Chapter 154: An offer
Noah had just wrapped up a meeting with a new client. Leaning back in his chair, he let out a long breath.
A satisfied smile spread across his face. Finally, he had secured the deal. This partnership would ease the pressure the Sinclair Group had been under for months.
"Boss, we did it." His assistant grinned. "The contract has been signed."
Noah nodded, satisfaction filling his heart.
"The company isn’t particularly large," the assistant continued, "but it’s growing rapidly. Their performance over the last few years has been remarkable. Their annual growth rate is impressive, and this partnership will definitely bring us considerable profits."
Noah tapped the table lightly. "The Sinclair Group doesn’t need Novacrest or Orion Holdings to survive. We are strong enough to stand on our own."
His eyes shone with confidence. "Losses and setbacks are part of doing business. There is no need to panic."
He looked toward the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze landing on the city’s skyline. "One day, the Sinclair Group will rise again and earn its place among the Fortune 500."
"I’m certain it will, Boss."
Outside the private dining room...
A well-dressed man in an expensive tailored suit stood quietly outside the door. A cold smile curved his lips.
He took out his phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Mr. Kane. The job is done. The contract has been signed."
On the other end of the line, Victor Kane quirked his lips into a crooked smile.
"He rejected my offer because he refused to work against the Rowans. Yet, in the end, he signed a contract with one of my companies."
The suited man chuckled softly. "He still believes he is partnering with an independent mid-sized corporation. He has no idea it’s secretly controlled by Orion Holdings. I wonder what his expression will be when he learns the truth."
Victor’s smile widened. "There is no need to tell him yet." His voice was calm but filled with arrogance. When the time comes, I’ll reveal it myself. By then, he’ll already be trapped. There will be no way out. He’ll have no choice but to do exactly as I say."
Completely unaware of the trap closing around him, Noah was delighted with the prospect that his father would finally be able to breathe a little easier. The losses the company had faced over the past few months would gradually be recovered.
"Let’s head back to the office." He straightened his suit. "We have a lot of work waiting."
His assistant nodded and followed him out.
Just as they entered the corridor, a woman stepped forward.
"Oh? Isn’t this Mr. Noah Sinclair?" She stood in front of them.
Her elegant smile was captivating enough to attract almost anyone. Her beauty was such that it could enthrall any man.
His brows furrowed. He didn’t recognize her.
His assistant leaned closer and whispered, "Boss... that’s Miss Vivian Sterling, the only daughter and heir of the Sterling Group."
Noah’s eyes narrowed. ’Vivian Sterling?’
His gaze swept over her with confusion and suspicion. He wondered how the heiress of the Sterling family approached him.
His assistant continued in a lower voice, "Her obsession with Mr. Rowan is practically public knowledge. She wanted to marry him. People say she is still hopelessly in love with him."
Noah became more alert. He had never met Vivian before. How did she know him?
Vivian glanced at the assistant, and her smile gradually disappeared.
"What are you whispering so secretly?" Her playful tone carried a trace of mockery.
The assistant immediately stepped back. Before he could answer, Noah spoke first.
"He is simply updating me on work."
Vivian’s smile returned. "I hope I’m not interrupting."
Before Noah could reply, she waved her hand.
"Relax. I’m not here to disturb you. I actually came because I wanted to speak with you."
"With me?" Noah raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
She moved even closer to him. "I have something important to discuss with you... In private."
Noah cocked his head as he regarded her. "We are not close. We have never met before. And there isn’t any business scheduled between us."
He studied her closely. "Why should I speak with you privately?"
He wanted to see what she had on her mind. Behind her charming smile, he sensed calculation. A shadow of smugness concealed her real intention.
She leaned over to him and lowered her voice. "It’s something you’ll be interested in. You have my word."
Noah didn’t trust her in the slightest. But he was curious as to what kind of game she was playing.
"Fine." He gestured toward the private room he had just left. "Let’s talk inside."
His assistant moved to follow.
"Stop." Vivian held up a hand. "This conversation is only between Mr. Sinclair and me. We don’t need you."
The assistant instinctively looked at Noah.
"Wait in the car." Noah’s tone was calm.
The assistant was hesitant. But he couldn’t disobey his boss. "Yes, Boss."
He left reluctantly.
After entering the room, Noah and Vivian sat across from each other.
Noah folded his hands on the table. "The Sterling heiress personally came to meet me."
He looked directly into her eyes. "That’s unexpected. What exactly do you want?"
Vivian smiled. "Elias is throwing a celebration for Evelyn this Sunday. I’d like you to attend as my companion."
Noah looked genuinely puzzled. He didn’t believe she had approached him deliberately just to take him to a party.
Then he smiled knowingly. "A woman as beautiful as you shouldn’t have trouble finding someone to accompany her. So, why me?"
"Because you are different," she answered without hesitation. "You are someone who can help me get what I want."
Noah narrowed his eyes. "What is it that you want?"
"I want Elias." Vivian didn’t hide it.
Silence filled the room for a moment before she spoke again.
"I know you still love Elena. You want her back. And I want Elias. If we work together, we can destroy their marriage."
Her lips curled into a confident smile. "You’ll get Elena. I’ll get Elias. It’s a win-win situation."
Noah studied her carefully. Behind her composed appearance, he saw an unhealthy obsession.
There were already enough enemies targeting the Rowan family. Now there was this woman, whose obsession could easily become dangerous.
This psychotic woman was a threat to Elena.
Noah would never let anyone hurt her. He needed to know exactly what Vivian was planning. Only then could he protect Elena.
After a long pause, he nodded. "Alright."
Vivian’s eyes lit up. She knew he still loved Elena. She had expected this answer.
"But," Noah’s expression hardened. "You are not allowed to hurt Elena. If you lay a finger on her, our cooperation ends immediately."
Vivian raised both hands in the air in mock surrender. "I won’t hurt her. I promise."
A sly smile appeared. "But if we are going to break their marriage, I’ll have to do something. And you’ll need to help me."
Noah’s gaze sharpened. "What exactly are you planning?"
Vivian smiled as though unveiling the perfect masterpiece. "At the party, I’ll spike Elena’s drink. You take her away and sleep with her. Elias will never forgive her for betraying him. He’ll divorce her. You’ll get Elena back. And while he is heartbroken, I’ll comfort him."
She couldn’t stop smiling as she spoke. To her, the plan was so perfect that there wouldn’t be a chance of failure.
"There won’t be anyone else by his side. I’ll become the only woman he can rely on."
The more she spoke...
Her plan only infuriated him. A vein pulsed violently at his temple. He slammed both hands onto the table.
The loud bang echoed through the room.
"Have you lost your mind? You want to drug her?"
His sudden outburst startled her. Vivian’s mouth fell apart. Her brows shot up.
"Do you honestly think Elias Rowan wouldn’t investigate?" His voice thundered through the room. "It wouldn’t take him long to uncover the truth. When he does, he’ll destroy everyone involved."
Vivian’s confidence faltered. She instinctively shrank back, clutching a hand to her chest. Just imagining Elias’s fury sent chills through her body.
Her flawless plan didn’t seem so flawless anymore.
Noah stood. "I won’t be part of this."
He turned toward the door.
Before he could leave, Vivian grabbed his wrist. "But you agreed to work with me. Don’t you want Elena back?"
Noah looked down at her hand before slowly meeting her eyes. His gaze was filled with disgust.
"What I want is none of your business." A shadow crossed his face. "I’ve already hurt Elena once. I won’t become the reason she is hurt again. Not emotionally or physically."
He removed her hand from his wrist and stormed out of the room. The door slammed shut behind him.
Vivian remained frozen for several seconds. Then her face twisted with rage. She slammed her fist on the table.
"Noah Sinclair..." She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. "You dare reject me? You have no idea who you are dealing with."
Her eyes glinted with malice. "If I don’t make you crawl back to me, begging for my help, my name isn’t Vivian Sterling."