Sadie was dressed in a chic, understated professional suit, her long hair swept up into an elegant bun that accentuated her delicate neck. She radiated a poised blend of competence and grace.
At that instant, she sat partially turned away, a slight confident smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she engaged in a spirited exchange with Roy.
This was a side of Sadie that Noah had never witnessed before.
Kyla’s eyes darted covertly towards Sadie, a sly smirk barely visible on her face.
She brought a hand to her mouth, feigning shock. “Noah, are my eyes deceiving me? Is that Sadie? What on earth is she doing here?”
Noah remained silent, his intense gaze fixed on Roy, who was engaged in an eager conversation with Sadie. A shadow of doubt flitted across his expression.
Kyla’s jealousy surged unchecked when she saw Noah’s attention so fixed on Sadie. Her emotions morphed into simmering anger.
She grasped Noah’s arm, her voice laced with feigned surprise. “Noah, is Sadie really discussing business with Mr. Dominguez? But I thought Wall Group wasn’t collaborating with Maple Group right now, or am I mistaken?”
“Kyla.” Noah’s brow furrowed, the displeasure in his tone unmistakable.
Kyla, seemingly unaware of his growing irritation, leaned in with a teasing smirk. “Could it be there’s something between Sadie and Mr. Dominguez?”
She paused dramatically, her voice dripping with insinuation. “But isn’t Mr. Dominguez quite a bit older? Does that really not bother Sadie?”
The air around Noah seemed to chill, his eyes narrowing into icy slits as he fixed a stern look on Kyla. “Enough with the nonsense.”
Despite the warning, a thrill ran through Kyla, her pulse quickening.
She stifled a giggle, her hand lightly covering her mouth as she hurried to keep pace with Noah’s brisk strides, her high heels clicking against the floor. Her eyes twinkled with mischief, as she relished the stir she’d caused.
Roy caught sight of them first. Despite his fifty-plus years, his presence was distinguished and vibrant. He stood gracefully, greeting Noah with a warm, calculated smile and an outstretched hand.
“Mr. Wall, I thought you were not feeling well. Why did you come in person?” Sadie hadn’t anticipated running into these two, and her features twisted into an awkward mask of surprise.
Noah’s eyes briefly scanned the business proposal sprawled across the table before settling on Roy, who maintained an inscrutable facade. In that instant, Noah’s sharp instincts kicked in, whispering that the situation was laced with complexity.
He parted his lips to speak, but Sadie, quick on the uptake, interjected, “Mr. Wall, how are you feeling today?” Her voice was laced with a genuine tint of concern. “I didn’t expect you to come in person. It seems you hold the partnership with Maple Group in high regard.”
Her words cleverly offered Noah a hint, as she acknowledged that her own bold moves had orchestrated today’s meeting. Nonetheless, if this secured the partnership with Maple Group, Wall Group would benefit just as much.
Noah, ever the astute businessman, caught her implications without missing a beat.
He nodded, his response firm yet infused with undeniable gravitas. “My apologies, Mr. Dominguez, for not arriving sooner.”
Kyla’s lips curled into a tight, almost imperceptible sneer, her eyes glinting with a flicker of disdain. She had seen through the charade; today’s high-stakes negotiation was all Sadie’s doing.
And now, Sadie was deftly passing the responsibility, forcing Noah to untangle the web she had woven-what a strategic move.
Kyla watched as Noah maintained a stoically indifferent facade. There was no sign he intended to derail Sadie’s plan, and Kyla couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.
It appeared Sadie had managed to coax even the typically calculating Noah into bending the rules just for her.
Roy and Noah had already taken their respective places on the plush sofas, poised to dive into their business discussion.
Roy leaned forward with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with genuine admiration. “Mr. Wall, I must say, your secretary is quite remarkable. So young, yet she grasps the intricacies of the project like a seasoned pro. It’s a rare find,” he noted, his voice rich with sincerity as he nodded towards Sadie. “You’ve really landed yourself an extraordinary talent there!”
Sadie allowed herself a small, humble smile in response. Her voice was soft yet confident as she replied, “Mr. Dominguez, you’re too kind. I’m just fulfilling my responsibilities and continually learning from Mr. Wall.”
Her posture remained impeccable, a testament to her professionalism, as she anticipated the successful closure of their discussion, which would, in turn, secure her a well-deserved bonus.
The mere thought sparked a subtle gleam of anticipation in her eyes.
On the sidelines, Kyla observed the exchange, her heart simmering with envy.
There was no way in hell she was going to stand there and let Sadie steal the spotlight!
Taking a deep, calming breath to quell the rising storm of indignation, Kyla masked her frustration with a practiced, serene smile and sat next to Noah with graceful nonchalance. Her voice was light, almost airy, as she chimed in, “Mr. Dominguez, perhaps there’s been a slight misunderstanding. In truth, Noah was the one behind this proposal. Sadie was merely assisting in its delivery. The main thing, of course, is your satisfaction with the work.”
Her words, wrapped in a veil of politeness, were designed not just to set the record straight but to subtly diminish Sadie’s role to that of a simple intermediary.
Roy, a seasoned judge of character from years of encountering diverse personalities, swiftly grasped the hidden intentions in Kyla’s cautious words. With a discerning glance, his features subtly shifted to a frown, reflecting his displeasure.
He was no stranger to whispers of Kyla’s past with Noah, and her recent reappearance had already sparked rumors among their circles. Despite Noah’s lingering affection for his former lover, Roy was resolute in disregarding her.
Roy cleared his throat pointedly, his gaze piercing as it swept across Noah and Kyla, finally anchoring on Noah with a significant weight. “Mr. Wall, I would appreciate a moment to discuss our potential collaboration in private at your earliest convenience. Given that you have company today, perhaps we should postpone our conversation.” His words hung heavy in the air, amplifying the tension.
Kyla’s expression hardened, a mix of regret and embarrassment crossing her features as she realized her misstep had soured the mood. Just as she was gearing up to defuse the tension, Roy abruptly stood and exited the room.
Sadie’s voice faltered. “Mr. Dominguez…” She watched, a blend of anxiety and frustration brewing within her, as her chance to secure the deal seemed to vanish with his departure. Yet she restrained her emotions before Noah. Powerless, she could only look at Roy’s retreating figure.
When Roy was out of sight, Sadie turned towards Noah, her expression one of bewilderment. She ventured cautiously, “Mr. Wall, this moment could be crucial for finalizing our cooperation. Perhaps you could still…”
She was cut off mid-sentence by Noah’s frosty voice. “Sadie, who authorized you to approach Mr. Dominguez on your own?”
Stunned, Sadie felt a tight grip around her heart, a creeping dull ache spreading across her chest.
“Noah, please, don’t be too harsh on Sadie,” Kyla remarked, her voice a gentle murmur, seemingly protective yet tinged with a hint of criticism.
As she spoke, she edged closer to Noah, her arm lightly brushing against his, suggesting intimacy as she added, “She meant well for the company, though perhaps her methods strayed from our usual protocols, right?”
Noah’s brow creased with a slight frown, and though he subtly shifted away from Kyla’s touch, he remained silent, not contesting her statement.
Turning away, Sadie averted her eyes, unable to bear the discomfort of the exchange.
The fierce sunlight enveloped her, but failed to thaw the coldness seeping into her soul.
While Sadie buried herself in the proposal, pouring her heart and soul into the work, Noah was busy enjoying himself with the love of his life. The absurdity of the situation wasn’t lost on her.
Taking a measured breath to quell the storm raging inside, Sadie addressed him with a veneer of composure. “Mr. Wall, our company has always placed great importance on the Maple Group project. When we manage to secure the deal, I trust you’ll remember the bonus you promised.”
Noah’s gaze turned sharp, his eyes a deep abyss, difficult to read.
So, it all boiled down to the bonus for Sadie. Was this her calculated move to cut ties? To think she planned her exit with such meticulous care!
Unable to bear the sight of Noah and Kyla’s closeness, Sadie decided to leave.
She swiftly picked up the proposal document from the table, tucked it into her bag, and turned to leave.
“Sadie!” The authority in Noah’s voice echoed in the tense air.
Sadie stopped dead in her tracks, inhaled deeply to steady her nerves, and turned around. Her lips, a striking shade of red, parted ever so slightly. With a voice that carried a steady resolve, yet trembled ever so subtly, she asked, “Mr. Wall, is there anything else you need?”
Kyla cast a wary glance at Noah, trying to gauge his thoughts. His rage was palpable, radiating in waves that filled the room. She surmised it was sparked by Sadie’s daring behavior.
“Sadie, every organization abides by its own set of rules. I trust you’ll refrain from disregarding our company’s guidelines in the future,” Kyla said, her voice soft yet imbued with an authoritative firmness. It looked like she already considered herself the CEO’s wife. “As a consequence of your actions, your bonus for this project will be withheld.”
Sadie’s response was swift and fierce. She jerked her head up, her gaze icy as she fixed Kyla with a cold, challenging stare. Her delicate features were twisted in fury, her teeth gritted. “What right do you have to make this decision?” she demanded sharply.
Ignoring the tension, Kyla subtly leaned against Noah, her posture feigning vulnerability. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked up at him imploringly. “Noah, did I do something wrong? Imagine the chaos if everyone at Wall Group behaved as she did.”
Noah’s response came as a dismissive snort, his voice laced with a clear edge of impatience. “I have to agree with Kyla-Sadie, you really did mess up here.”
Sadie’s fingers clenched around her bag, the sharp press of her nails against her palm unnoticed in her rising agitation.
She had poured her heart into this project, aiming to impress Roy and shift the tide in her favor. Yet here she was, on the brink of losing everything because of Kyla’s remarks.
“Noah, it appears Sadie is opposed to this punishment,” Kyla murmured, her voice a mask of regret, though her eyes told a different story. “However, without it, we risk setting a precedent that might lead others to disregard our policies.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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