Chapter 145
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 stride composed, not sparing Arnold or
Linda another glance.
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 she composed herself.
It was then that Dalton arrived at a new understanding.
Just now he was a little worried that there wasn’t sunknown relationship 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 relationship.
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 balance of power.
On the other side of the ballroom, Cole stood with a group of business partners, engaging in a discussion, but his
true focus lay 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 usually composed demeanor.
Her eyes, clear and intelligent, carried a slight haze, making her appear more delicate than usual. The
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Chapter 145
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usual distance in her expression was replaced with something almost endearing
Cole's grip on his glass 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 scattered laughter, the clinking of glasses,
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 cto 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 | left. Alpha father and son went craz
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Chapter 145
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 expressign@asC om
upreadasiéhis fos parting slightly
before he ultimately said nothing at
all. With a brief nod, he turned and
walked away. The content is on
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Nora didn’t linger. She slid into the cab, pulling the door shut behind her without a second glance.
But Cole hadn't actually left.
Instead, he stood at a distance,
watching. His hands were tucked into
the pockets of his tgilqryd coat Hi
ppsturdve@idd but his gaze
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unwavering. He wasn't entirely sure
why he stayed, only that a faint
unease The content is on
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chapter there!
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 chof Nora's phone
alarm pulled her out of sleep. She
opened her eyes, fas against the
curtains. A dull ache pressed against
her temples—not quite a headache,
but enough to remind her of last
night's drinks. The content is on
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chapter there!
She sat up, stretching her arms above her head, before glancing at her phone. The company had officially
entered its holiday break starting today.
A call from Alex Interrupted her thoughts.
“Mommy,” his voice was relaxed, carrying a slight grin she could almost hear. “Are you free? Do you want to
come.. We have splans for the holiday“..