STARK OBSESSION

CHAPTER TEN

The next morning, Nicole woke up early as usual and prepared for work.

He had already decided—he would ignore Rory.

Whatever she had been trying to do yesterday, whatever game she thought she was playing, it ended there. He wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

And yet… his night had been anything but peaceful.

Her eyes.

Those clear green eyes refused to leave his mind.

No matter how many times he tried to push the image away, it came back—uninvited, persistent. Not just her boldness… but the brief flicker of pain in them when he had spoken to her.

His jaw tightened.

Annoying.

He refused to feel guilty. Women like her were manipulative. They knew exactly what they were doing—drawing you in, softening you up, and then showing their true colors.

He knew her type.

And he would beat her at her own game.

As he walked past her room, he assumed he heard a faint noise from inside and felt she was still asleep. Good. That saved him the trouble of seeing her.

He didn’t want to start his day irritated.

“Good morning, Sir,” Leah greeted, stepping out of the kitchen with his breakfast.

“Morning, Leah… have you seen—” He stopped abruptly, his fingers curling slightly. “Never mind.”

What was he about to ask?

About Rory?

He frowned at himself and walked out.

“S-sir, your breakfast?” Leah called after him.

“Forget it,” he replied without turning back.

Outside, he paused for a second.

She wasn’t there.

For the past three months, Kevin’s reports had made one thing clear—Rory was consistent. She ran every morning without fail.

So where was she?

He slipped into the car, his expression hardening.

“Good morning, boss,” Kevin greeted.

Nicole didn’t respond.

The car pulled away.

“You said she runs every morning,” Nicole said after a while, his voice calm—but not soft.

Kevin hesitated slightly. “Yes, boss.”

“Then why didn’t she run today?”

The question hung in the air.

Kevin tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “I… I think she just decided to rest today.”

Nicole turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp.

“What if she didn’t?”

Kevin swallowed hard.

Now he understood. This wasn’t a casual question. This was scrutiny.

“I’ll have someone check immediately, boss,” he said quickly.

Nicole said nothing after that.

But his silence was heavier than any words he could have uttered.

⸻

By the time they arrived at the company, his mood had only worsened.

He stepped out of the car, his presence commanding as always, and walked straight into the building.

Staffs greeted him, heads slightly bowed, but he didn’t slow down. His stride was steady, controlled.

“Sir—”

Nicole stopped just before entering his private elevator and turned.

“Damian?” he said, his impatience obvious.

“Mr. Turner was here earlier. He left this for you,” Harry said, extending a file.

“Trash it. He knows the proper procedure.”

Aiden stepped into the elevator without another glance.

The doors closed.

And for a brief second, the silence pressed in.

He thought not seeing her this morning would calm him.

It didn’t.

If anything, it made it worse.

Did she think she could just disappear?

Just walk away from the contract like it meant nothing?

His expression darkened.

No.

She thought wrong.

He had agreed to this marriage for one reason—his grandmother. The only person in the world he still respected.

And he would not let Rory ruin that.

She couldn’t have gone far anyway.

Not without his money.

That was what she was after anyways.

⸻

The elevator doors opened, revealing the sleek, glass-walled office space.

Nicole walked straight ahead, his focus already shifting to work—until Damian hurried toward him, slightly out of breath.

“Good morning, Boss.”

“Did you find a replacement?” Nicole asked, unlocking his office door.

“Yes, sir, but…” Damian hesitated. “It’s a she.”

Nicole stopped.

Slowly, he turned.

“I gave you a clear instruction, Damian,” he said quietly. “A male secretary.”

Damian took a step back. “I know, sir, but Ms. Olive’s portfolio was exceptional. She may not have experience, but she’s—she’s exactly what you need right now.”

Nicole stared at him.

He was annoyed. That much was clear.

But Damian had worked with him long enough to earn a level of trust.

“Bring her in,” Nicole said finally. “If she’s as good as you claim, she starts immediately.”

Damian nodded quickly and left.

⸻

A few minutes later, the office door opened.

Nicole didn’t look up.

“You have three minutes, Ms. Olive,” he said, eyes still on his screen.

“Good morning, Mr. Stark. Thank you for the opportunity.”

His hand froze.

That voice.

Sounds Familiar.

Feels Familiar.

Too familiar.

Slowly, Nicole lifted his head.

And then his eyes landed on her.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Just stared.

Shock flickered across his face before it hardened into something unreadable.

“Rory?”