Chapter13 That single phrase " Mr. Stone " -drove a wedge between them deeper than any wall could build . Grace Miller turned politely back to the circle of men beside her and offered a faint smile . " Gentlemen , excuse me for a moment . " They nodded in understanding , though a few exchanged glances with Alexander Stone - glances edged with cool appraisal , some even carrying a flicker of mockery . Alexander felt his chest ignite . Her distant tone , her refusal to acknowledge even a trace of familiarity - every word , every glance scraped at him like raw nerves . He opened his mouth to speak again , but before the words could come- She shivered slightly , the ballroom chilled by the blasting AC , and rubbed her arm unconsciously . Noah Carter , the young CEO of a rising tech empire , noticed immediately . Without hesitation , he slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders . His voice was warm , casual , almost intimate . " Careful . You'll catch a chill . " Grace blinked , momentarily taken aback , then smiled softly . " Thank you . " The simple exchange - natural , effortless - cut Alexander like a blade . Her serene gratitude , the easy warmth in Noah's eyes , the sight of her wrapped in another man's coat ... fury and jealousy flared so hot and fast he nearly lost control . His fists clenched , veins standing out across his hand . He had to fight the urge to storm across the room and tear the jacket off her himself . That night , he could not calm down . Over and over , her face replayed in his mind - cold , self - contained , untouched by him . Her eyes no longer lingered on him , not even for a second . And then Noah's jacket , Noah's hand , Noah's voice ... The images replayed like a curse , each time burning deeper into his skull . He couldn't bear it . He couldn't stand her indifference , her silent dismissal , as though he no longer existed . Something in him twisted - resentment , unwillingness , something darker he could not name . Chapter13 61.90 % Wanna watch the rest of " Office Girl " ? Download Drama Pops and watch the re ... Download Possessiveness . So he made a move . Under the guise of business , he forced proximity . Using his influence , he dangled a lucrative brand collaboration worth tens of millions and demanded that Grace Studio ( Northbridge ) take the project . His one condition . Grace Miller herself must oversee it , personally , from start to finish . At the project kickoff , Alexander arrived in person . He sat at the head of the table , his gaze locked on her like a hawk tracking prey ' . Grace stood at the front , dressed in professional attire , speaking with clarity and poise as she outlined the design vision . When challenged , she answered with measured reasoning , her arguments calm yet firm . She was polished , sharp , and radiated a self - assurance he had never seen in her before . He deliberately nitpicked minor details , probing , trying to catch her eye - perhaps even provoke a reaction . But she met him only with flawless professionalism , treating him as she would any difficult client . No indulgence . No softness . Not even the courtesy of warmth . The harder he pressed , the cooler she became . Every exchange landed with no impact , only deepening his frustration . Then chaos struck . Bella Hart had somehow tracked down the address of Grace Studio . She stormed in mid - afternoon , shrieking accusations of " seducing Alexander " and " refusing to disappear . " Her tantrum escalated into flung objects , until security restrained her and alerted both Grace and Alexander . By the time Alexander arrived , Bella looked half - feral , her hair disheveled , still screeching . Grace stood a short distance away , her expression glacial . " Mr. Stone , " she said flatly , her tone devoid of any warmth , " control your companion . This is a place of work , not a stage for her theatrics . If she shows up again , I'll call the police . " Her eyes - cold , sharp , merciless - cut through him . Alexander turned from her to Bella , and shame burned up his throat . Rage followed close behind . He snapped at Bella , voice booming through the studio . " Enough ! Do you have any idea how disgraceful this is ? Shut up and go home . Now ! " Chapter13 Download 61.90 % Bella froze , stunned . Then her shock twisted into fury . Tears spilled as she shrieked louder . " You ' re yelling at me ?! At me - for her ?! Alexander , have you forgotten who- " " Do you his lips . think your so - called- " He stopped dead . The words had slipped , unbidden , halfway past Do you think your supposed rescue ... The phrase lodged in his throat like a stone . He froze , jaw tightening , realizing he had nearly spoken a truth he wasn ' t ready to confront . Chapter 13