"Stomachache? Did you skip dinner?" N asked.


    "There were a few meetings today. I got busy and forgot. This has happened before. I''ll be fine soon," Damon replied.


    N frowned, noticing his nonchnce. “That''s not eptable. If you keep this up, you''ll end up stomach problems. There''s a pharmacy on the first floor. Let me get you something for the pain."


    Without waiting for his response, she quickly headed for the elevator.


    with real


    Damon reached out, gently grabbing her arm. "Really, it''s unnecessary. I know what I''m doing."


    She shrugged off his hand, her voice cold. "What experience? Experience with stomachaches? If you don''t take care of yourself, your health will only get worse."


    Damon said nothing.


    Seeing his silence, N softened her tone. "Give me five minutes."


    This time, Damon didn''t stop her. He simply watched her walk away, his dark eyes following her until she disappeared.


    In less than five minutes, N returned, slightly out of breath. She held not just the medicine but also water and a small loaf of bread from the convenience store.


    "Take the medicine now. Once your stomach feels better, eat some bread," she instructed.


    Her cheeks were flushed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, rising and falling with her breath.


    The sight made Damon tense.


    He took the water and medicine from her, lowering his gaze. “Thank you."


    After he swallowed the pills, she handed him the bread. "Eat this afterward. And


    next time, remember to eat on time."


    Damon nodded. "Got it."


    Satisfied with his response, N nodded. "Then, I''ll head out."


    "It''ste. Let me drive you home," Damon offered.


    "No need, I drove here. You should get some rest too," N replied.


    ...


    Once back in her car, N suddenly remembered that she hadn''t told him how to take the stomach medicine.


    She rummaged through her bag, pulled out her phone, and sent him the dosage instructions along with the number of days to take it.


    Damon quickly replied with a simple acknowledgment,


    Putting her phone down, she started the car and drove away.


    +25 Bonus


    The next morning, while on her way to work, N received a message from Ruby.


    Ruby: [N, what''s going on between you and Mr. Sumner? The wholepany is talking about this photo!]


    Before long, Ruby sent a photo.


    N opened it and immediately recognized it as the moment fromst night when Damon grabbed her hand while she was on her way to get him medicine.


    Frowning, she sent a voice message to Ruby: "Where did this photoe from?"


    Ruby: [I don''t know. I heard people discussing it as soon as I got here this morning... and they''re saying some awful things, iming you clearly have a boyfriend but are still being ambiguous with Damon.....]


    Actually, the exact words were even worse, but Ruby didn''t dare to repeat them. She feared N wouldn''t handle it well.


    After reading Ruby''s message, N pursed her lips and told Ruby not to worry about it. She then focused on driving.


    When she arrived at the office, she sensed something was off as soon as she stepped into the elevator.


    The male employees looked at her with a hint of flirtation, while the females wore expressions of mockery and


    disdain.


    N showed no signs of guilt or panic. Her expression remained calm as if she werepletely oblivious to the


    stares.


    Soon, the elevator reached the seventh floor, and she stepped out.


    Just as the doors closed, she overheard the conversations inside.


    “That''s her! She''s actually quite pretty. No wonder she can y both men against each other."


    "Hah! What good is being pretty if all she does is flirt around? Women like that only end up as jokes!"


    As the elevator doors shut, the voices behind N faded away.


    Walking toward theb, she turned the corner and saw Ruby waiting at theb door. "N, you''re finally here! Brody just saw that photo and was talking badly about you. Leon almost got into a fight with him again,” Ruby informed her.


    "What?" N was taken aback. "They didn''t actually fight, did they?"


    After spending time with them, she hade to realize that Brody had a venomous nature-always lurking in the shadows and waiting for the right moment to strike.


    Cede is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede''s storytelling style is immersive and addictive perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.