جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 48

ALICEI barely had time to react before she crouched slightly, her attention moving from my shoulder to my arm and finally to my face.Apparently satisfied with what she found, she gave a small nod. “You look much better.” The relief in her expression was impossible to miss. Just as quickly, it disappeared. “Good.” She set the folder and tablet on the coffee table before settling into the chair opposite mine. “I brought the latest updates.” She unlocked the tablet and slid it toward me. “The site inspection.” I picked it up. The first photograph filled the screen. Survey teams moving across the property. Heavy machinery positioned throughout the cleared land. I swiped to the next image. Foundation markings stretched across the site. Engineers stood gathered around structural drawings. Another photograph showed fresh steel deliveries arriving through the main access road. Every image carried the same message. The project was moving forward. My thumb paused over a photogra

ALICE Diamond's gaze moved from Julius to me, waiting. "Uncle Julius has work tomorrow." The excitement on her face dimmed at once. "But—" "However," I cut in before she could finish. My eyes shifted to Julius. "If you're not in a hurry, you can stay for dinner." She went completely still. For a second, she simply stared at me then she swung toward Julius. "See?" Before he could answer, she had already taken hold of his hand. "You can stay." Julius drew a breath, but whatever response he intended to give was lost when she grabbed his other hand with her second hand and immediately started pulling. "Come. You have to help Lisa." "Diamond—" She didn't even slow down. "Guests don't sit alone." By then, she was already halfway to the kitchen. "That's rude." Her answer floated back over her shoulder. Julius allowed himself to be led away without the slightest resistance. As he passed, he glanced back at me. I looked away, pressing my lips together and o

ALICEBy the time the application portal closed twenty-four hours later, one hundred and thirty-six submissions had been received.Three days had passed since I'd begun reviewing them. Three days since CARINE had appeared on my screen.I looked up from the tablet in front of me as a knock sounded at the door. Teenah stepped inside, a folder tucked beneath one arm."Mrs. Laurent.” She stopped in front of my desk. "The selection committee will be assembling in ten minutes."For a moment, my gaze lingered on her before I nodded and set the tablet aside."Thank you."She returned the nod and turned toward the door. A second later, it closed softly behind her, leaving the study quiet once more.For the first time since the accident, I'd returned to Diamond Global headquarters that morning. The dull ache in my ankle was still there, but it no longer demanded my attention with every step. It was manageable now. Not enough to keep me away from work any longer.I gathered my tablet and made my

VAYLEN Saturday arrived clear and warm, and by the time the city had fully shaken itself awake, I was already dressed and ready to leave, the ring box resting inside my jacket pocket. Jenny came downstairs in a white sundress, her hair loose, sunglasses pushed up on her head. She looked at me when she got in the car and immediately narrowed her eyes. "Why are you smiling?" "I'm not smiling." But the smile was not cooperating with me. "You are." She studied me for another second before turning toward the window. "Where are we going?" "The beach." She turned back. "Which one?" "You'll see." She looked at me again, longer this time, then settled into her seat. I pulled away from the curb. From the corner of my eye I saw her trying and failing to hide a smile. --- We reached Velmira Cove just before noon. It was quieter than the main stretch…a curved bay with pale sand and water that shifted between green and deep blue depending on where the light caught it. A few people move