Chapter 29 A Dangerous Game Isla stared at the note in her hands, her heart pounding in her chest. The letters were bold, sharp, and deliberate, each word meant to be a threat. Walk away, or you wont walk away at all. She tightened her grip on the paper, her knuckles turning white. Someone was watching. Someone knew what she was doing. And they wanted her to stop. A part of her considered itjust for a second. But then the anger surged, swallowing every trace of hesitation. She wasnt the kind of person who backed down. Especially not now. She shoved the note into her desk drawer, locking it away. She would deal with it later. Right now, she had bigger things to handle. With a deep breath, she straightened her blazer and pushed back her shoulders. If they thought intimidation would make her quit, they didnt know Isla Carter at all. When she walked into the offices main conference room, Nolan was already there, leaning against the table, arms crossed. He barely looked up when she entered, but the tension in the air was unmistakable. Youre late, he said. I had something to take care of. His eyes flicked to hers, sharp and assessing. Something important? She hesitated. If she told him about the note, hed see it as a vulnerabilitysomething that could be used against her or, worse, a reason to pull her off the fight entirely. So she simply said, Nothing I cant handle. Nolan didnt press, but something in his gaze darkened. Lets get started. The meeting lasted two hours, filled with tense discussions, strategic planning, and counter-moves. The scandal within Whitmore Enterprises was spiraling fast, and they needed to stay ahead of it. But the real problem wasnt the numbers or the media frenzy. It was the people pulling the strings behind the scenes. And now, Isla knew firsthand how far they were willing to go to silence her. As soon as the meeting ended, she made her way back to her office. She needed time to think, to figure out her next step. But before she could even sit down, her phone buzzed. An unknown number. She hesitated for a second before answering. Isla Carter. Then a voice, low and distorted. You should have walked away. A chill ran down her spine. She swallowed hard. I dont scare easily. A dark chuckle. The line went dead. For a long moment, she just stood there, gripping the phone so tightly it hurt. Then, slowly, she exhaled. They wanted her scared. They wanted her to make a mistake. But she wouldnt give them that satisfaction. Instead, she picked up her phone again and dialed. Who are you calling? She jumped at Nolans voice. She hadnt even heard him come in. Quickly, she ended the call before it could go through. His gaze narrowed. Youre lying. She forced a smirk. Since when do you care? Nolan studied her for a long moment. Then, without a word, he walked over and took the phone right out of her hands. Hey He scrolled through the call log. His expression darkened. Who called you? None of your business. He turned the screen toward her, showing the unknown number. This looks like my business. She clenched her jaw. I can handle it. His voice was quiet, but dangerous. You shouldnt have to. Something in the way he said it made her pause. Then, just as quickly, he turned and walked out of the office, taking her phone with him. For the rest of the day, Isla tried to ignore the gnawing unease in her stomach. She had faced threats before. This wasnt new. But something about this one felt different. More personal. By the time she left the office, the sky was already dark. She made her way to the parking garage, her heels clicking against the concrete. She was halfway to her car when she felt it. A presence. She stopped, glancing around. The garage was nearly empty, shadows stretching along the walls. A flicker of movement caught her eye near one of the pillars. Her pulse spiked. Slowly, she reached into her bag, fingers wrapping around the small can of pepper spray she always carried. Then, just as she took a step forward, someone stepped out of the shadows. She exhaled sharply, her grip loosening. What the hell, Nolan? He leaned against the pillar, watching her. Just making sure youre safe. She rolled her eyes. I dont need a bodyguard. He smirked. I didnt say you did. She shook her head and walked past him toward her car. Go home, Nolan. But before she could get in, he spoke again. There was a car parked outside your apartment last night. She froze. Slowly, she turned back to him. How do you know that? His smirk faded. Because I was there. She didnt know what to say to that. So he continued. Whoever it was, they werent just watching your place. They were waiting. A shiver ran down her spine. Nolan stepped closer, lowering his voice. You think youre handling this, Isla. But you dont even know who youre up against. She lifted her chin. Then maybe you should tell me. For a long moment, he just stared at her. Then, finally, he exhaled. This isnt just about Whitmore Enterprises anymore, he said quietly. Its bigger than that. Her heart pounded. How much bigger? He hesitated. Then: Enough that were both in real danger. The drive home was quiet. Too quiet. Even as she parked, even as she stepped into her apartment, Isla couldnt shake the feeling that something was wrong. She checked her locks. Made sure the windows were secure. Then she stood in the middle of her living room, breathing deeply. Her phone buzzed. A text from Nolan. Lock your doors. Dont open them for anyone. She swallowed hard. This wasnt just a warning anymore. This was war. In a romance-themed observation show, several participants undergo a series of interactions and conflicts filled with love, misunderstandings, and power struggles. In the end, one couple rises to over...