chapter601
Leopold had once been naive enough to believe that every grand gesture was strictly for corporate advancement. But seeing Lysander—a man who had always maintained a cold, professional distance from personal entanglements—invest such vast resources into Thalassa’s world forced him to reconsider everything.
Could it be that Lysander had genuinely found a connection with her?
Leopold’s heart wavered with an increasing sense of unease. “Mr. Ethan,” he began, attempting to gather more insight, “did you know that Lysander commissioned a villa for Thalassa’s family in the countryside?”
Leopold’s mind drifted back to his own recent actions. His mother, Amelia, had attempted to intervene in his personal affairs, an act that had only fueled his frustration. Driven by a lingering longing for Thalassa, he had traveled to her hometown, hoping to find a fragment of their shared history. Instead, he found a modern villa standing where her old family home once was. Her aunt, Astrid, resided there now, providing a sanctuary for Thalassa whenever she returned.
Lysander’s efficiency was staggering. He didn't just compete; he redefined the landscape entirely. Faced with such decisive and protective action, Leopold felt the weight of his own missed opportunities. The revelation that Lysander was also the father of Thalassa’s four children was a wound that refused to heal.
Ethan, a frequent associate of Lysander and Alaric, was familiar with the inner workings of the Sinclair Group, though even he hadn't been fully briefed on Lysander’s most recent personal developments.
Leopold’s thoughts kept circling back to a single night five years ago—the night that had altered the trajectory of all their lives. His regrets were anchored to that moment. If he had made a different choice regarding Isabella, perhaps he and Thalassa wouldn't be standing on opposite sides of such a vast emotional chasm.
“Mr. Sinclair, are you alright?” Ethan asked, noticing Leopold’s intense focus. “You seem to have a deep investment in this matter.”
Leopold masked his emotions instantly, shifting back into a professional stance. “The order for twenty thousand units—what is the earliest market delivery date?”
“The day after tomorrow,” Ethan replied, following the lead into business.
Back at the office, the atmosphere was surprisingly supportive. Anna greeted Thalassa with a warm smile and a fresh cup of coffee. “You’ve been working incredibly hard, Thalassa. Take a moment to breathe.”
Thalassa looked at her in surprise. “Thank you, Anna. I appreciate the gesture, though you really didn't have to.”
“We’re a team,” Anna said kindly. “You handle the complex documentation, and I make sure the environment stays functional. We support each other.”
Just as Thalassa prepared to return to her tasks, her phone vibrated. She glanced at the caller ID, and the color drained from her face. A deep-seated instinct—a mix of caution and a memory of past trials—surfaced within her. She hesitated for a heartbeat, realizing that whatever message was waiting on the other end would likely challenge the fragile peace she had worked so hard to build.