By admin The Ex Who Became His Obsession Novel Ch 71
The Maybach’s front bumper halted barely an inch from Alyssia’s waist.
Her body swayed and she fell forward onto the hood.
Leonard shouted, “What the hell are you doing running into the road?!”
Leonard jumped out of the car and rushed to Alyssia’s side, grabbing her arm.
His face was pale with worry; before Alyssia could react, he swept her up into his
Leon snarled at the driver, his dark eyes burning with anger. “Are you
brain–de
The driver snapped out of his cold sweat and nodded frantically.
Carried her straight back into the car.
to the hospital, now!”
The truth was… Leonard had spotted Alyssia coming out and told him to pull
OV
right there.
The driver admitted he’d acted too hastily. As Leonard’s personal chauffeur, he actually had more insight into certain matters than even Joseph did.
‘Normally, this speed would have been just right,‘ the driver thought, a bit flustered.
But no one expected Alyssia to suddenly dash out like that.
‘Did I hit her? Even I can’t tell for sure…‘
But seeing how anxious Leonard looked… the driver turned ashen–faced, immediately worrying, ‘Will I even have a job after this?‘
“I’m not hurt! No need for the hospital!” Alyssia finally came
“Where to?” Leonard cut her off, his grip still firm. “Address.”
to, struggling to get out of Leonard’s arms. “Let me out! I have an emergency…”
Alyssia froze for just a second. With no time to argue, she blurted
The night was falling.
The driver floored it, hurtling toward their destination.
the address, “23 Highbury Road!”
Alyssia leaped from the car, tossed a breathless “Thanks!” over her shoulder, and sprinted into the printing plant.
Inside the workshop, the Heidelberg printing presses roared with a deafening rumble, operating non–stop.
The digital editions and periodic updates on all platforms would only be released after the magazine’s official launch…
That was why Alyssia knew the printing plant was her fastest way to cut off the story at its source.
In front of the machine closest to her, the press operator was adjusting the settings on the screen.
With her sharp eyes, Alyssia instantly recognized the layout–it was that controversial article on William!
Alyssia rushed over and slammed her hand down on the control panel. “Stop! Don’t print this!” she shouted urgently.
“What the hell are you doing?” the operator gasped, recoiling in shock.
“This layout has issues–it needs fixing!” Alyssia snapped. Without hesitation, she began deleting the files right on the Heidelberg press. She knew this model well, her hands moving with practiced confidence.
“Stop that!” the operator shouted, lunging forward to pull her away.
1/4
A sudden hush fell over the workshop as all the machines ground to a halt. Even the owner of the printing plant came running out to see what was going
- on.
The owner glared. “Who the hell are you? What do you think you’re doing?”
Alyssia flashed her press credentials at the boss. “I’m a reporter from Vanguard Media. There’s a critical error in our article–the company sent me to handle it. I have the correct version here for replacement. If you don’t believe me, you can call my editor–in–chief to verify.”
Sure enough, the printing plant owner didn’t believe her.
“We have dedicated account managers with Vanguard Media. All orders are placed through our online portal, and the layouts are triple–confirmed. Who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”
‘Vanguard Media is a major client, and we’ve been working with them for years. Our partnership runs like clockwork, with a foolproof error prevention system in place at every step.
‘There’s no way I’d just let some girl who suddenly barged in, claiming to be a Vanguard reporter, change the layout on a whim. the owner thought The owner eyed Alyssia suspiciously and picked up his phone. “Let me check with your account manager at Vanguard Media…”
“Sir,” Alyssia urged, “if you’re going to call anyone, call Charlie–the editor–in–chief at Vanguard Media. He’ll vouch for me.” She’d never wanted to drag Charlie into this, but right now, Alyssia was backed into a corner.
‘This content must never be released.
‘If it gets out, William’s reputation will be ruined.
‘And my own career will be finished.
‘Whoever did this is utterly ruthless–this was a deliberate plot to destroy me completely!‘ she thought.
The boss completely ignored whatever Alyssia said. He only knew the printing department head–how could someone like him possibly deal with an editor–in–chief like Charlie?
Seeing that he was ignoring her and had already started dialing, Alyssia, quick as a flash, snatched the phone from his hand.
“Let me call our editor–in–chief. Will you speak with him directly?” Alyssia asked.
“Hey! Give me back my phone!” the boss roared, his face red with fury. “Where the hell did Vanguard Media find someone like you…”
Leonard’s voice suddenly cut through. “Do as she says.”
Two bodyguards escorted the owner away, while the rest swiftly secured the printing plant.
“Lock this place down,” Leonard ordered, then turned to the still–dazed Alyssia. “Well? Do you need me to hold your hand through the next step?”
Alyssia snapped back to reality.
Alyssia quickly pulled out a flash drive. “Sir, your computer’s in the office, right?”
The owner of the printing plant fumed. “What the hell are you people doing…?”
“How much to buy your silence?” Leonard cut in coldly.
Stunned, the boss stood there as Leonard gave a curt wave. Immediately, one of his men pulled out a phone, ready to transfer money “Name your price: the bodyguard demanded.
The boss was dumbfounded, frozen in place.
Chapter 71
Under the sway of money, he grudgingly helped Alyssia finalize the Photoshop layouts, then loaded them onto the press for printing.
Alyssia kept vigil at the printing plant without a moment’s rest until the last pages about William rolled off the presses By then, davin was alreas a breaking.
Next, the printing plant would send the newly printed sheets to the binding facility. Vanguard Media’s production team would oversee the process to ensure no technical errors, but they wouldn’t scrutinize the content any further.
The boss photocopied Alyssia’s press credentials for his records, and was still muttering as she left, “Look, this is Vanguard Media’s own mess—not mine.
“I’m not taking any responsibility for this, okay? I can keep my mouth shut, but if anything goes wrong, I’ll claim I knew nothing about t
Alyssia had no time for further reassurances.
After pulling an all–nighter, Alyssia hovered in that strange limbo between exhaustion and exhilaration.
As she stepped out of the printing plant, the moss–covered steps by the roadside made her feel an irresistible urge to simply sit down and test.
Like a weary pilgrim finally reaching a temporary harbor, she desperately needed a streetlight to lean against.
The Maybach rolled to a gentle stop in front of her.
Only then did Alyssia realize–Leonard had never left.
Alyssia paused, taken aback…
Thinking back to those countless nights when he was always out working, staying out all night and never coming home, she would have the driver take her to Clairivera Group, to the clubs, to every place he might be… just quietly waiting for him to come out.
Back then, she used to think, ‘Maybe this is my fate–to spend my whole life waiting, silently watching over Leon from the shadows.
‘And maybe that moment when he finally returns my feelings… might never come.‘
But now, for once, he was the one waiting up all night for her.
Yet all Alyssia felt was a faint wistfulness–nothing more.
‘When I longed for it, I never got it.
‘Now that I don’t want it anymore, even if it’s served up on a silver platter, it’s lost its appeal.
‘It’s just like that doll I coveted as a child—now that I’m grown, I can’t even be bothered to reach for it.‘ Alyssia thought.
Nevertheless, Alyssia opened the Maybach’s door and slid inside. “Thanks,” she said tersely.
Fair’s fair–this time, he truly did her a huge favor.
She’d count this debt to the Rivera family.
Leonard slowly opened his eyes–he hadn’t really been asleep–and gave her a sidelong glance. “Thanks?” he drawled. “And how exactly do you plan to thank me this time… again?”