The man entered Miller's Corporation, expecting it to be a quiet, orderly place. To his astonishment, it wasn't quiet during tourist hours as people went about freely, carrying out their paid duties.
Breathing deeply, he walked to the reception desk, where the blonde receptionist conversed. Although Ryan Hall was never one to beg for favors, he was in a terrible situation and would do anything to get by.
He had been a private investigator for a long time, traveled extensively, and had many contacts worldwide. He worked for wealthy clients and was the most outstanding private investigator ever.
He had never visited any of the Miller's buildings and had never before been in this area of London.
"Hello, how may I help you?" The blonde woman smiled warmly and asked her question.
"Hi, I am here to see David Miller," he replied, involuntarily pulling at the collar of his leather jacket.
"Name?" The female inquired.
"Ryan Hall," Ryan said, casting a glance around.
"Mr Hall, do you have an appointment?" His gaze shifted to her face as she posed her question.
"Listen, Miss?" With a wave of his hand, he drifted off.
"Aria Wilson," Aria waggled her eyebrows cheekily. "And Mr. Miller is not here."
"When is he going to be here?" Ryan gave the start.
Aria said, "I don't know, but you can leave a message, and I'll pass it on."
"Listen, Aria. I need to speak to him. Can you please give me his number or address?" Ryan inquired with a sense of urgency.
"We cannot divulge personal information," Aria grimaced.
"But this is important and urgent; I have to talk to him. If it were not important, I wouldn't be here." He clenched his teeth.
"No," Aria firmly said.
"Just name the price, and I'll do anything, including paying anything you ask for. What will it be, dinner at any restaurant of your choosing?" Ryan obliquely pointed out, hurting Aria.
"What nonsense! I'm going to contact security." Aria's yell caused Ryan's eyes to widen.
"What? No!" Aria pounded away at the keys with fury, and Ryan whispered something.
"Aria. Hall." Aria set down the phone as a cold voice echoed around the reception counter.
No one else but David Miller was there. David Miller, dressed in white sneakers, a tight-fitting white T-shirt, and navy blue slacks, stood poised before the onlookers. He was staring at Aria, who was staring back at him with weeping eyes, his blond hair tousled, and his blue gaze mischievous. She averted her gaze from the heartbreaker, while David, with a pout, turned his gaze to the man standing next to him, his eyes hardening.
"Miller." Ryan nodded firmly in greeting.
With a short nod in return, David turned to face Aria, who was gazing intently at the computer. "Aria, will you kindly ask Zoey to see me as soon as possible? Since yesterday, I've tried calling her, but she hasn't picked up." He stated.
"Can you blame her?" Aria sneered.
"Excuse me?" David posed a chilly query.
Ryan was amusedly observing Aria as she looked up and adjusted her glasses. "I said I'd pass on the message." Pressing her lips together, she spoke firmly.
"Good." Ryan trailed behind David as he confidently walked to the private elevator. Silently, they waited for the elevator doors to open in front of them. As soon as the doors opened, they entered and stood in various corners, waiting for the elevator to rise. David didn't hesitate to break the tense stillness that had persisted for a long time. "You and I are not friends, so I don't understand why you are here looking for me, of all people." With a sour mutter, he exited the elevator and made his way to Olivia's office.
Entering the office, he moved behind the desk and took Olivia's chair, with Ryan sitting across from him. David leaned back in the chair and crossed his legs while he waited for Ryan to clarify.
"Look, David, I know you and I are not the best of friends, and I know that we have had our differences in the past."
"Lying about my sister doesn't make a difference, you moron!" David became enraged.
Ryan let out a deep breath and wiped his face. Given their tumultuous past, he understood that speaking with David would be hard. Although Ryan was aware that David held him responsible for the past, it was not his fault that he encountered David's sister in an uncomfortable situation while walking the streets of London.
"As I was saying, you and I are not friends, but we share a mutual friend," Ryan calmly added, hoping David would understand that this was not about them, but rather about someone they both cared about.
"Speak," David commanded firmly.
Ryan was correct; their mutual friend would be the ideal person to discuss matters with. "Owen was arrested, but Noah refuses to bail him out, and I'm afraid if Owen stays there for another hour, they are going to kill him," Ryan said.
"Where is he?" Ryan questioned David, and he finally relaxed. He was relieved that they were progressing for once.
*********
"What woman?" The sudden shift in both of their demeanors left April perplexed, and she inquired about it. It seemed they were getting along when they were insulting her, but now they wanted to tear each other apart.
"It was the woman who spilled a full bottle of champagne on me last night." Noah's brow furrowed in rage.
In response to the confession, Olivia laughed sarcastically and used her tongue to brush her teeth. "So, you are the moron from last night?" Gripping her teeth, she said the words.
A spark of anger erupted within Noah, and he narrowed his gaze in her direction. "What did you just call me?" He inquired about it.
"You heard me, moron." As Olivia made fun of the situation, April took advantage of the opportunity to interfere by standing between them and placing her hand on Noah to prevent him from lunging at Olivia.
April prayed the floor would swallow her because the room was so tense.
"Guys, I'm sure there is a good explanation to this." Before putting her hand back on Noah's chest, April gestured with her hands, waving them in the air.
Noah's jaw tightened into a clenched position as he looked down at her palm on his chest. His attention was focused on a particular person the first time, which caused him to miss it; this time, it was much more difficult for him to miss it.
With a quick muttering, Noah said, "Get your hand off me," but his eyes remained fixed on the hand. When April suddenly retracted her hand, it was as if a charge of electricity had struck her. She appeared to be inattentive to the happenings around her. When Noah turned his attention back to Olivia, the only possible explanation for this situation was that Livvy Williams had embarrassed him in front of other people. "You are right. I sincerely apologize to you, Miss Williams, for how I did it. Olivia, holding a steely glance of her own as she noted his sarcasm, was the recipient of his pointed gaze as he made his statement.
While April stared at her boss, her mouth hung open in shock. Noah Jones was not the type to apologize quickly. She started speaking, but Noah's voice cut her off. "Well"
According to Noah, who spoke with an air of superiority, "Your sister can start tomorrow at seven in the morning if she is still up for it."
With a focused gaze, Olivia looked at him. He was challenging her. He was trying to frighten her into giving up when she discovered that they were foes sent from hell. He was challenging her to accept the position of working as a personal assistant for a week while simultaneously trying to get her to give up.
Olivia held her head high and stood tall, whispering that she was ready to give it to him. Her remarkable endurance took Noah aback for a brief moment, but he immediately covered it up. Olivia made the statement with a sneer on her lips. "Tomorrow it is, Mr. Jones," she said.
With a determined expression, Noah got up from the desk he was leaning on and confidently approached her. "Welcome to Jones's Enterprises, Miss Williams." As he took her hand and shook it, he said it suavely.
In a calm and collected manner, Olivia remarked, "I am looking forward to working with you, Mr. Jones," firmly grasping his hand. Noah looked down at their intertwined hands before gazing up at her dancing brown eyes. The experience was quite enjoyable for her.
Noah responded, "Likewise," and then removed his hand from her grasp. He then shifted his attention to April while slipping his hands into his pockets. "Give your grandmother my well-wishes, Miss Williams." She dismissed them with a resolute nod.
"Thank you, Sir." April gave a short bow before she hurriedly left the office, expecting Olivia to arrive after her.
A smirk appeared as she walked out of Mr. Jones's office. "Good day, Mr. Jones," she said in a singsong accent.
Noah murmured under his breath, "Oh my God," before recalling that the statements made by the restaurant management were the only way he could exact revenge on her and fulfill her wishes. "BRING YOUR WORK FILE TOMORROW!" When he yelled, the words were not overlooked by anyone. Olivia was frantically pressing the elevator's buttons. How could he possibly force her away when he can have her for a week and do anything he wants with her until she eventually gives up? She resigns, and April Williams leaves her position. "Two birds, one stone." As he took his seat, Noah smirked.
"Get her luggage out of my car," Olivia instructed Aiden with a chilly tone the instant she stepped out of the building, with April following closely behind her.
"But, Olivia." An angry person abruptly interrupted April's pleading.
"Aiden." Olivia grated her teeth in a low voice, prompting the driver to switch into work mode. Before opening the passenger door for Olivia, he removed April's luggage from the trunk and placed it on the sidewalk.
Despite April hugging herself and standing powerless, Olivia entered the car without glancing at her. April was left standing there.
As Aiden entered the driver's side, he closed the door behind Olivia and glanced regretfully at April.
When April saw Olivia coming into view, she took a deep breath and furiously gulped down as the car started, and the window rolled down to a marginal position. Since they left the workplace, Olivia had not communicated with her in any way. Upon closer inspection, it appeared she did not wish to give her a second look.
"April Williams." Olivia's voice carrying her name sounded like poison. Take advantage of your trip while you still can. The best way to show your grandmother how much you care is to visit her, get her some chocolates and roses, and remind her that you love her every second of the day. Nobody will do that for her after she attends your burial, so make up for the time you lost. Olivia said it in a soothing and unruffled tone, which caused April to feel goosebumps run down her spine. "Have a safe flight."