Chapter 110
Noah hurried through the hospital corridors, his heart racing with each step. He had received a call from Thomas just an hour ago, informing him that his brother, Ryan, had been involved in a fatal accident and was in
a coma.
As he entered the hospital room, Thomas greeted him with a somber expression. “Noah, I’m so sorry. Your brother’s condition is critical. The accident caused severe head trauma, and…and the doctors don’t know if he’ll ever wake up p>
Noah felt like he had been punched in the gut. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. His brother, his best friend, his partner in every sense of the word, might never wake up again.
He spent the next few hours in a daze, sitting beside Ryan’s hospital bed, holding his hand, and praying for a miracle.
Time stretched by the minute and he knew he had to leave, had to get back to work. He glanced at his watch and up to face Thomas.
“I have to leave,” Noah said and Thomas nodded in understanding.
“I will take care of him for you,” Thomas said, patting Noah’s shoulder gently.
Noah drove to the office, his mind still troubled with the news.
As he entered the office, his eyes landed on Isla, sitting at her desk, looking like a zombie. Her eyes were sunken, her skin pale, and her hair disheveled. Noah wondered what could have happened to put her in such a state.
He felt the urge to ask, to console her, but he had promised himself to maintain their professional relationship. So, he just passed her desk without a word.
Isla’s heart broke at Noah’s indifference. She had been hoping he would notice her, would ask her what was wrong, would console her. But instead, he just walked by, leaving her feeling empty and alone.
As Noah entered his office, he found Alex waiting for him. Noah looked at Alex as he walked in, a feigned confident smile plastered on his face. “What brings you here, Alex?” Noah asked, expecting a discussion about their latest business experience.
But Alex’s next words shocked him. “Do you know if your secretar, said, his eyes locked on Noah’s.
ngle? I am planning to ask her out,” he
Noah’s eyebrow arched in surprise. “Isla? What makes you think…?” he paused, unsure of how to respond.
Alex leaned forward, his eagerness evident. “I met her at the pool party, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She’s intelligent, beautiful, and has this spark that draws me in. I know it may seem sudden, but I feel a connection with her that I’ve never felt with anyone before p>
Noah felt a twist in his chest—jealousy, which he quickly suppressed. “I’m afraid I’m not the one to give you permission,” he said finally. “Isla is her person, and she can make her own decisions p>
Alex nodded understandingly. “I respect that. But I wanted to approach you first, as a sign of respect p>
Noah nodded, feeling a sense of relief that the conversation was over. “You’ve shown respect, Alex. Now it’s up
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to Isla to decide”
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As Alex walked out of the office, Noah watched him stop at Isla’s desk. He introduced himself and began talking to her, his words making her laugh.
Noah’s palms involuntarily balled up into a fist as he watched with growing unease.
What did Alex have that he didn’t? Was it his youth, his charm, or something more? Noah couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was losing Isla to his business partner.
Meanwhile, Alex was succeeding in asking Isla out. They picked out a date and he left, leaving his contact information with her. Noah’s eyes narrowed as he watched Alex walk out of the office, feeling a sense of rivalry that he couldn’t ignore.
He immediately rang Isla, his voice firm. “Miss Hamilton, come into my office p>
When she arrived, he looked up at her, his eyes intense. “I need you to focus on our upcoming dinner meeting. Rather than flirting with my partners p>
Isla’s eyes flashed with anger. “Flirting? You think I was flirting with Alex p>
Noah’s brow twitched, “On first–name terms already I see.” he mumbled to himself. His expression remained unreadable. “I’m just saying that you need to focus on your work p>
Isla’s voice rose. “You’re not giving me a chance to move on, but you’re not giving me any attention either. What do you want from me?” her sudden outburst shocked her as much as it shocked Noah.
Noah’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent, his eyes locked on hers. Isla’s anger seemed to disperse, replaced by sadness. She turned and walked out of his office, leaving Noah feeling guilty and unsure of what to do next.
The next few days passed in a blur, the atmosphere in the office intensifying. Noah would only summon Isla when necessary, and she wouldn’t dare look over at his office, even though she could feel his gaze on her.
Finally, the day of her date with Alex arrived, and Isla got off work early to prepare. Noah watched her leave, feeling unease, he couldn’t shake off the thoughts from his mind.
What would happen on this date? Would Isla fall for Alex’s charms? And what would he do if she did?
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As Isla stood in front of the mirror, she hummed a melody that has been stucked in her head. She wondered where she heard it from but it clicked when she remembered Noah’s ringtone.
She wore a stunning red dress that hugged her body perfectly revealing her curves, a chose of color and figure that would catch Alex’s eyes. The memory of Noah’s disapproving glare lingered in her mind, but she pushed it aside determined to enjoy her evening.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, she glanced at the lit screen to look at the caller ID. It was Jackson. She flipped the phone to lie on its screen.
Isla arrived at the restaurant a little bit late, Alex was already there, looking good in a tailored suit. He stood as he watched her approach their reserved table. His face lit up with a smile that made her heart skip a bit. They exchanged pleasantries, and as they sat down.
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Alex began to share stories about his adventures in the business world, effortlessly making her laugh.
As the evening progressed, the chemistry between them became undeniable. Alex was charming, attentive, and genuinely interested in Isla’s thoughts and feelings. For the first time in a long while Isla felt free, laughing and enjoying herself without the weight of Noah’s expectations pressing down on her.
Meanwhile, Noah was stuck in his office, unable to shake the feeling of jealousy that chewed at him. He tried to focus on work, but all he could think about was Isla’s smile and how she had looked in that dress. The thought of her with Alex made his stomach turn, and he found himself regretting his earlier words.
Back at the restaurant, as dessert was served, Alex leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, Isla, what do you think about taking this to the next level? I enjoy spending time with you, and I’d love to see where this could go p>
Isla felt a rush of excitement but also guilt. She thought of Noah and how complicated everything had become. Still, Alex’s charm was hard to resist, and she found herself smiling back at him, contemplating the possibilities.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.