Chapter 111 

Though her tone was gentle, the message was ruthless. 

For the first time, Linda felt her throat tighten. 

Nora wasn’t someone to be fooled. 

On the surface, Linda remained unbothered, but internally, her mind raced. She had underestimated her opponent. If she responded carelessly now, she would only expose her weakness further. 

Leo, who had been watching from a distance, was astonished. He had been prepared to intervene, worried that Nora would be pushed around by Linda again. But instead, in just a few sentences, Nora had left Linda speechless. 

The meeting eventually concluded, and Nora and Leo escorted Linda and Cody out of the building. 

Once they were alone, Leo turned to Nora. “Was there actually a problem with their proposal?” 

Nora nodded. “Yes. I didn’t raise an issue just to make things difficult for Linda–there were actual flaws in the 

contract.” 

Leo frowned. “But the details were well written.” 

“They were,” Nora agreed. “I suspect Arnold had reviewed it for her. Technically, there weren’t outright mistakes. But there were missing points that, in the long run, would have worked against us.” 

She had spotted it right away. It was subtle–so subtle that a less experienced negotiator might have missed it entirely. But the gaps were there, and Nora wasn’t about to overlook them. 

Later that afternoon, Clark visited the studio. 

Leo, however, didn’t see him. Clark didn’t stay long–when he realized he wouldn’t be meeting anyone important, he left without a word. 

Shortly after Clark’s departure, another guest arrived. 

Cole. 

Leo and Nora met him together, reviewing the revised proposal he brought. As they skimmed through the document, they exchanged glances. Without speaking, they understood each other’s thoughts. 

Nora extended her hand first. “Cole, good working together.” 

Cole hesitated briefly, his sharp eyes flicking between her and Leo. Then, with a small nod, he reached out and shook her hand. “Happy working together.” 

They spent the next few hours discussing the finer details of the agreement. The conversation was focused, efficient Outside, the sky darkened as time passed. 

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Chapter 111 

Then, Nora’s phone rang. 

She glanced at the screen. 

Alex 

The call ended. Then, immediately, her phone buzzed again. 

She declined it. 

Seconds later, the ringing stopped. Alex didn’t call again. 

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Arnold received a mind–link. 

A weak voice drifted through. 

“Dad, I’m not feeling well. I miss Mom…” 

Arnold’s expression darkened. 

Half an hour later, he was home. 

Alex was lying in bed, his face slightly pale. The room smelled faintly of medicine. When he saw the door open, he stirred, his gaze expectant. 

“Mom?” 

Then he realized it was Arnold. His excitement faded instantly. 

Arnold turned to the servant nearby. “What happened?” 

The servant hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Young Master Alex has a weak stomach. He’s had issues since birth. When Miss Nora was here, she ensured he took regular supplements, which kept him healthy. But…” 

She trailed off. 

Arnold didn’t need her to finish. 

The implication was clear. 

Without Nora around to enforce the routine, Alex had stopped taking the bitter supplements, thinking he was free from them. 

But health wasn’t a matter of personal preference. 

And now he was paying the price. 

Arnold sighed. He approached the bed, looking down at his son. “Alex,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “Have you been skipping your supplements?” 

Alex pursed his lips, unwilling to admit it. But his silence was answer enough. 

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Chapter 111 

Arnold sat beside him. You might not like them, but they help you. Do you understand that? 

Alex turned his face away. “I just 1 just wanted Mom to come back.” 

His voice was small. 

Arnold exhaled, rubbing his forehead. 

Even after all this time, Alex still clung to the past. 

Still, he couldn’t blame him. 

Nora had been his mother for years. No matter what had happened, no matter how complicated things were between the adults, Alex was just a child. 

And children didn’t let go so easily. 

Arnold sat down beside Alex’s bed, his expression calm but his eyes carefully observing his son. 

The dim light of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows over Alex’s pale face, making him look even smaller than he already was. 

“How are you feeling now?” Arnold asked, his voice low but gentle. 

Alex shifted slightly under the blankets. His body still felt weak, but the discomfort had eased a little after taking his medicine. He blinked up at his father, his dark eyes tired yet still filled with a faint hope. 

“I’m better than before,” he said weakly. 

Arnold nodded. “That’s good. Do you want Aunt Linda to come see you?” 

In the past, Alex would have eagerly agreed. He had always liked Linda–her warmth, the way she doted on him, the fun stories she told. 

But right now, in his vulnerable state, the only person he truly wanted was his mother. 

Even though he sometimes got annoyed with her–complaining that she was too strict, that she was always telling him what to do–when it really mattered, it was always her he longed for. 

Alex hesitated for only a second before shaking his head. “No. I want Mom.”