?Chapter 168:


    “Noah, you wanted to see me?” she inquired softly, her voice carrying a hint of flirtation as she took a seat beside him.


    Noah ced the wine ss down, his intense gaze fixed on her. “How much do you know about Byrum?” he inquired.


    K’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a facade of surprise. “Byrum? Who is he? Is something wrong? Don’t frighten me like that.”


    Noah’s expression remained unchanged. “He’s dead. Hit by a car.”


    “What?!” K covered her mouth, feigning shock. “That’s horrible! How could such a thing happen?” She shivered, simting distress.


    “The police ruled it an ident, but…” Noah paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. “It seems he was trying to contact you before he died.”


    K’splexion paled, but she struggled to appearposed. “Contact me? I’m not sure why. Maybe because I once helped him secure a job.”


    “Is that so?” Noah’s lips twisted into a faint, skeptical smile as he observed her.


    K swallowed hard, forcing a smile. “Noah, are you suspecting me? How could I possibly—”


    “K.” Noah interrupted her. “I need you to understand that I do not tolerate deception.”


    His intense gaze made it difficult for K to maintain herposure, but years of honing her deceitful skills helped her quickly recover.


    Tears welled up, her eyes reddening as she put on a pitiful look. “Noah, do you truly suspect me? Byrum and I barely knew each other. How could I possibly…”


    K paused, taking a deep breath.


    “I know you’re upset because of what happened to Sadie, but… have you forgotten who saved you back then? If not for me, you…” Her voice faltered, tears spilling over as her tone became more distraught. “I’ve done so much for you, and yet you…”


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    She covered her face, her shoulders trembling as she cried.


    She was gambling that Noah’s sense of guilt and the memories of her past assistance would sway his judgment.


    Noah watched her cry, his expressionplex, and remained silent.


    The room was heavy with tension.


    After a lengthy silence, he finally spoke, his voice low and firm. “Leave.”


    The door closed softly behind K.


    Once he was alone, Noah’s indifferent facade disappeared.


    He picked up a file from the table, gripping it so tightly that the edges crumpled.


    It contained detailed records of every collusion between K and Byrum, including the leak of the design drafts from Sadie’s studio.


    “Samuel,” he called out sharply.


    Samuel entered the room promptly. “Mr. Wall.”


    “Take care of this situation and make Byrum bear all the me. Also, contact Sadie’s studio. Inform them that Wall Group is interested in a coboration.”


    “Mr. Wall…” Samuel hesitated. “Byrum is—I…”


    Noah’s icy stare cut him off. “Understood. I’ll see to it immediately.”


    As Sadie slowly regained consciousness in the ward, a tender voice pierced the silence.


    “Mommy!”


    A small figure jumped onto the hospital bed. It was Averi.


    His tiny hand gently touched Sadie’s cheek, his big eyes brimming with concern. “Mommy, you really scared me. Please don’t leave me again, okay?”


    Sadie’s heart melted at his words. She embraced Averi tightly and kissed his forehead softly.


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