Chapter 7

Liora's POV 

Before I could say anything, an office door swung open and Jasper stepped out.

The air in the hallway changed at once. His presence was strong, so strong that people moved aside without him even speaking. He was tall, serious, and carried himself like a man who ruled the place. His sharp eyes swept over me quickly, unreadable, before stopping on Vanessa.

“Vanessa,” he said firmly, “I need the numbers from the Tokyo branch by noon. Miss Gray, you’re with me.”

His voice left no space for argument. My heart skipped as I followed him into his office. The last thing I saw before the door closed was Vanessa’s angry face, full of dislike.

Inside, the office was big and filled with light. Tall glass windows showed the city below, shining under the midday sun. The buildings sparkled like gold, and cars moved like little toys on the roads.

Jasper moved around the office with calm control. He placed his files on the desk, adjusted his watch, and moved a pen so it sat neatly in the right place. Everything he did was careful, clean, and perfect.

But I noticed small things too. His eyebrows pulled together when he read a paper. His lips pressed tight when something bothered him. His nose twitched slightly when he was tense. Those little signs reminded me that under the strong CEO mask, he was still human.

“Sit,” he said, pointing at the chair in front of his desk.

I sat quickly, holding my notebook tightly in my lap. “You wanted me, sir?” I asked softly.

His eyes cut into me, sharp and deep. Then a small smirk pulled at his lips. “Don’t call me ‘sir.’ It makes me sound old.”

Heat rushed into my cheeks. “Sorry… Mr. Kent.”

“That’s better.” His smirk faded as his tone turned cold and serious again. “Your proposal was approved. But that’s only the beginning. From now on, you’ll work directly with me. Long hours. Heavy work. No excuses.”

My stomach twisted. Working with him meant being close to him all the time. Too close. Close enough for him to see the truth I was hiding.

But I forced myself to nod. “I can handle it,” I said quickly, hoping my voice wouldn’t shake.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes still fixed on me. “I don’t doubt your skill,” he said slowly. “I doubt your control. Yesterday, you almost failed under pressure. That cannot happen again.”

I swallowed hard. “I promise, it won’t.”

“Words mean nothing,” he replied coldly. “I care only about results.”

The silence between us grew heavy. I could hear the tick of the clock on the wall, the faint hum of the city outside. He clenched his jaw, then finally turned back to his files.

“You may go.”

I stood up quickly, my legs felt weak and shaky. Relieved a little bit, though my chest still felt tight. But just as I reached for the door, it opened suddenly.

And my heart nearly stopped.

Jonathan.

My little boy ran in, holding Emilia’s hand. His face was bright with joy, his small hand waving a crayon drawing. His eyes lit up the moment he saw me.

 “Mama! Look what I made—”

“Jonathan!” My voice was sharp. I bent down fast, blocking him from stepping in further. My chest pounded. “Sweetheart, you can’t be here.” I looked at Emilia. “Why did you bring him?”

Emilia looked guilty. “He cried. He shouted. He begged to see you. He wouldn’t stop.”

Jasper was watching. His eyes missed nothing.

I forced a smile at my son. “I’ll see it later, okay? Mama is busy now.”

“But—”

“No buts.” I kissed his forehead quickly, trying to keep my hands steady. “Go with Emilia to my office. I’ll come see it soon.”

Jonathan frowned but finally let Emilia pull him away. His small voice echoed down the hall, sad and upset. “Mama never looks…”

My chest broke at his words, but I pushed it down. I turned slowly, already knowing Jasper’s eyes were on me.

Of course they were.He had seen everything. His gaze was deep, searching, impossible to escape.

“Was that your son?” he asked quietly.

The question froze me. My heart thumped so hard I thought he could hear it.

I let out a laugh, thin and fake. “No. My assistant’s nephew. He just… likes me a lot.”

Jasper didn’t speak at once. He studied me, his dark eyes heavy with thought. Then he finally turned back to his desk.

“Keep personal matters out of this office, Miss Gray.”

Relief and pain hit me at the same time. He hadn’t pressed. He hadn’t forced the truth out of me. But the way he looked at me told me he wasn’t fully convinced either.

I left the office quickly, my legs shaking, my thoughts racing. That had been too close. Too close. One more slip, one more mistake, and everything would come out.

At lunch, Emilia found me in the break room. She set a sandwich down in front of me.

“You’re pushing too hard,” she whispered.

I sighed, not touching the food. “I have no choice.”

“He’s a child,” she said softly. “He doesn’t understand why he can’t come to you.”

I leaned closer, my voice sharp but low. “This is the last time, Emilia. Do not bring Jonathan to this office again without my permission.”

“But he—”

“I said no.” My tone was firm, leaving no space for argument.

Emilia pressed her lips together and nodded stiffly. 

“Fine.”

The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and reports. Numbers, charts, endless discussions. And Jasper—always near. His presence was constant, steady, sometimes almost too close. When he leaned forward to explain something, his sleeve brushed mine and I had to hold my breath. When Vanessa spoke in meetings, her words dripped with poison, and I braced myself every time, wondering when she would strike.

By the time evening came, my body felt drained, my head heavy.

I was packing up when Vanessa slipped into my office. Her perfume filled the room before she even spoke. She closed the door softly, leaning against it like a cat that had cornered its prey.

“You’re working late. Admirable,” she said lightly.

I stacked my papers. “There’s a lot to do.”

“There always is.” Her smile sharpened as her eyes glinted with something dangerous. “You know, Jasper doesn’t tolerate secrets. He values honesty, loyalty… and complete control. If he ever thought someone close to him was lying…” She let the words hang in the air.

My throat tightened. “What are you trying to say?”

She tilted her head, her perfume thick around me. “Nothing,” she said softly, her lips curling. “Just… advice.”

She stepped toward the door but paused, turning back. Her eyes locked on mine, sharp and knowing.

“You should be careful, Miss Gray,” she whispered. “Secrets always have a way of coming out. Especially when children are involved.”

My blood ran cold.

She gave me one last smile before leaving, her heels clicking down the hall, her words echoing inside me long after she was gone.

I stood frozen, my chest heavy, fear crawling up my spine.

 I wasn’t just worried Jasper might discover the truth.

For the first time, I feared Vanessa already knew.