted no time and immediately called for the doctor. The physician arrived promptly, assessing UsScondition_ "Mr. Harris, Lisa is just exhausted and stressed, she needs rest and proper intrition," the ductor exined pronly) Alexnodded, his expression reflecting botherm and regret. "Thank you, doctor. Fihisake since she gets what she needs." Timing back to Lisa, Alex apologized again, his voire filled with me. I''m sorry, Lisa I shouldn''t have yelled at you earlier. It was my fault. * Lisa managed to squeeze his hand wealdy, her eyes reflecting userstanding "No, Alex, it''s not just you. Ilied to you, and I''m sorry too. Let''s not fight again. I Alexnodded eamestly, leaning down to kiss her forehead gently. "You'' right. We won''t fight again Please rest, and I''ll stay here with you." Lisa smiled weakly, her gaze filled with gratitude and affection. "Thank you, Alex. Heel better knowing you''re bear," Throughout the night, Alex remained by Lisa''s side, offering hefort and geassurance.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. The thought about their tight and ire jumped out of his mind as he put his focus on Lisa. The next day, Alex stood by Lisa''s side as the doctor gave her the green light to go home. He treated her with utmost care, ensuring she wasfortable once they arrived home. Settling her down on the couch "About meeting my parents, I have postponed it and decided next work we will go and meet them. I promise." Alex assured her as he caress her bead Lisa smiled gratefully, nodding in agreement. "That sounds good, Alex. Whatever works for you." For a day Lisa stayed at home with the maid taking care of Lisa intracted by Alex It was a bored day for her, but she have to listen to Alex words. The following day, Lisa decided to go to a corycare where she and her foods meet up, including the doctor who had treated her just two days prio The doctor couldn''t help but expers her disbelief "You''re crazy, Lisa! Faking an admission to the hospital, and your boyfriend Is Alexander Harris, the Alexander Hanis," the doctor eximed, ber eyes wide staring at her as it she ismitting a death wish Lisa called her eyes yfully, counting her, "Fianc, actually. And it was ast resort. I had to do what I had to do." "hut still, that was crazy! What if he finds out? What will you do?" "I''m sure he won''t find out cause the only one who knows about it, is you and me. So, if he knows, it means you are the snitch." Lisa snaked which make her calling hereves "yeah, yeah. Trust me, I won''t tell anyone. It''s not like I know the man anyway."! Her other friends entered the caf, queting Lisa with excitement. They bombarded her with questions about her rtionship with Alexander Harris. "Is it time you''re going to marry Alexander Harrison of her bends asked eagerly. Lisa beamed with excitement, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes, it''s true! Look at this she proodly disyed her engagement ring, causing a choms of squeals, and element from her friends "That''s amazing. LisaTM one friend exined, pping her hands indeli Lisa, feeling a surge of confidence, dered, "Order whatever you wait, girls. It''s one today," she said, feeling a bit mag about her fiance''s financial states. The doctor, overheating their conversation, chimed in with ademitation "You''re so lucky to have Alexander. He''s blindly in love with you Lisa turkled, ikasledging the tubin the statement "it really is," she agreed, her eyes lighting up at the thought of Alex sweating love forr etogether, Lisa''s fiends showered her with congrattions and well washes, thrilled about herming marriage to Alexander H?cka in a conversation with Ka, Lisa grew irritated by I course, I will invite you girls. You are the only friends I have." Lisa replied, smiling ear to eat. Cindy, the doctor nced to the front door and her eyes widen. She nudged Lisa a few times as she is engage in Cindy nudging as she tam to her and ted. She tumed to Cindy with a re, asking sharply. "What?" Cindy leaned in slightly and whispered "Not to ruin the moment, but isn''t that, ire? Your friend?" Lisa tollow andy linger as she pointed to the entrance. Lisa frowned as she see ire. "What is she doing here? It seems like everywhere I go see her. Is she stalling me?" Lisa can''t help grew irritated. What shit wants one day of peace, but it seems like she can''t have it. As ire''s eves scanned the room, Cindy, Lisa, and Ka quickly averted their gazes, not wanting to draw any more attention. However, Lisa decided to confront the situation head-on. She made her way over to where ire was seated and greeted her with a forced smile. "Long time no Cindy and Ka did the same, though with less enthusiasm, their smiles not reaching their eyes. **What are you doing here? Are you following me around?" Lisa''s tone was usatory, her frustration evident. ire''s nonchnt demeanor irked Lisa further. With a cold smirk, ire said. "The world doesn''t revolve around you, Lisa." "ire, ready to have brunch?" a man''s voice called out ire''s name, It was Adrian, and he was ready to have brunch with ire. Chapter 64 Chapter 6 Pull of mystery "ite you are here "caine tumed to Adrian sending to greet him before she tumed to cindy, Ka and Lisa *1 hope we will see each other sou ire wared dispiwore to Lisa, Cindy, and Ka with a hint of amngance before wallone any with Adrian. Lisa let out an exasperated sigh, feeling a mix of annoyance and frustration. She tumed back to Cindy and Ka, shaking her head. "Can you believe her! Pretending to act niveleven though she''s the sneaky little bitch" Cindy nodded aggreging with Lisa Tren did you and ire be friends in the first ce?" Lisa sighed as she lean back to the couch recalling the first time she met ire. "What can I say? She was lost, she was clueless and 1, Lisa bring the nice and caring person decided to be her friend." sta chimed in, shaking her head in disbelief. "She doesn''t know how to say thank you. You are too kond, Lisa Ka argued. "I know, but at least I have a handsome and wealthy fiance soit kinda paidot." Lisa smiled in satisfaction. "I were ke, I will feel guilty in life. She should be thanking you paying you backerat least be nice to poo Cindy nodded in agreement "Ka''s right (mean Iremembered you told me about that job. How you gave that job to ire Lisa smiled sortly maslone her mischievous boughts. "It''s line. The past is past. There were so much that happened, and I have made peace with it but I''m not going to be that sometimes it kinda hut. But is not like I will see her again." "True"Cindy and Ka said sireultaneously Keylo, always curious and observant, couldn''t help but ask about ire. "So, is, is it just me or does ire looked different earlier, Lake her dress, her vibe and even hermakeup look so different." Cindy nodded agreeing with Ka as she took a bite of her biscuit. "Yes! I noticed it too. She does seem to be dressing differently." Ka leaned in, intrigued "what way? Like, is she going for a new style or something? Cause thest time I saw her, she wasn''t dress like that Gul barely use makeup and her outfit it is always conservative. Lisa shrugged nonchntly, "I''m not sure about ut the style, but as you can see earliest feels like she''s on the hunt for rich guys, you know, like that guy earlier." Ka''s face contorted in disgust. "Ugh, seriously? ire''s always been about the money, hasn''t she? Is she pretending to be innocent all these years Lisa smirked bowingly "Very much so. The can be quite cheap when ites to getting what she wants" The two friendsughed at the circumstances when ine''s methods were mentioned, and they came to agree on the topic "Yeah, I think she''s not one to shy away fmmuting her charms to get what she wants," Ka remarked, shaking her head in amusement. Lisa nodded in agreement. "Definitely. But hey, it''s her life. We''re just here for the entertainment."- Theirughter bubbled through the caf as they proceeded to chat about ire and share their moment when they met ire. The gossip concerning ire was discussed with ease. As Adrian and ire sected into the cozy privacy of their reserved room at the cafe, the ambient lighting casting a warm glow around them. Adrian, intrigued by an earlier encounter, couldn''t resist bringing up the tople as they waited for the waiter to amive *So, ire, those there girls from earlier, are they your tilends?" Adrian''s curiosity was evident in histone as he leaned forward slightly. ire''s lips curved into an amused smile as she shook her head, "Oh, far from it. They''re not what I would call friends," she replied cryptically, her eyes glinting with a hint of mystery. Adrian, not typically one to pry into others'' affairs, found himself drawn to ire''s enigmatic au "You''re quite the unique person, ire. Full of mystery," he remarked, his interest piqued. ire mes gaze with a knowing smirk. "And what makes you to curious about my acquaintances, Adrian?" Adrian shrugged nonchntly, his eyes feed on ire. "I suppose I''m just intrigued by you. You seem like someone who holds secrets." ire chuckled softly, finding his observation amusing. "Interesting observation, Adrian. You''re not wrong. I do have my fair share of secrets,"Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Their convessation paused momentarily as the waiter arrived, presenting them with menus. ire nced over the options, her mind couldn''t help wondering why Adrianimited her to lunch. "so, Adrian, what''s your story? Why did you invite me to offer for lunch out of the blue? ire shifted the focus of the conversation, genuinely curious about the man sitting oss from her Adnan Inaned back in his seat, considering her question "Well, just wanted to maintain a good rtionship with you before Thead back to America." ire nodded, taking a sip of her juice before responding. "Everything about you seems so business-like, Adrian. Even this lunch teels like a strategic move." Adrian chuckled. "I guess you could say the apple don''t fall far from the tree. My family has always been business oriented, but I assure you that this hunch doesn''t have any business rted. I just want to maintain a good rtionship with you.". How swertol w [ you "ire said with a smick ying on her lips. Adrian can''t help chuckled as he gets the tone in her voler Their coversation flowed smoothly as they enjoyed their meal. As the lunch progressed, Adrian couldn''t help but admite ire''s wit and chann, appreciating the moments they shared Athey finished their meal, furian beach another tople "ire, if I were to extend an imite to you for the opening of my new club one day, would youe?" ire united yfully don''t know Adrian, we''ll have to wait and see," she replied with a wink, enjoying their banter, Despite ire''s offer to pay or split the bill, Adrian insisted on covering the cost of th dlunch. ire protested lightly but eventually relented when Adri. suggested she could treat him next time, As they made their way downstairs and exited thecate, ire tumed to Adrian with gratitude. "Thank you for the delicious lunch, Adrian. It was lovely matching up." Adrian smiled warmly. "No, thank you for epting my imate. It''s always a pleasure, ire." Their parting was friendly, filled with promises of future meetups and exchanges of pleasantries Adrian opened the backseat of ire''s car, le genrlemanly: gesture that ire appreciated. However, before ire could settled into her car, from theer of her eyes she caught sight of a familiar figure on the sidewalk the nced at expression tumed cold as their eyes met briefly before she quickly looked away. Adrian noticed the shift in ire''s demeanor. "Is everything okay, ire?" he asked: ire tested a smile, masking her inner turmoil. "Yes, everything''s fine, Adnan nodded. "Well, take care, ire. I''ll be waiting for that invite." ire bid Adrian farewell, her mind preupied with the unexpected encounter outside the caf She scotted to herself and muttered quietly. "He''s probably there to pick her fiance." Chapter 65 Chapter 65 Meeting the parents As Alex watched ir getting into the cat, his brow furrowed in a misture of corosity and annoyance. He couldn''t shake the feeling that he had seen the guy at Mc Salt Laurent''s birthday party. The man seemed familiar, and Alex''s mind started to wander, wondering about his intentions towards ire. "Why should I even care?" alex muttered to himself. shaking his head to clear his thoughts. Adrian''s courteous gesture of epering the car doos for ire only added to Alex''s difort. He couldn''t help but feel a bitter taste in his mouth, knowing that he had never shown such chivalry towards ire, in their past rtionship. Determined to put aside his unease, Alex walked into the cat, scanning the room for familiar faces. His eyes lit up when he spotted Lisa seated with her friends, Ka, and Cindy. Making his way over to their table, Alex greeted them with a warm smile. "Hey, Lisa. Ready to head out?" Alex asked, histone affectionate, Lisa beamed at Alex''s arrival, introducing him to her friends. "Alex, meet Ka and Cindy. My best friend. Remember Cindy? The doctor who tend me." Alexnodded. "Lemember, Nice to meet you both,"Content ? N?velDrama.Org. The two girls looked at Alex with excitement, dearly happy to meet Lisa''s significant other Lisa stood up, linking her arm through Alex''s as they prepared to leave. "It was great seeing you, Ka, Cindy, We''ll catch up again soon. As they walked out of the cafe, Alex turned to Lisa. "Did you have fun with your friends?" Lisa nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, it was nice to go out after being sick. Thanks foring to get me alex smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, how about we go shopping? know you''ve had your eye on a few things." Lisa''s eyes widened in excitement at the prospect of a shopping spree. "Really? That would be amazing!* From afar without the noticing, there are paparazi taking pictures of them even when their car drive away, the paparazzi called them. When Alexand Lisa Arrived at the mall, the paparazzi were still trailing them. Somehow, they remain unnoticed by Lisa and Alex It doesn''t take days until the photo of Alex and Lisa wet trending on the inte knowing Alexis the heir to the Harris hotel and his dating life is nonexistent. With the photo of him and an unnamed woman, it obviously attract the audience attention. "When will Alex introduce the woman to us? Alex father gumbled as he read the news on his iPad His wife sighed as he listen to her husband grumbling in the morning which ruin themoming mood, "This week dear, don''t worry. He promised me he will introduce berto us," "I still can''t believe that Alex and ire are divorced. But why didn''t ire contact us! She shrugged but also wondering the same thing. "Maybe she has a reason." "Or maybe, our sen told her not to contact us" his tone bitter thinking of the possibility. Lisa stood and a sea of clothes scattered on the floor of her walk-in closet, her brows furrowed in Inistration. She had been there for what felt like an etemily, inting to find the perfect out to wear for her meeting with Alex''s parents. Her goal was simple yet captivating dress, to make a good impression and win their approval. Meanwhile, Alex tumed to the doset, finding Lisa still in the same predicament. He sighed softly, leaming against the door frame. "Lisa, just wear something you like. They''ll apporciate that more than anything else." Lisa turned to him, her expression a mix of annoyance and anxiety. "But what if they don''t like how I dress? What if they think I''m not good mouch for you?" Alex shook his head gently, moving closer to her. "They''ll like you, Lisa Trust me, my parents aren''t judgmental like thur" Bur Lisa couldn''t be as calmas Alexcaine abe knows they willpare her toce Lisa''s uncertainty persisted as she fitted over every outfit choice. Alex could sense her mounting stress and tried to reassure her once more "Look, if you don''t decide soon, we''ll bete. And my dad hates tardiness, so it''s important." Lisa''s eyes widened at the thought of making a bad first impression "y, okay, I''ll change," she relented, though her hesitation was still evident. After another round of deliberation, Lisa settled on a conservative blue dress, despite it being slightly too big for her frame. The sleeves draped over her hands, ghing it an awloward fit. She felt ufortable in something so different from her usual style, but she hoped it would meet Alex''s parents expectations. As she finished styling herself, she headed downstairs to where Alex was waiting. His eyebrows raised slightly at her choice of attice, but he managed a smile as she Approached him. "How do I look? Lisa asked, seeking reassurance. Alex hesitated for a moment, knowing the dress wasn''t her usual style. However, he didn''t want to cause further stress. "You look nice, Lisa," he replied with a warm smile, hoping to ease her nerves With that, they headed down to the basement where Alex''s car awaited. As they drove away from the penthouse. Lisa''s anxiety about the uing encounter with Alex''s parents lingered. She can only hope everything will go ording to her n and they will eventually like She can''t mess this up After a two hour-long drive, Lisa''s eyes widened in awe as they arrived at Alex''s house. To her, it wasn''t just a man-it was more like a castle, majestic. The gates of the property opened automatically as they approached, revealing a long driveway leading up to the impressive structure Authrie car drove through the gates, Lisa couldn''t help but marvel at the sight. A water fountain sat majestically at the center of the driveway, adding to the Chioter 15 Meiring the parents. Lisa was greeted by the butler who opened her door. grandeur of the estate. Alex''s car came to a stop at the foot of the stairs leading to the entrance, and Lisa "Thank you, "Lisa murmured gratefully to the butler, her eyes still talding in the vastness of the mansion. In her mind, she envisioned herself living in such a ce one day, and the thought filled her with excitement. Alex stood by her side. "Are you ready?" Lisa nodded eagerly. "Yes." Together, they ascended the grand staircase, Lisa talong in every detail of the luxurious surroundings. "You''re house is amazing. It feels like a castle." Alexchuckded, "Well, it was my grandmother wishes. He loved her very much, so he buy this mansion and rebuild it to her liking." "That''s sweet of your of your grandfather." "Yeah, and he could be a pain in the ass too." Another butler open the door entrance for Alex and Lisa as they walked inside. If the exterior is grand, the interior is luxurious and sophisticated. The butler lead them to the spacious living room. "Mr. Alex has arrived." H Both of them tumed their attention towards Alex and Lisa. Alex father doesn''t look really please as he stood up and approached them. "Is there something you need to tell me, Alex?" Chapter 66 Chapter 66 Internation Alexa tarber, Michel, bada hint of robbi Alextimewed his hows, atouch of confusion muring Aquisture nt anticipate and curiosity tiled the prili subtle expressionthat didn''t grimnoticed by Alex. He couldn''t quite grasp the meminghrbind fig foodhet sest, a silent signal to beer beshand "Not now, dear," die mhispered, het ?yet rnnveying a plea for patience. Capproached him withinpencarus, ginng him a warm fext Despite the tension in the ali, Alex''s mother a ''sheraton long since you''vee home, Alex," she remarked, her voice tinged with a mix of affection andmem Toming feraltention to Usa, dhe sundled warmly "And who is this beautiful pid?" she asked, berres twirlding with curimaty Lia, feeling alot shy mnder the si intiny, tetumed the semile. "Prs Lisa Thompson." she introduced firmself gently Ales stepped in, a touch of polile tulis ynder "She''s, mynce, " While joum dinli'') look supriseid, as she had already been informed by Alex about their rtionship, Michael''s how deepened at the mention of Lisa being Alex''s Havre He temained silent, choosing to withhold b thoughts for the moment. Usa extended feet hom to Michael, Introducing herself formally. "It''s a pleasure to meet woo, M. and Mrs Lamis," she said respectfully pran shooktisa''s hand warmly, a genuine smile gracing lies features. "I''m pan-anal this is Michael." She said geduling in her husband beside her. "It''s lovely to have you heir, Lisi," she replied wauly. H Michael, however, seemed more reserved. He nced at Elsa''s hunt before shalone it someshat reluctantly, his messinn still guarded. Lisa, Irving to ease the tension,plimented joan. "You livrabeautiful lime, jom. It''sanhonartu meet bothenf you jounchuckled softly. "Thank you, dear. We''ve been looking forward to reling, Alex''s mysterious gal," she travel lightly, trying to lighten the mood. prons, with her kasen eye for fashion, couldn''t help but admin Lisa''s altine as they walked through the backpant. Baeswering from Liv''s headtotoe. "Thank you, Mrs. Harris." Lisa smiled shyly as she thought here liess hadht the attention of pan clook lovely, Lisa,"poan cumplimentet, her To Jown, Lisa''s dress seemed a little too big, not quite fitting her figure as well as it could have. However, Joan kept her thoughts to herself, offering a war?n sendde As they reached the beautiful backyard white Alex and his family often gathered for tra, Lisa''s eyes widened in awe at the sight. The garden was a vibrant disy. of various flowen, each blooming beautifully under the case of the gandriers. Jean gestured forthens to take a seat at the elegantly set tea table. The buries and maid promptly served tea along with biscuits and snacks, Creating an atmosphere of cetine hospitality. Amid the serene setting, Michael, Alex''s father, couldn''t contain his city. "Where were you bom, Lisa?" he asked in an almost interogative tone, sipping histea canally. Lisa''s expressionsoftened, Unged w with sadness as she recalled her past, "I was hom in sgow, but I moved to London when I med 18," she replied honestly. Michael continued his line of questioning, his demeanor slightly skeptical. "Have you been living alone since then?" Lisa added, her voice carrying a hint of valerability. Yes, I have. My dad passed away, and my mum isn''t well, so I moved to London for better job opportunities." Jean, empathetic to Lisa''s situation, reached out and ced a conforting hand on Lisa''s sluulder "You''re a strong woman, Lisa," she said sympathetically, offering reassurance. Lisa smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Mrs. Harris." While Joan''s gesture was kind, Michael couldn''t sharoff his suspicions entirely. The tumed to alex, a serious look in his eyes. "We need to tall, Alex" Michel stated, histone series as be looked at his son. Alexfurrowed his brows, sensing the tension. "Can''t wait, Bad? Let''s focus on Lisa. She''s my farbe, after all." Michael shrugged, though his expression trained skeptical "Sult yourself, Alex. But don''t say I didn''t warn you" Lisa appreciated joms kindness and tried her best to enjoy the moment despite noticing the dislikes expressionthat Michael threw at her. Aberrolled his eyes digludy, choosing to prove his father''s woning; for the time being Meanwhile, Joan, Alex''samsther, engaged Lisa in conversation, her wann smile pasting the younger womanal rase **Do you have any siblings, Lisa" joan inquireil grily, curious to frame about her son''s fiance, Lisa Mankler heat, expressiadhoughtful "No, I am an only child. My mam depends emise a lot." Janmodded understandly Te she''s out of you what illness does your meter have?" Lisa''s demeaner famed slightly somber as she shared, "My men Joan''s eyes reflected sympathy as she sped it''s und "issary to hear that hope she gets well soon sa we Mraclined in, adding sques of inbuumation about Lisa. "A few months ago, Lisamas diagnosed with a tumor, but it was caught early amigeat tedness and Chapter t? InternationContent ? N?velDrama.Org. Lisa nodded, understanding his concem. "Okay, I won''t" Joan felt a surge of empathy towards Lisa, seeing her strength and resilience in the face of challenges. She couldn''t help but think that Lisa was a kind-hearted and admirable woman, a perfect match for her son. Meanwhile, Michael, Joan''s husband, still had doubts lingering in his mind. He didn''t entirely buy Lisa''s story about her health, but he chose not to voice his suspicions. The butler''s announcement interrupted the conversation. "I apologize for interrupting Dinner is served. Please follow me to the dining table," he announced, leading the way. The family took their seats at the elegantly set dining table, with Michael at the head and Joan beside him. Across from them, Alex and Lisa sat together "So, Lisa, do you have any hobbies or passions that you enjoy?" Joan asked with genuine interest. Lisa shitted slightly in her seat, feeling a bit shy about herck of traditional hobbies. "Well, I don''t really have much time for hobbies, but I do enjoy reading books," she admitted, her tone modest. guides rather than academic or knowledge-based In her mind, Lisa acknowledged that her interest in books leaned more towards fashion magazines and trend gu literature. However, she kept that part to herself. As the conversation continued, the butler discreetly leaned in to whisper to Michael, Alex''s father, that the expected guest had arrived. Michael''s nodded, and Alex, noticing the exchange, raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What is going on, Dad?" Alexinquired; his interest piqued by the sudden whispering. A sense of anticipation filled the room as they waited for Michael to tell them. Before Michael could respond, the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the room, drawing everyone''s attention towards the entrance "Am I interrupting something?" Chapter 67 Chapter 67 What''s Metacortes? The dining room fell into a momentary hush as the guest''s entrance drew everyone''s attention "Am interupting something?" she asked with achamming smile, her eyes scanning the room Alex''s eyes widened in surprise, a shiver running down Lisa''s spine as they both recognized the guest. Lisa''s grip tightened on the fork in her hand, her unease palpable Joan''s expression miriored the shockin alex''s eyes, while Michael remained impassive, having been the one to invite ire to join them. Rising from his seat with politeposure, Michael greted ire warmly. "Not at all, ire We were just starting. Please, have a seat next to joan." brought you your favorite chocte. Thope you don''t mind." lar said as she handed joan about ciocte. joan epted it with grisine surprise and gratitude, cing it delicately on the rahle beside her. "Oh, dear, you shouldn''t. Is this imported straight from Switzend?" Joan asked as she stared at the box of chocte on the table.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ire nodded with a smile. "Indeed, it is I know you don''t eat random chocte." "Thank you my dear, have a seat please." Taking the offered seat next to Joan and across from Lisa, ire maintained her pleasant demeanor, feigning innocence as she addressed Lisa, "oh, who''s this?" she asked, her toneced with faux surprise. Alex, however, couldn''t contain his anger, standing pabruptly, he turned to his father, his voice edged with frustration. "What''s the meaning of this, Dad?" Michael''s tone remained cool as he reprimanded his son "Sit down, Alex Don''t embarass yourself in front of our guest". Lisa tugged at Alex''s sleeve, silently urging him to calm down and old escting the situation. With a resized sigh, Alexplied, taking his seat but his expression rained stem. Joan, ever the peacemaker, decided to lighten the atmosphere. "in, this is Lisa, Alex''s fiance," she introduced, trying to bridge the awkward gap between the Dwo women ire''s smile remained in ce, but there was a glint in her eyes that didn''t escape Lisa''s notice, making her feel easy, Joan then gestured to the butler to contine serving the meal to ire, ensuring she felt wee despite the unexpectedness other arrival As the food was served, ire thanked the butler graciously and picked up her knite and fork, ready to enjoy the meal. "How are you doing dear?" Joan askouriously Dabbing her lips with anaplin, ire replied smoothly, "I''ve been doing well, thank you, I have been busy, and I apologize for not seeing you sooner before our Joan wawed off her apology with a reassuring smile. "Oh, don''t worry about that, ire. I understand it must have been a challenging time for you ire''s gaze shifted subtly towards Alexas she added, "Indeed, it wasn''t the easiest," There was a mischievous glint in her eyes that didn''t go unnoticed by Alex, who scaled lightly as he took a sip of his wine. The conversationpsed into afortable silence as they used on their meals. It was Michael who broke the silence with a curious inquiry directed at isa. "So, Lisa, where did you go to college? Michael''s tone was friendly, seeking to leam more about Lou''s background. Lasa, slightly caught off guard by the question, hesitated for a moment before responding. "I, um, actually dropped out of college daring my second year. 1 needed to work and send money to my mother." the admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of hesitation. Michael nodded understandingly, "I see. And what line of work did you pursue after that?" Lisa cleared her throat, her fingers fidgeting slightly under the table. "I''ve been working at a caf as a waitress," embarrassment confessed, her cheeks flushing with As Lisa shared her story, she couldn''t help but steal a nce at ire, seated across from her. Memories of their time working together at the same caf shed through bermind Lisa had a sneaky idea brewing in her mind, she didn''t want to be the only one whose past was being discussed. "Actually," Lisa spoke up, directing her words towards Michael, "chaice worked at the same cate with " ire, who had been about to take a bite of her steak, paused mid-air, he took hovering over the te. Her expression remainedposed, but there was a thicker of surprise in her eyes at Lisa''s unexpected revtion Michael turned his attention to se, intrigued "oh, is that so?" She ced the utensils down slowly, meeting Lisa''s gaze with a knowing look "Yes, I did work at the cat as a waitress," ire continued, a slight smick ying on her lips. Jean, Alex''s mother, furrowed her brows incontain "Why didn''t you ever mention this,te? We thought you were working at Harris Company befo marrying Alex" ire nodded, her demeanorposed. "That was before grandfather offered me a job." Michael, ever curious, interjected witha question that made Alextense in his seat. "How is Metacortex, ire?" At this moment, Alex knew that his father has found out about the real ire. But the question till lingers in his mind, how does his father found out about it He can''t help but wonder if Christian was the snitch, but he knows his best friend that he won''t do something like that. ire''s smirk widened into a knowing smile. "I''m d you asked, Mr. Hasting very well," she replied cryptically. Lisa, still trying topice things together, furrowed her brows. "What''s Metacotex? H Alex quickly intervened, a hint of waming in his tone as he addressed his father. "Let''s not talkbusiness tonight, Dad'' Michael took a sip of his wine, his eyes flickering between ire and Alex. "Metacontes is one of the biggest technology and softwarepanies in the world," exined what does that have to do with ire" Lisa looks confused as her eyes gaze to ire. "Dad," Alex said with a warning tone as to not tell Lisa about it. Since Michael have nothing to lose and he is still he head in his house, he doesn''t mind his son. His eyes tumed to ire as he ced the wine ss on the table, "CLUN is the CEO Lisa''s eyes widened in shocked. She was silent for a minute or two trying to digest the unexpected information "Het? ire?" a hint of disbelief evident in her tone Lisa shook her head in disbelief. "But that''s not possible. I mean, she didn''t even go to college," Lisa remarked, voicing her doubts. Gaire couldn''t help but churide softly at Lisa''s disbelief. *1 never said anything about not going to college." "But you are waitress Lina argue "Was a waitress. There''s a always more to a person than meets the eye, Lisa As if someone decided to pull a prank on Lisa, she still couldn''t believe ire was the CEO, Lisa was about to argue to make her points, but Joan decided otherwise. Sherned to ease the now tense atmosphere "How about dessert? Does anyone want dessert? Kevin, please bring the dessert out." Joan instructed the butler and he hurried to prepare the dessert. "Top dessert Alex turned to his dad, his eyes cold. "Dad, we need to talk, now," Chapter 68 The air in Mess father''s study seemedbeny with tention as soon as they were alone. Mesclosed the thou behind them, ls tari, his desk. There was a palpable sense of sessness in the ass as Mahard looked a Mex, walling for him to sprakan? maturisthicall above, Mex?" Michaelxjour wasabb codes, livevestived onins soun Alexis expression, 18, a tense, his brons turning as bespoketim. "What was all that abou, Bad" He couldn''t he Michael shnurred slighth, muutamine: bisposour "intas alot what you saw, Alox" *rd von twited date?" Alex''s questioncame out with a mix of disbelief and wou??KT Michael met his son''s gaze steadily. "Ves, Lunited her " king a seat belind Alex let out a stch, moning a hand through his hat in forsiratum, "Today was sopposed to be the day for ine La fotodice Lisa to you and Mus," he pointed out, bis: tone indicating his disapponament. Michael nodded 1 but it wasn''tpletely my talt Laskovou it uppeld talkealler but you said not mou. So, it wasn''t my tanit,'' Ales pinched the bridge of basos, xing to gather his thumbs, "What''s wong with you, Dal?" His trustration was evident as be stuggled to understand his Michael''s expressiontumed sectors, his gazebecuing cos he spoke, "What''s wing with ine?ttooshoot about ire being the Cut Metacontes from Alex was at a loss for words. He''t want his taily to find out about his past with Chile, especially not from someone be. "I... I don''t know. I was too migl upwith workand then thu and I can''t think about that." he stammebel There was silence in the air as they are cousinned in their own thoughts. Did yourgret divorcing. ire!" Alested at the motion, shaking his head. "I don''t get awshing. ''in elieved that I could end a loveless magge." Michael stood up from bischzir, "Nom grandither diose ite for you, Alex. The hors she was the one ''s gone now, and I don''t have to stay in a Alex''s pron views grew cleater as his eyes nostowed. "It''s my lite, Dad, Tonlymanie ire because of grandiathes. But he''s gon marriage that doesn''t bring me happiness" Michael''s gebeld abit of disappointment as he countered, "ir is nice and ked to you, Ales. You shouldn''t dismiss het so easily," "I still believe she''s hiding things forume, Alex retorted, his distrust evident in his woods. "Italy low the real ire, you''d be surprised." "If only you knew the reason why your grandfather chose for you, Alex. There''s more to this story than you realize The conversation hong in the air, both tail and son grappling with their duttering perspectives on less past patriage As ire savored her dessert. Lisa''s demeanor at the dining table was quite ditterent. She yed withher dessent absentmindedly, her spoon tracing patterns on the te as her eyes remained thedon ire The whemised were tuming, trying to piece together the puzzle of lar''sue identity. ire noticed Lisa''s contemtive gare and raised her brows. "is currything alright, tau? You seems lost in thought." Lisa sapped out of her reverie, her expression masking her inner turmed. "ch, everything''s fine, ire, just enjoying the dessert," the replied with a forced smile. Lisa''s hatred for ire became worse especially with this information. Lisa couldn''t shake off the thoughts swirling in her mind. She couldn''t believe that ire is a CED, This revtion made Lisa question everything about ire''s past behavior and why she pretended to be poor and uneducated, and why Alexbad hidden this information to Lisa. She clenched her spoontightly, the resentment simming within her. It was clear to Lisa fut ire had everything she didn''t wealth, connections, and a lifestyle that seeded unattainable to Lisa Herthoughts raced back to moments that now made trow made se, how re seemed familiar with high-end brands, bet acquaintance with the actress Anna, and her extravagant spending at the car action. It all pointed make sense now, Lisa made a mental note that she needed to approach se about her lies. She needed answers, and she wasn''t going to let this go unaddressed. Her eyes zed with hise as she continued to observe ire interacting with Joan, her mind racing with questions and a growing determination to seek the truth. "It''s not fair. "Lisa muttered under her breath Alex and Michael returned to the dining room, the tension palpable in Alex''s demeanJE. Michael then pped his bands lightly, signaling a change of scenery. "Should we move to the living room and have a cup of tea? It will be muchfortable there." Michael then directed everyser to move to the Eving room, signaling the end of the meal. As they began to follow Michael''s lead, Alex reached out and held ire''s elbow, his expression cold and determined. As they all began to follow Michael, Alex grab ire''s elbow, stopping her in her tracksite alsed an eyebrow, a hint of innitation crossing her features as she looked at Alex Lisa watched the exchange with keen interest, her mange toads e deepening. However, before Lisa could terve of voice he thoughts, jean called out tobre, directing her attention mentarily. "Lisa,e film is in the being mom," Joan called out. Lisa followed her to the living room, living re and Alex "We need to talk," Alex stated coldly, his tone revealing his pent-upfrustration. ire''s gaze hardened as she brushed off Alex''s grip from her elbow. "You need to talk, not we," she retorted sharply, her voiceced with defiance As Alex and ire took their seats, the tasteful living mom hunned with quiet tall. The butler arrived with a dish of dainty biscuits and a tray of hot tea, cing them on the coffee table. Alex, sitting beside Lisa, suddenly said. "Did you low Lisa can y the piano?" he remarked. ire''s eyebrow arched with interest at the mention of Lisa''s musical talent, Joan, who had a deep appreciation for ssical music, perked up. "You can y the piano, Lisa?"Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Lisa''s cheeks tinged with a sly smile as she demitted, "Oh, I am not that good, really." Michael chimed in "By all means please y one song for us. It seems too quirt without any music." Before Lisa could argue, Alex urged her. "Come on Lisa 1 heard you yed once. It was beautiful." Alex smiled at her. ite, loungingfortably in an unchair mentally scoffed as she heard Alex listen to her ying the piano. He doesn''t even low his ex-wife yed the same instruments. She leaned forward with a yful smick "Come on, Lisa, Show us what you''ve got," she urged, reaching for a biscuit, and taking a dainty bite, Lisa, feeling a mix of reluctance and a hint of provocation, decided to take up the challenge. With a determined frown, she stood up and dered. "Okay, I will y one song." Chapter 69 Chapter 69 you wish As Lisa made by way to the grand piano in the ones of the ions, all eyes tamed expectantly towards bet. She settled onto the beach, he fingers hovering over the keys for a moment as she gathered herposwe with a deep breath, Usa stingeis began to dance across the piano keys, producing a melodic use that fills the room with its grote dingdian. Noctume op 4 No. is the ustral male she chang From Ales persistent goest, she would have thought Lisa skill will be mach advance than her, but it seems Alex wanted to give a good impression about Lisa to - his parents. The room was filled with the hauntingly beautiful notes of the piece, captreating en everyone''s attention However, a slight misstep caved Lathawong note, baietly interupting the flow of the use. ire observed Lisa''s expression, noting the nervoumeys that thered across best timed out Lisa bad one propined the shorter version of the Noctume. Despite the mines mistake. Lisutinshol the piece to warm apuse from everyone in the mont. She graciously bowed and thanlod then, a hint of rellet evident in I done, Lisa. That was lovely." Josariplimented Lisa''s pertamine "Well d Alex, Lisa''s tunce, porldst hide his grade as he kissed her tohrad andplimented her ire, who had been observing the interaction, rolled her eyes and Michael decided to keep the musical momentum, going. "Who else wants to show their talent?" be proposed. To everyone''s surprise, Alex, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, turned to ire. Maybe ale candemonstrate her skills," he suggested mockingly. Lisa couldn''t help but smirk at Alex''s attempt to pet ire on the spot. However,ite temainedposed, raising her eyebrows slightly as it unfazed by Alex''s With a small smile, te epled to Michael, It''s probably best if I don''t y." Michael, undetected, encouraged her "Oh,e on, ire. Show us what you''ve got." Alex, adding fuel to the bar, teased, "ire''s good at everything. I''m sure she can y the piano with ease Chatte mat Alex''s game readily. "As you wish " Lisa watched with amusement as ir stood up gracefully, her demeanor poised as always. ire made her way to the ne, her movements elegant and zident: As she settled onto the bench, there wasserse of anticipation in the room. tor''s fingers caressed the keys delicately, and with a fluid mation, she began to y Debussy''s "ir de Lu," a piece that resonated deeply with her. The room was filled with the ethereal and enchanting melody, each note flowing seamlessly into the next. yone present. The familiar pirre showcased her doll and passion for the piano, taming admiration from everyone. Aleswatched a sense of consity mingled with surpose evident in hos expression, In their three years of marriage, he had never known ire to y the piano, and seeing her now frit bike excovering a lodden set of her He was 1 with the music she chose, having grow up rounded by ssical music due to his mother''s love for them. Th mesterizing, each note resonating with presion and emotion The way ler yed was Despite fumself, Alex could help but rpang of guilt; earlies, he had urged Lisa to y the piano, and while she had done well, ire''s talent was undeniably advanced dair we dosed as the yed, a serene expression g understanding of the music. Alexied himself unable to tear his gaze away, utterly captivated by ire''s performance. grating her features. It was as it she knew the pine by heart, hitting eachy with a profound onthe other hand,sa''s mood gw me so he was aware that ire was a skilled pianist, and her attempt to outshine Cane falled once again. Watching ire y with such skill only added to her frustration, and she frowned in dislike. jor and Michael, Alex''s patents, were seated nearby, thoroughly enjoying ire''s impromptu performance. They were pleasantly surprised to discover this Niddentalent of ire''s and were visibly impressed by her skill. As the song treched in, Michael and Joanose to their feet, apuding enthusiastically. Joan wiped a tear from herove, moved by the beauty of ire''s "Who y beautifully, ire. I bulutely loved it," Joan praised, her voice filled with genuine adaration ire smiled gratefully "Thank you, Ma Harts. I''m d you enjoyed it." Lisa couldn''t resist interjecting, hetone tinged with inntation "ire, could you y another piece?" A lot of americkered in ire''s eyes as she responded, "As you wish." With a sense of confidence, r y anther piece, one of his own creations. The music flowed seamlessly, weaving elements of Moonlight Sonata, ire de Lune, and Waltz of the Flowers into a uniqueposition. There was a range of emotions in her piece, from suspenseful passages to moments of joy and sadness. As ire yed, she found herself immersed items, surprising bersell with her ability to recall and perform her own creation When the final notes echoed through the room, there was a momer of stunned silence before apuse empted once again, this time mixed with awe and appreciation for ire''s talent "ire, dearthat was magnificent stood up as she approached ire giving her a hug as well as Michael givingtepliment. A look of satisfaction cross theis Lane as it they ever seen people y a piano before. "Thank you, Mr. and Ms. HarrisContent ? N?velDrama.Org. "I told you many times to call us by our names. We''re family remember?" Lisa who heard that feel a ponch in her stomach. Even when ize and Alex has officially divorced, they still consider ire as their part of the family. She doesn''t like it. She hates it. She wanted to be free from ire shadow, but somehow it feels impossible. From the couch, Alex raised his brows while sipping his tea. "What ssical music is that? I have never heard that before." ire turned to him fully and shoot him a prideful smile. "It was an original." "You create that on your own?" Alex scoffed not believing ire one bit "I doubt that." ire seem unfazed by Alex respond as she raised her brows, not caring what Alex is thinking. Doubt me all y you want but it still won''t change the fact that I wrote this." "Ales, be respectful will you." Joan scolded Alex as she give Alex the ''mum'' look, and it shut Alex instantly The topic of conversation shifted between business-rted talks and casual gossip surrounding this industry. Alex had intended to avoid talking about business first, but he couldn''t help but chimed in. Meanwhile, Lisa, who was not familiar with business matters, or the people being mentioned, began to feel increasingly left out. It was supposed to be her night, chance to bond with Joan and Michael as potential inws, but she found herself overshadowed by ire''s presence. Lisa''s frustration simmered beneath the surface. Lisa leaned into whisper to Alex. "I want to go home," she murmured. "Are you feeling okay, Lisa?" he asked quietly. "No, I''m not. Alexnodded understandingly. "Alright, let''s go," be decided, addressing his parents. "Lisa isn''t feeling well, so we''ll be heading home." Joan and Michael exchanged sympathetic nces, wishing Lisa a quick recovery. "Take care, Lisa. It was nice meeting you," Joan offered, her tone warm and genuine at As they drove away. Lisa couldn''t shake off the feeling of disappointment and resentment. She had hoped for especially on a night meant to be special for her and Alex. Chapter 70 Chapter 70 Certain things seem impossible Michal, fund to her with a serious expression "Can we talk, ire?" he asked ir nodded in acknowledgment, following Michael to his study. The atmosphere between them shifted to one of seriousness as Michael invited ire to take a seat. Once settled, Michael wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter. "Firstly, apologize for inviting you out of the blue like this," Michael began, his tone sincere a he ire maintained a neutral expression. "It''s alright, Michael, What did you want to talk about?" addressed ire Michael took a deep breath bedste broaching the main topic "I must admit, I didn''t inform you beforehand that Alex and Lisa would be present because I was afraid you might not route if you knew." ire''s expression remained readable as she absorbed his words, "You''re not entirely wrong," she admitted calmly. "But it''s not because of them, I have other pressing matters to attend to." "Lunderstand, daire. I hope you can forgive my oversight." ire inclined her head slightly, acknowledging his apology. "Of course, Michuel. " Abrief pause settled between them before ce decided to delve into a matter that had been on her mind. How did you find out that I''m the CEO of Metacortex?" Michael leaned forward slightly. "Even though Alex has taken over the Haspany, I still keep an eye on the business world. My trusted sources informed me about your position." Curiosity sparked in ire''s eyes. "May ask why you were interested in imowing about me? Michael hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I wanted to talk to you, especially after finding out who you are. Why did you lie about your Identity for three years?" ire''s gaze met his, her face serious as she considered hernest words. "I did not " Michael frowned in confusion. "What do you mean ine? "I did not he about anything "ire took a deep breath, hermand grappling with the decision to reveal her truth to Michael. Finally, she met his gaze head-on, her teresalute. "I lost my memories, three years ago, Michael" A look of shock crossed Michael''s face, his features contorting in surprise and concern. "Lost your memories?" he echoed; his voice filled with disbelief ire nodded, her expression pained. "Yes. Please, don''t tell Alex" she requested. For some reason, ire doesn''t want Alexto know about her amnesia. She preter having Alex calling her a liar. Besides it doesn''t make a different whether ire tell Alex the real season. He desple her and the feeling''s mutual, Michael nodded and continued, still looking stocked, "How did it happen? How did you get mesia?" ire''s demeance shifted, a hint of weariness creeping into her voice. "I''ll tell you the short version," she began, steeling herself to revisit a painful memory. "A drunk driver crashed into my car when I was on a trip with my family. The ident changed everything." Michael''s eyes widened in realization, bis sympathy evident. "I''m so sony, ice," he murmed. "It''s fine," ire replied, though her gare flickered with lingering pain Curiosity still lingered in Michael''s mind. "what about your parents?" he asked gently. ire''s response was blunt, a sharp contrast to heal warmth "They''re dead," she stated, her voice carrying a weight of fimality. Michael respected her boundaries, understanding the pain behind her woods. He didn''t press further, sensing ire''s desire to move pasterten topics. As they sat in silence for a moment, Michael couldn''t help but study ire''s face. The ire from three years ago, as he remembered her, seemed so different vulnerable, kind, and warm. The ire sitting in front of him now exuded a cold yet content aur, her expression serious and guarded. Their conversation then shifted to business, a topic Michael was eager to discuss heard about the meeting with Harris Company. How''s that going?" ue shagged nonchntly, her demeanorposed. "It''s hard to say. Alex seemed surprised to see me in the meeting room as the CEO of Metes. I believe bar''s considering the partnership." Michael named his eyes slightly, probing further. "Why do you seem so calm about it? Don''t you want the partnership with Harris Company?" ire''s lips curved into a smirk, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "With all due respect, Mr. Harris, even though we were once family, it was your son who contacted Metacortex And if I''m being honest, I don''t necessarily need the partnership with Harris Company." Michael was slightly taken aback by ire''s bold response, but he couldn''t help but admire her confidence, "well, you certainly don''t mince words, ire. I respect that." His lips curled into a smile as he responded, "You don''t make it easy for Alex ire." He chuckled lightly, acmowledging ire''s straightforward approach. ire raised aneboow, her curiosity piqued. "Are you not offended by what I said earlier?" Michael shook his head, his leuwvering. "Not at all, ire. In fact, I''m intrigued to see how this ys out" ce couldn''t help but chuckle at Michael''s response. "Well, it Ales hears about this conversation, I''m sure he''ll be angry at you," she teased, knowing her ex-husband''s temperament Michael word a hand dismissively. "Oh, he''ll get over it. Besid Lover it. Besides, a little challenge is good for his ego," he remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. ire, though you and Alex have divsed, still want to maintain a good rtionship with you." se nodded, understanding the sentiment betinal Michael''s woods. Despite her feelings towards Alex, she couldn''t deny the band she shared with his family, periallydening how they had supported hen there years ago during a gadiflicult time. 30 Certan mingi "I really appreciate that, Michael. You can invite me for coffee sometime," she offered, a small smile ying on her lips. As their conversation wrapped up, ire stood up, signaling that she had to leave. Michael walked around the desk, and ire extended her hand for a handshake, but to her surprise. Michael pulled her into a bug. Caught off guard, ire besitated for a moment before returning the embrace. "Take care, ire, Michael said warmly as they parted. As they both exit the study, ire bid farewell to Joan, thanking her for the hospitality. As Michael and his wife escorted ire to the door, they exchanged pleasantries, expressing their hopes for future interactions. "Visit us often if you have the time, ire." ire smiled. "I will, Joan. Thank you." ire climbed into her car, waving to Michael and Joan as she drove away. From the stairs, Michael and Joan watched her departure, a sense of longing evident in their expressions "I wish one day Alex and ire could be reunited," Joan sighed wistfully Michael wrapped an arm around his wife''s shoulder, offeringfort, "I wish it too, Joan. But sometimes, certain things seem impossible." Inside the car, ire couldn''t help but feel empty. The Harris family has always been warm to ire. Joan and Michael is the closest person she can have as aThis is property ? N?velDrama.Org. parent. Joan remind her a lot of her mother and she is fine meeting her frequently, but she doesn''t want to take risk to identally meet Alex. Sometimes, letting go wasn''t always the easiest, and she knows it all too well. Chapter 71 Chapter 71 A surprise call Ales and Lisaarived at the penthouse, the evening''s events lingering in the air between them. Lisa''s usual excited anorected subdued as she made her way Lowards their room, her thoughtsclearly elsewhere. Concerned by Lise''s quietness, Alex followed her, his footsteps echoing softly. "Hey, is everything okay?" he asked gently as he entered their mom Lisa turned around, berexpression a mix of disappointment and frustration. She shook her head, not needing to voice the reason for bemood, though Alex akare! anyway, knowing it had to do with ire''s unexpected presence. "Are you okay, love!" alex inquired, his concem evident in his eyes. Today was supposed to be special for Lisa, and she couldn''t hide her disappointment. "It was supposed to be our night. Why did ire have to showmented, bertane finged with sadness.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Alex sighed, sitting beside her on the foot of the bed. "I didn''t know ire wasing Dad imited her he exined, hoping to ease Lisa''s mind. Lisa sat back, letting out a sigh of resignation. "Your father doesn''t like me," she admitted, her voice tinged with insecurity. Alex wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "That''s not true, Lisa, Dad can be a bit reserved, but it''s just his way with people," he reassured her, hoping to dispeller doubts. "But why does be act differently with ire?" Lisa pressed, her eyes searching Alex''s for answers. Alex took a moment to choose his words carefully. "He''s known ir for a long time, tince we''re married, Jilled with conviction sarm up to you, I''m surent it," he said, his voice Lisa nodded slowly, still feeling a bit disheartened, Alex tamed to her, wanting told her spirits. "You were the star of the show for me tonight, Lisa I prefer beating you y the tes over anyone else," he said sincerely, though he knew it was a little white lie. Lisa''s smile brightmed at his words, and she leaned in to kiss him affectionately. "I''m lucky to have you, Alex," she murmured against his lips. o their wedding nti Alexretumed her smile, feeling grateful for Lisa''s understanding. She then suprised him by bringing up th "When do you think we should have the wedding?" Lisa asked, excitement creeping into her voice, Alex hadn''t give it much thought, but he wanted to make Lisa happy. "You decide, love, When would you like it to be? Lisa''s eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Let''s do it in a month!" she eximed, her excitement palpable. Alex was taken aback by the sudden timeline, but he nodded with a smile, "Sure, in a month it is," he agreed, not wanting to disappoint Lisa. "You should get some rest, Lisa, I''m sure you are tired," Alex caress her shoulder as Lisa nodded. "How about you? You''re not going to bed?" Lisa looked up to him as she raised her brows H *I will but I''m going to check on my emails. 1''ll be in bed before you know it." he smiled softly and kissed her cheek before heading out of their room In the dead of night, Lisa''s peaceful slumber was abruptly shattered by the persistent ringing of her phone. Groggy and disoriented, she tumbled for her phone and answered it with a sleepy The voice on the other end sent a chill down her spine, instantly snapping her into alertness, Lisa nced over at Alex, still peacefully asleep beside her, and quietly slipped out of bed, heading to the bathroom for privacy. "How do you know my number?" speaking in a hushed yet in tone, Lisa demanded to know how the caller obtain her number. The man on the line responded with a dark chuckle. "I have my ways, my sweet Lisa," "Do not called me that," Lisa''s heart raced as she realized this wasn''t a casual call. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. The man got straight to the point. "I need money, Liu. And I know you have it." Lisa''s day had already been difficult, and this added pressure only made it worse. "I won''t give you anything. I don''Lowe you a thing," she stated nmly. But then he dropped a bombshell that made Lisa''s blood nun cold. "If you don''t send me the money, I''ll send your sextape to Alex or worse, upload it online." Lisa''s mind aced with panic. She couldn''t let that happen, not when she was so close to marrying Alex. She gritted her teeth, regretting ever being involved with this mam "What did I ser in you back then?" Lisa muttered in dispust. Berase you enjoyed having sex with ine," he retorted callously. Lisa sunched her face in revulsion but kw she had to find a solution. "Fine, I''ll transfer the money. But you have to delete the video." The man chuckled again, histone mocking. "Of course, once I receive the payment, we can discuss that." Liu''s mind whided as she asked, "How much do you want?" the named an esorbitant amount, "299,111" Lisa''s eyes widened indisbeltet. "That''s insane! I don''t have that kind of money. The m''s response was chilli "But your boyfriend does." Lissa took a deep barath. "We know each other for so long, how about List, 500? it still much money and sure you can live with that amountfadably." A mocking thon kledempted from him and Lisalows negotiating with her exisawaste of time, but she has to try Chapter 71 A surprise call 12/2 "Lisa, my dear. You have very wealthy boyfriend. I''m sure he will dly give you the money if you ask nicely. I want 219,123 no less than that, but if you want to give me a bonus, I will dly ept it." aughed boom from the other line icing Lis even more. Lisa''s grip on the phone tightened as panic and anger surged within her. Before she could respond, he added the final blow "You have three days, Lisa. Fall to deliver, and your future with the heir of Harris Company will be ruined." With that ominous threat, the line went dead, leaving Lisa seething with anger and desperation. She felt trapped and unfairly targeted. This wasn''t how she imagined her life, and she refused to let anyone destroy her dreams, For a while, Lisa stay at the bathroom, needing the solitude to collect her thoughts. How was she going toe up with that much money in just three days? The weight of the situation pressed down on her, and she berated herself for ever getting involved with someone like her ex-boyfriend. Her thoughts were buzzing with options, each one appearing more daunting than thest. She couldn''t take out so much money with Alex''s credit card without drawing attention to herself. She did not want Alex to start doubting her goodness. Not wanting Alex to wonder het disappearance, Lisa exited the bathroom and retum to bed, shey down, her heart still racing with anxiety. She couldn''t let anyone, especially her maniptive ex, derail her life and happiness. Lisa was determined to tackle the problem, no matter how challenging. She could not allow fear to take over her. She took a deep breath and made a vow to herself. She wouldn''t let anyonee between her and the future she had worked so hard for Chapter 22 W Chapter 72 Chapter 72 Wedding preparation The next day, Alex decided it was time to have a serious conversation with his mother about his uing wedding ns. He dialed her mumber, anticipation building as he waited for her to answer. *Hello, Alex, how are you, dear?" his mother''s warm voice greeted him. "I''m good, Mum," Alex replied, taking a deep breath. "I wanted to talk to you about something important." His mother sensed the seriousness in his tone. "Of course, Alex. What is it?" "I''m nning to get married to Lisa in a month," Alex announced, bracing himself for her reaction. There was a pause on the line before his mother spoke, her surprise mvident. "A month? Isn''t that a bit too early?" Alexexined, "Lisa requested it, and the venue we want is only avable at that month only." His mother, always wanting what''s best for her son, agreed to help. "Alright, dear. Do you need any help?" "Yes, mum I do. Can you please help Lisa to find a wedding dress and take care of the guest list?"Content ? N?velDrama.Org. "Okay, I''ll assist Lisa in picking a wedding dress and handle the guest list." "Thanks, Mtum. [want it to be a private affair, just family and close friends," Alex emphasized. "understand, Alex. I''ll make sure everything is taken care of," his mother assured him before they ended the call. Peeling relieved that his mother was on board with his ns, Alex left his office and headed to see Christian, his longtime best mate. He knocked on the door to Christian''s office, hearing his friend''s voice inviting him in "Come in, "Hey, Alex, what''s up?" Christian greeted him, looking up from his desk Alex took a seat and got straight to the point. "I wanted to apologize for being angry at you about the ire situation. It wasn''t your fault." Christian waved it off with a smile. "Don''t worry about it, mate. I understand." "No, It''s not fine," Alex insisted, shelding his head. "I let my anger get the best of me Christian nodded understandingly. "We''re past that, Ales. I''ve forgiven you, too" "Thanks, Christian. I appreciate that," Alex replied gratefully, "Oh, and I have some big news. I''m getting married in a month," Christian''s eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously? That''s fast!" Alex chuckled, repeating what he had told his mother earlier. "Lisa wanted it this month, and the venue''s only avable then." Christian grinned, realizing the significance of Alex''s announcement. "So, what do you need me to do?" "I want you to be my best man," Alex said with a smile. Christian joked, "Well, I guess you don''t have any other friends, do you?" Alexughed, appreciating the humor. "You''re the best choice, mate." Christian leaned in, ready to take on the responsibility. "Alright, what''s my first task?" Alex leaned back, thinking, "We need to make sure the paparazzi won''t mob the wedding venue. Can you handle that?" Christian nodded confidently, "Consider it done. I''ll take care of it," Joan and Lisa arrived at the prestigious wedding boutique in London, the excitement palpable in the air. Lisa marveled at the elegant storefront and couldn''t believe that Joanhid managed to secure an appointment at such a penowned establishment. "This ce is amazing, Mr. Hamis. I can''t thank you enough for arranging this," Lisa gushed, het wyes wide with wonder as they stepped inside joan smiled warmly, pleased to see Lisa''s enthusiasm. "I''m d you like it, dear. Let''s find the perfect dress for you.! The boutique was a dreand of exquisite gowns, each more breathtaking than thest Lisa found herself lost in a sea ofce, sequins, and flowing fabrics as she wandered through the racks. Joan, with her keen eye for fashion, guided Lisa through the selection, "Which of these dresses catches your eye, Lisa?" she asked, gesturing to the array of options. Lisa''s bows furrowed in contemtion. "They''re all so beautiful, Mrs. Hanis I don''t know where to start." For the next couple of hours, they immersed themselves in the fitting process, trying on various dresses with the assistance of the attentive store crew. Each gown seemed to transform Lisa into a vision of elegance and As Lisa slipped into the final dress, her eyes lit up with delight. "This is the one she dered, twirling in front of the mirror to admire the gown''s intricate details. Joan seated nearby and sipping champagne. "It looks stunning on you, Lisa. A perfect choles." Lisa''s excitement was contagious as the expressed her desire to purchase the dress, Joan signaled to the store crew, indicating their decision. "We''ll take this one," she announced with a smile The screw nodded in acknowledgment, already taking measurements to tailor the gown to Lisa''s specif specifications and arrange for its delivery. As Lisa changed back into her regr clothes, she turned to Joan with gratitude. "Thank you so much for helping me choose the dress, Mrs. Harris. Leouldn''t have done it without you. Joan word off the thanks with a gentle smile. "It''s my pleasure, Lisa. I''m happy to be a part of this and please call me loan, we are going to be a family soon." Chapter 22 vrekding preparation Lisa nodded smiling brightly. "I''ll keep that in mind." With the main dress chosen, Joan''s thoughts turned to the bridesmaid dresses, "What about your bridesmaids, Lisa? Have you thought about what they''ll wear?" Lisa furrowed her brow, realizing she hadn''t considered that aspect yet. "Oh, Thaven''t thought about it. Let''s find something for them too," she replied, eager to continue the dress hunting. Together, Joan and Lisa delved back into the boutique''s collection, this time searching for the perfect attire for Lisa''s bridesmaids. The store crew assisted them in narrowing down options thatplemented Lisa''s chosen gown while reflecting the wedding''s theme and style. It had been a whirlwind of excitement these past two days, with everything falling into ce ording to her meticulous ns. Lisa sat on herfortable couch, her iPad in hand as she scrolled through the various invitation designs sent by joan. She couldn''t help but feel a sense of contentment as she admired the designs. As Lisa flipped through the elegant options, her phone buzzed, indicating an iing call from Joan. With a smile, she answered the call. "Hi, Joan!" "Hi, dear! I wanted to get your input on the invitation designs I sent over," Joan greeted her warmly. Lisa nced at the designs once more, each one exuding a unique charm "They''re all stunning, Joan. I''m having a hard time choosing." Joan chuckled on the other end. "I''m d you like them. Is there a particr style or theme you''re leaning towards?" Lisa paused, considering her vision for the wedding "I want something sophisticated, something that screams fairytale," she exined, her voice filled with excitement Joan nodded, understanding Lisa''s desire for a magical touch. "Got it. I''ll talk to the wedding invitation designer and ensure we create the exact design you have in mind." "Thank you so much, Joan. You''ve been amazing," Lisa expressed her gratitude sincerely. The call ended, and Lisa set her tablet aside, stretching her stiff muscles. A smile remained etched on her face as she basked in the progress of her wedding nning. "Everything is going very well," Spin to im Your Surprise Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Spontaneous decision Alex stood in front of the mirror, his tuxedo fitting in progress. The tailor, a seasoned professional, looked at him expectantly. "So, Mr. Harris, do you prefer the ssic ck tuxedo or the elegant white one?" the tallor inquired, holding up each option for Alex''s consideration. Alex nced at himself in the mirror, then turned to his friend Christian, who was lounging on a nearby couch. "Hey, Christian, what do you think? ck or white? Christian squinted at the tuxedos, scratching his head. "Honestly, they look the same to me, mate. Whichever or floats your boat." Alex rolled his eyes yfully at Christian''sck of enthusiasm. "Fine, I''ll wear the white one for the wedding ceremony and the ck one for the reception," he decided, turning back to the tailor. The tailor nodded in agreement, taking note of Alex''s choice before making some final adjustments to ensure the perfect fit. As Alex sat down next to Christian on the couch, he let out a sigh, making Christian to ask, "What''s with the sigh, Alex?" Ales shrugged, a hint of introspection in his eyes. "It''s just... I can''t believe I''ll be married in less than a month." Christian chuckled, patting Alex''s shoulder reassuringly. "Isn''t that what you want? To marry Lisa?" Alex hesitated for a moment, his thoughts drifting. In truth, while he had agreed to the wedding, deep down, he doesn''t want the wedding to be this sudden but- since he promised Lisa and doesn''t want to see her sad, he agree to her request. Instead of telling Christian he replied simply. "Hey, don''t worry. Being married won''t change you, You''ll still be the grumpy Alexander Harris we all know and love," he teased with a grin. Alex nudged Christian''s stomach yfully with his elbow, causing Christian to wince in mock pain "Duch what was that for? Ignoring Christian''s yfulints, Alex stood up and signaled to the taller that he was ready to change back into his regr clothes.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. In her office, ire sat at her desk, surrounded by stacks of files and documents rted to Comex 2.0, the project her team was currently working on. She nced over the intricate details, preparing herself for the uing meeting where they would delve into the project''s progress and future ns. Amidst her concentration, ire''s phone rang, breaking the silence of the room. Without looking at the caller 10, she answered, her focus still on the document in front of her. "Hello?" ire''s voice was professional, ustomed to business calls. The voice on the other end was familiar, and ire''s attention shifted fully to the call. "Michael," she acknowledged, her tone softening with recognition. There was a brief pause before Michael spoke, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation. "ire, I''m sorry to interupt your time. Is now a bad time?" ire shook her head, even though Michael couldn''t see her. "No, it''s fine. What''s on your mind?" Michael took a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. "I was wondering if we could meet in person to discuss something. It''s important." ire considered his request, knowing her schedule was packed with meetings and deadlines. "I have a meeting this afternoon, but I could make time in the evening. Isthat okay?" Michael nodded on the other end, his voice conveying understanding. "That works for me. I''ll arrange the ce, ire." "Alright, them. Let''s do that," ire agreed before ending the call. ire put the phone back on her desk, but she couldn''t help but wonder what Michael had asked for. After their brief conversation, she was curious about what he wanted to talk about The evening was cool as ire arrived at the restaurant Michael had designated. She stepped out of her car, greeted by the sight of two in opened the doors for her. This was clearly a setup Michael had orchestrated, as he had booked the entire restaurant for their meeting of two imposing bodyguards who Michael Harris greeted ire with awam smile as she entered. "ire, good to see you," he said, motioning for her to take a seat. ire quipped yfully, "Oh, Michael, wanting the whole restaurant to yourselt?" Michael chuckded, a twinkle in his eyes. "Something like that. It''s better to discuss matters away from prying eyes and ears." Curiosity piqued, ire wasted no time diving into the purpose of their meeting "So, what did you want to talk about?" Michael''s demeaner shifted slightly, a hint of seriousness creeping into his expression. "My son is getting married," he stated bluntly, watching ire''s reaction closely ire, not entirely surprised by the news, nodded. "Yes, I''m aware of Alex''s uing wedding Michal leaned in, his voice lowering. "The wedding is in a mouth," he revealed, his tone indicating that this fact was significant. ir''s eyebrows fanowed in surprise. "A month? That seems rather sudden for a wedding." Michael shugged, a touch of skepticism in his volor. "Jountold me it was Alexliance request." Of course, it was Lisa who decided. The mastermind in all of Alex decision as ire thought about it herself Michael''s tone turned serious as he leaned forward, his hands resting on the table. "ire, I don''t trust Lisa Thus, ire is not alone in feeling that way makes her happy. She was aware of Lisa''s deceit and maniption, but she wasn''t expecting for Alex to develop feelings for Lisa. She can''t help but wonder what lies Lisa is feeding Alex "Do you want the manage to happen? Michael sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Honestly, ire, if I''m beingpletely honest, I don''t want this marriage to happen. fut Alex is beadstrong, 212 Chapter 73 Spontaneous decision and he won''t listen to reason." ire understand Michael dilemma, knowing how stubborn Alex can be, it won''t change his mind "Why are you telling me this, Michael?" He shrugged as he doesn''t even know the answer. "I don''t know I just don''t want to see Alex married a snake." "I''m sorry, Michael, I wish there was something I could do." Michael shook his head gently. "No need to apologize, ire. I just needed someone to talk to and also make sure you are okay with the wedding ire smiled as she leaned back to the chair. "Of course I am okay with it. Alex and I are over, and I don''t have any rights to forbid the wedding." Their conversation shifted to lighter topics as they ordered their meals, trying to ease the weight of their previous discussion. They shared stories andughs, momentarily setting aside the heaviness of the situation As dinner came to an end, ire prepared to bid Michael goodbye. However, be stopped her before she could leave. "ire, will you being to Alex''s wedding?" Michael''s question. ire shook her head gently. "No, I won''t be attending." Michael nodded in understanding, though a flicker of understanding crossed his features. "I understand. Thank you for making the time and meet me, ire" "Anytime, Mr. Harris." As ire''s car pulled away from the restaurant, she couldn''t shake off the weight of their conversation. Thoughts raced through her mind, and before shew it, she made a spontaneous decision, driven by a mix of emotions she couldn''t quite define. Chapter 74 Chapter 74 Revisit your own past test at her desk, a swirl of conflicting emotions clouding her mind, she had promised herself to stay away from anything rted to Alexander Harris, yet here she wm, ristangled in a situation she had vowed to avoid. The memory of her own words, wishing to see Alex regret marrying Lisa, felt like a distant echo now. Witha fustrated groan, ire buried her head in beras on the table, trying to multle her distress. The sudden sound of the door busting open. "Are you okay, ire? Matthew''s voice held gemine concern as he appenarbed her chaine still living her head barled, her voice slightly muffled as she replied. "I''m okay." Matthew raised an eyebrow, not convinced. "I can''t bear you with your face buried like that," he teased gently. ire lifted her head and repeated, "I said I''m okay." arked with Matthew studied her expression, a kusowing, smlik ying on hisps. "You''re definitely not okay," he remarked with a hint of amusement. He ced the files ire had asked him to find on her desk "Here are the tiles you needed." Taking a deep breath, ire looked at Matthew with a mixture of frustration and confusion. "Am I stupid?" she began, her voice tinged with self-doubt. Matthew shook his head. "No, ire." "Am I crazy then?" catre continued; her tone filled with exasperation. Again, Matthew shook his head. "You''re not etary either." ire ran a hand through her hair, frustration evident in her features. "Then what am I doing?" she questioned aloud, her voiceced with uncertainty. Matthew maintained hisposure, urging her to calm down. "Take a deep breath, ire, 1t''s going to be okay." But ire couldn''t quell her inner turmoil. "I''m such a impocrite," she inattered, her thoughts racing. "I remember vowing to myself to stay away w from anything rted to Alex, and yet here I am, tangled in all of this." Matthew listened attentively, his gaze thoughtful. "Why did you do it,te?" ire shrugged, a mixture of contusion and frustration evident on her face. "I don''t know." Matthew''s tone was gentle but firm. "You need to find the answer before diving into something like this. If you don''t want to do it, then don''t." ire''s sarcasm crept in as she repeated his words, "Thanks, Mr. Obvious" Matthew''s are turned serious. "I mean it, ire, just think about it before making any decisions. The rest is up to you." With that, Matthew left ire''s office, leaving her alone with her swirling thoughts. She leaned back in her chair, feeling the weight of indecision pressing down on her. The office was quiet, offering her a moment of solitude to reflect. ire''s mind drifted to the events of the past few days, the unexpected turn of events that had brought Alexback into her life in a way she hadn''t anticipated Grabbing the files scattered on her desk, ire stood up and made her way way to the couch in her office. Shey down, staring at the files in her hands, but her mind was chewhere. There was a nagging uncertainty, ire wrestled with her own feelings, tom between her past promises to herself. Time seemed to slip away as iry on the couch, lost in her thoughts. She knew she needed to make a decision, one that could have far-reaching consequences. Michael''s words from the previous day echoed in her thoughts. He was like a father figure to her, and the concern in his voice had struck a chord deep within her. "They treated me well," ice muttered to herself, thinking of the Harris family that had shown her kindness, "I won''t let Lisa coin their family. I guess I''m really doing this Lisa who is surfing the inte to find a perfect location for thelbymoon being interrupted by her phone ringing. As she answered, the familiar voice spoke and Lisa close er eyes knowing where the conversation is going. Herex-boyfriend''s impatient voice cut through the line. Lisa''s annoyance was palpable as she replied, "I need more time, y?" Her ex-boyfriend scoffed on the other end. "You''ve had enough time. I want the thoney now, Frustration crept into Lisa''s toe as she clenched her fist. "Fine, I''ll give it to you in person." Asly chuckle came from betex. "That''s what I want to hear. I''ll arrange the meet-up. Don''t bete," he wanted before ending the call. Lisa cursed under her breath, knowing she had to act fast, Withdrawing the money was her next step, with the wedding preparation, she is sure Alex won''t be suspicious as she used her wedding situation as all opportunity. As the clock struck in, Lisa gatesed the bag of money and slipped out of her car. She donned a ck hoodie and cap, aliming to stay unnoticed as slur headed to ex-boyfriend''s old apartmentProperty belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Lisa stoned list the cramped, dingy apartment, hot frustration palpable. "I can''t believe I have toe back to this stinky ce," she muttered under her breath, her toured with disin Inside, sheunclesd on the door, and within moments, it swung open to reveal her ex, waiting expectantly, Lisa wasted no time and got straight to the point. "Where''s the video?" she demanded, her eyes fixed on him. He waved her off canually. "Calm down, Lisa Let''s chat a bit that, he trased, clearly enjoying her difor Chapter 4 Revisit your own past "I don''t want to spend another second in this disgusting apartment," she snapped, her voice tinged with imitation. own past," he suggested with a Ignoring her outburst, the man walked over to the couch and sat down calmly. "Why don''t you take a seat, Lisa? Maybe revisit your own pas yful wriggle of his brows. Lisa scrunched up her face in disgust. "I don''t have time for your games," she retorted sharply, her patience wearing thin. The man leaned back, a smirk ying on his lips. "Afraid the boyfriend will find out?" he teased, poking at Lisa''s nerves. Lisa''s annoyance red as she shot him a re. "Do you want the money or not?" she demanded, her tone firm and no-nonsense. The man chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, let''s get to it," he conceded, his amusement evident. He opened the shelf and took the sh drive. As he show Lisa the sh, she was about to take it until he retract the sh and smirk. "Money first." Lisa throw the bag to the floor next to him. He handed Lisa the sh but then he grip her hands. She quickly pulled her hands and shoot him a re. "Don''t you dare touch me, Lisa wamed, her eyes shing with anger. The man chuckled again, unfazed by her reaction. "Rx, darling, just a friendly gesture," he remarked casually. As she turned to leave, the man couldn''t resist a parting shot. If you ever need someone who can satisfy you, you know where to find me," he called after her, his to dripping with innuendo, Lisa didn''t dignity hisment with a response. She hurried out of the apartment, not bothering to thank him, and climbed in her car. The sense palpable as she drove away from that unpleasant encounter, eager to put the entire ordeal behind her. sense of relief was Chapter 75 sense of relief was Chapter 75 Wedding day As the wedding da approached, Luis excitement mingled with nervous, anticipation. Is post there does, she would ott tally be Ms. Hands, a title she had long weaned to as it symbolized not test love but power and security in betwind she sat back in the plush spa chait, indulging in nail and facial treatments, determined to be the most radiant in ide anyone had ever seem I want my nails to be pretty and eye catching)" PENA VOLI YUT me to adderestal, miss) Lisa eyes lit up and she stilled. "Please do. Nothing is never enough for a bible," The nail technicians antille and preparing bei tools. Meanwhile, ire''s day begamas vonal. However, her day was intrupted by ani waespected sight. A wedding liveitation cedtedly in her desk. The names". Mexander Hanis and Lisa Thompson" stated back at bet inelegant script, Cluke''s reaction was a mix of simpulse, annoyance, and a of something deeper shar couldn''t quite decipher. She took up the invitation, staring at inter along while as she considered its importance For a moment, her expression wasummeadable, bet thoughts veiled behind a facade of calumess, Anush of conflicting emotions surged within her, mensoties and mspoken.sentiments resurtacing, With a scott, ire tesed the invitation back onto her desk, Apestime of dismissal as if tying to shake off the unsettling feeling it brought. She busied herself with work, attempting to push askle the thoughts that threatened topame ber ves. Lisa was in her ronis, sutiounded by ber buidesmaids Ka aut The wedding day had arrived, and the atmosphere was filled with a mixot excitement and nerves. Lisa was Cindy as they helped her get ready. The room buzzed with the sound ofughter as ka showed a teme video on her phone, prompting both her and Cindy to chuckle. Lisa, with her makeup and hair in progress, taised evebrow at the Laughter: "What''s so hmmy?" she asked, curiosity intertone. Ka gleefully showed Lisa the video, but her expression quickly changed to one of shock. " nod, where did you get this? Lexplicitly told you not to recond anything" Lisa scolded, her voice timm Ka rolled her eyes, taving to dittuse the tension, "s, Lis. It''s a lot memories, I won''t share it anywhere," she assured het, but Lisa''s re crinalned Hem. "I don''t want to see that video, and make sure it doesn''t end up anywhere public," Lisa insisted fatuly, her tone leaving no room for argument, "Okay, okay, I won''t share it." Ka relented, realizing Lisa''s seriousness about the matter. As her bridesmaids continued to help her into her wedding dress, Lisa''s mind was focused on the upcousing ceremony, trying to push aside any distractions. Lisa stood in her elegant wedding dress, the room buzzing with excitement as final touches were being made. A gentle knock on the doordew everyone''s attention. Cindy, Lisa''s bridesmaid, hurried to open the door, revealing loan, Lisa''s mother-inw. Joan entered the room, her eyes widening in awe at the sight of Lisa in her baldal attire. "Oh, my dear, you look absolutely stunning!" she eximed, her voice filled with gemine admiration Lisa couldn''t help but smile at Joan''s heartfeltpliment. "Thank you so much, Joan, it queans a lot" The photographer took the opportunity to capture the moment, snapping a photo of Lisa and Joan together, their similes radiant and genuine. As the camera clicked, Lisa tumed to Joan with a curious expression, "Where''s Michael? 1 thought he''d be here with you.". Joan''s smile faltered slightly, but she maintained herposure. "He had somewhere important to be, dear," Deep down, Lisa knew the truth. Michael, her father-inw, harbored dislike about her, and she understood that he might not fully ept her as his daughter-inw. However, Liu brushed off the thoughts and par no mind at him beside the old man will be dead anyway she thought to berelt. "Ah, 1 see," Lisa replied casually, though her mind briefly wandered to the strained rtionship she had with Michael Joan noticed the slight tension and tried to lighten the mood "Don''t worry about Michael. Today is about you and Alex. It''s a joyous day!" Lisa nodded, grateful for Joan''s attempt to ease the atmosphere. "You''re right, Joan. Today is a day of celebration." Matthew nced at ire beside him in the car, a subtle sense of unease creeping over him. He couldn''t shake the eerie vibe he was getting from her. Are you sure about this, ire?" Matthew asked, his voice tinged with concer ire''s response was chilling, her tone cold and determined. "There''s no going back now," she replied, her eyes focused straight-ahead. "How do you n on doing it?" ire tumed to him with a smirk, a glint of confidence in her eyes. "I have my ways," she replied cryptically Matthew frowned, his worry growing. And if your ways don''t work?" ire''s expression remained stole as she repeated her earlier words, "I have my ways. if you need any help." Matthew leaned back in his seat, resigned but still conceed. "Alright, just let me know if youThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ire offered a small smile, a hint of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Matthew But this time, I''ll handle it on my own. You just need to sit back and watch Meanwhile, Alex was in his mom, dressed in histusedo but feeling a bundle of nerves. He kept tumbling with his the, a sigroot his anxiousness. His best man, Christian, entered the room and offered a reassuring pat on his shoulder. "Hey, rx, mate. This isn''t your first rodeo," Christian quipped, trying to lighten the mood. Chester Weddi Alerchurkled lightly, grateful for his friend''s attempt to ease his nerves. "I know, but it still feels like a big moment." Christiangrimmed "You''w got this, Alex. The wedding will go smoothly." Before leaving, Christian mentioned checking on the security arrangements to prevent any paparazzi chaos. Alex nodded in agreement, appreciating Christian''s As Christian left, a knock on the door interrupted Alex''s thoughts. He opened the door to find a man handing him a sealed letter. "L''orsoory, sir. It was handed to me by the other staff, so I don''t know wo sent this letter." Alex nodded. "Okay, thank you" Closing the door, Alexstared at the letter for a moment, unsure of what to make of it. Finally, he tore it open and read the short message inside. "Meet our at the rondlop." Alex frowned, wondering about the mysterious message. Initially, he dismissed it, cing the letter on the table. However, as time ticked by and his Leontemtion grew, he checked his watch and realized he had some time before the wedding ceremony. Deciding to satisfy his curiosity, Alex made his way to the rooftop, wondering who had sent him the letter and what it could possibly be about on such an important As he arrived at the rooftop, he saw a woman in a ck attire. Before he can get the chance to talk, she speak Alex frowned at the familiarity of the voice, but be isn''t sure.. "Earnue mir, whin are you?" fumed amound, took off her des and smirked at him. Chapter 76 Chapter 76 The truth Alex, stood on the moltop, his expression a wis of shock and displeasume as ter appeared betone hominespectedly. He hadn''t anticipated thatter hemelt wold be the one behind the letter summoning: his be What are you doing here?" Alex''s voice was cold, bis en deepening as he regarded ire with suspicion. ire''s sumile was anything but kind, it hebot of mischiet as she looked moush the rooftop casually. "Nice venue you''ve chosen. Very beautiful," she weaked, hertonesonchnt Alex''s patience wore thin as he demanded answers, "Out the small talk, ire, Why am I here?!! Agroting his question, ire continued to observe the summoudings, her gaze shifting towards the scattered lindyguards stationed across the venue. "quilteador of bodyguards you have," shemented mocarely. Alex let out a harsh sigh, his tone tuning demanding as he repeated his question. "ire, what is the meaning of this? Why did you bring ine here?" ire Findly turned to tace him directly, a smirk ying on her lips. "Do you really want to many Lisi?" she asked, her voice low and probing. Alex scotted incredulously, shaking his head. "I don''t have time for your games, ire. Are you jealous or something? ire''sughter cang out, genuine and unexpected, causing Alexto fumou his brows in confusion. "What''s so funme?" he demanded, growing increasingly frustrated with ire''s cryptic bebanter. Wiping away an imaginary tear, ireposed berselt, her smile now calm but still tinged with amusement. "Alex, what you just said is amusing. No, I''m not jealous of Lisa manying you. I just wanted to make sure you are making the right choice, Alex. Marrying someone like a big decision." Alex''s confusion deepened his gaze fixed on ire as she spoke. "Why would I regret manying Lisa? I love her and I want to marry her."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ire''s smile tumed into a smak, a hint of mischiet in her eyes as she deliberately prodded at Alex''s emotions. "Do you really love her? or you just like the thought of her?" Alex''s patience was wearing thin, his tone growing colder as he took a step closer to ire, their faces inches apart. "What are you trying to say, ire reached for a tile that had gone unnoticed earlier, holding it up as it held a significant revtion. "This might make you think twice," she stated cryptically, pushing the tile into Alex''s chest. Alex took the file, his curiosity p v piqued but his expression guarded. "What''s in bere?" he demanded, ncing down at the file in his hands. ire''s demeanor shifted, her tones as she met Alexa gaze squacely. "I didn''t want to do this, Alex I don''t care if youmany Lisa or even run away with her, but I care about your family and I''m doing this for them" With that enigmatic statement, ire put her sunsses back on and made her way down the stairs, leaving Alex alone on the rooftop, grappling with conflicting emotions and unanswered questions Alex stood there for a moment, his eyes fixed on the tile in his hands. He couldn''t shake off the feeling of conflict raging within him. Part of him wanted to ignore the files altogether, but another part of him felt to between curiosity and reluctance. He hadn''t nned on delving into whatever secrets the file held, but ire''s actions had stined something within him, Taking a deep breath, Alex made a decision. He couldn''t ignore the nagging feeling that ire had left with him. Slowly, he opened the file, bracing himself for whatever revtionsy inside. Shock, hum, betrayal, and sadness all seemed to converge into a tumultuous whirlwind of emotions within him. He couldn''t believe what he was seeing, couldn''t fathom how this could be true. As he delved deeper, the contents of the fil tile began to unravel a story he never expected. His mind caced, trying to make sense of it all. ire had been the one to give him these files, and that fact alone left him to between disbelled and suspicion. Was this her way of sabotaging has happiness and his soon to be wedding? "This can''t be c Each photo and document he examined seemed to addyers to theplexity of the situation. Alex closed his eyes briefly, trying to steady his racing thoughts * shouldn''t believe ire that easily." Alex assuring himself as he try to calm his conflicted thoughts. Was opening these ties the right choice? The anticipation in that was palpable as Lisa sat in the waiting room, her heart fluttering with a mix of nerves and excitement. This was the moment she had been dreaming of, the day she would walk down the aisle and start a new chapter with Alex Her bridesmaids, Candy and Ka, hovered around her, offering words of reassurance. "You don''t need to be nervous, Lisa Alex is so in love with you," Cindy said with aforting smile. Ka nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you two are perfect together. It''s going to be a beautiful ceremony, H Lisa couldn''t help but coll her eyes. "Obviously, Alex wants to marry me. He''s the one who proposed, after all," she remarked with a touch of amogance, though her underlying nerves were evident. just then, a venue staff member entered the room, signaling that it was time for Lisa''s grand entran "Miss, it''s time." Chapter 76 The re Lisa nodded while her bridesmaid squealed in excitement.. "Good luck, Lisa." "Don''t trip." Ka added as she walked behind Candy. The music began to y, signaling the start of the procession. Cindy and Ka led the way, their smiles bright as they walked down the aisle. Lisa took a deep breath, steadying herself as the music swelled. When the familiar chords of the chorus filled the air, she stepped forward, her eyes fixed ahead as she made her way into the venue, The guests, seated in anticipation, tumed their heads as one, their attention captured by the stunning bride making her entrance. Whispers of admiration rippled through the crowd as Lisa walked with grace and poise. At the altar, Alexstood, his gaze locked on Lisa Despite the beauty of the moment, his mind was not entirely focused on the ceremony unfolding before him. Earlier, he had glimpsed some files that had sparked a flicker of concem, casting a shadow over what should have been a joyous asion. As Lisa approached, radiant in her bridal attire, Alex couldn''t shake off the nagging thoughts that tugged at his attention. He forced a smile, trying to push aside his worries. The priest began the ceremony and the guest seated back to their seat "Lisa Thompson, will you take Alexander Harris as your husband?" Lisa didn''t hesitate; her answer was swift and confident. "Yes, I do." she replied, her voice filled with excitement. The priest then turned to Alex, his gaze expectant as he posed the same question. "Alexander Harris, will you take Lisa Thompson as your wife?" A palpable silence filled the room, stretching into an ufortable pause. The guests exchanged puzzled nces, and even Alex''s parents shared a look of confusion. The priest repeated the question, his tone urging for a response. "Alexander Harris, will you take Lisa Thompson as your wife?" Another moment passed, the air heavy with tension. And then, in a barely audible whisper that stunned everyone present. "No." Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Broken wedding? sps reverberated through the room as Lisa''s eyes widened, her mangaping spen in struck. She turned to Alex, her voice trembling, "What do you mean bythan? Alex looked at her with a misture of sadness and confusion "It''s not that I don''t want to marry you, but......" ins vol Da''s firows Turmwed in frustration. "But what, Alex? Hease, just tell me!" Alextook a deep breath, his woodsing out softly. "It''s postings harroniplicatedtely," Lisa''s disbelief turned Jute anger, "Complicated? How can you say that? Do you even love mer Alexaradintout to touch her hand pestly. "ot course, Hove you, Lisa 11''JAL." "Why didn''t you want to marry the tra?" Lisa Istringteil, her votor rising. "Why didn''t you say yes" the canted, her voice alt a yell "What d Alexnd wound at the guests, who weerstating to whisper among themselves, sensing the tension. He tried to sinr Lisa, frilling her to calm down and mit to yell. "I don''t know how to exin it. It''s not about love." Meanslille, Alex''s parents, Michael and pan, watched the scene un sene unfold with a mix of surpulse e and concern. Michael''s town deepened as he observed the tension between Alexand Lisa. He had neverbeen fond of Usa and didn''t like the wedding from the s Michard leaned over to joan and whispraed, "I knew this would happen. That ghilis troulide." Up on the second floor of the venue, ire watched with a smink on her fare. Matthew, sitting beside her, couldn''t help but ask, "Is this your doing, ire ? ire shrugged nonchntly, still smirking. "I may have had a small role to y.". Matthew shock his head, a mixture of amusement anal disbelief. "You fevererase to surprise me.! Lisa''s bridesmaids rushed to her side, trying to calm her down. Lisa poshed them away, hre anger palpable as she held onto her bouquet tightly. *It''s not fair!* 1 Lis eximed, her voice echoing in the room. "Altereverything we''ve been through, how can you do this to me?" "Lba, calm down. People are watching." Despite sa probing her away, Clody still went to her side and whispered to her. "I don''t care!" she cried out, her voice echoing in the hill, Alexfelt a pang of frustration and desperation. "You''re a liar," he blurted out, unable to contain his ownenstions any longer. The room fell into a stoned silence. "W-whatd-do you mea Alextook a deep breath, trying to regain hisposure. "You lied to me." Lisatooka step back, her eyes wide with shock Without another word, she burned and ran out of the mom, her bridesmaid ferrying alterher. Left standing there, Alex felt a mix of emotions swirling withinhim. He looked to his parents, who were also taken aback by the sudden turn of events. : "Send the guests home or to the reception venue," he instructed them, his voice tim but strained. "or do whatever you want with them, just make sure they are out of here His parents nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Before they could respond further, Alexwalked away trying to catch up to tisa. Lisa sat alone in her room, her earlier joy shattered like the bouquet she threw to the floor in frustration. Tears streaked down her cheeks, mixing with the ruined makeup that mirrored herinnertumoil. she stared at herself in the mirror, her reflection a stark contrast to the radiant bride she had envisioned bring just moments ago. Cindy and Ka, sensing Lisa''s distress, entered the room cautiously. "Hey, Lisa, are you y?" Ka''s voice was gentle, filled with concemfor herfriend. Lisa''s anger bubbled to the surface as she turned towards them, her eyes zing with hurt. "Do look okay?" she eximed, her voice cracking with emotion. Alexdoesn''t want to marry me."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Cody tited to console her, her words a mix of reassurance and defiance. "So what? It''s his loss, Lisa. You deserve someone better than his Lisa''s fists clenched, her frustration evident. "No one is better for me than Alex," she dered, her voice resolute despite her crumblingposure. With emotions tuning higli, Lisa dismissed her friends, unable to bear their well-meaning but inadequate wonds. *et out, I''m not in the mood," she demanded, her voice raw with pain. Cindy and Ka exchanged a nce, understanding Lisa''s need for space but also ferling helpless in the face of her distress. "Isaid get out!" she yelled at them. They winced hearing Lisa yelling and quickly walked out of the room, leaving Lisa alone with her thoughts Frustration gripped her as she reyed the events in her head. She was unable toprehend home things had gotten so disastrous and couldn''t believe this was actually urring. She wondered if Alexhadmanaged to fully umavel the web of lies anal decrit she had created. Yet, even as doubt gnawed at her, she still remained dental with the situation. As Lisa grappled with her emotions, the door creaked open again, and she braced herself for another intrusion. "I told you to go away," she snapped, not bothering to tum and see who it was "Livi," Alex''s voice out theough the tension, kodi yet filled withcoreen. Lisa''s tears slowly subsided as she tumed to face him, heceses still zing with anger. "What do you want?" she spat out, her tone sharp and defensive Alex stepped closer, his expression paired. "I want to talk," he said simply, his eyes searching hens for endentaiding "Talk about what. Alex? The fact that you don''t want to marry me Ales sighed, sensing Lise frigned confusion, trying to buy herself time. "What do you mean?" she asked, her eyes darting away. that this conversation wouldn''t be easy. He didn''t waste time beating around the bush. "Is it true?" he asked, his voice firm but gentle. Is patience was me wearing thin. "Stop lying, Lisa," he said, his tone stem. He tossed a set of files onto the table, the papers scattering slightly as theynded. Lise looked at the tiles, her heart racing "What is this?" she asked, trying to mask her anxiety with feigned ignorance. Alex crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze unwavering "Open it," he instructed, his voice leaving no room for argument Lisa hesitated for a moment before picking up the files. With trembling hands, she opened them, her eyes widening in shock as she scanned the contents. The was met with the clear and undeniable truth... The room tell into a heavy silence as Lisa processed what she had just seen. Inside is a photo and also information about Lisa private lies. ut her father is still very much alive and so is her mother, who looked healthy with no sign of sickness as Lisa stared at her mother picture. It doesn''t stop as Lise flipped the paper, she saw a picture of herself a few days ago when she visited her ex-boyfriend apartment as well as the amount of money she Lia looked up to Alex whose face mixed with disappointment but also anger. "1 Irmuldexin this " "Then eiin." Chapter 78 Chapter 78 Exnation "This is not what it looks like "Lisa''s voice trembled as she desperately tried to exin herself.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Alex''s expression remained stole, his eyes searching hert for answers. "Then what is it, Disa?" His voice was calm but tinged with a hint of hurt Lisa bit her lip, feeling the weight of her words. She hase this far, and she will not let Alex out of heren "Where did you get this tile from Alex hadn''t nned on revealing his source, but the words slipped out before he could stop them "ire." Lis couldn''t help butugh bitterly "ire? You believe her overmne?". Alex''s gaze softened, regret flickering in his eyes. "I don''t want to believe her, Lisa, but the evidence in that fide Lisa took a step closer to him, her voice pleading "Why didn''t you ask me first? You humiliated me in front of everyone Tearswelled up in Lisa''s eyes, I her mascara running down her cheeks. Alexfelt apang of guilt gnawing at him. He knew he should have handled this differently, especially before their wedding. Alex sighed heavily, "I know I should have talked to you before but.." Lisa nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Those files ate Lake, Alex. Please, believe me." Alex''s brow furrowed in confusion but what about the tile about your parents? Is that trie Lisa hesitated, her voice barely audible. "Yes, that part is true." "Why did you lie about it?" Alex''s voice betrayed a mix of frustration and hurt. Tears welled up in Lisa''s eyes as she strueled to find the words. "I''m ashamed, Alex Ashamed of my family''s past," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "My father walked out on us, and my mother.. the reared someone who was already married. I didn''t want you to think less of me because of them." Amidst his own distress, Alex had a feeling of sympathy as he listened to her. He wanted tofort her, to understand, but then his phone vibrated, interrupting the moment Pulling out his phone, Alex saw a new message with a video attachment. Without a word, he pressed y, and the room filled with the sound of a familiar voice His heart sank as he knew who the voice is belong to I it seems, Alex" she eximed, her voice desperate As the video yed, Lisa''s eyes widened in shock, her tears drying up as she froze in disbelief. This is not what it and pleading Alex lowered his phone, his expression hardened with bitterness. "You lied to me again," he stated coldly, the hurt evident in his eyes. "Why, Lisa? Who is this guy?" Alex demanded, his voice tinged with betrayal. Lisa hesitated, her words caught in her throat. "It''splicated, Alex. Please, let me exin," she pleaded, her voice breaking "This...these changes everything," Alex sad bittedly, his gaze piercing Into Lisa''s. Lisa''s eyes widened in shock, her voice trembling as she tried to exin. "Alex, please, it''s not what it looks like. The video is edited, it''s not realTM" But Allex had made up his mind. "The wedding needs to be postponed," he dered firmly, tuming to leave the room before she could respond. Lisa watched him go, her heart breaking as she sank to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had lost him, and the weight of her secrets had cost her future. The sound of the door creaking open startled her, and she hastily wiped her tears. But it wasn''t him. It was thest person she waned to see in that moment. "What are you doing here? Lisa''s voice wasced with bitterness, her eyes namowing as she red at lte. "Did you sneak into my wedding?" re, unfazed by Lisa''s hostility, knelt down and picked up the discarded bouquet of flowers. "Four towers," she wanted, her tone filled with mock pity. "It''s a shame someone threw you away." Lisa''s frustrationbubbled to the surface. "Are you macking she demanded, her fists clenched at her sides. ire looked up, her expression innocent et tinged with saram "Mocking you? No, dear. I lost have a soft spot for flowers. And I did not intnide your wedding. I was invited." Bir scoffed in disbeliet. "Who would invite you re lips up into a smirk "Oh, you would be surprised." Lisa''s anger red. "You in my wedding. This is all your fault," she used, her voice trembling with emotion "Tecause of you, everything is mined." ire''sughter cut through the air. "Me? You should be thanking me." she retorted, her tone dripping with superiority "you have no idea what being Mrs. H Lisa''s eyes red with hary. "I hate you," she spat out, bervice paw with reunion Chapter 78 Exnation ire''s response was almost taunting. "Finally, you say it," she remarked, as if enjoying Lisa''s distress. "How did you find out about it?" Lisa gritted her teeth. ire shrugged. "Hm...well let''s just say I have my ways besides as long as you have money you can find every information you want. However, I wasn''t really expecting you to lie about your parents, Lisa. Especially your mum? But it seems like the apple didn''t fall far from the tree." my life!" Lisa''s frustration reached a boiling point. She grabbed a handful of her neatly styled hair, her fingers trembling with anger. "Just go away and stop ruining my life!" ire chuckled as she find Lisa words funny. "Oh dear, I''m not ruining your life. You ruin your own life." Lisa''s eyes narrowed, her gaze burning with intensity. "You''re just jealous because I''m happy and about to be Mrs. Harris!" ire let out a genuineugh, shaking her head. "Me? Jealous of you? Please, Lisa. I have everything anyone could dream of. I''m rich, talented, and living a life most people can only imagine. Why would I be jealous of a husband stealer like you?" "Why did you do it then?" Lisa''s voice cracked with emotion, a mix of confusion and desperation. ire replied coldly. "As I said earlier, I don''t want to see you ruining the Harris family. They''ve been nothing but kind to me and I''m just returning the favor." ire continue to tease Lisa. "Did Alex ever find out about your little escapades at your bachelorette party? or what about your secret sex tape?" Lisa''s hands balled into fists, and she took a step towards ire, ready tosh out. But ire''s reflexes were quick, and she sidestepped Lisa''s attack effortlessly. With a thud, Lisa fell to the ground, her putty wedding dress now crumpled around her. Tears welled up in Lisa''s eyes as she looked up at ire. "Why are you d doing this to me? You have nothing to do with the Harris family!" ire looked down at her with a mixture of disdain and triumph. "They''ve been kind to me, and I owe them. Consider this my way of repaying their " As ire walked towards the door, she stopped on her track as she turned around and smirked. "You know, I never did say a proper thank you to you. If it wasn''t for you, I wouldn''t have my memories back." With those words hanging in the air, ire left, leaving Lisa alone and broken on the floor. Chapter 2 thinking him problem away Chapter 79 Chapter 79 Drinking his problem away Alex descended the stairs, each step heavier than thest as the weight of betrayal settled on his shoulders. His heart felt like it had been dragged through rough terrain, shredded by the revtions he had just fared. Lisa, the person be trusted the most, had deceived him in ways he never thought possible. Christian noticed the turmoil in Alex''s eyes as he reached thest step. "Hey mate, what''s going on? Are you okay?" Christian''s voice was filled with concern, bis brow furrowed with worry. Alex shook his head, trying to dispel the overwhelming emotions threatening to consume him. "I had to postpone the wedding," he confessed, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. Christian''s eyes widened in surprise. "What? why?" His voice held a mixture of confusion and curiosity. A heavy sigh escaped Alex''s lips as he recounted the painful truth. "It''s Lisa, She''s been lying to me, and not a small le but it''s even bigger. Tran''t even exin it "Christian''s expression shifted to one of shock and disbelief. "I''m so sorry you have to find out this way, Alex." Feeling a mix of anger and sadness, Alex decided he needed to distance himself from the chaos. He requested the keys to his wedding car. "I need to get out of here," ," he muttered, his voice tinged with resignation. Concern etched on his face, Christian asked, "Where are you going?" Alex''shrugged, a sense of aimlessness clouding his thoughts. "Just... away from all of this." Understanding his friend''s need for space, Christian didn''t press further. He watched as Alex climbed into the car and drove away.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. As Christian nced around, his eyes fell on the lingering paparazzi, a reminder of the public scrutiny that awaited Alex They managed to get a picture of Alex leaving the venue alone in his wedding ca "shit! They are still here?" Frustration welled up inside him as breached for his phone, swiftly contacting the Harris PR team "I need you to delete any picture and any news regarding Alex and his wedding from every social media and inte. Any negativements about him needs to go away. It we don''t act fast, it can in the Hamis stock market." "Understood sir." The Pit team, ustomed to handling crises, immediately sprang into action, working to erase any trace of the negative news surrounding Alex''s wedding. Christian let out a weary sigh, muttering to himself, "I alwaysnew Lisa is not as good as it seems. I don''t know what Alex sees in her." ire made her way down the elegant staircase of the wine, her steps cured and purposeful. As she reached the bottom step, hereyes scanned the now empty room. No one is in sight. Only the staff and the cleaner, ire took a peek at the front entrance and saw a bunch of paparazzi at the front gates. Even with the bodyguards guarding the entrance, they are determined to get a view of Alex and his soon to be wife sadly that will never happen Heading to the back door, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. She pushed the door open, a sleekck car pulled up right in front of her. She jumped inside the car in a hurry and the car drive away Matthew who is already seated inside can''t help feeling worried about her. "Are you y, ire?" She nodded. "Yeah, I''m okay although is the opposite." "She didn''t do anything to harm you right?" ire shook her head. "No but she attempted to. But don''t worry I have a good reflex." "What happened to Lisa" his voice filled with curiosity. ire''s lips curled into a knowing smirk "Alex postponed the wedding, she replied, her tone tinged with satisfaction "Lisa''s devastated." Matthew''s eyes widened in surprise. "What did you do?" ire leaned back in her seat, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "I knew Alex could be swayed easily," she confessed. "So, I prepared a backup n." "What''s the backup n?" Matthew ask curiously as he furrowed his brows. ire''s smile widened. "I sent Alexa little video of Lisa at her ex-boyfriend''s apartment," Matthew''s shock was palpable, "What was she doing there?" ire''s tone turned matter of fact. "Turns out, Lisa has a sex tape," she exined. "And Fin, her ex, was demanding arge sum of money to keep it under wraps." Matthew shook his head in disbelief. "I always knew Lisa was trouble, but I didn''t think she was capable of something like this." ire nodded in agreement; her gaze distant for a moment. She hasn''t expect Lisa to have such thing either. Back then when they were friends, Lisa wasabit secretive about her private lives. She never even tell ire about her parents. She always try to maintain her Image so thoughts about her having a sextape never ance cross her minds "I guess she has more skeleton in her closet." guess so too." Their conversation paused momentarily as the reality of the situation sank in "No, where to now?" Matthew''s voice brol the silence, his eyes meeting ire''s "Chieter 74 Drinking hit problem away Alex sat in the VVIP section. The club was technically closed, but exceptions: bothering with a ss as he took a long swig. centions were made fo made for VIPs like him. He leaned back in his seat, a bottle of alcohol in hand, not His thoughts were a tumultuous storm of anger, hurt, and disappointment. Each sip of the fiery liquid seemed to fuel the turmoil within him. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, his brows furrowed in a deep scowl. "Why is this happening to me?" he muttered to himself. Another gulp of alcohol burned down his throat, momentarily numbing the pain he felt. He didn''t care if he got drunk in the middle of the moming; right now, he just needed an escape. With a sudden burst of anger, he threw the bottle against the wall, the shattering sound echoing through the room like a gunshot. His scream of frustration pierced the air, a raw expression of his inner turmoil. It was then that the door creaked open, and a staff member cautiously entered, concem etched on his face. "Sir, you can''t break the bottles," the staff member said, his voice wavering slight Alex turned towards him, his eyes cold and distant like the icy depths of the Antic. "Why not?" he replied sharply, his tone cutting through the air. The staff member took a step back, but then he seemed to remember Alex''s status as a WIP customer, "I mean, you''re allowed to do more," he stammered, gesturing towards the shelves lined with bottles of alcohol. "Feel free to take more, sir." With a dismissive wave of his hand, Alex signaled for the staff member to leave. As the door closed behind him, Alex closed his eyes, trying to calm the stom raging inside him. He took a deep breath, holding it for a moment before exhaling slowly. After a few moments of silence, Alex reopened his eyes, his gaze falling on the array of bottles before him. He reached for another one. "Why am I surrounded by a bunch of liars? First, it was ire then, Lisa?" Pouring himself another drink, he muttered to himself, "Maybe this will help me forget, even if just for a little while." Chapter 101 just fished what you started. Chapter 80 Chapter 80 I just finished what you started ire took a deep breath as she appmached the Harris family mansion. kw she had acted with good intentions, gullt gnawed at her, nheless: "You are wanted to do this?" Matthew asked her. "Thave to after all I was the one who case the wedding being postpone." "I''m sure they will understand since what you did is to save them." Matthew assure her and she nodded, "1know Wait for me here, okay? I will be right back" "Don''t worry about me. I am not going anywhere." Opening the car done, ire climbed out of the car and walk up the stairs to the door entrance. The butler opened the door in response to ire''s ring of the doorbell. "Good aftemoon, Miss ire. How may I assist you today!" he inquired politely "I''m here to see Michael and Joan, if they''re avable,"ire replied. The butler nodded and sheard her inside, leading her down the grand hallway to the living room where Michael and Joan were seated, engaged in a quiet conversation over tea. Michael''s calming presence seemed to soothe Joan''s evident distress ""Excuse me Mr. and Mrs. Hands," the builer announced, drawing their attention to ire''s presence. ire offered the small smile as she approached, her heart cacing with anticipation and remorse. "Hello, Michael Joan. I hope I''m not intruding " Michael gestuurd for her to take a seat, his expression weing yet curious. "Not at all, ire. What brings you here today?" Taking a deep breath, ire mustered hercourage "wanted to talk to you both and apologize." Joan''s brow furrowed slightly in contusion "Apologize? Whatever for, dear?" ire''s gare shifted between them, her words carefully chosen. "I''m sorry for interfering in your son''s wedding. I feel responsible for what happened." Michael immediately loowing what ire means however he did not expect ire to actually do it "But you are not at the wedding. ze." 1 gave Alex a file about Lisa, I didn''t want her to harm your family, tainting the Harris name. So, I gather a lot of evidence about Lisa which she lied to everyone about hemel and family, I really am sorry, Joan and Michael. If it wasn''t for me the wedding would still be going" Joan''s eyes brimmed with emotion as she smiled warmly at ire. "Thank you, dear. We understand your intentions, and we''re touched by your sincerity," "I never mean.co interfere with your son''s wedding day," she added, hertone remorseful. Michael istered intently, his features reflecting a mix of understanding and gratitude. "You were looking out for us," he said, his voice calm yet filled with appreciation. "We appreciate your concem, daire," A wave of relief washed over ire as she realized the Harris family''s understanding. "I just couldn''t stand by and watch," the admitted, a small smile tugging at her lips. Michael nodded in agreement. You did what you felt was right," he said. "And we''re thankful for that." "ire, If it weren''t for you, we might still be in the dark about Lisa''s lies." Joan said as she smiled at ire. "I''ll always came for your family. You''ve been so kind to me, especially after what Max did for me." Max, Alex''s grandfather, had been a beacon of kindness in ire''s life. She still missed him dearly since his passing a year ago. Michael spoke up. "Max would be proud of you, ire. You''ve shown the loyalty and love for this family." "ciale, what are you doing here? Alex''s surprise was evident as he entered the room. Alex''s voice interrupted from the doorway. A mix of emotions crossing her face before settling into a frown. She hadn''t expected to see him here, in his parents'' house of all ces. Michael, ever observant, narrowed his eyes at Alex and pointedly asked, "Have you been drinking?" Alex blinked a few times, wondering how his father could tell from afar. Ignoring the question, he focused on ire. "What is going on? Why are you here?" "Thank you for your understanding but he to leave, there''s something important I need to attend to," she said, addressing Michael and Joan. They nodded understandingly. "Of course, ire. Thank you once again." As she made her way to the entrance, Alex blocked her path. "Move, Alex" ire said coldly, her tone booking no argument. But Alex stood his ground, his expression serious. "We need to talk" "Aren''t you tired of the word ''talk''?" "I''m serious ire" ire sighed heavily, knowing this conversation wouldn''t be easy. "And so am. There''s nothing to talk abo Ignoring, bet, Alex grabbed het wrist as she tried to walk past him. The butt and anger in his eyes were evident, and w he was likely halt desk. Not wanting to cause a scene in bout of his patents, the relented with a heavy beant Chapter 80 just finished what you started Alex led her outside to the patio, where they stood facing each other, ire yanked her wrist from his grip, crossing her arms defensively. "Sorry." Alex said. Rolling her eyes, ire cut to the chase. "What do you want? I don''t have time for this," Alex''s expression softened slightly as he asked, "Where did you get all that information about Lisa?" A smirk yed on ire''s lips at the mention of Lisa. "Why, don''t you believe the evidence? Oh right, you are allergic with the truth."II Alex sighed, his agitation growing. "Why can''t you ever answer a simple question?" ire, leaning against the railing, met his gaze evenly. "Why should I bother with simple answers when you''ll never believe me anyway?" Her tone was cool, almost indifferent. Taking a deep breath, Alex tried a more calm approach. "How did you find it?" ire shrugged nonchntly, "It''s easy when you have money. You can investigate anyone. You should know that by now." "Why go through all this trouble then? Alex questioned, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Isn''t this what you wanted?" ire''s expression remained unreadable as she tumed to face the blue sky "I''m not doing this for you," she stated firmly. "I''m doing it for your family name. I don''t care if you marry Lisa. You should have find out about her more before deciding to marry her. She has secrets that could tarnish the Harris name." Alex''s gaze fell to the ground, his mind racing with thoughts. "Lisa was the one who leaked our divorce to the media," he admitted, a touch of bitterness in his ire''s mocking tone cut through the air. "So, you did read about it," she remarked, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "Remember when you use me of doing "ire, I Save it, Alex. I don''t have time for this. You can talk all you want, I don''t care." Her tone is bitter as she tumed around to leave but his next words stop her from her tracks "Why did you agree to divorce me then?" Alex voice filled with curiosity.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ire closed her eyes briefly, feeling tired of the same conversation again. Turning slightly towards Alex, she spoke coldly, "I just finished what you started. "With that final statement, she descended the stairs and disappeared into her car. Chapter 81 Chapter 81 Out of control Lisa ralled Alex''s phone nonstop, bing more and more icare with every missed call. I had been days since theyst spoke properly, and with every growing day it making her more anxious. Come on, Alex Pickup the phone." Lisa mattered anxiously. Lisa has start to feel pessimistic with her rtionship especially after their big light at their supposedly wedding day. Meanwhile, Alexsat in his office, staring at the mountain of paperwork that seemed to mock him. He couldn''t bring himself to focus on work, not with everything going on in his mind. The betrayal he felt from Lisa''s lles was still fresh, and it weighed heavily on his shoulders. As he tried to push through the tasks, his phone buzzed again with Lisa''s name shing on the screen. With a frustrated sigh, he ignored the call and finally decided to tom of his phone altogether. He needed a break from the constant reminders of hiscent tumo?l. Christian noticed his usual behavior when he entered the office to hand him another document. Seeing Alex buried under piles of paper, Christian raised an eyebrow inconcem "Hey Alex, everything okay?" he asked, noting the exhaustion in Alex''s eyes. Alex let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping. "Not really, Christian 1 just can''t seem to focus on anything right now," he admitted, gesturing towards the paperwork Christian nodded understandingly. "you know, sometimes a break can do wonder, How about stepping out for some fresh air?" he suggested, cing the document he brought on top of the stack. Alex shook his head, feeling tom appreciate it, but I have so much to catch up on. I can''t afford to take a break," he replied, his voice tinged with frustration. Christian watched as Alex shook his head, frustration evident on his face. "You should go out," he insisted, leaning against the desk. "If you stay here another tute, you won''t get your work done, and you''ll make mistakes." Alex frowned, his brows furrowing "I don''t make mistakes, he argued, crossing his as defensively.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Christian called his eyes, a habit he had developed over years of dealing with Alex''s stubbornness "Yeah, right. Just go," he sighed, waving a hand in dismissal Finally relenting, Alex stood up with a defeated expression. "Alright, fine. I''ll take a short break" he muttered, imitation clear in his voice as he turned to leave the office. Christian grinned, pleased with Alex''s decision. "You''ll thank meter, mate once you feel energized" As he stepped into the elevator, Alex found himself surrounded by three of his employees. They immediately scooted to the back of the lift, whispering among themselves. "Is the news true?" one of them muured, ncing Bervously at Alex "thinks," another replied in hushed tones. "He''s been in a foul mood all day." Despite their attempts to keep theireration private, Alex couldn''t help but overhear. His jaw clenched as the elevator descended, his frustration mounting When the doors opened, Alex didn''t waste a second. He tumed to face the employees, his gaze cold and unwavering. "Get to work and stop gossiping if you still want to work here," he stated sharply before stepping out of the lift and striding out of the building. Cure outside, Alex made his way to his car, his mind swirling with thoughts. He got into the driver''s seat and started the engine, the tamiliar ham offering respite from the chaos in his mind. For hours, Alex drove aimlessly, the cityscape passing by in a blur. He didn''t have a destination in mind, content to let the road guide him as he tried to clear his thoughts. Eventually, he found himself in front of the mansion he had once shared with ire Memories flooded back, and he couldn''t help but wonder if she still lived these. It was a question he hadn''t had the chance to ask her. Malding a mental note to talk to care about it, Alex sat in h hiscar foram moment, contemting his next move. In the penthouse, Lisa paced restlessly, her arodiety palpable in the air it had been two days since Alexhadst visited, two days of uncertainty and doubt gnawing atherheart. Was the avoiding her? Did he still caE? she bit her nails, a nervous habit she couldn''t seem to shake. Hermind raced with scenarios of what could be wrong, each one more pessimistic than thest. Nothing she thought of seemed to make sense, and frustration built up aside her like a storm ready to burst. it sound of Her eyes fell upon the picture of Alex and ire, a relic of a past she wished would vanish without a second thought, she ripped it from the wall, the shattering ss punctuating the tense atmosphine. "It''s all because of you, ire! You always ruin everything!" The maid rushed in as she heard the loud bang from the wing room. "What are you doing, miss?" the maid asked, her voice a mixture of shock and worry. Lisa''s volo trembled with anger and desperation. "I''m the one Alex will marry, not ire. They are already divorced, for heaven''s sake!" The maid, taken aback by Lisa''s outburst, tried to peason with her. "But breaking things won''t solve anything. You know how Master Alex feels about" "I don''t care!" Lisa interrupted, her frustration bolling over. "I''m tired of waiting, tired of feeling like I''m second best," The maid felt a shiver run down her spine as she watched Lisa''s enraged state. With wide eyes, the maid quickly retreated to the safety of the kinds Chapter 1 Out of controll pounding with fear. Lisa''s hatred for ire was evident as she stomped on ire''s face in the picture. Back at the mansion, Alex approach the house. As he turned the key in the lock and stepped inside, a familiarvender scent greeted him, reminding hins of ire''s presence. He paused, momentarily lost in memories of her love for scented candles, despite his own dislikes to the fragrance. The atmosphere in the mansion was heavy with nostalgia, pulling at Alex''s heartstrings. He couldn''t deny the fondness he still held for ire, despite the recent revtions about her true identity that had left him feeling betrayed. He moved through the familiar spaces, eacher holding a piece of their shared past. Piclding up a framed photo of him and ire, Alex couldn''t help butpare the carefree smile on her face to his own somber expression. The contrast between the old ire and the new one weighed on his mind, stining up a mix of attraction and confusion within him. Just as he was lost in thought, his phone rang, jolting him back to reality. Frowning, he answered the call, hearing his maid urgent voice on the other end. Their conversation was briet but tense as she informed him of Lisa''s escting behavior. "Sir, you need toe quickly. Miss. Lisa is out of control," her voice quivered with concem Alex frowned. "What do you mean out of control." "You should see it yourself." "I''ll be there right away," Alex replied firmly, his brow furrowing deeper. Hurrying out of the mansion, Alexdrove to his penthouse, his mind racing with worries about the situation. Chapter 82 Chapter 82 It''s best for in...This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Alexanteed at his penthouse after receiving a call from binoid. As be milocked the dun, hits maid, was already walling fochin, a worried loodemicher fa Master Alex, Miss Lisa is in the living room," she said ina harshed tone, lier woher Linged with Alex nodded and crassured her. "Thank you. Pillundle it from bere. You go for the y," she undded gustetully and buried all, leading Alex to deal with whatever awalted him in the Lading room. Entering the spacious living area, Alex spotted Lisasiting on the flour, herbackagalist the couch, and hereyes nest dimarrying. The sight of her brought aowate Alex''s face as he luielt down beside her. "Lisi, what happened?") hummed to n, bei eyes widening in spise at his sudden appearance. She struggled to find the right winds, ben emmtinen clearly in tuumail. Alex''s gard then fell on the broken wedding pletime frame of Alex and ir lying on the tone, and his trower deepened. id something happen to upset you?" he asked, trying to understand the situation. "1-1-1-" she started don''t know what to say. "Why did you ruin the picture frame?" Alex frowned as die wilt Ing for Lisa to amweri hilsiquedion. Lisa''s frusination was palpable as she faced Alex. "This is all ire''s fashi," she blurted out, her valor tinged with anger. "Became of her, om werking will never happen!" Allex, trying to keep hits cool despite the tension, let out a weary sigh and mibbed his temples. "Lisa, It''s not ire''s fault," he said Trying to reason with beer. But Lisa''s emotions were noning high, and she interrupted him with a solt. "You''re taking her side!" she used, liet eyes fishing with bout. "It''s not a about choosing sides," Alex insisted, histone tim butposed, "It''s about facing the truth. You fird to mor, and that hurt." Lisa''s mouth opened and closed as she struggled to find the right woods, "I think it''s best for us to not live together for awhile." She took a step towards Alex, her eyes pleading as she held onto his arms. "What do you meat, we shouldn''t live togell?r?" she asked, bet volce trembling with uncertainty. Alex gently pulled her hands away, meeting her gaze. "We both nerd in reflect on our mistakes," he exined patiently, acusowledging; his con faults as well. "But we''re still getting married, right?" Lisa asked, desperation creeping into lier volor. Alex''s brow furrowed as he considered her question. "We''ll see," he replied calmly, not wanting to cause her further distress "You can stay in the penthouse as long as you like." As Alextumed to leave, Lisa''s anxiety spiked "Where will you stay?" she called afterlim, her voice tinged with fear of losing himu........ "have a few ces in London," Alex crassured her, sparing her a nce before leading to the front door. "Don''t worry about me; With that, Alex left the penthouse, his departure leaving a heavy silence in its wake. Lisaclenched her fists, her nails digging into her skin as she processed the impending end of their rtionship. "This can''t be goodbye," she whispered to herself, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge. "I''ll get Alex back, and ire will pay for this." ire woke up to the familiae sound of her rm clock, herbsand automatically racing to it off. Today was an important day, she had a meeting with fir about their coboration, and there were updates to discuss regarding Cortex 20 With a quick nce at the clock, she sprang out of bed and didn''t waste a tremend getting ready for work As she headed downstairs, the aroma of beewing te tilled the air. ire''s morning ritual included acup of tea, especially on days like this, she reached for ber phone to call Matthew However, the call went straight to voicemail, which was unusual as Matthew was always quick in answering ber calls. "Hmm..why isn''t he answering the call?" she muttered to himself wondering why Matthew haust pick up heredis. Frowning slightly, ice poured herself a cup of tea and headed out of her penthouse. Her driver was waiting to take her to Metacortes Upon teaching her office, ire was surprised to hear a sudden burst of confest andughter. Matthew stood there with a wide grin, holding acake, "What is all this? ire asked, her tone reflecting both surprise and amusement, Matthew, still grimming, replied, "Surprise! It''s your birthday cake." "Hey there, birthday star! Happy Birthday to the one who''s aging like the wine." ire''s initial confusion turned into sofasement and disbelief as she mad the mesugron the cake out loud "It''s a bit corty, doe''t you think?" ire looked at the cake again. Matthew shrugged, "Who cares? It''s your birthday." ire smiled and thanked Matthew. "You really didn''t have to go through all this trouble, Matthew," she said, her voice soft but appreciative Matthew, standing tall with a proud grin, shook his head isresponse. "Nonsense, Cale. Everyone deserves a bit of celebration on their birthday. It''s a tradition!TM cale couldn''t help but chuckle. You make like blowing candles is a must'' Matthewughed, lifting the cake towards her. "Well, it is one on, just a quick blow. I''ll make the day a bit brighter." Hollog her eyes yfully, ire leaned forward and lifewer the lone candle on the cake, "There, happy?" "Unstalle," Malthe replied witha Matthew ced the cake on bredesk with a gentle thod before replying, "hairtheday party, be. It''s losportant. " Chapter 82 It''s best for us: ire shook her head, her expression tuming hesitant. "I really don''t want to, Matthew." Matthew leaned against the desk, crossing his anns. "You''re the CEO of Metacortex, ire. It''s customary for important figures like yourself to celebrate their birthdays. It''s good for business, you know," ire sighed softly, knowing that Matthew had a point even though she wasn''t fond ofrge gatherings. "Fine, I''ll have a party. But I won''t be nning it. Matthew smiled reassuringly, "Don''t worry, Sandra and I will take care of everything" With that settled, Matthew excused himself from her office, leaving ire to contemte the uing celebration. She took a seat, her thoughts drifting as her phone rang, Interrupting the silence. A smile graced her lips as she answered, greeted by her best friend Talia''s enthusiastic voice. "Happy birthday, ire!" "Thank you, Talia," ire replied warmly. Talia''s excitement spilled through the phone as she asked, "What are you going to do today?" ire nced at the cake on her desk, then exined, "I''ll be working, but Matthew and Sandra are nning a party for me." Talia squealed in delight. "Can I help with anything? I''m great at party nning!" ire chuckded. "Of course, Ta. Do whatever you like." After their conversation ended, ire sat back in her chair, a small smile lingering on her lips. She couldn''t help but feel a twinge of sadness, wishing her parents were still alive to celebrate with her. Chapter 83 Chapter 83 Dj vu The day of ire''s birthday party had finally arrived, and as she stepped inside the venue, her surprise was evident on her face. She hadn''t expected them to n the party so quickly, only taking two days to put everything together. Ta came up behind her, culous about ire''s thoughts on the party. "What do you think about the party, ire?" Talia asked with a smile.. ire temel around, her expression grateful. "I''m amazed, honestly, I didn''t expect you all to n everything so fast. It looks wonderful" Matthewchined in, "We split or work, so it came together smoothly." "Thank you so much for nning all these. I''m really grateful for your help." ire thanked Sandra, Matthew, and Talia profusely for preparing her birthday party on such short notice. "The three of you should go and enjoy the party." Sandia, with a warm smile, mentioned she would check on the catering, ensuring everything was running smoothly. Talia promised to oversee seating amrangements for the guests. Tuming to Matthew, ire raised her brows teasingly. "And what are you going to do now, Matthew?" "I''ll apany you to meet all the guests I''ve invited," Matthew replied with a smile. ire chocked lightly and nodded, epting his offer, with a ss of champagne in hand, she and Matthew mingled through the elegant, luxurious birthday party, meeting and greeting guests. One quest approached ire, wishing her a happy birthday and expressing delight at being part of the celebration. Another, a businesswoman, extended her wishes while subtly inquiring about ire''s avability for future meetings. "I will inform you," ire replied with a hint of professionaliam in bertone. For about 30 minutes, guests continued to wish ire a happy birthday and engage in small t dual purpose of celebration andworlding. talk, mixing in discussions about business, a testament to the party''s As a waster passed by, ire set down her ss and leaned towards Matthew. "I will be right back. I need to go to thedies room" She whisper to him. Matthew nodded understandingly, "Sure, but don''t take too long or the quest will think the host run way." ire made her way to the restroom, relieved to find it empty. She approached the mirror and let her practiced smile ade *God, smiling for so long is exhausting," she maltered to herself, staring at her reflection. Altera brief moment of collecting herself, she straightened up and lett the bathroom, intent on returning to the party. She identally bumped into someone just outside the door. I am so sorry about that," she apologized automatically, looking up to see who it was "Deja vu much?" ire couldn''t help but quip sarcastically, her eyebrows arching in annoyatot,This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Alex raised an eyebrow, a small smirk ying on his lips. "Fancy meeting you here," he replied casually "What are you doing here?" ire''s tone was slightly usatory, not quite believing his exnation. "I''m invited, believe it or not," Alex retorted, milling his eyes in mock exasperation. ire narrowed her eyes, unconvinced "highly doubt that." Alex shrugged nonchntly. "Ask your secretary or whoever organized this party. They''ll confirm it," With a frown, ire decided to leave Alex behind and head straight for Matthew, who was engrossed in conversation with Anna when she found him. ire''s surprise at seeing Anna. "Anna? What are you doing here?" ire asked, genuinely curious now Armasmiled warmly. "It''s your birthday, ire. Of course, I''m here to celebrate with you! Happybirthday, ire." "Thank you, Anna. Please enjoy the party. I''ll join you in a while, ire returned the smile gratefully, thanking Anna before remembering her purpose and pulling Matthew aside. "Did you invite Alexander Harris to the party?" ire cut straight to the chase, her expression serious. Matthew shook his head, puzzled "No, why?" ire sighed, frustration evident in her voice. "Because he is here." Matthew''s brows furrowed in thought. "Maybe Sandra invited him. I did ask her to imite important people from the business world." ire groaned in resignation. "Are you okay with him here?" asked Marthew. "Well, no, but he''s here anyway so it''s fine, guess, ire replied with a resigned shrug. "Just feels like I can''t catch a break from seeing him." Matthew chuckled, trying to lighten the mood "Maybe fate''s trying to tell you something." ire shot him a ce, not amused, "Don''t even Joke about that" Realizing his misstep, Matthew cleared his throat and excused himself, turning back to his professional demeanor as he went to check on the performance. "Cam Deven avoid him at this party?" ire questions herself as it seems impossible to avoid Alex. *You okay, Calie?" Anna raised her eyebrows seeing ire slight distress. ire smiled and walked to her "Everything''s time. Anyway, tell me about your new movie." The party was a lively affair, filled withughter and music that floated through the air, creating an atmosphere of celebration. ire, the center of Chapters Dev surrounded by well-wishers and friends, all raising their sses in her honor. As te took a sip of her champagne, a familiar figure appeared beside her. Talia leaned in and whispered, "Alex is here." ire''s expression didn''t change much "i know, I ran into him earlier." Talia''s eyes widened slightly, clearly curious about the encounter. "How did it go?" ire shrugged nonchntly, "Same old, same old. We never seem to have a civil conversation." Talia couldn''t help butment, "Wow, you guys really do hate each other." Before ire could respond, a distinguished voice interrupted them. It was Mr. Saint Laurent apanied by his grandson, Adrian. ire politely set down her sses and greeted them warmly. "Happy birthday, my dear ire," Mr. Saint Laurent eximed with a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Saint Laurent. Thank you foring. It''s always a pleasure to see you." "Nonsense dear, I will dly attend. I believe you still remember my grandson?" ire smiled. "Of course, how could I forget." Mr. Saint Laurent then turned to Talia, inviting her to join him. "Talia, my dear, would you mind apanying me for a moment?" Talia nodded, showing her readiness to follow him Adrian remarked with a yful tone. "I got a feeling of Dejavu." ire couldn''t help but chuckle softly. "d, I''m not the only one who thought about that." "Happy birthday, ire." Adrian said warmly. "Thank you, Adrian, I didn''t thought you would fly all the way to London for my birthday." Adrian rubbed the back of his neck looking shyly, "Well, I got to maintain a good rtionship with my business connection or...maybe I just wanted to see you." ire smiled in amusement. "Hmm..you are getting good with the sweet talk" He chuckled, "Well, I''m trying and must admit it is not as easy as I thought." Adrian, sensing a moment of quiet amid the festivities, suggested to ire. "Do you mind i you mind if we find a quiet "Sure. Lead the way." Leading her away from the crowded ballroom to the empty balcony, he presented her with a big size blue velvet box. ire raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What''s this?" she asked curiously. With a warm smile, Adrian encouraged her. "Go ahead, open it" Chapter 84 Chapter 84 Diamond Ne lte gasped bastornshunent at the sight. Inside was a stunning diamond ne, a Christie''s Diamond Ne, radiating elegance and luxury. "Adrian, you really didn''t have to," she protested softly, feeling overwhelmed by the extravagant elli. Adrian''s smile remained, his eyes sincere as he spoke, "It''s your birthday, ire. Everyone deserve to have something special" ire was taken aback "I can''t ept smelling so extravagant " "It''s your birthday, ire. My grandfather would insist, Fleas, take it." She was touched by his words and thanked him with a soft smile. "Thank you, Adn, It means a lot," she said sincerely. Adn smiled back, his eyes meeting hers briefly before he asked, "Do you mind if i help you with the ne?" ire nodded, forming amind to give him better ess. She brought her hair to the food, feeling a slight nervousness at the postmity. it had been a while since she had been this close to a man since Alex Matthew didn''t count since he was berright-hand person and bat a unique ce in herlite, and this closeness with Adn felt unfamiliar As Adrian''s fingers touched her skin, ire couldn''t help but shiver slightly. It was an odd sensation, nor she hadn''t felt in a long time Addan finished sping the ne and apologized softly, "I hope 1 didn''t make your ufortable, ire smiled ceassuringly, "No, it''s fine, Adrian. Thank you for helping." Looking down at the beatiful diamond ne, ire adudied Its elegance. "It''sbeautiful," shemented, her eyes sparkling Adrian nodded, but his gaze was on her, not the ne. "Yeah, it is," he replied, his eyes full of admiration. As ire lifted her head, she caught Addan staring at her. A yful smile danced on her lips as she met his gaze. Their silent exchange was intemipted by a sudden cough, drawing their attention to the person who had intended on their moment. Teming towards the sound, ire''s expression shifted from joy to annoyance as she recognized Alexander Harris approaching them. His smirk didn''t help ease her initation as he feigned Innocence. "I''m sorry, did interrupt something?" he quipped, his tone lighthearted ire gritted her teeth, her annoyance evident as she replied, "No, of course not, You came at the perfect time," her words dripping with sarcasm. Adrian, sensing the tension, nced between them and ventured to ask, "Do you two know each other?" Before ir could respond, Alex took the lead, smoothly interjecting, "Yeah, we''re business partner," But ire quiddy added. "It is not official yet so don''t pay too much attention.". Alexextend his hand towards Adrian to introduce himself. "I''m Alexander Harris." Adrian shook Alex''s hand, curious about their connection. "Are you part of Harris Hotel?" he inquired, showing his admiration for the hotel chain. Alexchackled lightly. "Yes, I''m the co now. My father stepped down about a year ago," he exined, a hint of pride in his voice.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Impressed, Adrianplimented the hotel, sharing his positive experiences staying there. Alex graciously thanked him before turning the conversation back to Adrian''s business. "I didn''t get your name earlier." "Oh right. My apologies. I''m Adrian Saint Laurent H Alexfurrowed his brows at the sumume. "Saint Laurent "Yeah, I''m sure you are familiar with the name. Nichs Saint Laurent is my grandfather." Alex was surposed since he wasn''t expecting the man in front of him is Mr. Saint Laurent grandson. "What kind of business do you own?" Alexasked, genuinely curious. "1 owned a few clubs in America and two in London. It''s called L''illusion." Alex wasn''t expecting Adrian to be the owner of L''Illusion since that nightclub is one of his favorite ces to hang out and not to mention he is a VIP member in that club H Adrian took his phone out from his pocket then turned to ire. "I''m sorry if you don''t mind, I will answer this " "Of course, go ahead, I will see you inside." He turned to Alex with a polite smile. "It''s good meeting you Alexander." "Likewise Adressed himself to take a call, ire took the opportunity to tumito Alex. "What are you doing here?" she asked, curtositycing her tone. His eyes drifted to the diamond neying on ire''s neck. "Nice ne. Did your boyfriend by it for you? Or did you ask for it?" re scoffed in disbelief. "First he is not my boyfriend and second he gave me this ne besides I don''t think you are even capable of doing such thing Illseyebrow raised but before he could utter a word, ire cut in all. "What are you doing here, Alex? Alexchuckled, leaning against the railing "I''m here for your birthday party, remember?" ire shook her head as she narrowed her eyes at Not that. I mean what are you doing at the balcony? Are purposely interrupting meetsation with Chapter Alex raised an eyebrow, a a sarcastic tone in his voice. "I didn''t know looking into each other''s eyes was a part of a conversation." Rolling her eyes, ire crossed her arms over her chest. "Why do you care? I can do whatever I want. Besides, shouldn''t you be dealing with Lisa?" The mention of Lisa''s name seemed to darken Alex''s mood. He replied in a cold tone, "Don''t mention her name." ire, ever the tease, couldn''t resist. "The one you promised to marry?" Alex''s re was icy, but ire remained unfazed. "Is Adrian your next prey?" Alex asked, trying to shift the conversation away way from his personal life. ire was taken aback by the usation, her voice tuming cold. "Adrian and 1 are just friends. And even if I decided to date him, what''s wrong with that? Jealous?" Alex let out augh thatcked warmth. "I''ll never be jealous. But it kinda make sense why you choose him after all he is the grandson of Saint Laurent and probably will inherit his business." ire is irked by Alex remarks, "You really don''t have anything to do rather than sticking your nose in my business." Alex shrugged. "I''m just saying if it isn''t true you don''t need to be mad." "It''s best if you should get out of my hair," ire retorted, her tone firm. As ire made to leave, Alex called after her. "ire. Are you still staying at the mansion?" ire was struck with a wave of memories from the past as the house was mentioned. You can have it back if you want; I have no use She turned back to Alex, her expression unreadable as she replied, "No, I don''t stay there anymore. Alex''s chuckle held a bitter note as he said, "Of course, you don''t need it. You''re the CEO of Metacortex, after all. You have everything. I still don''t understand why use for it." you asked for the house," Alex ask, genuine confusion in his volcr. ire''s smile in response was devoid of warmth, her words cutting through the air like ice. "Because you used me of being a gold digger and an attention seeker, so I just yed my part With that, ire walked away, leaving Alex standing alone on the balcony, stunned by her words. ire seemed to always have a way with words that left people in shock, and tonight was no exception. Chapter 85 Mastermind The party had been a great sess, withughter and cheerful chatter filling the air, ire, the hostess, made her rounds, thanking each guest foring and ensuring they had a good time. As the evening wound down, she found herself bidding farewell to her guest. Adrian approached her with a warm smile. "Once again happy birthday, ire." he said, giving her a gentle hug. ire rerumed the smile, feeling grateful for his presence. Thank you so much foring Adnan and also for the ne." "I''m just doing my job Amway, since I''ll be here in London for a few weeks, what about we hang out sometimes." ire pretended to ponder, a yful glint in her eye. "Hmm, let me check my busy schedule," she teased, causing Adrian to chuckde. "I''ll be waiting for that schedule check, he replied with a wink before saying his goodbyes. Talia, another friend of ire''s, palled her aside with a grin. "ire, everyone had a great time. The party was lively." ire beamed at thepliment. "I''m so d to hear that, Ta. All credit goes to you, Matthew and Sandra couldn''t do it without you guys." Christian terped with a polite greeting. "Happy birthday, ire Sorry I didn''t catch you earlier." ire waved off his apology with a smile. "No worries at all, Christian Thanks foring." Christian''s gaze then shifted to Talia, a hint of recognition dawning on his face. "And who insight this be?" he inquired, extending his hand. "Ah this is Talia, my best friend." ire introduced them, and they exchanged pleasantries. However, Christian''s memory jogged as he remembered a previous encounter. "Ah, you''re the one who spilled wine on me," he remarked, a yful tone in his voice. Talia chuckled lightly. "And you''re the guy who couldn''t take his eyes off me," she teased back, a yful twinkle in her eye. Christianfeigned innocence, a slight blush creeping up. "I wasn''t stating at you, just someone behind you," he retorted, trying to deflect the attention Their conversation was interrupted when Alex, a figure from loe''s past, approached them. His presence brought a tense air as ire maintained herposure "Happy birthday, ire," Alex sad formally, a hint of unreadable emotion in his eyes. ire replied politely, though her tone was noticeably cool. "Thank you foring, Alex" As Alex tomed to leave, ire couldn''t help but feel a pang of His sudden appearance and well wishes felt our of ce, considering their history. When they were married, Alex didn''t even think to wish te a happy birthday or show up to the birthday celebration that his mother had nned for her. Now that he has chosen toe and even wish her a happy birthday, ire finds herself not familiar with this. She catches herself thinking about how unpredictable his behavioris Christian, sensing the tension, joked lightly. "I better head out too before Alex starts secting out search parties." ireughed, grateful for the lighthearted moment amidst the mixed emotions. "Thanks for understanding, Christian. Have a good night." "You okay, ire?" ire turned to Talia and smiled. "Yeah, I''m fine. You should head home, I know you are tied. Thank you for preparing the party "ire hugged Talia, feeling grateful for her help. "Anytime ire." H ire slipped into her car, the leather seat cool against her skin. Matthew, her ever-elsable partner, settled in beside her, his eyes reflecting conemas be asked, "How are you feeling, ire?" A small smile touched her lips as she started the engine. "I''m happy, Matt, but also a bit weird about celebrating my birthday with strangers. Quess is the life of a businesswoman," Matthew grinned, his eyes twinkling with admiration. "You handled the party remarkably well, as always. Anyways, I have something for you ire''s curiosity piqued when Matthew mentioned he had something for her "oh what''s that?" Matthew reached into thepartment between their seats and pulled out a slim file. Handing it to ire, he said, "Since you''ve been busy uncovering Lisa''s secrets and I forgot about the person behind Dmitr, consider this a birthday present." ire raised an eyebrow as she epted the file: "What is this?" "It''s a recond of the conversation Dmitri had with the person who hire him, along with the location of the burner phone and Dimitri''s current whereabouts," Matthew exined. ire''s eyes scanned the contents of the tile. She then scoffed as read the address of the burner phone. "Is the person stupid or what?" "Why is that?" "Whoever the person is may contact me using a burner phone but the address, 1 low this address by heart. Do you think we should confiant Dmitri or go after the mastermind?" hire you besides if we go to Dmitri, he might not Matthew leased back, considering their options. "Hmmm..I mean we found the address of the person who hir cooperate likest time and it could be a waste of time. But the choices it''s all up to you." the gazed out of the window, the passing buildings a blur as she contemted their move. "Let''s go after the person behind this. However, it would be fun if 1 Lount them, "Amievous de popped in her mind. She turned to him with a sly grin and asked, "Hey, do you still have Dmitri''s phone?** Mathew raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, why?" Chapter 85 Chapter 85 Mastemmend Without missing a beat, ire replied, "just curious. Can I borrow it?" Matthew reach into his bag and handing over the phone. "Sure, but what are you up to? "just a little detective work," ire said yfully as she took the phone and then tumed to Matthew again. "And can I also borrow yourptop?" Here you go. Matthew chucked, shaking his head slightly. "I don''t know what you are up to. Here yoProperty belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. H ire wasted no time in getting to work. She plugged Dmitri''s phone into Matthew''sptop and started digging through the data and attempt to restore what she is looking for. After a few minutes of scrolling and clicking, ire let out a triumphant "Ahal" as she found the burner phone number along with their past messaging "Got it!" she eximed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Matthew nced over, curiosity getting the better of him. "What you nning now?" ire''s smirk widened. "Oh, just a little message for our mystery friend." with a few deft movements, ire managed to restore some deleted messages on the phone andposed a message to the burner number. "I have new information Meet me at the abandoned warehouse." She pressed send, satisfaction evident on her face. Matthew peered at the screen, furrowing his brow. "Why the abandoned warehouse?" ire named to him, still grinning. Because that''s where shady deals go down. It''s the perfect spot," Matthew nodded in agreement. "Smart thinking. "We''ll see if the person takes the bait," ire sand confidently. Both ire and Matthew wondering if their n would work "Do you think whoever the person is wille?" ire lips curl into a smirk, she tum to Matthew "I''m hundred percent sure that person wille. However, if that person decide against it, then we will go with n B." Chapter 86 Chapter 86 She came the frowned staring at the message. "What did he want? Telling me to meet him?= ly thirty minuteste. Matthew drummed his fingers. ire and Matthew sat in the car, the tension in the air palpable as they waited for the person who was already thesting wheel, his patience wearing Ibin "L''s think they teing, ire," he said, his tone tinged with frustration. ire, ever the optimist, turned to him with a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry, Matthew. They''ll be here. Just give it a bit more time," she said, her voice calm despite the situation. "hot what it they don''t show up? We''ve been waiting for so long." Matthew replied, his doubt creeping in ire reached out and ced a hand on his arm. "Even if they don''t, I have a backup n. We''ll figure it out, y?" she said, trying to ease his wotties. Another thirty minutes passed, and Matthew nced at his watch again. "ire, maybe it''s time we consider n B," he suggested, his concem evident. ire shook her head, determination in her eyes. "Let''s give it differ more minutes. I have a feeling they''re on their way," she said, her confidence unwavering Three more minutes ticked by, and then ice spotted a figure in the distance, healing towards the warehouse they were parked near. Her hean leaped with excitement as she nudged Matthew "There! Look! 1 knew the person will couse." she eximed, pointing towards the silhouette. without hesitation, ire opened the car door and stepped out, her heels clicking on the pavement as she hurried towards the warehouse. Matthew followed dosely behind, his curiosity piqued. As they approached, ire used her phone as a shlight to illuminate the area. The beam of light fell on the person who had just entered the warehouse, revealing the identity. ire''s surprise was evident as she greeted Gretta, "Well, well, well I never would have guessed it would be you, Gretta," she said with a smirk, her tone yful yeriled with intrigue. etta, taken aback by ire''s unexpected presence, stammered slightly. "L... I thought I was meeting Dmitri. Where is he?" she asked, confusion evident in her voice. phone in front of Gretta" "Oh, Dmitri? He''s fine. Probably can oft when things got theated," she replied casually, her eyes twinkling mischleyway. Dratta''s eyes widened in disbelief. "You sent me a message from Dmitri''s phone?" she asked incredulously, trying to make sense of the situation. ire nodded, asly grin forming on her lips. "Well, it''s a long story, let''s just say I broke into his house. We got into a small argument as I tried to get him to real who hired him, but he refused to speak up. Dann, you really have a loyal subject. However, after being knocked down by my advisor, Matthew," she gestured towards Matthew. "his phone tall, he fled, and the rest is history - She observed Gretta then turned to Matthew. Bring her outside." Matthew, with a serious expression, stepped forward and took hold of Gretta''s hand. "Come on. Let''s talk outside," he said firmly, leading her towards the light. entside the warehouse. Once outside, Caira tumed off her phone''s shlight, allowing the might light to illuminateta''s face clearly. She smiled at Gretta, her gaze piercing. "Now that we can see each other property, let''s cut to the chase," she said, her voice carrying a note of determination. Grecta, sing the seriousness in ire''s demeanor, began to feel nervous. ire''s usually warm expression had cumed serious, her eyes growing cold with intensity. "Why?" Her voice was firm as she locked eyes with Gretta, who looked away, feigning confusion. "What do you mean?" Gretta replied, attempting to y Innocent. "Don''t y dumb," ire entorted sharply, a hint of mischief in her tone. "Does Robert know about this?" Gretta''s eyes widened in surprise, her nervesescting. ire''s mention of Robert brought a wave of fear, evident in Gretta''s trembling demeanor. "I-I..." Gretta stuttered, herposure slipping as she struggled to find words. ire leaned incloses, her gaze piercing. "You know what? I think it would be on to tell him, don''t you?" she teased, watching Gretta''s reaction closely. Gretta, now visibly flustered, broke away from Matthew''s grip and dropped to the ground, pleading with ire. "Please, don''t tell Robert. He''ll be furious," she begged, desperation in her voice. ire caised an eyebrow, herexpression unreadable. "Why did you do it, then?" she asked, her voice calm but demanding an answer Gretta hesitated before speaking, her voice shaky. "I... I couldn''t bear losing the ne," she admitted, her eyes tilled with regret. ire''s disbelled was palpable as she namwed her eyes at Gretta, "You did all this for a ne? You hired someone to kill me over a piece of jewelry?" ire''s voire held a hint of disbeli Gretta quickly defended herself, her voice rising in panic. "No, no, I didn''t want to kill you. I just wanted to give you awaming," she exined, het wordsing ire''s gaze remained steady, her expression unforgiving, "It''s the same thing, Gretta," she stated firmly. "If it weren''t for Matthew, I might not direnta finched under ise''s intense gaze, realizing the gravity of her actions. the standingContent ? N?velDrama.Org. Grettapleaded, "Please, ire, don''t tell Robert about this. I didn''t mean for things to escte like this." i don''t own it," she stated ne''s expressimimmed cold as she fooled at Quetta "That nes ?dare ?selongs to my father, and only I have the right to use it. Youd firmly, her voler taking on a deadly edge ed ber tists, trying to suppress hier iisling anger, the stond up abinpitly, hoc eyen loc lood on the damois eldaer around ire''s neck. "Where did ettacashed, unprise evident in her voter te condidn''t help but think, What actazy wonnait casini indiri tour. "A filed gave it to me. Hot that''s beside the podat," she replied dismissively. Harita''s focus on the ne sheltte. "It doesn''t. deep breaths and fried for shift the dare I got it. What matters is that your filed to harm an over something that doesn''t belongs to you "Tinmonty, be. Tregret what I did," tte doen''t find l?er apologizing to be die eie his rather petting caught red handed and force to apologize and adinit their fault. isced with a strely re fresolve. ember what I said to you and Hobiert about never crossing me. This isn''t a game," she relterated, her wonds Turning away from Thetta, lor motioned for Matthew to follow her to the cat. Astary walked away, ire paused and nced back at Gretta. "By the way, w didact the Robertsons attend my buthy party?" star ashed, bet toe casual yet proling: why Chetta was momentarily taken aback by the questions, her intind scrambling for an answer, "Uh, well," le shugged dismissively "The si''t matter. You and your crowd aren''t that important anyway," she remarked with an air of arrogance before climbing into her Chapter 87 Chapter 87 Did it crash? detta watched ire drive off, a mixture of frustration and fear bubbling within her, she knew ire had discoverd het misdeeds and bad issued a stern wamTITE. The thought of crossing ire again sent a chill down her spine. "Why does ir always get marrything?" ciretta maltrand to friselt, her frustratiomevident in her woker. she coulder shake off the envy that gnawed at her, especially Imowing about lie''s prized diamond necidare that was the talk of London''s social cicles. As Gretta paced back and forth, her mind tared with thoughts of how to out maneuver le or at least get her hands on that coveted necre, The anger and reseistment towards lte for seemingly having it all forled ber determination, albeit in a dangerous direction. Meanwhile, ire drove away, her mind focused on the enrmunter with Gretta and the underlying threats that had linen exchanged. She was ustomed to dealing with such situations, but each encounter left a litter taste of betrayal and deception "You now I would have thought it was Robert Gretta." Matthew nodded, "Same. I never thought even his wife capable to do such thing." ire eyes gaze at the passing buililing. "Our thing we know for sure is the Robertsonare capable of anything and that we should keep are eyes and ransepen "What are you going to do with all this information?" Thinking for a while, ir leaned back to her seat. "I think will keep this information to myself and use it in the future in case Gretta idecide to pull some tricks."Content ? N?velDrama.Org. "Don''t worry, ire. I''m with you. Just tell ine if you need amething:" She turned to Matthew and smiled gratefully at him. "Thankyou, Matthew, Treatly appreciate it but I won''t drag you into this: I have bad feeling of what mighte in the future." Alex sat in his office, a contemtive look on his face as he pondered his He had beenager to team up with Martes, but no he needed to reassess the situation after finding our ire is the CEO. After a moment of deep thought, Alex''s mind tumed to The Raven, a mysterious figure in the tech world. With a determined expression, he picked up his phone and dialed Bex, a renowned bucker whose skills were unmatched. "Rex, I need you toe to my office," Alex said as soon as Rex answered the call. "I have a task for you Bex, always intrigued by challenges, replied, "Sure thing, Mr. Harris. I''ll be there inajifly," True to his word, Rex arrived promptly at Harris Company. Alexled Rexto the meeting room, where they could discuss the sensitive matter without interruptions "Alright, Rex, here''s the deal," Alex began as they settled in "t need you to track down The Raven for me." Rex raised an eyebrow, knowing the separation of The Raven in the hackingmunity. "That''s no easy feat, Alex. The Raven operates in the shadows, and getting intouch with them is like finding a needle in a haystack" "I understand the challenge, Rex," Alex acknowledged. "But we''re a member of Cryptonic and 1 believe we have the resour resources to at least attempt it." Rex nodded, acknowledging the truth in Allex''s words. "I''ll do my best, but I can''t guarantee sess. The Raven''s defenses are top-notch" "I trust your skills, Rex, "Alexsaid, cing a reassuring hand on Rex''s shoulder. "You''re the best in the business." Returned to hisptop and started delving into the task at hand. Lines of code flew across the screen as his tigers moved with precision and speed. Alexeyestrained on theptop screen; he wish he can do some simple coding but s his talenty in the business world. ire sat in her headquarters, surrounded by screens disying the inner workings of Cryptonic. Today was special-it was her day as The Raven, her alter ego that delved into the world of coding and hacking, she found it to be more of an entertainment tha chose, a way to keep her skills sharp and her mind engaged. As she leisurely scrolled through the chat logs of Cryptonic''s members, her eyes caught a sudden notification. Someone was attempting to broach her database and track her location. ire''s demeanor shifted instantly from rxation to high alert She had set up the notification system precisely for such asions, and now it was paying off. Moving swiftly, ire switched her focus to her primaryputer, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she navigated throughyers of security protocols. She switched betweenptops, her eyes scanning lines of code to ensure the hacket hac''t made significant progress. The door to her office creaked open, and Matthew entered. "loe, what''s going on with Cryptonic?" he asked, trying to grasp the situation ire raised a finger to her lips, signaling for silence as she concentrated on thwarting the hacker''s attempts. Matthew, sensing the urgency in her movements, circled around her desk, hiseyes listed on the screens disying intricate lines of code "What are you doing?" Matthew asked again, his voice Hinged with curious. ire didn''t respond verbally, her focus entirely on the task at hand. With precise clicks and rapid code insertions, she managed to block the hacker''s ess, a small smile of triumph ying on her lips. Breathing a sigh of relief, ire fumed to Matthew, her eyes sparkling with In the tuill of the chase. "Haven''t had this much fun in a while," she admitted, her adrenaline still pumping. Matthew looked at her incredulously, "Fun? You just stopped a backer from breaching your system" he eximed, amix of ware and concern in his voice. Calducked "just another day in the life of The Raven," she quipped, her yful side surfacing despite the series of the situation. Chapter 5 diterush! Curiosity getting the better of him, Matthew asked, "Do you know who it was? Why were they trying to hack you? ire shrugged nonchntly. "Probably just someone curious about my identity," she spected, her mind already shifting gears to her neat te Matthew watched her with a mixture of admiration and bemusement. "What now?" he inquired, noticing her return to work ire grinned mischievously. "I''m sending our hacker friend a lovely present," she said, pressing the knowing she had turned the tables on the intruder. Back at the Harrispany, a notification popped up on Rexptop screen. It was an ominous warning about a virus,plete with a shy animation that caught Alex''s attention "What''s going on, Rex? Alexasked, leaning over to get a better look at the screen. Rex''s face tightened with concem as he tried to undo the damage. er key on berk Despite his efforts, the screen went ck, and then theptop shut down entirely, leaving Rex in disbelief. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath Alex, now fully intrigued, asked, "What happened? Did it crash?" "The Raven hacked into myptop. It''spletely fried now," he exined, frustration evident in his voice. Alex furrowed his brow, trying to grasp the severity of the situation. "Can''t you just tum it back on?" he asked, hoping for a simpler solution. Rexsighed, shaking his head. "It doesn''t work like that, Mr. Hanis," Chapter 88 i Chapter 88 Mum''s advice "What''s next then?!! Rex hucowed his brows. "There is no next. This is a dead end or maybe this is a sign. Once it''s beenpimised like this, there''s no going back" he rified his lone resigned. Realizing the privity of the situation, Alex sighed. "So, youneed a newptop," he stated, stating the obvious. Bex nodded, his imitation growing. "Yeah, and you''re the one who''s going to have to foot the bill," he pointed out, a hint of frustration in his voice Alex rolled his eyes yfully. "Of course, I pay you, and now I have to buy you aptop," he remarked, a touch of sarcasm in his tone. Res nodded, not amused. "Exactly. Unless you want me to stop working for you," he retorted, a subtle threat in his words. Alex chucked, knowing he needed Rex''s expertise. "Fine, I''ll get you a newptop. But only if you promise to keep working for me and try to find out who is The Raven, "benegotiated, trying to lighten the mood. Rex nodded reluctantly, his displeasure still evident. "Fine," he agreed, though not entirely happy about the situation. Curious about Alex''s fixation on The Raven, Dexeuldn''t help but ask, "Why are you so obsessed with this hacker anyway?" Alex''s expression hardened slightly. "That''s none of your business, kiddo," he replied cryptically, leaving Bex with more questions than answers, but since he''s purposed is tormy he doesn''t pay to mind with Alex obsession with The Raven. Matthew leaned back in the couch, ncing at ire with a curious expression. "Se, did you send earlier?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. ire smiled mischievously, twinkle in her eyes. "Oh, just giving someone a little waming," she replied casually. Matthew''s eyes widened in suprise. "A warning? What kind of warming?" he inquired, intrigued by ire''s cryptic statement. ire waved her hand dismissively. "Just a harmless vimus, nothing serious. Just enough to make them think twice," she exined, still wearing that yful smile. Matthew chucked, shaking his head. "You never cease to amaze me, ire. Choosing you as my role model was definitely a wise decision, he joked, teasing her lightly. ire rolled her yfully but couldn''t hide her smile. "Oh, stop ttering me," she teased back Meanwhile, back at Harris Company, Alex sat in his office, deep in thought. His unsessful attempt to breach The Raven''s location and database weighed heavily on his mind. He low his next move would be crucial, possibly involving a partnership with Metacontes. However, one question nagged at him, would ire be willing to work with him? Alex found it hard to believe that ire would agree to coborate with him, considering their past interactions. Negative thoughts clouded his mind, imagining scenarios where ire might humiliate him in front of his employees by rejecting his proposal. His secretary interrupted his thoughts, and Alex frowned slightly at the intrusion. "What is it?" he asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice The secretary hesitated before speaking. "Ms Lisa is trying to reach you urgently. She''s called multiple times and asked you to pick up your phone," she intermed him, concem evident in her voice. Alex sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "I''m not in the mood to deal with her right now. Tell her I''m busy," he replied dismissively, trying to brush of the situation. The secretary''s expression turned more serious. "She mentioned something about harming herself if you don''t answer. Maybe you should consider talking to her, she suggested, her voice tinged with worry Alex''s eyes widened in shock at the revtion. "What? Is she crazy?" he mattered to himself; disbelief written across his face. The secretary urged him to reconsider. It might be best to answer her calls, just incase, We don''t want any harming to her," she advised, her tone amest Alex paced around his office, his frustration evident. Finally, he nodded reluctantly. "Fine, I''ll take her call. Thanks for letting me know," he said, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "What is gotten into her mind?" he mutter to himself. Alex contemte for a while thinking if this is one of Lisa lies or just her trids Earlier that day.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Lia lounged on her mother''s couch, munching on chips as she scrolled through testagram. Her mind, however, was far from the social media world; it wased with thoughts of her own ns. Just as she was lost in her thoughts, her mother entered the living rooms "Hey, mun, do you think my n will work?" Lisa blurted out, ber voice tinged with uncertainty. Hermother settled into the couch opposite her, an amused smille ying on her lips. "Of course it''ll work, dear. That''s how i snagged your stepdad." she replied, a hint of pride in her voice. Lisa raised an eyebrow, her disbelief evident. "I can''t believe you''re okay with being the third wheel in prople''s marriages," she remarked, shaking her head. Her mother shrugged, unperturbed. "Honey, everyone has their own way of getting what they want, and I don''t find anything wrong with that." she said casually Lisa couldn''t hold back her frustration. "No wonder you are so good with all this talk and advice. Dors dad kour aliout this?" she said sarcastically. Her mother''s expression hardened slightly. "You''re not one to talk, Lisa You''re chasing after someone else''s man while causing your friend''s manage to crumble. And trend, doesn''t matter if your dad knows or not. Besides yourli''s clue for you to find a newman, Your dad can''t barely do shit anywn." she shot back, leg betinged with proach Holling her eyes, Lisa muttered, "I guess the apple doesn''t fall far from the tree. Now I know where I get my trait tom." Chapter 89 Chapter 89 Mun''s advice Her mother rolled her eyes and her tone more serious now. to instill confidence in Lisa "Listen, he''ll ''lle ba back and marry You If you still I want him, just follow my lead follow my lead," she assured, trying Curious about the man Lisa was so crazy about, her mother asked, "So, who''s this guy you''re crazy about?" Lisa''s eyes lit up as she replied, "You will be surprised. It''s Alexander Harris, the CEO of Harris Hotel." Her mother''s eyes widened in surprise. "Alex Haris? I can''t believe you''re aiming that high." she eximed, a mix of excitement and curiosity in her voice. Moving closer to Lisa, her mother asked eagerly, "Why didn''t the marriage happen? Tell me everything." Lisa sighed, annoyed at having to recount the story yet again. "It''s a long story. But in short, Alex found out about my lies from his ex-wife, and he feels betrayed so that''s why the marriage did not happen." she admitted, her tone tinged with regret. Her mother''s expression softened, and she ced aforting hand on Lisa''s shoulder. "Don''t worry, sweetheart. I''ll help you win him back. A man like him will be easy to sway." she promised. Lisa tumed to her mother. "So, what should I do now?" She thought for a while then a mischievous smile appear on her lips. "Hmm...this one might be crazy but at least he will pay attention to you again and that''s a back and forth with his phone in his hand a? he is contemting whether he should call Lisa wine if teaching out would be the right decision. After a moment of hesitation, he let out a heavy sigh and duded her canamered. However, it wasn''t Lisa''s voice that greeted him but that of a stranger Alex furrowed babes inclusion I replied. "No, this is her mother. Whathia? heart sipped a bat. He was expecting Lisa''s moches to answer "Im Alex, amend of Lisa''s, is Is everything alright?" he inquired, concemcing his words. There was men''s mother locked with emotion. "No, everything''s not alright," she replied, her voice trembling. Lisa''s mother''s voice trembled slightly, and Ale weary deepened. "Why are you crying is Lisa there with you?" he inquired, his tone bing thote ungent. Herblood, to feel a pang of agitation mixed with growing concem. "Please, can you tell me what''s going on?" he urged gently per moments, Lisa''s mother managed topose herself enough to speak tisa is at the hospital," she said, her voice strained with emotion A hospital? which hospital?") shed urgently, his mind racing with worry. She provided him with the address, and without wasting a moment. Alix made his way to the hospital. The drive was filled with agitation and concem, the thought et Lisa in the hospital weighing beavis en bis melind the hospital, Alexrushed to the options a desk his voice slightly shaky as he asked. "Excuse me, can you tell me where Lisa Thompson''s room sympathetically, "she is on the third for Room 30s she informed him. micky Alex practically sprinted to the elevator and ascended to the third noor. The hallway seemed endless as he scanned the room numbers, his Alex took a deep bachbetre knocking gently on the door. It swung open, revealing Lisa''s mother standing there, her eyes red from empson what bappened is a bay?" Alex blurted out, his concem evident in his voice. Lise''s mother nodded her expression a mix of eller and exhaustion. She is stable now, thank God. The doctors are taking care of her," she replied, her voice filled wathamik of voy and guilt Juliet flooded through Alex, though he still Aler''s gaze softened as he looked at alingering worry. "Can I see her?" he asked, hoping to reassure himself of Lisa''s well-being. apping aside to let Alexenter the room. his heart aching at the sight of her bandaged wrist. "What happened?" he asked, bracing himself for the answer. Lisa''s mothertook a deep breath, trying topose herself is she she tried to hurt herself," she admitted, her voice cracking with emotion. "I don''t junderstand why. Maybe I failed as other not being there for her enough." "It is not pour fault. Sometimes, things happen that we can''t exin," he said, trying tofort her. Lisa''s mother nodded, grateful for Alex understanding. "The doctor says she''s physically stable now, but mentally... we will have to see," she added, her worry for her daughter evident in every word. Alexlistened attentively, his heart heavy with concemfor Lisa "How did it happen?" he inquired gently, wanting to understand the circumstances. Lisa''s mother recounted the herawing moment when she found Lisa in the bathroom, blood on her wrist, and how she had rushed her to the hospital immediately. Team welled up in her eyes again as she lived the trauma of that moment. As Lisa''s mother stepped out of the room briefly topose herself. Alextook a seat beside Lisa''s bed. He called out her name softly with worry evident in his tone Lisa''s eyes fluttered open, and a weak smile crossed her lips when she saw Alex "Alex.." she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. Alex took her hand gently, his concem evident in his eyes. "Lisa, why would you do this to yourself?" he asked, his voice tinged with sadness. Lisa''s smile faded slightly as she looked at him with pleading eyes. "I can''t live without you, Alex. My life has no meaning without you," she confessed, her voice trembling. "Liss you shouldn''t do such thing."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Lisa''s bows durrowed in confusion and hum. "But Alex, I love you. I thought we were going to be together forever, and you promise to marry me." she said, her Alex took a deep breath, his eyes meeting hers. "1-I''m sorry but I need to focus on my work." In truth Alex couldn''t tell is the real reason seeing her condition right now doesn''t seem fitting Lisa''s eyes welled up with tears, and she looked away, trying to hide her pain. "So, you''re leaving me?" she asked, her voice barely audible. Alex that got caught up as he is confused on what to answer her. "Lisa let''s not think about that, okay? Think about your health right now." "Alex, can you grant one wish please?" Alex bit the inside of his cheek as he suppressing his conflicted emotion. "Of course, as long as it is not about marriage or us," "Okay, "silence filled the room as Alex waiting for Lisa wish. Lisa looked at him with a hint of vulnerability. "I want you to take care of me until teel better," she id, bervale tinged with sadness Chapter Bi kist one w "Lisa, Have work to do, I can''t just drop everything." he exined with a slight frustration on his voice, Lisa moddeil, bet expression somber, "I understand." she said quietly, "int how about one day? Is it too much to ask?" The deat et her coom open and the attention shifted to Lisa''s mother. She apponachher with worry etched on her face, Pub Lisa, my dea. Are you okay?" Lisa nodded weakly. "Yes, I''m okay mum. Her mother tum to him, berepes patty and red. "I''m sorry but what''s your name! "It''s Alex, ma''am." Afied shule te stered on her lips as she stared at Alex. "Alex please take care of my daughter. It looks like she needs a filent." He shook his head. "I-I''m sorry ma''am but I can''t I have too much work to do," A sad looketched on her face. "itow about taking care of her for Inday? Cause I need to go home. He doesn''t want this. and take care of my child. Ales purpose is to forget about her and avold her at all costs. He doesn''t know whether Lisa will take a rejection wisely or the other way around. Instead, Alex modifed agreeing with her mother "y," he continued Lisa eyes lit up and she turned to Alex. "Really? You will do tu?" "Ves, but just one day. I can''t stay for loay:. Chapter go The one behind the hacking Talia is currently at the hospital after visiting his friend. As she made her way in the panden, she spotted someone tanssilia, Alex, She tellidaest a few times, trying to contin if it was indeed him. Talia decided to put on her shades and approach them discreetly, her embosity plipicil. She couldn''t help but wonder who the woman with Alex was. As Alex pushed the wheelchats, the woman h salle ei her face. Ta, hidden behijal her shades. observed themelosely and emiddu''t resist taking a plints She made a mental note to tell ire about this encounter. Leaving the hospital, Talia quiddy tested ire to meet up at their moral cat?, ire, just finishing aboveling with het naiketing team, teplied that she would ba At 1PM, ire arrived at the cat, preeting Talia with a smile. "why the sudden meet-up?" ire asked, cutions about ''Ta''s sapriky. Talia hesitated for a moment before pulling out her phone and shouting ire the photo, she had taken, lte tutowed i Alex and the woman, Lis Ta recounted her batet encounter at the hospital, exining how she had seen. Alex will a woman slirdidin''t reventer, "I was wondering who she was," Talli admitted, hertone tinged with curiosity. ire sighed, her expression taming thoughtful. "That''s Lisa, Alex''s Lance, or perhaps ex-fiance now. Things have beenplicated between them," she exined. "What do you meanplicated?" Ta questioned, feeling curious. H ire sighed, revealing theplicated situation. "Lina has been biding things from Alex, and whenbe tosad out, it led to the end of theit engagement," alue exined. "I was the one who told him about her secrets." Talia gasped, surprised by ire''s involvement. "But wtry? I thought you didn''t care about Alex mymote, "Taliarenaked "I don''t not in that way," ire rified. "But Leare about his familly, as i couldn''t stand by while Elsa deceived him." But why would Alexbe there for her knowing what she did to him." it that is easily ire shrugged and said. "Who knows maybe Alexis crazily in love with her or maybe Lisaused on other using skills or maybe Alexinanilinti deceive." Talia chuckled. "I wonder why is she on a wheelchair." te raised her eyebrow, intrigued. "On a wheelchair? That''s unexpected. Maybe she is inaction with her n." "Or maybe she might be sick Who lows. I mean she can''t be that bad right?" Agenuineugh escaped her lips that made Talia teamed wondering. "Why are youughing? order. "Nothing it''s just something you say that makes meugh. Trust me, Talia, Lisa is asbl as the breaking news on television. Anyway, let''s not dwell on them. We''re here to catch up and enjoy our meal," ire suprested, smiling warmly as the signaled the walter for their As they delved into their lunch, their conversation drifted to lighter topics, ine couldn''t besist bringing up the topic that had been on her mind. *So, Talia, what''s the deal with you and Christian?" Calze asked, her eyes sparkling with cumiosity. Talia raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "What about him?" she replied, a yful smile tugging at her lips ire leaned in slightly, giving Talia alsowing look. "I think he likes you," she said with a teasing grin. Talia chuckled, shaking her head in amusement, "That''s impossible. He''s just bring nice because identally spilled wine on him at Mt. Saint Laurent bitthy party," she exined, dismissing ire''s suppestion ine maintained her smile. "Same thing," she insisted, enjoying the banter. "Are you offering to y matchmaker now?" Ta teased, a hint of amusement in her voice. ire shrugged casually. "Well, we''re friends, and he''s a decent guy. Would you like me to give him your mumber?" she offered, testing the waters. Talia raised an eyebrowcuriously. "You two are friends?" "Yeah, why? jealous?" Talia scoffed and rolled her eyes yfully "Me? Jealous? Of course not "Don''t worry. I''m just teasing you,"ire replied with augh, enjoying their lightheartedversation. Their lunch continued with yful banter and sharedughter. As the clock struck 2, ite checked her watch and realized it was time to head back to the office. She mentioned to Talia, "I''ll pass your mumber to Christian, okay? Ta shrugged nonchntly. "Do whatever you want. He probably won''t text me anyway," she remarked with a hint of skepticism. After bidding farewell to Talia, ire returned to her office, seitling into her chair and opening herptop. As she browse the inte, a headline caught bet attention, causing her to raise an eyebrow in surprise She clicked on the article, and a smile crept across her face as she read about thetest gossip involving Lisa and Alex, the exact story Taliachad shared with her ire couldn''t help but chuckle to herselt. "Alex really fell for it again, she used, amused by the ongoing drama. Just then, Matthew, ire''s colleague, entered her office, noticing her amused expression "What''s got you uniling change in demeant. Chapter 90 Chapter 90 The one behind the hacking. ire shook her head, still amused. "Oh, just something I read," she replied cryptically, not wanting to delve into the gossip. Matthew raised an eyebrow but decided not to press further. "Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I have located the person who tried to hack into Cryptonic. They''re at Harris Company," he informed her, switching to a more serious topic. ire''s interest was immediately piqued as her expression turn serious. "Harris Company? You mean Alexander Harrispany?" she rified wondering if it''s the same Hamis she has in mind. Matthew nodded. "Yes, exactly." ire frowned, deep in thought "why would Alex try and hack into my system?" Matthew leaned against the edge of ire''s office desk, his brow furrowed. "Do you think Alex lows about you being The Raven?" he asked, his voice low. ire paused, considering his question before shaking her head. "No, he doesn''t know. I''ve kept that part of my lifepletely separate. How would he even find out? "Well, considering he''s trying to hack into our system, it makes me wonder what he''s after," Matthew replied, his mind working through the possibilities. ire sighed, crossing her arms thoughtfully. "I''ve never shared about me being The Raven with anyone else besides you and Talia." 1 As Matthew prepared to leave, ire stopped him with a question of her own. "Do you know the hacker who hack into my system?" she inquired; her eyes fixed on his. Matthew shook his head. "I tried but since you send whoever the pen person is a virus I couldn''t track him down. I have a feeling hisptop I dead," ire rolled her eyes yfully. "Well, next time I will send the person a less destructive virus." She joked. Matthew chuckled despite the situation "Please do," he replied with a grin As Matthew left her office, ire stood up and walked over to therge window overlooking the bustling streets of London below. She watched the cars and pedestrians moving as well as he mind moving with thoughts about the unexpected information. "What is Alex trying to do?" Chapter of I trust you, mum Back at the hospital, Alessa in hair by Lisa''s bed. They had just returned from a walk in the ganden, at age from the sterile walls imachines. Lisayback on the bed, her fare pale hut with a soft smile as she looked at Alex, The docterhadalvise her to take a test and unt move too much. Alexdeli relietramise lie couldn''te up with another small talk withitise He still felt annyedding Lisa''s sudden affection in the garden. The way she had touched his hands and check made him ufortable Alextried to hide his ocka derp liceathrand looked at Liu. "I have le go," he said coldly.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Lisa''s simile fabril, and she grabbed his hand, bergrip suprisingly stront for someone so we al "Please, Alex," she whispered, let vodce hembling. "Stay for another hour." Alex frowned and shook his head, prilling his hand away "Tran''t, I have to go back to thepany. I have work to do," he said firmly Hier''s eyes tilled with trais as she watched film walk to the door. She called out to him, her voice breaking *you still came for me, Alex? Alex parsed, his hand on the door kamille. He was indecisive. He did care for Lisa, but after all her lies, he couldn''t see her the same way He sighed, still facing the door. "I don''t lum, Lisa," he said inly, and then he left the mom Lisa closed her eyes for a moment and groaned. Just then, her mother burst into her room with an excitedexpression "Whine''s Alex" she asked, alinoit berathless with anticipation Lisa tolled her eyes, clestly annyed, "Gone. He''s gone. You said this n would work," the mapped. She got up from her bed, her frustration boiling over "You lied You said this would make him stay, but all he wants is to get away from me! Her mother rolled her eyes in retum, closing the door behind her and ring at Liva. "Are yourrazy, shouting like that? People will hear," she hissed Lisa sat back down on the bed, dence in hereyes. "Let themshear" die replied, folding her arms. Her mother sighed, trying to keep herposure. "Stop being so dramatic, Lisa if he''s gone, then tine. At least he did what we needed him to do," the said. Lisa wasmote and trore imitated. She wished Alex could go back to bring the sweet, understanding, and caring person he once was. He''d been reluctant, awkward, andaloot varlier in the day. She couldn''t help but wonder why Ales had even bothered toe to the hospital if this was how he was going to art. Her mother raised an eyebrow, noticing her daughter''s troubled expression "What are you thinking about?" she asked. *1 wonder why Alex bothered toe if he didn''t pay any real attention to me," Liu admitted, her voice filled with hart. Her mother walked over to the bed and sat next to her. "Alex is the type of man who never easily forgets his first love. I''m sure he''lle crawling back to you," Lisa suddenly felt apang of anxiety. "What about ire?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly Her mother frowned, clearly not sharing Lisa''s concem. "What about her?" "Will Alex po back to her?" Lisa''s voice was almost a whisper. Her motherughed, shaking her head. "That will never happen. I saw how worried Alex was when I told him about your condition. He cares about you, not her." she said, stroking Lisa''s hair gently "Your time wille, and you will soon be Mrs. Hands Lisa wanted to believe her mother, but the doubt lingered. "He didn''t look like he cared," she mattered, thinking back to Alex''s distant behavior. "Men can be strange," her mother said with a shrug. "Sometimes they don''t show their feelings the way we want them to. But trust me. Alex still has feelings for you" Lisa was silent for a moment and tumed to her mother frowning and said. "Are you sure he will crawl back to me? "Yes, Lisa. Tam sure. "But what if he don''t?" doubt still linger in her mind as she think about the possibility of Alex not wanting her again. Her mother rolled her eyes clearly feeling annoyed by her daughtercked confidence. "You need to believe me, Lisa, I once had been in your shoes, and I know how this works. We just need to y our cards right." Herlipsend up into an evil smirk that can send chills down your spine. Lisa nodded and slowly her anxious thought disappeared after hearing her mother assurance. Maybe her mother was right. Maybe Alex would realize his mistake ande backtohet. *Fine, Turust you mum.* "That''s my douglurs." The sky was painted with shades of orange and pink, signaling ng the end of a long day. He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. He had stayed at the hospital mach longer than he had expected. It is clearly Alex intention to agere in Lisa request but at that moment her mother ask her and almost plead and with a heavy heart, Alex have to agree to Lisa Chapter 91 Chapter 911 trust you, mum 212 How did I end up here?" Alex muttered to himself. He shook his head, remembering the chaotic events that had led to Lisa being in the hospital. "What did I almost marry into?* He couldn''t believe Lisa had been so desperate that she had considered ending her life over a failed marriage. It was hard for him to wrap his mind around it. Alex couldn''t believe that Lisa could be so short-minded. He always thought that Lisa is the type of person to think it through but after everything she did from leaking his divorced to the media, sending his mother a photo of him and her at the wedding boutique it is all make sense. Alex doesn''t know why he put all his trust in Lisa He never once use her of doing something that is not in her nature, but it seems like he put his trust on the wrong person As he arrived at the Harrispany, he made his way to his office immediately. He sat at his desk and his eyes gazed at the stack of documents that awaited his attention. Alex go to work immediately, until the thought of Metacortex enter his mind. He need to make a choice soon. He have a target for his hotel at Las Vegas and he really wanted to partnership with Metacortex before knowing ire is the CEO but after knowing who she is, Alex hesitate. He is still very keen to go with the matrix and techno theme since this is his first big project after his father stepped down from the CEO position Alex is keen to show the world that the Harris hotel is not only a luxury, elegant, Victorian style theme hotel but it can also be modem, techno and matrix like theme. Nheless, he needs to make his choice as he can''t dy any more day and even time.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 92 Chapter 92 Diner with the Robert As ire entered thevishonestaamand, the night had descended into a serete atmosphere with a sens sense of luxury enveloping her. The soft glow of the chandeliers cast awam filmover the diures, did the air was filled will the clinking of sses and nummers of conversation. ire was not one to indulge inoften, but tonight she had decided in feral herself to something special, a bottle of the finest wine the establishment had to offer. The wallies, d in artisp uniform, greeted ire with a simile as she approached. "Good evening, mardam, Do you luve a reservation?" she inquired politely. rinddeil. "Yes, mader the name Calir Interson," she replied, retuming the smile, nighilds way, Ms. Peterson," The waitress said, leading her in a table set with plushchairs and fine linersThis is property ? N?velDrama.Org. tte settled into her seat, taking in the ambner of the upscale restaurant. As the waitress retuned with themes, ire perused the selection before confidently ordering the most expensive bottle of wine they had, along with a decadent scallop pasta "Excellent choker, madam," "the waliuess temarked, jotting down the order before disappearing into the kitchen, Alone in the calun atmosphere of the restaurant, lte listened to the soft jazz music ying in the background. Suddenly, her attention was drawn to a slight. i sight of a familiar couple Roberi and Gretta Robertson. With a smirk, she made her way over to them, internpting Curiositypiqued, ire stood up and caught s Robert''s Urade against the statt, "Robert, Gertta, what a pleasant suprise," ire greeted thermally, Ignoring Robert''s Imitated demeanor. Hobest looked slightly taken aback beforeposting himself. "re, I didn''t expect to see you here," he replied, his tone cool. ire''s eyes flicked between them, noting it''s uneasy demeant. When Robert tumed his attention back to her, she sensed an opportunity to diffuse the Tension *Not at all." ir assured him will asle. "I was just curious about themotion. Es everything alright?" The stall, still visibly shaken from Robert''s earlier outbest, exined that the restaurant was fully booked but had amodated them reluctantly. Tuming back to Robert and Gre, ire extended an invitation "Why don''t you join me? I have plenty of room at my table," Robert arched an eyebrow skeptically, while Getta lugged at his arm, urging him to leave. Ignoring his wife''s silent pleas, Robert tumed to ire with a hint of suspicion "Are you serious?" lirashed incedulously, ire nodded, her sale wavering "Of course it would be my pleasure." Gretta''s eyes widened with concent, fearing ire''s ulterior motives. "Roben, maybe we should find another restaurant," she whispered urgently. However, Robert tied to ire and ept ire offer despite his wife refusal. "If you will have us, then we ept Gretta''s anxiety only grew as they followed ire to her table, te of what tte was nning after theirst encounter "Please have a seat.'' As they settled in ire signaled for the waters to bring over the menu. She watched them closely as they perused their options, noticing Guetta''s distracted Guetta was filled with anxiety as she considered her chances that ire would tell Robert about what she had done. She couldn''t focus on the menu, her nerves celling the best of her. Once they had ced thereeders, the waitress returned with a bottle of expensive wine, at ire''s request ire nodded approvingly as the waitress poured a ss for each of them with the wine flowing freely, Robert couldn''t help but wonder why ire had invited them to her table. "so, ire," he began, "what maile you decide to invite us over?" ire took a sip of her wine, savoring the rich vor before responding "Oh, why not?" she replied casually. "t have plenty of space at my table, and it''s nice to havepany especially familiar faces." Robes d''help but noticed the glint in her eyes as she said that "Oh really? How ace of you,'' ire leaned back in her chair, a mischievous glint inhereye. "Roben." she started. "couldn''t help but wonder why you didn''teome to my birthday party. I''m sure I sent you an Invitation." Robert''s heart skipped a beat as listaggled toe up with a usible excuse. Robert was having trouble thinking of a good reason, so his heart skipped a beat. Despite having gotten the invitation, he were feeling excluded from ire''s socialwork and didn''t see a point attend. Stammering slightly, Robert replied, "Uh, well, you see, my wife wasn''t feeling well that day. I needed to take care of her." isealed an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to Guetta, who avoided malding eye contact. "Oh, she wasn''t feeling well, huh?" ire repeated, hertonced with skepticism. ceetta''s anxiety mounted with each passing second, the weight of her start threatening to sulforate her. She prayed for time to move faster, desperate the imperating confrontation Rabent acknowledged with a nod, clearly ufortable. Frescape "yes, she wasn''t feeling well at all, his voice was steady, but the he was obvious to ire. She could see right through thein. Chapter 92 Dinner with the Robertson ire nodded in understanding, her lips forming a tight smile. "Of course. I hope she is feeling well il now." Her gaze shifted to Gretta which she quickly looked away, not daring meet her eyes. If only Robert knew the real truth about his wife and what she did that day, ire is sure he would be surprised. As their food arrived, the three of them ate in silence, each of them focusing on their food and deep in thoughts. 212 However, ire had promise. If Gretta kept half of her deal and didn''t get involved in ire''s life, she wouldn''t reveal Gretta''s secret. As they were finishing their meal, Robert broke the silence. "ire how is Cortex 20ing along?" he asked, his tone casual. ire raised her eyebrows, surprised by his sudden interest. "How is the progress? "It''s going well," ire answered, giving him just enough information without revealing too much. She wondered why he was aslong. Robert never showed much interest in the new software release. He brought it up only once, when he was left out from the meeting to select the team that will lead Cortex 20. He then hadn''t bothered to ask again after that. ire didn''t mind because she was aware of his ipetence in handling his own job. Robert nodded. "Good to hear that." an to pay. ire reached for her purse to pay for the dinner, but Robert stopped her. "I will pay," he said. "It doesn''t look right for a woman to ire raised her eyebrows again, then smiled. "Are you sure about that?" Robert smiled coolly. "It''s fine," he said. ire stood up, still smiling. "y, if you say so. I''m going to leave now if that''s okay with you." Robert nodded. "Sure, ire." "Thank you for paying "ire said as she tumed and left the restaurant. Gretta let out a breath of relief as ire is out of sight. When Robert gestured for the waitress to bring the bill, shended it to him. His eyes widened as he opened the bill. "What?" Chapter 93 Chapter 93. Cancelled "What is it?" Guetta stared at her husband curiously. "The wine cost 441.173,21." Robert said in a disbelief tone. Gretta eyes also widen in surprised. "What? 441173,21 just for at Robert couldn''t believe seeing the price of the wine. He hadn''t expected it to be do expensive. Guetta, sitting beside him, leaned in, and whispered, "Why did you offer to pay when she was about to?" Robert rolled his eyes. "Ten''t lose face again, Chetta," Goettareplied sarcastically, "yeah, and now we have to pay for that very expensive wine," Robert red at her. "I''m the one paying, not you." She couldn''t help but frowned. "Why did you ept her offer to eat here? We can just ust find another restaurant? It is time for Robert to frowned as he listen to his wifeint. "You were the one that wanted to eat here in the first ce. Don''t put the me on me." Guetta was silenced as she telt guilty. She did asked Robert to eat here but she didn''t expect ire to be here from all those luxuries restaurant across London. "Yes, I did but then I told you to find another restaurant when all the tables are full." Rolling his eyes, Robert is tired of arguing with his wife as he shift the conversation. "Let''s just go. My head hurt staring at the bill." He didn''t wait for his wife as he walked out of the restaurant with his wife following behind him. The next day is a special day for ire. She woke up feeling excited since today Hp will announce their newptop release partnering ng with Mi Mcortex as well as the release of the trailer. This is the first big project she has done after three years of not being involved in the business world. "Good meming, Ms. Peterson. You look excited today." ire smiled at her. "Good morning, Sandra. What can I say? I can''t wait for our meeting with Hp and also the announcement of our new project and partnership with them." Sandra nodded, agreeing with her boss, of course. I couldn''t wait to see the public response." "I am confident they will like it." Her anticipation was palpable as she made her way to the meeting room, apanied by Sandra, her secretary ire entered the room and smiled at her team, all of them seemed to look nervous and full of anticipation. They rehearsed their presentations countless times, ensuring every detail was perfect for their meeting with the HP team. greatly ire felt more confident as they reviewed their project onest time. She was positive that everything would work out and that their efforts would be gr rewarded However, as the minutes stretched into hours with no sign of the Hp team walked in, a sense of confusion began to settle over the room, ire checked her watch asiously, wondering if they were probably stuck in trattie After thirty minutes had passed, ire''s patience wore thin. "Sandra, could you please contact them and find out what''s going on?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration Sandra nodded, her fingers flying over her phone as she dialed the number for the tip team. The room fell ill silent as they waited for her to return with answers. Sandra returned to the room with a somber expression after twenty excruciating minutester, ire noticed a worried looketched on her face. Frowning, ire stood up from her chair. "What''s wrong, Sandra?" Sandra took a deep breath before delivering the news. "The HP team... they re cancelling our coboration." she said, her words hanging heavy in the air. casps of disbelief echoed around the room as ire struggled to process the suddennews. ire couldn''t believe her ears. As far as st ishr remembered, a week ago, they contacted ire about their next meeting which is today.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ire felt a surge of anger and disbelief coursing through her veins. "Sandra, could you please exin everything from the beginning?" she demanded, her voice Sandra took a minute to gather herself before telling the story of her chat with the Hp team. "When I contacted them, they didn''t offer much of an exnation. They simply said that our coboration was over," she exined. ire''s mind raced as she tried to make sense of the situation How could this be happening? What had gone wrong Questions run through her mind without any possible answer. "They didn''t borate? ire asked baffled by the short response, Sandra shook her head "No, they did not." ire, still frowning incordusion, stood up and exited the meeting room. She made her way to her office. Chater Cancelled 97 Sandra followed closely behind, concerned. As soon as ire reached her desk, she tumed to Sandra. "Arrange a video call with Mr. Rodriguez right now," she said, her voice urgent and serious. With a nod Sendra moved toward her own desk Her fingertips skimming the keyboard as she swiftly dialed the secretary of Mr. Rodriguez. A few minutest Mr. Rodriguez showed up on the screen. His expression was stem and serious. "Mr. Rodriguez, thank you for joining us on such short notice," ire said, trying to keep her tone polite despite the annoyance she felt earlier. "I wanted to ask why you decided to cancel our coboration" Mr. Rodriguez''s face remained senous as he responded. "ire, your project is only a copy." ire''s confusion deepened. "A copy? What do you mean by that?" she asked, trying to understand his usation. A look of disappointment crossed Mr. Rodriguez''s features. "We expected so much from Metacortex. We trusted you. But it seems like you are no different than Robert Robertson," he said, his voice filled with regret. Before ire could respond, Mr. Rodriguez ended the call, leaving her hanging in confusion. She stared at the nk screen, trying to process: happened. "Copy? And I am no different than Robert? I don''t get it." frustration stered her face a even get the chance to ask and evenin about their deal about this coboration. Her breathing was heavy as she tried to plece together the puzzle. what had just she tried to understand what Mr. Rodrigues w was implying. She didn''t She pressed the inte button and called Sandra to her office. Within moments, Sandra appeared, at a nervous look on her face. "Tell the team the meeting is cancelled," ire said, her voice calmly. "And find out why Mr. Rodriguez cancelled our coboration." Sandra nodded quicldy and headed back to work, leaving ire alone with her thoughts One word from Mr. Rodriguez''s usation kept echoing in her mind: "copy." He had imed that Cortex 20 was not an original project, which baffled and offended her deeply. Cortex 20 was genuinely her own and her team''s idea, a product of countless hours of hard work and innovation. With a worried and scared expression on her face, Sandra finally rushed back inside her office. ire frowned, sensing something was wrong, "What''s the matter, Sandra?" she asked. Sandra hesitated before speaking "ire, Venus AMD just announced their new project." he quickly searched for the announcement on herputer. As she read the headline, her eyes widened in shock ""It can''t be," she said to herself in disbelief. Spinto im Your Su Surprise Reward! Chapter 94 Chapter 94. A needle in a haystack ire stared at the news on herputer screen, dumbfounded She never expected to see that HP and Venus AMD had made an official partnership. Her thoughts was racing with an overwhelming sense of betrayal from Mr. Rodriguez, and the news that Hip had released instantly felt like a p in the face, When Mr. Rodriguez had proposed a partnership to her, he hadn''t rushed to announce it to the press. He''d said he wanted to make it a surprise. Tums out, it is differnt from what he''d promised ire scoffed, a mix of disbelief and anger bubbling inside her. She looked up at Sandra, who stood nearby. "Is this really happening? Did they toy with us?" ire asked, referring to Hp.. Sandra hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Before she could muster a reply, ire cut her off with a sharp breath. "This is not what I imagined," ire muttered to herself, her fingers scrolling down the news feed in a desperate search for more information. She stopped at one particr headline and cliclued on it, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. The article featured a video of Venus AMDunching their new software. ire already had a bad feeling about it, but she clicked on the video. Her heart fell as she watched. The project Venus AMD was presenting was identical to her own. The ideas, the details, everything was exactly what she had discussed with her team. "Am seeing things?" she whispered, trying to make sense of the situation. Sandra, still standing nearby, noticed the change in ire''s demeanor, "What''s wrong?" she asked, concernedcing her voor "Come here and watch this," ire replied, her voice tensed, eyes still trained on the screen Sandra moved to ire''s desk and watched the video. Her eyes widened in shock "It can''t be. That''s our project! How can they have it? "Exactly."ire said, her voice cold. She tumed to Sandia, berface set in a serious expression. "Gather the team. Now." Sandra didn''t ask any questions, the immediately made her way out of ire''s office to gather the team. ire closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself she knew she had to stay professional and notsh out without proef. she doesn''t want her employees to hate her and talk badly about her behind her back She is not Robert; she remembers that in her mind. Standing up, ire made her way to the meeting room. When she arrived, the team was already there, whispering among themselves. The murmurs ceased as ire stepped inside, their attention shifting to her. The tension grew in the room even before ire uttered a word. "I apologize for interrupting your work but there is something more significant we need to discuss." ire tumed to Sandra. "Sandca, please show the video." Sandra connected herptop to the projector and yed the video. The room fell into a hushed silence as everyone watched, ire observed their faces closely. noting every reaction. Shock, confusion, and disbelief yed across their expressions.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. As the video ended, one of the employees spoke up. "That''s our project How can this be?". Another chimed in "This doesn''t make any sense, How did they get our idea?" ire held up her hand to silence the growing chatter. "He has terminated our contract before it even started," she began, her voice steady but heated with frustration. "They''ve announced an official coboration with Venus AMD. What caught my attention is how Mr. Rodriguez used us of copying Venus AMD''s project " There was abrupt stillness in the room. ire studied their expressions, searching for any hint of lies or regret. "I need to know who leaked our information to Venus AMD and if one of you involve in any of this" she said, her gaze piercing through the room Before they could get the wrong idea, ire rified. "Our project, Cortex 2.0 is confidential and no one in thispany know aside from the team, Sandra, 1. me. And 1 told all of you to keep it a secret about the details and the idea. So, I am asking if any of you identally tell anyone about it." The employees exchanged nces. Their faces mixed with surprised, shocked, contusion and worried. None of them leaked the information even to their coworkers, especially to an outsider. Mums of confusion rippled through the group. One by one, they began to speak up. "Ms.Peterson, I assure you we wouldn''t do such thing."A hint of nervousness was visible in his eyes as he tried to justify the team "None of us would do such thing, Ms. Peterson." Another employer chimed in. "We all know how important and confidential the project is and we have been very careful. No one outside this coom knows about the project." ire crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing trust you all, but if anyone here is lying and has betrayed me, It won''t end well If there''s something you need to confess, now is the tim The rooms fell silent again, but this time the silence was more tense, almost suffocating The workers exchanged nces as they attempted to figure out who might be involved. But there was no hint of lying. They all turned back to ire as none of them betrayed her. "Ms. Peterson, we promise you we are not the one who leaked the information." Chapter 11 A neeide in a haystack ire studied their faces for a long moment, searching for any hint of dishonesty. But a all she saw was sincerity. She let out a sigh and nodded. "Alright." she said, her tone softer. "But remember, if I find outter that someone here is lying, there will be consequences. You''re dismissed." The employees nodded and began to leave the room, still exchanging worried nces ire felt a weight in her chest as she watched them leave. With questions swirling in her mind. She turned and walked back to her office. She sat down at her desk, staring nkly at the screen. For the first time, she couldn''t think, ire, who always had a n, always knew the next move, was stuck She felt a wave of irritation at herself. Hours went by as she watched the video and read the news articles again in an attempt toprehend and make sense of another unexpected situation. Suddenly, the door to her office burst open. ire''s eyes remained fixed on theputer, but she could hear Sandra''s voice trying to stop Matthew. "You can''t go in there, Matthew Sandra insisted. Alook of confusion stered his face as he stared at Sandra forbidding him to enter re''s office. "Why?" "It''s okay, Sandra," ire said coldly, her eyes still on the screen, Sandra nodded reluctantly and closed the door behind her. "What are you doing here, Matthe ire turned to him uninterested. His brows furrowed in confusion as he approached ire. "What''s going on, ire?" ire sighed deeply and looked away. "Everything is falling apart, Matthew. Nothing went as nned," she said frustratedly. Matthew pulled up a chair and sat down in front of her. "Tell me what happened," he said, leaning forwards. Chapter 95 Chapter 95 Was I that gullible?This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Without a word, ire tumed her monitor to give Matthew a good look at the news regarding Hp and Venus AMD Matthew''s eyes scanned the headlines, and his face scrunched up in disbelief. "This is fake, right?" he asked, hoping for a different answer. ire shook her head. "It''s not take. And it''s not even the world part," she said, her tone heavy with mix with anger and disappointment. She then yed a video of Venus AMD''s announcement, rewaling their new software. Matthewwatched, his eyes widening in shock. He turned to ire, disbelief written all over his face. "Isn''t this the project you showed me?" he asked. ire nodded, her expression bitter, "Yes, it is. Looks like I have a snitch in mypany, but I have no idea who it could be." Matthew crossed his arms, his face serious. "Have you interrogated the team who handled the project?" he asked, thinking logically about the next steps. ire nodded again. "I did. asked everyone, and they all serused as shocked as I was. They im they don''t know anything about it" Matthew frowned, considering her words "Maybe they''re lying," he suggested, his mind racing with possibilities. ire shrugged, clearly tom. "Maybe yes, maybe no. But from their expressions, they genuinely seemed clueless. And I trust my employees," she said. Matthew sighed, deep in though it''s a tough situation. Do you have any suspicions at all beside your team?" he asked, hoping ire might have some leads. ire''s gaze remained loved on herputer screen as she spoke. "No, I don''t. They were the only ones who knew about the project and worked on it which doesn''t make sense." she said, frustrationcing her words. Her eyes gaze at Matthew looking serious "Let''s say one of them did leaked the information to Venus, why would the put so much time and energy to the project if at the end they are going to sell it to our rivals? Matthewmodded, thinking it over. "You''re right. It doesn''t add up. Why would someone sabotage their own hard work?" ire sighed, finally tearing her gaze from Matthew to the monitor screen. "We need to get to the bottom of this, Matthew. We can''t let this go on." "Do you think this could be someone from another department or maybe the other employees?" ire shook her head. "No as 1 said ealer only the team, Sandra, you and I that about the progress even jack doesn''t know." Matthew leaned forwant; his brow furrowed, I''ll help you figure it out, ire. We can work on this together." However, ire shook her head seemingly doesn''t want Matthew to be involve. "No, it''s fee. This is mypany, and I need to handle this myself. If I need your. help, I''ll definitely let you know." Matthew still looked unsure. "Are you sure? I really want to help." ire shoot him a small smile hoping to assure him that ire will get it under control. I appreciate it, Matthew. But trust me, I''ve got this, if it gets too much, you''ll be the first person Teall" Matthew felt a bit more assured after ire''s words and nodded. "Okay, Calce. Just remember, I''m here if you need me.! ire nodded, feeling grateful for what Matthew offered. "Thank you, Matthew. That means a lot to me Alex was rxing in his other penthouse, a sleek, modern room with floor to ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city. He didn''t want to take the chance of eting her at his main penthouse. He could not handle racing her after what happened at the hospital. He sipped his coffee, the rich amma filling the room, and scrolled through his tablet, catching up on thetest news, As read through the headlines, one article caught his eye. It was about HP and Venus AMD Alex raised his boows, intrigued by the news. Venus AMD had been making, waves in the tech world, challenging the dominance of Metacortex which is thepany that Alex is interested in working with. The rivalry between Venus and Metacortex was well-known in the technology and software area. Each are fighting for the top spot in the technology and software business. However, Venus AMD has been steadily moving up the rankings over the past there years, raising the possibility of leveling up to Metacoctex Metacortex is known to be a powerfulpany in technologies and software but since Robert tookover it hasn''t shown much invention for the years, which makes people lose interest and tum their attention to Veislead Alex couldn''t help but chuckled. "What will ire think about this? I wonder why Hp chose Venus instead of Metacortex he scrolled down the articled still with the thought of ire attached in his mind. "I still could not believe the woman i married to tems out to be secret genius and a billionaire." Alex said in a disbelief Alexleaned back in his chair, his mind racing. Before knowing the one behind Metacortex, Alex had always taken an interest in thepany. But he never thought about working with Venus. Why hadn''t he thought of exploring opportunities with Vers AMD? Which makes him question himself. Alex scrolled through the news on his tablet, his scrolling care to an abrupt huit as a photo on the screen caught his eye. It was a picture of him and Lisa, taken in the hospital garden Alex''shant skipped a brat Alex''s eyes scanned the headline. "Alex and Lisa Spotted Together-Are They Back On?" "No, this can''t be real." He ced his mug down with a slight clink and do the photo to make sure it was really them. The image was crystal clear, leaving no doubt in his mind. "Why is then a photo of Lisa and me?" Alex mutted to himself, his brow furrowing in confusion. As the realization dawned on him, he felt a surge of anger. He knew exactly who was behind this. His grip on the tablet tightened as he cursed under his breath. "Lisa," he said, his voice low and filled with frustration. "Not again" The tossed the tablet out the couch, scoffing Intrritation, "How could I fall for her tricks again?" he wondered out loud terling a sense of anger. Alex can''t help thinking if Lisa haming herself is a part of her n. One of her tricks is to lure Allex to feel sympathy towards her. "How can I fall for bet tricks again? Was I that gullible?" He couldn''t help but question himself. Alex felt like an idiot for being deceived by her yet again. In the midst of silence, a phone call ring which makes him startled. He grabbed his phone on the coffee table and saw the caller ID "Don''t tell me they read the news already? How did they even know that fast." Alex muttered thredly even when he hadn''t answered the phone call. If Alex badn''t read the news today, the chances of him finding out about the article would be ze Taking a deep breath, he prepare himself from a long interrogation. Answering the phone Alex braced himselt. "Hello? zero to none. He was slightly d that read the news today. Chapter 96 Chapter 96 You''re not worried? "Alra! Jathe peactie?" At the idler end, his mother, joan, spode serpently, the purstinai. "I don''t know, Mon Juan''s vodje nase with fresh Alex''s face scrunched indisbelief. "No! Why would you think that? I would never get fuck with her, There was a sighat the other end, then his father, Michael, chimed in "isthe picture fake, Alez?" "No, the picture is real, but it''s tint what people think," Alex replied, trying to stay calm. les. "What do you nur an you don''t know? Did you get back together with Lisa?" er wasruins. "So, what is it? Why are you there with her?" Alex exined, "I got a plooine call from Use''s mother. She was crying and mentioned Lisa''s mine a few times. I was caught off guard because earlier, my secretary told me Lisa said she would hurt herself it I didn''t answer the phone. That''s why I went to the hospital to see her." Michael face senunched wondering. "Is she really hurt? "She is but I don''t know about hercurrent condition, Tawabandage on her wrist when I was there." Alexbraid his inodber gasp "Did Lisa hurt herself because the marriage lust lippening?" an asked Ales sighed deeply. "A few days ago, I told Lisa we couldn''t be together again. In a way, I broke up with her, but she still wanted to be with me." he exined, Jan''s voier wors soft but firm, "What did you do after that?" I told her she could stay at the penthouse and reflect on herself, but t Lisa didn''t want to. She even ruined my and ire''s wedding photos," Alexsaid, his frustration seeping thenights words Both Joan and Macharffrowned as they looked at each other. It didn''t crossed their minds that Alex still kept his and ire''s wedding photo, which is surprising to "You still keep that photo?" he asked, raising an eyebrow Ales paused, realizing fie might have shared too much. Quickly, he tried to steer the conversation back on track. "The point is the news about us getting back Ingether is fake. I did visit her, but she just asked for a line to take care of her for one day." Machuel shook his head, has expression stem. "Alex, you need to keep your distance from Lisa. I don''t trust her. Something about her makes me uneasy" Alex nodded, though his parents moulder) see him through the phone, "understand. I''ll be careful," he replied, trying to reassure them "1''ll call you guyster, The call ended, arat Alex ran his fingers Hirough his hair, feeling the stress build up: Just as he was trying to gather his thoughts, the door to his apartment burst open Ceistian entered, his tare a picture of panic. "Alex, diete''s news about you and Lisa" christian eximed, barrying towards him Alex was momentarily confused art taken aback by Christian''s sudden appearance. "How did you even find me here?" he asked, wondering how Christian knew he was at his other penthouse. Chipsikan waved his phone in front of Alex, a sacastic smile ying on his lips. "There''s this thing called "Find My Phone," ever heard of it?" he said, rolling his "Of course." Alex rolled his eyes in return "Anyway, the ne Labout you and Lisa is all over the inde." Alex, already aware of the rumors and knowing the truth behind them, remained calm. "And?" he responded nonchntly.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Christian frowned, clearly puzzled by Alex''sck of concem. "You''re not worried about it at all?" With a shrug, Alex replied, "Not really. The infomation about us is fake." Christian took a seat in the chair across from lum, leaning forward "Then why are you in the pictures with her?" he asked pointedly Sughing, Alexexined, "visited Lisa because her mother told me she hun herself. I didn''t want to go, but i had to." Christian''s confusion deepened. "Het hellWhat do you mean?" Ales made a gesture with his hands, mimicking the motion of cutting his wrist. Christian''s eyes widened in shock "She really did that?" Alexnodded. "That''s what I saw, and that what her mom told me Christian scrunched has bus together, a mix of disbelief and saam in his voice, "Wow, she must really love you." Alex rolled his eyes, tired of the dramatics. "It''s not like that, Christian Christian then asked, "Do you want me to get the news taken down? Alex shook his head lily. "No, host ignore it." Christian frowned again, confined. "Why? Why not clear things up?" The news is fake. I know what really happened, and that''s enough for me, it doesn''t bother me that much," Alex exined calmly. Christian leaned back, clearly impressed. "Wow, this is the first time I''ve seen you so calm about something like this." Alex polled his eyes again, a small smile ying on his lips. "Yeah, yeah, now go out of here and let me rest in silence." Christianughed echoed through the room that makes Alex shook his head. shake the tristration grawing at het. Het The betaal loomedce in her mind. kad s?ld her ideas to VerUS ANTI 0021:1:0000 00 He thoughts kept dinding bac it happened lett could think about. tion had bettrved ber": sed her eyes, trying the conversation she had with het the video. Reeves fluttered open as her phone rang. She set het mug down on the coffee table and answered led, wemed evident in his voice "The "ire replied, though her voicecked con evinced. "I knew YOU There is no peine bring to you? ire couldn''t help but choked lightly. *Don''t try to cause you won''t be able to fool me anyway, I spoke to your team one by one. They all seemed honest, just the way you describe earlier. They were just there sighed. "I know. Thanks for doing that. 1. ew. I appreciate your help. It will you do now?"! ire was silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts "l''investigate this myself. I can''t just let it go." Maher passed, considering her words "What about Cortex 20? Will you continue with it or stop?" hardened with determination. Like bell I''m going to stop it. Even though Venus stole my ideas, that doesn''t mean I''ll stop creating. Cortex 20 will "I''m d to hear that. I know you won''t easily give up, ire. I''ll help you in any way I can Marthew smiled, impressed by her resolve," Chapter 97 Chapter 97 Keep on dreaming The next day, ire sat in her office, staring nkly at herputer screen Hermind was a whithwind of thoughts. Should she go to HIP''s office to demand answers, or confront someone at Venus? Or should she retrain from visiting eitherpany? She knew she couldn''t just let it go; she needed to find out how Venus had gotten their hands on her ideas. As she was pondering hernest move, the door to her office burst open. She jumped, startled out of her thoughts, and red at the intruder. It was Robert, Ils face thshed with anger. "ire!" he shouted, stonning into the room. "How did this happen? Hp is coborating with Venus now, our biggest rival!" ire took a deep breath, trying to keep herposure. "Robert do not shout at me like that. And never burst into my office without knocking," she said coldly, her eyes narrowing. Her face was deadly serious. Robert swallowed hard, a hint of nervousness thickering across his face, but he tried to maintain his angry facade. "I need to know what happened with HP. This is a disasted!" ire''s annoyance deepened. She caused an eyebrow. "How do you even know about it? As far as I know, the coboration with Hp was confidential." Robert froze, his mind racing. He hadn''t anticipated this question, though he knew it was only a matter of time before ire asked. He hesitated before answering. "I overheard your secretary talking to the HP team over the phone. You should tell her to be careful next time.'' ire narrowed her eyes, not entirely convinced. There was something off about Robert''s exnation, but she chose to ignore it for now Robert continued talking. "How did this happen ire? want to exin it to him, but Robert is still a part of Metacortex since he has 25% of the shares. ire doesn''t want "Why do you want to know anyway? You rarelye to work? raising her brows at Robert carious question that makes him irritated by ire. "I''m still part of thispany, ire and I deserve to know what happened in thispany." ire took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Fine. You want to know what happened? Venus stole our ideas. That''s what happened." Robert frowned, clearly confused. "What do you mean they stole our ideas? "yesterday, Venus announced the release of their new software through online streaming." ire exined. "When I watched it, all the ideas were exactly what we discussed with our team. The only difference was the design, but the rest were identical" Robert scoffed indisbelief as he stared at ire "Venus copy our ideas? Are you sure? We may be cival, but I don''t they will go this low to be equal to Metacortex." She frowned as he listened to Robert doubting her "Are you doubting me? You don''t even know the progress on Cortex 2.0, Robert. You couldn''t differentiate it even if you tried and you take their sides?" Robert''s expression turned modding "Thad a feeling this would happen. My Intuition was right. ire, you u are not ready to be the CEO," ire''s temper red. "You don''t even answer my question!" she said in disbelief. "And do you think you are a good CEO than I am? If you lead Metacontes for another two years, I''m sure thispany will be no more." Robert threw her a re. "Says the one who lose a potential client and their project getting stole This conversation is slightly getting to ire nerves, She fisted her palms to suppress her anger. After all she is still in thepany, and she needs to maintain her image and professionalism. "What are you trying to say here, Robert? That I''m not capable of naming thispany? That I don''t deserve this position? Robert''s expression hardened. "Yes, you are not capable, Give me back my position and I will take care of everything. You clearly can''t handle it." She couldn''t help but chudded as she found it funny and ironic. "Are you hearing yourself, Robert?" ire stood up abruptly, cing both hands on her desk and leaning forward. Her eyes bore into Robert''s with a deadly seriousness. "Do you really think that by ordering me around, I will just hand over my position to you? That''s not going to happen. Keep on dreaming." Robert sneered. "You''ve already ruined a potential client, ire. Do you have any idea what that means for thepary?" re''s anger red. "Losing one project doesn''t mean have failed at managing thispany Projectse and go. It''s part of the business and I''m sure you know that." Robert frowned, clearly taken aback by her defiance. "You''ve gone soft on your employees. They''re probably stabbing you in the back as we speak," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. ire''s expression remained steely, "I trust my employees. They''re loyal, and they didn''t betray me. Robertughed mockingly. "And that''s why you''re not cut out for this. You''re very nice, ire. You don''t understand the ruthlessness required in the business World" y well. Trusting my employees is not a weakness, it''s an essential ire frowned, refusing to back down. 1 understand the business world perfectly w Tradership. Do you even know what I''m talking about?" part of Robert gritted his teeth, his frustration evident. Before he could respond, ire cut him off, bringing up a sore point from his past. "Remember your so-called friend, Pedro Petain? The one who betrayed you? Robert''s face darkened, his anger palpable. ire chuckled, the sound dripping with sarcasm "Don''t worry, Robert. My employees aren''t like Petain. I know who I can trust." Robert''s face tighted, and he said seriously, "After everything that''s happened, you still have confidence in leading thispany?" ire met his gaze calmly. "Yes, I still have confidence. If you don''t like it, you''re free to go and sell your shares to the Hearing this, Robert''s face tumed red with anger, and he clenched his lies. "Thispany will fall to the ground if you continue to lead it," he said, his voice low and threatening ire chuckled coldly. "Are you threatening me, Robert? So far, Metacortex''s stock market is still rising. I don''t see how it can fall to the ground. *phically? Let'' wall and ser." She challenged Robert as her lips curled up to a smirk. Robert hlued at her, narrowing his eyes. "You''ll see. Mark my words," With that, he stormed out of the office, leaving behind an allt of fury. ire took a seat and leaned back in herchair, closing her eyes for a second as she took a deep breath, she couldn''t believe how desperate Robert was to use this opportunity to reim his position. She needed a new n to show him and everyone else that she was more than capable of leading Metacortex. ire opened her eyes as a thought crossed her mind. She didn''t want to resort to this, but it seemed like the only way. Peking up her phone, she dialed Matthew.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. "Matthew, it''s ire. I need to talk to you about something important," she said when he answered. "What''s going on, ire? Matthew asked, sensing the urgency in her voler. ""I need you toe to thepany now. Chaper 98 I might line it or hate it Chapter 98 Chapter 08 I might love it or hate it "Why? Iseventhings gokay?" he asked, concret. "There''s something need to talk about," ire replied, her tone serious. Understanding the urgency in her voice, Matthew quickly agreed. "Alright, I''ll be there in fifteen minutes True to his woul, Matthew arrived at ire''s office fifteen minutester. His eyebrows scrunched incuriosity as he entered. "What" "What''s going on, ire? Why the ire motioned for him to sit down. "I need someone wise riglu now, Matthew," she said, her eyes meeting his. "I thought we established between the both of us, the wise one will be you." Matthew pointed his fingers at ire. She rolled her eyes and gave him a serious look. "Well, yes. But today is an exception." Mature looked confused, "What do you mean by that?" ire took a deep breath. "I''m about to make a decision I never thought I''d consider or even think about it." Matthew leaned forward, intrigued, and concemed. "What decision?* "I''m going to the Harris Company," catre said, her voice steady but determined. Matthew''s eyes widened in surprise. "You mean Harris, as in Alexander Harris Hotel?" ire nodded. "Yes." "The man that you hate?" He was still frowning, wondering if he had misheard ire''s words. She sighed. "Yes, the one and only." "Why?" Matthew asked, disbelief evident in his voice, "Is this about the HP thing? ire shook her head. "No, It''s not about them." Narrowing his eyes at ire, she looked away. "y, maybe this is about Hp but only a slight bit. The point is not about them." *Then what is it about Matthew pressed, lus frown deepening sighing heavily, ire looked at him with a mix of frustration and determination. "It''s about something else entirely," "What do you mean?" Matthew asked, still not fully understanding "Earlier today, Roberte to my office," ire began, choosing her words carefully "Or rather, he barged in " Matthew''s eyes narrowed. "Why did he barge into your office? What did he want?" ire took a deep breath "He found out about our future project with HP, but then be also found out that HP decided to partner with Venus instead." Matthew frowned. "How did he know about that?" "He said he overheard it from my secretary when she was on the phone with the HP team although I''m not entirely convinced." ire exined. Matthew nodded slowly. "Okay, I get that. But what does that have to do with you going to the Harrispany?" ire hesitated, the memory of Robert''s words still stinging "Robert said something that really got to me Matthew leaned forward; his expression serious. "What did be say?" ire took a moment before answering "He said I threw away the opportunity to work with HP and that I''m the one who will cause Metacortex to fall to the ground" Matthew''s eyes widened in shock. "He actually said that to you?" "Yes," ire confirmed, her voice shaking slightly with anger. "It''s so frustrating because I''ve done everything I can to keep thispany afloat. And he says something like that. He should be grateful I still allow him to work here instead of firing him." Matthew shook his head in disbelief. "I should buy him a mirror so he can reflect his own failure, I can''t believe he''d say that. It''s not fair to me you for what happened. You''ve been working so hard these past few months." ire nodded, "Exactly! it really bugs me that he said that. It''s lilur he doesn''t see all the effort I put in every day." Matthew nodded slowly, the pieces clicking into ce "I think I get it now. You wanted to show him that you''re capable of leading Metacortex." ire smiled, relieved that Matthew finally understood. "Bingo. I want to prove to him and everyone else that I can do this." Matthew nodded. "You will, lee. I know you will. You''ve got the drive and the vision. Don''t let Robert''s words get to you." "I know but I got to do something about it. I just can''t sit and do nothing." "Are you sure it''s the right decision to work with Harris?" doubts creeping in Matthew as he doesn''t trust Alexander. ire sighed, her expression weary. "It''s the only way right now. We need a strong partner to make up for losing HP." "Are you going to propose a coboration to Alex?" Matthew asked, still wary ire chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "No, I won''t. That would be too direct," Matthew raised an eyebrow. "So, what''s your n?" H ire looked a bit awkward, avoiding Matthew''s gaze. "I''m going to ask Alex about the project he proposed in the first ce. It was his idea, alter all." Chapter 981 might love it "An indirect approach, I see," Matthew said, understanding, however he was still curious. "But why you don''t want to admit that you need Harris help?" ire rolled her eyes, clearly not wanting to acknowledge her own reluctance. "Why would ask Alex for his help? III do that, he will reject it and his ego is as big as the Big Ben."Content ? N?velDrama.Org. In truth beside that, ire pride is too big to ask for help especially from Alexherex-husband. He looked at ire seriously. "Are you sure you want to do this? There''s a big chance you might regret it." ire was silent for a moment, contemting his words. She then shrugged her shoulders. "I might either love it or hate it, but I won''t know unless 1 try," "You really ate ready for this?" Matthew''s lips then cuded into a smirk, causing ire to frown. "Why are you smidding?" she asked, narrowing her eyes to him. "Well," Matthew began, clearly amused, "It means you''ll be working with your ex-husband." ire rolled her eyes. "Don''t ever say that out loud. It still feels weird to hear it." Matthew chuckled. "Okay, okay, just teasing you Despite her brave decision, ire felt a pang of uncertainty. Deep down, she wasn''t sure if she was ready to work with Alex again. Both of them were stubbom and hot-headed, making the idea of their coboration seem almost impossible to imagine. "What if Alex says no?" Matthew asked suddenly, breaking into her thoughts. "What if he rejects the idea of working with us?" "Hmm..why would you think he will reject us? Matthew shrugged nonchntly "who knows? I mean he hasn''t even contact you back fro weeks so maybe he is reconsidering it?" "I still hundred percent sore Alex is looking forward for this coboration especially involving his new hotel, so the chances are 70 to 30. However, if he did change his mind," ire smirked, a confident glint in her eye. "I have a backup n, Matthew. The gears in my brain are already tuming." Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Beally? What''s your backup n?" ire''s simile wadened. "I can''t reveal all my secrets just yet. But trust me, we won''t be left hanging." "Wow, seems like you really think this through, huh? ire shrugged. "Not really. It was ast timing thinking." Matthew stared at his friend and boss in disbelief as she stood up from her chair and grabbed her bag. "What are you doing?" "Out. We are heading to Harrispany." Matthew furrowed his brows. "Now?" "Yes, now, Matthew,!! Chapter 99 Chapter 99 "Hello, Alex ire arrived at the Harrispany, her mind focused on the task at hand. Inside the car, Matthew turned to her, concem etched on his far. "Are you sure about this, ire?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry re turned to him and shot a small, confident smile, "Yes, I am sure. There''s no baming back now." She opened her car door and stepped out, taking a deep breath as she did. ire looked up at the tall building in front of her. Thest time she was here, she hadn''t taken in the exterior or interior details. Now, feeling slightly more rxed, she allowed herself to absorb the surroundings. The building''s grandeur spoke volumes about thete Mr. Hamis''s taste for elegance and luxury Matthew quickly got out and stood beside her, offering silent support as they made their way towards the entrance of the Harris Company. "This is my first-time stepping foot at Hanispany. He sure knows what elegance is Matthew said as he took in the grandeur building in front of us... well, it is not Alex, more like his grandfather. When ites to elegance and losures design, he is the one to call H He turned to ire, raising his brows as his is eyes twinkle in amusement. "And yet, I almost forgot how you know his grandfather." Rolling her eyes, she stepped inside the building putting her focus on the matter fasthand. The interior was just as luxurious as she remembered, almost minoting the opulence of their hotel. ire couldn''t help but wonder what Alex''s grandfather would thinkit Alexever changed the concept of their hotel, even if it was just in Las Vegas. This was the second time ire had set foot in the Harris Company, a ce she never thought she''d visit again. As they walked through the lobby, some employees nced at her way, whispering among themselves, ire''s identity as the CEO of Metacortex had be well-known, especially after her appearance at Mr. Saint Lament''s birthday party. The attention didn''t bother her; in fact, it served as a reminder to everyone that she was not soon to be underestimated. ire approached the receptionist, a young woman with a tight ben on her head "Good afternoon," ire greeted. The receptionist smiled warmly. "Good morning, how can help you today?" "I''d like to meet with Alexander Harris, ire replied. The receptionist''s smile faltered slightly. "Do you have an appointment with him?" she asked, her tone professional ire maintained her polite demeanor. "No, I don''t have an appointment. But could you please inform Mr. Hamis that someone is waiting for him in the meeting mom? And please, don''t mention my name." The receptionist hesitated, unsure whether she shouldply with the unusual request. "I''m not sure if I can do that without an appointment. Mr. Harris is very busy." The receptionist hesitated, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. "I''m not sure if I can do that. It''s against our policy to" Just then, Matthew stepped forward, his easy charm instantly disarming "Hi there," he said, shing a smile that seemed to light up the room. "I understand it''s a bit unconventional, but this is really urgent My boss and Alex go way back." The receptionist seemed a bit starstruck by Matthew''s presence, her earlier hesitation melting away. *ch, well, it it''s urgent." Matthew nodded, his smile never wavering. It really is. We would appreciate it a lot." She nodded quickly "Okay, I''ll let him know. You can wait in the meeting room on the Loth floor. ire smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much. We really appreciate your help." The receptionist blushed slightly under Matthew''s gaze. "No problem at all. Have a nice day." ire smiled and thanked her, heading towards the lift with Matthew by her side. As they stepped inside and the doors closed, ire formed to Matthew, raising her eyebrows. "What was that?" Matthew looked at her innocently. "What was what?" ire crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes to him. "Earlier, you were using your charm, which I didn''t know you could do." Matthew chuckled, a yful glint in his eyes. "There are a lot of things I can do that you don''t know about." ire rolled her eyes at him, her tone tuming sarcastic, "yeah, like when you asked me to solve that simple ende. You can definitely do anything." Matthew grinned, unfazed. "Hey, that was just a momentarypse. Everyone has their off days." ireughed softly. "Right. So, Mr. Charming, what''s next on your list of hidden talents?" He leaned against the wall of the litt, pretending to think "Well, I can bake, and I could say I''m pretty good with poker" "I really wasn''t expecting for that revtion. Her eyes twinkling with amusement, The litt dinged, and ire and Matthew stepped out, heading to the meeting room at the end of the corridor. ire''s telling. As they reached the doornced at her, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay, ire he asked gently steps were were purposeful, but her silence wa ire nodded, forcing a small smile. "I''m fine, Matthew. Can''t wait for everything to be over." They went into the meeting room and sat down. Though her thoughts were racing, ire tried to stay focused on her purpose foring here.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Alex was wrapping up a video call meeting with a potential client who couldn''t attend in person. As the call ended, Alex received another call. We pressed the inte button while sorting through the documents on his desk. "Mr. Harris, there''s someone here to see you," the receptionist indored him. Alex stopped tipping through the papers and focused on the inte. "Who is it?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice "she didn''t give their name, but she said it''s urgent," the receptionist replied. A wave of ardety washed over Alex. His first thought was Lisa, the woman he had made it clear he never wanted to see again. "Is she blonde?" he asked, holding his breath. "No, she''s a brte," the receptionist answered. Alexeshaled in reliet. "Alright, I''ll be there shortly," he said. The receptionist added, "She''s waiting in the meeting room on the toth floor." "Thankyou," Alex replied, hanging up the inte. He sighed as he stared at his monitor screen nkly. "Why did I became paranoid?" Alex questioned himself since he had never acted like that before. "At least, I know the woman it''s not Lisa and I''m safe." Standing up and straightening his tie, he made his way to the lift and pressed the button for the Loth floor. As he ascended, he couldn''t help but feel curious about who this mystery woman might be. At least it wasn''t Lisa, that was a small mercy. The lift doors opened, and Alexstepped out, striding down the hallway with purposeful steps. When he reached the meeting room, his fingers grip the hand tightly before he pushed the door open and saw a woman sitting in one of the chairs, her back to him. She turned around slowly, cool smile ying on her lips. "Hello, Alex," she said, her voice smooth and confident. Chapter 100 What if I say mark Chapter 100 Chapter 100 What if I say no? Alex''s eyes widened as he recognized her. It was the one and only ire Peterson she was the one who had requested to see him, but he couldn''t fathom why. "ire," he said, frowning. "What are you doing here?" ire stood up, her smile unwavering. "I''m sorry to Interrupt your time, but I wanted to talk to you, Alex." Alex narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "What do you want to talk about?" "I think it''s better if we sit," ire suggested, gesturing to the chairs around the table. Alex''s eyes shifted to Matthew, who had been standing quietly with a serious expression. He looked familiar. Suddenly, Alex remembered where he had seen the manbetone, Matthew was the same person he had noticed at the club a few months ago Contusion washed over himContent ? N?velDrama.Org. Why would ire bring This man to his office if she wanted to talk? ire introduced Matthew. "This is Matthew, my advisor." Alex raised his eyebrows, not particrly Interested in Matthew but still puzzled by his presence. "Alright," he muttered, taking a seat at the head of the table, his frown deepening ine and Matthew took their seats as well. ire leaned forward slightly, her demeanor calm yet purposeful. "Alex, I know you must be wondering why we''re here." "You think?" Alex replied, his tone edged with irritation She suppressed her will to not rolled her eyes and try to remain as civil as possible "Let''s get to the point, ire. I have a lot of work to do," he said curtly. "Of course, Alex I''m here to discuss the coboration proposal you mentioned a few weeks ago." Alex froze, clearly taken aback. He hadn''t expected ire to remember, let alone bring it up so directly. "Oh, that," he muttered, shifting ufortably in his chair. His eyes darted to Matthew, indicating his uncertainty about discussing this in front of him. "Don''t worry about it, Matthew. As I told you earlier that he is my trusted advisor, and he knows everything regarding our project." Alex coughed, buying himself moment to to gather his thoughts. "Alright, well, I''m still thinking about it," he said, trying to sound nonchnt. ire Jeaned forward, her gaze steady and unyielding "With all due respect, Alex, I''ve given you time to consider. We need an answer now." Alex swallowed hard, his usual confidence faltering underire''s unwavering stare. "It''s not that simple, ire. There are factors to consider," he said, sping for an excuse. Baising her brows, she stared into his eyes directly. "Like what?" Alex struggled to find the right words to borate. ire maintained herposure, smiling politely at Alexdespite her growing frustration. "Look, like your idea that you propose to me few weeks ago." Alex couldn''t help but feel taken aback by herpliment as he knows ire hates him so giving himpliments was definitely not on his top list. "Why do you find it interesting?" Alex asked, genuinely curious about ire''s sudden change in attitude. ire considered her response carefully before answering "I''ve never seen a hotel venture into this kind of concept before. It''s intriguing," she said simply. Despite ire''spliment, Alex remained skeptical. He couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to ire''s sudden interest than met the eye. "But whye all the way here just to ask about it?" he pressed, his tone tinged with suspicion. ire''s frustration surged to the surface. It was to be expected that Alex would be more cooperative, given that he had suggested the concept and set up the meeting in the first ce. "I came because I thought you would be interested in pursuing this further," she replied, her tone tinged with frustration.. Before ire could borate further, Alex interrupted with another question, his wordsced with frustration. "Why do you want us to work together? You hate me and I don''t see the need for us to work together" ire''s fingers tightened on herp, her nails digging into her skin as she suppressed her angen she met his gaze evenly. "I see the potential benefits of this business deal, despite my personal feelings towards you," she exined. "JackWinston was the one who persuaded me to consider it. So, are you still on board, or do you have other ns?" Alex leaned back in his ch, deep in thought. This was good news for him, the opportunity for a lucrative business deal, but working with ire, despite her willingness to set aside their personal animosity, raised red gs in his mind. He couldn''t shake the feeling that she had ulterior motives. at if I say no?" Alex finally asked, breaking the silence that hung between them. ire remained calm, her demeanor unsuited. "That''s your choice, Alex," she replied evenly. "But I believe in your idea, and 1 think we could create something truly remarkable together. But if you''re not interested, then I''ll respect your decision." Beside her, Matthew frowned, but he held his tongue. ire could feel his disapproval, but she chose to ignore it, focusing instead on Alex She continued, her voice steady. "Metacortex is the onlypany capable of fulfilling your request. No other technology and softwarepany can do what you need, aside from Venus AMD. But they''re already partnered with Hip, so if you go there, they''ll likely prioritize their partnership with HP over your project." The first statement was true; Metacortex did indeed have the expertise Alex needed. However, the second one wasn''t entirely urate, ire knew that despite Venus AMD partnership with Hip, Venus would be thrilled and probably try to prioritize the two big projects, but she needed to manipte Alex into taking the deal without reveading the whole truth. ind way, ir was using Alexander Haitis to show Hip, Verns and also Robert that she could lift. Metacostex and be the unbeatable technologypany in the world, bensing his need for Metacontes''s services to her advantage Ales absorbed ite''s words, contemting his options. He trusted ire''s judgment despite their hate towards each other, but he couldn''t shake the feeling of uncertainly ing at bien ine leaned in closer, her paze unwavering. "Wex, thit me. This is the best option for you. Metacortex will prioritize your project and ensure its sess. You won''t regret it." However, it lteran put her personal feelings aside for the sake of business than he couldn''t see the reason why he can''t to that either. "You promise you will not sabotage my project?" Furrowing her hims, ite couldn''t help stared at him weindly "I might hate you, but I won''t go that low." "Lapologize to intempt, but now Ms. Peterson and she will never do such thing." Matthew said seriously as Alex eyes darted to ham. For some reason Alex doesn''t like Matthew. Something about his presence ticked him off. He can''t help but wonder if Matthew is really important and he needs to attend this confidential meeting. "You heard him, and I am not like Robert. I won''t teminate our project like what he did to you." Alex observed her face once more. There is not a trace of lies. She genuinely wanted this partnership. However, he couldn''t help but wonder why ire wasn''t just being honest. "Alright. I''m in Chapter 101 Chapter 101 Business partner ir couldn''t help but smile as she heard Alex''s response. He finally agreed with her, and that brought her immense relief. Now, she didn''t have to resort to n B, which she pretested to keep in reserve for future unwanted incidents. ''m really d to bear it, Alex Tlook forward to us worldng together," ire said warmly Alex nodded, standing up along with ire and Matthew. "When will we continue our meeting?" he asked. "Il contact you soon," ire replied. "I need to prepare the project details for you to ensure you''re confident in your decision," Alexnodded "I''ll wait for your call." re smiled and nodded. "Of course Thank you for making the time. I''m sorry if interrupted you As ire and Matthew walked out of the meeting rooms and headed to the lift, ire''s smile remained, and she couldn''t seem to shake it off. Matthew noticed and raised his eyebrows. "You seem pretty satisfied with Alex''s cesponse," be nemacked. ire Laughed softly, "it''s a huge reliet, I was worried he might back out, and I didn''t want to use n B unless absolutely necessary." "You know you i never actually tell me what''s n, by the way?" Matthew asked, curiosity piqued. ire shook her head with a yful grin. "Now, now, Matthew, as much as I want to tell you, I can''t reveal all my secrets. But let''s just say it''s something I''ve been holding back incase Alex decided to y duty." Matthew chuckled, "You always have something up your sleeve. That''s what makes you a great leader." They stepped into the lift, and ire pressed the button for the ground floor. "Thanks, Matthew. I can only hope this coboration will work just fine, "So, what are you going to do next?" ire thought for a while pondering. "Well, obviously I have to gather the team and re-create Cortex 2.0 but at the same time I have to uncover the one behind the leaking I can''t ignore it for too long. If I did, that person would think they could get away with it. And who knows if they found out about my future project with Harris hotel, they could sabotaged it." "It means you have toe up with a n?" Matthew suggested and ire snapped her fingers. "Exactly. I need toe up with a n. But what?" Meanwhile, Alex remained in the misting room, his mind upied with the various aspects of his hotel project. He was grateful for ire''s intention to ask him about the business deal Alex first proposed, especially since he was already behind schedule. Alex had nned to fly to Las Vegas at the end of the month to check on the building''s development, but now he saw an opportunity to streamline things. He could address everything in one trip As Alex made his way back to his office, he stopped in his tracks when he passed his secretary "Ms. Rose." he called out, maling her lookup from herputer. "Yes, Mr. Harris?" she responded, giving him her full attention. "Can you schedule a meeting with the interior designer for Friday? I need to brlet them on some changes and updates," Alex instructed. he nodded, her fingers already flying over the keyboard. "Of course, Mr. Harris, I''ll get that arranged right away." Alex nodded in appreciation "Thank you, Ms. Rose." He then continued to his office, his thoughts shifting back to the partnership with ire. Alexstepped inside his office and took a seat on the couch, sinling into the soft cultions. He sighed, feeling the weight of the day already pressing on him. Not even a minuteter, the door swung open, and Christian walked in, looking curious "Alex, 1 saw ire earlier. She was leaving Hamis Company," Christian said,ing to a stop in front of the couch Alex added, gestoring for him to sit down. "Yes, she was here for a business meeting Christian frowned as he took a seat across from Alex. "What kind of business meeting?" Alex leaned back, rubbing his temples for a moment before speaking "ire was asking about my decision on the coboration with Metacortex" Christian''s eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I thought she wasn''t interested in that coboration. When we first met with her, she didn''t seem to want it at all." Ales chuckled sotily. "I was surprised too. But after much persuasion, 1 finally agreed" Christian shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around the change. "What made her change her mind?" Alex shrugged. "She exined that she as interested in our ideas and that she realized the potential benefits for both ourpanies. Not to mention I need them Alex leaned forward "Do you think I made the right choice? Lmean does ire really loolding forward to this business deal?"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Christian shrugged, a smak ying on his lips How am I supposed to low? You''re the one married to her. Shouldn''t you''ll be the one that knows how she is?" Alex rolled his eyes and leaned back on the couch. "You''re not helping, you know." Christianchuckled, enjoying the moment. "Despite whatever her intentions are, this is exactly what you''ve been looking for, right?" Alex nodded reluctantly, "Yeah, that''s why I agreed to it, even though I hate her, and she probably hates me just as much." Christian tilted his head, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "ron know, I don''t think you reallyte her think you''re just confused about your own feelings." Alex''s ears perked up at this, but he didn''t say anything. He staged at Christian, waiting for him to continue Christian leaned forward, his tone more serious. "Think about it, Alex. If you truly hated her, you wouldn''t care so much about what she thinks. You wouldn''t be this torn about the deal. There''s something more there." Chiple 101 Eness partner Alex shook his head as he looked at his best mate with a smirk on his lips. "You''re reading too much into it. I think you should go out and have some fun. Don''t work too much, mate or you''ll be crazy." Rolling his eyes, Christian throw him the pillow to Alex which he dodge whileughing Later that day, ire and Matthew were in her office, discussing the next steps, "I still can''t believe how smoothly that went," Matthew said, shaking his head in disbelief. Alex agreeing so quickly is a huge relief." ire nodded, leaning back in his chair. "It seems like we both need each other. He needed this partnership as much as we did. His hotel project must be putting a lot of pressure on him. But whatever the reasons are, I got him to agree, and the next step is for me to re- create Cortex 2.0." Then something in her mind click as she looked back to Matthew. "Matt, can you please check the surveince camera?" A look of confusion was evident in his eyes. "What for?" "I didn''t thought of this earlier but maybe we can get some clues to find out who leaked the information to our rival." Matthew nodded, "Do you have the exact date that I should be looking for? "Hm..just look after my first meeting to discuss Cortex20" "Anything else you need?" ire shook her head and smiled at him. "No that''s all. Thank you so much Matt. As Matthew leave the office, ire call her secretary "Sandra, could you please gather the team to the meeting room, please?" *Right away, miss." Chapter 102 Chapter 102 Shopping wat clinging to her skin she had nned to go shopping, but she couldn''t resist the allie of the new limited edition collection that fisd just been released a week agn. With herbat polled low over her face, she entered the boutique, excited to browse the new arrivals, ine was on her way to be favorite boutique after a moming run, still dressed in her workout clothes and feeling t As she approached the boutique, ire noticed the elegant window disys showcasing the new collection She entered the store, inmediately aware of the staff''s eyes on her. With her hat pulled low, no one could see bes fare clearly, and her sweaty appranater draw silent judgment e began to browse the racks, het i afood smile, approached her. teves scanning t for the pieces she had seen online. As she moved through the store, one of the employees, a young wontus with "Excuse me, miss," the employee said, her eyes sweeping over ire''s attire. "Are you sine you''re in the tight store ?" ire rated an eyebrow, though it remained hidden under the brim of her cap, "tes, I''m sure," she replied.coolly. The employee''s sine wavered slightly, but she maintained her polite demeanor. "Can I help you find something specific?" she asked, her tour Laced with. skepticism ire decided to test the employee''s service. "I''m looking for the limited-edition ready-to-wear collection that was releasedst week. Do you, have 112" The employee''s eyebrows scrunched in confusion and a hint of disdain flickered in hereyes. "The limited editioncollection is only avable for our VIP customers." she said, her voice dripping with condescension ire knew this was a lie. The collection was avable to all customers, though VIPs did get early ess. She felt a surge of irritation but kept her expression "that so?" she asked, her voice cold. "Maybe you should checkwith someone else. Perhaps another staff member can help me." The employee''s police smile grew even more strained "Perhaps you''d have better luck at the store across the street," she werested, restoring dismissively. ire scoffed, unable to believe the poor service she was receiving at such a renowned boutique. "Is there anyone else here who can help me?" she asked coldly. Or are you all just here to judge?" The staff member, flustered, stammered, "I''m sorry, ma''am, but we''re very busy right now. All our staff are attending to clients." Just as ire was about to lose her temper, a calm voice spoke from behind her. "Excuse me, ma''am, I''d be happy to assist you." ire turned to see a young woman with a warm smile and kind eyes. This new staff member seemed different from the judgmental woman she had just dealt with She appeared genuine and eager to help. be bacter. "ire said. The young woman nodded. "Of course, ma''am. I''ll be here when you retum. ire felt a wave of determinatione over her back at her penthouse. She didn''t like being underestimated and she was curious to see the look on the staff faces after finding out who ire was After freshening up, she carefully selected her outfit a limited editionset of a tweed dzer and skirt, paired with Christian Louboutin heels and a Bn bag She took great care in choosing her essories and applied her makeup perfectly. ire wasn''t just getting ready to walk down the boutique but to show the staff exactly who she was. Once ready, ire descended to the lobby and climbed into her Rolls Royce. The drive was short, but she wanted to make an impression. She had leamed that sometimes people needed to be reminded of their ne. As ire arrived, she stepped our of the car and walked inside the boutique, exuding confidence that turned heads as soon as she entered. The statt, who had previously dismissed her, now looked at her with renewed interest. One of the sales assistants from warlier, who had been particrly dismissive, approached her with a bright sanile, not recognizing ire as the same woman she had aged betcar "Good attemoon, ma''am. How can assist you today?"Content ? N?velDrama.Org. statt member asked, her tone overly sweet. ire goed het, hete''s scanning the stor for the young girl who had been kind to her earlier. She spotted the girl at the end of the st ire walked briskly towards her, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "Excuse, re called out, not knowing the girls The young girl looked up, her eyes widening in surprise. She quickly stood up, dasting off her p tpants store, tidying up the clothes "Oh, hello! How can help you?" she asked, slightly fastered. A smile appeared on ire''s lips as she took off her shades. "What''s your name?" she asked kindly "My name is Elena," the young gul replied still looking a bit nervous. "Elena, I''d like you to assist me with my shopping today," ire said, hertone w Elena''s eyes widened in shock. "Met Beally?" she stammered. "Yes, you," ire condimmed with anod. warm and loviting Era''s face lit up with a smile. "Of course, ma''am! Right this way, please," she said, leading ire further into the boutique As they walked, ire noticed the other staff members watching them with curious eyes. She felt asense of satisfaction wing that shin badan one person who had treated her with respect from the beginning ? lensa postdeditie to a section of the store with elegant dresses and high-end fashion pieces, "Is there anything specific you''re looking for today?" she asked. "Pinterested in sering the limited editionsmettits," ire replied, her eyes already scanning the store''s luxurious interior. Nodding ennstatically, Elens golded ir to a special section of the store where the limited-edition items were disyed. She carefully presented each piece to r,ying them out with precision. ire studied the outfits intently, her discerning eye piching out hervoilles. Politing her fingers decisively, she said, "I want that, that, and that one over there." Elena''s eyes widened. Horainoneist, she stood born on the spot, taken alsacichy ire''s confident choices. lte naised an eyebon, noticing het hesitation. "Are you okay, Elema!" Firma quickly smiled, regalising herposine. "Yes, I''m flur. Lapologize. It''s just that your confidence and elegance are inspiring. And your taste in clothing is impable." ire couldn''t help but chiclde softly. "Thank you, Elena. I appreciate your help. Are you new here?" Elettrodied willia mile on her face. "Yes, Lam. I''m a part time worker since I need the money in pay my college tuition." Holi, what are you studying in?" Elena beamed. "Lashion. I just love fashion, that''s why I chose to work here. Anyway, I''ll pack these for you right away. Feel free to sit down or look around while I ire nodded and decided to explore the stone further. As she wandered through the aisles, her eyes fell upon a stunning handbag disyed on a nearby shelf. She reached end to grab it, but just as her fingers brushed the leather, another hand reached for it at the same time. Startled, she turned to ser while had such impable taste, To her surprise, she fomed herself stating into the familiar face of someone she hadn''t expected to see. "You again?" The other wousinesimird. Chapter 103 Chapter 103 It''s declined "What are you doing here, ire? Lisa asked, her voice tinged with irritation. The moment their eyes met, Lisa''s expression shifted from surprise to annoyance. ire raised an eyebrow, maintaining herposure. "I''m here to shop, obviously. This is a boutique, after all." Lisa looked embarrassed for a moment before quickly ting the topic. "Have you read the gossip newstely?" she asked, trying to soundcl ire, who wasn''t one for gossip, raised her brows again. She had identally seen the news about Lisa and Alex but decided to y it cool. I don''t have time for that, Lisa. I''m a busy woman with work to do." Lisa rolled her eyes. "Just because you''re the CEO of Metacorex doesn''t mean have to treat you any differently," she said, her tone sharp ine chuckled lightly, unbothered by Lisa''s attitude. "Lisa, Thonestly don''t care how you think about me or how you act towards me. It doesn''s benefit me either may." Lisa''s cheeks reddened with anger, and she balled her hands into fists, "you always act like you''re above everyone else," she snapped. "But you''re not perfect, ire smiled calmly. "I''ve never imed to be perfect. I just focus on what matters to me and my work" She red at ire, the tension between them palpable. ire then noticed the bag she had seencaster and reached for it, but Lisa grabbed it first, starting ire "This is mine." Lisa hissed, clutching the hac possessively. ire crossed her arms over her chest, a smirk ying on her lips. Sure, you can have it. But can you even afford it? Her words wereced with a mocking tone. Lisa''s face turned an even deeper shade of red, "I can buy everything in this store she dered a little too loudly, her voice echoing in the high-end boutique.N?velDrama.Org content. ire raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Well, okay. I''d like to see you buy everything then." For a moment, Lia''s arrogance wavered. She hadn''t expected ire to call her bluff. She felt a pang of nervousness, but then she remembered she still had Alec''s. credit card. Her nervous expression was quickly reced with one of arrogance. She squared her shoulders and, without breaking eye contact with ire, turned to the store st I want to buy the limited-edition outfit, and the most expensive bags and essories here," she demanded. The staff members exchanged unsure nces, their eyes widening. They hesitated, not certain if Lisa''s request was serious- Noticing their inaction, Lisa tumed to them with an imperious re. "Come on, move it!" she barked, raising her tone. "Of course, ma''am. Right away," one of them replied, hurrying to gather the items. The staff scattered, hastily gathering the items Lisa had demanded. Lisa''s grew as she nced at ice, who remained calm and collected pest then, Elena returned, carrying the limited-edition outfit that ire had ordered. "It''s ready," she said, handing it to ire ire nodded and was about to pay when Lisa stepped in front of her "Let me just pay for you," Liss offered, hertone dripping with condescension. ire raised an eyebrow but then her lips curled into a smile "Really?" she asked, her voiceced with amusement. "Yes," Lisa replied confidently. "Money is not a problem for me." re nodded. "okay, as you wish." Liss strutted to the cashier with Elena and ire following behind. As they waited for Lisa''s order, the staff brought out all the items she had selected. The cashier began to total everything up. "The total would be 900,000.00, she announced. Lisa arrogantly pulled out her credit card and handed it to the cashier ire watched, a knowing smile ying on her lips: The cashier swiped the card and then hesitated. "I''m sorry, ma''am, but the card has been declined," she said, looking up at Lisa with an apologetic expression Lisa''s face flushed with embarrassment, "What? That''s impossible. Try it again." The cashier swiped the card again but got the same resalt "I''m afraid it''s still declined." The cashierplied, but the result was the same. Lisa''s face drained of color as she realized the gravity of the situation. "Do you have another card?" the cashier asked gently. ire stepped forward, her smirk growing. "Is there a problem, Lisa?" Lisa''s eyes Bashed with anger. "There must be some mistake. This card always works." ire chuckled softly. " looks like there''s an issue with your card. Should I go ahead and pay? This wasn''t supposed to be like this. Lisa thought to herself all her ns to show off to ire always seems to go down the drain. She hates it so much Lisa didn''t sary much as she stepped aside and let ire pay ire couldn''t help but checde at the tum of events. With a smirk, the stepped forward, reaching into her own purse. She pulled out a sleek ckcand and handled t to the cashier. "Here you go," she said smoothly The cashier''s eyes widened in surprise as she took the card. "Do you have a membership?" she asked, still slightly clustered. ire simply smiled and produced her VVIP membership card, the same one she had been approached about earlier be assal member. The cashies gaspeds recognition as she processed the payment without hesitation. Liva eyes wide as she sees those ban cards. The ckcard and the VIP card membership. It is always her dieto have those but why can she have it Her envious and palous feelings for ire grew as she despised her more than anything in the belle Chapter 104 Chapter 104 104 declined As the transaction waspleted, ire turned to the cashier. "I''d like to speak to the manager, please," she said calmly. The cashier''s panic was evident as she nodded quickly, "of course, ma''am. Right away," she replied, hurrying off to find the manager. In less than a minute, the manager appeared at ire''s side, his expression curious. "How can I help you, ma''am?" he asked politely, ready to address any issues. te tised him with a steady raze. "I wanted to bring something to your attention. I''m not satisfied with the service your employees are providing," she stated finnly, her voice carving a hint of disappointment. The manager''s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by ire''s assertion. "I''m sorry to hear that. Could you please tell me what specifically you''re unhappy with?" be inquired, his tone attentive. ire''s expression remained serious as she began to exin. "I find the attitude of your staff to be judgmental and unweing. One of them even went so far as to suggest i shop elsewhere," she tecounted, her disappointment evident in her voice. The manager''s face darkened with concem and anger upon heating ire''sint. "Tapologize for any inconvenience you''ve experienced, ma''am. That behavior ispletely uneptable, and assure you it will be addressed," he said firmly, determination in his tone. ire nodded, appreciating the manager''s response. "I appreciate that. I would like to know what actions will be taken to ensure this doesn''t happen again," she requested, het gaze steady. "If you don''t mind, I need tosow who treat you with such impoliteness?" he dered, his determination evident. use didn''t hesitate to point out the woman from earlier. "It was her," she said, her gaze unwavering Chapter 104 It''s him "It was her."N?velDrama.Org content. The woman''s eyes widened in shock at being called out ire didn''t stop there, though, "And it''s not just her. Others refused to assist don''t look arestain way," she continued, gesturing to bet out??L. The manager''s expression darkened as he took in ite''s words. "This behavior is not tolerated in our store," he said virmly, se as well, simply her ping over the staff ire then sumptised everyone by mentioning them. "But I have tomend Elena for her exceptional service. She was the only one willing to assist me," she said, nodding towards Elena, who looked both surprised and pleased at the unexpected praise. ire. I will address the issue immediately." he assumed bec The magen modded in acknowledgment. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, ire nodded gratefully. "I appreciate it. And I apologize for causing a ruckus," she said sincerely. The manager waved off her apology with a smile. "It''s not a problem. We value feedback from nutristomers, especially nor VIP members like yourself," he wid ire med to face Lisa. "I''ll be taking all of my shopping today, since I was the one who paid for it," she said calmly but firmly. Liu''s eyes widened in shock. She opened her mouth to argue bot found herself unable to form the words Then ire turned to Elena, the sales assistant who had been helping them. "I''ll take the outfit Lordered earlier. The rest is for you, Elena," ire said wannly Tina''s mouth fell open in surprise, and the other statt members looked equally astonished, ire handed Elena her business card. "Call me if you need anything I''ll send some of my people to help you bring all this shopping back to your home," Elena could hardly believe her ears. "Thank you so much, Ma''am. 1 don''t losow what to say ire ced her shades on and smiled. "There''s me more thing, Elena You don''t need to work here anymore, if you want, I can get you a job with a high-end brand as a designer, not just as a sales assistant. Elena was starstruck, her mind reeling from the unexpected turn of events. "Are you serious? This is like a dreame true," she stamineurd.. ite nodded. "I see talent in you. Elena. You deserve better opportunities." As Elena stood there, trying to process her sudden stroke of luck, ire moved closer to Lisa. She whispered softly, "I know the news about Alex, and you is take Lisa''s face tumed pale, but before she could respond, ire walked out of the boutique, leaving the staff in stunned silence... At the side section, a woman watched the scene unfold with growing curiosity. She knew Lisa didn''t like ire, just as much as she didn''t. She wondered what the real story was between ire and Lisa. Once outside, ire took a deep breath, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Then her phone rang as she handed the shopping bag to her driver ire answered it and it''s Matthew. "Hey, Matt What''s up? "Where are you?" Matthew said with a curiosityced in histore. "I was just finish shopping." said ire still with a smile on her face, "How did it go?" he asked. "Better than expected, ire replied, her smile unwavering: "Even though I met a familiar face, shit happened. Why are you calling?" En "I don''t into ruin your day, but you got to go to the office. I want to show you something." ire froused feeling curious y, I will be there soOM ire made her way to her office quickly after receiving Matthew''s call, curiosity gnawing at her. What could be so urgent The car ride sermed to stretch on forever as her mind raced with possibilities. When the car finally pulled up to the office, ire wasted no time stepping out and heading inside. She greeted Sandra with a quicknad before pushing open the door to her office. Matthew was already there, sitting at her desk, his expression serious. ire ced her bags on the couch and looked at him, cunosity evident on her face. "What''s wrong, Marthew?" she asked Matthew looked up from theputer screen and motioned for her toe closer "You need to see this, ire," he said. ire walked around the desk to wheir Matthew was sitt?ret. He had a video paused on the screen. "I''ve been reviewing the surveince footage all night," Matthewbegan, his voice tense. "talmost gave up, but then I found something suspicious.!! Matthew moved the cursor to the timestamp: Saturday, April gth "Look at this," he said, pressing y. The video showed Robert entering the office. "Saturday when no one should be bere since it''s the weekend. But Robert came to the office and essed theputer of one of the employees involved with Cortex 14" ire leaned in, her eyes narrowing as she watched the footage, "Pame it," she said suddenly, a frowns creasing her fourhead "Robert is the one who leaked the Information about Cortes 20in Wenus?" Matthew modded sedemily. "It seems But that''s got all teed to get into your office tou, but it was locked. So, he managed through sandra''s desk instead But how did he gain all that information? I meant know that he went to one desk to another, but all theplete the is in the sh" "Where the sh!" Matthew questioned looking serion. "The leader of the team has " Tuming around, Matthew fast forward the video where Robert rummaging the team desk "Is that his desk?" "Yes, it is." ire narrowed her eyes and saw Robert open the desk in which he took the sh ire let out a frustrated sigh. "Now, my questioned are all answer. "Don''t me this on yourself or your employee. Maybe he forgot to bring the fish with him or maybe he has the same thought as you. He trust thepany so "I don''t me him. I me myself for still giving Robert a chance." ire''s frown deepened. "Why would he do that? I though was loval to Metacortes He was so keen to take Metacortex from me, and yet he betrayed me. I don''t understand." Matthew sighed and reyed the footage. "Watch this part again. See how he''s looking around, making sure no one''s watching? That''s not the behaviorat someone with good intentions." ire watched closely, feeling a mix of anger and confusion *50, him barging in to my office was just a plot for him? So, I wouldn''t be suspicious of him out of all people? Not to mention he tned to steer the me to my employees. How could be be so diabolical?" Matthew paused the video again and looked at her. "What do you want to do now?" ire shook her head, trying to process the betrayal. "First of all, tam going to confront him, but I need more evidence. This surveince is not enough. If you Imow Robert, he is so good at steering his words." H Matthe nodded. "You are tight. What do you propose then?" Walking away from her desk, ire turned to the window stills loolding down at the scenery. "Tell Sandra to summon the team to my office. We need a strategic move to prove Robert is the one who leaked our information." Chapter 105 Chapter 105 Revtion "I would have never thought it will be you, Robert." ire said her lips cut into a cold smile that makes your skin crawl. Robert stood frozen as he stared at ire who was sitting on the chair. He was expecting someone else, not ire. "11-How? Why are you here?" Robert said baffled by the situation. He was supposed to meet Adrian to tell him about Cortex 2.0, but Robert did not expect to see ire let alone being in the meeting room hotel where Adrian and Robert had arranged to meet. "ire, you weren''t supposed to be here," Robert stammered, trying to regain hisposure. ire swung her legs over one another and leaned on her arm, her smile turning mocking. "Were you expecting someone else, Robert? Or should I say, were you expecting Adrian?" TH Robert''s eyes widened, and his month gaped open like a fish out of water He stammered, "How how did you know?" ire straightened her posture, her smile vanishing as a serious look took over. "I know everything, Robert. I know you were the one who leaked the information to Venus AMD." All the color drained from Robert''s face. He looked like he mightProperty belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. night faint, Three days ago ire had sat in her office, her expression stem as she faced her tearn "I''ve found the one who lealed the information to Venus," ire had said, her voice grave. The team gasped, exchanging worried nces "Who?" someone finally dared to ask ire''s face was dead serious as she continued, "I know you''re all curious, I won''t beat around the bush. It was Robert Robertson." Their eyes widened in disbelief, and one of them eximed, "You mean Robert Robertson, our former CEO?" ire nodded, watching the shockripple through the room. "Yes. Ilmow it''s hard to believe, but it''s true. And I need your help to get more proof." She had exined the n to them. "I want you to set up a fake business deal with Adrian Saint Laurent. Talk about it among yourselves, but make sure it seems like a secret. Just enough to pique Robert''s interest." "I''m sorry to interrupt, Ms. Peterson. But do you think it will work? What if the n fall out?" another employee said hesitantly as he doesn''t feel confident about This n. "I know Robert well enough to know this n will work wonders. I just need all of you to act naturally. Like none of you know anything about Robert. Do I make myself clear?"" They all nodded, and ire told them more about the details. Over the next two days, they attended meetings and whispered among themselves about the supposed deal with Adrian. Robert, always looking to stay one step ahead, overheard their conversations and decided to act He doesn''t want to stop op just now especially after his win in sabotaging ire''s project with tip. Robert n to bring ire''s inconsistent to the shareholders and he wish ire position to be taken away from her and Robert can finally have his position back The present... Robert was still reeling from the revtion. "I can''t believe you set me up," he said, his his voice barely above a whisper, "you brought this on yourself, Robert," ire sald coldly. "I gave you a chance to stay and work at Metacontes, and you betrayed me and thepany. You leaked our confidential information to Venus our rival business, and you thought you could get away with it?" Robert''s Lists clenched as he red at ire, his face red with anger. "I can''t wait any longer. ire!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the meeting room. "I don''t want to sit around doing work I hate. I deserve thispany, not you," ireughed loudly, the sound filled with disbelief and contempt. "I can''t believe you''re bringing this up again, Robert. How petty can you be?" she said, shaking her bead. "Perry? You''re calling me petty?" Robert fumed, his eyes narrowing "yes, Robert," ire replied, her voice calm but firm. "Metacortex belongs to me. I created it from scratch. You were just an investor, and let''s be honest, your investment wasn''t that significantpared to others. They aren''t power-hungry like you." Robert''s face twisted with rage. "I put my money into thispany, ire. I have a right to it "And you do! You have 25% of the shares. Isn''t that enough for you? And let me tell you when you tried to take control. Metacortex was trashed. You couldn''t create any new software, and thispany is all about technology and innovation." The door opened, and Adrian walked in, standing beside ire, who was sitting in her chair. "Is everything okay, ire?" Adrian asked, his presence adding to the tense atmosphere. gweight ire stood up; her gaze I eived menacingly on Robert "I''m not going to let you get away with this," she said coldly. "Thave proof of your betrayal, and you''re not going to walk away easily. Not to mention, I have powerful connections." Robert''s eyes darted between ire and Adrian, and he seemed to piece together something "You two know each other, don''t you?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. ire smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "It''s about time you figured it out." Robert''s face tell as for realized the dept hot hds predicament, "So, you really did set "No, Roheit," ire sand, cimding her amos. "This is business. You tried to undermine me and failed. Now you face the consequenzes" Adrian stepped forward, his expression serious. "oolest, It''s over. You need to step down and let ire lead thepany she built. Wou''ve done enough damage Hoben scoffed. "Who are you telling me what to do? This is between ire and and you are just a rich boy using grandpa''s money," Adian eyes zing with anger as itobeit said that. Before he did something he regretted it, ire stopped him and shook his head. "You know Hobest?" ire staffed as she walked slowly to him, "You and your wife are equally evil. I couldn''t believe it if one day your son finds his parents did. He must be feeling embarassed," Robert red at her as he gritted his teeth. "Don''t bring my son into this. Before he grow up, I make sure I have get rid of you." bout wher ne Laghel echoed through the meeting room as she found Roberts words funny, "Oh, Joubert you are so funny. You know I could be evil like your wife, but t those not to She stood ten feet away from him as she didn''t want to get closer to Robert in case he lunged or do something to ire. Hisbrows furrowed it Lincontusion as re hept mentioning his wife. "What are you talking about? Why are you keep bring up my wife?" "I thought your wife has told you. But I guess she decided to keep it a secret." She said innocently that ticks Robert off. He took a step forward but Adrian I fast as he pushed Robert back. ire didn''t flinched not even blink, as she was kind of expecting him to act impulsive "Okay, you want tow the truth? Your wite hire someone to kill me.'' Chapter 106 Chapter 106 New n Robert stoned home, fury and frustration etched into his features. He made his way to his study room, mming the door shut behind i In the darkness, his anger boiled over, and he swept the documents on his desk onto the floor in a fit of rage. He ran a hand through his hair, grunting angrily. He couldn''t believe that ire had caught him. He thought his n was foolproof, but it had gonepletely haywire. Robert paced the room, his mirel racing. He had been so close to ruining ire''s project, close to presenting a case to the stakeholders that could oust be from the CCD position, even though she held the majority of shares But now, with ire having uncovered his ns, he needed to devise anew strategy to being herdown. Her mocking smile haunted him, fueling his Trustration. He med himself for being so careless, for believing the rumors without verifying them He should have known that a woman like ire ist have a lot of connection despite her disappearance for three years. However, Robert did not expect ire to make acquaintance to the Saint Laurent family. A very powerful family in the business world. He is annoyed that ire outsmart him again. "You sneaky bitch!" Robert throw themp on the desk to the floor in anger The door to his study was open, and Gretta stepped inside, tuming the lights on. The moment the room was illuminated, she could feel the palpable anger radiating from Robert. His eyes were zing with fury, and before firetta could even ask what was wrong, he lunged at her. In an instant, he showed her against the wall with such force that the air was knocked out of her lungs. His eyes, red with rage, bored into hers. One of his hands was around her neck, the other pinning her shoulder to the wall, preventing her from wriggling free. Detta''s eyes widened in terror. She could barely breathe, let alone speak. "Did you hire someone to kill ire?" Robert demanded, his voice a low, dangerous growl. Gretta''s mind raced. How did he find out? It didn''t take long for her to plece it together, ire must have told him. "Answer me!" Robert''s voice was louder now, and his grip tightened on her nec, making it even harder for her to breathe. Gretta''s face turned red as she struggled to get air. She nodded her lead frantically, trying to give him an answer. Robert''s eyes shed with a mixture of fury and disgust as he finally released her. She copsed to the floor, gasping for breath, her hands flying to her neck to soothe the aching muscles. "Why?" Robert demanded, his voice still seething with anger Gretta looked up at him, her eyes filled with fear. "L. I didn''t have any choice," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. No choice?" Robert spat, "What does that even mean, Dretta? You tried to kill someone!" Gretta swallowed hard, her throat sore. "L... I was desperate. ire.....she was going to ruin everything! Robert squatted down to her level, histone deadly calm. "You ruined everything, Gretta." On herlees, Gretta sobbed, "I''m sorry, Robert, I''m so sorry."Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded for his forgiveness. Robert showed her away, causing her to fall backward. He stood up, towering over her. "Why did you do it, Gretta?" he demanded. Gretta remained silent, too terrified to speak the truth. She feared that revealing everything would only male him angrier. "I wanted to help you," she finally managed to say. "Someone needs to teach ire a lesson." Bobert chuckled coldly, the sound making Gretta''s skin crawl. "You''re lying, Gretta. I low why you did it, and you still have the audacity to lie to me?" Gretta stayed still, hoping that by not moving, she could avoid provoking him further. She was desperate to prevent any esction "you did it for the ne," Robert said, his voice dripping with disdain. "All of this, because of a stupid ne. And because of you, my n is rained." In Robert''s mind, he needed a target for his anger. Gretta was convenient, and he felt she needed to be taught a lesson. He leaned against his desk and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to calm himself. Gretta slowly stood up; her head bowed. "I''m sorry, Robert," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I did it impulsively because I couldn''t stand ire. She''s ruined our family." Robert sighed, his frustration palpable. "Gretta don''t do anything else. Let me handle ire." Gretta nodded, tears still streaming down her face. "Tinderstand," she said, and then she tumed and walked out of the study, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Robert stood still for a while, deep in thought. He needed a new n, and he needed it fast, in his mind, hepared the situation to a game of chess. Right now, he was a pawn. But to be the queen, be needed to get to the other side of the board. That''s what he intended to do. Gretta let out a loud scream once she is at her room. She couldn''t believe that ire told Robert about it, she promised her to not tell Robert about what she did, Gretta even begged ire which she never done before but at that moment, she will do anything to make ire keep her secret, but ire lied to her and now, Robert found out, Gretta bing anuous that she won''t be involve in any of his ns, "ire, you bite!" Gretta screech with much barred. She took her phone from the table and dialed her phone number, but she doesn''t answer. Getta listed her palms in anger and tossed her phone to the best Gotta starting in feel anxious, she couldn''t just sit still even though Robert told him to not do anything, but Gretta wanted her revenge. She wants b salle ja ke she did. She doesn''t desere in live polite, In the midst of her funnell, tiet?ten temember the woman lte met the other day at the store. She has a feeling that the woman doesn''t like, ire and vice whatstud wum...!II Takingr phone from the bed, she dialed a private investigator. "Hello, what cant help you will?" Makeit sat at his chair thinking about his next n Benedicto esecute this ncorectly in schich he can take over Metacontest he failed to, he would ruin Metarortex and burn it to the ground, Because no one Robert is bing more power lumenyihat he will do anything to get what he wants, with his site situation, he needs to keep eye on her to make sure she will not pull this stunt again. He couldn''t afford to lose because this is the onlyst ns he Togin name, trust was a luntary he couldn''t afford, not porn with his wife. puling hu vin to be alles, he asset in the seroid lines. Mathangt och talk, Robertmediately jump to the pont Is Spotteries actuel kick. "The a proposition for you." Chapter 107 Chapter 107 Business tripN?velDrama.Org content. ite sat in her office, he thoughts racing as she reyed the events of the day over and over in her mind. She had always known Robert to be a sly and conning person, but she never expected him to betray thepany. The realization that he was a traitor left her feeling both bewildered and betrayed. She couldn''t fathom why he would do such a thing it his goal was to take over His actions seemed senseless and illogical to her. Her frown deepened as she considered the possible motivation behind Robert''s actions. This was a serious issue, and ire knew she had to discuss it with Jack, her trusted advisor. She was deep in thought when her office door opened, and Matthew stepped inside, a lighthearted smile on his face. "ire, it''s already right, and you''re sull here?" Matthew joked, trying to lighten the mood. ire turned to him and managed a smile. "Yeah, I guess Llost track of time." b, his gaze fixed on ire. "How a are you Matthew could see the conflict in her eyes, especially after discovering that Robert was the traitor. He sat down on the coach, holding up?" he asked pently. ire sighed and stood up from her chair, moving to sit opposite Matthew. "I''m okay, just trying to make sense of everything." Matthew leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "You haven''t told me exactly what happened. What did Robert do?" ire took a deep breath. "Robert is the one who leaked the information to Verus. At first, he pretended he didn''t know what I was talking about, ying dumb, But the evidence was overwhelming, and he couldn''t deny it any longer." Matthew''s eyes widened in surprise. "He still ying dumb even after you caught him?" ire nodded. "Wow, I couldn''t believe it. So, what did you do next?" "shback ire stood in her office, her eyes locked on Robert. "Your wife hired someone to kill me, Robert," she said coldly. Robert''s face contorted with disbelief. "That''s ridiculous, ire. She would never do something like that," ire lips curl up to a smirk. "You don''t believe that your wife managed to do something like that?" Robert frowned in annoyance. "No! She wouldn''t do such thing." ""What if I tell y I you have the evidence and also a witness?" she raised her brows waiting for Robert to respond. Robert''s expression shifted from confusion to anger, and he tooka menacing step toward ire. "You''re lying!" "Why would I lie? What will I get for lying about this?" Before Robert could get any closer, Adrian stepped between them, pushing Robert back "Don''t you dare touch her," Adrian said firmly. ire took a deep breath, her voice steady as she continued. "What can I say? Your wite was desperate, just for a freaking necidace that does not belong to her to start with Maybe she got that trait from you." I told her it could ruin our family." Robert''s eyes widened indisbelief. "No, that can''t be true. I wamed her not to do anything that would harm you. I t "And yet, she still done it anyway."ire said, her voice filled with a mix of anger and pity. "She went behind your back to carry out the n. Next time, keep an eye on your wife." ire suddenly let out aughed which makes Robert confused in the midst of a senous conversation sheughed. "What''s so funny? * just remember something. That day, when confront your wife about it, she even begged me, got down on herces to not make me tell you about it. Robert hissed at her. "She wouldn''t dare to do such thing." ire face turned serious as she tell him. "Oh, she did. Remember when I offered you to join my table? And when asked you why you didn''t attend my birthday party, you said Gretta wasn''t feeling well and you were taking care of her. Truth is, that day was the day, 1 confront Guetta about it." She raised her brows at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Did you know about your wife sneaking out?" "And now I found out that you are the traitor of mypany just makes it more worst," Robert starting to feel nervous and audious wondering what ire might do next, *Present" After ire told Matthew about what had happened, he looked at her with concern etched on his face. "What are you going to do about Robert? You can''t just ignote what he did and let him get away with it." ire nodded, her expression serious," Imow, Matthew. I''m going to discuss it with Jack and see what he suggests. We need to handle this carefully." Just then, the door burst open, and Sandra walked in "ire, in two days there will be a business form in New York Every important businessman and business woman from all over the globe who is invited has to attend." Cller nked Sandra, who then left the room. Matthew tumed back to ise. Are you going to go to the forum? Chapter 107 Business to "Yes, I have to," ire said, her voice decisive. "It''s a critical event. But while I''m gone, I need you to take care of thepany. We can''t afford to have Robert do anything unexpected while I''m away,'' Matthew nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. 1. n. "Don''t worry, ire. I''ll keep a close eye on everything here. You can count on me. ire sighed in relief "Thank you, Matthew. I trust youpletely." H Alex sat in his penthouse, enjoying the serene ambiance as he sipped his tea. He was engrossed in thetest news on his tablet when his phone rang. Without looking away from the screen, he picked up the call "Hello?" Mr. Harms, it''s your secretary. I apologize for interrupting your time, but I called to remind you about the business forum in New York in two days." He had been co considering skipping the forum. The thought ofworking and endless discussions didn''t appeal to him at the moment. However, he knew his PREMEDICE WAS MAndatory since he was one of the event''s sponsors. "Alight, arrange my fight for tomorrow morning." Alex said. "Will do, sir," his sectary replied efficiently. The call ended, and Alex leaned back, contemting his next move. this phone ring again just as he was about to put it down. He nced at the screen and saw Lisa''s name. His expression hardened, and he let out a sigh, mup the call. He didn''t want to deal with her right now. Ales waited for some time and Lise stop calling him and idea popped in his mind as he dialed his best mate After the third ring, Christian answered "Hey, Alex What''s up?" ristian, you reing with me to New York," Alex stated bluntly, not giving Christian a chance to refuse When?" Christian sounded confused number ung Mysemetery will send you the details. Be ready." Ales said curtly before ending the call utetian stared. his phone, shaking his firad in disbelief. "Guess I have no choice." he muttered to himself before returning to his golf game Chapter 108 Chapter 108 Banish him Bee herlight ire made a stop at eat the bext day. She walked briskdy uongh the familiar hallway, her mind rating a with everything she needed to Arriving at Jack''s ultice, she knocked on the door "Come in," Jack''s soothing voice called out from inde Qui pished the door open and greeted pack with a wari smilli Jack looked up from his desk, his face lighting up as he saw ire. "ir, what a pleasant prices," he said, restoring to the court ire settled herself on the couch, and pack stood up from his chale, moving smile "are you here to ask for another favor?" he added jokingly. Con the couch across from her "What do we this pleasure to ireged lightly. "Not today, but maybe another time," she replied, then her tone bing serinos. "Factually came to tell you Jack''s calm espersion shifted to one of curiosity. "What is it, ire?" he asked, Irating in slightly mething important ire took a deep breath. "It''s about the coboration Metacostex was supposed to live with IP and the rice of corteran," she began. Jack nodded, listening intently. "Yes, I''ve heard about the project. It sounded promising " TH ire continued, "Well, that coboration is no longer happening. Mr. Rodriguez informed us that be wiped our project from another sours Jack''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "They''re partnering with Venus instead, right? Dread about it in the news. Calce nodded. She took a deep breath. "Yes, exactly. It turns not someone bom inside ourpany leaked the information to our mal Jack leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Who could it be?" he asked, his voice low and senous. "Robert Robertson," ire replied. Jack''s eyes widened, and the wrinkles on his face became more pronounced as he scrunched his face in disbelief. "Are you sure? This is serious matter, ire it true." he asked, struggling to process the information. ire nodded. "Everything is true, Jack Jacksbook fushead slowly, still in shock "I can hardly believe it. Why would Robert do that? hat he the one who wants Metacontra?" ire shrugged, her frustration evident. "I don''t understand it either. When I first came back, Robert was doing everything he could to keep his CEO position. Now. he''s given the information about Cortex 2.0 to our dive Jack''s confusion deepened. "Do you have any proof? This is a serious usation, ire" he asked, needing something concrete to grasp onto ire nodded again. "Don''t worry. I won''t used him without proot. All the evidence is in my office. If you want to see it, you can ask Matthew forit. Jackat back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he tried to make sense of the situation. "This is unbelievable. Robert has always been ambitious, but this-this is beyond anything I could have imagined." Jack raised an eyebrow, "You came here early, ire. Are you nning to go somewhere?" "I''m attending a business forum in New York," she replied. "While I am away, Matthew will be in charge Jack''s expression tumed serious. "The matter with Robert needs to be sorted out quicly, ire." agree," ire said, her voice resolute. "The stakeholders need to be informed about this situation" Jack nodded. "Absolutely, Once you are back from the forum, we should arrange a meeting right away. I will handle it." ire took a deep breath, contemting Jack''s suggestion. "ire, what do you expect from this meeting?" Jack asked, leaning forward slightly. ire was quiet for a moment, thinking deeply "want Robert to be banish from Metacortex," she said finally. "He needs to sell his shares. I don''t want anything to do with him again." Jack nodded thoughtfully. "That sounds like a solid n. We can''t let his actions undermine thepany any further." ire agreed, "Exactly. His presence here has been nothing but toxic." Jack leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "If you want to banished Robert, you need to make a strong case for why Robert''s departure is necessary for the future of Metacortex. mow. I will prepare everything Lisa sat on the edge of her bed in her mother''s house, her plone clutched tightly in her hand. She had beencalling Alex repeatedly, but every call went straight to voicemail Hermother, watching from the doorway, mlled her eyes in exasperation. "Lisa, you''re bring dramatic," her mother said, her voice tinged with annoyance List looked up, her brow fumowed in frustration. "Mam, I have to do this, I need to get alexback," she said, defending her actions. Hr mother crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow at her daughter. "This isn''t the way to do it," she said my "I keep calling and textingm, you''ll just look desperate. And trust me, men don''t like that." Lisa teosed, her auricly evident "but what am I supposed to do just sit here and wast? "Yes" depindler replied, modding "Il Alexurally cares about you, he''lle around chasing him will only push hums tuuther away." Tha sighed, ferling Irrlplei I just don''t understand why he''s ignoting me. What it he''saally done with tentuother malked over anot sat besiddet Comber shoulder. "Alex is ying foot in get, honey."This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Lisa scotted in disbelief as she tossed her phone on the table, "ying hand to get? What do you Haluk Lam? A card game Her mother, sensing her distress, walked over and sat beside her. "If you want to get Alexback, you needarstrategy," Lisa looked at her mother, her frowns deepening "Mom, your tricks didn''t work on Alex. They only hurt so I really cut my wrist," Her mother rolled her eyes "Oh, please, Lisa, 11 was just a scratch. You''re too dramatic" "It''s the same thing! Alex doesn''t ask about my well being anymore, Lisa said, her voice ce filled wi mywis with pain and untration Her mother tumed to face her squarely. "It Alexdoesn''t care about you, then why did he visit you and spend his time taking care of you, even if it was only for a day?" "Well, maybe he felt guilty, and be felt felt the need to take responsibility of my situation." Lisa argued.. Her mother rolled her eyes again feeling tired assuring her stubborn daughter, "Lisa, listen. He looked worried when I met him, and I know that he still care about you. Besides, he loves you and I loow for a fact a man who fall in love wouldn''t easily forget their loved ones." Lisa paused, her mother''s words starting to sinkin. "It n A didn''t work, we need to think of another n." Lisa raised her eyebrows skeptically. "Does this involve the media again? Because thest time you suggested that it didn''t go well. Alex didn''t care about the publicity. If he did, he would have asked someone to delete all the news online, But it''s still out there." Her mother smiled, a hint of a new idea forming. "No, I have a better idea. Chapter 109 Chapter 109 Buslovesa forums. Aute atsived in Met, she felt aware of u ware of unfamiliarity wash over het. This was het flot Huur in America, and everything seemed so different from what shi I! Ta, whom ire hailovite to keep her coquine, indeed her elbow and asked, "How are you feeling, le?" ire shipped, nylig to appear nonchnt. "I feel line, but everything, seminal bene san jose to the Talianwed and linked her sum thoughtbe''s "nviertjoy this shmit vacatkui, Calor," Calze chuckled softly. "It''s not a vacations, Ta. It''s work" Talia fedhet eyes yfully, "You and your work hist rx and enjoy your time here. It''s your stene in Na York, ifter all." Their driver amived, and they bothnded into the cat. Asther dinge thin long starets, ir couldn''t lielp but notice the business outside her People hunted along the sidewalks, taxis honked, and street vendors called out to passersby. "Maybe New York and London aren''t so different after all," tie When they and at the hotel, ire frowned as she recognized the hotel isune. in assist all the guests)Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. As she stepped out of the cat, awoman approached bet. "Hello, I''m Mia. Pas one of the staff for the business form, and my job is to a Cloded and inced herself. Tiir Petrasi Nire in meet you, Mia. Miasmiled warmly. "Wee, Ms. Peterson The Haris Hotel is one of our sponsors, all the guests ate standing, liere," te mattered under her breath, "No wonder." Maddo''s to notice. "Let me show you to your rooms." She led ire and Ta fuside and up to their suite: All the guests were amodated in the suite section, which had two roosach. Mia imlocked the door with arand and showed ire and Talia the room. "Thank you, Mia," te said as she epted the cand.. *If you need anything, don''t hesitate to contact me of any of the other stall," Mia sahl, smiling warmly, "Thank you again," ire replied, watching as Mia left the room ire took infer surroundings, noting the buxumous decor and the stunning view from the window, Talia, standing beside her, joked, "You can never steer too far from Harris, can you?" Maite rolled her eyes. "Very funny, Ta'' Talia walked into the room on the left, admiring the decor. "Wow, this ce is amazing. No wonder Haris Hotel side it into the top to best hotels in the world." she eximed, ning her fingers over the smooth surface of the dresser ire, trying not to think about Harris, sink into the plush couch. "Please, Ta, let''s not mention Alex''s time," she said, a hint of imitation in her voice. Talia popped her head our of the room, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I didn''t mention Alex," she replied with a smirk as she walked backinto the male area. "I only said Harris, and Harris could be thete Mr. Hanis." ire''s cheeks tumed red, she coughed awowardly and looked away, trying to defend herself. "It''s the same thing. When people mention Hamis, they mean Alex since he took over thepany." Talia''s amusement was evident as she stared at ire, her lips curling into a teasing smile, "Sure, suce," she said, hertone yful. ise sighed, feelingered by "Talia''s yful nature. "You know what I mean." She took a seat next to ire and smiled at her "Rx ire, Imour what you mean, and I was just tensing you'' H "I know. It''s just every time I heard someone mention Ales, it makes me annoyed." Her best friend raised her brows as the stared at ire. "ire, I didn''t mention Alex name. You were the one who said his name." Again, ire got caught in her own words. She opened her mouth to respond but no words came out. She then stood up from the couch. "You know what? I''m going to go freshen up. The flight is making me tited." Talia lips curl into a smirk as she tilt her bead staring at ire teasingly. "Sure, ire. Go ahead." The event will start in a few hours. Talia and ire are currently getting ready to look their best for the business forum. Talia was busy dilling through ire''s extensive wardrobe, trying to decide which dress ire should wear to steal the spotlight. "you need to make an impression, ire," Ta said, holding up a couple of options. "How about this one?" ire older eyes. "It''s just a business forum, Talia 1 don''t mally care abour making a fashion statement," Talia yfully red at her. "Oh,e on! It''s important who knows, you might meet acute, lust, and rich guy." ire rolled her eyes again. "I''m not going there to find a guy. I''m going there towork and discuss business, Besides 1 am funt and riche tand rich enough to be living Talia sighed dramatically. "Fine but let me at t beast pockout some something that makes you look stunning. You never know what might happen "Alright, you win. Choose whatever you like ir sighed and gave in. Talia''s face lit upay the continued her search. Finally, she pulled out a midnight blue sparkling strapless dress. It clung to the waist and flowed beautifully to the Thor. Chapter 109 Business forum "This one! It''s perfect," she dered. ire took the dress from Ta and headed to the bathroom to change. When she stepped out, Talia''s eyes lit up in astonishment. "Wow, ire! You look absolutely stunning! Just like a goddess!" Talia eximed. ire walked over to the full-length mirror and took a moment to examine herself. Talia wasn''t exaggerating. The makeup, the hairstyle, and now the dress, it all came together perfectly. She smiled at her reflection, feeling a surge of confidence. "okay, maybe you are right." She tamed to Talia smiling widely. "Thank you so much for helping me get ready," "What are friends are for." With a teasing grin, ire added, "You know, you could be a fashion stylist. You''re really good at this stuff." Talia''s cheeks reddened, and she smiled shyly, "I just love fashion, and I love helping you," she admitted. ire''s expression turned serious. "Talia, you should quit your job and follow your dreams. If you wait too long, you might regret it." Talia''s smile widened, though her eyes showed a hint of uncertainty. "I''ll think about it, ire. You always know how to inspire me." Then, with a burst of excitement, she added, "But now it''s my tum to get ready!" As Ta hurried off to change, ire picked up the invitation and read it. The event was being held at the Harris Hotel. She wondered if Alex would be there since his hotel, was the sponsor. Her thoughts were interrupted by Ta''s voice "ire, could you help me zip up my dress?" Talia called from the bathroom. "Of course!" ire replied, setting the invitation aside and heading to assist her friend. Talia stepped out, looling radiant in her own dress. ire helped her with the zipper and then stepped back to admire the transformation. "You look stunning, Ta," she said sincerely, "Thank you. We both look amazing."Talia replied with a grin. "Now, are you ready for tonight?" Chapter 110 hapter 110 Should I be scared? ire and Talia made their way towards the grand ballroom, the anticipation palpable in the air. As they approached, Calze couldn''t help but notice the guests outside, their eyes flickering towards them and murmurs rippling through the crowd. Ta leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you think they''re looking at us?" she asked, a hint of uncertainty in her tone ire nced at her friend, a reassuring smile on her lips. "They''re probably just admiring our dresses," she replied, her voice confident. Tachuckled, nodding in agreement. "You''re right. They do look fabulous," she said, adjusting the hem of her gown As they reached the entrance, ire handed her imitation to the staff, who ushered them inside with a polite nod. Stepping into the ballroom, ire felt the wright of expectation settle on hershoulders This was her first business forum in there years, and the pressure was immense. People from all over the world were attending, each one a titan in the business world. Talia noticed ire''s tension and ced aforting hand onber shoulder, shooting her a reassuring smile. "You''ve got this, ire," she said, her voice filled with confidence. "This is your yground, remember!" tce chuckled softly, grateful for Talia''s support, and together they moved deeper into the room, mingling with the other guests. All eyes were on them as they walked, whispers swirling around them, admiring the striking duo they made. As they mingled, ire''s elegant dress drew the attention of the women, who whispered amongst themselves, trying to guess the designer. ire couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride at the attention, knowing that her presence made an impact. A man in histe thirties approached ire, holding champagne ss in his hand, "I don''t believe we''ve met before," he said, his voice smooth and confident ire raised an eyebrow, deciding to y along with the charade rather than reveal her true identity. After all, where was the fan in that? She shed him a charming smile. "You''re right, I''m new here," she replied, hertone Light and yful. The man-sized ire up, his gaze Lingering a little too long forfort. He smirked, raiding a step closer, encroaching on ire''s personal space, Talia, standing beside her, shot him a look of disgust, but ire maintained herposure, forcing another smile. The man leaned in, his voice low and suggestive. "You''re too beautiful to be at this boring business event," he said, his words dripping with insincerity. "You should be having fun instead. Maybe we could have some fun together once this is over." ire couldn''t help but chuckle at his audacity, the attempt at flirting falling t. She took a step back, unable to hide her amusement. "Oh, really?" she replied, her toneced with sarcasm The man nodded eagerly, clearly pleased with himself. "Absolutely," he said, oblivious to ire''sck of interest. "You should fix your behavior," ire said firmly, her eyes lodding with his. "It''s embarrassing, especially at an event like i this.* The man''s face reddened with embarrassment, but instead of taking her words to heart, he bristled with indignation "You should watch your mouth," he retorted, his toneced with hostility. "You don''t know who you''re talking to." ire rolled her eyes, a hint of mockery in her voice. "Oooh, I''m scared," she replied sarcastically, only serving to further Irritate him. Before he could respond, a voice called out ire''s name, and she turned to see Adrian Saint Laurent making his way towards her with a smile on his face. Relief washed over her as she greeted him warmly "Adrian, It''s so good to see you again," ire said, the tension dissipating in his presence Adrian retumed the sentiment, his smile widening. "Likewise, ire. I was hoping I''d run into you here." The man who had been attempting to dirt with ire looked contused, his gaze stufting between them. Adrian''s expression turned cold as he noticed the man''s presence, his demeanor bing ley "Excuse me, could you move?" Adrian said sharply, his tone booking no argument. The man smirked, crossing his arms defiantly. "Why should 1 Thisdy is just ady escort and if you''re so eager to see, maybe we could share her." "You should watch your mouth. Adrian red at him-Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. ire felt her blood boil at the man''s disrespectfulment, but she knew better than to let it escte. She ced a restraining hand on Adrian''s amn, shaling her head subtly to deter him from taking action "It''s not worth it, Adrian," ire whispered, her voice calm but firm Adriamclenched his jaw, clearly struggling to contain his anger. He shot onest re at the man before turning his attention back to ire, silently seething Meanwhile, ire turned her gaze back to the man, her expression steely, "You need to fix your behavior and leam not to mess with me," she said, her voice dripping with authority. The man scoffed arrogantly, refusing to back down, "And what are you going to do? Tell you your parents?" re smirked, her confidence unwavering. "No, but I know someone far more powerful." Confusion flickered across his face for a moment before ne shifted her gaze to the man standing behind him. with anod of recognition, she greeted him. "Mr. Albrecht." The man tumed around, his expression brightening as he recognized ire. "Ah, re! It''s wonderful to see you," he eximed, stepping forward to get her ire wasted no time in addressing theser at hand. "Mr. Albercht, I''ve encountered a rather rade guest who has been verbally harassing me," she exined her Mr. Alburdt''s bow furrowed with concern. "Who is It? I''ll have him removed immediately. This business event is supposed to be professional," he said, his tone Care''s eyes shifted towards the man standing in front of her, prompting Mr. Albrecht to follow her gaze. His expression hardened as he caught sight of the offender. in Mr. Byron?" Mr. Albrecht asked, already knowing the answer. M Albrecht turned to Lace Mr. Byron, his demeanor stem. "You love no shame, You bo bother our important guest despite the fact that you already have a wife Mr. Byron''s fare contacted with indignation. "Who is she anyway?" he demanded. Mr. Albrecht shook his head Indisbelief."This is ire Peterson, the CEO, and the mastermind behind Metacortex. ire couldn''t help but smile proudly at the recognition, her chest swelling with pride, Mr. Byron''s eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening and closing oundlessly he triggled to form a response Before he could muster any words, Mr. Aber insted to the guards, his gesture film and decisive "Escort MB out of the event," hemanded, bis voice brooking no argument, at the security guards approached, Mr. Byron began to protest, lus voice rising in indignation. But the other guests had already taken notice of the scene, their mennus growing louder an they watched the unfolding drama. "You can do this to me! I''m one of you people Mr. Byron screamed as the cards I him out of the ballroom The whispers wondering what happened, but one can only guess. Chapter 111 Chapter 111 Athank you would suffke "I''m sorry for the difort, ire. Please understand that I invited you here because I genuinely appreciate you and your business." Mr. Albercht addressed ire wilbatene el apology e the situation" ire nodded graciously, her smile unwrting despite the disruption. Thank you, Mr. Albrecht. I appreciate your swift action in handling Mr. Albrecht nodded in acknowledgment, "We''ll have to catch up againter," he said before turning to Adrian, giving him a nod of cognition Adrian stepped closer to ire, his brows furrowed in curiosity, "I didn''t realize your knew Mr. Albrecht," he remarked, his voice tinged with surprise. ire chuckled softly, a hint of pride in her tone. "I made to read the Invitation letter thoroughly," she replied. "I mentioned Mr. Albrecht as the host of the Meanwhile, Alex attived at the grand ballroom with Christian, the soft glow of chandeliers casting a warm light over the elegantly dressed attendees The event was buzzing with conversations andughter, a perfect ce forworking and forging new businessconnections. Usually, Alextlived in such emiraments, but tonight he seemed ell Christen, always observant, raised an eyebrow and nudged Alex gently. "Hey, what''s up with you? You''re not your usual self. This is your serne, man You love these events. Alex turned to him, a forced on his face. "I''m fine, just fired from work," he replied, but Christi "this still about Lisa?" Christian asked, cutting through the facade. knew better. The He was as thin as the air between them. Alex sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, she''s been calling in nonstop. It''s exhausting, Christian. She even rests me all the time. I had to block her number. I don''t want to deal with her anymore. Christian patted Ales''s back reassuringly. "Forget Lisa. Think about the pursent. You''re in your element here, Alex. This is your zone. Alex chuckled lightly, the tension easing a bit, "You''re right, I shouldn''t let her get to me. I don''t need to think about her if I don''t want to "early," Christian said with a smile. "Now, let''s get in thece and make some connection You never know who you might ment." Alex took a deep breath. "Time to connect with some important people in the business world."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Christian nodded, giving Alexa reassuring smile. "You''ve got this, Alex post be yourself and make those connections." a mix of English and As Alex stood in the bustling room, a man in his fifties approached him. The man''s ent was unmistakably French, and his English was a mix Tech that left Alex a bit confused. "Bonjour, monsieur. Good evening. I am Louis Fran?ois," the man said, his sentences blending the tannguages. Ales nodded, trying to keep up with the conversation "Nice to meet you, Mr. Frances I''m Alexander Harshe replied, hoping his smile would maskhas "Of course. I heard a lot about you." Mr. Francois continued, but his English quickly gave way to rapid French Alex''s smile faltered, his brow furrowing as he tried to understand. "Je voudrais discuter de possibilit de coborer sur un projet," Mr. Fran?ois (I would like to discuss the possibility of coborating on a project] A confusion etched on his face as he doesn''t understand thenguage. "1-" Alex nced at Christian hoping that maybe he understand French but Christian shrugged looking confused as well. Before the situation could get more award, ire appeared beside Alex, her presence graceful and confident She smiled at Mr. Fran?ois and began speaking tently in French. "Bonour, Moeur. Je m''appelle ire. Comment allez-vous ce soir?" (Hello, sic. My name is ire. How are you tonight?). Mr. Fran?ois''s face lit up with relief. "Ah, bonsoir, ire! Je vais bien, merci. Et vous?" (Ah, good evening, ire! I''m doing well, thanks. And you?). ire nodded, continuing the conversation effortlessly. Alex turned to her with a look of surprise, mixed with a bit of frustration. As far as he loew, ise had never spoken French, not even when they were married. So, this news found information confused him As Mr. Fran?ois spoke, ire tranted his words for Alex, who nodded in understanding "Alex''s team will contact you soon regarding the coboration, "ire ryed in English, her tone professional Mr. Fran?ois tumed to ire with a smile, impressed by her linguistic ability. "Votre fran?ais est incroyable, mademoiselle," heplimented. (Your French is incredible, miss). "If your business is in the culinary area, I would not hesitate to do business with you." ire chuckled lightly, grateful for the praise "Merci, Monsieur Fran?ois," (Thank you, Mr. Fran?ois), she replied graciously. ire turned to Alex, her brows raised in an arogant manner, a silent challenge in her eyes. "A simple thanks would sutte," she said, her tone dripping with Alex frowned, the tension between them palpabile. He opened his mouth to respond, but Christian, sensing the need to deuse the somation, interjected "Let''s shift the topic, shall we?" Christian said, pping his hands together. "ire, I must say, your French is amazing. When did you leam to speak it?" ire''s imitation with Alex momentarily forgotten, she turned to Christian with a smile. "I''ve been speaking French since I was a kid," she replied, het light Alex, as crossed over his chest, couldn''t help but interject, his tone mocking, "Yet you never spoke thenguage when we were married" ir''s head snapped back to Alex, het town deepening. She scoffed in aggravation, her patience wearing thin "At?rast Funderstand the Laequage, Ales," she retarted, lies Laced with sarcasm "Unlike some people, so I don''t look like an idiot." Alex''s how deepened at ire''s sharp sounds, his mentation esident. The two of them locked eyes, the tension between them thickening with each passing Chapter 111 A thank you wordd suffice moment as they exchanged silent tes. Christian, sensing the escting conflict, nervously interjected, "Um, I''ll be at the bat," before quickly malding, his exit, not wanting to becau ire let out a chuckle, a hint of self-deprecation in her tone as she muttered, "Why did I even bother to help you in the first ce?" Alex''s response was sharp,ced with sarcasm. "Maybe you wanted attention," he shot back, his words dripping with disdain. ire narrowed her eyes at him, her patience wearing, thin. "You need to fix your behavior, Alex. And maybe learn a newnguage while you''r smirk betraying her irritation. She turned to leave, but Alex''s next question stopped her in her tracks. "Why did you bother to help me?" he asked, his voice quieter row,ce curiosity. ire paused; her expression guarded as she turned to face him once more. She searched for a response, but the truth was elusive, evento her Finally, she spoke, her tone tinged with sarcasm. "Maybe I hit my head somewhere. I can''t seem to understand why I helped you either." Alex rolled his eyes, exasperated by her flippant remark "Can''t you just give me a straight answer?" he grumbled. ire tilted her head slightly, her gaze unwavering. "When ites to you, Alex, I doubt you''d understand something simple," she retorted Chapter 112 Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 112 Frank Porter "What does that mean he uttered to himself, with a lonk of confusion etched on his face by ire''s cryptic response. "Does she always speak in muserade?? Alex decided to find Christian at the bar as he tumed to the opposite direction, he was being met with his past thing, or maybe evengltend, cinly closing h his eyes briefly, Alexcused himself for not prolonging the conversation with ire. He knew dealing with clody perpased for Cindy stood in front of Alex smiling ear to ear seeing the sight of Alex. Forcing a polite smile, he greeted her "Hello, Cindy. It''s been a while." dullence he wasn''t quite A seductive smile ying on her lips as she raised her eyebrows suggestively. "Well, well, well, look who II IS," she pined. "It''s been too long since I''ve seenyn, Alex" Alex, though polite, couldn''t hide the slight edge to his tone as he replied, "Yes, it has been a while. Cindy took another step closer, her movements oozing with station. "Theard about what happened to you," she said, her mice dripping with Lans sympathy. Including the wedding that failed." Alex''s lips tightened slightly, his difort evident. "Some things happen," he replied.cantly, trying to keep hisalistare, Undetected, Cindy reached out and touched Alex''s arm, leaning in closer. Alex could feel her pressing herself against him, and be tally sighed. *Cindy, I really need to go," he said, trying to extricate himself from her grasp. But Cindy, wer pecsistent, refused to let him go. She shed himacy smile and batted her eyshes "Oh, but Alex, I can help you," she said sweetly. "I''ll introduce you to all the businessmen and women. Think of it as my way of making it up to you." Alex couldn''t help but wonder how he had ever gotten awolved with Cindy. In his defense, their "rtionship" had been nothing moue than a one-night had only pursued her because she was the daughter of his hotel tal, and he had hoped to use her to intorce her father''s business decisions, hot I all been for nothing. The brand he had been eyeing for hadn''t lived up in his expectations, and now he was left dealing with Cindy''s unwanted abotines. The one sine race was that Cindy lived in New York, while Alex resided in London. The geographical distance had allowed him to easily cut ties and move on from the situation Cindy noticed Alex''s gaze at her and smirked, trasing him. "Stop staring, Alex. You low I''m pretty," she said, her tour ytul Alex rolled his eyes, refusing to engage with her. He walked ahead, leaving Cindly to follow belled him, a slight frown stered her features. As they approached the bar, Alex spotted Christian seated there, his usual smile Tading when he saw who was apanying Alex. Christian''s expression soured. "No shit." He cursed lowly under his breath as he did not expect to see Chudy again Alex ordered a whiskey neat, ignoring Cindy''s continued presence beside him she, however, seemed untared and turned to Christianwith a grin. "it''s been a while since I saw you, Christian," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness, Christian forced a mile, though it didn''t quite reach his eyes. "yeah, too long," he replied, his toneced with sarcasm, His eyes dating back to Alex with a frown Alex caught Christian''s gaze and rolled his eyes, downing the alcohol in one go. He then tumed to Cindy, putting on a fake smile. "Sorry, Cindy, but I have somewhere to be. Christian here will entertain you," he said, his tone polite but insincer. Cindy''s smile faltered, and she pouted slightly. "Oh,e on, Alex. Don''t leave me here all alone. Will youe backter?" she pleaded, her voice tinged with disappointment. Alex simply nodded and quickly made his exit, leaving Christian feeling incredulous at being left alone with Cindy. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the inevitableversation Cindy took a seat on one of the stools beside Christian, her eyes fixed on him expectantly. "So, Christiam, what''s new with you?" she asked, her tone overly cheerful. Christian sighed inwardly. He didn''t particrly care for Cindy''spany, but he knew he coddn''t avoid her now. "oh, you low," he replied sarcastically, taking another sip of his drink "So much has happened." ire stood in front of Mrs. Ata, a prominent businesswoman from Italy who had made her mark in the fashion world. They were meaged in a lively- conversation about ire''s interests, "Do you have any interest in the fashion industry, ire?" Mrs. Ametia asked, her eyes culous. "Your taste in fashion is superb, and many people draw Inspiration from you" H Caite chuckled modestly, shaking her head, "Oh, that''s all thanks to Talu," she said, gestuming to hribest trend who was standing neaby. "She''s the one who dresses me and deserves-all the credit," Mrs ta tuned to Ta, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Ah, Talial I must say, Jam very impressed by your styling, you have a remarkable talent. Talia''s cheeks fined with embarassment, but she managed a grateful smile, "Thank you, Mrs Armutta. That means a loting from you." Mrs. Armetta turned backto ire, her interest piqued. "lie, would you mind if it bocow Talia for a hit? I would love to speak with her more about fashion." ire smiled wannly, nodding in agreement. "Of course, Mis. Ametta, It''s up to Ta." Mrs. Ata tumed to Tabia waiting for her response, however, Talia looked nervous. "Don''t worry, Ta You got this. This is your dream, tentember?" ire whispered to him. At that moment, Taliafeel like she wanted to get out of herfort zone. Talia nced at ire, amixture of excitement and nervousness rident inbet expassion, then she fanted to Mrs. Aume "151 be happy to talk with you more about fashion, Mes. Armetia," die said, lien verker thaped with anticipation. - Chapter 112 Frank Porter Looking delighted, Mrs. Ata pped her hand. "I was worried you would reject my otter." ire smiled warmly at her then turned to Mis. Armetta. "Non resterai delusa," she assured her. (You won''t be disappointed).Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Mrs. Ata chuckled, her tone teasing "Sar io a giudicare," she replied in Italian, her eyes twinkling with amusement. (I''ll be the judge). Mrs. Armetta beared, delighted by Talia''s eptance. "Now, Talia, Shall we find somewhere more private to chat?* ire watched as Talia and Mrs. Armetta moved to a quieterer of the room, their conversation quickly bing animated. She couldn''t help but feel a surge of pride for her friend, knowing how much Talia loved fashion and how talented she was in her own right. Talia had always dreamed of working in the fashion industry, but her parents had been reluctant to support her ambitions. As ire basked in the joy of Talia''s newfound opportunity, she was approached by an unexpected figure. A smirk yed across his lips as he greeted her "ire, how did you enjoy the event?" he asked smoothly. ire turned to face him, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "Frank Porter," she said, her voice tinged with disbelirt Chapter 113 Chapter 13 Rivals ire greeted Frank Porter with a polite smile, though inwardly she bristled at the sight of her business rival. Aschool Ver AMD, Frankexuded confidence, but ire his acties all too well. Despite her dislike for him, she maintained a professional demeanor. Hit''s been a while, ire," Frank remarked, his tone casual ver calcted. re returned the smile, herexpressionserne. "Indeed, it has, Frank Time flies, doesn''t it?" Frankcaseyebrow, curiosity evident in his gaze. "I must admit, I was surprised to see you reappear after three years of absence. Where did you disappear lo?" ir took a sip of herchampagne, her eyes tied on Frank''s. She had a way of making people ufortable with her gaze, and Frank was no exception. He shifted ufortably and cleared his throat, avoiding her direct state, "I needed some time off," ire replied evenly, her voice betraying nothing. "Why? Miss me? Frankie mockingly "oh, very much so I miss our rivalry, but it seems like our rivalries are probablye to an end." she sunched her brows wondering what he meas by that. "What do you mean?a Frank chuckled, though there was a mocking edge to histone. "Well, ire, if it wasn''t for your little hans, perhaps Venus wouldn''t have had the chance to rise to is current level." ire raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by Frank''s sarcasm. "Venus may have made strides, but it will never reach the same level as Metacotes. You do know every people in this earth are using Metacortexpared to Venus, right?" "And that will soon be changed. Frank''s smick widened, his arrogance on full disy "hit you low, ire, you underestimate the power of Venus. We havee a long way from being mere rivals Soon, we''ll surpass Metacotex and im our rightful position at the top of the tech industry." A wry smile ying on ire lips as he spoke. His words, however, only seemed to deepen his from. "What''s so funny?" he asked, his tone curt. ire''s chuckle persisted as she replied, "Oh, nothing. You just said something amusing about Venus taking over Metarottex''s ce." Frank''s frown deepened at her response. He didn''t like being underestimated, especially by someone like ire. "Don''t underestimate Venus," be retorted, his voice tinged with arogance. "They''re partnering with HP, after all. How does it feel to be betrayed by your own. ire met his gaze calmly, though she felt the urge to re at him. Instead, she kept herposure and replied, "I don''t need HP to defeat Venus. And at least I''m not stealing someone else''s idea." Franughed dismissively. "I don''t care where the opportunity came from, Robert came to me openly, offering his coboration. I saw a chance, and I took it." ire''s brows faroused in disbelier. She hadn''t expected that response from Frank So, you''re just going to throw ethics out the window?" she asked, her voice tinged with incredulity. Frank shrugged, his expression unapologetic. "Business is business, ire. You know that as well as anyone." "You realize you are stealing my ideas, right?" she said, her voiceced with frustration. Frank chuckled, unfazed by her usation. "Stealing? Me? Your people willingly shared them with me."! ire''s grip tightened on her champagne ss, the delicate crystal threatening to shatter in her hand, "I could sue you for this," she threatened, her voice trembling with anger. Frankughed again, a cold, mocking sound. "Go ahead, ire. But good luck proving that I stole anything. Besides, I released the software first. If anyone''s guilty of stealing ideas, it''s you. Desperate to bring Metacortexback to tame,bub? "Same old, Venus, huh? Couldn''t keep things original. Tell me Frank, does yourpany run out of creative people? Cause it seems like you always failed to create Frank throw ire a red as she said that. "Be careful on what you are talking, ire." ire smirked, "I''m just telling the truth. Remember that back then you tried to copy my ideas even when as already releasing and two monthster you did the same thing? "Yes, I remember but as I said that was the past and now, Vanus are more capable to create, and I am positive that mypany could take over your spot. A little note that you should be careful who you trust, ire," ire gritted herteeth, struggling to maintain herposure in the face of Frank''s arrogance, "You will regret this, Frank," she warned, her voice low and dangerous "We will see about that, Frank replied with a smirk, his tone dripping with confidence Meanwhile, across the room, Alex watched ire with a concerned frown. He could tell from the set of her pow and the fire in her eyes that the conversation with the man known as Frank, was not going well. He knew that look all too well, it was the same one she wore whenever she encountered something she didn''t lr, including sering Alex Alex sat across from his grandfather''s acquaintance, but his mind was elsewhere. He struggled to focus on the conversation, has thoughts consumed by ire and the mysterious man she had been talking to earlier. Despite his efforts to engage, his responses were automatic, his smile and nods masking his distracted state After a few moments, Alex impulsively intermpted the conversation. "I''m sorry, I just remembered I need to speak with a friend. I''ll be right back," he said, from his sat before the man could respond. The man modded understandingly. "Of course, we can pickup where we left offter," he replied, watching as Alex hurried away Making, his way through the crowded room, Alex scanned the area until he spotted e, with a seuse of urgency, he approached het, cutting through hereration with another arquaintance. "There you are, ire! I have been looking for you," Alex said, his tone a mixture of tellet and determination ise tumed to him, het expression a blend of confusion and surprise, she opened her month to respond, but Alexshot her a quick nce, silently mugling her to y along. ire stood beside Alex, herexpression a misture of confusion and imitation, She nced at lidi, silently miging him to exin, but Alex Ignore her as he looford towards the man in front of ir. ire couldn''t fathom what Alex was up to The man standing before them extended his hand towards Alex. "I''m Frank Porter, CHout Venus AMD," he introduced lilimself, his tone confident.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Alex shook his hand firmly. "Nice to meet you, Frank," he replied smoothly, his demeanor calin and conqussed. Frank turned his attention to lie, his expression slightly puzzled. "Do you guys know each other?" he inquires, his gaze shifting between ite and Alex. Before ire could respond, Alex jumped in "ite and 1 are business partners," he said, his tone casual but fimm. ire''s eyes widened slightly in surprise as she tumed to Alex, a mixture of disbelief and annoyance coussing her features. They hadn''t discussed revealing their partnership to anyone yet let alone to a man like Frank, ire shot Alex a ne, silently reprimanding him for his sudden announcement Chapter 114 Chapter 114 How noble Frank repeated his words, histone incredulous. "Excuse me, business partner? Did I hear that wrong?" Alex smiled confidently. "You heard correctly, Frank Harris Hotel will be working with Metacortex on their new project." II Frank frowned, sill unable to mask his disbeliet. "I find that hard to believe." Before the conversation could escte further, ire intervened. "It''s nice to see you again, Frank," she said, cing her champagne ss on a nearby table. She then grabbed Alex''s hand and quickly led him out of the ballroom to a quieter, empty spot in the hallway Once they were aloe, ire didn''t bother hiding her annoyance. She crossed her arms over her chest and red at Alex. "What was that about?" she demanded. Alexised his eyebrows, a mocking smile ying on his lips. "A thank you would suffice, considering what you said to me earlier."! ire, still frowning, asked, "Why did you tell Frank about us working together?" Alex shoved both hands into his pockets and replied, "Isn''t he your business rival?" so?" ire responded, imitation clear in her voice. "was only helping you," Alex said. "I noticed your expression wasn''t exactly pleasant when he approached." "I don''t need your help," ice shat back. "I can handle it on my own" Alex scored sarcastically. "Funny, I said the same thing earlier and yet you still smock your nose into my business ire''s eves namowed. "I did it because I''ll be working with Harris Company, and you need to maintain your reputation. Not understanding Trench could have made headlines, so I basically saved you from humition" Alex chuckled dryly. "So, you did it out of self-interest? How noble." ire crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin. "Think what you want, Alex. But telling Frank was unnecessary and reckless. It could jeopardize our project. Alex frowned confused by what ire stated. "How am 1 jeopardizing? In some sense, I was practically saying that to make him worry. I low about Venus and Hp working together. I was confused that Hp chose them rather than you." ire was sent for a second. She didn''t actually tell Alex the real reason of ire wanting this coboration. She wasn''t sure if ire tell the truth Alex would help her and if she is being honest, she wouldn''t help Alex either if Alexis in re position. She doesn''t know how to respond as she heaved a sighed. Alex frowned in annoyance, his eyes narrowing. "You didn''t tell me how you learn French, ire? You never spoke thenguage back then," he demanded, his voice edged with suspicion uerited her head slightly, a sick ying on her lips. "There are a lot of things you don''t know about me, Alex and I don''t need to tell y hertone dripping with mystery. I you anything." she said, orest, neither willing to back down. The tension between them was palpable, a mixture of unresolved teelings and They stood there, locked in a silent staring ou unspoken words, Suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence. "Alex?" It was Cindy, calling out from nearby. "Shat," Alexcursed under his breath, panir shing across his face fustinctively, he grabbed ire and pressed her against the wall, trying to hide them both from Cindy''s new. "What are you doing?"ir hissed whispering Their bodies were so close together that ire''s eyes widened in surpose. She was about to protest, but Alex quickly covered her mouth with his band, lus eyes dating around nervously shh," he whispered urgently.N?velDrama.Org content. ire''s heart pounded in her chest, a mix of confusion and aspected thrill. She could feel Alex''s breath on her face, his body heat radiating against her. She red at him, her eyes questioning his sudden move ire couldn''t understand what was happening, so she stayed quiet, her heart still pounding in her chest, She felt ufortable with the proximity, she cleared her throat coussing her fingers for it to be over SDOM. "Okay, the coast is clear" He slowly removed his hand from her meth and turned to face her, but his anger quickly dissipated as he became entranced by her beauty. ine''s face was mere inches from his, and he could see every detail of her features. ire definitely look different. She wasn''t the ire Alex once knew. There is this determined and cold look on her eyes which he never saw it before in their This was the first time they had been this close since their divorce, and the intensity of the moment struck him... ire didn''t hesitate. She pushed Alex away with all her strength, then began to dust off her dress, ring at know that this can count as havent? the bell is wrong with you, Alex? Do you Alex took a step back, raising his hands defensively. "ire, I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to make you ufortable. There was someone nearby, and I didn''t want us to be seen" ir raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over her face. "Who are you luding from? Alex hesitated, clearly reluctant to answer. But he realized he owed her an exnation to clear up the misunderstanding. "I was hiding from Cindy," he admitted reluctantly, Chapter 114 Hin ha "Cindy?" ire repeated, bet irritation not yet abating "Cindy who?" "Cindy Marshal."Alex said, looking mound nervously as if she might appear any second. ire''s eyes widened in suqrise, "Marshal? As in Jeff Marshal''s daughter? Your business rival? Isn''t she a model? Alex nodded, feeling a bit of relief that ire recognized the name. "Yeah, that''s the one and yes she is a model. I did not expect you to know about her." ire crossed her arms, her curiosity piqued despite her lingering imitation. "Of course, I know who she is. She''s quiet famous not because of her modelling skills but her dating lite. But why are you hiding from her?" Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It''splicated." ire''s voice dripped with sarcasm as she looked at Alex. "Oh, I know. So, from Lisa to a new woman immediately, huh? You sure move fast. I wonder how Lisa will react if she found out about this." "I don''t care about what she thinks. I don''t have anything to do with her anymore." ire raised her brows in amusement. "Oh, really? Then why did you visit her to the hospital?" Alex scrunched his brows, feeling the sting of her words. "It''s not what you think, ire," he started, but then he stopped mid-sentence. His expression hardened. "Why would I tell you this? Is not like you care about it. I don''t need to tell you everything." ire rolled her eyes, her annoyance palpable. "Funnily enough, I don''t care about it either, Alex. I really don''t," she retorted, her voice cool and dismissive. With that, she turned on her heel and started walking back to the ballroom As ire passed him, Alex caught a whiff of her citrus vani perfume. His eyes closed instinctively, drawn to the familiar scent. For a moment, he was lost in the memory it evoked. Then he snapped back to reality, his eyes opening as he let out a sigh. Shalding his head, he muttered to himself, "I''m out of my mind " Chapter 115 Chapter 115 Resemble a puzzle ire took a deep breath beter stepping barktide the ballroom. Heremotions were all over the ce. She hadn''t been there long, hot she alomady telt doained She had expected a calm and professional business event, but it harmed into a drama-filled evening. If the were honest with herself, she would admit the As she walked back into the room, she tried to regain herposure, foming a smile as she mingled with the guests. The elegant chandeliers cast a warm gline, and the wall music yed in the background, but none of it helped to the ber frazzled nenes. Suddenly, Talia appeared, berface alight with excitement ire recognized the look immediately but decided to y along. "What x pat visu so excited asked, trying to inject some enthusiasm into her v "ire, you won''t believe!" Taliaeximed, hereyes sparkling vited me to go to daly ire raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised, "Really? That''s amazing, Talia'' What for?" Talia looked excited, her eyes sparkling as she began to exin. "She needs a tashion stylist for herpany re''s face lit up with joy as she embraced Tali Talia! Congrattions! You deseneit." Talia beamed, returning the hug. "Thank you, ire. I couldn''t have done it without your encouragement. If it wasn''t for you prishing meracie gultthis offer " ir waved her hand dismissively. "I just did what any frendwould do." In the midst of their happiness, Talia noticed a flicker of something in ire''s pression Concermed, she asked, "ire, is something wrong? ire gave a small, tired smile. "No, there is nothing wrong. I''m just a bit tired from talling so much today." Talia looked at her friend intently, knowing there was more to it but deciding not to press furtherN?velDrama.Org content. Wright, but you know I''m here if you need to talk ire nodded appreciatively "I know, Talia Thankyou But right now, you should go and speak to Mr. Rosewood. He''s a fantastic designer and has his own clothing brand. You should definitely discuss dramatic fashion with him, it''s histone" "Talia''s eyes widened with excitement. "Really? I''ve always admired his work. Do you think he''d have time to time to talk to me? ireughed lightly. "Of course, he would. And with your solls and passion, I''m sure he''ll be very interested in what you have to say. Go on. Talis, this is your Talia raised her eyebrows. "You really want meli go? ire nodded, a yful smile on her face. "Very much." Talia chuckled. "Alright, if you need me, just call me. Or better yet, scream my name." Calceughed. "I will keep it in mind." As Talia walked away to find Mr. Rosewood, ss leaned against a nearby table. She picked up a ss of wine and drank it in one go past then, Adrian appeared besideber, grinning "Slow down," he said jongly. "You don''t want to get drunk that soon." "Trust me, it is very tempting right now," ire chuckled. "Are you done ''socializing'' Adriaughed. "I''ve had enough of small talk for evening. How about you?" ire sighed. "I could use a break from it, too. These events can be so exhausting. Adrianodded agreement. "They really can be. But you handled yourself well wit there. he asked, using air quotes. "Thanks," ire said, smiling "Sometimes I think I''ve had enough practice to win an Oscar." Adrianughed. "Twouldn''t be surprised. You handle the matter earlier with Mr. Byron professionally. Well, I handled a man like Byson in the past and I could wor Adrian shoved his hands into his pockets. "I''m here because my grandfather couldn''t attend." he said with a casual shrup. ire crossed her as over her chest, amamused smile ying on her lips. "How is it working with family?" she asked, genuinely Adrian chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "It''s not easy. There are a lot of expectations and sometimes conflicting ideas. But I''m leaning. After all, it''s sull business" ire tilted her head, intrigued. "And what about your club? How''s that going?! Adrian''s eyes twinkled with mischief. "Are you thinking abouting by?" he teased ireughed, shaking her bead. "I''m not much of a party girl. I go out asionally, but don''t really have time for Lately." Adrian''s expression tumed serious Lagainst the table next to ite "How are you holding up with the Robert situation he asked, con esadeni, in ire shrigged, hes demeanorcalm: "I''m handling it. Once this business farms over, I need to back London ASAP and deal with." Adrian loped a bit disappointed, "No time for a little touring in New York?" init, appreciating hivencem "Twist, but Maybe next time. or numelback to Adrian. "Thank you for all vont belp. If it wasn''t for you, I wouldn''t have caught onto Robert''s tricks." Chapter 115 Resemble a puzzle Adrian smiled warmly. "I''m happy to help. Robert had iting." ire nodded, grateful. "still, it means a lot to me. You''ve been a good friend." Adrian leaned against the nearby wall, his gaze softening "Anything for you, ire. But seriously, if you ever need a break, my club is always open for you. Even if It''s just to rx" by I''ll sumprise you." ireughed. "I''ll keep that in mind. Maybe one day Adrian grinned. "I look forward to it." From afar, Alex caught sight of ire talking with Adrian. His frown deepened. He tried to ignore it, telling himself it had nothing to do with him. Yet, his eyes kept wandering back to ire, and he couldn''t seem to focus on the conversation with the three gentlemen around him. One of the men, a tall fellow with graying hair, noticed Alex''s distraction and asked, "What do you think about ire Peterson, the CEO of Metacortex?" Alex seemed lost. "What?" he asked, blinking as if walding from a daydream. The three men exchanged amused nces, and the tall man repeated the question. "ire Peterson. What do you think about her?" Alex hesitated, his thoughts still on ire and Adrian. He took a sip of his wine and replied cryptically, "I don''t know." One of them find Alex answer amusing. "Come on, Alex. You must have some ideas. ire Peterson is not just a beautiful woman; she''s incredibly intelligent too, Any man who has her must be very lucky." The man with the blonde hair chuckled. "She''s quite a remarkable woman, isn''t she? Built Metacortex from the ground up. Quite impressive." Hearing ire''s name, Alex''s mind wandered. ire was once his wife, and he still had no clue why she had changed so much. She used to act sweet, innocent, and fragile, but now she was different. Why hadn''t she ever told him she was the CEO of Metacortex? Ande to think of it, Alex realized he neverw much about ire''s parents either. He frowned, deep in thought. For Alex, ire resembles a puzzle that must be put together, but first he must find the missing piece in order toplete the puzzle. Chapter 116 Chapter 116 They''re like ma Talia was beaming with happiness. She had just spoken with Mr. Rosewood, the famous designer, and he had given her his business card. This was beyond her wildest dreams No wonder iretten attended these kinds of events. It now made perfect seme tu Talia. As she made her way to the bar, she suddenly humped into something hand, a chest? She looked up, startled, and quickly apologized. "I''m so sorry I wasn''t looking where I was going." Cheistat frowned for a moment b thefore recognition dawned on his face. "Talia? Talia blinked a couple of times, then it sank in. "Wait, the wine pup?" she said, surprised to see him. - Lammending ralliertlun olleenive, "Yeah, that''s me," he chuckled. "Remember that day you spilled wine on my shirt? You were really Christian found her reaction am panicked about it." Talia tried to suppress her simile but couldn''t help it. "And you''re the guy who couldn''t keep hilseyes off me, she teased. Christian defended himself with a grin. "Well, you looked beautiful. And you still do tonight." Talia blushed, fucking a strand of hair behind her rar. "Thank you," she said softly. Christian smiled wannly. "You really do look sting tonight, Talia" She felt her cheeks heat up emmar. "Thanks again, Christian" He then looked a bit more serious. "You know, we never exchanged numbers, I think we should fix that," Taliaalsed her brows, pretending to y hard to get, "ch, should we now?" Christianughed. "Comeon, Talia, cive me a break here." She giggled and finally relented. "Alright, tine. Here," she said, talding out her phone After exchanging numbers with Christian, Talia suddenly realized the implication of his presence. Il Christian was here, it meant Alex was likely here too. Her eyes widened as her thoughts drifted to ire. Panic rose within her. Christian noticed he charge in expression. "Talia, what''s wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with caterm. Talia turned to him, trying to keep her voice steady. "is Alex attending this event too?" Christian nodded. "Yes, he is. He''s the main sponsor, so it only makes sense for him to be here. He paused, then added, "Why do you ask?" Talia hesitated for a moment before spealing. "ire is here too," she said, her worry evident. Christian raised his eyebrows, curious. "What''s the problem with Chire? Talia sighed, ncing around nervously. "Alex and ire don''t have a good rtionship. They can''t even stay chill towards each other. What if they identally bump into each other and start a fight?" "I don''t think they will start a fight, but I get what you mean." Christian considered her words, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "There are a lot of people here, Talin. It''s abig event. Ensure they''ll manage to avoid each other." Talia wasn''t convinced. "You don''t understand, Christian They have away of finding each other like magrets. "N?velDrama.Org content. H Christian tried to crassure her. "Look, even if they do run into each other, maybe they''ll keep it together for the sake of the event. They''re both professionals." Ta nodded, though her doubts lingered. "staybe you''re right. There are a lot of people here. It wouldn''t make sense for them to bump into each other." Despite Christian''s reassurances, Ta couldn''t shake off her amdety. She nced around the room, scamming the crowd for any sign of ire or Alex. The ballroom was filled with elegantly dressed guests, the atmosphere buzzing with conversation andughter. ire walked back into the ballroom after receiving a call fromtatthew. With the Robert situation hanging over her head, she was on high alert. As she moved deeper into the crowd, she identally bumped into none other than Alexander Harris. She sighed harshly, her frustration evident. "Why do I always bump into you?" she muttered, more to herself than to him. Alex frowned, staring at her with a mix of confusion and mild imitation. "It''s not my fault, ire. I was just standing here." ire rolled her eyes. "I know, I know. It''s not your fault." She paused, taking a deep barath topose herself. Her attention was distracted by her focus about the Robert situation. The rest seemed to fade into oblivion. She was about to excuse herself when she was unintentionally bumped into and lost her bnce. Alex was quick to react by grabbing her hand and keeping her bnce as she was about to fall. "Careful," Alex said, his grip firm but gentle. Nearby, Cindy watched the scene unfold. She had been searching for Alex and seeing him with another woman she didn''t find particrly attractive, was infuriating. Cindy frowned, her annoyance growing She didn''t like anyone tour hing what shedered hers. im owned and mumbled a small thanks before pulling her hands away and head to the other direction Alex watch her go with a frown but also aturance. He doesn''t know why he help her. He could have let het fall, but his reflex were too quick As ise bearing far away from Alex, Mr. Albercht greet ire. "ire, my dear. We didn''t get the chance to talk earlier." ne smiled at him "Yes, I wanted to thank you for what you did earlier." the waved his hard in dismissal. "Please do not apologize, ire. If anyone should apologize it should be BetonTINE VIRU. Chapter 116 They''re like mapets She chuckled lightly and nodded. "Of course, thank you, Mr. Albrecht," "Citrally d you came, ire. How''s business?" For an hour or so, ire discuss about business with Mr. Albreclit. He also d that ire finally came back cause Metacortex under Robert Robertson it doesn''t develop. ire can only chuckled since she has received and heard a lot of simrin about Robert, "Thope Metacortex will be forever under your leadership ire, am proud seeing young generation venturing into the business world while also creating something new." "Well, we young generation learn from the caller generation. They both shared aughed as they found it amusing- looked down at her wrist watched and decided to retire since she has talk with the important people, she decided to go and rest. As she was heading to the entrance, someone stond in front of her. Frowning, ire try to be politely but the woman in front of her doesn''t seems to like ire. For about a minute or so, ire realized that the won who stood in front of her is Cindy Marshal. The woman Alex mention earlier What a coincidence! Smiling politely, ire ask her "Excuse me, can help you?" Cindy with her fake smile appear to be nice, "Hi I''m really sorry stopping you like this. It''s just I saw your rtionship with him." you talking with Alex, and I couldn''t help but wonder what''s Feeling slightly weird that stranger ask ire about her private life doesn''t seem right to her. ire doesn''t really have a good feeling suddenly "I''m really, sorry but you are Cindy Marshal, am I right?" She nodded and said to her arrogantly. "Finally! I thought you wouldn''t recognize me. I was worried for a second. ire raised her brows and gaze at Cindy eyes. "Yeah, and if you are wondering I don''t have any rtionship with Alex" Chapter 117 Chapter 117 Perfect night Cindy found it hard to believe when ire told her she didn''t have any rtionship with him "Really, ire? You expect me to buy that?" she said, her arms crossed over her chest, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Alex was staring at you even when you walked away." Her tone was tinged with anger. ire frowned for a second before scoffing sarcastically. "Were you watching me, Cindy?"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Realizing she had slipped up, Cindy quickly uncrossed her anns and tried to recover. "No, I wasn''t watching you," she lied, her voice unconvincing ire smirked slightly. "You know, it wouldn''t look good if the media caught a model staring at someone else and used them of bring in a rtionship with her Cindy avoided ire''s gaze, but she still tried to look brave. "I don''t understand what you''re talking about." ire stepped closer, her eyes narrowing, "Oh, I think you do. You''re upset because you think Alex and I have something going on. But let me make it clear, we don''t re tilted her head slightly, looking Cindy up and down. "No wonder Alex likes you," she said, rolling her eyes. Cindy frowned. "What does that mean?" ire shook her head. "It''s nothing. If you don''t need anything from me, let me pass." Without waiting for a response, ire started to move past Cindy. But then Cindy called out, "ire, wait!" It took ire every ounce of patience to remain calm and polite. She tamed around, noticing Cindy standing there with a ss of wine in her hand. As if in slow motion, she saw Cindy pretending to slip. The wine flew out of the ss, sshing all over the front of ire''s dress ire''s eyes widened in shock "Oh my god!" she eximed. She looked down at the red wine staining the front of her dress. The deep red liquid seeped into the spackling midnight blue fabric, spreading quickly and turning the dress into a ruined purple mess. ire frowned, her mind racing with anger and disbelief. "Why did you do this, Cindy?" she asked, her voice tight with controlled tury. Cindy gasped, her face a masked feigned regret. "Chino, ire! I''m so sorry! I didn''t mean to ire out her off, her volor cold and controlled. "Save it, Cindy. We both know that wasn''t an ident." Cindy''s expression faltered for a moment before she recovered, her voice sweet but insincere. "I swear, ire, it was an ident. You believe me, don''t you?" But ire knew better. She saw through Cindy''s act, recognizing the same deceptive traits she''d seen in Lisa Cindy was just like Lisa, but with money and more polished maniption tactics, ire cured under her breath, frustrated that this was happening now, in front of so many people Looling around the table, ire spotted a napkin at the tarer. She reached over, grabbing it and trying to blot the stain on her dress. The fabric was expensive and delicate, and she knew the wine had ruined it beyond repair. Cindy leaned closer, still ying her role. "ire, let me help you with that," she offered, extending her hand. ire recoiled slightly, not wanting Cindy''s take correm anywhere near her. "No, I''ve gut it," she snapped, her patience wearing thin As she dabbed at her dress, ire''s mind whirled with questio Why had Cindy done this? Was it because she liked Alex? Was she jealous? ire had already told Cindy that she had nothing to do with Alexanymore, but maybe Cindy hadn''t believed her. Or maybe Cindy just wanted to handliate her for some other reason "ire!" The voice belonged to Talia, who approached with a bright smile etched one face. But as Ta drew closer, her smile faltered when she noticed ire''s ruined dress. "What happened?" she asked, concem evident in her eyes. "Well, this woman in front of me use me of trying to that with Alex just because she same with him." Ta eyes widen She knew this would happened! Talia''s fren deepened as she turned to Curly direction. "Why would you think that Recasts i saw it with my own eyes!" Lindy snapped, her tone dripping with usation. "ire was flirting with Ales." ne crassed her arms over her chest and looked at Cindy seriously I wasn''t flirting with Alex, Cindy. If Alex really Ilond me, why would he hide from you? Why isn''t he with you right now?" Cindy''s eyes widened in surprise and indignation. "Alles is not hiding from me! You''re just trying to turn this around. Stop lying, ire! I saw ine standing way too close to Alex. You were holding Alex hand." ire frowned but then realized what she meant. It was a misunderstanding when ire slipped and almost fell, and Alex was there to help her before she fell. ire shook her head. "Cindy, I wasn''t flirting. I slipped and almost fall, and Alex was helping me, and we were not having a romantic conversations. You misunderstood the situation Cindy''s eyes narrowed. "Then what were you two talking about? Closing her eyes as ire giving up dealing with cinly, she looked at Cindy straight in the eyes. "Listen here, Cindy," ire tone is pissed, Talia know if ire use this tone, it means she is very drop dead serious, "You''re just pathetic," she said, her voice dripping with disdain She turned to leave, but before she could take a step, she felt something cold and wet drip down from her head. Talta, standing nearby, gasped loudly. ire closed her eyes, trying to suppress her growing anger, but it was clear her patience was running thin. The guests, who had been absorbed in their own conversations, started to take notice. They stopped talking and tumed their attention to themotion involving Chapter 118 Chapter 118Perfect inche Clody, ire, and Talia. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd as they tried to figure out what had happened. ire nced down at her dress, now stained, and ruined. As if the night couldn''t get any worse, now she was soaked as well. "What a perfect night," she thought sarcastically. Taking a deep breath to maintain herposure, ire turned to Cindy. Her voice was cabin butced with a dangerous edge. "Why did you do that?" she demanded. Cindy red at her, hatred shing in her eyes. "You deserve it," she spat back, her tone venomous, ire scoffed in disbelief, shaking her head. "You are just a sad person. In fact, you remind me of a friend back home which has the same personality as you. And she was Alex ex-fiance."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Cindy frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "I''m not her. I''m different don''tpare me to her." "You know Cindy? Your behavior is childish and disgusting. Let''s see how your dad will react seeing this." Out of nowhere, Talia dumped two sses of wine on Cindy head, she gasped as well as the guest, the wine dripped down her white dress that is now perfectly min. "ire might not want to do such thing since she has a reputation to uphold but me? I will do the same to you as what you did to ire." Talia hissed at Cindy. From t creed, Christian walled the sex lunge betweente and Cindy untold He loves something signifikant was happening and quickly scammed the room, searing for Alex. After a few moments, he spotted him deep in conversation with Christianinade his way through the crowd, his guy growing with each step. He reached Ales and the gentle, pansing briefly to catch his breath "Excuse me," he said, Interupting politely "Pan sorry to infunde, but I need to speak with Alex, I''xmgent." Alex doowood, clearly imitated by the introumption. "Can''t you see I''m in the middle of as important conversation, Christian?" he said, his tone sharp. Christian nodded, unuleistanding Alex''s fimitation but knowing the unpris y or the situation. "Louw, and I''m sorry, but this can''t wait, it''s about ite and Alex''s eyes widened, and has imitation instantly gave way to concim. He finned to the gentleman he was speaking with "I apologize, but I have to go. Something urgent hase up," he exinedquicker. The gentlemannskled, looking slightly bed course, ple Alex followed Chaistas without another wond, his mind caring with possibilities. "What happened? is lie alright he asked as they weaved though the crowd Christian nced at Alex, hilsexpressim serious. "I saw Calor and Clly eatier. They look_irishard to exin. You should see it yourself." When he bed at the serie, his eyes widened in shock. Two womenstood directed, their hair and clothes soaked. Ales drowned, turning to Cinistan. "How did this happen?" he asked, biscuice Billed withhewilderment Christian shuupped, looking best as contused. "I don''t know. I was justing back from the bathroom and saw thems like this," Before Alexerald say amthing mose, a voice called out, ne!" It was Adian, striding towards the women. Alex''s loan deepened, a mixture of confusion and initation crossing face What was Adn doing here? Alexwatched as Adrian took off his suit jacket and droped it over ine''s shoulders. The gesture was caring, almost too familiar for Alex''s liking ire looked up Adnan with gratitude, padling the jacket tighter around herself. "Alex, maybe you should stay out of this," Christian advised. Alex ignored Christian''s protest and walked up to the scene. His jaw set in as he approached the small group, his eyes fixed on ire, "What happened here? demanded, histone more torceful than intended. They turned to look at Alex, and he inmediately caught sight of ire''s eyes. They were filled with cold annoyance. He was confident ir wouldn''t have started this argument because he knew her well enough, His eyes went to Cindy, the most likely provocateur, and he red at her hard. Cindy winced under his scrutiny, quickh avoiding his eyes. It was clear she felt guilty or at least ufortable. The guests around them began to murmur, their attention fully captivated by the drama ying out in front of them, like a live-action snap opera Alex''s face was tight with anger as he tumed to Adrian. "Take ire outside." he instructed - Adrian didn''t hesitate. "Let''s go, ire." He gently took Case by the arm and started to usher her out of the ballroom As they moved towards the exit, Cindy''s eyes widened in surprise. "Alex why are you letting her go?" she demanded, stepping towards him Alex''s expression was one of controlled bury candy, stop this right now," he said, his voice low but fimo this is your doing. ire would never do something like this." Cindy''s face twisted with indignation. "And why would you believe ire over me? spat, her voice rising. Alex yanked his am away before Cindy could reach him, his patience wearing thin. "Because I low ire, and I know you. This has your fingerprints all overit Christian, standing nearby, ced a reassuring hand on Alex''s shoulder. "Let''s get out of here," he suggested. Alex nodded, and together they walked out of the ballroom, leaving the mummiring crond behind However, Cindy wasn''t about to let it and these. Her eyes shed with determination. "Chino, Alex. If you think this is over, you''re wrong," she muttered under her breath. She followed them outside, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "Alex, stop!" she called out Alex tumed, his expression weary. "What now, Cindy? "Alex, why do you always me me?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of anger meet and desperation. Alextumed to face her, his experson cold and unyielding "se you? I don''t me you I just stated the truth. And our rtionship over still hoping for it, you should get yourself a peality check. And one more thing, I know ite didn''t do anything wrong. You were the one who started all this Cindy''s eyes widened in disbelief. "You weren''t there, Alex You don''t know how it happened." cover long ago a and if you Alexstared at her, his eyes filled with disgust. "I don''t need to have been there, Cindy. I know enough." Alex stared at Cindy, disgust etched across his face as he realized she and Lisa shared the same maniptive personality. He chuckled to himself, incintulous at how he had fallendor these kinds of women Curlylmward, sensing the shift in his dement "Why are youughie?" Cindy aded, her tone stempauod defenser. Aleksbank his lead "Sleptissos, Cinly, ni Filmin your career," he said, his voice low and timeatening "we," she did, though het voi cgame wall. "VYL 1 dare, Onsch. Aish it won''t just be you eaters. You father''s business can go down the drainton " (bei greund, detiant. "I don''t believe you, Mex. You wouldn''t do something so harsh." wing swiftly across the screen. Want to bet?" he said. "Alex, what did voti onate, Cherstia who was watching with a contused expression. Mes, what are you doing?" christian asked, emiosityi good on his thears, but he couldn''t understand why Alex would go to such lengths especially when Ale confusing to Christian. then dial a number. ", this is Alexander Haitis. I need you to published this news all over the media, keep Doesn''t matter the price, will pas vom. " ned more rxed then earlier, Cudy towns looking, at Alex, suddenly she teel anions. embling but ste she tried to look?alm He shrugged essually. "You will beresponse as she turned on his heels and lett Cindy alone outside the ballem in het dienched dress. Where are you going?" she dn''t turned around, instead he shouted back with his attention still walking forward. Chapter 119 Chapter 119 Carrere to an end Cindy''s noticed with a mix of disappointment and anger as she walked back in the lillenium. Axle stepped inside, she immediately sensed t superhing was odf. The atmosphere watcharged with an ufortable tendon. Chests were staring at her, their expressions ranging from condusion to disgust, Chidy frowned, wondering why rayon was looking at her Hr that. But she edit off, determined to push through the crowd and igne their states. As she made her way through the mom, she sunddroly heard her father call her name, his wirered withanger. "Kindy!" She rummed around, and before she could tract, he pped her hard across the check. The Impart sted her, touch her stinging check "Dad, why did you do that?" she asked, her votre trembling with shock. Her father''s face was a maskot disappointment and fury. "Tamashamed to have a daughter like you," he said coldly. Tears welled up in Cindy''s eyes, she looked around at the guests, who were now whispering amongst themselves, watching the unfolding drama. "I don''t understand, Dad, What did I do?" she pleaded, her voice breaking. "You know very well what you did," be snapped. Cindy''s mind raced, trying to piece together what could have caused socha reaction Herthoughts shed back to her encounter with ire, Isher father upset because of what she did to ire, or is there another reason! Cindy''s heart sank as she approached her father, confusion evident in her expression. "Dad, what do you mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry Her father''s gaze was cold as he looked at her. "See the news for yourself," he replied curtly before fuming and leaving the ballroom, lis exit filled with shame. Alone and bewildered, Cindy made her way back to her table to retrieve herpuse With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone and quickly navigated to the news app. As the headlines loaded, all the color drained from her face There, sshed across the screen, was the scandal involving her. Images and videos apanied the damning headlines, leaving no room bluffing earlier, and now Cindy''s worst fears wereing tree. for doubt. Alex was (wasn''t reeling humiliated and exposed, Cindy looked up and saw the eyes of the other guests on her, their whispers and stanes cutting through her like knives, Unable to bear the scrutiny any longer, she fled the ballroom, her head spinning with disbelief and despair. As she made her way outside, Cindy''s phone buzzed with notifications. Her social media freds were flooded with hatements and usations, her followers dropping rapidly with each passing second. The weight of it all threatened to crush her spirit. Then, her phone cang, and Cindy''s heart skipped a bear it was her manager. She felt her feet tum cold with dread as she answer the call, her voice trembling. "Hello?" the managed to say, her throat tight with emotion. Hermanager''s voice care through the line, professional but devald of warmth "Cindy, I''ve seen the scandal circting online. I''m sorry, but the agency has decided to terminate your contract Cindy''s world seemed to shatter around her. "No," she cried out, the word echoing in the emptiness of her despair. "I can''t lose my career like this." Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with her manager, trying to exin that it was all a mistake, that the scandal wasn''t real. But her manager''s response was form "Whether it''s real or not doesn''t matter, Cindy, "her manager said. "It''s camished the agency''s image, and all the brand deals you were working on want to terminate their contracts as well" Cindy felt a surge of regret wash overber as she realized the consequences of crossire lines with Alex and ire. She had let her pride and ambition cloud her Judgment, and now she was paying the price As she hung up the phone, Cinity sank to the ground, her world crumbling around her. And now Cindy has to say goodbye to her fame, ire stepped out of the steam-filled bathroom, feeling refreshed after her shower. Adrian had apanied her back to her room, even though it wasn''t necessary for him to do so. She appreciated his gesture. Now, with her plush bathrobe on, ire was hearing people talking outside her room. With a puzzled expression on her face, she moved towards the entrance out of curiosity. Upon opening it, ire found Ta was standing at the front door. Her brow furrowed in confusion as she spotted Talia standing there. "What are you doing there?" he asked. Talia smiled awkwardly, shifting saber feet. "Oh, um, nothing, ire. A-a you should go and rest. You must be tired." ire narmwed her eyes, not entirely convinced by Talia''s response. "You''re being secretive." She stepped closer, peering around Ta to see who she was talidng stood on to Talia, Alex came into view which made her frown in confusion with his p spresence. "Alex"What is going on? Why are you here?" ire asked, her voice tinged with irritation. Alex stepped forward his expression canestly, "tim-Sorry for disturbing your night, ine, but I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding," he said, his voice gentle I need your exnations, Alex" ire''s face hardened, her asssing defensively over her chest. If this is about Cindy, I don''t Alexsighed. "I know, but I feel responsible for what happened. Cindy targeted you because she saw is together: " re felt a sage of exhaustion wash over her "It''s fine. I will think of her as a crazy bitch isn''t that why you hide from het cause she''s crazy! A small smile appeared on his lips. "Weah, Lapologize for what happened tonight, ire." She sighed as she ran her fingers to her hair. "I appreciate the apology, Alex." unsure of what to make of the tension Their eyes locked in a moment, a silent exchange passing between them. Talia and Christian exchanged a confused nce, uns between Chale and Alex Christian cleared his throat, braking the awoward silence. "Well, ire, I''m d to see you''re okay," he said, attempting to diffuse the tension. ire nodded, grateful for the change of subject. "Thanks, Christian. I''m fine, really." Christian smiled, though it didn''t quite reach his eyes. "We should probably let you get some rest," he said, gesturing towards the door. se nodded again, relieved to have the conversationing to an end. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Thanks for stopping by." as Aler and Christian tumed to leave, ire closed the door behind them. Talin touched ire shoulder "you okay, Calie?" se took a deep bath and nodded. "Yeah, I''m okay. I just need a hot tea and I''m fine. "glory, I will make it for you. You just go to your room, ire ** "Thank you, TaN?velDrama.Org content. As are heads side her room, she feel theresaustion hitting her She will see that the business sent has lots of twists which she did not expect every verse has other ns for her ry one bit. The reason she came is forworking, but it seems like the Chapter 120 Chapter 120 Back to Lonke The next moming, ve wasted no time. She immediately flew back to London, eager to put the events of the previous sight behind her, the sought out Albercht, to apologize for the disruption. Mr. Alberchi greind her warmly, assuring her that it wasn''t her failt and that there was no need to apologize. Bat ire couldn''t shake the feeling of guait. She felt responsible for causing a scene at the event, camill it wasn''t intentional As they spoke, Mt. Albrecht meetmed Cindy He exined that Candy had resumed to the event, only to be met with her father''s anger. He had even pped her in the face. ter''s eyebrows fanowed in surprise. She had expected such a drastic reaction. "What happen?" she asked, curious about the case of the altercation There''s been a scandal about Cindy clerting on the intemet," Mr. Albrecht replied gravely. "Il verontoluve caused quite a stir ire nodded, her mind caring with pestion. She sealized that she hadn''t clicked the news or social media since the previous night "Thank you for telling me," she said to M, Albrecht, appreciating his honesty. Asste left the hotel lobing, chaior passed by Alex, but she didn''t notice him. She was wearing sunsses, her pare focused aleat as she made her way to fine waiting car. Alex, however, couldn''t help but notice her. At first, he wasn''t sure if it was ime, but as he looked hack, he recognized her immistakable rigure. He wondered why she was leaving so abruptly, Was it because of the situation with Clody, or waste another reason? Alexruldn''t help but feel a pangst curiosity, but he quickly pushed the thought aside. It wasn''t his ce to preinton ire''s personal affairs Aster climbed into the sat, exhaustion weighed heavily onder. Sirmas eger to get home and be in brown roxy surroundings. She was eager to get home and beinbruncay sumoundings. It had been a bitter and unpleasant meeting, and ire had no wish to go through it again anytime soon. "Do you think you''ll ever want to go back to Americaap?" Ta added, bet tone Lared with curiosity. drifting in the tasks awaiting i n her back home. ne shrugged, a weary espression on her face. "Mabe, but not anytime soon," she replied, her mind already drif Asthey arrived at the airport, ire''s thoughts shifted in work. The ne boanted, ant she settled into her ser, pulling out herptop. There was ed documents waiting for her, and she needed to sort through them analpile the evidence for tomorrow''s stakeholder meeting The flight passed in a blur of typing and clicking as ire delved into berwnik. As the ne touched down in the evening, te bid farewell to Ta and made herv way back to liet apartment. mountain Entering the Camiliar surroundings of hier penthouse, ir let out a third sigh. She dropped het bags by the door and Dopped onto her bed, face down, groaning softly. The strain of the trip was evident in every muscle, and she made a mental note to schedule amassage appointment as soon as possibleN?velDrama.Org content. sof The next moming dawned, and ire telt a mixture of ervousness and excitement. She shipped breakdast, her mind consumed with thoughts of the uing meeting. Without further dy, she headed straight to the offer, her determination propelling her forward As she sat in the car, her phone buzzed with an iing call. It was Jack ire answered immediately, her voice eager "Good morning, Jack everything set?" "Good morning, ter, jackreplied, his tone brisk "Yes, everything''s all set. The meeting will start at to shar ire breathed a sigh of relief. "Dueat. Have you managed to contact Robert! Is heing?" Tack heated for a moment before replying, "Yes, I''ve called him, and he said he''ll be there." "Good," ire said, feeling wet lift off her shoulders. "I''ll be at the office soon. Thanks, Jack." With that, the call ended, and ire focused her attention on the road ahead. She and at the office a short whileter, greeted by Sandra, the receptionist, with a warm smile As ire made her way to her office, she was surprised to find Matthew already there, his familiar figure seated at her desk the raised an eyebrow inquisitively. she entered. ting her bag down on the couch. "Matthew, when did you arrive?" she asked, setting Matthew grimmed proudly, putting out his chest a bit. "About 15 minutes ago," he replied, his tone tiled with satisfaction. ire raised her eyebrows, a yful smcktugging at her lips. "And how did I miss you?" she inquired, genuinely curious.. Matthew''s smirk widened. "Lused the helicopter," he confessed, mable to contain his mischievousnesL ice rolled her eyes but couldn''t help but chackle at Matthew''s randummess. "Of course you did," she said, shaking her head in mockesasperation. As ire settled onto the couch, Matthew moved to sit across from her, beaning forward with interest. "So, how was the business tann?" be adat, his periodn plgend te let out a heavy sigh, her expression weary as she leaned back against the cous cushions. "It was a disaster, she admitteberged with frustration, Matthew leaned forward, intripod. "Tell nur about it." ire recounted the events of the previous day from the beginning. "First, I was wibally lurassed be one of the businessmen," he exined, bertone Truse Then, I Gaminio alex, and weargaridasusmal" Matthew listened intently, his eyes widening in disbelief as Clonte contined, "And then, to top it all ott, 1 saw airs again at the event, and hivex piement, Only Marshal spilled wine on my dressons of jnny." Matthewchunked at the surdity of it all "endelkeznu attended a soap opera, not a business event. soap opera, "he remarked, shaking his heal ire patel hernyes "Tell me about it," she muttered Matthewlemelbakin hiichali, prituring fertler to contume. "What happened next Chapter 120 Back to London ire sighed. "Well, it seems Cindy got what wasing to her. Her career was ruined somehow," she exined, her tone tinged with bitterness. Matthew''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow, that''s quite the tum of events," he remarked. ire nodded, feeling a mix of satisfaction. "Yes, it was shocking to read about it on the flight back. But I couldn''t help but feel curious about who published the news about her after what she did to me." Matthew frowned, sensing the underlying tension. "Well, karma has a funny way of working things out," he said, trying to lighten the mood. ire smiled. "I suppose so. Good thing Adrian and Talia was there." "You should''ve bring me with you so I could give those who look down at you a lesson." ire grinat Matthew respond. "I will keep that in mind." Before they could delve further into the topic, the door to ire''s office burst open, and her secretary walked in. "ire, the meeting is about to start. ire took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was toe. "Thanks, I''ll be right there," she replied. She turned to face Matthew, her eyes slightly nervous. "Here we go," she mummatred, hoping that everything would go smoothly. Chapter 121 Chapter 121 Doubt ire make her way to the meeting mommm, her heart thomp loudly in her chest. Before she step inside the meeting room, Matthew ced an assuring, hand on ber shoulder giving awmance as he shoot larasmile. ire smiledback and todeep breathbeboer stepping inside isidetrimined to prove to the stakeholders that Robert is the traitor in thepany. Clure will show all the evidence in order for Robert to be kick onl This love to mout.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Chalte couldn''t have a parasite imbing aroual in hepany. All the stal olders are present hududing Jack ite greeted them as she make her way to the heal table. "Goed mailing, everyone." She tookawat, herespression serimus, "I apologize for the urgent meeting today" Die of them raised his eyebrow curiously. "So, Ms, Peterson, are you going to tell us what this is all about?" ne of them alously asked. "He said he will bete" jack replied. ne eyes are to rely one of them before coutining. "Ok, it is fine. As long as he agrees toe. La suir all of you are aware of the news regarding Venus and Up coboration. As youlin, Metaceites was about to coborate with Tip instead of Vems." H All at the shared a look incontusion and also wondering, "Walt, you tell us that Metacontex was about to coborate with Hip?" me nodded. "Then why did they go to Venus instead. Arst why didn''t you discuss with as thstand?" The bald old man, the one where ire vividly remember disliking her as she took over thepany scuched her fourhead real hard. "I''m sorry but tip, Mr. Rodriguez wanted to keep it confidential. He informed me and my team that he will be the one to announce our coboration. However, all ut that doesn''t seems to be happening." ire took a deep breath. "Hp terminated our contract the day when we were supposed to have a meeting discussing Hp nowptop. They tenuinated out contract without infonuing us like we are some kinds of dust they can sweep away." The woman leaned forward cartous with the story. "Why did they terminated your contract? Did they tell you the reason?" "One more thing, Metacortes is developing the new software. Cortex 20. That was the first reason why Hp contact us. However, when I ask Mr. Rodriguez the reason why he tenninated our contract was because my was just a copy. As lis, it is not original as it I stole it from someone else." "And did you?" the same old man raising his brows, doubting ire. that most of you dislike me and even doesn''t want me to be your CEO, but staring nkly at him, he looked away as he couldn''t bare stage at ire''s eyes. "I you cannot deny the fact that ourpany stock made rise. And it has been the highest over the past three years." All of the couldn''t help agreeing with her because it is true. When Robert took over, thepany stock market never reach this high, yes, it is always green, but it just doesn''t move unlike Vers AMD, Some of them even have thoughts that Metacortex won''tst long, however they did not expect ire to be back and took her position back They ar silent. They could only stared elsewhere but ire eyes. ter noticed the tension stating to rise in the room. Her n is to discus about Robert and show them who is the real viin in thepany. ior sighed softly. "Look, Lanshere not to make enemies. I genuinely care about Metacontes since I was the one who create it from the start, and I summon you not to talk about me por my work I am here to show you and tell you what really happened." Jack.nodded. "Wery well, we will listen to you. Please continge." "As I was saying, Hp use me of copying someone else''s project and that mine is not original. At that very d Software and after watching it, I couldn''t help noticing a few, not only a few but a lorot simndles." very day, Versus AMD release a press release of their new HY, WITHIN AMD, was the one who stole your project and that they release list so yours falled "de of them scrunched their brows and he talked. ire nodded in agreement. "Yes, that is how it is" But how dil Venus stole your idea, your work? "Well, Linda, tum est after days investigating it, Hound the parasite lurking in ourpany" One of their eyes widen wait you mean that, we have a traktor?" "I''m afraid ss" "It doesn''t make sense." Helend whin saldsshethemed to tte, "Wait, me you calling here because you assume one of us, did it?" "No, I do not, I do not pose any of you." "Then who is g? Who was the traitor in the coongame." se paused adilling, the anions to their faces. The one who sell the information to our rivalpany or tum obert Robertson" If they are not simjusseil, there must be something wrong with them However, their eyes are widen as if it will popped out of the socket ....... Chapter 121 Doubt How They whisper to one another feeling shocked with this profound information. "Walt, you mean the Robert Robertson that we know?" ire nodded. With scrunched eyebrow their eyes focus on ire. "Yes. The exact Robert "Are you sure it is him?" Cached her brows Are you doubting me Robertson that we all know." "No, it''s just, you don''t have an evidence yet and using him is unprofessional." "Who says I don''t have evidence?" ire lips curl up to a smile as she leaned back to the chair. ""you mean, you have the evidence?" "I would not waste my time to discuss who is the traitor in ourpany'' with all of you. I would rather investigate it myself." ire turned to Sandra who seat beside Matthew. "Sandra, could you please show them the evidence?" Sandra nodded. She stood up and connect the e projector to herptop. ire stood up from her chair and show them the evidence they didn''t thought ire have it. "As you can see,dies and gentlemen. This is the evidence. This is the footage of Robert lurking in thepany on weekend and in my team area. He also try to get In my office, but it was locked so he rummage my secretary desk." Sandra y the video and they all watch it seriously. "What did Robert take from the desi "That is the folder of Cortex 20"his eyes widen. "So, he did stole it, huh?" However, the old man doesn''t seem to sure as he still doubt lte. "Footage video isn''t enough. Do you have any strong evidence." ire show them the footage at the hotel where Robert was supposed to meet Adrian "After finding out, I wasn''t sure at myself either. So, I decided to do onest attempt by creating a fake project with Adrian. I told my team to whisper among themselves and guess what? Robert overhead them and the next day, he didn''t besitate to contact Adrian" ire ced her palms on the table, her eyes serious "Mr. Montgomery, are you still doubting me?" As he was about to respond, Sandra stood up from her seat face panic and worry. "chno..." Chapter 122 Chapter 122 Switch ba Mr. Montgomery was about to respond but was cut of by Sandra as she stood up from her chair with a look of panie crossed her feature. "What''s wrong, Sandra?" ire arched her brows in confusion "Un "Sandia hesitate, as if she doesn''t want to tell im.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. On the other hand, use, doesn''t like disruption if there is no appropriate reasoning. She crossed her arms over her chest, annoyance start to emerged within her." Ok, Sandra, bell me what is wrong? We still have a meeting going." "I apologize, but there is something crucial I saw on the news. "care to tell us what it is about?" "Um...is about Mr. Robert Robertson." ire visibly tensed up at the mention of Robert''s name. "What is it about?" "He, be.." Sandra doesn''t seem to have the confidence to tell ire about the news she saw. As if she is scared seeing her boss reaction. However, ire couldn''t bear the waiting. "For Pete sake, Sandra, just tell!" "Robert Robertson is working with Venus AMD!" Sandras said so fast that some of them didn''t catch it though ire didn''t miss every single word she said. "Robert Robertson is working with Venus you said? Sandra nodded her face etched with panic and also feat. "I''m sorry. That is the news that I saw." One of the stakeholders who saw these interactions couldn''t help but intervene. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. ire ignored it as she asked Sandra for the iPad. She scanned the news thoroughly, re-reading the article from top to bottom, analyzing the word and make sure she doesn''t miss every single detail "Mr. Winston, please contact Robert Jack immediately dialed Robert number, but it went to voicemail. He tried a couple of times, but it is still the same thing. Mr. Montgomery stood up from the chair and demand ire for the exnation and so is the other stakeholders. ire took a deep breath trying to act calm even though her inside are boming with fire. What Robert did is another level of betrayal. "I apologize, but it seems that Robert decided to side up with another team." "What is this news about?" "Is Robert Robertson really going to Venus? "Why would he do that?" "I thought he is loyal to Metacortex. Question and question being thrown to ire as they expect answers. Their chatter is getting louder, and it only makes ire imitated. "Silence!" Her voice boomed through the room, silencing all of them in a matter of seconds. "I know all of you are curious with the news and so am LI, myself did not expect this kind of news in the middle of the meeting, I summoned all of you because I wanted to inform you about Robert''s dirty doing that in Metacortex coboration with Hp and also being the snitch that give information to our rival, ire looked at their eyes one by one. "I wanted Robert to be kick out of thispany to prevent further incident like this. But of course, I couldn''t just kick him out without discussing it with all of you even if I can do that on my own I want all of you to be involved in Metacortex not just owning the shares and do nothing. 1 am nothing like Robert, I am not a dictator but after finding out about the news of Robert siding with our rivalpany, will take this matter seriously by kicking him whether all of you like it or not." ire was drop dead serious with this matter. She has enough of Robert scheme and today she has to make that decision Jack Winston was the first speak. "I agree with ire. We couldn''t wait any longer knowing Robert is still tied with Metacortex and it can also damage our stock The stakeholders starting to see the point as they are discussing with one another. "The three of us agree as we put our trust on you, ire. It is your choice what you want to do with Robert for the sake of thepany and we will not intervene." ire nodded relief that some of them agreeing with ire mt with "I don''t know the reason why Robert do such thing especially when he defend Metacortex from you taking over has position. You can do whatever you want him, and we will not intervene either." The rest decided to agree but one remains as Mr. Montgomery haven''t made up his mind. Their eyes tumed to him waiting for his respond. His face looked serious and also disappointed by the news of Robert Mr. Montgomery was Robert friends same as Pedro Petain. He is disappointed by Robert especially when he defend Robert from ire taking over But no after hearing the news, he doesn''t have an ounce of respect to Robert over this "I don''t like you, ire. I don''t or you taking over thepany." The silence was loud as if you could hear the pin drop. ire padded. "I know," "But I respect what you are going to do for thispany. You can do what you want with Robert, and we will not ask you as long as thepany is "know some of you dislike me, but you don''t have to like me in order to agree with me. I respect all of you for being honest." is sate, Switch team After a few more talks about ire ns and also the evidence regarding Robert, the meeting dismissed. One by one they starting to leave the meeting room. Mr. Montgomery approach ire. "I know that we didn''t start of nicely and I apologize for my behavior. As an elder, I should be wiser, and I did not show it to the young generation." Her head nod in acknowledgement. "I agree. You were the same as Pedro Petain." "I know. Aside from all that, I trust Metacortex with you and I want thispany to be more sessful." Her lips curl up to a smile. "We have the same vision, Mr. Montgomery." "I will be leaving, and I expect the follow up for the news." "Don''t you worry. All of you will be inform" i don''t like you" He turned his heels and headed to the door before ncing at ire with a small smile on his face. "And I still A small smirk appeared on her lips as she crossed her arms over her chest. "The teelings mutual, sir." With that he left the meeting room, ire, Sandra, and Matthew are the only one left. "That was unexpected." Said Matthew who watched the Interaction unfold. "Expect the unexpected "ire simply answer. "Now all of that are settled, we need to act fast with the Robert situation" "What do you want to do, Ms. Peterson?" Before ire can answer, Jack walked back to the meeting room. A looked of guilt crossed his feature. "I apologize, ire. I told you earlier that he will be attending and turns out he did not." "It''s okay, Jack. Everything has been settled now and we need to think the future. Let''s Let''s not dwell the past," Matthew turned to ire, standing up from the chair. "I have some question. We couldn''t justck Robert out cause he still have his shares in thepany. So how do we do it." ire pondered for a while. She walked to the windows and looked down at the busy street. She then turned around with a smile on her face. "The contract." Chapter 123 Chapter 123 I havE THE WAYS Alock of confusion etched outhendes Tylkow, hainbest Whandeven mean the contact Matthew ask as he tutored his bums. "When we test decided to worked together, we made a contract mil signed it. As Trensember we made a deal to not betray each other and it is written in the ovinat Sa, 11thick willoween hau about this " that you are prime to talk to him about this? And what''s next? "twill ask hommeselt his shares since he was the one who broke the contract." Weds bedosapun, In hat will you do? cane walked to the table and teekhet phone. The will not disagree. Thave my ways." She said with awink "Matthew as usual, I need you toe with me. se tips to a smirk, "oh, 1 ampretty mach are know what he is capable of." walking out of the room with Matthew by his side, ire head to herotice to take the copy of her contract in herputer. She ash Matthew to print it out for her while she locate Robert location Sheuse Robert number to locate him and in a matter of minute, she got his exact location She went through the news one more time A photo of Robert shaking hands with Frank Porter, Vemos AMD CHI, re ever thought Robert would be this dirty by ying both sides. She couldn''t help but wonder if Frank knew that Robert still has a contract with Metacortex. "re, Int it out shall we go now? ire nodded and head to the door. "The car''s ready?" "Yes, everything settle." They made their way to the lobby and ire climbed inside the car. The car drove away as soon as ire gave the address. The drive was long, it took one hour to artive since the traitic was quite long. She kept checking her phone to make sure Robert is still at the office. As soon as they arrived, ire jump out of the car almost immediate. She storm her way inside thepany. Since the receptionist is at the front of the entrance, they notice an outsider, "Excuse me, miss ire tumed to Matthew with a sous look on her face. "Take care of it." He ste with a smirken his lips. "You got it." Matthew tumed to the receptionist and ced his hands on the surface. "Well, good morning, miss," he nce to het name tag and throw his charming smile. Ms. Mile. How are you, my dear?" She cased her brows at Matthew weird gesture. "I apologize, sir. Is that woman earlier with you?" ""What woman "The brte woman, "As youran see, I am alone.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Mille has starting to beardoy at the stranger in front of her. She just want to focus on her work without any disruption. "I''m sorry, sir but if that woman is with you, she has nought to enter the building without informing us." Mallie reply with a polite tone despite her annoyance. "Luv''t thus a workce? I thought people coulde and go?" "sibi is only for employer Guest shoulde to the receptionist to inform themselves." "y" She raised her brows waiting for him to continue. "Oly what si "Nothing just okay" Millie let out a soft Instrated sighed. "Sic, this is not ce to y and if you didn''t tell me who is that woman we will call the security." Mathew rolled his eyes okay, rx Here what it is, that woman earlier is ire Peterson, 1 am sure you know who she is, and my advice is to let her in," A rusions look stered on her face. "You mean ire Peterson of Metacortex?" Matthew nodded. "Did she have an appointment with Mr. Porter?" he shook his head. "1 am sorry air; without appointment she could not enter." Millie hand rested on the telephone as she was about to call the security. "Wait_wait_listen, this is important, and I don''t expect you to understand, st let her in and do not call the security. I will stay there." Millie narrowed her eyes at him. She doesn''t have enough energy to atque so ages and let calte go as long as Matthew stay at the lobby. it didn''t talk long for ire to identity, Frank Porter office. She didn''t wait as she barge inside the office despite the secretary stopping her. What Well, surprise, surprise." ire one is bitter like a coffee without sugar or the first day of the week. The secretarye in and bowed her head down. "I apologizes, she just barged in evenatter I stop her." okay, toman go "she left and closed the dom sive, I didn''t expest sect to see you so soon. I take it you heard about the new Tank said as he sipped his coffer. 712 "How can I not know if you were automuting it? not don''t worry, Lam here for Robert not you." ire switched her gaze to Robert who sat at the couch. "Robert, seems like you have you own ys in mint" ire said sarcastically simply displeased by it Robert who look weindly calm fained his gaze to lse as it he is expecting her. "ire, I was expecting to see you. Why are you here?" She statest at him in disbeliet "How could you Robert? First my business col Rebeit shackled "I diduos know you wanted me that much." then my ideas and now, you are working with mypany rival?" ire scotted as she crosses as oves her chest. "Please, even if you Somehow Robert feel slightly oftenbed at ire. He teiat ber. you ate thest buman being on earth, I will never work with you." Frankalecided to chimed insetting the tension. "Look, Calie, now you want to beat me but stealing my new vice president? That''s not the right way to do." "I don''t know if you bauw about this, but Robert is still working with Metacotex I did not fire him, nor the contract terminated." Frank scrunched his brows in contusion as he turned to Robert thenteire. "What? You''re lying. He said he doesn''t have anything Involve with Metacatex" ire sminkeil. "Well, he lied to you.* Robert stood up from his seat, eyes huming at Ciale, "I will exin it to you, Frank. Now could you please give us some space?" ""Frank was cut off when Robet med to him and shoot in a ted. "Now." Frank scrunched his brows and gomble on his way out. Chapter 124 Chapter 124 You''re lying sum, who wants to go fist? Meor you?" ire said, challenging him as she took a seat at the armchair. "You know what? I will let you rafictiest, aut least you can have achance to defend yourself." She said with a smirk on her lips. Robret scruched his brows in annoyance as he took a seat at the armchair that Frankearlier sat on ter and Robert are facing each other, eyes focused on one another Maling her bows, ire leaned backhands on the armchair as her nails tap on the surface waiting for Robert in talk don''t know what to talk, I mean you know the reason why did this. "Is it because you are not nulve with the p - pojret or is it because you still want the CEO position." "No. It is because you don''t respect me again, ire, We are business partner, but you treat me as if Lam just an employer. ire fake a yaword. She has heard this reason a couple of times by now. "Are you seriously going to use those ssic excuses "I don''t know how many times I have heard that." ire leaned forward her fare serious. "Fint, you suimmy project with 1p by stealing Cortex zo and now you are the vice president of Venius which Frank himself doesn''t even know that your contract is still active." Robert sighed. "Look ire, you put me as a manager. From a Comet Can you even imagine that? "I gave you choices, Robert. Do you want to work or not and you chose work." Put not as a managet!!own the shares to ur!" Robert said frustratedly, "What position you want me to ce you in, lul? The CEO, my position? You have damaged mypany. Donald not sit still. I will give you two choices. "ire lift her finger up to make it more clear, "You can keep working in Vers of resign from Mcortex." The room died with silence. Robert was contemting his choices. He them realize who he is talking to He knows when ites to ire, he needs to be careful, Robert issue there is a catch. He found her reasoning to be so simple. "You think you can trick me, ire? I know you and I know your game." must sell you ire chuckled coldly. "I''m d that you are now familiar. It is a simple choice. You can work with Venus or resign however, if you resign, you must shares to me. After listening to ire exnation, Robert jumped out of his seat staring at ire in disbelief. "Are you fucking crazy, ire? You want me to sell my shares to you?" ire shrugged. "Well, that''s what I said." "No, I will never sell my shares to you." "And why is that?" she caused her brows and leaned back to the chair. Robert stared at her with a crated eyes as she has losing her mind. "Why? Are you seriously asking? Because it is mine! Mine! ire and you don''t deserve it not anyone." He raised his voice in front of ire. coldness. She hated when someone did that to her. ire stood up from her chair and looked at Robert straight in the eye with cold "And you think you deserve it, huh? You don''t deserve it Robert and it is only fear if you sell it since you are now working with Venus." "But-" ce out him off. "I don''t know if you remember, but our contract, rememberthat? Demember what we wrote in that contract? Confusion crossed his feature. She wonders if he pretend to forget, or he genuinely forget about it. ire handed the paper to Robert which she held from earlier. Bobert snatched the paper with a frown on his face and scanned the paper. His eyes moved fast as he re-read the paper ire only print out the important parts and she even highlight it to make it visible in his eyes. "So? Any thoughts?" "This is ridiculed Weaver wrote this! Your hanged it, did you?" ire soodled in disbelief. "And now you use me? ve never and will never do such a thing. If you don''t believe me, go and check your contract." "Fine He pulled out his phone and dialed someone ire stood there waiting for it as she tapped her heels in irritation Parite, po to my study, take a picture of my contact with lte and send it to me." He frowned, "just do it. Now He ended the call and a minuteter, he received a message. Robert biedly open his phone as his eyes scanned the screen. "No h Heumed to ke, Ids mouth gaped open. "We wrote that ire suited mockingly "hak yang keda tegut about it expertally with my absent *will never sell any chates!" Chapter 124 You''re lying "Tell me, Robert, you side with Venus because I caught you snitching the information to our rival, am I right? Or is it still the same excuses that you said eather that I did not treat you with respect?" "You couldn''t do this to me ire. You have taken everything from me, and this is the only good thing that I have!" his frustrationced in his tone, but ire couldn''t care less. "Do you want me to take pity of you? Even after what you and your wife did to me?" "It this is about my wife then punish her instead of me. his face etched with regret however ire didn''t buy it not even a little. "No, I just have enough of you. You are a traitor in mypany, and I want you out." He then chuckled which makes ire confused. In this situation he still have the decency toughed? This is the reason why ire couldn''t take Robert words seriously. "You can''t just kick me out. You need the stakeholders agreement." Now ire understand why heughed earlier. "You thought I didn''t know that? Do you know why Jack Winston called your earlier?" She arched her brows wanting to hear his respond, but Robert only stood still and quiet. "I told Jack to contact you because we have a meeting to discuss about your betrayal." ire could see his body stiffen and Robert himself feels like someone dumped ice bucket over him. "You know what? I am d you did not attend cause that was the easiest meeting I had with the stakeholders even though it took some time to convince them, b I finally did it. I showed them the evidence of your wrong doings. Turns out even they did not expect you to do such thing." but Fear crept in Robert as his eyesced with panic. He couldn''t believe his ears. He knows ire is blutting. "You''re bluffing," ire rolled her eyes-fired hearing the same respond over and over again. "Say it all you want, Robert but it doesn''t changed the fact that it is indeed true." "No..no no." He pulled his phone and dialed someone. ire took a guess that he contact Mr. Montgomery.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. The call was answer and ire could hear Mr. Montgomery curse Robert. ire stifled aughed bearing it. "You tell me that was true? How could you?" Chapter 125 Chapter 1251 can, and I will ire muld hear their conversationsiner Mr. Moor gomery voice is loud enough in this quiet room. "How could I? How could should be the one saying that to you! You switched team to our rivalpatry and most importantly you ruin Metacortex coboration with Hp How could you Robert?" disappointment mix with angerced in Mr. Montgomery to, Robert was too stunned to speak he doesn''t know what to respond to Hut. "The other starholders and I have agree that we will let ire handle this and we will not intervene." With that, Mr. Montgomery ended the call and Robert face is all white as it he saw a ghost. *You heard him. The stakeholders has agree that talkabout your contract.. I will be the one to deal th you as long as thepany is safe. Now, we have settled all this, it is time for us to "you still want me to give all my shares to you? Just because all the stakeholders is on your sides right now doesn''t mean I will just handed it to you. ire chuckled coldly she knew this won''t be easy, so she prepare a backup n. "Talking to you is never easy, huh? Well, if you don''t sign it maybe by sending this video to your wife will change your mind." She pulled out her phone and show the video to Robert. His eyes widen as he stared at the video. He was about to grasp it, but ire was fast as she pulled back immediately. "Where did you get that?" "I told you I have my ways." "No! You couldn''t do this to me!" Roben is practically streaming by now and Frank who still standing outside could hear themotion however, he didn''t dare to step in and choose to ignore it. He just hopes that none of them trashing his office. "You take ret my position, my future, my connection and now my wife? You already ruin my life and now you want to ruin my family?" ire could hearhis bullshit from where she''s standing. She scoffed at Robert lies. "Honestly Robert, you could be an actor instead of a CEO. You can even get an Oscar for it." "You are greedy, selfish woman ire. Your parents must be disappointed at you. d they are not here to witness their only daughter act this way." ire eyes zing with fire at the mention of her parents. She fist her palms in anger as she took a step forward to him and pointed her fingers at him. "Don''t you dare mention my parents." Her voiceced with ver Chills run down Robert spine, but he tries to maskit up since he needs to look brave in front of a twenty-six-year-old woman. Hier wat her fingers away. "I''m not scared of your warning, ire." "Nor1 you. You ruined my life, you sold my house without my consent, you took over mypany, you wife stole my mother ne and even tried to kill me, you ruin my first project after myeback, and you in the release of Cortex 2.0.1 should be the one who says that not you, Stop victimizing yourself." ire face morphed in disgust seeing the sight of Robert. "You should be ashamed of yourself, of your age. Robert face turns red, he fisted his palms in anger. He feels that he could explode right at that moment. He was about to talk when ire him off. "Cut the shit Robert. I am sick hearing it over and over. You get two choices, sell your shares to the or this video will be send to your wife. "You can''t do this to me, ire" "I can and I will," They stand at each other eyes shooting daggers at each other "I will give you until six in the evening to think about it. If I did not hear it from you, then say goodbye to your family."N?velDrama.Org content. ire leave the offer immediately. Frank who was avesdropping straighten his posture and act professional. "Aur you done with your talk?" "Little advice, don''t trust him "With that ire left the office and head down to the lobby. Frank scrunched his brows at ire warning, but he doesn''t pay no mind. He just t?nught ire might be jealous that be got a gem to hispany. Mille eventually warmed up to Matthew as she was chuckling at jokes that Matthew told her this eyes then drifted to se who stomped out of the building with an angry look "I''m sorry love, but there to go." Wair you haven''t the me your phone number." Matter smiled damning at her 1 am sure that this will not be ourst merring" He winked at her which makes Millie blush He rushed out to ire and call her name. ire heard it but she doesn''t want to tearound as she climbed inside the car. Matthew hurriedly jump inside the cat and takeabreather. why you walking to taste is slightly out of breath as he looked at ire. iredere is serious but not the type of serious she has on her face when she talk about Business Is another serious that you don''t want to even low "I am not in the mind to talk briwer back to the office." #ves, miss." She red at Matthew as she nced at him which makes him shot i quickly. The dove was painulle long for Matthew. He hates awkward silence but for now he needs to bear with it. He knew something will not go the way ire wanted but he couldn''t help feeling contous with tte encounter with Babett He swore to himself it Robert als amthing to ire, he will beat him, himselt. After one bem, they fully arrived and, in a haste, tne pumped out of the car. Matthew can only sighed since there is no point talking to her. But s, followed her to her effice Sanshawho saw Matthen couldn''t help but ask him. "Matthew, what''s wrong? Ms. reterson seems.. be still. "Angry, frustrated, pissed." He raised his brows at Sandra which she nodded in agreement. He sighed as he ced his elbow on the desk "Don''t ask me, I don''t even know what happened" She used her boss in contusion "Wait, you didn''t go with her?" "I did but I didn''t follow her to meet Robert since I have to stay at the receptionist to stop her from calling the security." nch, do you think she convince, Robert? se no one bother her and don''te to her office until she called you." She nodded. He shrugged. "I don''t know. Can''t really say. But my guess is a no. Just make sure no o and Marthew decided to head to the party instead. Inside the office ire sit still on her desk, Robert words about her patents really offend her. She really hate those type of people who ended up bring their parents In the argument. Robert it''s just a pathetowand and it is obvious "I will make sure you sell your states to me, Robert. No excuses! Chapter 126 chapter 126 Your answer? The clock strike five am and re sill haven''t heard from Robert. He only had one hour left to decide, that''s why she didn''t bother him even though she continually checked her phone Ack on the door interrupted her. Matthew strat ide the office bringing a cup of hot chocte in his hands. "Here, drink this "He ced the mug down in front of ire. She frowned and looked at the hot chocte weirdly then looked up to Matthew "What is this?" "It''s a hot chocte." He said in a matter of fact "And what is this for "It''s forsoothing your nerves. I know you are anxious." She raised her brows instinctively. "How do you know I''m anxious?" Matthew lips curl up to a smirk as he crossed his arms over his chest. "ire, I know everything about you." However, tre didn''t bought it. She leaned back to her chair and cross her arms over her chest. *Matthew Finnegan, you watch me from the surveince camera, huh?" he tensed up before shaking his head. "No," he said as he looked elsewhere but ire''s eyes. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Matthew," she said in a warning tone, and he sighed. "Fine, you got me. moved to sit at the chair in front of the desk "Don''t be mad at me. I was just worried about you since you did not want to talk to anyone. And you kept ncing on your phone repeatedly." ire couldn''t help but sighed. "I''m sorry. I did not meant to be nade to you earlier. I was just upset," Matthew raised his brows curiously. "What happened earlier?" "Robert mention my parents. He said something about how my parents will be disappointed at me for acting the way i Matthew gazed hardened and his face looked serious. "What? He said that? After what he did, be still have the audacity to say that you? Don''t fall for it, ire. I''m sure it is one of his tricks to make you feel guilty and then you let it go about the contract." She nodded in agreement. "I thought so too, Even though at first it is troubling me but then I realized he was trying to y victim." "Is there a reason why you kept checking your phone?" "I gave time for Robert to decide whether he wants to sell his sharese, or send a video of him cheating on his wife," Scrunching his brows, Matthew couldn''t help wondering how ire low about obert personal affairs, and he couldn''t help but asked. "How did you know about ire smiled proudly since she always one step ahead. "Remember when I first got here? I saw him making out with his personal secretary but that time I didn''t take it seriously however, to confront him I need something to ckmail Robert, so I decided to use that." "Do you think he will care about it?" ire scoffed. "A man like Robert will obviously care about it. He is the type of person who value their status" "What time he will coat you?" "I gave him time limit till six this evening, her phone vibrate and as she check it, is Robert himself messaging ire. "Speak of the devil, he text me to meet him at the restaurant." *sandra, could you please bring me the document I told you to print earlier? ire said through the interrom "Of course, I will bring it right away." A momentter, the door open and Sandra deliver the document. "Thank you, Sandra. She nodded and leave. ire stood up and grab herbag, "Matthew, I need you toe with me." "Roger that, ire." The two of them make their way out of the office. ire anticipated Robert answer. She couldn''t help but wonder what excuses he will make this time. The drive wasn''t that long since it is not that for fem ire''s office. She didn''t waste time and jump out of the car with Matthew following behind her. As she walked inside the restaurant, a staff greet her Are you Ms. Cale Peterson? "Yes, that''s me." "Right this way,mas ire followed her and was stunned to see the restaurant empty The stall lead where Robert is already seated while drinking his wine. He noticed ire and stood up from his seat.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. "sie, have a seat. "His eyes then move to Matthew with a frowned. "I believe this is a private conversation." "No, he stay line "ire said famly which makes Robert frowned but didn''t say anything "you agter?" "Well, I believe we cane up with an agreement." 209 She narrowed her eyes at han disliking the sound of it. However, she didn''t intervene as she waited for him to finish. "Maybe we can negotiate. After all I am the reason Metacostex could be this sessful" Aloudughed escape ine lips as soon as she heard Robert said that. She couldn''t believe her ears and also his bravery to ask for a negotiation even it i He frowned in annoyance hearing herugh "You know it is impolite toughed when someone is talking seriously." ire raised her brows. "I''m sorry if myughed offend you but I find your words fumy." "How so "You see, Metacortex is sessful because of me. I repeat you only invested in it, but I did the work You don''t even have a connection and I v approach each one of them because you are too proud to do it yourself." ire leaned forward as she ced her hands on the table. "How''s this, I will buy all your shares just name the price you want." He scoffed indisbeliet. "This is not about money, ire" *If it is not about money, then why do you work with Venus? More so, you ruined my project and wanted to see me fail. Do you have othertention, Habest?" raised her brows suspiciously. He tried to remain calm even though his heart thumped faster. "You are seeing this the wrong way, ire. 1- "I don''t care what you''re going to say. I am here to here your decision not your story or opinion. Either you sell your shares of your video about you affair, I will send it to your wite or better yer public." His eyes widened as he stood up. "You told me you only send it to my wife." "I changed my mind. Choose wisely Robert, I''m sure you''re smart. The silence is deafening as Matthew and ire waited for Robert to respond. Robert couldn''t find another excuse. His attempt to negotiate with Chalte didn''t work out as he thought. Bertier, bened to find any dirt on ire, so he can use it on her, but it is impossible. She doesn''t have any bad history and even if she has IL IS still tolerate in the society and he lows ire is brave enough to let him publish it on social media. So, it is no use. "So? Your answer?" she raised her eyebrows as she leaned back to the chair. "Fine! I will sell you, my shares." Chapter 127 Chapter 127 Caught off guard "Now that''s what I want to hear."re utter with a satisfied on her lips. Robed with an angry look on his face could''t say anything. He wit back in his chair with an angry frowned and eyes kept staring at ire Now, you need to sign this."Clube slide the docement to Robert in which he immediately took it. She couldn''t help taled her brows when Hobet tale the me to read it. "You don''t have to read it. It''s just a document. Nothing else." "I couldn''") inist ampone including you, so I''making sure. Who knows there is something about selling my soul or something." ire rolled her eyes at his dramatic respond "justado it quickly," After a while, Robert owned getting deeper and deeper as he look up to ire. "What is the meaning of this?" his tone mix with anger and disbelief. She raised her brows at Robert question but not surprised as she know he will act that way after reading thest page. ire decided to y along cather just give in "Whut de rouman. Robert?" He hessed at her "Don''t y dumb, ire. You know exactly what I am talking about," On the other hand, Matthew watched the interaction confusedly. He wonders what makes Robert angry that the doesn''t want to proceed to signt, "don''t want to sign this." Robert throw the pen on the table. "It is written in the contract if you tum your back to Metacortex, you have to sell all your shares. And do you want your video to be publish? I could do it in a snapot a finger and even if you demand it to be delete, it will not, I have connection, so your choice, Robert." *but him?!" Robert pointed his fingers to Matthew who sat next to ire. Matthew frowned at the mention of his name. "You tell me, I''m giving my shares to Matthew was stunned heating it. "Wait, what did you say?" Robert scoffed. "I''m sure you manipte ire into giving the shares to you! "I buy it from you, Robert. You are not giving it to him nor L Sull with a confused expassion, Matthewcouldn''t help but frowned. "What is the meaning of this? I did not manipte anyone and ire?" be turned to his boss. aswell as friend. "What is the meaning of this?" She sighed. "There is nothing much to exin, 1 ambuying his shares and give it to you. No question" she gave him a look which Matthew understand and didn''t askmore question. "Just sign the paper, Robert. What do you want to dwell on?" she turned to him with frustration and anger crossed his feature. "If you don''t sign it at the count of three, then say goodbye to your reputation," Roben anhand through his hair in Inistration. This is just getting more worse. "oklet will signin" be said grumbling and took the pen and sign it with his signature. I wasn''t an easy decision for Robert and by now it means that he couldn''t control Metacortex anymore cause he has no control over it Robed feel are could scream, shout, and throw everythingN?velDrama.Org content. ire bock the paper from him smiling in satisfaction and stood up from the chair. "Well, everything is all done, I''m going to take my leave now," tup from the chair casting a proud smirk to Robert in which he can only red while clenching his jaw in anger. ire male her way out of the restaurant. As they are out, Matthew calledber "ir, can you please exin what is going on!" She turned in him and gesture him to get in the cat. "It''s best if we speak in the car." Matthewplied and climbed inside the car. Once they are inside the car, re started to speak "Lam sorry if I caught you off guard, Matt." She shoot him an apologetic smile. Hemed to ire frowning "Wir didn''t you tell me earlier? "Because I know you aren''t going in agere with me." But why ching me all of his shares, ire?" ude was silent for a moment before she turned to Matthew with a smile on her face. "Because you are the only person I trust, and you have been involved with Metaconex eventhough you are not working with Metacotex 1 want you to be involved, to be my eyes and ears incase I''m not at thepany." He let out a sighed. "You don''t have to do that. I am willing to do it for you." ite only smiled; she didn''t respond. Back at the Robertson mansion, Gretta w was waiting for her husband toe home. She has called him and text him, but he didn''t answer. Gretta was curious why The asked for Metexcontract. She feels amdous. She knows something is wrong The front door open and Quetta stood up almost immediately. She approach fobert with an anticipated look "Where have you been? Why don''t you arrower my text or calls?" Robert couldn''t deal with his wife right now, so he simply rolled his eyes and walked past her to the Irving room. "Robert, Lamtalling to you. Why are you going me?" her toneced with confusion as well as her face. Chapter 121 Caught off guard Robert took a seat at the couch as his eyes train on the firece. "Not right now, Gretta." His voice gruff. "You kept saying that. Why did you asked for your contract with Metacortex?" Gretta crossed her arms over her chest, saying in a demanding tone. "Gretta, Tam not in the mood to talk about this." "I''m your wife! I have the rights to know!" He stood up, turned to his wife shooting daggers at her that makes her winced. "Fine. You want to know why? Because I sell all of my shares to ire. Happy now?" Het wite mouth gapped open in disbelief. She couldn''t believe her ears. Most of all, she couldn''t believe what happened. "W-what?" ber voice barely above whisper "Tell me you are lying, tell me this is a joke." "It is not a joke." She took a step forward, face to face with Robert. "Why did you let this happened?! why did you do it?!" "Do you think 1 want to?" he stared at her frowning with a crazed look on his eyes. "I don''t Gretta! But I have to." "Because it is written in the contract. 1 betrayed Metacortex by working with Venus instead." Her face morphed with confusion. "Wait, you tell me that you work with Verus? As in Metacortex rival?" "Yes "ok, it means you are notpletely lose yet." It is Robert turn as his face morphed into confusion. "What do you mean?" "You don''t have any shares in Metacortex, so it means you don''t have may control over it. Then you should give up wanting Metacortex and instead destroying it or even sabotage it." "ire is smart. I''m sure she can sniff our doings from miles away." Gretta lips curl up into a small smirk "Well, we have to be smarter than her." Chapter 128 Chapter 138 I will never like him "ire, who''s cusly?" Matthew questioned herautiously, ne ced the document aside not really paying attention to it but still answering Matthew question. "Hm? Cindy? That''s the woman who dump wit the business foruma." She exined it casually while reading another document. Matthew tinted to her and raised his brows. "The one that you told me about?" She answered simply "Are you pot wondering why tasked you about her?" "Nope." ." She said popping the ''p'' and continue to sign the document, Matthew lipcurl up to a smisk. "You are awfully in a good mood I see. Is this because of yesterday event She ced down her document and switch her gaze to Matthew and smile. "I wouldn''t say I''m in a good mood but I''m rather relief that I am free from Robert "Well, you don''t have to worry about him again." a revenge She leaned back to her chair twisting the pen in her fingers. "As much as I want to, I can''t. I still need to be aware of him. Who knows that he is nning an "ire stood up from her chair and moved to sit on the couch next to Matthew. "Anyway, why do you ask about Cindy? Do you like her?" "Tsk why would I like her? I saw her name trending on X and as I open it, Tavideo of her and you." ire eyebrow furrowed in curiosity. "What do you mean?" Matthew handed ire his phone and she watched the video that he told her about. The video is about Cindy pouring wine on ire. She was slightly stunned that someone took a video of it and posted it on X. However, it turns out the video is full footage of the incident that ur at the business forum in New York She scrolled down to read thement and found out thements are bashing Cindy. Saying names to her and say how mean and evenment that ire is more beautiful than stic like Candy ire is natural whereas Cindy clearly have gotten a surgery not just on her face but body as well As she read that, ire couldn''t help but stifle aughed, Matthew raised his brows in amusement as the stared at her. "Why are youughing? Did you find something funny? ire straighten her posture and shook her head although thement still linger in her mind. "No." Matthew didn''t bought it, so he snatched the phone and read it himself and momentster, he burst outughing "oh my gosh! What the hell?! People need to stop replying with a gif. Theirments are so creative "ok, calm down Matt or you will choke on your saliva." She rolled her eyes yfully "I wonder who posted this." ire shrugged. "Probably one of the guests." Matthew turned to her. "Is this bothering you?" shaking her head, she mised her brows at Matt inquires. "No, why would it bother me?" "you don''t like being online especially on gossip news. In case If it bothers you, I will remove it." "Please don''t. Just ignore it. Besides, they are bashing Cindy not me and even if the situation were reverse, I prefer to ignore it and it will died down by itself. As long as you don''t give much attention, people will eventually stop talking about it. That''s how the inte works." *What happened to Cindy, though?" ire thought for a while then recall the news she read in the ne. "Hm as far as I know, her career ended. A few brands who made her an ambassador rece ber." "Did her career died in that very day?" Matthew couldn''t help but feel suspicious towards Cindy aftermath. ire shrugged her shoulders since she doesn''t really know. "I don''t know. 1 read it in the ne and even if her career ended, who cares. Karma''s a bitch." Matthew rewatch the video again as he saw Alexing out from the crowd and defend ire. He couldn''t help but feel that Alex has something to do with it. After all, he is also one of the most important people in the business world due to his sumame and he also have a lot of connection But is it possible for Alexander Harris ruling Cindy''s career and if he does, what was the reason? Is it for ire or he just doesn''t like Cindy? ire noticed his silence and nudged him with her elbow. "Hey, why are you so quiet? What are you thinking?" he turned to her, minds filled with his theories "Don''t get mad at me for asking you this. Could it be possible that Alexander ants was the one who ruin Cindy''s career? She couldn''t help but chuckled, "What do you mean? Why would Alexander ruin Cindy''s career?" "Maybe because he saw her harassing you which he doesn''like it so he decided to take matter in to his hands and ruin her career."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. *so, in short, you mean that Alexander doing it for me? Matthew nodded which makes ire Laughed out loud. "I''m sorry. But I think you have way too much free time. Alexander hates me and the feeling is mutual. So, if you said that he doing for me, I find it hard to believe." Marchew frowned deepened. "But what if it''s true? I mean hypothetically." ire was silent. She tried to picture Alex doing all that for her, but she can''t. Alex image in ire''s mind is a big of an asshole he is especially during their mage so if Matthew sald Alex doing all that for her, she couldn''t believe it. "No, I couldn''t imagine Alex doing for me. He''s an asshole tatt, I told you during my marriage with him, he doesn''t treat me right. So, he wouldn''t be the one doing it. Although, if you said Adrian''s name instead, maybe i will believe it." "the question, what if one day, Alex apologize to you for his mistakes and even got on both his knees practically begging for your forgiveness. Will you forgive Chapter 128 I will not like hum She thought for a while. "Well, yes. I will forgive him. But if you are wondering, will I get back to him or will I like him? Then no, I will never like him again northe thought of ever getting back to him crossed my mind." Her tone finn as she stated her mind. She knows for sure Alex will never apologize or even im himself that he is wrong. Meanwhile in the Harrispany, Alex is currently ending his video call meeting with his client until the door to his office open. He raised his brows at his secretary as she approach him. "I apologize to interrupt you sir, but the woman on the line kept calling me begging to speak to you." "Who''s the woman?" "Cindy, sir. Her name is Cindy Marshal" Alex rolled his eyes. "Tell her do not want to speak to her." *But sir, she will keep interrupting me. Alex sighed tiredly. "Eine, connect her to my line." f course, sir." A secondter, Alex is connected to Cindy''s phone call. "What do you want?" he said coldly and impatient "Alex, I''m sorry for what I did. I regret my action towards ire. Please get my career back. I promise I won''t harass both of you." She said between her sobs while begging to Alex. However, Alex doesn''t care. She was wrong to think Alexis a forgiving person. "No. That is the c consequences of your action. If one day you decide to do the same thing to ire, say goodbye to your fatherpany'' Is Alexander Harris starting to fall for ire Peterson? Chapter 129 Chapter 129 Christian help "Wait, that Cindy woman called you earlier?" Alex nodded as die sipped his coffee. "What did she say? Alex ced down the coffee mug as he took the scones, "Well, she was crying Fossene from her voice, and she was practically begging while also apologizing for her actions. She wanted me to lix her career." Christian was baffled as he grabs the stones." she still have the audacity to do that? After what she did to ire?" Alexshrugged, "What do you expect from a woman like her? She only think about herself." *No offense. But aren''t like her in a way." Alex raised his brows at his friend statement, "No, Lauant "Oh really?" he leaned back taking a bite of the stones, Chrisitan purposely taking his time to chew his scores while staring at his best mate Alex rolled his eyesat him "Stop staring at me like that. It''s freaky. Besides, I am nothing like Cindy." You are stubbor Alex you know that, right? I''m sure you will realize it sooner orter" "yeah, yeah say that all you want." The ringing of Alex phone interrupt them, Alex nced at it and sighed harshly seeing the art on the screen. Christian calved hisbrows seeing how Alex ignore the call. "You are not going to answer that?" "And why is that?" Alex grab his phone and show it to Christian which makes him chuckled. "I''m sure she misses you, you should answer her call, you don''t want her to do stupid shit, aren''t you?" Scrunching his brows in disagreement, Alex throw his phone to Christian which he catch it out of reflex. "What the Christian eyes widen as he stared at Alex," Why are you giving this to me? Answer it "Me?" "And why me? Isn''t she your girlfriend?" Alex rolled his eyes. "Ex-girlfriend and I want you to tell her that I am not here, just make excuses so she will not calling. "Nu-uh. I won''t do shit like that. You answerit." Christian throw the phone back to Alex and he caught i Alexthrow his phone back to Christian. "I will buy you food for a month." A He rolled his eyes as he threw it back. "You think I can''t afford a meal?" The two of them kept throwing the phone while Alex negotiate with Christian. "Fine I will pay for your bills for a month." "I can afford my bills just fine, Alex Maybe something more worthy," Christian said with a smick. Alex scrunched his eyebrows knowing what behind that mischief brain of his best mate. "If you think I will give you my limited-edition Aston Martin, you are wrong for that." "I didn''t say for you to give it to me but maybe handed it to me for four months." Alexeyes widen, stunned by Christian suggestion. "Are you crazy? That is limited-edition. Chris." "I know that''s why I wanted it. It''s only fair since I will be dealing with your gidfriend." He hissed. "Ex-girlfriend." Alex thought for a while. "How about I give you my BMW M... I''m sure you will like it." Christian held the phone in his palms while thinking "Hm..tempting offer, but no." He threw the phone back to Alex which makes him annoyed, "Fine, you can use the car for four months. Happy? A widenscape his lips as he is satisfied with Alex agreement. "Deal. Now let''s answer this woman of yours." "For thest time she is not mine." Alex stated frustratedly but this only makes Christian chuckled in amusement. Christian answer the called and Lisa''s voice came to the picture. "Alex? Alex, I am so d you answer my calls, I have been calling you, but you never answer my calls Where are you? I am worried about you, and I missed you. Do you not missed me." Christian cleared his throat before speaking. "Hello, is this Lisa?" Lisa was condused by the voice realizing that it is not Alex but someone else. "Who is this? And where is Alex?" "I''m sorry, Lisa but Alex is not avable." Lisa stranched her brows in confusion. "Then why do you have his phone?" "Alexis in a meeting, and he couldn''t be interrupt." "Please, let me talk to him for one moment. " Christian tone was professional as he respond to Lisa. "No, we are not allowed to interrupt the meeting." "That wille and visit him to the office!" Li said hatedly while standing up Alex who beard it gesture with his hands and shaking his head. allowed. We are currently having an important meeting and outsiders are not allowed to enter Please do not call his number again. cher to wall hot lisa pespond as he ended the cand blockbet mumber "Alex curiously asked. The said in an sh'' tone and threw the phone backtolesmate. "Twill be waiting for the car." (bring the car tothatnow and thanks by the way - gobertson working with Venus?" These past few days he hasn''t been chronically online with the news since he was busy with work and histest project, so this best is now working with Venus Christian nodded. "I thought he was with Metacortex? Or did they cut the contract?" update on that however, paparazzi caught sight of ire going into Venuspany." Christian handed Alex his phone and frowned deepened as he room in ire''s tace. imated. For some reason, Alexw something is going on between Robert and ire: Alex remember how ire mention Robert him to the bene. He didn''t noticed at tust, he assume that''s how she talk with the person she dislike including himself bute to ersonal between them something personal betweenthem Alex couldn''t help but speak his thoughts. Aders. "I don''t know but maybe it''s only business rted." moment, the gear in his brain is working. Suddenly the thought of his coborations with Metacortexe to mind and he became suspicious banged her mind because she was up to revenge to Roben? Or did he purely wanted to work with Harris? fevere he asked her the reason why, she only said because Alex idea is interesting. He didn''t bought it obviously. He knows a woman like poble it ire do it because someone change her mind. She is a stubbom woman same as Alex and Alex wouldn''t let anyone change his mind and only used Harris for her own benefits?Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 130 Chapter 130 Asking question Alexcontemted for a while after his shoat berak with Christian The question vill lingers in his mind. #should call her oc text her?he counted to himself feeling indecisive. "Fuck it, I''m going to her office." He stood up from his chair and grabi bis suit. Walking one of the office, die Inform his secretary about his absent. "I''m heading out. Please cancel my one o''clock meeting Alex make his way to the lift and as the door open, the employee immediately make space for him with wide eyes as soon as they see their loss, Alexraised his brows confusedly but didn''t say anything. He found his employer behavior very weird He walked out of the lift as soon as the door open and climbed inside his car. It took him thirty minutes to amive stepping out of car, he caught the attention of Metacortexemployee as the women whispers among them. With a serious expersson, Alex make his way inside the building. "Good aftemoon, what can we help you?" the receptionist greeted Alexpolitely although she couldn''t help but check him out. "Good aftemoon. I''m here to see Calie Peterson" "Do you have an appointment with her, *No but I have something important to discuss. Please inform her that Alexander Hamise to see her." Of course, sir, we will let her know."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. H ire was in the middle of a phone call with a potential client when the office phone rings. "Pardon me for a second, hello?" "I apologize for interrupting your time, but Mr. Alexaruler Hanis is here to see you ire scrunched her brows inconfusion wondering if she might have forgotten of their meeting "Ok, let him in." ire turned her focus on the current phone call. "I apologize Mr. Wayne, it seems that have a guest arising. Do you mind if we continue another day I will contact you myself." "Of course, Ms. Peterson, I will wait for your calls. As the phone ended, the door to her office open revealing Alexander Hans. He walked towards ire desk with his serious expression. It has been awhile since thest time ire saw Alex which is in the business forum. Usually, everywhere she goes she always ended up seeing him, however, seems Like London is on herside. "Ms. Peterson, Tapologize for Interupting your time unfortunately there is something I want to ask you about." "Of course, Mr. Harris please take asit." She gestured towards the couch. ire stood up from her chair and sit opposite from Alexander. The air around them is still awloward ire decided to ignore it and be professional as usual "So, what are you going to ask me about?" "Theard about the Robert situation. He work with Venus am I correct?" "Fortunately, you are correct, Mr. Harris. Robert will no longer be working with Metacortex and if this worries you for out future project, I can assure you everything will b-" Alex couldn''t help as he cut her off. "You are not using me get back at him, aren''t you?" ire froze It is the least she has expected for Alex to ask her this question.. pulled herposure and smiled. "Of course not, Mr. Harris, I will never do such thing." Alex narrowed his eyes at her, not hundred percent believing what she said. "ire, we are no strangers towards each other, and Ilmow you," he paused as he observed her face. "Why did you want to work with me?" She sighed softly. "Are you asking me that question again? I told yo-" "I want your honest question." "I told you because I li-" "Because you like me idea and you found it interesting." Alex finish it off for her. "I want real honest question ire." ire stared nkly at him. "If I tell you the real reason, would you even want to work with me? And if I''m not mistaken, you were the one who came to me, and 1. was just continuing it." Their eyes fill with intensity as they stare at each other. "Look it doesn''t matter. What matter is our project going forward." "You have something against Robert, am I right?" By now ire starting to have enough with the conversation. "Alex, I have work to do and I can''t entertain you with this question." "Why is it so hard for you to be honest? Are you always this uptight?" ire stood up from herseat and red at him "I am not uptight, and I have my reason who should I be honest with and with the likes of you, do you think I will trust my secret with you?" Alex chuckled lightly. "So, you do have a secret." allwn secret, Harris Alex stood up from his seat, tocking his hands inside his pocket. "We are business partner, ire and you should be honest with me, ire." Chapter 130 Asking question Crossing her arms over her chest, ire scoffed. "We are merely business partners. We are not husband and wife. I don''t need to tell you everything." "You lied to me for three years of our mariage and obviously I have trust issues now. You lied to me, Lisa lied to me and who am I going to trust?" ire frowned deepened at Alex statement. "I did not lied to you. I have my reasons." "oh yeah? Care to tell me what''s your reasons?" "Howe business talk could lead to this kind of conversation. It is not appropriate." She said in disbelief how fast the conversation turns. "We haven''t announced our coboration and before announcing to the public, I wanted to make sure. Is it too much to ask?" "Is not and I understand but your question about my personal rtionship with Robert was clearly doesn''t have any corrtion to it" she said firmly with a hint of annoyance in her tone. "Look, if you don''t want this project to work then be my guest to find another softwarepany. May I suggest Venus instead?" *You are so difficult ire." "I could say the same to you, Alex." The throw each other a hard red. "I could find someone else to work with. Like Adrian for instance." At the mention of Adrian''s name, Alex frowned deeper. He doesn''t like Adrian and something in his chest annoyed him seeing ire with Adrian. "he said rather too quickly, ire raised her brows at Alex outburst. He cleared his throat and straightened his posture. "What I meant was no. I don''t want to go all the trouble to find softwarepany. I apologize if I offend you, Ms. Peterson I shouldn''t have ask such inappropriate question." d another She stared at him before sighing. "Very well then Mr. Hamis. I ept your apology; however, this is thest warning. I don''t want any question regarding my personal lives." "Of course, Ms. P "Ms. Peterson " Alex outstretched his palms in attempt to shake hands with ire. She shook his her withdrew her hands quickly. hands and weirdly enough, ire f felt something as their n touch which makes She cleared her throat and nodded at Alex. "Very well then, I think you know the way out." Alex look at her onest time before exiting her office. He head down to the lobby and climbed inside his car. Pulling out his phone from his pocket, he dialed his PI bumber. "I need you to find out about ire Peterson from three years ago and his rtionship with Robert. Take your time, Ineed a concrete information about her." "Right away, sir." Chapter 131 Chapter 131 London High Socialite Alocken the dos interrupted her yet again ire heaved a sighed and ce het pen down. "Yes,e inN?velDrama.Org content. Sandra step inside berellice and handed ire an invitation. "I''m snitty for the interruption miss, but someone send this imitation to you," ire took it and reallthe letter. London ligh Socialite "Thank you, Sandia." She nodded and lett Feeling conious, she open the invitation and read the content, Dear, Ms te Peterson You are invited to attend the London High Socialite. The most elite social cicle in London. 12:00 PM, Hamis hotel. Wear your most fashionable outfit! ire stared at the invitation with a confused loolron ler face. "Why am I getting this?" she matter to herself. Feeling confused by the invitation, she check the name once again and it is directed to her. The door of her office open and Matthew strut in with a cupcake in hand. "What''s that?" he asked. ""or what?" "well, it said he is London High Socialite which I have no idea about it and wonder why they sent me this." ire said lifting the Invitation up. *aybe they want you to attend." Obviously but I have never know them Suurt heard of them, but I don''t even know any of the members or even encounter with them." *Whows maybe you did talk in them, but you did not notice." ire shouted and tossed the invitation on her desk "Do you think should go?" "Just go who know you see familiar faces." ire wasn''t really sure if she should go for this kind of thing, she is unfamiliar with, but she also feel curious with the whole London High Socialite. The next day, ire decided to attend, with her Chanel tweed and skirt set, Birkin bag, Cartier jewelry and her Louboutin pumps, she is now ready to enter. As the invitation said, the gathering is on the floor which is the garden. As she arrived, four guards, guarding the entrance. ire handed them the invitation and they let her in ire walked in the garden and spotted a few women''s in high end clothes. One of them spotted ire walking towards them and she stood up. "You must be ire Peterson Wee ire shoot her a soft smile and nodded. "Thank you for inviting me. It is an honor to be here." "Of course. Let me introduce you to the otherdies." she gather the rest of her friends. "First of all, my name is Belinda, "the woman radier who greeted ire." this, Miranda, Valet, and April" "Hello, my name is ire Peterson. Nice to meet all of you." April, the woman in a red hair walked towards her and giver her hug which caught ire off guard. "You are so beautiful, my dear." "Oh, thank you. Ms," ire said, still slightly stunned by his action "Just call me April." H "Yes, the likes to hug people." Violet responded by rolling her eyes. "Ignore her, she''s just jealous that she couldn''t be friendly like me." April replied not caring about violet respond. ire couldn''t help smiling w gwatching their encounter. It seems that they are trends and probably childhood friends seeing how close they are. ire dear, please have a seat." Miranda, who has her hair in a half ponytail invite ire to their table. ire could have guess that Miranda was the wisest out of of them "Thank you." ire thanked them, feeling grateful for their hospitality Hum is this all of the members?" Belinda wward her hand while chuckling at ir question. Of course not, my dear. The other are on their way they just like being fashionablyte." ire couldn''t help but looked around the venue. She would have thought they would choose an expensive and extravagant venue. However, this venur is simple and not even grand, it makes her confused why do they call themselves London High Socialite if the venue for their gathering is not even that grand? Except for the putt they are wearing. The four women shared a knowing look. They could already goes what ire had in mind, "I''m sure you are wondering why we chose such simple venue, right?" Miranda started calie cheek redden as she escaught observing apologize just for being nude " 131 London High Socialite "Nonsense, you are not rude. If you are wondering why, it''s because we prefer something simple not extravagant. Our club name maybe sound opposite from whe you have imagine and for outsider they probably have the same thought as you but in fact we are not what they think we are." April continue. "Yes, we may be wearing expensive clothing, jewelry, handbag and even car but that is not the point. The club name is only to deceive people. Not everyone in this club are wealthy and rich." A confused look etched on her face. "Wait, they are not?" The four of them shook their heads while smiling. "No, my dear. It is only an expression as in only smart, worthy and hard-working women are invited in this club Do you know Mrs. Tina Johnson?" ire nodded. "If I may not mistake, she is the wife of the real estate Mr. Bruno Jolmson." "You are right. Despite of her status, she is not one of our groups, Knowing like her to our club," wing that the often belittle after woman only for her e entertainment. We don''t ept women *So, the London High Socialite is not the extravagant gathering that its name might suggest. In fact, it regardless of their background." ire said. it is a mer eeting for smart, hardworking, and deserving women, A wide grin stered on April lips. "Couldn''t have worded it better." "We also have our own program that we funded. We support v women who wanted to leam entrepreneurship and also other skills." ire was in awe listening to their exnation about their program. All this time, ire thought was wrong and so was the other. This gathering is so supporting and alsoforting. She was d that Matthew suggested to her to go even though she didn''t want to at first "That is so noble of what youdies did." April gaze shifted to the woman behind her. The others immediately stand up, which makes ire curious. She followed them and turned around only to see a very beautiful woman. She might be in her mid-forties, but her skin is well maintained. Her har is put in a neat bun and her aura is expensive which ire could feel from where she stood. Nheless, she remind ire of someone. But she couldn''t put a finger in it. "ire my dear, this is Adrianna Saint Laurent. The founder of our club. Miranda introduced her to ire. Her eyes widen hearing herst name, "Saint Laurent?" her voice barely above whisper as she e makes sense of the woman in front of her. She smiled gently to ire. "Are you Adrian mother?" Adrianna nodded. "Yes, I am. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Peterson. My son talka lot about you." She outstretched her hand in which ire shook it. April raised her brows at ire, "You know her son?" Chapter 132 Chapter 132 About ire Knowing that Adrian''s mother is the founder of the club didn''t crossed ire mind one bit. It was such a plot twist for ire finding out that Adama Saint Laurent, aka Adrian''s mother, is standing right in front of her she should have guess from her features, she reminded her of Adrian. Ande to think of it, Adrian really look like her mother. They both have gentle features, ire stammered as the responded. "I-um-" "Don''t scare Ms. Pelerson away, April or she might change her mind and leave this club," she said jolingly. *please have a seat the other is on their way." April whispered beside me. "So, how do you know Adrian? "Well, I know his grandfather very well. It doesn''t ur to me at first that he has a grandson." She let out a chuckled. "It''s a sign that you and Adrian are meant to be." ire turned to Aprill with a confused look but didn''t say anything further. A momentter, the rest of thediese, and it is not as much as ire thought, in total there are fifteen of them. It is really private and exclusive. ire spotted someone who is also her age, but it is only two of them including ire it will be three youngster who got the honor of attending this club, Today''s gathering is not as heavy as ire thought. It is only an introduction to weing new members and the woman who is her age, are also a new member. The gathering filled withughter, stories, food and warm, ire found herself liking theirpany which she never thought possible. "Are you enjoying the gathering?" Adrianna approach ire while asling her with a smile. "Of course, Ms.Saint Laurent. It is very warm andfortable. Thank you so much for inviting me." "No worries, my dear. You deserve Lt." me? Is it because of Adtian?" However, ire couldn''t help thinking otherwise. "If you don''t mind me asking, what is the reason for you to invite me? She chuckled Lightly. "No, of course not. Don''t get me wrong. Adrian did tell me about you but only vaguely. And I invite you here because of your achievement not because my son know you or my father low you." "No offense but that''s relief." She shot ire a smile. "Don''t worry I know how it feels being known for Saint Laurent daughter inw. It is not a good feeling. They instantly forget who you are just because you are connected with these powerful people." "Lagree." d makes you an "Oh, by the way, I almost forgot. Here," Adrianna pulled a card out of her handbag, and it is a rose gold color card with ire name on it. "This card r official member of the London High Socialite." Taking it from her grasp, ire looked at the shining card. She bumed to her and arched br brows. "What does this do?" "You can gain ess to a popr golf club doesn''t matter if it is book cause we, London High Socialite have our own spot, just show them the card and they will attend youPublished by N?v''elD/rama.Org. "Wow interesting. What else can you do with this? *You can ess a salon, club, borse riding, this is what I love the most, casino." ire eyes widen as she did not expect such simple card can ess all of that. "Do you Ladies still out clubbing?" Adrianna chuckled as she found ire expression hrious "of course, my dear. After all, we need our me time. Just be careful not to lose it." ire nodded in understanding. "I will keep this safe. Thank you very much." *Anytime, my dear." The rest of the gathering went well, and ire met a lot of new people. She is d that she can connect with these smart, powerful and hardworking women As the gathering ended, ire headed out first after saying her goodbye to them. She needs to go to the office to continue her work. She needs to know the update of Cortex 20. She needs this project to go perfectly without any flows As ire arrived at her office, Sandra inform her that Harrispany will make the announcement bout their coboration. "When will the news be release?" she asked Sandra smiled feeling content about Metacortex and Harris coboration "Today, Ms. Peterson at 3PM." ire nodded and enter her office. She couldn''t help but wonders what crossed Alex mind especially since his visit yesterday which they ended up arguing again. Maybe this is a sign of his apology? ire thought to herself. She then shrugged and epted at the end. Honestly, ice is looking forward will the project it is only Alex that is in the way however, from now on, ire have to be professional and set aside their differences. ir is willing to do that as long as the project go perfectly. Back at Ales penthouse, he receive a phone call from his Pl. He answered it in a heartbeat curious to know the update about ire Peterson we have obtais some information about ire Peterson. The rest about her is still on the research." "It''s fine. Tell me what you know about her Three years ago, the Peterson family were caught in a car crash. A drunk driver identally crash the truck into ire''s car. From the picture the car crash must be very dangerous cause the car was split into halt." Alex eyes widen in disbelief hearing this revtion. He couldn''t believe his ears that ire''s family were in a car crash and moreover, they must be dead due to the car crash. Suddenly, Alex felt bad about her and starting to regret how he acted towards her in the past. "For a few years, not one could identity the body nor the car even the police couldn''t, which I find very suspicious. And the news about the car crash died down after "Walt, you tell me that the police couldn''t even identify the body?" "How is it a police officer couldn''t identify the car crash with all of the technology they have?" Alex eyebrow scrunched in confusion. This doesn''t seems right. The crash is obviously a set up and someone pay the police. How about ire? Is ire was also involved in the car crash?" "She did sir, however, in the document the police didn''t mention a twenty-three-year-old woman." How is that possible? Can we trust the document?" Alex needs a concrete proof, and the document didn''t do justice -The document it is indeed real, sir "Have you find where she ended up in or where did she go for those three years?" his mind is burning with question and also answer. He wanted to know what happened to ire. What really did happened to ire. Asking her about it won''t solve anything. It will only make the situation worse and so is their rtionship. "I''m sorry, we are still checking "Don''t stop until you find something important about her." "Understood, sit." The call ended and Alex took a sit at the couch while digesting the information he had acquired. "I am one step closer to know the real you, ire." He muttered to himself while staring at the firece. Chapter 133 Chapter 133 Do you like him? "How was the gathering with the London High Socialite ire tomed to Matthew who is lounging at the couch. "Why are you so earlytely?" He smiled. "Well, you gave me 25% of your shares so it is only fair if I became a good employee." ire rolled her eyes yfully as she put down her bag. "You do know that you don''t have to work or co tore here unless there''s a stakeholders meeting I know but tehose toe here. Keep an eye of thepany incase Robert decide to lurk around thepany." "Sure, you can do whatever you want Matthew Matthew ced his dert down and tumed to ire, "so, how was the London High Socialite?"" A siled crossed her face as ire took a sit across from Matthew. "It is not like what I thought He raised his brows. "What do you mean?" at it will be." "Well, it is much more better than I thought." ire answer with a smile on her face. Care to borate?" So basically, what people thought that London High Socialite is about you know rich women who exclusively got invited to join their club but in truth not all of them are rich: Tuns out the name of their club has other meaning. They supported women who wanted to be an entrepreneurship by funding their business and "The name London High Serulite what''s the meaning of that?" "It means, smart, hardworking and powerful women. After attending the gathering yesterday, I just realize not a lot of women could keep up with it which is why it is called High Socialite. You are not only invited because you are rich, but you are invited because you have a great impact whether it is in a business industry or other." Matthe who heard it wasn''t really expecting the opposite. "Wow it sounds like an amazing club." ire nodded her head enthusiastically. "It is I never felt morefortable." "I always thought it''s about rich women gathering showing their bags, ne house or whatever they worth showing." "thought so too. In fact, the venue yesterday was really simple. They book the garden on the floors with simple decoration. Clearly not what I expecting." "I guess what they said it''s right. Don''t judge a book by its cover." "It is afght indeed. Want to know what''s crazier?" ire said excitedly which makes Matthew raised his brows. "What?" ire stood up from her seat and pulled out the card from her purse and show it to Matthew. "This!" H Matthew took it in his hands and observed it. "You have your own card! That''s cool. I wish I have one," He joked which receive a rolling eye from ire "What can this card do?" ire took it back from him and tucked it inside her purse. "Well, I can have ess to a popr golf club despite being so book, the London High Socialite has their own spot. 1 can also have ess to their horse riding, salon, club and even casino," His eyes widen in amazement. "Now I want that card." ire chuckled "Maybe you could have your owndub, Mart." He snorted. "Yeah, and the members will just be and you." Hearing makes ireughed. "Anyway, do you know who''s the one created LHS?" "Adrian mother." "Ok, that I did not expect." "Yeah, me too. I have the same reaction." "Does she knows about your rtionship with her son?" ire frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "What rtionship are you talking about?" "Obviously your friendship. What did you think I ask?" Matthew wriggled his brows which makes her rolled her eyes. "Yes, she knew, and she was fine with it. Adrianna was kind just like her son." Matthew cross his arms over hischest staring at ire while thinking. "Do you like Adrian?" Her eyes widen, stunned by the question "What? No! of course not. I like Adrian as a friend. He is nice and kind, but I couldn''t picture myself to be more than past friends with him." "How about Alexander?" uze immediately frowned, "What about him?" "Do you like him!* "ribviously no, Why would I like him again? It''s like I''m wishing a death game or something." Matthew slicugged "Who knows, I mean people change and it Alexchange became a better person will you like him?" "No, still an. Even if he us into Henry Cavill the answer is still no." wwn words." Matthew give her and apuse. "I apud your principle and confidence. Just don''t eat your own ire rolled her eyes for the second time. "Aye-aye captain." As the evening is nearer, ire leave the office since all of her work isplete. She has also receive a call from a news report wanting to interview ire regarding her coboration with Hanispany however, ire declined, and she will inform Alex that he will be the one who handle the media. ire doesn''t want anything to do with the media in case they decide to ask her question that she doesn''t want to answer which will only make it awkward.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ire bead down to the lobby and climbed inside her car. Matthew had already leave since ire ask her to check on Cryptonic website due to a breach in their system. Despite the situation with Robert, these past few days everything seems to be normal. Robert hasn''t called her again and Metacortex stock market has rise up since the depart of Robert and ire haven''t notice anything suspicious. Lisa also stop haunting her and so is Gretta. It seems like the universe is on ire side. "Thank you, Dave. Drive carefully please, the rain is so heavy. "Of course, miss." "Have a Good night, Dave." "Good night, miss." ire jump out of the car as she arrived back on her penthouse. She wasn''t expecting the rain to be so hard. The weather earlier was fine, it was even sunny then suddenly it rains. ording to the weather forecast, the rain expecting at 8PM meanwhile it is still 6:30 PM. This is why you don''t trust weather forecast. As she arrived at her floor, she decided to take a quick shower and maybe have a teatime while watching movie especially in this rainy weather. It makes it perfect. It has also been a while since ire doing such activity. she miss her me time. The hot water soothe the tension in her muscle as it rx her. The candle a soothe her thoughts. It makes ire calm andpose. ire admit that that was the best shower he ever had with no pressure or even problems. She got dressed and head downstairs to make herself tea. As she is done, ire moved to the living room and decided to watch Friends instead. She loves it. It makes herughed until anck on the door interrupt her. Confusion crossed her face as she wonders who that might be. She didn''t order anything, and she obviously did not expecting anyone, Choosing to answer the door since the lock is getting louder, she open the door only to see a drenched Alex with a worried loolcon his face. "Alex?" confusionced in hertone. "ire, you had amnesia?" Chapter 134 Chapter 134 ku. What truly happens. ire was caught eft guard by exquestion. Moreover, she wasn''t expecting Alexto appeased in her front door "Who didn''t tell me you had atesta?" said Alex who stand at her with enemi cane tone deally wasn''t expecting Alexto say on even and out about her past. sout the shit, share, Fonor please be honest." Alex voice was desperate, his eyes never leaving tte. Water dipped down the floot as his clothes drenched by the water duete the beay nam Laine closed her throat hoping to shut the copationless thesis et "Lion Tate about my dethes," Lalon''t want to talk about it, Mex" tte said coldly, she was going to closed the door when Mex grabbed her waist, stopping her. Hadw are you so stubborn?" Alex salud, reeling britated. Wow do you want to know awn she used het voor feeling angry at Alextor intervening in her personal lives. "How many times did told you to stop sticking your nose to someone else''s business." Twented about you, ire." irughed at his remarks, " now you are wesied about me after finding out what happened to me. Are you going to aut thes same way if you haven''t find out "My thoughts exactly." "ke please, canyon past exin tone. Force," ine tisted her palms and yanked her arms from Alex grip "Fine, you want to know what unly happened? Then I will tell you the till sinn." Eventually, ge imoted Alex inside her penthouse despite her ns to shoo him away. "Don''t go anywhere. You are puning me floor. I''ll be back" She said bitterly as she headed to theundry room to get a spare towel, enor she got back, she threw at Alex which he caught it skelltulit. "Diy yoself up, take your shoes off and give me vooruit." She also brought a changed on clothes that belongs to Matthew, "change into this, then ce your wet clothes here." Alex trosed in confusion. "Who clothes is this?" ire rolled hereves. "Air you seriously still adding me? the grateful you have a changeot clothes rather than staving in that wet clothes that can give you pneumonia." Alex didn''t question her fouther, he beate the battuto change. Clue let out a heavy sighed as she did not expect his presence.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. seems like the universe decided to surprise her. ire walked to the kitchen to make a cup of hot tea totales, she then stop het action as she question betselt, why did she go all this trouble to Alex? What has gotten ihr? Alex called ire, she walls out from the kitchen and hashed him a hot tea. "Drink this and wait forme at the living room." ire snatched the Landy basket from him and dump it inside the washing machine. Once she is done, she head back to the living room. "didn''t know you like watching." "There are a lot of things you don''t know about me. "Est thing first, how did you know I had amnesta! "Hided a private investigate to find out about you." ire achedlinbows. So, you meciulous about me?" e tuned the television uti and put her attention to Ales as she crossed her legs. Alex sighed then nodded. "Yes, because you never tell me the to You always be i #jhope my brasausas to why I didn''t tell you. Why should I tell you anyway? We don''t have any rtionship anymore and we merely business partner nothing "yes, we don''t, but at boat fileserve an exnation. I mantil you for three years without knowing about you. Hell, don''t even know it te tarily know you. ein. Alex words was halt ight. He at least deserve tow especially wish her change of behaviou Minclosedher eyes anteshaded. His eyes thattered operand found Mes still stanga het, "Alight, what do you want to low?" *shdisk* amin, l, we haer ?n puhrer since is Cubistmasdidas "Ateny the year oldbe said to bet patent sescitedly. Chapter 135 Chip 135 What truly happens "Of course. We should totally go." Mary stared at her husband and daughter shading her head with a smile on her face. "You two are totally alike." "When do you think we should go?" asked ire. "How about tomorrow? I am going to tell Robert about our vacation," "suse, tell him to keep an eye on thepany," ire said as she surfed the inte to find a ce to stay. Their trip was going well until the need to pass the dark road. "Dad, I think we should stop. It''s so dark, I can''t even see anything." Said ire feeling concem "Peter, do you think we should stop?" Hector asked their driver. "I will follow your order, sir." "Then we should keep going." ire tumed to her father disbelief. "Dad," "What? If you want to see the sunset, t, we better hurry. If not, we will miss it." ire sighed as she leaned back to the leather seat The cat keeps going despite the dark road, ire have a bad feeling suddenly. She doesn''t feel good. Until a bright light shooting towards their car and it crashes to them. A scream can be heard, ire doesn''t know it it is hers or her mother. The impact was so strong, the car rolled over and spun a couple of times. ire opened her eyes, but it was too heavy for her. She felt blood dripping from her head. She saw her parents unconscious. "Mum, dad, wake up, wake up! Peter!" Then she heard a metal breaking. She realized, her position was on the edge of the cliff. She tried to climb up, but her arms were too weak "Mum, dad," ire tears stream down her cheek she spotted fire erupted from the front car and also the truck that crash on to her. Panic starting to rise. She doesn''t know what to do. She doesn''t even know if her parents is still alive or dead. Her crying became louder as the car cracked, and it cut in half. ire fell to the cliff. The sound of the water sshed was loud as well as the impact. That day, there was also a thunderstorm which made the waves more uncontroble. ire tried to swim up, but the waves was too powerful for her until her head crashes into the rocks which made her lose conscious. "Present time" "That was what happened to me. Thest thing I remember was trying to swim my way through, but the waves was so strong, and I was weak and so the waves managed to throw me and eventually I crashed into a rock. The next day I woke up in the hospital not recalling anything from the identst night. I don''t even Inow my name." Alex swallowed the lump in his throat. He didn''t know how much ire went through. Now he feels guilty for the way he treated her. He regretted it. "How did my grandfather found you?" 10sity as he scrunebe ating at the hospital to a few days, I got sich and scared don''t want to be the presence of gam to at least coves me People on the street looked at me weirdly but I didn''t care chair with eves closed the passerby thought that he was probably esleep how finger on her hair. "tapotted a breadcrumb on your grandfather lips, and I just made k connection atte bould da until I i gundrather might be allergic to but I don''t know whet site my grandfather Alex finishes of whichte nodded. "I was lucky "The reason why you grandfather for you to marry me."ire continue exiningPublished by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Alex was still digesting all the information. It clearly too much form, but he is d that he is not being kept in the dark age Ntv grandrather was repaving you for saving his life. Why didn''t you tell me about this?" Alex frowned clearly disliking the secrecy date shipped #1 don''t know. It never crosses my mind, besides, I don''t want to be seen as a superhero. I just wanted to be seen en me grandfaches, practically saving his life and acted like an asshole to you." redo'' low how to spend Obously, she hated Alex for making her life miserable but on the other hand, she feels confused abou preter to be silent not knowing what to say. kowicha orchestrated the ident?" of a pure car crash?" n with a puzzled look on her face "How do you know it was not a Why 1 vxined it to me. He told me that the ident was suspicious and after only a few days the news about the ident died down and the police couldn identity the body. You could tell somebody tipped them off." e couldn''t help agreeing with Alex however, she doesn''t have an intention of telling him who she suspect. She already tell him too much She shook her head "matraid I don''t know. It doesn''t matter though; the past is past, and I don''t want to dwell on it too much. Breaking free from your dark past seans you snap your fingers. It needs time to heal and make peace with it" "I''m sure the culprit will be found soon" Alex gaze into her eyes "Tell me, back then, did you love me?" It felt like somente dumped cold water on her. She was still confused if she should respond or ignore it. Even so, Alex already know her past, so it is better toy it ire nodded slowly. "Yes, I did. I did love you. Don''t ask me why. I just thought you have the same caring side, kind and gentle just like your grandfather and "1-1 am so soy ir. I-I didn''t k "Don''t be with all due respect. Alex. You wouldn''t have apologize if I didn''t tell you all this. Am I right?" Alex was sent because ire was right. He wouldn''t apologize for his behavior if he hadn''t known what really happened to ire. Alex cleared his throat and looked down in shame. "re, I low what I did to you was wrong- *Not wrong but you make me miserable. You cheated with my ex-best friend and on our anniversary, you brought her to your penthouse. 1 cooked for you even ught don''t know how to cooked but 1 try to make you something special and in retum i saw you cheating with Lisa Do you know how hurt i was at that His mouth gapped open then close like a fish wanting to breath air. "However, I should thank you. If you didn''t identally pushed me, I would have never regain my memory. So, you y an important part. I thank you for that." Alex was congue tied not knowing how to respond. He already apologize to her, but ire doesn''t seem to care about his apologies and now he doesn''t know what behold do to make her forgive him. "ire, will this affect our business?" she shook her head. "No, just pretend like you don''t know about me and kept looking at me like you hate me and stop pitying me cause I don''t need anyone''s pity. "Alright, I do as you say "Thank you." "Do you think we can rebuild our rtionship as friends?" "Terry I don''t think I can." Alex nodded in understanding. He doesn''t want to force her. He already make her miserable enough and this is the least he could do for hel "Ok, I will do as you say, "ades then stood up. "I should leave." *Your clothes is not ready yet." "it''s fine. You can send someone to send my clothes" Alex already tumed back on his heels as he made has way to the front doos. Why were your clothes wet asked ire as she wonder his drenched clothes. Ales smiled and shook his head. "My car ran out of gas, so I have to walk here." "Andhow are you going to go home in this heavy rain?" 212 te sased hen brows. "tathiscain?" Heshopped his shoddlers. "I''m sure there''s one waiting around theer." ire doesn''t want to dieties, but she is not that heartless. "Take my car." Alex frowned and stared at her I confusion. "Why?" the satdiny a matter of fart. So, you can go home." Alen kept shakding; bin Invaderly doesn''t want to pressure her. "No, I will take a cab." te clicked her tongue in annoyance at Alex stubbornness "just take it, Alex. I own many cars." "I''ll be tine ire, Don''t worry about me." She spotted in disbellet a worried about y I you. I just don''t want you to get sick on our meeting." Brody sed adich makes ite annoyed "Of course," usbreliail you don''t want to." ire took the unbre and pushed it towards his chest. "Take it." she said firmly which Alex can only stared , thanks and thank you to the tea and clothes" The port deor open and Alesep out, he nced at re onest time and nodded his head towards her. "Thank you for tellin me and I''m deeply sorry for what Ididtown He head inside the lift and the door closed, ire could still feel her heart beats faster. Her eyes still training on the lift and after a moment, she went back inside. "How did Dishappened Espy Ad-Fine Chapter 136 Chapter 136 Warning. Allnight se mod is upy by the thought of Alexander she still in disbelief that the had a heat to hear conversation with him. It was thest thing she had inmi The clock strike LA and there is no sign of ire getting a good night sleep. dane kickett hen nket and lean back to the headboard with a town on her tace, She has a misture of regret and dishellet stered on her face "Why did I do that." I told Alex about my past? Lann sich an liliet." She groom loudly as she covers her face with a pillow and let out a loud screams. se doesn''t mind being honest about her past like she did to Matthew and Ta but in this case is Alexander Haris. The man she hate, dislike and evendespise she have no idea what crosses her mind earlier that makes her feel bad especially seeing hindrenched in the rain "Don''t tell me this is one of his tricks so he could find information about me?" ire said out loud trying to make sense at the situationslu put herself intoContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Haus has passed and ire still haven''t managed to tall deep mags are visible under her eves as she still in her sitting position as beenter ire''s room "ire! Who are you not answer-oh, what happened to you?" Matthew raised his eyebrows curiously a ire tumed her gazeto Matthew with a straight face," did something stupid." She said exasperated. Matthew approach her as he sit on the foot of the bed. "What did you do?" his voiceced in curiosity. *eld Alex mypast. In an instant, his eyes widen in shocked as he couldn''t believe what he is bearing. "Wait, what do you mean by telling him your past? Don''t tell me. ire bodded which makes Matthen let out a deep sighed. "Why did you do it? 1 thought you hated him." 1. do. I do hate him, but I don''t know what came up to me." ire get off from the bed as he stood in front of Matthew. "He came here unknowingly, and he immediately mentioned my amnesia then I saw him drenched in rain. All his clothes are wet, and offer toundry those Wit? How did he found out?" "He hired a FL And you did what to him again? Matthew looked at ire straight in the eye. "undry his clothes?" she said nervously and looked anywhere but her best friend eyes. "Why would you offered to wash his clothes? Don''t tell me you ofter him to stay here?" se looked at him bewildered "What? No! I am not that crazy." She frowned as ire crossed her an overher chest. "You told him about your past because you felt bad about him getting all wet?" Matthew said while frowning. "I-I don''t know." "What else did you do? Make him a poftea?" ire bit her lips and looked away as she feel Matthew had caught her red handed. "Oh my gosh, ire. You did! Did you also offered him a ride home?" ire eyes widen as she shook her head continuously. "No! I wouldn''t do that. Although I might offered ham to drive my car instead." He covered his face with both his palms in disbelief. "To ease your mind, did not offered him kindly. I talked to him the way I usually talk to him, and he also refused in yeah. Matthew took a step closer to her and and ced both his hands on her shoulder "ire, look at ine," she gaze into his eyes," know what he has on his sleeves. Don''t fall for his tricks, He is trying to mampte you. Don''t fall for it." "Be careful with Alexander. You don''t e me told him about my past and the ire let out a heavy sighed. "I know and I will not fall for his tricks. I just just don''t know what came up to me that made trasoni got amnesia and such." "Did you told him about Robert ire shook her head. "No, I wouldn''t do that. It''s too dangerous for outsider to know about Robert." Matthew nodded his head in grement. "That''s a relief. I think you should stay here and get some rest. Let me deal with your work. I will send the important tiles that you need to evaluate and also bring the document that you need to sign." Despite Matthew offer, ire shook her head in disagreement. "No, it''s fine Matt. I am still capable going to the office." "No. I can see that you are tired, and those eye bags don''t do you great." Matthew ushered her to her bed and covered her with a nket, urging her to take a pest "Just sleep, r. Youdon''t need to worry about your work Lam here for a reason." The door softly closed and not even a minuteter, ire eyes shot closed. she fall asleep in a matter of second Matthew make his way to Alexander dice holding a paper bag. He into the receptionist that he needs to see Alexander Hans and also to retum his clothes Sering Matthew serious expression, she immediately get to work as he called Alexander office phone and told him exactly what Matthew had told her earlier. The difference was Matthewusedte name trad of him. "Tunate allowed to go to his office." Said the receptionist as she handed Matthew the guest cand. Without waiting musch, Matthew head to his office. His pon the paperbag tightening Ashe arrived on the instructed foot, he knocken alexdoor. hiking the dogs open, Matthew walked beside his office. WA Alex looked at the man in confusion as he thought earlier was ire, "Who are you? And where is ire?" salid Alex wither onfusion eta lord on his face. "Tied. There is no ire. * Alex frowned as he stood up from his chair. "What are you doing here?" Matthew dropped the paper bag on his desk. "Don''t bother ire anymore." Alex frowned deepened as he re at Matthew, "Who are you to control me? Just because you are Chalte usted person doesa''t mean she will agree will your action if she finds out about this," Chuckling lightly, Matthew tuck his hands inside his pocket. "What? Are you going to tell ire about this? I wouldn''t be surprised if yourlo it." taking a step forward with only Alex deskin between, Matthew stated into his eyes with all seriousness "Voulmat tie oner and I won''t let you do it again. If I see you attempting to approach ire outside the business work, you will regret it," "You think I''m scared with your stupid little threats? I will do what I want." Matthew corner lips curl up into a smirk. "We''ll see about that. Just because she told you about her past doesn''t mean she want peace with you. Remember, she still hates you." And with that Matthew turned his back and leave Alexander office, Alex fisted his palm as he hit his desk in anger. Seeing the paper bag on his table, he take a look at it and throw it away. He then sneezed loudly as he could feel his head pounding "Please bring me a hot tea and an Advil," He said through the inte to his secretary. "Right away, sir" Alex leaned back to his chair as his mind drifted to the other night. His conversation with ire and the way she took care of bim despite her cold expression. Pulling out his phone, he dialed his Pl number. "I want you to find out about this Matthew guy. Who is he and how is be close with ire." Chapter 137 Chapter 137 *She what?" ne woke up feeling conged costess to Matthew that are could take a day off to rest, A big van escape her mouth as she stretch her same cle "preally do think I need more sleep" she muttered to herselt as she hump out from the bed. As much as ire wanted to sleep more, she can''t. She needs to get to The office to see the update of costes 10 and also schedule a meeting with ber dients. Despite Matthew often ter telling hen to take a whole day ati. she head to the bathewata to take a showwen. Feeling the warm water toch het skan, eise bet sete mocle... As seeth as she is finish, date beaded to her walk-in closet toget diess. She stood at the center of the mom, observing her clothing, thinking, what ot outta se should weat. After a minute or two, she opted for a Mack suit and truser. As she feels satisfied with her outtit of choice, she did ber hair and inakeup. chrisch choosing het ot, re all see essories. She weather Cartier jewelry around her neck as well as the bracelet undi edarretake a look at herself in front of the mutton. She sunited in satistaction bow the lookot timed out, She felt mese powerful in a nutt Adefinition et a true leader She has fish getting ready and she decided to head to the office mail she remembers Alex clothes is still in her house. ire open the Laundry room in search for his clothes however, she didn''t spotted checking the washing machine in case she must have forgotten his clothes inside, but she didn''t found am Hunched incontusion cause she vividly remembers that ire ced them in theundry room. Not once has she remove it out from this room. matawind Where are hielothes?" Deciding to watch toter on, she leave her penthouse and head to her office ire was thankful that the road is clear today. There is no traffic so it is must Laster to get to her once he has arrived at het floor, she greeted Sandra. "Aftemoon, Sandra. Is Matthew here!" re nodded. "Okay, thank you. And do you mind bring meal and a pan au chocte please. I think I''m craving for it."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. "Right away, mis "Thankyou, Sandra." ire push the door open. She didn''t bother to knock it as she is the CEO hell You know it will be nice to you to knock ire raised her brows in sement at Matthews respond as he is checking the document "I apologize for internopting your quietness, book." Matthew ced the paper down and turn to her smiling. "What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay at home. "I know but I feel bored, and you low me all do is work. I need check out Coley." ite ced down her bags and sit across Matthew. *ce unit by the way." ire looked down at her outfit and smile proudly. "What can say I''ma tashion icon. I got to gives the fashion magazine what they want. Talking about clothes, do you see my maid entering my penthouse?" He raised his boom. "No, what''s wrong? "Alexander clothes is not in myundry room. I vividly remember purting them there and haven''t take it out." "I gave it back to the man itself." Matthew said calmly which makes ire scrunched her brows curiously "Why did you do that?" "Because he reads his clothes. That''s ''s why" ire narrowed her eyes at Matthew. "Matt, I didn''t tell you to that. I just asked you to take care of thepany not dropping off his clothes." Matthew let out a sighed. "ire listen, ok? I was only doing you a favor by returning his clothes, so you don''t need to see him again. Isn''t that what you want in the first ce? To not see him again?" ire can only stared at him without muchpression "Oh Yeah, that''s what I want." She simply said. Now, Matthew was the one who narrowed his eyes at ire. His eyes filled with suspicion. "Don''t tell me you want to this clothes back in person?" "No!" she said quickly while shaking her head. "Why would you think that? I was just making sure no one trespass properly." Still feeling suspicious, Matthew leaned back to his chair, he didn''t press on the matter father. The door open and Sandra came beating iteerder "Ms. Peterson, her is your order that you ask" "Thank you, Sandra Could you please inform the team to gather inthe meeting room in tuty mites? led to the update of Contex 2.0" Sandra nodded. "Right away," She leave the office and it leitite and Matthew. ire tumed to Matthew and browned at the way he stared at her. "Don''t give me that look" "Want kook?" Matthew said innocently, "That look. That says, "I don''t trust youpletely. Just so you now don''t care about Alex, and I don''t care about his rinthes, ok." Helet out a light chuckled. "You read too much ire." 212 Meanwhile back at Harrispany, Alexander is sitting at his best friend office. He propped his elbow on his thigh in a thinking position, Christian who is sittingg at his desk, raised bis brows at Alex. He couldn''t help wondering why he is here if Alex is not goby; to talk. However, is not a really big deal for Christian. ?n fact, this is a usnul situation he had face for quite some time While tipping though the document, hemented sarcastically. "You campertectly rece The Thinker it you kept that position for another hour." Mex tomed to him nothing his eyes at his best friend sarcasticment. "That was hrious maybe you should be aedian instead." He retorted which males "I''m kidding man What''s bothering you anyway?" Chrisitan stood up from his chair and move to seat across of Alex on the couch. "Nothing" "Your mouth may say nothing, but your face so otherwise," Alex stated at ban then sighed. "It''s ire." At the mention of ire name, Chistian raised his brows. "Again? I thought you don''t want to talk about her. I mean didn''t you say you hate her?" Alex leaned back to the couch. "At first yes. I mean I just found out something crazy about her." he leaned forward and rested both his elbows on his knees: "What? What did you find about her this time? "Do you know that ire was once in an ident?" Christian looked up, contusion evident on his face. He senched his brows and leaned forward "She what? An ident you say?" Alex took a deep breath, bracing himself "Three years ago, ire was in an ident." Christian nked in surprise, shalong his head in disbeliet. "An ident? Are you sure? Maybe you heard it wrong." suffered from amnesia during our But Alex shook his head firmly. "No, Christian, ire herself told me about it" Alex continued, his tone serious, "Turns out she sutter three years of manage" im Bonus For Free Every Day! Chapter 138 Chapter 138 "What did you do Alexander?" The revtion behind ire. He himself wasn''t it you meanthur Culer wasn''t ire when she midled you?" Christian eyes widen in shocked finding- expecting this kind of information A lot of questions running through his mind that he wants to ask to Alex. Alex nodded his head letting out a deep sighed. "That was exactly my reaction when found out about her dustian was still stunned that he doesn''t know where to start to ask question. His mouth close then open like a fish for a few times. "tor herself told this to you?" "yes, she did."" "How and why? I mean thought she hates you?" There was a long panse until Alex speak "Well, I did went nt to her ce drenched in rain, so i guess she took pity of me?" So, I just needed to know if it''s true. Cause my with a hint of contusion, Christian frowned. "Why did you went to her ce?" "Deore finding out about her amnesia, 1 called my Pi to investigate about ire and he told me about her ident. S meeting with her .exactly three years ago." "How was she when she told you about this? Her expression?" Alex thought for a while remembering lte expression then he shrugged, "I couldn''t tell honestly. She has no expression on her face and her tone was cold too. It''s her to second guess what she is thirling" et to that part. She switch "Did she tell you the case of the ident?" Alex shook his head. "No, she didn''t mention. Now that you mention it, she didn''t really get to the topically quick that i did not even realize it." a hint of suspicion covers Alex tone "Maybe she''s hiding something? Christian suggest making Alex more cuneus then he already was. "I don''t know. I''m sure she has a good reason format telling, I guess." Then in their mid-lence, Christian struck in realization, "Wait a minute, so it means three years ago, she mantled you because she genuinely love you even though she doesn''t know who you are? And then there yearster, you cheated behind her back and that''s where she gained her memones?N?velDrama.Org content. Despite what Christian saying it''s true, Alex still didn''t like the sound of it. "ak, when you say it like that, it make me look like I''m the bad guy." "Because you are." He said in a matter of fact. "However, you didn''t mention how she gained her memory back" Alex let out a deep sighed. He doesn''t want to tell Chatian this case he knows he is in the wrong and it makes him feel like a viin Christian narrowed his eyes as he waited for Alex to speak. His best friend looked conflicted, and he knows Alex has something to do about this. "judging by your expression, youhave something to do with this." It wasn''t a question. It was a statement and Alex wit He lowered his gaze feeling ashamed by his own action. "Yes, I was the one who caused it. "What did you do Alexander?" "-" his eyes sur closed for second the ttered open. "I pushed her and her head collide with the dining table," Silent fell over the room Christian jaw dropped. He knew Alex has something to do with it, It, but he did not expect him to do such thing. "you pushed her?!" Christian stood up from his seat, a look of anger crossed his face, "What the fuck Alex? You were mean to her, you hurt her and then you pushed ber?1 cannot believe this, Alex" "I know. I didn''t know what crossed my mind that time." a look of regret etched on Alex face as he thought of the incident in his penthouse. "Ewas protecting Lisa "his words got out by Christian "La? Lisa"I don''t understand why you were into to that woman? She lied to you, she manipte you and she''s a bitch trying to pin everything on It seems like Alex had enough of Christian pointing him out as he raised his voice slightly, "I know Christian. Do you think I don''t bouw that? I felt guilty for what i did to ire, I know what I had done to her, and i don''t need you to pointed out again." "Man, you are fucked. ire has been really lond and not just to youbut anyone around her. Leven consider her as my sister and the fact that you hurt her just for protecting that bitch makes me angry." a loukat disappointment crossed Christian feature. "you need to apologize to bet, Alex "I did and 1 am still trying but it doesn''t look like she wanted to forgive me." "I don''t me her. I would do the same thing." Christian move and lean on his desk crossing his ams over his chest. "Does your parents know about this?" Alex shrugged. "I don''t know. If they know, I''m sure they will tell me about this." He then stood up from his seat and walked towards the door, Pulling his phone out, he search for ire mumber however, his finger still hover above the screen. Heisesitating. He is not sure whether he should call her or test her. Above all that, one questione to his mind, will ire answer him? ire phone ring as she signed thest document for today. She picked it up without looking at the caller ID. "ire." A familiar voice speakon the end of the line. ire paused what she is doing and put her focus on the phone call. "Why are you calling me?" as usual her tone is cold, unweing which Alex is already use my now, *[-um......I just wanted to say thank you for the clothes. Although I was expecting you instead of your advisor," ire rolled her eyes. "You could have text me instead of calling me. It''s just a clothes Alex and it is yours to start with." 217 you were the one whoundry it. So, I''mtbunkie. ur sighed quietly. "Sure Alex If you don''t have anything to say, I will hang up the phone." However, before ire could hang up, Alexquietly said. "Wait, wait, wait... ire raised her brows at Alex quick respond. "Yes?" "Your umbe, It''s atall with me and I want to give it back to you." It''s post an unhe Alexim which I can afford it and it is not important." "Potime it is because it''s por "re scrunched her nose in frustration. She couldn''t bear another minute of this phone call with Alex. #airs, I don''t have time for cut that. I''m busy so would you mind, I will be hanging the phone up," w about inner I could take you out for dinner. I mean I know a good restaurant." Alex rambled nervously. komend to apany you I don''t have time for dinner." She replied coldly, "Bet you have to eat, ire or you''ll get sick." te was silent for a second then shit the topic "Alex on Friday, we will have a meeting. My team have prepared everything. My secretary will inform you the detail Goodbye."with that ire hang up the phone *tare che les looked downes his phone she hung up on me." he utter in disbelief, Chapter 139 Chapter 139 Finding information "She did not just hung up me Alex utter in disbelief seeing the call has ended second ago His mood for your replying ire words cartier in his mind. She was cold and unweing. Alex was just trying to be nice but seems like iredes'' see that "Maybe the rally is busy." He decide to think positive despite the nasty thought in his head. Heading to his office, Alex continue his work. He signed the document, replying to emails and pulling out the files for the uing meeting with Mercontex Time goes by in a blink of an eye. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the city as Alex decided to retire for the day. He made his way to the lobby, jumped into his cas, and drove away. Feeling hungry, he thought about having a nice dinner at his favorite restaurant However, as he was about to pack, he saw a familiar figure, Squinting his eyes to get better look, be realized it was ire. She was with a man, and the sight made his heart sink and his blood boil. "What the bell?" he said in disbeliet Earlier, ire had told him she didn''t have time for dinner. Yet, bere she was,ughing and talking with another man. Alex gripped the steering wheel so band that his knuckles tumed white. His eyes tumed cold, and his jaw tightened. It looked like she was free for any man but him, and it made Alex furious He couldn''t tear his gaze away from them, watching as they chatted and smiled, seemingly carefree. A surge of annoyance and anger swept through him. Unable to bear the sight any longer, Alex drove away, his mind racing with thoughts On his way home, his phone started ringing. He ignored it at first, trying to keep his docus on the road. But the phone continued to ring persistently. Sighing in frustration, heected the Bluetooth and answered the call. ""Hello?" he said, his voice terse The familiar voice he had been avoiding greeted him. "Alex, it''s been a while." Allex scrunched his nose and cursed himself for not checking the caller ID. "What do you want?" he replied, trying to keep his anger in check "I have been waiting for your call, but you never call me back" the voice continued, ignoring his cold tenr. "Lisa why are you calling me? Alexis pissed and he is not in the mood for any conversation. Seeing ire with another man has annoyed him and now hearing Lisa voice just make it worse. "Alex, why are you being so mean to me now?" Lisa''s voice was cute but tinged with annoyance. "Back then, you weren''t like this." Alex rolled his eyes, his patience wearing then. He couldn''t stand Lisa anymore. Thest time he saw her was at the hospital, and since then, he had done everything to avoid her. He vividly remembered blocking Lisa''s mumber, but it seemed she had found a way around that with a new phone number. "This is how I am, Lisa," Alex replied curtly. "I''ve always been like this! Lisa shook her head, even though Alex couldn''t see her. "No, you haven''t. You were always sweet to me, why are you being so cold now?" Alex popped the steering wheel tightly, trying to keep his frustration in check "I''m driving, Lisa. I can''t talk" But Lisa was stubbom, refusing to back down. "Why did you change, Alex? Is it because of ire ** At the mention of ire''s name, Alex''s anger red. "Don''t say her name," be snapped. "This has nothing to do with ire. It''s because of you, "Me?" Lisa''s voice rose, incredulous "What did 185?" Alex took a deep breath, trying to keep his temper under control. "You know exactly what you did. The lies, the maniption. I''m done with it, Lisa" Lisa''s voice softened, trying a different tactic, "But Alex, I miss you. We had something special." "That was a long time ago, "Alex replied, his voice hard. "Things have changed. I''ve changed. " Lisa was silent for a moment, then she spoke again, her voice edged with desperation. "Can we at least talk about it? Please, Alex, just give me a chance to exin." Alex shook his head, even though she couldn''t see him. "No, Lisa. There''s nothing to talk about." Lisa insisted. "I still care about you. "That''s your problem, not mine," Alex said bluntly. "I''ve made it clear that I don''t want anything to do with you." he disconnected the call Listared at her phone in disbelief and scotted. "This is how you want to y, Alex? Then let''s y." She said in a cold voice. Alex arrived at the penthouse and threw himself onto the couchzily, feeling his energypletely drained. He had been battling a cold that just wouldn''t go away, and now a headache wasing on As hey there, trying to muster the strength to get up, his phone rang. This time, he looked at the caller ID before answering. It was his private investigator "Hello," Alexsaid, his voice home "Mr. Harris, I''ve got some information about Matthew," the Pi said, getting straight to the point. Alex raised his eyebrows and immediately sat up. "What did you find?" he asked, his curiosity piqued The FI began, "His name is Matthew Finnegan. He was born in Ennd - Alexcut him off, impatience seeping into his tone. "I don''t need to know where or when he was bom. I need to know about his connection to ire." "Right, soury," the PI said awlowardly, then continued, "Matthew was an IT student whoter dropped out. We couldn''t find the exact details of how he and ire met, but there air a few pictures of them together from about four or five years ago, possibly longer. It seems they have a history. He also worked for ire but not 11 Chapter 139 Filing information Alexfrowned. "Where did he work, then?" The Pt hesitated. "We tried to find out, but we couldn''t uncover his ce of employment." Alex''s frustration boiled over. "You''re useless. You couldn''t find anything substantial," he snapped. "Is that all you have?" "Actually, there''s one more thing," the PI said, sensing the urgery in Alex''s voice. "Matthew has 20% shares in Metacortes Alex froze, the words echoing in his mind. "Repeat that," he demanded. "Matthew now has 26% shares in Metacortex, which originally belonged to Robert," the PI exined. Alex''s brows scrunched in contusion. "Did Robert sell his shares?" "Yes," the PI confirmed. Alex thanked the Pl curtly and ended the call. Questions can through his mind, each more perplexing than thest. Why would Robert sell his shares to Matthew? And how was Matthew involved with ire to the extent that he now held a significant portion of herparry? As Alex sat back, trying to plece together the puzzle, his mind then wandered to Labout Robert worlding with Venim. "Is this has something to do with him moving to Venus? If it is then why did he sell it to Matthew? Does Robert know him personally?" Alex said aloud, thinking about all the possibilities which only make it confusing to him. "I don''t understand."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 140 Chapter 140 Cream soup Despite ire''s rejection of interviews from several media outlets, they persistently tried to contact her over the past few days, eager for her to share mote about the unexpected coboration with Harris Company. Frustrated, ire instructed her secretary to reject all interview requests However, determined paparazzi and news interviewers continued to wait outside herpany. To avoid them, ire had been using the back door for the past few days, leaving them wondering about her presence. The day of the crucial meeting had arrived. ire felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She wondered if she could actually work alongside Alex, and she suspected he might feel the same way. While waiting for Alex and his team to arrive, ire double-checked the files and presentation: everything was incider When the Harris Company team entered the meeting room, ire scanned the faces but couldn''t see Alex among them, Instead, Christian was there. ire raised her eyebrows and scoffed lightly, wondering why Alex would miss such an important meeting Was he embarrassed about the phone call from the other day? Christian approached her with a smile. "Alexander won''t be attending," he said. ce shrugged. "That''s fine. What matters is that the meeting goes on," she replied briskly. The meeting started andsted for two hours. Christian was impressed with the Cortex 20 presentation that ire had meticulously prepared. He knew alex would appreciate it too. They went into detailed discussions about the design, ensuring everything was perfect. As the meeting concluded, Christian approached ire andplimented her. "That was an excellent presentation, ire. I think this coboration will be very sessful." "Thank you, Christian," ire replied, froling a sense of aplishment. "I''m d you lrd it.'' As Christian was about to delve deeper into the conversation, his phone rang, the nced at the screen and saw it was Alex calling, Answering the call, he heard Alex''s voice sounding weak and congested. "Hey, Christian," Alex croaked. "I need a favor. Can you get me some cream soup and bring the documents I left on my desk?" Christian frowned, puzzled "You want what now?" Alex sighed heavily. "Cream soup, I''m sick, and I can barely move. My head is pounding, and I can''t stop this flu." "I heard you the first time, Alex. I just didn''t expect you to ask me for that." "I trally need it. I can''t get out of bed." Christian felt a pang of sympathy for his friend. "Alright, alright," he said, grumbling slightly. "I will get your soup and bring the documents." "Thanks, man," Ales said, relief evident in his voice. "I owe you one." ire cased her brows in curiosity. "Who was that?" she asked. Christian ended the call and tumed to ire. "It was Alex. He''s got a cold, and he wants me to buy him cream soup and bring this document to him," he said, liftingContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. the document in hishand ire nodded. "Good luck with Alex," she said, heading back to her office. As she sat in her chair, memories of the past flooded her mind. She remembered how she used to make cream soup for Alex whenever he was sick, only for him to reject it, saying it tasted disgusting And now he wanted it? ire shook her head in disbelief. She leaned back, staring at the celling, reflecting on the irony Alexhad always been so difficult, yet here he was, craving the very thing he had once dismissed. It. was a strange twist of fate, and it made her wonder if people really could change, or if nostalgia simply made them yearn for what they once had. "You''re an idiot, Alex" ire muttered to herself. Meanwhile, Christian arrived at Alex''s ce, soup and documents in hand. Alex was sprawled on the couch, looking miserable. "Here," Christian said, handing him the soup. Alex took the soup with a weak smile. "Thanks, Christian, I appreciate It." "I don''t know why you wanted this so badly." Alex sighed. "ire used to made this for me whenever I am sick, and I used to hate it telling her it''s disgusting" Christian turned to him with a look of confusion. "Then what changed? What made you want that disgusting soup you said?" He shrugged, taking a sip of the soup. "I don''t know. Maybe just miss the care that came with it." Christian sighed as he doesn''t know what to respond so he change the subject. "How''s the disgusting soup?" he teased Alex. "Eh, is not as good as ire but it''s suffice. "Anyway, the meeting with Metacortex went well," he began, watching Alex for a reaction. ire showed the team Cortex2.0," Alex nodded, talng a sip of his soup. "That''s good to hear," he replied, his voice steady. Christian continued, "We also discussed the details of the hotel project. The only thing left is to contact the interior designer and observe the development of Haris Hotel in Veras." Alex ced his bowl on the coffee table, nodding again. "Sounds like a solid n," he said. "I''ll arrange the visit to Vegas once I''m feeling better." Meanwhile, Frank sat in his office, a frown creasing his forehead. Thetest news article about Harris Hotel and Metacortes coboration was disyed on his Computer screen is picture, posted just two hours ago, showed Harris team entering the Metacotex building. Frank couldn''t believe how quickly Metacontes had moved and secures 212 aded with mach a high-profilepany. He muted to himself, frustration evident in his voice. "Venus should be the one working with them, not Metacortex." Despite his partnership with HIP, he could deny the exposure and prestige that came from working with Harris''spany. Determined to get to the bottom of this, Frank picked up his phone and dialed Robert''s number. "Raber, need you toe to my office immediately," he said curtly Atenester, Robert entered the office, looking slightly disheveled. He had been out of touchtely, still reeling from his argument with ire and his ecent me to VIS "What''s going on, Frank Robert asked, sensing the urgency in his boss''s voice. Frank pointed to theputer screen, the frustration in his eyes unmistakable. "Harris is working with Metacortex," he said bluntly. "Do you know about that?" Robert stood stunned, processing the information. "What? You''re Iddding me, right? It can''t be." he said. He couldn''t believe how fast could se make a deal with Hariss. Robert hasn''t been online much especially since his argument with ire and his sudden Wu He is still batter about that this mome move Frankleaned back in his chair, his expression grim. "We can''t afford to lose to Metacortes, especially not with Harris on their side. We need to find a way to counter Robert agrees with Frank. He couldn''t let ire win again. Working with Harris has gain her a lot of benefit. Robert is sure Metacortex stock is rising. He mentally cored tumselt for selling Ids shares not because he wants to but because he is force too. Bebe nodded slowly, lus mind racing. "Ire what bando. We can''t let ire get the upper hand." frank sighed, nbbing his temples "Dowhatever it takes, Robert." Chapter 141 Chapter 141 "It''s been a while" ice stepped into her favorite boutique, the soft hum of ssical music providing a soothing backdrop to her shopping The stone had just released it collection, and ire was eager to see thetest trends. As she browsed through the elegant dresses, her fingers grizing the tie fabrics, she felt a presence nearby sweetness "ire, darling It''s beenages," a voice called out, dripping with fascess ire turned and raised her eyebrows, immediately recognizing Getta. She knew well enough that any greeting from Getta was bound to heced with sacarm "resta,"ire nodded politely, her face neutral. "then a while since west saw each other," Greita continued, her tone sugary sweet but her eyes sharp and calcting. ise knew betterthun tot dia''s words "yes, it hai," she replied nonchntly, ring her attention to the dress. Gretta stood near the disy of high-end clothes, a mocking smile ying on her lips. "So, ire, how does it feel to have Venus take the HP project from Metacortex?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ire turned to her, raising an eyebrow. She scoffed in amusement before responding, "How does it feel to have a husband who sold his shares to me?" Gretta''s face darkened with annoyance. The bitter memory of Robert selling his shares still stung, but there was nothing she could do about it, and neither could he. She struggled to maintain herpose, but the invitation was evident in her eye. ire''s gaze shifted to a luurious handbag on the counter, and she spoke arrogantly, "I don''t really need 117. I''ve already found a recement that''s far more powerful." Gretta''s eyebrows shot up, and she stared at ire spiciously. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, not hiding her disbelief. ire smirked, enjoying the moment. "Look at the news yourself, Ghetta. I wouldn''t want to give you a heart attack" H now." "Why should You are probably lying" Gretta scotted and turned her attention to the clothes in front of her. Her smile faltered slightly before she pressed on. Anyway, since Robert is no longer working with you, ire, you don''t have any rights or control over our family ire couldn''t help but let out a rich, genuineugh. Gretta frowned, clearly not expecting that reaction. "What''s so "she demanded; berimitation evidentN?velDrama.Org content. "oh, Gretta," ire said, shaking her head in amusement. "You''re hrious. I never controlled the Robertson family. You and Robert made it seem that way. Tenly did what was necessary for the business" Gretta''sw tightened as she red at ire. The tension between them was palpable. Deciding not to engage farther, ire cumed her attention back to the dress and a matching bag she had been eyeing Gretta, not to be outdone, hastily matched the items from the rack, her movements almost desperate. Caine watched her, asmirk ying on her lips. "Now, who''s the one starting things?" she said mockingly, referring to their earlier interaction, Gretta''s face flushed with anger. "You always think you''re so much better than everyone else, don''t you. ire?" ine shrugged, maintaining her calm demeanor. "I don''t need to think it, detta Actions speak louder than words." chetta opened her mouth to petort but seemed to think better of it. She clutched the dress and bag tightly, herudes white. "You won''t always be on top, ir," she hissed. "Maybe not," ire replied smoothly, "but today isn''t that day." Gretta narrowed her eyes and took a step closer. "You may have the upper hand now, but things change. Don''t get toofortable." ire leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. fortable? I thrive in difort, Dretta. That''s the difference between you and me." She sized Gatta from top to bottom. Theer of her lips curl up to a slik. "You should be ashamed of yourself for bushing a twenty-five-year-old woman who did nothing but shopping" ire said innocently. She scoffed staring at her with disgust. "You always have your way with words, huh, re? You think you are smart just because you can talk back." ire shoot her a smug smile. "I don''t think I''m smart. Jam smart," Gotta stared at her for a long moment, her eyes filled with a mix of resentment and frustration Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed off, taking the dress and bag with her ire watched her go, shaking her head slightly. She knew Gretta''s behavior was a sign of insecurity and desperation. Feeling bothered, ire continued her shopping, selecting a few other pieces that caught herege "Do you need help, Ms. Peterson? the boutique staff approach her. ire smiled reassuringly. "I''m good. Thank you for offering." "If you need any help or if there''s anything we can do, just let us know." "Thank you, I appreciate it." ire replied warmly With her purchases bagged and ready, ire lett the boutique, hermind already moving on to more important matters. As she walked down the street, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction, Gretta''s attempt to rattle her had failed miserably. "Why is she still trying to pur me down?" ire chuckled at Gretta attempt to put herdown Greitastepped out of the store a few minutes after ire left the stuce. She doesn''t want to see her orain after her encounter with ire earlier. She pulled her coat tighter around her, but it did little to chase away the lingering thoughts of her conversation with ire. ire''s words oc bood in her mind, particrly the mention of the powerfulpany she was working with Curiosity and unitation gnawed at Gretta as she fished her phone of other bac She quickly typed "Metacortex" into the search bar. It didn''t take long for the results to load, and there it was, the news she was looking to Chapter 142 Chapter 142 T been a wh "Harris Hotel announces new branch in coboration with Metacortex." Gretta''s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the headline. Her fingers trembled slightly as she scrolled through the article, reading about the groundbreaking technology Metacortex was bringing to the project and how it would revolutionize the hotel industry "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath. "ire always gets everything while my husband gets nothing! I still couldn''t believe he sold his shares." Frustration surged within her, and she cursed under her breath. It seemed like every time she tried topete with ire or even take her down a notch, it backfired spectacrly. ire always emerged unscathed, while Gretta ended up humited. Gretta''s thoughts raced as she pondered her next move. There had to be a way to bring ire down, to finally wipe that smug look off her face. She was tired of being the one who always ended up embarrassed. This time, she vowed, it would be different. Maybe it is time to call a backup, Gretta thought to herself. She knew dealing with ire would be difficult and also knew it won''t be easy to take her down. She dialed a number and on the third rings it answer. "Hello? Who''s this?" "I guess it is time for us to meet." Gretta said with a smirked. "Hello? Who''s this?" "I guess it is time for us to meet." Gretta said with a smirked. Chapter 143 Chaotle mess Robert had arranged to meet with his family old partner in crime. They had agreed to meet in an abandoned, dark building on the outskirts of the city. As Robert stepped inside, he couldn''t help but look around in disgust. The ce was dank and reeked of mold. "Some things never change," he muttered to himself, shaking his head at theck of ss his old mate still exhibited. Two men suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path. Without a word, they motioned for him to follow. They led him into a dimly lit room. It was so dark that Robert could barely make out the figures of two other men standing guard at the back. In the center of the room was a rusty table, and behind it sat a shadowy figure, half-hidden by the light that barely illuminated the space. Robert took a cautious step closer, squinting to see the man''s face. "I have information about your father," he said, his voice steady despite the eerie atmosphere. The man behind the table smiled, a grin so sinister it made Robert''s skin crawl. "Interesting," the man drawled. "So, you came here to tell me about my father''s death after all this time?". Robert swallowed hard. "I lost contact with your mother," he exined, trying to keep his voice calm "Sit down, "the manmanded, gesturing to the chair in front of the table. Robert obeyed, taking a seat. "What''s your name?" he asked, trying to gather as much Intonation as he could "Eligos," the man replied, his eyes gleaming in the half-light. "Just call me Eligos" Robert nodded, though the name felt strange on his tongue. "Eligos," he repeated, trying to keep his tone respectful. "I contacted you because I need help." Eligos smirked, leaning forward. Tattoos covered his arms, his sleeves rolled up to reveal the intricate designs. "And why should ? help you?" he asked, his voice mocking "Because I was your father''s friend," Robert said, his voice firm. "I used to help him back then." Eligoschuckled daridy. "You left my father when he needed you the most. And now look at you, trying to be a rich guy wannabe." Robert enched his fists under the table, trying to keep hisposure. "Your father understood my decision. I was living in poverty then. Eligos stared at him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Fine, I''ll help you. But remember, there''s always a price for everything." "I''ll pay you any amount of money you want," Robert said quickly, relief flooding through him. Eligosughed, a low, menacing sound. "I don''t need money. Tell me who you need me to catch. If it''s interesting enough, I''ll help. If not, well, you can find your own way out of this mess Robert reached into his briefcase and pulled out a document. He slid it across the table toward Eligos, who continued to stare at him with his icy gaze. As Eligos picked up the document and began flipping through the pages, his eyes scanned the information with growing interest. Calce Peterson, Eligos pead aloud, his voice dripping with disdain. "CEO of Metacortex." He flipped to the next page, his gaze hardening as he absorbed the details. Robert could see the intensity in his eyes as he looked up. *She is the one who killed my father?" Eligos aslund coldly, his voor barely above a whisper. Robert nodded, his voice steady butced with bitterness, "Yes, she is the one who caused it. She is a dangerous woman and will do anything to get what she wants Eligos''s gaze returned to the document, now filled with burning hatred. He stared at ire''s picture, het smiling face mocking him. Slowly, he pulled out a match, struckit, and let the re lick the edges of her photograph. He watched as the fire consumed her image, then dropped the burning picture onto the table, where it continued to smolder. "What do you want to do to ire?" ligos asked, his voice low and dangerous Robert leaned in, his expression one of grim determination. "I want you to nain her. Take everything, she holds dear. Destroyer reputation, herpany, her ire was in her office, sipping her coffee and reviewing a document. The warmth of the drink and the quiet hum of the building provided aforting backdrop to her focused work. Suddenly, the doorbust open, and Sandra care running inside, her face pale and eyes wide with urgency. "ire! There''s a breach in the system!" Sandra eximed, barathess ire immediately stopped what she was doing, her heart pounding in her chest. She stood up, setting her coffee cup down with a tter. *Show me," she said, following Sandra out of the office and down the hall to the control ama of Metacortes. When they arrived, the scene was chaotic. The monitors were hazy, filled with indecipherable codes and shing wanings. Matthew was at the center of it, his fingers trying over the keyboard, sweat beading on his forehead as he struggled to contain the situation. "Marthew, what''s going on?" ire asked, hevder tense. Matthew didn''t lookup, his focus entirely on the screen in front of him. "Someone''s breaching Metacortex," he said, histone gitmContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ire''s eyes widened in shock "How can this happen? We have the most secure system!" "I don''t know," Matthew splied, hisvolte strained. "But it looks like someone managed to get in The team in the room looked worried, exchanging nervous nces. None of them seemed to know what to do, as the hacker appeared to be a professional ne tonkadeep breath, trying to steady herself. She sat down next to Matthew and began typing furiously, trying to help him fend off the attack Minutes passed, and the reason the only grew, ire''s face was secious, her fingers moving rapidly over the keys, but even she was struggling "It''s not working," the said, Tuming to Matthew, a hint of panic in her vice Matthew nodded, his eyes never leaving the screen. "I''ll try to slow it down, so it doesn''t eat through our entire system, We need to buy time." ire''s frustration mounted. "We can''t wait for long." she said, ncing around at her employees who were watching the scene untold with worry. "Shut down the power source," she ordered. Matthew looked up sharply. "No!t can handle this," he insisted, his voice loud and determined. Before the power was cut down there is a warning on the screen that says, "We will meet soon." In a red color letter. ire tumed to Matthew as she pointed out. "What the hell is that?" "I don''t know 1 think it is warming" However, the is a next text shown on the screen. "You will regret what you did to me," Her eyes widen reading the text. It makes her confuse but also creeped out. "This is getting out of hand. The power source needs to be off, if it still on, they will manage to still our important files and it will ruin us!" "I know but I get this ire!" Matthew yelled over while his focus is still on the monitor. But ire was resolute. "I''m sorry Matthew. Now!" she shouted, and her employees jumped into action, calling the other divisions to turn off all the power sources "ite, wait!" Matthew shouted, but it was toote. Chapter 143 Chapter 143 New enemy? miamatter of seconds, the lights went out, the monitors went dark, and the entire building of Metaconex was plunged into darkness. The hum of electricity ceased, braving only the sound of their breathing and the distant noise of convoices from other parts of the building. For a moment, there was silence. Then, ire spoke, her voice echoing in the darkness. "Did we stop 7" Matthew sighed, the sound filled with instration and resignation. "We stopped it for now. But we''ll need to bring the system back up and assess the damage." "Let the power off for another minute so they wouldn''t beach our system again." She turned to her employee. "Check the elevator if there are people who are stuck inside and if so, being the power back on Tcan''t risk my employer getting stuck in the elevator." ise stood up from the chair looking deadly serious. "Sandia, Matthew, I want you to case with me." As they were out of the room, ale turned to Sandra "I want you to send an email to all of the employee about the sudden power off and write an apology once the power is back on Sandra nodded. "Right away, miss, ire headed to the emergency stairs with Matthew beside her since the elevator wasn''t functioning. re turned to Matthew, her expression serious. "I''m sorry forestting the power, but I couldn''t take the risk." Matthew nodded, his frustration melting into understanding. "ilmow it''s time. You did what you have to do." ire''s angersimmeted beneath the surface as she worked. "I can''t believe someone managed to breach our system," she fumed. "Who the heck could do that? No one should be able to breach Metacortex." Matthew ced a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We''ll find whoever did this, ire. I promise." I As they climbed the emergency stalks, ire''s mind raced. After a moment of silence, she voiced her concem. "If they managed to breach Metacortex and evenunted us with that text, they might be capable of gettingto Cryptonic too." Matthew shook his head in disagreement. "That''s impossible, ite, You designed Cryptose yourself. So far, people have only been able to get past the firewall, nothing more." "Lean''t take any chances," ire replied, her voice firm. "It they find out about it, it could be dangerous for me. They''ll know what I do. Matthew tried to calmber down. "Cale, it''s not like what you''re doing is legal" "Maybe not," she said, "but I still want to keep my side projects a secret." Finally reaching her office, ire copsed onto the couch, panting heavily. She pulled out her phone and quickly called Sandra "Sandra, turn the power source back on. Now. "yes, ma''am," Sandra replied, her voice tinged with urgency as she hurried toply Matthew copsed next to ire, his suit open and the undone. "Ereally need to work out more," he said between breaths. ireughed, despite the situation. "I need to improve my cardio too. This was a workout coits own Matthew chuckled. "Let''s not do this again next time! "hundred percent agree." ise thought for a moment. "We need to analyze the breach. Find out how they got in and who they are. We can''t let this happen again." "Agreed," Matthew said. "I will get the beam on it right away." ire sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down omber. "I can''t believe this is happening. Metacotes is supposed to be imprable." "We''ll figure it out," Matthew and her. "We always.do." * know, I just hate feeling like we are a step behind." Just then, Sandra called back. "The power source is back on, ata. Peterson Everything is stable for now on." *Thank you, Sandra," ire replied. "Keep monitoring the system. Let me know if anything changes." "Will do," Sandra continued before hanging up. Matthew stood up, straightening his suit. "Let''s get to work" They headed back to the control room, ready to dive into the data and uncover the identity of their mysterious intruders. ir and Matthew fried back down to the control area after spending a minute or two in ire''s office. As they entered the room, they were of their team already back working at their stations, lines of code and data streaming across multiple monitors. ire and Matthew quickly joined in We need to find that hacker," ire said, her voice fem and determined. "No more slip-ups." Matthew nodded, his fingers already flying across the keyboard. "Got it. Let''s track this bastard down." y were greeted by the sight Hours passed by, the room filled with the constant tapping of keyboards and the asional mumer of discussion lie was deeply engrossed in her work inputting lines of code and using various programs to trace the hacker, Suddenly, her eyes lit up as a breakthrough appeared on her screen #pot reximed, her voice a mix of self and lumph Matthew quickly turned to be monitor, pering over her shoulder. "Let me see." ire clicked on the rare, revealing a series of locations. But instead of a single point, the screen disyed multiple red dots scattered about nd and even Chapter 147 New cherry?. "What the hell?" ire mattered, confusion creasing her forehead. "There are too many locations. Its he trying to confuse us?" Matthew frowned, his eyes scanning the chaotic map. "Looks like he''s using multiple proxies or something to throw us off." ire nodded, biting her lip in frustration. "I will try another tactic." She typed furiously, attempting to narrow down the search. But each attempt only resulted in more scattered locations. She grumbled under her breath, feeling a wave of irritation. "1 thought this would be easier," she admitted, her voice tinged with anger. "I''m so close, but it seems whoever the person is manage to toy with me."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Matthew ced a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You''ll get him, ire. We just need to keep at it." Just then, a new message popped up on ire''s monitor. B Both she and Matthew stated at it, sharing a look before clicking it open. The message read: "Can''t catch me" with aughing emoji. ire''s blood boiled at the mocking tone. She couldn''t believe that someone had managed to beat her at her own game. "This is infuciating," she said, her fists clenched in anger. "He thinks he can just toy with us." "He is smart ire. We need to y smart to get him," Matthew, sensing her growing determination, asked, "What are you going to do now?" Ignoring his question, ire focused intently on her work, her eyes namwing with resolve. The rest of the team noticed the change in her demeanor and watched with curiosity and concem. Without looking up, ire started typing a response. "I won''t let this slide," she muttered. "If he thinks he can taunt me, he''s got another thinging. After all he is not the only one that can taunt me. Matthew, trying to keep up, asked again, "ire, what are you doing?" ire didn''t answer immediately, her fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard. She typed out a message that read: "I wille and get you" with kits emoji a hit send. Chapter 144 Chapter 144 "I am watching you." Eligos stared at hisputer screen, smirking as he read the message from ire. His eyes lingered on the kiss emoji she had included at the end. Hechackled, muntering to himmelf, "Looks like this is going to be interesting" A few days had passed since the settling message, and ire remained on high alert, wary of another attack. She had doubled her security measures, hoping to prevent any breaches. Despite her vignce, there hadn''t been any further incidents, giving her a momentary sense of relief. During those days, ire devoted herself to tracing the hacker''s location. She spent countless hours poring over data, analyzing Ings, and trying every teclmique shew. Yet, the hacker''s trail armained elusive. Frustration gnaveed at her, but she refused in give up. She knew she would find the location eventually Meanwhile, Alex received a phone call from his mother, inviting him to lunch at a restaurant. Still recovering from his recent illness, Alex didn''t feel like going out. However, not wanting to argue, he reluctantly agreed and headed to the restaurant. Upon arrival, Alex quickly spotted his mother, Joan, woning at him from her table. He sighed and approached her, giving her a kiss on the check "ili, Mun," he greeted her. They were seated in a quaini, upscale restaurant, the kind of ce where you loved to have leisurely hunches. It was unusual for her to arrange a mid-day meal, especially on a weekday. Joan beamed at him, but before she could say anything, Alex''s eyes fell on the woman sitting next to his mother, "Who''s this?" he asked, puzzled. joan pped his arm lightly, a look of disbelief on her face. "Alex, how can you not Temember your own childhood friend? Alex namowed his eyes, scrutinizing the woman, Suddenly, realization hit him. "Abby?" he eximeil. The womanughed, a familiar twinkle in her eyes. "It''s about time you remembered, AlexTM Alex shook his head, still in disbelief. "You don''t look like you did when we were kich." Abbyughed again, et voice filled with warmth. "Well, time changes us all, doesn''t it?" Alex grinned, feeling a rush of old memories. "It''s great to see you, Abby. It''s been too long."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Joan watched the exchange with a satisfied smile. "I thought it would be nice for you two to catch up." Allex caused an eyebrow as he looked at his mother across the table, "Mum, what''s the purpose of this lunch?" he asked, curiosity evident in his for Joan smiled, but there was a hint of nervousness in her eyes, "ch, Alex, do I need a special reason to have lunch with my son?" the replied, her voice light, "1 jint realized how mely we get to spend time together, and I thought it would be nice to catch up." Alex studied her for a moment, sensing there was more to it. "Is that all?" he probed gently. Joan''s smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained herposer. "Of course. I''ve missed you, Alex It''s been too long since we just sat down and talked." Joan doesn''t like lying to his son but the reason she invite Alex for lunch is to reunite him with his childhood friends and also maybe pushing him to a ne rtionship with hat. Seeing his son got pulled in Lisa lies made her feel sad. She was hoping that maybe Alex and ire could reconcile but it seems that the chances are slim to none, and Joan wanted to see his son happy. Back at Metacontes, ire was a whirlwind of activity, going back and forth between her office and the control room. She hadn''t slept all night, dedicating herself to creating an almost imprable firewall. The recent security breach still haunted her, and she was determined not to let anything like that happen again. Hemotions were precise and fast, driven by pure resolve and adrenaline, and her eyes were bloodshot "How''s the new system holding up? ire asked one of her tech leads, Mark, as she entered the control room. had any suspicious Mark nced up from his monitor, his fingers still flying over the keyboard, "So far, so good. The new protocols are in ce, and we haven''t had activity since yesterday." ire nodded, though her expression remained teme. "Keep monitoring. We can''t afford any mistakes." Marknodded, understanding the gnity of the situation. "Understood, Ms. Peterson." Satisfied for the moment, ire finally decided to take a break and grab something to eat. Her stomach growled in protest, reminding her that she hadn''t eaten since the previous evening. She slipped out of the office and walked down the street to a small sandwich shop she liked. As she entered the shop, the bell above the door jingled softly. The familiar,forting smell of fresh bread and roasted meats greeted her ire ordered a turkey and avocado sandwich and took a seat by the window. savoring the Last When her sandwich arrived, she took a hungry bite, sa taste. But midway through her second bite, she froze. There was something had inside the sandwich Confused, she reached for a napln and discreetly spat out the bite. ire''s bow furrowed as she a small piece of white stic in the nan. She picked it up, noticing it was a small, folded piece of stic. Carefully, she opened it and found a piece of paper inside. Her contusion fumed to n as she unfolded the paper and saw the message witten in red letters: " "I am watching you." Hecheart skipped a beat. She quickly stood up, scanning the sandwich shop and the street outside through the window. Eventhing seemed nonal, but the message had rattled her. Deciding it was best to leave, she abandoned her lunch and hunted back to Metacortes, Back in the safety of her office, she lucked the door and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing mind she wasn''t scared, but the note had put her on high alert Matthew strolled into ire''s slice casually, but he stopped short when he saw the expression on her face. Her brows were furrowed, and there was a slight tamth padding at her lips. He raised hos eyebrows in concern ire lucked up from her desk, hermestoreting Matthew''s "Tenantried something worndtosday," she het visor Finged with unease Matthew moved closer, curiosity piqued, "What happened?" ire took a deep breath and began to exin. "Earlier, when I was eating my sandwich, I found something strange inside it," she reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a small piece of paper wrapped in stic. Handing it to Matthew, she continued, "This was in my sandwich" Matthew unfolded the paper and saw the red writing: "I am watching you." His frown deepened as he read the message. "Do you have any idea who could be behind this?" ire shook her head, frustration evident in her voice. "I have no clue. I didn''t get a good look at the person who delivered my food." Matthew''s mind raced, thinking of potential suspects. Before he could voice any suggestions, ire''s eyes lit up with an idea. She turned back to herputer and started typing furiously. Matthew stepped closer to her desk, peering over her shoulder. "What are you doing?" he asked, his curiosity growing. Chapter 145 Chapter 145 Did you or did you not? "What mr you doing?" Matthew walked into ire''s office and noticed her engrossed in something on herputer, Curious, he moved behind her desk to pri a better look. "Are you hacking their surveince cameras?" he asked, his tone a mix of astonishment and concem. ire nodded, her fingers flying over the beyboard. "Vep," she replied nonchntly I am instant, she had ess to the surveince feed. Matthew''s eyes widened. "You know this is illegal, tight? If someone flods evt, we''r In seilous trouble." ire turned to him with a cheekygth. "Then don''t let anyone find out," she said with a wink, twming back to her screen, As the video yed, she fast-forwarded through the footage mill she found the tight timestamp. "Look, that''s the person who delivered my food," she said, pointing at the screen. Matthew leaned forward, squinting his eyes at the gray footage. "I can''t see his face. He''s wearing acap," he noted. ire sighed, trying to zoom in on the tigue. "Let''s see if we can get a clearer view," the muttered. The person''s mask and cap made identification difficult, but she didn''t give up. She zoomed in on the uniform''s name tag, her eyes narrowing Inconcentration. Matthew watched her, impressed by her determination. "Do you think the person is one of the employees, or! , or were they paid to do this?" ire didn''t look away from the screen, hectocus unwavering."I don''t know," she immuted. "But let''s see if we can get a namie." As she zoomed in further, the letters on the name tag began toe into focus ite''s eyes lit up, and she smirked. "Got it," she said triumphantly. Matthew peered at the screen. "What does it say?" "Mario," ire read aloud. "Mario. It''s name is Mario," She then scrunched her eyebrow. "Who the hell name their kid Mano? I never met someone whose name is Matthew frowned. "That''s odd. I think we should go down the sandwich shop to make sure." However, ire shook her head. "No. If we do that, they might''ve been aware of our movement. We need to move steely." She thought for a second then continue working on herptop. Are you trying to find his te?" ire nodded. She was searching through the citizen database, trying to find Mario''s file. A few names popped up along with their pictures, but none of them matched the man she and Matthew had seen in the surveince footage. Frowning, ite muttered, "None of these pictures match him." Matthew, who was pacing behind her, stopped and leaned over her shoulder. "Maybe the name is fake," he suggested ire nodded in agreement. "That''s possible. Let me try something else." She pulled up the screenshot of Mario from the surveince footage. "I''ll scan this image and see if we can get a clearer picture." She began enhancing the blurry image, the software processing the data and searching for a match in the database. It took quite some time, with various photos showing up, none of which matched Matthew leaned against the desk, watching the screen. "This is taking forever," he remarked. ire didn''t respond, her concentration unwavering Suddenly, a green Label shed on the scene with the words MATCH FOUND. She quickly clicked on it. "His real name is Emesto Diaz," she said, her voice a mix of relief and determination. "Look, bere are all his files, where he lives, when he was born, criminal charges..everything." Matthew peered at the screen as ire read aloud. "He''s been in jail three times for shoplifting and stealing cars," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. Not as bad as I thought" She turned to Matthew, "This is the person we need to find." Matthew nodded. "Should we move now?" he asked. ire thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, but we need to be careful. Someone might be watching or every move. It Emesto gets wamed, he could run away just be that Russian guy Guetta hired." Matthew frowned, thinking. "So, what''s the n?" ire sighed, rubbing her temples. "We need to exit this building without drawing attention. If anyone is monitoring us, we need to make it look like we''re doing something routine." Matthew then suggest a rashe stood in front of ire. "Or we could create a diversion." ire raised her bows intrigued by Matthew suggestion "What''s your n?" Eligos''s man stood in the dimly lit room, his sharp gaze sweeping over the other men. "Remember," he said in a firm and sharp voice, "we need to keep an eye on ire Peterson. Don''t let her out of your sight." The men nodded, their expressions secious. They were seat tered in every ce, all targeting the same person. ire Peterson Suddenly, a voice cracked over the earpiece. "ire is leaving the building. She''s getting into her car The leader, a tall men with a steely demeanor, responded immediately. "Eullow her and don''t lose sight of her. Boss''s orders." Meanwhile, in a cramped loft that could barely fit one or two people, Emesto was settling in for the evening. He had done his job as ordered and had been paid. Now, he was looking forward to a quiet night. He grabbed a beer and a sandwich, then took a seat on his cognizable couch, its fabric worg and tom Taking abite of his sandwich, Ernestoughed at something on the TV. Just then, a knock on the door interupted his moment of peace, causing him to giunble Chapter 145 Did you did you not? Reluctantly, he stood up and walked to the door, wondering who could be bothering him at this hour.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. As soon as he opened the door, Matthew didn''t waste any time. He punched Emesto in the face, sending him flying backward onto the floor. ire followed closely behind, stepping into the room and removing her sunsses with a cold, malicious smile. "Hello, Enesto," she said, her voice icy, Blood ran cold in Emesto''s eyes as he stared up at ire, disbelier etched across his face. "H-how did you manage to get out of their sight?" he stammered, his voice trembling ire raised her eyebrows at the mention of "their." "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her tone icy. "I-I don''t know what you mean." his eyes looked anywhere but ire''s eyes. "Fine then. How about this?" ire pulled out the paper. "Did you put this in mys y sandwich earlier?" Emesto tried to sit up, but Matthew pushed him down with his foot, pinning him to the floor. "Don''t move," Matthew said coldly, his gaze piercing. Ernesto looked terrified, sweat founing on his forehead. ire leaned forward slightly, her eyes never leaving Emesto''s face. "I don''t like repeating myself, Emesto, did you or did you not put this paper in my sandwich? she asked, holding up a piece of paper. The paper was a threat, a clear message meant to intimidate her. Emesto shook his head vigorously. "I-1 didn''t! I swear, I didn''t! It wasn''t me!" he eximed; his voice shaley. ire scoffed in disbelief. She could see right through his lie. "Looks like you like ying games, huh? Okay then," she warned. "You have two choices. Dead or alive." Chapter 146 Chapter 146 Eligos "I thought you like to y games. You did that earlier." ire shot him a sweetly sick smile that send goosebumps to Emesto. "So, which one will you choose? Dead oraline?" Ernesto''s eyes widened in feat. "Please, Ms. Peterson, I don''t know anything about it!" he pleaded, his voice breaking "I just do what I''m told!" Matthew applied mote pressure with his foot, causing Emeste to wince in pain. "Who told you to do it?" Matthew demanded, has v voice low and threatening ire''s face was a mask of icy determination as she squatted down to Emesto''s level. Her piercing gaze met his terrified eyes. "I''ll ask you once more," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Who sent you?" Emesto looked like he was on the verge of wetting his pants, tris entire body trembled, and he shook his head furiously. "I don''t know," he stammered. H ire let out a cold chuckle, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "You don''t know, or you''re not allowed to say his name?" She could see the lie in his eyes and decided to employ another tactic. Pulling out a pepper spray, she dangled it in front of him beasingly. "If you don''t want to tell me, this will be thest resort" Emesto''s eyes darted back and forth between the pepper spray and ire''s face. Panic set in, and he yelled out, "I''ll tell you! I''ll tell you who''s behind it!" ire smiled in satisfaction, putting the pepper spray away. She stood up, looking down at him. "Good. Now, tell me who it is" Emesto cried out, bears streaming down his face. "It''s Eligus. The name is Eligos." ire raised her eyebrows at the name. It sounded almost ridiculous, but Emesto''s desperate, fearful expression told her he was telling the truth. She crossed her arms over her chest, scrutinizing him. "Where can I find him?" Emesto shook his head vehemently. "He can''t be found. He''ll show himself if he wants to be found." ire nodded, processing this information. It wasn''t much, but it was a start. She gestured to Matthew, who had been standing quietly behind her. "Let''s go," she As they tumed to leave, they heard Emesto''s voice, now crazed with fear. "It''s gonna kill me! He''s gonna kill Ignoring his enes, ire and Matthew walked out of the room, the door closing behind them with a finality that echoed in the silence. Outside, Matthew turned to ire, his expression a mix of curiosity and suspicions. "Eligos? Do you think he was telling the truth? ire nodded, her face still set in that cold, determined expression. "He was too scared to lie. Whoever this Eligos is, he''s got people terrified." Matthew frowned. "What''s our next move?" ire nced around, ensuring they were alone. "We need to find out more about this Eligos." Matthew nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation "Alright. I''ll start digging into any leads on Eligos. Maybe someone has heard that name before." Eligos was furious. The news that his men had lost sight of ire Peterson filled him with a rage he could barely contain With a violent m of his fist on the table, the sound echoed through the dark, musty warehouse, making his men wince in tear The tension in the room was palpable, and one of the men, with more courage than the others, dared to lookup. Eligos''s eyes were cold and menacing as he red at them. "How did you lose sight of her?" he demanded darkly, The men exchanged nervous nces, none of them willing to speak fint. Finally, the leader of the group, a man named Andre, lowered his gaze and spoke up, his voice trembling slightly. "We thought we were following ire Peterson. The woman was wearing the exact sun dothes." Eligos chuckled, but there was no humor in it. It was a sound of utter disdain. "You idiota," he seed. "You''re supposed to look at her face, not just her clothes. Did you really think she could be fooled so easily? Are you that stupid?" Andrewallowed hard, his face paling, "We-we were sure it was her, Boss. We didn''t expect" "You didn''t expect?" Eligos interrupted, his voice a low grow. "That''s your problem. You don''t think. You act like fools, and now I don''t know where she went." Another man, trying to defend their actions, added, "Boss, she had the same build, the same hair- "Enough!" Eligos roared, making the all flinch. "I don''t care about her build or her hair. I care about results. You were supposed to keep an eye on her, and you failed. If you lour her again, it will be the end of you, Do I make myself clear?" Achorus of subdued "Yes, Boss" echoed through the room as one by one, the men started to leave, their heads hung low in shame. Eligos watched them go, his eyes matowing. "Dimitr," he called, his voice suddenly calm but no less intimidatingText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Dimitz, his most trusted man, stepped forward, his expression serious. Yes, Boss? "red you to locate Ernest and bring him to me," Eligos ordered, his tone leaving no room for a rargument, Dimitri nodded curtly. "Understood, Boss Without another word, he turned and brisldy exited the room ire headed back to her office, her mind still buzzing with the events of the day. As she walked down the hallway, she spotted Sandra, becrusted assistant, sorting through some tiles ire approached her, a grateful smile spreading acrossherface. "Sandra," ire called out, drawing her station "I just wanted to thank you for helping me earlier. I really appreciate it." Sandra looked up and returned the smile. It''s fee, M. Peterson. It''s my job to help you," she replied warmly. ire felt a wave of gratitude. "Still, I''m grateful for your help. It could have been dangerous." Earlier that day, ire had asked Sandra for a favor that required quick thinking and discretion. She needed to create a diversion. ir had ilstructed Sandia to get into aca and make it appear as if ire becsell was leaving Despite not knowing the exact locations of the watchers, ire was certain they would follow Sandra, giving ire and Matthew the opportunity backdose and locate Emesto. ise made her way into her office and sank onto the couch, where Matthew was already seated, typing away on hisptop. She looked at him appreci Matthew, thank you for your smart thinking today. We couldn''t have done it without you." Matthew looked up, a smug grin on his face. "Of course. I''m very smart, you know," he said, his tone teasing. ire rolled her eyes yfully, "yes, yes, you''re a genius. But seriously, thank you." Matthew''s expression camed serious as he leaned forward, "1 1. "Now, we need to figure out who this Eligos person is." Hearing the name again, ire couldn''t help but feel a surge of suspicion. "Eligos, that doesn''t sound like a real name," she mused aloud. "Maybe his parents has a unique way of thinking." ire has her doubts with his nickname He opened hisptop and started typing, searching for any information rted to the name El "Nothing. There''s no one by that name." Eligos. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Chapter 147 Out! Chapter 147 Won''t be easy In the dimly lit, used warehouse, the ale was thick with tension and the smell of rust. The sound of shuffling feet echoed off the concrete walls an Eligos iten pushed Ernesto forward. Emesto''sce was pale and wet with tears, his body trembling with fear This stood up from the old, creaky chair and walked around the runty metal table that stood between him and Ernesto. He leaned against it, c expression calm andposed. He observed Ernesto with a mix of curiosity and Irritation, wondering where his men had found such a pititul, insufferable man. crossing his arms, his Emesio, still crying, begged as he had been since entering the warehouse. "Please, ligos, I didn''t do anything to upset you. I swear just let me go Eligeseves narrowed slightly. He found Emesto''s behavior confusing and a little pathetic, but he maintained his calm demeanor. "I just want to talk to you, Emesto," he said smoothly. Emesto quieted down, his solis turning into sniffles as he tried to listen. "Talk? About what?" Eligos fixed him with a piercing gaze. "Did you see ire Peterson?" Emesto''s eyes widened, and he shook his head rigorously. "No, no! Once I finished my job, I went straight home. I didn''t see anyone!" Eligos sharp eyes bore into Ernesto''s soul, making him squirm. "What did you do once you got home?" ligos asked, his voice calm but demanding Emesto looked away, unable to hold Eligos gaze. "1 1 watched TV, drank some beer, and ate a sandwich." Eligos chuckled darky, the sound sending chills down Emesto''s spine. He approached Emesto, leaning down to his level and whispering in his ear. "You''re lying, Emesto froze, his heart pounding. He wondered how Eligos could possibly know he was lying, "I-I swear, I''m not lying, "he stammered, his voice shalting Eligos smiled, a cold, knowing smile. "I can always tell when someone is lying, Ernesto. Your eyes twitch, and your voice quivers. You can''t hide the truth from Emesto''s loves buckled, and he fell to the floor, sobbing "Please, Eligos, I''m telling the truth. I didn''t do anything wrong. I just went home!" Tligos sighed, standing up straight and looking down at the pathetic figure before him. "Emesto, I don''t have time for your lies, I need the truth. Did you see ire Petersonernot?" Emeste quivered on his knees, his eyes wide with tear as he faced ligos. The dimly lit room cast eerie shadows on the walls, enhancing the tension in the air. "I did See ire. "Emesto stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "She came to my house." Eligos raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this new information. He took a step closer, towering over Emesto. "And what did she do?" he asked, his voice calm but dangerous Emesto swallowed hard, his gare darting around the room as if looking for an escape, "She forced me to tell her who is the person who send me," he admitted, b voice shaking. He raised his eyes heating Emesto answer Eligos thought to himself that ire has found the person who ced the paper in her food. Eligos''s lips curled into a smick. "And what did you tell her?" he pressed, his eyes narrowing. ttle and Emesto Emesto hesitated, lowering his gaze to the floor. His mind raced, knowing the consequences of his next woods. Eliges''s patience was notoriously thin, and could feel the prese mounting. "I didn''t tell her anything," Ernesto finally said, his voice barely audible. "I told her someone sent me to do the job." Eligos stared at him, his expression unsradable. He leaned back against the table, his cold eyes bocing into Ernesto''s soul. "You''re lying," he uttered softly, the usation hanging in the air like aguillotine, Emesto remained silent, his mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion. He couldn''t afford to tell Eligos the truth, knowing it could mean his end. He swallowed the Jump in his throat, mustering all his courage. "I didn''t tell lce anything," he repeated, his voice firmer this time. Eliges looked at him for long moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright," he said, a smile that didn''t reach his eyes spreading across his face. He gestured to his men. Lerbingo. He didn''t do anything wrong" Relief washed over Ernesto as Eligos''s men released their grip on him. He scrambled to his feet, eager to leave this nightmare behind. As he turned to go, Eligos called out, "Emesto."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Emesto paused, dread seizing his heart. Before he could react, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. Darkness enveloped him as he crumpled to the door, unconscious. Eligos''s face twisted with anger and disgust as he looked down at Emesto''s limp body. "I can smell his lies from miles away," he spat, his voice filled with venom Eligos turned to his right-hand man, Ander, who stood nearby, watching the scene unfold. "Make sure he''s dealt with properly," Eligos nodered, his tone cold and final. Andrenodded, stepping forward to drag Ernesto sumconscious body out of the room Eligos watched them go, his mind already working on the next steps. ire sat in her penthouse, the expansive view of the city lights glittering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. However, instead of feeling calm, she was deep in thought. The te of food in front of her cried untouched, the meal growing cold. Her mind was a warl of concems and unanswered questions Matthew stepped into the kitchen, immediately noticing ire''s untouched food. He raised his eyebrows in concem "ire," he called gently, but she didn''t respond, still lost in her thoughts He walked over and ced a hand on her shoulder. The sudden touch made ire jump slightly, and she turned to face him immediately. "What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice soft but probing- ire shook her head, trying to dismiss his concem. "Nothing," she replied, though the furrow in her brow told a different story. Matthew pulled out a chair and sat down next to her at the dining table. "ire, I know you You''re thinking about this Fligos preson, areq''t you? The one we can''t fnd, the one we don''t even know the face of" ire sighed deeply, leaning back in her chair. "Of course I''m thinking about it, Matthew. How can I not?" she admitted, her frustration palpable. Matthew looked at her sympathetically, "I get it. But stressing over it won''t help. We''ve tried searching for his name, but we''vee up empty. We know what he looks like or anything about his characteristics. I am thinking that this search won''t be easy." ire scotted sarcastically, shaking her head, "I know it will be difficult, but what am I supposed to do? Pretend like it''s not happening? Meanwh there, this Elipos, is watching me. This isn''t how I imagined my days would be. This is the first time I feel like an idiot." "You are not an idiot ire. We just need to level up our game to match with this Eligos. What do you suggest we should do? Lure him in? Create a did earlier?" ire groaned as she fisted her palms in anger, "I swear if I find Eligos, I will kill that bastard." Chapter 148 Chapter 148 The LHS card Metacontes''s sleek conference room was filled with the buzz of conversation as representatives from both and Harris Hotel wrapped up their meeting This time. Alex was present, while ire was upied with another meeting outside thepany The agenda included discussing the uing trip to Vegas and deciding on the number of employees to bring along. Should they bring the entire team orjust a few key members? These details needed to be ironed out before the actual implementation began Bothpanieswerkenly aware of their reputations and wanted to ensure that everything proceeded without a hitch. As the meeting drew to a close, Alex pped his hands together, smiling broadly. "Great meeting, everyone. Everything is going as nned," he once, his voice fall of confidence. The attendees exchanged satisfied nods and started gathering their materials. The sense of aplishment in the room was palpable, Alex made his way over to Matthew, who was speaking with a colleague near the door. "Matthew,"Alex called out in a professional tone, "where is ire today?" Matthew''s expression darkened for a moment, though he remained polite. He thought to himself it Alex had forgotten the warning, he had given him a few weeks ago about keeping his distance from ire. "She''s busy," Matthew replied curtly, then tumed on tus beel and walked out of the meeting room Alex frowned as he watched Matthew leave. He didn''t like the man and resented how close he was with ire. He disliked even more how much ire termed to trust Matthew "Ready to go?" Christian''s voice broke through his thoughts as he appeared beside Alex Alex nodded, the frown still creasing his forehead. "Yeah, let''s get out of here." The two men exited the building, stepping into the bright sunlight outside. They walked in silence for a moment before Christian spoke up. "So, what''s the n for cian aside. "W "We need to finalize the te finalize the team. I''m leaning towards bringing a smaller group. Too many people couldplicate Alex sighed, trying to push his irritation as things." Christian nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. We need efficiency, not a crowd." Alex nced at him. "Exactly. I was hoping to discuss this with ire, but she''s tied up. I''ll have to catch herter." ine hopped out of her car, fully dressed in golf attire, a deep frown etched on her face. She muttered to herself, "This is not how expected a business meeting to go "Slinging her gall stand bag over her shoulder, she headed towards the entrance of the golf club, feeling slightly out of ce. As she stepped inside, she ced her stand bag down and was about to mention her business associate''s name when she was abruptly cut off. "Well, well, well, look who we have here," a familiar voice uuid: ire tumed and was surprised to see Creta standing there with Lisa by her side. This was the most unexpected and random encounter she could have imagined. Gretta smiled wickedly at ire. "What are you doing here, ire? This ce is for people who actually y golf, not just spend money." not yours ire forced a smile, though her annoyance was clear. "Tcan do whatever I want with my money, Gretta. After all, Gretta pursed her lips, clearly annoyed by ire''s retort. "Spending money isn''t the same as understanding the game, ire." Lisa stepped forward, adding fuel to the fire. "You''re so mean, ire. It seems what people say is right, money couldn''t buy ss. ire raised an eyebrow and chuckded softly. "That''s funny, Lisa. But my business is none of yours." Tuming her attention to the staff, ire mentioned, "I have a reservation under Mr. Richardson." The staff member looked apologetic "I''m sorry, ma''am, but there''s no reservation under that name." ire frowned, feeling a bit flustered. "Well then, I''ll just order a spot on the spot. Again, the staff member shook his head. "I''m really sorry, but all our spots are full today." Gretta and Lisa checked as they approached ire, giving her a yful but slightly rough push out of the way. ire stumbled slightly, her eyes widening in disbelief at their behavior. She took a deep breath, trying to maintain herposure. She was a ssy woman, and she wasn''t about to let then see her ruffled. Gretta said to the staff at the reservation desk, a smug smile ying on her lips. "Reservation under Robertson." The staff member checked the list and nodded. "Yes, your reservation is here." Gretta turned back to ire, an arrogant glint in her eyes. "Maybe this ce isn''t for you," she suggested, hertone dripping with condescension ire felt a surge of anger but managed to keep her expression neutral Amidst the tension, she remembered something Adrianna had told her about the LHS Without wasting another moment, ire pulled out the card that Adrianna had given her. She held it up so that Gretta and Lisa could see it clear "I would like one spot," ire said to the staff, her eyes still trained on Greets and Lisa. The staff''s eyes widened as they recognized the card. They exchanged aquick look before the one in charge nodded vigorously. "Of course, mm. Please follow me," she said quickly. "Familiar with this card? I''m guessing you don''t" Geetta and Lisa''s mouths gaped open in shock, Gretta couldn''t believe that ire had such a card, while Lisa was lett wondering what kind of card could make a fully booked ce amodate ire so swiftly. "H-how did you have that card?" Gita said in disbelief eyes trained on the card. ire ignore her question and just stale smugly "I guess I will see your inside or unt "ire shot them a mischieves smile then follow the start that lead her to her spot. Ce could help but smirk a little asText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. she walked past them, enjoying their bafflement. you need anything, please di Doce she was seated at a prime spot in the elegant gant restaurant, the staff member who had escorted her smiled warmly. "If you ne to ask, ma''am." "Thank you," ire replied, her voice calm andposed. She sat back, allowing herself a moment of satisfaction. The look on Gretta and Lisa''s f priceless. Gretta hissed to Lisa once ire is out of sight. "How did she get that card?" she said incredulously. Lisa shook her head, equally puzzled. "What kind of card is that?" Gretta crossed her arms over her chest in annoyance. "It''s an LHS card." "LHS?" Lisa is still oblivious with the context as she scrunched her eyebrow. Gretta sighed and turned to her. "London High Socialite. Ever heard of that?" Raking her brand deep, Lisa was then struck with realization as her eyes widened. "Oh my God! How did she get it?! I have heard about them. It''s know them or even being invited." "Exactly." Gretta eximed. "she must have bought her ce. I''m sure of it." Lisa scoffed as she crossed her arms over her chest, irritation clear on her face. "That''s so cheap of her buying her way in." "Well, if she can do it then I can too." Chapter 149 Chapter 149 Golf club ire seated herself inside the exclusive gold club, marveling at the sheer opulence around her. She had not expected the membership card to work och wolers. Initially, she had her doubts, but it seemed Adrianna had been true to her word. Case couldn''t help be respect Adrianna even more forit. Theparin the golf club was far beyond what she had anticipated. ire thought she would be mingling with other members in the usual areas provided. Instead, she found herself in a private room designated solely for LHS members. It was a revtion. his is what wealthy people do." she mused to henell The thought that LHS had their own exclusive spot in every prime location in London was mind-boggling Tng out her phone, ire contacted Mr. Richardson. "Hello, Mr. Richardson. It seems you haven''t reserved a spot at the golf club, just let them know to go under car Peterson A few minutester, r, Mr. Richardson arrived, slightly flustered. "I apologize for the inconvenience, Ms. Peterson," he said, a bit out of breath. ire smiled warmly. "It''s fine, really. No harm done! Mr. Richardson looked around the room, clearly impressed. "I didn''t expect you to be a member of LHS," he remarked, eyes wide with admiration. re chuckled "Honestly, I couldn''t imagine it myself until recently." They soon settled into their business talk, diving into the details of their project. After a while, they moved outside to y golf while continuing their discussion Even though ire didn''t particrly like golf, she found the experience unexpectedly calming. The peaceful greenery, the sound of the club hitting the ball, and the soltale of leaves in the breeze created a serene atmosphere. we''re on track with the initial "so, about the timeline," ire said, swinging her club and watching the ball soar through the air. "We need to make sure we''re projections Mr. Richardson nodded, lining up his shot. "Absolutely. We''ve allocated additional resources to ensure we meet the deadlines." "That''s good to bear," ire replied, watching his ballnd on the green. "Communication will be key. Let''s make sure our teams are aligned." Mr. Richardson agreed, making a note on his tablet. "We''ll schedule bi-weekly check-ins to keep everything on track" As they continued to y, the business matters were gradually resolved. ire was pleased with the progress they had made. She realized that this setting, despite herical reluctance, was perfect for these kinds of discussions. When they finished, they shook hands firmly. "I look forward to working with you, Ms. Peterson," Mr. Richardson said, his tone genuinely appreciative. ire smiled, feeling a sense of aplishment. "The pleasure was mine, Mr. Richardson. Let''s make this a sess." ow it, but it With their business concluded, they parted ways. ire lingered for a moment, soaking in the tranquility of the golf course. She hadn''t expected to enjoy it, t had tumed out to be a surprisingly pleasant experience. ire is on her way to exit the golf club until Goetta and Lisa stood in front of her, blocking her path ire rolled her eyes, already feeling annoyed by their presence. Crossing her arms over her chest, she forced a polite tone, though her irritation was clear. "Yes, what can I help you with?" Gretta was the first to speak, her voiceced with usation. "Where did you get that card? A smirk appeared on ire''s lips. "Oh, you mean the LHS card?" she asked, chucking, "I didn''t ''get'' it. It was given to me! Gretta scoffed, clearly not believing her "You''re lying. No one can just be given that card randomly." ire tilted her head slightly, staring directly at Gretta. "Why are you asking? Don''t tell me you want one," she said mockingly. Lisa, standing beside Gta, pimped in. "Just answer her, ire. How hard is it to answer a simple question?" ire turned to Lisa, coldness in her eyes. "Why should I answer Geetta? Give me one reason for me to answer her." Gretta''s frustration was evident as she demanded, "Love me the LISxmber, ire." ire raised her eyebrows, then chuckled. "And what will you do with it, Gretta? Buy your wayin?" Gretta responded with a smick. "I''m just doing what you did." lte sighed, feeling exhausted by the pointless conversation. "I didn''t buy my way in, but you can think whatever you want. I don''t care. As she tumed to leave, her golf club identally swing and hit Lisa''s head. Lisa immediately yelped, "Hey, watchsit!"" ire turned around, sering Lisa rubbing her forehead "Oops, my bad," she said without a hint of guilt, then tumed to leave again "You''re so full of yourself, ire," Gretta called afterber ire stopped for a moment, but then continued walking without looking back, she had more important things to deal with than Gretta and Lisa''s petty usations. As she walked away, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction in leaving them fuming behind her. As ire stepped out of the entrance, she made her way to her car. Driving her car and headed to Metacones, the thought of Guetta and Lisa upy her mind. "Why can''t they just leave me alone? is not that hand. She said feeling pissed cause everywhere she goes, they always manage to annoyed her. Arriving af Metacortex, ire hoped out of the car. Still in her golf attire, she headed to her floor. Not deeling surprised anymore by Matthew constant visit to her office, she plopped down on the couch. Noticing ire, Mantened his attention towards her. "How was the Inusiness perting, re? "It was good I went perfectly! Matthew gaze moved to ire attire, and he raised his brows. ire rolled her eyes. "Don''t ask." With a corusion etched on his face, Matthew stood up and move to the couch. "Whatnd of business meeting you you attend?" his voice filled with amusement She sighed. "Mr Richardson wanted to meet at the golf club and so we met there." "Which golf courses you went?" "Golden golf club.N?velDrama.Org content. A look of surprised cross his feature." "Wow...that ce is like popr. Almost every single day, that ce is booked. Did you reserve the ce?" ire shook her head. "Apparently, Mr. Richardson forgot to confirm so I didn''t get the spot." "Then how did you get in?" Theer of her lips curled up as she pulled the card from her bag. "This," Matthew took the card from ire grasp to get a good look of it. "The LHS card? I can''t believe that it works." "It does. ire chuckled lightly. "You should see Lisa and Gretta face earlier." He looked to ire and frowned. "Wait..you met them again?" he said in disbelief cause t seems like ire always encounter one of them. "Apparently the universe wants me to see them. What surprise me is, Lisa and Gretta are friends, unfortunately, "W-what? The old witch and the crery bitch are friends?" ire tout loudughed. "Yes, they are, but don''t worry I handle them perfectly." H or that it''s Alex the midst of their conversation, ire phone rings. She answer her phone and to her surprise I need you toe with me to Las Vegas." Chapter 150 Chapter 150 Las Vegas Matthew raised his eyebrows as ire ended the brief phone call. "Who was that?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. ire had a confused look on her face. "It was Alex," she replied slowly. "He wants me toe with him to Las Vegas." Matthew''s eyes widened, and he immediately shook his head in disagreement. "You should decline his offer," he said firmly. ire sighed, her frustration evident. "I don''t want to go, especially with Alex. But this is about the project, and I need to see it through. It''s part of our business." Matthew leaned forward, his expression serious. "Let me go instead. I can handle it. You don''t have to go with him." ire shook her head. "I can''t do that, Matthew. I''m the CEO. If I don''t fulfill my part of the deal, Alex will have the right to terminate the contract with Metacortex." Matthew sighed deeply, knowing she was right. "So, you''re going to go?" ire nodded, determination in her eyes. "Yes. Besides, it will be good for me to get away from Eligos watcher for a while." Later that night, ire decided to contact Alex to finalize the details of their uing trip. She dialed his number, and after a few rings, he picked up. "Mr. Harris." ire greeted him. "How many employees should I bring for the trip?" Alex''s voice was calm at the other end. "You don''t need to bring too many. Just the key members of your team, the brains behind the operation." ire nodded, even though he couldn''t see her. "Understand, I will arrange it." She was about to end the call when Alex''s voice stopped her. "ire, are youing too?" he asked. "Yes, of course," ire replied, slightly confused. "Isn''t that what you asked earlier?" "Yeah," Alex said, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "I just wanted to confirm it." "Okay, then," ire said, still puzzled. "I will see you there." She ended the call, shaking her head slightly at the odd exchange. The day of their travel arrived, and ire and her team headed to the airport. She had assumed they would be flyingmercial since Alex had mentioned he would cover the ne tickets. However, as they approached the private jet terminal, ire realized she had assumed wrong. A sleek, luxurious jet awaited them, with a big gold "H" logo on the tail that gleamed in the sunlight. ire sighed, shielding her eyes from the re. "Of course, it''s a private jet, I should have seen thising." she muttered to herself, then led her team towards it. Inside the jet, Alex was already seated with his team. ire nced around, expecting to see Christian, but he was nowhere in sight. Her team quickly took their seats, mixing in with the Harris team, leaving ire with the only avable seat directly across from Alex. She sighed again, more out of habit than frustration, and took her seat. As she settled in, she looked at Alex. "Where''s Christian?" she asked. Alex frowned slightly. "Why are you looking for Christian? He''s not here." "That''s why I''m asking," ire replied, her tone straightforward. Alex shrugged. "I asked Christian to watch thepany. He''s the only person I trust to handle things while we''re away." He then nced at the empty seat next to her and smirked. "Where''s your trusted advisor?" ire suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "He''s watching thepany for me." Alex''s smirk widened. "Don''t have anyone to trust because everyone lied to you?" ire narrowed her eyes to him, finally giving in and rolling her eyes. "I could still change my mind and book my own flight if you annoy me" Alex sighed, his smirk fading. "Fine, I was just asking." Their team, seated across from them, exchanged uneasy nces, clearly ufortable with their bosses tense conversation. Alex''s irritation lingered, fueled by the memory of seeing ire at dinner with Adrian. She had told him she didn''t have time for dinner, there she was, enjoying a meal with someone else. Even though it had happened a week ago, it still annoyed him. ire sighed and plugged her ears with her earphones. She nced out the window, lost in thought. This is the first time ire has flown together with Alex after their divorce. ire didn''t expect herself to be on the same ne with Alex, sitting face to face for eleven hours. What''s funny for ire is, she sees Alex more often after their divorce instead of when she was still married to him. The universe has a unique way of messing with ire. yet apter 150 Las Vegas The night was quiet inside the private jet as it cruised smoothly through the dark sky. Most of the team had settled in for sleep, their seats reced, and nkets drawn up, enveloped in the tranquility of the cabin''s low hum. ire, however, sat upright in her seat, herptop glowing softly in front of her. Her fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard, a testament to her restless state of mind. Despite the gentle lull of the aircraft, sleep eluded her. She nced around the cabin, her gaze lingering on Alex, who was seated across from her. Alex noticed ire''s restlessness and raised his eyebrows quizzically. "Can''t sleep?" he asked in a low voice, trying not to disturb the others. ire shook her head, still focused on her screen. "No, I can''t," she replied curtly, her tone indicating she wasn''t in the mood for idle chatter. Alex frowned slightly. He knew ire well enough to remember she was a deep sleeper, a fact he had taken advantage of during their brief marriage when he often snuck out unnoticed. "Is this a new trait of yours now that you''ve regained your memory?" he joked. ire stopped typing abruptly, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She looked up at Alex, her eyes cold. "Yes," she replied tersely. "What''s with your behavior, Alex?" ire whispered sharply, leaning closer to him.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Alex stared at her, irritation flickering in his eyes. He muttered dismissively, "Nothing," and looked away, as if suddenly preupied with something outside the window. Alex decided it was time to retire to his room for some peace and quiet. ire watched him go with a sigh of relief, grateful for the respite from his presence, even if it was only temporary. She knew they would have to face each other again soon, but for now, she savored the moment of solitude. Morning broke with a soft light filtering through the windows of the ne. ire had barely slept; her mind buzzing with thoughts and ns for the day ahead. One of her employees, noticing ire was still awake, approached her with a mix of surprise and concern. "Ms. Peterson, have you slept at all?" she asked quietly. ire shook her head slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "No, not yet. I''ll catch up on sleep once we''re settled at the hotel," she replied, her voice steady despite the fatigue evident in her eyes. As she packed herptop into her bag, preparing to disembark, Alex emerged from his room. Their eyes met briefly, and in that moment, the tension between them was palpable. ire held his gaze for a moment before he broke eye contact, heading out of the jet. She watched him go with a hint of annoyance. Alex paused at the door, thanking the pilot for the smooth flight. ire looked at the view as she stood on the ground. She muttered under her breath, almost to herself, "I can''t believe I''m in Vegas with my ex-husband." Alex, overhearing her, turned back briefly. "Believe me, I can''t believe it either," he murmured. Chapter 151 Chapter 151 She''s so difficult ire stared at him in disbelief, embarrassed that he had heard her muttering. Alex didn''t wait for her response and walked briskly to his car, jumping inside. ire watched him go, feeling a mix of frustration and exhaustion. When ire finally arrived at her hotel room, she felt tired and drained. The eleven-hour ne ride had left her body aching. She considered treating herself to some time at the spa once her work was done, hoping it might help her rx. Shey down on the bed, trying to sleep, but her mind refused to rest. She tossed and turned for a while before giving up. "Why can''t I sleep?" she muttered tiredly. With a sigh, she got up and decided to work instead. The hours flew by as she buried herself in emails and project ns, and before she knew it, it was 3 PM. Realizing it was time to visit the hotel site, ire headed down to the lobby to wait for Alex and the rest of the team. Since no one but Alex knew the exact location, they had to wait for him to guide them. Alex arrived shortly after. He was about to ask ire where the other employees were when he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. His frown deepened as he asked, "Did you get any sleep?" ire shook her head slightly. "I couldn''t sleep," she admitted. Alex looked like he wanted to ask more, but just then, the other employees arrived. He quickly reverted to his professional demeanor, pretending not to care. "Alright, let''s head to the cars," he said, leading the way. After a thirty minute''s drive, they arrived at the hotel site. From the outside view, everything hase into ce in a way it isplete. As the team stepped out of their cars, everyone shifted into work mode, ready to tackle the day''s tasks. Alex gathered the group in the expansive lobby, exining the project details once more, ensuring everyone was on the same page. "Alright, everyone." Alex began, his voice steady and authoritative. "As we discussed in the meeting, this hotel is going to be the first technological theme hotel in Las Vegas. The technological and Matrix-like theme needs to be evident in every corner, from the lobby to the rooms." ire listened attentively, nodding asionally as Alex spoke. She understood his vision clearly, but her mind was already racing with ideas and observations. She hadn''tmented yet, choosing instead to take in the surroundings, her eyes scanning every detail of the lobby. The sleek, modern design was impressive, but she felt there was something missing. While the other employees broke off into smaller groups, discussing various aspects of the project, ire stood alone in the center of the lobby, deep in thought. Her eyes traced the lines of the architecture, the cement of the furniture, and the overall ambiance. Something about it didn''t quite align with the cutting-edge vision Alex had described. Alex noticed ire standing there, lost in thought. He approached her, curious about her silence. "What do you think about the hotel, ire?" he asked, his tone curious, wanting to hear her feedback. ire turned to him, her expression serious. "I understand your vision, Alex," she began, choosing her words carefully. "But there''s something missing." Alex raised his brows in surprise. "What''s missing?" he asked, genuinely interested. ire took a moment before responding. "If you really want to go all out with the technological and Matrix-like theme, you should consider adding robots. It would enhance the overall experience." Alex looked at her, intrigued. "Robots?" "Yes," ire continued. "Not to rece the human staff, but to add to the aesthetic and the experience. Imagine walking into a hotel where robots greet you at the door or assist with checking in. It would be unforgettable." Alex stared at her, processing the suggestion. It was bold, innovative, and perfectly aligned with the futuristic theme they were aiming for. He couldn''t help but agree with her.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. "That''s a great idea, ire," he said, nodding. "I''ll take your suggestion into consideration." ire only nodded in response, not saying anything more before walking away to join the others. Alex watched her go, a sigh escaping his lips. He found ire incredibly difficult to understand. He tried to be nice, but she seemed to hate it. When he acted more aloof or even rude, she disliked that too. The constant push and pull frustrated him. He muttered to himself, "Why is she so difficult to read?" The hotel site visit was brief. Alex had one primary goal: to show the team what the new hotel would look like. Alex gathered everyone together. "Alright, that''s it for the site visit. You''re free to explore and have some fun, but remember, we have a meeting first thing tomorrow morning. Be on time." Chapter 151 She''s so difficult The employees exchanged excited looks, their spirits lifted by the unexpected free time in Las Vegas. It was a golden opportunity to unwind and explore the city. A chorus of grateful murmurs followed. As the group dispersed, ire turned to head towards the car park. Alex noticed and called after her, "ire, where are you going? Aren''t you going to explore Vegas?" She stopped and turned to face him, raising her brows. "No. I''m heading back to the hotel to rest," she said inly. "Are you sure?" Alex asked her. "I''m positive. Why are you asking? Are you going to give me a tour of Las Vegas or maybe ask me out?" ire said mockingly which made Alex frown. "I was just asking if you wanted to. Are you perhaps still mad at me because of what I did at the ne?" ire sighed. "No, I am not, Alex. I''m just tired, thank you for offering." she ended the discussion and walked out of the hotel site. Once ire settled into the car, she let out a sigh of relief. The tension of the day melted away as she realized she was finally putting some distance between herself and Alex, even if only for a few hours. Working with him was proving to be more challenging than she had anticipated, but she was determined to maintain her professional boundaries. As the car wound its way through the bustling streets of Las Vegas, ire''s thoughts drifted to her hotel room. She longed for thefort of a good sleep. When she arrived at the hotel, she wasted no time heading up to her room, kicking off her shoes the moment she entered. She copsed onto the bed, letting the soft mattress cradle her tired body. ire awoke to find her room bathed in darkness. Groggily, she reached for her phone and checked the time. It was 7 PM. She stretched her aching limbs and slowly got up, feeling the need to refresh herself after the long day. The hot bubble bath was exactly what she needed. The warm water and fragrant bubbles worked their magic, soothing her muscles and calming her mind. Her phone rang beside her as she opened her eyes and took her phone. She rolled her eyes as she saw Alexander name popped on the screen. "What does he want?" ire muttered to herself and ce down the phone on the table, ignoring him. Chapter 152 Chapter 152 Worried Alex As she continue her bubble bath for another hour, she rinse after feeling fueled up. Initially, she thought about ordering room service and watching Netflix, but as she emerged from the bath, a different idea took hold. After dressing in a casual but stylish outfit, she decided to venture out and explore the vibrant Las Vegas streets. A craving for seafood, particrly lobster, had hit her, and she knew exactly where to go. ire stepped out of the hotel and climbed inside the car. The lively city was teeming with energy. She now understand why the employees looks so excited after Alex allowing them to explore. When the cab pulled up to the restaurant, she stepped out of the car. As she made her way to the entrance, she was suddenly bumped into by someone, causing her to nearly lose her bnce, She gasped, her arms iling slightly as she teetered on the edge of falling. Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed her waist, steadying her. "Be careful there," a deep voice said. ire looked up, her eyes meeting a pair of dark grey ones. The man smiled warmly at her, and she found herself momentarily lost in his gaze. She quickly straightened up, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I''m so sorry," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I didn''t see you." The man chuckled, tucking his hands casually into his pockets. "It''s fine. No harm done." ire nodded, her eyes briefly taking in his appearance. He was tall with a rugged look, and she noticed a full arm tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve. "Thank you," she said, managing a small smile. "You''re wee," he replied, his smile never fading. ire turned and walked into the restaurant, trying to shake off the encounter and refocus on the delicious meal that awaited her. The restaurant had a warm, inviting atmosphere, with soft lighting and the faint sound of jazz music ying in the background. Her meal arrived, and ire''s senses were immediately overwhelmed by the tantalizing aroma of garlic and butter. She dug in, savoring each bite of the perfectly cooked lobster. The vors were exquisite, and for a while, she waspletely immersed in the enjoyment of her food. After finishing her meal, ire felt satisfied and content. She paid the bill and left the restaurant, heading back to her hotel. As she walked through the lobby and approached her room, she was surprised to see Alex standing there, waiting for her. "What are you doing here?" she asked, scrunching her eyebrows in confusion. Alex, who had been pacing back and forth, noticed movement from the corner of his eye. He turned around to see ire walking towards him. Without wasting a moment, he approached her, looking visibly pissed. "Where have you been, ire?" Alex demanded, his voice filled with frustration. "Why didn''t you answer my phone calls?" ire frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "Why are you asking that, Alex? What''s the big deal?" Alex sighed harshly, rubbing his temples. "You make me worry, ire," he said, his tone softening slightly. "I was worried something might have happened to you." ireughed, a short, bitter sound. "Worried about me? Alex, I can take care of myself. You don''t need to y the concerned friend." She tried to push past him to get to her door, but Alex grabbed her wrist, stopping her. ire turned to him, her annoyance clear. "Let me go, Alex." She demanded. "Not until you tell me why you didn''t answer my calls," Alex insisted, his grip firm but not painful. She scoffed at his controlling behavior. "Why do you really want to know, huh?" Alex sighed. "Just answer the simple question, ire." ire stared at him nkly for a moment before answering. "I left my phone in my room. Happy now?" He frowned. "You should have your phone with you, ire. Anything could happen." "Why do you care, Alex?" ire asked, her voice tinged with irritation. "Remember we are divorced. Don''t forget that." Alex gazes hardened, he let go of her wrist and took a step back. "Don''t worry, I will never forget about our divorce. I was just making sure you are okay so our coboration will run smoothly and exactly as n." ire nodded. "As you can see, I am fine. Thank you for your concern." She didn''t give him a second nce as ire headed inside her room. She leaned back on the door, closing her eyes. It seems that ire could never escape from Alex, especially with the current situation they are in. ire herself have to get used to Alex presence and his unbearable behavior. ire then replying to the encounter she had with the stranger earlier in front of the restaurant. Looking back at it, his gaze seems different to ire. However, she couldn''t put a finger why. She shook her head and retired to her bedroom. The next day was the same as any other day. They all woke up early to head to the hotel site to gather. Alex showed them one room that had been decorated with furniture by the interior designer. All of them seems pleased, including ire. She and her team are discussing the use of Cortex 2.0 in the hotel besides operating all the security systems and also other technologies. "Yesterday, I had given him a suggestion to add robots." ire inform her team. One of them frowned and eventually asked her. "Robots? What for Ms. Peterson?" "So, since the theme of the hotel is futuristic which means there will be a lot of technologies involved, I was thinking that it would be much nicer and aesthetically pleasing for Harris hotel to add those. But don''t worry, this robot will not be recing the human stuff. It will only be as a decoration, but they can be used for a good use."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. "If you said is true, Ms. Peterson that Mr. Harris will add robots, why not Metacortex add the software, sensor, power supply and the other stuff?" ire thought for a while and was actually pleased with her employee suggestion. "Hm...you are right instead of buying thepleted robots from otherpanies, we will be the one that adds the technology part. However, for the body, we can''t make it, so we need to have a talk with thesepany. First of all, I am going to inform Mr. Harris whether he wants to keep going with the idea or not." She shot a proud smile towards her employee for the smart idea. "Thank you, Tom. That was indeed a smart idea. Even I didn''t thought of that." Tom nodded, his cheek slightly turned crimson red. In haste, ire made her way to find Alex, but it seems that he is not on the first floor. ire asked his employee if Alex is at the pool outside. It didn''t take long for ire to spot him as he is the only one who wears a suit and tie. "Mr. Harris." ire called him out. He turned to find the source of the voice and saw ire approaching him. But then his gaze moved upwards, and his eyes widened. "ire, watch out!" Chapter 153 Chapter 153 Alex on the rescue Alex''s eyes widened in panic as he saw the bucket slipping from the worker''s grasp. Without a second thought, he sprinted towards ire, shouting, "Watch out!" ire, slightly confused, noticed Alex''s gaze fixed on something above her. She looked up, and her eyes widened in horror. A few meters above her, the bucket was plummeting straight toward her head. Instinctively, Alex lunged at ire, pushing her out of the way. They rolled on the ground, with Alex skillfully shielding ire from the impact with his body. Onlookers outside, their faces filled with panic, watched the scene unfold like an action movie, praying the ident wouldn''t turn tragic. The bucket collided with the floor from a great height, shattering upon impact. It was filled with paint, which sttered everywhere. Alex couldn''t believe the close call. If the bucket had hit ire, it could have been disastrous. He looked down at her, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice urgent. ire, her breathing rapidly, nodded her head. "I''m fine," she said, still in shock. Alex stood up first and then extended his hands to ire. She took them, and he pulled her up gently. Once she was steady on her feet, they realized they were still holding hands. They quickly pulled away, both feeling a bit awkward. ire cleared her throat. "Thank you, Alex." Before Alex could respond, the worker who had dropped the bucket approached them, his head hung low in guilt. "I''m so sorry, Ms. Peterson." he said, his voice trembling. "I was not careful enough." Alex''s eyes shed with anger. He was about to scold the worker, maybe even fire him, but ire spoke first, her tone professional and firm." It is okay," she said, looking the worker in the eyes. "Just be more careful next time." The worker nodded, relief flooding his face. "I will. Thank you, Ms. Peterson." Alex, still simmering with anger, took a deep breath. "You need to ensure this doesn''t happen again," he said sternly. "I promise it will not happened again, sir." the worker said, backing away. As the crowd began to disperse, still murmuring about the incident, Alex turned to ire. "That was too close," he said, his voice softer now. "Are you okay?" he asked, scanning her for any signs of injury. "You''re not hurt, are you?" ire shook her head, brushing off the dust from her blouse. "I''m fine," she assured him. Then she noticed the tear on the elbow of Alex''s suit. Pointing to it, she said, "Your elbow, though." Alex nced down at his elbow, seeing the rip and the scratch beneath. "It''s nothing," he said dismissively. "Just a scratch." ire opened her mouth to argue but then thought better of it. She simply nodded as she didn''t want to cause much fuss. Their brief exchange caught the attention of other employees, who quickly approached. One of ire''s employees, asked, "Ms. ire, are you alright?" ire gave a reassuring smile. "I''m fine. Just a minor mishap."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Another employee, a tall man named David, added, "If there''s anything we can do, just let us know." ire nodded. "Thank you, David. But everything is under control." Turning to Alex, ire insisted, "You should treat that wound before it gets worse." Alex hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. I''ll take care of it." He turned to the team. "Today''s meeting is done. We''ll continue tomorrow." As the group began to disperse, ire turned on her heels and started to leave. She nced back at Alex from the corner of her eye then headed inside the hotel site. The rest of the day went as usual. ire is back in her hotel room and back to working on her work. However, she couldn''t focus as the thought of Alex interrupted her mind since he was the one that saved her. ire feels grateful despite them hating each other, Alex still wanted to save her. The least she could do is to thank him beside, ire mother taught her to be kind when someone help you in danger. On the other hand, ire also need to talk to Alex regarding her employee ideas about the robot. Before ire could leave her room, she remembers that she doesn''t know Alex room number, so she used her skills to hack into the data system. ire could easily text Alex to ask him about his room number, but her ego is too big. After a few tense minutes, she managed to locate it. Sighing with relief, she jotted down the room number and quickly made her way out of the office. apier 153 Alex on the rescue At the hotel, ire stood in front of Alexander''s door, her heart pounding. She hesitated, wondering if she was making the right decision. This was a risky move, but she needed to discuss something important with him. After a few minutes of internal debate, she braced herself and knocked on the door. Within seconds, the door swung open, and Alex stood there, surprise evident on his face. "ire? What are you doing here?" Maintaining her professional demeanor, ire replied, "I need to talk to you about your hotel, Alex. It''s important." Alex nodded, stepping aside to let her in. "Come in, then." ire walked into the living room, ncing around briefly before sitting down on the couch. Alex offered her a drink, but she shook her head. "No, thanks. I won''t be long." Alex sat across from her, still in his white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. ire couldn''t help but notice a wound on his arm that looked red and irritated. Frowning, she pointed at it. "You haven''t taken care of that wound yet?" Alex looked at his arm and then back at her. "I was about to, but then you knocked on the door." He gestured to a first aid kit on the nearby table. ire nodded, but decided to shift the topic. "Right, anyway, I came to discuss your consideration of robots for your hotel." Alex leaned back, intrigued. "I was thinking about it, actually. It sounds like a good idea." ire continued, "My team had an idea. We only need the robot case; all the technology, including software, would be produced by Metacortex." Alex''s interest was piqued. "I like that idea. But where would we get just the robot case?" ire smiled slightly. "I have a few friends in the robotics field. I''m sure we can find someone interested, if the money is right." Alex nodded thoughtfully. "That sounds promising. I''d appreciate any updates on that." "Of course," ire replied. She then nced again at his wound. "Are you sure you don''t need help with that?" Alex shook his head. "It''s fine. I will take care of it once we are done." Silent settled upon them until ire broke the silence. "Thank you for saving me earlier. You know you don''t have to do that." ire said genuinely grateful for Alex rescue. "If I do not do that, you will get hurt, ire." "But your wound," "As I said it is only a scratch." ire nodded. "Of course. I will be taking my leave then." She stood up from her seat which made Alex frown. "Already?" Chapter 154 Chapter 154 DinnerPublished by N?v''elD/rama.Org. ire raised her brows at Alex question. "What do you mean by already?" Alex coughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean I thought you want to talk more about your ideas regarding, the hotel." "That''s all for now. I will contact you about the robot development." "Of course, I will wait for the update." Alex looked elsewhere but ires eyes. As ire left his hotel room, Alex closed the door and sighed, scolding himself. "Why did I say ''already''? It sounded like I didn''t believe she''d leave early," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. He had been so caught off guard by her sudden visit that his words hade out wrong. He shook his head and returned to his work, trying to push the awkward moment out of his mind. For the next two days, everything went as usual for ire, meetings, hotel site visits, and more meetings. However, she couldn''t shake the feeling that someone was watching her. It made her ufortable, though she couldn''t pinpoint why. Whenever she looked around, there was no one suspicious in sight. Once, she even caught someone staring at her from across the street, leaning on a pole. But as soon as a car passed by, the person was gone. ire dismissed it, telling herself she was probably hallucinating due to her hectic work schedule. ire identally bumped into someone in the hotel lobby. "Adrian?" she eximed, surprised. "ire?" Adrian responded, equally shocked. They both chuckled at their sudden encounter. "What are you doing in Las Vegas?" Adrian asked, curiosity evident in his tone. "I''m here for business," ire exined. "I have a project with Harris." Adrian raised his brows, intrigued. "Harris? That''s interesting. How did you end up working with him?" ire shrugged. "It''s a long story." Adrian nodded. "Well, since we''re both here, how about we catch up over dinner? It''s been a while." ire smiled warmly. "That sounds nice. I''d love to." "Great," Adrian said, his eyes lighting up. "I''ll text you the details." Later that afternoon, ire stood in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection. She wore a dark purple backless halter dress that fit her like a glove, entuating her figure perfectly. Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders,pleting the look. Satisfied, she headed down to the lobby, aware of the admiring nces that followed her every step. Adrian was waiting in the lobby, looking sharp in a tailored suit. As he turned around and saw ire, his mouth dropped open. "Wow, ire, you look stunning," he said, smiling broadly. ire blushed slightly. "Thank you, Adrian. You look great too." Adrian handed her a bouquet of flowers. "These are for you," he said, his smile widening. ire epted the bouquet with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Adrian. They''re beautiful." Adrian offered his elbow. "Shall we?" ire looped her arm through his. "Let''s go." They left the lobby and headed to a nearby restaurant, engaging in light conversation along the way. The restaurant was elegant, with a warm ambiance that made it perfect for a rxing evening. Adrian and ire were promptly escorted to the reserved table Adiian had arranged. The ambiance was serene, with soft lighting and tasteful decor creating an inviting atmosphere. They settled into their seats, and momentster, a waitress approached to take their order. ire nced at the menu and decided on carbonara, while Adrian opted for a steak. "We''ll also have a bottle of your finest red wine," Adrian added, and the waitress nodded, noting down their choices before heading back to the kitchen. Adrian turned his attention to ire, curiosity evident in his eyes. "So, ire, you mentioned earlier about your project with Harris. What kind of coboration do you have going on? Sorry for asking, you don''t need to answer if you don''t want to." ire took a sip of water before answering. "It''s fine, Adrian. I''m working with Harris Hotel on their new location in Las Vegas. Alex has a specific theme in mind, so he reached out to me for the project." Adrian nodded, intrigued. "That sounds interesting. Do you mind sharing what the theme is?" ire shook her head gently, a small smile ying on her lips. "I would but I am not allowed to cause it is confidential" Chapter 154 Dinner "Of course, I understand." Adrian leaned back in his chair, regarding her thoughtfully. "I don''t mean to pry into your private life, ire, but it seems like you and Alex know each other quite well. Is there a history there?" ire paused for a moment, considering how much to reveal. Finally, she answered calmly, "I wouldn''t say we know each other well; however, we did met some time ago, but I wouldn''t say I like him." She chose not to borate further, keeping the details of her past marriage to Alex to herself. It was a part of her life she preferred to keep private, especially given theplexities involved. In a way, ire doesn''t really know Alexander. Those three years of marriage doesn''t count for ire due to her amnesia. So, ire doesn''t know Alex well enough despite the people that often kept saying that Alex and ire have this...connection. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their food. The waitress ced the steaming tes before them, the rich aroma of the dishes wafting through the air. ire smiled appreciatively. "This looks wonderful." Adrian agreed, picking up his knife and fork. "It certainly does. Bon apptit." As they ate, the conversation flowed naturally, with both Adrian and ire sharing stories from their lives. Adrian recounted a humorous incident from a recent business trip, making ireugh. If ire can be honest to herself, this dinner is probably the most rxing time she had in Las Vegas. Not to mention thepany she had makes it perfect. She didn''t expect to be this close to Adrian. The first time ire met him, he had a serious expression but with time it gradually softened, and ire could see the real Adrian. Turns out he is soft, sweet, caring, just the perfect man that every woman dreams of having. "I''ll be back. I''m going to the restroom." She excuse herself. "Of course, take your time, ire." Adrian shoot her a smile. ire stood up and made her way to thedies room. She touched up her makeup, applying a fresh coat of lipstick and smoothing out her hair. She turned to head back out. As she walked down the hallway, someone grabbed her shoulder, making her jump. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly turned around. Her expression shifted from surprise to a frown when she saw who it was. "ire," "Alex," she said, her tone t. "Well, well," Alex said sarcastically, "it seems you have time for other men but not for me." It seem ire jinxed it to fast regarding this dinner is the most rxing, turns out she was wrong. This is the most unexpected dinner she had. From all of the restaurants in Las Vegas, why does she have to meet Alex. ire grew tired of this sudden encounter. She wouldn''t be surprised if one day Alex confessed to her that he actually stalked her. ire''s frown deepened. "What are you talking about, Alex?" Chapter 155 Chapter 155 You can never escape my sight ire''s frown deepened as she stared at Alex. "What are you talking about, Alex?" Alex, feeling his frustration bubble over, snapped, "Why didn''t you want to have dinner with me?" ire sighed, a wave of exhaustion washing over her. This again. "This is a never-ending situation, Alex. I''m getting tired of it. I''m not bound to say yes to every word you say," Alex''s expression darkened. "Back in London, when I asked you out for dinner, you declined, saying you were busy. But then I saw you with Adrian at a restaurant." ire crossed her arms over her chest, meeting his gaze steadily. "So?" Alex felt a fresh wave of frustration. "Why do you never want to have dinner with me? Is it because you feel embarrassed that I know about your past?" In an instant, ire''s eyes turned cold. She pointed a finger at his chest in a threatening way. "Just because you know about my past doesn''t mean we''re friends, Alex. We''re only business partners and nothing more." Alex took a deep breath, trying to keep his temper in check. "Do you like Adrian?" ire scoffed, shaking her head. "It''s my business who I like, and you don''t need to know." Alex took a step closer, catching her off guard. He ced a hand on her bare back, leaning in so their breaths mingled. "It is my business because I was once your husband." ire chuckled sarcastically and grabbed his tie, pulling him closer until their faces were only inches apart. "Ex-husband," she sneered before pushing him away and walking off. ire took a deep breath to calm herself before taking a seat next to Adrian. She smiled apologetically. "Sorry for taking so long." Adrian smiled back, reassuring her. "It''s fine, ire." Feeling relieved, ire suggested, "We should leave once we''re finished here." Adrian nodded in agreement and proceeded to pay the bill. As they stood up and ire looped her arm through Adrian''s elbow, she noticed Alex from the corner of her eye. He was frowning, but she chose to ignore him and turned her attention forward. It was finally theirst day in Vegas, and ire and her team had finished their work. They were ready to go home. Alexander offered them the use of his private jet, but ire declined politely. With the incident yesterday, ire told Alex that her team will use her jet instead. ire knew the situation will be awkward inside Alex private jet and she doesn''t want the employees to suspect anything between Alex and ire. What ire couldn''t believe is Alex bravery for still offered her to use his jet on the way home. After what he did to irest night, she is in disbelief with Alex. He should at least apologize for his behavior. The audacity of him! ire can''t help but wonder Alex change in behavior. He seems to be more...jealousy, clingy and protective? If that even the word to describe him. Once irended in London, her driver dropped her off at her penthouse. As she headed inside, the receptionist greeted her with a message. "Ms. Peterson, you have a package." ire raised an eyebrow. "Who is it from?" The receptionist shook her head. "I''m sorry, miss but I don''t know." Frowning, ire thanked her and took the package upstairs. It seemed to contain documents, she thought. After settling herself in the living room, she tore open the paper and took out the contents. ire was beyond shocked at what she found. It was a series of photographs taken during her stay in Las Vegas. They were incredibly detailed, capturing the ces she visited, the people she talked to, and even the hotel she stayed in. She dropped the photos on the coffee table, her eyebrows scrunched in concern. "This is getting out of control," she muttered to herself. She quickly pulled her phone from her bag and dialed Matthew''s number. Matthew answered after a few rings. "Hey, ire. Everything okay?" "Matthew, we have a problem," ire said, trying to keep her voice steady. Chapter 155 You can never escape my sight 212 "What''s wrong?" Matthew''s tone immediately became serious. "I need you toe to the penthouse. You need to see this." ire told him with urgency in her voice. Matthew taken notice of ire urgency, scrunched his brows in concern as he stood up from his seat and made his way out of ire office. "Of course, ire I will be there." The call ended and ire was still staring at each one of the photos. She couldn''t believe someone is crazy enough to stalk her to Las Vegas. Her mind drifted to Eligos and put her suspicion on him. Is this Eligos doing or is there someone else''s doing it? Thirty minutester, Matthew arrived at her penthouse with ire still sitting on the living room couch. The sound of her front door opening alert ire. "ire?" Matthew called her out. "In the living room, Matt." "Sorry for arrivingte, the traffic was crazy." Matthew said as he walked to the living room. ire nodded. "It''s fine." She then gestured to the photos on the coffee table and Matthew expression is mirroring ire earlier. He took the photo in his hands and looked at each one of the pictures. "Is this you?" asked Matthew with scrunched eyebrows. "Yes, it is me. Apparently." "This picture... it looks like someone stalked you not just one day but every other day. This is crazy." "I don''t understand it either. I just got off my flight and I received this package. When I open it, it''s filled with photos of me from my time in Las Vegas. Someone was following me, documenting everything." Matthew was silent for a moment, processing the information. "Do you have any idea who might have done this? Or is this the same guy we are chasing?" ire shrugged as she took a seat on the couch. "Well, I was thinking that too seemstely this Eligos person was the one who send me message using weird form." Matthew agree. "First it was the system hacked at Metacortex, second a paper in your sandwich and third this photo. We really need to find this Eligos person." "That''s the thing! We tried; I tried but I couldn''t find him. His name isn''t even real, and we both don''t even know his face." They were silent for a second until Matthew spoke again. "What''s the reason for this Eligos person to stalk you? I wonder about that."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. "We''re on the same page. I just don''t get it either. I must say he was smart at sending these pictures on paper instead of files. He knows that we can track him, so I bet he is ying for the long run." He nodded. "He doesn''t want to be found just yet, but this isn''t safe for you ire." "I know, I just have to be more alert. He could be anyone around me. He can even be my housecleaning or maybe one of my employees." Matthew eyes shifted to the paper package on the table and take a look inside. "Wait, what''s this?" he pulled out another piece of paper. As he opened it, ire sighed heavily. ""You can never escape my sight Chapter 156 Chapter 156 Another day another scheming Lisa sat in her bedroom at her mother house. Lately she has been feeling frustrated, anxious and despairing. Day by day, her goal of making Alexander Harris hers seemed to slip further out of reach. Thest phone call she had with Alex had been disaster. He hadn''t been pleased to hear her voice and had cut the conversation short, not even bothering to listen to her exnations. She had been forced to change her number after Alex had blocked her, a move that stung more than she cared to admit. Lisa''s alliance with Gretta, who also harbored a deep-seated hatred for ire, had promised a chance to finally give ire the lesson they believed she deserved. Both women shared the same target, and Lisa had agreed to help Gretta, seeing the potential benefit for herself. However, their efforts had yielded no progress. She thought back to the time they had unexpectedly encountered ire at the golf club. It had been a chance meeting, an ident. Lis Gretta had gone there to discuss their ns, only to run into ire. It was as if the universe had conspired to remind them of their enemy What had truly shocked them, though, was discovering that ire was a member of the prestigious LHS club. None of them had anticip this, and itplicated matters significantly. Lisa had known about the exclusivity and influence of the LHS club, but seeing ire as a p it was hard to digest. It made her task seem even more daunting. As she sat on her bed, trying to arrange a new n to bring ire down, a knock on the door startled her. She looked up to see her mother standing in the doorway, raising her eyebrows at the sight of her daughter staring nkly. Lisa''s mother stepped into her room. Her mother walked over and sat at the foot of the bed, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you still thinking about Alex?" she asked, her tone resigned. Lisa nodded, feeling a surge of frustration and anger. "Yes, Mum, I am. I can''t stop thinking about him and how everything is falling ap Her mother sighed. "I understand, honey. But you have to keep trying." Lisa''s frustration boiled over. "I have tried everything you told me to do! I''ve followed all your advice, but it still hasn''t worked. It''s your f for giving me such bad advice!" Her mother frowned, her expression hardening. "Maybe you haven''t tried hard enough, Lisa. Or maybe you couldn''t act convincingly, and that''s why Alex could see through your lies from a mile away." Lisa rolled her eyes. "Just go out of my room, Mum. I don''t want to talk about this anymore." But her mother was determined. "I only want to help you get what you want, Lisa. We''re so close. We can''t give up now." Lisa shook her head profusely, her voice rising. "I don''t need your help! It''s all been a waste. Every single thing you told me to do backfir Just leave me alone." "That''s because you are not doing it right!" Lisa got up from her bed and stared at her mother in anger. "I am not doing it right?! Mum, I did exactly what you told me. I cut my wrist, I called him and even swallowed my pride even after Alex rejected me twice." Her mother sighed and approached her. "Lisa, my dear. Getting what you want is not as easy as you thought it would be. I told you that I w once in your shoes. I went through so much but trust me dear it will be worth it." she tuck a strands of Lisa hair behind her ear. Lisa sat down on the bed feeling despair at the situation. "I-I don''t know mum. I''m on the verge of giving up. I will be okay to not have Alex long as if I can''t have him then I don''t want anyone to have Alex." Her mother narrowed her eyes at Lisa wondering who the woman is her daughter referring too. "Is this that ire woman you are referrin too?" Lisa turned to her mother and nodded. "Yes. I have a feeling Alex developed feelings to ire and she is ying hard to get." "Have you already make a n?" Lisa scrunched her eyebrow as she was thinking hard. "No, mum. I don''t have any, but I''m thinking of a n."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. She sat next to Lisa which made her turn towards her. "Don''t tell me you are already thinking about it." Lisa narrowed her eyes at her mother, having a strong feeling that she might already be thinking about a n. "Well, yes, but I-" Lisa cut her off before her mother even finished her sentence. "Listen, Mum. Thank you for helping me but I will deal with this myself." "But Lisa, just hear me out, okay? If you don''t like my n, it''s your choice to use it or not. I am merely helping you." Lisa was silent for a moment then nodded her head. "Okay, what n do you have?" "Remember when you told me you are the third person in Alex and ire rtionship?" Lisa nodded. "Yes." Chapter 156 Another day another scheming "And at that time Alex and ire are still married?" "Yes." "Now they are divorced, am I right?" "Yes, Mum, you are right. I don''t know where you are going with this." "Just listen. Does it ever ur to you that the public might be curious about Alexander Harris wife or ex-wife?" her mother raised her brows at Lisa urging her to answer with a smirk on her face. "I-wait... don''t tell me you-" her mother nodded with a grin appear on her lips. "Yes. I want you to leaked the photo, evidence just everything that rted to them and to prove they were once married." "But Mum, as much as I love your idea. I don''t think this is right. I mean, what if the Harris or even ire sue me? I can''t do anything about it." "Then you have to y it smart, dear. You need to find a way to make it seems that the public find out for itself. Or maybe pay someone then put the me on their friends. While you are doing it, you need toy low, better yet, go on a travel so they won''t suspect you. With that, Alex or even ire couldn''t sue you since they don''t have enough proof that you are the one behind it." Lisa eyes widen in amazement at her mother bright idea. "Mum, you are a genius! Oh my God, why didn''t I thought of that." She hugged her Mum tightly feeling happy by the mischievous scheme. "I told you, dear, that I still have a lot of ideas in store. So, are you going to use it?" Lisa let her go and thought for a moment. She knows this won''t be easy. Is not a matter of finding out the proof cause Lisa still have ess to Alex apartment and even if she doesn''t, she still have a few evidence in her phone, however, to carry out the n won''t be easy. She needs to think it through, and it takes a lot of time. "I will use it, Mum but I need to take my time to expose them." Her mother nodded in agreement. "I agree. Take your time. You don''t need to do it in hurry even though it is tempting to do it soon." "Yes, I will take my time and make sure this will make the public in disbelief and maybe this will ruin ire and her fake image." She sneer in disgust. Chapter 157 Chapter 157 Flowers and card ire is currently in her office sorting out documents while also trying to findpanies who would want to work with Metacortex in building a robot. She has found a fewpanies in which ire needs to contact them. As she checked the calendar, something struck her mind which made her stop typing. August 8 It is Alexander Harris birthday in which ire never forgot. Back then she used to prepare everything for Alex despite him never appreciating all her hard work. On his birthday, ire always be the one who is busy preparing his birthday party with his family. She used to wake up early at four to bake Alex cake even though at the end he never ate it, only muttering a small thanks before getting ready to work. There are also one time when ire surprises him after he has gone home from work. Alex was in a bad mood and ire decided to surprise him, which was a bad decision for ire cause Alex threw away the cake with anger in his eyes. Turns out that day Alex had a problem with his work, and he poured all his anger on ire. ire still doesn''t understand what made Alex dislike her so much back then. Is it because his grandfather practically force him to this loveless marriage? Or does Alex have other reason? And if Alex was force to, why didn''t he reject it? Why did he keep going with the marriage? A lot of question run through ire mind with no possible answer. At the very time, Sandra entered her office bringing a cup of tea and a biscuit. ""Here is your tea, miss." "Thank you, Sandra," she ced the tea on the coffee table. ire stood up from her chair and walked to the couch. "Miss," ire looked up to her as she took a seat on the couch. "Today is Mr. Alexander Harris birthday. I have sent him flowers and card wishes ju-" ire stood up immediately with her eyes widened. "You what?" A look of confusion crossed her feature as she stared at her boss. "I-I send him flowers and card wishes?" "Why did you do that, Sandra? I didn''t tell you send him." Sandra looked panicked as ire face turned slightly pissed. "I apologize Ms. Peterson. I just did what you told me to do." She looked down feeling guilty for not asking beforehand. "I never told you to send him flowers, Sandra. So why did you do it?" "A few months ago, you told me to send flowers and card wishes and even presents to all of your business partners. Harrispany is currently our business partner, so I thought you would want me to send it to him to." ire ced his hand on her waist and closed her eyes feeling resigned. She can''t turn back time. What''s done is done. All she can do now is to deal with it. She sighed. "It is okay, Sandra. It is not your fault. I was the one who told you to do it in the first ce." "I''m really sorry, Ms. Peterson." "Yes, it is fine. You may now go." Sandra apologized once more, feeling guilty after seeing her boss reaction. As she settled on her desk, a thought crossed her mind. Why did ire act that way? She never acted like that when ites to other business associate then why did she only act a certain way to Alexander Harris? Sandra doesn''t like assuming things that doesn''t have any concrete evidence but a few months ago, ire also acting like this when Alexander proposed a business deal to her. Alexander was seated in his spacious office, the soft glow of the afternoon sun streaming through therge windows. He was engrossed in signing a stack of documents when a knock on the door interrupted him. Without looking up, he said, "Come in." The door opened, and his secretary stepped in. Alex nced up for a second, then looked back down at the document. "What is it?" he asked, his tone distracted. "Mr. Harris, you received some flowers," his secretary informed him, holding arge bouquet. "From whom?" Alex asked, his tone indifferent as he continued to focus on the document. "They are from Ms. ire Peterson," she replied. 212 Chapter 15howers and card Alex''s hand froze, and he dropped the pen. He looked up, squinting his eyes as if he hadn''t heard her correctly. "Repeat that, please," "Aye ire Peterson sent the flowers," his secretary repeated. Alex gestured for her toe forward. She approached and ced the bouquet on his desk. "Thank you," he said, his voice more attentive now.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. His secretary nodded and quietly left the office, closing the door behind her. Alex leaned back in his chair, stunned not just by the flowers but by the fact that ire had sent them. He observed the bouquet, a mix of vibrant colors and elegant arrangements, clearly chosen with care. After a moment, he noticed a small card tucked among the flowers. He reached for it, opened it, and read the message inside. It was a simple birthday wish. He frowned, holding the card in his hand, and read it again, as if he couldn''t believe it. The handwriting wasn''t ire''s, he was sure of that. ire didn''t strike him as the type to send such a gesture, especially given their professional rtionship. He knew it was likely orchestrated by her assistant or someone in her office, a standard business courtesy. Yet, deep down, he wished it hade directly from ire herself. Suddenly, the door burst open, and Christian, his best mate, strode in with a bright smile. "Happy birthday, Alex!" Christian eximed, his voice filled with genuine joy. Alex barely looked up from the card, still engrossed in the message. Christian raised his eyebrows and approached him, curiosity piqued. "What are you reading?" he asked, peering over Alex''s shoulder with curiosityced in his tone. Alex casually responded, "It''s a flower and card wishes from ire." Christian''s eyes widened slightly. "From ire? Really? ire Peterson? Your ex-wife?" cing the card down, Alex turned to him. "Okay, Chris, I think I got what you mean. Yes and no. This..." Alex pointed to the bouquet and card. "It''s from ire but not from ire. It''s just a business standard. I do the same, especially now that we''re business partners." Christian pointed out, "You sound sad. As if you are wanted the flowers from ire." Alex scoffed, denying it. "I''m not upset. Just surprised." Knowing his best friend well, Christian decided not to press the matter further. Instead, he changed the subject. "So, what are you going to do on your birthday?" Alex shook his head. "Nothing special. Just work. Why do you ask?" Christian scoffed, shaking his head. "Work? On your birthday? Really? You''re such a liar, Alex. I know you better than that and I am not allowing you to spend your birthday to just work." Alex raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "No, don''t tell me you..." Christian frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yes, I did. I''m throwing you a birthday party," he dered, grinning widely. Chapter 158 Chapter 158 L''Illusion In the afternoon, while ire is having her teatime. As she savored the soothing warmth of the tea, her phone rang, breaking the silence. She nced at the screen and saw Talia''s name. "ire!" Answering the call, ire greeted her friend with a curious tone. "Hey, Talia. What''s up?" Talia''s voice came through the line, bubbling with excitement. "ire! I''ve got something amazing to tell you. Can we meetter this evening?" ire frowned slightly, puzzled by Talia''s enthusiasm. "What''s it about? Can''t you just tell me now?" Taliaughed. "No way! It''s too good to spoil over the phone. Trust me, you''ll want to hear this in person." ire sighed, her curiosity piqued. "Alright, you win. I''ll meet youter. Where do you want to go?"Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. "Great!" Talia responded, her excitement palpable. "I''ll text you the details in a bit. See you then!" As the call ended, ire ced her phone on the table, her mind buzzing with questions. She continued her teatime, the tranquility now tinged with anticipation. Later that evening, ire received a text from Talia with the details of their meeting ce. The evening descended softly, bringing with it a crisp breeze as ire pulled up to the restaurant Talia had chosen. The traffic had been unforgiving, causing her to arrive a bitter than she had hoped. As she stepped inside the warm, inviting interior, ire quickly spotted Talia at a cozy corner table. Talia stood up as ire approached, a wide smile spreading across her face. "ire!" she eximed, pulling her friend into a warm hug. ire chuckled, hugging her back. "I didn''t know you missed me that much, Talia," she teased. Talia rolled her eyes with a yful smile. "Oh, please. Sit down, you''re just in time." They both settled into their seats, and Talia''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Guess what? Guess what? Guess what?" she asked, practically bouncing in her chair. ire looked at her in amusement. "You look very excited. What is it?" "I''ve been invited to Mn Fashion Week by Mrs. Armetta!" Talia announced, her voice filled with delight. ire''s grin widened, pride for her friend evident. "That''s incredible, Talia! I''m so happy for you!" "And that''s not all," Talia continued, her excitement growing. "Mrs. Armetta wants to work with me on a future project!" ire''s eyes sparkled with joy. "You''re finally embracing your passion. I couldn''t be happier for you. I''m so proud of you for stepping out of yourfort zone." Talia beamed, their shared happiness creating a warm bubble around them. Just then, the waiter arrived with menus. ire ordered macaroni, and Talia chose spaghetti. As they waited for their food, they delved into conversation. Talia''s curiosity about ire''s work soon emerged. "So, how''s everything going with you and Alexander Harris?" ire sighed, a mix of emotions crossing her face. "The work is okay. We''re both focused on the project at hand. Given the history between Alex and I, that is probably the most difficultpared to the work." "What did he do to you? I swear ire if he messing with you again, I will be the one to teach him a lesson." Talia demeanor turns serious at the mention of Alex name. A smile appear on ire lips. "Thank you, Talia. I really appreciate it but I can handle this on my own. You don''t have to worry about it." Talia nodded sympathetically. "I''m really sorry that you have to face that bastard. If you need anything or someone to kick his ass. Please don''t hesitate to contact me." Their food arrived, and they took a moment to savor their meals. Theforting vors of macaroni and spaghetti filled the air, blending with theirughter and conversation. After finishing their main courses, they indulged in dessert, a decadent chocte mousse. As they enjoyed the sweet treat, Talia''s eyes gleamed with an idea. "You know, we should do something to celebrate my achievement," she suggested, her tone light and hopeful. ire raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. "Oh? And how do you propose we celebrate?" Talia''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let''s go to a club! Have some fun, dance, and enjoy ourselves." ire hesitated. She wasn''t much of a club-goer and preferred quieter celebrations. But she didn''t want to dampen Talia''s enthusiasm, especially since it was her special day. "Are you sure? I mean we could...do other activity like shopping, watching movie," Chapter 158 Lillusion Taliaughed. "Come on, ire! It''s just for one night. We deserve to let loose and have some fun. And you deserve to give yourself a pat on the back for enduring working with Alex." ire sighed, then smiled. "Alright, Talia. Let''s do it. But I just hope I don''t get too drunk and do something I''ll regret." Talia grinned. "Don''t worry, I''ll look out for you. It''ll be fun, I promise." After finishing their desserts, they left the restaurant and hopped into ire''s car. The driver took them to the club Talia had chosen. As they pulled up, ire noticed the name of the club L''Illusion. She realized it was Adrian''s club. ire turned to Talia raising her brows. "Adrian club?" Talis nodded, still excited. "Yes! I thought it would be the perfect ce." ire chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Alright, let''s go then." They stepped out of the car, and Talia grabbed ire''s hand, pulling her towards the entrance. The club''s exterior was elegant, with a touch of modern ir. As they walked inside, the atmosphere was vibrant and lively, yet sophisticated. The club was spacious, with dim lighting that created an inviting ambiance. The dance floor was packed with people moving to the beat of the music. "Wow, Adrian really do know how to run a club, huh?" ire looked at the interior of the club impressed. "He sure do know what he is doing." Talia beamed as she turned to ire. "Now,e on. We should get ourselves a drink." They made their way to the bar, where the bartender greeted them warmly. "What can I get for youdies?" Talia leaned over the bar, her eyes gleaming. "Two shots, please." The bartender nodded and quickly prepared their drinks. He ced the shots in front of them, and Talia lifted her ss. "To a young and happy life!" she toasted. ire lifted her ss as well, smiling at her friend''s enthusiasm. "And to your achievement, Talia. Congrattions!" They clinked their sses together and downed their shots. ire felt the warmth of the alcohol spreading through her, giving her a sense of rxation. "Let''s dance!" Talia suggested, grabbing ire''s hand again. ireughed. "Alright, alright! Lead the way." They made their way to the dance floor, squeezing through the crowd. The music was infectious, and soon they were dancing, letting the rhythm take over. ire found herself enjoying the moment, the stress of work and daily life melting away. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, ire noticed someone familiar on the second floor. She stopped dancing abruptly, her gaze fixed on the balcony above. Squinting her eyes, she tried to get a clearer look. Talia, noticing ire''s sudden stillness, touched her shoulder. "What''s wrong?" she shouted over the music, concern in her eyes. ire forced a smile, trying to shake off her unease. "It''s nothing," she shouted back. "I thought I saw someone I know." Chapter 159 Chapter 159 Creepy stranger Alex shook his head. "I don''t want to celebrate, Chris. I have lot of work to do." Christian walked over and pulled Alex''s chair away from the desk, ignoring his protests. "Too bad. You''reing with me whether you like it or not." Reluctantly, Alex stood up. "Fine. But I''m not staying long." Christian pped him on the back. "We''ll see about that." The club was packed, as Alex had expected. Music red from the speakers, and people crowded the dance floor, their movements a blur of energy and light. Alex frowned, feeling a headacheing on. "This ce is insane," Alex muttered as Christian led him through the throngs of people. Christian justughed. "Rx, you need this."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. They made their way to the second floor, which was slightly less crowded. Alex was surprised to see a familiar group of people waiting for them in the VIP section. His friends were all there, grinning from ear to ear. "Happy birthday, Alex!" they shouted in unison. Alex frowned and shot a re at Christian, who just pushed him further into the room. "Go on, enjoy yourself." Alex''s friends gathered around, offering their congrattions and best wishes. He forced a smile, trying to hide his annoyance. "Thanks, everyone. Really appreciate it." "Come on, Alex, lighten up!" said Mick, one of his oldest friends. "It''s your birthday! Have a drink with us." "How are you guys here?" he asked. Mick, a friend from college, grinned and pped Alex on the back. "Christian invited us," he said, his voice loud over the club''s music. "He said it was a special asion." Alex nodded slowly, a frown tugging at his lips. "Okay," he replied. Alex remembered Christian saying earlier that it was just going to be the two of them. But it seemed his friend had other ns. Christian, noticing Alex''s confusion, nudged him yfully and handed him a ss of whiskey. "Come on, Alex, you need to enjoy yourself and loosen up, especially since it''s your birthday," he said with a smile. Alex looked at the whiskey and then back at Christian. "Alright," he thought to himself. Since he was already here, he might as well make the most of it. Turning to the rest of the guests, Alex raised his voice. "Everyone, order as much as you want. Everything is on me!" The crowd erupted in cheers, raising their sses in a toast. Alex smiled, feeling a little lighter. He walked toward the balcony inside the club, needing a moment to himself. He leaned against the railing, sipping his whiskey as he scanned the crowd below. As his eyes roamed the dance floor, he suddenly froze. Among the throngs of people, he saw a familiar face. ire was dancing, looking carefree and happy. Alex''s heart skipped a beat. This was thest thing he expected to see on his birthday. His mind shed back to a simr scene not long after their divorce. He had seen her in a club then too, dancing with Matthew. The memory stirred up a mix of emotions, curiosity, and confusion. He had always wondered about ire and Matthew''s rtionship. They seemed so close, as if they shared secrets. Christian appeared behind Alex back and patted his shoulder. "What are you looking at, mate?" he said while drinking whiskey. Alex shook his head and finished his drink. "Nothing. Just looking at the scene." "Do you want to dance?" Christian teased him which make Alex rolled his eyes. "I think you should go and have fun. Better yet, get drunk so you don''t watch me for 24/7." Christianughed and walked away while saying, "Okay, suit yourself." Alex eyes turned towards the dance floor where ir is not there anymore. His eyes wandered as she scanned the crowds, but he didn''t found her. "I was not hallucinating right?" he muttered to himself. ire headed to the bar to get herself a drink. The dance was too much for ire especially with the upbeat music but s, ire enjoy it. As she was drinking her water, a stranger called her. "Hello, are you new here?" ire turned to her right and see a blonde man with a charming smile greeted her. ire only looked at him without expression and turned forward while answering. "No." Chapter 152 Creepy stranger oldweg 217 "You are one of those girls, huh? That likes ying hard to get and want men to bow down to their knees?" ire turned her head to him raising her brows. "You can think anything about me. I don''t care," She jumped down on the bar stool to get away from the stranger until he block her with his body and grab her wrist. "Where do you think you are going?" ire red at the man. "Let me go." He chuckled as it finding it funny, "You think you can scare me with that tone of yours? How about youe with me? We can have some fun maybe too much fun that you will enjoy." He leaned closer and whispered in her cat. His attempt to looks sexy makes ire wanted to punch him so bad. "You are disgusting you know that. And your attempt to look sexy makes me want to puke. Don''t tell me all the girls at the club have rejected you and now you are desperate." He shot ire a hard re while also tightening his grasp on her wrist. ire winced slightly but did not let it show to her face, "What I''m saying is right, huh? You are just a sad man. Sad, sad, sad man." ire sneer to him with a smirk on her face and the stranger face became red. ""You bitch!" The man was already too embarrassed. He lifted his hands up and was about to p ire, but someone held his wrist. He turned to see who was interrupting him. "Let thedy go." His voice sharp, filled with venom. "I said let thedy go. You should be a shame of yourself for trying to hit woman." "Who the fuck you are? You can''t control me." Alex smirked as he tightened his grip on his wrist. "I sure do can but why should I waste my time for a piece of shit like you." He let go of his grip and stepped aside. The security quickly got a hold of his arms and escorted the stranger out by force. "You can''t do this to me! I''m a customer here." ire rubbed her wrist where the stranger gripped her wrist tightly. "You okay, ire?" she looked up to him and nodded. "Yes, I''m okay. But you shouldn''t interfere. I can handle him just fine." "He gripped your wrist and not even letting it go. How can you say you are tine?" Alex said feeling slightly frustrated. "I have my ways, Alex." ire turned on her heels, but Alex stopped her by grabbing her arms. "You need to ice your wrist." "I said. I''m tine Alex. Why do you always be a needle in my life," said ire, feeling, pissed. Alex scotted. "How am I needle? I was just being nice to you. And what about you, huh? You send me flowers and card wishes even though you said you hate me." ire pursed her lips. "I did not send it!" Chapter 160 Chapter 160 Drunk Christian "I did not send it!" ire argued. She knew Alex would bring up this topic whenever they met. "Oh really? Just admit it, you are the one who send it." he crossed his arms over his chest. ire let out a disbelief scoffed. "You are delusional for thinking I''m the one who sends it you." Alex chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. "Well, aren''t you? Cause I still have the flowers and card in my office. That''s very thoughtful of you." ire red at him; her tone sharp. "I told you; it wasn''t me. It''s just something thepany does. Don''t read too much into it." But Alex, not one to miss an opportunity to tease her, continued with a yful glint in his eye. "So, what brings you to the club tonight, ire? Celebrating something special?" ire took a sip of her drink, maintaining herposure. "I''m here to celebrate Talia''s achievement," she replied coolly. A smirk curled at the corners of Alex''s lips. "Really? Not because it''s my birthday?" ire stared at him as if he had lost his mind. "You''re crazy, Alex. I think you''ve had too much to drink." Just as ire was about to walk away, the sound of a speaker filled the room. "Happy birthday to my best friend, Alexander Harris!" Christian''s voice boomed through the club. "I don''t know where he is, but he''s here somewhere. I think I saw him at the bar. I need lights! Lights!" The spotlight swung towards Alex, and he shielded his eyes with his hands, ire doing the same. The beam settled on them, and Alex forced a smile, raising his hand to wave. Christian''s enthusiasm was infectious, and the crowd cheered. "y a happy song, DJ!" Christian shouted. Alex muttered under his breath, but ire caught his words. "That idiot''s already drunk. Can''t believe he took my words seriously." ire raised an eyebrow, leaning in slightly. "What did you say to him?" Alex sighed, dropping his hand. "I might''ve say to him to get drunk so maybe he will stop bothering me. Turns out I was wrong." The spotlight has now stop aiming towards Alex. "Well serves you right." The music pumped up, and people began to dance around them. ire walked away but in time for Alex to stop her. "Where are you going?" he asked frowning. "Away from you." She simply said and walked away from Alex. ire weaved through the throngs of people on the dance floor, her eyes scanning the crowd for Talia. She had gone back to their seats earlier but found them empty. Determined to find her friend, she continued moving through the dancing bodies, the pulsating music reverberating around her. Finally, in a dimly lit corner near the bar, ire spotted Talia with a drunken Christian hanging on her arm. Talia, looking around anxiously, finally saw ire and gestured with her hand to catch her attention. ire, after a moment of scanning, noticed the signal and made her way towards them. As she approached, ire frowned. Christian wasughing in a strange, slurred manner, clearly far gone in his intoxication. "Talia, what happened to him?" ire asked Talia shrugged, looking exasperated. "He came up to me, and I didn''t realize he was drunk until he leaned in close. The smell of alcohol on his breath was unmistakable." ire shook her head. "Christian is really drunk. We need to do something." Talia nodded, a hint of desperation in her eyes. "Can you help me with him? He''s clinging to me and won''t let go."'' 11 ire moved to Christian''s other side, trying to support him. "Alright, let''s get him out of here. But first, we need to find Alex." Talia frowned, confused. "Why Alex?" ire gestured to Christian, who was swaying unsteadily despite their support. "Because Christian is his friend, and we can''t leave him alone here." Realization dawned on Talia''s face. "Oh, right" she said, nodding. They scanned the dimly lit club, but Alex was nowhere to be found. ire leaned closer to Christian, trying to get his attention. "Christian, where''s Alex?" hapier 160 Drunk Christian Christian blinked at her, trying to focus. "Alex? He''s probably in the VIP section," he slurred. ire and Talia exchanged a nce, then maneuvered Christian to a nearby couch. "How do we get to the VIP section?" ire asked. Christian patted his pockets clumsily before pulling out a small card. "You''ll need this," he said, handing it to ire. ire took the card and handed it to Talia. "Go find Alex and bring him down here," she instructed. Talia frowned. "Why me? Why not you?" ire gave her a pointed look. "Oh yeah, right. You two will probably end up arguing."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. "Now you know." ire sat beside Christian, who had closed his eyes and leaned back against the couch. The noise of the club seemed to fade as she focused on him. Christian muttered something unintelligible, then said, "Alex was hoping you gave him the flowers and card." She raised her brows at the revtion. "I don''t think so." Christian chuckled, his eyes still closed. "You should have seen his face. He was disappointed when he found out they weren''t from you." She tried to shift the conversation. "How many drinks did you have, Christian?" But Christian continued to mutter, "Alex regrets his actions. He said he was really stupid." Before ire could respond, Talia returned with Alex in tow. Alex''s confusion was evident as he approached the couch. "Christian is drunk," ire said, standing up. "How much did he drink?" Alex sighed. "Christian is a light drinker. It doesn''t take much for him to get drunk." ire nodded, her expression neutral. "I see. Well, I''ll leave you to handle him." She turned to walk away but stopped after a few steps. She hesitated, remembering how Alex had wished her a happy birthday despite theirplicated past. Gathering her resolve, she nced back at him. "Happy birthday, Alex," she said without much expression, then continued walking. Alex watched her as she disappeared into the crowd, a mixture of emotions flickering across his face. He turned his attention back to Christian, who was now mumbling incoherently. Alex sighed and shook his head. "Come on, buddy. Let''s get you out of here." "Nooo...what about Talia? I haven''t talk to her." "You''ll see her some other time." As Talia and ire headed out of the club, she stepped out into the cool night air, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Wow...I see no argument today. Did you two made peace?" Talia said indicating to Alex encounter earlier. ire turned to her and said. "No. Alex and I already argued earlier. Don''t worry. It''s inevitable." She said sarcastically Talia raised her brows, a curious look etched on her face. "Why didn''t you tell me that today is Alex birthday?" "Why should I tell you?" a look of confusion stered on her face. "Cause I feel guilty for dragging you here knowing your history with Alex." A sudden guilt ovee Talia however, ire shoot her smile. "It''s fine Talia. We don''t have any rtion with each other, other than business and I can''t always avoid him. One way or another, I will see him anyway." Chapter 161 Chapter 161 Dead end? Alex sat at his desk, twirling a pen between his fingers, his mind far from the pile of paperwork in front of him. He was deep in thought, reying yesterday''s events over and over in his head. ire had wished him a happy birthday. It was unexpected, and even though her tone was a bit off, it still surprised him. He hadn''t anticipated that she would wish him a happy birthday.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. His office door opened, and Christian walked in, immediately plopping down on the couch with a groan. Alex nced up, shaking off his thoughts for a moment. "How''s your head?" he asked, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Like shit," Christian replied, rubbing his temples. Alex chuckled, teasingly. "Do you want more drinks?" Christian responded by lifting his middle finger, which made Alexugh out loud. "I''ll take that as a no." Still smiling, Alex then asked, "Did you say something when you were drunkst night?" Christian frowned and shrugged. "I don''t know. Even if I did, I wouldn''t remember." Alex leaned back in his chair, his expression turning thoughtful again. "It''s just... ire wished me a happy birthday." Christian raised his eyebrows, looking intrigued. "So?" Alex sighed. "I wasn''t expecting it, given our difficult rtionship. It caught me off guard." Christian leaned forward, a hint of confusion in his tone. "Isn''t that what you want? For her to wish you a happy birthday?" Alex sighed again, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. "Yeah, I guess it is." Christian shook his head, smiling slightly. "Then why are you so bothered by it?" Alex rubbed his temples, trying to find the right words. "I don''t know. maybe because our rtionship turned upside down and the way she act around me is so different. Maybe it caught me off guard." Christian shrugged. "Shouldn''t you be used too since ire wished you for three years?" "That''s the point. She treat me so special back then and her sudden change in behavior stunned me, so I was shocked when she wished me a happy birthday despite her tone was being off, as if she was forcing herself to say it." Christianughed lightly. "Don''t think too much about it, man. After all everything that happened was because of you." "I know. Please don''t remind me of that." ire stepped into her office, humming lightly to herself, a rare moment of peace after a long, challenging week. As she approached her desk, she noticed a brown envelope lying conspicuously on top of her neatly arranged papers. A strange feeling washed over her, reminiscent of the unease she felt when dealing with Eligos, the mysterious figure who had been haunting her life with unwanted attention. cing her bag down, ire lifted the envelope. She carefully opened it, pulling out its contents. It was another series of photographs. Images of her at the club yesterday, arguing with Alex, at a restaurant with Talia, and various snapshots of her daily activities. "This is getting crazy." She threw the pictures on her desk and sighed deeply. This is getting crazy, she thought. It meant someone was watching her every move, 24/7. Feeling a mix of anger and frustration, ire pressed the inte button and called for her secretary, Sandra. Within moments, Sandra appeared at the door. "Yes, ire? Is everything okay?" ire held up the brown envelope. "Sandra, who sent this?" Sandra looked puzzled. "The receptionist handed it to me this morning. She said it was for you." ire nodded, trying to keep her frustration in check. "Thank you, Sandra. That will be all." As Sandra left, ire sat down at her desk and turned on herputer. She needed to find out who was behind this. She navigated to the surveince camera footage, hoping to catch a glimpse of the person who delivered the envelope. After rewinding the video for about fifteen minutes, she finally saw someone handing the file to the receptionist. The person was wearing a mask and a cap, making it impossible to identify them. ire wasn''t surprised; the receptionist had likely assumed it was just another routine package. She sighed again, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. This Eligos person was clever, always staying one step ahead. How could she catch someone so elusive? She couldn''t even identify them from the video; they were fully covered, even their eyes hidden behind dark sses. Matthew entered ire''s office as he did every morning, but today he stopped short, seeing the stressed expression on her face. Concern etched itself onto his features as he walked to her desk "ire, what''s wrong?" he asked softly. ire pushed a couple of photos across her desk towards Matthew. He picked them up, flipping through each one. His expression hardened. "He did it again, huh?" he said with a knowing tone. ire nodded, frustration evident in her voice. "I don''t understand what this Eligos wants or who would spend their time watching people 24/7. I checked the surveince cameras, but I couldn''t see who sent the package. They were fully covered from head to toe." Matthew sighed, setting the photos down. "Do you have any idea how to find Eligos?" ire shook her head. "I really don''t know. I''ve been trying to figure it out, but I keep hitting dead ends." Chapter 161 Dead end? 2/27 "Has he tried breaking into Metacortex''s security control?" ire asked, her voice low. "No, it''s still secure," Matthew replied. "But I worry he might try. If he knows we''re looking for him, he could make move." Matthew thought for a moment. "He probably knows we''re capable of tracking him if he does too much hacking. That''s why he''s ying it safe." ire rubbed her temples, feeling a headacheing on. "What are we supposed to do, Matthew? How do we stop someone we can''t even see?" Matthew hesitated before suggesting, "Maybe you should report this to the police. They could provide protection. ire shook her head vehemently. "I don''t trust the police. They couldn''t even identify the car crash three years ago. I wouldn''t put much hope on them." Matthew frowned. "Then what are we going to do?" ire looked out the window, her mind racing. "The only thing we can do is wait and see if he makes a mistake. We need to be ready for any opportunity to catch him." Matthew nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I hate feeling so powerless. There must be something we can do in the meantime." ire looked at him, determination sparking in her eyes. "We can double-check our security measures and stay vignt. If Eligos makes a move, we''ll be ready." Matthew agreed. "I''ll get the team to run another thorough check. We''ll also keep an eye on any unusual activity." "Thank you, Matthew," ire said. Matthew head out of the office leaving ire with her empty thoughts. She rey the video non-stop on herputer screen and watch it. Zooming in the video, ire try to find some clue that might be the key to find Eligos. As she watch it in slow motion, she squinted her eyes as she saw the neck. It has a wings tattoo. ire zooming in and try to make the picture high definition. She stared at the tattoo for long time then print it out. "I think I know what to do." Chapter 162 Chapter 162 The tattoo guy ire and Matthew stood in front of a tattoo shop, the neon sign flickering against the darkening sky. ire had told Matthew about the wings tattoo on the man, and she had an idea to visit tattoo shops in hopes of finding this person. There were many shops in the area, but ire hoped they might get lucky. "Are you ready for this?" Matthew asked, adjusting his cap as part of their disguise. ire nodded, tugging the brim of her own hat lower over her eyes. "We don''t have much to go on, but it''s worth a try." With that, they stepped inside the shop. The air was thick with the smell of smoke, maybe even weed, making ire wrinkle her nose. They approached the front desk where a woman with tattooed hands and facial piercings sat, looking thoroughly uninterested in her job. "Hello," ire greeted politely, trying to mask her difort. "I was wondering if I could ask you a question." The woman nced up, her expression bored. "Yeah, sure," she replied in a monotone voice. ire pulled out a picture of the wings tattoo on the man''s neck that she had printed out. "Do you recognize this tattoo? We''re trying to find the person who has it." The woman nced at the picture and shrugged. "A lot of people have that tattoo," she said dismissively. ire exchanged a look with Matthew before leaning in slightly. "Could we take a look at your customer book? It''s really important." The woman sighed, clearly annoyed, but slid the book across the counter. "Make it quick," she said, rolling her eyes. ire nodded. "Thank you. We''ll be fast." ire and Matthew quickly flipped through the pages of the customer book, jotting down names and dates. Matthew nced at ire, whispering, "What''s the n?" ire didn''t look up from the book. "We take pictures of each guest''s name and visit date. We can identify themter." They worked swiftly, snapping photos of the relevant entries. Once they were done, they handed the book back to the woman and left the shop, breathing a sigh of relief as they stepped outside. Back in the car, ire immediately pulled out herptop and started working from the passenger seat while Matthew drove. She typed furiously, cross-referencing the names from the tattoo shop''s customer book with the citizen database. After a few minutes, she let out a frustrated sigh. "None of these people have the wings tattoo," she said, looking up at Matthew. Matthew nced at her briefly before focusing back on the road. "So, what do we do now?" ire bit her lip, thinking. "We move to another store. We can''t give up now." Matthew nodded. "Alright, let''s keep going." They drove to the next tattoo shop on their list, parking a few blocks away to avoid drawing attention. The process was simr: disguises on, a quick entry, and a polite but determined request to look at the customer records. Each time, they repeated the same steps: taking pictures of the names and dates, then hurrying back to the car to cross-reference the information. As they sat in front of the fifth shop, Matthew turned to ire. "This is exhausting. Do you really think we''ll find him this way?" ire rubbed her temples, feeling the strain of their efforts. "I don''t know, but it''s the best lead we have right now." Inside the shop, they were met with another disinterested receptionist, another customer book, and another round of hurried picture-taking. As they left the shop, Matthew looked up at the darkening sky. "It''s gettingte. How many more shops do you want to hit tonight?" ire nced at her watch. "One more. Let''s try one more and see what we get." They drove to thest shop on their list for the night. This one was quieter, with a lone artist working on a design behind the counter. ire approached, greeting the artist and showing him the picture of the tattoo. The artist studied it for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "I''ve seen this tattoo before," he said slowly. ire''s heart skipped a beat. "Do you remember who has it?" The artist nodded. "Yeah, I think it was a guy named Tom. Comes in every few months for touch-ups." ire exchanged a hopeful look with Matthew. "Do you have his contact information?" The artist shook his head. "Sorry, can''t give out personal info. But I can tell you he usuallyes in on Fridays around 7 PM." ire smiled gratefully. "Thank you. That''s really helpful." As they left the shop, ire felt a surge of optimism. "We might finally have a lead," she said to Matthew. Matthew smiled. "Looks like our persistence paid off." "We just need to wait and keep an eye on him if he visit the shop. Matt, I need you to hire someone to keep an eye on Tom." "Roger that, ire." "Now, we will just wait for him." After a few days of tense waiting, ire finally received the call she had been anticipating. The man she hired to keep an eye on Tom informed her that he was heading to the tattoo shop. Without wasting a moment, ire ryed the information to Matthew. They quickly throw on disguises, ensuring that no one would recognize them or follow them to their destination. Arriving at the tattoo shop, ire stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room. She approached the woman at the counter and leaned in. "I need you to close theText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 162 The tattoo guy shop as soon as Tomes in," she said quietly but firmly, slipping a hefty sum of cash across the counter. The woman''s eyes widened at the sight of the money. She nodded, quickly agreeing to ire''s request. "Consider it done." ire then disappeared into a back room to change her wardrobe, donning clothes that matched those of the tattoo artists. She adjusted her sses and took a deep breath, preparing herself for what was toe. Not long after, the doorbell jingled, signaling Tom''s arrival. He sauntered in, unaware of the trap that had been set for him. The woman at the counter locked the door behind him, flipping the sign to "Closed." Tom made his way to the tattoo room, and ire, now disguised as a tattoo artist, greeted him. "What can I do for you today?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady and casual. Tom, not bothering to look up, replied, "I want a new tattoo of a bird. Something fierce." "Got it," ire responded, pulling on a pair of gloves. She took a seat on the stool next to the tattoo bed, where Tom was lying face down. He still hadn''t realized who she was. ire picked up the tattoo gun and started drawing the pattern. Herck of skill was apparent, but she didn''t care. This was about more than just a tattoo. She pressed the ink into his skin with more force than necessary, causing Tom to wince in pain. "Hey, what the fuck, man? Why does it hurt so much?" he eximed, his voice muffled by the bed. "Sorry about that," ire said, her voice dripping with insincerity. She continued the process, pressing even harder this time. Tom groaned in pain, turning his head to re at her. "Seriously, what the hell are you doing-" His words cut off abruptly as he recognized her face. Chapter 163 Chapter 163 Capturing him "You?!" ire smirked, not bothering to hide her satisfaction. "Surprised to see me?" Tom''s eyes widened, a mix of shock and fear crossing his face. "What are you doing here?" "I think it''s time we had a little chat," ire said, her voice cold. She set the tattoo gun aside and crossed her arms, ring down at him. "I want answers, Tom. And you''re going to give them to me." Tom tried to sit up, but ire pushed him back down. "Stay put," she ordered. "You''re not going anywhere." She called Matthew name, and he walked in the room. His face is serious as he stood across ire. ire gestured for Matthew to tie Tom''s hands, and he did so without a word. ire then took a seat across from Tom, her eyes never leaving his. "Now, Tom," ire began, her voice calm but firm, "did you send the brown envelope to my office?" Tom shook his head vigorously, his face pale. "No, I don''t know anything about that. I swear!" ire leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing. "If you don''t know anything, then why did you look so surprised when you saw me?" Tom cleared his throat nervously, avoiding her gaze. "I was just told to... to do certain things," he stammered. ire raised her eyebrows, her interest piqued. "By whom, Tom? Who told you to do these things?" Tom looked around the room, his eyes darting from ire to Matthew and back again. "I can''t tell you that," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ireughed, a sound that sent chills down Tom''s spine. "Let me guess," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "The name is Eligos, am I right?" Tom''s eyes widened in terror. "How did you know?" he asked, his voice trembling. ire smirked, leaning forward. "I have my ways, Tom. Now, tell me everything you know about Eligos and why he''s interested in me." Tom looked up, his face pale and his hands trembling. He shook his head, avoiding her eyes. "I... I can''t tell you, ire." ire''s eyes grew cold. She stood up, picking up the tattoo gun and holding it threateningly. "If you won''t tell me, I''ll have to do some damage," she said, her voice low and menacing. Tom yelled slightly, panic evident in his voice. "Please, don''t! I really can''t tell you. If I do, my life is on the line." ire stared at him, her expression hard. She honestly didn''t care if Tom ended up dead, but she wasn''t a monster. With a sigh, she ced the tattoo gun back on the counter and crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine. Were you the one who took my picture and stalked me?" Tom shook his head vigorously. "No, I don''t know anything about the content. I was just told to deliver it." ire narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him. After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "Alright, since you can''t tell me, I want you to deliver a message to Eligos." Tom looked relieved but still scared. "What message?" ire grabbed a piece of paper and a red pen from the counter. She quickly scribbled a message, her handwriting sharp and precise. She ced the paper on the table next to Tom. "Deliver this to Eligos. If you don''t, you''ll regret it." Tom picked up the paper with shaking hands, reading the message quickly before nodding. "I will. I promise." ire leaned in close, her voice icy. "You''d better." With that, she turned and walked out of the room, Matthew following close behind. They nodded to the woman at the front desk before heading out to the car. ire jumped into the passenger seat, and Matthew started the engine, driving away from the shop. As they drove, Matthew nced over at ire." did you write in that message?" A smirk appeared on ire''s lips as she stared out the window. "I told him that he''s a coward." Matthew''s eyes widened as he read the content of the paper ire handed Tom. He looked up at her, astonishment and admiration in his gaze. "ire, you''re incredibly brave," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I can''t believe you actually did this." ire nodded, her expression serious. "It had to be done, Matthew. I need to know who he is and find out the reason of his stalking." Meanwhile, as the evening settled in, Tom made his way to Eligos''s office, his head down and his hands trembling with fear. He clutched the paper tightly, dreading the encounter. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door and entered. Eligos sat behind hisrge mahogany desk, his piercing eyes fixed on Tom as he approached. "What is it?" Eligos asked, his voice cold and impatient. Tom, feeling his knees weaken, stammered, "It''s... it''s a message from ire." He handed the paper to Eligos with shaking hands. Eligos raised an eyebrow, taking the paper from Tom''s grasp. He nced at it, his expression unreadable. "ire," he muttered, the name hanging in the air like a threat. "Did she find out about you?" Tom nodded, his heart pounding. "Y-yes, she did." Eligos''s cold gaze flickered to the paper, and as he read the contents, a sinister smile curled his lips. A low, chillingugh escaped him. "ire doesn''t seem scared at all," he said, almost to himself. His eyes gleamed with dark amusement. Tom stood there, feeling the oppressive weight of Eligos''s presence. "C-can I go now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Eligos waved a dismissive hand. Tom quickly exited the room, relief flooding through him as he escaped Eligos''s oppressive aura. He hurried down the hallway, wanting to be as far away from that room as possible. Eligos leaned back in his chair, still holding the paper. He muttered to himself, "I need to level up my game. ire isn''t scared, and that''s a problem." He stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. ire is back at her headquarters as she sat down in her spacious office. She had decided to change her scenery to get away from those stalkers. Chapter 163 Capturing him She typed rapidly on herptop, sending an email to a renowned roboticspany about creating custom robots for Harris Hotel. The project was ambitious, but ire thrived on challenges. As she sifted through her emails, herptop screen suddenly went dark. ire frowned, tapping a few keys and muttering to herself, "What happened now?" Before she could troubleshoot, white text appeared on the screen against the ck background: "It seems you are not scared. Then I will not stop until you fear me." Confusion washed over ire as she read the message. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly pushed down the rising panic. She recognized the signature of Eligos, a notorious hacker who had been a thorn in her side for months. "Not today," she whispered, determination recing her initial fear. She grabbed her backupptop and began transferring files swiftly, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "Come on,e on," she muttered. As the files transferred, she opened her security software and started tracing the hacker''s location. Eligos was skilled, using multiple proxies and bouncing his signal across different countries and regions. It was like trying to catch smoke with her bare hands. "You''re not getting away this time," ire said through gritted teeth. She narrowed down the possible locations, her eyes scanning the data rapidly. Hours passed, and finally, she isted three possible locations. ire leaned back in her chair, exhaustion lining her face, but her eyes were sharp with determination.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. "No more hiding," she muttered, already nning her next move. Chapter 164 Chapter 164 This can''t be happening She pressed the button on her inte. "Matthew, can youe to my office immediately? It''s urgent." A few momentster, Matthew entered the room, concern etched on his face. "What''s going on, ire?" he asked. ire motioned for him to sit down and pointed to herptop screen. "I''ve found Eligos''s location. Well, I''ve narrowed it down to three possible locations." Matthew leaned over, examining the map with a puzzled expression. "How did you manage to find this?" ire sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Eligos hacked into myptop to send me a message. I quickly realized what he was doing and used the opportunity to track him." Matthew''s eyes widened in surprise. "That''s impressive, ire. So, what do we do now? Should we go to these ces immediately?" ire shook her head, thinking carefully. "We need to be strategic about this. If we move too quickly, there''s a high chance he''ll realize what we''re doing and run." Matthew nodded, understanding her caution. "So, what''s the n?" ire stood up and started pacing the room, her mind racing with possibilities. "First, we need to gather more information about these locations. We need to know theyout, the security measures, everything. We can''t afford to walk into a trap." 202053020 39 2 5 2 Matthew agreed. "Alright, I will look into it." "Thank you, Matt."N?velDrama.Org content. ire sat at her desk, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she dug deeper into the location they were investigating. Her mind was focused, determined to uncover every detail. While she waited for Matthew to get back to her with more information, she continued her research, hoping to find something that could give them an edge. Suddenly, the door to her office burst open, and Matthew rushed in, his face pale and eyes wide with panic. ire looked up, startled by his abrupt entrance. She quipped, "Wow, that was fast, Matthew. Did you find something?" But Matthew''s expression didn''t change. He looked genuinely worried. "ire, listen to me. Don''t go online. Just stay off the inte for now." ire raised an eyebrow, finding his concern a bit amusing. "What''s gotten into you? What''s so urgent that I can''t even go online?" Ignoring her protests, Matthew moved closer. "I''m serious, ire. Trust me on this one." >> With a yful smirk, ire turned to herputer and opened her social media feed, thinking Matthew was overreacting. But as soon as the page loaded, her heart sank. Headlines and posts about her past marriage to Alex were stered all over the inte. Shocking revtions, photos, and snippets of conversations filled the screen. "Oh my God," ire muttered, her face draining of color. "How did this get out?" Meanwhile, across country, Lisa was on a phone call with a man she had hired. She paced back and forth in her hotel room, her voice cold and calcted." Remember, post the evidence about ire and Alex''s marriage gradually. One piece at a time. Let the inte do its work." The man on the other end of the line assured her, "Got it. I''ll handle it. "Remember you need to be careful and not be reckless. Be meticulous. ire has a way of finding things out. We can''t afford any mistakes." He chuckled. "Don''t worry. I''ve got this. Consider it done." Lisa ended the call, a satisfied smile ying on her lips. Everything was going ording to n. She knew that the steady trickle of information would create a storm, and ire wouldn''t know what hit her. Back in her office, ire was reeling from the news. Matthew, seeing her reaction, felt a pang of guilt for not being able to protect her from this. "ire, I''m so sorry this happen to you." ire shook her head, trying to process the information. "It''s not your fault, Matthew. I just... I can''t believe this is happening. Who would do something like this?" ire stood up from her chair, pacing back and forth in her office, her mind racing with panic. She couldn''t believe what she was seeing on her phone. "Matthew, we need to settle this before it gets out of hand," she said urgently, turning to her trusted assistant. "Delete the tweet that involves me. Now." Matthew nodded, his fingers already flying over his keyboard. "I''m on it, ire," he assured her, his voice steady. ire''s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She turned back to Matthew. "Also, prepare a helicopter. I can''t deal with the chaos if I go by car." Matthew walked out of the office, his pace quick and determined. He returned a minuteter, a look of concern on his face. "There''s a problem with the helicopter," he announced. ire cursed under her breath, closing her eyes briefly in frustration. "Unbelievable," she muttered. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Prepare my car and alert security back at Metacortex. We need to be ready for anything." Matthew nodded and left to carry out her instructions. ire headed down to the lobby, her steps quick and purposeful. She jumped into the waiting car, her mind still reeling from the unfolding events. As the car sped away, she dialed Alex''s number, but there was no answer. She tried again and again, but still no response. "Come on, Alex," she muttered, frustration evident in her voice. After the third attempt, she gave up, sighing heavily. Taking a moment to collect herself, she went online again, hoping for some rity. Her heart sank as she saw a photo that had been leaked: it was of her and Alex''s marriage. The footage had gone viral, with thousands of retweets and shares. This was not supposed to happen. ire prided herself on being calm andposed, but this situation had her feeling more anxious than ever. Her mind raced with questions. How did people find out about this? Who would do such a thing? The power of social media was truly frightening, and she felt like Chapter 164 This can''t be happening she was losing control. The thought of facing the mob of journalists and paparazzi made ire''s heart pound. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and slipped on herrge, dark shades. They were almost a shield against the world outside. In front of Metacortex, the crowd had been growing since the news about her and Alex. The journalists and paparazzi were buzzing with anticipation, their cameras and microphones ready. The moment ire stepped out of the car, the shes went off like a strobe light, nearly blinding her despite the shades. "ire! Over here!" "ire, is it true about you and Alexander Harris?!" "ire, do you have anyments about it?!" The security team formed a protective barrier around her, pushing back the eager crowd. ire could feel the pressure of bodies around her, the noise of the questions and the clicks of cameras overwhelming. She kept her head down and moved swiftly, almost being pushed several times. But the security team did their job well, and she made it inside safely. Once inside the cool, quiet lobby of Metacortex, ire felt a slight sense of relief. She adjusted her zer and headed straight for the elevator. A few employees watched her, whispering amongst themselves. ire knew the rumors were already spreading like wildfire. She stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for her floor. As the doors closed, she allowed herself a moment to gather her thoughts. She needed to stay focused. The news would affect the stock market, and she had to be prepared for it. Chapter 165 Chapter 165 It''s really happening "Sandra, I need you to keep a close eye on the stock market," ire said, her voice steady but urgent. "With this news, things are going to get vtile, and we need to be on top of it." Sandra nodded, already turning to herputer. "Got it, ire. I''ll monitor it closely and let you know of any major changes." Inside ire''s office, she sat in her chair, still like a statue. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts she couldn''t even begin toprehend. The recent events were too overwhelming. "This is crazy, I can''t believe this is happening," she muttered to herself, breaking the heavy silence. Suddenly, her phone rang, and a flood of emails started pouring in. The constant ringing added to her stress, pushing her to the edge. Unable to take it any longer, she shut her phone down, seeking a moment of peace. It was probably the first time ire felt so overwhelmed by the news. This news was crucial for her and herpany, and the weight of it pressed heavily on her shoulders. Meanwhile, at Harris Company, Christian burst into the meeting room where Alex was engaged in a discussion. Christian''s face was pale with panic as he apologized for interrupting and called out to Alex. The room fell silent as Alex looked up, irritation shing in his eyes at the untimely disruption. "What is it, Christian?" he snapped, trying to maintain hisposure in front of his clients. "I''m sorry, Alex, but I need to talk to you urgently," Christian insisted, his voice shaking slightly. Alex turned to his clients with an apologetic smile. "Excuse me for a moment," he said, his eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and frustration. As he stepped out of the room with Christian, his clients exchanged puzzled nces, whispering among themselves about the sudden interruption. In the hallway, Alex''s irritation was evident. "This better be important, Christian. What''s going on?" he demanded. Christian, still visibly shaken, pulled out his phone and handed it to Alex. "You need to see this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Alex''s eyes scanned the screen, and his face twisted into a look of disbelief and confusion. "How can someone know about my marriage with ire?" he muttered, more to himself than to Christian. Christian nodded, understanding his boss''s shock. "I don''t know, Alex. Apparently, someone leaked a photo of your wedding with ire, and it''s spreading fast. We need to address this before it spirals out of control." Alex ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. "This is bad. Really bad. ire must be going through hell right now." Christian nodded again. "You should contact her. I get a feeling this news isn''t going down fast. I will try to delete and block the news about your marriage." "Please deal with this Christian. I don''t care how much money we will have to use but make sure the news has to be gone." "I will try my best, Alex." His mind was elsewhere, consumed with worry as he headed towards his office, his brisk steps echoing in the hallway. His secretary, J, looked up with concern as he approached. "J, please handle the rest of the meeting for me," Alex instructed hastily, not pausing to exin further. He reached his office door and let himself in, shutting it firmly behind him. His eyes fell on the desk where his phoney, silent and untouched. There were several missed calls from ire, his heart sinking as he realized the gravity of the situation. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath, berating himself for forgetting his phone during such a critical moment. He quickly dialed ire''s number, but it went straight to voicemail. A sinking feeling settled in his stomach. He tried again, still no answer. Frustrated, he sent a text message, hoping for a reply that didn''t Growing more anxious by the second, Alex dialed ire''s office number next, but it rang unanswered. His mind raced with possibilities, none of them reassuring. Just as he was contemting rushing over to ire''s office, Christian, his PR advisor, appeared at the doorway. "Alex, where are you off to in such a hurry?" Christian asked, noticing the distress written all over Alex''s face. "I need to see ire. I need to make sure she is alright." Alex replied urgently, already moving towards the door. Christian ced a restraining hand on Alex''s arm. "Hold on, Alex. Think this through. The press is out in force today; they''ll jump on any opportunity for a story. Going out there now could make things worse." Alex paused, his jaw clenched in frustration. Christian had a point, as much as he hated to admit it. "So, what do we do?" he asked, trying to find a solution amidst the chaos of his thoughts.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. "I''ll go see ire instead," Christian suggested. "It''ll be less conspicuous. I can assess the situation and report back to you." Alex hesitated, torn between his instinct to handle things himself and the rationality of Christian''s advice. "Alright," he finally conceded reluctantly. "But be careful and let me know the moment you find out anything." Christian nodded assuredly. "I''ll handle it, Alex. Just stay put for now." With a nod, Alex retreated back into his office, his mind still racing with worry. Frowning, Alex picked up his phone and saw a flood of missed calls and messages. His parents then called him. With a sigh, he answered the call from his mother. "Alex are you okay, dear?" his mother''s voice carried concern over the line. "Yeah, Mum, I''m okay," Alex replied, rubbing his forehead. "just a bit overwhelmed right now." "We saw the news about you and ire," his mother continued gently. "We didn''t expect your marriage to be leaked like that. Are you both alright?" Alex pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the weight of the situation. "I''m... I''m fine for now. But I don''t know about ire." Chapter 165 it''s really happening 212 "Have you spoken to her?" his mother inquired. "I tried calling her," Alex admitted, frustration creeping into his voice, "but her phone is off." "You need to find out who leaked those photos, Alex," his mother urged, her tone bing more insistent. "This was supposed to be a private ceremony." "I know, Mum," Alex sighed heavily. "I will. I need to figure out who did this." Alex sat at his desk. He had logged on to his social media ounts to see thements. he scrolled through the feed, the deleted post that had caused such a stir somehow finding its way back into cirction. Despite its removal, it had been retweeted and reposted numerous times, spreading like wildfire across the inte. Curiosity mingled with dread as he began reading thements. Wait, is this true? One user eximed; their disbelief evident in the hastily typed words. I can''t believe Alex is married! Anotherment caught his attention. Is this the reason why Alex work with Metacortex cause his wife is the CEO? Another one replied. Ex-wife to be precise. I remember reading it online about their divorce. What? They are divorced. What is this crazy shit! Alex clenched his jaw, his fingers gripping the edge of his desk. He read on, thements swirling around him like a storm. As he scrolled, the weight of the situation bore down on him. Eachment, each spection, was like a dagger, reopening wounds he thought had healed. He tossed his phone onto the desk with a frustrated sigh, his hand instinctively moving to ruffle his hair in agitation. "This can''t be happening," he muttered to himself, staring nkly at the ceiling. Chapter 166 Chapter 166 The inte''s going crazy For hours, Alex sat at his desk, staring at the screen, reading through the flood ofments and reposts of the photo from his wedding with ire. Even though he had ordered Christian to take down the post as quickly as possible, the news had already spread like wildfire. Social media had once again proven to be both a powerful and perilous tool. Alex marveled at how, in the blink of an eye, the inte could elevate or demolish someone''s career. The more he read, the more anxious he became. Thements ranged from congrattory messages to intrusive spections. He realized just how vulnerable he was to the whims ofizens. "Damn it," Alex muttered under his breath. He was determined to find out who had leaked the photo. He had already contacted his private investigator, but even they were struggling to trace the original source. The investigator had mentioned something about the location data being imprecise, possibly tampered with. "Keep digging," Alex had insisted over the phone. "I want to know who did this, and I want to know soon." On the other side, Christian was stuck in a massive traffic jam on his way to Metacortex to meet ire. The car hadn''t moved in what felt like forever. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, ncing out the window at the sea of vehicles surrounding him. "Great, just great," he muttered, cursing the traffic. Frustrated, he pulled out his phone and opened X, hoping to see if the buzz around Alex and ire''s marriage had died down. But no, people were still talking about it. He sighed and then switched to Instagram, only to find that several gossip ounts were still buzzing with the news. He called Alex. "Alex, the news about you and ire... people on the inte are still talking about it. I have contacted X and other social media to take down the post but it seems people are sharing it again and again." Christian said a bit frustratedly. Alex''s voice was tense. "I know, Christian. I''m reading through it all right now. It''s a mess." "Do you think we can find the person who leaked this information?" Christian asked, sounding doubtful. "We have to," Alex replied firmly. "The Pl is on it, but it''s taking longer than I''d like. Inform me about ire once you arrive. I would like to know how she handle things right now." He sighed. "I will inform you of that. Don''t worry." Alex and ire''s wedding was the hot topic of the day, and it seemed like it wouldn''t blow over anytime soon.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the traffic started to move. Christian sighed with relief. He needed to get to Metacortex and talk to ire. His fingers drumming anxiously on his thigh. The city blurred past him as he tried once more to contact ire. He dialed her number, but once again, it went straight to voicemail. "Come on, ire, pick up," he muttered with a mix of urgency and frustration. The repeated failed attempts wore on his patience, and he eventually gave up. As he pulled up to the towering Metacortex building, he didn''t waste a second. He weaved his way through a throng of journalists and paparazzi in front of the building. Christian hurried inside, bypassing the front desk without asking for a guest card. Christian used the employee card to have ess to the elevator and he pressed the button for ire''s floor. When the elevator doors opened, Christian stepped out and headed straight to ire''s office. He knocked firmly on the door. From inside, a soft "Come in" reached his ears, allowing him to turn the knob and step inside. Even from across the room, he could see the tension etched on ire''s face. She looked up from her desk, her eyes filled with worry and stress. As she stood to greet him, she asked, "Christian, what are you doing here?" "I saw the news," Christian replied, concerncing his voice. "Is everything okay?" ire sighed deeply and moved to sit on the couch, motioning for Christian to join her. "I made sure to keep my past a secret." she began, her voice tinged with frustration. "I can''t believe this got out." Her eyes then locked onto Christian''s, narrowing with suspicion. "Is this Alex''s doing?" Christian shook his head firmly. "No, ire. Alex wouldn''t do something like this. He''s working hard to take down the news right now." ire sighed again, this time more heavily, and did not respond immediately. The silence stretched between them until Christian broke it. "There are a lot of journalists and paparazzi outside your office," he said, his tone gentle but concerned. ire''s response was dripping with sarcasm. "Well, it seems the news about my marriage to Alex is more eye-catching than our project with the Harrispany." Christian''s expression softened. "We''ll get to the bottom of this, ire. Alex is helping too." The phone call began with a buzz, slicing through the stillness of the night. Lisa nced at her phone screen and saw the name she was expecting. She swiped to answer, bringing the device to her ear. ""Yes?" she said, her voice steady andmanding. "It''s done," the man on the other end of the line informed her. "I followed your orders." Lisa''s lips curled into a wicked smile. "I saw the post. The inte is going crazy about it," she replied, her tone dripping with satisfaction. The man paused for a moment, perhaps savouring her approval. "Good job," she continued, a hint of grudging respect in her voice. "I want my payment," the man said, his tone now serious. Lisa rolled her eyes, though he couldn''t see her. "You''ll get your money after the job ispletely done." The man wasn''t pleased. "No, I need the money now. Transfer half of it, or I won''t finish the job." THE ARGUEts going crazy Lisa pursed her lips, considering her options. She didn''t like being pressured, but she needed him toplete the task. "Fine," she said, her voice clipped. "I''ll transfer the money." She moved quickly, her fingers dancing over the screen as she initiated the transfer. A momentter, she sent him the proof. The man on the other end grinned widely, even though Lisa couldn''t see him. "I''ll do my next job properly," he said, his tone almost mocking. "You better," Lisa shot back, her voice cold and threatening. "Or you''ll regret it." The man rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes. I''ll do my job." Lisa sighed, impatience creeping into her voice. "I hope you understand the importance of this. If you mess up, it will alle back to me." "I get it," he replied, sounding slightly annoyed. "But remember, I''m risking a lot here too." Lisa smirked. "Riskes with the territory. Just make sure you follow through." With that, the call ended. Lisa put down her phone and looked out at the night view from the vi. The lights of the distant city twinkled, but she was far away from London. As she gazed out into the darkness, her thoughts turned to the events that had brought her to this point. "If only you didn''t ruin my wedding, ire. All of this wouldn''t happened." She sipped a wine with a cold smile etched on her lips. "Don''t worry, ire. This is just the beginning." Chapter 167 Chapter 167 Choices The next day offered no respite. ire found herself relentlessly pursued by journalists and paparazzi wherever she went. These relentless photographers would even hide in bushes when she went out for a run. Every time she returned to her penthouse, she found the front door surrounded by intrusive and annoying paparazzi. The situation had be so unbearable that ire had to hire a bodyguard to keep them at bay. Alex faced a simr situation, but it was slightly less intense. He didn''t hesitate to break a paparazzo''s camera once when they pushed him too far. This assertive action had deterred some, but not all, of the relentless photographers. Desperate to find a solution, Alex tried to contact ire, but his calls went straight to voicemail. He knew he needed to address the situation soon. The relentless media frenzy was threatening to damage both Harris Company and Metacortex. But with ire being hard to reach, Alex felt his options dwindling. Heading to Metacortex was out of the question, as journalists and paparazzi were lurking around every corner. Meanwhile, ire was struggling to focus on her work amidst the chaos. She was at a loss, unsure of what steps to take next. "ire, do you think we should hold a press conference about all this?" Sandra asked cautiously. ire remained silent for a moment, her mind racing. Finally, she shook her head. "No, I don''t think that''s a good idea. If we do that, the inte will go even crazier and that will only make it worse." Two dayster, another picture from ire and Alex''s wedding surfaced online, sending the inte into a frenzy once again. It quickly became the number one trending topic. ire paced back and forth in her penthouse, worry and frustration etched across her face. She couldn''t believe this was happening again. Matthew contacted ire as soon as he saw the news about her. ire picked up her phone, and Matthew''s voice came through the line. "Have you checked social media?" he asked, sounding worried. ire nodded, even though he couldn''t see her. "Yes, I saw it." "Are you okay?" Matthew''s concern was evident. ire sighed. "I can''t lie; the news really stunned me. I can''t help but wonder who had all those photos and would dare to post them online." "I don''t know," Matthew admitted. "But I think it''s someone who hates you." ire''s mind immediately went to one person. "Do you think Eligos is behind this?" Matthew shook his head, even though she couldn''t see him. "It''s possible, but why would he leak them?" "Good point," ire muttered. "But still, it could be him." Matthew sighed. "I''ll try to find out who''s responsible for this, even if it is Eligos. And I''ll bring them to court." "Thank you, Matthew," ire said, grateful for his support. Alex sat at his dining table, spoon in hand, as he dug into his cereal. The phone rang, disrupting the calm of his breakfast. He grumbled softly, annoyed by the interruption. Breakfast was his time, and he disliked being disturbed unless it was something truly important. Reluctantly, he reached for his phone, ncing at the caller ID. It was Christian, his best friend. With a sigh, Alex answered, "Hey, Christian. What''s up?" "Alex, there''s something urgent," Christian''s voice crackled with urgency. Alex frowned, concern edging into his voice. "What is it? What''s so important?" "Have you open social media this morning?" Christian asked, the urgency in his tone not waning. Alex shook his head, even though Christian couldn''t see him. "No, I haven''t even looked at my phone until now. Why?" "You need to open it right now," Christian insisted, almost shouting. "It''s really important." Still grumbling, Alex mumbled, "Okay, okay, give me a second." He put the phone on speaker and opened his social media app. His eyes widened in shock as the first image that appeared was a photo of his wedding to ire. Alex shot up from his chair, his voice rising in anger. "What the fuck?! Another photo? How did this person get his hands on my wedding picture?" his toneced with anger and frustration. Christian sighed on the other end of the line. "I''m trying to get the post taken down, but people on the inte are faster than me. It''s already been saved and shared multiple times." Alex sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I really need to get this sort out.'' 11 "Don''t worry Alex, I''m sure we will find this person, but first of all, you need to call ire." Christian advised. "Ask her if she''s okay cause when I saw herst time, she looks frustrated over the news." Alex nodded, even though Christian couldn''t see him. "You''re right. I''ll call her now. But I don''t know if she will answer my call, Chris." "Well at least you tried." A minuteter, ire''s phone rang again. This time, Alex''s name appeared on her screen. ire hesitated, staring at the screen for a while before deciding to answer it. For a moment, there was only silence. Then Alex breathed out her name. "ire." "Alex," she replied. "Are you feeling, okay?" he asked softly. "I''m fine," ire said, though it was far from the truth, She didn''t want to give Alex the satisfaction of knowing how much this had affected her. Chapter 167 Choices "Are you sure?" Alex''s voice was gentle, almost too gentle.N?velDrama.Org content. ire clenched her jaw. "Yes, I''m sure." Alex sighed deeply, his frustration evident on his face and tone. "ire, I saw our wedding photo online," he said, his voice tinged with concern. "I''m working to find the person behind this." ire crossed her arms over her chest, her grip tightening on her phone. "I''m trying to find them too, Alex," she replied, her tone firm. "But it''s not easy." Alex took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "We need to talk about this face to face," he insisted. "We need to find a solution to this matter." ire shook her head, her expression resolute. "I''d rather ignore it than add fuel to the already made-up fire," she argued. Alex clenched his jaw, clearly struggling to contain his frustration. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice softer. "If we don''t settle this, it could damage both of ourpanies." ire was lost in thought for a moment. What Alex said is right. It can damage both of theirpanies and maybe their future project, but ire is worried if rifying this matter will only make it worse, especially with those gossip media they like to twist the truth. "ire, listen to me. Doing nothing isn''t helping either." Alex pointed out. "With our silence, the media will conclude that we did get married." Silence loomed over them. "Unless you want them to think like that." In haste, ire answered. "Of course not! I would not want that." Her voice is firm. A sighed escaped her lips as she took a seat on the couch. "Just...just let me think about this, ok?" she said a bit softly. "Ok...I will wait for your call." The call ended and it was time for ire to make a choice. A choice that can ruin her career or the opposite. Chapter 168 Chapter 168 A clue Matthew sat in the dimly lit room at Cryptonic headquarters, his eyes glued to the screen as his fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard. The door to Matthew''s office opened abruptly, startling him. He looked up, a bit annoyed at the interruption. Standing in the doorway was his coworker, who looked a little embarrassed for barging in without knocking. "Hey, Matt. Sorry for startling you." "It''s fine. What do you need?" "I just wanted to ask... is it true what they''re saying about Ms. Peterson?" Matthew said, trying to keep his voice even, "I really think you should get back to work." He raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I''m going. I didn''t mean to pry." Matthew sighed in relief as he muttered. "Finally quiet." The room was filled with the soft hum ofputers and the asional beep from the various machines around him. He was determined to uncover the identity of the person behind the mysterious post that had caused such a stir. Hours had passed, and the digital trail was finally leading somewhere. "Come one...how hard can it be to find one person." Matthew muttered under his breath, slightly frustrated.N?velDrama.Org content. His brow furrowed in concentration, Matthew scrutinized the data. He had finally pinpointed a location, but something was off. "Wait what?" he looked back and forth at the location. The post from earlier that morning had originated from apletely different ce than the post from two days ago. It didn''t make sense. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Can it be...two people who leaked ire''s marriage? Or one but that person move to a different location? I have to check this out myself before I tell ire." he muttered under his breath. He knew she was relying on him to get to the bottom of this, but he didn''t want to present her with uncertain information. Meanwhile, ire was in her study, her fingers drumming rhythmically on the mahogany desk. She had decided to skip work today, fully aware that the journalists and paparazzi would be swarming her if she stepped outside. The thought of facing them was too overwhelming. Alex''s offer was the only thing on her mind. She was torn, unsure if meeting him was the right decision. "Maybe I should ask Matthew," she thought aloud, reaching for her phone. She dialed his number, but there was no answer. She frowned and tried again, but it went straight to voicemail. "Matthew always answers his phone," she muttered, her frown deepening. "I wonder where he is. He always answer my phone call." Back at Cryptonic, Matthew was still focusing on the search of the real location, his mind racing with possibilities. If he wanted to visit the location, he needs to make sure the locations are correct. He pulled his phone out and realized he left his phone on mute. "Damn, since when did I mute my phone?" Matthew quickly called her back. "ire, it''s Matthew. Sorry, I missed your call. What''s up?" he said. "Matthew, where have you been? I''ve called you twice. Is everything okay?" ire frowned as she gripped her phone. "Yeah, everything''s fine." Matthew responded casually but ire could smell if something is off. She narrowed her eyes hearing his respond. "Matthew, are you hiding something from me?" said ire. "No," he uttered slowly. Matthew knew he couldn''t hide anything from ire. It''s like she has six senses. "Matt, I know when you are hiding something from me." ire said in a suspicious tone. Matthew sighed. "Ok, fine. You got me. I''ve been at Cryptonic trying to track down the person behind the post. I think I found something, but it''s...plicated. I was just about to check it out in person," he exined. "Complicated how?" ire asked, her curiosity piqued. "The posts areing from different locations. One was from this morning, and the other was two days ago, but they''re miles apart. I need to verify this myself before informing you about it." Matthew said. "You should have told me if you are tracking the person down. I will help you." "ire, you are going through so muchtely, from Venus, Eligos and now this unknown person. I wouldn''t want to pressure you." "That''s thoughtful of you Matt, but you know I can handle this. I have been through so much." "I know but the news about your marriage with Alex, you are not expecting it, right?" Matthew sighed deeply. "ire don''t lie to me. I saw how panic you are when the news about you and Alex went out." ire frowned deepened. "I did not! I just don''t want people to know I was involved with Alex." She argued defensively. Matthew chuckled lightly. "Sure, sure, ire." She rolled her eyes. "Just let me know if you find anything, okay? And if you need a hand, please don''t hesitate to contact me." "I will. By the way, why did you call me in the first ce?" Matthew asked. 212 ire hesitated slightly unsure if she should tell Matthew about it. "Well, it''s Alex. He wants to meet me, and I''m not sure if I should go." Matthew pondered this for a moment before responding. "It''s your choice, ire," he said gently. "But make sure he doesn''t have an ulterior motive. If he genuinely wants to discuss this matter, then maybe it''s worth meeting him. But if you sense anything off, don''t go." ire sighed heavily. "I need to think about it more," she confessed. "To be honest, I don''t really want to rify all this chaos. It''s exhausting. The media will not stop about this." Matthew nodded, even though she couldn''t see him. "I understand. It''s a lot to handle. Just take your time and make the decision that''s best for you." Sitting in his dimly lit study, surrounded by multipleputer screens, Eligos sat at his desk, keeping a close eye on the news about ire and Alex. His lips curled into a smirk as he toyed with a pen, twirling it between his fingers. He murmured to himself, "I didn''t expect others to do my job for me." He wanted to trace the origin of the post that exposed Alex and ire''s marriage. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he navigated through the digital maze, hunting for the original source. After hours of searching, he discovered that the post had been deleted. He chuckled darkly, leaning back in his chair. "ire, you clever girl," he muttered to himself. "You must have paid someone to take it down." Eligos stood up and walked to the small fridge in the corner of the room. He grabbed a bottle of beer, uncapped it with a swift motion, and took a long drink. The cold liquid refreshed him. He returned to his desk and beganbing through all the remaining posts about ire. "ire, ire, ire, karma''s a bitch, huh? That''s what you get formitting a crime." He stared at her photo with much hatred as he gripped the beer bottle until it slightly cracked. "I hope whoever this person is won''t stop posting about your secret marriage with Alexander Harris." He chuckled darkly, thoroughly enjoying the chaos unfolding. The replies andments on the news articles brought him a twisted sense of satisfaction. Chapter 169 Chapter 169 Taking credit The next day, as ire made her way to her office, she was swarmed with paparazzi and journalists. They called her name, asking if she was married to Alexander Harris and why she had kept quiet about the news. ire, wearing her shades, walked quickly into her office, escorted by her bodyguard. Once inside, her employees turned their heads toward the front entrance, where journalists and paparazzi were still shouting ire''s name. Curious about themotion, they watched intently. ire stopped in the center of the room, pushed down her shades, and looked at her employees with cold, serious eyes. "Stop staring and get back to work," she ordered sternly. Immediately, her employees returned to their tasks while ire headed to the lift. As she pressed the button, the four employees inside the lift saw ire and their eyes widened. They quickly stepped out, sensing their boss was not in a good mood. ire stepped inside and pressed the floor button to her office. When she arrived, she pushed her door open and settled at her desk. She checked the surveince camera to see if the paparazzi and journalists were still there. They were. ire gritted her teeth, feeling annoyed. The first time she found out that someone had leaked her marriage to Alex, she had felt worried and panicked. This time, her feelings were almost the same, but what annoyed her the most was the persistent journalists who wouldn''t leave her alone. In her silent office, the hum of herputer the only sound. Suddenly, her office door burst open, causing her to look up, startled. Talia marched in, worry etched on her face. ire stood up quickly. "Talia, what are you doing here? You''re supposed to be in Italy." Talia shook her head, her expression serious. "As soon as I saw the news about your marriage to Alex getting leaked, I came straight back to London." ire tried to muster a reassuring smile. "I''m fine, really." But Talia wasn''t convinced. "Are you sure? This is a big deal." Talia then nced at the screen and then back at ire. "There are a lot of journalists and paparazzi outside the building. They''re waiting for you." ire sighed deeply. "I know. It''s been a nightmare." Talia huffed in annoyance. Without hesitation, she picked up ire''s office phone and dialed the receptionist. "This is Talia. Get rid of the paparazzi and journalists outside. They''re bothering ire." The receptionist responded promptly. "Yes, ma''am. We''ll take care of it." Within minutes, the receptionist was at the entrance, directing the security and bodyguards to clear the area. ire and Talia watched the scene unfold on the surveince camera feed disyed on ire''sputer. It took some time, but eventually, the paparazzi and journalists began to disperse. Talia turned to ire with a look that seemed to ask why she hadn''t done this earlier. ire just rolled her eyes and took a seat at her desk. Talia sat across from her, curiosity and concern etched on her face. "So, what are you going to do about the news involving you and Alex?" Talia asked, leaning forward slightly. ire sighed, rubbing her temples. "Alex wants to meet and discuss the whole situation, but I told him I''d think about it." Talia raised an eyebrow. "Do you think he really wants to talk it out, or is he trying to trick you?" ire shrugged. "I don''t know, but he sounded sincere. He seems like he genuinely wants to resolve this mess." Before they could continue, the office door swung open, and Sandra walked in with a look of urgency. "Ms. Peterson, Metacortex''s stock is plummeting." ire''s frown deepened as she quickly opened the stock exchange on herputer. True to Sandra''s words, the stock value was dropping. "Shit! How can this happen?" ire cursed under her breath, not having anticipated such a swift market reaction. "This is bad," ire muttered, her eyes fixed on the screen. Talia, sensing the shift in atmosphere, leaned forward, her brow furrowed with worry. "Is this because of the news about you and Alex?" she asked gently. ire sighed and nodded, her eyes still fixed on the screen. "It probably is," she admitted. It seems that the news involving Alex and ire has finally affected Metacortex tock market in which ire did not expect it. Sandra stepped closer, her expression serious. "If we ignore this, the stock could plummet even more. What are we going to do, Ms. Peterson?" ire was silent for a moment, deep in thought. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on her shoulders. After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke. "I''ll contact Alex," she said, her voice resolute. Talia nced at ire as raised her brows. "Are you sure?" ire stood up from he chair. She stood near the big window while staring down at the busy street of London. "I have to. If Metacortex got affected, then Harris will also be affected, and our future project will be at stake. There are a lot that I''m risking whether I make a statement about this or not."N?velDrama.Org content. In the corporate headquarters of Venus AMD, Frank leaned back in his leather chair, eyes glued to therge screen on the wall. The gossip channel red thetest news, showing ire being swarmed by journalists as she tried to enter the Metacortex building. The incessant shing of cameras painted a chaotic scene. Frank''s grin widened into a full-blown smirk, satisfaction radiating from his every pore. apter 109 Taking credit "This is just the beginning," he muttered to himself, eyes gleaming with malice. After a few more moments of relishing the sight, Frank turned his attention to hisputer. A few quick keystrokes brought up the stock market dashboard. Metacortex''s stock was in freefall, the red numbers a stark contrast to the rest of the green-dottedndscape. Frank let out a deep, sinisterugh that echoed through his office. "I''ve been waiting for this!" he bellowed, the words hanging in the air like a dark promise. Feeling the need to share his triumph, Frank pressed a button on his inte and summoned Robert to his office. As he waited, he lit up a cigar, the rich scent of tobo mingling with the expensive cologne that always lingered around him. A minuteter, a knock at the door broke his reverie. "Come in," Frank called out, exhaling a cloud of smoke. Robert entered, his expression a mix of curiosity and caution. "You wanted to see me, Frank?" "Yes, Robert, have a seat," Frank said, moving from behind his desk to the plush leather couch. He gestured to the matching couch opposite him. Robert sat down, watching as Frank poured two sses of scotch. He epted his ss with a nod of thanks, taking a sip and savoring the smooth burn. "So," Frank began, his eyes narrowing slightly, "this whole mess with ire. Is that your doing?" Robert blinked, caught off guard. He had indeed sought the assistance of Eligos, a shadowy figure known for his underhanded tactics, to bring down ire. But he hadn''t expected such immediate results. Recovering quickly, he chuckled lightly, deciding to take the credit. "It is," Robert said proudly, taking another swig of his scotch. Chapter 170 Chapter 170 Inte caf "That''s what I like to hear!" Frank smiled in satisfaction. "I know I can count on you, Robert. I''m sure ire regretting letting you go." Robert chuckled as he ced the ss of scotch down on the table. "You tter me, Frank. I just did what you told me." "Keep up the good work Robert. I can''t wait to see what you bring to Venus AMD." Robert stood up and Frank shook his hand. "I have faith in you, Robertson." "I won''t let you down," Robert assured him, a confident smile spreading across his face. With that, Robert turned and left, heading back to his own office. Once he reached his office, he nced around the hallway, making sure no one was watching. He closed the door behind him and took a deep breath. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he scrolled through his contacts and selected Eligos number. Robert knew it wouldn''t be easy to get in touch with him; Eligos had a habit of ignoring calls. After several attempts, the call finally connected. "What do you want?" Eligos voice came through the line, sounding as bored as ever. Robert hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I need to ask you something." There was a brief silence, then Eligos responded with a mocking tone, "Another favor, Robert?" "No, not a favor," Robert replied, shaking his head even though Eligos couldn''t see him. "It''s about ire Peterson." There was a noticeable change in Eligos demeanor. The corner of his lips curled into a smirk, and he spoke in a teasing voice, "Oh, ire Peterson. What''s with her?" Robert took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady. "The news about her marriage to Alex. Did you leak it to social media?"N?velDrama.Org content. Eligos paused for a moment, then chuckled. "Are you impressed by it, Robert?" Ignoring the question, Robert pressed on. "I just want to know if it was you who leaked it. And if it was, where did you find out about it?" Eligos rolled his eyes, even though Robert couldn''t see him. "As much as I''d love to expose ire, it wasn''t me who leaked the news." Robert frowned as he held the phone to his ear. His mind raced with questions and doubts. "Eligos," he said, his voice tense, "if it wasn''t you who leaked the news, then who was it?" Eligos, on the other end of the line, shrugged nonchntly. "I don''t know, Robert, and honestly, I don''t care." His tone was indifferent, dismissive. "Don''t call me unless it''s important," Eligos added. Before Robert could respond, the call ended abruptly. He stared at the phone in his hand, frustration boiling within him. Robert sat down at his desk, staring nkly at the cluttered surface. He couldn''t shake off the nagging thought of who could have leaked the news about ire''s marriage to Alex. The fact that ire was already married to Alex was a shock. He rubbed his temples, trying to piece together the puzzle. If ire and Alex''s marriage wasn''t really a secret, why had it been hidden for so long? ire was marrying one of the most important figures in the business world. Robert found it hard to believe she had managed to keep such a thing under wraps. "ire, ire," he muttered to himself, a sarcasticugh escaping his lips. "You''re such a lucky bitch." Alex sat on the old, familiar couch in his parents living room, the tension in the room palpable. His parents, Michael and Joan, their concern was heightened. They had heard about the leak concerning Alex and ire''s marriage, and social media was abuzz with the news. "How did this get out?" Joan asked, her voice tinged with worry. Alex could only shrug, the uncertainty evident on his face. "I have no idea," he admitted. "I wish I knew who leaked it." Michael leaned forward, his brows furrowed. "Is ire alright? How is she taking all this?" Alex sighed deeply. "I haven''t really talked to her about it yet." Both his parents exchanged surprised nces. "What do you mean by that?" Joan asked. "I tried to reach out to her several times," Alex exined. "But it always went to voicemail. A few days ago, I finally managed to call her and asked if we could meet to discuss everything. With all this happening, both Metacortex and Harris Company''s stock markets are slightly down." Michael''s curiosity piqued. "What did she say?" "She said she''d think about meeting me," Alex replied, leaning back onto the couch, a weary look in his eyes. "What did you do to her to make her doesn''t want to see you?" Michael said with a frown that made Alex roll his eyes. "I did not do anything to her, Dad. It''s just, after the divorce, ire and I doesn''t really have a good rtionship." Alex eximed, however his Dad did not buy his words. Michael narrowed his eyes at his son which made Alex frown. "Why are you looking at me like that, Dad?" His Dad shook his head as he put down the cup of tea. "Have you tried visiting her workce?" Joan asked. Alex shook his head. "That''s not really an option, Mum. You see...the paparazzi and journalist are crazy. They are following our every move just to get a word or two from our mouths." Michael and Joan exchanged worried looks. Despite them only knowing ire for three years, they both cared deeply for her. Before they could say anything further, Alex''s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and nced at the caller ID. It was ire. Alex looked at his parents. ""Who is it?" asked his Mum curiously. Chapter 170 Inte caf 212 Alex answered the phone but before Alex could utter a word, ire cut him off. "Alex, let''s meet." Matthew mmed the door of his car shut, the sound echoing through the quiet street. He stared at the small, unassuming building that was bustling with activity. The neon sign flickering above the entrance read "Inte Caf." People of all ages were streaming in and out, their faces lit by the glow of screens within. Matthew felt a pang of doubt. How was he supposed to find this person in such a crowded ce? Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside. The room was filled with the soft hum ofputers and the click-ck of keyboards. Teenagers, adults, and even a few children were engrossed in their screens, the atmosphere charged with concentration and excitement. Matthew''s eyes scanned the room, searching for arry sign of the person he was looking for. A man behind the counter noticed Matthew''s hesitation and approached him. He was tall andnky, with a friendly but curious expression. "Can I help you with something?" the man asked. Matthew turned to face him, nodding in greeting. "Hi, I''m looking for someone. Have you seen anyone suspicious around here?" The man''s brows furrowed in confusion. "Suspicious? What do you mean by suspicious?" "Weird. A weird looking person. Woman, man, kids, teenagers, a person that you think is weird." The man raised his brows. "Every person who came here is weird, man." Matthew stared at the man for a while and mentally sighed. He thought to himself, once he finds the person he will beat the hell out of him. Chapter 171 Wrong location "I mean don''t you...you know...sometimes feel a little bit suspicious of your customer?" asked Matthew hesitating. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to appear casual. The man behind the counter narrowed his eyes at Matthew. "Why are you asking?" he replied. Matthew shrugged, attempting to look nonchnt. "I''m just curious, I need to find someone." The man behind the counter raised an eyebrow. "We don''t have any suspicious customers here," he said tly. "If you''re looking for someone suspicious, this isn''t the ce to find them." Matthew frowned. "Can I at least see the surveince camera footage?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperation. The man shook his head firmly. "I can''t do that," he said. "It''s against our policy." Matthew sighed, realizing he wasn''t going to get anywhere with this approach. "It''s really important," he insisted. "I''m trying to help a friend." But the man''s answer remained the same. "Sorry, but I can''t help you." Defeated, Matthew turned and left the inte caf, stepping out into the bright afternoon sun. He walked to his car, feeling the weight of frustration settling on his shoulders. As he sat in the driver''s seat, he took a moment to think. Why had he even bothered with the legal route? He had other skills, skills that could get him the information he needed without having to rely on someone else''s cooperation. Matthewughed softly to himself. He had amazing hacking skills, after all. Why not use them? He reached into his bag and pulled out hisptop, setting it on hisp. "Why did I thought of this earlier? Sometimes I could be stupid and smart at the same time." His fingers danced over the keyboard with practiced ease, and within minutes, he had hacked into the surveince system of the inte caf. A smile of satisfaction spread across his face as he gained ess to the cameras. He began to rey the footage from a few days ago, the day when ire''s news had been posted on social media. As the video yed, he scanned the faces of the customers, looking for any sign of the person he was searching for. Matthew, in his car, was deeply engrossed in his task. His eyes flicked back and forth across the screen, his mind racing as he tried to piece together any clues. Hours slipped by, the video showing nothing more than people entering and leaving, just another uneventful day. Frustration gnawed at him as he realized he might be looking in the wrong ce. Sighing, Matthew closed the video. He cross the line through the first location. "This ce is not it then." He muttered to himself disappointedly hopping that this ce might be the one. Matthew nced out of the window, deep in thought. "Can this ce be the wrong one?" Back at ire''s penthouse, Alex stood in front of her door. He knocked on the door. A momentter, ire opened it, her eyes locking onto his. They stood in silence for a beat before Alex broke it. "So...can Ie in?" She cleared her throat and nodded. "Of course." ire stepped aside to let him enter. She closed the door behind him and turned, offering a polite thank you foring. Alex gave a slight nod. "I''m d you agreed to meet and discuss what''s been going on," he said. ire led the way to the living room, her sandals shuffling softly on the polished floor. "Please, have a seat," she said, gesturing to a plush sofa. They sat down just as a maid entered the room, offering them drinks. ire nced at Alex. "What would you like?" she asked. "Tea, please," Alex replied, and ire echoed his choice to the maid. "Two teas, please. Thank you." "I will bring it right away, miss." The maid disappeared into the kitchen. An awkward silence settled between them. Alex broke the silence first. "How have you been, ire?" "I''m fine," she replied, her tone measured. "And you?" "I''m managing," Alex said. "How have you been handling the journalists?" ire sighed. "I ignore them as best as I can and call my bodyguard when they get too close. How about you, Alex?" Alex chuckled. "Well, I once broke a paparazzi''s camera. It was annoying me. After that, they tend to keep their distance, though they still follow me." ire smirked at his confession. "That''s good to hear." The maid returned with their tea, cing the delicate cups in front of them. They each took a sip, the warmth and aroma providing a brieffort. Alex ced his cup down and turned serious as he looked at ire. "It''s time to discuss the important matter," he said.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ire nodded, cing her cup on the coffee table. "How is Harris Company''s stock market?" she asked. "It''s still on the red zone," Alex replied, shaking his head. "It''s the same as thest time I saw it. How about Metacortex? I''m guessing it''s the same as Harris, am I right?" ire leaned back on the sofa. "It is, however, it''s worse than Harris. The stock is quite lower, and I thought it would be. I knew the stock market would be affected, but I didn''t think it would be this bad just because of a leaked news about us." Alex sighed. "That''s how the business world is, harsh." "I can''t believe that a news about our marriage can affect us till this far." She said in disbelief. Turning towards, Alex as she narrowed her eyes, she said. "You are not the one who leaked our marriage to social media, right?" Alex frowned. "Why would I do that in the first ce, ire?" She shrugged. "Who knows just want attention." Rolling his eyes, Alex leaned back on the couch. "I don''t need attention. I am the attention." ire scrunched her nose in disbelief and rolled her eyes. "As long as you really are not the one behind all of this mess. If I find you involve somehow, hold my word, you will regret it." "Trust me, ire. I don''t have anything to do with those posts. Instead, Lasked Christian to delete all the post rted to us on social media or even on the inte. But you know how fast social media is right? People can easily save and share those post." She nodded. "Yes, I know. That''s why that news kept trending." "I guess people really are curious about us." said Alex, however, ire shook her head. "Not us, like you said, you. They are more curious about the Harris not me." Alex disagree. "No, I believe they are curious about us both knowing yourpany is one of the most sessful technologies in the business world." ire gave him a serious look. "How will we solve this problem?" Alex thought for a moment, his eyes scanning her living room. It looked cozy and homey, just like the mansion ire had decorated when they were once married. He noticed the familiar warmth and attention to detail in the room, and it brought back memories of their past. He turned back to ire, seeing the tiredness starting to show on her face. "I have a n," he said. ire raised her brows. "What kind of n?" "We should hold a press conference," Alex said. Chapter 172 Discussion ire looked at him, considering his suggestion. "A press conference?" Alex nodded his head. "Yes. Press conference is a-" ire cut him off before he could finish. "I know what a press conference is," she said, frowning. Alex paused, puzzled. "Then why did you ask?" ire rolled her eyes. "I wasn''t asking. I was just thinking out loud. And I don''t think it''s a good idea." Alex raised his eyebrows, intrigued. "Why do you think it''s a bad idea?" ire opened her mouth, then closed it again, unable to find the right words. Alex leaned forward slightly. "What is it then?" ire turned away, gazing out therge window of her penthouse. "I don''t want to rify it." Alex''s expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "You don''t want people to know whether we''re married or not." ire nodded, and for some reason, hearing it aloud caused a pang of hurt inside Alex. He cleared his throat, clenching his fist on his thigh to steady himself. "If you want yourpany''s stock market to stabilize, you have to agree to the press conference." ire sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I know." Silence filled the room as they both processed the situation. ire finally looked up at Alex. "If we decide to ignore all the gossip, will it affect our future projects?" Alex considered her question. "It will affect them in some way, but not to the point of ruining us. Investors will probably question it before investing." ire frowned, deep in thought. "I hate the idea of airing our personal lives in public. But I also don''t want thepany to suffer." Alex nodded in understanding. "It''s a tough decision. But sometimes, we have to do things we don''t like for the greater good." ire sat back in her chair, a thoughtful look on her face. The uing press conference was weighing heavily on her mind. She turned to Alex. "What do you think we should talk about if we hold a press conference?" she asked, her tone measured and cautious. Alex didn''t hesitate. "We should obviously address the news about us," he replied, leaning forward slightly as he spoke. ire shook her head slightly. "I don''t want to give too much detail," she said, her voice firm. "I still prefer to keep everything private." Alex nodded in agreement. He understood her need for privacy. "I want the same thing," he admitted. ire suggested, "Maybe we should discuss this more when your secretary, my secretary and Matthew are present so they can arrange it."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Hearing Matthew''s name, Alex''s curiosity got the better of him. His ears perked up and he couldn''t help but ask, "Why is Matthew always involved in anything rted to you?" ire raised her brows at his question. "Why are you asking?" she replied, slightly puzzled by his sudden interest. Alex picked up the cup of tea from the table and took a sip, trying to appear casual. "I''m just curious," he said, his voice light but his eyes betraying his genuine curiosity. ire set her gaze firmly on Alex. "I trust Matthewpletely," she exined. "He needs to be involved in almost all my decisions." Alex''s response wasced with sarcasm. "That''s a bit too much, don''t you think?" ire chose to ignore his tone, reaching for her own cup of tea. She took a sip and then ced it back on the table. "Matthew has been with me for a long time," she continued. "He knows me well, sometimes better than I know myself." Alex couldn''t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. "But isn''t it risky to depend so much on a person you just met?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. ire shrugged. "As I said earlier, I had known Matthew for a long time and yes maybe depending on him or even trusting him can be risky, however he''s never given me a reason to doubt him," she said simply. There was a moment of silence as Alex processed her words. He wanted to push the topic further but decided against it. "Fine, we can discuss more into detail when they are all here." "Good," ire said with a nod. "We need to make sure we are all on the same page before arranging the press conference." She then leaned forward, her curiosity evident. "Alex, do you know who is behind all the social media posts?" Alex shrugged, a look of frustration crossing his face. "I''ve ordered my Pl to investigate, but so far, I haven''t gotten any answers." He rubbed his temples, the stress clearly getting to him. ire nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Who do you think did this?" Alex paused, lost in thought. After a few moments, he sighed deeply. "Honestly, Khave no idea. But it seems like it''s someone who dislikes both of us." He nced at her, his concern evident. "My parents are really worried about you, ire. They saw how you were mobbed by paparazzi and journalists. They asked me to check on you." ire''s face remained neutral, a calm mask over her emotions. "I''m thankful for their concern, Alex. But I''m fine. Really." She offered a small, reassuring smile. The two sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. ire finally stood up, her movements graceful. "I hope this whole n can go smoothly," she said, her voice steady. Just as she finished her sentence, ire''s phone rang. She nced down and saw it was a call from Adrian. Adrian had been trying to contact ire for days, but she met been ignoring him because she didn''t want to talk. If ire was being honest with herself, she was ignoring everyone important on her phone. Alex caught a glimpse of the caller ID and asked, "Why is Adrian calling you?" ire reached for her phone on the coffee table and turned it off without saying a word. "Nothing. There''s nothing to worry about." ire''s phone rang again, and Alex caught the caller ID. He stared at it with a frown etched on his face. "ire?" Alex pressed, not satisfied with her silence. "Why is he calling you?" ire sighed and said, "I''ll deal with Adrianter, "Her answer was vague, and Alex didn''t like it. First, it was Matthew now Adrian. He couldn''t understand how ire was close with these guys rather than her girlfriend. He began to wonder if ire even had a girlfriend. Alex frowned but didn''t push further. He watched as ire walked towards the front door. She turned back to him and said, "We are done for now. I''ll contact you again soon." Alex raised his brows. "So, we''re done discussing the n?" ire nodded. "Yes, we''re done for now. Thank you foring to my ce. Going out in public isn''t a good idea right now." Alex nodded, but his mind was still buzzing with curiosity about Adrian''s call. "Alright, take care, ire." "You too, Alex," ire said as she opened the door for him. "And thank you again." Once Alex left, ire closed the door and leaned against it, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. While Alex, can''t help but think about the phone call from Adrian. Chapter 173 Second location After that failed attempt of finding the person at the inte caf, Matthew decided to head to the second location. The sun has set, and the weather is not really friendly. As usual, London weather is doing their job. Matthew parked from across the street. The bright light of the inte ce are the only ones shining throughpared to the other shop. The second location is different than earlier. While the first location is located at a strategic ce and near a city, the second one is located far from the city and in a more quiet environment. No different than the first one, there are still a lot of people going in and out of the inte caf. "It looks the same as earlier." He muttered to himself. Matthew sat inside his car to observed the situation before going in. As he sat in the driver seat, for fifteen minutes, people are exiting and also entering. Couldn''t wait for another minute, Matthew stepped out of the car. The cold chilly night air hit his skin and he tightened his coat around his body. He crossed the street and stood in front of the inte cafe, taking in the scene before going inside. The ce was indeed different. It looked dirtier, if Matthew could say that. The windows were dusty, and he noticed one word from the neon sign was off, flickering intermittently. "Ok, maybe a little bit different." He sighed and opened the door. The smell of cigarettes hit his nostrils immediately, making him scrunch his nose. He walked up to the counter, feeling the eyes of two people who passed by him, staring at his outfit. The young man behind the counter raised his brows as he stared at Matthew''s outfit. His curiosity piqued, he asked, "What can I help you with?"Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Matthew just realized that his formal attire looks so different than the other customer at the inte caf. Matthew didn''t bother with chit chat and went straight to the point. "Have you seen anyone suspicious or weirding here?" The young man shrugged. "Look around," he said, gesturing to the eclectic mix of people engrossed in their screens. "Everyone thates to the inte caf is weird." Matthew pulled out his phone and showed it to the young man. "What about this post? It was uploaded from here." The young man took a quick nce at the screen and shrugged again. "I don''t know anything about that. Even if it did happen, I''m not involved." "Do you know who posted it?" Matthew pressed. The young man shook his head. "No idea. We get a lot of people in here. I don''t keep track of them." "Can I see your surveince footage?" Matthew asked, determined to get some answers. "Sure," the young man replied. "But we only have one functioning camera." He led Matthew to the back of the caf, where the surveince monitors were set up. True to his word, only one camera was functioning, and it was pointed at the entrance. "Here you go," the young man said, pulling up the footage on the monitor. "This is all we have." Matthew watched the footage, scanning the faces of everyone who entered the caf. It was a slow process, and he wasn''t sure what he was looking for, but he hoped something would stand out. "How often do you check this footage?" Matthew asked as he continued to watch. "Not often," the young man admitted. "Only if there''s an incident. We don''t have the resources to monitor it all the time." Matthew nodded, understanding the limitations. "Do you remember anyone acting particrly strange recently?" The young man shook is head. "Nah, man. I don''t really remember." Mattthew couldn''t help asking him another question to quench his curiosity "Why do you only have one functioning surveince camera?" The young man shrugged. "Don''t know man. I don''t own this ce." Matthew sighed since there is no use to ask further question. "Ok. Thanks, man, for the help. Is it okay if I get a copy of this?" "Yeah sure, go ahead. I still don''t get it what''s important." Once Matthew was back in his car, he didn''t stay for another minute. He immediately drove away, heading straight to the Cryptonic headquarters. He decided to review both surveince cameras in his office, hoping that there, he could be more focused. The next morning, ire was back to work. On her way to her office, there were paparazzi following her though not as many as the first day. She stepped inside her office and began to put her mind on hepwork. Not long after that, there was a knock on her door. ire said softly, "Come in," and Jack opened the door. "ire, can we talk?" Jack asked, stepping inside. ire ced her sses down and replied, "Yes, of course." She stood up from her desk chair and moved to the couch. Jack took a seat across from ire, a serious look on his face. "I wanted to talk to you about your marriage with Alex." ire nodded and smiled slightly. She had anticipated this conversation. "I figured you might want to discuss that." Jack leaned forward, concern evident in his eyes. "Is it true, ire? Are you married to Alex?" ire was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Yes, it''s true. I married him when I had amnesia." Jack''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Amnesia? What are you talking about? How did that happen?" ire leaned back on the couch, gathering her thoughts. "It was three years ago, during my disappearance. Remember when I told you I was going to have a holiday with my family?" Jack nodded. "That time. I was in an ident." Jack leaned forward, feeling curious. "How did it happened?" "A drunk driver crash on to my car and resulting into a big crash. My parents died including my driver and I...got an amnesia." Jack was stunned for a moment. It seems like he couldn''t say anything as he digested the information. "ire, oh my God, I am so sorry. I never knew. I should have known your disappearance without any news is unusual." "It''s okay, Jack. It is not your fault." "Have you found the one behind it?" ire shook her head. "Not really although, I do have someone I am suspicious, but I can''t tell you yet. I still don''t have enough proof." "I understand, ire. Please tell me if you need help. And how did you get married to Alexander Harris?" His eyebrow scrunched up in confusion as he tried to match the puzzle. "Did he...save you?" ire snorted as she found it funny. "Sorry but no. Alex did not save me. Instead, it was the opposite." "What do you mean?" "Well, I save his grandfather. I don''t want to get into detail because I kind a have enough telling this story and reliving it a few times. But the point is I save his grandfather, he felt like he owe me so he help me from finding a ce and a job and then he grew fond of me and ended up pairing me with his grandson." "Wow...that''s just like a novel." "Pretty much." ire couldn''t help imagining if she haven''t meet Alex. Will her life be the same as it was? or will it be much worse and dangerous? Chapter 174 Remembering the past *shback* It was a perfect spring day, and ire looked radiant in her white wedding dress. The fabric flowed around her, delicatece detailing glistening softly in the sunlight. Her hair was pinned up elegantly, with a few loose curls framing her face. As she stood in front of the mirror, her excitement and nerves mingled, creating a palpable energy in the room. "ire, you look stunning" Joan, her mother-inw, said, stepping into the room. "You''re the most beautiful bride I''ve ever seen." ire blushed at thepliment, her cheeks turning a rosy hue. "Thank you, Joan," she said softly. "That means a lot to me." Joan smiled warmly, stepping forward to adjust ire''s veil. "Alex is a lucky man. You two are perfect for each other." ire nodded, feeling a mixture of happiness and anxiety. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I hope everything goes smoothly," she said. "It will," Joan assured her. "Today is your day. Enjoy every moment." Soon, it was time for ire to walk down the aisle. She took a deep breath and nced at herself onest time in the mirror. The reflection staring back at her was one of a woman ready to step into a new chapter of her life. She walked to the entrance of the aisle, where Alex''s grandfather stood waiting for her. He was a distinguished old man, with kind eyes that twinkled with warmth. He offered her his arm, and she took it gratefully, holding her white bouquet of flowers tightly. "You look beautiful, ire," he whispered to her, sensing her nervousness. "Don''t be nervous. Everything will be alright." ire smiled softly at him. "Thank you," she whispered back. Hisforting presence helped calm her nerves. The ssic strains of Pachelbel''s Canon began to y softly in the background as they started their walk down the aisle. ire focused on each step, feeling the gentle pressure of Alex''s grandfather''s arm against hers. Guests turned to look at her, their faces lighting up with smiles and expressions of admiration. As they reached the end of the aisle, Alex''s grandfather stopped and turned to ire. He gently took her hand and ced it in Alex''s, looking at his grandson with a serious expression. "Protect her and love her, Alex," he said, his voice filled with emotion. Alex nodded his head. His feature hardened as if he doesn''t want the wedding to continue s he can''t say much in front of his grandfather. ire and Alex turned to face the priest, who began to read the wedding vows. The words washed over ire, filling her with a sense of solemnity and joy. She nced at Alex, seeing the same emotions reflected in his eyes "Do you, Alex, take ire to be yourwfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?" the priest asked. "I do," Alex replied firmly, his gaze never leaving ire''s. "And do you, ire, take Alex to be yourwfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?" the priest continued. "I do," ire said, her voice clear and strong. The priest smiled warmly. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." When the priest announced them as husband and wife, Alex and ire shared a kiss. It was the first time they had ever kissed. Back in the present, ire sat at the table in the dimly lit restaurant, reflecting on that kiss. She realized it wasn''t as magical as she had once imagined it would be. Instead, the kiss had been in and even a little bitter. ire understood why. Alex didn''t want to marry her. He had only agreed because it was his grandfather''sst request. Lost in her thoughts, ire barely noticed when Adrian stepped inside the restaurant. He scanned the ce and spotted ire sitting at the far end of the room, away from the windows and the prying eyes of the paparazzi. He walked over to her and greeted her with a warm smile. "ire," Adrian said, his voice filled with genuine warmth. ire looked up and smiled, standing up to give him a half-hug. "Adrian, it''s good to see you." They both sat down, and Adrian took a moment to study ire''s face. "How have you been?" he asked gently. ire shot him a small smile and said, "I''m managing." ire then asked him, "How about you?" Adrian shrugged, "I''m doing okay." Suddenly, an awkward silence enveloped their table. Adrian broke it first. "I heard about the news with Alexander Harris," he began. "Is it true that you''re married to him?" ire sighed and corrected him, "Was. Yes, I was once married to him." She quickly added, "But it''s not what you think it is." Adrian leaned in, curiosity evident on his face. "So, what is it?" ire drummed her fingers on her thigh, feeling the tension rise. "I don''t like telling people about this." Adrian frowned. "Tell about what?" "I don''t like telling people about my life," ire said, avoiding his gaze.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Adrian''s frown deepened. "I''m not asking you to tell me your whole life story, ire. I just want to know why you lied about your marriage to Alex." ire clenched her fists, her face hardening. "I didn''t lie. I just prefer to keep things that didn''t work out in the past." Adrian stared at her for a while, then sighed. "kcan''t force you to talk it you don''t want to," he said softly. He gave her a forced smile and added, "I still hope you can be honest with me" ire thought for a moment, then decided to tell him the story but the short version. She looked around, lowered her voice, and exined," was in an ident and got amnesia. I didn''t remember anything, and that''s when I married Alex." Adrian''s eyes widened. "What? You had amnesia?" ire sighed as she leaned back to her chair. "Yes, I did. Let''s not make a big deal about it." she said as she looked away. Adrian nodded. "Ok. I won''t ask you any question you are notfortable in answering." ire turned to look at him and stared at Adrian. ire understand how a lot of women developed a crush on him cause this is the type of men women brings to introduced to their parents. Adrian is a definition of a true gentleman. ire couldn''t helppared Alexander to Adrian. The difference in their behavior is like the sky and the ground. She thought to herself howe a gentleman like Adrian existed. "Thank you, Adrian. I really appreciated." Adrian ced his hand on top of ire from across the table as he caress her skin. "Don''t hesitate to tell me anything, ire. I''m here for you." Living as an independent woman for years can be quiet tiring for ire but also exciting at the same time however it doesn''t changed the fact that ire also like having someone she can trust. "Thank you, Adrian. Truly." Chapter 175 Paparazzi Jack sat at his desk, the dim glow of theputer screen casting a soft light on his face. The online meeting had started, and he could see the faces of the other shareholders disyed in neat squares on the screen. They were all anxious, the tension palpable even through the digital interface. "We need to discuss the Metacortex stock market," one of the shareholders, Daniel, began. "It''s currently down, and we''re all worried about it continuing to fall." "And what about ire''s marriage to Alex?" added another shareholder, Linda. "It''s causing quite a stir in the media. We need some reassurance." Jack nodded, understanding their concerns. "I assure you, ire will take care of it. She''s been working on a n." "But we''ve been waiting for ire to address this issue," Daniel said, his frustration evident. "Whether it''s true or not, she hasn''t said anything." Jack sighed, leaning back in his chair. "ire has already thought it through. She just needs time before she goes public with her n." "This feels like the Robert incident all over again," another shareholder, Mark, chimed in. "Robert and ire are no different." Jack frowned and straightened up, his tone firm but polite. "I understand your worries, but if you don''t trust ire, why are you still with Metacortex?" The room fell silent, the shareholders exchanging uneasy nces. They seemed at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to Jack''s pointed question. "Look," Jack continued, "I know you''re all worried about thepany. But ire has a n. She knows what she''s doing. We need to give her the time she needs." Linda spoke up again, her voice softer this time. "It''s just that the market is so vtile right now. Any bad press could push it further down. We''re all invested heavily in thispany, Jack. We need some kind of assurance." "I get that, Linda," Jack replied, his tone more understanding. "But ire has been dealing with these kinds of issues for a long time. She''s not taking this lightly. She''s strategizing, considering all angles. She''ll address it when the time is right." "What if the right time is toote?" Daniel asked, his voice edged with worry. "Then we''ll deal with it," Jack said firmly. "But right now, we need to trust ire. She has proven herself capable time and time again. Let''s not forget that." Mark sighed, rubbing his temples. "I just hope you''re right, Jack. We can''t afford another Robert situation." "We won''t have one," Jack assured them. "ire is different. She''s meticulous and careful. She has a n, and she''s putting it into action. I have known her for years and one thing about ire, she will never disappoint those who has put their trust on her." The shareholders exchanged looks, some nodding slowly. Jack could see they were still worried, but his words had at least given them some pause. "Let''s give her a bit more time," Jack said, his tone calming. "We''ll reconvene in a few days, and I''ll have more updates for you then. Trust me, ire won''t let us down. And if she did failed to lift Metacortex stock market...I will be the one taking over Metacortex." After going through the second location yesterday, Matthew finally took a good look at two of the surveince camera videos from different locations. He yed the two videos on hisputer andptop, watching them with full focus. He reyed the videos over and over again, trying to find anything suspicious or weird, but he didn''t find anything. Since the second surveince video only showed the entrance, it made it hard to know what the customers were doing inside. Matthew sighed and stopped the videos, feeling frustrated. He thought for a while about finding other leads. He just needed to figure out how to do it. Back at the restaurant, ire was in a conversation with Adrian. She felt relieved that Adrian didn''t act indifferent because she hadn''t told him everything, including the cause of her amnesia. She was grateful for Adrian''s respectful attitude towards her. Back at the restaurant, ire was in a conversation with Adrian. She felt relieved that Adrian didn''t act indifferent because she hadn''t told him everything, including the cause of her amnesia. She was grateful for Adrian''s respectful attitude towards her. "I''m really d you understand, Adrian," ire said, sipping her coffee. "I was worried you''d be upset." Adrian shook his head. "No, ire, I get it. Everyone has their reasons. I''m d you''re okay." ire replied with a small smile. "And I''m sorry for ignoring your calls."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. "It''s fine. I know you have your reason." ire nodded. "I do." "Then you there''s nothing for you to apologize. Anyway, how are you dealing with people?" ire let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Oh, is doing great. Very great." Adrian lips curl up into a smirk. "I''m going to take that as a no." Adrian leaned forward. "So, how are you nning to deal with Metacortex? I heard the stock market is falling." ire nodded "Yeah, it''s a mess right now. But I''ve already got a n. Alexander Harris and I are working on it together. We need to go over the details once more, but I''m confident we can turn things around." Adrian nodded thoughtfully, digesting her words. He opened his mouth to ask another question, but at that moment, ire''s phone rang. She reached into her bag and saw Matthew''s name shing on the screen. Without hesitation, she picked up the call. "Matthew, what''s wrong?" ire asked, her tone urgent. "ire, I need to tell you something important," Matthew''s voice crackled through the line. ire nodded even though he couldn''t see her. "Okay, I''ll be there soon." She turned to Adrian, her expression serious. "I''m sorry but I have to go." ""Of course." Adrian stood up with her, and they both made their way to the restaurant''s exit. "Oh no, how did the paparazzi found us?" ire stared at the paparazzi who stands in the front of the entrance holding their camera up high to take a good shot of Adrian and ire. "Well, they are called paparazzi for a reason." "I can''t deal with this right now. I''m in a hurry." "Don''t worry. I will help you get past them." As they stepped outside, they were greeted by a chaotic scene, paparazzi were swarming the entrance, cameras shing and voices shouting questions. "ire! Over here!" "ire, are you and Adrian together?" "What''s your n for Metacortex?" "iree on! Say something! You have been silent for days now!" "ire, are you having an affair with Adrian Saint Laurent?" Adrian quickly moved to shield ire from the blinding shes. "Stay close to me," he said, guiding her toward her car. ire is in disbelief by the ridiculous question being shot by these paparazzi. She felt disgusted that these kinds of people exist. The crowd pressed in closer, making it difficult to move. "Excuse us, please!" Adrian called out, trying to create a path. Despite Adrian''s efforts, the e. paparazzi were relentless. They jostled and pushed, their cameras clicking incessantly. ire stumbled, tripping over someone''s foot. She fell to the ground, wincing as her hands scraped against the pavement. "ire!" Adrian shouted, crouching down to help her up. "Are you okay?" Chapter 176 Downfall ire fell to the ground as the paparazzi pushed forward, their cameras shing incessantly. She winced in pain from the impact. Adrian, who was beside her, shouted firmly at them, "Back off! Give her some space!" Two security guards from the restaurant quickly intervened, helping to create a barrier between ire, Adrian, and the aggressive photographers. They managed to push the paparazzi back, giving Adrian the chance to kneel beside ire. "ire, are you okay?" Adrian asked, concern etched on his face. ire nodded. "I''m fine. Let''s just get out of here." ire tried to stand but stumbled, clearly in pain. Adrian didn''t waste any time. He picked her up bridal style and carried her to her car. The driver, sensing the urgency, swiftly opened the door for them. Once they were both inside, the driver quickly drove away from the chaotic scene. Adrian looked at ire, his worry deepening. "Are you hurt?" ire shook her head, trying to downy the situation. "I''m fine, Adrian. Just a little shaken." But when Adrian gently touched her foot, ire winced in pain, unable to hide it. "ire, you sprained your ankle," Adrian said, his tone serious. "You need to go to the hospital and get it checked out." ire shook her head again, more firmly this time. "No, I don''t want to go to the hospital. I''m fine. I just need to rest, put some ice on it, and it''ll be back to normal by tomorrow." Adrian frowned, clearly not convinced. "ire, you can''t just ignore this. What if it''s more serious than you think? You need proper medical attention." ire met his gaze with a determined look. "Adrian, I know my body. It''s just a sprain. Hospitals are a hassle, and I really don''t want to deal with it right now." Adrian sighed, clearly frustrated but trying to stay calm. "ire, I''m worried about you. What if it''s more serious than it looks? We should at least get it checked out." ire shook her head again. "I''ve had sprains before, Adrian. I know how to handle it. Please, just trust me on this." "You need to go to the hospital and get it treated. It can get worse if you don''t." ire frowned, her voice firm as she replied, "I don''t want to, Adrian." But Adrian didn''t seem to hear her. He turned to the driver and said, "Take us to the hospital." ire quickly interjected, "No, just head home." Adrian repeated, "Hospital, now."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. "No, take me back to my penthouse. I''m your boss." The driver nced nervously between them, unsure whom to follow. Adrian then turned back to ire, his expression serious. "If you don''t go to the hospital, ire, I will start asking about your past." ire''s frown deepened, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "You wouldn''t dare." Adrian''s expression softened into a cheeky smile. "Oh, I dare." ire sighed and leaned her head back against the seat. "Fine," she muttered. "Let''s go to the hospital." The driver, relieved to have a clear direction, started heading towards the hospital. The car ride was tense, with silence hanging heavily between them. After a few minutes, ire broke the silence. "You know, Adrian, I didn''t know you can be really stubborn." They arrived at the hospital and ire looked out of her car window. ire doesn''t have any dislike on hospital in particr however she just doesn''t like the hospital scent and it also remind her of the day when she woke up at the hospital with amnesia. He chuckled besides ire. "I could say the same thing to you too, ire. Noe on, we have arrived at our destination." ire rolled her eyes. "Of course we are." Gretta satfortably in her mansion, sipping her tea while watching TV Suddenly, a gossip news segment about ire het Peterson and Adrian Saint Laurent appeared on the screen. It showed a video of ire and Adrian at a restaurant. As they exited the ce, ire stumbled and fell. Gretta burst outughing. "How embarrassing," she muttered to herself, her eyes gleaming with delight. "If I were ire, I''d never show my face in public again." She sipped her tea, feeling a wave of satisfaction wash over her. Seeing ire in such an awkward situation made her day. For the past few days, ire had been the target of various rumors and scandals, and though none of them originated from Gretta, she was pleased to see someone else disliked Cfaire as much as she did. "And she...is a part of London High Socialite? Gag me." Gretta snorted as she watched the news. "I still don''t believe ire is a part of London High Socialite. I''m sure she paid her way in. London High Socialite is all about ss, but she have none." She reached for her phone from her purse and scrolled through her contacts until she found Lisa''s name. With a mischievous grin, she pressed the call button. After two beeps, Lisa answered. "Hello?" Lisa''s voice came through the line. "Lisa, have you seen the video of ire falling?" Gretta asked immediately, barely containing herughter. Lisa frowned on the other end. "No, I haven''t. What happened?" "You have to see it!" Gretta urged, a gleeful tone in her voice. "Check your social media right now." Lisa opened her social media and within seconds, she found the video. As she watched, she couldn''t help but burst outughing as well. "Oh my gosh, how graceful ire is," Lisa said sarcastically, stillughing. "She always has to make an entrance, doesn''t she?" Gretta giggled. "Absolutely. And speaking of ire, have you heard thetest news about her?" Lisa pretended to be clueless. "No, what is it?" "Well, rumor has it that ire got married to Alex in secret," Gretta said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. Lisa gasped dramatically, even though she was the one who leaked the information in the first ce. "No way! I can''t believe she kept that a secret" "I know right! People in London are in a buzz right now and probably not just London but whole world." "That is so embarrassing for ire. If I were here, I wouldn''t show my face in public anymore." Said Lisa. Gretta nodded agreeing with her. "My thoughts exactly." A maid entered the living room and announced, "Mrs. Robertson, the car is ready." The maid left the room, and Gretta turned her attention back to Lisa. "I will call you backter, Lisa. We have so much more to discuss." "Of course, Gretta. Talk to you soon." Lisa replied, still amused. Gretta ended the call as she put down her cup of tea and stood up. She walked towards the front door~~~ with a bright smile on her face. The maids around the house exchanged curious nces, wondering what had put Gretta in such a good mood. As Gretta stepped inside the car, she put on her shades and pulled out her phone. She eagerly scrolled through social media to see people''s reactions to ire''s fall. Comments and memes flooded her feed, all mocking ire''s mishap. "Is this the downfall of ire Peterson?" she muttered in satisfaction, her smile widening as she read the posts. Chapter 177 Hospital ire sat on the hospital bed, her sprained ankle elevated on a pillow. Adrian was by her side, looking concerned. The doctor had just finished examining her ankle thoroughly to ensure there were no broken bones. Satisfied with his findings, he began wrapping ire''s foot with a bandage. "You''ll be fine in a few days," the doctor said, securing the bandage. "But in the meantime, you need to avoid wearing heels." ire''s eyes widened slightly. "I can''t! Heels are a part of me." Adrian chuckled softly. "It''s only for a few days, ire." ire pouted and sighed. "Fine. A day without heels it''s like a day of not working." The doctor continued, "Also, try not to move around too much and apply ice to reduce the swelling." Adrian nodded. "Got it. Thank you, doctor." The doctor gave a small nod and left the room, leaving ire and Adrian alone. Adrian turned to ire. "How''s your ankle feeling now? Still hurting?" ire moved her ankle slightly, wincing a little. "It still hurts, but it''s much better than earlier." "Good to hear," Adrian said, relieved. "Let''s get you down from here." Adrian carefully helped ire down from the bed. He held her heels in one hand and supported her with the other. ire bnced on her good foot, grateful for Adrian''s help. "You really should listen to the doctor, you know," Adrian said gently. "I know, I know," ire replied, rolling her eyes yfully. "But you know how much I love my heels." Adrian smiled. "You''ll survive a few days without them. Think of it as a mini-vacation for your feet." ireughed. "I suppose that''s one way to look at it." Adrian looked down at the heels in his hand. "You know, I''ve always wondered how you manage to walk in these things." ire smirked. "It''s a skill, Adrian. One you wouldn''t understand." "Just don''t wear these to often. It can injured you." They both exited the room, and as they were about to head out, Matthew appeared with a worried look. As he spotted ire, he breathed a sigh of relief, ced both his hands on her shoulders, and asked, "Are you okay?" ire smiled and said, "I''m fine." She gestured to her foot. "It''s already been treated, thanks to Adrian." ire then introduced them, "Adrian, this is Matthew, my advisor and best friend." Adrian nodded and smiled slightly. "Nice to meet you." Matthew nodded back and said, "Thank you for looking out for ire." Adrian shrugged modestly. "No problem. I''m just d she''s okay." Matthew then turned to ire and asked, "How did it happen?" ire sighed. "The paparazzi caused it. They were chasing me, and I tripped."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Matthew''s expression darkened. "I''ll sue them. They hurt you." ire shook her head. "Ignore them, Matt. It''s not worth it." Matthew frowned. "But they can''t just get away with this." Adrian chimed in, "Maybe we can handle it differently. Drawing more attention might make things worse." ire nodded. "Adrian''s right. I don''t want more drama." Matthew sighed, looking conflicted. "I just hate seeing you hurt, ire." "I know," ire said softly. "But as you can see, I am fine. Anyway, how did you know I was here?" Matthew shrugged and replied, "I saw a news article about you, then I hacked you. Easy." Adrian, standing beside them, scrunched his brows in confusion. "What do you mean by ''hacked''?" ire turned to Adrian and said, "Track. He means he tracked me." She then red at Matthew, who looked away sheepishly. "Matthew used Find My iPhone to track me," ire exined. The three of them exited the hospital, the cool evening air a wee change from the stuffy atmosphere inside. ire turned to Adrian and said, "Thank you for your help and for understanding earlier at the restaurant. It means a lot to me." Adrian smiled warmly. "I was just doing my job as a friend." ire smiled back, feeling a surge of gratitude. "I''m lucky to have met you, Adrian." They both nodded, acknowledging the bond that had formed between them. As they prepared to part ways, Adrian looked at ire seriously. "Take care, ire. And try not to overthink the situation." ire nodded and disappeared inside the car with Matthew. They drove away, leaving Adrian in the parking lot. He realized he was still holding ire''s heels and chuckled lightly. In the car, ire turned to Matthew and asked, "Why did you call earlier?" Matthew nced at her and said, "I went to the location where the person posted your news." ire''s interest perked up, and she raised her brows. "What did you find?" Matthew shook his head. "Nothing. The two locations I went to seem false." ire''s eyebrows scrunched in disbelief and confusion. "That''s not possible. I tracked it too, and the location is right." "I wanted to believe that too," Matthew said, "but I checked the surveince cameras, and I didn''t see anyone suspicious or weird." ire frowned. "Are you sure you checked the right cameras?" "Yes," Matthew replied, sounding frustrated. "I double-checked everything. There was nothing out of the ordinary." ire sighed, feeling more anxious. "Then what do we do now? If the locations are false, how do we find out who posted the news?" Matthew thought for a moment. "We might need to look at it from a different angle. Maybe the person used a proxy or some other method to disguise their real location." ire was silent for a moment. Her head filled with thoughts. "Maybe but I don''t know. I got a feeling that the location is right but maybe we aren''t able to track him cause we don''t know him. this feels confusing. It''s like Eligos again. We are not done finding his location and now, this? What have I done in my past life that makes me this unlucky." She stared at the window suddenly feeling drained. "You are not unlucky ire. You were just caught up in a situation but it shows that you are strong and you are not the type of person that easily give up." A small smile appear on her lips. "You know, Matt. If you aren''t a hacker, I bet you would make an amazing therapist." A chuckled escape from his lips. "That is the biggestpliment people ever gave me." he ce a hand to his heart in a dramatic action. ire rolled her eyes yfully. ""Now, let''s get you home." "No." Matthew nced at ire then back at the road. "What do you mean no?" "I mean I don''t want to go home just yet." "So where do you want to go?" "Cryptonic headquarter." "But you are unwell, ire." Matthew argue. A look of disbelief etched on his face. ire scrunched her brows. "It''s just my foot not my brain and besides I need to see the surveince camera you mention." She crossed her arms over her chest. "But the doctor said you need rest and tell you not to move much." ""Then I will seat." "You are so stubborn you know that." The corner of ire lips curl into a smirk. "So, I''ve been told." Matthew sighed. "Fine." Reluctantly, Matthew agreed to drive ire to the headquarter. Chapter 178 Back at the headquarter ire decided to skip heading to her penthouse and told Matthew to drive to Cryptonic instead. As they arrived, Matthew helped ire walk while she limped and was barefoot. Her employees turned their heads to see their boss, concerned looks on their faces. "Are you okay, Ms. ire?" one of them asked. ire nodded and smiled, trying to reassure them. "I''m fine, thank you." One employee stepped forward and offered, "Would you like a wheelchair? It might be easier for both of you." ire smiled gratefully. "Thank you, that would help a lot." Matthew took the wheelchair and helped ire into it. He then pushed her towards the lift and pressed the button for ire''s floor. They headed straight to Matthew''s office since all the surveince videos were there. Matthew ced her wheelchair next to his chair and sat down beside her. "Where''s the video?" ire asked, her voice steady but filled with anticipation. Matthew quickly navigated through hisputer and pulled up the surveince videos from two different inte caf locations. He started ying the first video. ire leaned in, her eyes fixed on the screen. As she watched the footage, she muttered to herself, "Oh, it''s an inte caf." Matthew nodded, ncing at her. "Yes, that''s why it hasn''t been easy to track them down. They move around a lot." ire watched the video a few more times before turning to Matthew. "I don''t see anything weird either. Did I track the wrong location? And why does the second location only have one angle for the surveince camera?" Matthew exined, "The first location is in the city and clean. The second location ispletely different. It''s dirty and far from the city. But both ces have a lot of customers going in and out." ire thought for a while. "Maybe the location isn''t wrong. Maybe we''re right, but we just don''t know who the people are." Matthew nodded. "That could be." ire then said, "If the person decides to post about me again, immediately trace it." Matthew nodded again. "Got it."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. ire then asked, "Matthew, can youe to a meeting with Alexander Harris?" Matthew raised his eyebrow. "What for?" "I already met with Alex," ire exined. "We agreed to hold a press conference to address this news. If we ignore it, it could damage thepany. Since you''re wiser than me, that''s why I need you toe with me." Matthew nodded again, a serious look on his face. "I''ll apany you, ire, anywhere you go." Meanwhile, Alex was in his office, scrolling through YouTube since he had finished all his work for the day. Suddenly, he saw a thumbnail of ire and clicked on it. The video showed ire and Adrian leaving a restaurant. ire was being pushed by the paparazzi, causing her to fall. Alex watched in growing anger as Adrian yelled at the paparazzi and then lifted ire in a bridal style to help her leave. Alex clenched his fist in annoyance, hating how Adrian was involved with ire and how he had to be the one to pick her up. He cursed the paparazzi under his breath for hurting ire. Alex reached for his phone and dialed ire''s number, but it went straight to voicemail. He started to worry, getting up from his chair. He thought about heading to ire''s penthouse but stopped in his tracks. If he went to her ce, the paparazzi would likely follow, making ire ufortable and possibly causing her to resent him even more than she already did. With a frustrated sigh, Alex sat back down on his couch. He didn''t want to make things worse for ire, who was already hurt because of the paparazzi. Thest thing he wanted was to see her hurt more. Deciding against going to her ce, Alex rsolved to spam her phone with texts and calls. After sending the text, he dialed her number again, only to be met with the same voicemail message. He tried to calm himself, telling himself that ire was probably just busy. But the nagging worry wouldn''t go away. Alex sent another text: "ire, if you''re okay, just let me know." Minutes ticked by with no response. He leaned back on the couch, staring at his phone, hoping it would buzz with a message from ire. His mind wandered back to theirst conversation. He couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. "Come on ire, answer your phone. Ho hard can it be to just answer it?" Alex muttered to himself. As he sat there, his phone buzzed, but it was just an email notification. He sighed and decided to call her one more time. The phone rang, but again, it went to voicemail. ire was still at headquarters, deep in discussion with Matthew about the uing press conference. The stakes were high, and she needed everything to go perfectly. She knew Alex had been calling her nonstop, so she set her phone on silent to avoid distractions. However, she hadn''t realized just how many times Alex had tried to reach her. As ire reviewed the surveince video once more, Matthew nced at her phone. He saw the numerous missed calls and texts from Alex. "Looks like Alex has been spamming your phone," Matthewmented, raising an eyebrow. ire sighed, picked up her phone, and saw the barrage of notifications. Reluctantly, she decided to answer his call. She didn''t want Alex to ruin her phone with his constant attempts to reach her. "Why is Alex calling you nonstop?" Matthew asked, curiosity evident in his voice. ire shrugged, her expression indifferent. "I don''t know." She ced the phone in her ear, and within seconds, Alex''s voice came through, filled with worry. "ire! How are you? I saw the news about your fall." ire frowned. She didn''t like talking about it, but it seemed the paparazzi had decided to humiliate her yet again. "I''m fine," she said tly, devoid of emotion. "It was nothing. So, you can stop calling and texting me. It''s bothering me." Alex, on the other end, scrunched his brows. He never quite understood ire''s emotions but chose to ignore it for now. "I was just worried. It looked bad in the pictures. Are you sure you''re, okay?" "I''m sure," ire replied, her tone still icy. "It was just a stumble. Nothing serious." Matthew watched the exchange, his interest piqued. "What''s going on, ire? Why is he so worked up?" ire covered the phone with her hand and whispered, "He saw some news about me falling. It''s nothing. Just the media making a big deal out of nothing." "Anyway, Alex, I will contact you about our next meeting to discuss the press conference. Are you still up for it?" Alex cleared his throat as he take notice that ire switched the subject. "Yeah. I''m still up for it. I will wait for your message." The call ended and Alex stared at his nded a phone. He doesn''t understand how ire hate her so much. He knows his action towards her back then as far from what his grandfather told him to, and he regret it but Alex is trying to make things right. However, it seems that ire only want their rtionship just as business partners, nothing more. Chapter 179 Preparing the conference ire had scheduled a meeting with Alex at Metacortex to discuss the uing press conference. She had already gone over the details with Matthew, who had helped her refine their strategy. Now, it was time to finalize everything with Alex. ire arrived with her secretary, Sandra, and Matthew by her side. Alex was already there, apanied by his own secretary. The atmosphere in the room was tense as they all settled into their seats. Alex''s face was serious as he looked at ire, ready to dive into the discussion. "What exactly do you want to rify at the press conference?" Alex asked, his tone stern. ire took a deep breath, matching his seriousness. "First, we need to address the issue about our marriage." Alex''s expression didn''t change. "And how do you n to address it?" "I''m going to make up a story," ire said firmly. "But it has to be believable." Alex''s ears perked up at the mention of making up a story. He leaned forward slightly. "What kind of story do you have in mind?"N?velDrama.Org content. ire nced at Matthew for support before answering. "I want to say that the reason we got married was because it was a will from your grandfather." Alex''s brows shot up. "Are you using my grandfather for your benefit?" ire frowned, her gaze steady and unwavering. "I''m not using your grandfather, Alex. I''m just stating the truth." She gave him a look, one that conveyed more than words could. Alex knew that look well, and he looked away, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. Matthew chimed in, trying to ease the tension. "It''s a reasonable exnation, Alex. People will understand a family obligation like that." Sandra nodded in agreement. "And it will help divert attention from any other rumors that might be swirling around." Alex sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. But what exactly are you going to say?" ire straightened up. "I''ll say that your grandfather left a will, and his dying wish was for us to get married. It was unexpected, but we honored it out of respect for him and family tradition." Alex still looked skeptical. "And you think people will believe that?" "It''s not just about them believing it," ire replied. "It''s about giving them a story that satisfies their curiosity and keeps them from digging deeper." Alex leaned back in his chair, thinking it over. "Alright. But if this backfires, it''s on you." ire nodded. "I understand. But I believe this is the best way to handle it." There was a moment of silence as everyone processed the n. Finally, Alex spoke again, his voice softer. "And what about the other issues if they ask." ire raised her brows. "What issue?" "The issue about when we get married or how does our family know each other. But it means they will talk about your family too ire." ire hadn''t really thought of that. It might be possible that the media will eventually ask about ire''s family. "I will deal with it. What''s important is that when they ask us, we both have to have the same answer." Alex secretary chimed in. "She is right, sir. To keep the media asking unnecessary question." "Okay, just tell me what I need to say, ire." ire brief Alex about the line and story that he will have to say at the press conference. Alex listened intently while also giving his opinion here and there. He was d that ire epted his opinion rather than brush it off. Alex''s secretary, who had been taking notes, looked up. "That sounds good. It keeps things vague enough to not raise more questions." Matthew added, "We should also be prepared for any follow-up questions from the press. They''ll want details, and we need to stay consistent with our story." Alex''s secretary spoke again. "We should also prepare a written statement. Something we can distribute to the press after the conference." "Good idea," Matthew agreed. "It will help control the narrative." ire nodded. "Sandra and I can work on that. We''ll have a draft ready by the end of the day." Alex stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. "Alright. Let''s make sure everything is in ce. This has to go smoothly." ire stood up as well, extending her hand to Alex. "Thank you, Alex. For agreeing to this." Alex shook her hand, his grip firm. "Just make sure it works, ire. Harris stock market is still falling. We have to go with this n fast." "I understand, Alex. So is Metacortex stock market. I will think about the perfect date to hold the press conference." The meeting ended, and Sandra headed out of the office to work on the writing statement. Matthew helped ire out of her seat since her ankle was still hurting. "Be careful, ire," Matthew said as he supported her. Just then, Matthew''s phone rang. He nced at the caller ID but ignored it. "Matthew, you should answer that," ire said, noticing his hesitation. Matthew shook his head. "I can answer itter." ire rolled her eyes and gently pushed him away. "Go on, it might be important." Matthew sighed, rolling his eyes. "Fine," he said, stepping out of the room to take the call. ire limped towards the door, determined to manage on her own. As she reached the entrance, Alex appeared beside her. "Let me help you, ire," Alex offered, concern in his voice. ire shook her head. "No, I can manage, Alex." Before Alex could say more, Adrian appeared in the meeting room. With his charming smile, he greeted. ire. "Hey, ire," he said warmly, then nodded at Alex. "Alex." "Hi, Adrian," ire responded, a smile spreading across her face. "Do you need help getting to your office?" Adrian asked. "Actually, yes. I was just heading there," ire replied. Adrian moved to her side, offering his arm. "Here, lean on me." Alex watched their interaction, his frown deepening. He didn''t like seeing Adrian helping ire, and it bothered him that ire epted the help so readily. "You really hate me that much huh, ire?" Alex watched ire and Adrian leave the meeting room with a sense of deep dislike. He couldn''t help but feel a pang of jealousy and frustration. It puzzled him why ire would seek Adrian''s help over his. "Why does she always do this?" Alex muttered to himself. While staring at Adrian and ire leaving the meeting room, Alex''s secretary interrupted him. "Mr. Harris, are you ready to leave?? she asked, her voice soft yet professional. Alex turned to her, his expression cold and distant. "Yes, I''m ready to leave," he replied curtly. The secretary, Lisa, handed him his coat and briefcase. "Your car is waiting downstairs. Do you need anything else before we go?" Alex shook his head. "No, let''s just get going." Inside ire''s office, the atmosphere was calm and quiet. ire sat behind her desk, her injured foot propped up on a small stool. "Thank you so much for helping me, Adrian," ire said sincerely. "I really appreciate it." Adrian smiled back, setting a bag down on her desk. "It''s no problem, ire. How are you feeling today?" ire shrugged. "Better, I guess. But I couldn''t tell the difference." "Why are you here though?" Adrian''s smile widened. "Since your foot is still injured, I brought you some food. I figured you could use a good meal." ire''s eyes widened in surprise. "Adrian, you shouldn''t have. This is too much." "It''s nothing," Adrian insisted, waving off her concern. "I just wanted to make sure you had something good to eat." "This looks amazing," she said, genuinely touched. "Thank you again, Adrian." Chapter 180 A lead? The next day, ire arrived at her office early, her mind focused on the n she and Alex had discussed. She had meticulously prepared the document with Sandra to release to the press. Just as ire began to review the document onest time, her phone buzzed with a notification. She nced at the screen and saw multiple messages from Alex. Curious, she opened them and found a link to a video posted online. "What''s this?" ire muttered to herself, clicking on the link. The video loaded, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw a short clip from her wedding with Alex. It was a fleeting moment, captured and shared without their consent. ire watched the video intently, feeling transported back to that day. Matthew, who was sitting across from her in the office, noticed her expression. "What''s going on, ire? What are we going to do about it?" ire sighed, tearing her gaze away from the screen. "We need to track down the post. It''s only been up for three hours, so maybe we can contain it before it spreads." Matthew nodded, pulling up hisptop. "I''ll start searching social media and news sites. We might be able to find who posted it." While Matthew is on the work tracking the source, ire decided to call Alex to talk about this unexpected post. It''s funny how yesterday they were discussing the press conference that they will hold this week and have prepared everything and now it seems like they have to work on it once more. ire dialed Alex''s number to talk about this unexpected situation. "Alex," "ire, why are you calling? Is this because of the video?" ire nodded, even though Alex couldn''t see her. "It is. I can''t believe there is another video about us. How did they get their hands on those in the first ce?" Alex sighed. "I don''t know, ire. I''m wondering the same thing too. But don''t worry, Christian has told me about it, and I told him to get the post deleted before it get view and share many times." "I have tell Matthew to help me trace it back so e can find the person behind this." There was a moment of silence between them, the weight of the situation hanging in the air. Then, out of nowhere, Alex asked, "Do you still remember that moment?" ire''s grip on her phone tightened, her expression hardening. "I don''t really remember much of it," she replied tly, her voice devoid of emotion. "Oh," Alex responded simply, sensing her difort. "Anyway, ire, If you need to go out or anything, be careful. The paparazzi might be swarming, trying to get more information." ire nodded again, though Alex couldn''t see her. "I understand. Thanks for the heads-up." "Of course," Alex said reassuringly. "Just take it easy. We''ll get through this." "Thanks, Alex," ire said gratefully. "I''ll keep you updated on anything I find out." Lisa was on the pristine beaches of the Maldives, surrounded by the rhythmic pulse of music and the azure expanse of the ocean. She swayed to the beat, herughter mingling with the sounds of the party around her. As she danced in the middle of the day, her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. With a yful twirl, she retrieved it and unlocked the screen. To her delight, there was a video notification, a video of ire and Alex''s wedding. A mischievous grin spread across Lisa''s face as she watched the footage. It was clear that hertest n hade to fruition once again. "This is too easy," Lisa muttered to herself over the music. "ire still hasn''t done a thing." She knew ire had been preupied with keeping her brand andpany image afloat amidst recent challenges. Lisa sipped her cocktail thoughtfully, reveling in the feeling of having the upper hand. "I''ve got you now, ire," she said quietly, her voice tinged with satisfaction. "There''s nothing you can do." Lisa took another sip of her drink, finishing it in one go. Setting the empty ss down, she resumed dancing with renewed energy. After hours of meticulous tracking, Matthew finally pinpointed the location of the person who had uploaded the incriminating video. ire, sensing the urgency of the situation, turned to Matthew. "We have to move fast before he gets away with it," she urged, her voice tinged with concern. Matthew nodded grimly. "I''ll be the one to find him. You should stay at the office, ire. It might get messy." ire shook her head defiantly. "No, I''ming with you. I need to see who this person is, who''s bold enough to do something like this." Matthew hesitated, noticing ire''s determined expression. He knew arguing would be futile. "Alright, but be careful. Your ankle-" "I''ll manage," ire interrupted, gesturing to her slightly limping ankle. "Let''s go." Together, they hurried down to the lobby of their office building. ire kept pace with Matthew, her racing with thoughts of the consequences of the video''s release and the identity of the person behind it ire asked Matthew, "Where''s the location?" Matthew nced at his phone. "It''s at another inte cafe," he replied, starting the car. Curiosity tingled in ire as they drove. They didn''t know what the person looked like, yet here they were, on their way to meet someone potentially crucial to their ns. They arrived at the inte cafe and parked nearby. ire and Matthew sat in the car for a few moments, observing the entrance and the peopleing and going. "Ready?" Matthew asked, breaking the silence. ire nodded, her heart beating a little faster than usual. "Let''s go." They walked into the inte cafe, greeted by the woman behind the counter. "Hi there, how can I help you?" ire stepped forward, trying to sound confident. "We''re looking for someone." The woman raised an eyebrow. "What does this person look like?" ire hesitated, realizing she had no idea. She nced at Matthew, who stepped in. "We were hoping to check your surveince footage from earlier today. Would that be possible?" The woman frowned, clearly hesitant. "Why do you need to see that?" ire took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "It''s important. We need your help." The woman studied them for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay, follow me." She led ire and Matthew to a small office in the back of the cafe where the surveince equipment was kept. "Alright, I can show you the footage from earlier today. But please, be quick." Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Matthew and ire stood side by side in the dimly lit security office, their eyes fixed on the surveince monitor. ire, usually adept at spotting details, couldn''t seem to connect anything significant between this footage and the previous ones they had reviewed. "I can''t find anything!" ire said feeling desperate. "Let''s review this in the office instead." ire make a copy of the video and saves it onto the sh drive. "Let''s go. I want to watch the video again." She looked up from her desk as they approached, offering a polite smile. "Thank you so much for letting us review the footage," ire said sincerely. "We really appreciate your help." "I hope you find what you''re looking for." ire and Matthew exited the inte caf and ire stared onto the sh drive on her hand. "I will find you. Mark my words." Chapter 181 I found it! ire and Matthew were back at headquarters, sitting in front of arge monitor in the dimly lit room. After their visit to the inte caf, ire decided to put her focus on this matter that she neglected her work in order to find a clue from the surveince video. Matthew nced at ire, noting the intensity in her eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this now? We can take a break." ire shook her head, her eyes fixed on the screen. "I will not rest until I find a clue. We have to figure out who posted that video about my wedding. I don''t want another photo or video about me surface online." Matthew sighed, admiring her determination. "Alright, let''s do this." The surveince video began to y, showing the entrance of the inte caf. Just like the second caf Matthew visited. This one only had two working cameras, one at the entrance and one inside the room. The camera inside the room only capture half of the space making it difficult to see all the people. ire leaned forward, her eyes unblinking as she scrutinized every frame. Matthew watched her for a moment before turning his attention back to the screen. They both knew how important it was to find a lead. Minutes turned into hours as they watched the footage in silence. Finally, Matthew broke the silence. "ire, have you spotted anything yet?" ire shook her head, frustration evident in her voice. "No, I am still looking. There has to be something here." Matthew leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. "It''s hard to tell with such limited angles. Why would someone go through so much trouble to post that video? What do they gain from it?" ire sighed, her eyes still glued to the screen. "I don''t know, Matthew. Maybe they''re trying to ruin my reputation, or maybe it''s something more personal. We need to find out who it is." "I know but I still don''t understand why someone would do this if it''s not for revenge?" ire turned to Matthew. "I have a feeling it is a revenge, but I don''t know the person who did this." "Do you have any thought of the one behind this?" ire shook her head. "No. For the first time, I couldn''t think. Not to mention this person got ess to my wedding photos and video. I have no idea who." Matthew was silent for a moment then he looked straight to ire''s eyes. "The only one who got ess to your wedding photo and video other than Alex is...his parents. Can it be them?" ire frowned as she hears Matthew assumption. "Are you saying that Joan and Michael is the one behind this?" "Well...I mean there could be a possibility, right?" ire sighed. "I know them, Matt. Joan and Michael wouldn''t do such thing and they very much prefer to keep everything private." "I''m just saying anything is possible, ire. Right now, is not wrong for us to be aware of the people around us. Remember people can easily change." ire nodded. "You''re not wrong and I understand why you said that but trust me, they wouldn''t do such thing." Matthew shrugged. "Okay, if you say so." ire then turned her attention back to the monitor reying the video over and over again.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Matthew looked at ire, who was deeply engrossed in the surveince monitor. "I''m going to grab us some coffee," he said. ire nodded, her eyes glued to the screen. "Okay, Matt." Matthew left the office, and ire focused intently on the footage. She yed the videos from the first and second inte cafs,paring them to the third. Her eyes moved rapidly, scanning for any details she might have missed. She yed the videos in slow motion, squinting at the screen. After what felt like hours, ire finally spotted something. There was one person in each video wearing the same hoodie with a distinctive border on the back. ire''s heart raced as she watched the videos again, confirming her discovery. She quickly took screenshots of the person from all three videos. She leaned back in her chair andughed at herself. "How could I miss such an obvious detail?" she muttered. The detail had been right in front of her all along, yet she had missed it. Just then, Matthew walked back into the office, carrying two cups of coffee. He frowned at ire''sughter. "What''s so funny?" ire looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come here," she said, motioning him over. Matthew ced the coffee down on the table and walked over to her desk. "What is it?" he asked, curious. "I found a clue," ire said, unable to hide her smile. Matthew''s eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Really? What is it?" ire pointed at theputer screen. "Look at this," she said, her voice brimming with excitement. Matthew leaned in, studying the video footage. It showed a person in a hoodie, moving through the frame. "What am I looking at?" he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. ire pointed at the hoodie. "The hoodie," she exined. "This person has been wearing the same hoodie every time they show up on the surveince footage. I can''t believe I didn''t notice it before." Matthew''s expression remained skeptical. "Maybe it''s just a coincidence," he suggested. "A lot of people wear hoodies." ire shook her head, her eyes fixed on the paused image on the monitor. "I''m a hundred percent sure, Matthew. Look at the way he walks, his build, and his movements. It''s the same guy." Matthew remained doubtful. "But what if you''re wrong? What if it''s just someone who looks simr?" ire''s determination didn''t waver. "If I''m wrong, then my search isn''t over. I''ll keep looking until I find him. But I really believe this is our guy." Matthew sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Okay, let''s say you''re right. What''s your next move after finding this clue?" ire took a moment to think, sipping the coffee Matthew had brought her. "We need more information. We couldn''t see his face clearly or where he usually ne hangs out. I think we should hack the surveince cameras on the street to get a better look Matthew nodded, considering her n. "That could work. We''ll need to be careful, though. It''s risky." ire rolled her eyes at his caution. "It''s not our first rodeo, Matthew." Matthew chuckled, a teasing smile on his face. "True. But still, we''re about to do something illegal. Again." ire smirked, feeling a bit of the tension lift. "We''ve done worse. Let''s just get it done." "ire, I have one question?" She raised her brows. "What is it?" "What if, once we find this person and they will not speak?" "Then we will made them speak. Like we always do." "What if they said someone is paying them to post your photo to social media. What are you going to do about it?" "First you are asking two question and second if that happened, then I will find the person who pay them to do this even if this person which we will find won''t say a word, I will use my ways to uncover the truth" Chapter 182 Catching our target Matthew and ire sat side by side in their dimly lit office, surrounded by multiple monitors disying different parts of London. They were in the middle of hacking into the city''s surveince system to track a person of interest. ire''s fingers flew over the keyboard with practiced ease, her eyes focused on the code streaming across the screen. "Almost there," ire murmured, her concentration unbroken. "Just a few more seconds." Matthew watched her work, impressed by her skill. He knew she had a knack for this kind of thing, often using her abilities to gather crucial information. "Got it," ire said, leaning back with a satisfied smile. "We''re in." Matthew nodded. "Nice work. Let''s start with the footage from thest inte caf." ire quickly navigated to the location and pulled up the surveince footage, rewinding to the timestamp where they hadst seen the person wearing the hoodie. They watched as the figure walked out of the caf, crossing the street before hailing a cab. "There," ire said, pointing at the screen. "He left the caf at around 10 AM." They followed the cab through the city streets, the camera feeds switching seamlessly to track its journey. Eventually, the cab stopped outside what appeared to be a bar. "It''s 10:30 AM," ire noted. She nced at her watch and saw that it was already 1 PM. "Damn it." Matthew noticed her frustration. "What''s wrong?" ire sighed. "If it was still around eleven or twelve, I was thinking we could ambush him. But now it''s 1 PM, and I''m not sure if he''s still there." Matthew thought for a moment. "Why don''t you check the surveince to see if he''s left the bar?" ire nodded, feeling a bit more hopeful. "Good idea." She rewound the footage and watched intently, scanning for any sign of the person in the hoodie. The minutes ticked by as they fast-forwarded through the recording, their eyes glued to the screen. As she watched intently, there was no sign of the person leaving the bar. A smirk slowly spread across her face. "Looks like he''s still there. We''re going on a field trip." Matthew''s eyes lit up with determination. "Great. Let''s go then." They hurried down to the lobby, with ire limping slightly from a recent injury. She winced but pushed through the pain, eager to catch their target. They reached Matthew''s car, and ire slid into the passenger seat while Matthew took the wheel. As Matthew typed the location into the GPS, he nced over at ire, who was still keeping an eye on the surveince camera fed on her phone. "Is the person still there?" ire nodded, her eyes fixed on the screen. "Yeah, the person hasn''t moved. We need to get there fast before it decides to leave." Matthew started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. "Hang tight. We''ll be there soon."N?velDrama.Org content. Just as they turned onto the main road, the car came to a sudden stop. Traffic was at a standstill, a long line of cars stretching out before them. "Shit!" "Damn!" Both ire and Matthew cursed under their breath. ire checked the maps on her phone and groaned. "It''s bad, Matthew. The traffic is backed up for miles." Matthew sighed, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel in frustration. He quickly typed something into the maps app on his phone, his eyes darting back and forth between the screen and the road. ire nced over, curious. "What are you doing?" "Trying to find a shortcut," Matthew replied, his voice tense. "We can''t afford to sit here all day." ire raised her eyebrows, doubt evident on her face. "Do you think we''ll make it in time?" Matthew turned to her and smirked. "I''ll get us there on time, don''t worry." With a determined look, Matthew stepped on the elerator and shifted the gears, maneuvering the car through the narrow spaces between vehicles. He veered onto the pavement, earning honks and angry shouts from other drivers. ire''s eyes widened slightly, and she clutched her seatbelt tighter. "Don''t do something stupid, Matthew!" Matthew''s smirk only widened as he kept his eyes on the road, following the new route indicated by the GPS. "Rx, ire. I know what I''m doing." ire held on tight, her knuckles turning white. At the same time, she kept her eyes glued to her phone, checking if the person they were tracking had left the bar yet. Matthew took a sharp turn, causing ire to bump into the window. "Ouch!" she eximed, rubbing her shoulder. "Sorry!" Matthew said, his voice high-pitched with a mix of guilt and amusement. ire red at him but couldn''t help a small smile at his squeaky apology. "I swear if we didn''t make it out alive, I will haunt you for the rest of my life." "How can you haunt me if we both don''t make it out alive?" Matthew turned to her with an amusing look stered on his face. ire rolled her eyes. "Just drive, Matt." The streets were a blur of lights and shadows as Matthew navigated through side roads and alleys, expertly avoiding the main congested routes. Matthew nced over at ire, his eyes filled with urgency. "Is the person still at the bar?" he asked, his voice tense. ire, who was tracking their target through a live feed on her phone, shook her head. "Yes, the person hasn''te out yet. But we need to hurry." Matthew pressed his foot down on the elerator, the car picking up speed as it navigated through a narrow alleyway. The buildings loomed overhead, casting long ynel shadows that made the already tight space feel even more ustrophobic. ire looked around, her brow furrowing in concern. "Matthew, are you sure this is the right way? This doesn''t look like the route I saw on the map." Matthew didn''t take his eyes off the road, his focus intense. "Trust me, ire. This is the shortcut. Just sit tight and enjoy the ride." ire sighed and returned her attention to her phone, monitoring the live feed. Suddenly, her expression changed, and she let out a frustrated curse. "Damn it! The person is leaving the bar now!" He pushed the car even faster, weaving through the tight alleys with skill and precision. The tires screeched as they rounded a sharp corner, the car barely fitting between the narrow walls. ire held onto the door handle, her heart pounding in her chest. "Are you sure this is safe?" ire asked, her voice a mix of anxiety and trust. Matthew spared a quick nce at her, a confident smile on his lips. "I''ve got this, ire. Just keep an eye on him." She focused on her phone watching their target from the surveince camera. "Maybe we can block our target." "Where is the person heading now?" "Our target just jumped into a cab. I think it''s heading to the south. I wonder who this person is." "Whether our target is a man or woman, it seems like they won''t stop until we stop them ourselves." ire nodded. "I have a feeling our target is a he." Matthew nced at ire while raising brows then turned his attention to the street. "Why he? Why not she?" ire shrugged. "I just know." she winked at him. "How about we make a bet? If your assumption is right then, I will do all your work for a whole week." "Aren''t you already doing that for me?" she raised her brows. "Yeah, and I will do it again for you." "How about, if I am right, you will have to use the public transportation for a whole week." Chapter 183 Agreement Matthew turned to her with a crazy look on his face as if telling her that she has lose her mind. "No!! You know I can''t ride public transport, right?" ire nodded with a smile on her face. "I know that''s why it''s called a bet." Matthew thought for a while as he took a sharp turn which caused ire to bump into the window once again. ire red at him. "Tell me you didn''t do that on purpose?" "No, I did not. Trust me." Matthew nced at ire slightly. ire eyes glued to her phone as she tracked the cab using its license te number. The little icon on the screen indicated the cab''s location, moving steadily through the city. "The cab is not that far from our location." ire said, her voice tense with urgency. Matthew nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. "Got it. I''ll find a shortcut." He quickly typed on the GPS, his fingers flying over the screen. ire tightened her seatbelt, bracing herself for any sudden maneuvers. Matthew was known for his aggressive driving when the situation called for it. "We''ll cut through Baker Street," Matthew said, his voice steady but intense. "Hold on tight." ire gripped the seatbelt as Matthew made a sharp turn, the car swerving onto Baker Street. The tires screeched, but Matthew expertly controlled the vehicle, weaving through traffic with precision. ire''s heart pounded in her chest, but she trusted Matthew''s driving skills. "Where did you learn how to drive like this?" "Well, long story short, while you were away, I kinda get into driving." "That exin your driving skill." ire mumbled under her breath. "I can see the cab up ahead," ire said, pointing. "It''s right there!" Matthew''s eyes narrowed as he focused on the cab. "Hold on. I''m going to block it." With a sudden burst of speed, Matthew elerated, maneuvering the car to get ahead of the cab. At thest moment, he pulled the wheel hard to the left, causing their car to drift and stop directly in front of the cab, blocking its path. The cab driver mmed on the brakes, and the vehicle came to a screeching halt. Matthew turned to ire. "It''s a woman inside." "Let''s find out, shall we?" ire threw Matthew a smile. She quickly exited the car, her heart racing. Matthew followed, his face set in a serious expression. The cab driver, a middle-aged man, looked at them with a mixture of confusion and annoyance. "Hey, what''s going on? Move your car!" Ignoring him, Matthew yanked open the back door of the cab. ire peered inside and saw a woman sitting there, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. "Get out," Matthew ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. Matthew pulled the man by his clothes, forcing him out of the taxi as he resisted. The driver, clearly unhappy with the disturbance, leaned out of his window. "Hey, leave my customer alone!" ire stepped forward, her expression cold and determined. She reached into her pocket and threw a handful of cash at the driver. "Take this and leave." The driver''s eyes widened at the sight of the money. Without another word, he quickly drove off, leaving ire, Matthew, and the man alone on the deserted street. ire took a step forward and pulled down the man''s mask and hoodie, revealing his face. She smirked at Matthew. "I told you it was a guy." Matthew rolled his eyes but kept his serious demeanor. "Yeah, yeah. Let''s see what he has to say." ire turned to the man, her face now stern and cold. "Who are you, and why did you do it?" The man looked bewildered, ncing nervously between ire and Matthew. "I don''t understand what you''re talking about." ire scoffed, clearly not buying his act. "Don''t y dumb with me. That''s a bad move." The man looked around desperately, and in a sudden burst of energy, tried to run. But Matthew was quicker. He grabbed the man''s arm, holding him in a vice-like grip. The man winced in pain, unable to break free. "You''re not going anywhere," Matthew said firmly. ire stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "Talk. Now." The man swallowed hard, fear evident in his eyes. "I really don''t know what you''re talking about!" "Oh really?" ire took a step closer. "Then can you exin this?" ire pulled out her phone and show the man a screenshot of his hoodie in different inte caf. "Care to tell me why you are going to a different location just to post my wedding photo?" His eyes widened and he shook his head. "I-I don''t know what you are talking about, and that person is not me." ire rolled her eyes seemingly tired with the same answer she always get. "Look, hoodie guy. I don''t like wasting my time. I can easily find everything about you, where you leave, name, job, everything that rted to you." The man hesitated, clearly trying to think of a way out. "Look, I''m just doing my job!" ire, who had been observing the scene with a calm demeanor, crossed her arms over her chest and smiled evilly. "You have two options," she said coldly. "Tell me the truth, or I''ll ruin your life." The man chuckled nervously, trying to mask his fear. "You won''t do such a thing. It would damage your reputation." ire raised her eyebrows, her smile widening. "You know who I am, which means you also know what I''m capable of." The man''s eyes widened in fear as he realized the gravity of the situation. He looked at ire, his voice trembling. "What will you do to me?" ire chuckled and began to circle him slowly, her eyes never leaving his face. "I''ll ruin your life," she repeated, her voice dripping with menace. "You wouldn''t dare do it. Your reputation is currently on the edge and if you do such thing, I will tell the whole world about you." ire let out aughed. Oh, I find that really funny. Listen, newbie, just because you managed to make the inte crazy about my wedding doesn''t mean you can ruin me dam the only one that can ruin you." Her tone dripped with venom as she stared into his eyes. The man was torn, his mind racing. He had promised his boss that he would do the job right, but ire Peterson was threatening to destroy his life which meant he would not have a good future. He was trapped. She quickly pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the man. Without wasting any time, she essed the government database to find his information. Within moments, she had what she needed and read the details aloud. "Max Brown, age 28, parents house on King''s Road, graduated high school and didn''t go to college," ire recited. Max''s eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn''t fathom how ire had gotten his information from a single photo. "How did you do that?" he asked, his voice trembling. ire ignored his question, her expression turning serious. "Tell me who hired you to post about my wedding," she demanded.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Max shook his head, looking desperate. "I can''t tell you. I still need the money." ire sighed and rolled her eyes. "What if we make an agreement?" she suggested, her tone more conciliatory. Chapter 184 “Are you serious?” Max hesitated, eyeing her warily. "What kind of agreement?" "We''ll give you more money than what you''re getting paid now. As long as you tell me who hired you." ire said. Max hesitated, considering her offer. "How much are you willing to pay me?" ire didn''t miss a beat. "I''ll pay you double what the person who hired you is paying." Max''s eyes widened. He knew ire was serious, and he could be swayed by the right amount of money. After a moment of silence, he nodded. "Alright, I''ll tell you who orchestrated the whole thing." Matthew and ire exchanged a nce, understanding the gravity of the situation. ire turned back to Max. "It''s better if we find a ce to talk about this. Get in the car." Max reluctantly agreed and followed them to the car. ire sat in the back seat to keep an eye on Max, while Matthew took the wheel. As they drove, ire leaned forward. "Ok, Max. Who''s behind all this? I''m sure you are not working alone." Max shifted ufortably before finally speaking. "It''s Lisa Thompson." ire couldn''t believe what she was hearing. Her brow furrowed in disbelief. "Lisa Thompson? Are you serious?" Max nodded, pulling out his phone to show her a text conversation between him and Lisa. "Look for yourself." ire took his phone and scanned the messages. It was undeniable. She quickly pulled out her own phone and snapped a photo of the conversation. "What are you doing?" Max asked, his voice edged with nervousness. ire gave him a stern look. "I pay you, and you stay silent. Understood?" Max gulped and nodded. "Alright, fine." As they continued driving, ire''s mind raced. Lisa Thompson was thest person she expected to be involved. Thest thing on her mind is that Lisa is the one behind this. ire thought it must be Robert or even Eligos turns out it was someone who ruin her marriage life and now wanted to ruin ire life too. ire stood with her arms crossed, her brows scrunched in confusion as she looked at Max. "Why did Lisa hired you?" she asked, her tone tinged with frustration. "And why did you move to a different inte caf to post information on social media?" Max leaned back in his seat, trying to appear nonchnt. "So, no one could track me," he replied. "It''s much safer this way. I can''t afford to get caught." ire sighed, rubbing her temples. "Where''s Lisa?" Max shrugged, his expression indifferent. "I don''t know. She hasn''t called me either." ire nodded, a silent moment passing between them. She then turned to Max, her demeanor shifting to a more professional tone. "Do you want more money, Max?" Max''s ears perked up at the mention of money, and he gave ire his full attention. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, leaning forward. ire remained calm, her voice steady. "I mean I''ll triple your payment as long as you do exactly what I say." The offer was too tempting for Max to resist. He thought about it for a moment, the prospect of more money outweighing his initial hesitation. "Alright, ire," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "You''ve got yourself a deal." As she arrived at her office, she was surprised to see Alexander Harris already seated on the couch. Her secretary came rushing to approach ire and said, "Mr. Harris wanted to see you. I told him you would be here soon." ire nodded, appreciating her secretary''s diligence, and stepped inside the office. "Hello, Alex," she greeted him, taking a seat across from him. "What brings you here?" Alex looked up, his expression serious. "I wanted to talk more about that third post from the unknown person." ire nodded, understanding his concern. "What about it?" "We need the press conference to be held earlier. Ideally today," Alex said, leaning forward. ire shook her head. "I can''t do today. I''ve already prepared everything for tomorrow. Changing it now would cause too manyplications." Alex sighed heavily. "Fine, but tomorrow needs to go well. We can''t afford any mistakes." "Don''t worry," ire reassured him. "We''ve got this. Let''s go over our n and practice our lines. It needs toe out natural and convincing." They spent the next hour practicing, repeating their lines until they feltfortable. ire delivered her statements with confidence, while Alex adjusted his tone phrasing to sound more natural. "I think I will be the one who talks about your grandfather will." Alex frowned. "Why you? He''s, my grandfather." "Yes, I know but you don''t sound sad or sound like you miss him when you talk about it. You know that it needs to be natural, right?" "Yes, I know that very well. However, it doesn''t make sense if you are the one who talks about my grandfather." Alex said it as a matter of fact. ire pursed her lips and scrunched her forehead. "Alex, he may be your grandfather, but you don''t know much about him." Alex scoffed and leaned forward. "How can I not know about him when he is my grandfather." One day of civil conversation that both parties hoped for rarely urred. Both wanted to rule and dominate, and it is obvious that these people couldn''t be in the same room for more than an hour swnovel "If you know much about your grandfather just because he is your grandfather; how can''t you not know about him nearly dying?" ire. crossed her arms over her chest, she raised her brows waiting for Alex to answer. 1-1-" "I what, Alex?" They stare into each other eyes with so much intensity until Alex looked away and leaned back to the couch.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. "Fine, you will be the one who talk about his will." Alex said in a rather pissed off tone. ire smirked slightly. "Ok, it''s settled. Let''s practice once again." They practiced again, ensuring every word flowed smoothly and naturally. As they practiced, ire''s mind wandered. She had discovered the person behind the mysterious posts but was unsure whether to share this information with Alex. She weighed the pros and cons, wondering if revealing it now would help orplicate things further. Deciding it was best to keep it to herself for now, she focused back on the task at hand. As they finished, ire stood up. "Ok looks like everything is settled. I will brief my secretary and Matthew about this." She walked towards her desk and ced her bag on the table. "Yeah. I hope tomorrow everything can go as nned." Alex said as she stood up from the couch. "Anyway, do you by chance, have find out the person behind the post?" ire turned around as she leaned on her desk. She shrugged. "Sadly, not yet. But I''m still finding whoever the person is. Why are you asking?" "Because that person has made my life, mypany and even you miserable. I''m going to sue that person." A look of determination and seriousness crossed Alex feature. ire nodded since she was thinking the same thing as him. ire will not let Lisa Thompson easily out of her grasp. She will make her pay, in her own way. Chapter 185 Tomorrow is the day After Alex left ire''s office, not long after that, Matthew saw Alex in the lobby. He couldn''t help but wonder what Alex was doing in Metacortex. Matthew headed over to ire''s office. "Hey, boss." ire looked up from her desk and shoot him a small smile. "Matthew, what''s up?" A curious look stered on his face. "I saw Alex earlier in the lobby." ire nodded, not surprised. "Alex was here to talk about the press conference." Matthew raised an eyebrow, curious. "How''s that going?" ire shrugged. "It''s under control. Alex is doing his part." She then raised her own eyebrows, changing the subject. "What about Max? Where is he?" Matthew walked over and took a seat in the chair in front of ire''s desk. "I dropped Max at his house." ire frowned. "Why?" Matthew leaned back, looking serious. "Max couldn''t risk being seen by the media if we want our n to work." ire nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Right." Silence loomed over them, the tension in the room palpable. Matthew finally broke the quiet. "ire, why didn''t we think of Lisa as the culprit?" ire sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. "It didn''t cross my mind that Lisa would do something like this. I know she''s mean and wicked, but I never thought she''d go this far." Matthew leaned forward, his expression intense. "ire, the reason Lisa did all this is because you ruined her wedding." ire let out a sarcasticugh, shaking her head. "I didn''t care about her wedding. I felt bad for Alex''s dad if he saw his son being fooled by a woman like Lisa." Matthew nodded, understanding her perspective. "But Lisa obviously saw it differently. She mes you for everything." "Well, if she want to me someone then she could me herself for being such a maniptive and a liar bitch. If she has a good track record, I''m sure Alex dad would approve but no, it means there is something wrong with her." ire said with much dislike. Matthew leaned in closer, his eyes serious. "And that''s why we''re in this mess now. Lisa wants revenge." ire nodded. "I know." she looked out the window, lost in thought. "We need to find a way to expose her. If we don''t, she''ll keeping after me." Matthew nodded in agreement. "We already know Max is the person behind every of your posts and safe to say, Max is on our side. We just need a n to expose Lisa that she is the mastermind." "Lisa is a cheeky person. I felt like she had a n B in case her n A didn''t work out. I need a way to trick her." "We can use Max." "Right." ire head filled with a lot of ns to expose Lisa. She needs a full proof n that can expose Lisa and make her tongue tied. Which leaves her no choice then to admit all her wrongdoings. ire turned to Matthew, her eyes sparkling with a new idea. "I''ve been thinking about a n," she began. "I suggest that Max keeps going with the photos about my wedding, so Lisa won''t get suspicious." Matthew leaned in, listening intently. "Go on," he said. "We need to keep everything as it is," ire continued, her voice steady. "Lisa needs to believe that everything is normal. If she thinks we''re onto her, she''ll be cautious, and we might lose our chance." Matthew frowned, trying to piece it together. "But how will this n expose Lisa? I don''t see the connection." ire smiled, a glint of cunning in her eyes. "Themunication between Max and Lisa will be the key evidence. We''ll make her believe she''s winning, that she''s manipting us. In reality, she''ll be ying right into our hands." Matthew raised an eyebrow, intrigued but still puzzled. "So, we''re letting her think she''s in control?" "Exactly," ire nodded. "We''ll collect all themunication between them. It will be enough to expose her and show everyone her true colors." Matthew thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you have another n? Just in case?" A mischievous smile crossed ire''s lips. She stood up and walked to therge window, gazing out at the city below. "Yes, I do," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I''ll need your help." Matthew stood up and joined her by the window. "I''m in. What''s the n?" Robert sat in the corner of a cozy coffee shop, nursing a cup of coffee as he scrolled through his phone. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the soft hum of chatter around him. Robert turned his attention to the stock market app. He watched the numbers closely, his eyes narrowing as he noticed Metacortex''s stock was still falling. A smile slowly spread across his face, and he let out a quiet chuckle. "This is it," he muttered to himself. "The moment Metacortex will fall." A waitress approached his table, her notepad ready. "Would you like some more coffee, sir?" "Yes, please," Robert replied, handing her his empty cup. "Thank you." She nodded and walked away, leaving Robert to his thoughts. He took a deep breath, savoring the sweet anticipation of Metacortex''s downfall. Meanwhile, in a towering office building, Alex was still at his desk. The sky outside his window was dark, and the office was eerily quiet, with most of his employees having left for the night. Alex was practicing his lines for the press conference scheduled for tomorrow, his voice steady but his mind racing with anxiety. "Everything must go perfectly," he murmured to himself, repeating his lines once more. He picked up his phone and called his secretary. Within moments, she knocked and entered the room, a clipboard in hand. "Is everything prepared for tomorrow?" Alex asked, his tone serious. "Yes, sir," she replied confidently. "Everything is in ce." Alex nodded, a hint of relief washing over his features. "Thank you. I appreciate all your hard work."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. "Of course, sir," she said, offering a reassuring smile before leaving the office. Alone again, Alex leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. The pressure was immense, and he couldn''t afford to make any mistakes. He closed his eyes, tel a moment to gather his thoughts and calm his nerves. Alex picked up his phone and scroll through his contact number. His finger stopped on ire''s name as he pressed the call. At the third ring, she answers. "Yes, Alex?" "Sorry to interrupt your night. I''m calling to inform you that everything is in ce." "That''s d to hear." The silence between them was what came next until ire decided to speak. "Anyway, have you practice your line?" her tone filled with seriousness. "Yes, I was just doing that earlier. How about you? Already know what to say?" "Of course. I have prepared everything. We can''t afford to mess it up. Metacortex stock market is slowly falling." Alex nodded even though she couldn''t see. "I understand. Let''s hope our work will not go to waste." The call ended and ire sighed as she stared down from her penthouse. She has a lot on her te right now and it is slowly bing confusing for ire to choose which one to handle first. She inhaled then exhaled. "What''s important tomorrow is the press conference. After the press is over, I can deal with Lisa. I will make sure she regret for leaking my secret." Chapter 186 D-day Thousands of miles away, in a luxurious hotel room in the Maldives, Lisa paced back and forth, her frustration palpable. She had been trying to contact Max for updates on her n, but his phone went straight to voicemail every time. "Damn it, Max," she muttered, tossing her phone onto the bed in exasperation. She sighed deeply and sat down, grabbing her phone again to distract herself from social media. As she scrolled through the replies to a photo Max had uploaded earlier, a smile spread across her face. ire and Alex were still trending on X, their wedding photos receiving endless likes andments. "At least this is going well," Lisa thought, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "I can sleep well tonight." As she continued reading the replies, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Max. "Sorry for the dy, Ms. Thompson. Everything is on track. Will update you soon." Lisa''s smile widened, and she felt a wave of relief. She typed a quick reply. "Keep me posted." The next morning, ire was getting ready for the press conference at Metacortex. She wore her best outfit: a designer tweed zer and a matching skirt that could turn everyone''s head. ire curled her hair and added essories toplete the look. She thought to herself that if she wanted to make a press conference, she needed to y the part and look perfect. As she finished getting ready, she headed downstairs and left the penthouse. "Morning." She greeted the doorman and hoped inside her Rolls Royce. ire opened her phone and saw another photo of her wedding with Alex on social media. She smiled looking at the photo as she muttered to herself. "Keep thinking that you are winning, Lisa." Not long after, she received a phone call. It was Matthew. ire answered it. "Hello..." Matthew greeted over the line. Before ire could speak, Matthew quickly asked, "Where are you?" ire rolled her eyes and replied sarcastically, "Good morning to you too, Matthew." Matthew chuckled and said, "Good morning, ire. I just wanted to let you know that I''ve told Max to post the photos about you online." ire nodded, even though he couldn''t see her. "Yeah, I saw them. d that Max can be dealt with Can you ask Max to send over the proof? I want to make sure everything is in order." "Sure thing," Matthew replied. "I''ll get on that right away. Anyway, you should enter from the back door because the front door is filled with journalists and paparazzi." ire sighed. "Okay, got it. Thanks for the heads-up." "Be careful, ire." "I will. Just make sure everything is in ce." "I got you, ire. Don''t worry about it." She ended the phone call and looked out of her window, suddenly filled with nervousness. This was her first time having a press conference. In the past, she had only dealt with press releases for new software, but now she was going to rify her wedding with Alex. As the car rolled through the bustling city streets, ire tried to calm her nerves. She took a few deep breaths and reminded herself of her reasons for holding this press conference. "I can''t mess this up. Metacortex future is in my hand." ire assured herself as she rey to control her nerves. The car finally arrived at Metacortex, and ire''s driver navigated to the back entrance as Matthew had suggested. As she stepped out of the car, she was greeted by a few security personnel who escorted her inside. The hallways buzzed with activity, staff members rushing, preparing for the press conference. ire made her way to a small room off the main hall where Matthew was waiting for her. He greeted her with a warm smile. "You look amazing, ire. Ready for this?" She smiled back, trying to hide her anxiety. "Thanks, Matthew. I think so. Just a bit nervous." Then she nced around, curiosity in her eyes. "Where''s Alex? He should be here by now." Matthew shrugged. "He''s probably on his way. I told his secretary where he should enter." ire gave Matthew a knowing smile. "It''s funny," she said with a chuckle, "even though you don''t like Alex, you''re still willing to help him." Matthew rolled his eyes. "I''m doing it for you, not for Alex. I could care less if Harris''spany went under." ire chuckled again, feeling lighter. "Thanks again, Matthew. I really appreciate it." Just then, the door opened, and Alexander Harris himself walked in. ire and Matthew turned to look at him. Matthew frowned, his tone annoyed as he said, "Finally, you arrive." ire took a seat in a nearby chair and took a sip of water, trying to calm her nerves. Alex approached her and sat down next to her. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice steady. With a stiff posture, ire nodded. "Yes, I''m ready," she said, hiding her nervousness behind a mask of confidence. Matthew stood up, ready to leave. "I''ll check the situation once more before the conference begins," he said.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. ire nodded. "Thanks, Matthew." Alex leaned back in his chair, his eyes on ire. "What do you expect from the conference, ire?" he asked, his voice calm but curious. ire didn''t look at him as she answered, her focus on the papers in front of her. "I want Metacortex''s stock market to recover, and I want all the drama about my private life to end." Satisfied with her answer, she finally turned to Alex, raising her brows. "What about you?" Alex sighed. "I want the same thing. And I also want my hotel project to move forward without any more issues." ire nodded, understanding his frustration. "I haven''t been able to contact the roboticspany for your hotel because of all the news." Alex waved it off, a reassuring smile on his face. "It''s fine. We didn''t see thising." Afortable silence filled the air as they both got lost in their thoughts. "You know, it''s strange. I never thought we''d be in this position, working together like this." ire nodded. "Life has a funny way of bringing people together, doesn''t it?" Alex sighed. "Yeah, it sure does." A few minutester, Matthew returned. "Everything''s set. The press is ready, and the room is filled." ire stood up, smoothing down her skirt. "Alright, let''s do this." Matthew gave her a supportive nod. "You got this ire." Alex who saw Matthew and ire interaction dislike it. He joined in as he ced aforting hand on her shoulder. "We''ll ace this conference, ire. Just stay focused." Matthew frowned seeing Alex but didn''t say anything. "Let''s get this over with." They stepped out of the room, walking side by side towards the conference hall. As they approached the hall, ire nced at Alex. "Are you ready?" Alex nodded, his face determined. "Ready as I''ll ever be." ??? The hall was filled with reporters and business professionals, all waiting for the conference to start. The sound of chatter and camera shes filling the air. ire and Alex took their ces at the front, the bright lights of the cameras focused on them. Sandra appear next to Matthew. "Alex already arrived?" "Yeah. Let''s hope he didn''t fuck it up." Matthew said in a serious tone. Chapter 187 Q&A session The cameras started clicking, capturing every moment. ire patted the microphone to make sure it was working, and when she heard a sound, she ced it in front of her mouth. "Good morning, everyone," she greeted, her voice clear and confident. "Thank you all foring."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. The crowd quieted down, their attention fully on her. "I am ire Peterson, the CEO of Metacortex," she introduced herself, pausing as the audience responded with polite apuse. Alex then stepped forward and took his turn. "And I am Alexander Harris, the CEO of Harris Company," he said with a smile, receiving a simr round of apuse. ire began the press conference with a somber tone. "We''re holding this conference today due to the photo circting online about us. We feel it''s necessary to address this matter directly and honestly." She scanned the room, her eyes moving from one journalist to another, sensing their anticipation. "The photo of Alex and me is true. We were once married." A collective gasp filled the room. ire nced at Alex, whose face was as hard as stone, clearly sharing her reluctance to reveal this part of their past but understanding the necessity of rifying the situation. Alex took his turn to speak. "What ire said is right. We were once married. However, it''s not what people might think." ire nodded, taking the lead again. "Our marriage happened because of thete Mr. Harris, Alex''s grandfather. He wanted the wedding to happen as part of hisst will. Alex didn''t want to let his grandfather die without granting hisst wishes, just like any of us would." ire stood at the podium, her gaze steady as she addressed the room full of journalists and photographers. "Due to the photo of Alex and me online without any context, a lot of people are making wrong assumptions," she began. The murmur of the crowd quieted as they listened intently. "These past few days, because of that post, Metacortex has been affected in the stock market, as well as Harris Company." Alex stepped forward, his expression serious. "We held this conference to address the issue about us and to straighten out the problem." He paused, looking directly into the eyes of the journalists with a sharp, determined gaze. "We will take a few questions." Immediately, a forest of hands shot up, journalists and paparazzi alike eager to get their questions in. Alex scanned the crowd and pointed to a short woman sitting in the front row. A staff member handed her a microphone. The woman stood up, adjusting the mic. "Why did you keep it a secret? Are you embarrassed if people find out you are married?" ire took a breath and answered, her voice calm and clear. "I am not embarrassed. The Harris family prefers to keep everything private. A lot of people know about us, and if we prefer to keep it private, then of course it''s going to be a secret." She added a warm smile to ease the tension in the room. The journalist nodded, jotting down notes in her notebook. A journalist with a notepad in hand stood up. "Why did you decide to hold this press conference? Why not just ignore the news about your supposed marriage?" Alex straightened his tie and leaned forward, ready to address the question. "That''s a fair question," he began, his voice calm but firm. "The rumors about our marriage started to affect the stock market for both Metacortex and Harris Company. Investors were uncertain, and it caused unnecessary vtility. We felt it was our responsibility to address these rumors directly to prevent any further damage. We couldn''t just sit back and hope it would go away; the stakes were too high." The journalist nodded, scribbling furiously in his notebook. ire, sitting beside Alex, felt a sudden dryness envelop her throat. She knew they had three more questions to face, and she dreaded the unpredictable nature of what mighte next. As Alex continued to borate, ire reached for the water bottle in front of her. Her fingers fumbled with the cap, and she struggled to open it. Despite her efforts to maintain a neutral expression, the task was proving difficult. From the corner of his eye, Alex noticed ire''s struggle. Without missing a beat in his response, he reached over, took the bottle from her grasp, and effortlessly twisted the cap open. ire was caught off guard but managed to mumble a small, "Thank you." The camera shes went wild, capturing the moment. ire poured the water into her ss and took a sip, the cold liquid soothing her parched throat. Another journalist raised his hands to ask a question. "Can you both tell us about your marriage? How long have you been together?" A subtle frown etched on her feature, but she answered it anyways. "We were married for three years." The journalist continued as he continued asking. "There was news a few months ago about Alexander Harris getting a divorce. Are you and Alex already divorced?" This wasn''t what they expected. Alex and ire didn''t thought they would remember the news about their divorce that happened a few months ago. ire and Alex stared at each other for a moment, searching for the right words. ire cleared her throat and faced the journalist. "Yes, we are divorced. We decided it was the best thing for both of us." A murmur of whispers spread through the room, reporters quickly ??? scribbling notes and snapping pictures. Alex took a deep breath and continued, "We both became very busy with our careers, and after my grandfather passed away, we came to the decision to end our marriage." Before they could take a breath, the same journalist pressed on, "Was your marriage based on love, or was it forced?" The questionnded heavily, and silence loomed over them. Alex and ire were caught off guard, unsure how to respond. Alex opened his mouth to speak, but ire spoke first. "Neither." she said, her voice calm and measured. "We were fulfilling a request from Alex''s grandfather.. respect Alex deeply, and we both wanted to honor his grandfather''s wishes." Under the table, ire fumbled with her fingers, but her face remained neutral, betraying none of her inner turmoil. A journalist from the front row stood up and asked, "Could the two of you tell us about the partnership between Harris Hotel and Metacortex? How is that going?" "The project is still ongoing. Harris Hotel has assured us that they will keep their word and continue working with Metacortex. However, due to the recent news about their marriage, some of the work has slowed down." Alex responded. The journalists scribbled in their notebooks and clicked their cameras. The curious journalist then followed up, "What can people expect from this project?" Alex let out a small chuckle. "We''ll see. It''s an ambitious project, and we''re excited about its potential. But for now, it''s still in development." The room buzzed with murmurs as Alex continued, "We have time for one more question before we end the press conference." From the back of the room, a hand shot up. The journalist stood up, his voice cutting through the chatter, "ire, why did you disappear for three years?" Chapter 188 Stupid question The room was silent. Not a single sound can be heard as they put all their attention on ire Peterson. ire was silent as well as her eyes darted from one journalist to another. She doesn''t know how to respond to that. Alex noticed her silence as he too knows what really happened three years ago. From under the table, he ced his hand on top of her. ire flinched slightly then turned her attention towards Alex. He squeezed her hand in assurance and nodded his head to her telling her that she can do this. ire turned her attention back and cleared her throat. "Um, yes... as all of you are wondering the reason of my disappearance, was because I was busy taking care of my marriage with Alexander Harris as I mention earlier that we have been together for three years." "So, are you saying that you purposely disappear from the business industry to take care of your wedding? I thought the wedding happened because the two of you made a deal. So why are you taking care of it?" The journalist said in a curious tone. ire hoped the question earlier will be thest but sadly it is not. It seems like the journalist have other n in mind. "Even though Alex and I marry not because of love doesn''t mean I did not take care of it. I did and I very much enjoy my time. And in those three years, I spend my time with Alex grandfather that''s why I disappear from the business industry. Besides, nobody likes woman leading. Am I right?" ire add a little joke at the end to ease the air around the room. A chuckled can be heard from the people around including Alex. "What do you think of Robert when you appointed him to be the CEO?" another journalist chimed in. The corner of her lips curl up into a smirk. Another unexpected question but this time she knows what to answer. "Well, first of all I must give him credit for keeping thepany afloat however, I must say, no one can do a better job than ire Peterson herself." She said confidentially that makes the audience chuckled. "Only now our stock market slightly drop due to the unexpected news. I assure all of you that ourpany is not involved in our marriage. We aren''t nning to merge or buying each otherpany stock to take over so don''t worry." She shoot them a smile. "It seems like everyone is satisfied with their answers and their curiosity has been fulfilled. So, our Q&A session has en-" Alex words got cut off by an unexpected voice. "You didn''t mention your parents, Ms. Peterson. Where are they?" ire froze for the second time. This is getting all too much with the question. Clenching her fist under the table, ire suddenly feel angry and irritated. Matthew who watch the conference from the side notice ire expression. He knows she is angry with the question. Alex nced at ire as he took notice her expression. "I''m sorry but no more question." He ended with a slight smile, and he pulled ire gently and they walked away. Camera shes following their move and the journalist continue to shout their name wanting to ask more question. The bodyguards protects them from getting mobbed by these people. Matthew appear on her side and guide her to her office together with Alex. They enter the lift and the ride in silence. Matthew took nce at her. "ire, are you okay?" ire stared at the elevator door nkly. "Someone pay them." "What?" "What are you talking about?" Both Alex and Matthew said in unison. They both frowned as they stared at each other in dislike. "Thest question. Who the hell asked about their parents when the topic of the conference was to rify about my wedding with Alex. It doesn''t make sense." She scrunched her brows in annoyance. "How do you know someone pay that one journalist?" Alex asked curiously. The lift dings open and they walked out from the lift and headed to ire''s office. She immediately settled herself on her desk. "Because the question is unnatural. It''s like he purposely asked that to reveal my secret because he knows something about me." she exined. "But how would do that in a conference?" Alex still find it hard to believe. ire eyes stared directly at him. "Alex, I have a lot of people who hates me...including you. So, they will do anything to stain my name and ruin my image andpany." Alex dislikes it when ire mentions that he hates her because that is the past and Alex doesn''t hate her anymore instead everything that happened in the past was his fault and not ire. He realized thatte. He was about to argue but ire beat him to it Look, I don''t want to exin it in detail. The point is I know someone was paying that journalist cause none of us mention our parents and it''s an unnecessary question to ask since they will not gain any information about us or ourpany by asking that question." ire sighed tiredly. "What matters is our conference is over, people on social media watched it and the journalist will make an article about this. The rest is for people to judge." Alex nodded solemnly. "Of course. You handle the question nicely ire." She stared into his brown orbs then looked away. "Thank you, Alex. I could say the same for you too." ire then turned to Matthew. "Matthew, I need you to keep an eye on the stock market and inform me if there is any changes." He frowned. "Me? Why not Sandra?" ire rolled her eyes. "Because youPublished by N?v''elD/rama.Org. are my adviser. Now go." She gave him a look that made Matthew walked out of her office but not before mumbling incoherently under his breath. He was about to keep an eye on Harris in case he did something out of the box, but it seems like ire can handle this herself. "Alex, about my answer earlier..." Alex turned to her raising his brows. "I''m sorry for telling all those lies about your grandfather." He nodded in understanding. "It''s fine ire. We have no choice. And I know you don''t want people to know about your past." ire took a deep breath. "Yes." They stared at each other eyes for ??? quite some time. The shining sun prate through ire office window, and it shines to her face emphasizing her feature. Only then did Alex realized how graceful ire look. Her office door burst open and ofcourse it was none other than Matthew. Matthew frowned as he took notice of them. ire coughed awkwardly and Alex rocked back and forth in his heels. "Well, I must get going. I will inform you with...our situation." ire nodded. "Of course. Thank you, Alex." "Thank you to you too ire." Alex then leave the office but not before stopping in front of Matthew. "Mario, is it? Thank you." Matthew didn''t get the chance to respond as Alex left the office. "Asshole." He muttered under his breath then turned to ire. "What are you two doing?" Chapter 189 Fall into a trap ire rolled her eyes. "We didn''t do anything for your information." Matthew walked forward towards her desk still with a curious look on his face. "No, there is something going on between you two." "Matthew?" "Yes?" "Please shut up." The one journalist from earlier who ask question about ire parents looked around to make sure no one is following him. He walked towards the alleyway where he spotted a ck car parking. He knocked on the window. The back door open and he climbed inside the car. "I already did what you ask me to do." Robert turned to him and smiled. "Good. You chose the right momentum when you asked that question." He took the thick envelope and handed it to him. "This is your payment." The journalist took the money excitedly as he couldn''t wait to spend all this money. "Thank you, sir. If I may wondering, why the question is about her parents?" Robert lips curled up into a smirk. "There is something that are not meant to be find out." He turned towards the door to leave but then it got locked. "Keep this a secret. I don''t want anyone including ire to find out about this." He nodded. "Of course, sir. Leave it to me. I will keep this a secret. I won''t even talk about this." He left the car and walked in the opposite direction to what he came from. Back at Metacortex, Matthew sat at his desk, scrutinizing the stock market figures on his monitor. Following ire''s orders, he focused on thepany''s stock, and to his delight, he noticed that Metacortex''s stock was finally rising. He headed towards ire''s office to share the good news. As he walked in, ire was busy at her desk, surrounded by paperwork. She looked up as he entered. "Matthew, what''s up?" "The stock is rising," Matthew announced with a smile. "The press conference earlier really made a difference." ire sighed in relief, her shoulders visibly rxing. "That''s great news. I guess Alex n really did work out for the better." Matthew nodded but couldn''t shake the lingering question in his mind. "So, what are you going to do about Max and Lisa now?" ire put her pen down and looked thoughtfully at Matthew. "Well, you already hacked into her phone and blocked any news rting to my press conference with Alex. She still think her n is working." Matthew raised an eyebrow. "So, what''s the next step?" ire leaned back in her chair. "I need you to track Lisa''s location. Find out where she is. Also, ask Max to send all the evidence of their conversations and the money Lisa transferred to him. It''s important for us to have all those evidence." "On it," Matthew said, turning to leave. Back at his desk, Matthew began the task of tracking Lisa''s location. It was something he was ustomed to, and within minutes, he had her coordinates. "Gotcha," he muttered to himself as he saw that Lisa was currently on her way back to London. He then dialed Max''s number. "Hey, Max. I need you to send me all the evidence you have conversations, money transfers, everything." "Sure thing, Matthew," Max replied. "I''ll get it to you right away." Matthew thanked him and hung up. He gathered the information and headed back to ire''s office to update her. "ire," Matthew said as he entered, "I have got Lisa''s location. She''s on her way back to London. And Max is sending over the evidence we need." ire looked up, her expression a mix of determination and relief. "Good work, Matthew. This is exactly what we need to turn the tables on her." Matthew took a seat opposite ire. "What''s the n once we have everything?" She thought for a while then her lips stretched into a smile as a n crossed her mind. "I have a n in mind, but Max needs to be involve with this." Matthew scrunched his forehead in confusion. "Max? Why Max?" A chuckled escaped her lips. "Oh, you will see, you will see." Matthew leaned forward curiously. "Care to share the n?" Lisa had finally arrived back in London, feeling the familiar rush of satisfaction as she stepped off the ne. She didn''t bother to check the news about ire, confident that her n was working perfectly Her sudden vacation to the Maldives had been exactly what she needed, lifting her spirits and giving her a beautiful new tan.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. As she made her way through the airport, Lisa spotted Max standing in front of her. Sliding down her sunsses, she scrunched her brows in confusion. "Max? What are you doing here?" Max''s expression was serious. "Lisa, we need to talk. It''s about ire. Follow me." Hearing ire''s name piqued Lisa''s curiosity. She nodded and followed Max to his Prius. He took her bag and ced it in the trunk, his actions calm and methodical. Lisa didn''t feel suspicious at all; after all, she was the one who had hired Max to spread the news about ire''s secret marriage to Alex. Once they were both seated in the car, Lisa turned to Max. "So, what''s this important news you wanted to tell me?" Max''s tense look didn''t waver. "I''ll tell youter," he said as he started the car. Lisa raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes at his weirdness but didn''t press further. "Here, I''m sure you are thirsty." Max offered her a drink. She took it, feeling thirsty from the long flight. She took a big gulp and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looked at Max. From the corner of his eye, Max watched her drink. He knew his n was working. "So, are you still posting the news about ire?" Max nodded. "Yeah, I''ll keep posting it as long as you promise to pay me." Lisa rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "I''ll pay you as long as you keep your word. No tricks, Max." Max smirked. "No tricks. Just business." Lisa sighed. "What are people saying about her?" Max leaned back in his seat, a sly smile on his face. "The journalists have been ruthless. They are following her everywhere. And Alex is getting a lot of heat too." He paused for a moment, then added, "Oh, and ire''s limping now. Got mobbed by the paparazzi. It''s all over the news." Lisaughed loudly. "I saw that! She looked so stupid in those pictures." Max chuckled along with her, but his eyes stayed sharp, watching her every move. Lisa didn''t notice the intensity in his gaze. She was too busy enjoying the moment. As they drove through the city, Lisa started to yawn repeatedly. She rubbed her eyes and said, "Why am I so tired all of a sudden?" Her eyelids grew heavy, and she found it hard to keep them open. From the driver''s side, Max nced at her and said in a serious tone, "You dragged me into this mess, Lisa. Now you have to face the consequences." Lisa tried to focus on his words, but everything was bing blurry. She muttered in gibberish until suddenly the world around her became dark. Chapter 190 Confrontation Lisa blinked open and closed her eyes, adjusting to the light. She groaned and sat up, looking around with a frown of confusion. The room was warm, and the bed wasfortable, but she didn''t recognize any of it. She slid her legs off the bed and stood up, feeling slightly unsteady. She walked to the window and saw that she was in an apartment. Racking her brain, Lisa tried to make sense of her situation. How did she end up here? Thest thing she remembered was being in the car with Max. Then it hit her-Max had offered her a drink. Her eyes widened in panic as she realized that Max must have drugged her. She couldn''t believe that someone she had hired would do such a thing. "That fucker! He will regret this." She muttered to herself in anger. She walked over to the door and opened it, surprised to find it unlocked. She stepped out of the apartment and looked around. The ce was medium-sized, with walls painted white and beige, but there were no pictures or decorations. Lisa headed downstairs and saw the back of someone''s head. She called out, "Who are you?" Her lips curled into a smirk as she sipped her tea. She ced the cup down on the coffee table, leaned back on the couch, and said, "How was your sleep?" she asked, her tone almost teasing. Lisa froze for a moment, recognizing the voice but still unsure. Slowly, she walked around the couch, and to her surprise, it was ire. A sudden wave of nervousness and anxiety swept over her. "ire, why are you here? And where am I?" she stammered. ire, maintaining her calm demeanor, smiled coolly. "Sit down, Lisa." Lisa felt a surge of skepticism. Ignoring ire''s invitation, she demanded, "Why are you here, ire? What is this ce?" ire''s smirk widened. "You are in a safe ce Lisa, don''t worry. I''m not going to kill you or do you any harm." Lisa took a step forward, her fists clenched. "Max, where is he? I need to see him. I need to talk to him. He drugged me!" Lisa uttered while shouting. ire sighed as she knew dealing with Lisa needed a lot of energy. "I almost forgot how much energy it took to deal with you." "Just answer the damn question, ire. Where is Max?" Lisa eyes zing with fire, but ire found it amusing. "You wanted to see him? Fine." ire and Lisa stared into each other eyes. Lisa red at her whereas ire was calm. "Max, there is someone who wanted to see you." ire said loudly and from the kitchen, Max walked into the living room. Max has a looked of seriousness but also slightly nervous. It didn''t cross his mind that he would be doing this for the sake of money. He me Lisa for not telling the whole truth what ire is capable of. "Well, don''t you want to say something to the person you hired?" ire said in a matter of fact. Lisa eyes widen. She thought she heard her wrong. "W-what did you say?" Leaning forward, ire took the cup of tea and sipped it slowly. "You heard me. The person you hired." A sudden nervousness overcame Lisa. "I-I don''t know what you are talking about." A chuckled escape ire lips and in a more sarcastic way. "Oh my God, Lisa. When will you stop ying the innocent? This is getting old and I''m tired of this." ire stood up from her seat, her heels clicking against the floor as she approached Lisa. "Let me remind you. You hired Max to post a photo about Alex and me, am I right?" Lisa swallowed the lump in her throat. She clenched her fist so hard that her nails were digging through her skin. ire took notice of her silence as her eyes drifted down to Lisa''s fist. She scoffed in disbelief as she looked back at Lisa. "Honey, please don''t clenched your fist too tight or you will hurt yourself. But then again is not the first time, right?" a mocking smile appeared on ire''s lips that frustrated Lisa. Lisa couldn''t believe what she was hearing and what she was seeing. "How long are you going to stay silent, huh?" ire raised her brows. "Well then, I''m going to go first." ire turned around on her heels and took a sit. "So, Max tell me what really happen." She sipped her tea casually while keeping her eyes trained on Lisa. ""Ms. Thompson hired me to post photo about Ms. Peterson." "And how much did she pay you?" "Five hundred dors." Lisa interrupted. "No! That''s a lie. I never did any of those." Lisa pointed her fingers at Max with so much anger and hatred. "He is a liar. Don''t believe him. I thought you are smarter than that, ire." However, ire ignored her and kept throwing questions at Max. "What did she tell you to do?" "She order me to post photo about your wedding with Alexander Harris." "And where did you get all those photos from?" "From Ms. Thompson herself." "You son of a bitch!" Lisa screamed. "You promise to keep it a secret." She sneered at him. "You didn''t mention specifically what Ms. Peterson are capable of doing. She can ruin my life if I don''t do what she says." Max said coldly. Lisa scoffed in disbelief. She couldn''t believe that she hired a coward like Max. "You are such a girl. How are you scared of a woman like her?" ire watched their interaction with amusement as she sipped her tea. "I am not scared of her. I fear her and so should you." Lisa is on the verge of screaming in frustration. This doesn''t go the way she expected to be. "You drugged me! You asshole!" "He was just following orders. Just Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! like you did." ire chimed in shooting Lisa a smiled that makes Lisa more aggravated. "Thank you, Max. Matthew will give you the rest of the money. You may go. "You are doing this for money?!" "Aren''t we all?" Max left the apartment as the sound of the front door mmed close. "Now, Lisa. It''s just us two. Care to exin more into detail from your perspective?" she raised her brows. Lisa was in so much anger mixed with humiliation. Her n that she thought would go smoothly was wrong. Apparently, everything was in her head. "How did you find out about this?" ire shrugged. "I have friends helping me." she doesn''t go into much detail as she prefers to keep things vague. Lisa frowned at ire''s respond. "I will report this to the police. You drugged me and kidnapped me." "I did not kidnapped you and even if I did, do you have proof?" "I am the proof. They will believe me." ire stood up and walked towards Lisa. Her walked carry confidence that slightly wavered Lisa. "Lisa, do you think people will believe you?" Her brows scrunched in confusion at ire words. "What do you mean?" "I have proof of what you did to me. You practically ruined my image by posting a photo about my wedding which is a vition of privacy. Not to mention you also hired someone to do the job. So, who do you think the police will believe in?" "Are you going to report me?" ireughed as she found it funny. "Report you? No. Even better, I''m going to sue you." Chapter 191 “What have I done?” Lisa eyes widen as if her eyes popping out of her socket. "Sue me? Did I hear you wrong?" "Nope," she said popping up the ''P''. "You heard me right." Lisa scoffed in disbelief. "The person who should be suing you is me not you. You drugged me then kidnapped me. I don''t even know where I am." ire rolled her eyes. "Listen Lisa. I can sue you not just for defamation but also for the things that you did to me like vition of privacy and the list goes on. I could list it if you want me to." ire said with a teasing smile on her face. "I-1-" Lisa was tongue tied as she didn''t know how to respond. "I don''t understand. How are you so calm after the news about you blow up on social media?" "It did blow up thanks to you, but I handle the situation pretty well especially after the press conference." A look of confusion crossed Lisa face as she scrunched her brows. "Press conference? What press conference?" ire masked a look of surprised. "You don''t know? This morning, I held a press conference with Alex, and you know what? Everything is going well." "I- howe I don''t know? I mean I don''t see a news about it online." A chuckled escaped ire''s lips. "Well, I can say my advisor did something to your phone so any news about the press conference are blocked on your phone." "You bitch?!" She clenched her first then tossed the cup of tea that ire was holding. "How could you?" "What the-" ire was caught off guard. The sound of the ss tter and shatter to the floor filled the room. "You trick me! You trick me into believing that everything went ording to my n." Lisa said in disbelief. "I did not trick you. I did what sane people would do. You leaked my marriage with Alex." "I have no choice, ire! I did not want to do it. You made me do all this." ire frowned hearing anotherme excuse. "I''m sick and tired hearing you saying the same excuses over and over again." Turning on her heels, ire walked to the couch to grab her bag. "You will receive a letter from mywyer in a few days. Be ready." she said firmly.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Hearing that, Lisa grew very anxious and also angry. She fumbled with the end of her skirt nervously. She didn''t want to go to jail; she couldn''t risk it because it would ruin her future. Lisa didn''t know what came over her as she suddenly ran towards ire and pushed her down onto the couch. Her hands made their way to ire''s neck. Lisa, with a crazed look in her eyes, screamed. "I don''t want to go to jail! If I have to, I''d rathermit a crime than let you win!" ire struggled to break free from Lisa''s grasp. Her face turned red as she tried to push Lisa away. "Lisa, let go!" ire gasped; her voice strained. Lisa looked at ire and grinned as if she was losing her mind. "Die, ire! No one will remember you!" Desperate, ire reached for her bag and mmed it into Lisa''s head. The impact caused Lisa to lose her bnce, and ire took the opportunity to push her down, resulting in Lisa falling to the floor. ire took a deep breath, panting hard. She couldn''t believe Lisa would do something like that. "You''re crazy, Lisa! I won''t let this go." ire said, her voice trembling with anger. ire didn''t want to stay another minute in the room with Lisa. She grabbed her bag and quickly walked out. She headed downstairs using the lift, tapping her feet anxiously. As the doors opened, she stepped inside and closed the door quickly. The lift doors closed, and ire breathed out in relief. She thought about how close she hade to being seriously hurt or worse. If it hadn''t been for the bag, she couldn''t imagine what would have happened to her. ire walked out of the lift and headed over to the car where Matthew was standing outside, waiting for her. Matthew was standing outside, leaning against the vehicle. As soon as he saw ire exiting the apartment building, he straightened up, a frown of curiosity forming on his face as he noticed her troubled expression. "What''s wrong?" Matthew asked as ire approached. "Let''s go," ire replied, her voice t and devoid of emotion. Matthew''s curiosity grew, but he decided to question herter. He opened the passenger door for ire, and she slipped inside without another word. Matthew got behind the wheel, started the engine, and drove away from the building. During the ride, Matthew kept ncing at ire. She was unusually quiet, staring out of the window. Normally, she would have given an update about what happened, but now she remained silent. "ire," Matthew finally said, breaking the silence, "what happened up there?" "It''s fine," ire replied quickly, then shifted the subject. "I''m going to sue Lisa." Matthew was taken aback. "Sue Lisa? What happened between you two?" "Lisa needs to be dealt with seriously," ire said, her voice firm. She didn''t borate further, which only made Matthew more curious. "But why? What did she do?" Matthew pressed, trying to understand. ire sighed and cleared her throat. "You know what she did Matthew. Earlier she admit she was the one behind the post and I''m going to sue her for defamation and also vition of privacy." She turned to him. "Why? You disagree with my decision?" Matthew shook his head as he kept his eye on the road. "No, instead, it''s a relief that you finally made that decision have been waiting for you to take the serious step, but you. always said you will deal with her yourself which I did not doubt you for once but...I don''t know. I felt like Lisa is capable doing something crazy." Turning her attention back to the window, she leaned back to the seat. "She''s capable alright." In the quiet apartment, Lisa sat on the floor, contemting the action she had taken earlier. She didn''t know what hade over her when she jumped on ire and wrapped her hands around her throat. The realization that she was capable ofmitting such a violent act left her feeling shaken to her core. Biting her lip nervously, Lisa stared at the wall, her mind reying the terrifying scene over and over. She clenched and unclenched her palmis, the very hands that had almostmitted a crime. In a whisper, she said, "What have I done? A tear escaped her eye, and she began to sob, feeling both scared and anxious. "I don''t want to go to jail or else I can''t marry Alex." For a while, Lisa sat on the floor, crying and muttering to herself. "I almost killed ire. What is wrong with me?" She bit her fingernails anxiously as she was thinking about a n to free her from this mess. "I need to find a way out." She muttered to herself. Then she stopped biting her lips and thought of a n. "I don''t know if this will work, but I have to try." Chapter 192 Expecting someone? Lisa stood up from her sitting position on the floor and looked around for her bags. She spotted her bags near the door and in search of her phone. She sighed in relief that at least her phone was safe. What she is about to do is quite risky, but Lisa doesn''t have much choice if she doesn''t want to go to jail. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the call button. It rang once, twice, and then went to voicemail. She tried again, and again, it went unanswered. On her third attempt, Alex finally picked up. "What do you want, Lisa?" Alex''s voice came through the line, his toneced with annoyance. "I thought I told you to never call me again." Lisa''s heart skipped a beat, but she knew she had to y her part convincingly. She started crying, letting her sobs echo through the phone. At the other end, Alex was taken aback. "What''s wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion. "I need your help," Lisa managed to say between sobs. Alex pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. "You''ve got to be kidding me," he muttered. "After everything you''ve done, you still have the nerve to ask for my help? What do you need help with?" "It''s about ire," Lisa said, her voice trembling. Alex straightened up in his chair, his curiosity piqued. "What does ire have to do with this?" "She''s going to put me in jail," Lisa blurted out, her voice breaking. Alex stood up from his seat, his eyes wide with shock. "I''m sorry, what?" he said, his voice rising. "ire is going to put me in jail," Lisa repeated, her sobs intensifying. "Slow down," Alex said, trying to process the information. "Why would ire want to put you in jail?" Lisa, on the other end, had sounded distressed. "I made a mistake, Alex. A terrible mistake." Alex frowned, his patience wearing thin. "What mistake, Lisa? You need to tell me so I can help." But instead of answering, Lisa broke down into sobs. Alex gritted his teeth, feeling a mix of frustration and pity. He couldn''t handle any more of her crying. "Lisa, stop crying," he said more gently. "I''ll talk to ire about it, okay?" There was a pause at the other end, and then Lisa sniffled. "Really? You''ll talk to her?" Alex sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yes, I will. But you need to calm down. We''ll sort this out." Lisa''s voice trembled with gratitude. "Thank you, Alex. Thank you so much." The call ended, and Alex felt a wave of relief. He put his phone down and sat on the couch, rubbing his temples. He didn''t understand the full story, but he was determined to get to the bottom of it. Lisa''s reaction seemed genuine, but something about her behavior nagged at him. Meanwhile, in her penthouse, ire had just returned after Matthew dropped her off. She headed straight to her room, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on her. She dropped her bag on a chair and walked over to the mirror. A red handprint marred the skin on her neck, a stark reminder of Lisa''s tight grasp. ire closed her eyes, but the memory of the confrontation yed in a loop in her mind. She opened her eyes and sighed, deciding a hot shower might help. ire undressed and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash over her. The heat rxed her tensed muscles, and the headache that had been building all day began to fade. She stood under the stream for a long time, until her fingers pruned, and the water started to cool. Stepping out, she wrapped herself in a bathrobe and walked to her bed. Shey down, staring at the ceiling, her mind a whirl of thoughts. This was the third time she hade close to death, and she couldn''t help but wonder if it was a sign. Was her death near? The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She muttered to herself, "I''ll die peacefully once I get revenge on my parents." But she pushed that thought aside. For now, she needed to focus on the situation with Lisa and teach her a lesson she would never forget. After Alex ended his call with Lisa, he tried to dial ire''s number. However, it went straight to voicemail. He sat back on his couch, his mind racing with thoughts about why ire would want to put Lisa in jail. He couldn''t help but think if this was some devious n of Lisa''s to lure him back into her life. The next day, ire woke up with a start, realizing she had fallen asleep still wearing her bathrobe. She got up and went straight to the shower, hoping the hot water would wash away her exhaustion. As she. stepped into her walk-in closet t UM dressed, she noticed the hand-shaped bruises on her neck get had be more visible. Frowning in annoyance, she muttered sarcastically to herself, "Lucky me. Now I get to wear a turtleneck in this sunny London weather." Once she was ready, ire decided to skip breakfast. She needed to get to the office. When she arrived, her employees greeted her, and she managed to give a slight smile and a nod. ire headed to her office on the top floor and stepped inside, surprised to see Matthew-lying down on her couch with his legs up on the coffee table. ire smiled in amusement. "How is it you always get here early?" Matthew grinned. "Just trying to be Employee of the Month." ire rolled her eyes, but then noticed Matthew eyeing her outfit strangely. "Why are you wearing a turtleneck in this sunny weather?" he asked. ire stammered, searching for a quick excuse. "It''s... a trend. I''m a fashion icon, remember? I have to y the part."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Good luck with that in this heat." "I will survive." ire made her way to her desk and ced her bag down on the table. ire took a sit behind the desk and looked at Matthew, her expression became serious. "Matthew, have you send me the evidence from Max?" He stood up and nodded. "Yes, I sent all the evidence to your email." "Thanks." ire pressed the office button to call on her secretary. "Sandra, I need you to contact mywyer and tell him toe to Metacortex. ire Peterson wanted to discuss something with him." "Right away, Ms. Peterson." Matthew stared at her with a scrunched forehead. "You are seriously going to sue Lisa, aren''t you?" "Yes, I don''t want to wait another minute of my time." He nodded in approval. "I''m d you decided too. If you need my help, please don''t hesitate to inform me." ire shoot her a grateful smile. "Thank you, Matthew. You have been really helpful." "I can do what I can do, boss." He winked at ire which made her chuckle. Then a knock at her door interrupted them. Matthew raised his brows as he turned his attention towards the door then back to ire. "Are you expecting someone?" "No. Maybe it''s mywyer. Pleasee in." The door opened and it revealed none other than her business partner. "Alexander?" Chapter 193 Questioning Claire ire frowned in confusion and also wondering why Alexander was standing in front of her office. "Alexander?" His expression is serious as he stared directly into ire''s eyes. Alexander stepped inside her office and made his way to her desk. "We need to talk ire. Is important." Alex said firmly. ire stared at him for a moment, then nodded and offered him a seat. "Of course, please take a seat." Matthew, who was still standing near the couch, looked at Alex suspiciously but didn''t say anything. His eyes followed Alex''s every move. Taking a seat in front of ire, she turned to him, raising her brows. "So, what do you want to talk about? Is it about our project?" Alex shook his head. "No, as much as I want to discuss that, today is not the time. I''ll keep it for another time." ire''s curiosity piqued. "Then what do you want to talk about?" Alex hesitated, then mentioned a name that made ire freeze. "It''s about Lisa." ire tried to keep her expression neutral. "What about her?" Alex leaned forward, his tone serious. "Is it true that you want to put her in jail?" ire nodded slowly, leaning back in her chair with a challenging look. "Yes, it''s true. Do you have a problem with that?" Alex shook his head. "No, I just want to know why you decided to do that." ire leaned forward, a smirk curling up the corner of her lips. "Why, Alex? Have you fallen in love with Lisa again?" Alex rolled his eyes. "No, ire. I don''t have any feelings for Lisa. She called me, and I just want to understand your reasons." ire''s smirk faded, reced by a more serious expression. "She called you? What does she said?" Alex began, his voice steady but strained. "Yesterday, I got a call from Lisa. She was crying." ire raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Lisa was crying?" Alex nodded, taking a seat across from her. "Yes. She said she needed my help because she made a terrible mistake, and you want to put her in jail." ire''s eyebrows shot up at that. "Well, at least she''s not lying about making terrible mistakes." Alex looked confused. "What do you mean by that?" ire shook her head. "Nothing." Matthew who was listening to their conversation decided to join in as he cut off their conversation. "Lisa''s the one behind that post." ire red at him, but Matthew ignored her as he made his way and stood next to ire despite her ring towards him. Alex frowned deeply. "The post? You mean the post about ire and I?" Matthew nodded. "Lisa was the one behind that?" his eyes darted back and forth to Matthew and also ire. The room fell silent as ire hesitated to exin. She was tired of talking about Lisa. But Matthew decided to fill the gap. "Yes, Lisa''s the one who posted about your and ire''s wedding," Matthew said bluntly. Alex''s eyes widened in surprise. "Why would she do that?" ire leaned back in her chair, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Why, didn''t you think your beloved Lisa could do such a thing?" Alex red at ire. "I didn''t expect Lisa to pull something like this. But" he admitted, "it''s not the first time she''s done something like this." He looked frustrated, running a hand through his hair. "I asked her why she did it, but she just kept crying and wouldn''t give me a straight answer." ire crossed her arms, her expression unimpressed. "Typical Lisa. She always tries to y the victim." "Wait a minute..." Alex seemed to realize something. "It means before the press conference, you already know that Lisa is the one behind this?" "Yes." ire nodded. "Yes, I did." Alex''s face turned red with anger. "Why didn''t you tell me before? I had a right to know!" ire shrugged nonchntly. "I didn''t have time to tell you. We were too busy with the press conference. Besides, I wanted to make sure my investigation was correct before saying anything." Alex felt a surge of annoyance. "You never share any important information with me, ire. This isn''t the first time." "I did told you important information." "About what?" "About my life in case you forgot." "That''s two different thin ire." ire frowned, looking equally annoyed. "It''s the same to me." She threw him a red. "And if I had told you, what would you have done, Alex? I''m sure you wouldn''t have done anything to Lisa." Alex stared at her, incredulous. "Of course, I would have done something! I would have talked to her, and if she didn''t understand, I would have reported her to the police." ire shook her head, her expression stern. "Talking to her wouldn''t have worked, Alex. I''ve already tried that. A woman like Lisa will just make the same mistake again and again." Alex paced back and forth, trying to process everything. "So, you''ve already talked to her?" ire nodded. "Yes, I have. But it didn''t change anything. In fact, she still trying to y dumb even when I brought the person she hired." Alex stopped and faced her, his frustration evident. "You could have at least trusted me with this information. We''re supposed to be working together." "I know but when ites to Lisa, I prefer to worked alone. Now that you know, let me handle the rest." "No, I want to get involve." Alex said firmly. ire scoffed and shook her head. "No, I was the one who found the evidence so I will be the one who deal with her. I followed your words to held a press conference and now it''s time for me to do my thing." ire said with determination. Alex and ire stared at each other intensely. Alex is determined to be involve in this situation but ire on the other hand doesn''t want to cause she doesn''t want to be working with Alex again for the second time. "Look Alex, you just focus on your Las Vegas hotel. Remember what''s your goal is. I can handle Lisa." "Fine." Alex leaned back to his chair looking pissed. "One more thing, does Lisa deserved jail because of a post only?" Alex and Matthew doesn''t know what happened at the apartment and ire doesn''t want them to know either. She wanted to keep it a secret. ire ced both hands on the table feeling pissed by Alexcks respond. "A post only you said? Because of that Metacortex stock fell and not just me but Harris as well. The shareholders even questioned me when they held a meeting with Jack without me. And did you forget our press conference and that stupid question those journalists gave me?" She burst out her frustration and anger. Alex was about to respond but a knock on her door interrupted them. "Yes?" Sandra poked her head inside. "I apologize for interrupting your talk miss, but Mr. Ronald has arrive." ire nodded. "Thank you, Sandra. Bring him in, please."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. ""Right away miss." Not long after that, Ronald appear as he stepped inside her office and make her way towards ire. Alex looked at the middle-aged man wondering. "Who''s he?" "That will be mywyer." Chapter 194 Suing Lisa Thompson Alex was slightly stunned as he saw ire''swyer entering her office. "Yourwyer?" he said, his surprise evident. ire, clearly annoyed, responded, "Yes. Now, Alex, it''s best if you leave." Alex frowned, his irritation growing. "We haven''t finished our talk, ire." "There is nothing more to talk about," ire replied firmly. She called out, "Matthew." Matthew, understanding her unspoken request, moved to escort Alex out. This only made Alex more irritated. "I know the way out," he snapped, brushing past Matthew. Matthew closed the door behind Alex, leaving him in the hallway. Alex sighed deeply, muttering to himself, "I can''t be involved in what ire''s doing." He pulled out his phone and decided to call Lisa, determined to have a word with her. Inside ire''s office, she moved to the couch and offered a seat to herwyer, Mr. Ronald. They sat on opposite sides, a coffee table between them. Mr. Ronald adjusted his sses and looked at ire attentively. "What can I help you with, Ms. Peterson?" "I want to sue someone," ire stated, her tone resolute. Mr. Ronald nodded, pulling out a notepad. "Alright, and what are you suing this person for?" "Defamation and vition of privacy," ire answered, her voice steady and cold. Mr. Ronald looked up, his expression serious. "Who is this person?" "Lisa Thompson," ire said coldly. Herwyer nodded in understanding. "Okay. Do you have evidence to support your ims?" ire nodded. "Yes, I have collected enough evidence to prove both defamation and invasion of privacy." Mr. Ronald leaned forward, pen poised over his notepad. "Let''s go over the details. Start with the defamation. What exactly did she say or do?" Alex sat back at his desk, staring at the phone in his hand. He hesitated for a moment before dialing Lisa''s number. It didn''t take long for her to answer, her small voice barely audible through the line. "Alex?" Lisa''s voice quivered slightly. "Lisa," Alex said firmly, "there''s something I need to ask you." On the other side, Lisa felt a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. She yed nervously with the hem of her shirt, her fingers trembling. "What is it, Alex?" Alex''s tone was unyielding. "What was the terrible mistake you made?" Lisa''s mind raced. She knew she couldn''t lie to Alex again he wouldn''t help her if he caught her in another lie. But telling him the whole truth was also out of the question. She took a deep breath, trying to sound genuinely upset. "I can''t tell you, Alex. It''s... tooplicated," she said, faking a sob. What came next took her by surprise. "Were you the one behind the post about my marriage with ire?" Alex asked coldly. Lisa''s mouth gaped open, and she stammered, struggling to find words. "I... I..." Alex raised his brows, waiting for her response. "Well? Was it you?" Lisa''s heart pounded in her chest as she searched for an exnation. Finally, she whispered, "Yes, it was me." Alex sighed harshly. "I can''t believe you''re trying to manipte me into believing you''re the victim, Lisa. I can''t believe I even answered your call, knowing it would be another lie." Tears stung Lisa''s eyes as she heard his words. "Alex, please, I didn''t mean to hurt you. I''m sorry. I just..." "Stop calling me, Lisa," Alex interrupted. "I don''t want anything to do with you ever again." Lisa''s heart shattered at his words. "Alex, please, don''t cut me off. I''m sorry." she begged, but the line had already gone dead. In a fit of despair, Lisa threw her phone across the room and cried loudly, She buried her face in her hands and cried loudly, her sobs echoing through the room. Her mother, passing by Lisa''s room, heard the cries and immediately rushed in. "Lisa, what''s the matter?" she asked, concern etched on her face. Lisa only sobbed louder, unable to form coherent words. Her mother sat on the bed next to her, gently touching her shoulder in an attempt tofort her. "Lisa, sweetheart, please, tell me what''s wrong," her mother urged softly. But Lisa pushed her away, yelling, "Get out! It''s all your fault! Because of your n, everything is messed up!" Her mother, taken aback and confused, asked, "What do you mean by that, Lisa? What n?" ret Lisa stood up from her bed, her face red and tear-streaked. She grabbed her mother''s arm and pulled her towards the door. "I''m going to jail because of you!" she screamed, shoving her mother out of the room and mming the door in her face. Her mother stood outside the door, worried and confused. She knocked on the door, trying to get Lisa to open it. "Lisa, please, let''s talk about this. What are you talking about? Open the door, honey." But it was no use. Lisa had locked the door and refused to respond. Inside her room, she crumpled to the floor, her cries turning into quiet, desperate sobs. She felt utterly alone and betrayed. Her mother, still standing outside the door, tried to reason with her. "Lisa, whatever it is, we can figure it out together. Just let me in. We can talk." But Lisa remained silent, her mind racing with fear and anger. She thought back to how it all began, how her mother''s scheme had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now, it was all falling apart, and she was the one paying the price. Her mother''s voice grew more frantic. "Lisa, please, don''t shut me out. I love you. We can fix this." Lisa finally spoke, her voice hoarse from crying. "You can''t fix this, Mom. It''s toote." Her mother felt a pang of guilt and helplessness. She leaned her forehead against the door, whispering, "I''m so sorry, Lisa. I never meant for any of this to happen." Inside, Lisa heard her mother''s words but felt nofort. She felt trapped, her world crumbling around her. She had no idea what to do next, and the fear of jail loomed over her like a dark cloud. Her mother had finally given up trying to talk through the door, retreating to her own room, where she sat on her bed, wracked with guilt and worry. Back at Metacortex, ire''swyer, Mr. Ronald, was taking notes as ire case the details of her case. The room was filled with the faint hym of the air conditioner the quiet rustle of papers, and the asional sound of a pen scratching across the page. "And that''s all," ire said finally, leaning back in her chair with a sigh of relief. Mr. Johnson looked up from his notepad, his expression serious. "Is there any more evidence or detail I should know about?" ire shook her head. "No, that''s everything that happened." He nodded thoughtfully, tapping his pen against the notepad. "Alright, ire. I have everything I need. You''re ready for court."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! "Good," ire replied. "Please send Ms. Thompson the documents so she can be prepared as well." Mr. Ronald nodded again. "Of course. I''ll make sure she gets them." That night, Lisa walked into her dimly lit kitchen. She flicked on the light and noticed a few pieces of mail on the counter. Sorting through the envelopes, she paused when she saw one with her name on it Her heart skipped a beat as she tore it open and read the contents. Her face contorted with rage as she realized what it was. "Damn you, ire Peterson!" she shouted, ripping the paper to shreds and scattering the pieces across the kitchen floor. Chapter 195 Lisa frustration The next morning, Lisa made her way to Metacortex, her heart pounding with each step. She kept her head down, hoping to avoid drawing any attention. Thest thing she needed was for someone to notice her and be suspicious. She scanned the area, ensuring it was clear before slipping into the building through the emergency exit. Lisa was hurt by what Alex said to herst night. It didn''t crossed her mind that Alex really hated her so much. To make the situation worse, she got a document that was sent by ire''swyer. Lisa just hated ire so much because of her Alex hate her and he doesn''t even want to talk to her again. Back then it wasn''t like this. Everything was fine and peaceful. Each stair she climbed became heavy. She doesn''t even know what she is doing in Metacortex. One thing Lisa set her aim on is to ruin ire with every chance she can get. Inside, ire was in a meeting with her team, discussing thetest updates on Cortex 2.0. The atmosphere was tense and focused, everyone engrossed in their tasks. One of the employees, Mr. Brown, was standing at the front after giving his presentation. As he nced outside, his expression changed. He frowned, noticing a gathering of people below. "Mr. Brown," ire called, but he remained fixated on the scene outside. Irritated, ire called again, more firmly this time. "Mr. Brown!" He snapped his attention back to her, blushing slightly. "Sorry, Ms. Peterson. I just... saw something outside." ire''s irritation was evident. "Are you paying attention to this meeting, Mr. Brown?" He stammered at an apology. "Yes, I am. But there''s something happening outside. A lot of people are staring at our building." ire''s curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean? What are they staring at?" Mr. Brown pointed towards the window. "I''m not sure, but there''s a crowd gathering." ire stood up and walked to the window. Sure enough, there was a group of people staring up at the building. She frowned, trying to understand what was happening. "What are they doing?" ire wondering curiously. Each one of the employees stood up to see the crowd gathering, then the meeting room burst open. Their attention turned towards the door. ire''s secretary, Sandra, burst into the office with a look of panic on her face. "Ms. Peterson!" she called out urgently. ire looked up, frowning. "What is it, Sandra?" Sandra took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "We have a problem. There''s ady standing on top of the Metacortex building." ire''s eyes widened in shock. "What?" she eximed a little too loudly. She quickly gathered herself and turned to the team assembled for the meeting. "This meeting is dismissed. We''ll continueter." Without another word, ire walked out of the meeting room, with Sandra following closely behind. As they headed to the lift, ire demanded more information. "Sandra, who is thisdy? Do we know her?" Sandra shook her head. "I don''t know. Security said people outside saw her, but they couldn''t identify her." ire thought for a moment, then said gravely, "This is serious. Sandra, call the police and the fire department immediately. It could be a suicide attempt." Sandra nodded, her face still pale. "Understood. I''ll get right on it." She quickly pulled out her phone and started dialing. As they reached the lift, Sandra turned to ire. "What are you going to do?" "I''m going to see thedy," ire replied, her voice firm. Sandra looked worried but didn''t argue. She knew ire well enough to understand that she wouldn''t be swayed once she made up her mind. The lift doors opened, and they stepped inside. ire pressed the button for the top floor, her mind racing with thoughts of how to handle the situation. The lift ascended swiftly, and ire could feel the tension mounting with each passing floor. When the doors finally opened, ire stepped out and made her way to the roof ess door. She nced back at Sandra. "Be careful Ms. Peterson." "I will. Make sure the authorities are on their way." Sandra nodded, her phone still pressed to her ear. "They''re on their way, Ms. Peterson." ire gave a brief nod and pushed open the door to the roof. The wind hit her immediately, cold and biting. She saw thedy standing near the edge, her back turned to ire. As she stepped out into the open air, she spotted a woman standing precariously on the edge. "Hello?" ire called out gently, trying not to startle her. "My name is ire Peterson. I''m here to help. The woman turned around, and to ire''s shock, it was none other than Lisa Thompson. ire''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Lisa? What the heck are you doing on the Metacortex rooftop?" Lisa, standing on the edge with a dangerous smile, looked back at ire. "Well, well, if it isn''t ire Peterson," she said with a hint of mockery. ire took a cautious step closer. "Lisa, don''t do anything stupid." Lisa''s face twisted with anger. "Stupid? You think I''d do something stupid like this if it weren''t for you?" she yelled. ire frowned, trying to keep her voice calm. "Lisa, you''re out of your mind. I''m only doing what is right." Lisa let out a disturbingugh that sent chills down ire''s spine. "Right? If it weren''t for you interrupting my wedding with Alex, I''d be Mrs. Harris by now!" ire stared at her in disbelief. "You''re mad because of a wedding? That was your fault, Lisa. You were lying to him!"Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Lisa''s eyes zed with fury. "You think you know everything, don''t you, ire? You ruined my life!" ire shook her head. "No, Lisa. You ruined your own life with your lies and maniption. Alex deserved to know the truth." Lisa''s smile faltered, reced by a look of deep hurt. "You took everything from me," she whispered. "Lisa, step back from the edge. We can talk about this. There''s still a chance to make things right." Lisaughed bitterly. "Make things right? There''s nothing left to make right. My life is over!" ""Your life isn''t over, Lisa. You-" Lisa scoffed. "You''re one to talk, ire. You are going to put me in jail! And if I go to jail, my life is over. Don''t you understand? I should have kill you when I had the chance." BUMS From behind ire, a voice cut through the tension. "Kill who?" ire turned to see Matthew making his way toward where she stood. His expression was a mix of concern and confusion. Lisa mockingly drawled, "Aw, look who''s here. Your partner in crime." She then turned to Matthew, a smirk appearing on her lips. "Didn''t your boss here tell you?" Matthew''s confusion deepened, and he asked, with an annoyed look, "What does that mean?" Lisaughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the room. "Ask your boss." Matthew turned to ire, seeking answers, but ire averted her eyes, refusing to meet his gaze. She kept her focus on Lisa, her jaw set in determination. Before any of them could speak further, the sound of a police siren and the wail of a fire truck filled the air. The noise grew louder, signaling their imminent arrival. Lisa''s face twisted in rage. "You called the police?" Lisa spat at ire, her voice dripping with venom. Chapter 196 What a punch! ire met her gaze head-on, her voice steady. "Yes, Lisa. I called the police." Lisa''s eyes widened in fury. "How could you? You''re going to ruin everything!" ire took a step closer, her expression unyielding. "Ruin what? Your suicide attempt?" Her face was cold, devoid of any sympathy. "Go on, Lisa. Perform your so-called suicide attempt." Lisa''s face hardened. "Do you really want to see someone killed in your building? Think about how that will affect yourpany." ire''s lips curled into a small smirk. "I can easily find another building. Demolish this one and build a new one somewhere else. It''s no big deal." Lisa clenched her fists in aggravation, pointing a finger at ire. "Just because you''re rich doesn''t mean you can do anything you want." ire chuckled. "Money can indeed make me do anything. Even if you married Alex, money can''t buy you ss. You''ll always be the same old Lisa from the countryside." Lisa''s eyes widened, shocked that ire knew about her past. "How did you find out about that?" ire shrugged, teasingly. "It''s not hard to find out anything when you have money." Lisa had enough. Her rage boiled over as she lunged at ire, causing them both to fall to the floor with Lisa on top. ire struggled underneath Lisa, trying to push her off. "Get off me, Lisa!" Lisa''s hands tightened around ire''s wrists, her eyes burning with anger. "Why are you doing this to me, ire? What did I ever do to you?" ire managed to free one hand and shoved Lisa hard, trying to regain control. "You know exactly what you did, Lisa." Matthew, who witnessed the attack, quickly rushed over and grabbed Lisa, trying to pull her off ire. But Lisa was stubborn, her hands tightening around ire''s neck. "Die!" Lisa screamed, her eyes wild with rage. ire punched Lisa''s face that resulting her grasp to loosen, and Matthew took this opportunity to pulled Lisa harshly, finally prying her hands away from ire''s neck and gripping her arms tightly behind her back to prevent her from escaping. ire coughed, ring at Lisa as she struggled to her feet. "Are you trying to kill me again, Lisa?" she spat out, her voice hoarse. "You ruin my life!" she snapped. "You kept saying that. I''m tired hearing all your shit." ire felt a stung on her fist since she didn''t punched the right way. At that moment, the police arrived and quickly secured Lisa, escorting her away as she yelled, "It''s not my fault! It''s ire''s fault! All of this is ire''s fault!" Matthew walked over to ire, his expression filled with concern. "Are you okay?" ire nodded weakly. "I''m fine, Matt. Don''t you worry. It''s nothing." she managed to say. "What a punch!" Matthewplemented ire. She then took a step forward, her vision blurred, and she fainted. Matthew caught her in haste, shouting her name in shock. "ire! ire, wake up!" Sandra, who had been nearby, rushed over, panic crossing her face. "What''s wrong with Ms. Peterson? Did Lisa do this to her?" Matthew lifted ire up in a bridal style, his face set with determination. "Sandra, take care of the rest. Make sure Lisa doesn''t get out of the police station," he said in a serious tone. Sandra nodded, her worry evident. "Yes, I''ll handle it. Just get ire some help." Matthew carried ire out of the rooftop and made his way to her office, moving quickly but carefully. As Matthew make his way through the hallway, some employees saw ire fainted. A looked of surprise and concern etched on their faces. They whispering among themselves. "Is she going to be, okay?" one of them asked. "I hope so," another replied. "I wonder what happen up there." "Poor Ms. Peterson." Another employee chimed in. Matthew ignored them as he entered ire''s office and gentlyid her down on the couch. He grabbed his phone and called for medical assistance, his voice urgent. "We need a medic in Ms. Peterson''s office immediately." Alex sat in a cozy corner of the restaurant, enjoying the lively banter with his colleagues. They were all in good spirits,ughing heartily at theirtest topic of conversation The sound ofughter filled the room, blending with the clinking of cutlery and the hum of conversation from other diners. One of his colleagues, Jason, suddenly opened his phone and his face shifted from amusement to surprise. "Hey, Alex," Mark said, interrupting theughter. "Isn''t this Metacortex?" Alex, still chuckling, took the phone from Mark''s hand and looked at the screen. He nodded. "Yeah, that''s Metacortex. Why?" Mark''s expression turned serious. "There''s news about someone attempting suicide at Metacortex." The word "suicide" hit Alex like a punch. "What do you mean, suicide?" Mark gestured to the phone. "Check the news yourself." Alex quickly pulled out his own phone, navigating to the headline news. Sure enough, there was a report about someone standing on the rooftop of Metacortex, threatening to jump. The detal ne were vague, but the situation was clearly dire. Alex scrolled through the article until he came across a slightly blurry photo. The angle and the figure looked disturbingly familiar. He squinted at the screen, trying to ce the person. Then it hit him. It was Lisa. Alex''s heart raced. He quickly stood up from his seat, his face pale. "I have to go," he said urgently. His colleagues barely had time to react before Alex dashed out of the restaurant. He climbed inside his car in haste. "Metacortex, and make it quick," Alex instructed the driver. The driver nodded and sped off, weaving through traffic. Alex couldn''t sit still, his thoughts a whirlwind of worry and confusion. He doesn''t have a good feeling about the situation, and he worry if Lisa tried to do something to ire. Minutes felt like hours as the taxi sped through the city. Alex arrived at Metacortex and quickly jumped out of his car, striding purposefully towards the building''s entrance. He had no time to waste. As he approached the reception desk, he was already bracing himself for the usual hassle. "Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you?" the receptionist asked politely, though there was a hint of wariness in her eyes.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! "I need a guest card," Alex said, his tone brisk. "Do you have an appointment with Ms. Peterson?" the receptionist asked, her fingers poised over the keyboard. Alex''s face twisted in annoyance. "I need to see ire. I''m Alex Harris, CEO of Harris Company." The receptionist''s demeanor shifted immediately. Knowing that Metacortex and Harris Company were coborators, she quickly handed him a guest card. "Of course, Mr. Harris. Here you go." Alex snatched the card from her hand and muttered, "Thank you," before making his way to the lift. As he walked, he muttered to himself, "I hate the protocol in this ce." Inside the lift, Alex slid the guest card and pressed the button for ire''s office. The ride up felt interminably slow, each floor passed adding to his irritation. When the doors finally opened, he stepped out and headed straight for ire''s office, not bothering to knock. He burst through the door, his expression determined. "Where''s Lisa?" he demanded, his voice echoing in the office. Chapter 197 Men’s fight Matthew burned with anger as he saw Alex burst into ire''s office. Without a second thought, he stomped towards Alex and punched him hard. Alex was caught off guard and stumbled slightly, looking at Matthew like he was a crazy person. "What the fuck?!" Alex eximed, but Matthew didn''t care. He threw another punch at Alex, who managed to dodge it this time and punched Matthew back. The two men grappled, each trying to gain the upper hand. Alex managed to get on top of Matthew, pinning him down. As they fought, Matthew spat out angrily, "Because of your girlfriend, ire got hurt!" Alex stopped punching and froze in ce, shocked. "ire got hurt?" Matthew took the opportunity to punch him onest time, making Alex wince in pain. Matthew got up while Alex was still lying on the floor, a few trickles of blooding from his lips. Alex, still panting, got up and demanded. "What do you mean ire got hurt?" The doctor, who had been in the room watching the fight, looked unsure of what to do. Matthew grabbed hold of Alex''s shirt and pulled him close, sneering, "Your girlfriend''s actions put ire in danger. She got hurt because of it." Before Alex could respond, the doctor interrupted them. "Ms. Peterson is waking up." Both men''s heads turned towards ire. Matthew pushed Alex away, and Alex red at him before walking to the couch where ire was lying, unconscious. Her eyes fluttered open, and she spotted Matthew and Alex looking down at her with concern. She groaned softly. "What... what happened?" Matthew rushed to her side. "ire, are you okay?" ire looked around, confusion evident on her face. "Why are you both here? What''s going on? Where am I?" Matthew exined gently, "You''re at your office, ire." He sat by her side and helped her sit up. "Here, drink some water," he said, handing her a ss. ire took a sip, then looked at Matthew and Alex. "Why is there a doctor here?" Matthew sighed. "You fainted earlier." ire''s eyes widened slightly, and she simply said, "Oh." She didn''t know how to respond to that.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Matthew turned to the doctor. "Is ire going to be, okay?" The doctor nodded. "Ms. Peterson is fine and healthy, but she seems to be under a lot of pressure. The bruise on her neck needs treatment." Alex''s head snapped towards the doctor. "A bruise on her neck?" he repeated, disbelief and anger evident in his voice. The doctor continued, "I''ve already treated the bruise on her fist. ire needs plenty of rest." Matthew thanked the doctor and escorted him out, leaving Alex and ire alone in the room. Alex cleared his throat, trying to mask his concern. "How are you feeling, ire?" ire shrugged, looking uncertain. "I don''t know." Not long after that, Matthew walked back in, deliberately bumping his shoulder against Alex. Alex red at him, but Matthew ignored it and took a seat next to ire. She looked back and forth between them, noticing Matthew''s bruised cheek and Alex''s split lip. "Did I miss something?" she asked, narrowing her eyes to both of them. Matthew looked around and shook his head. "No, nothing." ire wasn''t convinced. "Did you guys have a fight?" Matthew quickly responded, "We didn''t have a fight. We were just ying." He stood up next to Alex and ced a hand on his shoulder, trying to appear friendly. In truth, he squeezed Alex''s shoulder hard enough to make him flinch. Alex gave Matthew a stinky eye and did the same to his other shoulder. "Oh yeah, we were just ying," he said sarcastically. ire looked at them weirdly, seeing right through their act. She slid her leg down and ced the ss she was holding on the table, then turned to them. "Stop it. You two are acting like children." Matthew and Alex threw res at each other but stayed quiet. ire interrupted their silent standoff, turning to Matthew. "Where is Lisa?" Matthew''s attention shifted to ire. "Lisa is in custody at the police station." ire nodded and started to get up. "I have to go there." Matthew immediately stopped her. "You need rest, just like the doctor said." Matthew then asked, "What about the bruise the doctor mentioned earlier? The one on your neck?" Instinctively, ire''s hand reached up to her neck, hidden beneath a turtleneck sweater. She looked away, her voice dismissive. "It''s nothing." Neither Matthew nor Alex bought her excuse. Alex''s eyes narrowed as he asked, "Did Lisa do something to you, ire?" ire turned to him, her face devoid of emotion. She looked away again, repeating, "It''s nothing. I''m fine." Alex wasn''t satisfied. As ire stood up from her seat, Alex reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her close to him. ire''s eyes widened at their sudden proximity. "Alex, what are you doing?" she demanded. Ignoring her question, Alex pulled down the neck of her sweater, revealing a dark bruise. His frown deepened. "What the hell is this?" ire pushed him away harshly, ring at him. "You''ve crossed the line, Alex." "I''m sorry," Alex said quickly, then added, "but that bruise looks like a handprint. Did Lisa do this to you?" He turned to Matthew. "Did something happen earlier?" Matthew answered seriously, "Yes, Lisa jumped on ire and tried to choke her, but ire punched her." Alex''s mind raced, finding the situation odd. Even if Lisa had choked ire, the bruise wouldn''t appear so quickly. He turned his attention back to ire, his eyes narrowing as he spoke with certainty. "The day Lisa called me, she choked you, didn''t she?" ire''s eyes widened, her heartbeat quickening. She hadn''t expected Alex to connect the dots so fast. Matthew turned to ire, looking stunned, and asked, "Is it true, ire? Did Lisa choke you when you confronted her at the apartment?" ire turned away, her back to them. She closed her eyes, not expecting either Matthew or Alex to find out about this. Matthew''s voice was fitted with concern as he said, "Why didn''t you tell me, ire? I asked you if you were okay." ire slowly turned around, her face showing little emotion, but a hint of guilt was in her eyes. "I didn''t want to make you worry," she replied softly. Alex chimed in, his tone rising. "Stop with the bullshit about not wanting to make others worry!" he said sharply. Matthew turned to Alex, warning him, "Don''t speak to ire like that." "I''m just stating the truth," Alex retorted. Matthew sighed and turned back to ire. "Alex is right, ire. The more you say you don''t want to make us worry, the more worried we get." ire''s shoulders slumped slightly. "I know, Matthew. I''m sorry. I just... didn''t want to burden you with my problems." Alex''s frustration was evident as he pressed further, "Why is Lisa here, ire? What happened?" ire took a deep breath. "She was standing on the edge of the building as if she was going to attempt suicide. But I know Lisa. She wasn''t really going to do it. I don''t know what was going through her mind." Alex pulled out his phone suddenly. "I need to go. I have work to do," he said, turning to leave. As Alex stepped into the lift, he dialed his private investigator''s number. "I need you to locate Lisa," Chapter 198 Visiting the mastermind Alex had finally gotten Lisa''s location, and without wasting a moment, he instructed his driver to head to the police station. As his Bentley pulled up in front of the station, Alex took a deep breath and stepped out, gazing up at the imposing building. Walking inside, he was greeted by the receptionist. "Good afternoon. How can I help you?" she asked. Alex''s expression remained stoic as he approached. "I need to see Lisa Thompson." The receptionist called over a police officer who walked up to Alex. "Who are you to her?" the officer asked, flipping through some documents on his desk. Keeping his demeanor cold but managing a slight smile, Alex replied, "Just an old friend. I''d like to have a word with her." The officer stared at Alex for a moment before nodding. "You''ve got five minutes. Not more." "Understood," Alex said, nodding in acknowledgment. The officer instructed another policeman to take Alex to see Lisa Thompson. The officer nodded and gestured for Alex to follow him. As they walked, Alex stuffed his hands in his pockets, his mind racing with what he would say. The walk was short but felt longer with the officer''s bored tone breaking the silence. "Don''t pull any stunts, or you''ll be in there with her." Alex nodded. "I just want to talk." The officer unlocked the cell, and Alex stepped inside. Lisa, who was curled up in a corner with her head down on her arms, looked up. Her eyes widened in shock, and she stood up quickly. "Alex?" Alex regarded her coldly. "Hello, Lisa." Lisa didn''t like the coldness in his voice, but she didn''t care at the moment. The fact that Alex was visiting her gave her a flicker of hope. She stepped closer to him, her voice hopeful. "Are you here to free me?" Alexughed, a harsh sound that made Lisa flinch. "Did that stunt earlier go to your head?" Lisa was confused. "What do you mean?" Alex began to walk around the small cell, his eyes never leaving Lisa. "I know about your so-called suicide attempt." Lisa''s eyes widened. She hadn''t expected Alex to know about that. "I...I didn''t..." Alex continued, circling her like a predator. "You hurt ire, not once but twice, physically. Did you think I wouldn''t find out?" Lisa shook her head frantically. "I didn''t do it purposely! ire made me do it!" Alex let out a chuckle that sent a shiver down Lisa''s spine. He took a step closer, his voice dripping with venom. "Don''t you dare me ire for your actions, Lisa. If you keep this up, I will ruin your life." Tears glistened in Lisa''s eyes, and one rolled down her cheek. "Alex, don''t you care for me anymore?" Alex rolled his eyes. "Drop the crying act, Lisa. Everything that''s happened is because of you. If you hadn''t pulled that stunt from the beginning, none of this would be happening." Lisa''s shoulders sagged, and she tried to defend herself. "I was scared, Alex. I didn''t know what to do." Alex looked at Lisa in disbelief. He couldn''t fathom how someone like her could exist-a person who never wanted to take responsibility for her mistakes. "You know what, Lisa? You need to stop messing with ire. If you do it again, you''ll really regret it." His words were filled with anger and hatred. But instead of feeling remorseful, Lisa got angry. She wiped her tears away furiously and snapped, "Why do you care so much about ire? She doesn''t even care if you''re alive or dead!" Alex was silent for a moment, then he replied calmly, "I don''t need ire to care about me. What matters is that she''s safe and happy." Lisa clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. "You love me, Alex, not ire." Alex''s response was cold. "I did love you, Lisa. Past tense. But not anymore." Lisa couldn''t ept the fact that Alex had moved on. "I still love you very much, Alex. Even after everything, I still love you and would take you back." Alex shook his head. "Forget about me, Lisa. If you don''t, you''ll drive yourself crazy." He turned around, ready to leave the cell, but Lisa suddenly hugged him from behind, her tears flowing freely. "I don''t want to let you go," she cried, holding him tightly. Alex was shocked and tried to break free from her embrace. "Lisa, why did you choke ire?" Lisa froze, not saying a word. Alex pressed on, "Why did you post that photo about ire and me getting married online? I let you stay at the penthouse to think about your mistakes, not to go through my personal stuff." Lisa remained silent, her grip on Alex loosening. "Lisa," Alex said, disappointment evident in his voice, "you''ve let me down repeatedly." Those words hit Lisa hard. She loosened her grip further, and Alex stepped away, turning to face her onest time. "You only love my money, Lisa. Not me."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. With that, Alex walked out of the cell without giving her a second nce. Lisa stood there, her tears flowing unchecked, feeling the weight of Alex''s words. She sank to the floor her sobs echoing in the small cell She had always believed that Alex woulde back to her, but now she realized how wrong she had been. After exiting the police station, Alex didn''t have the mood to head back to work. As the CEO, he knew it didn''t really matter if he showed up or not, so he decided to go to his usual club instead. He got into his car and told his driver where to go. During the ride, Alex''s mind drifted back to the conversation he had earlier with Lisa. It had been intense, and dealing with someone as stubborn as her was never easy. He sighed, leaning back in his seat, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him. Soon, they arrived at the club. Alex made his way inside, heading straight to the VIP section. He grabbed arge bottle of whiskey, not bothering with a ss, and started chugging it down. For hours, Alex stayed in the club, zoning out as the alcohol numbed his thoughts. Eventually, his best friend Christian arrived. Seeing Alex in such a state, Christian raised his brows in concern. "Alex, what happened to you?" he said referring to his lip cut and the already bruised cheek. Alex looked up, his eyes slightly zed from the alcohol. "It''s been a rough day, Chris." Christian took a seat beside him. "Tell me what''s going on." Alex sighed and began to exin. "It started with Lisa. She wanted tomit suicide." Christian''s eyes widened in shock. "Lisa? I can''t believe she''d do something like that." Alex nodded. "Yeah, it was pretty bad. And that''s not all. She''s hurt ire physically, not once but twice." Christian''s expression turned serious. "What? How did she hurt ire?" "She choke her and ording to Matthew, ire punched Lisa." Alex said, taking another swig from the bottle. "And what about you, huh? Care to exin about the bruised lips and cheek?" "That is all on ire trusted advisor." Alex said sarcastically. "How''s ire doing?" Alex chugged the alcohol again before answering. "She''s okay, but she''s got those bruises." "You should visit ire, maybe buy her something to show you care." Alex shrugged, feeling a bit hopeless. "I don''t know, Chris. ire doesn''t even want to see me unless it''s about work." Christian leaned forward, his tone more serious. "Alex, if you like ire, you have to fight for her. Don''t give up easily." Chapter 199 Christian advice The next day, Alex sat in his living room, contemting whether to follow Christian''s advice or just let things be. His mind was a whirl of thoughts and emotions. He couldn''t shake off the feeling that he needed to check on ire. Something inside him urged him to visit her, to make sure she was okay. Deciding to act on his instincts, Alex got ready and headed out. He stopped by a flower shop and picked out a bouquet of ire''s favorite flowers. Then, he went to the pharmacist to buy some medicine and ointment for her bruises. He didn''t stop there; he also swung by a bakery to get her some fresh bread and coffee. Once he had everything, Alex drove back to Metacortex. As he stepped out of his car and walked inside the building, some employees gave him curious looks and whispered among themselves. Ignoring them, Alex headed to the receptionist to ask for a guest card. This time, it wasn''t as difficult as yesterday since she already knew who Alex was. "Good morning, Mr. Alex," the receptionist greeted with a smile. "Here''s your guest card." "Thank you," Alex replied, taking the card and heading to the lift. Inside the lift, he pressed the button for ire''s floor. He hoped to get to her office before she arrived so he could leave the items without causing a scene. However, as the lift stopped and the doors opened, Alex made his way to ire''s office and knocked on the door, hearing her soft voice inviting him in. Alex stepped inside, and ire looked up curiously. "Alex? What are you doing here this morning?" Alex cleared his throat. "I wanted to give you these," he said, cing the flowers, medicine, and the coffee and bread on her desk. ire looked slightly surprised. "Wow, thank you, Alex," she said, though her tonecked much emotion. Alex shifted nervously. "How''s your neck?" he asked, noticing she was still wearing a turtleneck. ire answered, slightly ufortable. "It''s still the same." Alex nodded, concern in his eyes. "I bought some ointment for the bruises. It should help." ire nodded, looking around awkwardly. "Thanks, Alex." There was an awkward silence between them. Alex finally spoke up. "I''ll take my leave now." ire only nodded, unsure what else to say. "Okay. Thanks again, Alex." Alex couldn''t help but wonder why things are so awkward between them when they are both not talking about work. He me himself for creating the mess in the first ce. As he closed ire office, Matthew appear, and he narrowed his eyes at Alex. "Mr. Harris, fancy seeing you here in the morning. What are you doing in ire office?" he crossed his arms as he stared at Alex with much dislike. Alex rolled his eyes. "Rx, Mr. Advisor. I was just stopping by to give her medicine. Besides, is not your business what I am doing here," Matthew took a step forward his gaze didn''t falter, and so did Alex. "Anything that involved ire is my business." Alex threw him a red. "You can''t even take of her. Easily believe that your boss is alright just because she said she is fine." "I trust her. That''s why I will believe everything she said." Alex let out a scoffed. "Well, you''re an idiot then." "We can take this outside, you know." Matthew suggested and Alex smirked at the suggestion. "Sure, this time I will go first." But then ire''s office door burst open. ire stood there staring at these two grown up men arguing over stupid stuff. "What are you two doing?" ire crossed her arms over her chest. "Um...we were just talking." Said Matthew who shoot her a smile. Alex on the other hand rolled his eyes. "Don''t believe him, ire. He started it." Matthew red at him, but Alex could care less. "Anyway, I''ll get going." He turned to ire and gave her a small smile. "One more thing, please don''t let your dog roam free, I worried he will bite innocent people." With that Alex left her office and Matthew just realized what Alex meant. "Oh, that piece of shit, I will-"Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ire quickly cut him off while shaking her head. "You''re not going to do anything, Matthew. Come inside." Matthew frowned, muttering to himself about how he was going to teach Alex a lesson the next time he saw him. He entered ire''s office and took a seat across from her desk. ire sat down behind her desk and looked at him seriously. "Why did you punch him, Matthew?" she asked. Matthew was slightly confused. "I didn''t punch Alex this morning, even though I wanted to." ire sighed. "I saw the camera footage. Yesterday, you lunged at him out of the blue." Matthew sighed deeply, realizing she had caught him. "I did it out of anger because you fainted." ire''s expression softened. "Matthew, it wasn''t Alex''s fault. It was Lisa''s." Matthew clenched his fists. "I know, but every time I see Lisa, I can''t help but think about Alex. He defended her a few times and used you instead." ire nodded in understanding. "I appreciate that you''re looking out for me, but I don''t condone violence." Matthew looked down, feeling guilty. "I''m sorry, ire." ire smiled gently. "It''s fine, but the one you should be sorry to is Alex, not me." Matthew rolled his eyes. "Fine, I will talk to him as long as he didn''t act like a jackass." ire switched the topic, her tone serious but tired. "Due to Lisa''s actions yesterday, Metacortex got dragged again." Matthew frowned. "How bad is it?" "The media thought Lisa is one of our employees so they made theories about working in Metacortex can make them crazy until you want to kill yourself." "Did the stock market go down?" Matthew asked, worried. ire shook her head. "Thankfully, it didn''t get affected. We''re lucky this time." Matthew let out a breath of relief. "That''s good news, at least." "Yeah, but in a few minutes, I will have an online meeting with the shareholders." I.ne Back at the police station, Lisa sat in her cell, feeling the weight of her frustration and anger. She had tried calling her mother the previous night, but there had been no answer, leaving her to spend the night alone in the cold, hard cell. She couldn''t stop thinking about how her mother had let her down, not being there when she needed her the most. A police officer approached her cell, his face stern. "You want to make another phone call?" Lisa nodded, her expression tense. "Yes, please. I need to try again." The officer''s serious face didn''t soften. "You only have one more chance to make a call. Make it count." He unlocked the cell door and escorted Lisa to the phone. She picked up the receiver with a shaking hand, dialing her mother''s number once more. This time, to her surprise, her mother answered on the second ring. "Hello?" "Mom, it''s Lisa," she said quickly. "I''m in jail. You have to get me out of here." There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line. "You''re in jail?" her mother finally replied, her tone a mix of shock and disbelief. "Yes, Mom. I need you to bail me out," Lisa said, trying to keep the urgency out of her voice. Her mother sighed deeply. "Lisa, I can''t. I don''t have the money to bail you out." Lisa clenched her fist in irritation, her knuckles turning white. "What do you mean you don''t have the money? I saw you buy a new bagst week!" Her mother''s voice hardened. "That bag didn''t cost nearly as much as your bail. And besides, this is your fault, Lisa. You got yourself into this mess." Chapter 200 Surprise ire sat at her desk, staring into the camera for the online meeting with the shareholders of Metacortex. She could see their faces arranged in a grid on her screen, all waiting for answers. The tension was palpable, especially after yesterday''s incident. One of the shareholders, Mr. Montgomery, spoke up first. "ire, about the incident yesterday, there was a woman standing on the rooftop of Metacortex. Was she one of our employees?" ire took a deep breath andposed herself. "No, Mr. Montgomery, she was not our employee. The woman in question is Lisa Thompson. She is not affiliated with Metacortex in any way. I have a feeling she snuck into the building, and we are currently reviewing the surveince footage to understand how she got there." Another shareholder interjected, "What happened to her, ire?" ire hesitated. She didn''t want to divulge too much, as it involved her personal life. "She was just... unstable. I don''t know why she chose Metacortex for a suicide attempt." The shareholders murmured among themselves, clearly concerned. "Does this incident affect our stock market position?" one of them asked. ire shook her head confidently. "No, it hasn''t affected our stock. In fact, our stock is still rising." Mr. Montgomery nodded thoughtfully. "Even so, ire, I think it''s important that we rify this situation publicly. There are a lot of rumors and theories floating around." "I agree," ire said, nodding. "I''ll prepare a statement to address this." Jack, another shareholder, chimed in, "ire, I wanted topliment you on the press conference you held a few days ago with Harris Company. It was a smart decision, and it seems to be paying off." The other shareholders nodded in agreement, and ire smiled. "Thank you, Jack." The rest of the meeting focused on ongoing projects with Harris Company. ire updated the shareholders, saying, "The project with Harris is progressing well. We''re currently looking for a roboticspany to partner with us to enhance our capabilities." As the meeting drew to a close, ire felt a wave of relief. She leaned back in her chair, letting out a sigh. Matthew, who had been standing nearby listening to the meeting, approached her. "That meeting went well." ire looked up at him, her expression curious. "Why didn''t you want to attend the meeting? You''re a shareholder too, you know." Matthew shrugged. "It''s enough for me to listen to you. Besides, I''m not used to all that corporate stuff." ire chuckled. "You should get used to it. It''s part of the job." Matthew smirked. "Maybe someday. But for now, I''m stillfortable with my current work." ire shook her head, smiling. "Suit yourself. But you might have to step in more often. Especially with incidents like this." Matthew nodded. "Fair enough." He watched ire closely, his concern evident. "Anyway, ire, what exactly are you nning to do with Lisa?" ire paused, deep in thought. After a moment, she stood up and grabbed her bag. "We''re going to the police station," she said firmly. "This matter needs to be dealt with." Matthew followed her out of the office, down to the lobby, and into the car. As they drove, the tension between them was palpable. Matthew nced at ire, his brow furrowed with worry. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked softly. ire sighed, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. "I have to, Matthew. I''m proceeding with suing Lisa. This isn''t something I can let slide." They arrived at the police station, and ire''s resolve seemed to strengthen. She approached the front desk, where a police officer looked up from his paperwork. "Can I help you?" the officer asked. "I want to see Lisa Thompson," ire said clearly. The officer raised his brows. "And who are you?" ire hesitated for a fraction of a second before replying, "My name is ire Peterson." The officer''s expression didn''t change. "Are you rted to Ms. Thompson?" ire took a deep breath. "She''s a friend of mine." The officer nodded, making a note. "Someone else was here to see Ms. Thompson yesterday," he mentioned casually. ire''s curiosity was piqued. "Who was it?" The officer thought for a moment. "A man, around six feet tall, wearing a suit." ire frowned, recognizing the description but choosing not toment further. She had a good idea of who it might be. "Follow him," the officer said, signaling to another officer outside. "Escort Ms. Peterson to Lisa''s cell. You''ve got five minutes, no more." Matthew and ire were led down a long corridor, the air thick with the smell of antiseptic. The officer escorting them issued a warning. "No funny business. If you don''t want to join Ms. Thompson in there." ire nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The officer unlocked the cell, and ire stepped inside, Matthew close behind her Lisa was sitting on the small bench. She looked up, her eyes burning with anger. She gritted her teeth as she spat out, "What are you doing here, ire?" ire''s gaze was cold and unflinching. "I came here to see you," she replied. "Wow...should I feel special because the ire Peterson wanting to see me?" Lisa scoffed, staring at ire with disgust. "Cut the shit, ire. Why are you really here?" ire''s voice dripped with sarcasm as she said, "You caused quite a headline with your ''attempted'' suicide, Lisa. I still don''t understand why you decided to pull a stunt in my building," "Well, you ruin my life and if go down, I take you with me." Lisa gritted her teeth. "I felt sorry for you Lisa. You me others for the wrongdoings that you did." "I don''t need your sorry ire. Everything that happened is because of you. You ruin my marriage; you ruin my future and ruin my chances to be rich." ire frowned. "Is that your only goal? So, you are just using Alex for your own good." [met Clenching her fist, Lisa red at ire. "I am not using Alex and my action is reasonable. Everyone in this world wanted to be rich but girl like you wouldn''t understand. You are born rich; you don''t know how it feels to be poor." ire clenched her fist, her gaze hardened. "B?ld of you to think I was born rich, I work my ss of to get where I am and I for sure won''t use others for my own good. Besides, I still have dignity and pride. While you? I don''t know about that. ire stared at Lisa in disgust, but it only made Lisa irritated. She stepped forward aggressively and was about to jump herself to ire, but Matthew quickly moved between them, his face hard and serious. "Don''t cross the line, Lisa," he warned. Lisa hissed at ire from behind Matthew. "You''ve got everyone protecting you, ire. Meanwhile, I have no one. Not even my mother wants to bail me out." ire''s expression remained cold. "That''s your fault, Lisa. You should reflect on your wrongdoings."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Lisa red at her. "If you''re here to give me advice, I suggest you find somewhere else. I don''t want to hear you talk shit." Her eyes locked onto Lisa''s. "I''m here to free you." Chapter 201 Free Her Out "Excuse me? Did I hear you wrong?" a look of shock etched Lisa''s face meanwhile ire looked calm andposed. ire''s eyes locked onto Lisa''s, the coldness in her gaze unnerving the woman who had spent days wondering if she would ever see the outside world again. "I''m here to free you," ire said, her voice devoid of emotion. Lisa blinked, her face a mixture of shock and disbelief. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly as if she couldn''t trust her ears. "You heard me," ire repeated, her tone t and unmoved. Lisa''s shock quickly transformed into anger. Sheshed out at ire, her voice rising in the small, suffocating cell. "Don''t make fun of me, ire. I don''t need your pity, and I certainly don''t need your games!" ire remained unfazed, her expression as calm as a still pond. She looked Lisa dead in the eyes, her voice steady. "I''m not making fun of you." Lisa''s anger wavered, and she stared back at ire, crossing her arms over her chest defensively. "Why?" she demanded, suspicioncing her voice. "Why would you want to free me?" A slow, knowing smirk curled the corners of ire''s lips. "I wanted to do something kind," she replied, her voice soft, almost mocking. Lisa narrowed her eyes, her skepticism deepening. There was something unsettling about ire''s calmness, something that told Lisa there was more to this than what she was saying. "Prove it," Lisa challenged, her tone sharp. ire''s smile didn''t waver. Without another word, she turned on her heel and left the cell, her stilettos clicking against the cold concrete floor as she made her way to the front office. Lisa watched her go, still processing what had just happened, her mind racing with a mixture of hope and mistrust.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ire approached the police officer at the front desk, her posture straight and her demeanorposed. "I''d like to bail Lisa Thompson out," she said, her voice firm. The officer raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the request. "May I ask why?" he questioned; his tone professional yet curious. ire''s smile was polite, almost too polite. "We''ve decided to make peace," she replied smoothly, the lie slipping from her lips effortlessly. Inwardly, she scoffed at the absurdity of the situation, already nning her next move, her mind a whirlwind of strategies and calctions. This wasn''t just about freeing Lisa-it was about setting the stage for a much bigger game. The officer hesitated for a moment, then shrugged, seemingly satisfied with ire''s answer. He handed her the paperwork to sign, and after a few minutes of formalities and a payment, the officer led Lisa out of her cell. As Lisa walked out, her movements were slow, cautious, her eyes darting around as if she expected this to be some kind of trick. She spotted ire and Matthew standing by the exit, both of them watching her with unreadable expressions. "Thanks," Lisa muttered, her voiceced with insincerity as she finally reached them. There was no gratitude in her tone, only a reluctant acknowledgment of what ire had done. She still didn''t trust her, not for a second. ire nodded, her face void of emotion. She turned to leave, but before she could take more than a few steps, Lisa called out to her. "Wait," she said, her voice more curious than demanding now. "What''s the real reason you''re doing this?" ire paused, turning her head slightly to look at Lisa over her shoulder. A smirk yed on her lips as she answered, "You don''t deserve to be here." The words hung in the air, thick with implication. Lisa felt a shiver run down her spine. There was a double meaning there, she was sure of it, but she couldn''t quite grasp what it was. All she knew was that ire''s smirk, that look of satisfaction in her eyes, made her feel as if she had just stepped into a trap. ire didn''t wait for a response. She no slid her shades on, the reflective lenses masking her eyes, and walked out of the station with Matthew following closely behind The sound of her stilettos clicking against the floor echoed in Lisa''s ears long after ire had disappeared from view. For some reason, that sound bugged her, gnawing at the edge of her consciousness like an itch she couldn''t scratch. Lisa stood there for a moment, her thoughts swirling, trying to make sense of what had just happened. She was free, but the way ire had freed he left her feeling anything but liberated. There was a heaviness in her chest, a sense of foreboding that she couldn''t shake. ire''s actions didn''t make sense-not on the surface, at least. There had to be more to it, but Lisa couldn''t figure out what. As she walked out of the station, Lisa reyed ire''s words in her mind, over and over. She didn''t deserve to be here. What did that mean? Back in the car, ire sat in the backseat, her gaze fixed on the world outside the window, her shades masking her thoughts. The cityscape blurred by as Matthew drove, but his attention kept drifting back to the rearview mirror, stealing nces at her. He couldn''t help but wonder what was going on in her mind. Sensing his curiosity, ire didn''t even turn her head. "Stop ncing and speak your mind, Matthew," she said, her tone casual yet authoritative. Matthew chuckled lightly, caught off guard by how easily she could read him. "You caught me," he admitted. But his expression quickly turned serious as he ventured, "So, what''s your n now, ire? After freeing Lisa, I mean." ire slowly removed her shades, revealing a faint smile as she met Matthew''s eyes in the mirror. "I''ve already thought about it," she began, her voice calm, almost too calm. "But I want to y it slow. Catch Lisa off guard. It''ll be much more fun that way." Matthew couldn''t help but chuckle at her response, shaking his head slightly. "I like your devious n, ire. You always know how to keep things interesting." Meanwhile, over at Harris Company, Alex was in his office, scrolling through thetest news on his tablet. He wasn''t particrly focused until a headline caught his eye, apanied by a photo that made his heart skip a beat. Itwas ire, walking in and out of a police station. His eyebrows knitted together in concern. What was she up to now? Without wasting a second, he picked up his phone and dialed the number of his private investigator. As the phone rang, Alex''s mind raced, trying to piece together what he was seeing. He hoped it wasn''t what he feared. When the call connected, Alex didn''t bother with pleasantries. "I need you to find out what ire was doing at the police station," Alex said, his tone leaving no room for dy. It took the PI just ten minutes to gather the information, though it felt like an eternity to Alex. When the phone rang, Alex picked it up immediately. "What did you find?" Alex asked his voice tight with anticipation. "ire was there to free someone named Lisa," the PI reported. Chapter 202 No Free Time They were too busy with their own projects and could only offer the necessary tools, not the designers she needed. ire ended her phone call, feeling a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. She had just spoken with a roboticspany from Japan, hoping they could provide both the tools and the designers for hertest project at Metacortex. But the response had been disappointing. As she turned off her phone, Sandra, her reliable assistant, walked into the office holding a stack of documents. "These need your signature," Sandra said, cing them on ire''s desk. ire picked up her pen, signing the documents with her usual precision. As she did so, a thought crossed her mind. She paused, looking up at Sandra. "Sandra, can I get your opinion on something?" Sandra looked slightly surprised by the sudden question but nodded, ready to listen. "Of course, Ms. Peterson. What''s on your mind?" ire set the pen down and leaned back in her chair, her gaze thoughtful. "Do you think it would be a good idea to hold a designpetition? I was just on the phone with the roboticspany from Japan. They''re too busy to provide designers, but they can supply the tools we need. It got me thinking... maybe we should look elsewhere for creative input." Sandra considered the idea, her brow furrowed in thought. "A designpetition could be a great idea," she said after a moment. "It would allow Metacortex to explore a range of creative solutions and choose the best design. Plus, it could bring some fresh talent into the mix." ire nodded, appreciating the insight. "That''s exactly what I was thinking. It would give us more options and might even spark some innovative ideas we hadn''t considered. I like what you''re thinking, Sandra." With a satisfied smile, ire handed the signed documents back to Sandra. "Could you arrange a meeting with Alexander Harris today? I need his approval before we move forward with this." Sandra nodded, tucking the documents under her arm. "Of course, I''ll contact him right away." She left the office, already dialing the number. Meanwhile, Alexander Harris was enjoying a rare moment of leisure on the golf course. It was one of those precious times when he could step away from the constant demands of his business empire and indulge in something that rxed him. He swung his club, watching the ball soar through the air with satisfaction. Just as he was about to line up for his next shot, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw that it was his secretary calling. Sighing, he answered the call. "Yes?" "Mr. Harris, I hope I''m not interrupting," his secretary said politely, though she knew she was. Alex kept his tone neutral. "What is it?" "Metacortex has requested a meeting with you today," she informed him. "Ms. ire Peterson wants to discuss something with you." Alex raised an eyebrow, curious about the sudden request. "Did they mention what this meeting is about?" "Ms. Peterson didn''t go into details," the secretary replied. "She said she''d like to exin it to you in person." Alex paused, considering his options. He had been looking forward to a quiet day, a chance to unwind. But the mention of ire piqued his interest. Whatever it was, it must have been important if she wanted to meet so suddenly.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. He sighed, realizing that his free time would have to wait. "Alright, arrange the meeting. I''ll be there." "Understood, I''ll inform Metacortex immediately," the secretary said before ending the call. Alex slipped the phone back into his pocket and finished his round of golf, though his thoughts were already turning to what ire might want to discuss. Sandra walked briskly back to ire''s office, her heels clicking against the polished floor. She knocked softly before stepping inside. "Ms. Peterson, Mr. Harris has agreed to the meeting," she informed ire. ire raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Alexander Harris was notorious for being a busy man, and she hadn''t expected him to agree a sudden meeting without a fight "Interesting," ire murmured, her mind already turning over the implications. She nced up at Sandra. "When Alexanderarrives, direct him to my office immediately." Sandra nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. ire leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. She couldn''t help but wonder what had prompted Alex to agree so easily. An hour passed, during which ire busied herself with work, though her mind asionally wandered to the uing meeting. A knock on the door broke her concentration "Come in," she called, ??? ? straightening up in her chair. The door opened to reveal Alex Harris, dressed a dark blue suit and pants noticeably absent from a tie. His frown deepened the moment their eyes met, and ire could sense a tension in the air Alex stood there for a moment, just staring at her as if trying to decipher something. "Good to see you, Alex," ire greeted him with a polite smile, motioning to the chair opposite her desk. "Please, have a seat." Alex nodded curtly and took the offered seat. His gaze never left ire, but she maintained herposure, slipping into her usual sharp tone. "I know you''re a busy man, so I won''t waste your time. Let''s get straight to the point." Alex gave a slight nod, indicating for her to continue. "I''ve been in talks with a roboticspany from Japan," ire began, her voice steady. "They''ve expressed interest in providing the tools we need for the Harris hotel project. However, they''ve made it clear that their employees are too busy to handle the design aspect." Alex listened intently, his expression serious but unreadable. ire continued, "Initially, I thought my team could handle the robot designs. But our expertise lies in software, not in creating the form. So, I came up with an alternative n-I''m proical a robot designpetition. The ideal is to crowdsource innovative designs from talented individuals around the world. But before I move forward with this, I wanted your agreement and, of course, your opinion." Alex''s eyes narrowed slightly as he considered her words. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "If you find a winner, who will be responsible for building the robot?" ire paused, thinking over her response carefully. While herpany excelled in technology and software, they didn''t have the resources or expertise to build a robot from scratch. The risk was too great. "The Japanesepany will handle the construction," she finally answered. "They have the capabilities and the experience." Alex nodded slowly, his face still serious. "I trust you," he said, but there was something in his tone that made ire uneasy. It felt like there was anotheryer of meaning behind those words, something unspoken. ire shook off the feeling and gave a small nod in return. "That''s all I needed to discuss," she said, keeping her tone professional. Alex leaned back in his chair, a hint of disbelief crossing his features. He nced at his watch, then back at ire. "This didn''t even take thirty minutes," he remarked. "You said it was urgent." ire raised her eyebrows slightly. "It is important," she replied, emphasizing her words. "Time is of the essence with this project, and I didn''t want to dy." Alex seemed to ept her answer, though he still looked slightly skeptical. A moment of silence stretched between them, filled with unspoken thoughts and tension. Then, out of nowhere, Alex broke the silence with a question that caught ire off guard. "Why did you free Lisa?" Chapter 203 Let Her Go? ire''s eyes widened slightly, but she quickly masked her surprise. "Excuse me?" she said, her tone colder than before. "Lisa," Alex repeated, his eyes searching hers. "Why did you let her go?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ire exhaled slowly, regaining herposure. "That is a personal matter, Alex," she said, her voice firm. "I don''t see how it''s relevant to this discussion." "It is relevant to me," Alex countered, his voice tinged with frustration. "You know what she did. You had every reason to keep her locked up." ire''s gaze hardened. "I did what I thought was best," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. Alex wasn''t satisfied with that answer. He leaned forward, his frustration growing. "She hurt you, ire. Physically. She deserves to be in jail, not walking free. How can you just let that go?" ire''s patience was wearing thin. "She would''vested a month at most, maybe just a few days. It wasn''t worth it," she said dismissively. Alex frowned, her answer striking him as odd. He opened his mouth to question her further, but before he could, ire cut him off with a sharp tone. "Why did you visit Lisa, Alex? Were you nning to free her in the first ce?" The question caught Alex off guard. He hesitated, wondering how she had found out. "How did you-" "The police gave a description, Alex," ire interrupted, her eyes locking onto his. "It wasn''t hard to put two and two together. So, tell me, why were you there?" Alex hesitated, torn between telling her the truth and deflecting. But the words tumbled out before he could stop them. "I was interrogating her. I wanted to know why she hurt you." ire''s expression remained unreadable, though her eyes narrowed slightly as she absorbed his words. "And I wanted to ask her why she attempted suicide in your building," Alex continued, his voice softer now, tinged with a concern that he rarely let show. ire raised her brows, trying to maintain herposure. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "And what did she say?" Alex shrugged, frustration evident in his features. "She denied everything, as usual." An awkward silence filled the room, heavy with tension. ire tapped her fingers on her arm, deep in thought. Finally, she broke the silence. "How did you even know I was at the station, Alex?" A smirk tugged at the corner of Alex''s lips, but he didn''t answer. ire rolled her eyes, already guessing his response. "Of course," she muttered, the sarcasm in her tone unmistakable. "If you have nothing else to say, you can leave," ire added coldly, putting her sses back on and returning her attention to herptop. She began typing, her fingers moving quickly over the keys as she tried to focus on her work. Alex watched her, noticing the way her forehead scrunched in concentration. Back when they were married, he''d never paid attention to these little details, but now, they fascinated him. There was something about the way she bit her lip when she was deep in thought that he found incredibly attractive. The sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over ire, and highlighting her features. With her sses on, her hair pulled back into a half bun, and the natural light enhancing her beauty, Alex realized just how stunning she was. He couldn''t tear his eyes away from her. Feeling his gaze, ire shifted ufortably in her seat. Without looking up, she said sarcastically, "You can take a picture if you want. It''llst longer." Alex coughed awkwardly, snapping out of his trance. He stood up, trying to regain hisposure. "Thank you for informing me about your n," he said, his voice more formal now. ire gave a curt nod, not bothering to look up from her work. "You''re wee," she replied, her tone distant. As Alex reached the door, he paused and turned back to look at her. "What about your bruise, ire?" he asked, his voice softening with concern. ire''s hand instinctively went up to her neck, brushing over the faint mark. "It''s fine," she said, her voice tight. She didn''t want to talk about it, not with him. Alex nodded, sensing her difort. "Take care of yourself, ire," he said gently before walking out of the office. Once the door closed behind him, ire let out a deep breath, her shoulders sagging with the weight of the encounter. Once the door closed behind him, ire let out a deep breath, her shoulders of the encounter. The conversation with Alex had taken an unexpected turn, leaving her feeling unsettled. What was supposed to be a straightforward discussion about the robot Alex had requested for his new hotel in Las Vegas had move into an ufortable topic. leaving with the weight ire hadn''t expected Alex to bring up Lisa, let alone the fact that he knew ire had freed her. She had been careful not to share her ns with him mainly because she didn''t trust him, especially when ire found out that Alex visited Lisa. However, his answer is not what ire expects. The fact that Alex was there to confront Lisa about her wrongdoings is thest thing that crossed her mind. Alex had been so different-sweet, caring, and not at all the cold, distant man she remembered. It was unsettling, to say the least. She didn''t like this new Alex. It felt he was trying to manipte her and she was determined to keep her distance from him. "Just focus on the project and not at Alex." She reminded herself. Taking a deep breath, ire pushed the thoughts aside. She needed to focus on her work, not on Alex and his confusing behavior. She picked up her phone and called Sandra. "Sandra, I need you to start preparing for the designpetition," ire said, her voice firm and businesslike. "We''ll be holding it soon, and I want everything to be perfect." "Understood, ire," Sandra replied, the sound of her typing in the background. "I''ll get started on the arrangements right away." "And Sandra," ire added, "arrange a meeting with the marketing team today. I want to discuss the details for the poster. I have specific ideas in mind." "Of course. I''ll make sure everything is set up," Sandra assured her before ending the call. With that, ire turned her attention back to herputer, trying to focus on the tasks at hand. Meanwhile, Lisa stood outside her mother''s house, her heart pounding as she knocked on the door. Thest time she talked to her mother was 3 days ago and the conversation didn''t go so well. The silence on the other side of the door only made her more anxious. She knocked again, a little louder this time. Finally, she heard the sound of the lock clicking, and the door slowly creaked open. Lisa barely had time to react before a sharp sting spread across her cheek. The p was so sudden and so hard that she was momentarily stunned, her ears ringing from the impact. She stood frozen in shock, staring at her mother, whose face was a mix of anger and disappointment. Chapter 204 Statement "You..." her mother began, her voice trembling with rage. Lisa''s hand instinctively touched her cheek where the p hadnded, her eyes widening in shock. "What the heck was that for?" she demanded, her own anger rising to match her mother''s. Her mother''s expression hardened. "How could you end up in jail, Lisa?" she spat, the wordsced with disgust. Lisa frowned, trying topose herself. "It was a misunderstanding," she said, the lie slipping out before she could stop it. She could see her mother wasn''t buying it for a second. Her mother scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "You''re such a good liar," she said bitterly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. The nervousness Lisa had felt earlier was quickly reced by irritation. Crossing her arms over her own chest, she shot back, "Well, I learned from the best." Her eyes locked onto her mother''s with a sharpness that made it clear she wasn''t backing down. Her mother rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Why were you on top of that building, Lisa? The police inform me about your crazy doings! That was not part of the n!" she snapped. Lisa sighed harshly, her jaw clenching as she fought to keep her emotions in check. She didn''t want to talk about it, especially not with her mother. Without saying another word, she turned and walked towards the house, but before she could step inside, her mother pushed her back, blocking her path. "You''ve got to be kidding me," Lisa said in disbelief, her voice thick with sarcasm. "First, you don''t want to bail your own daughter out of jail, and now you won''t even let me into the house? What kind of mother are you?" Her mother''s eyes narrowed, a warning in her gaze. "Watch your tone, youngdy." Lisa narrowed her own eyes in response, refusing to be intimidated. "I''ll watch my tone when you start acting like a mother who genuinely wants to help her daughter." At Metacortex, the tension in the air was palpable as ire sat at the head of the long, ss conference table, surrounded by herpany''s publicity team. The gravity of the situation was evident on her face as she addressed them with a calm yet stern tone. "We need to make a statement," ire began, her voice steady. "The girl who attempted suicide is not a Metacortex employee. We''re still investigating how she managed to ess thepany''s premises." The team members nodded in unison, quickly jotting down notes on their tablets and notepads. One of them, a young woman with sses, hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "What if the media asks for an interview or a phone call? Should we prepare a spokesperson?" ire''s eyes narrowed slightly as she responded with a serious expression, "No one talks to the media. Not even me. It''s better for us to rify everything in writing. Make sure the statement is clear and concise, and don''t forget to post it online and on all social media tforms." The publicity team nodded again, understanding the weight of the directive. They knew how important it was to control the narrative in situations like this. Without wasting any time, they got up and headed back to their respective workspaces to execute ire''s orders. As ire stood up to leave the room, Sandra, her efficient assistant, walked up beside her. "The poster for thepetition is ready," Sandra said, handing ire an iPad. ''The team is waiting for your approval before they post it." ire took the iPad from Sandra''s hand, her eyes scanning the three variations of the poster disyed on the screen. She was silent for a moment, considering each design carefully. Finally, she pointed to the second one. "I prefer this one," she said, her voice thoughtful. "It''s simpler and more concise." Sandra nodded, a smile of satisfaction on her face. "I''ll inform the team right away," she said, taking the iPad back from ire. As they approached her office, ire reached out and pushed the door open, only to find Matthew sittingfortably in her chair, a mischievous grin on his face. Amusement danced in ire''s eyes as she looked at him, her lips curving into a small smile. "Do you need help with something, Matthew?" ire asked, her tone teasing. Matthew grinned wider, leaning back in the chair. "Oh, no. I just didn''t have any work to do, so I thought I''de visit my lovely boss," he replied, his voice light and yful. ire rolled her eyes, but the amusement never left her face as she walked over and took a seat on the other side of her desk. "Well, I''m ttered you find my office more interesting than your own."All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Matthew chuckled, leaning forward slightly. "So, when are you going to proceed with your n to sue Lisa?" he asked, his tone shifting to one of genuine curiosity. ire fell silent for a moment, her thoughts turning over the matter. "Soon," she finally said, her voice firm. "I have all the evidence I need, but I''m waiting for the right timing." Matthew nodded, his expression thoughtfully. "Don''t forget about it. You never know what Lisa might do next." ire''s eyes darkened slightly as she recalled the events of the past few days. "A few days ago, before Lisa decided to pull that stupid stunt, I sent her a document through mywyer, she said, her voice low. "I think that''s why she pulled her little drama. But I''m going to take my time. Let her think she''s in the clear, then I''ll strike again." Matthew couldn''t help but chuckle at her words. "You''re enjoying pulling Lisa''s strings, aren''t you?" A smirk slowly formed on ire''s lips. "Maybe a little," she admitted, her tone tinged with satisfaction. ire leaned back in her chair, a small smile ying on her lips. "Check the news," she said, a hint of anticipation in her voice. "By now, my publicity team should have taken care of everything." Matthew typed quickly, navigating to the news sites, and as his eyes scanned the headlines, he let out a burst ofughter. "ire, you didn''t just do that!" he eximed, unable to contain his amusement. ire''s smile widened as she watched his reaction. "What can I say? I like to be thorough." Lisay on her bed, staring at the ceiling for what felt like an eternity. Her mind was a nk te, and she couldn''t shake the feeling of emptiness that had settled in her chest. Finally, she sighed deeply and sat up, realizing she had responsibilities to take care of. She needed to call her boss and let him know that she would be starting work next Monday. The reality of her situation hit her like a ton of bricks Now that she and Alex were no longer together, there would be no more credit cards, no more luxuries handed to her on a silver tter. If she wanted to buy the things she liked, she would have to work for them. With a resigned sigh, Lisa pulled her phone from her pants pocket, her thumb hovering over the screen as she prepared to dial her boss''s number. But before she could press the call button, a notification popped up. It was a message from Ka, her best friend. Curious, Lisa opened the chat and saw that Ka had sent her a link to an article. Without thinking, she tapped on the link, and her eyes quickly scanned the headline. Her heart sank as she read the words, and her pulse quickened as she continued down the page. Her hands clenched into fists, and a wave of anger surged through her. "What the fuck!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the empty room. Chapter 205 Lunch with LHS Lisa re-read the article and the rification post that had just been published. Anger bubbled up inside her, making her heart race. She couldn''t believe that ire would do this-publiclybel her as a depressed, crazy woman due to heartbreak. And to make matters worse, there was a picture apanying the article. Even though the image was blurry, anyone who knew Lisa could easily recognize her. Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. The screen showed Ka''s name. Lisa stared at it for a moment, debating whether to answer. She needed to sound calm, and maybee up with another lie to protect her reputation. Losing Alex had already damaged her image among her friends, and if they found out about this article, the news would spread like wildfire at the office. She couldn''t afford to lose her job too. Everything was getting moreplicated by the minute. With a deep breath, Lisa answered the call, trying to keep her voice steady. "Hello?" "Lisa? Are you there?" Ka''s voice was curious, bordering on concern. "Yeah, I''m here," Lisa replied, forcing herself to sound casual. Ka didn''t waste any time getting to the point. "Is that you in the article? The one they''re calling a ''depressed crazy woman''? I thought it looked like you." Lisa let out augh, though it came out awkward and strained. "Ka, you''ve got it all wrong," she said, trying to deflect. "Why would you think that''s me?" "Well, the photo looks like you, even if it''s not clear," Ka said, her tone curious but cautious. Lisa''s mind raced. She couldn''t let Ka suspect anything. "Oh, please," Lisa scoffed, injecting arrogance into her voice to mask her anxiety. "That''s definitely not me. It''s probably just some fan who had stic surgery to look like me." Ka chuckled on the other end, seemingly convinced. "Maybe you''re right. It''s just... I don''t know, it felt like it could be you." "Trust me, Ka, it''s not me," Lisa said firmly. She was relieved that her lie had been swallowed so easily. Ka paused for a moment before shifting the conversation. "So, what''s going on with you and Alex? Are you guys still together?" Lisa froze. Her mind scrambled for a response. Should she tell the truth or keep up the lie? The answer came to her almost instinctively. "No, we broke up," she said, the lie rolling off her tongue as easily as the others. "I dumped him." Ka gasped. "What? Why?" Lisa hesitated for just a second before crafting another lie. "Because ire stole him from me," she said, bitternesscing her words. It was easier to paint herself as the victim, especially to Ka. There was a moment of silence on the line, and then Ka spoke, her voice tinged with annoyance. "That''s awful, Lisa! You should get back at ire for what she did." Lisa smirked to herself, pleased that Ka had so easily believed her story. "Maybe I will," she said, keeping her tone light and nonchnt. After the call ended, Lisa''s expression darkened. The anger that she had managed to suppress during the conversation with Ka returned full force. She wasn''t going to sit back and let ire tarnish her name. She had to talk to ire and set things straight. But as she started to dial ire''s number, she realized with frustration that she didn''t have it. She chewed the inside of her lip, thinking about how to get in touch with ire. Thest thing she wanted was to show up at Metacortex ire sat in the back of the car, watching the cityscape of London pass by as she made her way to the restaurant. She had received a text earlier from the London High Socialite group, reminding her of their annual meetup. It had been weeks since she''dst seen any of them, her work at Metacortex consuming nearly every waking hour. Now, she was making a rare appearance, hoping to catch up with her friends and perhaps take her mind off the endless demands of her business. As the car pulled up to the restaurant, ire took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension in her shoulders. The valet opened her door, and she stepped out gracefully, her heels clicking against the pavement. The waiter at the entrance greeted her warmly and directed her to the private room where the group was gathering. Inside the room, ire immediately spotted several familiar faces. April, always the first to notice new arrivals, beamed and hurried over to her. "ire! How wonderful to see you!" she eximed; her smile as bright as ever. ire returned the smile, feeling a bit more at ease. "It''s great to see you too, April. I''ve been fine, just... incredibly busy, as usual." April nodded understandingly. "We''ve missed you!" Before ire could respond, Miranda appeared beside her, wrapping her in a warm hug. "ire, you look as stunning as always. Are you really, okay? You''ve been working yourself to the bone." ire hugged her back, appreciating the concern. "I''m managing, Miranda. Don''t worry about me. The door to the private room opened again, and several more members of the group entered, chatting animatedly. Among them was Adrianna Saint Laurent. However, what caught ire''s attention wasn''t Adrianna, but the person who walked in behind her. Adrianna made her way to ire with a warm smile and a hug. "ire, darling, how have you been holding up?" ire returned the hug, smiling as she replied, "Busy, but I''m surviving. How about you, Adrianna?" "Oh, you know me, always juggling a million things," Adrianna said with a yful sigh. But ire''s eyes had already drifted to the person standing next to Adrianna. A wide smile broke across ire''s face as she recognized him. "Fancy seeing you here," she teased. Adrian, looking slightly out of ce but undeniably charming, chuckled lightly. "I didn''t expect to see you here either," he admitted. ire raised an eyebrow, amused by his response. "Are you one of the members now? Last I checked, this club was fordies only," she teased, her tone light. A blush crept up Adrian''s cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit shy. "You caught me," he confessed, his smile sheepishly. "When I heard you wereing, I decided to tag along with my mom." Adrianna, always quick to support her son, chimed in with a proud smile. "Isn''t he the sweetest? He just wanted to see you, ire." She side-hugged Adrian, who looked slightly awkward but endearingly so. ire chuckled at the scene, finding it both amusing and heartwarming. "Well, I''m d you did," she said, genuinely pleased to see him. The easy banter was interrupted when April ever the gossip, decided to bring up a topic that ire had hoped was long forgotten. "So, ire," April began, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "is it true that you and Alexander Harris are married? I read the news about it but I just wanted to hear it from you." ire felt a twinge of difort, her smile faltering slightly. She had hoped that the news had faded from everyone''s minds, but it seemed some people still remembered.- nced at Adrian, who was watching her with a calmAll rights ? N?velDrama.Org. nove expression-he already knew about her past, but that didn''t make the conversation any easier. "Yes, it''s true," ire said, keeping her tone light and controlled. "I did marry Alexander, but it was more for his grandfather than anything else." April, however, wasn''t satisfied with that answer. "But why didn''t you go public with it? I mean, he''s such a high-profile figure, and so are you..." Before ire could respond, Adrianna quickly stepped in. She pped her hands together, shing a bright smile. "I don''t know about youdies, but I''m starving! Let''s get this lunch started," she said cheerfully, calling the server over to take their orders. Adrianna gently nudged April towards the table, effectively steering the conversation away from ire''s personal life. She shot ire a quick wink, letting her know she had her back. ire couldn''t help but feel grateful for the subtle intervention. As they all moved to their seats, Adrian fell into step beside ire. "Ladies first," he said with a yful smile, holding out a chair for her. "Thank you, Adrian," ire replied, smiling as she took her seat. Chapter 206 Getting Caught ire and Adrian chose seats at the very end of the table, far from the gossiping women who filled the space with their relentless chatter. Adrian nced at ire, noting her choice. He assumed she wanted to distance herself from the gossip mill, and honestly, he couldn me her. They might be part of the London High Socialite (LHS), but when it came to gossip, everyone was the same, no matter their background. Lunch proceeded smoothly, with Adrian sticking close to ire''s side. As the tes were cleared and members began to trickle out one by one, Adrianna, Adrian''s mother, led the way out of the private room with ire and Adrian following behind. The three of them strolled out of the restaurant, where the midday sun greeted them warmly. Adrianna turned to ire with a motherly smile that always seemed to put ire at ease. "Take care of yourself, dear. You look like you''ve lost some weight," she said, her tone gentle but with a hint of concern. ire nodded, a small smile ying on her lips. "Thank you for inviting me to lunch, Adrianna," she replied politely. Adrianna waved her hand dismissively as if brushing off the formalities. "Oh, nonsense! You''re part of the LHS, ire. You''re expected at every event or meeting, so you might as well get used to it." ire chuckled softly, feeling a little more at ease. "Well, thank you for saving me earlier from April''s question. I owe you one." Adriannaughed, a twinkle in her eye. "What are friends for, darling? If I can''t rescue you from a nosy question, what good am I?" Adrianna then turned to her son, her tone shifting into that of a mother issuing instructions. "I''ll be waiting in the car, Adrian. Don''t keep me waiting too long." Adrian nodded, smiling at his mother before she made her way to the car waiting at the curb. As she walked away, Adrian turned his attention back to ire. A yful grin spread across his face, and he let out an exaggerated sigh. "Sooo..." ire couldn''t help but mimic his tone, dragging out her own sigh. "Soo0..." Adrian chuckled, clearly amused. "It''s really nice to see you, ire." She smiled in return. "You too, Adrian." "If you ever need anything, don''t hesitate to call me," Adrian added, his tone sincere. ire nodded, though she knew deep down that she probably wouldn''t reach out. She didn''t want to drag Adrian into the whirlwind that was her life. Still, it was nice to know the offer was there. Just then, a gust of wind picked up, and Adrian reached out, tucking a loose strand of ire''s hair behind her ear. "Take care of yourself," he said softly, his hand lingering for a moment before he stepped back. "You too," ire replied, her voice just as soft. With that, they bid each other goodbye, and ire watched as Adrian headed toward his car. As his car pulled away from the curb, ire''s driver opened the door for her. Just as she was about to step in, something caught her eye. Across the street, lurking in the shadows, was a paparazzo with a camera aimed right at her. ire sighed, rolling her eyes. Seriously? She wasn''t even a celebrity! Why on earth were they so interested in her?Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Muttering under her breath about theck of privacy, she climbed into the car, determined not to let it bother her. Lisa trudged down the sidewalk, her hoodie pulled low over her face, head down as if the pavement held all the answers. The weight of her purpose hung heavy on her shoulders, and her heart pounded like a drum in her chest. She had one mission: get into Metacortex and confront ire. But as she approached the sleek, ssy facade of the building, her n started to feel like a joke. The entrance was grand, with shiny marble floors that echoed every footstep. Lisa''s eyes zeroed in on the lifts at the far end. She knew that without an ID, there was no way she''d get past those metal gates. And if she tried to brute-force her way in, the security team would be on her faster than she could say "corporate espionage." "Damn ire and her stupid ID scanners," Lisa muttered under her breath. Of all the things to implement as CEO, ire had to go with this tech nonsense. It was just another reason for Lisa to curse her former friend. But she wasn''t about to let a little inconvenience stop her. With a deep breath, she straightened up and made her way to the reception desk. The receptionist''s eyes flicked briefly to Lisa''s hoodie-covered head, and though she raised an eyebrow slightly, she remained professional. After all, dealing with all sorts of people was part of the job. "Good morning," the receptionist greeted her, still smiling. "How may I help you today?" "Uh, I need to see ire... I mean, Ms. Peterson," Lisa said, her hands buried deep in her hoodie pockets, fiddling with the fabric nervously. "Do you have an appointment with Ms. Peterson?" The receptionist''s smile didn''t waver, though her tone became slightly more formal. Lisa shook her head but quickly added, "No, but I''m a friend of ire''s. She''s expecting me." The receptionist''s smile remained fixed, but her eyes flickered with doubt. "I''m sorry, but we have a new protocol. Even friends of Ms. Peterson need an appointment to meet with her." Lisa frowned, inwardly cursing ire for being so dramatic. "Come on, I''m really close with ire. She''d be upset if I didn''t show up on time." The receptionist, still smiling, replied, "In that case, could you please call Ms. Peterson? We can confirm directly with her." Lisa''s mind raced. Call ire? She didn''t even have her phone number, let alone the guts to exin this whole situation. Her voice edged with frustration as she said, "It''s supposed to be a surprise. Just let me in, okay?" The receptionist''s smile faded slightly as she narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping into her gaze. "I''m afraid I can''t let anyone in without proper verification. It''s for security reasons." Lisa clenched her jaw, feeling the heat of irritation rise in her chest. "This is ridiculous! I just need to see her for five minutes!" Before she could stop herself, she took a break for it, sprinting toward the lift. The receptionist''s eyes widened, and she quickly alerted the nearby security guards. Lisa barely made it halfway before two guards blocked her path, grabbing her arms just as she reached the lift. "Hey! Let go!" Lisa struggled against the guards, but they held her firmly. At that moment, amanding voice cut through themotion. "What is going on here?" The guards released their grip slightly as everyone turned to see ire Peterson herself, standing tall and imposing in her tailored suit, her expression as strict and formal as her tone. "Ms. Peterson," one of the guards started, "this woman tried to enter without an appointment and was acting suspiciously." ire''s eyes, sharp and piercing,nded on Lisa. For a moment, the two women just stared at each other. Lisa tried to muster some confidence, but somehow, she failed to do so. "Is that so?" ire''s voice was cool, but there''s a hint of smirk ying on her lips. "Release her." Chapter 207 Depressed Crazy Woman Lisa''s wrist throbbed slightly from where the security guard had held it, but she shook it off, ring up at ire. ire turned to the security guard, her voice cool and authoritative. "I''ll handle this myself," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. The guard hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding obediently. After all, who was going to argue with the boss? He backed off, and ire turned to Lisa, giving her a once-over that made Lisa feel like a piece of lint on an otherwise spotless suit. "Follow me," ire instructed. Lisa wanted to retort, maybe throw out a snarkyment, but something about ire''s coldness made her hesitate. Instead, she just frowned and trailed behind, her emotions a mix of anger and embarrassment. How had things gotten so twisted between them? Lisa couldn''t help but notice the curious nces from the employees. They tried to be discreet, but everyone was clearly wondering what themotion was about. ire caught their looks and, with a sharp lift of her brows, said loudly, "Nothing to see here. Get back to work." The employees snapped back to attention, hastily turning away as if the very sight of ire would get them into trouble. Lisa couldn''t help but feel a little more embarrassed; ire was just so... authoritative. It was like she had a magic power over everyone here. The two women reached the elevator, and ire pressed the button for her floor. The doors closed with a soft hum, and suddenly, the silence in the small space was deafening. Lisa shifted ufortably, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. For the first time in a long while, she felt small. ire had never made her feel this way before, but now, standing beside her in this confined space, she felt like she was shrinking. Back in the day, Lisa was the one who felt superior, who couldmand the room with just a look. But now... ire had the upper hand, and it was like she knew it too. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open, revealing the sleek, polished floor of the executive level. ire stepped out, her heels clicking confidently on the tile, and Lisa followed, trying to regain some of herposure. As they walked past the desks, Sandra, ire''s efficient assistant, stood up from her chair. "The team is ready for the meeting, Ms. Peterson," Sandra informed her, her eyes flicking briefly to Lisa, clearly curious about the hoodie-wearing woman trailing behind ire. "Proceed without me," ire responded with a nod. "I''ve got something to take care of." Sandra nodded, not daring to question her boss''s decision, though her gaze lingered on Lisa for a moment longer. "And Sandra," ire added as an afterthought, "make sure to take notes on all the updates with Cortex 2.0." "Of course," Sandra replied, quickly jotting something down before returning to her work. ire walked to her desk and sat down in the high-backed chair that seemed almost like a throne in the middle of the room. Lisa felt her gaze on her, and suddenly, it was like all the air had been sucked out of the room. ire''s aura was so powerful, somanding, that it made Lisa feel like she was about to be judged in some kind of trial. "You created a scene," ire said coldly, her eyes boring into Lisa''s. "I don''t appreciate that." Lisa''s anger red up again, recing the nervousness she had been feeling just moments before. She stepped up to the desk, standing defiantly in front of ire. "I wouldn''t have had to cause a scene if you weren''t so impossible to get in touch with!" ire raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her expression cool and unbothered. "And why, exactly, were you trying to contact me?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Were you nning to apologize? Or perhaps say thank you for bailing you out?" Lisa''s jaw clenched. She knew ire was baiting her, but it still made her blood boil. "The news, ire! You know exactly what I''m talking about!" she snapped, her hands balling into fists at her sides.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ire leaned back in her chair, a smirk ying on her lips. "Ah, yes. The news," she said, as if she had just remembered something trivial. "Did you read it already?" Lisa mmed her hands down on the desk, leaning in close enough that she could see the cool detachment in ire''s eyes. "You crossed a line, ire! You had no right tobel me as a ''depressed crazy woman'' in the media!" ire actuallyughed at that, a short, mocking sound that grated on Lisa''s nerves. "It does sound different when the person in question says it, doesn''t it?" Lisa''s face turned red with anger and humiliation. This was just like ire, always finding a way to twist the knife deeper. She banged her fist on the table, but ire didn''t even flinch. It was like she had expected it. ire leaned forward slightly, her expression turning serious as she locked eyes with Lisa. "So, what are you going to do next?" she asked, her voice taking on a cold, almost threatening edge. "Kill me?" Lisa''s eyes widened in shock, and she took a step back, her mind racing. "W-What? Where did you get that idea?" she stammered. Lisa tried not to feel too self-conscious as she walked through the office. She couldn''t help but notice how everyone seemed to be watching her, even if they weren''t looking directly at her. It was like being under a microscope. ire finally pushed open the door to her office and stepped inside, the sleek, minimalist design immediately catching Lisa''s eye. Everything was so elegant, so perfectly put together, yet it was all so simple. Lisa had expected something more extravagant maybe even a bit gaudy, considering the way ire carried herself. If it were her office, Lisa would have gone all out with decorations, just to show off a little. But ire? ire didn''t need to show off; her very presence did that for her. ire shrugged, getting up from her chair and slowly walking around the desk toward Lisa. "Well, you did try it twice before," she said casually. "I wouldn''t be surprised if you attempted it again. After all they say third time''s a charm." Lisa could feel her anger boiling over, but she forced herself to stay calm. Losing her temper wouldn''t help her now. She took a deep with as much strength as she could muster. "I''m not here to fight with you, breath, meeting ire''s gaze ire," she said. "I''m here to ask you to remove thatbel and that blurry picture of me from the news. I can''t have people in my office finding out about it." "And why should I do that?" she asked finally, crossing her arms as she leaned against the desk. "Because it''s the right thing to do," Lisa replied, her frustration starting to seep into her voice again. "You can''t just ruin someone''s reputation like that!" "Oh, the horror! Lisa Thompson''s pristine image tarnished? Whatever shall I do?" ire sarcastically said then her face turned serious. Any trace of yfulness has gone. "I should be the one who said that. You...leaked my marriage with Alex on the inte and because of your little game, I held a press conference to rify it. Do you know how it affects mypany?" ire raised her brows waiting for Lisa to answer. Chapter 208 “Are you saying Im not nice?” "Do you know how it affects mypany?" ire raised her eyebrows waiting for Lisa to answer. "Of course, you don''t know. You don''t even own apany. So, what I do now, is nothingpared to what you did to me." ire''s tone was sharp, but there was a yful glint in her eyes. She raised an eyebrow, waiting for Lisa toe up with some excuse. Lisa''s fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms. "Of course, you don''t know," ire continued, not missing a beat. "You don''t even own apany. What did I do? It''s nothingpared to the mess you made for me." Lisa''s jaw tightened as she took a step forward, jabbing her finger in ire''s direction. "You''re lucky you''re rich, ire. Otherwise" "Otherwise, what?" ire interrupted, her voice calm and collected, not a trace of concern on her face. "You''ll do what, Lisa? Throw another tantrum?" She smirked, the corners of her lips curling up as if she was savoring the moment. "If I were you, I''d leave before I make you leave. And for the record, I''m not deleting or removing anything from the news." Lisa''s eyes burned with frustration. She wanted to wipe that smirk off ire''s face, but instead, she hissed, "This isn''t over." With that, she stormed out, banging the door shut behind her. ire barely flinched. She just watched Lisa leave, the smirk still lingering as she leaned back in her chair, utterly unfazed by the drama. "Goodbye, Lisa," she muttered under her breath with a casual wave at the door. "Don''t let it hit you on the way out." Meanwhile, Alex was sitting in the back of his car, heading to a meeting with the furnishingpany that had partnered with Harris Hotels for years. He was staring out the window, the radio ying softly in the background. But then, something caught his attention. His head snapped forward when he heard ire''s name being mentioned on the radio. "Did you hear?" The female radio broadcaster said in a bubbly tone. "I saw ire Peterson and Adrian earlier at the pier restaurant. They looked so romantic!" The other broadcaster giggled, chiming in, "I saw a picture of them online too, and I have to say, they make a cute couple!" Alex''s frown deepened, and before he knew it, his phone was in his hand. His best friend, Christian, who was sitting next to him, turned and raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin on his face. "You gonna search them up?" he asked, chuckling. Alex ignored him, his thumb quickly navigating to X. Sure enough, there were pictures of ire and Adrian all over social media. Thements were full ofpliments, people gushing over how perfect they looked together. It made Alex''s blood boil. His grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles turned white. "Hey, man, easy," Christian said, noticing how tense Alex had be. "You''re gonna break your phone." "Why is she hanging out with Adrian?" Alex muttered, more to himself than anyone else, but Christian heard him loud and clear. "Maybe Adrian''s a nice guy?" Christian suggested with a shrug. Alex shot him a re. "Are you saying I''m not nice?" Christian''s eyes widened in rm, and he quickly backtracked. "No! No, that''s not what I meant. I just... you know... maybe ire likes hanging out with him because he''s, I don''t know, nice or something." Alex huffed, turning his attention back to the window, his annoyance clear on his face. "Well, I don''t like Adrian hanging around her," he grumbled. Christian chuckled softly. "Jealous much?" "Not jealous." Alex snapped, though the way he clenched his jaw suggested otherwise. "I just don''t like the guy." "Uh-huh, sure," Christian teased, nudging him yfully. "You know, for someone who says he''s not jealous, you''re acting pretty jealous." Alex red at Christian, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I''m not jealous, okay? I just... I don''t like seeing her with him. That''s all."All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Christian leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms with a knowing smirk. "If you say so, buddy." The sun was shining brightly as ire stepped out of her car, a sleek ck sedan that gleamed under the morning light. It was one of those rare mornings when everything felt just right. She was in a surprisingly good mood, considering how hectic her life had beentely. With the robot designpetitionlooming in two weeks, the pressure was on. She had initially nned to give the contestants a month to work on their designs, knowing howplicated and time-consuming creating a design. But deadlines were deadlines, and with Alex''s hotel opening in just seven months, time was not a luxury she could afford. As she walked down the street, her heels clicking against the pavement, ire spotted a few paparazzi lingering on the corner, their cameras at the ready. "If they think there will be drama today, they are wrong." She rolled her eyes behind her oversized sunsses. They were like vultures, always circling, waiting for the smallest slip-up. But today, she wasn''t in the mood to deal with them. She had more important things on her mind-like her breakfast. The smell of freshly baked bread and coffee hither as she opened the door to her favorite bakery. It was a small, cozy ce with wooden tables and a warm atmosphere. She hadn''t been here in a while, and the familiar scent brought a smile to her face. There were only a few people inside, probably because she hade early, hoping to avoid the usual morning rush. She took off her shade and joined the short line, ncing around as she waited. It was peaceful, exactly what she needed to start her day right. When it was her turn, she stepped up to the counter. "I''ll have a hottte and a chocte Danish, please," ire said. "Thank you," she said with a smile as she took her order, the warmth of the coffee cup seeping into her hands. But as fate would have it, the universe had other ns. Just as ire was heading toward the entrance, her coffee in hand and ready to enjoy her breakfast, someone bumped into her with all the grace of a runaway bull. The jolt sent the steaming coffee flying out of her cup, and while ire managed to step back just in time to avoid getting scalded, the hot liquid still sttered onto her pristine white dress. "What the heck?!" her re snapping to the person responsible-a woman standing right in front of her, lookingpletely unbothered. If anything, she seemed more amused than concerned. "Oh my gosh, I''m so sorry!" the woman gasped, though her tone wasced with mockery. Her lips curled into a smirk as she continued, "I guess someone wasn''t paying attention, huh?" ire''s good mood evaporated like the steam rising from her spilled coffee. She narrowed her eyes, her voice cold. "What''s your problem?" The woman''s smirk deepened, and she crossed her arms, looking ire up and down with disdain and amusement. "My problem? Oh, I don''t know. Maybe it''s you being such a bitch." Chapter 209 Wrong Target "Excuse me," ire said, her voice icy. "What did you just call me?" The woman, who had crossed her arms over her chest in a way that screamed arrogance, met ire''s gaze without flinching. "You heard me," she retorted, her tone dripping with disdain. ire felt a headache forming. Of all the ways her morning could go wrong, this wasn''t even on the list. She stared back at the woman, her eyes narrowing. "And what exactly is the reason you felt the need to call me that?" ire asked, her patience wearing thin. The woman rolled her eyes and huffed as if she couldn''t believe she had to exin herself. "You stole my best friend''s boyfriend," she snapped her expression a mixture of irritation and usation. For a moment, ire was too shocked to respond. Stolen a boyfriend? Who even says that? "What?" ire finally managed to say. "I didn''t steal anything, let alone someone''s boyfriend. You must have me confused with someone else." The woman frowned, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized ire more closely. "Aren''t you ire Peterson?" she asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice. ire nodded slowly, still trying to wrap her head around the usation. "Yes, I am, but-" "Then I''m not wrong," the woman cut her off, her tone resolute. ire was still utterly puzzled by the whole situation. "Look," she said, raising a hand in a plea for rity, "why don''t you start from the beginning and exin this to me?" The woman sighed heavily, as if this was all a great inconvenience to her, and then began, "You stole Lisa''s boyfriend, Alex. That''s why I called you a bitch." That was thest thing ire had expected to hear, and she couldn''t help it-she burst outughing. The sheer absurdity of the usation was too much. The woman''s face flushed with anger. "What''s so funny?" she demanded, looking as if she might throw something at ire next ire took a moment to catch her breath and then gave the woman a good, long look. That''s when it clicked. She remembered the woman''s face from that one time she had identally bumped into Lisa at a cafe. This must be one of Lisa''s friends, though ire couldn''t recall her name. "Wait a second," ire said, crossing her arms over her chest in a mirror image of the woman''s stance. "You''re one of Lisa''s friends, aren''t you?" The woman nodded, though her expression was more irritated than before. ire couldn''t help but scoff. This was ridiculous. Turning to the bakery staff, she offered a quick apology. "Sorry about the mess," she said with a small, apologetic smile. The staff member just nodded, offering a polite, "It''s fine." ire returned her attention to the woman, her demeanor shifting from slightly amused to downright icy. "I don''t have time to waste on Lisa''s minions," she said sharply. She made to walk away, feeling like this encounter had already taken up too much of her time. But before she could take more than a few steps, the woman grabbed her wrist. ire immediately yanked her arm back, her re intense enough to freezeva. "Don''t touch me," she warned, her voice dangerously low. The woman looked a bit startled but quickly recovered. "Why did you steal Alex from Lisa?" she pressed, clearly not ready to drop the subject. ire let out an exasperated sigh. "I didn''t steal anyone," she repeated, more firmly this time. "Lisa is lying to you. What''s your name again?" "Ka," the woman said, frowning. "We met at the cafe." ire nodded slightly, now fully remembering the encounter. "Well, Ka," she continued, "what Lisa told you is aplete lie." Ka''s frown deepened, her confusion evident. ire wasn''t stammering or even batting an eye. She was dead serious. "How do I know you''re not the one lying?" Ka challenged, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. ire rolled her eyes, clearly done with the conversation. "Frankly, I don''t care what you think," she said coldly. "You''ve already ruined my day." She turned to leave once more, but Ka stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Wait," Ka said, her tone a bit softer now. "What do you know about Lisa?" ire paused, ncing at Ka with a raised eyebrow. A smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. "You really want to know the truth about your precious Lisa?" she asked, her tone almost yful. Ka hesitated but then nodded. "Yes, I want to know." ire''s smirk widened as she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Just don''t get mad when you hear the truth." ..... The next day, Lisa found herself back at her workce after months of being away. As she sat on the crowded bus, she couldn''t believe she was actually on her way to work. Her oncefortable life had taken a turn, and she knew exactly who to me-ire. If it weren''t for ire, she wouldn''t be squished between a sweaty guy with questionable hygiene and a woman who was practically yelling into her phone. "Stupid ire," Lisa muttered under her breath, gripping the metal bar so hard her knuckles turned white. "This is all her fault." She was so close to pulling her hair out right there on the bus. As she approached her office building, she passed on what she hoped was a sweet, innocent smile. "Fake it till you make it," she reminded herself. She stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for her floor with more force than necessary. As the elevator doors opened, she was hit with an unsettling wave of stares Her colleagues were all staring at her as if she had done something scandalous, like, say, sleeping with the CEO. People whispered behind their hands, their eyes darting away whenever she looked at them. Lisa''s stomach did a nervous flip. Did she have something on her face? Was there a rogue piece of breakfast clinging to her teeth? She hurried to her desk, fumbling for herpact mirror. She inspected her face closely. Nope, no toothpaste smears, no mascara disasters. So, what was with the staring? She barely had time to stew in her paranoia before Ka appeared at her desk, eyebrows raised in that trademark judgmental way. "Well, well, well, look who decided to show up," Ka said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Lisa forced a smile, one she hoped looked natural. "Yeah, I''m back. Anyway, what''s with the staring?" a confused look crossed her face. Ka leaned against Lisa''s desk. "Everyone''s just surprised, that''s all. Don''t mind them." Lisa''s eyes flicked around the room. "Surprised? That''s one way to put it," she thought. Out loud, she asked, "Are you sure there isn''t something on my face?" Ka waved her hand dismissively. "You''re fine. They''re probably just curious about where you''ve been. Let''s grab lunchter, yeah?" Lisa nodded, trying to hide her difort. "Sure, sounds good." As Ka walked away, Lisa turned back to herputer, trying to dive into work. Except... she had no idea what she was doing. The tasks that used to be second nature now felt like a foreignnguage. She stared at the screen, then at the papers on her desk, trying to piece together how to do her job. Every few minutes, her eyes would drift to her phone. She scrolled through X, her feed filled with morous women living lives she could only dream of. There they were, jetting off to Paris, sippingttes in Mn, all while their boyfriends paid for everything. She stumbled across a photo of ire-of course, it had to be ire-leaving a Chanel boutique, bags in hand, a hired helper trailing behind her. The envy bubbled up inside her like a volcano ready to erupt. That was supposed to be her life. Luxurious, and carefree, with people to carry her shopping bags. Just as she was about to lose herself in another spiral of jealousy, a knock on her cubicle wall startled her back to reality. It was Ka, grinning. "Ready for lunch?" Lisa stered on her best smile. "Yeah, let''s go."Cntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org The two of them walked to the cafeteria, where Lisa couldn''t shake the feeling that everyone was staring at her again. She tried to keep her head high, to pretend that the whispers didn''t bother her. But inside, she was screaming. What was their problem? They got in line for food as they took their order, Without warning, Ka''s foot shot out, catching Lisa''s ankle. It was like slow motion-Lisa felt herself losing bnce, the tray slipping from her hands. Food went flying, sttering across the floor and all over her dress. Shended oogel.ne with a thud, right in the middle of the mess. The cafeteria, which had been buzzing with chatter, went dead silent. All eyes were on Lisa, her dress covered in what used to be her lunch. She looked up at Ka, a disbelief look etched on her face. "Why did you do that?" Chapter 210 No Longer Secrets Ka chuckled, the sound almost evil. "Oh, you know exactly why. That''s what you get for lying," she said, her tone dripping with satisfaction. Lisa''s eyes widened, but she quickly tried to y dumb, her mind racing. How much did Ka know? She couldn''t possibly have figured it all out, right? Ka crossed her arms and gave Lisa a look that screamed, "You can stop the act." With a smirk stered on her face, she leaned in a bit closer, her voice dripping with usation. "Everyone knows, Lisa. You''re the woman who attempted suicide." Lisa froze. The words hit her like a ton of bricks. How did they know? She had gone over that blurry picture a hundred times, and it was barely recognizable. Her pulse quickened as she slowly got to her feet, her anger bubbling up through the humiliation. "Why did you trip me?" Lisa demanded, her voice shaking slightly with rage. Ka shrugged, the picture of nonchnce. "Because you lied to me." "What lie?" Lisa asked, even though her heart was thumping hard in her chest. She was pretty sure she knew where this was going. Ka scoffed, clearly losing patience. She stepped closer, so close Lisa could feel her breath on her ear as she whispered, "You lied about Alex and ire." A shiver ran down Lisa''s spine. How in the world did Ka find out? Just two days ago, Ka had been eating up everything she said. Now this? Lisa stammered, trying to find the right words. "H-how did you...?" Ka raised an eyebrow, her smirk deepening. "Oh, so you are confirming it?" She then added in a mocking tone, "Don''t worry, everyone here just thinks you''re the one who tried to jump off Metacortex, not your rtionship with Alex." Ka''s smirk turned into a wicked grin. "ire Peterson told me everything." Of course, it was ire. She could feel the cafeteria walls closing in as the shame washed over her. Without another word, she stormed out of the cafeteria, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles were white. ire had sabotaged her wedding, and now she was going after her career, too? Unbelievable! Lisa dashed into the bathroom to clean herself up from the food earlier. She scrubbed her dress, but the stain wasn''t going anywhere, much like the sense of humiliation that was eating her alive. Her appetite gone, she headed back to her desk, simmering with anger. Just as she sat down, her manager''s voice crackled over the inte. "Lisa, my office. Now."Cntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Great. Just what she needed. She dragged herself to his office, hoping against hope that this wasn''t going to be as bad as she thought. But as soon as she stepped in, his eyes immediately went to the giant stain on her dress. He frowned. "What happened to you?" "I, uh... tripped," Lisa mumbled, her eyes avoiding his. The manager didn''t seem convinced, but he moved on. "There''s something I need to discuss with you. I''ve been hearing some rumors." Lisa''s heart plummeted. She could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead despite the cool st from the air conditioner. "Rumors?" she repeated, trying to keep her voice steady. "Yes, Lisa. Rumors about you... and some incidents at Metacortex. Something about an attempted suicide." Lisa felt her breath hitch. Her mind was racing, desperately trying to think of a way out of this mess, but she came up nk. The manager raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting for an exnation, but she had nothing. Nothing but panic. "The other employees seem pretty sure it''s you," he continued. "They say they got their information from a reliable source." Lisa''s mind immediately went to ire. Of course, it was her. Who else would do this? The manager sighed, breaking Lisa out of her thoughts. "Listen, Lisa. I''ve always admired your work, but we can''t have this kind of thing in thepany." Lisa''s eyes widened in fear. She knew where this was going, but she didn''t want to believe it. "What... what do you mean?" The manager sighed again, this time looking genuinely sorry. "I''m afraid we''re going to have to let you go." It felt like the floor had dropped out from under her. Lisa stood there, numb from head to toe. Fired? This couldn''t be happening. But it was. And there was only one person to me. Lisa''s hands balled into fists at her sides. She couldn''t feel anything except a red-hot fury building up inside her. This was it. ire had ruined her love life, and now she''d destroyed her career. Lisa walked out of the manager''s office in a daze, her mind swirling with thoughts of revenge. ire had gone too far this time. There was only one thing left to do. She would kill ire for sure this time. Two weeks had flown by since the robot designpetition ended, and ire was knee-deep in the aftermath. She was sprawled out on her office floor, surrounded by heaps of paper, each one boasting a unique robot design from the participants. There were around 100 submissions, and ire was starting to get cross-eyed from staring at them. Each design had something special, and choosing a winner felt like trying to pick her favorite star in the night sky-pretty much impossible. As she was squinting at yet another design, the door to her office creaked open, and Matthew strolled in. He paused, blinking at the sight of ire amidst what looked like a paper explosion. "What in the world are you doing down there?" he asked, half-amused, half- concerned. Without looking up, ire waved a dismissive hand in his direction. "Picking a winner," she said. Matthew leaned casually against her desk, watching her with a smirk. "Is this thatpetition you hosted?" "Yup," ire responded, her eyes still glued to the design in front of her as if it held the secrets of the universe. "You know," Matthew began, tilting his head, "you could do all this on yourptop. Just saying." Finally, ire tore her gaze away from the paper to stare at him. "This is easier," she dered, waving at the mess around her. "I canpare them better this way. It''s like... a visual buffet." Matthew chuckled and shook his head before pushing himself off the desk and squatting down next to her. He peered at the designs, then turned to ire with a mischievous look. "You''re not gonna get Alex involved in this?" ire''s hand hovered above a paper, hesitating for a moment before she picked it up. ll show him the options I like best," she replied, trying to sound nonchnt. But in truth, she really didn''t want to work too closely with Alex after that nov conversation they had a few days ago. She figured it was best to keep her distance-strictly business. Matthew raised an eyebrow, catching the undertone of her words. "Uh-huh, keeping it professional, I see." "Exactly," ire said, nodding as if to convince herself more than him. Then she turned to Matthew with a sudden idea. "Oh, by the way, you''re going to the final meeting for Cortex 2.0 on my behalf." Matthew pointed at himself, his eyebrows shooting up. "Me?" "No, the other Matthew in the room," ire said, rolling her eyes with a grin. "Of course, you!" "But you''re the important one," Matthew protested, a bit flustered. ire gestured to the mountain of papers around her. "I''m busy, as you can see. I want to get this done today because once Alex gives the green light, I need to contact the robotCompany in Japan. Building these robots will take ages, and the hotel''s supposed to open in eight months. No pressure or anything." Matthew sighed dramatically, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. "Fine, I''ll go. But you owe me, ire." ire chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Of course. I''ll even throw in a free coffee." Matthew got to his feet, shaking his head as he headed for the door. "Better be the fancy stuff," he called over his shoulder. "Only the best for you!" ire shouted back,ughing to herself. As the door clicked shut behind him, ire let out a deep breath and refocused on the task at hand. She meticulously sorted through the designs, her mind whirring like one of the very robots she was trying to bring to life. Hours passed, and it wasn''t until the sky outside had turned a deep shade of purple that ire finally stretched and looked up. She had narrowed it down to three designs-three robots that she believed not only stood out but also perfectly matched the vibe of the hotel. Each one was sleek and modern. "Finally," ire muttered to herself, feeling a wave of relief wash over her as she surveyed the mess she''d created in her office. Just as she was about to lean back and take a much-needed breather, her phone buzzed on the desk. It was a message from Matthew. Software''s good to go. The team''s testing it tomorrow. Also, you still owe me that fancy coffee. You''ll get your coffee, don''t worry. And maybe a cookie if I''m feeling generous. You spoil me, Boss. Shaking her head with a smile she stood up, stretching out her stiff muscles. "Alright," she said to herself, surveying the mess onest time. "Time to clean up this disaster zone." Chapter 211 The Winner ire review the three designs she chose and took a picture of it before sending them to Alex. After all, Alex is her business partner in which she needs his approval. "Which one of these is the best?" she typed quickly, attaching the three designs. ire wasn''t expecting a reply right away, but before she could even put her phone down, it buzzed in her hand. Iing call from Alex. "Oh, great," ire muttered, her thumb hovering over the green button. Did she really want to do this? After a moment of hesitation, she sighed and answered the call. "Hello?" "ire, why didn''t you call me to choose the best design?" Alex''s deep voice rumbled through the speaker, sounding way too serious for something as trivial as design choices. ire frowned, leaning back in her chair. "I didn''t know if you were avable," she replied, trying to keep her tone neutral. "And we''re on a tight schedule. I decided to do it myself." Alex was silent for a moment, and ire could practically hear him frowning on the other end of the line. "But you didn''t even try to contact me. How was I supposed to know?" ire rolled her eyes, tapping her foot impatiently. This was exactly why she avoided phone calls with Alex. They always ended up in some pointless argument. "Alex, we don''t have time for this," she said, cutting him off before he couldunch into a full-blown debate. "I sent you the designs. Just tell me which one you like best." There was a brief pause as Alex checked his messages. "Okay, give me a minute," he muttered. ire waited, ncing at the clock on her desk. She knew Alex liked to take his time with things, and she was about to remind him of their deadline when he finally spoke up. "The second one is the winner," Alex dered, sounding a little too pleased with himself. "The first one can be the runner-up." ire nodded, even though Alex couldn''t see her. "Got it. I''ll contact the winner and let you know when we can meet with them." "Don''t leave me out of this," Alex said in his best business tone, which always made ire roll her eyes. "This is for my hotel, after all." "Understood," ire replied, keeping her voice clipped and professional. She was done with this conversation. "I''ll keep you in the loop." "Good," Alex said, his tone softening slightly before the call ended. ire stared at her phone for a moment, her thoughts a mix of annoyance and relief. She didn''t know why she always ended up feeling so frustrated after talking to Alex. They could argue about the color of the sky if given the chance. "Why is she so difficult?" Alex muttered to himself as he stared at his phone screen, shaking his head. Meanwhile, ire was already moving on. She called Sandra, her trusted assistant, and summoned her to the office. A minuteter, Sandra appeared in the doorway, looking curious. "You needed something, Ms. Peterson?" ire slipped back into business mode, her tone crisp and efficient. "I''ve chosen the three winners of thepetition. Here." She walked behind her desk and handed Sandra a piece of paper with the names of the winners. "First, second, and third ce. I need you to contact the winner and let them know they''ve won. Tell them we can''t wait to hear from them soon." Sandra took the paper, nodding as she scanned the names. "Got it. I''ll get started right away." "Thanks, Sandra," ire said, already mentally moving on to the next task on her list. She watched as Sandra headed out the door, her efficient assistant already on the job. Sandra, being the pro she was, didn''t waste any time. She informed the creative marketing team of the three winners, instructing them to whip up a shiny new poster to be sshed all over social media. Then, she dove into the details for the first-ce winner. Meanwhile, Abigail was blissfully unaware of the flurry of activity her design had caused. She was curled up in her room, nose-deep in a book,pletely lost in another world. That is until her phone buzzed with a new notification. "What''s this?" Abigail muttered, reaching for her phone. She saw an email sitting in her inbox, her curiosity was piqued as she opened it. Her eyes widened as she read the subject line, "Congrattions, You''re the Winner!" She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she read through the email. It was the winner announcement for the robot designpetition, and she had won! "Oh my God, I won!" Abigail sat at her desk, tapping her fingers on the keyboard as she replied to the email from Metacortex. At Metacortex HQ, ire was strutting down the hallway like she owned the ce, which, to be fair, she practically did. Dressed in her signature ck business suit and a sleek skirt, she looked like a total boss. Her heels clicked sharply on the floor as she made her way to the meeting room to meet the winner of the robot designpetition. As she pushed the door open, she was in for a bit of a surprise. Sitting at the table, looking as if she''d just stepped out of a pastel-colored fashion magazine, was a woman in a baby pink dress. ire blinked, slightly taken aback. This wasn''t the image she had conjured up of the winner. For a split second, ire''s professional mask almost slipped, ??? but she quicklyposed herself and marched forward. She was ire, after all, unppable in the face of the unexpected. "Hello, I''m ire Peterson. The CEO of O Metacortex. Thank you foring here and congrattions on the win," she said, extending her hand with a smile The woman in pink stood up gracefully and took ire''s hand in a firm handshake. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Peterson. I''m Abigail Hastings. Thank you for choosing me. I did not expect to win at all." she replied, her voice as sweet as her dress. ire couldn''t help but let a bit of her curiosity slip into her tone. "I have to admit, Abigail, you don''t look like the typical winner I was expecting. It''s not every day we see a woman designing robots, let alone one who looks as... well,dy-like as you." Abigail chuckled, a light, melodic sound. "I get that a lot. You''re not the first one who''s been a bit confused about my appearance," she admitted with a grin. "But I promise, I''m more than just the dress. I graduated inputer science and was part of a robotics team back in high school? It''s kind of been my thing ever since." ire raised her eyebrows, impressed despite herself. "Really? That''s fantastic! I have to say, your robot sketch was beautiful. It''s not often you see something so technical and yet... aesthetically pleasing."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Abigail''s smile widened, and she blushed just a little. "Thank you, Ms. Peterson. That means a loting from you." Meanwhile, in the midst of traffic, Alex nced at his watch, frustration building. The traffic was worse than usual, and he hadn''t anticipated it. His phone vibrated, and he quickly checked it to see a text from ire asking where he was. Stuck in traffic. Should be there soon, Alex replied, hoping the gridlock would clear up quickly. After what felt like an eternity, it took him about an hour to finally arrive at Metacortex. Not wanting to waste any more time, he hurried inside and made his way to the meeting room ire had mentioned. As he pushed the door open, he immediately apologized, "Sorry for beingte, ire, and I apologize to the guest as well" But before he could finish, the guest turned around, and Alex froze in his tracks, his eyes widening in surprise. "Abigail?" Alex said, his voice tinged with disbelief. Chapter 212 On the Move Alex stepped inside the room, still struggling to believe that his childhood friend was the one who had won thepetition. "Since when are you into robots?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity. Abigail chuckled, the sound light and familiar. "I''ve always been into robots, Alex. You just never noticed." ire, who had been observing their encounter with a confused expression, finally spoke up. "Do you two know each other?" she asked, her tone curious but with a hint of detachment. Alex almost forgot that ire was in the room. "Oh, yeah," he said, turning towards her. "We''re childhood friends." ire nodded her head slowly, her expression unreadable. "Oh," was all she said, her tone indicating that she didn''t really care. "Well, now that the introduction is over, we can go over the details." For the next two hours, they discussed the robots that would be used in Alex''s hotel. Abigail was clearly passionate about her work, and Alex found himself impressed by her knowledge. He leaned forward, looking at the designs she had presented. "These are great, Abigail," he said. "But could you make another design that fits better with the hotel''s theme?" Abigail nodded a confident smile on her face. "Of course, Alex. I''ll send you the new design as soon as it''s ready." ire, who had been watching their interaction with a slight frown, couldn''t help but feel a pang of irritation. As far as she remembered, Alex had never mentioned Abigail before. But then again, she reminded herself, back then, Alex couldn''t stand her. It made sense that he wouldn''t share anything personal with her. Not that she cared. "Alright," ire said, interrupting the moment. "I''ll contact the robotpany in Japan and ask them if they can proceed with our order." When the meeting was finally over, ire stood up and extended her hand to Abigail. "Thank you foring, and for working with us," she said, her tone polite but distant. Abigail nodded, shaking ire''s hand. "The pleasure is mine," she replied. ire didn''t even nce at Alex as she left the room, her mind already moving on to the next task. As the door closed behind her, Abigail turned to Alex, a curious look on her face. "Do you and ire does not like each other?" she asked, pointing out the obvious tension. Alex shrugged, trying to downy it. "That''s just the way she is." Abigail gave him a knowing look but didn''t push further. Instead, she smiled and said, "Your feedback means a lot to me, Alex. I''m d you like the design." Alex smiled back. "It''s really amazing work, Abigail. You''vee a long way since we were kids." Abigail blushed at thepliment. "Thanks, Alex." She nced at her watch and suddenly looked apologetic. "I need to go. I have a lunch date with your mum." Alex raised his eyebrows, a teasing grin forming on his face. "Did she force you into it again?" Abigailughed, shaking her head. "Not this time. I actually want to go." "Well, have fun," Alex said, still smiling as she gathered her things and headed for the door. "Thanks, Alex," Abigail said, giving him onest smile before she left the room. As soon as she was gone, Alex decided he needed to talk to ire. He made his way to her office and knocked on the door. A simple "Come in." greeted him from the other side. He pushed the door open and saw ire sitting at her desk, surrounded by paperwork. ire barely looked up from her work. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice cold and distant. Alex frowned, feeling the familiar frustration rise within him. It seemed like every conversation with ire was a battle. "I just wanted to talk," he said, trying to keep his tone neutral. ire finally looked up, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of impatience and indifference. "We just talked earlier, Alex. What else is there to discuss?" Lisa had been holed up in her room for days, staring nkly at the walls. Ever since she was fired from her job, she felt like her life had fallen apart. She had lost her job, her dignity, and now, even her closest friend had turned her back on her. And it was all because of ire Peterson. A picture of irey in front of her, its edges worn from the countless times Lisa had picked it up, red at it, and cursed the woman in the image. ire''s smile, so confident andposed, made Lisa''s blood boil. She had ruined everything, taken away everything Lisa had worked for, and now she had the nerve to walk around as if she owned the world. Her hands shook with rage as she picked up a pair of scissors and carefully cut along the edges of the photograph: The sound of the scissors slicing through the paper was sharp and satisfying, matching the anger simmering inside her. When she was done, the picture of ire was headless, the once-smiling face discarded on the floor beside her. She stared at the mutted picture, her breathing in short, harsh bursts. "I hate you," she whispered to the headless image. "I hate you so much, ire." The anger inside her bubbled over, and she suddenly screamed, clutching her head in both hands. Her mind was a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts, each one more violent than thest. How had ire ruined her life so thoroughly? What more did she want? Why couldn''t she just disappear? A single thought pierced through the storm in her mind: ire needs to die. That was the only way Lisa would ever be at peace. She stood up abruptly, the decision made. Her eyes scanned her room until theynded on a small knife lying on her bedside table. Without hesitation, she grabbed it and tucked it inside her hoodie, the cool metal pressing against her side. She left her room and headed downstairs, her footsteps quick and purposeful. Her mother''s voice called out from the living room, annoyed as usual. "Lisa, where are you going?" Lisa didn''t answer. She didn''t even pause as she reached the front door, yanked it open, and stepped outside. At that moment, ire was at a boutique, browsing through racks of dresses. She had an important eventing up this week, and even though she normally would skip events like this, this time she have to attend, since she is a business partner with Alexander Harris. "Why didn''t I tell him I wouldn''t being," ire muttered to herself as she frowned looking at the dress. Earlier, Alex had stopped by her office. Their conversation had been awkward, as usual. ire disliked how Alex always seemed to pry into her life, asking questions she didn''t want to answer. But this time, he had brought up an idea that, annoyingly enough, was actually good. He had suggested they introduce the world-and their investors-to ??? his new hotel It wasn''t going to open for another eight months, but Alex was convinced that giving people a sneak peek would drum up excitement and intrigue. ire had thought it over for a moment, and as much as she hated to admit it, his n was smart. Publicity was key in their line of work, and getting people talking early could only be beneficial. ire had given a simple "Hmm" in response, followed by a curt, "It''s your hotel, Alex. You can do whatever you want." And now here she was, standing in front of a mirror in the boutique, holding up a sleek ck dress. She tilted her head, considering the dress''s merits. It was elegant, understated, exactly the kind of thing she needed for the event. Lisa, on the other hand, had made her way to the boutique, her hands trembling with the knife concealed in her hoodie. She spotted ire through the ss door. Lisa''s grip on the knife tightened as she slipped inside the boutique, careful to stay out of sight. She ducked behind a rack of clothes, her eyes fixed on ire.Cntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org "Say goodbye, ire." She whispered to herself. With anger burning in her eyes, she took a step forward, knife poised to strike. But before she could move any further, a strong hand grabbed her arm, pulling her back with surprising force. Chapter 213 Prototype Showing "What the fuck?!" Lisa spun around, her heart racing as she tried to figure out who had just yanked her away from ire. "Quiet, or she''ll spot you," the woman hissed, throwing Lisa a stern re. "Follow me." Lisa stood her ground, frowning. "Where and why?" The woman sighed dramatically and stepped closer. "Don''t you remember me? I''m Gretta. I invited you to golfing a month ago. Ring a bell?" Lisa squinted, thinking back. Then it hit her. "Gretta! Yeah, I remember. But what the hell are you doing here, and why did you just ruin my n?" Gretta rolled her eyes, grabbing Lisa by the arm and carefully pulling her out of the club, making sure ire didn''t notice them sneaking out. Once they were outside, they hopped into Gretta''s car. Gretta quickly told her driver to go, and as they sped away, Lisa''s irritation bubbled over. "Alright, Gretta, what''s the big idea? Why''d you drag me into your car?" Lisa demanded, crossing her arms and ring. Gretta turned to her, her expression serious. "What you were about to do back there was wrong, Lisa." Lisa scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Didn''t expect you to be so kind to ire. What, you like her now?" "Oh, please." Gretta waved her hand dismissively. "I still can''t stand ire. But your n was stupid. You could''ve ended up in jail! Do you really want that?" Lisa hesitated, her defiance wavering as she thought about it. Her hands dropped to herp, and she sighed. "Honestly, it''d be better than watching ire live her happy little life. She ruined mine, Gretta. My wedding, my career, and now my public image? I have every right to go through with my n." Gretta''s eyes narrowed. "Okay, let''s say you did stab ire, but she survives. Your life would bepletely ruined. If you want revenge, you''ve got to be smart about it." Lisa frowned, curiosity piqued. "And what exactly are you thinking?" A sly smile spread across Gretta''s lips. "I''ve got a better n. Trust me, I''d love nothing more than to see ire fall. I''m sick of her seeding at everything." Lisa watched as Gretta''s expression turned dark, a sneer curling her lips as she thought of ire. Then Gretta''s gaze returned to Lisa, and she stretched out her hand. "Together, we can bring ire down. So, what do you say?" Lisa nced at Gretta''s outstretched palm, her own lips curling into a smirk. She shook Gretta''s hand firmly. "Deal. Let''s bring ire down." The sun had barely peeked over the horizon when ire heard a knock on her penthouse door. She groaned, ncing at the clock. It was only 6 AM. Who could be here this early? Dragging herself out of bed, she shuffled to the door and opened it to find Matthew standing there, grinning like he''d just won the lottery. In one hand, he held two cups of coffee, and in the other, a paper bag that looked suspiciously like it contained pastries. "Good morning, sunshine!" Matthew chirped, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. ire raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here, Matthew? And at this hour?" He shed her a mischievous grin. "I''m ready for the prototype showing today! Figured I''d bring breakfast." ire stared at him, then nced at the clock again, just to be sure she hadn''t misread it. "The meeting doesn''t start for another three hours. You do know that, right?" "Better safe than sorry!" Matthew replied with a wink, cing the coffee and pastry on her dining table like he owned the ce. ire shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You''re impossible, you know that?" "Part of my charm," he said, flopping down on one of her dining chairs. "Come on, sit. We can have breakfast together. You don''t want this croissant to get cold, do you?" Realizing she was already up, ire decided she might as well get ready for the day. Besides, she was curious to see what the team had put together after that whole Venus debacle. She headed to her room to freshen up, calling back to Matthew, "Don''t eat all the pastries while I''m gone!" "No promises!" he called back,ughing. After a quick shower, ire joined Matthew at the table. The croissants were still warm, and the coffee smelled divine. They ate infortable silence for a bit before ire broke it with a question that had been on her mind. Matthew was already halfway through his coffee, casually flipping through one of her magazines. ire grabbed her own cup and took a sip, the warmth of the coffee waking her up a little more. "So are you nervous about today?" Matthew asked eveing her over the rim of his cunCntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org = Q Search... what they''ve done. It needs to be perfect." "It will be," Matthew assured her confidently. "The team knows what''s at stake." After breakfast, they decided it was time to head to Metacortex. As they made their way to ire''s office, the early morning quiet of the city slowly gave way to the usual hustle and bustle. ire nced over at Matthew, who was sipping his second coffee of the day. "Are you going to that event Alex is holding?" ire asked casually, though she was genuinely curious. Matthew thought for a moment, his brow furrowed. "I don''t want to, but I will. Someone needs to make sure Alex doesn''t do something stupid." ire chuckled. "You''re going to y babysitter?" "More like a safety," Matthew quipped, grinning. "Someone has to keep you out of trouble." They reached her office, and as usual, Matthew made a beeline for her desk, plopping down in her chair like it was his own. ire followed, shaking her head in amusement. "You know, Matthew," ire said with a teasing smile, "maybe this office should just be yours. You''re here enough." Matthew grinned back at her. "You''re too kind, ire. But honestly, my office at Cryptonic is more than enough. Though... I wouldn''t say no if you offered," he added with a yful wink. "Dream on," ire shot back with a smirk. The morning flew by, and soon it was time for the meeting. As the team gathered in the conference room, ire''s demeanor shifted into full-on business mode. The team unveiled the Cortex 2.0 prototype, exining every detail with precision. ire listened intently, her expression serious and focused. Every so often, she''d nod or ask a pointed question, her mind clearly racing through every possibility. When tho procontation finally Menu Home > Contact onyinarea. ire stood up, her tone professional as she addressed the room. "I''m satisfied with the result," she said, her voice carrying a note of approval "You''ve all worked incredibly hard on this project, especially after the incident with Venus, and I appreciate your dedication. But remember, this stays confidential. We can''t risk this getting out-too much time and money has already been lost." The team nodded, a look of pride and excitement crossing their faces. It was clear they were as eager as ire to see Cortex 2.0 seed. "Oh, and I''ll be announcing Cortex 2.0 myself," ire added. "Let''s make sure everything is perfect before we go public." The room buzzed with excitement as the meeting ended. As everyone filed out, ire couldn''t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The team had delivered, and now it was up to her to make sure everything went smoothly from here on out. Back in her office, ire walked over to the window, gazing out at the city below. She could only hope the rest of the week would go as nned, with no more surprises or interruptions. She''d had enough of thosetely. Matthew joined her a momentter, leaning against the doorframe with a knowing smile. "Looks like everything''s on track." ire nodded, still staring out the window. "Let''s hope it stays that way." Chapter 214 Private Event The day of the event had finally arrived, and ire was standing in front of her full-length mirror, admiring her reflection. She looked stunning in a backless ck dress that hugged her figure perfectly. The Harry Winston jewelry sparkled against her skin, adding just the right amount of mour. Her makeup was wless, and her hair was styled to perfection, thanks to the talented stylist she had hired. ire couldn''t help but smile at how everything hade together. Even the 5-inch heels, which made her feel like a giant, were the perfect finishing touch. Grabbing her YSL clutch, ire took onest look in the mirror before leaving her penthouse. ire feel slightly nervous as she step inside the car but she is confident tonight will go well. Tonight was a big night-Harris and Metacortex were making their first public appearance together, and ire knew all eyes would be on them. The car ride to the Harris Hotel took about thirty minutes, giving ire plenty of time to go over everything in her head. She was slightly nervous, which wasn''t like her at all. But hey, even the fiercest lioness gets butterflies when the stakes are high. As they pulled up to the hotel, she noticed something unusual no paparazzi swarming the entrance. Instead, there were only a few photographers, likely handpicked by Alex to keep the event private. Smart move, she thought. Stepping out of the car, ire took a deep breath and strutted inside the hotel, her heels clicking confidently against the marble floor. She headed straight for the elevator, making her way to the ballroom on the tenth floor. When she reached the ballroom, ire handed over her invitation card, and the staff quickly let her in. Inside, it was just as she expected an elegant sea of expensive dresses, sparkling jewelry, and men showing off their luxury watches like they were in some sort ofpetition. Business events had a certain vibe, and this one was no different. It was all about who looked the best, who had the most influence, and who could out-charm everyone else in the room. ire was halfway through the crowd, expertly weaving her way through clusters of conversation, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, slightly startled, and there stood Adrian. "Adrian!" she eximed, genuinely surprised. A warm smile spread across her face as she greeted him with a hug. "I didn''t expect to see you here." Adrian chuckled softly. "Yeah, well, my grandfather couldn''t make it, so here I am, representing the family." ireughed lightly, shaking her head. "It sounds like he''s slowly pushing you into his shoes. nning to take over the family business already?" Adrian gave a nonchnt shrug, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "That''s the n, apparently. My grandfather''s already got it all figured out." ire raised her brows, curiosity piqued. "How do you feel about that? I mean, with your club in America and the family business here in London, it''s a lot to juggle." Adrian, ever the smooth talker, grabbed two champagne sses from a passing waiter and handed one to ire. He took a sip before answering, his tone calm and collected. "I''ll figure it out. It''s all about bnce, right?" ire smiled, clinking her ss against his. "Well, if you ever need help bncing, you know where to find me." There was a brief moment of silence as Adrian looked into ire''s eyes, his gaze softening. Almost without thinking, he blurted out, "You look absolutely stunning tonight, ire." ire chuckled. "Thank you, Adrian. You''re not looking too bad yourself." As they continued talking, from across the room, Alex was deep in conversation with a potential investor. But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something that made him pause-ire, standing with Adrian? A frown creased his forehead as confusion washed over him. He was certain he hadn''t invited Adrian, just his grandfather. So how did Adrian get in? The investor in front of Alex cleared his throat, snapping Alex back to the conversation. "Alex? What do you think about that?" Alex forced a smile, trying to shake off the distraction. "I''m sorry, I''ll be right back. I just need to check on something." He excused himself and made his way toward ire, weaving through the crowd with purpose. As he approached, he could see ire and Adrianughing together, clearly enjoying each other''spany. For some reason, it bothered him more than it should. "ire," Alex greeted her, his voice smooth but with a hint of curiosity. He nced at Adrian, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Adrian, I didn''t expect to see you here." Adrian shed a charming smile. "I''m sure you didn''t. My grandfather couldn''t make it, so I''m here in his ce." Alex''s eyes still narrowed toward him. "Right." he turned to ire. "ire, may I talk to you in private?" ire raised her brows wondering why Alex wanted to talk again but she didn''t question. "I''ll see you around, Adrian." she shot him a smile and trailed behind Alex. Alex found a secluded spot on the balcony, away from the noise of the event. He shut the door behind him, ensuring t was just him and ire. The night air was cool, and the city lights sparkled in the distance, but = Q Search... anything but calm. ire, looking stunning as always, took a sip of her champagne, her expression cold. "What do you want to talk about, Alex?" she asked, her tone sharp. Alex, still frowning, stood in front of her. "Why do you keep bumping into Adrian?" he asked, his frustration evident. ire rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Seriously, Alex? Why are you still so curious about my private life?" "I''m not curious," Alex insisted, though his tone suggested otherwise. "I was just... wondering." "Wondering," ire echoed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She stared at him with her signature icy gaze. "You know why? Because you invited him." Alex shoved his hands into his pockets, scoffing. "I invited his grandfather, not him." ire sighed, clearly done with the conversation. "If this is what you wanted to talk about, I''m leaving." Before she could take a step, Alex quickly reached out, stopping her. "Wait, ire. I''m sorry, okay? That was out of line." ire paused, ncing at him with a raised eyebrow. "Fine. What is it you really want to talk about?" stage tonight." bout the project at the hotel. Just enough to get them interested but not too much." MenuBelonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Home > Contact viny. UUTTCTHL P??TT9S C Alex nodded, appreciating her approach. "That makes sense." ire raised her brows, sensing he had more on his mind. "Is there something else you want to talk about?'' Alex opened his mouth to speak but then seemed to reconsider. He shook his head instead. "No, nothing else." ire gave him a curious look but didn''t press further. She turned to walk past him, ready to head back inside. Just as she reached the door, Alex called out to her, his voice soft and uncharacteristically gentle. "ire." She paused and turned back to him, her expression questioning. Alex held his tongue topliment ire on her appearance and decided to say otherwise. "Good luck with the announcement." Chapter 215 It was a success The ballroom was buzzing with energy, filled with businessmen and women chattering away. The conversations weren''t just about deals and stocks; they also drifted into talk about luxury cars, vacation spots, and who had the best designer shoes. ire and Alex, dressed to impress, made their way up to the stage, exchanging a quick nce. ire gave Alex a nod, and he took the lead, clinking his ss with a fork to grab everyone''s attention. The clinking sound cut through the chatter, and gradually, the room fell silent. All eyes turned to Alex, who shed his signature charming smile. "Good evening, everyone!" Alex greeted the crowd, his voice carrying easily through the room. "Thank you all foring tonight. Now, I have to confess, this event was a bit spontaneous, so think of it as a sneak peek-like a spoiler for a blockbuster movie. Those of you here are the lucky ones, and those who missed it... well, it''s their loss!" Laughter rippled through the crowd, and ire had to work hard not to roll her eyes. Alex always knew how to work a room. "Tonight, I''m thrilled to announce something that''s been in the works for a while. Harris Hotel is partnering with Metacortex to bring you a brand-new hotel in Las Vegas," Alex continued, his voice full of enthusiasm. "But I won''t spoil everything tonight. No sneak peeks at the whole hotel... but maybe just a little teaser of what''s inside." The crowd''s interest was piqued, murmurs of curiosity sweeping through the room. Alex turned to ire, giving her a slight nod. "ire, take it away." ire stepped forward, taking the mic with a yful smirk. "Thank you, Alex, for that very... entertaining introduction. Good evening, everyone. I''m ire Peterson, CEO of Metacortex, and tonight, as Alex said, we have a little spoiler for you." As soon as she finished her sentence, the room suddenly went dark. The guests gasped, and a ripple of excitement ran through the crowd. In the center of the room, a soft blue light appeared, followed by the unveiling of an invisible monitor-like something straight out of an Iron Man movie. The disy floated in the air, visible from every angle. ire couldn''t help but feel a swell of pride. It had been her idea, and her team had brought it to life perfectly, using angles and light reflections to create the stunning effect. She could hear the guests whispering among themselves, clearly impressed and intrigued. ire and Alex walked down from the stage, and as they did, ire raised the mic to her lips again. "Ladies and gentlemen, what you''re seeing right now is the future of luxury hospitality-meet the robots that will assist you at the Harris Hotel." The room buzzed with chatter as ire continued, "But these aren''t just any robots. They''re designed to help with whatever you need, whenever you need it. And the brains behind it all? Cortex 2.0, the newest and most advanced software we''ve ever developed." A round of apuse erupted from the crowd, and ire couldn''t help but smile. It felt good to see everyone so impressed. With a subtle gesture, she signaled for the lights toe back on, and the room was once again bathed in a warm glow. ire and Alex returned to the stage, and Alex took the mic. "This hotel is going to be unlike anything you''ve ever seen before. Trust me, you won''t want to miss it." "Thank you all foring tonight," Alex added, his tone warm and appreciative. "We''re excited to share this journey with you, and we can''t wait to show you more in theing months." As the apuse died down, the guests began to mingle again, the excitement in the room palpable. ire took a moment to breathe, feeling the rush of adrenaline from the sessful presentation. "Well, that went well," Alex said with a grin, still buzzing from the excitement of being on stage. He stood next to ire as they both stepped off the stage, his energy almost palpable. ire nodded, shooting him a small smile. "It was a sess," she said in her usual professional tone. Alex blinked, taken aback. Wait, did ire Peterson just smile at me? That had to be a first. Alex thought to himself. Before he could say anything-maybe something clever, or maybe just to confirm he wasn''t imagining things-a familiar voice interrupted. "Alex!" Joan''s voice was filled with pride as she hugged her son. "I''m so proud of you!" Right beside her was Abigail, who quickly followed suit, giving Alex a congrattory hug. "You did amazing up there!" she said, beaming. Joan''s eyes then drifted to ire, and a warm smile grazed her lips. "Oh, ire, dear!" she greeted, pulling her into a hug. ire wasn''t really the hugging type, but she didn''t mind Joan. There was something motherly about her that made ire feel at ease en = Q Search...All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ire smiled graciously. "Thank you, Joan. And Abigail, your robot absolutely stole the show." Abigail smiled shyly, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Thanks, ire. But the technology you used to present it was really something else!" ire chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. "Oh, that was all just angles and light reflection. Nothing too fancy." As they shared augh, ire''s eyes caught sight of Matthew, who seemed to be looking for someone. She turned back to the group. "I have someone I need to meet. Excuse me," she said, giving them a nod before slipping away. Alex watched her go, a soft sigh escaping his lips. Before he could dwell on it, Joan was pulling him into more conversation. Meanwhile, ire was weaving through the crowd, stopping every few steps as people came up to congratte her. "ire, that was an amazing presentation! Cortex 2.0 sounds revolutionary!" one person gushed. "Thank you, we''re really excited about it," ire replied, her smile widening as more and more people expressed interest in Cortex 2.0. She couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride. They were finally getting the attention they deserved. But where was Matthew? She nced around the room, scanning for his familiar face, but he seemed to have vanished. Huffing softly in frustration, she grabbed a ss of champagne from a passing tray and downed it in one go. She set the empty ss down and resumed her search. As she rounded a corner, she almost bumped right into Adrian. "ire! That presentation was fantastic. You really outdid yourself," Adrian said with a genuine smile. ire smiled back, though it was starting to feel a bit forced. "Thank you, Adrian." But then, out of nowhere, something felt... off. ire''s smile wavered as a wave of dizziness hit her. She blinked rapidly, trying to shake it off. The room seemed to spin slightly, and a nauseous feeling crept up on her. "Eveuen mo" cho murmurod to Adrian trina to koon hornocuro "I nood to an to the rostroom " Menu Home > Contact STEP TOT watu, put nei neys yave oul, and she copsed onto the floor. ire''s mind raced, struggling to make sense of the situation. She needed help, but her voice felt trapped her throat. Her vision was darkening around the edges, and thest thing she saw before everything went ck was the blurred shape of someone approaching her. unds of the ballroom became muffled, and a loud ringing in her ears drowned out everything else. What was happening to her? r whole body started trembling. Panic surged through her as she realized something was seriously wrong. Chapter 216 She’s Gone Matthew''s eyes darting around as he searched for ire. The room was buzzing with chatter and clinking sses, but there was no sign of her anywhere. He cursed under his breath, frustrated that he had gotten caught in traffic and missed her big presentation. Now, he hadn''t seen her at all, and his unease was growing by the second. "Matthew!" a voice called out from behind him. He turned around to see Adrian striding toward him, looking as concerned as he felt.Cntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org "Adrian," Matthew greeted him, shaking his head. "Have you seen ire? I just got here, and I''ve been looking for her too." Adrian''s frown deepened, and Matthew could already tell something was up. "Is something wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with urgency. Adrian sighed. "I bumped into her a few minutes ago. We talked for a bit, but then her expression changed. She said she was going to the restroom, but something didn''t feel right." Matthew''s pulse quickened as a sense of dread settled in his stomach. "We need to find her," he said, already moving toward the exit of the ballroom. Adrian followed closely behind, both of them picking up their pace. As they were heading out, Alex, who had been deep in conversation with some guests, noticed them. He smiled politely at hispanions, excused himself, and hurried after them. Something about Matthew and Adrian''s uneasy expressions had caught his attention. "Matthew!" Alex called out, catching up to them. Matthew spun around, his frown deepening when he saw who it was. Thest thing he needed was Alex getting involved, but it looked like he had no choice. "What do you want, Alex?" Matthew snapped, clearly not in the mood. Alex ignored the hostility and asked, "Have you seen ire?" Matthew let out an exasperated sigh. "I should be the one asking you that, not the other way around." Alex''s confusion turned to irritation, and he stepped closer to Matthew, their faces just inches apart. "What do you mean, ''where is ire''? You''re the one who''s supposed to be keeping an eye on her." Matthew''s jaw clenched, and he looked ready to punch Alex right then and there, but Adrian quickly stepped between them, his expression serious. "Hey, this isn''t the time to fight. We need to find ire." Alex''s frown deepened as he looked from Adrian to Matthew. "What''s going on?" he demanded. Adrian''s voice was calm but firm. "Matthew has a bad feeling that something''s not right." Alex''s demeanor shifted instantly. All traces of irritation vanished, reced by concern. "Then let''s go find her," he said, already moving toward the exit. But Matthew wasn''t having it. "We can handle this," Matthew insisted, stopping Alex in his tracks. Alex''s eyes narrowed. "This is my hotel, Matthew. If anything, I know the ins and outs better than anyone." Matthew still looked like he''d rather do anything than ept Alex''s help, but Adrian stepped in again, trying to be the voice of reason. "With Alex''s help, we might be able to find her faster." Matthew hesitated, ncing between Adrian and Alex. Finally, he relented. "Fine. But I''m doing this for ire." Alex gave him a cold look. "So am I." Without another word, Alex strode ahead of them, his expression set in determination. Adrian hurried after him, but Matthew lingered for a moment, watching Alex with a mixture of frustration and grudging respect. He knew Alex wasn''t going to back down. As they followed Alex down the hall, Adrian couldn''t help but ask, "What about your event, Alex?" Alex didn''t even break his stride. "ire''s more important," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Adrian and Matthew hurried down the ballroom hallway, both of them on high alert. As they walked, Adrian suddenly spotted something glinting on the floor. He stopped in his tracks, squatting down to get a closer look. "Hey, wait a second," he muttered, reaching out to pick up a sleek ck clutch. "Isn''t this ire''s?" Matthew turned around, eyebrows raised. "What did you find?" Adrian held up the clutch. "This is ire''s purse. I saw her hold this earlier." Matthew quickly walked over, snatching the clutch from Adrian''s grasp. He opened it up and checked inside. "Her phone and cards are still here," he noted. His gaze shifted upwards, and he spotted a surveince camera mounted on the ceiling. A lightbulb went off in his head. "Alex, you need to check the cameras," Alex, without hesitation, nodded. "Of course." He headed off down the hallway, already dialing for security. Adrian watched him go, then turned back to Matthew. "You think we should split up? Might find her faster that way." Matthew considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, let''s cover more ground." They both set off in different directions, Matthew grumbling under his breath as he went. "What happened to you, ire." Adrian, meanwhile, was thinking hard. If someone was targeting ire, where would they take her? He had a bad feeling about this, and after a moment''s hesitation, he decided to head to the basement. "If = Q Search... somewhere hidden... like the basement," he muttered to himself as he pressed the button for the elevator. While Adrian was on his way to the basement, Alex arrived at the control room. The moment he stepped inside, he was met with a scene of absolute chaos-security guards scrambling around, clearly not on top of their game. "Hey!" Alex snapped, causing everyone to freeze. "What the hell is going on here? An important guest is missing." The head of security, looking more flustered than anyone, stepped forward, stammering out an apology. "S-sorry, sir! We didn''t realize" "Yeah, you didn''t realize," Alex cut him off, annoyed. "Get it together and pull up the surveince from the tenth floor. Now." Menu Home > Contact the screen. Sure enough, it was ire. But as he watched, his blood began to boil. ire was walking down the hallway, looking unstable as she hold on to the wall for a support until she suddenly copsed. "What get the" Alex muttered, watching as a man in a ck suit and mask appeared out of nowhere, scooped her up, and carried her toward the elevator. The security team looked at Alex, waiting for his next move. His fists clenched as he fought to keep his anger in check. "I want that man found, and I want him found now. Search the hotel and contact me the second you have anything." The head of security nodded frantically. "Yes, sir! We''ll get right on it." As they got to work, Alex pulled out his phone, intending to call Matthew. But then he remembered something that made him groan in frustration. "Damn it, I don''t even have his number!" He cursed under his breath, pacing the small room before a thought struck him. ire''s phone-Matthew has it. Without wasting another second, Alex dialed ire''s number. It rang a few times before Matthew picked it up. "Damn it!" "Matthew, it''s Alex," he said urgently. "I just saw the footage. ire''s been taken by some guy in a ck suit and mask. He''s in the hotel, and I''ve got security searching for him." Chapter 217 Are You Insane? Adrian stepped out of the elevator into the basement, his footsteps echoing in the quiet, almost eerie space. It was so silent you could hear a pin drop, and that made his hunch even stronger. Something told him ire might be down here. As he crept further into the basement, he caught sight of a shadowy figure making a dash toward a ck van parked in the farthest corner, practically in the blind spot. The hairs on the back of Adrian''s neck stood up. He squinted and his heart nearly stopped when he realized who the unconscious person in the man''s arms was. "ire?" he muttered under his breath, then yelled, "Hey! Stop right there!" The man nced back but didn''t slow down. He sped up, like he was making a break for it. Not on Adrian''s watch. Adrian broke into a full sprint, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He didn''t care that his dress shoes weren''t exactly built for a chase scene he was catching this guy if it was thest thing he did. With a final burst of speed, Adrianunched himself at the man, tackling him to the ground. They both hit the cold concrete hard, the impact sending a jolt of pain through Adrian''s elbow. He winced but quickly scrambled to his feet, ready to face the guy. The man was already up, towering over him, and looking seriously pissed off. "Okay, big guy, let''s see what you''ve got," Adrian muttered, bracing himself. The man swung a kick at him, but Adrian was quicker, dodging just in time. He grabbed the guy''s foot and shoved him backward, sending him tumbling to the ground. Adrian rushed over to ire, dropping to his knees beside her. "ire, wake up! Come on, don''t do this," he urged, gently shaking her. But she didn''t stir. Panic flickered in his chest. "Damn it!" he cursed out loud, ncing back to see the man getting up again. "Oh, great," Adrian muttered. He wasn''t exactly trained for hand-to-handbat, but he''d do whatever it took to keep ire safe. Meanwhile, back upstairs, Alex''s phone buzzed. It was the security team in the control room. "Sir, we''ve located the man you''re looking for. He''s in the basement," the guard informed him. Alex didn''t need to hear more. "Matthew let''s go!" he barked, already heading for the elevator. Matthew was right behind him, his usually calm demeanor reced by a look of fierce determination. The elevator ride down to the basement felt like it took forever. Alex tapped his foot impatiently, ncing at the floor numbers as they slowly ticked down. When the doors finally dinged open, the two of them bolted out, sprinting towards the sounds of a struggle echoing through the basement. Matthew was the first to spot the scene. Without missing a beat, he charged forward and delivered a solid kick to the man who was about to make another move on Adrian. The man stumbled back, and Matthew quickly turned to Adrian. "Check on ire, now!" Adrian didn''t need to be told twice. He rushed back to ire''s side, desperately trying to wake her up again. His fingers trembled as he checked her pulse. It was weak-too weak. "Matthew, her pulse is weak!" he shouted, his voiceced with panic. Matthew''s eyes darkened with anger as he turned back to the man. He didn''t waste any time, throwing a hard punch at the guy''s face, followed by another to his gut. "Who sent you?!" Matthew growled, but the man only grunted in pain. Alex, who had just caught up, joined in, delivering a fierce punch to the guy''s stomach. "Answer him!" he demanded, his own anger ring up. But the man remained stubbornly silent. Meanwhile, Adrian was frantically trying to figure out what had caused ire to lose consciousness. He ced his ear near her mouth, checking her breath. It was faint and shallow-this wasn''t good. Without hesitation, Adrian began performing CPR, pressing down on her chest and then moving to give her mouth-to-mouth. "Stay with me, ire," Adrian muttered between breaths. "Come on, you''re stronger than this." Alex nced over at them and did a double take, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What the hell, Adrian? Are you kissing ire right now?" Adrian didn''t stop, but he managed to throw an irritated look over his shoulder. "I''m performing CPR, Alex! Her pulse is weak, and her breathing is fading!" Alex stormed over, fuming. "CPR doesn''t need mouth-to-mouth! You''re just taking advantage of the situation! There are other ways!" Adrian was about ready to lose it. "For the love of Alex, if you want ire to survive, shut the fuck up and let me do my job!" That shut Alex up really quickly. He watched in frustrated silence as Adrian continued to work on ire. his heart pounding in his chest. The seconds felt like hours, every breath = Q Search... pushing Alex closer to the edge. Before Alex could fire back, Matthew chimed in from the corner of the room, where he''d just knocked a guy out cold. "Alex shut up and let Adrian do his thing!" Adrian was back to work, pumping ire''s chest with more urgency. "Someone call a medic! She needs help, now!" With one final rescue breath, Adrian carefully turned ire to her side, making sure she wouldn''t choke. He looked up at Alex, who was still fuming. "We need to get her to a doctor, and quickly." Alex, clearly torn between wanting to argue and wanting to help, finally pulled out his phone. "I''ll call a doctor." He dialed the hotel manager, barking out orders to secure the penthouse and keep everything hush-hush. Meanwhile, Adrian scooped ire up in his arms, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. "What floor?" he asked, his voice urgent. But Matthew stepped in, putting a firm hand on Alex''s chest. "Adrian, get back to the event. Let Adrian take care of her." "Are you insane? Are you thinking about the event when ire''s unconscious? What the hell is wrong with you?" Alex looked at Matthew like he''d lost his mind. Menu Home Categories > ContactContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! up and finds out the event was ruined because of her, she''ll me herself." "Penthouse, top floor," Alex finally said, his voice cold and dripping with resentment. Without another word, Adrian rushed to the elevator, ire cradled against his chest. He kept checking her breathing, whispering reassurances even though she was still cold. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Alex spun around to face Matthew. "Did you do this on purpose?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. Matthew didn''t flinch. "I''m not ying games, Alex. You need to be at that event. If neither you nor ire shows up, people will start asking questions, and you know how fast things can spiral out of control. Now go." Chapter 218 “Someone was trying to kill me?” Adrian found the hotel manager on the floor Alex had told him about. The manager''s eyes widened when he saw Adrian, but he didn''t say a word. He quickly unlocked the door with a key card, the sound of the lift dinging just as they stepped inside. A doctor walked out of the lift, timing that couldn''t have been better. "Doctor, over here!" Adrian called out, his voice urgent. The doctor, a man in his fifties with graying hair and a serious expression, nodded as Adrian exined ire''s condition. Without wasting any time, they hurried into the penthouse. Adrian carefullyid ire down in one of the plush bedrooms, his worry etched on his face. The doctor immediately set to work, checking ire''s heartbeat and breathing. Adrian stood by, feeling utterly useless, his hands clenching and unclenching. "What''s wrong with her, Doc?" he asked, his voice tight with anxiety. The doctor pulled out a syringe and, what looked like an antidote, injecting it into ire''s arm with a steady hand. "She''s been poisoned," he said, his tone calm but grave. "Someone spiked her drink. Fortunately, it wasn''t a high-level poison, so she''s not in immediate danger." Adrian''s eyes widened. "Poisoned? Are you sure?" The doctor nodded as he continued his examination. "She''s going to be fine. The antidote I just gave her will counteract the poison. But I''ll need toe back with an IV and some medicine to make sure she recovers fully." "Please hurry," Adrian urged, his concern evident. The doctor finished checking ire''s pulse and breathing, his expression easing slightly. "Her breathing is back to normal. She''ll need some rest, but she''s stable now." Adrian let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank you, Doctor. Really, thank you." The hotel manager, who had been standing by the door, stepped forward. "Mr. Adrian, is there anything else you need?" Adrian shook his head. "No, that''s all for now. But please, make sure no one disturbs us." The manager nodded, his professionalism unwavering. "Of course. If you need anything, don''t hesitate to call." Adrian watched as the manager and the doctor left the room, the door clicking softly behind them. He then turned his attention back to ire, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his fingertips lightly grazing her cheek. "Who did this to you, ire?" he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. Back at the event, Alex was in no mood to mingle. His face was a mask of barely contained anger, and the scowl etched into his features was doing little to hide it. He was pissed-pissed that someone had tried to harm ire, pissed that Adrian was with her instead of him, and pissed that Matthew had ordered him to stay at the event to keep the guests from getting suspicious. Despite the fact that the presentation had gone perfectly, something happened. The buzz and excitement that had filled the room earlier had been reced by a tense undercurrent that Alex couldn''t shake. He couldn''t care less about thepliments being thrown his way about the robot they had unveiled. He didn''t care about the sess of the event; all he could think about was ire. As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, Abigail approached him, her usual bright smile in ce. But as soon as she saw the look on Alex''s face, her smile faltered. "Alex are you okay?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. Alex forced himself to nod, but his tone was t. "I''m fine." Abigail wasn''t convinced. "You don''t look fine. Did something happen?" Alex hesitated, remembering Matthew''s words. No one should know what happened. He forced a small, tired smile and said, "I''m just tired, that''s all. It''s been a long day." Abigail studied him for a moment, clearly not buying it. "You sure? You look like you''re about to punch someone." Alex let out a short, humorlessugh. "Maybe I am. But seriously, I''m fine. I just need to get through the rest of this event." The doctor had just finished setting up an IV drip for ire and had left behind a small bottle of medicine, instructing everyone to let her rest and keep a close eye on her. After the doctor exited, Adrian made his way to the bathroom. He sshed some cold water on his face, trying to shake off the stress of the situation. When he emerged, he couldn''t help but nce at ire lying in the bed, her pale face barely of the Visible under the soft glowe barely bedsidemp. He walked over to the chair next to her bed and sat down, taking her hand in his. The room was quiet except for the gentle hum of the IV drip. Adrian''s heart skipped a beat when he felt ire''s hand move slightly. Her eyes fluttered open, looking around with a dazed expression. Adrian''s eyes widened in relief. "ire! Are you okay?"Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ire''s voice was barely a whisper, hoarse and weak. "What happened?" Adrian quickly reached for the water on the bedside table and helped her take a sip. "Here, drink this," he encouraged gently. ire took a few slow sips before settling back against the pillows. Adrian started exining everything that had happened, from the poisoning to the events leading up. to her being brought to the penthouse. "Someone tried to kill you, ire. It''s a mess, but Matthew caught the guy. You just need t rst," Adrian said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. ire''s eyes widened with shock. "Someone was trying to kill me?" Adrian nodded. "Yeah, but don''t worry about that right now. Matthew has it under control. You need to focus on getting better." ire''s gaze turned serious. "Where''s Matthew?" Adrian''s face softened. "He''s dealing with the guy who did this. He''lle byter." As Adrian stood up, ready to leave her side for a moment, ire''s eyes caught the bruise on his elbow. She reached out and grabbed his arm. "What happened to you?" Adrian forced a smile, trying to downy it. "It''s nothing, just a small bruise. I''m fine." ire wasn''t convinced. "If it''s nothing, then why don''t you get the safety kit and let me take a look?" Adrian shook his head. "Really, ire, it''s okay. It doesn''t hurt that much." ire''s eyes narrowed slightly. "If you don''t want to, I''ll get it myself." Adrian sighed, realizing he wouldn''t win this one. "Alright, alright. I''ll get the kit," he said, grabbing it from the cab. He handed it to ire, who then pulled him back down into the chair next to her. She took out the bandages and began tending to his bruise with careful hands. "Is it fractured or just bruised?" she asked, focusing on her work. Adrian chuckled. "I''m as strong as the Hulk, don''t worry." ire smiled but didn''tment further. She carefully wrapped the bandage around his elbow, her touch gentle and precise. Once she finished, she looked up, only to find Adrian staring at her with an expression that was a mix of V admiration and something else she couldn''t quite ce. Just as ire was about to say something, the door to the room burst open with a dramatic ir. Alex stormed in, his tone sharp. "What''s going on here?" Chapter 219 Tough as a Nail Alex stormed into the room, his face a storm cloud of frustration. The scene before him was enough to make anyone''s blood boil. The fact that ire''s okay with anyone but him being close to her is just enough to make him angry. "Adrian," Alex said, his voice colder than an Arctic breeze, "maybe you should be taking care of ire, not the other way around." ire, who had been watching the exchange with a raised eyebrow, frowned at Alex. "I was the one who offered, Alex." Alex raised his eyebrows. "Why would you do that?" ire rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Because he''s hurting, Alex. Any sane person would help." Before Alex could respond, there was a knock at the door, breaking the tension. Adrian, relieved to escape the confrontation, quickly stood up. "I''ll get it," he said, making his way out. As the door closed behind Adrian, ire and Alex were left alone in the room. ire was already feeling the weight of dealing with Alex''s mood on top of everything else, and it showed on her face. "How are you, ire?" Alex asked, trying to start a conversation. ire''s response was brief and simple. "Fine." Alex''s brow furrowed. "You''re soft with everyone else but me. What''s up with that?" She turned to him, her eyes staring straight at his brown orbs. "What do you want me to say huh, Alex? Do you want me to write a one-page paragraph? Or should I read it to make you feel better?" Before Alex could retort, the sound of footsteps approached. Matthew walked in, looking concerned but professional. "ire, you''re finally awake. How are you feeling?" "Okay, I guess," ire answered again, though she clearly wasn''t concerned about herself. Instead, she turned to Matthew, her expression serious. "Who sent the person to kill me?" "You don''t need to worry about that, ire. I''ve taken care of it." said Matthew to assure her however, it only makes ire more curious. ire''s eyes narrowed. She knew Matthew too well. He was trying to keep her from doing something rash, but that only made her more determined. Sliding her legs down off the bed, she swung them over the side. "I want to go home." Matthew''s eyes widened in rm. "Now?" "Yes." She simply answered. "ire, you need to rest. You''re not fully recovered." Said Matthew. ire rolled her eyes. "I don''t care. I want to know who tried to kill me." "ire, that''s not wise." Adrian, who had been hovering by the door, chimed in, "You still need to undergo some tests." "I''m fine," ire insisted as she stood up and yanked the IV out of her arm. Matthew and Adrian''s eyes were wide with shock. Alex, for his part, just watched in stunned silence as ire, ever the stubborn force of nature, walked out of the room without so much as a second thought. Matthew quickly followed her, his concern growing by the second. He wasn''t about to let ire storm off on her own, not in her current state. "ire, are you sure you''re, okay?" Matthew asked, his voiceced with worry as they headed down the hall. "I told you I''m fine," ire repeated, her tone t as she focused on putting one foot in front of the other. She wasn''t about to let something like almost being killed slow her down. They reached her penthouse''s entryway, and ire, not missing a beat, slipped into her heels with practiced ease. She straightened up, adjusting her stance before turning to Matthew. "Let''s go," she said, her voice devoid of any emotion, as if she were simply running an errand. Cntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Matthew opened his mouth to protest, but he knew better than to argue with ire when she was like this. He sighed, resigning himself to following her lead. "Alright, but you need to take it easy." ire didn''t respond. Instead, she walked out the door, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Adrian turned to Matthew, eyebrows raised. "Are you seriously going to let her go like that?" Matthew sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He knew better than to try and stop ire when she set her mind on something. "Look, ire''s stubborn as a mule, but she''s also tough as nails. Besides, she''s my boss-I can''t exactly throw asso around her and drag her back." Adrian looked puzzled as if he couldn''t quite wrap his head around the situation. Meanwhile, Alex, standing nearby, crossed his arms over his chest, a deep frown etched on his face. He was clearly not amused by any of this. Matthew noticed Alex''s disapproving re and decided to address the elephant in the room. "ire''s going to be fine. I''ll make sure of it." Alex scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "Fine? Really? Because thest time someone said that ire got poisoned because no one was watching her back." Matthew''s jay tightened, but he decided to ignore Alex''s jab. There was no point in arguing with someone who was clearly in the mood Instead, he turned to Adrian. "Thanks for your help tonight. I really appreciate it." With that, Matthew walked out of the penthouse, leaving Adrian and Alex standing there in awkward silence. Adrian grabbed his zer, ready to leave as well. "I''m heading out too," he said, ncing at Alex, who was still scowling. Alex turned to him, his expression icy. "I''m still not okay with you kissing ire." Adrian blinked, caught off guard. "What? It wasn''t like that. I was just doing CPR." "Yeah, well, I don''t like the idea of ire''s lips on anyone." Alex shot back, his tone dripping with irritation. "Next time, opt for chestpressions. No more mouth-to-mouth." Adrian''s brow furrowed, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. "ire doesn''t belong to you, Alex. You don''t get to tell me what I can or can''t do." Alex''s re intensified, but before he could retort, Adrian continued, "Besides, if you''re so worried about her, maybe you should''ve been the one taking care of her in the first ce." The room seemed to freeze for a moment as the tension hung thick in the air. Adrian turned on his heel and headed for the door. But before he left, he paused, giving Alex a brief nod. "Thanks for helping out tonight." With that, Adrian walked out, shutting the door behind him with a finality that echoed through the room. "And Christian said he''s nice," Alex muttered to himself ring at the closed door. Lisa and Gretta watched ire walking out of the hotel looking fine as she got in her car. Lisa gritted her teeth in annoyance that her ns once again failed. "She is still alive and healthy. He couldn''t even do a simple job! How hard can it be to kill ire Peterson?" Lisa groaned frustratedly. "It''s okay. We still have another shot." Gretta calmly answers. Lisa turned to her, staring at her as if she had two heads. "Why are you so calm? Aren''t you worried that the man you hired will tell them about us?" Gretta turned to Lisa with a wicked smile on her face. "No, I already make sure of that." Chapter 220 Last Chance Inside the car, ire sat with a look so serious it could slice through steel. The incident earlier still gnawed at her, and she was determined to find out who was behind it. As they cruised down the dark streets, her voice, cold and sharp, cut through the silence. "Matthew, what did you find?" Matthew, sitting beside her, sighed softly. He knew she wasn''t going to back down despite waht just happened earlier. "ire, the guy''s a criminal. This isn''t his first time doing something like this." He handed her an iPad, the screen glowing with the details of the man they were after. Matthew had once again hacked into the government system to dig up information. ire quickly scanned through the profile. The man''s name was Ivanov. An illegal immigrant with a track record that would make even the most hardened criminals think twice. The police had been after him for ages, but every time he got captured, he managed to slip away. No family, no roots, just a lifetime of getting involved in dark, shady business. ire handed the iPad back to Matthew, her mind already racing. "Where''s Ivanov now?" Matthew nced at her, concern flickering in his eyes. "He''s at the abandoned warehouse. But ire, are you sure you''re, okay? You just recovered from the poisoning. Maybe we should-" "I''m fine," ire interrupted her voice firm. Truth be told, she still felt a bit weak, but she wasn''t about to let that stop her. Whoever dared to ruin her day and, more importantly, tried to kill her, was going to pay. "Driver, take us to the warehouse." Matthew frowned but didn''t argue. He knew better than to try and change her mind once it was set. The ride to the warehouse was longer than ire would''ve liked, every minute ticking by adding to her growing impatience. As soon as the car rolled to a stop, she was out of it, moving quickly towards the warehouse. A guard opened the door for her, revealing the dimly lit interior. There, tied to a chair with armed guards standing watch, was Ivanov. His head hung low, but at the sound of ire''s heels clicking on the concrete floor, he slowly lifted it. His face was a mess of bruises, and ire could tell Matthew had made sure he got the message that messing with her was a bad idea. "Ivanov," ire called out, her voice cold enough to freeze water. He grinned, revealing yellow teeth stained with blood. It was a sight that could make anyone''s stomach turn, but ire didn''t flinch. She was more focused on getting the information she needed. "Who sent you?" ire demanded, skipping any pleasantries. Ivanov chuckled, a low, rasping sound that echoed off the walls. "What''s in it for me if I tell you?" ire wasn''t in the mood for games. She stepped forward, grabbing a fistful of his greasy hair and yanking his head back. But instead of showing fear, Ivanov onlyughed harder, as if this whole situation was some twisted form of entertainment for him. "You''d make a nice ything," Ivanov taunted, his voice dripping with malice. The anger bubbled up inside ire, and she shoved him back into the chair. Without a second thought, she walked over to one of the guards, snatching the pistol from his belt. She turned and pointed it directly at Ivanov''s head, her hand steady, her eyes locked onto his. Matthew, who had been watching in silence, felt a flicker of surprise at ire''s bold move but quicklyposed himself. He''d seen her angry before, but this was different. There was a deadly calm in her eyes that he hadn''t seen in a long time. "Who sent you?" ire repeated, her voice low and deadly. Ivanov''s grin faltered slightly, but he tried to keep up the act. "Go ahead, shoot. It won''t change a thing." ire didn''t hesitate. She cocked the gun, the click echoing loudly in the warehouse. "You''re not in a position to y tough, Ivanov. Start talking, or you''ll regret it." Ivanov, with a smirk that could curdle milk, leaned forward until his forehead pressed against the barrel of the gun. He stared at ire with a mix of defiance and madness in his eyes. "I''m not afraid to die,dy. I have nothing to lose. Go on, shoot me. I dare you." He wore a wicked grin, the kind that made ire want to wipe it off his face with something far less subtle than words. "You don''t have the guts," he sneered. "you have the looks, but you don''t have the guts." ire''s mind raced, but she kept her face impassive. Ivanov wasn''t entirely wrong killing wasn''t exactly her style. But he didn''t need to know that. She tightened her grip on she gun, her gaze hardening as on stared him down. Then, without breaking eye contact, she slowly retracted the gun and smirked. "You''re right, Ivanov," she said, her toneced with mockery. "I don''t have the guts because I''m not a killer. Unlike you." In With that, she handed the gun to Matthew, who had been watching the exchange from a few feet away. "Finish him off," she instructed, her voice cold. But before Matthew could make a move, ire gave Ivanov onest look, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Last chance, Ivanov. You want to walk out of here alive? Tell me who sent you to kill me." For a split second, ire saw something flicker in Ivanov''s eyes. Fear? Doubt? Whatever it was, it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He clenched his jaw and stayed silent, his gaze dropping to the floor. ire waited, counting the seconds in her head. Five minutes passed, but Ivanov didn''t say a word. The silence was louder than any gunshot could have been. "Fine," ire said, her voice chillingly calm. "You''ve made your choice." She turned on her heel and walked out of the warehouse, not looking back. The tension in her body didn''t ease until she slipped into the backseat of the car waiting outside. The door shut behind her with a soft click, and she leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes. She felt drained, her energy still not fully recovered. Every muscle in her body felt like lead, heavy and unresponsive. All she wanted was a moment of peace, but she knew better than to expect it anytime soon. The car door opened, and Matthew slid into the seat beside her. ire, still with her eyes closed, asked, "Did Ivanov say anything?"All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Matthew shook his head, even though ire couldn''t see it. "Nope. Not a word. Silent as a stone." ire let out a long sigh, her mind racing with possibilities. "What do you think makes him so determined to keep quiet?" she mused aloud. Matthew shrugged, leaning back in his seat as well. "Who knows? Maybe he doesn''t have the will to live anymore." ire scoffed. "Weird. Do you think the one who sent him has leverage on him?" Matthew thought for a while. "I don''t think so. From his information, he doesn''t have anything precious. I bet he got bored of the mainstream stuff he often did or maybe because of money. Humans love money after all." "True," ire muttered, rubbing her temples. "But people like him probably think staying quiet is the only way out." "We should go...I''m guessing your body is still weak. Told you to take it easy." ire opened her eyes slightly, giving him a smirk. "You worried about me, Matthew?" "Of course not," Matthew replied with a yful grin. "Just looking out for the boss. If you go down, who''s gonna sign my paychecks?" ireughed, the tension easing slightly. "Fair point." "Don''t worry, ire. We''ll keep digging." Chapter 221 It’s All About Claire. ire was sprawled on the couch, a thick nket wrapped around her like a cocoon, when Matthew stormed into her penthouse. His expression was a mix of exasperation and determination, like he was about to deliver the world''s most dramatic speech. "You, ire," he announced, pointing an using finger at her, "are not going to work today. You''re not working until you''ve fully recovered. Doctor''s orders." ire rolled her eyes, already knowing where this was headed. "Matthew, I''m fine. It''s just a little poison. Nothing I haven''t handled before." But Matthew wasn''t having it. He crossed his arms, standing tall like some sort of stern babysitter. "Oh, really? And what if you copse at the office? I''ll have to haul your unconscious body out of there." ire snorted. "You''re being dramatic." "Dramatic?" Matthew echoed, incredulously. "ire, if I catch you even thinking about going to Metacortex, I''ll personally call security to drag you out. And you know I mean it."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ire raised an eyebrow, but the small smile ying on her lips betrayed her amusement. "Is that a threat, Matthew?" "Absolutely," he said, dead serious. "Now, you''re going to stay right here, rest, and let me take care of everything. I''ll handle thepany, the meetings, the phone calls-everything. You just focus on getting better." ire''s gaze drifted to the bowl of porridge on the table in front of her. She''d been poking at it with her spoon for thest ten minutes, but the thought of eating it didn''t exactly thrill her. Her mind was still stuck onst night, specifically on Ivanov''s defiant re and his stubborn refusal to talk. Noticing her lingering stare, Matthew sighed. "You''re still thinking about Ivanov, aren''t you?" ire looked up from the porridge, leaning back onto the couch. "Can you me me? He was so adamant about not revealing who sent him. It''s frustrating." Matthew, who had been pacing across the room, stopped and leaned against the dining table. "It''s probably one of your many enemies," he said with a shrug. "You''ve racked up quite a few, you know." ire frowned, considering his words. "Sure, but which one?" "I''ll investigate," Matthew assured her. "You don''t need to worry about it. But for now, you need to take your medicine and get some rest. The doctor gave you strict orders, remember?" ire waved her hand dismissively. "I''ll take itter." "Now, ire," Matthew insisted, pulling a small bottle out of his pocket and setting it on the table next to the porridge. "Or I''ll feed it to you myself." ire narrowed her eyes at him, but there was no real heat in her gaze. "You''re really enjoying this, aren''t you?" "Absolutely," Matthew replied with a grin. "I never get to boss you around like this. It''s a rare treat." ire chuckled, but she reached for the medicine anyway. "Fine, fine. You win this round. But don''t get toofortable." Matthew watched as she swallowed the pills, satisfied that she was at least trying to follow the doctor''s orders. "Good. Now, eat that porridge and rest. I''ll handle everything at Metacortex." As Matthew headed for the door, ire called after him. "You''d better not mess anything up, Matthew. I don''t want toe back to a disaster." Matthew turned back with a wink. "Rx, boss. I''ve got it covered. Just focus on getting better, okay?" ire gave him a small nod, watching as he left the penthouse. She stared at the porridge again, this time with a resigned sigh. It wasn''t exactly appetizing, but she knew she needed to eat something. She took a reluctant bite, grimacing slightly at the nd taste. "Unnned day off," she muttered to herself. "Not exactly how I imagined it." Alex sat in his dark living room. He hadn''t slept much since the night before, and it showed up in the weary lines on his face. His mind was a tangled mess of thoughts-ire getting poisoned, the image of Adrian''s lips on hers, Matthew''s refusal to let him take care of ire, and, worst of all, ire''s cold, distant response to him. It frustrated him beyond words. He downed the whiskey in his ss in one swift motion and immediately poured himself another. The burn of the alcohol did little to ease the knot of anger and confusion twisting in his chest. He was so lost in his thoughts that he barely registered the sound of the front door opening. A familiar voice broke the silence. "Alex?" Christian called out, his tone a mix of surprise and concern. Alex didn''t bother to move or acknowledge him. Christian flipped on the light switch, but nothing happened. Frowning, he walked further into the room until he spotted Alex sitting in the dark, the curtains drawn tight and the lights off. Christian raised an eyebrow. "Why are you sitting in the dark like some kind of brooding vampire?" Still, no response. Christian sighed and moved closer until he was standing directly in front of Alex. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at his best friend, who was now pouring yet another ss of whiskey. "And why," Christian added, "are you drinking in the middle of the morning?" Alex lifted his gaze, his eyes cold and distant, but he didn''t say a word. Instead, he brought the ss to his lips, taking a slow, deliberate sip. Christian wasn''t having it. With a swift motion, he snatched the ss out of Alex''s hand, frowning. "Alright, enough of that. What''s going on with you?" Alex blinked, a bit dazed from the sudden light as Christian moved to the window and yanked the curtains open. Sunlight flooded the room, and Alex groaned, immediately shutting his eyes and grabbing the nearest pillow to shield his face from the brightness. "Seriously?" Christian huffed, nting himself on the coffee table in front of Alex. He leaned forward, his expression serious. "Talk to me, man. What''s wrong?" Alex stayed silent for a moment, then finally mumbled, "Everything." Christian arched an eyebrow. "Everything? You''re going to have to be a bit more specific than that." "ire," Alex muttered, his voice muffled by the pillow he was still using as a shield. "It''s all about ire." Christian tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "What about ire? Is this about what happened at the eventst night?" Alex lowered the pillow slightly, just enough to re at Christian. "Of course, it is. She was poisoned, Christian! Poisoned! And there was Adrian, ying hero, with his lips all over her while I couldn''t do anything!" Christian''s eyes widened. "Adrian kissed ire? I didn''t hear about that part." "It wasn''t like that," Alex snapped. "He was just... helping her. But still! And then Matthew wouldn''t even let me take care of her like I wasn''t good enough or something." Christian listened, piecing together the story. "Okay, so ire got poisoned, Adrian helped her, Matthew wouldn''t let you near her and now you''re here, drinking. yourself into a stupor because... why? ire didn''t give you the response you wanted?" Alex huffed and slumped back on the couch, letting the pillow drop to the floor. "She was so cold, Christian. Like she didn''t care at all. It''s driving me insane." "Then, you need to talk to ire. Find out what''s going on in her head. You won''t get anywhere by sulking in the dark." "You think talking will actually help?" Christian shrugged. "Can''t hurt to try. And if it doesn''t work, at least you''ll know where you stand." Chapter 222 Another Talk Alex wasn''t exactly thrilled about heading to work, especially after the night he''d had, but Christian had insisted. "You''ve got a ton of work to do," Christian had said, in that annoyingly chipper tone of his. So, here Alex was, cruising through the city streets, wishing he could be anywhere but the office. The project he''d been ving over for weeks was almost done, and that should''ve been a good thing, but right now, all Alex wanted was a long nap. As they made their way to the office, Christian who was in the driver''s seat, nced at Alex and said, "Hey, two investors want to meet with you." Alex raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Already? I just gave that presentation with irest night." Christian nodded. "I guess they liked what they saw. They sounded pretty interested." Alex stared out the window, watching the city blur by. "Guess I''ll have to talk to them soon," he muttered. It wasn''t that he didn''t want to it was just that his brain felt like it was still stuck in sleep mode. But work was work, and investors were important, so he''d just have to suck it up. Once they arrived at Harris Company, they headed straight to their floor. Alex''s secretary stood up as soon as she saw him. "Good morning, Mr. Harris. Your ck coffee is waiting for you inside." Alex''s eyebrows shot up again. "Coffee?" Christian, who was still hanging around, grinned like the cat that got the cream. "Yeah, I asked for it. Figured you could use something to sober up." Alex rolled his eyes, half amused, half annoyed. "Thanks, I guess." He stepped into his office, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee hit him like a warm hug. It was tempting, but Alex wasn''t in the mood for caffeine right now. As he settled into his desk chair, Christian gave him a thumbs-up. "I''ll get back to work. If you need anything, just let me know." Alex frowned, looking at Christian like he''d grown a second head. "Why would I need your help? I''m the CEO, remember?" Christian just shed him a wide, knowing smile and sauntered out of the office without a word. Alex watched him go, shaking his head. That guy was something else. With a deep sigh, Alex tried to focus on his work. The mountain of paperwork on his desk wasn''t going to tackle itself. He also needed to keep an eye on his hotel project in Las Vegas. The ce was almost ready, and he had to make sure everything was on track. He video-called the manager he''d assigned to oversee the final stages of construction. As the video feed connected, Alex was greeted by the sight of half-furnished rooms, sleek and modern, just the way he''d envisioned. The manager walked him through the progress, showing off the nearlypleted rooms, the stylish lounge, and the areas still under construction, like the kitchen, penthouse, and gym. "It''sing together nicely," the manager said, clearly proud of the work. Alex nodded, feeling a rare spark of satisfaction. "It''s perfect. Definitely fits the futuristic, matrix-like theme we were going for." The call ended, and Alex turned back to the paperwork on his desk. He managed to get through a few pages before his mind started wandering. His thoughts drifted, uninvited, to ire. He knew that if he texted or called her, she wouldn''t answer. ire had this way of goingpletely off the grid when she wanted to, and right now, Alex was pretty sure she was doing exactly that. He sat there in silence for a moment, tapping his pen against the desk, feeling a mix of frustration and something else he couldn''t quite pin down. Finally, he muttered under his breath, "Fuck it." Before he could stop himself, Alex grabbed his jacket and dashed out of his office, straight to ire''s. He wasn''t sure what he was going to say when he arrived, but sitting around doing nothing was no longer an option. However, as he stepped out of his office, Christian appeared in front of his office. His eyebrow raised as he stared at Alex while holding a document. "Where are you going?" Christian voiceced with curiosity. Alex''s face remained emotionless as usual as he stared into Christian eyes. "Out." "But you just arrived not long ago." "I need some air." Christian narrowed his eyes at Alex and gave him a knowing smile. "Oh, I know where you are going. You know what? I''m not going to stop you. It will be a waste of time anyway." He pushed the door open and walked inside Alex''s office. Alex couldn''t help staring at the door wondering why Christian didn''t stop him or knock him some sense since that is what he usually does. "Maybe he realized there is no way stopping me," Alex muttered under his breath and made his way to the lift. By the time he got to the lobby, his driver was already waiting for the car. "Metacortex," Alex barked as he slid into the backseat, his mind already a few steps ahead. The drive to ire''s office building was a blur. Alex''s fingers drummed impatiently against his knee, his thoughts spinning around what he was going to say when he saw her. As soon as the car stopped in front of the Metacortex building, Alex jumped out, barely giving the driver time to park. He made his way inside, his long strides radiating purpose. The employees in the lobby barely gave him a second nce, though a few raised eyebrows followed his determined path. Alex had be a familiar face around here, but it didn''t stop them from whispering and wondering every time he showed up. He ignored them, his focus set on the elevator at the far end of the lobby. He pressed the button for ire''s floor, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited for the doors to close. The ride-up felt like an eternity, and Alex found himself wishing the elevator would move faster. When the doors finally opened, he stepped out, his eyes locked on ire''s office door. But before he could even reach for the handle, her secretary, Sandra, appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path. "Mr. Harris." she began in her usual calm tone, "do you have an appointment with Ms. Peterson?" Alex frowned, his irritation ring. How could she even ask that? She knew damn well who he was. "Sandra," he said, barely masking his annoyance, "I don''t need an appointment to see ire. You know who I am." Sandra nodded, unfazed by his tone. "I understand, Mr. Harris but-" "But nothing," Alex cut her off, his patience wearing thin. "It''s urgent, and I won''t be long." With that, he pushed past her and shoved the office door open, ready to confront ire with whatever was on his mind. But as the door swung open, he froze in his tracks. Sitting in ire''s chair, behind her desk, was none other than Matthew Finnegan, looking as rxed as if he owned the ce. The surprise on Alex''s face must have been evident because Matthew raised an eyebrow at him, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Well, this is unexpected," Matthew said, leaning back in the chair. "Looking for someone, Alex?" Before Alex could respond, Sandra appeared behind him, finishing the sentence she had started earlier. "Ms. Peterson is absent." "Clearly," Alex muttered under his breath, his initial frustration now mixed with confusion.Cntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Chapter 223 Claire’s absent He stepped further into the room, his eyes narrowing at Matthew. "What are you doing here, Matthew? Where''s ire?" Matthew leaned back in his chair, looking far toofortable for Alex''s liking. "I could ask you the same thing," he said with a smirk, clearly enjoying whatever game he thought they were ying. Alex, however, was not in the mood for games. He stepped inside the office, letting the door close with a soft click behind him, and walked purposefully toward Matthew. "Where is ire?" he repeated, his voice sharper now. Matthew didn''t even flinch. He just stared up at Alex with a bored expression, as if Alex''s presence was the least interesting thing happening in his day. "Why do you want to know?" he asked, his tone just shy of condescending. Alex''s frown deepened, annoyance bubbling under the surface. "I need to see her," he said coldly. "I need to talk to her." "Well, she''s not here," Matthew replied with a shrug, as if that was the end of the discussion. "Where is she?" Alex demanded, his patience wearing thin. Matthew leaned forward slightly, connecting his fingers on the desk as he stared directly into Alex''s eyes. "And what''s so important that you need to talk to her? If it''s business, you can tell me, and I''ll make sure she gets the message." Alex bristled at the suggestion. "I''m not here to y telephone with you, Matthew. I need to speak to ire directly. I don''t need you to be the owl delivering messages." Matthew''s cool demeanor started to crack as irritation flickered in his eyes. "I''m busy, Alex. If you don''t have anything important to say, maybe you should just leave."All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Alex scoffed, the sound full of disdain. "You don''t like me, do you?" Matthew raised his eyebrows, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Did you just notice?" Alex rolled his eyes, clearly done with the back-and-forth. "You can hate me all you want, Matthew. But you don''t have the right to decide who can or cannot talk to ire." He turned on his heels, his hand reaching for the door handle. But just before he stepped out, he nced back at Matthew, a slight smirk ying on his lips. "If it weren''t for my help, you wouldn''t have found ire in the basement." And with that, he walked out of the office, leaving Matthew fuming in his seat. Matthew clenched his fists, the irritation coursing through him like wildfire. As much as he hated to admit it, Alex wasn''t wrong. When ire was missingst night, Matthew had been so overwhelmed with panic that he couldn''t think straight. He''d needed Alex''s help, and that stung him more than he cared to admit. But that didn''t change how he felt about Alex getting anywhere near ire. Matthew stood up, pacing the length of the office as his frustration simmered. He knew Alex''s type all too well charming on the outside, but nothing but trouble beneath the surface. The kind of trouble that would only end up hurting ire, and Matthew wasn''t about to let that happen. Alex stormed out of the Metacortex building, his mood sourer than a lemon soaked in vinegar. He hade all this way to talk to ire, only to find out she wasn''t even there. To make matters worse, Matthew acting like he has every ess into ire''s life and it annoys Alex. He couldn''t believe that ire would put her trust on a guy like him. With a frustrated huff, Alex yanked open the door to his car and slid into the driver''s seat. He let his head fall back against the headrest, staring at the ceiling for a moment as if it held the answers to all his problems. Spoiler alert: it didn''t. His phone buzzed in his pocket, snapping him out of his thoughts. He pulled it out, squinting at the screen. Abigail''s name shed brightly. He sighed, knowing that he probably couldn''t ignore her without feeling like a jerk, especially after she''d been working hard on their project. "Hey, Abigail," he answered, trying to inject some enthusiasm into his voice, though he wasn''t sure how sessful he was. "Alex! Hi!" Abigail''s voice was chipper as always, like she had a direct line to some endless source of energy. "Just wanted to let you know I''ve sent over a few sketches of the robot design to your email. Take a look when you get a chance!" Alex fished his tablet next to him and quickly opened his email. "Got them," he said, scanning through the designs. They were good, really good, and he had to admit, she''d done an excellent job. "Thanks, Abigail. These look great. You''ve really outdone yourself." "Oh, stop it," Abigail giggled, but Alex could tell she was pleased. "So, um... I was wondering if you''d be up to grab dinner tonight? I figured we could talk through any feedback you have on the sketches." Alex hesitated, ncing at the time. Part of him wanted to just go home and wallow in his frustration, but the other part the professional part-knew that he should probably take this opportunity to give Abigail some real-time feedback. Plus, she had been working hard, and it was the least he could do. "Yeah, sure," he finally said, trying to sound more upbeat than he felt. "Dinner sounds good. Let''s do it." An hourter, Alex walked into the restaurant Abigail had picked. It was a cozy, upscale ce with dim lighting and soft jazz ying in the background. He spotted Abigail right away, seated at a corner table, waving at him with a bright smile. "Hey, d you could make it!" she said as he approached. "Yeah, me too," Alex replied, sliding into the seat across from her. They exchanged a few pleasantries, and the conversation flowed easily enough, but Alex found his mind wandering. He kept thinking about ire, about Matthew, and about what happenedst night. Abigail noticed, of course. She was sharp like that. "You seem a little distracted," she said, tilting her head curiously. "Everything okay?" Alex blinked, snapping back to the present. "Sorry, just a lot on my mind," he said, forcing a smile. "But really, the sketches are great. I think we''re close to nailing the final design." Abigail nodded, but her eyes searched for his face, clearly not entirely convinced. "Well, if you ever want to talk about it, I''m a pretty good listener." "Thanks, Abigail. I appreciate that." He meant it, too. Abigail is Alex''s childhood friend so he definitely could count on her. However, Alex felt like his problem with ire was too personal for him to share. Meanwhile, Lisa was pacing around Gretta''s living room like a caged tiger. Gretta, on the other hand, was the picture of calm, lounging on her plush sofa with a ss of wine in hand. "This n would have been perfect if that idiot we hired had just done his job!" Lisa fumed, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. "I mean, seriously, how hard is it to just-" Gretta cut her off with a sharp look, setting her wine ss down on the coffee table. "Use your brain, Lisa," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "If that man had killed ire on the spot, it would have been the end of us. We''d be in jail faster than you could blink." Lisa paused, ring at Gretta, but she knew the older woman was right. "Fine," she muttered, flopping onto the sofa next to her. "But we can''t just sit around and do nothing." Gretta''s eyes narrowed as she stared out the window, deep in thought. "I''m not saying we do nothing. But we need to be smarter about this. ire''s not some fool we can just push around. She''s calcting, and careful. We need to be two steps ahead if we e want to bring her down." Lisa leaned back, crossing her arms. "So, what do we do?" Chapter 224 Bored Claire ire was beginning to lose her mind from the endless hours spent cooped up in her penthouse. The once luxurious space was now starting to feel more like a gilded cage, and she was itching to do something-anything-to break the monotony. She tried yoga, hoping that some deep stretches and calming breaths would help clear her head, but after a few minutes, she gave up. The yoga mat felt more like a ce to nap than a path to inner peace, and her brain was practically screaming for stimtion. "Alright, that''s it," ire muttered to herself as she rolled up the mat. "I need to do something before I gopletely nuts." With nothing elseing to mind, ire found herself scrolling through YouTube, and that''s when she stumbled upon a baking tutorial. "Baking can''t be that hard, right?" she thought, watching a cheerful baker whip up a batch of gooey brownies. Famousst words. ire followed the recipe step by step, mixing the ingredients with precision. But when it came time to bake the brownies, something went horribly wrong. The sweet aroma she had been expecting was quickly reced by the sharp smell of something burning. She yanked open the oven door, only to be greeted by a tray of charred, ckened squares that could only be described as culinary disasters. "Well, at least I know I''m not a baker," she said with a shrug, tossing the ruined brownies into the trash. Defeated but not quite ready to give up on finding something productive to do, ire sat down with herptop. She stared at the screen, trying to figure out what work she could possibly tackle from home. Unfortunately, all the important documents and files she needed were safely stored at Metacortex, and she had a sneaking suspicion that Matthew was already handling her tasks in her absence. But as she clicked aimlessly through her emails, her mind drifted back to the events ofst night. The memory of what happened gnawed at her. How had someone managed to poison her drink right under her nose? And how had she been so unaware? The more she thought about it, the more questions popped into her head. Was the hotel staff involved? Had someone tampered with the drinks? ire frowned, her curiosity piqued. She needed answers. But she couldn''t just waltz into the Harris Hotel and demand to see their security footage. Alexander would find out, and she didn''t want him involved not to mention the barrage of questions he''d ask her if he found out. Determined, ire sat up straighter, her mind racing with ideas. If she couldn''t physically go to the hotel, she''d just have to get creative. A n started to form, and within minutes, she was typing furiously on her keyboard. "Hacking into the hotel''s security system from here won''t be easy," she muttered to herself. "But it''s not impossible." ire navigated to the Harris Hotel website, her fingers flying over the keys as she worked her way through their digital defenses. It was a hassle, sure, but nothing she couldn''t handle. A few minutester, she was in. "Too easy," she smirked, marveling at how outdated the hotel''s security software was. "They really should invest in better cybersecurity." Now that she had ess, ire quickly located the footage from the previous night and began scanning through it. She fast-forwarded through every angle in the ballroom, her eyes glued to the screen. At first, everything seemed normal-she watched herself giving the presentation with Alex, looking perfectlyposed. But then she saw herself heading off to find Matthew, and that''s when things got strange. ire leaned in closer, her brow furrowing as she watched herself on the screen. She saw herself grab a ss of champagne, then she fast-forwarded again, watching the moment she started talking to Adrian. That''s when she noticed it her behavior was off. She was starting to sway slightly, her movements less controlled. "What the hell?" ire whispered, rewinding the footage to watch it again. She quickly switched to another camera angle, this time in the hallway, and there it was-clear as day. She saw herself staggering slightly, and then, not long after, she lost consciousness. The sight of her own body copsing made her heart skip a beat. She paused the video, staring at the screen in disbelief. "Damn it," ire muttered, rubbing her temples as she tried to piece together what she had just seen. ire clicked y on the video again. This time, the camera captured something or rather, someone else. Ivanov appeared, wearing a ck mask and a hat thatpletely obscured his face. ire''s stomach twisted as she watched him calmly pick up her unconscious body like she weighed nothing, then head straight to the lift. The camera angle switched again, vel. and she saw Matthew, Adrian, and Alex rushing into the hallway, looking frantic as they searched for her. ire, couldn''t help but wonder what they were saying in that moment. They looked stressed-okay, maybe panicked was a better word. They split up after what seemed like a quick exchange, and ire''s curiosity spiked. Where were they going? What were they nning? Determined to find out, ire began hacking into the rest of the hotel''s surveince footage.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Eventually, she found Adrian in the basement, and what she saw next made her heart race all over again. Adrian had tracked down Ivanov and was now pushing him around like a madman. The two of them were locked in a brutal fight, and ire watched with wide eyes as punches were thrown and bodies mmed into walls. Then, just when it looked like Ivanov might get the upper hand, Alex and Matthew burst onto the scene, turning the tables. ire''s eyes stayed glued to the screen as Adrian finally managed to bring her back to life with a desperate attempt at CPR chestpressions and all. But when he leaned down for mouth-to-mouth, ire''s eyes widened to the size of saucers. She couldn''t believe what she was seeing. "Oh my God..." she whispered, leaning back on her couch. She hadn''t expected that. Not at all. She kept watching, biting her lip as Alex appeared on the screen, ring at Adrian with a look that could melt steel. Whatever he was saying, it wasn''t friendly-that much was clear. ire had a strong hunch they were arguing, and she had to admit, Alex looked seriously pissed. She wondered what they were talking about, but the camera didn''te with audio, leaving her to guess. The rest of the footage showed how the three men finally overpowered Ivanov, leaving him incapacitated. Then, as the video yed out, she saw Adrian gently lift her and carry her to the lift, his expression one of pure concern. ire closed herptop with a sigh, her mind spinning in a thousand directions. She nced out the window and realized the sun was dipping below the horizon. How long had she been at this? Hours, clearly. But despite all the time she''d spent hacking into the system, she still didn''t have the answers she was looking for. It was her order that had led to his death, and now she was back to square one, trying to figure out who had sent him after her in the first ce. Even if she asked the hotel staff, she doubted they''d know anything useful. They''d probably just point her right back to Ivanov. And Ivanov? Well, he wasn''t exactly avable for questioning anymore. "Ivanov''s dead," she muttered to herself, the weight of her actions pressing down on her. "Damn it," she cursed again, this time with more frustration. "What am I supposed to do, now?" Chapter 225 Attending Fashion Show The next morning, ire''s phone buzzed on her desk, pulling her attention away from the endless stream of emails. She can finally get back to work after convincing Matthew that she is fine and that she can get back to work even though Matthew didn''t 100% believe her but he let her nheless. She nced at the caller ID and felt a smile tug at her lips. It was Talia. It had been too long since they''dst spoken, and ire realized just how much she missed her friend''s infectious energy. "ire!" Talia''s voice came through the phone, bright and bubbly as always. ire could practically see her grinning on the other end of the line. "Hey, Talia," ire responded calmly, but there was warmth in her tone. "How''s Italy treating you?" "Oh my God, ire, it''s been amazing!" Talia squealed, the excitement in her voice unmistakable. "I''ve been doing everything! Mrs. Armetta has been showing me around, and the food here-oh, you wouldn''t believe it! And the fashion-everywhere you look, it''s like stepping into a magazine! I even got to help out with some designs! I mean, can you believe it?" ire chuckled, genuinely happy to hear Talia so thrilled. "Sounds like you''re living the dream," she said. "I''m d everything''s going so well." "I know, right?" Talia continued, her voice a little breathless from all the excitement. "But enough about me-how are you, ire? You''ve been on my mind, you know. I''ve been texting you, but it''s not the same as hearing your voice." ire''s smile softened at the concern in Talia''s voice. "I''m fine, just the usual-work, work, and more work," she replied, letting out a small sigh. She purposely left out any mention of the incident with the poison. The fewer people who knew about that, the better. "ire, you sound tired," Talia said, her voice softening with worry. "Are you sure you''re, okay?" ire hesitated for a second before brushing it off. "I''m good, Talia. Just swamped with projects as always. But enough about me why''d you call? I''m sure it''s not just to hear mein about work." Talia seemed to brighten up again, her usual spark returning. "Oh! Right! So, tomorrow there''s this huge fashion show happening, hosted by Armetta Boutique. Everyone''s going to be there artists, singers, influencers, you name it. And guess what? I''ve been helping organize the whole thing! I even got to design part of the stage!" "Wow, that''s incredible, Talia!" ire said, genuinely impressed. "You''ve really outdone yourself." "Thanks!" Talia replied, clearly pleased with thepliment. "But here''s the thing-I really want you to be there, ire. I mean, none of this would have happened if it weren''t for you introducing me to Mrs. Armetta. You''ve got toe!" ire couldn''t help but smile. "I just did what felt right, but I''d be honored to attend. I wouldn''t miss it for the world." Talia let out a little cheer on the other end of the line. "Yay! I''m so d! It''s going to be amazing, ire, I promise. I''ll save you the best seat in the house." "I''m looking forward to it," ire said, her tone light. "I could use a night out." The call wrapped up shortly after, with Talia still buzzing with excitement. Talia ced her phone down, her excitement giving way to a thoughtful frown. Something was off with ire, she could feel it. She had sounded fine, sure, but there was something in her voice-a weariness that Talia couldn''t ignore. "She''s hiding something," Talia muttered to herself, her fingers tapping against the table. "I''ll find out what''s going on, even if I have to drag it out of her." With that resolve, Talia turned her attention back to the fashion show preparations. She had a lot to do before tomorrow. The day of the fashion show had finally arrived, and ire felt a mix of excitement and nerves as she stepped out of the sleek ck car that had just pulled up to the venue. She was dressed in a stunning limited-edition outfit from Armetta Boutique, a perfect blend of elegance and edge. The dress, a sleek ck number with a hint of shimmer, was paired with a stylish tweed zer that added just the right amount of sophistication. Her hair was styled to perfection, falling in soft waves around her shoulders, and she wore oversized shades to protect her eyes from the barrage of camera shes that greeted her the moment she stepped out. The photographers were relentless, shouting her name from every direction. "ire! Over here!" "Look this way, ire!"Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. "Give us a pose!" The shes were blinding, and though ire wasn''t particrly fond of the media circus, she knew she had to y the game. After all, the media was a powerful beast-it could either elevate your image or destroy it with a single headline. So, ire put on her best "media smile," the one that was perfectly practiced but never quite reached her eyes She waved and posed just enough to keep the photographers happ then quickly followed a staff member who led her inside the venue, away from the chaos. Once she was out of sight, ire let out a long sigh of relief. "I swear, those cameras get more aggressive every time," she muttered under her breath, adjusting her shades. Just then, a familiar figure approached her, tapping her shoulder lightly. ire turned around and broke into a genuine smile when she saw Talia standing there. "Talia! It''s so good to see you!" ire eximed, pulling her into a warm hug. "I''ve missed you so much, ire!" Talia replied, hugging her back just as tightly. "You look amazing!" ire pulled back, taking in Talia''s appearance with a grin. "Look at you! Your hair-shorter and darker? Italy has definitely changed you!" Talia blushed andughed, running a hand through her newly cropped and dyed hair. "I wanted to try something different. You know, new country, new look. What do you think?" "I love it! It suits you perfectly," ire said, genuinely impressed. "You look chic and sophisticated, very European." "Thanks! But enough about me," Talia said, giving ire an appreciative once-over. "You look incredible! How on earth did you get your hands on that limited-edition dress? It''s not even out yet!" ire smirked, tilting her head slightly as she teased, "I have my ways, Talia. A girl''s gotta have her secrets." They both chuckled, the easy camaraderie between them making the stress of the event fade into the background. "Come on," Talia said, looping her arm through ire''s. "Let me show you to your seat. You''re going to love it." ire followed Talia, chatting casually as they made their way through the elegantly decorated venue. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, models, and designers rushing around, final preparations being made before the show started. When they reached the seating area, ire was taken aback to find that her seat was in the front row, right in front of the stage. She turned to Talia; her eyebrows raised in surprise. "Is this really my seat?" Talia nodded excitedly; her eyes sparkling. "Yep! Mrs. Armetta herself insisted that you be seated here. She thinks you''ll be the perfect face for her new collection." ire couldn''t help but smile, feeling both ttered and a little out of her element. "Well, I''m honored. Thank you, Talia. This is amazing." "Don''t mention it!" Talia said, giving her a quick hug before turning to head backstage. "I''ve got to get back and help with the final touches. Enjoy the show, and we''ll catch up moreter, okay?" "Absolutely," ire replied, taking her seat and waving as Talia disappeared behind the curtain. Settling into her seat, ire took a moment to take in her surroundings. The venue was a masterpiece of modern design, with sleek lines and muted colors that allowed the focus to be entirely on fashion. The front row was filled with the who''s who of the fashion world-designers, influencers, and a few celebrities thrown into the mix. However, she spotted someone she thought she would never see again. Chapter 226 Lisa Save Claire? ire''s eyes narrowed as she stared at her, trying to process what she was seeing. There, in the second row, sat Lisa Thompson. Thest time ire hadid eyes on Lisa was at the police station, of all ces, bailing her out. And now, here she was, at a fashion show, of all ces? ire couldn''t shake the bad feeling that started creeping up her spine. Something about Lisa being here didn''t sit right, but ire pushed the thought aside and focused on the stage. She was here for fashion, not Lisa. Meanwhile, Alex was sneaking into the venue through the back door, doing his best to avoid the photographers who were eagerly snapping photos of anyone who looked important. He had his phone pressed to his ear, listening to his mother''s voice with a mix of impatience and resignation. "Alex, darling, make sure you find something nice for me," his mother''s voice chirped on the other end. Alex rolled his eyes, his tone dripping with annoyance. "Mum, I could''ve hired someone toe to this fashion show for you. You know I have zero interest in women''s fashion, especially when I''ve got a mountain of work waiting for me." His mother didn''t have it. "Oh, hush, Alex. I wanted my son''s opinion, not some random stylist''s. Think of it as a mother-son day out, even if it''s just you there and me back at the mansion." Alex let out a sigh, sarcasm seeping into his reply. "Oh, sure. Nothing says quality time like me running around at a fashion show while you''re sittingfortably at home. Can''t wait." "Just let me know what you pick out for me, sweetheart," his mother said with a sweet but firm tone, clearly ignoring his sarcasm. The call ended, and Alex slipped his phone back into his pocket, letting out another sigh. Just as he was about to figure out where he was supposed to go, a staff member approached him with a bright smile. "Can I help you, sir?" she asked. "Yeah, I''m Alexander Harris," he replied, trying not to sound too uninterested. The staff member''s smile widened as recognition shed in her eyes. "Right this way, Mr. Harris," she said, leading him to his seat. As Alex followed her through the venue, he couldn''t help but scan the room, taking in the crowd. His eyesnded on ire, and he nearly did a double take. Was it just him, or did he seem to run into ire everywhere these days? Or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, it was starting to feel like fate or some kind of cosmic joke was at y. Settling into his seat, Alex kept one eye on the runway and the other on ire. She looked as poised andposed as ever. And then it hit him. Maybe this was his chance to have a conversation with ire without Matthew hovering around. He hadn''t spotted him anywhere, and the after-party might offer the perfect opportunity to finally get her alone for a real talk. The fashion show was in full swing, and the atmosphere was electric. The lights dimmed, and the first model made her way down the runway, her every stepmanding attention. ire, seated in the front row, was all business-well, mostly. She couldn''t help but admire the clothes, mentally bookmarking a few pieces to snag after the show. Some of those dresses were too good to pass up. For nearly forty minutes, the parade of fashion continued. Models glided in and out, each outfit more stunning than thest. ire''s focus was razor-sharp, assessing each piece with a discerning eye. She was already nning how to incorporate thetest trends into her wardrobe. When the final model strutted back down the runway, the designer appeared, bowing to a round of apuse. The show was over, and the crowd erupted in cheers, pping for the stunning disy they had just witnessed. As people began to rise and disperse, the unexpected happened. A loud crash@choed through the venue as one of the massive lights above the runway suddenly plummeted to the ground. Screams pierced the air as panic spread through the crowd like wildfire. ire shot to her feet, her heart racing as her eyes filled with shock. She could feel the panic creeping in as she tried to make sense of the chaos unfolding before her. To make matters worse, the fallen light had been electrified, and sparks flew, igniting a fire that quickly began to spread across the room. The once-celebratory atmosphere dissolved into chaos as people shoved and pushed in a desperate attempt to escape. But amidst the panic, ire''s thoughts weren''t on herself-they were on Talia, who she knew was backstage. "Talia!" ire shouted, her voice barely audible over the screams and the crackling mes. She pushed her way through the crowd, but the sheer number of bodies crashing against her made it impossible to move freely. Someone mmed into her and she lost her bnce, hitting the floor hard. Pain shot through her as shended on her side, but she ignored it, scrambling to her feet. Cntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Determined to find Talia, ire fought her way backstage. The heat was unbearable, and the smoke was thickening by the second. Her breath came in short gasps as she coughed, theck of oxygen making her head spin. "Talia!" she called out again, but there was no answer. The backstage area was a mess, with people running in every direction, and Talia was nowhere to be seen. ire felt the mes drawing closer. She needed to get out-fast. But just as she turned to leave, another piece of stage decoration, loosened by the fire, began to topple towards her. ire''s eyes widened in terror, bracing herself for impact. But then, out of nowhere, a hand grabbed her arm, yanking her to safety just in time. ire spun around to see who had saved her, only to find herself staring into the familiar face of Lisa. ire''s expression hardened instantly. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice icy despite the surrounding heat. Lisa matched her tone with equal coolness. "Saving your life, apparently," she shot back. ire narrowed her eyes, suspicious. The timing of Lisa''s appearance was too convenient. "I don''t believe you," she said bluntly, her mind racing with doubts. Lisa rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed by ire''s skepticism. "Think whatever you want, ire," she snapped. "I don''t care. But right now, we need to get out of here before this cees down on top of us." From across the room, Alex was fighting his way through the smoke and debris. He squinted, trying to make out two figures in the distance. His breath caught when he realized who they were-ire and Lisa. But what on earth was Lisa doing here? Before he could make sense of it, Lisa acted again. With a sudden shove, she pushed ire aside, just as another piece of burning stage dcor came crashing down. ire hit the ground; the wind knocked out of her as she stared up at Lisa in shock. Her mind was spinning, unable toprehend what had just happened. Was Lisa trying to save her, or...? "ire!" Alex''s voice cut through the chaos as he reached her, frantically pushing the fallen debris off her. His eyes darted between ire and Lisa, confusion and concern written all over his face. "Are you okay? What the hell just happened?" ire shook her head, still in shock. "I don''t know." Chapter 227 The Fire The chaos at the venue reached its peak when the firefighters burst through the door, a whirlwind of urgency and shing lights. They immediately went to work, guiding Alex, ire, and Lisa out of the smoky, debris-strewn space. ire''s face remained a stoic mask, but her mind was racing. Lisa, unconscious and cradled in the arms of a firefighter, was quickly loaded into an ambnce. ire''s eyes followed her, but she remained impassive, her usualposure not slipping even in the midst of themotion. As the paramedics worked on Lisa, one of the firefighters noticed ire standing off to the side, her attention seemingly elsewhere. He approached her, tapping her gently on the shoulder. "Hey, Miss!" he said, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Are you okay?" ire turned, her gaze meeting his. "I''m fine," she replied with a cool, detached tone. The firefighter''s eyes narrowed slightly as he took in her appearance. "You''re bleeding," he said, pointing at her arm. ire looked down and saw a long scratch running along her forearm, red and angry. Her legs were dusty, with a few scratches peeking through the grime. She winced slightly, realizing that the scratch was probably from when Lisa had pushed her out of the way of the falling debris. "It''s nothing," ire said, trying to brush it off. The firefighter didn''t seem convinced. "You need to go to the hospital. That could get infected." ire''s sharp eyes met his. "I''m fine," she insisted. The firefighter was persistent, though. "You need to get checked out, just to be safe." ire sighed, her frustration evident. "Alright, alright. I''ll go. But I''m not happy about it." With that, she climbed into the ambnce, her movements a bit more brisk than usual. As the doors shut behind her, she nced out to see Alex being attended to by another firefighter. The firefighter turned to Alex. "Are you okay?" Alex nodded, though his face was pale, and he coughed slightly. "Yeah, just a bit shaken." The firefighters handed him an oxygen mask, which he took gratefully and began to breathe in deeply. The oxygen helped, and Alex''s color improved a little. "Which hospital did you take the unconscious woman to?" Alex asked, his voice hoarse. "We took her to the City Hospital. The other woman''s going there too." Alex nodded, relief mingling with worry. "Thanks. I''ll head there now." As the firefighters continued to manage the scene, Alex made his way to his car, his steps quick and purposeful. The street was now filled with police and firefighters, the air thick with the remnants of smoke. The fire had died down significantly, but the upper floors of the building were still aze. The firefighters were working hard to control it. Alex climbed into his car and drove to the City Hospital. His mind was a jumble of thoughts that he couldn''t even form a word. Alex stepped into the hospital, his suit stained with soot and his face smudged with dust from the fire earlier. The moment he walked in, people turned to look at him, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern. But Alex couldn''t care less. His mind was preupied, and the stares were just background noise. Standing at the entrance, Alex hesitated. Should he go see Lisa or not? The thought gnawed at him, the memories of theirplicated past swirling in his mind. Recently, when Lisa was in jail, he''d been harsh-maybe too harsh. But at the time, he hadn''t regretted it. Lisa had deserved it. Yet, earlier today, she had saved ire from the falling debris. That had thrown him offpletely. Maybe, just maybe, Lisa had realized her mistakes. ire was being treated by a nurse. The scratches on her arm and leg weren''t as severe as the firefighters had feared, but the doctor told ire it was the right thing to do toe beforehand in case something bad happened. The nurse finished bandaging ire''s wounds and told her, "There you go, all done." ire mumbled a quick "thanks," as the nurse left the room. She sighed and leaned back in bed, her thoughts drifting back to the chaos of earlier The fire, the debris, and Lisa''s unexpected act of heroism-everything felt tangled together in her mind. She was still trying to piece it all together, feeling a strange connection to Lisa but with no solid proof to back it up. Just as ire was lost in thought, a voice she knew all too well broke through her reverie. "ire?" She looked up, frowning as she saw Alex standing in front of her. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of irritation. "I came to check on you," Alex said, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. "Are you okay?" "I''m fine," ire said inly, trying to keep her annoyance in check.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Alex''s eyes drifted to the bandages on her arm. "You''re far from fine," he said, his concern evident despite the dust and grime. ire rolled her eyes. "It''s nothing. How did you I was here?" Alex cleared his throat as he shoved his hands inside his pocket. "I found out from the firefighters and the nurse that you were here. I wanted to check on you." A tense silence filled the room, and Alex broke it by adding, "Lisa helped you." ire''s face went cold. "So?" Alex was taken aback. "So, shouldn''t you thank her? She saved you." ire''s expression remained unmoved. "I''m not going to see her or thank her." Alex frowned, clearly frustrated. "Why not? She saved you, ire. The least you could do is acknowledge it." ire pushed herself up from the bed, clearly agitated. "If you want to thank her, go ahead. Just don''t drag me into it." As she started to walk away, Alex reached out and stopped her. "The fire. You don''t think this is all Lisa''s doing right?" ire nced at him, a smirk ying on her lips. But she didn''t give him a straight answer. Instead, she pulled her arm free and continged walking, leaving Alex standing there, more confused than ever. Alex stood there, puzzled and a bit irritated. He knew ire had been hurt because of Lisa, but the whole situation seemed off. Why would Lisa save ire if she had intended to hurt her? It didn''t add up, and it was driving him nuts. As ire walked out of the room, she was being greeted by a worried-looking Matthew. "ire! Are you okay? I saw the news and I remembered you were there. Oh my God! I am so worried. Why didn''t you call me?" "Matthew," ire called him, and, in an instant, Matthew was silent. "I''m fine." "Then can you exin that?" he pointed to the bandage on ire''s arm and leg. ire rolled her eyes. "It''s nothing. Don''t worry about it. How about Talia? Have you heard from her?" "She called me earlier. She was also worried about you, ire and Talia are fine however, her project didn''t go the way she nned." A frown appears on ire''s forehead, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. "You okay, ire? You don''t look fine." ire cleared her throat and turned her gaze to Matthew with a hint of seriousness. "I need to tell you something." Chapter 228 It’s Confusing Alex made his way to Lisa''s room, his steps slower than usual as he reyed the events in his mind. After asking the nurse for directions, he finally found himself standing outside her door. With a deep breath, he stepped inside, taking in the sight of Lisa lying on the bed, His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, his brow furrowed as he stood at the foot of her bed. still unconscious. The room was quiet, the soft beeping of the machines the only sound breaking the silence. Could it be true that Lisa was behind this? he wondered. The question gnawing at the back of his mind. There was something about the whole situation that didn''t sit right with him. Before he could dwell on it further, he noticed her fingers twitch. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked a few times before her gaze found him. A weak smile tugged at her lips as she softly called out his name. "Alex..." He pressed his lips together in a thin line, nodding in acknowledgment. "You''re awake," he muttered, more to himself than to her. He took a step closer to the bed, his expression still guarded. "I''ll call the doctor." But before he could turn to leave, Lisa''s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist with surprising strength. "Don''t leave me," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. Alex looked down at her, searching her face for any signs of deceit. But all he saw was fear, raw and unfiltered. He wasn''t sure if she was just putting on an act or if this was genuine, but something in her eyes made him hesitate. "Lisa," he began, trying to keep his voice neutral, "I''ll be back. I just need to get the doctor." Her grip on his wrist tightened, but he gently pried her fingers away. "I won''t be long," he added, though there wasn''t much warmth in his tone. With that, he turned and walked out of the room, heading straight for the nurse''s station. A few minutester, Alex returned to the room, following behind the doctor and nurse who quickly got to work checking on Lisa. The doctor gave her a thorough examination before turning to Alex. "She''s fine, just some bruises on her back. No concussion. She''ll need rest, but she should be good as new soon enough." Lisa thanked the doctor, who nodded and left the room with the nurse, leaving Alex and Lisa alone once more. The silence stretched between them, the air thick with unspoken words. Lisa turned to him, her voice soft and a bit shy. "Thank you, Alex... for being here with me." Alex drew in a deep breath, nodding slightly. "It''s nothing," he replied, his tone distant. He couldn''t shake the unease that had settled in his chest. "Why were you at the fashion show?" he asked, his gaze steady on her. Lisa didn''t miss a beat. "Mypany asked me to attend," she answered smoothly, her expression innocent. He nodded, not pressing the issue further. But the suspicion lingered, like a dark cloud that wouldn''t dissipate. Before he could say anything else, Lisa reached out, her hand brushing against his cheek as she tried to dust off some dirt. "Are you okay?" she asked, concernedcing her voice.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Alex caught her hand before she could touch his face, gently but firmly pushing it down. "I''m fine," he said, his voice cool. "Don''t worry about me." Lisa''s smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. "You should rest too, Alex. You look tired." "I''ve got work to do," he replied, his tone dismissive. He turned to leave, not wanting to prolong the conversation any further. But just as he reached the door, Lisa called out to him, her voice tinged with desperation. "Alex... are you going to leave me again?" He stopped in his tracks, turning to face her fully. "I have to go, Lisa. The nurse will take care of you," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. And with that, he walked out of the room, leaving Lisa alone once more. As the door clicked shut behind him, Lisa''s expression darkened. She clenched the nket in her fists, her frustration bubbling to the surface. Even after everything I did, he''s still so cold, she thought bitterly. But then, she allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. At least he visited me. That''s something. She sank back into the pillows, her mind racing. There was still time. She wasn''t out of the game yet. If Alex wanted to y hard to get, she''d just have to be smarter. ire settled into the passenger seat of Matthew''s car, her mind still buzzing with the events of the day. Matthew turned on the engine, and they pulled away from the hospital. "So," Matthew began, ncing at ire as they merged into traffic, "what''s this big thing you wanted to tell me?" ire didn''t beat around the bush. "Earlier at the fashion show, I saw Lisa." Matthew''s foot mmed on the brake, causing the car to jolt to a sudden stop. ire shot him a sharp re, her hand instinctively reaching for the dashboard to steady herself. Matthew winced and gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, sorry! Didn''t mean to almost give you whish. But, uh, what do you mean you saw Lisa?" "Yes, Lisa Thompson," ire repeated, the sarcasm in her tone not lost on him. She folded her arms, clearly not impressed by his dramatic reaction. Matthew eased back into the flow of traffic, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as he processed what ire had just said. "Okay, but what does that mean? She was just... there?" ire gave him a look that practically screamed, Are you serious right now? It took a second, but then something seemed to click in Matthew''s brain. "Wait... you think Lisa had something to do with the fire?" ire nodded, her expression turning more serious. "The timing was too perfect, Matthew. It''s suspicious, to say the least." Matthew nced at her again, this time with a furrowed brow. "Are you sure? I mean, it''s a big leap to make." "I''m sure," ire replied, her voice firm. "But I don''t have concrete proof yet, so it''s all just spection for now." Matthew let out a low whistle, clearly intrigued. "So, what do you want to do? You want me to look into it?" "Exactly," ire said, turning her gaze back to the road ahead. "Investigate the venue. I know it''s going to be tough since the fire probably destroyed most of the evidence, including the surveince cameras, but we need to start somewhere." Matthew nodded, his mind already working through the logistics. "It''s going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack. The fire happened inside, so whatever caused it... It''s probably buried under a ton of debris." "I know," ire sighed, running a hand through her hair. "But we don''t have a choice. We need to figure out what really happened, and if Lisa''s involved, we need to know why." Matthew considered her words carefully, then asked, "So how exactly did the fire start? Any ideas?" ire recounted the incident with a frown. "A light fell, got electrified, and that was it. It sparked a fire, and the rest is history." Matthew let out a low hum of understanding. "That''s weird. Lights don''t just fall on their own." "Exactly," ire said, her tone indicating she''d been thinking the same thing. "It''s too convenient. And with Lisa showing up out of nowhere... I can''t shake the feeling that she''s somehow connected to all this." Matthew''s hands tightened around the steering wheel as he made a mental checklist of everything he''d need to do. "Alright, I''ll get on it. It''s not gonna be easy, but I''ll see what I can dig up." Chapter 229 Room Upgrade Lisa sat in her hospital bed, poking at the nd, tasteless food on her tray while half-watching some mindless reality TV show. She still couldn''t believe she''d been transferred to a VIP room. The luxury upgrade was nice, but it hade out of nowhere. She had a sneaking suspicion that Alex was behind it, probably as a thank-you for saving ire. Not that Lisa wasining-she might as well enjoy the perks while she could. Just as she was about to change the channel, the door to her room burst open, and in walked her mother, looking like she''d aged a decade in worry. "Lisa!" her mother eximed, rushing to her side. "Are you okay? I heard about the fire! I was so worried!" Lisa rolled her eyes and popped another piece of fruit into her mouth. "I''m fine, Mum," she replied, her voice dripping with boredom. "Nothing to freak out about." Her mother''s brow furrowed as she leaned in closer. "Are you still mad at me? Is that what this is about? You''re still upset about our fight?" Lisa turned to her mother, her expression turning icy. "You mean the fight where you left me to rot in jail and didn''t even lift a finger to help? Yeah, I might still be a little mad about that." Her mother sighed, frustration etched into her features. "Lisa, I told you, that was your fault. The whole n went haywire because you decided to pull that stupid suicide stunt! What were you thinking?" Lisa scoffed, her attention drifting back to the TV. "Whatever, Mum. You always have an excuse." "It''s not an excuse!" her mother shot back, her voice rising. "You don''t understand how tight money is! I couldn''t bail you out even if I wanted to! And honestly, you brought that mess on yourself." "Yeah, well," Lisa muttered, keeping her eyes glued to the screen, "I''m not interested in your lectures right now." The room fell into an ufortable silence, broken only by the faint sounds of the TV. Lisa''s mother stood there for a moment, looking like she wanted to say more, but in the end, she just shook her head and left the room. The next morning, ire was already back at the office, much to Matthew''s dismay. He had practically begged her to stay home and rest, but ire had too much on her te to take it easy. Sure, she had almost died from poison a few days ago, and just yesterday, she was nearly roasted in a fire, but that wasn''t going to stop her from handling business. As she sat at her desk, ire couldn''t help but let her mind wander. The timing of the fire was too suspicious to ignore. It had to be connected to the person who had tried to kill her. But every time she tried to piece it together, her head started to pound, and she quickly decided to shove the thoughts aside. She had more pressing matters to deal with right now. She opened herptop and started going through her emails. The usual pile of messages greeted her, but one, in particr, caught her eye. As she read it, her heart sank. The Japanese roboticspany she had been in talks with had changed their mind. They were pulling out of the partnership with Metacortex. "Great," ire muttered under her breath. "Just what I needed." ire leaned back in her chair, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. She had dealt with her fair share of setbacks, but today seemed to be a never-ending stream of them. With a sigh, she picked up her phone and dialed Sandra''s extension. "Sandra, could youe to my office?" ire asked, trying to keep her voice steady. Sandra walked in a momentter, a look of concern on her face. "Is everything okay? Do you need something?"All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. "Yeah, unfortunately," ire said, rubbing her temples. "The Japanese roboticspany we were counting on just bailed. They don''t want to partner up with Metacortex anymore." Sandra''s eyes widened slightly. "What? Why?" ire shrugged, annoyance creeping into her tone. "Timing, they said. Something about how they can''t meet our deadlines or some other excuse." Sandra pursed her lips, thinking. "So, what''s next? Should we start looking for other roboticspanies?" ire nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. "Yes, that''s exactly what we need to do. I need you to help me list all the well-known roboticspanies and send it to me as soon as possible. We need to contact them immediately." Sandra didn''t waste a second. "I''m on it," she said, turning on her heel and heading back to her desk. It didn''t take long before Sandra returned with a sheet of paper in hand. "Here you go," she said, handing it to ire. "Sixpanies, all reputable, all within the same field." "Thanks, Sandra," ire said, already scanning the list. She wasted no time dialing the first number. As the phone rang, ire tapped her pen against the desk, trying to keep her frustration at bay. When a man finally answered, she introduced- herself with her usual confidence. "Hello, this is ire, the CEO of Metacortex. I''m calling to discuss a potential partnership." The man on the other end seemed surprised, but polite. "Ah, hello, ire. A pleasure to speak with you. What kind of partnership are you thinking?" ire exined the situation, emphasizing the urgency. "I know this is a bit sudden, and I apologize for that, but we''re on a tight schedule. We need the projectpleted within three months." There was a pause before the man spoke again, his tone regretful. "Three months? I''m afraid that''s just too short a timeframe to build three robots to your specifications. I''m sorry, but we can''tmit to that." ire thanked him politely, though inwardly she was fuming. She moved on to the nextpany, and the next, and the next. Each call yed out the same way-interest at first, followed by apologies when the short timeline was mentioned. By the time she got to thestpany on the list, ire was nearing the end of her patience. "Is building a robot really that hard?" she muttered to herself as she dialed the final number. Just as she expected, the answer was the same. Too little time, too many constraints. ire hung up the phone with a sigh, frustration now a full-blown storm inside her. She stared at the list ofpanies on her desk, feeling like she''d hit a brick wall. At that moment, the door to her office opened, and Matthew walked in. ire perked up slightly, hoping for some good news. "Did you find anything?" Matthew shook his head, his expression grim. "Not much. I overheard the police saying they''re still looking for evidence, but they haven''t found anything yet. The fire was too thorough." ire slumped back in her chair, the weight of the day''s failures pressing down on her. "It feels like everything''s falling apart," she muttered. Matthew, ever the optimist, leaned forward. "Hey, we''re not giving up. We''ll keep investigating. We''ll find something." ire nodded, appreciating his determination, but her frustration lingered. Matthew noticed and tilted his head. "You look like something else is bothering you. What''s going on?" ire sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It''s the robotics el? on us because the timeframe was too short, so I called six otherpanies, and they all said the same thing. No one can build what we need in three months Matthew leaned back in his chair, thinking for a moment. Then, with a shrug, he suggested, "Why don''t we build the robots ourselves?" Chapter 230 Metacortex CEO Goes Crazy ire blinked,pletely caught off guard by the suggestion. She stared at Matthew as he''d just proposed they fly to the moon using rubber bands and paper clips. "What? Us? Build the robots?" Matthew grinned, that mischievous glint in his eyes suggesting he wasn''t kidding. "Sure, why not? We''ve got the brains, the resources. Why not give it a shot?" "Because it''s crazy," ire shot back, still trying to wrap her head around the idea. "We''re not robot engineers. Metacortex doesn''t even have a robotics department! It''s way too risky." "Too risky?" Matthew leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a look that screamed ''I know better." "Come on, ire. You''re The Raven. You can be a world-ss hacker and run Metacortex at the same time. How hard can it be to build a robot?" ire''s eyes narrowed as she gave him a weird look. "I get your point, butparing hacking and corporate management to building a robot? Not exactly the same thing." "Tomato, tomahto," Matthew replied with a chuckle, waving her concerns away like they were trivial. "And hey, you won''t be doing this alone. I''ll help. Plus, you''ve got all those geniuses over at Cryptonic. You could ask them to pitch in." ire bit her lip, her mind racing. The idea was out there, no doubt about it. But maybe that was exactly why it had potential. Still, she had to weigh the risks. "It''s not a terrible idea, but we don''t exactly have a robotics division." "So, we start one," Matthew said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You''ve always said Metacortex is about innovation, right? What''s more innovative than building our own robots when no one else will?" ire couldn''t help but smile at his enthusiasm. "You make it sound so easy." "Because it is," Matthew insisted. "We hire the best people, we give them what they need, and we get to work. Worst case, we''re in the same spot we are now, but best case, we end up with robots that are exactly what we need." ire leaned back, thinking it over. "You know, Matthew, you might just be onto something." Matthew grinned. "I usually am. So, what do you say? Ready to start our own robotics division?" ire felt a spark of excitement, something she hadn''t felt all day. "Let''s do it. We''ll need to move fast, but if anyone can pull it off, it''s us." Matthew''s grin widened, clearly pleased with himself for nting the seed. "That''s the spirit! Think about it, ire. If we pull this off, it''s going to be a game-changer. People won''t just see Metacortex as a tech giant-they''ll see us as innovators. Pioneers." ire raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like we''re trying to build an electric spaceship." "Who knows? Maybe we''ll do that next," Matthew joked, leaning forward with enthusiasm. "But seriously, imagine the headlines. ''Metacortex Enters Robotics: A New Era of Innovation.'' It''s got a nice ring to it, don''t you think?" "I can see the headlines now," ire said dryly. "Metacortex CEO Goes Crazy, Decides to Build Robots on a Whim." Matthewughed. "Hey, people love a good underdog story. We start with robots, then who knows? World domination?" "Let''s not get ahead of ourselves," ire replied, though she couldn''t help but smile at his infectious enthusiasm. "But let''s say we do this. Where would we even start? It''s not like we can just Google ''how to build a robot'' and call it a day." Matthew tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, first, we''d need to figure out what kind of robots we''re talking about. Are we thinking humanoid robots, industrial bots, something else entirely?" "More like helper robots. Something to serve and greet guests in hotels. You know, a friendly, efficient assistant that makes the stay more enjoyable for the guests." "First thing first, we need a design," "I''ll contact Abigail and ask her for the design." Matthew nodded. "We need to decide on its appearance, functions, and personality. And of course, we''ll have to figure out the tech behind it-Al, sensors, all that good stuff." ire raised an eyebrow. "You''re talking like this is a weekend project." "It''s the only way to keep the excitement going." "Alright. But we do it my way. We take it slow, we cover all our bases, and we don''t rush into anything. If we''re going to build robots, we''re going to do it right." "This is going to be awesome, ire. I can feel it." "Let''s hope your feeling is right," ire replied, though there was a hint of excitement in her voice now. "Because if this blows up in our faces, I''m ming you." "Deal," Matthew said, still grinning from ear to ear. "But don''t worry, ire. We''ve got this. I''ll get started on some preliminary research. And maybe we can set up a meeting with the best employee you have." "Good idea," The night had settled over the city, with the hospital bathed in a peaceful hush, Lisa was asleep in the plushfort of her VIP room, a luxury she had chosen over returning to her mother''s house. The doctorh had given her the all-clear to leave, but Lisa wasn''t ready to face the world just yet. The hospital, with its quiet halls and soft, sterile lighting, felt like a cocoon where she could hide from her troubles. As Lisa slumbered, the door to her room creaked open slowly. Gretta slipped in like a shadow, her footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floor. She approached the bed with a cautious tread, but something must have alerted Lisa, who stirred in her sleep, a frown creasing her brow. Her eyes fluttered open, and she felt a presence looming above her. With a gasp, Lisa jolted awake and was about to scream when Gretta''s hand shot out, mping over her mouth. "It''s me! It''s Gretta!" she hissed urgently, trying to calm Lisa down. Lisa''s eyes widened in recognition, and Gretta removed her hand, stepping back to turn on the light. The sudden brightness filled the room, revealing Gretta''s face, which was set in a deep scowl. "Oh, it''s you," Lisa mumbled, rubbing her eyes and trying to steady her racing heart. "Why the heck did you sneak up on me like that? You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Gretta crossed her arms over her chest, her expression unimpressed. "You messed up, Lisa. Big time." Lisa''s heart, which had just begun toCntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org slow, skipped a beat again. She knew this conversation wasing, and she''d been dreading it. She hadn''t contacted Gretta since the whole mess went down, partly because she was too embarrassed and partly because she didn''t know how to exin herself. "I know, I know," Lisa stammered, fumbling with the edge of her nket as if it could offer some kind of defense. Gretta''s eyes narrowed as she leaned in closer, her voiceced with frustration. "That''s not the n, Lisa. The n was to let ire be devoured by the fire-literally and metaphorically. So, what''s with the sudden change of heart? Why did you save her?" Lisa''s mouth opened and closed a few times, but no words came out. She hadn''t expected Gretta to confront her so soon, and now that she was here, Lisa found herself at a loss for what to say. She kept fiddling with the nket, looking everywhere but at Gretta''s piercing gaze. "I" Lisa started, but her voice caught in her throat. She cleared it and tried again. "I saw Alex, and I... I thought maybe if I helped ire, Alex would see it and... and maybe he''de back to me." Gretta let out a long, exaggerated sigh and red at her friend, a mix of disappointment and disbelief on her face. "Lisa, what do you want? For ire to die or for Alex toe back? You can''t have both." Lisa bit her lip, her mind racing. The truth was, she didn''t know what she wanted. In a perfect world, she''d have Alex back and ire would be out of the picture. But this wasn''t a perfect world, and she wasn''t sure if she could have either. Deep down, though, she knew that if she had to choose, Alex would win every time. Before she could muster a response, Gretta cut her off. "Alex isn''ting back to you, Lisa, and you know it. You need to stop living in denial and ept it." Chapter 231 Another Big Project ire held the phone to her ear, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the sketches Abigail had just sent over. The robot design was detailed-really detailed. ire let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of the project settle on her shoulders. This was going to be moreplicated than she''d anticipated. Abigail''s voice crackled through the phone, sounding slightly concerned. "ire? What do you think? You''ve been quiet for a while." ire snapped out of her thoughts and cleared her throat. "The sketches are...nice, Abigail. Very detailed." There was a pause at the other end of the line before Abigail''s voice came back, a little less confident. "Just nice? You sound like you''re holding something back." ire smiled, appreciating Abigail''s straightforwardness. "Well, they''re a bitplicated. But that''s not the real issue here." "Oh?" Abigail''s curiosity was piqued. "What''s the issue, then?" ire leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling as she exined. "Metacortex is going to build this robot from scratch. We can''t rely on any otherpany because no one''s willing to take on the project with such a tight deadline." There was a rustling sound on the other end of the line, and ire could almost picture Abigail sitting up straight, eyes wide. "Are you serious? Why the sudden decision?" ire sighed, rubbing her temple. "It''s not like we have much of a choice. Everypany I approached turned us down. They all said the same thing: the timeline is too short."Cntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Abigail let out a low whistle, then surprised ire by offering, "Well, if that''s the case, I''ll help out. I mean, I did graduate with an engineering degree, so this stuff isn''t exactly foreign to me." ire raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You really want to help? This isn''t going to be easy, you know." Abigail chuckled. "Easy isn''t really in my vocabry. Plus, it sounds like fun. Count me in." ire couldn''t help but smile. "Thanks, Abigail. I really appreciate it." "So, when do we start?" Abigail asked, her voice full of energy. "Tomorrow''s fine," ire replied, ncing at the clock on her desk. "I need to pick the right people from my team first. I want to make sure we''ve got the best minds on this." "Got it. Just let me know what''s next," Abigail said cheerfully. "Will do," ire said, grateful for the support. "Thanks again, Abigail." "Anytime! Talk to you soon." As the call ended, ire''s gaze fell on Alexander''s name in her contacts. She knew she needed to inform him directly about the situation, even though talking to him wasn''t exactly on her list of favorite things to do. Taking a deep breath, ire dialed his number. The phone barely had a chance to ring twice before Alex''s deep voice answered, "ire. What''s going on?" ire straightened in her chair, adopting her most professional tone. "Hello, Alexander. I have something important to discuss with you." Alex, who had just taken a sip of his coffee, raised an eyebrow. "Important, huh? What''s up?" ire wasted no time, diving straight into the issue. "Nopany is willing to take on our robot order because of the short deadline. So, Metacortex is going to handle it ourselves. We''ll build it from the ground up." There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Alex responded, clearly surprised. "You''re taking it on yourself? I didn''t see thating. Are you sure you can handle it?" ire''s confidence was unshaken. "Absolutely. I''ve got the best team in the business. We''ll get it done." The line went quiet again, but this time the silence felt more thoughtful. Finally, Alex spoke up. "Alright. As long as you''re sure. The agreement says you''re in charge of the tech, so I''ll stay out of it as long as it meets the deadline." ire nodded, even though he couldn''t see her. "It will. I''ll keep you updated." Just as she was about to end the call, Alex''s voice softened, catching her off guard. "How are you, ire? Really?" ire paused, not expecting the shift in tone. She quicklyposed herself. "I''m fine, Alexander. Busy, but fine." There was a small pause before she added, "I''ll let you know when we start building the robot." "Good," Alex said, his voice returning to its usual firmness. "Keep me posted." With that, the call ended. ire stared at her phone for a moment, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. Shaking it off, she set her phone down and focused on the task ahead. Meanwhile, in his office, Alex stared at his phone screen, a slight frown on his face. He set the phone down on his desk, letting out a quiet sigh before taking another sip of his coffee. ire''s office was a whirlwind of activity, the kind that could make a caffeine junkie feel like they needed to catch up. Phones were ringing, keyboards were cking, and there was a low hum of voices as people hurried in and out of the room. It was organized chaos, the kind ire thrived on. She stood at the center of it all, her sharp eyes scanning over the faces of her team members as they gathered around. "Alright, everyone," ire called out, her voice cutting through the noise like a knife. "We''ve got a big project ahead, and want the best of the best on this. No stacking off, no half-baked ideas-this is our chance to do something groundbreaking." Matthew who stood next to her joined in. "If this sudden project of ours goes well, then Metacortex will open a new division." A few people exchanged nces, some looking excited, others a little nervous. ire could sense the tension in the room, but she also felt the buzz of excitement humming just beneath the surface. This was something new, something big, and everyone knew it. "Matthew is right. However, let''s not think about that. I gather all of you, who were once involved in a robot project with a high hope that we can connect our minds in building this robot. Phope we all can work together as a team and also let''s Keep this confidential." ire throws them a smile. First up was Marcus, one of the top engineers on the team. He was the kind of guy who could solve ire nodded, ncing at the screen as he passed it around. "Looks promising, Marcus. But we''re going to need to refine that make it smoother, more intuitive. I don''t want our users fumbling around trying to figure out how to use it." The next day, ire and Abigail met with the team to dive deeper into the n. The conference room table was covered with sketches, notes, and diagrams, creating a colorful mess that somehow made sense to everyone involved. "Alright, let''s get down to it," ire said, pping her hands to get everyone''s attention. "We''ve got a lot to cover, and I want us all on the same page." Chapter 232 Pathetic Gretta stood on her grand balcony; her gaze fixed on the dark, starry sky. The cool night breeze yed with her hair as she swirled the wine in her ss, the red liquid catching the moonlight. She couldn''t shake the frustration gnawing at her. Her n had failed, and the disappointment weighed heavily on her. Her mind drifted back to the conversation she had with Lisast night at the hospital. In truth, it wasn''t Gretta''s intention to visit her but for some reason, she needed to know Lisa''s reasoning for messing up their n. "How hard to ept the truth that Alexander will not get back into her arms? How dense can she be?" Gretta muttered angrily. The cold wind caressed her cheek, and she closed her eyes, and the memory of her conversation with Lisa reyed in her mind like a scene from a movie. *shback* Gretta had invited Lisa over to her mansion that afternoon. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the beautifully manicured backyard. They sat by the garden, sipping tea from fine China cups, the epitome of elegance at least on the surface. Lisa leaned forward, curiosity evident in her eyes. "So, Gretta, what''s this idea you have for dealing with ire? You called me over here, so I''m guessing it''s something big?" Gretta took a slow sip of her tea, savoring the moment before responding. "I''ve heard there''s going to be a fashion show," she said with a cool smile.Cntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Lisa''s eyebrows shot up. "A fashion show? What''s that got to do with us? Or do you want me to audition as a model?" Her tone was half-joking, but there was a hint of genuine confusion. Gretta rolled her eyes, setting her cup down on the table with a soft clink. "Please, Lisa, we''re not here to discuss your career. I want you to attend the fashion show as an ordinary guest." Lisa blinked, still puzzled. "Okay... but how am I supposed to attend? I don''t exactly have an invitation lying around." Gretta''s smile widened, taking on a wicked edge. "Leave that to me. I have a connection-someone who can put you on the guest list. You''ll be in, no problem." Lisa''s eyes lit up with excitement. She leaned in closer, practically hanging on to Gretta''s every word. "What do you need me to do, then?" Gretta''s lips curled into a devious grin. "I want the venue to burn." The excitement in Lisa''s eyes flickered, reced by confusion. "Burn? What do you mean? I thought we were trying to get to ire, not destroy a building." Gretta leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs with an air of casual confidence. "ire will be attending the show because her friend took part in the fashion show." Lisa''s confusion deepened. "How do you know that?" "I have my sources," Gretta said, waving her hand dismissively. "But that''s not the point. The important thing is for you to follow my instructions." Lisa frowned, still trying to piece it all together. "So, what exactly do you want me to do?" Gretta leaned in again, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I need you to loosen the ceiling lights but make sure to be discreet. I don''t want to hear people finding out that you sabotage the fashion show." Lisa''s expression remained puzzled. "Loosen the lights? And how''s that supposed to help?" Gretta''s eyes gleamed with mischief. "If the lights are loose, they''ll eventually fall. When they do, they''ll cause a short circuit, and with any luck, it''ll spark a fire." Lisa''s confusion turned into concern. "Wouldn''t it be easier to just light a match and set the ce on fire? That seems like a more straightforward n." Gretta shook her head, her tone patient but firm. "No, that''s too obvious. If we go with my n, it''ll be much harder for them to trace the cause. The fire will seem like an ident, and all the evidence will be destroyed in the ze." Lisa considered this, her mind working through the details. After a moment, she nodded. "Okay, that makes sense. So, I go to the fashion show, mess with the lights, and then what? Just watch it all go down?" Gretta chuckled softly, the sound almost yful. "Exactly. But your job isn''t done there. I want you to make sure ire is trapped inside when it all happens. She''s the real target here, not the building." Lisa''s face lit up again, understanding dawning. "Got it. Trap ire, set the scene, and let the fire do the rest. Your ns are wicked. I can''t wait to see how it ends." The two women exchanged a nce, and then they both burst intoughter, their wicked ning together in their minds. The thrill of it was intoxicating, the idea of finally getting back at ire for whatever wrongs they felt she had done to them. *End of shback* Gretta''s eyes snapped open, and she gripped the wine ss so tightly it was a wonder it didn''t shatter in her hand. "Can''t wait to see my ass." She utters sarcastically. Anger bubbled up inside her, mixing with frustration like a vtile cocktail. She took a deep breath, but it didn''t do much to calm her down. How could Lisa be so...so weak? The n was simple: trap ire and watch her world crumble to ashes. But instead of fiery end, Lisa had decided to y hero by Saving ire from the debris that was about to hit her. And why? Because Alexander Harris had shown up at the fashion show. The thought made Gretta''s blood boil. She cursed under her breath, muttering Lisa''s name like it was the foulest word she knew. Saving ire meet her With a huff, she threw back the rest of her wine in one go, the liquid burning a path down her throat. It wasn''t satisfying-nothing was, not when she was this angry. She raked her fingers through her short hair, tugging at it in frustration. "Stupid, stupid Lisa," she muttered to herself. "Why does she always get swayed so easily? Just because Alexander was there..." Gretta walked inside her room and mmed the ss down on the table, her mind racing. It was bad enough that Lisa was still hopelessly hung up on Alexander, even after he had rejected her. He chose ire, of all people, over her! And yet Lisa still acted like there was some tiny glimmer of hope left, like Alexander might change his mind if she just saved the day. "It''s pathetic," Gretta growled to herself. "Absolutely pathetic." She stood up abruptly, pacing the room like a caged animal. "If only Lisa hadn''t been so easily swayed... ire would be gone by now. Out of the picture. Done. And Alexander would see her for what she really is-nothing!" But no, things hadn''t gone as nned. ire was still standing, and their scheme had failed spectacrly. Again. Gretta let out a frustrated sigh, her hands on her hips as she tried to think. "I need a new n," she said aloud. "I swear if Lisa messes it up again, I will expose all this to the media and her image will be ruined." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 233 No Lead Talia stood in front of ire''s penthouse. She rang the doorbell and momentster, the door swung open, revealing ire, who looked a bit tired out but otherwiseposed. "Talia," ire greeted with a small smile, stepping aside to let her in. "Come in." Talia entered, her eyes immediately scanning ire for any signs of injury. "Are you okay? You look tired." ire offers her a small smile. "Don''t worry, I''m fine. I''m just tired. I have lots of work to do so it''s tiring." "I had toe over," she said, her voice tinged with concern. "making sure that you are okay. We didn''t get the chance to talk after the fire and I''ve been worried sick. Did you get hurt?" ire waved off the concern with a dismissive hand. "I''m fine, really. A little shaken up, but nothing major." But Talia''s sharp eyes caught sight of a bandage peeking out from under ire''s sleeve. She immediately frowned. "What about that?" she asked, pointing at the bandage. "And don''t tell me it''s nothing." ire nced down at her arm and shrugged. "It''s nothing, just a little scratch. It''s almost healed, like the one on my leg. That''s already healed, just left a scar." "What happened?" "Well, you know falling debris and it identally scratches my skin. It''s nothing I can''t handle." "What about you?" ire asked, concern finally showing on her face. "When the fire happened, I tried to find you backstage, but you were gone. I was worried." Talia let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping a little. "The others and I left backstage as soon as we could. It was chaos, ire. I didn''t know where anyone was." ire nodded, understanding the panic that must have gripped everyone in those moments. But she also noticed the sadness etched on Talia''s face, a look she hadn''t seen in a while. "What''s with the long face?" she asked gently, trying to coax her friend into opening up. Talia bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill over. "The fashion show... it''s ruined," she finally admitted, her voice quivering. "All my hard work, gone up in mes-literally. It was my dream, ire, and it just... it just went haywire." ire''s heart ached for her friend. She knew how much Talia had poured into the show, how every stitch and seam had been crafted with care. She also knew that Talia didn''t cry easily, so seeing her eyes glisten with tears made it clear just how deeply this loss hurt her. "I''m so sorry," ire said softly, reaching out to pull Talia into a hug. "I know how much this meant to you." Talia let a tear slip down her cheek before wiping it away with the back of her hand. "Maybe this is a sign," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Maybe fashion isn''t for me after all. Maybe I''m just not cut out for this." ire immediately pulled back, frowning at Talia''s pessimistic tone. "Don''t say that," she scolded gently but firmly. "This was an ident, Talia. Nobody could have predicted it. It doesn''t mean you''re not good at what you do. It just means something went wrong, and it''s not your fault." Talia sniffed, trying to regain herposure. "I don''t know, ire. Mrs. Armetta was devastated. Months of work, just gone. Everything turned to ashes." ire''s expression softened as she realized the weight of Talia''s disappointment. "How did Mrs. Armetta take it?" she asked. Talia sighed again. "She was sad, of course. But more than anything, she was relieved that no one was seriously hurt. That''s what she kept saying, over and over, that she was just grateful we all got out okay." "She''s right, you know. Clothes can be reced, but people can''t. And I''m sure Mrs. Armetta knows how much effort you put into that collection." Talia gave a small nod, but her eyes still held a sadness that ire couldn''t ignore. ire knew that words alone wouldn''t fix this, but she had to try. "Listen," ire said, her tone soft but encouraging. "There will be other opportunities. You''re talented, Talia, and you know it. This isn''t the end of your career. It''s just a bump in the road." Talia looked at her, searching ire''s eyes for any hint of doubt. But all she saw was unwavering support, something she desperately needed right now. "You really think so?" she asked, her voice small. "I know so," ire replied with a reassuring smile. "And if you need help getting back on your feet, I''m here for you. We''ll figure it out together." Talia took a deep breath, trying to push away the lingering despair. "Thanks, ire. I needed to hear that." ire pushed open the door to her office, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she made her way inside. She had barely settled into her chair when Matthew appeared in the doorway, looking as serious as ever. He closed the door behind him and joined her at the desk. "So," ire began, cutting straight to the chase. "What''s thetest on the investigation into the fire at the fashion show?" Matthew sighed, running a hand through his hair as he took a seatC0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. across from her. "Not much to report, unfortunately. We''ve hit a dead end. I''ve searched everywhere, even hacked into the street security cameras, but there''s nothing No suspicious people, no strange movements-everyone was ire frowned, leaning back in her chair. "No leads at all? That fire wasn''t exactly spontaneousbustion, Matthew. Someone''s behind it." "I know," Matthew replied, sounding frustrated. "But whoever did it, they''re good at covering their tracks. I''m not giving up, but it''s like trying to find a needle in a haystack." ire sighed, rubbing her temples. "Great. Just what we needed. Another dead end. What about the poison case? The one that almost killed me?" Matthew shook his head, looking just as grim. "Same story. The source of information we had was killed, and finding someone else connected to him who knows anything about this is proving to be impossible. ire was silent for a moment, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk as she thought. The room was filled with the soft hum of the air conditioning, and for a few moments, neither of them said a word. Then, ire stood up, pacing the length of her office. "This is getting ridiculous. We''re being yed, Matthew. And I don''t like it." "Trust me, I''m not a fan either," Matthew said, watching her pace. "But we''re not out of options yet." ire stopped and turned to him, her eyes narrowing with determination. "Right. We need to get ahead of this. I want you to dig up everything you can on Ivanov I''m talking about the full dossier-house, friends, every little detail that could give us a lead on his group or where they might be hiding." Matthew nodded, pulling out his phone to make a note. "Consider it done. I''ll start right away." "Good," ire said, walking back to her desk and sitting down with a determined thud. "And make sure to check for any properties he might own under a different name. Who knows, he might be hiding something." Chapter 234 Another Fashion Show ire paused mid-typing, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as her thoughts drifted back to Talia. The fashion show fire was still fresh in her mind, and she couldn''t shake the feeling that Lisa had something to do with it. Everyone else thought it was just an ident, but ire''s gut told her otherwise. It didn''t help that this was Talia''s big debut in the fashion industry, and now everything had gone up in smoke-literally. She wanted to do something for Talia, something that would help her bounce back. But what? A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Adrian strolled in, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, and a smile that could melt ice. "Hey," he greeted. ire stood up, shooting him a smile. "Adrian, what are you doing here?" He shot her a yful grin as he handed over the coffee. "Wanted to see you. Thought you might need a little pick-me-up." They both moved to the couch, ire cradling the coffee like it was a precious gift. "Thanks," she said, crossing her legs as she studied him. "But really, why are you here?" Adrian''s smile faded slightly, reced by a look of concern. "I saw the news about the fire at the fashion show. Are you okay?" ire took a sip of the coffee, savoring the warmth before responding. "I''m fine. Just a scratch, really." Adrian''s frown deepened. "How did it happen?" ire''s expression turned serious. "The ceiling lights came loose and got electrified. That''s where the fire started." Adrian frowned, his brows knitting together. "Ceiling lights don''t just fall like that," he said, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "Exactly," ire agreed, nodding. "Something doesn''t add up." "Did the police find anything?" Adrian asked. ire shrugged, leaning back into the couch. "I don''t know. They''re still investigating. I did my own digging, but I haven''t found much. All the surveince footage was destroyed in the fire." Adrian let out a low whistle. "That''s going to make things tough," he said. "No cameras, no witnesses...even if there were witnesses, they might be too scared to talk." ire nodded, her mind racing. "It''s frustrating," she admitted. Adrian studied her for a moment, then asked, "Do you suspect anyone?" ire raised an eyebrow at the sudden question. "Why do you ask?" she countered, curious. Adrian''s expression hardened. "Because whoever did this needs to be dealt with," he said firmly. "They can''t get away with it." ire bit her lip, thinking. She didn''t want to jump to conclusions, especially when her main suspect was Lisa. It was still just a hunch, and without solid evidence, she couldn''t use anyone. "I agree," she said carefully. "But I don''t know who." Adrian tilted his head, studying her with a mix of curiosity and concern. "You know, ire, you don''t have to do everything alone. If you need help, I''m here." ire chuckled softly, the tension in her shoulders easing a bit. "I know. But you''ve got your own things to handle. Besides, you know me I''m stubborn." Adrianughed a genuine sound that made ire smile. "Yeah, I''ve noticed. But that''s part of what makes you... well, you." She rolled her eyes but couldn''t hide her amusement. "Don''t go getting all sentimental on me now." "Who, me? Never," Adrian teased, his grin returning. ire leaned back on her couch, a thoughtful expression on her face as she turned to Adrian. "You know, Talia was really involved in putting together the fashion show. We talked yesterday, and she seemed so sad. It''s always been her dream to work in the fashion industry, and I want to do something for her." Adrian''s eyes lit up with an idea, a grin spreading across his face. "Why not hold a new fashion show?" ire''s brow furrowed slightly as she considered it. "But what about the clothes? Most of them were burned in the fire." Adrian waved a hand dismissively, not letting a little thing like fire dampen his enthusiasm. "I''m sure not all of the clothes got burned and even if there are only a few! Maybe they can add a little touch, you know? Something that reflects what happened-a red element, maybe, to symbolize the fire from a few days ago." ire tilted her head, mulling over his suggestion. It was a creative idea, she had to admit, but she wasn''t sure if Talia would go for it. "It''s a clever idea, but do you think Talia would ept it?" Adrian leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Why not? It could be a way for her to turn something negative into something powerful, you know? A fresh start, a way to make a statement." ire''s lips curved into a small smile. Adrian''s enthusiasm was contagious, and she could see the potential in his idea. "You might be onto something," she said, tapping her fingers lightly on the desk. "But this kind of event needs backing. How about you sponsor the show?" Adrian''s grin widened as he nodded eagerly. "I''m in. And with you on board too, we''ll have the influence to make this event huge."Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ire''s smile grew, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect. "Alright, we''ll both sponsor the event and together, we''ll get the right people to attend. But first, I need to talk to Talia. If she''s on board, we can move forward." Adrian leaned back on the couch, clearly pleased with how the conversation was going. "I think she''ll love the idea. It''ll give her something positive to focus on, and it could really boost her confidence." ire nodded, feeling a sense of determination building inside her. "I hope so. She''s been through a lot, and I want to help her see that her dreams are still within reach." Adrian''s expression softened as he looked at ire. "You''re a good friend, you know that? Always looking out for people." ire waved a hand dismissively, though she couldn''t help but feel a bit touched by his words. "I just want to see the people I care about seed. Talia''s got talent, and she deserves this chance." "Well, with you backing her, she''s got a real shot at making it big," Adrian said with a confident nod. ire chuckled softly, the tension in the room easing as the idea of the fashion show took shape in her mind. "It''s funny, I never thought I''d be getting into the fashion business." Adrianughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You''re full of surprises, ire. But hey, if anyone can pull this off, it''s you." ire rolled her eyes yfully. "ttery will get you nowhere, Adrian." "But it''ll get me everywhere with everyone else," Adrian shot back with a wink. ire couldn''t help butugh. "You really are something, Adrian. I remember the first time I met you, you were so...cold and tense but now, look at you. Seems like you have changed." Adrian chuckled lightly. "Don''t get me wrong but I am still that Adrian only with you I''m less cold and tense." They bothughed as they continued their conversation talking about the venue, the guest list, and so on. ire can only hope that Talia will agree to their n. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 235 She’s In! ire texted Talia, suggesting they meet up for dinner. It wasn''t unusual for them to catch up over a meal, but tonight felt a little different. When Talia arrived at the restaurant, she immediately spotted ire sitting in her usual spot in the corner, a ss of wine in hand, looking deep in thought. "Hey, ire," Talia greeted as she slid into the seat across from her. "What''s up with the sudden dinner invite? Not that I''mining, of course." She shed a smile, but there was curiosity in her eyes. ire returned the smile, setting her ss down. "I''ve got something to tell you, and I thought it''d be better to do it over a good meal." Talia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What''s the news?" "Well," ire began, leaning in slightly, "Adrian and I were talking, and we were thinking...how would you feel about redoing your fashion show?" Talia blinked, taken aback. "Redoing the fashion show? You mean, the one that...?" Her voice trailed off as the memory of the disastrous fire came flooding back. ire nodded. "Yes, that one. We want to give you another shot."Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Talia looked down, fiddling with her fingers. "But why, ire? Why go through all that trouble again?" "Because I saw how much it meant to you," ire said gently. "It was your first big debut in the fashion industry, and you worked so hard to make it happen. It was heartbreaking to see it all go up in mes, literally. I want to help you get that moment back." Talia bit her lip, her fingers still ying with the edge of the napkin. "I don''t know, ire. After the fire, I had to talk to Mrs. Armetta, and she was just as shocked as I was. I don''t even know if she''d agree to do it again." ire waved a hand dismissively. "Don''t worry about Mrs. Armetta. I''ll handle her. Right now, what matters is if you want to do this. Do you?" Talia looked up at ire, searching her face for answers. "But why, ire? Why are you doing this for me?" ire reached across the table and took Talia''s hand in hers. "Because you deserve it, Talia. You''ve got so much talent, and it''s a waste to let it go unnoticed. And let''s be honest, with the fire, I doubt anyone even remembers what the collection looked like." Talia sighed, nodding slightly. "You''re right. Every time I check the news, all they talk about is the fire. Even VOGUE called it Armetta''s first disaster fashion show. They didn''t even mention the collection." "And that''s exactly why we need to do this," ire said, her voice firm. "People need to see your work for what it is, not just the disaster that happened. You deserve to have your moment, Talia." Talia hesitated for a moment longer, then a look of determination crossed her face. "Okay, let''s do it. Let''s have another fashion show." ire beamed, clearly pleased with the answer. "That''s what I wanted to hear! And I think you''ll love Adrian''s idea for the show. He''s got something unique in mind, but it''s totally up to you if you want to go with it." "Adrian has a n?" Talia asked, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?" ire chuckled. "It''s a bit out there, but that''s Adrian for you. He was thinking of incorporating some unexpected elements-something that''ll make your show stand out even more. I''ll let him exin it to you in detail, but I think you''ll like it." Talia''s eyes sparkled with excitement, the fear and uncertainty melting away. "I''m starting to get excited about this. It''s like a second chance, you know?" "Exactly," ire said, nodding in agreement. "A second chance to show the world what you''re capable of." The two women spent the rest of the night talking about the fashion show, brainstorming ideas, and discussing the logistics. ire could see the excitement growing in Talia''s eyes with every passing minute, and it made her heart swell with happiness. Talia was finally starting to look like herself again, the confident and talented designer ire knew her to be. As the night wore on and their tes were cleared away, ire leaned back in her chair, feeling content. "I''m really d we did this tonight," she said with a smile. "Me too," Talia agreed. "I feel like I''ve got my spark back. I was so lost after the fire, but now...now I feel like I can do this." "And you can," ire said confidently. "You''ve got all the talent in the world, Talia. Don''t let one setback stop you. This is your moment, and I''ll be right there with you, every step of the way." Talia smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude towards ire. "Thank you, ire. I don''t know what I''d do without you." "Don''t mention it," ire said, waving her hand dismissively. "What are friends for?" ire waved goodbye to Talia as she stepped into the cab, her cheerful demeanor slipping away the moment the door closed. By the time she hopped inside her care instructed the driver to take her to the hospital, her smile had vanished, rced by a serious and cold expression. The drive felt long, the city''s usual buzz of activity doing nothing to lighten her mood. ire''s thoughts swirled as she stared out the window, the lights of the city blurring into streaks of white and yellow Finally, the car pulled up in front of the hospital, and ire didn''t waste a second. She jumped out, straightened her coat, and made her way inside. The hospital lobby was quiet, the only soundsing from the distant hum of equipment and the soft murmur of voices. ire walked up to the receptionist, her heels clicking on the tiled floor. "Excuse me," ire said, her voice steady and calm. "I''m here to see Lisa Thompson. Can you tell me where her room is?" The receptionist looked up, a little startled by ire''s directness. "And you are?" ire offered a smile that didn''t reach her eyes. "A friend," she said smoothly. The receptionist hesitated, ncing at the clock. "Visiting hours are over, ma''am. You''re a bitte." ire''s smile didn''t waver. "I understand, but it''s really important. I''ll only be a minute, I promise." The receptionist exchanged a look with her colleague, then sighed. "Alright, but just for a minute. She''s in room VIP 34, on the third floor." "Thank you," ire said with a nod, already moving toward the elevator. "Hmm... VIP huh? I wonder who moved you." ire muttered to herself as she made her way to the lift. She couldn''t help but wonder if Alex had something to do with it. Once on the third floor, ire didn''t bother to knock. She pushed the door open, the sound startling Lisa, who was munching on a snack. Without looking up, Lisa spoke in a slightly annoyed tone, "You could at least knock before barging in." When she didn''t hear a response, Lisa turned her head, and her eyes widened in surprise. "ire?" ire stood in the doorway, her expression unreadable. "Lisa," she said, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. Chapter 236 Visiting an Old Friend "Lisa," The room seemed to shrink in size as she entered, her presence like a sudden chill in the air. Lisa''s nerves were doing backflips. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voiceced with a touch of nervousness that she hoped ire wouldn''t notice. ire raised an eyebrow, her expression cold, both hands shoved casually inside her coat pockets. She walked slowly, her heels clicking against the tiles with each step, a sound that echoed ominously in the room. "I was just wondering if you''re okay," ire said in a tone that was far fromforting. Lisa wasn''t fooled. ire wasn''t here for small talk or to check on her well-being. There was something else behind those words, something much sharper. Lisa could feel her heart racing, but she forced herself to stay steady. "What do you really want, ire?" she asked, her voice firmer this time, even though she was practically vibrating with anxiety. ire''s lips curled into a smile, but it wasn''t the warm kind. It was a smile that didn''t reach her eyes, cold and almost mocking. "I just wanted to say," ire began, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "that your little stunt a few days ago was...impressive. I couldn''t be more thankful for you saving me." Lisa clenched her jaw, recognizing the mockery in ire''s voice. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her cool. "I was just doing what I thought was right," she said, her voice steady but her mind racing. She knew she couldn''t afford to slip up, especially with ire standing this close. If she so much as hinted at the fire or anything rted to Gretta, she''d be in big trouble. ire stepped closer, narrowing the already slim space between them. Lisa could feel her pulse quicken as ire''s cold eyes locked onto hers. "It seems," ire continued, her voice low and edged with something almost dangerous, "that your heroic actions have caught Alex''s attention." Lisa''s brow furrowed, her annoyance slipping through. "Alex has always been in love with me," she shot back, though there was a slight waver in her voice, like she was trying to convince herself as much as ire. ire chuckled softly, clearly unconcerned with the truth of Lisa''s statement. "Sure," she said, dismissing it with a wave of her hand. "But that''s not why I''m here." Lisa''s heart skipped a beat. "Then why are you here?" ire''s eyes flicked to the television ying in the background, the flickering light casting odd shadows on the walls. "Why were you there?" she asked, her tone curious but with an edge that suggested she already knew the answer. Lisa''s gaze followed ire''s to the television, and she quickly scrambled for a calm response. "I got an invitation from mypany to attend the fashion show," she answered, hoping it sounded believable. ire raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. She tilted her head slightly, as if weighing Lisa''s words in her mind. "Is that so?" she mused, her voice thoughtful, but her eyes still cold and calcting. Lisa felt a trickle of sweat run down her back, but she kept her expression neutral. "Yes, that''s all there is to it," she said, trying to sound as casual as possible.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ire didn''t respond immediately, her mind drifting back to a recent conversation with Ka. Ka had been so adamant about making Lisa pay for something, though ire hadn''t given it much thought at the time. Now, she made a mental note to follow up with Ka and see if there was more to this story than Lisa was letting on. Then, with a sudden sharpness, ire''s gaze snapped back to Lisa. "I know you had something to do with the fire," she said, her voice dropping to a cold whisper. Lisa tensed up, the usation hitting her like a punch to the gut. She struggled to keep her face calm, quickly grabbing another piece of food to upy her hands and distract herself from the rising panic. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," she said, her voice a little too quick, a little too defensive. ire''s eyes narrowed, sensing the unease in Lisa''s response. "Don''t y dumb with me, Lisa," she said, her tone hardening. "I''m not here to y games. I know you were involved." Lisa shook her head, trying to stay calm despite the growing pressure. "I wasn''t involved in anything," she insisted, her voice strained but still holding steady. "You''re wrong." "Am I?" ire challenged, taking another step closer. Lisa could feel the heat of ire''s gaze, like a spotlight focused solely on her. "Because it sure seems like you''re hiding something." ire stood in front of the TV, arms crossed, effectively blocking Lisa''s view. "You can''t ignore me forever," ire said, her tone sharp as a knife. Lisa''s grip on the bowl tightened, her knuckles turning white as she felt the rising tide of nervousness. She had been hoping to avoid this confrontation, hoping that ire would just leave her alone. But of course, ire wasn''t the type to back down easily. The thought of spilling the truth made Lisa''s stomach churn-if Gretta found out, she was as good as dead. Desperate to avoid ire''s gaze, Lisa stared at the wall, at the floor, at anything that wasn''t ire''s piercing eyes. But ire wasn''t about to let that slide. "Oh, you''re nervous," ire said, raising an eyebrow and scoffing as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Lisa''s head snapped up, her eyes wide. "I''m not nervous!" she blurted out, sounding a bit too defensive. "You''re imagining things." ire''s smirk grew wider. "Really? Then why won''t you look me in the eye?" Lisa fumbled for a response, her mind racing for an excuse. "I don''t have a reason to," she finally said, lifting her chin slightly. "Besides, I''m disgusted by you." That earned a genuineugh from ire. "Disgusted? Oh, Lisa, if you''re so disgusted, then why did you save me?" Lisa''s heart skipped a beat. She hadn''t been prepared for that question. Her mind scrambled for an answer, and she quickly threw together a lie, praying it would ne be convincing. "Because I''m a good person," she said, trying to sound confident. "Unlike you." ire''s amusement didn''t fade. Instead, she took a few steps toward the bed, leaning in close until her face was mere inches from Lisa''s. Lisa could feel the heat of ire''s breath and the intensity of her gaze, and it made her want to shrink into the bed. "Let me make this clear," ire said, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "If I find out that you had anything to do with that fire, you''d better be ready for what''sing." The words hung in the air like a dark cloud, and Lisa could feel the threat in them. ire straightened up, her eyes still locked on Lisa''s, before she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, leaving Lisa alone with her racing thoughts. As soon as the door closed behind ire, Lisa let out a shaky breath. Her hand went to her chest, feeling the wild thumping of her heart. She couldn''t believe it-ire was onto her. How had she figured it out? Lisa had been so careful, making sure every detail was perfect, every loose end tied up. "I''m not going down for this," Lisa whispered to herself, more as a way to convince herself than anything else. "I just need to stay calm and think." The room felt colder, the air heavier with the weight of what had just happened. Lisa knew she was in serious trouble. Her mind raced with questions. Should she tell Gretta? But what would Gretta do if she found out? Maybe it would be better to keep this to herself, to y dumb and hope ire didn''t have any real proof. Chapter 237 Asking Permission The next morning, ire was already in her office when she decided it was time to bring Talia and Adrian together for a brainstorming session. With the fashion show just around the corner, she needed all hands-on deck. She shot off a quick message to both of them and within an hour, they were all gathered around ire''s office. "So, let''s talk about the fashion show," ire started, getting straight to business. "So," Adrian started, leaning back in his chair with a grin, "I''ve been thinking. What if we redo the entire collection with a mix of fire elements? Something bold, something that screams we''re not backing down. Since the fire ruined the fashion show. The fire could symbolize our spirits unquenchable, unbreakable. The audience won''t know what hit them." Talia''s eyes lit up as she tapped her fingers on her chin. "I love that! Fire is so powerful, so fierce. I can already picture a few designs with some fiery details. I will talk to the other designers maybe their ideas could bring in some fresh perspectives too." ire nodded, already imagining the dramatic impact it could have. "And for the venue?" she asked, tapping a pen against her lips as she thought. They are all deep in thought until ire shares her ideas. "How about an outdoor theme?" Adrian snapped his fingers as an idea struck him. "Why not use my family''s mansion on the outskirts of London? It''s got plenty of space, and since most of the family is in the city, the ce is practically empty." ire turned to him, a bit surprised. "Your mansion? Are you sure that''s okay?" Adrian shrugged like it was no big deal. "Of course. The ce could use a little action. Plus, it has a stunning garden area that we could use for the show. The whole thing could be outdoors, but with enough warmth from heaters to keep everyonefortable." ire raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You''re sure about that? It''s a big ask." Adrian shrugged with a smile. "It''s fine, really. My family only goes there for vacations, and most of them are in the city right now and I think it''ll be perfect for what we''re nning." "Alright, then it''s settled," ire said, pping her hands together. "We''ll use the mansion. I just need to check in with Armetta to get her permission to hold another fashion show. After that, we can proceed with the n." The three of them continued to bounce ideas off each other, diving into the nitty-gritty details of the show. ire suggested inviting some of the biggest names in the fashion industry, the kind of people who could really elevate the event''s profile. Talia scribbled down notes as fast as she could, her excitement bubbling over. Eventually, the meeting wrapped up, and ire and Talia headed out of the office to meet with Armetta. As the three of them walked down the hallway, Matthew appeared from around the corner, his usualid-back demeanor in ce. "Heading somewhere?" he asked, his eyes flicking between ire and Talia. ire smiled. "We''re off to see Armetta. I need you to keep an eye on the robot project while I''m gone." Matthew gave a mock salute, grinning. "Got it, boss. But if you don''te back, I''m totally taking the credit for the robots." ire chuckled and shook her head, giving him a yful pat on the shoulder. "Keep dreaming, Matthew. That''s never going to happen." Matthewughed as he nodded at Adrian, who returned the gesture. "Good luck with Armetta," Matthew said as he turned to head into ire''s office. Once they were out of earshot, Talia nced at ire, curiosity shining in her eyes. "You know, you''ve never really told me how you and Matthew met. I know he works with you, but that''s about it." Adrian, walking just a step behind them, perked up at this. ire was always so private, especially when it came to the people she trusted most. He found himself curious too, wondering what kind of history ire and Matthew shared. ire waved her hand dismissively, though there was a hint of fondness in her voice. "Oh, Matthew''s just an old friend. We''ve known each other for years. He''s someone I can rely on." Talia wasn''t satisfied with the vague answer, however, ire changed the subject before Talia could ask more. "So, Adrian, where are you off to next?" Adrian grinned. "I''m flying to America for a few days. I have some business to handle over there. But don''t worry, I''ll be back just in time for the fashion show." ire nodded, her usualposed expression softening slightly. "Safe travels, then. And don''t forget to bring back some of that American charm for the show." Adrianughed, shaking his head. "I''ll do my best. But you know, ire, nothing beats London when ites to style." Talia rolled her eyes yfully. "Oh, please. You two and your London pride. Just make sure you''re back on time, Adrian. We''ve got a lot riding on this show." They reached the elevator, and as the doors opened, ire turned to both of them with a confident smile. "We''re going to pull this off. I can feel it." ire and Tali? pulled up in front of Armetta''s house, the kind of ce that screamed old money with its ivy-covered walls and pristine garden ire couldn''t help but admire the flowers lining the pathway as they made their way to the front door. "Ready?" ire asked, ncing at Talia. Talia nodded, but her hands were fidgeting with her purse strap, giving away her nerves. "As I''ll ever be." They reached the door, and Talia took a deep breath before pressing the doorbell. The chime echoed through the house, and they both stood there, waiting. The wait felt longer than it actually was, and just as Talia started tapping her foot, the door swung open. A maid appeared, dressed in a crisp uniform that looked straight out of a movie. She gave them a polite smile. "Good afternoon. How can I help you?" Talia cleared her throat. "We''re here to see Mrs. Armetta." The maid opened the door a bit wider, inviting them in with a graceful gesture. "Please,e in. I''ll inform Mrs. Armetta of your arrival. You can wait in the living room."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ire and Talia stepped inside, their footsteps echoing slightly on the polished marble floor. The house was just as grand on the inside, with ornate furniture and heavy drapes that made everything feel a little more serious than it needed to be. As they settled onto the plush couch, ire noticed how Talia''s hands were shaking slightly. She leaned over and ced a reassuring hand on Talia''s shoulder. "Hey, it''s going to be fine. Just breathe." Talia offered a shaky smile. "I know, I know. It''s just...you know nervous." "Don''t worry, we''ve got this," ire said with a wink. Just then, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Both women straightened up as Mrs. Armetta entered the room. She was a small woman, but her presence was anything but. With her ck hair pulled back in a tight bun and sharp eyes that missed nothing, she was the kind of woman whomanded attention without even trying. "ire! Talia! What a surprise," Mrs. Armetta eximed, a mix of curiosity and warmth in her voice. She moved forward to hug them both in greeting. "We didn''t mean to drop in unannounced," ire began, returning the hug, "but we needed to talk to you about something important." Mrs. Armetta tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied ire and Talia. "Important, you say? Well, now you''ve got me curious. What''s this all about?" Her soft Italian ent only added to her charm. ire took a deep breath, ncing at Talia before speaking. "We need your permission for something, Mrs. Armetta. And we really hope you''ll agree." Mrs. Armetta''s eyebrows raised in interest. "Oh? And what might that be?" Chapter 238 She’s on Board! ire leaned back in her chair, a determined glint in her eyes as she looked across the table at Mrs. Armetta. "I want to redo the fashion show," she said, her voice steady but filled with purpose. Mrs. Armetta''s brows furrowed in confusion. "Redo it? But why? The show already happened." ire sighed, ncing at Talia, who nodded encouragingly beside her. "I just feel like the collection went to waste. Not enough people remember it, and even if they do, all they probably think about is the fire." At the mention of the fire, a sad look crossed Mrs. Armetta''s face. ire instantly regretted bringing it up and quickly apologized. "I didn''t mean to remind you of the bad things that happened." Mrs. Armetta shook her head, a deep sigh escaping her lips. "It''s alright, ire. That fire... it was the first time I''ve ever failed at holding a fashion show. The magazines talked more about the fire than the clothes. Some even had the nerve to give me negative reviews." "Even VOGUE called it a disaster." Mrs. Armetta added, her voice tinged with sadness. "I''ve never seen anything like it. I still feel a little traumatized by the whole event. The only thing I''m grateful for is that everyone was safe." Talia, ever the optimist, quickly chimed in. "Those magazines don''t know you, Mrs. Armetta. You''re one of the best designers out there, and everyone knows it. They''re just jealous, trying to bring you down because you''re on top." Mrs. Armetta gave a small, sad smile. "Maybe. But people do love to see the best fall. It''s like they enjoy watching others suffer." ire couldn''t help but agree. "People can be cruel," she said, her voice soft but firm. "They''ll pay a fortune to ruin someone''s life if it entertains them. But that''s exactly why we need to do this show again. I''m not going to force you, Mrs. Armetta, but I''m a hundred percent sure this redo will be a game-changer. It''ll put your name back on everyone''s lips, and thiseback will go down in history." At that moment, a maid entered the room, carefully cing a tray of tea on the table. The delicate clink of China against the tray filled the room as she served each of them a cup. Mrs. Armetta picked up her cup but didn''t drink, instead staring into the swirling liquid as if it held the answers to all her worries. "What makes you so sure this will work?" Mrs. Armetta asked, her eyes lifting to meet ire''s. ire''s lips curved into a confident smirk. "Because I''ve been in your shoes before," she said simply. Then, without another word, she lifted her cup, took a sip of tea, and waited. "So, what do you say, Mrs. Armetta. Are you in?" Mrs. Armetta studied ire for a long moment, her fingers lightly tapping the rim of her teacup. The silence stretched on, and Talia and ire exchanged a quick nce, both wondering what Mrs. Armetta would say.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Finally, Mrs. Armetta took a sip of her own tea and then ced the cup back on the table with a soft clink. "Alright," she said, her voice firm. "I''ll let you redo the fashion show. But on one condition." ire raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Name it." Mrs. Armetta leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with the fire of a true artist. "This show needs to be talked about. It needs to go viral. I want everyone to be buzzing about it. Can you make that happen?" ire''s smirk grew wider, her confidence practically radiating off her. "Consider it done," she replied, the words filled with certainty. Mrs. Armetta couldn''t help but smile at ire''s enthusiasm. "I knew there was a reason I liked you, ire. You''ve got that spark, that drive to make things happen." "Thank you, Mrs. Armetta," ire said, genuinely appreciative. "I promise you won''t regret this." For the past few days, ire had been juggling more tasks than a circus performer with a dozen spinning tes. Between the uing fashion show and the- secretive robot project, she barely had time to breathe, let alone manage the mountain of paperwork that never seemed to shrink. But ire was nothing if not resilient. She thrived under pressure, and today was no different. Inside her sleek, minimalist office, Matthew stood by the window, his brow furrowed in thought. "ire," he began, turning to face her, "do you think we should inform the shareholders about this new division? I mean, building robots isn''t exactly what Metacortex is known for." ire, who had been skimming through a thick file, paused to think. She tapped a perfectly manicured nail on the edge of her desk, considering his words. After a moment, she shook her head. "No, not yet. I still don''t trust them fully. I want to keep this project under Wraps until we''ve actually seeded in building something. Thest thing we need is a leak." Matthew nodded, understanding her caution. "What about Jack? Are you nning to loop him in?" A small smile yed on ire''s lips. "Yes, I''ll probably inform Jack. He''s the only one I trust with something this big." "Good idea," Matthew replied, giving her a thumbs-up. "I''ll go check on the team and see how things are progressing." "Thanks, Matthew," ire said, already turning back to her work. But Matthew hesitated, lingering near the door. "There''s one more thing," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "It''s about that employee over at Cryptonic-Stephen. You know, the tech geek? He''s got a real talent for robotics. In fact, he won the national robotics championship a while back. Do you think we should bring him on board for this?" ire raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Stephen, huh? Sounds promising. I''ll check out his profile and see if he''s the right fit." Matthew gave her a nod and finally left the office. As soon as the door clicked shut, ire leaned back in her chair and opened the employee files on herputer. She typed in the name "Stephen" and frowned as four different profiles popped up. "Great," she muttered. "Thanks for thest name, Matthew." She went through each profile, scanning the details until she found the Stephen that Matthew had mentioned. As she read through his achievements and qualifications, ire couldn''t help but be impressed. This guy wasn''t just passionate about technology-he lived and breathed it. She made a mental note to visit Cryptonic and meet him in person when she had the chance. But first, she needed to talk to Jack about the robot project. ire stood up, smoothing out her skirt, and headed out of her office. She took the lift down to the floor below, where Jack''s office was located. Knocking on his door, she heard his familiar hoarse voice from inside. "Come in." ire pushed the door open and greeted Jack with a smile. The older man looked up from his desk, his face breaking into a warm smile as he saw her. The wrinkles near his eyes crinkled in the way they always did when he was genuinely happy. "ire! What a nice surprise," Jack said, standing up to shake her hand. "Come, sit down. To what do I owe this pleasure?" They both settled on the couch, ire sitting across from him. She could feel the slight tension in her shoulders easing in his presence-Jack had always been a calming influence on her. "I''ve got some...surprising news to share," ire began, her smile turning into a grin. Chapter 239 Take The Risk "I''ve got some...surprising news to share," Jack raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Now you''ve got me curious. What''s going on?" ire leaned forward slightly, her tone turning more serious. "We''re working on something big-something that could change the direction of Metacortex entirely. We''ve started a new division focused on robotics." Jack''s eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a low whistle. "Robotics? That''s quite the leap from what we''re known for." Jack leaned back in his chair, giving ire a curious look. "So, why the sudden interest in robots? I mean, you''ve never been the ''build-a-bot'' type before." "Believe me, Jack, it wasn''t my idea to dive into the world of robotics. But none of the robotpanies wanted to take my order for three robots in three months. They all turned me down, saying it was ''impossible'' or ''too risky.'' Can you believe that?" Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "So, you decided to do it yourself? That''s a pretty bold move, ire." ire smirked with a spark of determination in her eyes. "Well, I didn''t have much of a choice. The deal I made with Harris Hotel was that I''d handle all the technology stuff, including these robots. If I back out now, the whole contract could be terminated, and that''s not an option." Jack''s expression became more serious as he leaned forward. "But are you sure this is the right thing to do? I mean, building robots from scratch isn''t exactly a walk in the park." ire nodded confidently; her tone unwavering. "It''s either take the risk or watch the contract go down the drain. And I''m not about to let that happen." Jack sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he considered her words. "This is a big risk, ire. I mean, what if it doesn''t work out? If the robots fail, people all over the globe will make news about it. There''s a good chance our stock market will drop, and you know the shareholders won''t be happy about that." ire''s smirk faded as she leaned back in her chair, a serious expression taking over. "I''m aware of the risks, Jack. That''s exactly why I haven''t informed the shareholders. I prefer to tell them once the project is done because I want to keep it confidential. If I inform them now, Venus might find out, and they''ll probably try to steal my ideas again. I won''t let that happen." Jack nodded slowly, understanding her reasoning but still looking concerned. "I get that, but it''s not wise to leave the shareholders in the dark, especially if they find out how much this is costing thepany. It could backfire."Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ire gave him a small smile, trying to ease his worries. "I''ll deal with it when the timees. What''s important is that you already know, so technically, I''m not leaving the shareholderspletely in the dark. Consider yourself my insider." Jack chuckled lightly, the tension in his shoulders easing a bit. "Well, when you put it that way, I guess I can''t argue with you. Still, it''s a lot of pressure, ire. But if anyone can pull this off, it''s you." ire''s smile grew as she leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Thank you, Jack. That means a loting from you. And don''t worry, I''ve got this under control. I''ve already had Abigail working on the designs, and I''m bringing in some of the best engineers to help out. It''s going to be tight, but we''ll make it happen." Jack raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Best engineers, huh? Are they as crazy as you when ites to taking risks?" ireughed, shaking her head. "Maybe even crazier. But that''s exactly what I need right now-people who aren''t afraid to push the boundaries." Jack nodded, leaning back in his chair again, more rxed than before. "Well, I''ll leave everything in your capable hands. After all, you''re the CEO, and if anyone can pull off a miracle, it''s you." ire chuckled, appreciating his support. "Thanks, Jack. I''ll keep you updated as things progress, but for now, just trust me. We''re going to make this work." Jack smiled, a mix of admiration and concern in his eyes. "I trust you, ire. Just promise me you''ll take care of yourself, too. Don''t let this project consume you." I promise, Jack. I won''t let it get out of hand. But right now, this project is my top priority." Alexander finally returned to London after his whirlwind trip to Las Vegas, which, though brief, had felt like an eternity. The project he was overseeing had to go smoothly, no room for error. Just as he was about to pull out his phone to check in on the project, it started ringing. The screen lit up with a name that immediately made him groan: Christian. His best mate was calling, and if Alex knew Christian, this wasn''t going to be a quick chat. "Christian," Alex answered, trying to keep his voice neutral. He wasn''t in the mood for one of Christian''s overly enthusiastic conversations. "Alex! Mate! You finally answered my calls!" Christian''s voice boomed through the phone, as cheerful as ever. Alex frowned, his brows knitting together in confusion. Why on earth was Christian so chipper? "Why are you so cheerful?" Alex asked, suspicioncking his words. "Sugar, my friend. Lots and lots of sugar," Christian replied with augh. "But more importantly, I heard you''re back in London!" Alex''s brows shot up. "And how exactly did you hear that?" "Oh, you know, I have my sources," Christian said, his tone yful, clearly mocking Alex''s usual line. Alex rolled his eyes, leaning back in his seat. "Very funny. Now, why are you really calling me?" "Well," Christian began, drawing out the word as if he were about to drop some big news, "tonight''s the night, my friend." Alex blinked, confused. "The night for what?" "The annual family charity banquet!" Christian eximed as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. Alex''s heart sank as realization dawned. The annual banquet-how could he have forgotten? He cursed under his breath, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle over him like a heavy nket. "Damn it, Christian, Ipletely forgot about that." "Clearly," Christian said with a chuckle. "So, are youing?" Alex sighed, rubbing a hand over his tired face. Thest thing he wanted to do was attend some stuffy banquet after a long flight. All he et wanted was to copse into bed and sleep for a week. "Can''t you go in my ce this year?" he asked with a hint of desperation in his voice. "Alex, you know I can''t," Christian replied, his tone taking on a more serious note. "I already covered for youst year, and your mother was not pleased. You need to be there this time." Alex groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as if that would somehow alleviate the growing headache. "Fine, fine. I''ll go. But I''m going to bete." "Betterte than not attending at all," Christian quipped, clearly amused by Alex''s reluctance. ??? Alex stared at his phone, debating whether there was any way he could get out of this, but he knew Christian was right. His mother would be furious if he didn''t show up, and that was a wrath he wasn''t in the mood to deal with. "I''ll be there," he muttered, resigned to his fate. "Good man!" Christian said, his tone brightening again. "I''ll see you there." As Christian ended the call, he found himself in a cozy little coffee shop, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. He stepped up to the counter, ready to ce his order, when another hand reached for the same cup, he was eyeing. "Sorry!" he said automatically, ncing at the person beside him. "No worries, it''s-" The woman''s voice trailed off, and Christian felt a jolt of recognition. He squinted his eyes, trying to ce where he knew that voice from. And then it hit him. "Talia?" he blurted out, eyes widening in surprise. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 240 Too bad Talia chuckled, the sound light and amused. "Didn''t expect you to remember me," she said, her eyes sparkling with yful curiosity. Christian grinned, his embarrassment slipping away as he found his footing. "Of course I remember you! How could I forget?" His tone was genuine, and his eyes scanned her face, noting the subtle differences. Talia tilted her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Even with a different hair color?" Christian''s grin grew wider. "Even if you changed your whole appearance, Talia, I''d always know it''s you." Talia let out a soft chuckle, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks at his words. The pink hue was barely noticeable, but Christian caught it, feeling a small swell of pride at having caused it. Just then, the barista returned with another coffee, handing it over to Christian. He looked down at the cup, realizing the mix-up. "Oh, uh, this one''s mine. Sorry for grabbing your coffee earlier," he said, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. Talia chuckled again, the sound like music to his ears. "It''s fine, really," she reassured him with a smile. Both now properly caffeinated, they grabbed their drinks and made their way out of the coffee shop. The city buzzed around them, but Christian''s focus was entirely on Talia. "You know," Christian started as they walked, "your new hair really suits you. You look... really pretty." His voice was sincere, but there was a hint of bashfulness as if he wasn''t used to dishing outpliments so freely. Talia''s heart did a little flip at his words. She wasn''t sure why, but Christian''spliment meant more to her than any she''d received in a long time. "Thank you," she said, her voice a touch softer than before. She could feel her heart beating a bit faster, each thump echoing the flutters in her stomach. They walked inpanionable silence for a moment, sipping their coffees and taking in the city around them. Christian was the first to break the silence. "I haven''t seen you around muchtely. How''ve you been? Still hanging out with ire?" Talia shook her head slightly, a wistful smile on her face. "I''ve been busy in Italy. Designing clothes, prepping for a fashion show... but, well, it didn''t exactly go the way I wanted." Christian''s brain kicked into gear as he tried to recall some news he''d heard recently. Then it clicked. "Wait, was this the Armetta fashion line that-" He hesitated, not wanting to bring up a sore subject, but the words tumbled out anyway."-that got burned?" Talia sighed, her shoulders slumping just a little. "Yep, that''s the one." Talia couldn''t help recalling ire''s words that people only remember the fire. Christian winced internally, kicking himself for being the one to bring up something so painful. "I''m really sorry that happened, Talia. That''s awful." "It''s fine," Talia said, her tone lightening as she looked at him. "ire and Adrian had another n anyway." Christian''s eyebrow shot up at the mention of Adrian. "Another n?" he echoed, trying to keep his voice casual. Talia bit her lip, clearly debating how much to say. "I''m not supposed to talk about it. It''s, uh, kind of confidential." Christian sensed her hesitation and didn''t want to push her. "No worries. Good luck with whatever n you''re working on. I''m sure it''ll be a hit." Talia nodded, appreciating his understanding. "Thanks, Christian. I really should get going, though." She gave him a small wave. "See you around?" Christian watched her start to walk away, his mind racing. Should he? Could he? Mustering up every ounce of courage, he called out, "Talia, wait!" She turned back to him, a curious look in her eyes. "Yeah?" Christian took a deep breath, his nerves threatening to get the best of him. But he pushed through. "Would you, um, like to go out for dinner tonight?" Talia''s lips formed a wide smile, a mix of surprise and delight dancing in her eyes. She hadn''t expected that at all. "I''d love to," she replied, her heart fluttering with excitement. "Text me the details?" Christian felt like he was floating on air as he watched her walk away, a big grin stered on his face. "Will do!" he called after her. As Talia disappeared into the crowd, Christian pped his forehead, suddenly remembering something important. "Oh, no..." he muttered to himself. "The charity event tonight!" He groaned, the realization hitting him hard. "Well, looks like I''m ditching it." Back at Metacortex, ire was deep in her work, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she typed up yet another email. Her concentration was broken when Sandra, knocked lightly on the door and stepped in with a polite smile. "Just a quick reminder, ire," Sandra began, her tone cheerful but tinged with a hint of caution. "You''ve got the Harris family''s annual charity banquet tonight." ire froze for a moment, then closed her eyes, letting out a small sigh. She hadpletely forgotten about the event-not that she was all that eager to remember it. The very thought of attending filled her with a certain kind of dread. But she foreed a tight smile onto her face and nodded. "Thanks for the reminder, Sandra. I appreciate it." Sandra nodded, sensing ire''s reluctance but wisely choosing not toment on it. She quietly left the office, leaving ire alone with her thoughts. On the couch across the room, Matthew was loungingfortably, hisptop perched on hisp. He looked up from the screen, a yful glint in his eyes. "So," he drawled, "you''re going to the banquet tonight?" ire didn''t even look up from her typing. "I''m not going," she said tly, her fingers still dancing over the keys. "I want you to go in my ce." Matthew sat up straight, his rxed posture disappearing in an instant. "Oh, no, no, no," he protested, frowning deeply. "There''s no way I''m going. You know I can''t stand those parties. Too many people, too much small talk, and way too long." ire rolled her eyes, finally pausing her work to give him an exasperated look. "Matthew, it''s not a party. It''s a banquet." Matthew waved his hand dismissively. "Same thing," he grumbled. "Fancy clothes, fancy food, and pretending to care about what everyone''s saying. Count me out." ire couldn''t help but smile at his dramatics. "Matthew, you''re my advisor. You should be listening to your boss." He leaned back again, shaking his head with a smirk. "Actually, it''s the other way around. Since I''m your advisor, you''re supposed to listen to me. And as your advisor, I''m advising you to attend the banquet." ire frowned, annoyance bubbling up inside her She really didn''t want to go. The idea of mingling with a room full of people she''d rather avoid was bad enough, but the thought of running into Alexander made it even worse. "I really don''t want to see Alexander," she admitted, leaning back in her chair with a frustrated sigh. Matthew chuckled, unable to resist the humor in the situation. "Then avoid him. It''s a big banquet, ire. Just stay on the opposite side of the room." "Easier said than done," ire muttered, her brow furrowing. "It''s like the universe is determined to throw us together every chance it gets."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. Matthew''s chuckle turned into a fullugh, which earned him a sharp re from ire. He quickly cleared his throat and tried to stifle his amusement. "Why not just ditch the event altogether?" he suggested, half-joking. ire shook her head. "I can''t. We''re business partners with Harris, and it wouldn''t look good if I didn''t show up. The media would have a field day with it." Matthew gave her a sympathetic look but couldn''t resist a bit of sarcasm. "Too bad your business partner had to be Harris, huh?" ire rolled her eyes again, her tone dry. "Yeah, too bad." Chapter 241 The Banquet Alexander was having one of those days where everything just seemed off. He stood in his walk-in closet, staring at the rows of meticulously tailored suits hanging in front of him. He was already twenty minuteste for the annual Harris family charity banquet, and the main culprit was his so-called ''short nap'' that had somehow turned into a two-hour snooze fest. He pulled a tie from the rack, wrapping it around his neck with practiced ease, but his reflection in the mirror didn''t look impressed. He felt the same. The suit, an Italian brand he wore often, fit him perfectly, but tonight, it felt more like a uniform than anything else. He let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair to smooth it down. The thought of mingling at the banquet, pretending to be interested in endless small talk, wasn''t exactly thrilling. "Great," he muttered to himself, straightening his tie. "Just what I needed a night full of forced smiles and long speeches." The memory ofst year''s banquet didn''t help either. He had conveniently been "too busy" to attend, which had not gone over well with his mother. This year, she had made it clear that his presence was non-negotiable. He just hoped his father would do most of the talking so he could quietly blend into the background. A buzz from his phone interrupted his thoughts. He walked out of the closet and grabbed it from the table, already knowing who it was. Sure enough, it was a text from his mother, eager to see him tonight. Mum: Can''t wait to see you tonight, darling! Alexander sighed, slipping the phone into his pocket. "Can''t wait," he mumbled sarcastically before heading out of his room, not feeling at all excited about the evening ahead. He downed the drink in one swoop as he lost count of how many drinks he had drank earlier. Meanwhile, ire was in the backseat of her car, staring out the window as they drove towards the Harris Hotel. She was less than thrilled about attending the banquet, and her expression was one of clear disinterest. Last year, she''d skip the banquet because she wasn''t feeling well. The next day, Joan Harris called to wish her a speedy recovery, which was a surprise to ire because she hadn''t told anyone she was sick-only Alex knew. It turned out Alex had told his mother he was taking care of ire while his Christian represented him at the banquet. Of course, Alex hadn''t been taking care of her at all; he''d been too busy with work meetings and deadlines. "Typical," ire muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes at the memory. ire sighed, leaning back in her seat. She crossed her fingers, hoping Alex would skip the event this year. But knowing him, he''d probably show up, and she''d have to spend the entire evening avoiding him. She wasn''t in the mood to deal with his charm or his teasing. "Just one night," ire murmured to herself. "Just get through one night without any drama." While ire and Alexander is currently looking unhappy, Talia on the other hand is filled with happiness. Talia was getting ready for what felt like the most important evening of her life-dinner with Christian. She couldn''t believe he had actually asked her out. Her heart fluttered just thinking about it, and a blush crept onto her cheeks. She applied anotheryer of lip gloss, then fixed her hair for what felt like the hundredth time. Talia nced at her wristwatch, the seconds ticking down to 7 PM. She had been ready for ages but was too nervous to sit still. She tried to take a deep breath to calm herself, but it didn''t help much. Just as she was about to check her reflection one more time, she heard a knock on her apartment door. Her heart skipped a beat. It was time. She checked herself in the mirror once more, making sure everything was perfect Satisfied, she grabbed her purse and walked out of her bedroom, pausing briefly in front of the door. She took a deep breath, then opened it to reveal Christian, looking impossibly handsome in his suit and holding a bouquet of roses. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Christian''s mouth gaped open as he took in the sight of Talia. "Wow," he finally managed, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "You look... gorgeous." Talia felt her cheeks heat up, but she couldn''t help but smile. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice a little shaky from nerves. "You look pretty dapper yourself." Christian grinned, clearly pleased by thepliment. He held out the bouquet to her. "These are for you." Talia''s smile widened as she took the roses from him. "They''re beautiful. Thank you, Christian." She inhaled their sweet scent before looking back at him. "I''ll just put these in some water, and then we can go." Christian nodded, watching as she walked back into her apartment to find a vase. He couldn''t stop smiling, still slightly in awe of how stunning she looked. Talia quickly arranged the flowers, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. When she returned, Christian offered his arm, and Talia took it, feeling a bit like she was in a dream. They stepped out into the hallway, heading toward what she hoped would be a perfect evening. Back at the Harris Hotel, Alexander had finally arrived, fashionablyte as usual. He wasn''t exactly thrilled about attending the annual charity banquet, but appearances had to be kept up. As he stepped out of his sleek ck car, he tossed hiskeys to the valet, stering on a polite smile as he made his way through the grand entrance. ire''s car pulled up to the hotel entrance, and she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the evening ahead. She didn''t particrly enjoy these events either but they were part of the job. As the car door swung stepped out gracefully, her she expression neutral, the picture of calm confidence. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Unfortunately for both of them, fate had other ns. ire and Alexander ended up walking towards the entrance at exactly the same time, their paths converging in the hotel''s ornate lobby. At first, neither of them noticed the other, each lost in their own thoughts. But as they drew closer, a sense of familiarity struck. They both looked up simultaneously, and their eyes met, locking in a moment of mutual surprise and resignation. "Oh, great," ire thought, her heart sinking. "Just my luck." She was really hoping to avoid this tonight. Alexander''s thoughts mirrored hers. "Here we go," he muttered under his breath, forcing a smile as he approached her. He couldn''t help but wonder why she was there. "ire," he greeted, his tone polite but with a hint of weariness. "Alexander," she replied, matching his tone perfectly. "Well, isn''t this a pleasant surprise," ire said while giving him a tight smile. "I wasn''t informed that you will be attending this banquet." Alexander shoved both his hands in his pants pocket. ire raised her brows. "Really? I almost thought that you were stalking me." Alexander rolled his eyes and replied sarcastically. "Of course, cause that''s the only thing that I am good at." They both knew the night had just be a lot more different. Chapter 242 “I’m not walking in with you,” ire''s eyes were icy as she red at Alexander, the tension between them palpable. The paparazzi were buzzing like bees, their cameras shing from afar. Since no paparazzi were allowed to get close to the hotel, they settled for taking long-distance shots, their lenses zooming in on ire and Alexander as they stood in front of the hotel entrance. "I''m not walking in with you," ire said coldly. "Go ahead. I don''t want anyone to think we arrived together." Alexander frowned, clearly not pleased with her dramatics. "Oh,e on, ire. You''re being way too dramatic about this. We''re going to bump into each other at the banquet anyway. Might even have to exchange a few pleasantries. The guests don''t care about how we get there." ire crossed her arms, ready to argue, but Alexander cut her off before she could get a word out. "Look," he said, "let''s just walk in together and talk about the robot project. We can discuss the progress, and it''ll look professional. Problem solved." ire paused, the mention of the robot project reminding her of some important updates she needed to report to him. She sighed, realizing he had a point. "Fine," she relented, her voice less icy. "But this is purely about work." They walked through the grand entrance of the hotel, ignoring the sh of cameras from the other side of the street. As they made their way to the ballroom, Alexander nced over at ire. "So, how''s the roboting along?" he asked, keeping his tone casual. "It''s going well," ire replied, her voice confident. "I''ve got the best team working on it. We''re making good progress, and Abigail is also helping out." "Abigail?" Alexander raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised. "Isn''t she supposed to be designing the robot? Why is she helping with the building? Her expertise is in design, not engineering." They stepped into the elevator, and Alexander pressed the button for the sixth floor. The doors slid shut, sealing them in together. "Abigail volunteered to help," ire exined as the elevator began its ascent. "She''s a graduate of an engineering major. It''s not her first time dealing with robots. I''m surprised you didn''t know that about your own childhood friend." Alexander shrugged, looking a little sheepish. "Honestly, I never paid much attention. Abigail''s always been into a lot of different things. Hard to keep up." ire rolled her eyes, a sarcastic smile ying on her lips. "Of course, you didn''t," she said as the elevator doors opened with a soft ding. They stepped out, walking down the plush carpeted hallway toward the ballroom. They reached the entrance to the ballroom, and ire stopped, turning to face Alexander. "I''ll keep you updated on the robot. There''s no need for you to worry."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. Alexander''s expression grew serious, his tone shifting into business mode. "I don''t want this project to fail, ire. We''ve invested a lot into it. Failure isn''t an option." ire''s eyes narrowed slightly, feeling a hint of offense at his implication. "Don''t worry," she said, her lips curling into a smirk. "I won''t fail. In fact, you''ll be amazed." With that, ire turned on her heels and strode into the ballroom, leaving Alexander standing there, watching her go. He shook his head, unsure if he should be impressed by ire''s confidence or annoyed by her constant coldness and sarcasm toward him. The ballroom was already buzzing with activity. Guests mingled, waiters moved gracefully among them with trays of champagne, and a soft, elegant melody yed from the string quartet in the corner. Alexander, meanwhile, took a moment topose himself before entering the grand ballroom. He stered a smile on his face, ready to charm the crowd as always. This was his game-mingling, It didn''t take long for him to spot his mother, Joan, standing near a small group of elegantly dressed guests. Her eyes it up as soon as she saw him, and she opened her arms wide in a weing gesture. "Alex" she eximed, pulling him into a warm embrace. Alexander kissed her cheek, a small smile ying on his lips. "I''m here, Mum. No need for the dramatics," he teased, noting the relief in her voice as if he''d been missing for years. Joan gave him a yful swat on the arm. "Oh, hush. I''m just d you finally made it," she said with a mock pout. "You know how your father likes everything to be perfect." Alexander chuckled, knowing all too well how his father could be about these events. "Speaking of Dad where is he?" he asked, ncing around the room. Joan gestured towards a corner of the ballroom, where a group of men were deep in conversation. "He''s catching up with an old friend. You know how he is, always making connections." Alexander nodded, following her gaze. His father was indeed engrossed in a lively discussion, his boomingugh echoing across the room. "I see," Alexander said. "And have you seen Christian anywhere?" Joan shook her head, a slight frown creasing her brow. "No, I haven''t seen him. He might be runningte." Alexander excused himself, telling his mother he''d go find Christian. He pulled out his phone and dialed Christian''s number, heading towards a quieter corner of the room to avoid the chatter of the crowd. Meanwhile, Christian was sitting at a cozy table in a dimly lit restaurant, a wide grin on his face as he told Talia about an embarrassing incident from his college days. Taliaughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement, clearly enjoying the story. Just as Christian was about to deliver the punchline, his phone buzzed on the table. He nced at the screen, seeing Alexander''s name shing. Talia noticed the shift in his expression and raised an eyebrow. "Aren''t you going to answer that?" she asked, her voice teasing. Christian hesitated for a moment, then grabbed his phone. "Sorry, give me a sec," he said, sliding out of his seat and heading towards the restroom to take the call. "Alex, hey!" Christian greeted, trying to sound casual as he answered. Before Christian could say anything more, Alexander''s voice came through, slightly exasperated. "Where are you, Christian? I''ve been looking for you everywhere, and I haven''t seen you at the banquet." Christian rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling nervously. He had forgotten-or more like deliberately avoided-telling Alexander he wasn''t nning on showing up. "Uh, hey, Alex. Yeah, about that..." Alexander cut him off, his tone impatient. "Are you at the office? Is something wrong? If there''s a problem, I''ll head over there right now." Alexander started to make his way towards the exit, but Christian quickly interrupted, trying to calm him down. "No, no, everything''s fine! No problem at the office. It''s just... I''m not going to the banquet." Alexander stopped in his tracks, frowning in confusion. "You''re not going? Why not?" Christian hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Well, I''m kind of... on a date right now." Chapter 243 On a Date There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the line. Alexander''s eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, did I hear you right? Did you just say you''re on a date?" he asked, sounding more incredulous than he intended. "Yeah, that''s right," Christian''s voice came through the phone, sounding way too rxed. "I''m on a date." Alexander''s jaw practically dropped. "You''re on a date? Right now? While you know you''re supposed to attend tonight''s banquet?" He could hardly believe his ears. Christian was the one who had been nagging him about the importance of this event for weeks. Now, he was ditching it for a date? Christian sighed, clearly not in the mood for a lecture. "Yes, Alex, I ditched tonight''s banquet. Can''t a guy take a break every once in a while?" Alexander was still trying to wrap his head around it. "But... you were the one who reminded me about the banquet! You made it sound like the world would end if I didn''t show up, and now you''re not going?" Christian chuckled softly, unbothered by Alex''s shock. "Look, just for tonight, I wanted to do something that doesn''t involve work or business. I needed a break, man. It''s been ages since I went on a peaceful date. I''ve earned this." Alexander was torn between being annoyed and amused. It was hard to stay mad at Christian, especially since he''d done so much for Alex over the years. Still, the thought of being tricked into going alone was irksome. "I guess I can''t really me you," Alex admitted with a sigh. "You''ve pulled me out of enough fires to deserve a night off. It''s fine, I''ll manage. It''s not like it''s your event anyway." Christian felt a twinge of guilt but was still smiling. "Thanks, Alex. I really appreciate that. Sorry to bail on you, though."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. "Don''t worry about it," Alexander replied, trying to sound casual. "You have every right to do whatever you want. But next time, maybe give me a heads-up before you decide to ditch an event. I wouldn''t mind joining you in ditching." Christianughed heartily. "Deal. Next time I''ll make sure we both get a break. Thanks for understanding." With that, the phone call ended, and Christian slipped his phone back into his pocket, heading back to his table. He spotted Talia looking at him with a smile, her eyes sparkling under the dim restaurant lights. The sight of her made his heart beat a little faster, and he couldn''t help but smile back. This was exactly the kind of break he needed. Meanwhile, Alexander ced his phone back inside his suit jacket, feeling a mix of emotions. He nced around the grand ballroom, taking in the sight of thevishly dressed guests and the elegant dcor. He was about to make his way to the bar to grab a drink something strong to help him loosen up a bit-when he heard a familiar voice calling his name. "Alex!" He turned around to see his father approaching him, a broad smile on his face. "There you are, son," his father said, patting him on the back. "When did you get here?" "Not too long ago," Alexander replied, trying to keep his voice light. Thest thing he wanted was to let his father know he was contemting sneaking out for a quick drink. "Well, it''s about time we make our rounds and greet the guests," his father said, nodding toward the crowd. "You know how these things go." Alexander heaved a small sigh, knowing there was no getting out of this. He hadn''t even managed to get a sip of alcohol yet, and he could already feel the tension building in his shoulders. But he nodded, putting on a polite smile. "Of course, Dad. Let''s go." As he walked behind his father, he noticed a waiter passing by with a tray full of champagne sses. Without hesitation, Alex reached out, snagging a ss and downing it in one go. The bubbles tickled his nose, but the cool liquid was a wee relief. He quickly ced the empty ss back on the tray, feeling a little better. Alexander''s father, Michael Harris, stepped onto the stage, his wife, and their son, Alexander, following close behind. Michael approached the microphone, tapping it twice to get everyone''s attention. The chatter slowly died down, and all eyes turned to the stage. "Good evening, everyone," Michael began, his voice warm and weing. "Thank you all for being here tonight. It''s a pleasure to see so many familiar faces at the Harris annual charity banquet." Apuse erupted from the crowd, and Michael nodded, a smile spreading across his face. He waited for the pping to subside before continuing. "As you all know we hold this event every year to give back to ourmunity, to support those in need, and to make a difference where we can. And none of this would be possible without your generosity and your support. So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being here and for your contributions." Another round of apuse followed, guests nodding in agreement. Michael took a moment to nce at his son standing beside him. "I''d also like to take this opportunity to thank my son, Alexander, for making the time to attend tonight. After all,st year he decided to grace us with his absence." Laughter rippled through the room, and Alexander rolled his eyes, a sheepish grin on his face. He leaned toward his father, whispering, "Really, Dad?" Michael chuckled, then turned back to the audience. "And now, I''d like to invite Alexander to say a few words." Alexander''s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn''t prepared a speech. Heck, he hadn''t even thought he''d be called up to say anything. But the smile on his face didn''t falter as he stepped up to the mic, his mind racing toe up with something, anything, to say. ire, sitting at a table near the back, raised an eyebrow as she sipped her champagne. She could tell Alexander was caught off guard, and she was curious to see how he''d handle the situation. If he messed up, well, that would be an entertaining end to her night. "Good evening, everyone," Alexander began, his voice steady. "Thank you for joining us tonight. I hope you''re all enjoying yourselves." He paused, ncing around the room, his eyesnding on ire for a brief moment. She held his gaze, a slight smirk ying on her lips. That''s right, Alex, let''s see how you pull this off, she thought. Realizing he was still in front of a crowd of people, Alex cleared his throat, chuckling softly. "I, uh, wasn''t expecting to speak tonight, so you''ll have to forgive me for being unprepared. My father has a knack for keeping things... spontaneous." The guests chuckled, easing some of the tension Alex felt. He smiled, rxing a little. "I just want to say that it''s incredible to see so many of you here supporting this cause. Your generosity truly makes a difference, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you. Let''s make tonight a night to remember, and here''s to making a positive impact together." Apuse filled the room as Alex stepped back, relieved to have gotten through it without any major blunders. Michael took the mic again, his voice booming with pride. "Thankyou, Alex. And now, everyone, please enjoy the rest of your evening. The bar is open, the music is ying, and we have plenty of delicious food, so make yourselves at home!" The guests pped once more, and the trio made their way off the stage. As they walked, Michael turned to his son, raising an eyebrow. "You didn''t prepare anything, did you?" Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I''ve been busy, Dad. You know I don''t have time for this." Michael''s expression turned slightly stern. "Alexander, we have an image to uphold. This is important. Don''t let it happen again." Alex nodded, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I got it," he muttered before making a beeline for the bar. If he was going to get through the rest of the night, he definitely needed a drink. Chapter 244 Dinner Went Well Talia and Christian''s date was going splendidly. The restaurant buzzed around them, but they were in their own little world,ughing at something silly Christian had just said. Their tes of tiramisu were nearly empty, with just a few bites left as they savored the sweet, creamy dessert. Christian leaned back in his chair, grinning. "So, Talia, which tiramisu do you like more? This one or the one you had in Italy?" Talia chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh,e on, Christian. You know Italy is known for its tiramisu it was obviously better. That tiramisu was like a cloud! But," she added quickly, not wanting to hurt his feelings, "this one''s pretty good too. I mean, it''s not every day you get decent tiramisu outside of Italy, right?" Christianughed. "Yeah, I guess you''re right. It''s hard topete with Italian tiramisu." He paused for a moment, his eyes locking with hers. "Are you enjoying the date?" Talia made a show of pretending to think it over, tapping her chin and making a silly face. "Hmm, let me see... good food, greatpany... yeah, I''d say I''m enjoying it," she said with a teasing smile. Christianughed, feeling a warm, fuzzy feeling spread through his chest. He loved seeing her like this-happy, carefree, and joking around. They finished their dessert, chatting about everything and nothing, and then finally got up to leave. As they stepped outside, the cool night air greeted them, and Christian was about to lead the way to his car when he felt a gentle tug on his hand. He turned to see Talia looking up at him, her cheeks slightly pink, a shy look on her face. "Christian," she started, her voice a little hesitant. "There''s something I want to tell you. It''s about this n ire and Adrian made." Christian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You mean the n you said was confidential? You didn''t have to tell me about it." Talia nodded, biting her lip nervously. "Yeah, that one. But... I want you to know about it. I want you toe." Christian''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Are you sure?" he asked, trying to read her expression. "You don''t have to tell me if it''s a secret. I don''t want you to feel pressured." Talia gazed into his eyes, sincerity shining through. "I''m sure. I trust you, Christian. And... I want you there. With me." Her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red as she looked away, embarrassed by her own boldness. Christian couldn''t help but smile. He reached out and gently lifted her chin, so she was looking at him again. "In that case, I''d love toe," he said softly. "You can count me in." A huge smile broke out on Talia''s face, and before she could stop herself, she threw her arms around him in a big hug. She quickly realized what she''d done and stepped back, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, fumbling with her fingers. "Thank you, Christian. Really." Christian chuckled, finding her nervousness endearing. "You''re wee, Talia. Anytime." He slipped an arm around her waist as they headed toward his car. "So, tell me all about this n," he said, steering the conversation back to a morefortable topic. Meanwhile, back at the Harris family banquet, ire was in a conversation with Alex''s parents. She was doing her best to keep the small talk going, despite how much she wanted to escape. Joan Harris was all smiles, looking every bit the elegant socialite. She turned to ire with a friendly, concerned expression. "ire, darling, how are you? You look wonderful, but I hope you''re not overworking yourself," Joan said, her eyes sweeping over ire with motherly concern. ire returned Joan''s smile with one of her own, although hers was a bit more restrained. "I''m fine, really. Just busy, as usual," she said, keeping her tone light. She didn''t want to get into any heavy topics tonight. Joan tilted her head, looking at ire a bit more closely. "You''ve lost some weight, haven''t you? Are you taking care of yourself, dear?" ire shook her head, quicklying up with an excuse. "Oh, it''s just a new exercise program I''ve been trying out," she lied smoothly. She didn''t want to get into the real reasons behind her weight loss-too much stress, too little sleep. Better to keep things simple. "Well, just make sure you''re eating enough," Joan said with a slight frown. "We don''t want you overdoing it." "Of course," ire agreed, nodding. She was d to see Joan smile again, her concern easing. Michael Harris, Alex''s father, took this opportunity to join the conversation. "So, ire," he began, his tone casual but curious, "how''s the project going with Alex? He doesn''t tell me much, says he''s too busy to talk about work." ire kept her face neutral, though she had to fight back a wry smile. Alex was always too busy for his father, it seemed. "The project is, going well," she said simply. She wasn''t about to spill any details, especially not about the robot. That was still confidential, and she intended to keep it that way. Michael nodded but didn''t seempletely satisfied with her answer. "If you need any help, and my son isn''t being helpful, you can alwayse to me," he offered, half-jokingly. Joan gave him a light p on the arm. "Oh, Michael, don''t be silly. Alex is a professional, and I''m sure he knows how to keep work and personal affairs separate." ire just smiled, not saying a word. If only Joan knew how Alex really behaved-how he sometimes let personal matters bleed into business. But it wasn''t her ce to say, and she had no intention of causing a stir. Joan scanned the crowded ballroom, her eyes darting from one group of people to another. "ire, have you seen Alex anywhere?" she asked, ire shook her head. "No, I haven''t seen him since the speech earlier," she replied, trying to keep her tone light. She had hoped to avoid any mention of Alexander tonight, but clearly, the universe had other ns. "Would you mind checking on him, ire?" ire inwardly groaned. Thest thing she wanted to do was babysit Alex, especially at an event like this. But Joan was always so sweet to her, and ire didn''t want to offend her. "Sure, Joan. I''ll go find him," ire said, forcing a smile. Michael, Joan''s husband, gave ire a sympathetic look. "Don''t bother ire with Alex, Joan. He''s a grown man. He can take care of himself," he said, trying to steer his wife away from worrying. ire waved it off, still smiling. "It''s fine, really. I don''t mind checking on him," she said. Better to just get it over with. She excused herself from the couple and began weaving her way through the crowd, making her way toward the bar. It didn''t take her long to figure out where Alex was. His loud, boisterousughter was a dead giveaway. ire rolled her eyes as she approached the sound, spotting him standing with a group of people, all of themughing at something he''d just said. ire frowned, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched Alex. He was in the middle of telling some story, gesturing wildly with his hands, and the people around him were eating it up,ughing at his every word. This was odd, ire thought. Alex wasn''t the type to tell jokes in front of strangers. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. Sarcasticments, sure. But full-on jokes? That was out of character. "Alexander," ire called out, her tone professional as she stepped up beside him. Alex turned to her, his eyes lighting up in recognition. "ire!" he said cheerfully, slinging an arm around her shoulders. The gesture caught her off guard, and she stiffened, but she managed to keep her smile in ce. "Alexander," ire replied, trying to sound pleasant despite the annoyance bubbling up inside her. The smell of alcohol was strong, and she could tell just by looking at him that he was more than a little tipsy. Of course, Alexander must get drunk in an event like this, ire thought to herself. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 245 Drunk Alexander "Alex, your parents were looking for you," ire said, turning to address the group with a smile. "Sorry to interrupt, but they wanted to talk to him about something important." "Ah,e on, ire," Alex said, still grinning, clearly enjoying himself. "We were just having a good time." ire scrunched her nose at the smell of alcohol and took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. She needed to get him out of here before he said something he shouldn''t. She opened her mouth to speak, but one of the guests beat her to it. "You''re really nice, ire, you know that?" the guest said, looking impressed. "Even after you two are divorced, you''re still looking out for him." Alex looked like he was about to respond, but ire quickly nudged his ribs, cutting him off. God only knew what he was about to say. "Well, someone has to," ire said with a tight smile, slipping her arm through his to steady him. "Excuse us." With that, she steered Alex away from the group, moving quickly before he could protest. She spotted an empty table at the back of the room and guided him over, seating him down. "Hey, what''s the rush?" Alex grumbled, looking up at her with bleary eyes. "I was having fun." "You were making a fool of yourself," ire said bluntly, crossing her arms as she stood over him. "What''s gotten into you? Since when do you entertain crowds like that?" Alex shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "Maybe I just felt like letting loose," he said, his voice slurred. ire rolled her eyes. "Well, you''ve let loose enough for one night." A sloppy grin stered across his face. ire rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest as she red down at him. "Well, you''ve let loose enough for one night," she said with a sigh, tapping her foot impatiently. "How much have you had to drink, Alex?" Alex squinted up at her, lifted his fingers as though to count, and thenughed, shaking his head. "Can''t remember," he said, slurring. "Too many, I guess?" ire scowled, her irritation rising. "You''re impossible," she spat, looking teetering around the room to make sure no one was witnessing this humiliating spectacle. "Now I''ve got to exin to your folks why you''re blowing off the charity banquet. Just great." She was so tempted to leave him there and let him face the music. Why should she care if Alexander made a fool of himself? But then she reminded herself that other than business partners much as she really detested it-he was part of her reputation. Until their business was concluded, she needed to keep up appearances for a professional image. "Stay here," she ordered, pointing a finger at him. "Don''t move. I have to find your parents ande up with an excuse for you." "Roger that," said Alex, mock saluting her, then chuckling to himself. ire spun on her heel, working her way through the crowd, her brain trying toe up with some possible excuses. She smiled as she passed guests, nodding here and there, all until she found Michael talking to a few businessmen that she recognized. "Michael," she greeted, forcing a smile onto her lips as she stepped from behind him. "I''m so sorry to be interrupting, but can I speak with you for a moment?" Michael''s head went up and, as he saw ire, there was a quick spreading smile on his face. "Of course, ire," he said, nodding to the men around him. "But first, let me introduce you. Gentlemen, this is ire, the CEO of Metacortex." ire smiled politely, shaking hands with businessmen. Among them was a tall man with graying hair, Tony, the owner of thergest shopping mall in London. "Congrattions on your partnership with Harris Hotel," he said, offering a firm handshake. "That''s quite an aplishment." "Thank you, sir," ire said, smiling politely, yet genuine. "It''s been a pleasure working with the Harris family" Then spoke the second businessman fat, jolly-looking man. "I hear very good things about yourtest software release. When is it hitting the market?" ire nodded, giving him a knowing smile. "Soon," she said. "We''re still ironing out a few details, but we''re aiming for a release in the next three months I swear, it''s going to be worth it in the end." She said something light, adding a witty lighthearted remark concerning tech bugs, and everybodyughed, soothing the air. "Very exciting," Tony said while he lifted his ss in her general direction. "I''m sure it''s going to be a massive hit." "Let''s hope so," ire said, touching their sses each in turn. Then she turned to Michael, and the smile tightened. "Mic, can I see you for a second? It will only take a minute." Michael shrugged and stepped away from the group. "What is it?" he said, the tiniest curveing into his eyebrows.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. "Alexander isn''t feeling well," ire said carefully. "He told me he needs to leave early, so he''s heading home. I just thought you should know." Michael frowned, looking around as if expecting to see his son somewhere. "Is he alright?" he asked. "He''s not...drunk, is he?" ire hesitated, then shook her head. "He just said it was a little queasiness. I think he just needed to sit and let the liquor wear off. It really was a long night." Michael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I''ll check on himter. Thanks for letting me know, ire. I appreciate it." "Of course," ire said and smiled at him reassuringly. "I will let you get back to your guests." Michael nodded and went back to his conversation as ire walked her way back to the table, she had left Alex at. Only, by the time she got there, the seat was empty. ire swore under her breath. "Where did that idiot go?" she muttered, scanning the room for any sign of him but found none. She groaned, doing her best to keep her frustration in check. She didn''t want to make a scene-at least not yet. ire pushed through the ballroom, nodding and smiling at a few familiar faces as she made her way to the door. Once outside, she took a deep breath, her ev scanning the hallway. Still no sign of Alexander. "Perfect," she muttered, her patience wearing thin. She spotted a couple of security guards near the entrance and walked over to them. "Excuse me," ire said, putting on her best polite smile, though it didn''t quite reach her eyes. "Have either of you seen Alexander Harris? Tall guy, looks like he''s got a permanent smirk on his face?" One of the guards, a burly man with a neatly trimmed beard, nodded. "Yes, ma''am. He headed toward the lifts just a few minutes ago." ire forced another smile. "Thanks." She turned and hurried down the hallway, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. When she reached the lift, she saw the doors were about to close. Without thinking, ire shoved her clutch into the gap, jamming it just in time. The doors bounced open, and she red down at Alexander, who was lying t on his back on the lift floor, staring up at the ceiling. "Alexander," ire snapped, stepping inside and letting the doors close behind her. "What the hell are you doing?" Chapter 246 Babysitting "What the hell are you doing?" Alexander tilted his head to look at her, azy smile spreading across his face. "Contemting life," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What does it look like?" ire crossed her arms, giving him a withering look. "It looks like you''re being an idiot, as usual. Why are you on the floor?" He shrugged, still not bothering to get up. "It''s morefortable down here. And it''s quiet. No one to bother me. Well, except you, obviously." ire rolled her eyes. "Get up, Alexander." Alexander just grinnedzily, unrepentant, and refused to budge from where he was sprawled out on the floor of the lift. With his casual attitude even when half-drunk, it was maddening. ire folded her arms and tapped her foot as she muttered under her breath. "What am I going to do with you?" she sighed. The doors had closed behind, leaving them in this box, with ire ring down at Alex who had obviously no ns of moving soon. She looked down at the panel of floor buttons, undecided. Taking him back to his ce was not an option. Truly thest thing she needed was some roaming paparazzi capturing a shot of her dragging a tipsy Alexander Harris out of a hotel. Another headline with their names sharing the same ck ink was not on the agenda. After an instant''s hesitation, ire ducked and grabbed his arm, yanking him upright with more strength than her delicate appearance would have suggested. "Come on, up you go," she growled, striving to support him against the elevator wall. As she approached the lift and was about to press any floor number, the lift doors opened, and a hotel employee came into it, surprised to see the two of them inside. Suddenly, an idea came to ire''s mind. In the fraction of a second, she threw a smile at the hotel employee. "I need your help," she started off, her voice taking on that sweet, sweet tone she reserved only for getting what she wanted. "Well, actually, it is your boss here who needs help," she added, nodding toward Alexander. In his eyes, the employee nced from ire to Alexander, his eyes widening in recognition of the man. "Oh! Mr. Harris! Is he all right? What can I do to help?" he asked, showing significant enthusiasm to help or please them. ire motioned to Alexander, who was leaning heavily against her. "He''s unwell and needs a ce to rest," she said,ing across as every inch the worried partner. "Could you arrange a room for him?" The hotel worker didn''t miss a beat, just nodded and pressed the button for the top floor. "Of course, Miss. The penthouse should be avable."Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. ire breathed out a relieved smile as things finally seemed to go their way. Going up, she nced at Alex. Incapacitated at the moment, he somehow still managed to look handsome and infuriating all at once. As the elevator doors opened at the top floor, they were led down a plush hallway and the door to one of the luxurious suites was unlocked. With a lot of struggling, they managed to drag Alexander to the nearest bed and drop him onto it. ire straightened and brushed a stray lock of hair off her face before she turned to the staff member. "Thank you," she said, this time with genuine thanks. The man nodded politely, expectantly looking at her. "If you need anything else, please don''t hesitate to inform the hotel," he said, before he took his leave. ire watched the door m behind him and then looked over at Alexander, who was already spread out and sound asleep. She sighed in exasperation. "Of all the nights, Alex. You had to pick tonight to be a problem." She nced down at her watch; it was almost midnight, and she had to be up at the crack of dawn to catch meetings at the office, check on the robot-building project, and swing by to help Talia set up the fashion show. She had no time to babysit a passed-out Alexander. Standing at the door of the bathroom, she felt the experience was familiar for some reason. Her mind roamed back to when she had been poisoned. No matter how bitter she was to him, Alex had been there for her whenever she needed a shoulder to lean on. He had made sure she had the attention needed, and he had even gone to the extent of inquiring into the incident himself. As she watched the footage of him taking care of her, something churned within her-something she didn''t want to bring to light. ire sighed, pulling out her phone as she walked over and sank into an armchair near the window. She scrolled through her messages, praying Alex would wake up soon so she could leave. His presence had already ruined her night, but she wasn''t heartless enough to just walk out and leave him here. "Come on, Alex," she muttered to herself. "Wake up so I can go home." The sun was shining brightly through the curtains, casting a warm glow around the room. Alexander''s eyes fluttered open, and he winced at the sudden headache that ? pounded through his skull. He groaned, rolling over to squint at the unfamiliar ceiling. "Where am I?" he mumbled to himself, his voice hoarse. Alexander slowly sat up, taking in the room around him. It was spacious and elegantly decorated. He knows where he is but the question how did he ended up there? The bed was a mess of tangled sheets, and he noticed a bottle of water and an Advil sitting on the nightstand beside him. Not one to question a good thing, Alexander grabbed the Advil, popped it into his mouth, and downed it with the water. As the cold water slid down his throat, he pulled out his phone from his suit jacket. A few missed calls greeted him, from his father, his mother, and Christian, his best friend. He nced at the time. "Past 9 AM? Damn it," Alexander muttered, running a hand through his hair. He had overslept, and from the looks of his phone, his family was probably wondering where he was. "Great, just great," he scolded himself, rubbing his temples. "I''m a grown man, and here I am, getting drunk like some college kid." He tried to piece together the events ofst night, but it was all a blur. Thest clear memory he had was having five drinks. Deciding he needed to clear his head, Alexander headed to the bathroom fora shower. The hot water worked wonders, rxing his tense muscles and washing away the lingering grogginess. As hez stood under the steady stream, he closed his eyes and tried to piece together the previous night. Slowly, bits and pieces came back to himughing too loud, clinking sses, and... ire. Alexander''s eyes snapped open, and he groaned, burying his face in his hands. "No, no, no," he muttered to himself. Thest thing he remembered clearly was ire. He had been talking to her-or more like slurring at her-while she gave him that icy stare she was famous for. The realization made his stomach turn, and he felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He leaned his head against the cool tiles of the shower, feeling the water beat down on his back. "How could I let this happen?" he muttered to himself. He had acted like a fool in front of the one person who already couldn''t stand him. Now, she probably had even more reason to hate him. Or worse, maybe she was disgusted by him. Chapter 247 I’m Busy ire was back in her office, stifling yet another yawn as she tried to focus on the report in front of her. She hadn''t gotten much sleepst night, thanks to the Harris family''s annual charity banquet but more like thanks to Alexander. With him being drunk, ire ended up babysitting him. A light knock on her door interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up to see Sandra poking her head in. "Ms. Peterson, the robotics team has arrived. They''re waiting for you downstairs." "Great, thanks, Sandra," ire said, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. She stood up, stretched, and made her way out of her office, heading to the 10th floor. Her heels clicked against the polished floors of Metacortex as she walked, trying to shake off the lingering tiredness. When ire walked into the room, she spotted Abigail and Matthew already there, looking busy. "Morning," she greeted them, noting how they both seemed more awake than she felt.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. "Morning, ire." said Matthew who is watching the team working. ire''s eyes went back and forth towards Abigail and Matthew. "Hey, when did you two arrive?" Matthew turned to ire and shot her a smile. "I just got here about five minutes ago," he said Abigail nodded, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I just arrived a minute ago. Just in time to watch the team work their magic," she added, motioning to the group of engineers bustling around arge table filled with wires and parts. ire watched the robotics team in front of her, and her face shifted into a look of seriousness. The project they were working on was important, and she needed everything to go smoothly. She walked over to Logan, the leader of the team and someone ire had handpicked for this role. "How''s the progress, Logan?" she asked, her eyes scanning the organized chaos of the room. Logan, a tall guy with a perpetual five o''clock shadow, straightened up and gave her a nod. "We''re making good progress, Ms. Peterson. We''ve been arranging the body with the wires. It''sing along nicely." ire''s eyes moved to the robot''s body, which was being put together piece by piece. It was a custom-made structure, designed from hard stic to be both durable and lightweight. "When did the body arrive?" ire asked, intrigued by the sight. "Yesterday," Logan replied, "We started arranging the cables and all the electronicponents right away. Abigail''s been a great help with the wiring." ire nced over to Abigail, who was carefully connecting wires, her face a mask of concentration. ire had to admit, she was impressed. All those cables and circuits were a mystery to her, but Abigail seemed to have a handle on it. Turning her attention to the other side of the room, ire saw half of the team huddled around aptop, installing software. "What are you working on over there?" she asked, moving closer. "We''re installing the new software for the tablet," one of the engineers exined. "It''ll be attached above the robot so the customer can use the touch screen if they need help." ire nodded, appreciating the detail and thought going into the design. "Let me help with the software instation. Also, we need to discuss what services should be included in the tablet. We want it to be user-friendly and intuitive." The team nodded, taking her input seriously. ire was hands-on when it came to projects, and her involvement always motivated the team to do their best. She started working alongside them, her tiredness fading as she focused on the task at hand. After a while, ire gestured for Matthew to step outside with her. He followed her out of the room, and they leaned against the wall in the hallway. "Matthew," ire began, "I''ve been thinking. I should hire Stephen for Metacortex. His skills are exactly what we need for the new project." Matthew raised his eyebrows, looking interested. "Really? What made you change your mind?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest. "I reviewed his profile as you suggested," ire said, nodding. "He''s the perfect candidate for this project. However, I still want to interview him personally, just to be sure." Matthew nodded in agreement. "I agree. We could head over to Cryptonic now and maybe get him started tomorrow." ire was about to agree when Sandra''s voice called out, "Ms. Peterson." She turned to see Sandra walking towards them, with Alexander right behind her. ire''s face immediately shifted into a frown, her gaze turning cold. Just great, she thought, what is he doing here? Hadn''t he done enoughst night? "ire," Alexander greeted her, a neutral expression on his face. "We need to talk." She folded her arms, not bothering to hide her irritation. "Alexander, I''m busy," she said bluntly. "Whatever it is, it can wait." Alexander shifted his weight, clearly determined. "It''ll only take a minute," he insisted. ire''s eyes narrowed, a hint of annoyance shing in them. "If this is aboutst night," she said coldly, "forget it." It was obvious that Alexander had no intention of letting the topic drop so easily. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "If you don''t want to hear me out," he said, his voice growing louder, "then maybe I should just say it out loud right here." ire shot him a sharp re, her patience wearing thin. "Fine," she snapped. She turned to Matthew, who was standing nearby, observing the tense exchange. "Matthew don''t you head inside?" she vwhy suggested, her tone trying to sound casual. Matthew, being ire''s best friend, protector, and advisor, didn''t move. He folded his arms and red at Alexander. "ire doesn''t want to talk to you," he said firmly. "So why don''t you just leave her alone?" Alexander''s eyes darkened, the hangover making his temper re. "This has nothing to do with you, Matthew," he shot back. "So maybe you should shut up." Matthew took a step forward, his gaze still fixed on Alexander. "Did you do something to hurt her?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "I swear if you did Alex, I-" Alexander cut him off. "I didn''t do anything to her so stop assuming stupid shit." ire was already annoyed by the whole situation, and the fact that she hadn''t gotten enough sleep made her even more cranky. The tension in the air was thick, and she could feel a headacheing on. Both men were staring each other down, and ire knew she had to put a stop to this before it escted any further. She reached out and grabbed Alexander''s wrist, pulling him away from the doorway. "Matthew, go inside," she said firmly. "I''ll have a quick talk with Alex." Matthew looked like he was about to argue, but the look in ire''s eyes made him think twice. He rolled his eyes and muttered, "Fine," before turning on his heel and heading inside, leaving ire and Alexander alone in the hallway. ire dragged Alexander into an empty room and closed the door behind them with a loud click. She crossed her arms over her chest again and gave him a pointed look. "Talk," she said, not bothering to hide her impatience. Chapter 248 Convenience not Love Alexander jammed his hands into his pockets and looked every inch at the child who knew he''d been caught having done something wrong. His eyes flicking up to ire''s, he exhaled a deep sigh. "I''m sorry aboutst night," he began contritely. "I didn''t mean to get drunk. And I definitely didn''t mean for you to have to take care of me." ire''s eyes narrowed and her eyebrows rose as she looked at him coldly. "Take care of you?" she repeated, and her voice was honey dripping with acid. "I didn''t take care of you, Alexander." Alexander frowned, his head cocking slightly to one side. "Then what did you dost night?" he asked, and in it was the ring of confusion. ire fidgeted, staring at her nails in a bored fashion. "Your parents asked me to check on you," she said nonchntly. "I did not want to make a scene, so I went along with it." Alexander was really puzzled now. "But you were the one who brought me to the penthouse, right?" ire nodded, still disinterested. "Yes, I did. With the help from the hotel staff, mind you. It''s not like I wanted to drag you around." Alexander frowned, slightly annoyed now. "I remember being at the lift. We were already out of sight of my parents. You could''ve just ignored me and left. So why did you help me?" ire let out a very audible sigh; she was tired of this conversation. "Why is it such a big deal to you?" she asked, turning to him exasperated. "I just want to know," Alexander responded back-firm but not aggressive he genuinely wished toprehend why she would go out of her way to help him when she could have easily walked away. ire clicked her tongue in annoyance and crossed her arms tighter over her chest. "I couldn''t just leave you sprawled on the floor. We''re business partners, Alex. If you ruin your image, Metacortex gets dragged down with you. It''s not good for business." Alexander''s shoulders sagged just a little. For some reason, her exnation let him down. He''d hoped, maybe just a little, that she''d helped him because she cared, not because she was worried about herpany''s reputation. He nodded, epting her reasoning, even if it wasn''t what he wanted to hear. "Right. Business as usual," he said, his tone t. ire raised an eyebrow at him, echoing the change in tone. Alexander liked to argue; and enjoyed pushing until he got his way. But tonight, he seemed to have very little fight left within him. It was odd, yet ire wasn''t about toin. She wasn''t exactly in the mood for one of their usual battles. "Thanks, though," Alexander said finally, genuine in his tone. "For helping mest night." ire frowned, taken aback by the air of calm that radiated from him. Alex had always been aggressive in his pursuit, never leaving her any breathing space. Now he was just. epting of everything. Which, at best, was odd. "You''re wee, I suppose," she replied slowly, warily studying him. Alexander nodded again and then huffed a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I don''t know why I got so drunk," he confessed. "I guess flying from Vegas and back to London without much sleeping and a lot of work then attending the banquet taken a toll on me." ire studied him for a moment, then nodded. ire understands him because she knows how it feels being so stressed out about loads of things and deadlines, and at the same time attending parties, events, and so on. "Just make sure next time, it''s better to ditch than getting drunk." Alexander nodded. "Yeah, don''t worry. I learned my lesson." ire turned to Alexander with a look of finality. "We''re done here," she said, making her way toward the door. Just as she reached for the handle, the door of the robotics room swung open and out walked Abigail. Her eyes immediatelynded on Alexander, and a wide grin spread across her face. "Alex!" Abigail called out, beaming as she made her way over to him. "What are you doing here at Metacortex?" Alexander hesitated for a split second. He couldn''t exactly tell her the whole truth about why he was there. "I just wanted to talk to ire about something important," he replied smoothly. ire barely managed to keep from rolling her eyes. Important? Their conversation earlier had been anything but. But, well, Alex was just being Alex, she supposed. Always had a ir for the dramatic. "Oh, I see," Abigail said, nodding eagerly. She then perked up even more. "Hey, do you want to see the progress on the robot? It''s reallying along!" She was practically bouncing on her toes with excitement. Alex turned to ire as if silently asking for her permission. ire, still standing with her arms crossed over her chest gave him a level look. "You don''t need my peel.ne Alex She said tly. "It''s your robot, after all. Just remember to keep the information to yourself." Alex nodded, relieved. Before he could say anything else, Abigail grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards the robotics room, chatting excitedly ire raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised at the sight. It was unusual for Alex not to mindN?velDrama.Org content rights. ve physical contact. If anyone else had tried to drag him like that, he''d have yelled at them. Alex wasn''t exactly known for being touchy-feely. But with Abigail, he seemed to be... different. Not that ire cared, she told herself. Why should she? Their marriage was one of convenience, not love. Besides, when she''d had amnesia, she had been the one who loved him truly. Now, it was just business. Right? Shaking off those thoughts, ire followed them into the robotics room. Abigail was animatedly exining something about the robot''stest upgrades, and Alex looked genuinely interested. He nced at ire and said, "You''ve done a good job here, ire." ire nodded, epting thepliment. "Thanks," she replied curtly, then turned to Matthew, who was lounging nearby, scrolling through his phone. "Ready?" she asked. Matthew looked up, snapping his phone shut. "Yep," he said, straightening up. Abigail and Alex looked confused. "Where are you two going?" Abigail asked, tilting her head. "I have work to do," ire said dismissively, waving a hand. "You can stay as long as you like, Alex." She didn''t wait for a response and walked out of the room, with Matthew following closely behind her. As they made their way down the hallway towards the lift, Matthew couldn''t help but ask, "So, what happenedst night?" ire''s face remained impassive as she kept her eyes straight ahead. "Nothing," she replied tersely. Matthew raised an eyebrow, sensing that there was more to the story. "Really? Because it sure seemed like something was up." he pressed, hoping she''d borate. But ire just kept walking, her expression unreadable. They reached the lift, and she pressed the button. "It''s faster to take the helicopter than to drive," she said, changing the subject as they. stepped into the lift. She was clearly not in the mood to discuss whatever had happened the previous night. Matthew rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, ire just keep changing subject and forget I ask," Matthew said sarcastically which made ire chuckle. "I don''t need to tell you, I''m sure you''ll find out on your own." Chapter 249 Offering The helicopter''s rotor whirred to life, the deafening noise it made so loud. ire and Matthew were sat in the back, fastening their seatbelts and sorting out their headphones. The pilot nced back, giving them a quick nod to make sure they were all set, then, with a smooth motion, he lifted the helicopter into the air. It did not take them more than ten minutes, as ire insisted on using the helicopter for speed. As soon as the helicopter touched down onto the helipad, ire unbuckled her seatbelt, stepped out, and thanked the pilot with a quick nod. Matthew was right behind her, easing out his long legs as they walked toward the building. Employees greeted ire as she made her way inside. They clearly were all surprised to see her. One of them, a young man named Simon, smiled as he approached her. "Ms. Peterson! We don''t see you at the headquarters much these days." ire gave him a small smile, trying to remember his name. "I''ve been busy," she said, which was the understatement of the century. Simon nodded vigorously. "Well, good to see you again, ma''am." ire only smiled in return and resumed her progress to her office, Matthew still following in her wake. Once inside, she dropped down into her desk chair with a contented sigh. "It''s been ages since I''ve been in Cryptonic," she said out loud, turning to Matthew. "I rather miss it." Matthew leaned against the doorframe, chuckling. "You mean you were too busy with Metacortex to remember Cryptonic even existed," he teased. "Honestly, I was starting to think you''d forgotten how to hack." ire rolled her eyes at Matthew''s theatrics. "Please, as if I''d ever forget," she replied, turning on herputer. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, sending a quick notification to Stephen''sputer. Matthew raised an eyebrow and sat down in one of the chairs in front of her desk. "What are you up to now?" he asked, curious. "I just sent a notification to Stephen''sputer," ire replied, without looking up from her screen. "I need him toe to my office." Matthew grinned, leaning back in his chair. "So, you do remember how Cryptonic works. Impressive." ire gave him a look. "Say that one more time, and I''ll fire you," she said, though the corners of her mouth quivered in amusement. Matthew raised his hands in mock surrender, still smiling. "Alright, alright. I won''t say another word." Meanwhile back at Metacortex, Alexander was busy observing the building''s robotic systems. He couldn''t help but be impressed. ire had indeed seeded in assembling a team that wasposed of some very talented people, not just one or two, but ten of them. Each one was even more talented than thest. He called over to Abigail, who fiddled with some equipment. "Abigail," he said, catching her attention. She looked up, raising her brows. "Yes, Alex?" "I think I''ve seen enough for today," Alexander said, looking at his watch. "I really need to be going. I still have lots of work to attend to." Abigailid down her tools and looked slightly disappointed. "Are you sure you wouldn''t like to stay a bit longer? Maybe wait until ire gets back?"Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Alexander shook his head. "I am unable to; my work has no holidays," he said, though part of him had wanted to stay on. But business was business, and priorities had to be kept right. Abigail nodded, understood. "Alright then, safe travels, Alex," she said with a polite smile. Alexander nodded back and turned to leave. Down in the lobby, he caught sight of Adrian Saint Laurent standing near the entrance. Alex frowned, not knowing what Adrian was doing at Metacortex. But then again, ire had always been close to the Saint Laurent family. Alexander couldn''t help feeling slightly jealous that Adrian could get close to ire and even have a decent conversation without any arguing, whereas he? He always ended up in an argument. Alexander starting to think that it''s kinda impossible for him to be on good terms with ire. Till now Alexander himself still can''t believe that he is working with ire Peterson, his ex-wife, which he treated badly in the past. That''s understandable why she hated him, Alexander would probably do the same thing if he was in her shoes. He thought about going up to Adrian and asking him what he was doing there, but his phone started buzzing in his pocket. Alex pulled it out; Christian''s name was shing on the screen. "What now?" he growled with a frown etched on his face as Alexander walked out of the building and stepped inside his car. At Cryptonic, ire was sitting behind her desk, staring straight into Stephen''s eyes. He was seated across from her, looking decidedly ufortable. His hands were fidgeting, and he kept adjusting his sses every few secon obvious to ire that he nervous. It was "Stephen," ire began, cing both hands firmly on her desk, her tone calm but authoritative. "Yes, Ms. Peterson?" Stephen replied, his voice shaky as he met her gaze. "I''ve had a chance to look over your CV," ire said, leaning back in her chair slightly, giving him a small smile. "I couldn''t help but notice that you were once involved with a robotics team. Could you tell me more about that?" Stephen stammered at first, his wordsing out in a jumbled mess. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Well, since I was in elementary school, I''ve always loved robots: mean, who doesn''t, right? I used to take apart my toys and try to put them back together, but better. Inchigh school, I joined the robotics club, and we did pretty well. Then in college, I joined the robotics team and, um, we won a national roboticspetition." ire nodded, her eyes not leaving his. "I saw a picture of you online," she said. "You and your team holding that big trophy. I''m impressed." Stephen blushed, adjusting his sses again. "Thank you, Ms. Peterson." ire gave a quick nod, deciding to get straight to the point. "I won''t take up much of your time, so let''s cut to the chase. Have you heard about Metacortex and Harris Company working together?" Stephen nodded eagerly. "Yes, I have. Everyone''s talking about it. It''s a huge deal." ire''s eyes sparkled as she continued. "Good. Well, as you might know, part of the n involves integrating some robotic elements into our projects. Alex''s hotel in Las Vegas, for instance, will have a futuristic, Matrix-like theme Stephen''s eyes lit up at the mention of robots. ire could see the excitement bubbling in him, and she had a feeling she''d found the right person. He was a bit quirky, sure, but he had the passion. "So," ire said, leaning forward, "how would you feel abouting to work at Metacortex? We could use someone like you in our robotics division." Stephen''s eyes widened, and his jaw dropped slightly. "Are you serious?" he asked, disbelief written all over his face. ire nodded. "Completely serious." Stephen blinked, trying to process what was happening. "But... what about my work here at Cryptonic?" he asked hesitantly. ire waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, don''t worry about that. Matthew will handle your work here." At the mention of his name, Matthew, who had been lounging casually on a couch nearby with hisptop, turned to ire with a look of disbelief. "Excuse me?" he said, raising an eyebrow. ire ignored him, keeping her focus on Stephen. "So, what''s your answer?" she asked, her tone expectant. Stephen looked back and forth between ire and Matthew, clearly conflicted. "I... I don''t know," he stammered. "I mean, I love my work here at Cryptonic, but robots... That''s my dream." ire understood his hesitation. It was a tough choice. "I get it," she said, her tone softening slightly. "But I need a decision, and I need it fast. I don''t have much time." Stephen''s mind was racing. He loved his job at Cryptonic, the team, the projects... But the chance to work with robots, to be part of something as big as the Metacortex and Harris coboration, was almost too good to pass up. "I think I''ll..." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 250 Another one "I think I will have to decline your offer." ire blinked, trying to hide her surprise at Stephen''s words. She hadn''t expected that answer, especially not from someone like Stephen, who practically had robots running through his veins. How could he say no to this opportunity? It didn''t make any sense. Matthew, who had been lounging on the sofa with his legs stretched out, almost fell off in surprise. He jumped up, quickly made his way over to ire''s desk, and leaned over, staring at Stephen with wide eyes. "What the hell, man? You love robots! Why would you turn down such a good offer?" Stephen shuffled his feet, looking nervous. His eyes darted around the room, ncing everywhere but at Matthew and ire. "I just... I mean... I''ve been working hard to get epted into Cryptonic," he finally said, his voice shaky. "You know how hard it is to get in there. It''s this super-secret website, so secret even the government doesn''t know it exists. It took everything I had to get in, and now... I don''t know if I can just let it go." ire tilted her head, trying to keep her expression calm and collected. "Stephen," she said gently, drawing his attention back to her. "I understand that Cryptonic is a big deal, but this is Metacortex we''re talking about. We''re on the cutting edge of robotics, and you''d be a perfect fit here. What''s really holding you back?" Stephen hesitated, biting his lip. "It''s just... it''s been a while since I dealt with robots, you know? I''m not sure my skills are up to it anymore. I don''t want to mess things up." Matthew snorted. "You? Mess things up? Come on, Stephen, you''ve been building robots since you were a kid. At least that''s what you told me." "You''ve got the skills, Stephen. And we''re not asking you to make a decision right now. How about this: why don''t youe to Metacortex tomorrow and see how the project''s going? You can take a look at the robot building, maybe even do a bit of work if you feel like it. Then you can decide if you want to stick with Cryptonic or join us." Stephen''s eyes lit up a little at the suggestion. "I could do that?" he asked, his voice uncertain but hopeful. "Of course," ire said, nodding. "Come by tomorrow at nine. Just tell the receptionist your name, and she''ll let you in. No pressure, no strings. Just take a look and see how you feel." Stephen thought for a moment, his face a mixture of nerves and excitement. Finally, he nodded. "Okay, I''lle by and take a look. Thanks, Ms. Peterson." ire smiled, relieved. "Thank you, Stephen. I''m looking forward to seeing what you think." Stephen nodded, looking a little more confident as he turned and left the room. As soon as the door closed behind him, Matthew turned to ire, raising an eyebrow. "So, what are you going to do if Stephen decides not to join? What''s n B?" ire shrugged, leaning back in her chair. "It''s fine. We still have plenty of talented people on the team. I just thought Stephen could help speed things up a bit. Some of the teams are struggling, especially with building three robots at once. It''s a lot to handle." Matthew sighed, cing his hands on his hips. "Yeah, no kidding. Building three robots in three months is no walk in the park. Still, I hope Stephen changes his mind. It would be good to have him on board." "Me too," ire admitted, tapping her fingers on the desk. "But we''ll manage either way. We always do." After Abigail finished her work at Metacortex, she stretched and let out a sigh of relief. It was lunchtime, and her stomach was growling. She nced at her phone and decided to text Alex, hoping they could have lunch together. Abigail: "Hey, Alex! Want to grab lunch together? I''m starving!" She waited, tapping her foot impatiently. A few secondster, her phone buzzed with his response. Alex: "Hey, Abby. Sorry, can''t today. Too much work." Abigail frowned at her phone, feeling a pang of disappointment. Alex was always busy, but she couldn''t help feeling a little let down. She quickly typed back. Abigail: "Alright, another time then. Don''t overwork yourself!" She put her phone away with a sigh. "Another time," she muttered to herself, joining the line at a nearby sandwich shop. As she waited, she pulled out her phone again and called her best friend, Jessica. "Hey, Jess," Abigail greeted, trying to sound cheerful. "Guess what? Alex turned me down for lunch. Again." Jessica''s voice crackled through the phone. "Oh no, not again! What''s his excuse this time?" Abigail rolled her eyes, even though Jessica couldn''t see her. "He''s ''too busy,'' as usual. I swear, it''s like he doesn''t even see me as a woman. Just his old childhood friend." "You''ve had a crush on him forever, Abi," Jessica said sympathetically. "Have you thought about, I don''t know, telling him?" Abigail groaned. "Oh,e on, Jess. You know I can''t just tell him! It''s not that simple. Besides, I''ve tried everything-new clothes, new hairstyle, even that time I spent in America. I came back a whole new person, but it''s like he still sees me as the little girl who used to y tag with him. Jessicaughed softly. "Well, guys can be dense. Maybe he just needs a little push. Are you sure he doesn''t like anyone else?" Abigail thought about it, biting her lip. "No, I''m pretty sure he''s not crushing on anyone. I mean, Alex isn''t the kind to keep secrets, and he would''ve told me if he liked someone, right?" Jessica was quiet for a moment, then said, "I don''t know, Abby. A guy like Alex? Handsome, sessful-there''s no way he doesn''t have a crush on someone. Maybe he''s just good at hiding it."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Abigail felt a small knot of doubt in her stomach Her mind flicked to ire Peterson, Alex''s business partner. ire was beautiful, smart, and always seemed to have Alex''s attention. But then again, ire wasn''t exactly friendly toward Alex, and they had that weird history of being married and then divorced. "No, it can''t be." Abigail said, shaking her head. It was her turn to order, so she quickly told the cashier, "One sandwich to go, please." As Abigail waited for her food, Lisa, the woman standing behind her, couldn''t help but overhear her conversation. The mention of Alex caught her attention immediately. There was only one Alex she knew who had such an impact on women-Alexander Harris. Lisa''s mind raced as she tried to process what she''d just heard. So, this Abigail was pining for Alex, huh? Lisa couldn''t believe she might have to deal with another woman after Alex''s heart. It seems like Lisa couldn''t take a break from ire who is trying to steal Alex from her despite ire statement saying she is not interested in Alexander in which Lisa doesn''t believe her and now she have to face this new girl. She needed to find out if the Alex they were talking about was really Alexander Harris. Chapter 251 She’s up to something The next day, Stephen arrived at Metacortex, looking slightly nervous but also excited. ire met him in the lobby and gave him a small, encouraging smile before leading him to the elevator. They took the ride up to the 10th floor, where the robotic room was located. As the doors slid open, ire gestured to Stephen to follow her. He stepped inside and his eyes went wide with amazement. The room was a hive of activity. Everywhere he looked, there were people working at various stations-tools scattered across workbenches, sketches pinned up on walls,ptops buzzing with code, and a myriad ofponents and gadgets strewn about. It was chaotic but in a strangely organized way. The air buzzed with creativity and concentration. Stephen pushed his sses up his nose, trying to take it all in. "Wow," he breathed out, still a bit overwhelmed. "There are... a lot of people here." ire nced at him, a small smile ying on her lips. "This is where the magic happens," she said. "It might seem a bit cramped now, but once our sudden robot project gets some positive feedback, I''m nning to expand. Maybe even create a whole floor just for the robotics team." Stephen turned to her, looking genuinely impressed. "I didn''t think you''d be this serious about it," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. ire''s lips curled up into a smirk. "Stephen, I''m a very serious woman. You know that." She added a wink, which Stephen instantly understood. He knew exactly what she meant-her double life as The Raven. It was a secret that not many knew, and Stephen was one of the few in the loop. Matthew, who had been standing nearby, gave Stephen a friendly pat on the back. "What do you think?" he asked, a teasing note in his voice. Stephen nodded, his eyes still wide as he took everything in. "It''s... incredible," he said, his voice filled with awe. "All of this... I mean, I''ve only read about setups like this in books or seen them in movies." ire nodded, pleased with his reaction. "Well, this is where you''ll be working if you decide to join us. You''ll be right in the middle of the action." Stephen''s hands were practically itching to get started. He had a love for robotics, and seeing all of this right in front of him made his fingers tingle with excitement. It was like being a kid in a candy store. "Can I really join in?" he asked, trying to keep his voice from shaking with excitement. ire nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "Absolutely. Jump in wherever you see fit. Your expertise will be a great addition to the team." Stephen''s eyes lit up, and he didn''t waste a second. He made his way over to a group of engineers gathered around a blueprint. Logan, one of the lead engineers, looked up as Stephen approached. ire watched as Stephen started to discuss something with Logan, his hands moving animatedly as he exined an idea. Logan nodded, clearly interested in what Stephen had to say, and soon enough, the others were nodding along too. Matthew chuckled, watching the scene unfold. "Looks like you''ve got another enthusiast on board," he said, ncing at ire. "Let''s hope our dear Stephen won''t be confused." ire smiled. "Keep an eye on them, would you? Let me know how it goes." Matthew nodded, still watching Stephen integrate into the team. "Will do," he said. ire left the room, her heels clicking softly against the floor. As she walked down the hallway, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw Adrian''s name shing on the screen. A slight smile tugged at her lips as she answered. "Adrian," she greeted, stepping into the lift. "ire," Adrian''s warm voice came through the line. "Just wanted to let you know, my family mansion on the outskirts of London is avable. You can use it whenever you need." "That''s great," ire said, her smile widening. "I''ll inform Talia about it. Thanks for sorting that out." "Of course," Adrian replied. "By the way, where were you yesterday? I dropped by your office, but you weren''t there." ire hesitated for a moment. "I had some work outside Metacortex," she said carefully. Obviously, she wasn''t going to tell him about her dealings with Cryptonic. No one needed to know that ce even existed. "Ah, the mysterious ire at work," Adrian teased. "Just let me know if you or Talia need anything else. I''m here to help." "Thank you, Adrian," ire said, feeling a genuine sense of gratitude. "I appreciate it." At Venus AMD, Robert sat hunched over his desk, a pile of documents scattered around him. His office was neat and orderly, except for the chaotic sea of papers he was currently lost in. His fingers drummed against the desk as he flipped through the pages, his mind racing to make sense of all the information. A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Robert didn''t bother looking up. "Come in," he grunted, his voice rough from hours of silence. The door opened, and a man stepped inside. He was tall and lean, with a serious expression and a cold look in his eyes. His presence seemed to suck the warmth out of the room. The man stood there for a moment, waiting for Robert to acknowledge him, but Robert remained focused on his documents, not even ncing up. "Talk," Robert finally said, his tone impatient as he shuffled through the papers. The man stepped closer to the desk, his movements precise and controlled. "It''s about ire Peterson," he began, his voice low and steady. That caught Robert''s attention. He stopped flipping through the papers, though he still didn''t look up. "What about her?"N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. "A few days ago, she had a meeting with Mrs. Armetta," the man continued, his eyes never leaving Robert. "I don''t know the reason for the meet-up, but it seemed important." Robert finally looked up, his brows furrowing in thought. "Mrs. Armetta?" he repeated, tapping his fingers on the desk. "Interesting. Anything else?" The man nodded, his face still expressionless. "There have been a fewrge packages delivered to Metacortex recently. I did some love digging, and it turns out they''re custom orders of robot manufacturing body parts Robert''s eyes widened slightly, and he put down the document he was holding. "Robot manufacturing body parts? That''s not something you order every day. You got any proof?" Without a word, the man reached into his jacket and pulled out a photo, sliding it across the desk to Robert. The picture showed a couple ofrge crates being unloaded at the Metacortex building. The crates were big, bulky, and clearly marked with the logo of a roboticspany. Robert picked up the photo, staring at it intently. His mind was already racing with possibilities. "Interesting," he muttered, more to himself than to the man. "She''s up to something." Robert leaned back in his chair, still holding the photo. He looked up at the man, his eyes sharp and calcting. "Find out more. I want to know what she''s nning." The man nodded once, then turned and left the office without another word. Robert leaned back further in his chair, staring at the photo in his hand. "What are you up to, ire?" he said aloud, his voice thoughtful. Chapter 252 Unexpected Dinner As the doors of the robotic door swung open, ire walked out, followed closely by Matthew and Stephen. The high-techb, full of whirring machines and blinking lights, had always felt like a second home to ire. But now, as they stepped into the quiet corridor, her mind was still buzzing with thoughts of theirtest project. "So, what do you think?" ire asked, ncing over at Stephen, who was still looking back at the robotic room with a thoughtful expression. Stephen rubbed his chin, pausing for a moment before speaking. "There are a few things the team got wrong in building the robot," he said, his tone analytical. "But nothing too critical. The sensors could be more responsive, and the joint movements need some tweaking, but overall, it''s solid."Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ire nodded as she listened to Stephen list out the points. She appreciated his attention to detail-it was one of the reasons she valued his input so much. "Thank you for the feedback," she said sincerely. "It''s always good to have a fresh pair of eyes on these things." Stephen smiled, clearly pleased. "No problem. I actually enjoyed it. Working with robots again, I didn''t realize how much I missed it." ire turned to him with a curious look. "So, does this mean you''d be interested in joining the team?" Stephen looked contemtive for a moment, weighing his options. Then he turned to ire, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Yes, I''d like to join the robotics team, if you''ll have me." A grin broke out on ire''s lips, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! We''d be lucky to have you. Thank you for considering it." Matthew, who had been walking beside them with his usual casual swagger, suddenly pulled Stephen into a bear hug. "Wee aboard, buddy!" he said with augh. "Looks like we''ll be seeing a lot more of each other." Stephen chuckled, patting Matthew''s back. "We already see each other almost every day, Matthew." "Yeah, but now it''s gonna be 24/7!" Matthew joked, his eyes sparkling with amusement. ire watched the exchange with a smile, feeling a sense of satisfaction. It was good to see her teaming together, especially with someone as talented as Stephen joining them. "You can start tomorrow," she said to Stephen. "I''ll have all your ess sorted out, and we''ll set up your desk." "Great," Stephen replied, genuinely happy. "Thanks, Ms. Peterson. I''m looking forward to it." With that, he gave a small wave and headed towards the elevator, leaving ire and Matthew standing in the hallway. Matthew nudged ire''s elbow yfully. "Well, that was a sess," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "I''ve got a feeling this project will be done in record time. Maybe even before three months." ire smiled at his optimism. "Let''s not jinx it. We''ll just have to wait and see." As they walked back to her office, the time ticked by. ire''s phone buzzed with a new message. She pulled it out, expecting another work-rted text. Her face immediately changed as she read the name on the screen-Robert. Her gaze grew cold as she read the text. Matthew, who was busy closing hisptop, noticed the shift in her demeanor. "What''s up? You look like you''ve seen a ghost." ire sighed, showing him the phone screen. "I got a text from Robert." Matthew''s face turned serious, all traces of humor gone. "Robert? What does he want?" ire face turn serious as she read the message aloud. "He''s inviting me to dinner." Matthew shook his head, his expression darkening. "ire, you can''t go. Who knows what he''s nning? He''s never up to any good." "I know," ire said, her voice steady but thoughtful. "I don''t trust him either. But why would he invite me out of the blue like this? It doesn''t make sense." Matthew''s eyes narrowed. "Maybe he''s trying to set you up. It''s too risky, ire. Don''t do it." She knew Matthew was right. Robert wasn''t someone you could take lightly. Still, curiosity gnawed at her. Why now? Why a dinner invitation? "I''m thinking of not going," she said, almost to herself. "But...I am curious." Matthew raised an eyebrow. "You''re not seriously considering going, are you?" ire looked up, meeting his eyes. "I''ll go." Matthew stared at her, stunned. "You can''t be serious. If you''re going, then I''ming with you." ire shook her head firmly. "No, Matthew. I need to do this alone. Besides, you know how much Robert despises you, especially after I gave you Metacortex shares. It''ll only make things worse." Matthew crossed his arms, his frown deepening. "And you think he doesn''t despise you? ire, this is a bad idea." "Maybe," ire admitted, "but I need to find out what he wants or what n he has." As the sky darkened into a canvas of deep blues and purples, ire''s sleek ck car pulled up to the grand entrance of the Robert mansion. The house, which ire had once dreamed of buying for herself, loomed in front of her with its imposing facade and twinkling lights. She stepped out of the car, smoothing down her dress and adjusting her clutch. With a deep breath, ire pressed the doorbell, the chime echoing through therge hall. The door swung open almost immediately, and the maid greeted her with a warm smile. It was clear the maid recognized her-after all, this wasn''t ire''s first visit. "Good evening, Miss ire," the maid said with a practiced politeness. "Please,e in." ire offered a tight smile and stepped inside, the cool air of the mansion greeting her. She followed the maid through the opulent hallway, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Despite knowing exactly where the dining room was, ire didn''t mind the familiar tour. It gave her a chance to observe the decor and enjoy the slight feeling of nostalgia mixed with frustration. The maid announced ire''s arrival to Robert and Joan. ire could hear the muffled sounds of cheerful exmations before the dining room door was opened for her. Robert and Gretta stood up from their seats, their faces stered with smiles that ire knew were as fake as a store-bought charm. "ire! How wonderful to see you!" Robert eximed, his smile a bit too wide. Gretta''s smile was equally exaggerated. "Yes, it''s been far too long!" ire''s own expression remained cold, her lips pressed into a thin line. She gave a curt nod to both of them. "Hello, Robert. Gretta." She then turned her gaze to Robert, raising an eyebrow. "What''s the asion? Why the sudden invite?" Robert''s smil? didn''t falter, but there was a slight twitch in his eye. "Oh, you know," he said, leaning on the back of his chair as if it were the most casual thing in the world. "It''s been a while since west saw each other. Since we are no longer working in the samepany, after all." ire''s eyebrows shot up in mock surprise. "Really? I hadn''t noticed," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I''m sure it''s not because you betrayed mypany or anything." Robert''s smile wavered just a fraction before he quickly recovered. "Oh ire, you are still funny as ever." ire''s lips curled into a smile as she took her seat at the table. "Well, I must say, this is certainly turning out to be quite the entertaining evening." Chapter 253 Playing Games ire sipped her wine. Gretta Robertson''s voice broke through ire''s thoughts, sweet as sugar but just as artificial. "How have you been, ire?" Gretta asked, her smile a touch too wide to be genuine. "I''ve heard you''ve been quite busytely." ire knew Gretta couldn''t care less if she was alive or dead. Still, she yed along, cing her ss down and pasting on a fake smile. "Oh, you know how it is, Gretta. Just keeping busy with work." Robert, Gretta''s husband, who had been mostly quiet throughout the evening, raised an eyebrow. "Busy with what, exactly? It must be something interesting if it''s keeping you busy." There was a glint in Robert''s eyes that ire didn''t like. He was fishing for information, clearly aware of more than he let on. But ire wasn''t about to hand him anything on a silver tter. Instead, she feigned tiredness, letting out a heavy sigh. "Honestly, Robert, it''s been a struggletely." Robert''s interest piqued, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Struggling with what, if you don''t mind me asking?" "Robots," ire said, as if that exined everything. "I''ve been trying to strike a deal with several roboticspanies, but no one seems interested. It''s driving me up the wall." "Robots?" Robert echoed, genuinely confused. "Why are you dealing with roboticspanies?" ire nodded solemnly, keeping her expression serious. "Yes, robots. I''ve reached out to fivepanies so far, but they''ve all declined my offers. It''s stressful. I just can''t figure out why they aren''t interested." Robert opened his mouth to probe further, but before he could get a word out, ire''s phone rang. She didn''t even nce at the caller ID she didn''t need to. This was her perfect escape. "Oh, excuse me, I need to take this," ire said, holding up her phone and standing up from the table. "Work emergency, you know how it is." She turned to Gretta, giving her a polite nod. "The food was wonderful, Gretta, really. But I must be going." With that, ire slipped out of the dining room, leaving Robert and Gretta behind. Once she was outside and safely inside her car, the smile dropped from her face, reced by a thin, hard line. She knew exactly what Robert was up to-trying to dig up information, hoping to catch Metacortex off guard. And if she was right, Robert would run straight to Frank with whatever little nuggets of information he could gather. Inside the Robertson mansion, Robert remained seated at the dining table, his thoughts a whirl. He had been so sure the informant he hired had given him solid leads on ire''s activities. Yet, nothing ire had said tonight made sense. Why would Metacortex be interested in robotics all of a sudden? It just didn''t add up. Gretta noticed the pensive look on her husband''s face and raised an eyebrow. "Are you still thinking about what ire said?" she asked, leaning back in her chair. Robert nodded slowly. "I need to know what she''s up to. Frank expects results. If I don''t find a way to get Venus AMD to the top of the tech world, I''ll be out of a job. And that''s if I''m lucky." Gretta frowned. "This is all because of ire, isn''t it? If she hadn''t kicked you out of Metacortex, you wouldn''t be in this mess." Robert''s jaw tightened, and he nodded again. "Exactly. If only I''d done more digging three years ago, I could''ve found out if she was still alive. I could''ve dealt with her back then. But now, she''s the one with all the power, and it feels like she''s slowly killing me, one step at a time." Gretta''s eyes softened, and she reached out to squeeze his hand. "We''ll figure it out, Robert. ire isn''t invincible. Everyone has a weakness." Robert sighed, his eyes distant. "I just hope we find hers before it''s toote." Back in her car, ire let out a deep breath, finally allowing herself to rx. The evening had gone as expected Robert was still trying to y detective, and Gretta was as insincere as ever. But for now, she had managed to throw them off her trail. She picked up her phone and sent a quick text to Matthew, updating him on the evening''s events. As she waited for his response, her mind wandered back to Robert. If Robert thought he could beat her by snooping around, he had another thinging. ire knew he was desperate, likely under Frank''s orders to bring down ??? But Robert was too easy to read. He thought he was ying a game of chess, but he was really just a pawn, being moved around by forces he didn''t fully understand. N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Matthew''s reply buzzed on her phone, a simple thumbs-up emoji that made ire smile. Trust Matthew to keep it light, even when things are tense. The next day, ire and Talia were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for the uing fashion show. They had been nning for days, but today was special-they were going to check out the venue at Adrian''s mansion on the outskirts of London. Adrian couldn''t be there in person, unfortunately, because he had some important meeting, but he sent his secretary to apany them. ire and Talia hopped into the car, chatting eagerly about their ns. "I can''t believe we''re finally doing this," Talia said, her eyes sparkling. She was practically bouncing in her seat. ire chuckled, adjusting her sunsses as she nced out the window. "Me too...I have never been involve in a faashion show before." As they drove through the winding roads, the city slowly gave way to lush greenery. The trees were tall and majestic, and the sun filtered through the leaves, casting a golden glow over everything. Both women stared out the windows, taking in the scenery with wide eyes. "This ce is like a fairytale," Talia said, her voice full of awe. "I didn''t know London could look like this." "Neither did I," ire agreed. She felt a sense of peace wash over her as she looked at the rolling hills and distant fields. It was a wee break from the hustle and bustle of city life. When they finally arrived at Adrian''s mansion, they were both momentarily speechless. The mansion was massive, with elegant stone walls andrge, arched windows that reflected the sunlight. Manicured gardens surrounded the house, filled with colorful flowers and perfectly trimmed hedges. Talia practically squealed as they stepped out of the car. "This is perfect! I can already picture the runway right here," she said, waving her arms toward the frontwn. "And maybe some models could walk down those steps for a dramatic entrance." ire smiled at Talia''s enthusiasm. "Let''s take a look around," she suggested. "There''s a lot to see." They were greeted by Adrian''s secretary, a young woman named Lucy, who had a bright smile and a clipboard in hand. "Wee, Ms. ire, Ms. Talia," she said cheerfully. "Adrian wanted me to make sure you have everything you need. He''s sorry he couldn''t be here, but he''ll call in a bit to check in." "That''s fine," ire said, still looking around the property. "We''ll be able to manage. This ce is stunning." Lucy led them through the mansion, giving them a quick tour. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with high ceilings, elegant chandeliers, and tasteful artwork adorning the walls. Everything was luxurious but not overdone, with afortable, lived-in feel. Finally, they made their way to the back garden, which was even more beautiful than the front. Arge, open space stretched out before them, framed by rows of rose bushes and tall hedges. A stone pathway wound through the garden, leading to a small pond with a fountain in the center. Talia''s eyes lit up as she took it all in. "This is it!" she eximed. Chapter 254 Who is she? ire chuckled seeing Talia''s enthusiasm. "This is where we should have the show. It''s perfect. We can set up the runway around the pond, and the models can walk through the garden. It''ll be like something out of a dream." Talia''s eyes sparkle with excitement. They spent the next hour exploring the garden, talking through different ideas and taking notes. ire''s phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out to see Adrian''s name shing on the screen. She answered, a smile spreading across her face. "Adrian, hey," she greeted him. "We''re here at the mansion. I have to say, it''s even more beautiful than I imagined." Adrian''s warmughter came through the phone. "I''m d you like it. I was hoping it would be a good fit for the show. What does Talia think?" ire nced over at Talia, who was still looking around the garden with wide eyes. "Talia loves it. She already has a bunch of ideas for how to set everything up. I think this is going to be something special." "That''s great to hear," Adrian said, his voice full of enthusiasm. "I knew you two woulde up with something amazing. I can''t wait to see it alle together." "We can''t wait either," ire said. "Thanks again for letting us use your ce. It''s perfect." After a few more minutes of chatting, ire hung up the phone. She and Talia continued to explore the garden, making ns and brainstorming ideas until they finally decided it was time to head back. As they walked back to the car, Talia turned to ire, practically glowing with excitement. "I can''t wait for the fashion show!" she eximed. "This is going to be incredible. We''re going to blow everyone away." ire smiled. "You''re right. It''s going to be amazing. We''ve got the perfect location, great designs, and the best team. Nothing can go wrong." They climbed into the car, still buzzing with excitement. The drive back to the city seemed to fly by as they talked about all the details they needed to finalize. Robert knocked lightly on the door before poking his head into Frank''s office at Venus AMD. Frank sat behind his sleek desk, scrolling through his tablet, looking every bit the part of a sessful tech executive. When Frank looked up and saw Robert, his face lit up with a broad smile. "Ah, if it isn''t my favorite person! The man who''s going to bring Venus AMD to the top!" Frank eximed, setting his tablet down and leaning back in his chair. Robert chuckled lightly, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "Well, I can only hope so, however, I do have some news that might help," he said, his tone turning more serious. Frank raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He motioned for Robert to take a seat. "What can I do for you today, Robert?" he asked, resting his elbows on the desk and leaning forward. Robert''s face took on a serious expression. "I''ve received some information that I thought you should know about," he began. "It seems that ire Peterson has been in contact with a few roboticspanies recently." Frank ced a hand on his chin, rubbing it thoughtfully. "Interesting," he muttered, leaning back in his chair. "Very interesting. But how did you find out about this? ire''s not the type to let things slip easily." Robert smiled, a hint of pride in his expression. "I got the information from ire Peterson herself, indirectly of course," he said. "Let''s just say I have my ways of getting people to talk." Frank chuckled, shaking his head in admiration. "That''s why I like you, Robert. You always know how to get the job done. But still, what''s she up to? Roboticspanies, you say?" Robert nodded. "That''s right. I don''t have all the details yet, but it''s definitely something big. Maybe a new line of products, or some kind of advanced tech development. Whatever it is, she''s being very careful about it." Frank''s eyes gleamed with interest. "We can''t let Metacortex get ahead of us," he said firmly. "If ire''s working on something new, we need to know what it is. Venus AMD can''t afford to be left behind." "Agreed," Robert said, his voice steady. "I''ll keep an eye on her, see if I can find out more. It won''t be easy, but I''m sure I can dig up some useful information." Frank nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. "Good, good. I knew I could count on you, Robert. Keep me updated on anything you find. We need to stay ahead of the game." Robert stood up, giving Frank a small nod. "Of course. I''ll make sure to keep you informed." As Robert turned to leave, Frank''s voice stopped him. "And Robert," he called out, a sly smile on his face. "If you do manage to find out what ire''s up to, there might just be a nice bonus in it for you." Robert smirked, nodding his head. "I''ll see what I can do," he said, then walked out of the office, leaving Frank to his thoughts. As the door closed behind Robert, Frank leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. "ire Peterson," he murmured to himself, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "What are you up to this time?" Back at Harris Company, Alex sat at his his sleek, modern desk, tapping away on hisputer. He had just finished an online meeting with a group of potential investors, all eager to pour their money intotest hotel project. The problem was, Alex hadn''t made up his mind about which investors to take on. Too many options and too many strings attached. He needed to think carefully about his next move. As he stared at the screen, lost in thought, a knock on his office door pulled him back to reality. "Come in," Alex called, not bothering to look up right away. He heard the door open and close, footsteps approaching his desk. When he finally nced up, he saw Christian standing there, looking as sharp as ever in a tailored suit. "Christian!" Alex said, stopping his typing. He leaned back in his chair, connecting his fingers in a mock-serious pose. "I haven''t seen you in days." Christian chuckled as he took a seat in front of Alex''s desk. He tossed a thick document onto the desk with a light thu "These are the documents you need to sign," he said, ignoring Alex''s dramatic greeting. I''ve been busy, you know. Meetings, paperwork, the usual grind." Alex smirked, picking up the document and flipping through it casually. "So, you''ve been working hard, huh? Is this your way of saying sorry for ditching me at the banquet?" Alex''s voice was teasing, his eyes glinting with mischief. Christian rolled his eyes but couldn''t hide his smile. "Oh, shut up," he said,ughing. "You know I had more important things to do than stand around in a room full of people I barely know, pretending to enjoy myself." "Uh-huh," Alex replied, clearly not buying it. "So, who''s the lucky woman, then? Come on, spill the beans. I know you wouldn''t skip out on something like that for no reason."N?velDrama.Org is the owner. Without missing a beat, Christian said, "Talia." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 255 A fashion show? Alex reached for his ss of water, taking a big gulp, and then, just as Christian mentioned Talia''s name, Alex choked. Water sprayed everywhere, and Alex spluttered, trying to catch his breath. Christian, with a concerned look, jumped up from his seat and patted Alex on the back.Original content from N?velDrama.Org. "Are you okay?" Christian asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. Alex continued coughing, waving a hand at Christian to show he was alright. "Yeah, yeah," he managed to get out between coughs, his face red. "You just caught me off guard with that... revtion." Christian smirked as he watched Alex''s reaction. "It''s not that shocking, is it?" Alex finally stopped coughing, turning to Christian with wide eyes, looking almost like a deer caught in headlights. "Are you crazy?" he blurted out, still half in disbelief. "Talia? Of all people?" Christian sighed heavily, walking back to his seat. He plopped down, looking at Alex with a slightly annoyed expression. "This is why I didn''t want to tell you, Alex. I knew you''d be judgmental about it." Alex let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I''m not judging, alright? It''s just... Talia? She''s ire''s best friend! Does ire even know about this?" Christian shrugged, looking a bit nonchnt. "Maybe yes, maybe no," he said, leaning back in his chair. "But given how close they are, ire''s gonna find out sooner orter. There''s no hiding anything from her." Alex shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea. "You''re seriously going out on a date with Talia? Are you out of your mind?" Christian raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Why? What''s wrong with Talia?" Alex scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. "Nothing''s wrong with her," he admitted. "It''s just... she''s ire''s best friend which makes everythingplicated." Christian chuckled, seeing Alex''s obvious difort. "You''re overthinking this," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "It''s just a date. No big deal. And whatever bad rtionship you and ire share it won''t affect us if you are wondering." Alex sighed. "I suppose you are right. But I still couldn''t grasp that you are going out with Talia out of all people." Talia was focused, her brow furrowed in concentration as she bent over a delicate piece of fabric. The uing fashion show had everyone on edge, but Talia thrived under pressure. She and the other designers were deep into the final stages, making sure every stitch was perfect, every hem aligned. The room buzzed with energy as sewing machines whirred and designers chattered, exchanging ideas and offering feedback. Talia stood out among them, her hands moving deftly, her mind racing withst-minute adjustments. "Pass me the gold thread," Talia called out, her voice a mix of excitement and authority. One of the junior designers quickly handed it to her, and she got back to work, her fingers weaving the thread through the fabric with precision. The design wasing together beautifully, a vision of elegance that was sure to wow the audience. A few days passed in a blur of fabric, needles, and caffeine-fueled nights. Finally, Talia stepped back, taking a long look at her finished dress. She let out a satisfied sigh. "Done," she dered, turning to ire, who had been observing quietly. ire, who had been leaning against the wall, arms crossed, gave a nod of approval. "Looks like you''ve got everything under control," she said with a small smile. "Are you ready to head over to Adrian''s mansion?" Talia nodded, a gleam in her eyes. "Absolutely. Let''s go give those staff members a few pointers. They better be ready to decorate as their lives depend on it." The two women left the bustling design studio and made their way to Adrian''s mansion. The grand estate was already a flurry of activity. Staff members scurried around, arranging flowers, setting up tables, and The mansion''s grand ballroom was being transformed into a luxurious runway setting, with lights being rigged up and a stage being assembled. hanging elegant drapes a "You are full of energy, Talia." "Well, I have to. I can''t afford this fashion show to ruin." A sad smile graced her face as Talia remembering the fire of her very first debut fashion show. ire ced a hand on her shoulder in assurance. "Don''t worry, Talia. I''m sure this fashion show will go well." ire, ever the silent observer, let Talia take the lead. She watched as Talia immediately began directing the staff, adjusting floral arrangements, and instructing on the cement of decorations. ire could see the way Talia''s eyes lit up, the passion she had for her work shining through in every detail. ver In those times ire also juggled between her work and the robot project. Everything seemed to be going well, there hadn''t been any frantic calls from Robert or even Frank ire had a sneaking suspicion that Robert had already informed Frank about the project''s progress, but for now, things were running smoothly. Back at the office, Alexander was making his way to Christian''s office, a casual bounce in his step. He swung the door open and poked his head inside. "Hey, Chris," he said cheerfully. "How about a round of golf tomorrow? The weather''s supposed to be great." Christian looked up from hisputer, his expression serious. "I can''t," he replied, his voice carrying a tone of finality. Alexander blinked, surprised. Christian never said no to golf. The man loved it, and he always made time for a game, especially with Alexander. "What do you mean, you can''t?" Alexander asked, his brow furrowing. "Are you going out on a date with Talia or something?" A smile yed at the corners of Christian''s mouth; a rare expression that didn''t go unnoticed. "Maybe," he said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. Alexander''s eyes widened; his curiosity piqued. "A date, huh? Where are you two lovebirds going?" Christian hesitated for a moment, clearly trying to think of a good cover story. He couldn''t exactly tell Alex about the fashion show; it was supposed to be a surprise, and. Christian had promised to keep it under wraps. He looked away, feigning nonchnce. "Oh, you know, just the usual. We''re going to the park, maybe grab a bite to eat. Nothing special." Alexander narrowed his eyes, sensing that Christian was hiding something. Christian was many things, but a good liar wasn''t one of them. "The park?" Alexander repeated, skepticismcing his tone. "You''re ditching golf for a walk in the park? That doesn''t sound like you." Christian shrugged, keeping his eyes on hisputer screen, avoiding Alex''s gaze. "We just want to spend some time together, enjoy the nice weather. You know how it is." Alexander wasn''t buying it. He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the doorframe. "Come on, Chris. I know you''re up to something. Why don''t you just tell me? You know I''ll find out anyway. Might as well save us both some time." Christian sighed, knowing there was no way to keep Alex off his back once he got suspicious. He nced up, meeting Alexander''s eyes. "Alright, fine. I''m going to a fashion show." Alexander raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that answer. "A fashion show?" he echoed, trying to wrap his head around the idea. "You''re skipping golf for a fashion show? With Talia?" Chapter 256 Trouble The day of the fashion show had finally arrived, and Adrian''s mansion was a whirlwind of activity. Everywhere you looked, people were buzzing around like busy bees. Models strutted back and forth, hairstylists wielded their brushes like weapons, makeup artists dabbed and blended with precision, and designers fussed over every little detail of their creations. The ce was a hive of creativity and chaos, exactly what you''d expect for a big event like this. Talia, the event coordinator, was in the thick of it all, her energy levels through the roof. She zipped from one end of the room to the other, making sure everything was just right. One minute she was checking the lighting, the next she was adjusting a hem, then on to overseeing the seating arrangements. She hadn''t had a moment to breathe since morning, and it didn''t look like she''d be stopping anytime soon. "Is the champagne ready?" Talia called out, her voice slightly frantic as she looked around. A waiter nodded, holding up a tray of flutes. "Good! And what about the sound system? Is it working?" She didn''t wait for an answer, already moving on to the next thing. Her hands were full, literally and figuratively, juggling a clipboard, phone, and a cup of coffee she barely had time to sip from. Meanwhile, ire had yet to make her entrance. As one of the VIP guests and a big draw for the press, her appearance was highly anticipated. Adrian and Talia knew she''d make a ssh; she always did. The n was for ire to arrive just as the other guests started trickling in, giving the photographers a reason to snap away and boost the event''s profile. And the guests were indeed starting to arrive, one by one, stepping out of sleek cars and into the mansion. The photographers swarmed like bees to honey, their cameras shing, capturing the arrivals of various celebrities and socialites. Adrian had only invited the cream of the crop, after all-important people who would bring a lot of attention to the show. Right on cue, ire''s sleek ck car pulled up to the mansion''s grand entrance. The photographers immediately perked up, their lenses zooming in as her car door opened. ire stepped out with the grace of someone who was very used to the spotlight. She wore a stunning limited edition piece from the Armetta collection, a beautiful dress that Talia had redesigned just a bit to give it a fresh, unique twist. The outfit hugged ire''s figure perfectly, a mix of elegance and modern ir that made her stand out even more. As expected, the photographers went wild, swarming around her. ire smiled and posed, used to the blinding shes that lit up the twilight. She moved gracefully, turning this way and that, giving the cameras what they wanted. Her bodyguards hovered nearby, making sure no one got too close. After a few more poses, ire made her way inside, the cool air of the mansion a wee relief from the heat of the shing bulbs outside. She headed backstage, where the real action was happening. Talia was there, of course, her expression one of intense concentration as she ticked off items on her list. "Hey, Talia," ire greeted, her voice cutting through the noise. Talia looked up, a smile breaking through her stress. "ire! You look amazing, as always." She nced at the dress with approval. "That dress is perfect on you." ire returned the smile, ncing around at the bustling backstage area. "How''s everything going? Need any help?" Talia shook her head, even though she looked like she could use an extra pair of hands. "Everything''s fine," she said, waving a dismissive hand. "Well, as fine as it can be with a hundred things happening at once. But seriously, we''ve got it under control. You can go enjoy the show. I promise, we''ll handle it." ire raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "Are you sure? I can stick around and help if you need it." Talia gave her a reassuring smile, the kind that told ire she was in good hands. "Absolutely sure. Trust me, I''ve got this. Go, enjoy yourself. You''ve done more than enough already."Original content from N?velDrama.Org. ire nodded, satisfied. "Alright then. But if anythinges up, let me know. I''ll be out there." Talia gave her a thumbs-up before turning back to the chaos, already giving instructions to a model about her walk. ire made her way back to the main hall, the sound of excited chatter filling the air. As she approached her designated seat, she spotted Adrian standing nearby, looking dashing in a tailored suit. He looked up as she approached, a broad smile spreading across his face. He stepped forwardband greeted her with a warm hug. "ire! You made it, he said, his voice genuinely pleased. 1.n "Wouldn''t miss it," ire replied with a grin. As they hugged, she caught sight of the photographers, who had followed her inside. They snapped pictures of the pair, the shes. lighting up the room once more. ire smiled softly for the cameras, white Adrian nodded at the bodyguards, who started to gently push the photographers back, giving them some space. Once the photographers were at a respectable distance, Adrian turned his attention back to ire. "How''s everything backstage?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice. ire nodded, smoothing a hand over her dress. "Talia says it''s all under control. She''s amazing, really. I don''t know how she does it. I just hope everything goes well. It''s a big night." Talia stood backstage, a clipboard in one hand and a lipstick in the other, giving the final touches to the model in front of her. She adjusted the cor of the model''s dress, a stunning ck gown that glimmered under the bright backstage lights. "Perfect," she said with a satisfied nod. "You look perfect. Now, remember to pause at the end of the runway, give them a little twirl, and-" A loud crash echoed through the room as someone bumped into a rack of clothes. Talia whipped around, eyes zing. "Hey, watch it!" she called out, trying to keep her cool. But with the show set to start in fifteen minutes, her nerves were stretched thin. Just as she turned back to her model, a staff member hurried over, looking pale and anxious. "Talia, we''ve got a problem," he said, his voice low but urgent. Talia''s stomach sank. Problems were thest thing she needed right now. "What is it?" she snapped, barely hiding her irritation. "One of the models is sick. She says she can''t go on," the staff member exined, wringing his hands. Talia''s eyes widened in horror. "What? Sick? Now?" She cursed loudly, causing several heads to turn in her direction. The fashion show was about to start, and she couldn''t afford to have a missing model. They were running on a tight schedule and finding a recement in just a few minutes was next to impossible. Her mind raced as she tried to think of a solution. Maybe she could rearrange the lineup? No, that would throw everything off. What about pulling one of the models from another designer? No, too risky-besides, the other designers would never go for it. Then, suddenly, an idea popped into her head. It was crazy, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Talia set her clipboard down and marched out of the backstage area, her heels clicking loudly against the floor. She scanned the crowd, looking for one person in particr. Spotting ire in a conversation with Adrian. Talia makes her way towards ire and says to her without hesitation. "I need your help." Chapter 257 New Model? ire''s frown deepened. "What is it? What''s wrong?" Talia leaned in closer, lowering her voice even more. "One of our models just called in sick, and we''re desperate. We need someone to fill in." ire raised an eyebrow, still not understanding what Talia was getting at. "Okay, so you need a model. How can I help?" Talia took another deep breath, looking ire straight in the eyes. "I want you to rece her." For a moment, there was silence. Then ire''s eyes widened in shock, and she stared at Talia as if she had grown another head. "Are you crazy?" ire eximed, her voice rising. "I''m not a model, Talia. I''m a CEO. I run apany, remember?" Adrian, who had been quietly sipping his drink beside ire, chuckled softly, earning a sharp look from ire. He shrugged, trying to keep a straight face. "Talia has a point, ire. The show is starting in a few minutes, and she doesn''t have a lot of options. You''re already here, and you look fantastic. I''m sure you''ll do amazing." ire turned her re from Talia to Adrian, crossing her arms over her chest. "I can''t believe you''re siding with her," she said, exasperated. "You know I don''t do this kind of thing." Adrian just smiled, giving her a reassuring nod. "Come on, ire. It''ll be fun. Besides, you always say you''re up for a challenge. Consider this your challenge for the night." ire sighed, feeling the weight of both their stares on her. She could see the pleading look in Talia''s eyes, and despite her own reservations, she knew she couldn''t let her friend down. "Fine," she said atst, rolling her eyes. "I''ll do it. But you both owe me for this." Talia''s face broke into a wide grin, and she pped her hands in excitement. "Yes! Thank you, ire! You''re a lifesaver!" She wasted no time, grabbing ire''s arm and practically dragging her out of her seat. "Come on, we don''t have much time! We need to get you backstage." ire stumbled after Talia, shooting a helpless look over her shoulder at Adrian, who waved cheerfully as she disappeared into the chaos of backstage. Once there, ire was met with a flurry of activity. Hairdressers and makeup artists swooped in, their hands moving quickly as they stripped away ire''s everyday look and reced it with something more morous, more fitting for the runway. "Hold still," one of the makeup artists murmured, expertly applying a bold shade of lipstick to ire''s lips. ire did her best to remain calm, though her heart was pounding. This wasn''t her world-she was used to boardrooms and business deals, not catwalks and couture. Talia hovered nearby, checking the time on her watch every few seconds. "Ten minutes," she called out, ncing at ire. "How''s it going?" "We''re almost done," the hairdresser replied, pinning thest few strands of ire''s hair into ce. "Just a few more touches." ire caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back at her. Her hair was styled in soft waves, her makeup wless, and her outfit-well, she hadn''t seen the outfit yet, but she could only imagine what Talia had in mind. "There," the makeup artist said, stepping back to admire her work. "You look perfect." Talia nodded approvingly, then hurried over to a nearby rack of clothes. She pulled out a stunning emerald green dress, the fabric shimmering under the bright lights. "Here, put this on," she said, handing the dress to ire. ire took the dress, running her fingers over the silky material. "Are you sure about this, Talia?" she asked, still feeling a bit unsure. "I mean, what if I trip or fall?" Talia waved away her concerns. "You won''t. Just walk straight, look confident, and you''ll be fine. Now hurry up, we''re running out of time." ire slipped into the dress, the fabric hugging her figure perfectly. It was beautiful, elegant, and "Perfect," Talia said, adjusting a few final details. "You''re going to be the showstopper, ire. Since you''re stepping in, you''ll be our special appearance. You''ll walkst and close the show." ire''s eyes widened. "Special appearance? Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Talia?" Talia grinned. "Trust me, it''s going to be amazing. Just think of it as another business presentation. Only, you know, with more lights and cameras." ire gave her a look but couldn''t help the small smile tugging at her lips. "You better be right about this," she muttered. The grand hall of Adrian''s mansion buzzed with excitement as the fashion show began. Guests were seated, cameras were ready, and a soft murmur of anticipation filled the air. The runway, lined with elegant lights, stretched out like a gleaming path, waiting for the models to make their entrance. One by one, the models began strutting down the runway, each showcasing Talia Armetta''stest fashion creations. They moved with the grace and confidence of true professionals, their expressions cool and aloof as they glided past the audience. ire watched from backstage, her nerves tightening with each model that stepped out. She was far from being a professional model-she was just doing this as a favor for her best friend, Talia. Still, she couldn''t help but feel a little out of her depth. "This is nuts," ire muttered to herself, adjusting the strap of her dress for the hundredth time. "What was I thinking, agreeing to this?" "You were thinking that you''re an amazing friend," Talia said, popping up beside her with a reassuring smile. She looked radiant, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she peeked out to watch her designse to life on the runway. "And you are. Just breathe, okay? You look fantastic." ire gave Talia a skeptical look. "I look like a terrified deer about to bolt." "Nonsense," Taliaughed. "You''re going to be amazing. Just remember to keep your head high and walk like you own the ce."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ire took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. Talia''s confidence was infectious, but ire still felt the nerves fluttering inside her. She peered out at the runway, watching as the models moved with effortless grace, their faces nk and serene. She''d watched enough fashion shows to know the drill-act cool, act confident. Easier said than done. Finally, it was ire''s turn. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stepped up to the edge of the runway. She took onest deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped out into the light. The moment she did, she heard gasps from the audience, followed by the rapid clicking of cameras. The shes seemed even brighter than before, dazzling her for a moment as she made her way down the runway. ire forced herself to keep a straight face, her expression stoic, just like she''d practiced in the mirror a dozen times. "Look at that!" someone in the audience whispered, their voice barely audible over the sound of the cameras. "Isn''t that ire, from Metacortex?" Chapter 258 Stick Being a CEO "She''s stunning," another voice agreed. "I didn''t know she could model!" clung to her curves-flowed around her like liquid silver, catching the light with every step. ire pretended not to hear, keeping her eyes focused straight ahead. She moved with as much grace as she could muster, trying to channel the calm elegance of the models who''d walked before her. The dress Talia had chosen for her a sleek, shimmering gown that As she reached the end of the runway, ire turned gracefully, her movements precise and measured. She could feel the eyes of the audience on her, could hear the whispers, and see the cameras shing wildly. It was surreal, almost like being in a dream. She made her way back up the runway, finally disappearing behind the curtains with a sigh of relief. "See?" Talia was waiting for her, grinning from ear to ear. "What did I tell you? You were perfect!" ire let out a shakyugh, her nerves finally beginning to settle. "I can''t believe I just did that. I thought I was going to trip over my own feet!" "You were wless," Talia insisted, giving her a quick hug. "Thank you, ire. You have no idea how much this means to me." "Anything for you, Talia," ire said, smiling. She meant it, too. Talia had been there for her through thick and thin, and ire would do anything to support her best friend''s dreams. The models began to gather backstage, preparing for the final walk. ire took her ce among them, feeling a bit more at ease now that the hardest part was over. Together, they made their way back onto the runway, forming a line in the center of the stage as the lights dimmed. The spotlight shifted, illuminating Talia as she stepped onto the stage. The audience erupted into apuse, cheering and pping as Talia made her way to the center, her cheeks flushed with pride and happiness. ire pped along, feeling a swell of pride for her friend. This was Talia''s moment, and she deserved every bit of praise. Talia scanned the crowd, her eyes shining as she waved. Then she spotted ire and, without a second thought, grabbed her hand, pulling her into the spotlight. "Come on, you!" Taliaughed, her eyes twinkling. "Take a bow with me." ire blinked, surprised, but she didn''t resist. Together, they faced the audience, bowing as the apuse grew even louder. ire felt a wave of warmth spread through her-it felt good, being a part of something like this, seeing her best friend so happy. As they straightened up, ire was surprised to see Adrian making his way toward them, a bouquet in his hand. He reached ire, a warm smile on his face, and held out the flowers. "For you, ire," he said, his voice soft. "You were incredible out there." ire took the bouquet, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Thank you, Adrian," she said, smiling. "But really, it was all Talia''s doing." "Nonsense," Talia interjected, grinning. "You were amazing, ire. I couldn''t have asked for a better model." Before ire could respond, Adrian leaned in, pressing a light kiss to her cheek. The cameras went crazy, shes going off like fireworks around them. ireughed, feeling a bit flustered but also oddly pleased. "Well, I guess that''s a wrap," Talia said, pping her hands as the lights began to dim. "Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight!" The audience apuded once more as the fashion show officially came to an end. ire and Talia stepped back, letting the models have their moment as they made their final exit from the stage. Backstage, the atmosphere wasCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. electric, full ofughter and congrattions. ire found herself surrounded by people-designers, models, guests-all wanting topliment her, to tell her how stunning she''d looked, how well she''d done. It was overwhelming but in the best way possible. Models and crew members were mingling, exchanging hugs, and high-fives. In the midst of it all, Christian strode confidently with a bouquet of flowers in hand, his eyes scanning the crowd for a particr someone. He spotted Talia engaged in a lively conversation with ire. With a grin on his face, he called out, "Talia!" Talia''s eyes lit up as she turned to see Christian approaching. Her face broke into a delighted smile as he walked up to her and handed her the bouquet. "Congrattions!" Christian said warmly. "You were fantastic tonight!" Talia blushed, her cheeks turning a soft pink as she epted the flowers. "Oh, Christian! I didn''t think you''d make it. I''m so d you''re here!" Christian chuckled and gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Wouldn''t miss it for the world. You were incredible. I had to be here to see it." ire, who had been watching the exchange with interest, decided it was time to join in. "Hey, Christian," she greeted with a smile. "I didn''t expect to see you here either." Christian turned to ire with a yful smirk. "Well, it''s not every day I get to see a CEO strut her stuff on the runway. You looked pretty fabulous yourself, ire." ire rolled her eyes but couldn''t hide the smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks. I guess it''s good to know that my walk didn''t make you cringe." Christianughed. "Not at all. It was a great debut." ire''s smile faltered slightly as she thought about the other person she had hoped not to run into tonight. "So, if you''re here, that must mean Alex is too." As if reading her thoughts, Christian shook his head. "Nope, Alex isn''t here. He''s holed up at his penthouse doing, well, God knows what." ire let out a sigh of relief. "Good. I can actually enjoy the rest of the night without worrying about running into him." Christian''s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Lucky you." After the fashion show, the festivities shifted to Adrian''s mansion, though in a different part of the house. ire had changed into her normal clothes, her makeup and hair freshly redone to give her a more rxed look. She was chatting with Talia, who was still glowing from her sess, when Mrs. Armetta approached them with a beaming smile. "Ladies!" Mrs. Armetta called out, her Italian ent adding an extra touch of warmth to her words. "I just wanted to thank you both for making this fashion show happen, especially after everything that happened weeks ago." Talia and ire exchanged pleased nces as Mrs. Armetta continued. "Talia, my dear, you were absolutely brilliant tonight. I have a feeling you might be a fantastic creative director in the future." Talia''s eyes widened in surprise, and she stammered, "Oh, Mrs. Armetta, really? I-well, thank you! That means so much to me." Mrs. Armetta''s gaze shifted to ire, her eyes twinkling. "And ire, your walk was absolutely amazing! I didn''t expect you to be so graceful and professional. You surprised me!" ireughed, a bit embarrassed but clearly pleased. "Well, I''ve been practicing, but I think I''ll stick to being a CEO rather than a model." The three of themughed and ire could say this fashion show is a sess. Chapter 259 He’s Jealous Alex lounged in his plush penthouse; his sharp eyes glued to therge screen in front of him. The fashion show streaming online was supposed to be a rxing distraction, but tonight, it was anything but. His face was set in a scowl as he reyed a particr scene for the umpteenth time.Original content from N?velDrama.Org. It was the moment when Adrian had leaned in and ced a kiss on ire''s cheek. He mmed the remote onto the couch armrest, the soft thud echoing through the room. "Seriously? A kiss on the cheek?" Alex muttered, his voice dripping with frustration. "What the hell does Adrian have that I don''t?" He leaned closer to the screen, squinting as if he could somehow alter the oue with sheer willpower. As he watched the rey, he noticed something he''d missed before. ire had actually blushed-a soft, delicate pink on her cheeks. Blush. ire never blushed. Alex''s jaw tightened as he reyed the scene again, watching ire''s reaction with a mix of anger and disbelief. Back when they were married and she had amnesia, she had blushed around him a lot, but he''d never paid any mind. Now, seeing her blush for Adrian made him wish he''d noticed those little moments back then. "Damn it," he growled to himself. "Why didn''t I see it before?" He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he almost missed the sound of his phone ringing. He grabbed it off the coffee table and saw it was a text from Christian. Christian: Are you still brooding over the fashion show? ire''s not worth it, you know. Alex gritted his teeth. He hit reply with a quick message. Alex: She''s always been difficult. But it''s not just about her. It''s about Adrian too. Why is everything so easy for him? He tossed the phone back onto the table and took a long swig from his ss of alcohol, the strong drink burning down his throat. "Why the hell is she so damn difficult?" he muttered, his frustration boiling over. "And why the hell does Adrian get to be the one she''s warm with? I''m her business partner, and I''m stuck dealing with her cold attitude." The bitterness in his voice was palpable. Alex couldn''t shake the image of ire''s smile at the fashion show, a smile that was reserved only for Adrian. It gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the emotional distance between him and ire. He tossed the remote aside, slouching deeper into the couch as he continued to stew over his thoughts. Back at the after-party, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, and Christian was sittingfortably on a plush sofa, scrolling through his phone. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he read a new text message from Alex. He chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Just then, Talia reappeared after her chat with Armetta and ire. She had a wide smile on her face, and it seemed like she was still floating on air from the excitement of the evening. She noticed Christianughing and came over, curious. "What''s so funny?" Talia asked, her eyes bright with curiosity. Christian looked up, still grinning. "It''s Alex. He''s texting me and asking about the fashion show. Apparently, he''s been watching the show." Talia raised her brows curiously. "Is he watching because of the collection or because ire is here." Christian smirked and shrugged. "Who knows might be both. So, how did you feel about the fashion show? You looked incredible up there." Talia''s smile stayed put, her excitement bubbling over. "I felt amazing! It was such a rush. I didn''t expect to feel so alive out there. Everything went perfectly!" Christian''s eyes sparkled with genuine admiration. "You did fantastic, Talia. I was there from the beginning to the end, and I have to say, you really stole the show." Talia''s cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink. She looked away shyly, her heart racing a little from the praise. "Oh, stop it. You''re making me blush." Christian reached out and gently grabbed her chin, tilting her head so she had to look at him. "I mean it. All your hard work paid off. I''m really proud of you." Talia''s face turned an even brighter shade of red. She tried to gently push him away, her shyness getting the better of her. "Okay, okay. You''re embarrassing me now. Christian chuckled softly, holding onto her hand as she tried to pull away. "Come on, don''t be like that. How about we celebrate your sess? Would you like to dance?" Talia''s eyes sparkled with amusement, her initial embarrassment melting away. She chuckled and nodded, her smile returning. "Alright, let''s dance." Christian stood up, offering his hand with a charming smile. Talia took it, and he led her towards the dance floor. The music was lively and upbeat, and the crowd was moving rhythmically to the beat. As they stepped onto the floor, Christian pulled Talia gently into his arms, guiding her with ease. Taliaughed as they started to dance, her earlier nervousness forgotten in the excitement of the moment. "This is actually kind of perfect," she said, looking up at him with a grin. Christian nodded, his expression one of pure enjoyment. "I''m d you think so. You deserve a night to remember, after all. And you definitely deserve to be celebrated." Talia twirled gracefully in his arms, feeling the music and the moment wash over her. She looked around at the lively crowd, her happiness radiating. "I can''t believe how great this night has turned out. It''s been one of the best nights of my life." Christianughed, giving her a yful spin. "Well, let''s make sure it stays that way. We''ve still got a lot of night left to enjoy." ire sipped her champagne, the bubbles tickling her nose as she watched Talia and Christian twirl across the dance floor. A few days ago, Talia had mentioned going out on a date with Christian. ire had raised an eyebrow at the time, halfexpecting a few sparks to fly. It looked like her instincts were right, seeing how cozy they looked now. Talia was glowing, and Christian seemed to be the perfect gentleman, leading her gracefully across the floor. ire wasn''t sure if they were officially a couple yet or just enjoying each other''spelle but seeing Talia so happy was enough toput a smile on ire''s face. Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the approaching footsteps until a familiar voice called her name. "ire!" She turned to find Adrian Saint Laurent, his elegant charm radiating through the room. His perfectly tailored suit and charismatic smile made him stand out amidst the crowd. "Adrian!" ire greeted, her smile widening. She took another sip of her champagne, trying to look nonchnt even though she was secretly thrilled to see him. Adrian took a step closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "How are you feeling tonight?" ire considered his question for a moment, swirling her champagne in her ss. "Well, I have mixed emotions," she said with a chuckle. "Especially after that fashion show." They bothughed, and Adrian''s gaze lingered on her, clearly enjoying the moment. "You look amazing tonight, ire," he said, his tone sincere. "I''m sorry about the kiss on the cheek earlier. I didn''t mean to make things awkward. ire waved off his apology with a graceful gesture. "Oh, it''s fine. Don''t worry about it. Just don''t make a rumor of it or people might start thinking we''re dating." Adrianughed. His eyes twinkled with amusement. "Speaking of trying something new, would you do me the honor of a dance? The song just turned slow, and I''m a terrible dancer without a partner." ire shook her head, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "I don''t dance, Adrian. I''ve got two left feet." Adrian didn''t let her refusal deter him. He gently took her arm, his touch light but firm. "Oh,e on. Just one dance. It''ll be fun. I promise." ire tried to resist, but his persistent charm made it difficult. She sighed dramatically, putting on a show of reluctance. "Fine, fine. But don''t me me if we both end up stepping on each other''s toes." Adrian''s grin widened as he led her onto the dance floor. "Deal." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 260 Not again The next morning, ire walked into her office with a spring in her step. The Metacortex office was already buzzing with activity, but ire had her own agenda for the day. She headed straight for her desk and flipped open herptop, eager to check the news about the fashion show. The screen lit up with headlines and articles, all raving about the sess of the redo fashion show. ire''s smile grew wider as she scanned the headlines, noting how Armetta was being celebrated as the first fashion designer to pull off such a feat. The words "Groundbreaking" and "Innovative" were sshed across the articles, and ire couldn''t help but feel a rush of pride. It was a win for everyone involved, and it looked like the fashion world was genuinely impressed. ire leaned back in her chair, savoring the moment. She clicked through several articles, each one praising the event''s sess and Armetta''s brilliant designs. "Looks like the show was a hit," she muttered to herself, grinning from ear to ear. Just then, a notification pinged on herputer, drawing her attention to social media. Curious, ire clicked on the video that had gone viral. The video showed clips from the fashion show, with her own surprise appearance strutting down the runway. ire watched as the views ticked up by the millions and the likes andments flooded in. Her eyes widened with amusement. Thements were overwhelmingly positive. People were astonished to see the CEO of Metacortex modeling, and they couldn''t get enough of it. "Wow, who knew ire had such moves?" onement read. "CEO by day, model by night!" another one joked. ire couldn''t help but chuckle at the unexpected attention. As she scrolled through thements, she noticed her name trending on the list. "Well, this is new," ire said, shaking her head with a smirk. She continued to scroll, her smile not fading. However, her good mood was slightly dampened when she saw severalments linking her name with Adrian''s. Some rumors even suggested they were dating. ire rolled her eyes and quickly skipped past those posts. "Seriously? People will believe anything," she muttered under her breath. The rumors werepletely untrue, and ire had no interest in dealing with that kind of spection. Her focus returned to the articles about the fashion show. She clicked on a few, thoroughly enjoying the detailed reviews and the enthusiastic praise for the event. It was clear that the redo fashion show was not just a sess but a milestone in the fashion industry. ire felt a sense of aplishment knowing that her involvement had made a difference. As the day progressed, ire found herself repeatedly checking her social media to see if the buzz had died down. To her amusement, the positivements continued to roll in, and her poprity seemed to be soaring. Every so often, she would show Sandra a particrly funny or tteringment, and they would share augh. By the time the afternoon rolled around, ire was in high gear, juggling meetings and paperwork and at the same checking on the robot. Despite the busy schedule, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of aplishment. The fashion show had been a tremendous sess, and seeing her name in the headlines and trending online was a nice bonus. "This is probably the best second thing on the news about me besides partnering up with Harrispany." She said as she took a sip of her tea. Towards the end of the day, Matthew strolled into ire''s office, looking rxed as usual. "How''s the post-fashion show buzz treating you?" he asked with a grin. ire looked up from herputer with a smile. "Oh, it''s been a whirlwind. Everyone''s still talking about it, and the feedback has been fantastic. Even if some of it is a bit over the top." Matthew chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "Well, you did steal the show. Who knew the CEO of Metacortex had such a hidden talent?" ire rolled her eyes yfully. "Yeah, yeah. Just don''t get any ideas about me bing a full-time model. I''ve got enough on my te." Matthewughed. "Don''t worry. I''ll stick to managing the chaos, and you can keep dazzling us with your unexpected talents." Matthew leaned back in his chair, a yful grin on his face as he looked at ire. "Alright, spill the beans. How did you manage to pull off this whole fashion show idea? I mean, with everything that''s happened, it seems like a bit of a miracle." ire set herptop aside and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Well, when the fire happened, I was scrambling to figure out what to do for Talia. I wanted to do something special for her, but I wasn''t sure what." Matthew nodded, his interest piqued. "And then?" ire continued, "Then Adrian suggested that we redo the fashion show. He pointed out that most people only remembered the fire, not the actual collection. It was a great idea, so we went with it. Adrian and I took care of the guest list, the ces, the budget-all of that. Talia just had to handle the clothes." "I''m amazed," said Matthew with a smile on his face. ire raised her brows and stared at Matthew. "So what''s the deal with you noting to the show? I mean I could tell you''re not really into fashion shows. You probably wouldn''t know a runway from a roadblock. But at least you should be there for your boss." Matthew chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Guilty as charged. Fashion shows aren''t exactly my scene. But I don''t think you need me much, Adrian was there." ire rolled her eyes then her smirk faded as she turned serious. "Speaking of scenes, any updates on my poisoning incident?" Matthew''s expression grew serious, too. "Not much. It hasn''t been easy. No solid leads yet. I''ve been working on it, but it''s like trying to find a needle in a haystack." ire sighed, running a hand through her hair. "This is so frustrating. What about the fire? Any progress on that?"Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Matthew shook his head. "Still nook investigating. The fire''s a bit of a puzzle. We''re digging into it, but it''s slow going. However, I don''t think we can look into the poisoning incident since there is no lead on that." A sigh escaped her lips. "Okay, just keep an eye on the fire. I''m still curious about that one." ire took a deep breath, her frustration evident. "Well, thanks for all your help, Matthew. I know it''s not easy." Matthew gave her a reassuring smile. "Hey, that''s what I''m here for. We''ll figure it out." Just then, ire''s phone buzzed on the desk. She picked it up, ncing at the screen. A message from Anna popped up: Anna: "Congrats on your modeling debut! You rocked it!" ire chuckled, her mood brightening a bit. She quickly typed a reply: ire: "Thanks, Anna! Your support means a lot. Wish you cane to the fashion show." As she pressed send, another notification appeared. This one made her eyebrows rise in surprise. It read, "Miss me? xoxo." Chapter 261 Peaceful Dinner Matthew raised his brows as he nced at ire. She was staring intently at her phone, and something about her expression made him curious. He walked over and leaned against her desk, giving her a questioning look. "What''s got you so engrossed?" he asked, trying to peek at her screen. ire looked up with a calm smile, barely concealing her amusement. "Oh, it''s just a scammer trying to scam me," she said, chuckling lightly. "You know, the usual." Matthew raised an eyebrow. "A scammer? Really?" He didn''t look convinced. "You sure that''s all it is?" ire just shrugged. "Yep, nothing to worry about. I''ll handle itter." Matthew wasn''t entirely convinced but decided not to press the issue. If it was important, ire would share it with him. He gave a nod and said, "Alright then, I''ll get back to investigating the burning venue. See youter." With that, Matthew left ire''s office and headed to his car. Once inside, he pulled out hisptop and got to work. He had managed to hack into the footage from across the street on the day of the fashion show. He started reviewing the video, looking for anything out of the ordinary. The footage showed the usual chaos of a fashion show-photographers shing their cameras, celebrities stepping out of cars, and a flurry of activity. Everything seemed pretty normal until he spotted ire arriving. As soon as she stepped out of her car, the camera shes shifted to her, a usual urrence given her high profile. But then, something caught his eye. In the corner of the frame, near the backdoor, there was a figure moving quickly and ncing around as they went. It was almost out of the camera''s view, so Matthew hadn''t noticed it at first. Curious, he reyed that segment of the video. The figure seemed to be deliberately avoiding the cameras, peeking around to make sure no one saw them. Matthew zoomed in and tried to smooth out the video to get a clearer view. After a few adjustments, he finally made out the person''s face. His frown deepened when he recognized her-it was Lisa. Matthew''s mind raced. Why was Lisa sneaking around? It wasn''t exactly normal behavior, especially for someone who was supposedly just a casual observer. But Matthew knew better than to jump to conclusions. Just because Lisa was there didn''t automatically mean she was involved in the fire. He sighed, feeling the weight of the mystery on his shoulders. He needed more evidence to prove whether Lisa was involved or if she was just snooping around for a different reason. ire sat at her desk, her mind still stuck on the weird text message she''d received earlier. She had grabbed her phone to read it again, but it was gone. Completely vanished. She frowned, confusion and annoyance mixing on her face. Was this some sort of game? She was really getting tired of this nonsense. Could it be Eligos behind this? It sure felt like something he would do, ying around like this. But even if she wanted to track down the message, she couldn''t. The text was just... gone, like it had never been there. As the sun dipped below the horizon, ire finally signed thest piece of paperwork for the day. She let out a tired sigh, her stomach rumbling loudly. She hadn''t eaten since the afternoon, and her mind had been too busy to even notice. Standing up, she grabbed her bag and headed out of the office. Maybe a nice, peaceful dinner would help clear her head. "Take me to the Piere," she instructed as she slipped into her car. The Piere was her favorite restaurant, a ce where she could unwind and enjoy a good meal without any interruptions. At least, that was the n. When she arrived, ire stepped out of the car and made her way inside, the familiar scent of delicious food already making her stomach growl in anticipation. She had made a reservation earlier, so she confidently told the waiter her name. "Right this way, ma''am," the waiter said, leading her through the restaurant. But as they approached the table, ire noticed something unexpected. Someone was already seated there. A man, his back turned to her, engrossed in something on his phone. The waiter looked just as surprised as ire. "Excuse me, sir," the waiter began politely, "this table has been reserved." The man didn''t even look up. "I''m already sitting here, aren''t I?" he replied, his tone dripping with annoyance. ire''s patience was already thin, and this guy wasn''t helping. "That''s my table," she said calmly, but firmly. The man finally stood up and turned around to face her, his eyes narrowing as he looked her up and down. "You''re the one who reserved this table?" he asked, disbelief evident in his voice. "Yes," ire answered, not backing down. "And I believe you''re in my seat." He raised an eyebrow and scoffed, looking at the waiter. "Find her another table. I was here first." ire turned to the waitress. "Did he book a table?" The waitress, looking a little nervous, pulled out a small tablet and checked. She shook her head. "No, sir, you don''t have a reservation." ire crossed her arms, giving the man a look that clearly said, See? The man''s face flushed slightly, clearly not happy about being caught "Look," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt, "I got here first. Doesn''t matter if she booked it." ire didn''t have the energy to argue with him. She walked over to the table, picked up the small sign that said "Reserved," and held it up in front of his face. "Can you read?" she asked, her tone sharp. The man''s ears turned pink with embarrassment. He huffed, clearly flustered, and said, "Who do you think you are, walking in here like you own the ce?"Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ire raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Doesn''t matter who I am," she replied coolly. "I just want to sit at the table I reserved." With that, she took a seat, not sparing the man another nce. The man clenched his jaw, anger shing in his eyes. "This isn''t over," he muttered, grabbing his phone from the table. "If we meet again, I won''t let it slide." ire barely looked up from the menu she''d picked up. "Why would I meet you again?" she said, her voice dripping with boredom. She was done with this conversation. Feeling humiliated, the man stormed off, leaving ire to finally enjoy her evening. She waved to the waiter, who rushed over, looking a little relieved. "I''m so sorry about that, ma''am," she said quickly. "Can I get you started with a drink?" ire nodded, smiling faintly. "A ss of red wine, please. Something good." The waiter nodded and hurried off, leaving ire alone with her thoughts. As she sat there, waiting for her wine, she couldn''t help but rey the strange encounter in. her head. Who did that guy think he was, acting like he owned the ce? If this was the kind of luck she was going to have tonight, she wasn''t sure how much more she could handle. A few momentster, the waiter returned with her wine, setting the ss down in front of her. ire took a sip, letting the rich, smooth vor wash over her. It was exactly what she needed. Chapter 262 You? The next morning, ire was feeling surprisingly chipper. She stood on the balcony of her penthouse, the morning sun warming her skin, a cup of tea in one hand and a bite of French toast in the other. ire couldn''t remember thest time she had a peaceful breakfast She nced at the view of the city, a smile tugging at her lips. "Not bad," she muttered to herself, taking another sip of tea. "Not bad at all." like this. It was rare to have a morning all to herself, without the chaos of meetings and phone calls. Her iPad was propped up on the table in front of her, emails open and waiting for her attention. As she scrolled through, her phone vibrated against the table, catching her attention. She picked it up, raising an eyebrow when she saw Alexander''s name shing on the screen. "What does he want?" ire wondered aloud, opening the message. The text was brief, just like Alexander. He wanted her to meet with Mr. Mateo Jones at 1 PM sharp, and he''d exin the detailster. ire rolled her eyes. Of course, Alexander expected her to drop everything for this meeting. She typed a quick reply, "Noted," and set the phone back down. With this new addition to her day, her ns to spend time with the robotics team were cut short. ire sighed but figured it couldn''t be helped. It''s not like she could ignore Alexander, especially if this meeting was important. She finished her breakfast, gathered her things, and headed inside. After slipping her iPad into her bag, she took onest look around her penthouse. "Alright, time to face the day," she said, heading out the door. The drive to the office was unusually smooth for a weekday morning. ire appreciated the quiet, using the time to mentally prepare for whatever surprises the day might bring. When she arrived, Sandra, her assistant, stood up from her desk with a determined look on her face.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. "Good morning, Peterson," Sandra greeted, following ire towards her office. "The shareholders want to have a meeting with you online. They say it''s urgent." ire''s hand paused on the door handle. Urgent meetings with shareholders were never a good sign. Her mind raced, wondering if they''d somehow caught wind of her secret project. "Tell them I''m busy," ire said finally, turning to Sandra with a calm but firm expression. "I can''t be disturbed today." Sandra nodded, making a note on her tablet as ire entered her office, closing the door behind her. Meanwhile, Lisa was having a very different kind of morning. She was walking out of a building, feeling more frustrated than ever. She''d just bombed another job interview, and the sting of embarrassment was still fresh. "I can''t believe I''m doing this," Lisa grumbled to herself, standing on the sidewalk. "I should be shopping, not begging for a job." The interview had been a disaster. She had stammered through most of it, barely able to answer the questions. It was humiliating, and Lisa was certain she wouldn''t get the job. As she stood there, trying to hail a taxi, a sleek ck car caught her eye. It looked suspiciously familiar. Lisa squinted, peering through the window, and her heart skipped a beat. It was Alexander, sitting in the back seat. Before she could think, she took a step forward, ready to call out to him. But then she noticed someone else in the car with hima woman. Lisa''s eyes narrowed as she recognized the woman from the caf a few days ago. The one who was always hanging around Alexander. "That''s the girl who has a crush on him," Lisa hissed under her breath. The sight of them together made her blood boil. No one had the right to be close to Alexander, especially not some random woman. Lisa clenched her fists, her mind racing with thoughts of how to get rid of this girl. She wouldn''t let anyone take Alexander away from her. "I''ll find out who she is," Lisa muttered, watching the car drive away. "And I''ll make sure she stays far away from Alexander." ire stood in the robotics room, hands on her hips, a small smile ying on her lips. She was in her element, surrounded by wires, circuit boards, and the low hum of machines. The team was abuzz with activity, and she was impressed by the progress they had made. She nodded approvingly as Stephen, the new guy, exined the adjustments he''d made to the robot''s sensors. "That''s good work, Stephen," ire said, genuinely pleased. "You''ve managed to streamline the code and improve response time." Who knew Matthew''s rmendation would turn out to be a good idea? She thought to herself. Stephen beamed at thepliment, and the rest of the team nodded in agreement. One of them piped up, "Stephen''s been a big help. He''s got a knack for figuring things out. We''ve made more progress this week." ire nced at her watch, surprised at how quickly time had flown. It was already 12:30 PM. She''d been having so much fun, she''d lost track of time. "Alright, everyone, keep up the great work," she said, pping her hands. "I''ve got to run, but I''ll check back in soon. Let''s aim to have a full demonstration ready by the end of the month." The team nodded enthusiastically as ire exited the room, heading back to her office to grab her bag. Once inside, she quickly gathered her things and made her way to the reception area. Sandra, her assistant, looked up from her desk and raised an eyebrow. "Heading out, Ms. Petersom?" "Yes," ire replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "I have a sudden meeting with Alexander. If anyonees looking for me, just tell them I''m out." Sandra nodded, jotting down a note. "Will do. Good luck with the meeting." ire shed a quick smile before heading down to the lobby. As she stepped out of the building, her driver approached with a worried look on his face. "Ms. Peterson, I''m sorry to inform you, but one of the tires is punctured." ire frowned, crossing her arms. "How did that happen?" The driver shook his head, looking genuinely baffled. "I don''t know, ma''am. I just noticed it a few minutes ago." ire sighed but waved it off. "It''s fine. I''ll just take a taxi. You stay here and get it fixed." She headed back inside and approached the receptionist. "Can you call a taxi for me?" "Of course, Ms. ire," the receptionist said, picking up the phone. "It''ll be here in about fifteen minutes." ire nodded, checking her watch again. She had a little under half an hour until her meeting with Alexander. Plenty of time, she thought. She waited, tapping her foot impatiently. When the taxi finally arrived, she nced ather watch again. Fifteen minutes left. If the traffic was light, she''d just make it. "Drive fast, please," ire instructed the driver as she settled into the back seat. The driver nodded, stepping on the gas, but just as they pulled out of the parking lot, the car gave a violent shudder, and the engine sputtered to a stop. ire lurched forward, her seatbelt the only thing keeping her from face-nting into the front seat. "What now?" she muttered, exasperated. "I''m so sorry, ma''am," the driver said, looking flustered. "I think the engine''s overheated." ire groaned, pressing her fingers to her temples. "Can you fix it?" she asked, though she already knew the answer. The driver checked under the hood, and a puff of smoke erupted. He coughed and stepped back, shaking his head. "No, ma''am. This car isn''t going anywhere until it''s fixed. You''ll need to find another ride." ire stepped out of the taxi, frustration bubbling up inside her. She waited on the curb, waving down another taxi. Fifteen minutes passed before one finally pulled over. ire jumped in, telling the driver to head to the Harris averne Company and step on it. The driver sped through the streets, and ire watched the clock nervously. She arrived at 1:45 PM, forty-five minuteste. She hurried inside, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor. "Meeting room on the fifth floor," she reminded herself as she stepped into the elevator. The doors slid open, and she made a beeline for the meeting room Alexander had mentioned. Pushing the door open, she was surprised to find only one person inside. The man had his back to her, but he seemed familiar. "I''m so sorry to keep you waiting," ire said, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice. "There were... issues." The man turned around, and ire''s eyes widened in recognition. His friendly smile faltered, reced by a deep frown. "You?" Chapter 263 Misunderstanding? "You?" he blurted out, disbeliefcing his voice. ire quicklyposed herself, slipping back into her usual calm and collected demeanor. But inside, she couldn''t help but think how strangely lucky-or perhaps unlucky-she was to run into the arrogant man fromst night. It was almost as if fate was ying a cruel joke on her. The man, still staring at her in shock, narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?" ire was taken aback by the usation. She hadn''t followed him, nor did she know the Mateo Jones Alexander had mentioned was this man. Hell, she hadn''t even known his name until now. With a cool and collected tone, ire responded, "You''ve got it all wrong." But the man wasn''t convinced. He scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest in defiance. "Oh, really? My suspicions aren''t wrong. You''re following me. What, did you want revenge? Or are you trying to ruin my meeting today?" ire''s frown deepened. This guy was clearly full of himself. "I''m here for a meeting with Alexander Harris and Mateo Jones," she said, her voice dripping with calmness, but there was a cold edge to it now. Mateo-now that she knew his name let out another scoff, clearly not buying her exnation. "Impossible," he retorted. "There''s no way you''re ire Peterson." ire raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she looked him over with a mix of amusement and annoyance. "Haven''t been keeping up with the news, have you?" Mateo''s eyes narrowed further as he shot back, "You are lying. ire Peterson is a respectable woman, not someone like you, who doesn''t even know what politeness means."? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Before ire could respond, the door to the meeting room flew open, and Alexander Harris walked in, looking slightly exasperated. "Have you two already gotten to know each other?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at the tension in the room. ire turned to Alexander, her cold gaze locking onto his. "Who exactly is Mateo Jones?" she asked, clearly unimpressed with the man in question. Alexander nced between the two of them, sensing the awkwardness. "Mateo will be our publicist for the new hotel in Las Vegas," he exined, trying to gauge their reactions. ire suddenly burst outughing, a sound so unexpected and out of character that both Alexander and Mateo stared at her in utter confusion. "Oh my God, I can''t believe this." "What''s so funny?" Alexander asked, frowning in bewilderment. ireposed herself, though a trace of amusement lingered in her eyes. "A man like Mateo? It''s impossible for him to be the publicist for your new hotel. He can''t even market himself as a trusted and respectable person." Alexander''s confusion deepened. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, looking between ire and Mateo, hoping for some kind of exnation. ire took a seat at the table, crossing her legs with casual confidence. "Let''s just say Mateo here doesn''t exactly know how to treat people with respect," she said, casting a nce at Mateo, who was starting to look increasingly nervous. Alexander''s gaze shifted to Mateo, his expression demanding an exnation. "Is there something I should know?" Mateo shifted ufortably, clearly realizing he was in a tight spot. "There''s a misunderstanding," he muttered, avoiding eye contact with both ire and Alexander. "Really?" ire said, leaning back in her chair. "Because it seemed pretty clear to mest night that you have a habit of being rude to strangers." Alexander''s eyes widened slightly. "Wait, you two metst night?" Before Mateo could stammer out a response, ire''s lips curled into a smirk. She crossed her legs leisurely, an air of arrogance surrounding her as she turned to Alexander. "Yes, we did. And let me tell you, Mateo here is a disaster waiting to happen for your hotel''s public image," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I care about your hotel''s reputation, Alexander, and its profits. Maybe it''s time to find a new marketing team." Mateo''s eyes darted between Alexander and ire, his anxiety escting. "No, no, no! You''ve got it all wrong," he blurted out, his voice rising in desperation. "This is all just a huge misunderstanding." Alexander''s irritation was palpable as he crossed his arms over his chest, his expression hardening. "Then exin it to me, Mateo. I''m all ears." With all four eyes trained on him-ire''s icy stare and Alexander''s expectant gaze-Mateo swallowed hard. The tension in the room was suffocating. He forced himself to speak, knowing that one wrong word could spell disaster. "I, uh... I mistook ire Peterson for someone else," he began, struggling to keep his voice steady. ire, who had been nonchntly inspecting her nails, interrupted him with a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure that''s the only thing you did, Mateo?" she asked, her tone sweet butced with venom. Mateo''s frustration bubbled just beneath the surface. This wasn''t how he had envisioned his day going, especially not when he was supposed to be impressing one of the most influential businessmen in the industry. Gritting his teeth, he tried to remain calm, but it was clear his patience was wearing thin. Alexander remained stone-faced; his arms still crossed. "I''m waiting for an exnation, Mateo. The whole story." Mateo took a deep breath, knowing he had no choice but toy everything out, "It was a mistake," he started, his voice lower now as he tried to regain someposure. had an unexpected meeting with Ms. Petersonst night, and... well, I didn''t know who she was. I''d heard of ire Peterson, of course, but I''d never actually seen her before. So, when we met, I, um, didn''t exactly treat her with the respect she deserves." ire leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed over her chest as she gave Mateo look that could freeze over the Sahara. "Let me get this straight," she began, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Your telling me that a marketing team, specifically hired to handle the publicity of the Harris Hotel, doesn''t know who ire Peterson is? Even after the big announcement about the partnership with Metacortex?" Mateo, sitting across from her, felt a cold sweat trickle down the back of his neck. His hands were mmy, and he was certain his face was as pale as a ghost. He didn''t have a good feeling about where this conversation was headed, not at all. Mateo swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. He could feel the weight of both their gazes on him, pressing down like a ton of bricks. He pointed hesitantly in ire''s direction. "I didn''t know who she was," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I swear, I didn''t recognize her." ire''s eyes narrowed, and she tilted her head slightly, her expression one of cold amusement. "If you had known who I was, you would not have disrespected me? Because I''m an important figure in the business world? Does that mean if you encounter other people, especially women, who aren''t as well-known, you''d act like aplete jerk because you think you have more power and control than them?" She said, her tone nowced with mockery. Chapter 264 “I did it for you” Mateo''s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. He waspletely tongue-tied, trapped under ire''s piercing gaze. The question hung in the air like a sword dangling by a thread, and he had no idea how to answer it. Alexander crossed his arms, his eyes never leaving Mateo. "Well? Answer her." ire sat back in her chair, arms crossed, her brows raised in a mix of amusement and impatience as she waited for Mateo to say something, anything. But he just stood there, tongue-tied, his face flushed with embarrassment. The man who had strutted into the meeting full of confidence just moments ago now looked like he wanted to melt into the floor. Finally, Mateo stammered out, "I... I didn''t know it was youst night." "Clearly," ire replied dryly, her voiceced with sarcasm. "If you had known, you would''ve been polite and nice to me. Heck, if I had asked you to kiss my feet, you probably would''ve done it for the sake of business." Mateo swallowed hard, nodding slightly. He knew she was right. If he had realized who she was, he would''ve treated her like royalty. But he hadn''t, and now he was paying the price for it. ire didn''t sit back down. Instead, she stood up, nting both of her hands firmly on the table as she leaned forward, her gaze sharp and unforgiving. "Let me make something clear, Alexander." she said, her voice steady but with an edge that made him squirm. "If you want your hotel to seed, you can''t have someone like Mateo-someone who disrespects people just because he think he''s above them on your team. And if he is not even chronically online, how can he possibly market your hotel? Do he even know what your target audience wants?" Mateo nced nervously at Alexander, hoping for some support, but all he got was a stony re. So, he turned back to ire, desperately trying to salvage the situation. "It was just a misunderstanding," he pleaded. "I won''t do it again. I promise." ire rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "A misunderstanding?" she repeated, her tone dripping with disbelief. "I don''t buy it." But then, just as she was about to deliver another verbal blow, Mateo did something that caught herpletely off guard. He dropped to his knees in front of her, bowing his head in a dramatic show of apology. "Please, Ms. Peterson," he begged. "Give me a second chance. This project means everything to me." ire recoiled, stepping back in disgust. The sight of him groveling at her feet was thest thing she expected, and it was even more revolting than his earlier behavior. "Get up," she snapped, but Mateo stayed on his knees, pleading with her to reconsider. "Do you realize what working on a project with Harris Hotels would mean for you?" ire asked, her voice colder now. "It would benefit you more than anyone else, giving you exposure, profit, and credibility." Mateo fell silent, knowing full well that everything she said was true. He couldn''t argue with her logic, and the reality of losing this opportunity was starting to hit him hard. ire then turned her attention to Alexander, who had been watching the exchange with a tight-lipped expression. "So, what''s it going to be?" she asked him. "If you still want Mateo on your team, then I''ll be the one to walk away." Alexander''s expression darkened, his anger barely contained. "Mateo," he said, his voice dangerously calm.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Mateo turned to Alexander, looking at him with desperate eyes. "I''m so sorry, Mr. Harris," he began, but Alexander cut him off with a sharp gesture. "I''m disappointed in you, Mateo," Alexander said, his toneced with disappointment and frustration. "This is not what I expected from you. You''ve embarrassed yourself and, by extension, me." "But it was a misunderstanding!" Mateo protested, his voice rising with panic. "I didn''t know" "The meeting is over," Alexander said firmly, not letting him finish. "I no longer need you to be the marketing lead for my new hotel in Vegas. You''re done." Mateo froze, his face draining of color. He hadn''t expected Alexander to make such a quick and final decision. The room seemed to close in around him, and for a moment, he couldn''t even breathe. "Please, Mr. Harris," he said, his voice trembling. "Think this through. It''s all just a misunderstanding." ire stepped forward, her voice cutting through his protests. "A misunderstanding?" she repeated, her tone icy: "Mateo, you used me of stalking you. You imed was at this meeting for revenge. If you could turn back time, I''m sure you''d wish you''d never sat at my tablest night. But guess what? You can''t. You made your bed, now lie in it." Mateo felt like the ground was slipping away beneath him. He couldn''t believe how badly things had gone wrong. If only he had recognized ire, if only he had been more careful, none of this would be happening. But it was toote for ''if onlys'' now. Alexander took a step closer to Mateo, his eyes hard. "You''ve not only shown poor judgment, but you''ve also shown apleteck of respect. That''s not something I can overlook." Mateo opened his mouth to argue, but no words came out. He was speechless, his mind racing to find a way out of this mess, but there was none. "You''re done here, Mateo," Alexander said with finality. "Leave." Mateo''s legs felt like lead as he turned toward the door, his head hanging low. He couldn''t even bring himself to look at ire or Alexander as he made his way out. The weight of his failure pressed down on him, suffocating, as he left the room in disgrace. The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving ire and Alexander in silence. ire stared at the closed door for a moment, still frowning. She turned her gaze to Alexander, her eyebrows knitting together. "I didn''t expect you to change your mind about Mateo so quickly," she said, her tone a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Or, dismiss him right here." Alexander''s face was still set in an expression of annoyance, his jaw clenched tightly. "I didn''t expect Mateo to treat you like that," he replied, his voice hard. "Nobody should treat you like that, ire." ire raised an eyebrow at his words. "So, you did this because of me? Or did you do it because you wanted to?" There was a hint of skepticism in her voice as if she wasn''t entirely convinced of his motives. Alexander met her gaze, his brows lifting in response to her question. "Why are you asking me that?" he shot back, a little defensive. "I did it for you. Mateo disrespected you, and I don''t like it when anyone disrespects you." ire tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Would you have done the same if it wasn''t me? If it was someone else in my shoes, would you have stood up for them too?" Alexander didn''t hesitate. "Yes, I would have," he said firmly. "No one deserves to be treated like that, no matter who they are." ire felt a small sense of relief wash over her She hated the idea of people doing nice things for her just because of her status. It made her wonder if she''d get the same treatment if she wasn''t in a position of power. "I''m d to hear that," she said, her tone genuine as she nodded. "Thank you for standing up for me. Her voice was calm, almost casual as if she was discussing the weather. Alexander seemed to rx a little at her words, the tension in his shoulders easing. But before he could say anything else, ire continued, "Next time, you shown et find a good publicist who knows how to treat people with respect, regardless of their background. That''s the kind of person you want on your team." ire turned and walked toward the door, her hand resting on the handle as she prepared to leave. Just as she was about to pull it open, Alexander''s voice stopped her in her tracks. "Why are you so angry about all this?" he asked, his toneced with confusion. ire paused, ncing back at him over her shoulder. Her eyes were cold, her expression unreadable. "Back then, you did the same thing to me," she replied, her voice cutting through the room like a knife. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 265 Playing Dirty Lisa sat on the couch, flipping through TV channels with the remote, looking like she had absolutely nowhere else to be. Her mother, standing in the doorway with aundry basket in hand, was not amused. "Lisa," her mother started, clearly annoyed, "I don''t understand how you got fired in the first ce." Lisa groaned and rolled her eyes. This conversation had been happening far too oftentely. "Mom, I told you. Thepany didn''t appreciate my skills." Her mother crossed her arms, looking skeptical. "And what skills are those? Sitting around doing nothing?" Lisa shouted her a re, but her mother wasn''t backing down. "You''re 25, Lisa. A grown woman. You need to start taking responsibility. I''ve told you to look for a new job, and what have you done? Sat here watching TV for hours." "I''ve applied!" Lisa snapped, but the truth was, that her attempts were half-hearted at best. And she still hadn''t heard back from anyone. Her mother sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. "You need to try again. You can''t just sit here forever. You have to work, Lisa. I can''t take care of you for the rest of your life. How about Metacortex? You could apply there." At that, Lisa''s eyes widened in horror. "Are you insane?" she practically shouted. "There''s no way I''m working for ire Peterson. I''d rather die than have to answer to that witch." Her mother raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She just stared at Lisa, clearly expecting more. Lisa crossed her arms, her annoyance turning into full-blown anger. "I''d lose all my pride if I worked there! No way am I going to be one of ire''sckeys." Her mother sighed again, her patience running out. "Then do something, Lisa. Anything. Find another job or I''m kicking you out." Lisa rolled her eyes, sinking deeper into the couch. "Yeah, yeah," she mumbled, giving her mom a dismissive wave. Hours passed by the TV drowning in the background while Lisa mindlessly scrolled through her phone. Suddenly, an idea hit her-an idea so brilliant, she sat up straight, eyes wide. Why hadn''t she thought of this before? "Harris," she muttered to herself. "I could apply to work at Harris''pany." A slow grin spread across her face. Working there wouldn''t just be a job. It would be the perfect opportunity to get close to Alexander. Maybe she could even make him fall for her again. She pictured it in her mind-Alexander, charmed by her presence, remembering how good they were together. It was perfect. Without wasting any time, Lisa leaped off the couch and rushed to her room. She needed to prepare everything. A resume, her best outfit, and all the charm she could muster. She wasn''t about to just apply online like everyone else. No, she''d go in person. See Alexander herself. That way, she could use all her tricks to make sure he''d ept her into thepany. Once she was dressed and ready, she gave herself onest look in the mirror. Perfect. Lisa smirked to herself, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door. Arriving at Harris Corporation, Lisa felt a surge of excitement. The building was sleek and impressive, but her focus was entirely on the prize-Alexander. She was going to get his attention, no matter what. First, though, she needed to make sure she looked wless. She ducked into thedies'' room and stood in front of the mirror, touching up her lipstick. As she applied it, she heard someone enter the bathroom, heels clicking on the tiles. "Yes, I''m definitely going to ask Alexander out," the woman''s voice said, clearly on a phone call. "He''s been single for a while now, and I think it''s time to make my move." Lisa froze, her lipstick hovering mid-air. What did this woman just say? Ask Alexander out? Oh, no. That wasn''t happening. She nced over at the woman through the mirror''s reflection, recognizing her face but not quite cing her. Lisa stayed calm, though. She finished applying her lipstick and waited patiently for the woman to finish her phone call. When she finally hung up, Lisa turned to her with a polite, almost too-sweet smile. "Excuse me," she said "do you have a perfume I could borrow? I''ve got a job interview today, and I want to make a good impression." The woman smiled back, clearly happy to help. "Of course! Here you go," she said, handing over her perfume.N?velDrama.Org owns this. "Thanks," Lisa said as she took it, then paused, tilting her head with a friendly expression. "I don''t think I caught your name. I''ve seen you around before." "Oh, I''m Abigail Hastings," the woman replied with a warm smile. "Good luck with your interview!" "Thank you, Abigail," Lisa said, maintaining her cheerful fa?ade. She sprayed a bit of perfume on herself and handed it back to Abigail, who then waved goodbye and exited the restroom. As soon as Abigail left, the fake smile slid off Lisa''s face. Her eyes narrowed, and she red at her own reflection in the mirror, a wicked smirk creeping across her lips. Abigail Hastings, huh? Well, that was one name to remember. "She thinks she can ask my Alexander out?" Lisa muttered to herself. "Not a chance." A crazy idea started to form in Lisa''s mind, one that made her grin wider. No one, absolutely no one, was going to take Alexander away from her. She had promised herself that long ago. And if that meant ying dirty, so be it. ire stepped into her office, her eyes immediately spotting Matthew sprawled out on the couch. He lifted his headzily when he heard the door click shut. "Well, look who decided to show up," he greeted her with a lopsided grin. "Where have you been?" She didn''t answer right away, instead making her way to her desk and plopping into the chair with an exaggerated sigh. Leaning back, she closed her eyes for a moment before opening them to nce at Matthew. "It''s been a day," she muttered. Matthew, now fully awake and intrigued, sat up straight, raising an eyebrow. "A day? That sounds like code for ''something went horribly wrong.'' Spill, what happened?" ire ran a hand through her hair, then gestured vaguely toward the door. "Where do I even start?" she said, exasperated. "Let''s see... Mateo Jones." Matthew''s brow furrowed. "Mateo Jones? Doesn''t ring a bell." His hands automatically reached for hisptop, curiosity getting the better of him as he began typing away. "What did Mateo do?" ire shook her head, leaning forward and resting her chin in her hands. "I had dinnerst night, just trying to get some peace, and out of nowhere, Mateo Jones just shows up and sits at my table. Uninvited which I have no idea that is Mateo Jones." "What happened?" "He proceeds to disrespect me the entire time. Even tell me to find another. The funny thing is that the table is reserved for me and Mateo didn''t even book a table. And today? He uses me of stalking him and ruining his meeting." Matthew let out a snort. "Stalking him? That''s rich." "He thinks that the world revolves around him." ire rolled her eyes in annoyance. Matthew, still tapping away on hisptop, raised his hand. "Hold on a sec. Let me took this guy up again... Oh wow. ire, you''ve got to see this." He turned the screen toward her, and ire leaned in, squinting at the image on the screen. "The man not only has a problem with his attitudes but also his receding hairline." ire chuckled, her mood lifting slightly. "Howe I didn''t notice that before." "What happened after?" "I told Alexander if he still wanted to use Mateo for the hotel''s publicity, I was going to pull out. I''m not dealing with that kind of nonsense. And you know what? To my surprise, Alexander canceled the meetine with Mateo right then and there. Told him to leave. I didn''t expect it either. He''s always prioritized business over everything else. At least, that''s how I remember him from three years ago." Matthew grinned knowingly. "You know what that means, right?" ire groaned, immediately sensing where this was going. "Don''t even start. I would rather throw myself off the Metacortex building than have Alexander liking me." Chapter 266 Robbed The weather waspletely awful. It was the kind of night that made you just want to curl up under a nket with a hot drink and pretend the outside world didn''t exist. But Abigail, unfortunately, didn''t have that luxury. She was on her way out of the door of her friend''s apartment after a much-needed evening of catching up, and she needed to get home. Tomorrow was Monday, and work wasn''t going to wait for her to nurse azy Sunday night.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Pulling the jacket tightly around her, Abigail went outside into the freezing cold. The wind was icy and nipped at her face. Just as she turned onto the main street, the rain came on, too. Of course, that would justplete it all. Almost December and the weather was ying games already. Great, she muttered, her handbag held out in front of her like an umbre, useless given its minuscule size. Within seconds the rain had soaked through her shoulders and hair. She let out a deep sigh. "One stupid taxi, that''s all I need." She peered up and down the street, her hand out hopefully to hail any cab that might be on its way down. But no such luck. Every taxi she tried to g down was full. It waste; people were on their way home after night devotions, so finding an empty taxi was like finding a needle in a haystack. "Why is it all taxis are packed?" She thought for a second longer and thought she might have to call her dad toe and pick her up. In crossing the street, Abigail fumbled with her phone. Her frozen fingers make it difficult for her to press the button. The rain certainly didn''t help matters, making everything slippery. Just when she was about to make the call, three men approached her. It was nothing, nothing in the first ce. They were just walking on the same sidewalk; that is all. Then, as they got closer, one of them started talking with her. Not good talking either, the kind that makes one feel all sorts of ufortable. "Well, hello there, sweetheart," said one of the men in a greasy type of charm. "What''s a pretty girl like you doing all alone on a night like this?" Abby''s skin crawled. She looked up at them; their grins were too wide, their eyes too interested. She knew precisely where this was going. She quickened her pace, not wanting to make a scene in the hopes of getting away from them. She pulled out her phone again, nning to call Alexander instead of her dad, but before she even had time to press his name, one of the men snatched the phone right out of her hand. "Hey!" Abigail yelled, whirling. "Give me my phone back!" Theyughed alike as if to make it prominent just how much fun they were having. The one who took her phone was, by now, ying with it, juggling it in his hands almost like it belonged to a puppet. "What''s the rush? We just wanna talk," he said, walking closer. "Right guys?" "Yeah, just talk. Don''t be scared of us." the man with a blonde hair lip curled into a wicked smirk that sent a shiver down her spine. Abigail''s heart was racing, though she tried to stand her ground. "I don''t want to talk. I want my phone back." Her voice shook, but she tried to sound strong. "Ah,e on," another joined in, stepping forward. "Tell you what, sweetheart, why don''t you give us your purse too, and we''ll think about giving your phone back." Abigail''s brows furrowed in frustration. "No! I''m not giving you, my purse." Her refusal only seemed to amuse them more. One of the men leaned in closer, his grin getting wider. "Feisty. I like it." That''s when something snapped inside Abigail. She didn''t know where the sudden rush of courage hade from, but she swung her bag at them. Hard. It hit one of them square in the chest. Before they could react, she turned on her heel and bolted. "Get her!" she heard one of them yell, as they gave chase. Abigail''s feet hit the wet pavement in a run as her heart started hammering in her chest. She didn''t dare nce backward. She just kept on running. But it was not good enough. They were fast, and she could hear them closing in upon her. She turned into an alley, hoping to get lost in the maze of streets. But it was the wrong move. The three men had easily located her. Theyughed wickedly as they approached her, blocking her way out. Abigail stepped back but her back hit a wall. There was nowhere to go, "Stay back!" she yelled, her voice trembling yet defiant. "I''m warning you!" They circled her, one of them speaking in a low, menacing voice. "We don''t want any trouble. Just hand the bag over and we will be on our way." "I said stay back or I will scream." The three of themughed, mocking Abigail. "Go ahead, sweetheart. Scream your lungs out. No one will hear you in this big rain." Abigail had thrown her bag at them, a quick-thinking move in the hope they would be satisfied just to take that and leave her alone. But the head of the group merely shook his head, the grin spreading wide across his face. "We could have a lot more fun than just taking your bag," he said, his eyes dark with something that made Abigail''s stomach do flips. Panic swirled through her veins. She had to get out of there. Her eyes flitted desperately around for an escape. It was then that she saw the lid of a garbage can lying nearby. Without any second thoughts, she picked it up and slung it at them with all her might. It caught one of them off guard and hit him in the stomach, and Abigail quickly took her chance. She sprinted past their feet running across the slick ground as fast as they could. She heard their angry shouts behind her, but she didn''t stop. She couldn''t stop. She continued to run, her mind and legs going a mile a minute as she nced over her shoulder to see if they were still after her. That was the mistake. The moment she did, her foot slipped on the wet street, and before she knew it, she fell forward, the world spinning around her. Everything went ck. The three men froze, stopping in their tracks and staring down at her lifeless body in the middle of the road. They looked at each other as panic instantly set in. "What do we do?" one, his voice shaking, asked. "We gotta get outta here. Now!" the leader yelled. "Leave her shit. Just go!" They threw Abigail''s belongings in a nearby trash receptacle and ran away as fast as their legs could carry them. Gone were the trailingughs, reced by the frantic scramble of these kids disappearing into the darkness. And therey Abigail, unconscious and alone in the pouring rain, cold, uncaring streets being her onlypanion. Chapter 267 Severe Accident The rainy night weather stopped people from their activity as they spotted an ident. All the attention was on Abigail''s unconscious body lying in the middle of the road. People were gathered around her, whispering in concerned tones, their faces twisted in worry. Some of them had already contacted an ambnce, and the tension in the air was thick. "Is she breathing?" someone asked from the back of the crowd. "I think so," a man near her murmured, squinting down at her still form. "But it looks bad." Before long, the sound of an ambnce''s siren pierced through the anxious murmurs, and the crowd parted as the paramedics rushed over. One of them, a woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense attitude, crouched down beside Abigail and checked her pulse, pressing two fingers against her neck. She leaned in, listening carefully to her breathing. "Her breath''s slowing down," the paramedic called to her colleague, worry lining her face. "Her pulse is weak, too. We need to move fast." Without wasting any time, they carefully lifted Abigail onto a spinal board, securing her before carrying her to the waiting ambnce. As the doors closed, the ambnce sped away, leaving the crowd behind, buzzing with spection and concern. Meanwhile, Alexander was driving home, his thoughts still on Mateo and ire''s incident, when his phone rang. He nced at the screen and sighed when he saw his mother''s name sh across it. For a moment, he considered not answering. After all, it was probably just her calling to check in or remind him of some family event. But something tugged at him, urging him to pick up. "Hello?" Alexander answered, his tone casual. Before he could even greet her properly, his mother, Joan, spoke in a voiceced with panic. "Alexander! You need to go to the hospital." His grip on the steering wheel tightened as rm spread through him. "What? Are you okay? What happened?" "I''m fine," Joan said, but her voice was shaky. "It''s Abigail." "Abigail?" Alexander''s heart skipped a beat. "What''s going on? What happened to her?" There was a long pause on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of his mother''s soft sobbing. Alexander''s chest tightened. "Mum, tell me what''s going on," he urged, his voice rising with worry. "She... She was in an ident," Joan finally said, her voice breaking. "She''s at the hospital, and I''m on my way there now. Please, meet me there." His pulse quickened, and without hesitation, Alexander pressed down harder on the gas pedal, his car speeding up as he headed straight for the hospital. His mind raced, trying to piece together what could''ve happened. Just yesterday, Abigail had been fineughing, talking. How could things change so fast? As he neared the hospital, his heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears. Parking the car in a rush, he jumped out and nearly sprinted to the entrance. The sterile smell of the hospital hit him as he walked up to the receptionist, his breath slightly ragged. "Abigail Hastings," he said, his voice strained. "Where is she?" The nurse at the desk gave him a sympathetic look before pointing down the hall. "Operation room. Just down that way." Alexander nodded, muttering a quick "Thanks" before heading in the direction she pointed. As he approached the operation room, he spotted two familiar figures his mother and Abigail''s mother, both holding onto each other, their faces wet with tears. His throat tightened as he approached them, his heart sinking at the sight of their grief. "Mum," he said quietly, trying to keep his voice steady, "what happened?" Joan stood up, pulling him aside. She wiped at her eyes before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was a car crash, Alex. They hadn''t borate further. We both don''t know what actually happened and how severe her wounds are. Mary received a phone call from the hospital telling her that Abigail was at the hospital." Alexander felt the ground shift beneath him as his mother''s words sank in. Abigail, his childhood friend, the girl who had always been so full of life, was now lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life. He ran a hand through his hair, his mind struggling to process the news. "God..." he muttered; his voice full of disbelief. "How did this happen?" Joan shook her head, her eyes filled with tears again. "We don''t know the full details yet. The doctors are doing everything they can."N?velDrama.Org owns this. Alexander turned to nce through the small window into the operation room, his heart aching as he caught a glimpse of Abigail on the hospital bed, hooked up to machines. She looked so fragile, so unlike the girl he knew. His chest tightened with a mix offear and helplessness. "Was she... was she awake at all?" he asked. Abigail''s mother, who had been crying quietly beside Joan, shook her head. "No, she''s been unconscious since they brought her in. They''re not sure when or if she''ll wake up." Alexander''s fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white as he stared down the hospital hallway. The sterile smell of disinfectant filled the air, and the fluorescent lights buzzed softly above him. He wanted to do something-anything-to help. But right now, all he could do was stand there, feeling useless, waiting for news about Abigail. "Alex, sit down," Joan said gently, cing a hand on his arm and guiding him to a nearby chair. "The doctors are hopeful," she continued as he slumped into the seat, "but it''s going to take time." Time. The ticking of the clock on the wall seemed louder with every minute, and it only added to the tension in the room. Alexander nced over at Abigail''s mom, who was sitting in the corner, wiping her tear-streaked face with tissues that were already soaked through She''d been crying nonstop, her sobs barely contained by her shaking hands. His heart broke for her. It wasn''t just her daughter lying on that operating table; it was her whole world. The sound of a footsteps alert Alexander. Abigail''s father had arrived, his face pale and drawn with worry. He gave a tight-lipped nod to everyone, and Alexander immediately stood up, extending his hand. "Mr. Hasting," Alexander said, his voice low but steady. "Alexander," Mr. Hastings replied, shaking his hand firmly. There was no need for words between them. They both knew why they were here, and neither of them could change the situation. He walked over to his wife and gently wrapped his arms around her. "How is she?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly as he pulled her close. "She''s still in there," Mrs. Turner whispered, her tears soaking into his jacket. "They haven''t told us anything yet." Her sobs grew louder as her husband held her tighter, trying to offer whateverfort he could. Then, finally, the door to the operating room opened with a quiet creak, and a doctor in scrubs stepped out. His face was calm but serious, and everyone''s breath caught in their throats as they waited for him to speak. Abigail''s mother was the first to approach him, practically running up to the doctor. "How is she? Please, how''s my daughter?" she asked, her voice trembling with desperation. The doctor sighed softly, his expression sympathetic. "Abigail''s heartbeat is stable now, though still weak. We''ve managed to stop the internal bleeding, and she''s out of immediate danger." A collective sigh of relief swept through the room, though it was short-lived as the doctor continued. "However," he said, "her left leg is broken. It''s going to require surgery to set the bones properly, and she''s going to need a lot of physical therapy afterward. She also needed nine stitches on the back of her head, where she hit it during the ident." Abigail''s mom gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Alexander felt his stomach twist as the doctor went on. "And," the doctor added gravely, "she''s lost a significant amount of blood. Right now, we need a blood donor. She''s stable for now, but without a transfusion, she''ll remain at risk." Chapter 268 Blood Type Alexander''s voice echoed through the hall of the hospital, louder than intended. "Blood donor?" The doctor nodded solemnly. Abigail''s parents, Mary and Richard, traded anxious nces as Mary asked, "Doesn''t the hospital have any blood in stock?" The doctor sighed and looked genuinely regretful. "We''re out of her blood type. Unfortunately, it''s not amon one, and we don''t have any left." Mary''s face fell, and Richardid aforting hand on her shoulder. They both knew their blood types didn''t match Abigail''s, so they couldn''t help. Joan, Alexander''s mother, moved forward, putting a gentle hand on Mary''s arm. "I''m so sorry, Mary," she told her. "If my blood were a match, I wouldn''t hesitate for one second to donate." Her voice was full of sympathy. Mary nodded, welling up but not spilling. "Thanks, Joan." The two women hugged; the serious weight of the moment pressed heavily on those in the room. Alexander, standing aside, watched the tense and worried faces of Abigail''s parents and Joan''s silent apology. He could feel something inside him stir. Without really giving too much thought, he blurted out, "I''ll donate my blood." Everyone in the room turned to him in surprise. The doctor merely blinked at him, clearly appreciative, yet practical at the same time. "What''s your blood type?" he asked. Alexander froze. His face turned serious, his scratching at the back of his neck. "Uh. I don''t actually know." The doctor''s eyebrows rose slightly, but then he nodded. "Well, we can test your blood. The nurse will show you to a room where we can take a sample." As the doctor left them, Richard turned to Alexander; his face a mixture of gratitude and exhaustion, "Thanks, Alexander. We can''t find the words to say just how much this means." Alex raised his hand almost diffidently: "Don''t thank me yet. We don''t even know if my blood type matches her." Richard gave a weak smile. "Still, that you offered. It means much." Alexander nodded, his face a little awkward from all this weight of appreciation. "Abigail is my childhood friend," he said softly. "I could never ignore her when she needs help." But the moment the words had left his lips, his mind started to wander, and guilt slowly crept in to remind him that, in truth, there was at least one asion when he had overlooked someone in distress who needed his help. His mind began to sh three years back in time ire-to the ways he had neglected her then, which, now in retrospect, made him cringe at the thought of all that cold indifference of which he had been capable. One incident he remembered: ire was trying to cook. She wasn''t the best of cooks; that much he teased her for. Maybe he had teased too much. He knew he had told her she couldn''t cook, that she was always reliant on the maid, and most cruelly of all, she wasn''t ''wife material.'' He hadn''t been kind, nor even noticed when his words hurt her. One day, ire burned her wrist while cooking. He remembered seeing the burn but doing nothing to help her while he just sat there acting nonchnt, pretending it didn''t bother him. She was trying so hard to prove herself from his harshments, and all he did was sit back and watch. It wasn''t even the worst, the burn on her wrist. She''d also cut her fingers more than once but never told him. ire just kept smiling and serving him the food with bandaged hands, as if she didn''t hurt. His chest was now constricting in guilt as he reflected on how callous he had been. Every memory of how he treated ire back then made him worse: How could he have been so heartless, so blind to what she needed? ire sat at her desk, staring down at her wrist. The faint scars from three years ago were still there, and no matter what she tried, they wouldn''t disappear. She''d used every ointment imaginable, but the wounds refused to fade, as if they were determined to stay and remind her of everything she''d been through with Alexander. The pain, the heartbreak, the endless cycle of hurt-it was all wrapped up in those small, stubborn scars. Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the buzzing of her phone on the desk. Speak of the devil. Alexander was calling. She blinked at the screen, not moving to pick it up. Usually, he''d send a text. So why was he calling her now? The phone kept vibrating, buzzing loudly against the wood of her desk. ire gritted her teeth, trying to focus back on the document she was typing. But the sound was starting to grate on her nerves, making it impossible to concentrate. "Ugh, fine!" she muttered, grabbing her phone and answering with an annoyed, "What?" On the other end, Alexander''s voice was soft and hesitant, which instantly made ire suspicious. "ire," he began. "Abigail''s in the hospital." ire''s frown deepened, her irritation fading into confusion. "What? Why is she in the hospital?" Alexander took a deep breath before replying, his voice strained. "She was in a car ident."Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. The words hit ire like a punch to the stomach. She froze, her mind going nk. Abigail? In a car ident? She''d just seen her earlier today, and she''d been perfectly fine. This couldn''t be happening. "What? It can''t be." ire said, her voice quieter now, disbelief creeping in. She stood up suddenly, grabbing her bag without even thinking. "What hospital is she in?" Alexander quickly gave her the name, and without another word, ire hung up, practically throwing her office door open in her rush. On the other side stood Matthew, looking amused as he leaned against the wall. "Going on a date?" Matthew joked, raising an eyebrow. ire wasn''t in the mood. Her face was tense, serious, and she replied curtly, "Abigail got into a car ident." Matthew''s expression shifted instantly from yful to shocked. "Wait, what? Abigail?" His eyes widened in disbelief. ire nodded, her thoughts racing, but Matthew quickly straightened up, his own sense of urgency kicking in. "I''ll drive you," he said, his tone serious now. Without wasting any more time, they both rushed out of Metacortex and headed straight for the hospital. During the ride, the tension in the car was palpable. Matthew kept ncing over at ire, as if trying to gauge how she was feeling, but she didn''t say much. Her mind was too upied with worry for Abigail. Finally, Matthew broke the silence. "How did you find out?" "Alexander called me," ire muttered, almost reluctantly. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I wasn''t even going to pick up. You know how he is-whenever he calls, it''s usually about somethingpletely irrelevant. But if thadn''t answered... I wouldn''t have known." Matthew nodded quietly, understanding her frustration. He was no fan of Alexander either, especially considering her history with him. "Honestly, I probably would''ve ignored his call too. But... I guess it''s good you picked up this time." ire stared out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind. "We were just working with her earlier. And now this? It doesn''t make sense." Matthew didn''t have an answer for that. He just kept driving, and the two fell back into silence as they made their way to the hospital. When they arrived, ire barely waited for the car to stop before she jumped out and rushed inside. She made a beeline for the reception " desk, her heart racing in her chest. "I''m looking for Abigail Hastings," she said breathlessly to the nurse. The nurse gave her a sympathetic look and quickly directed her to the first floor. ire nodded her thanks and hurried off, with Matthew close behind. As soon as they reached the waiting area, ire spotted Alexander, Joan, and what she assumed were Abigail''s parents. Alexander was the first to notice her, and he immediately got up, walking over with a serious look on his face. "ire," he said, his voice low. "What''s your blood type?" Chapter 269 Donate Blood "What''s your blood type?" ire blinked, momentarily thrown off by the odd question. Of all things to be asked in a hospital, this was not what she had expected. She stared at Alexander, her confusion clear on her face. "What? Why?" Alexander ran a hand through his hair, looking genuinely stressed, which was a rare sight for him. He sighed and quickly exined, "Abigail needs a blood transfusion. The hospital''s blood stock is empty for her blood type, and my mother and Abigail''s parents don''t have the same type either. It leaves... well, me. And, uh, maybe you. If you want." ire furrowed her brow, not entirely sure where this was heading but realizing it had to be serious if Alexander was asking her about blood. "What''s your blood type?" she asked, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "I''m O-positive. I had my blood tested earlier," Alexander replied quickly. "And Abigail''s?" "B-negative," he answered, his tone a little more desperate now. ire froze for a moment, processing what he''d said. B-negative. That was her blood type. She stayed silent, her mind whirling with the odd coincidence. Finally, after a beat, she spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "My blood type matches Abigail''s." Alexander''s eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting that. He blinked at her in shock. "You''re B-negative?" ire nodded. "I am." A mixture of relief and disbelief crossed Alexander''s face. He stared at her for a moment, as if trying toprehend the strange twist of fate. Then, his expression shifted, and he asked the question that had clearly been on his mind. "Would you... I mean, would you be willing to donate your blood?" ire couldn''t help the wave of irritation that bubbled up inside her as she watched Alexander. It wasn''t just the question. It was the way he looked so concerned-no, deeply concerned for Abigail. The worry in his eyes, the anxious tone in his voice... she couldn''t recall him ever being this caring when they were married. It was a stark contrast that left her feeling strangely unsettled. Still, this wasn''t the time to let old feelings surface. Abigail, her friend, was in the operating room, needing help. She couldn''t let her irritation at Alexander''s sudden transformation get in the way. With a determined nod, ire said, "I''ll do it. I''ll donate my blood." Before anyone else could say anything, Matthew, who had been silently standing next to ire throughout the conversation, finally spoke up. His tone wasced with worry. "ire, you have-" ire shot him a sharp re, cutting him off before he could even finish his thought. "I''ll be fine," she said curtly, clearly not in the mood for any more objections. She turned back to Alexander who was still looking at her with confusion etched on his face. "Go find the nurse. If it can be done, I''ll donate now." "Of course. Thank you, ire," he said earnestly, before turning on his heel and heading down the hall to find the nurse. Not even a minuteter, a nurse appeared with Alexander, moving quickly toward ire. "Miss, are you really sure you wanted to donate your blood?" Upon hearing the word ''donate blood'', Abigail parents jump out of the chair and approach ire. "Are you really going to donate your blood?" Abigail''s mother asked, her voice full of worry as she looked at ire, who had maintained a perfect poker face throughout. ire simply nodded, not offering any further exnation. There wasn''t much to say, really. It was a straightforward situation. Joan, who stood beside Alexander, looked at ire with concern. "Are you sure, ire? This isn''t something to take lightly." ire gave a small nod, her voice calm. "I''ll be fine, Joan. It''s just a blood donation. No big deal." The nurse stepped in, her tone professional but gentle. "We can start now if you''re ready," she said, ncing at ire to gauge her response. ire didn''t hesitate. "Let''s do it," she said, her voice even. The nurse nodded, gesturing for ire to follow her. As she began walking away, Matthew decided to. follow her, clearly notfortable with the idea of leaving ire atone during the procedure. He didn''t like hospitals in general, but staying here With Alexander Harris was even less appealing. Alexander noticed Matthew trailing after ire and frowned slightly. "Where are you going?" Without breaking his stride, Matthew threw a cold nce over his shoulder and replied tly, "I''m going to check on ire. Make sure she''s okay." Without waiting for a response, Matthew walked off, leaving Alex staring after him, slightly taken aback by his sudden change in attitude. Once they were out of sight from Alex, Matthew caught up to ire, who was walking down the hospital corridor. He gently ced a hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks "ire," he said, his voice softer now, "you don''t have to do this. You don''t owe Alexander anything. And you definitely don''t owe Abigail." ire turned to him, a small, tired smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I know, Matthew," she said quietly. "But Abigail needs me. And if the roles were reversed, I know she would do the same for me." Matthew''s gaze softened with concern, but he still didn''t seem convinced. "I get that, but you''ve been through a lottely. You don''t have to be the one to save everyone all the time." ire chuckled, the sound light but genuine. "It''s not about saving everyone, Matthew. It''s about helping a friend. Besides, our robots aren''t finished yet, and I''m not willing to let Abigail go just yet." She winked, trying to lighten the mood. Matthew smiled at her joke, but the worry didn''t leave his eyes. "Alright, alright. But if you start feeling faint, just let me know. I''ll have a wheelchair ready for you." ire stared at him for a moment, her lips quirking up in amusement. "Seriously, Matthew? A wheelchair? You''re being way too dramatic. I have low blood pressure, not broken legs." He shrugged, his expression turning yful. "Hey, I''m just looking out for you. You can''t me me for being prepared." Before ire could respond, a nurse appeared at the door of the room, clipboard in hand. "Miss ire? We''re ready for you inside." ire nced at Matthew, her smile fading just a little as she took a deep breath. "Guess this is it. Wait out here for me, okay?" Matthew nodded, watching as she followed the nurse into the room for the blood donation. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, and waited, trying to shake the gnawing feeling of unease in his gut. Inside the room, ire sat down in the reclining chair as the nurse prepared the equipment. She stared at the ceiling, her mind wandering to Abigail, Who was lying unconscious in another room, hooked up to machines. ire knew the blood transfusion was necessary to give Abigail a fighting chance, but that didn''t make the situation any less nerve-wracking. As the nurse inserted the needle, ire winced slightly but quickly rxed. "So, do you think this will help her wake up soon?" she asked, trying to make small talk to distract herself from the procedure.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. The nurse gave her a reassuring smile. "It''s hard to say, but the transfusion will definitely give her body what it needs to start healing. It''s a good thing you''re doing." "Yeah." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 270 Kind Claire her arm.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. ire was sitting in the sterile hospital chair, watching the nurse carefully as she finished the blood transfusion. Two packs of her blood had been donated, and now her arm felt a little heavier than usual. The nurse smiled at her warmly, expertly detaching the needle from "All done," the nurse announced, her voice gentle but cheerful. "You did great, Ms. Peterson. I''ll call your friend waiting outside. You''re going to need some help walking." ire felt a wave of dizziness as soon as the nurse mentioned walking. She nodded weakly, her body feeling strangely light and heavy at the same time. As the nurse stepped out to fetch Matthew, ire closed her eyes for a second, trying to steady herself, but the world still felt like it was spinning. Momentster, Matthew strolled into the room with a concerned look on his face. "ire, are you okay?" he asked, immediately walking over to her. ire gave him a weak but reassuring smile. "I''m fine," she said, though her voice was softer than usual. "Just a little weak." Matthew, who wasn''t entirely convinced, slipped his arm around her waist as he helped her stand up. ire stumbled slightly, just as Matthew expected, and he tightened his grip to steady her. "You weren''t supposed to donate blood, you know," Matthew scolded lightly, raising an eyebrow at her. "Especially after the week you''ve had." ire brushed off his concern with a shrug. "It''s fine," she said calmly, though the wobble in her legs told a different story. She knew she wasn''t in the best shape, but Abigail needed help. That was more important. The nurse returned with a ss of milk and a small snack, looking at ire with a knowing smile. "You need to rest, drink this, and don''t do anything too strenuous until your body''s back to normal," the nurse advised kindly. ire gave a small nod, though inside, she already knew she wasn''t going to follow that advice. There was too much work waiting for her and taking it easy wasn''t exactly part of her nature. Matthew helped her out the door, holding her securely despite ire''s quiet protests. "Matthew, I''m fine," she huffed, rolling her eyes. "It''s not like I broke my legs or anything." Matthew shook his head, his grip still firm. "I just want to make sure you''re okay," he insisted. "You''re stubborn, ire. You''d try to run a marathon after donating blood if I wasn''t here." They both made their way to the waiting room in front of the operation room, where Alexander, Joan, and Abigail''s parents were sitting. As soon as Alexander spotted ire, his eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze dropping to where Matthew''s arm rested around her waist. He didn''t like seeing another man touch ire, even if it was Matthew, her trusted right-hand man. His protective instincts red up, but he knew now wasn''t the time to get into it. There was too much going on. He stood up as ire approached, his frown still present but his tone controlled. "How did it go?" he asked, trying to keep the focus on the situation at hand. ire nodded calmly. "It went well," she said, her voice steady. "Everything''s going ording to n." Abigail''s parents, who had been sitting quietly, stood up as well. Her mother looked at ire with teary eyes, clearly overwhelmed by gratitude. "You really donate your blood?" she asked, her voice filled with emotion. ire smiled warmly at them, even though she was starting to feel the exhaustion hit her. "Yes," she replied. "I wanted to help. Abigail''s my friend." Without warning, Abigail''s mother pulled ire into a hug, squeezing her tightly. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much. You''ve given us hope." ire, though not typically one for emotional moments like this, returned the hug briefly before pulling away. "It''s really fine," she said softly. "I''m just d I could help." But as soon as she stepped back, the world tilted slightly. Her vision blurred for a moment, and her legs felt like jelly beneath her. Before she could fall, Matthew''s reflexes kicked in, and he grabbed her waist again, steadying her before Alexander could even make a move, Alexander clenched his fists at his sides, fighting the urge to push Matthew out of the way and be the one helping ire. He didn''t like seeing someone else stepping in to take care of her, but he knew better than to start something right now. He forced himself to stay calm, his jaw tightening as he spoke. "You need to rest, ire." ire, still feeling lightheaded, nodded in agreement. "I know," she said, her voice quieter than usual. She turned to Abigail''s parents, offering them another smile. "I''ll head home for now, but I''ll be back once my energy''s back." Abigail''s father nodded, his face still full of gratitude. "Take care of yourself, ire. We can''t thank you enough for what you''ve done." Abigail''s mother nodded, her eyes brimming with tears of relief. "Thank you, ire. Thank you for everything you''ve done." ire gave a faint smile. "It was nothing." Alexander stepped forward slightly, clearing his throat. "I''ll take you home," he offered, his voice a little too eager. He stepped closer to ire, but she quickly shook her head. "I''ve got Matthew," she said, shaking her head. "He''s already taking care of me." Matthew, still holding ire by the waist, gave a smug smirk. "Yep, I''m on it," he said, clearly enjoying the situation a little too much. Alexander stood there, a frown pulling at his lips as he watched ire and Matthew head toward the exit. He didn''t say anything, but the tension in his posture spoke volumes. He couldn''t shake the feeling of being sidelined, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. As they left, ire nced back once, catching Alexander''s expression. She sighed softly, but there wasn''t much she could do about it. Matthew was already guiding her to the car, making sure she didn''t stumble again. "Let''s get you home before you fall overpletely," Matthew teased as they walked out of the building. ire rolled her eyes but allowed herself to lean a little more on him. "I''m fine," she muttered, though she knew he was right. The events of the day had taken a toll on her, and she was drained, both physically and mentally. "You''re fine?" Matthew scoffed, helping her into the passenger seat of the car. "If you''re fine, I''m a ballroom dancer." ireughed weakly. "You''re definitely not that." Matthew chuckled as he closed the car door behind her and slid into the driver''s seat. "Exactly. So don''t try to convince me you''re okay when you look like you''ve just run a marathon." A few hourster, at the hospital, Abigail had been moved to a VIP room. The blood transfusion had worked wonders, and her operation had been a sess. Her parents had stayed by her side the entire night, refusing to leave even for a moment. They were exhausted, but their relief overshadowed their fatigue as they waited anxiously for Abigail to wake up. "Do you think she''ll wake up soon?" Abigail''s mother whispered to her husband, her eyes never leaving her daughter''s peaceful face. "She will," he replied, his voice low but full of hope. "She''s a fighter." Chapter 271 Behind the Crash The dingy, dimly lit room was filled with the quiet hum of nervous tension. Three men stood huddled around a phone, their faces pale as one of them held the device to his ear. The sound of Lisa''s voice on the other end crackled through the speaker, and her sharp tone "So, it''s done?" Lisa asked, her voice smooth but with an underlying edge. was anything butforting. The man holding the phone, Greg, swallowed hard, trying to muster up some courage. "Y-Yeah, we did the job," he stammered, ncing at the other two men, who looked just as anxious as he did. There was a brief pause at the other end of the line before Lisa''s voice returned, this time with a wicked grin clearly audible in her tone. "Good job," she said, sounding pleased. Greg''s hands were mmy, and he shifted ufortably, exchanging a look with hispanions. They knew they had messed up, and now came the hard part-telling Lisa. Taking a deep breath, Greg opened his mouth to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. Lisa was not someone you wanted to deliver bad news to. Sensing his hesitation, Lisa''s voice snapped through the phone, sharp and impatient. "If you''ve got something to say, then say it. I don''t have all day!" Greg winced and finally blurted it out. "We... we were only supposed to scare her, like you said. But she, uh... she freaked out. She started running toward the street, and... the next thing we know, she got hit by a car." There was a stunned silence on the other end of the phone. Lisa, sittingfortably in her chic apartment, stood up so fast her chair scraped against the floor. Her eyes widened, and for a second, she was too surprised to speak. "What?" she finally spat out. "You were supposed to scare her, not kill her!" Greg flinched as if she could reach through the phone and p him. "We didn''t mean for it to happen! She just... freaked out and ran! And then we panicked and... well, we ran too." Lisa''s grip tightened on the phone as she paced back and forth. Her mind raced. This wasn''t part of the n. Abigail was supposed to be scared, shaken up enough to stay away from Alexander. But now, she might be seriously hurt or worse. "Do you even know if she''s alive?" Lisa demanded; her voice icy. Greg exchanged a nervous nce with the others. "Uh... no. We, uh... we didn''t stick around to check." Lisa let out a long, frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath. "Alright, listen up. None of you are to say a word about this to anyone. Got it? You all keep your mouth shut, and I''ll make sure the money is transferred. Understood?" Greg nodded, even though she couldn''t see him, and the other men murmured their agreement. "Got it," Greg said quickly. "We won''t say anything." "Good," Lisa said sharply before ending the call. As soon as the phone disconnected, Lisa tossed it onto the couch and stood there for a moment, trying to wrap her head around what had just happened. Abigail might be dead. The thought should have made her panic, but instead, a slow grin spread across her lips. She walked over to therge window. She muttered to herself. "Well, I didn''t kill her. I just told them to scare her. If she ended up under a car, that''s not on me. Probably being dramatic anyway." She smirked, feeling the weight of her twisted thoughts shift into something resembling satisfaction. "A bonus on my n," she murmured, staring out at the bustling streets below. "More importantly, Alexander is mine again. Abigail''s out of the picture. I just hope no one digs too deep and assumes this was just a pure ident." With a deep breath, Lisa leaned against the ss, her reflection staring back at her, the grin still on her face. As Lisa basked in her twisted sense of victory, the men on the other side of the phone call were in full panic mode. "We are so screwed," Oscar muttered, pacing back and forth in the grimy warehouse they were holed up in. "No kidding," said Hank, the tallest of the three, rubbing his hands over his face. "Boss might act like she''s cool with it now, but what if she decides to pin this whole thing on us if the heat gets too high?" Tom, the quietest of the group, finally spoke up from where he sat on a crate. "We have to make sure no one finds out we were involved. Wey low, keep our heads down, and pray no one links us to that woman." The next day, ire had ns to visit Abigail at the hospital. She sat on her couch, herptop already open, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Her brows furrowed she typed out emails with the usual efficiency. She was still recovering, but clearly, that hadn''t stopped her from diving right back into work. Matthew, however, had other thoughts. He had let himself into ire''s penthouse, quietly slipping inside like a stealthy ninja-except for the fact that he stumbled over his own shoe as he closed the door behind him. ire didn''t even look up. "ire," Matthew said, exasperated, as he stood in the middle of the living room. "You''re supposed to be resting. You''re still weak." ire waved a hand in dismissal, her eyes not leaving theptop screen. "I''m fine, Matthew. I''ve already had my tea. Plus, I n on visiting Abigail today. You cane with me if you''re so worried." Matthew blinked. "You''re serious? ire, you just donated your blood. You need more than just tea to get back to normal." "I''m fine," ire insisted again, still not tearing her eyes away from the screen. She typed furiously, her fingers moving at lightning speed "Besides, you can drive. That way, you can make sure I don''t faint on the way to the hospital." Matthew sighed, clearly defeated, but he knew arguing with ire was like arguing with a brick wall-pointless. "Fine, but we should stop and get something for Abigail. Flowers, maybe some fruit." ire finally looked up, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thoughtful. Let''s do that." Meanwhile, back at the office, Alexander was having a much less peaceful morning. He strolled into Christian''s office, not bothering to knock, and flopped onto the couch with a groan. Christian looked up from his desk, surprised to see Alexander looking so worn out. "Rough morning?" Christian asked, raising an eyebrow. Alexander nodded, rubbing his temples. "You could say that. I need a favor." Christian leaned back in his chair, intrigued. "What is it?" "I need a good publicist. One who isn''t like Mateo Jones that guy''s a nightmare," Alexander said with a grimace. "Someone who actually knows how to respect people." Christian chuckled, nodding. "Consider it done, though. I''ll find someone better for you." Alexander let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks. I can''t deal with more drama right now."N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. There was a brief pause before Alexander continued, his expression more serious. "By the way, Abigail''s in the hospital." Christian''s eyes widened. "What? What happened?" "Car identst night," Alexander exined, his voice heavy with concern. Christian''s face softened with worry. "Is she going to be, okay?" "She''s being treated at the hospital right now. I''m not sure how bad it is, though. My mother made me leavest night to get some rest. I haven''t checked in yet today, but I''m heading back to the hospital soon." Christian nodded, his mind clearly processing the news. "I''ll visit her after I''m done with work." Silence filled the room for a few moments as Christian took in the weight of the situation. Then Alexander suddenly said, almost too casually, "Oh, and ire donated her bloodst night." Christian had been mid-sip of his water when those words hit him. He choked, sputtering, and barely managed to swallow the rest of his drink without coughing it all over his desk. "Wait, what?" he gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief. Chapter 272 Coma Alexander said, leaning back and crossing his arms, clearly amused by Christian''s reaction. "Abigail lost a lot of blood, and none of her family members, including me, were a match. So, I called ire. Long story short, she went to the hospital and donated her blood." Christian blinked rapidly, still trying to process the information. "Wait, wait. ire? ire has low blood pressure. Are we talking about the same ire here?" Alexander frowned, looking genuinely confused. "ire has low blood pressure?" Christian raised an eyebrow, the surprise in his expression quickly morphing into amusement. "You''ve been married to her for three years and you didn''t know?" Alexander''s frown deepened, irritation starting to creep in. "I didn''t exactly make it my business to memorize her medical history."Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Christian chuckled, shaking his head. "No wonder she hates you." Alexander shot him a re that could melt ice, but Christian only continued tough. "Seriously though, man, I''m shocked. I didn''t expect her to do something like that. I mean, she''s always been kind in her own way, but with her condition, it''s risky. She could get really weak or worse, pass out." Alexander looked away, a strange mixture of guilt and frustration crossing his features. "I didn''t know. I just needed a solution for Abigail, and she was the only person I could think of who might be able to help. I didn''t expect her to agree so quickly, though." Christian shook his head, still grinning but with a touch more seriousness in his voice now. "Well, that''s ire for you. She''ll never admit it, but she''s always been there when someone really needs her. She''d probably argue about itter, though. You know how she is prideful to the core." ire arrived at the hospital, her expression unreadable as she clutched a bouquet of soft pink flowers. Matthew, casually holding a basket of fruit, walked beside her with his usualid-back attitude. They both headed towards the entrance of the hospital when, out of nowhere, ire bumped right into Alexander. For a moment, she locked eyes with him. She gave a short, almost dismissive nod and said nothing, moving forward like nothing had happened. ire wasn''t in the mood for chit-chat, and Alexander could sense that. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could get a word out, Matthew stepped in front of him, cing a firm hand on Alexander''s chest. "Don''t bother her right now," Matthew said, his tone casual but his stance firm, as if this was just another day at the office. Alexander blinked, clearly annoyed but too tired to argue. He shot Matthew a sharp look but let it go, opting to ignore him as they all headed inside. As luck or maybe bad luck-would have it, the three of them found themselves together in the same lift. The tension was thick, the silence almost unbearable. None of them said a word as the elevator slowly ascended. ire nced at her watch, Matthew hummed a random tune, and Alexander stood with his arms crossed, staring at the floor numbers with a frown. Suddenly, ire realized something important. She turned toward Alexander, breaking the awkward silence. "What''s Abigail''s room number?" she asked, her voice calm, but with a hint of urgency. She didn''t want to waste time. Alexander looked at her for a second, as if surprised she was talking to him. "Room 512," he replied, his tone clipped. The elevator dinged as they reached their floor. The doors slid open, and they all stepped out, walking in silence again toward Abigail''s room. When they reached the door, they found Abigail still lying on the bed, machines beeping softly, her body motionless. Matthew, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, spoke up. "Has she woken up at all?" A voice answered from behind them, causing them all to turn. Abigail''s father, Richard, stood at the entrance to the room. He looked exhausted, his eyes heavy with bags, but his posture remained strong. "She hasn''t woken up since the operation," he said quietly, stepping into the room and standing at the foot of his daughter''s bed. "The doctor said everything is fine with her organs, but the impact of the car crash... it put her in aa." ire''s eyes widened in shock. "Aa?" she whispered, barely able to process it. Alexander''s face tightened. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice almost desperate, not wanting to believe it. "This can''t be right." Richard swallowed hard, the sadness in his voice palpable. "I don''t want to believe it either, but that''s what the doctor said. They''re hopeful she''ll wake up, but... no one knows when." ire felt her heart twist for Richard and Abigail. She walked over to Richard, cing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I''m so sorry," she said softly, her voice filled with empathy. Richard looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude and exhaustion. He nodded, trying to muster a small smile. "Thank you for being here. And for donating your blood. I don''t know how to thank you enough." ire smiled gently. "I''m d I could help," she said, then handed him the flowers she had brought. "These are for Abigail. And Matthew brought some fruit." She gestured towards Matthew, who awkwardly raised the basket of fruit with a half-hearted grin. Richard took the flowers and the basket with a tired smile. "Thank you," he repeated, his voice sincere. "And thank you for visiting again. It means a lot." ire studied Richard''s face and noticed how utterly drained he looked. "Mr. Hastings," she began gently, "why don''t you go home for a bit? Get some rest. Matthew and I will stay here and keep an eye on Abigail." Alexander nodded in agreement. "ire''s right. You must be exhausted. We''ll be here. If anything changes, I''ll call you right away." Richard hesitated, ncing back at his daughter. His shoulders sagged in defeat. "I... I don''t know. What if she wakes up and I''m not here?" ire''s expression softened. "Abigail will be sad seeing you like this. Please go home, have some rest, and freshen up. We promise to make sure you''re the first to know," she promised. Richard sighed, his eyes reflecting a deep weariness. "Alright," he finally relented. "But if anything happens, call me immediately." He walked over to Abigail, leaning down to gently kiss her forehead. "Wake up soon, sweetheart, he whispered to her, his voice cracking slightly. Watching him, ire felt her throat tighten. Richard''s love for his daughter was painfully clear, and it tugged at something deep inside her. For a brief moment, she was reminded of her own father, and how she''d give anything to see him again. She blinked rapidly, trying to shove the emotions back down. She couldn''t afford to cry. Not here. Not in front of Alexander. Richard gave Abigail onest look before turning toward the door. "Thank you again, all of you," he said quietly, giving them a small nod before leaving the room. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving ire, Matthew, and Alexander alone with Abigail. ire exhaled deeply, her usual calm demeanor slipping for just a second. "This is awful," she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. Chapter 273 A Hunch ire had been pacing back and forth in Abigail''s hospital room for what felt like hours, her shoes barely making a sound on the tile floor. The tension in the air was thick, and ire''s mind was spinning with questions. Alexander sat on the couch, staring at Abigail, while As ire''s eyes moved to Abigail, whoy unconscious in the hospital bed, her suspicions only grew stronger. Something about the whole situation didn''t sit right with her. Matthew leaned casually against the wall next to the door, his arms crossed as he watched ire walk a path into the floor. The ident that put Abigail here it didn''t feel like an ident at all. It felt... orchestrated. But by who? Did Abigail have enemies she didn''t know about? And, more importantly, did Alexander know about Abigail''s personal life? ire''s curiosity was bubbling up, and it was clear she wasn''t going to let this rest. She nced over at Alexander, who sat on the couch, looking deep in thought. She opened her mouth, her tone calm as usual, not betraying the whirlwind of thoughts inside her head. "What do you think about the ident that happened to Abigail?" ire asked, still standing near the foot of Abigail''s bed. Alexander turned to face her, a frown creasing his forehead. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice heavy with confusion. ire crossed her arms over her chest, her expression as neutral as ever. "I mean, do you think it was just a car ident? Do you really believe there''s no other factor involved?" Alexander narrowed his eyes, clearly unsure where ire was going with this. "What are you getting at, ire? I''ve thought about it, but I haven''t seen any reason to believe it''s anything more than a freak ident. Probably some drunk driver, reckless and careless." ire internally sighed. How could he be so oblivious? It wasn''t that a drunk driver couldn''t have been involved, but the chances seemed slim to her. Abigail was careful, meticulous even, especially when she was working. It just didn''t add up. "Right," ire said, nodding slightly, though it was clear she wasn''t buying it. She cast a nce over at Matthew, and without saying a word, they both knew what needed to be done. ire turned on her heel and headed for the door, Matthew following close behind. Alexander noticed the abrupt exit, his brows knitting together in curiosity, but he said nothing as they walked out. ire''s pace didn''t slow until they were a bit farther down the hallway, far enough from Abigail''s room that no one would overhear. Her face, which had been calm and collected moments before, turned serious. "I need you to investigate what happened the night of Abigail''s ident," she said to Matthew, her voice quiet but firm. Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Why?" "I don''t believe this was just an ident," ire replied, her eyes hard. "As far as I know, Abigail doesn''t have any enemies, but something doesn''t feel right. I need to know if there''s more to this. Who was involved, and what really happened that night." Matthew raised his brows. "What if she has that we both don''t know about?" ire thought again for a while then shook her head. "I''m pretty sure she doesn''t have one. Someone like Abigail is quite impossible to have an enemy." Matthew was silent for a moment, his eyes searching ire''s face. "You''re sure? You really think someone''s behind this?" ire''s lips pressed into a thin line. "I don''t know for sure, but I need to be. And even if she doesn''t have enemies, maybe she''s hiding something. We need to find out what." Matthew nodded slowly, though he didn''t seem entirely convinced. "I hope you''re wrong. I can''t imagine anyone wanting to do this to Abigail." "Neither can I," ire admitted, her voice softening just a bit. "But that''s exactly why we need to look into it. Because if I''m right..." She didn''t finish the thought, but they both knew what it meant. "I''ll dig into it," Matthew said after a moment, his voice steady. "I''ll figure out where she went that night, who she talked to, and what really happened. If there''s anything suspicious, I''ll find it." "Good," ire replied, giving him a curt nod. "And report back as soon as you know anything." They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation settling in. Matthew pushed off from the wall, ready to get started, but he paused before heading off. "ire," he said, his tone lighter now. "You''re really hoping this is just a crazy hunch, right?" ire managed a small, tired smile. "Trust me, I''m hoping I''m wrong more than you know." Matthew sighed as he started the long drive back to Cryptonic, his mind buzzing with thoughts. The hospital was far behind him now, and it was going to be at least tweet hours until he arrived at Cryptonic. ire had practically designed the security protocols for the ce, so it was like walking into his own backyard. With the easy ess he had there, finding out about Abigail''s whereabouts shouldn''t take too long. Matthew''s thoughts and the endless miles of road were the only ??? peaceful moments before getting to work, he didn''t mind. Upon reaching Cryptonic atst, he proceeded directly to his workspace. There was no time to waste. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Sitting at his desk, Matthew pulled up hisptop and began the tedious task of tracking Abigail''s phone. If anyone could figure out when and where shest used it, it would be him theputer screen lit up with lines of code, and Matthew''s fingers danced across the keys. Meanwhile, back at the hospital, ire sat quietly next to Abigail''s bed. She stared at the still figure on the bed, her mind elsewhere. It was unsettling to see Abigail like this, hooked up to machines, lying so still. Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the silence, and both ire and Alexander were startled. Alexander moved quickly to the door and opened it. Standing there was a police officer, apanied by a nurse. The nurse nced between ire and Alexander before speaking. "They''re here to see Abigail''s parents," the nurse informed them softly. Alexander, keeping hisposure, replied, "Her parents aren''t here. I''m a close friend of Abigail''s." The police officer nodded, acknowledging Alexander. "Would you mind stepping out with us for a moment? We need to talk." Alexander hesitated for a split second, ncing back at ire. "Can you stay here with her?" he asked. ire nodded, saying nothing but offering a brief, reassuring look. With that, Alexander stepped out into the hallway, following the police officer as they moved further away from the room, far enough that their conversation couldn''t be overheard. Once they were far enough, the officer cleared his throat. "Mr. Alexander, I''m afraid I have some news about the car ident involving Ms. Hastings." Alexander''s brow furrowed in confusion and concern. "Go on." The officer continued, his tone serious. "We''ve recovered some of Ms. Hastings'' belongings at the scene of the ident. Her phone and her bag, specifically." He handed the items over to Alexander, who took them with a deep frown. The officer exined further. "We found themst night. Her bag was inside a garbage can not far from the crash site, and her phone was a few meters away from the car." Alexander''s confusion deepened as he processed the information. "Wait... her bag was in a garbage can? What does that even mean? Was it just a random ident, or is there something else going on here?" The officer''s expression was grim. "That''s what we''re still trying to determine, sir. However, we have arrested the driver who crashed into Ms. Hastings. He''s currently being held for questioning." At this, Alexander''s eyes darkened with fury. His jaw clenched, and his hands tightened around Abigail''s belongings. "I want to see him," he demanded, his voice low but filled with anger. Chapter 274 It Wasn’t an Accident ire sat back in the hospital chair, her phone buzzing in her pocket. She pulled it out, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Matthew''s name sh on the screen. She didn''t hesitate to answer. "Matthew," ire said quickly, "did you find anything?" Matthew, on the other end, didn''t waste any time. "You were right, ire. This wasn''t just a car ident." ire sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing. "What did you find?" "Well," Matthew began, sounding almost too casual for the bombshell he was about to drop, "I managed to track Abigail''s phone. After looking into the area where she wasst, I found some surveince cameras. I hacked into them." "Impressive," ire replied with a nod, secretly pleased with how fast Matthew worked. "Yeah, well, the footage shows Abigail leaving what looks like an apartment building. I don''t know whose apartment it is, but that''s not the point. She walks outside, and then, just her luck, it starts pouring rain. She tries to hail a taxi, but none of them stop." ire frowned. "So she''s stranded in the rain?" "Exactly. She starts walking, and that''s when things get weird. Three men surround her. I don''t know what their deal is, but they''re definitely bothering her. She looks ufortable." ire leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "And then?" "Abigail tries to call someone on her phone, but one of the men snatches it from her. So, being the smart woman she is, she throws her bag at them and runs off. That''s where the footage cuts out. I haven''t hacked into the other cameras yet, but I''m working on it." ire sat quietly, digesting the information. She had known something wasn''t right about the ident. Now she had proof. "Keep me updated as soon as you get more footage," she instructed, her voice calm but firm. "Will do," Matthew replied before hanging up. As soon as the call ended, ire leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the armrest. She wasn''t one to trust the police easily, not when they tended to overlook the finer details. ire preferred handling things her own way-methodical, precise, and with results. Meanwhile, Alexander was still in a heated discussion with the police in the hallway. His frustration was growing by the second. "I want to meet the driver who hit Abigail," Alexander repeated, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. The officer, sensing that Alexander wasn''t going to drop the issue, nodded. "We''ll contact you when it''s the right time. You''ll need to bring Abigail''s parents too." Alexander''s face softened for a brief moment, thinking about Abigail''s family. He gave a curt nod and thanked the officer before heading back to Abigail''s room. His heart ached as he carried Abigail''s belongings, memories of her smile shing through his mind. As soon as he walked into the room, ire''s eyes snapped to him, though they quickly drifted to the items in his hands. She tilted her head, curiosity in her gaze. "Is that Abigail''s stuff?" Alexander nodded, his expression still tense. "Yeah, the police gave it to me." ire''s calm voice cut through the air. "What did the police say?" Alexander ran a hand through his hair, still simmering with anger. "They''ve got the driver who crashed into her. I''ll be meeting him once they arrange it." ire raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair with an air of detached curiosity. ire nced at her phone and nodded, not saying much as she skimmed through emails. She was lost in thought, thinking back on her own investigation into Abigail''s ident. The police? ire didn''t trust their techniques, even though they were involved. She preferred doing things her way, with efficiency and no loose ends. Alexander, seated across from her on a couch, asionally nced at her. He was also absorbed in his phone, probably dealing with work emails or messages from their shared contacts. The silence in the hospital room was thick, broken only by the asional beep from the machines monitoring Abigail''s condition. The room was peaceful, except for the underlying tension. Abigail, still in aa,y quietly in the hospital bed, her breathing steady but shallow ire sat beside the bed ncing asionally at the patient, but mostly focused on her phone. Both she and Alexander were on high alert, ready in case there was any change in Abigail''s condition. A knock on the door broke the silence, and Alexander got up to answer it. He opened the door to find Christian standing there, holding a box of cake. Christian grinned, stepping inside. "Hey, I brought cake," he said, waving the box like it was a grand gesture. ire raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by his arrival. "Christian, what are you doing here?" she asked, her tone light but curious. "Alexander told me about Abigail when I was at the office earlier," Christian replied, setting the cake down on a nearby table. "I wanted to stop by and see how she''s doing. I know her too." ire gave a small nod, understanding. As Christian settled in, he turned his attention to Abigail, noticing the pale stillness in her face. His smile faltered. "How''s she doing?" he asked, ncing between Alexander and ire.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Alexander sighed, leaning back against the door. "She''s in aa." Christian''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Aa? How did that happen?" ire, still looking at Abigail, answered in her usual calm, matter-of-fact tone. "She hit her head. The impact was bad enough to put her in aa." Christian frowned, clearly shaken by the news. He turned to ire, his voice more serious now. "Did you really donate blood for her?" ire nodded, not making a big deal out of it. "It had to be done." Christian''s concern deepened. "But you''ve got low blood pressure, don''t you? Are you okay?" ire took a deep breath, not expecting Christian to remember that little detail about her. She could feel Alexander''s eyes on her now, watching her closely, but she ignored him and kept her gaze fixed on Abigail. "It was necessary, she said, her voice steady. "If I didn''t donate, there was a good chance she wouldn''t survive." Her phone buzzed in her hand, a text message lighting up the screen from Matthew. ire nced at it quickly before standing up, a little too fast. The room tilted slightly, and she immediately regretted the sudden movement. Before she could steady herself, Christian was at her side, his hand on her arm to keep her from falling. "You, okay?" Christian asked, his eyes full of concern. ire waved him off, trying to act like nothing was wrong. "I''m fine. Just stood up too fast." Alexander, still standing by the door, was watching her with a frown. He didn''t say anything, but his concern was written all over his face. ire wasn''t in the mood to deal with it. "I''ve got work to do," she said abruptly, pulling herself together. She didn''t even nce in Alexander''s direction as she walked toward the door. "I''m leaving." As she left, Christian let out a low chuckle, turning to Alexander. "She didn''t even spare you a nce. Did you two talk?" Alexander shook his head and Chrisitan replied. "You two are in the same room and not talking? Man, that''s awkward." Alexander''s frown deepened; his thoughts clearly somewhere else. "She''s stubborn," he muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "She never lets anyone help her, never wants anyone to worry about her." Alexander couldn''t shake the worry gnawing at him. "I''ll talk to herter," he said finally, more to himself than to Christian. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 275 Building a Robot ire sat in the back of the taxi staring out the window as the buildings whizzed by. Her mind wasn''t really on the scenery, though. Her thoughts were interrupted as the taxi pulled up in front of Metacortex. She took a deep breath, stepped out, thanked the driver, and walked into the sleek lobby of her building. There, as always, was Sandra at her desk, typing away in that efficient rhythm she always had. ire barely looked her way as she made directly for her office, but Sandra leaped up quickly and hurried after her. "Ms. Peterson, wait! Don''t-" The door creaked open at ire''s nudge as Sandra''s voice cut off. And then she froze. Seated on her couch, looking perfectly at ease, was Mr. Montgomery. For a split second, his presence took her aback, but then in a sh, her poise clicked back into ce. Behind her, Sandra bit her lip, clearly nervous as she whispered a rushed apology. ire shot her a quick re and Sandra promptly scurried away, shutting the door behind her. "ire," Mr. Montgomery greeted her with a warm smile as if he hadn''t just ambushed her in her own office. "Mr. Montgomery," ire said in greeting as she extended her hand and stepped further into the room. She dropped her bag to the floor before sitting down on the couch across from him. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?" His smile never wavered as he eased back, gettingfortable. "I wanted to check in on you, and see how you''re doing." ire raised one eyebrow, her poker face firmly set. "That''s it? I have the feeling there''s more to this than just a wellness check." Mr. Montgomery chuckled low in his throat, shaking his head. "You''ve always been sharp, ire. You''re right. There is something else." His expression turned serious. "Is there something you''d like to tell me about?" ire shrugged, keeping her voice casual. "Not really. Everything''s running smoothly, as usual." Mr. Montgomery gave her a long, estimating look. "ire, I''ve vouch for you to throw Robert away from thispany because you are the sole owner of thispany and made it more profitable than I ever imagined. But that doesn''t mean you can hide things from me or from the other stakeholders." Her heart skipped a beat, but outwardly she didn''t bat an eysh. She had a bad feeling about where this might lead. He reached into his suit pocket, pulled out a small stack of photos, and slid them across the table toward her. "Take a look," he said, his voice serious. ire picked up the photos; her eyes scanned each. Pictures of delivery trucks outside the building, packages being unloaded-packages meant for the robot project. The less-than-subtle couriers had dropped them off in broad daylight right in front of thepany. "Where did you get this?" He shrugged. "I don''t know. It was sent to my house." She ced the photos back down, resting her hands on herp as she met Mr. Montgomery''s gaze. "I wasn''t trying to hide anything. I just didn''t want the wrong people finding out before we''re ready to make an official announcement." Mr. Montgomery sat back and furrowed his brow. "ire, you may be the CEO, and you may hold the majority of the shares, but we-myself and the other stakeholders equally invested in the sess of thispany. We need to know exactly what''s going on. So, what is the situation, exactly?" ire blew out, knowing she had limited options. The project wasn''t something she could keep in the closet forever, not with snoopy couriers and investors sniffing around. "Alright," she said, still trying to keep a poker face, "we are building a robot. From scratch." Mr. Montgomery''s eyes widened like she had just told him she was building a spaceship in her backyard. "What?" he asked, his voice full of disbelief. "You''re what?" ire kept her cool, her tone as steady as ever. "I didn''t have much of a choice. No one else would take the job, and the timeline is tight. So, I''m taking matters into my own hands." He didn''t let her continue. Before she could exin further, he cut her off, raising his voice slightly. "ire, this isn''t just risky, it''s a death move! You''re ying with fire here!"novelbin ire closed her eyes briefly, trying to suppress the surge of frustration rising inside her. She took a deep breath before responding. "You''re quick to judge," she said, her voice calm but firm. "I didn''t want to take this on either, but Harris Hoteis my business partner. The entire theme of this project is technology and a futuristic concept, and they expect me to deliver. I couldn''t just turn my back on that." She paused, giving Mr. Montgomery a chance to let her words sink in. He stared at her, his expression still tense. ire continued, "I''ve already contacted every top robotic them were willing to take on the challenge because of the short deadline. They all have their hands full with other projects. But Alex liked the idea, and since I''m the one who suggested having a robot greet guests in the lobby, I can''t just back out now. I refuse to disappoint Harris. I have to maintain my professionalism." She leaned back in her chair, watching as Mr. Montgomery struggled to process everything. "Alexander is fine with me handling it, as long as I finish before the deadline and the robot is a sess. l That''s why I stepped, even created a robotics division within Metacortex. I''m not doing this blindly." Mr. Montgomery fell silent for a moment, his frown deepening as he absorbed all this new information. Finally, he spoke. "Where''s your team?" he asked, his voiceced with skepticism. ire didn''t hesitate. "For now, it''s a secret team. I don''t want people to know about it." He frowned deeper, clearly not liking her answer. "Why hide it? What''s the point of secrecy?" ire straightened in her chair, her eyes hardening. "Last time people knew about one of my projects, Robert stole my ideas and sold them to Venus AMD. That''s why Cortex 2.0 had to be rebuilt from scratch. Do you know how much time and money that cost us? I''m not taking that risk again." Mr. Montgomery sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as if trying to massage away a growing headache. "This is a huge gamble, ire. What happens if it doesn''t work? What if the robot doesn''t function the way you expect? Announcing something like this and failing-it''ll ruin Metacortex." ire scoffed, her patience wearing thin. "Are you doubting my skills now?" Mr. Montgomery held up his hands defensively. "I''m just saying..." "I know it''s risky," ire interrupted, her tone sharp. "But I wouldn''t have pulled together the most talented people I know if I didn''t believe this could work. And I wouldn''t announce it until I was sure the robot would meet our standards. I''m not Robert. I don''t cut corners." Her eyes burned with determination; the fire of her ambition visible as she stared him down. Mr. Montgomery sighed again, clearly torn. He didn''t doubt ire''s drive, but the whole thing made him uneasy. "Fine," he finally relented, "but I want to meet your team." ire shook her head immediately. "You can''t. It''s confidential. No one can know about them until the project is ready to be revealed." Mr. Montgomery frowned but didn''t push any further. "Alright, but don''t mess this up. If you do, you''ll be no different from Robert. And you know what kind of damage he caused." ire rolled her eyes,pletely unfazed by his warning. "Robert''s not even on my level, not by an inch." Chapter 276 Interrogation ire watched him leave, her gaze steady as the door clicked shut behind him. Once he was gone, she sighed, leaning back on the couch. She picked up a photo on her table, turning it over in her hands. The photo had been sent to Mr. Montgomery. As she stared at the image, her mind raced. Who sent it? What was their goal? And more importantly, how had they known about her ns? Then something clicks inside her mind. A grin crossed her lips as ireughed out loud. "I can''t believe he went all this way just to ruin me," she muttered to herself. ire got to her feet and made her way over to her desk with the photo in hand. She slid the picture into the shelf and locked it carefully. With a deep breath, she turned her focus back to the task at hand-watching the video that Matthew had sent her. She sat down in her chair and opened herptop to y the footage. It wasn''t of great quality, nowhere near as sharp as the first clip, but she wasn''t about to let that stop her.novelbin The video showed Abigail walking down the dark alley; she was followed by three men. Luckily, there were cameras at each end of the alley, but unfortunately, none were positioned inside the alley itself. The next thing ire saw was Abigail running out of the darkness, heading right towards the street. There was panic at every step as ire winced in horror when the car mmed into her, sending Abigail flying across the street, her body lying dead on the ground. The three men darted away, leaving Abigail behind them. ire''s hand hovered over her phone, frustration and determination swirling inside her. She dialed Matthew''s number, bringing the phone to her ear. "ire?" Matthew answered, his voice calm butced with curiosity. "You''ve seen the video?" "I have," ire replied, her eyes still stuck to the screen, reying the moment of impact over and over. "But I watched the video. There''s no footage from inside the alley, just the part where she runs out. Why is that?" Matthew sighed heavily on the other end of the line. "Yeah, unfortunately, there''s no surveince camera positioned in the alley itself. It''s a blind spot." ire''s face furrowed in a frown as her fingers drummed on the desk and her mind turned over. "This is weird," she said aloud to herself. "I talked to Alexander earlier at the hospital, and the police had handed him Abigail''s stuff. They said that the driver who hit her was already at the police station." That driver is just another victim of those three men," Matthew said; his voice conveyed frustration, but understanding. "They probably didn''t anticipate her running out in front of traffic like that." ire frowned and yed the moment Abigail rushed out into the street, again. "It doesn''t look like the driver expected anyone to jump in front of the car, especially with rain. The visibility would have been terrible. But we need to make certain the driver had no connection with those three guys." Matthew''s voice was musing. "How do you n to figure that out? They were all wearing masks and hoodies. Going to be quite hard to track them down." Still watching the video, something finally caught ire''s eye. She leaned in closer to the screen, pausing the footage. A light flickered in her mind as the beginnings of an idea formed. "I think I just saw something," she muttered, her brain racing quickly. "I''ll call youter, Matthew. Stay at Cryptonic and keep your phone close." "Wait, what?" Matthew''s voice was filled with confusion, but ire had already hung up. Back at the police station, Alexander entered with Abigail''s father. The two men exited the car as the feeling around them reached a solemn point, entering the building. Alexander didn''t waste a second but went straight to the front desk. "I was contacted earlier by the officers who visited the hospital," Alexander exined to the officer at the desk. "They said I could see the driver involved in the ident." He nodded and escorted Alexander to a room down the hall, while Abigail''s dad stayed behind to speak with the police handling the case. The minute Alexander entered the interrogation room, his demeanor changed. His calm cove expression turned to icy ٧ڧާ determination. He sat across from the driver, his arms across his chest, his re piercing. Alexander didn''t waste any time and said bluntly, "You killed Abigail." His voice was low, but he could hear the coldness in it. The driver was a middle-aged man who shook visibly. "It...it wasn''t on purpose," he stammered out, grasping the table in front of him tightly. "I didn''t see her. It was raining so hard, and then she just was just there. I tried to stop. I swear I tried." Alexander narrowed his eyes, surveying the man. "So, you are saying it was an ident?" The driver nodded quickly, haggardness in his eyes. "Yes, of course. I didn''t know anybody would run into the street. I was just driving home." Alexander sat opposite him, his eyes cold, hard, and unforgiving of any sympathy. "You''re telling me you didn''t notice anything? No sign of why she ran out like that?" He wasn''t buying his excuses yet. It all seemed so convenient, so perfectly timed. The man shook his head vehemently, mopping the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. "No, sir, nothing. Just the rain. One second the road was clear and the next... she was right there. I swear it all happened so fast." Alexander''s eyes narrowed further, tant skepticism. "And you''re sure you weren''t distracted? Looking at your phone, maybe?" He looked horrified at the insinuation. "No! I wasn''t distracted at all. I was just trying to get home in one piece. It wasing down so hard I could barely see the lines on the road. Honest. I didn''t mean to hit her." Alexander leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. His cold, sharp eyes didn''t feave the driver while he sized him up, his mind trying to work out whether he was actually lying. From the stammer of his words to the way he acted in such a panicked state, he seemed to be telling the truth-or at least, part of it. Finally, after a strained silence, the driver said again in barely a whisper, "Is she... is she going to make it? Is she... dead?" Alexander''s gaze didn''t relent. He spoke ice-cold: "She''s not dead. But she is in aa. We don''t know when-if-she''ll wake up." The driver gasped, his face as white as snow, as he slumped in his seat. "Oh my God. I didn''t know. I swear, I didn''t know. Please, you have got to believe me. I didn''t mean this to happen." Alexander stared at him a moment longer, before blowing out a breath, the tension in his body releasing, the stiffness never leaving his frame, He still couldn''t be certain he believed this man had nothing to do with her death, yet from his reaction, he knew the man hadn''t expected Abigail to run onto the road that night. Something wasn''t quite adding up with this whole thing. Why would she run into the street without looking to see if the road was clear? It was almost as if she was running away from something or someone. Chapter 277 Don’t Get Caught ire made her way to the hospital. Her head was filled with thoughts- none of them good. She just couldn''t shake that feeling of foreboding that had fallen upon her since the time she heard about the ident. Something about it all didn''t feel right. By the time ire arrived at the hospital, she went directly to Abigail''s room with a sense of growing urgency. She opened the door, stepped inside, and was greeted by an unexpectedly empty room by her expectations of some nurse or doctor keeping an eye on things. ire furrowed her brow as she scanned the room; quickly, her eyes fell on something sitting on the side, a small zip-lock stic bag with a phone inside it. Intrigued, she took a step closer and picked it up, carefully examining it. It looked like Abigail''s phone. As she was about to slip the phone into her bag, a voice startled her from behind. "ire Peterson? Is that you?" ire froze, cursing under her breath. Of all the times to get caught, this definitely wasn''t the one. ire barely had the time to react. She turned around and hid it behind her back as Mary, Abigail''s mother, walked into the room. "Hi." Mary, bright and beaming, must have gotten the surprise of her life seeing ire again from the blood donation the day before. "ire! I wasn''t expecting to see you today. Thank you so much foring by earlier with the flowers and fruits for Abigail. Richard mentioned your visit." ire nodded, trying not to freak out. "My pleasure," she replied calmly, trying to sound smooth, as she felt the phone in her hand pressed against her back. Mary came further into the room and ire clutched the phone she was still holding a little tighter. She had absolutely no time to hide it in her bag. The next thing that happened, Mary leaned forward and gave her a quick, firm hug. ire stiffened in surprise. She was not really the hugging type, but sheposed herself quickly, keeping her face calm. When Mary let go, she smiled warmly, clearly touched by ire''s kindness. "Thank you for everything, ire. That''s really kind of you." For a moment, ire was caught off guard, and the sight of Mary automatically brought her mother to mind. At that very moment, an image of her mother standing outside the operating room, heartbroken, shed through her mind. It was painful; she pushed it away. Gentlyying her hand on Mary''s shoulder, ire reassured her softly, "Abigail''s going to be fine. She''ll get back to normal soon." Mary nodded, though her eyes had gone a little ssy with unshed tears. "I hope so." ire took a deep breath. "I should be going now. I just came to pick up something I left behind." Mary smiled again. "Of course. Thanks for everything. Please visit again soon." "I will," ire promised, her body now turned toward the door as her back was to Mary. She walked out and casually slipped the phone into her bag. As she stepped into the hallway, she almost collided with Alexander. He frowned in clear surprise to see her. "ire? What are you doing here?" ire''s expression did not change; it remained calm andposed. "I forgot something," she replied simply, already ready for further questions. Alexander couldn''t help it and had to know. "What did you forget?" His tone filled with curiosity. ire clicked her tongue in annoyance. "My purse." Abigail''s father, Richard, suddenly materialized beside Alexander and greeted ire warmly. "ire! I was not expecting to see you again today. You have already visited earlier today." ire nodded politely. "Yes, I have juste back because I forgot my purse." Richard nodded understandingly. "Ah, I see. We''ve juste from the police station. I had to talk to the officer in charge of the case, and Alexander was talking to the driver." ire raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing. She merely nodded, feigning interest. "Well, I have to get back to work now." Richard smiled warmly at her. "Of course, ire. Don''t work too hard, and please visit Abigail soon." ire nodded again, already taking a step toward the elevator. Alexander watched her leave for a moment, then abruptly decided that he needed to follow her. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. "ire, wait," Alexander said, sounding slightly apologetic as he realized how abrupt his move was. ire nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard Alexander''s voice behind her. She had been so focused on her n that she hadn''t even noticed him walk in. Her immediate response was to re at him. "Do you always sneak up on people like that?" she snapped, crossing her arms as she turned to face him. Alexander released her immediately, hands rising into the air as if in surrender. "I didn''t mean to startle you. I''m sorry, I just-well, I never asked how you did after giving blood yesterday." ire blinked at him, her surprisenovelbin quickly turning into suspicion. She raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that question. "You''re asking about my well-being?" she asked, a touch of sarcasm inher voice. "That''s unexpected." "Well, yeah. I mean, it was a pretty big deal, you donating your blood like that. I figured I should check in." With difort, ire cleared her throat. This unexpected worry left her unsure of how to react. Her voice a little more rigid than usual, she responded simply, "I''m fine." Alexander nodded but apparently did not know how he could continue. "I only wanted to say... don''t overexert yourself. When you are tired, take a break. You needn''t run yourself down, even about the ''robot'' project." ire pursed her lips, not in the mood for arguments about her behavior at work. "I...ah, heard that you have low blood pressure. Is that true?" An eyebrow was raised by ire, and the tone turned sarcastic, her words dripping with dry humor. "Are you feeling guilty for making me donate my blood to your childhood friend?" Alexander''s scowl deepened, and he shook his head immediately. "No, that''s not it..I mean. I''m worried about you." Then his voice softened, and he really looked concerned. "I didn''t know you had low blood pressure. I wouldn''t have asked you if" ire scoffed, cutting him off. "Please, I don''t need you to worry about me, Alexander." She crossed her arms again, this time much more irritated. "I''m fine, and I have people who actually care about me." That part came out a little sharper than intended, and Alexander''s face twisted. He snapped back, frustration finally seeping into his voice. "Like Matthew, right?" ire blinked, taken aback by his sudden change in tone. "Exactly like Matthew," she said coldly. "And not like you." ire didn''t answer right away, but her expression said it all. She didn''t have time for this, not now. Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked toward the lift, her footsteps echoing through the room. Alexander stood there, watching her leave, his frustration evident. "ire-" he started, but the lift doors closed before he could say anything more. He was left staring at the closed doors, feeling a mixture of anger and confusion. Chapter 278 Fingerprints catching himpletely off guard. ire stepped out of the helicopter with the wind whipping her hair around and made her way inside Cryptonic. She had barely settled from the rush of the flight when she found herself standing outside Matthew''s office. Without hesitation, she pushed the door open, "ire?" Matthew blinked in surprise, nearly spilling his coffee. "How are you here so fast?"novelbin ire rolled her eyes, walking over to his desk as she dug into her bag. "I don''t have time for pleasantries, Matthew," she said, pulling out a small Ziplock bag. Inside was a phone. "This is Abigail''s phone." Matthew stared at the phone, raising his brows. "And what exactly do you want me to do with it? Make a call or something?" ire shot him a look that practically screamed, Are you serious right now? "No, Matthew," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I''m hoping you can just magically solve everything by staring at it." Matthew chuckled, taking the Ziplock from her hand. "Alright, alright. So, what''s the deal with this phone?" "Do you remember those three men in the footage?" ire crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes. "One of them was holding Abigail''s phone." Matthew''s eyes widened slightly, the realization finally dawning on him. "Ohhh, I see where you''re going with this." ire sighed dramatically. "You see, this is what amazes me about you. How you can be both incredibly smart and incredibly slow at the same time is beyond me." Matthew rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Well, some people like a challenge." He took the Ziplock bag and gave her a mock salute. "I''ll hand it over to the forensic team." ire nodded and plopped down on the couch in his office, leaning back as if the weight of the world had just been momentarily lifted. Matthew disappeared for a few minutes, and when he returned, he tossed her a water bottle from his mini fridge. "Here, hydrate yourself, genius." ire took the bottle and unscrewed the cap, taking a refreshing sip. "Thanks," she said, before asking the inevitable question. "So, when will the fingerprint scanning be done?" Matthew leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. "They said around ten hours." "Ten hours?!" ire huffed, frowning. "Can''t they do it faster?" Matthew shook his head with a shrug. "That''s what they said. Even ten hours is them working nonstop." ire leaned back against the couch again, her frown deepening. "Great. Just great." Trying to shift gears, she nced over at Matthew. "Where''s the location of that apartment Abigail exited?" "Not far from the ident scene," Matthew replied casually. ire thought for a moment, then looked at him curiously. "And what about the driver? The one at the police station? Should we interrogate him?" Matthew raised an eyebrow. "You want to do that now?" ire hesitated for a second, then nodded decisively. "Yeah, why not? We''ve got time before the fingerprint resultse in. Let''s see f we can shake something out of him." With that, the two of them left Matthew''s office and boarded the helicopter again, this time heading for Metacortex as their first stop before switching to a car to make the rest of the journey. The ride was rtively quick, and soon enough, they arrived at the police station. As they stepped out of the car, ire marched straight to the front desk with Matthew trailing behind. She gave the officer at the desk a polite but firm nod. "I''d like to see the suspect from the car ident involving Abigail Hastings." The officer raised his brows, ncing between ire and Matthew. "What''s your rtion to either of them?" ire squared her shoulders. "I''m not rted to the suspect, but Abigail is a friend of mine, and I want to know if this ident was legitimate or if it was a setup." The officer gave her a skeptical look. "The police are already handling that investigation. You can''t just walk in and interrogate the suspect." ire let out an irritated breath. It wasn''t the first time-or the second-that she had dealt with this kind of red tape, and it drove her crazy. "I just need five minutes. That''s all I''m asking." The officer stared at her for a moment, searching her face for any hint of dishonesty. Finally, he nodded reluctantly. "Five minutes. No more." ire nodded, relieved, and followed the officer as he instructed another officer to bring them to the suspect''s cell. As they reached the cell, ire spotted the man sitting on a bench, his head hanging low. "You can only talk to him from outside. We aren''t allowed to open the cell." Said the officer with his firm tone. ire nodded. "I won''t be long." She took a step forward and the man turned to look at the shadow that shielded him from the lights. ""You," ire started. The man''s eyes widen as if he didn''t expect a guest. "Who are you?" "I''m not here to hurt you. I''m here to find answers." ire took a deep breath. "Abigail Hastings. Did you n to kill her?" He stood up from his sitting spot and shook his head as he took a step closer to the cell. "No. I did not kill her. I swear to you. Are-are you the woman''s family that I crasked my car into?" he said hesitatingly, feeling scared. "No, I''m not. I''m her friend. So, the crash. It means it wasn''t intentional?" "No, I promise you. I have no idea. I was just driving home when this woman suddenly came out of nowhere and it was raining cats and dogs, and I didn''t have the best reaction time. The next thing knew I hit her." ire''s face looked serious as she heard his side of the story. "You don''t have any involvement with whatever happening to Abigail?" He shook his head. ire searched his face to see if he was lying but his eyes told the truth. The crash wasn''t intentional. The man was a ck sheep. "Do you see what happened to her?" "No, I didn''t. I was too focused on driving." ire crossed her arms over her chest. "Please believe me. I didn''t hurt your friend." He pleaded to ire, his eyes glistening with tears. She thought to herself that this man was genuine. "I believe you. I see what I can do. But if I find that you are lying. It will be your worst nightmare." She said dangerously, her eyes stared directly at his soul. "I promise you that I am not lying." The police inform ire that her time is up. She nodded and turned around, Matthew following behind her. ire thanked the police, and she exited the station. She stepped inside the car and Matthew drove away. "So, what do you think about him? Is he lying or telling the truth?" "He''s telling the truth. I could see it in his eyes. He was just...caught at the wrong time." Matthew nces at ire and then back to the road. "Are you sure? I mean no thief would admit their wrongdoings." She nodded. "I know it''s weird of me to instantly draw a conclusion that he is innocent, but he is innocent. I. could tel and he told me he doesn''t have any involvement with whatever happened to Abigail. It means we need to wait for the result the fingerprint to find out who is the one behind this." Chapter 279 A Little Visit Waiting for the fingerprint results was driving ire up the wall. It had been ten long hours, and she was beyond impatient. Sitting in her office, tapping her fingers against the desk, she nced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time. Nothing. No calls, no email. Just radio silence. "I''m calling it a night," ire muttered to herself, rubbing her temples. Her body felt heavy, a side effect of donating blood the day before and skipping her meds. With that, she packed up her things and headed home, determined to get a good night''s sleep. Well, that was the n, at least. The next morning, ire was rudely awakened by the sound of her ringtone ring like an rm siren. She groaned, pulling the nket over her head. But she couldn''t ignore it. What if it was something important? With a grunt, she threw off the covers and fumbled for her phone on the bedside table. "Hello?" she answered, her voice groggy and clearly not ready for the day. "Are you awake?" came Matthew''s annoyingly chipper voice on the other end of the line. ire rolled her eyes, even though he couldn''t see it. "I am now," she replied sarcastically. "Good, because the fingerprint results are out," Matthew informed her, and just like that, ire was wide awake. "I''ll be there soon!" ire practically jumped out of bed, her energy suddenly restored. She rushed through her morning routine like a woman on a mission. Clothes? Check. Hair? Eh, good enough. Phone and keys? Check. Ready to go. Without wasting another second, ire bolted out the door and headed to Metacortex. But there was no time for traffic today. ire took the helicopter. Before heading to the rooftop, she made a quick detour to the robotics team. Thest thing she needed was her employees asking too many questions about Abigail''s absence. "Just a quick information," ire said, addressing the team, "Something bad happened to Abigail. She got hit by a car and now she is in aa." Gasps filled the room as the team processed the news. "What?" "It can be." "How can that happened?" A lot of question filled the room as they couldn''t believe what they aare hearing. "Which hospital is she in?" one of them asked. ire held up a hand. "I''ll tell you once I get permission from her parents." She knew how to keep a crowd calm, even when she didn''t have all the answers. With that, she headed to the rooftop. Momentster, the helicopter lifted off, whisking her away to Cryptonic. The flight was short, just 20 minutes, and before ire knew it, she was hopping out of the helicopter, her face set in a determined expression. She headed straight for Matthew''s office. As soon as she stepped through the door, Matthew stood up from his desk. "Let''s head down to the forensic team," he said, motioning for her to follow. Together, they made their way to the third floor, where a woman with sses greeted them. She handed ire a file, already diving into the details. "There are two sets of fingerprints on Abigail''s phone," the woman began, adjusting her sses. "One belongs to Abigail, and the other is unidentified." ire''s heart raced. This was the lead she''d been waiting for. "We matched the unidentified prints," the woman continued, flipping the page in the file. "The second set belongs to someone named Rafayel." ire opened the next page, her yelfeet eyes scanning the name and then the photo of the man in question. Dirty blonde hair, freckles, grey eyes, and a narrow face. He looked harmless enough, but ire knew better than to trust appearances. "So, just Abigail''s and Rafayel''s fingerprints? No one else?" ire asked, needing to be absolutely sure. The woman nodded. "That''s correct. No other prints besides theirs." ire nodded in acknowledgment and thanked the woman before leaving the room, Matthew keeping pace beside her.novelbin As they walked back to her office, Matthew finally spoke up. "Are you going to track him down?" ire sat down at her desk; her eyes sharp with determination. "I don''t have time to waste. We need to find him now." Matthew raised an eyebrow, leaning against the desk casually. "You''re sure this guy''s the one? Couldn''t he just be someone who touched her phone? Maybe he''s not involved at all." "ording to the surveince video, he was thest one who touched her phone that night and I am sure he is our guy. If we can find his whereabouts, we can trace the other." The sun had just risen in Alexander''s penthouse, casting that orange hue on the sleek and modern space. Alexander stood leaning against the kitchen counter, pouring a cup of steaming coffee, its heavy aroma wafting into the air. He bnced his phone against his shoulder and ear, his brow furrowed while he listened to Christian on the other end of the line. "So, any word about Abigail?" Christian asked. Alexander took a sip of his coffee and then responded, "Yeah, the police came by yesterday, and I spoke to the driver who hit her. He denies everything and says Abigail just jumped out of nowhere in the middle of the rain." Chris snorted skeptically. "Of course, he would deny it. People do lie all the time, and they especially do so when they are trying to cover their tracks. You cannot take just his word for it." Alexander nodded, even though Christian could not see him. "I know, I''m still suspicious of him. His face, though does scream guilty and the way he kept denying it with no hesitation starting to make me doubt it." "People are good at acting, Alex; trust me, they can hide a lot behind a straight face. You know that better than anyone. Don''t let him fool you." Alexander let out a sigh, pushing his hand through his already rumpled hair. "Yeah, I hear you. It''s just frustrating. I want to believe it was an ident, but there''s too much that doesn''t add up." There was a pause at the other end, then Christian''s voice slightly softened. "Are you going into the office today? I know you''ve got a mountain of work waiting for you." "I should go. I''ve got enough work to keep me busy for weeks, but...I feel like I should be at the hospital. Abigail''s family might need me." Christian''s voice came firm. "Stay at the hospital. I can handle things at the office. You need to be there for Abigail''s family, in case anything happens. Work can wait." "Fine. I''ll stay. But I''m counting on you to keep things running smoothly while I am away. My secretary has the schedule. Just make sure nothing blows up while I''m away." Christian gave a lightugh. "Don''t be such a worrier, mate. I can handle things. You take care of what''s most important now. Abigail''s family needs you more than the office does." Alexander took another sip of his coffee; it was a little better now. "Thanks, Christian. I appreciate it. Let me know if anythinges up." At Cryptonic, ire and Matthew had an agenda of their own. Matthew hunched over on the couch with hisptop open to yet another security system. His fingers flew across the keyboard while ire stood behind him, her arms crossed, an intent look on her face, We''re getting close, Matthew muttered under his breath; his eyes danced across the screen as lines of code slipped by. Suddenly, the screen shed green and opened into another window with a map upon which was a little blinking dot in red. "Got him," Matthew said exultantly. "Rafayel''s house. Found it." ire''s face twisted into seriousness as her eyes riveted to the map. "Good, she graveled seriously. It''s time for a little visit, don''t you think?" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 280 The Hard Way Matthew frowned, his brows knitting together as he looked at ire. "Are you sure you want to see this guy right away?" ire nodded without a hint of hesitation. "Yes. We don''t have time to waste." Matthew scratched the back of his neck. "Shouldn''t we dig up more information first? I mean, what if the guy isn''t even home? We should have backup n." ire had already tried tracing Rafayel''s phone number, but no luck-his SIM card wasn''t in use anymore. "We''ve got no other leads. All we can do now is show up at his house and hope for the best," she said, standing up from her desk, determination etched on her face. Without another word, ire marched out of her office, Matthew trailing behind her with a resigned sigh. Soon enough, they found themselves heading toward the helicopter waiting on the roof of Metacortex. The flight wasn''t long, and after theynded, they hopped into a car. Matthew took the driver''s seat while ire, in her usual efficient way, navigated. Matthew nced over at her every now and then, but the journey was mostly quiet, save for the hum of the engine and ire''s asional instructions. The drive was a long one-about two hours-but finally, they arrived at the neighborhood. It wasn''t exactly weing. "It''s worse than the photos," Matthew muttered under his breath as they drove past run-down houses with peeling paint, and yards littered with debris. ire barely acknowledged him, her focus sharp as she scanned the area. "Keep going. The house should be on the left." Matthew parked outside the crumbling building ire pointed to. They both got out of the car, ire walking straight toward the door with a sense of urgency. She knocked firmly and waited, but after a long silence, no one came. Frowning, she knocked again-this time harder. Finally, the door creaked open, and an older woman stood there, looking mildly irritated. "Who are you? What do you want?" ire''s expression was all business. "Sorry to interrupt your morning, but I''m looking for Rafayel. Is he here?" The woman''s brow furrowed, her arms crossing over her chest. "Why are you looking for my son?" ire didn''t beat around the bush. "So, he is your son?" she asked, though her voice carried more confirmation than question. The woman let out a tired sigh. "He was. He ran away months ago." ire exchanged a quick nce with Matthew, but didn''t press further. "Do you know where he hangs out these days?" The woman hesitated before shrugging. "Last I heard, he and his crew were spending time at some abandoned house. Not sure if they''re still there, though." "Where''s this house?" ire asked, leaning forward slightly. "Further out from the neighborhood," the woman replied, giving them rough directions. "But like I said, I''m not sure he''s still around there." ire nodded, offering a brief, "Thank you," before turning on her heel and heading back to the car with Matthew. As they drove to the abandoned house, Matthew shot ire a side nce. "Think she''s telling the truth?" "She didn''t seem to be hiding anything," ire replied, her eyes scanning the road ahead. True to the woman''s words, they eventually reached a house that looked like it had seen better days-many, many years ago. The windows were broken, the door barely hanging on its hinges, and the overgrown yard made it clear no one had lived there properly in ages. Matthew stopped the car, and ire hopped out before he could say anything. He scrambled after her. "Hey, don''t just rush in there like it''s no big deal! What if there are people inside?" ire waved a dismissive hand, already walking toward the house. "I''ll be fine." "Yeah, well, famousst words," Matthew muttered as he followed. Peeking through one of the broken windows, ire saw... nothing. The ce looked deserted, but that didn''t mean it was safe. Pushing the door open, a loud squeak from the rusty hinges made both of them freeze for a second. ire wrinkled her nose as the smell of stale cigarettes hit her. "This ce smells like an ashtray," she remarked, ncing around the dim, dusty interior. "Lovely," Matthew mumbled, stepping cautiously inside. There didn''t seem to be any signs of life, but that didn''t stop him from staying on alert. Suddenly, Matthew''s ears perked up. He whipped his head around toward the back of the house. "Did you hear that?" ire paused. "Hear what?" "Grass." Matthew''s voice lowered. "Someone''s moving outside." Without waiting for an exnation, Matthew dashed back out the front door, his eyes scanning the overgrown yard. He caught sight of two figures darting away in the distance, weaving through the tall grass. "Hey! Stop!" he yelled, sprinting after them. ire wasn''t far behind. "We can''t let them get away!" she called as they both gave chase. The two men ran fast, but ire and Matthew ran faster. The rough terrain did little to aid the fugitives'' chances ire''s heart was racing in her chest as she willed herself to catch up, her legs burning for the sudden burst of speed. Matthew was right beside her, his eyes fixed on their targets. "Go left!" ire yelled, gesturing for Matthew to split off and cut them off from the side. Matthew nodded, breaking away left while ire continued without slowing up, straight ahead. It didn''t take long before Matthew was able to corral one of the men, reaching out and grabbing him by the arm, yanking him to a stop. "Gotcha!" Matthew said, huffing slightly. This guy acted startled but didn''t struggle one whit. He, too, was too winded from the run.novelbin Meanwhile, ire managed to catch up to the second man, who tripped over a rock and went down hard. She was standing over him, catching her breath, her arms folded. "Going somewhere?" The man groaned, rubbing his leg where he hadnded. "Damn it." Matthew dragged his catch over to ire''s position, both men starting to look nervous now that they realized they weren''t going anywhere. "So," ire said, her voice cool but with a hint of satisfaction, "we''re going to ask you a few questions. And trust me, running is not an option." ire leaned her head to the side, studying them. "So, where''s Rafayel?" The men furrowed their brows in sync with each other, overacted visions of confusion etched on their faces. One of them-the taller of the two-spoke first. "We don''t know any Rafayel," he lied, his voice attempting to be convincing, though a slight quake gave him dead. ire''s smirk grew as she slowly began to tap her fingers in a rhythmic pattern on the table in front of her. "Is that so?" she mused, ying the thought over. "Well, that''s a shame. I was hoping for a more cooperative answer." The shorter of the two men was noticeably the most jittery and shifted ufortably. "We really don''t know anyone by that name," he insisted, casting a nce at hispanion as if hoping for backup. ire hitched one brow, and the falsehoods didn''t impress her. She let loose with a very dramatic sigh. "Okay then. Let''s try this another way," she said, hunching forward a bit. "Who''s in charge of your little crew?" Both men exchanged nces once more but this time, their frowns deepened as they donned expressions, which all but yelled, What group? We don''t know what you mean. "We have no leader," the taller one uttered finally, scratching the back of his head as if he did this to buy time. "Really?" ire leaned back again, her arms folded across her chest. She cast her gaze from one man to the other, and she could almost feel the nervousness rising from them. Finally, she cocked her head, a sweet, treacherous smile hazing at her lips. "So, you want to y it the hard way, huh? That''s fine. I like a good challenge." Chapter 281 Where is He? ire stared down at the two men, her expression cold and unrelenting. Her eyes narrowed as she sized them up, her patience wearing thin. "Do you still want to deny knowing Rafayel?" she asked, her voice dripping with ice. The two men, crumpled on the ground like discarded toys, shook their heads frantically, but ire knew they were lying. It wasn''t hard to tell-there was something about the way they avoided her gaze, the nervous twitch in their shoulders. She couldn''t help but wonder what made them so resilient, so determined not to give her what she wanted. What was so important about this Rafayel that they''d rather take their chances with her than spill the truth? ire crouched down, lowering herself to their level. Her long nails lightly grazed the jaw of one of the men, making him flinch. "You know," she said softly, her voice deceptively calm, "I really don''t want to do this the hard way." She grabbed his jaw, forcing him to look directly into her eyes. Her grip was firm, her tone dangerous. "But if you don''t start talking, I won''t have a choice." The man gulped, clearly nervous, but he kept his mouth shut. His friend wasn''t much better, his face slick with sweat. ire sighed, the sound full of exaggerated disappointment. "So, which will it be?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, as if genuinely pondering the question. "The soft way? Or the hard way?" Neither of them spoke. The silence hung in the air like a heavy nket, and ire''s expression shifted from annoyance to something more deadly. "Fine," she muttered, straightening up slightly. "The hard way it is, then." Without breaking eye contact, ire pulled a small knife from her pants pocket. It wasn''trge, but it was sharp enough to make a point. She tilted her head again, pretending to contemte her next move. "Now, who should I start with?" she mused, her finger pointingzily between the two men. Her gazended on the one who seemed slightly more stoic than hispanion. The other man was already sweating bullets, but this one? He was holding out, though ire could tell he was close to cracking. She let the tip of the knife graze his cheek, dragging it slowly down toward his neck. His breath hitched, and beads of sweat began forming on his forehead. ire smirked. She had him now. Just as she applied a little more pressure, enough to make him wince, he broke. "Okay, okay, okay!" he repeated in a rush, his eyes wide with fear. ire raised her brows, feigning surprise. "Oh? Have you finally considered my words?" she asked, her voiceced with sarcasm. The two men exchanged a look, and ire rolled her eyes. "Are we doing this again?" she said, her tone cold. "I don''t have all day. If you won''t talk, I''ll have to take this further, and I promise you won''t like that." The man ire had been threatening nodded vigorously. "Alright, alright! We know Rafayel," he admitted, his voice shaky. "He''s... he''s our friend." ire stood up, taking a step back and crossing her arms over her chest. "See? That wasn''t so hard," she said, her voice dripping with mock praise. But then her expression hardened again. "Where is he?" The men hesitated, and ire''s patience snapped. "I swear, if we''re about to go in circles again, I will not be as nice as I''ve been." The second man, the one who had been silent up until now, finally spoke up. "We can''t tell you where he is," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. ire''s eyes darkened. "Can''t or won''t?" she asked sharply, her arms still crossed. The man looked away, avoiding her gaze, which was all the answer ire needed. "Look," the first man stammered, clearly trying to smooth things over, "it''s not that we don''t want to tell you, it''s just...it will cost our live if we tell you." "Yeah, well, that''s unfortunate," ire snapped back. "Because I''m not leaving here without an answer. So, unless you want to test how much pain you can handle, you better start talking." The second man nced at his friend, his face pale. "If we tell you, it''s over for us." "So, Rafayel is your leader, huh? From the way you talk, it seems that you both are scared of him."novelbin The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating, but ire wasn''t in the mood for ying nice anymore. She could tell they were close to breaking, but they needed one final push. She leaned in again, her voice low and dangerous. "Let me exin something to you," she said slowly "You''re afraid of Rafayel, right? I get that. But right now, you should be a lot more afraid of me. Because unlike him, I''m standing here with a knife in my hand, and I don''t have any reason to let you waik away from this." "Okay, we will tell you. But promise us that you will let us go." ire let out a humorlessugh. "What makes you think that once you tell me I will let you? Do you think you''re in a ce to negotiate with me?" They shared each other a look for the second time. ire heaved a sigh, a look of annoyance crossed her face. "Fine. But I have some questions for you two and I want you both to answer honestly then, I will let you go." Before ire could ask them a question, Matthew grabbed her elbow. ire turned to him raising her brows. "ire, are you really going to let them go?" "We''ll hear their answer then I will decide if they deserve to be let go." ire steps closer to them. "So, how do you know Rafayel? Are you two friends with him? I want an honest answer. I hate when people lie to me." The guy with a red jacket answered. "Yes, we are his friends." "Then why are you scared of him, if he is your friend?" ire looked at them curiously. "He has anger issues and we both knew him since we were in high school. He''s a great guy and-" ire cut him off as she raised her palms. "I don''t need to know his e. history. It is not significant for me. Next question, Abigail Hastings. She is the woman who is currently treated at the hospital. I want you two, to tell me the full detail of what happened." "1-" The guy with yellow hair cut his friend, frowning as he stared at ire. "Why don''t you just ask Rafayel yourself? You promise once we tell you, you will let us go." "I never said that. I said I will consider it depending on your answer. So, you two better not lie." "Look, it is not our fault. There is this woman, she called Rafayel and offered him a job. Then he asked us to join him telling us the payment would be enough for each of us to cover our bills. I have to my debt and Arnold here has to pay for his mother''s treatment. We don''t think much and ept the job We have no idea that we would scare the poordy." Arnold continues. "Rafayel told us the n on that very day. If we both knew we have to scare thedy, we wouldn''t have epted the job." ire''s eyes grew cold as she heard their answer. "The woman. You mention a woman called Rafayel. Who is the woman?" "That''s the thing. We don''t know who the woman is. Rafayel only refers to her as ''boss''." "I hope you two aren''t lying with this story of yours. Now, tell me where Rafayel is." Chapter 282 Rafayel ire and Matthew headed back to the car, their footsteps echoing in the quiet night. As they approached the car, Matthew shot a nce at ire, breaking the silence. "Are you really just going to let those two guys go?" Matthew asked, his voiceced with doubt. ire''s expression remained unreadable, her face as calm as ever. "I don''t want to hurt them. All I need are answers," she said, her voice cool and measured. Matthew frowned, not entirely convinced. "You know they could''ve been lying to save themselves, right? That whole story they told you could be made up." ire stopped in her tracks, turning to face Matthew. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but her tone remained steady. "What do you want me to do?" she asked. Matthew, sensing her frustration but unwilling to back down, replied, "You should''ve put them in jail. Whether their story is true or not, they were involved in putting Abigail in aa. They deserve some kind of punishment." ire sighed, her gaze softening slightly as she considered his words. "I get it, Matthew. But what we need to focus on is finding the woman who ordered them to do this. She''s the key to all of this." Without waiting for a response, ire opened the passenger door and slid inside the car. Matthew stood there for a moment, shaking his head before walking over to the driver''s seat. He started the engine with a sigh, the hum of the car filling the silence between them. As they drove through the city streets, Matthew nced over at ire, curiosity gnawing at him. "What are you nning to do with Rafayel?" he asked. ire shrugged casually, keeping her eyes on the road ahead. "If he tells me what I need to know about this woman, I''ll let him go." Matthew frowned, clearly not thrilled with her n. "You''re going to let him go, too? Just like his two friends?" ire smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I never said I''d let him go easily," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of yfulness. Matthew had no idea what she was up to, but he knew better than to press her further. He sighed and focused on driving, trusting ire to handle things in her own way. They eventually pulled up in front of a run-down apartment building, its facade cracked and dirty. The ce reeked of neglect, and ire wrinkled her nose in disgust as she stepped out of the car. "What is this ce?" she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. Matthew joined her, equally unimpressed by their surroundings. "This is where Rafayel lives, apparently." ire snorted, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "No wonder he''s willing to do dirty jobs. This ce screams desperation." The two of them walked into the dingy apartment building, the flickering lights above casting an eerie glow. ire climbed the stairs, her steps light but purposeful. She had memorized the directions from one of Rafayel''s friends-third floor, go left,st door near the window. Simple enough, but the stench and grime made it feel like an ordeal. As they reached the third floor, ire''s sharp ears picked up the sound of loud music ring from behind a door. She turned to Matthew, raising an eyebrow.novelbin "This is it?" she asked, pointing to the door where the music was practically shaking the walls. "Yeah," Matthew confirmed with a nod. "This is what his friend told us." ire, without hesitation, pushed the door open. She wasn''t one for knocking, especially in situations like this. The second the door swung open, a wave of noise and foul smells hit them. The mix of loud music, and the stench of weed, alcohol, and sweat made both ire and Matthew grimace. The room was small, and cluttered with dirty clothes, empty beer bottles, and various questionable substances.scattered around. In the middle of it all, lounging on a stained couch like a king on his throne was Rafayel. He had two girls on either side of him, each one draped over his legs,ughing at something he had just said. He didn''t even notice ire and Matthew walk in at first. ire scanned the room quickly, her eyes locking on Rafayel. She leaned closer to Matthew, her voice raised over the pounding music. "There''s our guy." Matthew nodded, following her gaze to Rafayel. Without another word, they made their way through the crowd toward him. ire stepped in front of Rafayel, arms crossed over her chest, her face set in a look that clearly said she wasn''t in the mood for any nonsense. "Rafayel." He stopped mid-kiss and looked up at her, a smirk instantly spreading across his face. "Who are you again? Doesn''t matter if you wanted a turn, all you had to do was ask," he teased, his voice dripping with amusement. The two women on hisp giggled, clearly finding the whole thing hrious. ire''s expression didn''t change. She wasn''t here for jokes. "Party''s over, Rafayel." He chuckled, leaning back into the couch like he didn''t have a care in the world. "And who do you think you are, telling me what to do? I don''t take orders from you," he said, his voiceced with mockery. The girls on hisp giggled again, clearly enjoying the show. ire didn''t even bother responding. She simply turned to Matthew and gave him a look that said, it''s time to end this. Matthew nodded in understanding. He didn''t waste any time. He turned around, making his way to the sound system, and with a loud voice that cut through the ring music, he yelled, "Party''s over, everybody! Time to go!" Rafayel blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting things to escte so quickly. "Hey!" he shouted, but Matthew was already yanking the plug from the speaker system. The music cut off abruptly, and the sudden silence felt deafening after all the noise. People in the apartment started looking around, confused and unsure of what was happening. Matthew, standing by the now-quiet speakers, pointed toward the door. "Out. Now." There was a moment of hesitation, but once Matthew flung the door open, people began to shuffle toward the exit, eager to avoid any confrontation. The two women on Rafayel''sp slid off, giving him apologetic looks before hurrying out with the rest of the crowd. The party, it seemed, was officially over. Rafayel watched as everyone left, his jaw clenched in frustration. "You can''t do this," he snapped at ire, his usual smirkpletely gone now. "You think you can juste in here and run my life? You don''t own me." ire simply raised an eyebrow,pletely unimpressed by his tantrum. "I hate wasting time talking to nobody like you, but I have no choice but to do it either way," she said calmly. "We need to talk." Once thest guest filed out, Matthew shut the door with a solid thud. The apartment was eerily quiet now, save for the distant hum of the city outside. Rafayel, still sitting on the couch, looked between te and Matthew, his eyes shing with irritation. "So, what''s this about, huh? Who even are you barging into my ce? What''s so important you had to kick everyone out?" ire took a step closer, her voice firm but measured. "It''s time to get serious, Rafayel. You''re going to talk now, and you are going to answer all of our questions honestly." Chapter 283 Got a Lead Rafayel''s eyes darted between ire and Matthew, his suspicion growing by the second. The two strangers had just barged into his apartment like they owned the ce, and he had no idea who they were or what they wanted. "Who the hell are you?" Rafayel demanded, narrowing his eyes to ire. ire, arms crossed over her chest, gave him a cold, dismissive look. "You don''t need to know who I am," she replied, her voice calm butced with authority. Rafayel''s frown deepened. "Then what do you want from me? I don''t know who the hell you are, so you better get out of my apartment." Matthew, who had been quietly standing behind ire, took a step forward. ire didn''t bother to look at Rafayel as she spoke again, her voice cutting through the tense air. "I want to know who the woman is that ordered you to hurt Abigail Hastings." Rafayel''s body stiffened at the mention of Abigail''s name, but he quickly tried to cover his reaction, pretending not to understand. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," he said, his voice slightly shaky but still defiant. ire raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with his attempt to y dumb. "Really?" she asked sarcastically. "You and your friends aren''t exactly good at keeping secrets." Rafayel''s frown deepened. "What do you mean by ''my friends''?" ire smirked, finally turning to face him. "The yellow-haired guy and the one in the red hoodie. I met them earlier." Rafayel''s eyes widened in shock, and he quickly realized he was cornered. ire''s smirk grew. "So, are you done pretending not to know what I''m talking about?" Rafayel stood up from the couch, shaking his head, trying to appear innocent. "I genuinely don''t know what you''re talking about," he insisted, but the panic in his voice was bing harder to hide.novelbin ire sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes as she started pacing around the small apartment. "You know," she began, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "I''m getting really tired of hearing that same excuse over and over again." She gestured toward Matthew, and in a swift movement, Matthew grabbed Rafayel''s arm and twisted it behind his back. Rafayel let out a pained shout, his face twisting in agony. "What the hell! It hurts!" he cried out, his voice filled with panic. ire tilted her head, scoffing at his reaction. "Still want to deny it?" she asked, her tone almost bored as if she had better things to do than deal with Rafayel''s lies. Rafayel, wincing from the pain in his arm, stayed quiet, his teeth gritted as he tried to tough it out. But ire wasn''t in the mood for his silence. She nodded to Matthew, and Matthew applied more pressure, causing Rafayel to yelp louder, pain searing through his arm. "Okay, okay!" Rafayel shouted, trying to catch his breath. ire stepped closer, her hand gripping Rafayel''s jaw tightly, her nails digging into his skin. "Talk," shemanded, her voice cold and threatening. "Who''s the woman?" Rafayel''s breath came out in quick, shallow gasps. "I don''t know!" he stammered. "She never told me her name." ire''s eyes narrowed, her expression growing even colder. "How convenient," she said sarcastically, clearly not buying his story. "I find it funny how you still managed to ept her dirty work when you don''t even know her name." "She never tells me her name even when I ask her twice. She kept saying to focus on the task at hand." "So, how are you going to tell me who she is if you don''t even know her name?" Rafayel winced, his heart racing. "I swear, I don''t know her name! But... but I have her phone number," he added quickly, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I don''t know if it''s a real number or if it still works, but that''s all I''ve got." ire nodded at Matthew, signaling him to let Rafayel go. Matthew released his grip, and Rafayel stumbled forward, clutching his sore arm. "Give me the number," ire demanded, holding out her hand. Rafayel, desperate to get out of this situation, quickly rattled off the digits. ire handed them to Matthew, who immediately began tracking the number on his phone. As Matthew worked, Rafayel nced nervously between the two of them. "So... will you let me go now? I gave you the number," he asked, his voice small and unsure. ire turned to him, her eyes cold and piercing. Rafayel felt a shiver run down his spine under her gaze, and he quickly looked away. "Why did you hurt Abigail Hastings?" ire asked, her voice sharp. "I didn''t hurt her!" Rafayel blurted out. "I was just supposed to scare her. That''s all!" ire raised her eyebrows, her expression incredulous. "You call what you did ''scaring''? I saw the footage. You and your buddies ran off the moment she got hit by that car." Rafayel swallowed hard, realizing there was no use in lying anymore. "I... I didn''t mean for that to happen he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "We were just supposed to rough her up a little, make her back off. But things got out of control..." ire''s eyes darkened, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "And you think that makes it okay?" she asked, her voice dangerously calm. "You think you''re off the hook because you didn''t mean for her to get hurt?" Rafayel shook his head quickly, panic creeping back into his voice. "No! No, I didn''t mean it like that. I''m sorry. I swear, I didn''t know it would go that far." ire stared at him for a long moment, her gaze icy and unforgiving. "Sorry doesn''t fix anything," she said quietly, her tone deadly serious. "You helped ruin someone''s life. Do you really think an apology is enough?" Rafayel stayed silent, his head hanging in shame. He knew there was nothing he could say to defend himself, not anymore. "I swear, it was an ident." "ident? The footage doesn''t look like an ident." "I needed the money and I-" ire cut him off. "You have no other choice but to do it. Is that what you''re going to say? Look if you need money, work. Don''t do this idiotic work by hurting others." ire said coldly. "But don''t think for a second that you''re off the hook. If this phone number turns out to be fake, say goodbye to your life." Just then, Matthew''s phone buzzed, and he nced at the screen. "I''ve got a hit on the number," he said, holding up his phone to show ire. ire turned her attention to the phone, her mind already racing with possibilities. "Good," she said, her voice steely. "Let''s see where this leads." ire turned back to Rafayel who stayed silent. "Thank you for your cooperation. Just to enlighten you, you can hide anywhere you want or even run away to other countries, but know this, I am watching you: Every Single. Move." She headed out of his crampy apartment with Matthew trailing behind her. "Matthew, find anything you know about Rafayel and make his life miserable." She said as they both descended the stairs. "Roger, that, boss." "Now let''s not waste time and visit this woman." Chapter 284 Don’t Get in The Way As Matthew drove through the quiet streets, ire sat beside him, her eyes glued to her phone. She had been trying for what felt like hours to track down the owner of a suspicious number but doing it on her phone was proving to be a nightmare. It was slow, clunky, and far from flexible. ire let out an exasperated sigh, her fingers tapping at the screen in frustration. "Anything yet?" Matthew asked, ncing over at her while keeping one hand on the steering wheel. ire shook her head, not looking up. "No, it''s taking forever. This stupid phone isn''t cut out for this kind of thing. I should''ve brought myptop or something." Matthew smirked. "Aren''t you supposed to be a tech genius? Can''t you make that phone do whatever you want?" ire gave him a sideways nce, her mouth twitching into a small grin. "It''s not magic, Matthew. It''s just a phone." Matthew chuckled. "Could''ve fooled me. Anyway, how close are we?" ire looked out the window, noting the familiarndmarks. "We''re almost there. Just a few more minutes." Back at the hospital, Alexander sat next to Abigail''s bed, keeping Mary, Abigail''s mother,pany as they waited for any signs of improvement. Suddenly, Alexander remembered something-the bag the police had handed to him yesterday. Abigail''s belongings. He hadn''t really gone through it yet, and it dawned on him that perhaps Mary should have it. He turned to her, her face tired and lined with worry. "Mary," Alexander started, his voice soft, "I have Abigail''s things. The police gave them to me yesterday, but I think you should have them." Mary looked up at him, her eyes red from crying. She gave him a weak smile, grateful for the gesture. "Thank you, Alexander. I didn''t even think about her things." He stood and retrieved the bag from the couch, but as he held it, something struck him as off. Frowning, he opened the bag and rummaged through it. Abigail''s phone-he distinctly remembered seeing it yesterday-was gone. Mary noticed his hesitation and asked, "What''s wrong, Alexander?" He forced a smile, not wanting to worry her further. "It''s nothing," he lied. "It''s just... the police must''ve forgotten to give her phone back. I''ll check with themter." Mary took the bag from him, her hands trembling slightly as she held it close to her chest. She turned toward Abigail, lying still on the hospital bed, and her voice wavered as she asked, "Do you think she''ll wake up? I just want her to wake up, Alex." Alexander put aforting hand on her shoulder. "She will. Abigail''s strong. She''ll pull through this." Mary continued speaking softly, lost in her thoughts about her daughter, but Alexander''s mind was elsewhere. He couldn''t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Where had Abigail''s phone gone? He knew for a fact the police had given it to him, and now it had mysteriously disappeared. As he reyed the events in his mind, a sudden realization hit him. ire. She had been in Abigail''s hospital room the day before. She was the only person, besides him and the police, who knew about Abigail''s belongings. Could ire have taken the phone? But why? Alexander''s heart pounded as he tried to piece everything together. He quickly excused himself from Mary. "I''m going to check with the police about the phone. I''ll be back soon, okay?" Before she could respond, Alexander hurried out of the room, pulling his phone from his pocket. He immediately dialed ire''s number, but it went straight to voicemail, as usual. He clenched his jaw in frustration. What on earth was ire doing with Abigail''s phone? Alexander paced outside the hospital, thinking hard. The police had told him earlier that morning about new information they''d uncovered. Before Abigail''s ident, three men had approached her. They had shown him the footage from the surveince camera in that area, and Alexander saw the driver he had spoken to yesterday, and true to his words, he really didn''t have any involvement with hurting Abigail on purpose. Abigail came out of nowhere from the footage he saw. Alex wondered if ire had figured this out including tracking the three men that harassed Abigail. One thing that stuck in his mind was how ire managed to stay ahead of him in getting this information. He dialed ire''s number again. Voicemail. Again. "ire, call me back as soon as you get this," he muttered into the phone before hanging up. Something was definitely off. What was she up to? "Is she in her office?" Alexander muttered to himself. With no other option, Alexander called his private investigator. When the line picked up, he spoke quickly. "I need you to track ire''s phone number. Now." A few minutes passed, and then the PI''s voice crackled through the line. "Got her. I will send you the location." Alexander''s heart raced. "Keep me updated on her location. I need to know where she''s going." "Will do," the PI replied before hanging up. Alexander gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove through the quiet streets, his mind racing. He wasn''t one for unnecessary drama, but something about ire always seemed to pull him into the thick of it. He checked his phone again, ensuring he had the right location. ire and Matthew had already arrived at the same spot, and ire was frowning, checking the address on her phone for the fifth time. It was a quiet residential neighborhood, not the kind of ce she expected for what she had in mind. "Are you sure this is the right address?" Matthew asked from the driver''s seat, clearly confused. ire nodded, her eyes narrowing at the screen. "It''s the right address. Rafayel sent it himself." Matthew sighed, ncing around the area. "You think Rafayel purposely gave us the wrong address? Maybe he''s messing with us." ire''s expression turned icy. "If he did, he''ll regret it. I''ll make his life miserable if this is a wild goose chase." She opened the car door and stepped out, motioning for Matthew to follow. "Let''s check it out." Just as they started walking toward the house, a bright beam of headlights flooded them, making both of them freeze for a moment A car screeched to a halt behind them, and ire squinted through the re. To her surprise, Alexander jumped out of the car, his face etched with a deep frown He looked anything but happy as he strodenovelbin toward them. "What a pleasant surprise," ire muttered sarcastically, folding her arms as he approached. Alexander didn''t waste any time. "Did you steal Abigail''s phone?" he demanded, his voice sharp and his expression using. ire''s face remained calm, though inside, she was a bit taken aback that he had figured it out so quickly. "Borrowed. I merely borrowed her phone," she corrected, her tone cool and even. Alexander''s frown deepened. "What are you doing here, ire?" ire raised an eyebrow, not liking the usatory tone. "I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing here?" "Deflecting questions now?" Alexander shot back with a hint of sarcasm. "You''re good at that." ire shrugged nonchntly. "Not my first time." Alexander clenched his jaw, clearly frustrated. "I don''t like wasting time, ire. I know why you''re here. You''re looking for the three men, aren''t you?" That caught her off guard. ire''s brows shot up in surprise, but she quicklyposed herself. "And how exactly do you know about that?" Alexander said. "The police showed me the surveince footage. Before ire could respond, Alexander added, "I want in. I don''t know what you''re nning, but I''m going to be part of it." Matthew, who had been watching the exchange with increasing irritation, stepped forward. "You should stop interfering, Harris. This has nothing to do with you." But ire, to Matthew''s surprise, simply nced at him and said calmly, "Let him and Harris," her eyes darted towards Alexander. "don''t get in my way." She turned away from both men and started walking toward the house. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 285 Wrong Address ire pressed the doorbell again, this time with more force, as if sheer determination would magically summon the person they were looking for. Beside her, Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Do you think she is home?" ire gave a nomittal shrug, her finger already hovering over the bell for a third press. Before she could press it again, there was a sound from inside a shuffle of feet and then the door creaked open. A woman, who looked to be in her forties, appeared in the doorway. ire and Matthew exchanged confused nces. This was definitely not the person they were expecting. The woman blinked at them with equal confusion. "Can I help you?" Alexander, standing behind ire and Matthew, narrowed his eyes, squinting at the woman like she was a puzzle he was trying to solve. There was something familiar about her, but he couldn''t quite put his finger on it. Then, suddenly, his eyes widened, and without a word, he turned on his heel and marched back to the car.novelbin "Hey, Harris! Where are you going?" Matthew called after him, but Alexander didn''t respond. He just slid into the driver''s seat, started the car, and peeled away, leaving Matthew and ire standing there, bewildered. ire,pletely unfazed by Alexander''s dramatic exit, turned back to the woman. "Are you involved with three guys?" she asked, her tone direct, though she couldn''t help but sound a little confused herself. The exnation sounded weird even to her, but she didn''t have any better way to phrase it. The woman lookedpletely lost, her forehead wrinkling in thought. "What? I have no idea what you''re talking about." ire sighed and pulled out her phone. "Look, I got a phone number from someone, and I was told it was yours. Is this your number?" She held the phone up to the woman. The woman shook her head. "Nope, not mine. Sorry." ire stared at the screen, feeling more and more uneasy. Something wasn''t adding up. She decided to call the number. Silence. No ringtone, and no sound from inside the house. The woman was telling the truth-this wasn''t her number. But if not, then whose was it? "Alright," ire said, forcing a polite smile. "Sorry to bother you. Looks like I got the wrong address." The woman gave a small nod, still looking a bit baffled, and shut the door. ire headed to the car, with Matthew trailing behind. They climbed in, and Matthew immediately started the engine. As they pulled away, the woman inside closed the door, but something nagged at the back of her mind. She suddenly froze. That woman-ire Peterson-looked familiar. And why had ire been at her door? She thought for a moment, then her eyes widened in realization. Could it have something to do with her daughter, Lisa? Meanwhile, Alexander gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove away, his mind racing. The woman at the door-it clicked. That was Lisa''s mother. He muttered to himself, "What the hell is going on?" Why had Abigail''s phone number led them to Lisa''s house? He thought that ire was seeking those three guys who harassed Abigail but why did Lisa''s mother show up? His brain was a mess of confusion and unanswered questions. He needs someone to answer all his questions, and he knows who to call. ire had an unmistakable pissed-off look on her face. She couldn''t believe she''d been lied to. Rafayel had told her that this was the address, and that woman was supposed to be connected to the three men harassing Abigail. But something didn''t fit. The woman seemed genuinely clueless. Why would a woman in her forties be sending a group of guys to mess with a twenty-five-year-old? It didn''t make any sense. Matthew nced at her from the passenger seat, clearly picking up on her mood. "So, what now?" he asked cautiously. "We''re going to see Rafayel," ire said, her voice cold, the words practically dripping with frustration. "I''m done being yed like a puppet." "Can''t believe that idiot gave you the wrong number," Matthew muttered under his breath, eyes flicking toward ire. She was sitting rigid in the passenger seat, arms crossed, her jaw clenched tightly. Within minutes, they reached Rafayel''s apartmentplex-a rundown, unkempt building that looked like it hadn''t seen a maintenance crew in decades. Before the car even came to aplete stop, ire threw open the door and stormed out. Matthew hurried after her, trying to keep pace. "Wait up," Matthew called, jogging behind her as they headed inside. He had to practically skip a step to match ire''s determined march up the stairs. They reached the third floor inrecord time, and without a second''s hesitation, ire pounded on Rafayel''s door with all the force of a wrecking ball. The echo of her fist on the door reverberated through the grimy hallway. A groggy Rafayel finally cracked the door open, rubbing his eyes like a kid who just woke up from a nap. "What the " Before he could finish his sentence, ire''s fist connected with his face in a way that said, "I''m done with your nonsense." Rafayel yelped, stumbling backward and hitting the floor with a thud. Groaning, he held his face as he cursed under his breath. "What was that for?!" Rafayel sputtered, ring up at ire, still rubbing his cheek. ire crouched down, grabbing a fistful of his shirt and pulling him up like a ragdoll. Her eyes shed with anger. "You lied to me, Rafayel! That phone number you gave me doesn''t belong to the woman I''m for Soking Rafayel''s eyes widened, both in confusion and disbelief. He blinked up at her, stammering. "Wait, wait-what? I didn''t lie! That''s the number of the woman who told me to scare Abigail!" ire wasn''t buying it. Her grip on his shirt tightened as she spat back, "Oh yeah? A forty-year-old woman ordered you to rough up a 25-year-old? Does that make sense to you?" Rafayel frowned, her words seeming tond like a punch. "Forty? Wait, hold on, a forty-year-old?" "Don''t y dumb," ire growled, giving him a shake. "I don''t have time for this." Rafayel''s heart raced. He was sure-positive-that the number belonged to the woman who hired him. From her voice, he had assumed she was young. He looked up at ire, eyes wide with panic. "I swear, I''m not lying!" Rafayel blurted out, his voice pitching higher than he intended. "That''s the real number! I''m telling you; it is!" ire stood up, her eyes narrowing. Without warning, she threw another punch, this timending squarely on Rafayel''s nose. He yelped again, clutching his face as blood dripped from his nose. "I warned you not to mess with me," ire said coldly. back in his office, Alexander was pacing. His mind was a whirlpool of unanswered questions, each one more troubling than thest. He pulled out his phone, dialing ire''s number with shaky hands. He needed answers-now. After a few rings, ire picked up, her voice sharp and irritated. "What?" "ire," Alexander began, trying to sound calm despite the urgency in his voice, "I won''t take much of your time, but I have a question." "You''ve got one minute," ire replied, her tone making it clear she was in no mood for pleasantries. Alexander cleared his throat, rushing his words. "Are you looking for the three men who harassed Abigail?" "No," ire shot back. "Already dealt with them. I''m after the mastermind." Alexander''s heart skipped a beat. In the background, he heard a man groaning in pain, followed by the unmistakable sound of someone cursing. "What''s that noise?" Alexander asked, his curiosity piqued. "None of your business," ire snapped before hanging up abruptly. Alexander stared at his phone, piecing it together. ire''s response had been brief, but it was enough to answer his question. If she wasn''t looking for the three men and was instead hunting down the mastermind, then... His eyes widened as a wave of realization-and anger-washed over him. Could it be? Chapter 286 “You’re coming with me.” Alexander was not in the mood for games. His fingers punched in the private investigator''s number like they had a score to settle, and the moment the line connected, he didn''t waste a second. No pleasantries, no chitchat, just straight to business. "Find Lisa Thompson. Now." The PI didn''t argue and didn''t ask questions. He recognized the tone in Alex''s voice, the kind that told him he''d better move fast if he didn''t want to end up on the wrong side of his boss''s temper. The PI got to work, and Alex sank into his chair, leaning back, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of his swirling thoughts. "That bitch! I really have enough of her." What could Lisa possibly be thinking? After everything that had gone down between them-everything she''d done to him and to ire-why was she pushing her luck? Ten minutes passed-though it felt like an eternity-before Alex''s phone finally buzzed. His PI had the goods. "She is at a restaurant on West 22nd. I''m texting you the location now," the PI said, his voice trembling slightly as if he were afraid Alex might reach through the phone and throttle him if the information wasn''t delivered fast enough. "Good. Keep me updated with her location." Alexander replied curtly and hung up without another word. In one fluid motion, Alex pushed back his chair, jumped to his feet, and stormed toward the door. As he crossed the lobby, he dialed his head bodyguard. "Meet me at the private docks. Now. Have the team ready." he ordered, his tone sharp and unforgiving. "Will do, sir." As soon as Alex hit the parking lot, he jumped into his car, mmed the door shut, and peeled out, heading straight for Lisa''s location. He didn''t care if he hit a few speed bumps-literal or metaphorical-on the way. The streets were mercifully empty, which gave him free rein to push the gas pedal to the floor, his mind racing faster than the car. After what felt like an eternity of burning rubber, he finally pulled up to the restaurant. His car screeched to a halt as he parked, and he stepped out, scanning the ce like a hawk looking for its prey. He walked in, the buzz of conversation and clinking silverware filling the air, but his eyes were locked on one thing-a familiar blonde head sitting at the back of the room. There she was. Lisa Thompson, looking as calm and collected as ever. Like she hadn''t caused him endless grief. Without hesitating, Alex strode toward her, his gaze fixed on her like aser. His eyes were cold, and as if sensing his presence, Lisa suddenly turned in his direction. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw him approaching, and for a split second, it looked like she didn''t know whether to smile or run. "Alex!" Lisa eximed, standing up from her chair with a forced cheerfulness. She walked toward him, trying to ce her hands on his chest, but Alex didn''t have any of it. "What are you doing here?" He grabbed her wrist before she could even touch him, his grip firm, his voice icy. "Lisa," he said, his voice icy, the sound of her name cutting through the air like a de. Her eyes widened even further, a flicker of confusion passing over her face. "What-what''s wrong? Is there something you want to tell me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice light, but Alex could see right through her. The fake innocence wasn''t going to work this time. He didn''t answer her. He wasn''t about to fall for whatever act she had rehearsed this time. Instead, he leaned in just a bit, still holding her wrist, and said, "You''reing with me." Lisa blinked; a look of confusion etched on her face. "Let me grab my purse." Lisa grabbed her bag quickly and the next thing she knew, Alex grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the restaurant. "Are you in a hurry?" He opened the passenger door and gave her a look that made it clear there was no room for negotiation. "Get in." Lisa, ever the opportunist, smiled softly as she slid into the car. In her mind, this was just another part of her n. Maybe Alex was finallying back to her. Maybe this was the moment all her schemes would pay off, and he''d realize they were meant to be. Alex got onto the driver''s side, his face stone-cold, saying nothing as he started the engine and peeled out of the parking lot. "You should have told me if you want to see me. I would have dressed up nicely to see you." Alex ignores her and focuses on driving. The silence in the car was thick, like a storm cloud brewing between them. Lisa couldn''t take it anymore. She leaned over, trying to act casual, her voice sweet butced with fake concern. "Where are we going, Alex?" Again, he didn''t answer. "Alex? Is there something on your mind?" she asked again, her tone more demanding this time. Still nothing. The car sped up, and that''s when she noticed something. Alex was gripping his phone, ncing down at it like he was waiting for something. Before she could ask again, he pressed a button, and the ringtone filled the car. But it wasn''ting from his phone. It wasing from hers. Lisa''s eyes widened in horror as she realized what was happening. Her hand shot to her bag, fumbling for her other phone - the one Alex wasn''t supposed to know about. The one she used for... other purposes. Alex turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable, but the rage simmering behind his eyes was unmistakable. You really thought wouldn''t find out?" he said quietly, the coldness in his voice making Lisa''s blood run cold. "I-I can exin. You got the wrong idea." she stammered, her face pale as she clutched the phone in her hand like it could somehow protect her. "Save it. I have had enough of your lies." Alex snapped, turning his attention back to the road as he pressed his foot down even harder on the gas. The car sped down the highway, the lights of the city blurring past them. Panic started to set in for Lisa. This wasn''t how things were supposed to go. She had been so sure that she was in control, that Alex would fal back into her trap. Hell, she doesn''t even know how Alexander managed to find out her other number. No one knows about that number other than herself. But now, sitting there in the passenger seat, she realized she had severely underestimated him.novelbin "Where are we going?" she asked, her voice trembling. Alex didn''t even nce at her. "You''ll see soon enough." Lisa''s heart was pounding now, and she reached for the door handle, trying to discreetly unlock it. But Alex was quicker, hitting the lock button on his side. The doors clicked shut with finality. "You''re not going anywhere," he said, his voice low and dangerous. Lisa''s mouth went dry. "Alex, please, just-" Chapter 287 You Are The Problem this whole situation wasn''tpletely insane. The doors were locked, and there was no escape. Lisa''s heart was pounding like a drum, the kind you hear right before something really bad happens in movies. Her palms were sweaty, and her breathing wasing out in shallow gasps. She darted a nce at Alexander, who was calmly gripping the steering wheel as if "Thinking about running away?" Alexander said, not even looking at her, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "If you''re that scared, maybe you shouldn''t have done what you did." His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it that made Lisa''s blood run cold. Lisa froze, staring at him with wide eyes. She tried to speak, but nothing came out. Her brain was screaming at her to do something, but there was nowhere to go. Alexander stepped on the gas, and they sped down the road. The world outside the car turned into a blur, and Lisa''s stomach churned with fear. After what felt like a lifetime but was probably only twenty minutes, they pulled up to Alexander''s private docks. The ce was dark, isted, and way too quiet. Lisa''s pulse quickened. She nced around wildly as if she might spot someone who could help her, but there was no one in sight. Just boats bobbing gently in the water and the eerie stillness of the night. "Where are we?" Lisa finally managed to squeak out, her voice trembling. Alexander didn''t answer. He got out of the car, and walked around to the passenger side. The door was wrenched open before Lisa had a chance to react, and Alexander grabbed her by the elbow, yanking her out of the seat. "No, stop!" Lisa struggled, but it was like trying to fight a brick wall. Alexander''s grip was like iron, and he was much stronger than her. "Come on, Lisa. Don''t make this harder than it needs to be," Alexander said, his voice calm, but his eyes cold as ice. Lisa dug her heels into the gravel, refusing to move. But Alexander just rolled his eyes and, with a rough tug, practically dragged her toward the house by the docks. She kicked and pulled, but it was useless. He was stronger, and she was terrified. They reached the door, where one of Alexander''s bodyguards was already waiting. The head of security opened the door for them without a word, and Alexander shoved Lisa inside with such force that she stumbled and fell to the floor. Her hands pped against the cold, hard ground, and she gasped, looking up at Alexander in disbelief. "Why are you doing this?" Lisa whimpered, trying to scramble to her feet, but Alexander stood there like a statue, his arms crossed, watching her with a look that made her feel like she was nothing more than a bug under his shoe. "Get a rope and a chair," Alexander barked at his bodyguard, who immediately left to do his bidding. Lisa''s heart stopped for a second. "W-what? What are you going to do with me?" she stammered, her voice shaking. Alexander didn''t answer her. He just stood there, ring at her. His silence was worse than anything he could''ve said. Momentster, the bodyguard returned, dragging a chair and holding a length of rope in his hands. Lisa''s eyes widened in horror as the man started tying the rope around the chair. "No, no, no! Please, let me go!" Lisa cried, trying to back away, but the bodyguard grabbed her and shoved her into the chair. She struggled as he wrapped the rope tightly around her, binding her to the chair so she couldn''t move. "Let me go! Alexander, please!" she screamed, her voice cracking with panic. Alexander took a step forward, looming over her. His face was cold, unreadable. "Did you hurt Abigail?" he asked, his voice low, but the words hit Lisa like a sledgehammer. Lisa''s heart skipped a beat. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. How did he know? How could he possibly know? "I-I don''t know what you''re talking about," Lisa stammered, trying to lie her way out of it. She had always been good at lying. But Alexander wasn''t buying it. "Don''t," Alexander snapped, his eyes narrowing. "Don''t lie to me. I already know." Lisa swallowed hard; her throat tight. There was no way out of this. "I did it for you," she whispered, barely able to get the words out. Alexander''s face hardened. His jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists at his sides. "For me? You did it for me?" He practically spat the words. Lisa flinched; her eyes wide. "Yes! Abigail was getting too close to you. I-I couldn''t let her ruin everything. I had to do something!" she said, her voice desperate. For a second, Alexander said nothing. He just stared at her like she was the most pathetic thing he''d ever seen. "If you were a man, I''d have knocked you out by now," Alexander said through gritted teeth. He turned away from her, running a hand through his hair, trying to control his anger. "Alex, please!" Lisa begged. "I did it for us! I love you! I thought if Abigail was out of the way-" "Out of the way?" Alexander interrupted, his voice rising. "She''s in the hospital, Lisa! Do you have any idea what you''ve done?" Lisa''s eyes filled with tears. "I-I didn''t mean for it to go that far. I just wanted her gone. I thought... I thought you''d be happy if she weren''t around anymore." Alexander stared at her, his face a mix of disbelief and disgust. "You thought I''d be happy?" he repeated, his voice thick with contempt. "You really have no idea, do you?"novelbin Lisa blinked, her mind racing. "I love you," she said again, her voice shaky, as if those words could fix everything. Alexanderughed, but there was no humor in it. "You love me?" he scoffed. "This isn''t love, Lisa. This is an obsession. And it''s sick. If it wasn''t for ire, I would have never found out that you are the one behind it." Her eyes, once pleading, now turned cold-chillingly cold. "Of course, ire has to be involved," she spat, her voice dripping with bitterness. The change in her tone sent a shiver down Alexander''s spine. His anger red up again, but Lisa wasn''t finished. She took a step closer to him her heels clicking on the wooden floor of the docks'' house. "Every n I''ve ever made falls apart because of ire. She''s always there, always in the way. I don''t even know how she does it! She''s like... like a needle in a haystack. Like a bedbug, crawling where no one expects her to be, ruining everything. A gue spreading her virus everywhere she goes." Alexander clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. The way Lisa talked about ire filled him with rage. "ire''s not the problem here, Lisa. You are." Lisa didn''t seem fazed. She crossed her arms, he expression unreadable.. "She doesn''t even like you, Alex Lisa said, her voice soft but pointed. "So why do you keep trying? Why do you keep running after her like a lovesick fook?" Alexander didn''t answer. He couldn''t, really. Because deep down, he didn''t know why. But he wasn''t about to exin that to Lisa. Instead, he turned on his heel and barked an order to his bodyguard standing by the door. "Watch her," he said, jerking his head toward Lisa. "Don''t let her leave." His voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. As he made his way to the door, Lisa''s voice cut through the silence like ice cracking in the dead of winter. Im going to hurt ire this time," she said, her tone so cold, so calcted, that it stopped Alexander dead in his tracks. Chapter 288 He Knew ire sat at her desk, staring nkly at the ceiling, her mind swirling with thoughts. Her office was dimly lit, the evening light barely cutting through the heavy curtains. The case was eating her up inside, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t pin down the mastermind. Rafayel, the poor guy, had been no help at all, especially after wetting himself during the interrogation. She sighed heavily, slouching deeper into her chair.novelbin Just then, the door swung open with a creak. ire blinked, looking down to see Matthew saunter in, holding a cup of coffee. He gave her a small nod, sensing the stress in the room, and ced the coffee on her desk without saying a word. He pulled up a chair, sat across from her, and finally broke the silence. "Still stuck on the woman Rafayel mentioned?" he asked casually. ire let out another sigh and picked up the coffee. She wasn''t much of a coffee drinker, but this case was dragging her down, and she needed all the caffeine she could get. After a quick sip, she frowned. "Yeah, it''s like I''m missing something, but I can''t figure out what," ire admitted, rubbing her temples. "I''ve gone through everything a million times, but I''m still nowhere." Matthew leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment. "Did Alex call youst night?" he asked, his eyes narrowing a bit. ire nodded. "He did, yeah." Matthew tilted his head. "What did he call about?" ire paused, trying to recall the conversation. "He asked if I was looking for the three guys who harassed Abigail. I told him that I''d taken care of them and was focused on finding the mastermind." Matthew straightened up, his brow furrowed. "And then?" "And then I ended the call. I mean, we were in the middle of dealing with Rafayel, remember?" Matthew scratched his chin, frowning even deeper. "Why would Alex ask about those guys?" ire shrugged. "Maybe he thought we were looking for the three guys." "Maybe, but what if..." He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, and stared at ire as if trying to piece together a puzzle. "What if," he began slowly, "what if Alex already found the mastermind?" ire''s eyes narrowed, and she let out a smallugh. "Alex? Come on. He''s not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. The guy didn''t even realize I''m the CEO of Metacortex, and we''ve been together for how long?" Matthew chuckled, but there was still a serious look in his eyes. "Okay, okay. Fair. But think about it he called you out of the blue, asking about those guys. And yesterday, when we were asking the woman, Harris suddenly left without saying anything. It''s like he suddenly realized something." ire blinked, the coffee cup halfway to her lips. "You think he''s figured something out?" Matthew nodded slowly. "I''ve got this feeling. He might have stumbled on something." ire sat up straighter in her chair, the gears in her mind starting to turn. "But if that''s true, why wouldn''t he tell me?" Matthew scratched the back of his head. "Maybe he doesn''t prefer to keep it a secret? Who knows, is not like you and Harris have the greatest rtionship." ire sighed, tapping her fingers on the desk. "Great. So now we''re ying ''Did Alex identally solve the case?"" "How about you ask the person? Maybe he will change his mind and tell you." "I doubt he will tell me but, I know how to make him talk as usual." ire stood up from her chair, eyes darting to Matthew. "I''m going to see Alexander," she announced, reaching for her phone on the table. Matthew lifted an eyebrow. "You''re not going without me," he said standing up. ire sighed but didn''t argue. She grabbed her bag, threw her phone inside, and walked to the door. "Fine," she muttered. Matthew smirked, following her closely as they made their way down to the lobby. The driver, already waiting by the sleek ck car, opened the door for ire. Before ire could slide in, Matthew held up a hand. "I''ll take the wheel today," he said, grinning at the driver. The driver blinked, a little surprised, but nodded. "As you wish, sir." ire didn''t seem phased by the sudden change, hopping into the passenger seat while Matthew settled into the driver''s side. As they pulled out of the driveway and headed towards Harris Company, ire''s mind was racing. Could Alexander have finally uncovered the mastermind behind all this chaos? The thought kept spinning around in her head, but no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn''te to any conclusions. Traffic didn''t help either. The 30-minute drive felt like hours. ire drummed her fingers impatiently on the door. "This traffic is unbearable," she groaned, ring at the cars ahead as if her stare alone could clear the road. Matthew chuckled. "You''re just anxious to get answers. Patience, ire." "Patience, my foot. We could''ve been there by now," she grumbled, folding her arms and sinking deeper into her seat. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they pulled up in front of the Harris Company building. ire wasted no time. She jumped out of the car as soon as it came to a stop, Matthew following close behind. Together, they strode into the lobby, their shoes clicking against the marble floor. Without missing a beat, ire headed straight for the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor. The elevator ride was tense, but no word was exchanged between them. ire''s mind was too focused on Alexander, while Matthew leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets, looking as if he was along for the ride. When the doors dinged open, they stepped into the plush office hallway. Alexander''s secretary, a tall woman with perfectly styled hair, immediately stood up from behind her desk. "Do you have an appointment?" she asked, looking from ire to Matthew. ire fixed the secretary with a sharp stare. "I need to see Alexander. It''s important." The secretary blinked, clearly caught off guard by ire''s intensity. "Uh, one moment, Ms. Peterson," she said, her fingers trembling slightly as she picked up the office phone After a quick conversation, she nodded and turned back to ire. "You can go in now." ire didn''t wait for further instructions, She marched right past the secretary, pushing the door open. Matthew trailed after her, whistling softly under his breath. Inside, Alexander was seated behind his massive mahogany desk, looking up from a pile of papers. "ire. Matthew," Alexander greeted, his deep voice calm. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" ire wasn''t having any of the pleasantries. She crossed her arms over her chest and red at him. "You know." Alexander blinked, tilting his head. "Know what?" He sounded genuinely confused. "Don''t y dumb, Alexander," ire snapped. "Have you found out who''s behind all of this? The mastermind?" Alexander leaned back in his chair; eyebrows furrowed. "You think I''ve discovered something and didn''t tell you?" "Yes," ire said, her voice firm. "Let''s just say I did. What are you going to do about it." Alexander raised his brows, but ire only seemed more annoyed by this. "I''m not in the mood to y games, Harris. Tell me who is the mastermind." Alexander stood up from his chair and stared at ire coldly. "No, you don''t even tell me anything. So why would I tell you?" Alexander wanted to keep it this way. He wanted to be the one to deal with Lisa after what she saidst night, Alexander doesn''t want ire to get hurt but she doesn''t need to know his intention. Is not like she will believe everything he says. "You''re a know-it-all. I''m sure you can figure this out yourself." Chapter 289 She Ran Away ire felt her irritation rise. It was like trying to have a serious conversation with a brick wall. "The woman, Alexander. Tell me who the woman is!" Alexander leaned back in his chair, raising his eyebrows in surprise. Then, a smirk slowly spread across his face, the kind that made ire want to punch him. He crossed his arms, mirroring her stance. "So, you know it''s a woman," he teased. "That means you''re one step closer to figuring it out." ire gritted her teeth. "This isn''t a guessing game. I don''t have time for this." He stood up and strolled toward the door, casually as if they were talking about the weather. Reaching for the handle, he opened the door wide and turned back to her. "I''m busy, ire. I don''t have time to be disturbed by your endless questions." ire remained rooted to her spot, ring at him. "I''m not leaving until you tell me who she is."novelbin Alexander scoffed, his smirk turning into a grin. "You barely tell me anything. Why should I share my information with you?" ire took a step closer, her eyes narrowing. "Because this woman hurt Abigail. And I''m not letting her get away with it. If you know something, it''s better if you tell me now." They stood there, staring each other down, neither one willing to back off. ire''s eyes were practically shootingsers, and Alexander''s frown deepened as the tension between them grew. Just when things were about to explode, Alexander''s phone rang, breaking the standoff. He nced at the screen, sighed, and answered the call. "Yes, Mary?" It was Abigail''s mother. Alexander''s eyes widened in surprise as he listened. "She''s awake? I''ll be there as soon as I can." He hung up and turned to ire, his voice more serious than before. "Abigail''s awake." ire''s hard expression softened for a moment, genuine surprise flickering across her face. But before either of them could say anything else, they both hurried out of the office, the intensity of their previous argument temporarily forgotten. As they stepped into the lobby, ire turned back to Alexander, her voice firm. "This conversation isn''t over." Alexander grunted in response as they parted ways. ire joined Matthew, her right-hand man, and they headed toward their car. Alexander walked briskly toward his own vehicle, feeling the weight of everything piling up on his shoulders. Sliding into the driver''s seat, Alexander was about to turn the key when his phone rang again. He let out a frustrated groan and answered it. "What now?" It was one of his bodyguards, the one stationed at the private docks to watch over Lisa. "Uh, sir, we''ve got a situation," the bodyguard said, his voice wavering a bit. "Lisa''s managed to slip away. We''re still searching for her." Alexander''s eyes widened. "Are you kidding me right now? I told you to watch her, not let her escape!" The bodyguard stammered slightly but tried to keep his voice steady. "We''rebing the entire area, sir. It''s a private dock-she can''t have gone far." "Then find her!" Alexander snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "I want her back in that house, and I want it done now." He hung up the phone, frustration bubbling inside him. He mmed his hands against the steering wheel. This was not how today was supposed to go. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the city, Alexander felt a knot of anxiety form in his stomach. Lisa was unpredictable at the best of times, and now that she was on the loose, there was no telling what kind of chaos she would stir up. ire and Matthew were already on the road, heading toward the hospital where Abigail was recovering. The mood in the car was tense, and ire''s fingers tapped restlessly against her thigh. "Are you still going to ask Alexander?" "Of course, I will not let him get away with it. But for now, let''s see how Abigail''s doing. I hope she''s okay." ire said, though her focus was already shifting back to the situation at hand. Back at the docks, Alexander''s bodyguards were scouring the area, searching through shadows and every hidden corner. Lisa, however, was proving harder to track down than expected. Alexander pulled up to his private dock. He hopped out of the car, barely letting the engine shut off before a burly man in a ck suit approached him, his face looking more anxious than usual. "Boss, uh, I''m sorry," the bodyguard stammered, his hand nervously brushing the bandage on his cheek. Alexander squinted at him, instantly suspicious. "What''s that cut about?" The bodyguard swallowed hard. "It''s... Lisa, sir. She, uh, grabbed a knife and well-she attacked me." "She what?" Alexander raised an eyebrow, clearly not in the mood for this kind of news. He had enough on his te, and now this? "She cut me, but... it''s fine. Just a scratch," the bodyguard said, almost proudly. Alexander wasn''t convinced. "Did she hurt anyone else?" The bodyguard hesitated. A long pause. Alexander crossed his arms, impatient. "Out with it," he snapped. "Well, sir, yeah, she, uh, got one of the others. Real bad." Alexander cursed loudly, causing a flock of birds nearby to scatter into the sky. "I didn''t think Lisa had it in her to go this far! Unbelievable!" He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated, before barking out orders. "Get him to a hospital, now! And next time, don''t let her get her hands on a knife. That seems like basic stuff." The bodyguard nodded furiously, already pulling out his phone to call for medical help. Alexander stormed toward the house, pushing open the front door with a bit more force than necessary. Inside, it was aplete disaster-like a tornado had ripped through it. Chairs overturned,mps broken, and what looked like a vase shattered into a thousand pieces on the floor. He stood in the middle of the mess, arms at his sides, taking it all in. "Great. Just fantastic," he muttered sarcastically. "Do we have footage of this?" he asked. The bodyguard, who had followed him inside, pulled out his phone and handed it to Alexander. "Yeah, boss. Caught it all on the security cams." Alexander took the phone and watched in silence. The footage showed Lisa tied to a chair in the kitchen, at first still. But then, after a while she started wiggling and squirming like crazy until the ropes around her wrists loosened She was quick, a lot quicker than Alexander expected, and she darted to the kitchen counter, grabbed a knife, and went after the two guards. One was sharp enough to dodge, but the other wasn''t so lucky. She shed him across the arm, and he went down with a cry of pain. Then, like she knew the ce better than they did, Lisa made a beeline for the back door and slipped out into the night. Alexander frowned as the footage ended. He handed the phone back. "How did none of you see thising?" "I''m sorry, sir. We thought she was secure=" "Clearly not secure enough," Alexander cut in. "Get your guys and find her. I don''t care where she''s gone. She''s not getting away with this." The bodyguard nodded and hurried out, already barking orders into his earpiece. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 290 Keeping a Secret Meanwhile, Lisa had made it to the Robertson mansion. She stood at the front door, her heart racing, ncing over her shoulder nervously. She knocked, her fist hitting the door harder than she intended. A maid opened the door, dressed in a neat uniform, and gave Lisa a polite smile. "May I help you-" But Lisa shoved past her, barely acknowledging the maid''s existence. "Gretta! Gretta, where are you?" she called out, her voice echoing through the grand foyer. The maid hurried after her, flustered. "Miss, please, you need to be quiet. Madam doesn''t like loud noises-" But Lisa didn''t care. She kept calling out for Gretta, louder this time. After a tense minute, Gretta appeared at the top of the grand staircase, her perfectly manicured hand resting on the banister. She wore an elegant dress that looked expensive, and her face was a mixture of annoyance and surprise. "Lisa," Gretta said, her voice cool but curious. "What on earth are you doing here, barging in like a maniac?" Lisa didn''t waste any time. "I have a n and I''m gonna need your help." ire and Matthew rushed through the hospital hallway, their footsteps echoing off the white-tiled floor. ire''s mind was racing as they approached Abigail''s room. She knocked softly on the door, and when she opened it, there was Abigail-sitting up in bed, her face pale but awake. Both of Abigail''s parents were there, holding each other, their eyes red from crying. "Hey, Abigail," ire greeted softly, stepping into the room. "How are you feeling?" Abigail turned her head, and the second her eyes met ire''s, they welled up with tears. ire didn''t hesitate; she stepped forward and hugged her gently. "That night..." Abigail started, her voice shaky. "There were three guys-" "Shh," ire cut her off quickly, pulling away slightly to look into her friend''s eyes. "You don''t have to tell me. I already know. I''m just d you''re awake." ire ced her hands on Abigail''s shoulders and leaned in a little, her expression softening. "But seriously, are you okay?" Abigail nodded, biting her lip as another tear slipped down her cheek. "Yeah. I think so," she whispered. "Thank you, ire." "For what?" ire asked, confused. "My parents told me... about the blood donation. You saved me." Abigail''s voice cracked as she spoke, and she reached out to grab ire''s hand. "It means so much." ire smiled, squeezing her friend''s hand. "I just did what was right. Besides, it wasn''t even that much blood," she joked, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "I''ll probably be fine after, like, a million snacks." Matthew, who had been standing nearby, finally spoke up. "Hey, Abigail. How''re you doing?" he asked gently, offering a small wave. Abigail smiled weakly. "I''ve been better, but... I''ll live." Everyone in the room let out a collective sigh of relief. The tension started to ease up, and the conversation turned to small talk about the hospital food (which, as usual, was terrible), and the fact that Abigail was going to need some time to fully recover. About thirty minutes passed, and then there was another knock on the door. This time, it was Alexander. ire nced at him, surprised. "Wait... how did you just get here?" ire asked, raising an eyebrow. "I swear you were right behind us earlier." Alexander just shrugged. "Took a detour." He walked over to Abigail''s bed and smiled. "How are you holding up?" Abigail, with a small smile, reached out and grabbed Alexander by the wrist, pulling him into a hug. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Alexander''s hands froze awkwardly by his sides. He looked a little lost, clearly not used to being hugged, especially in front of everyone. After a moment, he gently patted Abigail on the back like he wasn''t sure what else to do. "Uh... yeah," he mumbled. "I''m d you''re awake. Just focus on getting better, okay?" ire watched the interaction with her arms crossed, frowning a little. Something about it bugged her, but she couldn''t quite put her finger on it. Maybe it was the awkward way Alexander had reacted, or maybe it was something else entirely. Either way, she didn''t dwell on it for too long. Abigail, still holding Alexander''s hand, looked up at him. "I heard what you did for me... while I was in aa," she said softly. Alexander gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Just doing what I could. Don''t worry about it. Right now, all you need to focus on is getting back on your feet." ire felt the need to step out for a bit. Hospitals always felt too stuffy to her, like they were suffocating." be back in a bit," she said, giving Abigail''s shoulder a light squstnovelbin before heading for the door. Just need some fresh air." As she stepped into the hallway, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and nced at the screen. It was a message from Adrian. "In two days, there will be the Saint Laurent family jewelry auction. Be my date?" ire stopped in her tracks, staring at the message for a second. Adrian always had a way of popping up at the most unexpected times. She leaned against the wall, typing out a quick reply. "I already got an invitation, actually." Not long after, Adrian shot back a response. "Even better. You shouldn''t go alone to something like that. Way more fun with a date, don''t you think?" ire chuckled under her breath, rolling her eyes at her phone. "Smooth, Adrian, real smooth," she thought. She sighed, but her thoughts quickly shifted back to the hospital room and, more specifically, to Alexander. ire wandered down the hallway, trying to clear her head. She couldn''t shake the feeling that there was vel something bigger going on-something they were all missing. And for some reason, Alexander seemed to be at the center of it. Her phone buzzed again, and another message came from Adrian. "So, what do you say? Want to be my date?" ire nced at her phone, then went back in the direction of Abigail''s room. "I''ll think about it," she texted back, pocketing the phone again. The sound of the door opening but ire kept her gaze out the window. "The stars are shining brightly tonight." ire scoffed. She clearly doesn''t need this useless talk. "If you are here to make a small talk, don''t. I''m not in the mood." "Are you seriously still mad at me because I didn''t tell you who the one behind it was? ire turned to him, her eyes ring at Alexander. "I don''t know Alexander, what do you think? My intentions are nice, I wanted to put the person who did all this to Abigail behind the jail." "I have my reason why I don''t tell you." ire crossed her arms over her chest looking at him coldly. "And what is the reason?" Alexander stared at her frowning and cold face then sighed. "You''ll see." "Fine, keep your secret to yourself but remember, Abigail is awake now and we both don''t know if she is targeting Abigail again." Alexander wanted to scream and tell him that the life that was in danger was not Abigail but ire herself. But Alex can''t tell her that, he doesn''t have enough proof. What he needs to do is protect ire. Chapter 291 Saint Laurent Jewelry Auction Alexander paced back and forth in his penthouse; his phone glued to his ear. His fingers drummed impatiently on the window frame as he stared out at the city lights below. The irritation in his voice could''ve been felt through the phone. "Have you found Lisa yet?" he snapped, voiceced with frustration. On the other end, his bodyguard, Jake, sounded far less sure of himself. "Uh, no, sir. We''re still looking. We''ve checked all the usual ces, but-" "You''ve been watching the surveince cameras, and you still can''t find her? How is that even possible?" Alexander cut him off, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stave off the headache that was creeping in. "We''re doing our best, Mr. Harris," the bodyguard replied quickly, his voice apologetic. "We''ll work harder, I promise. We''ll find her soon." Alexander let out a low growl of annoyance. "I don''t want ''soon,''. I want now. Find her, ASAP, or I''ll" He stopped himself, knowing he was being unreasonable, but stress was making him snap. With a sigh, he shook his head, "Just find her, okay?" "Yes, sir," Jake said hurriedly. Without another word, Alexander hung up and pocketed his phone with a sharp motion. He red at his reflection in the mirror, his frustration still simmering under the surface. He reached for the silk butterfly tie he''d been trying to knot for thest ten minutes, but his fingers fumbled again, making him yank it off with a growl. "Screw this," he muttered to himself, tossing the tie onto the dresser. He grabbed a in ck tie instead and managed to knot it perfectly on the first try, though it didn''t make him feel any better. Staring at his reflection, he ran a hand through his dark hair and muttered under his breath. "This stupid auction," he grumbled, adjusting his jacket. "Why am I even going to this thing? Saint Laurent jewelry?" He could skip it, but something - or rather someone - was pulling him there tonight. ire. The thought of her attending the auction was enough to make him want to keep an eye on her, especially after hearing Lisa words and with Lisa going M.I.A, Alexander worry that she might hurt ire. Meanwhile, ire was in the back of a sleek ck car, staring out the window. Her mind was far from the glittering event she was about to attend. Instead, she was still dwelling on herst conversation with Alexander. He knew who was behind Abigail''s attack, and yet, he refused to tell her. The fact that he''d kept that information from her, despite her asking, gnawed at her. "Why won''t he just tell me?" she mumbled to herself, watching the city lights blur past. Sitting next to her, Adrian nced over. His brows furrowed in concern as he gently ced a hand on her shoulder. "You okay? You''ve been awfully quiet." ire snapped out of her thoughts, turning to him with a forced smile. "I''m fine, really. Just... a lot on my mind." "If you need help with anything, I''m here," Adrian said softly, his eyes searching hers. "You don''t have to handle everything alone, you know." ire appreciated his offer but shook her head. "Thanks, Adrian, but I''ve got it under control." He didn''t look convinced but gave her a small smile anyway. "Just know you''re not alone. I''m here for you, always." Something about his words touched her. ire wasn''t used to leaning on people, but in this moment, she felt genuinely grateful for Adrian''s support. She nodded and smiled a little more sincerely this time. "I appreciate it. Really, I do. Thank you for being so kind and understanding." Adrian gave her shoulder a light squeeze before pulling his hand away. "Of course." The car slowed as it approached the hotel where the auction was being held. shing lights and the sounds of photographers shouting filled the air as they pulled up to the entrance. ire sighed at the spectacle in front of her. Saint Laurent''s jewelry auction only happened every five years, and the elite of the elite were all here to show off their wealth. The press was eating it up, as usual. Adrian nced over at ire, who sat beside him in their sleek ck limo. "You ready?" he asked, giving her a sideways grin. ire nodded, her long legs crossed elegantly, shimmering in her ck, sparkly dress. Her heels were killer-literally-and she knew it. Adrian gave her a quick smile, then opened the door as their bodyguard swung the car door wide. Adrian stepped out first, standing tall as the cameras immediately started shing. Without skipping a beat, he stretched out his hand toward ire. She took it, her red nails glinting in the light, and stepped out of the car with a grace that made the photographers go wild. She was used to this-both of them were. The heir of Saint Laurent, Adrian, and the CEO of Metacortex, ire, was quite the power pair, even if they weren''t exactly together. Journalists screamed questions from behind the velvet ropes. "Adrian! ire! Over here!" Adrian smiled. ire shed her best camera-ready grin, ignoring the chaos of the crowd. They posed together as if this was just another Monday for them. ire tilted her head slightly toward Adrian, letting the light catch her dress just right. Then, Alexander''s car rolled up. The ck SUV stopped behind them, and in no time Alexander, thest person ire wanted to see, stepped out. His tight smile flickered as the cameras went crazy again. He waved politely but wasn''t paying attention to the paparazzi. His eyes went straight to ire. And Adrian. His brow furrowed as he took in the scene. Are ire and Adrian a thing now? he thought, his jaw tightening slightly. His stomach churned with something he didn''t want to admit. Sure, he wasn''t with ire anymore, but seeing her with Adrian? Yeah, that rubbed him the wrong way. As Alexander walked up the red-carpeted stairs, the journalists screamed his name too, and photographers snapped away like their lives depended on it. "Alexander! Over here! Who are you bidding for tonight?" He barely nodded, his eyes still fixed on ire and Adrian, who were posing together like they owned the ce. When Adrian spotted him, he gave a cool nod. ire, on the other hand, gave Alexander a quick, forced smile. She wasn''t exactly thrilled to see him either, but for the sake of the cameras, she yed along. The journalists, sensing some drama, called out, "How about a picture of all three of you together?" "Great," ire muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes as she turned to Adrian and Alexander. She didn''t want to be standing next to her ex right now, but it wasn''t like she had a choice. "Come on, let''s give them what they want," Adrian said smoothly, stepping to her right. Alexander moved to her left, standing stiffly as he stered on a fake smile. The three of them posed for the cameras, and ire could feel Alexander''s hand rest a little toofortably on her waist. She sucked in a breath, holding her perfect, practiced smile for the cameras. Inside, though, she was fuming. She hated being close to Alexander, especially after what he''d done for rather, what he hadn''t done. Abigail''s ident still fingered in the back of her mind. He knew more than he let on and refused to tell her. The shes continued, and ire''s cheeks were starting to hurt from holding her smile. Alexander leaned in; his voice low. "You look stunning tonight." ire''s lips didn''t budge, but her eyes shot daggers at him. "Thanks," she muttered through her teeth, not even looking his way. The photographers shouted, "Smile at each other! Over here!"novelbin ire''s smile twitched. Her patience was wearing thin, and she was ready to escape this awkward moment. "I''m sure you''re enjoying this." "Seeing you faking your smile and being close to me for the sake of the camera? Yes, very." He whispered softly into her ears. Chapter 292 Two hundred million As the ballroom doors swung open, ire and Adrian walked in together, side by side. The grand auction hall was filled with crystal chandeliers, rich velvet curtains, and the quiet hum of murmured conversations. Businessmen and socialites alike mingled and sipped champagne, waiting for the night''s main event. ire scanned the room, her eyes briefly catching the sight of Alexander, standing near a group of men in suits. He was effortlessly charming, as usual, talking business with a few older businessmen who seemed eager to hear every word. They found their seats in the beautifully decorated auction room, settling in just as Alexander entered too, but, of course, he was instantly sidetracked. A couple of businessmen snagged him before he could sit down,unching into a dry conversation about mergers and investments. Typical Alexander, never missing a chance to talk business. ire sighed and leaned back in her chair, scanning the room. "I wonder how many people are here just to show off," she muttered, raising her eyebrows at a woman whose diamond ne looked big enough to have its own zip code. Adrian chuckled softly, "Probably most of them. You doing, okay?" ire shed him a bright smile. "I''m fine, really. Alexander doesn''t bother me. Not anymore. Tonight''s about jewels, not drama." Adrian gave her a knowing look but didn''t push the subject. He knew better than to dig too deep when ire insisted, she was okay. He also knew ire well enough to see through her. Ten minutester, the host grabbed the microphone and tapped it to get everyone''s attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The auction will begin shortly." ire straightened up, and so did Adrian. The room buzzed with excitement as people began to settle into their spots. ire''s gaze wandered to the table next to theirs, where Alexander had just sat down, looking perfectly at ease as if he owned the ce. "Of course, he''s sitting right next to us," ire muttered under her breath. The auction began with Mr. Saint Laurent, Adrian''s grandfather, stepping up to give a short weing speech. He was a stately man, oozing with old-world charm. He thanked everyone for attending and gave a brief history of the jewelry they were about to auction off, proudly boasting how the Saint Laurent family had a legacy that stretched back for generations. "Thank you all foring," Mr. Saint Laurent said in his deep voice. "This evening, we will showcase some of the finest and rarest pieces from our collection, including the renowned Rose Ne, which has been in the family for over a century." "Let''s start the auction, shall we?" The crowd buzzed with excitement. "Our first item," the host continued, "is the Rose Ne. Starting bid: one million dors." A few hands shot up around the room, the bids climbing quickly. Two million. Three million. ire watched with mild interest but didn''t raise her paddle. That ne wasn''t her style. After a few more pieces came and went, a stunning ne caught ire''s eye. The starting bid for this one was three million dors. Without hesitation, she raised her paddle. "Five million," she said confidently. Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Going all in?" ire smirked. "It''s beautiful. Worth every cent." Other bidders tried to match her, but ire wasn''t backing down. When the gavel finally came down, the ne was hers. She smiled triumphantly, leaning back in her chair. "You''ve got good taste," Adrian said, chuckling. "I know," ire replied with a grin. "Goin once, going twice, sold to Ms. Peterson." The host, with a dramatic ir, gestured toward the staff, who carefully wheeled out the final piece of the night. This ne was unlike any of the othersan intricate masterpiece, with the host exining that it was nearly impossible to craft. "And now, the bidding for this extremely rare piece will start at twenty million dors." The crowd gasped. "Twenty-two million," "Twenty-five," "Thirty!" ire''s eyes widened, and she whipped her head around to see who had bid thirty million dors. Her stomach sank, and her expression turned cold when she saw her. Gretta. Gretta was thest person ire wanted to see tonight. ire had no idea how that woman had even gotten an invitation to this auction, but there she was, sitting with her head held high, looking as if she owned the room. As if feeling ire''s icy re, Gretta turned her head, meeting ire''s eyes. She smirked, a smug little twist of her lips that made ire''s blood boil. ire leaned back in her seat and casually raised her paddle. "Forty million."novelbin Gasps rippled through the audience, but ire barely noticed. Her eyes were locked on Gretta, who looked less confident now, though she quickly masked it with a tight smile. "Fifty million," Gretta fired back, her tone strained but trying to sound nonchnt. Whispers erupted in the room as the stakes climbed. ire''s heart raced, but she wasn''t about to let Gretta see her sweat. She raised her paddle again. "Sixty million." The crowd collectively held their breath. Gretta''s smirk wavered. For a split second, ire thought she might have won, but Gretta nced down at her paddle, then at her husband''s empty chair, and hesitated. The reality hit her she didn''t have that kind of money. Not after ire had engineered her husband''s recent downfall. Gretta''s face fell as she ced her paddle down, defeated. ire''s smirk widened. This victory was almost too easy. "Going once..." the auctioneer announced. ire could already taste her triumph. "Going twice..." And then, out of nowhere, a voice cut through the room. "Seventy million." ire''s eyes widened in disbelief. That voice-it was unmistakable. Alexander Harris. She didn''t even bother to turn around. Instead, she just rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn''t stay stuck. "Of course, it''s him," she muttered under her breath. Why did he always have to show up at the worst possible moment? Without thinking, ire raised her paddle again. "One hundred million." The crowd audibly gasped. She wasn''t sure why they were so surprised. It was just money, after all. ire leaned back in her chair; certain Alexander would back off. What would he even do with a diamond ne, anyway? He wasn''t exactly known for wear shy jewelry. But then, a horrible thought crossed her mind. What if this wasn''t about him? What if he was nning to give the ne to someone else? Abigail. The thought made her frown. Her heart pounded as she watched the auctioneer raise his gavel. "Going once..." "Two hundred million," Alexander''s voice rang out again. A stunned silence fell over the room. Even ire, who usually prided herself on staying calm under pressure, couldn''t help but gape at the ridiculous number. "Two hundred million?" she whispered, eyes narrowing. "What is he ying at?" Gretta, sitting just a few seats away, was watching the whole thing unfold with a mixture of amusement and schadenfreude. She leaned in slightly and whispered, "Looks like someone''s out of their depth." The auctioneer''s voice sliced through the tension. "Going once... going twice... sold to Mr. Alexander Harris for two hundred million dors!" Apuse filled the room, but ire remained seated, her expression unreadable as she slowly stood up She pped along with the others but there was no warmth in her apuse. Her eyes were locked on Alexander, who was making his way toothe front to finalize the sa the sale. He barely nced at her, offering only the faintest nod in acknowledgment. It wasn''t even a smug look-he was just... neutral. Chapter 293 Kidnapping Claire ire. ire pped her hand, and forced a smile as she watched Alexander Harris descend the stage. He''d just won the final bid-a jaw-dropping $200 million for a piece of jewelry, the famed Saint Laurent ne. The amount was absurd, even to someone as wealthy as Sure, she had plenty of money, but even she wasn''t foolish enough to spend that much on a piece of jewelry. ire''s mood had sunk like a stone, but her face stayed calm and collected. She was good at that-hiding what she really felt behind a mask of ease. The other guests rushed to congratte Alexander as he passed by their tables, and when he reached hers, ire stood, her fake smile perfectly in ce. "Congrattions, Alexander," she said, extending her hand. Alexander shook it, his grip firm but rxed. "Thank you, ire." Behind him, Adrian approached his smile more business than pleasure. "Congrats, Alexander," he said smoothly. "I believe you will take care of it. It''s been a while since someone held it." Alexander gave a polite nod, though his face was still tense every time he talked to Adrian. "I''ll take care of it." ire barely paid attention. Her phone buzzed in her hand, a text from Matthew: I''ll be there soon. She pocketed her phone, and Adrian excused himself. "I''m off to speak with my grandfather. I''ll catch up with you twoter." He gave ire a nod before heading toward the far end of the room, leaving her alone with Alexander. Great, just what she needed. ire crossed her arms, ncing at Alexander. "What are you going to do with it?" Alexander, hands stuffed into his pockets, shrugged. "I haven''t really thought about it." ire''s brow furrowed. "You spent $200 million on a ne, and you don''t know what you''re going to do with it?" He smirked, raising his brows as if amused by her irritation. "Are you jealous you didn''t win?"novelbin ire scoffed. "Please. I''m not stupid enough to blow that kind of money on a ne." Her tone was sharp, but Alexander just chuckled. He didn''t seem to take anything seriously, and that only annoyed her more. "Enjoy your night," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. She turned sharply on her heel and headed for the bar. She needed a drink, something strong to take the edge off her frustration. As she made her way through the crowd, someone bumped into her, hard. The next thing she knew, cold liquid sshed down her front, soaking her dress. ire gasped, her eyes wide as she looked down at the red wine now staining her pale blue gown. She snapped her gaze up to see who the culprit was, and of course, it was none other than Gretta Robertson, queen of fake smiles and petty drama. "Oh, I''m so sorry, ire!" Gretta eximed, her tone high-pitched and insincere. Her expression was the picture of fake surprise, eyes wide as if she hadn''t just deliberately spilled wine all over ire''s dress. ire narrowed her eyes, seething beneath her calm exterior. "Use your eyes next time, Gretta." Gretta''s lips twitched into a mocking smile. "idents happen," she said with a shrug. Then, as if she couldn''t resist twisting the knife, she added, "By the way, congrattions for not winning the bid. Seems like the great ire Peterson doesn''t always get what she wants. Tough luck." ire tilted her head, feigning indifference. "At least I bought something tonight, unlike you." Gretta''s face flushed red, the mocking glint in her eyes disappearing. She hated being called out, especially by ire "I was going to...but none of the pieces suit my interest. Thest one did but both of us failed to get it." "I don''t fail. I could easily purchase it doesn''t matter about the price. At least I spend $5 million. How about you? How much did you spend?" ire stared at Gretta with arrogance which only makes Gretta annoyed. "I don''t need to spend money on something I don''t like." "Don''t tell me you''re scared, Gretta," ire added with augh. "Afraid you''ll run out of money after bidding on that ridiculously overpriced jewelry?" Gretta''s grip tightened around the empty wine ss in her hand. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. "I think you''re just saying all this to make yourself feel better," she shot back, her voice strained with irritation. ire chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, darling, I''m just stating the facts," she said with a wave of her hand as if dismissing Gretta altogether. With that, ire turned on her heel and made her way toward the bathroom, leaving Gretta stewing in a mix of anger and embarrassment. As soon as ire entered the bathroom, she grabbed a tissue and started dabbing at the wine stain on her ck dress. It wasn''t all that visible because of the dark fabric, but she could feel it sticking to her skin, and it was driving her crazy. She sighed heavily, staring at her reflection in the mirror. "What a night," she muttered to herself. Things weren''t going her way at all. Pulling her phone from her purse, she quickly sent a text to Matthew: "No need toe in. I''ll wait outside." She didn''t want to stick around any longer than necessary. This event had been a bust. ire was about to tell Adrian that she was leaving early but thought better of it. If she mentioned it to him, he''d definitely start asking questions, and ire wasn''t in the mood for an interrogation. After fixing herself up as much as possible, she made her way out of the bathroom and headed toward the lobby She paused, remembering that the photographer was probably still lurking around out there, waiting to snap pictures of anyone who dared to leave early. She really didn''t need her early exit stered all over tomorrow''s news. Instead, she slipped through the back door, which led into the kitchen. The smell of cooking food and the tter of pots and pans filled the air, and a few confused kitchen staff nced her way, but no one said anything. ire pushed the heavy door at the back of the kitchen and stepped into the alley, the cool night air hitting her like a breath of fresh air. Just as she lifted her dress slightly to avoid stepping on any puddles, a hand grabbed her from behind. Before she could even scream, a cloth was pressed against her mouth and nose, the sharp, chemical smell filling her lungs. Her eyes widened in panic as she tried to struggle, but her body quickly became weak. Within moments, everything went ck. Lisa stood over ire''s unconscious body, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips. She nced around the alley, making sure no one had seen what had just happened. The street was quiet, and the few pedestrians passing by were too far away to notice anything unusual. "Perfect," Lisa muttered under her breath, leaning down to lift ire''s limp form into the back seat of her car. It wasn''t easy; ire was heavier than she looked. But with a grunt, Lisa managed to get her into the car and m the door shut. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and took a deep breath before sliding into the driver''s seat. Chapter 294 Tracking Claire Matthew parked his car in the hotel''s lot and let out a sigh, ncing at his phone. ire had texted him to stay in the car, but now it had been thirty minutes, and there was still no sign of her. His phone buzzed again, but it wasn''t from ire. Just some spam messages. He furrowed his brows, sent her a text asking if everything was alright, and waited for a reply. The seconds ticked by. Nothing. He checked his phone again, figuring maybe her battery had died, but something didn''t feel right. ire wasn''t the type to ghost anyone, let alone him, especially not when they had ns.novelbin "I bet she''sworking or talking to people, being all social," Matthew muttered to himself, trying to stay positive. But deep down, he couldn''t shake off the uneasy feeling brewing in his gut. Thirty minutes turned into an hour. Still no ire. Matthew fiddled with his phone, scrolling through social media to pass the time, but he kept ncing at the hotel''s entrance. Why hadn''t shee out yet? He tried calling her, but it went straight to voicemail. Again. "Come on, ire," he whispered, rubbing his temple. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. The more time that passed, the weirder it felt. ire was never the kind of person to leave someone hanging without a heads-up. If she was going to bete, she''d say something. Waiting another thirty minutes was beginning to feel ridiculous. Meanwhile, inside the hotel, Adrian had just finished a long chat with his grandfather. He was about to make his way back to ire, but after scanning the ballroom, she was nowhere to be seen. "That''s weird," Adrian muttered, checking his watch. She''d been there just a little while ago. Maybe she went to thedies'' room or something, he thought. After 90 minutes of sitting in the car, Matthew couldn''t take it anymore. His gut was screaming at him now. Something was definitely wrong. ire wouldn''t do this without a reason. He had to go in and check. Climbing out of the car, Matthew stretched, trying to shake off the stiffness in his legs, and marched toward the hotel entrance. The ballroom where the event was being held was on the first floor, so he headed straight there, his footsteps quick and purposeful. He had to confirm his suspicion. However, just as he reached the ballroom, a couple of beefy security guys blocked his way, crossing their arms like they were professional door-huggers. "Excuse me, sir. Invitation, please," one of them grunted, standing so tall Matthew had to crane his neck just to see his face. Matthew blinked. "Oh, I don''t have one, but I''m just here to-" "No invitation, no entry," the other guard cut him off, his expression as t as a pancake. Matthew sighed, trying to stay calm. "Look, I''m not trying to crash the party or anything. I''m just looking for someone, my friend ire. She''s in there, and-" "Rules are rules," the first guard said, shifting his stance as if Matthew was about tounch into some ninja moves. "We can''t let anyone in without proper credentials." "Please, just for a minute." The guards shook their heads. "No is a no, sir. You are not allowed to enter if you don''t have an invitation." Matthew knew it was useless to argue. These guys weren''t going to bend the rules just because he was looking for a friend. And thest thing he wanted was toe off like a desperate party-crasher or worse, a weirdo scammer. As Matthew was about to turn away in frustration, the door to the ballroom swung open. Thanks to the soft ssical music ying instead of some loud DJ beats, Matthew''s voice could be heard clearly. "Alexander!" Matthew called, spotting a familiar face just inside. He recognized him instantly, even from far away. His eyes widened in surprise. Matthew? Really? "You are not allowed to shout, sir." Alexander, who had been talking to someone, whipped his head around at the sound of his name. He squinted like he wasn''t sure if his eyes were ying tricks on him or not. "Matthew? Is he here or am I just seeing things?" he muttered to himself, narrowing his eyes. Just as Matthew tried to take a step forward, the guard put a firm hand on his shoulder. "No yelling, sir. You''re causing a scene." "I''m not yelling. I was calling a friend." Matthew red at the guard, ready to argue, but before he could say anything, the door burst open again. Alexander stepped through, his frown deepening when he saw Matthew standing there, looking all kinds of worried. "What are you doing here?" Alexander asked, his voice filled with genuine surprise. He stepped past the security, who were still trying to shoo Matthew away. Matthew sighed with relief. "Thank God, you can hear me. Have you seen ire?" His tone was sharp, bordering on panicked. Alexander shook his head. "No. Why? What''s going on? And why are you asking?" His mind was starting to buzz with questions. Matthew''s frown deepened, making his face look even more serious than usual. "She texted me. Like, an hour and a half ago. Told me toe pick her up." He waved his phone for emphasis. "But when I got here, she wasn''t outside. I waited, called her, and nothing. Straight to voicemail. Alexander''s heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to stay calm. Alexander''s mind drifted to hisst conversation with Lisa. Can it be Lisa''s n is on the run? He pushed that thought away. Alexander knows that ire is smarter than Lisa and she will not fall for her trap if it happens one day. "ire? She was here, I mean I did talk to her earlier. Maybe she''s still inside. Let me look around the ballroom before you start freaking out." Matthew threw his hands up, already on edge. "Don''t bother, man. If you haven''t seen her, she''s not here." "Let''s not assume the worst. Maybe she is on her way home and left you or her battery dies." Matthew shook his head. "No, she would never do that. I know her. I''m gonna track her phone." Before Alexander could say anything, Matthew spun on his heel and headed out of the hotel, his pace quickening with the second. Alexander muttered a curse under his breath, annoyed by the cameras still hanging around outside the hotel. "Great," he mumbled, catching up with Matthew. "Just what I need." The sh of the cameras started the second they stepped outside. "Alexander! How''s the event?" one paparazzo shouted, as the others snapped away. Alexander rolled his eyes and ignored them, hurrying to hop into the passenger seat of Matthew''s car before the mob got any closer. As soon as Alexander shut the door, Matthew turned toward him with a scowl. "What the hell was-" "Drive!" Alexander interrupted, cutting him off before he could finish. He jerked his thumb toward the crowd of photographers swarming the car. "Unless you want them surrounding us, drive." Matthew shot him a dark look, but he jammed his foot on the gas, and the car sped off. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 295 Too Easy making sense. Her body swayed slightly, and she realized she was moving. No, not her-the car was moving. ire groaned, shifting ufortably as something tight pressed against her wrist. She blinked her eyes open, but everything felt blurry and hazy like she had just woken up from a deep sleep. Her mind was trying to piece together where she was, but nothing was She heard the hum of the engine, and the next thing she noticed was the woman in the driver''s seat ncing back at her through the rearview mirror. Lisa''s smirk was hard to miss, even in ire''s groggy state. "Well, well, look who''s awake," Lisa said with a mocking tone, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Did you have a nice nap, sweetheart?" ire blinked a few more times, trying to process Lisa''s words. What was happening? Why was she tied up? Her brain was still struggling to catch up.novelbin "Too bad it''s not time for you to be awake yet," Lisa added with a fake pout before she reached into the seat next to her and grabbed something. ire''s heart raced as Lisa leaned over the front seat, a cloth in her hand. Before ire could react, Lisa pressed it firmly against her nose and mouth. ire struggled, but her hands were tied, and she couldn''t fight back. Her vision blurred once again, and the world quickly faded into darkness. Meanwhile, on a deserted road far from the shing cameras of the paparazzi, Matthew pulled the car over and parked on the side. His eyes were glued to his phone, and his fingers tapped furiously on the screen. Alexander, sitting in the passenger seat, nced over at him with a raised eyebrow. "What are you doing?" he asked, his tone impatient. Matthew didn''t look up, too focused on whatever he was doing. "I''m tracking ire''s phone," he said casually. Alexander frowned. "Wait, you can track her phone?" He leaned over, trying to get a peek at Matthew''s screen. Matthew smirked but didn''t answer, his fingers still flying across his phone screen. Alexander huffed, not appreciating being left in the dark. "How?" Alexander pressed, clearly more interested now. "I''ve got my ways," Matthew said with a shrug, still not offering any real exnation. "It''s kind of a hassle doing it without myptop, though. But going back to the office isn''t an option right now." Alexander folded his arms, watching Matthew work. "No wonder ire hired you." Matthew thought to himself if only Alex knew that ire was more professional than him. Sure, before ire took Matthew under his wings, he could do some hacking but only the simple ones but ire taught him more. Finally, after what felt like forever, Matthew''s face lit up. "Got it!" he announced triumphantly, holding his phone up like he had just won a game. Alexander straightened in his seat, ready to spring into action. "Alright, let''s go!" But Matthew didn''t move. He just sat there, staring at his phone screen. "Uh, why aren''t we driving?" Alexander asked, throwing Matthew a confused look. Matthew frowned, his excitement fading a little. "It''s... too easy." "What do you mean ''too easy''?! isn''t it good that we can locate her fast?" Alexander asked, his patience wearing thin. "What''s so easy about this?" Matthew sighed, clearly not as thrilled as he had been a moment ago. He wasn''t new to this kind of situation. In fact, working with ire had taught him a lot about strange things happening at the worst times. His instincts were telling him something was off. He tapped the screen of his phone, zooming in on the little blinking dot that represented ire''s location. "She''s at the park." Alexander''s frown deepened. "So? Maybe she needed some fresh air." Matthew shot him a skeptical look. "If she wanted fresh air, she''d tell me. She wouldn''t just disappear without a word." "Maybe she forgot?" Alexander suggested though he didn''t sound too convinced himself. Matthew shook his head. "No way. ire doesn''t just forget to tell me where she''s going. And even if she did leave without saying anything why is her phone still on, and why is she just hanging out at the park? If something''s wrong, why the park?" Alexander finally looked up, his brow furrowing a little as if he hadn''t considered that. "Uh, maybe nothing happened? Maybe she''s fine, and you''re just freaking out for no reason?" Alexander doesn''t know who he is assuring, himself or Matthew. Deep down he knew something happened, but he refused to believe it. Matthew rolled his eyes at how amateur Alexander was. Matthew thought to himself that Alexander never dealt with this kind of situation unlike him. He may be a businessman and good at business but when ites to instinct, he is not the brightest. His mind wasn''t as sharp as Matthew''s. Matthew''s mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Still, something wasn''t sitting right with him. He couldn''t just sit there and do nothing. His gut told him something was off. "Alright, that is it," Matthew said, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "I''m driving to the park. I gotta know what''s going on." Alexander stared at him weirdly. "You''re seriously going? I thought you said it''s too easy," "It is. Just want to confirm my suspicion." ire groaned as she slowly came to her senses. Her head felt heavy, and her eyes fluttered open, only to immediately squeeze shut again, harsh lights blinded her. She shifted in her seat but quickly realized something was very, very wrong. She couldn''t move her arms. Before she could even fullyprehend what was happening, something cold and wet sshed across her face. Her eyes flew open in shock. Her heart pounded in her chest. "What the" ire sputtered, blinking rapidly as the water dripped down her face. She looked up, and there, standing before her with a smirk stered across her face, was Lisa. "Rise and shine, princess," Lisa said in a mocking sing-song voice. She twirled the now-empty bottle of water in her hand, her smirk widening. "What the heck are you doing, Lisa?" Lisa ced her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. "Kidnapping you of course. I thought that was obvious." ire''s eyes narrowed. "You are out of line, Lisa. Let me go." Lisa let out augh that sent chills down ire''s spine. It wasn''t a normalugh-it was one of those ''I''m in control, and you''re screwed'' kind ofughs. "Oh, sweetie," Lisa cooed, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "you are really not in a position to be giving me orders, ire. You''re tied to a chair, remember?" ire tugged against the ropes around her wrists, hating the fact that Lisa was right. She was Trying to buy herself some time, ire spoke again, her voice steadier this time. "What do you think you''re doing, Lisa? Kidnapping me? What''s your endgame here?" Lisa rolled her eyes as if the answer were obvious. "Revenge, duh." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 296 It’s a Trap ire raised an eyebrow. "Revenge? You mean this is all because of Alexander Harris?" She threw the name out like a grenade, waiting to see if it would blow up in Lisa''s face. It did. Lisa''s eyes lit up for a second, and then she smiled, a wide, unhinged grin spreading across her face. "Oh, I see you''re not as clueless as you look." ire''s lips curled into a smirk, enjoying the slight power shift, even if she was tied to a chair. "You''re pathetic, you know that? Even after Alexander rejected you not once, but twice, you''re still stuck on him. He doesn''t even care about you." Her words were sharp, designed to cut deep. Lisa''s smile faltered, her expression going icy in an instant. ire could tell she''d hit a nerve. Good. She needed to keep Lisa distracted, and off-bnce. Sure, being tied to a chair in the middle of a deserted shack wasn''t ideal, but ire wasn''t about to sit there quietly and wait for things to get worse. Lisa, trying to shake off the blow, crossed her arms. "He does care about me," she said defensively. "He moved me to the VIP room at the hospital when I had that ident." ire snorted. "Please. Do you mean the ident that you caused? Don''t act like it wasn''t part of your n. That venue didn''t just go up in mes by itself, Lisa." Lisa''s lips twisted into a smug smile. "Maybe your brain needs a little break from overthinking, ire." "Ha!" ire leaned back in the chair, knowing she''d just gotten confirmation. "I knew it. You''re so easy to read, Lisa." Lisa narrowed her eyes. "Oh, really? If I''m so easy to read, then what am I thinking right now?" ire pretended to ponder for a moment, then answered with a casual shrug. "You''re thinking about how you''re gonna get Alexander. You''ve got this whole twisted n mapped out in that psycho brain of yours." Lisa nodded, mockingly impressed. "Wow, ire, you can really read minds." Then her tone turned deadly serious. "And you''re right. But there''s one part you''re missing-I''m also thinking about how I''m going to kill you." The way she said it, so straight-faced and matter-of-fact, caught ire off guard for a second. But then, to Lisa''s surprise, ire burst outughing. Lisa blinked,pletely thrown. "What''s so funny?" ire wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still chuckling. "It''s just the way you said that. Like, oh, I''m nning on killing you." She mimicked Lisa''s voice in a t, exaggerated tone. "It''s hrious."novelbin Theughter vanished from ire''s face in an instant, reced by a cold, challenging re. "But let''s be real, Lisa-you don''t have the guts to do it." Lisa''s face twisted with rage. She hated being underestimated. Without thinking, she stormed over to ire and pped her hard across the face. ire''s cheek stung, but she didn''t flinch. Instead, she cracked her neck to the side and slowly turned back to Lisa with a mocking grin. "If you''re gonna hurt me, you''ll have to hit a lot harder than that." Lisa''s frustration was boiling over now. She leaned in close, her breath hot with anger. "No one''s going to find you here, ire. This ce is in the middle of nowhere. By the time anyone realizes you''re missing, you''ll be long dead-starved, and dehydrated. You''ll be nothing but a headline." ire arched an eyebrow, unphased by the threat. "Let me guess, that''s not the only reason you kidnapped me, right?" Lisa straightened up, a wide smile spreading across her face again. She patted ire on the head, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Wow, aren''t you clever? Figuring things out just like that." She snapped her fingers mockingly. ire rolled her eyes but kept her tone calm. "You always did like ying the long game, Lisa. But I don''t get it. What''s your angle? Do you think if I''m out of the way, Alexander will suddenly fall into your arms? Newssh-he''s not interested. And he never will be." Lisa''s expression darkened, but she quickly masked it with another sly grin. "You think I''m doing this for Alexander? Sure, he''s part of it. But I''m not that stupid, ire. I know he''s not going toe running just because you''re out of the picture." "Then why?" ire asked, genuinely curious now. Circled around ire slowly, like a predator. "You''ve always been in the way, haven''t you? Always the perfect one, always in control. Everyone loves ire-the smart, capable ire. Well, I''m tired of living in your shadow. I''m going to take what''s mine." ire smirked. "And what, exactly, is that? A life of crime and kidnapping? Wow, Lisa, your future''s really looking bright." Lisa''s smile faded, reced by a simmering anger. "You think you''re better than me, don''t you? You always have." ire raised an eyebrow, her smirk never leaving. "I don''t think. I am better than you and we both know that''s true." That was enough to push Lisa over the edge. Her hand swung out and pped ire across the face, but ire barely flinched. Instead, she chuckled, which only made Lisa more furious. "Are you done?" ire asked, still smiling through the sting on her cheek. Lisa red at her, clearly not amused. "You think this is funny?" "Not funny, just... unfair," ire said with a shrug, as best as she could while tied to a chair. "I mean, look at this. You can p me as much as you want, and I can''t do anything back. That''s not really a fair fight, is it?" Lisa crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "What''s your point, ire?" "My point," ire said, leaning forward slightly, "is that if you were really confident, you''d untie me. We could settle this, woman to woman, see who''s actually better. But I get it," she added with a mock sigh. "You''re scared I''ll kick your butt." Lisa''s eyes widened, then she burst outughing, her anger shifting into amusement. "Dream on, ire. Do you think I''m stupid enough to untie you? Nice try." Meanwhile, outside in the quiet park, a ck sedan pulled up near the entrance. Matthew stepped out of the car first, his face all business as he scanned the area, staring down at his phone like it was some kind of treasure map. Alexander followed, looking around the deserted park with a frown. "Are you sure this is the right park?" Alexander asked, peering around at the empty benches, the rustling trees, and theck of people. "It''s like a ghost town here." Matthew sighed, clearly frustrated. "This is the spot. The location tracker on ire''s phone leads right here." He kept his eyes glued to his phone, muttering something under his breath about technology being unreliable. Alexander, hands on his hips, looked around skeptically. "Well, if her phone''s here, where is she? I don''t see anything." Just then, Matthew stopped in his tracks. He lowered his phone, staring at a nearby trash can. "Wait a second..." He walked over to it and peered inside. "No way." Alexander followed curiosity piqued. "What? What is it?" Matthew pulled out a small purse from the trash, holding it up so Alexander could see. It had the initials "CP" embroidered on the front. "ire''s purse." Alexander''s face darkened as he nced from the purse at Matthew, then back at the park. "So, her phone''s here, her purse is here, but she''s not." Matthew opened the purse and found ire''s phone tucked inside. "This is a trap. I knew it was too easy." Alexander clenched his fists. "This isn''t good." "No kidding," Matthew muttered, slipping the phone into his pocket for safekeeping. Alexander doesn''t want to tell Matthew about Lisa but if ire is really in danger, he doesn''t have much choice. "I think I know who''s behind this." Matthew''s brow furrowed, looking both confused and skeptical. "You do?" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 297 Crazy Lisa Back at the abandoned house, ire was stuck to the chair with ropes that felt like they''d been tied by someone who really had it out for her. Her wrists were sore, but she kept working on them, hoping to get free. Across from her, Lisa paced around like she owned the ce, and honestly, she probably felt like she did. ire knew she had to keep talking and keep her distracted, so she threw out randomments to waste time. "So, Lisa," ire said, trying to sound casual, "is this your idea of fun? Kidnapping and tying people up?" Lisa smirked, not even looking at ire. "Oh, trust me, ire. This is just the beginning." "Great, can''t wait for the sequel," ire muttered under her breath, still twisting her wrists behind her back. The knots were tight, but she thought maybe, just maybe, she could get them loose. After what felt like forever, Lisa suddenly stopped pacing. She turned to ire with that wicked grin she loved so much. The kind that made ire''s skin crawl. "You know," Lisa started, pulling up a dusty chair and sitting across from ire like they were about to have a casual chat, "I have a confession."novelbin ire raised an eyebrow, more out of boredom than anything else. "Oh, goodie. Another one of your thrilling stories. What is it this time?" Lisa leaned in, her grin growing wider, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Your friend... Abigail? The one in that crash? Yeah, that was because of me." ire''s hands froze mid-twist. Her heart skipped a beat. She stared at Lisa, the words not fully sinking in. "What?" It was the only thing she could manage to say. Lisaughed, not like a normalugh, but that creepy, evil kind that belongs in horror movies. "Oh, ire. Poor Abigail, right? But you should know, that the crash wasn''t part of the n. Total ident. But I gotta admit... I was grateful for the bonus." ire''s shock turned into boiling rage. She gritted her teeth, barely holding it in. "What did you do, you crazy_" Before she could finish, Lisa threw her head back,ughing as if this was the best day of her life. "Oh, I love it when you get all worked up. It''s so predictable." "You''re insane," ire spat. "So Rafayel was right. I thought he tricked me." Lisa raised her brows. "Oh, so that guy snitch on me, huh?" "He gave me a phone number and I tried to find who owned it. And then... it was you. The woman who opened the door was your mom." Lisa''s grin flickered, her eyes narrowing. She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a chilling tone. "You wanna know why this all started, ire? It''s because of you. Because you just couldn''t leave things alone. Always sticking your nose where it doesn''t belong." ire blinked, stunned. Her brain worked overtime trying to process everything. All this time, she had been digging, trying to figure out who was behind Abigail''s ident. Those three men were sent by Lisa to hurt Abigail but why? "Lucky for me that I wasn''t home, huh?" Lisa said with a shrug. Then her expression darkened, her smile fading into a cold, sharp re. "But because of your little investigation, Alexander found out about my doings. You couldn''t just leave things alone, could you, ire? If you had kept your mouth shut, everything would''ve gone smoothly." ire froze. Her thoughts spun wildly. Alexander knew about this? That''s why he wouldn''t tell ire who was behind all of this. Was he trying to protect Lisa? She couldn''t believe it. Lisa''s voice snapped her back to the present. "You wanna know why you''re here?" she sneered. "It''s because of everything you''ve done to me! You''ve been in my way, constantly meddling in my life. You''re like some irritating little rat I can''t get rid of!" ire rolled her eyes, trying to mask her growing rage. "I wasn''t interfering, Lisa. I was doing the right thing. It''s what people with a moralpass do." She leaned forward slightly, her voice dripping with contempt. "And why did you have to go after Abigail? What did she ever do to you?" Lisa leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh, that''s simple. Abigail had a crush on Alexander. She was nning to make a move, and I couldn''t have that." ire stared at her, dumbfounded. Then, out of nowhere, she burst outughing. It was loud and genuine, the kind ofugh that caught you off guard. Lisa''s face twisted in confusion, her brow furrowing. "What''s so funny?" "You!" ire managed to say between gasps ofughter. "You''re... you''re actually crazy! Like, full-on delusional!" Lisa''s frown deepened. "Excuse me?" "So, what if Abigail likes Alexander? Anyone''s allowed to like him! It''s not like you and Alexander are in some big romantic rtionship or something. He doesn''t even want you!" The words hit Lisa like a p. Her face twisted with anger. In one swift motion, she stood up and grabbed ire''s jaw tightly, forcing her to look up. "Watch what you say," Lisa hissed, her grip firm. "You''re not in a position to argue, ire. Look at you-tied up, helpless." ire''s hands were bound to the back of the chair, ropes cutting into her wrists. She red back at Lisa. Matthew nced at Alexander, his jaw clenched. "You really didn''t bother to tell ire when she asked you who ordered Abigail to be hurt?" His tone dripped with frustration. Alexander sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "thought I could deal with Lisa on my own," he a staring out of the windshield. "I want to drag ire into She''s been through enough, and Lisa said she might go after her once she was free." Matthew snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Well, that brilliant n of yours backfired. Now, there''s a bigger chance ire might actually get hurt. You seriously thought you could handle Lisa alone?" "I didn''t think it would go this far," Alexander muttered, guilt creeping into his voice. "Now what''s your n, huh? I can''t track ire cause her phone is with me." Matthew said defeatedly while thinking of another n. "The surveince camera. We can check the surveince camera." Alexander suggested. Matthew thought for a while and shook his head. "That''s a good n, however, is not efficient. The hotel isn''t yours so asking for surveince footage will be a hassle. I just know that ire may be near here. Her purse was at this park so maybe Lisa brought her here." , "We just need to know where," Alexander said while thinking of a n. "Do you have Lisa''s phone number, Harris?" Alexander looked at him weirdly, for asking Lisa''s number. "Yeah, why? Do you want to call her and ask her for her location? That''s a good n." Matthew rolled his eyes. "No, you idiot. I need her number to track her." Alexander gave Matthew the phone number. "ire isn''t lying when she says you are slow," Matthew muttered lowly. "What?" "Nothing." Matthew starts his work to track Lisa''s whereabouts. Alexander can only observe him since he doesn''t understand anything rting to technology. Cause if he needs to find someone, he just contacts his PI and he gets what he wants. "Where did you learn that?" Matthew''s lips curl up into a smirk. "You''ll be surprised who my mentor is. Got it, now let''s go." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 298 Rescuing Claire Lisa red at ire, her patience running thin. "Alright, enough chit-chat," she snapped, her voice clipped and no-nonsense. She turned on her heel and strode over to a nearby table. With a determined motion, she picked up a knife. ire''s face hardened into a mask of resolve. "Why? Getting bored of me already? May I remind you that you and I were friends until you stabbed my back by having an affair with my husband?" Lisa scoffed. "Please, he is barely your husband. You guys did not marry out of love but request." ire thought furiously. Just a little more effort, and she could wriggle free of the ropes binding her. "But don''t worry, I will take care of Alexander, once you are gone." She eyed Lisa, who was now striding back toward her with that knife. "Honestly, I don''t care about Alexander. You can have him if you want." ire said with disinterest. "Of course, ire Peterson always thinks that everyone likes you, huh?" Lisa''s voice was mockingly sweet as she asked, "Got anyst words, ire? Or should I prepare a speech for your funeral?" ire smirked, the corners of her mouth curling with bitter satisfaction. "The only speech I want is at your funeral, Lisa." Before Lisa could react, ire lunged forward, her head mming into Lisa''s midsection. Lisa staggered but managed to stay on her feet. Seizing the moment, ire shoved the chair she had been tied to into Lisa, who went sprawling backward. In a whirlwind of fabric and iling limbs, ire wriggled out of the ropes. She took a quick nce at Lisa, who was struggling to get up, and grabbed the chair. With one swift push, she sent Lisa crashing to the floor. ire wasn''t about to let this chance slip away. She stumbled towards the front door, her long dress and heels making each step a challenge. She could hear Lisa''s angry shouts behind her, but she focused on escaping. Just as ire reached the door, Lisa grabbed the hem of her dress. ire pitched forward, catching herself with her hands, but she was down. "Nice try, but not good enough!" Lisa''s voice seethed with anger. From the corner of her eye, ire saw Lisaing at her, knife in hand. With a quick roll to the side, she narrowly avoided the de. Lisa was furious, her face red with rage as she lunged again, but ire was already moving. ire''s foot shot out, tripping Lisa, who fell with an ungraceful thud. Seizing the opportunity, ire scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding. She shot Lisa a quick, triumphant nce and bolted for the door. "Stop, ire!" Lisa''s scream pierced the night. ire shot a desperate nce over her shoulder, her breathing in ragged gasps. Her heels made running nearly impossible, each step a clumsy thud against the floor. "Damn these heels," ire muttered, panting heavily. She could hear Lisa''s voice, echoing with frustration and anger, screaming at her to stop. ire nced over her shoulder, trying to keep Lisa''s movements in view. The darkness made everything more confusing, and she could barely see where she was going. Her breath came in short, ragged bursts, and she stumbled, tripping over an unseen obstacle. She yelped as she fell, hands scraping against the floor. Before she could get up, Lisa was upon her, the knife gleaming in the dim light. ire threw her arms up to block the de, and Lisa''s anger only grew fiercer.novelbin They grappled, ire''s hands pushing the knife away from her face. Lisa''s knife grazed ire''s cheek, drawing a thin line of red. Lisa growled, putting all her strength into trying to break ire''s grip. "Stop fighting, ire! Just give up!" ire, voice strained and desperate, shot back, "Never! I''m not going down without a fight!" Suddenly, the ring sound of a car horn pierced the chaos. Both women froze, their heads snapping towards the noise. ire seized the opportunity. With a swift, decisive kick, she aimed at Lisa''s midsection. Lisa, however, was quick on her feet and dodged the blow. ire was astonished at how sharp Lisa''s reflexes were. When had she gotten so fast? Lisa yanked at ire''s dress and forced her to stagger back. The knife was now dangerously close to ire''s neck. ire, her breath to. steady herself. She saw Matthew and Alexander leap out of the car, their expressions a mix of rm and determination. "Lisa, drop the knife!" Alexander''s voice cut through the chaos. His tone was firm, but there was a careful edge to it as if he was trying to defuse a bomb. Matthew stepped forward, ring at Lisa. "If you hurt ire, I swear I''ll make your life a living hell." Lisa''sughter echoed, manic and wild. "My life is already a nightmare," she jeered. "Nothing you can do will make it worse." Alexander and Matthew took a step closer, but ire''s voice, strained but clear, stopped them. "Stay back! Don''te any closer!" Lisa''s eyes darted between the men and ire. "Listen to your precious friend. Either you hear her out, or I''ll make sure ire gets hurt." Alexander''s brows furrowed in confusion. "Why are you doing this, Lisa?" Lisa''s face twisted with a mix of desperation and fury. "It''s all because of ire! Everything that''s gone wrong, it''s her fault!" Alexander shook his head. "ire hasn''t done anything. She was just helping." Lisa snapped, "Help? You didn''t want to marry me! You didn''t even look at me after that mess!" Alexander''s face hardened. "That''s because you lied to me, Lisa. I''m not going to marry someone who can''t be honest." ire, struggling to keep the knife at bay, gasped out, "Alexander, stop talking!" Lisa pressed the knife closer, touching her skin. "Your dear, ire''s going to pay the price." Alexander''s voice was calm but firm. "ire didn''t do anything. This is all on you, Lisa. If only you were honest with me from the very beginning, this wouldn''t happen. You only think about yourself." Lisa''s eyes shed with hurt and anger. "You don''t get it! I know I made a mistake but I''m ready to change to be a better person for you, but you never give me a chance, Alexander." Alexander shook his head. "You never want to change Lisa. You always y dirty and if you really do want to change, you would have never hurt Abigail, heck, you would never have thought about jumping off Metacortex building and eventually harm ire." "ire, ire, ire! Always rie and never Lisa." Lisa gripped the knife and tightened it as well as on ire''s hair. "You told me I was pathetic ire but look who is actually pathetic." Lisa gestured to Alexander. "Doesn''t matter how many times ire rejected you, you are still hoping for her, Alex." "The only thing that is...pathetic is you, Lisa. Attacking weaponless people," said ire as she struggled to speak. "You can now say goodbye to your friends, ire. It''s time for you to see heaven...or hell." Lisa said with a smirk. ire reacted fast as she stepped on Lisa''s foot with her sharp heels and mmed the back of her head to Lisa''s The knife grazed her neck, but ire managed to break free: Blood oozed from Lisa''s nose and without thinking she lunged forward te ire holding the knife; however, the impact never came. "ire!" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 299 Wounded Alexander He stepped right in front of ire and stood there like a human shield. She thought it was Matthew since she heard him shouting but she was wrong. ire''s eyes went from wide to saucer-sized. "What the heck are you doing?" she managed to frown at Alexander as he staggered, his face draining of color. He leaned on ire, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Protecting you..." he gasped, and then he slumped against her. ire''s heart dropped as she felt something warm and sticky spreading across her hand-blood. Alexander''s blood. Lisa''s face twisted into a mask of horror and panic. "Oh my God, no, no, no!" She stumbled backward, her feet catching on the uneven ground. She tripped andnded on her backside; her eyes locked on the scene in shock. She couldn''t believe what she''d done. ire quickly assessed the situation. Her eyes locked onto the knife-its de embedded in Alexander''s back. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. "Oh my God, oh my God," she muttered, more to herself than anyone. "Matthew!" She shouted to her friend, who was standing there, looking just as shell-shocked. "Help Alexander into the car. He''s hurt!" Matthew nodded, quickly moving to help. "What about Lisa?" he asked, his voice steady despite the chaos. ire took a quick nce back at Lisa, still sitting in a daze with her hands mped over her mouth. "Get her somewhere. Make sure she doesn''t run." Matthew carefullyid Alexander on his stomach in the backseat of the car, while ire jumped into the driver''s seat. She started the engine, her knuckles white on the wheel. "Hang on, Alexander," she said, ncing at him through the rearview mirror. "We''re going to the hospital. Just keep breathing." ire''s eyes kept darting between the road and the mirror. "Can you hear me?" she asked Alexander, her voice trying to stay calm even though her nerves were shot. "We''re almost there. Just stay with me, okay? We''ll be there soon." Alexander''s breaths were shallow, and ire was scared to pull the knife out herself. What if it made things worse? So, she drove like a maniac, dodging cars and honking at anyone who dared to get in her way. "Move it, move it, move it!" she shouted, her voice rising with every second that ticked away. Finally, ire screeched into the hospital parking lot. She threw the car into the park and bolted out of the car. "Help! Someone help!" she yelled as she dashed into the ER. A nurse at the desk looked up, rmed, and quickly began alerting the staff. ire rushed back to the car, yanking open the back door. "Please, please, hurry!" she pleaded as the male nurse carefully lifted Alexander onto a stretcher. The other nurses sprang into action, pushing the stretcher toward the ER. "Wait!" ire called out, trying to keep up. "Can Ie in?" One of the nurses shook her head. "Sorry, you have to wait out here. We need to get him into surgery right away." "Okay." The door to the ER mmed shut behind them. ire stood there, frozen for a moment before her panic kicked in again. She remembered she didn''t have her phone with her. "Oh, great. Just great!" She muttered, heading back to the car. Frantically searching for the front seat, she spotted her purse and grabbed it. She fumbled with her phone, dialing Matthew''s number. When he answered, his voice was steady but worried. "ire? How''s Alexander?" "I don''t know yet," ire said. "I heard them say he needs surgery," Matthew''s voice softened. "Don''t worry. We''ll get through this. I''ve got Lisa secure. She''s not going anywhere. Did you call Alexander''s parents?" ire bit her lip. "No, not yet. I was about to." "I''ll be right there soon," Matthew said before hanging up. ire scrolled through her contacts and pressed Joan''s number. The chilly night air graze her skin. Her wet dress just makes it more chilly for ire. Joan answered on the third ring. Her soft voice greeted ire. For some reason, ire worries to see their reaction. "ire, dear. To what do I owe you this midnight call?" ire cleared her throat. "Hello, Mrs. Harris. I apologize for bothering youst night, but I need to tell you something." "What is it, ire?" her tone was curious and suddenly ire felt nervous. "Alexander...is at the hospital." Joan sprung up from her seat, her eyes widening. "What? What do you mean my son is at the hospital? What happened to him?"novelbin ire hesitated. She doesn''t know if she should tell Joan the whole truth or just lie. "I-There was an ident." "What ident ire? Please tell me if my son is, okay?" ire can hear Joan''s shaky voice. "He is...at the surgery." Joan ced her hand on her mouth in shock. "Oh God, what ident that can cause my son to get surgery? I will be there soon. Please keep me updated and send me the address." The phone call ended, and ire sent Joan a wearin thick text. ire leans back on the car in frustration and weariness. It didn''t cross her mind that this night would turn into a disastrous night. "God. Why did Alexander do that? That was such a stupid move." ire headed inside to wait for the result of the surgery. The nurse who passed by noticed ire. "Excuse me, miss, but it looks like you need to get treated." The nurse pointed at ire''s wound. ire shook her head. "I''m fine." "Are you sure, miss?" ire exhaled a deep breath. "Yes, I am sure." She headed towards the ER and waited outside. "ire." Turning to see the source of the voice, Matthew runs towards her. "Hey, are you okay?" she nodded. "God, you look worse. You have blood on your neck and cheek. Wound on your cheek. What the heck did Lisa do to you?" Matthew''s eyes zing with anger. "I''m fine really." she didn''t feel anything. The p on her cheek, the wound on her knees, and also the cut on her cheek and neck. Matthew stared at ire looking serious. He ced both hands on her shoulder and looked her in the eye. "ire, you need to get treated and go home. I will stay here and wait for the result." "But Alexander''s parents? I need to exin to them." "I will exin to them." Said Matthew but of course, ire is too stubborn to agree to it. "I''m responsible for this Matthew. I will stay here and get treated." She said in a firm voice and Matthew couldn''t argue with her. He sighed exasperatedly. "Fine, just go get treated." ire turned on her heels to find a nurse but before she could do that, she spotted Joan at the entrance. Joan''s eyes went to ire. "Where is Alexander?" ire brought her to the ER,pletely ignoring her treatment. At the same time, the doctor step out of the ER. "Who''s the family?" Joan stepped forward, tears brimmed in her eyes. "Tell me my son is alive, doctor." "Don''t worry, miss, your son is stable, but he is in a critical condition. You brought him here at the right time cause the knife was quite deep." Joan turned to ire with her eyes widened. "You told me it was an ident." "It is, Mrs. Harris, bu-" "What ident that involves a knife?!" Matthew chimed in as the atmosphere was getting tense. "Mrs. Harris, you need to list-" "It was my fault, Mrs. Harris, I-" Before ire can finish her sentence, a loud p can be heard across the hall. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 300 “This time, I’m putting her in jail.” The sound made everyone jump. Never in ire''s wildest dreams had she imagined Joan Harris pping her. Joan, who had always been so kind, now had tears streaming down her face, and ire could see the raw pain in her eyes. ire stood there, unmoving, not flinching or reacting to the sting on her cheek. Matthew''s eyes went wide in shock. "Mrs. Harris, you need to hear ire''s side first!" he shouted, trying to intervene. ire, with a calm demeanor that almost felt too calm, lifted her hand to stop Matthew from talking. "It''s okay, Matthew," she said quietly, turning to Joan. "I''m sorry. I never meant to hurt Alexander. If you don''t want me here, I''ll leave." Joan''s face was still wet with tears, and she looked away, her voice breaking. "Please, just go." ire gave a small nod and walked out of the hospital. She felt a mix of guilt and resignation, knowing she was leaving Joan with a heavy heart and a son in danger. Joan had always been gentle, but seeing her son in the operating room and hearing ire''s admission of guilt had pushed her to a point where a reflexive p seemed like the only way to release some of her anguish. Outside, Matthew caught up with ire and grabbed her wrist. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched into his face. ire''s expression was unreadable, her face a nk te. "I''m fine," she replied, her voice steady.novelbin "You need to get checked out," Matthew insisted, his concern not easing. "I just want to go home," ire said softly. Matthew nodded, realizing there was no arguing with her. "I''ll drop you off," he said, guiding her towards his car. During the ride home, ire stared out the window, lost in thought. "Where''s Lisa?" she asked after a while, breaking the silence. "I sent her unconscious body to Cryptonic''s basement," Matthew replied, keeping his eyes on the road. ire nodded, absorbing the information. Matthew nced at her, then back to the road. "What are you going to do with Lisa?" he asked cautiously. ire''s tone was cold and resolute. "This time, I''m putting her in jail." Matthew didn''t say anything, but he knew that ire''s decision was right. Lisa has crossed the line, and she needs to be dealt with. He thought to himself. The ride continued in silence, the weight of the situation hanging heavily between them. Back at the hospital, Alexander had been moved to a VIP room. Joan sat beside his bed, holding his hand tightly. She whispered prayers, hoping that he would wake up soon and that everything would be okay. The door creaked open, and Joan looked up to see her husband, Michael, entering with a worried expression. "What happened?" Michael asked, his voice filled with concern. Joan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before speaking. "It''s all because of ire," she said, her voice trembling. "Alexander is in surgery because of her." Michael''s eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. "ire? Are you sure?" Joan nodded, her tears still fresh. "Yes, Michael. ire admitted it herself. She said it was her fault." Michael''s face showed a mix of confusion and skepticism. "I find it hard to believe. ire''s always been reliable. Are you sure she wasn''t just trying to take the me?" Joan''s voice grew more urgent. "I know it sounds hard to believe, but she said it herself. She was here and admitted it right in front of me." Michael rubbed his temples, trying to process everything. "So what now? What are we supposed to do?" Joan''s voice was filled with a quiet resolve. "We need to focus on Alexander right now. He''s the one who needs us." Michael nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. He pulled a chair closer to Joan and sat down. "We''ll figure out the restter. For now, let''s just hope and pray for Alexander." Joan squeezed Alexander''s hand gently, her heart heavy with worry. "Yes, let''s hope," she whispered, trying to stay strong for her son. The minutes ticked by slowly, each second feeling like an eternity. Michael and Joan sat in silence, their thoughts racing as they waited for any sign that Alexander would wakeup. The hospital room was filled with a tense quiet, broken only by the asional beeping of medical equipment and the soft murmurs of concern from the couple. J.n ire arrived at her penthouse. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes narrowed in frustration. Her knees were scratched up from their tussle, and her foot-barely recognizable as a foot-throbbed with every heartbeat. She''d learned the hard way that running and fighting in heels was about as smart as bringing a marshmallow to a gunfight. Her whole body was now a mess of dirt, cuts, and bruises. ire tried her best to bandage her wounds. It wasn''t going great. She fumbled with the medical kit like she was trying to solve a Rubik''s Cube blindfolded. Matthew had offered to help, but ire was having none of it. She needed a moment alone, a little space to stew and curse. The phone rang, she nced at the caller ID and it was Adrian. She let it ring out. Not today, Adrian. "Damn it, Lisa!" ire muttered under her breath, every word dripping with venom. "You just had to make this difficult, didn''t you?" She applied some antiseptic. ire picked up her phone and sent a quick message to Matthew. "Keep an eye on Lisa. Don''t let her know where she is. Got it?" Matthew''s reply was almost instant. "Got it. Don''t worry, I''ll make sure she stays in the dark." Satisfied, ire went back to her self-inflicted torture. Her fingers were trembling, but she kept at it, determined to patch herself up before copsing into a heap of exhaustion. Meanwhile, at the hospital, the morning sun spilled into the room like a golden ribbon. Joan, who had been keeping a vigil, had finally fallen asleep in the chair beside Alexander''s bed. The room was filled with the quiet hum of medical machines and the asional shuffle of nurses outside. The door creaked open, and Michael walked in, bncing two cups of coffee. He spotted Joan''s sleeping figure and shook his head with a small smile. "Hey, sweetie, wake up. I brought coffee." Joan blinked awake and rubbed her eyes, groggy but grateful. "Oh, Michael. Thank you. I didn''t mean to fall asleep." Michael handed her a cup. "Don''t worry about it. How''s he doing?" Just as Joan was about to reply, she saw a tiny movement from Alexander. His finger twitched. Joan''s heart leaped into her throat. She set the coffee down with trembling hands and gently touched Alexander''s hand. His eyes fluttered open, struggling to focus. "Alex?" Joan whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "Michael, please call the doctor!" Her husband bolted out of the room to find the doctor. "Alex, dear? Can you hear me? Are you okay?" Joan''s eyes filled with tears. She thought that her son might not wake up. Alexander''s gaze met hers, and a faint smile touched his lips. "I''m fine Mum." His eyes scanned the room then back to her mother. "Mum? Where...where''s ire?" Chapter 301 Wrong Accusation Joan sat nervously beside Alexander''s hospital bed, forcing a smile. She wasn''t ready for the first thing out of his mouth. "Where''s ire?" Alexander''s voice was weak, but his question was clear. Joan tried to brush it off. "You should rest. Don''t worry about that now." But her son wasn''t letting it go. "Where''s ire?" he repeated, this time with a more disappointed look. Joan took a deep breath. She didn''t know where ire was, and truthfully, she didn''t want to know. But she couldn''t dodge the question forever. "I... I don''t know." "Oh," Alexander sighed, his face falling. He had hoped ire would be here when he woke up. "Can you call her? Ask her toe?" Joan hesitated. She didn''t want to. Not after what had happened. But she smiled softly at Alexander and tried to change the subject. "What happened? How did you get hurt like this? Did... did ire have anything to do with it?" Alexander''s frown deepened. "No, Mom. ire didn''t do anything." Joan blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?" With a tired sigh, Alexander exined. "It was Lisa. She hurt Abigail. Then me. She was going to go after ire too." Joan gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. That wasn''t what she expected to hear at all. Alexander narrowed his eyes, watching his mother closely. Something wasn''t adding up. "Mom," he said slowly, "did you... did you do something to ire?" Joan couldn''t hide it, not from him. She looked down in embarrassment and nodded. Alexander''s eyes widened. "What did you do?" Joan looked up, guilt written all over her face. "I... I thought ire was responsible for all of this. I was so emotional, Alex. I-" she hesitated, "I pped her." Alexander tried to sit up, wincing as pain shot through his body. "Mom! Why would you do that?" "Don''t move!" Joan cried out, rushing to keep him lying down. "You''ll hurt yourself more." But Alexander wasn''t letting it go. "Why did you think it was ire?" Joan sighed, trying to make sense of her own actions. "I thought... I thought she hated you, Alex. She was there at the hospital, and when I saw you like that-hurt and needing surgery-I just lost it." "You should''ve asked her first," Alexander said softly but firmly. "I know that ire and I don''t have a good rtionship, but I know that she wouldn''t hurt me physically." "You''re right," Joan admitted, rubbing her temples. "I don''t know what got into me. ire''s not a bad person, but you always seem to be around when things go wrong with her. Like that fire at the fashion show. You were with ire then too." Alexander sighed, tired of trying to exin. "Mom, that was Lisa''s fault too. ire had nothing to do with it." Joan looked at her son with wide eyes, clearly not expecting this. "Lisa? Again? How is she involved in all of this?" "She''s a lot more dangerous than you think," Alexander said with a pained expression, still lying back against the bed. "She went after Abigail first, trying to warn her in anovelbin way. Then she goes after ire because ire ruined her n or something like that. But the reason why I got hurt was because I was trying to save ire. Lisa was trying to hurt her and everything that happened was because of me. I was the one who had a rtionship with Lisa." "So you sacrifice yourself to save ire?" "Yeah, Mom. ire''s been there for me through all this. You''ve got her all wrong." Joan sank into the chair, feeling like the room was spinning. She had been so convinced ire was bad news. Now everything was upside down. "I feel terrible," Joan admitted, her hands trembling. "I just wanted to protect you, but I acted without thinking." Alexander gave her a weak smile. "I get it, Mom. You were worried. But you can''t just go around pping people." Joan''s eyes went wide, and she couldn''t help butugh a little. "Oh, God. I really pped her, didn''t I? What''s gotten into me?" "Yeah, you did," Alexander chuckled, despite the pain. "I''m just d ire didn''t p you back." "She could''ve, and I wouldn''t have med her." Joan shook her head. "What am I going to do? I need to apologize." "You do," Alexander agreed, "but first you need to call her. And I...I wanted to see her." "Alright, I''ll call her. I''m worried that she will end up having a grudge against me." Alexander smiled and shook his head. "ire won''t have a grudge on you. I know her." ire leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed tight over her chest. The basement of Cryptonic was dim and cold, with a single flickering light overhead casting long, eerie shadows. Just a few steps away, Lisa was slumped unconscious in another chair, still out cold from whatever Matthew had done to get her there. ire''s face was like a mask, icy and unreadable as she stared at Lisa''s motionless form. "She''s finally gonna pay for this," ire thought, her jaw clenched tight. Lisa had gone way too far this time, hurting Abigail, Alex, and even her. Whatever twisted ideas were swirling around in Lisa''s head, ire was going to put a stop to them. No more games. "Matthew," ire said sharply, not taking her eyes off Lisa. Her voice was calm, but there was a bite to it, like a de hidden in velvet. "Get the water." Matthew, standing by the wall, gave a brisk nod. His expression was serious, all business. He bent down and grabbed the bucket of icy water they''d prepared earlier. Without any hesitation, he walked over to Lisa and, with a swift motion, sshed the freezing water straight into her face. Lisa jolted awake with a gasp, her chest heaving as she sucked in a breath. "What the ?!" Her eyes flew open, wide and confused. She looked around wildly, taking in the bare room, and the cold concrete walls, and then her gaze locked on ire. "ire?" Lisa''s voice was shaky, and her confusion turned into shock. "What the hell? Where am I?" ire didn''t move, didn''t blink. Her face was as cold and hard as ice, and the look in her eyes sent a shiver down Lisa''s spine. "Enjoy your nap, Lisa?" ire asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Lisa flinched at the tone. She had never seen ire like this before, so calm yet so terrifying. "Nap? What are you talking about? Why am I here?!" Lisa struggled against the ropes tying her wrists to the arms of the chair, her heart pounding. "You''ve got a lot of nerve asking that," ire said, leaning forward slightly, her eyes never leaving Lisa''s face. "After what you did to Abigail and Alex? And to me?" Her voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it, like a storm brewing beneath the surface. Lisa''s mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. "ire, I-I didn''t mean to" "Save it," ire snapped, cutting her off. "You knew exactly what you were doing. ying your little games, hurting others in the process. If you can look at yourself, you would be disgusted by your own action." Chapter 302 Meeting with The Lawyer Lisa''s expression was a storm cloud as she red at ire. "I didn''t mean to hurt Alexander!" she spat out, her voice rising. "He wasn''t my target. You were!" ire folded her arms and tilted her head, unfazed. "Really, Lisa? So, why''d he end up in the hospital?" Lisa''s voice went up another notch, almost a shriek. "Because he got in the way! He saved you! It''s your fault, not mine!" ire just shook her head, unimpressed by the outburst. "You''re making zero sense." With a sh of fury in her eyes, Lisa leaned forward, almost vibrating with rage. "You''re so naive, ire. You say you don''t care about him, but then you go and save him. What kind of sense does that make?" She gave a bitterugh, her lips curling into a smirk that was all teeth and no humor. ire''s expression stayed cool. "I''m sane, that''s the difference. Unlike you, Lisa." Lisa''s face twisted a dark look clouding her features. "I''m not crazy!" she shot back, nearly stumbling over her own words in her anger. "And you better believe that once I get out of here, I''ll make you pay. You just got lucky, like always." ire slowly rose to her feet, a small, mocking smile creeping onto her lips. "You''re right. I am lucky. But guess what?" She leaned in, her voice dropping to a taunting whisper. "I''ll be seeing you in court." Lisa''s eyes went wide, the threat hitting her like a bucket of ice water. "W-what do you mean by court?" she stammered, the panic starting to seep into her voice. But ire was done talking. She spun on her heel and strode to the door, Matthew falling into step beside her. Before leaving, she nced over her shoulder onest time. "You''ll see." With that, she stepped out of the room, the door closing behind her with a firm click. Outside, she turned to the guard stationed by the door, her tone all business. "Make sure she doesn''t leave this room. Keep an eye on her." The guard nodded, looking alert. "Yes, ma''am." ire nodded back and moved to the elevator, Matthew right beside her. As the doors slid shut, Matthew nced at her, curiosity etched across his face. "So, what''s the n now?" "Contact mywyer," ire replied without missing a beat. "Set up a meeting for tomorrow." Matthew nodded. "Got it. Anything else?" "Yes," ire added, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Send her back to her house. Make sure she thinks that all of this is just a dream and eventually. She will go crazy." her lips curl up into a smirk. "Understood." The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped out. ire made her way to her office, her mind spinning with everything that had happened. As she reached her desk, she noticed a few missed calls from Joan. ire''s brow furrowed. Matthew noticed the look on her face and walked to her desk. "Hey, what''s wrong ire?" ire looked up at Matthew. "I-" Before ire could even answer, her phone rang, and Joan''s name appeared on the screen. She hesitated, her finger hovering over the phone, thinking if she should answer or ignore it, eventually she answered it. Joan picked up on the second ring, her voice a mix of relief and tension. "ire! Thank you for calling back." "Hi, Joan," ire greeted, her tone calm, though the memory of theirst encounter still stung. "I''m so d you answered," Joan continued, her voice a little shaky. "I''ve been trying to reach you... I wanted to apologize for what happened at the hospital. I am really ashamed of myself. I apologize for using you of thinking that you caused Alexander''s wound. "I''m really sorry, dear." ire''s stomach twisted. She remembered the sharp sting of Joan''s p and the shock that had followed. She cleared her throat. "Joan, I-" Joan cut her off as she sighed heavily, the sound filled with regret. "I''m so sorry, ire. I didn''t mean p you like that. I was just... so emotional after finding out about I Alexander''s surgery. I panicked, ire nodded, though Joan couldn''t see it. "I understand. You were worried. Anyone would''ve been." "No," Joan pressed on, her voice thick with guilt. "It wasn''t fair of me to me you. I just... I didn''t know what to think. Seeing you there, I just assumed-" "Don''t," ire cut her off gently. "You don''t have to exin. It''s not your fault. You were just scared for Alexander. I get it." Joan was quiet for a moment, then she let out a long breath. "Thank you for understanding. I still feel terrible." ire leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. "Really, Joan. It''s okay. You were just... reacting." Joan seemed to gather herself, then said, "Alexander wants to talk to you." ire rolled her eyes, even though Joan couldn''t see her. "I''m busy, Joan. I really can''t right now," she said, her voice dripping with impatience. She wasn''t actually busy, but thest thing she wanted was to talk to Alexander. "Please, ire," Joan''s voice sounded desperate. "He''s been looking for you ever since he woke up. It''s important." ire sighed, feeling a twinge of guilt. She hated when people begged. "Fine," she said reluctantly, "but I can only talk over the phone. I have a lot of work to do here at the office." Joan let out a small sigh of relief. "Thank you, ire. I''ll hand the phone to him now." ire could hear some shuffling noises on the other end. She nced up at Matthew, who was standing in front of her desk, his eyebrows raised in curiosity. He gave her a look that clearly said, Who is that? She mouthed back, "Joan." Matthew nodded, but his eyes were still curious. Then, the line crackled, and she heard Alexander''s voice. "ire," he said, his tone measured. "Alexander," she replied, keeping her voice casual and calm. She always tried not to show much emotion when talking to him. It was safer that way. "How are you?" he asked, his voice smooth but with a hint of something she couldn''t quite ce. "I''m fine," ire answered simply.novelbin "Have you gone to the doctor to treat your wound?" His voice tightened with concern, but it almost sounded like an usation. ire clenched her jaw. "I said I''m fine, you don''t have to worry about me." she said a little more forcefully Before he could press further, she added, "What do you want to talk about? Is this something important? Cause I have a lot of things to do." There was a pause on the other end. Then, Alexander''s voice came back, colder now. "It''s about Lisa." The way he said Lisa''s name was filled with so much anger. "I''ve already taken care of it," ire said, trying to sound calm. "You don''t need to think about it." Alexander couldn''t help but feel curious. ire always has her way and Alexander wanted to know about it. "What did you do to her?" "You will find out soon enough." There was a long silence. Then, to her surprise, Alexander spoke softly. "I''m sorry, ire." Chapter 303 Just a Friend ire raised an eyebrow, staring at her phone inplete disbelief. Did Alexander just apologize? Out of the blue? What kind of game was he ying now? "Uh, for what?" she asked, her voice cautious. She wasn''t sure what angle he wasing from, and her guard was up. "I wanted to truly apologize for everything I did to you in the past," Alexander began, his voice sounding unusually sincere. "After our divorce, I couldn''t stop thinking about you. I realized I-" "Don''t finish that sentence," ire cut him off sharply. Her mind drifted to those dark days, a whirlwind of arguments, neglect, and how he always picked Lisa over her. Her eyes narrowed, a coldness settling in them as she remembered how much it had hurt. Why now? Why was he bringing all this up again? "I''m serious, ire. I want to make things right," Alexander continued, seemingly unfazed by her interruption. "I want to apologize and ask for another chance. I swear I''ll treat you right this time. I''ll never hurt you again." ire blinked, then burst outughing. The sound echoed through her office, catching even her off guard. Was he for real? Apologizing now, after all this time? Asking for another chance? It was almost too ridiculous. "Are you serious, Alexander?" she asked, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye fromughing so hard. "I don''t do second chances, sorry." Before he could respond, she ended the call, dropping her phone onto the desk with an exasperated sigh. She couldn''t believe the nerve of him, trying to worm his way back into her life. He''d made his choice back then, and she wasn''t about to let hime crawling back just because he regretted it now. Alexander stared at his phone,pletely stunned. What just happened? Sheughed. He felt his heart sink, the realization hitting him that maybe he''d lost her for good. He''d spent so long thinking about his mistakes, hoping for a chance to make things right, and now... he didn''t even know what to think. Meanwhile, ire''s face was still set in a hard line, annoyance etched in every feature. Matthew who was standing in front of her desk plopped himself on the chair in front of ire. He tilted his head, studying her expression. "What''s with the face?" he asked, a teasing lilt to his voice. He always knew how to poke fun at her, especially when she was in a mood. "Alexander just apologized," ire said tly, still staring at her phone as if it had personally offended her. "He asked me for a second chance." Matthew''s eyebrows shot up in confusion. "What? Wait, I thought Joan was the one who called you." ire nodded, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, I talked to her earlier, but apparently her son wanted to talk to me." "Wow," Matthew said, drawing the word out slowly, still trying to wrap his head around the audacity of it. "I mean, what did he think was going to happen? You''d just say ''sure, let''s forget all the crap you put me through"?" "Exactly!" ire said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "I swear, some people just never change." Before Matthew could reply, her phone rang again. She nced at the screen, expecting it to be Alexander calling back for round two, but then she saw Adrian''s name sh across it. Her annoyance melted into a small smile as she picked up. "Hey, Adrian," she greeted, her voice softening. "ire, how are you?" Adrian''s warm voice came through the line, instantly soothing her. "I was wondering where you were on the night of the auction. I didn''t see you there." ire hesitated, biting her lip. She didn''t want to drag Adrian into her mess, didn''t want him worrying about her problems. So she forced a light tone and said, "Oh, I wasn''t feeling well. I was going to inform you but I saw you were busy that night." "You''re sure you''re okay?" Adrian''s concern was palpable, and ire''s heart squeezed a little. He was always so thoughtful, always checking in on her. "I''m much better now," she assured him, feeling a twinge of guilt for lying. "Really, just needed some rest." "Well, that''s good to hear," he said, his voice softening. "By the way, you left your jewelry at the auction. I just realized you never picked it up." "Oh, right!" ire almost pped her forehead. With everything going on-Alexander''s nonsense, the drama with Lisa-she''dpletely forgotten about the auction. "I''m sorry, it totally slipped my mind." "No worries," Adrian said with a chuckle. "I can bring it to your office, if that''s easier." "Are you sure?" she asked, surprised. "You don''t have to go out of your way." "It''s no trouble at all," he insisted. "I was nning to be in that area anyway." ire smiled, feeling the tension of the day finally starting to ease. "If it''s really no problem, then sure, I''d appreciate it." They chatted for a few more minutes, Adrian''s easygoing nature making her feel more rxed. By the time she hung up, she almost felt like her old self again. Well, almost. Matthew, who had been silently observing her, leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Someone seems to have cheered up." "Shut up," ire muttered, but she couldn''t stop the smile tugging at her lips. "So, what did the charming Adrian want?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows. "He just wanted to know why I wasn''t at the auction," ire said, leaning back in her chair. "And to remind me I left my jewelry there." "Oh, is that all?" Matthew teased, his grin widening. ire rolled her eyes, however, a smile etched on her lips which she tried to hide. "Yes, Matthew. That is all and he is just a friend." "Uh-huh, sure," Matthew said, his tone dripping with mock disbelief. "Because I always volunteer to deliver stuff to my ''friends'' offices." ire threw a pen at him, but he ducked,ughing. "I''m serious! He''s just... really nice." "Uh-huh," Matthew repeated, still grinning like a Cheshire cat. "And I''m a monkey''s uncle." "Why do I even talk to you?" ire grumbled, but she couldn''t helpughing. Trust Matthew to turn a weird, stressful day into something almost normal again. Matthew shrugged. "Because I''m charming, handsome, and a great listener." ire sighed yfully. "That, I can''t argue." Matthew chuckled but then his face turned serious. "But seriously ire, I said all that cause you deserve happiness. I don''t know what exactly happened to you back in Alxander''s house, but I can see it from your eyes that he doesn''t treat you well." ire was silent as she listened to what Matthew had to say. "If you want to open a new page, go for it, ire. I support you and will always be by your side." "I-I don''t know, Matthew. Dating is serious. I mean for me it is and I don''t want to repeat what happened to me and Alexander." Matthew nodded in understanding. "I get it but being strong doesn''t mean that you have to leave your happiness behind." A soft smile grazed her lips. "Thanks, Matthew, you really are a good friend. And where did you get these words? I''m shook." She jokes and Matthew rolls his eyes.novelbin Chapter 304 Magazine Cover Abigail was wheeled into the hospital, her parents pushing her chair like it was some kind of royal chariot. The hospital smelled like disinfectant and stale coffee, and Abigail couldn''t help but wrinkle her nose at it. Her leg still throbbed where the doctors had fixed it up, but she didn''t care. Today was about Alexander. He''d been there for her when she was in aa, and now it was her turn to return the favor. She had packed a bag full of goodies: juicy fruits and a container of his favorite food. "I know how bad the hospital food is," she thought, imagining his face when he saw what she brought. Just thinking about him made her cheeks heat up. There was so much she wanted to tell him, especially about her feelings, but she figured maybe, just maybe, one day would be the right time. Today wasn''t it. She couldn''t mess things up while he was still healing. As they approached his room, Abigail knocked on the door, her heart racing. Her parents nudged it open, and there he was-Alexander, lying down and staring nkly at the ceiling like he was trying to figure out the meaning of life. When he turned his head toward them, he tried to sit up but winced in pain. "Hey, you! Lay down!" Abigail called out, her voice a mix of teasing and concern. He leaned back against the headboard, looking a bit sheepish. "What are you doing here? I thought you were still recovering?" he asked, a faint smile creeping onto his face. "I wanted to see you," she said, her voice softening. "I was worried." Just then, Abigail''s mom, Mary, chimed in. "What happened to you, Alexander? Your parents said you were in an ident!" Alexander hesitated. Thest thing he wanted was to spill the whole story, especially when it involved how much he''d messed up. He nced at Abigail, who was watching him with those wide, trusting eyes. "I wasn''t careful," he said simply, keeping it vague. His mom had kept the details under wraps, and he was grateful for that. He wanted to be the one to exin it to Abigail, but maybe today wasn''t the day for heavy stuff. "Just... be careful next time, okay?" Abigail said, biting her lip. "I brought you something." She thrust the bag of food and fruits toward him like a peace offering. "This is for you! I know hospital food can be worse than cardboard!" He chuckled, the tension easing a bit. "You''re a lifesaver, Abi," he said, smiling as he took the bag from her. "Thank you." Just then, the door swung open, and in walked his mom. She froze for a second, surprised to see Abigail and her parents. "Oh! What a lovely surprise!" she eximed. Mary beamed. "We thought we''d drop by! Alexander has been so great to Abigail; we wanted to return the favor." Alexander''s mom looked between the two families, a knowing smile on her face. "You kids are quite the caring pair. Are you going to get married next?"novelbin Theughter that followed was infectious. Abigail''s face turned a bright shade of crimson, while Alexander simply sighed and rolled his eyes. "Oh, please, not this again," he muttered under his breath. "Don''t you think they''d make a cute couple?" Mary joked, nudging her husband with a smirk. "Mum, please don''t say that." Abigail said, shaking her head, but a smile danced on her lips. As theughter settled down, Alexander turned his gaze to the window, staring at the world outside. His thoughts wandered to ire''s earlier words: "I don''t do second chances." The pain in his chest made him feel heavy, and he wondered if he''d ever get a second chance. "Hey, are you okay?" Abigail''s voice cut through his thoughts like a warm knife through butter. He turned back to her, seeing genuine concern in her eyes. "Yeah, just... thinking," he replied, trying to shake off the gloom. "About how horrible this ce is." "Right? You know, I could bring you a whole buffet next time," she joked, grinning as she leaned closer. A few weekster... ire stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. The dress Talia had picked for her was... well, "provocative" was putting it mildly t hugged her figure like it was tailor-made, the white fabric looking almost too sleek and too daring. The plunging neckline draped down the front, adding a touch that was both chic and undeniably bold. "It''s too much," ire muttered, fidgeting with the hem of the dress. The halter-style top showed off her shoulders and arms, and she felt like she was practically on disy. Talia, standing behind her, was practically beaming. "It''s perfect for Royal Ascot!" she insisted, her excitement evident. "You''re going to turn heads, ire. This is exactly what you need for a horse racepetition outfit." "Since when does a horsepetition require me to look like I''m ready for a magazine cover shoot?" ire shot back, though she couldn''t help but smile a little. Talia''s enthusiasm was infectious. "Hey, if you''ve got it, unt it," Talia teased, twirling a finger in the air. "And you, my dear, have got it. Look at you! Stunning!" ire nced at herself again. The dress did look good, she had to admit. The white fascinator hat perched on her head added a touch of elegance, with its delicate decorative detail matching her outfit. Her essories were minimal but refined-a bracelet on her left wrist, a watch on he right and a ne she''d snagged at an auctionst week. And to top it all off, she carried arge, light-colored handbag that tied everything together. "Well, I suppose it''s not too bad," she said with a small grin, her nerves settling a bit. She let her hair fall loose behind her back, giving herself a final once-over. "Not too bad?" Talia eximed, hands on her hips. "You look drop-dead gorgeous! Seriously, ire, if I wasn''t already your best friend, I''d be asking for your autograph." ireughed, shaking her head. "You''re impossible." "I try," Talia said with a dramatic sigh, her smile widening. She was already dressed, of course, having gone through her own mini-fashion show earlier. Her light blue de had a unique asymmetrical design, with one shoulder covered by a dramatic, flowing cape that added just the right touch of sophistication. "Why don''t I look half as morous as you?" ire teased, eyeing Talia''s wide-brimmed ck hat. Therge blue floral detail and delicate loops gave it a whimsical ir, and her small white bucket-style handbag decorated with flowers was the perfect finishing touch. "Please, you''re the star today. I''m just the supportive bestie," Talia replied, linking her arm through ire''s. "Besides, this is your moment. I''m just here to make sure you don''t run off in a panic." "I''m not panicking," ire said, though the way her voice wavered made them both burst outughing. "Of course not," Talia said, grinning. "You''re just, you know, mentally rehearsing your escape n." "Exactly!" ire agreed with mock seriousness. "Maybe I''ll just hide behind a potted nt. No one will notice." "Good luck hiding in that dress," Talia quipped, giving ire''s outfit an appreciative look. "You''d stand out in a forest of potted nts." ire chuckled, shaking her head again. "You''ve got an answer for everything, don''t you?" "It''s a talent," Talia said breezily. She gave ire''s arm a reassuring squeeze. "But seriously, you look amazing, and you''re going to have a st today." "Easy for you to say," ire murmured, her nerves returning. "You''re always so confident. It''s like you were born for this kind of thing." "Oh, please," Talia scoffed. "I''m nervous too. This is my first Royal Ascot. But that''s why we''re here together, right? To have fun and not take everything so seriously." ire nodded, taking a deep breath. "You''re right. It''s just... it''s been a while for me. This is only my second time going, and I still don''t feel like I belong." "You belong, ire," Talia said firmly. "And you''re going to be the most beautiful woman there. Trust me." ire smiled, feeling a little more at ease. "Thanks foring with me, Talia. I really appreciate it." "What are friends for?" Talia responded softly, her smile genuine. "Now,e on. Let''s go show the world what they''ve been missing." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 305 Royal Ascot Adrian stepped out of the sleek ck car, taking a deep breath as he nced around. The Royal Ascot was buzzing with excitement. The soft hum of chatter mixed with the clinking of champagne sses, and the air was filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and expensive perfume. He straightened his tailored morning coat, the rich blue fabric shining under the midday sun. He looked almost identical to the dozens of men scattered around the venue, all dressed to impress. Adrian couldn''t help but smile. This was his element. The Royal Ascot was one of his favorite events, right up there with Wimbledon, but with a lot more horses and a lot more hats. Speaking of hats, he adjusted the top hat in his hand, matching his coat perfectly. It was his grandfather''s influence that got him here year after year. Being a big shot in the business world had its perks, and an invitation to the Ascot was one of them. "Adrian, old chap!" came a booming voice from nearby. Adrian turned to see Henry, the Viscount, beaming at him. Beside him stood Prince Edward, looking equally pleased but with a mischievous grin on his face. Both of them are his best mates. "Henry! Edward!" Adrian greeted them, shaking Henry''s hand firmly. "Hey, mate, how have you been?" Edward gives him a bro hug despite him being a prince. "It''s been too long. Business has been keeping me busy. You know how it is with the old man''spany." Edward rolled his eyes dramatically, taking a sip of whiskey from the tumbler in his hand. "Business, business, business. You''re going to give yourself wrinkles before you hit thirty at this rate," he teased, wagging a finger at Adrian. Adrian couldn''t help butugh. "Says the guy who thinks it''s not too early to drink whiskey." He eyed the ss in Edward''s hand. Edward grinned, that charming, troublemaker smile of his lighting up his face. "There''s no such thing as ''too early'' in my vocabry. Life''s too short to wait for noon to have a drink." Henry shook his head, a smile tugging on his lips. "Ignore him, Adrian. He''s like a child most of the time." "Well, technically, he is the youngest here," Adrian pointed out with a chuckle. "How''s it going, being the baby of the group?" Edward puffed out his chest, mock offended. "I may be 23, but I''m living life to the fullest, unlike you two old men." He took another sip of whiskey, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You need to live a little, Adrian before you end up regretting all the things you didn''t do." As they strolled along, Edward''s eyes caught on three beautiful women passing by. He threw them a wink, and they giggled, whispering to each other as they looked back at him. Henry and Adrian shared a look and burst outughing. "Edward, you really think you''re God''s gift to women, don''t you?" Adrian teased. "Just spreading a little royal charm," Edward replied with a smirk, taking a deep bow in the direction of thedies. "You should try it sometime, Adrian. A little flirting never hurt anyone." Adrian shook his head, still smiling. "I''ll leave that to you, mate. Just don''t drink too much, or you''ll kill yourself before you hit 25." Henryughed, pping Edward on the back. "He''s got a point, Ed. We need you alive to keep us entertained." Edward sighed dramatically, finishing his whiskey. "You two worry too much. I''m fine. Besides, what''s the point of these events if you don''t enjoy yourself?" They reached the viewing area, where a buzz of anticipation filled the air as the first race was about to begin. Edward leaned on the railing, scanning the track with an excited gleam in his eye. "I''ve got a good feeling about number seven," he said, pointing to a sleek ck horse prancing confidently in the paddock. Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Number seven? You''re just picking that one because it''s your lucky number." "Exactly!" Edward grinned. "What''s the point in having a lucky number if you don''t bet on it?" Henry rolled his eyes. "You and your luck. I''m putting my money on number three. That horse looks strong and steady." Adrian nced between them, then shrugged. "I''ll go with number five. I like the name - Midnight Thunder. Sounds powerful." "Midnight Thunder? Really?" Henry chuckled. "Sounds like a superhero more than a horse." "Hey, don''t knock it till you see it win!" Adrian shot back, a grin on his face. Edward finds it amusing his best mate takes this sport seriously. "You too really take this seriously, huh?" As Adrian and Henry debated their picks, Edward ced his empty ss on a nearby tray and snatched a ss of champagne from a passing waiter. He took a sip, savoring the bubbles, then scanned the crowd again. That''s when his eyesnded on a woman in a stunning white dress gliding down to the viewing area. His jaw dropped a little, and he could hardly believe how beautiful she was. "Wow," he whispered,pletely lost in her elegance. Henry, who was in midugh with Adrian, turned to Edward. "Right, Ed? Edward? What are you looking at?" Edward, still mesmerized, answered, "I just saw an angel." Henry and Adrian exchanged amused looks, both trying to stifle theirughter. "An angel, huh?" Henry teased, raising an eyebrow. "Do we need to get you a paramedic?" "No, seriously!" Edward insisted, gesturing dramatically. "You guys have to see this. She''s really beautiful!" "Alright, alright," Adrian said, rolling his eyes but chuckling. "Show us the angel, then." Edward gestured with his head. "There. The woman in white." Henry and Adrian both turned to look. Adrian''s eyes widened a bit when he saw her. It was ire. She looked stunning, way more morous. He hadn''t expected her to be here, at the Royal Ascot of all r to Phim ces. It didn''t even ur that she would be attending the Royal Ascot. "Wow," Henry breathed out. "Okay, yeah, I see what you mean. She''s definitely something." "I told you!" Edward eximed, practically bouncing with excitement. "You two are mesmerized." ire looked really pretty, stunning even, with her hair flowing in soft waves and that white dress hugging her perfectly. Adrian tried to act nonchnt, keeping his cool. He knew ire from before, but he didn''t want to mention right away. He was curious to see what Edward would do next. After all, it wasn''t every day he saw his friend this captivated. Edward took a deep breath and straightened his jacket. "Alright, wish me luck. I''m going in." Adrian blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Wait, what?" "I saw her first, man. So, it''s my chance," Edward said, determination in his eyes as he started walking toward ire. Henry watched, barely containing hisughter. "You think he stands a chance?" Adrian chuckled nervously. "Nope, but it''s entertaining to see him try." "You know her, don''t you?" Henry''s eyes twinkle in amusement. Adrian shrugged casually. "Yeah, you can say that." Henry raised his eyebrows, looking intrigued. "Oh man, this just got a lot more interesting. I can''t wait to see how this goes." Chapter 306 Prince Edward ire took the ss of champagne from the passing waiter. As she got out of the car earlier, she felt the attention of every eye around her. Photographers turned their cameras towards her, capturing her every move. She had a hunch. The dress she was wearing might be a bit too much, but Talia insisted, saying, "You only live once, girl!" That''s how ire ended up in the daring outfit, feeling a mix of confidence and nervousness. Talia was already buzzing with excitement as she watched the horses getting into position. "This is so thrilling!" she eximed, her eyes sparkling. ire nodded, taking a sip of her champagne, trying to match Talia''s enthusiasm. "Yeah, it''s something, isn''t it?" Just then, a light cough from behind caught her attention. ire turned around to see a young man standing there, a charming smile on his face and a ss of champagne in hand. "I couldn''t help but notice you," he said, his voice smooth. "You look absolutely stunning." ire gave him a polite smile. "Thank you." The man extended his hand, his smile widening. "I''m Edward. Prince Edward, actually." ire''s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she kept her cool and shook his hand. "ire Peterson. Nice to meet you." Edward''s smile brightened even more. "The pleasure is mine, ire." Talia, who had been observing the exchange, looked stunned. Her eyes darted between ire and Edward, her mind racing. A prince?! This day was getting more exciting by the second. ire turned to Talia and introduced her. "This is my friend, Talia." Talia awkwardly smiled and offered her hand. "Nice to meet you, Prince Edward." Edward nodded politely at Talia, but his gaze quickly returned to ire. "So, is this your first time at the Royal Ascot?" ire shook her head, keeping her tone calm. "No, it''s my second time." Edward nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder I haven''t seen you before. I''m sure I would''ve remembered." "Yeah," ire replied simply, taking another sip of her drink. Her voice was steady and gave nothing away, which seemed to throw Edward off his game. Edward shifted his weight, suddenly looking awkward. He was used to women giggling and fawning over him, but ire was different. She seemed soposed, almost like she wasn''t impressed by his title or charm. He cleared his throat and tried again. Meanwhile, Adrian and Henry were watching the scene unfold from a distance. Henry looked like he was about to burst outughing but managed to hold it back, maintaining hisposed image as a viscount. Adrian, hands shoved in his pockets, chuckled and shook his head. "I think Edward''s struggling a bit," Adrian said with a grin. Henry nodded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, definitely. He''s not used to this." "So, do you enjoy watching horse racing?" he asked, ncing at the track where the jockeys were getting ready. ire shrugged. "It''s entertaining, but I don''t watch it often." Edward nodded, trying to think of something clever to say, but his usual confidence was faltering. "Well, if you''d like, I have a private booth. The view is quite something." ire raised her eyebrows, a small smile ying on her lips. "How old are you, Edward?" Edward blinked, clearly not expecting that question. "Uh, twenty-three." ire nodded again, her smile widening slightly. "You''ve got a lot to learn about charming women." With that, she turned and walked away with Talia, heading towards their own booth. Edward stood there, looking a bit stunned, his mind racing with what had just happened. He was used to things going his way, but this was...different. Henry couldn''t hold it in any longer and burst outughing, clutching his sides. "Oh, Edward! That was priceless!" he eximed, tears ofughter forming in his eyes. Adrian, still grinning, patted Edward on the back. "Don''t take it too hard, mate. She''s a tough one." Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don''t get it. Usually, they''re all over me." "Not this one apparently." Henry said, shaking his head. ire and Talia were making their way toward their booth, the crowd buzzing with excitement around them. Talia, still a bit shocked from what she''d just overheard, leaned in closer to ire. "Did I hear that right? Prince Edward was talking to you?" ire shrugged casually, her eyes scanning the area. "Yeah, I guess." Talia raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding her friend''s nonchnce. "And? Was he... interested?" ire gave a small smile, not breaking her stride. "I don''t know. Maybe." Talia looked at her in disbelief. "Maybe? Girl, he''s a prince. Why aren''t you more excited?" ireughed softly as they climbed the stairs to their booth. "Talia, he''s like... twenty-three. Still a kid in a lot of ways. Not really my type." Talia rolled her eyes as they reached their seats. "Not your type? He''s a prince! It''s kind of hard to get a better type than that." ire just smiled and sat down, adjusting her dress. "Titles don''t impress me, Talia. And he''s not as mature as you think. You can tell." Talia shook her head, still unable to believe ire''s attitude. "You''re crazy, you know that? I would''ve fainted on the spot. I mean, it''s not every day you get a chance to chat up royalty." ire picked up her champagne ss and drained thest drop. "You''re wee to him, then. I''m sure he''d love someone fawning over his title. But I just don''t care about that stuff." Talia sighed dramatically. "I swear, you''re impossible." Meanwhile, in another part of the viewing area, Alexander was making his way to his booth, walking slowly beside Abigail, who had her leg in a cast. Alexander nced down at her with a concerned frown. "Are you sure you''re okay to be here? You don''t have to push yourself." Abigail gave him a reassuring smile, her cheeks slightly pink. "I''m fine, really. I''ve been cooped up for so long. I''ve always wanted to see the Royal Ascot, and I wasn''t going to let this cast stop me." Alexander''s frown softened, and he smiled back at her. "Just promise me you won''t try to run any races." Sheughed, shaking her head. "I promise. I''ll stay put." He helped her to a seat, then sat beside her, his eyes scanning the crowd. "If you need anything, just tell me, okay?" "I will. Thanks for bringing me," Abigail said softly, ncing at him. She quickly looked away, her blush deepening. Back near thedies'' room, Talia was fixing her makeup when she bumped into someone. "Oh! I''m so sorry-" she started, then froze when she realized who it was. "Christian?" Christian grinned and pulled her into a quick hug. "Talia! Long time no see." She hugged him back, her surprise quickly turning into excitement. "What are you doing here?" "I''m here with Alexander," he exined, nodding over his shoulder. "I didn''t know you''d be here too." Her eyes widened as she made the connection. "Wait, Alexander''s here? Does ire know?" Christian shrugged casually, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes. "I''m not sure, but they''re adults. They can handle it, right?" Talia''s expression turned serious. "You think it''s a good idea, them being in the same ce?" Christian sighed. "I mean, I hope so. They''ve got to keep it civil, especially here." Talia shook her head. "I hope you''re right. This could get awkward." Back in the booth, ire stood up and took out her binocrs, elne scanning the track. The race started yet, but she was already buzzing with excitement. She focused on the horses, trying to get a sense of which one might win. "ire?" She turned at the familiar voice and found herself face-to-face with Abigail. Standing beside her was none other than Alexander. It had been a week since shest saw him, but it felt like forever. "Abigail! It''s good to see you," ire said warmly, giving her a gentle hug. "You too, ire!" Abigail beamed. "I didn''t know you''d be here." ire nodded. "I didn''t know you''d be here either. It''s a nice surprise." Alexander cleared his throat, and Abigail quickly sat down, her leg sticking out awkwardly in its cast. "Abigail, you should sit. You''ve been standing too long." ire turned back to the view, trying to ignore the feeling of Alexander''s eyes on her. But he was suddenly right beside her, and his voice, though quiet, was edged with something sharp. "What are you wearing?" Chapter 307 Bet With The Prince ire''s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Are you talking to me?" she asked, turning to face him fully. "Yes, you." Alexander''s gaze was intense, his jaw clenched, though it seemed his anger wasn''t directed at her but at the daring dress she was wearing. The plunging neckline clearly made him ufortable. "That dress is not suitable for the Royal Ascot." ire rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, please. You have no right to tell me what to wear, Alexander." "I still have a right," he snapped, stepping closer, so close that ire could feel the warmth of his breath. "You''re my ex-wife." ire sucked in a deep breath, her heart skipping a beat at their sudden proximity, but she kept her face calm, scoffing. "Ex-wife, Alexander. Ex. You have no rights over me anymore. And besides, didn''t you just apologizest week for being overbearing?" Alexander''s eyes narrowed, his voice strained as he tried to keep his temper in check. "I apologized for being unfair to you, yes. But seeing you in this dress, with a thousand men ogling you... it bothers me." ire''s lips curled into a smirk. "Are you jealous, Alexander?" Before he could respond, she cut him off. "You have Abigail now. You should be focusing on her, not me." With that, she turned and walked off, heading down the stairs, determined to find another spot to watch the races. The nerve of him! She needed to cool down before she said something she might regret. As she searched for an empty ce, a familiar voice called out to her. "ire!" She looked up to see Adrian approaching, a warm smile on his face. Relief washed over her. "Adrian!" she greeted him with a smile of her own. He had a way of making her feel at ease, even in the most awkward situations. "Why aren''t you in your booth?" Adrian asked, his brow furrowing in concern. ire''s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly stered on a smile. "I needed a better view," she lied, not wanting to get into the details of Alexander''s unexpected presence. How on earth did he end up at this event? And in the same booth, no less? Adrian nced around, as if trying to spot something-or someone. "Well, you''re wee to join me in mine," he offered, extending his elbow with a charming grin. ire hesitated only for a second before slipping her arm through his. "Thank you, Adrian. I''d love that." As they walked, Adrian nced down at her, a yful smile tugging at his lips. "By the way, that dress looks stunning on you." ire blushed slightly, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Thank you," she said, then pointed at his top hat, eyes twinkling. "And look at you, Mr. Fancy Hat. I''ve never seen you in one of those." Adrianughed, tipping the hat to her in a mock bow. "It''s the dress code. Gotta fit in, right?" She giggled, shaking her head. "You should wear it more often. It suits you. Very 1800s fashion vibe." They bothughed, their lighthearted banter a pleasant contrast to the tension that had gripped her earlier. As they reached Adrian''s booth, ire''s eyes widened slightly when she spotted Edward. He stood frozen for a moment, his gaze bouncing between ire and Adrian. "How-what-ire?" Edward stammered, clearly surprised. ire remained calm, offering a polite smile. "Hello, Edward. Didn''t expect to see you here or should I say Prince Edward?" Edward chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit shy. "Nah, just Edward is fine. No need for the ''Prince'' stuff." He then turned to Adrian, raising an eyebrow. "How do you know ire?" Adrian grinned, ncing at ire. "She''s a friend of mine." Edward''s eyes widened as he stared at Adrian. "And it doesn''t ur to you to tell me that she is your friend?" Henry stepped up beside Edward, joining the conversation with a mischievous smile. "Oh, it''s more fun this way. Watching you get all flustered around her." Edward''s face turned bright red, and he muttered something under his breath, clearly embarrassed. Henry turned to ire with a polite smile. "I don''t think we''ve had the pleasure. I''m Henry, the Viscount of God-knows-where," he said with a yful wink. ireughed, extending her hand. "ire Peterson. It''s nice to meet you, Henry." She turned to Adrian, raising an eyebrow. "I had no idea your circle was full of royalty. I''m impressed." Adrianughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, it''s a bit unusual, I guess." ire looked genuinely curious. "So, how did you all be friends?" Henry and Edward exchanged amused nces. Edward leaned closer, grinning. "Oh, we''ve got plenty of stories about Adrian. But Henry''s got the best ones since I''m the younger one here." Henry nodded enthusiastically. "That''s true. I''ve known him forever. Want to hear some good ones?" Adrian quickly jumped in, waving his hands. "No, no! How about we just enjoy the race instead?" Henry smirked and winked at ire. "Fine, but after the race, I''m telling you about the time Adrian tried to impress a girl by pretending to be a magician." Adrian groaned, rolling his eyes. "Henry, I swear-" Ignoring Adrian, Henry chuckled and took a sip of his champagne, clearly enjoying himself. Adrian, looking a bit desperate, turned to ire, cing a gentle hand on her waist to guide her toward the railing. "Let''s watch the race. It''s about to start," he said, his voice almost pleading. He handed her a pair of binocrs so she could get a better view of the track. ire took them, smiling as she peered through the lenses. Edward, still leaning on the railing beside them, nced at ire. "So, which horse do you think will win?" he asked, his tone curious. ire studied the horses through the binocrs, then lowered them, pointing confidently. "Number six. I have a good feeling about it." Henry and Edward exchanged skeptical looks. Edward leaned closer. "Green Clover? Are you sure? He''s not exactly the best. Only won once, and that was pure luck." Henry nodded in agreement. "Yeah, maybe pick another one? Like, maybe number seven? That one''s a strong contender." ire shook her head, a yful smirk on her lips. "Nope. I''m sticking with number six. I trust my instincts." Henry raised an eyebrow, ncing at Adrian. "Adrian, you know your stuff. What do you think?" Adrian shrugged, giving ire an amused smile. "I''m staying out of this one. ire''s pretty stubborn when she''s made up her mind." ire grinned, then turned back to Edward. "Tell you what. If Green Clover, I''ll give you my F40." Edward blinked, his jaw dropping. "Wait, you mean the Ferrari F40? The ssic one?" ire nodded, lookingpletely serious. "Yep, the very one." Edward hesitated, ncing at Adrian as if looking for confirmation that this wasn''t some kind of joke. When Adrian simply shrugged with a small smile, Edward turned back to ire. "And what do you want if you win? ire shrugged, her tone casual. "If I win, you owe me a favor. Anything I want." Edward thought for a moment, then nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Deal." They shook hands, sealing the bet. Henry watched them with amusement, shaking his head. "You two are something else." As the race started, Edward leaned over the railing, shouting excitedly. "Come on, number seven! You''ve got this! There''s an F40 waiting for me!" Chapter 308 Green Clover The crowd roared as the horses took off, a blur of colors and powerful muscles racing down the track. Thementator''s voice boomed through the speakers, "And they''re off! Number three and number five are neck and neck, folks! It''s a tight race!" Edward leaned forward, his eyes glued to the track. He almost spilled his champagne in excitement as he watched Silver Arrow, number seven, galloping fiercely beside number three. "Come on, Silver Arrow!" he shouted,pletely lost in the thrill of the moment. Adrian chuckled next to him. "Looks like you picked a good one, Ed. But I don''t know, number three''s looking pretty strong too." "Ah, no way! Silver Arrow got this," Edward insisted. But before they could continue their debate, number seven surged ahead, surprising everyone. "Whoa! Where did number sevene from?" Henry eximed, his eyes widening. "That horse just shot out of nowhere!" ire, standing a few feet away, chuckled as she watched the race unfold. "Now I see why they call it Midnight Thunder!" she said, pointing to the screen. "That horse is like lightning!" Edward nced over at her, still a bit flustered from earlier. "Yeah, yeah, but Silver Arrow is still ahead!" He turned back to the race just as number six suddenly made a surprising move, darting past the others. "Oh my gosh, did you see that? Number six just took the lead!" ire shouted, pping her hands in excitement. "Go, number six!" Henry, on his other side, pped Edward on the back. "Looks like your Midnight Thunder''s about to get struck by a storm," he teased. Edward shot him a look. "Not helping, Henry." The crowd was buzzing, everyone on the edge of their seats as the horses thundered down the final stretch. Edward''s heart pounded as he watched Silver Arrow struggle to catch up. "Come on, don''t let me down!" he muttered. The horses flew past the finish line, the results shing up on the screen. Number three had zoomed in at thest second, snatching the win. "Yes! What a finish!" Adrian yelled, pumping his fist in the air. ireughed, her face lighting up with joy. She couldn''t remember thest time she had so much fun and not thinking about work or even Lisa. Edward, on the other hand, was pouting. "No way... Silver Arrow was supposed to win!" He slumped against the railing, looking like a disappointed kid. ire turned to him with a teasing smile. "I told you number six was going to surprise everyone. You should''ve listened to me." Edward shot her a mock re. "Yeah, yeah. Rub it in, why don''t you? Now I''m never getting that Ferrari F40." Adrian, who had been quietly watching, chuckled. "You and your cars. I swear, Ed, you''d trade your soul for a Ferrari." Henry burst outughing. "Oh,e on, Ed! Is not like you don''t have money to buy the car on your own. You''re just using this as an excuse." Edward sighed dramatically. "It''s not the same, Henry. It''s about the thrill of winning!" Henry snorted. "Toote, he already did. Look at him, crying over a horse race." Edward threw his hands up. "I''m not crying! I''m just... emotionally invested." "Emotionally invested?" ireughed Edward pointed a dramatic finger at her. "You don''t understand, ire. That horse was supposed to be my ticket to glory!" "Or at least a new car," Adrian added with a smirk. He turned to ire. "How did you know number six was going to win?" ire shrugged casually. "I didn''t. I just had a feeling, you know? Sometimes you''ve got to trust your instincts." Edward was still sulking, staring at his empty ss. "I can''t believe I lost. No Ferrari, no bragging rights, nothing." The three of themughed at his childish behavior, and ire couldn''t help but ask, "How can you act like this in public? Especially when you''re a prince?" Edward looked at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Like what? I''m just having fun!" ire gestured at him, still chuckling. "You know, pouting andining like a kid. Aren''t you worried someone will see you acting this way?" Edward waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, I''m like fortieth in line for the throne. Chances of me bing king are basically zero. The cameras won''t focus on me. They''ve got more important people to follow-like the king, queen, and the top three in line. I''m just here for the free drinks and the show." He grabbed another ss of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it in one gulp. "Besides, I can''t even imagine being king. Too much work and no time for fun." He shuddered dramatically, making ireugh again. Henry pped his hands together. "Alright, alright, enough about Ed''s royal woes. ire, you ready to hear some embarrassing stories about Adrian?" Adrian groaned. "Oh,e on, Henry. Don''t start!" ire''s eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh, this sounds good. Do tell!" Two dayster, life seemed to have slipped back into its usual rhythm, or at least as close as it could get. ire was focused, determined, and knee-deep in paperwork, trying to get the case against Lisa rolling. "I''m going to make sure she''s locked up for good," ire muttered to herself, pushing the papers aside. ording to Matthew, Lisa had beenying low ever since he discreetly escorted her back to the house. She hadn''t dared to make a scene, which was both a relief and a bit suspicious. "Did you hear?" Matthew''s voice crackled through the phone as ire shuffled thest few documents into a folder. "Hear what?" she asked, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Lisa went to the police station to file aint against you." ire''s eyebrows shot up. "She did what?" "Yeah, she tried to make a case, but without any proof, the cops didn''t even take her seriously. They pretty muchughed her out of the station." ire couldn''t help but chuckle. "Serves her right. She''s got nothing but lies." "Exactly," Matthew agreed, a grin evident in his voice. "Please keep an eye on her, Matt. I just don''t trust her next move." "Roger that, boss." They were on a tight deadline, with only a week left to finish the robot. Between Abigail''s absence and the chaos with Lisa, progress had slowed to a crawl. Now they were all working overtime, trying to make up for lost time. ire pushed open the door and found the team bustling around. Cables snaked across the floor, and the humof machinery filled the air The robot, sleek and metallic, stood in the center of the room, lights blinking in rhythm as if it were alive. "Hey, guys!" ire greeted, striding in. "How''s it going?" Mark, one of the engineers, looked up from his workstation. "Ms. Peterson! Good timing. We''re testing if it can follow requests and handle basic hospitality functions." "Oh, that''s great! How''s it doing so far?" she asked, leaning in to get a closer look. "Pretty good," said Sarah, another team member, typing furiously on herptop. "We''re still fine-tuning its voice recognition, but it''s getting there." ire said, feeling a swell of pride for her team. "You guys have really outdone yourselves. Let''s make sure our hard work won''t go to waste." Chapter 309 The Attack ire was surrounded by the buzz of activity in the roboticsb, where the team was working tirelessly. She moved around, checking on each member and asionally rolling up her sleeves to help out. The team was small, and with Abigail absent, they were stretched thin. Still, ire couldn''t help but feel proud as they showed her a demo of the robot. "This is amazing," she said, her eyes lighting up as the robot performed its programmed tasks wlessly. "You guys have done incredible work, especially with such a small team." One of the engineers grinned. "Thanks, Ms. Peterson! We really pushed hard to get this ready. Abigail''s absence was tough, but we managed." ire nodded. "You really did. She''ll be impressed when she sees this." After a few more words of encouragement, ire left theb and headed to her office to meet with herwyers. It was time to deal with Lisa''s case. She''d asked Matthew topile all the evidence of Lisa''s wrongdoings into one neat folder, and he''d done an excellent job. Thewyer, a sharp-eyed man named David, flipped through the documents. "So, ire, do you want us to send her a notification or an email?" David asked, ncing up. ire shook her head, a mischievous smile ying on her lips. "No, I want it to be a surprise. She won''t know what''sing." David chuckled. "I like your style. We''ll take care of it. Everything''s in order, so it shouldn''t take long." They discussed a few more details before David left. ire returned to her desk, where a mountain of paperwork waited for her. She let out a dramatic sigh, staring at the piles with a frown. "Seriously, what''s with this workload?" she muttered to herself. "I take one day off, and it''s like the paper fairy had a party on my desk." Just as she was about to dive in, there was a knock on her office door. It was Sandra, her secretary, holding another file. "Ms. Peterson, this is for tomorrow''s meeting," Sandra said, cing the folder on the already crowded desk. ire picked up the file and flipped through it. "Thanks, Sandra. Looks like I''ll be pulling an all-nighter." Sandra gave her a sympathetic smile. "Don''t work too hard. I''m heading home now. Try to get some rest, okay?" "I''ll try," ire replied, though she wasn''t too hopeful. As Sandra left, the office started to empty out. Soon, it was just ire, her deskmp, and the endless sea of paperwork. She stretched, feeling the tension in her back and shoulders, and took a short break to watch the robot demo video again. It was a good distraction. Before she knew it, it was 1:30 AM. ire leaned back in her chair, exhausted but satisfied that she''d made a dent in the pile. She decided it was finally time to call it a night. Grabbing her things, she headed down to the lobby, only to realize she''d forgotten to call her driver. "Ugh, seriously, ire?" she groaned, rubbing her temples. "How can I be so forgetful?" With no other option, she pulled out her phone to call a cab. But just as she was about to dial, a sleek ck car pulled up in front of the building. ire frowned, wondering who could possibly be visiting at this hour. The car door opened, and out stepped Alexander, looking as polished and confident as ever. "Alexander?" ire asked, folding her arms. "What are you doing here?" Alexander smiled, that annoyingly charming smile that always seemed to annoy and intrigue her in equal measure. "I wanted to see how the robot''s development is going. I figured I''d catch you before you left." ire narrowed her eyes. "You know you cane by tomorrow during normal hours, right? It''s almost 2 AM." He shrugged. "I''ll be busy tomorrow. And you only have a week left to finalize this project." His tone was all business, and it made ire''s annoyance spike. "I''ll send you the video if you''re so worried about it." Alexander ignored her irritation. "Why aren''t you home yet, anyway?" ire sighed, feeling her frustration grow. "I had work to finish. What''s it to you?" He nced around the empty lobby. "Where''s your driver?" She rolled her eyes. "I forgot to call him, okay? I was about to get a cab." Alexander''s expression softened a little. "Let me give you a ride." ire crossed her arms tighter. "No thanks. I can manage." But Alexander wasn''t taking no for an answer. "Come on, ire. It''ste, and it''s not safe to be out here alone." They stood there, staring each other down. ire''s re could have melted steel, but Alexander just looked at her with that calm, persistent look he always had. Finally, she huffed and threw her hands up. "Fine! But only because I don''t want to wait for a cab in the middle of the night." Alexander smirked in triumph, opening the car door for her. "d you see it my way." ire got into the car, muttering under her breath. "Smug jerk." As they both settled inside the car, Alexander couldn''t help but keep sneaking nces at ire. She, on the other hand, stared out of the window, her expression diet the After a few moments of silence, Alexander cleared his throat and finally spoke up. "I saw you at the Royal Ascot the other day," he said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. ire didn''t even bother looking at him. "And?" Alexander frowned, not expecting such a blunt response. "And... I saw you with Adrian," he continued, his voice holding a hint of jealousy. ire turned to him, raising her eyebrows. "So?" "So... why were you with him?" Alexander asked, his frustration growing. He hated how calm and unaffected she seemed. "It''s none of your business who I hang out with, Alexander," she said, her tone cold. "Who I see, who I talk to - that''s my choice." Alexander opened his mouth to argue, but before he could say anything, two cars screeched to a stop right in front of them. The sudden movement made both of them jerk forward as Alexander mmed on the brakes. "What the heck!" Alexander muttered angrily, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. Four men jumped out of the cars, heading straight for them. Alexander''s eyes narrowed, his temper ring. "Who the hell are they?" Before ire could say anything, Alexander flung open the car door, his jaw set with determination. ire quickly reached out, grabbing his arm. "Alex, just drive away," she urged, her voice tense. "Don''t get out." But Alexander shook off her hand, too stubborn to listen. He stepped out, his stance aggressive as he faced the group. "What''s your problem?" he demanded, his voice loud and challenging. One of the men, tall and muscr, stepped forward. "We''re here to talk to ire," he said, his tone calm but menacing. "Not you. Hand her over, and no one gets hurt." Alexander scoffed, his anger boiling over. "Like hell I will! Get lost before I make you." ire, still inside the car, overheard everything. She felt her heart race as she watched the confrontation unfold. Without thinking, she flung open the door and stepped out, her eyes zing. "If it''s me you want, here I am!" she shouted, drawing all eyes to her. Alexander spun around, ring at her. "ire, get back in the car!" he barked, his voice edged with fear and frustration. But ire ignored him, taking a step forward. "I''m not going anywhere. This is between me and them." The men smirked, clearly amused by her bravery. "Smart girl," one of them said. "This''ll be easier if you juste with us." But ire wasn''t about to go quietly. Before anyone could react, she lunged at the nearest guy, catching him off guard. Her fist connected with his jaw, and he staggered back, more surprised than hurt. The others quickly closed in, but ire was ready. She kicked out,nding a blow on another guy''s knee, sending him to the ground. "Damn it, ire!" Alexander yelled, jumping into the fray. He swung at one of the men,nding a solid punch, but was quickly grabbed from behind. He struggled, kicking out and breaking free. The fight was chaotic, fists flying everywhere ire dodged a punch, then swung her arm, knocking a guy off bnce. But there were too many of them, and they were closing in. One of the men grabbed her from behind, and she struggled, twisting to break free. "Watch out!" Alexander shouted suddenly, his voice filled with urgency. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 310 History Repeat Itself breath and quickly scooped her up in his arms. "Hold on, ire," he muttered, his jaw clenched as he carried her to his car. As the four men struck ire at the back of her head, they bolted, leaving Alexander in a split second of panic. His heart raced, torn between chasing them down or helping ire. But when he saw her lying there, unconscious, the decision was clear. He swore under his He pressed the gas pedal hard, flying down the nearly empty streets. The hospital wasn''t far, but every second felt like an eternity. His mind raced with all the possibilities - what if the blow was worse than it looked? What if something serious happened to her? When they finally reached the hospital, Alexander didn''t waste a moment. He carried ire inside, bridal style, his arms wrapped tightly around her limp body. A nurse at the entrance noticed the urgency in his eyes and quickly called for help. Within seconds, a stretcher was wheeled over. "ce her on the bed," the nurse instructed, her tone calm butmanding. Alexander gentlyid ire on the stretcher, watching as they whisked her away toward the ER. One of the nurses stayed back, turning to Alexander with a serious expression. "Who are you? What happened to her? Did you...?" she trailed off, her eyes narrowing slightly, clearly suspicious. "No! I didn''t do anything!" Alexander said quickly, his hands raised defensively. "Someone attacked her. They hit her in the back of the head, and then they ran. I couldn''t catch them." The nurse nodded, her suspicion fading a bit. "You should inform the police," she advised. "They might still be able to catch whoever did this." Alexander nodded, reaching for his phone. But just as he was about to call the police, he remembered - he had to inform someone about ire. She didn''t have family, but there was one person who would want to know: Matthew. He hesitated for a moment, then dialed Matthew''s number, feeling an ufortable knot in his stomach. He never thought he''d actually use Matthew''s contact information. The phone rang twice before Matthew answered, his voice sharp. "Who is this?" "It''s Alexander," he replied, his voice tense. "ire''s in the hospital." There was a pause on the other end, and when Matthew spoke again, his tone was cold. "What did you do to her?" Alexander gritted his teeth, already annoyed. "I didn''t do anything," he snapped, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Look, it''s a long story. You need to get here, and I''ll exin everything." Matthew''s voice hardened even more. "Text me the address. I''m on my way." Alexander ended the call, sighing heavily in frustration. He couldn''t shake the fear gnawing at him. What if the blow was worse than it seemed? He rubbed his face, trying to clear his head. After texting Matthew the hospital''s address, he sat for a moment, debating whether he should call the police now or wait. Eventually, he decided to dial them. Better safe than sorry. Meanwhile, Matthew was speeding down the road, his knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly. It was 2:30 in the morning, and the streets were blissfully empty, allowing him to push his car to its limit. He didn''t care about getting a speeding ticket; he just needed to get to ire. His mind raced with questions. Who the hell would hurt ire? And why was she with Alexander in the middle of the night? None of this made sense, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He pressed the gas harder, trying to block out the terrible possibilities flooding his brain. Ten minutester, Matthew screeched into the hospital parking lot. He jumped out of the car, barely remembering to lock it, and sprinted inside. His eyes darted around the hallway, scanning for any sign of Alexander or the nurses. Finally, he spotted Alexander standing with a police officer near the ER entrance. Without missing a beat, Matthew stormed over. "What the hell happened?" he demanded, his voice tight with anger. Alexander turned around, his eyes meeting Matthew''s angry re as he stormed over. Alexander straightened up, his hands still stuffed in his pockets as he nodded toward the police officers, who had just finished taking his statement. "Thanks for your help. Please keep me updated," he said to them before they walked out of the hospital lobby. The officers nodded and left, while Matthew, without wasting any time, demanded, "What happened to ire?" Alexander took a deep breath, preparing for what was about to be a long exnation. "Earlier, there were four guys who stopped their car in front of mine while I was taking ire home." Matthew''s frown deepened. "Why were you taking ire home?" Alexander nced away for a moment. "I went to Metacortex to ask about the robot development-" "Why not tomorrow?" Matthew interrupted, his tone sharp, almost mimicking ire''s exact words from earlier. Alexander sighed again, feeling the frustration of the situation. "I''m busy tomorrow, so I decided to head over to her office tonight, at 1:30 AM." Matthew crossed his arms over his chest, his expression demanding answers. "And then?" "Those four guys-" Alexander continued, "they were looking for ire. I got out to confront them, but ire jumped out of the car too. Things escted fast. We both fought them, but one of them hit ire on the back of her head. She went down immediately. Matthew''s eyes widened, and he gritted his teeth. "Did you see their license te?" "No," Alexander admitted, shaking his head. "But I told the officers. They''ll let me know if they find anything." Matthew looked like he didn''t entirely trust the police, but he nodded reluctantly. "Alright. For now, we''ll rely on that." Just then, the ER doors swung open, and a doctor stepped out. Both men rushed over, anxious for news. "How is she?" Alexander asked, his voice tight with worry. "Is she going to be okay?" Matthew added, his tone a little gruffer but no less concerned. The doctor nced between them and said, "She''s stable. The hit on the back of her head required a few stitches, but it''s nothing too serious. She just needs rest." Both men let out sighs of relief. "Thank God," Matthew muttered under his breath. "Can she be moved to a room?" Matthew asked. The doctor nodded. "We''re moving her to a room now. She''ll wake up soon, but make sure she doesn''t strain herself. Rest is the priority." Ten minutester, ire was moved to the VIP room, and Alexander and Matthew settled into the stiff hospital chairs by her bedside, waiting for her to wake up. The night stretched on, and despite the exhaustion pulling at them, neither of them slept. They kept ncing at ire, her face peaceful, as if she was simply sleeping, not lying there after a traumatic attack. The first rays of morning sunlight began to filter through the curtains when ire''s hand twitched. Matthew noticed it first and immediately stood up, leaning closer to her bed. "ire? Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now, filled with concern. ire''s eyes fluttered open. She looked at him, confused, her voice barely a whisper. "Who... are you?" Chapter 311 Lost Memory Matthew and Alexander stood frozen, their jaws practically hitting the floor as they processed ire''s words. It felt like they had just heard the craziest thing ever. the doctor, Alex. Now." Matthewughed nervously, trying to y it off. "Ha, good one, ire. You''re joking, right? You remember me, don''t you?" He looked at her hopefully, but ire''s confused expression didn''t change. Matthew''s heart sank as he turned to Alexander, his voice urgent. "Call Alexander didn''t waste a second. He nodded and rushed out of the room, his mind racing with worry. Matthew turned back to ire, who was staring at him with wide, bewildered eyes. "ire, seriously, it''s me, Matthew. Do you remember anything? We''re friends. Really good friends." He reached out, gently taking her hand, but she yanked it away like he was on fire. "Are you crazy?" she snapped, her voice full of distrust. "I don''t know you. Why would I remember you?" Matthew felt like he''d been punched in the gut. This couldn''t be happening. It was like a bad dream. Just then, the door swung open, and the doctor walked in, with Alexander right behind him, looking more stressed than ever. "Did she remember anything?" Alexander asked, his eyes darting between Matthew and ire. Matthew shook his head slowly, his expression grim. "No. Not a thing." Alexander''s face paled, and he let out a shaky breath. "Did she lose her memory again?" Alexander''s voice was almost a whisper, like he was scared to even ask. Matthew nced at ire, who was watching them both like they were speaking a foreignnguage. "I don''t know," he murmured. "But she looked really lost earlier." Alexander''s mind raced. Thest time ire had lost her memory, things had gottenplicated-reallyplicated. She had fallen for him back then, and everything had gotten all mixed up. Was this like a reset button? Did she go back to being the old ire? He stepped closer to her bed, his heart pounding. "ire, do you know who I am?" he asked softly. Her eyes narrowed in confusion, and she shook her head slowly. "No, I don''t. Should I?" Her voice was cautious, like she didn''t trust him either. Alexander felt his chest tighten. He nced at the doctor, desperation in his voice. "What''s wrong with her?" The doctor sighed, ncing at his notes. "We need to run some tests to see what''s going on," he exined calmly. Matthew jumped in before Alexander could say anything. "Can we do them now? Like, right now?" he asked, his voice almost pleading. The doctor nodded and turned to get everything started. After what felt like an eternity, they finally wheeled ire back into the room. Matthew and Alexander jumped up, their eyes locked on the doctor as he walked in behind her. "Doctor, what''s going on? Is she okay?" Matthew asked, his voice tight with worry. The doctor cleared his throat. "ire has temporary amnesia," he exined gently. Matthew''s eyes went wide. "What?!" he practically shouted, while Alexander just stood there, his mouth hanging open, too stunned to speak. "The hit she took to the back of her head was pretty serious," the doctor continued. "She has a concussion, and the memory loss is a result of that." "Will she remember?" Matthew''s voice cracked, the hope clinging to his words. The doctor sighed. "Most likely, yes, but I can''t say when. It could be days, weeks... it''s hard to tell." He offered them a sympathetic look before leaving the room, giving them some privacy. Matthew and Alexander moved closer to ire''s bed, their expressions a mix of hope and fear. ire''s eyes darted between them, a hint of panic creeping in. "Who are you guys?" she asked again, her voice shaky. Matthew and Alexander shared a look before Matthew spoke up. "ire, I''m Matthew. We''re really good friends. And this is Alexander, he''s...your not so good of a friend." His voice was gentle, like he was talking to a scared child. Alexander turned to Matthew with a red. "Hey!" Matthew turned to him with a slight smirk on his lips. "I''m just telling the truth." ire''s eyes narrowed, still not convinced. "If we''re friends, why can''t I remember you?" Matthew''s heart broke a little at that. "You hit your head, ire. It''s just temporary, okay? I''m here to help." Alexander, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. "I''m staying too, ire. I''m not going anywhere." His voice was firm, but there was a softness in his eyes as he looked at her. Matthew turned to him, frowning. "Aren''t you busy today? That''s what you said earlier. Or did your schedule suddenly clear out of itself?" "I can handle itter. ire is more important right now," Alexander shot back, his tone leaving no room for argument. ire, watching the two strangers bicker like an old married couple, felt her confusion turning into frustration. "Why don''t you both just leave? You''re making my head hurt," she snapped, her voice louder than before. Matthew flinched, guilt washing over him. "We''re sorry, ire. We just want to help. Is there anyone you''d like to stay? Maybe someone you do remember?" ire looked at them both, clearly exhausted. "I don''t know," she muttered. "I want to be alone." "That''s not a good idea, ire," Alexander interjected, shaking his head. "You can''t be alone right now." ire let out a heavy sigh, her eyes flicking between the two of them. "Fine," she said finally, pointing at Matthew. "You. You stay. But just you." Alexander''s face fell, a mix of shock and disbelief shing across his features. "Seriously?" he muttered under his breath. "Even when she''s lost her memory, she still doesn''t pick me." Matthew shot him an apologetic look before turning back to ire. "Okay, I''ll stay. Whatever you need." Alexander turned to ire with a shocked look etched on his face. "Are you serious ire? But you don''t even know him either." ire stared at his face. "I-I''m sorry but he," she pointed at Matthew. "look more...I don''t know...trustworthy? Like I feel like I know him but I don''t remember." Matthew couldn''t help but snort hearing ire''s words, but he quickly covered it up with a cough. "You''re really lucky, Finnegan." Alexander grumbled something under his breath and then turned to leave the room, but not before shooting Matthew a look that said, "This isn''t over." "It was not my doing. She requested herself." Matthew raised both hands in surrender but had a mocking smile on his lips. "Yeah, whatever," Alexander said coldly. As the door closed behind him, the room grew quiet. Matthew sat down in the chair next to ire''s bed, his heart still racing. "Is he...okay?" asked ire who stared at Matthew. "Don''t worry, he will be fine. That''s just how he is. I''m really sorry, ire," he said softly. "I know this is all confusing and probably really scary, but we''re gonna figure it out, okay?" ire watched him for a moment, still wary, but there was something calming about his presence. "Okay," she whispered back, her voice barely audible. Matthew smiled, trying to hide the worry that was eating away at him. He didn''t know how long it would take for her to remember, but he''d be there, every step of the way. Chapter 312 She’s Back Alexander was fuming as he stormed back into Harris Company. He stomped through the lobby, his face twisted with anger, making all the employees around him look down and pretend to be busy. Not one person dared to say good morning. He marched straight to the elevator, and the two people inside quickly stepped out, sensing that it was not a good idea to be around their boss today. As the elevator doors closed and Alexander rode up to his floor, his fists clenched, he took a deep breath, but it didn''t calm him. When the doors opened, he walked out with the same stormy expression. Christian, who was just passing by, lifted a hand to greet him. "Hey, Alex-" But Alexander brushed past him without a word, pushing open the door to his office with a loud bang. Christian blinked, staring at the door that almost hit him in the face. "What the hell?" he muttered. He hesitated for a second before following Alexander inside. "Alex, what''s going on?" Christian asked, shutting the door behind him. He saw Alexander slumped on the couch, looking like he was about to explode. "You look... well, like hell, to be honest. That''s the suit you wore yesterday, isn''t it?" Alexander didn''t respond at first, just red at the floor. Finally, he looked up, his jaw tight. "ire lost her memory again," he said tly. Christian''s eyes widened. "What? Again? How... why?" He paused, then added carefully, "Is she okay?" Alexander leaned back, frustration written all over his face. "She''s fine. Just a temporary amnesia. But even with that, she still hates me. It''s like no matter what happens, she always knows I''m the bad guy." Christian was at a loss for words. He ran a hand through his hair, not sure what to say. "Man, that''s tough. But she''s alright, right? I mean, besides the memory stuff?" Alexander let out a long sigh. "Yeah, she''s alright. At least she''s safe." He rubbed his forehead, looking exhausted. "But it''s just... I don''t know how to fix this." Back at the hospital, ire was sound asleep in her room. Matthew had gone to get some coffee when he almost bumped into someone familiar. "Adrian?" Matthew said, a little surprised. He hadn''t expected to see him here. "Matthew, hey!" Adrian greeted with a smile, then his eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here? Everything okay?" Matthew hesitated. "Uh... ire''s admitted to the hospital." Adrian''s face changed immediately. "What happened to her? Is she alright?" "It''s a long story," Matthew said, unsure if he should get into all the details. ire hadn''t exactly been open with Adrian about all the dangerous stuff. "What about you? What are you doing here?" "I''m here with my grandpa for his check-up," Adrian said, then nced towards ire''s room. "Can I see her?" Matthew thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, sure. Come on." As they reached ire''s room, Matthew opened the door, only to hear ire''s voice. "Where have you been?" she said, sounding irritated but in her usual tone. Matthew was so shocked he dropped his coffee, sshing it all over his shirt. "What the " He cursed under his breath, wiping at the mess. "ire?" he said, his voice trembling as he walked inside, cing the cup on a nearby table. He said her name again, a few times, like he was trying to make sure he wasn''t dreaming. "Do you remember me?" ire rolled her eyes dramatically, crossing her arms over her chest. "Of course I remember you. I''m not that forgetful, Matthew." Matthew''s eyes teared up, and he moved to hug her, but ire stopped him with her hand on his chest. "No hugging," she warned. He chuckled, stepping back. "Alright, alright. I''ll go get the doctor, make sure everything''s okay." He was already halfway out the door when Adrian, who had been watching all this with a confused look, finally spoke up. "What is going on?" he asked, frowning at ire. "Why did Matthew say you don''t remember him?" ire sighed, looking a little guilty. "It''splicated, okay?" Adrian crossed his arms over his chest, his expression stern. "You keep saying that. Matthew told me earlier you were fine but then I heard Matthew said you don''t remember anything?" "Yeah, I know," ire admitted. "Look, it''s hard to exin, but I''m fine now." "That''s not really an exnation," Adrian said, clearly frustrated. "You always get yourself into these messes. Why?" ire just shrugged, a small smile ying on her lips. "I guess it''s a talent." Adrian shook his head, clearly not amused. "Not a great talent to have. But serious though, what happened?" "I was attack that''s what happened. Don''t ask me the detail cause all I remember was fighting them and I felt someone hit me at the back of my head. Then I cked out." Adrian frowned. "Were you alone?" Before ire could respond, the doctor walked in, looking a bit surprised to see everyone gathered there. He nced at ire, then at Matthew, who had dragged him in a hurry. "Doctor, she''s back to normal!" Matthew said, sounding almost hysterical. "Is this... is this okay?" The doctor moved closer, checking ire''s vitals and asking her a few questions. After a few minutes, he nodded, looking amazed. "Well, this is unexpected. Her memory seems to have returnedpletely I''d still advise some rest, but this is a good sign." "See?" ire said, leaning back against her pillows. "I''m fine." The doctor gave her a serious look. "You need to take it easy. Your brain has been through a lot, and stress could cause more problems." ire just waved him off. "Yeah, yeah, I''ll rest." As the doctor left, Matthew turned back to her, his face full of concern. "How did you remember everything? I was worried sick. I mean, you werepletely out of it this morning." ire herself also confused as she tried to think about what happened. "I...I don''t know. But when I was asleep, had this weird dream that I can''t remember is like someone was pulling me, but I don''t know the swney face." . "It''s okay, ire. Don''t think about it. What''s important is that you are back, and you are fine." As the morning turned afternoon, Alexander decided to see ire since never received an update from Matthew besides he knew Matthew would not give him any updates about ire is not like they were buddies. He made his way to ire''s room and pushed the door open and was surprised to see Adrian and ire chatting so casually. "Why is he here?" ire and Adrian turned their attention to the door. "Why are you here, Alexander?" said ire. He was about to respond then he realized something different. "Wait, you know my name. You remember me?" "I regained my memory. You are not the only person I remember, Alex." A disappointed "Oh" escapes his mouth nheless he is relieved ire is okay. He cursed Matthew for not informing him about ire''s health. "Why is he here?" he pointed at Adrian. "He''s taking care of me." Alexander scoffed. "You chose him to take care of you, a guy who you just met for a few monthspared to me whom you have known for years?" ire''s eyes grew cold. "I don''t recall you can take of me, Alexander. In our three years of marriage, never once did I see you taking care of me." The truth hit Adrian in the guts. ire was right but he was too ashamed to admit it. He nodded and his face changed drastically. No emotion can be detected in his face. "Of course, I''ll leave." However, ire felt slightly annoyed which she didn''t understand why. Chapter 313 Demo Presentation Alexander stood in the middle of the room, his mind racing. He had been hurt twice today, and he wasn''t sure how to handle it. ire''s words echoed in his head, reying over and over. She really couldn''t see the effort he was putting into being a better person. He knew he hadn''t treated her right during their three years of marriage, but people changed, right? He had changed-or at least, he was trying to. But ire didn''t seem to care. He sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. Was he really that bad of a person? Had he truly be the viin ire painted him to be? Alexander didn''t know anymore. It was all a blur of mistakes and regrets. He paced the room, trying toe up with a n, something, anything that would make ire see he was different now. But no matter what idea popped into his head, it felt pointless. It all felt hopeless. And then, there was Adrian. The thought of Adrian made Alexander''s chest tighten. ire seemed fond of him, way too fond. It didn''t take a genius to see that. What if ire and Adrian became a couple? The idea gnawed at him. If they did, he''d have no chance of ever getting ire back. And if he kept trying to pursue her while she was with Adrian, he''d just end up looking like some desperate fool. The whole situation would cause a mess, stir up drama, and make ire hate him even more. He leaned against the window, staring nkly at the street below. This cycle, it never ended. Alexander was getting tired. Part of him just wanted to give up, to throw in the towel and move on. But then, another part of him-stubborn and hopeful-wanted to keep fighting for her. A few days passed, and ire was discharged from the hospital. She seemed like her old self again, back to being busy and driven. But Matthew was on her case, making sure she rested. Even Adrian was getting in on it, telling her to slow down. ire just brushed them off with a smile, insisting she was fine. "Really, I''m good," she''d tell them, rolling her eyes. "I''m back to work today, no more rest for me. It''s thest day of robot building, and Monday''s the big presentation. I''ve got to make sure everything''s perfect." "But you just got out of the hospital," Matthew said, crossing his arms. "You can''t push yourself like this." "I''m fine," ire insisted. "I have to be ready for Monday." "Everything''s going well. I checked on the robotst night, and there were no issues. We''ve got this. You don''t need to worry, ire." Despite their protests, ire dove back into work. Matthew followed her everywhere, making sure she didn''t overdo it. Adrian even popped in a few times, checking in with his usual concerned look. But ire wasn''t having it. She was determined to see this project through. By the time Monday rolled around, ire was up at the crack of dawn. She skipped breakfast, too focused on whaty ahead. Today was the presentation, the big day where everything woulde together. She was supposed to meet with herwyer to talk about Lisa''s situation, but that would have to wait. The robot presentation was more important. The auditorium was already set up when she arrived. Sandra was there, making sure everything was in ce. Matthew was helping the robotic team move the machine into the room. ire was nervous. She tried to push the feeling down, but it bubbled up every now and then. Last night, when she had checked on the robot, everything was fine. But what if something went wrong today? The meeting was set to start at 9 AM. ire watched as the stakeholders trickled in, her stomach flipping. She spotted Alexander in the crowd, his face unreadable. He looked serious, no emotion showing, and it threw ire off. Usually, she could read him like an open book, but today? Nothing. She shook the thought away. She needed to focus on the presentation, not on Alexander. Jack, her colleague, approached her with a grin. "Good luck, ire. You''re gonna nail it." "Thanks, Jack," ire said, forcing a smile. She gathered her robotic team around her and wished them luck too. "We''ve worked hard on this. Let''s give them something to remember." As the meeting started, ire stood in the center of the room, microphone in hand. She took a deep breath and smiled, trying to project confidence. Inside, she was freaking out. This project was her baby, something no one had really believed in at first. If this failed, it wouldn''t just be embarrassing-it would be disastrous. "Good morning, everyone," ire said, her voice steady despite the nerves swirling in her stomach. "Thank you all foring. Today, we''re excited to present our newest project. Let''s begin." The presentation went smoothly at first. The robot worked as expected, followingmands and performing tasks with precision. ire rxed a little, letting herself feel proud of her team''s hard work. But then, as the robot moved to demonstrate its final task something went wrong. "Everything okay?" Matthew whispered from behind her. "I... I don''t know," ire muttered, her mind racing. "It was finest night." She nced at Stephen, who was standing near the robot. He gave her a thumbs-up, but his expression told a different story. He was just as worried as she was. "Come on,e on," ire whispered under her breath, willing the robot to pull it together. It started to correct itself, its movements bing smoother again. ire let out a quiet sigh of relief. The rest of the presentation went off without a hitch. ire wrapped things up, thanking everyone for their time. As she stepped down from the podium, she spotted Alexander approaching her. "Nice job," he said, his voice low. "I could tell you were freaking out a bit." ire smiled politely. "I think you saw wrong. It was...a part of my performance." She defends herself and for some reason, she doesn''t want Alex to see her being vulnerable. Alexander raised his brows not believing her words. "Really? Well, you did a good job with the robot. You and your team." The other shareholders pped their hands and praised ire''s presentation and also the robot since it is not Metacortex specialty to build robots. "Thank you, I wouldn''t have done it without my team." They all converse in a conversation for a while and ire tells them a little about how she took this project. One of them patted Alexander on the shoulder. "It seems that you chose the perfect business partner Mr. Harris. And I can tell you are ready for your new hotel in Vegas." Alexander chuckled. "I think so too, sir." Jack chimed in. "I suggested that Metacortex should make a press release about this. I''m sure the inte will be crazy about this." "Yeah, Jack that''s a good idea." Mr. Montgomery said. "What do you think about this ire?" All eyes are on ire and did not expect the sudden question. She smiles politely. "I will think about it." After chatting Alexander stayed for a while and turned to ire. "I would like to invite you and your team for a dinner to celebrate your sess tonight My secretary will inform you about the time and location." ""Of course, Mr. Harris." swnov ire watched him leave and frowned seeing his nonchnt act. She thought to herself that maybe Alex had stopped pursuing her after her words at the hospital. At the same time, ire is happy but on the other side, she feels weird in Which she can''t describe "Everyone, Mr. Harris invited us for dinner to celebrate our sess." The team cheers and ire grins widely seeing them happy and relieved. Chapter 314 Uninvited Guest ire was wrapping up her day at the office, organizing her things and getting ready to head over to the restaurant Alexander had booked for the celebration. She slung her bag over her shoulder, about to leave, when the door to her office creaked open. It was Adrian, standing there with a wide grin and holding a single flower in his hand. ire smiled, a little surprised but happy to see him. She walked toward him, eyes flicking from the flower to his face. "Is that for me?" she asked, already knowing the answer but teasing him a little. Adrian handed her the flower, his smile not fading. "Congrats on that presentation today. You killed it!" ire blushed, taking the flower from him and holding it to her nose. "Thank you, Adrian. How did you know about it?" He chuckled, leaning against her desk like he owned the ce. "I know everything, remember?" he whispered like it was some grand secret. ire rolled her eyes but couldn''t help the smile that tugged at her lips. "Right, of course, how could I forget?" Adrian straightened up a little, his expression turning apologetic. "Sorry I couldn''te by earlier, though. Got caught up with some stuff." ire waved her hand dismissively. "It''s fine, no big deal. You''re here now." He nced at the clock on the wall, tilting his head. "So, where are you headed? It''s still a bit early to call it a night." "Oh, Alexander booked a restaurant for the team," ire replied, slipping the flower into her bag. "We''re celebrating the sess of the presentation." Adrian raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of skepticism. "How nice of him. Alexander throwing a party? That''s a first." ire smirked, catching the edge in his tone. "Who knows. Maybe he feels satisfied with the presentation." "Hmm, well, I guess I''ll let you head off then," Adrian said, though he didn''t make any move to leave. "I''ll head home. Just wanted to drop by." ire hesitated for a second, feeling bad that he came all this way just to leave again. "Actually, why don''t youe with me?" Adrian blinked, looking a little caught off guard. "To the dinner? Are you sure that''s okay? I mean, I''m not exactly part of the team." ire shrugged, smiling softly. "It''s just dinner, Adrian. No big deal." He thought about it for a second, then nodded. "Alright, if you insist." They headed down to the lobby together, chatting lightly as they went. When they got outside, Adrian opened the passenger door of his car for her with a yful bow. "Your chariot, mydy." ire rolled her eyes again butughed as she got in. The drive took about 30 minutes, with the two of them talking andughing along the way. When they finally arrived at the Pier Restaurant, ire stepped inside and immediately noticed how quiet it was. It was almost too quiet. Only her team was there, scattered around a long table. Alexander was seated at the head, with Abigail next to him. As they approached, ire''s team greeted her, and she smiled, nodding at them as she made her way over to Alexander. His face lit up when he saw her, but the moment he spotted Adrian by her side, his expression darkened. "What''s he doing here?" Alexander asked, his voice low but clearly annoyed. ire blinked, not expecting such a cold reaction. "I invited him," she said, her tone firm but calm. Alexander narrowed his eyes. "He''s not part of the team, ire. And who knows? He might snitch on the project." ire rolled her eyes, the tension creeping into her shoulders. "You''re being paranoid, Alexander. I trust Adrian. He wouldn''t do that." Alexander scoffed, clearly not convinced, but he didn''t push it further. He just muttered under his breath, "Still don''t like it." ire changed the subject, ncing around the empty restaurant. "Why is the ce so empty?" Alexander leaned back in his chair, looking rather pleased with himself. "I booked the whole restaurant. Thought it''d be nice to have the ce to ourselves." ire frowned, not entirely on board with the idea. "Isn''t that a bit... much? People are going to notice. It''ll just make them more curious." Alexander waved her concern away, rolling his eyes. "Rx, ire. Everything will be fine. Stop being so paranoid." He smirked, using her own words against her. Before ire could argue, Stephen approached their table, looking a bit nervous. "Ms. Peterson, can I talk to you for a minute?" ire nced at Alexander, who looked annoyed, but she nodded at Stephen and followed him to a quiet corner. "I just wanted to thank you," Stephen said, his voice low. "For trusting me with this project. I know I wasn''t sure at first, but I really appreciate you giving me a chance." ire smiled, her expression softening. "You''ve been great, Stephen. I knew you had the skills we needed." Stephen looked a little bashful but grateful. "Thanks, Ms. Peterson." ire chuckled, leaning in slightly as she whispered, "You''re wee anytime to Cryptonic. Just keep it a secret, okay?" ire leaned back in her chair and thanked Abigail for her help earlier. Abigail smiled and waved it off. "No problem, ire. You did all the hard work." ire shook her head. "No, you help a lot of Abigail without you, the robot would not happen." The dining room buzzed with silverware, as Abigail, ire, and Adrian were having a lively conversation. Adrian was cracking jokes, Abigail was giggling, and ire was smiling, clearly enjoying herself. The only person who wasn''t joining in was Alexander He sat at the head of the table, frowning as if someone had just insulted his favorite tie. Alexander''s eyes kept flickering over to Adrian, clearly not thrilled about him being there. After all, Adrian wasn''t invited to the dinner. ire t had brought him along, and Alexander wasn''t happy about it. But what annoyed him even more was that ire and Abigail seemed to be having a great time with Adrian,ughing and chatting,pletely ignoring his sour mood. Matthew, always the cheerful one, wandered over to their table with a grin. He was holding a ss of wine and leaned over Alexander''s chair "Hey, Alex, what''s with the frown, buddy? You look like someone stole your dessert," Matthew teased, giving Alexander a light pat on the back. Alexander''s frown deepened. Instead of answering, he speared a piece ofsagna from his te and shoved it into his mouth, chewing in silence. Matthew chuckled at the clear brush-off but turned to Adrian instead. "So, Adrian, how''d you end up here tonight?" Matthew asked, clearly aware of the tension. Before Adrian could answer, ire jumped in with a casual wave of her hand. "I invited him," she said with a shrug as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "In which he shouldn''t havee," said Alexander who drank his wine. ire raised her brows in curiosity. "You have a problem with that? I thought you were okay with it." The two of them have a stare in contest and Abigail along with Adrian looked at them confused. Whereas Matthew is used of this scene. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 315 Celebrating gone wrong Alexander gritted his teeth. And now Adrian was the center of attention, stealing the spotlight that Alexander thought should be his. He nced at Abigail. "Abigail," Alexander said, his voice a little too loud and a bit too eager. "Have you tried thesagna yet? It''s quite good." Abigail blinked in surprise, her fork halfway to her mouth. "Uh, no, not yet-" But before she could finish, Alexander had already scooped up a forkful ofsagna and was holding it out toward her like he was feeding a toddler. She awkwardly leaned forward, taking the bite. "It''s... good," she said, nodding politely, though she clearly wasn''t expecting that. ire, noticing the sudden shift in Alexander''s behavior, hid a smirk behind her wine ss. She speared a piece of salmon from her te and turned to Adrian with a smile. "You should try this," she said, offering him a piece. "It''s really good. I know you like salmon." Adrian leaned forward and took the bite, nodding appreciatively. "Wow, this is delicious! You always know my favorites," he said with a grin, clearly enjoying the attention from ire. Alexander clenched his jaw. How could ire know Adrian''s favorite food and not his? They''d been married for three years, and yet here she was, feeding Adrian like they were the best of friends. Determined to shift the focus back to him, Alexander turned to Abigail again, reaching for the dessert tray. "You''ve got to try the chocte cake," he said, scooping up a slice and holding it out to her, clearly thinking this was a winning move. But Abigail raised her hand, stopping him with an apologetic smile. "Oh, no, I can''t," she said softly. "I''m allergic to chocte." Alexander blinked, his fork hovering in the air. He hadn''t expected that. He dropped the fork back onto the te, mumbling an apology. "Oh... I didn''t know." ire, watching the whole scene, couldn''t help but let out a small, amused snort. She quickly covered her mouth, but it was toote. Alexander''s eyes flickered to her, his frustration growing. Meanwhile, Matthew was watching the whole thing unfold like it was a si. He shook his head in amusement and took a sip of his wine. "Well, this is getting interesting," he muttered under his breath, clearly entertained by Alexander''s failed attempts at winning back the spotlight. Standing up from the table, Matthew stretched his arms and turned to ire. "I think I''m going to mingle a bit," he said with a wink. "I''ll leave you all to... this." He gestured vaguely at the tense atmosphere between Alexander, Adrian, and ire. ire nodded her attention back to Alexander, who was now picking at hissagna with a frustrated expression. "Are you okay, Alex?" ire asked, raising an eyebrow. She was trying to hold back her amusement, but it wasn''t working too well. Alexander scowled, stabbing his fork into his te. "I''m fine," he muttered, but it was obvious he was anything but fine. Adrian, sensing the tension but clearly not caring too much, leaned back in his chair and smirked. "You know, Alex, you should really try the salmon. It might improve your mood," he said, chuckling. Alexander shot him a re but didn''t respond. Instead, he turned to Abigail again, clearly looking for some kind of ally. "Abigail, have you tried the sd yet? It''s got these really nice cherry tomatoes." Abigail, caught off guard, nodded quickly. "Uh, yeah, it''s great," she said, though it was clear she was trying to stay out of whatever was happening between Alexander and Adrian. ire chuckled, unable to hold back any longer. "Alex, rx," she said with a teasing smile. "We''re all just here to have a good time." "Yeah," Adrian added with a grin. "No need to be so tense. It''s just dinner." Alexander clenched his jaw again, clearly not liking the fact that Adrian seemed to be winning over the whole table. But before he could say anything, ire spoke up again. "Besides," she said, leaning back in her chair, "it''s not like we''re in somepetition. Right, Alex?" Alexander didn''t answer, but his frown deepened. He nced over at Adrian, who was now chatting with Abigail about something that had them bothughing and then back at ire, who was watching him with that same teasing smile. Maybe there wasn''t apetition, but it sure felt like one to Alexander. And at that moment, he wasn''t winning. The next day, ire sat at her desk, deep in thought about Jack''s suggestion for a press release. She rocked her chair back and forth, staring at the papers in front of her, wondering if it was really a good idea. It wasn''t like her to make big decisions quickly. She nced over at Matthew, who was lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone. "Hey, Matt," she called out, breaking the silence. "Do you think it''s a good idea to make a press release? Jack thinks it''ll protect our work, but... I don''t know." Matthew raised his brows, sat up straight, and gave her a serious look. "Honestly, ire, it''s a great idea," he said, putting his phone down. "Why? Because if this goes public, no can steal your ideas anymore. That''s exactly what happened with Cortex One 240, remember? Robert stote it and sold it to Venus AMD." ire groaned, the memory of that betrayal still stinging. "Ugh, don''t remind me," she muttered. "Robert totally blindsided us." "Exactly," Matthew said, leaning forward now. "You can''t let that happen again. You and your team worked too hard on this project for someone else to swoop in and take all the credit." ire sighed and leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the desk. "You''re right," she finally admitted, nodding. "We can''t let history repeat itself. I''ll take Jack''s suggestion." Matthew grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. "Atta girl! See, you''re already making the smart choice." ire smiled at him, feeling a little lighter. She pressed the inte button on her desk. "Sandra, can youe into my office for a sec?" A momentter, Sandra, her assistant, walked in with a notepad in hand, looking ready for action. "Yes, Ms. Peterson?" Sandra asked with a bright smile. "I need you to prepare a press release," ire said, sitting up straighter. "Let''s hold it at the National Theatre on Upper Ground in London. Can you check on the avability and book the venue?" Sandra nodded, scribbling down notes. "When would you like to do it?" ire thought for a second before saying, "How about Monday? Everyone seems to be in full work mode at the start of the week. It''ll get more attention." Sandra smiled. "Monday''s a great choice. I''ll get everything sorted and make sure the media is notified." "Thanks, Sandra. You''re the best," ire said, giving her a warm smile. Sandra left the office, already on her phone to get things rolling. ire picked up her office phone and dialed Jack''s extension. When he picked up, she jumped straight in. "Hey, Jack. Just letting you know that I''m moving forward with your suggestion. We''re doing a press release next Monday." Jack sounded thrilled on the other end of the line. "That''s fantastic news, ire! I''m really d you considered it. I''ll inform the other shareholders about the decision. They''ll be happy to hear this." "Thanks, Jack," ire said, feeling more confident now. She hung up and nced at Matthew, who was stretching outzily on the couch. "Looks like everything''s falling into ce," Matthew said with a satisfied grin. "You''re gonna crush this, ire." "Let''s hope so," she replied, though a small smile tugged at her lips. Meanwhile, over at Harris Company, Alexander Harris was in his office, frowning at his phone. He had just gotten off a call with the police, and the news wasn''t good. They had been investigating the attack on ire that had happened a week ago, but now it seemed a week things had hit a brick wall. The officer on the phone had informed him, "Mr. Harris, we''ve reviewed the surveince footage from the night of the incident, but... it''s gone. There''s no trace of it." Alexander''s brows furrowed, his disbelief evident. "Gone? How is that even possible? The only people who had ess to that footage were the police. How could it just disappear?" The officer on the other end of the line sounded apologetic. "We don''t know, sir. We''ve never seen anything like this before." Alexander leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Unbelievable," he muttered. "There''s got to be something. No leads at all?" "I''m afraid not," the officer replied. "We''re still investigating, but at this point, we don''t have much to go on." Alexander sighed deeply, frustration building inside him. "Alright, keep me updated if anything changes," he said before hanging up. For a moment, he just sat there, staring at the ceiling. It didn''t make any sense. How could the surveince footage just vanish? And who would go to such lengths to cover up what happened to ire? He shook his head, trying to make sense of it all. "No wonder ire always handles things herself," he muttered to himself. She never trusted anyone to take care of her business, and now he understood why. Chapter 316 Police Warrant ire sat across from herwyer, her fingers tapping lightly on the polished table. "I''m ready to proceed," she said with a confident smile. "I want Lisa captured. This has gone on long enough." Thewyer gave a firm nod, closing the file in front of him. "Understood. I''ll head to the police station and get things moving. They''ll be on it soon." ire''s smile grew. For the first time in weeks, she felt like everything was finally under control. Lisa had been causing her endless headaches, but soon, that would all be in the past. "Thank you," she said, standing up. "It feels good to finally take action." As thewyer left, ire turned her focus to the press release she had to prepare for next week. Her mind buzzed with ideas, but there was a little knot of anxiety in her chest. "I''ve never done a press release," she muttered to herself. "The closest thing was that announcement about the robot project with Alexander...good thing it went well." Her team was working hard to make sure the almost malfunctioning robot would not happen again. They were already making progress on the second robot, and this time, ire had double-checked everything herself. No idents. Not again. Meanwhile, Lisa had been stuck inside her mom''s house for weeks. She wasn''t about to go outside. Not after what had happened. She was scared out of her mind that someone would try to kidnap her again. She knew she had been kidnapped before, though no one believed her. She remembered ire sitting in front of her, asking all these questions, and then-nothing. The next thing Lisa knew, she woke up in her room, with no memory of how she got back. The police hadn''t believed a word she said. No evidence, no proof. They called her crazy, told her what she was saying didn''t make any sense. That had frustrated her even more. And to make things worse, her mom wouldn''t stop nagging her. "Lisa, get out of the house! Get a job!" she''d say every day, pushing her to do something, anything. But how could Lisa go out when she knew something bad might happen again? Suddenly, a loud scream rang out from downstairs. Lisa''s heart skipped a beat. She rushed to the top of the stairs and called out, "Mom? What''s going on?" But she stopped dead when she saw four police officers walking into the house. Their eyes immediately locked onto her, standing frozen halfway down the stairs. They started moving toward her, and Lisa felt her stomach drop. Without even thinking, she turned and bolted back up the stairs, heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst. She mmed her bedroom door shut and dragged her desk in front of it, trying to block them out. "What is happening? Why are they here? What do they want?" Lisa''s thoughts were spinning out of control as she nced around her messy room. There was nowhere to hide, nowhere to go except for the window. She could feel the panic rising, and she wasn''t thinking straight. The police were now banging on her door, trying to break it down. Her breathing grew ragged as tears streamed down her face. The police banged on her door. "Lisa, open up!" "I didn''t do anything wrong!" Lisa screamed to herself, her body shaking with fear. "They can''t take me!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. Just as the door finally crashed open, Lisa scrambled toward the window, ready to jump out. But before she could even get one leg out, a strong arm grabbed her waist, pulling her back inside. She screamed and kicked, trying to fight her way free. "Let me go! I didn''t do anything! I didn''t do anything!" she shouted, thrashing against the officer''s hold. Her mother appeared in the doorway, her face pale and shocked. "What are you doing to my daughter? You can''t take her like this!" her mom yelled, trying to push her way toward Lisa, but the officers blocked her. As Lisa continued to struggle, a man in a sharp suit stepped into the room. He held up some papers and handed them to her mom. "Ma''am," he said calmly, "your daughter has been linked to several crimes. She nned them herself. We have more details, but this will be discussed in court." Her mother stood there, frozen, the papers trembling in her hands. "Crimes? What are you talking about? My daughter wouldn''t-she''s innocent! She wouldn''t do that!" Her voice was shaky, not sure what to believe. Lisa was still screaming, tears blurring her vision as the officers tightened their grip on her. "Mom, help me! They''re lying! I didn''t do anything! Mom!" "We''ll discuss it in court," the officer said firmly. "For now, we need to take her in." Lisa''s eyes filled with tears as she was dragged out of the room. "Mom, help me! Please, I didn''t do anything!" Her mother stood frozen, unable to move or speak as the police escorted Lisa out of the house. Lisa was escorted out of the house, still kicking and screaming, her pleas falling on deaf ears. Once outside, they shoved her into the back of a police car. She banged her fists against the windows, her voice hoarse from yelling. "I didn''t do anything wrong! Please, you have to believe me!" The officer in the front seat turned around, giving her a pitying look. "We''ve got all the evidence we need, Miss. You''ll get your chance to talk in court." The sound of sirens echoed down the quiet suburban street, and soon enough, neighbors began peeking out of their windows, curiosity piqued. Everyone from across the street, squinted through herce curtains. To their shock, it wasn''t just any disturbance. The woman they often who is their neighbor daughter was being escorted out of her house, hands cuffed behind her back. Two officers nked her as they walked toward the waiting police car. Lisa''s mother, standing on the porch, looked like she wanted to melt into the ground. Her face was flushed, not just from the heat but from the wave of embarrassment washing over her. She had protested and pleaded with the officers, but it was no use. They had a warrant, and they weren''t leaving without Lisa. "Mom! Do something!" Lisa cried, turning her head desperately as they guided her into the back of the squad car. But what could her mother do? The neighbors were watching, and the officers weren''t budging. She could feel their eyes on her, judgmental, curious, gossiping in whispers. She shifted on her feet, unsure if she should keep protesting or just sink back inside the house and pretend this wasn''t happening. Meanwhile, ire satfortably in her sleek office, her legs crossed, a cup of coffee in hand. The phone on her desk buzzed, and with a smirk ying at the corner of her lips, she leaned over to answer it. "ire speaking," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "Ms. Peterson, it''s done. Lisa''s been arrested," herwyer''s voice came through the receiver, sounding pleased with himself. ire''s smirk deepened as she leaned back in her chair, spinning slightly from side to side. "Good. Finally," she replied, her tone dripping with satisfaction. "The court date will be set soon. I''ll keep you informed," thewyer added, sounding professional. "Thank you," ire said, her voice sweet but with an unmistakable edge. "I''ll be waiting. And make sure everything goes smoothly. I want her behind bars." As she hung up the phone, she stared out the window, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. She had been waiting for this moment. She had nned it meticulously, making sure every detail was perfect. Lisa wouldn''t see iting. Chapter 317 The Second Visit The next day, ire strutted into the police station with herwyer by her side. She looked as calm and collected as ever, her designer clothes perfectly tailored, her bag swinging elegantly from her arm, and those expensive heels clicking on the floor with each confident step. It was the second time she''de to visit Lisa, and she wasn''t about to leave without making her point clear. As ire and herwyer entered the station, herwyer went off to handle the paperwork, leaving ire free to pay Lisa another visit. The officer led ire down the dimly lit hallway toward the cells, and the sound of her heels caught Lisa''s attention from inside her dingy cell. Lisa turned, her eyes narrowing the moment she spotted ire. There she was, dressed head-to-toe in designer everything, practically glowing with wealth and privilege. Everything about ire screamed money, and it made Lisa''s stomach churn. "What are you doing here?" Lisa hissed, gripping the bars of her cell. The sight of ire''s calm smile only fueled Lisa''s rage, her blood practically boiling. ire''s smile widened, but it was a smile that was more about control than kindness. "Well, good to see you too, Lisa," she said, her tone cool, sarcastic even. "Sweet of you to think I''m the only one on your mind." Lisa rolled her eyes, sneer twisting her lips. "You put me behind bars, ire. Don''t act like you''re here for a friendly chat." ire chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You give me too much credit," she said. "But sure, if you want to me me for your little situation, go ahead. It''s touching that I''ve made such an impact on you." Lisa''s hands tightened around the bars, her knuckles turning white. "You nned all this, didn''t you? Ruining my life was your goal, and now that I''m here, what do you want next, huh? What else do you want to take from me?" ire took a step closer to the cell, but the officer standing nearby cleared his throat. "Ma''am, don''t get too close. This prisoner''s dangerous." ire turned to the officer, shing him a smile that would''ve melted most people, but he didn''t budge. "I can handle it," she said sweetly, turning her attention back to Lisa. Lisa''s anger red, her eyes wild. "You''ve already ruined my life!" she yelled, her voice echoing off the cold walls. "What more do you want from me, ire?" ire''s smile faded, and her expression hardened. She crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head. "I want revenge, Lisa. You messed with me and now you''re paying for it." Lisa let out a bitterugh, her grip on the bars loosening as she backed away slightly. "Revenge? You? The one who''s got everything you could ever want? The house, the money, the perfect life? And you want revenge on me?" Lisa''s eyes shone with frustration, her voice cracking. "I''m the one who deserves revenge! You''ve always had everything handed to you, and I''ve had nothing!" ire raised an eyebrow, her tone icy. "Had everything handed to me? You think this life I have is because of luck?" Sheughed, shaking her head. "Lisa, what I have is because of hard work, focus, and dedication. But you, you tried to take shortcuts. You manipted people. You thought you could trick your way to the top by stealing from others, by using someone else''s son to get what you wanted." Lisa''s face twisted into pure rage, her eyes glistening as tears threatened to spill. "You don''t know what I''ve been through," she spat. "I did what I had to." "No," ire said coldly. "You did what you thought would be easy. You tried to use someone else for your own gain, and now you''re here. And you know what? I don''t feel the slightest bit sorry for you." Lisa''s anger reached its boiling point, and she lunged at the bars, her hands grasping them so tightly they shook. "You ruined my life!" she screamed. "I lost everything because of you!" ire took a step back, smirking. "No, Lisa. You lost everything because of you. I just helped the truthe out a little faster. Have fun spending your nights here." She tossed the words over her shoulder, turning to leave as Lisa erupted in another fit of screams. "She kidnapped me!" Lisa shrieked, her voice hoarse as she banged on the bars. "She drugged me and dumped me somewhere! She''s the criminal here!" The officer, unimpressed with Lisa''s outburst, thumped his baton against the bars, silencing her. "That''s enough, Lisa," he said with a grunt. "Keep it down." ire paused, ncing back at Lisa with a smug smile. "Desperate, aren''t we?" she said mockingly, before waving her hand dismissively. "Goodbye, Lisa." Lisa red after her, shaking with fury, but all she could do was watch as ire sauntered away, her heels clicking on the cold, hard floor. Back in the lobby, ire''swyer greeted her with a nod. "All set?" he asked, ncing over at her with a raised brow. "Completely," ire said, her mood lighter now that her little visit was over. "Let''s get out of here." As they headed to the car, herwyer nced over at her. "You seem... pleased with yourself," he remarked, sensing the shift in her demeanor. ire''s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Oh, I am," she said with a grin. "There''s nothing more satisfying than watching karma work in real-time." She opened the car door and slid inside. As ire and herwyer slid into the back of the car, the atmosphere was a mix of tension and determination. Herwyer, turned to her and said, "Next week, there''s going to b trial. We''ll prove if Lisa is guilty or not. ire nodded, her face serious. "Prepare everything. I want to be ready." He nodded back, understanding the weight of her words. After a short drive, ire found herself back at her office. She dropped into her chair with a heavy sigh, feeling the pressure of the uing trial. Just then, the door swung open, and in strutted Matthew like he owned the ce. He held an iced tea in one hand and a steaming coffee in the other. "Hey, where''ve you been?" he asked, taking a seat across from her. ire looked up and replied, "I went to visit Lisa. In her cell." Matthew''s eyes widened in surprise. "Did you take care of it?" ire nodded, "Yeah. Lisa was arrested yesterday, and today, I was dealing with the paperwork with mywyer." Matthew frowned, leaning forward. "Why didn''t you tell me? I could''vee with you!" "It''s fine, Matt. I can handle it," ire replied, waving her hand dismissively. "What matters is that the trial is starting next week." Matthew smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, I''ll be there to support you. Just say the word!" "Thanks, Matt. I appreciate it," ire said, her voice softening a little. He took a sip of his coffee, then looked around her office, which was filled with files and a few framed pictures of their office outings. "Everything seems back to normal, right?" ire nodded, but a shadow crossed her face. "Yeah, but... do you know anything about who hit me in the head?" Matthew''s expression shifted to apologetic. "I''m sorry, ire. I didn''t dig into it too much. There are limited trails to follow." She sighed, feeling a little defeated. "It''s fine. Maybe I was just a wrong target." Chapter 318 Press Release udia Wright leaned back in her chair, her eyes scanning the document in front of her. She couldn''t believe what she was seeing. Her father had been in partnership with Harris Company for years, yet Solstice Vineyard was only getting a 30% cut of the profits, while Harris Company pocketed 70%. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath, a sharp scoff escaping her lips. She tapped her finger against the table, feeling the frustration build, but then-her eyesnded on a photo of Alexander Harris. He was handsome, annoyingly so, with a confident grin that made her smirk in return. Her finger traced his image as if mocking the smile on his face. "We''ll be meeting soon, Alex." she whispered to herself, her smirk turning into a determined grin. The morning of the press release had arrived, and ire Peterson was more than just nervous-she hadn''t slept all night, barely touched her breakfast, and now her stomach was doing flips like it was prepping for a gymnasticspetition. As she sat in the back seat of the sleek ck car, her all-white pantsuit stood out, giving her that crisp, ssy look she was going for. Professional. Like she was ready to handle anything, even if she felt like she was about to faint. Beside her, Matthew nced at her and gave her a reassuring smile. "You''re going to nail this, ire. Seriously, everything''s lined up. You''ve got this." ire let out a shaky breath and nodded. "Thanks, Matt. I don''t know what I''d do without you helping me hold it together." Matthewughed. "You''d be just fine. But hey, I like the hero role, so I''ll take it." As the car pulled up in front of the venue, ire spotted a small crowd of journalists and photographers gathered at the entrance, their cameras already aimed at the vehicle like they were waiting for a movie star to step out. She could feel her heartbeat speeding up. There was no turning back now. "Here goes nothing," she muttered. "You got this," Matthew said, his tone light, though there was genuine belief behind it. "Go out there and show them who ire Peterson really is." ire couldn''t help but chuckle at that. "Show them who I am, huh?" She opened the door, and the shing cameras immediately lit up like fireworks. Showtime. ire stepped out, instantly switching on her best camera-ready smile. She posed here and there, the familiar feeling of lights shing in her face bringing a bit offort. It was the calm before the storm, a routine she could handle. As she moved toward the entrance, a journalist called out, "Ms. Peterson! What are your expectations for the press release today?" Without missing a beat, ire shed a yful grin. "Well, I''m expecting it to go well... and for me not to mess it up." The small crowd chuckled, and ire felt the tension ease just a little. Humor was her friend today. But then another journalist stepped forward, microphone extended. "This is Metacortex''s first press release. Are you following in the footsteps of Venus AMD?" That name. ire felt her blood boil for just a split second. Venus AMD. The very thought of their name felt like a mosquito buzzing in her ear. But she kept her smile, professional as ever, and chuckled lightly. "Metacortex doesn''t follow anyone. We set our own path." She turned to the camera, giving it a knowing look, and then headed inside before they could dig any deeper. Once she was inside, she let out a breath she didn''t realize she was holding. The lights, the cameras, the questions-she handled it. But now, the real challenge wasing. The press release was just about to start, and it was her moment to make Metacortex shine. She hurried backstage, immediately checking in with the team. "Everything good? How''s the setup?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room as she tried to keep the nervous energy from leaking into her voice. The team gave her thumbs up all around. "We''re good, Ms. Peterson!" someone called from the back. Stephen, one of her key team members, peeked through the curtains and let out a low whistle. "There are more people out there than we expected. You sure we''re ready for this?" ire grinned, feeling a little of her confidence returning. "We''re more than ready. We''re going to ace this." The entrance is still filled with important people attending the press release of Metacortex. Alexander exited the car, and the camera shed on him. He smiled at the camera and nodded at them. One of the journalists is keen to get his interview. "Mr. Harris, please one question." Alex noticed her and nodded. "The world knows that Harris Hotel is teaming up with Metacortex for your new project in Las Vegas. What do you expect from this press release?'' "Well, I''ve seen what ire and herpany presented so I have faith in her." Another journalist chimed in. "What if Ms. Peterson fails to fulfill your expectations, Mr. Harris?" A calm smile grazed his lips. "ire Peterson is the most perfectionist person I have ever met. As I said earlier, I have faith in her." He nodded at them and headed inside. Frank Potter and Robert Robertson step out of the car. The camera noticed and turned their attention to them. "Mr. Potter! It''s a surprise seeing you here. Did ire Peterson invite you?" Frank shook his head and chuckled. "No, ire Peterson is too busy to be handling invitations but as a business owner, we support each other." The journalist turned their attention to Robert Robertson. "Mr. Robertson you were working for ire a few years ago and was CEO of Metacortex and now you are working for Venus, are you sure ire allow you to attend?" "Why wouldn''t she allow me?" he said with a chuckle. The director approached, giving ire a nod. "You''re on in fifteen minutes. Good luck, Ms. Peterson." ire swallowed the lump in her throat. Fifteen minutes. That was nothing. "Thanks," she said, her voice barely steady. As the director walked away, she caught a glimpse of someone out of the corner of her eye. She turned to find Adrian standing there, looking calm and collected as always. "Adrian!" ire couldn''t help but smile as she rushed over to him, giving him a quick hug. "What are you doing here?" Adrian chuckled, giving her a gentle squeeze before stepping back. "What do you think? I''m here to support you." ire blinked in surprise, warmth spreading through her chest. "You came just for me?" "Of course." Adrian shrugged casually, but the grin on his face was full of affection. "Can''t have you facing all these reporters alone, can I?" ire felt her nerves settle a bit more just by his presence. "I don''t know what to say... Thanks, Adrian. Really." He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "No need to thank me. Just go out there and show them what you''re made of." ire smiled, feeling a little lighter. "You always know what to say." "That''s why you keep me around," he teased, winking at her. Just then, Stephen popped his head through the curtain again. "It''s almost showtime, ire. You ready?" "As ready as ever be," ire replied, adjusting her zer and rolling her shoulders to ease the tension. She could hear the crowd getting louder as more people filled in, the buzz of excitement almost tangible from backstage. This was it. Chapter 319 Metacortex Robo-bot The morning was buzzing with excitement as journalists hurried inside the press release room, their cameras shing as they went. It was clear this was a big day for Metacortex. The seats were filling fast, and people whispered to each other about what might be revealed. Meanwhile, outside, udia Wright''s car rolled up to the entrance. The driver stepped out, opening the door for her. udia, dressed in a sleek ck dress that screamed "CEO in charge," stepped out, looking both confident and calm. She paused for a moment, taking in the scene, then made her way inside the building. Backstage, ire Peterson was getting ready, fiddling with her clip-on mic. The director, a man who always seemed to be waving his hands around dramatically, motioned to her. "ire, you''re up!" he whispered in an overly intense way as if she hadn''t noticed. ire took a deep breath and straightened her white pantsuit. She wasn''t exactly the type to enjoy public speaking, but today was important. She stepped out onto the stage, her bright camera-ready smile in full force, and waved at the people in the room. The pping started almost immediately, a sea of handsing together in support. ire nodded and waited patiently for the noise to die down. As soon as it did, she adjusted her mic, leaning slightly forward. "Good morning, everyone! Thanks so much for being here," she began, her voice smooth. "I know, I know. Some of you are probably surprised to see me up here. Usually, I''m the type to stay behind a desk, not give speeches." The audience chuckled. She was right. ire was more of a behind-the-scenes person, and they knew it. ire smiled at the reaction, letting theughter die down before continuing. "But, my very trusted colleague, Jack Wilson," she gestured toward a man sitting in the front row, and the spotlight dramatically swung toward him, "thought it was about time I stepped into the spotlight-literally." The crowd pped again, and Jack gave a sheepish wave. "So, Jack suggested this press release," ire went on, giving him a side-eye with a teasing smile. "And I thought, ''Why? What''s the big deal?'' And Jack said, ''Well, ire, we don''t want anyone stealing your ideas." She paused, eyes scanning the room. "And I thought, you know, he''s got a point. No one would dare steal my ideas, right?" She joked, raising an eyebrow. The crowd chuckled again. ire''s yful tone kept things light, but there was a sharp edge to the joke that didn''t go unnoticed by some. Frank and Robert, sitting toward the back, exchanged a nce. ire''sment had felt a bit too close to home. They both knew the under-the-radarpetition between Venus AMD and Metacortex, but it seemed ire wasn''t about to y nice today. "Anyway," ire continued, "I figured, better safe than sorry, right? So here we are. And today, I''m excited to reveal something we''ve been working on for the past few months. It''s a project that honestly came out of nowhere for me, but Mr. Alexander Harris trusted me with it, and well, when the boss trusts you, you kinda have to run with it." She grinned, and the crowd responded with a few knowing nods. Everyone understood the pressure of pleasing a big boss. "Ladies and gentlemen," ire said, taking a deep breath for dramatic effect, "I''m proud to introduce you to the Metacortex Robo." With a smooth motion, the curtain behind her lifted, revealing her team standing next to a sleek, humanoid robot. The room buzzed with excitement, and cameras clicked rapidly. "This," ire said, pointing to the robot, "is the future of hospitality. Our robot will be weing guests at Mr. Harris''s new hotel in Vegas. It''s designed to assist with everything a guest might need-directions, rmendations, you name it, it can do it." The robot, as if on cue, shed a digital smiley face, and the crowd erupted inughter. ire couldn''t help but smile too. The little detail had been her idea, and it was already winning people over. "And don''t worry," ire continued, "this isn''t some rogue Al that''s going to take over the world. We''ve got it under constant surveince, and with our Cortex 2.0 system, it''spletely secure from hacks or errors. Oh, and it''s also water-resistant." She gave the robot a yful pat, and the crowd chuckled again. Feeling the moment was right, ire decided to show off a bit. "Let''s give it a test, shall we?" She turned to the robot and asked, "Can you tell me the fastest route to Metacortex headquarters?" The robot whirred to life, its smooth voice responding, "The fastest route is via the main highway, estimated travel time, 45 minutes depending on traffic." ire turned back to the audience with a ''see what I mean?'' expression, and they erupted into excited murmurs. She loved this part-the reveal, the reaction, the buzz in the air. It was everything she''d hoped for. "To assure your worry once more-no, the robots are not going to take over the human race," ire joked, raising her hands in mock surrender. "We''re keeping them in line." The robot, not missing a beat, replied, "World domination has been postponed to next year," and the crowd roared withughter. Even ire had to admit that was good. She grinned at the robot, shaking her head. "See? They''re learning too fast. We''re all in trouble," she teased, sending another wave ofughter through the room. Frank leaned over to Robert. "She''s mocking us," he whispered, his toneced with irritation. "That whole bit about stolen ideas... that''s aimed at us." Robert narrowed his eyes but said nothing. "So, I''ll need a volunteer," ire announced, her eyes scanning the crowd with a smirk. Her gazended on Alexander Harris, the owner of Harris Hotel, who was sittingfortably in the front row. "Mr. Harris, would you be so kind?" Alexander''s smile faltered for a split second, but his expression quickly returned to that polished, practiced grin. It was a smile ire knew too well-charming, fake, and annoyingly effective for him. He rose from his seat, trying not to look like he was annoyed. As he walked toward the stage, ire mentally rolled her eyes. "Come on up, Alexander. Don''t be shy," she said, keeping her tone light, but there was a hint of amusement in her voice. As Alexander reached the stage, a sleek, silver robot rolled toward him with a microphone in its hand. Alexander blinked at the sight of it, a bit surprised, before he took the mic. "Well, thank you, uh-robot," Alexander said with a small chuckle, patting the machine''s shiny head. The audienceughed along with him, finding his surprise charming. Of course, they did. ire crossed her arms but kept smiling. "Since you''re the owner of the hotel," ire continued, her eyes sparkling, "you get the honor of being the first to try out our new friend here." Alexander''s smirk widened as he nced at the robot, then back at ire. "Why, thank you, Ms. Peterson. How very kind of you," he replied smoothly, bowing slightly for dramatic effect. ire resisted the urge to roll her eyes again-this time, for real. "So, what should I ask our shiny friend here?" Alexander asked, looking out at the crowd with a grin that could light up a room. He turned back to the robot and, with a yful twinkle in his eye, said, "Hey, how do I get a girl''s heart?" The crowd erupted inughter, and ire''s forced smile tightened. She shot Alexander a quick re, but he didn''t seem to notice-or maybe he did, and he was just enjoying himself. Either way, he was pushing it. The robot whirred for a moment, processing the question before answering in its cheerful, automated voice, "To win someone''s heart, show kindness, be attentive, and always listen." The audienceughed again, pping their hands in appreciation of the quirky response. Alexander, clearly relishing the attention, turned back to the crowd. "Well, folks, if you ever feel lonely, just ask this robot. It can answer all your questions and even be your best friend!" Moreughter followed, and ire''s patience was hanging by a thread, but she kept her expression calm. She stepped forward, standing beside Alexander, smiling for the cameras. They were still on stage, after all, and appearances mattered. "Thank you for that, Mr. Harris," she said with a slight edge to her voice. "As you can see, our robots are designed to make life easier, even for people like Mr. Harris here, who, apparently, need advice." The crowd chuckled again, and ire seized the moment to wrap things up. "Before we close, I''d like to take a moment to thank my incredible team. This project wouldn''t have been possible without their hard work and patience." The apuse came in waves, and ire let out a small breath of relief. "This," ire said, gesturing to the robot still standing beside Alexander, "is the future of Metacortex and Harris Hotel. We believe these robots will not only assist guests but will redefine customer service, making every stay more efficient, enjoyable, and personal." The crowd pped again, and ire gave a final smile, bowing slightly with Alexander at her side. "We''ll open the floor for a Q&A session now," ire announced, and instantly, a sea of hands shot up from the journalists below. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 320 Who Was That Woman? She scanned the crowd, picking someone at random. "Yes, you in the blue jacket," she called. The journalist stood up, holding a microphone. "Ms. Peterson, how do you respond to concerns that robots like these might take jobs away from human workers?" ire''s smile didn''t falter, though she had been expecting this question. "That''s a great question," she said. "Our goal at Metacortex is not to rece human workers but to enhance their abilities. These robots are designed to assist, not take over. They''ll handle tasks that are repetitive or time-consuming, allowing our staff to focus on providing even better personal service." The journalist in front of her nodded, looking satisfied with her previous answer. He sat down, and another hand shot up in the air, eager for the next round. ire gestured toward the man in the middle row, giving him the go-ahead. "Yes, you with the navy tie." The man stood up, cleared his throat, and asked, "Why is Metacortex willing to take the risk of building a robot? I mean, it''s a pretty big leap considering you''ve only been a softwarepany." ire nodded thoughtfully. It was a fair question. In fact, it was the kind of question she expected. She gave a small smile and replied, "Honestly, building a robot was never in my wildest dreams. I mean, I never imagined I''d be standing here today talking about this. The thought of building a robot didn''t even cross my mind... until it had to." She shrugged, adding a little dramatic pause. "The reason I did it? Well, none of thepanies I contacted could deliver in the limited time we had. So, I decided, ''Why not take matters into my own hands?'' Metacortex has always been about innovation, and this just felt like the next step." The journalist nodded, seemingly satisfied with the response. ire nced around and spotted a woman in a bright pink zer. She pointed in her direction. "You next." The woman in pink stood up, holding a notepad. "ire, how did you manage to keep this project a secret for so long? Months went by, and nobody knew." ire chuckled and leaned in slightly as if she were about to share a secret. "Easy-have a trusted employee. Oh, and keep them very well-fed and happy." The crowd burst intoughter at her joke, and ire felt a little of the tension in her shoulders ease. She was starting to get into the flow of things. Another hand went up, and ire pointed at the next reporter. "Go ahead." The man stood up and wasted no time with pleasantries. "Venus is currently Metacortex''s biggest rival in the software and technology world. Do you think they''ll see this as a trap? A move to make them stumble?" ire''s smile widened as she scanned the room. As her gaze shifted, she spotted two familiar faces: Frank Potter and Robert Robertson, both heavy hitters in the tech world, sitting quietly among the crowded audience. Why were they here? She made a mental note to follow upter. Returning her focus to the reporter, ire gave a casual shrug. "It depends on how Venus decides to see it, really. If they think this is a trap, that''s on them. But if they''re smart and I know they are they''ll probably build something simr to what we''ve created here. But hey, it''s not my job to judge. That''s up to the people." The reporter nodded, seeming satisfied for now. ire nced at her watch, deciding it was about time to wrap things up. Just as she was about to end the Q&A session, the sharp sound of heels clicking on the floor echoed through the room. All heads turned as a woman stepped forward, her face partially hidden behind oversized sunsses and a ck fascinator. She was dressed head-to-toe in ck, her heels clicking with authority as she made her way to the center of the room. Without a word, she snatched the mic from a nearby journalist and faced ire. ire frowned, unsure of who this woman was or why she had just taken over the press conference. "Excuse me, who are you?" she asked her tone firm but curious. The woman didn''t answer immediately. Instead, she adjusted her sunsses and, with a cold smirk, addressed ire directly. "ire Peterson, do you really want to continue working with Alexander Harris?" A hush fell over the room. ire nced to her side where Alexander stood, watching the scene unfold. He looked as confused as she was. "Because, if you must know," the woman continued, "Alexander Harris is a cruel man in the business world. Ruthless. He doesn''t care about anyone but himself." The room buzzed with murmurs. Journalists scribbled furiously, and cameras shed, trying to capture every second of this unexpected drama. The woman pressed on, her voice dripping with bitterness. "My father worked with Harris for years, and you know what he got for his trouble? A measly 30% profit share. After all that time, Harris kept 70% for himself. And when my father fell ill Harris didn''t even send a single message. No ''get well soon,'' not even a ''hello.'' Nothing." ire turned to Alexander, whispering urgently, "Do you know who she is?" Alexander shook his head, his face set in a grim line. "Not a clue." The woman took a step forward, her voice low butmanding. "Think twice before you sign any deals with Harris, ire. He''ll chew you up and spit you out like he''s done to everyone else." With a dramael. flick of her hand, she dropped the mic and turned on her heels, heading straight for the exit. The room erupted into chaos. Journalists shouted questions, cameras shed non-stop, and some reporters even tried to push past security to get closer to the stage. ire felt the pressure build around her, the noise, the lights-it was all a bit too much. Luckily, security stepped in, quickly forming a barrier between the stage and the press, allowing ire and Alexander to make a hasty retreat backstage. Once they were behind the curtain, ire spun around, her eyes zing with anger. "What the hell was that, Alex?" Alexander threw his hands up in defense, backing away slightly. "I have no idea who that woman was, ire. I swear. This wasn''t some kind of setup." ire''s eyes narrowed, her anger boiling just beneath the surface. She was about to explode right then and there, but something stopped her She took a deep breath, realizing thest ce she needed to lose her cool was backstage, with the press still lurking around. "Meet me at my office," she hissed at Alexander, her voice low but dangerous. Without waiting for his reply, ire turned on her heel and stormed off. As she hurried down the hallway, Matthew appeared at her side, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Where are you going?" Matthew asked, keeping up with her quick pace. "That woman," ire muttered through gritted teeth, "she ruined the whole press release." She stopped in her tracks, feeling the weight of everything crash down on her. "Ugh." She sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. At that moment, Sandra appeared from behind, looking just as puzzled. "Do you know who that woman was?" she asked, frowning. ire shook her head. "No idea. Never seen her before in my life." Sandra nced around nervously. "Well, the VIP guests are still waiting in the buffet room." ire took a deep breath, her shoulders stiffening as she prepared herself. "Alright. I''ll go thank them for showing up, but I''m not sticking around long. Matthew, I need you to take over. I have to get back to Metacortex and deal with Alexander." Matthew raised an eyebrow. "You''re leaving already?" "Yes, I need to have a little chat with Mr. Harris," ire replied, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice. "Sandra, you stay here with Matthew and make sure everything goes smoothly." Sandra nodded quickly. "Got it, boss." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 321 Mysterious Woman Meanwhile, Alexander was pacing behind the stage, lookingpletely frazzled. His secretary stood nearby, her notepad in hand, looking just as rattled. "I need you to find out who that woman was," Alexander said sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Now." The secretary nodded, wide-eyed, and immediately started typing furiously on her phone. Christian, his business partner, approached from the other side of the stage, arms crossed and looking concerned. "What the hell just happened? Who was that woman?" Alexander shot him an annoyed nce. "If I knew, I wouldn''t be asking my secretary to investigate, would I?" Christian raised an eyebrow, not convinced. "You sure this wasn''t some kind of stunt? The timing was too weird." "Believe me, I have no idea who she was. But I''m about to find out." Alexander sighed in frustration and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Listen, I need you to stay here. Cover for me. ire and I are about to have a...discussion back at her office." Before Christian could respond, Alexander marched toward the exit. A small group of journalists had gathered by the door, but he didn''t give them a second nce. He walked straight past them, ignoring their calls forments, and got into his car, mming the door behind him. Back inside, ire was just finishing up with thest of the guests when Adrian approached her. He had a calm, reassuring presence that ire was grateful for, even though she wasn''t in the mood to talk. "I''ming with you," Adrian said simply. ire is not in the mood to argue after the sudden interruption. She didn''t have the energy to argue either. "Fine," she muttered, nodding as she made her way to the door. Inside the backseat of the car, Adrian kept sneaking nces at ire, whose face was still scrunched up with anger. Her lips were pressed into a tight line, and her arms were crossed as if she was trying to keep herself from blowing up. The silence was heavy, broken only by the soft hum of the car''s engine. Adrian sighed softly and turned to her. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently, trying not to make things worse. ire let out a heavy sigh, leaning her head back against the seat. "This is not how I wanted my press release to end, Adrian," she muttered, clearly still upset. Her eyes were fixed on the roof of the car, probably wishing she could be anywhere else but here. Adrian gave her a reassuring smile. "I''m sure there''s an exnation for all of this," he said, though his voice sounded a little uncertain. ire sighed again, longer this time, rubbing her temples. "That''s what I hope for," she replied quietly, staring out the window. The ride back to Metacortex was painfully long. Every red light felt like an eternity, and ire was on the verge of pulling her hair out at how much time they were wasting just sitting there. Thirty minutes passed, each second more unbearable than thest, but finally, they pulled up in front of the sleek, towering building. The moment the car stopped, ire didn''t wait-she practically jumped out of the backseat and stormed toward the entrance, Adrian trailing closely behind her. Just as they approached the elevator, ire spotted Alexander standing there, arms crossed, waiting. His face was a mirror of her frustration, and though neither said a word, the tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife. The elevator dinged open, and the three of them stepped inside. The ride up to ire''s office was awkward, to say the least. Alexander leaned back against the wall, eyes narrowed at the floor. ire, still fuming, had her arms crossed tightly. Adrian stood between them, his hands in his pockets, pretending not to notice the silent war brewing. As soon as the doors slid open on ire''s floor she stomped out of the elevator without a word, making a beeline straight to her office. Alexander and Adrian followed, both knowing better than to try and stop her ire shoved the door open, tossed her purse onto the couch, and spun around, eyes zing as she faced Alexander. "What the hell was that interruption about?" she snapped, her voice sharp. Alexander didn''t back down. He was just as angry. "I have no idea," he said, his tone matching hers. "I don''t know that woman, and I didn''t set this up. Someone must''ve paid her." ire crossed her arms over her chest, her brow furrowed in suspicion. "And who would pay that woman to pull a stunt like that, huh?" Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Maybe it''s one of your enemies," he shot back. "Like the one who hit you on the head a few weeks ago." ire scoffed, rolling her eyes. "That''s impossible. Did you even hear the way she talked earlier? She was obviously attacking you, not ?? me. If she was sent by my enemy, why would she tell me not to make a deal with you?" Her eyes were sharp as they locked onto his, daring him to argue. For a moment, Alexander was silent, thinking it over. But before he coulde up with a response, ire took another shot at him. "Or," she said, narrowing her eyes, "maybe she''s someone you slept with and then ditched the next morning?" Alexander red at her, his jaw tightening. "I would never do that," he growled. "Don''t use me of something like that." "Then why did she attack you like that? And what did she mean about 30% and 70%? What deal did you make?" Alexander thought for a while as he dug into his memories. ire narrowed her eyes at him. "Don''t tell me you don''t even remember your business partner?" His eyes shoot daggers at ire since she can''t be silent. "I made a lot of business deals how the heck can I keep up with them?" Before the argument could escte any further, Adrian''s voice cut through the tension. "Uh, guys?" he said, holding up his phone. "The press release is going viral on social media." Both ire and Alexander turned to him. "Which part?" ire asked, her voice strained. "Both the good and the bad," Adrian said, wincing slightly. "But people are definitely more interested in the bad part." ire groaned, one hand on her hip and the other running through her hair. "This is not what was supposed to happen. I have everything nned perfectly inside my head," she muttered under her breath. Alexander, trying to be helpful, shrugged. "Why don''t we just delete the tweets?" he suggested. ire whipped around to re at him. "That''s a terrible idea!" she snapped. "If we delete it, it''ll just look like you''re guilty. Do you want to look quilty? Because that''ll not only mess up your reputation but also impact my business." Alexander opened his mouth to argue but then thought better of it. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, what do you suggest?" "You need to fix this, Alexander," ire said firmly. "This whole mess started because someone came after you. We need to find out who sent that woman and why." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 322 A Message from Venus description, entertaining rich folks." His voice was low, filled with sarcasm as if he was talking more to himself than anyone else. Matthew leaned back against the wall, half-listening to the small crowd of rich guestsughing and chatting around him. His eyes scanned the room, and he let out a quiet sigh. This was not what he signed up for. He muttered under his breath, "Not exactly in the job Sandra, standing next to him, caught his words and smirked. "I heard that." He sidled up to her and leaned in. "So, when do I get to hush these people away? Please tell me soon," he asked, voice low but dripping with sarcasm. Sandra smiled at the guest who passed by her. "It''s your choice. You''re the one in charge here." Matthew grinned, his mischievous side kicking in. "Oh, then it''s over," he said with a wink, turning toward the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen," he called out, pping his hands loudly to grab attention. "Thank you for your time, but our lovely host has some work to attend to. And by that, I mean she''s locked in her office, working her magic." A few of the guests chuckled, but most groaned good-naturedly, knowing it was time to wrap up. Matthew was about to make a smooth exit, satisfied with his performance when he spotted two familiar-and unwee-faces approaching. Frank Potter and Robert Robertson. Matthew''s smile faded instantly, his face turning cold as he crossed his arms. "What do you want, Frank?" he asked, voice sharper than before. Frank, ever the slimy businessman, smiled widely, but Matthew wasn''t fooled by the friendliness. "Just wanted to pass along a little message for ire. Tell her that Venus is going to outperform Metacortex. By a mile." Matthew couldn''t help but smirk, finding thement amusing. "Oh, you mean to steal someone''s idea and call it your own?" His words were slow, and mocking, and they hit a nerve. Frank''s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing. "You know, Matthew," Frank said, his voice low, "you''re just ire''s helper. When she finds someone more useful, she''ll throw you away like yesterday''s news." Matthew rolled his eyes,pletely unfazed. "Unlike Robert Robertson here," he motioned to Robert, who stood awkwardly by Frank''s side, "ire will keep me around. I''m her right-hand man, Frank. Always have been, always will be." He shed a cocky grin before turning on his heel. "Now, if you''ll excuse me, I have a real job to do." Leaving Frank fuming, Matthew strolled out of the room and headed straight for Metacortex. ire sat at her desk, her fingers drumming lightly on the wood as she watched the Q&A session from her press release earlier in the day. "Jeez, they were quick to upload this," she muttered, half-impressed, half-annoyed. On her second monitor, she scanned thetest news articles. Every outlet was buzzing with positive reviews about the robotic demonstration, praising ire''s vision and thepany''s innovation. But, as always, people were more interested in the drama. Scrolling down thements, ire''s eyesnded on a wild theory about the press conference: "That whole thing at the end was a skit! They staged it to go viral!" onementer had written, their post gaining traction. ire sighed, lost for words. People will believe anything, she thought. Just then, his phone buzzed again. Alexander Harris, her business partner, was on the line with her secretary. "Any updates on the woman?" he asked, his voice casual, but ire knew better. He was digging, and that always made her itch. She was dying to figure out who this mysterious woman was on her own, but she couldn''t let Alexander know that. She needed to keep her cards close. Adrian, of course, knew her skills, but Alexander? He had no clue. She preferred it that way. As she continued to scroll through her emails and articles, most of the news about the woman had dried up, and ire found herself getting bored. Is it worth it to dig into this, or let it go? she thought, biting her lip in contemtion. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her office door creaking open. She looked up to see Matthew striding in, looking as smug as ever. "How''s the situation out there?" ire asked, not looking up from her screens. "Oh, you know, just me, your loyal sidekick, sending the rich folks home," Matthew replied with a wink as he sank into the chair across from her. ire finally nced up, raising an eyebrow. "Sidekick? Is that what you''re calling yourself now?" "Hey, it''s better than ''helper."" He leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. "Frank Potter and his little pet, Robert, decided to stop by with a lovely message for you." ire groaned, setting her phone down. "Let me guess. Venus is going to dominate Metacortex, right?" "Bingo." Matthew clicked his tongue. "I told them to go work on their ''idea-stealing'' skills instead." A small smile tugged at the corner of ire''s lips. "They really think they''re going to outdo us, don''t they?" "Oh, Frank''s got confidence for days, but I''m pretty sure it''s all an act," Matthew said, leaning forward. "The dude tried to get in my head, and said you''d ditch me for someone more useful." ireughed, a sound that caught even her by surprise. "Useful? You?" she teased, her smile widening. "I keep you around for your charm, not your brains." "Ouch. But noted," Matthew said, clutching his chest dramatically as if wounded. Alexander was pacing back and forth, phone glued to his ear, his expression getting darker by the second. His voice suddenly rose, sharp and angry, "Are you kidding me?!" The shout made both ire and Matthew, who were in a conversation, whip their heads toward him. Alexander stood in the corner, one hand gripping his phone while the other was resting on his hip. He was clearly irritated, and whatever was going on in that phone call wasn''t pleasant. He hung up with a huff, tossing his phone onto the nearby table a little harder than necessary. Both hands now on his hips, he stood there fuming. ire raised an eyebrow, unable to stop herself from asking, "What happened?" Alexander ran a hand through his hair, looking like he was trying to keep from shouting again. "It''s udia Wright," he practically spat the name like it left a bad taste in his mouth. ire blinked at him, waiting for more exnation. When none came, she tilted her head. "And who''s that supposed to be?" she asked, her tone curious but also impatient. "You''re gonna have to give me more than that." Alexander sighed, clearly frustrated, but he relented. "udia Wright," he repeated, this time slower like it would make more sense. "She''s the daughter of Jason Wright. You know Jason Wright, the guy who owns Solstice Vineyard? Mypany''s been working with them for years. It''s a big deal." ire frowned, not quite seeing the connection. "Okay... and?" She made a circling motion with her hand. "What does that have to do with her ruining my press release earlier?" She wasn''t about to let him dodge the question. They''d worked way too hard to have everything derailed now. Alexander''s frown deepened as he crossed his arms. "I don''t know why she''d pull a stunt like this, but something''s up. I''m going to meet her in person and figure out what''s going on. Something doesn''t feel right." ire rolled her eyes, her frustration bubbling up. "Great, so we''ve got some mystery drama happening. Fantastic she muttered under he breath, throwing her hands up. "Just take care of it, okay? ne I don''t have time for this. My team has been working day and night on this robot, I can''t let this ruin our partnership, Harris." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 323 The Trial ire tossed and turned in her bed, her eyes wide open as she stared at the ceiling. Sleep seemed impossible after everything that happened at the press release. It was supposed to go smoothly, but of course, nothing ever did. Her mind raced, going back and forth between Frank''s message, which Matthew delivered with that ever-present calm of his, and the mess with Venus AMD. Every time she thought she had things under control, something new popped up to throw a wrench into the works. "This is a nightmare," ire muttered to herself, grabbing a pillow and covering her face with it. As if that would block out the reality. The next morning came way too fast. ire barely felt rested but had no choice but to get up. She had a trial to get ready for. She groaned as her rm went off, dragging herself out of bed and into the shower, hoping the cold water would wake her up enough to function. She nced at the clock. "At least I have time for coffee," she said, feeling slightly better about the day. The trial was looming over her, but somehow, the smell of freshly brewed coffee made it seem just a little less intimidating. By the time she got dressed, the doorbell rang. ire blinked, checking the time. "He''s early," she muttered and headed to the door. Opening it, she found Matthew standing there, already dressed in a crisp suit, holding a coffee cup of his own. "Morning," he said with a nod, his expression calm as always. "You''re early," ire pointed out, crossing her arms. Matthew shrugged. "Figured you''d need a little extra time to get ready. So... ready?" ire gave him a nod. "Ready as I''ll ever be." Matthew stepped aside so she could lock the door. They made their way down the elevator in silence until they reached the garage. Matthew had already brought the car around, and ire slid into the passenger seat as he got in on the driver''s side. As they drove off, Matthew nced at her. "You nervous?" ire shook her head. "Surprisingly, no. This time, I''ve got all the proof I need. Lisa doesn''t stand a chance." Matthew smiled a little, keeping his eyes on the road. "Good. Just don''t let herwyer rattle you. You know howwyers tend to be." ire rolled her eyes. "Oh, trust me, I''m ready for him too. If anyone''s going to get rattled, it''s going to be Lisa." The car ride wasn''t long, but ire''s thoughts kept jumping back and forth between what was about to happen and everything that had led to this point. The whole situation with Lisa felt like it had been dragging on forever, and she was more than ready for it to be over. She nced at Matthew, who was humming along to a song on the radio,pletely rxed. She envied how chill he could be about everything. Finally, they arrived at the courthouse. Therge stone building loomed ahead, and ire took a deep breath. This was it. They both stepped out of the car, Matthew locking it behind them, and made their way up the courthouse steps. ire''swyer, David, was already waiting inside. He waved them over as soon as they entered. "Morning, ire. You ready?" David asked, giving her a confident smile. ire nodded. "Yeah, let''s do this." David looked over his notes, tapping them against his hand. "The trial starts in thirty minutes. I just want to go over a few things with you before we head in." The three of them found a quiet corner, away from the buzzing crowd, and went over the main points of their defense. ire listened carefully, but she wasn''t worried. She had her facts straight, and there was no way Lisa could wriggle out of this one. Thirty minutes passed quickly, and soon enough, they were stepping into the courtroom. The air was tense, filled with whispers from the audience. ire''s eyes scanned the room,nding on Lisa''s mother sitting in the front row. The woman looked distressed like she still couldn''t believe her daughter was in this mess. ire didn''t feel any sympathy for her. If anything, Lisa''s mother should''ve seen thising. ire took her seat on the right, with David beside her. Matthew sat behind her, offering silent support, his face calm but attentive. Across the aisle, Lisa was brought in by an officer. She looked nervous, her eyes darting around the room, but when she saw her mother, she managed a small, shaky smile. ire''swyer leaned over and whispered, "Remember, don''t react to anything she or herwyer says. Keep calm and stay focused." ire nodded. "Don''t worry. I''ve got this." The jury filed in, and everyone stood until the judge gave them permission to sit. Once everyone was seated, the trial officially began. ire watched Lisa out of the corner of her eye, noticing how pale she looked. This wasn''t the confident, cocky woman she was used to seeing. David stood up from his chair, straightening his jacket before walking toward the jury. His expression was calm, his tone steady, as he began, "Ladies and et gentlemen, today, I''m going to make this very simple for you. The truth is on our side. What we have here is a clear case of a person who has crossed too many lines. Lisa thought she could get away with it, but not this time." ire, sitting just a few feet away, felt a wave of confidence wash over her. David had this under control. As he spoke, she kept her eyes locked on Lisa, whose face was slowly turning a shade of pale. Her shoulders were tense, and her hands gripped the arms of her chair tightly. It was almost satisfying for ire to watch. ve David continued, turning toward the jury once more. "Let me start byying out the facts. Lisa here has been involved in more than just a - few crimes. She didn''t just stumble into trouble no, she nned some of these crimes herself." He paced a little, pausing for effect. "And the biggest one? Kidnapping ire. She didn''t stop there, though. She hurt ire. And let me be blunt with you - Lisa tried to kill her." "Objection!" Lisa''swyer stood up, waving his hand like he was trying to swat away a fly. "Spection!" The judge, not even ncing up, simply said, "Overruled." David nodded, shing a brief smile in ire''s direction. "As I was saying, we have the proof. The evidence is here. If the jury would like, I can show you exactly what I''m talking about." The jury leaned in, all eyes on him. "Go ahead," one of the jury members said, almost impatiently. David stepped back toward the screen. He clicked a remote, and a series of images appeared. The jury''s attention was fully captured now, their eyes glued to the screen. "That''s right. Lisa''s," David continued, clicking through more evidence. "Now, here''s where things get really serious. Before that kidnapping, Lisa tried to hurt ire before. We have pictures of the injuries ire sustained." He clicked again, showing a photo of a nasty cut on ire''s arm, still fresh. "This was no ident. It was an attack." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 324 Stubborn Mother ire watched as the jury reacted to the image - some of them wincing, others nodding like they were piecing everything together. David turned back to the jury. "And that''s not all. This wasn''t just a one-time thing. Lisa didn''t only go after ire. She orchestrated an attack on Abigail too. It was all connected." "Objection!" Lisa''swyer tried again, but he sounded less confident this time. The judge nced up this time, but only said, "Overruled." David was in the zone now. "My client has gathered all the evidence." ire stole a nce at Lisa, whose face was now a mix of fear and anger. Herwyer was whispering furiously in her ear, but Lisa didn''t look like she was listening. She was too busy ring at David. ire couldn''t help it - she smirked. Things were starting to fall apart for Lisa, and ire was curious to see how this trial would unfold. She wondered if Lisa would crack under the pressure. "Now, let''s be clear," David continued, his voice lowering a little. "This wasn''t just some spur-of-the-moment thing. Lisa nned these attacks. She knew what she was doing. She wanted to hurt ire and Abigail. But, as you can see, she failed. And the evidence is right in front of you." David paused, looking around the courtroom. "I''m not going to stand here and tell you what to think. You''ve seen the evidence. You''ve heard the facts. It''s up to you to decide what happens next." The room was silent for a moment. Even the judge seemed to be waiting to see if anyone would say something. Lisa''swyer shuffled his papers, clearly struggling toe up with some sort of defense. But the damage was done, and everyone knew it. One of the jury members finally raised their hand. "So, let me get this straight," they said, their voice skeptical but curious. "Lisa tried to kill ire. Multiple times." David nodded. "Yes." The jury member leaned back in their seat, nodding slowly. "Okay. I think I''m getting the picture." Lisa''swyer looked like he was about to object again, but this time, he stayed seated. He must have realized that every time he opened his mouth, things only got worse for Lisa. David turned toward ire, giving her a reassuring smile. "We''ve got this," he whispered. ire gave a small nod, but her eyes were still on Lisa, who seemed to be shrinking into her seat. It was almost like watching a balloon dete, and ire had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from grinning. The trial wasn''t over yet, but it was clear to ire that the tide had turned in their favor. She crossed her arms, settling in her seat as David wrapped up his presentation. This was going to be interesting. Lisa, on the other hand, was clearly on edge. Herwyer leaned over, whispering something hurriedly in her ear. Whatever it was didn''t seem to help. Lisa''s expression grew darker as Davidid out more evidence, backing up everything with photos, documents, and security footage. It was all so... obvious. ire let out a soft breath, her confidence growing. There was no way Lisa could wriggle her way out of this one. She had caused so much chaos, hurt so many people, and now she was finally being held ountable. David ended his presentation with a simple, "The truth is right here. Now it''s up to you." The jury exchanged nces, their expressions serious but thoughtful. ire couldn''t help but feel a little thrill of excitement. Justice was finally within reach, and Lisa, for all her scheming and nning, was going down. The judge nced at the clock. "We''ll take a short recess before we move on to the defense. Court will reconvene in fifteen minutes." ire stood, stretching her arms a little. As she walked past Lisa''s table, she gave the woman a sideways nce. Lisa''s eyes were filled with pure rage, but there was nothing she could do now. ire shot her a quick smirk before heading out of the courtroom, feeling lighter than she had in a long time. ire exhaled, feeling the weight of the room lift off her shoulders as she headed out. A quick coffee break was all she needed to recharge. Her mind swirled with thoughts of what had happened so far. The evidence against Lisa had beenid out, and there was no denying the facts. As ire sipped her coffee, she could feel eyes on her. She turned, and there, striding purposefully toward her, was Lisa''s mum. Her expression was hard as stone, a look of determination in her eyes as she marched right up to ire. "ire," she said, her voice low but steady. "We need to talk." ire raised an eyebrow. "About what?" she asked, not particrly interested in whatever excuse Lisa''s mum was about to make. "My daughter," Lisa''s mum said, her jaw tightening. "You need to drop the charges. Lisa didn''t do anything wrong." ire almost choked on her coffee. She ced the cup down slowly, as if she needed a moment to fully process what she just heard. "You want me to... drop the charges?" ire asked, tilting her head slightly. "Why would I do that?" "Because Lisa''s innocent!" her mum dered, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "She would never hurt anyone, let alone you. Heck, Lisa wouldn''t hurt a fly!" That did it. ire couldn''t hold it in any longer. A burst ofughter escaped her lips, and she leaned back in her chair,ughing harder than she had in days. The sound echoed down the hallway, drawing a few curious nces. Lisa''s mum blinked, clearly confused. "What... what''s so funny?" ire wiped a tear from her eye, shaking her head in disbelief. "You really don''t know your daughter, do you?" she said, her voice filled with amusement. "I mean, seriously. Lisa wouldn''t hurt anyone? That''s the funniest thing I''ve heard all week." Lisa''s mum''s face darkened. "What are you saying? Lisa isn''t a bad person. You''re framing her, aren''t you? This is all because of... because she " "-stole my husband?" ire finished for her, herughter fading into a more serious tone. She leaned in slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Yeah, you think this is all about him? Newssh: it''s not." Lisa''s mum crossed her arms, clearly not buying it. "Then what is it? You''ve been out to get her since the start." ire leaned back, taking a deep breath. "You know, it''s kind of sad. You''re standing here, defending Lisa like she''s some kind of angel, but you have no idea what she''s done. I''ve lost count of the things she''s pulled. And you... you''re just standing there, blind to it all." it all. "Lisa would never-" her mum began, but ire cut her off. "Yes, she would," ire said, her voice sharp. And she did. You saw the evidence in there. You saw what she''s capable of. But you don''t want to believe it because it''s easier to think your daughter''s the victim. Let me tell you something, she''s not." Lisa''s mum looked shaken for a moment, her mouth opening and closing like she was trying to find the right words. "I... I don''t believe you. This is all some kind of trick. You''re setting her up because of what happened with your husband." ire sighed, rubbing her temples. "You know what''s funny? You trust her so much, it''s blinding you. Lisa''s not who you think she is. She''s as bad as theye, and I''m not the only one who knows it." For a brief second, Lisa''s mum looked uncertain. She bit her lip, ncing down at the floor. But then she shook her head, regaining herposure. "You''re lying. You have to be. Lisa would never do those things. She''s a good person." ire looked at her for a long moment, a cold look etched on her face. "I''m here to make sure Lisa faces the consequences of her actions." Lisa''s mum''s expression hardened again, but there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "So that''s it? You''re just going to ruin her life? She doesn''t deserve this." "She deserves every bit of this. She''s going to pay for what she did, and there''s nothing you can say that''ll change my mind." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 325 Solstice Vineyard The courtroom buzzed with a low murmur of voices as ire stood by, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the judge. She sighed, frustration building in her chest. The trial had dragged on longer than she anticipated, and the judge had just announced that she needed more time to review the evidence. "Why can''t this just be over today?" ire muttered under her breath. She was hoping to wrap things up, but it looked like the wheels of justice were moving slower than she expected. "I just want this nightmare to end." Matthew, standing beside her, noticed her frustration and leaned in with a reassuring smile. "Hey, don''t worry, ire. The judge is just being thorough. It''ll be over soon." "Yeah, but not soon enough," ire replied, ncing at the clock. She was hoping today would be the day she could finally press charges against Lisa and put it all behind her. Butw wasn''t as easy as signing a paper. It was a waiting game, and today, the game wasn''t in her favor. Meanwhile, Alexander Harris was not having the smoothest day either. He had tried to set up a meeting with udia Wright yesterday, but she''d t-out rejected him, saying she didn''t want to meet. He found it strange since she had shown up at ire''s press release, looking as calm and confident as ever. Yet now, when he wanted to talk business, udia was ying hard to get. Alexander was nothing if not persistent. When udia finally agreed to meet, she directed him to a small, almost obscure restaurant. He wasn''t sure what to expect, but he wasn''t going to turn down the chance to figure out what was going on in her head. He pulled up to the restaurant and parked his car, ncing at the nearly empty lot. "This better be worth my time," he muttered before getting out and making his way inside. The restaurant was quiet, eerily so, and it didn''t take him long to spot udia sitting alone at a table in the center of the room, calmly stirring her tea. As Alexander approached, udia''s lips curled into a small smile, and without even looking up, she spoke. "You came." He stopped in front of her, irritation clear on his face. "You sound surprised," he said dryly. udia finally looked up, her smile widening just a touch. "Not surprised, just amused." Alexander narrowed his eyes. "Alright, udia. What do you want? I''m not here to y games." She chuckled softly, still stirring her tea as if his presence hadn''t shifted the air in the room. "Oh, Alexander. Always so direct. But business talk can wait. Why rush things when we can enjoy a nice meal first?" Before he could protest, she pped her hands, and as if on cue, a server appeared, cing tes of food in front of them. Alexander eyed the steak on his te suspiciously. udia leaned back in her chair, still smiling. "Take a seat. It''ll only hurt your legs if you stand there ring at me all day." With a frustrated grunt, Alexander sat down, his eyes never leaving hers. "I''m not eating this." udia raised an eyebrow, her smile turning into a smirk. "Why not?" "Who knows what you''ve put in it," Alexander shot back, his tone serious. udia let out a shortugh. "Smart man. But if I wanted to poison you, I''d pick something a little more subtle than steak." She grabbed her fork, jabbed it into the steak on his te, and took a big bite. After chewing dramatically, she swallowed and grinned. "See? Nothing happened. If anything, it''s delicious." But Alexander didn''t budge. He folded his arms across his chest, looking unimpressed. "I''m not hungry." udia shrugged, not bothered in the least. "Suit yourself. If you''re not going to eat, you''ll just have to wait until I''m done." Alexander''s patience was already running thin. He leaned forward, his voice sharp. "I don''t have all day, udia." She took another bite, chewing slowly, her eyes never leaving his. "You seem tense. You should really try the steak." Alexander scowled. "What''s this all about, udia? You rejected my call, refused to meet, and now I''m here in some quiet restaurant while you y games. If you want to talk, let''s talk." "I''m surprised that you found out my name. Thank you for investigating me." udia said with a smirk on her face. "How can I not? You interrupted my business partner''s press release." He red at udia. "I was doing her a favor, so she won''t make any deals with you." The corner of Alexander''s lips curl up into a smirk. "Well toote, she is already my business partner. She gets to the point and tells me what you want." udia paused, setting her fork down. "Fine. If you''re in such a hurry to get to the point." She leaned forward slightly, her yful expression shifting to something a bit more serious. "What do you want from me, Alexander?" He blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in tone. "I want to know what you''re up to. You show up at ire''s press release, then dodge me when I try to reach out. Now you''re acting like you control the room." udia chuckled again, though there was a sharper edge to it now. "I do control the room, Alexander. And as for what I''m up to-" she paused, locking eyes with him "I wasn''ting for ire but I wasing for you." "What do you want from me?" His voice was calm, but the tension was clear. udia didn''t miss a beat. "I want 70% of the profit from the Solstice Vineyard." Alexander''s scoff was loud enough to fill the entire room. He stared at her like she had just grown a second head. "Seventy percent? Are you serious?" Raising an eyebrow, udia folded her arms. "What? You don''t want to agree with my offer?" He red at her, shaking his head. "That''s not a negotiation. That''s you telling me to hand over everything. What do I get out of that?" "You''ve had 70% for years. That''s what my father felt every day. Thirty percent for us, seventy for you. So now it''s your turn." Alexander''sughter died quickly, reced by a sharp stare. "You think it''s that simple? Your father took that deal for a reason. My father''s influence is the reason your family''s vineyard is even worth something. Back then, no one knew about Solstice. It was just another small, struggling vineyard. My father brought it into the spotlight." udia''s eyes didn''t waver. "So you think that justifies you taking the lion''s share for years? That doesn''t change the fact that Solstice is the reason Harris Hotel bing more famous especially with theor wine. We were the ones out there making sure it was top quality." Alexander leaned forward. "I didn''t scam your father. I didn''t trick him into anything. It was an honest deal. He agreed because he knew Harris could make Solistice big." udia shook her head. "I don''t believe that. If it was so honest, why didn''t you of your father evere to my father when he was sick? You kept taking your seventy percent. And where were you when I took over thepany? No no congrattions, no advice. Nothing. Just silence." Chapter 326 Media Duties udia''s foot tapped nervously under the table as she red at Alexander. The empty restaurant makes the air around them more thick with tension. "It wasn''t about that " Alexander began, his tone calm but frustrated. "Then what was it about, huh?" udia shot back, cutting him off, her voice rising. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table, knuckles white as she leaned forward, eyes narrowing. Alexander sighed, rubbing his temple. "Look, udia, I told you before. The deal wasn''t made with me. It was with my father. Jason made the deal with him, not me. I didn''t have any say in it." udia scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please. You expect me to believe that? You''ve been sitting pretty, reaping the benefits, while Solstice gets crumbs. You didn''t notice anything was wrong?" Alexander sat up straighter, fixing his gaze on her. "I didn''t take over the wine project. I wasn''t even involved. No one told me about the continuation of the deal. I haven''t received a single document to sign, not here, not there, nothing." His voice grew firmer as he spoke, frustration creeping in. "And as for you taking over the vineyard? I had no idea. My secretary didn''t inform me. How could I know something I wasn''t told about?" udia crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Convenient excuse, don''t you think? me it on the secretary." "me?" Alexander let out a sharpugh. "I''m not ming anyone, I''m telling you the truth. If I had known, I would''ve dealt with it. But I didn''t." He leaned back in his chair, still holding her gaze. "This isn''t on me." udia''s lips curled into a bitter smile. "Right. You expect me to just take your word for it?" Alexander leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table as his face inched closer to hers. "No," he said, his voice low and firm. "If you don''t believe me, talk to my father. Ask him yourself. He''s the one who made the deal with Jason." udia''s eyes widened, momentarily caught off guard by how close he was. But she quickly masked her surprise with a scoff. "I''m supposed to call up your father and ask why yourpany is ripping mine off? Real professional, Alexander." He smirked. "You''ve got a better idea? If you want answers, that''s where you''ll get them. And when you do," he said, standing up abruptly, "you owe me an apology. And ire Peterson, too." udia frowned, her eyes narrowing as she watched him rise from his seat. "ire? What does she have to do with this?" "She''s been dragged into this mess just like me," Alexander said, his tone casual as he adjusted his suit jacket. "If you''re wrong-and you are then you owe both of us an apology." With that, he leaned down slightly, his face inches from hers again, a yful smirk on his lips. "Deal with it, udia." Before she could respond, Alexander straightened up, turned on his heel, and walked out of the restaurant. udia watched, her heart suddenly racing as he exited the door and headed to his car. The nerve of him! But for some reason, her pulse quickened as she watched him drive away, the challenge still hanging in the air between them. She grabbed her phone and dialed her secretary''s number, her fingers shaking slightly from a mix of frustration and something else she didn''t want to name. The moment the call connected, she didn''t even give her secretary a chance to speak. "Get me an appointment with Alexander Harris''s father. Now. I don''t care how you do it, just make it happen." Hanging up, udia leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. The gall of Alexander to throw this back at her. The audacity to use her of needing to apologize. But there was something in the way he spoke, that confident, almost teasing tone that made her wonder... what if he wasn''t lying? What if he really didn''t know? ire shook hands with the journalist as she stepped into the studio at Metacortex. She felt the familiar hum of the building, her preferred spot for media duties. ire always liked doing interviews at Metacortex rather than going out into the wild world unless she absolutely had to. It was more controlled, and morefortable here. As soon as she was inside, the makeup artist swooped in, adding a quick touch-up to her face. ire sat still, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Thest thing she wanted to do today was another interview, but after the big press release yesterday, she knew it was important to keep up appearances. A little media duty never hurt. "Gotta keep the machine rolling," she thought with a small sigh. Momentster, the interview began. The journalist greeted the camera with a bright smile. "Good afternoon, everyone! Today, we have the incredible ire Peterson with us, the brains behind Metacortex''stest breakthrough. ire, it''s such a pleasure to have you here!" ire stepped into the shot, gave a polite nod to the camera, and then turned to the journalist. "Thank you, it''s great to be here," she said, shing a smile. She was used to this by now-put on a friendly face, answer a few questions, crack a joke or two. Easy. "Now, ire, let''s dive right in," the journalist said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Yesterday''s press release was fantastic! I was lucky enough to be there, and the robot presentation was simply amazing. Everyone''s talking about it!" ire chuckled, shaking her head a little. "Thank you, I''m d you enjoyed it! I think the robot did a great job too didn''t break down or anything, so I''d call that a win!" The journalistughed. "I''d say so! You must be thrilled. Tell me, how was it preparing for such a huge moment? I mean, it looked so perfect, but I imagine there were a few bumps along the way?" "Oh, absolutely," ire nodded, her eyes widening. "You wouldn''t believe how much stress goes into making everything look that smooth. In fact, during the demo before the press release, where we had just a few et VIPS, the robot almost malfunctioned! It was one of those heart-stopping moments where I thought, ''This is it, we''re done for.'' But you know, my team-they''re amazing. We went back to the drawing board and made sure everything was more than perfect for the big day. So yeah, I''m just d it all worked out in the end!" The journalist raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Wow, almost a malfunction? I''d never have guessed! That must''ve been nerve-wracking!" "You have no idea," ire said, shaking her head with a grin. "I think I aged ten years in those few minutes." They shared anotherugh before the journalist leaned in a bit closer, her expression shifting to something a little more serious. "Speaking of yesterday''s press release, there''s a bit of chatter going around about a certain someone who showed up unexpectedly. Did you know Frank Potter from Venus AMD was in the audience?" ire raised her eyebrows, pretending to look shocked. "Frank Potter? No, really?" she said, cing a hand on her chest like she couldn''t believe it. "What a surprise." The journalist smiled knowingly, clearly catching onto ire''s yful tone. "Yes, he was there, watching the whole thing. What do you think about that? Any thoughts on yourpetitor making an appearance?" ire leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs casually. "Well, Frank Potter can do whatever he wants. Maybe he was just there to get inspired by Metacortex-who could me him?" she said with a wink. The journalist burst intoughter, shaking her head. "You''re too much, ire! But really, do you think it''s a concern, having someone like him watching your every move?" ire shrugged, still smiling. "I''m not worried. If he''s there, he''s just seeing what we''re capable of. And if he thinks he can replicate that-well, good luck to him. We''re always a step ahead." "You certainly are!" The journalist grinned, flipping through her notes. "And speaking of staying ahead, what''s next for Metacortex? After such a big release, I''m sure everyone''s wondering what you''ve got cooking for the future." ire sat up a little straighter, her expression turning thoughtful. "Well, without giving too much away, let''s just say we''re not slowing down. The robot is just the beginning. We''ve got a few more tricks up our sleeves-some projects that are going to push the boundaries of what people think is possible. But of course, I can''t spill all the details just yet." "Oh,e on," the journalist teased. "Just a little hint?" ire chuckled. "I''m sorry, no can do." The interview continued, bouncing back and forth between light business talk and casual banter. ire, as usual, handled every question with ease, mixing in just the right amount of humor and professionalism. "And how do you handle the pressure of being such a high-profile businesswoman?" the journalist asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I mean, you make it all look so easy, but surely it must get overwhelming at times." ire let out a smallugh, crossing her arms. "Oh, believe me, it''s not easy! Some days I feel like I''m juggling a hundred things at once, and at least fifty of them are on fire. But at the end of the day, it''s all about having a great team around you, staying organized, and, of course, making sure to take breaks when you can." As the interview wrapped up, the journalist leaned in for onest question. "Well, ire, it''s been amazing talking to you. But before we let you go, I''ve got to ask-if you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting out in business, what would it be?" ire thought for a moment, then smiled. "I''d say don''t be afraid to take risks. It''s easy to y it safe, but the real magic happens when you step outside yourfort zone. And always trust your gut. If something feels right, go for it. Even if it''s scary." Chapter 327 Meeting The Mysterious Woman Frank sat back in his plush leather chair, his eyes glued to the television screen. His face was twisted in a deep frown, and his fingers drummed angrily on the armrest. The live interview was in full swing, with ire Peterson standing confidently in front of a swarm of "That''s an insult," Frank muttered, his voice thick with anger. His blood boiled just hearing ire speak so casually about hispany like they were nothing more than copycats. "She makes it sound like we''re a bunch of amateurs." cameras, shing a charming smile as she casually mentioned that Venus AMD would eventually replicate the work Metacortex was doing. He turned his head sharply toward Robert, who was also watching the interview on another screen. Robert''s brow was furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line as he processed ire''s words. "Well?" Frank demanded, his patience already running thin. "What do you think about this?" Robert didn''t respond right away, his eyes still fixed on the screen. After a moment, he sighed and shook his head. "We''ve got to take action, Frank. We can''t just let her get away with this." Frank nodded, feeling the heat of his anger spread through his chest. "Exactly. ire''s out there, getting all the spotlight. Every news article, every interview, it''s all about Metacortex. And Venus? We get dragged into the conversation just forparison''s sake, not because of anything we''ve done. It''s humiliating." Robert grunted in agreement. "And not because of our achievements either," he added, echoing Frank''s frustration. Suddenly, an idea popped into Frank''s head. It was bold, maybe even a little reckless, but desperate times called for desperate measures. He turned toward Robert with a wicked grin spreading across his face. "What if we built a robot just like ire''s?" Robert''s eyes widened, and for a second, Frank thought he might fall out of his chair. "Are you serious?" Robert blurted out, clearly not on board with the idea. "That''s a terrible n, Frank. Following ire''s lead is no joke. She''s got the best team in the industry." Frank''s grin faded into a re. "What, you don''t think our employees at Venus are any good?" His voice carried a sharp edge now, challenging Robert to say otherwise. Robert immediately shook his head, raising his hands in defense. "No, no, that''s not what I mean. Venus has talent, sure, but ire... ire''s on another level. We don''t even know where she gets her people from. If we try to build a robot like hers, it won''t end well. We''ll look like we''re ying catch-up, and we can''t afford to look like the second choice." Frank scowled, not wanting to admit that Robert might have a point. But he wasn''t about to give up. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he thought it through. "Okay, maybe we don''t build the exact same thing. What if we build something different? An electronic device, maybe? Something new. We need to show the public that Venus isn''t just sitting around twiddling its thumbs while Metacortex hogs all the glory." Robert seemed to rx slightly, but he still looked unsure. "An electronic device, huh? It''s not a bad idea, but we''d have to move fast. Thest thing we want is for people to start thinking Metacortex is the onlypany doing cutting-edge work." "Exactly!" Frank mmed his hand down on the desk, feeling a surge of excitement. "We just need to remind people that Venus is a serious contender. We don''t have to copy Metacortex; we just have to show we''re in the game." Robert nodded slowly, though he still seemed cautious. "Alright, but we''ll need to be careful. The public is already paying more attention to Metacortex than Venus. We need to make sure whatever wee up with is strong enough to stand on its own." Frank waved his hand dismissively. "Leave that to me. I''ll make sure the PR team spins it right. Venus will be back in the spotlight, and ire won''t know what hit her." Robert nced at the TV onest time, where ire was wrapping up her interview with a smug smile on her face. "I hope you''re right, Frank. Because if this blows up in our faces, we''ll be the ones looking like amateurs." ire Peterson needed a break. It had been a stressful few weeks, and she figured shopping might help clear her mind. She hadn''t hit the stores in forever, and the thought of splurging a little made her smile. Plus, she missed Talia. The two of them used to make a day out of shopping,ughing, and spending far too much on things they didn''t need. But Talia was off in Paris for work, doing amazing things that ire was proud of. It just wasn''t the same without her, though. ire wandered through the boutique, flipping through racks of clothes. Nothing was jumping out at her. The fabrics were nice, sure, but she wasn''t in the mood to try anything on. It wasn''t about needing anything, really it was just boredom. She was itching to spend money, just to do something with her time. She was about to give up when her eyesnded on a bag. Perfect. Without even a nce at the price tag, ire gged down a nearby staff member. "I want this," she said confidently, pointing to the bag. The staff member rushed over to assist, but before ire could continue with her purchase, something caught her eye. Across the boutique stood a woman with an elegant, sophisticated air. Her sleek hair was pulled back, and she was dressed in chic, high-end fashion. But what really made ire pause was the ring on the woman''s finger. It looked eerily familiar. ire squinted, her eyes narrowing as memories rushed back. That ring... ire knew that ring. It was the same one the woman wore at her press release, the one who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere to cause chaos. It was unmistakable. But ire wasn''t one to jump to conclusions. She had to be sure. Casually, she moved closer, pretending to browse the clothing nearby. She listened carefully, hoping to hear the woman speak. And then it happened-a soft French ent reached her ears. That voice. ire''s heart skipped a beat as she recognized it instantly. Steeling herself, ire took a deep breath and approached the woman directly. "Excuse me," she said, trying to keep her tone polite, though her nerves were firing up. The woman turned, arching one perfectly shaped brow, her eyes cool and questioning. "Yes?" The woman''s French ent was impossible to miss now that ire was face-to-face with her. ire smiled, though it didn''t quite reach her eyes. "You look familiar," she said, trying to sound casual. The woman tilted her head slightly, a smirk ying on her lips. "Do I?" she responded, her tone light, though there was something sharp beneath it. ire nodded, keeping her gaze steady. "Yes. You remind me of someone... someone who ruined my press release." The smile vanished from ire''s face, reced by a cold stare. There was no need to dance around it anymore. She knew who this woman was. ne'' The woman''s eyes flickered with recognition, and ire saw the moment she realized who she was talking to ire Peterson. The woman''s lips pressed into a thin line as she shifted her weight, her confidence not faltering, but the air between them growing tense. "Ah," the woman said, her voice calm, almost mocking. "You''re that ire Peterson." ire''s stare didn''t waver. "I know it was you. You were at my press release, weren''t you? The one who " The woman interrupted her, waving a hand dismissively. "Ruin is such a strong word, don''t you think?" ire''s jaw clenched. "You caused a scene. You know exactly what you did." The woman nced around the boutique as if this conversation wasn''t worth her time. "Perhaps. But do you really think I would bother myself with such trivial things as your little press release?" ire''s anger red. "It wasn''t trivial to me." The woman''s eyes twinkled with amusement now, as if she were enjoying ire''s frustration. "I suppose that''s the difference between us, isn''t it?" ire folded her arms, trying to rein in her temper. "Who are you, really?" The woman''s smirk returned. "Wouldn''t you like to know?" Chapter 328 She’s a Real Charmer "So," ire said, her voice sharp, "are you going to tell me who you are, or are we going to y this game all day?" udia raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, that irritating smile still stered on her face. She didn''t seem bothered by ire''s intense re, and instead of answering, she turned on her heel, starting to walk away. "You''ll find out soon enough," udia threw over her shoulder, her tone almost yful. ire scoffed, muttering under her breath, "Unbelievable." Reaching into her bag, she pulled out her phone, her fingers swiftly scrolling through her contacts. Finding the name she wanted, she hit call. After a couple of rings, Alexander Harris picked up. "ire," he greeted her, his voice smooth as always. "What can I do for you?" "You can start by telling me if you have a deal with this mystery woman who''s been making herself quitefortable around here," ire said, her voice tense. There was a pause on the other end. Alexander sighed, though she couldn''t see it. "Let me guess, you''ve met her?" "Yeah, just had the pleasure," ire said, sarcasm dripping from her tone. "Real charmer." Alexander chuckled lightly, but ire wasn''t in the mood for his casual attitude. "She''s...plicated," he finally said. "Apparently, she''s the daughter of my dad''s old business partner." ire nearly rolled her eyes. "Complicated? You''re going to have to do better than that." "I''m serious, ire. It''s not as simple as it seems. She''s not here to cause trouble. At least, not for you or me." "Oh, is that what she told you?" ire asked, crossing her arms tighter. "Because from where I''m standing, she''s been nothing but mysterious and irritating." "I know, I know," Alexander said, his tone softening. "But trust me, she won''t do anything that could harm ourpanies." ire exhaled sharply, leaning against the wall. "I''m not feeling all that trusting right now, Alex. This woman shows up, acts like she owns the ce, and refuses to tell me who she is. How do you expect me to be okay with that?" "I''ll talk to her," Alexander offered. "But really, she''s not a threat. We''ve had some conversations, and I don''t think she''s here to mess things up." "Great. That makes me feel so much better," ire said dryly. "You need to make a statement about this. Regarding what happened in the press release." "A statement, huh?" "Yes, a statement. You don''t want your stock market to be affected right?" Alexander frowned. "Of course not. You might be right," he admitted. ire sighed. "Just...deal with it Alexander, you''re a businessman, you know how it goes. Who''s her name?" "udia Wright." ire let out a small, humorlessugh. "Of course, she has a name like that." udia sat in the back seat of her sleek ck sedan, fingers drumming lightly on her knee. The car slowed as they approached the Harris mansion, and she couldn''t help but let out a low whistle at the sight. The sprawling estate looked more like something out of a fairy tale than a home,plete with manicured gardens, a fountain, and that ssic mansion charm that screamed old money. She took a deep breath, straightening her posture. Time to handle business. When the car finally came to a stop in front of the grand entrance, udia stepped out, her heels clicking against the cobblestone driveway. She adjusted her coat, taking in the full view of the mansion with a mixture of admiration and, well, maybe just a smidge of jealousy. It was hard not to be impressed. As the wind tousled her hair, she reminded herself that she wasn''t here to gawk-she was here for answers. udia made her way to the towering front door, feeling like she was about to enter a castle. She pressed the doorbell, hearing the soft chime echo within. A few momentster, the door opened, revealing not some stiff butler but a kind-faced woman wearing a neat uniform. A nanny, by the looks of it. "Good afternoon," udia said with a polite smile. "I have an appointment with Mr. Michael Harris." The nanny nodded with a warm smile, holding the door open wider. "Of course, Miss. Please,e in. I''ll let Mr. Harris know you''re here." udia stepped inside, and immediately the grandness of the mansion hit her. High ceilings, ??? crystal chandeliers, and expensive artwork everywhere. The Harris family didn''t mess around when it came to dcor, that was for sure. She followed the nanny through a wide corridor and into a living room that looked as though it had been pulled straight from the pages of a luxury magazine. Tasteful, ssy, and probably worth more than most houses. "Please, have a seat. I''ll fetch Mr. Harris," the nanny said, gesturing toward a plush couch. udia nodded, settling herself on the couch. It was softer than it looked, and for a moment, she allowed herself to rx, sinking into the cushions. ncing around the room, she had to admit the Harris family knew how to live. She crossed her legs, hands resting on herp, as she waited for Michael to appear. Time to focus on the reason she was here-the Solistice Vineyard deal. A few minutester, she heard footsteps, and when Michael Harris walked in, udia straightened her back, smoothing down her skirt. Michael was older than she remembered from the few times she''d seen him as a child-he had more gray in his hair, but he still carried himself with that air of authority. When he spotted her, his brows shot up in surprise. "Well, I''ll be damned," Michael said with a grin, crossing the room to greet her. "Wright has a daughter? And such a beautiful one at that!" udia smiled politely, standing up to shake his hand. "Thank you, Mr. Harris. I appreciate thepliment." "Please, call me Michael," he insisted, still looking slightly shocked. "I had no idea Wright had a daughter in charge now. And here I was expecting some middle-aged guy in a suit." udia chuckled softly as they both sat down. "I''ve taken over the vineyard after my father stepped down. That''s what I wanted to discuss with you today." Michael leaned back in his chair, nodding. "Ah, Solstice Vineyard. Your father always had big ns for that ce. What can I do for you?" udia took a deep breath, diving straight into business. "I''m here to discuss the current profit split between Solstice and Harris Company. It''s been 30% to 70% in favor of your family for far too long. We deserve a more reasonable share of the profits." "I apologize about that back then all I could think about is profit and without thinking of others." udia nodded firmly. "We''ve been doing all the work, producing the wine, maintaining the vineyards, yet we barely see fraction of the profits. It''s time we renegotiate." Michael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he considered her words. "You make a good point, udia. But I should tell you right now, I don''t have any rights over the vineyard anymore. That''s all-Alexander''s business now. You''ll have to discuss the details with him." udia''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Alexander Harris? I thought you were still involved in these matters." Michael shook his head. "Nope, I''ve been out of that game for a while now. Alexander handles all the business ventures these days. What I''m telling you isn''t a lie-he''s the one you''ll need to strike a deal with." udia pursed her lips, not entirely satisfied with this revtion. She''d been hoping to settle things here and now, but apparently, she''d have to go through Alexander, who had his own reputation for being difficult to deal with. "I see," she said slowly. "I''ll get in touch with Alexander, then." Michael nodded, offering her an apologetic smile. "I''m sorry I couldn''t help more. If it were up to me, I''d say you''re right, and the deal needs to change. But, well, business is business." udia sighed, trying to hide her frustration. "Speaking of my father, though, I couldn''t help but notice that none of you visited him when he was sick. He was in France for months, and not once did a member of your family check on him." Michael''s face fell, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I wanted to, believe me. But things have been...plicated here. There''s been a lot going on at the mansion, and it just wasn''t possible for me to make the trip to France." udia crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed with the excuse. "He considered your family close friends. He would''ve appreciated a visit." Michael sighed. "I know. And I regret not going. But between the estate and family matters, I couldn''t get away. Please believe me when I say that it wasn''t out of disrespect." udia stared at him for a moment, then gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. But I hope that going forward, we can maintain a better rtionship between our families." Michael gave her a warm smile. "I agree. And congrattions, by the way, on bing the new CEO. Your father must be proud." udia smiled faintly. "Thank you. It''s a lot of responsibility, but I''m ready for it." Chapter 329 Crawling Back ire sat at her desk, eyes glued to the screen, fingers tapping away on the keyboard. The press release from two days ago had done its jobpanies were buzzing to get a piece of Metacortex now. ire''s inbox was flooded with emails frompanies she never thought would even give her a second nce. As she scrolled through another email offering a lucrative partnership, she raised an eyebrow in surprise. The offer was too good to be real. "Huh, well, didn''t see that oneing," she muttered to herself, scanning the details again to make sure she wasn''t imagining it. She was about to hit reply when a soft knock on her door interrupted her. "Come in," she called out, still focused on the email. The door creaked open, and she finally nced up, expecting to see Matthew or Sandra. But instead, her eyes met someone else someone she hadn''t expected to see standing in her office again. Mr. Rodriguez, an old client of hers, the very one who had jumped ship to Venus AMD. ire''s eyebrow arched in silent curiosity. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "Well, this is a surprise," she said, her voice polite but her expression icy. "What brings you back here?" Rodriguez stepped into the room, and there was something off about him. He looked almost... ashamed. ire resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Oh, now he feels bad? she thought. "I, uh... I wanted to apologize, ire," Rodriguez said, looking everywhere but at her. "I know I made a mistake. I shouldn''t have left Metacortex like that, especially after everything we worked on together." ire''s face remained cold and unreadable. She stared at him, saying nothing, just waiting to see how far his apology would go. The memory of theirst conversation shed in her mind-how he''d casually dropped the news that HP had kicked her off the project, and how he''d switched distributors to Venus AMD. At the time, he hadn''t even batted an eye. Now, here he was, looking all kinds of guilty. Rodriguez cleared his throat and continued, "I also want to apologize for choosing Venus over Metacortex. It was... a bad decision. If I could go back, I wouldn''t have done it." ire''s gaze didn''t waver. Her expression stayed as cool as ever. She wasn''t in the mood for long-winded apologies, especially not from someone who had bailed on her so easily. Rodriguez shifted awkwardly under her piercing stare. He seemed to be waiting for her to say something, but she didn''t. She just kept looking at him, cold and silent. Rodriguez fumbled with his words. "I-I know I messed up. And if HP... if we could work together again" ire cut him off, her voice calm but firm. "I''ll consider working with HP again, but not if you''re involved. You''re not the person I want to deal with." Her words hit him like a p in the face, but she didn''t care. She was done ying nice. Rodriguez looked stunned for a moment, as if he hadn''t expected that. "But... but ire, I''ve changed! I can be better. We can do great things together. Venus doesn''t have the same vision that we had " "I said no," ire snapped, her patience thinning. "I have more important things to do than rehash old mistakes. You made your choice, now live with it." Rodriguez opened his mouth to speak again, but ire shot him a sharp look that made him think twice. He mumbled another apology, though it sounded weaker this time, and shuffled toward the door like a scolded puppy. "Thank you for stopping by," ire said, her voiceced with sarcasm as she watched him leave. The door closed behind him, and she finally let out a long, frustrated sigh. The tension in her shoulders wouldn''t go away. Not even herst shopping spree had been enough to relieve the stress that had built up over the past few weeks. Ever since that press release, everything had been a whirlwind. She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. "Why do they alwayse crawling back after they mess everything up?" she muttered to herself. Rodriguez''s visit had been the cherry on top of an already chaotic week. Adrian had no idea what had gotten into him that evening. He had been passing by ire''s office, thinking about heading home, when an idea popped into his head. Why not do something impulsive for once? After all, he''d been feeling connected to ire for quite some time now. He wasn''t one to act on a whim, but tonight felt different. Plus, he had bought dinner on a hunch, hoping she''d be up for it. The warm scent of roasted chicken and garlic bread filled his car, making his stomach rumble as he parked outside her office building. "Alright, Adrian," he muttered to himself, gripping the paper bags in his hands. "It''s just dinner... nothing crazy. Just dinner with ire. No big deal." But his heart didn''t agree. It hammered in his chest like a jackhammer. Adrian had liked ire for a while now, but telling her? No way. That felt terrifying. What if she said no? Rejection wasn''t something he was ready for. But then again, weren''t all men scared of that at some point? He stepped out of the car, bncing the bags of food as he shut the door with his elbow. The evening air was cool, and he felt the tiniest bit of nervous sweat on his palms. As he rode up to her floor in the elevator, the nerves kicked into overdrive. His mind raced with a thousand different thoughts, none of them good. What if she was busy? What if she didn''t wantpany? Or worse-what if she was with someone else? Thest thought made his stomach sink. But when the elevator doors opened, Adrian steeled himself. He knocked on her office door softly, just enough to let her know someone was there. When there was no answer, he hesitated for a second, then pushed the door open gently and peeked inside. "ire?" he called softly, stepping into her office. What he saw made him stop in his tracks. There was ire, slumped over her desk, fast asleep. Her face was half-buried in her arms, with strands of her hair spilling messily across her cheeks. She looked exhausted, like she''d had a long, hard day, and Adrian found himself smiling without even meaning to. Carefully, he ced the paper bags on the coffee table in the corner, trying not to make any noise. He didn''t want to wake her-she looked like she needed the rest. But his feet moved on their own, guiding him toward her desk. Her hair was all over her face, and without thinking, Adrian gently brushed it to the side, tucking a few strands behind her ear. She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open, still hazy from sleep. At first, she didn''t seem to register what was going on. Her gaze driftedzily across the room beforending on him. "Adrian?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. Adrian smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "Hey, sorry, didn''t mean to wake you." ire blinked a few times, and then her eyes widened in surprise as reality hit her. She shot up straight in her chair. "Adrian! What are you doing here? Is this a dream?" "Nope, not a dream," he said, chuckling. "Just thought I''d drop by with some food. You looked like you could use a break." ire looked at him, clearly confused but starting to piece it together. "Food? You brought food?" "Yeah," Adrian nodded toward the bags on the coffee table. "I figured you might be workingte and maybe didn''t have time to eat." Her eyes softened, and she smiled, though a little shyly. "That''s really sweet of you. I didn''t expect anyone to show up with dinner." Adrian shrugged, trying to act casual, though inside, he was a ball of nerves. "You know, just thought I''d do something nice for a change. I''ve been meaning to hang out with you more anyway." ire raised an eyebrow, her smile turning into a smirk. "Oh? Meaning to hang out with me more? Since when?" Adrian chuckled nervously, shifting on his feet. "Uh, you know, just... in general. You''ve been working hard, thought you could use a friend." She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms and giving him a curious look. "A friend, huh? So, what''s in the bags, "friend"?" Adrian grinned, relieved to see her teasing him. "I got roasted chicken, garlic bread, and some sd. Figured we could eat something decent." ire''s stomach growled loudly at the mention of food, and she covered her face with her hands,ughing. "Oh my God, that''s embarrassing." Heughed too. "Hey, it just proves my point-you''re hungry. Let''s eat." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 330 Two Option Alexander sat in his car, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. A mischievous grin spread across his face as an idea popped into his head. He could get ire to help him with that statement he needed to make, even though he knew they''d end up arguing like always. For some reason, that warmed him a little. Their bickering had be some weird form offort. ire was stubborn, sharp-tongued, and irritatingly good at winning arguments, but she was also reliable. And if there was one thing Alexander loved, it was pushing her buttons. Without a second thought, he turned his car toward ire''s office. Night had fallen, and the city lights glowed like stars as he drove through the streets. He smirked to himself, imagining the look on ire''s face when he showed up unannounced. When he finally arrived at the office building, he parked and headed inside. The ce was almost deserted at this time of night, the only sounds were the asional hum of a distant printer or the soft murmur of ate-night worker. As he reached ire''s office, he noticed the door was slightly ajar. Curious, he stepped forward to knock, but something made him pause. Peeking through the gap, he spotted ire inside, standing close to Adrian. Very close. Before he could make sense of it, he saw them leaning toward each other. And then-were they kissing? His eyes widened. "What the hell is going on?" he blurted out, pushing the door open without a second thought. Both ire and Adrian jumped back, startled. Adrian nearly knocked over a chair, while ire''s eyes shot toward the door, narrowing when she saw Alexander standing there. "What are you doing here, Alexander?" ire demanded, her voice edged with irritation. He ignored her question, still processing what he''d just seen. "Why were you kissing Adrian?" he asked, his voice sharp with usation. ire blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Kissing? What are you talking about?" She crossed her arms, looking more annoyed than flustered. "You were leaning forward, right into each other''s faces! I saw it!" Alexander wasn''t about to back down. He had seen something he just wasn''t sure what. ire rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh my God, Alexander. I wasn''t kissing anyone. Something got in my eye, and Adrian was just helping me. That''s all." Alexander frowned, not entirely convinced. "What?" Adrian, who had been quiet until now, finally stood up straight and faced Alexander. "She''s telling the truth. Something flew into her eye, and I was helping her get it out. We''re having dinner-why would we be kissing?" Alexander''s frown deepened as he nced between the two of them. He didn''t know whether to believe them or not. ire was looking at him like he was an idiot, which wasn''t new. And Adrian? Well, Adrian just looked awkward. Alexander huffed, feeling more embarrassed by the second. But he couldn''t back down now, could he? He still wasn''t convinced. "I don''t know. You were leaning awfully close," he muttered, crossing his arms. ire groaned. "Oh, for crying out loud, Alexander. It was just something in my eye! Are you going to keep using us of kissing all night, or are you going to tell me what you''re doing here?" She had a point, and Alexander could feel his argument crumbling. But admitting he was wrong? That wasn''t exactly his style. So, he did what he did best-he dodged the question. "I wasn''t here for anything important," he lied, hoping to salvage what little dignity he had left. ire raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "You showed up at my office at night, barged in like some crazy person, and interrupted dinner... for no reason?" Alexander shifted ufortably. He felt his face flush. "Yeah. Forget it. I''m leaving." ire, on the other hand, just looked annoyed, her patience clearly wearing thin. Once he was outside, he took a deep breath of the cool night air, feeling his embarrassment subside a little. Why did he always end up looking like a fool in front of ire? Every time he thought he had the upper hand, she knocked him down with her quick wit or her with responses. And tonight had been no different. Annoyance filled Alexander as he sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel a bit too tightly. What is Adrian doing having dinner with ire? he wondered, shaking his head. It felt like Adrian was always in the middle of everything, like a pesky fly buzzing around when you''re just trying to enjoy a nice meal. Alexander revved the engine andmet drove out of ire''s office parking lot, his mind racing with thoughts of the evening. He decided to head to the club, hoping to shake off his irritation. With a frustrated sigh, he decided to head to the club. Maybe a drink would help him forget about Adrian and ire. As he navigated through the city streets, his phone buzzed with an iing call from an unknown number. He hesitated for a moment, then decided to answer it anyway. After all, who knew? It could be important. "Hello?" he said, trying to keep his tone casual, but the tension in his voice betrayed him. "Alexander." The voice on the other end was familiar, sending a shiver down his spine. He''d heard it before. Alexander rolled his eyes, in irritation "udia Wright. What do you want? I''m not in the mood to talk right now." She chuckled softly, the sound dancing in his ears. "Oh, you remember my voice so well. I can tell you''ve missed me." "Not exactly," he shot back, but there was no real bite in his words. "What do you want, udia?" "Meet me at the club. I have something important to talk about," she said before the line went dead. "Great," Alexander muttered, staring at his phone as if it had betrayed him. "Just what I needed. What''s the use of a phone if not for talking." The drive was short, and in twenty intir minutes, he arrived at the club. The bass thumped through the walls, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. He pushed through the heavy doors and scanned the crowded space. The air was thick with alcohol and a hint of sweat, and the shing lights. made everything feel surreal. Just as he was starting to feel lost in the crowd, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around, and there she was-udia Wright, looking all too confident with a sly smile on her face. "Follow me," she said, her tonemanding. udia led him to the VIP section, where the music was muffled but still vibrated in his bones. She slid onto a plush couch, crossing her legs over one another and fixing him with an intense stare. "So, what do you want?" he asked, slipping into business mode. "I''m a little busy tonight." "Busy?" she repeated, tilting her head. "Just get to the point udia. You said you wanted to talk." Alexander catching ire and Adrian together turns his mood sour and he is not in the mood conversing with people. She leaned forward, her expression serious. "You have two options, Alex. You can negotiate with me or... marry me." Chapter 331 Negotiations Alexander''s jaw practically hit the floor, eyes wide as he tried to process what udia just said. "What?" he blurted, his voice a mix of shock and disbelief. udia just smirked, leaned back in her seat like she had all the time in the world, and repeated herself. "Negotiate with me... or marry me." The pounding beat of the club''s music made it hard to think, let alone hear, but somehow, her words cut through the noise crystal clear. Alexander blinked rapidly like that would help him make sense of the nonsense she was spouting. "Are you drunk?" he asked, leaning closer to her, eyes scanning her face for any signs of tipsiness. udia chuckled, a low, amused sound. She leaned forward, grabbed her ss, and took a slow, deliberate sip of her drink. "Not drunk, Alexander," she said, shaking her head with a smirk still ying on her lips. Alexander''s face twisted into a frown. He couldn''t believe this. "You''re crazy," he muttered, shaking his head. "I would never marry a woman like you." udia raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely curious, which threw him off for a second. "Oh?" she said, a little too casually. "And why is that?" Alexander snorted. "Because your options are insane!" He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Who even says stuff like that? Negotiate or marry? Seriously?" udia crossed her arms and leaned forward again, her voice lowering just enough that he could hear her clearly over the music. "Well, if you don''t want to negotiate, I could always go to the press. I''m sure the public would love to know all about Harris Company''s dirty little secrets." Alexander groaned internally. He already hated her, but this? This was pushing him to the edge. "Harrispany doesn''t have dirty secrets." Alexander sneers at her. However, udia throws him a smirk that makes Alexander annoyed. He nced around, hoping for a moment of rity, but no-here he was, stuck in this club, having the weirdest conversation of his life. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine," he muttered. "I''ll negotiate. Anything''s better than marrying you." udia''s eyes flickered with amusement as she leaned back, satisfied. "Good choice," she said smoothly, but Alexander could tell she was enjoying this way too much. As he tried to regain hisposure, he thought of ire, the woman who held his heart. No way was he going to let someone like udia get under his skin. He wasn''t marrying anyone unless it was ire. Sure, ire wasn''t his, not yet, but he had hope. He wasn''t giving up on her not until she was officially off the market. udia ced her drink on the table with a soft clink and tilted her head at him. "So, if we''re negotiating, let''s talk numbers," she said, getting straight to business. "I want 60% of the revenue." Alexander let out a sharp, disbelievingugh. "Are you serious right now? Did you just learn how business works?" he asked mockingly, throwing his hands up. "That''s not how this goes." udia''s smirk never faltered. "I know exactly how business works, Alexander. I''m just asking for what''s fair." "Fair?" Alexander scoffed, crossing his arms. "Lady, your father was lucky to get 30% from Harris. Without us, Solstice Vineyard would''ve crashed and burned a long time ago." udia''s smile faded, her eyes narrowing as her posture stiffened. "Watch your mouth," she said, her voice colder now. "Solstice Vineyard was known long before Harris came into the picture." "In France," Alexander shot back, cutting her off. He added a smug smirk just to twist the knife a little more. udia''s fingers curled into a fist, but she kept her cool-barely. He could tell hisment stung, even if she wouldn''t admit it. She knew he was right. Solstice Vineyard had a solid reputation in France, sure, but internationally? Not a chance. Harris Company had opened doors her father never could. Still, udia wasn''t about to give in that easily. "Our product speaks for itself," she snapped. "You and yourpany may have helped, but don''t pretend like you did all the work." Alexander shrugged, clearly enjoying himself now. "Hey, I''m just saying the truth. Without Harris backing you up, you''d be sitting in some French vineyard with no one outside Europe knowing your name." udia rolled her eyes, looking fed up. "This isn''t about the past, Alexander. It''s about the future." "Yeah, a future where you want 60% of the profits for doing what, exactly? Standing around looking pretty?" udia bristled, her eyes shing with anger. "I''m the one who''s been running the business since my father stepped down. I''ve expanded our operations, negotiated with distributors, and secured new markets. You think that''s just ''standing around looking pretty?"" Alexander leaned in, clearly enjoying getting under her skin. "Oh, so now you''re the business genius, huh?" udia gave him a withering look. "I didn''te here to be insulted, Alexander. I came to make a deal." "Well, maybe you shoulde with a better offer," he shot back, folding his arms across his chest. "Because 60%? That''sughable." udia took a deep breath, clearly trying to rein in her temper. "Fine. What do you think is fair, then?" Alexander leaned back, pleased that she was finally ready to talk sense. "We stick to the original deal. 30% for you, 70% for us." udia''s lips pressed into a thin line. "That''s not happening." "Then what''s the point of this negotiation?" Alexander said, throwi his hands up. "If you''re not willing to budge, we''re wasting each other''s time." udia leaned forward, her eyes sharp. "I''lle down to 40%." Alexander raised an eyebrow. "40%? Still too high." udia''s jaw clenched, but she didn''t back down. "It''s a fair offer and you know it. Solstice Vineyard is more valuable now than it was when our fathers made that original deal." Alexander pretended to consider it but really, he knew he had the upper hand. He sighed dramatically like he was making a huge concession he "35%. Final offer." udia let out a sarcasticugh. "35%? Are you joking? Mypany only gets another 5% after years? That doesn''t seem fair." Alexander leaned back in his chair and stared into her eyes. "Well, life is never fair." She huffed in annoyance as she crossed her arms over her chest. "40% end of discussion." Alexander and udia stared at each other eyes intensely. The loud music was the only thing that circled them. "37%." "40%." "38%. That''s myst offer." She shook her head. "Really? Are you that selfish for only a 2% profit?" said udia in disbelief. "2%, it''s still money. So are you going to take it or not?" "No way in hell I take a 38% profit. I flew from France to London to have justice for my father''s business and I won''t back down until I get what I want." "You are one tough rock, you know that. Fine, then 40%, end of discussion." He said with a firm tone, and udia''s lips curled into a smirk. "That''s what I want to hear." udia nodded, satisfied. "Good. Then we have a deal." Alexander shook his head. "You''re something else, you know that?" udia smiled, a slow, calcting smile that made him feel like he''d just fallen into some kind of trap. "Oh, Alexander, you have no idea." Chapter 332 Competing Metacortex Frank sat in his office; eyes glued to the screen for the fifth time in a row. The new Metacortex Robo-Bot release yed in front of him, and not once did his gaze waver. His face, locked in a serious expression, hadn''t changed since the start of the video. Frank was studying every movement, every detail. His brain was whirring, thinking, analyzing, and nning. He''d already talked to Robert about how to beat ire Peterson at her own game. They''d even thrown around the idea of building their own robot, though Venus AMD eventually decided to focus on electronic devices instead. With a heavy sigh, Frank paused the video and leaned back in his chair. How the hell did ire Peterson get the idea to build a robot, anyway? He scratched his chin, still staring at the frozen screen. Companies like theirs usually stick to the software side of things. That was their bread and butter. But herees ire, brave or maybe crazy-enough to step outside the norm. She didn''t just y it safe; she went all in. Frank had to give her credit for that. Still, it didn''t mean he was going to let her get ahead. Sure, Venus wasn''t building a robot, but electronic devices? They counted as robots... sort of, right? His train of thought was interrupted by the soft knock on the open door. The door to his office swung open, and his secretary poked her head in. "Mr. Frank, the meeting''s about to start." Frank blinked, snapping out of his robot-fueled daydreams. "Right. Thanks, Jennifer," he muttered, standing up. He straightened his tie, though he didn''t need to-Frank wasn''t the kind of guy to look disheveled, even when he was deep inpetition-fueled obsession. He walked down the hall, mind racing, and entered the meeting room. It was already packed with his most trusted team members. He took his seat at the head of the table, a position that made him feel more like a general prepping for battle than a tech CEO. "Morning, everyone," he greeted, a quick nod to each of them. "So, how many of you watched ire Peterson''s interview?" A few hands went up, but more people just shook their heads. Frank had expected that-some of his team didn''t have time to keep up with every little move Metacortex made, unlike him, who was borderline obsessed. "Well," Frank started, leaning forward, "in that interview, ire pretty much mocked us. She basically challenged Venus, like we''re just out here trying to replicate whatever Metacortex is doing." He paused for dramatic effect, letting the words sink in. "I want to make one thing clear: Venus doesn''t follow. We lead. And we''re going to prove that." The room was silent, all eyes on him. Frank could feel the anticipation, and for a brief moment, he reveled in it. Then he gestured to Robert, who was sitting to his right. "Robert and I have been discussing our next move. Robert, go ahead." Robert nodded and stood up, addressing the team. "As you all know, Metacortex has just released their Robo-bot. It''s their big push into the hardware market. We''ve decided to go in a different direction. We''ll focus on building cutting-edge electronic devices. That way, we stay true to our strengths without looking like we''re chasing after Metacortex''s shadow." There was a murmur of approval from the team, with people nodding and whispering among themselves. But then, one guy in the back-Bill, the kind of person who never hesitated to ask the tough questions-raised his hand. Frank sighed internally. Bill was always the one to stir the pot. "Go ahead, Bill," Frank said, leaning back in his chair. Bill stood up, his brow furrowed. "Why not just build a robot? If Metacortex can do it, why can''t we? We''re just as capable, right?" A few heads nodded in agreement. Frank noticed Robert''s jaw tighten slightly-Robert had been ready for this but still seemed to dread it. Robert cleared his throat. "We thought about that. Believe me, we did. But the timing isn''t right. If we roll out a robot now, right after Metacortex, it''ll look like we''re copying them. And that''s exactly what we don''t want. We''ve got our own brand to protect." Bill crossed his arms, unconvinced. "But isn''t that what people expect? For us topete directly?" Before Robert could answer, Frank cut in. "Actually, I''ve been thinking," he said slowly, rubbing his chin in a way that told Robert he was about to go rogue. "We might be able to... change direction." Robert blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Frank, what do you mean?" Frank leaned forward, his eyes glinting with excitement. "We''re going to build a robot." A ripple of shock spread through the room. Robert looked like someone had just pulled the rug out from under him. "What? We... we talked about this, Frank. Building a robot now would" "I know what we talked about," Frank interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. "But I''ve been thinking. If we wait too long, Metacortex will dominate the market. They''ll be the robotpany, and we''ll be seen as ying it safe. I don''t want Venus to be safe. I want us to be bold." "But Frank," Robert interjected, still trying to steer the ship, "if we rush into this, we might end up looking like we''re just reacting to them." Frank shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe we''ll show everyone that we can innovate on their turf and beat them at their own game. What''s the point of being in this business if we''re not willing to take some risks?" The room was still buzzing with whispers, but Frank could feel the momentum shifting. Some of the more cautious members of the team were starting toe around. Bill, for one, looked more excited than skeptical now. "Look," Frank said, standing up and pacing a bit. "Metacortex wants the world to think they''re leading the charge into the future. But we''re Venus AMD. We''ve been pushing boundaries long before ire Peterson even had a seat at the table. We can build a robot-our own robot, with our own vision-and we can do it better." "But we''ve already talked about it and I already gathered the team that will participate in this project." Robert pointed out, trying to steer the conversation back to sanity. "Look, I didn''t say that we will abandon electronic devices. We are just pushing it back and decided to focus on a more important matter. The robot. That''s the real showstopper. We''re gonna make something that''ll knock their socks off." At this point, the room was buzzing. People exchanged nervous nces, some excited, some uncertain. One guy, Dave, leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "Okay, Mr. Potter, but how exactly are we going to do that?" Frank grinned. "That''s the beauty of it. We''ve got resources, we''ve got brains, and most importantly, we''ve got a fire lit under us. ire Peterson doesn''t know what''sing." "But..." Robert tried again, still clinging to the idea of keeping things on track. "No buts, Robert," Frank said firmly. "We''re doing this. And we''re gonna do it fast. I want prototypes within four months. This is how we show the world that Venus AMD isn''t just another techpany. We''re innovators." Robert''s eyes widen as well as the others. "Four months? Are you serious Frank? No one could build a robot within four months." Frank eyes harden. "ire mentioned that her robot project of hers was abrupt and unexpected. I''m sure she and her team didn''t use much of their time and if ire can do it then can''t we? Keep it in mind that I pay all of you to work not to protest." The room fell silent, everyone digesting the bombshell Frank had just dropped. "The meeting is over and now let''s focus on the task at hand. It''s time to work people." Chapter 333 Another Skit Gretta could hardly believe the news. Lisa? On trial? What in the world had she gotten herself into now? Shaking her head, Gretta tried to make sense of it all. Lisa wasn''t the sharpest tool in the shed, and Gretta knew that. She was impulsive, clumsy, and often jumped into things without a second thought. But a trial? This was the next level of chaos, even for Lisa. Thest time they''d hatched a n together, things had gone sideways fast. They were supposed to hurt ire, theirmon enemy, in one of their borate, not-so-well-thought-out revenge schemes. But that had been weeks ago, and Gretta had taken a break from the whole ire drama. She''d needed toy low, gather more intel, and wait for the perfect time to strike. She wasn''t one to rush into things-unlike Lisa, who apparently had no chill whatsoever. "Honestly, Lisa, what the hell have you done now?" Gretta muttered under her breath, pacing her living room. "Is she trying to get herself killed?" With a huff, Gretta made up her mind. She had to go see Lisa and get to the bottom of this madness. Standing up from her plush velvet couch, she slipped into her signature all-ck outfit,plete with oversized sunsses and a wide-brimmed hat. She wasn''t about to let anyone recognize her-not with the image she had to uphold. She couldn''t have people thinking she was associating with someone like Lisa-especially not when Lisa was sitting in a jail cell. "Drop me at Rosewood Police Station," she told her chauffeur as she slid into the back of her sleek ck town car. The drive wasn''t long, but Gretta felt like she was losing precious brain cells just thinking about what Lisa might have done. How had things spiraled so far out of control? Within thirty minutes, they arrived. Gretta wasted no time, stepping out of the car and striding purposefully into the police station, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. She approached the front desk, where a bored-looking officer sat flipping through paperwork. "I need to see someone," she said, shing a tight smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes. The officer raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And who would that be?" "Lisa Thompson," Gretta replied smoothly, though her irritation was rising. This wasn''t exactly how she liked to spend her afternoon. The officer leaned back in his chair, eyeing her up and down. "What''s your rtion to her? And why do you need to see her?" Gretta''s fake smile faltered. This was getting tiresome. Without missing a beat, she leaned in closer, her fingers dipping into her designer handbag. Pulling out a crisp stack of bills, she slipped them across the desk, giving the officer a pointed look. His expression softened, and Gretta could see the twinkle of greed in his eyes. People were so predictable. Money really did make the world go ''round. "You''ve got fifteen minutes," the officer said, handing her a visitor''s card. "And don''t do anything stupid." "Wouldn''t dream of it," Gretta purred before turning on her heel and heading toward the visitation area. Another officer, this one standing guard by the door, inspected her card and buzzed her in. She found herself seated at one of the visitation booths, a thick pane of ss separating her from the prisoner on the other side. The whole setup felt incredibly surreal, like she''d stumbled into a bad crime movie. After a few moments, Lisa was escorted in, wrists cuffed and a sour look on her face. She plopped down on the seat across from Gretta, clearly not thrilled about the situation. Gretta picked up the phone on her side of the ss, leaning back in her seat with a rxed, almost casual posture. "Lisa," Gretta began, her voice calm and measured. "How are you holding up?" Lisa raised her eyebrows, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Well, well, well. Look who decided to show up. Didn''t think you''d be visiting me in this fine establishment." Gretta smiled, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "What can I say? I''m full of surprises. And besides, you''re still my friend We''ve been through a lot together, haven''t we? Especially when it Lisa''s smirk turned into a full grin, but it wasced with bitterness. "Still on the ire warpath, huh? I thought maybe you''d have changed your mind by now. Maybe even given up." "Give up?" Gretta shook her head, her expression serious now. "I''m not backing down until ire is ruined. You know that." Her voice was firm, like she was making a vow. "I promised myself I''d see this through." Lisa chuckled darkly, picking at a loose thread on her prison jumpsuit. "Yeah, well, I''m d one of us is stillmitted. I guess I got a little... ahead of myself." Gretta raised an eyebrow. "A little ahead of yourself? Lisa, you''re in jail." Lisa shrugged, a helpless look in her eyes. "I didn''t think it''d go this far. I was just trying to send ire a message, you know? But things got out of hand. The whole n....well, let''s just say it wasn''t exactly foolproof." Gretta sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples. "What did you do this time?" Lisa bit her lip, ncing around as if checking to make sure no one was listening. "I may have...kidnapped her. Long story short, I identally stab Alexander, and from there, things go haywire." Gretta blinked. "identally?" "Yes, I was supposed to stab that bitch to death but of course, the knight in shining armor, Alexander Harris have to step in and save his damsel in distress." "Wow, you really are an unlucky woman," Gretta said casually, and Lisa sighed. "What can I do? I''m hopeless. It was my only hope, and I thought everything might have gone well, my n, the scheme that I had made inside my head but turns out I was wrong. Getting close to ire is hard enough, especially with all of the people who are protecting her. I have no idea what ck magic she used to make those guys kiss her feet." She said with a hint of annoyance and irritation. Gretta leaned in closer to the phone in her hand. "So, what''s your n now?" Lisa shrugged cause she hadn''t thought about it, especially with this whole trial thing, it didn''t cross her mind what n she had in store. She leaned forward. "I honestly have no idea. I guess I try to be on my best behavior." "I don''t think being on your ''best behavior'' will let you out of prison that fast." Lisa narrowed her eyes, and a look of curiosity crossed his face. "What are you trying to say?" Gretta''s lips curl up into a smirk. "I have an idea. I want you to act crazy." Lisa frowned,pletely confused by the request. "Act crazy? Are you serious?" "Dead serious. Cause I have a n, and I have a feeling that this, will work." Gretta said with much confidence. "As long as you stick to the n and don''t do anything foolish." "You are much crazier than I am." Chapter 334 Deceive Him ire sat in her small, cluttered office, the soft ttering of her keyboard echoing through the quiet room. She had been working diligently all morning, her mind focused on finishing a report. But suddenly, her thoughts began to drift as she stared nkly at herputer screen. The memory of Adrian visiting herst night shed in her mind. He had shown up at her door,pletely unannounced, holding a bag of takeout from her favorite restaurant. "Thought you could use some dinner," he had said, offering a warm smile as he handed her the food. It was such a sweet gesture, one thatpletely caught her off guard. ire couldn''t help but feel touched. No one had ever done that for her before. Sure, she had friends, but this felt different-more personal. The way Adrian had looked at her, his eyes soft, his smile genuine-it made her heart skip a beat. Before she could dwell too much on it, her phone rang, snapping her out of her daydream. ire jumped a little, fumbling to grab the phone from her desk. "Hello?" she said, trying to sound professional, but her mind was still lingering on Adrian. It was herwyer. "ire, just wanted to update you the trial will continue tomorrow morning." ire let out a long sigh, her mood instantly dropping. "Great," she muttered sarcastically. "Well, let''s make sure we''re prepared, alright? I want this to be thest time we''re in court. I''ve had enough of these dys. My goal is to see Lisa get sentenced. I am done with all the back-and-forth." "I understand," herwyer replied. "I''ll make sure everything is ready. Hopefully, tomorrow will be ourst trial." ire nodded even though he couldn''t see her. "Thanks," she said before hanging up. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes drifting to the ceiling. Her mind wandered again, this time to Lisa. What was she doing now? Was she feeling as stressed as ire was? Did she even care about the trial? ire shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. She didn''t want to waste another second thinking about Lisa. But it was hard not to. Meanwhile, at Harris Company, Alexander sat in his sleek office, the tension in the air thick as ever. He was seated behind his massive, mahogany desk, staring down a familiar face across from him. udia Wright sat there with her usual easygoing smile, arms crossed confidently over her chest. Despite the rxed pose, there was an unmistakable glint in her eyes, one that told Alexander this was more than just a friendly visit. "What do you want now, udia?" Alexander asked, his patience already wearing thin. He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing at her. "We''ve already discussed the profits you''ll be getting. What more could you possibly want?" udia gave a slow shrug, still smiling. "Oh, I know we''ve talked about it," she said casually, "but we haven''t written anything down, have we? There''s no contract yet. No signatures." Alexander rolled his eyes, not bothering to hide his irritation. "A contract? Really? You could''ve called me. Told me over the phone, and I''d have had one drawn up. Hell, I could''ve emailed it with my signature on it. Whye all the way here?" udia shook her head, clearly enjoying this. "Oh no, darling. I prefer to do business in person." She reached into her bag and pulled out a neatly folded document, sliding it across the desk toward him. "I''ve already prepared the contract. All you need to do is sign it." Alexander eyed the paper with suspicion. "And why should I trust that you haven''t thrown in some sneaky loophole or two, huh? You''ve got a reputation for that." udia raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Alexander, please. Do you really think I''d pull something like that? All I''m asking for is my fair share-40%, just like we agreed." He picked up the document and flipped through the pages, taking his time to read every line. He wasn''t about to be fooled by her, not after everything they''d been through in the past. "I don''t care if we''re partners, I''ve got to be sure you didn''t add anything extra." udia huffed, rolling her eyes. "For heaven''s sake, Alexander. There''s nothing extra. No hidden tricks. I don''t need to y games. I just want what I''m owed. That''s all." Alexander nced up from the document, their eyes meeting in a silent standoff. There was a seriousness in both of their gazes, the kind that only came when both sides knew they were ying for keeps. Finally, Alexander sighed and grabbed the pen from his desk. "Fine," he muttered, signing his name with a quick flick of the wrist. "But don''t pull any stupid stuff, udia. I mean it." udia smirked, suppressing the full grin that threatened to spread across her face. She stood up, taking the signed contract and slipping it into her bag. "Oh,e on, Alexander. When have I ever pulled stupid stuff?" She shed him a smile that said more than words ever could. Alexander just gave her a look, one that said he wasn''t buying her innocent act for a second. "Just... don''t." udia chuckled softly, her heels clicking against the floor as she made her way to the door. "Thanks for the cooperation, Alexander. I knew you''de around. You know I think we should have a celebratory dinner to celebrate this sessful business deal." Alexander still has that frown on his face. "Being in your presence is already suffocating enough don''t suggest any more ideas." She chuckled lightly. "I was just being a good business partner. After all ourpany has worked together for years." "Just...go, udia. I have a lot of work to do." ""Au revoir." He watched her leave, his gut still telling him that trusting udia was never a good idea, but the deal was done. For now, at least, it seemed like they were on the same page. He just hoped she wouldn''te back asking for more. As the door closed behind her, Alexander sat back in his chair, rubbing his temples. He knew better than to think things with udia would ever be simple. Nothing about their business rtionship had been simple from the start. But at least, for the time being, the contract was signed, and he could move on to the next headache on his list. And knowing udia, there would be another one soon enough. udia slid into the back seat of her Rolls Royce, the soft leather weing her like an old friend. She tossed the freshly signed contract next to her seat and let out a small, satisfied smirk. Her fingers drummed lightly on her thighs as she leaned back, her eyes sparkling with victory. "That was too easy," she muttered to herself, still feeling the thrill of the moment. She could hardly believe how smoothly everything had gone. Alexander was even more gullible than she thought. "Driver, take me Harrods." "Of course, miss." "I deserve to have some fun before starting the n," she muttered to herself as she poured a ss of champagne. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 335 Hospital Again The next morning, ire was pacing around her room, getting ready to head to court. She was feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. This could finally be the day Lisa gets what she deserves. As she was zipping up her bag, her phone rang. It was Matthew. "Hey, I heard you''re going to court today," Matthew said the moment ire picked up. ire nodded, even though he couldn''t see her, and said, "Yep, heading there now. Hopefully, it''ll be thest time. This trial has been dragging on forever, and Lisa should finally be put in jail." Matthew sighed at the other end. "Why didn''t you tell me? I could''vee with you or something." ire smiled, knowing Matthew meant well but wasn''t exactly the best support in stressful situations. "I didn''t want to bother you with it. Plus, while I''m gone, I need you to take care of that meeting I have at 9 AM." Matthew groaned dramatically. "Ugh, meetings. Why do you do this to me, ire?" She could practically see his face scrunched up in irritation, and she couldn''t help butugh. "You''ve gotta get used to it, Matthew. One day, who knows, you might be the one running thispany if I''m not around anymore." She said it with a teasing tone, but Matthew didn''t like it one bit. "Don''t say weird stuff like that!" he protested, sounding genuinely ufortable. ire chuckled. "Rx, I''m just joking. Anyway, I have to get going now. I''ll call youter with the good news." "Yeah, let me know how it goes. Good luck, ire," Matthew said, his voice softening a bit. "Thanks, I''ll need it," she replied before hanging up the call. With that, ire headed downstairs to the lobby and slid into the backseat of her car. She felt good about today like things might finally got her way. Maybe, just maybe, Lisa would get sentenced for years-or, if ire had her way, for a lifetime. That thought made her feel a little lighter. The ride to the courthouse took about 30 minutes, and when she arrived, herwyer, Mr. David, was already waiting for her in the lobby. "Morning, ire," he greeted her with a firm handshake. "You ready for today?" "Ready as I''ll ever be," ire replied with a small smile. They walked inside together, heading towards the courtroom. As they walked, Mr. David nced at her and said, "You''ll be testifying today. Remember, ire, you need to tell the whole truth. Don''t hold back on any details. This could be the final push we need to win this." "I know," ire nodded. "I''ll tell them everything." They walked in and took their seats. A few momentster, the judge entered, and everyone stood up as he took his ce at the front. ire scanned the room, her brow furrowing when she noticed something or rather, someone-missing. She leaned over and whispered to herwyer, "Where''s Lisa? She''s supposed to be here." Mr. David looked over to the defense table, frowning. "That''s odd. She''s required to be here. Maybe she''s sick or something?" ire rolled her eyes, her annoyance barely contained. "ssic Lisa," she muttered under her breath. "Always pulling some kind of stunt. Sick, my ass." The trial kicked off, and after some initial formalities, t was time for ire to take the stand. She walked up, took the oath, and sat down, her hands gripping the edges of the chair. She took a deep breath, steadying herself as she faced the courtroom. Mr. David approached and gave her a nod of encouragement. "ire, can you tell the court about your history with Lisa?" ire cleared her throat and began. "It all started when Lisa had an affair with my ex-husband. They were going to get married, but I warned him about her-about all her lies and maniption. Eventually, he called off the wedding. That''s when Lisa starteding after me She nced at the jury, who were listening intently. "At first, it was small things. She''d send me nasty messages or spread rumors about me. But then it got worse. Much worse." "Can you exin what you mean by ''worse''?" Mr. David asked. ire nodded. "Lisa started stalking me. She would show up at my house, at my work. Once, she even tried to drive me off the road. I lost count of how many times she tried to hurt me. And it wasn''t just ed physical-she tried to ruin my reputation too. She spread lies about me, and when that didn''t work, she drugged me." There were gasps from the audience. ire paused, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Drugged you?" Mr. David asked, his voice calm but firm. "Yes, she didn''t stop. A few monthster, she tried to kill me. She... she kidnapped me, took me to some remote cabin, and tried to kill me again" her voice firm and determined. No hesitation can be sensed in her voice. The room wentpletely silent. Even the judge seemed frozen for a moment. "She said she was going to end it once and for all. She had a knife, and I honestly thought I was going to die. But I managed to escape with the help of my friends." Mr. David stepped back slightly. "Thank you, ire. I know this is difficult for you to relive, but your testimony is crucial." ire nodded and looked over at the empty seat where Lisa should''ve been. The fact that Lisa wasn''t even here to face her made her blood boil. But she wasn''t going to let Lisa''s absence stop her from telling the truth. The judge, an older man with graying hair and a stern look, ??? nodded toward ire Peterson as she stepped down from the witness stand. "Thank you for your testimony, Ms. Peterson," he said, his voice firm but polite. ire, feeling a surge of confidence, gave a slight nod in return. She walked back to her seat, ncing over at the defense table where Lisa his voice Thompson''swyer sat, looking a bit out of sorts. The judge shifted his attention to him and said, "Your turn, Mr. Ronald. Time to dispute Miss Peterson''s testimony and make your case for Ms. Thompson''s innocence." ire couldn''t help but raise her eyebrows as she watched Lisa''swyer, who looked about asfortable as a fish out of water. Just Mr. Ronald, looking like he''d rather be anywhere else but there. He stood, tugging at the cor of his shirt nervously, and stepped forward to address the court. ire leaned back in her seat, a small smile ying on her lips. Oh, this was going to be good. She could sense it. Lisa''swyer looked like he was about to pass out, and ire had a gut feeling this day was going to end in her favor. "Uh, your honor," Mr. Ronald began, his voice shaky, "My client, Miss Thompson, uh, should be found not guilty because, um, the testimony provided by Miss Peterson is, uh, clearly unreliable." ire stifled augh. Clearly? He didn''t sound sure of anything. She nced over at the judge, who was sitting there with one of those expressions that said, "I''ve heard this before, and I don''t believe a word of it." When Mr. Ronald finally finished his pitiful defense, the courtroom was dead silent for a moment. The judge cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Well, thank you, Mr. Davidson. I''ll make my decision now." ire sat up straighter in her seat, heart pounding with anticipation. A court clerk rushed over, leaning down to whisper something in the judge''s ear. ire frowned. What now? The judge''s face tightened as he listened, his hand still hovering over the gavel. "Before I render my verdict," he said, his voice noticeably more tense, "I''ve just been informed that Ms. Thompson has been admitted to the hospital. She apparently... attempted to harm herself." Chapter 336 Protocol A ripple of gasps spread through the courtroom. Whispers filled the room, and people exchanged shocked nces. ire, however, didn''t gasp. She didn''t even blink. Instead, her frown deepened, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?" ire muttered under her breath. She looked around at the others, who seemed so shocked by the news. Why wasn''t anyone else seeing through this? It was so obvious to her. The judge raised a hand, signaling for silence in the room. "Given this new development," he said, his tone heavy with reluctance, "I''ll have to postpone my decision until we have more information on Miss Thompson''s condition." ire''s jaw clenched in frustration. Postpone? Postpone? This was supposed to be over today! She could feel the victory slipping through her fingers. Her fists tightened, and she shot up from her seat, her body practically vibrating with anger. "Your Honor, this is not fair!" she tried to protest, her voice sharp and pointed as she locked eyes with the judge. The judge, however, didn''t flinch. "Ms. Peterson, my decision will be made once we have more information regarding Ms. Lisa Thompson''s recent incident," he said firmly, cutting off any further argument from her. ire''s face twisted in disbelief. More information? What kind of game was Lisa ying now? What incident? The woman was always pulling something, and ire was just about done with it. She clenched her jaw again, every muscle in her face tightening. Lisa had somehow managed to drag this thing out again, and it made ire''s blood boil. How long could this circus continue? Was Lisa trying to run out the clock on her life or something? As the judge stood up and left, the tension in ire''s body reached a breaking point. She could barely keep herself together, every fiber of her being screaming in frustration. She watched the courtroom clear out, her hands fisting at her sides as she struggled to suppress the urge to scream. "ire," David, herwyer, said softly beside her. "Calm down. We''ll handle it." ire shot him a look so fierce it could''ve melted steel. "Calm down? Calm down? Lisa just managed to wiggle her way out of this again, David! She''s ying some kind of twisted game, and I''m not going to sit around while she keeps getting away with it!" David held up his hands in a cating gesture, taking a step back from her fury. "I know, but-" "But nothing," ire cut him off, snatching up her bag. "I have no idea what Lisa is nning, but whatever it is, I''m going to find out. I''m not waiting around for her next move." Before David could respond, ire was already storming out of the courtroom. She practically flew down the courthouse steps, her mind racing. She needed to know what Lisa was up to. Now. Once she reached the car, she slid into the backseat, mming the door shut. Without wasting a second, she pulled out her phone and dialed her private investigator. "Find Lisa Thompson," she barked into the phone the moment her PI picked up. There was a pause on the other end. "Already on it," he replied smoothly, clearly ustomed to ire''s no-nonsense demeanor. "She''s at Center Hospital." ire''s heart skipped a beat. Hospital? She clenched the phone tighter. "She really hurting herself again?" "Do you want me to find out what she is doing?" the PI said. "Don''t bother. I''ll handle it myself," ire said, ending the call without a second thought. "Drive me to Center Hospital," she ordered the driver. She leaned back in her seat, her mind buzzing with questions. What was Lisa doing at the hospital? Was she faking something to buy more time? That woman was always pulling something new. ire could almost admire the effort if it weren''t so infuriating. Her phone buzzed in her hand, and she nced down at the screen. It was Matthew, her brother. She sighed and answered the call, her voice t. "What''s up, Matt?" "How''s the trial going?" he asked. "It''s a mess," ire said, rubbing her forehead. "Worse than a mess, actually." Matthew frowned on the other end. "What happened?" ire sighed deeply. "I''ll exinter. Right now, I''m not in the mood to go over it again." Matthew knew better than to push. "Okay. We''ll talkter then. Just... hang in there, alright?" "I''ll try," ire muttered before hanging up. She shoved the phone back into her bag and closed her eyes, trying to calm the storm inside her. The drive felt like it was taking forever every minute ticking by adding to her frustration. When they finally pulled up to the hospital, ire practically jumped out of the car before it even fully stopped. She marched into the hospital lobby, heading straight for the receptionist. "I need to see Lisa Thompson. Which room is she in?" she demanded, not wasting any time. The nurse behind the desk blinked, clearly caught off guard by ire''s directness. "Uh, who are you in rtion to the patient?" she asked, her voice unsure. ire could feel her patience rapidly evaporating. "I''m here on important legal business regarding a trial," she said, her voice sharp as a knife. The nurse visibly flinched at ire''s tone, quickly checking the records. "Room 304, third floor," she said in a small voice. ire muttered a quick, "Thanks," and headed for the elevator without a backward nce. She didn''t have time for niceties. Not today. As the elevator doors closed, ire''s mind raced with possibilities. What was Lisa''s angle this time? Was she really sick, or was this just another one of her stunts to dy the trial? Whatever it was, ire was going to find out. One way or another, this was going to end. The elevator dinged, and ire stepped out onto the third floor, her heels clicking sharply against the tile floor. She spotted room 304 right away, thanks to the two stern-faced officers guarding the door like a couple of bulldogs. Great, she thought, just what I need. As she approached, her heels clicking on the linoleum, one of the officers stepped forward, hand raised to stop her. "Hold up, ma''am. Who are you, and what''s your business here?" ire shed a polite but tight-lipped smile. "I''m ire Peterson," she said, trying to sound calm and collected, though inside she was anything but. "I''m the victim in Lisa Thompson''s case. I''m here because I want to talk to her need I to know why she didn''t show up in court today." She took a small step forward, testing the waters. The officer didn''t budge. In fact, he stepped in closer, blocking her path like a human wall. "I''m sorry, ma''am. No visitors allowed." ire frowned. I''m not here to bust her out, for God''s sake. I just need to talk to her for a minute." The officer, a tall guy with a buzz cut that screamed ''by the book,'' shook his head. "It''s protocol. No exceptions." "Protocol?" ire repeated, her voice dripping with frustration. The officer shrugged, clearly used to these kinds ofints. "I don''t make the rules, ma''am. I just enforce ''em." ire could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. She wasn''t exactly a hothead, but this situation was pushing her patience to the edge. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool. "Fine." She turned on her heel and walked away, her footsteps echoing in the hallway, each one louder than thest as her irritation grew. How could they just refuse to let her talk to Lisa? After everything that woman had put her through, ire thought she at least deserved that much. As she reached the end of the hallway, ire nced back at the officers, still standing there like sentinels, and muttered under her breath, "Protocol my ass." Chapter 337 Deal with Claudia ire stormed back into her office like a hurricane, her heels cking furiously against the floor. The door swung open, and she tossed her bag onto the couch with a dramatic ir. The poor couch groaned under the weight, but not as much as Matthew, who sat at her desk,pletely startled. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of ire, who was clearly having a ''day.'' "Whoa, what''s going on?" he asked, eyebrows shooting up in surprise. He had never seen her this worked up before. ire didn''t even sit down. Nope, sitting was not happening today. Instead, she nted her hands on her hips like she was ready to take on the world-well, at least one very annoying world-and started pacing. Back and forth, back and forth. Her face was a mix of frustration and anger, and honestly, Matthew wasn''t sure if she was going to explode or just keep pacing holes in the floor. "ire?" Matthew stood up, trying to make sense of it all, his voice more confused now than worried. "What happened?" He stepped closer, cautious as if she were a ticking time bomb. ire stopped dead in her tracks, right in front of him, her eyes locking onto his. The look she gave him made him flinch like he''d just stepped on a Lego. It was that intense. "Is this...about the trial?" Matthew ventured, throwing out a wild guess. Given the look on her face, he was pretty sure he hit the nail on the head. ire let out a groan of pure frustration, loud enough that it could''ve shattered ss. "It''s all a mess!" she practically yelled, throwing her hands up in the air like she was surrendering to the chaos of it all. Matthew frowned. "Okay, what exactly happened?" He could feel his stomach knotting up; if ire was this upset, things were definitely not good. ire wasted no time diving into her story, her words tumbling out in a rush. "So, I gave my testimony in court today, right? Everything was going as nned. And then it was supposed to be Lisa''s turn-herwyer was all ready to deny everything, as usual." ire rolled her eyes so hard, that Matthew was surprised they didn''t get stuck. "But right before the judge was about to make a decision, the court clerk ran up to him and whispered something." "Uh-huh..." Matthew nodded along, his eyes wide with curiosity. "And?" ire crossed her arms, clearly annoyed just recalling it. "Turns out the clerk had some news about Lisa." Matthew raised an eyebrow. "What kind of news?" ire sighed, clearly exhausted. "She''s in the hospital. Apparently, she tried to hurt herself." Matthew''s jaw dropped. "Again?" "Again," ire confirmed with a nod, her frustration bubbling just below the surface. "I don''t know how she does it, but it''s like she always has a n to avoid facing the consequences. She knows she''s going to end up in jail, so this... this is her way out." Matthew blinked, still trying to process everything. "Wait, so what happens now? Does this dy everything?" ire threw herself onto the couch, sinking into the cushions with a deep, tired sigh. "Well, after I found out about her little trip to the hospital, I went straight there to confront her. I needed to see her face. But guess what?" Matthew shook his head, feeling like he was about to be hit with another bombshell. "What?" "Her room was being watched." ire clenched her fists, clearly still furious about it. "There was an officer standing right outside her door, and no matter what I said, they wouldn''t let me in. I told them I was the victim, that I had every right to speak to her, but nope. Nada. Couldn''t get anywhere near her." Matthew was in disbelief. "You''re kidding me, right?" "I wish," ire muttered, rubbing her temples as if she could somehow massage the stress away. "It''s like she''s ying this whole thing like a game. She''s sitting there in the hospital, knowing she''s out of reach. It''s infuriating." Matthew walked over to the couch and sat down beside her, leaning back with a sigh of his own. "So... what do we do now?" ire shrugged, looking as lost as he felt. "I don''t know. I honestly don''t know. We didn''t expect any of this to happen, and now it''s all a big mess. I mean, she can''t stay in the hospital forever, right?" Matthew nced over at her, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "I don''t know, ire. You''d be surprised. If anyone can drag out a hospital stay, it''s Lisa." ire groaned again, this time softer, as if she''d used up all her energy being mad. "You know what? I wouldn''t even be shocked at this point. Nothing shocks me anymore when ites to her." They both sat there in silence for a moment, letting the weight of the situation sink in. ire stared at the ceiling like it held the answers, while Matthew picked at a loose thread on the couch cushion. Finally, ire broke the silence. "I guess we just wait and see what happens next. I mean, what else can we do? The system is going to drag this out as long as it can, and Lisa''s just going to keep ying her games." Matthew nodded. "Yeah, but you know this isn''t over. She can''t avoid it forever." ire leaned her head back against the couch and closed her eyes. "I know. But right now, it feels like forever." ire mmed herptop shut for a moment, frustrated. She leaned back in her chair and ran a hand through her hair. Her office was quiet, buther mind was a mess. Lisa. The case. All the months of work. It felt like everything was slipping through her fingers and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She let out a long, irritated groan and tried to shake the thoughts away. "Come on, ire. Focus," she muttered to herself, sitting up straight and cracking her knuckles before going back to herputer. But no matter how hard she tried to push the thoughts of Lisa aside, they kept creeping back into her head like an annoying song stuck on repeat. Then, like a lightbulb shing above her head, she suddenly remembered something. She grabbed her phone from the desk and quickly scrolled through her contacts, finding Alexander''s name. Without wasting another second, she hit the dial button. It rang twice before he picked up. "Hello? ire? Can I help you with something?" Alexander''s voice came through. ire didn''t waste time with small talk. She switched to her business tone, the one that made everyone in the room sit up a little straighter. "Alexander, have you talked to that udia yet? I mean, about letting the public know who she is? checked social media, and people are still buzzing about this mystery woman.'' It''s all over the ce. You said you''d handle it." There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then she heard Alexander sigh. "Yeah, I''ll handle it. Don''t worry. I''ll get back to you, alright?" Before ire could say anything else, the line went dead. She blinked at the phone, her brow furrowed. It was rare that someone hung up on her. Usually, she was the one calling the shots, especially when it came to cutting conversations short. She stared at the screen for a moment, then shrugged it off and went back to her typing. Whatever. Alexander could deal with it, but he better do it soon. Meanwhile, Alexander leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. Of course, ire had to remind him about the whole thing with udia. He picked up his phone and dialed her number, but it went straight to voicemail. "Of course it does," he muttered under his breath. He tried again. Same thing. Voicemail. With a heavy sigh, he quickly typed out a text. "Hey, udia. Need to talk. Call me back ASAP. We need to clear up your appearance at the press release." He hit send and tossed the phone onto his desk, running a hand down his face. He muttered to himself, "Now she''s acting like she''s too important to be reached. What does she want? A red carpet or something?" Chapter 338 Public Statement udia checked her phone after the battery died, only to find five missed calls and a string of texts from Alexander. A smirk tugged at her lips. "He just can''t stay away, can he?" she muttered to herself. Without hesitation, she called him back. He picked up on the first ring, and before she could say anything, Alexander''s voice cut through-sharp, serious. "You need to make a public statement, udia," he said, not even bothering with a hello. "My business partner is concerned. Thest thing we need is rumors swirling around your sudden reappearance. It''s bad for the new projectunch and definitely bad for the new hotel in Vegas." udia sat on her bed, her gaze drifting to her freshly manicured nails as Alexander kept talking. His voice droned on about the importance of timing, image, and the agreement they''de to. "I already agreed to your ridiculous profit demand," Alexander pressed. "Now it''s your turn to follow through. rify everything." udia''s lips curled into a yful grin, and she let out a small chuckle. "Oh, I''ll do it," she said, her tone light and teasing, "but only if you have dinner with me." There was a brief pause. Then came Alexander''s exasperated reply, "Are you out of your mind? This is a simple request, and you''re making itplicated!" Sheughed, her voice lilting. "Nothing''s free in this world, Alex." He hissed through his teeth, frustration evident. "Fine. Just-fine. Text me the details." udia''s smirk grew. "I''ll let you know where. Be ready." Before he could respond, she hung up. Alexander stared at the phone for a moment, his brow furrowed in disbelief. "Why can''t anything with her be easy?" he muttered to himself, sighing as he resigned himself to the inevitable. Two days. He had barely gone two days without seeing her, and here he was, about to meet her again. The French restaurant was dimly lit, the kind of ce where the waitstaff spoke in low tones and everything felt refined, almost too perfect. Alexander walked in, feeling out of ce in his business-casual attire. A waitress greeted him with a smile. "Do you have a reservation, sir?" "I''m here to see udia Wright," he replied, his tone formal. The waitress''s smile widened knowingly. "Ah, yes. Right this way." She led him to a table tucked away in the back, far from prying eyes and ears. udia was already there, sipping on a ss of red wine, her eyes glinting with mischief when theynded on him. "Well, well, look who actually showed up," she teased, setting her ss down. "Didn''t think you''de." Alexander rolled his eyes, sitting down across from her. "Let''s just get this over with. I don''t n on staying long." "Why so dramatic?" udia asked, her tone dripping with amusement. "I barely caused a mess. Your friend is the one overreacting." Alexander shot her a sharp look. "A mess? You''ve caused a PR nightmare, udia. People are talking." She waved her hand dismissively. "People always talk. What''s new?" He leaned forward, his expression hard. "This is different. You disappeared for months without a word and then just popped up like nothing happened. Everyone''s wondering why." udia arched an eyebrow. "Isn''t that part of my charm? The mystery? The allure?" Alexander groaned, rubbing his temples. "No, udia, it''s not charming. It''s reckless. My business partner doesn''t want any drama rted to this project." She smirked, swirling the wine in her ss. "Drama, huh? You make it sound so serious." "It is serious!" he snapped, his voice rising slightly before he caught himself. He took a breath, lowering his tone. "Look, you know how these things work. One rumor spreads, and suddenly everything we''ve worked for is at risk." udia leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "And here I thought you liked a bit of risk, Alexander. Like what you did with my father." Alexander rolled his eyes. "You can stop mentioning that. I have already agreed with your request and the way you said it, makes it look like I kill your father." udia tilted her head, a sly grin ying on her lips. "Well, I''ll make it easy for you this time. I''ll handle the statement, calm the waters-whatever you need. But..." Her grin widened. "You owe me more than just dinner after this." Alexander''s patience was wearing thin, but he forced himself to remain calm. "What do you want now, udia?" She tapped her chin thoughtfully, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Hmm... I''ll let you know when I think of something." He shook his head. His face looked annoyed. "Not a chance. I am not doing anything you tell me too. I have done my job and now it''s your turn." udia leaned back in her seat and a mischievous smile appeared on her lips. "How about we have dinner while talking about this matter? Maybe we can reach another agreement." Alexander narrowed his eyes to udia and leaned back in his chair. "Fine," he said with a sigh, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. udia raised her hand to signal the waiter. She began speaking in rapid French, ordering an borate meal with a nodded enthusiastically, scribbling down her requests before hurrying off. confident ir. The waiter Turning back to Alexander, she shed a mischievous smile. "Hope you don''t mind, I ordered for you," she said, her eyes twinkling. He smirked. "Well, it''s not like protesting would make a difference since you''ve already ced the order," he replied sarcastically. udia chuckled. "Always so agreeable," she teased. Alexander leaned forward, casually grabbing her ss of wine. He took a slow sip, keeping his gaze locked on hers While we wait for this surprise feast, maybe we should talk, he suggested, setting the ss back down. She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what should we talk about?" she asked, leaning back with an air of nonchnce. He shrugged. "Maybe you could enlighten me on why you decided to ruin ire''s press release," he said, his toneced with usation. udia''s eyes widened in feigned surprise. "Ruin? I didn''t ruin anything," she retorted. "I was merely there to give you a warning." Alexander chuckled, shaking his head. "If you wanted to warn me, you could''vee to my office instead of turning the event into a circus," he pointed out. She waved a dismissive hand. "I don''t know where your office is. Besides, have nothing against ire. She''s hardly on my radar et she said, inspecting her perfectly manicured nails. "I was there for you." His lips curled into a sly smile. "Is that so?" he mused. Noticing his grin, udia frowned. "What''s with the smile?" she demanded. Without a word, Alexander stood up and pulled out his phone. He held it up, revealing a recording of their conversation. udia''s jaw dropped. ??? ? figured you''d try to dodge the issue, so I came prepared," he said smugly. "Can''t let you interfere with my ns anymore." "You can''t use that against me!" she eximed, a mix of anger and panic shing across her face. He shrugged nonchntly. "Watch me," he replied. "Thanks for the lovely dinner, but I have to go." He turned and began making his way toward the exit. "Wait! Alexander!" udia called out, scrambling to her feet. She hurried after him, but her heel caught on the rug, causing her to stumble. Just then, the waiter reappeared, bncing a trayden with dishes. She collided with him, and the contents of the tray went flying. Pasta, sauce, and sd sttered all over her designer dress. She let out a shriek. "You clumsy fool!" she yelled at the waiter. "I''m so sorry, ma''am!" the waiter stammered, his face turning red. "Let me help you." "Get away from me!" she snapped, pushing his hands aside. "Do you have any idea how much this dress costs?" Alexander paused at the doorway, ncing back just long enough to see the spectacle. A satisfied grin spread across his face before he slipped out into the night. udia red daggers at the waiter. "I will make sure you get fired for this!" she hissed. "Please, ma''am, it was an ident," he pleaded, picking up the fallen dishes. She scoffed, grabbing her purse. "Unbelievable." Ignoring the curious stares of other diners, she stormed out of the restaurant. Outside, the cold night air hit her, and she looked around frantically. Alexander''s car was nowhere in sight. "Ugh! That insufferable man!" she muttered, hugging herself against the chill. Chapter 339 Taking Her Down The next morning, Alexander Harris was on a mission. He didn''t want to risk giving ire Peterson a heads-up, thinking she might avoid him if she knew he wasing. So, he headed straight to her office, walking with purpose like a man on a secret quest. When he arrived, Sandra, ire''s friendly but sharp-eyed secretary, gave him a polite smile. "Good morning, Mr. Harris. Are you here to see Ms. Peterson?" Alexander nodded, and Sandra clicked a few keys on herputer. "Ms. Peterson hasn''t arrived yet. She''s usually having breakfast around this time." Alexander nced at his wristwatch. It was 9 a.m. sharp. "She''s not here yet?" Sandra smiled, almost knowingly. "Oh, Ms. Peterson likes to start her mornings with a nice long breakfast." Of course, she does, Alexander thought. "I''ll wait," he said with a nod, trying to keep his cool. Sandra gestured toward ire''s office door, giving him permission to head inside. Alexander walked in, taking a seat on the leather couch in the corner. ire''s office was pristine, just like the woman herself-everything in its ce, not a single paper out of line. It was the kind of room that almost dared you to make a mess. But snooping around wasn''t his style-well, not when it came to ire. So, after a few minutes of awkwardly looking around the room, he pulled out his phone and started ying a game to kill time. Thirty minutes passed. ire still hadn''t shown up, and Alexander was getting restless, bouncing between frustration and wondering if this entire visit was a bad idea. Finally, the door swung open with a soft click, and in walked ire Peterson, looking surprised to see him lounging on her couch like he owned the ce. She paused mid-step, her perfectly manicured hand still on the door handle. "Alexander?" she asked, frowning. "What are you doing here?" She wasn''t pleased, but Alexander had expected that. He stood up, slipped his phone back into his pocket, and smoothed down his suit. "I need to talk to you." ire raised a perfectly arched brow, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? And you couldn''t have just called?" "Let''s just say it''s not a conversation over the phone." ire crossed her arms, tapping her foot as if she had somewhere better to be. "Well, you''ve got my attention. What is it?" Without wasting any time, Alexander reached for his phone, scrolling through his recent recordings. He found the one fromst night and hit y. A voice-feminine, smooth, and eerily familiar-came through the speaker. ire''s frown deepened. She cocked her head, listening carefully. "Who is that?" she asked, her tone sharp, but there was a hint of unease creeping in. Alexander paused the recording and looked at her, waiting for the moment to hit. "That," he said slowly, "is udia Wright." For a second, ire''s expression was unreadable, like she was trying to put the pieces together. Then, her eyes narrowed. "udia? As in the udia Wright?" "The one and only." ire scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, this has to be some kind of joke. Why are you ying me a recording of her?" Alexander sighed, putting the phone down but keeping it in his hand. "I know you wanted the whole udia situation to be over with, and trust me, so do I. You wanted her to rify what happened during that disastrous press release" "Disastrous is an understatement," ire muttered, folding her arms. "and I tried. Butst night, udia wasn''t exactly... cooperative. Instead of helping, she started asking me to do things I''m definitely notfortable with. This was the only thing could think of, ire." He gestured toward the phone, giving her a look that said he was just as frustrated as she was. "I recorded the conversation." ire frowned and motioned to his phone. "y it again." Alexander did as she asked, and once again, udia''s voice rang through the room. This time, ire listened more intently, her brow furrowing at the mention of a 40% profit. As the recording went on, she straightened up, her eyes widening slightly at udia''sment about having no business with ire, but with Alexander himself. The recording ended, and ire crossed her arms over her chest, her face twisting into a thoughtful scowl. "So, udia''s had a beef with you from the start, huh?" ire asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow at Alexander. "And what''s this about 40%? What are you two talking about?" Alexander shifted awkwardly, scratching the back of his head, avoiding her gaze. "Uh... well, it''s not really important." "Not important?" ire shot him a narrow-eyed re. "You just yed me a recording where she''s talking about some deal with you, and suddenly 40% of something is very much a thing. Spill it, Alexander." He shifted again, clearing his throat. "Look, it''splicated, alright? But let''s not focus on that. The point is, udia doesn''t want to rify anything, so we might as well upload this instead." ire stared at him, her lips pursed. She let his deflection slide for now. She had bigger things to worry about. Uploading a voice recording of udia without her consent was risky, but ire had to admit, her patience was wearing thin. They needed damage control, and fast. "Why wouldn''t she just clear the air?" ire asked, more to herself than to Alexander, but he answered anyway. "Because she''s stubborn. udia never does anything unless there''s something in it for her. That''s just who she is." ire''s eyes narrowed even further, her brain working overtime as she tried to piece together the situation. "What does she want in return?" Alexander shrugged. "Who knows? It could be anything. Probably something ridiculous and over the top. She''s also... well, needy." "Needy?" ire raised an eyebrow, amused for a split second. "You make her sound like a puppy." Alexander scoffed. "Trust me, she''s no puppy." ire sat there, chewing on the inside of her cheek, clearly mulling something over. She then stood up and moved to the couch, sitting down with a sigh as she rested her elbows on her thighs. "Okay, so what business are you two involved in?" "Wine," Alexander said with a half-hearted wave of his hand. ire blinked. "Wine? You and udia are in the wine business together? That''s what this is about?" "Not exactly wine business. My father was the one who invested in her family business. Long story short, I took over thepany and had no idea about her wine and udia also took over her parent''s business. But I have solved her request, so you don''t need to worry about it." "Okay, so what are our options here?" Alexander looked at her, his expression resigned. "We could just use the recording. It''s not ideal, but if she refuses to cooperate, this is our best shot at showing the public what''s really going on." ire thought about it for a moment, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the arm of the couch. "We could use it, but it could also blow up in our faces if udia gets wind of it. She''s not the kind of person who lets things slide." Alexander nodded, fidgeting slightly. "True, but we don''t have much else to work with. ire bit her lip, deep in thought. After a long pause, she let out a frustrated sigh. "Alright, we''ll use the voice recording... for now. But I want you to try talking to udia again. See if you can get her to change her mind." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 340 Keeping Her Words Alexander dropped into his office chair with a sigh, still feeling the weight of his conversation with ire hanging over him like an overcast sky. He wasn''t entirely thrilled about the situation, but duty called. ire wanted him to reach out to udia again, and like it or not, he''d have toply. With a quick nce at the clock, he picked up the phone and dialed udia''s number. To his surprise, it only rang once before her voice came through. "Finally!" udia''s voice snapped over the line before he could even get a greeting out. "I''ve been waiting for you to call. Delete it, Alexander. Delete that damn recording fromst night." Alexander leaned back in his chair, unable to stop the amused smirk that tugged at the corners of his lips. There it was-deja vu. Every conversation with udia somehow circled back to demands and usations, but there was something almost charming about her fiery nature. Almost. "Nice to hear from you too, udia," he drawled, leaning back a little more. "But I can''t just delete it, not yet anyway." "Why not?" udia barked, her impatienceing through loud and clear. "You have no right to keep it, and you know it." "I''ll delete it," Alexander replied smoothly, "but you''ve got to do something for me first." There was a beat of silence, followed by a disbelieving scoff. "You''ve got to be kidding me," udia spat. "rify it to the media? What for? People will forget about it in a few days anyway. It''s not a big deal." Alexander''s smirk faded, and his expression grew serious. "It is a big deal, udia. That press release? It''s not just on some obscure website that''ll vanish in a week. It''s on YouTube, and on social media. People can re-watch it over and over. Not to mention, your cryptic talk during that Q&A session has already stirred the pot. The journalists are curious. They''re asking questions. It''s only a matter of time before things spiral." udia rolled her eyes so hard that Alexander could practically hear it through the phone. "Oh, so now you care about what the media thinks?" she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You''ve barely paid attention to the Wright family in years. Why start now?" Alexander''s brows furrowed, and his tone hardened. "That matter was resolved, udia," he said, irritation seeping into his voice. "You have no right to drag it up again." "Right, right," udia cut in, waving him off even though he couldn''t see it. "You''re the one who started this whole thing in the first ce." This was getting old, fast. Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Look, are you going to rify things or not? Because if not, then this call is a waste of time." udia was silent for a moment, her irritation simmering on the other end of the line. She knew Alexander was right, but that didn''t mean she had to like it. Thest thing she wanted was to face the public again, especially not now. For reasons she wasn''t about to share, the idea of being in the spotlight made her skin crawl. But this punk, Alexander, was pushing her into a corner. "Fine," she hissed, her voice tight with anger. "Fine. I''ll do it. But don''t think for a second that I''m doing it for you." "Wouldn''t dream of it," Alexander replied dryly, relieved but unsurprised by her eventual concession. He knew udia well enough to expect resistance, but he also knew she wouldn''t let things spiral out of control if she could help it. Two hours had passed since Alexander''s tense call with udia the previous night, and now he found himself sitting in his office, tapping a pen on the edge of his desk. He had just gotten off another call-this time, ire was on the other end of the line. "udia has agreed to rify her words during the Q&A session," Alexander said, his tone business-like, hoping this would ease some of the tension from theirst conversation. He had barely finished the sentence before ire sighed loudly on the other end. "That''s something," ire responded, but there was a sharp edge to her voice that made it clear she wasn''t exactly thrilled. Alexander hesitated, then asked, "What if we skip the video and go with a letter instead? I mean, have her write a formal apology. We can post it on the website, and maybe put it out as a press release. Less dramatic that way, right? We could avoid the whole YouTube circus." There was a pause on ire''s end. He could practically hear her tapping her fingers on the desk, probably deep in thought-or maybe she was just annoyed again. "You think a letter''s gonna cut it?" ire finally replied, her voice dripping with skepticism. "No, no, Alexander. udia needs to make a video apology, face-to-face with the public. Then, sure, she can add a handwritten note if she wants something personal, but not as a rcement. We need both. We can''t just brush this under the rug with a typed-out letter. This whole mess has gotten bigger than that." Alexander scratched his chin, still unconvinced. "But what if she changes her mind again? You know how udia is, unpredictable." That was thest straw for ire. She let out an exaggerated groan, the kind you make when someone asks you the same thing for the fifth time in a row. "Alexander, seriously? You don''t need to run every single decision by me. You''re a grown man! You can handle it." He blinked, surprised by her sudden outburst. "What''s that supposed to mean?" he asked, a frown already forming. "I mean, you''re the CEO, Alexander! You act like you''re just a spectator in all this. But everything that''s happening this chaos with udia? It''s on you. It''s your business, your responsibility," ire fired back here was There was no hesitation in her voice, just pure frustration. "You should''ve had a better handle on this from the start. I don''t get how you didn''t know what was going on in your ownpany. It doesn''t make sense." Alexander could feel his jaw tighten as ire''s words hit a nerve. It wasn''t like he enjoyed being in this. mess either. "It''s not my fault," he shot back, his voice rising a little. "I Re didn''t know she was going to say all that You''re acting like I nned this whole thing, but I didn''t even know about it until it was toote." "Exactly!" ire snapped her tone now cutting through the air like a knife. "You didn''t know, and that''s the problem. You''re the CEO, Alexander! How can you not know what''s going on? Either you''re not paying attention, or someone''s ying dirty right under your nose, and you''re just... oblivious." Her words stung more than he wanted to admit. Alexander felt a sudden rush of heat as his frustration boiled over. He gripped the phone tightly, resisting the urge to just hang up. "It''s impossible to talk to you like a normal person. Every time we speak, you''re just... impossible." "Impossible?" ire huffed, clearly unimpressed by his jab. "Look, it doesn''t matter how you feel about me right now. What matters is that udia needs to make a statement-an apology. And you," she emphasized, "need to make one too. This isn''t just her mess, Alexander. It''s yours too. So you both need to own up to it. Got it?" Alexander opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, the line went dead. ire had hung up on him. For a moment, Alexander just sat there, staring nkly at his phone screen, disbelief etched across his face. What had gotten into ire today? Sure, she was always tough, but this felt personal, like there was something else bothering her, and he was just unlucky enough to be in the line of fire. He slumped back in his chair and rubbed his temples. As if this whole situation with udia wasn''t stressful enough, now ire was throwing gasoline on the fire. He nced at his phone again, half-expecting her to call back with some final remark, but of course, nothing Chapter 341 Let’ s Play Alexander Harris was not in a particrly good mood after his call with ire. His conversation with her had been tense, to say the least, and the pressure from the situation involving udia Wright was really starting to weigh on him. As soon as he was back in his car, he didn''t waste time. He grabbed his phone and dialed udia''s number, the edge in his voice sharp even before she answered. udia was lounging in bed, flipping through a magazine when her phone buzzed. ncing at the screen, she saw Alexander''s name and rolled her eyes. "Here we go," she muttered to herself before answering. "What now, Alexander?" she said, her tone yful, expecting yet another lecture. But Alexander wasn''t ying. "You need to make an apology video," he said, straight to the point, his voice firm and cold. "And I expect a handwritten apology letter. Post them both on your social media, and send the letter to me as well." udia sat up straight, her magazine forgotten. "Wait, what?" she scoffed, the disbelief clear in her voice. "That''s too much, Alex. You''re overreacting. I didn''t ruin anything. All I did was show up and maybe interrupt a bit, but it wasn''t like I crashed the whole Q&A session. I''ve told you this a thousand times!" Alexander''s voice didn''t soften. "I don''t care how many times you''ve said it, udia. You started this mess, and now you''re going to clean it up." "I started it?" she snapped. "I didn''t realize attending a public event was a crime. It wasn''t even that serious! The audience loved me." Alexander''s patience was hanging by a thread. "Loved you? Are you kidding me? The whole thing turned into a circus after you showed up. It''s not about what you think happened, it''s about how it looks to everyone else. You made a scene, udia, and now you have to fix it." udia was fuming. "You''re acting like I set the ce on fire or something! It was just a little Q&A, Alex. Lighten up!" "Lighten up?" Alexander repeated, his tone icy. "Let me make this clear. If you don''t do this, if you don''t apologize and make things right, I''m terminating the contract between Solstice Vineyard and Harris Hotel. End of story." That hit udia hard. Her grip tightened on the phone, knuckles turning white as she stood up from her bed. "You can''t do that," she hissed, pacing back and forth. "You signed the contract, remember?" "There''s a termination use," Alexander shot back without hesitation as if he''d been waiting for her to bring it up. "The one about disputes or disagreements between the parties involved. I can pull the plug if I want to." udia cursed under her breath. That use. She''d added it herself, thinking it would protect her from any shady moves Alexander might pull. She never imagined it would be used against her like this. She pressed her lips together, trying to think of a way out. Alexander''s voice cut through her thoughts again. "It''s up to you, udia. You can either make the apology or watch the deal fall apart." She red at the floor, her heart racing. There was no way she was going to let him win this, but right now, her options were limited. He had her cornered, and she knew it. "Fine," she snapped, her voice dripping with resentment. "I''ll do it. But this is ridiculous, Alex. You''re blowing this way out of proportion." "That''s for you to think aboutter. I want the video and the letter posted before noon tomorrow," Alexander said, his tone not leaving any room for negotiation. "And don''t even think about missing the deadline, because you know exactly what will happen if you do." Before udia could throw another retort, the line went dead. She stared at her phone in disbelief, the silence ringing in her ears. With a frustrated growl, she tossed the phone onto the couch, sinking back onto the bed, and fuming. "He wants to y games, huh?" she muttered to herself, ring at the ceiling. "Fine. Let''s y." udia Wright leaned back in her chair, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she picked up her phone. She had an idea that would hit Alexander Harris right where it hurt, and she wasn''t wasting any time. With a flick of her wrist, she dialed a familiar number. Her secretary, a sharp and efficient woman named Juliette, picked up on the first ring, her voice crisp and professional as always. "Bonjour, madame. How can I assist you?" Juliette''s tone was as smooth as the finest wine from Solstice Vineyard. udia leaned forward, her voice dripping with yful menace. "Juliette, darling, I need you to do something for me. I want you to limit the stock of our Solstice Vineyard wine at Harris Hotel. Make it very limited, you know? Just enough so they run out and start to panic." There was a brief pause on the other end. "Ah, madame, you want them to run out of wine?" udia''s grin widened. "Exactly. Alexander needs a little reminder that business isn''t always as smooth as he thinks it is. He threatened me, Juliette. Me! Poor man didn''t even bother reading the full contract. There''s a little loophole inthere, just waiting to make things interesting." Julietteughed softly, understanding the game. "And what else, madame?" "Oh, one more thing," udia added with a wicked gleam in her eye. "Find me any footage you can of Alexander... not being his best self know he has a temper, and I''m sure there''s something out there showing himshing out at his employees. He can be quite the brute when things don''t go his way." Juliette''s voice turned serious. "I''ll start looking immediately. I''m sure there''s something we can find. Monsieur Harris does have a reputation." "Perfect. I want him to feel the pressure, just like he made me feel it. Business is business, after all. If he wants to y rough, well, I''ll show him rough." udia''s grin was positively wicked now, like a cat toying with its prey. "Let me know as soon as you''ve got something." Juliette assured her she''d get to work right away, and with that, the call ended. udia ced her phone down on the table and leaned back, satisfied. This was going to be fun. Alexander might have thought he could intimidate her, but he had no idea what he was dealing with. He''d learn soon enough. The next morning, things took an unexpected turn for ire Peterson. She had just settled into her office, her mind preupied with the mountain of paperwork she needed to get through, when her phone rang. It was herwyer, David. "Good morning, ire," David greeted her, his voice steady but with an undertone of urgency. "I wanted to let you know that Lisa has been discharged from the hospital." ire shot up from her desk as she did not expect to be that fast. "What? Already??" David paused before answering. "Physically, yes. But ire, I need to be honest with you. I overheard some things while I was at the hospital, talking to the nurses. Lisa... well, she may not be in her right mind." ire blinked in confusion. "What do you mean, not in her right mind? What exactly did you hear?" David sighed on the other end of the line. "The doctors and nurses were talking. Apparently, she''s been... acting erratically. Saying strange things, behaving unpredictably. It''s just what I overheard, but I thought you should know." ire pressed her lips together, pacing back and forth in her office. "So you''re saying it''s not a good idea for me to visit her?" "I wouldn''t rmend it," David replied cautiously. "At least not right now. There''s something off, ire. I''ll keep digging into this, but for now, just be careful." ire exhaled sharply, feeling a headache creeping in. This was thest thing she needed. Lisa had always been unpredictable, but this sounded more serious. "Alright, David. Thanks for letting me know. Keep me updated on everything." "Will do," David said before hanging up. ire dropped her phone onto her desk and rubbed her temples. What in the world was Lisa up to now? Chapter 342 The Video Alexander leaned back in his chair, staring at the screen. The video of udia was right there, waiting to be watched again. He had already seen it three times, but something about it still nagged at him. Maybe it was the forced smile she stered on her face or the way she almost rolled her eyes when she apologized. He wasn''t sure. But whatever it was, he couldn''t shake the feeling that this was just another one of udia''s games. The phone in his hand buzzed. ire was calling. "ire," he answered, trying to keep his tone neutral. "I got it," ire said, her voice clipped and business-like as usual. "udia made the video and sent the letter. We''ll upload it on Metacortex''s social media." Alexander nodded, though ire couldn''t see him. "Yeah, I figured you would. It''s pretty polished for something so...st minute." ire didn''t miss a beat. "Of course. We can''t afford for this to get any messier than it already is." Alexander couldn''t help but wince. "Yeah, about that. You''re sure this will smooth things over?" "Alexander, I''m sure," ire replied, her voice calm but firm. "But you need to make a statement as well. People are confused about what''s happening. If you don''t address it, they''ll start specting, and that''s thest thing we need right now." He sighed. "Right. I''ll put something together." ire didn''t soften. "I hope this kind of mistake doesn''t happen again, Alexander." He clenched his jaw. The disappointment in her voice stung more than he''d like to admit. "I''ll take care of it." The line went silent for a moment, and then ire said, "Good," before hanging up. Alexander sat there for a while, staring at his phone, feeling... what? Sad? Disappointed? Maybe both. He did everything ire asked him to, but it never seemed to be enough. No matter how hard he worked to clean up the messes or follow her lead, their rtionship wasn''t improving. She was always one step ahead of him, and he was stuck ying catch-up. Shaking his head, he decided to pull up the video again. This time, he wasn''t watching udia''s stiff apology-he was reading thements below it. "Who is she???" "Why is she even apologizing? Did I miss something?" "This seems like a PR stunt..." "She should''ve done this privately, it''s so awkward to watch." "I don''t care what she''s apologizing for, she''s gorgeous!" Alexander couldn''t help but chuckle at thatst one. The public was so fickle, and half of them didn''t even know why they were watching the video in the first ce. ire was sitting at her desk, watching the same video with a cold, detached expression. She scrolled through thements as well, but her focus was different. She wasn''t amused by the confusion or the randompliments. She was analyzing every word, every reaction. Public perception was everything in her world, and udia''s little stunt was bound to stir up mixed reactions. Onement caught her eye: "How can someone mess up this badly and still look like they don''t care?" ire smirked, leaning back in her chair. Exactly, she thought. How can someone be so reckless? Just then, the door to her office opened, and Matthew walked in, looking curious. "She really made the video, huh?" ire looked up, calm as ever, and nodded. "Yes. But she should''ve been more careful. This kind of thing can spiral out of control if you''re not cautious." Matthew raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorway. "Seems like she''s not too worried about that." ire stood up, reaching for her bag. "No, she''s not. And that''s exactly why she''s going to trip over herself at some point. You can''t be that careless in this business." Matthew watched her, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Where are you headed?" "I''m going to brunch," ire replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "You want toe?" Matthew shook his head with a chuckle. "Already ate, but thanks. Though, I wouldn''t mind hanging out here for a bit." He gave her a yful grin. "Maybe take over the big chair while you''re gone?" ire rolled her eyes but smiled. "As if that''s not what you already do when I''m not here." Matthew put his hand on his chest in mock offense. "Me? Take advantage of your office? Never." ire waved him off, heading for the door. "Try not to mess anything up, okay?" "No promises," he called after her with a wink. ire stepped into the lobby of her office building, her designer shades in ce, making a beeline for the exit. She could already spot them-two journalists, armed with notepads and microphones, hovering by the doors like vultures. "Ms. Peterson, anyments on udia Wright''s apology video?" one of them blurted as soon as ire came within earshot. ire barely nced their way. She gave a tight nod, forced a smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes, and pushed through the ss doors to where her driver was waiting by the sleek ck sedan. Without a word, she slid into the backseat and the car pulled away. As soon as they were out of sight, she let out a long breath, sinking into the leather seat. The video had only been out for 30 minutes, and the press was already hounding her. It was going to be a long day. She pulled out her phone, and opened up social media. The trending topics confirmed her suspicions. udia Wright''s Apology" was everywhere, and thements were pouring in. Some were supportive, some tearing udia apart, and some just making jokes out of the whole ordeal. ire chuckled to herself as she scrolled through the chaos. She locked her phone and tossed it into her bag. The 30-minute drive to the restaurant passed in a blur of city lights and quiet thoughts. Once they arrived, ire stepped out of the car her heels clicking softly on the pavement. The restaurant was a cozy French bistro tucked away from the main streets, perfect for a quiet lunch. Inside, a smiling hostess greeted her. "Good afternoon, do you have a reservation?" "Yeah, under ire Peterson," she replied, still feeling the buzz from all the social media noise. "Right this way," the hostess said, leading her through the softly lit dining area. ire thanked her as she was shown to a corner table near the window. She took her seat, and the hostess handed her a menu before excusing herself. As ire settled in, ncing at the options, a familiar voice drifted from across the room. She looked up just in time to see Adrian, shaking hands with someone at a nearby table. He had his usual smooth confidence, wearing a sharp navy suit that seemed custom-tailored to make him look even more charming than he already was. Once his client left, Adrian spotted ire and made a beeline for her table. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he approached. "Well, well, well, look who''s here, having a secret lunch without me," he teased. ire''s initial surprise faded into a grin. She stood up, meeting him halfway, and they hugged briefly. "Adrian, it''s been a while!" she said with augh. "Too long," he agreed, taking the seat across from her without needing an invitation. "What''s a big shot like you doing here all by herself?" ire rolled her eyes yfully. "You know me, always doing things solo." Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Still? I''d think by now you''d have somepany-at least for lunch." Before ire could answer, a third person joined their little reunion. A young woman, holding a notepad, her press badge dangling from her neck, stood by the table with a hopeful smile. "I''m sorry to interrupt, Ms. Peterson. I''m with Channel 7 News, and I just wanted to ask about" Here we go again, ire thought. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from rolling her eyes. "I''m having lunch," she said, keeping her voice even, though her irritation was rising. "And I''d very much like to do that without any interruptions." The journalist hesitated, clearly debating whether to push her luck. Adrian leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Look, she''s on her lunch break. You don''t want to be the reason ire Peterson loses her appetite, trust me. So, either leave her alone, or I''ll have the manager ask you to leave. Your choice." Chapter 343 Harris Mistreatment? The journalist''s eyes widened, and she quickly stammered an apology before scurrying off. ire watched her retreat with a smirk. "Thanks for that," she said, turning back to Adrian. He shrugged. "Someone had to do it. You were about to snap." "You''re not wrong," ire admitted, taking a sip of water. "Journalists are like mosquitoes these days. One video goes up, and suddenly, they''re all swarming." Adrian lounged back in his chair, folding his arms with a curious smirk. "Alright, ire, tell. How''d you figure out who that woman was? You know, the one who totally crashed your Q&A at the press release? She had that ridiculous cocktail hat, so I couldn''t make out her face at all." "Alexander was the one who told me about it. It wasn''t easy for me when I tried to dig in who was the mysterious guest. Turns out, Alexander was the one who had deals with her. I can''t afford my robot project to get tainted since I am thinking of expanding it." Adrian blinked, letting that sink in before leaning back even farther in his chair, and letting out a low whistle. "Well, of course, he was. The guy leaves some unique business digital footprints, I''ll give him that." ire rolled her eyes dramatically. "Tell me about it. It''s like everywhere you look, there''s something sketchy. I just don''t want my business to get dragged into whatever drama he''s brewing." Adrian leaned forward again, his tone more serious now. "Look, ire, you need to be careful dealing with Alexander. If you don''t want your business contaminated by his mess, tread lightly. That guy... he''s always two steps ahead, two steps ahead for trouble." ire nodded, grateful for the reminder. "Yeah, you''re right. Thanks for the heads-up, Adrian." Meanwhile, back at Harris Company, Christian stormed into Alexander''s office, not even bothering to knock. His expression was tense, all business. "We have a problem," he announced, his voice tight with urgency. Alexander, who had been going over paperwork, frowned and looked up. "What kind of problem?" Christian didn''t waste any time. "I just got a call from the hotel director. There''s been a sudden cut in the wine shipment. A big one." Alexander shot to his feet, mming his hand on the desk. "That''s impossible. We had everything locked in for months!" Christian gave him a pointed look. "Who''s the supplier?" Alexander''s eyes narrowed, his face a mix of frustration and realization. He didn''t answer right away, his jaw clenched as he processed the situation. Then, with a scowl that could burn a hole through the wall, he muttered, "I know exactly who''s behind this." Christian blinked, clearly expecting more of an answer. "And that would be...?" But Alexander was already grabbing his phone off the desk, dialing furiously. He pressed the phone to his ear, waiting for a connection. "Come on, pick up," he muttered under his breath. But no such luck-it went straight to voicemail. "Damn it!" Alexander cursed, mming the phone down. Without missing a beat, he quickly dialed another number, this time barking orders to the person on the other end. "I need you to find udia Wright. Now. I don''t care where she is just do it." His private investigator immediately got to work, and Alexander''s focus was now solely on tracking down udia. Christian, still standing there, watching the scene unfold, raised an eyebrow. "What the hell is going on, Alexander?" But Alexander wasn''t listening. His mind was elsewhere, locked on one thing, udia. He had no time for exnations. Just then, the door to his office creaked open. Alexander''s secretary peeked in, her face pale and her hands shaking slightly. "Mr. Harris... you need to see something." Both Alexander and Christian turned to her, sensing the urgency in her voice. She quickly stepped forward, handing Alexander an iPad with trembling fingers. "What is it?" Alexander asked sharply. "I-l-it''s better if you see it for yourself, sir." she stammered. Alexander pressed y, and the screen flickered to life. It was a video-grainy, but clear enough to show his unmistakable figure. There he was, in his office, from what looked like two or three years ago, losing his temper at an employee. His face twisted in anger as he shouted, pacing around his desk. Alexander''s stomach dropped. "Where did thise from?" he muttered, his eyes glued to the screen. His secretary swallowed nervously. "It just started circting online... I-I don''t know how. But... it''s out there now." Christian, peering over Alexander''s shoulder, let out a low sigh. "Damn. Who even had this footage?" The question hung in the air, and Alexander''s mind raced. He could almost hear the ticking clock counting down until this video reached the wrong et it Roel hadn''t already. He clenched his fists, his mind spinning. This had udia''s fingerprints all over it. "udia," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. Christian, still not entirely in the loop, leaned closer. "udia? What does she have to do with this?" Alexander shook his head, the pieces slowly falling into ce. "She''s been ying me. That wine shipment? Her. This video? I wouldn''t be surprised if she leaked it too." Christian gave a low whistle. "Man, she''s good. But why go through all this trouble? Why mess with you?" Alexander scoffed, pacing now. "Because she''s been holding a grudge. And now she''s pulling every string she can to get under my skin. She''s limiting the stock of her wine at the hotel, knowing it''ll hurt my business. And this video... She''s using it as leverage. Trying to tarnish my reputation." Christian frowned, looking more concerned now. "And you didn''t see thising?" "I underestimated her," Alexander admitted through gritted teeth, still watching the video loop on the iPad. "I knew she had something up her sleeve, but I didn''t expect her to hit me this hard." Christian leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "So, what''s the move? You can''t let this spiral out of control." Alexander ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "First, we need to shut this video down, fast. Get my PR team on it. Damage control. Then, we find udia." "And after that?" Christian asked. Alexander''s expression darkened. "After that, we remind her who she''s dealing with." Christian gave a short nod. "Alright. I''ll get the PR team on the video. But what about the wine situation? We still need to deal with that." Alexander sighed, rubbing his temples. "I''ll handle the wine supplier. It''s not going to be pretty, but I''ll make sure we get what we need. udia may have the upper hand now, but this isn''t over." Christian nced at him, still serious. "And the PI? He''s looking for her, right?" Alexander nodded, his voice cold. "Yeah, and when he finds her, I''m going to make sure she regrets ever pulling this stunt." The tension in the room was thick, both men fully aware that the stakes had just been raised. Alexander might have been caught off guard, but now, he was ready to strike back. Alexander stared at his phone waiting for the callback from his Pl. Ten minutester, his phone rang, and he answered it almost immediately. "Where is she?" "France, sir. udia Wright is in France." Chapter 344 Going to France Alexander Harris gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white as the call ended with a sharp tap. He stood frozen for a moment, staring nkly at the screen, then let out a slow breath. Christian, his assistant, who had been standing nearby the entire time, took a cautious step forward. "Uh... where''s udia?" Christian asked, trying to keep his voice neutral, but curiosity was written all over his face. The udia drama had everyone in the office on edgetely. Alexander''s jaw tightened as he turned towards Christian. "She''s back in France"" he said, his voice as cold as the January wind. The words sliced through the air, leaving no room for further questions. He brushed past Christian without another nce, his long strides heading straight for the door. "Get the jet ready," Alexander ordered his secretary on the way out. "I''m flying to France." "Right away, Mr. Harris," the secretary responded, quickly dialing the necessary arrangements. Christian raised an eyebrow as he hurried to keep up with Alexander''s fast pace. Flying to France? This day was getting moreplicated by the minute, and he couldn''t help but wonder what exactly udia had done this time. Meanwhile, ire Peterson was feeling somewhat better for the first time in days. Her lunch with Adrian had gone smoothly, which was a miracle in itself, given the chaos surrounding her lifetely. As they walked out of the restaurant, ire looked more rxed, though the tension hadn''t fully left her shoulders. The constant headaches from everything spiraling out of control were still there, lurking just beneath the surface. "Thanks for lunch, Adrian," ire said, offering him a grateful smile as they strolled down the sidewalk. "You really didn''t have to. I know you''re busy." Adrian chuckled, though there was a nervousness behind it. "Least I could do, ire. You''ve been dealing with a lottely." He paused for a second, rubbing the back of his neck as if searching for the right words. His heart pounded, and for a brief moment, he considered saying something he''d been holding back for a while now. But just as he opened his mouth, ire''s face clouded over. "Adrian..." she muttered, her eyes narrowing. "Why are there so many journalists out here?" Adrian spun around and blinked, his eyesnding on a crowd of reporters gathered outside the restaurant. A camera shed, and one of the journalists raised a microphone. "I have no idea," Adrian said, confusion spreading across his face. "Maybe there''s a celebrity in the restaurant?" ire shook her head, her brows knitting together in suspicion. "This doesn''t feel right. As they approached the door, the journalists rushed toward ire, microphones in hand, questions being hurled at her left and right. "ire, anyment on Harris Company''s recent scandal?" one reporter asked, shoving their mic closer. ire''s heart sank. "What scandal?" she mumbled under her breath. She hadn''t heard anything about a scandal, and immediately, her mind raced to udia Wright, wondering if this had something to do with the mess between her and Alexander. But Adrian was quick to react, gently guiding her away from the crowd. "Let''s get you out of here," Adrian said softly, helping ire into her car while shielding her from the reporters. ire didn''t resist, but she couldn''t stop the flood of questions swirling in her mind. Just as Adrian was about to close the door, one of the journalists yelled something that made ire freeze in her seat. "What do you think about Alexander Harris trending for mistreating his employees?" Her heart dropped. Wait, what did you say?" ire called back, leaning out of the car window. The journalist, sensing a response, approached eagerly. "Alexander Harris is trending on social media. There''s a video of him treating his employees poorly. It''s blowing up." ire''s chest tightened. This wasn''t about udia at all. A new problem-again. "What... video?" she asked, though she wasn''t sure if she wanted to know the answer. The reporter looked like she was about to exin, but Adrian shot her a stern look and stepped in. "ire, get in the car," he said gently but firmly. "You don''t need to deal with this right now." ire nodded, her thoughts still racing, and sank back into her seat. Adrian closed the door behind her and waved the driver on. "Be careful," he said through the window as the car started moving. Inside the car, ire fumbled for her phone. Her fingers moved quickly, pulling up social media. Her pulse quickened as she scrolled through the trending topics, and then she found it. A video of Alexander Harris. In the video, Alexander stood in an office, his expression hard and voice raised as he scolded one of his employees. The scene looked heated-ufortable. The timestamp showed it was from a couple of years ago, but that didn''t seem to matter. People were outraged. Comments flooded in, condemning Alexander''s behavior, criticizing his character, and questioning the entire culture at Harris Company. ire''s stomach flipped. She knew Alexander had a temper, but why was this video surfacing now? Who had dug it up, and for what reason? She couldn''t shake the feeling that this wasn''t a coincidence. ire leaned back in the plush leather seat of her car, crossing her arms in frustration as she stared out the window. The sun was out, casting bright rays across the city, but she wasn''t in the mood to appreciate it. She looked at the driver and sighed. "Take me to Harris Company," she instructed, tapping her fingers against her phone. ??? The driver nodded, and they were off, weaving through the traffic. As they neared Harris Company, her mood soured even further. There was a small crowd of journalists. clustered outside the entrance, cameras ready, and microphones at hand. She cursed under her breath. "I can''t deal with those vultures right now," ire muttered, shaking her head. "Turn around. Take me back to Metacortex." The driver didn''t need to be told twice. He smoothly changed direction, avoiding the chaos outside Harris Company. ire groaned, frustrated. She needed answers, and fast, Pulling out her phone, she dialed Alexander''s number trang. And rang. And rang. Straight to voicemail. "What the ?" she frowned, staring at the phone like it had personally offended her. Alexander was always quick to pick up, always on top of everything. Why now, of all times, was he unreachable? Her confusion quickly turned to suspicion. Something wasn''t right. She scrolled through her contacts and called Christian. He picked up on the third ring. "ire, hey," Christian''s voice was calm but a little tense. "I''m guessing you''ve heard about the video?" "Yes." ire snapped, though she already had a bad feeling. "Christian, what the hell is going on?" Christian sighed. "Someone''s trying to frame Alexander, or at least ruin his reputation. A video of him yelling at an employee from a couple of years ago has resurfaced. It''s everywhere." ire rubbed her temples, her frown deepening. "Okay, but why now? And who''s behind this?" "Well, we''re pretty sure it''s udia," Christian replied, his tone dropping. "udia," ire said, exhaling slowly. "Of course, it''s udia. I should''ve known." There was a long pause as ire processed the information. udia had just made an apology video, iming to regret the way things had yed out between her and Alexander. And now this? ire wasn''t surprised, just... tired. It seemed like udia always had some new trick up her sleeve. "Where''s Alexander?" ire asked, her voice quieter now. "He''s on a ne," Christian exined. "Flying to France. udia''s back there, and he wants to deal with her personally." ire shut her eyes and leaned her head against the seat, feeling the headache building. "So, let me get this straight. She makes a big public apology, and then the next thing I know, she''s orchestrating this media circus? Unreal." "Yeah, it''s a mess," Christian agreed. "Thanks for filling me in," ire sighed. "I''ll deal with this my way." Christian chuckled lightly. "Good luck, ire. You''ll need it." "Thanks," she said, before hanging up. For a moment, ire sat in silence, the sounds of the city humming outside the car. She muttered to herself, "Looks like I''ll have to clean this up-ire style." Chapter 345 Taste of Her Own Medicine ire cursed under her breath as her car rolled to a stop at the entrance of Metacortex. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of the mass of journalists crowded around the front entrance. She didn''t need this today. Not after everything that had already happened. She could see their cameras, microphones, and eager faces all craning to get a shot of her, hungry for a reaction, for a statement. "Perfect," she muttered sarcastically. She had no choice. She''d have to get out of the car. There was no way around it. But as soon as she opened the door, Metacortex security stepped in, forming a protective barrier between her and the vultures. Well, they looked like vultures to her in that moment. As soon as ire stepped out of the car, she could hear the loud mor of voices crashing over her. "ire! ire! What''s your take on the scandal with Alexander Harris?" "Is Metacortex going to cut ties with him?" "Do you think thepany will survive the bad press?" ire kept her head down, determined not to let them see her face. She wasn''t going to give them anything. Not a single reaction. She just walked, head down, eyes focused on the building ahead, while security blocked the crowd, guiding her inside. Once she was safely through the doors and the noise was muffled by the walls, she let out a long, shaky breath. "I hate the press," she mumbled to herself, catching a nce of the journalists still lingering outside, hoping for another shot. "Like, what do they expect me to say?" Shaking her head, ire headed straight for the elevators. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she slid her card through the reader and jabbed the button for her office floor. As soon as the elevator doors slid shut, she leaned back against the cool wall and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her nerves. Ding. The elevator doors opened, and ire straightened herself, striding out with purpose. She wasn''t in the mood for any more nonsense today. Pushing open her office door with more force than she intended, she marched in and found Matthew lounging on the couch. "We need to do something," she announced in a sharp, business-like tone. Matthew, startled, looked up from his phone. "Uh, hello to you too, ire," he said, blinking in confusion. He quickly sat up, his phone forgotten on the couch. "What''s going on? Do what?" ire was pacing now, running her hands through her hair in frustration. "Alexander. This whole ridiculous situation. The press is hounding me, asking for my thoughts, and I can''t even go anywhere without getting ambushed." She paused and shot him a look. "It''s all over the news. The video of him yelling at that employee is trending." Matthew stood up, now fully alert. "Wait, wait-who''s behind this? How did it even blow up?" ire stopped pacing, crossed her arms, and looked Matthew dead in the eye. "udia Wright." Matthew''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, what? udia Wright? But didn''t she just release an apology video, like, a few hours ago? I thought she was all about making peace with everyone. Why would she do this?" ire let out an exasperated sigh and shrugged. "Honestly? I don''t know. But it looks like she''s got some personal beef with Alexander, and now we''re all caught in the middle of it. This video resurfacing? It''s not just bad for him-it''s bad for ourpany. The stock market''s going to react. The whole situation is a mess." Matthew furrowed his brow, clearly trying to process everything. "So... what do you want me to do about it?" ire took a step closer to him, her eyes narrowing in determination. "I need your help. We''ve got to find something on udia Wright. Something we can use to ckmail her." Matthew blinked in surprise, raising an eyebrow. "ckmail? ire, this really isn''t your problem. Why are you getting involved in this? Isn''t this Alexander''s mess to clean up?" She let out a humorlessugh. "Oh, please. Do you really think Alexander''s going to handle this? The man can barely go five minutes without arguing with someone. Waiting for him to deal with udia is like waiting for snow in July. If I can get this sorted out, then why shouldn''t I?" Matthew scratched his head. "Okay, but... ckmail?" ire rolled her eyes. "Well, what do you suggest, then? Send her a polite email asking her to stop ruining everything?" She threw her hands up in frustration. "udia''s the type who only understands one thing leverage. If we don''t find something to hold over her, she''s just going to keeping for us, and who knows what else she''ll pull next?" "Alright, if that''s what you want. It''s been a while since I''ve done things like this." Matthew looked slightly excited, and ire found it amusing as she crossed her arms over her chest. "You pretend to be concerned but deep down, you enjoying this aren''t you?" Matthew shed ire a grin. "I''ll start digging into her background, see if there''s anything we can use." ire gave him a firm nod. "Thank you, Matthew. I''m done with people like udia thinking they can just do whatever they want and get away with it. If she''s going to y dirty, then so are we." Matthew nodded, grabbing hisptop from the table. "Okay, I''ll see what I can find. But we''re going to need something solid if we''re really going to take her down." ire nodded, her eyes hard with determination. "Don''t worry. I have a feeling udia''s hiding something. No one''s as perfect as she pretends to be." Matthew sank into the couch, his in, trying could serve as ammunition against udia. Ever since udia had taken over as CEO, she''d been obsessively crafting a new, polished image, seemingly trying to scrub away any trace of her past. But ire and Matthew? They weren''t about to let her get away that easily. They''d been hacking for hours,bing through udia''s digital life, looking for any footprint she might have left behind. ire''s fingers tapped rhythmically on her keyboard as she smirked. "Gotcha," she muttered under her breath, eyes glinting with mischief. Matthew nced up. "What''d you get?" With a satisfied grin, ire spun herptop around to show him. "Her Twitter ount. It was set to private. Now?" She clicked a button and smirked wider. "Public." Matthew chuckled, shaking his head. "You''re bad." ire leaned back in her chair, arms folded across her chest. "Not as bad as she''s about to look. Let''s see how long it takes for her to notice." They both continued digging, scrolling through udia''s posts, herments, and anything that could paint the perfect picture of hypocrisy. It was almost too easy-she had spent so much time trying to erase her past, that she probably assumed no one would be able to find the things she missed. Suddenly, Matthew sat up straighter, his eyes wide. "Wait, hold up." ire''s head snapped toward him. "What?" "I found something." He stood up, moving quickly to her desk, hisptop clutched tightly in his hands. "Here, check this out." ire leaned over, watching the screen as Matthew pulled up a video. The footage was grainy, probably a few years old, but there was no mistaking the scene. udia was sitting at an outdoor restaurant, surrounded by a group of her equally obnoxious-looking friends. In the middle ofughing, she picked up her ss of wine et and-without even ncing at the waitress standing beside her she tipped it over, pouring the red liquid down the poor woman''s front. "Seriously?" ire scoffed, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "She''s out here trying to act all high and mighty, and this is how she treats people?" Matthew nodded, pulling up another tab. "There''s more. Look at this one." The second video showed udia at some sort of fancy g. This time, she wasn''t just being a jerk to the waitstaff she was berating someone, maybe a personal assistant, shouting at them about some trivial mistake, all while smiling for the cameras. The assistant stood there, looking like they wanted to melt into the floor, while udia just continued her tirade. ire shook her head, letting out a low whistle. "Wow. And she''s out here acting like she''s some kind of saint. Unbelievable." "Right?" Matthew chuckled. "And she''s trying to take Alexander down? Please. The public''s gonna eat this up." ire''s eyes gleamed with a hint of satisfaction as she grabbed a sh drive from her desk drawer. She handed it to Matthew. "Collect everything. Every video, every post-anything that makes her look like the real udia." Matthew nodded, popping the sh drive into hisptop and starting to download the files. "This is gonna be huge. Once we leak this, there''s no way she can recover from it." ire leaned back in her chair, smirking. "Let''s see how she likes the taste of her own medicine. She thought she was being smart, cleaning up her digital mess, but no one''s that clean." Chapter 346 Caught Her Off Guard Matthew nced up at ire, eyebrows raised. "What''s the n after this? Just leak it all?" ire didn''t answer right away. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the desk, deep in thought. Then, with a sudden decision, she buzzed her inte. "Sandra, get me the jet ready. I''m heading to France." Sandra''s voice crackled through the speaker, steady as ever. "On it, Ms. Peterson." Matthew''s eyes went wide. "Wait, wait, wait-France? You''re going to France? Like, right now?" ire smirked. "What better way to deal with udia than face-to-face? I''m not going to sit back and y digital chess. I want her to see meing." Matthew crossed his arms, eyebrows knitting together. "But, ire,e on! You can''t just ire held up a hand to stop him. "I can and I will. Besides, I prefer confronting her directly rather than dealing with this mess from a distance. She''s not going to get away with this." Matthew sat up straight, shaking his head. "Then let mee with you. I''ll be there to back you up! You know, in case things get... messy." ire rolled her eyes, already anticipating his argument. "Matthew, I need you here in London. You''re better off at the office, tracking udia''s movements. If she''s pulling strings, I want to know about it, and you''re the best at sniffing out her next moves." Matthew slumped in his seat, looking like a disappointed kid who''d just been told he couldn''t go to Disnend. "But... France! Come on, ire! I wanna help!" She chuckled softly, used to his whining by now. "I''ll bring you back a souvenir," she teased, unable to resist. Instantly, Matthew''s face lit up, his childish grin spreading ear to ear. "Deal! But it better be a cool souvenir. None of that cheesy Eiffel Tower keychain stuff." ire shook her head, smiling despite herself. She had no idea how someone so calcting and brilliant could also be such aplete child sometimes. Standing up, she slung her bag over her shoulder and started for the door. Just as she reached the threshold, Matthew called after her. "ire." She turned, eyebrows raised in question. His expression had shifted, the yfulness reced by something serious. "Be careful, okay?" For a brief moment, ire softened. She gave him a small, appreciative smile and nodded. "Always." Leaving her office, ire strolled down the hallway to where Sandra was waiting at her desk. "Have my car ready in the lobby," ire instructed, and without missing a beat, Sandra got to work on her phone. ire made a quick call, her mind already focused on the confrontation ahead as she stepped into the elevator. By the time she reached the lobby, the reporters camped outside had thinned out. Maybe they''d grown tired of waiting for hours with no response. ire didn''t so much as nce in their direction as she exited the building, her focus unwavering. She ignored the rapid-fire questions hurled her way, slipping into the backseat of her waiting car. The drive to the airport dragged on longer than she''d hoped. After an hour of sitting in traffic, ire huffed in frustration, muttering under her breath. "Should''ve taken the helicopter." The car finally pulled up at a quieter entrance, one designed for private use. ire wasted no time, hopping out of the car the second it stopped. The air stewardess and pilot were already there, greeting her as she hurried up the stairs into the jet. But the moment she stepped inside, she froze. There, sitting casually in one of the plush seats, was Adrian, looking like he was exactly where he was supposed to be. ire stammered,pletely caught off guard. "Adrian? What are you doing here?" He smiled in that easygoing way of his. "Heard you were headed to France. Figured I could keep youpany." Crossing her arms over her chest, ire gave him a knowing look. "Let me guess-Matthew Finnegan gave you a call?" Adrian chuckled, holding his hands up in surrender. "Guilty. He thought you might need a partner in crime." ire rolled her eyes, amused despite the surprise. "That little sneak," she muttered, before dropping into the seat across from Adrian. "You didn''t have toe, you know. I can handle this." Adrian leaned back, stretching out in the seat, clearly unbothered. "I''ve got plenty of time, and besides, what better way to be productive than to hang out with you?" ire narrowed her eyes at him, her lips twitching upward in a smirk. ''Productive, huh? You just want a front-row seat to the chaos." "Maybe a little," Adrian admitted, a yful glint in his eye. "But also, this is important. I read what happened online and I don''t know what are you nning but I want to be there for you." ire sighed, running a hand through her hair. "That''s thoughtful of you, Adrian. Thank you." The jet started to hum as the engines roared to life. ire leaned back in her seat, ncing out the window as the ne taxied down the runway. Adrian, though usually lighthearted, seemed more focused than usual. She knew he wasn''t just there for entertainment. He was the kind of guy who had her back, no matter how messy things got. As the jet lifted into the air, Adrian broke the silence. "So, what''s the game n once wend? And who are we facing?" "udia Wright." ire says her name with coldness in her tone. "Walk up to udia''s doorstep and say ''surprise''?" ireughed, shaking her head. "Definitely not that. But I haven''t really thought about it. However, since I want to get this done fast, head over to her office, vineyard whatever ce she might be at." ire was in her element, flipping open herptop with a flourish and ncing at Adrian. "Alright, ready for a little show-and-tell?" she teased. Adrian raised an eyebrow, leaning in. "Do I have a choice?" "Nope," ire replied with a smirk, hitting y on the video Matthew had uncovered. On the screen, udia Wright appeared winess in hand, tipping it over the waitress without a second thought. Adrian let out a low whistle. "Wow, that''s cold. And she''s the one trying to look like a saint?" "Exactly." ire''s tone was sharp, but there was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "This all started with Alexander, of course. He''s the one who dragged me into this whole mess." "Alexander?" Adrian tilted his head, already sensing there was more to the story. ire leaned back, crossing her legs as she exined. "Yeah, it started with that press release when things started spiraling out of control. udia saw an opening to get involved, and since then, it''s been one disaster after another. The whole scandal, the usations-everything. She''s been pulling the strings from behind the scenes." Adrian nodded his face a mix of curiosity and amusement. "So, she''s been trying to tear Alexander down, and she''s doing all this while acting squeaky clean in the public eye?" "Pretty much." ire sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, I think she thought she was invincible." Adrian chuckled, looking out the window as thendscape below sped by. "She probably will be shocked seeing her past video when you show it to her." ire grinned. "That''s the point of it. It''s always the people you don''t seeing who turn the tide." Chapter 347 Payback They spent the next stretch of the flight chatting about the timeline,ughing over some of the absurd twists and turns in the drama. ire filled Adrian in on the major events, from Alexander''s public meltdown to the press releases that had sparked it all, and how udia had seen her chance to strike. Adrian listened intently, nodding along, asionally throwing in a sarcastic remark that had ire rolling her eyes. The flight was short, and before they knew it, the pilot''s voice crackled over the inte, announcing their descent into Paris. "Already?" Adrian asked, ncing at his watch. "Time flies when you''re plotting someone''s downfall," ire quipped, shutting herptop and standing up. She straightened her jacket and made her way to the front of the ne. As she reached the door, she turned and smiled at the pilot. "Thanks for the smooth ride. Excellent service, as always." The pilot smiled back, giving her a polite nod. "Our pleasure, Ms. Peterson." ire thanked the air stewardess too before stepping onto the stairway, the crisp Parisian air greeting her. Adrian followed close behind, pulling his jacket tighter around him. "Always feels differentnding here," Adrianmented as they descended the stairs. "Yeah, it''s got that charm," ire agreed, spotting the sleek ck car waiting for them at the bottom. The driver stood by the car, nodding at ire as she approached. Without hesitation, they climbed into the backseat, the leather interior cool and smooth. Once inside, ire took out her phone and dialed Matthew. He picked up almost immediately, his tone casual. "What''s up, ire?" "I need udia''s location," ire said, her tone brisk. "On it," Matthew replied. She could hear the familiar sounds of him typing away, rapid clicks filling the line. After a minute or so, Matthew''s voice returned. "Got her. She''s at her office. Sending the address now." ire''s phone buzzed with the iing message, and she nced at the screen before looking up at the driver. Switching to wless French, she gave him the address. "Nous allons cette adresse, s''il vous ?t." (we are going to this address, please.) The driver nodded and the car smoothly pulled away from the tarmac. Adrian, amused, turned to her with a grin. "You really have thought of everything, haven''t you?" ireughed, shaking her head. "Nope, not this time. This was prettyst-minute, actually. I mean, I had some ideas, but nothing solid. When you have someone you trust, though, someone reliable, everything just sort of falls into ce." Adrian leaned back, his smile widening. "Matthew, right?" ire pretended to be shocked, her hand flying dramatically to her chest. "How did you know?" Adrian chuckled. "Just a wild guess. I mean, the guy is practically your secret weapon." ire grinned, shrugging. "Can''t argue with that. He''s got a way of making things happen." Alexander Harris had been pacing back and forth in udia Wright''s office for hours, growing more agitated by the minute. The room was sleek, with expensive modern art lining the walls, but to Alexander, it felt like a cage. He had flown straight to France the moment his nended, his sole mission was to confront udia and make her delete that damn video. But, of course, when he got to her office, she wasn''t there. Instead, he had been told to wait. One whole hour of sitting in that sterile, overly decorated space, his impatience growing by the second. And now that udia had finally arrived, she was acting like she had all the time in the world. She sat across from him, sipping tea as if he weren''t fuming on the other side of her desk. Alexander clenched his jaw, fists tightening at his sides. "Enough, udia. I''ve had it with your games." udia, unfazed, raised an eyebrow over the rim of her cup. "Oh? Which ones specifically, darling?" she asked with a slow, deliberate smile. Alexander could feel his blood boiling. He stepped closer to her desk, his voice low but sharp. "First you limit the wine stock at my hotel-even after we had an agreement. Then, you demand raise your profit margins. And now, you leak a video of meating'' an employee? That''s a lie." udia set her cup down carefully, not a drop of tea spilling as she leaned back in her chair, lookingpletely at ease. "That employee made a mistake, and I was just ''fixing'' it by scolding him." "In front of the entire staff?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Yes, because it needed fixing," Alexander shot back. "It wasn''t mistreatment. People make mistakes, and sometimes they need to be told off for it. That''s how things get better." udia''s lips curled into a smile one that made Alexander''s skin crawl. "Oh, I''m sure that''s how it works in your world, Mr. Harris. But in mine? We call that bad leadership." Alexander fisted his palms, trying hard to suppress the rage bubbling inside him. "This is not how business works, udia! You and I had an agreement, and now you''re ying games with the wine supply. There''s nothing in the contract that says you can limit it." udia''s smile grew even wider, which, if possible, only infuriated Alexander more. She tossed a document onto the coffee table between them, her voice sickeningly sweet. "You might want to take another look at the contract, Alex. I believe you missed a little detail." Alexander snatched the contract from the table, eyes scanning the pages furiously. His heart pounded in his chest as he read through it, each line making less sense than thest. And then, he saw it. His voice rose in disbelief. "This is trash!" he practically shouted, mming the paper down on the table. "You put in a use about limiting the wine stock if profits don''t rise by 50%? What kind of ridiculous demand is that?" udia chuckled, clearly enjoying every second of his meltdown. "It''s right there in ck and white. You should''ve read the whole thing, darling. I did warn you." Alexander''s eyes shed with anger as he took a step toward her. "You tricked me. You''re nothing but a-" "A witch?" udia finished for him, smiling smugly. "Call me what you want, but you signed the contract. You agreed to the terms." Alexander''s hands shook, and it took everything in him not to flip her desk over right then and there. "This... this is deceit! You tricked me into signing this garbage! Moreover, you told me to not read it cause we have been business partners for years." udia shrugged, utterly unbothered. "And it''s your fault for believing what said. If reading contracts is too hard for you, maybe you shouldn''t be in business, Alex. Don''t be so gullible next time." He stared at her, barely able to contain his fury. His breath came out in harsh bursts as he pointed at her. "You think you''re clever, don''t you? You think you''ve won." udia leaned forward, that same infuriating smirk stered on her face. "Oh, I know I''ve won. You underestimated me, and now paying the price. And as for the video..." She waved her hand dismissively. "Well, let''s just say it''s Karma for forcing me to make that humiliating apology video." Chapter 348 Claire Style Alexander gritted his teeth. "You''re still upset about that? The apology video was your own fault." "My fault?" udia scoffed, shaking her head in mock disbelief. "You forced me into it! You made me sit there, like some guilty child, apologizing for things that weren''t even my responsibility. And don''t even get me started on that stupid handwritten letter. Do you have any idea how many people online areughing at me because of that?" Alexander''s jaw clenched. "You deserved that. You messed up, and you needed to own it. That''s how adults handle things, udia." udia''s eyes gleamed as she leaned back in her chair once more, crossing her legs in a casual disy of triumph. "Oh, darling. I owned it, all right. But now? Now it''s your turn." Alexander''s hand balled into a fist again, the knuckles turning white as he red at her. "This isn''t how business works, and you know it." "Business?" udiaughed, the sound light and carefree as if this were all just a fun little game. "Sweetheart, this isn''t business. This is war. And in war, there are no rules. You should''ve learned that by now." Alexander swore under his breath, pacing the room like a caged animal. "You can''t just y with people''s livelihoods like this." udia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, but I can. And I will. And there''s nothing you can do about it because, as you so helpfully pointed out..." She gestured to the contract on the table. "You signed it." Alexander grabbed the contract again, feeling like the words on the page were mocking him. He knew he should''ve been more careful. "I swear, udia," he growled, "I will find a way out of this." udia stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her perfectly tailored zer. "You do that. In the meantime, I''ll just sit back and watch you squirm. It''s quite entertaining, really." Alexander shot her a withering look. "You''re insufferable." The door to udia''s office flew open with a bang, causing both udia and Alexander to snap their heads toward the sound. Standing there, bold as ever, was ire, her smirk already in ce. Behind her, udia''s secretary, looking flustered, was waving her arms and shouting in her thick French ent. "Madame! You cannot just walk in here!" ire ignored her entirely, sauntering in like she owned the ce. "Well, well, well, look who''s ying queen of the castle," she said with dripping sarcasm, her eyes locking onto udia''s. "Hope I''m not interrupting anything too important." udia''s face flushed with annoyance, her jaw tightening as she nced from ire to her secretary. "Get out!" she barked at the poor woman, who mumbled a quick apology before scrambling out of the room. udia''s re then fell back on ire. "What are you doing here?" ire took a step closer, her smirk widening. "Aw, don''t be like that. I thought you''d be happy to see me. Miss me? I mean, our first little get-together wasn''t exactly the warmest." udia stood up from the couch, her posture stiff, arms crossing tightly over her chest. "Cut the crap, ire. What do you want?" Alexander, still seated, looked just as bewildered. He stood up slowly, looking between the two women. "ire, what the hell is going on?" ire''s smirk faded, reced by a serious expression. She met Alexander''s gaze before turning back to udia. "I''m here to save you, Alexander. Whether you realize it or not." udia scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Save him from what? There''s no drama here." ire raised an eyebrow. "No drama? udia, please. You''re the star of your own soap opera, and it''s about to get canceled." She walked even closer, her gaze icy now. "Let''s not waste time. You''re going to delete that video of Alexander, and you''re going to make a statement about it." udia''s eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me? Who do you think you are, ordering me around?" She folded her arms tighter, if that was even possible, ring at ire like she could set her on fire with her eyes. ire,pletely unfazed, reached into her bag and pulled out a small sh drive. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it across the room. udia caught it, more out of reflex than anything. "Take a look at that," ire said coolly. "Then we''ll talk." udia frowned, ring at the sh drive like it was a snake. She stomped over to herptop, plugged it in, and opened the file. Her expression changed almost instantly. Her eyes widened in shock, practically bulging out of her head as the video yed on her screen. "What the" she muttered under her breath, her face drained of color. She turned sharply, marching back toward ire, the sh drive clutched in her hand. "Where did you get this?!" ire chuckled, crossing her arms casually. "Oh, udia, you''re not the only one with connections. Did you think you were the only one capable of ying dirty?" udia was fuming, practically shaking with rage. "You... you can''t " "And by the way," ire cut her off with a satisfied smirk, "you might want to check your Twitter. I noticed it''s getting quite a bit of attention. Seems your private little ount isn''t so private anymore." udia''s hands trembled as she snatched her phone off the desk, her fingers frantically scrolling through her notifications. The flood of replies, the shock on her face as she realized her ount was set to public-it was almost too perfect. Her head snapped up, eyes zing. "Did you do this?!" ire tilted her head, grinning like the cat who''d caught the canary. "What do you think? Was I good?" udia shrieked in fury, pointing an usatory finger right at ire. But before she could make any move, Alexander stepped in, grabbing udia''s wrist firmly. His face was a mix of anger and confusion, his voice cold as ice. "Don''t even think about it, udia. Don''t touch her." ire watched the whole exchange, amused. She took a step to the side, hands on her hips as she circled them. "Listen, udia, you''re going to delete that video and publicly admit you were behind it. Because if you don''t, well..." She paused, letting the weight of her next words sink in. "Erelease this little gem online. And trust me, you know exactly what will happen to your precious reputation. Not to mention how bad it''ll be for Metacortex and Harris Hotel." udia looked like she was about to tear her own hair out. She was livid, furious that ire had managed to flip the script on her so effortlessly. "You... you can''t do this!" she shouted, her voiceced with frustration. "Oh, I can," ire said smoothly. "And I will unless you do exactly what I said." udia opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. She looked like a fish gasping for air, her mind scrambling for a way out of this mess. But she was trapped, and she knew it. ire hade in andpletely blindsided her. Alexander, still gripping udia''s wrist, looked between the two women. "What is this video?" he finally asked, his tone cautious. udia flinched, her face twisting in frustration as she yanked her wrist free. "It''s none of your business!" she snapped, then caught herself, realizing how bad that sounded. She sighed heavily. "It''s just just something from years ago. A mistake." ire''s eyes sparkled with triumph. "Oh, it''s definitely a mistake. One that''s going to cost you dearly if you don''t y nice." Chapter 349 Be Smart udia yanked her wrist free from Alexander''s grasp, her eyes zing with fury. She took a step back, fists clenched at her sides, while ire stood there, arms crossed, looking utterly unbothered. "What''s your answer, udia?" ire''s voice was calm but firm, her cold gaze making udia wince. udia gritted her teeth, palms fisting tighter as frustration built inside her. Her knees buckled, and she slumped to the floor, tears springing to her eyes. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed, her shoulders shaking as the weight of everything came crashing down. ire rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Oh,e on, udia. We don''t have time for this." She tapped her foot impatiently, ncing at her watch. "I asked you a question. What''s it gonna be?" udia sniffled and looked up; her face streaked with tears. The coldness in ire''s face was like a p, making her stomach churn. ire wasn''t going to let her get away with this. With a shaky breath, udia wiped her eyes and muttered, "Fine... I''ll delete the video. And... and I''ll make an apology video too." ire gave a curt nod, her expression softening just slightly. "That''s what I like to hear. But," she added, her voice hardening again, "this needs to end now. We''re not dragging this out." udia blinked, trying to pull herself together. "What... what do you mean?" she stammered, struggling to stand, her legs wobbly beneath her. "I''ll do it tomorrow. Just-" "Tomorrow?" ire cut her off with a sharpugh, shaking her head. "You think I''ve got time? udia, if you don''t do this right now, I''ll upload that video myself. You don''t want that, do you?" udia''s jaw clenched, her face pale with fear and anger. "Fine," she spat, barely able to get the word out. "Good," ire smirked, the victory sweet on her lips. "Take your position, then." ire turned to Alexander, who was still watching the whole scene unfold, clearly torn between satisfaction and disbelief. "Alex," she said, tossing him a phone. "You''re going to film this. And when it''s done, upload it straight to social media." Alexander caught the phone and nced at ire, a curious look crossing his face. "Where did you even get that video?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. ire only shrugged, her lips quirking into a sly smile. "I have my ways." She looked back at udia, who was still standing awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with both of them. "Now, udia, are you ready? This has to be convincing. No half-hearted performance, or we''ll be doing this again." udia opened her mouth to protest, her face still blotchy from crying, but it was toote. ire gestured for Alexander to start the recording. "Go ahead." udia hesitated for a second, then took a deep breath. Her voice cracked as she started speaking, but she forced herself to push through it. "I... I want to apologize to Harris Company and especially to Alexander Harris. The video that''s been circting online was a misunderstanding. That''s not what actually happened..." Her voice wavered, and fresh tears streaked down her cheeks as she continued. ire watched the whole thing with a detached smirk, arms folded as she observed the performance. udia didn''t even have the courage to look her in the eye. Every word sounded hollow, forced-exactly what ire expected. She almost felt sorry for her. Almost. The moment udia finished her apology, she stood there, trembling, waiting for ire''s judgment. ire tilted her head, studying her like a hawk. "Not bad," she said, her tone nonchnt. "It''ll do." Alexander stopped the recording and quickly tapped a few buttons, uploading it to social media. "Done," he said, sliding the phone into his pocket. udia stood frozen, her hands limp at her sides, lookingpletely defeated. ire stepped forward, her smirk widening. "You know, udia," she said in a mocking tone, "sometimes it pays to be smart before you pull stunts like this. Now look at you, crying like a child." udia''s lip quivered, but she said nothing, ring at the floor. ire''s eyes glinted with a mixture of amusement and pity. The whole thing was just so... predictable. udia wasn''t the first person to try and y dirty in this game, and she certainly wouldn''t be thest. But seeing her like this? It reminded vel ire of someone else-Lisa. The simrities were eerie, really. Lisa had always tried to pull simr stunts, acting tough until the moment everything backfired And just like with Lisa, dealing with udia was easy. When udia finally finished, she wiped her tears quickly and turned to Alexander. "It''s done," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please... please don''t upload anything else about my past." ire smirked, leaning forward slightly, enjoying this moment. "Only if you keep your end of the agreement. If you try anything, and I mean anything, to sabotage my project, then I won''t hesitate." udia nodded quickly, her eyes still wide with fear and desperation. But before she could say anything more, Alexander''s voice cut through the air, cold and unyielding. "I''ll be terminating my contract with Solstice Vineyard." udia''s head snapped toward him, eyes wide with shock. "What? You... you''re canceling the contract?" Alexander didn''t flinch. He crossed his arms and stared at her like she was nothing more than a business inconvenience. "Yes. You''ll be hearing from mywyer soon. We''ll discuss the details then." udia''s face drained of color. She stood there, her mouth slightly open,pletely caught off guard. She had expected to grovel a bit, sure, but she hadn''t seen thising. Not only had she been humiliated once, but now, she was losing her contract With the Harris Company This couldn''t be happening. "You can''t do this!" she blurted out, her voice rising in panic. "We had an agreement!" Alexander''s expression didn''t change. He was as calm and collected as ever. "We had an agreement, yes. But after today, I don''t see how this partnership benefits me anymore. It''s done." udia turned to ire, pleading with her eyes. "Please... you have to do something. You can''t let him cancel the contract. It''s my family''s business! This will ruin us." ire only raised an eyebrow, the smirk never leaving her face. "You should''ve thought of that before you go with your n." udia paced the floor, her face flushed with a mix of anger and desperation. "You can''t do this, Alexander!" she spat, her voice shaking. "You signed the contract. You can''t just-terminate it!" Alexander, standing with a cool smirk, leaned against the desk, arms crossed. He watched her unravel, his expression unreadable but clearly amused. "Oh, udia," he said, his tone almost mocking. "I think you might''ve forgotten something." udia stopped, ring at him. "Forgotten what?" Alexander''s smirk widened. "There''s a use. It states that if either party feels they''re at a loss, the contract can be terminated. And let me tell you," he straightened up, stepping toward her, "I definitely feel like I''m losing here." udia''s eyes widened, and panic started to creep in. She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say another word, ire spun on her heel, not bothering to look at udia as she headed toward the door. "Be smart next time, udia, she called over her shoulder, waving goodbye dismissively. Chapter 350 Downfall of Claudia Wright "You can''t terminate our contract, Alexander. You can''t." udia says frantically. udia''s voice broke as she turned back to Alexander. "Please, just give me another chance." Alexander''s smirk faded, and his expression turned cold. He looked at her, no longer amused. "I don''t care," he said tly. "Honestly, I''m d you''ve finally shown your true colors." udia blinked, stunned by his harsh words. Before she could respond, Alexander turned and walked out of the office, his steps deliberate and unhurried. Outside, he spotted ire striding down the hallway. He quickened his pace, catching up to her, and grabbed her elbow gently. ire spun around, her face immediately settling into her usual cold, unreadable mask. She frowned, pulling her arm free from his grip. "What?" she asked, her tone icy. Alexander opened his mouth to say something clever, maybe something to match ire''s sharp edge, but nothing came out. His mind went nk. He stood there for a second, his tongue tied, before he finally managed to blurt out, "Uh, I just wanted to thank you." ire raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "Thank me?" Her voice dripped with skepticism. "I didn''t do it for you, Alexander." He blinked, confused. "You... didn''t?" "No," ire snapped, her tone sharp as a knife. "I did it for Metacortex. Mypany is partnered with Harris Hotel, and I can''t afford for that partnership to tank because of your ipetence. I''m protecting my interests, not you." Alexander stared at her, his surprise genuine. But after a second, he nodded. "Still," he muttered, looking down awkwardly. "I don''t know how to deal with people like udia. So, thank you." ire''s gaze didn''t soften, not even a little. She simply stared at him coldly. "You need to be smarter about choosing your business partners," she said, her voice firm. "If you don''t want to end up in a mess like this again." Alexander nodded, unsure of what else to say. "Right. Got it." ire gave him onest look, clearly unimpressed, before turning and walking away without another word. Alexander stood there for a moment, feeling a strange mix of relief and frustration. He had won this round, sure, but ire''s words stung. He couldn''t deny that she was right. Inside the office, udia was still standing, frozen in ce, staring at the door Alexander had just exited through. Her mind raced, unable to process what had just happened. It wasn''t supposed to go like this. She had a n. A perfect n. And now... it was all ruined. She copsed onto the floor, her knees hitting the hardwood with a thud. Tears streamed down her face, and she let out a strangled scream, the sound raw and full of rage. How could this have happened? How could it all have gone so wrong? She mmed her fist against the floor, her breathing in ragged gasps. "No, no, no!" she cried, the words barely coherent through her sobs. "This can''t be happening!" The door creaked open, and udia''s secretary poked her head inside, her eyes wide with concern. "Madame Wright? I heard you screaming... Is everything alright?" udia''s head snapped up, her face twisted in fury. "Get out!" she shrieked, her voice hoarse from crying. "I don''t want to see you!" The secretary recoiled, startled by the outburst. "But-" "I said go away!" udia screamed, her voice breaking. She threw her phone across the room, watching as it shattered against the wall. "Just leave me alone!" The secretary hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure what to do, before quickly retreating, closing the door softly behind her. udia remained on the floor, sobbing, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Everything she had worked for, everything she had nned-gone, just like that. As ire and Alexander stepped out of the building, the cool Paris air hit their faces. Alexander, walking alongside ire, nced at her, trying to figure out how to break the awkward silence. "So," Alexander stated, "since you helped me with this whole udia mess... what can I do for you?" ire shot him a sideways look, her eyes full of disdain. She rolled her eyes and sighed. "I don''t need anything from you, Alexander," she replied coldly. "All I want is for you to clean up the mess you made. That''s it. No favors." Alexander blinked, caught off guard by her bluntness. Before he could respond, a familiar voice called out, "ire!" ire turned toward the sound, and a warm smile spread across her face as Adrian approached, grinning like he hadn''t a care in the world. "Is everything going well?" he asked, his tone light. "Everything''s settled," ire replied with a satisfied smile. "Just need to sweep up the dust." Alexander frowned, his eyes darting between ire and Adrian. Seeing Adrian here, in Paris, made his stomach twist. He hadn''t expected Adrian to tag along on this trip, and it irked him more than he cared to admit. "Adrian," Alexander said with a strained smile. "What are you doing here?" Adrian casually shrugged. "I''m here to apany ire, of course." He smiled brightly, but Alexander''s frown deepened. Hearing Adrian say that made his annoyance spike. ire, sensing the rising tension, tugged gently on Adrian''s sleeve. "We should go," she said softly, her eyes flicking back to Alexander. Alexander with a pointed nd you," she added, looking at "don''t forget to handle the rest of the cleanup. I don''t want to be dragged into another mess because of you." With that, ire and Adrian turned and headed toward the waiting car, leaving Alexander standing there, watching them go. His mind was a whirlwind of frustration and exhaustion, mostly from dent with udia. His energy was sapped, and seeing Adrian with ire wasn''t helping his mood. As they disappeared into the car, Alexander just stood there, unsure of what to think anymore. In the car, ire leaned back into the plush seat, letting out a long, tired sigh. Adrian, sitting beside her, turned to look at her with concern. "You okay?" he asked gently. "I''m fine," ire replied, her voice quiet. "Just tired. It''s been a long day." Adrian watched her for a moment, his mind working on a n to cheer her up. ire had clearly been through a lot recently, and he wasn''t about to let her leave Paris in such a mood. Suddenly, Adrian leaned forward and spoke to the driver. "Take us to the Eiffel Tower, please." ire blinked, looking confused. "The Eiffel Tower? Why?" she asked, her brow furrowing. "We have to get back to London, Adrian. There''s no time for sightseeing." Adrian turned to her, a mischievous smile ying on his lips. "Rx, ire. It''s not that far, and we have time. London and Paris are practically neighbors." She raised an eyebrow, still unconvinced. "I''ve got a lot of work to do, Adrian. You know that." He chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "ire, you''re always working. You need to take a break now and then, let your brain recharge. Otherwise, how are you supposed to stay youthful and sharp?" ire couldn''t help butugh, rolling her eyes at him. "Youthful, huh?" she said with a smirk. "Fine. But just this once." Adrian grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "That''s the spirit!" he eximed, leaning back in his seat, looking quite satisfied. Chapter 351 Strolling in Paris The car wound its way through the Paris streets, the famousndmarks of the city passing by as they headed toward the iconic Eiffel Tower. ire stared out the window, feeling a little conflicted. She knew she needed to get back to London and bury herself in work, but there was something refreshing about Adrian''s carefree attitude. For once, maybe he was right-maybe she did need a break. "Adrian," she said after a moment, "you know this doesn''t mean I''m going to start cking off, right?" Heughed, turning to her with a teasing grin. "Oh, I wouldn''t dare think that. But even the toughest, most hardworking people need a little fun now and then. You''re allowed to enjoy yourself." ire gave him a sideways nce. "You''ve got a point. But just so you know, I''m already mentally preparing to dive back into work the second we''re back in London." Adrian shook his head in mock disbelief. "I wouldn''t expect anything less. But for now, just enjoy Paris. You deserve it." Soon, the car pulled up near the Eiffel Tower, the iron giant looming overhead, glittering against the twilight sky. ire gazed up at it, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She''d been to Paris plenty of times, but there was something about seeing the Eiffel Tower like this, with its golden lights twinkling, that never got old. Adrian jumped out of the car first and extended a hand to help ire out, his grin wide and goofy. "Mdy," he said, putting on an exaggerated posh ent. ire rolled her eyes, but couldn''t help theugh that escaped her. "You''re ridiculous," she said, taking his hand and stepping out of the car. They walked over to a quieter spot where they could get a perfect view of the tower. Adrian stood beside her, hands in his pockets, as they both looked up at the iconic structure. "Pretty nice, huh?" Adrian said, nudging her gently. "Yeah," ire admitted, her voice soft. "It is." They stood in silence for a moment, just taking in the view. The lights of Paris stretched out beneath them, and for the first time in a long time, ire allowed herself to feel at ease. Adrian nced over at her and saw the tension in her shoulders start to melt away. He smiled to himself, d his n to cheer her up was working. "Thanks, Adrian," ire said quietly, not looking at him. "I didn''t realize how much I needed this." Adrian''s grin widened. "See? I told you. You just needed to stop and take a breath." ire chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Don''t get too smug about it." They spent a little more time at the Eiffel Tower, the conversation light and easy. For a little while, ire forgot about the chaos back in London, about Alexander, udia, and all the drama. Here, it was just her and Adrian, enjoying a peaceful moment in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The sun was just about to dip below the horizon, casting a soft orange glow over Paris. ire and Adrian were strolling leisurely near the Eiffel Tower, the iconic structure bathed in golden light. The atmosphere was calm, almost dreamlike, and it seemed like nothing could disturb their peace. Adrian nced at ire and smiled. "Since we''re already in Paris," he started, casually but with a hint of mischief in his voice, "why don''t we have dinner here? You know, make the most of it?" ire raised an eyebrow, amused. She tilted her head, studying him for a moment. "Oh, so you nned this, didn''t you? You wanted to make sure we didn''t go back?" She teased, her tone yful, making Adrian chuckle. "Maybe," he admitted, the grin on his face widening. "Bute on, how often do we get to have dinner in Paris?" ire sighed, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Fine," she said, pretending to be reluctant, though she was clearly enjoying the idea. She nodded, and they made their way back to the car. As soon as they slid into the backseat, Adrian leaned forward and gave the driver the address of a restaurant. ire raised her brows, giving him a sideways nce. "You really did n this, huh?" Adrian winked. "I like to be prepared." The ride wasn''t long-about 20 minutes-but the whole time, the mood between them stayed light and yful. They exchanged jokes and stories,ughing easily as the city passed by outside. When they arrived at the restaurant, the golden hour was fading into twilight. The car pulled up to a beautiful, fancy-looking ce. Adrian stepped out first and, with a gentlemanly flourish, offered his hand to ire. She hesitated for a second, then took it, letting him help her out of the car. As they walked inside, ire couldn''t help but admire the ce. It had a calm, romantic ambiance, the soft glow of candles on every table adding a warm touch. The decor was luxurious without being intimidating, and despite its fancy vibe, the restaurant feltfortable. Adrian spoke to the hostess, and soon enough, they were being led to a table near the window. ire slid into her seat, ncing out at the sparkling Paris skyline, while Adrian took the seat across from her. "This is... nice" ire admitted, feeling surprisingly rxed. The tension of the past few days seemed to melt away as she nced around the room. Adrian nodded, smiling. "I thought you might like it. Paris at sunset, a nice dinner-what''s not to love?" As they chatted, their conversation flowed effortlessly. They ordered their meals and continued to talk about everything and nothing, from funny stories about work to silly observations about the tourists they''d seen earlier. ire found herselfughing more than she had in days, feeling light and at ease, a rare feeling after the drama with udia and the constant pressure of business. The food arrived, and it was as delicious as expected. They took their time, savoring every bite, but it was during dessert that things began to shift. Adrian''s mood, white still warm, grew a little more serious. ire didn''t notice at first-she was too busy marveling at her chocte mousse-but then she felt it. Adrian''s hand gently touched hers across the table. She blinked and looked up, slightly startled. "Need something?" she asked with a half-smile, her eyes questioning but still rxed. Adrian smiled softly, but this time there was something different in his expression-something more vulnerable. "Actually, yeah. There''s something I''ve been wanting to tell you for a while." ire set her fork down and turned to face him fully, curiosity piqued. "Oh?" she said, her voice light but her eyes searching his face. "What is it?" For a moment, Adrian seemed to hesitate, as if gathering his thoughts. Then he took a breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "ire, I know we only know each other for a short time. And I''ve always admired you your strength, your intelligence, the way you handle things, But recently..." He paused, smiling again, this time more nervously. "Recently, I''ve realized that it''s more than just admiration." ire''s brow furrowed slightly, not sure where he was going with this. "Adrian, what are you saying?" He held her gaze, his tone sincere and steady. "I''m saying I have feelings for you. More than just friendship. I''ve been trying to figure out the right time to tell you, and now just felt... right." For a split second, ire felt like her brain had short-circuited. Adrian? Adrian had feelings for her? This was not what she had expected when they set out for dinner. Chapter 352 The Confession ire froze. She opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss for words. Adrian, noticing her hesitation, gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I know this might be out of the blue, but I had to say it. I''ve been holding it in for too long." His voice was steady, but there was an edge of vulnerability beneath it. "I guess I just need to know... do you feel the same way?" Her mind was racing. She hadn''t expected this-at all. The warmth of the evening, the ease of their conversation, all of it seemed to blur into the background. She stared at Adrian, her mind frantically trying to process what he had just said. Her heart raced, but her thoughts were tangled. Did she feel the same way? Could she? There was so much history between them-so much friendship, loyalty but romantic feelings? For the first time that evening, she found herself unsure of what to say, how to respond. The moment hung in the air between them, heavy with possibility, and ire, usually so quick-witted and sharp, was caughtpletely off guard. Adrian, sensing her inner conflict, smiled gently, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "You don''t have to answer right now," he said softly. "I just wanted to be honest with you." ire took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Adrian, I... I don''t know what to say. This is... a lot to take in." He nodded, his smile still gentle. "I get it. It''s okay. Take your time." The tension slowly eased, though the air between them felt different now-charged with unspoken feelings and unasked questions. ire forced a small smile, trying to regain herposure. "Thank you for telling me," she said quietly, her voice soft but sincere. Adrian nodded, releasing her hand slowly. "No matter what, ire, I''ll always be here for you. That won''t change." ire smiled. "I know. I appreciate that." The quiet hum of the jet''s engines filled the cabin as ire and Adrian sat across from each other, both lost in their thoughts. After the unexpected confession Adrian had dropped over dinner in Paris, the whole vibe between them had shifted. ire couldn''t shake it-things just felt different now. Not bad, just... different. She nced at him a few times during the flight, but every time their eyes met, she quickly looked away, pretending to be deeply focused on something important. In truth, ire liked Adrian. He was smart, charming, and sweet. But love? That was a whole other story. She just wasn''t sure if she was ready to dive into anything serious, especially when her head was so full of business and drama. Yet, there was something about him -something that made her stomach do flips when she thought about his confession. The flight dragged on in a sort of awkward silence. Adrian didn''t push for conversation, probably sensing that she needed time to process everything. And ire? She spent the entire trip reying that moment at the restaurant over and over again in her head. When they finallynded in London, the tension still hung in the air like fog. As they stepped off the ne and made their way across the tarmac, ire turned to Adrian, catching him just before they parted ways. "Hey," she said, her voice soft. Adrian looked at her, his expression open and warm despite everything. "Yeah?" "I just... I wanted to thank you. Foring with me. It really meant a lot." ire hesitated for a second, her thoughts racing. "And, you know, for everything else." Adrian nodded, his smile small but genuine. "I meant what I said, ire. But I''m not gonna push you. Take your time." She gave him a smile in return, though it didn''t quite reach her eyes. "You''re a really sweet guy, Adrian. I''m lucky to have you in my life." ire paused, gathering her courage before leaning in to nt a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I''ll think about it, okay?" Adrian''s heart practically stopped for a second as he stood there, frozen in ce. "Okay," he murmured, watching her step into the ck car waiting for her. As the car pulled away, Adrian let out a long, deep sigh, his fingers crossed in his pocket. Maybe just maybe she''de around. Maybe they could be more than just friends. For now, though, all he could do was wait and hope. The next morning, ire arrived at the office earlier than usual. Even she was a bit surprised by her own punctuality, but after a sleepless night spent tossing and turning in her penthouse, she needed to do something. Anything to get her mind off Adrian. She couldn''t stop thinking about him, about his confession, about the fact that she still hadn''t given him a straight answer. It wasn''t that she didn''t like him-she did but the uncertainty was eating her alive. What if she made the wrong choice? What if she wasn''t ready? And worst of all, what if she led him on without really meaning to? ire sighed, staring at herputer screen, not really seeing anything. Her mind was a million miles away. A sudden knock on her office door snapped her out of her daze. Matthew walked in, eyebrows furrowed clearly noticing something was off. "Whoa, ire. You okay?" He closed the door behind him and leaned against her desk, arms crossed. "Yeah, yeah, I''m fine," she said, waving a hand as if to dismiss his concern. But the vacant look in her eyes said otherwise. Matthew wasn''t buying it. He raised an eyebrow and sat down on the edge of her desk, staring at her with suspicion. "You''re zoning out, which is very un-ire-like. What''s going on?" She sighed, knowing there was no point in trying to hide it. Matthew had known her too long. "Adrian." Matthew blinked, not following. "Adrian Saint Laurent?" ire nodded, biting her lip. "He, uh, confessed his feelings to mest night. Over dinner. In Paris. Matthew''s eyes widenedically, his jaw dropping slightly. "Wait, what? Adrian?" He blinked again like he was trying to make sure he''d heard her right. "Our Adrian? Mr. Fancy Saint Laurent? Confessed his feelings?" ire couldn''t help butugh at the exaggerated look of shock on Matthew''s face. "Yes, that Adrian." Matthew leaned back, shaking his head in disbelief. "Wow. I did not see thating. And... what did you say?" "I didn''t," ire admitted, running a hand through her hair. "I told him I''d think about it." Matthew''s brows shot up. "You''re actually thinking about it?" "Of course I am!" she shot back, sounding almost defensive. "He''s a great guy, Matthew. I just... I don''t know." "Well, do you like him?" Matthew asked, his tone lighter now, but with a touch of curiosity. "I mean, you guys have always been close. You wouldn''t even entertain the idea if you didn''t like him a little." ire hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I do. I like him. He''s sweet and kind, and we get along great. But... I don''t know if that''s enough." Matthew studied her face for a moment before responding, a grin slowly spreading across his lips. "You''re scared." ire shot him a sharp look. "I am not scared." "Oh, you''re totally scared," Matthew teased, leaning in closer. "ire Peterson, master of business and taking down rivals, is afraid of a little thing called love." ire rolled her eyes, trying to brush him off. "It''s not like that." "It totally is!" Matthewughed, leaning back again, clearly enjoying himself. "You''re overthinking it. Look, ire, you don''t have to make some grand decision right this second." Just go with the flow, and see what happens. If you like the guy, spend time with him. You''ll figure it out." ire sighed, resting her chin in her hand. "I know. It''s just...plicated. I don''t want to hurt him. And I don''t want to make the wrong choice." Matthew smiled softly, his voice more serious now. "You won''t hurt him by being honest. He''ll respect whatever decision you make. And as for making the wrong choice? There''s no wrong choice here, ire. But the only way to find out is by giving it Either you feel it, or you a chance. ire let his words sink in, feeling the weight of her uncertainty slowly lifting. "You''re right. I guess I''m just overthinking it." "Exactly. Now, stop torturing yourself. Take a deep breath, rx, and maybe... give Adrian a callter," Matthew suggested with a wink. ireughed, feeling a bit of her usual confidence return. "Yeah, maybe I will." Chapter 353 Unsure Claire The whole situation with udia and Alexander had finally simmered down. udia had reluctantly deleted the video using Alexander of mistreating his employees, and Alexander? Well, he made sure the world saw the apology video. udia''s smeared makeup, her voice cracking, the tears that probably weren''t real-all of it had been broadcast for the public to feast on. ire had to admit, it was a sight to behold. Sitting at her desk, she scrolled through thements on the video. Some people were utterly confused, wondering how this random drama had erupted between udia and Alexander. It had alle out of nowhere for the public, who had no clue what really went down behind the scenes. ire chuckled as she read a particrly savagement, "Is that a makeup tutorial gone wrong or an apology video?!" Most of thements weren''t kind to udia. Her smudged makeup became a symbol of her downfall, and people couldn''t stop talking about it. There were even memes being made. Only a small handful of people were defending her, but the majority were shaming her, calling her the real problem in this whole situation. "udia, the saint? Yeah, right!" someone wrote. ire couldn''t help but feel a little victorious. This was karma at its finest. But as the day went on, ire''s thoughts drifted from the chaos surrounding udia to something else something a little more personal. Matthew''s words from the other night kept echoing in her head, and she knew she couldn''t just keep putting it off. Adrian had confessed his feelings to her in Paris, and she had been turning it over in her mind ever since. It wasn''t fair to keep him waiting, and deep down, she knew she had to talk to him. After a long day of mulling it over, she finally picked up her phone and dialed Adrian''s number. It rang once. Then twice. On the second ring, Adrian answered. "Hey, ire," he said, his voice warm and familiar. For some reason, ire''s heart started racing, and she suddenly felt nervous. "Hey... um, I think we should talk," she said, her voice a little shaky. Adrian didn''t miss a beat. "Sure, where do you want to meet?" ire rattled off the address of a small, cozy restaurant she liked. "How about there?" "Sounds perfect," Adrian replied. "I''ll see you there." Hanging up, ire took a deep breath. She stood up, smoothing down her dress, and grabbed her purse. She wasn''t entirely sure what she was going to say, but she knew she couldn''t avoid this conversation any longer. As she headed toward the elevator, Matthew spotted her, his face lighting up instantly. "Wait, are you actually doing it?" he asked, grinning from ear to ear. ire rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Yes, Matthew. I''m meeting Adrian." "Oh man, this is exciting!" Matthew''s excitement was almost contagious, and ire couldn''t help butugh. "You''re way too invested in this," she teased as they both stepped into the elevator. "I''m just saying, it''s about time," Matthew said, leaning against the wall of the elevator. "And don''t be nervous. Just be yourself." ire raised an eyebrow, turning to him. "The way you''re talking, it''s like I''m about to get married or something." Matthew shed a lopsided grin. "Hey, who knows? Maybe it''ll lead to that." ire rolled her eyes again, but she couldn''t stop the grin from spreading across her face. "Please. Let''s not get ahead of ourselves." As the elevator doors opened, Matthew shot her a yful wink. "Seriously though, just be you. Adrian already likes you. The hard part''s over." They walked out of the building, and Matthew offered to give her a ride. ire hesitated for a second but then nodded. "Sure, why not." The drive was filled with light chatter, but as they got closer to the restaurant, ire could feel her anxiety creeping in. It wasn''t just nerves-it was something deeper. After her messy divorce from Alexander, the whole concept of love feltplicated. She wasn''t as confident in that area anymore, and the fact that someone like Adrian actually liked her had been a bit of a surprise. Matthew pulled up in front of the restaurant and turned to her, his expression softening. "Alright,st bit of advice-stay calm, stay collected. You''ve got this." ire nodded, offering him a small smile. "Thanks, Matthew." "Hey, if anything happens, you know where to find me," Matthew added, leaning out of the window as ire stepped out of the car. She chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I''ll call you if I need backup." With a final wave, ire made her way inside the restaurant. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She hadn''t realized how much this conversation had been weighing on her until now. But there was no turning back. This was something she had to face head-on. Inside, the restaurant was warm and inviting, the soft lighting casting a cozy glow over everything. ire spotted Adrian sitting at a table near the back, and as soon as their met, he stood up, smiling. That Eyes smile-it was both co same and nerve-wracking at the same time. "Hey," Adrian said as she approached. "Hey," ire replied, feeling a little more rxed as she sat down across from him. For a moment, there was silence, the kind that felt bothfortable and tense at the same time. Adrian looked at her with those gentle eyes, the ones that had seen her through some of the toughest moments in her life. "So..." ire started, her voice trailing off as she searched for the right words. Adrian leaned in slightly, giving her his full attention. "It''s okay, take your time." ire let out a breath she didn''t realize she''d been holding. "I''ve been thinking at since Paris," she admitted her fingers fidgeting with the napkin in front of her. "And I don''t want to make you wait forever. You''ve been really patient with me, and I appreciate that." Adrian''s expression was understanding, but there was a hint of curiosity too. "ire, I told you I''m not going anywhere. You don''t have to rush." "I know," she said quickly. "But it''s not fair to you. And to be honest, I''ve been avoiding it because..." She hesitated, then decided to just say it. "Because I''m scared." Adrian looked surprised but didn''t interrupt. He just listened. "After everything that happened with Alexander, I''m not exactly confident when ites to rtionships," ire continued. "I didn''t expect to feel this way again, and honestly, it caught me off guard." Adrian smiled gently. "I get that. But you don''t have to have it all figured out right now. We can take it slow. I just want to be with you, whatever that looks like." ire felt a wave of relief wash over her. Adrian wasn''t pushing, wasn''t demanding anything from her. He was just... there. Supportive, patient, understanding. She smiled, finally feeling some of the tension melt away. "Thank you. That means a lot." Adrian reached across the table, his hand resting on hers. "No pressure, ire. Just us. One step at a time." ire squeezed his hand, feeling a warmth she hadn''t felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something good. Chapter 354 First Kiss Adrian and ire sat across from each other in the cozy, dimly lit restaurant. The warm glow of candles flickered on the table between them, casting soft shadows over their tes of delicious food. The atmosphere was perfect-just quiet enough to make the space feel intimate but lively enough to make it fun. ire was smiling more than she had in weeks and Adrian? Well, he was on cloud nine, soaking in every moment. "This is easily the best meal I''ve had in a long time," ire said, taking another bite of her dessert. "And I''m not just talking about the food." Adrian grinned. "It''s thepany, right? Gotta admit I wasn''t sure how this would go, but... I''m d you''re enjoying yourself." ire nodded, her eyes twinkling. "I am. This whole evening has been... really nice. And that joke earlier?" She let out a smallugh, remembering. "I can''t believe you actually told that one." Adrian chuckled. "Hey, it''s a ssic! You''ve got to love a good dad joke." ire shook her head, stillughing. "I didn''t see iting, that''s for sure." The two of them continued talking andughing, enjoying the rxed vibe between them. The dinner felt easy, natural-like they''d known each other for years. And though there was a little tension, it wasn''t ufortable. It was more of the kind that made your heart race just a little faster, especially when you caught the other person looking at you a second too long. When the meal came to an end, Adrian leaned back in his chair, lookingpletely content. "You ready to head out?" ire smiled, wiping her lips with her napkin. "Yeah, let''s go." They both stood and made their way out of the restaurant, the cool evening air hitting them as they stepped onto the street. Adrian stretched his arms and looked over at ire. "You getting picked up, or...?" Before he could finish his sentence, ire grabbed his hand, stopping him in his tracks. Adrian blinked, clearly confused, and looked down at their joined hands before meeting her gaze. "ire? You okay? Do you need something?" His voice was soft but full of concern. ire hesitated for a second, then took a deep breath, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. This was it-the moment she''d been mulling over for days, the decision she''d lost sleep over. "Adrian, I''ve made my choice." Adrian tilted his head, his brow furrowed. "Your choice?" He sounded confused, which made sense-he''d told her to take her time, no pressure at all. "I told you, ire, no rush. You don''t have to-" But she cut him off, her voice more certain now. "I know, but... I''ve thought about it, and I don''t want to wait. I have feelings for you too, Adrian." Adrian''s eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting this. "You do?" ire nodded, squeezing his hand a little tighter. "Yeah. And I''m not saying this because I feel bad that you told me how you felt, or because I feel pressured. I''m saying it because... I genuinely like you." The honesty in her voice was enough to make Adrian''s heart do a little flip. He stood there, kind of stunned, as ire continued. "Your actions, your words, the way you care about me... It''s something I''ve never really felt before. You make me feel loved, and it''s scary, but also ''d be stupid to ignore ? [?? I''m really lucky to have met someone like you." She let out a shaky breath, her eyes never leaving his. "And I don''t want to avoid this just because it might not work. If it doesn''t, well, we can still be friends. But I want to try." For a second, Adrian was speechless. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. He was floored-he hadn''t expected her to say all that, not now, not tonight. He had been ready to give her more time, but here she was, putting it all out there, and it was... everything he wanted to hear. Before he could think too much about it, he leaned in and kissed her. It wasn''t a hesitant kiss, not at all. It was full of passion, full of everything he''d been holding back. And ire? She kissed him right back, her hand reaching up to cup his face as if this was exactly what she''d been wanting too. The world around them seemed to disappear as they got lost in each other, their kiss deepening, making both their hearts race. It had been so long since ire had felt this kind of affection, this kind of passion, and it felt amazing. For Adrian, it was like a dreame true-finally getting to show her just how much she meant to him. After what felt like forever, they finally pulled apart, both of them breathless, their foreheads resting against each other. A smile tugged at ire''s lips, and she let out a smallugh. "What was that?" she asked, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. Adrian gently caressed her cheek with his thumb, his voice soft and yful. "That? That was a mark of our confession... and the start of us being together." ire raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the moment. "Oh? Are we really together now?" Her tone was teasing, but her smile was genuine. Adrian chuckled, his eyes lighting up. "Oh, we are definitely together." Without warning, he scooped her up in his arms, spinning her around in the air as she squealed in surprise,ughing uncontrobly. "Adrian!" she giggled, clinging to his shoulders as they twirled. "Put me down!" But he didn''t listen-he kept spinning her, hisughter mixing with hers as the world blurred around them. Finally, he set her down, both of them dizzy but grinning like fools. They stood there, catching their breath, still smiling at each other,pletely unaware that just a few feet away, a paparazzo was snapping away, camera clicking furiously. The photographer grinned, knowing he''d just struck gold. As he slipped into the shadows, already nning how to sell the photos, he muttered to himself, "The grandson of Mr. Saint Laurent, one of the most influential business figures, and ire Peterson, CEO of Metacortex... This is gonna make headlines for sure." But Adrian and ire didn''t notice they were too wrapped up in each other, enjoying the aftermath of their kiss, the warmth of the night, and the undeniable chemistry that had been simmering between them for so long. "I can''t believe this is happening," Adrian said softly, looking at ire with awe. "You have no idea how happy I am right now." ire smiled, reaching up to touch his face again. "I think I have an idea." They bothughed and as they stood there under the soft glow of the night city, everything felt right. The next morning, Alexander was making a cup of ck coffee to freshen himself while also reading the news as usual. He dropped the cup that he was holding as he saw the news written on it. "Adrian Saint Laurent and ire Peterson are together?" And above it, there is a picture of them kissing. "No!" Chapter 355 “This cant be happening.” The ss hit the floor with a sharp crash, and hot coffee sttered everywhere, but Alexander didn''t care. His eyes were glued to the screen of his iPad, his grip tightening so hard around it that the device looked like it might snap in half. His heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the images. "This can''t be happening." On the screen was a photo of ire. But it wasn''t just ire-it was ire, smiling brightly as Adrian twirled her around in some romantic dance. And then, the one that made his blood boil-the two of them kissing. Kissing. Alexander felt a surge of anger rises in his throat, his vision swimming with red. Without thinking, he threw the iPad onto the couch, his jaw clenched so tight it hurt. "Dammit!" he cursed aloud, storming toward his bedroom, his hand already pulling his phone out of his pocket. He dialed ire''s number, pacing back and forth, his frustration growing with every unanswered ring. Of course, she wasn''t picking up. He let out another curse and tried again, only to get her voicemail. "ire, call me back. Now." His morning was already shot to hell, and the day hadn''t even really started. Meanwhile, across town, ire woke up feeling like she was on cloud nine. The morning sunlight filtered into her room, and as she stretched out in bed, she reyed the events of the previous night in her head. A smile crept across her face, and she couldn''t help the blush that followed. It was like something out of a high school romance, and she buried her face in her pillow, giggling softly to herself. "Get a grip, ire," she whispered, but it was no use. She was smitten. With a soft sigh, she finally got up, deciding a nice hot shower and a cup of tea would be the perfect way to start her day. After freshening up and enjoying her tea, she was just about ready to head out when something or rather, someone caught her eye outside. Adrian. He was leaning casually against his car, a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a pastry bag in the other. ire''s heart did a little flip, and she felt the grin spreading across her face before she could stop it. "Could this guy be any more perfect?" She stepped outside, approaching him with a teasing smile. "What are you doing here?" Adrian beamed at her, holding out the flowers. "Good morning, beautiful. I wanted to see my princess before heading off to work." ire''s face flushed, and she took the bouquet shyly, her fingers brushing against his as she did. "You really didn''t have to do this," she said softly, though she couldn''t stop smiling. Adrian stepped closer, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "A beautiful girl deserves beautiful flowers," he said, his voice soft and sweet. ire''s stomach fluttered, butterflies dancing in every direction. Before she could respond, Adrian handed her the pastry bag. "And," he added with a grin, "you can''t skip breakfast. Thought I''d bring you something delicious." She epted the pastry with augh, shaking her head. "Okay, now you''re just spoiling me. But seriously, thank you. You''re too sweet." Adrian shrugged with an easy smile. "Only for you." Her heart felt light, and the morning couldn''t have been more perfect. She nced at the flowers in her hands, feeling a warm blush on her cheeks. "How did I get so lucky?" Adrian opened the car door for her, and ire stepped inside, still smiling to herself as she buckled up. The ride to Metacortex was quiet, but it was the kind of silence that feltfortable, and peaceful. Every now and then, ire would sneak a nce at Adrian, who seemed just as happy, his hand resting casually on the wheel. After a few minutes, Adrian broke the silence, ncing at her with a grin. "So, how about brunchter? Just the two of us." ire bit her lip, considering it. "I don''t know... My schedule''s a little crazy today. I''m not sure I''ll be able to get away." Adrian raised an eyebrow, his voice teasing but warm. "Come on, ire. You can''t work all day without taking a break. Besides, if you get sick, you won''t be able to do anything at all." Sheughed, shaking her head. "Okay, mom." Adrian chuckled, shooting her a yful look. "Just looking out for you." ire''s heart swelled. He was thoughtful and kind in a way that made her feel safe. She sighed, looking out the window as they approached her office. "I''ll try to make time," she promised. "But no guarantees." "Deal." Adrian pulled up in front of Metacortex and put the car in the park. He turned to her with a soft smile. "Take it easy today, alright? And don''t forget about that pastry. I expect a full report on how delicious it was." ireughed, reaching for the door handle. "I''ll make sure to text you a full review." Before she could get out, Adrian leaned over, nting a soft kiss on her cheek. "Have a great day, ire." Her cheeks turned pink again, and she smiled, feeling that warm, fluttery feeling all over again. "You too," she whispered before stepping out of the car. As she walked toward the entrance of Metacortex, flowers in one hand, pastry in the other, ire couldn''t help but feel like her day was off to a perfect start. Little did she know," halfway across the city, Alexander''s morning couldn''t have been more different. Back at his ce, Alexander was pacing the length of his bedroom, still fuming, his mind racing. He couldn''t stop thinking about those photos, about ire looking so... happy. With him. Adrian. It made his stomach churn with anger, and he felt his fists clench involuntarily. He picked up his phone again, dialing her number one more time, desperate to get some sort of exnation, even though deep down he knew she wouldn''t answer. As expected, it went straight to voicemail again. He threw the phone down onto his bed, letting out a frustrated growl. "ire," he muttered, raking his hands through his hair. "What are you doing?" He couldn''t shake the image of herughing in Adrian''s arms. The way she looked at him-that look. It wasn''t just casual. No, it was something more, and it was driving Alexander crazy. He stormed over to the window, staring out at the city, but all he could see was red. "This isn''t over." He wasn''t about to let Adrian sweep in and take what was his. Not without a fight. Alexander surfs on his phone and the news is everywhere. Even on X, the news about ire and Adrian is trending. People are talking about it and somements even ship them together telling how good they look together. Just reading it makes Alexander''s eyes burn with jealousy and anger. No one can have ire other than Alexander himself. Even if he has to y dirty, he will do it in order to make ire his. "You are not going anywhere, ire. You.Are.Mine." Alexander muttered to himself. His tone was filled with jealousy and anger. Chapter 356 It’s All Over The Internet Matthew barged into ire''s office, as he usually did, without so much as a knock. ire, who had been peacefully scrolling through some documents on herputer, jolted in her chair. She turned to re at him, her voice dripping with mock annoyance. "There''s this magical thing called knocking, you know," she said, raising an eyebrow. Matthew just chuckled and plopped himself down in the chair opposite her desk,pletely unfazed. Leaning forward, his eyes gleamed with excitement. "Tell me." ire blinked, confused. "Tell you what?" Matthew rolled his eyes dramatically, making it clear he wasn''t in the mood for her games. "Oh,e on. Don''t y dumb with me. Tell me about your date! Last night!" An "oh" slipped out of ire''s lips as a teasing smile slowly spread across her face. "Why are you so eager?" she asked, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair, clearly enjoying Matthew''s enthusiasm. "Of course I''m eager!" Matthew eximed, throwing his hands up in the air. "This is the first time I''ve seen you dating anyone since, like... ever!" ireughed softly, feeling her cheeks warm as memories ofst night came flooding back-Adrian''s confession, her own shy admission, and of course, that sweet, passionate kiss. A blush crept up her face, and it didn''t go unnoticed. "Oh, look at that blush!" Matthew teased, leaning even closer. "Something juicy happened, didn''t it?" ire rolled her eyes but couldn''t help the smile tugging at her lips. "Fine," she relented. "We had dinner, and it was... nice. Really nice." Matthew''s eyebrows shot up. "That''s it? ''Nice''? C''mon, ire. You''re killing me here." ire bit her lip, a yful glint in her eye. "Well... when we left the restaurant, I kinda just... told him how I felt." Matthew''s grin widened. "Go on." "And then," ire continued, twirling a pen between her fingers, "the next thing I know, Adrian kissed me." Matthew nearly jumped out of his chair, his excitement almostical. "He kissed you?! Like a real kiss? How was it? Tell me everything!" ire''s blush deepened, but sheughed. "Yes, a real kiss. And it was... amazing. I didn''t think it would happen so quickly, but it felt right. He told me not to overthink it, to just take my time." Matthew pped his hands together, beaming. "I''m so happy for you, ire. Seriously. It''s good to see you smile like this." Before ire could respond, the door to her office flew open again, and Sandra, her ever-efficient secretary, walked in with a determined look on her face. "ire," Sandra said, making her way to the desk, "you''re trending on social media." ire blinked, her smile fading into confusion. "I''m what?" Sandra handed her an iPad, her expression unreadable. ire''s eyes scanned the screen, and sure enough, there it was-photos and news articles about her and Adrian from the night before. There was a shot of the two of them kissing, another of Adrian twirling her around, and the headlines were all buzzing about their "new romance." ire frowned, her finger hovering over the screen. "Wait... is this really the talk of social media right now?" Sandra nodded. "Yes. It''s everywhere at the moment. Everyone''s talking about you and Mr. Saint Laurent." ire sighed, leaning back in her chair, feeling the weight of the situation settle over her. "Great," she muttered under her breath. "Just what I needed." "Do you want me to take care of it?" Sandra asked, her voice calm and professional. "I can have it removed from the news cycle if you want." ire thought for a moment, biting her lip. The photos, the news-it was all out in the open now. Deleting it would only stir up more attenti And besides, it wasn''t like she could keep her rtionship with Adrian a secret forever. "No," ire said finally, shaking her head. "Let it be. People are going to find out sooner orter anyway. I''ll just... I''ll need to talk to Adrian about this, though." Sandra nodded, tucking the iPad under her arm. "As you wish. I''ll leave it alone." She turned on her heel and exited the office, her heels clicking softly on the floor. Matthew, who had been watching the whole thing, gave ire a questioning look. "You sure about this? I mean, once it''s out there, there''s no going back." ire nodded, though she looked a little tired. "Yeah. It''s fine. I''m not going to hide it, and honestly, it''s probably better if we don''t make a big deal out of it. It''ll blow over." Matthew leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "I guess you''ve got a point. But man, that''s gotta be a lot to handle on top of everything else." ire gave him a small smile. "It is, but what else is new?" Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang, the sharp sound cutting through the room. She nced at the caller ID and sighed. "It''s David." Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Yourwyer? Uh-oh. Sounds serious." ire nodded, lifting the phone to her ear. "Yes, David?" David''s voice was calm but direct, as always. "ire, I just wanted to inform you that the trial continuation is scheduled for Friday. You''ll need to be there by 9 AM. I''ll send over the updated paperworkter today." ire sighed, rubbing her temples. "Thanks for the heads-up, David. I appreciate it. Do you have any updates regarding Lisa? Is she still ying her games?" "In the meantime, I heard that Lisa was being put in her cell again after she was being discharged. And she also went back and forth to the hospital to get a daily check-upi regarding her condition. However, I feel like there is something more to it David says as he expresses his curiosity. ire let out a deep sigh. "Please let me know if you found any information about Lisa." "Of course, Ms. Peterson. I will try my best." "Thank you, David, for your help." "Of course, Ms. Peterson," David added before hanging up. ire dropped the phone on her desk and slumped back in her chair. Matthew watched her with a sympathetic expression. "Trial stuff?" he asked, already knowing the answer. ire nodded, her energy suddenly drained. "Yeah. It''s never-ending, honestly. However, is not about the trial it''s more like Lisa ying her games so she didn''t get sentenced to jail." Matthew gave her a supportive smile. "Well, it''s Lisa. What do you expect? But I know you''ll get through it. You always do." ire smiled back, though it was a bit more strained this time. "Yeah, I know. I''m just... tired." Matthew stood up, moving around the desk to give her a quick pat on the shoulder. "Hey, take it easy, okay? You''ve got enough on your te. Don''t let all this social media stuff or the trial wear you down." ire gave a weak chuckle. "I''ll try. Thanks, Matthew." "No problem. And hey," he added with a cheeky grin, "you''ve got Adrian now. I''m sure he''ll make all this a little more bearable." ire''s blush returned at the mention of Adrian, and she shook her head with a smallugh. "Yeah, we''ll see about that." Chapter 357 Drunk Alexander Matthew leaned against ire''s desk, tapping his fingers lightly as he grinned at her. "So, you heading out soon or what?" ire nced up from herputer, blinking a few times as she stretched her arms. "Yeah, actually. Adrian asked me to dinner." She tried to sound casual, but the slight blush on her cheeks gave her away. Matthew''s grin only widened. "Adrian, huh? Well, well, well. Look at you. Going on actual dates now. What happened to ''I''m too busy for romance''?" ire rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Oh, shut up. It''s just dinner." "Right," Matthew teased, folding his arms. "Dinner. With the guy you clearly like." ire grabbed a pen and yfully threw it at him. "Don''t you have somewhere to be?" Matthew caught the pen with a chuckle. "Not really. But I''m definitely enjoying this." Shaking her head, ire stood up, gathering her things. "Goodbye, Matthew. Try not to hack into anything too crazy while I''m gone." "No promises," he called after her, grinning as he waved. "Enjoy your date!" ire waved him off, heading toward the elevator. She was excited, though she tried to keep her cool. When she stepped outside of the building, her eyes immediatelynded on Adrian, leaning casually against his car, looking as handsome as ever. The streetlights cast a soft glow over him, making him look almost unreal. And when his eyes met hers, they lit up like they always did when he saw her. "Hey, gorgeous," Adrian said, pushing off the car and walking toward her. His smile was easy, natural, and always seemed to have this effortless charm. ire couldn''t help but smile back. "Hey yourself." He opened his arms, inviting her into a quick hug, which she epted. "How was your day?" he asked as they pulled back, his voice warm. "Busy, as usual," ire replied with a small shrug. "You?" Adrian leaned in closer, his tone yful. "Pretty much the same. Though it would''ve been better if I could see you 24/7." ire rolled her eyes but couldn''t suppress her grin. "You really need to work on your flirting." He chuckled, stepping back to open the car door for her. "I''m just warming up." Once she was settled, Adrian hopped into the driver''s seat, and they drove off, the city lights shing by in a blur. ire found herself feeling more at ease than she had in a while, the tension of her busy day fading as they chatted. She tried to focus on the moment, pushing aside any lingering thoughts of work-or anyone else. Meanwhile, Alexander wasn''t having such a rxed evening. He sat at a fancy restaurant, swirling his wine ss, his eyes narrowed. Across from him, Christian was watching him with concern as Alexander downed yet another ss. "You know," Christian said carefully, "you''ve already finished two bottles of this stuff. Maybe slow down a little." Alexander ignored him, pouring himself another drink. "Why should I? I feel like crap. ire''s out there with him," he spat the word out like it left a bad taste in his mouth. "Adrian. I can''t believe she''s actually dating him." Christian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I get it. It sucks. I didn''t expect her to move on with Adrian either, but you''ve gotta let it go, man. ire''s moved on, and maybe... maybe you need to too." Alexander''s grip tightened on the wine ss, his jaw clenched. "I''m not giving up on her, Christian. I know I messed up, I know I treated her badly, but I''m a different man now. I deserve a second chance." Christian just stared at him for a moment before sighing again. He had anticipated this kind of meltdown, but being stuck in the middle of it wasn''t ideal. Especially since he was supposed to be meeting Talia tonight, fresh off her flight from France. His phone buzzed with a text from her, and he checked the time, grimacing. "I need to make a call real quick," Christian said, standing up. "I''ll be right back." Alexander wayed him off, muttering something under his breath about how Christian cared more about Talia than him. Christian just rolled his eyes and walked off, searching for a quieter spot to call Talia. He loved Alexander, but when the guy was this drunk, he could be a bit... difficult. Left alone, Alexander reached for the bottle again, only to find it empty. He scowled, about to call for the waiter when something caught his eye.. Across the restaurant, a woman had just walked in. He squinted, trying to make sure his booze-soaked brain wasn''t ying tricks on him. Was that... ire? His heart jumped into his throat as he stood up, his eyes narrowing further. And then, just behind her, he saw him Adrian Saint Laurent. Alle the blood in his body seemed to boil at once. Without thinking, he marched toward them, fury bubbling up inside him like a volcano ready to explode. nce ire hadn''t even had time to fully enjoy the warm atmosphere of the restaurant when she noticed Alexander storming toward her, his face flushed and angry. Her stomach dropped. Oh no. Not here. Not now. "Alexander?" she said, her voiceced with surprise and a touch of dread. "What the hell is this?" Alexander snapped, ignoring Adrianpletely as he red at her. "You''re here with him?" Adrian stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Hey, man, let''s not do this here." Alexander''s gaze flicked to Adrian, his eyes filled with contempt. "Stay out of this, Saint Laurent." ire sighed, rubbing her temples. "Alexander, what are you doing here?" "I''m having dinner," he said bitterly, gesturing vaguely behind him to where Christian was presumably still on the phone. "But imagine my surprise when I see you walk in here with him." ire could feel the tension thickening around them, and thest thing she wanted was to cause a scene. "Look, I don''t want to do this right now. We''re just here for dinner. Can we not make this a thing?" "Oh, it''s already a thing," Alexander said darkly, his words slightly slurred from all the wine. "You''re really gonna sit here and pretend like this doesn''t mean anything?" Adrian stepped in again, his voice steady. "Alexander, let''s cool it, alright? This isn''t the ce." Alexander shot him a look so sharp it could cut through ss. "You think you can just swoop in and take her from me?" Adrian''s jaw tightened, but he remained calm. "This isn''t about taking anything. ire makes her own choices." "And she''s choosing you?" Alexander spat, the venom in his voice almost palpable. ire had had enough. She stepped forward, looking Alexander straight in the eye. "Alexander, stop. This isn''t helping anything. I''m not your property. I''m with Adrian because I want to be." Alexander let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Don''t tell me you are with him because of his influence. Are you really that desperate for fame? If fame is what you need I can give you that." ire''s face was etched with an angry look. At that moment, she was about to throw her hands up in front of him. "You better watch your mouth, Harris." "And what are you gonna do? Punch me?" "Maybe I will if you don''t shut your mouth," Adrian said coldly. "Well, looks like I''m going first." The next thing ire knew was Alexander''s fistnded on Adrian''s cheek. Chapter 358 Injustice Alexander''s fist connected with Adrian''s cheek, a dull thud reverberating through the restaurant as Adrian stumbled back, clutching his face in shock. ire''s eyes went wide,pletely taken aback by the sudden violence. This wasn''t supposed to happen. Not like this. "Alexander!" she yelled, moving quickly to stand between him and Adrian. She shoved Alexander away from Adrian with both hands, her heart racing. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Adrian, still rubbing his cheek, red at Alexander, his jaw clenched in pain. "You''re out of your mind," he muttered. ire wasn''t about to let this escte. She turned on Alexander, her voice low but fierce, trying to keep the growing audience of onlookers from hearing. "You''re drunk. You''re causing a scene. Everyone''s staring," she hissed, pointing a finger at him like she was scolding a child. "I told you to stop this, Alexander. You have no right to decide who I see." Alexander''s face flushed with anger, but ire didn''t give him a chance to respond. She grabbed Adrian''s hand, giving it a squeeze, and shot Alexander a re. "Adrian and I? We''re together. You need to get that through your head. You''re not in control of my life anymore." Without waiting for a response, ire pulled Adrian with her, weaving through the restaurant''s tables. People were whispering, some staring openly, while others tried to act like they weren''t eavesdropping on the whole mess. ire''s heels clicked sharply on the floor as she marched toward the exit, her grip on Adrian''s hand firm and unyielding. Alexander just stood there, blinking as if trying to process what had just happened. He looked lost, unsure of what to do next. That''s when Christian, who had been off somewhere and missed the chaos, walked up with a confused expression. "What''d I miss?" Christian asked, ncing between Alexander and the curious crowd. Alexander didn''t answer. He just stood there, rubbing his knuckles like he wasn''t sure if he''d actually just hit Adrian or if it had all been in his head. The next morning, ire was still fuming. She couldn''t believe Alexander had punched Adrian. Who does that? She muttered to herself as she brushed her hair, her annoyance bubbling up again. "That man is insane," she grumbled. "Completely lost his mind." Adrian, still nursing a sore cheek, had been sweet about it, trying to make light of the situation. But ire couldn''t let it go. Alexander was out of control, drunk, and acting like a jealous fool. It wasn''t the first time he''d tried to push his way into her business, but this? This was a new low. She couldn''t dwell on it too much longer, though. Friday had arrived, and that meant one thing-court. ire arrived at the courthouse for the third trial, her heels clicking on the marble floor, echoing through the halls as she walked with determination. This process had been dragging on for weeks, and she was ready for it to be over. The courtroom felt familiar now-the same stuffy air, the same rigid wooden benches. But this time, there was a new face in the crowd. Lisa. ire couldn''t help but feel a wave of relief seeing her there. Good. About the time she shows up. The trial proceeded much like the others. ire testified again, her words measured but firm. Lisa''swyer tried to object to everything, of course. It was their strategy-discredit, dy, deflect. But ire stayedposed, letting the facts speak for themselves. Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for-the judge was ready to deliver his verdict. "On the part of Lisa Thompson," the judge began, his deep voice carrying through the room, "it has been proven that she is guilty of the charges." ire couldn''t help the smirk that tugged at her lips. Finally. Justice. But just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the judge continued. "However, after reviewing the evidence, it has been determined that Lisa Thompson is experiencing severe mental disorders. As such, she will be remanded to a psychiatric hospital for treatment." ire''s smirk vanished, reced by a scowl. What? She shot a look at herwyer, David, but before she could say anything, the judge was already holding up a file. "These medical reports show that Ms. Thompson has a history of mental health issues, and she has recently exhibited signs of self-harm and unstable behavior. For these reasons, she will be ced in a psychiatric facility, where she will be monitored by both medical professionals andw enforcement officers." ire frowned, her mind racing. Mental health? This has to be part of her n. She didn''t buy it for a second. Lisa was cunning, maniptive, and now she was ying the "crazy" card to escape real punishment. She tried to stand up, ready to argue, but the judge banged his gavel, silencing her protests. "The decision is final. Ms. Thompson will remain under strict supervision in the facility, and this court is now adjourned." As the courtroom cleared out, ire couldn''t shake her anger. She didn''t care if Lisa had issues-she deserved to be behind bars, not sitting in some cushy psych ward. She turned to David, her expression hard. "Fix this. I want her in jail," ire said through gritted teeth. David gave her a sympathetic nod. "I''ll see what I can do, ire. But mental health cases are tricky. The judge''s decision is final, at least for now." ire watched as Lisa was escorted out of the courtroom by police officers. For a brief moment, she caught a glimpse of Lisa''s face. It was nk, emotionless-like there was nothing going on behind her eyes. Maybe she really is crazy, ire thought. But no. She wasn''t falling for that. This was all part of Lisa''s act, and ire knew it. "I don''t trust her," ire muttered to David. "She''s faking it. This is just another one of her schemes." David sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe, but unless we can prove it, there''s not much we can do right now." ire clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She wasn''t about to let Lisa off the hook. No way. This wasn''t over, not by a long shot. As Lisa was led away, her face still devoid of emotion, ire''s eyes narrowed. She wasn''t going to let Lisa hide behind some mental health excuse. She''d find a way to prove the truth-no matter what it took. "Wait, so you tell me that Lisa is being treated in a psychiatric hospital rather than putting her in jail?" ire nodded as she paced back and forth in her office. Her mind kept remembering the judge''s earlier decision t waspletely unfair to ire because she was the one who suffered under Lisa''s actions, but ire didn''t get the justice she deserved. What are you going to do about it?" ire said in a frustrated tone. "I honestly don''t know. I asked David to handle this matter but even he is unsure because the judge has made his decision." "Damn. That''s really unfair. But how''s Lisa though? Did she look...I don''t know, crazy?" "Well, she does look like she ys the part well. Rather than ring at me, frowning, her eyes were nk. Like there is no life." "She was born to be an actress." ire let out a deep sigh. "I don''t know. I''m confused with the whole situation. I''m going to investigate this matter more deeply. I don''t believe her one bit." She said with determination in her tone. "I''ll help ire. Just tell me what to do and I will do it." Chapter 359 Thousand Problems The past few days had been a whirlwind of chaos and frustration for ire. Honestly, she was on the verge of losing her mind. First, there was the drama with udia-twice, no less. Then there was Lisa, followed by Alexander''s nonsense. Every single thing seemed to pile up, each issue more maddening than thest. Her head throbbed from the stress. ire was sure that if one more problem came her way, she''d explode like a pressure cooker. But there was one bright spot in all of it: Adrian. Dating him was probably the only thing keeping her from losing it entirely. No matter how insane everything else got, at least that part of her life was going right. That small piece of happiness made everything a little more bearable. At the moment, ire was at Cryptonic, her little safe haven away from the madness of Metacortex. She''d had enough of being buried in work and dealing with people for a while. All she wanted was a moment of peace. To clear her head, she decided to dive into one of her favorite pastimes-surfing the web and indulging in a bit of harmless hacking. Today, she was in the mood to create a little challenge, so she whipped up aplex firewall quiz and posted it online to see who would manage to break through it. As she coded and set up the challenge, ire felt an odd sense of calm wash over her. It had been a long time since she''d done something purely for fun like this. She was always so wrapped up in work, in meetings, in drama, that she rarely made time for her hobbies. But now? Now she was in her element. With a final keystroke, she leaned back in her chair, feeling the familiar thrill of havingpleted something just for herself. She pulled up the dashboard and started monitoring how many people were already trying to crack her firewall. Comments flooded in almost immediately, and one in particr made her grin: "The Raven is back!" Ah, her old alias still had some weight in the hackermunity. Everyone seemed excited to crack the code, eager to prove themselves worthy of the challenge she''d set up. As she basked in this moment of peace, her phone rang. It was Matthew. "Hey, ire," he greeted, amusementcing his voice. "Why the heck did you post a quiz?" ire chuckled. "I was bored," she admitted with a smirk. "And honestly? It''s the only thing making me feel at ease right now." Matthewughed on the other end. "Of course you''de up with something ridiculouslyplicated as your idea of fun." ire leaned back in her chair, spinning slowly as she spoke. "What can I say? I''ve got a weird way of rxing." "Yeah, no kidding." Matthew sounded more amused than surprised. "Anyway, how''s the day off treating you? Enjoying some peace and quiet away from the circus?" ireughed softly. "Oh, it''s glorious. Speaking of which, how''s work? You''re surviving, I take it?" Matthew groaned dramatically, making ire grin. "It''s so boring. Paperwork, meetings, more paperwork. I don''t know how you do this every day." ireughed, not the least bit surprised. "Hang in there. It''s not fun, but it keeps the lights on." "Ugh," Matthew sighed, obviously unimpressed. "Why did you make me fill in for you again? What did I ever do to deserve this?" ire smiled. "Because you''re the only one I trust with this stuff. If there''s anyone I can count on, it''s you." Matthew felt a warmth spread through him at her words, though he tried not to show it. "Oh, so you trust me, huh?" He leaned back, propping his feet up on ire''s desk as if she were there to scold him. "Or is it because you just didn''t want me tagging along on your day off?" ire let out augh. "Okay, maybe it''s a little of both." The two of themughed together, a wee break from the intensity of thest few days. But then something on ire''s screen caught her attention, and herughter quickly faded into a frown. "What the...?" she muttered, leaning in closer to herputer. Matthew, hearing the shift in her tone, perked up. "What''s up?" ire''s eyes narrowed as she read the data on her screen. "Someone... someone just broke through the firewall." Matthew sat up straighter. "Wait, what? Already?" "Yeah," ire replied, tapping away at her keyboard as she tried to figure out who had managed to get past herplex coding. "I made it insanely hard-like, really ha There was only a 0.12% chance anyone would solve it. This shouldn''t be possible." Matthew whistled low. "Well, looks like someone''s either really lucky or really good." ire bit her lip, intrigued but also a little frustrated. "I don''t get it. This should''ve taken hours, if not days, for someone to crack. But this? This was too fast." Her fingers moved quickly as she dug deeper, trying to trace the hacker. "Hold on. I''m going to figure out who this is." Matthew leaned in, watching her over the phone with curiosity. "You think it''s someone you know? I mean, Raven''s kind of a legend, so you''re bound to attract the best." ire chuckled. "Maybe. But this feels off. Let''s see what I can find." As ire worked, her mind raced. Who could have done this? And how? She was no stranger to talented hackers, but the speed which this person had gotten through her defenses was known exactly where to look as if they''d been familiar with her style of coding. unnerving. It was almost ret After a few minutes, she paused, staring at the screen. "What is it?" Matthew asked, sensing the shift in her mood. ire''s frown deepened. "There''s something weird about this. It''s not just that they hacked it quickly-it''s like they left breadcrumbs, on purpose." "Breadcrumbs?" Matthew echoed, confused. "Like... clues?" "Yeah, like they want me to find them," ire murmured. ire squinted her eyes as she analyzed the result. For some reason, ire feels weird as she looks at it deeply. "It''s like they''re ying a game." Matthew let out a low chuckle. "Sounds like someone''s trying to get your attention, ire." ire smiled, herpetitive side kicking in. "Well, they''ve got it." She leaned forward,pletely focused now. "Okay, time to track this person down. Let''s see who thinks they can outsmart The Raven." Matthewughed, settling in to watch the show. "You''re having way too much fun with this." ire smirked, her fingers flying across the keyboard again. "Oh, trust me, this is just getting started." For the next minutes, ire chased the digital trail, trying to unravel the mystery of who had managed to slip past her defenses. Each time she got close, the trail would twist, leading her in a different direction. It was like a cat-and-mouse game, and ire found herself more excited than she''d been in weeks. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of digital back-and-forth, ire saw a writing on the screen that says ''Click Here'' and she did the next thing she receive is a pop up message. She froze, eyes widening as she read the message. Chapter 360 Soon ire leaned back in her chair, her excitement from their recent victory evaporating in an instant as she stared at her screen. The message was simple, just two words, but they sent a chill down her spine, ""Miss me?" The line went quiet on the other end of the phone call with Matthew. He paused, clearly sensing something was off. "Uh, ire? You still there?" he asked, his voice concerned. ire cleared her throat, trying to shake off the weird feeling crawling up her spine. "Yeah, I''m here." "What''s up? You went all quiet." She hesitated for a second, then exhaled sharply. "I just got a message." "A message?" Matthew repeated. "From whom? What does it say?" ire''s eyes flicked back to the screen, her lips twisting in irritation. "It''s only two words, Miss me?" Matthew''s tone immediately shifted. She could almost hear him sitting up straighter, the yful vibe gone. "Whoa. That''s... weird. Did you track it?" "Yeah," ire muttered, clicking through her system, her fingers flying over the keys. "I tried. But all it leads me to is the message. Nothing else. Whoever sent this is ying games." Matthew''s foot hit the floor with a heavy thud, now fully alert. "Do you know who it could be? Do you have any idea?" ire bit her lip, thinking it over. Her mind raced through possible suspects. Then something clicked, and her eyes narrowed. "Don''t tell me it''s that Eligos guy." Matthew went silent on the other end for a moment before speaking carefully, "Eligos? You sure? I mean, it could be anyone, especially since you''ve been posting on the hacker boards. You might''ve pissed off some random." ire thought about it, gnawing on her lips as she considered his words. He wasn''t wrong, but something about this message felt personal. The way the hacker left that creepy little note-it just screamed Eligos. He was always cryptic like that. "Yeah, maybe." she finally admitted. "But this feels like him. You know how he is, always leaving breadcrumbs, just to mess with me." Matthew sighed. "If it''s Eligos, you need to be careful. He''s not exactly someone to mess around with." "I know," ire muttered. She hated that he was right. Eligos wasn''t just another hacker. He was the kind who enjoyed toying with people, and if he had her in his sights now, that meant trouble. Big trouble. Matthew''s voice softened, a bit of concern creeping in. "You want me to help track him down?" "Nah," ire said, waving it off even though he couldn''t see her. "It looks like this guy''s targeting me. I''ll handle it." "You sure?" "Yeah. I''ll figure it out." She drummed her fingers on the desk, deep in thought. "I''ll dig around for a while. See what I can find." Matthew was quiet for a beat, then, "Good luck, ire." "Thanks. I''m gonna need it." And so, ire dove into the digital abyss, her mind spinning with possibilities as she worked her way through every possible lead. For hours, she stayed glued to her setup, her fingers dancing across the keyboard in rapid-fire as she sifted throughyer afteryer of encrypted nonsense, trying to find any crack in the firewall of whoever sent the message. But this wasn''t your average hacker firewall. It was like a digitalbyrinth, and every time ire thought she was making progress, another roadblock would spring up, taunting her. She cursed under her breath, leaning in closer to the screen. "Come on,e on," she muttered, growing more and more frustrated. This was taking too long. Even for someone with her skills, this firewall was the next level. She needed hours, maybe even days, to break through it, depending on the difficulty. At one point, she nced at the time. It was already the middle of the night, but she wasn''t about to stop. If this was Eligos, she couldn''t let him win. Not again. Morning came, and ire was still in Cryptonic, bleary-eyed and tired, but determined The sun streamed in through the windows, casting long shadows across the room. Her eyes burned from staring at the screen, and her sses kept slipping down her nose. She barely noticed when Matthew came in, his voice cutting through the silence. "Uh, ire?" he called out, sounding startled. "Have you been here for, like, years or something?" She rolled her eyes, not even bothering to look up from her screen. "Very funny, Matthew." "No, seriously." He walked over to her, eyes widening when he saw her. "You look like you haven''t slept in... forever. Are you okay?" ire pushed her sses up her nose and continued typing. "I''m fine. I''m solving the firewall." Matthew blinked at her, clearly taken aback by how zoned in she was. "You''ve been here all night, haven''t you?" "Yep. I don''t have much of a choice." "And?" "And... it took long hours to finally able to crack the firewall and I did it. I cracked it. ire let out a long breath, relief flooding her as she leaned back in her chair. "However, the result disappoints me. Those long hours of coding only leave me with another note. Guess what it says?" Matthew''s eyebrows shot up. "What?" "We will meet soon," ire read aloud, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "So now I''ve got that to look forward to." Matthew groaned. "Man, this guy is relentless. You sure it is Eligos?" ire rubbed her tired eyes, considering it. "I don''t know. I''m not sure anymore. The way this firewall is set up? It''s not his usual style, but that message? It''s so him. I don''t know. I''m gonna need more time to figure this out." Matthew sighed, pulling up a chair next to her. "You need a break. Seriously. You''ve been going at this nonstop." ire shook her head, her tiredness not enough to stop the determination burning in her. "I can''t. Not when he''s this close. Whoever this is, they''re messing with me, and I do not like it." "Yeah, but you''re no good if you''re dead on your feet." Matthew shot her a concerned look. "Take a nap, at least." She snorted. "You sound like my mom." "Yeah, well, someone''s gotta keep you alive," he said, grinning. "Come on. Fifteen-minute power nap, and then you can get back to kicking hacker butt. ire finally cracked a smile, though it was small. "Fine. Fifteen minutes." "Good." Matthew leaned back, satisfied. "Because I''m not letting you burn out on me. I still need my partner in crime." ire sighed. "Fine, but I''m not going to rest for too long. The sooner I found this person the better will it be." As ire leaned back in her chair, trying to rx for just a moment, her mind continued to race. Eligos-orx whoever this was-had her in their sights, and she wasn''t about to back down. But one thing was for sure, this was only the beginning of whatever twisted game they were ying. In another part of town, he was smiling widely like a Grinch who was about to ruin someone''s Christmas. "You really are one determined woman, ire Peterson. We surely will meet soon." Chapter 361 Meeting in Secret Robert Robertson stepped out of his car, the cold November wind biting at his face as it whipped through his jacket. He tugged it tighter around his body, shivering slightly. The sky was dark, a deep nket of stars overhead, but Robert wasn''t in the mood for stargazing. Christmas was only a month away, and the air was getting more frigid by the day. Pulling out his phone, he scrolled to Eligos''s number and dialed. As usual, it went straight to voicemail. "Of course," Robert muttered, ring at the phone. "The most exclusive, mysterious guy in the world, and his phone''s never on." He let out a frustrated sigh, tapping the screen aggressively to send a text instead. But just as he was about to hit send, two men in dark suits appeared out of nowhere, walking toward him. Robert blinked, confused, as they stopped directly in front of him. "Uh... can I help you?" Robert asked, his voice edged with suspicion. He didn''t get an answer. Before he could react, one of the men yanked a bag over his head, plunging him intoplete darkness. "Hey! What the-!" Robert struggled, his arms iling as he tried to pull the bag off, but strong hands gripped him tightly. "Let me go!" he demanded, his voice muffled by the fabric. Suddenly, he felt his feet leave the ground, his body being hoisted into the air as if he weighed nothing. He could hear the sound of a car door opening, and before he knew it, he was shoved into the back seat. The door mmed shut, the noise ringing in his ears. "I swear to God, you better let me out right now!" Robert shouted, his panic rising. His outburst was cut short by a sharp prick in his arm. He barely had time to register the sting before his limbs went numb, his head spinning as unconsciousness washed over him. Meanwhile, the two men who had just kidnapped him exchanged nces in the front seat of the car. "Why does the boss always gotta be so secretive with this guy?" one of them asked, adjusting his seatbelt. The other man shrugged. "That''s just how Eligos operates. You know, he''s got his whole mysterious vibe going on. Don''t tell anyone anything." "Yeah, but why kidnap him? Why not just, I don''t know, invite the guy over for a chat?" The driver suddenly snapped, his voice sharp as a whip. "Shut your mouth, both of you! You wanna keep your heads attached? Don''t talk about the boss like that." Both men immediately mmed up, their lips sealed tighter than vaults. Only the sound of the car''s engine and the tires on the road filled the silence. The drive was long-longer than usual. Nearly an hour and a half passed before the car finally slowed down. The area they''d arrived at was eerily quiet, like a ce forgotten by time. They had entered a thick forest, the trees casting long, crooked shadows under the moonlight. It looked like no one had lived here in years, and honestly, it was the perfect ce for someone like Eligos to hide out. As they pulled up to the house, the headlights illuminated an old, worn-down mansion nestled deep within the woods. The ce was huge but gave off a creepy, abandoned vibe, with vines crawling up the stone walls and windows covered in grime. But this was Eligos''s choice of hideout-he preferred staying off the radar, away from prying eyes. The men dragged Robert''s limp body out of the car, his arms hanging loosely by his sides as they carried him inside. The front door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit hallway that smelled like old wood and dust. They moved quickly, not wanting to risk waking him up, making their way toward the basement, just like the boss had instructed. The basement was just as unsettling as the rest of the house. It was damp and cold, with stone walls that seemed to close in on you the longer you stayed. At the bottom of the stairs, two more men stood guard by a heavy metal door, their faces unreadable. "Got him," one of the kidnappers said, nodding to the guards. Without a word, the guards opened the door, revealing a small, dimly lit room inside. The kidnappers dragged Robert''s body inside, plopping him down in a chair in the middle of the room, his head lolling forward. "Let the boss know he''s here," one of the kidnappers said, straightening his jacket. The other man nodded and immediately headed upstairs to report to Eligos. Eligos, meanwhile, satfortably in a high-backed leather chair in his office, a twisted smile on his face. His phone buzzed on the desk, and he nced down, seeing the call from his men. He picked up with a cool, casual tone. "Yes?" "We have him, boss. He''s in the basement." "Good," Eligos replied, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "And he''s still unconscious?" "Out cold," the man confirmed. "Perfect," Eligos purred, leaning back in his chair. "Make sure he stays that way. I''ll be down shortly." Eligos descended the creaky wooden steps into the dimly lit basement, his leather shoes tapping lightly against the floor. The room was cold, the walls damp with a faint musty odor lingering in the air. As he entered, he spotted Robert slumped in a chair, his head covered with a rough bup sack. Robert wasn''t moving-probably unconscious. Eligos took his time, sauntering to the chair directly across from Robert, and gracefully sat down. He flicked his handzily toward one of his men, who stood against the wall with a stern expression. The man nodded and quickly moved to Robert, yanking the bag off his head in one swift motion before sshing cold water in his face. Robert''s eyes flew open instantly, his body jerking awake, coughing and spluttering. He blinked rapidly, wincing as his eyes struggled to adjust to the blinding light from the single bulb hanging from the ceiling. He scanned the room, confusion giving way to realization, and then fury as his eyes locked onto Eligos, who sat coolly across from him, arms resting casually on the chair. "You!" Robert shouted; his voice hoarse but filled with rage. He sprang to his feet, his chair ttering to the floor behind him as he pointed a trembling finger at Eligos. "You!" Eligos didn''t flinch. He just sat there with an amused smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, while his men tensed up, ready to act. One of them stepped forward, but with a calm raise of his hand, Eligos signaled for them to back off. "Let him have his moment," his gesture seemed to say. "Well, good to see you again, Robert," Eligos said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. His eyes glinted as if this entire situation was one big joke to him. Robert, still fuming, took a step closer, his fists clenched. "Where the hell have you been?" he spat, his voice shaking with frustration. "I''ve been trying to contact you for weeks! Your phone''s dead, your number''s not working-what the hell, Eligos?" Eligos leaned back, his demeanor unfazed, almost rxed. He tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, you know... busy," he replied smoothly. "I have other clients, Robert. It''s not just you, you know." That only made Robert angrier. His face flushed red as he took another step forward ring at Eligos. your "Busy? Busy?! And what, that''s your excuse for making me jump through hoops just to see you? You goons kidnap me, drag me t god-knows-where, and for what? You couldn''t just pick up the phone?" His voice rose with every word, his anger spilling out likeva from a volcano. Eligos''s lips curled into a wicked smile, the kind that sent shivers down people''s spines. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, locking eyes with Robert. "Well, Robert," he said, his voice smooth as silk, "it''s much easier tomit a crime when no one knows where you are, don''t you think?" Chapter 362 Surprise Her Robert Robertson''s blood ran cold as he heard Eligos say those words, but he forced himself to keep his face steady. No way was he going to let Eligos see just how scared he was. His jaw clenched, and his fists balled at his sides as rage bubbled beneath the surface. His whole body felt like it was vibrating with anger. "This isn''t a joke, Eligos!" Robert''s voice was strained, frustration clear in every word. "What the hell is going on here?" Eligos, lounging in his chair, justughed. It was a low, mocking sound like he found Robert''s outburst hrious. "Calm down," Eligos said, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I''m only joking." Robert''s face twisted, clearly unimpressed. He red at Eligos, his patience rapidly wearing thin. "I''m tired of your stupid games. Get serious for once, will you?" Eligos''s amusement faded in an instant. His expression went ice-cold as he leaned forward, cing both hands t on the table between them. His eyes narrowed dangerously, and when he spoke, his voice was low and chilling, the kind that sent a shiver racing down Robert''s spine. "You need to understand something, Robert. This is how I work. If you don''t like it, you''re free to walk away." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before adding, "But don''t ever talk to me like that again." Robert froze, his bravado evaporating. Slowly, he retracted his hands from the table and swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He looked down, avoiding Eligos''s piercing gaze. "I just want the job done," Robert mumbled, voice barely above a whisper. "I''ve waited long enough." Eligos leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked at Robert with an unsettling calm, like a predator ying with its prey. "Tell me something, Robert," Eligos said casually. "Are you afraid of me?" Robert''s lips parted, but no sound came out at first. Then, quietly, he muttered, "No." "Then why aren''t you looking at me?" Eligos tilted his head, daring Robert to meet his gaze. With a shaky breath, Robert lifted his eyes slowly to meet Eligos''s. The man''s stare was unwavering, intense. After a tense few seconds, Eligos stood up from his chair, never breaking eye contact. He loomed over Robert, his presence heavy and suffocating. "I''ll get the job done," Eligos said, his tone now a promise. "Especially when ites to the person who ruined my family." Robert blinked, feeling his heart skip a beat. His voice wavered as he asked, "What''s the n?" Eligos smiled, but there was no warmth in it. He began pacing slowly, his hands sped behind his back. "I''m thinking... a surprise attack. Catch ire Peterson off guard. That''s the only way to take someone like her down." Robert furrowed his brow, trying to piece together what Eligos was saying. "A surprise attack? How?" Eligos stopped pacing, a mischievous smirk creeping onto his face. He moved to Robert''s side and casually ced an arm on his shoulder. "Confusion, my dear Robert. We make her confused." Robert frowned, the confusion now his own. "What do you mean by ''confused''?" Eligos chuckled darkly, patting Robert''s shoulder like a mentor about to share his grand wisdom. "Led her to capture the wrong person. Not once or twice but maybe countless times." Robert''s frown deepened. "And then what?" Eligos''s grin widened. He was clearly enjoying this. "Then, we let her chase after them, thinking she''s got the upper hand. She''ll be running around, trying to find out who is the person she is running after, getting more and more tired, more and more frustrated. Eventually, she''ll give up or make a mistake." He paused, savoring the next part. "That''s when we strike. That''s when I surprise her." Robert swallowed hard, his skin prickling with unease. "You think she''ll just... give up?" "She''ll have no choice," Eligos replied smoothly, walking back to his chair and sitting down again. "And when she''s on the edge of breaking, that''s when I''ll be there to push her over." Robert shifted ufortably in his seat, his mind racing. He knew ire was smart, maybe even smarter than Eligos gave her credit for. But he also knew that this man, sitting across from him, was dangerous, and unpredictable. The thought of crossing him wasn''t even an option. "What do you want me to do?" Robert asked after a long pause. Eligos raised an eyebrow. "Oh, Robert, don''t worry. All you need to do is be yourself. Act normal. Don''t be suspicious, and definitely don''t give anything away. If you do that, this n will go perfectly." Robert nodded slowly, though doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind. "And if she figures it out?" Eligos''s smile returned, sharp and cold. "She won''t." Robert wanted to believe him, but something about this whole n made his stomach churn. "What if she does?" Eligos''s gaze darkened, and his tone grew more serious. "If she does, we''ll deal with it. But she won''t get that far, not if you follow the n." The room felt like it had dropped ten degrees as Robert absorbed Eligos''s words. Every instinct he had was screaming at him that this was dangerous, that he was in way over his head. But he also knew there was no turning back now. Not after everything. Eligos watched him closely, sensing the turmoil in Robert''s mind. "Rx," he said, almost kindly. "You''re in good hands." Good hands? Robert doubted that. But what choice did he have? This was his mess, and Eligos was the only one who could help him clean it up. "Just remember," Eligos continued, leaning back in his chair, "ire''s smart, but she''s only human. She can be broken, just like anyone else." Robert''s jaw tightened. "And you''re sure this will work?" Eligosughed again, a low, eerie sound. "Of course. Trust me, by the time we''re done, ire Peterson won''t know what hit her." Robert forced himself to nod, though inside, every fiber of his being was screaming at him to run far, far away. But he couldn''t. Not now. Before Robert could respond, Eligos suddenly shoved his hands into his pants pockets, his demeanor shifting. "Well, Robert," he said casually, "I think we''ve covered everything. You''ll see me soon enough." Without warning, Eligos snapped his fingers, the sharp sound echoing in the dim room. Robert''s eyes widened in panic, but before he could react, a heavy bag mmed over his head, plunging him into darkness. "Not again!" Robert muttered under his breath, struggling in vain against the hands that held him. He squirmed, trying to fight back, but he was no match for the brute force of Eligos''s men. One of them held him down while another jabbed a needle into his arm. Thest thing Robert felt was the sensation of his body going limp, every muscle turning to jelly as the drug took effect. Eligos watched, his expression unreadable, as Robert''s body slumped forward. "Put him back in his car," he ordered, his voice cold and calm like he was instructing them to carry out a simple chore. The men didn''t need to be told twice. They lifted Robert with ease, dragging him out of the room. Eligos satisfied that everything was proceeding ording to n, to and walked out of the dim basement. His footsteps echoed as he climbed the stairs, each step feeling like the countdown to something much bigger. As he reached the top, he paused for a moment, looking back into the darkness below. His lips curled into a smirk. "Good luck, ire Peterson," he muttered under his breath before disappearing into the shadows. Chapter 363 Frustrated Robert The loud, persistent sound of someone knocking on his car window startled Robert awake. His eyes fluttered open, and he immediately winced as the blinding sunlight streamed through his car''s windshield. He groaned and straightened up in the driver''s seat, feeling a sharp, stiff pain in his neck. "Ugh, great," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to ease the difort. Turning to his window, Robert nearly jumped out of his skin. Standing just inches away was a man, looking concerned, still knocking on the ss. Robert blinked, disoriented for a moment, before rolling the window down. "What?" Robert grumbled, his voice thick with irritation. The man peered down at him. "You okay, man? You''ve been sitting here for a while. Didn''t know if you were, uh... you know, dead or something." Robert frowned, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. "I''m fine," he said, not bothering to hide his annoyance. He mmed his hand on the button, sending the window back up with a solid thud. The stranger shrugged, giving Robert a puzzled look before walking away, apparently satisfied that he wasn''t dealing with a corpse. Robert leaned his head back against the seat and groaned. "Unbelievable," he muttered, feeling the throbbing in his neck intensify. He cursed under his breath. "Damn Eligos and his goons." It hadn''t been that long since they''d dumped him unceremoniously into his own car, leaving him to wake up in the most ufortable position possible. The stiffness in his muscles was a harsh reminder of that. If he ever saw Eligos again, he''d... well, he wasn''t sure what he''d do, but it definitely wouldn''t be pleasant. Meanwhile, across town, ire was not having the peaceful day she had hoped for either. After her brief escape to Cryptonic-where she thought she''d get some much-needed quiet-her stress levels had only skyrocketed. Someone had managed to hack into her highly secure firewall, one of the toughest ones she''d ever created, and left behind a taunting message. She''d spent hours trying to trace the hacker but kepting up empty-handed. The frustration gnawed at her. ire rubbed her temples, feeling the beginning of a headache forming. "Great. Just great," she muttered, pushing away from her desk. Needing a change of scenery, she decided to head to the robotics room to check on the progress of theirtest project. When she arrived, she found Stephen tinkering with the second robot, his hands moving deftly as he made some final adjustments. "How''s it going?" ire asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and exhaustion. Stephen looked up, smiling. "It''s going well! We''re ahead of schedule, actually. The second robot should be finished before the month''s over." ire''s lips curled into a small smile of appreciation. "That''s great news. Thanks, Stephen, and thank the team too for all the hard work." "Will do," Stephen replied, nodding before turning his attention back to the robot. ire lingered for a few moments, watching the teamwork, before she finally made her way back to her office. There was paperwork waiting for her-tons of it but as soon as she sat down, her phone rang. She nced at the caller ID, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Adrian," she murmured softly as she answered the call. "Hey." "Hey, sweetheart," Adrian greeted her, his voice warm and full of affection. "Have you eaten yet?" ire chuckled lightly, shaking her head even though he couldn''t see her. "Not yet. I''ve been running around all day." "You know you''ve got to eat," Adrian scolded yfully. "If you don''t, you''ll get sick." As ire was about to respond, the door to her office swung open, and Matthew strolled in,ptop under his arm. He caught sight of ire on the phone and immediately made a ridiculously exaggerated kissy face,plete with loud smooching sounds. ire rolled her eyes but couldn''t help the grin that broke across her face. "Matthew," she hissed, picking up a pen from her desk and throwing it at him. Matthew, ever quick on his feet, ducked,ughing as the pen sailed harmlessly past him. "Close, but not quite!" he teased. On the other end of the line, Adrian had clearly heard themotion. "What''s going on over there?" he asked, his tone amused. "It''s just Matthew being annoying as els usual," ire said, ring half-heartedly at her friend, who was now lounging on her office couch, looking far too pleased with himself. en Adrian chuckled. "Tell him I said hi." "Adrian says hi," ire ryed, narrowing her eyes at Matthew, daring him to say something else. Matthew grinned. "Tell him I say hey back. And also tell him you''re blushing." "I am not!" ire protested though the flush on her cheeks told a different story. "I bet you are," Adrian teased, his voice lowering slightly. "I miss you." ire''s heart did a little flip at his words. "I miss you too," she admitted softly. "When are we going to spend some time together?" "I was hoping this weekend if you''re free," Adrian suggested. "We could do something fun-just the two of us." "That sounds perfect," ire said, smiling again. "I would love that." "Me too." Matthew teased them with his childish voice and ire threw another pen at him and Matthewughed. "Great. It''s a date," Adrian said, his voice full of warmth. "Now, go eat something, okay? I''ll talk to youter." "Okay, okay, I will. Talk to you soon or else Matthew couldn''t help but be jealous over our phone call." ire said, hanging up the phone and cing it on her desk. The second she ended the call, Matthew let out a dramatic sigh from the couch. "Oh, young love. So sweet, so pure. Makes me wanna puke." ire rolled her eyes again, though she was still smiling. "Jealous much?" "Of course," Matthew said, cing a hand over his heart in mock sincerity. "You get all the fun phone calls while I''m over here working." "Right," ire said dryly, "because I''m sure you''re working so hard lying there on the couch, making kissy faces." Matthew smirked, sitting up. "Hey, someone''s gotta keep you on your toes." ire shook her head,ughing despite herself. "You are impossible." "And yet, you can''t get rid of me," Matthew said with a grin, standing up and walking over to her desk. leaned against the edge, his expression shifting to something a bit more serious. "So... have you made any progress on tracking that hacker?" ire sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Nope. Whoever it is, they are good. Real good. I''ve tried every trick I know, but they keep slipping through my fingers." Matthew frowned, clearly not liking that answer. "That''s not like you, ire. If anyone can track them down, it''s you." "I know but for some reason, this one will be such a hassle to track down. Every time I feel like I''m getting doser, it slips out of my hand just like that." ire said she imitated it with her hands and Matthew couldn''t help but smile. "I know we will catch him sooner orter," Matthew said with much confidence. Chapter 364 Too Late For That Christian''s eyes went wide as he stared at Alexander. "You did what?" Alexander winced at Christian''s loud voice, already feeling a headache creeping in. He''de to Christian''s office hoping for some advice on how to deal with the mess he''d created, but now he was regretting it. cing his fingers on his temple, he leaned back on the couch, trying to block out the noise. "I don''t know, okay? I don''t know what to do," Alexander muttered, rubbing his temple harder, as if that could erase the memory ofst night''s disaster. Christian plopped down on the couch across from him, still looking dumbfounded. "Dude... you punched Adrian in the face. You punched the guy ire''s seeing. What were you thinking?" Alexander sighed heavily, feeling like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. "I know, I know, I screwed up. Big time. But I was too drunk to even realize what I was doing." Christian frowned, his arms crossed as he tried to process what Alexander was saying. "Too drunk? Like, ckout-drunk? You didn''t realize you were throwing a punch at Adrian?" Alexander hesitated for a moment, then let out a long, exasperated sigh. "Okay, maybe I wasn''t that drunk. But the booze didn''t help. I think..." He paused, searching for the right words. "I think I was blinded by jealousy too. ire was right there, with him, and it just... I don''t know, man, I lost it." Christian shook his head in disbelief. "Dude, what the hell is wrong with you? You''re a mess." Alexander leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and burying his face in his hands. "I know, I know. It''s just, when ites to ire, I can''t think straight. It''s like my brain shuts off. I see her with someone else, and I just... snap." "Man, I just left you for a minute and this happened? And why are you just telling me just now?" Christian eyes wide in disbelief. "I didn''t cross my mind, I guess." Christian studied him for a second, then leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Look, man. I''m gonna be real with you. From where I''m standing, it looks like you''ve got zero chance with ire. And I don''t just mean because of this punch thing." Alexander lifted his head, ring at Christian. "What''s that supposed to mean?" Christian sighed, trying to soften the blow. "I mean, she''s with Adrian now. She''s moved on. Even before all of this, it didn''t seem like she was looking back. You''ve got to face it-ire''s noting back to you, man." Alexander didn''t like hearing that, not one bit. But deep down, he knew Christian wasn''t wrong. He leaned back on the couch again, staring up at the ceiling, trying toe to terms with the reality of the situation. Christian shook his head again, still trying to wrap his mind around how Alexander had managed to make such a colossal mistake. "So what''s your n now? You can''t just sit around and mope. You''ve got to do something." Alexander shrugged, clearly at a loss. "Honestly? I have no idea. Every time I try to think about it, I just... I don''t know, my mind goes nk. It''s ire. She''s always had that effect on me." Christian raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Well, that''s not going to help you now. You can''t just shut down whenever things get tough. You''ve got to figure out your next move." Alexander groaned, rubbing his face. "Yeah, easier said than done. So, what do you think I should do? Apologize? Try to fix things?" Christian shook his head. "You definitely need to apologize. But whether or not that''ll fix anything? Who knows, man. ire''s with Adrian now. This whole thing... it''splicated. But punching Adrian? That''s not something she''s gonna forget easily." Alexander groaned again. "I know, I know. I just don''t want her to think I''m some violent idiot who can''t control his temper." Christian smirked. "Toote for that." Alexander shot him a re, but Christian just shrugged. "Hey, I''m just being honest. You messed up, and now you''ve got to deal with the fallout. But honestly, man? Maybe it''s time to let her go. I mean, ire''s moved on. You need to, too." Alexander didn''t respond, his mind swirling with guilt, regret, and frustration. He knew Christian was right. But letting go of ire? That was easier said than done. Meanwhile, Frank stormed down the hallway toward the makeshiftb where his hastily assembled team was working on a robot project. The goal? Beat Metacortex at their own game. Frank hade up with the idea on a whim, but now it seemed like everything was falling apart. As he burst into the room, he found his team huddled together, looking tense and uneasy. Something was definitely off. "How''s it going in here?" Frank asked, trying to keep his voice calm, though the irritation was clear in his tone. The team members exchanged nervous nces. One of them, a guy with thick sses and a clipboard, cleared his throat and stepped forward cautiously. "Uh, well, there''s been... a few problems." Frank narrowed his eyes. "Problems? What kind of problems?" The guy with the sses adjusted them nervously. "Well, there''s an issue with the software. It''s not integrating with the hardware like we thought it would. And, um, we haven''t exactly nailed down the design for the robot yet..." Frank''s eye twitched. "Wait, you''re telling me you don''t even know what the robot''s going to look like yet? We''re how far into this project?" The team all looked down at their feet, avoiding eye contact with Frank. sses-guy stammered, "W-We''re working on it, but there have been some unforeseen technical challenges. We''re doing our best-" "Your best?" Frank''s voice rose, and his temper red. "You''re telling me that after all this time, you still don''t even have a vision for the robot? What have you been doing this whole time, twiddling your thumbs?" The room went silent, everyone too scared to say anything. Frank could feel his blood pressure rising. He''d put together this team in a hurry, but he''d expected them to pull it together by now. How was he supposed to take down Metacortex if his team couldn''t even build a basic prototype? "I want progress," Frank growled, pacing back and forth in front of the team. "I don''t care about your excuses. I want to see results, and I want them yesterday. Got it?" The team members all nodded nervously, not daring to speak. Frank stopped pacing and fixed them with a steely re. "You''ve got 48 hours to show me something, anything, or this whole project gets scrapped. Do I make myself clear?" "Y-Yes, sir," the guy with the sses stammered. Without another word, Frank turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, leaving the team to scramble in his wake. If they didn''t pull it together soon, Frank wasn''t surene how much longer his patience wouldst. He needed that robot to be ready, and fast. If it wasn''t Metacortex would crush them, and Frank wasn''t about to let that happen. As Frank walked down the hallway, still fuming, he muttered to himself, "Am I the only one around here who knows how to get things done?" Chapter 365 The Game Will Begin ire rubbed her tired eyes, staring at the never-ending stream of paperwork on herputer screen. She had been pulling an all-nighter, going through documents and files for a potential new client that could change the game for herpany. The glow of her desk As she scrolled through another tedious contract, her phone buzzed loudly on the desk, snapping her out of her zone. ncing at the screen, she groaned. "Oh great, it''s him." It was Alexander. ire rolled her eyes, ignoring the call. She didn''t have the patience to deal with whatever drama he wanted to drag her into tonight. But the phone kept vibrating, buzzing like an annoying mosquito that wouldn''t quit. After the third call, her patience was gone. She grabbed the phone and forcefully swiped to answer, her voice dripping with irritation. "What?" she barked into the phone, clearly annoyed. There was silence on the other end, just the sound of breathing. ire narrowed her eyes, gripping the phone tighter. "If you''re just gonna breathe into the phone like a creep, I''m hanging up." Finally, Alexander spoke, his voice low and hesitant. "ire, I wanted to talk." ire sighed loudly, leaning back in her chair. "I don''t want to talk, Alexander. In case you haven''t noticed, I''m working." "But it''s important-" "Nothing you have to say is important to me," she cut him off coldly. "Why are you even calling me at this hour? Where I am or what I''m doing is none of your business." There was a pause, and ire could almost hear Alexander scrambling for words. Before he coulde up with anything, ire shook her head and ended the call. With a huff, she tossed her phone onto the desk and flipped it to silent mode. She had more important things to deal with than whatever Alexander wanted to whine about tonight. By the time midnight rolled around, ire had had enough. Her eyes were blurry, and she couldn''t focus on the screen anymore. Deciding to call it a night, she shut down herputer, switched off themp, and grabbed her bag. The office was eerily quiet-everyone had left hours ago, and she was likely the only one still there. As she stepped into the elevator and headed down to the lobby, she absentmindedly fumbled with her car keys. She wasn''t expecting anything unusual, just a quick escape to her car and straight home to copse in bed. But as soon as the elevator doors slid open, she froze. There, sitting in one of the lobby chairs, was Alexander. "Oh, for crying out loud," ire muttered under her breath. She rolled her eyes and started walking toward the exit, determined to ignore himpletely. But Alexander wasn''t going to let her off that easily. The moment he spotted her, he jumped up and hurried over, standing directly in her path. ire stopped abruptly, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot impatiently. Her eyes narrowed as she red at him. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone sharp with irritation. "It''s midnight. Shouldn''t you be, I don''t know, anywhere else?" Alexander shifted nervously on his feet, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wanted to apologize... for what I did. I acted stupidly a few days ago." ire raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Stupidly? Yeah, that''s one way to put it. You punched Adrian, Alexander. If anyone deserves an apology, it''s him, not me." He sighed, nodding. "You''re right, but-" ire held up her hand, stopping him mid-sentence. "But nothing. I''ve heard enough of your excuses and apologies. And guess what? You never change. You do the same thing over and over again, and then youe crawling back, saying sorry like it''s supposed to fix everything." She took a step closer, her voice cutting through the silence. "It doesn''t." Her words hit Alexander like a punch to the gut. He''swallowed hard, feeling his chest tighten. For a u moment, he didn''t know what to say, didn''t know how to respond. He stared at ire, trying to find something-anything-that would make her see he was trying, that he wasn''t the same person she thought he was. But the words just wouldn''te. Maybe she''s right, he thought to himself. Maybe this is a sign. Maybe it''s time to stop chasing after her, to let her go. But deep down, he knew he couldn''t. He was too attached to her, too wrapped up in what they had-or what they used to have. ire sighed, shaking her head in frustration. "Look, Alexander, whatever this is, whatever you think this is-it''s over. We''re done. Our rtionship is strictly business now, nothing more." She uncrossed her arms, turning to walk past him toward the entrance. "You need to let it go. Alexander opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He watched as ire strode past him, her heels clicking sharply against the lobby floor. She didn''t look back once. She pulled out her car keys, unlocked her car, and slid inside without a second thought. Alexander stood frozen in ce, watching as she drove away, the tail lights disappearing into the night. He stood there for what felt like an eternity, his heart sinking as the weight of her words settled in. Apologies wouldn''t fix this. Nothing he could say or do would change the way things had be. ire was gone, and he was left standing alone in the empty lobby, wondering why he couldn''t just let her go. Eligos leaned forward, his eyes glued to the glowingputer screen, fingers dancing across the keys as he orchestrated his n. He''d been at this for hours, no breaks, no distractions. The dim light of the room and the quiet hum of hisputer were the onlypanions in his dark hideout. His eyes flicked from one screen to another, absorbing data, clicking through endless files, setting traps,ying the groundwork for what was about to unfold. For a few days, he''d been digging into ire Peterson''s digital life, trying to figure out what made her tick. And today, he finally hit gold. He smirked, shaking his head in disbelief as he stared at his findings. "Well, well, well... What do we have here?" he muttered under his breath. His eyes glinted with amusement as the truth unfolded before him like aplex puzzle. ire Peterson, the woman who looked so clean-cut and untouchable, had been hiding the biggest secret of all. She was The Raven. The creator of Cryptonic. Eligos chuckled softly, almost in awe of her. "Who would''ve thought? Miss Perfect has been ying a whole different game this entire time." Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms over his chest, watching the screen with a mixture of admiration and irritation. "She''s good," he said,ughing to himself. "Real good. But that''s what makes this even more fun." For years, Cryptonic had been the stuff of legends in the hacker world, a near-imprable system designed by a ghost. No one knew who had built it. No one even had a clue. And now, sitting in his dark room with only the soft glow of his screens to illuminate him, Eligos had cracked the mystery. The image of ire''s face stared back at him from his monitor. She looked innocent enough, almost too innocent Eligos narrowed his eyes, studying her picture as if searching for some hidden clue in her expression. How could someone who looked so... ordinary, be at the center of something this big? "A snake," he muttered, his voice low, filled with icy disdain. "You''ve been hiding in in sight this whole time." His fingers tapped idly on the desk as he stared at her face. "But tomorrow," he whispered to himself, his lips curling into a wicked grin, "tomorrow, the game begins." Chapter 366 Morning Gossip Matthew grabbed his coffee from the counter, ncing at ire as she took hers. "So... Alexander went to the office?" he asked, casually sipping his drink. ire nodded, blowing on her coffee to cool it down. "Yup. And it was... unexpected, to say the least." As they headed out of the coffee shop and into the cool morning air, Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Unexpected how?" ire shook her head, the memory still baffling her. "I didn''t expect him to be waiting in the lobby. I mean, who just shows up like that?" Matthew pushed open the door, holding it for ire as they made their way outside. "That''s weird. Why was he at Metacortex anyway?" ire stopped just before getting into the car, turning to face Matthew with a raised eyebrow. "Remember when I took that day off?" Matthew paused mid-sip, nodding. "Yeah, I remember. Why?" ire opened the car door, gesturing for him to do the same. "A lot happened that day. Like, Lisa didn''t end up going to jail... and, oh yeah, Alexander punched Adrian in the face." Matthew''s eyes widened, and for a moment, he just stared at her in disbelief. "Wait-hold on. Did you just say Alexander punched Adrian? In the face?" ire slid into the passenger seat,ughing a little at his reaction. "Yes, Matthew. You heard me right." Matthew, still stunned, got into the driver''s seat and blinked at her. "What?! How did that even happen? Why didn''t you tell me sooner?" ire shrugged as she adjusted her seatbelt. "Well, for one, it''s not exactly something I wanted to broadcast. And it happened a few days ago." Matthew shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around it as he started the car. "Okay, so you''ve got to tell me the whole story. I can''t believe I missed this!" "Alright," ire said, rolling her eyes yfully. "Adrian and I were going to this restaurant for dinner, right? Everything was fine. Then, out of nowhere, Alexander shows up. And he''s drunk. Totally out of it. He walks up to our table like it''s no big deal." Matthew whistled in disbelief. "At the restaurant? What was he thinking?" ire scoffed, sipping her coffee. "That''s the thing, Matthew. I have no idea what he was thinking. The entire restaurant was staring at us, and you know how much I hate that kind of attention. So, I was already pissed off. Adrian tried to calm Alexander down-he got in between us and that''s when it happened." Matthew nced at her as they drove out of the parking lot. "Wait, what happened?" ire sighed, shaking her head at the memory. "Next thing I know, Alexander punches Adrian. Right in the face. And I was just... stunned. Like, what the hell, right?" "Whoa," Matthew said, eyes wide. "What did you do?" ireughed, though there wasn''t much humor in it. "I yelled at Alexander, obviously. And then he has the nerve to apologize to me. Like, hello? You punched Adrian! You should be apologizing to him." Matthew let out a low whistle, still trying to process it all. "That''s... honestly insane. What a weird incident." ire sipped her coffee, responding with a sarcastic tone. "Tell me about it." They drove in silence for a few moments, the hum of the car filling the space as Matthew shook his head, still in disbelief. Finally, he broke the silence. "We should probably get back to work before any more drama unfolds." ire nodded, though the thought of work seemed almost trivial after the chaos of the past few days. "Yeah, you''re right. But unfortunately, drama seems to love me and it follows everywhere I go." As they cruised down the road, ire''s phone rang. She nced at the screen and sighed. "It''s David, mywyer." Matthew gave her a side-eye. "This should be good. Want me to pull over?" ire shook her head. "No, I''ll take it." She answered the call. "Hello, David." "Hello, Ms. Peterson," David greeted her, his tone professional as always. "I wanted to update you about Lisa." At the mention of Lisa''s name, ire''s grip on the phone tightened slightly. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool. "What about Lisa? What''s going on?" David hesitated for a second before continuing. "She''s been moved to the psychiatric ward." ire blinked, not sure how to feel. Relief? Frustration? A mix of both? She took a long breath, steadying herself. "I see." David, sensing her tension, softened his tone. "You can visit her if you want. Just let me know, and I''ll arrange everything." ire''s eyes flicked to the passing scenery outside the window, her mind swirling with theplicated emotions that Lisa always seemed to bring up. "Thanks, David. I''ll let you know." "Take care, Ms. Peterson," David said, his voice warm before he ended the call. ire lowered her phone, staring at the screen for a moment before cing it in herp. Matthew nced at her, eyebrows raised in concern. "Everything okay?" ire let out a long sigh. "Yeah. I guess. David just told me Lisa''s in a psychiatric ward now." Matthew gave her a sideways nce. "Wow. You gonna visit her?" ire shrugged, leaning her head back against the seat. "I don''t know. I''m not sure what I would even say if I did." Matthew tapped the steering wheel, thinking for a moment. "It''s tough. But maybe it''s worth going, just to see where she''s at." "I-I don''t know Matthew. I''m too frustrated, toq sad, too disappointed to even forma word. Like I can''t even think clearly. Lisa...she managed to get away again and of my hard work to collect that evidence just... it doesn''t matter anymore." she paused as she looked testhe window. "Thosete-night work, investigating, collecting evidence when Lisa tried to kill me countless times? It''s gone. It doesn''t mean anything." Matthew nces at ire and he can see the frustrated look on her face mixed with anger. "I''m really sorry that happened to you, ire understand how you feel. Why not visit her and ask her what''s behind her motive? The reason why she did alhof this? I mean you just don''t lose your brain in one night, can''t you?" "Well, yeah. I know what you mean but even asking for another trial, the judge denied it." ire pauses as if she is thinking. "Unless..." "Unless what?" "Unless I can prove that Lisa is just acting," ire stated as she turned to Matthew. Matthew frowned. He nces at ire and then back at the road. "Okay, let''s just say, you want to prove that this whole thing with Lisa is just an act of hers. But how will stan you do that? Is it not like you are going to put yourself inside the ward?" ire thought for a moment. "Hmm...maybe I will." Matthew hit the break and then turned to ire, and she threw him a re. "Matthew." "You''re going inside the ward? As in being a patient there?" the car behind them starts honking and ire rolls her eyes. "Drive Matthew and no I am not. I may be crazy, but I am not that crazy. I have other ns in mind." Chapter 367 Hacking Cryptonic ire and Matthew stepped out of the car, their footsteps echoing across the parking lot as they made their way toward the towering Metacortex building. But just as ire reached for the door, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and frowned, eyes narrowing as she saw the alert. "What now?" she muttered. Matthew, sensing her tension, nced over. "What''s wrong?" ire held up her phone. "Someone''s hacking into Cryptonic." Matthew''s eyes widened, and he let out a low curse under his breath. "Seriously?" "Yeah," ire said, biting her lip. "I need to get to Cryptonic, fast. Can you drop me off?" Matthew paused for a second, then shook his head. "No way. Forget driving-let''s take the helicopter. You''ll get there a lot faster." ire shook her head. "We don''t have time to wait for the helicopter now. Let''s just go." She turned on her heel, heading back to the car, and Matthew followed right behind her. Matthew didn''t waste a second. As soon as they were back in the car, he floored it, weaving through traffic at a reckless pace. ire stared at her phone, frustration building. Without herptop, she couldn''t do much except watch the alert notifications sh across the screen. "How did this happen?" Matthew asked, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly. "Cryptonic''s systems are supposed to be bulletproof." "I don''t know," ire said, shaking her head. "This is the first time anyone''s ever hacked into Cryptonic. It doesn''t make sense." Matthew took a sharp turn down a side street, hoping to bypass traffic, but they came to an abrupt stop as they hit a wall of cars. Both of them cursed in unison. "Of course," ire muttered, leaning back in her seat. "Should''ve listened to you about the helicopter." "It''s fine," Matthew reassured her, though his voice sounded tight with frustration. "You were in a panic earlier. Traffic shouldn''tst too long." Unfortunately, "not too long" turned into 20 minutes of inching through the city streets. By the time they reached the outer edges of town and the traffic finally began to clear, Matthew was practically pressing the gas pedal through the floor. ire kept ncing at her phone, helpless. "I hate this. I can''t do anything until I get there." Matthew shot her a quick look. "We''ll make it. Hang tight." The car sped through the nearly empty roads, and after what felt like an eternity, they arrived at Cryptonic''s building. ire didn''t wait for the car toe to aplete stop before she jumped out, with Matthew close behind. As they hurried inside, ire spotted her secretary, Billy, waiting for her by the elevator. His expression was grim, his tone serious. "ire, it''s bad." "What''s the situation?" ire demanded as the elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. "The IT team has been trying to regain control, but it''s like someone''s hijacked everything," Billy exined, his voice low. "They can''t even use their monitors. It''s like they''ve beenpletely locked out." ire cursed under her breath. As soon as the elevator doors slid open to her floor, she marched straight to her office, tossing her bag onto the couch without even looking. Herptop was open in seconds, and she fired up her multiple monitors, her mind racing with a thousand possibilities. "I''ll deflect whatever this is," ire said, her fingers flying across the keyboard. "Whoever''s doing this can''t be too far ahead. We''ve got to stop them before they steal anything or-" But just as she was about to enter the code to shut down the attack, everything went quiet. The alerts stopped. The hacking attempts vanished like they''d never even happened. ire froze, her hands still hovering over the keyboard. "Wait... what?" Matthew, standing behind her, furrowed his brow. "What''s wrong?" "It''s gone," ire said, staring at her screens,pletely bewildered. "The hack... it just stopped. I didn''t even do anything yet." Matthew blinked in confusion. "Wait, isn''t that a good thing?" ire looked up at him, her face a mixture of disbelief and suspicion. "No, it''s not a good thing. Hacks don''t just stop like that. Whoever was doing this didn''t just give up." Billy, standing awkwardly by the door, chimed in. "So... what now? Is it over?" ire shook her head. I don''t know. But something''s definitely off. We need to figure out what just happened." She nced at Matthew. "Can you check the system logs? See if we missed anything?" "I''m on it." Matthew heads out of ire''s office to his work. As Matthew scoured the logs, ire leaned back in her chair, her mind still spinning. The attack hade out of nowhere, and just as quickly as it had started, it was gone. And that wasn''t how things worked. Whoever had hacked Cryptonic wasn''t some amateur-they knew exactly what they were doing. ire stood up and turned to Billy. "Billy I need you to check if the IT team has gotten control of the monitor." he nodded and headed out of ire''s office. Making her way out of the office to Matthew''s she pushed the door open. "Found anything?" Matthew shook his head, his fingers still typing. "No trace of who it was. Whoever did this is seriously good." "Yeah, I figured as much," ire muttered, rubbing her temples. "Whoever they are, they''ve been nning this for a while." "So... what''s our next move?" ire stood up, pacing back and forth. "We wait. And we prepare. If theye back-and they will-we''ll be ready for them." Matthew nced up from hisptop, his expression serious. "We need to step up security on everything, not just Cryptonic. If they''re targeting one system, they could go after more." ire nodded, already mentally running through the steps they''d need to take. "Yeah, good idea. We''re not letting this happen again," she said, her voice determined. "Who do you think will do such a thing? Is it that Eligos guy? Or maybe that person who managed to break down your firewall two days ago." ire thought for a while. "Honestly, I don''t know. It''s confusing. This is the first time I can even think straight to handle this situation. A situation about hacking which is my specialty." "I''m sure we can find whoever this person is," Matthew assured her. For a brief second, she felt like everything was under control. Everything was fine. But, of course, it wasn''t. Just as she started feeling a little toofortable, her phone buzzed in her hand, vibrating against her palm with an urgency she didn''t like. She nced down at the screen and frowned. It was Sandra. "Everything alright?" he asked, noticing the look on her face. "I don''t know." She swiped to answer the call, bringing the phone to her ear. "Yes, Sandra, is there something wrong?" "Uh, Ms. Peterson... we''ve got a situation," Sandra''s voice was high-pitched and tense, which only made ire''s stomach tighten. That wasn''t a good sign. Sandra was normally calm, even in the face of a small office fire. "What kind of situation?" ire asked, though she already had a sinking feeling she wasn''t going to like the answer. "The system''s down. Metacortex''s entire system... it just crashed out of nowhere." Chapter 368 2 Birds 1 Stone ire''s eyes went wide as she listened to her secretary, Sandra, over the phone. "What?" she eximed, frowning in disbelief. Sandra hesitated, then repeated, "The entire Metacortex system is down." ire huffed, running a hand through her hair. "I heard you the first time," she muttered, trying to make sense of it. "What do you mean the entire system is down?" Matthew, who had been sitting quietly at his desk, immediately perked up at the mention of Metacortex. His brow furrowed, and he stood from his chair, moving closer to ire''s desk, clearly trying to catch what was happening. Sandra''s voice came through the speaker again, this time sounding a little more nervous. "It''s like what happened a few months ago... you know, in the control room. Everything just went dark. IT has no control over it." ire cursed under her breath, rubbing her temples. "Great. Just great." She paused, eyes narrowing as she processed what Sandra was saying. This fell off, way too coincidental. She thought to herself this is exactly what happened to Cryptonic a few minutes ago. ire let out a groan, pacing behind her desk. "Okay. I''ll send someone there to handle it. Just... keep me updated if anything changes." She ended the call, pressing the screen with more force than necessary. Matthew, now standing next to her, crossed his arms, concern etched on his face. "What do you mean the Metacortex system is down? What happened at Metacortex?" ire sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Exactly what you''re hearing. Just like what happened a few minutes ago at Cryptonic, Metacortex is down too. It''s insane. I don''t get it." Matthew''s frown deepened, confusion written all over his face. "That''s impossible. How could it happen to both ces at the same time? It doesn''t make sense. It''s like... like someone''s trying to kill two birds with one stone." ire dropped into her chair, one hand on her forehead and the other on her hip, looking as frustrated as ever. "Trust me, I know. It''s a disaster. And I don''t like the timing of this at all. It''s too perfect. Almost like someone''s targeting me." She sighed again. "I need you to head over to Metacortex, Matthew. I''ll stay here and make sure nothing else goes wrong at Cryptonic." Matthew nodded, already shifting into action mode. "Got it. I''ll let you know what I find the moment I get there." ire raised an eyebrow at him. "ASAP, Matthew. I need to know exactly what''s happening over there as soon as possible." He gave her a mock salute, grinning slightly despite the seriousness of the situation. "Roger that." ire watched as Matthew grabbed his bag and headed out of her office, disappearing down the hallway. She could hear him muttering to himself as he made his way to the elevator, probably alreadying up with a dozen different scenarios in his head. Once he was gone, ire headed back to her office sat back in her chair, and let out a long, exasperated sigh. She stared at herputer screen, feeling the pressure weigh down on her. Whoever was behind this had serious skills. They hadn''t just hit onepany- they''d managed to breach two. Two systems that she had personally designed to be nearly imprable. But here they were. Both down. Both are vulnerable. She couldn''t shake the uneasy feeling in her gut. Whoever this was, they weren''t just attacking random targets. This was personal. But why? What did they want from her? Were they trying to ruin her, or was it something more sinister? ire stood up abruptly and began pacing the room, trying to burn off the anxious energy bubbling up inside her. Matthew was probably still a good hour away from Metacortex, and the waiting was already driving her insane. She hated being out of the loop, hated not knowing what was going on. "How the hell did someone manage to break into my system?" she muttered to herself as she paced. "It''s supposed to be unhackable. I built it to be unhackable!" But clearly, someone had found a way. Her creation-her supposedly perfect, hack-free system-had a loophole, and someone had exploited it. ire wasn''t sure if she should be furious or grudgingly impressed. She stopped pacing for a moment, her mind racing as she reyed the events of thest few hours. Metacortex and Cryptonic, both targeted within minutes of each other. It had to be deliberate. No one just hacks into Metacortex and Cryptonic out of boredom. Moreover, Cyrptonic is much more secretive than Metacortex and how that person managed to find out about Cryptonic makes her feel confused. ire is deep in thought. It means the person who hacked into Cryptonic is also a member of Cryptonic on the website. Her fingers twitched, itching to start piecing things together, but without more information, she was stuck waiting. Waiting for Matthew to get to Metacortex. Waiting for some kind of clue to fall into herp. Her phone buzzed on the desk, and for a split second, her heart leaped. She snatched it up, hoping for news from Matthew, but it was just an alert from the IT team. No new developments. Still locked out. She groaned in frustration, tossing the phone back onto the desk and copsing into her chair again. "Come on,e on..." she muttered, staring at the screen, willing to give her answers. Minutes passed, each one feeling longer than thest. Finally, she couldn''t take it anymore. She opened herptop, fingers flying, across the keyboard as she pulled up every system log and ess point she could think of. If there was even a hint of how they get in, she was going to find it. For the next twenty minutes, ire was lost in her own world, running scans, digging throughyers of code, looking for anything out of the ordinary. She''d built this system free ground up-if there was a w, she was going to find it. And then... there. A tiny blip, something so small she almost missed it. A line of code that didn''t belong. Her eyes narrowed as she zoomed in on the details. "Gotcha," she whispered. It wasn''t much, but it was a start. Whoever had done this had left a fingerprint, and now that she had it, she could start tracing it back. It would take time, but at least now she had a lead. ire felt a strange mix of emotions bubbling up inside her. Part of her was annoyed-angry that someone had the nerve to mess with her systems. But another part of her? A small stubborn part was almost... impressed. Whoever did this wasn''t some random hacker. They were skilled. Talented. And if ire was being honest, she couldn''t help but respect that. "Alright, mystery hacker," she muttered under her breath. "You''ve got my attention. Let''s see what you''ve got." Just then, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Matthew. "ire," his voice crackled over the line. "I''m at Metacortex. You''re not gonna believe this." "What is it?" she asked, standing up again, her heart pounding in her chest. "It''s bad. Really bad. Whoever hit us... they left a message." His voice sounded grim. ire frowned. "A message again? What kind of message?" There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Matthew''s voice came through, lower this time. "It just says...Game begins." Chapter 369 Psych Ward Lisa sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the bandage on her wrist. It was all still a blur-the trial, the verdict, the decision to ce her in a psychiatric ward. She remembered the moment she purposely hurt herself, just to make the judge believe she was unstable. It worked, but now here she was, stuck in this ce, pretending to be crazy. She wasn''t crazy. Not at all. She was just... ying the game. But no one else saw it that way. She sighed, running her fingers over the bandage. At least she wasn''t in jail. Small victories, right? But this? This wasn''t exactly what she wanted either. Being in the psych ward wasn''t any better. It wasn''t freedom. It was still a cage, just padded and with softer walls. Her mind drifted back to the trial, where ire had red at her from across the room. That face-oh, how ire had hated her. The frown, the way ire''s eyes bore into her, it all made Lisa ufortable. Not because she was scared of ire-no, it was because Lisa knew deep down that she had nothing left. Not even a satisfying smirk to throw back at ire. The whole trial had been miserable. Lisa was supposed to be putting on an act, and acting crazy didn''t leave much room for gloating. Her mind wandered further, to the fallout with her mom. It wasn''t just ire who hated her now. Her rtionship with her mother was broken, thanks to all of this. Because of ire. Because of everything. And now? Now she was utterly alone. Well, except for Gretta. But Gretta was a strange kind of ally. A savior, maybe. But Lisa couldn''t decide if Gretta counted as a friend. Or if she could trust her. The sound of knocking on her door startled her, and Lisa jumped. Her heart raced as she looked up. A nurse peeked inside. "You''ve got a visitor," the nurse said, her tone cautious, like Lisa was about to bite her or something. Lisa''s mind raced. A visitor? Who in the world would visit her? Panic shot through her. ire. Oh God, what if it was ire? Her stomach twisted, and her body felt cold at the thought. But then, the door swung open fully, and it wasn''t ire. It was Gretta. Lisa exhaled deeply, a rush of relief washing over her. Of course, it wasn''t ire. It was Gretta. The nurse gave Gretta a side nce. "Be careful with her. No one knows when she might... act up." Lisa clenched her fists under the bed covers, suppressing the urge to snap at the nurse. Act up? She wanted to hiss, but she bit her tongue. Thest thing she needed was to blow Gretta''s n by losing her temper. She had to keep the act up. Keep ying the part. The nurse finally left, closing the door softly behind her. The moment the footsteps faded, Gretta pulled a chair over to the bed and sat down, crossing her legs like she had all the time in the world. "How''s life?" Gretta asked casually, as if Lisa wasn''t sitting there in a psychiatric ward, pretending to be insane. Lisa stared at her for a solid five minutes, waiting until she was absolutely sure the nurse had walked far enough away. Once the coast was clear, she dropped the crazy act and shot Gretta an annoyed re. "How long do I have to keep up this stupid charade?" Lisa hissed, her voice sharp but quiet. Gretta chuckled, clearly amused. "Honestly, you''re doing such a great job, I was starting to think you really had lost it." Lisa rolled her eyes, leaning back against the headboard. "I don''t have a choice. It was either this or jail, and jail wasn''t an option." Gretta raised an eyebrow, still smirking. "And you y the part so well. Almost convincing, if I didn''t know any better." Lisa groaned, running a hand through her hair. "How much longer do I have to do this? I''m losing my mind in here, and I''m not even actually crazy!" Gretta''s smirk faded a little, and she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "You have to y the part for a while longer. People can''t be suspicious. If you break character now they''ll throw you in jail faster than you can blink. I''ll let you know when it''s time." Lisa sighed, looking up at the ceiling. She hated this. Every part of it. She didn''t want to be here, didn''t want to pretend anymore. Lisa was still staring at Gretta with a frown etched on her face. The minutes ticking by slowly. "When you say ''for a while longer," Lisa began, her tone edged with frustration, "how long are we talking here? Weeks? Months?" Gretta leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "We''re close. Very close. But if we pull the trigger too early, you''ll end up behind bars, and neither of us wants that." Lisa groaned, falling back onto the bed. "This is torture." Gretta chuckled softly, standing up. "Patience, darling. You''vee this far. Don''t ruin it now. I''ll be in touch soon." With that, Gretta turned on her heel and walked out, leaving Lisa alone with her thoughts. Meanwhile, over at Metacortex, Matthew was pacing in the IT room, phone pressed to his ear. He''d just finished call with ire, his mind still buzzing from the conversation. Something wasn''t right, and needed to figure out what was going on. He tapped a few keys on hisptop, pulling up the system that ire had hacked into earlier at Cryptonic. He started typing in the code, just like ire had shown him, his fingers flying over the keys. But then... nothing. The screen went nk as the hack had never happened. It was as if no one had ever touched the system. Matthew frowned, sitting back in his chair. "What the hell?" he muttered to himself, typing furiously again, trying to bring it back. But every trace of the hack was gone. No sign of it anywhere. He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. "Great, just great. ire is right. This person seems to be toying with us." The IT team was busy with their own tasks, barely paying attention to Matthew''s growing annoyance. He mmed hisptop shut and stood up, pacing the small room. ire had been so sure-so certain they''d find something. And now? It was like the whole thing had vanished into thin air. "I need all of you to be aware incase this kind of situation happens. And if it did, please notify Sandra so she can immediately inform ire. Understand?" "Yes, sir." They answer in unison as they get back to work, He pulled out his phone and dialed ire again, but it went straight to voicemail. Of course. She was busy, probably neck-deep in whatever chaos she was dealing with at Cryptonic. Alexander ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. He had a feeling this was just the beginning of a much bigger problem. The hacking, the disappearing traces-it all pointed to something more. Something deeper. But for now? He was stuck waiting. And Matthew wasn''t a man who liked to wait. Chapter 370 Won’t Stop Looking Matthew sped down the road toward Cryptonic, barely able to contain his excitement. After his phone call with ire, he didn''t waste any time. As soon as she gave him the green light to head back to Cryptonic, he was out the door, hopping into his car and driving straight to the office. Whatever ire had discovered, he was eager to hear it. When he arrived, he made a beeline for ire''s office. The ce was always quiet, filled with the hum ofputers and the soft glow of monitors. As soon as he walked in, he spotted ire,ser-focused on herputer screen, typing away furiously. She didn''t even turn to look at him, but somehow, she always knew when he was there. Without taking her eyes off the screen, ire asked, "How was it at Metacortex?" Matthew dropped into the chair across from her, running a hand through his hair. "Same as what you experienced earlier. I was about to enter the code you sent me, and boom-everything just stopped. The hacking just... paused, like nothing happened. Then, out of nowhere, the control room monitors were working again like magic." ire''s fingers hovered above her keyboard, her eyes narrowing slightly. She then turned her head toward him, a knowing look on her face. "I think I''ve got an idea who''s behind it." Matthew leaned in, his eyebrows scrunched together. "Wait, seriously? You figured it out?" ire shook her head, biting her lip. "Not exactly. I haven''t figured out who it is yet, but I did manage to piece together something important." Matthew tilted his head, curiosity written all over his face. "What do you mean?" ire pushed her chair back a little, stretching out. "Think about it. No one knows about Cryptonic. It''s not something you can just Google and find. Even if someone searches for it, nothinges up. The only way in is through an invitation I personally send out. So, for someone to hack into Cryptonic? That means they''re either part of themunity already or..." Matthew''s eyes widened. "Or what?" "Or they''ve found a way in without my knowledge, which, to be honest, seems impossible. Cryptonic is so locked down that even the best hackers have tried and failed to breach it." Matthew nodded but still seemed skeptical. "Yeah, but what if this person is just really good? Like, maybe they aren''t a member but somehow managed to get in? You know, bypassed all the security?" ire shook her head vigorously,pletely disagreeing. "No way. If it were that easy, there would be dozens of people trying to break in every day. People have tried, trust me. Cryptonic is nearly imprable. And even if they did manage to sneak in, the bigger question is how did they even know it existed? It''s not like we''re broadcasting this thing. Cryptonic''s whole purpose is to stay secretive." Matthew let out a long sigh, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temples. "Yeah, I get it. It just doesn''t add up, though. Whoever this is, they''ve clearly studied you, studied everything about you... but you''ve got nothing on them." ire nodded, a frown tugging at her lips. "Exactly. It''s like they know my every move, but I can''t even figure out who they are. It''s frustrating." Before either of them could say more, ire''s phone vibrated on the desk. She nced down and saw Adrian''s name sh across the screen. Great timing, she thought sarcastically. She picked up the phone and forced herself to sound calm, despite the tension building inside her. "ire, darling," "Hey, Adrian," she said, trying to keep her voice light. "Where are you? I went to your office earlier to see you but Sandra told me you are not in the office." Adrian''s voice was warm, but there was a hint of curiosity there. "I''ve got some free time today and thought we could grab dinner." ire hesitated, biting her lip. She wasn''t in the mood to go out-she had bigger things to focus on, like tracking down whoever was messing with Cryptonic. But she didn''t want to raise any suspicion either. "Oh, you were in the office? Sorry about that. Uh... maybe next time?" she said, trying to sound casual. "I''m not in the office right now." "It''s unlike you to be out of the office," Adrian replied, chuckling to himself. "Where are you then?" Without missing a beat, ire lied. "I''ve got a meeting outside. Business stuff, you know the usual." "Of course. You can never steer clear when ites to work now do you?" Adrian said after a short pause. "You know me. I''m a workaholic." ire chuckled lightly. "Alright then. Give me a call when you''re done with your meeting, okay?" "Will do," ire replied, ending the call as quickly as possible. She set the phone down and let out a small sigh. Across from her, Matthew was watching her closely, leaning back in his chair with a knowing look on his face. "You still haven''t told him, have you?" Matthew asked, raising an eyebrow. "Told him what?" ire replied, feigning innocence. "You know, about The Raven," Matthew said, his voice teasing. "Adrian knows you''re good at hacking, sure. But does he know- you''re the Raven? The hacker that half the underground tech world is either afraid of or in awe of ire shook her head, letting out a smallugh. "He doesn''t need to know about my side gig. Besides, he knows I can hack. But The Raven? That''s a whole other story. And I n on keeping it that way-for now, at least." Matthew snorted. "Yeah, good luck with that. At some point, he''s gonna figure it out. You can''t keep a secret like that forever." ire shrugged, turning her attention back to theputer. "Maybe. But for now, he doesn''t need to know. Besides, I''ve got enough on my te without adding ''exin to Adrian that I''m a legendary hacker'' to the list." "Fair enough," Matthew chuckled. "But when he does find out, I want to be there. That''s gonna be one hell of a conversation." ire rolled her eyes but couldn''t help but smile. "Yeah, I bet you do." The two of them sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation hanging in the air. Whoever was behind this had clearly thought things through. They were ying a game and right now, it felt like they were winning. But ire wasn''t one to back down from a challenge. If this mysterious hacker thought they could outsmart her, they had another thinging. Matthew''s voice broke the silence. "So, what''s the next move?" ire didn''t answer immediately, her mind racing. She knew she needed to keep digging, to keep pushing until she found something-anything-that would give her a lead. But for now, she also had to be careful. This person was slippery, and one wrong move could tip them off. "We keep looking," she finally said, her voice steady. "We don''t stop until we find them. And when we do, they''re going to regret ever messing with Cryptonic." Matthew grinned. "Now that sounds like a n." ire nodded, her fingers flying back to the keyboard. "Let''s get to work." Chapter 371 Precaution Adrian leaned against Sandra''s desk, shing his signature charming smile. "Hey, Sandra," he greeted smoothly, his tone casual. "ire''s out for a business meeting, right?" Sandra looked up, slightly surprised, and then gave him a polite smile as she tapped her keyboard. "Let me check." She clicked through ire''s schedule for the day, her eyes narrowing in concentration. After a few moments, she looked back up. "Actually, ire doesn''t have any business meetings today." Adrian''s smile faltered, but only for a split second. "Oh, she doesn''t?" "Nope," Sandra confirmed, swiveling her chair back to face him. "Nothing on the calendar." "Well, thanks for checking," Adrian said smoothly, regaining hisposure. He gave Sandra a wink and headed toward the elevators, but his mind was already spinning. If ire wasn''t in a meeting, then where was she? And more importantly, why had she lied to him about it? As he stepped into the elevator, he couldn''t help but feel a twinge of confusion mixed with concern. ire wasn''t the type to lie, not to him at least. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, thinking it over as the elevator began its slow descent. Why would she lie? What was she hiding? On the other side of town, Eligos was reclining in his office chair, watching multiple screens sh data across them. A smug grin spread across his face as he leaned back, puffing on a tobo pipe he hadzily hanging from his mouth. Cryptonic had been caughtpletely off guard earlier, thanks to him. It had been glorious, really-a sudden, well-executed attack that left them scrambling. Then Metacortex followed, and Eligos found himself practically giddy with the sess of his day. "If only I could see ire''s face right now," he mused out loud, blowing a puff of smoke toward the ceiling. "That would really be the icing on the cake." His eyes remained fixed on his monitors, keeping an eye on ire''s digital footprint. She was likely scrambling now, trying to patch up the holes he''d made. But he wasn''t worried. He had spent years perfecting his hacking techniques, including a secret software that allowed him to slip past Cryptonic''s defenses without even leaving a trace for her to follow. Eligos smirked, still feeling the thrill of outsmarting her. "Well, well, ire," he murmured, tapping ash from his pipe. "What game should I y with you next?" He chuckled, amused at the thought of keeping her on her toes. He had the upper hand now, and he wasn''t going to let it go so easily. Meanwhile, back at Metacortex, ire was anything but amused. Her office was a mess of coffee cups, scattered notes, and her two monitors glowing in the dim light as she worked furiously, trying to secure the systems. After the internal attacks on both Metacortex and Cryptonic, she hadn''t slept in over 24 hours. She''d rewritten firewalls, updated software bypasses, recorded sections of their defenses-everything she could think of to make sure this didn''t happen again. Eligos had struck out of nowhere, and ire wasn''t about to let it slide. Her phone buzzed on the desk, making her jump slightly. She nced at the screen. It was a text from Adrian. "Hey, I''ve got a meeting out of town, so I can''t do our date this weekend. How about we do it today instead?" ire sighed, leaning back in her chair. She really didn''t want to leave her desk right now, not with everything that was going on. But... she did feel bad. Adrian was sweet, and she had already lied to him earlier about her schedule. He trusted her, and she didn''t want to take that for granted. Another buzz. This time a follow-up message from Adrian, "You free today?" ire nced at the lines of code on her screen and hesitated. Should I just stay here and deal with this? Or... should I go and see Adrian? She sighed again, feeling guilty. Adrian wasn''t the kind of guy to y games. She quickly texted back, "Yeah, I''m free. You can pick me up at the office." Not even a minuteter, her phone buzzed again. This time, Adrian sent a smiling emoji with a heart. ire couldn''t help but chuckle as she saw it. It was cute, and it made her feel a little better about her decision. "Focus, ire," she muttered to herself, putting the phone down and pulling her attention back to her screens. Matthew was at Cryptonic dealing with the fallout there, just as she had requested. She wanted to be at Cryptonic herself, handling things in person, but she couldn''t afford to dy her own work at Metacortex any longer. Otherwise, the paperwork would start piling up, and that was thest thing she wanted on top of all this mess. Her phone buzzed again, and she nced at it, seeing Adrian''s message, "I''ll be there in 20 minutes. Can''t wait to see you." ire smiled slightly, biting her lip. She knew she''d made the right call. She''d just have to make sure everything was secure before she left. No more surprises. As Adrian''s car pulled up in front of Metacortex, he checked his phone for the hundredth time, half expecting another cancetion or excuse. But there was nothing-just the text from ire telling him toe pick her up. He smiled to himself as he climbed out of the car, his heart racing a little. It had been a long time since he felt this excited for a date. He entered the lobby, greeted Sandra with a friendly wave, and took the elevator up to ire''s floor. As the doors opened, he saw her waiting by her desk, looking a little tired but still as beautiful as ever. "Hey," Adrian greeted her warmly as he approached. "Ready to go?" ire looked up from herputer, giving him a small, tired smile. "Yeah, just finishing up. One sec." She typed something quickly on her keyboard and then grabbed her bag. "Okay, I''m ready." Adrian''s arm restedfortably around ire''s waist as they made their way down to the lobby, his fingers gently tracing patterns on et her hip: ire leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his touch, though her tired smile gave away the kind of day she''d been having. "So, how''s your day been?" Adrian asked his voice light butced with curiosity. ire let out a tired sigh, offering him a faint grin. "Hectic, to say the least. I feel like I''ve been putting out fires all day long. You?" He chuckled softly. "Not as eventful as yours, I''m sure. But hey, at least we''re done with all that now. We can rx for a bit." As they headed out together, Adrian couldn''t help but ask, "So, no business meetings today, huh?" ire stiffened for a split second before sheughed it off, lightly smacking his arm. "Nope, not today." Adrian smiled, but a small part of him still wondered why she had lied in the first ce. He let it go, though, not wanting to spoil the evening. "Well, I''m d I caught you," he said, slipping his hand into hers as they walked. "I''ve been looking forward to this all day." ire squeezed his hand, a small wave of guilt washing over her again. But she pushed it aside, determined to enjoy the night. Chapter 372 The Explosion Adrian stood by the restaurant''s entrance, beaming as he extended his hand toward ire. The entire ce was empty-well, aside from the two of them. Adrian had booked the whole outdoor dining area just for their special night. His eyes sparkled as he asked, "Ready?" ire looked up at him, momentarily stunned by the gesture. "You did all this?" she asked, taking his hand and nodding as her smile widened. Adrian led her to the table by theke, the soft glow of fairy lights dancing on the water''s surface. ire felt her heart skip a beat. It was the stuff of romance novels-the kind she never expected to experience in real life. The breeze was gentle, the night sky clear, and the setting was beyond perfect. "Wow," she murmured, taking it all in. "No one''s ever done something like this for me." Adrian chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I came up with the idea, but I did need a little help setting it up," he admitted shyly, eyes flickering toward the lights as if to emphasize how much work went into this. ire grinned at him. "Adrian, this is amazing. It''s like something out of a book!" Her eyes wandered over the scene: the candlelit dinner table, the soft glow of fairy lights strung above them, the peacefulke shimmering in the distance. Everything was so... romantic. Adrian smiled and gestured to the table. "Please, have a seat, mdy," he said, pulling out her chair with an exaggerated flourish. ire let out a yful chuckle. "Why, thank you, kind sir," she teased, taking the seat with a grin. They bothughed at their own silliness, the tension of the world outside melting away as they settled into the moment. Meanwhile, far from the dreamykeside scene, in a hidden room lit only by the cold glow ofputer monitors, Eligos sat hunched over his desk, his fingers tapping away at the keys with growing frustration. His gaze flickered from one screen to the next, eyes narrowing as he muttered under his breath. "ire... you''ve been busy," he said to himself, smirking slightly. Eligos had been trying to hack into Metacortex and Cryptonic again, just like old times. But something was different. He couldn''t get through. ire upgraded the firewalls and the encryptions. And she had done it fast. Eligos couldn''t help but feel a grudging admiration. "Damn it! She changed the whole damn firewall in 24 hours," he muttered, impressed but annoyed. It wasn''t just Metacortex-Cryptonic, too. He cracked his neck and flexed his fingers. "Time to get to work." For hours, he toiled, trying every trick in his ybook to get into Cryptonic''s database, hoping to corrupt some of ire''s secret files, or maybe uncover something useful to exploit. Impressed but irritated, Eligos cracked his neck and stretched his fingers. "Alright, ire," he muttered, "you''re good. But I''m better." But each time, he hit a digital wall. Frustration built, his patience slipping away. "Come on," he growled under his breath, trying again, only to be blocked yet again. He mmed his fist on the desk, ring at the screen as if his anger alone could break through the defenses. But ire had fortified the system well. Too well. Shifting his focus, Eligos turned his sights on Metacortex, but the result was the same-failure. He cursed under his breath, his eyes narrowing into slits. "She''s locked me outpletely. How the hell did she do this?" he snarled, cracking his knuckles in frustration. "Well, if I can''t get in quietly... it''s time to put on a show." His fingers danced across the keyboard again, this time with a new determination. He leaned forward, his eyes burning with renewed determination. He wasn''t about to let ire have the upper hand. If he couldn''t break through the firewalls, he''d find another way. Maybe it was time to stop ying around and up the ante. He wasn''t just some hacker. He was Eligos, and no one was going to shut him out forever. Back at theke, ire and Adrian were deep in conversation, the wine flowing and the night growing cozier. ire felt more rxed than she had in ages. Adrian was telling a story about a potential business partner he was avoiding meeting, and his animated expressions made her giggle. He was charming, in a slightly awkward but endearing way. "So, you''re just not going to meet him?" ire asked, raising an eyebrow as she sipped her wine. Adrian shrugged, shing a crooked smile. "I mean, he''s not really the kind of guy I want to get involved with. It''d be bad for business, you know?" ire nodded but then tilted her head slightly, her expression turning more serious. "How''s your cheek?" she asked, remembering the punch Alexander had thrown not too long ago. Adrian reached up to touch his face as if testing it. Then, with a grin, he shrugged. "Better now. Barely even feel it anymore." Without thinking, ire''s hand reached up to gently touch his cheek. She hadn''t nned it, but seeing him smile like that made her want tofort him in some way. Adrian leaned into her touch, his eyes softening as he reached up to hold her hand. Then, with a sweet smile, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. ire blushed, pulling her hand back, her heart suddenly racing. She hadn''t expected that, but it felt... nice. Adrian noticed her flustered expression and chuckled softly. "You''re cute when you get all shy," he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement. ire rolled her eyes yfully, trying to hide the fact that her heart was still doing backflips. "Okay, Romeo." Adrian let out a light chuckle and he stared into ire''s eyes. "I really enjoy tonight''s dinner." A soft smile etched on ire''s lips. "Me too. I really enjoy it. But unfortunately, I still have a lot of work to do back in the office. Maybe we should get going," she said, her voice light, though her cheeks were stiffa little pink. Adrian nodded, getting up from the table. "Yeah, let''s head out." They bothughed, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. Theke, the lights, the quiet-it all felt magical. Adrian had done something no one else had ever done for ire. And that made the evening all the more special. They started walking toward the car, the night still holding onto its quiet magic. Just as they reached the car, ire paused, patting her pockets. "Wait, I forgot my phone," she said, turning back to the restaurant. "I''ll be right back. Just wait here, okay?" Adrian smiled and leaned against the car. "Sure, I''ll be here." ire hurried back to the table, scanning the area until she spotted her phone lying near the candlelit setting. She grabbed it and turned to head back when- BOOM. The sound was deafening, shaking the ground beneath her feet. Her heart froze. For a split second, everything felt surreal, like the world had tilted sideways. She dropped her phone in shock, her mind racing as she processed what had just happened. Her eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as she ran toward the sound, toward Adrian and the car. Her mind screamed, but her body moved automatically. What had just happened? Chapter 373 He’s Gonna Make It ire''s phone hit the ground with a dull thud as she spun around, her heart pounding in her chest. The sound she had just heard-it couldn''t be what she thought it was. Denial washed over her as she grabbed her phone and started toward the noise, her footsteps quickening with every second. "No, no, it can''t be..." she muttered under her breath, forcing herself to believe it wasn''t Adrian''s car. But as she rounded the corner, her worst fear came true. There, engulfed in mes, was Adrian''s car, the heat radiating off it in waves, crackling loudly as the fire spread. ire''s stomach dropped. "Adrian!" she screamed, her voice trembling with panic. This was the first time she had ever felt fear like this-pure, unrelenting fear. Her body went cold, but her mind was racing, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. Frantically, ire scanned the area, her eyes darting back and forth, desperately hoping Adrian wasn''t inside the car. She couldn''t handle that thought. And then she saw him-his body lying by the sidewalk, a few feet away from the mes. "Adrian!" she called again, this time her voice cracking. She sprinted toward him, her legs carrying her faster than she thought possible. When she reached him, she dropped to her knees, grabbing him by the arms and trying to pull him away from the burning car. The fire was growing, the heat bing more intense with every second. She gritted her teeth, using every ounce of strength she had to drag Adrian''s limp body farther from the wreckage. "Come on,e on!" she muttered to herself, pulling harder, her muscles screaming in protest. Just as she managed to get them a safe distance away, the car exploded again. The st was deafening, and ire flinched instinctively, her body trembling from the shock. But they were far enough now-the fire wouldn''t reach them here. She let out a shaky breath of relief, though her heart was still hammering wildly. She nced around in a daze, trying to find her phone. Where had she dropped it? Her mind was clouded with panic, unable to focus. She couldn''t think straight, couldn''t process what had just happened. "Okay, okay, focus, ire," she whispered to herself, forcing herself to stand up. Her eyes scanned the ground until theynded on her phone, a few feet away, half buried in the grass. She stumbled over to it, her hands shaking as she dialed Matthew''s number. "Pick up, pick up, pick up," she muttered under her breath, pacing anxiously as the phone rang. Every second felt like an eternity. Finally, Matthew''s voice crackled through the speaker, lighthearted as usual. "Hey, ire! What''s up? You miss me already?" "Matthew," ire cut him off, her voice sharp with fear. "Something''s wrong. You need toe pick me up. Now." The tone in her voice instantly changed Matthew''s mood. "ire, what happened? Are you okay?" His voice was serious now, all traces of humor gone. "I''m at... I''m near the corner of Pine and Oak," she managed to say, her voice trembling. "Adrian''s hurt. It''s bad. You need to hurry." "I''m on my way. Don''t move, okay? If anything happens, call the police," Matthew said, his voice steady but urgent. ire nodded even though he couldn''t see her. "I won''t. Just... just hurry." As soon as she hung up with Matthew, ire immediately called for an ambnce, her fingers fumbling over the phone. Her voice was frantic as she gave them the address, barely able to string the words together. "Please, there''s been an ident. My friend, he''s hurt. We''re at Pine and Oak," she stammered. The operator''s voice was calm, asking for more details, but ire could hardly focus. "Just send someone, please," she begged. Next, she dialed the police, and this time, her patience was wearing thin. The dispatcher was asking too many questions, and ire was running out of time. "Just listen!" ire snapped, her tone sharp. "There''s been an explosion. We need help now." After what felt like an eternity, the police assured her they were sending officers to the scene. ire dropped her phone, her hands still shaking, and turned her attention back to Adrian. His head was cradled in herp now, and she gently brushed the hair from his face, her fingers trembling as she stroked his cheek. "Stay with me, Adrian," she whispered, he voice thick with emotion. "Please, don''t leave me." She leaned down, pressing her ear to his chest, and felt a wave of relief wash over her when she heard the faint thump of his heartbeat. He was still alive. Barely, but alive. "Hang in there, okay? Help''sing," she whispered, though she wasn''t sure if he could even hear her. Just then, the sound of tires screeching against the pavement caught her attention. She whipped her head around and saw Matthew''s familiar car pulling up fast. He jumped out, running toward her with wide eyes. "What the hell happened?" he asked, his voice tight with worry as he dropped to his knees beside her. ire shook her head, still in shock. "I don''t know... I just... I heard the explosion, and then I saw the car... Adrian was lying there. I-I didn''t know if he was inside the car or " Matthew ced a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down. "It''s okay. You got him out. You did well, ire. You did well." ire blinked, her vision blurring with tears she didn''t realize she was holding back. "I don''t know what happened. One second everything was fine, and the next..." Matthew''s jaw tightened as he nced at the burning wreckage of the car. "This wasn''t an ident," he muttered darkly. "Someone did this." ire looked at him, wide-eyed. "What? But who would-?" Before she could finish, the distant wail of sirens filled the air. The ambnce and police were finally on their way. But Matthew wasn''t waiting around for answers. He pulled off his jacket andid it over Adrian, keeping him warm while they waited. "Don''t worry, ire. We''ll figure this out," Matthew said, his voice firm, trying to steady her. ire nodded, though her heart was still racing, her mind still spinning. She stroked Adrian''s hair again, whispering softly, "You''re going to be okay. Just hang on." Minutes felt like hours as they waited, every second ticking by painfully slow. ire kept ncing at Matthew, who stood beside her his expression tense, but 10% determined. He was already thinking ahead-nning their next move, figuring out who could''ve done this. Finally, the ambnce arrived, and paramedics rushed over, carefully lifting Adrian onto a stretcher. ire stood back, watching helplessly as they worked, her hands twisting anxiously in front of her. "Will he be okay?" she asked one of the paramedics, her voice small. "We''re doing everything we can," the paramedic replied, offering her a tight-lipped smile before they loaded Adrian into the back of the ambnce. As they prepared to leave, ire turned to Matthew, her eyes filled with fear. "What if he doesn''t make it?" Matthew ced a hand on her shoulder, looking her straight in the eye. "He''s gonna make it, ire. He''s strong. And we''ll figure out who did this, I promise." ire swallowed hard, nodding. She believed him-or at least, she wanted to. For now, all she could do was hope. As the ambnce pulled away, ire stood frozen, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and fear. But deep down, a spark of anger was starting to form. Whoever had done this wasn''t going to get away with it. Not on her watch. Chapter 374 Being Treated ire''s heart pounded as she watched the ambnce doors close, taking Adrian away. She stood frozen, her mind racing. "Matthew, we have to follow them," she said, her voice shaky but determined. She barely made a step toward the car when a police officer walked up to her. "Ma''am, I''m going to need your statement about what happened here," the officer said, his face calm but serious. ire blinked, her mind spinning. What had happened? How had it all gone so wrong? She couldn''t think about anything except Adrian. What if he didn''t make it? What if his injuries were worse than they looked? Panic tightened her chest. Before she could respond, Matthew stepped in, looking between ire and the officer. "Officer, ire Peterson here needs to get to the hospital too," he said, gesturing to her hands. ire looked down, realizing for the first time that she had scratches across her palms and debris dusted over her clothes from the impact. "I''m fine," ire muttered, her voice barely a whisper. Adrian was the one who mattered, not her. The thought of him lying in that ambnce, injured and possibly worse, was tearing her apart. The officer studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, ma''am. I''ll stop by the hospitalter to get your statement once you''ve been treated." ire only nodded, too numb to say more. She stumbled toward Matthew''s car, and he quickly helped her into the passenger seat before climbing in himself. He started the engine, but ire''s eyes were glued to the burning wreckage they were leaving behind. The twisted metal of the car, the mes licking up into the sky-the scene reyed over and over in her mind, and she couldn''t escape it. Matthew nced at her, his face tight with concern. "ire, I''m so sorry this happened. Adrian''s going to be okay. We''ll make sure of that." ire didn''t answer, just stared out the window. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear and anger. How had this happened? Who would do this to them? She swallowed hard and finally whispered, "You''re going to help me find out who did this, right?" Matthew didn''t hesitate. "Of course. Whoever''s behind this- they''re going to pay for what they did to you and Adrian." A tear slid down ire''s cheek, and she wiped it away quickly. She hated feeling so helpless. But right now, all she could think about was Adrian. She had to see him. She had to know he was okay. The drive to the hospital was only about 25 minutes, but it felt like an eternity. As soon as Matthew parked, ire was out of the car, sprinting toward the entrance. Matthew followed behind, struggling to keep up with her pace. They burst into the reception area, and Matthew was about to speak when ire cut him off, her voice frantic. "Adrian Saint Laurent-where is he? He just came in." The nurse behind the desk blinked, surprised by ire''s intensity, but quickly answered. "He''s being treated in the ER. First floor, on the right." ire didn''t even wait for a full exnation. "Thanks," she muttered quickly, already halfway down the hall. She could hear Matthew calling after her, telling her she needed treatment too, but she didn''t care. Not right now. When she reached the ER, she pushed the door open and rushed inside. A nurse passed by, and ire grabbed her arm gently but urgently. "Excuse me, have you seen Adrian Saint Laurent? He''s in a suit-he was just brought in." The nurse''s expression softened. "Yes, I know who you mean. He''s being treated by the doctors right now." "Is he okay?" ire asked, her voice trembling. "Is he...?" The nurse ced a hand on ire''s shoulder. "The doctors are doing everything they can, but you can''t go in there right now. Please, just let them work. They''ll update you as soon as they can." Before ire could say anything more, the nurse stepped away and pulled a curtain closed around Adrian''s bed, blocking him from her view. ire stood there, staring at the curtain, her heart pounding in her ears. Matthew caught up with her a momentter, his breath a little ragged from rushing after her. He gently touched her arm. "ire, you need to let them check you out too. Adrian wouldn''t want to see you hurt like this." ire blinked, feeling the ache in her chest again. She nodded numbly. "You''re right... but-" "No buts," Matthew said softly but firmly. "Come on, let''s get you looked at." ire gave onest nce at the curtain before finally allowing Matthew to lead her away. A nurse approached them and led ire to an empty bed, where she sat down heavily. As the nurse cleaned the scratches on her hands and checked her for other injuries, ire turned to Matthew. "Can you... can you let his family know?" she asked quietly, her voice thick with emotion. "The Saint Laurents- they need to know about this. They''ll be worried." Matthew nodded, his face serious. "I will take care of it, ire. Don''t worry." She watched him walk away, feeling a little better knowing someone was handling things. But it didn''t ease the sick feeling in her stomach. Time dragged on as the nurse worked, and all ire could think about was Adrian. How was he? Were the doctors helping him? What if... she shook the thought away. No. She couldn''t go there. After what felt like hours, ire was finally finished with her treatment. She thanked the nurse and sat in the quiet room, her mind racing. Suddenly, a doctor appeared at the door looking around before his eyesnded on ire. "Miss Peterson?" he asked, stepping toward her. ire stood up quickly, her heart in her throat. "Yes? Is Adrian...?" The doctor gave her a reassuring smile. "You can see him now. He''s stable, and he''s resting. The injuries were serious, but we managed to treat him in time. He''s going to need rest and recovery, but he''ll be okay." Relief washed over ire like a wave, and she nearly copsed from the weight of it. "Thank you," she breathed. "Thank you so much." The doctor nodded, gesturing for her to follow him ire followed him and he pushed the curtain open, revealing Adrian with a lot of band aids on him. From his arms, his forehead, and some scratches on his cheek. His chest rose and fell steadily, and even though he was bruised and bandaged, he looked like himself. "We will move him to a room once he is stable enough and we would like you to please have in contact with the family." ire nodded and turned to the doctor. "Of course. They are on their way here." "Please excuse me, if there is anything you need, inform the nurse." "I will. Thank you." The doctor nodded and left. ire stepped closer, her hand reaching out to touch his. She squeezed it gently, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath hers. Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time, they were tears of relief. "You''re okay," she whispered, her voice shaking. "You are really okay." Chapter 375 Not Your Fault ire sat by Adrian''s bedside, her eyes fixed on his peaceful face, hoping he''d wake up soon. The steady beep of the heart monitor filled the room, a reminder that he was alive, but it wasn''t enough to calm her racing mind. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, silently begging for him to open his eyes. Matthew walked in, his footsteps soft, as if he didn''t want to disturb the fragile peace in the room. "Hey," he said, his voice low but gentle. "I called Adrian''s parents. They''re on their way." ire nodded, her gaze never leaving Adrian. "Thanks, Matthew." Matthew shoved his hands into his pockets, looking a little unsure of what to do next. He stood there for a moment, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot. "You should probably go home, and get some rest," he offered, though it was clear he already knew what her answer would be. ire shook her head firmly. "I''m not leaving. Not until he wakes up." Matthew gave a small nod, respecting her decision. "Okay. Just... don''t push yourself too hard, alright?" Before ire could respond, the door to the ER swung open, and a police officer walked in, scanning the room. He approached the nurse''s station, speaking quietly for a moment before the nurse pointed in ire''s direction. The officer headed toward her, his expression serious. "ire Peterson?" the officer asked, his voice cutting through the low hum of the machines. ire looked up, blinking. "Yeah, that''s me." The officer nced down at his notepad before looking back at her. "We need to get your statement about what happened tonight." ire bit her lip, ncing at Adrian, torn. She didn''t want to leave him, not even for a second, but she knew this was important. Sensing her hesitation, Matthew stepped forward and ced aforting hand on her shoulder. "Go," he said softly. "I''ll stay with him. He won''t be alone." ire looked up at Matthew, gratitude washing over her. "Thank you." With a deep breath, she stood up and followed the officer out of the ER. They walked down the hall until they found a quieter spot away from themotion. The officer pulled out his notepad again, clicking his pen. "Alright, let''s start with your full name and the name of the man you were with," he began. "ire Peterson," she said, swallowing the nervous lump in her throat. "And Adrian Saint Laurent." The officer scribbled down the names and then looked up. "What happened tonight? Why were you at the scene?" ire took a deep breath, her mind shing back to the events of the evening. "We were on a dinner date. Everything was perfect. We had this amazing meal, and we were just about to leave when I realized I''d left my phone inside. I told Adrian I''d be right back, and I went in to grab it. That''s when I heard the explosion." She paused, her voice wavering slightly. "When I came out, the car was on fire, and I saw Adrian... lying on the sidewalk." The officer nodded, jotting down notes as she spoke. "Did you see who did it? Anyone suspicious?" ire shook her head, frustration bubbling up. "No, I didn''t see anyone. It all happened so fast." The officer scribbled a few more lines before asking, "Does Mr. Saint Laurent have any enemies? Anyone who might want to hurt him?" ire blinked, her brain rejecting the idea. "No," she said quickly. "Adrian is... he''s the nicest person. I can''t imagine him having enemies. It''s impossible." The officer studied her for a moment, then asked, "What about you, Miss Peterson? Do you have any enemies?" ire froze. Her mind immediately pl.ne shed to the cryptic messages, the system failure, the possibility that this was connected to her, not Adrian But should she tell the police? Would they even believe her? She wrestled with the decision for What felt like an eternity. "Miss Peterson?" ire snapped back to reality, blinking rapidly as the officer waved a hand in front of her face. "Sorry," she muttered, shaking her head. "No, I don''t have any enemies." The officer''s eyebrows raised slightly, but he nodded, though his eyes seemed to carry a hint of suspicion. "Alright, we''ll be in touch about the investigation. And we''ll also keep Mr. Saint Laurent''s parents updated." "Thank you," ire whispered, feeling a knot of guilt in her stomach as she watched the officer walk away. She made her way back to the ER, her palms sweaty as she approached the waiting room. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw two familiar figures: Adrianna Saint Laurent and Adrian''s grandfather. Both of them looked shaken, and ire''s nerves spiked. She had no idea how they would react to seeing her. What if they med her for this? What if they hated her for what had happened to Adrian? Gathering every ounce of courage, ire approached them. "Excuse me," she said quietly, her voice barely audible. "I''m... I''m so sorry to interrupt." Adrianna looked up, her eyes red and puffy from crying. Her husband, Mr. Saint Laurent, was standing beside her, his face a mask of sadness. Seeing them like this made ire''s heartache. She could only imagine the pain they were going through. "I''m so sorry," ire whispered, looking down at the floor. "I didn''t mean for any of this to happen." Before she could finish, Adrianna stepped forward, and ire braced herself for anger, for me. But instead, Adrianna wrapped her arms around ire, pulling her into a tight, tearful hug. "Are you okay?" Adrianna asked through her sobs, her voice full of concern. ire blinked, caughtpletely off guard. "I... I''m fine. I just... I''m so sorry about Adrian." Adrianna pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on ire''s shoulders. "This isn''t your fault," she said, her voice shaky. "None of this is your fault." "I-it is still my fault, Mrs. Saint Laurent. I was the one with him and I-" ire is loss for words as she doesn''t know what else to say. Is not like she would tell them about ire''s secret enemy. That will only make them more worried. "Please ire dear, don''t me yourself for what happened." Mr. Sant Laurent ces a hand on her shoulder in an assuring way. ire felt her throat tighten as she nodded, fighting back her own tears. She had been so sure that they would me her, that they would hate her for what had happened, but Adrianna''s kindness was almost too much to handle. Mr. Saint Laurent, who had been standing quietly, stepped forward, his expression softening. "ire, we know Adrian cares about you deeply. If he''s with you, we trust that he''s in good hands." ire''s heart clenched at his words, and for the first time since the explosion, she felt a sliver of relief. They didn''t hate her. They didn''t me her. "Thank you," ire whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Adrianna gave her a small, sad smile, wiping away her tears. "All we can do now is wait for him to wake up. And when he does, he''s going to need you, ire." "I''ll be here," ire promised, her voice steady now. "I''m not going anywhere." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 376 She’s Safe Eligos lounged back in his plush leather chair, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he sipped a ss of red wine. The news broadcast in front of him was showing the story he had been waiting for all evening: a car explosion. The anchor was doing their best to sound serious, describing the incident, but all Eligos could hear was the satisfaction in his own thoughts. "Finally, some action," he muttered to himself, swirling the wine in his ss. He leaned forward as the news mentioned that the explosion involved the car of Adrian Saint Laurent. Eligos''s grin widened. He could barely contain his excitement. Setting the ss down, he tapped his fingers impatiently against the armrest, then called over one of his men. "Do we know how ire is?" he asked, his voice dangerously calm, but with a glint in his eyes that suggested otherwise. His henchman, looking more nervous than usual, nodded and quickly pulled out his phone. After a few rings, another man on the other end picked up. Eligos sat back, crossing his legs as he waited, eyebrows raised expectantly. His man''s hand trembled slightly as he held the phone, waiting for an answer from the contact on the scene. The phone call was brief. When it ended, Eligos tilted his head and raised a brow. "Well? What''s the news?" The man hesitated, swallowing hard before answering. "Uh... ire''s safe, boss. She''s unharmed. But... the man she was with, Adrian, he''s the one who got hurt." For a second, the room fell silent. Then, in an instant, the ss of wine was airborne, shattering against the wall. Eligos stood up, fury etched across his face. "That''s not what I wanted to hear!" he roared, ring at the man. The henchman took a step back, clearly terrified. "I-I''m sorry, boss, I-I''ll call the men back right away." Eligos narrowed his eyes. "Yes, you will. And when they get here, I''ll be having a little chat with them." The man nodded frantically and stumbled away, already dialing the phone to call the others. Eligos paced the room, his fury barely contained. Those men had failed him, and there would be consequences. There always were. On the other end of the line, the two men who had been responsible for the botched explosion were already sweating, exchanging nervous nces as they heard themand to return. They knew Eligos too well to think they could escape punishment. Running wasn''t an option-Eligos had eyes everywhere. Meanwhile, back at the hospital, ire was sitting by Adrian''s bedside, her eyes never leaving him. The sterile smell of the hospital, the rhythmic beep of the machines-none of it registered with her. All she could focus on was Adrian, lying there with bandages wrapped around him, looking far too pale. They had moved him to a VIP room since he was stable now, but ire hadn''t left his side once. She was waiting, hoping that at any moment he''d wake up. As she sat there, the TV in the corner of the room caught her attention. It was the same news report-about the explosion. She stood up instinctively, walking closer to the screen, her expression darkening. The journalist was going on about how the explosion appeared to be caused by a gas leak in the car. "Yeah, right," ire scoffed, shaking her head. "Gas explosion my ass." She watched the footage of the crime scene, police officers putting up the yellow tape, and photographers snapping pictures of the wreck. The car, now unrecognizable, was being carefully examined. The reporter continued, stating that the car belonged to none other than Adrian Saint Laurent and that an investigation was underway. ire clenched her fists. She couldn''t believe that someone had gone this far to target her. This wasn''t just some random ident. Someone had meant to hurt her, and worse, Adrian had got caught in the middle. She was so lost in thought she didn''t hear the faint groan from the bed behind her until it grew louder. "ire..." Adrian murmured, his voice raspy and weak. She spun around and hurried to his side. "Adrian? Adrian, can you hear me?" His fingers twitched as he struggled to move, his hand slowly reaching out. ire quickly took it, squeezing it gently. "I''m right here. Don''t try to move too much," she said softly. As if on cue, the door to the room opened, and Adrianna and Adrian''s grandfather walked in. "He''s awake," ire said quickly. "He just woke up." Adrianna''s face lit up with both relief and worry as she rushed over to her son''s bedside. "Adrian, darling, are you alright? How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Does it hurt? Are you in pain?" The questions poured out of her like a flood, but Adrian only chuckled weakly. "Mum... one question at a time, please," he joked, though his voice was barely above a whisper. Adrianna''s eyes filled with tears as she leaned over him, kissing his forehead. "We were so worried about you." While Adrianna and her husband spoke to the doctor, who had just entered the room for a check-up, ire kept her attention on Adrian. "How are you feeling?" she asked quietly. Adrian coughed lightly, trying to clear his throat. "I feel like absolute shit," he muttered with a small smile, which only made ire frown. "I''m so sorry, Adrian," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is all my fault." Adrian shook his head weakly, his hand squeezing hers. "ire, don''t. It''s not your fault. Some things... just happen. Even you, the unstoppable ire Peterson, can''t prevent everything." ire sighed heavily, guilt gnawing at her, but Adrian''s words, despite his weak state, were meant to reassure her. "I''ll find whoever did this," she said, her eyes narrowing in determination. Adrian''s smile didn''t waver. He just looked at her with that same soft expression. "I''m just d you''re okay... and that you were here when I woke up." Before ire could respond, Adrianna turned her attention back to her son, tears glistening in her eyes. "Adrian, are you alright? Do you need anything? Does it hurt? Oh, my poor boy." Adrian chuckled weakly, trying to lighten the mood. "Mum, I''m fine. Really. Well, sort of," he added with a cough. "But I''ll be okay." Adrianna dabbed at her eyes with a tissue and turned to his father-inw, who nodded in agreement with the doctor''s prognosis. "He''s stable," the doctor said, ncing at all of them. But he needs rest and recovery. He won''t soon." be discharged anytime He won''t ire stood back, watching the emotional moment between Adrian and his family. She felt a lump in her throat, but she didn''t want to excused herself and slippedel interrupt. Instead, she quietly of the room. She needed to clear her head, to focus on what was next. Out in the hallway, Matthew was leaning against the wall, sipping a cup of coffee. When he saw ire, he raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay in there?" ire''s expression hardened as she walked over to him. "I need to find whoever did this, Matthew. And I need to find them fast." Matthew nodded, his tone serious. "I''m with you. Let''s get started." And with that, ire and Matthew set out to get some answers. Eligos had made his move. Now it was ire''s turn. The question is can she figure out the mastermind? Chapter 377 Good Start Matthew leaned against the wall, sipping from his coffee cup, his eyes scanning the room. "So, where do we even start with this mess?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at ire. ire sighed, rubbing her forehead. Thest few hours had been a whirlwind-after saying goodbye to Adrian and his family at the hospital, she''d barely had time to catch her breath. It hadn''t been easy leaving Adrian behind, especially with him constantly poking around, asking a million questions. Curiosity was in his nature, and ire had a hard time brushing him off. Luckily, Adrianna, his mom, had swooped in at the right moment, distracting Adrian just long enough for ire to make her escape. Now, she was anxious, her foot tapping impatiently as they cruised through the quiet streets. The drive to Cryptonic felt like it was taking forever. "Can this car go any faster?" ire huffed, ncing over at Matthew from the passenger seat. Matthew chuckled, taking it all in stride. "Sorry, ire. This baby''s not a sports car like yours," he teased, patting the dashboard affectionately. ire rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "I swear, I could walk faster." "Sure, sure," Matthew grinned. "But then you''d miss out on my amazingpany." Finally, after what felt like an eternity (though in reality, it was an hour and a half), they pulled into Cryptonic''s parking lot. The ce was dead silent-no surprise, given that it was 2 a.m. ire didn''t wait for the car toe to aplete stop before she jumped out, marching straight toward the building, her pace quick and determined. Matthew followed behind her, casually sipping his coffee, clearly unfazed by thete hour. The moment ire stepped into her office, she powered on herputer andptop, her fingers itching to get to work. Matthew disappeared for a few minutes to grab hisptop from his office and then settled into the chair across from her. "Okay, where do we start?" he asked, setting his coffee aside and booting up hisputer. ire leaned back in her chair, thinking for a moment. "First, we need to see if there are any surveince cameras in the area where the explosion happened. If we can find one, we might be able to figure out what the hell went down." Matthew nodded, cracking his knuckles dramatically. "On it." They both worked in silence for a while, the only sounds in the rooming from the rapid clicks of keyboards. It didn''t take long before Matthew''s face lit up with excitement. "Found something!" he called out. ire swiveled her chair to face him. "Where?" Matthew pointed at his screen. "There''s a camera about a block from where the car exploded. It''s not right on top of it, but it might still give us a decent angle. ire nodded, her eyes narrowing in focus. "Perfect. Try hacking into it. I''ll help." Together, they worked their magic, both of them deep in concentration. Within a few minutes, ire sat up, her fingers pausing on the keyboard. "Got it!" she said triumphantly, turning her screen toward Matthew. The camera feed popped up, and she pressed y, rewinding the footage to the time when she and Adrian had arrived at the scene. They fast-forwarded through the boring parts-ire and Adrian getting out of the car, ire heading back to grab her phone-and then something weird happened. The camera footage buzzed and fuzzed out for several seconds, like static on an old TV. By the time the picture cleared up, the car was already on fire, and ire was standing there, staring at the mes. ire frowned, rewinding the footage again. "What the hell?" Matthew leaned forward, squinting at the screen. "Looks like someone tampered with the camera feed," he said, his voice serious now. "Ugh, seriously?" ire groaned, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "This is not what I expected." "Let me try a different angle," she muttered, clicking around to see if there were any other nearby cameras. One by one, she checked, but no luck. Every camera either had the same interference or waspletely broken. ire cursed out loud, mming her hand on the desk. "Why do these things always decide to break when you actually need them?!" Matthew chuckled softly, though he clearly felt her frustration too. "Bad luck, I guess." "More like bad timing," ire muttered, ncing at the clock. She didn''t have time for this. She had to find something useful, and fast. "Wait," Matthew said, suddenly leaning closer to hisptop. "I think I found another camera. It''s farther away, though, and the quality''s not great. Might be a long shot." ire leaned in closer as she stared at his screen. The footage was blurry and a bit shaky, but she could just make out the faint outline of something-a car, parked right at the edge of the camera''s blind spot. Matthew zoomed in, trying to get a better look. "It''s not much, but it''s something. You see that? Two guys getting out of the car." ire squinted, her eyes glued to the screen. The image was too fuzzy to make out any faces, but there was no mistaking the movement. Two men had definitely gotten out of the car, and it was right before the explosion. "Can you enhance it?" ire asked, leaning in closer, her heart racing a little. Matthew shrugged. "I can try, but it''s not gonna be pretty. This camera is ancient-might take some work to clean it up." "Do what you can," ire urged, her mind already racing with possibilities. Who were these guys? And what were they doing there? For the next several minutes, Matthew worked on smoothing out the video, tweaking the contrast, and sharpening the image. Finally, he leaned back with a satisfied nod. "Okay, I''ve done all I can. Check it out." ire watched the footage again, this time a little clearer. The car was parked in a perfect spot-right where the camera couldn''t catch the license te. But now, with the enhanged video, they could see the two figures more clearly. They were wearing dark clothes, both of them tall and broad-shouldered, and they moved quickly like they were on a mission. "Well, that''s... interesting," ire muttered, frowning. "Who do you think they are?" Matthew crossed his arms, deep in thought. "No idea. But it''s weird, right? They show up, and then the camera conveniently goes fuzzy right when the explosion happens?" ire''s frown deepened. "Yeah, definitely too convenient. Someone was covering their tracks." Matthew nodded in agreement. "Whoever they are, they knew exactly what they were doing. This wasn''t some random ident." ire leaned back in her chair, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Great. So now we have two mystery men, no faces, and no license te. What next?" Matthew gave her a reassuring smile. "We''ll figure it out. We just need more time. Maybe there''s another camera nearby, or we can dig into any reports from that night. Someone had to have seen something." ire nodded, though the anxiety was gnawing at her. "Yeah, you''re right. We''ll keep looking." Matthew leaned back, sipping his now-cold coffee. "Well, at least we''ve got a lead. That''s something, right?" ire smirked, though it didn''t reach her eyes. "Yeah, it''s something. But I need more than just ''something'' if we''re gonna find these guys." "Don''t worry," Matthew said, standing up and stretching. "We''ll get there. It''s only a matter of time." Chapter 378 A Trap? ire leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples in frustration. They''d been at this for hours, staring at the grainy footage from the explosion. "This is going nowhere," she muttered. Then, an idea hit her. She turned to Matthew, who was tapping away at hisptop. "Can you try to find some surveince cameras from the road the car drove through? Maybe we''ll have better luck." Matthew nodded. "On it," he already pulled up maps and checked for any cameras that could''ve caught the car in question. ire, meanwhile, squinted at the footage again, desperately trying to make out a license te or any useful detail. But the cameras were ancient, barely functioning. The picture was so blurry it looked like something out of an old spy movie. "Nope," she sighed, shaking her head. "Can''t make out anything on this footage. Who the heck still used this kind of camera in this era?" "It''s probably the local camera that no one notices that it''s still working. Howe the restaurant you went there doesn''t have a surveince camera?" ire sighed. "Adrian booked the whole ce don''t ask me why, he just did. So basically, our dinner was really private with no one in sight." Matthew nced up from his screen. "Well, I''m not having any luck either. There''s nothing on the road-either no cameras or they''re facing the wrong direction." They''d been at this for hours, and still nothing. ire threw her hands up, exasperated. "Great. We''re going in circles, It''s like the universe doesn''t want us to find this car." Matthew chuckled. "You''ll get there, ire. You always do." She scoffed, rolling her eyes as she reached for her mug of tea. "Yeah, well, it better happen soon because I''m running on fumes over here." Just as she took a sip, herptop chimed with a notification. ire blinked at the screen, furrowing her brows. "Huh..." Matthew perked up, noticing the change in her expression. "What''s up?" ire stared at the message in disbelief. "I got an email." Matthew raised his brows, finally ncing her way. "From whom? Anything important?" "From... well, someone I definitely wasn''t expecting." Matthew scrunched his forehead. "What do you mean? Like, spam or something?" ire shook her head, quickly skimming the contents. "No, it''s weirder than that. It says, ''ire Peterson, you managed to change your firewall within 24 hours, and because of that, I wasn''t able to prate the system. So, I''m sending you this email." Matthew''s eyes widened. "What? Wait, someone''s admitting they tried to hack you?" "That''s not all," ire continued, her voice a mix of irritation and confusion. "The message goes on: ''That''s why I presented you a show." She paused, frowning even deeper. Matthew leaned forward. "A show? What does that mean?" "Yeah, that''s what it says." ire looked up from the screen, her expression confused. "And there''s an attachment." Matthew leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "What kind of attachment?" ire scrolled down, her eyes narrowing at the attachment. "There''s a photo. Hold on..." She clicked it, and up popped an image of the exact car they had been looking for-the same one from the footage. But this time, the license te was crystal clear. She turned to Matthew, her expression a mix of shock and skepticism. "It''s the car. The one from the footage. And there''s the license te." Matthew''s jaw dropped as he stared at the screen. "What the hell? Why would they send you this?" ire shook her head. "I have no idea. This person... they''re the same one who''s been trying to break into Metacortex and Cryptonic. But why would they give me the license te of the car we''re looking for?" Matthew ran a hand through his hair, utterly baffled. "That makes no sense. It''s like they''re helping us now. But why?" ire frowned, her mind racing. "Exactly. Why go through all the trouble of hacking me and then just... hand over this information? Something doesn''t add up." She stared at the email, feeling like there was some kind of game being yed, but she couldn''t figure out the rules. "Maybe we should just track the license te," Matthew suggested after a moment of silence. "It might lead us somewhere useful." ire''s instincts screamed at her to be cautious. "What if it''s a trap? This could be a setup to throw us off or worse." Matthew shrugged, a small smile ying on his lips. "We won''t know unless we try. C''mon, ire, it''s worth a shot." She hesitated for a moment, weighing the risks. Then, with a sigh, she nodded. "Fine. Let''s track it." ire typed in the license te number, and to her surprise, it didn''t take long to find a location associated with the car. "Found it." Matthew raised an eyebrow, looking impressed. "That was fast." ire grinned. "I''m good at what I do." Matthew grinned. "See? Maybe our mystery hacker is ying fair for once." ire wasn''t convinced. "Yeah, or maybe they''re setting us up for something. Should we check it out?" Matthew gave her a yful shrug. "I''m down for it. Let''s go see where this leads." An hourter, they were driving down a deste road, the GPS telling them they were close to the car''s location. ire looked out the window, her brows furrowed Something didn''t feel right "ording to this, we should be there already," she said, ncing around. "But this ce looks... deserted." Matthew was gripping the steering wheel, scanning the emptyndscape. "Yeah, I noticed that too. Weird spot for a car to be, huh?" ire crossed her arms, feeling a bit irritated. "I knew it. We''re being toyed with. Whoever sent that email probably knew we''de all the way out here just to find nothing." Matthew didn''t look as convinced. "I dunno, I''ve got a feeling the car''s around here somewhere." ire gave him a skeptical look. "We''ve been driving in circles, Matthew. This is a wild goose chase." Just as she said that Matthew squinted, leaning forward in his seat. "Wait a sec..." He pointed to something off in the distance. "Look over there." ire followed his finger, her heart skipping a beat. "Is that...?" Matthew nodded, pulling the car over. "That''s the car." They both hopped out of the vehicle and made their way over to the car, which was parked in an odd spot on the side of a dirt road. ire nced around suspicious. "What is a car doing out here in the middle of nowhere?" Matthew peered through the window, but there wasn''t much to see. "Doesn''t look like there''s anything useful inside." ire circled the car, her eyes narrowing as she took in every detail. Then, something caught her eye-the trunk. It was slightly ajar. Her stomach flipped. "Matthew... the trunk." He turned toward her, eyebrows raised. "What about it?" "It''s... open. Or halfway open." Matthew stepped closer; curiosity piqued. "You gonna check it out?" ire hesitated, feeling a strange sense of dread creeping up her spine. Something about this felt off. But she knew they had to look With a deep breath, she slowly reached for the trunk and lifted it. The moment it opened, ire gasped, stumbling back. Chapter 379 Wrong Place, Wrong Time ire squinted at the trunk, her gut telling her something was off. The lid was slightly ajar, just enough to make her suspicious. She hesitated for a second before lifting it fully, her eyes widening as a gasp escaped her lips. Stumbling back, she nearly tripped over her own feet, hands trembling. Matthew, who had been fiddling with something nearby, immediately rushed over at the sound of her gasp. "What happened? ire, what''s wrong?" She pointed, too horrified to speak. Matthew followed her gaze, and as soon as he saw what was inside the trunk, his own eyes widened in shock. Lying there, sprawled out awkwardly, was the body of a man. "Is... is he dead?" ire stammered, her voice shaking. She couldn''t tear her eyes away from the sight. Matthew crouched down, squinting as if trying to figure it out from a distance. "I don''t know. I can check." He moved to reach for the man''s neck, his hand hovering over where he''d feel for a pulse, but ire grabbed his wrist, pulling him back. "Wait! What if he''s dead, and your fingerprints are all over him? If the police show up, they''ll think we did this!" Matthew gave her a look, half frustration, half understanding. "ire, we need to know if he''s alive. If there''s a chance, we can still save him. If he''s dead, we have to call the cops right away. Leaving him here is going to look even worse." ire bit her lip, torn between panic and logic. She hated that Matthew was right, but she also hated the idea of them being implicated in some gruesome murder scene. After a moment''s hesitation, she let go of his wrist. "Fine... but just be quick." Matthew nodded, steeling himself. His fingers gently pressed against the man''s neck, searching for a pulse. ire held her breath, eyes wide, waiting for him to say something. A few tense seconds passed before Matthew pulled his hand back and met her gaze with a hard, grim look. "He''s dead." ire cursed under her breath, pacing in a tight circle, her fists clenching and unclenching. "This is getting out of hand. First the hacking, now this? Who the hell is doing this to us?" Matthew stood up, wiping his hands on his jeans as if the mere act of touching the body made him feel unclean. "I know. But we need to stay calm. I''m going to call the police. If we leave this here and someone finds itter, they''re going to think we killed him." ire nodded, though her eyes kept flicking back to the man''s body, no matter how much she tried to avoid looking. Matthew had his phone out, dialing emergency services, while ire''s gaze lingered on something odd sticking out of the dead man''s suit pocket. A letter. She swallowed, unsure if she should reach for it, but curiosity got the better of her. Slowly, she leaned in and pulled the letter out, trying not to disturb anything else. Matthew, now off the phone, turned back to her. "The police will be here soon. What''s that?" ire nced at the paper in her hand, frowning in confusion. "I don''t know. It''s... just a letter." She unfolded it, her brow furrowing deeper as she read what was inside. Or rather, what wasn''t inside. "It''s... just a number. A phone number, that''s it." Matthew stepped closer, looking over her shoulder. "A phone number? That''s it?" ire nodded, both of them staring at the number as if it might reveal more information just by looking at it harder. But it didn''t. It was just a string of digits on a nk piece of paper. Matthew rubbed the back of his neck, his face twisted in confusion. "What does that even mean? Why would this guy have just a number on him?" ire shrugged, equally baffled. "I have no idea. But I''m going to find out." She folded the paper and tucked it into her pocket, already thinking of ways to trace it. Matthew frowned, crossing his arms. "Wait, wait, wait. You''re not seriously thinking of calling that number, are you?" "Of course I am!" ire snapped, eyes shing with determination. "This could be the key to figuring out who did this, Matthew." "Or," Matthew said, his voice rising, "it could lead you straight into a trap! You don''t know who this person is. Whoever killed this guy clearly doesn''t care about getting their hands dirty." ire turned to face him, her expression hard. "The police aren''t going to figure this out, Matthew. You know they won''t. If we leave this to them, we''ll be sitting ducks, waiting for someone else toe after us." "ire..." Matthew''s voice softened; his eyes full of concern. "I don''t want to see you get hurt. This is dangerous. Whoever did this, they''re clearly not afraid of killing people. We can''t just go chasing after them." She red at him, frustration bubbling up. So, what, you think we should just sit around and wait? Wait for what, Matthew? For the police to bumble through their investigation ande up with nothing? I''m not giving up. I''m going toofigure out who this is and why they''reing after us." Matthew shook his head, stepping closer to her." get that. But this... this is different. We''re not just dealing with some hacker now. There''s a dead guy in that trunk. a Whoever did this is dangerous, ire. Please, just let the police handle it for once." ire''s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she looked like she might back down. But then her eyes hardened again, that stubborn fire igniting I''m not waiting around for someone else to solve my problems, Matthew. I''m not stopping until I know who this person is. Ineed to see their faces. I need to know why they''re doing this." Matthew sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I knew you were going to say that." "Then you know me better than I thought. I am not giving up until I find this person." ire said, her tone sharp but with an edge of affection. The sound of sirens in the distance made both of them pause, their attention snapping back to the body in the trunk. The police were on their way, and soon enough, they''d be swarming the scene, asking questions that ire wasn''t ready to answer. She nced at Matthew, who was already looking at her with that worried expression she hated seeing. "I''ll be careful," she promised quietly. "You better be," he replied, his voice tight with concern. "Because if anything happens to you, I''ming after whoever''s responsible myself." ire smiled, though it was a sad, tired smile. "Deal." The police arrived momentster, and ire tucked the number deeper into her pocket, out of sight, but not out of mind. This wasn''t over, not by a long shot. And whoever was behind this mess? They had no idea what wasing for them. As the officers began taping off the scene, ire and Matthew exchanged onest look. The game was only just beginning, and ire was ready to y-no matter the cost. Chapter 380 Breaking News Alexandery in his massive, king-sized bed, staring at the ceiling. It was one of those frustrating nights where sleep just refused toe. He rolled over and nced at the clock-3 AM. Great. His mind wouldn''t shut off, and he knew exactly why. ire. He couldn''t stop thinking about her. No matter how much time had passed, no matter how many times he tried to distract himself, she kept sneaking back into his thoughts. Was there a chance they could reconcile? Or was it toote? He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair, knowing full well that ire wasn''t the kind of person who forgave easily. Especially not after everything that had happened. Annoyed with himself for even entertaining the idea, he got out of bed. Sleep clearly wasn''t happening, so he might as well do something productive. He headed to the kitchen, the soft hum of the city outside barely audible from his penthouse high above the streets. Grabbing a mug, he poured himself some coffee-ck, just the way he liked it. He made his way to his study, pushing the door open with his shoulder. The space was immacte, filled with expensive furniture, shelves lined with books he never had the time to read, and the soft glow of a deskmp casting long shadows. Alexander flicked on the TV, letting it y quietly in the background. He hated silence. It always made him think too much. Sitting down at his desk, he took a sip of his coffee, the bitterness snapping him back into focus. Time to get to work. He opened hisptop, his fingers immediately tapping away on the keys. He had some meetings to schedule with investors for his hotel. There was always something that needed his attention, something to keep his mind upied and away from ire. Hours passed, the coffee in his mug long gone and his eyes growing heavy, when suddenly, something on the TV caught his attention. He paused, his fingers freezing mid-type as he turned toward the screen. The newscaster was talking about a car explosion. Alexander wasn''t really listening until he heard a name that made his blood run cold. "Adrian Saint Laurent." He frowned, his heart skipping a beat. The footage on the screen showed a charred car, still smoldering as police swarmed the scene, investigating. "Breaking news: a car belonging to Adrian Saint Laurent, grandson of one of the wealthiest men in the world, Mr. Laurent himself, was found in meste tonight..." Alexander''s hand froze over the keyboard. His gaze shot up to the TV. The image on the screen showed a carpletely charred, still smoking in the night. Police officers were walking around it, investigating the wreckage. He frowned, sitting up straighter. "What the hell?" he muttered to himself, leaning forward and turning the volume up. Alexander''s frown deepened as he stared at the screen, trying to make sense of it. What was going on? The reporter continued, "The fire is now under control, and authorities are still looking into the cause of the explosion. No official statements have been made yet, but sources say Adrian Saint Laurent was injured. His condition is unknown at this time." The car was totaled, practically cooked from the inside out. The fire had been put out, but the damage was obvious. As the camera panned to the police on the scene, Alexander felt a sudden, sharp knot form in his stomach. Could ire have been with him? The thought made his chest tighten with anger. If she had been with Adrian and gotten hurt... He clenched his jaw at the very idea. Without thinking, he grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contacts, finding ire''s name. His finger hovered above it, hesitation creeping in. What was he going to say? ire would never answer a call from him, not now. He cursed under his breath and tossed his phone on the desk. There had to be another way. After a moment, an idea struck him. He picked up the phone again, this time dialing a different number. His Pl. The guy was good, and more importantly, discreet. It took a few rings-probably because it was almost 4 AM-but finally, the line picked up. "Yeah?" came the groggy voice on the other end. "Sorry to wake you," Alexander said, his tone firm but apologetic. "I need you to look into something for me. Adrian Saint Laurent. There was a car explosion, and I need to know what happened." The PI grumbled something unintelligible, but Alexander could hear him shuffling out of bed. "I''ll look into it," the PI mumbled. "Give me a couple minutes." "Thanks." Alexander ended the call and sat back in his chair, rubbing his temples. This wasn''t how he wanted to spend the night, but something about the whole thing didn''t sit right with him. He turned back to hisptop, but the work on the screen blurred. His mind kept drifting back to ire, to Adrian, to the damn car explosion. Annoyed, he opened a browser and started searching for updates. After a few minutes of refreshing the news feed, hefound what he was looking for. A video of Mr. Saint Laurent, Adrian''s grandfather, leaving the hospital. The old man looked asposed as ever, despite the journalists swarming him, throwing questions his way. His security team tried to shield him from the barrage of cameras, but the man didn''t flinch. "My grandson is fine," he said sternly. "He''s okay. There''s nothing more to say." With that, he got into a sleek ck car and drove off, leaving the reporters in his dust. Alexander frowned, still feeling unsettled. If Adrian was fine, what exactly would have happened? Before he could think too much about it, his phone rang again. It was his Pl. "Got some info for you," the PI said, sounding more awake now. "Adrian Saint Laurent was having dinner with ire Peterson when the car blew up." Alexander''s grip tightened on the phone. "ire was there?" "Yeah. Don''t worry, she''s fine. Only Adrian got hurt, but they haven''t released any details on how bad it is or why the car exploded." Alexander sighed in relief, but the anger was still there, simmering just beneath the surface. "Thanks. Let me know if you find anything else." He ended the call, leaning back in his chair, deep in thought. Something about this whole situation was off. Cars didn''t just explode. Not unless they were faulty-or tampered with. His mind raced with possibilities. What if someone had nted something? What if this was intentional? Adrian Saint Laurent wasn''t exactly a nobody-he had enemies, no doubt. Alexander''s jaw tightened. This was why he didn''t trust Adrian. There was something about him that screamed trouble, and now ire was caught up in it. She needed to stay far away from him, but would she listen? Probably not. Still, Alexander couldn''t shake the feeling that he had to do something. He wasn''t the type to sit back and let things unfold on their own. If Adrian had enemies capable of this, then ire was in danger. And if ire was in danger, well... he wasn''t going tejust stand by and let it happen. He stared at his phone, his finger hovering over ire''s contact once again. He could warn her, tell her to stay away from Adrian, but would she believe him? Or would she just assume he was trying to meddle in her life? Either way, he had to try. He couldn''t let this go. Taking a deep breath, he made a decision. Tomorrow, he would find a way to talk to ire. She needed to know that she couldn''t trust Adrian, and even if she didn''t want to hear it from him, he wasn''t going to let her get caught in the crossfire. ire was too important for that. Chapter 381 New Recruit The bag was yanked off Cindy''s head, and the sudden burst of light made her squint and blink rapidly. As her eyes adjusted, her first instinct was pure irritation. "What the hell?" she snapped, rubbing her wrists where the ropes had left red marks. The room was dingy, and old, and smelled like mildew. Definitely not the morous photoshoot she''d been expecting. She shifted in her chair, trying to get a better sense of her surroundings, and that''s when she noticed a shadowy figure standing by the window. His face was hidden in the dark, just a silhouette against the fading sunlight. Definitely a man, but who? And why did he drag her here? "Hey! Who are you? Why am I here?" Cindy demanded, her voice echoing in the empty room. "I was promised a shoot with the biggest magazine in the city, and instead, I''m stuck in some abandoned dump with-what, some creepy stranger?" The figure didn''t move, just stood there quietly, his posture unnervingly calm. Finally, a voice, deep and smooth, filled the room. "Cindy Marshal." Cindy froze. The way he said her name sent a chill down her spine. "You''re here because of ire Peterson." The mention of ire''s name immediately soured Cindy''s mood further. She clenched her fists, her lip curling in frustration. "Don''t mention her name," she spat. "That woman ruined my life." The figure in the shadows-Eligos, though Cindy didn''t know it yet-chuckled darkly. "ire Peterson didn''t ruin your life. You did. No brand wants to touch you now. No magazine. No photoshoots. You''re untouchable. Damaged goods." Cindy''s patience snapped. "That''s enough!" she shouted, but his words hit a little too close to home. Ever since ire came into the picture, her career had taken a nosedive. But hearing it from this mystery man? That was too much. Eligos shifted his weight, still staying in the shadows, leaning casually against the wall now. "But I can change that. I can give you back everything you''ve lost. Your career. The spotlight. The fame. Everything." Cindy''s eyes narrowed, ring at his silhouette. "Impossible. Alexander Harrus ruined me for ire. No one can fix that not my father, not anyone." Eligos'' voice was calm but carried a sharp edge. "You don''t know who you''re dealing with, Cindy. I can give you your career back, but on one condition." Cindy''s annoyance reached new heights, and she scoffed. "Oh, this is a joke, right? This whole setup, it''s some kind of prank. Where''s the hidden camera?" She leaned forward, scanning the room, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What is this? Some reality show where you kidnap washed-up models for fun?" Eligos shook his head slowly, his patience seemingly endless. "You''re more stubborn than I thought. No wonder your career fell apart." Thement stung, and Cindy opened her mouth to snap back, but Eligos cut her off smoothly. "Do you want your old life back or not? You need to make a decision, Cindy." She paused, thrown off by the question. Part of her didn''t believe this guy could deliver on any of his promises. Who was he, anyway? Some nobody hiding in the dark, iming he had the power to fix everything? It was too good to be true, and Cindy had learned the hard way that nothing in life came that easily. She stared at the shadowy figure, her brow furrowed in disbelief. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice quieter now, more uncertain. "Do I know you? Does the world know who you are?" Eligos chuckled softly again, but there was something chilling in the sound. "You don''t need to know me, Cindy. And the world doesn''t need to know either. All you need to know is that I can give you what you want." Cindy leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms defensively. "If you''re nobody, how are you supposed to restore my career?" she asked, her voice sharp with mockery. "Because I''m not seeing any ''power'' around here." Eligos smiled, though Cindy couldn''t see it. "Power isn''t always visible. But it''s there. I have the connections, the influence. The power." Cindy rolled her eyes, ncing around the rundown room. "Well, I''m not impressed. If you want me to work with you, you''re gonna have to prove it. Like... I don''t know, arrange a meeting with a fashion brand for a real photoshoot. Show me you can actually deliver." Eligos didn''t move for a moment, but then his tone shifted, bing darker, more serious. "Sit back and watch, Cindy. But remember this once you ept my offer, there''s no going back. This isn''t a game." The finality in his voice sent a shiver down Cindy''s spine. For the first time since she''d been dragged into this weird situation, she felt truly unnerved. There was something. about the way he spoke like h wasn''t just offering her a deal but something... more dangerous. Still, Cindy wasn''t one to show fear easily. She tried to brush off the chill creeping up her arms, keeping her expression as calm as possible. "I''ll believe it when I see it," she muttered, leaning back in her chair and trying to look as unbothered as she could manage. Eligos tilted his head, watching her in silence for a moment as if he could read her doubts. "You''ll get your proof soon enough," he said et his voice soft but full of confidence. "But understand this, Cindy-when you take my hand, you just get back what you lost. You be something more." "More?" Cindy raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Like what, exactly? A pawn in some twisted game of yours?" Eligos chuckled again, and Cindy felt her stomach twist. "No. You''ll be a queen. But queens must y by the rules. My rules." Cindy felt like she was at a crossroads. The idea of getting everything back was too sweet to ignore, but this guy-he gave her a weird feeling. She didn''t like the idea of being someone else''s puppet, especially not some mysterious man lurking in the shadows. But what choice did she have? ire had taken everything from her, and no one, not even her powerful father, had been able to help. Could this man really be the answer? She frowned, weighing her options. "So, let''s say I''m interested. What''s your catch?" Eligos shifted again, the outline of his figure barely visible as he moved in the dim light. "Do as I say. That''s all." Cindy scoffed. "You mean, be your little errand girl? No thanks." Eligos'' voice turned cold. "No. Not errands. You''ll be doing things that matter. Things that will change everything. For both of us." She bit her lip, her mind racing. It felt like a ridiculous offer, too good to be true. But what if he wasn''t lying? What if he could really give her back her old life, the fame, the attention, the magazine covers? It was tempting, more tempting than she''d like to admit. Finally, she leaned forward, staring at his shadowed form. "Alright. Prove it. Set up the shoot. Then maybe we''ll talk." Eligos didn''t hesitate. "Consider it done." The room fell silent, and Cindy felt her heart pounding in her chest. Had she just made a deal with the devil? Time would tell, but one thing was clear-things were about to get very interesting. Chapter 382 Restoring My Fame The morning sun streamed through the wide windows of the studio, casting a warm, golden glow across the polished floors. Cindy sat in a chair in the makeup room, surrounded by a flurry of makeup artists and stylists. Brushes swept across her face, fingers fluffed and teased her hair, and there was a constant buzz of chatter all around. Cindy, despite herself, couldn''t help but feel a growing excitement bubbling up in her chest. She hadn''t been in a situation like this in ages-a real, high-end photoshoot with an actual luxury brand. It almost felt unreal. She stared at herself in the mirror, blinking at her reflection, slightly stunned. So, this is really happening? Truth be told, she hadn''t believed that mysterious guy, the one she''d met yesterday, would actually pull this off. He had been so vague, so distant-he hadn''t even told her his name, let alone given her any sort of assurance. She didn''t even know what his face looked like, much less what kind of expressions he might''ve had. She had assumed he was just some shady nobody trying to y a big game. But here she was, mmed up and ready for the spotlight. "Five minutes, Cindy!" one of the team members called out, a clipboard in hand. "We''ll be starting the shoot soon. Get ready!" Cindy''s heart skipped a beat. The thrill of being back in the game-the cameras, the lights, the mour-it was intoxicating. She hadn''t realized just how much she missed it until this moment. She gave herself onest look in the mirror, a smirk ying at the edges of her lips. Maybe this whole deal wasn''t so bad after all. Sure, that guy whoever he was-had been mysterious, but maybe he really did have the connections. Maybe all he wanted was someone to work with, and if this was all she had to do, well, Cindy wasn''t going toin. She could have her life back, her fame, her mour, just like old times. And all she had to do was keep doing what he told her. Simple enough, right? The photoshoot began, and as soon as the cameras started shing, Cindy slipped right back into her old self. The poses came naturally-head tilts, sultry nces, confident stances. She did not need any direction; it was like riding a bike. Her body just knew what to do. As she moved gracefully under the bright studio lights. She thought to herself, Maybe this guy isn''t so bad. Maybe working with him could bring me back to the top. Meanwhile, across town, in a darkened room, Eligos sat at hisputer, his fingers lightly tapping the desk as he watched the screen. He wasn''t really interested in the task at hand-monitoring hisputer. It was ire he was keeping tabs on. Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the desk beside him. Eligos nced at the screen before answering. "Yeah?" "Boss, she''s taken the bait," the voice on the other end reported. "ire found the body. She''s at the station now with her little right-hand man. They''re being questioned as we speak." A slow, smug smile crept across Eligos'' face. "Is that so? Well, well... I guess she''s smarter than I thought. Figured she''d find it eventually." The voice on the phone continued, "Yeah, she''s ying right into it. Everything''s going ording to n." "Good," Eligos replied, leaning back in his chair. "And what about Cindy? What''s the word on her?" "She''s at the photoshoot. Seems like she''s happy. Probably thinks she''s back on top of the world." Eligos nodded, a pleased expression spreading across his face. "Let her enjoy it. Give her a little taste of that old life. She''lle crawling back to me before long, mark my words." There was a pause on the other end before the man asked, "What''s next, boss? You want us to keep an eye on her?" "Of course," Eligos said, almostzily. "Keep watching her. But before you leave, make sure you nt my name card in her bag. Let''s make sure she knows where to find me when the timees." "Got it, boss. I''ll take care of it." As Eligos hung up the phone, he let out a soft chuckle. This is all too easy, he thought. Women like Cindy were predictable-always reaching for the next shiny thing, always ready to make a deal if it meant staying in the spotlight. Unlike ire, who was harder smarter, and more calcted. A snake, Eligos thought to himself, with just a hint of frustration. She was slippery, always suspicious, always questioning. That''s what makes her such a fun challenge. Eligos stood up from his desk, pacing around the room as his thoughts swirled. "ire... ire Peterson," he muttered to himself. "You won''t see thising. You will be surprised by what I have in store for you." He could practically feel the excitement building inside him. ire didn''t know it yet, but he was ying a long game, and every move she made was just another step toward her inevitable downfall. And the best part? He wasn''t just going to break her. No, that would be too easy. He was going to take everything from her-everyone she cared about, everything she loved. "Oh, it''s going to be beautiful, very memorable and beautiful." Eligos said aloud, a dark grin spreading across his face. "By the time I''m done with her, she''ll be nothing. She''ll be shattered. Broken." He could already see it. ire''s strong, determined face twisted in agony as everything crumbled around her. It was a delicious thought, one that kept him motivated. But for now, patience. He had to let things y out, let her suffer bit by bit. Eligos returned to his desk, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Soon enough, ire," he murmured. "Soon enough you will feel what I feel." As for Cindy, well, she was a pawn. An easy one to manipte, no doubt about it. He''d give her a taste of the good life, reel her in, and then use her however he saw fit. It wouldn''t take long before she waspletely under his thumb, just another tool in his ever- expanding game. He picked up a pen, twirling it between his fingers as he thought about the future. "As for you Cindy, how gullible you are. I will let you have your fun now," he whispered. "She''ll be back. They alwayse back." Eligos couldn''t wait to see how things would unfold. Cindy would serve her purpose and ire? She would fall. And when that day came, Eligos would be there, watching it all, savoring every moment. Back at the photo shoot, Cindy was posing in front of a morous backdrop, the camera shes lighting up the room. She smiled, feeling the rush of excitement. Maybe, just maybe, she could trust that mysterious man after all, What harm could it do? She''d get her life back, her fame, her fortune. And all she had to do was... well, whatever he asked. That didn''t seem so bad. As she hit another pose, Cindy thought to herself, Yeah, this is it. I''m back, baby. Chapter 383 Hours of Questioning and Matthew in for questioning, she waspletely worn out. ire had been stuck in the police station for what felt like an eternity. She hadn''t eaten, hadn''t slept, and the thought of a shower felt like a distant dream. Her brain had been running on fumes for over 24 hours. Between finding Bruno''s body and the police dragging her It didn''t help that the cops kept circling back to the same questions. ire sighed internally as the officer across from her asked once again, "So, Ms. Peterson, you''re sure you didn''t see anyone else around the scene?" "For the fifth time," ire said, keeping her voice steady, "no. It was just Matthew and me when we found the body." The officer scribbled something on his notepad, but ire knew it was all just a formality. They weren''t getting anything new out of her, and they both knew it. "And what about Adrian Saint Laurent?" the officer added, leaning forward. "You were with him the night of the car explosion. Anything you can tell us about that?" ire fought the urge to roll her eyes. Of course, Adrian came up. He seemed toe up in every conversation now. "Nothing that I haven''t already told you. We were in the wrong ce at the wrong time. We don''t know anything about the explosion, I don''t know anything about it and I was heading inside to retrieve my phone." The officer nodded slowly, jotting down another note. ire could feel her patience fraying at the edges, but she kept her cool. It was all too much this whole situation was spiraling. She felt like she was juggling a dozen things at once, and any second now, she was going to drop them all. Finally, after what felt like a marathon of the same questions over and over, the officer nced at the clock. "Alright, Ms. Peterson, that''ll be all for now." ire sighed, pushing her chair back and standing up. It was around 2 PM when she stepped out of the interrogation room, and the moment she left, she could feel the exhaustion crashing down on her like a wave. Her legs felt heavy as she headed to the waiting room, where Matthew was lounging on one of the ufortable chairs, his eyes glued to his phone. "Matthew," ire called softly, rubbing her temples. He looked up immediately and stood, slipping his phone into his pocket. "How''d it go?" ire let out a long, tired breath. "I feel like shit." Matthew chuckled, though it was clear he felt the same. "Same. They ask you the same questions a hundred times, too?" "Yup," ire nodded, leaning against the wall for support. "I swear if I have to exin Bruno''s body one more time, I might scream." "Bruno. What a name for a guy found in a trunk, right?" Matthew tried to lighten the mood, giving her a half-hearted grin. ire didn''t have the energy tough, though she appreciated the effort. "Should we head home? I can''t even think straight right now." But the second the words were out, ire''s mind started racing again. Should she go see Adrian? Should she get back to work? Rest seemed like thest thing she could afford right now. Matthew noticed her hesitation. "Hey, let''s just go home. You need to rest. You look like you''re about to copse." ire pressed her hand to her forehead, groaning softly. "I don''t know, Matthew. I feel like if I stop now, if I rest, we''ll lose the momentum. The hacker''s still out there. Eligos is still out there. If I sleep, I let them win." Matthew''s expression softened. "ire, I get it. I do. But you can''t do this on fumes. If you don''t rest, you''re gonna crash, and then you''ll be useless. Have you even eaten? Or had a drink of water, for that matter?" ire sighed heavily, knowing he was right but hating every second of it. "No. I haven''t." "There''s your answer," Matthew said, his tone gentle but firm. "Come on. I''ll take you home. You need to recharge, or you''re not gonna think clearly. Trust me." Reluctantly, ire nodded. "Fine. But I''m not making any promises about the ''resting'' part." Matthew smirked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as they made their way out of the police station. "I''ll take what I can get." The ride home was quiet, the silence heavy but not ufortable. By the time Matthew dropped ire off at her penthouse, she felt like her body was running on autopilot. As she stepped out of the car, Matthew leaned out of the window. "Seriously, ire. Rest. Just for tonight." ire gave him a small, tired smile. "No promises." "Figured," Matthew said with a chuckle, watching her head inside before driving off. Inside her penthouse, ire locked the door behind her and immediately made a beeline for the kitchen. She grabbed a ss and filled it with water, downing it like she hadn''t seen water in days. It was refreshing-maybe a little too el refreshing. She''d really pushed herself too far this time. The cold liquid sent a chill down her spine, and for a moment, she felt something like rity. Next, she made her way to the bathroom, stripping off her clothes and stepping into the shower, careful not to get her band-aids soaked The cold water felt like, heaven, the tension in her muscles melting away as it rained down over her. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to rx, even just a little. Once she was done, ire dried off and practically crawled into bed, not even bothering to put on proper pajamas. The second her head hit the pillow, she was out like a light. Back at his apartment, Matthew kicked off his shoes, feeling just as drained as ire had looked. The entire day had been a whirlwind, and all he wanted was a shower, some food, and maybe a solid twelve hours of sleep. After showering and scarfing down a sandwich, Matthew plopped down on his couch, pulling hisptop onto hisp. He knew he should probably follow his own advice and rest, but he couldn''t help it. ire was going through so much, and this was his way of helping her-by working through the night, looking for anything that might bring them closer to figuring out who was behind all of this. As he opened his browser, something caught his eye. He blinked, squinting at the screen. Cindy? He didn''t know her personally, but he remembered the stories. Cindy is famous model in America until Alexander Harris had single-handedly ruined her career over some incident involving ire. But now, here she was, stered all over high-end fashion websites, modeling for some major brands. Matthew frowned, scratching his head. "Guess she''s back," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. He couldn''t care less about Cindy, though. He shrugged it off and refocused, diving into his usual digital digging, searching for any clues to help ire. If there was anything useful out there-anything that could give them an edge against this hacker, he was determined to find it. But even as he worked, his mind kept drifting back to ire. She was strong, sure, but Matthew knew even the toughest people had their limits. And right now, ire was pushing hers. "Just hang in there, ire," he mumbled to himself as his fingers danced across the keyboard. "We''ll get through this." Chapter 384 Unusual Dream ire sprinted through the dark, dense woods, her heart pounding in her chest. The only sound was her frantic breathing and the crunch of leaves under her feet. She had no idea who or what was chasing her, only that it was a shadowy figure, a ck blur that seemed to be getting closer no matter how fast she ran. Every few seconds, she threw a nce over her shoulder, eyes wide with panic, but the woods were so dark that even the moonlight couldn''t pierce through the thick canopy of trees. Her foot caught on a branch, and with a gasp, she went tumbling to the ground, her knee mming hard into the dirt. Pain shot up her leg, and she clutched at her knee, wincing. Before she could even think about getting up, she felt it-the presence looming over her. Slowly, she looked up. The dark figure was there, towering over her, an ominous, shapeless shadow that seemed to swallow up the air around it. And then, just like that, it enveloped her. ire screamed. She jolted awake, her body shooting upright in bed. Her heart was racing, and beads of sweat clung to her forehead and neck. For a moment, she just sat there, gasping for breath, trying to calm the wild thudding in her chest. It took a few seconds before she realized it had all been a dream-a weird, terrifying dream. ire rubbed her eyes and nced out the window. The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, casting a soft orange glow across the room. It was probably around 5:30 in the morning. She closed her eyes and tried to shake off the lingering fear from the nightmare. It wasn''t like her to have such dreams. In fact, she rarely ever had nightmares, except for those few times when her amnesia brought shes of her parents into her dreams-memories she hadn''t even realized she had. But this? This was different. A dark figure was chasing her, and instead of standing on her ground like she usually would, she ran away. That was so unlike her. ire wasn''t the type to run from anything, not in real life. She always faced her problems head-on, always. So why had she run in the dream? Shaking her head, she pushed the thought aside. It was just a dream. Nothing more. She swung her legs out of bed, her bare feet hitting the cold floor as she headed to the bathroom. A hot shower seemed like the perfect remedy to shake off thest of the uneasy feeling. The warm water cascaded over her, rxing her tense muscles. By the time she was done, she felt a little better, more grounded. Wrapping herself in a towel, she quickly got dressed and headed to the kitchen. ire made herself a cup of chamomile tea, hoping the soothing aroma would calm her nerves. She was just starting to rx when there was a knock at the door. Frowning, she set down her cup and went to answer it. When she opened the door, her eyes widened in surprise. "Alexander?" she blurted out, eyebrows raised There he was, standing at her door, looking oddly out of ce with a bag of pastries in his hand. Alexander gave her a small, awkward smile. "Morning, ire." ire frowned, her expression nk. "What are you doing here?" He sighed, holding up the bag. "I brought breakfast." ire''s unimpressed look didn''t budge. Her arms crossed over her chest, and she stared at him as if waiting for him to give a better reason for showing up at her door so early. Alexander, clearly sensing her mood, sighed again. "I heard about what happened," he exined, a hint of concern in his voice. "I wanted to make sure you were okay." ire rolled her eyes and let out a small sigh. "I''m fine," she replied, though her tone made it clear she wasn''t in the mood for this conversation. Alexander''s eyes flickered to the scratches on her cheek, then to the bandage on her arm. He raised an eyebrow. "Fine? You''re telling me you''re fine? What''s all this then?" ire shifted her arm behind her back, hiding the bandage as if it would magically disappear. "You see nothing," she said, her voice dry with sarcasm. Alexander shook his head, clearly exasperated. "Look, I came here with good intentions. I''m not here to fight." ire stared at him for a long moment before sighing in defeat. She hated arguing this early in the morning, especially when she hadn''t even finished her tea yet. With a small gesture, she stepped aside and opened the door wider. "You''ve got five minutes. No more." She grabbed the bag of pastries from his hand and walked back to the kitchen, setting them on the counter. Alexander followed her in, grateful to be let inside, even if it was under strict time limits. He leaned against the counter, watching her carefully. "How are you really, ire?" he asked, his tone gentler now. ire busied herself with the tea, her movements calm and deliberate. "I''m okay," she said, her voice even. "Really." Alexander wasn''t convinced. "And Adrian? How is he?" For a second, ire''s expression softened, but she quickly masked it with her usual calm. "Stable. He''s got some wounds, but he''s going to be fine." Alexander looked concerned. "How did it happen?" ire shrugged, leaning against the counter now. "I have no idea." Alexander frowned, clearly not satisfied with that answer. "Do you think it''s possible Adrian has... enemies?" ire raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "How are you so sure Adrian has enemies and not me?" Alexander opened and closed his mouth a few times, looking like a fish gasping for air. "Well, because... I mean, a person like you doesn''t have enemies." ire let out a sharpugh, though itcked any real amusement. "Really? A person like me? Exin Lisa, then." Silence hung in the air for a moment. Alexander had noeback for that one. He nced down, his brow furrowed. ire straightened up, her arms falling to her sides. "Look, if you came here just to tell me to stay away from Adrian, you can go. I don''t need your advice." She headed to the door, opening it and holding it open as a clear signal for him to leave. Alexander, looking a bit flustered, started to exin himself. "No, that''s not- I only wanted to look out for you, ire. I care about you." ire''s expression softened, but only for a brief second. She motioned to the open door. "Your five minutes are up." Alexander stared at her for a moment longer before finally stepping out into the hallway. He turned to say onest thing, but ire had already closed the door behind him. For a moment, ire stood there, staring at the door. She let out a small sigh, her fingers brushing against the scratches on her cheek. It was barely 6:00 a.m., and her day was already off to a stressfubstart. "Great," she muttered, walking back to the kitchen and grabbing her tea. Chapter 385 Morning Chaos For hours, Eligos had been glued to his screen, his fingers tapping furiously as he scoured the inte for anything he could dig up about ire. He was patient-methodical, even-but the deeper he went, the more interesting things became. Most of what he found was typical; business dealings, public records, and a few harmless social media posts. But then, something caught his eye. "Huh," Eligos muttered to himself, his brows furrowing. "She has an aunt and uncle... on her dad''s side?" The fact that they weren''t talking anymore made him pause. Family drama? That was always a juicy thread to pull. Eligos leaned forward, cracking his knuckles with a grin. "Let''s see how deep this rabbit hole goes." He dug deeper, scrolling through articles, obscure blogs, and anything that mentioned her family. And then, just when he thought he wasing up empty, he stumbled upon something-a gem that made him sit up straight. His eyes widened as the pieces started to fall into ce. "Oh-ho-ho," he whispered to himself, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Now, this... this is interesting." He didn''t want to jump to conclusions, but if what he found was true, it would change everything. Eligos chuckled to himself, reaching for his phone. He dialed a number, barely able to contain his excitement. When the call connected, his voice was smooth, almost smug. "Prepare the jet. I''m heading to Italy." He hung up, already imagining the look on ire''s face when he revealed what he knew. "Perfect," he muttered under his breath, still grinning. "I''ve got the perfect surprise for her. Just need to find the right moment to drop it." Meanwhile, ire was having one of those days. The kind where everything that could possibly go wrong, did. She hadn''t nned for her morning to be stered across magazines or the news. But here she was, front and center, and for all the wrong reasons. As ire sat in the backseat of her car, she groaned. "This is not how I thought today was gonna go." Between finding Bruno''s dead body in the trunk of that car and Adrian''s explosion fiasco, her life had turned into a tabloid circus. And now? Now people were spreading rumors that she caused the explosion to get attention. Fame? She snorted at the idea. She didn''t need fame. She was just trying to date Adrian in peace, not be the next big scandal. "Yeah, because fame is exactly what I need right now," she muttered sarcastically under her breath. Her driver pulled up in front of her building, and she sighed as she saw the crowd of journalists swarming the entrance. Her employees were even struggling to get into the building with all themotion. ire''s blood boiled. It wasn''t even noon, and already her day was a nightmare. "Great," she muttered, rubbing her temples. "Just what I need." They were gathered in droves-journalists, paparazzi, anyone with a camera or a microphone, all shouting questions as soon as her car came to a stop. "Ms. Peterson, is it true you''re behind the explosion?" "Are you just using Adrian for publicity?" "Do you have anyments on Bruno''s death?" "Did you and Adrian have a fight before the explosion?" "ire, are you nning to make a statement about your involvement?" ire clenched her jaw, keeping her head down as she stepped out of the car. The security team moved in quickly, forming a protective barrier around her as they escorted her inside. She didn''t want to give them any more material to work with. Every facial expression she made would just fuel another rumor. Best to stay neutral. Once she was safely inside the building, she let out a deep breath. "Unbelievable," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. The craziness of it all was starting to wear her down. She made her way to her office, d for the brief moment of peace. Sinking into her chair, ire rubbed her face with her hands, trying to shake off the chaos outside. She barely had time to rx before there was a knock on her door. "Come in," she called out, forcing a smile. Jack, her trusted advisor and long-time colleague, walked in with a warm, fatherly smile. His wrinkled face always made ire feel a little more grounded. "Good morning, ire." "Morning, Jack," she replied, offering him a small smile as he took a seat across from her. "How are you holding up?" he asked, his tone gentle but curious. ire sighed, leaning back in her chair. "You''ve heard about the news, I''m guessing?" Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "How could I not? It''s trending everywhere." ire groaned. "It''s all such a mess. I don''t even know how it got this bad." Jack gave her a sympathetic look. "You''ve been through a lottely. And it''s not like you''re asking for any of this attention." "Exactly!" ire threw her hands up in frustration. "I don''t want the attention! I just want to date Adrian in peace and maybe not have dead bodies or explosions tied to my name for once." Jack chuckled again, though there was sympathy in his eyes. "You''re a strong woman, ire. You''ve dealt with worse." "Thanks," she said, her voice softer as she nodded. "I appreciate that." Jack leaned back, his expression growing more serious. "Around one o''clock today, the shareholders are holding a meeting." ire frowned. "What''s the meeting about?" Jack shrugged, clearly unsure. "No idea. It came up prettyst minute." ire sighed heavily. "I think I have a good idea what it''s about. Thanks for letting me know, Jack." She pinched the bridge of her nose, dreading whatever fresh chaos was waiting in that meeting. Jack stood up, smoothing his suit. He gave her one of his signature fatherly smiles, the kind that always reassured her, even in the worst situations. Don''t be too hard on yourself, ire. You''ve got a lot going on, but you''re handling it better than anyone else could." ire smiled back, though it didn''t quite reach her eyes. "I''ll do my best." With that, Jack headed for the door, pausing just before he left. "Remember, ire-you''re tougher than you think. Don''t let this mess get to you." ire smiled up at him, grateful for his support. "Thanks, Jack. That means a lot." With a nod, Jack made his way to the door. "Just hang in there, okay? And if you need anything, you know where to find me." "I will," she promised, watching him leave the office. As the door clicked shut behind him, ire let out a long sigh, her mind swimming with thoughts. Everything had been spiraling out of controltely, and it felt like no matter what she did, she was always in the middle of the storm. She looked out her office window, watching as the crowd of reporters still hovered outside like vultures, waiting for their next piece of scandalous meat. It made her blood boil, but more than that, it made her tired. "One thing at a time," ire muttered to herself, trying to focus. She just had to get through the meeting, deal with the shareholders, and somehow, find a way to turn this mess around. But with Eligos plotting, Adrian recovering, and the media breathing down her neck, ire had a feeling her day was far from over. Chapter 386 Frank Outburst ire sighed as she leaned back in her chair, taking a brief break from her never-ending pile of work. She hadn''t been able to visit Adrian because of the hordes of journalists lurking outside her building and the hospital. It was like they had all decided to turn her life into the world''s most public spectacle, and thest thing she wanted was to drag Adrian into it. So, instead of seeing each other in person, they had settled on Face Timing whenever they could. Her phone buzzed, and Adrian''s name popped up on the screen. She smiled, swiping to answer the video call. Adrian''s face appeared, a little pale but smiling, as always. "Hey, how''re you holding up?" he asked, his voice gentle but filled with concern. ire waved him off with a casual shrug, trying to look nonchnt. "Everything''s fine. You know, just dealing with work stuff." She said it like it was no big deal, but Adrian could tell. She wasn''t fooling him, not one bit. "Uh-huh, sure," Adrian said, narrowing his eyes at her through the screen. "You''re really gonna sit there and act like everything''s peachy? I heard what happened with you and Matthew. Finding a body in a car trunk? ire, that''s not fine." ire groaned, resting her head in her hand. "Ugh, don''t even mention it. It makes me sick just thinking about it." She shot him a look, but there was no real heat behind it-she was too tired to be mad. "I''m worried about you," Adrian said softly, his expression serious now. "You''re worried about me?" ire scoffed, leaning closer to the screen. "You''re the one who''s in the hospital, Adrian. I''m fine. You should be worried about yourself, not me." Adrian smiled a little, but his eyes still held that worried look. "I wish I could be there with you, you know. Give you some support, at least." ire softened, her eyes meeting his. "Hey, just hearing your voice is enough for me. Knowing you care... that''s all I need right now." She was about to say more when she suddenly heard a door open on Adrian''s end, followed by a loud, cheerful voice. "Adriaaaan!" The shout was so loud that ire winced, frowning as she tried to figure out who the voice belonged to. Before she could ask, a familiar pair of eyes popped onto the screen, grinning mischievously. "Edward," ire said with a yful eye roll. "Why am I not surprised?" Edward waved enthusiastically at ire, his grin wide as ever. "Hey, ire! Miss me?" "Not even a little," ire teased back. "Have you gotten any better with your flirting, or are you still terrible at it?" Before Edward could respond, a deep chuckle came from the background. "Better give it up, man," Henry''s voice said, clearly amused. Edward pouted dramatically. "I didn''t even do anything this time! And, hey, for the record, I didn''t interrupt anything, right, Adrian?" Adrian just shook his head, trying not tough as he watched the two of them banter. "You kinda did, Edward." Edward shot ire a mock re, then looked back at Adrian with a smirk. "You guys can''t live without each other for five minutes, can you?" ire grinned, not even pretending to argue. "Adrian, I''ll call you backter. I''ve got a meeting I need to get to." "Alright," Adrian said with a soft smile. "But don''t work too hard, okay? Take care of yourself." ire nodded, giving Edward and Henry a quick wave. "Keep an eye on him for me, you two." "You got it!" Edward replied with a mock salute, while Henry gave a more serious nod of agreement. With that, the call ended, and ire stood up, stretching her arms before heading out of her office. She had a shareholder''s meeting to attend, and as much as she would''ve loved to stay and chat with Adrian, duty called. Meanwhile, at Venus AMD, the robot trials were in full swing. Frank and Robert stood at the back of the room, watching intently as the workers prepared for the next test. The air was thick with tension. Everyone knew that Frank wasn''t in the best of moods-especially not after thest few failures. The robot powered on, its metallic limbs moving smoothly at first. Frank''s intense gaze followed every movement as if wishing the machine to behave. For a few moments, everything seemed fine... and then, it happened. The robot''s arm jerked, its movements bing erratic. Another malfunction. Frank''s face twisted in frustration, and before anyone could even react, he was already shouting. ""his is the fourth time! The fourth time it malfunctioned!" His voice boomed across the room, and the workers flinched. "I''m paying you to fix these things, not stand around like a bunch of essories to the One of the workers tried to stammer out a response, but the words seemed to die in his throat under Frank''s re. Others simply stared down at their shoes, too afraid to even look at Frank. "I''m giving you one more chance," Frank said, his voice like ice now. "One more. If this happens again, you''re all fired." With that, Frank stormed out of the room, leaving the workers scrambling to figure out what had gone wrong. Robert, who had been quietly watching from the side, stepped forward, shaking his head slightly. "Don''t just stand there," Robert said in a much calmer voice than Frank''s. "Get back to work." The workers hurriedly returned to their tasks, trying to avoid further wrath. Robert followed Frank out of the room, catching up with him in the hallway. "Frank, you''ve gotta be patient with them," Robert said, trying to soothe his friend''s temper. "They''re working hard, you know. This kind of stuff takes time." "Time?" Frank turned to him, disbelief written all over his face. "Robert, if they were working hard, we''d have results by now! This is ridiculous. If they were really capable, we wouldn''t be having these malfunctions every five minutes." Robert sighed, knowing Frank wouldn''t be easy to calm down. "Look, I get it. But shouting at them isn''t going to help. They''re nervous enough as it is." Frank grumbled, running a hand through his hair. "I need results, Robert. We''re running out of time. Metacortex is miles ahead of us, and with ire Peterson caught up in some Scandal, this is the perfect time to strike. But how can we do that when our own employees can''t even get a robot to function properly?" Robert nodded, thinking for a moment. "You''re right about the opportunity. But firing everyone won''t solve the problem. Maybe we should look for some outside talent, someone who can help us get things moving faster." Frank''s eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Exactly! That''s what I''ve been saying. If you find someone more capable than this lot, don''t hesitate. Bring them in. We need the best if we''re going to take down Metacortex." "Alright, I''ll see what I can do," Robert said, though he wasn''t entirely sure where he''d find this miracle worker Frank was hoping for. "Good," Frank replied, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface. "Because we''re not going to get another chance like this. If we don''t act now, we''ll lose everything." As Robert watched Frank storm off again, he couldn''t help but feel the pressure mounting. Venus AMD had to seed. They couldn''t afford another failure-not with thepetition as fierce as it was. Chapter 387 Claire Peterson Statement ire sat at the head of the long, polished table, tapping her pen on the armrest as the meeting dragged on. The shareholders were all staring at her, waiting for some sort of exnation, and she was already mentally exhausted from what felt like the hundredth conversation about her so-called "scandal." Mr. Montgomery, his gray eyebrows furrowed, finally broke the silence. "ire, we''ve all seen the news. The shareholders... well, we didn''t expect you to be involved in something like this." ire sighed, rubbing her temples. "I wasn''t ''involved," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "I was caught in the middle. The car explosion? That was aplete surprise to everyone, Adrian included. And as for finding a dead body in the trunk of a car..." She paused, shaking her head. "Again, not something I was part of. I''ve already answered every question the police had. It''s not like I''m running around with bodies in cars." Linda, another shareholder who had been quietly watching, cleared her throat. "The stock, ire. It''s taken a hit because of all this." "I know," ire replied, her tone sharp but not unkind. "I''ve been tracking it myself. The drop isn''t even that significant-it''s the gossip news outlets making it worse with their ridiculous rumors." Mr. Montgomery crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "So, what do you n on doing about it?" ire sighed again, leaning forward this time. "I''m going to talk to the journalists. I''ll set the record straight, and get the real story out there instead of letting them run wild with gossip. That should calm things down." He gave her a stern look. "Just... be careful next time, ire. We can''t afford to have Metacortex''s reputation tainted." ire frowned slightly, biting back a sharp response. Funny, she thought. These people were trying to control her as if she didn''t own the majority of thepany. She mentally scoffed but kept her face neutral. Without a word, she stood up, straightened her jacket, and nodded to the shareholders. "If you''ll excuse me, I''ve got more pressing work that can''t wait." With a polite nod, she exited the room. As she headed back to her office, she couldn''t help but feel the irritation simmering beneath the surface. The audacity of them, acting like they could tell her what to do with her ownpany. She rolled her eyes as she pushed open the door to her office. Matthew was lounging on the couch, mid-bite of his sandwich, when he noticed here in. "Hey! boss. You survive the meeting?" he waved at her, mouth full. ire shook her head, amused, and plopped down into the chair across from him. "Barely. Where were you?" Matthew swallowed, leaning back on the couch with a casual shrug. "Lunch break." Matthew took a bite of the sandwich, crumbs spilling onto hisp. ire gave him a pointed look. "You should''ve been in the meeting earlier." Matthew rolled his eyes dramatically. "ire,e on. You know I hate sitting in those stuffy rooms with those people, talking about stocks and business and h h h." He waved his hand dismissively. "I''d rather be hacking." ire chuckled, leaning back in her chair. "They weren''t just talking business. Stocks came up, sure-" "Boring!" Matthew interrupted, throwing his hands up. ireughed. "Exactly what I thought." Matthew raised an eyebrow, curious. "So, what were you doing in there?" She let out a sigh, spinning her chair slightly. "Well, they were mostly worried about me damaging thepany''s image. The shareholders were telling me to be careful with my image. They''re worried about me being involved in this ''scandal." Matthew snorted, finishing off his sandwich. "Seriously? They actually said that?" ire nodded, leaning back in her chair. "Yep. I told them I was caught in the middle of everything, but they''re more concerned about thepany''s reputation than the fact that I was almost blown up." Matthew shrugged, chewing on thest bit of his food. "Well, that''s what selfish people do. They only think about themselves and their own benefits." "True," ire agreed as she stood up, grabbing her bag. "I''m starving. All this work is wearing me out." Matthew hopped off the couch, brushing the crumbs off his shirt. "Food? Finally! Let''s go." They made their way down to the lobby, but as they neared the doors, ire spotted a group of journalists still hovering outside. Matthew grabbed her wrist, pulling her back slightly. "Hey, maybe we should take the back door. Avoid the mob, you Know?" ire nced at the crowd, then at Matthew, shaking her head. "Nah, it''s fine. I need to make a statement anyway." Before Matthew could argue, ire pushed open the door and strode out confidently. The journalists swarmed, their cameras shing and questions flying. ire raised a hand, motioning for them to calm down. "Everyone, please, let''s all calm down," she said, her voice cutting through the chaos. The crowd settled slightly, all eyes on her. She took a deep breath and started exining, "The incident with Adrian and the car explosion was aplete ident. The police are investigating, and I have nothing to do with it. As for Bruno and the body in the trunk-I have no idea, was just following a map and ended up in that car. My advisor, Matthew, and I did nothing to that man." The journalists, still hungry for more details, kept pressing her with questions, but ire held up her palms, and they quieted down. "What I''ve told you is the truth. The investigation is ongoing, and I''m waiting for the official report just like alPof you." With that, she turned, walking briskly toward her car. Matthew, still shaking his head, slid beside her in the back seat as the car pulled away from the curb. "Well," he said, smirking, "that was a show." ire rolled her eyes, letting out a softugh. "Yeah, tell me about it. But what choice do I have? If I don''t speak up, they''ll just keep making things up." Matthew leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. "Still, you handled that pretty well. They''ll have a hard time twisting your words after that." "Let''s hope so," ire replied, staring out the window as the city blurred past. "I''m already sick of this whole thing." Matthew grinned. "Just think of it like a bad movie. At least we''re the main characters." ire couldn''t help butugh, shaking her head at his ridiculousness. "Yeah, except I didn''t sign up for this script." "Hey," Matthew joked, "at least you''re the victim in all this. That''s got to count for something, right?" ire rolled her eyes, though she was smiling. "I''d rather not be involved at all, thanks." Matthew shrugged yfully. "Toote for that. But look at the bright side-you''re handling it like a pro." ire sighed, leaning back into her seat. "Yeah, well, I''d rather be back in the office hacking instead of doing damage control." "Same," Matthew agreed. "Let''s ditch the meetings and focus on the fun stuff next time." ire smiled. "Well, we do have work to do back at Cryptonic." Chapter 388 Meeting Him Eligos stepped off the ne and stretched his legs, feeling the warm Italian breeze brush against his face. He adjusted his sunsses, grinning as he spotted a sleek car waiting for him. He slipped into the backseat, casually ncing at his phone to check the location of the person he was dying to meet. Excitement bubbled inside him. He couldn''t wait to watch this y out, couldn''t wait to see the look on ire''s face when he delivered this little surprise. "Let''s make this fun," he muttered to himself, already imagining her reaction. The car took off, leaving the bustling airport behind. The drive was long, much longer than he expected. Whoever this person was, they didn''t live in the city. Nope, they were tucked away in some quaint vige far off the beaten path. Eligos wasn''t the most patient man but for this? It was worth it. He stared out the window, watching the Italian countryside roll by-fields, vineyards, rolling hills, all the postcard-worthy scenery. Not bad, actually, he mused. A good ce to retire, maybe. He chuckled to himself at the thought. He wasn''t the retiring type, but hey, never hurts to have options. After what felt like forever, the car finally slowed down, pulling into a tiny vige with cobblestone streets and old brick houses. Eligos stepped out, slipping off his sunsses and taking in the view. It was... peaceful. Almost too peaceful for someone like him. Still, he liked it. He checked his phone again, scanning through the files for the photo of the man he was looking for. He started walking, keeping an eye out, but this vige was a maze. Every corner he turned led to more winding streets and more locals who spoke absolutely no English. Great. Eligos spotted a farmer walking by and waved him down. "Hey, excuse me, do you know this guy?" He held up the photo, but the farmer just shook his head and rattled off something in rapid-fire Italian. Eligos sighed, nodding even though he had no clue what the guy was saying. "Yeah, okay, thanks." He moved on, frowning. This was going to take forever if he couldn''t find anyone who spoke English. Where were the locals? All he saw were tourists, snapping pictures and sipping espresso. He needed a real lead, not someone with a selfie stick. Finally, he spotted a small caf tucked away on the corner of the street. It looked cozy, with a couple of tables outside shaded by big umbres. Eligos figured it was as good a ce as any to regroup, so he stepped inside, grateful for the break from the sun. The barista behind the counter greeted him with a polite smile, and Eligos didn''t even nce at the menu before ordering. "Iced coffee," he said, still distracted by his phone as he double-checked the picture of the man. The barista nodded and started preparing the drink, while Eligos drummed his fingers on the counter, his eyes flicking back and forth between the file and the caf''s front door. He needed to find this guy, and fast. Just as he was about to take a sip of his iced coffee, a thought hit him. Why not ask the barista? "Hey," Eligos said, pulling up the picture on his phone. "You seen this guy around?" The barista nced at the photo, his expression changing slightly as he nodded. "Yes, I know him," he replied in ented English. Eligos perked up, grinning. "You do? Where is he?" The barista didn''t answer right away. Instead, his gaze shifted toward the door, and Eligos followed his line of sight. The front door swung open, and in walked the very man he''d been looking for. The guy strolled up to the counter, greeting the barista in rapid Italian. They exchanged a few friendly words, and the barista motioned toward Eligos. "This man here," he said, pointing to Eligos, "he''s looking for you." Eligos couldn''t help but grin from ear to ear. *Finally.* This was it. The man turned to him, raising an eyebrow. He spoke in Italian first, asking something that Eligos couldn''t understand. "Do you speak English?" Eligos asked, cutting him off. The man paused, then nodded slowly. "Yes. What can I help you with?" "Oh, there''s plenty we need to talk about," Eligos said, still grinning. He took a slow sip of his iced coffee, savoring the moment. "You''re going to want to sit down for this." The man frowned, clearly a little uneasy. "What is this about?" Eligos leaned in, his grin widening. "It''s about your past, my friend. I''ve been doing some digging, and I think you and I are going to have a very interesting conversation. But first, I need to make sure you''re ready for what''sing." The man''s eyes narrowed, clearly not liking the sound of this. "Who are you?" Eligos leaned back, letting out a smallugh. "Doesn''t matter who I am. What matters is what I know. And trust me, I know a lot." The man hesitated, ncing at the barista, who was now looking between them with obvious curiosity Eligos noticed this and waved a hand dismissively. "Rx. This isn''t a public affair. Just you and me. We can go somewhere more private if you prefer After a long pause, the man finally nodded. "Fine. Let''s talk. But not here." "Good choice." Eligos stood up, adjusting his jacket. "Lead the way." The man walked out of the caf, and Eligos followed, still buzzing with excitement. This was going even better than he had hoped. They walked a short distance to a quiet alley, away from the prying eyes of tourists and locals. Once they were alone, the man turned to Eligos, arms crossed. "What do you want?" Eligos smiled. "I want you to tell me everything you know. And in exchange, I might let you walk away from this with your life intact." The man''s eyes widened. "What? What are you talking about?" Eligos chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh,e on Don''t y dumb. You know exactly what I''m talking about. I''ve got files on you. Photos. Records. All of it. Your lives ains rainbow and sunshine and you work three jobs to afford your bills and you have a little history with the police." The man swallowed hard, his confidence faltering. "Look, I don''t know who you think you are, but " "I think I''m the guy who''s going to turn your world upside down," Eligos interrupted, his voice calm but menacing. "And you''re going to help me do it." For a moment, the man looked like he might try to run, but he quickly realized that wasn''t an option. Eligos had him cornered, and they both knew it. "Fine," the man muttered, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "What do you want from me?" Eligos''s grin returned. "Now we''re talking. First, you''re going to tell me everything about your connection to a certain family. Then, we''ll talk about whates next." As they began to talk, Eligos couldn''t help but feel surge of triumph. Everything was falling into ce, just as he had nned. Soon, he''d have all the information he needed to blow things wide open-and ire would be right in the middle of it. Chapter 389 Diabolical Plan ire stretched out on the couch in her office at Cryptonic, letting out a long, exaggerated sigh. She nced around, taking in the peace and quiet. It was a refreshing change from the constant buzz of Metacortex, not to mention the relentless media and police hounding her every move. "So, this is what it feels like to not be chased 24/7," she said, leaning back, her head sinking into the cushion. Matthew, who had just settled into a chair across from her, chuckled. "Enjoying your little vacation from chaos?" ire rolled her eyes but smiled. "Honestly, yes. I wish Metacortex could be more calm and quiet but unfortunately, my main business is all about connecting." "Yeah, especially that meeting then that other meeting, and oh forgot the banquet and party. That thing wore me out." ire couldn''t help but chuckled, hearing him ramble dramatically. "Seems like I need to stay here for a few days." Matthew grinned. "Yeah, well, you deserve a break. Plus, it''s a lot harder for the paparazzi to chase you down in here. I''d like to see them try to breach Cryptonic''s security." ireughed, but then something flickered in her mind a memory. She sat up a little straighter. "You know... speaking of things I should be dealing with..." She reached into her bag, pulling out a small, crumpled piece of paper. Matthew''s eyes followed her hand. "That''s not your shopping list, is it?" ire shook her head, a more serious expression settling on her face. "No, this is from Bruno''s body. It''s the only thing I didn''t give to the police." Matthew''s eyes twinkled with amusement. "You know what people said about keeping stuff from a death body?" She rolled her eyes. "Ha ha...funny Matthew." ire looks down at the paper she is holding between her fingers. "I don''t know. Call it a hunch, but I feel like this is connected to me, personally. I should''ve handed it over, I know that. But something''s telling me I need to handle this myself." Matthew raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "And what does your gut say? You thinking of calling whoever''s on that paper?" ire sighed, leaning back again, and looking at the ceiling. "Eventually. I just... I don''t know what I''m walking into with this. I''ll call when I''m ready." "Well, just don''t sit on it too long," Matthew advised, though his tone was light. "You know how these things go. If your gut''s telling you something, it''s probably right." Then, in an attempt to steer the conversation away from all the tension, Matthew grinned and leaned back in his chair. "Anyway, how about we talk about something less grim? Like... Lisa." ire raised her eyebrows in surprise and chuckled. "Wow, it''s been a while since I''ve heard her name. That''s one person I almost managed to forget about." "Yeah, well, she''s kinda out of the spotlight now. Probably enjoying her life pretending to be crazy." "Don''t even remind me," ire scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Lisa... ugh. She''s such a master maniptor. She''s been pretending to be insane just so she can get out of jail. Can you believe that?" Matthew nodded, looking thoughtful. "Well, she''s good at ying the long game, I''ll give her that. But you know, ire... what if you hired someone?" ire blinked, confused. "What do you mean? Hire someone for what?" Matthew leaned forward, clearly getting into his idea. "Think about it. If Lisa''s pretending to be crazy, that means she''s getting treatment, right? She''s seeing a therapist or a psychiatrist or whatever. You could hire someone like, a private investigator-who poses as a doctor, but not a real therapist. That way, they can keep tabs on her, get close to her, and figure out what''s really going on." ire''s eyes widened. "Wait, that''s actually... a pretty good idea. Why didn''t I think of that?" Matthew puffed up a little, clearly proud of himself. "Hey, that''s why you keep me around. I''ve got all the good ideas." ire smirked "Alright, genius. But it''s not a bad n. Lisa won''t suspect a thing, especially if we hire someone with the right qualifications. Once e gatherne concrete proof that she''s faking it, we can throw her back in jail where she belongs." "Exactly," Matthew agreed, nodding enthusiastically. "It''ll take some time, obviously. She won''t open up to this ''doctor'' right away. But once she does, we''ll have everything we need to nail her." ire drummed her fingers on the couch, thinking. "We''ll need to find the perfect candidate, though. Someone who can y the part well enough to fool her. If she catches even a whiff of suspicion, this whole thing could backfire." "Right, no amateurs," Matthew agreed. "We need someone who''s sharp, professional, and subtle. Lisa''s not stupid-she''ll see through anything less than perfect." ire nodded, already mentallypiling a list of contacts who could help with this. "We''ll do some digging. I''m sure we can find someone. And once we have the proof, there''s no way she can weasel her way out." Matthew grinned. "Sounds like a n. And then, once she''s back behind bars, you can finally stop worrying about her." ire chuckled. "Yeah, but knowing Lisa, she''ll probably try toe up with some new scheme even from prison. I wouldn''t put it past her." Matthew shook his head with a smirk. "That woman really is something else." "No kidding." ire sighed, standing up from the couch and stretching. "But, one problem at a time. First, we deal with her, then we deal with whoever''s on this paper." "You think they''re connected?" Matthew asked, ncing at the crumpled note in her hand. ire shrugged. "Honestly? Who knows. By now my brain couldn''t think about anything else. But I can''t that''s been happening shake the feeling that eve "Smart," Matthew agreed, standing up he headed to ire''s desk. "Alright, let''s do some digging. The faster the better so we can still have time to interview them and such." ire nodded, slipping the paper back into her bag. "Good idea. Let''s work on this now." ire stood up and headed over to her desk as she stood behind the chair. "You ever think about taking an actual vacation?" Matthew asked as he turned on ire''s monitor. ire snorted. "A vacation? What''s that?" Matthewughed. "I''m serious! You''re always running around putting out fires. You should take a week off. Go somewhere tropical, sip on a margarita, and forget about all this chaos." ire gave him a sidelong nce. "Yeah, sure. And while I''m gone, Lisa escapes, Eligos burns down Cryptonic, and the media tracks me to a beach in the Bahamas." "Hey, a little sunburn is a small price to pay for margaritas," Matthew joked. "Maybe once all this is over," ire conceded with a grin. "But for now, I think I''ll stick to fighting off the chaos from thefort of Cryptonic." They bothughed as they stepped outside into the cool London air, ready to tackle whatever came next. But at least for the moment, ire had a sense of direction-and maybe, just maybe, a little less stress. Chapter 390 First Process of the Plan It had been one of those days where everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. ire and Matthew spent hours hunched over theirptops, their eyes darting across screens as they sifted through endless profiles. The mission? Find the perfect candidate to pose as a therapist. Not just any therapist, though-someone who could infiltrate Lisa''s life, get close enough to observe her, and eventually gather the dirt needed to send Lisa to jail. ire was loving Matthew''s n. "Just because my life''s been a circustely doesn''t mean I''m going to forget about Lisa," she said with a determined look. "She made my life a nightmare, so I''m returning the favor." Matthew leaned back in his chair, stretching. "Yeah, between the crime scenes and the explosions, it''s been a bit of a whirlwind for you, huh?" "Understatement of the year," ire muttered. "But Lisa? I owe her. Big time. I''m not letting her slip away." They continued scrolling, reviewing resumes and profiles, scanning for anyone who could convincingly y the part of a therapist. Hours ticked by, and the sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden glow through the office windows. ire nced at the clock, sighing. "We''ve gotta wrap this up soon," she said. "I''m starting to see double." Matthew suddenly perked up. "Wait! I think I found something." He waved ire over to his screen. She leaned in, peering at the profile he had pulled up. "Hmm. Not bad," she mused, scrolling through the details. "Definitely looks qualified." Matthew grinned. "And check this one out. Found another one that could work." Together, they reviewed the third profile, nodding in agreement. They finally had three solid candidates. The two shared a quick high-five. ire leaned back, satisfied. "Alright, we''ve got our top three. Can you set up interviews? And make sure to mention the sry we''re offering. We don''t want anyone king outst minute." Matthew nodded, jotting down some notes. "You got it. Are you going to sit in on the interviews, or should I handle it?" ire hesitated, ncing at the mountain of paperwork piling up on her desk. "I should, but... I''ve got a lot on my te. Maybe I''ll make time for one or two. But you can handle the rest." Matthew smirked, crossing his arms. "Can''t believe we''re going through all this just to put Lisa behind bars." "Believe it," ire said with a grin. "She deserves jail after everything she''s done. She''s straight-up crazy." Matthew chuckled. "Yeah, that''s putting it mildly. Alright, I''ll take care of the interviews, and we''llpare notester." ire gave him a thumbs-up before turning back to her screen. "I''m counting on you." Meanwhile, across town, Cindy was nursing a vodka at a dimly lit club. She''d been staring at the glossy ck card she had received for what felt like hours. No name. Just a number. It shimmered under the low light, almost taunting her. "Who the hell gives out a card with no name?" Cindy muttered under her breath. She twirled it between her fingers, contemting. "Maybe it''s a scam. But..." She couldn''t shake the thought that the card belonged to that mysterious man she met the one who promised her everything. Could it really be his number? Her mind raced. She had nothing to lose, right? Maybe this was her chance. Her old life was in shambles, and the thought of getting it back-of being someone again-was too tempting. "Alright, screw it" Cindy whispered to herself, grabbing her phone and dialing the number. The first call rang endlessly. No answer. She tried again. Nothing. Frustrated, she took a deep breath and dialed a third time. This time, the line clicked, and a deep voice answered, sending a shiver down her spine. "Hello?" Cindy straightened up, suddenly feeling like she''d swallowed a handful of rocks. She cleared her throat, trying to sound braver than she felt. "... uh, I''ve made up my mind, she said, gripping her phone tightly. "I want in. I ept your offer." On the other end of the line, Eligos sat back in his car, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "I knew you''de around, Cindy. I''m d to hear it." Cindy bit her lip, unsure how to feel about the whole situation. Part of her was relieved, but another part-the sane part-was screaming at her to hang up. Still, she pressed forward. "What do I call you, anyway? You never told me your name." There was a pause, then the voice came through the line, low and deliberate. "Eligos. You can call me Eligos." Cindy blinked, her brows furrowing. "Eligos? What kind of name is that? Sounds like something out of a horror movie." But before she could ask anything more, the line went dead. Cindy stared at her phone in disbelief, ring at the screen as if it had betrayed her. She tossed it onto the table and took a long sip of her vodka. "Eligos, huh? Weird name, but whatever. As long as I get what I want." Leaning back in her chair, Cindy let out a slow breath. Her mind was still buzzing from the conversation, but one thing was clear: she didn''t care what kind of errands or tasks this Eligos guy wanted her to do. If it meant getting her old life back-the fame, the mour, the status-she''d do whatever it took. "Bring it on," she whispered, finishing her drink in one gulp. "I''m ready." Back at the office, ire was packing up her things, her mind still racing with thoughts of the n. She nced over at Matthew, who was busy shooting off emails to the potential actor to act like a therapist, they had chosen. "Think this is gonna work?" Matthew asked without looking up. ire shrugged, tossing her bag over her shoulder. "It has to. Lisa''s dangerous, and she''s not gonna stop unless we stop her first." Matthew gave a quick nod, his focus still on his screen. "You''re right. We''ve got this. One of these candidates will be perfect, and then... Lisa''s done for." ire smiled, feeling a sense of aplishment. They were making progress, slowly but surely. And while the rest of her life might be a mess, this? This was something she could control. "I think I''m gonna call it a night." She said as she headed for the door. "That''s pretty rare of you to be out this early." Matthew teased her and ire rolled her eyes at him. "Hey, I have been through a lot the least I can do is to get a good night''s sleep." Matthew chuckled. "Of course, boss." She then shot Matthew a final look. "Don''t stay toote, okay? We''ve got a lot more to do tomorrow." Matthew waved her off with a grin. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I''ll be out soon." With that, ire left the office, the evening air cool against her skin. As chaotic as things were, she couldn''t help but feel like they were on the verge of something big. Lisa had no idea what wasing, and ire couldn''t wait to see how it all yed out. Chapter 391 Dr. Johnson ire leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, eyes sharp as a hawk as she looked across the desk. Her intense gaze settled on the woman sitting opposite her. After a moment''s pause, ire finally broke the silence. "You''re hired," she said tly. The woman''s face broke into a wide, relieved smile. "Thank you, Ms. Peterson," she said, her voice steady but polite. ire gave a curt nod, her eyes still scanning her with an evaluating look. This woman seemed sharp, smart, and perhaps most importantly, capable of dealing with the unpredictable mess that was Lisa. Thatst part was critical. "Don''t disappoint me," ire warned, her voiceced with an edge. The woman straightened, looking ire in the eye. "I won''t, Ms. Peterson." With that, she stood up, grabbed her bag, and headed for the door, her heels clicking confidently on the office floor. Matthew, who had been standing nearby, raised his eyebrows as he watched her go. Once the door closed, he turned to ire. "So... you''re sure about this one?" he asked. ire gave him a small, knowing smirk. "I trust your pick, Matthew. After all, you were the one who did the interview." Matthew rubbed the back of his neck. "She''s got the look, and I think she can handle herself around Lisa," he said, still sounding a little unsure. "Good," ire said firmly. "I have enough on my te right now with this ''secret admirer'' trying to mess with my life, but I can''t forget about Lisa. If she can''t be put behind bars, at least we can make her suffer. She''s a loose end, and I don''t leave those hanging." Matthew gave her a sideways nce, intrigued. "You really thought this all out, huh?" ire tilted her head slightly, her smile widening. "Oh, this is just the beginning, Matthew. Wait until it all unfolds." The next day, Winnie pulled her hair back into a tight bun and adjusted her sses, straightening her crisp suit jacket before she entered the psychological ward. The building loomed above her, its sterile, gray exterior somehow fitting the job she was about to do. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her nerves under control. After all, this wasn''t exactly the usual acting gig she''d been used to. But ire Peterson''s offer had been too good to pass up-both the pay and the promise of protection had convinced her. Her phone buzzed with a text from ire right before she went inside, "Remember, stay calm and act professional. Lisa is quick to pick up on anything suspicious." Winnie replied with a quick thumbs-up emoji and slipped the phone into her bag, her heart racing. ire hadn''t told her much about why she needed her to do this, but she knew it involved someone named Lisa Thompson, and from the sounds of it, Lisa needed to be taught a very specific lesson. At the check-in desk, Winnie handed over the fake ID and documents ire had given her. She watched the officer behind the counter as he checked her details. As he nced from her ID to the screen, Winnie felt a prickle of anxiety. This wasn''t a small-time gig; she was about to impersonate a doctor in a psychological ward. But she forced herself to stay calm, keep her gaze steady, and maintain a neutral expression. After a long, nerve-wracking pause, the officer handed back her things, nodding. "Follow Officer Toby," he said, motioning to the uniformed man nearby. "He''ll take you to see Ms. Thompson." Winnie nodded, clutching her bag a little tighter. "Thank you." As she walked with Officer Toby down the long, sterile hallways, her mind raced. What was Lisa even like? She knew ire didn''t care for her, but what had this woman done to make ire go to these lengths? "So, how long have you been with the hospital?" Officer Toby asked casually as they walked. "Uh, not too long," Winnie replied, trying to sound casual. "Just transferred here, actually." He nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer. "Well, Ms. Thompson isn''t the easiest patient, that''s for sure. She''s sharp, and she always thinks she''s being tested or manipted, you know?" Winnie forced augh, even as her pulse quickened. "I''ve handled a few tough ones before," she lied, hoping she sounded confident. They finally arrived at a thick metal door with a small window at eye level. Toby punched in a code and opened it, motioning for her to step inside. "Good luck," he said with a grin that told her she''d need it. Winnie took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and walked in. Inside the room sat Lisa, a woman with dark, intense eyes and a wary expression. She looked up, studying Winnie carefully. Winnie felt the weight of that stare as if Lisa w were peeling back heryers and looking for any signs of deception. "Hello, Ms. Thompson," Winnie greeted with a calm smile, hoping her voice didn''t waver. "I''m Dr. Davis. I''m here to check on your progress." Lisa''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Dr. Johnson? Funny, I don''t remember you fromst time." Winnie kept her expression steady. "Yes, I''m new to the team," she said, pulling out her clipboard and flipping through the fake notes ire had prepared for her. "I wanted to go over some things with you if that''s alright." Lisa leaned back in her chair, her gaze suspicious. "Fine. But don''t think I''m gonna let you poke around in my head like all the others." "Of course," Winnie replied smoothly. "I''m just here to make sure you''refortable and to see if there''s anything you need." Lisa folded her arms, studying Winnie with a smirk. "Comfortable? Please. This ce is about as cozy as a coffin." Winnie forced a politeugh. "Well, we''re doing our best to make sure you''re taken care of." Lisa raised an eyebrow. "You don''t look like a regr doctor," she said, a hint of challenge in her tone. "Why are you really here?" Winnie''s stomach tightened, but she kept her face calm. "I assure you, I''m here to do my job. Dr. Amelia Hart wanted me to check on you personally." Lisa raised her brows. "So you are my new doctor?" Winnie nodded with a smile on her face. "Yes, I am and I am here to make you feel better and good as new, Ms. Thompson. Dr. Amelia Hart only wants the best for you." Lisa let out augh, her eyes glinting. "Right. Best for me. Sure." The two of them stared at each other for a moment, an unspoken tension lingering in the air. Winnie felt the weight of it but kept her expression neutral, focusing on maintaining her cover. She knew she couldn''t let Lisa get too close, couldn''t let her see past the mask she was wearing. Finally, Winnie made a show of ncing at her watch. "Well, I''ll be back again tomorrow. If there''s anything specific you''d like to discuss, please let me know." Lisa waved her off with a dismissive hand. "Whatever. Just another doctor with nothing new to say." As she left the room, Winnie let out a quiet sigh of relief, her nerves still buzzing from the interaction. She''d survived her first meeting with Lisa, but she knew she''d have to be on high alert for the next one. As she walked back down the hallway, she thought about her conversation with ire. ire was powerful, that much was clear. This wasn''t just some job; it was a mission. And Winnie was right in the middle of it. For now, though, she''d done her part. All she had to do was keep it up-and make sure Lisa didn''t catch on. Chapter 392 Andrea Eligos stood outside Andrea''s apartment building, his expression one of pure disgust. The ce looked like it hadn''t seen a decent repair in decades-faded bricks, broken windows, and a general air of neglect. He wrinkled his nose, muttering to himself. "Is he really living in this dump?" Eligos had learned a lot about Andrea recently, but he still found it hard to believe the guy didn''t know his half-sister was none other than ire Peterson-the CEO of a tech empire and a legend in the hacking world. She was probably in some high-rise office right now, pulling strings across the digitalndscape, while her half-brother... lived here. Eligos snorted, amused. "Oh, this is gonna be interesting." With a sigh, he headed inside. The moment he stepped through the door, he jumped back, convinced he saw a rat scurrying across the floor. "Fantastic," he muttered, frowning. "This ce is a horror show." He made his way up the staircase, each step creaking ominously. A few were even broken, forcing him to take awkward, careful steps. Just as he reached the second floor, he stumbled upon a couple making out against the wall. Eligos raised an eyebrow and muttered under his breath, "It''s only noon, people. Get a room." Rolling his eyes, he continued up to the third floor, finally arriving at the end of the hallway. 309. He paused for a moment, eyeing the door with a mix of irritation and amusement. Instead of just knocking, he pulled a napkin from his pocket, wrapped it around his knuckles, and knocked. Knock. Knock. Knock. Silence. Knock. Knock. Knock. After a few moments, he finally heard some shuffling inside, followed by a groggy voice calling out, "Hold your horses!" Eligos crossed his arms, tapping his foot impatiently. The door finally swung open, and there stood Andrea, his face twisted in a scowl. The moment he saw Eligos, his expression went from annoyed to furious. "Oh, it''s you," Andrea grumbled, narrowing his eyes. Before Eligos could say a word, Andrea tried to m the door shut, but Eligos quickly wedged his foot in the doorway. Andrea let out an exasperated sigh. "What do you want? I''m not dealing with your crazy talk again." Eligos raised an eyebrow. "Crazy talk? I wasn''t lying to you, you know. I thought we covered this yesterday." Andrea red at him, arms crossed. "And I thought we covered this yesterday too-none of this makes sense. What proof do you even have?" Eligos leaned against the doorframe, looking Andrea over thoughtfully. "Proof? Alright. What do you need?" Andrea blinked, caught off guard. "What... I need?" He crossed his arms, thinking. "Fine. You want me to believe all this nonsense? Do something for me first." Eligos raised an eyebrow, looking thoroughly bored. "And what would that be?" Andrea smirked, clearly enjoying this. "Pay off my debt." Eligos rolled his eyes. "That''s all? You think that''s enough?" Andrea nodded, almost daring him. "Yeah. That''s all. Forty-five thousand, nine hundred and seven euros and six cents." To Andrea''s surprise, Eligos didn''t flinch. Instead, he raised his brows, chuckling. "Only that much?" Andrea looked at him, jaw-dropping. "Only? That''s... that''s a lot of money!" Eligos shrugged, pulling out his phone. "Bank ount details?" Andrea stared at him in disbelief before stepping aside, motioning for Eligos to enter. "Fine. Come in, I guess." Eligos walked in, ncing around at the shabby apartment with mild distaste as Andrea scribbled his bank information on a piece of paper and handed it over. Eligos looked at the paper, then back at Andrea. "Alright. Give me a minute." Andrea watched, suspicious, as Eligos tapped away on his phone. Less than five minutester, Eligos held up his phone, showing Andrea the confirmation screen. "Done." Andrea squinted at the screen, then at his own phone as a notification popped up, confirming the transfer. His eyes widened as he realized the money was actually there. "No way," Andrea breathed, still staring at his phone. "You''re not... you''re not a scammer, are you?" Eligos smirked, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Oh, please. I''m much better than a scammer." Andrea looked at him, a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Alright then, Mr. Better Than a Scammer, why are you even here? I mean, seriously, what''s your deal?" Eligos chuckled. "I''m here because you''re part of something a lot bigger than you realize, Andrea. You''ve got connections you don''t even know about. Family connections." Andrea snorted."You keep talking about this ''half-sister'' thing. ire Peterson? CEO? Super hacker? Give me a break." Eligos held up his hands, grinning. "Look, I don''t expect you to believe me just yet. Bute on, you''ve gotta admit-there''s something a bit... odd about me, don''t you think?" Andrea eyed him skeptically. "Odd? Yeah, that''s one way to put it." "Trust me," Eligos said, leaning forward, "you''ve got some powerful blood running through your veins. And once you understand what that means, things are gonna get real interesting." Andrea rolled his eyes. "Look, I really appreciate your help with the money but it...it doesn''t make sense. ire Peterson is not my half-sister. I don''t have siblings. She lives in god knows where and I am in Italy. So how did we even be half-siblings? It doesn''t make sense." Eligos smirked as his eyes nced at the interior around him. The worn-out couch, old TV, and crusty walls needed a repaint, and open his mouth to speak. "Aren''t you sad living like this?" "Well, I don''t have much of a choice, can I?" "Hmm...Andrea," Eligos stared at his eyes. "You want an answer, do you?" Andrea nodded. "Ask your mom about it cause she knows." Andrea looked confused as he frowned. "My mom? I don''t think she knows. She is at the hospital, and she is sick." "And do you wish your mother to be healed? I know that you needed money for her treatment, and I am telling you this because the truth will change your life and not just you but your mother as well." Eligos face looked as serious as ever Andrea''s walls started to shake and believed that this man standing in his living room was telling the truth. "Okay, fine. I''ll go see her." Eligos shed him a grin, already halfway to the door. "Good! I''ll see you soon. Don''t miss me too much." Andrea scoffed, shutting the door behind Eligos as he left. But as he stood alone in his dingy apartment, he couldn''t help but feel a strange sense of unease. Whoever Eligos." was, he had a lot of confidence and apparently, a lot of cash. If there was even a sliver of truth to what he''d said, things were about to get a lot moreplicated. As for Eligos, he made his way down the rickety stairs, chuckling to himself. The look on Andrea''s face had been priceless, and he knew he was just scratching the surface. ire was in for one heck of a surprise, and Andrea? He had no idea what wasing. Eligos stepped out into the sunlight, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun." Chapter 393 Hidden Truth Andrea stood outside the hospital, staring up at the big, sterile building with a twist in his stomach. Eligos''s words kept echoing in his head, telling him that ire Peterson was his half-sister. She''s your half-sister. The whole idea was beyond strange. It didn''t add up, not a single bit. Why hadn''t his mom ever mentioned it? And how did she get involved in something like this? He shook his head, trying to wrap his brain around it, but the answer was zero to none. He took a deep breath, clenching the small bag of apples he''d brought her. He''d just have to push all those questions aside for now. Today was about his mom, not about secrets he wasn''t ready to face. Nodding politely at the nurse behind the desk, Andrea took the elevator up and made his way down the quiet, dim hallway. He paused outside her door, his hand resting on the handle as he gathered himself. Then, he knocked softly and stepped inside. There she was, his mom, lying still on the bed with tubes around her, the beeping machines a constant reminder of her need for treatment. The sight of her looking so frail hit him hard. She was always such a strong, lively person-seeing her like this felt surreal, wrong even. His heart ached, both because of her state and because he knew the treatment she needed was something he still couldn''t afford. He closed the door behind him gently, trying to push down the lump in his throat. With a small smile, he ced the fruit bag on the side table, then walked over to her bedside. As if sensing his presence, her eyes fluttered open, and a soft smile crept across her face. His mother''s eyes fluttered open, a faint smile tugging at her lips when she saw him. "Andrea, sweetheart," she said, her voice soft. "How are you?" Andrea forced a smile, though his heart felt heavy. "I''m fine, Mom. Just missed you, that''s all." She reached out a hand, and he took it, sitting down in the chair beside her bed. Her fingers felt cold in his warm grip, but her eyes were as kind and gentle as ever. "I missed you too, honey. Thank you foring." He squeezed her hand, hoping the worry wasn''t showing on his face. "Of course, Mom. I even brought you some apples, your favorite." He gestured to the bag on the table with a little grin. She chuckled weakly. "Oh, you remembered! I don''t think I could stomach one right now, but it''s nice to know you thought of me." They sat infortable silence for a moment, just holding hands. Then she looked at him, her gaze sharper than he expected. "You look troubled, Andrea. Is there something on your mind?" Andrea''s smile faltered. He hadn''t meant to bring up anything serious, but she always had a way of seeing through him. "Well... sort of. I''ve been... learning some things. About us, our family, I guess." Her face softened, but her brows knitted slightly. "What things, dear?" He hesitated, then looked down at hisp, unsure of how to start. "Mom, someone told me... that I might have a half-sister." Her eyes widened a little, and he could see a mix of emotions flicker across her face. She opened her mouth to respond but seemed to struggle with what to say. "Is it true, Mom?" he pressed, keeping his voice gentle. "Do I have a half-sister?" She took a deep breath, looking up at the ceiling as though searching for the right words. "Yes, Andrea," Andrea''s heart skipped a beat, but he tried to keep calm. "Why didn''t you ever tell me?" Her gaze dropped to their joined hands, and she sighed. "I didn''t want toplicate things for you, especially when you were younger." He chewed on her words, trying to let them sink in. "But why, Mom? Why would you keep something like that from me?" His mom''s face tightened, and she looked away, her gaze distant. "It was...plicated. And painful. I thought keeping things separate would make it easier on everyone." Andrea took a moment to absorb this. Part of him understood her intentions, but another part of him still felt hurt, left out of a family secret he should''ve known. "I''m sorry, honey," she whispered, her eyes shining with regret. "I never wanted you to feel like I was hiding something from you. I just wanted to protect you." Andrea squeezed her hand. "It''s okay, Mom. I know you were just doing what you thought was best." She managed a faint smile, though sadness lingered in her gaze. "Thank you, Andrea. It means a lot to hear you say that." "ire Peterson, is she my half-sister?" The question seemed to hang in the air, heavy and strange. She finally managed to swallow and looked away, her fingers twitching against the nket. "How... how did you hear that name?" Andrea hesitated, not wanting to spill everything Eligos had told him just yet. "It came up. I was... talking to someone who knew a bit about our family." "Andrea, I thought you don''t know the name of your half-sister." She closed her eyes then open it again. "So, it''s true then. ire Peterson is my half-sister?" There was a long pause before she finally answered. "Yes, she is your half-sister." Andrea was silent, letting her gather her thoughts. He could tell it wasn''t easy for her to talk about this, and he didn''t want to push too hard. Andrea absorbed this quietly, feeling a strange mix of emotions-surprise, sadness, maybe even a hint of anger, though he wasn''t quite sure where to direct it. "And she doesn''t know about me?" She shook her head slowly. "I don''t think so. At least, not as far as I know. I never met her, and I don''t know if her family told her about her father''s past." Andrea exhaled, feeling a weight settle on his chest. "So, she''s... out there somewhere. And we''ve just never met." His mom nodded, looking away as if the weight of her own choices was too much to bear. "I never wanted to hurt you, Andrea. I thought... maybe it would be easier for you to grow without knowing. But now... now I see it was selfish of me to decide for you." Andrea ced a hand over hers, feeling a twinge ofpassion. "I''m not mad, Mom. It''s just... a lot to take in, you know?" She nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. "I''m sorry, Andrea. I really am." "Hey, no point in dwelling on it now, right? It''s all out in the open. Maybe... maybe I''ll meet her someday. ire, I mean." A small chuckle escaped her lips, and she reached out to pat his cheek gently. "You''re a good man, Andrea. Better than I deserve." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Let''s just focus on getting you better, okay? We''ve got time to figure this out... all of it. One step at a time." She smiled, her expression lightening a bit, and Andrea felt the In tension ease in his own chest. There was still a lot to unpack, and he didn''t know if he''d ever be able to make sense of it all, but for now, he was okay with that. Chapter 394 Backstory Andrea gently spooned soup to his mother''s lips, watching as she managed a small smile. She was weaker than usual, her hands shaking too much to eat on her own. When she finally finished, he ced the bowl aside and sat by her bedside, his mind racing. He knew he shouldn''t ask-she was tired, and this could wait. But he couldn''t hold back any longer. "Mom, how does ire and I are rted?" She took a shaky breath, looking at him with those same weary eyes that had raised him. "Ah, Andrea... I hoped you''d never have to hear about it." She looked away, her gaze focused somewhere far beyond the hospital room. "Years ago, I was... in love with a man. ire''s father." Andrea felt a pang of surprise, but he stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue. "I didn''t know he was married," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "When I found out, I knew I had to leave. I couldn''t stay and be part of that... that hurt to another family. So I came here, to Italy, and that''s when I met your father." His heart sank, hearing the pain in her voice. She''d given up everything, he realized, all because she couldn''t stand the thought of ruining another family. "Your father... he was a good man, Andrea. He loved me, even when I told him I was pregnant with you." Andrea leaned back, feeling the weight of everything settling heavily on his shoulders. A whole other family... ire Peterson, the name echoed in his mind, pulling him back to the moment he first heard it. Too much. Way too much for one day. But what was he supposed to do now? After another hour of sitting with his mother, Andrea finally stood, kissed her forehead, and left the hospital. He made his way back to his cramped apartment, pausing in the doorway to look around at his tiny kitchen, the peeling wallpaper, the cracked tiles. The usual sights were all there, but now they seemed even smaller, more confining. He remembered Eligos''s words, taunting him. Don''t you want a better life? A life where you can afford your mother''s treatment? He sighed, his eyes drifting around the room until theynded on the business card resting on the counter, its edges slightly worn from being handled too many times. Eligos had left it behind, like a door just waiting to be opened. And for the first time, Andrea felt tempted. "Just one call," he muttered to himself, picking up the card and staring at the number printed on it. Just one call to find out more, he reasoned. To understand who ire was... and why she mattered so much. He dialed the number, heart thumping as he waited. Once... twice... on the third ring, a smooth voice answered. "Ah, Andrea. I thought you might call," Eligos said, sounding as if he''d been expecting this all along. Andrea swallowed. "Yeah. I, uh, I want to know more about... ire. ire Peterson." There was a pause, and he could almost feel the satisfaction in Eligos''s silence. "I thought you might be curious. She''s quite... important, you know. CEO, sessful, living in thep of luxury." Andrea felt a bitter taste in his mouth. "And I''m her brother," he said slowly, almost testing the words as he spoke them. "Half-brother," Eligos corrected. "But yes. You share the same blood, even if you don''t share the same life. Yet." Andrea leaned against the counter, his gaze drifting around his apartment, taking in all the little reminders of his life. "What does it mean, though? I mean, I don''t even know her. She doesn''t know me." "But don''t you think," Eligos replied, his tone sly, "that she should know? After all, family is important. And who knows, maybe she''d be willing to... help?" Andrea clenched his jaw, hating the way Eligos made it all sound so easy. "And you think she''d just... help? Just because I tell her who I am?" There was a soft chuckle on the other end of the line. "Perhaps not immediately. But you''d be surprised, Andrea. Family ties are powerful things. And, well, ire isn''t just anyone. She has the means to make a difference." Andrea nced down at his worn shoes, his heart heavy. "It feels... wrong, like I''m only interested because she''s rich." Eligos''s voice softened, his tone almost sympathetic. "Andrea, you''re not doing this for yourself. Think about your mother. She''s the one who needs help, isn''t she?" Andrea let out a long sigh. "Yeah... I guess she does." There was a pause, then Eligos spoke again, his voice smoother than ever. "Good. Now, if you''re serious about this, I can help you meet her." Andrea''s head snapped up, surprise and anxiety flooding him. "Meet her? Just like that?" "Oh, of course not ''just like that.'' But I can arrange it. All it takes is a little nudge in the right direction. I''ll take care of the details-think of me as your... guide." Andrea hesitated, staring at the card still clenched in his hand. "And what do you get out of this?" Eligos chuckled. "I only want to help, Andrea. Let''s just say... I have an interest in seeing how this all unfolds. And maybe, if all goes well, we''ll both get something we want." Andrea''s mind was a whirl of confusion, but he couldn''t deny the tug of curiosity. "So... what do I need to do?" "Nothing, for now," Eligos replied smoothly. "Leave it to me. I''ll reach out when the time is right. Just be ready." The line went dead, leaving Andrea alone in the quiet of his apartment. He looked around, feeling the weight of his decision sink in. Meeting ire the idea felt like stepping into a world he''d never been a part of a world that was so far from his owyn he could hardly picture it. Would she even believe him? The thought gnawed at him. But then he thought of his mother, lying in that hospital bed, needing care that he couldn''t afford. He shook his head, trying to push the doubts away. All he could do now was wait. And hope that somehow, someway, this decision would lead to something better. ire''s penthouse was a picture of sleek modernity, all polished marble floors and tall windows that framed the city skyline. She sighed, flipping through the pages of yet another contract that Sandra had emailed over for her to sign and send back. Sandra never slept, apparently. And now, thanks to her, neither did ire. "All right, let''s get this over with," she muttered, grabbing her favorite mug and reaching for the coffee pot. She had the document in one hand, the coffee pot in the other, and was too focused on making sure she didn''t miss a word on the page. So much so, that she didn''t even notice the coffee was pouring over the edge of the mug-and onto her hand. "Ah!" she yelped, jerking her hand away. The mug slipped from her grip, crashing to the floor and sttering coffee everywhere. "Great," she muttered, rubbing her scalded hand. "Just what I needed." She nced down at the mess. Coffee was sttered all over the white floor and was shattered into pieces. She ced the document carefully on the table and went to grab a stic bag. "Okay, ire. Calm down. Just a broken mug. You''ve got this." Kneeling, she carefully picked up the d.ne particrly sharp piece. She hissed, pulling her hand back to see a thin line of blood welling up from the cut. "Of course," she muttered, looking around for a tissue. "Why wouldn''t I cut myself today?" As she dabbed at the blood, a strange feeling crept over her a sudden wave of unease. It was subtle, but there, like a small knot tightening in her chest. She couldn''t ce it, but something just felt... off. Chapter 395 Second Session Winnie stepped out of her car and took a deep breath, steadying herself. It was only her second day on the job, and everything still felt so new, so... off. But she reminded herself, it''s all for the paycheck. Dressed in her best "therapist" look-pencil skirt, zer, and a soft pink blouse-she certainly looked the part. She marched toward the psychiatric ward''s entrance, letting her heels click with confidence, even if she didn''t feel it. Inside, she handed over her ID, signed the visitor log, and let herself be escorted by one of the officers. "Good luck in there," he said with a slight smile. Winnie managed a nod and a small smile in return, though her nerves were jittery. Today was going to be different from yesterday. No one-on-one session in Lisa''s room; instead, they''d be meeting in themon room where the other patients were hanging around. As soon as she entered the gathering area, she scanned the room and quickly spotted Lisa sitting alone at a table, intently ying a solo game of chess. Lisa''s expression was focused, her eyes flitting across the board with such intensity that Winnie found herself raising an eyebrow. It seemed that I was not exactly a people person. Why wasn''t Lisa ying with anyone else? Winnie took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and made her way over. Her heels clicked as she walked, but Lisa barely nced up. "Good afternoon, Lisa," Winnie greeted her in her best upbeat tone. Lisa rolled her eyes and sighed. "Didn''t I tell you I didn''t want to see you? And why are you sitting across from me? I didn''t give you permission." Unbothered, Winnie slid into the seat across from her, giving Lisa a smile. "You didn''t tell me that I couldn''t sit here, either," she replied, unfazed. "Plus, I''m your therapist. Kind ofes with the territory." Lisa raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Fine. You''re here. What do you want?" "Just the usual check-in." Winnie pulled out her notepad, clicking her pen. "How''s your day going? Anything bothering you?" Lisa looked back down at her chessboard, moving one of the pieces absently. "Isn''t everything about my life in your little folder already? Why ask me?" "Because your answers matter, not just what''s on paper," Winnie replied smoothly, jotting down a few words. "And hey, just humor me. It''s my job." Lisa sighed but gave in. "Fine. The day''s the same as always. The nurses are too chatty, the food''s awful, and my roommate won''t stop singing at night." "Ah, ssic roommate troubles," Winnie said with a chuckle. "And here I thought that only happened in college dorms." Lisa gave a half-smirk but quickly hid it, clearly trying to keep her usual poker face. Winnie pressed on, asking about her hobbies, what she looked forward to in the day, and anything that could get a feel for Lisa beyond the snark and indifference. As Lisa answered, Winnie scribbled each response, noting the hints of sarcasm, the rare genuine replies, and even the asional eye roll. After a few minutes, Winnie nced down at the chessboard between them, then back up at Lisa. "You know," she said, tilting her head, "I''ve always been a bit of a chess fan. Mind if I join?" Lisa raised an eyebrow, giving her a skeptical look. "Can you even y?" Winnie smiled. "Think I can manage." Lisa shrugged, finally scooting a few pieces over to set up a fresh game. "All right, but don''t me me if you lose fast." As they started, Winnie watched Lisa''s moves carefully, already piecing together a n. Maybe, just with maybe, she could get Lisa to open up a bit by blending therapy with this game So, Lisa," Winnie said casually as she moved her pawn forward, "if you had to face down your worst enemy... what would you do?" Lisa paused, her eyes narrowing as she studied Winnie''s move. Then, without looking up, she moved her knight and captured one of Winnie''s pieces. "Enemies aren''t as hard to deal with as everyone thinks," she said, her tone t. "You just have to y smarter." Winnie nodded, pretending to concentrate on her own move. "Smart move. And how exactly would you, uh, y smarter?" Lisa smirked, moving her bishop closer to Winnie''s side of the board. "It''s all about predicting their next move," she said, her voice calm and controlled. "See, every piece has its role. Pawns? They''re distractions. Knights, bishops, rooks? They''re for setting traps. And the queen..." She moved her queen forward. "She''s there to end it, once and for all." Winnie felt a shiver go down her spine. There was a strange focus in Lisa''s eyes, her words carrying a weight that felt... off. Lisa seemed to be speaking more to herself than to Winnie her gaze trained intently on the board. "So, you''d wait until your enemy showed a weakness?" Winnie asked, trying to keep her fone casual. "Exactly." Lisa''s voice was almost a whisper, and she picked off one of Winnie''s pawns with a little smirk. "People are predictable. They''re greedy and impatient. If you wait long enough, they''ll give you an opening." Winnie swallowed, ncing up at Lisa''s face, which was still focused on the chessboard. There was something chilling about how intensely Lisa seemed to speak, as though she wasn''t talking about chess at all. And yet, here she was, spelling out some deeper, darker strategy using the game as a metaphor. Lisa''s hands moved swiftly, and Winnie''s pieces began to dwindle, one by one. "What about you?" Lisa asked her tone light but her gaze piercing. "Would you ever make the first move?" Winnie forced a smile, her fingers hovering over a piece. "Depends on the situation, I guess," she replied, trying to sound neutral. "Sometimes being proactive is good, but it can also be... risky." "Exactly," Lisa said, her voice soft but sharp. "It''s the patient ones who win." She took Winnie''s rook, and Winnie couldn''t help but notice the slight gleam in Lisa''s eyes. She had the look of someone who''d yed this game a thousand times, and maybe not just on a chessboard. They yed in silence for a bit, but Winnie''s mind was racing. This was just a game, but there was something unnerving about how passionately Lisa seemed to view it. Did she see her life the same way? Did she really think of people as "pieces" on some grand, twisted board? When Lisa finally cornered Winnie''s king, she gave a small smile. "Checkmate," she murmured, looking more satisfied than Winnie had ever seen her. Winnie stared down at the board, then looked up at Lisa, who was already tidying up the pieces with practiced precision. "You''re... really good at this game," Winnie said, her voice light but her mind still whirling. Lisa shrugged, stacking her pieces neatly. "It''s not just a game. It''s a lesson." She nced at Winnie, her gaze intense. "Think about it: everyone''s a piece. And every piece can be taken out if you''re patient enough." Winnie forced a smile, nodding along as she tried to push down the goosebumps crawling up her arms. "Good advice," she managed, slipping her notepad back into her bag. "Thanks for the game." "Anytime, Dr. Johnson," Lisa replied, her voice a smooth purr. As Winnie stood to leave, Lisa watched her with a look that lingered just a little too long. Chapter 396 Do Anything You Want Cindy stood under the ring lights, the final moments of hereback shot ticking down. It was almost surreal to be back. She was so close to reiming her old life-just a few more shots, a couple of campaignunches, and soon she''d be walking the runway again and getting invites to Fashion Week. Just the thought sent a giddy thrill through her. Cindy adjusted her stance, throwing a casual smile toward the camera while the photographer barked out directions. "Alright, Cindy, let''s go for something... fierce," the photographer called out, gesturing vaguely with his hands. "Tilt your head a bit, look like you''re about to devour the world." Cindy rolled her eyes but smirked, knowing the drill all too well. "Like this?" she said, shifting her pose. "Perfect. Yes, but more... mysterious, if you can," he replied, snapping away. "Think bold, but refined!" "Bold but refined? Got it," she mumbled to herself with a grin, exaggerating her expression just a bit for fun. She followed his directions, though. She wasn''t about to get booted off her own photoshoot, not when all this mattered so much. "Alright, Cindy, let''s try a bit more energy!" he called out, waving his arms like he was trying to g down an airne. "Imagine you''re walking through Paris, effortless and chic!" Cindy rolled her eyes, just barely keeping her expression neutral. Effortless and chic-as if she didn''t know how to pose by now. But, smiling tightly, she lifted her chin and gave him exactly what he wanted. Thest thing she needed was to annoy anyone on set and risk losing the job. "Perfect, Cindy, just like that! Now, hands on the hips, chin down a bit, yeah? That''s it!" Finally, after what felt like an eternity of holding poses and changing outfits, the photographer lowered his camera with a smile. "We''re done! Amazing work, Cindy." Cindy felt a surge of relief as she stretched out her back. She waved goodbye to the team, already nning her next stop: a much-needed visit to the salon. "Him? Telling me what to do? Doesn''t he know that I was a professional model before ire Peterson ruined my life?" Cindy said with much annoyance as she trudged down the sidewalk and hailed a cab. She was ready to indulge in a full day of pampering a massage, manicure, pedicure, and maybe even a facial massage. She earned it. As she arrived at the most exclusive salon in London, Cindy nced around, hoping there''d be an open spot. This ce was almost impossible to book on short notice, but she needed a win after the shoot. As soon as she walked in, the familiar whiff ofvender and eucalyptus hit her, making her sigh in delight. A staff member at the reception smiled warmly. "Good afternoon! How can I help you?" "Hi there," Cindy said, shing her best smile. "I''d love to book a self-care session-massage, mani-pedi, facial, the works." The staff member''s smile faltered, and she looked at her screen with an apologetic expression. "I''m so sorry, miss, but we''repletely booked today. It''s been such a busy day." Cindy frowned, leaning closer. "Could you check again? Maybe someone canceledst-minute?" The staff nodded and tapped away, only to nce up a momentter with a regretful shake of her head. "I''m afraid there''s nothing avable. We''re fully booked." Cindy''s eyebrows shot up. "You''re telling me there isn''t one single spot open? Come on-check one more time. There has to be something." The receptionist nodded, giving Cindy a sympathetic look. "I''m really sorry. We''re still fully booked." Cindy''s shoulders slumped. "Of course." Just as she was about to leave, another woman walked in and stood beside her. Cindy noticed the staff''s demeanor shift instantly, with smiles and hushed excitement. The new arrival wore shades and handed over a sleek ck card. The receptionist''s eyes widened, and she quickly nodded. "Oh, Ms. Peterson! Right this way; we have a room prepared for you." Cindy''s ears perked up, and she couldn''t resist a quick nce at the woman''s face. Recognition jolted through her as the stranger lowered her shades just enough for Cindy to catch a glimpse. It was ire Peterson. Cindy''s jaw tightened. This was the woman-the same ire Peterson who had ruined her life and career a few months ago. She red at the receptionist. "Wait a minute! You just told me you''re fully booked. How does she get a room?" The receptionist looked ufortable, ncing between Cindy and ire. "Ms. Peterson has an exclusive membership. We have a room set aside for her." "An exclusive membership?" Cindy''s tone was sharp, her disbelief in. "What, I''m not exclusive enough? This is ridiculous!" ire turned, removing her shades fully as she regarded Cindy with a cool, assessing gaze. "It''s an exclusive membership," she said, her voice smooth. "The staff can''t do anything about it, so I''d suggest not ming them." Cindy''s jaw clenched. "Do you remember ire Peterson? Cindy Marshall? Or maybe not, since you seem so good at forgetting people." ire raised an eyebrow, unperturbed. "I meet a lot of people. Excuse me, but I have an appointment." She turned back to the receptionist. "Please, let''s proceed." Cindy was practically fuming. "What kind of card is that, anyway? How much does it even cost to get ''exclusive'' treatment like this?" ire tilted her head slightly, a hint of a smirk ying at her lips. She held up the ck card, letting Cindy see the elegant "LSH" logo engraved in gold. "You can''t buy it, Cindy ire said coolly. "It''s invitation-only. Now, if you''ll excuse me..." Cindy clenched her fists, biting back a retort as ire disappeared into the salon, the receptionist leading her to the private area that Cindy had been so desperately hoping for herself. "Exclusive" Cindy repeated, ring as ire walked past her. "I bet you love feeling above everyone, don''t you?" ire paused just long enough to nce back, her smirk still in ce. "Enjoy your day, Cindy," she said lightly before disappearing down the hallway with the staff in tow. How could ire, the very person responsible for so much of her past misery, still have this much power to ruin her day? And to think, ire couldn''t even remember her. Cindy fumed all the way out of the salon, her mind racing. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath as she stepped onto the sidewalk. She gged down a cab, sliding into the back seat with a huff. As the cab pulled away from the salon, Cindy stared at her phone, heart pounding. It was time to do something about this. Enough waiting, enough struggling on her own. She found the number she''d been hesitating to call for days, her thumb hovering over it. She took a deep breath and hit the dial. The line rang once, twice, and finally connected. Settling into the back seat, she fished her phone from her bag and dialed the number she''d been avoiding. It rang twice, then three times before a gruff voice answered. "Hello?" Cindy took a deep breath, her voice steady with determination. "I''ll do anything you want." She paused, clutching the phone tightly, already feeling the weight of her choice. "Anything." Chapter 397 Back to London Eligos grinned wide, his satisfaction spilling over as he leaned back in the plush hotel chair. Italy had been a decent hideaway so far, with a good espresso here, a ss of wine there, and, apparently, Cindy finally calling him back. He''d kept her on hold, knowing she''d be reaching out sooner orter. Cindy wasn''t the type toe begging for help unless something had genuinely rattled her-and whatever that was, it would make her far easier to convince. Her voice crackled through the phone, and she didn''t sound pleased. "Hello? Are you even there?" she snapped, obviously annoyed. Eligos chuckled silently, letting her frustration hang in the air a second longer. "I''m here, Cindy. Just... savoring this lovely call. And happy to hear you''re finally on board." Her scoff on the other end was almost satisfying enough to get him through the rest of her rant. "Don''t start with that sweet talk," she said. "I just had to deal with that snake, ire Peterson. Do you know what it''s like to watch her float around like she owns the world? She even has this exclusive, ridiculous little card for... something. L-S-H or something like that. Ring a bell?" Eligos''s brow went up. LSH? He didn''t know what it was, but anything that annoyed Cindy enough to bring her to him was worth looking into. His fingers flew over hisptop keys as he searched for them, letting Cindy simmer while she rambled about her infuriating encounter with ire. Finally, Cindy''s impatient voice cut in again. "What, did you suddenly go deaf? Can you hear me, or are you ignoring me on purpose?" Eligos rolled his eyes and thought, This one''s going to be a handful. But still, she was driven, and she had her sights set on revenge. That coulde in handy. "Apologies, Cindy, I was just doing a little research. LSH stands for London High Socialite. It''s an elite organization-very hush-hush, female-only, and about as exclusive as theye. The only way in is through an invitation from Adrianna Saint Laurent herself." "So, it''s like some secret society?" Cindy rolled her eyes, sounding unimpressed. "Nothing special, but I''ll admit, that little card of hers seems to unlock quite a few doors." "Sure," Eligos replied with a nonchnt shrug. "But it''s mostly for appearances. If you have money and connections, the LSH card doesn''t get you much you can''t get on your own." "Yeah, well, I''m about to get everything ire has anyway," Cindy said confidently. "But don''t think I''m doing this for you, Eligos. I''m doing this because it''s time someone put ire Peterson in her ce. No one''s ever tried to go toe-to-toe with her-or if they have, they clearly didn''t have the brains or the guts for it." He couldn''t help but smirk. "I''m thrilled to hear you''re so motivated. Just remember, once you''re in, there''s no backing out. You''re sure this is what you want?" "Yes," Cindy replied without hesitation. "ire''s going to know she doesn''t run this city-or anyone else, for that matter." "Good," Eligos said with finality. "I''ll reach out when I need you. Rest assured, you''ll have your moment." The call ended, and Cindy let out a long breath, staring down at her phone. Then, as she looked out the cab window, her eyes caught a massive billboard featuring ire''s face and herpany, Metacortex, in bold letters. Cindy could practically feel the urge to burn it down, or maybe go buy some tomatoes just to hurl at that smug grin. Meanwhile, Eligos took a long sip of his wine, thoroughly amused. His n was falling into ce-piece by piece. He had Andrea, the secret half-sibling no one knew about, and now Cindy, a woman practically burning with the desire to get back at ire. Perfect. Turning to one of his men, he said, "Prepare the jet. We''re heading back to London. This Italian getaway wasn''t half-bad, but we have work to do." Just as he was settling back with a sigh of satisfaction, another of his men approached, a slight urgency in his tone. "Sir, there''s someone here to see you." Eligos raised a brow, gesturing for him to let them in. A momentter, Andrea strode in, looking every bit as determined as he had during theirst encounter. Eligos smirked, crossing his arms. "Andrea. Didn''t expect to see you here. How''d you find me?" Andrea gave a slight shrug. "Not hard to figure out where the rich and powerful hideaway," he replied with a hint of a smirk. "I''m not here to y games, though. I want in." Eligos tilted his head, curious. "You''re serious? Just a few days ago, you were unsure." Andrea''s gaze was steely. "I want to be rich. I want to get my mother the care she needs, and I want out of that tiny apartment I''m stuck in. If you have a way to make that happen, I''m listening." Eligos''s lips curled into a triumphant grin. This was going even better than he''d nned. "Oh, I have a way, alright. But it''s not a simple route. You''re ready to deal with whatever that involves?" Andrea''s voice was firm. "I wouldn''t be here if I wasn''t." Eligos leaned back, considering him. "You''ll be rubbing elbows with people like ire, ying along with the elite, pretending to be one of them and most importantly, you have to what I tell you. You ready to hold your own?" Andrea smirked. "I''ve been holding my own for years. Trust me, ire won''t even know what hit her." Eligos chuckled, feeling the thrill of anticipation building. "Good. You''ll be right where I need you. Keep your cards close, y the part, and before you know it, you''ll have everything you want-and more." Andrea nodded, his expression unreadable. "Then let''s get started." They shook hands, sealing an unspoken paet. Eligos knew Andrea''s ambition and Cindy''s fury were just the catalysts he needed to set everything in motion. Both of them had something driving them forward, something ire had carelessly stomped on, and now they were going to be his secret weapons. "First things first," Eligos said, releasing Andrea''s hand. "I want you to go back to your apartment and pack all your stuff then meet me at this hotel." Andrea frowned looking confused. "Why do I have to pack my stuff? Where are we going?" Eligos lips curl up into a smile. "We are heading back to London and once we arrive, I have everything for you to prepare and I want you to lie low. We''re ying a long game here. I''ll contact you when it''s time." Andrea gave a nod, his eyes shing with determination. "Understood." "One more thing, there is no turning back. Once you are in, there is no way out. Meet me here at 3 sharp if youe, then you are on board but if you don''t, I take that answer as a yes." As Andrea left, Eligos leaned back, savoring the way his n wasing together. He had the pieces he needed now it was just a matter of time before they all fell into ce. For now, he''d let Cindy fume in traffic and let Andrea get a taste of London''s elite. When the time was right, he''d pull all the strings just like what he had nned. Chapter 398 Visiting Adrian As ire stepped into her office, a familiar voice greeted her from across the room. "How''s the self-care going?" Matthew was seated on her desk, casually flipping through a newspaper. ire let out a long sigh and plopped down on the couch. "It went well. Honestly, I feel rxed... but," she trailed off, a thoughtful look crossing her face. Matthew raised a brow, folding the newspaper. "Uh-oh. What''s the ''but''?" ire turned fully to him, frowning. "I ran into Cindy Marshall." Matthew chuckled. "Name rings a bell, doesn''t it?" She snapped her fingers, clearly frustrated. "Exactly! Sounds so familiar, but I can''t remember where from." Matthew leaned back, a yful smirk on his face. "ire, your age is showing." ire shot him a re. "Very funny." "Hey, I''m just saying," he shrugged. "You remember telling me about her a few months back? The whole mess in America-Cindy Marshall and her dad, Alexander. You even said Alexander pretty much single-handedly ruined her career. Ringing any bells now?" Realization dawned on her face, and she nodded. "That''s why her name sounded so familiar. I can''t believe I forgot that." "Must''ve been one heck of a self-care day if it wiped her right out of your memory." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I saw her at my regr salon. But, like... what''s she even doing here in London? She''s American, and after everything that happened, I thought her career was pretty much over." Matthew scratched his chin, thinking. "Funny you mention that I saw a new billboard with her face on it just the other day. I thought it was weird, too, given what you told me about Alexander putting an end to her career." ire shrugged, looking bored already. "Probably ran crying to Daddy and got herself a job." Matthew smirked. "So you''re not worried?" "About her?" ire scoffed. "Not even close. She''s not on my radar. I mean, she''s not worth it." Matthew leaned forward, grinning. "Fair enough. Speaking of people on your radar, how''s it going with your mystery admirer?" ire rolled her eyes. "Ugh. Stuck, honestly. No clues, no nothing. Weirdly enough, there hasn''t been any movement these past few days. Whoever this person is, they''ve been haunting me constantly, but suddenly... radio silence. I mean, either they gave up, or they got wind of the new software I designed to keep their nonsense out." Matthew raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "So, it''s good enough to keep them out?" She gave a small, prideful smile. "Mostly. There are still a few bugs I need to work on. Every now and then, it just... glitches." He nodded thoughtfully. "Well, that''s still progress. Anyway, keep me posted. I''m still working on finding the guy behind that whole dead-body-in-the-car-trunk situation. Fun times." ire snorted. "Oh, good. I''ll leave that delightful task in your hands." "dly." Matthew hopped off the desk, giving her a little wave before he strolled out of her office. Sighing, ire turned back to herputer and picked up where she''d left off. After a while, Sandra poked her head in, clipboard in hand. "ire, just a reminder-you''ve got that meeting tomorrow with a potential business partner." ire looked up and nodded. "Got it. Thanks, Sandra." As the clock struck five, ire decided to call it a day. She packed up, slipped her things into her bag, and headed downstairs to the lobby, where her driver was waiting. A light rain had started, soft drops hitting the car windows as they made their way through the city streets. When they pulled up to the hospital, ire took a deep breath, steadying herself. She walked inside, took the elevator to Adrian''s floor, and made her way to his room. She knocked gently, then pushed the door open, spotting him watching TV with a snack in hand. Adrian grinned, giving her a wave. "Hey, ire!" She couldn''t help but smile, though her heart twisted a bit. "How''re you feeling?" Adrian muted the TV, motioning for her to sit beside him. She obliged, sinking into the chair by his bed. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I''m fine, ire. Really. You''ve gotta stop feeling guilty-it''s not your fault." She shook her head, her brows knitted. "It is my fault. Everything that happened... if I hadn''t" "Stop it," Adrian said firmly, his expression softening as he looked at her. "None of this is on you. And look, in a week, I''m out of here. Good as new." ire let out a shaky sigh, nodding. But then, almost without thinking, she said, "Maybe... maybe it''d be better if we kept our distance in the future." Adrian''s face fell, and he looked at her with genuine hurt in his eyes. "ire, don''t say that. I don''t want to lose you." She swallowed, ncing away. "It''s not that I want to push you away, Adrian. It''s just... seeing you like this, knowing it''s because of me I can''t stand it." He held her hand tighter. "You don''t get it, do you? I''d rather be in this bed a thousand times than lose you. You''re worth it, ire." A hint of a smile touched her lips, but it didn''t reach her eyes. "I don''t want to keep putting you at risk. My life... it''splicated, and I don''t want you caught up in it." He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "ire, I knew what I was getting into from the start. I''m not some delicate flower you need to protect." She bit her lip, clearly torn. "I just don''t want to see you hurt again." "Then don''t push me away," he said simply, looking at her with that same warmth that made her stomach twist. "We''re in this together, right?" She hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Right." In the quiet of the hospital room, the only sounds were the steady beeps of machines. her thoughts twisting and tangling over whether to spill everything. She had a ton on her te: the mess at Metacortex and Cryptonic, and her fight to clear her name. Adrian''s gaze was on her, soft but sharp like he was reading every word she wasn''t saying. She was torn. Telling him would pull him deeper into the chaos she was already drowning in. Did she really want that for him? Adrian broke the silence, reaching over and gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "What''s on your mind?" he asked, his voice low andforting. ire managed a smile, though her mind was still churning. "Honestly?" She shrugged, her eyes flickering away. "I just want you to heal up faster. Maybe then we could pick up where we left off with that date." Adrian''s face softened, a smile tugging at his lips. "I''d like that," he said quietly. Then, as if he''d been waiting to bring it up, he added, "By the way, the officers came to see me earlier. Had a chat about the ident." ire''s expression stayed calm, but her mind was racing. "They did the same to me," she replied, keeping her tone casual. He paused, watching her. "ire... I saw something on the news. About... a dead body in a trunk? And, well, they mentioned you as a suspect." ire sighed, letting out a slow breath. "Yeah," she admitted, rubbing her temples. "I guess they aren''t holding back. Right now, I''m their main suspect... along with Matthew." Adrian''s eyebrows shot up, concern shing in his eyes. "What? But that''s insane! How did you even get tangled up in something like this?" "It''s...plicated," ire said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Matthew and I, we''re trying to figure it all out, doing our own investigation. We know we''re innocent, but proving it? That''s the hard part." Adrian squeezed her hand, his expression serious. "You don''t have to do this alone. I know I''m not exactly at my best right now, but if there''s any way I can help..." ire shook her head. "I can''t drag you into this any more than you already are you''ve got enough on your te just getting better. Thest thing I want is for you to get pulled into this mess. Matthew and I... we''re not stopping until we find out who''s really responsible. Someone''s trying to ruin everything, and I''m not about to let them seed." Adrian''s lips quirked up in a smirk. "Well, I''m just d you''re not the type to back down from a fight. They''ve seriously underestimated you." ire''s smirk mirrored his. "That''s their first mistake." Chapter 399 What’s Her Next Game? The next morning, ire opted for the helicopter instead of her usual car to get to Cryptonic, hoping to dodge the traffic that clogged the streets below. As they zipped over the city, ire nced down, thinking how much simpler life would be if problems were as easy to Once she touched down, she wasted no time heading to her office. Last night, she''d had ate conversation with Winnie, and despite it only being day two of the assignment, ire was itching for an update on Lisa. What had Winnie learned so far? She was eager to find out. bypass as morning gridlock. Unfortunately, with the mountingplications piling up, it didn''t feel that way. Around ten, Winnie arrived, her usual calmposure intact as she entered ire''s office. ire motioned for her to sit down and asked her assistant, Billy, to bring in tea. As they waited, ire studied Winnie, wondering if the mild-mannered therapist was finding the job as nerve-wracking as ire had expected. When the tea arrived, ire poured a cup for each of them, gesturing for Winnie to take hers. "Drink up, rx a bit," ire said with a small smile. Winnie smiled back, taking a sip before setting the cup down. "Thank you, Ms. Peterson." "So," ire leaned forward, fingers steepled under her chin, "how is everything going? How''s the acting going with Lisa?" Winnie took a deep breath, her fingers brushing the edge of her cup. "It''s... going well, I think. But, honestly, it''s still pretty nerve-wracking. Every time I walk into that room, I''m reminded I''m breaking thew. Fake credentials, fake identity-it''s a lot." ire nodded, her expression softening slightly. She knew it was a lot to ask, but they didn''t exactly have other options. "I get it. Believe me, I know this isn''t an easy role to y. But we need to understand Lisa''s angle. Her whole fake-crazy act has a reason, and I need to know what it is." Winnie took another sip of tea, and then cleared her throat. "So, it''s only been two days, so I haven''t gotten too far. But yesterday, Lisa was more talkative. We even yed a game of chess." "Chess?" ire raised her eyebrows. "Interesting choice for a therapy session." "I need to get something out of her," Winnie exined, "and while we yed, I casually asked her what she''d do if she had to ''eliminate'' her enemies. Just a hypothetical." ire''s brows shot up. "Oh? Do tell." Winnie leaned forward, voice low. "She said, ''Enemies aren''t as hard to deal with as everyone thinks. You just have to y smarter. I''ll wait until that person shows weakness."" ire''s eyes narrowed as she took in Lisa''s words. Her mind immediately started spinning. Enemies aren''t as hard to deal with... wait until they show weakness... It sounded like Lisa was waiting, biding her time. But how could she do anything if she was stuck inside a psychiatric ward? ire frowned, a sense of unease settling in her stomach. Could Lisa have someone helping her from the outside? "Has she had any visitors?" ire asked. Winnie shook her head. "Not when I was there, at least. No friends, no family, nobody." "Not even her mother?" ire''s eyes narrowed. Lisa''s mother was the only family member they knew of who might still visit her, if anyone. "Nope, not her either," Winnie confirmed. "But I''ll keep an eye out and let you know if that changes." ire nodded, grateful for Winnie''s thoroughness. "Thanks. This is good work, Winnie. Keep at it." Winnie stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her coat. "Well, I''d better get going. Today''s my third session with Lisa. Let''s hope she doesn''t get too unpredictable." ire gave her a look, one that was both serious and a bit yful. "Careful in there. Lisa''s not exactly predictable, and I wouldn''t be surprised if she tries something. Just... keep your wits about you." Winnie swallowed, gave ire a quick, tight smile, and cleared her throat. "I''ll do my best. Thanks, Ms. Peterson." With that, Winnie headed out, leaving ire to her thoughts. After a moment of sitting in silence, ire sighed heavily. The whole situation felt like it was closing in on her. Nothing was easing up, not even a little. Tomorrow, she''d have to go back to the police station for another round of questioning about that dead body in the trunk. And it wasn''t even her fault! She''d just been caught in someone else''s mess. ire muttered a curse under her breath, aimed at whoever had led her into this trap. Shaking off her frustration, she grabbed her things, ready to leave Cryptonic and head over to Metacortex for a meeting. The helicopter was waiting, so she hopped in and took off, letting the rush of air clear her mind as they zipped across town. When she finally arrived at Metacortex, Sandra, her assistant, met her at the entrance and escorted her to the meeting room. As ire stepped inside, her business partner, a tall man with sharp features and an easy smile, stood to greet her. "ire! Good to see you," he said, extending a hand. She shook it firmly, smiling back. "Always a pleasure. Ready to dive into some potential projects?" He nodded enthusiastically, and they both sat down. They spent the next half hour discussing different ideas, throwing around concepts for coborations and future deals. "What about that eco-friendly tech initiative?" ire asked at one point, leaning forward with interest. He nodded, tapping his pen on the table thoughtfully. "It''s promising, definitely something we could explore. But the costs..." ire waved a hand. "Costs can be managed. Think of the PR value alone. People are dying for more green tech." He chuckled. "True, true. Well, I''ll have my team crunch the numbers, see if we can make it work. And that data-sharing tform idea you mentioned it could be huge. Let''s get our engineers on it, see what''s feasible." They kept tossing around ideas until the conversation started to wind down. Just as ire was about to wrap things up, he hesitated, ncing at her with a faintly ufortable look. "ire," he started, clearing his throat. "I don''t mean to pry, but... the whole dead body in the trunk situation-do you think it''ll impact our partnership?" ire forced a smile, though she felt her irritation rising. "Trust me, I''m as far from that mess as you are. I just got tangled up in someone else''s game and I''m doing everything I can to clear it up. It won''t affect anything we''re working on." He looked relieved, nodding. "Good, good. I figured as much, but you know how it is. People talk. I just wanted to make sure we''re all on the same page." "Absolutely," ire replied smoothly. "I''d never let something like that impact my work. It''s an unfortunate situation, but it''s being handled." They shook hands again, this time with the ease of two people who''de to a clear understanding. As ire walked out, Sandra by her side, she took a deep breath. At least that was one thing she could cross off her list for the day. Chapter 400 Press Release on Monday Frank leaned back in his chair, sping his hands as he listened to the potential client across from him drone on about his interest in partnering with Venus AMD. The guy looked like he was all business: slick hair, crisp suit, and the kind of grin that said he knew he could afford whatever he wanted. "So," Frank said with a casual smirk, "why didn''t you go knocking on Metacortex''s door? They''re the ones always parading around their ''groundbreaking'' technology, right?" The man chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "To be honest, Frank...I don''t trust it when a woman''s running the show," he replied, his voice dropping like he was sharing some kind of secret. "Just doesn''t seem... reliable." Frank burst intoughter, nodding. "I''m with you on that one!" He leaned in, almost conspiratorially. "I can''t understand why Metacortex gets all the press. I mean,e on. Venus AMD has the real potential here, no scandals, no drama." The man raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Exactly what I''m saying. Thest thing I need is my name tied to some mess because the otherpany couldn''t stay out of the tabloids." "Oh, we''re on the same page," Frank said, leaning forward with a grin. "Venus AMD is the future-no-nonsense, no theatrics. Just pure, cutting-edge tech." The man chuckled and nodded, his gaze sharpening. "I have high expectations, Frank. I''m not just looking for shy presentations. I need reliability, software that''ll do exactly what it''s promised, no glitches. I need the best." Frank nodded vigorously. "And that''s what you''ll get. I''ve got a team on it right now, working on ourtest project-a robot that''s going to blow everything else out of the water. And when it''s ready, we''re nning a huge press release. I mean, once people see what we''re capable of, there''s no way they''ll pick Metacortex over us." The potential client tilted his head, curious. "Robot, huh? Tell me more about it." Frank grinned, his excitement spilling over. "It''s all under wraps for now but trust me it''s a game-changer. We''re talking about capabilities that''ll put other Al and robotics to shame. This thing''s going to be the poster child of Venus AMD''s superiority over Metacortex." "So, Frank," the man said, intrigued, "you''re saying this new software can analyze and adapt in real-time?" "Yep. It''s all about learning, picking up patterns, and adapting. No more static responses, no more rigidmands-it''s going to act like it has its own intuition." The client was clearly impressed. "And it''ll handle multitasking?" "Multitasking?" Frank scoffed. "That''s barely scratching the surface. You''ll see it''s not like anything else on the market. Once we reveal it, people will be lining up for Venus AMD, and Metacortex? Out of sight, out of mind." The man leaned back, nodding thoughtfully. "Sounds incredible. I look forward to seeing it in action." The two men talked back and forth for nearly two hours, going over software specifications, technology trends, and all the potential the robot held. By the time they wrapped up, Frank could barely sit still. His mind was buzzing with ideas of fame, recognition, and the press coverage that''d make Venus AMD a household name. Finally, they shook hands, and Frank practically bounced out of the room, ready to see his team''s progress in theb. As he stepped into theb, he barely had time to take in the sight of his employees huddled around the workstation before one of them,pletely unaware of his presence, muttered, "We''re doomed." The leader of the tech team jumped in his seat when he finally noticed Frank. "Oh, uh, Mr. Frank, sir!" he stammered, turning to face him with wide eyes. Frank raised an eyebrow, his smirk stretching even wider. "Rx, I''m not here to bite. Just checking in." He gestured toward the huddle. "So, how''s the robot? Going well, I hope?" The tech leader shifted ufortably, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. "It''s... going well, sir. We''ve, uh, managed to fix most of the issues." "Most?" Frank''s smile faltered, but he kept his tone casual. "Well, I need it done by Monday. No mistakes. Not a single one. If there''s even a minor screw-up, you''re all out." The team collectively tensed, exchanging nervous nces. The tech leader gave a shaky nod. "Yes, sir. It''ll be ready by Monday." Frank eyed each of them, as if strode out of theb, the sound ret his footsteps fading away. The moment he was gone, the team collectively exhaled, some stumping into their chairs in relief. "Man, I swear he gets scarier every time hees in here," one of the techs muttered, rubbing his temples. The guy next to him snorted. "And we''re supposed to have this thing ready by Monday? It''s not even close! We''re still missing twoponents that don''t even exist here at Venus AMD." The team leader groaned, dropping his head into his hands. "I know. I don''t know what we''re supposed to do. If it''s not perfect by Monday, we''re toast." Another tech threw up his hands. "If he fires us, I''m heading straight to Metacortex. At least their boss actually respects their employees. I''ve heard she''s a million times nicer than Frank." Heads nodded in agreement, the room buzzing with shared gripes. "Honestly," another employee chimed in, "Metacortex has better tech and better working conditions. They might have a scandal or two, but at least they''re not threatening to fire everyone every other day." The leader sighed, ncing toward the door to make sure Frank hadn''t somehow returned. "Okay, okay, let''s focus. We still have to try. Let''s see what we can put together by Monday, and if we''re lucky, maybe he won''t notice the missing parts." A younger tech raised his hand, grinning mischievously. "We could always, you know, say someone sabotaged it if things don''t work out. Fake news and all that." Laughter bubbled around the room, though a few cast wary nces at the leader. The leader pinched the bridge of his nose but chuckled despite himself. "Look, let''s just get back to work and at least try to make it presentable. If Frank shows up here again, he''ll want to see some progress." Everyone sighed and reluctantly returned to their stations, the atmosphere a blend of nervous energy and frustration. The young tech leaned over to his neighbor. "I mean, Frank''s all talk anyway. Half the time, he probably doesn''t even understand what we''re doing in here." The other tech snorted, muttering under his breath, "If he understood anything about tech, he''d know that robots don''t just magically get built by Monday." The leader shook his head, trying to keep the team focused. "Let''s just do what we can and pray he doesn''t show up tomorrow. Now, get those circuits tested and see if you can pull up the software interface We''re gonna need all hands on deck." Everyone grudgingly got to work, muttering and sharing nces as they tackled each task. But they all knew the truthe Monday, if Frank wasn''t impressed, it wouldn''t matter how hard they''d tried. Chapter 401 Invitation clock on her wall, slightly impatient, but kept her tone upbeat. ire leaned back in her office chair, putting her phone on speaker while continuing her conversation in rapid French. Her business partner in Paris was on the other end, droning on about projected quarterly figures and potential expansions. She nced at the ornate "coute, Louis," (Listen) she said, leaning forward. "The numbers look good, but we have to focus on quality over quantity. Expansion means nothing if we lose our brand''s integrity." "Ah, ire," Louisughed on the other end. "Toujours si prudente! But you''re right. Still, the shareholders expect growth." (Always so careful!) "Oui, oui," (Yes) she sighed with a smile. "But only if it makes sense, yes? Let''s not lose our heads for profit." "Trs bien," (Alright) Louis agreed. "I''ll let them know. But we may need a new strategy. We''ll talk more next week?" "D''ord," (All right) ire replied. "Let''s set it up. Merci, Louis." "Merci toi, ire. Au revoir." (Thank you, ire. Bye.) As she ended the call, a gentle knock on the door drew her attention. "Come in," she called. Sandra, her assistant, slipped in, holding a crisp white envelope. She had that polite, knowing smile ire was so used to by now. "I apologize for interrupting you, Ms. Peterson." "Do you need something, Sandra?" ire asked, tilting her head. Sandra''s smile widened as she ced the envelope on ire''s desk. "This came in for you. I don''t know who it''s from; just received it at the front desk with strict instructions that it was for you personally." ire raised a brow, eyeing the envelope like it might contain a bomb. "Really?" She prodded it lightly with her finger, curiosity piqued. "Should I be concerned?" Sandra smirked. "Want me to open it?" ire shook her head. "No, it''s fine. Thanks for bringing it, Sandra." Sandra nodded, leaving her with a soft "Of course, Ms. Peterson. Tell me if you need something, miss," as she stepped out. Alone again, ire opened the envelope slowly, unfolding a thick card inside. She read it, muttering to herself, "What...?" Her eyes scanned the fancy text, then she let out a scoff. "A press release invitation... for Venus AMD''stest project?" Sheughed, genuinely amused. "Oh, Frank, what are you up to this time?" The mere idea of Frank from Venus AMD trying to unt his newest project made her grin. She was hardly concerned-she knew Metacortex was miles ahead, not only because of her hands-on involvement but because she never missed a single detail in the development process. But attending this little event? That could be entertaining. At least it would break up her week with some much-needed amusement. "Why not?" she murmured, cing the invitation back on her desk with a smile. She leaned back, already imagining Frank''s face when he saw her there. "This might actually be fun." At 1 p.m. sharp, ire found herself at the police station, fidgeting slightly as she waited to be called in. Another round of questioning-it was getting old, but she understood why they kept circling back to her. She''d been there when it happened, after all. Anyone would think she was the culprit. She spotted Matthew lounging in the waiting area, tapping his foot. When he noticed her, he stood and came over. "Ready for another round?" he asked, a hint of teasing in his voice. "Oh, absolutely," ire replied with mock enthusiasm. "Can''t wait to sit through another thrilling interrogation." Matthew chuckled. "That''s the spirit." An officer appeared, gesturing them toward the familiar, bleak little room they''d visited before. The detective was already seated, waiting for them with an expectant look. "Have a seat," he said, motioning toward the chairs across from him. ire raised an eyebrow as she settled in. "Why bring Matthew in with me this time?" she asked, a slight challenge in her tone. The detective shrugged. "Won''t be long. We just need some rification on a few things you both mentioned earlier." She exchanged a quick nce with Matthew, who gave a tiny nod, his expression cool. The detective leaned forward. "We found some fingerprints on the car, specifically the steering wheel. Care to exin?" ire nodded. "As I''ve said before, yes, we were there. We both touched the car why wouldn''t we? We were looking for something. You know, searching usually requires touching things." en The detective''s lips twitched, trying not to smile. "And this ''something'' you were looking for?" She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Do I really need to exin every detail?" "Yes," he replied firmly, "especially if you don''t want us to start jumping to conclusions. You were found near a dead body, Ms. Peterson. This isn''t exactly a casual matter." ire let out a long sigh, frustration shing across her face. "Fine," she said in a clipped tone. "We were trying to track someone down. Someone who''s been messing with our technology, tampering with things they shouldn''t." The detective''s eyebrows shot up. "And you thought you''d just follow the trail yourselves, like some detective duo?" Matthew cleared his throat. "We didn''t exactly have a choice. We had reason to believe this person was a serious threat." "Alright." The detective nodded, jotting down notes. "Do you still havemunication records with this person?" "No," Matthew interjected. "The messages were... gone. Completely disappeared the next day, like they never existed." The detective frowned, giving them both a long, scrutinizing look. "And you have no idea who you''re dealing with here?" ire shrugged, maintaining her calm. "Not really. That''s why we''re here, answering your endless questions. We''re trying to figure this out as much as you are." The detective leaned back, letting out a low sigh. "It''s just... unusual, is all. Everything about this is unusual. But if you''re hiding anything" "Believe me," ire interrupted, "I''ve told you everything relevant to that body. Whatever else you''re digging for has nothing to do with him." The detective gave her a dubious look. "You know, we could hold you for obstruction if we find out there''s more you''re not sharing." ire rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Look, detective, I''m here, talking to you, not running off. I don''t see how you think I''m hiding anything." Another sigh, this one from the detective, as he tapped his pen on his notepad. "Alright. I think we''ve covered enough... for now." He gave them both a pointed look, one that said he wasn''t entirely convinced but was ready to wrap it up. ire barely suppressed a relieved sigh. When they finally left the room, Matthew shot her a sympathetic look. "Well, that went... smoothly?" "Smoothly?" ire snorted. "If that was smooth, I''d hate to see rough." They both chuckled as they walked out of the station, the weight of the questioning finally lifting. ire pulled out the invitation from her bag and waved it in front of Matthew. "What''s that?" he asked, eyebrows raised. "Oh, just a little entertainment for us this week, she grinned. "Venus AMD is having a press release. Frank''s thought you mighte with me as well." Matthewughed, shaking his head. "Of course, you did, and I will be there to apany you." Chapter 402 Venus AMD Press Release A weekter, ire was gearing up for Venus AMD''s press release and exhibition. She and Matthew were in the back seat of her car, her fingers drumming a light rhythm on the seat, eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and curiosity. "So," Matthew asked, raising an eyebrow, "what are you expecting from today''s show?" ire''s lips curled into a smirk. "Honestly? I''m curious to see what Frank has cooked up this time. He''s been going on and on about how Venus AMD is better than Metacortex." Matthew chuckled, shaking his head. "You mean, he''s been talking at everyone who''ll listen. The guy''s got an ego the size of this city. Think he will live up to his own hype?" ire let out a lightugh, looking amused. "Knowing Frank, he''s either going to pull off something impressive... or crash and burn spectacrly." "Wouldn''t that be something?" Matthew grinned. "At least if he fails, his press release can join the list of disastrous PR events." "And I am not the only one who''s press release got ruin." The two shared a chuckle, already imagining the possible mishaps waiting to unfold. Meanwhile, at the venue, Frank was pacing backstage, exuding confidence-or, at least, trying to. He inspected the scene, eyes darting around to make sure everything was in order. His pride and joy-a state-of-the-art robot designed to make everyone forget about Metacortex-stood tall at center stage, surrounded by the tech team makingst-minute tweaks. One of the techies nudged his colleague. "Think it''ll hold up?" The other tech shrugged, keeping his voice low. "Who knows? We''ve done our best, but that thing''s about as stable as a deck of cards in a windstorm." A third tech, overhearing, muttered under his breath, "Honestly, who cares? Frank''s the worst CEO I''ve ever worked for. If it flops, maybe he''ll take the hint." Before they could go further, their team leader walked up, catching sight of Frank''s intense gaze. With a forced smile, he approached Frank. "Everything''s set, sir," he said, with a hint of hesitation. "We''re just... you know, doing some final touch-ups. Making sure there won''t be any, uh... glitches." Frank nodded, patting the leader on the back with a firm, almost crushing grip. "Good. Because if this goes well, there''s a bonus in it for you," he said, his tone cool. "But if it doesn''t? Kiss your career goodbye." The leader''s face paled slightly, but he forced a smile and nodded. "Yes, sir. We''ll make sure it goes perfectly." Frank finally released him, and as he walked away, the leader took a deep breath. "Perfectly, he says," he whispered to himself, exchanging a look of mild dread with his team. Outside the venue, a buzz of excitement filled the air as cameras shed and journalists crowded around, eager for a glimpse of the guests arriving. The doors opened, and ire stepped out of the car, dressed in a sharp ck suit that radiated confidence, power, and authority. The cameras shed furiously as she gave the crowd a brief but graceful smile, acknowledging them with a slight nod. Matthew exited behind her, keeping a watchful eye, ready to handle any unwee surprises. As they moved toward the entrance, a journalist pushed forward, eager for a quick quote. "ire! What are your expectations for tonight''s press release?" the reporter called, managing to capture ire''s attention. ire chuckled lightly. "Oh, I''m just here to see what Frank''se up with. Wishing him the best, of course," she said, her eyes glinting with amusement. Another journalist shouted, "Do you think Venus AMD can actuallypete with Metacortex?" ire smirked, giving the reporter a sideways look. "Let''s just say Frank certainly seems to think so." The crowdughed, but before she could slip away, another question came from the back, catching her off guard. "ire, is it true you were called into the police station yesterday?" ire''s face grew colder, though she kept her expression neutral. "I was, yes," she replied smoothly. Another reporter immediately jumped in. "Why do you always seem to get caught up in these situations, ire? Care toment?" ire took a breath, keeping herposure, though there was a flicker of irritation in her gaze. "Sometimes things just happen, and I follow the proper protocols. Now, if you''ll excuse me." She turned away, ending the conversation, though the journalists were clearly eager to ask more. Matthew stepped in beside her as they moved toward the venue doors. "Handled that well," he murmured. She gave him a slight nod, the hint of a smirk returning. "They''ll dig as much as I let them. Now, let''s go see Frank''s masterpiece." Inside, Frank stood near the stage, hands sped behind his back as he scanned the crowd. Seeing ire enter, he tried to suppress a frown keeping his focus on the stage. This was his day, and he wasn''t going to let anything distract him. He gestured to his assistant, who hurried over, practically stumbling in their eagerness. "Are we ready?" Frank asked, his voice low but sharp. The assistant nodded nervously. "Yes, sir. The robot is all set, and the tech team is just giving it a final once-over." "Good. Just remember," Frank said, giving a small, satisfied smile, "if this goes well, you''re all in for a treat. But if anything goes wrong... well, let''s hope it doesn''t." The assistant gulped, nodding a little too eagerly. "Understood, sir." Frank watched the assistant scurry off, a smug grin forming on his face. Everything was under control. Or so he thought. ire and Matthew found their seats among the guests, with an unobstructed view of the stage. She leaned over to Matthew, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "So, how much are we betting that this thing malfunctions within the first ten minutes?" Matthew grinned, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "I''d give it five, tops. Frank''s ego might be ovepensating for something. Let''s see if his team can keep up." A hush fell over the crowd as the lights dimmed, and Frank stepped up to the podium. He beamed, clearly refishing every second as he introduced Venus AMD''stest marvel the robot standing proudly behind him. The audience watched as the curtains lifted, revealing the gleaming machine. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the pinnacle of Venus AMD''s innovation!" Frank announced, voice booming with confidence. "This robot is designed to surpass any technology Metacortex has produced, revolutionizing the industry and changing lives!" ire raised an eyebrow at Matthew, who snorted quietly. "Did he just say, ''changing lives''?" Matthew whispered. "He did. You know how Frank is. He loves to exaggerate things." ire replied, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "High stakes for a glorified gadget." "Before I present to you all, what Venus AMD robot can do, I will exin to you what our robot can really do and it''s better than all of you thought it would be," Frank says proudly as he speaks with much confidence. ire leaned towards Matthew and whispered. "This is going to be fun." Matthew chuckled lightly. "Imagine him ''glorifying'' his robot but it didn''t end well." "It will look good on the tabloids tomorrow." She smiled as she stared at the stage. Chapter 403 Robot Malfunction Frank stood center stage, basking in the attention of the audience. His excitement practically radiated as he motioned for Robert, his lead engineer, to join him. The crowd watched as Robert stepped up, and Frank pped him on the shoulder, a proud grin stretched across his face. "Everyone, this is Robert, the brains behind ourtest project!" Frank announced, his voice booming through the speakers. "He''s the one who came up with the brilliant concept for our new robot." A buzz ran through the audience as they murmured in anticipation. As Robert gave a modest wave, Frank continued, "Now, let''s talk about what makes our robot revolutionary. You''ve all heard of Metacortex, yes? Well, they may have their little helper bot, but let me tell you-our creation is on a whole new level." He chuckled. "This isn''t just some helper with wheels and basic programming; this robot has hands, legs, and it can perform tasks just like a human. Imagine the possibilities!" Some guests leaned forward, intrigued, while others whispered to each other in curiosity. ire, standing at the back with Matthew, rolled her eyes. "Is he for real?" she whispered to Matthew, crossing her arms. "A robot with full capabilities, built in a month? No way." Matthew chuckled, ncing at her. "Just wait until he starts the demo. We''ll see if all this bragging holds up." Meanwhile, Frank kept the spotlight on Robert. "Tell them about the robot''s features, Robert," Frank prompted, gesturing for Robert to speak. Robert cleared his throat, looking a little ufortable but ready to give his pitch. "Well, our robot can follow voicemands, so there''s no need for remote controls. We wanted something that responds naturally to human input. It''s designed to assist in tasks that require precision, from carrying objects to performing routine maintenance tasks." Frank jumped back in, smiling arrogantly. "Exactly! None of that outdated remote nonsense-our robot is built for convenience and efficiency, making Metacortex look like amateurs." The audience chuckled, some nodding in approval. ire snorted softly. "Right, because remotes are sost century," she whispered sarcastically to Matthew. "Hey," Matthew replied with a smirk, "who needs remotes when your robot has an independent streak?" Frank continued, oblivious to the whispering in the crowd. "And now,dies and gentlemen, the moment you''ve been waiting for-the unveiling!" He stepped to the side, grasped the edge of the drape covering the robot, and yanked it down dramatically. The fabric pooled on the floor, revealing a gleaming, humanoid robot standing in the spotlight. The audience gasped, and shes of cameras went off as people whipped out their phones to capture the moment. With a smug grin, Frank looked straight at ire, his eyes brimming with a smugness that only she could recognize. But she kept her face neutral, arms crossed over her chest as she watched the show with barely concealed skepticism. Frank took a step forward, hands outstretched as he addressed the crowd. "Now, let''s see this robot in action. It''s all voicemanded, so watch how seamlessly it responds!" He turned to the robot. "Pour a cup of water." The robot whirred to life, its mechanical arm moving with a slight jerk before reaching out to the table beside it. It picked up a ss and carefully poured water from a nearby pitcher, filling the ss without spilling a drop. The crowd murmured in amazement, and Frank beamed. "See? Precision, efficiency, ease." "Let''s see how long this goes smoothly," ire muttered to Matthew, who raised an eyebrow in amusement. Frank continued, clearly in his element. "Robot, jump!" The robot executed a small hop,nding with a soft thud, much to the delight of the audience, who pped in appreciation. "And now," Frank said, shing his winning smile, "for something a bit moreplex. Robot, move that chair over there." The robot turned toward the chair and bent down, grasping it with its metal hand. But as it began to lift, the audience noticed a slight hesitation. The robot paused, its head tilting to the side as though confused. Frank frowned. "Move the chair," he repeated, his voice a little sharper. But the robot didn''t respond. Instead, it stood frozen, its arm still clutching the chair as the soft whirring sound from its motors grew louder. Frank shot a nce at the tech team on the side, who were looking increasingly concerned. Then, with a sudden jerk, the robot started moving again. But instead of lifting the chair, it began swinging it wildly, smashing it against the stage floor. The audience gasped, and a ripple of nervousughter spread as the robot continued its rampage. Frank''s eyes widened, and he quickly stepped back. "Stop! Robot, stop!" he shouted, but the robot ignored him, its mechanical limbs iling as it continued its chaotic tantrum. Robert rushed to Frank''s side, whispering frantically. "We need to shut it down, Frank." "Yes, shut it down! What''s taking so long?" Frank hissed, panic ring in his eyes as he tried to keep his voice low. The tech team scrambled around backstage, pressing buttons on the robot remained on its destructive path. Pieces of the shattered chair littered the stage as the robot turned, now facing Frank. He backed up, trying to keep hisposure as shes from cameras intensified, the journalists eating up every moment of the chaos. Robert rushed over to the tech team. "Is there an emergency shutdown button?" One of the techs shook his head, looking pale. "No, we... we didn''t install one." Robert pped a hand to his forehead. "Unbelievable." At the back, ire couldn''t suppress herughter anymore, though she tried to keep it quiet. Matthew was shaking his head, thoroughly entertained by the unfolding disaster. "Guess Frank''s so-called ''cutting-edge'' tech didn''t include a failsafe," ire whispered to him with a smirk. Matthew stifled augh. "Guess not." Finally, ire sighed, rolling her eyes. "Alright, that''s enough fun." She stepped forward, making her way toward the stage. Matthew''s eyes widened as he caught up to her. "What are you doing?" "I''m going to fix his mess," she said, her voice full of mock exasperation. "Might as well save the day." Frank caught sight of her approaching and looked even more flustered, but he didn''t have time to stop her as she slipped backstage and addressed the tech team. "Where''s the main control?" ire asked briskly. One of the techs, too panicked to argue, pointed to aptop. "There." Without wasting a second, ire sat down and began typing, her fingers moving in rapid, precise taps. The screen shed with code as she dove intothe robot''s operating system, looking for any way to force a reboot. A few tense moments passed, and then with a final keystroke, she hit enter. The robot powered down, its whirring noise fading to silence as it slumped, motionless, on the stage. A hush fell over the crowd, broken only by the frenzied clicking of cameras. Frank tried to regain hisposure, attempting to calm the audience, but it was clear that their attention had now shifted fully to ire. As she walked back on stage, one of the journalists called out, "Ms. ire! Why did you help Venus AMD?" ire shot a look at Frank, who was visibly seething, his face red as he struggled to mask his frustration. With a cool smile, ire shrugged. "I didn''t want to see anyone get hurt. And besides," she added, raising an eyebrow, "evenpetitors need a little help every now and then." The crowd chuckled, and Frank''s forced smile faltered, though he quickly tried to regain control of the situation. "Well, thank you, ire," he said, though his tone was anything but grateful. "We appreciate your assistance... though I assure everyone, this is simply a minor setback. We''ll have the robot functioning perfectly in no time." ire nodded, stepping off the stage with a satisfied smirk. As she joined Matthew, who was waiting at the edge, he whispered, "That was epic." ire shrugged nonchntly. "Just doing my civic duty." Together, they made their way out of the press room, the buzz of cameras and whispers following in their ovel wake. But ire wasn''t worried; she''d already made her point. Metacortex wasn''t just apetitor-they were the feal innovators. And if Frank thought he could beat her, today had been a clear reminder: he was out of his league. Chapter 404 Fired! Frank''s smile was frozen, his cheeks starting to turn a blotchy red as the journalists bombarded him with questions about the spectacrly malfunctioning robot still smoking onstage. "Mr. Potter anyment on the robot malfunction? Did you expect this to happen?" one of the journalists asked him. This wasn''t how his grand showcase was supposed to go. He was supposed to be basking in apuse, not dodging questions about his failed invention. He was already nning how to chew out his tech team once he got backstage, but he forced a tight smile for now. Robert, seeing Frank''s expression turning darker by the second, stepped up. "Look, minor issues, that''s all it is. Everything is fine now. Technical hups happen, and we''re already handling it." But the journalists were relentless. One reporter raised his hand, his face a mask of barely disguised amusement. "If I may ask, with Metacortex still being the leadingpetitor, do you really think Venus AMD''s robot has a chance? Seems like Metacortex is still... well, ahead." Frank''s jaw clenched. "Absolutely," he said with forcedposure. "We are confident Venus AMD will outperform Metacortex. They make mere helper robots. Ours is capable of real work." Then came another question he was dreading. "Mr. Potter, any thoughts on ire Petersoning to Venus AMD''s rescue? It looked like your team couldn''t handle it." Frank''s smile grew tighter. "Competitors help each other, even if it''s rare. But Venus AMD didn''t need saving," he said curtly, before practically stalking off the stage. Robert waved off the press as security moved in to redirect the journalists. As soon as they hit backstage, Frank whipped around, his face a thundercloud. The tech team flinched as he pointed an usatory finger at them. "What on earth was that?" he bellowed. "Did I not tell you to make sure everything worked perfectly? How is it ire Peterson who had toe to my aid instead of one of you? Do you people even understand technology? If don''t what am I paying you all for?" he said with much anger and his tone made some of them jump in shock. The tech employees all looked at the floor, eyes darting anywhere but at Frank. Some flinched at the intensity of his tone, and one tech lead stepped forward nervously. "We are sorry, sir. We didn''t think that would happen. There were... twoponents missing, Mr. Potter. We needed them for the robot to function smoothly, but Venus AMD doesn''t currently have ess to those parts." "Then why didn''t you make them?" Frank''s voice was scathing, his frustration barely contained. "How hard can it be?" A few tech employees exchanged nervous nces, but the tech lead just nodded, gulping as he tried to exin further. "We were...well, the missingponents would take time to manufacture or acquire. We did our best with what we had, but" "But nothing! I pay you all to work, not to make excuses. You''re useless! All of you!" Frank''s face was a picture of fury. "Every one of you is fired!" Robert, who had been hovering at the side, looked at Frank with wide eyes. "Frank, we still need the team! Firing them over one malfunction doesn''t make sense." Frank turned on him, his gaze icy. "I am the boss here, Robert. I decide who stays and who leaves. And they," he gestured dismissively at the tech team, "are out." The employees shuffled, some exchanging disbelieving looks, but one of them, a junior engineer who had been biting his lip through Frank''s entire tirade, finally stepped forward, looking more frustrated than afraid. He was small, but his voice rang out with surprising force. "Maybe it''s not us who are the problem," he said, his voiceced with bitterness. "Maybe the one who''s useless is you, Mr. Potter. You may have the money, but you don''t know the first thing about tech. If any of us had the choice, we''d work atoMetacortex over this circus any day." Frank''s face turned an rming shade of purple. "What did you just say?" The young engineer didn''t back down. With a flourish, he pulled off his employee badge and tossed it at Frank''s feet. "I said if we had the choice, we''d all choose Metacortex over Venus. Have fun exining this to the board." And with that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the backstage area. The other employees watched him go, some looking tempted to follow. Frank sputtered, shouting after him even though he was long gone. "You''re nothing without Venus! Nothing! You''ll regret this!" The other tech employees froze, their faces masks of horror and resignation. Frank rounded on them, still livid. "Well, what are the rest of you looking at? Start packing! You''re all out of here!" They scrambled to leave, casting wary nces back at Frank as they filed out. The backstage area fell into a tense silence. "I swear that...woman! ire Peterson. She has toe and save the day huh? Acting all smart and stepping over Venus like dirt. She thinks Metacortex is superiorpared to Venus now." Robert, who had been watching everything with increasing disbelief, ran a hand over his face, muttering under his breath, "Well, that went well." He turned to Frank, struggling to keep his tone calm. "Frank, you just fired our entire tech team in the middle of a press event. Do you realize the damage this is going to cause?" Frank''s gaze was still dark, and he seemed uninterested in Robert''s warning. "I don''t care. I don''t need ipetent dragging down Venus AMD. We''ll hire new tech people. Better ones, ones who actually know how to follow orders." Robert held up his hands in frustration. "It''s not about following orders, Frank! We need people who understand how to fix these issues! You can''t just expect miracles with zero resources or missingponents." Frank''s expression was stubborn. "This isn''t my fault. It''s theirs. They failed me, and they paid the price. Now we''ll find people who can do the job right." Robert sighed, clearly realizing he n wasn''t getting through to him. "Let''s hope the board sees it your way," he said with a hint of sarcasm. "Meanwhile, good luck finding a tech team willing to work with someone who fires them over one hup." Frank rolled his eyes. "You''re being dramatic. Venus AMD has a reputation. People will line up to work for us." Robert didn''t look convinced. He gave Frank onest skeptical nce, then walked away, muttering to himself. "Fine, whatever you say. I need to talk to the PR team to fix this mess." Frank doesn''t even care, his mind is upied with the thoughts of ire Peterson and his failed robot. He was so confident and the way he brought down Metacortex in the press release but turns out everything is a mess. He knows in just an hour; his name will be headlined over the inte and a video of Venus AMD failed robot will be over the inte and he needs to exin it to the boards as well as his client. It''s definitely not good for business. "Those useless pieces of shit! They can''t even do anything!" Chapter 405 Congratulate Frank! After the chaotic press release, ire and Matthew made their way toward the buffet room. The space was quiet, almost too quiet for a major event like the one that had just unfolded. A few of Frank''s business partners milled around, looking either bored or ufortable, but mostly avoiding eye contact with each other. The food spread, on the other hand, was impressive-fruits, cheeses, mini sandwiches, and the like. ire grabbed a few grapes, popping them into her mouth, while Matthew shot her a smirk. Matthew leaned over to ire, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Well, that went very well, huh?" ire chuckled lightly and picked up a small te of fruit, shaking her head. "I should congratte Frank for his bravery, you know? The way he boldly called Metacortex inferior, I mean-Venus AMD''s the only one with the guts to call out Metacortex like that. It''s so bold." she said, her voice full of yful amusement. Matthew raised an eyebrow as he plucked a grape from the bowl. "Yeah, that''s definitely one way to put it," he said, chewing on the fruit thoughtfully. Matthew took a grape and chewed thoughtfully, shaking his head. "You really do know how to y the game, don''t you?" ire gave him a sly smile. "It''s all about making the right impression," she said, eyes scanning the room with practiced coolness. Matthew popped a grape in his mouth, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Yeah, definitely. His marketing team must be thrilled with that one." He grinned at her as ire selected more fruit, clearly enjoying the moment. Just then, one of Frank''s business partners approached. A tall, well-dressed man with an air of importance stepped up to ire, smiling broadly. "I have to say, Ms. Peterson," he began, his voice warm with appreciation, "I don''t think anyone else would''ve stepped in like that to save Frank''s little fiasco earlier. If you hadn''t intervened, who knows how much worse it could''ve gotten." ire smiled politely, though her eyes twinkled with mischief. "I just did what anyone else would''ve done," she replied casually, as though it was no big deal. "I didn''t want to see anyone get hurt." The man nodded, clearly impressed. "Still, very few would''ve done it, especially given the rivalry between Venus AMD and Metacortex. You''ve got guts," he said, offering her an approving look before moving off to chat with someone else. A few more people trickled over, joining the conversation. They were all throwing herpliments, praising her for being so generous toward herpetitors. ire noticed a lot of them seemed genuinely surprised that she helped at all, considering how much Frank had bad-mouthed Metacortex in his presentation. One person remarked, "It''s rare to see apetitor step in to help like that. Usually, people just let their enemies fall, but not you. Very ssy." ire simply shrugged and shed a smile, "It''s fine. I don''t want to see anyone get hurt, no matter who they''re working for." Meanwhile, Frank stood at the entrance of the buffet room, staring into the scene before him. He had taken a deep breath before entering, hoping for a little peace after the chaos of the press release. Instead, he walked into the sight of his business partners all gathered around ire,ughing and chatting with her like they''d known her for years. "Why is she even here?" he muttered to himself in annoyance. A fake smile tugged at Frank''s lips, and he made his way toward the group. He had barely taken a few steps when he overheard one of his business partners say, "You know, I''ve been thinking. Maybe in the future, it''d be worth partnering with Metacortex instead. They seem to have a better handle on things." Frank''s smile faltered, his face heating with barely contained rage. Why is it always ire? he thought, frustration simmering beneath the surface. The nerves of these people. I''m the one who''s supposed to be impressing them! As he reached the group, ire turned her head and greeted him with a smug smile. "Congrats on the press release, Frank," she said sweetly. "It was brave of you to call out Metacortex like that. Not many have the guts to say it." Frank gritted his teeth, trying to mask the snarky remark he wanted to make. "Thanks," he said, forcing the words out with a tight smile. He turned to his business partners, trying to regain some control over the situation. "We hope you all enjoyed the demo," he began, his tone a little more strained than he intended. "I apologize for the earlier mishap with the robot. We''ll make sure it doesn''t happen again." But the business partners weren''t having it. One of them spoke up, voice t and unimpressed, "Frank, your robot earlier could''ve hurt someone. What if it started throwing random things at the audience? That''s not something you can just overlook." Another partner nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I think we''ll need to have a talk about thatter." The conversation quickly turned sour, and the partners began to disperse, leaving Frank standing there, fuming. ire had a smug smile on her face, but she didn''t say anything. She just took a sip of her tea and looked at him with amusement." "You know," she said casually, "It''s fine. Mistakes happen. Just take a deep breath. You''ll survive this one." Frank clenched his fists, trying not to let his anger explode. "You ruined my exhibition," he said, voice tight with rage. "Why did you have to y the superhero?" ire raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a yful smile. "A thanks'' would''ve sufficed," she said coolly. "I was just helping you out since you had that desperate look on your face." Frank''s face flushed with anger, his jaw clenching. If he could''ve thrown hands, he would''ve. Instead, he stood there, barely holding himself together. ire didn''t back down. She tilted her head slightly and smirked. "I''l give you props for your confidence though," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Especially calling out Metacortex. But maybe next time, keep it in check? You don''t want to embarrass yourself again, Frank red at her, his eyes like daggers. "I will beat you for that," he growled, his voice low and threatening. ire simply smiled, unfazed. "I''ll be waiting," she replied with a wink before turning to leave the room. Matthew, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow at Frank, who was fuming. But he didn''t say anything. ire had already made her exit, leaving Frank to stew in his frustration. Frank stood there for a moment, ne'' taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself. But all he could think about was how ire seemed to have a knack for ruining his ns. She was like a tiny, annoying bug just when he thought he had everything under control, there she was, making his life difficult. He took a deep breath, trying to release some of the tension in his body. It didn''t help. ire was still out there, getting all the attention, and he was stuck cleaning up the mess. "Dammit," Frank muttered under his breath. "She really knows how to get under my skin." Chapter 406 How Would I Use Her? ire stepped out of the buffet room, her stomachfortably full of the ridiculous spread of food. As she made her way toward the exit, lost in thought about the ridiculousness of the whole press release event, she collided with someone. Someone all too familiar. "Robert," ire said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness, as she stered a smile on her face. "What a surprise, running into you here. Congrattions on your little ''brilliant'' robot project. It was genius of you to propose that to Venus. Really, I''m impressed." Robert, standing in front of her, scowled. His eyes narrowed, and ire could practically feel the heating off him. "Earlier, that malfunction with the robot? That was an error. Don''t get too carried away," he grumbled, crossing his arms tightly. ire raised an eyebrow, never letting her smile waver. "Oh, of course. An error. How could I have been so na?ve? You''re right, mistakes happen." She paused, leaning a little closer. "I just hope you, you know, actually contributed to the building of the robot. Or were you just barking orders like you did at Metacortex?" Robert''s jaw tightened, and he shot her a re sharp enough to cut ss. "Funny," he said, his voice cold. "You keep bringing up the past. It''s almost like you''re still holding on to it." ire rolled her eyes dramatically, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh, I''m sorry, was I supposed to forget that you stole Metacortex''s ideas? You''re the one who made sure everything fell apart, Robert. I''m just wondering if you actually did any of the work this time, instead of sitting behind a desk and letting others do it for you." A silence fell between them. Robert''s face turned an rming shade of red. "You haven''t heard thest of me, ire. This isn''t thest time we''ll meet." ire simply smiled, her expression calm, her eyes glinting with amusement. "You''re starting to sound more and more like Frank. That''s exactly what he said earlier. I''m sure you two would get along famously." She turned on her heel, walking past him without a second nce, leaving Robert standing there, his fists clenched at his sides. As ire walked away, she could feel Robert''s eyes burning into her back. She didn''t even have to look back to know he was standing there fuming. She was sure he promised himself that he''d find a way to get back at her, but ire wasn''t worried. Let him try. ire walked briskly through the hall, Matthew close behind. The press, as always, were relentless. A few of the journalists who''d been hanging around waiting for ire''s exit immediately surrounded her, firing off questions faster than she could process them. "ire! Why did you help Venus during the robot malfunction?" one journalist asked, holding up a microphone. ire smiled, her tone polite but firm. "Well, the robot was out of control, wasn''t it? Someone had to step in before it caused any damage. I couldn''t just stand by and let people get hurt, could I?" Another journalist, eager to dig deeper, shot another question. "What do you think of Venus AMD''s robot,pared to Metacortex''s design? It seems like they''re copying you." ire raised an eyebrow, ncing sideways at Matthew before answering. "It was a little surprising to me, to be honest. Venus managed to put something together in a month, so I''ll give them credit for that. But it''s not as groundbreaking as they''d like to think. Anyone can create a robot, especially with the technology out there." They weren''t done with her yet, though. A third journalist piped up, "Metacortex was the first to do a robot press release, and then Venus followed suit. Do you think they''re copying your ideas?" ire chuckled softly, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Maybe they just had the same schedule. It''s not like I own robots, right? Everyone''s free to try their hand at it." The questions kepting, but ire didn''t seem fazed at all. "And what about Frank, constantly putting Metacortex down? How do you feel about that?" ire''s smile widened, a little arrogance creeping into her expression. Oh, Frank can say whateve he likes. The audience will decide which press release went better. But hey, let''s be reat everyone knows who''s been doing this longer." Matthew, standing next to her, gave her an amused look. She just shrugged, making her way toward the exit, but the journalists weren''t about to let her off the hook so easily. They kept asking, shouting questions at her as she walked away. Matthew stepped up beside her, signaling for the journalists to give them space. "We should go," he muttered, guiding her toward the car. "Agreed," ire replied, sounding both amused and slightly tired of the whole thing. Once they were safely in the backseat of the car, ire rxed, leaning back against the plush seat. Matthew sat next to her, both of them letting out a simultaneous breath of relief. "And that''s how you handle the press." Said ire, feeling satisfied and entertained. Matthew chuckled beside her. "Seems like you had it all prepared with your words, huh?" "To be honest, I kinda knew this would happen. I meane on...let''s be honest who even made a robot in just one month?" He raised his brows. "You did." "I know but mine''s different. I have all the software, the brains and all I need is the body but Venus, seems like they tried to make it from zero. I apud Frank''s confidence but looks like he really wanted to show the world that Venus AMD is much better than Metacortex." The ride back to thepany was afortable silence, save for the soft hum of the engine and the asional mutter from Matthew about the press. Back at his house, Eligos sat in front of hisputer, watching the live stream of the press event. He swirled a ss of wine in his hand, a small smile ying on his lips as he observed ire. She seemed... too calm. Much too calm. "She''s forgotten about the issues with Cryptonic and Metacortex," Eligos mused aloud, his eyes never leaving the screen. "But that''s not like her. Not at all." He leaned back in his chair, twirling a strand of his dark hair as his mind raced through his ns. What was ire really up to? Could she possibly know more than she was letting on? Eligos smirked, his thoughts moving in a new direction. "She thinks she''s untouchable. But there''s someone dangerous trailing her every move, and she doesn''t even know it. How long can she stay calm with that hanging over her head?" He leaned forward, tapping his fingers against the desk. He''d already roped Cindy and Andrea into his scheme, but there was still a piece missing. Something to really make his nplete. Maybe it We to use Andrea as his little cherry on top-his surprise. And Cindy... well, she could serve as the main appetizer, couldn''t she? But how exactly would he use her? That was the question. A slow grin spread across his face as he thought of the possibilities. "Soon enough, ire. You won''t see iting." Chapter 407 Confused Winnie Alexander sat back in his chair, staring at the screen. The live press release from Venus AMD was ying out in front of him, and the more he watched, the more incredulous he became. Frank was going on and on about how their robot was superior to Metacortex''s, but the moment Frank pulled the drapes and revealed it to the crowd, things went south. The robot malfunctioned, and the room full of guests went from excited chatter to panicked whispers. Then, out of nowhere, ire stepped onto the stage, calm as ever. She walked backstage, fixed the problem, and turned the robot off with a few quick keystrokes. The whole room was watching, and the journalists were already writing down their notes. Of course, ire became the talk of the event, trending online before the press conference had even ended. "Unbelievable," Alexander muttered to himself, leaning forward in his chair. "She just can''t help herself, can she?" Even when ire wasn''t trying to steal the spotlight, she did. It was like a superpower. Alexander couldn''t help but be captivated by it. Thest time they spoke, it hadn''t gone well. ire had made it clear she wanted a professional rtionship, nothing more, and while that stung, he couldn''t me her. She was clear about her boundaries. But seeing her again, helping out Venus AMD like that, made him miss her more. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. What was he supposed to do? She was in a rtionship with Adrian Saint Laurent now, and thatplicated things further. He couldn''t just show up at her office uninvited-it would only make things worse. Alexander nced at his calendar. He had a meeting with Metacortex the next week to discuss the progress of their robot. He needed three robots ready for the Vegas hotel opening on Christmas. That meant he had to fly out to Vegas soon to ensure everything was in ce. But he still couldn''t shake the thought of ire out of his mind. Meanwhile, across town, Winnie was getting ready for work at her apartment. She adjusted the cor of her blouse, checked her phone one more time, and grabbed her bag. Her boyfriend, who was sitting on the bed, gave her a skeptical look as she buttoned up her jacket. "So, what exactly is this job you''re doing?" he asked, his voiceced with concern. "Isn''t it dangerous? I mean, if you get caught, you could... well, you know, being put to jail." Winnie sighed, rolling her eyes slightly but trying to keep her tone light. "I know it''s dangerous, but I don''t have much of a choice. You know how hard it is to find decent work these days. The economy''s a mess. I need the money." "Is this...boss of yours will really protect you?" "Yes, she promised me she would protect me if any bad things happened." Her boyfriend frowned but didn''t press further. "Just... be careful, okay?" "I will," she replied, leaning in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I''ve got this under control." She grabbed her things and left the apartment, heading out into the cool air. She gged down a taxi, gripping the file and her notebook tightly in her hands. She had a lot of questions to ask Lisa today, but she had to be careful not to raise suspicions. ire had warned her that Lisa was faking it, and now she was beginning to wonder why someone would do that. It didn''t make sense to her. But she couldn''t just let her guard down. At the ward, the usual protocol of checking in was routine. But today, as Winnie was walking down the hallway, she heard a loud noise. Nurses and staff were rushing toward it, and her curiosity got the better of her. She followed them, her heart pounding in her chest. As she turned the corner, she saw two women fighting, struggling to break free from the security guards trying to pull them apart. Winnie squinted and got a better look at one of the women. Lisa. She frowned, surprised. Lisa had been acting so erratic thest time she saw her. Now, here she was, fighting? That didn''t add up. Winnie felt a sudden rush of confusion, her thoughts racing. Why would Lisa be fighting? Wasn''t she supposed to be the one pretending to be mentally unstable? Before she could process much more, the security guards separated the two women and led Lisa back to her room. Winnie walked up to a nurse who was standing nearby, still trying to make sense of the situation. "Is Lisa, okay?" Winnie asked, her voice concerned. The nurse nodded, though she didn''t seem particrly happy to answer. "She''s fine, but she''s not allowed any visitors today." Winnie raised an eyebrow, not understanding. "But I''m her doctor. Can''t I see her?" The nurse shook her head, her tone firm. "No visitors today. You can see her tomorrow when she''s calmer." Winnie felt a twinge of frustration. She didn''t understand what was going on. Thest time she saw Lisa, everything was fine and not gonna lie, Lisa didn''t look like a mentally ill person, and she almost believed ire''s words, and now she wad fighting? None of this made sense. ire had said Lisa was faking everything, but it was hard to shake the feeling that something wasn''t adding up. She stayed in the hallway for a moment, wondering if she should push harder or just wait until tomorrow. But the uncertainty gnawed at her. Was Lisa really faking it? Or was she just acting like a crazy person to avoid something else? And if that was true, what was really going on? Back in the city, Eligos was making his own ns. He had been waiting for Cindy to pick up the phone for a few moments when finally, her voice came through the line. "Yeah?" "Cindy, I think it''s time for you to prove how much you want to join me." "So, is this like a test?" "Yes, so are you up for it?" "Sure." "Well, I''ve got work for you," Eligos said, his voice calm and collected, but there was a note of urgency in it. "Something that could benefit both of us." Cindy paused for a moment, considering. "What''s it about?" "Let''s just say, it involves ire," Eligos replied with a smirk that Cindy couldn''t see but could almost hear in his voice. "I need you to help me with something, and it''s going to take a little work, but it''ll be worth it." Cindy was silent for a beat, clearly weighing her options. "Alright. What do you want me to do?" Eligos chuckled. "Hm...Just a little task, and in return, you''ll get something you''ve been wanting. Trust me, you''ll like it." Cindy wasn''t entirely sure what Eligos had in mind, but she could already guess that it wasn''t going to be simple. And that intrigued her more than anything. She wasn''t one to shy away from challenges. "Alright. Share me your ns." Eligos outlined the n, his voice low and steady as he detailed the task at hand. Cindy listened closely, already nning out her next moves in her head. This was going to be interesting. Chapter 408 Getting Under Her Skin Eligos leaned back in his chair, phone in hand, grinning as he gave Cindy the rundown of histest scheme. "There''s a banquet this Saturday, Cindy. I need you to be there. Think you can manage that?" Cindy chuckled, tapping her fingers on her knee. "Is that even a question? I''m practically made for banquets." "Good. Now, the main objective is simple," Eligos continued. "Find ire and get under her skin. If you can, throw in a little hint to make her wonder. I want her to have you on her mind all night." Cindy grinned, picturing the chaos she could stir up. "Oh, don''t worry about that. If there''s one thing, I''m great at, it''s living rent-free in someone''s mind." "Perfect," Eligos replied, his tone dripping with satisfaction. "I''ll leave it in your hands then. Just make sure she remembers this banquet, yeah?" "Consider it done," Cindy said, a glint of mischief in her eyes as she ended the call. Ideas were already racing through her mind about what she could say or do. She didn''t need specifics-just a bit of improvisation, a few calcted hints, and she''d have ire fuming in no time. Across town, Christian strolled into Alexander''s office, pushing the door open without bothering to knock. Alexander red up at him, eyebrows drawn. "There''s this thing called a door, you know," he grumbled. Christian didn''t bat an eye, casually setting a steaming coffee cup on Alexander''s desk. "Thought you could use a little pick-me-up," he said, ignoring Alexander''s grumbling. "Oh, by the way, did you hear about what ire did at the Venus AMD press release? Apparently, she saved the day." Alexander kept his expression neutral as he picked up the cup, taking a sip. "Mm," he mumbled, clearly trying to act uninterested. Christian''s eyes narrowed, not buying it for a second. "You''ve already seen it, haven''t you?" "I have no idea what you''re talking about," Alexander replied, but his poker face was slipping. Christianughed, shaking his head. "Oh,e on. Everyone''s talking about it. ire went up there and fixed Venus AMD''s little robotic disaster. The guy talks trash about Metacortex, and she still goes up and saves his bacon. Honestly, that''s gutsy." Alexander hummed again, clearly irritated but trying to hide it. "Venus isn''t that great of apany anyway," he muttered. Christian smirked, satisfied that he''d cracked Alexander''s usual stone-cold exterior. "Anyway, you know the new hotel in Vegas? It''s officially opening December 25, and you''ll need to be there." "Vegas, right." Alexander leaned back in his chair, considering the trip. Christian raised an eyebrow. "Are you bringing ire along? She''s part of the team, and she''s been helping with the tech. Seems only fair to invite her." Alexander stayed silent, frowning slightly as he mulled it over. Why hadn''t he thought of that? Bringing ire along could be... interesting. Not to mention, it''d be an opportunity to spend more time with her. He shrugged, keeping his expression as unreadable as possible. "We''ll see," he said nonchntly. Christian chuckled. "Sure, keep ying it cool. Oh, by the way, any luck finding out who the Raven is?" Alexander sighed, scratching his head. "Honestly, with everything else going on, I haven''t really had the time." Christian tilted his head, looking thoughtful. "What about the kid you hired to help with that?" Alexander shrugged. "Eh, I told him to keep digging, but at this point, who knows? If the Raven wants to stay hidden, she''s doing a fine job of it. I hate secrets, and this one''s getting stale." Meanwhile, ire was paying Adrian a visit at his parents'' house. He was sitting by the window in his wheelchair, looking out at the street when ire walked in. He turned, a big smile lighting up his face. "Hey! Didn''t expect to see you today," he said, his eyes brightening. ire returned the smile, her tone soft. "Thought I''d check in. How are you feeling?" Adrian gave a little shrug. "Getting there. Still stuck in this thing," he said, gesturing to the wheelchair, "but I''m starting rehab soon. They say I''ll be walking properly in no time." ire''s smile widened, a warmth in her eyes that Adrian hadn''t seen often. "That''s great news! You know I''m here if you need anything. Just give me a call." Adrian nodded, feeling a bit of his own heart melt at her kindness. "Thanks, ire. It''s nice to see you being... well, you know, all warm and fuzzy." ireughed, rolling her eyes. "Don''t get used to it." They shared a smile before ire asked, "So, are you nning on going to the banquet this Saturday?" Adrian shook his head. "I think I''ll pass. My priority right now is getting better, not hobbling around some fancy party." "That''s probably a good idea," ire agreed, her tone light but understanding. She nced at her watch, knowing she''d have to get going soon but wanting to make sure Adrian was truly okay. Adrian noticed her looking at the time and chuckled. "Already in a hurry? Go on, I''ll be fine. Besides, I know you''ve got plenty to handle right now." "Alright, alright, I''ll stop bothering you," she teased. They shared onest smile before ire headed out, feeling a bit lighter knowing Adrian is feeling much better than before. By Saturday evening, the banquet hall was with chatter and clinking sses as guests arrived. Cindy entered, her sharp gaze sweeping the room. She spotted ire almost immediately, standing off to the side, mingling politely with a few familiar faces. Cindy smirked to herself, gearing up for her mission. This was her moment to stir things up. "Fancy seeing you here," Cindy said, a little too cheerfully, swirling her champagne. ire, who had just finished whatever intense discussion she was having, turned to Cindy with a frown. "Do I know you?" Cindy rolled her eyes, setting her ss down on a nearby table. "Oh, stop ying dumb. We met just a few days ago. Or are you forgetting me already?" she teased, though her gaze was sharp. A smile tugged at the corner of ire''s lips. "Oh, right. Cindy. I nearly forgot about you," she replied smoothly, brushing a lock of hair back with an air of indifference. Cindy pursed her lips, feigning disappointment. "Well, I''m sure that happens when you''ve got so many people vying for your attention," she said with a sarcastic undertone. "How''s yourpany going, by the way?" ire gave a quick, dismissive nod. "Good." Her gaze was steady, as if she didn''t quite understand why Cindy would care. "How about you? Last I heard, your career was... well, ruined by Alexander, wasn''t it?" The mention of Alexander made Cindy''s expression stiffen for a second, though she quicklyposed herself. Annoyance simmered just beneath the surface. She hated that reminder, but she reminded herself of her mission tonight-to get under ire''s skin, not the other way around. "Oh, we all have those little career bumps, don''t we?" Cindy shot back with forced lightness. "Besides," she added, her voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper, "I might have a bit of insider info these days... about you." ire raised an eyebrow, giving Cindy a look that seemed to say she wasn''t amused. "Insider info, huh? Cindy, I don''t have secrets. But I guess it''s cute you think you''ve uncovered one." Cindy let out a chuckle, stepping back with a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Oh, ire, your secret is not so secret after all." She let her words hang in the air as she backed away, merging into the crowd and leaving ire standing there, slightly confused, watching her retreat. As Cindy disappeared into the sea of guests, ire frowned. What on earth could she be hinting at? Chapter 409 Banquet Alexander gritted his teeth as he walked into the grand banquet hall. If it weren''t for business obligations, he''d be anywhere else. The ce was packed with overly-dressed guests, all buzzing with chatter about mergers, acquisitions, and thetest financial drama. He "Alexander, good to see you here!" A familiar voice called out, and he turned to see Mr. Dawson, an old partner in the tech industry. With a polite nod, Alexander extended a hand. could barely muster up the energy to pretend he was interested in any of it. "Good to see you too, Dawson. How''s the recent project treating you?" Alexander asked, already bracing himself for the inevitable long-winded answer. "Oh, you know, busy as ever! I''ve got the best team, though," Dawson said, clearly proud of himself. "Maybe one day we''ll give Metacortex a run for their money, eh?" Alexander gave a slight chuckle, more out of courtesy than anything. "Good luck with that. They''re quite thepetition." Another business partner joined them, immediatelyunching into talk of numbers and predictions for the uing quarter. After a while, Alexander couldn''t take any more. Business talk was exhausting on the best of days, and tonight, he simply wasn''t in the mood. As soon as he spotted an opening, he excused himself. "If you''ll excuse me, I need to grab a drink," he said with a slight smile, making his way to the bar. He was about to order a whiskey when he turned, bumping into someone. His eyes narrowed when he saw who it was. "Cindy?" he asked, surprise mixed with irritation. "What are you doing here?" She shed him a sweet, borderline smug smile. "Oh, Alexander! Nice of you to finally talk to me," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Especially after you so kindly ruined my career." Alexander rolled his eyes. "You deserved it. You embarrassed ire back in America-don''t pretend like you''re innocent." Cindy scoffed, folding her arms. "So, you really are that whipped by her, huh? It''s almost cute." His eyes shed with irritation. "Watch it, Cindy. Don''t do anything stupid or think about bothering ire. If you do, I won''t hesitate to do the same thing I did before." Cindy red, but a faint smirk danced on her lips. She leaned in a little, her tone low. "I''m not the one you should be careful with, Alexander." With that, she tossed her hair back and sauntered off, leaving him staring after her, puzzled. What did she mean by that? It wasn''t like Cindy to issue vague threats, but maybe she was just trying to rattle him. Still, something about her tone stuck in his head. With a sigh, he shook it off. Cindy wasn''t worth the energy to stress over. Alexander moved around the room, exchanging polite nods and small talk here and there, but his attention drifted until his gazended on ire from across the hall. She was talking to a group of people,ughing at something someone said, her expression as poised andposed as ever. For a moment, he felt a pang of something uncharacteristic-a bit of regret, maybe? Or something he didn''t want to name. He wasn''t even sure why he hadn''t gone up to her to say hello. Instead, he just stood there, watching her from afar, feeling somehow out of ce. With a sigh, he downed his drink. This banquet was a nightmare of boring conversations, stiffpetition, and veiled threats. Not to mention running into Cindy. Enough was enough. Alexander set his ss down, straightened his suit, and headed for the exit, deciding he''d rather face a quiet night alone than spend another minute here. At the grand banquet, ire leaned against a marble column, wine ss in hand, but her mind was drifting far from the swirling crowd of finely dressed guests. The words Cindy had whispered to her earlier lingered, unshakable. "I know your secret." What on earth did she mean? Cindy had spoken with that sly grin, the kind that stuck with you, and now ire was feeling unusually... rattled. She couldn''t help but wonder, what on earth could Cindy know? Yes, ire had secrets- quite a few, in fact - but which one could Cindy havetched onto? She scanned the crowd again, hoping for a glimpse of Cindy''s blonde hair bobbing around. Spotting Matthew across the room, she made her way over and tapped him on the shoulder, pulling him out of his conversation. "Matthew," she whispered, tugging him a little closer, "did you see Cindy tonight?" Matthew squinted at her, looking thoroughly perplexed. "Cindy? What are you talking about?" "Cindy," she repeated, ncing around. "She was here earlier. And she said something that''s really bugging me." Matthew raised a brow, looking curious and amused all at once. "What''d she say to you?" "She said "ire paused, ncing around to make sure no one was listening. "She said she knows my secret." Matthew''s expression changed from amused to serious, his brow furrowing. "She said that? What... what could she know about you?" ire threw up her hands in mild frustration. "That''s the thing, Matthew! I have no idea. That''s why I''m worried. I mean, Cindy''s showing up here out of the blueit''s strange, right? Why now?" He nodded slowly, the wheels in his mind clearly turning. "So now you''re suspicious of Cindy?" ire shrugged, taking a sip of her wine. "Well, it wouldn''t hurt to be cautious, would it?" "Cindy''s harmless," he said, rolling his eyes. "She''s probably just bluffing. You know how some people like to stir things up just for fun." He leaned a bit closer, adding in a conspiratorial tone, "Or maybe she''s just trying to get a reaction out of you." "Maybe," ire muttered, unconvinced. "But... there''s something about it that feels off." Matthew looked at her, as if trying to weigh her words. Then he sighed, relenting. "Alright, if it''ll make you feel better, I''ll do a background. check on her. See what she''s been up to in London, just to be safe." BUMS ire''s expression softened a bit. "Thanks, Matthew. Just... something about this doesn''t sit right with me." Matthew shrugged, giving her a small smile. "Well, don''t stress too much. I''ll take care of it, and you can focus on mingling with the charming guests here." "Charming, right," she scoffed, ncing at a group of businessmen across the room who wereughing far too loudly. "This crowd could bore anyone to death." Matthew chuckled, shooting her a sympathetic look. "Well, hang in there. I''ll get back to you on Cindy soon enough." Just as he started to turn away, ire couldn''t help herself. "Matthew," she said again, quieter this time, "do you think she might actually know something?" Matthew turned back, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Honestly? I don''t think she does. Cindy is not a smart person, besides she doesn''t have the resources to dig into your life like that. It''s not her style either. She''s more of a... let''s say, talker than a doer." ire let out a small, relieved sigh. "Right. Good point." "Besides," Matthew added with a smirk, "if Cindy actually had something, she''d probably be throwing it around to anyone who would listen by now. Subtlety isn''t exactly her strong suit." "True," ire said, unable to hide a small smile. "You''re right." "Of course I am," Matthew replied with a mock bow. "Now, try to rx and enjoy yourself, will you?" Chapter 410 Eligos Ear Piece sounding The next morning, Cindy''s phone rang, shing Eligos''s name. She picked up, slightly taken aback-she hadn''t expected him to call, much less ask her to meet. "Come to Caf Lumiere, near High Street. I''ll text you the address," Eligos''s voice drawled over the line, both mysterious and matter-of-fact. Cindy frowned. "Why?" "Because I want to talk to you." "Now?" Cindy sat up from the bed and leaned her head behind the headboard. "Of course, today. Why would I call you if I want to see you tomorrow? I could''ve done it tomorrow." He said as a matter of fact. Cindy''s curiosity piqued, but she kept it cool. "Alright, fine, guess I''ll see you there," she said, only half-believing it. She couldn''t deny she was curious-Eligos was a strange one, to say the least. Plus, he seemed to know a lot about ire, and that alone was enough to get her interested. After a quick change into something casual but stylish, Cindy headed to the caf. It was a cozy, hidden spot with old wooden tables and nts dangling from the ceiling. She scanned the room, expecting Eligos to be lurking in a corner, but there was no sign of him. She checked her phone, wondering if she was in the wrong ce. After a good five minutes of scanning the crowd and wondering if he''d stood her up, she sighed and took a seat, ordering herself a coffee. Maybe this was all just a waste of time. He hadn''t even shown up! Her patience was slipping fast, so she tried calling him, but the line kept ringing. As she stewed, a waiter suddenly appeared beside her, setting down a drink she hadn''t ordered. Cindy looked at the drink, puzzled, and the waiter leaned in, speaking in a low voice, "This is from someone. There''s a napkin under it-best open it." Rolling her eyes, Cindy picked up the napkin, half expecting to see some corny message, but instead, an earpiece dropped onto herp. "Seriously?" she muttered, tempted to ignore it but ultimately slipping it into her ear. Almost immediately, she heard a familiar voice. "Good afternoon, Cindy, so d you could make it," Eligos'' smooth tone came through, and she bit back a smile. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me. Are you serious? Why the cloak and dagger? You woke me up early in the morning just for this? You could have just called me instead if this is how our meeting is supposed to go." she whispered, taking a sip of the drink. "Yes, yes, I''m quite serious. However, I did not expect this as well. Just found out a few hours ago." Eligos replied, calm as ever. "Someone''s watching you, likely on ire Peterson''s orders. You really got under her skinst night, didn''t you?" She grinned, holding back augh. "Oh, I was just doing my job. She practically handed me the chance to make her paranoid." Eligos chuckled. "Well done. It''s exactly that energy I need from you. Now, what did you say to her?" Cindy leaned back, swirling her drink and keeping her face neutral. "Nothing much. Just dropped a little line about knowing her ''secrets.'' I don''t even know what they are, but it''s not like I care. The way she looked at me? Worth it." "Bravo," Eligos praised, sounding genuinely impressed. "Now, listen closely. Lay low for a while. I''ll reach out with the next step when it''s time. And oh, congrattions-you''ve got a photoshoot tomorrow. Consider it a little perk from working with me." Cindy''s eyes widened in excitement. She almost jumped up but quickly remembered she was supposed to be subtle. She bit her lip, trying to contain her enthusiasm. "Really? I mean... yeah, alright, I''ll stay calm. Thanks." "Whoever''s watching doesn''t need to see you jumping for joy." She managed aposed nod, muttering, "Got it. Thanks for the heads-up. Anything else?" "Good. And don''t do anything that could get you noticed. We are on a tight schedule, and we can''t afford any mistakes," Eligos reminded her. She rolled her eyes. "Rx, I''m not that foolish." "Just a reminder." Cindy nodded, murmuring a quick "Got it. So, when can I actually see you in person? You know the first time I met you, I didn''t get the chance to see your face." Cindy nodded her toneced with curiosity. Eligos who was seated inside the caf wearing sses and a coat turned to the window to take a nce at Cindy. "Soon, you will get to see me." "Hm...you really are a secretive person, huh?" "It''s a part of me. Now remember toy low, got it?" "Yes, got it," she answered before the earpiece went silent. She couldn''t help but feel a twinge of satisfaction-whatever Eligos''s game was, she was in, and I was about to get interesting. Meanwhile, back at Cryptonic, a shadowy figure entered the building, making his way up to Matthew''s office. It was the man Matthew had hired to keep an eye on Cindy. He slipped a man folder onto OV Matthew''s desk, filled with photos of Cindy''s day. "She left early didn''t meet anyone, just roamed around London," he reported. Matthew flipped through the photos, seeing Cindy''s casual stroll through the city. The pictures didn''t reveal anything out of the ordinary-Cindy seemed to be going about her day as usual. Matthew looked up. "No sign of contact, nothing suspicious?" he asked, hoping for something more. "None at all. She was alone the whole time," the man confirmed. "Alone, huh? Not even on the phone call?" The man shook their heads. "No sir. It seems like she was enjoying her day out." He sighed heavily. "Okay, thank you for your help." Matthew thanked them and sent him on his way before making his way down to ire''s office. As he entered, ire nced up from herptop. "Got any news on our girl Cindy?" she asked, tapping her pen on the desk, half-expecting something dramatic. Matthew shrugged, a hint of frustration creeping into his expression. "Not much. She didn''t meet anyone and didn''t do anything out of the ordinary. Just spent the day on her own." ire leaned back, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure she didn''t see anyone?" Her tone was skeptical, bordering on suspicion. Matthew held up the photos. "Completely sure. We''ve got photos of her all day. See for yourself." ire took the folder and leafed through the images, each one more mundane than thest. Cindy sipping a coffee, strolling by shop windows, ncing at her phone. There was nothing remotely incriminating or even interesting. "Well," ire said, tossing the photos back onto the desk, "maybe Cindy''s not a real threat. Let''s focus on that other issue instead." Her voice dropped, taking on a more serious tone. "You know, the ''someone'' who keeps showing up in my dreams." Matthew nodded. "Agreed. Cindy''s just a distraction. But that ''someone''... we need to find out who they are and why they''re targeting you." For a moment, both of them fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts about the unknown figure that seemed to be haunting ire''s life. Chapter 411 Arrested Eligos''s fingers moved quickly across his keyboard as he hacked his way into ire''sputer system, a smug smile spreading across his face. With a few more taps, he typed the message: "I know your secret." He hit send and leaned back, crossing his arms and letting out a chuckle. "It''s like taking candy from a baby," he muttered to himself, thoroughly pleased with his handiwork. Meanwhile, in her sleek Metacortex office, ire''s eyes darted to her monitor as a loud ping sounded. She clicked open the notification that had popped up on her screen, and a single line red back at her: I know your secret. "What is this?" she muttered under her breath, her brows knitting together in frustration. She began furiously typing, trying to trace the source. But whoever had sent the message had bounced the IP address across five different locations. The whole thing was practically a maze. "Oh, you''ve got to be kidding me. Is this a joke?" she sighed, realizing that tracing the message was a waste of time. It seemed likely to be the same person who''d baited her into that trap a few weeks ago. But her thoughts drifted for a moment. Yesterday, Cindy had mentioned knowing "her secret" too. Now this unknown sender was doing the same thing? It had to be more than a coincidence, but she pushed the thought aside. She wasn''t about to let a few words on a screen shake her. Focus was essential. Back in his hideout, Eligos casually tossed a baseball against the wall, his mind already racing through possible ways to rattle ire further. The ping wasn''t enough; he wanted a bigger reaction, something that would get under her skin. One of his men, standing nearby with a serious expression, interrupted his thoughts. "Why don''t we just throw her in jail? That''d get some attention. Wouldn''t that be a fun headline?" Eligos caught the ball, his eyes lighting up as he considered the suggestion. "Now, that''s an interesting idea," he mused, leaning forward. "I''ve got two options in mind, actually. One, we could expose her secret and tell the world who she really is-show everyone that she''s the infamous Raven." He tossed the ball from hand to hand, thinking it over. "But that might be too easy. It''s like finishing a good book after just one chapter. No, I need something more... engaging." "So...?" his man prompted, eyebrows raised. "So, we''re going with n B. Imagine this: ire gets hauled off to jail with a mountain of suspicion and barely any defense. We don''t need her locked up forever, just long enough to make her sweat." Eligos''s grin widened as he outlined his n. "There''s still the whole unsolved mess of that dead guy found in the trunk. She''s already a prime suspect. If we nt the weapon used in that murder-let''s say in her penthouse or car-and then I send a little tip to the police, she''ll be cornered like a rat." His man nodded in agreement, a spark of amusement flickering in his eyes. "You really think they''ll buy it?" "Oh, they''ll buy it," Eligos said confidently. "And before she can gather any evidence to clear herself, she''ll be in jail, scratching her head, wondering what hit her. It''s diabolical, but it''s genius, if I do say so myself." As ire settled into her office for another day, the unsettling message was still fresh in her mind, though she refused to let it get to her. She was ire Peterson, after all, not someone who''d buckle under the threat of a mystery email. The following day, however, her morning routine took an unexpected turn. She stepped out of her car in the Metacortex parking lot, her keys clutched in her hand, only to be greeted by two police officers standing by her car. "ire Peterson?" one of them asked in an official tone, clipboard in hand. "Yes?" she replied, keeping her tone steady. "We need to conduct a search of your vehicle," he said, gesturing to the car. ire''s stomach twisted with irritation, though she kept her cool. "May I ask what this is regarding?" "We received a tip that some crucial evidence may be in your possession. We''re following up on it," he exined, his voice devoid of emotion. Before she could ask anything else, the officers were already at work, their gloved hands methodically searching the car. After a few tense minutes, one officer lifted something from the passenger seata small, slender knife wrapped in a clear evidence bag. "This... can''t be happening," she muttered under her breath, though her face remained stoic. The officers exchanged looks, and then one spoke up, "Ms. Peterson, we''re going to have to ask you toe with us for further questioning." ire''s jaw dropped in disbelief. "What? No! I refuse. That isn''t mine. I have no idea where it got there." "Then can you exin why this in your car is?" The police lifted the knife and ire''s face morphed into a look of confusion. "I-I don''t know." "You have no choice but toe with us, Ms. Peterson." ire''s jaw clenched, but she nodded, understanding that protesting would only make things worse. She walked with the officers to their car, her mind racing through every possible way she could counter this. On the other hand, Matthew blinked at his TV,pletely frozen as the words "ire Peterson Arrested" shed across the screen in bold letters. He couldn''t believe it. ire? Arrested? This had to be some sort of prank or media stunt. But no, there it was-the anchor was talking about it with all the seriousness of a national disaster. "Are you kidding me?" he muttered, staring at the screen in horror. "This can''t be happening." Matthew fumbled for the remote, turning up the volume as he stared, mouth open, at the screen. There was a blurry shot of ire, looking none too pleased as police led her away. A video taken by a passerby showed her rolling her eyes and muttering something that, even though the screen, looked very close to a sarcastic insult. "Oh, ire," he sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Of all the things... What in the world did she get herself into this time?" Once he was in the car, he kept ncing at his phone, hoping for a text from her that said something like, "Haha, just messing with you." But his phone stayed silent. That was a bad sign. Finally, he made it to the police station and stumbled out of the car, barely remembering to lock it. As he pushed through the crowd outside, he couldn''t help but overhear snippets of the reporters'' conversations. "Did you hear? They caught her red-handed!" "Isn''t she some tech genius? I thought she''d be smarter than this." Matthew rolled his eyes. They had no idea who they were talking about. ire might have been many things-intense, stubborn, a bit of a perfectionist-but she wasn''t dumb, and she certainly wasn''t a criminal. He pushed his way into the station, where he was met by a surprisingly calm desk clerk. "Excuse me, miss," he said, breathless. "I''m here to see ire Peterson. She''s...uh...been brought in?" The clerk nced up, unimpressed by his urgency. "And you are?" "Matthew. Matthew Finnegan. Her trusted advisor and her friend." Chapter 412 Alibi Matthew followed the officer down a narrow hallway lit by the faint glow of flickering lights. As they approached the cell, he saw ire pacing back and forth, her usual confidentposure now tainted by a mix of frustration and confusion. The clinking of the officer''s keys echoed as he unlocked the door, letting Matthew step closer. "ire!" Matthew called out, gripping the cold steel of the cell bars. She looked up, rolling her eyes as if this were just another minor inconvenience in her day. "Matthew, finally. Do you know how boring it is in here?" Matthew raised his hands, as if to defend himself. "Hey, I got here as fast as I could. What happened?" He scanned her face, clearly looking for some answers. "I saw the headline on the news, and I thought... well, I didn''t think this was happening." ire sighed, brushing her fingers through her hair in exasperation. "Well, I was in the parking lot at Metacortex, about to leave when a bunch of police cars rolled up. Next thing I know, they''re iming they got a tip that I have evidence rted to the dead man in the trunk." She crossed her arms, her expression growing darker. "And, behold, they searched my car and found a knife. Just like that. Neatly nted for them to find." Matthew''s eyes widened. "A knife? In your car? How did it even get there?" She gave an exaggerated shrug. "That''s the question of the day, isn''t it? It doesn''t make sense. I wouldn''t be so sloppy to leave something like that. Someone''s trying to set me up. I can feel it." Matthew nodded, considering. "Alright, first things first, I''ll call yourwyer. We''re going to need an alibi too. We just have to show you couldn''t have been there to do whatever they''re using you of." "Right," ire agreed, nodding, her gaze hopeful. "You could tell them you were with me all night while we were tracking that anonymous hacker." She tilted her head. "That would count, right?" Matthew hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "There''s a problem with that, though. We were using Cryptonic that night, and Billy was in the office with us." He leaned in, lowering his voice. "If we admit that, it''s gonna expose Cryptonic. We''d be dragging it into this mess, and we''re not supposed to let anyone know it even exists." ire bit her lip, thinking it over. She nced down, and then whispered, "No. Cryptonic have to stay hidden. We can''t risk that. Try to find another alibi." Her face suddenly lit up with an idea. "Wait! Adrian. I was at the hospital with him that night. He was still unconscious, but his mother and grandfather were there. They could vouch for me." Matthew''s face brightened. "Perfect. I''ll reach out to them. They can confirm it." ire sighed with relief, her shoulders rxing for the first time since he''d seen her. "Thank you, Matthew. Really." He smiled, giving her a reassuring nod. "We''ll get you out of here. Don''t worry." Leaving the station, Matthew was greeted by a mob of reporters and shing cameras. He grimaced, shielding his face as he squeezed through, the police doing their best to keep the crowd at bay. Once he was clear, he stepped a few blocks away and took out his phone, dialing Adrian''s number. After a few rings, Adrian picked up, his voice tense. "Matthew, I saw the news about ire. What''s going on? Is she alright?" "She''s okay for now, but she really needs your help," Matthew exined. "Here''s the deal. The night of your ident, ire was with you at the hospital, even though you were unconscious. Your mom and grandfather were there too. If they could give a statement confirming she was with you, it would be a solid alibi." Adrian didn''t hesitate. "I''ll contact them now. We''ll head to the station as soon as possible." Matthew let out a breath, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. "Thank you, Adrian. You''re a lifesaver." Hanging up, he went back inside the station, the questioning crowd outside stilf buzzing with their theories and wild spections. As he waited in the lobby, he found his mind facing. Who would go so far as to tip off the police about a nted Knife? And how would they even know where to put it? "Suspicious," he muttered to himself, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "It doesn''t add up. Someone''s trying too hard." Meanwhile, in his room, Adrian swiftly rolled his wheelchair to find his mother, Adriana. She was reading near the window, but her face turned pale as he exined ire''s situation. "ire''s been arrested?" Adriana gasped. "For what? How did that happen?" Adrian shook his head. "I''m not sure of the details, but Matthew said it''s a big misunderstanding. ire needs us to confirm she was with us at the hospital that night. Can you and Grandfather go to the station?" Adriana nodded firmly, a determined glint in her eyes. "Of course. We''ll leave right away." She put a hand on his shoulder. "You stay here and rest. I''ll make sure we clear this up." Adrian gave her a small nod, though a hint of disappointment shed in his eyes. "Tell ire... tell her toe by after. I need to talk to her." With that, Adriana and Mr. Saint Laurent headed out, determined to get to the bottom of this. Back at the police station, Matthew paced anxiously, running through scenarios in his head. In the ward, Lisa happened to be watching the news during lunch. Her eyes widened when she saw the headline announcing ire''s arrest. A slow grin spread across her face, and sheughed a loud, unsettlingugh that made other patients nce her way with concern. "Oh, finally," she muttered, not caring who heard. "That arrogant woman finally got what she deserved." With a smug chuckle, she pointed at the TV screen, whispering to herself, "Enjoy your cell, ire." Meanwhile, Adriana and Mr. Saint Laurent arrived at the station, looking a bit bewildered by the chaotic swarm of reporters. They were ushered in quickly, and Matthew greeted them with a relieved smile. "Thank you both so much foring," he said, leading them towards the back where they''d give their statement. "This is a big help. ire''s truly innocent, but it''s been a mess." Adriana ced aforting hand on his shoulder. "We know, Matthew. We''re here for her. Let''s get her out." After what felt like an eternity, ire was finally led out of her cell, and she practically flew into Adriana''s arms, her usuallyposed face e Belfe softening as she thanked her profusely. "I''m so sorry for dragging you into this," ire murmured, her eyes filled with genuine gratitude. Adriana smiled kindly. "Don''t apologize, dear. Now, let''s get you out of here and back to somewhere safe." Adriana put a reassuring arm around ire, and they made their way to the car waiting outside. But, naturally, the press was in full force as they stepped outside, cameras shing in their faces. Journalists shouted questions, asking if ire was guilty, if she had ament, and whether she was nning to go to court. Ignoring the relentless barrage of questions, ire simply followed Adriana and Mr. Saint Laurent''s lead, making a beeline for the car. Once inside, she let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping as the stress finally started to hit her. "This is crazy." Chapter 413 Showing Up at Her Penthouse In a hurry, Christian burst through the office door, barely giving it a knock. "Alex, you won''t believe this-ire''s been arrested!" Alexander''s eyes widened as he straightened up from his desk, looking almost baffled by the news. "Arrested? Are you serious?" He could hardly believe it, but Christian thrust his phone in Alexander''s direction, the headline already ring across the screen. Alexander took the phone, reading the news alert multiple times as if expecting it to change with each read-through. "It''s real?" he asked, still staring at the screen, disbelief etched across his face. "Unfortunately, yes," Christian confirmed with a solemn nod. "There''s even a video clip of her being escorted into the police car." Alexander handed Christian''s phone back and sighed, quickly pulling his own phone out and dialing ire''s number. Unsurprisingly, it went straight to voicemail. Of course, if she was actually in a cell somewhere, answering his calls would be impossible. He clenched his jaw, frustrated. Christian watched his boss with a knowing look. "Are we going down there?" Alexander shook his head reluctantly, leaning back against his desk. "No. If I show up, it''ll only create more of a media circus. I''ll wait until things calm down and call herter." He tried to sound convincing, but Christian could see Alexander''s hesitation. "Besides," he added, more to himself, "ire will hate the extra attention." Meanwhile, at Venus AMD, Frank was busy nursing a bruised ego. Monday''s disastrous press release was still fresh in everyone''s minds, and the board members had not been pleased far from it. His phone was already ringing with business partners calling toin about Venus'' ipetence, and some even hinted that their brand image was being tarnished by association with Venus. Frank could barely look at his phone anymore without seeing a new message about the debacle. Every news story he''d seen about the press event had a certain name attached to it that he despised: ire. Despite his big ns, she''d managed to steal the spotlight just by stepping in to fix a botched presentation. The knock on his door startled him out of his fuming, and he growled, "Come in!" Robert walked in, not looking the least bit intimidated by Frank''s irritation. He held a remote and looked at Frank, raising an eyebrow. "You''re going to want to see this," he said, turning on the television. The news flickered onto the screen, and there it was-another ire headline. Frank frowned. "What''s this now?" Robert nodded at the screen. "ire Peterson. She''s at the police station. Rumor is, there''s enough evidence to keep her there for a while." Frank''s initial surprise melted into a grin that widened with each passing second. "Finally. This is exactly the kind of news I needed to hear. Maybe the universe does have a sense of justice." He chuckled, pping his hands together. Robert gave him a questioning look. "I wouldn''t be so quick to celebrate. But, I guess... it could mean the spotlight shifts away from our little robot mishap." "Oh, it''s more than that!" Frank eximed, almost giddy with the possibilities racing through his mind. "Imagine what this could mean for us! We should make a statement-something about how Metacortex can''t even stay out of jail, let alone run apany." He was practically glowing with excitement. Robert looked uncertain. "But you know some people might bring up the press release disaster." "Let them," Frank shrugged, the smug grin still stered across his face. "As long as they''re talking about ire and her ''scandal,'' not about us. By tomorrow, Venus will be back on top." Robert nodded thoughtfully, though he still looked skeptical. Frank could feel his ns setting into motion, a sense of renewed confidence creeping back. Back at Alexander''s office, he was pacing with his phone glued to his hand, every now and then refreshing his screen to see if there were any updates on ire''s situation. After what felt like an eternity, a notification popped up with a new headline. He opened it, his brows furrowing as he scanned the article. A photo showed ire stepping out of the police station, apanied by a woman he didn''t recognize and none other than Mr. Saint Laurent. Alexander muttered under his breath, "Saint Laurent? What''s he got to do with this?" His mind buzzed with questions. Did ire ask for his help? Was Saint Laurent involved in her release? He doubted she''d ask for help like that, but it only made him more curious. He found himself feeling oddly possessive, wanting to see her for himself. After a few moments of indecision, Alexander made up his mind. If ire wouldn''t answer his calls, he''d have to go see her in person. He tried to rationalize his decision, telling himself he''d make it about the hotel''s reputation, how hertest scandal could impact the Harris Hotel''s image. It was a weak excuse, but at least it would get him through the door. He''d rather argue with her than continue this frustrating silence. Alexander headed straight to ire''s penthouse after a long day, knowing she''d probably be fuming. The clock ticked past 9 PM when he finally parked outside her ce, his fingers drumming impatiently on the steering wheel. He make his way up to her penthouse and pressed her doorbell and waited, listening to the silence on the other side. No answer. He frowned, wondering if she was even home, and was just about to call her when the door swung open. There stood ire, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here, Alexander?" she demanded, her voice sharp. Alexander raised a brow and held his hands up in mock surrender. "Heard you made the headlines again, Ms. Peterson," he replied dryly. "What the hell happened this time?" ire rolled her eyes, stepping aside to let him in. "Believe me, it''s not half as dramatic as they''re making it out to be," she muttered, though her sigh gave away her frustration. She shut the door behind him and motioned to the living room. "Sit down if you''re staying for this little debrief." He followed her, watching as she sunk into the armchair, exasperated. "Care to exin?" he asked, folding his arms. "Because it''s not just Metacortex on the line here. If this thing blows up, Harris won''te out unscathed." ire''s eyes shed with annoyance. "Oh, believe me, I know," she shot back. "And I''ve already thought about it." She took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm herself before looking at him. "Look, this whole mess is a massive misunderstanding. I''m sorry if you get dragged in, but I''m handling it. I''ll deal with the fallout with my PR team." Alexander leaned back, studying her carefully. "Alright, so how''d you even manage to get out?" he asked. "I''m assuming you had a rock-solid alibi." ire nodded, her jaw set. "I was at the hospital with Adrian''s mother and grandfather when it all went down," she replied tly. "The police checked my whereabouts, and it cleared me." Alexander raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical but curious. "And yet, they still managed to arrest you?" ire sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. "They had their reasons, let''s put it that way," she muttered "But I don''t want to get into it." She looked away, frustration etched on her face. "I''m well aware of the impact this could have, not just on Metacortex but on Harris too. So don''t worry; I''m already working on containing the damage." He stayed silent for a moment, feeling the tension between them. His initial frustration softened a bit, but he wasn''t about to let it show. "Just thought I''d check, since it seems like you''re getting rather excuse to get you out of the spotlight for a bit." ire''s eyes widened in disbelief. "You think running off to Vegas is the solution here?" she asked, crossing her arms. "That''ll look like I''m hiding, and I refuse to let anyone think I''m guilty of anything." Alexander''s smirk didn''t falter. "With a concrete alibi, you''re allowed to take a breather. This isn''t about looking guilty; it''s about being practical." He shrugged, meeting her re with his own unflinching gaze. "If you want to keep your name out of the tabloids, maybe don''t give them so much to write about." She gritted her teeth, staring him down. "Fine," she replied curtly. "But don''t expect me to y along with whatever show you''re putting on." Alexander shrugged, a faint smile ying at the corners of his mouth. "Wouldn''t dream of it, Ms. Peterson. Just make sure you''re ready." Chapter 414 Taking Him Out Eligos stared at the news broadcast in disbelief, watching ire Peterson stride out of the police station like she owned the ce. His ns hadn''t just gone sideways-they''d crashed and burned. She''d been out of lockup in under five hours, smirking, no less, with her entourage in tow. Eligos gripped his wine ss, his knuckles turning white. With a snarl, he flung it across the room, where it shattered against the wall, wine dripping down in dark, bloody streaks. "Unbelievable. This wasn''t supposed to happen," he muttered, his gaze fixed on the television. He hit rey, watching the scene again, seething as ire stepped confidently out, nked by an older man and a woman. The man, he quickly realized, was none other than Mr. Saint Laurent, the kingpin of the global business world. His fury surged as he considered her connections. So, ire had friends in high ces. He''d always known she was well-connected, but seeing Saint Laurent by her side was a p in the face. "Of course, she knew him. Dammit!" Slumping back into his chair, Eligos drummed his fingers against his desk. This wouldn''t do. She wasn''t just slippery; she was untouchable, shielded by a fortress of powerful allies. "She knows all the right people." Well, two could y that game. He would figure out everyone in her inner circle and unravel the web she''d so carefully spun. His mind worked overtime as he began digging. Hours passed as he unearthed every possible ally of ire''s. First on the list: is Robert Robertson. The old man was influential, though rumor had it that ire didn''t have a particrly high opinion of him. He smirked at that. Perhaps the weakness in her armor? Next, Jack Wilson, ire''s godfather. Rarely seen in public, but a close friend of her father. He''d be difficult to manipte, Eligos noted. Then came Alexander Harris, CEO of Harris Corporation and ire''s former husband. "Alexander Harris," Eligos murmured, a twisted smile forming. They''d been business partners even after their divorce, which only added anotheryer of intrigue. Not someone ire could easily control, but possibly just as invested in her sess. Still, he hadn''t been there at the jail today, which told Eligos Harris likely wasn''t a direct yer in her release. Eligos dug deeper, but there wasn''t much to be found. If there was a rift, it wasn''t a public one. The fourth name made him pause. Lisa Thompson. The details were sketchy, but from what he gathered, Lisa had made multiple attempts on ire''s life. Eligos chuckled, amused at the notion. Maybe Lisa could be a useful pawn in the future. Who knew? He filed her away mentally as a "potential psycho ally." "And then there''s Adrian Saint Laurent," he said, voice dripping with distaste. Adrian Saint Laurent-ire''s boyfriend, or so the rumors went. The man he''d nearly taken out in his car explosion. So, Adrian was more than just a business ally; he was in a rtionship with ire. That connection extended to his influential family, including the old man who''d just walked her out of jail. "She''s closer to that family than I thought." That meant she''d have deep resources to fall back on, making his work even harder. So, even blowing up her lover''s car hadn''t rattled her. But Adrian came with a family attached, namely the Saint Laurents, and that made him more dangerous than useful for now. After Adrian came to Talia, ire''s best friend and someone Eligos could barely find a whiff of drama on. Frustrating. Andstly, Matthew Finnegan. Eligos couldn''t find anything substantial about him either, except that he was ire''s "trusted advisor and friend." This one intrigued him the most-someone so close, yet shrouded in mystery. He leaned back, staring at the list, feeling more focused but still simmering with frustration. ire''swork was stronger than he''d given her credit for. Taking her down would require time, patience, and a few willing yers-like Lisa, who seemed just unhinged enough to help. Eligos leaned back, tapping his chin. Matthew could be a problem. He was involved in all her crises, always hovering nearby, probably advising her on how to wriggle out of trouble. Noted. Matthew was next on his list of people to deal with. Maybe it''s time Matthew met a little "ident" himself. Meanwhile, in her penthouse, ire reclined in her room, phone pressed to her ear, talking to Matthew about her next move. Her business partner Alexander Harris had informed her of an unexpected order: she was to prepare for a trip to Vegas Matthew raised an eyebrow as ire filled him in, clearly amused. "Since when do you follow orders, ire?" he teased. "Very funny, Matthew," she replied, rolling her eyes even though he couldn''t see it. Matthew chuckled. "But are you sure it''s wise to leave right now? With all the chaos happening in London, heading to Vegas sounds... risky." ire sighed, staring at the ceiling. "I don''t have much of a choice, Matthew. I''m bound by contract, and Alexander is my business partner. Plus, he''s been pestering me nonstop. Apparently, it''s important." "More like annoying," Matthew muttered under his breath. "Harris just loves toplicate things for you." ire couldn''t help butugh. "He''s like a stubborn flea you can''t get rid of," she joked, and they bothughed, momentarily forgetting the stress hanging over them. After a moment, ire''s tone turned serious. "Listen, Matthew, while I''m gone, I need you to keep an eye on both Metacortex and Cryptonic. I''ll help however I can from afar, but I trust you to handle things on the ground." Matthew hesitated. "Bothpanies at once? ire, that''s a lot. I mean, I don''t know if I can juggle it all." ire''s voice softened. "Matthew, if anyone can do it, it''s you. That''s why you''re my advisor, remember? I believe in you." A faint chuckle escaped him. "Yeah, yeah, ttering me won''t make it easier, ire." "Oh, I''m not ttering you. I''m just stating the truth," she replied smoothly, the trace of a smile in her voice. Matthew sighed, but there was a hint of pride there. "Fine. But don''t me me if something goes up in mes while you''re off in Vegas." "I promise, no ming," ire assured him. "But seriously, thank you." They spent a few more minutes going over the specifics, from key contacts to thetest security protocols they''d need to update. With everything as settled as it could be, ire said goodbye, leaving Matthew to his own thoughts as he put his phone away. He had to admit, that handling bothpanies without her wouldn''t be easy, but for ire, he was willing to try. Eligos, on the other hand, was still sitting in his darkened office, mulling over everything he''d just learned. He clicked off his screen, satisfied with the information he''d gathered. He leaned back in his chair, the ss shards from his earlier tantrum still on the floor around him. ire''s connections ran deeper than he''d thought, but that didn''t make him any less determined to bring her down. And now, with a name like Matthew Finnegan sticking out, he had a new angle to explore. This Matthew character would be the perfect obstacle to tackle. Chapter 415 Angry Lisa Winnie took a deep breath as she sat in her small, ufortably stiff office chair. Across from her, on the hospital bed, Lisa lounged, arms crossed, her face twisted in what could only be described as pure disdain. "Lisa, are you okay?" Winnie asked, her voice calm as she attempted to read the woman''s bodynguage. Lisa''s head whipped around to re at her, eyes narrowed. "Do I look okay to you?" Shaking her head, Winnie gives her a small smile. "I don''t think you are okay." Lisa snapped. "You know the answer! No, I''m not okay. I''m angry! No, I''m furious!" She almost spat the words out, and Winnie held her breath, steeling herself for whatever woulde next. Winnie stayed calm, though her heart skipped a beat. "May I know, why are you angry?" she asked softly, careful not to sound too eager. Lisa scowled and sat up straighter, throwing her hands in the air. "Why do you think? It''s that... that ire Peterson! The woman should be rotting in a cell, but there she is, walking free!" Winnie''s eyes flickered with a sh of surprise, though she tried to keep her expression controlled. Just yesterday, she''d seen the news herself: ire Peterson had been arrested, which was shocking enough. But the real surprise was how fast ire was released, thanks to a supposedly airtight alibi and the police''s conclusion that it was all a misunderstanding. To say it was heart-pounding for Winnie would be an understatement. The idea of ire, her very own client, being arrested and then freed in record time left her with mixed relief and a hefty dose of anxiety about her own involvement. "Yes... I did see the news," Winnie said, nodding sympathetically. She hoped she sounded calm, though inwardly she was more than a little on edge. "That must be really frustrating for you, Lisa. But why does ire''s freedom bother you so much?" Lisa practically jumped off the bed, hovering over Winnie, her eyes zing with anger. "Why? Why?" she repeated, her voice rising. "She ruined my life! She''s the reason I''m locked in here. If it wasn''t for that witch, I wouldn''t be in this hellhole!" Winnie leaned back, trying not to make any sudden moves. "Lisa, let''s just... calm down a bit. Take a deep breath and sit back down, okay?" Lisa crossed her arms tightly across her chest and took a reluctant step back. "How can you tell me to stay calm?" she muttered, clearly far from settled. "I hate that woman. Yesterday, when I saw she''d been arrested, I thought I''d finally have something to celebrate. I''ve been waiting for months to see her punished. Then suddenly...poof! She''s out. But of course, no surprises there, it was all fake! She''s too powerful, got everyone wrapped around her little finger." Winnie nodded. "I understand your frustration." she stayed quiet, letting Lisa talk herself out. As Lisa vented, pacing in a small, tight line across the room, Winnie jotted down notes, trying to catch every word of Lisa''s spiraling usations. Lisa continued to rant, her words dripping with venom. "She''s so powerful," Lisa spat, "that even a murder investigation can''t touch her! It''s sickening." Winnie listened, though she was careful to keep her expression neutral, a slight frown of empathy creasing her forehead. She knew exactly what Lisa meant; ire''s name was always in the news, often with some scandalous twist or another. She gave Lisa an understanding look. "Yes, I''ve seen her name around," Winnie replied slowly, pretending she''d never personally met ire. "But I don''t really know her. Though... it sounds like she has a way of staying in the headlines." Lisa''s face lit up as if she''d finally found someone who understood. "Exactly!" She pointed at Winnie, practically beaming. "Finally, someone who gets it. That woman is everywhere, always causing trouble!" Winnie bit her lip and decided to steer the conversation back to safer ground. "But, Lisa, let''s talk about what happened two days ago. Why did you get into that fight with another patient? I heard the nurse had to step in and separate you two." Lisa scoffed, rolling her eyes so hard Winnie thought they might stay that way. "That crazy woman started it! I just gave her a taste of her own medicine. I wasn''t going to let her talk down to me like that." Winnie raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smile. "So, you think the other patient provoked you?" "Of course she did!" Lisa crossed her arms again, looking smug. "I only defended myself. She was asking for it." Winnie scribbled a few notes in her notebook, wondering if Lisa truly understood her own temper. Maybe Lisa was more unstable than she realized Winnie thought, eyeing her warily Well, thank you for sharing that, Lisa. I think it''s important to understand what triggers these feelings so we can work through them together." As she paused, Winnie couldn''t help but feel the tension building again. This session had been more intense than usual, and for a split second, she worried Lisa mightsh out again. She cleared her throat and shifted to a more rxed topic. "By the way, Lisa," she asked carefully, "Have you had any visitors recently?" Lisa''s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why are you asking that?" Winnie''s heart raced as she tried to hide her nerves, maintaining a calm, professional smile. "Oh, no reason in particr," she said, keeping her tone light. "It''s just that having family or friends around can sometimes help with... you know, the healing process." Lisa rolled her eyes and slouched back against the bed. "I don''t have a family, Dr. Johnson. My mother''s probably abandoned me. Can you me her? Who''d want to im a daughter locked up in a psych ward?" "Don''t say like that Lisa. I think your mother is worried about you but just doesn''t have the courage to face reality. I believe sooner orter your mother wille visit you." Winnie added with a smile of assurance. "Yeah, doubt she will do shit like that." She said boredly. Winnie nodded, jotting down more notes, then closed her notebook with a small, encouraging smile. "I think this was a very productive session, Lisa. You were more open than usual, and that''s a good sign." Lisa watched her warily. "Yeah, whatever," she muttered, though the corners of her mouth curved up in what could almost be considered a smile. "Weirdly enough, I... didn''t hate today''s session." Winnie''s polite smile wavered slightly, that smile from Lisa setting off a faint but undeniable rm. "I''m d to hear that," she said, standing up quickly. "Have a good day, Lisa. I''ll see you next time." Before Winnie could turn, Lisa called out, "Dr. Johnson?" Winnie turned back, her face a polite mask. "Yes, Lisa?" Lisa smiled that unsettling smile again. "Thanks. Really." She held her gaze just a second too long, and Winnie could feel her skin prickling. Winnie mustered a polite nod, forcing her legs to move casually toward the door. But once she was out of the room, she found herself moving much faster than usual down the hall, eager to put some distance between herself and whatever strange mood Lisa was in today. Chapter 416 Going to Vegas Andrea sat in his new ce that Eligos gave to him, popping a steak that he ordered for his dinner for the night. The big TV in the center of the room tuned in, showing some news about a woman named ire Peterson getting arrested. Andrea''s eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute," he muttered, stabbing the meat, "Isn''t she...? So, Ms. Perfect ire actually got herself into trouble," he muttered, half in amusement, half in disbelief. He leaned closer to the screen. There she was, his supposed half-sister-ire Peterson-being escorted by police, dressed impably in some designer outfit, even while handcuffed. Andrea scoffed. She looked like she had money pouring out of her pockets. Fancy clothes, a shiny car, important people at her side. Meanwhile, he was scraping by in a cramped apartment, his mom''s medical bills piling up. "She probably doesn''t even know I exist," he muttered bitterly. Years of work to pay off debts, and all this time, he had a rich half-sister somewhere in the world. Couldn''t things have been different if he''d known sooner? "Would''ve been nice to know sooner, Ma," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. Maybe his mother would have gotten better treatment, and they wouldn''t have struggled. But no-now he was dealing with some mysterious guy, Eligos, who he''d made a shaky deal with, all because of his situation. But, as he thought about it, he realized meeting ire wasn''t so simple. She was always guarded, always in the spotlight. He didn''t even know if he''d manage to get near her, even if he tried. He sighed, watching the news shift to another segment. "One day," he muttered to himself, "we''re gonna meet. Whether you like it or not, ire." Meanwhile, in London, ire stepped out of a ck car, her heels clicking against the pavement as she adjusted her purse strap. Matthew helped pull her luggage from the trunk, giving her a look that was equal parts concern and exasperation. "Thanks for the help," ire said, shing him a quick smile. "Take care of yourself. And thepany, of course." Matthew rolled his eyes in his usual yful way. "Oh, I''m not the one jetting off to Vegas. You''re the one who should be careful. And if Alexander tries anything, let me know. I''lle and give him a good smack." ireughed, lightly patting his arm. "Oh, don''t worry. I''ll take him down myself before you even make it out of your office." "Did you tell Adrian you''re going to Vegas?" Matthew asked, raising an eyebrow. She shook her head. "Not yet. I''ll tell him when I get there. Knowing him, he''d probably try to follow me, and he''s supposed to be resting. I don''t want him stressing out." Matthew nodded, giving her a pat on the back. "Alright, just don''t forget to tell him cause I don''t want him calling me in the middle of the night disturbing my sleep." ire rolled her eyes. "You are such a princess. I will, don''t worry." "Have a safe flight, ire. Call me if you need anything, okay?" She nodded. "I will. Bye, Matty." As she headed toward the private jet, Matthew called after her, "And try not to let Alex drive you insane!" She threw a grin over her shoulder. "You keep mypany from crumbling while I''m gone, alright?" Matthew waved her off with a mock sigh, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. Just don''t do anything I wouldn''t do, alright?" ire shot him a teasing grin as she headed for the private jet. "If anything goes wrong, it''ll be your fault for letting me go." He scoffed sarcastically, giving her a little wave as she disappeared inside. Once onboard, ire quickly took her seat, only to find Alexander already seated across the aisle, facing her. He grinned as she buckled her seatbelt, unable to resist teasing her. "So, did you say goodbye to Finnegan? How about Talia? And your boyfriend?" he teased. ire rolled her eyes, buckling her seatbelt. "You just can''t help teasing me, aren''t you? Matthew and I have course, been friends for so long.ind I''m going to say goodbye to him and besides I have friends, you know. That''s the difference between us." "Oh, really?" Alex leaned back, crossing his arms. "You mean all three of them?" "Three is better than none." "Oh, please," Alexander scoffed back. "Three people do not count as friends, ire." "For people like, it''s sure do. What about you? Who do you hang out with? Christian? Yeah, I think just Christian," she shot back, smirking as they locked eyes in a battle of res. Their silentpetition was interrupted by the flight attendant, who smiled and advised them to buckle up as the jet prepared for takeoff. ire settled back, trying to ignore Alexander, who looked far too pleased with himself. She thought about getting some sleep, but the thought of Alex watching her while she napped was infuriating. Instead, she focused on herptop, opening a document to keep herself busy for the long flight. In the mental ward, a figure in a wide-brimmed hat and oversized sunsses entered the mental facility, keeping her head low as she signed the visitor log. The guard reminded her of the ten-minute limit, then escorted her down the hallway, stopping at a door that led to amon room. Lisa was sitting there, staring nkly at a TV mounted on the wall, which ying a rerun of some old soap opera. Gretta gave a polite nod to the guard, then strolled over to Lisa, her heels clicking on the tiled floor. She smiled, a touch of sarcasm in her voice. "Look at you, blending right in. Adjusting to the new digs, are we?" Lisa turned, surprised. "Gretta? What are you doing here?" She nced around, as if afraid someone might overhear. "You know this ce isn''t exactly a walk in the park." Gretta''s smile didn''t fade. "Oh, I just wanted to make sure you''re doing okay. I wouldn''t want our little n to get derailed." Lisa sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I''m fine, really. I''m ying the part, just like you asked. But my doctor changed out of nowhere." Gretta''s eyebrows shot up. "Changed, you say? Who''s the new one?" "Some Dr. Johnson. They transferred my old doc, and this one was just... here. At first, she was irritating, but now she''s just... so-so. Not too pushy." Gretta considered this, folding her arms. "Interesting. And you''ve been keeping an eye on things, right?" Lisa rolled her eyes. "Of course. I''m here because of you, remember? I didn''t sign up for this on my own. The least you could do is keep me updated on what you are nning out there." Gretta smiled thinly. "I''ll keep you in the loop. Just keep doing what you''re doing. And remember, stay on script. Don''t go improvising." Lisa exhaled heavily, shaking her head. "I got it, Gretta. No need to worry. I know what''s at stake. I''ll keep ying along, but don''t forget you owe me for this." Gretta patted her shoulder, her smile never reaching her eyes. "Oh, don''t worry, Lisa, I remember everything Good. See you around, Lisa." With that, she turned and sauntered out of the room, leaving Lisa alone with the TV and her thoughts. Chapter 417 Out of London Eligos sat in his dimly lit apartment, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he scrolled through information on ire''s whereabouts. News had just reached him that ire Peterson was jetting off to Las Vegas. That meant only one thing-Cryptonic and Metacortex were off her radar for now. He smirked to himself, fingers tapping rhythmically on his desk. "Well, well... ire''s on a little vacation," he muttered, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. "Means Cryptonic and Metacortex are unattended. Perfect." He drummed his fingers in thought, torn between going for a more borate n or just diving straight into the fun of hacking her software. "Ah, why bother nning?" he said with a grin. "I''ll just go for it." "Maybe something shy, maybe a bit chaotic?" He finally grinned, deciding to go for it but with a little patience. "Tomorrow, once she''s in Vegas," he mused aloud, "she''ll be miles away and too busy to stop me. Let''s see her sweat." "This is going to be fun," he mused, already savoring the thought. Meanwhile, back at Metacortex, Matthew was trying to keep things running smoothly without ire around. Normally, he was right beside her, listening to her sharp, no-nonsense ns and getting things done. Without her there, he had no clue where to start. He scanned her desk, the meticulously organized files, and the faint scent of ire''s distinct perfume still lingering in the room. He meandered around her office, ncing at the mountain of paperwork on her desk. "I seriously don''t know how she does this," he mumbled, shaking his head as he grabbed a stack to sort through. "Alright, focus," he muttered to himself, grabbing a stack of documents. "She''ll need these sorted before the deadline. No cking, Matthew." After a few minutes of sorting through contracts, technical specs, and some papers with big, bold "Confidential" stamps, he decided to take a breather. As much as he respected ire''s work ethic, he had no idea how she managed to stay focused in that office all day without getting totally bored. After a solid hour of paperwork, he decided he''d earned a break and strolled down to check on the team''stest project. "Hey guys, how''s it going?" "It''s going great, sir and we are confident the robot will be done at the ed of the month." "That is nice to hear." He walked to the other side and patted Stephen at the shoulder. "Hey, Stephen! My man. How''s our boting along?" he asked cheerfully as he walked into the techb. Stephen, hunched over his workstation, waved a hand in greeting. "Oh, hey, Matt! Pretty good, actually. We''ve updated the software and added a few new features. ire''s going to want to take a look." Matthew gave an approving nod. "Great, let her know as soon as she''s back. Maybe it''ll be the one bright spot in her week." He watched them work for a moment, enjoying the upbeat chatter of the team before heading back to ire''s office. Settling back at her desk, he thought he''d dig into a side project-figuring out who''d tipped off the police about ire. He hadn''t had the chance to ask them directly, and it still gnawed at him. He opened hisptop, ready to get back into his investigation, but within moments, things took a strange turn. The mouse cursor on his screen started moving on its own. He blinked, mouth hanging open. "What the-? What the heck is going on?" He watched as an animation popped up, the screen filling with bizarre shapes and colors. Instead of shutting down theptop, he squinted, almost fascinated by it. When the animation ended, a message appeared: "Enjoy the show?" And just below that, he saw a notification for a download in progress. His heart sank as he scrambled to cancel it, but it was toote. "Oh no you don''t," he hissed, snapping into action. "Come on,e on," he muttered, desperately trying to cut off the connection. But by the time he yanked the power cord and shut theptop, he had no clue how many of his files had been taken. He felt a knot of anxiety form in his stomach ashe stared at the dark screen. What had just been stolen? Across town, Eligos stretched his arms, feeling like a kid who just won a prize. Sure, the download hadn''t beenpleted, but he''d snagged enough to pique his interest. "Well, well, what do we have here..." he murmured, opening the first file. To his surprise, it wasn''t exactly what he expected. The document was full of notes,beled "ire and Matthew''s Private Investigation." Eligos raised an eyebrow. He smirked at what seemed like an amateur detective missionid out "Detective work, huh? ire Peterson, ying Sherlock. Oh, how adorable," heughed. The next file was a bit different, though it mentioned a man named Allen and seemed to contain notes on finding Allen''s family. His smirk faded when he stumbled upon a documentbeled "Allen." He raised an eyebrow, suddenly intrigued. Why was Matthew searching for Allen''s family? He paused, his fingers still. This new mystery wasn''t in his original ns, but he had to admit, he was more than a little curious to hear what Matthew might say if asked. "Guess I''ll find out soon enough," he murmured. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, ire and her business associate Alexander stepped off a ne, touching down in the bright, chaos that was Las Vegas. ire stretched her stiff limbs and reached up to the overhead cabin to grab her suitcase, only to feel a hand reaching over her shoulder, taking it down for her. She turned to see Alexander, all smiles, extending the bag to her. "Allow me," Alexander''s voice came from behind her as he grabbed her suitcase. ire turned, raising a brow. "I don''t need help," she said, her voice curt. "I''m perfectly capable." Alexander didn''t seem fazed, though, merely handed her the suitcase. "Just being polite." She huffed, clutching her bag tightly, and marched off the ne. When they descended the stairs to the tarmac, she spotted only one car waiting. "Why is there only one car?" she asked, clearly annoyed. Alexander smirked. "We''re staying at the same hotel. Why waste two?" He strode ahead, leaving ire muttering under her breath. "What an ass." As they slid into the car and headed toward the hotel, ire''s mind drifted back to her projects, her investigations, and that irritating feeling of something slipping out of her control back in London. As the two settled into their hotel and prepared for their meetings, the scene back in London was anything but quiet. Eligos was thrilled, eagerly opening file after file, trying to piece together what exactly Matthew and ire were up to. The bits of information he had gathered didn''t paint a full picture, but it was enough to make him wonder about this mysterious "Allen" and why they were hunting down his family. What could be so important about Allen? After a while, Eligos closed hisptop, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "Seems like ire''s got her hands full here. And she has no idea I''m digging through her files." He chuckled to himself, already nning his next move. Chapter 418 Abandon Warehouse As ire finally entered her hotel room, she dropped her bag on the couch with a tired sigh and immediately dialed Matthew''s number. It was past 9 PM in London, and knowing him, he might''ve crashed on his couch in front of hisptop, entirely forgetting the concept of a bed. But her call went unanswered. ire raised an eyebrow, checking the time again. Was he actually asleep this early? Somehow, she doubted that. A few hours earlier... Matthew was squinting at hisptop screen, brow furrowed as he studied the bizarre code streaming across it. He''d been seeing these disturbances on his system for hours now. It was as if someone was trying to hack him-or maybe even taunt him. And he had a strong hunch it was the same person who had led them on that ridiculous wild goose chase a few days ago with the car and all. The question was... why? This mysterious hacker had always seemed focused on irritating ire, but now, suddenly, Matthew was in the crosshairs. Curiosity got the best of him. Matthew knew it wasn''t wise to stay at Metacortex where anyone especially a savvy hacker-could easily find him. So, he grabbed hisptop and headed straight up to the building''s helipad. He gave the pilot a quick nod. "We''re going to Cryptonic," he said, settling into his seat. Cryptonic was ire''s ultra-secure facility, and it wasn''t exactlymon knowledge. It didn''t even show up on maps, so Matthew figured it was probably the safest ce he could be. The helicopternded ten minutester, and he bolted down to his office. He set up at his workstation with two monitors in front of him and opened hisptop to trace the intruder. It wasn''t easy. Whoever was on the other end was cloaked inyers of encryption. But Matthew wasn''t one to back down. He sent a bold message through the chat portal: "Why don''t you show yourself and stop hiding in the dark?" Secondster, a message popped back onto his screen. "Oh, should I? Patience, Matthew." Matthew frowned, fingers flying across the keys. "What are you, a scaredy cat? All bark, no bite." Somewhere across town, Eligos stared at his screen, his expression turning into a sharp, amused smirk. "Oh, you wanna y, huh?" he muttered to himself, typing back. Instead of going after Metacortex or Cryptonic as he''d originally nned, he decided Matthew would be his primary target for the night. Toying with him sounded far more interesting. He typed, "Alright, then. Since you''re so curious, let''s meet. I''ll even let you throw that punch, if you dare." Matthew shot back immediately, "Tell me where. I''ll be there. Can''t wait to see you eat your words, loser." Eligos rolled his eyes but couldn''t deny that he was a little amused. Matthew had spirit, he''d give him that. He sent the location-an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city-and noted the time: 8 PM. A little clich, sure, but he was hardly aiming for creativity tonight. "See you then. Bring your best," he added for good measure. Eligos grinned, a scheme brewing in his mind. His n was simple: he''d arrive with backup hiding in the shadows, ready to intervene if necessary. The idea of possibly kidnapping Matthew crossed his mind as well. He''d always been good at improvising, and who knew? A change of ns coulde in handy. Calling one of his men, he instructed, "I''ll need you and a few others stationed at the warehouse, but stay out of sight. I don''t want our guest of honor getting suspicious." "Yes, sir," the man replied, heading off to brief the others. Eligos walked over to a hidden shelf in his office, revealing a sleek pistol. He ran his fingers over it thoughtfully, debating whether to bring it along. "No," he decided with a smirk, "that''s for another time." He returned it to its spot, feeling the weight of anticipation build as he prepared for the evening''s entertainment. Back in the Present... Matthew was checking his watch as he paced around in the old, dimly lit warehouse. 7:59 PM. The ce was empty, save for a few crates scattered around and a heavy, eerie silence that felt just a little too intentional. He crossed his arms, ncing around with suspicion. And right on time, Eligos strolled in. He looked... Well, annoyingly smug, wearing a dark coat that made him look like he''d walked straight out of a viin casting call and a mask to hide his face. Matthew rolled his eyes. "Nice outfit. Going to a costume party after this?" Eligos chuckled, his steps echoing across the concrete floor. "Funny. I thought you''d appreciate a little drama, given your ir for tech theatrics." Matthew raised an eyebrow, clenching his fists. "I came here to settle things. I''m tired of your games." "Oh, you''re tired of them?" Eligos mocked, circling around Matthew slowly. "You and ire made yourselves pretty good targets. Always so self-righteous. You made this easy for me." "Well, I''m here now. So, what do you want?" Matthew shot back, trying to keep his cool. "What I want is simple," Eligos said, stopping in his tracks. "Answers. And maybe a bit of fun. You know, messing with you is a good warm-up before the main event with ire." Matthew face hardened at the mention of ire name, and he fisted his palm. "Don''t you dare say her name. Who are you anyway?" Eligos chuckled darkly. "You can call me Eligos." Matthew scoffed. "Eligos? What kind of name is that? What are you five? You''re nothing but a coward, Eligos. Hiding behind tech and henchmen because you''re too afraid to get your hands dirty." en "Oh, trust me," Eligos replied, his tone dropping. "I''m not afraid. You have no idea what I''m capable of, Matthew." "Then show me," Matthew challenged. At that moment, a faint rustling sound came from the shadows. Matthew stiffened, ncing toward the source. But when he looked back, Eligos was grinning. "Did you think I came here alone?" Eligos asked, feigning shock. "How sweet of you to underestimate me." Matthew rolled his eyes, but he couldn''t shake off the feeling of being cornered. He nced at the shadows where he''d heard the sound, making out a few silhouettes lurking just out of sight. Eligos walked back and forth. "You know, you should have brought someone with you. I mean I don''t think you will win against my men." "I''m not a coward, Eligos. I don''t need help." "Of course. Don''t you just love ying games? Well, I for sure love games." he said with a hint of amusement. "Cut the shit, Eligos. What do you want?" Matthew said coldly and Eligos grinned even though Matthew couldn''t see behind his mask. Eligos stopped pacing around and faced Matthew. "What I want is an answer. And you are going to give it to me." he then snapped his fingers and the people that cornered Matthew started making their way to him and Matthew is ready to fight them. He fought with a few of them until one of them hit him on the back of his head causing him to be unconscious. "Good work, guys. Now bring him inside the warehouse." Chapter 419 Beat Up Matthew Matthew''s head throbbed, a dull ache pulsing with each heartbeat. He tried to reach up to touch his forehead but stopped when he felt the tight restraints on his wrists, tying them firmly behind the back of his chair. His legs were bound, too. He cursed under his breath, struggling against the ropes, when a low voice echoed in the dark, sending a chill up his spine. "Finally awake, are we?" Eligos''s smooth, taunting tone boomed through the warehouse, and Matthew flinched, scanning the shadows until the man stepped into view. "Where am I?" Matthew''s voice came out hoarse, a mix of frustration and, just maybe, a bit of fear. Eligos grinned behind his mask. "Oh, just a cozy little hideout," he replied with mock sweetness. "An abandoned warehouse... Don''t you worry, Matthew. I''m not going to keep you here forever. Maybe." He smirked, leaning closer, as if savoring Matthew''s difort. Matthew tried to move, but the ropes just dug deeper into his skin. "You''ve got a real sense of humor, you know that?" he muttered, throwing Eligos a look filled with defiance. Eligos didn''t respond immediately, instead reaching into his pocket and pulling out a worn file, holding it up for Matthew to see. "I came across something interesting in your... files, let''s say. It seems you and ire enjoy a little detective work, yes?" Matthew narrowed his eyes. "Not sure where you''re getting that idea." "Oh, don''t y dumb with me." Eligos leaned forward, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. "I saw the files, Matthew. I know you two have been snooping around, digging for information. Care to exin?" Matthew kept his gaze steady, his expression calm despite the growing knot in his stomach. "ire doesn''t trust the police. She''d rather handle things herself, and I''m just along for the ride." "Is that right?" Eligos cocked his head, as if genuinely curious. "But why doesn''t she trust them?" Matthew shrugged, his tone casual. "Who knows? Maybe she just doesn''t like their fashion sense." Eligos let out a low, humorlessugh. He stepped closer, the mask obscuring his expression, though Matthew imagined he was ring. Matthew couldn''t help but smirk, ncing at the mask and raising his eyebrows. "What''s so funny?" Eligos asked, his voiceced with irritation. "Honestly? You look like a kid trying too hard to be scary on Halloween," Matthew replied, a grin slipping onto his face. "Next, you''ll be begging for candy." Eligos''s eyes narrowed behind the mask. "You wouldn''t beughing if you knew what I''m capable of." "Oh, I''m waiting for the big reveal," Matthew shot back, feigning boredom. Eligos''s patience snapped. He took a step closer, his posture tense. "Tell me, Matthew, who''s Allen?" The question made Matthew''s pulse quicken, but he kept his face nk, raising an eyebrow as if clueless. "Allen? Never heard of him." Eligos''s jaw tightened. "Let''s try that again. Who is Allen, and why are you and ire searching for him?" Matthew gave a nonchnt shrug. "Like I said, no clue who you''re talking about." With a growl of frustration, Eligos lifted his foot and kicked the chair hard. Matthew toppled backward with a loud thud, the metal legs of the chair nging against the cold concrete floor. Pain shot up his spine, but he bit down on a groan, refusing to give Eligos the satisfaction. "Care to answer now?" Eligos''s tone was all mock sweetness as he peered down at Matthew. Matthew took a breath, steadying himself, and smirked up at Eligos, still as stubborn as ever. "Still not ringing any bells. Sorry." Eligos''s face twisted, his patience clearly wearing thin. He took a deep breath, then leaned down, muttering in a voice that held a dark, ominous edge, "Loyalty is admirable, Matthew. But do you really think ire would go this far for you?" "I''d take a bullet for her," Matthew replied without missing a beat. "So, good luck getting me to spill anything." Eligos gave a bitter chuckle. "We''ll see just how far that loyalty goes." He snapped his fingers, signaling to one of his men. "Seems our guest needs some... convincing." At the signal, one of Eligos''s henchmen stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. Matthew swallowed, a nervousugh escaping him. "Let me guess," Matthew said dryly. "This is the part where you beat me up, right? Real original." The henchman smirked, flexing his fists as he approached. "Hey, you''re the one who wouldn''t y nice." Matthew held his gaze steady, a slight smirk on his lips even as he braced himself. "Maybe if you guys had better customer service, I''d reconsider." The man scowled, obviously unamused, and threw a punch to Matthew''s gut, making him double over as much as the ropes allowed. Pain shot through him, but he managed to let out a painedugh, looking up at Eligos with a hint of a grin. "That the best you''ve got?" The henchman growled, gripping Matthew''s shirt and yanking him back up before delivering another punch, this time to his jaw. Matthew''s head snapped to the side, his vision blurring for a second. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth, but he refused to let go of that defiant spark. "Still waiting to be impressed," he muttered through gritted teeth. Eligos watched, his arms crossed, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "You know, Matthew, you could save yourself a lot of pain if you''d just cooperate. All I want is information." Matthew gave a breathlessugh, wincing as he shifted against the ropes. "Funny, I thought you wanted to y twenty questions." Eligos''s expression soured, and he motioned for his henchman to continue. Another punchnded in Matthew''s ribs, hard enough to make him gasp, but he managed to keep hisposure, biting back any sound of pain. He wasn''t about to let Eligos see him break, no matter how hard they tried. Eligos leaned down, his voice a low hiss. "Last chance, Matthew. Tell me who Allen is." Matthew''s gaze was unwavering, his voice steady as he replied, "Wouldn''t tell you even if I knew." Eligos''s face twisted in frustration, but there was a glimmer of admiration hidden in his gaze, as if he respected Matthew''s defiance, however inconvenient it was. "Fine," Eligos said, his voice dripping with cold amusement. "Keep ying the hero. We''ll see how long that loyalty of yours holds out." He gestured to his men, who continued to deliver blow after blow, each one sending fresh waves of pain through Matthew''s body. But even as the room spun and his strength waned, Matthew held on to his resolve. Through the haze of pain, he let out a weak chuckle, forcing himself to look at Eligos one more time. "You know," he said, his voice hoarse, "for a guy who''s so smart, you sure picked a lousy interrogation tactic. Pretty sure ire''s going to figure this out soon, and when she does..." He managed a grin. "You''re in for one hell of a surprise." Eligos stared down at him, a shadow of doubt crossing his face, but he quickly masked it with a cold, dismissive re. "We''ll see about that," he replied icily. "For now, you''re exactly where I want you. Let''s see if your precious ire really cares enough toe looking." As Eligos turned and disappeared back into the shadows, Matthew allowed himself a small, triumphant smile, even as his body ached with pain. He''d bought himself some time, and with any luck, ire would figure out where he was before things got any worse. After all, he knew one thing for sure: if anyone could outsmart Eligos, it was ire. Chapter 420 Bruise Matthew As the first light seeped through the warehouse window, Matthew groaned, feeling like he''d been hit by a truck. Every part of him ached, especially his wrists and ankles where the ropes had been digging in. Blinking at the dusty sunbeams, he squinted around, trying to make out anything useful in the dimness. That''s when he noticed a knife glinting on the floor, as if left there on purpose. His first reaction was to mutter a few choice words about Eligos and his goons. "Son of a bitch! He could have just left it outside the warehouse." Matthew muttered sarcastically. His muscles ached, his cheek throbbed fromst night''s beating, and he could swear the left side of his face was swelling. "Eligos and his goons...I swear if I see them again, I will kill them in a blink of an eye." he muttered, clenching his teeth as he scanned the ground for anything remotely sharp. Then he saw it: a knife. And not just any knife - a shiny, suspiciously well-ced knife a few feet away. Was this a twisted game to them? He gritted his teeth. With no other options, Matthew took a deep breath and forced himself up, despite the pain. "They could''ve at least given me a running start," he growled, wriggling and shifting in his bonds. With a final roll and an awkward hop, hended next to the knife, managing to grab it just enough to start sawing at the ropes. "Come on,e on," he whispered under his breath, wincing when he felt the de nick his wrist. A few cuts were the least of his worries. After what felt like hours, the ropes finally gave way, and he yanked his hands free, frantically untying his ankles. "Finally," he muttered, tossing the knife and yanking the ropes off his ankles. He shoved the chair away, wincing at the pain radiating up his leg as he stumbled to the door. Stepping outside, the sunlight was blinding. With a huff, he fumbled through his pockets, relieved to find his phone still there. Good thing he''d switched it offst night before things got ugly. Reaching his car, he swore again. He breathed out a sigh of relief... until he nced down at his car. Both front tires had knives lodged in them, t as pancakes. "Eligos, you absolute..." He stopped, exhaling sharply. No time for name-calling. He powered on his phone to a barrage of missed calls: ten from ire, three from Sandra, and an irritated text from ire demanding, Where are you? And a Call Back. "Oh, just fantastic," Matthew muttered, leaning against his car as he braced himself and called ire back. He didn''t even have time to breathe before she picked up. "Matthew, where on earth have you been?! Why haven''t you answered my calls?" ire''s voice was sharp, her frustration crackling through the phone like static. Matthew clenched his jaw, searching for something to say that wouldn''t make her more worried. "Hey, ire," he started, keeping his tone as calm as possible. "I, uh, had a rough night." "Define rough night, Matthew." There was a suspicious edge in her tone. "Well, I-uh, I got caught up with an... unexpected visitor," he said, struggling to sound casual, but ire wasn''t buying it. "Are you in trouble?" she asked, her voice shifting to something dangerously close to genuine concern. "Matthew, don''t lie to me." He hesitated, ncing around the empty warehouse yard. "Uh, okay. Fine. I, um, had a little car trouble," he finally said, hoping that was believable enough. "Got stuck out in the middle of nowhere. It took ages to get any help." "Car trouble?" ire''s voice softened, but there was still an edge. "And you''re just now calling me back?" "I know, I know, ire, I''m sorry. Look, everything''s fine now." He forced a bit of cheer into his voice, though even he could tell it sounded weak. ire sighed. "Alright, I''ll let it slide this time. But are you sure you are, okay?" "Absolutely," he replied with forced cheerfulness "Things with thepany are just fine. Don''t you worry." He grinned through his difort, hoping it came across as convincing. He didn''t need ire panicking over this, not with everything else on her te. She was quiet for a moment, as though weighing his words. Finally, she spoke, and while she sounded calm, there was a thread of doubt in her voice. "Alright. But I need a full update when you''re back." "Got it. No problem at all." He tried to keep his voice light, hating every second he was lying to her. They wrapped up the call, and he sighed, staring at the damaged tires. This was not how he''d imagined his morning going. After digging around in his trunk, he finally found a spare tire and got to a work. "Last time I''m getting beat up in a warehouse at midnight," he muttered to himself, fighting the bolts and his aching hands. By the time he finished and limped his way back to his apartment, he was covered in sweat, exhaustion tugging at every nerve. Inside, he leaned on the sink, ncing in the mirror. His face looked like he''d gone five rounds with a brick wall, bruises darkening around his cheekbone, a small cut on his forehead, and his knuckles raw. "Sandra will have a field day if she sees this," he muttered, sshing water on his face before heading to the freezer for an ice pack. The idea of facing her, though, especially if she got a glimpse of his bruised face, made him shudder Slumping onto the couch, he held the ice to his face, grumbling, "Nothing a few days of hiding can''t fix." Matthew was still nursing his bruised face when his phone buzzed again. Another text from ire. ire: Try not to get into too much trouble. He smirked, typing back, Matthew: Define ''too much'' trouble. After a few minutes of silence, he reached for his phone and typed out a quick message to Sandra, Matthew: Working from home today. Just, uh, catching up on some reports. The reply was instant. Sandra: Just don''t ck off! She wrote, with a winking emoji that didn''t do much to ease his nerves. The whole ordeal had left him battered and exhausted, and the only constion was that ire didn''t seem to suspect anything-yet. Matthew groaned as he shifted the bag of peas over a particrly sore spot near his temple. "Next time, I''m bringing a stun gun or something," he muttered to himself. He spent the next hour patching himself up, dabbing antiseptic on his cuts and popping a few painkillers. Every movement reminded him of the rough night, and he couldn''t help but chuckle. Who knew that taking a punch could feel this exhausting? As he slouched back on the couch, nursing an ice pack to his swollen face, he muttered to himself, "All this to keep ire from worrying." Not that he''d ever say it to her face. The minutes ticked by, his thoughts drifting back to Eligos and his smug grin. "Next time," he muttered, gritting his teeth, "I''ll be ready for you." Chapter 421 Hotel in Vegas ire was buzzing around Las Vegas like a one-woman tornado. She dashed from her hotel room to various meeting spots, scribbling notes on her tablet and taking calls at every step. The job wasn''t technically hers-Alexander was the mastermind here, but he''d left her in charge of overseeing the instation and setup of his shy, futuristic concept. And if ire was honest, she wasn''t thrilled about ying his deputy. But since they were business partners, she had little choice. At least Vegas had some perks. She had been meeting with Alexander''s interior team all morning, fielding questions about the setup for what Alexander was calling his "Matrix-inspired masterpiece." ire wasn''t quite sure what he was aiming for with the whole matrix theme, but she nodded along, mentally rolling her eyes every time someone said "edgy" or "avant-garde." "Alright, so here''s the n," ire said, pointing at the blueprintsid out across the conference table. "We''ll have three robots stationed strategically-the first one in the lobby, another near the restaurant entrance, and one on the rooftop." "Will we add moreter?" asked a young interior designer, furrowing his brow. ire shrugged, "Not unless Alexander decides he wants an army of these things. For now, we''re focusing on the main points where guests might actually get lost or need help." The designer nodded, looking a bit nervous as he scribbled notes. ire couldn''t me him; Alexander''s projects were known for their absurdly high standards and razor-thin deadlines. Upstairs, downstairs, all around the hotel-ire practically wore out her shoes going back and forth. She paused for a second to catch her breath near the elevators, contemting sending a quick text to Matthew for updates back at headquarters. Just as she was reaching for her phone, a water bottle appeared right in front of her. She looked up to see Alexander himself grinning down at her, extending the bottle like it was a peace offering. His usual polished, charming smile was stered on his face, though ire could detect a hint of mischief. "Here. You look like you could use it," he said, his voice annoyingly smug. She frowned, pushing the bottle back toward him. "I''m fine. Not thirsty," she replied, though her throat felt as dry as the Vegas desert outside. She knew better than to let him think she needed anything from him. "Oh,e on," Alexander chuckled, waving the bottle in front of her face. "You''ve been running around like a headless chicken. Just drink the water, ire. You''ll feel better." ire rolled her eyes. "Since when do you care if I feel better?" She narrowed her gaze, studying him. "Shouldn''t you be off charming some investor? I thought you''d leave the actual work to the rest of us." Alexander smirked, crossing his arms and holding the water bottle against his chest. "I can do both, you know. Multitasking is a skill." He uncrossed his arms and tried once more, practically shoving the bottle into her hand. "Come on. Take it. I don''t want you passing out on my project." She huffed, grabbing the bottle reluctantly. "Fine, but don''t act like this makes us best friends or something. I''m just doing my job." Alexanderughed, a low, casual sound that she suspected he had practiced. "Is it really a job if you''re having so much fun?" he teased, watching her take a grudging sip of water. "Fun?" ire sputtered, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "This is hardly my definition of fun, Alexander. Besides, I''m basically doing your job at this point." "Oh, I knew you''d say that," he said with a dramatic sigh. "You know, you could stand to loosen up a little. Embrace the chaos. Look around you this ce is buzzing, and it''s partly thanks to you." ire nced around at the bustling hotel lobby, where workers were setting up instations and decor to match Alexander''s vision. She had to admit, that seeing it alle together was a little satisfying, even if she hated to give him credit for anything. "Maybe," she muttered, finishing off the water bottle. "But just because I can pull this off doesn''t mean I''m going to start enjoying it." Alexander pped his hands once, as if she''d just announced hermitment to the project. "That''s the spirit! Now,e on. There''s still a lot to do before tonight''s preview event." She rolled her eyes but followed him toward the upper floors where the rooftop robot was scheduled to bex ced. This was the crown jewel of Alexander''s grand concept-the rooftop bar with its panoramic view of the Vegas Strip, guided by an Al with a smooth voice and impable manners. "So, do we have a backup n if your precious Al decides to, I don''t know, go rogue?" Alxander asked dryly as they approached the elevator. ire smirked, unbothered. "Why? You worried it''ll turn into a sci-fi horror movie?" "More like aedy, if I know you," Alexander shot back, smirking. "Oh, have a little faith," ire replied, pressing the button for the rooftop. "This isn''t some half-baked n, Alex. These robots are cutting edge, top of the line. And my team build this robot as your request He put his hands up in surrender. "Alright. I was just messing with you. After the Venus press release, I just want to make sure that your robot won''t do something like that, that will eventually scared the guest." ire rolled her eyes. "Don''t worry. Metacortex is a hundred times better than Venus AMD. You and I both know that." As they exited the elevator onto the rooftop, they were greeted by a stunning view of the Las Vegas skyline. ire had to admit, as much as she loathed Alexander''s over-the-top style, he knew how to make an impression. They passed by a few passersby who were already snapping photos of the outside view of the hotel, clearly intrigued by the shy, futuristic aesthetic. ire watched them for a moment, a small smile tugging at her lips. For all the headaches Alexander put her through, she had to admit-there was something undeniably thrilling about bringing a vision to life. As they walked back toward the lobby, Alexander looked at her with a smirk. "So, since you and I kinda work brilliantly today and we didn''t almost kill each other as usual. Why don''t we have dinner together?" ire turned to him with a nk expression as she crossed her arms over her chest. "No." Alexander is taken aback, eyes widen. "What? Are you serious?" "Dead serious." ire''s expression remains the same. "Why? Is it because you are in a rtionship with Adrian that''s why you don''t want to have dinner with me? Are you scared that your boyfriend will broke up with you over a simple dinner?" ire clicked her tongue in disbelief. "I really can''t believe you, Alex. Everything was just fine until you brought up that topic. Remember we are merely business partners nothing more." ire turned dgn her heels and made her way out of the hotel. "Dammit! Why is she so hard to deal with." Alexander stared at her back as she left the hotel. Chapter 422 Talkative Alexander Matthew let out a frustrated sigh, his finger hovering over the decline button on ire''s video call for what felt like the hundredth time. His phone buzzed insistently, but he refused to answer. Why? Because there was no way he could let ire see the state of his face right now. The purple bruising around his left eye, the nasty gash near his temple, and the shallow cuts across his cheek were a disaster waiting to happen if she spotted them. He could already hear her sharp questions: "What happened? Who did this? Why didn''t you tell me?" Nope. He wasn''t ready for that interrogation. "Just heal already," he muttered, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He tilted his head, wincing as the movement tugged at the stitches he''d reluctantly gotten earlier that day. His hair-thankfully longer now-did an okay job covering the gash on his temple. But the ck eye? Not so much. He sighed again, running a hand through his messy hair. "Maybe if I wear sunsses indoors," he joked to himself, though he knew ire wouldn''t buy it. His only saving grace was that she was still in Las Vegas. And if he was really lucky, Alexander-her insufferable admirer-would keep her busy there longer. For once, Matthew was rooting for the guy to be a persistent annoyance. Meanwhile, back in Las Vegas, ire was in no mood for games. She stared at her phone, annoyed. "Why does he keep declining my video calls but answers normal ones? Is he hiding something? Ugh, such a weirdo," she muttered, shaking her head. Matthew had always been a bit peculiar, but he was also the only one who truly got her, quirks and all. Still, his behavior was definitely oddtely. She shoved her phone into her bag, brushing off the nagging thought. She had bigger issues to deal with. For starters, Alexander. ire was getting ready for dinner, throwing on a simple yet elegant dress. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her she hadn''t eaten all day thanks to a mountain of work and Alexander''s relentless attempts to coax her into dinner. She''d stood her ground, though, refusing him t out. She could still picture the defeated look on his face as she walked away from him at the hotel entrance earlier. She smirked at the memory. Arriving at the hotel restaurant, ire let out a content sigh. It was bustling but not overly crowded. She chose a quiet corner table, took her seat, and nced over the menu. Seafood pasta and a ss of white wine sounded perfect. As the waiter left with her order, she looked around the room. Her gaze stopped at a nearby table where a family of four was celebrating a little girl''s birthday. The sight warmed her heart and tugged at something deeper. She hadn''t celebrated a proper birthday with her parents since she turned 21. Work had consumed her life since then. There were moments of regret, sure, but she couldn''t deny the pride she felt for everything she''d aplished. It was a bittersweet realization. Her food arrived just as she was lost in thought, the aroma snapping her back to the present. Her stomach growled again, louder this time, and she grabbed her fork, ready to dig in. "Eating alone? That''s a surprise." The familiar, smooth voice made her freeze mid-motion. Her jaw clenched as she forced a smile and looked up. "Alexander," she said tly. "Why are you here?" Alexander grinned, lookingpletely unbothered by her frosty tone. "Dinner, obviously. And since we''re at the same hotel, why wouldn''t I?" She rolled her eyes, biting back a groan. "There are plenty of tables here. Go find one." "Ah," he said, feigning disappointment. "But they''re all full." She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Are they now?" "Yes. And since I already know you, it only makes sense to join you," he said. She scoffed. "No." "Do you hate me that much?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. ire sighed heavily. "I don''t hate you. I just strongly dislike you. There''s a difference." "Ah, so there''s hope for us yet." He grinned, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from her without waiting for an invitation. "Excuse me?" she snapped, ring at him. "Who said you could sit here?" Alexander chuckled,pletely unfazed. "Well, that''s progress. Besides, you wouldn''t cause a scene, would you? Imagine the headlines: ''ire Peterson loses her cool in a crowded restaurant.'' Not a good look." She hated how right he was. ire prided herself on maintaining herposure in public. Thest thing she needed was to give the gossip columns something to chew on. Letting out a defeated sigh, she waved her hand dismissively. "Fine. Stay. But don''t talk to me." "Sure," he said with a sly grin, signaling the waiter for his own menu. "But you know I''m terrible at following orders." She rolled her eyes again, muttering under her breath, "Why am I even surprised?" As ire tried to enjoy her meal, Alexander, true to his word, ignored her demand for silence. He talked-about work, the city, even the weather-anything to get a reaction from her. ire stabbed her fork into her pasta with the precision of someone trying to tune out the world-or in this case Alexander. Sitting across the table, he was on a mission to fill the silence, his voice bouncing with the enthusiasm of a talk show host. "You know, the city''s been buzzingtely. New hotel openings, events... just a lot happening," Alexander said, his words spilling out like an overfilled coffee cup. ire munched on her pasta, barely ncing up. Maybe if I ignore him, he''ll stop, she thought. But nope, he kept going. "And the weather''s been great, don''t you think? Perfect for a stroll through the park, maybe even one of those food festivals. Have you been to one of those?" he asked, leaning forward slightly, as if he actually expected an answer. ire sighed, finally lifting her gaze. "Is there a reason you''re talking this much?" she asked, her voice tinged with irritation. Alexander''s grin widened as if her annoyance only fueled him. "I''m just in a good mood. You know, with the hotel opening soon, everything''sing together. Exciting times." ire arched a brow, twirling her fork in her pasta. "Exciting times," she repeated dryly. "Well, congrattions. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I was hoping for a little peace and quiet while I eat." He chuckled,pletely unbothered. "Oh,e on. You''re not really the quiet type, are you? You''re always so sharp, so quick with aeback. Don''t hold back on my ount." She ced her fork down and wine sipped her wine, her patience wearing thin. "Fine. You want me to talk? Let''s talk. Why on earth are you sitting here? Aren''t there a thousand other people you could pestu now?" right "Pester?" Alexander feigned offense, clutching his chest dramatically. "I prefer ''engage in pleasant conversation.'' Besides, I''m not just sitting with anyone. I''m sitting with you. That makes it special." ire rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Save the charm for someone who''ll fall for it." A waiter approached, interrupting their exchange. "Have you decided on anything, sir?" Alexander smiled, ncing at the menu. "I''ll have the salmon, please. And another ss of wine. Same as hers." ire scowled as the waiter walked away. "You''re actually ordering food? Are you nning to drag this out all night?" "Why not?" he said with an infuriatingly calm demeanor. "Goodpany, good food-it''s a win-win." She narrowed her eyes, leaning back in her chair. "Do you really think this is a goodpany? Because I''m about two seconds away from finding an empty table if I can." "You won''t," he replied smoothly. "And why''s that?" "Because deep down, you''re curious. About me, about why I''m here, about what I''ll say next," he said with a knowing smile. ireughed a sharp, sarcastic sound. "Curious? No. Mildly annoyed? Absolutely." "That''s something," he quipped. "Annoyance means you''re at least paying attention." ire shook her head, returning her focus to her te. She wasn''t about to let him get under her skin, even if he was annoyingly good at it. "You''re impossible, you know that?" "Thanks. I try." The waiter returned with Alexander''s wine, and he raised his ss in a mock toast. "To new beginnings." ire eyed him over the rim of her own ss. "To you leaving me alone," she muttered before taking a sip. "Cheers," he said, clearly ignoring her jab. Chapter 423 Andrea in Metacortex Andrea paced his small apartment, phone clutched tightly in his hand, the weight of the recent call from Italy pressing down on him. His mother''s nurse had sounded urgent, her words echoing in his mind: "The operation needs to happen soon, Mr. Ri. Without it..." Andrea hadn''t even let her finish. He''d cut her off, promising, "I''ll get the money in a few hours," even though he had no idea how. Now, his nerves were frayed. Eligos had promised him instructions-had promised action. Yet here he was, still waiting. He red at his phone, scrolling through his contacts to find the one number he didn''t want to call but had no choice. "Eligos," he muttered under his breath, hitting the dial button. The phone rang once, twice, and then went to voicemail. Andrea cursed. "Of course, now you don''t pick up," he hissed, redialing. Andrea''s chest felt tight as he tossed his phone onto the coffee table. His usual lifeline, Eligos, hadn''t given him any instructionstely. Three calls to the man had gone unanswered, and Andrea wasn''t brave enough to leave a voicemail. Eligos wasn''t exactly the type to appreciate desperation, and Andrea couldn''t afford to cross him-not when he was already hanging by a thread. "Think, Andrea. Think," he muttered to himself, pacing back and forth in his small London apartment. His mind churned, cycling through options that didn''t exist. He didn''t know anyone in the city well enough to ask for money, and his own savings wouldn''t cover the cost. Time was ticking, and every second felt heavier than thest. Then, like a lightning bolt, a thought struck him: ire Peterson. His half-sibling. The idea made him stop in his tracks. Could he even do that? Could he really go to ire, someone he''d never spoken to, and ask for money? A bitterugh escaped his lips. It wasn''t just awkward-it was borderline insane. But as much as he hated the idea, he didn''t have a better one. His mother''s life was on the line, and that trumped his pride, his fear of Eligos, and every other excuse he coulde up with. "Alright," he said, taking a deep breath. "Let''s do this." Andrea grabbed his phone and started searching for ire Peterson online. Surely, someone as prominent as her had to have some public information out there. And sure enough, articles and news stories popped up about her, detailing her role as the owner of Metacortex. He scrolled through image after image of her standing in front of impressive buildings, shaking hands with important people, and looking every bit the untouchable tech mogul. His stomach twisted. "She''s not exactly going to roll out the red carpet for me, is she?" he muttered. Finally, he found an address-herpany''s headquarters. Metacortex''s London office. Andrea sighed in relief, grabbed his jacket, and headed out the door before he could second-guess himself again. When Andrea arrived at Metacortex, his jaw nearly hit the pavement. The building was enormous, its sleek ss exterior gleaming in the midday sun. Thepany''s logo was etched boldly above the entrance, and people in sharp suits bustled in and out. Andrea couldn''t help but feel like a fish out of water. "ire owns all this?" he whispered to himself, a small, incredulous smile tugging at his lips. For a brief moment, pride flickered through him. She wasn''t just sessful-she was extraordinary. But the awe didn''tst long. He squared his shoulders, muttered a quiet "let''s get this over with," and headed inside. The lobby was even more intimidating than the exterior. Marble floors, modern furniture, and a receptionist desk that looked more like something out of a sci-fi movie greeted him. Andrea swallowed hard as he approached the desk, where a neatly dressed woman with a polished smile looked up at him. "Hi," Andrea began, his voice wavering slightly. "I need to see ire Peterson." The receptionist''s smile didn''t falter. "I''m sorry, but Ms. Peterson is currently out of the country. She''s in Las Vegas for a business trip and won''t be back for a few days." Andrea''s heart sank. Of course, she wasn''t here. Why would his luck improve now? "Oh," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "Is there... any way I can get her phone number? It''s important." The receptionist''s expression softened, but her tone remained firm. "I''m afraid her personal contact information is confidential. However, if it''s urgent, you can speak with her secretary. Would you like me to connect you?" Andrea shook his head quickly. "No, no, that''s okay. Thanks anyway." He turned and walked out of the building, his head spinning. The receptionist had been polite, but the interaction had left him feeling even more helpless. How was he supposed to get the money now? ire wasn''t here, and there was no way he''d be able to convince anyone else at Metacortex to help him. Back on the street, Andrea leaned against amppost and tried to think. His mother didn''t have time for him to figure this out slowly. He needed a solution, and he needed it now. But his options were dwindling fast. He thought about calling the nurse back and asking for more time, but he already knew what she''d say. The hospital wouldn''t operate without payment. His mother was counting on him, and he couldn''t let her down. His thoughts returned to ire. Maybe he could try contacting her through social media? But as he pulled out his phone and started typing her name again, he remembered how private she seemed to be. There was no way someone like her had open DMs. Andrea sighed and shoved his phone back into his pocket. He couldn''t go to Eligos-he was unreachable. The smell of grilled onions and sizzling meat filled the air as Eligos''s man stood in line at a bustling sandwich cart near the Metacortex building. It was supposed to be a quick break-a chance to grab lunch and refuel before reporting back. But as be reached for his wallet, his eyesnded on a familiar figure standing just across the street, pacing nervously in front of the Metacortex entrance. Andrea. His heart sank, and his hand froze mid-motion. He squinted, trying to be sure. Yep, there was no mistaking it-Andrea, wearing that same leather jacket he always did, looked utterly lost. The man swore under his breath, his appetite vanishing instantly. He knew what this meant, and more importantly, he knew what Eligos would say. Without hesitation, he fumbled for his phone and dialed Eligos''s number. Once, twice, three times each unanswered ring made his palms sweat. Finally, on the third try, a cold, clipped voice answered. "What?" The man cleared his throat, feeling the weight of the moment. "Uh, boss, it''s me. I-uh-spotted Andrea." There was a beat of silence, sharp and dangerous, before Eligos barked, "Where?" The man flinched, pulling the phone away slightly as if it might lessen the intensity of his boss''s voice. "Outside the Metacortex building." The response was immediate and furious. "What?!" Eligos''s chair screeched loudly in the background as if he''d leaped to his feet. "What is he doing there?" "I don''t know," the man stammered, already regretting his decision to call. "He looks... confused. Like he doesn''t know what he''s doing either." There was a brief pause, then Eligos''s voice dropped to a chillingly calm tone. "Bring him to me. Now." The simplicity of the order sent a shiver down the man''s spine. "Y-yes, boss," he stuttered, nearly dropping his phone in his rush toply. "Right away." The call ended abruptly, and the man stuffed his phone back into his pocket, already nning how to approach Andrea without making a scene. He abandoned his ce in line, ignoring the irritated mutterings of the people behind him, and crossed the street. Chapter 424 Reckless Andrea Andrea''s heart skipped a beat as he caught sight of one of Eligos''s men approaching him. His eyes widened in surprise and instinctively, his body stiffened, the blood draining from his face. This was bad-really bad. He fumbled for words, trying to gather his thoughts, but the panic setting in made it hard to think straight. "W-what''s this about? Who are you?" he stammered, taking a step back, hoping to create some space between himself and the approaching figure. The man didn''t seem to care much for Andrea''s attempt at evasion. His stride was deliberate, almost predatory, as he closed the gap between them. "Eligos wants to see you," the man said tly, not even bothering to disguise the force behind his words. Andrea''s throat went dry, his mind racing as he tried to think of an excuse anything to avoid going wherever Eligos wanted him to. "Eligos? How did he know I am here?" The men stared at Andrea with a stoic expression. "You think you can do anything without Eligos knowing?" "I thought that maybe-" "You don''t need to exin to me. Eligos is the one that needed to hear it." "But I-I don''t need to see him. I was just... just passing through," he blurted, hoping it might work. But the lie felt weak even as he said it, and judging by the man''s unimpressed expression, it didn''t. "No," the man said, his voice low and firm. "You''reing with me. Now." Andrea''s eyes darted to the side, his heart pounding in his chest. He could bolt, and try to run, but where would he go? He wasn''t stupid enough to think he could outrun Eligos''s people, especially not in a city like this. And if he resisted, he knew exactly what would happen next. "Listen," Andrea said quickly, trying to stall. "I don''t know what Eligos wants with me, but I swear, I didn''t do anything wrong. I haven''t... I haven''t made any moves, okay? I''m just trying to get some help. Please, I just need=" The man''s eyes hardened, cutting off Andrea''s rambling. "You don''t get to ask questions. You don''t get to stall. You''reing with me." Andrea could feel the sweat forming on his palms, his breath growing shallower as the man closed in on him. "I... I didn''t mean anything by it. Please, just let me exin-" The man took a firm step toward him, reaching out with a hand that was meant to stop any more excuses. "There''s no exining. Eligos wants to see you, and he doesn''t like to be kept waiting." Before Andrea could say another word, the man grabbed him by the arm with surprising strength and began pulling him toward a waiting car. Panic surged through Andrea, and he fought to stay calm, but his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The walk to the car felt endless, each step heavier than thest. Andrea didn''t say anything more, knowing it was pointless. His thoughts swirled, but one thing was clear: Eligos wasn''t someone to mess with. The cold chill of fear settled deep in his chest as he was shoved into the backseat of the car. Meanwhile, Eligos paced the floor of his office, agitated. He had so many questions-so many things that didn''t add up. Why had Andrea been at Metacortex? What was he really up to? When the office door swung open, Eligos''s eyes snapped to the figure who entered, dragging Andrea behind him. He could feel his frustration boiling over. "What is this?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. The man gave a stiff nod. "Here he is, boss." Andrea stumbled into the room, his eyes wide with shock as he looked around, taking in the luxurious surroundings. He quickly straightened up, trying to appeamet moreposed than he felt, though the nervous energy was palpable. He''d never been in a ce like this before, and the weight of Eligos''s stare made him feel small and exposed. "Why are you there?" Eligos''s voice sliced through the silence, sharp and cold. Andrea blinked, his thoughts running in circles. "I... I wasn''t doing anything wrong. I swear," he said quickly, his voice betraying his unease. "I didn''t mean to cause trouble, I-" "You were at Metacortex," Eligos cut in, his voice hard. "You didn''t think I''d notice? Tell me what you were doing at Metacortex? Are you trying to see ire? Don''t you remember what I told you not to do?" Andrea shifted ufortably under Eligos''s gaze. "I thought... maybe she could help me. I need money, okay? For my mom''s surgery. I thought she might be able to... I don''t know, lend me some. Cause I called you but you didn''t answer and I don''t have any other choice." Eligos let out a low, humorless Andrea swallowed thickly, trying not to shrink under Eligos''s scrutiny. "I''m sorry....... I didn''t know what else to do. I thought maybe-" Eligos stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "Desperation doesn''t excuse stupidity. Do you have any idea what you''ve just done? You''ve put yourself, and me, in a very precarious position." Andrea looked down, feeling the weight of Eligos''s anger pressing down on him like a physical force. He had no idea what he was getting into, and now it seemed like there was no way out. "I swear, I didn''t mean any harm. I just... I was desperate," Andrea muttered, his words barely audible. Eligos took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Andrea''s face. "From now on, you don''t make any decisions without my say-so, and et don''t do anything stupid or reckless. If you go near ire Peterson again or make another move on your own, I won''t hesitate to deal with you. You understand?" Andrea nodded quickly, too afraid to do anything else. "Of course, I get it. I swear, I won''t make any more moves." Eligos''s expression remained cold. "Good. Because if you pull something like this again, you won''t have to worry about your mother''s surgery. You''ll have bigger problems." Andrea swallowed hard, the weight of Eligos''s words sinking in. "I won''t," he muttered. "I swear." Eligos turned to his man, who had been standing silently by the door. "Take him out of here. Keep an eye on him, and make sure he doesn''t do anything else... reckless." The man nodded, grabbing Andrea by the arm and leading him out of the office. As the door closed behind them, Eligos sank back into his chair, his mind racing. Andrea''s desperation was a liability-a loose thread that could unravel everything. And ire Peterson? If she got involved, things could get even messier. Eligos tapped his fingers on the desk, his expression thoughtful. It was time to reevaluate his strategy. If Andrea was going to be a pawn in this game, he needed to ensure the kid stayed on the board-and firmly under his control. Chapter 425 Claire CEO of Harris Hotel The morning sun streamed through the massive ss windows of the Las Vegas office ire was temporarily stuck in. She didn''t even try to hide her irritation as she red at the tablet in her hand. Her perfectly nned day, packed with robotics meetings and design sessions for herpany''s sci-fi-themed project, had been hijacked. Why? Because Alexander, in all his wisdom, had dumped his hotel-rted responsibilities on her while he schmoozed an investor. "This was not part of the deal," ire grumbled to herself, swiping through the endless designs on the tablet. She had already sent Alexander about ten passive-aggressive texts, but he hadn''t bothered to reply. The sound of her phone vibrating broke her muttering. She picked it up to see his name shing on the screen. "Finally," she snapped as she answered. "Alexander, care to exin why I''m suddenly managing your hotel project? I don''t recall signing up for this." His smooth, rxed voice came through the line, soundingpletely unbothered. "ire, you''re a CEO. Surely, you know how these things work." ire blinked at the audacity, her grip tightening on the phone. "I''m a CEO of Metacortex, not your personal assistant. I don''t know the first thing about running a hotel." Alexander chuckled, which only made her angrier. "You''re doing fine. All you need to do is keep an eye on things and make sure the designs match what the interior designer promised. Just check the tablet. Easy." "Easy?" ire shot back. "Alexander, I have robots to build and deadlines to meet. This isn''t my-" "Look, I''m handling the investor," Alexander cut her off, his tone shifting to one of pleading seriousness. "I really need this deal to go through. Just... help me out, okay? I trust you." ire opened her mouth to retort but stopped herself. His tone, annoyingly earnest, left her no room to argue. She let out a dramatic sigh instead. "Fine. But you owe me, big time." "Thanks, ire. You''re the best," Alexander said, his relief palpable before he hung up. ire stared at her phone in disbelief. "The best? More like the busiest," she muttered, rolling her eyes. With no other choice, she turned back to the tablet. The next few hours were a blur of meetings, emails, and half-hearted nods as designers exined their visions for the hotel''s sci-fi-themed interiors. ire couldn''t care less about the cement of glowing wall panels or the "immersive alien ambiance" in the lobby. One designer, a man in thick-rimmed sses and a dramatic scarf, waved his arms around as he spoke. "This chandelier, shaped like a UFO, represents the convergence of human curiosity and the cosmos! It''s the pice de rsistance of the lobby." ire tilted her head, unimpressed. "Does it light up?" The man blinked, thrown off by the blunt question. "Well, yes, but-" "Great. As long as it works and doesn''t fall on anyone, you''re good," she interrupted, gesturing for him to move on. By lunchtime, ire was running on fumes. She slumped into a chair in the corner of the office, rubbing her temples. The tablet beeped with yet another notification about the "space diner" concept, but she ignored it. Her phone buzzed, and she nced at it to see a message from Matthew: How''s Vegas? Alien invasions yet? ire smirked and typed back: I wish. At least that would be interesting. Alexander dumped his hotel nonsense on me. The reply came almost instantly: ssic Alexander. But hey! You are the ire Peterson. You can handle anything and everything. ireughed. Thanks for the confidence. Really appreciate it. She shoved her phone into her pocket, determined to get through the day withoutpletely losing her sanity. Later that afternoon, Alexander finally breezed into the office, looking smug and far too pleased with himself. He was still in full charm mode, his smile wide as he pped his hands together. "ire! How''s my favorite stand-in CEO?" ire, seated at the desk and clearly unimpressed, raised an eyebrow. "Your investor better be signing a multi-million-dor deal, or I''m billing you for emotional damages." Alexander grinned, unbothered by her sarcasm. "Don''t worry. It''s all going ording to n." "Great. Meanwhile, I''ve been drowning in spaceship-themed nonsense all day." She gestured to the tablet on the desk. "Do you even look at this stuff, or do you just let them go wild with LED lights and metallic paint?" Alexander leaned over her shoulder, scanning the tablet. "Ooh, I like the glowing floor panels. Very futuristic." ire smacked his arm with the back of her hand. "Focus, Alexander. Are you actually checking this, or am I doing your job and mine now?" He chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I''ll review it tonight. Promise." "You''d better," ire muttered, crossing her arms. "And next time, try not to dump your entire workload on me. I''m not your backup CEO." Alexander''s grin softened into something almost apologetic. "I know, and I really appreciate you stepping in. I owe you one." "You owe me ten," ire corrected, standing up. "Now, if you''ll excuse me, I have actual work to do." "Sure, sure," Alexander said, waving her off. "Thanks again, ire. Really." Back in London, Sandra tapped her pen against her desk, ncing at the clock. It was nearly noon, and she had already been through a whirlwind of tasks. Still, one thing nagged at her-Matthew. Picking up her phone, she dialed his number, her brows furrowing as she listened to the ringing. "Hello?" Matthew''s voice came through, slightly strained. "Matthew," Sandra started, her tone brisk. "We''ve got a meeting with a potential client tomorrow, and you need to be there. It''s important." There was a long pause on the other end, then Matthew sighed. "Sandra, I can''t. I''m... not feeling well." Sandra''s frown deepened, her pen freezing mid-tap. "Not feeling well?" she echoed, her voiceced with doubt. "Matthew, it''s been four days now. You''re never sick. What''s going on?" Matthew bit his lip, leaning against the arm of his couch. He couldn''t tell her the truth, not about the wounds he was carefully hiding. Instead, he forced a light chuckle. "It''s just a bug or something. You know how it is. I''ll be fine in a few days." Sandra wasn''t buying it. She leaned back in her chair, narrowing her eyes as if she could see him through the phone. "A bug? Matthew, you''re practically built like a tank. I''ve never even seen you catch a cold." "Well, even tanks need maintenance," he quipped, hoping humor would deflect her suspicion. Sandra didn''tugh. Instead, she sighed, the sound heavy with both concern and frustration. "Fine. I''ll reschedule the meeting. But seriously, Matthew, if something''s wrong, you need to tell me." "Thanks, Sandra," he said quickly, eager to end the conversation before she probed further. "I owe you one." As the call ended, Sandra stared at her phone, her unease growing. Matthew wasn''t just being evasive he was hiding something. And Sandra didn''t like mysteries, especially when they involved people she worked closely with. Her gaze drifted toward the calendar on her desk. ire would be back in London soon. Maybe she''d know what was going on with Matthew. Sandra made a mental note to bring it up with her as soon as possible. Chapter 426 Second Mission Eligos sat in his dimly lit office, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he flipped a silver coin between his fingers. He wasn''t just ying with the coin; it was his thinking ritual, a rhythmic, almost hypnotic motion that helped him map out his schemes. His sharp eyes gleamed with satisfaction as an idea crystallized in his mind. Time to get Cindy involved again. He grabbed his sleek ck phone from the desk and dialed Cindy''s number. The call was answered on the second ring, Cindy''s bubbly voiceing through the line. "Hello? Eligos?" Cindy sounded chipper, almost too chipper. Eligos allowed a thin smile. "Cindy, darling. How''s the morous life treating you?" Sheughed softly, the sound tinged with a bit of nervousness. "Oh, it''s great, honestly. Never thought I''d be here. I have a photo shoot tomorrow if you can believe that." "Of course, I believe it," Eligos said smoothly. "You''re talented, Cindy. You just needed the right hand guiding you." Cindy hesitated, then responded, "Thanks, Eligos. Really." "Good. Now, let''s get to business," Eligos said, his voice taking on a moremanding tone. "I have another mission for you." The pause on Cindy''s end stretched longer this time. "A... mission? Again?" "Yes," he said, his smirk widening as he leaned back in his chair. "It''s time to repay my generosity. Don''t forget, Cindy, I made this life of yours possible." Cindy froze for a moment on the other end of the line. She had promised to help him when needed, but every time he called, it felt like a Faustian bargain. She sighed softly, clearly torn. "I haven''t forgotten. What do you need me to do?" Eligos''s smile turned predatory. "You''re going to seduce Adrian Saint Laurent." There was a loud gasp at the other end. Finally, Cindy''s voice came back, higher-pitched than before. "Excuse me? What? Adrian Saint Laurent? n Adrian Saint Laurent? The tabloids say the Saint Laurent family is practically royalty in the business world! How is that even possible? And... why?" "Simple," Eligos said, twirling the coin again. "I''ll hire a fake photographer to capturepromising pictures of you and Adrian. Once the photos hit the inte, ire Peterson will see them. That''s all I need for ire to spend every waking moment obsessing over it. Maybe it''ll even spark a nice, juicy argument between them." Cindy let out a disbelievingugh. "Wow. That''s... sneaky. Smart, but sneaky." "Of course it is," Eligos replied, his voice dripping with self-assurance. "I don''t make amateur moves, Cindy. But this requires finesse. Adrian isn''t the kind of man who can be easily swayed by just anyone." "No kidding," Cindy muttered. "He looks like the type to see through everything. So, what''s the n? How am I supposed to pull this off?" Eligos''s smirk deepened. "I''m sending you a package. Inside, you''ll find exactly what you need to make this work." Cindy''s curiosity piqued, and her brows shot up. "A package? What kind of package? What''s in it?" "Patience," Eligos said, his tone firm. "You''ll see soon enough. Just know that it''s everything you''ll need to convince Adrian you''re someone... familiar." Cindy frowned, the suspicion clear in her voice. "Familiar? What do you mean?" Eligos rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin. "Dress to resemble ire Peterson. Do your hair like hers. Channel her style. Adrian won''t be able to resist if he thinks you''re her." Now Cindy was genuinely offended. "Why ire? Why can''t I just be myself?" "Cindy," Eligos sighed, exasperated, "the whole point is to mess with Adrian''s head. ire is the key to that. You''re not there to show off yourself you''re there to nt doubt in Adrian''s mind and get ire off bnce. Do you understand now?" Still frowning, Cindy muttered, "This is so stupid. What if it doesn''t work?" "Stupid or not, it''ll work," Eligos said firmly. "Now, do as I say, and I''ll send you the rest of the details." Cindy grumbled but nodded. "Fine. But I don''t like it." "Liking it isn''t part of the deal," Eligos said tly. "Just wait for the package. Once you have it, the n will make perfect sense." "Alright," Cindy said, though her tonecked enthusiasm. "I''ll do it." "Good," Eligos said, leaning forward again. "I''ll send you the details of Adrian''s whereabouts. Be ready." Cindy''s voice softened, though it carried a hint of unease. "Ok, I will be ready." Eligos said, his voice dripping with condescension. "This is your chance to really prove your worth, Cindy. Don''t mess it up." The call ended, and Eligos sighed heavily, tossing the phone onto his desk. "Clueless," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "No wonder her career tanked in the first ce. The girl couldn''t find her way out of a paper bag without me." Still, he knew Cindy would do as she was told. She owed him, and Eligos always collected on debts. Leaning back in his chair, he allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction. If all went ording to n, ire would be too busy dealing with personal chaos to focus on her work or anything else. "She''s lucky she''s halfway useful," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. He flipped the coin again, his sharp mind already racing ahead to the next steps of his n. If Cindy could execute this wlessly-and that was a big if it would nt the perfect seed of chaos in ire''s life. Eligos smirked, the satisfaction bubbling in his chest. He thrived in chaos, after all. The game was on. In her tiny apartment, Cindy stared at her phone like it had insulted her personally. "Why the hell do I have to dress like ire Peterson?" she grumbled, pacing back and forth." can''t stand that woman. What f mess up? And that Adrian will know that I am not ire and then he will put me in jail? I don''t want to imagine that." Still, she knew she didn''t have much of a choice. Eligos wasn''t someone you just said no to. With a resigned sigh, she pulled out herptop and started Googling images of ire "Elegant, conservative, ve business-like... ugh, kill me now," she groaned, scrolling through countless photos of ire looking effortlessly poised in designer suits and chic dresses. Cindy clicked on one image, tilting her head. "Okay, that''s not too bad. Maybe I can pull off something like that." She closed herptop and made her way to her closet, flipping through hangers with increasing frustration. Open, open, open... sexy, sexy, too short, too tight. ugh!" she eximed, pulling out dress after dress that screamed Cindy but whispered nothing close to ire After nearly an hour of searching, she finally managed to piece together an outfit that might work-a sleek ck skirt, a white blouse, and a zer she''d bought on salest year and never worn. Standing in front of her mirror, she frowned at her reflection. "I look like I''m going to a job interview," she muttered. "This better be worth it." Her phone buzzed, breaking her train of thought. It was a text from Eligos: The package is on its way. Don''t disappoint me. Cindy groaned, flopping onto her bed. "This is going to be a disaster." Chapter 427 The Vial Cindy paced around her small apartment, staring at the package sitting ominously on her coffee table. The brown paper and nondescript tape didn''t give away much, but Cindy had a sinking feeling about its contents. She didn''t know to Eligos''s schemes, and whatever was inside the package, it definitely wasn''t good news. She sighed, muttering to herself as she peeled the tape back. "Let''s see what kind of mess he''s dragging me into this time." Inside the box was a small ss vial filled with a clear liquid. It gleamed under the soft glow of her living roommp, looking deceptively innocent. Cindy furrowed her brow, lifting it carefully. Beneath the vial was a neatly folded note, typed in Eligos''s precise style: Pour this into Adrian''s drink. Don''t mess it up. Cindy let out a groan, dropping the note onto the table. "Oh, great. Just another day in the life of Eligos''s pawn," she muttered sarcastically. Before she could dwell on it any longer, her phone buzzed on the table. She picked it up, her eyes scanning the new message. Eligos: Adrian is attending the Galstone Banquet tonight at 8 PM. You know what to do. Don''t disappoint me. Cindy rolled her eyes, tossing the phone onto the couch. "Don''t disappoint him," she mimicked under her breath. "Sure, because my life isn''t already one giant mess." Cindy nced at the clock. It was already 6 PM, and if she was going to pull this off, she needed to look the part. Eligos had been clear: blend in, and more importantly, look like someone Adrian Saint Laurent would notice. She made her way to her bedroom, throwing open her closet doors. Most of her wardrobe consisted of casual, bohemian piecesfortable, but definitely not the sleek, tailored style ire Peterson was known for. Cindy frowned, rummaging through the racks. "Channel ire Peterson," she muttered. "How hard can it be?" The clothes that she had chosen earlier, she decided to change her mind after she read about the banquet that she would be attending. After all, Cindy also has an image to uphold. After what felt like an eternity, she settled on a fitted ck dress that hugged her figure in all the right ces. It wasn''t quite ire''s level of sophistication, but it would have to do. She paired it with a pair of heels she could barely walk in and slicked her hair back into a polished bun. Standing in front of the mirror, Cindy tilted her head. "Okay, not bad," she said to herself. "Definitely not ire, but close enough." By the time Cindy arrived at the Galstone Banquet, the venue was already bustling with activity. Chandeliers cast warm light over the grand hall, and the clinking of sses filled the air as elegantly dressed guests mingled. Cindy''s nerves buzzed as she clutched her small handbag, the vial tucked securely inside. She scanned the room, her eyesnding on Adrian almost immediately. He was standing near the bar, his tall frame andmanding presence impossible to miss. She took a deep breath, muttering under her breath. "You''ve got this. Just pour the stuff and get out." But as she started making her way toward Adrian, she couldn''t shake the feeling of being watched. She nced around, half expecting to see one of Eligos''s men lurking in the shadows. Of course, there was no one obvious, but the weight of Eligos''s expectations felt heavier with every step. When Cindy finally reached the bar, Adrian was deep in conversation with another guest, a ss of champagne in his hand. She hesitated, wondering how to interrupt without raising suspicion. Cindy squared her shoulders and approached him, her hips swaying just enough to catch the corner of his eye. "Good evening," she purred, her voice honeyed and smooth. Adrian turned toward her, his brow lifting slightly. His eyes flicked over her, polite but curious. "Good evening. I don''t believe we''ve met." Cindy tilted her head, letting her hair fall over one shoulder. "Cindy," she said, her voice low and inviting. "I couldn''t resisting over. You looked... intriguing." Adrian''s lips curved into a small, polite smile, but his brow furrowed slightly. "A pleasure, Cindy. Are you enjoying the banquet?" "Oh, it''s lovely," she said, taking a slow step closer. Her eyes sparkled as she leaned in just enough to invade his space without being obvious. "Though, I have to admit, thepany just got a lot more interesting." Adrian chuckled softly, his gaze flicking to hers with mild amusement, but there was a flicker of something else uncertainty. "Well, I''m d to make your evening a bit more enjoyable." Cindy brushed a hand against her clutch, steadying her nerves. "Adrian Saint Laurent," she said, letting his name roll off her tongue. "I''ve heard a lot about you. Your work is fascinating. I''d love to hear more." Adrian studied her for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Thank you. It''s always nice to meet someone interested in business," he replied diplomatically. His tone was polite but distant, as if he were trying to ce her. Cindy pressed on, undeterred. "What''s the secret to your sess? I''m sure everyone here would love to know." Adrian gave a faint smile but didn''t bite. "Hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck, I suppose." Before Cindy could push further, another guest approached Adrian, a tall man with an air of authority. "Adrian," the man greeted warmly, extending a hand. Adrian turned, smiling as he shook the man''s hand. "Good to see you, Charles. It''s been a while." As they exchanged pleasantries, Cindy seized her chance. Her hand slipped into her clutch, retrieving the vial. Her heart thundered in her chest as she uncapped it and tilted it over Adrian''s drink, letting the liquid slide into the ss unnoticed. Adrian and Charles were deep in conversation when Cindy turned back, her face the picture of calm. She stepped closer to them, her tone light and flirtatious. "I hope I''m not interrupting anything important." Adrian nced at her, his expression neutral. "Not at all. Cindy, this is Charles, an old friend of mine." Cindy extended her hand, her lips curving into a dazzling smile. "Cindy. It''s a pleasure to meet you." Charles took her hand, his gaze lingering a little longer than Adrian''s had. "The pleasure is mine," he said warmly. Cindy''s eyes sparkled as she raised her ss. "A toast, perhaps? To goodpany and a wonderful evening." Adrian and Charles both lifted their sses. "Cheers," Adrian said, his tone steady but distant. Cindy clinked her ss against theirs, hiding a triumphant smirk behind her champagne. Her mission wasplete, and she was already nning her exit strategy. As the evening continued, Cindy kept her distance, mingling just enough to avoid suspicion. From the corner of her eye, she watched Adrian, waiting to see if the vial''s contents would take effect. But Adrian seemed asposed as ever, engaging in conversation and sipping his drink casually. Her phone buzzed in her clutch. Eligos: Now make a move on him. Once he drinks it, the effect will start in 10 minutes. Cindy stared at the message and thought of how to approach him cause earlier Adrian was only acting polite. But then she thought again, if the medicine has taken effect that means, Adrian will see Cindy as ire. A smirk crossed her face. Chapter 428 Hallucinate natural at drawing people in with his smooth talk and maic presence. Cindy swirled the champagne in her ss, the bubbling liquid catching the dim lights of the banquet hall. She had been keeping her eyes locked on Adrian for the better part of the evening, tracking his every move from across the room. He was charming as usual, a She nced at her watch. Ten minutes had passed since herst check. Her lips curled into a sly smile. Showtime, she thought. Taking a deep breath, Cindy adjusted her dress, making sure every detail was wless, from her perfectly styled hair to her calcted smile. She swayed her hips deliberately as she made her way toward Adrian, who was deep in conversation with a group of well-dressed socialites. As she approached, she turned on the charm, her smile warm and inviting. "Good evening, everyone," she said, her voice smooth as silk. Her gaze flicked to Adrian, who noticed her immediately. His expression changed, his usualposure faltering ever so slightly. "ire?" he asked softly, his tone tinged with surprise. Cindy''s smirk widened. She had nailed it-the look, the demeanor, even the faint trace of mystery that ire seemed to carry naturally. "Adrian," she said sweetly, tilting her head slightly, her voice dropping just enough to mimic ire''s tone. "Would you mind if we talked privately? It''s important." Adrian nodded, his brow furrowing. "Of course. Excuse me," he said to the group, offering a polite smile before following Cindy. She led him down a hallway into a small, dimly lit lounge that was mostly unused for the evening. The faint hum of the banquet''s activity drifted in from the distance, but the space felt isted enough for her n. The moment they were alone, Adrian turned to her, a look of concern on his face. "ire, where have you been? You''ve been so distant," he said, stepping closer. Cindy smirked inwardly. Oh, this is going to be easier than I thought. "I''ve been... busy," she said, letting her words hang, drawing him in. She tilted her head, her eyes looking onto his with an intensity that could almost convince even herself. "Too busy to even text me back?" Adrian asked his tone a mix of frustration and vulnerability. Cindy stepped closer, her heels clicking softly against the floor. She reached out, her long, manicured nails lightly tracing his cheek. His breath hitched, and she almostughed at how effortlessly he was falling for it. "Let''s not talk about that," she murmured, her voice low and inviting. "Kiss me." Adrian hesitated for a split second, but the moment their lips met, it was like a dam breaking. The kiss started soft, tentative but quickly deepened into something passionate. Cindy found herself caught off guard-Adrian was... good at this. She hadn''t expected to enjoy it, but there was something intoxicating about the way he kissed her. Focus, Cindy, she reminded herself. This wasn''t real-it was just another job. And then, right when she was getting lost in the moment, her phone vibrated against her wrist. The insistent buzz pulled her back to reality, breaking the kiss abruptly. Adrian looked confused, his breathing heavy as he blinked at her. "ire?" "Hold on," Cindy muttered, pulling her phone out of her clutch. The screen lit up with a message from Eligos. Eligos: Photos are captured. You can leave now. Cindy rolled her eyes, irritation bubbling beneath herposed exterior. Of course, he''d interrupt now. She slipped her phone back into her clutch and stepped back, smoothing her dress. "It was nice seeing you," she said, her tone light and dismissive. She leaned in to nt a quick kiss on his cheek, her lipstick leaving a faint mark. Adrian reached for her arm as she started to turn away. "Wait. ire, what''s going on? Why are you acting like this?" She pulled her arm free gently, keeping her smile firmly in ce. "Don''t worry about it," she said breezily, already moving toward the door. "ire!" Adrian called after her, but she didn''t look back. Her heels clicked against the marble floors as she walked out of the lounge and through the hotel, her exit as smooth as her entrance. Inside, though, her mind was racing. The n had worked-Eligos had his photos, and the setup wasplete. But something about that kiss lingered in her thoughts, an unexpected twist she hadn''t ounted for. Shaking her head, she dismissed it. It''s just another job, she reminded herself. As she stepped outside into the cool night air, the city lights reflecting off the windows of the waiting cars, she sighed. "One more piece in Eligos''s game," she muttered under her breath, slipping into her car and disappearing into the night. ire woke up the next morning feeling like she''d been hit by a truck. Las Vegas might have been a city that never slept, but she sure could''ve used a few more hours of it. Stretchingzily in bed, she stared at the ceiling, the weight of the week pressing on her. It wasn''t just the work; it was Alexander dumping half his responsibilities on her. Help, he called it. ire was pretty sure that was code for "deal with my mess." Dragging herself out of bed, she stumbled into the bathroom. A ssh of cold water to the face helped somewhat. Brushing her teeth felt like a monumental to but she got through it. She checked her phone after, scrolling through a barrage of emails and texts. That''s when she realized something. "Oh, Adrian," she muttered, realizing she hadn''t contacted him in a while. She''d been so buried in work shepletely forgot about him. Typing out a quick text, she hit send, only to see the message bounce back "Great, seems like his phone is off." she sighed. "Fine, I will text himter." She set her phone down with a mental reminder. Skipping breakfast-who had time for that?-ire threw on an outfit that said "business, but I''m still cooler than you" and headed to Harris Hotel. She was cutting it close, as usual, and hustled to get there on time. When she walked in, she immediately spotted Alexander talking with a group of employees. He was gesturing animatedly about something, and they all nodded like their jobs depended on it-which, to be fair, they probably did. ire approached, shing a polite smile. "Morning," she greeted. Alexander nced her way, finishing whatever he was saying to the group. With a wave of dismissal, he sent them scurrying off. Now, his full attention was on ire, which was rarely a good thing. "How''s it going?" he asked, his tone a little too casual. ire frowned. That was...odd. "I''m fine," she replied slowly. "Why are you asking?" Alexander folded his arms, clearly enjoying the suspense. "Oh, I just heard some news." Her confusion turned to mild irritation. "What news?" she asked, her tone sharp. Instead of answering, Alexander pulled out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen. He found whatever he was looking for and handed it to her. ire took the phone, ncing at the screen. Her stomach dropped. Chapter 429 Adrian Saint Laurent Headlines ADRIAN SAINT LAURENT CAUGHT CHEATING? WHO IS THE MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN THE PHOTO? IS THAT NOT CLAIRE PETERSON BUT OTHER WOMAN? Her heart broke a little, but ire wasn''t about to let Alexander or anyone else see that. Her face remained an icy mask as she handed the phone back to him. "It''s fake," she said tly. Alexander raised an eyebrow. "It''s not." ire''s re could''ve melted steel. "Why are you so sure about it, huh? Are we here to work, or to gossip?" she snapped. "Because I have a mountain of actual work waiting for me back in London." Alexander studied her face, probably hoping to catch a flicker of emotion. Too bad for him-ire had perfected the art of poker face. She might''ve been crumbling inside, but she was practically unreadable on the outside. With a sigh, Alexander relented. "Fine. Let''s get back to it." "Please," ire muttered, already moving toward the task at hand. She wasn''t about to let some tabloid drama derail her dayat least, that''s what she told herself. Inside, though? That headline was like a splinter under her skin. ire didn''t say a word. She just turned and walked toward the desk, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. Inside, her mind was racing, but she wasn''t going to give Alexander the satisfaction of seeing it. She wasn''t going to let this fake tabloid story mess with her focus. At least, that''s what she told herself. But deep down? It was like a splinter under her skin. The image of Adrian''s face, the other woman in the photo, and the way the headlines had pped her across the face... it was hard to shake. As the hours passed, ire tried to force herself to focus. She had a presentation to prepare, a whole list of things that needed to be done, and yet, all she could think about was that sted headline. She wanted to see the full set of photos. She wanted to know who the woman was, if the guy in the pictures was really Adrian. She told herself she couldn''t let it bother her. It wasn''t worth it. But then there was that nagging thought in the back of her mind: the reason Adrian''s phone had died-was it because he was with someone else? That thought crawled under her skin like an itch she couldn''t reach. She shook her head, trying to dispel the fear that crept up, the one that whispered this is not your first time dealing with betrayal. ire didn''t want to go down that road again. She didn''t want to feel that familiar ache of betrayal, of the sudden coldness that would settle between them. She couldn''t go through that again. But still, the doubt lingered, gnawing at her. Was this it? Was this the moment Adrian would break her heart, just like thest one had? She nced over at Alexander, who was still doing whatever it was he did, scribbling notes or whatever. She could feel his eyes flicking toward her every now and then, but she wasn''t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he''d caught her distracted. He probably thought she was upset, maybe even worried, but ire wasn''t about to show it. Not for him. Not for anyone. The truth was, she didn''t even know if she wanted to know the truth about the photos. What good would it do? She was here to work, to push forward with the project, to be the professional she always was. The drama? The gossip? That was all for other people to care about. But still, the phone buzzed on her desk, and her eyes flitted over to it. Her breath caught when she saw the name shing on the screen. Adrian Saint Laurent. Her heart skipped a beat. She hesitated, then picked up the phone, hoping it wasn''t just another interruption. Adrian''s voice crackled through the line, rich and familiar, but there was something off about it. His tone seemed distant distracted. "ire," he started, his voice a little too casual, like he was trying to cover something up. "I saw the headlines. Are you okay?" The words hit her harder than she''d expected, and her stomach dropped again. She could feel the tension building her chest, the fear and hurt swirling together. But shandel couldn''t let him hear that. She took a deep breath and forced her voice to remain steady. "I am fine," she said, her voice cold and controlled. "It''s just tabloid nonsense." There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, ire thought maybe he was going to say something-something to make her feel better, to reassure her. But instead, he sighed. "Listen, I didn''t know about any of this," he said quickly. "I don''t know how those photos got out, but you''ve got to believe me, ire. It''s not what it looks like." ire didn''t reply right away. She had so many questions running through her head, so many things she wanted to say, but the words got stuckin her throat. Instead, she just stared at the phone in her hand, feeling her fingers tighten around it. Her mind kept jumping back to the photo of the woman with him, the way Adrian had looked in the picture, and the doubt gnawing at her. "I-I call youter." she finally said, the words tasting bitter. Another long pause. This time, she could almost hear him running his hand through his hair, the frustration building on his end. "Please, ire. Don''t let this get to you. It''s not true. I''m not " She cut him off, her voice firm. "I''ve got work to do, Adrian. I''ll see you when I get back to London." Before he could respond, she hung up the phone. Her heart was racing, but there was a sense of finality in her actions. Maybe she didn''t want to hear the excuses. Maybe she didn''t want to risk letting her guard down again. But at the same time, she feels bad for just brushing him off without hearing his exnation. ire dropped the phone on the desk and ran a hand over her face, trying to push the worry and hurt away. She knew she couldn''t let this distract her, not when there was so much at stake. But even as she pushed forward with her work, the doubt and fear lingered. What if he wasn''t telling her the truth? What if the photo was real? What if the headlines weren''t fake? The questions kepting, but ire refused to let them consume her. She''d been through worse, after all. She could handle this. "What is going on? The moment I leave London everything seems to go haywire. Does my presence mean so much in London?" she muttered sarcastically to herself as she wondered. Still, as she sat there, her mind kept drifting back to Adrian and the woman in the photo. She couldn''t shake the feeling that something was wrong, that there was more to the story than Adrian was letting on. But for now, all she could do was keep going. Work. Focus. Pretend like everything was fine. At least that''s what she told herself. Chapter 430 Who is that Woman? Late that evening, ire paced her room, phone pressed to her ear. She''d been trying to call Matthew for the past fifteen minutes, and when he finally picked up, his cheery tone caught her off guard. "Hey, ire! What''s up?" Matthew greeted, his voice bright andpletely oblivious. ire didn''t share his enthusiasm. Her tone was clipped, serious. "Matthew, have you seen the news?" Matthew''s brows furrowed. "Uh, no? I''ve been busy keeping Metacortex and Cryptonic systems airtight. You know, since certain people like to mess with our tech. Why? What''s going on?" ire sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Check thetest headlines. Right now." "Alright, alright. Hold on," Matthew replied, the sound of his keyboard clicking faintly over the line. The pause that followed was deafening, and when Matthew spoke again, his voice was lower, more serious. "What the-? ire, this isn''t possible. Adrian would never-" "I know!" ire cut in, exasperationcing her words. "That''s exactly what I thought. But then again... I don''t know what to think right now, Matthew. The picture is everywhere." Matthew''s voice softened. "ire, listen to me. Adrian is not that guy. If he were, don''t you think I would''ve noticed something before you two even started dating? This has to be a setup." ire plopped down on her bed, running a hand through her hair. "You''re probably right, but seeing that picture... I don''t know. It''s hard not to doubt, just a little. What if-?" "Nope," Matthew interrupted firmly. "We''re not doing this. You''re not spiraling. Adrian doesn''t deserve it, and you don''t deserve to stress yourself out over some fake scandal. This isn''t him." ire let out a long, shaky breath. "Alright. Fine. But we need answers, Matthew. Can you find out where Adrian wasst night? And who that woman in the picture is?" "On it," Matthew replied without hesitation. "I''ll start digging right away." "Thank you," ire murmured, her voice quieter now. "I don''t know what I''d do without you." "Probably solve this yourself but take twice as long," Matthew joked lightly, trying to lift her spirits. "Don''t worry. We''ll figure this out." As soon as the call ended, ire leaned back against her pillows, staring at the ceiling. She trusted Adrian. She did. But the image of him kissing another woman had shaken her in ways she hadn''t anticipated. Who was the woman? And why did it look so real? In London, Adrian was pacing his study, a single photo disyed on the tablet in his hand. It was the same photo ire had seen, the one sshed across every media outlet: him, leaning in to kiss a woman who wasn''t ire. He stopped mid-step, pressing his fingers to his temples. "Think, Adrian. Think!" he muttered to himself, frustration evident in his tone. He was sure absolutely sure that the woman he''d been withst night was ire. He remembered her outfit, the way she walked, even the way she spoke. But looking at the photo now? It wasn''t her. "Who the hell are you?" he muttered to himself. The knock on his door broke his concentration. Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Come in," he called out. The door creaked open, and his mother stepped inside, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Adrian, darling, care to exin the news?" He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "It''s not what it looks like, Mom." She crossed her arms, giving him a pointed look. "You''re telling me you didn''t kiss that woman? Because the evidence suggests otherwise." Adrian gestured to the photo, exasperated. "I thought I did, alright? Butst night, I swear, I saw ire. I was with ire or at least I thought I was." His mother raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. "You thought?" "Yes!" Adrian threw his hands up. "She-this woman-she dressed like ire, walked like ire, talked like ire. How was I supposed to know it wasn''t her?" His mother sat down on the couch, her expression softening slightly. "Adrian, are you sure this isn''t just a misunderstanding? Maybe it''s a trick of the light or " "No," Adrian cut her off. "Look at the photo. It''s not ire. I don''t know who this woman is, but she went out of her way to mimic ire. And she fooled me." His mother sighed, her gaze thoughtful. "Then someone''s trying to set you up. The question is... who? And why?" Adrian nodded grimly. "Exactly what I''m trying to figure out." The next morning, ire was groggily sipping her coffee when there was a knock on her hotel door. She frowned, setting down her mug. She wasn''t expecting anyone. When she opened the door, she was greeted by Alexander, his usual smug smile stered on his face. "Morning, ire," he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. ire raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?" Alexander shrugged. "I just wanted to see how you''re doing. You know, after everything in the news." ire folded her arms across her chest, her expression cool. "If you think Adrian and I are breaking up because of this, think again." Alexander''s smile didn''t falter. "I''m just saying, ire. Maybe you should reconsider. That photo? It''s real. And let''s be honest, Adrian''s always been a bit of a-" "Stop right there," ire snapped, her eyes narrowing. "You don''t know Adrian like I do. That picture doesn''t mean anything." Alexander leaned in slightly, his tone softer but no less infuriating. "Come on, ire. You''re smart. You know I''m just looking out for you. Adrian is " "A good man," ire interrupted coldly. "And unless you have something useful to say, you can leave." Alexander chuckled, clearly enjoying pushing her buttons. "You''re so loyal. It''s almost admirable. But don''t say I didn''t warn you when this all blows up." ire''s jaw tightened. "You don''t get to ''warn'' me about anything, Alexander. Alexander''s smirk faded, reced by a hint of frustration. "ire, wake up. The guy kissed another woman, and it''s stered all over the inte. How are you still defending him?" "Because I trust him," ire shot back. "And I''m not about to let a picture destroy what we have." The argument escted, their voices growing louder until ire finally had enough. "I''m done with this conversation," she said firmly "I''m booking a flight to London and don''t make an excuse saying ''our work is not done yet'' cause I''m sure my work is done here. Goodbye, Alexander, and thank you for your hospitality." She added thest part with a hint of sarcasm. She mmed the door in his face and leaned against it, exhaling sharply. Alexander always had a knack for getting under her skin, but she wasn''t going to let him shake her faith in Adrian. Not now, not ever. "Damn, that woman is so stubborn. What did Adrian do to make her so loyal to him?" Alexander muttered to himself as he made his way to the lift. ire will be back in London, and he doesn''t have much reason to make her stay a little longer in Vegas, why? Because most of her work is done, he dumps his work on ire to make her stay a little longer in Las Vegas. It shows how desperate Alexander is. Chapter 431 Who is Evelyn? Winnie adjusted her coat as she stepped into the psychological ward for her regr session. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, but she had grown used to it by now. With her clipboard in hand, she went through the usual security check, giving the guards her best professional smile. The routine was second nature at this point, but her heart still thudded a little harder every time she walked through those doors. Today, her schedule was packed, but she couldn''t help feeling a slight pull toward one of her most intriguing patients-Lisa Thompson. But more like the mission that she was assigned to. After herst session with Lisa, she couldn''t help but feel like there was something more about her but Lisa is good at hiding things, and that makes Winnie curious. Sometimes, she is cheerful, sometimes she can be scary and more emotional than Winnie tends to find out. She couldn''t help but think that maybe...maybe Lisa had a mental problem without her noticing, but she is still in denial. Either way, Winnie knew she had to tread carefully. As Winnie made her way through the ward, she passed the gym and spotted Lisa there, lifting small weights with surprising determination. The sight made Winnie pause. Lisa, in her loose workout clothes, didn''t look like someone burdened by the past she imed to have left behind. "Dr. Johnson," Lisa greeted, noticing her hovering. She put the weights down and gave Winnie a half-smile. "Didn''t think I''d see you in here. I thought we didn''t have any session today?" Winnie smiled back, stepping closer. "Just checking in on my favorite patient and I reschedule for tomorrow''s session to be today since I have some personal matters to attend to. I apologize for not informing you beforehand." "Of course, it''s fine." Winnie looked around the gym. "Didn''t know you were such a gym enthusiast." Lisa snorted. "Yeah, well, it''s either this or staring at the walls. The treadmill''s less judgmental." She wiped her forehead with a towel and gestured for Winnie to sit on the bench nearby. "So, what''s our schedule for today? Are you going to ask me tons of questions again?" "Not at all although that is still part of my job," Winnie said lightly, sitting down. "I''m just curious about how you''re doing. It looks like you are doing well. I hope you are not having another fight with the patient." She added with a slight chuckle. Lisa shrugged. "As long as they didn''t start it. Then I''m fine with it." she leaned back, crossing her arms. "How I''m doing, huh? Same as usual. Lifting weights, attending sessions with the other patient, and counting the days until...well, you know. Freedom." Winnie chuckled softly. "Freedom, huh? And what will you do with all that freedom once you have it?" Lisa shrugged, her expression turning pensive. "Haven''t really thought about it. Probably just keep my head down, get a job, and stay out of trouble. The usual ex-patient sess story, right?" Winnie tilted her head, studying Lisa carefully. "You''re smarter than most people give you credit for, Lisa. I hope you know that." Lisa raised an eyebrow, a sly smile creeping onto her face. "ttery, Dr. Johnson? That''s not very professional." Winnieughed, shaking her head. "Just being honest. Now, tell me have you had any visitorstely?" Lisa''s smile faltered slightly, and she gave Winnie a curious look. "Why do you want to know?" "It''s part of my job," Winnie said smoothly, keeping her tone light despite the unease bubbling under the surface. "I need to keep tabs on everyone you''re interacting with to make sure it''s all...helpful to your recovery." Lisa rolled her eyes and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Well, sorry to disappoint, but no. No visitors. No one''s lining up to see me, Doc. Never have, never will." Winnie frowned, masking her concern with a neutral expression. "Are you sure? No family or old friends stopping by?" Lisa shook her head firmly. "Nope. Just me, myself, and the asional chat with you lovely folks." Winnie nodded, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off her pants. "Alright, Lisa. Let''s take a walk. I think the garden will do us both some good." The two strolled through the ward''s modest garden, chatting about mundane topics-Lisa''s routine, her progress and the asional jabat the cafeteria food. Lisa seemed rxed, but Winnie couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. When their session ended, Winnie saw Lisa off with a friendly wave and made her way to the entrance. She had nned to leave right after, but a nagging thought tugged at her. Lisa imed she hadn''t had any visitors, but something about her demeanor didn''t sit right. It was like she was holding something back. Unable to ignore her instincts, Winnie approached the front desk. A receptionist, a young woman with a bright smile, looked up from herputer. "Dr. Johnson," the receptionist greeted politely. "Is there something I can help you with?" "Yes, actually," Winnie replied, putting on her best professional tone. "I wanted to check if Lisa Thompson has had any visitors recently. It''s just a follow-up for her file." The receptionist''s smile faltered, and she gave Winnie a slightly skeptical look. "Visitors? May I ask why you''re asking?" "I''m her doctor," Winnie exined smoothly. "It''s part of my job to keep tabs on who she''s interacting with, just to make sure there''s nothing that might disrupt her progress." The receptionist seemed to ept this exnation and flipped open the guest log. "Let''s see... Lisa Thompson, you said? Ah, here we go." Winnie leaned in slightly as the receptionist scanned the entries. "It looks like she''s had one visitor. The same person came twice." Winnie''s heart skipped a beat. "Who was it?" The receptionist nced down at the log. "A woman by the name of Evelyn." Evelyn. Winnie made a mental note of the name, nodding slowly. "Thank you. That''s very helpful." The receptionist smiled politely. "Of course. Anything else?" "No, that''s all," Winnie said, turning to leave. As she stepped outside, the cool air hit her face, but it didn''t do much to calm her racing thoughts. Evelyn. Who was she, and why was she visiting Lisa? Why does Lisa keep saying that no one has visited her? Something about this didn''t add up. But why did Lisa lie to her? Not once but twice? Winnie couldn''t help but feel curious, wanting to know who this was, Evelyn. Winnie walked to her car, her mind buzzing with questions. She would have to report this to ire immediately. ire would be thrilled to find out new information about Lisa who seems to be hiding a secret. She pulled out her phone and dialed ire''s number, but it went to voicemail. It looks like she needs to visit Cryptonic to see her and report this personally, but she decided to ask if ire is avable as she sent her a text. After all, she is ire Peterson one of the most sessful businesswomen in the world. Winnie: Are you avable? Found new information about Lisa Thompson. "Let''s see what Ms. Peterson has to say in this." Chapter 432 Following Her ire stepped out of the airport terminal, a sharp breeze tugging at her coat as she approached the sleek ck car waiting for her. The driver greeted her with a polite nod, opening the door for her. Without wasting time, she slid inside, the soft leather seats cushioning her after the long flight. "Head to Cryptonic, please," she said, fastening her seatbelt. "Not home." The driver raised an eyebrow but didn''t question her. With a subtle nod, he pulled away from the curb, merging into the bustling London traffic. ire settled back, scrolling through emails on her phone, but her focus didn''tst long. Something felt...off. A faint, nagging sensation made her nce out the rear window. A ck sedan was a few cars behind, its dark-tinted windows giving nothing away. At first, she dismissed it as coincidence, but when they turned onto a quieter street and the car made the same move, she frowned. Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned closer to get a better look at the license te. "Hmm," she murmured, her brow furrowing. The te was oddly familiar, eerily simr to one she had seen when she was with Matthew. Could it be the same person? The thought sent a shiver down her spine. If it was, then whoever this was had escted from toying with her to outright following her. No one was supposed to know about Cryptonic-not its location, not its purpose. If someone was tailing her all the way there, things could get messy. She didn''t have the luxury of taking chances. "Step on it," ire said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument. The driver nced at her in the rearview mirror, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Are you sure, ma''am?" "Yes. Lose them. Now." With a curt nod, he pressed down on the elerator, and the car surged forward. ire turned in her seat, watching as the ck sedan picked up speed to keep up. This was no coincidence anymore. They were definitely following her. "Lose them," she repeated. "Confuse them if you have to. Take a longer route, zigzag through side streets-whatever it takes." "Yes, ma''am," the driver replied, his hands tightening on the wheel. And just like that, the game of cat and mouse began. The cars weaved through London''s streets, the chase bing more intense with every turn. ire gripped the door handle as the driver skillfully maneuvered through tight corners and narrow alleys. She had to give him credit he was good at this. The ck sedan stayed on their tail for a while, but the driver took an unexpected detour, darting into a maze of residential streets. It was the perfect move. By the time they emerged back onto the main road, the sedan was gone. ire let out a breath she hadn''t realized she''d been holding. "Good work," she said, her tone relieved but firm. The driver gave her a small, satisfied smile through the mirror. "It''s what I''m here for, ma''am." Meanwhile, back in the ck sedan, the atmosphere was tense. The two men inside the car were anything but pleased. "Damn it!" the passenger growled, mming a fist against the dashboard. "We lost her!" "You think I don''t know that?" the driver snapped his grip on the wheel tightening as he red at the now-empty road ahead of them. The passenger ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched across his face. "Eligos isn''t gonna like this." "No kidding." The driver grimaced at the thought of their boss. Eligos wasn''t the kind of person who took failure lightly. In fact, he didn''t take failure at all. Despite being younger than most of his subordinates, he had a presence that made grown men quake. The power he wielded was one thing, but the sheer intensity of his gaze? That was something else entirely. "Well, someone''s gotta call him," the passenger said after a long silence. The driver shot him a look. "You call him." "Oh, no way. You''re the driver. This is technically your fault." "My fault? You''re the one who was supposed to keep an eye on her!" "How can I keep an eye on her if you are the one who is driving?" "Well you were supposed to be my navigator but instead you are busy munching those biscuits." The one in the passenger seat rolled eyes. "Hey, I told you earlier I was hungry and that we should stop by and eat but you were so adamant that we should stand by for ire." en Their bickering escted, each trying to shove the responsibility onto the other. Neither wanted to face Eligos''s wrath. "Fine," the driver said after a moment, rubbing his temples. "We''ll settle this like men." The passenger raised an eyebrow. "Like men? What are you talking about?" "Rock, paper, scissors," the driver said, holding up a fist. The passenger stared at him in disbelief. "You can''t be serious." "Oh, I''m serious. Unless you''ve got a better idea?" Grumbling under his breath, the passenger held up his fist, and the two began their impromptu showdown. "Rock, paper, scissors...shoot!" The passenger groaned as he threw scissors while the driver smugly revealed rock. "Looks like it''s your call." "Damn it," the passenger muttered, pulling out his phone. His hand hovered over the screen, hesitating. "Well? What are you waiting for?" the driver said, leaning back with a smirk. "Give me a second!" the passenger snapped. After taking a deep breath, he dialed Eligos''s number, wincing as it started to ring. The line clicked, and a cold, measured voice came through. "What is it?" Eligos asked, his tone sharp and unforgiving. The passenger swallowed hard, ncing at the driver, who gave him an unsympathetic shrug. "Uh...we lost her, boss. ire Peterson got away." Silence. The kind that made his stomach churn. "borate," Eligos said finally, his voice like ice. "We...we were following her, but she-uh-she noticed us and managed to lose us in the city." Another long pause. Then Eligos chuckled coldly. "I gave you one job and you failed? It a really simple job by just following her and you lose sight of her?" "I-I-I''m sorry sir, the car was too fast, and we are scared that we crash onto something along the way He said nervously with beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Then, with unnerving calmness, Eligos said, "Return to me immediately. We''ll discuss this in person." The line went dead, leaving the two men sitting in the car in a suffocating silence. "You''re dead," the driver said after a moment, shaking his head. "We''re dead," the passenger corrected. "You''re in this too." "Yeah, but I didn''t make the call." "Shut up, you were the one who was driving." He red at him and leaned back to the seat preparing what their boss might say or do to them. Back in her car, ire finally rxed Qu as they pulled up to Cryptonic''s discreet entrance. She stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement as she surveyed here surroundings onest time. Whoever those guys were, they''d underestimated her. With a small smirk, she straightened her coat and walked inside, ready to tackle whatever challenge awaited her next. Chapter 433 Matthew Explanation ire strode into Cryptonic''s sleek, ss-lined halls, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floors. She was expecting to see Matthew-or at least hear his familiar voice grumbling about work deadlines-but his office was eerily empty. The blinds were drawn, and his usually cluttered desk sat untouched, with a thinyer of dust betraying his absence. "Where is he?" she muttered under her breath, frowning. Deciding not to jump to conclusions, ire turned on her heel and headed to her own office. Once inside, she plopped into her chair and immediately dialed Sandra. The phone barely rang twice before Sandra''s chipper voice answered. "Good afternoon, Ms. Peterson! How can I help you?" "Sandra, is Matthew at Metacortex? I haven''t seen him here," ire asked, leaning back and fiddling with the pen on her desk. Sandra paused, sounding slightly hesitant. "Matthew? Oh, no, he hasn''t been at the office for a few days now." ire''s brow furrowed deeper. "He hasn''t? Why not?" "He mentioned he wasn''t feeling well and said he''d be working from home." Sandra''s voice dropped, as if she wasn''t entirely convinced herself. "Sick?" ire echoed, leaning forward. The idea sounded absurd. Matthew was the kind of person who''d jog five miles in the pouring rain and then show up to work like it was nothing. "Are you sure about that?" "That''s what he said," Sandra confirmed. "But honestly, I thought it was strange too. He has such a good record of showing up-this is the first time I''ve heard him say he''s sick." ire drummed her fingers on the desk, her mind racing. "When was thest time he was at the office?" Sandra took a moment to think. "Hmm... I believe it was after you went to Las Vegas. He came in once, but that was it. Afterward, he even canceled that meeting with the potential client." ire sighed heavily, raking her hand through her hair. "Got it. Thanks, Sandra. Let me know if you hear anything else." "Will do," Sandra replied, her tone tinged with concern. ire ended the call, staring at her phone for a moment. Matthew sick? That didn''t sit right with her. The guy was practically invincible, and the fact that he hadn''t even told her about it gnawed at her. Was he hiding something? It certainly seemed out of character. As she absentmindedly scrolled through her messages, her eyesnded on a text from Winnie, sent nine hours ago: Are you avable? Found new information about Lisa Thompson. ire immediately replied: Come by tomorrow at noon. With that handled, she hesitated for only a second before dialing Matthew''s number. It rang once before his familiar, cheerful voice picked up. "ire! What''s up?" Her annoyance red. "What''s up? Really, Matthew?" she snapped, trying to keep her irritation in check. "Where are you?" Matthew sounded confused. "At home? Why?" ire pressed her lips into a thin line, her annoyance bubbling just beneath the surface. "Okay," she said curtly before abruptly ending the call. Matthew blinked at his phone, baffled. "What the...?" he muttered to himself. Shaking his head, he set his phone down and returned to studying the guest list from Adrian''s banquet, muttering about ire''s unpredictable moods. Meanwhile, ire grabbed her bag and stormed out of her office. "Driver!" she called as she descended the lobby stairs. Her driver, already anticipating her urgency, opened the car door. "Where to, Ms. Peterson?" "Matthew''s apartment," she ordered, sliding into the back seat. The driver nodded and merged into traffic. ire sat back, her thoughts swirling. Something was definitely up with Matthew, and she wasn''t about to sit around waiting for an exnation. The car pulled up to Matthew''s building, a modernplex with shiny ss windows and a meticulously maintained front garden. ire stepped out, her heels clicking sharply against the ve pavement. Her face was a mask of determination, and the poor doorman barely got a nod as she breezed past him and into the lobby. By the time she reached Matthew''s door, she was practically fuming. Raising her fist, she knocked firmly-three loud thuds that echoed in the hallway. It took a few moments before the door creaked open. Matthew stood there, barefoot, wearing a rumpled t-shirt and sweatpants. But it wasn''t his outfit that stopped ire in her tracks-it was his face. Her eyes widened as she took in the fading bruise around his left eye, the faint cuts on his cheek and jaw. "What the hell happened to you?" she demanded, her tone sharp with concern. Matthew froze, clearly not expecting her. He hesitated, his hand gripping the edge of the door as if debating whether to close it. "Uh... nothing?" he tried, offering her an unconvincing smile. ire''s eyes narrowed. "Matthew. Don''t you dare try to feed me that ''nothing'' nonsense. Look at your face! Did you walk into a wall repeatedly, or are you hiding something from me?" Matthew sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It''s really not that" "Cut the crap, Matthew," ire interrupted, crossing her arms and stepping into the apartment without waiting for an invitation. "Tell me what happened. Start from the beginning. Now." Knowing there was no way to wiggle out of this, Matthew shut the door and gestured toward the couch. "Fine. You might want to sit down for this." ire stayed standing, ring at him expectantly. "I''ll sit when I think you''re done being dramatic. Talk." Matthew sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, alright. So, a couple of days ago, I got grabbed." "Grabbed?" ire repeated, her voice rising. "By whom? Where? And why am I just hearing about this now?!" "By Eligos''s men," Matthew said, his tone almost casual, as if he were discussing the weather. "Eligos?" ire frowned as she heard the familiar name'' "Well, not precisely grab but...we kindamunicate and I wanted to meet him to settle all that nonsense of him hacking Metacortex and Cryptonic but turns out it was a bad idea." ire leaned forward curious to hear theplete story. "What did you do?" "Eligos and I made a deal to meet up and we did at the abandoned warehouse, and I thought he came alone so was confronting him turns out he had it all under his fingers. He has his men hiding in the shadows waiting for his cue. And when he did signal them, one of them hit me in the head and I... lost consciousness." Matthew looked down, feeling slightly embarrassed telling ire the story. "I know you mean well but... what is wrong with you? A guy like Eligos will not keep his promise. Why did you go alone?" Matthew paced back and forth in front of ire. "Because I want him to stop. He kept ying these games and I know that I am not the one who get sick of his games. You are too." ire sighed. "Yeah, I am. But I don''t want to see you hurt, Matthew. You mean a lot to me and even if we have to take the long route to figure this whole thing out then I''m fine with it." "I''m really sorry, ire I wasn''t thinking." "Please next time, do not lie to me and do not do stupid shit. This is myst warning, Matthew." Chapter 434 Who’s Behind This? Matthew shifted awkwardly, unsure if he should follow ire''s order. She had a way of making everything sound like a perfectly reasonable idea, even when it wasn''t. But, for now, he nodded, forcing a small smile. "Alright, ire, no dangerous stuff. I''ll y it safe." ire tilted her head, giving him one of those "yeah, right" looks. "Promise me, Matthew. I mean it." He hesitated, but only for a second. Internally, he made a different promise not to ire, but to himself. No matter what, he was going to protect her. Dangerous or not, he wasn''t backing out. "Yeah, yeah, I promise," he finally said, though his tone didn''t quite match the words. ire narrowed her eyes but decided to drop it. She had more pressing matters. "So, about the investigation, I asked you to do on Adrian. What did you find?" Matthew sighed and plopped onto the couch next to her, hisptop in hand. "Okay, so here''s the thing. I got my hands on the guest list from that event," he began, scrolling through a document on his screen. "And there''s one name that really caught my attention." ire arched a brow. "Who?" He turned theptop toward her, pointing at a name highlighted in yellow. "Cindy Marshall. Sound familiar?" ire frowned, leaning in to get a closer look. The name stirred a faint memory. "Cindy Marshall..." Matthew said, leaning back, "She''s the woman whose career Alexander totally destroyed a few months ago. Remember? The one that you told me about when you met her at the salon?" ire''s eyes lit up as the memory clicked. "Oh, right! Her. Yeah, I remember now." She crossed her arms and thought for a moment. "Wait-do you think she''s the one in the photo?" Matthew nodded. "I was wondering the same thing. So, I hacked into the surveince footage from the event." He pulled up a grainy video. "Look here. That''s her, wearing the exact same dress as the one in the picture." ire''s lips pressed into a thin line as she watched the footage. "So, it is Cindy. But why on earth would Adrian kiss her? What''s the connection?" "That," Matthew said with a frustrated sigh, "is the part I haven''t figured out yet. She just kind of shows up, mingles for a bit, and then leaves. No obvious reason for Adrian to be involved with her." ire exhaled sharply and leaned back against the couch. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, her mind racing. "I''ll talk to Adrian. I need to know what happened." Matthew tilted his head, considering her words. "Yeah, that''s probably the right way to go. Get it straight from the horse''s mouth." ire stood up abruptly, brushing imaginary dust off her pants. "I''ll do it now." Matthew blinked in surprise. "Wait-right now? You just got back from Las Vegas. Aren''t you tired?" She shrugged, already grabbing her coat. "I''ll restter. I can''t sit still while this is hanging over my head. It''s driving me nuts." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Do you want me toe with you? You know, in case it gets...plicated?" ire paused, then smirked. "Matthew, you should focus on nursing your bruises and wounds first. Once you''re all healed up, then you can jump back into the action." Matthew rolled his eyes, huffing in mock annoyance. "Sure, make jokes about me while I''m down. Real ssy, ire." She chuckled, patting his shoulder as she passed. "You''ll live. Don''t worry." As she headed for the door, Matthew called after her, "Just don''t do anything reckless, alright? And keep me updated!" "Got it!" she shouted over her shoulder before disappearing down the hall. vel Matthew stayed on the couch, staring at hisptop screen. He couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to this Cindy Marshall situation than they realized. Something about it felt too convenient, too... orchestrated. But for now, he''d let ire handle Adrian. She was good at getting to the bottom of things-when she wasn''t running on pure adrenaline, that is. He sighed, shaking his head. "She''s going to run herself ragged at this rate," he muttered to himself. But then again, that was ire. Always diving headfirst into the thick of it. As he settled back against the cushions, his mind wandered. Cindy Marshall. Adrian. The photo. None of it added up, and Matthew hated puzzles with missing pieces. "Well," he thought with a wry smile, "at least things are never boring around here." ire driver stop in front of Adrian house, she took a deep breath, and stepped out into the cool evening air. She adjusted her coat, feeling the weight of the conversation she was about to have. As she reached the door, she pressed the doorbell, and within seconds, the familiar face of Adrian''s maid greeted her. "Miss Peterson! Wee," the maid said warmly, holding the door open. "Thank you," ire replied with a polite smile. "Is Adrian home?" The maid nodded. "He is. Please,e in. I''ll let him know you''re here. You can wait in the living room." ire thanked her again and walked into the cozy living room, her heels clicking softly on the polished wooden floors. She sank into the plush couch, her hands fidget slightly as she scanned the elegant space, trying to calm her thoughts. Momentster, the sound of hurried footsteps descending the staircase made her look up. Adrian appeared, his face lighting up as soon as he saw her. Before she could utter a word, he crossed the room in a few long strides and enveloped her in a tight hug. "I missed you," Adrian said, his voice warm but slightly tinged with guilt. ire returned his embrace with a small smile, patting his back lightly. "Missed you too," she replied softly before pulling away. Adrian stepped back, looking at her earnestly. "ire, I swear I don''t know what happened. I don''t even know that woman, and I don''t remember kissing her. It''s like my brain just... glitched." "Whoa, whoa, calm down," ire said, holding up her hands. "Take a breath, okay? First, how''s your leg? The cast is off, right?" Adrian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, the doctor took it offst week. I can walk again, but I still have to do these annoying daily check-ups. They keep poking at me like I''m a science experiment." "Well, that''s good news at least," ire said, motioning for him to sit down. "Come on, let''s talk this out." The two of them settled on the couch, the tension in the air palpable. ire sighed, turning to face him directly. "Look, before we dive into what happened with that woman, I have something to say." Adrian frowned slightly, his head tilting in curiosity. "What is it?" ire hesitated but pushed through. "I can''t exactly get mad at you for this whole thing because... I wasn''t entirely transparent with you either. I didn''t tell you I went to Las Vegas with Alexander." Adrian''s brows furrowed, his confusion evident. "Las Vegas? When?" "A few days ago," ire admitted, her voice quieter now. "We were working on his new hotel. It was a business trip, but I should have told you." Adrian leaned back slightly, his expression a mix of surprise and hurt. "Why didn''t you say anything?" ire shrugged, looking down at her hands. "I''m still not used to this whole rtionship thing-sharing details, giving updates, all of it. I wasn''t trying to hide it; I just didn''t think about how it mighte across. I''m sorry." Adrian studied her for a moment before sighing and shaking his head. "You don''t have to apologize, ire. Honestly, I get it. And it''s not like I''ve beenpletely open with you either. I owe you an exnation." ire''s curiosity piqued as she straightened in her seat. "Okay, then exin. What actually happened?" Chapter 435 Confronting Cindy convinced it was you." Adrian ran a hand through his hair, visibly frustrated as he tried to piece it together. "I was at a banquet that night. Everything was normal until I saw this woman. She looked... exactly like you-same hair, same dress style, even the way she talked. For a second, I was ire raised an eyebrow. "So, you just walked up and kissed her?" "I know it sounds insane," Adrian said, holding up his hands defensively. "At first, I was suspicious. But I don''t know-something just felt... off. It''s like my brain wasn''t working right. One second, I was questioning it, and the next, I was kissing her. I can''t exin it." ire leaned back, her eyes narrowing in thought. "And why would you see me in a random woman? That doesn''t make any sense." "I have no idea," Adrian admitted, his frustration evident. "It''s like my vision was ying tricks on me." ire''s gears were turning now. "Did you have anything to drink that night?" Adrian nodded. "Yeah, but nothing unusual. Just a couple of cocktails, maybe some wine. Why?" ire''s expression darkened as a possible exnation formed in her mind. "What if one of those drinks was spiked? It would exin why your judgment was so messed up." Adrian frowned. "Spiked? Who would do that? Everyone at the banquet seemed normal to me." ire''s lips pursed as a name surfaced in her mind-Cindy Marshall. Her suspicions sharpened like a knife. "Did you meet anyone there named Cindy? Cindy Marshall?" Adrian''s brow furrowed in thought. "Cindy... Cindy... I think I met someone named Cindy, but I don''t remember herst name. Why?" "That''s all I needed to know," ire muttered, her tone colder now. She didn''t borate, but her mind was already connecting the dots. Cindy had been used before, and this had her maniptive fingerprints all over it. Adrian looked at her curiously. "ire, what are you thinking?" "I''m thinking I know exactly who''s behind this," ire said, standing abruptly. "And believe me, they''re going to regret it." "Wait," Adrian said, grabbing her hand gently. "Before you go into battle mode, can we just... take a minute?" ire looked down at him, her expression softening slightly. "Fine. But only a minute." Adrian pulled her back down onto the couch, holding her gaze. "I know this whole thing is a mess, and I hate that it''s put you through so much. But I want you to know-I would never do anything to hurt you. Whatever happened that night, it wasn''t me." ire sighed, her resolve softening a little. "I believe you, Adrian. And I know you wouldn''t hurt me. But whoever set this up? They knew exactly what they were doing, and I can''t let them get away with it." Adrian gave her a small, grateful smile. "Then let''s figure it out together." ire nodded, determination hardening her features once more. "Oh, we will. But first, I need to make a call." She pulled out her phone and dialed Matthew. It barely rang once before his familiar, slightly raspy voice answered. "What''s up, boss?" "Matthew, I think I''ve figured out what happened with Adrian," ire said, diving straight into it. "Yeah? What''s the deal?" Matthew asked, the sound of keys clicking in the background suggesting he was already multitasking. ire exhaled sharply, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Cindy. I think she''s the one who spiked Adrian''s drink. It makes too much sense-the timing, the circumstances. She''s the only one who benefits from this mess." Matthew let out a low whistle, his disbelief tinged with amusement. "Man, that woman is a whole circus, not just a clown. All right, you want me to find her?" "You''re reading my mind," ire said with a faint grin. "Track her down, and let me know where she is." Matthew''s tone turned yful. "Roger that. Give me a few minutes." "Thanks, Matthew." ire ended the call and turned to Adrian. His arms were crossed, and the look on his face told her he wasn''t thrilled with her next move. "I''ming with you," Adrian said, standing tall and defiant. "I want to know exactly who did this." ire bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. She took a step closer, tilting her head as she looked up at him. "Adrian, trust me. You don''t want to be there. This is going to be a catfight, not a cat-and-dog fight." Adrian opened his mouth to protest, but ire cut him off, her tone firm but affectionate. "I''ll handle it. You''re better off staying here and not getting dragged into the mess she''s going to cause." He narrowed his eyes, his stance unyielding for a moment before he sighed in defeat. "Fine. But only if you promise to go to dinner with me after this." ire chuckled, leaning up to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "Deal. I''ll tell you everything after I''ve dealt with her." Adrian watched her with a mix of concern and admiration as she grabbed her coat and headed for the door. "Be careful, ire." "I always am," she replied with a confident wink before slipping out. ire climbed into the backseat of her car, her mind already racing through the confrontation ahead. Her phone buzzed, and she quickly nced at the message from Matthew. "She''s at the shopping mall. Here''s the location." "Take me to the shopping mall," ire smoother driver. The car smoothly pulled into traffic, and ire leaned back, mentally preparing herself. Cindy wasn''t just reckless; she was unpredictable, and that made her dangerous in her own peculiar way. The mall was bustling when ire arrived. Bright lights reflected off shiny floors, and the hum of shoppers filled the air. ire''s phone buzzed again with another update from Matthew: "She''s near the high-end boutiques, third floor." Perfect, ire thought, stepping out of the car and striding into the mall with a determined air. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor, announcing her presence to anyone who dared to look her way. She spotted Gindy near a luxury handbag store, holding a ridiculous-looking scarf and chatting animatedly with a sales associate Cindy looked polished, as always, but there was an air of smugness about her that made ire''s blood boil. Taking a deep breath, ire approached her. "Cindy," she called out, her voice calm but firm. Cindy turned, her face lighting up with faux surprise. "ire! Fancy seeing you here. Shopping, too?" ire folded her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Cut the small talk, Cindy. We need to talk." Cindy''s smile faltered, reced by a defensive edge. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," she said, her toneced with innocence that ire wasn''t buying. "Oh, I think you do," ire replied, stepping closer. Her voice lowered, sharp and cutting. "You drugged Adrian, didn''t you? Spiked his drink to create that little scene." Cindy''s eyes widened for a split second before she recovered, her expression morphing into one of mock outrage. "I don''t know what you''re insinuating, but that''s absurd. Why would I do something like that?" "Because you''re desperate," ire shot back without missing a beat. "Tell me who sent you?" Chapter 436 Torn Cindy I The boutique''s soft background music did little to mask the rising tension in the air as ire squared off with Cindy. Clothes hung neatly on racks around them, but the polished setting did nothing to soothe the storm brewing in ire''s sharp gaze. "Oh, I think you do," ire said, her voice low andced with a dangerous edge. She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing on Cindy like a hawk zeroing in on prey. "You drugged Adrian, didn''t you? Spiked his drink to create that little scene." Cindy''s eyes widened-just a flicker of panic before she quickly masked it with a performance of mock outrage. "I don''t know what you''re insinuating," she said, her tone high and defensive. "That''s absurd! Why would I do something like that?" "Because you are desperate," ire retorted, her words quick and biting. "Tell me who sent you." "No one sent me!" Cindy shot back, but her voice faltered slightly. She turned her attention back to a dress she had been pretending to examine, trying to appear nonchnt. Her heart was racing, though, each thump louder than thest. Avoiding ire''s piercing stare became harder with each second. ire, however, wasn''t letting this go. She stepped forward, grabbing Cindy''s wrist in an iron grip. Cindy''s breath hitched as she looked down at ire''s hand, panic shing across her face. "Stop dodging," ire demanded, her voice like ice. "Why did you drug Adrian?" Cindy looked around nervously, aware of the curious nces from nearby shoppers. A couple of employees were whispering among themselves, clearly sensing the tension. Thest thing Cindy wanted was full-blown scene, so she hissed, "Let me go, and I''ll tell you!" ire''s grip loosened, but her eyes stayed locked on Cindy as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I''m waiting," she said, her tone hard and unyielding. Cindy sighed, her irritation barely masking her internal turmoil. "Fine," she muttered, avoiding ire''s intense gaze. "Yes, I was the one who drugged Adrian." ire''s brows knit together, her frown deepening. "Why?" Cindy hesitated. Her mind raced with excuses, but she knew the truth wouldn''t set her free-not entirely. She couldn''t risk mentioning Eligos. Not after what she''d seen of him. That man was a walking nightmare, and the mere thought of crossing him sent chills down her spine. Clearing her throat, Cindy finally said, "I did it because I''m jealous, okay? You always get everything. The attention, the sess, the guys-everything falls into ce for you, ire. Your life is perfect, and for once, I wanted to see something not go your way." ire stared at her, her expression unreadable. Then, a scoff escaped her lips. "Are you serious?" she said, disbelief dripping from her words. "You drugged Adrian because you''re jealous? That is your excuse? Really?" Cindy''s cheeks flushed, and she looked down, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. She couldn''t bring herself to respond, knowing how pathetic she sounded. ire let out a dryugh, shaking her head. "You know," she said, stepping closer, "you''re starting to remind me of someone. Lisa. She tried to destroy my life too, and look where that got her." Cindy''s attempt at feigned humility cracked under the weight of ire''s words. She opened her mouth to respond but closed it again when ire took a step forward, the air between them suddenly heavy with tension. "And let me make one thing very clear," ire continued, her voice dropping to a dangerously low register. "If you ever pull a stunt like this again-ever-I won''t hesitate to make sure you end up in a psychological ward. Just like thest woman who thought she could ruin my life. Do you understand me?" Cindy swallowed hard, nodding stiffly. "I... I understand." "Good," ire said, straightening up and brushing invisible lint off her zer. "Because believe me, you do not want me as your enemy." Cindy''s eyes widened at the mention, and she stumbled back slightly, her bravado crumbling. ire''s calm but cold tone sent a chill down her spine, and she realized with startling rity that ire wasn''t bluffing. ire straightened, adjusting her zer like she was done with the conversation. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have better things to do than babysit someone who can''t handle their own insecurities." The tension between them was almost suffocating, and Cindy felt like the floor beneath her feet could give way at any second. ire''s presence was suffocating in its own right-cool,posed, and terrifyingly in control. She turned on her heel and walked out of the boutique, leaving Cindy standing there, her face flushed with embarrassment and a knot of fear tightening in her chest. As she watched ire leave, Cindy let out a shaky breath, muttering to herself, "What have I gotten myself into?" ire''s mind was racing as she stepped into the cool air outside. Cindy''s behavior, her motives-it all felt eerily familiar. Like dj vu she wished she could unsee. She shook her head, pushing the thought aside. Lisa was gone, and Cindy wasn''t going to be a problem for much longer. One way or another, ire was going to handle this. She pulled out her phone and dialed Matthew. The line rang twice before he picked up. "ire? What''s up?" he asked, his tone instantly alert. just had a little... chat with Cindy," ire said, her voiceced with sarcasm. "Oh no," Matthew groaned. "What did she do this time?" "She admitted to drugging Adrian," ire replied, her voice sharp. "But, of course, she''s ying the jealousy card. ims she''s envious of my ''perfect life."" Matthew snorted. "That''s her excuse? Really?" "Pathetic, right?" ire muttered. "But there''s more to it. I can feel it. Someone''s pulling her strings. She''s scared-more than she''s letting on." "Do you I think it''s him?" Matthew asked, his voice dropping slightly, the weight of his words unspoken but understood. ire sighed. "I don''t know. Maybe. But Cindy''s not talking. Not yet, anyway." "Well, keep me in the loop," Matthew said. "And, ire? Be careful." ire smiled faintly, despite the tension curling in her chest. "I Always am." She hung up, her mind already working on her next move. Cindy might have cracked under pressure, but whoever was behind her wasn''t going to be as easy to break. ire knew she was walking into a game where the stakes were higher than ever. But if there was one thing, she was sure of, it was that she never backed down from a challenge. Meanwhile, Cindy stood frozen in the boutique reying the encounter in her head. She couldn''t shake the image of ire''s icy fe or the cold threat in her voice. For a fleeting moment, she considered packing up and leaving town, but she knew it wouldn''t be that simple. Eligos''s shadow loomedrge over her, a constant reminder of the precarious position she was in. She didn''t just fear ire-she feared what Eligos would do if he found out she''d cracked under pressure. The thought made her stomach churn. "Should I keep continuing this or give up?" She muttered to herself feeling conflicted by the thought. Chapter 437 Angry Cindy Cindy mmed her apartment door shut and stormed inside, the heels of her boots cking loudly against the wooden floor. She threw her designer handbag onto the couch with a force that could have scared the neighbors downstairs. The bag bounced off and hit the floor with a dull thud, but Cindy didn''t care. She was a swirling cocktail of anger, fear, and annoyance. Eligos had promised her-PROMISED-that no one would find out. And yet here she was, shaking with frustration, knowing ire Peterson was onto her. "She threatens me! She freaking threaten me." Snatching her bag back up, Cindy rummaged through it and yanked out her phone. Without hesitation, she dialed Eligos''s number. It went straight to voicemail. "Ugh, you jerk. How hard can it be to answer a damn phone call." she hissed through clenched teeth. Tossing the bag aside again, she immediately redialed. And again. And again. On the fifth try, when the voicemail cut in yet again, Cindy let out a string of curses that would make a sailor blush. "Don''t you dare ignore me, Eligos! Pick up the call!" she snapped at her phone, pacing furiously around the room. She redialed one more time, and this time, after several rings, the line clicked. "What?" Eligos''s voice was sharp,ced with irritation. "Why are you blowing up my phone like this? I''m busy. I don''t always have my phone with me and stop calling me nonstop. Didn''t I tell you?" "Oh, don''t you dare start with that!" Cindy snapped back, her voice high-pitched with fury. "Do you even care what you''ve gotten me into? ire found out!" There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Found out what?" Eligos asked, his tone suddenly colder. Cindy groaned and pressed a hand to her forehead. "That I drugged Adrian, you idiot! She confronted me today at the mall. And let me tell you, it was not a pleasant conversation!" "How the hell did she figure it out?" Eligos''s voice hardened. "Oh, I don''t know, genius. Maybe because she''s not stupid like you think she is!" Cindy paced faster, her free hand clenching into a fist. "Didn''t you say no, didn''t you SWEAR-that no one would know? That it was foolproof?" "It is foolproof," Eligos shot back, his calm demeanor slipping. "Or it was. You must have messed up somewhere." "Messed up?!" Cindy''s voice hit a screechy octave. "I did exactly what you told me to do! You even gave me the vial, Eligos! But now ire''s out here threatening me like she''s some mafia queen. She''s not supposed to know anything!" "Calm down, Cindy." Eligos tone is calm but cold at the same time. "Don''t you dare tell me to calm down! This is your fault, and you''re going to fix it!" "Watch your tone, Cindy. Remember who you are talking to." Eligos voice hissed coldly through the phone that send shiver down her spine but she tries to ignore it and focus on her anger instead. Meanwhile, back at ire''s penthouse, things couldn''t have been more different. The spacious room was lit with a soft golden glow as ire stood in front of her closet, deciding on what to wear for dinner. True to her promise to Adrian, she''d showered and freshened up, and now she was smiling at a text he''d sent moments ago. Adrian: Picking you up in an hour. Can''t wait to see you. ire''s lips curled into a soft smile, the kind that felt like a little hug from the inside. She still felt a pang of guilt for getting mad at him earlier. Deep down, she knew Adrian would never do something so low-he wasn''t that kind of man. But the fear and jealousy had bubbled up anyway, thanks to her messy past. Alexander''s betrayal three years ago had left scars, and even though Adrian was nothing like him, old wounds had a way of reopening at the worst times. Shaking off the thought, ire focused on her outfits, holding up a sleek ck dress in front of her. "Too formal," she muttered, tossing it onto the bed. She reached for a soft blue one instead. "Better." While ire debated essories, Cindy was still pacing her apartment, her phone pressed so hard to her ear she might''ve absorbed it. "Listen, ire''s not stupid," Eligos finally said, his voice calm but tinged with annoyance. "But there''s no way she figured it out on her own. Someone tipped her off." "Tipped her off?" Cindy scoffed. "Who? The ghost of Sherlock Holmes? You think I went around broadcasting my crimes?" "Don''t get dramatic, Cindy." "Oh, I''m the dramatic one now?!" Cindy threw her free hand in the air. "You''re unbelievable. You swore up and down that this would stay buried. And now I''m out here dodging ire Peterson like she''s Batman and I''m some low-level thug!" Eligos sighed. "You''re overreacting." "Overreacting? She''s threatening me, Eligos!" "What exactly did she say?" "She told me " Cindy stopped, a flicker of fear passing over her face. "Well, she basically said she knows. And that if I don''t stay away, there will be ''consequences." Eligos let out a low hum of thought, his tone still eerily calm. "She''s bluffing." "Bluffing? Are you listening to me? She''s not bluffing. She knows I was at the banquet, and she knows about Adrian. And if she knows that, it''s only a matter of time before she connects the dots to you!" "That''s not going to happen." "Oh, really? Care to tell me why not, oh wise one?" Cindy crossed her arms, ring at nothing in particr. "Because you''re going to keep your mouth shut," Eligos said firmly. "Cindy," Eligos''s voice dropped an octave, a hint of warning in his tone, "let me remind you of all the things I''ve done for you. Do I really need to list them?" Cindy froze, her breath catching in her throat. "I''m the reason your career wasn''t flushed down the drain," Eligos continued, his voice smooth but sharp. "I''m the reason you''ve still got your cushy little life, your apartment, and your designer shoes. Without me, you''d be-" "All right, all right!" Cindy snapped, cutting him off. She squeezed her eyes shut, her shoulders slumping. "Fine. I get it." "So what did you tell her?" Cindy sighed. "I told her I was the one who did and that I was jealous of her life. Don''t worry, I didn''t tell her about you." "Good girl," Eligos said with a satisfied smirk she could practically hear through the phone. "Remember no one should know that you are working with me. I''m being serious, Cindy Marshal. If I hear a word that you tell ire that you are working with me...your life would go down the drain in a snap of a finger. Understand?" Eligos said coldly. "Understand." "Good. Now try toy low and don''t do stupid shit that will get ire''s attention." Cindy muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, "Jerk." "What was that?" "Nothing. Goodbye, Eligos." She ended the call before he could say another word, tossing her phone onto the couch and copsing beside it. Chapter 438 Who’s Behind It? Adrian arrived at ire''s ce just as the autumn sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with strokes of pink and orange. He stepped out of the sleek ck car, his smile warm as he opened the door for her. ire was already waiting outside, her outfit effortlessly chic, as always. "Wow," Adrian said, offering her his arm. "You look stunning." ire gave a smallugh, linking her arm through his. "You clean up nicely yourself. I was half-worried you''d show up in a hoodie." "Hey!" Adrian grinned. "I''d make a hoodie look sophisticated." "Well," ire smirked, "you clean up alright." "Did you manage to avoid the chaos today?" Adrian asked, leaning back against the soft leather seats. "Define ''chaos," ire replied with a wry smile. "If you mean dodging paparazzi and people following me around, then yes, barely." The driver nodded politely as they climbed into the car. As they pulled away, the low hum of the city outside filled the silence between them. Their banter carried on for a bit as the car weaved through the London streets. "You''ve been awfully quiet," Adrian said, a teasing lilt in his voice. ire smirked and turned to him. "Just enjoying the peace before you start grilling me with questions." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Grill you? I wouldn''t dare. I''ll just politely interrogate you instead." "And here I thought this was supposed to be a nice dinner," ire quipped, crossing her arms in mock defiance. Adrian leaned back, studying ire for a moment. "Speaking of which, who was behind it? You said you''d tell me tonight." "Cindy Marshall." she finally said, her voice steady. Adrian blinked, sitting up straighter. "Was she really the one who drugged me?" ire nodded. "Yup. She spiked your drink and set up the whole thing." "Wait," Adrian said, his brows furrowing. "Cindy Marshall? The same Cindy who came to me pretending she wanted to talk business?" ire raised a brow, intrigued. "She did that?" Adrian scoffed, crossing his arms. "Oh, yes. She was all professional, all polite-asking about projects, possible coborations. And the whole time, she was nning... that?" ire couldn''t help but snort. "Adrian, the only thing Cindy Marshall cares about is her career. Business talk? That was just an excuse to get close to you." Adrian exhaled in disbelief, muttering something in French under his breath. Adrian chuckled softly but looked at ire with a touch of curiosity. "Why would she do this, though? What does she gain from all this?" ire''s lips pursed in thought. "She said she''s jealous of my life," she admitted. "But honestly? I think there''s more to it than that. Something doesn''t add up." Adrian tilted his head, intrigued. "Like what?" "Well," ire began, tapping her chin, "for starters, Cindy''s suddeneback. One minute her career''s in shambles, and the next she''s back in the spotlight like nothing ever happened. It''s fishy." Adrian frowned, piecing things together. "You think someone helped her?" "I don''t know but maybe," ire said, her voice thoughtful. "But her dad wouldn''t have done it. He was furious with her after what happened with Alexander. She embarrassed me, and Alexander took her down for it. I didn''t even ask him to, you know? Our rtionship isn''t exactly... cozy." Adrian''s eyes widened slightly. "Wait a second," he said, his voice picking up speed. "Are you saying this is the same Cindy who humiliated you at that business forum in the States? The one Alexander obliterated?" "The one and only," ire confirmed with a nod. Adrian leaned back in his seat, looking genuinely astonished. "Unbelievable. I didn''t connect the dots. That Cindy?" "Yup," ire said, popping the ''p.'' "And now she''s back, doing photoshoots and acting like she''s on top of the world." Adrian shook his head. "That''s... insane." ire smirked. "Insane is her default setting." The car pulled to a gentle stop in front of an upscale restaurant. Adrian stepped out first, offering his hand to help ire. "Let''s try not to let Cindy Marshall ruin our evening," he said, smiling warmly. "Agreed," ire said, taking his hand and stepping out. Meanwhile, on the other side of London, Alexander was stepping off a private jet, weary but invigorated Las Vegas had been a whirlwind-meetings, deals, andte nights. Yet, even as he handed off his luggage to an assistant, his mind was elsewhere. "She''s back already?" he murmured to himself, scrolling through his messages. His assistant had mentioned that ire had returned to London not long after Adrian''s headline hit the tabloids. He clenched his jaw. "So, it''s because of Adrian, not because of me, he muttered, his voice tinged with disappointment. He wouldn''t to anyone, but he had hoped admit it ire''s swift return had something to do with the work he''d left her in charge of. Instead, it was all about Adrian. Always Adrian. Alexander''s chest tightened at the thought. Was it selfish of him to wish for their breakup? Probably. Did that stop him from wishing? Not one bit. Alexander sighed heavily as he climbed into his waiting car. He was tired, sure, but a small part of him was already plotting ways to see ire again-ways that didn''t involve Adrian Saint Laurent. Back at the restaurant, ire and Adrian were settling into their dinner. The warm glow of candlelight and the gentle hum of background chatter created a cozy atmosphere. "This ce is beautiful," ire said, ncing around appreciatively. "Only the best for you," Adrian replied with a grin. "Have I mentioned how much I''ve missed this?" Adrian asked, taking a sip of his wine. ire tilted her head, curious. "Missed what?" "This," Adrian said, gesturing between them. "Us. Having dinner together. Talking like this." ire''s expression softened. "Me too." At one point, ire''s smile faded, and she looked at Adrian with a hint of guilt. "I owe you an apology," she said softly. Adrian blinked, surprised. "For what?" "For how I acted in Las Vegas," she admitted, fiddling with her napkin. "I shouldn''t have snapped at you like that. I let my frustration get the better of me." Adrian reached across the table, covering her hand with his. "ire, it''s okay. I get it. You had a lot going on, and honestly, I probably could''ve handled things better, too." ire nodded, her gaze dropping to the table for a moment. "I know. And I''m sorry. Really." Adrian reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "Apology epted." ire nodded, her gaze dropping to the table for a moment. "I know. And I''m sorry. Really." Adrian reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "Apology epted." She looked up at him, her eyes searching for his face. "You''re too nice to me, you know that?" "Only because you''re worth it," he replied, his tone light but sincere. They shared a warm moment of silence before ire decided to lighten the mood. "Anyway," she said, a yful grin spreading across her face, "I think I''ve made up for it by dealing with all this Cindyo Marshall nonsense." Adrianughed, shaking his head. "You''ve definitely kept things interesting, that''s for sure." As the evening went on, their conversation flowed effortlessly. They shared stories, teased each other, and, for a while, forgot about the chaos waiting for them outside the restaurant doors. But in the back of ire''s mind, a nagging thought lingered. Cindy wasn''t acting alone-she was sure of it. And if she was going to protect herself and Adrian, she''d need to figure out who was pulling the strings. Chapter 439 Lisas Secret The next day, ire headed to Cryptonic to meet Winnie. She couldn''t shake off her curiosity about what Winnie had discovered-it was like waiting to open a mystery gift. ire arrived early, making herselffortable in her office. Her first stop? The hacker forums, because if there was one thing she knew, it was that Eligos loved to sneak his digital nose where it didn''t belong. After confirming everything was secure (for now), she leaned back in her chair and nced at the clock. Noon couldn''te fast enough. When the clock struck twelve, a soft knock sounded at her door. "Come in!" ire called, standing up to greet Winnie. Winnie entered with a polite smile, carrying herself with her usual quietposure. "Good afternoon, ire," she said softly. "Hey, Winnie," ire replied warmly, gesturing toward the couch. "Come, sit. How''ve you been?" "I''m fine, thank you," Winnie answered, her voice calm but a little too formal. ire tilted her head, sensing there was more to the story. "Any trouble on your end? Anything weird going on?" Winnie hesitated, then let out a small sigh. "Well, sometimes it''s hard to act neutral when Lisa acts... odd or suddenly turns mysterious as if she is seeing me right through my soul." ire chuckled knowingly. "Odd is putting it lightly. That woman''s like a firecracker with a faulty fuse-never know when she''s gonna blow." Winnie cracked a small smile, seeming a little more at ease. "All right," ire said, leaning forward. "What have you got for me? Spill it." Winnie straightened up, her tone turning serious. "Lisa''s been having a visitor. And not just a one-time thing but this woman has visited her twice." ire''s brows shot up. "Twice? That''s interesting. Who is it?" "That''s the thing," Winnie replied, leaning in. "Every time I ask Lisa about it, she denies it. t-out denies she''s had anyone over." "Of course she does," ire muttered, rolling her eyes. "ssic Lisa. Who''s the mystery guest?" "Her name''s Evelyn," Winnie said quietly. "Evelyn?" ire repeated, frowning deeply. The name didn''t ring a single bell. "Who the heck is Evelyn? Lisa''s got friends? Since when?" Winnie shrugged. "I only know what the receptionist told me just the name. Evelyn." ire tapped her chin, her thoughts spinning. Lisa wasn''t exactly the type to have coffee dates or deep friendships. The idea of her sneaking around with someone named Evelyn was weird. Too weird. "Okay," ire finally said, snapping out of her thoughts. "Keep an eye on her, but don''t push too hard. We need more to go on. Think you can manage that?" Winnie nodded firmly. "I''ll try my best." "Good. But listen," ire added, her tone serious now. "If Lisa starts acting like she''s gonna go full psycho on you, get out of there. Don''t try to y hero. Just leave." Winnie swallowed hard and nodded again, her fingers nervously twisting the strap of her bag. "I understand." "Promise me," ire pressed. "I promise," Winnie said quietly. With that, Winnie stood and left the office, leaving ire to sink back onto the couch, deep in thought. Lisa and a secret visitor? Something about it didn''t sit right. Before she could dwell too long, her door burst open without so much as a knock. "Seriously?" ire said, looking up to see Matthew strolling in like he owned the ce. "Ever heard of knocking?" "Good to see you too," Matthew replied, grinning as he plopped himself onto the chair across from her. ire folded her arms. "What are you doing here? You''re supposed to be home, resting. You know, letting those wounds heal." Matthew waved her off. "I''m fine. It''s not as bad as it looked the first day." "Uh-huh," ire said, not buying it for a second. "And who told you that? Dr. Google?" "Dr. Common Sense," Matthew quipped back, shing a cheeky grin. "Come on, don''t look at me like that. Besides, it is not as bad as that guy from college who punched mean the face because I took the book he wanted to read." ire rolled her eyes. "What am I gonna do with you?" "Appreciate my resilience?" he offered. "Anyway, I just ran into Winnie downstairs. What''s she doing here?" ire hesitated for a moment before deciding there was no harm in filling him in. "She was updating me on the Lisa situation." Matthew''s brow arched. "Oh? And? Is there anything exciting?" "Well," ire began, settling back into her seat, "apparently Lisa''s been having a visitor. Twice." "A visitor?" Matthew repeated, leaning forward, his interest clearly piqued. "Who?" "Someone named Evelyn," ire said, her face still twisted in confusion. "Ever heard of her?" "Evelyn..." Matthew echoed, thinking for a moment. Then he shook his head. "Nope. Doesn''t ring a bell. What''s the story?" ire filled him in on everything Winnie had shared, from Lisa''s denials to the receptionist''s slip of the name. When she was done, Matthew sat back and let out a low whistle. "Lisa''s got herself a secret visitor. That''s juicy." "Juicy and suspicious," ire corrected. "Lisa''s not exactly the queen of subtlety." "True," Matthew agreed, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "What''s your n?" ire sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Same as before. Winnie kept watching, but I told her not to take any risks. If Lisa so much as twitches wrong, I want her out of there." "Smart," Matthew said, nodding. "You really think Lisa''s up to something shady?" "Who knows? to the meantime, we both don''t know who is this, Evelyn. Is she Lisa''s helper or not is still q big question mark. And Lisa''s always up to something shady ire said with a wry smile. The question is, how shady?" Matthew chuckled. "Fair point. But seriously, don''t you think Evelyn might just be, I don''t know, a friend or something?" ire snorted. "Lisa doesn''t do ''friends.'' She does ''people she can use."" "Harsh," Matthew said, though he didn''t disagree. "True," ire countered, smirking. The two of them sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their thoughts. Then Matthew broke the quiet. "You need to be careful too, you know," he said, his tone unusually serious "If Lisa''s hiding something big, she''s not gonna be thrilled when she finds out you''re sniffing around." ire waved him off. "I can handle Lisa. You know is not the first time she acted like that right?" "I know you can," Matthew said. "But just promise me you''ll watch your back, okay?" ire looked at him, surprised by the genuine concern in his voice. "I will," she said softly. "Good," he said, leaning back with a satisfied nod. "Now, what are we doing about lunch? I''m starving." ire groaned. "You are impossible, you know that?" "And yet, you keep me around," Matthew shot back, grinning. ire shook her head, unable to suppress a small smile. "Fine. Let''s eat. But you''re buying." "Deal," Matthew said, standing up and holding the door open for her. As they headed out, ire couldn''t help but feel a little more at ease. Sure, the mystery of Evelyn was still hanging over her head, but at least she wasn''t tackling it alone. Chapter 440 Secret Weapon Eligos sat at the head of the grand dining table in hisvishly decorated dining room. The flickering candlelight danced across the polished wood and fine China, casting shadows that should have been calming. A perfectly seared steak sat on his te, apanied by an elegant medley of vegetables. His favorite bottle of red wine, aged to perfection, rested nearby. By all ounts, it should have been the perfect evening. But Eligos couldn''t focus. His knife hovered over the steak, untouched. His thoughts were elsewhere, swirling around ire Peterson. The name alone made his jaw clench. The image of her cool, unbothered expression when things didn''t go his way gnawed at him. He stabbed the meat with his force and chopped it brutally as if the meat did some terrible things. How had this happened? This was supposed to be his moment. His n to humiliate ire should have been wless. The fake scandal with Cindy was designed to wreak havoc on ire''s reputation or, at the very least, destabilize her rtionship with Adrian Saint Laurent. Yet here he was, sitting alone with nothing to show for it. ire hadn''t been humiliated. She hadn''t crumbled under the weight of public scrutiny or flown into a fit of anger like he''d hoped. No, she''d stood tall, and worse-she and Adrian were seen having a romantic dinner afterward! The mere thought made Eligos''s blood boil. He could picture them now: Adrian doting on ire, ire looking smug as if she''d won. His grip on the knife tightened until his knuckles turned white. He''d had men watching ire that night. They reported back dutifully, their voicesced with fear of his reaction. And they were right to fear-he hadn''t taken the news well. It was one thing for the n to fail, but it was another thing entirely for ire to bounce back stronger than ever. It felt like a p in the face. Eligos exhaled sharply and dropped the knife onto the te with a loud tter. The noise echoed in the silent room. His patience, already threadbare, snapped. With a growl of frustration, he swept the te off the table with a forceful motion. It shattered against the marble floor, the sound satisfying in a twisted way. The red wine in his ss trembled from the force of his anger, a single drop spilling over the rim. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor, and leaned on the table with both hands. His dark eyes burned with fury, locked on nothing in particr. "This wasn''t supposed to happen," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "She wasn''t supposed to win. ire was supposed to crack and the headline about her so-called boyfriend didn''t do anything." For the first time, doubt crept into his mind. Had he underestimated ire? She was supposed to be another pawn in his game, another piece on the chessboard that he could manipte at will. Yet, time and time again, she slipped through his fingers, defying him with that infuriating resilience. No, he wasn''t going to let this slide. Eligos straightened up and began pacing the room, his mind racing. He needed a new approach, something sharper, something that would cut deeper. And then it hit him-a name, one he''d been holding in reserve like a card up his sleeve. Andrea. He stopped pacing, his lips curling into a sly, almost sinister smile. Andrea. His secret weapon. The young man was desperate, vulnerable, and utterly terrified of him-a perfectbination for maniption. Eligos had deliberately kept Andrea in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to bring him into y. And maybe that moment was now. ire''s Achilles'' heel was her family; that much was obvious. Her half-sibling, Andrea, was the perfect tool to exploit that weakness. "Maybe it''s time," Eligos murmured to himself, his voice barely audible in the vast room. "Maybe it''s time to use Andrea. My secret weapon and the key to ire Peterson destruction." The idea grew in his mind, taking shape with each passing second. Andrea''s desperation to save his mother made him malleable, and et easy to control. All Eligos had to do was dangle the right carrot in front of him, and Andrea would do whatever was asked-whether he wanted to or not. But the timing was everything. He couldn''t act rashly. Andrea was a vtile piece, and if handled poorly, he could implode the entire operation. No, Eligos needed to wait for the perfect opportunity, the exact moment when Andrea''s desperation would peak, and ire''s guard would drop. "When is that perfect opportunitye? If I waited long enough?" he muttered to himself. He resumed pacing, his mind now working overtime. How could he stage this so that ire wouldn''t see iting? He could picture it already the look of betrayal on her face when Andrea, of all people, became the weapon that shattered her world. The thought brought a dark satisfaction to his otherwise stormy mood. But a small voice in the back of his mind whispered a warning. ire had proven herself resourceful, and quick on her feet. She wasn''t an easy target, and she certainly wasn''t predictable. If he underestimated her again, it could blow up in his face. That voice annoyed him, but he couldn''t ignore it. No matter. He would n this move meticulously, leaving no room for error. "I need to be smart and not reckless. One thing about ire is catching her off guard. And if shocking her is that easy let me just hire someone who looks like ire''s parents, so she thinks that her parents aren''t dead." Eligos added with sarcasm as he rolled his eyes. He stopped pacing and poured himself another ss of wine, though he barely tasted it as he sipped. His anger had subsided slightly, reced by a cold, calcting focus. Andrea was the key, and Eligos would make sure to turn it at just the right moment. As he set the ss down, his phone buzzed on the table. He picked it up, ncing at the message. It was one of his men, reporting on Andrea''stest movements. Eligos smirked. Speak of the devil. He hasn''t headed out of his apartment only to buy food and groceries other than that, he is staying inside. Eligos typed out a quick reply, Eligos: Good. Keep watching him. Don''t interfere unless he tries to contact ire and if he does, immediately contact me and then bring him to me. He set the phone down and leaned back against the table, his mind already plotting the next steps. If ire thought she was untouchable, she was in for a rude awakening. Eligos had yed the long game before, and he wasn''t above ying it again. A smirked across his features as he thought about some scenarios in which ire would meet her secret half-siblings. He picked up his wine ss and raised it slightly as if making a toast to no one in particr. "To the game, ire," he said softly, his tone dripping with mockery. "Let''s see how you handle this round." And with that, he drained the ss, his anger reced by a chilling resolve. Chapter 441 Gossip at the Golf Court The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the pristine golf course, where a group of investors and corporate elites had gathered for a casual round of golf that felt anything but casual. Among them was Frank, the head of Venus Industries, struggling to maintain his "Thank you, gentleman. After all, golf is the second good thing I am good at other than spending money." They allughed at his jokes. "Now, Frank, it''s your turn." "Of course." He replied with a smile. Frank stepped up to the tee, his driver in hand, and tried to block out the chatter from the group behind him as he tried to focus on the ball in front of him. However, it seemed like those gentlemen preferred talking instead of being silent. "So, Frank," one of the investors, a sharp-eyed man named Mitchell, called out as he set his ball on the tee. "How''s Venus going these days?" His focus was shaky, though, as his mind raced with the issues guing Venus Industries. Frank adjusted his stance, gripping the club a little tighter. "It''s going okay," he replied coolly, his tone betraying none of the frustration brewing inside. Mitchell let out a low chuckle. "Okay, huh? That''s good to hear. What about that issue with the robot? Heard there was... trouble at the press release." Frank paused mid-swing, turned his head slightly, and gave a tight-lipped smile. "It''s been weeks, and we are doing much better. We''re doing damage control," he said with practiced ease. "But everything''s under control now. We are improving." The truth, of course, was far from what he''d just said. Venus Industries was still scrambling to recover from the public fallout of its failed robotic prototype. They hadn''t even filled the vacantb tech positions yet. Frank had tasked Robert, his headhunter, to find top-tier talent, but progress was painfully slow. Still, there was no way he''d admit any of that here-not in front of these smug, moneyed men who were all too eager to see him fail. Another investor, a rotund man named Edward, spoke up, his voice tinged with mock curiosity. "You know, I heard ire Peterson and Alexander Harris were spotted in Las Vegas recently, checking out Harris''stest hotel. Must''ve been a sight." Frank''s grip tightened on his club. He forced a smile. "Oh, is that so?" "Yeah," Edward continued, cing his ball on the ground. "Apparently, it''s got apletely different vibe from the usual Harris hotels. People are already talking about how innovative it is." "And let''s not forget Metacortex''s robot," chimed in another investor, a wiry man named Graham, adjusting his visor. "I hear they''re doing some incredible things over there. Can''t wait to see how they pull it off." Frank''s jaw clenched as theirughter filled the air. He turned his back to them, pretending to focus on his shot. "The only thing Metacortex is good at is creating a scandal, especially their CEO, ire Peterson," he said, his voice clipped, "but let''s not forget that ire''s team does all the work for her. She just reaps the rewards." Mitchell, ever the provocateur, chuckled. "At least her projects work, Frank. Unlike Venus thest time we heard about it." The group erupted inughter, and Frank''s hand slipped slightly on his club. He swung, but his shot went wide, the ball veering off course andnding in the rough. The poor swing was met with a few snickers, which only fueled the growing fire in his chest. "Excuse me for a moment," Frank said stiffly, brushing past them and heading toward his golf cart. He pulled out his phone as soon as he was out of earshot and dialed Robert. The call connected, and Robert''s voice came through, casual and unconcerned. "Hey, Frank. What''s up?" "What''s up?" Frank hissed, barely containing his frustration. "I will tell you what''s up, Robert. It''s been two weeks, and you''ve only found two candidates for theb tech positions. Are you kidding me?" There was a pause on the line before Robert responded, his tone defensive. "Look, Frank, these aren''t easy roles to fill. You said you wanted top-tier talent-people with experience in cutting-edge robotics don''t just grow on trees." "I don''t pay you to give me excuses, Robert," Frank snapped. "I pay you to deliver results. Two weeks for two candidates? That''s a snail''s pace. I need those positions filled yesterday." "I understand but you are the one who fired them out of anger and if you could only control your emotions, we wouldn''t be in this difficult position," Robert says slightly annoyed. Frank frowned as his grip on his phone tightened. "Are you criticizing me?" Robert replied, sounding slightly flustered. "I don''t mean it that way, Frank. I''ll elerate the search. But these things take time" "Time is a luxury I don''t have!" Frank barked, cutting him off. "Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to stand here and listen to these people talk about Metacortex like it''s the seconding of innovation while Venus is treated like a joke? Get it done, Robert. Fast." "Understood," Robert said quickly. "I''ll make it my top priority." "Good," Frank said coldly before hanging up and shoving the phone back into his pocket. He sat in the golf cart for a moment, fuming. His fists clenched and unclenched as he reyed the investors'' words in his head. The smirks, theughter-it all made his blood boil. Frank nced back toward the group still gathered at the tee, their voices carrying faintly in the breeze They weren''tughing anymore, but the memory of their mockery lingered. He couldn''t let this stand. Venus had to seed. Not just for the sake of thepany, but for his pride. For his reputation. "ire Peterson," he muttered under his breath, the name tasting bitter on his tongue. She was always one step ahead, always receiving des while he struggled to keep Venus afloat. Every sess she had felt like a personal affront. Frank took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. He couldn''t let his emotions get the better of him, not now. He had to focus. He had to strategize. If Venus was going to rise from the ashes of its failures, it wouldn''t happen by sulking on a golf course. He returned to the group, masking his frustration with a neutral expression. As he approached, Mitchell raised an eyebrow. "Everything all right, Frank?" "Perfectly fine," Frank replied smoothly, picking up his club again. "Shall we continue?" The rest of the game passed in a blur. Frank yed mechanically, his mind elsewhere. He barely registered the conversations around him, his focus instead on the next steps for Venus. He couldn''t afford another failure. Not with investors like this breathing down his neck, waiting for any excuse to pull their funding. By the time they reached the clubhouse, Frank had resolved to take matters into his own hands. He wouldn''t just rely on Robert to find talent-he''d personally ensure Venus got the resources it needed. And as for Metacortex? He''d find a way to away outshine ire Peterson, no matter what it took. Because failure wasn''t an option. Not anymore. Chapter 442 Preparing a Present ire sat at her desk in the office, her chin resting on her hand as she stared nkly at herputer screen. She wasn''t really working-her mind was preupied with an entirely different dilemma: Adrian Saint Laurent''s uing birthday. Adrian practically had everything, so the idea of buying him a material gift felt daunting. What could she possibly get him that would feel meaningful rather than generic? Just as she sighed and leaned back in her chair, the door to her office flew open without a knock. She didn''t even have to look to know who it was. "Matthew," she said dryly, rolling her eyes as he sauntered in like he owned the ce. "Ever heard of knocking?" "Knocking is for people who aren''t best friends with the boss," Matthew quipped, dropping into the chair across from her desk. He smirked, clearly amused by her less-than-enthused expression. "What''s with the face? Deep in thought about work, or is this about Adrian Saint Laurent''s big birthday bash?" ire arched an eyebrow at him. "What are you doing here? I thought you decided to actually take it easy for once and stay home." Matthew waved her off. "Please. You know I''d rather be here pestering you than sitting at home binge-watching TV. Besides, I missed you. Don''t pretend you don''t love mypany." ire snorted. "Love is a strong word. Tolerate is more urate." Matthew grinned, leaning forward. "So,e on. Spill. What''s got you all pensive and serious? Birthday gift anxiety?" ire groaned, running a hand through her hair. "Yes, okay? Adrian''s birthday is in five days, and I have no idea what to get him. The man has everything, Matthew. If I buy him some luxury item, it''s just going to feel... empty. I want it to mean something." Matthew rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then leaned back in his chair with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I''ve got it," he said dramatically. "Get him a giant life-size portrait of yourself. Gold frame, Renaissance-style. Something he can hang in his study so he''s reminded every day how lucky he is to have you." ire stared at him for a moment before bursting intoughter. "A life-size portrait? Really? That''s the best you''ve got?" Matthew shrugged, feigning seriousness. "Hey, it''s unique. And unforgettable. Plus, it''ll be a great conversation starter for when his friendse over. ''Oh, Adrian, what''s this?'' ''Why, it''s my lovely girlfriend immortalized in oil paint." ire shook her head, stillughing. "Yeah, I think I''ll pass on that one. Thanks, though." "Suit yourself," Matthew said with a mock-sigh. Then, after a beat, he leaned forward again, this time with a more sincere expression. "Okay, seriously. If you want to give him something meaningful, think about what makes your rtionship with Adrian special. What''s something that''s uniquely yours? A memory, an inside joke, something that only the two of you would get?" ire tilted her head, considering his words. "You mean something personal?" "Exactly," Matthew said. "You don''t need to impress him with a shy gift. You just need to remind him why he fell for you in the first ce. Make it heartwarming. Touching. You''re good at that stuff." ire smiled softly. "That''s actually... really good advice, Matthew. Who knew you were capable of being thoughtful?" "Hey, I''m full of surprises," Matthew said with a wink. "So, any ideas?" ire tapped her fingers on the desk, her mind racing. Then an idea began to form. "You know," she said slowly, "Adrian''s told me before that he loves anything handcrafted. Something made with care and effort. Maybe I could make him something." Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Like what? A macaroni ne?" "Very funny," ire said, rolling her eyes. "No, I was thinking something like... a personalized keepsake. Maybe a photo album or a memory box. Something that captures our time together." Matthew nodded, clearly impressed. "Now that''s a good idea. You could fill it with little notes, photos, mementos. All the mushy stuff that guys like Adrian secretly love but will never admit." ireughed. "Exactly. It''s thoughtful, and it shows I put effort into it. And I''ve got five days, so I can take my time and make it perfect." "See?" Matthew said, leaning back with a satisfied smile. "Crisis averted. You''re wee." ire gave him a grateful look. "Thanks, Matthew. For the advice and theic relief." "Anytime," he said with a grin. Then, after a moment, he added, "So... does this mean I get to help? Because I''m great at cutting and gluing. I was the king of arts and crafts in second grade." ire smirked. "I''ll think about it. But no macaroni nes." "Fine, fine," Matthew said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "But don''t say I didn''t offer." As Matthew got up to leave, ire leaned back in her chair, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She still had a lot to do, but at least now she had a n-and a pretty good one, at that. Adrian''s birthday was going to be special, and she couldn''t wait to see his reaction. Over the next few days, ire threw herself into the project. She decided to create a custom memory box, carefully selecting photos, and little trinkets from her time with Adrian. Each item had a story behind it a moment that defined their rtionship. Matthew, true to his word, offered his help. He spent an afternoon in her office, cutting decorative paper and teasing her relentlessly about her "scrapbooking skills." "This is crooked," he said, holding up a piece of paper with a dramatic frown. "It''s fine, Matthew," ire said, snatching it from him. "No, no," he said,ughing. "Perfection is key. Adrian Saint Laurent deserves nothing less." "Perfection is overrated," ire shot back, rolling her eyes. "Now hand me the glue." Despite his teasing, Matthew was genuinely helpful, and by the end of the day, the memory box was starting to take shape. It was simple but elegant, filled with heartfelt touches that ire knew Adrian would appreciate. As the days passed, ire found herself growing more and more excited about the gift. For the first time, she felt confident that she''d found something truly meaningful-something that would show Adrian just how much he meant to her. The morning of Adrian''s birthday had arrived, and ire was determined to make everything perfect. She stood in her room, carefully fastening a delicate diamond ne around her neck. Matching earrings followed, glinting subtly in the sunlight streaming through the window. She smoothed down the elegant fabric of her dress, a deep emerald green that highlighted her figure and brought out her eyes. With one final nce in the mirror, she decided she looked just right-not too overdone, but still morous enough for the Saint Laurent mansion. ire picked up the two gifts she''d prepared for Adrian: the handcrafted memory box, which she''d poured her heart into, and a custom-made ruby brooch set in gold. The brooch was extravagant, perhaps more than necessary, but she couldn''t resist. It was so Adrian. "I hope he likes my present. I will be damned if he ended up hating it." she muttered to herself as she stared at the box in hand. Chapter 443 Adrian Birthday Bash As she descended the stairs to the kitchen, the sound of rustling in the fridge caught her attention. She stopped in her tracks, raising a curious brow. "Matthew?" she called, her tone already carrying a hint of exasperation. Matthew turned around, cheesecake stuffed in his mouth, a sheepish expression on his face. "I can''t help it," he mumbled, crumbs falling as he spoke. "It was just sitting there, begging to be eaten." ire crossed her arms, shaking her head in disbelief. "That''s not even yours! I bought it yesterday for when I get back. Seriously, Matthew, you''re like a kid in a candy store when ites to my fridge." "Hey, you''re the one who stocked it with irresistible goodies," he countered with a grin, finishing off the cheesecake slice and licking his fingers. "Anyway, you look nice. All dressed up for lover boy''s big day?" "Yes, and if you so much as smudge this dress, you''re walking to Adrian''s mansion," ire teased, holding up a finger in warning. Matthew raised his hands defensively. "Rx. I''ll be on my best behavior. No cheesecake fingerprints on your designer gown, I promise." ire rolled her eyes, setting the memory box and brooch down briefly to adjust her earrings in the reflection of the ss cab. "Are you ready?" Matthew asked after a moment, leaning against the counter. "Almost. Just grabbing the gifts," ire replied, picking up the beautifully wrapped box and the brooch''s sleek ck case. She turned to Matthew and added, "And you''d better behave tonight. Adrian invited half of the business elite, and I can''t have you embarrassing me." Matthew feigned mock offense. "Me? Embarrass you? I''m a delight at parties." "More like a walking PR disaster," ire shot back, unable to suppress a smirk. "But seriously, I was surprised to see Adrian invited Alexander Harris." Matthew''s yful demeanor shifted slightly as he tilted his head. "Yeah, that''s... unexpected. Doesn''t he know you and Alexander don''t exactly see eye to eye?" "Oh, I''m sure he knows," ire said with a sigh, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "But it''s his birthday. If he wants to invite Alexander, that''s his choice. I''ll just have to deal with it." "Or we can identally spill a drink on Alexander," Matthew suggested, his grin returning. "I''d do it for you." ireughed, shaking her head. "Tempting, but no. Let''s try to keep things civil. For Adrian''s sake." A sleek Rolls-Royce was already waiting for them outside the penthouse. As they stepped into the luxurious car, Matthew whistled appreciatively. "You know, I could get used to this. Being chauffeured around in style." "Don''t get toofortable," ire said, settling into the seat. "You''re still not touching the snacks in the car." The drive to the Saint Laurent mansion was smooth and uneventful, though ire found herself fidgeting slightly with the ribbon on the memory box. The thought of seeing Alexander-and having to navigate the awkwardness of being in the same room-gnawed at her. But when the car pulled up to the sprawling estate, her apprehension was reced with awe. Adrian''s home was nothing short of breathtaking, with its grand architecture and meticulouslyndscaped gardens. As they stepped inside, the party was already in full swing. The grand ballroom was a vision of opulence, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the crowd of impably dressed guests. Servers weaved through the throng, offering sses of champagne and trays of hors d''oeuvres. Matthew leaned closer to ire as they walked in. "Wow. And I thought your penthouse was fancy. This ce is on another level." ire gave him a side-eye. "Behave." He grinned. "Always." They were quickly greeted by Adrian himself, who looked every bit the part of a host in his tailored suit. His face lit up when he saw ire, and he closed the distance between them in a few strides. "You look stunning," he said, his voice warm as he kissed her cheek. "And you look dashing, as always," ire replied with a smile, handing him the box and the small case. "Happy birthday, Adrian." Adrian took the gifts, his expression curious. "Should I open them now orter?" "Later," ire said, ncing around. "You''ve got a lot of guests to entertain." Adrian chuckled. "True. But I''ll definitely make time for these." As Adrian moved on to greet other guests, ire took a ss of champagne from a passing server and surveyed the room. It didn''t take long for her eyes tond on Alexander, who was holding court near the bar, surrounded by a small group of sycophantic admirers. Their eyes met briefly, and he raised his ss in a mock toast, his smirk unmistakable. "Ugh," ire muttered under her breath, turning away. "Spot the devil?" Matthew quipped, appearing at her side with his own ss of champagne. "More like the snake," ire replied, taking a sip of her drink. "I''m avoiding him." "Smart move," Matthew said. "But if he does try to corner you, just give me the signal. I''ll handle it." "I''ll keep that in mind," ire said, grateful for Matthew''s unwavering loyalty. As the evening went on, ire couldn''t help but admire how seamlessly Adrian navigated the crowd. He was charming and gracious, making every guest feel wee. It was one of the things she loved most about him his ability to make everyone feel seen and valued. Eventually, Adrian found his way back to ire, his smile softer now that the formalities of hosting were winding down. "How are you holding up?" he asked, slipping an arm around her waist. "Better now," she said, leaning into him. Before Adrian could say more, one of his guests approached, patting him on the back and engaging him in conversation. ire smiled, understanding the necessity of entertaining guests even on his own birthday. That was part of being a Saint Laurent-the grandson of one of the most influential men in the business world. Even a birthday party wasn''t just a celebration but also an opportunity to strengthen connections. "I''ll let you get back to your admirers," ire whispered yfully, squeezing his arm. "I''m going to mingle a bit." Adrian smiled apologetically, then kissed her cheek. "Don''t stray too far." ire wandered through the elegantly decorated ballroom until she spotted Adriana Saint Laurent, Adrian''s mother. Adriana radiated poise, her tailored gown and sparkling jewelrymanding attention as she conversed with a small group. "Adriana!" ire greeted warmly. Adriana turned, her face lighting up at the sight of ire. "ire, my dear! It''s so wonderful to see you here tonight." She pulled ire into a light embrace. "You look absolutely stunning." "Thank you," ire replied, returning the smile. "And you, as always, look impable." Adriana waved her hand dismissively but looked pleased nheless. "Oh, stop. You tter me." Adrian''s father, Charles Saint Laurent, approached with a ss of whiskey in hand, his expression softening as he noticed ire. "ire," he greeted with a nod. "It''s good to see you." "Mr. Saint Laurent," ire replied politely. "It''s a lovely evening. Adrian''s done an amazing job bringing everyone together." Charles chuckled. "That boy takes after his grandfather more than he''ll admit. Always a Saint Laurent, always a host." ireughed softly, then leaned closer to Adriana. "Speaking of which, where is Mr. Saint Laurent tonight?" Adriana smiled knowingly. "He''s upstairs, no doubt talking business. Even on nights like this, he can''t resist a good discussion about strategy." ire chuckled. "That sounds like him." "You should go say hello," Adriana encouraged. "He always speaks so highly of you." ire smiled then nodded. "I think I will. Thank you." Chapter 444 Peterson and Harris Chemistry Making her way upstairs, ire marveled at the sheer elegance of the mansion. The second floor''s lounge area was quieter, its ambiance more intimate with dim lighting and plush furniture. As she rounded the corner, she spotted Mr. Saint Laurent, Adrian''s grandfather, standing at the center of a group of influential-looking businesspeople. Among them was someone ire had hoped to avoid tonight-Alexander Harris. She inwardly groaned but kept her expressionposed. No sense letting him know he annoyed her. As she approached, Mr. Saint Laurent spotted her and beamed. "ire!" he called out warmly, extending his hand. "What a pleasure to see you." "Mr. Saint Laurent," ire greeted, shaking his hand with a respectful smile. "I couldn''t miss Adrian''s birthday. And of course, it''s always a pleasure to see you." The older man''s sharp eyes softened as he smiled. "ire! You''re a sight for sore eyes. Come, join us." The group of businesspeople turned their attention to her, their expressions friendly and curious. All except Alexander, who barely nced her way as he sipped his wine. ire ignored him and focused on Mr. Saint Laurent and the others. "Looks like you''re having quite the discussion," ire said lightly, seating herself gracefully on the edge of a leather armchair. Mr. Saint Laurent nodded. "Alexander here was just intriguing us with his ns for the new hotel in Las Vegas. Sounds like quite the venture." One of the women in the group chimed in, "It sounds incredible! Will there be a grand opening? I''d love to attend." Alexander smiled smoothly. "Of course. Invitations will be sent out soon." "I can''t wait to see it live. I heard that it will be different than most of your hotels. Is that right Mr. Harris?" Alexander nodded with a cool smile on his lips. "Yes, it is. You can say this project of mine will be one of my wildest dreams. After all, asking my father permission isn''t easy. You know the old man." The otherughed and Alex grinned. The groupughed appreciatively, and another guest turned to ire. "Speaking of business, how''s the coboration between Harris Hotels and Metacortexing along?" ire''s smile didn''t falter, but the question made her nce at Alexander briefly. "So far, so good," she replied vaguely. Alexander arched a brow, his expression one of faint amusement. "And the robots? How many will Metacortex provide for the new hotel?" another asked, clearly interested in the innovative aspect of the partnership. "Three," ire answered confidently. "Only three?" one man asked curiously. Alexander took that moment to interject, his voice smooth but edged with subtle challenge. "If the performance and customer response meet expectations, we''ll consider adding more." ire''s gaze flicked to him, her smile still firmly in ce though her jaw tightened slightly. "I''m confident the robots will exceed expectations," she said, her tone sweet but her words pointed. Alexander smirked faintly. "Let''s hope so." The group seemed oblivious to the undercurrent between them,ughing along at the exchange. But ire wasn''t about to let Alexander have the upper hand. "I suppose innovation takes vision," ire said, her voice light but with a deliberate edge. "And patience. After all, great things take time to perfect." Alexander raised his ss slightly, his smirk widening. "That they do. Of course, vision is only as good as the team executing it." ire''s eyes narrowed just slightly, but her smile never wavered. "Fortunately, Metacortex has an exceptional team. One that''s known for delivering results." One of the businessmen chuckled, looking between the two. "You two make quite the team. It''s like watching a chess match!" Alexander leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine. "A team, indeed. Coboration always brings... interesting dynamics." ire resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she turned her attention back to Mr. Saint Laurent, who seemed thoroughly entertained by the banter. "It''s always a pleasure working with innovative minds," ire said, directing her words more to the group than Alexander. "True innovation is rare," Alexander countered smoothly, raising his ss in a mock toast. "But when it''s real, it''s unmistakable." ire took a deliberate sip of her champagne, meeting his gaze over the rim of her ss. "Unmistakable. And, when executed properly, unforgettable." The room filled with lightughter again, the tension between ire and Alexander mostly lost on the others. "Well," Mr. Saint Laurent said, pping his hands together lightly, "it sounds like we have quite a show to look forward to from both of you." "Absolutely," ire said, her voice unwavering as she set her sses down. Alexander simply smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. The conversation eventually shifted to other topics, allowing ire a moment to breathe. She couldn''t help but feel a small sense of victory; while Alexander had his charms, she wasn''t about to let him dominate the room. As the group dispersed slightly, Alexander approached her, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "You''re feisty tonight, ire. I almost missed this side of you." She turned to him, her smile tight. "Don''t mistake my professionalism for passivity, Alexander." "Of course not," he replied smoothly, tilting his head. "But do be careful, ire. Ambition can be a double-edged sword." "So can arrogance," she shot back before turning on her heel and heading back downstairs to find Adrian. ire is still annoyed at Alexander for dumping his work on her back in Vegas and what makes her more annoyed is the fact that Alexander was attempting to tell her that the news about Adrian is true, and that ire have to believe his words. Alexander watched her go, his smirk fading as a contemtive expression crossed his face. ire Peterson was not someone easily underestimated a fact he was reminded of every time their paths crossed. As for Alexander he is a bit displeased as he heard that ire is heading back to London not because of him asking ire to help him with his work but because of Adrian Alexander doesn''t like the idea of it, but he really can''t do much about it since Alex and ire are merely business partners, nothing more. Eligos reclined in his chair, a bowl of popcorn in hand, as the multiple screens before him disyed live feeds from the Saint Laurent estate. Hacking into their surveince system had been almostughably easy-a fact he found endlessly amusing. "How ironic," he muttered, popping another piece of popcorn into his mouth. "The CEO of Metacortex, the pinnacle of security and technology, and her boyfriend doesn''t even use her software." He chuckled, his sharp eyes scanning the party guests as they mingled in the grand ballroom. The glittering lights, elegant gowns, and tailored suits made the celebration look like a scene from a movie. Adrian Saint Laurent, the birthday boy, was in the center of it all, exuding charm as he entertained his elite quests. Eligos leaned forward, his smile turning more devious as an idea crossed his mind. "What if I gave the golden boy a little surprise present?" He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "It has to be something he doesn''t already have something unique. Let''s make sure this is a birthday he''ll never forget." His fingers flew over the keyboard, issuing instructions to his men stationed near the estate. "Stand by and await further orders," hemanded through the mic. "I''ll let you know when to act." The n was forming in his mind, and the anticipation was delicious. Chapter 445 The Kidnapping The atmosphere remained lively and sophisticated. Guestsughed over sses of champagne, discussing business deals, art, and everything in between. Adrian moved effortlessly through the crowd, his natural charisma keeping everyone captivated. ire was engaged in a conversation about Metacortex''stest innovations when Matthew approached, his expression bored. "I''m heading out," he said, interrupting her mid-sentence. ire raised an eyebrow. "You''re leaving already? The party isn''t even over." Matthew shrugged dramatically. "What can I say? Champagne fountains and overpriced canaps aren''t really my thing." ire rolled her eyes, suppressing a smile. "You could at least pretend to enjoy yourself. You''re at the Saint Laurent estate, Matthew. This isworking gold." Matthew smirked. "Networking? Please. Half the people here don''t even know who I am. Besides, I''m doing you a favor by leaving. Now you can shine without my dazzling presence overshadowing you." ireughed despite herself. "You''re impossible. I don''t need to shine, Matt. Fine, go. But make sure the driveres back to pick me up." He nodded, grinning. "You got it, boss. Try not to let Adrian monopolize you for the rest of the night." As Matthew walked off, ire shook her head, returning her attention to her conversation. A little whileter, Adrian approached her, slipping his arm around her waist as she spoke with a group of investors. "You''re hard to keep track of tonight," he said teasingly, his tone low enough for only her to hear. ire nced up at him, smiling. "I could say the same about you, Mr. Social Butterfly. You''ve been everywhere." Adrian chuckled. "upational hazard. I don''t have much of a choice when half the city''s power yers are here." ire leaned into him slightly. "Well, you seem to be handling it like a pro." "Maybe, but I''d rather be spending time with you," he said sincerely, his gaze softening. ire''s smile grew, and for a moment, the bustling room seemed to fade into the background. "I''m d I came," she said. "You deserve to be celebrated." Adrian gave her a warm smile. "And I''m d you''re here. It wouldn''t be the same without you." Their moment was interrupted when a waiter approached with a tray of drinks, and Adrian was pulled away again by another guest eager to chat. ire nced at the time and realized howte it had gotten. When Adrian returned a few minutester, ire touched his arm. "I think I''m going to head home. It''s been a wonderful night, but I''m starting to feel the exhaustion setting in." Adrian''s expression fell slightly. "Already? I was hoping to steal you away for a dance." ire chuckled softly. "Rain check? You''ll have plenty of time to dance with me." He nodded, his hand brushing against hers. "Thank you foring. It really means a lot." "Happy birthday, Adrian," she said with a warm smile. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, lingering for a moment. "Get home safe." ire nodded, making her way outside to the car waiting for her. The evening air was crisp, and she took a deep breath as she stepped into the sleek ck Rolls Royce. Once inside, she leaned back against the seat, letting out a small sigh. "Home, please," she instructed the driver. The car remained still. She frowned, looking up. "Did you hear me?" The driver didn''t respond. ire''s unease grew, and she nced at the rearview mirror. That was when she saw him a man in a ck mask sitting in the passenger seat. Her heart began to race as the masked man turned and locked eyes with her through the mirror. Before she could react, he reached back with a spray canister and pressed down. ire immediately tried to cover her nose and mouth, but the fumes were overwhelming. "What are you" she gasped, her voice trailing off as her vision blurred. She fought against the pull of unconsciousness, her fingers fumbling for the door handle, but the child safety locks had been engaged. Panic surged through her as she wed at the window, but her strength was fading rapidly. "Who sent you? And why are you in my car?" ire coughed as she tried to fight the unconsciousness that was slowly getting in to her. Thest thing she saw before darkness overtook her was the masked man''s cold, emotionless gaze. "You''ll find out soon enough." Back in hisir, Eligos watched the scene unfold on one of his screens. He leaned forward, his lips curling into a wicked grin as ire slumped against the seat, unconscious. "Perfect," he murmured, grabbing his phone to issue further instructions to his men. Adrian leaned against the balcony of his mansion, the sounds of the party fading as he sipped from his ss of champagne. For the first time that evening, he allowed himself a had moment to rx. The evening been a whirlwind of handshakes,pliments, and subtle ''n negotiations. But even with all the positive energy surrounding him, his mind wandered back to ire. Her departure had left a small ache in his chest, longing he couldn''t quite exin. She''d looked stunning tonight, carrying herself with the kind of grace that made her seem untouchable, yet she was so deeply grounded in who she was. Adrian Smiled at the memory of her teasing him about being busy. "She''s something else," he muttered to himself. He pulled out a velvet box from inside his pocket and stared at it. He opened the box with much care as thee diamond ring shined brightly Alexander was nning to give this to ire at the end of the party, but he didn''t think that ire would be leaving so soon. Seems like his n needs to be postponed. ire''s world slowly shifted from a dark haze to a jarring, cold rity. Her head pounded as she blinked, trying to orient herself. The first thing she noticed was the sterile, dim lighting. She wasn''t in her car anymore-that much was clear. The second thing was the unmistakable metallic scent of a closed-off space. Panic surged through her veins as she forced herself to sit up. Her wrists were bound with zip ties, the stic digging into her skin. The surface beneath her was cold and hard, a stark contrast to the luxurious seat of her Rolls Royce. "Where am I?" she murmured, her voice hoarse and shaky. A sharp clinking sound drew her attention, and she realized she wasn''t alone. The masked man from earlier stood a few feet away, his back to her as he fiddled with something on a table. "Hey!" she called out, her voice gaining strength. "What do you think you''re doing? Let me go!" The man turned, his movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring her distress. He didn''t speak but simply adjusted his gloves, his eyes unreadable behind the mask. ire''s sharp mind kicked into gear despite her fear. "If you think kidnapping me is going to get you anything, you''re wrong," she said, keeping her tone steady. The man stepped forward abruptly, cutting her off. He leaned down to her level, the proximity suffocating. "I am not the one who you are going to deal with." Chapter 446 Escape Plan ire squirmed in her seat, trying for the hundredth time to loosen the ropes that kept her tied to the ufortable metal chair. The dim lighting of the warehouse wasn''t helping her mood, nor was the damp, musty smell that lingered in the air. She''d been there for who knows how long, and her patience was running thinner than a sheet of paper. "Great. Just great," she muttered to herself, kicking at the ground with the toe of her heels. "Why does my life have to be involved with kidnapping." She added sarcastically. Her brain buzzed with thoughts as she tried to piece together what was happening. Eligos. It had to be him. Everything pointed to him-his obsession with control, his shadowy tactics. But why? Why now? Had she identally offended him? Or was this just one of his twisted games? She sighed and leaned her head back against the chair. "I''m worn out, tired, stressed and my clothes is really not suitable for this asion." Just then, the sound of a door creaking open echoed through the warehouse. ire''s head snapped forward, her body stiffening. Heavy footsteps followed, each one slow and deliberate, the kind that screamed, I''m making an entrance. "Well, here we go," she muttered under her breath, straightening up. The footsteps stopped just outside the faint light spilling into the middle of the room. ire squinted, trying to make out the figure in the shadows, but the person stayed put. "Good evening, ire," a male voice said, smooth and almost annoyingly cheerful. It was the kind of tone you''d expect from someone who thought they were much smarter than they actually were. "Evening? Don''t you mean nightmare?" ire shot back, her tone sharp. "Who the hell are you?" The man chuckled, a low, amused sound that made ire''s skin crawl. "Oh, you will find out soon enough. But does it really matter? You should focus more on why you are here." ire red into the darkness. "Yeah, well, I''d focus a lot better if you''d stop ying Phantom of the Opera and step into the light." Anotherugh, this one a little louder. Then, finally, the figure moved forward. As he stepped into the dim glow, ire groaned. A mask. Of course, he was wearing a mask. "Seriously? What is this? Amateur hour? Or is it Halloween? I thought we are passed that." she snapped, eyeing the sleek ck mask covering his face. "Amateur?" The man tilted his head. "I think I deserve more credit than that. You are here, aren''t you?" "Only because someone shoved me in a car and dragged me here," ire retorted. "That doesn''t scream ''mastermind.""" The man ignored her jab, pacing slowly in front of her. "You know, you are a lot like your second-inmand. Stubborn. Mouthy. A bit too curious for your own good." ire''s eyes narrowed. "Matthew? What does he have to do with this?" The man stopped pacing and turned to face her. "Oh, he was a delight. Even though I didn''t get anything out of him, it''s still a pleasure torturing him. Though I''d prefer not to use the same methods on you." ire''s stomach flipped, but she refused to show fear. "What do you want?" she asked, keeping her voice steady. The man leaned closer, his masked face inches from hers. "Answers." "Answers to what?" ire shot back, leaning as far away as the ropes would allow. He straightened up, his voice casual. "Does the name An Smith ring any bells?" ire frowned, her brain flipping through mental files like a frantic secretary. "An Smith... An Smith..." She shook her head. "It sounds familiar, but I can''t ce it. Care to enlighten me?" The man tsked, like a teacher disappointed in a student. "Come now, ire. Don''t y coy. You and I both know An Smith wasn''t just any name." "Well, apparently we don''t, because I''ve got no clue what you''re talking about," ire snapped. The man resumed pacing, his tone turning mocking. "You''re either a terrible liar, or your memory is worse than I thought. And here I was expecting more from you." ire clenched her jaw. "Look, if you''ve got a grudge against An Smith, maybe try taking it up with Otherwise, I wouldn et him? Oh, wait, you can''t, you can''t, because he''s obviously not around anymore. be would 12 That struck a nerve. The man stopped dead in his tracks, his body stiffening. "Careful, ire," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "You don''t want to test my patience." "Oh, is that what this is? A patience test?" ire quipped; her sarcasm cranked up to full volume. "Let me guess: if I pass, I get a gold star and an early release?" The man turned to face her again, his hands sped behind his back. "You know, Matthew had the same attitude. So stubborn and loyal. I wonder where you got that kind of person. I''m impressed." "He told me what you did to him." The man turned to face her again, his hands sped behind his back. ire couldn''t see his expression, t .n but she knew he was probably smirking. "Oh, he did? I''m touched. So, what''s the rating? Did he tell you?" ire hissed at him. "You''re sick you know that." "So, I''ve been told. You know if you want to get your freedom, I suggest you talk now." "Well, I hate to break it to you, but I''m not much of a talker," ire shot back. "Especially not to masked creeps in warehouses." The man chuckled again, but there was a cold edge to it this time. "Oh, ire. You''ll talk. Everyone talks eventually." ire red at him, her mind racing. An Smith. Why did that name sound so familiar? Was he someone from work? Or was he someone ire knew? It felt like ire had heard his name, but she can''t remember when. To much on her te causing her to forgetting simple things. But the question is why did Eligos wanted to know about An Smith? And why didn''t Matthe tell her that he is looking for An Smith? ire thought to herself, she needs to have a serious talk with Matthew cause it seems that he is still hiding some important things from her. She needs everything to be transparent. One hiding a secret is not good for ire. She couldn''t ce it, but she knew one thing for sure: she wasn''t giving this guy the satisfaction of watching her squirm. "You can pace around all you want," she said, her tone defiant. "But unless you start making sense, this is going to be a very boring kidnapping." The man tilted his head again, as if studying her. "Oh, I''ll make sense soon enough." With that, he disappeared into the darkness, his footsteps fading as he walked away. ire groaned, slumping back in her chair. "Great. Another lunatic with a ir for drama. Just what I needed." She nced around the dim warehouse, her mind already working on an escape n. If Eligos thought she was just going to sit there and wait for answers, he clearly didn''t know ire Peterson. "I need an escape n." Chapter 447 Discovering Cryptonic Matthew was just finishing his shower, steam curling around the bathroom likezy ghosts, when his phone buzzed on the counter. With a towel slung over his shoulders, he squinted at the screen. The driver. He frowned. Calls at odd hours were rarely good news. "What''s up?" he answered, his voice casual as he started drying his hair. The moment the driver''s panicked voice came down the line, Matthew froze, the towel slipping from his hands. "Mr. Matthew-it''s-Ms. Peterson! She''s-she''s gone!" Matthew''s brows snapped together. "What do you mean, gone?" he demanded, his tone sharp enough to cut ss. The driver sputtered. "I was on my way to the Saint Laurent mansion. Someone knocked on the window-I thought they needed help. I rolled it down, and the next thing I knew, I was being dragged out and hit with... chloroform, I think? I woke up in the bushes, but Ms. Peterson-she must have thought I was the one who pick her up." Matthew clenched his jaw as he absorbed the information. "Did you see who did it? Anything-height, build, hair color?" "No, sir. It all happened so fast. I''m so sorry." Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting to keep calm. "You did what you could. Stay put. I''ll handle this." The call ended, and Matthew stood still for a moment, his mind racing. ire. Kidnapped. This wasn''t just a bad night-it was an awful night. Grabbing his phone, he called Adrian. The phone rang a few times before Adrian picked up, his voice casual and cheerful,ughter from the party echoing in the background. "Matthew, what''s up?" "ire''s gone," Matthew said, straight to the point. Theughter on the other end vanished in an instant. "What do you mean, gone?" Adrian''s voice dropped,ced with panic. "She''s been kidnapped," Matthew said grimly. "Driver got ambushed, knocked out with chloroform. By the time he woke up, his car gone and ire thought her driver was the one who pick her up." There was a beat of stunned silence before Adrian cursed under his breath. "Where is he now? Have you called the police?" "No police. Not yet," Matthew said firmly. "We don''t know who''s behind this, and I don''t trust them not to make things worse. We''re handling this quietly." "Handling it quietly? ire''s been kidnapped, Matthew!" Adrian snapped. "I''ming to help." "No, you''re staying at your party," Matthew said, his tone brooking no argument. "Are you serious right now?" Adrian''s voice shot up. "You expect me to sip champagne and pretend everything''s fine while ire''s out there-God knows where?" "I need you to stay put for now. If you leave, it''s going to raise eyebrows," Matthew argued. "You disappearing will make this mess even bigger. I''ll send you a location. Meet me there if you''reing but keep it discreet. No entourage." Adrian was silent for a moment, likely battling the urge to shout. "Fine. But if you think I''m sitting this out, you don''t know me at all," he said sharply. Matthew sighed. "Just be careful. And Adrian? If you''re bringing anyone, make sure they can keep their mouth shut." ""Got it." As the call ended, Adrian stared at the message Matthew sent: coordinates to a spot on the outskirts of London. A quick check on his phone told him the location didn''t exist on any map. Great. A wild goose chases on top of everything else. "Adrian?" His mother''s voice pulled him back to reality. He turned to find her standing nearby, a questioning look on her face. "Where are you going? The party''s just getting into full swing." Adrian''s mind raced for an excuse. "Work," he lied smoothly. "Something urgent came up. I won''t be long." His mother didn''t look convinced. "Work? On your birthday?" "Duty calls," he said with a strained smile, kissing her cheek. "I''ll be back before you know it." As he turned to leave, Alexander, who had been lingering near the bar, caught sight of Adrian''s hurried departure. His sharp eyes narrowed. Adrian wasn''t one to leave his own party-especially not without good reason. "What''s the rush?" Alexander murmured to himself, swirling his drink thoughtfully. Whatever it was, it had to be serious. The sleek car pulled up to an unmarked building that looked more like a tech startup than a "hideout." Adrian stepped out, his driver ncing around cautiously. "You sure about this, sir?" the driver asked, clearly uneasy. "Positive." Adrian squared his shoulders, his curiosity outweighing his nerves. A text buzzed on his phone: "Head inside. Billy will meet you." Adrian followed the instructions, stepping into the building where a man with sses and a no-nonsense expression was waiting. "What is this ce?" he muttered to himself. "You must be Adrian Saint Laurent," Billy said, offering a polite but curt nod. "Follow me, please." Adrian did, his eyes darting around the minimalist interior. It was high-tech and sleek, yet oddly sterile. "What is this ce?" Billy didn''t slow his stride. "Ms. Peterson''s hideout." Adrian blinked. "Her what?" Billy ignored the question, leading Adrian into an elevator. They rode in silence until the doors dinged open to reveal a spacious, high-tech office. Billy knocked on a door before stepping inside. "He is here," he announced. Matthew looked up from his desk, motioning for Adrian to enter. Adrian stepped in, his gaze darting around the room beforending on Matthew. "Alright, what is this ce? And what do you mean by ire''s ''hideout''?" Matthew leaned back in his chair; his expression unreadable. "This is where ire does her work. Let''s just say it''s her... other life." "Other life?" Adrian frowned. "What does that mean?" Matthew stood, walking to a shelf lined with files and gadgets. "ire''s not just some CEO or the woman you know. She has... resources. Skills Awork. This is where she operates when she''s not ying the part of ire Peterson." Adrian crossed his arms. "I know that ire has skills in hacking, but I have no idea she has another hideout? If that what you say." Matthew turned to him with a smile on his face. "Well seems like you already know what she do but I''m not gonna go into detail." "Wait, what you''re saying she''s living some double life? Like what? A spy? A vignte?" Matthew smirked, though his eyes stayed serious. "I wouldn''t call her that, but you can call it what you want until ire herself exin it to you. But right now, all you need to know is that this ce is our best shot at finding her." Adrian watched as Matthew worked, the screen lighting up with various feeds, maps, and data. "How are you even getting this information?" Matthew nced at him. "You''d be surprised what you can get with the right connections." Adrian sat down, trying to process the information. "And you? What''s your role in all of this?" "I''m her fixer, Matthew said simply. "When things go south, I clean up the mess." "Well," Adrian said, voice tight with frustration, "consider this a hell of a mess." Matthew nodded, already pulling up surveince footage on a wall-mounted screen. "No kidding. Now, let''s find her." Chapter 448 The Chase Begins Adrian paced around Matthew''s small, chaotic workstation, his expensive leather shoes echoing faintly on the tile floor. "How exactly are we supposed to find ire?" he asked, rubbing his temple. Panic was beginning to edge his voice, though he tried to keep his cool. "It''s not like she left a trail of breadcrumbs." Matthew, hunched over his desk, barely spared Adrian a nce. "Easy," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Every car ire owns has a tracker." Adrian blinked, surprised. "What?" "Yep," Matthew replied, his tone casual as he started typing furiously on his keyboard. His fingers flew across the keys like they had a life of their own. "You know, just in case something like this happens. She knows about it. It''s a safety thing. And honestly, if whoever''s got her hasn''t found the tracker yet, that''ll be a piece of cake." "That''s... unexpected or should I say smart? I mean, ire''s a tech genius, for sure, she''d think of something like that," Adrian said, watching the screen sh with lines of code and maps. "But you? I didn''t peg you as the hacker type." Matthew paused just long enough to sh a smug grin. "You''d be surprised. ire taught me a thing or two back in the day. She said I needed to ''up my game'' if I wanted to survive in her world." "Well," Adrian admitted, leaning closer to the screen, "it''s impressive. Not the tracking part-bit creepy-but the skills? I can respect that." "Thanks," Matthew said, his tone dripping with faux modesty. "What can I say? I had a good teacher." Adrian couldn''t help but grin. "Humble much?" "Never," Matthew quipped. Suddenly, a red dot pinged onto the screen. Matthew''s grin disappeared, reced by a frown. "What?" Adrian asked, rmed. "What is it?" "The location," Matthew muttered, squinting at the map. "It''s... familiar." Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Familiar how?" Matthew hesitated, his jaw tightening. "Because I had been there before. You know, when I got kidnapped." Adrian blinked at him, his jaw dropping slightly. "Kidnapped?! You are joking." Matthew shrugged like it was no big deal. "Wish I was. Long story. Anyway, let''s go." Meanwhile, in a dimly lit, abandoned warehouse, ire was testing the limits of her patience and her wrists. The ropes digging into her skin weren''t exactlyfy, but she wasn''t about to sit around waiting to be rescued. She took a deep breath and thought back to those ridiculous training sessions with Matthew. They''d been bored one weekend and decided to see who could free themselves from various bindings the fastest. At the time, it had been more of a joke than anything serious. But now? She was eternally grateful for Matthew''s penchant for weird hobbies. "Okay, ire, you''ve got this," she whispered to herself, twisting her wrists this way and that. The ropes were tight, but she knew the trick: wiggle, loosen, pull. It was slow going, and the rope burned against her skin, but she didn''t care. The pain was a problem for future ire. After what felt like an eternity, the rope finally gave way. "Yes!" she whispered fiercely, immediately moving to untie her legs. Her fingers were cramping, but adrenaline kept her going. Free atst, she stood and stretched, wincing at the soreness in her wrists. Now came the hard part: figuring out how to get out of this ce. Back at Cryptonic, Adrian followed him to the parking garage, where Matthew''s car was waiting. Sliding into the driver''s seat, Matthew barely gave Adrian a chance to buckle up before he mmed his foot on the gas, sending the car rocketing forward. "Whoa!" Adrian yelped as he was flung backward. "Seatbelt! Seatbelt!" Matthew nced at him and then raised his brows. "You are fine. Rx." "Do you always drive like this?" Adrian asked, gripping the door handle as if his life depended on it. "Only when it''s an emergency," Matthew replied, weaving through traffic with unnerving precision. Adrian groaned. "Can you at least pretend to care about speed limits?" "Nope," Matthew said cheerfully. "We''re on the outskirts of London. It''s a long drive, and I don''t n on wasting any time." They sped through the outskirts of London, the city lights fading as they approached the warehouse district Adrian, who had long since given up trying to reason with Matthew''s driving, focused on the task ahead. "So this ce...it''s where they took you before?" "Yeah," Matthew said, his tone clipped. "Not my favorite spot in London, if I''m honest." "Great," Adrian muttered. "Really looking forward to this." Back in the warehouse, ire was eyeing her surroundings, searching for potential escape routes. The front exit seemed like the obvious choice, but it also felt like the most dangerous. If there were guards, she''d be walking straight into their arms. Her eyes darted around, looking for something-anything-that could be used as a weapon. A pipe, a loose board, even a rusty nail. But before she could make a move, a crackling sound echoed through the room. "nning your escape already, ire?" She froze, her heart sinking. The voice came from a speaker mounted high on the wall. It was unmistakable: Eligos. "Gotta say, I''m impressed," Eligos continued, his tone light and mocking. "Not many people manage to get out of those ropes. But I suppose I shouldn''t be surprised. You''ve always been resourceful." ire rolled her eyes, trying to mask her unease with dry humor. "ow, thanks for thepliment. I''m ttered. I''ll be sure to add it to my rsum." Eligos chuckled. "You should. It''s not every day that I find myself genuinely impressed. Tell me, are you nning to run? Or were you hoping I''d give you directions?" ire kept moving, pacing the room as if she were considering her options. In reality, she was buying time, trying to figure out here move. Actually, I was hoping for an Uber. But you don''t seem like the kind of guy who''d offer a ride." "Oh, ire," Eligos said, his voice oozing amusement. "Always so witty, even in the face of danger. But let''s be honest, ire. You know you''re not getting out of here. Not without a little help. "Funny," she shot back. "That''s exactly what I was thinking about you." "You know," Eligos said, ignoring her jab, "this whole act of yours is fascinating. You pretend to be so calm, so collected, but I can hear it in your voice. You''re scared." ire stopped, her jaw tightening. "You don''t know anything about me." "Oh, but I do," he said smoothly. "I''ve been watching you for a long time, ire. I know your every move." "Creepy," she muttered under her breath. The conversation was cut short by a sudden ckout. The lights flickered off, plunging the warehouse into total darkness. The speakers went silent, leaving ire in eerie, suffocating quiet. "Okay, ire," she whispered to herself. "Stay calm." Her heart pounded in her chest, the darkness amplifying every sound. She held her breath, straining her ears for any hint of movement. Was this another one of Eligos''s games, or had something gone wrong? She didn''t have time to think. Out of nowhere, a hand grabbed her wrist. Chapter 449 Lights, Action, Chaos The warehouse was pitch dark, and ire''s heartbeat thundered in her ears. She tensed as the cold grip tightened around her wrist. On instinct, she swung her free hand hard, and the satisfying crack of her palm meeting someone''s face echoed through the room. SMACK! "Ah, ire, it''s me!" a familiar voice hissed, followed by a sharp beam of light aimed at his own face. Adrian squinted under the shlight''s re, rubbing his cheek. A shlight clicked on, illuminating the face of none other than Adrian. His expression was a mix of surprise and mild annoyance, his free hand rubbing his cheek where her p hadnded. ire''s eyes widened in shock. "Adrian?! What are you doing here?" she whispered harshly. Adrian gave her a lopsided grin despite the sting on his face. "What does it look like? I''m here to save you." "Save me?" ire frowned, half incredulous and half touched. She hadn''t expected Adrian toe charging in himself, not when this kind of situation wasn''t exactly hisfort zone. Adrian nodded, turning off the shlight and tugging her gently by the wrist. "Yeah, yeah. You can ask tons of questionster, but right now we need to leave before theye back and end up catching us both." Meanwhile, on the other side of the warehouse, chaos was brewing. Eligos stood in the darkness, his frustration barely contained as he barked orders into his radio. "What the hell is going on?! Get the power back on! And secure every exit-now! I don''t want her slipping through our fingers," he snapped, his voice sharp enough to make even his most seasoned men jump. One of his subordinates hesitated. "Sir, we''re not sure=" "Just do it! Then secure the ce. Peterson must not escape! Spread out, now." Eligos cut him off, storming toward the warehouse''s main floor. Sitting idle in the dark wasn''t his style, and if ire Peterson thought she could just waltz out of his trap, she had another thinging. The men scrambled to obey, their footsteps echoing as they hurried into action. Eligos grabbed a shlight himself and followed, his usually calm demeanor reced with visible frustration. Outside the warehouse, Adrian and ire emerged into the cool night air. ire''s eyes darted around, and she spotted a car not far from the building. "There!" Adrian whispered, pointing to the vehicle. "Get in!" ire didn''t need to be told twice. She sprinted toward the car, threw open the passenger door, and slid in. To her surprise, Matthew was behind the wheel, his hands already gripping the steering wheel tightly. "Finally, you guys came. We need to hurry before they realize ire is missing!" "Matthew?!" ire asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "How did you find me?" Matthew nced at her briefly, his expression tense. "Exnationster. Right now, we need to get the hell out of here." Before ire could press further, the roar of engines filled the air. She turned her head and spotted two motorcycles speeding toward them from the warehouse''s direction. "Go, go, go!" Adrian shouted, mming the door shut just as Matthew floored the gas pedal. The car lurched forward, throwing Adrian back against his seat, his seatbelt still undone. "For the love of-seatbelt!" Adrian shouted, fumbling to click it into ce as the car picked up speed. ire twisted in her seat to watch the motorcycles gaining on them. "They''reing. And they don''t look like they just want to wave us off. This Eligos guy is out of his mind!" Adrian has a look of confusion on his face. "Wait, who''s Eligos?" but none of them answer his question as they are too focus on the current situation. "No kidding," Matthew muttered, his focusser-sharp on the road ahead. "Just hang on tightly." "Wait, I have a question," ire said, her voice rising above the noise. "How did you even know I was kidnapped?" "Your driver," Matthew answered without missing a beat. "He called me after you disappeared. Said some guys forced him to stop and took you." "And what about him?" ire asked, nodding toward Adrian in the back seat. "I called him," Matthew replied. "and tell him that you are kidnapped." Before ire could respond, a loud bang rang out. A bullet grazed the car, making all three of them duck instinctively. "They''re shooting at us?!" Adrian shouted, his voice tinged with panic. ire''s expression darkened. "Matthew, focus on driving," she said firmly. "I''ll handle this." "Wait, what?!" Adrian asked, his eyes widening in rm. "What do you mean, you''ll handle it?" ire didn''t answer. Instead, she opened the glovepartment and pulled out a sleek ck case. Opening it, she revealed a disassembled handgun, which she began piecing together witho practiced ease. Adrian''s jaw dropped. "Is that a gun?!" ire smirked as she loaded the weapon, the sharp click of the magazine sliding into ce punctuating her confidence. "Just wait and see." Matthew, ncing at her in the rearview mirror, grinned. "I told you she''d be fine." Rolling down the window, ire leaned out and took aim, her movements steady despite the speed of the car and the bouncing road beneath them. The elbet motorcycles zigzagged to avoid her line of fire, their riders firing shots of their own. ire muttered under her breath as she adjusted her aim. The motorcycles'' agility made them harder targets than she''d anticipated. Switching tactics, ire climbed halfway out the window, positioning herself for a clearer shot. Adrian, still trying to process what he was seeing, shouted, "You''re insane! Get back inside!" Ignoring him, ire narrowed her eyes and focused on the nearest bike''s wheel. She exhaled, steadied her hand, and pulled the trigger. BANG! The bullet struck true, and the motorcycle veered wildly off course, its rider losing control and skidding into the woods. "Yes!" ire eximed, but her victory was short-lived. The remaining motorcyclist fired a shot that grazed her arm. She winced, biting back a cry of pain as she clutched her bleeding arm. Adrian''s face turned pale. "ire! You''re hit!" "It''s just a scratch," ire said through gritted teeth, though the pain was evident in her voice. Back at the warehouse, Eligos was seething as he listened to the frantic radio chatter from his men. "She''s getting away!" one of them shouted. "Not if I can help it," Eligos growled, storming toward his own vehicle. His men followed, their determination fueled by their boss''s fury. "Don''t let her escape!" Eligos barked as they roared onto the road, joining the pursuit. The chase continued and Matthew swerved the car professionally and ire still tried to aim at the motorcycle while Adrian is shocked but also a mixture of awe seeing his girlfriend on action. Matthew''s voice cut through the chaos. "We need to shake this guy off before he calls for backup!" "I''m on it," ire said, forcing herself to focus despite the throbbing in her arm. Climbing back into the car, she adjusted her position and leaned out the window.again. The remaining motorcyclist was closing in, his weapon aimed directly at themi'' ire steadied herself, blocking out the pain and the noise around her. "Come on,e on..." she whispered, aiming for the front tire. Chapter 450 Claire Good Shot The roar of the motorcycle''s engine grew louder, the rider closing in like a predator sensing victory. The glint of his gun aimed directly at their car was enough to send a chill down Adrian''s spine. "ire, do something!" he shouted, his voice tinged with panic. "I''m trying!" ire snapped, frustration and painpeting for control of her voice. She steadied her grip on the pistol, took a deep breath, and squeezed the trigger. BANG! The shot rang out, and the front tire of the motorcycle exploded with a violent pop. The bike swerved uncontrobly before careening off the road into a ditch, the rider tumbling into the darkness. Matthew let out a triumphant whoop. "That''s my girl!" ire slumped back into her seat, her hand shaking as the adrenaline began to wear off. Her arm throbbed painfully where the bullet had grazed her. Adrian reached over from the back seat, grabbing her hand. "Let me see that." "I said I''m fine," ire muttered, but she didn''t pull away as Adrian examined the wound. "You''re bleeding," he said, his voice quieter now, concern softening the edge. "It''s not that bad," ire replied, brushing him off. "We have bigger problems right now." Matthew nodded, ncing at her in the rearview mirror. "She''s right. Eligos won''t stop. He''ll send more men if he hasn''t already. We need to put some serious distance between us and them." ire turned to look out the rear window. The motorcycles were gone, but in the far distance, she could see headlights-a convoy of vehicles closing in fast. "Eligos," she muttered, her jaw tightening. "He''sing himself." "Perfect," Adrian said sarcastically, sitting back with a groan. "Because that''s what we needed a personal touch." Matthew pressed harder on the gas pedal, the car''s engine roaring as they sped down the dark, winding road. The headlights behind them grew brighter, and ire gritted her teeth, feeling the tension in the air. "Matthew," Adrian said, gripping the handle above the door, "I know you''re in a hurry, but is it possible to drive like you''re not auditioning for a stunt double?" Matthew smirked but didn''t slow down. "Not a chance. If I drive like you want, we''ll be caught in five minutes. Just hold on and enjoy the ride." Adrian''s head mmed back against the seat as Matthew swerved hard to avoid a pothole. "Enjoy it? This isn''t a roller coaster, Matthew!" ire, despite her pain, turned to nce at him. A look of concerned cross ire face. "Are you okay, Adrian? Do you have car sick?" "Oh, I''m fine and no I don''t have carsick." Adrian replied with a strained smile, gripping the seatbelt tightly. "But if I survive this, I''m driving next time." "Assuming there''s a next time," Matthew quipped, his eyes fixed on the road. Suddenly, ire''s gaze snapped forward. "Matthew, watch out!" A dark SUV appeared out of nowhere, blocking their path as it skidded to a stop in the middle of the road. "Hang on!" Matthew shouted, yanking the wheel to the right. The car veered off the road, crashing through bushes and onto a dirt path. The impact jolted everyone inside, and Adrian let out an undignified yelp. "Warn me next time you decide to go off-road!" Adrianined, clutching his side. "No time for warnings," Matthew said, his voice tight with concentration. He nced at ire. "Are you okay?" "I''m fine," she said through clenched teeth, though she pressed her hand against her injured arm. "We need a new n," Adrian said, twisting around to look out the back window. "Because if this keeps up, we''re either going to crash or run out of gas." In the lead SUV, Eligos sat in the passenger seat, his sharp eyes scanning the dark road ahead. His jaw was set, his expression a mix of irritation and determination. "Didn''t think she''d be this slippery," he muttered, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of menace. One of his men, driving the vehicle, nced at him nervously. "Should we block off the other exits, sir?" "Already done," Eligos replied, his lips curling into a smirk. "They''re running out of ces to go." Back in the car, Matthew made a sudden turn, heading toward an overgrown path that led deeper into the woods. "Where are you taking us?" Adrian asked, holding onto the dashboard as the car bumped along the uneven trail. "Somewhere safe," Matthew replied cryptically. "Define ''safe," Adrian said, his voice rising. ire interrupted, her tone firm. "Don''t worry. It''s safe." ire turned to him her face softened and she shot him a soft smile. "Trust me." Adrian leaned back, muttering under his breath then sighed. "Fine. But I should think that we should keep going instead of stopping." The car eventually came to a stop near a secluded clearing, hidden by dense trees. Matthew killed the engine and motioned for everyone to get out. "We''re walking from here," he said, grabbing a backpack from the trunk. "Walking?" Adrian said incredulously. "To where?" "A safe house," Matthew replied. "It''s not far." The group trekked through the woods; their footsteps muffled by the soft earth. The moonlight filtering through the trees provided just enough light to see the path ahead. en ire stumbled slightly, the adrenaline wearing off and the pain in her arm bing more noticeable. Adrian was by her side in an instant, steadying her. "You should sit down," he said, concern evident in his voice. "I''ll sit when we''re safe," ire replied stubbornly. Adrian sighed. "Of course you will." Back on the road, Eligos''s SUV skidded to a halt near the dirt path Matthew had taken. His men were scattered, searching the area with shlights. "They''re not far," one of them reported. Eligos stepped out of the vehicle, his sharp gaze scanning the woods. "Then find them," he said coldly. "And bring ire to me. Alive." The men nodded and fanned out, their shlights cutting through the darkness. After what felt like an eternity, Matthewded them to a small, abandoned cabin nestled deep in the woods. It was barely visible through the thick foliage, blending perfectly with its surroundings. "This is your idea of a safe house?" Adrian asked, eyeing the rickety structure skeptically. "It''s safe because no one would think to look here," Matthew replied. ire leaned against the doorframe, her energy waning. "It''ll do. Let''s just get inside." The group entered the cabin, which was sparsely furnished but clean enough. Matthew immediately went to a hiddenpartment on the floor, pulling out a first aid kit. "Sit," he told ire, motioning to a chair. She didn''t argue, too tired to protest. Adrian hovered nearby as Matthew cleaned and bandaged her arm. "You''re lucky it was just a graze," Matthew said. "I''m lucky you guys showed up," ire replied, her voice soft. Adrian sighed as he crossed his arms. "Consider yourself lucky that the bullet doesn''t prate your arm." "I sure am lucky," ire muttered as she looked down at her bloodied arm. Adrian stood at the center as he looked down at them both with seriousness in his eyes. "Ok, now we are currently safe. We have time to talk about what happened and someone needs to exin to me what happened." His eyes move to ire and a look of hurt crosses his face and ire feels guilty. "I-" "Please, no secret between us again, ire." Chapter 451 Adrian Found Out Adrian stared at ire''s eyes with seriousness in his eyes. ire couldn''t hold his gaze as she looked away feeling guilty for hiding such a secret to him especially when they were both are in a rtionship. Crossing his arms over his chest, Adrian stared down at ire while Matthew was taking care of ire''s bloodied arm. "So, I''m waiting ire." ire looked up to him, holding his gaze, then sighed. She turned to Matthew and ced her hand on his. "Matthew, can you please give us a moment?" Matthew looked between ire and Adrian for a moment before nodding. "Ok, I will wait outside while watching the area. He stood up from his seat leaving ire''s arm unattended and left the safe house. Adrian decided to take Matthew''s ce and took her arm alongside the bandage. "Adrian, I-I didn''t mean to lie to you or even hide things from you," "But you did." He cut ire off while treating ire''s wounds. She sighed. "You are right, I did but listen..." she turned to Adrian and stared into his eyes. "I have my reason why I hid it from you." He looked up at ire, no emotions on his face. "What''s the reason, ire?" "You know that my past isn''t as beautiful and memorable as others." she stood up, pulling her arms and ignoring Adrian who was treating her wounds. "I lost my memories for three years. Both my parents died, and I was the only one who was alive. My business partner whom I thought I could trust try to take over mypany and he didn''t even try to find me. I was married to the man I hate and now he is my business partner. I have an enemy, Adrian. Lots of enemies and I fear my enemies are expanding." Adrian sat quietly listening to ire''s exnation, not interrupting her for once. "Remember your car explosion? Do you think that''s an ident?" "I- is not is it?" She nodded. "Yes, it is not an ident. Someone decided to blow up your car. That person has nned the whole thing, why? It''s because of me. He is targeting me and if I keep pulling you into my eyes, having you involved in all my troubles, I''m scared for your life." her voice slightly trembles as she looks away. "ire, I-" "Adrian, I hid this from you because...I don''t want you to get hurt. You were already hurt because of me and I thought it was the right thing to do by hiding it from you." "Well, your thought is wrong. Yes, I got hurt but I don''t regret any of it. Yes, I broke my legs, wounds on my face, and such but I don''t care about it. Cause you are with me, you didn''t leave me. I know that you are the one who tried to find the person behind my car explosion," ire''s eyes widen slightly. "How-how do you know?" He shrugged. "I put two and two together. Matthew told me you are a hacker. The Raven is your alter ego and Cryptonic is your...how should I say this...your getaway, your ce of sce. You chose to be the prime suspect of that dead body you found just to locate the one behind the explosion. You know the risk and yet, you still took it." "Because you are not supposed to get hurt, Adrian." She took a step forward and caressed his cheek. "You are linked to me and those who are linked to me will get hurt." She said with a hint of seriousness in her voice. "What if I say, I don''t care? I don''t care if I get hurt, I don''t care if someone wants to kill me. I want to be with you, alongside you in your fight. I don''t want you to face this alone. I was there when someone was drugging you, remember?& was scared shitless about you, and I regret not being with you. So, this time, I will be with you wherever you go, and I want you to be honest with me about everything in your life. About this person who is chasing us. I want to protect you, ire." Adrian said to ire with seriousness in his tone and eyes. ire is touched by his words, captivated by the way he said it. "Are you serious?" "More than serious, ire." She couldn''t believe her ears, moreover, she couldn''t believe Adrian would do something like that. Knowing that he is a Saint Laurent, the one who will continue the Saint Laurent business. One of the most important figures in the business world and he chooses to protect ire and neglect his own safety just for her. Her eyes glistened and tears ran down her face as she couldn''t hold them. ire is not the type of person to cry in front of people, not even Matthew cause for her, crying shows weakness, and she hates it but Adrian''s words, and promise touched her heart. She rose onto her tiptoes, her heart racing as she gently pressed her lips to his. The soft warmth of his kiss ??? sent a wave of butterflies through her, making her heart flutter. Adrian responded tenderly, his lips moving against hers in a slow, deliberate rhythm. It was a kiss that spoke Volumes-filled with unspoken promises, deep affection, and an undeniable passion that set her soul alight. They should be wary of Eligos''s team tracking their movements, as the danger looms closer with every passing moment. The thought of being discovered lingers faintly at the back of their minds, like shadow they cannot entirely shake off. Yet, in this fleeting moment, neither of them can bring themselves to care. All their fears, worries, and the chaos surrounding them melt away as they bepletely absorbed in each other''s presence. The warmth of their embrace offers a sense of safety that feels almost defiant against the threats outside. Their kisses deepened, a silent promise shared between them, unspoken yet understood for now, this is their sanctuary, no matter how temporary it may be. They pulled away to take breaths as they both stared into each other eyes. "So, are you ready to tell me the person who is chasing us?" ire threw him a small smile and nodded. "The one who is chasing us, his name is Eligos. I don''t know if that is his real name or fake, but he has been haunting me for months However, there was one time that he stopped. No threats, no messages, and thought that maybe he had given up but then suddenly, he showed up sending me a message, hacking through mypany system and now kidnapping me. Adrian frowned deep in thought. "Have you seen his face?" She sighed. "I wish I could see his face, but he wore a mask. It''s as if he doesn''t want to be known. He wants to remain unknown as far as I know." "Or it''s a sign that his game or whatever it is, is not over yet." She nodded. "That could be true too." "Once this chasing is over and we can get away from this person, I will help you find him. Maybe with my influence, we both can find him faster." "Thank you, Adrian but I doubt he will be easy to find." The front door opened, and ire and Adrian turned to see Matthew. "Hate to ruin your moment guys, but I think the area is safe, Let''s go now before they find us." Chapter 452 Back at Cryptonic "That was close," Matthew said as the three of them jumped inside the elevator. "Consider ourselves lucky," Adrian muttered with a frown on his face. The familiar hum of the elevator was the only sound filling the air as ire, Adrian, and Matthew rode in silence, each of them still processing the events that had unfolded. The weight of Eligos''s relentless pursuit hung over them like a storm cloud, but for now, they were safe at least, for the moment. As the elevator doors slid open, ire stepped out first, the familiar glow of Cryptonic''s sleek, high-tech interior offering a small semnce offort. The walls, lined with screens and sophisticated security systems, stood as a silent witness to the chaos they had just escaped. ire took a deep breath, inhaling the cool, conditioned air, trying to settle her racing thoughts. Adrian walked behind her, his gaze never leaving her back, and Matthew followed closely, looking tense, alert. ire led them down the narrow hallway to her office, the one ce in the world she could retreat to when everything felt like it was spiraling out of control. She didn''t bother with pleasantries, immediately walking to the desk and sitting down in the sleek chair, dropping her bag onto the surface. She ran a hand through her hair and let out a frustrated sigh. "Alright, now we can breathe for a minute," Matthew said, taking a seat across from her. now that we''re out of immediate danger, I need to know-what did Eligos want from you? We didn''t get a chance to talk about it before everything went to hell." ire nced at Adrian, who nodded in silent encouragement. She turned her attention back to Matthew, her brows knitting together. "He''s looking for someone. A guy named An." Matthew''s expression shifted almost imperceptibly, his lips pressing into a thin line and his eyes narrowing slightly. ire caught it immediately. "You know something," she said, her tone sharp. Matthew hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. I do." ire straightened, ignoring the dull ache in her arm. "Matthew, did Eligose after you and then kidnapped you just to ask you a question about An too?" Matthew nodded looking down feeling guilty. "Yeah, apparently. Sorry for not telling you," Adrian frowned as he cut their conversation. "Why did you both end up being kidnapped? I think you guys should hire a bodyguard or something. It''s getting more concerning." "Trust me, bodyguards, no use," Matthew replied as he patted Adrian back. ire crossed her arms, ring at him. "I don''t get why you kept hiding things from me but fine. So, who is An? His name sounded familiar, but I couldn''t put a finger on it. And why is Eligos so interested in him?" For a moment, Matthew didn''t respond, his gaze distant as if he were sifting through memories. "You don''t remember him, do you?" ire frowned, the name nagging at the edges of her mind. It felt familiar, but she couldn''t ce it. "I''ve been through a lot, Matthew. Just tell me who he is." Matthew''s voice softened. "An''s the guy you asked me to look into a few months ago. You were curious about his background-his family, his history. But when I tried to dig, I hit a wall. No records, no trace. It was like he didn''t exist." ire''s eyes widened as the memory surfaced. "I remember now. An... he was connected to the ident. The car ident three years ago." Adrian''s voice broke in, his tone cautious yet probing. "The ident that involved you?" ire nodded, her expression somber. "Yes. The one that killed my parents and left me with three years of my life missing from my memory. An was there that night-or at least, I think he was. I didn''t have solid proof, but my instincts told me he was involved. That''s why I asked Matthew to investigate." Matthew leaned back in his chair, his face grim. "And I couldn''t find a shred of information on him, which only made it more suspicious. No one vanishes like that unless they have something to hide." Adrian''s protective instincts kicked in. "And now Eligos is hunting him? Why? What does An have to do with any of this?" "That''s the million-dor question," Matthew said grimly. ire stood and began pacing the room, her arms crossed tightly against her chest. "Eligos has been orchestrating chaos for months-the threats, the sabotage, the attempts to kidnap me-and now he''s after An. There''s no way this is a coincidence." Adrian''s brow furrowed. "Maybe An knows something about the ident. Something Eligos doesn''t wanting to light.'' "Or," Matthew interjected, "he''s working with Eligos." ire shook her head firmly. "No. If An were working with Eligos, he wouldn''t be a target. Eligos doesn''t waste time chasing people who are already under his control. This is about leverage or information "Matthew shook his head and heaved a sigh. "I wish it was that easy but apparently the guy is dead. So, we have no lead." The room fell silent, the weight of Matthew''s words settling over them like a lead nket. Adrian''s voice was in disbelief as if he didn''t believe what he just heard. "Dead? How?" "He died six monthster after the ident involving ire and her parents. And An dies due to natural causes. Heart failure." Matthew raised his brows as he looked into Adrian''s eyes. "Do you think that makes sense?" Adrian frowned, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive. "If An''s dead, and Eligos is still looking for him, then there''s more to this story. He''s not after An himself-he''s after whatever An left behind." ire nodded, her mind racing. "It could be documents, evidence, something that ties Eligos to something that is much bigger." "Exactly," Matthew said. "There is a higher chance of that happening." Matthew nodded in agreement. "That''s the most likely exnation. But finding whatever An left behind won''t be easy." ire stopped pacing and leaned against her desk; her voice suddenly quieter, more contemtive. "If this is about leverage, it means someone else is pulling strings too. Could Eligos be working with Robert?" "Wait...Robert is involved in this too?" asked Adrian curiously. "Apparently, he is not what you thought or people thought he was. Just be careful if he tries to do business with you, Adrian." ire gives him some advice. The name hung in the air like an usation. Robert had been ire''s primary suspect for months, and his underhanded dealings and cryptice connections painted him as a possible culprit. But now, with Eligos escting his threats and unknown yers entering the game ire felt the foundation of her theories begin to crumble. Matthew shook his head, his frustration evident. "I don''t know, ire. It doesn''t add up. Eligos and ݧ Robert in the same equation? It''s like trying to mix oil and water. Besides their method to approach ispletely different. Robert talks a lot, and often bluffs while Eligos, talk less but jump into action out of nowhere." ire thought for a while. "I mean what you said makes sense, but I don''t know...I feel like this answer isn''t what we are looking for. There is more to it than the eyes meet." Chapter 453 The Proposal It had been a long day for everyone. Matthew decided enough was enough and waved goodbye to ire and Adrian, heading home for some much-needed rest. ire, however, remained at Cryptonic, not working but stewing over everything that had unfolded. Her mind buzzed like an angry hive of bees. Adrian noticed her sitting on the couch, arms crossed, eyes darting back and forth as if trying to crack an invisible code. He sighed and plopped down beside her, leaning back casually. "ire, you''ve got to let it go. Rest," Adrian said softly, nudging her arm with his elbow. ire shook her head, looking at him like he''d just suggested she run a marathon in heels. "I can''t, Adrian. If I let my guard down even for a second, Eligos will twist this whole situation into something worse. He always finds a way." Adrian frowned, watching her fingers twist a strand of hair absentmindedly. He reached over, gently taking her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "ire," he said, voice low and serious, "I need to talk to you about something. I was going to say this before you stormed off from the party." ire blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. "What is it?" Adrian pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. Amazingly, it was still intact despite all the chaos they''d gone through earlier. ire''s heart skipped a beat as he flipped it open, revealing a stunning diamond ring that sparkled even in the dim office lighting. "I want you to be mine," Adrian said simply, his eyes locked onto hers. ire froze, her breath hitching. For a moment, all she could do was stare at the ring, her wide eyes reflecting the glimmer of the diamond. "Adrian," she whispered, pulling her hand away and standing up so fast she almost tripped on the coffee table. Adrian followed suit, frowning slightly as he stepped closer. "ire, I''m serious. I love you. I''ve never been more sure of anything in my life." She shook her head, taking a step back. "You don''t understand. If we do this if I say yes you could get hurt. Eligos isn''t someone you can just ignore. He''lle after you, Adrian." "I''m already in this, ire," Adrian said firmly. "I''ve been hurt before, and I''m still here, aren''t I? We''re already together. What''s the difference if we take this step?" "The difference is...it''s serious. It''s permanent," ire said, her voice cracking slightly. "What if I can''t protect you? What if you end up regretting this?" Adrian groaned, running a hand through his hair. "We''ve talked about this before, ire. Remember the safe house? You promised me you''d stop pushing me away. Was that just something you said to make me feel better?" ire opened her mouth to respond but closed it again. She was tongue-tied. Every logical part of her brain told her to push Adrian away for his own good, but her heart screamed for her to grab him and never let go. Adrian softened his tone, stepping closer. "Listen, you don''t have to give me an answer right now. I just needed to tell you how I feel. Before ire could protest, he gently took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, like it had been waiting for this moment all along. "I''ll wait for you," Adrian said, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "No matter how long it takes." With onest lingering smile, he turned and walked out of the office, leaving ire standing there like a statue. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears. She nced down at the ring on her finger, the weight of it feeling heavier than it should. She was shocked, yes, but there was also a warmth blooming in her chest-a fluttering she couldn''t ignore. Adrian Saint Laurent just proposed to her. And she didn''t know what to do. Hours passed, but ire couldn''t shake the moment from her mind. She paced back and forth in her office, mattering to herself like a madwoman. The silence of the room seemed to grow heav her thoughts ricocheting off the walls as she tried to make sense of everything. "What is he thinking? Does he even realize what he''s getting into?" she said aloud, her voice sharp as she ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. Her eyes darted to the small velvet box on her desk. It sat there, innocent and unassuming, yet it carried the weight of a thousand possibilities. With hesitant fingers, she opened it once again, the diamond ring inside catching the dim light and sparkling as if it held answers she desperately sought. She sighed, snapping the box shut with a frustrated click. "Why did he have to make it so...so perfect?" she muttered, the sparkle of the ring burned into her memory like a mocking reminder of her indecision. The sound of a knock on the door jolted her out of her spiral. Startled, she blinked and turned toward the noise, clearing her throat as if to summon some semnce ofposure. "Come in," she called, her voice steady but tinged with weariness. The door opened slightly, and Matthew peeked his head in. He nced around the room before stepping inside, looking a bit sheepish. "Hey. Sorry to barge in. I think I left myptop in here earlier." ire blinked at him, momentarily caught off guard by the intrusion. "Yourptop?" she repeated, her tone a mix of surprise and relief. "Yeah," Matthew said, scanning the room. His gazended on the device sitting on the corner of her desk, and he pointed at it. "There it is." But instead of leaving, Matthew lingered, studying her with a curious expression. "You okay? You look confused and surprised?" ire sighed, feeling the weight of his concern. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she admitted, "Adrian proposed." Matthew froze mid-step, his eyebrows shooting up so fast they nearly disappeared into his hairline. "Wait, what? Like proposed proposed? With a ring and everything?" "Exactly that," ire said, her tone t as she reached for the velvet box. She opened it and held it out for him to see. Matthew let out a low whistle, plopping down on the couch. "Wow. Didn''t see thating tonight. So, what did you say?" "I didn''t say anything," ire admitted, flopping down beside him. "I just...froze. And then he left, saying he''d wait for me to decide. Matthew tilted his head, studying her. "And how do you feel about it?" "That''s the problem!" ire groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "I don''t know. I love him, but this feels huge. Like, ''no turning back'' huge. And what if Eligoses after him because of me? I couldn''t handle that." Matthew nodded slowly, rubbing his chin. "I get it. But, ire, Adrian''s a grown man. He knows the risks, and he still wants to be with you. That says something, doesn''t it?" ire buried her face in her hands. "Why do you have to be so reasonable right now?" "Because someone has to be," Matthew teased, nudging her shoulder. "Look, just take your time. Adrian''s not going anywhere. And neither am I, for that matter. We''ve got your back, okay?" ire peeked at him through her fingers, a small smile breaking through her stress. "Thanks, Matthew." "Anytime," he said, standing up and stretching. "Now, go to bed. You''re gonna drive yourself crazy if you keep this up all night." As he left, ire leaned back on the couch, staring at the ring once more. Maybe Matthew was right. Maybe she just needed to trust Adrian-and herself. But that was easier said than done. Chapter 454 A Coma? Eligos was livid. No, scratch that he was absolutely furious. The heavy oak desk in his study groaned under the force of his fist mming down onto it. Papers and pens scattered, and the neat stack of documents he prided himself on now resembled the aftermath of a tornado. "How does this keep happening?" he growled, ring at the surface as if it had personally wronged him. His men had failed, again. ire had slipped through their fingers, and Eligos was not one to take failure lightly. "Am I leading a team of circus clowns?" he muttered under his breath. Pacing the room like a caged tiger, his thoughts kept circling back to one thing: ire Peterson. Did she really forget who An was? It was almostughable. She''s the one who told Matthew to investigate him, Eligos thought bitterly. And now she''s acting like the name doesn''t even ring a bell. Eligos let out a bitter chuckle, though itcked humor. "And this is the woman running Metacortex," he muttered, the sarcasm dripping from his words. He ran a hand through his slicked-back hair, his frustration palpable. But he wasn''t one to let things go. Oh, no. If ire thought she could just dance her way around this, she was sorely mistaken. He vowed, right then and there, that he would hear the truth from her lips. And I''ll be the one to make her say it, he promised himself, his eyes narrowing as his resolve hardened. Meanwhile, Alexander is still at the Saint Laurent mansion lounging in thevish living room, holding a ss of wine in one hand while his phone rested on the armrest of his velvet chair. He had been keeping tabs on Adrian through a private investigator-discreetly, of course. The phone buzzed, and Alexander picked it up, his face unreadable as he listened. "He went where?" he asked, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of curiosity. "A forest," the investigator replied. "At least, that''s what it looks like on the map. No buildings, nondmarks just trees." Alexander frowned, swirling the wine in his ss as he pondered this new information. "A forest," he repeated, almost to himself. "How... quaint." The investigator continued, "I kept a safe distance as you instructed. Couldn''t see much from where I was, though.'' Alexander nodded, even though the investigator couldn''t see him. "And you''re sure you didn''t spot him meeting anyone?" "No one, sir. If he did, it was deeper in the woods." "Hm." Alexander leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as if it held the answers. "Thank you. That will be all for now." He hung up and set the phone down, his mind racing. Adrian was the host of his own birthday party and yet here he was wandering off into a forest without anyone noticing. What a weird man, Alex thought. Alexander sighed, sipping his wine. He had no doubt this had something to do with ire. It always did. But he couldn''t exactly ask her about it. That would only give her another reason to despise him. A few dayster, things had seemingly returned to normal or as normal as they could get when you had Eligos lurking in the shadows. ire, ever vignt, kept her eyes and ears open, ready for any sudden moves from him. But so far, nothing. Not a peep. "Too quiet," ire muttered to herself as she sipped her morning coffee. She didn''t trust the calm; it felt like the eerie silence before a storm. But for now, she focused on her work. Her current project was something she was genuinely excited about: Alexander''s hotel in Vegas was about to have its grand opening in just a few weeks. ire had been working on a robotic concierge prototype, and this was going to be its big debut. If the feedback was positive, she nned to produce the robot on arger scale under Metacortex. The thought of it brought a rare smile to her face. It felt good to work on something innovative instead of constantly strategizing and scheming. She could almost see it now-guests being wowed by the sleek design and efficiency of her creation. The image made her giddy, a nice change from the usual stress. Her phone rang, jolting her out of her daydream. Setting down her coffee, she picked it up. "ire Peterson," she answered briskly. "Ms. Peterson," came a somber voice on the other end. "This is Officer Daniels from the London Metropolitan Police." ire straightened in her chair, her heart sinking. "Yes? What''s this about?" "I''m calling to inform you that Matthew Finnegan has been involved in a car ident." ire''s breath hitched. "What? Is he " She couldn''t bring herself to finish the question, her mind spinning with every possible worst-case scenario. "It''s better if youe to the hospital," Officer Daniels replied, his tone grim but measured. "I believe you''ll want to see his condition for yourself." ire felt her heart drop into her stomach. Something wasn''t right-she could feel it. "I''m on my way," she said quickly, grabbing her bag and practically sprinting out of her office. She didn''t even bother to tell Sandra to cancel the meeting she had scheduled in an hour. Nothing mattered right now except getting to Matthew. Her driver barely had time to open the car door before ire hopped in. "Take me to St. George''s Hospital. And step on it," she ordered, her voice trembling but firm. "Yes, ma''am," the driver replied, his own sense of urgency kicking in. ire sat back, her fingers tapping anxiously on her bag. "He''s strong," she muttered to herself, trying to shake off the knot in her stomach "Nothing''s going to happen to him. He''s tougher than this." But no e? matter how much she tried to reassure herself, the officer''s voice and the weight of his words lingered in her mind. As the car pulled up to the hospital, ire barely waited for the driver to stoppletely before jumping out. She hurried to the front desk, her heels clicking loudly on the tiled floor. "Matthew Finnegan," she said breathlessly to the nurse at the desk. "Where is he?" The nurse looked up from herputer. "He''s in the ICU. Take the elevator to the third floor and follow the signs." ire nodded quickly and rushed toward the elevator. The ride up felt like an eternity, the sterile hum of the hospital making her stomach churn. When the doors opened, she spotted two police officers standing outside a room at the end of the hall. She marched straight toward them. One of them, a tall man with kind eyes, stepped forward. "Ms. Peterson?" "Yes," she said, barely sparing him a nce as her eyes darted to the door. "What happened? What''s the chronology? How did this-" "Ms. Peterson," the officer interrupted gently. "Let''s take it one step at a time. Matthew''s condition is stable, but-" Before he could finish, the door to the room opened, and a doctor stepped out. ire immediately turned her attention to him, her voice urgent. "Doctor, how is he? Is he... is he okay?" The doctor''s expression was a mix of somber professionalism and a hint of relief. "Matthew is alive," he began carefully, "and his pulse is steady now, though it was weak when he arrived. However. ire''s chest tightened. "However?" "He''s in aa," Chapter 455 Next to Him "He''s in aa," the doctor continued gently. "We can''t say for certain when or if he will wake up. It could be days, weeks, or even longer. But he''s stable for now, and that''s a good sign." ire felt her knees buckle slightly, and she grabbed the nearest wall for support. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over as the weight of the doctor''s words hit her like a freight train. "Aa?" she whispered, her voice cracking. The doctor nodded, his tone sympathetic. "It''s too early to tell what the long-term prognosis will be. Right now, we''re monitoring him closely." ire wiped her cheeks hastily, though the tears kepting. "Can I see him?" "Of course," the doctor said, stepping aside. ire pushed the door open slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. Matthewy on the hospital bed, pale and still, with various monitors beeping softly around him. Tubes and wires surrounded him, a sight that made ire''s chest ache even more. She approached the bed, her hand trembling as she reached out to touch his. "Matthew," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You better wake up, you hear me? You''re not allowed to leave me like this." Her tears fell freely now,nding on the edge of the nket. "You''re my right hand. My partner. My-" Her voice cracked again, and she shook her head. "You''re my best friend, Matthew. You''re not allowed to give up. Not now." Behind her, Officer Daniels stepped into the room quietly. "Ms. Peterson, I understand this is overwhelming, but if you''re ready, I''d like to exin what happened." ire straightened, her jaw tightening as she swiped at her cheeks. "Fine. Talk," she said, her voice firmer now. The officer nodded. "From what we''ve gathered, Matthew''s car was run off the road. It wasn''t an ident -it looks deliberate." ire''s eyes widened. "Deliberate? Are you saying someone tried to kill him?" "It''s a strong possibility," Daniels admitted. "We''re investigating leads now, but we wanted to inform you as soon as possible, given your close rtionship with him." ire clenched her fists, anger bubbling beneath her grief. "Who would do this? Do you have any suspects?" Daniels hesitated. "We''re looking into it. I can''t disclose too much at this stage, but we''ll keep you updated." ire turned back to Matthew, her gaze softening again. "Matthew, you idiot," she muttered, though her tone wasced with affection. "Always in the middle of something dangerous." Daniels cleared his throat. "We''ll leave you to have some time with him. If you think of anything that might help our investigation, please let me know." ire nodded absently, not taking her eyes off Matthew. As the officer left, she pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed, gripping Matthew''s hand tightly. "Remember that time you told me I worked too hard?" she said softly, her voice trembling. "You said I needed to take a break before I burnt out. And I told you I couldn''t because someone had to keep things running. Well, guess what? I need you now, Matthew. I can''t keep things running without you." The room was silent except for the steady beeping of the monitors. ire sat there for what felt like hours, her thoughts racing between anger, fear, and determination. She leaned in closer, her tears drying as resolve set in. "Whoever did this to you, Matthew, they''re going to pay. I promise you that." ire didn''t know who was behind it yet, but she would find out. And when she did, they''d regret ever crossing her. For now, though, all she could do was sit by Matthew''s side and hope he''d wake up to see the n she was already forming. ire hadn''t left Matthew''s side for the entire week. She''d practically set up camp in his hospital room, only. leaving to grab coffee or take a moment to collect herself in the. hallway. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors had be her background music, a constant reminder of the situation she couldn''t escape. For the first day, she ignored Adrian''s calls? Not because she wanted to, but because she couldn''t handle exining everything-not yet. The moment she saw his name light up her phone, guilt crept in. Adrian deserved to know, especially after everything they''d been through. By the second day, her resolve broke. When Adrian called again, she sighed and picked up, her voice barely above a whisper. "ire?" Adrian''s familiar voice came through, filled with concern. "Why didn''t you answer my calls? I''ve been worried sick." "I''m sorry," ire said, her voice shaky. "It''s... Matthew. He got into an ident. He''s in aa." There was a pause, and ire could practically hear the gears turning in Adrian''s head. "What? Matthew? How... how did that happen?" His voice was thick with disbelief, mixed with a hint of panic. ire swallowed hard, her eyes darting to Matthew''s still form on the bed. "It wasn''t an ident," she said after a moment. "At least, not the kind you think. Someone''s trying to kill him. This... it was nned." Adrian''s sharp intake of breath made her stomach churn. "You''re sure?" "Yes," ire replied, her tone firm. "And before you ask, yes, the police are investigating. But let''s be honest-" she let out a humorlessugh, "-they''re not going to find anything. Whoever did this knew what they were doing. Adrian let out a string of muttered curses under his breath. "I can''t believe this. ire, are you okay? How are you holding up?" ire hesitated. "I''m fine. I mean, as fine as I can be given... this." Her gaze softened as she looked at Matthew. "He''s tough. He''ll pull through." "I wish I was there," Adrian said, his voice tinged with regret. "I''m in the middle of a flight to Italy right now. I''lle back as soon as I can." "No, don''t," ire said quickly, surprising herself with her firmness. "You have work. Focus on that. I''ve got it handled here." Adrian didn''t reply immediately, and she could tell he wanted to argue. She preempted him. "Adrian, please. Don''t fight me on this. You''ll only make things harder for both of us." "Fine," Adrian finally relented, though his voice was reluctant. "But if anything changes, you call me. Promise me that." "I promise," ire said softly, her eyes still locked on Matthew. "Take care of yourself, Adrian." "You too," he said. "And ire... I''m sorry. For everything you''re going through." "Thanks," she whispered before ending the call. She sat in silence for a while after that, her phone still clutched in her hand. The weight of the situation bore down on her like an anchor, but she pushed the feeling aside. Matthew needed her to stay strong, and she wasn''t about to let him down. As the day wore on, the hospital room grew quieter, the hum of machinery bing almost soothing in its monotony. A nurse eventually approached, her expression kind but firm. "Ms. Peterson," the nurse said gently, "visiting hours are over." ire nodded, grabbing her bag from the chair beside her. She stood, smoothing down her zer as she looked back at Matthew. His face was peaceful, almost as if he were just sleeping. "If anything changes, anything at all, call me immediately." "Of course," the nurse replied with a reassuring smile. ire hesitated before leaving, her fingers brushing against Matthew''s hand. "Hang in there," she whispered, more to herself than him. "We''ll figure this out. I promise." Chapter 456 Client’s Event Another week had passed, and Matthew was still in aa. ire visited him daily, and her routine now consisted of a blend of hospital visits and mountains of work. She''d ask the doctor about Matthew''s condition every single time, hoping for some kind of miracle answer. But the doctor would always give her the same calm but frustrating response: "Matthew is stable. However, when he will wake up... we really don''t know." The uncertainty gnawed at ire, but she pushed through. Someone had to keep things running, and for the first time, she was doing it all on her own-no Matthew to lean on, no quick advice, no snarky remarks to make herugh through the stress. It was just her against endless paperwork and the never-ending demands of Cryptonic. Sleep became a distant memory, reced by coffee-fueled nights and power naps thatsted five minutes, if that. One particrly grueling afternoon, ire was sitting at her desk, surrounded by a fortress of documents. She was mid-sip of her fifth cup of coffee for the day when Sandra knocked on the office door and poked her head in. "ire?" Sandra said cautiously, knowing her boss was probably running on fumes. "What now?" ire groaned, not even looking up from the spreadsheet she was ring at like it had personally offended her. Sandra stepped inside, holding a tablet. "You''ve got to attend the opening night for one of our client''s new stores. It''s a big deal." ire dropped her pen, slumping back in her chair with a dramatic sigh. "You''re kidding me. Can''t I just send flowers or, I don''t know, a life-sized cardboard cutout of myself?" Sandra smiled faintly. "It''s your client, ire. You kind of don''t have a choice." Rubbing her temples, ire gave in. "Fine. Book me a hair and makeup stylist, and find someone to pick an outfit because, trust me, I cannot even think about clothes right now." As if the universe decided to intervene, a voice from behind Sandra chimed in, full of energy and unmistakably familiar. "Well, well, well! Look who''s drowning in work!" ire looked up to see Talia, grinning like she''d just won the lottery. She was practically bouncing with excitement. "Talia?!" ire eximed, momentarily forgetting her exhaustion. "In the flesh," Talia said dramatically as she stepped into the room. Behind her, a small entourage followed-two stylists, a makeup artist, and someone pushing a rack loaded with dresses. Sandra, amused but relieved to let someone else take over, quietly slipped out of the room. ire stood up, staring at Talia in disbelief. "What are you doing here?" "Obviously saving you from yourself," Talia said with a yful smirk. "I know you''d never make it back to your penthouse, so I brought the magic here." ire chuckled, shaking her head in defeat. "You really are something else." The two hugged warmly. It had been far too long since they''d seen each other, and Talia''s presence felt like a much-needed shot of energy in ire''s chaotic life. Talia pped her hands. "Alright, people! You know the drill. Let''s get to work!" The team sprang into action, wheeling the rack of dresses into position and setting up their makeup stations like they were about to shoot a movie. ire plopped back into her chair, watching the scene with mild amusement. "This feels excessive." "Excessive?" Talia repeated, already rifling through the dresses. "Honey, this is necessary. Look at you- stress wrinkles, tired eyes. You need me more than you know." "Thanks for the reminder," ire muttered sarcastically, though she couldn''t help but smirk. Talia held up a sleek ck gown and eyed ire critically. "What about this one?" ire waved a hand dismissively. "If you handed me a potato sack, I''d wear it. Just pick something and be done with it." Talia gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "How dare you insult my process! You''ll thank meter when you''re the most stunning person in the room." "Fine, fine," ire said with augh. "Do your thing." For the next two hours, the team worked their magic. Makeup brushes flew, hair tools buzzed, and Talia fussed over every detail of ire''s outfit, asionally pausing to ask if something worked or not. "ire, I''m serious. Do you like this neckline?" Talia asked, holding up another dress. "Whatever makes you happy," ire replied dryly, sipping her now-cold coffee. Talia rolled her eyes. "Ugh, you''re impossible." By the time they finished, ire felt like she''d undergone aplete transformation. She headed to the bathroom to change into the dress Talia had finally chosen-a deep emerald green number that hugged her figure in all the right ces. She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror and had to admit, that Talia outdid herself. When she returned to her office, Talia grinned triumphantly. "Well? What do you think?" ire smiled and nodded. "You''re the best, as always." "Duh," Talia said, tossing her hair. "Now go knock ''em dead. You''ve got a client to impress, and I''ve got a spa appointment to get to." ireughed, grabbing her clutch. "Thanks, Talia. I owe you one." "More like ten, but who''s counting?" Talia said with a wink. As ire headed out the door, she felt a tiny spark of confidence creeping back in. The night ahead still felt daunting, but at least she''d face it looking like she had everything under control-even if, deep down, she knew she didn''t. ire''s car rolled to a stop outside the grand venue, and even from behind the tinted windows, she could see the shing lights of cameras and the throng of photographers lining the entrance. She let out a small groan, fixing her hair in the rearview mirror as the driver opened her door. "Here we go," she muttered under her breath before stepping out with her best confident smile. The moment her heels touched the pavement, the paparazzi erupted in shouts. "ire! Over here! Look this way!" ire gave them what they wanted, striking a few poised poses. She wasn''t in the mood for any of this, but the art of keeping up appearances demanded it. After a few clicks of her camera-ready smile, she decided she''d had enough and gestured politely before making her way toward the entrance. The moment she stepped inside, the noise of the outside world faded, reced by the hum of ssical music and the low buzz of chattering voices. Thevishly decorated room was already packed with people, and ire couldn''t help but feel the weight of their gazes. Crowds. She hated them. As she made her way down the staircase, ire found herself thinking of Sheetthew. He would''ve cracked some dry joke about how these events were more about showing off than actually getting anything done. And even though he always imed gs weren''t his thing, he''d still show up to keep herpany. Without him, the whole atmosphere felt heavier, more suffocating. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn''t see the maning up the stairs until it was toote. "Whoa!" ire stumbled slightly as he bumped into her shoulder. "Pardon me, miss," the man said quickly, his deep voice smooth and apologetic. ire nced up at him, her brow furrowing slightly. He was tall, with dark brown hair that had a casual, tousled look. His sharp features and piercing gaze gave him an air of mystery, and ire couldn''t shake the strange feeling that she''d seen him before. "It''s fine," ire replied, her tone polite but distracted. The man nodded briefly and continued up the stairs, disappearing into the crowd. ire stood there for a moment, her gaze lingering on where he had gone. Her mind was racing, trying to ce where she might have seen him before. Do I know him? she wondered, but no clear memory surfaced. Chapter 457 Without Matthew ire barely had time to catch her breath. The buzz of the event hummed around her like an annoying mosquito she couldn''t swat away. She was pretending to admire a fancy disy of jewelry-though in truth, she was more focused on counting down the minutes until she could leave-when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Startled, she spun around, nearly colliding with the familiar face of Mr. Novak''s assistant. "Oh! Hello," ire said, stering on her polite smile. It wasn''t a particrly enthusiastic smile, but hey, it was professional. The assistant, a young man with slightly crooked sses and a nervous energy, grinned back. "Good evening, Ms. Peterson. How are you?" he asked, his voice a little too cheerful. "I''m doing fine, thank you," ire replied, keeping her tone neutral but friendly. "And you?" "Oh, I''m good, just running around like crazy tonight. You know how these events go!" He chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. Then he straightened up, as if remembering something important. "Uh, Mr. Novak wanted to see you. He asked me toe and get you." ire nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Lead the way." The assistant led her down a sleek, modern staircase to the first floor of the event venue. It was avish space-shiny marble floors, walls lined with abstract art, and waiters floating around with trays of champagne. At the far end of the room, she spotted Mr. Novak, a tall, confident man in his mid-fifties, deep in conversation with someone who looked just as important. As they approached, Novak nced up and spotted ire. His face lit up, and he immediately excused himself from his guest, making his way toward her with the enthusiasm of someone greeting an old friend. "ire!" he boomed, extending a hand. "I''m so d you could make it tonight." ire shook his hand firmly, her polite smile still in ce. "Of course, Mr. Novak. It''s part of the job." "Nonsense," Novak said, waving herment away like an annoying fly. "It''s more than that. I''ve been looking forward to thanking you in person. The work you and your team at Metacortex did? Phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal." "Thank you," ire said, feeling a small swell of pride despite herself. "We''re d we could meet your expectations." "Expectations? You exceeded them!" Novak eximed, his boomingugh echoing through the room. "I''m more than satisfied with the software. It''s streamlined everything we do.'' ire tilted her head, her curiosity getting the better of her. "That''s great to hear. But I have to ask, does the recent... scandal around Metacortex affect how you see thepany?" Novak let out a heartyugh, the kind that made heads turn. He waved his hand dismissively. "Scandals? Bah! They''re just noise. People love drama, don''t they? As far as I''m concerned, as long as Metacortex keeps up the good work, I don''t care what the tabloids say. Results are what matter." ire nodded, filing his response away. She wasn''t sure if she admired his pragmatism or found it slightly reckless. "Well, I''m d to hear that. We''remitted to delivering results. "And that''s why I trust you," Novak said with a wink. The evening dragged on in a whirl of small talk, fancy hors d''oeuvres, and just enough fakeughter to make ire''s cheeks hurt. She checked her watch for what felt like the hundredth time when Novak''s voice boomed through the room again. "Ladies and gentlemen! It''s time to officially open the store!" The crowd pped politely, and Novak beckoned ire to join him at the ribbon-cutting station. A massive red ribbon stretched across the entrance to his shiny new pop-up store, glimmering under the lights. "ire, I''d be honored if you''d cut the ribbon with me," Novak said, handing her an oversized pair of scissors that could''ve been a prop in a si. ire smiled her "camera smile" as the photographers swarmed like hungry bees. She stood beside Novak, scissors poised and snipped the ribbon with practiced grace. Cameras clicked furiously, capturing every second. Novak beamed and pped her on the back, almost knocking the scissors out of her hands. As the store opened to cheers and apuse, ire quietly stepped back, her smile fading the second she was out of the photographers'' view. She found herself retreating to a quiet corner, sipping a ss of sparkling water she didn''t even want. The truth was, she was bored out of her mind. outside, but in reality, they were all the same headache from trying to stay polite for hours. "Why did I even agree to this?" she muttered under her breath. She nced at her watch again, calcting how much longer she''d have to endure. Then a thought crossed her mind, lighting up her mood instantly. Fancy events like this always looked morous from the awkward small talk, endless schmoozing, and a persistent What if I just... left? The idea was tempting. No one would notice if she slipped out quietly, right? Novak was busy basking in the glory of his new store, and the rest of the crowd didn''t even know her name. It wasn''t like she was obligated to stay until the bitter end. ire grinned mischievously to herself. Decision made. She grabbed her coat from the rack near the entrance, blending into the background like a pro. Before she knew it, she was out the door and into the crisp night air. Outside, London was alive with its usual energy. The streets buzzed with activity-cars honking, peopleughing and the asional street performer adding to the chaos ire pulled her coat tighter around herself and took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air. Much better, she said to no one in particr. Her stomach growled, and she realized she hadn''t eaten much. Those tiny appetizers didn''t count as food. She spotted ate-night food truck parked across the street, the smell of grilled cheese and fries wafting over to her. Withou hesitation, she crossed the street and got in line. A few minutester, she was sitting on a bench, a gooey grilled cheese sandwich in hand. It wasn''t morous, but it was exactly what she needed. She let out a satisfied sigh, her boredom from earlierpletely forgotten. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she reluctantly pulled it out, half-expecting some work-rted notification. Instead, it was a text from Adrian. Adrian: Surviving the party? Or have you run off yet? ire chuckled, quickly typing back. ire: Guess. The reply came almost instantly. Adrian: You ran, didn''t you? ire: Yup. Currently eating a grilled cheese on a park bench. Fancy, huh? Adrian: Very ssy. Wish I could apany you there. A smile crept up her face and she couldn''t help grinning ear to ear responding to Adrian''s text. ire: I''m fine here don''t worry about me. Just focus on yourself and work. We''ll see each other soon. ire sighed as she ced her phone inside her clutch and walked along the park. However, despite the calm sound in the park, her mind keeps drifting to the thought of Matthew who is lying on the hospital bed unconscious. Just thinking about that makes ire''s blood boil. She still feels anger and sadness at the thought of someone hurting the person she loved and cared about. She can only hope that she can find that person. Chapter 458 The Game in Motion Eligos leaned back in his leather chair, a wicked grin stered across his face. His sharp eyes were glued to the monitor, watching the live feed from a surveince camera he had hacked into with a little help from his tech guy. The screen showed ire Peterson and Andrea bumping into each other at a caf in London. It was like watching an unscripted reality show, and Eligos was the mastermind producer. "Finally," he muttered, drumming his fingers on the desk. "The pieces are moving, just as I nned." He chuckled softly, hisughter echoing in the dimly lit room. The idea of ire and Andrea crossing paths-two half-siblingspletely unaware of each other''s existence-was too delicious to resist. The emotional fallout he was orchestrating promised to be a spectacle, and Eligos loved a good spectacle. "Wait until ire sees Andrea," he mused, tilting his head as if imagining her expression. "Priceless. Absolutely priceless." Still grinning, Eligos nced at another monitor showing Matthew lying unconscious in a hospital bed. The satisfaction he felt wasn''t just from his n working but also from knowing it was his hand that dealt the blow. The ident that left Matthew in this state was no coincidence. Oh no, Eligos had ensured his second-inmand''s absence would cripple ire''s operations. "Poor ire," he said mockingly, taking a sip of whiskey. "Let''s see if you can still hold everything together without your precious Matthew." The memory of that botched kidnapping attempt flickered in his mind, souring his mood momentarily. He hated failures, and that one had been particrly humiliating. ire had slipped right through his fingers. But this time, there would be no escape. His revenge, served cold, was hitting right where it hurt-her closest ally. "Patience," he whispered to himself. "y the cards right, and the jackpot will be mine." Meanwhile, ire Peterson wasn''t feeling like herself. Every day, she made her way to the hospital to visit Matthew, hoping against hope that she''d walk in one day and find him awake, shing that reassuring smile he always had. Instead, the scene was painfully familiar: the steady beep of the machines, the faint scent of antiseptic, and Matthew, pale and motionless, hooked up to tubes and monitors. It was like a bad dream she couldn''t wake up from. "Any change?" ire asked the doctor, her voice heavy with worry. The doctor sighed, pulling his sses off and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I wish I had better news, Ms. Peterson. The head trauma he suffered was severe. Right now, all we can do is monitor his condition and hope for signs of improvement." Hope. That word was starting to sound like an empty titude to ire. She nodded anyway, forcing herself to hold it together. "Thanks, Doctor," she said quietly, not trusting her voice to say more. Later that day, ire sat by Matthew''s bedside, her elbows resting on the edge of the bed as she stared at him. "You know," she started, trying to sound upbeat, "you owe me a lot of exnations when you wake up. Starting with why you didn''t tell me how bad things were. Do you think I wouldn''t notice? You''re horrible at hiding stuff, Matthew." The only response was the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. "You''re not allowed to leave me with all this, okay?" ire''s voice cracked slightly. "I need you. And not just because you''re good at paperwork and keeping people in line. You''re my... my family." She leaned back, letting out a heavy sigh. "So, yeah. Get up soon, or I''m going to be really mad at you." The hospital room was as silent as a library after hours, except for the faint beeping of the heart monitor. ire sat beside Matthew''s bed, her elbows resting on her knees, her hands sped together tightly. She stared at his face, willing him to wake up, to say something, anything. "Hey, Matt," she whispered, her voice shaky but steady enough to mask the worry she felt deep in her chest. "It''s me. II''m here again. Bet you''re sick of me talking your ear off by now, huh?" There was no response, of course. Just the rhythmic rise and fall of Matthew''s chest and the maddeningly steady beep from the monitor. The doctor had been blunt: "The impact caused significant trauma to his head. We''re monitoring him, but recovery... it''s unpredictable." Unpredictable. What a horrible word. It left no room for certainty, no hope she could cling to. "ire," came a soft voice from behind her. She turned to see Sandra standing in the doorway, a small bouquet of flowers in her hand. "Oh, Sandra," ire said, standing up quickly. "You didn''t have toe all the way here." "Nonsense," Sandra said, stepping into the room. "Matthew''s my friend too, you know. Besides, you look like you could use somepany." ire managed a weak smile as Sandra ced the flowers on the small table by Matthew''s bed. "Any change?" Sandra asked quietly. ire shook her head, biting her lip to keep her emotions in check. "No. The doctors... they''re not sure when he''ll wake up. Or if he''ll..." She trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence. Sandra ced aforting hand on her shoulder. "He''s strong, ire. If anyone can fight through this, it''s Matthew." "I know," ire said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I need him to wake up. I can''t do this alone. Sandra raised an eyebrow. "Since when have you ever been alone, ire Peterson? You''ve got a whole team behind you." "It''s not the same," ire said, sitting back down. "Matthew''s... different. He''s always been the one I can count on. Now, it''s just me." Sandra didn''t argue. She knew better than to try and convince ire otherwise. Instead, she sat down in the chair next to her, offering silent support. Across the city, Andrea was pacing nervously in his tiny t. Bumping into ire earlier had shaken him to his core. At first, he thought he was ready to meet his half-siblings turns out he wa was not. After his first task that Eligos gave him, he headed to the restroom to calm his fast heartbeat. He thought to himself that the game he yed was risky but not dangerous. But he needs to do this He has no other choice. This is the only way to open ire eyes and make her know that she has ive half-siblings and that her parents is not as good as she thought she was. Meanwhile, Eligos watched Andrea''s fidgeting on another screen with a smirk. He couldn''t resist throwing ament to his second-inmand, a burly man named Darius, who stood silently nearby. "Look at him," Eligos said, pointing at the screen. "The poor boy is unraveling already, and they haven''t even had the big reveal yet." Darius grunted, unimpressed. "You''re sure about this? He doesn''t seem like the type to handle pressure." Eligos waved dismissively. "That''s the point. He doesn''t have to handle it. He just has to crack under it." "What about ire?" Darius asked. "She''s tougher than you give her credit for." Eligos''s grin faltered for a split second before he recovered. "Tough, yes. But everyone has their breaking point. She''ll snap, too. It''s just a matter of finding the right leverage. And with Matthew out of the picture..." He gestured at the screen where Matthew''s hospital room was disyed. "It''s only a matter of time." Chapter 459 Annoying Client ire stared nkly at the stack of untouched files on her desk, her thoughts elsewhere. The day had been a blur of phone calls and hospital visits, and the weight of Matthew''s condition sat heavily on her chest. The relentless buzzing of her phone snapped her out of her daze. She nced at the screen and felt her stomach twist. The caller ID wasn''t a number she recognized, but something about it screamed trouble. "Private number," she muttered, her gut telling her exactly who was on the other end. Eligos. For a moment, she considered ignoring it. She had enough on her te without dealing with his games. But the phone buzzed persistently, almost taunting her. With a sharp inhale, she swiped to answer. "What do you want?" ire snapped, skipping any semnce of politeness. A low, amused chuckle echoed from the other side. "Ah, ire. Always so direct. It''s one of your more charming qualities." She rolled her eyes. "Save the ttery, Eligos. I''m not in the mood." "Clearly," he replied, his voice dripping with faux concern. "You sound... tense. Let me guess. All those hospital visits taking a toll? Poor Matthew. Such a tragedy." ire''s grip on the phone tightened. "Don''t you dare talk about him." "Why not? He''s practically family to you, isn''t he?" Eligos''s tone turned colder, sharper. "Tell me, ire, how does it feel knowing your trusted right-hand man is lying helpless because of you?" Her jaw clenched, her heart pounding in her ears. "What are you talking about?" "Oh,e now," he said, feigning innocence. "You think his ident was random? Nothing in your world ever is. You should know that by now." ire''s breath caught. The insinuation was clear. "You... you did this." "I didn''t do anything," Eligos replied smoothly. "I merely... nudged things in the right direction." "You''re a monster," ire hissed, her voice shaking with fury. "And you''re predictable," he shot back. "Running to the hospital every day, pouring your heart out to a man who can''t hear you. Touching, really. But you should be focusing on what''sing next. This is only the beginning, my dear." "I don''t have time for your cryptic threats," ire said, her voice steady despite the fire burning in her chest. "If you think I''m going to crumble because of this, you don''t know me as well as you think." Eligos chuckled again. "We''ll see about that." The line went dead before she could respond. ire mmed her phone onto the desk, her hands trembling. Her mind raced. Andrea? What did he mean by that? She hadn''t seen Andrea in yearsuntil their unexpected encounter days ago. Why would Eligos even care about him? Before she could spiral further, Sandra poked her head into the room, holding a clipboard. "Ms. Peterson? You okay?" ire blinked, quickly masking her emotions. "Yeah, I''m fine. What''s up?" "You have a meeting with Mr. Andrew, Ms. Peterson in 30 minutes." ire shut her eyes close and inhale deeply. "Can''t we just cancel it for today?" Sandra shook her head. "Unfortunately, we can''t. We have been postponing his meeting for a while now." "Then make up some excuse. I am not in the mood to talk about business right now." "ire, if you reschedule one more time, he might walk," Sandra had said just yesterday, standing in the doorway with her no-nonsense expression. "Let him," ire had muttered under her breath, but Sandra''s pointed look made it clear that wasn''t an option. Now, as the clock ticked closer to the hour, ire sighed and pushed herself up from her chair. She smoothed her navy zer and adjusted the cuffs of her blouse. She needed to y nice, at least for the first ten minutes. The conference room at Metacortex was as modern as the rest of the building-ss walls, a massive oak table, and a state-of-the-art screen mounted on one end. ire entered to find Mr. Andrews already seated, his leather briefcase neatly ced on the table and his tablet propped up in front of him. "Ms. Peterson," he said, standing and offering a firm handshake. His cologne was overpowering, a mix of cedar and something that reminded ire of floor polish. "Mr. Andrews," ire replied curtly, forcing a polite smile. She gestured for him to sit and took her ce across from him. "Thank you for finally making the time to meet," he said, his tone somewhere between gracious and condescending. "Apologies for the dys," ire replied, keeping her tone professional. "It''s been a hectic few weeks." "Understandable," he said, though the tight smile on his face suggested otherwise. "Shall we get down to business?" ire nodded. "Please." The first fifteen minutes of the meeting went smoothly enough. Mr. Andrews outlined his proposal for a partnership between Metacortex and hispany, an up-anding tech firm specializing in Al-driven analytics. On paper, it was a decent idea-innovative, even-but ire found it hard to focus. Her thoughts kept drifting to Matthew, still lying unconscious in the hospital, and the nagging feeling that Eligos was lurking somewhere, watching her every move. "And of course," Mr. Andrews was saying, "our software could integrate seamlessly with Metacortex''s existing infrastructure. The potential for scbility is tremendous." ire nodded absently. "Interesting." Mr. Andrews leaned forward slightly, his expression sharpening. "I assume you''ve reviewed the preliminary projections I sent over?" ire blinked, caught off guard. "I''ve skimmed them," she lied, making a mental note to actually look at themter-assuming this meeting didn''tpletely derail. Mr. Andrews gave her a pointed look. "I see. Well, I''d encourage you to take a closer look. The data speaks for itself." ire resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I''m sure it does." "Anyway, Ms. Peterson, I heard that you have a trusted person who does your work. Am I right?" ire raised her brows. "What does that mean, exactly?" "I mean, I just need to know who am I doing business with. Cause I can''t have a person who is not official doing my work." ire''s patience snapped. "And what exactly are you implying?" Andrews smiled, clearly enjoying the shift in tone. "I''m simply suggesting that perhaps your attention is... stretched. Metacortex deserves your fullmitment. After all, this partnership could be pivotal for both of us. ire leaned forward, her voice cold. "Let me make something very clear, Mr. Andrews. My focus andmitment are not for you to question. Metacortex is mypany, and I decide where my priorities lie." Andrews''s smile faltered, but only for a second. "Of course, of course. I didn''t mean to offend. I''m simply pointing out potential concerns." "Concerns that are none of your business," ire shot back, her tone sharp. "If you''re here to discuss a partnership, then let''s stick to that. If you''re here to critique how I run mypany, this meeting is over. The room fell into a tense silence. Andrews stared at her, clearly weighing his next words. Finally, he shrugged, the smirk returning to his face. "Fair enough," he said, though his tone was anything but conciliatory. "I just hope you''re not letting personal matters cloud your judgment." That was thest straw. ire stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Andrews. I''ll have my team review your proposal, and we''ll be in touch." Andrews stayed seated, clearly unfazed. "Of course. Take your time. But don''t take too long, ire. Opportunities like this don''t wait forever." She didn''t bother responding. Instead, she turned on her heel and strode out of the room, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. Chapter 460 Overwhelm Claire ire was still fuming from her confrontation with Mr. Andrews when her phone rang. The sudden break in her thoughts made her grimace, and she nced at the screen to see it was Alexander. Her ex-husband. Business partner. The man who had a knack for popping up at the most inconvenient times. She sighed and swiped to answer the call, her irritation creeping back to the surface. "What is it, Alexander?" "ire," came his voice, smooth as ever but with an edge of something that didn''t quite sit right. "Is Matthew still in the hospital?" ire raised an eyebrow, her grip tightening around her phone. "Where did you hear that?" she asked, her voice colder than she intended. Alexander''s response was casual as if he were asking about the weather. "I have my sources." "Sources?" ire''s heart skipped a beat, and her eyes narrowed as the annoyance from earlier boiled over. "Are you seriously calling me to ask about Matthew?" "I wasn''t calling to ask, ire," Alexander replied, his tone firm now. "I''m just checking in. Is he okay?" ire couldn''t hide her irritation anymore. "I don''t need you checking in, Alexander. I''m dealing with it, okay?" She tried to keep her voice steady, but there was an edge to it now-something that revealed just how much everything, from the meeting with Mr. Andrews to Matthew''s condition, was getting to her. There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. "I didn''t mean to upset you, ire," Alexander said, his voice softer now, though still carrying that familiar hint of concern. "I just thought you might want to talk. You''ve been quiettely." "I''m fine," she snapped, a little too quickly. The words were automatic, and defensive. "I don''t need to talk about it with you." "Then what''s going on, ire?" Alexander pressed, not letting up. "You''ve been on edge. I can hear it in your voice. You''re not the same. What''s really going on?" ire''s stomach twisted. She didn''t want to admit it, not to himnot to anyone. But the frustration, the exhaustion, the helplessness, they all seemed to be bubbling up, threatening to spill over. She rubbed her temple, trying to force herself to calm down. "Can you just drop it, Alexander?" she said, her voice quieter now butced with frustration. "I don''t need you lecturing me. I''m dealing with it all, okay? Just... just leave me alone for a while." Alexander paused, and for a moment, ire thought he might say something more, push further. But he didn''t. Instead, there was a soft exhale on the other end of the line, followed by a resignation she wasn''t used to hearing from him. "Alright," he said, finally. "I''m not trying to make things harder for you. I just... I know you''re under a lot of pressure. If you need anything-" "I have work to do, Alexander," ire interrupted abruptly, her patience thinning. "I don''t have time for this right now." The words felt sharp, too sharp, but she didn''t care. She was tired-tired of being strong, tired of pretending like everything was under control. Tired of people poking around in her personal life. She had too much on her te already. "Okay," Alexander said again, his voice taking on an odd note. "But just... think about it. You know where to find me." "Yeah, I do," ire said curtly. Without another word, she hung up the phone, her hand trembling slightly as she set it back down on the desk. She sat back in her chair, staring at the nk screen in front of her. The silence that followed felt ???? suffocating, the weight of her own; thoughts pressing down on her chest She''d snapped at Alexander. And for what? He had just asked a simple question. He hadn''t been trying to get under her skin, not like Mr. Andrews. He''d only been concerned, and she''d shut him down. But why? Was it because she was tired of everyone constantly poking around in her business? Or was it because, deep down, she didn''t want to confront the truth about how badly Matthew''s ident had affected her? The thought lingered in her mind, unspoken but undeniable. She closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair. It felt like her entire world was falling apart. The business deals, the constant juggling of responsibilities-none of it seemed to matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was Matthew. Matthew is unconscious in the hospital. Matthew, lying there, vulnerable, while she ran around trying to keep everything in her life from crumbling. It was hard to admit, but the anger that had been bubbling up in her wasn''t just about Mr. Andrews or Alexander. It was about her own helplessness. About how she couldn''t fix Matthew. About how, despite all her strength and all her power, she was powerless to make the situation better. The thought made her feel even more irritated, more raw, and that was why she had snapped at Alexander. He had been right to be concerned, but she couldn''t let anyone see her like this. Not him, not anyone. She was ire Peterson, and she didn''t let people see her weakness. Her phone buzzed again, making her jump. She nced at the screen, groaning when she saw it was Alexander again. He was probably calling to apologize for being "too much" or asking her if she was sure she was okay. Her thumb hovered over the screen, but she hesitated. Should she answer? No. She couldn''t. She needed a moment to think-away from everyone, away from all the questions. She needed space to breathe. Without hesitation, ire silenced her phone and pushed it aside. She stared out the window, watching the busy city below as a sense of exhaustion washed over her. Meanwhile, Alexander stood in his office, his phone still in his hand, staring at the screen. He hadn''t expected ire to hang up on him so abruptly. He wasn''t used to seeing her like this-not the ire he knew, the ire who always had everything under control, who never let emotions cloud her judgment. But now, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. And that tone in her voice so unlike her usual, cool, calcted self-had unsettled him more than he cared to admit. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he mulled over the conversation. He knew something was wrong. And, somehow, he had the nagging feeling that it had something to do with Matthew. Could her frustration be because of him? Was it possible that the ident was affecting her more than she was letting on? It wasn''t like ire to lose herposure. She was a force, cold and unyielding, and now... now, she sounded confused, disoriented, something he hadn''t heard from her in years. It was strange. Alexander was used to being the one who saw through people, the one who could read their moods, but now he feltpletely out of his depth. ire wasn''t the same person she had been when they first started working together, and even less so since their divorce. Something had changed. Something was breaking. He stared down at the phone in his hand, conflicted. Maybe he should give her some time. Maybe she just needed space. But he couldn''t help but wonder-was he making the right call by staying out of it? With a sigh, he tossed the phone aside. Whatever was going on with ire, she wasn''t ready to talk about it yet. He would just have to wait. But deep down, he couldn''t shake the feeling that this time, things were different. And Matthew''s ident... was more than just a physical injury. Chapter 461 Me, Myself and I The weight of the past few days had taken its toll on ire. Her mind was a whirlwind of business deals, and the haunting image of Matthew lying unconscious in the hospital. It all felt like too much, like she was drowning in a sea of responsibilities she couldn''t swim through. She needed a break. A moment to breathe, to think, and most importantly, to be alone. And so, without much of a n, she found herself driving down the quiet, winding roads leading to her parents'' cemetery. It wasn''t a ce she visited often. The memories it carried were too painful, too raw. But today, something inside her told her she needed to be there. To reconnect with the people who had given her life, the people who had shaped her into who she was, even though they were no longer around to see what she had be. As ire drove, the city''s hustle and bustle faded into the background, reced by the calm of the countryside. The roads grew narrower, the trees taller, the air fresher. She could feel her shoulders slowly rx as the tension in her body began to ease, but the knot in her stomach remained. She remembered the time when ire had no idea where her parent''s graves were but then she asked for his help to find them, and he did. Matthew always has a way out and always finds the things ire needs. ire smiled faintly at the thought of Matthew. He had been there for her, as he always had been, and now she felt so helpless in return. She pushed the thought aside as she reached her destination, pulling the car into the cemetery''s small, peaceful parking lot. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over thendscape, and for the first time in days, ire felt a semnce of peace wash over her. She stepped out of the car and walked toward the entrance; a bouquet of white lilies clutched tightly in her hand. The cemetery was quiet, save for the rustling of the wind through the trees. It was a ce of solemnity and remembrance, but to ire, it had always felt like a sanctuary. A ce where the world could fade away, where she could step out of the chaos and into the calm. As she walked past the rows of headstones, she couldn''t help but notice the beauty of the ce. It had been a few months since she''d been here, but the grounds had been carefully tended to. The grass was green, the flowers vibrant, and the trees that lined the cemetery provided a sense of protection, aforting reminder that no matter how bad things got, there was still beauty in the world. She finally arrived at the plot where her parents were buried. ire knelt down, cing the flowers gently on the stone at the foot of their graves. Her parents'' names were engraved on the cold marble: Robert and Marianne Peterson. Beneath their names, the dates of their birth and death were etched in stone, a final reminder of who they had been, of the lives they had lived, and the legacy they had left behind. For a moment, ire simply stared at the stone, her chest tight with emotion. She hadn''t been back here in so long, and now that she was, the flood of memories overwhelmed her. The good and the bad. The moments of love, ofughter, and the moments of loss, of pain. Her parents had given her everything they could-except for the one thing she truly wanted: their protection. They had both been taken from her too soon and though she had be strong in their absence, there was still a part of her that longed for their guidance, their presence in her life. Suddenly, sadness washed over her, and she felt the tears threatening to spill. But she quickly wiped them away, forcing herself to remain strong. She had always been strong. That''s how her parents raised her. That''s how she had survived the years of loss, of uncertainty, and of loneliness. She couldn''t afford to break down now, not when so much was at stake. Still, the weight of everything-of Matthew''s ident, of the pressure of her business, of the constant tension with Alexander-seemed to bear down on her all at once. Her breath hitched in her chest, and she clenched her fists, trying to hold it together. But it was harder than she cared to admit. "I don''t know if I can do this anymore," she whispered, her voice barely audible, as if the wind might carry her words away before anyone could hear. "I''ve tried so hard, and yet it feels like I''m losing everything. I don''t know what to do, Mom, Dad." Her voice cracked, and for a moment, it felt like the world was copsing around her. The strong, confident woman she had always been suddenly unsure, lost, and vulnerable. But in that mom as she stood alone at the graves of her parents, she allowed herself the space to feel the weight of it all. She didn''t have to be strong all the time. Not here, not in this ce. "I miss you both so much," she continued, her voice thick with emotion. "I wish you were here to help me. I don''t know who to trust anymore. Everyone wants something from me. I don''t know what to do anymore." She paused, taking a shaky breath. Her parents had always been her rock, the ones she could rely on, the ones who had taught her how to navigate the world. But now, they were gone. And she was alone. "Well, I guess it''s just me now," she muttered to herself, the bitterness creeping into her voice. "But maybe that''s how it''s always been. I''m used to being alone. Maybe I was never meant to have anyone by my side." Her words lingered in the air, heavy and unforgiving. For a moment, she simply stood there, letting the wind carry away her frustrations and her pain. And then, as if the earth itself was trying tofort her, she felt a gentle breeze, a soft whisper of wind that brushed against her cheek. It was a fleeting moment, but it felt like her parents were there with her, in the air, in the trees, in the very space around her. She could almost hear their voices, offering silent reassurance. "You''re stronger than you think," she imagined her father''s voice saying, full of that steady, unyielding strength that had defined him. "You''ve always been capable, ire. You''ve been through so much already." Her mother''s voice followed, softer, gentler. "You don''t have to carry it all by yourself, sweetheart. You''re not alone, even when it feels like you are." ire took another shaky breath, trying to steady herself. She wasn''t sure if it was just her mind ying tricks on her, but for the first time in days, she felt a glimmer of peace. Maybe she wasn''t as alone as she thought. With a deep breath, ire wiped away thest of her tears and straightened her back. She had been weak for a moment, but that was okay. It was okay to feel lost, to feel vulnerable. It was okay to lean on the memories of the people she loved, even if they weren''t physically here anymore. After a few moments of silence, ire whispered, "I''ll make you proud. I''ll figure it out. I promise." And with that, she stood up, turned away from the graves, and walked back to her car. As she did, the weight on her shoulders felt just a little lighter, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of resolve settle in her chest. She wasn''t sure what would happen next, or how she was going to fix everything, but one thing was certain she wasn''t giving up. Not now, not ever. Chapter 462 Disliking Frank ire didn''t have much time to think. As she made her way back to her car, the skies above darkened ominously, and just as she slid into the driver''s seat, the rain began to pour. It was as if the heavens were mirroring the storm inside her mind-a constant swirl of emotions she couldn''t quite untangle. The wipers cleared the windshield, but they didn''t quite manage to clear the cloudiness in her thoughts. She started the car and slowly pulled out of the cemetery, her tires crunching against the wet gravel. The streets outside were quiet, and the rain was relentless, blurring the world outside her windows into a muted wash of grays. ire felt the weight of the day-of everything she had faced in the past weeks-pressing down on her. But despite the heaviness in her chest, she focused on the road ahead, driving back to Metacortex with one goal mind: she needed to get back to work. Robert Robertson, far away in his office at the Venus AMD building, had other ns. He sat in arge leather chair, the glow of hisputer screen casting an eerie light on his face. His fingers tapped idly against the desk as his mind raced. He had just received a call from the person he had hired months ago to keep an eye on ire. The news was significant-ire had visited the cemetery of her parents, something that had remained a mystery to him until now. It was a small victory for Robert, a piece of the puzzle he had been working on for so long, and he couldn''t help but feel a rush of satisfaction. ire Peterson''s life had always been a game to him, and he was always one step ahead, watching, waiting. He was ying the long game. But now, with her parents'' resting ce discovered, he could tighten his grip. He grabbed his phone and dialed the number of the man who had given him the update. "Keep an eye on her, but be subtle," Robert said into the receiver. "I don''t want her catching on that we''re watching her. Keep it lowkey." His voice was calm, but there was a palpable edge to it. Robert wasn''t one to leave anything to chance, especially with someone like ire. He had waited years to finally get close enough to disrupt her life, and he wasn''t about to let her slip from his grasp now. He hung up the phone and sat back in his chair, his thoughts swirling. He had spent months-almost years trying to figure out where her parents had been buried, and now that he knew, it felt like he had taken another step closer to his ultimate goal. ire had always been the perfect puzzle, elusive and untouchable. But now, with one more secret uncovered, he could feel the pieces falling into ce. Before Robert could delve deeper into his ns, the door to his office suddenly burst open. Frank, the CEO of Venus AMD, stood in the doorway, his usual tense expression recing the usual swagger. Robert raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking up from the desk. "Frank, what can I help you with?" Frank didn''t waste any time. "I need to know about that tech employee I told you to find. The one who''s supposed to be helping with the robot project. Where are they? I''ve got a lot of work to do, and I don''t want to lose to ire Peterson. You know that." Robert put his phone down, suppressing a sigh. Frank always had a way of barging into his office like it was his own. He had been helpful in the past-mostly with the robot project-but his behavior was starting to get under Robert''s skin. With a slight smile, Robert leaned back in his chair, keeping his tone casual. "Don''t worry, Frank. I''ve already found some of the people you need for the project. The tech employee you were looking for is ready to work. You can go ahead and continue with your project." Frank''s eyes lit up, the tension in his posture easing slightly. "Good," he said, nodding. "Finally. I''m d you didn''t leave me hanging." He moved to the door, but then he paused and turned back to Robert. "You know, getting you away from ire Peterson wasn''t such a bad idea after all. I wasn''t sure at first, but now it seems like everything''s falling into ce, right? You''ve got her cornered. It''s only a matter of time before she''s out of the picture entirely. And once that happens, we''re going to be sitting pretty." Robert gave a small, nonchnt smile as he looked at Frank. He was right-things were going ording to n, even if the n had taken longer than expected. But Frank''s words, however casual, struck nerve Robert didn''t like reminded of the fact that he had once been involved with ire in more than just business. It had been a long time since their tangled rtionship had fallen apart, but the bitterness of it still lingered in the back of his mind. "Thanks, Frank," Robert replied, his voice tinged with a bit of irony. Frank left the room and Robert let out a breath, feeling the tension lift slightly. But as the door clicked shut, he rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath. "I''m starting to dislike that man more and more every day." Robert starting to realize how obnoxious Frank might be. But despite it all, Frank was the one who gave Robert a chance and offered him to work on Venus when Robert''s career was almost over due to ire''s investigation and curiosity. Robert stood up, stretching his legs before moving to his desk to gather his thoughts. He thought about ire again. He needs to know and maybe give ire a warning one day if she decides to ruin Robert''s career again maybe he will bring up the topic of her dead parents. Winnie sat quietly in her car, the engine idling softly as the evening shadows stretched across the street. Her eyes were focused on the front entrance of the ward, a ce she hadn''t expected to visit but now found herself watching intently. ire hadn''t asked her to do this. In fact, ire probably didn''t even know Winnie was here. But there was something about this woman, Evelyn, that Winnie couldn''t shake. The nagging feeling in her gut told her something was off, and that was enough for her to act. Winnie was no stranger to digging a little deeper when something didn''t sit right with her. She had done it before, though never quite like this. This wasn''t about business; it wasn''t about her personal life-it was about ire. And when it came to ire, Winnie would do anything to protect her, even if ire didn''t know about it. She nced down at the time on her phone. It was gettingteter than she had expected. Evelyn had yet to show up, and Winnie was starting to wonder if maybe she had made a mistake in thinking anything was strange about her. Maybe Evelyn was just another name, just another person in a long line of those who came and went through this ce. But deep down, Winnie knew something wasn''t right. She had seen ire''s face when she mentioned the name Evelyn, seen the flicker of unease in her eyes, the hesitation. Winnie''s grip on the steering wheel tightened. She had to know more. Her eyes darted to the rearview mirror as she checked the street behind her. There were no cars in sight. The world around her was oddly quiet, the kind of quiet that made you feel like you were the only one left on earth. She shifted in her seat, preparing to drive off. Maybe this was all just paranoia. Maybe she was just overthinking things. But then, she saw it. A sleek ck car pulled up to the entrance of the ward, its tires crunching softly on the gravel. Winnie''s heart skipped a beat, and her instincts red. She was about to leave, but this-this was exactly what she had been waiting for. The car parked, and the door opened, revealing a woman whom Winnie could only assume was Evelyn. Winnie squinted, trying to get a better look, her curiosity piqued. The woman stepped out of the car, looking around cautiously before walking towards the entrance of the ward. But something caught Winnie''s attention the woman was dressed in an elegant coat and heels, her demeanor calm, almost too calm for someone entering a ce that didn''t ept visitors at night. Winnie''s mind raced. Why was she here? The ward was closed to visitors after hours. The only people who came here at night were staff or emergency responders. Yet this woman had just arrived without any hesitation, walking like she owned the ce. It didn''t sit right with Winnie. Not one bit. She couldn''t just sit there. She had to find out more. Without thinking twice, Winnie threw the car into the park and pulled the keys out of the ignition. She grabbed her phone and stuffed it into her pocket before getting out of the car. Her feet felt heavy like they were dragging her toward the unknown, but her resolve was stronger than any doubt that tried to creep into her mind. Chapter 463 Sneaking In Winnie pressed herself against the cold wall of the parking lot, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum. Oh no, oh no, oh no, she thought, gripping her phone tightly as she dared to peek around the corner. She could just make out the silhouette of the woman she was following-Evelyn, or at least that was the name Winnie had overheard. The sh from her phone had been a rookie mistake, one she couldn''t afford to make again. If Evelyn-or whoever she really was-saw her, Winnie''s cover would be blown, and she didn''t even want to think about what ire would say if that happened. Worse, Evelyn might alert whoever she was working with, and the entire operation would fall apart. Winnie took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her hand trembled as she turned the sh off her phone, mentally kicking herself for being so careless. When she risked another nce, she saw Evelyn shrug and continue walking toward the ward entrance. Winnie exhaled in relief but knew she couldn''t let her guard down. She whispered to herself, "Okay, Winnie, you''ve got this. Just stay calm and don''t get caught." The parking lot lights buzzed faintly above her as she adjusted her position, making sure to stay out of sight. She couldn''t follow Evelyn inside; not without her ID or her sses that helpedplete her disguise. All she could do was observe from a distance and hope to gather enough information to report back to ire. From where she stood, she watched as Evelyn approached the ward''s entrance, making eye contact with a security guard. Something about the interaction fell off. The subtle nod exchanged between the two of them and the small smirk on Evelyn''s face made Winnie''s stomach churn. What kind of business does she have here? Winnie wondered. She snapped another photo, this time with no sh, capturing Evelyn signing a logbook before the guard handed her a visitor ID. Evelyn disappeared into the ward, leaving Winnie behind with more questions than answers. Inside the hospital ward, Gretta-under the alias Evelyn-walked with purpose. The heels of her boots clicked softly against the polished floor as she navigated the sterile halls. Her fake ID was clipped to her coat, but she still felt the need to keep her head low, just in case. The guard she had bribed earlier hade through, and now, all that was left was to execute the next step of her n. She reached the room where Lisa Thompson was being kept and paused outside the door. For a moment, Gretta adjusted her posture, smoothing down her coat and brushing back a strand of her dark hair. Then, with a confident smirk, she pushed the door open. Lisa looked up with a nk face and then back to the window. "What are you doing here? I thought that once you have formed a n, you will tell me. So, I assume, you already have a n?" Gretta pulled the chair and sat while looking at Lisa. She then said to Lisa that she wanted to make sure that Lisa was doing well. Lisa rolled her eyes cause she didn''t need to be checked but she wanted to be free from these crazy people that she hated so much not to mention the nurse who forced her to drink medicine. So, all this time Lisa ced it under her tongue and then threw itter in the bathroom. "I do have a n but notplete yet. I just want to make sure that once make this nplete, are you really want to be a part of it? Even if it is crazy?" Lisa raised her brows. "Crazy? Do I want to do it? Gretta, are you aware of where we are right now? I have done lots of crazy things and even if this is much more crazy, I don''t care as long as I am free from this hellhole and I can have my revenge on ire." Meanwhile, across the city, Adrian stood in front of ire''s penthouse door, his hand raised to knock. He hesitated for a brief moment, wondering if she''d even want to see him after the week she''d had. But then he shook the doubt from his mind. If there was ever a time ire needed support, it was now. He wrapped his knuckles against the door, the sound echoing through the quiet hallway. Momentster, he heard the faint shuffle of footsteps before the door swung open. ire stood there, looking exhausted but still maintaining herposed demeanor. Her sharp eyes softened slightly when she saw Adrian. "Adrian," she said, her voice tinged with surprise. "What are you doing here?" "Inded a few hours ago," he replied, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "I called Sandra, and she told me you were here. I figured I''de by and see how you were holding up.'' ire closed the door behind him and crossed her arms. "You didn''t have to do that. I''m fine." Adrian raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "You''re fine? ire, I know you. You''re not fine. And before you start with the ''I don''t need anyone''s help'' speech, let me remind you that I''m not just anyone." ire sighed, running a hand through her hair as she moved toward the living room. She sank into the plush armchair, and Adrian followed, taking a seat across from her. "It''s been a rough couple of days," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "Matthew''s in the hospital and I''ve got people breathing down my neck from every angle." Adrian leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "And you''re trying to handle it all on your own, aren''t you?" She shot him a look but didn''t deny it. "ire," he said softly, his tone filled with concern. "You don''t have to do this by yourself. Let me help. I want to help. ire hesitated, her walls threatening toe up again. But when she looked into Adrian''s eyes, she saw nothing but sincerity. It was rare for her to let anyone in, to show vulnerability. But Adrian wasn''t just anyone. He was someone who had seen her at her worst and stayed by her side. "I appreciate it," she said finally. "I do. But there are things I can''t involve you in. Things you wouldn''t understand." "Try me," Adrian replied without missing a beat. ire let out a smallugh, though it held no real humor. "You''re relentless, you know that?" Adrian smiled. "It''s one of my better qualities." They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air. Finally, ire spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "I went to see my parents today," she said, her eyes fixed on a spot on the floor. "Their graves. I needed a moment to think, to figure out what the hell I''m doing." Adrian reached across the small table between them and took her hand in his. "And did it help?" She looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "I don''t know. Maybe. But it reminded me of something Matthew said to me once. He told me that no matter how bad things get, I''m not alone." Adrian squeezed her hand gently. "He''s right. You''re not alone, ire. You''ve got me. You''ve got people who care about you." For the first time in days, ire felt a flicker of warmth in her chest. It didn''t fix everything, but it was a start. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft. "For being here." "Always," Adrian replied with a small smile. As they sat there, the chaos of the world outside seemed to fade away, if only for a moment. But somewhere in the back of ire''set mind, she couldn''t shake the feeling that this calm wouldn''tst. Not with people like Evelyn-or Gretta-out there, plotting their next move. Chapter 464 Thanksgiving with The Robert Two weeks had flown by in a blur for ire, and yet she felt like she had lived a lifetime in that short span. Between patching up Metacortex''spromised systems after Eligos''stest stunt and trying to maintain some semnce of normalcy at Cryptonic, she was running on fumes. The nights were sleepless, her days overrun with work and stress, and she hadn''t even had the mental bandwidth to check in on Matthew''s progress at the hospital. When her phone rang and Alexander''s name appeared on the screen, ire debated ignoring it. But she knew him too well. If she didn''t answer, he''d call back, and she wasn''t in the mood to y phone tag with her ex-husband. "Yes?" she answered curtly, her voice devoid of any warmth. "Hello to you, too," Alexander said, the slightest hint of amusement in his voice. "I''m calling to talk about the Vegas hotel. It''s opening in less than a month, as you probably remember. Just reminding you that you need to be there." ire sighed, leaning back in her chair and staring at the ceiling of her office. "Hmm," she murmured, nomittally. "Is that a yes?" Alexander pressed. "Yes," she said tly. "And you''re sure you''re not going to ke on this?" he teased. "I know how much you love these kinds of events." "Hmm," ire replied again, barely paying attention. She was already scrolling through her emails, her mind upied with work. "ire," Alexander''s tone shifted to something more serious, "you''ve been short with me on every call these past two weeks. Is everything okay?" "I''m fine, Alexander," she snapped, then immediately regretted the sharpness in her voice. "I''ve just been... busy. That''s all." He paused on the other end of the line, as if deciding whether or not to push further. Finally, he said, "Alright. Just don''t forget about Vegas. It''s important." "I won''t," ire said, her tone softer this time. "Goodbye, Alexander." "Goodbye, ire." She ended the call and stared at her phone for a moment before setting it aside. She hadn''t meant to be so curt with him, but she couldn''t help it. Between Eligos''s constant attacks and the pressure of managing twopanies, she felt like she was stretched too thin. Three days ago, Eligos had managed to infiltrate Metacortex''s system again, and it had taken ire hours to finally throw him out. Normally, she and Matthew worked on these breaches together, theirbined efforts quickly neutralizing the threat. But with Matthew in the hospital, ire was on her own. It annoyed her how persistent Eligos was, how he seemed to take a sick pleasure in proving he could outsmart her defenses. She had rebuilt the firewall from scratch, reinforcing it with newyers of security. Yet somehow, Eligos always found a way in. If he weren''t her sworn enemy, she might have admired his skill. Hell, she might''ve even hired him at Cryptonic. But the man was a threat, and the fact that he kept targeting herpany only fueled her anger. This wasn''t just about business anymore. It was personal. Thanksgiving arrived, and with it, an unexpected invitation to the Robertson mansion. ire had stared at the ornate card for a good five minutes, debating whether to go. Her rtionship with Robert Robertson was anything but cordial. Their conversations wereced with sarcasm and thinly veiled insults, and ire couldn''t imagine why he would want her there. Still, curiosity got the better of her. If nothing else, she might glean some useful information about his ns. And so, she decided to go. But not without a little mischief. ire prepared a chocte pudding for the asion, a dish that looked deceptively delicious. However, she added a secret ingredient: a generous pinch of salt. If they were going to drag her into this awkward Thanksgiving dinner, they deserved a little payback. Arriving at the mansion, ire rang the doorbell and was greeted by a tired-looking maid. The woman''s frazzled appearance didn''t surprise her. She imagined Gretta Robertson had been barking orders all day, driving the staff to exhaustion in preparation for what was likely an over-the-top meal. "Good evening, Miss Peterson," the maid said politely. "I''ll inform Mrs. Robertson of your arrival." ire nodded, stepping into the grand foyer and ncing around. The mansion was as ostentatious as she remembered, with its gilded mirrors and marble floors. She set the pudding on a nearby table and waited, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor as she shifted her weight. "ire," came a familiar voice, sharp and clipped, Gretta Robertson appeared at the top of the staircase, her perfectly coiffed hair and immacte outfit giving her the air of a woman who thrived on perfection. "How... nice of you to join us." "Gretta," ire replied with a tight smile. "Happy Thanksgiving." Gretta descended the stairs, her eyes narrowing slightly as theynded on the pudding. "How thoughtful of you to bring something. I hope it''s edible." ire''s smile didn''t waver. "Oh, I''m sure you''ll love it." The two women stared at each other for a moment, the tension between them palpable, before Gretta finally turned and gestured for ire to follow. "The others are waiting in the dining room," she said over her shoulder. ire followed her down the hallway, steeling herself for whatever awaited her in the dining room. As they entered, she was greeted by the sight of Robert Robertson himself, seated at the head of the table, and two other guests she didn''t recognize. "ire," Robert said, his tone dripping with mock enthusiasm. "What a pleasant surprise. I wasn''t sure you''d actually show up." "Well, I wouldn''t want to miss out on such a warm and weing family gathering," ire replied, her voice equally sarcastic. Robert chuckled, clearly amused by her retort. "Always the sharp tongue. Please, have a seat." ire took her ce at the table, ignoring the curious looks from the other guests. She wasn''t here to make friends. She was here to observe, to gather intel, and maybe to enjoy the spectacle of Robert''s reaction to her salted pudding. As the meal progressed, the conversation remained light and superficial, but ire could feel the undercurrent of tension in the room. Robert was clearly up to something, and she intended to figure out what it was. "So, ire," Robert said casually, his piercing gaze fixed on her. "How''s business these days? Still trying to y with the big boys?" ire set her fork down and met his gaze head-on. "Business is fine, Robert. But thank you for your concern." He smirked. "I''m just saying, it''s a tough world out there. Not everyone''s cut out for it." "Funny," ire shot back. "I was just thinking the same thing about you." The tension at the table was thick enough to cut with a knife, but ire didn''t care. She wasn''t going to let Robert get under her skin. As dessert was served, ire watched with barely concealed amusement as Robert took a bite of the pudding. His expression shifted almost imperceptibly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before he quickly masked it. "This is... unique," he said, his tone neutral. "I''m d you think so," ire replied, her lips twitching in a faint smile. Chapter 465 Thanksgiving with Ulterior Motives The Thanksgiving dinner with the Robertsons was nothing short of a theatrical performance, and ire knew her part well. She had entered their grand dining room, armed with her wits and a steely resolve, ready for whatever subtle jabs and slyments the evening had in store. The smell of roasted turkey and freshly baked bread filled the air, but to ire, the room reeked of ulterior motives. The star of the moment, of course, was her pudding-a culinary disaster she had deliberately over-salted. She had no intention of impressing the Robertsons with her cooking; this was just her little act of rebellion for having to endure their prying questions and veiled maniptions. When Robert Robertson took his first bite, his face twisted slightly. He masked it quickly, cing the pudding aside. Gretta, ever the perfectionist, merely sniffed it suspiciously and moved on to stirring her tea, but her ears were clearly tuned in to the conversation. "So, ire," Robert began, dabbing at his mouth with a napkin and fixing her with a look that was far too casual to be genuine. "What are you up to these days? Anything exciting?" ire leaned back in her chair, tearing a piece of bread deliberately slowly. She chewed with exaggeratednguor, her raised brows the only acknowledgment she gave to Robert''s question. Robert cleared his throat, clearly ufortable with the silence but determined to wait her out. Gretta''s spoon clinked rhythmically against the edge of her teacup as she stirred, her eyes seemingly fixed on the liquid but her posture screaming curiosity. ire finally swallowed her bread and smiled-a slow, deliberate expression meant to irritate. "Not feeling myselftely," she saidzily, her voice carrying just a hint of sarcasm. "I''m tired, Robert. Exhausted, actually. It''s been... a lot." Robert''s lips tightened into a thin line, clearly unimpressed with her evasive answer. "Tired, you say? That''s unlike you, ire," he said, his voice dripping with false concern. "You''ve always been so resilient. Maybe you''ve taken on too much? If you need help with Metacortex..." He let the sentence hang, offering her a smile that ire recognized as more predatory than friendly. "After all, we were once family." ire''s fake smile widened, though her eyes remained cold. Family? She thought bitterly. If you cared about family, Robert, you wouldn''t have stolen from me. You wouldn''t have stolen my idea of Cortex Software from Venus AMD. ire still holds a grudge on that. She is still annoyed and hate the fact that Robert managed to stole it then sold her idea to Venus AMD, resulting in him getting a position as a vice president. Outwardly, she sipped her tea, maintaining herposure. "I''m handling it very well, thank you," she said with practiced calm. "No need for anyone else to step in." Robert''s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered, leaning back in his chair. "Well, that''s good to hear," he said smoothly. "Metacortex is quite the undertaking. I''m just d to know it''s in such capable hands." Gretta, sensing the tension but unwilling to let the opportunity slip away, decided to change tactics. She set her teacup down and looked at ire with a smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes. "What about socially, ire? Are you still mingling with the rich and powerful? Using that LHS card of yours?" ire chuckled lightly. "Of course, I still use it. Besides, it is a privilege. However, hanging out with them, I could have say sometimes, if I have the time," she replied nonchntly. Gretta''s smile grew slightly tighter. "The LHS must be such an exclusive circle," she said, her tone tinged with envy. "It''s such a privilege to be part of something like that." ire saw where this was going and smirked inwardly. "It is," she said sweetly, letting the words hang just long enough to make Gretta squirm. Gretta leaned forward slightly, her voice taking on a hopeful, almost bashful tone. "Do you think... maybe... they''d consider adding one more member? I mean, I know it''s exclusive, but surely they''re open to, you know, the right people." ire''s smile didn''t falter as she replied, her tone sharine with just a touch of sarcasm. "Oh, I think the LHS is full, Gretta. They''re not epting new members these days. Such a shame, really." The look on Gretta''s face was priceless. She managed to suppress whatever choice words she wanted to hurl at ire, but her expression twisted briefly into something that was almostical. ire couldn''t resist smirking as she sipped her tea. Robert, sensing his wife''s irritation, tried to steer the conversation back to safer waters. "ire, I must say, it''s impressive how you''ve managed Metacortex these past few months since youe back. But tell me, how''s the security? With so manypanies getting hacked these days..." The question hit a nerve, though ire masked it well. Eligos''s recent breach of Metacortex''s system was still fresh in her mind, a ring vulnerability that she hadn''t yet resolved. But there was no way she was going to let Robert sniff out that particr weakness. "Security is top-notch, Robert," she said smoothly. "We''ve implemented some of the most advanced protocols in the industry. Honestly, Metacortex is more secure than ever." Robert nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly. He wasn''t entirely convinced, but ire''s poker face was impable. "Good, good. That''s what I like to hear," he said, though his tone wasden with suspicion. The rest of the dinner passed in a tense yet strangely cordial dance of words and nces. ire answered questions with calcted precision, revealing nothing of real importance. Robert and Gretta probed and prodded, but ire deflected their inquiries with the skill of a seasoned diplomat. As dessert was served-mercifully not involving ire''s disastrous pudding-Gretta made one final attempt to needle ire. "It''s a shame you''re handling everything alone ire," she said, her voice dripping with faux sympathy."Surely it would be easier with a partner. Someone like... oh, I don''tknow, Alexander? I hear he''s been quite involvedtely." ire''s jaw tightened imperceptibly, but she forced a smile. "Alexander and I have a... professional arrangement," she said evenly. "Nothing more." Gretta''s lips curled into a knowing smile. "Of course. Just professional." ire finished her dessert quickly, setting her fork down with a decisive clink. "Well, this has been lovely," she said, standing abruptly. "But I really must be going. Work doesn''t stop, even on Thanksgiving." Robert and Gretta both rose, their polite masks firmly in ce. "Always a pleasure, ire," Robert said, extending a hand. ire shook it briefly, her grip firm. "Likewise," she replied, though her tone suggested the opposite. She exchanged a few more forced pleasantries before finally making her escape. As she drove away, ire let out a long breath, her fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly. The evening had been exactly as she''d expected: exhausting, frustrating, and full of thinly veiled attempts to manipte her But she had survived it, and she hadn''t given Robert or Gretta an inch. "Family, my ass," she muttered under her breath as she sped down the darkened road. "They''re just waiting for me to slip." But ire Peterson didn''t slip. Not for them, not for anyone. Chapter 467 Being Vulnerable ire''s heels clicked against the marble floor as she navigated through the sea of chatter and clinking sses. She was determined to keep her cool after her verbal sparring match with Frank Potter, but the tension still buzzed under her skin like an electric current. The champagne flute in her hand felt heavy, though she hadn''t taken a single sip. She nced at the golden liquid and sighed. Why did I evene? The thought was barelyplete when she turned a corner and froze. There he was-Alexander. He stood near the buffet table, effortlessly elegant in his tailored charcoal suit, a ss of champagne bnced in his hand. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his piercing gaze surveying the room until itnded on her. The air shifted. Why is it always him? It seems impossible to imagine for ire to not see Alexander in a big event. It''s like the universe wanted them to be together. But it''s not like ire can do anything about it. ire frowned, her jaw tightening. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. It was like fate had a cruel sense of humor. Their eyes met, and Alexander''s lips curled into a polite, almost cautious smile. He gave a subtle nod, lifting his ss. "ire." His voice was smooth, but there was a hint of something deeper-something she couldn''t quite ce. "Alexander," she replied, her tone clipped but civil. She didn''t want to make a scene. Not here. "You look..." He paused, eyes scanning her carefully. "Beautiful, as always." ire rolled her eyes. "Spare me the pleasantries. I''m not in the mood." He let out a short sigh, his gaze softening. "I heard about Matthew." Her body stiffened, the words slicing through her like a de. Of course he knows. Her fingers tightened around the stem of her ss, but her face remained unreadable. "News travels fast, apparently." Alexander took a step closer, his expression gentle but earnest. "How is he?" She swallowed hard, the knot in her throat tightening. "He''s in aa." Her voice was barely above a whisper. His eyes widened, the surprise and concern clear on his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but for once, Alexander Saint Laurent seemed to be at a loss for words. "I didn''t know it was that serious," he finally said, his voice low. "I''m sorry, ire." The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, and for a moment, her carefully constructed walls wavered. She nodded, her gaze fixed somewhere over his shoulder. "Yeah, well... it is." Silence stretched between them, heavy and ufortable. She could feel herposure slipping, the weight of everything suddenly too much to bear. The noise of the party felt suffocating, the air too thick to breathe. "I need some air," she muttered, not waiting for his response. She turned abruptly and headed for the exit, her heart pounding in her chest. With Matthew being in aa and she is alone, she feels quit pressure. Outside, the cool night air hit her face, but it did little to calm her racing mind. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, and she leaned against the stone wall of the building, squeezing her eyes shut. Pull it together, ire. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to steady herself, but the storm inside her refused to settle. It felt like everything was spiraling out of control, and no matter how hard she tried to hold on, the ground kept shifting beneath her feet. Matthew in aa. Eligos breathing down her neck. Frank''s taunts. Alexander showing up everywhere. It was too much. She pushed off the wall, suddenly needing to escape. The quiet streets stretched before her, dark and inviting. Without a second thought, she crossed the road, her heels clicking against the pavement as she focused on putting distance between herself and that cursed party. A distant honk barely registered in her mind. But the second one, loud and ring, jolted her senses. Her eyes widened in panic as she turned to her left. Headlights were barreling toward her, the car 2 minu screeching as it tried to stop. Time seemed to slow, and a single thought shed through this it? Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed her arm, yanking her back with a force that knocked the breath out of her She stumbled, colliding with a solid chest Her heart pounded wildly as she looked up, her face mere inches from Alexander''s. He was livid. His jaw clenched, his dark eyes zing with anger and fear. "What the hell were you thinking?" he snapped, his fingers still wrapped around her arm. She blinked, the shock wearing off. She yanked her arm out of his grip, her own anger ring. "I was thinking I wanted to leave, and it''s none of your damn business!" He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "ire, you almost got yourself killed!" "I didn''t ask you to save me!" she shot back, her voice trembling. His eyes narrowed, his expression a mix of anger and something deeper. "No, you didn''t. But someone had to!" She stared at him, her breathing ragged. "Why do you even care?" "Because whether you like it or not, I do care!" he said, his voice sharp. "You think enjoy watching you self-destruct? You''re running yourself into the ground, and yo swnovel too damn stubborn to admit it!" Her eyes shed. "You don''t know anything about what I''m going through." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, intense tone. "Then tell me. Stop pushing everyone away. You''re not invincible, ire." She clenched her fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. "I don''t need your pity, Alexander." He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "It''s not a pity. It''s a concern. There''s a difference." They stood in silence, the sounds of the city a distant hum. ire''s eyes glistened, but she refused to let the tears fall. She turned away, staring down the empty street. "I can''t afford to fall apart," she whispered. "Not now." He stepped beside her, his voice softer. "No one''s asking you to fall apart. But maybe... just maybe, you don''t have to carry everything alone. She closed her eyes, the weight of his words settling heavily on her. For a moment, she considered leaning on him, just for a second. But the walls around her heart were too high, too fortified. She drew in a shaky breath. "I have work to do, Alexander." His jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Of course you do." She turned to walk away, her steps deliberate and steady. But before she got too far, she heard him call out. "ire." She paused, her back still to him. "Take care of yourself," he said quietly. She didn''t respond. She couldn''t. Instead, she walked into the night, the shadows swallowing her whole. Alexander watched her go, his chest tight with unspoken words. He clenched his jaw, knowing that whatever storm she was battling, she wouldn''t let him in. Not yet. But he couldn''t shake the feeling that one day, she might need someone to pull her back from the edge again. And whether she liked it or not, he''d be there. Chapter 468 Another Weird Dream The room was a swirling haze of shadows and whispers, the air thick with tension. ire stood in the center, her once-powerful stance shrinking under the weight of unseen eyes. Theughter started as a low rumble, growing louder, sharper, like shards of ss piercing her confidence. Her gaze darted around frantically, trying to locate the source of theughter. Shapes blurred into a faceless crowd, their silhouettes looming taller, more menacing. Why do I feel so small? She wondered, panic wing at her chest. She was ire Peterson-she didn''t crumble, she didn''t break. But right now, she felt like a fragile porcin doll, teetering on the edge of shattering. A voice, mocking and cold, rose above theughter. "Look at her. Not so fearless now, are you?" Moreughter, harsher this time. ire''s heart pounded against her ribs. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Her legs felt weak like they might give way beneath her. She clenched her fists, trying to summon the steel resolve she was known for, but her fingers trembled. Then, from the crowd, a figure began to move. Slowly, deliberately. The sea of faceless shadows parted, and the figure stepped forward. ire''s breath caught in her throat. She knew who it was before she could even see his face. Eligos. His tall frame exuded an air of cold authority, his dark clothes blending seamlessly with the shadows. His face, as always, was obscured by a mask. ire had never seen the man behind it, had never seen his eyes, and yet she felt his gaze bore into her soul. He stopped in front of her, his presence suffocating. "Expect the unexpected," he whispered, his voice dripping with malicious amusement. The words sliced through her, chilling her to the bone. She wanted to move, to scream, to fight back, but her feet were rooted to the ground. She was trapped, helpless, vulnerable a feeling she despised. Theughter rose to a deafening roar. Then she jolted awake. Her eyes snapped open, the darkness of her bedroom a stark contrast to the chaos of her nightmare. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat like a drum echoing through her ribcage. She gasped for air, her breaths shallow and ragged. She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, her fingers trembling. Eligos. Even in her dreams, he haunted her. Taunted her. She clenched her jaw, teeth grinding together. He was nning something. She didn''t know what, but she knew it wasing. The dread coiled tightly in her stomach. ire swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet touching the cold floor. She buried her face in her hands and took deep breaths, willing herself to calm down. The dream was a warning, a psychological attack from the man who thrived on maniption. She wasn''t about to let him win. The morning sun was a pale glow against the steel-gray sky as ire entered her office building. She moved with purpose, her heels clicking against the marble floor of the Metacortex lobby. Her mind was still tangled in the threads ofst night''s nightmare, but she pushed it aside. She had work to do, and work was the only thing that kept the darkness at bay. Sandra greeted her at the door with her usual bright smile. "Good morning, Ms. Peterson!" "Morning, Sandra," ire said, offering a tight nod. She stepped into her office, her eyes already scanning the desk for the day''s schedule. But something caught her attention immediately. A basket. It sat in the middle of her desk, adorned with a neatly tied ribbon. The contents were a variety of food- delicately arranged fruits, gourmet cheeses, and pastries. ire''s brows knitted together. She approached cautiously, her eyes narrowing as she took in the unexpected gift. Who sent this? Her first thought was Adrian. He had a habit of surprising her with thoughtful gestures. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but it vanished when she realized there was no note bearing his name. Instead, a single slip of paper rested at the centre of the basket. Be ready for something that''s about toe. Her stomach dropped. She stared at the words, the paper trembling slightly in her grip as her fist tightened around it. The calm veneer she fought to maintain cracked, and anger red in her chest, burning away thest of her hesitation. Eligos. She crumpled the note in her fist, her knuckles going white. Her jaw clenched so hard it ached. The audacity of it. He was ying games again, taunting her in broad daylight, sending threats wrapped in pretty ribbons and pastries. She took a deep breath, her eyes zing with fury. If this is the game you want to y, Eligos, then fine. But you''ll regret it. Her phone buzzed on her desk, snapping her out of her thoughts. She nced at the screen. Talia: Hey, are you okay? Haven''t heard from you since yesterday. ire exhaled sharply, her anger softening slightly. She quickly typed back: ire: I''m fine. Just dealing with... stuff. The three little dots popped up immediately. Talia: You want me toe over? We can yell at the universe together. A small smile ghosted over ire''s lips. ire: Thanks, but I''ve got it handled. I''ll call youter. She set the phone down and leaned back in her chair, her eyes drifting back to the basket. She would not let Eligos rattle her. She had too much to lose, too many people depending on her. Matthew needed her strength. Metacortex needed her leadership. She pushed the basket to the side, her mind racing. If Eligos was nning something, she needed to to be ten steps ahead. She needed to strategize, to anticipate his moves. He thought he could break her, that his little mind games would chip away at her confidence. But before she could dwell further on her strategy, her phone buzzed on her desk. She nced at the screen. Adrian. Her expression softened slightly. She took a steadying breath and answered, her voice carefully controlled. "Good morning, Adrian." "Good morning, ire," his warm voice came through the line. "I hope I didn''t wake you." She smiled faintly. "No, I was already at the office." "Of course you were," he said with a light chuckle. "Listen, my mother wanted me to invite you to Thanksgiving dinner. She felt bad for not inviting you to the family reunion the other day. She''s hoping you can join us tonight." ire''s heart softened a little. The warmth in Adrian''s voice was a much-needed balm to the chaos in her mind. For a moment, the shadows that loomed so heavily around her felt a little less suffocating. "Tell your mother I''d be happy toe," ire replied. "It''s really sweet of her to invite me." "I''ll let her know," Adrian said, his voice tinged with happiness. ire''s lips curled into a genuine smile. "I look forward to it. I need a distraction anyway." There was a brief pause. "Is everything okay, ire?" There was a slight pause on ire''s side as she was thinking should she tell Adrian about her dream or let it slide. She chose thetter besides it''s only a dream. It really doesn''t mean anything. "Yeah, everything is okay. Don''t worry. I will be there tonight.'' Chapter 469 Something About to Come ire''s heels clicked lightly against the marble steps of the Saint Laurent mansion as she approached the grand front door. The sprawling estate was illuminated by the warm glow of lights, and the faint hum ofughter and conversation floated through the air. As always, the mansion exuded an elegance that felt both inviting and overwhelming. But tonight, ire was determined to leave her worries behind, even if just for a few hours. The double doors swung open, and Adrian stood there, his smile lighting up the night. He looked effortlessly handsome in a dark suit, his hair perfectly styled, and his eyes full of warmth. Before she could say a word, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "Hey," he murmured against her lips, his thumb brushing her cheek. "You look stunning, ire." She smiled, her tension easing a bit. "Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself." He chuckled and took her hand, leading her inside. "Thank you, I tried." He gave her a wink that made ire blush. The warmth of his grip and the sparkle in his eyes made her feel like, for once, everything might just be okay. The moment they stepped into the foyer, Adriana''s cheerful voice rang out. "ire!" ire turned just in time to see Adriana, Adrian''s mother, approach with open arms. They shared a genuine hug, and ire felt a surge offort in the familiar warmth of Adriana''s embrace. "It''s been too long," Adriana said, pulling back slightly to get a better look at ire. Her eyes softened with concern. "How are you, dear?" "I''m doing fine," ire replied with a practiced smile. It was her default answer, but tonight, it felt less like a lie. Adriana''s gaze was sharp and motherly. "You seem to have lost weight, though." ire''s smile faltered slightly, but she brushed it off with a casual shrug. "Work has been demandingtely." Adriana frowned lightly. "Well, make sure you''re eating enough. You can''t run the world on an empty stomach." ire nodded. "I''ll try. Thank you, Adriana." "You better," Adriana said with a warm grin, looping her arm through ire''s. "Come on, let''s go join the others before the food gets cold." The dining room was a vision of ssic elegance. A long, mahogany table was set with fine China, crystal sses, and an abundance of traditional Thanksgiving dishes. The golden glow of the chandelier above cast a cozy warmth over the room, and the scents of roasted turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, and spiced pumpkin pie filled the air. Mr. Saint Laurent, Adrian''s grandfather, descended the staircase with the kind of dignified grace that only came with age and experience. His eyes twinkled as he approached ire. "Ah, ire, my dear," he greeted, his deep voice warm and weing. "It''s always a pleasure to have you here." "Thank you, Mr. Saint Laurent," she replied with a respectful nod, a genuine smile curving her lips. "None of that ''Mr.'' nonsense tonight," he teased, his eyes crinkling with mirth. "Call me Richard." "Alright, Richard," she said, a soft chuckle escaping her. Charles Saint Laurent, Adrian''s father, followed closely behind, offering ire a kind smile. "We''re d you could join us, ire. Adrian''s been looking forward to this all week." "Me too," she admitted, ncing at Adrian, who squeezed her hand reassuringly. As they all settled around the dinner table, ire felt the warmth of the Saint Laurent family wrap around her like aforting nket. The table buzzed with cheerful conversation, the clinking of sses, and the asional burst ofughter. For the first time in what felt like forever, ire let herself rx. Midway through dinner, Richard cleared his throat, a mischievous smile ying on his lips as he turned his attention to Adrian. "So, Adrian," he said, his voice carrying a teasing lilt. "Are you going to tell us how serious things are with this lovely youngdy?" Adrian chuckled, but his cheeks flushed slightly. "Grandfather, you''re putting us on the spot." ire''s face heated up, and she lowered her gaze to her te, trying to suppress a smile. Richard wasn''t deterred. "Oh,e now. We all adore ire. I just want to know when we''ll be making room for another Saint Laurent at this table." "Dad! Don''t ask them that." Adriana scolded, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Let them be. They will be embarrassed by it." ire nced at Adrian, and he met her gaze with a warm, reassuring smile. Her heart fluttered. She hadn''t expected this night to be so full of lightness and joy. It was a stark contrast to the darkness she''d been wading through for weeks. "Don''t mind him, ire," Adrian whispered in her ear. "He just likes to stir the pot." Sheughed softly. "It''s all right. I missed this." He tilted his head slightly. "Missed what?" "This," she said, gesturing around the table. "Family. Laughter. Feeling... normal." Adrian''s expression softened. He leaned in, his lips brushing her temple. "You''ll always have that here. No matter what." As the dinner wound down, the conversation grew even more light-hearted. Richard told stories about his youth, Charles shared a few humorous anecdotes about Adriamas a child, and Adriana Kept encouraging everyone to eat more dessert. ire found herself genuinelyughing, the tension in her shoulders melting away bit by bit. For a brief moment, she forgot about Eligos, the threats, and the darkness waiting outside these walls. All that mattered was the warmth of the room, the kindness of these people, and the man sitting beside her. But as theughter faded and the tes were cleared, reality began to seep back in. ire''s mind wandered to the crumpled note she''d received earlier, the chilling warning still fresh in her mind. Be ready for something that is about toe. A shiver ran down her spine. Adrian noticed immediately. He reached for her hand under the table, his thumb brushing against her knuckles. "You okay?" he asked softly. ire hesitated, her gaze flicking to his. She wanted to confide in him, to let him share the burden. But tonight had been so perfect, and she didn''t want to taint it with her fears. "I''m fine," she said with a faint smile. "Just a little tired." He searched her eyes, clearly not convinced, but he didn''t press. "We can leave whenever you want." She shook her head. "No, it''s okay. I''m d I came." "Me too." After dinner, ire stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air. The night was cool, the city lights twinkling in the distance. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, trying to steady herself. The door creaked behind her, and she turned to see Adrian stepping out, two mugs of coffee in hand. He handed one to her, his fingers brushing hers. "Thought you might need this," he said softly. "Thank you," she murmured, taking a sip. They stood side by side, the silence between themfortable. After a while, Adrian spoke. "Whatever it is that''s bothering you, ire, I''m here. You know that, right?" She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. "I know." And for the first time in weeks, she let herself believe it. Chapter 470 Abigail Confession The Harris mansion was bathed in warm light, its ssic architecture standing tall and imposing against the twilight sky. The grand dining hall was meticulously set, the clinking of silverware and the soft murmur of conversation filling the space. Despite the luxurious surroundings, Alexander felt an inexplicable weight on his chest. The hum of the evening felt more suffocating than celebratory, the elegant dinner more of an obligation than a pleasure. Seated around the long mahogany table were Alexander''s parents, Abigail, and her mother and father. Joan, Alexander''s younger sister, was uncharacteristically quiet, pushing her food around her te with disinterest. The atmosphere felt strained, though no one had openly acknowledged it. Alexander forced a polite smile as he cut into his meal, though he had little appetite. The evening dragged on with idle conversation about business, travel, and family affairs. "So, Alexander," Mr. Hastings, Abigail''s father, began, setting his wine ss down with a soft clink. His gaze was sharp, appraising. "How''s the hotel business treating you these days?" Alexander sat a little straighter, falling back on the professionalism he was known for. "It''s going well, sir. The Vegas property is almost ready for runch. Just a few final touch-ups left." Mr. Hastings nodded with approval. "Good, good. You''ve always been a diligent man, Alex. Your father must be proud." Alexander offered a small smile to his father, who gave an approving nod. His mother beamed at him, but her eyes carried a knowing look, sensing his disquiet. As the conversation continued, Alexander tried to keep his focus on polite small talk, but the growing sense of dread in his stomach was hard to ignore. He wasn''t sure where it wasing from, only that tonight felt more stifling than usual. It didn''t take long for the conversation to veer into more ufortable territory. "You know," Mr. Hastings said, leaning back in his chair, "you and Abigail have known each other for so long. Families like our value tradition and strong bonds." Alexander''s brow furrowed slightly. He wasn''t sure where this was going, but a part of him suspected, and it made his stomach tighten. Mr. Hastings continued, his tone casual but pointed. "Don''t you think it''s time to consider making that bond... more permanent?" The words hung heavily in the air. Alexander''s fork froze midway to his mouth. He nced at Abigail, who looked horrified, her eyes wide with panic. Her cheeks flushed crimson. "Dad, stop," Abigail whispered, her voice strained. "Please." Her father ignored her, pressing on with a smile that was anything but innocent. "I''m just saying, it makes sense. You''re both sessful, And you get along so well." Alexander set his fork down carefully, his jaw tight. He turned his gaze to Mr. Hastings and spoke with a calmness that belied the tension he felt. "I respect Abigail deeply. But we''re friends. That''s all we''ve ever been." The words came out more firmly than he intended, but there was no mistaking the finality in his tone. Abigail''s face fell, her eyes darting away as if she''d been struck. She forced a small smile, but the disappointment was evident in the tremble of her lips. The table went silent. The air grew thick with unspoken thoughts, and Joan shifted ufortably in her seat. Her usual exuberance was absent, and she seemed smaller somehow, retreating into herself. Mr. Hastings smile faded, and he gave a tight nod. "Of course. Friends, then." The rest of the dinner dragged on in awkward silence, each bite of food feeling like a chore. By the time the meal concluded, and they all moved to the living room, Alexander''s patience was frayed. He excused himself, needing air, and stepped out onto the balcony. The cool night breeze met him, and he inhaled deeply, trying to clear his mind. The city lights sprawled below, glittering like tiny stars. But the view did little to ease the unease in his chest. He leaned on the railing, his fingers gripping the cold metal as his thoughts swirled. Why did everything feel so heavytely? The sound of the balcony door opening broke his reverie. He turned his head slightly and saw Abigail stepping out, her expression uncertain. Her dark hair fluttered in the breeze, and her eyes, usually bright with confidence, looked clouded. "Alex," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the rustle of leaves. He straightened, offering a polite nod. "Abigail." She walked up beside him, her gaze fixed on the city lights. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them. "I''m sorry," she finally whispered. "For what my father said. He shouldn''t have put you on the spot like that." Alexander sighed, his voice gentle. "It''s not your fault. I know he means well." She nodded, but her shoulders slumped. "He just... wants what he thinks is best for me." Alexander''s gaze softened. "I understand." Abigail took a shaky breath. "But what about what I want?" He turned to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you mean?" She swallowed hard, her fingers gripping the balcony railing. "Alex, I-" Her voice caught, but she pushed forward. "I''ve liked you for a long time. I always hoped that maybe... maybe you''d feel the same way." Her words hung between them, raw and vulnerable. Alexander closed his eyes briefly, regret washing over him. "Abigail..." he began, his tone careful. He looked at her, seeing the hope in her eyes mingling with fear. "You''re an incredible person. You deserve someone who can give you everything you want. But that person isn''t me." Her lips trembled, and she blinked quickly, trying to keep herposure. "I just thought... maybe..." He reached out, touching her shoulder gently. "I care about you. But not in the way you deserve. And I won''t lie to you or give you false hope." A tear slipped down her cheek, and she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I understand." The pain in her eyes cut through him, but he knew this was the kinder path. Dragging things out or pretending would only hurt them both more. "I''m sorry," he said, the words heavy on his tongue. She wiped her cheek and managed a wobbly smile. "Don''t be. Thank you for being honest." He nodded, his heart aching for his friend. He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before stepping back. "I''m going to give you some space," he said softly. Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked back inside, the warmth of the house feeling cold and hollow. Alexander found himself standing in the empty hallway, his mind spinning. The evening had left him drained, the weight of expectations and misunderstandings pressing on his shoulders. He ran a hand through his hair, closing his eyes. For some reason, ire''s face shed through his mind her fierce eyes, her determined spirit, the vulnerability she rarely showed. He wondered what she was doing, if she was okay. Why is everything so damnplicated? But he knew one thing for certain: the one person who lingered in his thoughts, no matter how hard he tried to push her away, was ire. And that realization scared him more than anything else. Chapter 471 Always Claire Alexander stood on the balcony, the city skyline spread out before him like a glittering tapestry. The cold breeze stung his cheeks, but he barely noticed. His mind was too tangled up in thoughts of ire. He let out a deep sigh, his breath fogging in the chill air. He''d considered inviting ire to the Harris family Thanksgiving dinner, concocting the idea of a "business bonding" excuse just to see her. But even in his imagination, he could already hear her sharp refusal, her voiceced with sarcasm. ire wasn''t the type to ept half-truths or hidden motives. The thought of her rolling her eyes at him was enough to squash the idea. And yet, despite his hesitation, the gnawing regret wouldn''t leave him. He missed her. More than he wanted to admit. Why? Why ire from all of the people he have to think about? Not to mention ire was his ex-wife. Alexander thought to himself. Why does it alwayse back to you, ire? He wondered bitterly. No matter how far he tried to distance himself, she was always there an unrelenting presence in his mind. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the balcony door opening again. He turned, half-expecting his father, but instead, it was Abigail again. Her dark eyes looked up at him, filled with concern and also curiosity. "Alex," she said softly, wrapping a shawl tighter around her shoulders. "Are you okay?" He managed a tired smile. "Yeah. Just... thinking." "Your mum called you. She said she have something important to tell you." Alex raised his brows then frowned wondering what his mother wanted to tell him about. "Did she said why?" Abigail shook her head. "No, but it seems that she wanted to talk to you about something." He sighed as he turned towards the view of the night sky. "Ok, thank you for telling me. Tell her I will be there." Abigail stared at Alexander one more time with a hint of sadness before leaving the balcony for the second time. Meanwhile, in the cold sterility of the psychological ward, Lisa Thompson paced the length of her room for what felt like the hundredth time that day. The walls, a lifeless shade of beige, seemed to close in on her. Her fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she fought back a wave of frustration. Three weeks. Three damn weeks. Lisa had lost count of the days. Gretta had promised to help her, to set her free from this suffocating prison. And yet, all she''d done was visit. Empty reassurances, hollow words. Gretta would smile, make vague promises of "patience" and "timing," but Lisa was running out of both. The desire for vengeance simmered just beneath her skin. Images of ire danced in her mind - ire with her cold confidence, ire with her wlessposure. It made Lisa''s blood boil. ire Peterson, she thought bitterly, you think you''re untouchable. But your time ising. A slow, twisted smile spread across her lips. She could almost taste the satisfaction of seeing ire brought down, humiliated, destroyed. A bloodbath, if necessary. Whatever it took to see that perfect fa?ade shatter. Lisa couldn''t wait to see the look on ire face when she finally is out from this crazy ward that fills with crazy people. The door creaked open, pulling Lisa from her dark thoughts. Gretta entered, her expression unreadable, clutching a file close to her chest. "Still no progress?" Lisa snapped, her voice dripping with venom. "You just here to check on me again?" Gretta''s eyes flickered with annoyance, but she kept her tone calm. "Things take time, Lisa. I can''t just snap my fingers and get you out of here. If we''re going to do this right, we need to be careful." Lisa''s jaw clenched. "I don''t want careful. I want out. Now." Gretta sighed, her fingers tapping the file thoughtfully. "Soon. Just hold on a little longer. Everything is in motion." Lisa''s eyes darkened. "It better be. Because when I get out of here, ire won''t know what hit her." At Metacortex, ire leaned back in her office chair, a sigh escaping her lips as she set her pen down. The glow of her deskmp cast a soft light across the room, but the fatigue in her eyes refused to fade. The Thanksgiving dinner at the Saint Laurents'' had been a brief respite, a taste of warmth and normalcy. But the world she lived in was rarely so forgiving. Her gaze drifted toward the window, the London skyline stretching out in the distance. The city felt vast, impersonal - a constant reminder that peace was fleeting. And now, another event loomed on the horizon; the Christmas dinner party. The mere thought of it made her shoulders tense. She had a feeling it would be hosted by one of two families - the Saint Laurents or the Harrises. Neither option filled her withfort. She suspected Adrian''s family might take the reins this year. The Saint Laurents were known for their impable taste andvish gatherings. But the Harris family, with their relentless pursuit of prestige, could just as easily im the event for themselves She didn''t know which scenario she preferred. Both came with their ownplications. And knowing Alexander, he wouldn''t pass up a chance to use the asion to... talk. To unsettle her, as he always seemed to do. A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. Sandra peeked her head in, a cautious smile on her lips. "Everything alright, ire?" she asked gently. ire nodded, though the exhaustion in her eyes betrayed her. "Just... thinking." Sandra stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "You know, you don''t have to attend the Christmas dinner if you don''t want to.'' ire shook her head. "It''s not about wanting to. It''s about maintaining appearances. Whether it''s the Saint Laurents or the Harrises, I need to be there." Sandra sighed. "You are always carrying so much on your shoulders." ire''s lips curved into a small, weary smile. "Someone has to." The conversation was interrupted by the buzz of ire''s phone. She nced at the screen and saw Adrian''s name. Her heart softened a little. "Hey," she greeted, her voice losing some of its edge. "Good morning, beautiful," Adrian''s warm voice came through. "I was just wondering if you''re free for dinner tonight." ire''s eyes softened further, a genuine smile tugging at her lips. "I would love that." "Perfect. I will pick you up at seven." As the call ended, ire took a deep breath. For a moment, the weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter. Adrian had that effect on her - making her believe, even briefly, that she didn''t have to carry the world alone. But as she leaned back in her chair, her gaze hardened again. She knew better than to believe peace wouldst. Eligos, Lisa, Alexander- they all lurked in the shadows of her life, each one pulling a thread that threatened to unravel everything. Expect the unexpected, she thought grimly, Eligos''s words echoing in her mind. She wouldn''t let her guard down. Not now. Not ever. Chapter 472 Hosting the Christmas Party ire sat at her desk, fingers tapping restlessly against the polished wood. The soft hum of her office seemed unusually loud as she stared nkly at her phone. Her mind was still reeling from the conversation she''d just had with Mr. Saint Laurent. "A Christmas party, ire. It''s time." His voice, full of warmth and gentle authority, echoed in her mind. He''d always spoken to her like she was a part of the family, which made the call all the more difficult to process. "But why me?" she had asked, trying to keep the disbelief out of her tone. "Because it''s been three years, dear," he had replied kindly. "You disappeared for too long. It''s time for the world - for your peers to know that ire Peterson is back. Hosting this party will show everyone that you are still a force to be reckoned with." She leaned back in her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose. The weight of his words pressed on her shoulders, and no matter how many times she tried to reject the idea, he had countered with an unshakeable faith in her. Earlier That Morning The phone call hade just as she was reviewing some reports. Sandra had barely announced it before she picked up, curiosity piqued. Mr. Saint Laurent didn''t often call her directly. "Good morning, ire," his voice had rumbled warmly. "Good morning, Mr. Saint Laurent," she greeted politely, though she felt a twinge of apprehension. "I''m sorry for interrupting your morning but I won''t take your time for too long. So, the reason why I called you is that I want you to host this year''s Christmas party," he said, his tone gentle but resolute. The air seemed to thin around her. She blinked, certain she had misheard. "I''m sorry, did you say me hosting the party?" "Yes," he affirmed. "It''s been too long since you''ve hosted anything. You''ve been back for months, and yet the world still doesn''t know that ire Peterson has returned. I think it''s time to change that." "Mr. Saint Laurent, I appreciate the sentiment, but I can''t." She sighed, her fingers tightening around the edge of her desk. "I''m swamped with work. There''s too much going on right now, and-" "I know you can do it," he interrupted gently. "You''ve always managed to bnce the impossible. This is important, ire. You need to remind everyone of who you are. And more importantly, you need to remind yourself." "Isn''t my appearance is not enough?" ire asks, slightly frowning. "Is not that it isn''t enough. I just feel like people doesn''t know about you more and I hate the fact that some people look down on you just because you are a woman. That isn''t what it''s supposed to be. They need to respect you ire and know about your existence." Her jaw clenched. She wasn''t ready for this. Not with Matthew in aa, his absence gnawing at the edges of her mind. "I don''t know if I can, Mr. Saint Laurent. Matthew always handled these things with me. Without him" "Matthew would want you to do this," he said, his voice firm. "I know it''s hard, but you''re not alone. We''ll all be here to support you. You''ve never needed anyone to stand in front of you, ire. You''re strong enough to handle this." His faith in her was unwavering, and the warmth in his tone made her heart ache. She struggled to keep her voice steady. "I''ll think about it." "Don''t think too long," he replied softly. "This is an opportunity to show the world that ire Peterson is still standing tall. You owe it to yourself." As the call ended, ire had sat in stunned silence, the weight of his words slowly sinking in. Now, hourster, she still hadn''t moved from her seat. The memory of Matthew was a persistent ghost. They had nned so many of these events together, his insight and wit bncing her precision. The thought of hosting without him made her feel unmoored. Her phone buzzed, breaking her from her thoughts. She nced at the screen - Adrian. She hesitated a moment before picking up. "Hey," she said, trying to keep the weariness out of her voice. "Hey, yourself," Adrian replied, his voice tinged with concern. "I just found out what my grandfather asked you to do. ire, I''m so sorry. He shouldn''t have put you in that position." She sighed. "It''s okay, Adrian. He meant well." "I know he did," Adrian said gently, "but you shouldn''t have to do this if you don''t want to. You''ve been through enough." ire leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. "It''s not that I don''t want to. It''s just... Matthew always e. It handled these things with me feels wrong to do it without him. There was a pause on the line. "I understand," Adrian said finally. "But you don''t have to do it alone. Let me help you." "Adrian, no." She shook her head, though he couldn''t see it. "You''re busy enough as it is. Besides, I need to handle this on my own." "ire." His voice was firm but gentle. "You don''t have to handle everything alone. I want to help. Let me be there for you." She sighed, a mix of frustration and gratitude welling up inside her. "Adrian, I appreciate it, but" "I''m not taking no for an answer," he cut in. "This isn''t just about the party. It''s about you. You''ve spent so long trying to be strong for everyone elet me be strong for you this time." en His words chipped away at the barriers she kept so carefully constructed. She took a shaky breath, her eyes misting slightly. "You''re relentless, you know that?" "I''ve been told," he replied with a chuckle. "So, what do you say?" A small smile crept onto her lips. "Okay. You can help." "Good," he said, relief evident in his voice. "We''ll make this the best damn Christmas party anyone''s ever seen." Sheughed softly. "Let''s not get ahead of ourselves." "Oh,e on, where''s your holiday spirit?" he teased. "It''s buried somewhere under a mountain of anxiety," she quipped, though her tone was lighter now. "We''ll dig it out," he promised. "One step at a time." As the call ended, ire felt a little of the weight lift off her shoulders. Adrian''s support made the task ahead seem just a bit more manageable. That evening, Adrian arrived at her apartment with a stack of papers and a determined smile. "Alright, party-nning session begins now." ire raised an eyebrow, amused. "You''re taking this very seriously." "Of course," he said, settling onto the couch beside her. "I can''t have the world thinking my girlfriend throws mediocre parties." "Is that a challenge?" she smirked. "Absolutely." They spent the next few hours going over details decorations, guest lists, catering options. Adrian''s enthusiasm was infectious, and despite her initial reluctance, ire found herself smiling more than she had in days. As they wrapped up for the night, Adrian leaned back, stretching his arms. "See? This isn''t so bad." ire nodded, a genuine smile on her face. "It''s not." He reached over and took her hand. "We''ve got this, ire." She squeezed his hand, warmth spreading through her chest. "Yeah. We do." For the first time in weeks, she felt like maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay. Chapter 473 Christmas Party The days leading up to the party were a whirlwind. ire barely had time to think as she bounced between managing her business responsibilities and nning every detail of the Christmas party. Adrian was by her side every step of the way, coordinating with vendors and making sure nothing slipped through the cracks. Sandra, ever-efficient and sharp, handled logistics and kept everything on track with her usual precision. As the days grew shorter and the event drew closer, ire''s anxiety simmered just beneath the surface. This wasn''t just a party; it was a statement. A deration to the world that ire Peterson was back, stronger than ever. But no matter howposed she appeared on the outside, doubt asionally crept in, gnawing at the edges of her confidence. The sun had barely set when ire stood in her penthouse, surrounded by racks of dresses, trays of jewelry, and boxes of shoes. The soft lighting cast a warm glow over the room, though the tension in the air made it feel almost stifling. Talia, her best friend, sat cross-legged on the couch, sipping from a ss of champagne as she surveyed the chaos with a smirk. "ire, you''re going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that," Talia teased, setting down her ss. ire paused mid-step and let out a long sigh. "I can''t help it, Talia. I haven''t done something like this in years. Talia stood and walked over, cing her hands on ire''s shoulders. "Hey, look at me." ire met her gaze, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "You''re going to be amazing. You''ve done this before. And you''re not alone - Adrian, Sandra, and I all have your back." ire''s lips twitched into a small smile. "I know. I just... I want everything to be perfect." "It will be." Talia gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Now, let''s get you ready to knock their socks off." ire nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright. Let''s do this." ire had hired a makeup artist and hairstylist to streamline the process, and they were already set up by the vanity. The artist, a poised woman named Mia, smiled warmly as ire sat down. "We''ll take good care of you, don''t worry." As Mia and the hairstylist began their work, Talia took on the role of stylist, sorting through the sea of dresses. "Okay, we need something that says power, elegance, and just a hint of ''I dare you to underestimate me."" ire chuckled despite her nerves. "Is that even a category of fashion?" "With you, it should be." Talia grinned, holding up a sleek, midnight-blue gown with intricate silver embroidery. "What do you think of this one?" ire''s eyes widened slightly. "It''s beautiful." "It''s more than beautiful- it''s you." Talia hung the dress up and stepped back. "It''ll hug you in all the right ces, and the silver ents will catch the light perfectly." Mia chimed in, ncing at the dress. "I can do a smoky eye with a touch of silver shimmer to match. It''ll give you that fierce but refined look." ire took another deep breath. "Let''s do it." As the hairstylist curled her hair into soft waves, ire allowed herself to rx slightly. The familiar routine of getting ready for a high-profile event anchored her. The motions were second nature, and for a brief moment, she felt like her old self- the one who faced any challenge with unwavering confidence. As Mia applied the finishing touches to her makeup, ire''s gaze drifted to her reflection. The woman staring back at her looked poised and wless, every detail meticulously perfected. Yet, beneath the veneer of confidence, doubt flickered. What if this doesn''t go well? What if they see through me? What if I fail? Talia, as if reading her mind, ced a hand on ire''s shoulder. "You''re overthinking again." ire let out a shakyugh. "How do you always know?" "Because you''ve always been this way," Talia said softly. "But let me tell you something. The ire Peterson I know never lets fear win. You''ve faced worse than this, and you''vee out stronger every time." ire closed her eyes for a moment, absorbing her best friend''s words. "You''re right." "Damn straight, I am." Talia grinned. "Now, let''s get you into that dress." With the dress zipped up and the silver heels strapped on, ire felt a new kind of power surge through her. The gown fit her like a glove, the midnight-blue fabric pooling elegantly around her feet. Talia handed her a pair of diamond earrings and a matching bracelet. "essories make the woman," Talia quipped as ire slipped them on. ire nced in the mirror one final time. The woman staring back at her wasn''t justposed - she was formidable. A knock at the door broke the moment. Adrian''s voice came through. "ire? Can Ie in?" "Come in," ire called. Adrian stepped inside, his breath catching as he took in the sight of her. "Wow," he said, his eyes filled with admiration. "You look... stunning." ire''s cheeks warmed. "Thank you. You don''t look too bad yourself." He chuckled, adjusting his cufflinks on his tailored suit. "Ready for this?" She took a deep breath, the knot of anxiety in her chest loosening. "As ready as I''ll ever be." He stepped closer, taking her hands in his. "You don''t have to be perfect tonight. Just be you. That''s more than enough." Her eyes softened. "Thank you, Adrian. I needed to hear that." He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Let''s go show them what ire Peterson is made of." As they arrived at the hotel for the Christmas party, the grandeur of the event hit ire. The ce was lit up like something out of a fairytale with the decorations and the soft glow of lights reflecting off the freshly fallen snow. Guests were already mingling,ughter and music filling the air. Adrian offered her his arm. "Shall we?" She looped her arm through his, her grip steady. "We shall." The moment they stepped inside, heads turned Murmurs of admiration and surprise rippled through the crowd. ire held her head high, a serene smile on her lips. Every step she took exuded confidence, her earlier nerves rced by a quiet determination. Adriana was the first to approach, her face lighting up. "ire, you look magnificent!" ire smiled warmly, hugging her. "Thank you, Adriana." Mr. Saint Laurent appeared, his eyes twinkling with approval. "You did it, ire." She nodded, a sense of pride swelling in her chest. "Thank you for believing in me." As the evening wore on, ire mingled with guests, effortlessly slipping into conversations. She felt the weight of the past few years lift off her shoulders. She was back. Later, as she stood by the balcony, looking out at the snowyndscape, Adrian joined her. "You did it," he murmured. Adrian wrapped his arms around ire waist and caress her waist. She smiled, the cold air refreshing against her skin. "We did it." ire leanback on to his chest and ce her hands on his while savoring the moment of silence together. And for the first time in a long time, she felt truly at peace. Chapter 474 Sneaking In The warmth and glow of the Christmas party were palpable. Soft music flowed through the air, mingling with the gentle clink of crystal sses and the murmur of elegant conversation. The hotel ballroom was bathed in golden light, and every corner reflected ire''s meticulous attention to detail - from the grand, towering Christmas tree adorned with sparkling ornaments to the gands wrapped around the sweeping staircase. Guests were in awe of the festive atmosphere. ire, poised and radiant in her midnight-blue gown, stood near the entrance beside Adrian. Their presence together sent ripples through the crowd. Whispers drifted around them-surprised murmurs about the powerful heirs making such a public appearance as a couple. "She really pulled this off beautifully," one guest whispered. "Look at them - ire Peterson and Adrian Saint Laurent. Who would''ve thought?" another replied. ire maintained her serene smile, a practiced mask she wore for such asions. Her fingers toyed subtly with the diamond bracelet on her wrist, a quiet outlet for the tension she refused to show. Adrian leaned in close, his hand gently resting on her waist. His touch grounded her, a reminder that she wasn''t facing this alone. "You''re doing amazing," he whispered softly, his breath warm against her ear. "Thanks to you," she replied, her voice low, a hint of vulnerability slipping through herposed exterior. Just then, Mr. Saint Laurent, Adrian''s grandfather, approached with a broad smile. His presencemanded the room; conversations momentarily quieted as he reached them. He wrapped ire in a warm hug, a rare gesture of affection that spoke volumes. "You''ve outdone yourself, ire," he said, his voice rich with pride. "This is more than I could''ve hoped for." ire smiled genuinely, a flicker of relief breaking through her mask. "Thank you, Mr. Saint Laurent. I''m d you trusted me with this, even if I wasn''t sure I could pull it off." He chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "I knew you had it in you. Sometimes, we just need a push to remember what we''re capable of." ire''s chest tightened. His words resonated more deeply than she let on. "I appreciate your faith in me." As Mr. Saint Laurent turned to greet another guest, Adrian squeezed her hand. "See? You were always the right person for this." ire smiled, feeling a touch of warmth seep into her guarded heart. Maybe, just maybe, she was finding her way back to the woman she once was. Meanwhile, across the city, Eligos sat in the dimly lit confines of a private office, his eyes cold and calcting. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the surface of his desk, a sinister melody apanying his thoughts. The intelligence he''d gathered had paid off. ire Peterson, the everposed and confident businesswoman, was hosting the Christmas party - the perfect stage for his next move. He''d spent too long in the shadows, watching, waiting. Now, it was time to remind her who held the strings. He picked up his phone and dialed a number. The line clicked after three rings. Andre''s hesitant voice came through. "I''m here." Eligos leaned back, his voice calm but menacing. "You know what to do?" Andre took a breath, his nerves barely concealed. "Yes. I''ve got it." "Good." Eligos''s eyes narrowed. "Remember, no mistakes. Follow the n exactly, or you''ll regret it." Andre swallowed hard. "I understand." There was a pause, the weight of the unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air. "Don''t disappoint me," Eligos said softly before ending the call. He leaned forward, the glint of satisfaction in his eyes chilling. Tonight would be a turning point. Eligos stepped out of his car as he fix his cuff link. He approach the security and nodded at him. The security stop him and scroll on the tablet to check on every guest list. Lucky for Eligos, he managed to hack into the devices and ce his face and fake name along side Andre so they both can have ess inside the party. "Good evening sir, can you please tell us your name?" The security said while scrolling down the tablet. Eligos smile since he knows his name will be there. "Aaron Smith." The security nodded and begin to find his name but weirdly enough, it took a long time. "Apologize sir but your name isn''t in the list." A frown appear on his face in an instant as he did not expect something like this about to happen. "Could check one more time cause kone I''m pretty sure my name is on that list." The security nodded and Eligos take that time to scroll on his phone and check seeing his name is still 99% on the process of hacking. He cursed under his breath as he did not see thising. Damn technology at times. "Apologies sir, seems like I missed out your name. Pleasee in." Eligos nodded as he give the security a tight smile before entering the ballroom. Back at the party, ire''s intuition prickled. Something felt off, a shift in the air she couldn''t quite ce. Her smile faltered for just a second before she pushed it back into ce. Adrian noticed immediately. "Are you okay?" She hesitated, her gaze sweeping the room. "I''m not sure. I just... have a feeling." "ire," Adrian said softly, his fingers tightening around hers. "If something''s wrong, we''ll handle it. You''re not alone in this." She nodded, drawing strength from his presence. "I know. But I can''t shake the feeling that something''s going to happen." Sandra approached them, her usual efficiency tempered by concern. "Everything''s running smoothly so far, but the security team mentioned a few unfamiliar faces. I''ve got them watching closely." ire''s jaw clenched. "Stay vignt. If anything feels even slightly off, I want to know immediately." Sandra nodded. "Understood." In a shadowed corner near the entrance, Andre adjusted the cuff of his jacket, his palms slick with sweat. He scanned the room, his eyesnding on ire. She was said, herposure unbreakable. A pang of regret shot through him. He didn''t want to do this- but he had no choice. Eligos''s threats weren''t empty, and his mother''s safety hung in the bnce. Andre took a deep breath and reminded himself of the n. All he had to do was nt the device Eligos had given him, something el small enough to go unnoticed but destructive enough to cause chaos. He wiped his hands on his jacket and moved forward. ire turned around as she greet the guest but her eyes caught at the familiar and yet familiar face. For ire it seems that she have seen him before but she couldn''t ce a finger where. "Are you okay, ire?" Adrian ask ire as he is standing right beside her. ire eyes still trained on that man who is making his way towards the buffer table. "Yeah, I''m okay. It''s just that...that man, I''ve seen him before but I don''t where. His face look familiar." Adrian follow her gaze and couldn''t help but frowned. "ire, you have met a lot of people. I''m sure he is one of your client or maybe your employee." ire thought for a while, she thought to herself. It is possible though but there''s this nagging feeling in her chest that she couldn''t quite ce it. "Yeah, maybe you are right." Chapter 475 Going Through with The Plan The music swirled through the grand hall, and the gentle hum of conversation filled the space. The glow of the chandeliers reflected off the champagne flutes and the gilded dcor. ire stood near a cluster of elegantly dressed guests, her smile practiced, herughter melodic, but her mind remained alert. Her instincts rarely betrayed her, and tonight, they whispered warnings she couldn''t ignore. As sheughed politely at one guest''s quip, her eyes caught a figure moving purposefully toward her. The man''s demeanor was confident - too confident - and a strange energy clung to him. Her brow furrowed slightly as she studied his approach. The way he moved, the intensity of his gaze locked onto her, sent a chill down her spine. The man stopped just a few feet away and tilted his head, a cocky smirk curling his lips. He held a champagne ss loosely in his hand, his knuckles white despite his fa?ade of ease. "So, you really are ire Peterson," he drawled, his tone dripping with something bitter. "The infamous ire Peterson, heir to wealth beyond imagination." His eyes scanned her slowly, lingering on her gown, the diamonds sparkling at her neck, and the effortless grace with which she held herself. A flicker of envy crossed his face before he masked it. ire''s smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. "Yes, I''m ire Peterson," she said, her voice cool and measured. "And you are?" Andre chuckled darkly, a sound that felt misced in the warm, festive atmosphere. He took a deliberate sip of champagne, his eyes never leaving hers. "It''s about time we met... sis." A ripple of confusion passed through the nearby guests, who exchanged nces and murmured in hushed voices. The word sis hung in the air like a knife. ire''s expression froze, her mind whirling as she processed his words. The clinking of sses and softughter faded into a distant hum. She took a steadying breath and forced herself to remain calm. "Excuse me for a moment," she said to her guests, her smile tight as she slipped away from the group, guiding Andre toward a quieter corner. Once they were out of earshot, she turned to him, her eyes sharp. "Who are you, and what kind of game are you ying?" Andre''s jaw tightened, the fake confidence slipping for a second before he reassembled it. "Come on, ire. You seriously don''t recognize me? Look closely." She studied his face the curve of his jaw, the intensity of his eyes, the shape of his brow- and a faint flicker of recognition stirred, but it remained elusive. Frustration crept in. "I don''t know who you are," she said firmly. "And if this is some kind of joke or ploy-" Andre''sugh was bitter. "A joke? That''s rich,ing from someone who''s lived a life of luxury while the rest of us had to fight for scraps." "Enough with all this bullshit. Just tell me who you are?" ire said with a hint of annoyance. Andre''s eyes glinted with frustration, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a mockery of a smile. "So, it''s true. You really have no idea who I am." He let out a short, humorlessugh. "Guess being at the top means forgetting everyone who doesn''t matter. He leaned closer, his voice low and venomous. "I''m your half-brother, ire. The brother you never knew existed. The one left behind." The words hit her like a punch to the gut. ire felt the ground beneath her shift, her bnce faltering. Brother? Her mind scrambled to make sense of the revtion, but it was like trying to hold onto mist. She blinked, her mouth dry. "I don''t have a brother," she said slowly, her voice edged with disbelief. "You must be mistaken." Andre''s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with hurt. "No mistake. I wish it were that simple." He took a shaky breath, the anger barely contained. ire''s breath caught in her throat. The words hit her like a punch to the gut. "What did you just say?" "You heard me." His eyes shed with resentment. "While you were attending gs and living in penthouses, my mother and I were t barely getting by. If I''d known who you were sooner, maybe we V wouldn''t have struggled. Maybe my mother would''ve gotten the treatment she needed." Her stomach twisted painfully. "I... I didn''t know." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I didn''t know about you, about any of this." Andre''s mouth curled into a cynical smile. "Convenient. My name''s Andre. That''s all you need to know." "Do you think would''ve ignored you on purpose? ire''s voice trembled with restrained emotion. "If what you''re saying is true, I had no idea. 1-" She paused, trying to gather her thoughts, to steady the whirlwind of confusion and guilt. Before she could continue, she felt Adrian''s presence beside her. His hand found the small of her back, grounding her. His gaze was wary as he sized up Andre. "Is there a problem here?" Adrian''s voice was calm but carried a quiet authority. Andre''s eyes flicked to Adrian, his expression tightening. "No problem, just a little family reunion." His tone was dripping with sarcasm. Adrian''s brow furrowed. "Family?" ire felt a surge of cold fury. "I don''t know what kind of sick game this is, but you''re wrong." Her voice was tight. "My father never mentioned a son. You can''t just walk in here and-" Andre cut her off, his voice rising. "Why would he tell you? Why would he acknowledge the son he abandoned? You''re his golden child, the one he kept. I''m the secret he buried." His chest heaved, his eyes glossy with unshed tears. ire''s heart pounded, a wave of nausea rolling through her. The room spun slightly. This couldn''t be real. It was impossible. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "You''re lying." Andre''s bitterugh grated on her nerves. "I wish I were. Maybe then I wouldn''t have to stand here, swallowing my pride and confronting the sister who''s never had to fight for anything. ire stood frozen, the party continuing around her like nothing had happened. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and anguish. A brother? The concept felt alien, unreal. Her father, the man she''d idolized as a child, had harbored this secret? Abandoned a family? "Enjoy your party, ire. I will let that information sink in and when it''s done sinking in, you can find me and we finally have a good and peaceful talk." Said Andre who is walking out from ire sight. It''s so unexpected. This is bot what ire wants as her Christmas present. She wants something different, like Matthew is waking up from hisa and that her life can finally be peace again. From across the room, Eligos sipped his champagne, a smirk ying on his lips. Watching ire''sposure crack, even slightly, was deliciously satisfying. The seed of chaos had been nted, and he would nurture it carefully. He murmured to himself, his eyes glinting with satisfaction, "Merry Christmas, ire. Let''s see how well you handle secrets." He chuckled to himself. This is just the beginning, ire. Enjoy your party while you can. The war was far from over. And he was just getting started. Chapter 476 Andre Showing up ire stood frozen in the middle of the ballroom, the festive hum of conversation andughter swirling around her, distant and surreal. The weight of Andre''s revtion pressed on her chest like a vise. Her mind felt like it was splitting apart, torn between the world she knew and the world that had just been thrust upon her. She swallowed hard, her throat tight, her heart pounding painfully against her ribs. Adrian''s hand rested gently on the small of her back, grounding her. "ire, let''s step outside for a moment," he whispered, his voice soothing, but filled with worry. She nodded faintly, allowing him to guide her through the crowd. Their exit was seamless, a whisper of movement unnoticed by most of the guests. Once they reached the balcony, the crisp winter air bit into her skin, jolting her out her stupor. "I-I can''t believe what is happening? Am I dreaming? Was that a prank?" ire asks in a slightly panic tone and disbelief. She leaned against the cold stone railing, inhaling deeply. The night sky stretched above them, vast and speckled with stars, an indifferent witness to her turmoil. Adrian stood beside her, his eyes searching her face. "ire, calm down. Don''t panic. Let''s figure this put together, okay?" he said softly. She closed her eyes briefly, then turned to him, her expression conflicted. "How could this happen, Adrian? How could my father keep something like this from me? A brother?" The word tasted foreign on her tongue, unfamiliar and unwee. Adrian''s jaw tightened. "I don''t know, but you can''t me yourself for this. You didn''t know." "But that''s the problem," she said, her voice trembling. "I didn''t know. How many other secrets are buried in my past? How much of what I believed about my family is a lie?" He stepped closer, cupping her cheek with his hand. "You''re not responsible for your father''s choices. What matters is who you are now, the life you''ve built, and the people who care about you." She leaned into his touch, drawing a shaky breath. "Andre was so angry. I could see the pain in his eyes. And I don''t know how to fix this." "Maybe fixing it isn''t the answer," Adrian said carefully. "Sometimes, understanding and eptance are more realistic. You don''t have to solve everything tonight." She nodded, though the knot in her chest remained. "You''re right. I need time to process this." Just then, Sandra stepped onto the balcony, her face lined with worry. "ire, is everything okay? Some of the guests are starting to wonder where you are." ire straightened, brushing a hand through her hair. She took a deep breath and forced a calm smile onto her face. "I''ll be right there, Sandra. Thank you." Sandra hesitated for a moment, then nodded and disappeared back inside. Adrian squeezed ire''s hand. "Are you sure you want to go back in? We can leave if you want." "No," she said firmly. "I''m not letting this ruin the night. Mr. Saint Laurent entrusted me with this party, and I won''t let him down." She took another deep breath, her spine straightening. She was ire Peterson, and she wouldn''t be thrown off course by this revtion - not tonight. The warmth of the ballroom enveloped them as they returned. The soft glow of the chandeliers, the twinkling lights adorning the grand Christmas tree, and the gentle melody of a string quartet filled the air. ire stered on her best smile, greeting guests with the poise they expected from her. Mr. Saint Laurent noticed her return and approached with a beaming smile. "There you are, my dear! The party has been a tremendous sess. You''ve outdone yourself." ire smiled, though it felt like a mask. "Thank you, Mr. Saint Laurent. I''m d you''re pleased." He leaned in, his voice low and affectionate. "I knew you could do it. You''re stronger than you realize." His words settled into her heart, a small balm to the chaos inside her. She nodded, squeezing his hand. "Thank you." From across the room, Eligos watched the scene unfold, a smug grin curling his lips. He could see the cracks forming beneath ire''s perfect facade. The confusion, the pain it was all there, hidden just beneath the surface. He swirled the champagne in his ss, savoring the satisfaction of his n unfolding. But he wasn''t done yet. This was only the beginning of his psychological assault. He needed her distracted, vulnerable, off bnce. He took out his phone and dialed a number. Andre answered after a few rings, his voice shaky. "Yeah? How was it?" "Good work. I''m impressed." Eligos said smoothly. "You did well for your first real task." Andre''s voice was tight. "Really? I don''t know but somehow It didn''t feel good. I feel bad for attacking her like that in front of her guest. She looked... lost and confused." Eligos''s eyes narrowed, his tone sharpening. Don''t grow a conscience now. Remember why you''re doing this. You want revenge, don''t you? She is living a good life while you are struggling to even fulfill your daily meals and yet you still feel bad?" Andre hesitated while scratching his head. "I mean half bad. Does it count?" "Then stick with the n. Don''t feel bad about what you do. This is only step one. You''ll get what you deserve trust me. He ended the call abruptly, a dark satisfaction washing over him. ire Peterson''s world was about to unravel and he would be there to watch every glorious second. Back in the ballroom, ire tried to shake off the lingering unease. She moved through the crowd, smiling politely, exchanging pleasantries. Talia caught her eye and hurried over, her face bright with concern. "ire! Are you okay? I saw that guy talking to you earlier. Who was he?" ire''s smile faltered, but she shook her head. "It''s...plicated. I''ll exinter." Talia frowned. "Are you sure? You know I''m here if you need to talk." ire squeezed her arm. "I know. But let''s just get through tonight." Talia nodded reluctantly. "Okay. But I''m keeping an eye on you." ire managed a smallugh. "I wouldn''t expect anything less." As the evening wore on, ire leaned into the rhythm of the event. Conversations blurred together, and the hours passed in a haze. But even as she smiled andughed, a dull ache throbbed in her chest. Eventually, as the party began to wind down, Adrian found her again. His eyes were soft as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "You did it. The party was a sess." ire let out a breath she didn''t realize she''d been holding. "It was, wasn''t it?" He nodded, his gaze steady. "You''re amazing, ire." She rested her head against his shoulder, finally allowing some of her exhaustion to show. "I couldn''t have done it without you." "You don''t have to do anything alone," he whispered. "Remember that." She nodded, the truth of his words sinking in. Whatever wasing next-whatever secrets and challengesy ahead - she knew she wouldn''t face them alone. But even as she clung to that thought, a chill crept up her spine. Somewhere, lurking in the shadows, Eligos was waiting. And she knew the battle was far from over. Chapter 477 He’s Back! ire''s heart was still pounding as she looked at Matthew, standing before her with a frail but determined posture. His hazel eyes, though tired, sparkled with warmth, and his smile-weak as it was-felt like the sun breaking through a storm. "Matthew," she whispered, her voice trembling, "I thought-" Her words caught in her throat, and she just shook her head, fresh tears welling up in her eyes. Matthew chuckled softly, though his voice carried a hint of strain. "I''m alright, ire. Really." He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "It seems I just needed a little extra nap." ire managed a shakyugh, blinking away the tears threatening to spill. "A two-week nap? That''s a little more than extra, don''t you think?" He grinned, though the color hadn''t quite returned to his face. "Maybe I just wanted to make a dramatic entrance." His eyes softened, and he took a careful breath. "But seriously, I''m here now. I''m okay." She nodded, her hand reaching out to touch his cheek, as if confirming he was real. "I missed you, Matthew. I didn''t know how to-how to handle things without you." His smile faded a little, and he tilted his head, studying her. "I can tell something''s been eating at you. I know that look." He paused, his brows drawing together. "What happened while I was out?" ire''s lips pressed into a thin line, and she nced away. "It''s...plicated." Matthew let out a soft sigh, his fingers brushing against hers. "ire, when has anything in our lives not beenplicated?" His voice was gentle, but there was an insistence in it. "Talk to me. You know you don''t have to go through things alone." Her eyes flickered to his, full of vulnerability. She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, her voice low. "It was at the Christmas party." She took a shaky breath. "A man came up to me... he imed to be my brother." Matthew''s eyes widened, his face a mixture of disbelief and concern. "Your brother? But... how?" She shook her head. "I don''t know. He just came up to me and said that he is my half brother. I was confused hearing it and also doesn''t believe. I mean who would?" Matthew''s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. "ire, that''s... that''s a lot to process." He paused, considering his words carefully. "Do you believe him?" She bit her lip, her gaze distant. "I don''t know. Part of me doesn''t want to believe it. But there was something in his eyes. Pain. Resentment. It felt... real." Matthew sighed, his fingers threading through his hair. "If it is true, then your parents had secrets none of us knew about." "Secrets that are now ruining everything," she muttered bitterly. "Matthew, he confronted me in front of guests. He was angry, hurt. I didn''t know what to say, and I just-I felt like my world was shattering." Matthew took her hand in his, his grip gentle but firm. "ire, listen to me. You are not responsible for your parents'' choices. Whatever happened in the past, it''s not on you to fix." She looked down at their intertwined hands. "But how do I move forward? How do I make sense of this?" He tilted her chin up so she was looking into his eyes. "You take it one step at a time. You''re strong, ire. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. And you''re not alone in this." A tear slipped down her cheek, and Matthew brushed it away with his thumb. "But what does he want from me? He didn''t borate on this matter, only mentioning that I am his sister. I was in the middle of a business conversation with my guest then all of a sudden he came... strutting like he had a n to humiliate me in front of my guest at my own party." "Then you decide what to do with that knowledge," he said softly. "It''s not about the past anymore. It''s about what you do now. How about finding him and talking to him about it? Who knows he will tell you the reason." She nodded, taking in his words. "I just... I don''t know how to face him again." Matthew''s lips quivered into a small smile. "You''ve faced worse, haven''t you? Eligos, scandals, betrayals -you''vee out stronger every time. This is just another challenge." She let out a shaky breath. "I guess you''re right. But it doesn''t make it any less terrifying." "Fear is just proof that you care," he said. "And caring isn''t a weakness. It''s what makes you who you are." ire gave a small, watery smile. "You always know what to say." He squeezed her hand. "That''s because I know you, ire. You don''t have to pretend with me." A sense of relief washed over her, the weight on her chest lifting just a bit. "Thank you, Matthew." He smiled, his eyes soft. "Always." Later that afternoon, Matthew insisted on taking a slow walk through the hospital garden. ire walked beside him, her arm looped gently around his for support. "Does it feel strange to be up and moving again?" she asked. He nodded, inhaling the crisp winter air. "Yeah, but in a good way. I missed... this. Just being outside, feeling alive.'' ire smiled. "I missed you feeling alive, too." He chuckled. "You make it sound like I was gone forever." "Two weeks felt like forever," she said quietly. "I don''t know what I would''ve done if" "Don''t go there," he interrupted gently. "I''m here, and that''s what matters." They walked in silence for a moment, the only sound being the crunch of gravel beneath their feet. Finally, Matthew spoke again. "What''s your n with this... Andre?" ire sighed. "I don''t know yet. I need to figure out if he''s really telling the truth. And if he is... maybe I need to find a way to make things right." Matthew nodded. "Just remember, you don''t owe him your whole world. You can''t fix everything." "I know." She looked up at the gray sky. "But I can''t ignore him either." He stopped walking and turned to face her. "Whatever you decide, I''ve got your back and you know I will not leave you alone. Doesn''t matter what my condition, I will be by your side and help you face your problem." Her eyes softened, and she leaned her head on his shoulder. I know. And I''m grateful. I''m d to meet you and have you as my best friends. You are the best Matthew. Really. What would I do without you." After a moment, he cleared his throat. "Now, how about we go get some coffee or maybe some real food? Cause I''ve had enough hospital food tost a lifetime." ireughed, a genuine, light sound that eased some of the tension in her chest. "Deal." As they walked back inside, ire felt a flicker of hope. There were still battles ahead, secrets to unravel, and wounds to heal. But with Matthew by her side, she knew she could face whatever came next. swn y And perhaps, just perhaps, she could find a way to rebuild the pieces of her worldno matter how shattered they seemed. Chapter 478 Who’s Behind it? ire''s fingers gripped the edges of the tablet tightly, her eyes scanning the guest list one more time, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. No matter how many times she looked, the name Andre stood out like a stain on pristine linen. An uninvited guest who, somehow, had walked straight into her party and delivered a bombshell she was still reeling from. She leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. Her temples throbbed as she reyed the night in her mind -the smug expression on Andre''s face, his use of the word sis, the wave of confusion and disbelief that had surged through her. A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. "Come in," she called, her voice tight. Sandra stepped inside, her brow furrowed with concern. "Here''s the tablet with the security ess," she said, handing it over. "Are you sure everything''s okay, Ms. Peterson?" ire forced a smile, though it barely touched her eyes. "I''m fine. Just need to check something." Sandra hesitated, studying her boss carefully. "Alright. Let me know if you need anything else." "I will," ire replied, her voice distant. Sandra nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. ire immediately turned her attention to the tablet. With a few swipes and taps, she essed the security footage from the Christmas party. The familiar images of guests mingling,ughing, and toasting filled the screen. She fast-forwarded through the night, eyes narrowed, searching for something-anything-that could exin how Andre had gotten in. After several minutes, a knot formed in her stomach. There were gaps in the footage-sections that were clearly missing. The timestamp jumped inexplicably, and the scene changed abruptly, as if someone had carefully snipped away the parts she needed most. Her jaw clenched. "What the hell?" she muttered. She leaned forward, scrutinizing the footage more closely. The missing sections weren''t random; they were strategic. Whoever had tampered with the recordings had known exactly what they were doing. The thought sent a chill down her spine. Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away. She nced at the screen. A message from an unknown number. The words sent a surge of cold anger through her veins. "How''s my surprise?" Her fingers tightened around the phone, her knuckles white. Before she could react, the message disappeared, leaving her staring at a nk screen. She closed her eyes briefly, willing herself to stay calm. Eligos. The name echoed through her mind, dripping with menace. He had orchestrated this, just like he orchestrated everything else. His web of maniption was growing tighter, and now he was dragging her personal life into it. A soft knock interrupted her spiraling thoughts. "Ms. Peterson?" Sandra''s voice came through the door. "Come in," ire said, taking a deep breath andposing herself. Sandra stepped in, her expression still concerned. "Is everything alright? You seem... off today." ire hesitated, then shook her head. "Something came up, Sandra. It''splicated." Sandra tilted her head. "You know I''m here if you need to talk. Or if there''s something I can do to help." ire gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Sandra. I appreciate it, but this is something I need to handle on my own." Sandra frowned. "Are you sure? You''ve been carrying a lot on your shoulderstely. I don''t want you to burn out." "I''ll be fine," ire assured her, though even she wasn''t sure if that was true. "I just need to figure out who this... Andre is and how he got in." Sandra nodded. "I can double-check the guest list and cross-reference it with the security logs if you''d like." "That would be helpful," ire said, her tone softening. "But be careful. There might be more to this than we realize." Sandra''s eyes widened slightly. "More? What do you mean?" ire hesitated. She wanted to protect Sandra, keep her out of the tangled mess that was unfolding. But at the same time, she knew she couldn''t do everything alone. "Let''s just say there''s someone who doesn''t want me to have peace," ire said carefully. "I don''t want you getting too involved. Just focus on the guest list for now." Sandra nodded slowly. "Alright. But if you change your mind and need more help, you know where to find me." "I know," ire said, offering a grateful smile. "Thank you, Sandra." As Sandra left, ire turned back to the tablet. She tapped her fingers against the desk, thinking. If Eligos was involved, then this was just the beginning. He never made one move without setting up another. And now, with Andre''s sudden appearance, she had more questions than answers. Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Adrian. Adrian: How are you holding up? She stared at the message for a moment before typing back. ire: I''ve had better days. His reply was immediate. Adrian: Want me toe by? We can figure things out together. ire sighed. She appreciated his support, but part of her still felt like she needed to handle this on her own. ire: Not right now. I need to clear my head. Adrian: Alright. But don''t shut me out. I''m here. She smiled faintly, his words offering a smallfort in the chaos. ire leaned back in her chair, her thoughts swirling. If Eligos thought he could rattle her, he was wrong. She had faced worse and survived. She would survive this, too. But first, she needed to know everything about Andre. Who he was, what he wanted, and why Eligos had chosen him to deliver this message. ire opened herptop and began typing. The screen filled with search results as she looked up any information she could find. Newspaper articles, social media profiles, anything that could give her a clue. She narrowed her search parameters, focusing on recent activity. After several minutes, a profile caught her eye. Andre Bianchi. The name fit, and the face was unmistakable. Her heart twisted painfully as she read the brief biography. ?Mother: ill in the hospital. ?Financial struggles: Extensive medical debt. ?Employment history: inconsistent jobs mostly low-paying. The more she read, the more the pieces fell into ce. She needs to find the truth but where? Her parents are dead and she can''t talk to them and ask them about the truth. This is frustrating for ire. She wonders who is in the wrong? And here she thought her parents love each other and would not cheat on one another. Guess her thoughts was wrong all along. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. She needed to talk to him. To understand his pain, his resentment, and to figure out where she fit into his life. But more than anything, she needed to stop Eligos from pulling any more strings. She couldn''t help but wonder how did Eligos manage to find Andre? Is Eligos really that resourceful? A lot of questions running through her mind. ire indeed did meet Eligos but she never sees his face. Even at the surveince camera, some footage disappears and the only one who would tamper with such things, if it is not ire and Matthew, it would be Eligos. Determined, she needed to find Andre''s location. With a lot of things going on, it confuses her on where to start. Chapter 479 Matthew’s Help The soft hum of the city beyond therge ss windows filled the silence in ire''s office. Papersy scattered on her desk, but her mind was miles away, trapped in a whirlwind of confusion. Her fingers tapped restlessly against the polished wood as she tried to untangle the thoughts running through her head. Finding Andre seemed like it should be a straightforward task, but for the first time in a long while, she felt hesitant. Her phone buzzed on the desk, the name "Matthew" shing across the screen. A breath of relief escaped her lips as she picked it up. "Matthew," she answered, her voice softer than usual. "ire," Matthew''s voice came through, steady and calm, "I wanted to check in. How are you holding up?" ire closed her eyes for a moment, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I''m... trying to locate Andre, but I don''t know where to start." She let out a frustrated sigh. "It''s so unlike me, Matthew. I usually know exactly what I need to do, but this time-" "This time, you''re human," Matthew interrupted gently. "It''s okay to feel overwhelmed, ire." ire leaned back in her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I can''t afford to be overwhelmed. Not now." There was a pause before Matthew spoke again, his tone unwavering. "Listen, if you need help, you know I''m here. Just say the word." A small smile tugged at the corner of ire''s lips, though worry still clouded her eyes. "Matthew, you just woke up from aa. You need rest. I can''t drag you into this mess." "I''m fine, ire." His voice was firm, but there was a hint of yfulness. "Don''t make mee over there and prove it." She let out a softugh. "I''d like to see you try." "I mean it, though," Matthew continued. "You don''t need to handle everything on your own. I know you''re worried about me, but I''m stronger than you think." ire''s fingers traced the edge of her desk. "I know you are. But I can''t help it. The thought of you getting hurt again because of me..." Her voice trailed off. Matthew''s voice softened. "ire, you didn''t put me in thata. You''ve got to stop carrying the weight of everything on your shoulders.'' She sighed. "Easier said than done." "Then let me help you," Matthew insisted. "If I''m resting, I might as well be useful. Bring yourptop when you visit. We can figure this out together." ire''s lips curved into a genuine smile. The idea of having Matthew back at her side, even for something asplicated as this, made the burden feel just a little lighter. "You''re impossible, you know that?" "I''ve been told," he chuckled. "So, does that mean you''lle by?" She rolled her eyes but couldn''t hide the warmth in her voice. "Yeah, I''lle by. But only if you promise not to overdo it.'' "Scout''s honor." "Since when were you a scout?" she teased. "Details, details," Matthew replied with mock indignation. "See you soon?" "See you soon," ire echoed. As she hung up, a sense of purpose began to take shape in her mind. ire walked briskly into Matthew''s hospital room, aptop tucked under her arm. The sight of Matthew sitting up, his eyes bright and alert, eased a knot in her chest. He looked tired but determined, the lines of exhaustion softened by his familiar grin. "Hey, you," she greeted, setting theptop down on the rolling table beside his bed. "Hey yourself," he replied, his eyes scanning her face. "You look better already." "Don''t get ahead of yourself." She raised an eyebrow. "You''re supposed to be resting, remember?" Matthew waved a hand dismissively. "Rest is overrated." He patted the space on the bed beside him. "Come on, let''s get to work." ire hesitated for a moment before sitting down. The feeling of being back in sync with Matthew, the way they used to tackle problems together, filled her with a sense of normalcy she hadn''t felt in weeks. He opened theptop and started typing, his fingers flying over the keys with practiced ease. "Okay, first things first. What do we know about Andre?" ire leaned forward, her brow furrowing. "Not much. I didn''t even know he existed until the Christmas party. He said his name is Andre and imed to be my half-brother." Matthew''s eyes narrowed. "Did he give any details? Anything about his background or where he came from?" "Nothing concrete," ire said. "But he had this bitterness in his voice, like he mes me for everything that''s gone wrong in his life." Matthew nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like someone who''s been fed a lot of misinformation." ire exhaled sharply. "Probably by Eligos. I mean that man always ruin everything and even sabotage mypany and not just Cryptonic but Metacortex as well." Matthew''s jaw clenched. "That man has his fingerprints all over this." He nced at the screen. "Let''s see if we can dig up anything on Andre." He pulled up a search window and .n started entering variations of the name "Andre" along with terms like "Bianchi, "London," and "family. records." ire watched the screen intently, the glow reflecting inher eyes. "Nothing yet," Matthew muttered. "But if he really is your half-brother, there should be some kind of paper trail." ire rubbed her temples. "I just don''t understand why this is happening now. Why did he wait until that night to reveal himself?" Matthew paused, considering her words. "Maybe it wasn''t his choice. Maybe Eligos timed it perfectly to catch you off guard." ire''s expression darkened. "That sounds exactly like something he''d do." After a few more minutes of searching, Matthew frowned. "This is odd. There''s almost no digital footprint for anyone named Andre connected to your family. If he''s real, someone''s been covering his tracks." ire''s heart sank. "Eligos." "Most likely." Matthew leaned back, exhaling slowly. "He''s ying a long game, ire. But that doesn''t mean we can''t beat him at it." ire''s eyes burned with resolve. "Then we''ll keep digging. There has to be something he missed." Matthew reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "We''ll figure this out. Together. I''m back now and you don''t have to be worry about any of this. Remember I will help you until we find this Andre who ims to be your half-brother." A small, grateful smile spread across her face. "I don''t know what I''d do without you." "Lucky for you, you''ll never have to find out cause I am here to help." He grinned, the warmth in his eyes softening the seriousness of their task. ire chuckled lightly, the weight on her shoulders lifting just a little. "Thank you Matthew really. You are a lifesaver. You have no idea how much I struggle when you are not around. I thought I will lose you cause you are not waking up." A feeling of sudden sadness washed over her. "Shh...please don''t cry. You know I hate when I see you cry. Especially when I am the source of your sadness. It makes me feel guilty." "Okay, I will stop crying." She added with a slightughed. The road ahead was still unclear, but with Matthew by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next. Chapter 480 Locating Andre The faint glow of theptop illuminated Matthew''s face as he continued his search, his fingers flying across the keys. ire leaned against the side of his bed, her mind racing with possibilities and unanswered questions. The revtion of Andre''s existence still gnawed at her, the bitterness in his eyes from the party haunting her thoughts. After several minutes of fruitless searching, Matthew sighed and pushed theptop aside. "I don''t get it. There should be something on him. But it''s like he''s a ghost." ire nodded slowly, her fingers drumming against her thigh. "That''s because someone doesn''t want us to find him. Someone with enough influence and resources to erase digital footprints." "Eligos," Matthew muttered, his jaw tightening. She sighed, looking at him with a weary expression. "He''s always three steps ahead, isn''t he?" Matthew squeezed her hand gently. "He might be ahead right now, but we''ve caught up before. We can do it again." He paused, his gaze searching her face. "How are you holding up, really?" ire''s eyes softened. She knew Matthew well enough to understand he wasn''t asking out of mere curiosity. He genuinely cared, and for a moment, she let her guard slip. "I feel like everything I know about my life is unraveling. First the scandal with Adrian, and now this half-brother I never knew existed." Matthew nodded. "It''s a lot to process." She exhaled sharply, trying to steady her thoughts. "It''s not just about processing it. I need to act. I can''t let Eligos keep pulling the strings." "We won''t," Matthew assured her. "We just need a new angle. If the digital trail is gone, maybe it''s time for some old-fashioned detective work. ire arched a brow. "You''re suggesting we hit the streets?" Matthew smirked. "Why not? We''ve done it before." A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "I suppose you''re right. But first, you need more rest." Matthew rolled his eyes. "I''ve rested enough. I''m ready to get back in the game." She gave him a stern look. "Doctor''s orders, Matthew." "Fine, fine," he relented with a grin. "But at least let me help you strategize. We can''t just stumble around blindly." ire nodded, her mind already spinning with ideas. "We need to figure out who Andre really is and where he''s been all these years. If Eligos is using him, there has to be a point of contact, someone who brought Andre into Eligos''s web." Matthew''s eyes narrowed in thought. "You said Andre seemed bitter. He''s clearly been fed a story. If we can figure out what he believes, we can start unraveling Eligos''s lies." ire considered this, her gaze distant. "He resents me. That much was obvious. He looked at me like I''d stolen everything from him.'' "Which means Eligos likely told him that you''re responsible for his struggles," Matthew said. "If we can find out what those struggles are, we might get a lead." ire''s eyes lit up with determination. "I can have my contacts in the city check financial records, public services, anything that might give us a hint about his background." Matthew grinned. "That''s the ire I know." She smiled back, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. "Okay, let''s do this. But for now, you really should get some sleep." Matthew chuckled. "You''re relentless." "And you love it," she shot back, rising to her feet. "Guilty as charged." As she turned to leave, he called out, "Hey, ire?" She paused in the doorway, looking back. "No matter what happens, you''re not alone in this." Her eyes softened. "I know. And I''m grateful for that." ire sat at her desk, herptop open in front of her as she made a series of encrypted calls. Her contacts in various parts of the were some of the best at uncovering could dig up something on Andre they could. hidden information. If ancore et She leaned back in her chair, listening as herst contact promised to get back to her within a few hours. The waiting was always the hardest part, and the gnawing uncertainty was starting to wear on her Just as she was about to take a break, her office door creaked open, and Sandra poked her head in. "Hey, boss. Thought you might need a coffee." ire smiled gratefully. "You read my mind." Sandra walked in and set the cup on the desk. Her eyes flicked to ire''s face, concern evident. "You look like you haven''t slept in days." "Feels like it too," ire admitted, taking a sip. The warmth of the coffee helped ease some of her tension. "I''m just dealing with... familyplications." Sandra hesitated, then sat down in the chair across from ire. "Is this about that guy from the party? The one who called you ''sis''?" ire''s eyes widened slightly. "You caught that?" Sandra nodded. "It was hard to miss. And I couldn''t help but notice how rattled you were." ire sighed. She trusted Sandra, but this was uncharted territory. "His name is Andre. Apparently, he''s my half-brother." Sandra''s eyes widened. "Wow. That''s... a lot." "Tell me about it," ire muttered. "I didn''t even know he existed. And now, he shows up at the Christmas party, full of resentment." Sandra leaned forward. "Do you think he''s telling the truth?" ire nodded slowly. "I think he is. But someone''s been filling his head with lies. Someone who wants to hurt me." Sandra''s brow furrowed. "Who that might be?" ire shrugged. "I have no idea. I mean I have a clear thoughts on the person but I am still investigating it." ire took a deep breath. "I need to find Andre. I need to know the truth." Sandra nodded firmly. "Then let''s find him. Whatever you need, I''m here." ire''s eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you, Sandra." Just as Sandra left the office, ire''s phone buzzed with a message from one of her contacts. She read the text, her heart pounding. "Found something. Andre''s been living in a t in East London. Looks like he''s been struggling financially. Here''s the address." ire''s fingers tightened around her phone. This was it a real lead. She grabbed her coat and her keys, determination zing in her eyes. As she headed out the door, her mind was clear. It was time to confront the truth, no matter how painful it might be. East London - Andre''s t The neighborhood was a stark contrast to the world ire was used to. The buildings were worn, the paint peeling, and the air was thick with the scent of exhaust She stood in front of the narrow, grimy building, her heart thundering in her chest. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door. After a moment, it creaked open, and Andre stood there, his eyes narrowing in surprise. "What are you doing here?" he asked coldly. "I came to talk," ire said, her voice steady. "I want to know the truth." Andre scoffed, crossing his arms. "The truth? You wouldn''t know the truth if it hit you in the face." "Then tell me," she challenged. "I deserve to hear it." He stared at her for a long moment, bitterness and pain etched on his face. Finally, he stepped aside. "Fine. Come in. But you might not like what you hear." ire stepped inside, her heart heavy with anticipation. The truth was finally within reach, and she was ready to face itno matter what it cost her. Chapter 481 Questioning Andr The tension in the room was palpable as ire stepped into Andre''s t, her heels clicking softly against the wooden floor. Her eyes scanned the space, noting its unexpected elegance. The furnishings were modern and sleek, the kind of decor that didn''t scream extravagance but definitely hinted atfort and wealth. It didn''t fit the narrative of someone who had struggled their entire life, as Andre had suggested during their previous encounter. ire crossed her arms, her gaze locking onto Andre as he shut the door behind her. "Nice ce," she said coolly, though her tone carried an edge. "Not exactly what I expected." Andre smirked, leaning casually against the wall, though there was a flicker of tension in his posture. "Why? Did you think I''d be living in some run-down shack?" His tone wasced with sarcasm, but ire could sense the underlying bitterness. "I''m not here to y games," ire said sharply. "Who are you, and what do you want from me?" Andre''s smirk widened, though it didn''t reach his eyes. He pushed off the wall and moved across the room, his movements deliberate and slow. "Isn''t it funny," he began, his voice dripping with mock amusement, "how you walk into my life, acting like I''m the one intruding? Yet here you are, demanding answers." ire''s patience was wearing thin. She didn''t have time for cryptic remarks or games. "I have every right to demand answers," she snapped. "You show up uninvited at my party, call me your sister, and then vanish without exining anything. Now I''m here, giving you a chance to rify, so I suggest you start talking.'' Andre let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You really don''t know, do you?" He met her gaze, his expression equal parts incredulous and sardonic. "With all the resources at your disposal, you didn''t bother to dig up anything about me?" ire''s frown deepened, her annoyance growing. "I wanted to hear it from you," she said firmly. "I don''t make assumptions based on half-truths or conjecture." Andre raised an eyebrow, impressed despite himself, though he didn''t let it show. "How noble of you," he said dryly, turning his back to her as he walked toward the window. He stared out at the city below, his voice quieter now. "But I''m not going to make this easy for you." ire''s annoyance red into outright frustration. "I''m not here to y detective, Andre. If you want to waste time with crypticments, fine. But don''t expect me to stick around for it." Andre turned back to face her, his expression hardening. "Fine," he said, his voice colder now. "You want answers? Here''s one: my mother isying sick in the hospital bed. Meanwhile, you were living your perfect life, oblivious to the fact that you even had a brother." ire''s breath caught, the weight of his words hitting her like a blow. "I... I didn''t know," she said softly, her tone losing some of its sharpness. "Of course, you didn''t," Andre spat. "Why would you? You had everything handed to you on a silver tter. Meanwhile, I was scraping by, trying to keep us afloat." ire''s chest tightened. "Andre, I didn''t even know you existed until you showed up at that party." "That''s convenient," he said bitterly, his arms crossing over his chest. "But it doesn''t change the fact that you had the means to help, and you didn''t." Her eyes narrowed, the guilt battling with her indignation. "And how exactly was I supposed to help someone I didn''t even know about?" she retorted. "You can me me all you want, but I didn''t create this situation." Andre''s lips pressed into a thin line, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Maybe not," he admitted grudgingly. "But you''re part of it now." ire took a step closer, her voice firm but not unkind. "If you want to hold onto your anger, that''s your choice. But I''m here because I want to understand. I want to know the truth." Andre studied her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of their shared history pressing down on both of them. "I will tell you a glimpse of my past life but that doesn''t mean we are okay." He gestured for her to sit, and though ire hesitated, she finally lowered herself onto the sleek gray couch. Andre sat across from her, his posture guarded but lessbative. "My mother," he began, his voice steady but tinged with emotion, "was in love with your father a long time ago. They had me, but he left before I was even born. She raised me on her own, never asking for anything from him. But when she got sick..." hard. "I didn''t know where else to turn." He paused, swallowing sick..." ire listened intently, her mind racing. "And that''s when you came looking for me?" Andre nodded. Not at first. I tried everything else-loans, odd jobs, anything to pay for her treatment. But it wasn''t enough. That''s when" He hesitated, his jaw tightening "Look, it doesn''t matter what happened. The point is, you are too ignorant to even know I exist." ire inhales deeply as she is tired hearing the same statement over and over again. "I told you that I have no idea you exist until now and stop ming me for your misfortune." ire frowned as she stared into his eyes. Andre scoffed in disbelief. "I knew you would say that." ire didn''t want to waste any time and she immediately decided to jump into the point. "Who sent you to my party? I want to know who." Andre stood up and walked near the window. "No one. No one sent me. I came on my own will." This time it was ire''s time to scoff as she didn''t believe his words not one bit. "What a lie. Did you think I would believe your words? How much did he pay you? Did Eligos ring a bell?" Andre froze since he did not expect ire to connect the dots that fast but he tried to remain calm with his expression and act like it is not true. He turned around and looked ire in the eyes. "No, I don''t know who you are talking about and I don''t Know who Elijah you are saying." ire doesn''t believe a word he says as she narrowed her eyes on him. She stood up, straight and tall and said to him, "He really did pay you, huh? Don''t tell me all that story is orchestrated? I mean these days people will do anything for money, right?" Andre fisted his palm as a sense of anger overcame him. "I did not lie about my mother and I would never." "Then why are you protecting him then? Seems like you made a deal and it seems to me that the deal is very important for you." Andre red at ire with hatred in his eyes. "You know for someone who forgets about their siblings'' existence, you really are bold." "I''ve told you, I have no idea you are my siblings. To be precise, it should be half-siblings." She said with a hard tone. "Of course, the great ire Peterson never wants to be med. I think it is better if you leave my ce." ire let out a sarcastic chuckle. "That is thest words of someone who is hiding something. And you indeed are hiding something." She headed out of the door and mmed it shut without giving Andre a nce. He let out a deep breath he did not know he was holding and leaned on the window. ire is sharp, it will only took her a second to figure everything and he is scared of what her next step will be if she finds out Andre is a part of Eligos n. Chapter 482 Keep Eyes & Ears Open Eligos reclined in the leather chair of his dimly lit study, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest as his phone buzzed on the desk. The name shing on the screen brought a thin smirk to his lips. Andre. He swiped to answer and brought the phone to his ear, his voice cool andposed. "I trust you have news for me," Eligos said, his words deliberate and measured. Andre hesitated on the other end of the line, the static of his unease palpable even through the phone. "She came to my apartment." Eligos''s brow furrowed slightly, though his smirk didn''t fade. "ire?" he asked, feigning mild surprise. "Yes," Andre confirmed. "She showed up unannounced. Started asking questions. Eligos leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. His expression hardened, his thoughts racing. It was no surprise that ire would eventually approach Andre-her curiosity and tenacity were predictable. But this quickly? That, he hadn''t fully anticipated. "She''s not wasting any time, is she?" Eligos mused, his tone a mix of admiration and irritation. "Tell me, Andre, what did you say to her?" Andre recounted the encounter in halting sentences, his nervousness evident. Eligos listened in silence, his fingers drumming on the polished wood of his desk. When Andre finished, Eligos let out a low chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "She''s serious," Eligos murmured, almost to himself. "No games, no hesitation. She''s moving fast, which means she''smitted to finding out the truth." Andre frowned on the other end of the line, confused by Eligos''s cryptic words. "What does that mean? Shouldn''t we just... deal with her now? Whatever n you have, why not strike now instead of ying these games?" Eligos rolled his eyes, though his tone remained calm. "Oh, Andre. You''ve spent too little time in my world to understand how this works. Striking now? That''s far too simple, too crude. Where''s the elegance in that?" He leaned back in his chair, a trace of amusement returning to his voice. "This is chess, not checkers. ire isn''t just some pawn; she''s the queen. If we move too quickly, we risk missing the bigger picture." Andre didn''t dare press further, though the cryptic exnation left him uneasy. "So... what do you want me to do?" he asked reluctantly. "y along," Eligos instructed smoothly. "Let her believe she''s gaining ground. Let her think she has the upper hand. But remember this, Andre: do not crack under her gaze. If you slip up, if you tell her everything..." His voice darkened, cold and unyielding. "It will be thest mistake you ever make." Andre swallowed hard, a bead of sweat forming on his temple. "Understood," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Good," Eligos said, his tone once again light and conversational. "I''ll be in touch." Without waiting for a response, he ended the call, the click echoing in the room like a final punctuation mark. Eligos set the phone down and steepled his fingers, his thoughts shifting from Andre to ire. Her pace, her determination-they were admirable, almost exhrating. The game was intensifying, and Eligos relished the challenge. Soon, he thought, all roads would lead to the truth about An. Meanwhile, ire stormed into Matthew''s hospital room, the door swinging open with a sharp creak. Startled, Matthew looked up from the magazine he was half-heartedly flipping through, his brows raising in surprise. "Well, that''s dramatic," he remarked dryly. "What''s wrong?" ire ignored his quip, pacing back and forth at the foot of his bed. Her face was a mixture of frustration and thoughtfulness, her hands moving as she gestured to herself. "It''s Andre," she said finally, stopping mid-step to face him. Matthew leaned back against his pillows, crossing his arms over his chest. "What happened? Did you find him?" "Yes," ire replied with a sigh, resuming her pacing. "I went to his t. It''s... nicer than I expected, for someone who ims to have struggled his whole life." Matthew tilted his head, intrigued. "Okay, and?" "And," ire said, throwing up her hands, "the conversation didn''t go as I expected. He was evasive, and sarcastic and kept deflecting my questions. When I pressed him, he finally told me his story-about our father, about his mother, about how she died because they couldn''t afford surgery." Content Belongs to Matthew watched her carefully, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp. "And you believe him?" ire stopped pacing, her arms falling to her sides. "I don''t know," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "Part of me does. He seemed genuine, angry but genuine. But another part of me..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "Another part of you thinks he''s full of it," Matthew finished for her. He sat up a little straighter, his tone more serious now. "ire, you''re a good judge of character, but even the best of us can be fooled. People like Andre? They''re survivors. And survivors learn how to spin a story when it suits them." ire frowned, crossing her arms. "You think he''s lying?" "I think he''s telling you what he wants you to believe," Matthew replied carefully. "Maybe there''s truth in it, but maybe he''s leaving out the parts that don''t make him look so sympathetic." ire sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It''s just... frustrating. I went there hoping for answers and left with more questions." "Did you ask about Eligos?" Matthew asks as he straightens up. ire nodded and sighed deeply. "I did but it seems that Andre is protecting him. He doesn''t want to be honest about it. And whenever I ask him about it, he keeps changing the subject and tries to pin this problem on me." "There''s more to this than a lie. I have a feeling that Eligos is preparing something for you, ire." She nodded in agreement. "I fear that too. I need to figure out what his endgame is," ire said, determination hardening her voice. "He''s orchestrating something, and I need to be two steps ahead of him." Matthew studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Okay. Then let''s figure it out." ire blinked, surprised. "Matthew, you''re in a hospital bed. You should be resting." "And you should be getting answers," Matthew countered. "I might not be able to go running around with you, but I can still think." Despite herself, ire smiled. "You''re impossible, you know that?" "Comes with the territory," Matthew said with a grin. "Now, are you going to stand there brooding, or are we getting to work?" ire rolled her eyes but felt a flicker of hope reigniting within her. With Matthew back in the game, she knew she wouldn''t be facing this battle alone. Whatever Eligos was nning, whatever secrets Andre was hiding, they would uncover the troth together-one step at a time. Her mind wanders and she can''t help voice her thoughts. "Do you have any ideas what Eligos is nning?" Matthew sighed and thought for a while. "Honestly, when ites to Eligos, I have no idea what he is thinking. That man can make thousands of ns but in the end, choosing the least we expect. So, I hate thinking about the probability of what his next n will be." "You are right on that one. Like the time I got kidnapped in which I least expected to be in that situation." "The most important thing is that we keep our eyes and ears open." Matthew suggested. Chapter 483 Reminder Alexander sat in his sleek, modern office, the afternoon light filtering through therge windows, casting long shadows across the room. His desk was immacte, a testament to his meticulous nature. As he leaned back in his chair, he picked up his phone, scrolling through his contacts until he found ire''s number. He hesitated for a moment, a small frown forming on his face, then tapped the call button. The phone rang and rang again, and Alexander''s brow furrowed deeper with each unanswered ring. Just as he was about to hang up, ire answered, her tone sharp and businesslike. "Alexander," she said, her voice devoid of warmth. "What do you need?" Alexander cleared his throat, masking the slight sting her tone inflicted. "I just wanted to remind you about the Harris Hotel opening in Las Vegas. It''s in two weeks, and we need to be there." There was a pause on the other end, followed by a soft sigh that Alexander barely caught but knew was there. It wasn''t just the sound; it was the weight behind it, the reluctance he could feel even through the phone. "I remember," ire finally said, her tone t. "Thanks for the reminder." Alexander nodded, though she couldn''t see it. "Good. I thought perhaps we could fly out together, use my private jet." Another pause. "I will make my own arrangements," ire replied curtly. "But thank you." "Of course," Alexander said, keeping his voice even. "I appreciate your cooperation." "Is there anything else, Alexander?" "No," he replied quickly, sensing the edge in her tone. "That is all." The line went dead before he could say more. Alexander set the phone down and leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. He wondered, not for the first time if things between him and ire would ever improve. There was time when they were more than civil when the boundaries of business and personal blurred in a way that seemed promising. But that was before the mistakes, before the regrets that now weighed heavily on him. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, the familiar pang of what-ifs gnawing at his thoughts. ire sat at her desk, the remnants of her conversation with Alexander still lingering in her mind. Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the surface as she tried to refocus on the documents in front of her. The reminder about the hotel opening wasn''t something she needed right now-not with everything else swirling around her. But it was Alexander''s call that left a bad taste in her mouth. The sharp chime of a message broke through her thoughts. ire reached for her phone, unlocking it to find a message from an acquaintance, someone she hadn''t heard from in a while. The message was an invitation to a jewelry exhibition happening this weekend. ire frowned, contemting the request. Her schedule was tight, and the thought of attending an exhibition felt like an unnecessary distraction. She typed a quick reply, declining the invitation, citing her busy schedule. But the response was immediate and insistent, with her acquaintance practically pleading for her to attend. ire sighed, rubbing her temples. "When is it?" she typed back, half-expecting a date she could easily brush off. "Saturday at 6 PM," came the reply. ire pursed her lips, considering. It wasn''t like she couldn''t rearrange things, but the idea of attending didn''t sit well with her. Still, a part of her knew the connections she maintained at such events could be valuable. After a brief pause, she replied, "I''ll try to make it, but no promises.'' Her acquaintance''s delight was palpable, even through the text. "Perfect! I''ll see you there." ire set her phone down, leaning back in her chair. The week was shaping up to be busier than she had anticipated, and the added pressure of the uing hotel opening and now this exhibition felt like thest thing she needed. Yet, there was a nagging feeling at the back of her mind-something about the exhibition, about the people she would meet there, that hinted at an opportunity she couldn''t yet see. With a resigned sigh, she turned back to her work, knowing that the next few days would require her full attention and more. The jewelry exhibition was still a question mark, a potential obligation she was not keen on but could not outright dismiss. She knew the value of appearances, of maintaining connections, even when she didn''t want to. "Why does my schedule be full in the midst of my investigation about Andre and Eligos? With a lot of things to do, I doubt I can find the true reason for Eligos finding Andre and make him confess that he is my half-brother." The door of her office is open and Sandra pokes her head inside. "Ms. Peterson, you have a meeting at 2 on the tenth floor." ire sighed and nodded. "Thank you, Sandra, for reminding me." She nodded and left the office, leaving ire with her scrambling thoughts inside her mind. And so, she added it to her mental checklist, another item to address, another role to y. As the day wore on, ire found herself slipping into the rhythm of her work, the steady pace providing a temporary refuge from the moreplicated matters of her personal life. Yet, no matter how engrossed she became in the details of her projects, there was an undercurrent of restlessness she could not quite shake. Whether it was the looming presence of Alexander, the persistent mystery of Andre, or the dark games of Eligos, ire knew that theing days would demand her full attention and all her strength. Alexander, back in his office, could not shake the feeling of discontent the brief call had left him with. He had hoped for even a small sign of warmth, some indication that their past wasn''t entirely forgotten. But ire''s curt responses, her unwillingness to even share a flight, made it clear that the walls between them were as solid as ever. no He swiveled in his chair, staring out at the city skyline. The opening of the Harris Hotel was supposed to be a triumph, a testament to their joint efforts, even if their partnership was now more professional than personal. Alexander wanted it to be more than just a business sess; he wanted it to be a bridge, a way to mend what had been broken. But ire''s reluctance, her cold demeanor, made him question whether that was even possible. He thought back to their history, the choices he had made that had driven the wedge between them. Regret was not a familiar feeling for Alexander; he was a man who made decisions and stood by them. But with ire, it was different. The regret was constant, a shadow that followed him, reminding him of what could have been. Picking up his phone again, he stared at ire''s contact for a long moment before setting it back down. Reaching out again so soon would only push her further away. He needed to be patient, to find a way to show her that he had changed, that he was still the man she once trusted-perhaps even loved even though it was due to amnesia. Chapter 484 Patience The afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the city as ire left her office, her mind a storm of thoughts. The conversation with Alexander, the looming hotel opening in Las Vegas, the jewelry exhibition, and the ever-present threat of Eligos all swirled around her. Each concern felt like a thread pulling her in different directions, and yet, ire knew she couldn''t afford to let any of them unravel. As she made her way to her car, ire''s phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Adrian. Adrian: "Hey, just checking in. How''s your day going?" ire allowed herself a small smile. Adrian''s texts were always a brief respite from the chaos. She quickly typed back. ire: "Busy, as usual. Work, work, and work. You?" The response came almost immediately. Adrian: "Same here. I got a load of paperwork to sign and read but I don''t have the energy to do it. Anyway, I thought about grabbing dinner together tonight? If that''s okay with you.'' ire hesitated, her fingers hovering over the screen. The idea was tempting, a chance to unwind and escape the constant pressures, but she wasn''t sure she could rx just yet. Still, the thought of seeing Adrian and spending time with him was more appealing than anything else she had nned. ire: "That sounds perfect. Let''s do it. I will see you soon." She hit send and slid into the driver''s seat, her mind briefly shifting to the pleasant thought of dinner with Adrian. But as she drove towards the hospital to check on Matthew, the weight of her responsibilities settled back onto her shoulders. There were still too many unanswered questions, too many loose ends. At the hospital, Matthew was sitting up in bed, flipping through a magazine, though his eyes weren''t really focused on the pages. When ire entered, he looked up, his face lighting up with a smile. "ire, hey," he greeted, setting the magazine aside. "You look like you''ve had a day." ire chuckled softly, taking a seat next to his bed. "That''s an understatement." Matthew studied her for a moment. "Something on your mind? You look... tense." ire leaned back, crossing her arms. "I just got off the phone with Alexander. He reminded me about the Harris Hotel opening in Las Vegas." Matthew raised an eyebrow. "That''sing up soon, isn''t it?" "Two weeks," ire confirmed. "And then there''s this jewelry exhibition I''ve been invited to this weekend. On top of that, Eligos is still out there, and I can''t shake the feeling that he''s nning something." Matthew nodded thoughtfully. "And Andre? Have you made any progress with him?" ire sighed. "Not as much as I''d like. He''s not exactly forting with information, and every time I think I''m getting somewhere, it feels like I hit a wall." Matthew leaned forward slightly. "You know, ire, you don''t have to handle all of this alone. You''ve got me, Adrian, even Alexander, that if you wanted his help." ire crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. "I will never ask Alexander for his help unless...wait, I take that back. I will never ask for his help no matter what is the circumstances." Matthew lightly chuckled. "Seems like your hatred runs deep into your veins." ire gave him a small smile, appreciating the sentiment. "I know, but sometimes it feels like I''m the only one who can untangle this mess." "Maybe," Matthew admitted. "But don''t forget that even the strongest need a little help now and then." ire reached out, squeezing his hand. "Thanks, Matthew. I''ll keep that in mind." They sat infortable silence for a moment before ire''s phone buzzed again. She nced at it, seeing another message from Adrian, this time suggesting a restaurant for dinner. She quickly replied with her agreement. Matthew noticed and grinned. "Dinner with Adrian?" ire nodded. "It''s the one bright spot in my day." "Good," Matthew said. "You need something like that to bnce everything else." ire stood, preparing to leave. "I''ll check in with you tomorrow. Get some rest, okay?" Matthew nodded, watching her go. "You too, ire. You too." As ire left the hospital, the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink. The drive to the restaurant Adrian had suggested wasn''t long, and ire allowed herself a few moments of peace as she navigated the evening traffic. When she arrived, Adrian was already waiting outside, his smile warm and inviting as he spotted her. He opened the door for her, and they were quickly seated at a quiet corner table, away from the bustling crowd. "Thanks for meeting me," Adrian said, taking her hand across the table. "You seemed like you could use a break." ire exhaled softly. "You have no idea. Thank you for asking me." Adrian tilted his head, concern flickering in his eyes. "Anytime, but do you want to talk about it?" ire shook her head. "Not right now. Let''s just enjoy dinner. I need a distraction." Adrian nodded, squeezing her hand. "Distraction it is." The evening passed in afortable blur of conversation andughter, the outside world momentarily forgotten. ire found herself rxing more than she had in days, the tension in her shoulders easing as they talked about everything and nothing. By the time they left the restaurant, the night air was cool, and ire felt lighter. Adrian walked her to her car, his hand lingering on hers as they said goodbye. "Thanks for tonight," ire said, her voice soft. "I needed it." Adrian smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Anytime, ire. You know that." They shared a brief kiss, then parted ways, ire driving back home with a renewed sense of calm. But as she parked and made her way inside, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from an unknown number. Unknown: "Enjoy your dinner? The clock''s ticking, ire." Her heart sank, the peace she had felt moments ago dissipating in an instant. Eligos was watching, waiting, and ire knew that whatever game he was ying, it was far from over. Across the city, Eligos sat in his dimly lit office, a smirk ying on his lips as he stared at his phone. He had sent the message to ire, knowing it would unsettle her, keep her on edge. That was part of the game-keeping her off bnce, always questioning, always looking over her shoulder. "ire Peterson. Poor you. You can''t even have a simple dinner without me haunting you every second, every minute and every day." Eligos muttered to himself. He leaned back, the shadows ying across his face, the pieces of his n falling into ce. Andre had called earlier, nervous and unsure but Eliges had reassured him, telling him to stay the course. Everything was proceeding as Eligos had envisioned, and soon, the final act would begin. Eligos''s eyes gleamed with anticipation, ire was strong, yes, but he knew how to exploit her weaknesses, how to push her buttons. The time for subtlety was nearing its end. The next move would be his, and it would be one ire wouldn''t seeing. For now, though, he would wait. Patience was a virtue, and in this game, Eligos had all the time in the world. Chapter 485 Jewellery Exhibition The afternoon sun had long set, and the city shimmered under the soft glow of streetlights as ire prepared for the jewelry exhibition. In her room, the soft hum of a blow dryer filled the space as her stylist worked on her hair, curling each strand meticulously. Her makeup artist added the final touches to her look, enhancing her natural beauty with subtle, elegant shades thatplemented her skin tone. The deep navy dress ire had chosen hugged her figure perfectly, exuding sophistication and grace. It was a look thatmanded attention without seeking it ssic ire. ire''s thoughts wandered briefly to Matthew. She had insisted he remain in the hospital to rest, despite his protests. Theirst conversation reyed in her mind. shback to the Hospital Scene Matthew had sat up in his bed, stubborn as ever. "ire, I''m fine. I cane with you to the exhibition. You shouldn''t go alone." ire had crossed her arms, a mix of exasperation and concern etched on her face. "Matthew, you''re still recovering. You need rest, not another evening of standing around in a room full of people." Matthew had frowned, his determination evident. "And you need someone to watch your back. Eligos isn''t going to just sit around and do nothing." ire had leaned in, her voice softer. "I know, but you''re not at full strength yet. I need you to trust me on this. Just for one more day." After a long pause, Matthew had sighed, relenting. "Alright, but you call me if anything happens, okay?" "Deal," ire had said, smiling despite the tension. End of shback The buzz of her phone on the vanity brought ire back to the present. ncing at the screen, she saw Matthew''s name. She shook her head, a knowing smile tugging at her lips as she answered. "Matthew, I''m fine," she said, preemptively. Matthew''s voice came through,ced with both concern and frustration. "Are you ready?" ire leaned back in her chair, letting the stylist finish her hair. "Yes, I am. And you don''t need to worry. It''s just a jewelry exhibition." There was a sigh on the other end. "ire, you know Eligos is unpredictable. He could have something nned, even for an event like this." ire sighed, trying to keep her tone calm. "Matthew, Eligos isn''t going to crash a jewelry exhibition. It''s not my event, and his goal is to ruin me, not random social gatherings. "But-" "Matthew," ire cut him off gently. "I appreciate your concern, but I''ve got this. I''ll have Talia with me, and I''ll stay alert. You just focus on getting better." There was a pause, then a resigned, "Alright. But you call me if anything seems off." "I promise," ire said, smiling softly. "Now rest." "Fine," Matthew muttered, the concern still evident in his voice. "Take care." "You too." ire hung up, setting the phone aside as she stood. Her hair was styled in soft waves, framing her face perfectly, and her makeup highlighted her sharp features. ire stood in front of her full-length mirror, adjusting the elegant navy-blue gown that hugged her figure. The dress was simple yet striking, with a subtle shimmer that caught the light. She carefully fastened a pair of diamond earrings, a gift from Adrian, and applied the final touches to her makeup-a soft smoky eye and a nude lip. She took a final nce in the mirror, satisfied with the result. The exhibition hall was resplendent, adorned with glistening disys of some of the most exquisite jewelry pieces ire had ever seen. The air buzzed with the hum of conversation and the clinking of champagne sses. As ire and Talia entered, they were greeted by ire''s acquaintance, Sophia, a renowned jewelry designer whose work was among those featured in the exhibition. "ire!" Sophia beamed, pulling ire into a brief hug. "I''m so d you made it." "Wouldn''t miss it for the world," ire replied, returning the hug. "This is incredible, Sophia. Congrattions." Sophia waved a hand modestly. "Thank you. Come, let me show you around." They wandered through the exhibition, Sophia pointing out her favorite pieces and sharing stories behind their creation. ire listened intently genuinely fascinated, even as her eyes asionally flicked around the room, ever alert for any signs of trouble. As they paused by a particrly dazzling ne, Sophia turned to ire with a yful smile. "So, how are things with Adrian?" ire couldn''t help but smile at the mention of her boyfriend. "Things are good. He''s been incredibly supportive with everything going on." "That''s wonderful to hear," Sophia said warmly. "You deserve someone who makes you happy." "Thank you," ire said, her smile softening. "He really does make me happy." "That''s wonderful to hear," her acquaintance said warmly. "You two make such a great pair." ire nodded, a genuine smile spreading across her face. But before she could say more, Talia leaned in, her voice low with excitement. "This exhibition is amazing," Talia whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the dazzling disys. "Everything is so beautiful. I wish I could buy it all." ire chuckled, amused by her friend''s enthusiasm. "You can buy it once it''s officially released." Talia shook her head, grinning. "Even if it''s out, I doubt I could afford any of it. But it''s nice to dream." ire ced a reassuring hand on Talia''s arm. "Dreams have a way of bing reality if you believe in them enough." They continued their tour of the exhibition, the atmosphere light and enjoyable. For a moment, ire allowed herself to rx, to enjoy the beauty of the evening and thepany of friends. Talia smiled, appreciating ire''s optimism. "I''m going to find the restroom. I''ll be right back." ire nodded, watching her friend weave through the crowd before turning her attention back to the disys. Her gaze settled on a stunning blue sapphire ne, the deep hues capturing her attention. She stepped closer, mesmerized by the intricate designand the way the sapphire seemed to hold a piece of the night sky. "Beautiful, isn''t it?" a voice remarked beside her. ire turned, her eyes narrowing slightly when she recognized the voice. Alexander Harris stood next to her, a ss of champagne in his hand, his eyes fixed on the ne. "Alexander," she said, her tone cooling as she donned her business persona. "I didn''t expect to see you here." Alexander offered a charming smile, though ire could see the hint of amusement in his eyes. "I was invited," he replied casually. "Didn''t think I''d run into you, though." ire''s expression remained neutral. "If I''d known you were attending, I would''ve not attended it." Alexander chuckled softly, taking a sip of his champagne. "Still holding a grudge, I see." "It''s not a grudge, Alexander," ire said evenly. "It''s a memory." "Fair enough," Alexander conceded, setting his ss down on a nearby table. "But tonight''s not about the past, is it?" "No," ire agreed. "It''s about the future. And jewelry." "Indeed," Alexander said, ncing back at the ne. "So, what do you think of this piece? Worth the hype?" "It''s beautiful," ire admitted, her gaze returning to the sapphire. "But beautyes with a price." "Doesn''t it always?" Alexander murmured, his voice low. ire shot him a sideways nce. "Are we still talking about jewelry?" Alexander met her gaze, his smile faint but telling. "Are we?" Chapter 486 He Owns The Stone The grand hall of the jewelry exhibition buzzed with excitement, the soft murmur of conversations interwoven with the clinking of sses and the asionalughter. In the center of the room, a pedestal draped in rich velvet held a stunning ring, its gemstone glittering under the carefully positioned lights. Sophia, the host of the evening, stood beside it, a confident smile gracing her lips as she gathered the guests'' attention. "Ladies and gentlemen," Sophia''s voice rang clear and poised, "thank you for joining us this evening. We are honored to present a truly remarkable piece, featuring a gemstone so rare, it has been coveted by collectors worldwide. This ring, adorned with the Orpheus Stone, is one of a kind." Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as they moved closer to get a better look at the ring. The gemstone, a mesmerizing deep blue with flecks of gold, seemed to hold the cosmos within it. ire Peterson stood among the guests, her eyes fixed on the ring, captivated by its beauty. Next to her, Talia leaned in and whispered, "ire, that stone is to die for. Look at it. It''s like it holds the secrets of the universe." ire smiled, nodding in agreement. "It is stunning," she admitted, her gaze never wavering from the ring. "You should buy it," Talia suggested, her voice yful but sincere. "It would suit you perfectly, and you do love collecting unique pieces." ire chuckled, her interest piqued. She did have a penchant for acquiring rare and valuable jewelry, pieces that made her feel powerful and unique. Owning the Orpheus Stone would certainly add to her already impressive collection. She was about to inquire further when Sophia''s voice broke through her thoughts. "And now," Sophia continued, her smile broadening, "I am pleased to announce that this magnificent piece already has an owner." ire''s brow furrowed slightly in surprise. She hadn''t anticipated the ring being spoken for so quickly. Her curiosity deepened as she leaned closer to Talia. "I wonder who it is," she mused aloud. Sophia gestured towards a figure at the edge of the crowd. "Please, join me in weing the owner of this extraordinary ring, Mr. Alexander Harris." ire''s expression shifted from curiosity to shock, her brows shooting up and then knitting into a frown. Alexander Harris. The name echoed in her mind, stirring a mixture of emotions. She had not expected him to be involved, let alone to have secured such rare piece. Questions swirled in her mind-how had Alexander acquired the ring so quickly? Did he have a prior connection with Sophia? Her musings were interrupted by the sudden warmth of a hand at her waist, making her startle slightly. She turned quickly, prepared to confront whoever it was, but her expression softened into a smile when she saw Adrian. He grinned, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Easy there," he chuckled. "I didn''t mean to scare you." ire yfully pped his arm. "Don''t sneak up on me like that," she admonished, though her tone was light. Adrian leaned down, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Sorry," he murmured. "You seemed lost in thought." Before ire could respond, Talia chimed in, her voice teasing. "You two are adorable. You make me miss Christian even more.'' ire rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Well, maybe you should bring him along next time," she suggested. Adrian, meanwhile, nced at the ring and the gathering crowd. "What did I miss?" he asked, his brow furrowing slightly. ire sighed, tilting her head towards the pedestal. "That ring, with the rare gemstone, the Orpheus Stone. It''s already been imed." Adrian raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "By who?" ire took a sip of her champagne before answering, "Alexander Harris." Adrian''s frown mirrored ire''s. "Alexander? How did that happen?" "That''s what I''d like to know," ire muttered, her eyes narrowing as she watched Alexander near the pedestal, receiving apuse from the crowd. Adrian followed her gaze. "Think he''s buying their enthusiasm?" ire shrugged. "Wouldn''t put it past him." Talia, sensing the tension between ire and Adrian, tried to lighten the mood. "Well, maybe he''s just trying to show off. You know how some people are when they get their hands on something unique." Adrian''s expression darkened slightly. "He''s always been one for grand gestures." ire nodded, her mind racing. She couldn''t shake, the feeling that there was more to Alexander''s purchase than mere vanity. Was it a calcted move, or was he genuinely interested in the rarity of the Orpheus Stone? Either way, felt like a challenge, one she wasn''t entirely sure she wanted to engage in, but couldn''t ignore. Adrian''s voice pulled her back. "You think he''s up to something?" ire met his gaze, her eyes steady. "With Alexander, it''s always a possibility." get 3erg''s The soft hum of ssical music filled the luxurious lounge as ire wandered through the crowd, her eyes scanning for a familiar face. The event was buzzing with the clink of sses and the murmur of conversation creating an undercurrent of excitement. It wasn''t long before she spotted Alexander, standing near the bar, a ss of whiskey in hand, his posture asposed as ever. ire approached him with a purposeful stride, her curiosity about the recent acquisition of the rare gemstone ring piquing her interest. She hadn''t nned on confronting him, but the opportunity was too perfect to pass up. As she neared, Alexander caught sight of her, his brow raising slightly in surprise, though a smirk quickly tugged at the corners of his lips. "ire," he greeted smoothly, swirling the amber liquid in his ss. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" ire offered a faint smile, her tone light but inquisitive. "I couldn''t help but notice yourtest acquisition- quite the rare gemstone ring you''ve got there. Congrattions on owning it." Alexander''s smirk widened, clearly enjoying the subtle challenge in her voice. He took a slow sip of his whiskey, his eyes never leaving hers. "Ah, the ring. It is quite the piece, isn''t it?" His voice dripped with casual arrogance. "Why do you ask? Interested in it yourself?" ire shrugged, her expression carefully neutral, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of amusement. "Not particrly. I was just curious. I''m not exactly in the habit of coveting other people''s possessions." Alexander chuckled, setting his ss down on the bar. "Good to know. Wouldn''t want you getting any ideas." ire tilted her head, a yful smirk tugging at her lips. "Don''t tter yourself, Alexander. I''m not that needy." Thement hung in the air for a moment, and Alexander raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by her boldness. He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "You never fail to surprise me, ire." "Is that so?" ire retorted, crossing her arms. "I thought by now you''d have figured me out." "Perhaps," Alexander mused, his tone thoughtful. "But you do have a way of keeping things... interesting." ire''s eyes narrowed slightly, though she couldn''t deny the subtle thrill that came with their verbal sparring. "I''m d I can keep you entertained." Alexander smiled, but before he could respond, he decided to shift the conversation to a more pressing matter. "Speaking of entertainment, have you finalized everything for our trip to Las Vegas? The opening is just around the corner, and want to make sure everything is perfect." ire mentally rolled her eyes but kept herposure, her tone professional. "Yes, Alexander, I''ve got it under control. No need for constant reminders." Alexander''s smirk softened into a more serious expression. "I just want to ensure everything runs smoothly. We''ve got important guests attending, and this opening needs to go off without a hitch." ire nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation, even if his persistence grated on her nerves. "I know what''s at stake, Alexander. I''ll be ready." Satisfied, Alexander lifted his ss once more. "Good. It''s important we make a strong impression." ire took a deep breath, softening her stance. "I understand. And I''ll do my part to make sure it''s a sess." Alexander watched her for a moment, his gaze steady. "I appreciate that, ire. Despite everything, we do make a good team." ire''s lips curved into a slight smile, though she didn''t fully agree. Their history wasplicated, and while they could work together professionally, the personal tension was always lurking beneath the surface. "Let''s just hope Vegas doesn''t turn into another battlefield," ire remarked, her tone half-joking. Chapter 487 Start of The Game Eligos sat in his office, the dim light from his deskmp casting long shadows across the room. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the polished wood as he schemed his next move. The news that ire would be traveling to Las Vegas for the Harris Hotel opening had reached him, and it presented a golden opportunity. Eligos smirked, the wheels in his mind turning rapidly. He wouldn''t need to make an entrance himself-Andre would be his instrument, his puppet. Revenge was a dish best-served cold, and Eligos was a master chef, meticulously nning every detail. He wouldn''t stop until ire Peterson admitted what she did to An. Her lies had ruined his family, and for that, she would pay dearly. Eligos reached for his cell phone and dialed Andre''s number. It rang twice before Andre picked up on the third ring. "Hello?" Andre''s voice was cautious, tinged with a hint of anxiety. Eligos''s smile widened as he spoke, his voice smooth and almost yful. "Andre." Andre, back at his small, modest apartment, frowned, his grip tightening on the phone. Whenever Eligos called, it meant he wanted something. Andre knew better than to expect a casual chat. "Eligos. What can I do for you?" Eligos leaned back in his chair, enjoying the power he held over the man on the other end of the line. "I have an assignment for you, Andre. You''ll be traveling to Las Vegas." "Vegas?" Andre''s frown deepened, confusioncing his words. "Why Vegas all of a sudden?" Eligos chuckled softly. "Because ire Peterson will be there, and you have a part to y. It''s crucial that you''re ready." Andre swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat. He knew better than to question Eligos, but the sense of dread was overwhelming. "What part do you need me to y?" "All in good time," Eligos replied, his tone dismissive. "For now, what''s important is that you prepare yourself. You''ll need to act brave, Andre." Bravery wasn''t something Andre felt he could summon easily, especially when Eligos was involved. He could feel the weight of Eligos''s expectations pressing down on him. "I... I understand," Andre murmured, though his voicecked conviction. Eligos''s tone hardened, losing the yful edge. "You had better. This isn''t just about you, Andre. If you fail me, it won''t end well-for you or your mother." Andre''s heart sank. His mother''s health had been the leverage Eligos used to keep him in line. The thought of her suffering because of his mistakes made him feel trapped. "I won''t let you down." "Good," Eligos said, his voice smooth once more. "I''ll be in touch with the details soon. Remember, Andre, everything depends on you following through.'' The call ended abruptly, leaving Andre staring at the phone, his mind racing. He felt the walls closing in around him, the weight of Eligos''s demands suffocating. His life had be a nightmare, and every decision he made seemed to tighten the chains that bound him to Eligos. Back in his office, Eligos set the phone down, his smirk returning. He reveled in the control he wielded over Andre, knowing the man had little choice but toply. Las Vegas would be the perfect stage for the next act in his n. ire wouldn''t see iting, and with Andre as his pawn, Eligos was confident everything would unfold as he desired. Meanwhile, Andre sat on his worn couch, his head in his hands. He couldn''t shake the feeling of regret that gnawed at him. Trusting Eligos had been a mistake, one he wished he could undo. But it was toote now. The question was no longer if he could escape Eligos''s grasp, but how long he could endure it. Later that evening, Eligos received a message from one of his informants. The message confirmed ire''s itinerary for Las Vegas, including the precise time sho arrive and her schedule for the days she would be there. Eligos read through the details carefully, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "Perfect," he whispered to himself. He quickly drafted a message to Andre, providing him with a few key instructions. He made it clear that Andre''s role would be pivotal and that any deviation from the n would have severe consequences. Andre''s phone buzzed, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. He nced at the screen, seeing the message from Eligos. His stomach twisted as he read the instructions, the reality of what was expected of him sinking in deeper. The next day, as the sun rose over the city, Andre began preparing for the trip to Las Vegas. He packed a small suitcase, the act feeling mechanical and detached. His mind was elsewhere, consumed by worry and doubt. How had he allowed himself to get tangled up in Eligos''s web? And more importantly, how could he possibly escape it? Back in ire''s penthouse, she is packing her stuff with Matthewying down on her bed asking her the same question for the past thirty minutes. "Matthew," ire stood in front of him crossing her arms over her chest. "can you please stop? You have been asking the same question for the past thirty minutes. The answer is still the same. No. A big no." "What do you mean no?" Matthew frowns asking ire. "It means, you will stay here in London while I fly to Las Vegas." Matthew pouted like a kid losing his candy. ire couldn''t help but roll her eyes. "Look, Matt, you just got home from the hospital. Not to mention you also just healed. Besides I need you to keep an eye on Metacortex and Cryptonic. You do know that you are the only person I trust right?" Matthew sighed. "Yes, I know that. But what if you need help in Vegas? Especially when you will be side to side with Alexander all night. And what''s worse is what will you do if Eligos makes a move?" ire sighed and plopped down on the bed next to Matthew. "Well, I will have to fight him myself." Matthew turns to ire with a serious look on his face. "That''s what I mean ire. I will be there to protect you. Adrian is not there with you and I am not there with you too. Meaning you will be alone." "I don''t want to drag Adrian into my problems. I feel like I involve him enough. Trust me, Matthew, I can defend myself. Besides it is not my first rodeo." ire offers him an assuring smile. In his office, Eligos sat back, satisfied that everything was in motion. The pieces were falling into ce, and soon, ire would be exactly where he wanted her. The thought of her eventual downfall filled him with anticipation. Eligos thrived on control, on maniption, and this game was his masterpiece. ire, unaware of the storm brewing, continued her preparations for Las Vegas. Her focus was on the hotel opening, and on managing the business side of things. But in the back of her mind, she knew Eligos wouldn''t stay quiet for long. She just didn''t realize how close he was to making his next move. Eligos, however, was patient. He knew that the best traps were the onesid carefully, with precision. And when the time came, ire wouldn''t stand a chance. As the ne carrying Andre took off, heading for Las Vegas, Eligos whispered to himself, "Let the games begin." Chapter 488 She’s Ready ire and Sandra boarded the sleek private jet, the hum of its engines a constant reminder of the journey ahead. Sandra, excited yet trying to appearposed, looked around, marveling at the luxurious interior. ire, on the other hand, was deep in thought, her mind upied with strategies and the uing meeting in Las Vegas. She had decided to bring Sandra along, entrusting Matthew with keeping an eye on both Metacortex and Cryptonic. The hope was that Eligos would stay under the radar, at least for a few days. Once settled in her seat, ire''s phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. ire, on the other hand, seemed distracted. Her phone buzzed on the armrest, pulling her attention away from the documents she was skimming through. She checked the caller ID and rolled her eyes. It was Matthew Finnegan. Despite the slight annoyance, a small smile tugged at her lips. She was relieved he was still looking out for her, even if it bordered on overprotectiveness. Answering the call, ire''s tone was deliberately bored. "Matthew, what is it now?" "ire, just checking in," Matthew''s voice was cheerful, but there was an undertone of worry. "Are you sure you don''t want another person to apany you? Just in case?" Her eyebrows raised at the mention of "apany". "Hmm...who is this person you are referring to that will apany me?" "I don''t know but maybe for an instance, me? I mean I have quite a lot of free time though and I bet I will be very useful to you." ire sighed, leaning back in her seat. "For thest time, Matthew, I''ll be fine. Sandra''s with me, and I don''t need a babysitter." Matthew, undeterred, continued, "I know you can handle yourself, but... humor me. I just want to make sure you''re safe." ire couldn''t help but smile slightly. Despite his annoying persistence, she appreciated his protective nature. "Look, I''m not going to do anything reckless unless I have no other choice. You need to focus on recovering and keeping things under control on your end. Remember Metacortex and Cryptonic will be in your hand." "I know, I know," Matthew said, his tone softening. "I just feel guilty, you know, leaving you to deal with all this, especially with Andre showing up out of the blue." "Don''t," ire replied firmly. "We''re a team, Matthew. You''re doing what you can, and so am I. We''ll get through this." "Okay," Matthew finally relented. "Just... stay safe, alright? And let me know if you need anything." "Will do," ire said, her voice gentler now. "Take care of yourself, Matthew. I''ll see you soon." As the call ended, ire exhaled deeply, closing her eyes for a moment to gather her thoughts. Sandra, sitting across from her, noticed ire''s subtle change in demeanor. "Matthew again?" Sandra asked a hint of amusement in her voice. ire opened her eyes and nodded. "Yeah, he''s just being his usual overprotective self." Sandra smiled. "It''s nice to have someone who cares that much. Not everyone is so lucky." ire gave a small smile, appreciating Sandra''s perspective. "True. But sometimes, I wish he''d back off just a little." The two women shared a briefugh before settling into afortable silence, each lost in her own thoughts as the jet prepared for take off. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Alexander was already on the ground, his ne havingnded smoothly just an hour ago. As he looked out the car window, watching the bright lights of the city sh by, his mind was elsewhere. The conversation he had with ire earlier in the week yed back in his head. He knew she would refuse his offer to fly together, but he asked anyway, a part of him hoping for a different answer. "Thinking about ire again?" Christian''s voice broke through his thoughts. Alexander''s right-hand man had a knack for reading him, much to Alexander''s chagrin. "Maybe yes or maybe not," Alexander admitted, his tone nonchnt. Christian gave him a knowing look. "You still holding onto that hope that things might change between you two?" Alexander shrugged, leaning his head back against the seat. "I''m not sure anymore. It just seems like no matter what I do, she''ll always see me as the enemy." Christian nodded. "It''s tough, Alex. But you''ve made strides. Maybe it just takes more time." "Maybe," Alexander murmured, though he wasn''t entirely convinced. The car pulled up to the newly constructed Harris Hotel, an imposing structure of ss and steel that gleamed under the Vegas sun. The driver quickly exited to open the door for Alexander, who stepped out, taking in the view. Christian followed, ncing at Alexander. "Nervous?" "Not about the opening," Alexander replied. "I just want everything to go perfectly. We''ve got a lot of eyes on us." Christian grinned. "And they will. You''ve built something incredible here." Alexander gave a small nod, appreciating the encouragement. "I know and in just a few days, that word wille out of their mouth." As they entered the hotel, the grandeur of the lobby greeted them, a testament to the hard work that had gone into making this dream a reality. "Let''s go check out the final preparations," Alexander said, his mind shifting back to work. "I want every detail perfect before ire arrives. God knows what remarks she will make if she sees things don''t go her way." Christian held back a smirk and patted Alex''s shoulder. "I don''t know if you are aware but you do realize that this hotel belongs to you right? Meaning you own this hotel. And why are you worried about what ire thinks?" Alexander thought for a moment and his best friend''s word sinks in. He thought to himself why is he so worried about what ire thinks? Christian is right, this is his hotel and Alex can do whatever he wants to with his hotel why does he seek ire''s validation? Back on the ne, ire and Sandra were going over the itinerary for the weekend. ire was meticulous, wanting to ensure everything was ounted for, especially given the high-profile nature of the event. "We''ve got the press conference, the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the g dinner," Sandra listed, checking off items on her tablet. "And then the private meetings with the investors. ire nodded. "Let''s make sure we have everything lined up. The fewer surprises, the better." Sandra smiled. "With you in charge, surprises are unlikely." ireughed softly. "I hope you''re right." As they continued nning, ire''s thoughts drifted momentarily to Alexander Despite their strained rtionship, she knew he waspetent, and she couldn''t deny the part of her that wished things had turned out differently between them. The jet began its descent, the lights of Las Vegasing into view. ire straightened up, preparing herself mentally for the days ahead. It was going to be a whirlwind, but ire was ready. With Sandra by her side and Matthew keeping things steady back home, she felt as prepared as she could be. As the wheels touched down, ire took a deep breath. "Let''s do this," she said, more to herself than anyone else. Sandra smiled, closing her tablet. "Ready when you are, ire." With that, they disembarked, the bustling energy of Las Vegas already palpable. The next few days would be crucial, and ire was determined to make the most of them. Chapter 489 Arrived in Vegas As the jet touched down in Las Vegas, ire nced out of the window, taking in the neon-lit city. She knew this trip would be anything but simple. The grandeur of the city was just a fa?ade, much like the people she was dealing with especially Eligos. Turning to Sandra, she saw her secretary was already gathering her things, the weariness of the long flight evident in her movements. "Ready?" ire asked, her voice calm but firm. Sandra nodded, offering a small smile. "As ready as I''ll ever be. What''s the n once wend?" ire adjusted her zer, her mind already racing through the next steps. "We''ll head straight to the hotel. I want to check in with the team and ensure everything is set for the opening. After that, I need to touch base with a few contacts who might have information on Eligos. He''s bound to have made some move by now." Sandra followed ire down the steps of the jet, the desert air of Las Vegas greeting them with a dry warmth. The city buzzed around them, a stark contrast to the tension ire carried inside. As they made their way to the car waiting on the tarmac, ire''s phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Matthew. Matthew: "Let me know when yound. Remember, keep an eye out for anything unusual." ire sighed, typing back a quick response before slipping her phone into her pocket. ire: "We''vended. Don''t worry, I''ve got it under control." Sandra nced at ire as they settled into the car. "Matthew again?" ire nodded. "He''s just checking in. Can''t me him, given everything that''s happened." Sandra gave a sympathetic nod. "It''s good that he cares, though. Not everyone has someone like that looking out for them." ire allowed herself a brief smile. "True, but sometimes, it''s a bit much. I can handle myself." Later that evening, Alexander stood on the balcony of his hotel suite, the city spread out before him. The view was spectacr, but his thoughts were clouded. He had checked the final preparations for the hotel''s grand opening, and everything was in ce. Yet, there was an underlying tension he couldn''t shake. His phone buzzed on the table behind him. Picking it up, he saw it was a message from Christian. Christian: "Rx, Alex. Everything is set. Enjoy the view. We''ve got this." Alex smiled faintly, appreciating the support. The car wove through the bustling streets of Las Vegas, the city''s vibrancy a stark contrast to the somber thoughts upying ire''s mind. They arrived at the hotel, a towering structure with sleek lines and a modern design. Stepping out of the car, ire immediately fell into her role as the meticulous businesswoman, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. Inside, the staff bustled around, making final preparations for the grand opening. ire and Sandra made their way to the top floor, where the executive suites were located. As they exited the elevator, they were met by lexander, who had been waiting for them. "ire," Alexander greeted, his tone neutral but his eyes betraying a hint of nervousness. "I trust your flight was smooth?" ire nodded curtly. "It was fine. Let''s get down to business. How are things looking for the opening?" Alexander motioned for them to follow him to the conference room. "Everything is on schedule. The guest list finalized, and the security team is in ce. I have also hired the best security guards in case there will be some unexpected guests in which we did not expect." She nodded in agreement. "That is a good idea. Good thinking, Mr. Harris. But we also need to be aware of who is and who isn''t invited. We want this opening to be a sess. God knows there will be people who is looking forward to sabotaging our hard work." Alexander crossed his arms over his chest. He couldn''t agree more with what ire said. Despite their hateful remarks towards each other, at some point, they still shared the same views on things. ire nodded slowly, her mind already calcting the possibilities. "Please inform my secretary of the security updates. If you need anything feel free to contact her. I will be making sure the robot is working well without any ws. After all, some people love to see our downfall." She said with a bitter tone as she remembered Robert Robertson. The person whom she trusted betrayed her trust. Alexander agreed. "Of course, my secretary will be in contact with yours. In case I am hard to reach, please contact my secretary." ire couldn''t help but raise her brows as she found Alex''s words funny. She let out a soft scoff as she tried not to roll her eyes. She thought to herself, "How original of him." They continued discussing the final details for the opening. Despite the smooth surface of their conversation, the undercurrent of tension was palpable, especially for Alexander, who found himself hoping for some semnce of normalcy with ire an unlikely dream given their history. After the meeting, ire retreated to her suite, needing a moment to herself. Sandra, ever the diligent assistant, followed, but ire waved her off. "I just need a few minutes," ire said softly. "You can head to your room and rest. We''ll regroupter." Sandra nodded. "Of course, Ms. Peterson." Her secretary leaves ire alone with her thoughts. The suite was luxurious, but ire barely noticed as she paced by therge window overlooking the city. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts-ligos, Alexander, the mysterious email, and the looming grand opening. Each piece felt like part of arger puzzle she was struggling toplete. Her phone buzzed again, and she picked it up, half expecting another message from Matthew. Instead, it was a text from an unknown number. Unknown: "You''re being watched. Be careful." ire''s heart skipped a beat, but she quicklyposed herself. She had dealt with threats before, and this wouldn''t be any different. She immediately forwarded the message to her security team and then called Matthew, her fingers tapping nervously on the edge of the table as she waited for him to pick up. "ire?" Matthew''s voice was concerned, as always. "I just received a message," ire began, her tone steady but edged with tension. "Someone''s watching me. I need you to dig into this." Matthew didn''t hesitate. "I''m on it. Send me everything you''ve got. And ire... be careful." "I always am," she replied before ending the call. She sat down, her mind racing. This wasn''t just about the hotel opening anymore; it was personal. Eligos was clearly ying arger game and ire needed to stay one step ahead. She wouldn''t let fear dictate her actions, but she also couldn''t afford to underestima Couldn''t adversary. Later that evening, as ire sat in a meeting with Alexander and the hotel''s security team, she couldn''t shake the feeling that something big was about to happen. Every detail, every movement, and every word was scrutinized, but nothing seemed out of the ordinaryyet. Alexander, sensing her unease, leaned in slightly. "We''ll handle this, ire. Whatever it is, we''ll be ready." ire met his gaze, her expression hardening with resolve. "We''d better be. Because if we''re not, it won''t just be the hotel that''s at stake." The room fell silent, the gravity of her words sinking in. Each person in that room knew that the stakes were higher than they had ever anticipated. And as ire left meeting, her mind was set on one thing: staying ahead of Eligos and protecting everything she had worked so hard to build. Chapter 490 “I Won’t Fail.” Eligos reclined in his plush first-ss seat, savoring the tranquility of the flight. The hum of the engines was a soothing backdrop to his thoughts as he sipped on a ss of champagne. The air stewardess, dressed impably, approached with a tray of chocte-covered strawberries. She leaned in, her smile warm and professional. "Would you care for a strawberry, sir?" she offered, her voice soft and inviting. Eligos nodded, plucking one from the tray. "Thank you," he murmured, his lips curling into a subtle smile as he bit into the strawberry. The rich chocte paired with the juicy fruit was a decadent contrast he appreciated. As the stewardess moved on to attend to other passengers, Eligos turned his attention to his phone. He tapped the screen, bringing up a text thread with Andre. His fingers danced over the keyboard as heposed a message. Eligos: Remember, Andre. No shaking or quivering in front of ire. She can read people like an open book. We need her to stay curious about how you managed to fly to Vegas. Don''t give her any clues. He hit send and leaned back, eyes narrowing as he thought about the unfolding scheme. Andre was a critical piece in this game, and he had to y his part well. Eligos was still annoyed about Andre revealing snippets of his past to ire, despite the promises to keep it under wraps. It was a breach of trust, and though Eligos was furious, he had decided to trust Andre, for now. The phone buzzed in his hand, pulling him from his thoughts. Andre: I understand. I''ll handle it. ire won''t know a thing. Eligos frowned, his jaw tightening. He wasn''t convinced. He typed back a curt response. Eligos: See that you do. Any slip, and you know the consequences. He ced the phone on the armrest and took another sip of his champagne. The grand opening of Harris Hotel was a pivotal moment. Everything had to go ording to n, without a hitch. In a hotel room across town, Andr sat on the edge of his bed, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. Eligos''s message red back at him, the words sending a shiver down his spine. The weight of the task ahead pressed heavily on his shoulders. He exhaled slowly, trying to steady his nerves as he gazed out the window at the dazzling lights of Las Vegas. "Can I do this?" Andr whispered to himself, doubt creeping into his mind. But he knew he had no choice. He was already here, and the stakes were too high. Failure wasn''t an option-not with Eligos watching his every move. He took a deep breath, his reflection in the window looking back at him with determination. "You''ve got this," he muttered. "You have to." As if on cue, his phone buzzed in his hand, jolting him from his thoughts. It was a call from his mother. He took another deep breath before answering, forcing a smile onto his face as he greeted her. "Mama." Her voice, though weak, was a balm to his frayed nerves. "Andr, my sweet boy. How are you? Are you eating well?" Andr''s heart ached at the sound of her frailty. "I''m fine, Mama. More importantly, how are you feeling?" "I''m doing alright," she replied, her voice soft but carrying a hint of false cheer. "The doctors are taking good care of me. Andr didn''t believe her entirely. He knew her condition was more serious than she let on. He had made arrangements with the hospital staff to keep him updated on any changes. "Mama, you know you can tell me if you''re not feeling well. I want to help in any way I can." "I know, Andr. But what I need most is to see you here, by my side," she said, her voice tinged with longing. Andr''s chest tightened. He longed to be there too, but his obligations-and Eligos''s grasp kept him away. "Soon, Mama. I''lle as soon as I can." They continued to talk, her stories about the hospital and the nurses offering him a brief respite from his anxieties. He listened intently, his heart bothforted and burdened by the distance between them. As the call ended, Andry back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. His mother''s words echoed in his mind, mingling with Eligos''s orders. Failure wasn''t just a professional risk; it was personal. He couldn''t afford to let anyone down-not his mother, and certainly not Eligos. His phone buzzed again, this time a message from Eligos. Eligos: "Everything must go smoothly. No mistakes, Andr." Andr closed his eyes, steeling himself for the challenge ahead. "I won''t let you down," he whispered into the silence, more to himself than to Eligos. He couldn''t afford to. Back on the ne, Eligos leaned back in his seat, satisfied with Andr''s brief response. His thoughts drifted to ire. She was sharp, perceptive, and always a few steps ahead. That was precisely why Andre''s role was crucial. ire needed to remain uncertain, her mind clouded with questions about Andr''s sudden appearance and his means. Eligos swirled the remaining champagne in his ss, a smirk ying on his lips. This wasn''t just about business; it was about control, about staying one step ahead of ire and ensuring she was neverfortable enough to figure out his endgame. He opened another app on his phone, scrolling through his messages until he found a secure chat with one of his operatives stationed in Las Vegas. Eligos: Status update on ire''s movements? A momentter, the reply came. Operative: She has arrived. Currently staying at Harris Hotel. Eligos''s smirk deepened. "Good. Keep me posted." Closing his phone, Eligos let out a contented sigh. Everything was falling into ce. Now, it was just a matter of watching the pieces move, ensuring each one yed its part to perfection. He raised his ss slightly as if toasting the future. "To a wless performance," he murmured, before finishing thest of his champagne. Meanwhile, Andr remained seated on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone. He reyed the conversation with his mother in his mind, her frail voice haunting him. His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms as he resolved to keep his focus. A knock at the door broke his reverie. He stood, walked over, and opened it to find a hotel staff member standing there. "Mr. Andr, your dinner has been sent up," the staff member announced with a polite smile. Andr nodded, stepping aside to allow the cart to be wheeled in. "Thank you," he said, his voice distant. As the staff member left, Andr sat at the small dining table, staring at the meal before him without much appetite. He knew he needed to eat, to keep his strength up, but the pressure of the uing events weighed heavily on him. He picked at the food, forcing himself to take a few bites. Every mouthful felt heavy, a reminder of the responsibilities he carried. His phone buzzed again, a notification from Eligos. Eligos: Remember, everything rides on this. Stay focused. Andr swallowed hard, his grip tightening around the fork. "I won''t fail," he whispered to the empty room. He couldn''t too many lives depended on it. Chapter 491 Feel Suspicious? Winnie parked her car outside the psychiatric ward, the familiar building looming ahead. She gripped the steering wheel tightly for a moment, trying to steady her nerves. Her thoughts had been swirling ever since ire Peterson hired her for this undercover role. The money was significant, more than she had ever seen for such work, but the risk was equally daunting. Every time she walked through those doors, she reminded herself of ire''s promise to ensure her safety. But what if that promise couldn''t be kept? She sighed, grabbed her bag, and stepped out of the car. As she approached the entrance, her heels clicked against the pavement, the sound oddly magnified in the quiet parking lot. Her mind reyed the questions she still couldn''t answer: Who was Evelyn? What connection did she have to Lisa Thompson? And, most importantly, what was Lisa nning? Winnie''s resolve wavered briefly. She had already decided that if things got too dangerous, she would pull herself out, regardless of the consequences. Inside the building, the guards greeted her with nods of recognition. Winnie shed her fake ID badge, offering a polite smile. They had grown ustomed to seeing "Dr. Johnson" around the ward, making her infiltration easier. However, the act didn''t lessen the weight of her nerves as she signed in at the visitor''s log. Every time she wrote her name, a part of her wondered if she would be caught. "Morning, Dr. Johnson," one of the guards said as she walked by. "Morning," she replied, keeping her voice light but professional. The hallways of the ward were stark and clinical, the muted colors and fluorescent lights doing little to ease her unease. Winnie''s footsteps echoed as she made her way to themon area where Lisa Thompson spent most of her time. Sure enough, Lisa was sitting on the couch, watching a rerun of an old si on the television. Her posture was rxed, but there was something unsettling about the way she carried herself. Taking a deep breath, Winnie stered on her best therapist smile and approached. "Good morning, Lisa," she greeted warmly. Lisa turned her head slowly, her gaze locking onto Winnie''s with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. Then she smiled-bright, wide, and utterly unsettling. "Dr. Johnson," she said, her voice cheerful but somehow carrying an undercurrent of something darker. "I was wondering when you''de back. I''ve missed our little chats." Winnie forced herself to maintain the facade, though every instinct screamed at her to turn and leave. "I''m here now," she replied, sitting down on the couch next to Lisa but leaving a noticeable gap between them. "How have you been, Lisa?" Lisa leaned back, resting her elbow on the back of the couch and tilting her head to study Winnie. "Oh, I''ve been... fine. Bored mostly. But I kept thinking about you. I wondered if you''d forgotten about me.'' Winnie shook her head with a polite smile. "Of course not. I''ve just been dealing with some personal matters." Lisa''s smile didn''t falter, but there was something unnervingly knowing in her eyes. "Personal matters, hmm? I suppose even doctors have their troubles. What''s bothering you, Dr. Johnson?" Caught off guard, Winnie hesitated. She wasn''t sure how to deflect the question without raising suspicion. "Nothing serious," she said smoothly. "Just the usual stresses of life.'' Lisa leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "You know, I''m very good at reading people. It''s a little talent of mine. And you, Dr. Johnson... you seem tense. Like you''re carrying a heavy burden." Winnie''s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral. "That''s very insightful of you, Lisa," she said, deflecting thement. "But we''re here to talk about you today." Lisa chuckled softly, the sound low and unsettling. "Of course we are. You always like to keep the focus on me. But what if, just for once, we talked about you? You seem like someone with secrets. Winnie''s grip on her notebook tightened. "Everyone has secrets, Lisa. It''s part of being human." Lisa''s eyes sparkled with mischief. "True. But some secrets are heavier than others. Don''t you think?" Winnie took a steadying breath, determined to regain control of the conversation. "Why don''t you tell me about Evelyn? You mentioned her before, but we haven''t really discussed who she is." Lisa''s smile widened, but her gaze turned calcting. "Ah, Evelyn. Such a fascinating person, isn''t she? But why are you so curious about her, Dr. Johnson?" Winnie''s mind raced. She needed to tread carefully. "I''m curious because she seems important to you, and understanding your rtionships helps me understand you better." Lisa tilted her head, studying Winnie like a predator sizing up its prey. "She is important to me," she said slowly. "But I think you already know that. Or maybe... you''re hoping to find out something else?" Winnie forced augh, though it sounded hollow even to her ears. "I''m just trying to help, Lisa. That''s all." Lisa leaned back, her expression turning thoughtful. "Evelyn is... special. She''s not like the others. She listens. She understands me in ways that most people can''t." "Is she a rtive?" Winnie asked, trying to sound casual. Lisa''s lips curled into a smile that didn''t reach her eyes. "Why do you ask? Are you trying to figure out if she''s someone you should be worried about?" Winnie''s heart pounded, but she kept herposure. "Not at all. I just want to understand the people who matter to you." Lisa''s gaze bore into her, unblinking. "Evelyn isn''t someone you need to worry about, Dr. Johnson. But maybe... you should worry about yourself." The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Winnie felt a chill run down her spine, but she forced herself to remain calm. "What do you mean by that, Lisa?" Lisa''s smile returned, wide and unsettling. "Nothing at all. Just a thought. Now, let''s talk about something else. Like how much fun we''re going to have during our next session." Winnie nodded, though her mind was racing. She needed to report this conversation to ire as soon as possible. Lisa was ying a game, and Winnie wasn''t sure if she was winning or losing. But one thing was clear: she was running out of time to find the answers she needed. A knock at the door snapped him out of his thoughts. Taking a deep breath, Andr straightened his posture before crossing the room to answer. It was a bellboy, holding a crisp white envelope. "Mr. Andr, this was left for you at the front desk," the bellboy said, handing over the envelope with a polite bow. "Thank you," Andr murmured, slipping the bellboy a tip before closing the door. He turned the envelope over in his hands, noting theck of markings or sender information. Breaking the seat, he unfolded the single sheet of paper inside. The message was typed in bold letters: "Do not forget who you''re doing this for. Keep your focus, and remember-failure is not an option." Andr''s stomach churned as he crumpled the paper in his fist. iel Eligos''s shadow was everywhere, a constant reminder that he wasn''t just being watched-he was being controlled. Setting the note aside, Andr ran a hand through his hair, forcing himself to focus. He didn''t have the luxury of falling apart. Not here. Not now. Chapter 492 Preparation The next morning, ire arrived at the new Harris Hotel, her sharp eyes scanning every corner of the grand lobby. Sandra followed closely behind, tablet in hand, ready to take notes on any final changes that needed to be addressed. Today was important-ire needed to ensure that everything was in order for the grand opening. The smallest w could lead to unnecessaryints, and she wasn''t about to let that happen. She made her way toward the service area where the hotel''s Al-powered robots were undergoing final testing. One of the staff members was inputtingst-minutemands into the system, but ire needed to see for herself that the technology was working smoothly. Just as she was about to run another test, Alexander appeared beside her, watching her closely before speaking. "How was your sleep?" he asked casually, his toneced with curiosity. ire didn''t nce at him, keeping her focus on the robot. "Good," she answered simply. Alexander raised an eyebrow at her vague response. "Good as in bad? Or good as in amazing? I need specifics, ire. You did spend the night at the hotel, after all. If I''m going to use your experience for testimonials, you have to be honest." ire sighed, finally turning to face him. "The bed wasfortable. The lighting was just right-didn''t hurt my eyes. The water pressure was good, and all the bathroom necessities were in ce. The couch? Didn''t spend much time on it, but it was fine. The small working table was a nice addition." Alexander nodded and turned to his secretary, who was already typing the notes onto her tablet. "Got that?" he asked. The secretary nodded. "Yes, sir." Satisfied, Alexander turned back to ire with a smirk. "See? That wasn''t so hard, was it?" ire ignored his teasing and returned to inspecting the robot, making sure its movements were fluid. She wasn''t going to waste any more time entertaining his amusement. "Alright, what about the food?" Alexander pressed. "I need feedback on that too." ire thought for a moment. She had been so exhaustedst night that she barely ate, but she did remember the pasta she had ordered. "The pasta was okay," she admitted. "But it was slightly overcooked, and the sauce was a bit too dry." Alexander''s expression didn''t change, but he gave a short nod to his secretary, who promptly noted it down. "That can be fixed before the grand opening," he remarked. "Thanks for the feedback." ire folded her arms, hesitating for a moment before speaking again. "I noticed you changed your wine supplier." Alexander looked at her, slightly surprised by the sudden shift in topic. "Yeah. The previous one I worked with for years is no longer my partner. Had to find a recement.'' ire raised her brows. "You mean udia Wright? The one who is crazy and obsessed with you?" Alexander rolled his eyes at the mention of udia Wright. "First, I agree she is quite crazy and second, she is not obsessed with me. She just wanted what is right on her behalf." "Right...I mean that women suddenly show up in front of me out of the blue." ire says in a sarcastic way. "Well, what''s important is that I found a new supplier even though it was tough at first as in the man is quite stubborn with the profit and how much he will get. But I have settled the matters and we have agreed on the number. So, I can say that everything is going ording to n for now." ire nodded relief the decision that Alex made. Alexander had a way of handling business that didn''t always align with her methods, but he got results. Before shifting her focus back to the Al system, ire turned back to Alexander. "Have you decided on a name for the hotel?" Alexander chuckled, shaking his head. "You know, I''ve been going back and forth on it. It''s a different theme from the Harris Hotels in London and other countries. The focus isn''t just on elegance this time- it''s technology and modern." ire tilted her head slightly. "Then why not something that reflects that?" Alexander considered it for a moment before nodding slowly. "I''ve had a few ideas, but I want it to be perfect. Maybe something thatbines tradition and innovation." ire gave a small smirk. "Sounds like you''re stalling." Alexander smirked back. "Maybe. But naming something like this isn''t easy. Once it''s out there, it sticks." ire rolled her eyes slightly before ncing back at the robots. "Well, don''t take too long. You don''t want the press referring to it as ''the nameless hotel'' on opening night." Alexander chuckled. "Point taken." He then motioned toward the robot she was testing. "How''s it looking?" ire turned her attention back to the machine. "Smooth so far, but I want to run a few more tests. If even one of these things malfunctions during an important moment, it''ll ruin the hotel''s reputation before it even starts." Alexander nodded. "Good. Keep at it." Before ire could focus on her work, she turned to Alex again. He feels her eyes on him as he nces at ire and stares at her eyes with his eyebrows raised. "What? Why are you looking at me? Is there something on my face?" ire shook her head. "No, I was just about to ask you regarding the guest list. Who are you inviting?" She couldn''t help to maintain her curiosity. "Why are you asking?" ire looked down at her Ipad and scrolled down the screen pretending to be busy. "Nothing. I just want to make sure that you have all the guest lists and that there will be no surprise guests or unwanted guests that will ruin the opening night. As you said," her eyes gaze back to Alex with seriousness. "everything needs to be perfect." He couldn''t help but notice the hint of seriousness in ire''s eyes. As if there is something she is scared of or someone? He doesn''t like to make assumptions but from her cold tone and serious gaze, Alex couldn''t help but feel there is something more to it. But he can''t ask her even if he wants to cause the woman is still disliking him despite them having a civil conversation a few minutes ago however, Alexander doesn''t want to go that far and be all curious since his focus is building his rtionship back with ire. "Don''t worry, I have asked my secretary to double-check the names and also the faces of the guests who will be attending the opening night. I will make sure everything goes smoothly." There''s a slight tug on her chest. A weird feeling despite Alex''s optimism everything will run well, ire has the opposite feeling that it won''t go well. As ire resumed her work, Sandra approached, holding her tablet close. "Everything on the upper floors has been checked. Thest inspection team confirmed that all the VIP suites are set up. We just need final clearance from you on the tech and security systems." ire gave her an approving nod. "I''ll handle it." Alexander watched as ire seamlessly shifted back into her work mode. He had always admired her efficiency, her ability to see every detail. But he also knew she carried more weight on her shoulders than she let on. "Don''t push yourself too hard," he said after a beat. ire paused for a moment before ncing at him. "I won''t." Alexander knew better than to press further, so he let it go, watching as she moved with purpose. The grand opening was just around the corner, and everything had to be perfect. And knowing ire, she would make sure of it. Chapter 493 Quantum Haven The night of the grand opening of the Harris Hotel in Las Vegas had finally arrived. ire stood in front of the mirror in her hotel suite, adjusting the earrings she had purchased at the jewelry exhibition. The diamonds caught the light, sparkling against the soft glow of the room. Her ck dress draped elegantly over her frame, the slit on the right revealing a hint of her toned leg. She looked poised and sophisticated, every inch the powerful businesswoman she had built herself to be. Yet, despite her wless appearance, there was a hollow feeling in her chest. Matthew, Adrian, and Talia weren''t with her. She had declined their offers to apany her, not wanting to burden them, even though their presence would have made her feel more at ease. Instead, she had brought Sandra, her ever-reliable secretary, who was currently makingst-minute preparations for the event. Her phone vibrated on the dressing table. It was Matthew. A small smile tugged at her lips as she picked it up. Matthew: How''s everything going there? ire leaned back against the vanity, quickly typing a response. ire: Everything is fine. I''m managing well. A secondter, another message popped up. Matthew: Are you sure you don''t need help? ire rolled her eyes. It was typical of Matthew to worry over her like this. She smirked and sent her response. ire: If you ask me that again one more time, I''ll block you from my contacts. Secondster, a sticker of a cartoon character pouting with the words "Sorry :(" appeared on her screen. ire chuckled, shaking her head at his antics. The makeup artist, who was cleaning up her brushes and palettes, caught ire''s small smile through the mirror. "Texting your boyfriend?" the woman teased, winking at her. ire''s expression immediately turned neutral as she shook her head. "No, just a friend." Then, after a beat, she added, "My boyfriend is busy." As if on cue, her phone rang. Adrian. A surprised expression flickered across her face before she quickly picked up. "Hey," she greeted softly, standing up from her chair and moving toward the window for more privacy. "Hey, sweetheart," Adrian''s voice was warm and sweet. "How''s it going?" ire let out a small breath, her tension easing just a little at the sound of his voice. "It''s going fine." "Is Alex treating you well?" She chuckled, shaking her head. "Why does everyone always ask that?" "Because we know Alexander Harris," Adrian responded dryly. "And we also know how much of an ass he can be." ire smirked. "He''s being his usual self, but surprisingly, more calm than usual. I think he''s too focused on the opening to get on my nerves." Adrian hummed. "That''s a first." There was a short pause before he asked, "Are you okay? Have you noticed anything strange?" ire knew what he meant. He was worried about Eligos. About Andre. About everything that had been happening around her. But she didn''t want to let those concerns cloud tonight''s event. "I''m fine," she reassured him. "And no, nothing weird so far." Adrian exhaled as if trying to believe her. "Alright. But if anything feels off, you call me. I mean it." "I will." Another knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Sandra''s voice came from the other side. "ire, it''s time to change." ire sighed. "I have to go. It''s almost time." "Okay," Adrian said. "But before you go... I miss you." ire''s lips curled slightly. "I miss you too." "Be careful, alright?" "I will. Talk to youter." The call ended, and ire let out a slow breath before putting her phone down. She turned back toward the ck dressid out on the bed. Time to get ready. Meanwhile, downstairs, Alexander was already making his way through the grand lobby, inspecting every detail of the event. The hotel was designed with modern elegance-polished marble floors, grand chandeliers, sleek furniture, and an open bar serving the finest Wines. The event was exclusive, with high-profile guests from the business world and media present to witness theunch. Alexander adjusted his cufflinks as he scanned the room, his mind briefly wandering. He had been surprised when ire didn''t even ask about the name he had chosen for the hotel. It wasn''t like her to overlook details. But then again, she had been preupied with ensuring that the Metacortex robots would function perfectly tonight. "Mate," Christian, his right-hand man and also his best friend, approached him. "Everything is set. The guests have started arriving.'' Alexander nodded. "Good. Thanks for helping." "Anytime, man." Christian hesitated for a moment before adding, "I assume ire ising soon?" "Yes. She should be here any moment now." "I''m surprised she even agreed toe," Christianmented with a smirk. Alexander sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, well... so am I." Back in the suite, ire finished slipping into her dress. The fabric hugged her frame perfectly, and the slit added just the right amount of boldness. She reached for the ne that matched her earrings and fastened it around her neck. Sandra, who had been waiting for her, observed with a smile. "You look stunning." ire smirked as she grabbed her clutch. "I always do." Sandra chuckled. "That''s true. Now, are you ready for tonight?" ire exhaled. "As ready as I''ll ever be. Let''s hope the guest will be satisfied with Harris idea." She nced at herself in the mirror onest time before turning toward the door. Tonight wasn''t about her. It was about the robots, and the sess of theunch. Whatever came after... she would deal with it then. With that thought in mind, she stepped out of the suite, Sandra following behind her. As ire entered the grand hall, all eyes subtly turned toward her. She was used to this kind of attention, but she didn''t pay it any mind. Her eyes searched the room until theynded on Alexander, who was standing near the entrance to the main event hall. He spotted her almost instantly, his eyes flickering with something unreadable before he made his way over. "You''rete," Alexandermented, though there was no real bite to his words. ire raised a brow. "Fashionablyte." He let out a small scoff. "Typical." ire''s gaze shifted around the grand room. "So? What''s the name?" Alexander smirked. "Quantum Haven." She turned to look at him. "Quantum Haven?" He nodded. "I wanted something different. Something that represented a ce offort but also introduced a technology and modern theme." ire tilted her head slightly, considering it. It wasn''t a bad name. In fact, it was quite fitting for a modern and technological theme in Vegas. "Not bad. I honestly think that you would have named it using your family name," she admitted. Alexander chuckled. "The idea did cross my mind but I decided otherwise. Is that your way of saying you approve?" "I don''t hate it." He shook his head, amused. "I''ll take that." Before they could continue, the event coordinator approached them, signaling that it was time to begin. The night was just getting started, and ire knew she had to be on guard. Because in a city like Las Vegas, where illusions and distractions thrived, anything could happen. Chapter 494 Opening Night Andre adjusted the cuff of his tailored suit, exhaling slowly as he stared at his own reflection in the hotel room mirror. He had done things like this before, sneaking into ces where he wasn''t invited, but something about tonight felt different. Maybe it was the grandeur of the event or the fact that he was walking straight into ire Peterson''s domain. Maybe it was the unshakable feeling that he was ying a role in a game far more dangerous than he understood. Eligos had warned him to remain calm, to not let any nerves show. As long as he followed instructions, Eligos assured him there would be no issues. Andre had no choice but to trust him. He wasn''t naive; he knew Eligos was pulling strings behind the scenes, orchestrating something beyond his grasp. But why? Why go to such lengths to take revenge on ire? And more importantly, what exactly did ire do to warrant this level of animosity? It felt personal, an unresolved vendetta simmering beneath the surface. Andre had his questions, but tonight wasn''t the time to ask them. His phone vibrated. Checking the screen, he saw a message from Eligos. There''s a car waiting for you outside. Get in. No questions. Andre pocketed his phone without replying and grabbed his coat. When he reached the entrance of the hotel, his steps faltered. Parked just outside was a sleek, ck Cadic, its polished surface gleaming under the dim streetlights. Andre couldn''t deny he was impressed. Whatever Eligos was nning, he had resources and a lot of them. The realization made Andre slightly uneasy. Sliding into the backseat, Andre nced at the driver, but the man offered no greeting, simply nodding before pulling into traffic. Andre leaned back, watching the city lights blur past. He needed to focus. Whatever Eligos''s reasons were, they didn''t matter right now. His task was simple get in, blend with the crowd, and wait for further instructions. Meanwhile, inside the hotel, ire Peterson descended the elevator, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. Earlier she did arrive early despite Alex being sarcastic and telling her that she waste but ire excused herself again. And the moment she stepped into the grand lobby where the event was being held, heads turned. Men stole appreciative nces, some subtle, others more obvious. ire was used to it. Her presence demanded attention, but she had long since learned to ignore it. Her dress, a deep ck gown, clung to her figure in all the right ces, its fabric flowing elegantly with each step. Her brte hair was side-swept, revealing the graceful curve of her neck and the sharp line of her jaw. She walked with purpose, nodding politely at those she passed, maintaining an air of quiet confidence. Across the room, Alexander Harris had been engaged in conversation, but the moment ire stepped out of the elevator, his focus shifted entirely. He just noticed how stunning ire is despite him talking to ire a few minutes ago. His eyes tracked her movements, admiring the effortless grace she carried. She was breathtaking, and he hated that he still noticed. His grip tightened around the stem of his wine ss as he surveyed the room. Several men were already eyeing her with clear interest, their staresced with hunger and intrigue. Alexander felt his jaw clench, but he forced himself to take a slow sip of his wine instead of reacting. It was infuriating. But what could he do? ire wasn''t his. She never would be again. And if he did something rash in public, it wouldn''t end well for either of them. Still, the jealousy simmered beneath hisposed facade. He had no im over her, yet the sight of her being admired by others left an ufortable tightness in his chest. He turned his attention back to his drink, downing the rest of the wine in a single gulp before setting the ss aside. Just then, Christian, his business partner, appeared beside him, following his gaze. "You look like you want to punch someone," Christian remarked with amusement. Alexander exhaled sharply. "That obvious?" Christian chuckled. "You''re staring at ire like you want to drag her out of here and lock her in a tower." Alexander scoffed. "Ridiculous." Christian smirked. "Is it? Because from where I''m standing, it looks a lot like jealousy." "Have you drunk all the wine, Christian? Looks to me that you might be drunk." Christian rolled his eyes. "Ohe on, Alex. You and I both know that you are attracted to ire but she has a boyfriend and with your longing look like that, it won''t look nice on the tabloid or guest." His best friend has a smirk etched on his face. Alexander didn''t reply, merely rolling his shoulders as he watched ire speak with one of the investors. He had to remind himself that this wasn''t personal-it was business. Alexander finally approached ire, setting his wine ss down on a passing waiter''s tray. "You''re back. Where have you been?" he said casually, standing beside her. ire didn''t even nce at him. "I left my phone in my room and while at it, I was in the middle of an important business call." "Of course. ire Peterson, always busy and upied." She rolled her eyes at Alex''s sarcastic response. "You always have to argue with me, don''t you?" He raised both of his hands up in a surrender way. "No, I was just joking. Lighten up will you?" A cold look etched on her face as she hates joking in the middle of a business event. Alexander got the memo as he cleared his throat. "Of course, l''apologize for making you ufortable?" Outside, Eligos''s car came to a slow stop across from the hotel entrance. He rolled down the tinted window slightly, watching as guests continued to arrive. The hotel''s name was still concealed behind arge drape, something Alexander Would likely unveilter in the night. Eligos smirked to himself. An opportunity. His attention shifted as he spotted Andre''s car pulling up. He watched as Andre stepped out with a feigned confidence, his posture controlled but his eyes betraying his nerves." Eligos leaned back in his seat, satisfied. Andre was ying the role exactly as he had been instructed. Eligos''s ability to manipte the system never ceased to amaze even himself. Hacking into the security database, forging an invitation, ensuring Andre''s face was clear in the digital registry-none of it had been simple, but ire had underestimated him yet again. She constantly updated her systems, always attempting to outmaneuver unseen threats, yet here he was, slipping through the cracks with ease. Eligos chuckled to himself. They never saw iting. He almost felt sorry for her. Almost. Eligos''s driver nced at him through the rearview mirror, awaiting further instructions. "Park in front of the lobby," Eligos said smoothly. "I want to get a closer look." As the car rolled forward, Eligos watched as Andre handed his invitation to security. The guard checked the credentials, nced at Andre''s face, and, after a brief pause, nodded for him to enter. A slow, satisfied grin spread across Eligos''s lips. And so, the game began. Chapter 495 Relative? ire maintained her poised demeanor, the corners of her lips lifting in a polite, camera-ready smile as she acknowledged the guests who stopped by topliment the hotel. Alexander stood beside her, ever the charismatic host, shaking hands and engaging in effortless conversation. His charming smile had its usual effect, leaving some of the guests momentarily dazzled. "You''ve truly outdone yourself, Alexander," one of the guests praised, lifting a ss of champagne in appreciation. "And I must say, you made a wise decision choosing ire Peterson as your partner. The execution of this concept is remarkable." Alexander epted thepliment with a smooth nod. "Well, ire''s expertise speaks for itself. We both wanted something different from the usual luxury experience, and I believe we''ve achieved that." "Indeed!" another guest chimed in. "A smart hotel that doesn''t feel cold or too futuristic-it''s weing, elegant, and sophisticated. Brilliant!" ire chuckled softly as she sipped her champagne, ying her part in the conversation while suppressing the urge to roll her eyes at Alexander''s effortless charm. The moment the guests stepped away, she leaned slightly toward him, her voice low but her expression still fixed in an impable social smile. "How long do I have to keep this up?" she murmured. Alexander arched a brow in amusement, though he didn''t let it show too obviously. "As long as it takes," he responded smoothly. ire sighed dramatically butposed herself as another group approached. She continued engaging with the guests before finally excusing herself to go to the bathroom. The moment she stepped away from the main area, she relished the brief solitude. However, before she could make her way to the restroom, something unusual caught her attention. Arge crowd had formed near the other side of the room, murmurs and whispers filling the space. Curiosity piqued, ire hesitated, her brows knitting together in confusion. The event had just begun- what could possibly be causing such a stir? As she took a step toward the gathering, a hand lightly brushed against her elbow, stopping her mid-step. A voice followed. "Ms. Peterson, I have no idea you have a rtive. He has quite the humor I say." The guest says with a bright smile seemingly oblivious with the situation. ire stiffened. Her heart pounded against her ribs as an uneasy sensation crept up her spine. No. No, this couldn''t be happening. She turned her head slightly, her breath hitching as she followed the voice to its source. Andre. Her stomach twisted, and her blood ran cold. How? How did he get in here? More importantly, why was he here? The tight security should have prevented this. Just like at the banquet... was this some kind of sick game he was ying? Showing up uninvited, forcing himself into her world, again and again? Before she could react, before she could make sense of the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind, Andre''s gaze met hers. And then, he smiled. "ire!" he called out, his voice smooth and warm, as if they were long-lost siblings happily reunited. The guests, intrigued by his sudden acknowledgment, turned their attention toward her. ire felt paralyzed, her body refusing to move as the weight of the gazes pressed down on her. She forced a neutral expression, masking the sheer panic rising within her. She couldn''t afford to make a scene. Not here. Not in front of all these people. "Andre," she said finally, her voice controlled and even, though she could feel the tension beneath the surface. Andre walked towards her with confidence, holding a ss of champagne in one hand. He looked like he belonged here dressed sharply, his demeanor effortlessly charming. It infuriated her how easily he adapted to these settings, slipping into roles that weren''t his. "It''s been a while," he said, stopping just a few steps away from her. "You didn''t tell me you were throwing such a grand event. I had to find out on my own." ire clenched her jaw. "Because you weren''t invited." Andre chuckled, unbothered by her cold reception. "Well, you know me. I don''t wait for invitations." The guests murmured amongst themselves, fascinated by the unexpected interaction. Some exchanged curious nces, clearly wondering about their connection. Alexander, who had been observing from a distance, finally stepped forward, his presence grounding ire. His sharp eyes flickered between her and Andre before he extended a hand. "Alexander Harris. And you are?" Andre took his hand and shook it firmly, smiling. "Andre. ire''s... rtive." ire saw the flicker of interest in Alexander''s expression. "Rtive?" he echoed, his tone neutral yet subtlyced with curiosity. Andre smirked slightly. "Yes, though we haven''t had the chance to catch up properly, have we, ire?" He turned to her, as if expecting her to borate. ire wanted to wipe that smug expression off his face. But she maintained herposure. "No, we haven''t." Alexander studied the tension between them before finally releasing his grip on Andre''s hand. "Well, it seems like this is a family matter. I''ll give you two some space." He stepped away, though his watchful gaze lingered on them. The guests slowly lost interest, returning to their conversations and drinks, though some still stole nces, eager for more drama. ire exhaled slowly and turned to Andre, her voice a sharp whisper. "What the hell are you doing here?" Andre took a leisurely sip of his champagne before responding. "Rx. I''m just here to celebrate your sess." ire narrowed her eyes. "Bullshit. Who let you in?" "Oh,e on, ire. You should know by now that I have my ways." She gritted her teeth. "You need to leave. Now." Andre tilted his head, feigning disappointment. "Why? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me? Or is there something you don''t want your dear business partners to know?" ire''s patience was thinning. "I don''t have time for your games, Andre. Whatever you''re trying to pull, I won''t let you." Andre leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "You think you have control over everything, don''t you? But things don''t always go your way, ire. You should know that by now." ire inhaled sharply, forcing herself to remain calm. She refused to let him rattle her, not in front of all these people. "If you don''t leave, I''ll make sure security drags you out." Andre simply grinned, taking another sip of his drink. "Try me." ire clenched her fists. She was about to call security when a familiar voice interrupted. "Is everything alright here?" It was Alexander. His presence beside her was a relief, though she would never admit it. He wasn''t just asking for the sake of courtesy-he had seen enough to know something was off. Andre shed a charming smile. "Of course. Just catching up with family. Isn''t that right, ire?" ire forced a tight-lipped smile. "Yes. Just catching up." Alexander didn''t look convinced, but he nodded nheless. "Good. Because I wouldn''t want anything to ruin this night." Andre held up his hands in mock surrender. "Wouldn''t dream of it." ire shot him a warning look before turning away. This wasn''t over. Not by a long shot. And something told her that Andre''s presence tonight was only the beginning of something much worse. Chapter 496 Keeping an Eye Alexander walked alongside ire as she turned her back on Andre. She kept her posture poised, but internally, she was seething. The audacity of Andre to introduce himself as her rtive to the guests was beyond infuriating. It only reinforced her belief that his story was fabricated, but the question still lingered -who was this man, and why was he so persistent in haunting her life? Alexander stole a nce at ire, noticing the way her jaw tightened. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low enough so only she could hear. "Yes," ire replied curtly, her tone clipped and cold. She didn''t look at him, keeping her eyes fixed straight ahead. Alexander knew that tone all too well. It meant ire was anything but fine. Whoever this Andre was, his presence had clearly rattled her. But now was not the time to press her with questions. The opening ceremony was only minutes away, and they needed to focus on the event. Trying to offer some form of reassurance, Alexander reached out and ced a hand on ire''s shoulder, causing her to stop in her tracks. She turned to him with a slight frown, clearly irritated by the interruption. "If you''re not feeling well, I can handle the press and the speeches," he said, keeping his voice gentle but firm. ire shook her head. "I''m fine. There''s nothing to worry about. Whatever is happening with Andre doesn''t matter. I''ll do my part in exining the hotel''s technology and the robotic systems as nned." Alexander studied her for a moment, debating whether to argue, but he knew it would be pointless. When ire took that cold, professional tone, it meant she had already made up her mind. He nodded. "Whatever makes youfortable.'' ire resumed her walk, heading towards one of the tables, where she grabbed a ss of wine and downed it in one swift gulp. Alexander sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. Just as he was about to turn away, Christian approached him. "What''s up with ire? She looks like she''s ready to stab someone," Christian remarked, nodding towards her direction. Before Christian could say anything further, Alexander ced a hand on his shoulder. "I need you to keep an eye on Andre. Christian frowned. "Who the hell is Andre?" Alexander''s gaze flickered toward the man in question. Andre was standing amongst a small group of guests, effortlessly engaging them in conversation, as if he belonged there. "That guy." Christian followed Alexander''s gaze, narrowing his eyes as he observed Andreughing and sipping his drink. "Him? What did he do?" "That''s what I''d like to know. But more importantly, I don''t recall inviting anyone by that name," Alexander admitted. "I have a bad feeling about this guy." Christian tilted his head, considering his friend''s words before nodding. "Alright, I''ll get security on him. Do you want him removed?" Alexander hesitated. ire had reacted strongly to Andre''s presence, but she hadn''t asked for him to be thrown out. Perhaps she wanted to handle it in her own way. "Not yet. Just keep him in your sights. If anything suspicious happens, I want to know immediately." Christian gave a casual salute. "Got it." With that, he turned and made his way towards the security personnel stationed around the venue. As the clock ticked down to the ceremony, the atmosphere in the grand ballroom shifted. The murmur of excited conversations filled the air as guests took their seats. At the front, a sleek, modern stage was set up, illuminated by soft golden lights. The MC stepped forward, tapping the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, wee to the grand opening of the newest addition to the Harris Hotel legacy!" His enthusiastic voice carried across the room, prompting a round of apuse. "Tonight, we celebrate not just luxury, but innovation. This hotel is unlike any other in the Harris chain, incorporating cutting-edge technology to enhance the guest experience. And now, it is my pleasure to introduce the visionary behind this project-Mr. Alexander Harris!" The apuse grew louder as Alexander ascended the stage, buttoning his suit jacket. He gave a charismatic smile as he took the microphone. "Good evening, ???? everyone. First, I''d like to thank all of you for joining us on this special night. The Harris brand has always been synonymous with elegance andfort, but tonight, we take a step further. We are merging technology with luxury to create an experience like no other." ire pped along with the rest of the guests, but her focus was divided. Her eyes kept scanning the room, searching for Andre. She spotted him at one of the side tables, watching the stage with a small, knowing smile. The sight of him made her stomach churn. Who was he, really? And what was he after? Meanwhile, Alexander continued his speech. "This hotel is equipped with Al-assisted concierge services, voice-activated room controls, and an advanced security system that ensures the safety of our guests. But instead of telling you, I''d rather show you." He gestured towards ire. "And for that, I''d like to introduce someone who has yed an integral role in making this vision a reality-Ms. ire Peterson.'' A fresh wave of apuse followed as ire rose from her seat and made her way to the stage. Her face remainedposed as she took the microphone from Alexander. "Thank you, Alexander," she said smoothly. "As he mentioned, this hotel is built on the foundation of innovation. Every aspect, from the design to the service, has been carefully structured to provide efficiency withoutpromising luxury.'' She pressed a button on a small remote, and a holographic projection appeared behind her, disying the hotel''s robotic assistant. "This system ensures that every guest''s needs are met with precision. Whether it''s room service, security, or simple navigation, the Al is programmed to handle it all seamlessly." The crowd murmured in amazement as the hologram demonstrated the various functions of the robotic concierge. ire stole another nce at Andre. His expression hadn''t changed-still that same amused smirk. It unnerved her. After wrapping up her speech, ire handed the microphone back to the MC. Alexander leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "You okay?" ire nodded stiffly. "Yes and please stop asking otherwise people will notice." Alexander didn''t push her. Instead, he turned to the guests. "With that, let''s officially open the doors to the future of hospitality! At the end of the night, there will be a fireworks show as well as introducing the hotel''s name. But for now, please enjoy the rest of the evening." The room erupted into cheers as waiters emerged, serving champagne and hors d''oeuvres. The formalities were over, and now it was time for celebration. As the night went on, Alexander noticed Christian moving through the crowd, his eyes sharp and observant. He approached him quietly. "Anything?" he asked. Christian shook his head. "Nothing suspicious so far, but he''s definitely watching ire." Alexander exhaled slowly. "I figured. Keep him in your sights." Christian nodded and walked away, blending seamlessly into the crowd. ire turned, locking eyes with Andre from across the room. He lifted his ss in a silent toast, a smirk tugging at his lips. ire narrowed her eyes. Who are you, and what do you want from me? Chapter 497 Opening Night a Mess Eligos leaned against a pir, his dark eyes fixed on ire as she stared at Andre, her expression unreadable. He was quite satisfied with how Andre had executed his role so far. From the very beginning, Eligos''s n had been simple yet effective-his goal was to embarrass ire in front of her colleagues and important guests, making them question whether ire Peterson was truly someone they should trust. With a smirk, Eligos slipped a hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He typed a quick message and sent it to Andre, a subtle reminder of what was supposed to happen next. Across the room, Andre felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He hesitated for a moment before taking it out and reading the message. His eyes flickered with uncertainty. He had no idea Eligos was in the same room, watching his every move. Andre sighed quietly, realizing he had no choice but to proceed with the next phase of the n. From his position, Eligos observed Andre''s reaction with amusement. He picked up a ss of champagne from a passing waiter and took a slow sip. "This," he muttered under his breath, "will be a good show to watch." Alexander''s parents approached him, their expressions a mixture of pride and curiosity. "Congrattions, son," Michael Harris said, sping Alexander''s shoulder firmly. "I must say, we didn''t expect you to take such a different approach with this hotel." "Indeed," Joan Harris chimed in, giving her son a scrutinizing look. "The Harris Hotel brand has always been synonymous with elegance. That was the whole point of your grandfather''s vision." Alexander exhaled through his nose but kept his expression neutral. "I know what Grandfather wanted, but times are changing. Quantum Haven is meant to be different. A fusion of technology and luxury. If we don''t evolve, we''ll be left behind." Michael studied his son for a moment before nodding approvingly. "Brave of you," he admitted. Before Alexander could respond, ire-who had been standing next to him, engaged in a separate conversation-felt someone''s gaze on her. She turned her head slightly and found herself face-to-face with Michael Harris. Michael offered her a polite nod before extending his hand. "Ms. Peterson," he greeted. ire maintained aposed demeanor, shaking his hand firmly. "Mr. Harris." "Congrattions on the robot demonstrations. Quite the spectacle." ire smiled slightly. "Thank you. There''s still a lot of work to be done, but I appreciate your words." Michael''s lips curled into a subtle smirk. "I imagine Metacortex''s reputation will soar even higher after this. I suppose I should also thank you for agreeing to work with Alexander." Alexander rolled his eyes at his father''s pointed remark, but before he could retort, ire chuckled lightly. "I won''t lie-it was tough at first," she admitted. "We have very different approaches to business. But somehow, we''ve managed to make it work.'' Joan, who had been silently observing, folded her arms. "A miracle," she muttered under her breath. Alexander ignored thement and nced at his watch. The fireworks were set to begin in just a few minutes. With practiced ease, he made his way toward the stage and picked up the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen," he addressed the crowd, "thank you for joining us tonight. In a few moments, we''ll be heading outside for the fireworks disy. But before that" He gestured toward therge drapes covering the new hotel''s name. "It''s time for the grand reveal." The crowd murmured in anticipation, some pulling out their phones to record the moment. ire stood near Alexander, arms crossed as she watched him. He leaned slightly toward her and whispered, "Ready?" She turned her gaze to him with an unimpressed look. "For what?" "The fireworks, ire. Try to act a little more excited." ire arched a brow. "It''s just fireworks, Alexander. I''m not five years old." Alexander smirked. "You sure about that?" ire sighed, shaking her head. "Just pull the drapes, Alexander." Alexander chuckled before stepping forward and grabbing hold of the cord. With a swift motion, he pulled, unveiling the hotel''s name. Bright lights illuminated the bold letters: QUANTUM HAVEN The crowd erupted into apuse. Guests stood from their seats, pping and murmuring about the choice of name. The modern, futuristic design of the signage reflected the hotel''s innovation. ire took a step back, taking in the name. Quantum Haven. A departure from the traditional Harris branding. The Master of Ceremonies stepped up beside Alexander and smiled. "And now, Mr. Harris, if you would do us the honor ofunching the fireworks." Alexander grinned and stepped toward the ceremonialunch button. Just as he was about to press it, Andre-who had been weaving his way through the crowd-suddenly stumbled forward. With calcted precision, he bumped into Alexander. A collective gasp rippled through the audience as the sudden impact caused Alexander''s hand to m down on the button at an awkward angle. A sharp whoosh filled the air as the firework misfired- -straight into the hotel''s signage. The "H" in HAVEN exploded in a burst of sparks. Screams and panicked shouts erupted as small embers rained down. Security personnel immediately sprang into action, some rushing toward the stage while others moved to ensure guests were safe. Alexander staggered slightly, his eyes widening in disbelief as he looked up at the damage. "What the " ire, who had been standing nearby, immediately turned toward Andre. Her sharp gaze narrowed, her instincts screaming that this was no ident. Andre, looking appropriately panicked, held up his hands. "I-I didn''t mean to! Someone pushed me!" ire didn''t buy it. Not for a second. "ire watch out!" she heard Alexander call her name. She turned to him and saw him lunged towards ire and they both ended up on the floor. Her heart beats faster, eyes wide clearly didn''t expect something like would happened. The letter "H" fell down and Alexander look back to the crowd. He stood up and called Christian. "I need you to take care of the guest. Makes sure no one gets hurt." Christian nodded and got to action. Alex turned towards his secretary, his voice firm despite the situation. "Check the electrical system-make sure nothing else catches fire. And get the emergency team ready, just in case." "Will do sir." She hurriedly contact the hotel staff. ire who is still on the floor still couldn''tprehend what is happening. It is a mess. The opening night is ruin. All because of one person. Alexander help ire up in which she ept his help. However she couldn''t focus on what Alexander is saying as her mind is racing as well as her eyes scanning the crowd to find Andre. "Andre." She whisper. He frowned hearing it. "What?" "Andre. He caused this." She turned back to Alex. "I need to find him." Meanwhile, outside themotion, Eligos stood in the shadows, swirling the champagne in his ss. A satisfied smirk yed on his lips. He had nned for a disaster. And now, he had the perfect opportunity to watch ire scramble to maintain control. Eligos chuckled softly to himself, raising his ss in a silent toast. "Let''s see how you handle this one, ire." The night was far from over. Chapter 498 Drunk Andre? Alexander''s jaw was clenched as he watched the security team close in on Andre, who was stumbling around, feigning drunkenness. He had no patience for this. The night was supposed to be a momentous asion the grand opening of his new hotel in Las Vegas. Instead, it had turned into a disaster. His secretary whispered something into his ear, but Alexander barely registered it. His eyes were locked on ire, who was walking toward Andre with purposeful strides. The way her hands curled into fists at her sides told him everything-she was furious. The moment ire reached Andre, she grabbed his cor and yanked him toward her. "You think this is funny?" she hissed, her voice low but sharp enough to make Andre wince. "Whoa, easy there," Andre slurred, swaying on his feet. His eyes were bloodshot, but ire wasn''t sure if it was from alcohol or just an act. "Don''t y dumb with me," she snapped, tightening her grip. "You ruined this night. Do you have any idea how hard we worked for this?" Andre let out azy chuckle. "C''mon, sis, don''t be so dramatic. idents happen, right?" ire''s nostrils red. "You think this was an ident?" she shot back. "You were told not to pull anything, yet here you are, making a scene and embarrassing me in front of everyone. What the hell is wrong with you?" Andre''s fake drunken expression faltered for just a second, but it was enough for ire to catch. She narrowed her eyes. "You''re not drunk," she stated coldly. Andre blinked. "Wha-" "You''re pretending," she continued, her voice lowering dangerously. "And I want to know why." Before Andre could respond, Alexander ced a firm hand on ire''s shoulder, gently pulling her back. "Let security handle this," he murmured. ire took a deep breath, trying to calm the raging storm inside her. But her re stayed fixed on Andre. Alexander motioned to his head of security. "Take him somewhere private. I want answers. Now." The guards nodded and firmly grabbed Andre''s arms, dragging him away. Andre put up a weak struggle, still ying the drunk act. "Hey, hey! I didn''t do anything! I just had a little too much to drink!" "Save it," Alexander said coolly. "We''ll talk when you''re sober." As Andre was led away, ire crossed her arms and turned to Alexander. "I want to be there when you question him." Alexander studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But after that, you''re telling me everything about who this guy really is." ire exhaled heavily. "Fine." Eligos leaned back in the leather seat of his car, his fingers lightly swirling the champagne in his ss. He watched the city lights blur past through the tinted window, a self-satisfied smirk curving his lips. Tonight had been a masterpiece. He reyed the moment in his head-ire''s frustration, the destruction, the scandal that would soon spread across media tforms. He had given Andre one simple order: cause chaos. He had left it up to the idiot to decide how, and honestly, Andre had exceeded expectations. Acting drunk? That was an amusing touch. Eligos chuckled to himself as he checked his phone. He had already received a message from one of his inside sources. "Security is looking for Andre. He''s trapped inside the venue." Eligos smirked. "Let''s see how he handles this mess on his own," he mused. He had done his part. Andre was expendable if he got caught, well, that was just another problem ire would have to clean up. For now, he was just going to sit back and enjoy the fallout. Meanwhile back in the hotel, Andre''s heart was pounding against his ribcage. He needed to get out. "Fuck Eligos. Ordering me around but not helping me with the aftermath." He muttered to himself. He had yed his part well-pretending to be drunk, slurring his words, stumbling around like a fool. But now that the security had their eyes on him, things were taking a turn for the worse. Two men in ck suits approached him, their expressions serious. "Mr. Harris wants to see you," one of them said, reaching for Andre''s arm. Andre jerked away, swaying slightly on his feet as he slurred, "Whaaat? I-I don''t even know a Harris, man..." He hupped for effect. "I''m just here for the booze..." The guards exchanged looks. One of them, clearly unimpressed, muttered, "We don''t have time for this." The second guard grabbed Andre''s arm forcefully. Panic surged through him. "I-I swear, I didn''t do nothin''!" Andre protested, stumbling forward as they began escorting him toward the private lounge. "C''mon, man, lemme go! I-I''m a paying guest!" "You''re a problem," one of the guards muttered. Andre''s mind was racing. He needed an escape n. As they neared the hallway leading to the VIP area, Andre made his move. He suddenly dropped his weight, going limp like a ragdoll. The unexpected action made one of the guards lose his bnce, and in that split second, Andre twisted free and bolted. "Hey!" "Stop him!" Andre sprinted down the hall, weaving through the staff-only corridors. He had no idea where he was going, but he knewhe needed to get out. Bursting through a side door, he found himself in the service area, where a few hotel staff members were taking a break. One of them, startled, looked up. "Hey, you can''t be " "Sorry, man-wrong turn!" Andre blurted before shoving past and darting toward the emergency exit. His fingers barely touched the door handle when- "Gotcha." A strong arm locked around his shoulder, yanking him back. Andre struggled, cursing under his breath. "Let me go, you-" He turned and found himself face-to-face with ire. His heart sank. Her blue eyes were burning with fury, her grip on his arm like iron. "Going somewhere, Andre?" Her voice was eerily calm, which somehow made it even more terrifying. Andre swallowed hard. "ire, listen, I" "Save it." ire''s voice was sharp. "You ruined tonight. And now, you''re going to tell me exactly who put you up to this." Andre opened his mouth, but no words came out. Because in that moment, he yel knewif he told the truth, if he revealed that Eligos was the mastermindhe wouldn''t just be dealing with ire''s wrath He''d be dealing with something far worse. Back in London, Frank Potter scrolled through his phone, seething. How dare Alexander and ire move forward without him? His fingers tapped against the screen as he skimmed through articles about the hotelunch. His eyes narrowed as he saw the headline: "Disaster Strikes at Harris Hotel Opening Night!" Frank''s lips curled into a smirk. "Oh? What''s this?" he muttered, clicking on the article. As he scrofted through the images-photos of ire, Alexander, the luxurious interior of the hotel-he came across something far more interesting. A blurry image of a chaotic moment. A fire. Staff running. And in the background- A man, stumbling drunkenly. Frank zoomed in. His smirk grew wider. "Well, well, well... who the hell are you?" He didn''t recognize the man, but that didn''t matter. What mattered was that this was an opportunity. And Frank Potter never let opportunities go to waste. Chapter 499 Interrogating Andre ire didn''t let go of Andre as she dragged him down a deserted hallway, away from the remaining guests and journalists. Her grip was firm-unrelenting. Andre struggled, his breath uneven. "ire, listen, I" "Shut up," ire snapped, her eyes burning with fury. "I don''t want to hear a single word until we''re somewhere privatewhere no one else can hear you." Andre swallowed hard, realizing there was no talking his way out of this at least, not yet. Alexander caught up with them, his long strides purposeful. His expression was unreadable, but his sharp eyes flicked between ire and Andre. "This is him?" Alexander asked, his voice low but deadly. ire nodded stiffly. "This is Andre. The one responsible for ruining your opening night." Alexander exhaled sharply, studying the man before him. "I want answers, now." Andre forced augh, but it sounded weak. "Hey, man, I-uh-sorry about that. Just a little too much to drink, you know how it is-" ire tightened her grip, making him wince. "You think I''m an idiot?" she seethed. "I know you weren''t drunk. You pretended to be. You wanted to make a scene. Andre avoided her piercing gaze, his lips pressing into a thin line. "ire, you''re making a big deal out of nothing." Alexander took a step closer, his presence intimidating. "Nothing?" His tone was icy. "You ruined an event I spent millions on. You set a fire in my hotel. You embarrassed us in front of investors and the press. You think this is nothing?" Andre let out a nervous chuckle. "Hey, man, listen-" "No, you listen," ire interrupted. "I don''t care about your excuses. I know you didn''t do this on your own. Alexander''s eyes darkened. "Who put you up to this?" Andre hesitated, shifting ufortably under their intense gazes. "ire..." His voice was barely above a whisper. "You really don''t want to know." ire''s patience snapped. She shoved him against the wall with a force that surprised even Alexander. Andre let out a startled gasp. "Tell me the truth, Andre!" ire''s voice was filled with frustration. Remembering that Andre also has the power here and not only ire, Andre straightens up his back and res back to ire. "No one, ire. I am alone in this besides it''s a part of my revenge on you." ire scoffed sarcastically. "Revenge? Do you think you can easily fool me? Getting inside here without someone''s help would be impossible. And you boldly admit that you work alone?" she couldn''t help but p her hands whileughing wickedly. "The only thing you are fooling is yourself." She seethed to him. Andre clenched his fist in anger. "I told you the truth. I had too much drink and I lost my bnce. Not to mention there were lots of people out there and someone pushed me. So, it wasn''t my faultpletely." Alexander chimed in. "How can you so boldly im that it wasn''t your fault? I don''t know who you are or what''s your deal with ire but youing here ruined my opening night." Andre turned to Alexander and threw him a re. "You should stay out of this. It is none of your business." Alexander couldn''t believe his ears hearing a nobody said that to him. "Watch who you are talking to." He pointed his finger at Andre while shooting him a deadly re. "Was it him?" in the midst of the heavy tension, ire asked. "I said was it him?" Andre''s silence spoke volumes. However, Andre couldn''t let them know that all of this were Eligos scheme. "As I said, no one. I am alone." "I don''t believe you. The only one who has that brain and power-" ire''s words were cut short by Alexander as he turned to ire with a confused look mixed with frowning. "What are you two talking about? And who is this "him"?" ire ignores him as she keeps her focus on Andre. "You know, Andre...you can gatekeep all you want but that doesn''t mean, I will let you go." Andre swallowed the lump in his throat. This is not what he imagined his night would end. "Fuck Eligos. Where was he when Andre needed his help?" he thought to himself. "Still keeping your mouth shut?" ire raised her brows while crossing his arms over his chest. "Why are you fucking stubborn? I told you I am here alone and all of this was just an ident." "Purposely?" Andre sighed heavily. He doesn''t know what else should he say cause he is running out of words. "Damn it." "Is it Eligos?" Andre blood run cold. He thought to himself, "ire wasn''t supposed to know." ire raised her brows waiting for Andre to answer her question. "I don''t know who you are talking about." She sighed as she took a step forward towards Andre. ire''s fingers dug into his shirt. "Eligos." She spat the name like venom. "He put you up to this, didn''t he? Andre''s breathing quickened. He tried to shake his head, fear is evident in his eyes but he tries to hide it. Alexander frowned. "Who the hell is Eligos?" ire didn''t answer. She kept her gaze locked on Andre. "Say his name," she ordered. "I told you I don''t know who is he. I have never heard his name!" Andre struggled to talk. Alexander exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. "Who is Eligos, ire?" ire''s jaw tightened. "He''s someone I''ve been dealing with for a long time. A maniptive bastard who enjoys ruining lives." Alexander frowned. "And you think he''s behind this?" He motioned toward Andre. "What makes you so sure?" ire let out a sharpugh, shaking her head. "What makes you think Andre did this on his own?" Andre tensed at her words, and ire didn''t miss the way his fingers twitched at his sides. He was afraid. Good. He had every reason to be. Alexander, however, seemed unconvinced. He let out a slow breath, as if trying to keep his frustration in check. "ire," he started, rubbing his temples, "what if he did act alone? Maybe he was just desperate, or maybe he hired someone himself You''re acting like this Eligos guy is some kind of ghost your life. ire scoffed. "You really don''t get it, do you?" She took a step closer to Alexander, her voice lower now, but sharp like a de. "You have no idea what kind of person we''re dealing with. He''s not somemon criminal or a desperate idiot like Andre. Eligos doesn''t just make trouble-he orchestrates it. He pulls strings, makes people do things they never thought they''d do. And when it''s all over, he''s nowhere to be found. You ֧ never see himing, and by the time you realize he was involved, it''s toote." Alexander studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he said, "So he''s dangerous." ire exhaled sharply. "Extremely." "And you are sure that Eligos is behind this?" "Positive." Andre swallowed hard, shifting ufortably. He hated being caught in the middle of this. "Look you people can discuss all night long but please let me go. I have no part in this." ire turned to Andre again and took a step backward. "Fine. You are free to go." Chapter 500 Won’t Let it Slide The room was thick with silence as ire watched Andre disappear through the hotel exit. Alexander stood beside her, his expression dark with disbelief. He couldn''t wrap his head around what had just happened. "You let him go?" His voice was low, but the sharp edge of frustration was unmistakable. ire didn''t respond immediately. Instead, she turned on her heel, ready to walk away. She didn''t have the patience for another argument with Alexander, not now. But before she could take another step, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly. "ire," he said, his voice quieter this time, but no less intense. "You need to tell me why." ire froze. Slowly, she turned back to face him, her eyes burning with unspoken irritation. "I don''t need to tell you anything," she said, her tone cold. "It''s my right to make that decision." Alexander''s jaw clenched. His grip tightened just enough for ire to almost wince, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of showing weakness. "You have to tell me," Alexander pressed, his voice dropping to a low, almost dangerous level. "I deserve to know." His eyes were hard, unwavering. "Because of your mess, my hotel got dragged into this. I think that entitles me to some damn answers." ire gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to snap back. As much as she hated to admit it, Alexander was right. If it weren''t for her enemies, his hotel wouldn''t have been affected at all. She exhaled sharply. "Fine," she muttered. "I''ll tell you." Alexander raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting her to cave that easily. "But not here," ire added, her eyes scanning the room. She gestured toward his men. "Get them out." Alexander didn''t hesitate. With a slight nod, he dismissed them. Once they were alone, he crossed his arms, his stance rigid. "Talk." ire took a deep breath before finally speaking. "I''m being targeted by a man named Eligos." Alexander''s expression darkened instantly. "I don''t know his face," she continued, keeping her voice steady. "I''ve never seen him. I have no idea why he''s after me. But what I do know is that he''s dangerous." Alexander remained silent, his piercing gaze never leaving her face. "Recently, I found out that he hired Andre," ire went on. "He''s using him like a puppet to ruin my life, but I have no clue why. And I don''t know why Andre is even going along with it." Alexander frowned, processing her words. His fingers tapped against his arm, his mind already piecing things together. "So this Eligos," he said slowly. "He''s been after you for a long time?" ire nodded. "For months." "And you still don''t know why?" "No," she admitted, frustration creeping into her voice. "That''s what I''m trying to figure out." Alexander exhaled, running a hand through his hair. His patience was wearing thin. "Has he ever hurt you?" Silence. That was all the answer Alexander needed. His fists clenched. "ire-" "It doesn''t matter," she interrupted, shaking her head. "What matters now is finding out why he''s doing this." Alexander took a slow, steady breath, trying to contain the anger bubbling inside him. ire was always like this always taking on everything alone, always refusing to let anyone in. "Look," he said, his voice calmer but no less serious. "If you need help" "I don''t." Alexander narrowed his eyes. "ire." She pursed her lips, knowing he wouldn''t let this go. "I don''t need help," she repeated. "But-" she hesitated, knowing it was better to let him think he had some control over the situation. "If I do... I''ll let you know." It was a lie, and they both knew it. But Alexander let out a sigh, rubbing his temple. "Fine." ire nodded, taking it as her cue to leave. Without another word, she turned and walked out, her heels clicking against the marble floor. As soon as the door shut behind her, Christian entered the room. "Well?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe. "How was the talk?" Alexander exhaled sharply. "Moreplicated than ever." Christian smirked. "Shocking." Alexander shot him a re before pulling out his phone. He dialed a familiar number and brought it to his ear. It rang twice before a deep, professional voice answered. "Mr. Alexander." "I need you to find information on a man named Andre," Alexander said without preamble. "I don''t know hisst name, but I have a picture." There was a short pause. Then- "That''s not much to work with," the PI admitted. "But send the picture over. I''ll see what I can do." Alexander smirked. "That''s why I pay you well." He ended the call and sent the image of Andre that ire had left behind Then, he poured himself a drink, trying to suppress the ve frustration still lingering in his chest. While waiting for his PI to call him back, Alexander headed to his office and decided to check up on the mess Andre cause. After all, this opening night was a mess. Hourster, his phone buzzed. Finally. Alexander didn''t waste time as he immediately grab his phone. Setting down the ss, he answered the call, his voice cool. "Talk." The Pl wasted no time. "The man''s name is Andrea Moretti. People usually call him Andre for short. He''s from Italy. Grew up in a small vige and has worked multiple jobs over the years to pay bills and cover his mother''s Cospital expenses. She''s currently undergoing chemotherapy." Alexander exhaled slowly, digesting the information. "And his father?" "Nothing. No records, no mentions. It''s as if he never existed." Alexander frowned. "Interesting. And what about his reason foring to London?" for "That''s where things get murky," the Pl admitted. I haven''t found a direct answer yet, but there''s something unusual. Andre has been in debt years creditors, bank loans, personal loans-you name it. before he left for London, single one of those debts was cleared." Silence filled the line. Alexander''s fingers tightened around the ss. "Someone paid off his debts." The PI didn''t need to confirm it. The implication was clear. Alexander''s mind immediately went to ire''s words. Eligos sent him. His grip on the ss tightened. "What else?" he asked, his voice dangerously low. "Not much, but I''ll keep digging, I''ll get back to you when I have more." Alexander nodded to himself. "Do that." He ended the call and leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. Alexander set his phone down, his fingers drumming against the desk. ire was right about one thing-this wasn''t a coincidence. Someone had pulled strings to get Andre to London. And if it really was Eligos... Christian, who had been listening from the doorway, raised an eyebrow. "So?" Alexander tossed his phone onto the desk. "Andre''s got a past," he muttered. "And someone cleaned it up for him." Christian''s smirk faded. "And by someone, you mean " "Eligos." Christian let out a low whistle. "Well, shit. Seems like Eligos is the mastermind." Alexander downed the rest of his drink in one gulp. This wasn''t just about ire anymore. Now, it was personal. And Alexander wasn''t the type of man to let things slide. Chapter 501 Confronting Andre ire groaned as the loud beeping of her rm filled the hotel suite. mming her hand on the bedside table, she silenced it, then pulled the pillow over her head. Last night had been exhausting. She hadn''t been able to sleep until nearly 4 AM, and now, with barely four hours of rest, her body felt like it was shutting down. But there was no time to sleep in. Grumbling, she dragged herself out of bed, shuffled into the bathroom, and freshened up before heading to the living room to order breakfast. Her fingers scrolled through the room service menu, but her mind wasn''t even processing what she was looking at. Abandoning the menu for a moment, she grabbed the TV remote and turned it on, letting it y in the background as she continued deciding what to eat. That was, until- "Breaking news on Quantum Haven''s disastrous opening night!" ire''s head snapped toward the screen. The footage of the ident yed again, and she sighed heavily. Of course, the media was eating this up. Alexander appeared on the screen next, giving a short, clipped statement to reporters. "Last night was an unfortunate ident, but I assure you, Quantum Haven remains fully operational and safe. We are investigating the cause of the incident, and all affected guests will bepensated ordingly." ire raised an eyebrow. "Damage control at its finest," she muttered, rubbing her temple. She had told Alexander to act fast, but she hadn''t expected him to have a PR statement ready this quickly. Still, she couldn''t focus on that right now. There were only two people responsible for this mess-one was the idiot who executed the n, and the other was the mastermind. She cursed under her breath. "Eligos, you bastard." Before she could stew in her thoughts any longer, her phone buzzed loudly from the bedroom. She got up to check, sighing as she saw Matthew''s name shing on the screen. She had a feeling she knew what this was about. She answered, bracing herself. "MatthewD" "Why did you lie to me?" Matthew''s voice was cold. ire pinched the bridge of her nose. She really didn''t want to deal with this first thing in the morning. "I didn''t lie," she replied evenly. "I just didn''t tell you everything." "That''s the same damn thing, ire!" Matthew snapped. "I saw the video. You almost got crushed, and you told me you were fine. Do you have any idea how pissed I am right now?" ire sighed. "Matthew, if I had told you the truth, you would''ve immediately booked a flight here." "You''re damn right I would''ve!" "Exactly," ire said. "And I don''t want that." Matthew fell silent for a moment before he exhaled sharply. "I just want to make sure you''re safe," he said, his voice quieter but still frustrated. "If something happened to you, I''d-" He stopped himself. "I''d feel guilty." ire softened slightly but kept her tone firm. "I get it, Matthew. I do. But you also need to rest. You''re still recovering." Matthew grumbled something under his breath. ire quickly cut in before he could argue further. "What matters is that I''m fine, okay? And right now, I need to know Andre''s location." Matthew sighed heavily. "I figured you''d say that." There was some clicking on his end before a message notification popped up on ire''s phone. "That''s the address," Matthew said. "If you just want to know." ire raised an eyebrow. "Emphasizing the word ''just'' like that... Do you think I''m going to do something reckless?" Matthew scoffed. "Oh, I know you will. I''ve known you long enough, ire. You don''t just ''know'' things. You act on them." ire smirked slightly. "Well, you''re not wrong." "Which is exactly why I''m telling you to be careful," Matthew warned. "If you walk into whatever mess Andre is in, you better have a damn good n." "I always do," ire replied confidently. Matthew sighed. "Yeah, and somehow, you always end up in danger anyway." ire chuckled softly. "That''s just life, isn''t it?" Matthew didn''tugh. Instead, he lowered his voice, his concern evident. "Just... promise me you won''t do something stupid." ire hesitated before responding, "I''ll handle it. Trust me." Matthew wasn''t satisfied with that answer, but he knew ire too well. If she had made up her mind, there was no stopping her. "Fine," he muttered. "But if anything happens, you call me. Immediately." ire smiled slightly. "Noted." As she ended the call and looked at the address on her phone, her mind was already racing with the next steps. Andre was the key to getting to Eligos. And ire wasn''t going to waste any time. ire stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuff of her zer as she mentally ran through everything she nned to say to Andre. She wasn''t going to let him get away with this-she would corner him, make him slip up, and get the truth. This was going too far, and she had to put an end to it before things spiraled further out of control. Matthew had warned her not to go alone, but she had brushed off his concern. She could handle herself. Still, as she reached for her phone, her eyesnded on the cryptic text message she had received before the opening night disaster. "You''re being watched. Be careful." A chill ran down her spine as she stared at the words. Who would send her something like this? And how had they known what was about to happen? Then her phone vibrated. She nced down, and her eyes narrowed at the name shing on the screen. Adrian Saint Laurent. Of course, he was calling. She should have expected this. There was a high chance Adrian had already seen the press conference footage. If that was the case, he was definitely going to ask about the chaos at the hotel. "Hello," she greeted, her voice neutral. "ire." Adrian''s voice was filled with concern the moment he spoke. "Are you okay?" "I''m fine, Adrian." "Why didn''t you tell me about what happened?" "I assure you, I am fine. I didn''t see the need to. It was a mess, yes, but the situation is being handled." "I saw what happened, ire. That wasn''t just some ident." ire closed her eyes for a brief moment. "No, it wasn''t. Someone caused it on purpose." "Who?" ire sighed. "You know who." "Eligos isn''t it?" "Yeah and Andre." "Where are you now?" She didn''t answer. More silence. Then- "Are you going after him alone?" Adrian asked, his voice quieter, more serious. ire didn''t answer right away. "Just- Just be careful, ire. I don''t want anything bad happen to you." His voice grow softer and ire sighed. "I will don''t worry about me." The call ended, and ire let her phone drop onto herp. ire stepped out of the car, staring up at the hotel where Andre was staying. It was a luxurious ce by most standards, butpared to Quantum Haven, it paled inparison. The golden lights shimmered on the hotel''s ss exterior, giving it an illusion of grandeur, yet ire found nofort in its appearance. She wasn''t here to admire the architecture. She was here for answers. As she walked inside, she pulled out her phone and read the message from Matthew again, confirming ӧ Andre''s room number. Taking a deep breath, she strode to the elevator, pressing the button with a sense of finality. Reaching his floor, she stepped out, heels clicking against the polished floor. She stopped in front of his door, inhaled deeply, then knocked-firm, deliberate, a warning in itself. A groggy, irritated voice came from inside. "Who the hell-?" The door swung open, revealing Andre, still dressed in the same suit from earlier, though disheveled. His shirt was untucked, his tie loosened, and he reeked of alcohol-though ire had a feeling he wasn''t as drunk as he had pretended to be earlier. Upon seeing her, his tired expression quickly shifted into something more guarded. "ire," he drawled, forcing azy smirk. "Didn''t expect a visit." ire shoved the door open further and stepped inside without invitation. "Cut the act, Andre. I know you weren''t actually drunk." Chapter 502 The Truth Andre, who had been lounging on the edge of the bed, stiffened at her words. His usual easygoing smirk faltered for a second before he forced it back into ce. "ire, I don''t know what you''re talking about." "Don''t," ire warned, her voiceced with quiet fury. Her gaze was sharp, piercing through him like a de. "I know Eligos sent you. I know you''re working for him, trying to make my life a mess." Andre''s jaw tightened, but he didn''t respond. He was usually good at talking his way out of situations, spinning lies and half-truths until the other person didn''t know what to believe anymore. But ire wasn''t just anyone she was relentless, and she had already put the pieces together. She took a step closer, eyes burning with usation. "Why did you agree to his offer, Andre?" she demanded, her voice low but filled with venom. "Was it money? Power? Or was it something worse?" Andre parted his lips, about to spew another excuse-until ire''s hand flew across his face. The sharp sound of the p echoed in the small room. Andre''s head snapped to the side, his cheek stinging from the impact. "That''s enough," ire seethed, shaking her hand as if trying to rid herself of the disgust she felt. "I''ve had enough of your bullshit. I want the truth. Now." Andre remained silent for a moment, his hand pressing against his cheek. A bitter chuckle left his lips as he exhaled through his nose. "Damn, ire," he muttered, shaking his head. "You don''t hold back, do you?" She folded her arms. "I don''t have time for games." Andre sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, finally giving in. "Fine," he muttered. "Take a seat." ire narrowed her eyes at him. "I''d rather stand." "I''m serious this time." Something about his tone made ire pause. For the first time since she barged in, Andre wasn''t trying to be charming or deceptive. He wasn''t giving her his usual smug attitude or avoiding the question. Instead, he looked... resigned. ire exhaled slowly before taking a seat on the couch, keeping a noticeable distance between them. Andre sat in the armchair across from her, his expression unusually somber. "It all started when Eligos found me in Italy," he began. His voicecked its usual yfulness. "I was working at a bar, barely making ends meet. I had debts piling up, and my mother-" He hesitated, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. "She was sick. Really sick." ire''s expression remained unreadable as she listened. "I wanted nothing to do with Eligos," Andre continued. "I knew his reputation. But then he mentioned something that caught my interest. ire stiffened. She already knew what wasing. "He told me I had a rich half-sibling." Her fingers curled slightly, but she didn''t interrupt. "Eligos told me that my father-the man I never knew-was also your father," Andre admitted. "ire, you and I... we''re half-siblings." Silence filled the room. ire''s face was unreadable, but inside, she felt something crack. Her father. Her father. The man she had grown up idolizing, the man who had always looked at her mother like she was his entire world. The man who had died with his secrets still intact. He had another family. Another woman. Another child. ire had never allowed herself to believe in the illusion of perfect families, but this? This was different. It wasn''t just an affair-this was a betrayal of everything she had once thought she knew. She inhaled sharply but kept her voice steady. "And you believed him?" Andre nodded. "At first, I thought he was lying, but he had proof. He showed me documents, old photos, records. He even told me what happened how your father''s wife found out and ended everything." ire felt her throat tighten. Mom knew. Her mother must have known the truth and had chosen to stay silent. It hurt. It burned. Andre nced at her, his voice softer now. "If you don''t believe me, I''ll take a DNA test. Hell, I''ll even call my mother and let her tell you the whole story." ire took a slow breath before shaking her head. "I believe you." Andre looked slightly surprised by her quick eptance. "You do?" ire cleared her throat. "Yes." Her voice was quiet, almost distant. She wasn''t sure why she believed him so easily. Maybe because deep down, she already knew. Maybe because she was too exhausted to fight against the truth. Andre hesitated before continuing. "Eligos used that information to rope me in. He knew I''d do anything to help my mother, and he promised me that if I worked with him, my I debts would be cleared, and my mother''s medical bills would be taken care of." Content befongs to ire remained silent, her expression unreadable. "That''s how it all started," Andre admitted. "Includingst night." ire''s ga?e snapped back to him. "Then tell me this-" she leaned forward slightly, her voice sharper now, "who sent me that text? You''re being watched. Be careful.'' Was that Eligos?" en Andre shook his head. "No. That was me." ire''s eyes narrowed. "I wanted to warn you," Andre admitted, looking guilty. "But I couldn''t do it outright. If Eligos found out, my mother would be at risk. I had to be careful." ire stared at him for a long moment before speaking. "Then why didn''t youe to me for help?" she demanded. "Instead of taking his offer?" Andre hesitated. "Because Eligos told me you have trust issues." ire inhaled sharply. bet "He said that even if I came to you with the truth, you wouldn''t believe me. Andre gave her a tired smile. "And let''s be honest, ire. He wasn''t wrong, was he?" ire''s lips pressed into a thin line. She didn''t respond. Because he was right. Finally, she exhaled and spoke in a serious tone. "None of that excuses what you did. No matter what was at stake, you still chose to work with him." Andre looked down, guilt flickering across his face. "I could easily report you to the police," ire continued. "And you''d end up in jail." Andre froze. "But," ire added, "if I do that, your mother will be left with no one." Andre swallowed hard, nodding. "I know." For the first time, he looked genuinely remorseful. "I''m sorry, ire," he said quietly. "I never expected Eligos to have this much control over me. I thought I could handle it, but I was wrong." ire studied him before shifting the conversation. "How did Eligos even find out about our connection?" Andre shook his head. "I don''t know. He has his ways." ire let out a slow breath, then stood up. "Cut ties with him, Andre." Andre blinked. "What?" "You heard me," ire said firmly. "Stop contacting him. Leave him alone." "And what about my mother?" Andre asked cautiously. ire met his gaze. "I''ll take care of her medical bills. And your expenses." Andre''s eyes widened. "You would really-" "What''s important is that you stay out of Eligos''s reach," ire interrupted. "Being tied to him is a death sentence. Don''t be an idiot." Andre stared at her for a long time before nodding. "Understood." Without another word, ire turned and walked out of the room, leaving Andre alone with his thoughts. As the door clicked shut behind her, Andre let out a shaky breath. For the first time in a long while, he felt something unexpected. Relief. Chapter 503 One Week As the sun dipped lower in the horizon, she found herself outside a high-end restaurant. Deciding she needed a distraction, she stepped inside and requested a table for one. She ordered a steak and a ss of wine, hoping the meal would help ground her, but before she could even take a bite, a voice from behind sent a chill down her spine. "How wasst night''s performance?" ire''s fork froze mid-air. The voice was low, smooth, and eerily amused. And though she hadn''t turned around, she already knew who it belonged to. Eligos. The hunger she had moments ago vanished instantly. She remained still, her mind racing. She could feel the presence behind her, but before she could turn around, the voice continued, lower this time. "Don''t move," he warned, a dark chuckle escaping him. "Unless, of course, you''d like me to take over Metacortex. Or maybe Cryptonic. That would be fun, wouldn''t it?" ire''s grip on her utensils tightened. This wasn''t just about the hotel disaster. He wanted something. "Eligos," she said evenly, cing her knife and fork down. "What do you want?" He hummed, as if pondering. "I want the truth." ire''s brows furrowed. "Truth about what?" Eligos let out a small, amused sigh. "Come now, ire. Don''t y dumb." "I genuinely don''t know what you''re talking about." There was a long silence before Eligos finally answered. "An." ire''s breath hitched slightly. Eligos leaned in slightly, though they still weren''t facing each other. "You have one week, ire. One week toe to me and admit all your wrongdoings. Tell me the truth about An." ire turned sharply, but- He was gone. Her heart pounded as she looked around. No sign of him. No trace. Just the normal hum of restaurant patrons enjoying their evening. Then, she spotted something on the table where he had been sitting moments before. A small, neatly folded piece of paper. With a name. An Smith. One week. The streets of Las Vegas blurred past as ire sat in the backseat of the car, her fingers lightly tapping against her knee. The encounter with Eligos still yed in her mind, each word a lingering echo she couldn''t shake off. The piece of paper he left behind felt heavier than it should, as though it carried more than just ink-it carried a threat. An Smith. One week. A shiver ran down her spine. The name wasn''t unfamiliar. Years ago, she had already looked into An Smith, trying to untangle the truth behind his life and his supposed death. But with everything that had happened Robert, Gretta, Lisa, Alex, Frank-her search had faded into the background. Now, Eligos had thrust it back to the forefront. Why was he so fixated on An Smith? That is the question that she needs to find the answer. The next morning, Alexander sat at his desk, flipping through a stack of reports when ire walked in. His sharp gaze lifted, briefly scanning her face. She looked the same as always poised, unreadable, and determined. But there was something else, something beneath the surface that made him frown. "You''re heading back already?" he asked, setting the papers aside. ire nodded. "My work here is done. I have other things to handle in London." Alexander leaned back in his chair, considering her words. "I''ve found information about Andre." ire raised her brows at his statement. "Andre had a debt, a big one then suddenly all of his debts has been paid. And I know who did it." "Eligos right? Don''t worry, Andre told me everything yesterday." "He did?" Alexander sounded surprised, like he didn''t expect it. "Yeah. However, I need to finish my investigation on Eligos." "Investigation?" "The least you know the better." ire nodded at him and leave his office. When ire stepped out of Heathrow Airport, she didn''t expect to see Matthew leaning against his car, arms crossed, waiting for her. A slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Matthew straightened as she approached, relief evident in his face. "You''re back." ire raised an eyebrow. "You sound surprised." Matthew scoffed. "Well, considering the mess you walked into in Vegas, I wasn''t sure if you''d even make it out in one piece." ire rolled her eyes. Before she could protest, Matthew was already giving her a once-over, checking for any signs of injury. She pped his hands away. "I''m fine." Matthew ignored her protests, still scanning her carefully. "No bruises? No mysterious injuries? No bullet wounds?" ire sighed. "I said I''m fine." Matthew crossed his arms, unconvinced. "Excuse me for wanting to make sure you didn''t get into more trouble." ire gave him a pointed look. "I always get into trouble. It''s just a matter of whether or not I can handle it." Matthew chuckled, shaking his head. "And you always think you can handle everything on your own." ire''s expression turned serious. "I need to talk to you about something." "Alright," he said, gesturing toward the car. "Let''s talk." They both slid into the vehicle, and Matthew started the engine. "I need your help looking into An Smith again." Matthew frowned. "An Smith? The guy from the ident?" ire nodded. "Eligos brought up his name. And not just his name he wants the truth about him." Matthew''s grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Why the hell would Eligos care about him?" ire shook her head. "I don''t know. But I hacked into the government database before I left Vegas. An Smith''s information is still the same. But his wife and son? It''s as if they disappeared off the face of the earth." Matthew exhaled. "We looked into them before. There was nothing. If someone erased them, they did a damn good job." ire turned to him. "Then we need to do better." Matthew nced at her before refocusing on the road. "This isn''t just about Eligos, is it?" ire''s jaw tightened. "It''s about the ident. About what happened three years ago. If Eligos wants the truth, then that means there''s something we missed." Matthew didn''t respond immediately. He understood better than anyone how much that night haunted ire. It wasn''t just about the memory loss. It was about losing her parents. About losing control. And now, it was resurfacing again. "Alright," Matthew finally said. "We''ll look into it." ire nodded. Kon By the time they arrived at Cryptonic''s headquarters, ire was already switching gears. She needed to get back to work. ire powered on herptop. We start with An Smith''s family. I''lldig into private databases while you check for any connections in London-banks, old addresses, anything. Matthew smirked. "Ah, so we''re going full spy mode again." ire arched a brow. "Youining?" He shrugged. "Just saying, it''s been a while since we''ve done something this reckless." ire''s gaze darkened. "Then let''s make it count." Matthew sighed. "That''s what I''m afraid of." ire smirked. It was time to uncover the truth. For hours, ire and Matthew sat in front of their screens, their fingers flying over keyboards as they dug deep into the digital abyss, searching for any trace of An Smith. But it was as if he never existed. Chapter 504 The Mystery of Allan Smith ire''s brow furrowed as she stared at the empty search results. She had hacked into databases that were supposed to be imprable, infiltrated ssified government records, and even essed deep undergroundworks. Yet, no matter where she looked, An Smith was a ghost. Even with her expertise as The Raven, even with the full power of Metacortex''s systems at her disposal- there was nothing. Matthew let out a low whistle from across the room, shaking his head. "I hate to say this, but this is impossible. There''s nothing on this guy." ire exhaled sharply, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "That doesn''t make sense," she muttered. "No one is this invisible. If he was some government official, or a private citizen, there should be somethinga birth certificate, financial records, medical history, anything." Matthew leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "You think someone erased him on purpose?" ire drummed her fingers against the desk, deep in thought. "If they did... then the real question is why? Is his family important? Are they dangerous? And more importantly... who the hell has the power to wipe him off the face of the earth?" The silence stretched between them, thick with tension. Matthew sighed. "We might be wasting our time. If there''s nothing, then maybe we should just let it go." ire shot him a sharp look. "I don''t let things go, Matthew." He huffed out a shortugh. "Yeah, I know." She turned back to the screen, her mind working in overdrive. This wasn''t just a dead end. This was a deliberate erasure. Someone had gone to extreme lengths to bury An Smith''s existence. And if they were this thorough, that meant one thing- There was something they didn''t want her to find. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard for a brief moment before she made her decision. If she couldn''t find anything in the usual ces, she would have to take a risk. ire essed a highly ssified government archive, a ce where only the most sensitive information was stored. This wasn''t just hacking-this was dangerous. But at this point, she didn''t care. Seconds passed. Then minutes. And then- She found something. ire''s breath hitched as a file appeared on her screen. It was old, buried deep within confidential records, as if someone had hidden it away and hoped no one would evere looking. Matthew noticed the shift in her expression. "Did you find something?" ire didn''t answer immediately. Her fingers moved quickly as she clicked on the file, her heart pounding in anticipation. As the document loaded, her eyes scanned the first few lines. An Smith. Age: 45. Deceased. A chill ran down her spine. Her grip on the mouse tightened as she scrolled further. A ck-and-white photograph apanied the file a man in his mid-forties with sharp eyes and aposed expression. But it wasn''t just An''s picture that caught her attention. There was more. Underneath his name was information about his family. Spouse: Alice Smith. Son: Aaron Smith. Her pulse quickened. ire zoomed in on the photograph. It was an old image-probably taken years before An''s death. Matthew, noticing her stiff posture, stood up and moved behind her. "What is it?" he asked. ire didn''t answer. Instead, she scrolled down. And then- Her blood turned to ice. There, at the bottom of the file, was another photograph. This time, it wasn''t just An. It was An Smith and Robert Peterson. Matthew''s voice cut through the tense silence. "ire?" ire barely registered him. She felt frozen, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. Robert. Her father. Standing beside An Smith, looking as if they had known each other for years. Matthew frowned. "Wait, what-" He leaned closer, his eyes narrowing as he examined the photo. "Hold on. They knew each other?" ire''s lips parted slightly, her mind racing. Robert had never mentioned an An Smith before. Not once. And yet, here they were-standing side by side, their expressions unreadable. Matthew let out a slow breath. "Alright... this just got a lot moreplicated." ire finally found her voice. "Why didn''t he ever mention him?" Matthew shook his head. "No idea. But if he never told you, then he must''ve had a reason." ire''s gaze darkened. "Or he was hiding something." The pieces were starting to form a pattern. "Do you remember how An died?" Matthew suddenly asked. ire turned to him. "Heart attack, right?" Matthew gave her a look. "And do you remember how it was connected to the car crash three years ago?" ire''s breath caught in her throat. Three years ago. The ident that changed everything. The crash that killed her mother. Her heart pounded. Matthew continued, his voice lower now. "ire... what if Robert was the one who asked An to crash the car into your family''s car?" ire felt the blood drain from her face. The room was suddenly too quiet. "What if," Matthew pressed on, his tone deadly serious, "An did something to upset Robert... and he killed him? Orchestrated his death?" The implications hit her like a freight train. Robert Peterson was a powerful man. A man with connections, influence, and a history of making people disappear when they became a problem. ire''s hands clenched into fists. She wanted to believe it wasn''t true. But deep down, she had always known that Robert had secrets. And this might be the biggest one yet. Matthew exhaled, rubbing his face. "Shit, ire. If this is true..." ire swallowed hard. "Then I need to see Robert." Matthew hesitated. "ire, this is dangerous. If Robert really was behind this" "I have to know," ire interrupted, her voice firm. Matthew studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Alright. But you''re not going alone." ire gave him a sharp look. "Matthew-" "No." His tone left no room for argument. "If Robert really is behind this, we don''t know how far he''s willing to go. If you''re going to confront him, you need backup." en ire''s jaw tightened. She didn''t like the idea of dragging Matthew into this, but she also knew he wasn''t going to back down. After a long pause, she nodded. "Fine." Matthew smirked slightly. "That''s a first." She ignored him and stood up, grabbing her coat. As she headed toward the door, she nced back at the photograph onest time. An Smith and Robert Peterson. Whatever the truth was, she was going to find out. And if Robert had been responsible for that crash three years ago- Then he was going to pay. ire didn''t waste any time. ire''s mind was racing, reying the details over and over-An Smith, his death, and the car crash that had destroyed her family. If Robert was truly responsible... Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. When they arrived at Robert Peterson''s private estate, the security guards barely nced at them before allowing them in. ire had been here countless times before, but this time felt different. She was here for the truth. Matthew stayed silent as they walked up the marble steps. He wasn''t going to stop her-he knew better than that. He was only here to make sure she got out in one piece. ire didn''t bother knocking. She pushed open the heavy wooden doors and strode inside. Robert was in his study, sipping whiskey and reading over documents when she stormed in. He barely looked up, but the way he slowly set down his ss showed he had noticed the tension in the air. "ire," he greeted calmly. "I wasn''t expecting you." ire''s eyes were like steel. "We need to talk." Chapter 505 Meeting Eligos Robert gestured toward the chair across from him, unfazed. "By all means." She didn''t sit. Instead, she threw the printed photo of him and An Smith onto his desk. For the first time, Robert''s expression changed. It was slight-just the smallest flicker of surprise-but ire caught it. "Where did you find this?" he asked, voice even. "That''s not the question you should be asking," ire shot back. "The question is why you never told me you knew him." Robert leaned back in his chair, studying her. "You''ve been digging," he finally said. ire folded her arms. "And I found a lot more than I was supposed to." Robert sighed and rubbed his temple. "ire, I don''t know what conclusions you''ve jumped to, but I can assure you " "Don''t lie to me." Her voice was sharp, cutting through the room like a de. "You knew him. You were friends." ire''s voice cut through the tension-filled room like a de. Her eyes locked onto Robert with an intensity that left no room for deception. It wasn''t a question. It was a statement. Robert leaned back in his chair, feigning nonchnce as he smirked. "So what if I did? What does it matter now?" ire stepped forward, her gaze never wavering. "Because I know the truth." Robert''s smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly masked it with indifference. "And what truth is that, exactly?" "The car crash," ire said, her voiceced with cold certainty. "Three years ago. The one that involved my family. That was your doing, wasn''t it?" For the first time, Robert froze. It was only for a fraction of a second, but ire caught it. His fingers, which had been casually drumming against the desk, stopped moving. His breath hitched. It was subtle- but it was there. And that was enough. A slow smirk tugged at ire''s lips. "I can see it in your eyes. You weren''t expecting me to figure it out, were you?" Robert quicklyposed himself and scoffed. "That''s a bold usation, ire. Do you even have any proof?" ire kept her expression neutral, her arms crossing over her chest. "Wouldn''t you like to know?" Robert narrowed his eyes, scanning her face for any sign of bluffing. "You''re bluffing." ire tilted her head. "Am I?" Robert clenched his jaw. "If you really had evidence, you''d have used it already. You wouldn''t be standing here trying to intimidate me." She shrugged. "Maybe I wanted to see the look on your face when you realized your time was up." Robert forced augh. "You''re ying games, ire. But let''s say just for argument''s sake-you do have something on me. What if the so-called ''evidence'' you found is fabricated? What if someone nted it to frame me?" ire scoffed. "That''s the best you''ve got?" Robert leaned forward, his tone turning dark. "You know, ire, you shouldn''t throw around usations unless you''re absolutely sure you can back them up." She met his gaze, unshaken. "Oh, I''m sure." Robert let out a dry chuckle. "Then show me." ire smirked. "Why should I?" His patience was wearing thin. "Because if you don''t, then we both know you have nothing." ire held his gaze for a moment before taking a step back. "We''ll see," she said coolly. Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out. Matthew followed closely behind her, but not before throwing Robert onest warning nce. As soon as the door clicked shut, Robert''s carefully constructed facade shattered. His face twisted in fury as he grabbed the ss of whiskey from his desk and hurled it against the wall. The sound of shattering ss echoed through the room, but it did nothing to quell his rising anger. "Damn it!" he roared, mming his fists onto the desk. Papers went flying as he swept them to the floor. His breathing was heavy and erratic. ire knew too much. He had underestimated her. And now, it was dangerous. If she really had evidence-if she could prove he was involved-then everything he had built woulde crashing down. He needed to act. Fast. Outside the office, ire walked briskly down the hallway, her mind racing. Matthew kept up with her pace, his expression unreadable. "What''s next?" he finally asked. Without hesitation, ire responded, "We need to see Eligos." Matthew raised a brow. "You sure about that?" ire nodded. "He''s one of the best hackers out there. If anyone can dig up the evidence we need, it''s him." Matthew exhaled, thinking it over. "And you trust him?" ire nced at him. "No," she admitted. "But I know how he works. If there''s something to be found, he''ll find it." Matthew smirked. "Good thinking." ire sat in the passenger seat of Matthew''s car, her fingers scrolling through her phone as they drove away from Robert''s mansion. Her mind was upied, sifting through old messages, searching for one in particr-an old conversation with Eligos. "We need to meet." She stared at the screen, expecting silence. Maybe he wouldn''t respond. Maybe he had changed his number. Maybe Ping. Her phone vibrated almost instantly. ire''s eyes widened as she saw his reply. "Astoria Garden." She frowned. The location surprised her. A public space? That was unlike him. She turned the screen toward Matthew. He nced at it, his jaw tightening slightly before nodding. "I know the ce," he said, pressing his foot harder on the gas. The drive was silent. ire was lost in her thoughts, and Matthew didn''t interrupt. He knew better than to ask what was running through her mind when she was this tense. By the time they arrived, 30 minutes had passed, just as Eligos had nned. The restaurant was an upscale, dimly lit ce, buzzing with quiet conversations. ire hadn''t expected a meeting with Eligos to take ce somewhere so... ordinary. "Public," Matthew murmured, parking the car. "Strange choice for him." ire nodded but didn''t question it further. If Eligos had picked this ce, he had his reasons. The moment they stepped inside, a hostess immediately approached them as if she had been expecting their arrival. Without asking, she gestured for them to follow. "This way, please." ire exchanged a brief nce with Matthew before following the hostess through the elegant dining area. They were led past several upied tables until they reached a private room at the far end of the restaurant. The hostess opened the door, and ire''s gaze immediatelynded on the lone figure inside. A man sat with his back facing them, calmly cutting into his meal. The soft clink of silverware against porcin was the only sound in the room. Even before she saw his face, ire knew. Eligos. "Take a seat," he said without turning around, his voice smooth, unbothered. "We have a serious talk ahead of us." ire and Matthew exchanged wary nces before rounding the table and sitting across from him. As soon as Eligos lifted his head, ire''s breath caught in her throat. He looked... young. Too young. Her eyes narrowed. There was something familiar about his face, something she couldn''t quite ce. Her mind raced, trying to recall where she had seen him before. Eligos, amused by her reaction, dabbed his lips with a napkin and smirked. "Familiar, huh?" he mocked. ire''s frown deepened. "Yes." Eligos leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. "Las Vegas," he said, his tone teasing. "Three months ago." ire stiffened. She raked through her memories. Las Vegas. Three months ago? Then it hit her. That day. A brief moment, barely worth remembering at the time a stranger bumping into her on the street. It had been quick, insignificant. She hadn''t even thought twice about it. But now... Her expression darkened. "That was you all along?" Eligos chuckled. "I thought you''d put it together faster, ire." ire clenched her fists under the table. "Why?" Eligos tilted his head. "Why do I do anything?" Matthew, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. "You were watching her even then," he said, his voice low. "What was the purpose?" Eligos swirled the wine in his sszily. "To observe." Chapter 506 Plot Twist ire scoffed, crossing her arms. "Observing? That''s all?" She leaned forward slightly. "Because from where I stand, it seems like you''ve been obsessed, not just observing." Eligos didn''t flinch. Instead, he took a slow sip of his wine before setting the ss down. "The past is the past, ire," he said, his voice dismissive. "You should stop dwelling on it." ire raised a brow and let out a short, humorless chuckle. "That''s rich,ing from you." She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "If I should stop dwelling on the past, then why are you so desperate to find out about An Smith?" For the first time that night, the easy amusement on Eligos''s face vanished. His expression hardened, the air around them growing heavier. "That," he said coolly, "is a different matter." ire''s eyes narrowed. "And what makes it different?" Eligos was silent for a moment, his fingers tapping idly on the table. Then, after a deep breath, he spoke. "I will tell you," he said slowly, "but only if you tell me the reason why you asked me to meet you." ire didn''t hesitate. "Because I know what happened to An Smith." Eligos''s eyes sharpened. "And?" "It wasn''t because of me," ire continued, holding his gaze, "like you keep insinuating." Eligos''s eyebrow twitched. He had been so sure, so certain that ire had something to do with An''s disappearance. But the confidence in her voice made something uneasy settle in his chest. He leaned forward slightly. "What do you mean?" ire exhaled. "An Smith didn''t die because of me," she said evenly. "The one responsible for his death is Robert Robertson." A sudden stillness settled over the room. Eligos felt as though the world had just stopped. His breath hitched slightly, his grip on the ss tightening. Robert Robertson? The name echoed in his mind like a cruel joke. The same Robert Robertson whom he had trusted, the man he had made deals with, the man he had relied on to manipte events to his advantage... had he been the one responsible for An''s death? "No," Eligos said finally, shaking his head. His voice was quiet but firm, like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else. His gaze turned sharp as he red at ire. "You''re lying." ire shook her head. "I''m not." Eligos''s jaw clenched. "Then prove it." Without a word, ire reached into her bag and pulled out a photograph, sliding it across the table toward him. Eligos picked it up, frowning as his eyes scanned the image. It was a picture of Robert Robertson and An Smith-together. Eligos''s frown deepened. He hadn''t expected them to be that close. "This proves nothing," he muttered, setting the photo down. ire exhaled. "It does when you know the rest of the story," she countered. "Listen, An died a few days after the car crash incident. The cause of death listed was heart failure." Eligos''s fingers tightened around the ss again. "So?" he pressed. ire leaned forward. "An had no history of heart conditions. Nothing. His medical reports were clean." She gave him a pointed look. "And you know who the only person who knew about my destination that day was?" Eligos''s frown deepened. "Robert," ire said tly. "And knowing that Robert and An were friends, don''t you think it''s suspicious? Don''t you think it''s possible that Robert told An about my ns, then orchestrated the whole incident?" Eligos remained silent. His thoughts were racing, colliding into one another as he tried to make sense of the information. Robert managed to outsmart me... The realization burned like acid. He had been blinded by his anger toward ire. So much so that he hadn''t even considered the possibility that Robert had his own agenda. He felt likeughing. How foolish. But beneath the anger, beneath the betrayal, something else nagged at him. ire noticed the shift in his expression. She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Why do you care so much about An Smith, Eligos?" she asked. Eligos didn''t answer immediately. His gaze was still fixed on the photograph, his fingers ghosting over the edges. Then, finally, he spoke. "An Smith..." He paused, inhaling deeply. Matthew and ire waited. Then he finally said it. "An Smith is my father." A stunned silence followed. ire felt the air leave her lungs. Matthew, who had been quietly listening the entire time, looked just as shocked. "Your what?" he asked, his voice unusually sharp. ire couldn''t believe it. Out of all the possibilities, out of all the revtions she had prepared herself for -this wasn''t one of them. She had already been blindsided by the truth about her parents. She had already been shocked by Andre''s story. And now this? Eligos''s father had been the very man at the center of this mystery? "This is insane," ire finally said. Eligos let out a breath, setting the photograph down with an unreadable expression. "It is," he admitted. "But it''s the truth." ire frowned. "And you thought I was responsible." Eligos met her gaze, and for once, there was no trace of arrogance or amusement. Just raw, simmering emotion. "Yes." ire exhaled. "Well, now you know the truth." Eligos''s expression remained unreadable, but ire could see the gears turning in his head. Finally, he leaned back, exhaling a slow breath. "Robert Robertson," he murmured, almost to himself. "Now that you know. I need your help." ire finally asked him. Eligos raised his brows. "I need your help to find the evidence about Robert involvement. I think it''s time Robert have a taste of his own medicine." "I don''t work in teams." Said Eligos coldly. ire stared at him with a serious look. "I''ve told you the truth. Without me, you wouldn''t find out the mastermind behind the y." Eligos thought for a while. "Fine. But I expect you to follow my pace." Robert Robertson had no idea what wasing for him. The past few days had been nothing short of exhausting. ire, Matthew, and Eligos worked tirelessly, piecing together fragments of evidence that had been buried for years. The three of them made an odd team-considering their historybut they were united by a single goal: bringing down Robert Robertson. It wasn''t easy. Three years had passed, and many crucial records had mysteriously vanished. Some surveince footage from the night of the ear crash was missing, and key documents had been erased. It was clear someone had been thorough in covering up the truth. However, Eligos had his ways. His skills in hacking had always been unmatched, and it didn''t take him long to dig deep enough to retrieve the "lost" footage. The video showed what they already suspected- Robert was behind the incident. Meanwhile, ire worked on hacking into Robert''s personal phone, retrieving countless incriminating messages, deleted emails, and conversations that. detailed his involvement in multiple illegal activities. It was tedious work, but with Matthew helping to decode certain encrypted files, they managed topile a damning case against him. By the time they finished gathering the evidence, ire leaned back in her chair, exhaling sharply. "That''s it," she announced, determination burning in her eyes. "I''m taking this to the police." Eligos, who had been reviewing the footage onest time, frowned at her words. "The police won''t do anything." ire turned to him, arms crossed. "What do you mean?" "You think people like Robert Robertson don''t have connections?" Eligos leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. ire''s jaw clenched. "Then what do you suggest?" Eligos smirked, though there was something dark behind it. "We do it our way." ire narrowed her eyes. "Our way?" Matthew, who had been silent, immediately understood what Eligos meant. He sat up straighter, shaking his head. "If you''re talking about doing something illegal, count me out." Eligos scoffed. "Oh, please. Don''t act like the legal system will suddenly bepetent overnight. Robert won''t be scared of a prison cell, but he will be scared if we take control over his life, his reputation, and everything he values." ire let out a humorless chuckle. "So you want to y dirty?" Eligos grinned. "I always y dirty." "Well, I don''t," ire shot back. "And let me remind you, Eligos-if you''re thinking of handling this your way, then you''re no different than Robert. The words hit harder than she expected. Eligos'' smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, his expression darkening. ire wasn''t finished. "You think your father wanted this?" she asked, her voice cutting through the tension like a de. "Justice isn''t about revenge. If we take Robert down the right way, he''ll pay for his crimes properly." Eligos'' jaw tightened. "Fine," he muttered. "But if we do this your way, I want him locked up for years. Not some p-on-the- wrist sentence." ire''s lips curled into a smirk. "Don''t worry," she assured him. "I''ve got enough dirt on Robert to make sure he never sees the outside of a prison again." Matthew let out a breath he hadn''t realized he was holding. "So... we''re doing this legally?" ire nodded. "Yes." Eligos rolled his eyes but didn''t argue further. "You better make this count, ire." She smirked. "Oh, I will." Chapter 507 Arrested ire sat in her office, meticulously gathering the evidence she hadpiled against Robert-documents, financial statements, and internal reports from his time at Metacortex. Matthew stood beside her, double-checking the files, his expression grim. "You sure about this?" Matthew asked as he passed her a sh drive. ire took it without hesitation. "More than ever." She nced at the clock. Time was slipping away, and she had to act fast before Robert caught wind of what she was doing. As she ced thest set of papers into a file, her phone rang. She nced at the caller ID and immediately put the call on speaker. "Winnie," ire said, continuing to organize the documents. "Why are you calling?" Winnie''s voice came through, slightly breathless. "I think I found out who this Evelyn is. The one who keeps visiting Lisa." ire''s movements halted. She straightened, her grip tightening on the papers. "And?" "II have a strong feeling she''s nning to free Lisa," Winnie continued. "I just don''t know how she''s going to do it." ire frowned, her mind racing. "Free her?" "Yeah. But I don''t think it''s a legal route," Winnie said hesitantly. ire exchanged a nce with Matthew before responding. "Keep an eye on Evelyn. See if you can find her real name." There was a brief pause. "I don''t know, ire," Winnie said, her voiceced with uncertainty. ire immediately softened her tone. "Listen, you don''t have to keep going if you''re ufortable. Just telling me what you know is more than enough. I''ll take it from here." Another moment of silence. Then Winnie sighed. No. I''ll try one more time to find out who she is. I need to know." ire nodded, even though Winnie couldn''t see her. "Alright. But if things get dangerous, stop immediately and get far away. Call me the moment you sense trouble, and I''ll handle it." "I will," Winnie promised. "Thanks, ire." "Stay safe," ire said before hanging up. She turned back to Matthew, her expression sharp. "We have to move now." Matthew nodded, grabbing his coat. "Let''s go." ire and Matthew strode into the police station with purpose. The officer at the front desk barely had time to look up before ire spoke. "I want to reopen the case of my parents'' deaths from three years ago," ire stated, her voice steady but firm. "That includes the ident I was in." The officer frowned. "Ma''am, that''s not within my authority-" ire''s eyes darkened. "Then I want to speak to a detective. I have evidence." The officer hesitated, studying her face. ire Peterson wasn''t someone to be dismissed lightly. With a short nod, he motioned toward the staircase. "Detective Harris is upstairs, second floor. Room 203." ire didn''t wait for further instructions. She turned and headed up the stairs, Matthew right behind her. Reaching Room 203, ire knocked twice. "Come in," a deep voice responded. ire pushed open the door, stepping inside. Detective Harris, a gruff-looking man in histe forties with a sharp gaze, sat behind his desk, files scattered in front of him. He raised an eyebrow at the two visitors. "Miss Peterson," he greeted, recognizing her. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" ire offered a polite nod before getting straight to the point. "I want to reopen the car crash case from three years ago. The Peterson family. Harris frowned. "Why now?" "Because I have the evidence that proves who was behind it." That caught his attention. He leaned forward, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Evidence?" ire pulled out the sh drive and held it up. "Everything is in here." The detective studied her for a moment, then reached out and took the device. He inserted it into hisptop and clicked on the files. Silence filled the room as he watched the footage, read through the financial records, and skimmed through the damning documents. His expression grew serious. After a few minutes, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin. "This is... substantial." ire''s voice was cold. "Robert needs to be arrested. Now." Harris exhaled sharply. "This case has been cold for years. If what you''re giving me holds up, we can move on it immediately." ire slid another folder across the desk. "There''s more. He wasn''t just involved in my family''s deaths. He''s also been embezzling funds from Metacortex and engaging in@legal activities behind my back." Harris flipped through the pages, nodding slowly. Then, he stood. "Alright. We''ll move now." ire smirked. "I''ll dly drop you off at his location." ire, Matthew, Detective Harris, and another police officer entered VenusAMD. The moment they stepped into the lobby, the employees began whispering among themselves. The CEO of Metacortex, apanied by a detective and a police officer? This was not a casual visit. ire ignored the murmurs, walking straight to the elevators. On the 20th floor, they headed for Robert''s office. ire didn''t bother knocking- she pushed the door open. Inside, Robert was tangled up with his secretary, their lips locked in a heated kiss. ire scoffed. "Of course." Robert jerked away, looking utterly shocked. His secretary gasped, scrambling to fix her blouse before hastily leaving the room. She crossed her arms over her chest and took a step forward. "Why am I not surprised seeing you having an affair? Does your wife know? I mean this is not the first right?" Robert''s face twisted in irritation as he straightened his tie. "What the hell, ire? You can''t just barge in here-" The police officer beside ire stepped forward. "Robert Robertson, you are under arrest for conspiracy in the deaths of the Peterson family and for illegal activities at Metacortex." The color drained from Robert''s face. "What?" ire crossed her arms, her expression unimpressed. "You heard him." Robert''s eyes darted to ire, then to the detective. "This is ridiculous! You can''t just" Harris cut him off. "We can. And we are." Robert''s hands clenched into fists. "This is a setup!" he hissed. "ire, you bitch! You did this, didn''t you?" ire tilted her head, feigning surprise. "Me? Oh, Robert, I wouldn''t l.ne dream of it just happened to stumble upon some very interesting files. I have to say Robert, I am disappointed at you. Those three years of taking over Metacortex, you used it for doing illegal things? Really? I thought you are smarter than this. Who knows you are more stupid than Frank Potter." The officers moved in, grabbing Robert by the arms. He struggled, but they were stronger. "You are making a mistake!" he shouted. "I''ll have mywyers on this! You''ll regret this, ire!" ire stepped closer, lowering her voice to a dangerous whisper. No, Robert. You will." She leaned back, watching as the officers restrained him. "Take him away." The employees in the office whispered in hushed tones, their shock evident as they witnessed Robert Langley being dragged out in handcuffs. ire turned to Matthew. "One snake down." Matthew smirked. "And a few more to go." ire exhaled. This was just the beginning. As Robert was led out of the building, ire stood tall, watching him go. She had won this battle. But the war was far from over. Chapter 508 Evelyn’s True Identity Winnie adjusted the cor of her white coat, her heart pounding as she walked through the dimly lit hospital corridors. The scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, blending with the low murmurs of nurses and patients. She held a tablet in her hands, its screen filled with fake patient records to maintain the illusion that she was a doctor making rounds. The psychiatric ward was quiet, with most patients either resting or engaged in therapy sessions. No one paid her any attention-just another doctor on duty. She had spent the past few days gathering information, trying to figure out the identity of Evelyn, the woman who frequently visited Lisa. And now, the opportunity to uncover the truth had finally presented itself. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Evelyn. The woman, d in a dark blue coat with her hair tied neatly in a bun, was walking briskly toward the garden just outside the ward. Perfect. Winnie kept her head down, pretending to be absorbed in her tablet, but she was hyper-aware of every movement Evelyn made. The moment Evelyn stepped outside, Winnie discreetly followed, careful to keep a safe distance. Evelyn pulled out her phone and answered a call almost immediately. Winnie crouched behind a row of well-maintained bushes near the hospital garden, her breath shallow as she strained to listen. At first, Evelyn''s voice was calm, but as the conversation progressed, her tone became tense. "What do you mean he''s arrested?" Evelyn snapped. "That can''t be right! My husband is a good man!" Winnie''s grip on her tablet tightened. Her husband? The police officer on the other end of the call spoke in a firm tone. Though Winnie couldn''t hear every word clearly, she caught fragments of the conversation. "-evidence against him" "conspiracy involving the Peterson family "-illegal activities-" Evelyn''s lips parted slightly, her eyes darting around as if she feared someone might be watching her. But then, something changed in her expression- something calcting. "I... I don''t understand," she said, her voice suddenly softer, tinged with disbelief. "My husband would never do something like this." Winnie narrowed her eyes. She''s lying. She wasn''t entirely sure who Evelyn''s husband was, but from the way she was reacting, it was clear that she knew about his crimes. The officer continued speaking. "Mrs. Robertson, we need you toe to the station for questioning." Winnie felt a chill crawl up her spine. Robertson. Evelyn''s real name was Gretta Robertson. Even though Winnie didn''t know the full extent of what that meant, she knew one thing-it was big. Evelyn-Gretta-exhaled sharply, frustration seeping into her tone. "Fine. I''lle in soon." The call ended, and Gretta gritted her teeth. Then, to Winnie''s shock, she muttered under her breath: "I need to get Lisa out of here... and make ire pay for what she''s done." Winnie''s eyes widened in horror. What? The pieces were falling into ce. This wasn''t just about visiting Lisa-this was about freeing her. And it wasn''t going to be through legal means. Winnie took a slow, careful step backward. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for her phone. She needed to tell ire now. She quickly ducked away from the bushes, keeping her movements light to avoid drawing attention. As soon as she was a safe distance away, she tapped ire''s number. It rang once. Twice. Then ire picked up. "Winnie?" Winnie kept walking, her voice urgent but hushed. "ire. I found out who Evelyn is." There was a pause on the other end. "... Who?" Winnie swallowed. "Her real name is Gretta Robertson." Silence. Then ire''s voice sharpened. "Robertson?" "Yes," Winnie confirmed, ncing around to make sure no one was listening. Loverheard her on the phone. The police called her about her husband''s arrest. She acted surprised, but I could tell she already knew what he did." There was another pause before ire asked, "Did she say anything else?" Winnie took a deep breath. "ire... she said she needs to free Lisa. And she wants to make you pay." A chilling silence filled the line. "...I see," ire finally said, her voice unreadable. "What should I do?" Winnie asked. "Should I follow her? Should I keep watching?" ire took a moment before responding, "No. You''ve done enough. Get out of there before she realizes someone''s onto her." "But-" "No buts," ire cut in firmly. "It''s too dangerous. If she finds out you were listening, she won''t let it slide. Winnie hesitated, then reluctantly nodded, even though ire couldn''t see her. "Alright." Before ire hung up, she added, "Winnie... thank you." Winnie managed a small smile. "Of course, ire" "Your work here is done Winnie. You are free to go. I will took care of your things. Don'' worry about it." She ended the call and let out a slow breath. "I hope ire will be careful facing Gretta." ire sat in her office at Cryptonic, the phone still in her hand, her expression unreadable. Matthew, who had been standing near the window, noticed the tension in ire''s face. "What is it?" ire put her phone down and exhaled sharply. "Evelyn isn''t Evelyn. Her real name is Gretta Robertson." Matthew''s brows furrowed. "Robertson... as in Robert?" ire nodded. "That''s not good. I did not expect Gretta to do this type of shit." "No," ire agreed. "And it gets worse. She wanted to break Lisa out of the ward. And she mes me for Robert''s arrest." Matthew let out a low curse. "That means she''s going to retaliate." ire leaned back in her chair, her mind calcting. "She won''te for me directly. Not yet. She''ll go after Lisa first." Matthew crossed his arms. "So what''s the n?" ire tapped her fingers against the desk. "We need to move fast. If Gretta is nning something, she won''t wait long." She looked up at Matthew, her blue eyes sharp. "Get me everything we have on Gretta Robertson-now. I think she won''t see this Gretta Robertson strode confidently into hervish mansion, feeling rather pleased with herself after her visit to the police station. She had done her part-yed her cards well and now all she had to do was sit back and let the pieces fall into ce. After all, Lisa was almost free. Gretta shrugged off her coat and tossed her designer handbag onto the marble counter. She had just finished a fancy dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town, celebrating in advance for what she considered a victory. She poured herself a ss of red wine humming softly as she swirled the liquid inside the ss. But as she turned toward the living room, her movements halted. A figure sat casually on the plush velvet couch, legs crossed, hands resting lightly on the armrest. The woman slowly turned her head, a wicked smile curling her lips. ire Peterson. Gretta''s grip on her wine ss tightened as an icy chill ran down her spine. ire stood up gracefully, her heels clicking against the polished wooden floor. She tilted her head slightly, eyes gleaming with amusement. "What are you doing here, ire?" Chapter 509 The Aftermath "I know your n, Gretta," ire said smoothly, her voiceced with quiet menace. Gretta''s lips parted slightly, but she quickly masked her surprise, setting her ss down with controlled ease. "I don''t know what you''re talking about." ire chuckled softly, stepping closer. "Oh, don''t insult my intelligence. I know exactly what you''ve been up to. You''re trying to free Lisa. You want her to do your dirty work while you keep your hands clean." Gretta''s heartbeat quickened, but she forced herself to maintain herposed demeanor. "That''s ridiculous," she scoffed. "Lisa is mentally unstable. Everyone knows that." ire''s smile widened as she shook her head. "Oh, Gretta. Your lies reek from miles away." The older woman stiffened, her nails digging into her palm. "You were the one who told Lisa to act crazy," ire continued. "All so she wouldn''t end up in prison for what she did. But Lisa was never insane, was she?" Gretta said nothing. ire took another slow step forward, her piercing gaze never leaving Gretta''s face. You manipted everyone. You made Lisa put on an act, all so she could escape real punishment. You used her, and now you want to set her loose again. But I won''t let that happen." Gretta clenched her jaw, her breath unsteady. ire''s words struck like daggers, each one cutting deep because they were true. But she wouldn''t let ire see her crumble. "You have no proof," Gretta finally said, lifting her chin defiantly. "It''s all spection." ire smirked. "Oh, you''re so predictable." She folded her arms, her expression turning ice-cold. "I know you''re lying, Gretta. And do you want to know how I know?" Gretta remained silent. ire leaned in slightly, her voice lowering into something far more dangerous. "Because I''ve done my homework." At that moment, Gretta felt the floor beneath her metaphorically crack. ire continued, her voice filled with mockery. "You im you did all of this for justice, but we both know that''s a lie." She tilted her head. "Admit it. This isn''t about justice. It''s about revenge. You think I ruined your life. You think I destroyed your family." Gretta''s hands curled into fists. "You did ruin my family," she spat. ire let out aughan amused, delighted sound that sent chills down Gretta''s spine. "Oh, Gretta," ire mused darkly, her expression turning deadly. "The only person who destroyed a family is you." Gretta gritted her teeth. "You-" ire snapped her fingers. Almost instantly, several police officers emerged from their hiding spots within the penthouse. They moved swiftly, guns drawn, their expressions unreadable but firm. Gretta''s eyes widened in pure shock. Her head snapped back to ire. "What is this?" she demanded, her voice rising in panic. ire simply smirked. "A little gift from me," she said mockingly. "For being such a maniptive and cheeky aunt." The lead officer stepped forward, gripping Gretta''s arm. "Gretta Robertson, you are under arrest." Gretta''s mind raced. This wasn''t happening. "No!" she shrieked, thrashing against their hold. "Let me go! You can''t do this to me!" ire merely watched, arms crossed, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. "Take her away," ire ordered smoothly. The officers didn''t hesitate. "CLAIRE!" Gretta bellowed as they dragged her toward the door. "YOU''LL REGRET THIS! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU''VE JUST DONE!" ire simply wavedzily. "Goodbye, Gretta." The penthouse doors swung shut behind them, the air suddenly much quieter without Gretta''s wails echoing off the walls. ire exhaled, taking a moment to enjoy the silence. Another enemy down. A month had passed since the investigation concluded, and today marked the final chapter in the long, grueling battle against Robert and Gretta. ire sat in the courtroom, her posture poised yet rxed, her expression unreadable. The grand room was filled with whispers as people waited for the trial to begin. She felt the weight of the moment but tookfort in the presence of her closest allies. Matthew sat beside her, his usual calm demeanor unwavering. Alexander and Christian upied the row behind them, both men watching the proceedings with unreadable expressions. Across the room, Adrian Saint Laurent sat with his family, his gaze lingering on ire, as if silently reassuring her that he was there. Beside him, Talia gave ire a small, encouraging nod. ire appreciated their presence. She hadn''t expected Alexander to attend, but for once, she let it slide. Just this once. The trial stretched on for hours. The prosecutionid out every piece of damning evidence the corruption, the embezzlement, the maniption, and worst of all, the orchestrated deaths of the Peterson family. Video footage, financial records, and witness testimonies painted an airtight case. ire watched as Robert and Gretta squirmed in their seats, their once-confident expressions gradually shifting to fear. The defense tried to fight back, but it was futile. Eventually, after long deliberations, the judge announced the verdict. Robert Peterson-40 years in prison. Gretta Robertson-25 years. The courtroom fell into a heavy silence. ire exhaled slowly. It''s over. She watched as Robert clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. By the time he got out-if he even made it-he would be well into his eighties. The thought made ire smirk slightly. Will he even survive that long? She doubted it. Given his arrogant nature, the pressure of being locked up would likely break him long before his sentence ended. Gretta, on the other hand, would be in prison for at least 25 years. Even if she behaved well, parole wouldn''t be an option for over a decade. ire turned her gaze toward them, her expression devoid of sympathy. As expected, the moment the officers moved in to take them away, both Robert and Gretta erupted. "You bitch!" Robert spat, struggling against the officers. "You think you''ve won?! You''ll pay for this!" Gretta screamed in rage. "Everything you have, you stole from us! You''re going to regret this, ire!" ire only smiled. They could scream and curse all they wanted. They couldn''t touch her anymore. As the officers dragged them away, their voices faded into the distance. ire let out a long sigh, a weight she hadn''t realized she was carrying finally lifting off her shoulders. "It''s over," Matthew murmured beside her. ire turned to look at them, the corners of her lips curling into a small but genuine smile. "Thank you," she said softly. She felt Adrian''s warmth beside her as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Instinctively, she leaned into him, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. It wasforting Adrian had been quiet throughout most of this ordeal, but ire knew he had been watching closely. She had told him everything. At first, he had been disappointedfrustrated that she hadn''t involved him in the investigation. "You should have told me," Adrian had said the night she confessed everything. "I could have helped you, ire." ire had shaken her head. "I didn''t want anything bad to happen to you. This wasn''t your battle to fight." Adrian had sighed then, running a hand through his hair. He wasn''t happy about it, but eventually, he let it go. And now, standing beside her in the courtroom, he was simply happy to see her free from enemies. ire nced at him, and he met her gaze, squeezing her waist slightly. No words were needed. She knew what he was thinking. They had finally reached the end of the storm. As they exited the courthouse, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. ire took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp evening air. "Well," Talia said, walking up beside her, "that was eventful." ire chuckled. "Understatement of the year." Matthew smirked slightly. "Now that all of this is behind us, what''s next for you?" ire paused for a moment, looking up at the sky. She hadn''t thought that far ahead. For so long, her life had been consumed by battles-fighting to take back Metacortex, exposing corruption, dealing with the threats that constantly surrounded her. But now... Now she was free. A slow smile spread across her lips. "I think I''ll figure it out as I go." Matthew chuckled. "That''s very you." Christian, who had been mostly silent throughout the trial, spoke up. "If you ever need anything, you know where to find me." ire turned to him, raising a brow. "Even if I call in the middle of the night?" Christian smirked. "Even then." She rolled her eyes but appreciated the sentiment. Alexander, who had been standing off to the side, finally stepped forward. "For what it''s worth," he said quietly, "you handled this well." ire studied him for a moment before giving a small nod. "For once, I''ll take that as apliment." Alexander sighed but let the jab slide. "Just try not to get yourself into another mess anytime soon." "No promises," ire said with a smirk. He exhaled heavily, shaking his head. "Of course not." As the group walked down the courthouse steps, Adrian leaned in, pressing a kiss to ire''s temple. "You did it," he murmured against her hair. ire smiled, feeling warmth spread through her chest. "Yeah," she whispered. "I did." And for the first time in a long time ire Peterson felt at peace. Chapter 510 Epilogue: A New Beginning The sun was setting over the London skyline, casting a golden glow over the city. ire Peterson stood near the window of her penthouse, a ss of wine in her hand, staring at the breathtaking view. It had been months since the trial, and life had finally settled into a calm rhythmsomething she had never truly experienced before. For the first time in a long time, she wasn''t constantly looking over her shoulder. No more betrayals. No more enemies lurking in the shadows. Just peace. A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to see Alexander standing there, his expression neutral yet thoughtful. "Drinking alone?" he asked, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. ire smirked. "Wouldn''t be the first time. Did my maid let you in again?" Alexander chuckled and walked over, his eyes flickering toward the skyline before settling on her. "Yeah, you could say that." They had both changed-more than either of them would ever admit. They had finallye to terms with something neither of them had wanted to face for years: They were nothing more than business partners. The romantic tension, the unresolved feelings, the what-ifs-they had all been put to rest. Alexander had stopped pursuing her. Not because he no longer cared. But because he finally understood. Even though there was still that tiny sliver in his heart, that small, irrational hope that maybejust maybe things could be different one day... He knew the truth. ire had made her choice. And he respected it. "To new beginnings," Alexander said, grabbing a ss from the bar and pouring himself a drink. ire raised her own ss, clinking it lightly against his. "To new beginnings." A weekter, ire found herself sitting across from Eligos in a quiet, high-end restaurant. Thest time they had spoken, it had been under much darker circumstances- threats, power ys, and misunderstandings clouding their every interaction. But today was different. Eligos, the man who had once orchestrated chaos in her life, was now sitting calmly before her, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "I owe you an apology," he admitted, his fingers lightly tapping the side of his ss. "For the way I treated you. For the things I used you of. I was... wrong." ire tilted her head slightly, studying him. "That''s rare. Hearing you admit you were wrong." Eligos let out a soft chuckle. "I''m not proud of it. But you exposed the truth-one that I was blind to. For that, I owe you my gratitude." ire took a sip of her drink, letting his words settle in the air between them. She had expected many things from Eligos-but gratitude was not one of them. "I suppose this means we''re not enemies anymore?" she mused. Eligos smirked. I wouldn''t go that far. But let''s just say... if you ever need me, I''ll be there." ire arched a brow. "That almost sounds like a promise." "It is." For a moment, there was silence. Then ire extended her hand across the table. Eligos hesitated, then took it. A truce. A rare and unexpected alliance. Across the city, Talia and Christian were caught up in their own whirlwind. After years of dancing around their feelings, Christian had finally proposed-and of course, Talia had said yes. "Can you believe it?" Talia gushed over the phone, excitement radiating through every word. "Me, engaged. Who would''ve thought?" ire smirked. "Oh, I don''t know. Maybe everyone except you?" Talia groaned. "I hate that you''re right." "I always am." "Ugh, whatever. The point is, you have to help me n the wedding. No excuses." ire chuckled. "You do realize I''m not exactly the ''wedding nner'' type, right?" "Yeah, yeah. But you are the ''bossy, take-control'' type, which is exactly what I need." ire shook her head, amused. "Fine. But don''t me me if it turns into a military operation." Taliaughed. Wouldn''t have it any other way." Lisa, once a looming threat, had finally faced justice. Her lies, maniptions, and deceit hadnded her a 20-year prison sentence. She had tried to y the victim, spinning tales of innocence and suffering, but in the end, the truth had caught up with her. And now, she was behind bars-just like she should have been all along. As for Frank Potter, VenusAMD was crumbling. Rumors were swirling that he was on the verge of selling thepany, but no one knew for sure. What was certain, however, was that his empire was falling apart. And ire? She couldn''t bring herself to care. Amid all the changes, one thing remained constant-Adrian. He had been by her side through everything, never wavering, never questioning. And now, they were closer than ever. ire hadn''t realized just how much Adrian meant to her-how much he had be a part of her life. But he knew. Which is why, on a quiet evening, as they sat together on the balcony of his Parisian estate, Adrian pulled something out of his pocket. A small, velvet box. ire, sipping her wine, hadn''t noticed at first. But then, Adrian cleared his throat, shifting slightly. She nced over at him, immediately catching the nervous energy in his usually confident posture. "What''s wrong?" she asked, setting her ss down. Adrian inhaled deeply, then turned to face her fully. "I''ve been thinking about this for a while," he started, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "About us. About everything we''ve been through. And I realized something." ire raised an eyebrow, curious. "And what''s that?" Adrian exhaled, a small, nervous smile ying on his lips. Then, without another word, he opened the box. Inside was a ring. Elegant. Timeless. Perfect. ire''s breath hitched slightly. "W-what? Don''t tell me- ire is tongue ited seeing the sight in front it but she is happy. Congs This is not what she expected Adrian met her gaze, his blue eyes filled with nothing but love. "I don''t want to spend another day without you. know that our meeting was arranged and I wasn''t exactly the friendly type of person but then get the chance to know you and am d that my grandfather, introduced me to you. You are the best thing that ever happened in my life." he said softly. "ire Peterson, will you marry me?" For the first time in a long time, ire was speechless. She had always been in control. Always the one making the decisions. But this? This was different. This was Adrian, offering her something real. Something she had never thought she could have. Slowly, a smile spread across her lips. And with a steady voice, she gave him the only answer that mattered. "Yes." The End of One Story, The Beginning of Another As ire sat on that balcony, Adrian slipping the ring onto her finger, she realized something. For years, her life had been a battlefield. She had fought, she had lost, she had won. And now? Now, she was finally free. Not just from her enemies. But from the past. From the weight of everything that had held her down. She hade full circle. And as she looked into Adrian''s eyes, she knew This wasn''t the end. It was only the beginning. **The End.** The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!