Chapter 325

Verena nodded in agreement. "That's for the best."

Watching her, Luis felt a tug of sorrow in his chest.

He was proud of her sharp intelligence, yet his pride was shadowed by regret that she had to shoulder such tangled affairs at so young an age.

Luis reached out, gently ruffling Verena's hair. His voice was deep, carrying warmth like an anchor in stormy seas. "I brought you back home to be the jewel of this family-carefree, radiant, and smiling each day. Not burdened with these thorny matters."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted unconsciously to Verena's rounded bely. Tenderness welled up in his eyes, soft as dawn. "Especially now, when you're carrying life within you,you mustn't wear yourself thin.Trust me-let me carry the weight of these troubles."

Verena understood his concern, but her spirit rebelled against passivity.

"Luis, I'm not one who lives by leaning on others."Her tone grew firm. "This is our home. How could I turn a blind eye to the family's matters?" Luis felt a tide of both pride and appreciation rising for her.

He nodded slowly. "You're right."

Then, with a playful glimmer, he tapped her nose."You're too clever for your own good. In such little time, you've peeled back layers of the company's secrets and sensed the cracks beneath the surface.Even I can't help but admire you."

Verena shook her head, a gentle smile curving her lips."Luis, this time you're giving me too much credit."

She tilted her head slightly, the smile brightening her features. "You know my roots lie in medicine. It was Isaac who noticed something amiss with Sherwood and warned me. I merely followed the thread and,after no small effort, uncovered what you see."

Seeing the shadow cross Luis' face, Verena quickly added, "But don't worry. Though Isaac knows, he won't cross into Sampson Group's affairs. And of course,I'll keep my own boundaries clear."

Luis chuckled softly and patted her shoulder. "I don't doubt that. Isaac is a man of pride and standing-he wouldn't meddle where he doesn't belong.Besides-"His lips curled teasingly as he continued, "Anyone can see he's utterly smitten with you." Then,as though catching a darker thought, Luis' eyes narrowed,his voice sharpening. "But don't mistake me for a fool to be played with. If Isaac ever dared to betray you or tried to prey upon the Sampson family business, I would not stand idly by."

Noticing the shift in topic, Luis steered the conversation back, his gaze softening. "Anyway,Verena,let those things rest."

He placed a careful hand on her belly, his touch light with reverence. "What matters most now is that you care for yourself and the little life growing inside you.I'm already waiting for the day I can hold my nephew or niece."

As their conversation flowed,her phone on the table lit up with a new message.

Verena picked it up and let out a quiet laugh.

It was from Miranda. "Sweetheart, help me send Luis a message. Tell him I'm waiting at Serenity Hotel."

Verena cast a sidelong glance at Luis, who was engrossed in his work, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

She lowered her eyes and typed swiftly. "Why ddon't you message him yourself? I have no wish to sit and watch your love games." Hardly had the screen dimmed when it chimed again.

Unlocking it, she found herself faced with Miranda's reply.

"Who asked you to watch? Last time I let you off without charge. I was practically a saint."

Verena muttered under her breath,"A saint? More like a fox."

But then,the next message made her raise an eyebrow.

"You think I wouldn't message him directly? He blocked me."

Her eyes flickered instinctively toward Luis, and then back to the phone.

Her attention darted between the man and the screen,quickening with each second.

In truth, from the first chime of her phone and her stifled giggles, Luis had been stealing glances from the corner of his eye.

Now, seeing her gaze brimming with uncontained curiosity, suspicion stirred in him.

Luis paused in his work, raised his head, and cleared his throat softly. "What did she say to you?" Verena arched a brow, eyes gleaming with mischief as she held up her phone. "She said she's lonely tonight and waiting for you at Serenity Hotel. And if you don't go,she'll find another man to share her evening."

Miranda's actual words had been far simpler-Verena had embroidered them with bold strokes of her own.

Rarely indulging in such playful pranks, she found sheer delight in the little trick.

Luis' eyelids twitched. He calmly turned away, but his furrowed brows betrayed him.

An uneasy current rippled through him, unsettling thoughts he could not quite name.

After a beat of silence, his voice grew low. "Did she truly say that?"

Seeing his reaction, Verena laughed inwardly but kept her expression calm. With feigned innocence, she nodded. "Absolutely true. Anyway, I've delivered the message, and I've said what I needed to. Luis, I'll leave you to your work."

Suppressing her smile, she gathered her laptop and slipped out of the office.

Luis pressed his lips together, made no move to stop her, and turned back to his papers. On the surface, it was as though her words were a passing breeze that left not a ripple in his heart.

Yet, when the afternoon meeting arrived,he made several uncharacteristic mnistakes with the data.

As dusk approached, golden light spilled through the window, setting his desk aglow.

Luis sat mid-signature when his pen suddenly sputtered and dried.

He tried scribbling on a blank page, but only pale scratches marked the paper.

Frowning,he tossed the pen aside, the sharp sound echoing in the quiet.

Leaning back, a tightness coiled in his chest.

He tugged at his tie, as though loosening it might untangle the knot in his breath.

For a long moment, silence hung heavy around him.Then, drawing in a deep breath, he pressed the intercom. When the line clicked open, his voice was steady,resolute. "Patrick, prepare the car."