After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

His face remained impassive, showing no reaction to the praise Nora was receiving. He didn't seem to acknowledge her skills at all, which made a slow sense of satisfaction rise within Linda.

*See?" she thought. *Even Arnold doesn't think she's anything special.*

Charles, on the other hand, was utterly lost. Technical discussions weren't his strong suit, and the conversation between Nora and the others felt like listening to an entirely foreign language.

Frowning slightly, he turned to Arnold and Linda, asking in a skeptical tone, "Wait.. is she really that good?"

Linda didn't answer directly. Instead, she smiled faintly and asked, "What do you think?"

Charles was even more confused. From the way Arnold and Linda reacted, it felt as though there was something beneath the surface.... some hidden implication he couldn't quite grasp.

He frowned, his suspicion growing. *Maybe she's just overrated...*

By the time the event ended, the rainy season had fully arrived. March rains were unpredictable, and by the time Nora stepped outside, a steady downpour had already turned the pavement slick with water.

She had an umbrella, but it was in her car. Rather than rushing into the rain, she decided to wait under the conference building's covered entrance until the storm lightened.

As she stood there, she noticed Linda standing a short distance away, speaking with someone.

The moment Linda saw her, the brightness in her smile dimmed slightly. It wasn't obvious, but it was there... an unconscious reaction.

Then, Arnold appeared.

Arnold walked up to Linda holding an umbrella, his pace steady, deliberate. Without hesitation, he removed his coat and carefully draped it over Linda's shoulders, shielding her from the cold rain.

A few onlookers nearby whispered in admiration.

"He's so attentive to her.. is she the new Luna?."

"I didn't expect Alpha Arnold to be so considerate to some other lady"

98 20

apter 168

Hearing these comments, Linda straightened her posture slightly, a pleased expression flashing across her face.

At that moment, Arnold's gaze shifted... almost by instinct.

His eyes landed on Nora.

For a split second, something flickered in his expression, but it was gone just as quickly. He said nothing. made no move to approach her.

Nora remained impassive. She neither reacted nor acknowledged him.

After a brief pause, Arnold turned away and walked Linda toward his car, shielding her with the umbrella.

Before long, their figures disappeared into the storm.

A few minutes later, footsteps approached.

Arnold's driver, holding an umbrella, stopped in front of Nora.

"Alpha asked me to bring you an umbrella,” he said respectfully, extending it toward her.

Nora glanced at the umbrella but made no move to take it.

Her voice was steady, cool. "No, take it back."

Arnold's driver hesitated, his grip tightening slightly on the umbrella. He had given a direct order to deliver it, yet Nora's unwavering demeanor left little room for negotiation.

She met his uncertain gaze and stated evenly, "Don't bother much I said. You can go back."

There was no resentment in her tone, nor was there any expectation. It was a simple fact.

The driver hesitated a moment longer but eventually inclined his head. Seeing that she wouldn't change her mind, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the heavy downpour.

And just as she predicted, Arnold's driver did not return.

Yet, the rain showed no signs of letting up.

Nora exhaled softly, glancing at her watch. The sky was already darkening, and the streetlights kerednoveldrama

98.4%

to life, casting elongated shadows over the wet pavement.

She weighed her options... wait longer or walk through the rain to her car. Neither choice was particularly appealing, but she needed to make a decision soon.

Just then, a familiar voice spoke from behind her.

"Come along. I'll give you a ride."

She turned slightly and saw Cole standing there, his umbrella shielding him from the downpour.

His presence wasn't unexpected, but the timing was impeccable.

Nora didn't hesitate. It was late, and the idea of standing in the rain any longer wasn't appealing

"Thanks," she replied simply.

As they stepped toward his car, Cole moved to take off his jacket, clearly intending to give it to her. But before he could drape it over her shoulders, Nora stopped him.

“No need," she said. “I have spare clothes in my car. If I get wet, I'll just change later."

Cole hesitated, his fingers tightening slightly around the fabric, but he didn't insist.

Instead, he simply nodded, adjusting his stance so that his body naturally blocked the direction of the

wind.

They descended the steps together, the rhythmic sound of raindrops hitting the pavement filling the silence between them.

As they walked, Nora glanced at him. "Did you come for the event too?"

Cole didn't answer immediately.

In truth, he had heard from Charles that she would be attending. He had no urgent business to discuss with her, nor any pressing matters that required his presence at the event.

He had simply wanted to see her.

98.6%