---- Chapter 11 Nicola turned around and saw a tall figure appear. Her gaze swept over his face, and she frowned. "Why are you here again?" He wasn't anyone else but Emilio, Lachlan's rival. Emilio was a hybrid and stood towering over most men. He was aloof and elegant. His chiseled face was marked by a distant demeanor. His deep-set eyes revealed a hint of blue, like an ocean that could easily draw someone in. Emilio was unfazed by Nicola's aloof demeanor. He walked up to her step by step. He leaned slightly and put his hands on either side of the sofa she sat on. He was like enclosing her in his arms. The scent of deodar overwhelmed her and brought an intense sense of pressure. "As your most important partner, | need to meet with you often to discuss business matters," he said. His eyes were locked onto her, and he carried a faint smile that belied an aggressive intensity. ---- Nicola uneasily raised her hand and put it against his chest. She attempted to push him away a little. "Keep your distance." He was only wearing a black shirt, and the thin fabric outlined his lean, muscular physique. Her palm rested against his chest. Through the shirt, she felt his searing body. Nicola's cheeks instantly flushed, and she quickly pulled her hand back. Emilio glanced down playfully at where she had touched. His gaze was seductive. The air was filled with an intimate atmosphere. His voice was deep, laced with amusement. "We're already at that stage. Feel free to touch me. | won't stop you." Nicola glared at him, annoyed. "Shut up. If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll have the security throw you out." "You are so heartless," Emilio drawled lazily and noticed the undeniable blush of embarrassment on her face. He smirked. Then he stepped back to distance himself from her a little. He turned to sit on a nearby sofa. His long legs crossed, and he exuded a relaxed nonchalance. He handed her the documents he brought along. "It's about the Lachlan Group." ---- Nicola took them. She flipped through the pages and tried to avoid Emilio's eyes. Yet, even though she didn't look at him, she could feel his burning gaze on her. It was so intense. She couldn't help but remember the incident a few months ago. She had gone out on business for the Lachlan Group, but the partner had sinister intentions and secretly drugged her. He seemed to want to use this method to force her to make concessions on the deal. Nicola hadn't expected him to be so bold and was unprepared. When she realized something was wrong, it was too late. She immediately called Lachlan and asked for his location. Unbeknownst to her, Lachlan thought she was checking up on him and carelessly gave her a false address. The place was nearby, and she always went there for business meetings. Nicola hurried over, only to see Emilio inside the room after she opened the door. She tried to leave, but her legs gave out. She collapsed on the ---- floor directly. When Emilio scooped her up into his arms, she feared the worst. However, to her surprise, Emilio turned out to be a gentleman. He didn't take advantage of her. Instead, he carried her to the hospital. She was under the influence of the drug and mistook him for Lachlan. She had touched and kissed him on the way there. The next day, she heard the one who had drugged her had been mysteriously beaten. His legs were broken, and he even had his private parts ruined. Nicola suspected it was Emilio's doing. That incident had been kept well under wraps. It was known only to her and Emilio. Because she owed him once, she sold her shares to him, Lachlan's archrival, after she decided to have a divorce. Still, his attitude towards her remained strange. He was aggressive and full of possessiveness in his eyes. She felt overwhelmed. His intentions were always clear. Nicola clutched the documents tightly. Under Emilio's intense gaze, she found herself unable to focus on a single word. ---- Suddenly, Emilio's low chuckle reached her ears, and she looked up at him sharply. He leaned in and said with a smile. "Do you think we're thinking about the same thing just now? You are reminiscing about that time you boldly pinned me down..." Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. 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