跳过内容
Novel Catalog
Chapter 51
Noel leaned back against the pillows, a faint smirk crossing her lips as she replayed the conversation in her mind. Kyle was nothing more than a stepping stone in her game. The idea of going public with their relationship had only served to highlight her leverage over him, and she could feel her power growing. Yet, she knew better than to rush things. A well-timed move would ensure she held all the cards.
She didn’t even bother to check her phone for messages, having already ensured the people she wanted to influence were under her thumb. Kyle’s usefulness was limited, she thought, and while she had no intention of fully letting him go, she knew there were other pieces to be played in this game—more valuable ones.
The coldness that had flickered in her eyes melted away, replaced by a thoughtful, calculating calm. Cordy was a wildcard. If she’d been able to tie herself to John Levine, then it could only mean one thing: John’s attention would eventually fade from the Jessops and fall squarely onto her.
Noel had no intention of letting the Levines get the last laugh, and if Kyle was still blinded by his pride and need to recover his family’s honor, she was content to leave him waiting. She’d make her move when it suited her—when she was sure everything would fall into place.
Meanwhile, at Levine Manor, Cordy had managed to start her day on her own terms. Despite the hangover and the residual thoughts of John Levine from the night before, she was determined not to let it affect her. Her life was hers to control, and she would not let anyone—least of all John—cloud her mind with confusion or emotional turmoil. She would focus on herself, her work, and her own well-being.
But as the hours passed, her thoughts drifted back to the conversation she’d had with John the night before. She couldn’t quite shake the sense that there was something important about him—something deeper than the usual superficial interactions she was used to with men. Even after she pushed his note aside and blocked Kyle’s texts, his last few words echoed in her mind.
“How disgusted are you with me, Cordy?”
Those words haunted her. And though she’d dismissed the idea of getting closer to John or allowing herself to fall for his charm, the pull was undeniable. Yet, she couldn’t let herself fall into a relationship that she wasn’t prepared for—especially when it seemed like everything was out of her control.
Later that day, as Cordy was preparing for a meeting with a client, she received an unexpected visitor.
The doorbell rang, and when she answered, she found a courier holding an envelope with her name on it. She took it from him, signed for the delivery, and then opened it once he had left. The contents inside were not what she had expected.
It was a letter from Zoe York, and as Cordy read it, her eyes narrowed. The letter, written in elegant script, spoke of Zoe’s intentions to get to know her better, to set the record straight about her relationship with John, and a subtle warning to stay out of the way.
Cordy’s heart raced, and a flicker of anxiety spread through her. What game was Zoe playing?