Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 31

Charles, Landon’s ever-diligent executive assistant, was just as bewildered as anyone.

He thought Mr. Ford was the kind of man whose calendar overflowed with major deals and urgent meetings. So why on earth would he suddenly decide to show up in person to negotiate a project this minor? Frankly, even Charles himself—let alone the CEO—wouldn’t normally bother handling something so trivial. Had Mr. Ford lost his mind?

What made it all the stranger was how Landon kept glancing at his phone, as if waiting anxiously for a call. Who on earth could possibly keep their CEO waiting like this?

“Sir, should we head back to the office now?” Charles finally ventured, unable to keep the question to himself.

Landon’s phone remained stubbornly silent. The frustration that had been simmering inside him all morning was now written plainly across his face.

“Yes. Back to the office,” he said curtly.

Once in the car, a heavy tension settled over the backseat. Both Charles and the driver could feel it, making the air in the front seem thick and stifling. Charles kept stealing glances at the rearview mirror, watching as Landon repeatedly unlocked his phone, opened a particular WhatsApp chat, stared at it for a moment, then locked it again—only to repeat the process a minute later.

Who could possibly be on the other end of that chat to make the boss this restless? Charles wanted to ask, but he valued his job—and, frankly, his life—a bit too much.

Right now, with that stony expression and silent brooding, Landon looked like a man with the world at his feet and a storm in his heart. Every fiber of Charles’s being screamed at him: Don’t say a word. Unless you’re looking to get yourself fired—or worse.

As the car crawled past Veridian University Hospital, Landon’s low voice suddenly cut through the silence. “Stop the car.”

Neither Charles nor the driver had any idea why, but the driver obediently pulled over to the curb.

“You two head back,” Landon said, already opening the door.

“Yes, sir.”

They watched his tall, straight figure stride toward the hospital entrance and disappear through the sliding doors. Only then did Richie, the driver, risk a question.

Richie scratched his head sheepishly. “My mom always says: ‘A man who mistreats his wife will never prosper.’ As long as I’m good to my wife, I’ll become a real rich man one day.”

Charles couldn’t help laughing. “Ambitious. When you hit it big, I’ll come work for you.”

“You’d leave our boss for me?” Richie grinned.

“Well, you said it yourself—if the boss doesn’t treat Mrs. Ford right and ends up bankrupt, I’ll need a new place to land, won’t I?”

“Heh, fair enough. When I’m rich, I’ll take care of you, Charles!”

“You cheeky kid.”