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Chapter 49
Chapter 49
“Is he picking up Ruby?” Nina blurted out before she could stop herself.
Aiden looked a little startled. Wow, this girl really came in swinging–like she was ready to put him on trial.
“I… I’m not sure,” he managed, trying to keep it professional. “Mr. Newton usually doesn’t tell me about his personal plans.”
“You’re his assistant. How could you not know?” Nina shot back, frustration bubbling over. She wasn’t letting this go.
Joseph saw the tension building and quickly caught Nina by the arm. “Nina, that’s enough. Show some respect.”
Aiden was Theo’s right–hand man, and Joseph knew better than to let things get ugly.
Nina caught the warning in her brother’s eyes and finally backed off, mumbling, “Sorry, Aiden. I just got anxious.”
Aiden shook his head, a polite smile on his lips. “No worries, Ms. Miller. I understand how you feel, but Mr. Newton really doesn’t share his private schedule with me.”
Joseph led Nina downstairs. As soon as they got into the car, he let out a quiet but firm rebuke. “You were out of line. Aiden is Theo’s chief assistant. You can’t just talk to him like that.”
“I know, I know. I didn’t mean it,” Nina said, her voice trembling. She looked down, wiping at her eyes. “I’m just scared, okay? I finally get to be with Theo, and I can’t stand the thought of losing him to someone else.”
Joseph watched her, torn. Seeing his little sister cry always got to him, but he couldn’t help but question if helping her chase after Theo had really been the right move. If it wasn’t for Theo’s childhood sweetheart, Nina’s impatience alone would trip her up. This kind of impulsive personality wouldn’t last two episodes in a drama.
“Let’s just go home,” he said gently.
“Can I wait here for him?” Nina asked, voice small.
“If you want to wait, fine. But I have to head out–I’ve got things to do.”
Nina waited. It was well into the afternoon before Theo finally came back to the office. Aiden met him at the door. “Ms. Miller’s been here since noon.”
Theo’s brows drew together, but he didn’t say anything about it. Instead, he got straight to business. “Set up a dinner for ten tonight. Invite some of the media executives.”
“I’ll get right on it.”
Nina heard voices and shot up from the couch, her eyes glued to Theo as he walked in. He barely looked at her, striding into his office with a cold, distant tone. “Didn’t I tell you not to come to the office for a while?”
“I know. I just missed you. I’m sorry,” Nina’s voice got softer with every word, her whole posture
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Chapter 49
shrinking as she pleaded with him.
Theo hesitated, just for a moment. After all, he’d watched her grow up–she was like a little sister.
“Come in,” he said at last.
Theo’s office was nothing special–clean, minimal, just like the rest of his family’s style. Nina stepped in, and Theo even poured her a glass of water himself. “I have to get back to work soon. If you’re tired, you can rest a bit. If not, I’ll ask Aiden to take you home.”
Nina fidgeted, her nerves obvious. “Is Ruby coming back?” she asked, almost too quietly to hear. She’d never learned to hide her feelings, and patience just wasn’t her thing.
Theo paused as he set down the glass. This was the third time he’d heard about Ruby today.
First from Patricia.
Then from a friend at work.
And now Nina.
“I don’t know,” he said evenly. “If that’s all you wanted to ask, there’s your answer. You can go now.”
“Theo, you can’t just treat me like this. We…” Nina’s words caught in her throat.
She twisted her fingers in the hem of her dress, voice barely a whisper. “You’re making me feel like I’m… just some cheap fling.”
In Nina’s world, sleeping together meant something real. Theo’s coldness scared her. It made her feel like she didn’t matter at all.
