로그인The restaurant was nearly empty.Soft jazz played faintly in the background while city lights reflected against the glass walls overlooking downtown.And for the past seven minutes…Neither Noah nor Vivian had spoken.Vivian Shaw finally dropped her wine glass on the table with a sharp clink.“Okay, this is getting creepy,” she declared. “Why exactly would a whole Noah Vale ask me out for a meeting this late at night?”Noah sat across from her calmly, one arm resting lazily against the chair.His expression remained unreadable.Vivian narrowed her eyes suspiciously.Then suddenly…“Oh my God!"Noah looked unimpressed already.“Are you interested in me?”Silence.“Do I look that young?” she continued. Still, no response from Noah. “Wow! I know a lot of younger guys are into me; I just don’t expect that even Noah Vale has a thing for older women. Or do you really not know I’m a bit… maybe a few years… older than you.” Then Noah let out a quiet laugh.Not amused.Just deeply offensive
“You killed him!” he repeated. Adrian’s voice cracked violently through the room as he slammed Miranda against the wall.The force shocked everyone.Miranda gasped softly, her entire body trembling from both fear and grief.Adrian’s hands tightened around her shoulders.“You killed my father!” he shouted again, eyes bloodshot. “You came and destroyed everything!”“Adrian!” Sabrina screamed.But he wasn’t listening anymore.Everything shattered at once.Mrs. Cole burst into louder sobs at the sight.The doctors froze awkwardly beside the bed where Mr. Cole’s body still lay covered.Miranda couldn’t even defend herself.Couldn’t breathe.Because somewhere deep inside… A horrible part of her believed him.If she hadn’t come…If they hadn’t argued…If the shares…Sabrina rushed to Adrian, trying to pull him away from her, but her sorrow had eaten away her strength. She could only resort to hitting Adrain on the back to let Miranda go. The door suddenly burst open.“What the hell is goin
The silence inside the hospital room turned heavy instantly.Mr. Cole looked up at his son calmly despite the tension rising around them.“I said,” he repeated slowly, "thirty per cent of the company shares will be transferred to Miranda.”Adrian laughed.But there was nothing amusing about it.The sound came out sharp.“You’re giving her thirty per cent of the company?” he asked again, staring at his father like he had completely lost his mind. “Without discussing it with me first?”Mr. Cole’s tired eyes hardened faintly.“I built this company before you were born,” he replied. “I do not require your permission to decide what happens to the shares.”Adrian’s jaw clenched.“Dad…”“And Miranda deserves it.”That made Adrian snap completely.“She deserves it?” he repeated harshly. “For what exactly? Pretending to be some innocent victim while ruining my life?”Miranda froze.Sabrina frowned immediately.“Adrian…”“Stay the fuck out of my business!” he barked at Sabrina.His attention re
Daniel paused briefly on the other end."Should I be worried?”“Yes,” Noah answered without hesitation.Then he hung up.Melissa stared at him.“You know,” she said carefully, “that tone usually belongs to villains before entire bloodlines disappear.”Noah slid his phone back into his pocket.“She should’ve stayed out of it.”Melissa opened her mouth to respond but suddenly froze.“Oh no.”Noah glanced at her.“What now?”Melissa suddenly looked genuinely uncomfortable."...Richard."The name clicked instantly.The man whose head she had nearly smashed open earlier.Melissa cursed under her breath and immediately turned. “I’ll be back.”Then she hurried down the corridor before Noah could even respond.Five minutes later, Melissa stood at the reception desk looking impatient.“The patient’s name is Richard,” she said quickly. “Head injury. Probably whining and exaggerating somewhere.”The nurse blinked awkwardly before checking the system.“Room 308.”Melissa nodded immediately and r
Adrian’s voice cracked through the corridor like a whip.Before Miranda could answer, Noah stepped forward calmly.“She’s under my care now,” he said smoothly. “So naturally, I’m here to protect her from bullies.”Adrian laughed once.“Protect her?” he repeated slowly. “From me?”Noah’s expression remained unreadable.“If the shoe fits.”Melissa immediately took two dramatic steps backward.“Oh God,” she muttered to herself. “If Miranda isn’t my friend, I’d be reporting this right away. This can definitely get me the promotion I’ve been hoping for.”Both men ignored her completely.Adrian’s gaze remained locked on Noah.“Do you really think she’s going to settle for you?” Adrian scoffed. “I already told you. She’s got no heart. She’s going to dump you as soon as she lays hands on another target?”“Is that so?” Noah scoffed. “You don’t believe me?” Adrian exclaimed. “How long have you known her?”“Long enough,” Noah replied calmly, “to know she deserves better.”That landed harder tha
Miranda stared at the screen for a second longer before finally answering the call.She didn’t bother putting it on speaker.But judging from Noah's and Melissa’s expressions, both of them were trying very hard to hear every word.“…Hello?” Miranda said quietly.Adrian’s voice came immediately.“Where are you?”No greeting.No concern.Just cold demand.Miranda leaned back slightly against the hospital bed.“What do you want, Adrian?”A short silence followed.“So you really don’t intend to come back home after spending the night with your lover?”Miranda, however, remained calm.“What do you want?” she repeated.This time, Adrian answered immediately.“My father is at the hospital.”Miranda stilled slightly.Adrian continued.“He’s demanding to see you.”Her fingers tightened faintly around the phone.“I’m waiting for you at home,” Adrian added. “We’ll go together.”Miranda scoffed softly.“That won’t be necessary.”“What?”“I’ll meet you at the hospital.”That earned immediate looks







