Liam froze, the intensity in Noah's eyes keeping him rooted in place. In the dimly lit office, shadows fell across Noah's face, masking his expression but highlighting the edge of mystery that now felt undeniable.
"Is there something you want to tell me, Mr. Cross?" Noah repeated, his voice carrying a calm but challenging tone.
Liam straightened, determined not to show how unsettled he was. "I could ask you the same question, Noah. Seems like we're both… curious about each other."
A faint smile tugged at Noah's lips, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Curiosity isn't always a safe path, sir."
The words hung in the air, thick with hidden meanings. Liam knew he was walking a thin line, but his instinct wouldn't let him back down.
"You seem to know a lot about what's safe and what isn't, considering you're new here," Liam replied, hoping to draw something—anything—out of him.
Noah's gaze was unwavering. "Perhaps I do. I've had my fair share of experiences." He paused, watching Liam intently. "It seems you've been looking into them."
The accusation wasn't explicit, but it was enough. Liam forced himself to stay calm. "You can't expect me to welcome someone into my company without knowing who they are, Noah."
"Of course not," Noah replied smoothly, his gaze never faltering. "But I wonder, Mr. Cross, what is it you're truly afraid of finding?"
Liam clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to press Noah for answers right there. He could sense that Noah was testing him, dancing around the truth without revealing anything concrete.
"Fear doesn't motivate me," Liam said finally. "Truth does."
Noah gave a quiet chuckle, and for a fleeting moment, his guard seemed to lower. "The truth, huh?" he murmured, almost to himself. "I wonder if you're ready for it."
The words left Liam uneasy, but before he could respond, Noah turned his head toward the hallway, his eyes sharpening as if sensing something out of place.
"What's wrong?" Liam asked, his voice dropping.
Without a word, Noah moved quickly, peering out the doorway. He seemed to be listening for something, his posture tense. Liam followed, his curiosity piqued by Noah's sudden shift in demeanor.
"Noah, what's going on?"
Noah glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Stay here, Mr. Cross."
Without waiting for permission, Noah strode down the hallway, disappearing into the darkness. A strange sense of urgency gripped Liam, and before he could think twice, he followed.
He found Noah just outside the glass-walled conference room, standing still and listening. Liam strained his ears, hearing the faintest echo of voices coming from somewhere beyond the building.
"It's probably just the cleaning crew," Liam whispered, but Noah shook his head, eyes narrowed.
"They wouldn't be here at this hour," Noah replied, his tone sharp.
The tension in the air was electric. Liam's curiosity burned as he watched Noah's focused expression, catching a glimpse of the mystery he'd been desperate to understand. It was as if, for a brief moment, the walls around Noah's carefully guarded secrets were starting to crack.
After a long silence, Noah turned to him, his gaze intense. "Go back to your office, Mr. Cross. I'll handle this."
Liam's pride flared at the command. "Handle what, exactly? You think I'll just sit around while—"
But before he could finish, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway. Noah's face darkened, his expression hardening as he turned to face the approaching figures.
Two men stepped into view, both unfamiliar to Liam. They wore dark clothing and had an air of intimidation that immediately set Liam on edge. One of them flashed a brief, cold smile as his eyes landed on Liam.
"Liam Cross," the man said, his tone polite but laced with threat. "We've been waiting to meet you."
Noah stepped forward, placing himself between Liam and the men. "This isn't the time or place," he said, his voice low but commanding.
The man's smile widened. "Since when do you decide the time and place, Noah?"
Liam's pulse quickened as he absorbed the exchange. These men knew Noah, and it was clear that their relationship wasn't friendly. Noah didn't respond immediately, his stance tense but unwavering.
"You don't belong here," Noah replied, his tone colder than Liam had ever heard.
The men exchanged amused glances, but there was a dangerous edge to their expressions. The second man, who had remained silent, took a step forward, his eyes fixed on Liam.
"Perhaps you should ask your assistant here who he really is," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "He's not what you think."
Liam glanced at Noah, but Noah's eyes remained locked on the intruders, his jaw set.
"Leave now," Noah warned, his voice deadly calm. "Or there will be consequences."
The first man chuckled, his eyes glinting with malice. "Don't worry, Noah. We'll be back, and next time, we won't be so polite."
With a final smirk, the men turned and disappeared down the hall, leaving Liam and Noah standing in silence.
Liam's mind raced as he tried to piece together what had just happened. His confusion quickly turned to anger, and he turned on Noah, the questions spilling out before he could hold them back.
"Who were they? And why do they know you?" he demanded, his voice harsh.
Noah's expression softened, but his eyes held a hint of regret. "I can't tell you everything, Mr. Cross."
"Can't or won't?" Liam shot back, his frustration boiling over. "You expect me to trust you when you're clearly hiding something dangerous?"
Noah's shoulders slumped slightly, as though he were carrying a heavy burden. "Liam… I know this looks bad, but you have to believe me. I'm not here to hurt you."
Liam took a step back, disbelief and betrayal swirling within him. "Then why are you here, Noah? Why did you take this job?"
Noah opened his mouth as if to respond but then closed it, his expression conflicted. It was as if he was weighing whether or not to reveal something deeply personal, but in the end, he simply shook his head.
"I'll explain, but… not here. Not tonight."
Liam's fists clenched as he fought to keep his composure. "You don't get to decide that, Noah. You're working for me, and I deserve to know who I'm letting into my life—into my company."
Noah's face hardened again, a hint of frustration crossing his features. "I know, and I'm asking you to trust me just a little longer. Please."
Liam stared at him, torn between his instincts and the strange pull he felt toward Noah. Every rational thought told him to fire Noah on the spot, but something—perhaps the look in Noah's eyes—held him back.
Finally, Liam exhaled, his anger simmering but under control. "Fine. But this is your last chance, Noah. One more secret, one more lie, and you're gone."
Noah nodded, relief mingling with tension on his face. "Understood."