“Cayden… can we talk?” Isabella’s voice was barely above a whisper as she slid into the chair across from him. Cayden looked up slowly, surprised to see her, especially when his eyes darted on her pale and exhausted face, like she didn't get enough sleep for days. “Talk?” “Yes… please,” she said, hands clasped tightly on the table. “I… I need to say something. I need to apologize.” He didn’t respond, only leaned back slightly, observing her. “I know… I know I hurt you,” Isabella continued, voice trembling. “I let my family control me, and I treated you cruelly. I shouldn’t have… I shouldn’t have walked away like I did, b-but...now I choose to be brave, I walked away from them already." Cayden’s face remained calm, yet he didn't expect to hear those words from her. “And now?” he asked quietly. “What do you expect me to do with your apology?” “I… I regret it,” she said, swallowing hard. “I regret the divorce, the words I said, the way I left you. I want… I want to make thing

“Cayden… thank you,” Isabella whispered, her voice weak as she looked up at him. “I… I don’t know what I would’ve done without you tonight.” “You shouldn’t have been in danger in the first place,” Cayden replied, his tone is controlled. “I know… I just… I didn’t think he’d actually—” Her words faltered as she realized the depth of her fear earlier, and how completely Cayden had protected her. He shifted slightly, as he studied her face. “You weren’t careful. That’s on you, Isabella.” “I… I will be more careful,” she said quickly. “I promise.” Cayden remained silent. His mansion had always been imposing, but tonight, the polished floors and high ceilings felt different, almost like a warning. “I…” Isabella hesitated, then continued, “I’ve never seen you like this. Strong… powerful… I… I didn’t know you could be this…” Cayden raised an eyebrow. “Powerful? Rich?” His voice carried a subtle edge. “Do you mean dangerous?” “No… not dangerous,” she corrected softly. “I mean…

“Good morning,” Isabella whispered to herself as she adjusted the collar of her plain white blouse.She forced a small smile to appear on her face. Her blouse was simple and inexpensive. It was made of regular cotton and not of silk. She had bought it from a small thrift store near the apartment she currently rented.The tall glass building of Cayden's Corporation stood directly in front of her. Her hands were cold, and a thin layer of sweat covered her palms as she entered through the revolving doors. “Ms. Mortaine?” a woman from the reception desk called out in a polite but firm tone. “You’re the new administrative assistant, right? HR is expecting you.”“Yes,” Isabella answered quietly.The receptionist gave her a short, polite smile and said, “This way, please.”Isabella followed the woman across the lobby. She could already sense that several people were looking at her. She did not need to glance around to know that a few of them were whispering about her.“Is that her?” someone

The office was quiet except for the sound of keyboards and the air conditioner. It was already past 1 a.m. Isabella Mortaine had fallen asleep at her desk with her head resting on her folded arms. Her breathing was slow and steady. She was very tired.The monitor light stayed on her face. Papers were spread around the desk, including schedules, supplier contracts, and logistic plans. Her pen had slipped from her hand and was lying near the edge of the table.The elevator doors opened.Cayden stepped out.He did not expect anyone to still be working. He had only returned to get a folder he left in his office. As he walked through the work area, he noticed one desk light still turned on.It was Isabella.She was asleep. Her arms were on the desk. She did not have a blanket or pillow. She looked like she had worked until her body could not continue.Cayden looked at her quietly.He did not speak. He did not change his expression. He only stared at her for a few seconds.Then he took off

“Come in.”Cayden’s voice was flat and firm. Isabella opened the door slowly and walked inside, holding a folder tightly in her hands.The door closed behind her.Cayden stood near the window with his back turned to her. His posture was stiff. The room was quiet.“You asked for me, sir?” Isabella said in a low voice.He turned to face her. His eyes were serious and distant. “Sit.”She sat on the chair across from his desk. Her hands were cold. Her chest felt tight.Cayden walked toward her with a thin folder in his hand. He placed it on the desk. “Explain this.”Isabella frowned slightly. “What is it?”“Internal financial reports. Confidential,” Cayden said. “And this morning, The Navarro Group somehow received copies. You were one of the few people who had access.”Isabella shook her head. “That’s not possible. I didn’t—”“Didn’t you?” Cayden interrupted.She looked at him in disbelief. “Cayden, I would never—”“Do not say my name like we are close,” he said sharply. “Here, I am your