Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 28

**Faith Didn’t Survive Time – by Aadi Sharma**
**Chapter 28**

Luke had envisioned the scenario in his mind. Once Alison ascended the stairs, he would simply feign ignorance about Jasper’s reluctance to meet her. He had rehearsed the moment, convinced that it would play out smoothly. But fate had other plans.

To his astonishment, it was Renee who appeared, not Alison.

“What now?” he thought, a knot tightening in his stomach.

“Ms. Whitley, if you would follow me, please,” he said, trying to maintain a professional demeanor as he guided her toward the lounge. “Please have a seat. Our boss is currently occupied.” He gestured for his secretary to bring two steaming cups of coffee, then excused himself, feeling the weight of the unexpected encounter.

He approached Jasper’s office, his heart racing slightly.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

With a firm yet tentative hand, he tapped on the door before stepping inside.

“Boss, there’s a representative from Ms. Zeller’s company here,” he announced, trying to keep his tone neutral.

He believed it was crucial to keep Jasper informed, regardless of his mood.

Jasper stood by the expansive window that stretched from floor to ceiling, cradling a cup of coffee as he gazed out at the cityscape. Without turning his head, he replied curtly, “I said I’m not seeing anyone.”

Luke felt a twinge of anxiety. He understood Jasper’s preference for keeping business and personal matters distinctly separate. It didn’t even matter that his sister was involved.

“Um…” Luke hesitated, weighing his options, then decided to lay the cards on the table. “Actually, Ms. Zeller didn’t come. It’s the Head of the Project Division from her company.”

Silence enveloped the room, thick and palpable. Jasper’s rigid posture spoke volumes—he had no intention of meeting anyone today.

Feeling the pressure mount, Luke gathered his courage and added, “It’s Ms. Renee Whitley.”

This time, Jasper turned slowly, his brow slightly furrowed as if processing the name. “Renee?” he echoed, a hint of intrigue breaking through his stoic facade.

“Yes,” Luke affirmed, nodding earnestly. “She’s currently in the lounge, waiting for you.”

A flicker of curiosity danced in Jasper’s eyes, but it was fleeting. After a brief pause, he replied dismissively, “If she wants to wait, let her.” He returned to his desk, the conversation clearly over.

Meanwhile, in the lounge, Renee and her assistant Freya sat in silence, the minutes ticking by like hours. They waited for a full thirty minutes, their anticipation waning with each passing second.

After a quick stop at a boutique to select a sporty yet stylish outfit, she hopped onto a golf cart and made her way onto the course. She was determined to orchestrate a chance encounter with the CEO of Everest Group.

Beneath the shade of an umbrella, she kept herself moving, her heart pounding with anticipation as she waited. After what felt like an eternity, a group of men came into view.

She squinted, her pulse quickening.

There he was—Luke. Beside him stood a man clad in a crisp white athletic ensemble, currently turned away as he engaged in conversation with the CEO of Cloudron Group. His face was obscured from her view.

Renee picked up a golf club, her nerves tingling as she took a swing. The ball veered off course, landing nowhere near the hole, but she brushed off the embarrassment.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, she tuned her ears to the approaching voices, her instincts sharpening. As she turned to walk back toward the umbrella, she ‘accidentally’ collided with someone she recognized.

“Oh! What a coincidence, Mr. Jackson from Cloudron Group, right? Wait, it’s you!” she exclaimed, her heart racing.

She had intended to engage Mr. Jackson in conversation, but as she turned, her eyes widened in recognition.

Wasn’t this the man who had saved her? The heir to the illustrious Zeller family in the capital, Jasper Zeller?