The board meeting finally came to an end, and Isabella was still trying to steady her thoughts as she gathered her things. The humiliation, the tension… and then Alexander defending her—it all replayed in her mind like a loop she couldn't shut off.
"Isabella."
She turned, slightly startled. "Yes, Mr. Knight?"
He picked up his coat, his expression calm as ever. "It's late. I'm heading out. I'll drop you off."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Oh… you don't have to—"
"That wasn't a suggestion," he cut in smoothly, already walking toward the door.
Isabella hesitated for a second before following him. "Thank you, sir."
The car ride was quiet… almost too quiet.
The city lights reflected through the tinted windows as the sleek black car moved smoothly through the streets of New York. Isabella sat stiffly, unsure of what to say.
Alexander, on the other hand, looked completely at ease, one hand resting on the wheel, his gaze fixed on the road.
"You handled yourself well today," he said suddenly.
Isabella blinked. "Even after… the phone incident?"
"You didn't break," he replied simply. "That matters more."
She looked down at her hands, a small smile forming. "Thank you, sir."
Silence fell again—but this time, it felt… different. Less tense.
When they finally arrived, Isabella unbuckled her seatbelt. "Thank you for the ride."
He nodded once. "Be on time tomorrow."
A small smile tugged at her lips. "I'll be early."
For a brief second, his lips almost curved—almost.
Then she stepped out of the car.
The moment Isabella entered the apartment, Nora was already waiting—eyes sharp, arms crossed, and a suspicious smile on her face.
"You're late," Nora said slowly. "And you didn't take a taxi…"
Isabella froze. "How do you—"
"Spill. Everything."
Isabella sighed, dropping her bag. "My boss gave me a ride, okay?"
Nora's jaw dropped. "YOUR boss? As in the scary, rude, powerful CEO?"
"Yes!" Isabella groaned.
Nora burst into laughter. "Oh my God… the same man you said you hated?"
Isabella rolled her eyes. "I still do. He's arrogant, bossy, and completely impossible."
Nora smirked, walking closer. "Mm-hmm… and yet he defended you and drove you home."
Isabella paused.
"It's not like that," she muttered.
"Sure it isn't," Nora teased. "Just wait—you're going to fall for him."
"Never," Isabella said quickly.
But her voice lacked conviction.
The Next Day
The office buzzed with its usual energy as Isabella stood near one of the desks, talking to a colleague—a young man from the marketing department.
"Have you seen that movie Beauty in Black?" he asked, grinning.
Isabella laughed lightly. "Yes! The plot twist at the end? I didn't see it coming at all."
"Exactly! And the main character—"
"—was so dramatic!" she added, both of them laughing.
For the first time since she started working, Isabella looked relaxed. Comfortable.
Then—
The office atmosphere shifted.
The laughter slowly died down.
A presence entered.
Alexander Knight.
His sharp eyes immediately scanned the room—and landed on Isabella.
Standing close. Laughing. With another man.
Something in his expression darkened.
He walked toward them, his steps slow, controlled… but heavy with authority.
The male staff immediately straightened. "G-good morning, sir."
Isabella turned, her smile fading slightly. "Good morning, Mr. Knight."
Alexander's gaze lingered on her for a second too long before shifting to the man beside her.
"Don't you have work to do?" he said coldly.
"Yes, sir!" the man replied quickly, practically fleeing the scene.
Silence followed.
Isabella frowned slightly. "We were just discussing a movie—"
"You're not here to discuss movies," Alexander cut in sharply. "You're here to work."
Her brows furrowed. "I had already completed my tasks—"
"Then I'll give you more," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
There was something different about him today.
Sharper. Colder.
Almost… irritated.
"Follow me," he added before turning toward his office.
Isabella stood there for a moment, confused.
Then she sighed softly and followed him.
As she walked behind him, one thought lingered in her mind—
Why did it feel like he was… jealous?