All Chapters of The Mysterious Chairman Keith: Chapter 121
- Chapter 130
176 chapters
Chapter 121
BEHIND THE MUSIC Laura's breath hitched the moment his lips took hers.Did he just kiss me in an open place like this? She thought. She couldn't believe it. The folder she was holding slipped slightly in her grip, edges brushing against his chest as she collided softly into him.For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Manuel lowered his head again, staring straight into her eyes. She quickly looked around, the gala hall and the much people in there. Security cameras probably captured every hallway corner.Her fingers curled instinctively, gripping his suit lapel tightly, like he was trying to warn him.Manuel felt her hesitation and he also felt the way her body leaned into him anyway.His other hand slid higher along her back, as he deepened the kiss slightly, his arms soft around her as the ballroom music seeped into the hallway.Laura’s lips parted. For a moment, it looked like everything paused, her gaze boring into his like it was everything in the world.Inside Manuel’s ches
Chapter 122
WHAT SHE ALMOST SAW Back inside, Laura reached the edge of the ballroom floor just as Manuel finished greeting a cluster of board members.Just then, their eyes met in the crowd and the connection snapped immediately.Laura looked away first and Manuel’s jaw tightened slightly.Soon, Lisa returned like she never left, wearing a smile as though she was forced to.She adjusted her champagne-colored dress as she maneuvered through clusters of investors and board affiliates. Her smile remained perfectly placed as she walked.Though, she was a bit irritated by what she couldn't really tell. She had been searching for Manuel for nearly twenty minutes.Three separate investors had asked for introductions. Two potential partners from Singapore had specifically requested a private conversation with him and she wanted to show off even though she spoke to Manuel for a long time, she knew Manuel won't ditch his image over a mere facade from the past.Even her mother had subtly nudged her earlier
Chapter 123
LINES THAT SOUND LIKE WAR Mira remained standing where Lisa had left her, her fingers still holding the folded napkin she had used to wipe the spilled champagne from her wrist. The orchestra shifted into a slower melody, as the couples at the circle shifted their moves. She watched Lisa move through the crowd. There was something off, she knew it, but couldn't tell exactly what it was.Lisa’s posture remained flawless. Even with that, Mira knew Lisa too well and she wondered what could make her so worked up.Lisa’s smile had vanished.Her grip on her champagne glass was too tight. Even from several feet away, Mira could see the way her fingers were shaking every time she adjusted her hold.Mira placed the napkin gently onto a passing waiter’s tray before stepping forward, weaving through investors and board affiliates. Her emerald gown brushed lightly against her legs as she closed the distance.“Lisa.”Lisa slowed but didn’t immediately turn. Mira reached her side, tilting her hea
Chapter 124
THE CRACKS BENEATH The night grew deeper and the music kept getting intense.Mrs. Stone stood near the balcony rail, her posture straight. From the outside, she looked composed, a woman entirely in control of her place.Inside her chest, she felt uneasy. She had been watching Manuel from a distance and saw that he was still wearing his usual smile and that turned her stomach. She had been looking for Lisa for a while, but she hasn't seen her. Mira and Lisa had gone a bit far inside the ball room, away from her eyes.Her fingers rested lightly against her clutch purse. She hadn’t realized she had been rubbing circles across it until she stopped and noticed that she was.Tommy’s voice replayed in her head.“Everything is in place. I'm proceeding with the public exposure.”The words echoed again as she smiled boldly to herself, like someone who had completed a mission. She inhal
Chapter 125
THE SUBTLE GAZES “Since when did Nexagen start hiring new security for private galas?”The question slipped out before Laura could stop it.The young waiter she had intercepted froze slightly, blinking at her as he balanced the tray of champagne flutes. He smiled a bit, but there was confusion in his eyes.“I… I’m not sure, ma’am,” he replied carefully. “Security arrangements are usually handled by external coordinators for events like this.”Laura nodded slowly, her expression neutral, but her eyes had already shifted past him toward the entrance corridor.Three unfamiliar guards stood near the velvet rope checkpoint. Their suits matched the event dress code perfectly, but their eyes didn't look genuine. One of them spoke quietly into a sleeve microphone, his gaze sweeping the ballroom. The movement was subtle, the kind trained professionals used when they wanted to look casual while tracking targets.Laura’s pulse quickened at once, she knew this format too well. “Thank you,” she
Chapter 126
SILENCES THAT SAY TOO MUCH Laura rushed and opened the car door for Manuel.“Drive.” Manuel didn’t raise his voice when he said it, but the command landed heavy inside the quiet luxury car the moment he slid into the back seat as Manuel sat beside him.The driver nodded immediately and pulled away from the Grand Aurelius entrance, the gala lights fading behind them as the vehicle drove off.For a few seconds, neither Manuel nor Laura spoke as the car moved. Laura sat upright, her clutch resting carefully on her lap, her fingers folded tightly around it. Her pulse hadn’t fully slowed since the hallway… since the kiss, since the way he had looked at her like nothing else existed.She swallowed quietly and kept her gaze forward, not wanting to look at Manuel.Beside her, Manuel loosened his shoulders slightly and leaned back against the seat. He exhaled slowly, like he was about to say something, but he didn't. Suddenly, he reached up and began loosening his tie and Laura’s breath cau
Chapter 127
THE DISTANCE THAT BREATHES BETWEEN THEM The next day, very early in the morning as Elena was going to the kitchen to start her morning round, she saw Laura seated.She was surprised and stood watching her for a while, before she spoke.“Miss Laura… you didn’t sleep, did you?”Elena’s voice came softly from the kitchen doorway, careful, like she was afraid of her.Laura didn’t look up immediately. She sat at the long dining table with her tablet open, several printed files spread neatly around her. “I slept,” Laura replied after a second, her tone calm but distant.Elena studied her for a moment. The old maid had worked in that mansion for long and she knew when someone was lying politely rather than honestly. Laura’s hair was tied back too tightly, every strand pulled into place like she had forced it. Her blouse was crisp, her blazer already buttoned despite the early hour of the day and Elena found them all usual.Elena hummed quietly, stepping closer to arrange cutlery on the ta
Chapter 128
THE STOLEN DATA There was silence between them as Manuel went through the folder, though he was still glances at her, but she couldn't see him because she was facing the floor. Then, she took her tablet and started scrolling through it again. She kept her gaze locked on her tablet.Manuel opened another folder, but he wasn’t reading it. He was watching her instead.Her composure looked perfect from afar, but he could see the tension hidden beneath it, the way she was tapping her tablets so fast.Beep! Beep!Manuel glanced toward his phone resting beside his coffee cup, as the caller ID flashed across the screen.Christopher.Manuel exhaled slowly and picked it up. “Christopher,” he answered, his voice steady.Laura’s fingers paused mid-scroll, to listen to what he was saying, but she didn't make it too obvious.Christopher didn’t bother greeting. His voice came low and urgent, like he had already repeated the same thing to himself several times before calling.“Boss, you have to lis
Chapter 129
THE UNUSUAL BRIDGE The glass doors of Nightingale headquarters slid open the moment Manuel stepped inside. “Good morning, sir.” The receptionist stood immediately, her smile polite. Manuel nodded without slowing his steps. Laura walked beside him, tablet pressed lightly against her chest, not even sparing anyone a glance. Employees standing near the reception desk straightened when they saw Manuel approaching. Several greeted him quickly before he even got close to them. “Morning, sir.” “Good morning, Mr. Nightingale.” “Sir.” Manuel acknowledged them with nods as he walked past. The moment he passed them, the greetings stopped. Laura heard the whispers begin before t
Chapter 130
IN HIS STUDY The meeting ended sooner than expected with the board satisfied with Manuel’s responses, except for those who were bent on playing dirty. Laura stepped out first, a bit exhausted by the whole planning process and discussions. She had requested to go home early and Manuel had granted it, a bit suspicious. “Are you planning to stay late again tonight, ma’am?” The security guard’s voice followed Laura as she stepped out of the Nightingale headquarters building, her coat folded neatly over her arm and two thick file folders pressed against her chest. Laura paused near the glass doors and turned slightly. “Yes,” she replied. “I’ll be working from the mansion tonight.” The guard nodded, stepping aside respectfully as Martin