Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161

David’s POV

The mahogany doors of the boardroom felt more like the gates of a cage today,

I sat at the head of the table, leaning back with a mask of bored difference while the board of directors droned on

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These were men who measured life in decimal points and quarterly growth, and right now, their favorite asset was missing from the balance sheet.

“David, with all due respect, what Aaron did wasn’t just unprofessional; it was reckless,” one of the senior directors said, leaning forward until his double chin brushed his silk tie.

“To vanish after the wedding fiasco without a single statement? The shareholders are nervous. If something is wrong, if there is a threat or a scandal, he should speak. We would protect him. The Tyrone name protects its own.”

I looked at him, my expression blank. I knew exactly what their rotection’ looked like. It looked like a leash.

It looked like the suffocating control my grandfather had exerted over us since we were old enough to hold a hockey stick.

“I appreciate your concern, gentlemen,” I said, my voice dry and final as I gathered my tablet.

“But Aaron is taking the time he needs. The company is stable, the stocks are skyrocketing, and I suggest we focus on the upcoming season rather than the whereabouts of a man who has earned his privacy.”

I didn’t wait for their response. I stood up and walked out, the silence in the room following me like a bad smell.

As I approached my office, the irritation from the meeting began to dissolve.

Standing by the door was Daphne. She had her laptop pressed thtly to her chest, her amber eyes tracking the floor until she heard my footsteps.

I slowed my pace, taking her in. Over the past two weeks, she had become a constant in my periphery.

She was striking, certainly, but it was her spirit that caught me off guard.

She was a bit of a troublemaker, the kind of person who didn’t hesitate to call out bullshit, even if it came from someone twice her age and ten times her tax bracket.

Yet, underneath that fire, she was remarkably kind.

A memory surfaced, unbidden, from her first few days. She had been in a heated debate with a delivery courier who was trying to overcharge the office for a bulk shipment.

She had him backed into a corner, her finger wagging as she cited company policy and local shipping laws with the fepine of a seasoned prosecutor.

I had stood in the shadows of the hallway, totally amused, watching her dismantle the man’s pride

When she finally noticed me watching, she froze. The ‘prosecure vanished, replaced by a girl who had suddenly mad she was being observed by her boss.

I can still see the look of pure embarrassment that took over her face. Her cheeks turned a deep dusty red und stutter so hard I thought she might actually forget how to speak

“Mr. Tyrone-1… the surcharge was unauthorized, and I just thought it’s not that fi aggressive, as pest that the market

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14:02 Mon, Feb 23 17.

Chapter 161

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She had tried so hard to redeem herself, her hands flying in the air as she attempted to explain her ‘outhurst

I hadn’t said a word. I just watched her, enjoying the way her composure crumbled into something soft and humans

Now, as she saw me approaching, her eyes lit up. It was a look that made me feel like the most important person in the building, a sensation that was both dangerous and addictive.

“Mr. Tyrone,” she said, her voice finding its footing.

I itched to tell her to stop calling me that. To tell her that “David” would suffice when the doors were closed, but I let it be

For now, the professional distance was a safety net I wasn’t ready to cut.

“Daphne,” I acknowledged, gesturing for her to follow me into the office. “I hope you have better news than the board. They’re currently convinced the sky is falling.”

“Actually, I have the revised logistics for the European tour, she said, trailing behind me.

The office was quiet, the late afternoon sun casting long, golden bars across the carpet. I sat at my desk, and she moved to the side, setting her laptop down.

“I also took the liberty of looking into the sponsor contracts. Three of them had clauses that could be triggered by prolonged absence, so I drafted some amendments to keep them at bay.”

I looked up at her, genuinely impressed. Over these two weeks, realized she wasn’t just a firebrand; she was brilliant. She anticipated problems before they reached my desk.

“You’re making yourself indispensable, Daphne,” I remarked. “That’s a risky move in this family”

She smiled, a small, playful thing. “I like a challenge.”

After a few minutes, I noticed a slight tension in her posture. She seemed restless, her throat working as if it were dry.

“Daphne,” I called, locking eyes with her as she attempted to avoid mine. “What’s wrong? You look uncomfortable”

She smiled sheepishly and shook her head, clutching her laptop fighter

“Nothing, Mr. Tyrone. Just a long morning.”

“Daphne,” I called, my voice dropping into a warning, quiet tone didn’t like it when she hid things, even small things.

She finally relented, looking away. “I’m just… I’m really thirsty. ant some water.”

I exhaled a short breath and pinched the bridge of my nose.

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