Lord George closed the door to his study and did not bother locking it. He never did. Anyone foolish enough to eavesdrop usually regretted it.Andrew stood where he always did near the desk, posture relaxed but respectful, hands loosely clasped behind him. Lord George moved to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink. He did not offer Andrew one.“How did the mission go?” he asked, without turning around.“Well,” Andrew replied. “Clean.”“That’s all you ever say.”“Because that’s all you need to hear.” he chuckledLord George smiled faintly and carried his glass to the desk. “And your welfare?” he asked, settling into his chair. “You look thinner.”Andrew exhaled once. “Occupational hazard.”“Hm.” Lord George studied him over the rim of his glass. “You’re not on active rotation anymore.”“No.”The word was firm. Decided.Lord George leaned back. “I’ll be taking a break from the SSA.”“A break,” Lord George echoed. “That’s new.”“Temporary,” Andrew said. “My parents’ company nee

Becca stood at the edge of the corridor long after Olivia and Andrew disappeared behind the carved oak doors. She hadn’t followed them not because she couldn’t, but because she refused to look desperate. Still, the image burned into her mind. Andrew hadn’t bowed. He hadn’t explained himself. He hadn’t even looked rattled when Blossom accused him of theft. Instead, he stood there calm, composed, snapping his fingers like a man who owned the room. Becca clenched her fingers around the stem of her wine glass until her knuckles whitened. “This wasn’t how it was supposed to go,” she muttered. The dinner had been her moment. Blossom had promised it would be. The accusations, the whispers, the careful poisoning of doubt Andrew was supposed to crack. Olivia was supposed to look foolish for defending a man with no standing. Instead, Olivia looked… protected. That was unforgivable. “Becca.” She turned sharply. Lake Chad stood a few feet away, his expression uneasy, his brows dr

Jacob was halfway through buttoning his shirt when his phone rang.He glanced at the screen, frowned, and answered. “Yes?”Bella watched from the edge of the bed as his posture straightened, his tone shifting into something polished and professional, the voice he never used with her anymore.“Europe?” he repeated. “Two days?”He listened, jaw tightening, then nodded even though the caller couldn’t see him. “Understood. I’ll be there.”When he ended the call, he exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair.“What is it?” Bella asked.“HR,” he said, already turning toward the wardrobe. “The new global boss is coming for inspection. He wants to see all the company’s heads. I need to be in Europe in two days.”Her stomach dropped. Europe. Distance. Space. Opportunity.“When were you planning to tell me?” she asked quietly.“I just did.”He pulled out a suit, laid it flat on the bed with mechanical precision. Everything about him suddenly moved faster, sharper as if she’d already become

Tianna arrived unannounced.The driver had barely pulled away before she was already knocking sharp, impatient raps that sounded through the quiet apartment. When Bella finally opened the door, Tianna’s irritation dissolved mid-breath.Bella looked… wrong.Her eyes were hollow, skin dull, hair pulled back carelessly like she hadn’t bothered to look in a mirror for days. She wore an oversized sweater despite the heat, arms wrapped around herself as though she were trying to keep from falling apart.Tianna stepped inside without a word, scanning the living room. Half-drawn curtains. Cold tea on the table. The faint smell of antiseptic and something sour stress, maybe.“What is going on here?” Tianna demanded, turning sharply. “You look like you’ve been ill.”Bella closed the door quietly. “I’m fine.”“That is a lie,” Tianna snapped. “Sit down.”Bella obeyed, lowering herself onto the couch with visible effort. Tianna remained standing, arms crossed, watching her daughter the way a gener

Andrew sighed internally, he wasn't expecting to run into Jacob at the company’s lodge.“Ahh, you are working as a technical personnel.” Jacob scoffed, tapping his shoulder. “You should have told me at the airport, I would have offered you a ride in the company's car. A non-official staff like you would have to take a cab to the company anyway.”“You know, high-position staff like me are usually offered a ride in a Mercedes Benz, then again, what would a low-level staff know about it?This situation was a bit unusual for Andrew because Jacob seemed like a person who loved to jump into conclusions.“So what department are you working in? Mainteance? Cleanining?” Jacob asked.‘Why are you curious about where I work? Do you want to take my place?” Andrew replied. “My pay is excellent and my work benefits are fantasic. I see why you would be interested."A wide mocking laughter escaped from lips, “You are saying a HOP like me would like to take the place of a mere technical officer. I