The restaurant hummed with a low murmur of conversation, waiters weaving between tables, bncing trays of steaming dishes and finely ted appetizers.


    The scent of roasted meats and delicate spices lingered in the air, creating an atmosphere of understated


    luxury.


    Cole sat at the head of the table, his sharp, discerning gaze flickered over the room, yet his mind was


    elsewhere.


    He had always been good at controlling his emotions, but tonight, a subtle crease lined his brow, betraying his distraction.


    Seated beside him, Flora was dressed to impress-an elegant ck dress with delicatece ents hugged


    her frame, her hair styled to perfection.


    She had carefully curated her appearance, ensuring she looked both sophisticated and alluring.


    But it seemed none of it had any effect.


    "Cole, have you seen thetest design proposals from the Paris team?" she asked, her voice carrying an intentionally casual lilt. "I heard they''re integrating-" She stopped mid-sentence, realizing that Cole wasn''t even pretending to listen. His attention had shifted entirely, his gaze now resting on the little girl beside him. "Abby, are you thirsty?" His voice softened as he reached for a bottle of water, unscrewing the cap before offering it to her.


    Abby, who had been quietly observing her surroundings, looked up at him and nodded. "A little," she


    admitted.


    Cole handed her the bottle, watching as she took a couple of small sips. She smiled brightly. “Thanks, uncle!" Then, just as quickly, she turned her focus back to Alex, eager to resume their conversation.


    Flora, momentarily stunned, forced a lightugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.


    She wasn''t used to being ignored sopletely-especially not by Cole. Normally, men sought her attention, yet Cole remained distant, his indifference as firm as ever.


    Trying not to let her irritation show, she picked up her wine ss and took a slow sip, her lips pressing together in thinly veiled frustration.


    10.07


    After Left Alpha father and son went craz


    97.9%


    Meanwhile, Abby and Alex were lost in their own world, their conversation shifting toward childhood memories and the things they cherished.


    Abby held up a pink bunny doll. The doll''s big fluffy cars dangled down, making it a joy to look at, "Look, it''s a doll I recently acquired!"


    Alex wasn''t interested in dolls, but his eyes widened in surprise when he saw the pink bunny doll.


    "Wait, is this really yours? I saw this before! It''s supposed to be a prize for the top three finishers in the race in the arcade! Did Uncle Cole get it for you?"


    Abby was all smiles as she shook her head. "No."


    Alex took the doll and hugged it, feeling the delicate, fluffy touch of the doll in his arms and said enviously, "That''s great! When my mom is free, I''ll ask her to bring me one back."


    Their conversation then shifted toward gaming, their voices animated with excitement.


    "My aunt is super good at games," Abby announced proudly, sitting up straighter. "She beats me every


    time!"


    Alex grinned. "Well, my mom is great at games too! She never loses!"


    Abby''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Then next time, let''s have a match! My aunt versus your mom!"


    Alex nodded eagerly. "Deal!"


    Cole, who had been observing the exchange, felt an unfamiliar warmth settle in his chest. It was rare for him to lower his guard, but watching the two children chat so openly brought a sense of ease that he seldom experienced.


    Across the table, Charles finally cleared his throat, shifting the conversation back to business. "Cole," he said, his tone measured, "Has there been any trouble with the coboration with STARLINE Studio?"


    Cole, pulling himself from his thoughts, shook his head. "No issues. Everything has been smooth."


    Charles raised an eyebrow. "No surprises?"


    "None." Cole confirmed.


    Charles leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping against the tablecloth.


    *None?*


    He had expected *something*-aplication, a dy, anything that might prove


    his assumptions about Nora correct. He had been so certain that she had climbed her way up through maniption, through


    98.1%


    Cheer 100


    dever tricks and flirtations.


    But if the project had progressed seamlesdy, STARLINE ndio had ready delivered with no stacke


    then that meant Nora waurt justpetant.


    She was "capable*


    The realization sat ufortably in his stomach.


    Linda, who had been mostly quiet, suddenly spoke up, flipping through the pages


    of a book the had pulled from her bag. Nora was involved in this project, wait the?


    Her voice was casual, but there was an undertone of curiosity.


    Cole nodded.


    Linda hummed thoughtfully. "Interesting


    Flora, sensing the shift in conversation, forced a smile. "Well, I suppose even


    Nora can be useful when the puts in enough effort."


    Her words were light, but the underlying condescension was clear.


    Cole, however, remained silent, his thoughts elsewhere.


    The dinner continued with idle chatter, yet for the first time, the conversation


    around Nora did not include dismissiveughter or sarcastic remarks.


    Instead, there was something else in the air-something closer to quiet


    reassessment.


    By the time the meal ended and everyone rose to leave, Cole''s mind was still reying the scene from earlier-Nora, standing beside Colton, speaking to him with an ease that suggested familiarity, trust.


    Returning home, Nora changed intofortable clothes and spent some time reading through research documents. Her mind remained sharp evente into the night, absorbing information, making notes


    where necessary.


    Just as she was about to go to bed, her phone rang. It was Vincent.


    "Nora," his voice was calm, professional. "Arnold asked me to inform you that the real estate certificates for your three vis have been finalized. I''ve already sent them to you via courier. Make sure to chec and confirm receipt."