The steady hum of activity in Valorum Motors contrasted with the icy tension in Adrian Reginald's office. Adrian, his posture straight and his face unreadable, sifted through a stack of reports when the intercom buzzed.
Rachel's voice, smooth but tinged with eagerness, came through. "Mr. Reginald, Miss Anna Smith is here to see you."
Adrian's fingers froze mid-motion. His jaw tightened, a flicker of irritation flashing in his cold, steely eyes. After a brief pause, he pressed the button. "Send her in."
Moments later, Anna stepped into the office, her presence commanding as always. Dressed impeccably in a tailored cream blazer and pencil skirt, she exuded confidence. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she approached his desk.
"Adrian," she greeted, her tone light and familiar. "I hope I'm not intruding."
Adrian didn't stand to greet her. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his expression indifferent. "What do you want, Anna?"
Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered, her charm unwavering. "I heard you were back in the country and thought I'd stop by to catch up. It's been a while."
Adrian's gaze remained fixed, piercing but devoid of warmth. "You've caught up. Anything else?"
Anna's composure slipped slightly, but she masked it with a soft laugh, taking a seat uninvited. "Always straight to the point. That's what I admire about you."
"Is there a purpose to this visit, or should I have Rachel escort you out?" Adrian's tone was sharp, cutting through her attempt at pleasantries.
Anna crossed her legs, her demeanor now a mix of determination and calculation. "I wanted to personally invite you to the charity gala next week. Father insists your presence would mean a great deal. After all, Valorum Motors is a key supporter."
Adrian's lips twitched into a humorless smile. "Tell your father I'll send a representative."
Anna leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a softer tone. "You're the face of Valorum, Adrian. Your presence makes the difference."
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "If that's all, you can leave now."
Anna's carefully constructed mask cracked, just enough to reveal the sting of his cold dismissal. Still, she refused to back down completely. Rising from her seat, she adjusted her blazer and smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes.
"Very well," she said smoothly. "But don't forget, Adrian, my family has always supported yours. My father still holds you in high regard, even if you prefer to keep everyone at arm's length."
Adrian stood as well, moving to the door and opening it without a word. His silent gesture made it clear the conversation was over.
Anna paused in the doorway, glancing back at him with a calculated mix of hurt and defiance. "You'll change your mind, Adrian. You always do."
The door clicked shut behind her, and Adrian returned to his desk, his expression colder than before.
---
Out in the hallway, Rachel stood by her desk, pretending to sort through files as Anna approached.
"Miss Smith," Rachel said, her tone clipped and professional.
"Rachel," Anna replied, her smile faintly mocking. "Still here, I see."
Rachel's lips pressed into a thin line. "Of course. Mr. Reginald values efficiency."
Anna's smile widened, dripping with insincerity. "Oh, I'm sure he does. It must be... challenging, keeping up with his standards."
Rachel bristled but kept her tone measured. "I manage just fine."
"Good for you," Anna said, brushing past her. "Keep at it. I'm sure he notices—eventually."
Rachel watched her go, the tension in her shoulders easing only when Anna disappeared down the corridor.
Back in his office, Adrian sat in silence, staring at the reports in front of him but seeing nothing. Anna's visit was just another reminder of the ties and expectations he wished he could sever, ties that always seemed to resurface, no matter how coldly he tried to cut them away.
The house seemed unnervingly still that evening, its silence pressing against Joi's senses like a weight. She sat curled in the living room, her notebook perched on her lap, though her fingers trembled as she held the pen.
The faint scratching of ink against paper was her only solace as she poured her disjointed thoughts onto the page, each word a lifeline to distract her from the growing dread gnawing at her.
Emily stepped into the room, her brows furrowed with concern. "Joi, you've been sitting there for hours," she said gently, her voice cutting through the oppressive quiet. "Maybe you should try to get some rest."
Joi didn't lift her gaze, her pen hovering over the notebook. "I can't," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I keep… feeling like someone's watching me."
Emily's shoulders sagged slightly as she moved closer, her expression softening. She crouched beside the couch, placing a hand on Joi's knee. "No one is watching you," she said with quiet conviction. "You're safe here, Joi. Alexander and I are keeping an eye on everything."
Joi's head bobbed in a faint nod, but her eyes remained fixed on the page, unfocused and distant. Her hands continued to tremble despite her best efforts to steady them. "I know," she whispered. "I just… I can't stop feeling it. Like he's here. Somewhere close."
Emily exhaled, her grip tightening slightly on Joi's knee in reassurance. "That's the fear talking, not reality," she said firmly. "Marcus isn't here. He can't hurt you anymore."
But Joi couldn't shake the chill crawling under her skin, the prickle of unease that whispered Marcus was near, lurking in the shadows, waiting. Her hand stilled, the pen slipping from her fingers and rolling onto the floor with a soft clatter. Her gaze darted toward the darkened corners of the room, her breathing uneven.
No amount of Emily's reassurances could quiet the irrational certainty growing in her mind.
---