Abby was about to say Nora''s name when she suddenly remembered her appointment with Uncle Cole the other day.


    She was not to mention Aunt Nora''s name in front of anyone else!


    E bit her lip and flung herself into Cole''s arms without speaking.


    Arnold, perceptive as ever, noticed Cole''s unnatural behavior, but didn''t press for anything more.


    Unlike Charles, who would doggedly pursue the matter until he got an answer, Arnold chose a different approach.


    He did not flirt or press him, nor did he try to corner him into an admission.


    Instead, he simply observed, waiting for Cole to either confess orpose himself.


    Meanwhile, Leo had an important business trip to attend to, leaving much of thepany''s operations in Nora''s hands.


    She wasn''t worried. Over time, she had be ustomed to managing affairs in his absence, handling negotiations and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.


    However, she did not anticipate the arrival of an unexpected guest-rk.


    When rk stepped into thepany''s office, his presence carried an air of self-importance.


    He was the Alpha of the Snow Moon Pack, but under his leadership, the pack had dwindled.


    They were burdened with foreign debt, and his resources were stretched thin.


    It was no secret that his authority was weakening.


    Still, he carried himself with arrogance.


    The moment heid eyes on Nora, his expression turned condescending. He barely nced at her before stating dismissively, "Call Leo in. I need to talk about cooperation. A mere secretary shouldn''t be sitting in her boss''s office."


    Nora,posed as ever, met his gaze without flinching.


    She knew rk saw her as insignificant, but she also knew the truth-he was in no position to dictate terms.


    His pack was struggling, and he was here because he had no choice.


    Keeping her tone even, she replied, "Leo is unavable. I''m the one handling studio cooperation affairs." rk''s lips curled in disdain. He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head as if humoring a ridiculous statement.


    "You are my daughter," he scoffed. "Do you really think I don''t know your limits?"


    There was no anger in Nora''s expression, only quiet indifference. She had long outgrown the need for his validation. "If you think that," she said calmly, "then you might as well leave."


    rk stiffened at her bluntness. He had expected resistance, but not outright dismissal.


    However, he wasn''t here for a family dispute-he needed Leo''s cooperation.


    Swallowing his irritation, he eventually handed over the proposal.


    As Nora epted the document, rk watched her closely.


    He expected her to skim through it without understanding a word, but instead, she studied it with sharp focus. Her eyes scanned each section, taking in the figures, the terms, and the projected oues.


    For a moment, he hesitated. Was she actually reading it?


    He scoffed Inwardly. She was probably pretending. He let her y her game, deciding that he would save her the embarrassment by not calling it out.


    After a thorough review, Nora set the document down. "The proposal aligns with some of ourpany''s needs," she admitted, her tone neutral. "We''ll review it and consider the terms."


    rk didn''t push further. He had already decided that he would speak to Leo once he returned.


    Still, his manner remained dismissive, his movementsced with carelessness.


    He barely acknowledged Nora as he turned to leave, his posture stiff with unspoken irritation.


    Nora, unimpressed by his attitude, simply signaled for her assistant to escort him out.


    The weekend approached, and with it came an important dinner party.


    Leo returned from his trip a day early, and upon hearing about rk''s visit, he let out a dry, humorlessugh. He leaned back in his chair, pping his hands once in mock apuse.


    "Well then," he said with icy amusement, "there''s no need for us to work with him. We might as well save ourselves the trouble."


    Nora agreed without hesitation. She had no desire to entertain rk''s ambitions any further.


    That evening, Leo surprised her with a gift. He handed her a sleek, elegantly wrapped box. "Here," he said. "I saw this and thought of you."


    Curious, Nora opened it, revealing a beautifully designed dress.


    The fabric was luxurious, the craftsmanship impable. She ran her fingers lightly over the material, impressed by the choice.


    "You picked this out?" she asked.


    Leo nodded, his expression unreadable. "I did. And I''d like you to wear it to the dinner party with me."


    Nora hesitated. The dinner party would be a significant event-an exclusive gathering filled with influential figures from the Silvermoon Pack.


    Among them would be Arnold and Linda, two people she had little interest in seeing.


    But this was also an opportunity.


    As one of the studio''s shareholders, she had every right to be there, to build connections, to cement her position.


    More importantly, Leo had personally invited her.


    She met his gaze and nodded. "Alright. I''ll go."


    Leo''s expression softened, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.


    ** **


    The afternoon of the event, Nora sat before her vanity, carefully applying her makeup. She worked with


    precision, ensuring that every detail was perfect. The dress fit her like a glove, its design entuating her elegance without being excessive. As she adjusted the final touches, her phone rang.


    The name on the screen made her pause.


    Alex.


    For a brief moment, she debated whether to answer.