Albert Rivera watched Andrew for a while before finally saying, “Mr. Lane, you really should get some rest.”

"Thanks," Andrew replied, taking a seat beside him.

They started talking business, focusing on the details of their partnership. Andrew looked calm and collected, his face giving nothing away, even with those obvious bruises.

Albert tried his best not to stare at Andrew's injuries, but his eyes kept wandering back to them. The marks looked like they were from a fight. It was strange to think that someone as steady and reserved as Andrew Lane could get into something like that, or that anyone would go after him so hard.

They talked for about an hour, then Albert said his goodbyes and hurried off to his next appointment.

His next stop was Vertex International to meet with Emily Blair.

The financial software his company had asked Vertex to develop was nearly finished. Emily had invited him and his team over to check it out, hoping they'd catch any bugs or problems so her team could fix them before the final release.

Albert had always been realistic about relationships. After he found out Emily was seeing someone, he quietly took a step back, keeping things strictly professional. They still chatted sometimes, but only as friends.

When it came to work, both he and Emily were all business. They never let personal feelings get in the way, and honestly, things between them had never gone beyond the stage of one person chasing and the other being chased. There was no drama.

After they finished talking about work, Albert lingered for a minute, joking, “Better watch yourself these days. Wouldn't want to accidentally make any enemies."

Emily looked at him, curious. "Why do you say that?"

"Just came from a meeting where one of the CEOs looked like he'd been in a fight. His face was all bruised up and he looked pale as a ghost."

Emily just shrugged. "Instead of worrying about trouble, I'd rather just get stronger. That way, if anyone comes at me, I can handle it."

They both laughed.

Once Albert left Vertex International, Emily barely gave his comment another thought.

Meanwhile, Tanner Miller was staring at his phone, discouraged after not hearing back from Amelia. With a heavy sigh, he tucked his phone away.

Tristan Davis glanced over and asked, "What's up?”

Tanner straightened up, trying to sound upbeat. "Amelia's in the city, but she's not here for me. I offered to pick her up, but she turned me down."

"If the mountain won't come to you, then you go to the mountain," Tristan teased.

"I know," Tanner said, starting the

car. He gave Tristan a sideways look and added, "I think she's here because of Isabella Austin. Just letting you know... what you do with that is up to you." 'FindNovel.net

Tristan grinned. "Good looking out. Glad to know you've got my back."

Tanner rolled his eyes. "Of course I do. Not like some people who forget their friends as soon as they get a girlfriend."

Tristan protested, "Hey, when did I ever forget you?"

Tanner stared him down. “I never said it was you. But if you feel guilty, that's on you."

Tristan pressed his lips together and rubbed his nose, not sure what to say to that.

Tanner just made a satisfied sound and let it drop.

After Andrew finished up at work, he finally had a chance to call Amelia back.

Amelia, bored out of her mind in her hotel room, decided to go see Isabella Austin at the police station.

she

Du:

When she got there, she realized wasn't the only visitor. Isabella's parents were there, along with a lawyer they'd hired for her, and an

elderly man Amelia didn't recognize

It had been a while since she'd seen Isabella's parents. They looked tired and much

older, with more gray hair and deeper lines on their faces.

When they noticed her, their faces turned cold, their attitude distant and formal, nothing like the warm greetings she remembered.

Feeling a little awkward under their gaze, Amelia touched her cheek and

asked What's going on? Are you mad at me now that my brother and Isabella are divorced?"