Divorce me I'm done serving you (Ayla) novel Chapter 29

**TITLE: Unwritten Feelings Drift by Austen**

**Chapter 29: A Damsel in Distress**

Ayla’s effortless rapport with Draven did not escape the notice of those around them.

To the rest of the world, Draven was a striking figure—handsome, powerful, and seemingly out of reach.

Everyone yearned to draw closer to him, but since that was a formidable task, the next best option was to connect through those who orbited his presence.

The atmosphere at the table crackled with laughter, snippets of idle chatter, and the clinking of glasses as drinks circulated among the guests.

Before long, a voice rang out, cutting through the din. “Hello, I’m Brooke Goodman, GM of Vortex Tech. May I ask your name?”

With a confident flourish, he filled Ayla’s glass halfway with whiskey, the amber liquid swirling enticingly.

A wave of panic surged within her, tightening her chest. Just the night before, she had taken antibiotics, and the thought of mixing them with alcohol sent a jolt of fear through her. She could already envision the consequences—a night spent in misery, her body rebelling against her.

Yet, at an event like this, it would be utterly inappropriate for someone of her lowly status as a mere secretary to refuse such a gesture.

Clenching her fist, she steeled herself, determined to raise the glass to her lips and pretend to sip.

But before she could execute her plan, a long, pale hand reached out, claiming the glass before she could touch it.

Draven’s strong fingers encircled the glass, lifting it with an effortless grace. He raised it toward Brooke, his gaze unwavering. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, he downed the entire contents in one swift motion.

Instead of returning the empty glass to Ayla, he set it down in front of himself, a subtle yet powerful statement.

Draven’s intense gaze locked onto Brooke’s, a silent warning that spoke volumes.

“Don’t press her to drink,” it seemed to say.

Ayla found herself frozen, her mind racing in disbelief.

Why is he standing up for me?

Brooke mirrored her shock. Initially, he had been elated that Draven had acknowledged him with the toast, but as their eyes connected, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Regaining his composure, he lifted his own glass and drained it in a single gulp, forcing a smile. “A toast to Mr. Storm.”

With that, he retreated to his seat, leaving the air thick with intrigue.

Every movement Draven made commanded attention, and after he had shielded Ayla, the murmurs around the table faded into silence. No one dared to approach her again.

Yet, whispers began to circulate—curiosity ignited among the guests. Who was this woman, and what was her connection to Draven?

Feeling a surge of gratitude for his intervention, Ayla resolved to set the record straight.

Leaning toward the person beside her, she engaged in light conversation, deftly steering the narrative. Within moments, it was common knowledge that she was merely a temporary fill-in secretary, stepping in for Draven’s regular assistant who had been called away on urgent business.

Just like that, the rumors dissipated like smoke in the wind.

But even if Ayla had chosen to remain silent, she knew that no one would dare to gossip once they stepped outside these walls. Only a fool would risk offending someone like Draven, who stood at the pinnacle of power.

Among the crowd, Herman was the most astonished.

As the vice president of Storm Group and one of Draven’s closest allies, he had never witnessed Draven intervene for something as trivial as this—let alone protect a secretary with such fervor.

Herman narrowed his eyes, a hint of suspicion creeping into his voice. “What’s gotten into you?”

Draven’s thoughts drifted back to her face—eyes brimming with tears, her expression vacant and lost. Even in her sorrow, she bore it quietly, as if afraid to disrupt the world around her. That image was seared into his mind, a haunting reminder of her vulnerability.

“I might fall in love someday,” he replied flatly. “But it will never be with her.”

His words were sharp, his tone resolute.

Herman was taken aback by the certainty in Draven’s voice, but he chose to drop the subject. His earlier musings had been nothing more than playful banter, after all.

Draven was not merely cold in appearance; his heart was a fortress. With his striking looks, he could have women lining up to win his affection. His prestigious family background made him a coveted figure, yet he maintained an emotional distance, never allowing any woman to breach his defenses.

Had he treated his handsome friends the same way, people might have speculated about his preferences.

As the gathering drew to a close, Herman departed with his assistant to tackle other business matters.

Ayla trailed quietly behind Draven as they made their exit.

Just then, Will approached, finally free from his work. He spotted Ayla and grinned. “What a coincidence.”

Ayla returned his smile, her heart lightening. “Yes, it is.”

In that moment, she was not just Draven’s secretary; she was also his sister-in-law.

And now, Draven had become both her neighbor and her superior.

That afternoon, Draven was scheduled to return to the office, but he unexpectedly altered his plans. Instead, he chose to head to a restaurant.

Ayla found this odd, but then she recalled the banquet—the table had been laden with exquisite food, yet almost no one had touched it. Everyone had been too engrossed in their drinks.

Draven hadn’t even picked up his fork, and Ayla, consumed by nerves, hadn’t managed to eat a single bite either.