All Chapters of STEP ASIDE EX-HUSBAND: THE RISE OF LIANA: Chapter 221 - Chapter 230

Adrian’s POVThe morning light filtered through the hotel curtains, casting a pale glow across the room. I was already up, reviewing the notes for the day’s presentation, though my focus kept drifting toward her Isabella. She was quiet this morning, sipping coffee by the window, eyes fixed on the bustling city below, and I could tell she was thinking. Calculating. Planning. Always planning.“Good morning,” I said, breaking the silence, leaning against the doorway with my hands in my pockets.She turned, expression polite but guarded. “Morning,” she replied, setting her cup down. “You’ve been up for hours, I see.”“I like to be prepared,” I said simply. “This presentation isn’t going to wait for either of us.”Her eyes flickered toward me, sharp and assessing. “Preparedness is one thing,” she said slowly. “But overconfidence can be dangerous. Don’t mistake preparation for infallibility.”I smirked. “Is that a warning or a challenge?”“Maybe both,” she said lightly, though the edge in h

Adrian’s POVI stepped out into the hotel corridor, the echo of Isabella’s words and that almost-kiss lingering in my chest like a smoldering ember. I needed air, clarity, distance. Yet every step toward the elevator felt like I was walking further into a trap of my own making.By the time I reached the lobby, the cool night air hit my face, sharp and bracing. I took a long breath, letting it fill my lungs, trying to banish the heat that still clung to me. Isabella was dangerous. Brilliant. Infuriating. And undeniably magnetic. And now, after today, I had no illusions about what that meant.The next morning, the tension didn’t dissipate. If anything, it thickened, wrapping itself around the office like smoke. Isabella was present, polite, professional yet every glance, every subtle movement reminded me of last night’s confrontation.I was reviewing reports at my desk when she walked in, carrying a stack of documents. Her presence alone was enough to throw my focus off, and I had to fo

Adrian’s POVThe tension in the office that morning felt thicker than the winter fog outside. Even before I arrived, I could sense that today wouldn’t be ordinary. Isabella had that look in her eyes the one that said she was planning something, plotting, anticipating my reaction. And now, with my parents arriving unexpectedly, I knew that the storm wasn’t just brewing it was about to hit.I parked and walked into the lobby, keeping my expression neutral. Isabella was already there, perched on the edge of my desk, reviewing some documents with a casual grace that always made my pulse tighten. She looked up as I approached, her smile sly.“Morning,” she said, her voice deceptively calm.“Morning,” I replied, sliding into my chair behind the desk. I was already aware of the dangerous game we were playing, and today, the stakes were about to rise.Before I could speak again, the office doors swung open, and in walked my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell. My father’s tailored suit and authori

Adrian’s POVThe morning air was sharp, the kind that pricked at your senses and left you acutely aware of every movement. I arrived at the office earlier than usual, determined to set the tone for the day. I had barely stepped inside when I saw Isabella already at her desk, sitting upright with that calm, controlled demeanor that always unnerved me. Her eyes flicked toward me, sharp and assessing, and for a moment, it felt as if the world had narrowed to just the two of us.I cleared my throat, forcing casualness into my stride as I walked past her. “Morning,” I said, trying to mask the quickening of my heartbeat.“Morning,” she replied, her tone deceptively neutral, though I caught that glimmer of amusement in her eyes.I turned toward my office, but she wasn’t done. Her voice followed me, soft yet pointed. “Big meeting today. I hope you’re ready.”I paused mid-step, trying to gauge her intent. There was no malice, but there was challenge in her words the kind that made me both wary

Adrian’s POVThe office was unusually quiet that morning. The hum of the air conditioning, the distant clicking of keyboards, and the faint shuffle of papers were the only sounds as I sat behind my desk, trying to focus. But Isabella’s presence in the office made concentration nearly impossible. She wasn’t even near me yet the mere thought of her the way she carried herself, that subtle air of defiance was enough to make my pulse spike.I ran a hand through my hair, leaning back in my chair. My parents had been persistent yesterday, subtly reminding me that her place at the company wasn’t just about talentit was about optics, about the future they wanted for me. And while part of me resented it, another part a dangerous part thrived on the tension. Isabella was a challenge in every sense of the word, and challenges were rare these days.She appeared at the entrance of my office, leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed. Her sharp eyes met mine instantly, and I felt that f