The Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 129: [Volume 1] - - Without appointment.

Esme’s office was quiet, filled only with the soft tapping of her keyboard as she worked late into the evening. Since the power shift in the Aron Group, her responsibilities had grown exponentially, and with the second aunt’s influence waning, Esme’s own authority had begun to cement itself in the corporate structure. Though she was thriving professionally, her personal life seemed to fade into the background as she spent most of her time consumed by work.

Her phone rang unexpectedly, breaking the silence. Esme had made it clear to everyone that she didn’t want to be disturbed during her working hours, especially not in the evenings. She sighed in irritation, feeling the tension in her shoulders tighten as she reached for the phone.

Without glancing at the caller ID, she answered brusquely, "Hello?" Her tone held a sharp edge, warning whoever was on the other end that she was not in the mood for interruptions.

Esme’s voice was distracted as she responded to the familiar tone on the other end of the line. "Yeah?" she muttered, her fingers still flying over the keyboard, eyes fixed on her laptop screen.

From the other side, Secretary Ju’s voice remained calm and professional. "There is a guest who wants to visit you, President."

That sentence made Esme stop. Her fingers hovered above the keys for a moment before she slowly set her pen down. Her eyes shifted from the screen to the wide window, watching the soft hues of sunset washing over the cityscape.

"I don’t recall having any appointments today," Esme said, her voice clipped. "Just send them away. I don’t have time for unexpected visitors."

There was a pause on the other end, long enough for Esme to think the matter was resolved. But just as she was about to dive back into her work, Secretary Ju’s voice cut through once more, a bit more cautiously this time.

"President... I think you may want to meet this guest. They’re rather persistent."

Esme’s brows knitted together, and she sat up straighter, a wave of irritation surging through her. Persistent? Whoever it was clearly had no respect for boundaries, and the last thing she needed was another distraction in the middle of her already chaotic day.

"Who is it?" she demanded, her tone sharper than before.

Secretary Ju hesitated for a brief moment, sensing the sudden chill in Esme’s voice. "Uh, ma’am... it’s Mr. Florence," she finally responded, her voice cautious.

Esme’s hand froze mid-motion, and the pen she had been holding dropped with a soft clatter against her desk. The name echoed in her mind, drawing her attention away from her work completely. Her chair squeaked as she turned around, pressing the phone closer to her ear, her other hand quickly switching off the speaker.

"Who did you say?" she demanded, her voice ice-cold now, cutting through the tense silence that had settled in her office.

The hesitation from Secretary Ju was palpable, the faint tremble in her voice clear even over the line. "It’s the son of Mr. Florence."

Esme’s eyes narrowed as she clenched the armrest of her chair. The irritation she had felt earlier morphed into something sharper, more serious. "So, you mean... Miss Valhale’s fiancé?" The words left her lips with a sharp edge, her mind racing to understand why he would be here, uninvited, and without notice.

Secretary Ju swallowed audibly before responding, "Yes, ma’am. That’s correct."

Esme’s jaw tightened as she stood up, pacing the room .

"Send him up," she finally said, her tone colder than before. There was no warmth, no hesitation, only the commanding authority that came naturally to her.

Ending the call, Esme tossed her phone onto the desk, exhaling sharply.

The door creaked open, and in walked a man wrapped in a faint floral scent, one Esme knew all too well. She sat back in her chair, her legs crossed, her gaze fixed ahead but sharp as a blade. As the scent of roses filled the room, it was as if the past had come crashing in with him.

Noah.

Her ex-fiancé. Or rather, the current fiancé of Miss Vallahe.

Noah stood in the doorway, his loose shirt and pants doing nothing to hide his fragility. He looked so weak, as though a single gust of wind could topple him. But Esme knew better. She understood how deceiving his appearance was. He was far more dangerous than he let on. A man who had orchestrated his own sister’s downfall from the highest ranks of their family—despite being underestimated by nearly everyone. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

As fragile as he looked, Noah was a deadly mix of intelligence and ruthlessness. A champion in gun shooting, with enough power in his family to maneuver those around him. Yet, as he stood there, Esme felt an old coldness creep into her chest, her lips curling into a faint smile.

"Hello, Mr... Oh, I’m sorry. Forgive me if I made a mistake. Mr. Noah... right? Noah Florence?" Esme’s tone was light, almost airy, as she leaned back in her chair, feigning a casual ignorance. Her smile was bright, but there was a calculated aloofness in her eyes, as if she were assessing the situation.

Noah paused, taken aback for a fleeting moment by her playful tone. His smile faltered but quickly returned, although it was layered with a hint of confusion. "Yes, that’s correct. Noah Florence," he said, his voice smooth and steady.

Esme continued to maintain her pretense, her expression unwavering. "I’m afraid I don’t recall any appointments today. But please, have a seat if you’d like." She gestured toward the chair opposite her, the invitation both warm and dismissive.

Noah, sensing the subtle game she was playing, nodded and moved toward the chair. As he sat down, he couldn’t help but admire her composure. "I appreciate it, Ms. Rose," he replied, his smile returning with a touch of mischief, as if he were eager to unravel the layers of her facade.

The air was thick with tension, each aware of the masks they wore, and the underlying dance of recognition and denial lingered between them. sq