Tristan leaned back in the large leather chair of his private office, the city skyline glittering through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him.
The faint glow of his phone screen still lingered in his mind after sending the last message to Ophelia.
He dropped the device onto the desk with a soft thud and picked up his laptop.
His long fingers moved across the keyboard as he opened the secure file for City Medical Center.
With a few clicks, he approved the board’s decision to lift Ophelia’s suspension.
He ticked the box for immediate implementation, then added a note for increased funding to her projects.
A rare, cold smile touched his lips.
“Bit by bit I am making you my woman,” he murmured to the empty room, voice low and satisfied, “I will own every part of your world.”
He continued working for a few more minutes, reviewing quarterly reports from his various subsidiaries, when the door to his office suddenly opened.
Elias stepped in first, looking visibly apologetic.
“Sir, I tried to stop him…”
Nicholas pushed past Elias, fury written all over his face.
“Tristan is my best friend. I don’t need a fucking appointment to see him.”
Tristan didn’t even look up from his laptop at first.
He simply raised one hand, gesturing for Elias to leave.
The assistant bowed slightly and closed the door behind him, leaving the two men alone.
Nicholas stormed closer to the desk.
“What the hell is going on, Tristan?”
Tristan finally lifted his gaze, his pale grey eyes cool and indifferent.
“Why are you here, Nicholas? This isn’t the club where you can just bounce in whenever you feel like it.”
Nicholas dropped into the chair opposite him, leaning forward.
“I have something important to ask you. That’s why I am here.” He paused, studying Tristan’s face.
“Sorry, I know you don’t usually put yourself in situations like this over a girl… but I am worried. Why have you helped Ophelia? Twice now.”
Tristan stared at him with a blank expression.
Nicholas paused, staring at him in disbelief.
“Excuse me? Don’t joke with me. I saw your assistant with her at the gala, and your assistant only works for you.”
Tristan sighed and leaned back in his chair.
“Still don’t get what you’re talking about. I am busy, so you can leave.”
“I’m talking about my ex-girlfriend!” Nicholas’s voice rose.
“That’s who I am talking about. Don’t fuck with me, Tristan, you asked about her the other night!”
Only then did Tristan look up properly, feigning mild recognition.
“Oh… Lia. Well, I am not used to her full name.”
“Tristan.”
“What?” Tristan replied calmly.
“I saw how stupid you were to hurt her after being with her for seven years. She came to me for help, and I offered.” Tristan finally said.
Nicholas’s face twisted at this.
“What…?”
Tristan’s expression remained cold.
“She pleaded with me and she reminded me that she was once my best friend’s woman. So… I helped her.”
Nicholas looked stunned, his mind clearly flashing back to the moans he had heard outside Ophelia’s door the night before.
“Tristan… you don’t care about women. In fact, you don’t give a damn about anything not related to work. You don’t even care much about your friends. Why in the world would you help Ophelia?”
Tristan stared at him for a long moment before replying flatly, “Well… I cared this time.”
Nicholas stood up, clearly unsettled.
“Tristan…”
“I am not talking about it anymore, Nicholas. So get the fuck out.”
“Tri…”
“I will call security. I have things to do.” Tristan cut him off coldly.
Nicholas had no choice but to leave, his heart trembling with a strange, unexplained feeling at the thought of Tristan getting interested in Ophelia.
The moment the door closed, Tristan rested his head against the back of his chair and took a deep breath.
“She is mine now…” he whispered to the empty room, a dark smile forming on his lips. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“You fucked up your seven years with her. I will make her fully mine. So much that she will see you as nothing but disgusting.”
Just then, Elias walked back in.
“Sir?”
Tristan opened his eyes.
“The last time I checked, my father has shares in City Medical Center… and so do I?”
Elias nodded carefully.
“Yes, sir. Your father holds 33%, while you hold 22%.”
Tristan took in a slow breath.
“Find out how much more we can buy. I want controlling interest.”
Elias stared at his boss.
“Sir… you are not usually interested in that center. Elite is already dominating the medical sector and…”
Tristan looked up, his eyes dark with warning.
Elias swallowed hard and stopped speaking immediately.
“I need to give a gift to my girl,” Tristan said simply.
“Tonight. If she does well… so?”
“Sir, you are giving your shares to a lady you met only a few days ago?” Elias asked cautiously.
Tristan smirked, his expression cold yet possessive.
“Years… I have known her for years and I know every single thing about her. Now get to work. I need to make sure no one dares bully her in that center anymore.”
Elias could only bow and turn to leave, but Tristan’s voice stopped him again.
“Also… offer to buy shares connected to Liora and Nicholas. Anonymously.”
Elias paused at the door.
“He is your best friend, sir.”
Tristan’s smirk deepened, dark and unreadable.
“Well…”
Elias swallowed hard, nodded, and quietly left the office.