After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

At the restaurant, Nora sat beside Abby, gently smoothing the little girl's hair as she handed over both the cake and the rabbit doll.

Abby's eyes widened with pure delight, her small hands eagerly reaching for the gifts.noveldrama

"You made this cake yourself?" Cole asked, his deep voice laced with mild surprise.

His gaze rested on the carefully crafted dessert, the smooth frosting, the intricate details... it was evident that a great deal of effort had gone into it.

"It takes a lot of time to bake a cake like this," he continued, glancing at Nora. "You must have spent quite a while on it."

Nora simply smiled, shaking her head slightly. "It's not a big deal," she said, her voice soft. "As long as Abby likes it, that's all that matters."

Abby beamed up at her, hugging the rabbit doll tightly against her chest. "I love it! Thank you, Auntie Nora!" Her voice was filled with unfiltered joy, her innocent expression glowing with happiness.

Cole's eyes lingered on Nora for a moment, something unreadable flickering within them. He didn't say anything further, but Linda... who had been watching from a distance... felt her stomach drop.

She had an appointment to eat with Arnold and Alex in this very neighborhood, but her feet had moved on their own when she caught sight of Nora.

Unconsciously, she had followed them, drawn by a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

And then she saw it.

The rabbit doll.

Abby was clutching it, holding it so dearly, and Linda immediately recognized it as the exact same one Nora had been carrying at the mall the day before.

A cold realization washed over her.

So it was true.

The "aunt" Abby had been talking about was really Nora.

Linda stood motionless, the sound of the bustling restaurant fading into the background as her focus remained on Cole. His eyes softened as he looked at Nora and Abby, his lips curving into a rare, tender smile.

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After Heft, Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

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A smile Linda had never seen directed at anyone else... not her, not any of the women who tried to catch

his attention at social events.

And that was when the truth struck her like a cold, unforgiving wave.

Cole *liked* Nora.

Not in a casual way, not as a passing interest, but genuinely. It was there in the way he looked at her, the quiet patience in his demeanor, the way his usual restraint melted away in her presence.

Linda's nails dug into her palm as she struggled to maintain her composure.

No wonder.

No wonder that in the past few months, when she called him, he no longer answered immediately. No wonder he often let her calls go unanswered altogether.

At first, she had thought he was merely busy. That was normal. He had always been someone with responsibilities, meetings, and projects consuming his time. But now, she knew better.

It wasn't his work that had taken up his time.

It was *her.*

It was Nora.

Linda pursed her lips tightly, her mind whirling in frustration. What did Nora have that made her special? What did Cole see in her?

She wasn't particularly charming. She wasn't the kind of woman who commanded attention in a room. She was diligent, yes. Capable, certainly. But those qualities were hardly unique.

Linda simply couldn't understand it.

She swallowed down the bitter taste in her mouth, but the resentment lingered.

The next morning, Nora arrived at the STARLINE Studio, only to be met with an issue... one that demanded her immediate attention.

A project involving STARLINE Studio and Linda's studio had encountered problems. This was an important collaboration commissioned by Company A. STARLINE had been responsible for the initial designs and concept work, while Linda's studio handled the later-stage polishing of the original stone

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After Heft. Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

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materials.

Now, something had gone wrong.

As soon as Nora stepped into the studio, she spotted Flora standing at the entrance, arms crossed over her chest, a knowing smirk on her face.

Flora's voice carried a sharp edge as she sneered, "How long has this project been running? Yet in such a short period, there have already been multiple issues with the drawings. I wonder... is it because *some people* lack the skill for this level of work? Or perhaps, they just aren't dedicated enough to the project?"

The words were deliberate, her gaze fixed on Nora with thinly veiled hostility. The nearby staff member stiffened at the remark, shifting awkwardly. He knew Flora well enough... she wasn't truly involved in the project. She didn't understand the complexities of the modifications, nor did

she care.

He was just about to step In, to clarify that the changes weren't due to errors but were standard adjustments based on Company A's evolving requirements... when Nora spoke first.

Calm, composed, and with a quiet authority that sent a ripple of unease through the air.

"If you believe we lack the capability or dedication, you're free to request the contract be terminated."

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