Chapter 322

Luis opened the office door, clad in a crisp new suit.

His collar was buttoned to the top, the tie falling in perfect order across his chest.He carried himself with the poise of a man firmly in control, his expression clean of even the faintest hint of impropriety.

His back was straight, his stride measured, as he moved toward Verena.

Verena stood there, her eyes fixed on him.

Luis met her gaze, his face unreadable. The calm steadiness in his eyes was the same as ever-detached,almost indifferent.

That cool composure unsettled Verena, making her wonder if the compromising scene she had witnessed earlier had been nothing more than a trick of her imagination.

His voice came low, even, without a crack in its surface. "Verena, what's the matter?"

As she looked up, a faint scent of fresh shower gel lingered in the air. Her lips parted to speak, but at that moment Luis 'assistant hurried over from the far side.

Leaning close, the assistant whispered, "Mr.Sampson,the meeting begins in three minutes."

Luis gave the slightest nod before turning back to her."Go on-say what you wanted to say."

Verena shook her head softly. "Go handle your meeting. I've got work too. We can talk later-it isn't urgent."

For a fleeting second, apology flickered in Luis' eyes.He offered her a quiet, "Sorry," and then walked off with his assistant toward the conference room.

Verena didn't see it, but as soon as he turned,unease and resignation shadowed his gaze.

..·

That very day, Verena flew back to Shoildon.

The following evening, she recounted to Isaac what she had seen between Luis and Miranda.

"You should have seen it. Had I not been there, I'd never believe Luis could lose control like that,"Verena said as she placed the needles into Isaac.

Isaac lifted his eyes slightly, curiosity flickering there. "Truly? I never thought Luis had that in him."

To the world, Luis had always worn a mask of arrogance and icy composure, an untouchable hauteur that set him apart.

It seemed as though nothing on earth could rattle him.

So the idea of such a man stumbling over a woman bordered on the unthinkable.

"Exactly," Verena replied, a trace of mischief brightening her eyes. "He's always held everyone at arm's length. And yet, along comes Miranda."

She let out a gentle sigh. "From the way he behaves around her, he never stood a chance. She's his Achilles' heel."

"And then?" Isaac asked evenly. He cared little for Luis ' affairs, yet he found more amusement in the sparkle of Verena's storytelling.

Verena shrugged,carefully removing the needles one by one. "Then he carried on as though nothing had happened,walking straight into his meeting.If not for the fresh clothes and that lingering scent of shower gel, I might have doubted my own eyes."

Isaac pictured it, a quiet laugh slipping from his lips. When she finished, she said, "Don't move yet. Take a moment to rest."

Once he had, Verena took his arms firmly and helped him rise.

With her steady support, Isaac drew in a deep breath and eased his legs toward the floor.

The instant his feet touched down, his brow furrowed.A sharp soreness surged through his muscles,making his movements falter.

Sensing his struggle, Verena instinctively tightened her hold, murmuring gently, "Don't worry, I've got you."

Isaac clenched his jaw, forcing his body to obey. He lifted one foot. The movement was shaky, stiff-but not as rigid as before.