Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 126

The early morning sun cast long shadows across the streets as Kylan pulled into the company parking lot, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The sleepless night had drained him, and the hollow ache in his chest grew heavier with each passing hour. When he got back to their house, Katrina had already left with Clarence. He had flown to Portland to meet with her since she mentioned she would be at Alois' home. But when he got there, Alois had already been waiting for him, guarding the door.

He told Kylan to leave Katrina alone for now, telling him pursuing her would not be the best action while her emotions were still high. Kylan had no choice but to go back to New York, dejected and heartbroken.

The office buzzed with its usual energy, employees scurrying to their desks and exchanging pleasantries. But as Kylan strode through the hallways, the atmosphere shifted. His presence silenced the chatter, replaced by tense whispers and hurried footsteps. The once- charismatic leader now wore a stormy expression, his eyes cold and unyielding.

"Mr. Ross," a nervous employee ventured as he passed, holding out a file.

"Later," Kylan snapped, not breaking stride. The employee froze in place, startled by the sharpness of his tone, before retreating hastily. Everyone looked at each other, especially those that were working in the Ross Corporation during Katrina's time. The scary and intimidating Kylan Ross known for his impatience seemed to be back.

In the break room, Ryan watched the scene unfold, his brow furrowed in concern. He had known Kylan for years and could see the cracks forming beneath the surface. This wasn't the man who had gone past his traumas. This was someone entirely different. Ryan caught up with Kylan just as he slammed his office door shut. He knocked once before stepping inside, undeterred by the icy glare that met him.

"What do you want?" Kylan growled, his tone low and dangerous.

Ryan crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. "I want to know what's going on with you."

"Nothing that concerns you," Kylan snapped, turning his chair to face the window.

"Don't give me that," Ryan said firmly, pushing himself away from the doorframe and walking to the table. He settled on the chair. "You're barking orders, scaring the staff, and acting like you're trying to outdo a thunderstorm in intensity. This isn't you, Kylan." Kylan's shoulders tensed, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair. "I don't have time for this."

Ryan stared at Kylan before he nodded to himself. "Is this about Katrina?"

Kylan didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Did you talk to her?"

Kylan swallowed as he closed his eyes and shook his head. "She's at Portland."

Ryan nodded slowly. "Give her time. She will eventually allow herself to talk to you. Then, you can explain to her clearly without emotions clouding her judgment. Right now, don't let it consume you. People here respect you. They look up to you. Don't throw that away." The CEO didn't respond anymore. Ryan lingered a moment longer before quietly leaving, the door clicking shut behind him.

Meanwhile, Isabella had just entered the lobby of the company. She was humming a tune under her breath. Her demeanor was cheerful, almost too much so, drawing attention from her coworkers.

Aaron, knowing what had happened to Katrina and Kylan a few days before, had been watching her closely after they came back from a business trip. Something about her felt off, and today, he decided to act.

He followed her to her desk and glanced at the closed door of Kylan's office.

"Isabella," he called, his tone sharp. She looked up, her bright smile unwavering.

brings you here?" she asked, tilting her head

said bluntly,

fraction of a second before she recovered. "Kylan? What

had something to do with Katrina leaving. Don't think people haven't noticed

hand on her chest, feigning offense. "Aaron, that's a serious accusation. I've only ever tried to help Mr. Ross. He's been going through so much, and I thought I could be

up to

look. "I can't believe you'd think so poorly of me," she whispered, her voice trembling. "All I've done

to a near whisper. "You don't care about

and walked away, leaving Isabella staring after him. Her hands clenched

office, Kylan buried himself in work, using the endless stream of emails and meetings as a distraction from the emptiness clawing at him. But his harsh demeanor, once an exception, became the rule.

clipped tone and professional manner, even as far as calling her by her last name. She looked upset, her expression soft and

trust, he realized bitterly, was a luxury he could

~0~0~0~

sound of

was now chaotic, employees huddling in corners, whispering nervously about the drama that had exploded out of nowhere. The news had spread like wildfire, with tabloids running stories about Kylan's failed marriage, the sudden disappearance of his wife, and his personal life now on full display for the

face buried in his hands as he tried to process the whirlwind of chaos. His phone buzzed incessantly with calls, each one from another journalist asking for a comment, or worse, demanding an interview. His once-impeccable reputation was being dragged through

company was in a dire situation. When Katrina was still his assistant. When they had decided that

could elevate the sales and shares of his company,

office with a look of

"I don't know, Max. Have

is nothing we could do even if we knew who spread this. We should address the media and issue a statement about the

could respond, the office door opened again, and Isabella stepped in with an air of purpose. She had been waiting for this moment: the opportunity to take charge, to show Kylan just how indispensable she could be. Her eyes flicked over the scene in the office,

her heels clicking with confidence. She looked

said, her voice smooth

clearly surprised by her level

smile. "I'm a PR expert, Kylan. I've been managing

you and the others need to focus on calming down the staff

at her. He knew something but he wouldn't say it while the company was still in

Isabella cut him off. "I've got

press. We'll put out a statement, and I'll make sure the company's image stays intact. We can turn this into an opportu to show your commitment to the business, and to the people who

chair, still uncertain but unable to see any other way forward. His company was at risk, his personal life was being exposed, and the media was relentless. He felt cornered, and for the first time in a long while, he wasn't sure

me. You need a strong front, and I'm the one who can help you maintain it. We'll control the narrative, Kylan. I'll make sure you come out of this stronger than

hours, Isabella

fingers flying over her phone and laptop as she crafted a flawless public response. She quickly assembled a press release, carefully worded to portray Kylan