NOVPUB
Chapter 106 - Causing Trouble
The unexpected comment caught Karlene off guard, and she almost choked on her tea. Wide-eyed, she quickly composed herself, setting her cup down a bit too forcefully.
"I don't have anyone I like. Don't listen to her, Mom," Karlene denied, her tone firm but edged with a hint of nervousness.
Hana's eyes twinkled with curiosity, clearly not convinced. "Are you sure? I don't think Riri would lie to me, though."
Karlene's mind immediately jumped to Roy. She knew that's who Hana was referring to. The thought of him brought a flush of warmth to her cheeks, but she quickly pushed it away.
"There's nothing to talk about. Roy has been helpful, yes, but that's all. I don't have feelings for him," she insisted, though the words felt hollow even to her.
Karlene couldn't deny that she enjoyed Roy's company. He had been a steady presence in her life recently, always there when she needed help.
But the idea of getting involved with someone like him was daunting. Roy was high-profile, constantly in the public eye, and Karlene had no desire to live under such scrutiny.
She didn't want to end up like Shuri, constantly drawing attention and facing the endless problems that came with being linked to someone so prominent.
Hana watched her daughter closely, noting the fleeting emotions that crossed Karlene's face before she masked them. She wanted to press further, to dig deeper into what Karlene was really feeling, but she could see her daughter wasn't interested in continuing the conversation.
With a small, understanding nod, Hana decided to let it go, for now.
They finished their meal in comfortable silence, the clinking of their teacups and the soft hum of conversation from other diners filling the space. Once they were done, they gathered their things and prepared to leave the restaurant.
As they made their way toward the exit, Karlene's eyes caught sight of a familiar figure entering the restaurant. Her steps faltered, and she instinctively reached out to stop her mother.
Standing just a few feet away was Roy, looking as laidback and striking as ever.
But he wasn't alone.
Beside him, clinging to his arm, was a young woman with long, sleek hair and a radiant smile. She was effortlessly elegant, her eyes gazing up at Roy with adoration.
Her grip on his arm was intimate, almost possessive, and the sight of them together sent a jolt of irritation through Karlene.
She frowned, her earlier composure slipping as she watched them. The image before her stirred something unpleasant in her chest—a mix of displeasure and something uncomfortably close to jealousy.
Hana, noticing her daughter's sudden change in demeanor, followed her gaze and saw Roy with the woman.
"Oh, isn't that Mr. Roy?" she remarked casually, unaware of the turmoil brewing inside Karlene.
Roy's gaze swept across the room, and when his eyes locked onto Karlene's, his previously uncomfortable expression brightened with genuine joy.
Without a second thought, he quickly removed his hand from the woman's grip and walked over to greet her.
"Hey, Karlene, what brings you here?" he asked, his tone warm and inviting.
Then, noticing Hana beside her, Roy added, "Good afternoon, Mrs. Hana."
Hana returned his greeting with a polite smile, "Good afternoon, Mr. Roy."
However, Karlene remained silent, her expression unreadable.
Her eyes were fixed on the woman who had now caught up to Roy, her face twisted into a pout as she whined in a childish voice, "Why did you leave me behind, Roy~ Who are they?"
Roy furrowed his brows, clearly irritated by her antics. The woman attempted to cling to him once more, but Roy quickly pulled away.
"Val, enough. I have no time for you right now. I'll treat you to a meal another day," he said, his annoyance evident.
But Val was relentless, her voice taking on a petulant tone. "I've served you well, and this is how you're going to repay me?"
Roy's patience was wearing thin. "I've already paid you a hefty sum. Stop acting like that," he snapped, his tone sharp and displeased.
Karlene watched their exchange with a deepening frown. The words "served him well" and "paid for her service" echoed in her mind, painting an unpleasant picture.
From an outsider's perspective, it looked as though Roy had paid Val to sleep with him.
Karlene's stomach twisted with a mix of disappointment and disgust.
What did she expect?
Roy was known for his playboy reputation before his marriage, and now, as a widower, it seemed like he hadn't changed.
Despite how much he had shown interest in her, Karlene reminded herself that men like Roy couldn't be trusted.
She was relieved that she hadn't allowed herself to fall too deeply into this complicated relationship with him. Keeping her expression neutral, she turned to Hana and said, "Mom, let's head to our spa appointment."
Without waiting for a response, Karlene grabbed Hana's hand and walked past Roy, her demeanor cool and distant. Roy, sensing the shift in her attitude, called out to her, "Hey, Karlene..."
But she didn't look back, her steps quick and purposeful as she left the restaurant with Hana in tow.
Roy stood there, watching her retreating figure, a frown slowly creasing his brow. The frustration was clear on his face as he looked down at Val, who finally released him with a smug smile.
"What the fuck are you doing, man! Can you stop acting like that? Do you want me to kill you?" Roy's voice was low and dangerous, his patience with Val clearly worn thin.
But Val remained unfazed, her smile widening as if she enjoyed provoking him.
"You can't kill me. You need me," she said confidently, her tone laced with a hint of mockery.
Roy clenched his jaw, knowing that Val was right. She had been an essential figure in their operations ever since they established Paragon.
But her presence and behavior were becoming increasingly intolerable.
Val's gaze followed the direction where Karlene had left, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You like that girl, don't you? I like her too."
Roy's demeanor turned icy at her declaration, his expression darkening. "Hey, don't cross the line," he warned, his voice cold and deadly serious. "I won't tolerate anyone messing with Karlene, even if it's you."
Val blinked in surprise at his reaction, her eyes widening slightly before she regained her composure and decided to tease him further.
She feigned fear, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Ouch, what are you going to do to me, Roy? Tie me up in bed? Ohhhh~ please, noooo~"
The disgust in Roy's eyes was unmistakable. He couldn't stand being near Val any longer. Ignoring her provocative words, he turned on his heel and walked toward the exit, his mind already racing with thoughts of how he could explain himself to Karlene.
However, as he pushed open the door and stepped outside, he could hear the soft click of heels following closely behind him.
Val, undeterred by his clear disdain, trailed after him like a shadow. A playful smile spread across her lips as she considered her next move. Roy's frustration only fueled her desire to stir the pot further.
For Val, causing trouble was a game, and she was more than willing to play. She hummed to herself softly, already scheming, her eyes glinting with mischief as she thought of all the ways she could disrupt Roy's life for her own amusement.
...
At Paragon's office in Sol City
Noran stepped into his private elevator, the one that led directly to the chairman's office, his expression darkening as he glanced down at his phone once more.
The screen remained frustratingly blank—no reply from Shuri.
His jaw tightened.
She must have been upset with him after what had transpired last night.
He had anticipated this, knowing full well that she would use her divine ability to look into him despite his clear warning. Shuri had always been stubborn, especially when it came to matters involving his safety and well-being.
Though Shuri's outward demeanor was gentle and serene, Noran knew that beneath that exterior lay a fierce resolve. She had never been content to play the role of a damsel in distress. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
In their past life, when they had eloped, Shuri had secretly taken on the role of his protector. Reflecting on those times, Noran realized just how often Shuri must have used her powers to shield him from the threats that loomed in the shadows.
Life had been simpler and happier back then in Midori Town, but it was a simplicity that had come at a great cost.
Shuri's constant use of her divine powers had drained her, leading to the deterioration of her health. Yet she had refused to stop, insisting on protecting him even as it consumed her life.
Now, knowing all of this, Noran was determined never to let history repeat itself. He would protect Shuri this time, even if it meant keeping secrets from her to ensure her safety.
As Noran stepped out of the elevator, his phone in hand, he decided to call Shuri.
The elevator doors slid open, and his secretary immediately stood up to greet him.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Lee," he said with a polite bow.
Noran nodded in acknowledgment, his phone already pressed to his ear. But before the call could connect, his secretary's hesitant voice broke through his focus.
"Uhm, Mr. Lee, you have a guest waiting for you in your office."
Noran's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. Other than Roy and Beatrice, no one else was allowed into his office without his explicit permission.
Security was tight, and his secretary was well aware of the protocols. Whoever was inside had to be someone significant.
Reaching the door, Noran paused as a familiar ringtone echoed from within. His hand froze on the doorknob, his breath catching in his throat.
Could it be...?
He pushed the door open, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight before him.
Standing in the middle of his office, holding her phone in her hand, was Shuri.
Her expression was unreadable, a mixture of emotions flickering in her eyes as she gazed at him. For a moment, the room was filled with a tense silence, the air heavy with unspoken words.
Then, slowly, a smile spread across her lips. It was a smile that held both warmth and a hint of mischief, the kind that could melt away all his worries in an instant.
"Welcome back, Ran."
