Chapter 54

Isaac could sense that Verena was teasing him deliberately.

For a moment, he paused, his fingers curling lightly against his knee.

He placed the phone on the stand before him, his figure looking slightly distant in the frame.

When his silence lingered, Verena smiled and urged gently, "Come a bit closer."

That way,she could see him more clearly.

But Isaac didn't move, so she coaxed again, "Come on,just a little closer."

Her voice carried a softness, almost sweet enough to melt the edges of his restraint, sending a subtle tingling through his heart.

His lips parted faintly, though no words came out. Still,he obeyed-bringing the phone nearer until his entire face filled the screen.

Verena fixed her gaze on him, unashamedly so. She had to admit-he was strikingly handsome. The depth of his eyes, the bridge of his nose, and the lines of his features seemed carved with intent.

She made no effort to conceal her stare. As she herself had said, after sharing a night together,something had shifted between them.

Heat rose to Isaac's ears beneath her burning gaze.

Just as he was about to retreat from the camera,Verena suddenly laughed.

"Oh, your face isn't red," she said, eyes glimmering,"but your ears are."

Her tone rose with a playful lilt, laced with a subtle charm.

Isaac avoided her eyes, his gaze sliding downward-only to catch sight of something unintended. His pupils widened in surprise.

Verena, staying in the hotel room, was dressed in a thin robe. While she lay on her stomach on the bed,her movement caused the neckline to slip open,revealing a generous curve of her tender, rounded breasts.

Isaac's breath stalled. The image consumed his thoughts, pulling him back to the memory of last night-her warmth, her scent, the weight of her leaning against his chest.

Realizing where his mind was drifting, he frowned slightly, lips pressed tight as if to guard against temptation.

His Adam's apple shifted visibly as he tore his gaze away from the sight.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Verena reaching toward the camera, as if trying to touch him through the screen.

In a low, husky voice, he asked, "What are you doing?"

Verena, bold as ever, answered without a trace of shyness, "I'm imagining touching your Adam's apple through the screen."

On his side, Isaac's head was tilted slightly upward,exposing the clean lines of his neck. His Adam's apple,prominent and smooth, rose and fell in view,tantalizing under her gaze.

Her straightforwardness left Isaac blushing,yet instead of discomfort, another thought slipped in-did she like it?

Watching her fascinated expression, he felt a quiet sense of peace. For a man like him, having something she liked was already more than enough. After a brief daze, Verena recalled something and said,"Oh, in a couple of days, it's time for your treatment again. I don't feel like going out lately, so why don't you come over instead? Just have your assistant bring the medical kit."

Isaac's expression stiffened for a beat, and then he nodded."Alright."

Seeing his shyness creeping back, Verena smoothly changed the subject.

She glanced behind him and asked, "Are you still working at this hour?"

Snapping back to himself, Isaac answered, "Yes."

"And have you had lunch?" she asked again.

He shook his head."Not yet."

Verena frowned lightly, her tone tinged with genuine concern. "Then eat something first, and get back to work afterward."

Her words carried the warmth of care.

Isaac looked at her deeply, his gaze softer than usual.He cherished such a warm feeling.

"Did you hear me, lsaac?" she pressed, seeing him lost in thought. He pursed his lips and answered gently, "Okay, I'll eat right away."

Satisfied with his compliance, Verena eased.

Before ending the call, she reminded him, "Remember,come to the hotel in two days. And don't go to the wrong place."

Glancing at the call duration, Isaac lowered his head and let out a quiet chuckle.

After a pause, he pressed the intercom. "Jacob, bring in the lunch."

A crisp "Yes" came through.

Soon after, Jacob entered the office lounge, carrying the meal.

Once he laid it out, lsaac took the fork and began eating.

Watching him, Jacob felt puzzled. Barely ten minutes ago, lsaac had dismissed lunch, claimning he wasn't hungry. What changed his mind so suddenly?

When the meal was done, Isaac returned to his desk."Jacob," he called.

"Yes, Mr. Bennett?" Jacob stepped forward. Flipping through a stack of documents, Isaac asked casually, "Isn't Willis Group opening a high-end club in the city center soon?"

Jacob blinked, momentarily taken aback, and then nodded."Yes."

Leaning back in his chair, Isaac tapped his fingers against the armrest in steady rhythm.

After a brief silence, his voice came slow and deliberate. "Tell Beckett the Willis club doesn't meet fire safety standards. It poses a major public hazard.He'll know what to do."

Jacob was stunned. Beckett Clark oversaw safety and enforcement.

At first, Jacob didn't quite grasp Isaac's aim. But once the order was spoken, clarity struck-lsaac was shielding his future wife.

Jacob gave a crisp nod. "Understood. I'll contact Beckett immediately."

...

Beckett wasted no time. After receiving Jacob's message,he personally led a team to the site.

Sure enough, safety risks were found. The club was promptly sealed off.

By afternoon, the much-anticipated club was shut down before it could open.

When Alec heard, he nearly toppled from his chair.Rage and panic flooded him, his chest tightening with such force that he hurriedly swallowed a few pills for relief.

His brows knitted deep, his mind spinning in confusion.He had secured every connection, checked every detail before announcing the launch. Fire safety had been accounted for-so how could it collapse overnight?

The blow came like a thunderclap, leaving his thoughts in fragments.

Desperate, Alec snatched up his phone to call a friend,hoping for help-or at least guidance.

After three rings, the line connected.

"It's me, Alec," he blurted before the other could speak.

After a brief exchange of greetings, he rushed on,"Didn't I tell you a few days ago about Willis Group's new club? Out of nowhere today, we received an order to halt operations for rectification. Your network runs deep-can you find a way to help?" "Well..." the voice on the other end trailed, troubled With a sigh, he added, "Alec, it's not that I won't help.I can't. Beckett Clark himself intervened this time.Who dares go against him?"

Alec's face drained, his eyes tightening with dread.

"Alec, did you offend someone lately?" his friend speculated. Then he paused, thoughtful. "Wait. Aren't you supposed to be forming an alliance with the Bennett family? If that's the case,no one in Shoildon should risk targeting you. So how could you have provoked this? Besides, with Beckett on close terms with lsaac, he wouldn't normally deny you that courtesy."