ed to the side as th

diated an icy authority that froze everyone in their places. His face

his voice a far cry from the conf

replaced by a flicker of fea

st teasing, but the undercurrent of menace was unmist

"No... no, it's not like that," he sputtered, his palms damp as

placed by a cold, impenetrable expression. His voice drop

With a jerky nod, he turned and scrambled out of the room, his footsteps frantic

his shoulders relaxing slightl

round her slender frame. Even without makeup, her natural

betrayed none of the

oward her briefly, his brow

ntending to thank him. But before she could speak, Jon

k call. His words were curt and efficient, and once done, he leaned

is indifference stung more than she cared

side of the room and sat down, her gaze lingering on th

announced Stefan's arrival. He burst i

ugh to embrace his nephew. But Jonathan took a small,

settled for a hesitant pat on Jonathan's shoulder. "It's good that

m off with a ca

" His eyes shifted briefly toward Valerie,

Jonathan's disinterest was palpable, and V

e. If he didn't like her, it was fine-s

nor cracking ever so slightly. Valerie caught the

ter a pause, his voice low as he cast a glance

yes followed the two men as they left, and as the st

his unpredictable nature was

leave unscathed, she'd need to adapt. Her mind turned to the Holt Group's

..

ion coiled like a taut

drumming against the edge of the table. His expression hardened as he paced toward Jonathan. "Marriage

disdain. Reclining lazily on the sofa, he appeared completely unb

" he said, his smirk sha

he faint pallor of his complexion hinted at his recent recovery. Yet there was no denyin

castic. "You can save the lectures. My marriage isn't your concern. And anyway..." His

of surprise. Only months ago, Jonathan had vehemently opposed the enti

n Stefan had hastily arranged his un

Stefan sighed, his

who is thi

t refused to fade. The chaos of that night replayed in his mind-the warmth of her trembling hands, th

aze, subtle yet unmistakable, though his t

s words laced with an unsettling calm. "