The Ex Who Became His Obsession Novel Ch 51

The Ex Who Became His Obsession Novel Ch 51

A hint of confusion clouded Alyssia’s wide eyes. ‘Why should I thank you?’ she wondered.

“Without me, do you think you’d have gotten through William’s doors? So, did you enjoy your interview, Ms. Clairmont?” Leonard finally looked at he? his eyes brimming with undisguised aggression.

His words felt like a beast baring its sharp fangs in the darkness, poised to devour her whole. Alyssia’s confusion only grew deeper.

“You’re mistaken, Mr. Rivera,” she said firmly. “William never

She paused, her brow arching playfully. “To play hard to

‘Playing hard to get, huh?’ Leonard almost laughed at that.

When it came to sarcasm, she really took after Beatri

grants interviews. I’m here-”

“Alyssia, I’m warning you-watch your words.” Leonard’s gaze darkened as it locked onto hers, growing even more intense.

Alyssia knew better than to provoke him. The consequences weren’t something she wanted to face.

Sure enough, Alyssia promptly dropped the act. Sincerely, she said, “How about I give you half my paycheck this month?”

‘As a thank-you?’ she added inwardly.

Joseph, sitting in the front row, choked on his breath. ‘Ms. Clairmont is truly a brave soul,’ he thought.

Joseph cautiously turned his head, bracing himself

to

see a furious and menacing man, but to everyone’s surprise, Leonard remained perfectly calm.

“Alright.” Leonard nodded, pulling out his phone and opening his WhatsApp. “Let’s add each other. It’ll make it easier for me to send you my card number.”

Alyssia stood frozen, utterly speechless.

Once she left Rosewood Manor, Alyssia blocked Leonard on every possible platform-calls, texts, social media, and so on.

‘Now he wants me to add him back?’ Alyssia thought in disbelief. ‘No way. Not in a million years. Over my dead body!

Upon seeing her frozen in place, Leonard’s voice took on a deceptively gentle edge. “Or, Ms. Clairmont, you could give me your number. It would make staying in touch so much easier.”

‘Of course, it’s still the same old number,’ Alyssia thought. ‘As if I

Conard didn’t already have it. But I have long since blocked his number.

If I actually give in and give him my number now, he’ll probably be asking a question. Why isn’t your number working?’

Leonard’s intentions were crystal clear, yet Alyssia found herself at a loss for excuses to refuse.

“What’s wrong, Ms. Clairmont?” Leonard tilted his head back, his eyes darkening with each passing second. “Were you just brushing me of

“I-I’ll pay you in cash when I get my paycheck,” Alyssia deadpanned, blatantly bluffing.

“Fine, let’s exchange contacts first,” Leonard said pointedly. “That way, you can’t back out of your promise later.”

“I-” Alyssia hesitated.

“Or were you planning to renege from the start?” The last vestiges of Leonard’s feigned gentleness had vanished from his eyes,

If Alyssia wanted to play-act, Leonard was happy to oblige and turn it into a battle of wits. But his patience had its limits.

1/4

Chapter 51

With Alyssia no longer at Rosewood Manor and beyond his control, her absence became a constant source of chaos in his otherwise orderly the

He had put up with her to this day. Even he thought that was nothing short of a miracle.

“Hi, Ms. Clairmont?” As the standoff between them intensified, a third person cut in.

Before anyone noticed, William’s butler, Wade, had appeared and was pointing to the car that had just pulled up behind him.

Wade continued, “Ms. Clairmont, Mr. asked me to give you a ride. Please-”

Harlo

said it’s getting quite late, and he’s concerned it’s not entirely safe for you to be out alone at this hour. He

“Ms. Clairmont is with me. She’ll be riding home/

in my car,” Leonard cut in sharply. As he spoke, he swung the car door open.

Alyssia instinctively darted behind Wade. That subconscious move to seek refuge

ige made the suppressed flames in Leonard’s heart flare up violently,

Leonard’s gaze on Alyssia merged with the deepening night, permeating the forest alive with the sounds of insects and birds, a silent, predatory intensity, as if he were poised to claim her at any moment.

“Mr. Rivera,” Wade interjected calmly, maintaining his professional smile as he positioned himself between them. “Mr. Harlow has prepared several reference materials for Ms. Clairmont in the car.

“However, he specifically requested that she review them during the ride and not take them away.”

Such a bizarre request was so typical of William. But Alyssia knew perfectly well this was just Wade giving her a way out.

Seizing the opportunity, Alyssia gave him a polite nod and said, “Please convey my gratitude to Mr. Harlow.”

With that, she turned and swiftly got into the car arranged by William.

Leonard remained rooted by his car, his brooding gaze fixed on Alyssia as she rode away in someone else’s vehicle, gradually fading from his view.

Wade remained silent throughout the ride, quietly dropping Alyssia off at her residential complex.

Just as she was about to get out of the car, the butler stopped her and said, “Ms. Clairmont, Mr. Harlow also mentioned that if you find these materials. interesting, you’re welcome to take them home.”

William was as thoughtful as ever. That earlier talk about not being allowed to take anything was just an excuse to help Alyssia make a smooth exit.

Alyssia thanked Wade, hurried home, and burned the midnight oil on her article.

In the wee hours, just as Alyssia was getting ready for bed, th

doorbell abruptly rang.

After Leonard’s last unexpected visit, Alyssia had installed a smart doorbell camera.

She checked the doorbell app and saw Joseph at her doorstep, fidgeting nervously.

Alyssia stayed wary, not opening the door. Her voice was guarded

as she demanded, “Why are you here?”

Anticipating Alyssia’s question, Joseph quickly blurted out, “Ms. Clairmont, I came alone. I’m here without Mr. Rivera’s knowledge.”

“Why are you here?” Alyssia repeated sharply.

“I-I want to talk to you,” Joseph stammered, his voice tight with urgency. “Ms. Clairmont, please, open the door. I have a lot to tell you.”

For as long as Alyssia could remember, Joseph had always been by Leonard’s side.

She knew Joseph was loyal, but she also recognized that he was straightforward, not the type to play games or scheme behind anyone’s back

2/4

Chapter 51

She opened the door. “Go ahead.”

If Leonard was truly lurking in the shadows, Alyssia thought with a sigh, there was simply no way she could guard against him.

‘I can’t just stay cooped up inside forever,’ Alyssia thought.

Joseph was so overwhelmed with relief that tears welled up. “Thank you, Ms. Clairmont.”

He said, “Mr. Rivera spent the better part of today waiting for you outside. It completely derailed his schedule. Now he’s still at the office catching up, and he might even have to pull an all-nighter.”

Alyssia frowned. “So you came all this way just to accuse me of wasting Leonard’s precious time?”

‘Did I ever beg Leonard to wait for me?’ Alyssia thought sarcastically.

”

Completely missing her reaction, Joseph started rambling c

Con. “Ms.

“He barely touches his food and has lost a lot of weight. Even with

Clairmont, please come back. Ever since you left, Mr. Rivera has hardly slept a wink.

o much going on at the company, he still diverts his attention to keep tabs on you.

“If this keeps up, his health will break down. Last time, he got so upset because of you that he ended up in the hospital with gastric bleeding.”

“Stop,” Alyssia exclaimed, practically raising her hands in surrender.

Just how did Joseph develop this gabbling personality?’ she wondered.

“Joseph, Mr. Rivera is a grown man. Even his mom doesn’t bother with what he eats, wears, or when he sleeps-so why do you?” she asked.

Joseph thumped his chest and declared, “Of course I have to. I’m his life assistant. Taking care of this stuff is literally my job.”

‘How self-righteous,’ she thought. Alyssia had to give Joseph credit for his dedication.

“Fine, you handle it then.” Alyssia was already moving to shut the door.

But Joseph blocked the doorway. “Ms. Clairmont, are you still upset with Mr. Rivera about that whole thing with Ms. Johnson?”

Joseph pleaded earnestly, “Ms. Clairmont, I swear, there’s absolutely nothing between Mr. Rivera and Ms. Johnson. It’s all just a misunderstanding on

your part.

“Sure, he’s never publicly acknowledged you, and Ms. Johnson is always by his side, but everyone in his inner circle knows you’re his true secret girlfriend.”

Alyssia sighed, “Thanks, Joseph.”

She thought, ‘You really didn’t have to say anything, Joseph.’

Alyssia couldn’t help but wonder, ‘How does Leonard, a perfectionist who demands excellence in everything, tolerate someone as incompetent as Joseph, who’s always dropping the ball?’

She tried to close the door.

Joseph still refused to leave, pleading desperately “Ms. Clairmont, please, come back. You and I are both long-time trusted associates of Mr. Rivera. He cherishes old ties; no matter how many mistakes you’ve made, he’s never truly held them against you.

“Don’t let a little spat ruin everything. If the day ever comes when Mr. Rivera really decides to let you go.”

Alyssia gave a wry smile. “Then I’d be thanking my lucky stars.”

She was just about to shut the door in his face.

Chapter 51

Joseph claimed he had

so much

to tell

Ther, but

ended up rambling on and

on like

a

jilted lover. It

was

Joseph

braced

against

the door

and

suddenly blurted

out,

“Ms.

Clairmont,

do you

even realize

what Mr. Rivera has

done

for

but nothing pure nonsenser

you these

past fe

fave days!