His Obsession Began After Losing Her-Chapter 53: Conflicting Emotions

Roy entered the private meeting room, immediately noticing Sophia seated at the table.

She was a strikingly beautiful woman, with sharp features and an aura of confidence that radiated power.

Her eyes were cold and calculating, and a slight smirk played on her lips as she watched him approach.

She sat with perfect poise, her posture relaxed yet commanding, exuding a strong but scheming vibe.

A fake smile appeared on Sophia's face as Roy sat opposite her. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"I finally get to meet you, Mr. Roy. It's so difficult to get an appointment with anyone in charge here."

"Is the Carter Group so desperate to be part of our EcoTech Development Plan that you'd stoop so low as to exploit my divorce settlement just to get a piece of it?" Roy said, not bothering to hide his hostility.

Sophia pretended to be offended, her smile unwavering. "I must have not left a good impression on you, Mr. Roy. I knew you needed help finding Maylin, and as it happens, the Carter Group has recently bought out her family business.

So, if I were to ask her to testify on your behalf, I'm sure she would agree to help."

Roy's expression darkened as he understood the implication behind Sophia's words.

She was making it clear she had control over Maylin and could influence her testimony.

If he offended her, she could easily have Maylin testify against him.

"Are you threatening me, Ms. Carter?" Roy asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Sophia leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Not at all, Mr. Roy. I'm merely offering a mutually beneficial arrangement. You get the testimony you need, and the Carter Group gets a fair shot at the EcoTech Development Plan. It's a win-win."

Roy clenched his fists under the table, trying to control his anger. He knew he was in a tight spot, but he couldn't show any weakness.

Roy leaned forward, his expression hardening.

"Win-win? This deal only benefits the Carter Group. If I were to accept it, it would make me a betrayer to my company because Paragon hasn't planned to involve the Carter Group in it."

His voice was sharp and angry. "Do you think I'm the kind who would betray those who trust me for my own gain?"

Sophia's smile didn't falter. "Haven't you looked at our proposal? The Carter Group can help Paragon with the project and benefit both companies. You're not betraying anyone; you're helping Paragon grow further."

Roy felt a wave of disgust. "Ms. Carter, you're skilled at manipulating others. I'm well aware of the Carter Group's dirty tactics to get what they want but experiencing it firsthand is a different matter.

His voice grew colder as he straightened, his resolve evident. "You must have underestimated me. I don't give in to threats, and I won't betray those who trust me."

Then Roy stood up, refusing to be intimidated. "Our business here is done."

"Not so fast!" Sophia's voice cut through the room.

Roy stopped and looked at her, irritation clear on his face.

What more could this woman possibly want or have up her sleeves?

"I don't think there's anything else for us to discuss," he said, his tone final.

"I'll make another offer. A personal one then," Sophia replied, her eyes gleaming with determination.

"Arrange a meeting for me with Noran and I'll let Maylin testify for you."

Roy let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "You're still hung up on Noran, even after he openly rejected you and the Kingstons? You don't give up, do you?"

Sophia's expression tightened.

She hadn't seen Noran for eight years and had tried every possible way to get in contact with him, all to no avail.

Although he was supposed to be her fiancé, she could only see him online or during his public performances, just like any other fan.

The last time they met, he had looked down coldly at her from the stairs, an image that had humiliated and displeased her deeply.

She couldn't accept that their last encounter had ended that way.

Roy smirked, knowing Sophia was unaware that Noran was actually the chairman of Paragon and the one who opposed involving the Carter Group in any of their development plans.

Not only that, but Noran had also created Paragon to eventually destroy the Carter Group.

"I'm sure you already know that Noran doesn't want to meet you, and I won't force my friend to do something against his will for my own gain. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving," Roy said, his voice firm and unyielding.

Sophia's eyes blazed with frustration, but Roy didn't give her a chance to respond.

He turned and walked out of the room, leaving Sophia seething behind.

She clenched her fists, her mind racing.

After a moment, she took out her phone and dialed a number.

When the call connected, she spoke in a low, controlled voice, "Proceed with the plan. I'll make him regret this."

...

At the Riverpark Residence.

Shuri had just returned home from work and was about to sit down for dinner when the doorbell rang.

She glanced at the video intercom system and saw Noran standing there with Snowball in his arms.

He hadn't brought Snowball to her clinic that day, so she had been half-expecting him to show up at her place.

After all, they were neighbors now.

She chuckled at herself, realizing that despite her resolve to avoid him, she had been looking forward to his visit.

Now that he was here, she felt a swirl of emotions—anticipation, anxiety, and something she couldn't quite name.

This was the first time in her two lives that she felt so indecisive, and she hated it.

"Yelp! Yelp!" Snowball began to bark, and Shuri went to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, Snowball tried to jump from Noran's arms to greet her.

Shuri smiled and welcomed Snowball, then looked up awkwardly at Noran, noticing he was carrying a bag of groceries.

He smiled back and asked, "Have you eaten? Can I make dinner for you?"

Shuri was taken aback.

The question brought back memories of Noran cooking delicious meals for her.

He was skilled at everything, even cooking.

She would be lying if she said she didn't miss his cooking, but she knew she couldn't give him any false hope.

"No, I've already bought..." she started to refuse, but her stomach betrayed her with a low growl.

Her face turned crimson with embarrassment as she tried to cover her stomach while still holding onto Snowball.

Noran chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

At that moment, Shuri couldn't take her eyes off him.

She realized just how much she had missed his smile.

Noran's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"You shouldn't always eat takeout, Rin. Let me make something nice for you, alright?"

It was as though he had cast a spell on her, and she found herself unable to resist.

She stepped aside quietly to let him in.

Noran took a moment to look around her house.

It was warm and welcoming, much like Shuri herself—a very comfortable place that felt like a home.

Happy trotted over to greet him, wagging his tail.

After patting Happy, Noran headed straight to the kitchen and began unpacking the groceries.

Shuri stood outside the kitchen, watching him move with the same ease and confidence she remembered.

He chopped vegetables and heated pans with practiced grace, making the space feel alive.

Unsure whether to approach him or not, Shuri mentally scolded herself. "Ah, what are you doing? Didn't you say you would stay away from him?"

Noran glanced up and caught her peeking at him.

"You must be tired from work, Rin. Wait outside and relax. Dinner will be ready soon," he said gently, his voice filled with warmth.

Shuri took a hesitant step backward, then forward.

Before she knew it, she was standing beside him in the kitchen, watching as he prepared their meal.

The familiar smells and sounds brought a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Do you need any help?" she finally asked, her voice softer than she intended.

Noran looked up from the cutting board, his eyes meeting hers with a warmth that made her heart skip a beat.

"You can help me by staying by my side, Rin."

Shuri didn't know how to respond to his advance and stammered, "I-I'll prepare the plates and set the table."

Noran's eyes softened as he watched her leave, her movements quick and nervous like a fleeing rabbit.

Despite knowing she was avoiding him, he couldn't help but find her actions endearing.

After a short while, Noran finished making her favorite carbonara.

When they sat at the dining table, Shuri glanced down at her plate and noticed the extra sweet onions mixed into the dish.

He had remembered her preference, a small detail that spoke volumes about how well he knew her.

The gesture was both touching and bittersweet.

As she took her first bite, the familiar flavors brought a rush of memories flooding back.

She ate quietly, savoring each mouthful while trying to hold back the wave of nostalgia threatening to overwhelm her.

The comfort of the food and Noran's presence felt like a warm embrace from the past, wrapping her in a cocoon of emotions she had long tried to suppress.

Shuri stole a glance at Noran, who was watching her with a gentle, knowing smile.

The way he looked at her, filled with affection and patience, made her heart ache.

She tried to hold back her emotions, knowing that if she continued to let him into her life like this, their relationship would revert to how it was before— intense, passionate, but ultimately tragic.

She took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Stop being so kind to me," she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions.

Noran's smile faded and he uttered, "Why?"

Shuri's heart pounded in her chest as she searched for the words that would push him away, even if it tore her apart to say them.

She pressed her lips together, fighting back the overwhelming urge to tell him the truth.

Finally, she forced herself to speak, each word feeling like a dagger to her heart. "I... I have a boyfriend."