Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Adeline stood frozen!]
Her brain was spinning in circles []
So his apology was for those cutting remarks he’d made earlier when she first visited his bedroom!]
But what did that mean?]]
Had Mr. Ice King suddenly grown a conscience?]]
And those last sentences–what was he getting at?]
She mentally replayed his words, analyzing each syllable []
Finally, she thought she understood.[]
He was uritated that she hadn’t entered his hospital room–frustrated by her hesitation. As his assistant, she shouldn’t be so timid or caught up in pointless worries.[]
Following that logic, his final statements made perfect sense: he was making it clear he would never let anything happen between them, never allow any gossip to start.]
Embarrassed by her misunderstanding. Adeline nodded earnestly. “I get it now. You’re absolutely right–Innocent people have nothing to hide. I’ll be more confident in my professional role“]
Zarek’s expression was unreadable…
She had completely missed the point.
Heading back to her apartment, Adeline felt much lighter.[]
Zarek might be impossible to please, but at least he was willing to swallow his pride and clear the air when necessary.[]
That counted for something[]
Somewhere in the middle of the night, her phone chimed with a notification.[]
Half–conscious, she fumbled for it and squinted at the screen
From Zarek: Ms. Paige, remember to come to work tomorrow.
Adeline was beyond drowsy. In the darkness, she forced her heavy eyelids open just enough to see, clumsily typing a response: OK boss)
Her sleep clumsy fingers slipped slightly… “bo” becoming “ba“…]
Transforming “OK boss” into… “OK baby
After hitting send she absently swiped away the message, tossed her phone somewhere in the bedding, and drifted back to sleep without a second thought.]
The next morning
7:30 AM
Liam had breakfast on the table.]
Zarek had mentioned going into the office today []
Normally he’d be up at six for a run, at the breakfast table before seven, catching up on financial news, then making calls or holding video meetings in the garden before arriving at the office precisely at nine []
But with his injury, his routine had stuffed.[]
Light & cluck arrived with no sign of him.]
Ker showed up, surprised to learn that their CEO wasn’t even out of bed yet. “What happened last night? Did our monk finally discover nightlife?
The juke fell fist!
Even without lus injury. Zareks after hours activities had all the excitement of a documentary on drying paint []
Loth stood with his hands clasped, genuinely confused. “It’s not like lum. He never sleeps in f
Neither dared knock on his bedroom door []
Iinally at 6.30, Zarek emerged His face looked drawn, as if he’d spent the night staring at the ceiling faint shadows under his eyes []
Res and Liam exchanged games. Did he actually go out partying?
Zare ignored their silent exchange and headed for the dung table
The then followed at a respectful distance]
Av Zared Let Down to cat both assumed he was in a foul mood Rex didut attempt to review the day’s schedule, and Lam seruty served breakfast [
In their shock after taking a sip of pace, Zarek actually stulled. The pace is exceptional today
Lex
ו” .
It was merally the same juice they served every day ||
Had the frus supplier secretly switched to mapy stages?
Zares cuntmed eating with spring enthusi
ex felt that bringing up work matters would way us whatever strange good mood had possessed their boss.]]
thus perang Glancing at the screem be matter, “Adele calling Weird thing
Chapter 97
He started to step away to take the call]
“Answer it here,” Zarek commanded, his tone brooking no argument []
“Un sure “Rex was confused but knew better than to question]
He answered “Hey, Adeline
Adeline’s voice came through sounding cheerful “Morning Rex! What time are you getting to the office? []
“Around nine What’s up?“|]
So, I’m starting today, but I haven’t picked up my access card from 18 yet, and I don’t even know which floor my office is on Any chance you could meet me downstairs when I arrive? |
She knew she was being presumptuous, but her relationship with Rex was solid enough that she felt comfortable asking[]
Rex smiled. You haven’t left home yet, have you? I’m actually upstairs in the penthouse Just come up, and you can ride to the office with us. []
The line went silent for a moment []
I think I just meet you at the office,” Adeline finally said []
What kind of employee would just show up uninvited at their boss’s home and then hitch a ride with him?]
The dining room was quiet enough that Zarek could hear most of her side of the conversation]
He set down his glass with noticeable force[]
“Is she your boss or are you hers?” he said coldly. Tell her to contact HR herself]
His words carried clearly through the phone, and Adeline winced. Rex had actually taken the call with Zarek right there! What was he thinking?]
Rex looked like he wanted to sink through the noor []
Was helping her really such a crime?]
That’s totally fine!” Adeline said quickly. “Rex, Just send me the HR manager’s contact info, and I’ll handle it myself.
Rex sighed. “Tll text you the details.
Thanks so much. See you at the office.” Adeline hung up, her forced cheerfulness physically painful.]
Sitting at her vanity, she exhaled slowly.]
This was what she got for trying to take shortcuts. First day on the job, and she’d already been caught asking for special treatment and gotten Rex in trouble too
Ding‘)
Ret’s message arrived. []
She opened WhatsApp.]
She hadn’t checked since waking up, too busy with breakfast and makeup. Now she could see Rex’s new message waiting
Just as she was about to tap it, she noticed another conversation below.[]
While most people used creative usernames, his was simply his full name His profile picture showed a forest scene, with no status update. It almost looked like an unused account. 0
Zarek Weasley in clean, professional font.
And beneath it, a single line: OK baby
Her brain flatlined [
Extreme horror can cause temporary cognitive shutdown.[]
Baby||
Whose baby
Her baby
She didn’t have a baby!
Wall The was her WhatsApp, right? HER WhatsApp HER account![]
HERSHE
all had called hum boby)
SHE had called ZAKER WEASLEY her BS-“baby”
OH MY GOD
He and exploded like a nuclear test site her pupils dating like she’d seen a ghost her hands trembling like shed mantined espresso. []
Mempun
The can be happening()
This had be a nightmare!)
Adetur Therw her place across the roun like it had burned her backed away and cover est her mouth with both hands, staring to pure borror at the device lying innocently on the carpet.!!
After Haadug Trozen for a full ten muutes she finally accepted the terrible tourte
She is back later her chair ||
Taking a deep binally ste retrieved her phone and checked the tuomtamp He had texted her at AM
Delete block, Move On Your Little aytaxty Upgradest to touchable Dureny
Chapter 97
She couldn’t tell exactly when she’d replied []
Maybe he’d been as half–asleep as she was and hadn’t even seen her message yet?]
If she could somehow get upstairs and delete it from his phone but the chances of pulling that off were lower than winning the lottery while being struck by lightning. Oh god []
In the end, she decided to try anyway [
Things were already apocalyptic–might as well go down fighting]
First, she deleted her message on her own phone–destroying the evidence–then grabbed her bag and headed upstairs with her heart in her throat
When she appeared in the penthouse dining room, all three men turned to look at her []
Adeline forced her face into something resembling a smile “Good morning.
Zarek studied her, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he drawled, “Ms. Paige looks well–rested today
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.