The Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 132: [Volume 1] - - Not today.

A small, knowing smile crept onto Esme’s lips, and she leaned back in her chair, an air of confidence radiating from her. She tilted her head slightly, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder, framing her face. "Mr. Noah, you’ve misunderstood," she said, her voice steady, each word deliberate. "Those are my husbands." Her gaze locked onto his, piercing and unwavering. "No one can compare to them. And you can never be like them."

Noah opened his mouth to protest, but his words caught in his throat as he processed her declaration. Frustration flickered across his features, mixing with confusion as he tried to respond, but he found himself momentarily speechless, the weight of her conviction settling heavily in the air between them.

Esme continued, her expression softening just a touch, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability beneath her stoic exterior. "So please, I really dislike it when someone compares themselves to my husbands." She leaned slightly forward, her hands resting on the table, emphasizing her sincerity.

Noah stepped back, caught off guard by the intensity of her gaze. "I’m not trying to replace anyone, Miss Rose. I just want an opportunity to prove myself." His voice was firm, yet a hint of pleading crept in, desperation threading through his words.

Esme met his gaze, her eyes steady, reflecting both resolve and compassion. "Your assurances mean little when trust is nonexistent. I’ve witnessed too many betrayals." Her voice softened as she continued, her tone almost pained. "My family is my priority, and I won’t risk that for a partnership that feels insincere."

A heavy silence enveloped the room as their eyes locked, both refusing to back down. Noah took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he tried to regain his composure. "Then let’s find a way to build that trust, Miss Rose. I’m willing to work for it." His words were earnest, hope flickering in his eyes.

Esme’s gaze hardened as she leaned forward, her voice steady yet firm. "Listen, Mr. Noah. Do you really think this is just between you and me? That our cooperation is something that simply happens? It’s not. It’s the industry that dictates these partnerships."

Noah opened his mouth to interject, but Esme held up a hand, cutting him off. "If we agreed to sign with you, I assure you that your fiancé—your soon-to-be wife—would make trouble. We all know how she operates, and I’m not willing to play that game."

She paused, her brow furrowing slightly as she thought of the gossip that would inevitably follow. "People love to talk. If we collaborate, the rumor mill will spin. The Around Group and Valhalla Group fighting again? I won’t be part of that narrative."

Noah’s expression shifted from frustration to disbelief, his eyes wide as he tried to process her words. "But—"

"Please, Mr. Noah," Esme interjected again, her tone now tinged with impatience. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms once more, a shield against the mounting tension. "I’m not just concerned about this deal; I’m thinking about the long-term consequences. The industry is rife with challenges, and I refuse to navigate them alongside someone whose motives are uncertain."

Noah’s face fell, the flicker of hope dimming in his eyes. He straightened, posture stiffening as he absorbed her words. "I’m not like them, Miss Rose. I want to build something meaningful."

Esme softened slightly, sensing his sincerity but still guarded. "Your intentions may be good, but they’re overshadowed by the complications that come with your connections. This isn’t personal; it’s just business."

He shook his head, frustration etching deeper lines on his forehead. "But I could help! We could create something great together."

Esme’s expression remained resolute, though she could see the desperation in his eyes. "Greatness comes with trust, Mr. Noah. Trust that I simply don’t have in you or your family right now." She gestured to the door, her demeanor unyielding. "So, as I said, I cannot work with you. Not now."

A heavy silence filled the room, both of them caught in their convictions. Noah’s shoulders slumped slightly, the fight draining from him. "Then what now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Esme leaned back, her expression softening momentarily. "For now, you should focus on the responsibilities you have. Perhaps in time, things might change." She offered a small, polite smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Esme’s expression softened marginally, her resolve still intact but showing a glimmer of contemplation. "Perhaps, but not today." She took a deep breath, the tension in her body easing just a bit. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Noah."

With those words, Noah turned to leave, his frustration morphing into resignation. He walked toward the door, shoulders slightly hunched, the weight of their conversation hanging heavily in the air behind him. Esme remained seated, her heart pounding as she reflected on the complexities of alliances and the unwavering loyalty she held for her husbands, the warmth of her feelings contrasting sharply with the coldness of the exchange.

As he reached the door, Noah paused, glancing back at her, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "This isn’t over, Miss Rose." And with that, he exited, leaving Esme to grapple with her thoughts, the echo of his words lingering in her mind.

---

Helga had just stepped out of a tense meeting when she caught wind that Noah had been in the building earlier. Anger bubbled within her as she hurried to Esme’s office, her heart racing with frustration. She flung open the door, the urgency in her stride unmistakable.

Esme was leaning back in her chair, a calm expression on her face as she looked up from her papers. "Oh, Helga, you’re here," she said with a smile, unaware of the storm brewing inside her friend.

"What the hell was that bastard doing here?" Helga demanded, storming up to the desk, her voice sharp as a knife. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, the tension palpable.

Esme’s smile faded slightly as she raised an eyebrow, surprised by Helga’s intensity. She remained silent, a stillness settling over her as she regarded her friend, her expression calm yet curious.