Chapter 97 Shock–A Crisis Erupts!
The moment the door clicked shut, Kael snapped.
He lunged forward like a caged beast set free, slamming his fist into the wall with a roar. Blood oozed from his knuckles, but he didn’t flinch–didn’t even seem to feel the pain.
He knew how proud his girl was.
Soft–spoken and gentle as she was, her pride ran deeper than anyone’s.
But he had no choice.
The online backlash was already spiraling out of control; if she didn’t show up to clarify things tomorrow, the trolls wouldn’t let up. They’d keep attacking her, keep hurting her family. And if her grandmother suffered another heart attack from the stress? Nova would break.
Never had Kael hated his own powerlessness more.
He’d failed to protect her. He’d promised to shield her from all harm, yet these days, he’d done nothing but make her suffer.
When Sam walked in, he froze.
The man who dominated boardrooms with unshakable calm was now slouched against the wall, smoking a cigarette like a defeated soldier.
And his eyes—if Sam wasn’t mistaken, Kael’s eyes were glistening with tears.
Kael ground out the cigarette under his heel, his gaze sharp as shards of ice. “How’s the press conference preparation going?”
“All set, sir,” Sam replied, nodding quickly.
Kael hummed, his voice cold enough to chill the air. “Find every media outlet that’s been bashing Nova online. Sue them for defamation. Leave none of them standing.
“And look into the car accident with Mabel. That driver knew the hospital zone had a speed limit–he still plowed through. There’s something fishy
going on. Dig deep.”
When it came to Nova, Kael was always this way–obsessive, even reckless.
Sam didn’t dare delay. “Understood.”
Kael let out a shaky breath. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Nova’s tear–streaked face, heard her whisper that she wanted to leave him.
He clenched his palm, the ache in his chest so intense it was hard to breathe.
Letting her go? It would kill him. He’d never let that happen.
Shoving down the suffocating pain, Kael strode toward the exit.
Sam hesitated, still thinking about the file–the one about Kael’s mother and Nova. He couldn’t let it slip through the cracks.
“Sir… what about that file?”
Kael assumed it was work–related. He frowned, his patience wearing thin. “Handle the press conference first. I’ll deal with work later.”
Sam bit back further protests and left.
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He Cried at My Funeral. I Laughed at His Gala
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Chapter 97 Shock–A Crisis Erupts!
Neither of them knew, though, what had happened to that file. The night before, a draft had blown it off Kael’s desk in the CEO’s office. The next morning, the cleaning staff had mistaken it for trash and tossed it in the bin, hauling it away with the rest of the garbage.
Back in the ward, Nova chatted with her grandmother, forcing a smile even as her heart ached. She didn’t want to worry Mabel.
“Where’s Kael?” Mabel asked, frowning. “Didn’t he go after you?”
Nova’s hand froze mid–motion as she peeled an apple. She was about to mumble a vague excuse when the door swung open.
“Mabel, I’m only gone five minutes and you’re already missing me?” Kael’s teasing voice filled the room.
Mabel laughed, shaking her head. “Such a brat.”
Nova gripped the fruit knife tighter, her eyes darkening as she stared at her lap.
Kael had always been easy to love–handsome, charismatic, quick with a joke.
Mabel had adored him from the start, trusting him implicitly with her granddaughter’s happiness.
But people’s hearts were fickle. This Kael… he wasn’t the man he used to be.
Kael’s chest tightened when he saw Nova’s silence. He managed a weak smile and stepped beside Mabel. “Mabel, I hired a nutritionist and a physical therapist for you. They’ll stay with you while you recover–focus on getting better, okay?”
Nova’s gaze flickered up, a flash of anger in her eyes as she glared at him.
Kael ignored it, squeezing her hand gently before turning back to Mabel. “Once you’re healed, Nova won’t have to stress anymore. That’s all I care about. So get well soon for both of us.”
Nova tried to pull her hand away. Once, his sweet words would have made her heart flutter–now, they just tasted like ash.
Where had this care been when she needed it most?
Kael held her hand firmly, leaning in to murmur, “Mabel’s watching…”
Nova froze. She didn’t want to fight in front of her grandmother, so she let him keep holding on.
Mabel smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she watched them whisper. “Kael, you say you’re worried about me, but we both know you’re just doting on your wife.”
Nova ducked her head, a mix of emotions churning in her stomach,
With Kael around, the room felt livelier–too lively.
He took over every chore she’d planned to do, and with the nutritionist and therapist there, she had nothing to occupy herself with.
She sat on a stool, watching him fuss over Mabel, and felt a sharp pang of sorrow
If he hadn’t cheated… if he’d stayed faithful… they could have had a lifetime of this happiness.
Now, it was all just a broken dream.
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
Suddenly, Kael took the half–peeled apple from her hand. “Your finger’s bleeding. What were you thinking?”
Nova blinked, confused–until he took her injured index finger, brought it to his lips, and sucked away the blood.
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Chapter 97 Shock–A Crisis Erupts!
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She tried to pull back, flustered. “Rael.. stop. I can handle it myself.”
Kael ignored her, fetching a first–aid kit and dropping to his knees to dress the wound.
Nova didn’t argue–not with her grandmother watching.
“Ah…” she gasped as the cold antiseptic stung.
“I’ll be gentle,” he whispered, blowing softly on the cut to ease the pain. His movements slowed, his voice soft with regret. “You never handle sharp things well. Let me do this from now on. And when I’m not here… leave the knives alone. Promise?”
Nova stared at the top of his head, her throat tight. She tried to pull her hand away. “It’s just a small cut. No need for all this.”
Kael looked up, his eyes intense. “I care. That’s all that matters.”
His words hit her like a punch to the gut.
Memories flooded back–their post–graduation trip after college, when she’d tripped and scraped her knee hiking.
Kael had carried her down the mountain, even though the trail was steep and her injury was minor.
Strangers had told him to set her down, that she could walk, but he’d refused. “I don’t want her to hurt.” he’d said, his jaw set.
That man–the one who couldn’t bear to see her in the slightest pain–was the same man who’d broken her heart into pieces.
He’d cheated on her, knowing it was her worst fear.
He’d humiliated her, knowing how much pride she had.
Tears burned in Nova’s eyes. She took a shaky breath, forcing back the wave of sorrow.
Kael finished taping a bandage to her finger, then laced his fingers through hers, his voice raw with guilt. “Nova, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you this way.
“I know you’re angry. I know you hate me. I deserve it.”
“Let me make it right. Let me court you again–properly this time. No more mistakes. Just give me a chance.”
His eyes were so earnest, so gentle–the way they’d been when he’d first fallen in love with her.
Once, she would have melted, would have forgiven him in an instant.
But now?
Now, all she felt was a hollow ache.
Hearts don’t turn cold overnight.
He’d chipped away at hers, day by day, until nothing was left but numbness.
Nova swallowed hard, pulling her hand free. “I should go check on the nutritionist. See if they need help.”
Kael’s face crumpled. He grabbed her wrist, desperation in his voice. “Nova…..”
A knock on the door cut him off. Sam stepped in, then froze when he saw them. He quickly backed out, closing the door behind him.
Nova squirmed out of Kael’s grip, her voice tight. “Sam must have work for you. Go. Don’t keep him waiting.”
She turned and walked toward the kitchenette, leaving Kael staring after her.
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He Cried at My Funeral I Laughed at His Gala
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Chapter 97 Shock–A Crisis Erupts
He knew she was being stubborn–once she set her mind to something, no one could change it.
This time, he’d hurt her too deeply. Winning her back would be harder than he’d ever imagined.
Rubbing his temples, Kael watched Nova chat with the nutritionist, then reluctantly left the room.
Sam was waiting in the hallway, his expression grim.
“What is it?” Kael snapped, his patience frayed.
Sam hesitated, then handed him a tablet.
“Mr. Voss… you need to see this.”
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