Chapter 250
“0’s Nicolas ” Marshall’s voice trembled as he spoke the name..
“What did you just say?” Braiden blinked, momentarily stunned. Why was that waste of space being mentioned now?
Marshall’s face was pale, disbelief etched into every line. “Tod, the in behind United Press is Nicolas
“That’s impossible?” Maria, who had been frozen in shock, leapt to her feet. She didn’t understand corporate warfare, but the name Nicolas hit her like a ship to the face.
To learn that the person responsible for crippling the Sawyer Group the very company she helped build–was the same boy she’d always looked down on… she couldn’t accept it
Back then, they had effortlessly played that little bastard’s another like a filalle. And now? That same “nobody had flipped the board on them?
“It’s true” Marshall’s voice cracked. “This cisture takeover was orchestrated by him. He had Bryan release damaging fories about the Sawyer family. tanking our stock price, while having United Press’s subsidiaries buy up our shares at bargain prices. We thought were outsmarting him, buying back his 300 stake – when really, we were just funding his hostile takeover. Nicolas now holds 52% of the Sawyer Group. He’s the majority shareholder
Braiden stageered, as if struck by lightning.
“No… that can’t be.“He shook his head, unable to process the words, His entire world tilted.
Luciano finally spoke, his voice strained. “So let me get this straight. He made us pay him for his 303–and then turned around and used our money to buy us out! You mean we bankrolled our own downfall?
were snatched
Just days ago, they were gloating over regaining full control. The shares hadn’t even had time to warm in their hands before they were away again.
“And all of it was done by the one person we never even saw as a threat?” Marshall’s voice broke. “Have we been underestimating him this entire time? Was he playing the long game, waiting for the perfect moment to devour everything we built? Why? Why turn against his own blood?” Braiden’s chest tightened as dread swept over him. The stress of the past few days, the shock of betrayal–it was too much. His knees buckled, and before anyone could react, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the ground.
“Mr. Sawyer!” the butler cried, rushing to catch him…
The rest of the family panicked.
“Dad”
“Braiden
“Call the ductor! Right now!”
“Don’t
i just stand there–get him upstairs!”
The grand Sawyer estate fell into chaos.
Noelle hadn’t gone to school today. As usual, she was spending her day with him.
She leaned softly over the edge of his desk, her chin in her hands, eyes wide with curiosity as she watched him work.
Nicolas glanced over, a chuckle tugging at his lips. With no effort at all, he lifted her into his lap, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Baby, want to help me with some of this?”
“Really?” Noelle blinked in surprise. “I cae”
“You can do anything,” he said, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. “You are, after all, the company’s lady boss. It’s only right you get basiness
familiar with our
flutter. She beamed, rolling up her sleeves eagerly. “Alright, leave it to me! I pic
Hearing herself called the “lady boss” again made Nuelle’s heart th things up super fast. Just teach me and I’ll get the hang of it.”
Nicolas smiled warmly at her enthusiasm. Then let’s start with how the company’s operations are structured—”
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Chapter 250
Aknock at the door interrupted them
Bryan stepped i
dinside. “Mr. Sawyer, the Sawyer family is
vis here
After last night’s revelation that Nicolas was the man behind United Press, it hadn’t taken the Sawyers long to track down his headquarters.
Nicolas had expected this
He leaned back in his chair, a lazy, almost smug smile curling on his lips. “Let them in”
Yes, sir Bryan exited to fetch them.
Noelle, sensing the moment was shifting, instinctively began to slide off his lap. Hot Nicolas tightened his hold and pulled her back into place “Hmm” What are you doing?” he asked, brow lifted
Noelle blinked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. “Nicolas, your family’s coming isn’t this a bit
She was still seated on his lap
improperis
lap–intimately close–and now they were about to face his relatives. Surely this wasn’t the right posture to greet elders
Nicolas, however, only drew her closer. His eyes sparkled with mischief and warmth. Since when do we live by their rules! You sit right here. You’re Inine
“Really!” she hesitated
“I said so, didn’t
Noelle giggled and relaxed wrapping her arms around his waist. “Then I’ll listen to you”
Every little move she made, every shy smile, hit Nicolas straight in the heart.
His gaze lingered on her lips.
He wanted to kiss her so badly. But he knew doing so might make her uncomfortable. He didn’t want to put her in that position. Even though the hear between them was growing impossible to ignore, he reined it in
Instead, he placed a soft, lingering kiss on her check–dangerously close to her mouth.
Noelle froze. That kiss had been too close
She wanted to remind him not to kiss her lips–Brandon had made that rule very
ry clear
But when she looked up and met Nicolas’s eyes–tender, vulnerable, utterly shitten–her words caught in her throat.
Her heart thudded. Hard.
Whatever she had been about to say disappeared. She couldn’t bear to disappoint him. Now when he looked at her like “What’s wrong?” Nicolas murmured, brushing his nose lightly against hers, his tone intimate and coaxing Noelle had always adored Nicolas’s face. It had been love at first sight, after all.
Like that.
Now, with him gazing at her like that, practically begging for affection…
She couldn’t resist.
Noelle reached out, cradled luis face in
Her heart swelled with love.
in her ha
hands, and kissed him–firmly, warmly on the forehead.
Nicolas felt it. Fel the shift in her. His restraint cracked
He wondered. What if I did kiss her lipse Would she let me?
His fingers slid under her chin, tilting her face toward his. His lips hovered a breath away from hers.
“Noelle.” he murmured, his voice deep, wanting
She sensed it. Her breath hitched. Her pulse skyrocketed.
2/3
12:21 PM c
Chapter 250
She knew she should stop him.
But staring at that face–the one she could never resist–the strength to push him away just wasn’t there.
They inched closer. So close she could hear the rhythm of his heartbeat echoing her own.
Their lips were about to meet when the office door slammed open with a forceful thud.
