"Mr Van Doren did not co with today," Joel said, a knowing look on his face. "He sent here to take you ho."
Feeling flustered at being caught, Lyse patted her head nervously and raised her chin indignantly. "I was not looking for Levi, i just wondered why you were here." She said.
Joel did not look like he believed a word she had said but he simply nodded and reached forward to take her bag but Lyse took a step back and narrowed her eyes.
"I already told your boss that I am done with him." She said sharply, "So you can go back and tell him that I will not be returning to your house."
Joel’s expression did not change. "I am aware, Ms. Spade," he replied, his voice calm and professional.
Lyse raised an eyebrow at his use of her maiden na. "If you know that, why then are you here?" she asked, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.
"My job is to ensure your safety," Joel explained, his gaze unwavering. "Regardless of your living arrangents, that remains unchanged. The boss insisted."
Lyse sighed. She understood. Joel was simply doing his job, following his instructions. He was a constant in her life, a reliable presence, even if it was a presence she didn’t necessarily want at this mont. She wanted to be alone, to process everything, to grieve the loss of her marriage in peace.
"I appreciate that, Joel," she said, her voice softening slightly. "But I don’t need a bodyguard anymore. Levi and I are separated. There is no need for you to..."
"My instructions have not changed, Ms. Spade," Joel interrupted, his voice firm but respectful. "Until I receive different orders from Mr Van Doren, I will continue to provide you with protection."
Lyse tried to argue further, but Joel remained insistent, his stance unwavering. She knew that arguing was futile. Joel was a man of few words and unwavering loyalty. He was not likely to budge. Moreover, after the altercation with Brandon, she hated to admit it but she felt unsafe. Joel’s presence was a good thing.
"Fine," she conceded, her voice laced with resignation. "Take ho."
The drive to her apartnt was silent and tense. Lyse stared out the window, watching the city blur past, her mind replaying the events of the past few days. The mories, now fully restored, were a constant source of pain, a reminder of the love she had lost and the betrayal she had endured.
Arriving at her apartnt building, Lyse felt a wave of loneliness wash over her. The once welcoming space now felt cold and empty, a stark reminder of her solitude. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, the silence amplifying her feelings of isolation.
She wandered through the rooms, her footsteps echoing in the quiet. Sohow, the apartnt felt alien to her. It made her think of the house she had shared with Levi. His absence made her feel very lonely. She could not bear it. She needed to be sowhere else, sowhere away from these constant reminders of her broken heart.
An idea suddenly sparked in her mind. The won’s shelter. It had been months since she had been there, she always found solace and purpose in helping others. It was a place of warmth, of community, of support. It was exactly what she needed right now.
She grabbed her phone and quickly packed a small bag with so essentials. She knew that there was no way that she could stay in this apartnt when she was feeling this way, not tonight.
As she prepared to leave, she rembered Joel. He was still downstairs, waiting patiently. She knew he would insist on driving her, and she did not have the energy to argue. It’s not like if Levi wanted to know where she went it would be difficult for him.
When she reached the lobby, Joel was waiting by the car, his expression as impassive as ever.
"I am going to the won’s shelter," Lyse inford him, her voice firm.
Joel nodded. "In that case will drive you there, Ms. Spade," he said.
This ti, Lyse did not bother to argue. She simply got into the car, grateful for the silent company and the sense of security that Joel provided. The won’s shelter was a place of refuge, a place where she could find solace and support. And with Joel’s presence, she felt a flicker of hope, a small spark of resilience in the face of her overwhelming grief. The journey to healing would be long and difficult, but she knew she wasn’t entirely alone.
Levi sat in his darkened office, the city lights painting streaks of neon across the polished surface of his desk. He stared out the window, his thoughts consud by Lyse. He knew she had been discharged from the hospital, but she had not returned to the house. He had expected that.
Joel had told him that she had gone to her apartnt and stayed briefly before leaving for the won’s shelter. The thought of her seeking refuge in a shelter, a place ant for won in distress, twisted a knife in his gut. He longed to reach out to her, to offer his support, his protection, but he knew he had forfeited that right.
He replayed their last conversation in his mind, the coldness in her eyes, the finality in her voice. "I want a separation," she had said, her words echoing in his mory like a death knell. "And I’m ready to fight for it."
He had hurt her deeply, and he knew he deserved her anger, her rejection. But the thought of her being alone, vulnerable, in a place that reminded him of her distress, was unbearable. He wished he could turn back ti, undo his mistakes, but he knew it was impossible.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He glanced at the screen and saw Ethan’s na. He answered the call, his voice low and weary.
"Ethan," he said.
"Mr. Van Doren," Ethan’s voice sounded urgent, "I have so news. There’s a board eting scheduled for tomorrow."
Levi’s brow furrowed. A board eting? This was unexpected. There had been no prior discussion, no indication that a eting was necessary.
"A board eting?" Levi repeated, his voice laced with suspicion. "What’s the reason?"
"I’m not entirely sure, sir," Ethan admitted. "I simply received an email from the company server with the official notice. It states that it’s an urgent matter requiring imdiate attention."
Levi’s suspicion deepened. An email from the company server? That was unusual. Typically, such notices were delivered personally or through a direct communication from Lily, as the head of the board.
"Who authorized this eting?" Levi asked, his voice firm.
"The email doesn’t specify, sir," Ethan replied. "It just states that it’s a directive from the board."
Levi remained silent for a mont, his mind racing. Sothing was definitely not right. This sudden, unannounced eting, the impersonal email notification, it all felt... off.
"Have you spoken to my mother?" Levi asked.
"I tried, sir," Ethan said, "but she’s unreachable. Her phone goes straight to voicemail."
Levi’s suspicion intensified. He took a deep breath, trying to assess the situation. He didn’t trust this sudden board eting. He suspected that soone was trying to pull a fast one, to take advantage of his recent absence.
"Alright, Ethan," Levi said, his voice resolute. "I’ll be there. Make sure you and Chris are present as well. I want you to keep a close eye on everything."
"Of course, Mr. Van Doren," Ethan confird.
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