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.

you here?" she asked,

to talk to you about Kylan," Aaron said

smile faltered for a fraction of a second

the act," Aaron said, his voice low but firm. "I know you had something to

only ever tried to help Mr. Ross. He's been

up to something, and

she replaced it with a teary-eyed look. "I can't believe you'd think so poorly of

near whisper. "You don't care about him. You're obsessed. And that's going to be your

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

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. Employees avoided his gaze, tiptoeing around his explosive

on, Kylan had been ignoring Isabella. He was only talking to her in a 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

~0~0~0~

of

once orderly office space was now chaotic, employees huddling in corners, whispering nervously about the drama that had exploded out

comment, or worse, demanding an interview. His once-impeccable reputation was being dragged through the mud, and the company was teetering on the edge of a media storm. The last thing he needed was to

Katrina was still his assistant. When they had decided that a contract relationship would be the best answer

for him. They could elevate the sales and shares of his company, or they

aggressive," Max said, bursting into the office with a look

weary. "I don't know, Max.

is nothing we could do even if we knew

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

as she crossed to Kylan's desk, her heels

said, her voice smooth

level of assurance. "And how would

a PR expert, Kylan. I've been managing crises before I worked for you. I know exactly

others need to focus on calming down

it

him off. "I've got this. Just trust

"I'll handle the press. We'll put out a statement, and I'll make sure the company's image stays intact. We can turn this into

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 what the right move was. "You have to be careful of what you say, Isabella,"

met his gaze, her eyes unwavering. "Trust 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

Isabella

assembled a press release, carefully worded to portray Kylan as a man who was enduring a personal crisis