Free Web NovelChapter 46: Chapter 46 Vertex
Sylvia’s POV
The house was pitch-black when I returned home.
Was Caesar not back yet? I instantly felt relief wash over me. Perfect—I still had no idea how I was going to face him anyway.
During my ride home, I’d been wrestling with the whole situation, but now it didn’t matter. He simply wasn’t home.
I flipped on the lights without hesitation, only to jump back in shock. Caesar was sitting on the sofa in the darkness.
"Why are you sitting in the dark?" I frowned, my hand still on the light switch.
Caesar didn’t answer. His high, straight nose cast a small shadow across his face, his thin lips pressed together in a hard line. Anyone could see he wasn’t in a good mood.
He stood and walked toward me, his deep voice carrying an unmistakable note of hurt. "You didn’t respond to my messages all day."
Was that... hurt in his tone? From the powerful Alpha I’d married?
I averted my gaze, keeping my voice casual. "Work was busy. I didn’t check my phone."
"For an entire day." Caesar stopped directly in front of me, his eyes searching mine. "No matter how busy you are, you should have had time to check your phone."
"Yet you didn’t reply to me until now..."
He was standing so close our breaths mingled. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.
"There was a lot going on at the office. I’ll be more mindful next time," I said, looking away.
With a face that perfect right in front of me, it took serious self-control not to lose myself in it. My inner wolf stirred, recognizing something in him that I kept trying to deny.
Caesar wrapped an arm around my slender waist, leaning down to whisper in my ear. "Sivi, why are you avoiding me?"
"If I’ve done something wrong, you can tell me directly."
The mention of this brought back thoughts of his memo and his first love. My eyes cleared with renewed determination as I pushed against his broad chest.
"I’m not avoiding you," I insisted. "You’re overthinking. I’ve just been swamped with work."
I couldn’t bear to look at his face anymore. "Let me go. I need a shower." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Caesar refused to release me. He studied me carefully, clearly sensing I was hiding something. But if I wouldn’t talk about it, there wasn’t much he could do.
He raised an eyebrow, "Sivi, I don’t want any misunderstandings between us," Caesar nuzzled into the crook of my neck, his voice a deep, soothing rumble. "If something’s bothering you, please just tell me."
His voice was like the low, resonant notes of a cello—deep, rich, and utterly captivating. My heart skipped a beat despite myself.
But remembering how he’d simply left that night, I didn’t want to explain myself. What was the point of clarity when this was just a marriage of convenience? We were both getting what we needed from this arrangement.
"There’s really nothing wrong," I said coolly, meeting his gaze. "My mother wants us to come over for dinner."
"If you don’t want to go, I’ll decline."
Caesar responded immediately: "Of course I’ll go."
"When my mother-in-law invites me to dinner, how could I possibly refuse?"
The term "mother-in-law" coming from his lips made my ears burn.
"Fine, let me know when you’re available," I said, expertly steering us away from the previous topic.
I still felt some things were better left unsaid. Why clarify what would only complicate our arrangement? Maintaining the status quo seemed safest.
After my shower, I went straight to bed. When Caesar finished his own shower and joined me, he pulled me into his arms. I couldn’t help but stiffen at his touch.
His eyes darkened, his lips tightening in response to my reaction. Just when I thought he might try to advance further, Caesar simply rested his arm around me and did nothing more.
I finally exhaled in relief. Since learning about his first love, I wasn’t quite ready for the physical aspects of our "marriage."
The next morning, Caesar made breakfast as usual. The atmosphere wasn’t as tense as before, but I still felt like I was just going through the motions, saying little more than necessary.
"I’m off to work," I announced after finishing my food.
Caesar immediately stood. "I’ll drive you."
I was about to refuse when I met his deep, dark eyes—somehow managing to look both hurt and innocent at the same time.
"All right," I conceded. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
We were married, living together. Our paths would cross constantly whether I liked it or not.
When we arrived at my office building, Caesar carefully reminded me: "Text me when you’re done tonight, and I’ll pick you up."
"Work will always be there. Take care of yourself."
"I will."
I couldn’t reasonably reject his concern. If not for discovering the truth about his first love, Caesar would have been the perfect mate material.
As I was about to exit the car, Caesar caught my wrist. I turned back, confused. "What is it?"
"Sivi," he said softly, "when you’re not busy, could you reply to my messages?"
The man who presented such a cold, powerful face to the world now looked like a dejected pup, as though a deity had been pulled down from his altar. Faced with such an expression, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
"Fine, I will."
Caesar’s lips instantly curved upward, joy reaching all the way to his eyes. "Luna Sylvia, I’ll be waiting for your message."
I nodded and walked toward the office building, feeling his gaze on my back the entire time. Only when I was completely out of sight did he finally drive away.
Once inside the office, I transformed completely. Dressed in a light-colored, fitted suit with my hair pulled back to reveal my smooth forehead, I was the picture of professionalism. With subtle makeup enhancing my features, I embodied the essence of a career woman.
Coworkers greeted me as I passed, and I responded with polite smiles. No one could help but admire my appearance.
At my desk, I combined the materials my project manager had assigned yesterday with the resources I’d brought from Frostfang Pack.
With frameless glasses perched on my small, straight nose and my lips pressed in concentration, I focused entirely on my computer screen. The light from the monitor cast subtle shadows across my face.
No matter how chaotic the world around me became, I remained immersed in my work. My current goal was to perfect the proposal and achieve further success with the Vertex project.
This was my objective now. I had always been clear-headed and independent.
As for Caesar, I’d already pushed that issue aside. If things couldn’t work between us, we could simply be roommates sharing a space.
Taking a deep breath, I refocused my attention on the documents before me.
After integrating the two sets of information, I gained a deeper understanding of Vertex’s corporate philosophy. They wanted to create a high-end wellness hot spring retreat. To win this project, we couldn’t take a conventional approach.
We needed a fresh proposal to stand out among competing architectural firms.
I pressed my lips together, remembering the bet I’d made with Alpha Astra. This time, I was determined to succeed.
As I was working, the project manager approached with documents in hand.
He placed them on my desk. "Sylvia, you need to deliver these to Vertex."
"They’ve just announced they want a preliminary framework for the first draft proposal for initial review."
I was puzzled. "They want the materials this soon?"
"Yes. Vertex’s leader is known for his efficient, no-nonsense approach. He demands both speed and quality. He wants to review a first draft to eliminate some competing firms early on."
I nodded, understanding the strategy. "That’s good—fewer competitors for us to worry about."
"Sylvia, are you that confident in your proposal?" he asked.
I didn’t respond immediately, only offering a slight smile. "Sir, I’m confident in us—confident in everyone at our company."
My words pleased not only the project manager but also the colleagues within earshot. Everyone sat a little straighter, faces glowing with pride.
My statement had managed to satisfy everyone present.
The project manager’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me. "Good point, Sylvia!"
"This task is yours. You can head over now."
"I’ll review the framework and refine it first," I said, taking the materials from him.
The project manager nodded approvingly at my thorough approach.
With this in mind, the project manager’s gaze held even more warmth as he looked at me.
"I’m entrusting this to you," the project manager repeated. "Sylvia, you understand how crucial the Vertex project is—probably better than I do."
I nodded, my eyes filled with determination. "I’ll give it everything I have."
My resolve seemed to infect the entire office. Everyone approached the proposal with renewed vigor, following my example.
After the Leo incident, no one underestimated me anymore. In such a supportive environment, I found work genuinely fulfilling.
That afternoon, I headed to Vertex with the refined materials, buoyed by the encouragement of my colleagues.
Using the company car, I arrived at the Vertex headquarters. Looking up at the towering building that dominated the city center, I felt a renewed sense of awe at the company’s power.
I had always known Vertex was formidable, but actually entering their domain stirred something different in me—a sense of intimidation I rarely experienced.
Pressing my lips together, I silently rallied my courage and walked inside.
As soon as I entered, the receptionist noticed me. I approached her desk.
"Hello, I’m here to deliver proposal materials for Vertex’s review," I explained.
The receptionist smiled warmly. "Of course, miss. Please take the elevator to the fifteenth floor. Someone will be waiting for you in the conference room."
I smiled back. "Thank you."
"You’re welcome. Please let us know if you need anything else."
I couldn’t help but admire how every aspect of Vertex reflected excellence—even their receptionist was impeccably trained, courteous and sincere.
As I walked toward the elevator and the doors began to close, I caught a glimpse of what looked like Caesar’s profile.
He appeared to be speaking to someone beside him, his entire demeanor radiating authority. Compared to how he acted around me, he seemed like a completely different person—the full force of his Alpha presence on display.
My heart raced in shock.
By the time I recovered and reached to press the button, the elevator doors had already closed, carrying me toward the fifteenth floor.
I stared at the closed doors, still unsettled.
Had I imagined it? Why would Caesar be here at Vertex?
