Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3243

To her surprise, the man's expression only grew colder. "You're apologizing on his behalf? Who is he to you?"

Norah stared at him, caught off guard.

Gonzalez's lips pressed into a hard line, his eyes dark and unreadable. He stepped aside, leaving the doorway open. "Are you coming in?"

"It's late. I won't come in," Norah smiled softly, holding out the bag of Cat's Fish Jerky. "I bought this for Circe."

He glanced at the bag in her hand, a faint, humorless smile crossing his face. "He ate one piece, and you bought a whole bag to replace it? Doesn't seem like a great return on investment."

It was meant to be a joke, but with his sharp, rugged features, it sounded more like a rejection.

Norah lowered her eyes. "If you don't want it, fine."

She turned to leave.

Suddenly, a large, warm hand clamped around her wrist. "Who said I didn't want it?" his voice dropped, turning low and gravelly.

She turned back. Her bright, expressive eyes were wide with surprise, her flawless skin practically glowing under the hallway lights, and her soft pink lips parted slightly in shock.

Standing with his back to the light, half of his face was cast in shadow, making his strikingly handsome features look even more predatory. His intense gaze was locked entirely onto her.

Norah's heart skipped a beat. A strange, familiar rush of adrenaline surged through her chest. The sheer weight of his stare made her breath catch, completely making her forget that his fingers were still wrapped firmly around her wrist.

With his free hand, Gonzalez took the bag of treats from her. He slowly released her wrist, his tone softening a fraction. "I'll thank you on Circe's behalf."

"You're welcome." Norah gave a flustered, awkward smile. "Goodnight!"

With that, she practically fled back to her apartment.

Safely inside, Norah collapsed onto her sofa, hugging a throw pillow tight against her chest. Her heart was racing, a chaotic mix of panic and restlessness bubbling inside her. She couldn't sit still.

She remembered Adrian demanding to know why she let Gonzalez waltz into her home so freely.

She jerked awake to the sound of her phone vibrating wildly with WhatsApp notifications. Blinking sleep from her eyes, she checked the screen. Sara and Khloe had made it home and were messaging the group chat.

"Goodnight, guys!" Norah typed back quickly, then got up to take a shower and properly go to bed.

*

The next morning, after the daily executive meeting, Adrian returned to his office and dialed the HR department. "Where are we on the President's Assistant selection process?"

The HR director answered promptly. "Mr. Chambers, we've narrowed it down to two candidates from the Marketing Department: Denise Inglis and Jenny Jordan. Denise has been with the company longer and has a very steady track record. Miss Jordan graduated from a top-tier university and has stronger technical expertise. We're currently preparing for the final round of assessments."

"Skip the final assessment," Adrian said flatly. "Give it to Denise."

The director, knowing better than to question the CEO, immediately agreed. "Understood. I will issue the transfer notice right away."

Adrian gave a curt affirmative and hung up.