But to her satisfaction, he lookedpletely indifferent.


    If anything, there was a trace of amusement in his expression, as if he were watching a performance he had no interest in interrupting,


    Linda''s smirk deepened.


    So, Arnold didn''t care.


    He didn''t care if another man showed interest in his ex-wife. He wasn''t the


    jealous type.... not anymore.


    That suited Linda just fine.


    She had spent too long trying to prove herself, too long ensuring that she was the only woman Arnold truly needed. If Nora ended up being a fool for Bran, it would only make things easier for her.


    As Cole spoke with his colleagues, his attention drifted elsewhere.


    Across the room, Nora was standing with Bran, her posture rxed, her eyes alight with amusement. Sheughed at something he said... a light, genuine sound that Cole had rarely heard from her.


    It wasn''t the polite chuckle she gave in formal settings or the reserved smile she offered to acquaintances. No, this was something different. Something more.


    His jaw tightened. He had never seen her smile so easily while talking to someone else. Especially not


    Bran.


    Bran... who worked directly under her. Bran... who had far more ess to her than Cole ever did. Bran... who, in every measurable way, was apetitor. Cole forced himself to maintain hisposed exterior, but his fingers twitched at his side.


    He nced briefly at his co-workers, muttered an excuse about needing to check something, and walked toward Nora and Bran with controlled steps.


    Bran noticed his approach immediately. His expression hardened, his rxed posture subtly shifting into something more guarded.


    His gaze flickered with cold awareness, as if he knew exactly why Cole wasing over.


    with regret


    98.4%


    Clear 187


    Cole didn''t acknowledge him. Instead, he turned directly to Nora, his voice smooth but measured.


    "What are you two talking about?"


    Nora blinked, unfazed by his sudden presence. "Work," she replied, her tone casual


    Cole''s lips curled into a polite smile, but it didn''t quite reach his eyes. "Work?" he echoed, his gaze flicking briefly to Bran before returning to her. "It must be something interesting"


    "It is," Bran interjected before Nora could respond, his tone even but firm. "Nora had a great idea about optimizing the project structure. We were discussing how to implement it."


    Cole''s smile didn''t waver, but his grip on his emotions did. "Sounds productive." His voice was neutral, but there was an edge to it, barely perceptible.


    "It is," Nora confirmed, ncing between the two men. She raised a brow slightly, as if sensing the underlying tension. “Bran has some good insights on the workflow. We were just brainstorming."


    Cole''s gaze darkened for a fraction of a second, but before he could say anything else, another voice cut


    1. in.


    "Perfect timing," Arnold said, approaching with Linda beside him. He barely nced at Cole or Bran before turning to Leo. "I wanted to talk to you about a potential coboration."


    Leo, who had been standing nearby, stiffened at the mention.


    His history with Arnold wasplicated, but he didn''t let his personal reservations show.


    "I assume you''re talking about the international project?" Leo asked, his voice steady.


    Arnold nodded. "Exactly. A solo approach won''t work for this. We need a partnership if we want real influence."


    Leo was silent for a moment before replying, "If we''re aiming for long-term sess, we don''t have much choice." His tone was cool, pragmatic.


    Linda, standing slightly behind Arnold, observed the exchange with quiet amusement.


    Her lips curled into a small, knowing smile, though she remained silent. Arnold''s proposalnded on Leo''s ears, but his expression remained neutral.


    After a moment, he exhaled lightly and said, "Now''s not the time to discuss cooperation. Let''s talk ab Alpha tomorrow, and we''ll find another time to go over the specific details."


    Arnold nodded, his demeanor calm. "Then it''s a deal."


    98.6%


    As he spoke, his gaze didn''t linger on Nora at all. Instead, he simply turned and left with Linda hay se


    side.


    Linda, however, cast a brief nce at Bran and Cole before departing, It wasert a choval loc a carret curiosity, calction, and perhaps even a trace of amusement.


    Bran, sensing her eyes on him, looked away, pretending not to notice. His woal sharpness drilled for


    brief second.


    Cole, on the other hand, remained silent. He had no interest in Linda''s nces or whatever she was ying. His mind was upied with something else entirely.


    The Next Day


    Nora pulled into the STARLINE Studios parking lot, turned off the engine, and stepped out of the car


    She adjusted her bag on her shoulder, taking a deep breath as she prepared herself for another day


    Just as she closed the car door, she heard the sound of another vehicle pulling up neartry.


    A momentter, Arnold and Cody emerged from the car parked just a few feet away.


    Arnold was the first to acknowledge her. "Good morning, Nora,” he said in a light, almost casual tone, as if the tension between them didn''t exist.


    Nora didn''t hesitate. She didn''t stop. She didn''t even return the greeting. Instead, she turned without a word and walked toward the front doors of thepany, her postureposed but distant.


    Cody, who had only seen Nora once since she left Arnold, blinked in surprise.