Chapter 68
Chapter 68:
Through the final sliver of the gap, he caught a glimpse of her — just a silhouette, her head tilted upward, her entire focus directed at the man in the linen shirt. He saw the easy proximity between them, the comfortable, unhurried space that spoke of genuine familiarity. It was a portrait of quiet intimacy, and it burned itself onto his retinas.
He hadn’t seen that kind of relaxed posture from her in three years.
It felt like a blade dragging slowly across his ribs. He reached up and pulled his sunglasses off.
The elevator doors clicked shut. She was gone.
Cole stood perfectly still, his hands curling into tight fists at his sides, knuckles turning white.
The general manager of the resort rushed across the lobby, sweating visibly, and presented a gold keycard with both hands. “Mr. Compton! Welcome. We have prepared the Presidential Suite on the west wing for you p>
Cole looked down at him. His voice was dangerously quiet. “Who was the man who just went up in that elevator? What room is he in p>
The manager wiped his forehead. “That is the Apex Bio corporate group, sir. They are staying in the business suites on the east wing p>
Apex Bio.
Cole let out a short, hard laugh. He turned to his assistant. “Sterling. Run a full background check on Silas Vance. I want everything p>
𝖡e 𝗽𝖺𝗿𝗍 o𝗳 о𝘂𝗋 𝘤o𝗆𝗺𝘶n𝘪𝘵y o𝘯
Alycia felt the shift in Cole’s attention. She glanced at the closed elevator doors, then back at him, and her instincts fired a warning. She leaned heavily against his side. “Cole, my ankle really hurts. I think I twisted it on the stairs at the estate yesterday. Can you carry me to the room p>
Cole looked down at her. His brow pulled together in undisguised irritation. He needed to maintain appearances — to play the responsible man who looked after his brother’s true love. But right now her touch felt suffocating.
“Stop acting. Walk yourself,” he said flatly.
Alycia’s face flushed deep red. Julian turned away, pressing a hand over his mouth. The air in the lobby turned painfully awkward.
By three in the afternoon, the sun was relentless.
June changed into a conservative but perfectly tailored one-piece swimsuit, wrapped a sheer sun-scarf around her shoulders, and made her way down to the private beach. The Apex Bio team was already there, shouting and laughing over a volleyball net in the sand.
Silas walked over and handed her a tall glass filled with ice, mint, and lime. “Virgin mojito. No alcohol for the lead scientist p>
June accepted the cold glass. “Thanks p>
He opened a massive canvas umbrella and drove the pole into the sand beside her lounge chair. “Watch the UV index. Your skin is pale p>
June smiled and took a sip. The cold liquid felt good against her dry throat.
Then the hair on the back of her neck rose.
It was a physical sensation — like a heavy weight pressing against her spine. June stilled and turned her head slowly.
Two hundred meters away, perched at the edge of a high cliff, was the balcony of the Presidential Suite. The distance was considerable, but the silhouette was unmistakable. A tall figure dressed in dark clothes stood motionless against the glass railing, looking straight down at the beach.
Straight at her.