Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss (Kylan and Katrina) novel Chapter 126

The early morning sun cast long shadows across the streets as Kylan pulled into the company parking lot, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The sleepless night had drained him, and the hollow ache in his chest grew heavier with each passing hour.

When he got back to their house, Katrina had already left with Clarence. He had flown to Portland to meet with her since she mentioned she would be at Alois' home. But when he got there, Alois had already been waiting for him, guarding the door.

He told Kylan to leave Katrina alone for now, telling him pursuing her would not be the best action while her emotions were still high. Kylan had no choice but to go back to New York, dejected and heartbroken.

The office buzzed with its usual energy, employees scurrying to their desks and exchanging pleasantries. But as Kylan strode through the hallways, the atmosphere shifted. His presence silenced the chatter, replaced by tense whispers and hurried footsteps. The once-charismatic leader now wore a stormy expression, his eyes cold and unyielding.

“Mr. Ross,” a nervous employee ventured as he passed, holding out a file.

“Later,” Kylan snapped, not breaking stride. The employee froze in place, startled by the sharpness of his tone, before retreating hastily. Everyone looked at each other, especially those that were working in the Ross Corporation during Katrina's time.

The scary and intimidating Kylan Ross known for his impatience seemed to be back.

In the break room, Ryan watched the scene unfold, his brow furrowed in concern. He had known Kylan for years and could see the cracks forming beneath the surface. This wasn’t the man who had gone past his traumas. This was someone entirely different.

Ryan caught up with Kylan just as he slammed his office door shut. He knocked once before stepping inside, undeterred by the icy glare that met him.

“What do you want?” Kylan growled, his tone low and dangerous.

Ryan crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. “I want to know what’s going on with you.”

“Nothing that concerns you,” Kylan snapped, turning his chair to face the window.

“Don’t give me that,” Ryan said firmly, pushing himself away from the doorframe and walking to the table. He settled on the chair. “You’re barking orders, scaring the staff, and acting like you’re trying to outdo a thunderstorm in intensity. This isn’t you, Kylan.”

Kylan’s shoulders tensed, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair. “I don’t have time for this.”

Ryan stared at Kylan before he nodded to himself. "Is this about Katrina?"

Kylan didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Did you talk to her?"

Kylan swallowed as he closed his eyes and shook his head. "She's at Portland."

Ryan nodded slowly. "Give her time. She will eventually allow herself to talk to you. Then, you can explain to her clearly without emotions clouding her judgment. Right now, don't let it consume you. People here respect you. They look up to you. Don’t throw that away."

The CEO didn't respond anymore. Ryan lingered a moment longer before quietly leaving, the door clicking shut behind him.

Meanwhile, Isabella had just entered the lobby of the company. She was humming a tune under her breath. Her demeanor was cheerful, almost too much so, drawing attention from her coworkers.

Aaron, knowing what had happened to Katrina and Kylan a few days before, had been watching her closely after they came back from a business trip. Something about her felt off, and today, he decided to act.

He followed her to her desk and glanced at the closed door of Kylan's office.

“Isabella,” he called, his tone sharp. She looked up, her bright smile unwavering.

“Aaron! What brings you here?” she asked, tilting her head in feigned curiosity.

“I want to talk to you about Kylan,” Aaron said bluntly, crossing his arms as he approached her desk.

Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered. “Kylan? What about him?”

“Cut the act,” Aaron said, his voice low but firm. “I know you had something to do with Katrina leaving. Don’t think people haven’t noticed the way you’ve been hovering around him.”

Isabella’s eyes widened, and she placed a hand on her chest, feigning offense. “Aaron, that’s a serious accusation. I’ve only ever tried to help Mr. Ross. He’s been going through so much, and I thought I could be a friend—”

“Save it,” Aaron interrupted. “You might fool others, but not me. You’re up to something, and I’ll make sure Kylan sees it before it’s too late.”

Isabella’s mask slipped momentarily, her expression hardening. But just as quickly, she replaced it with a teary-eyed look. “I can’t believe you’d think so poorly of me,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “All I’ve done is care for him.”

Aaron leaned in, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “You don’t care about him. You’re obsessed. And that’s going to be your downfall.”

He straightened and walked away, leaving Isabella staring after him. Her hands clenched into fists beneath the desk, her carefully maintained facade cracking.

Back in his office, Kylan buried himself in work, using the endless stream of emails and meetings as a distraction from the emptiness clawing at him. But his harsh demeanor, once an exception, became the rule. Employees avoided his gaze, tiptoeing around his explosive temper.

As the day wore on, Kylan had been ignoring Isabella. He was only talking to her in a clipped tone and professional manner, even as far as calling her by her last name. She looked upset, her expression soft and wounded, and for a moment, guilt stirred in him. But then the memory of Katrina’s departure hit him like a freight train, and he forced the thought aside.

Everyone has their motives, he reminded himself coldly. And trust, he realized bitterly, was a luxury he could no longer afford.

Isabella met his gaze, her eyes unwavering. “Trust me. You need a strong front, and I’m the one who can help you maintain it. We’ll control the narrative, Kylan. I’ll make sure you come out of this stronger than ever.”

Within hours, Isabella had already begun her work, her fingers flying over her phone and laptop as she crafted a flawless public response. She quickly assembled a press release, carefully worded to portray Kylan as a man who was enduring a personal crisis with dignity and focus. She emphasized his commitment to his company, his employees, and the work he had put into building Ross Corporation. It was all about damage control, and Isabella knew exactly what to say to keep Kylan’s image intact while offering the public a glimpse of his vulnerable side without letting them see too much.

In the meantime, she had made arrangements for an exclusive interview, but not with Kylan. No, she knew better than to let him speak to the press in his current state. She would take the spotlight for now, carefully crafting a narrative that would keep the media's attention on her rather than on his fractured relationship.

She donned the perfect mask of sympathy and professionalism as she stood before the gathered reporters, her voice calm and authoritative.

“My name is Isabella Stone, and I’m here on behalf of Mr. Kylan Ross,” she began, her tone soft but firm, drawing the attention of every journalist in the room. “As you know, Mr. Ross is currently facing a difficult personal matter, but he remains fully committed to his work and the future of Ross Corporation. It is his wish to focus on the company’s growth and ensure that the recent events do not interfere with the integrity of our operations.”

The reporters hunched forward, scribbling notes, hanging on every word she spoke. “Mr. Ross has asked for privacy during this time, and we ask that the media respect that. However, he also understands the importance of transparency with the public, which is why he’s authorized me to speak on his behalf. We are working closely with experts to ensure this matter is handled with the utmost professionalism.”

She paused, letting her words sink in. “I’m sure you can all appreciate that sometimes, personal matters affect the public sphere. But Kylan Ross is a man of integrity, and no matter what happens, he will continue to lead this company with the same passion and commitment that he always has.”

The reporters continued to shoot questions, but Isabella expertly deflected each one, always returning to the key messages she had crafted. She steered the narrative away from the details of Kylan’s relationship, focusing instead on his role as CEO, the strength of the company, and the loyalty of its employees.

By the time the press conference ended, the media had been satisfied with her polished statements and carefully managed responses. Isabella had controlled the narrative completely, leaving the reporters with just enough to speculate on without giving them any real ammunition.

As she returned to Kylan’s office, she found him standing by the window, his face slightly more at ease than it had been earlier.

“It’s done,” she said, her voice confident. “The media is backing off for now. We’ve handled this as best as possible. The company’s image is intact, and your personal life? Well, it’s still your business.”

Kylan looked at her, a small flicker of gratitude in his eyes. “I'm sorry for doubting your expertise, Isabella."

Isabella smiled, her expression both professional and calculating. “I’m just doing my job, Kylan. But remember, I’m always here for you—whether it’s in the office or outside of it.”

As she turned to leave, she paused at the door, casting a long, meaningful glance back at him.

“I think we make a good team.”

And in that moment, Kylan, for the first time in days, felt a glimmer of relief. He wasn’t sure why, but he was reminded of Katrina in Isabella. She, too, was a reliable PR. Always ready to answer the reporter's questions with grounded professionalism.

Maybe he was wrong thinking she would ruin his marriage. She was always a sweet, caring girl who loved her work at Ross Corporation.