NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 226
At that moment, Robert leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly against the table as he tried to assure her once more. His voice was steady, almost calm.
"Nothing serious was standing in the way. The only issue was the process, it would take time. A week, maybe two, before everything could be finalized and properly transferred back to you."
He emphasized again.
"You have nothing to worry about, I will keep to my words."
Cora listened, her eyes studying him quietly. On the surface, she forced a small nod, her lips parting just enough to say, "Okay, no problem, I will trust you on that." Her tone carried a softness that almost sounded convincing, but inside her chest, unease twisted.
Deep down, she didn't quite believe him. There was something in his eyes, something in the way he avoided directness, that didn't sit right with her. Yet, she swallowed that feeling. This wasn't the time to argue or show doubt. If she pressed too hard now, it could create a crack, a rift, one that might ruin what they were about to build together.
The estate project they had in motion was too big, too important. At this early stage, she couldn't afford to seed distrust or make him feel cornered. If she wanted her shares back, she had to play along, at least for now.
So she kept her expression calm, her face unreadable, even though her thoughts were louder than her words. She knew she would wait. She would watch. And when the time came, she would make sure she got what she wanted hopefully without any more delays.
At that moment, Cora slowly rose to her feet, brushing her palms across the sides of her skirt.
Her voice was steady but polite when she said, "Well, since everything we needed to discuss has already been said and agreed upon, I'll be taking my leave now."
She turned, ready to take her first step toward the exit, when suddenly Robert pushed his chair back and stood up as well. His movements were quick, almost urgent, as if he couldn't let her walk away just yet.
"Wait, Cora," he said, his tone carrying a mix of warmth and insistence. He adjusted the cuffs of his shirt, then met her gaze with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "How about we hang out for a bit? Maybe grab a bite together. Just have some fun."
Cora tilted her head slightly, her brows knitting in mild surprise. But Robert pressed on before she could reply.
"Remember," he added, "you promised me we'd fix a date for that dinner. We kept pushing it, but why not make it today? Why not now?" His eyes softened, though his words carried enough weight to show he was serious. "I know things have been chaotic for you lately. Everything has been pulling at you from every side. But just for once, why don't we take a breather? We can go somewhere nice, enjoy a quiet evening, and put the stress aside, even if it's only for today."
At that moment, Cora's face carried a calm smile, but her thoughts were pulling in two different directions. Inside, she was torn. Part of her wanted to decline Robert outright and walk away, because she wasn't interested in anything that felt like a distraction. The other part reminded her that rejecting him too harshly might come back to bite her, especially since they had that estate project waiting ahead of them. She needed the partnership, and she couldn't afford to plant seeds of distrust right now.
Her heart, however, wasn't leaning toward Robert at all. Every time she remembered his sister's nasty words and the scene with his supposed girlfriend, she felt an unshakable distaste.
The last thing she needed was to be caught in another messy tangle, especially in public, especially when her focus should be elsewhere.
At that moment her mind flashed back to Mr. B the mystery person she couldn't get out of her head. That was the real fire she had to put out. Every second wasted on Robert felt like she was losing ground to someone who might already be plotting her downfall.
Taking a slow breath, she lifted her eyes to Robert. Her tone was polite but carried firmness. "I'm sorry, Robert. I can't today. I already have something important waiting for me. In fact, when I left for this meeting, I was on my way there. I only stopped by because I thought it was necessary to hear you out first. I do appreciate the thought, but it has to be another time."
At that moment, hearing what Cora had just said, Robert's chest tightened a little. He could already sense why she was pulling back. In his mind, it wasn't hard to guess that it had everything to do with Victoria and Abigail. He knew those two could be sharp-tongued, reckless with their words, and sometimes cruel. And who wouldn't try to distance themselves after the way they had spoken to her? He imagined what Cora must have endured, the insults, the cutting remarks, the way her dignity would had been trampled. For a second, Robert felt ashamed, not because he had spoken against her, but because of the weight his family had placed on her shoulders.
Still, he didn't want to press her further or make her more uncomfortable. He took in a quiet breath and forced himself to keep his tone calm, steady, almost gentle. "No problem," he said softly, nodding. "I understand." His words weren't just a dismissal; they carried sincerity, a silent promise that he would not force his way in where he wasn't wanted.
Cora lowered her gaze, bowing her head slightly in acknowledgment. Her movements were calm but distant, a polite wall rising between them. She was ready to leave, her steps already tilting toward the door, her shoulders squared as if she wanted to carry her worries alone.
But before she could take even one step forward, Robert suddenly spoke again. His voice was lower this time, careful, as though he was stepping onto fragile glass. "Cora," he called gently, making her pause. His eyes held a softness, but there was also a trace of concern etched in his face. "Is there something troubling you? Something you want to talk about or maybe something you'd rather share?"