Lahat ng Kabanata ng Non~Contracted: The Heart Doesn't Need a Contract to Break: Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

ϖϖϖϖϖϖNothing on earth could have prepared Noah Bamford for what he just heard.“Can’t it be me?”He had planned to wait.That was the deal he made with himself… sit through the event, keep his cool, and chew her out later for ignoring his order. He’d told himself it could wait.He’d forced himself to stay calm. Keep his hands to himself. Pretend it didn’t bother him that she had shown up with that damn rat on her arm.But then he saw it.Max is holding her hand.The first thread inside him snapped. Still, he was holding on.Then he heard it again.“Choose me.”And that was it. Every shred of sanity he had left went. One moment he was in his chair; the next, he was on his feet, pushing through the crowd like a man possessed.‘What nerve?’ he muttered under his breath. But anger didn’t care about reason; it moved faster than his thoughts.And just when he thought he’d heard it all… the kid kept going.Max exhaled nervously. “I know this is out of line. I know I’m just your PA… But Noa

ϖϖϖϖϖϖAva stood frozen between them, heart pounding hard against her ribs as she looked around.A small crowd had gathered, phones up, whispers spreading like fire.This wasn’t gossip anymore. It was about to turn into news.And she knew Noah Bamford well enough to know if this went any further, someone was getting hurt.She quickly stepped between the men and pushed Max back. “What’s your problem? Do you realize that’s your boss you’re talking to?”Max didn’t give a damn. “So what?” he shot back. “Does being the boss give him the right to act like a jerk?”Noah’s face stayed unreadable, but his eyes weren’t. “I don’t know what you’re trying to prove, but stay away from Nora… while I’m still being polite.”Max’s jaw tightened. “I work with her, sir. And if there’s anyone who needs to stay away from her, it’s you.”Ava grabbed his arm. “Max! Keep your voice down, for God’s sake.”He ignored her. His anger had already taken over.“You don’t want her, then leave her the hell alone,” he

ϖϖϖϖϖϖThe Next Morning.Nora woke to the throb of a headache pulsing behind her eyes. No surprise. Overthinking had its own price tag, and her body was cashing it in. Her fingers rubbed her temples absently as she sat up, already dreading what the day held.After a quick, hot shower, she found herself rooted in front of the mirror.She took a long breath. There she was.Same eyes. Same mouth. The same stubborn set to her jaw. But she looked different.She hated to admit it, but she liked her new look, the silkier hair, and her overall appearance.Every time she entered the office, she felt it—the eyes of admiration, curiosity, and envy. And of course, her favorite, the Hatred.But her office staff had never looked at her like that before, well, at least not where she could see them.With a crooked grin, she reached for the outfit she had picked out the night before, a black-and-sil

ϖϖϖϖϖϖTama blinked at the sudden change in Noah’s tone, trying to gather herself.“That’s not what I meant—”“Then what exactly do you mean, Mrs. Lore?” Noah demanded, slamming his palms hard on the desk. “I just said I chose to go with Miss. Marshal for a reason. Do I now have to report every personal decision I make to you?”No one spoke at first.Even Nora, who had expected some pushback, hadn’t thought it would happen like this, not in a million years.Then, finally, someone dared to speak.“With all due respect, sir,” said Conner, one of the oldest and most respected executives in the firm. “I don’t think Mrs. Lore meant to question your authority. But from the beginning, this company has run on a set of shared values. Values that guide us, not restrict us. It’s that pattern that’s helped us avoid unnecessary chaos for years. So yes, when those values are suddenly ignored, people start asking questions.” He paused, letting the words settle in.But Ava leaned forward, stealing th

ϖϖϖϖϖϖ“Damn that woman,” Nora shouted, slamming the door behind her.One of the chairs in her office tipped over with the force of her entry, but she didn’t care. Her chest heaved with anger. “I’ve had it with that slut. Not only did she steal my place, but now she’s trying to turn the whole board against me?”“You did good, ma’am,” Max said from behind her, already picking up the fallen chair. “I was ready to take the fall if I had to… But you handled it. Didn’t even need me.”Nora gave him a tight, grateful smile, even though her mind was still racing and her blood boiling. “Thanks, Max. But what the hell did Luke mean by public insult? What did you do?”“Ah, well, that’s…” Max scratched the back of his neck, shifting uncomfortably.But he didn’t get to finish.The door burst open with a loud bang that echoed off the walls.Ava stormed in, her face twisted in anger.“You must’ve lost your damn mind talking to me like that in front of everyone? How dare you, Nora!” she shouted, slam