99.1%


    The response was absolute. There was no room for discussion, no space for negotiation.


    With that, he turned away from Arnold and Linda entirely, facing Nora instead. His voice, so indifferent moments ago, softened. "Nora, let''s go."


    Nora didn''t hesitate. She nodded once and walked away with him, her strideposed, not sparing Arnold or Linda another nce.


    Dalton, still standing at a distance, absorbed everything. The way Arnold''s brows furrowed slightly as he watched them leave. The brief flicker of something unreadable in Linda''s expression before sheposed herself.


    It was then that Dalton arrived at a new understanding.


    Just now he was a little worried that there wasn''t some unknown rtionship between Arnold and Nora.


    But now, seeing that Arnold was so nervous and concerned about Linda, and opening his mouth to help her ask Leo to talk about business issues, Dalton knew that he was thinking wrong.


    Leo had no personal grudge against Linda, but the hostility between them stemmed from Nora. As long as Nora was by Leo''s side, Linda would never be able to mend that rtionship.


    And Arnold knew this.


    By trying to broker peace between Leo and Linda, Arnold wasn''t just helping Linda. He was challenging Nora''s position.


    Because if Leo and Linda reconciled, then Nora would lose her leverage-the very thing that kept her in


    control of the situation.


    A seemingly small social interaction, yet it was already shifting the bnce of power.


    On the other side of the ballroom, Cole stood with a group of business partners, engaging in a discussion, but his true focusy elsewhere.


    His gaze, sharp and perceptive, was locked onto Nora.


    Leo was by her side, but that did nothing to change the fact that she had drunk more than usual tonight.


    A faint flush colored her cheeks, the effect of alcohol softening her usuallyposed demeanor.


    Her eyes, clear and intelligent, carried a slight haze, making her appear more delicate than usual. The


    99.3%


    usual distance in her expression was reced with something almost endearing


    Cole''s grip on his ss tightened slightly. He exhaled slowly, willing himself to look away.


    But his mind lingered.


    There was something about Nora that was... unsettling. She was cold, yet there were moments, like now, where vulnerability slipped through. She had built walls around herself, yet at times, cracks formed, revealing the person beneath.


    And Leo-Leo was her greatest support.


    Cole recognized the depth of Leo''s loyalty, the way he treated Nora differently from anyone else. It wasn''t just protectiveness. It was something deeper, something stronger.


    It made Cole wonder.


    Was Nora truly untouchable?


    Or was there a way to break through?


    With that thought lingering in his mind, he lifted his drink and took a slow sip, his gaze once again drawn to the woman who, knowingly or unknowingly, was shaping the future of every person around her.


    The soft hum of the city filled the background as Nora stepped out of the cab, her movements precise despite the mild buzz of alcohol lingering in her system.


    The reception had wound down to its final moments, leaving behind scatteredughter, the clinking of sses, and conversations that had long lost their coherence.


    Cole walked ahead, leading both Leo and Nora to the hotel''s entrance.


    The cold wind bit at exposed skin, and Nora instinctively wrapped her coat tighter around herself.


    Despite the slight haze in her head, she was alert-her steps were steady, her senses sharp. She wasn''t drunk, but she wasn''t entirely sober either.


    Cole suddenly came to a halt just as they reached the main doors. His gaze flickered downward for the


    briefest moment.


    The hotel''s golden lighting cast a soft glow on Nora''s snow-white calves, barely exposed beneath the hem of her long, flowing skirt.


    The wind threatened to tease the fabric higher.


    He spoke in a low, measured tone. "Here''s fine. You go back."


    12:58


    After I left. Alpha father and son went craz


    99.5%


    Nora, slightly caught off guard by the abrupt decision, blinked before nodding. "Okay. Take care of


    yourself."


    Her voice was even, though she sensed something unsaid behind Cole''s words.


    He hesitated. Just for a second.


    It was as if there was something he wanted to say but couldn''t-or chose not to. His expression was unreadable, his lips parting slightly before he ultimately said nothing at all. With a brief nod, he turned and walked away.


    Nora didn''t linger. She slid into the cab, pulling the door shut behind her without a second nce.


    But Cole hadn''t actually left.


    Instead, he stood at a distance, watching. His hands were tucked into the pockets


    of his tailored coat, his posture rxed but his gaze unwavering. He wasn''t


    entirely sure why he stayed, only that a faint unease


    had settled in him.


    He had seen her drink tonight. Not much, but enough.


    If something happened to her-if she got into trouble because of her slightly impaired state-he would rather not regret letting her go so easily.


    Only when the cab pulled away, its taillights glowing red against the dark street, did Cole finally turn


    back inside.


    The Next Morning


    The soft chime of Nora''s phone rm pulled her out of sleep. She opened her eyes, blinking against the morning light filtering through the curtains. A dull ache pressed against her temples-not quite a headache, but enough to remind her ofst night''s drinks.


    She sat up, stretching her arms above her head, before ncing at her phone. Thepany had officially entered its holiday break starting today.


    A call from Alex Interrupted her thoughts.


    "Mommy," his voice was rxed, carrying a slight grin she could almost hear. "Are you free? Do you want toe.. We have some ns for the holiday"..


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!