Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2756

He smelled of crisp, clean aftershave, a scent that grew more intense as the space between them vanished.

Harriet’s long lashes lowered, and her gaze fell on the man’s straight nose and the thin lips so close to hers it was almost a kiss. She quickly looked away.

Chuck, however, remained composed, his eyes focused entirely on the eye of the needle. But the thread was soft and pliant, and it refused to pass through the tiny hole.

He tried three times and failed.

The corridor was shaded from the sun, and a cool breeze drifted through, but a thin layer of sweat had begun to form on his back.

*

In the inner room, Estelle and the others were still watching the livestream. Magdalen suddenly exclaimed, “Have you noticed? Chuck and Harriet look really good together!”

They were a match in looks, both highly educated, and both workaholics.

Marina immediately asked, “Does Chuck have a girlfriend?”

“He used to, but I think they broke up,” Estelle said.

She remembered Kally gossiping when she visited the Lamont Group, saying Chuck was an emotionless machine. He hadn’t shown any signs of being affected by the breakup, leading meetings and managing projects as if nothing had happened.

“Then there’s a chance!” Magdalen said, her eyes glued to the screen where the two were nearly face to face, her voice laced with the excitement of a budding romance.

In the corridor…

Chuck was still staring at the needle, his brow furrowed. He felt that closing a billion-dollar deal was easier than this.

Amidst the clamor of the crowd, with some cheering him on and others shouting advice, he heard nothing, his mind solely focused on the task at hand.

He finally managed to get the very tip of the thread through, but as he pushed it forward, he used too much force and his lips brushed against hers.

The soft touch made Chuck freeze. Harriet, too, was momentarily stunned. Her eyes flew open, meeting his slightly surprised gaze, and her heart gave a sudden leap.

People were taking pictures. Chuck immediately pulled back, taking a step away.

As Chuck put the thread back in his mouth, they both seemed to realize something. Their eyes met, and a hint of embarrassment colored their faces.

Fortunately, the thread was also red, which helped mask some of the awkwardness.

There was no time to dwell on such details. Chuck leaned in again with the thread, and this time, the moistened tip was no longer soft and limp. It looked much more promising.

Just as the thread was about to pass through the eye of the needle, Chuck, fearing Harriet might lose her balance, instinctively grabbed her arm.

Startled by the sudden touch, Harriet flinched, the needle moved, and the thread slipped out again.

Chuck looked at Harriet, his jaw tight around the red thread, looking for all the world like he was gritting his teeth. “Don’t move. If you move, I can’t get it in.”

Harriet bit the tip of the needle and whispered back tauntingly, “President Raye may have a high IQ, but he’s not very good with his hands. Is that my fault?”

“Not good?” Chuck’s expression was neutral as he asked slowly, “Tell me, where am I not good?”

The conversation suddenly felt charged with ambiguity. But looking at his deadpan expression, Harriet couldn’t help but think she might be the one reading too much into it.