Chapter 10
Three Hours Later…
It had been three hours since Aliana sat down in Andrian’s office.
The grand wall clock now read 2:30 PM, yet Aliana remained calmly seated in her chair, unmoving except for the occasional glance at her watch.
Her composure was so still she resembled a statue.
Had it not been for the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, Nadia, Andrian’s secretary, might have mistaken her for a wax figure placed as office décor.
Nadia stood near the door, visibly uneasy and confused.
She had told Aliana earlier that Andrian’s meeting would only last around fifteen minutes. But the reality was that nearly three hours had passed–and Andrian Velor had still not returned.
Nadia stole another glance at Aliana, trying to read her expression.
But just like before, Aliana’s face was unreadable–calm, blank, utterly impassive.
There was no sign of anger, not even the slightest hint of irritation.
And that, more than anything, was what unnerved Nadia the most.
“Why doesn’t she just leave?” Nadia wondered anxiously, her fingers nervously twisting the corner of a small memo note.
Across the room, Elena sat on the edge of a small sofa, not far from Aliana. She too felt the suffocating tension in the air.
Aliana’s extreme calmness made Elena uneasy. Unable to bear the prolonged silence any longer, Elena stood slowly and leaned toward her.
“Miss,” she whispered gently, “maybe we should just go home? We can wait for Mr. Andrian there instead.”
Aliana turned her gaze from the wall clock to Elena.
Her calm yet piercing eyes made Elena feel as if she were under an X–ray beam.
“I’m not leaving until I’ve spoken with Andrian,” Aliana replied softly, but with resolute firmness.
Elena fell silent. She knew that once Aliana made a decision, nothing could away her.
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Nadia,
again.
a
to
the small table where Aliana sat, and tried
“Miss Aliana, I apologize, but… perhaps you’d like something to drink? Or maybe a light snack? I can
Aliana flicked her eyes toward Nadia, then gently shook her head.
“I need nothing,” she replied curtly.
bring you anything you wish.”
Nadia was at a loss. The refreshments she had offered earlier had been left untouched. Aliana hadn’t even glanced at them.
In her time as Andrian’s secretary, Nadia had encountered her share of important guests who sometimes had to wait–but none had ever behaved like this.
Most would grow impatient, complain, or even throw a fit when made to wait so long.
But Aliana? She sat in absolute silence.
No anger. No questions. No demands.
“Miss Aliana…” Nadia tried again, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Mr. Andrian will surely be done soon. But I… I really feel bad watching you wait like this. Perhaps you’d like to take a break? I promise
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3:44 PM P
Chapter 10
I’ll have him contact you the moment his meeting ends.”
Aliana turned toward Nadia, her gaze emotionless.
“I already said I won’t leave until I speak to Andrian,” she repeated, her voice steady.
Nadia swallowed hard, now completely unsure of what to do.
She knew Aliana was Andrian’s legal wife—but her icy composure made her difficult to approach.
“Miss Aliana,” Nadia pleaded, “I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. I also have other duties to attend to, but I’d feel terrible leaving you like this.”
Aliana’s eyes sharpened slightly.
“Then go. Do your job. You don’t need to keep watching me.”
Nadia opened her mouth to protest, but hesitated.
“But, Miss-
Go,” Aliana snapped, her tone cold and commanding.
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Nadia froze. She was used to the stern demeanor of Andrian Velor, but there was something in Aliana’s voice even more commanding- a presence that demanded immediate compliance.
Finally, Nadia gave a reluctant nod.
“Very well, Miss. I’ll return to my desk. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Aliana didn’t respond. She turned her gaze back to the wall clock, as if time itself was the only thing that mattered now.
Nadia retreated quietly and exited the office, still rattled, unsure what else she
Inside, Elena looked at Aliana with a blend of admiration and concern.
could’ve done.
Aliana’s icy composure only intensified the tension in the room–like a marble statue that nothing could disturb.
But no one knew that Aliana’s mind was racing.
She wasn’t merely waiting. She was recalibrating.
Strategizing.
M
www
Julian Crane’s name. Bianca’s suspicious financial activity. Weak points within Titan Group’s board of directors–every second of this wait was being used to map out her next move.
Her patience wasn’t weakness–it was a tactical weapon.
A trap she was letting her enemies walk into.
And yes, she suspected Andrian might be deliberately delaying.
But that didn’t matter.
Aliana had survived far harsher things than being kept waiting in a comfortable chair for a few hours.
And if this was some kind of test of endurance–she would win.
A Few Minutes Later….
The elevator chimed softly as its doors slid open, delivering Andrian Velor to the executive floor of Titan Group.
The man stepped out with his signature confident stride, trailed by Victor, who held a stack of documents in his arms.
Andrian’s face was impassive, but his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
He had just been informed by Victor that Aliana was still waiting in his office,
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Chapter 10
At the End of the Lobby…
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10
From across the lobby, Nadia spotted Andrian’s arrival and immediately approached with hurried steps. She looked anxious but visibly relieved–like someone who had finally glimpsed a lifeline after being under pressure for hours.
“Mr. Velor,” Nadia said in a low voice, edged with urgency.
“Miss Aliana is still waiting in your office.”
Andrian’s expression didn’t change. His face remained unreadable.
But deep down, he was taken aback.
Aliana is still waiting?
It had been over three hours since she arrived. He hadn’t expected her to stay.
Without a word, Andrian quickened his pace toward his office.
But just before entering, he turned sharply to Nadia, his gaze like a blade.
I’ll let it slide this time,” Andrian said coldly.
“But don’t ever allow just anyone into my office again.”
His words hit Nadia like a slap. She quickly bowed her head, her voice barely audible as she apologized.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Velor.”
Internally, Nadia was stunned.
How could he call Aliana ‘just anyone‘? She’s his wife.
But she kept the thought to herself.
Andrian Velor is heartless.
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Victor, standing beside Andrian, said nothing. But the flicker in his eyes revealed his own discomfort at his employer’s callous remark.
Without another word, Victor stepped forward and opened the heavy office door, silently ushering Andrian inside.
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