After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

99.1%

The response was absolute. There was no room for discussion, no space for negotiation.

With that, he turned away from Arnold and Linda entirely, facing Nora instead. His voice, so indifferent moments ago, softened. "Nora, let's go."

Nora didn't hesitate. She nodded once and walked away with him, her stride composed, not sparing Arnold or Linda another glance.

Dalton, still standing at a distance, absorbed everything. The way Arnold's brows furrowed slightly as he watched them leave. The brief flicker of something unreadable in Linda's expression before she composed herself.

It was then that Dalton arrived at a new understanding.

Just now he was a little worried that there wasn't some unknown relationship between Arnold and Nora.

But now, seeing that Arnold was so nervous and concerned about Linda, and opening his mouth to help her ask Leo to talk about business issues, Dalton knew that he was thinking wrong.

Leo had no personal grudge against Linda, but the hostility between them stemmed from Nora. As long as Nora was by Leo's side, Linda would never be able to mend that relationship.

And Arnold knew this.

By trying to broker peace between Leo and Linda, Arnold wasn't just helping Linda. He was challenging Nora's position.

Because if Leo and Linda reconciled, then Nora would lose her leverage-the very thing that kept her in

control of the situation.

A seemingly small social interaction, yet it was already shifting the balance of power.

On the other side of the ballroom, Cole stood with a group of business partners, engaging in a discussion, but his true focus lay elsewhere.

His gaze, sharp and perceptive, was locked onto Nora.

Leo was by her side, but that did nothing to change the fact that she had drunk more than usual tonight.

A faint flush colored her cheeks, the effect of alcohol softening her usually composed demeanor.

Her eyes, clear and intelligent, carried a slight haze, making her appear more delicate than usual. The

99.3%

usual distance in her expression was replaced with something almost endearing

Cole's grip on his glass tightened slightly. He exhaled slowly, willing himself to look away.

But his mind lingered.

There was something about Nora that was... unsettling. She was cold, yet there were moments, like now, where vulnerability slipped through. She had built walls around herself, yet at times, cracks formed, revealing the person beneath.

And Leo-Leo was her greatest support.

Cole recognized the depth of Leo's loyalty, the way he treated Nora differently from anyone else. It wasn't just protectiveness. It was something deeper, something stronger.

It made Cole wonder.

Was Nora truly untouchable?

Or was there a way to break through?

With that thought lingering in his mind, he lifted his drink and took a slow sip, his gaze once again drawn to the woman who, knowingly or unknowingly, was shaping the future of every person around her.

The soft hum of the city filled the background as Nora stepped out of the cab, her movements precise despite the mild buzz of alcohol lingering in her system.

The reception had wound down to its final moments, leaving behind scattered laughter, the clinking of glasses, and conversations that had long lost their coherence.

Cole walked ahead, leading both Leo and Nora to the hotel's entrance.

The cold wind bit at exposed skin, and Nora instinctively wrapped her coat tighter around herself.

Despite the slight haze in her head, she was alert-her steps were steady, her senses sharp. She wasn't drunk, but she wasn't entirely sober either.

Cole suddenly came to a halt just as they reached the main doors. His gaze flickered downward for the

briefest moment.

The hotel's golden lighting cast a soft glow on Nora's snow-white calves, barely exposed beneath the hem of her long, flowing skirt.

The wind threatened to tease the fabric higher.

He spoke in a low, measured tone. "Here's fine. You go back."

12:58

After I left. Alpha father and son went craz

99.5%

Nora, slightly caught off guard by the abrupt decision, blinked before nodding. "Okay. Take care of

yourself."

Her voice was even, though she sensed something unsaid behind Cole's words.

He hesitated. Just for a second.

It was as if there was something he wanted to say but couldn't-or chose not to. His expression was unreadable, his lips parting slightly before he ultimately said nothing at all. With a brief nod, he turned and walked away.

Nora didn't linger. She slid into the cab, pulling the door shut behind her without a second glance.

But Cole hadn't actually left.

Instead, he stood at a distance, watching. His hands were tucked into the pockets

of his tailored coat, his posture relaxed but his gaze unwavering. He wasn't

entirely sure why he stayed, only that a faint unease

had settled in him.

He had seen her drink tonight. Not much, but enough.

If something happened to her-if she got into trouble because of her slightly impaired state-he would rather not regret letting her go so easily.

Only when the cab pulled away, its taillights glowing red against the dark street, did Cole finally turn

back inside.

The Next Morning

The soft chime of Nora's phone alarm pulled her out of sleep. She opened her eyes, blinking against the morning light filtering through the curtains. A dull ache pressed against her temples-not quite a headache, but enough to remind her of last night's drinks.noveldrama

She sat up, stretching her arms above her head, before glancing at her phone. The company had officially entered its holiday break starting today.

A call from Alex Interrupted her thoughts.

"Mommy," his voice was relaxed, carrying a slight grin she could almost hear. "Are you free? Do you want to come.. We have some plans for the holiday"..