Chapter 40

Cecil reclined comfortably in the backseat of the car, her eyes occasionally glancing at the passing lights outside. The soft hum of the vehicle filled the silence until she broke it with a question.

“Did you argue with Izzy?”

Calen’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. He kept his gaze on the road, his expression unreadable. He knew she would notice. The fact that Izzy left alone without him was simply too obvious.

“No,” he replied, his tone clipped.

Cecil tilted her head, studying his profile in the rearview mirror

“You’re lying,” she said plainly. “Izzy seemed different tonight Distant.”

Calen exhaled sharply, the tension in his shoulders visible.

“It’s nothing. She’s just under a lot of pressure lately”

Cecil didn’rlook convinced.

“Calen. I’ve known Izzy for years. That wasn’t just stress. Did something happen?”

He hesitated, his fingers tapping the steering wheel before he finally spoke.

“It’s complicated,” he admitted. “Dad’s been working with Izzy behind the scenes to push me toward becoming COO. He thinks I’m ready, but I’m not interested. Not yet.”

1

Cecil raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly..

“I didn’t know anything about that. Why would your father involve Izzy?”

“It’s a secret,” Calen said with a shrug. “Dad’s been talking about retiring for a while now. He thinks I need a push, and who

etter to nudge me than Izzy? She’s good at convincing people, and she knows how to handle him.”

Cecil studied him for a moment before shaking her head.

“Are you sure that’s what’s going on? Because what I saw tonight didn’t look like someone ‘nudging‘ you. It looked like someone who’s lost patience.”

Calen sighed, his jaw tightening,

“I’ll take care of it, Mom. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

leaned back again, her gaze thoughtful. After a moment,

you going to marry

hands tensed on the wheel. He didn’t answer immediately,

he said finally. “I’m still young.

a soft,

rush? Calen, do you have any idea how many men have been eyeing Izzy

Sat, Jan

Chapter 40

the type to be unfaithful,” Calen

shaking her head

a million dollars isn’t just about generosity. It’s about power and presence. Do

the mention of Liam, Calen’s jaw clenched. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as his mood visibly

he said

an eyebrow at his tone but decided to

consider proposing. You could use your grandmother’s ring”

in the rearview

“Grandmother’s ring?”

our family for generations. I rarely wear it anymore. It would

surprise turned to hesitation.

is important to you. Why would you suggest giving it to

Cecil replied. “And if you don’t see that, Calen, then you’re more foolish

He stared at

planning to get married yet,”

her

again. “You think the world will wait for you to make up your mind. But someone like Izzy? She won’t wait forever, Calent. Not with men like Liam hovering around, ready to

gritted his teeth in silence.

how

built? Imagine awkward it’d be if they assumed you were gearing up to take the reins, only for it to fall apart because… well, you’re dragging your feet

time, Calen didn’t answer his mother.

the passenger seat of her car, her head leaning back against the headrest, eyes shut. The champagne had definitely gotten to her. She had more glasses than she cared to count. At

as he stared at the road ahead. She let out a small sigh, inaudible over the

her drinking. No snarky remarks, no scolding about how irresponsible it was to even think about driving after champagne.

began to slow, and Izzy’s pulse quickened. What was he doing? Panic flickered for a moment, and she quickly shut her

Jan 4

Chapter 401

88%

on the gravel, moving around to her side. The door creaked open, and she felt the cool night air brush her skin. Before she could react, strong arms slid beneath

instinctively, cracking her eyes open just enough to meet

was nothing more than an inconvenience. His gaze flicked downward briefly before locking back onto the task at hand.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255