Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 78

Xander had just closed his eyes, hoping for a moment’s rest, when Noelle’s words snapped him back to attention. His eyelids flew open, and a look of bewilderment flashed across his weary, hollow gaze.

“You want me to help you?”

Noelle nodded.

“And how exactly am I supposed to help?”

She pressed her lips together, staring at Xander’s pale face for a few seconds before replying with quiet determination, “You can help me, I know you can.”

With that, Noelle pulled open the door and slipped out of the hospital room, leaving Xander alone, staring at the ceiling in confusion.

He replayed the look on her face as she left, and a sliver of unease crept across his expression.

After leaving Xander’s room, Landon made his way to the surgical wing where Zinnia worked. He’d checked ahead: Zinnia didn’t have any surgeries scheduled that morning—she’d be seeing patients in the clinic.

When Landon arrived, the waiting area outside her office was packed with patients and their families, all hoping to be seen. He hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked away.

He realized he’d been paying far too much attention to Zinnia these past few days, which was completely out of character for him. Usually, he prided himself on being focused and in control, but every time he recalled the cold look Zinnia gave him, all his usual confidence seemed to evaporate.

It was as if something was slipping right out of his grasp, leaving him flustered and unsettled—an unfamiliar and uncomfortable feeling.

He knew something was off. This wasn’t like him at all.

His entire life he’d poured all his energy into the Ford Group, managing the company with such intensity that he wished he could split every second into a hundred just to get more done. When he’d married Zinnia, it was precisely because she was practical and wouldn’t distract him with drama.

And yet, these past few days, he’d spent more time worrying about Zinnia than anything else.

Wasn’t he just causing trouble for himself?

It had to be Chandler’s words the other day that threw him off balance. He couldn’t go on like this.

Landon made up his mind, turned on his heel, and strode out of the hospital’s surgical wing, his steps growing firmer with each stride.

“Understood, sir.” Charles quickly covered his mouth, falling in line.

Landon walked a few more steps, then paused and glanced back at Charles, who was trying his best to look invisible.

Those icy eyes radiated such menace that Charles felt rooted to the floor.

“If you’re really that idle, there’s a new project in Central Africa. I can send you to take charge of it.”

Charles blanched, waving his hands in protest. “No, no, sir, you know how busy I am! My schedule is just as packed as yours!”

Why did all these CEOs love threatening to ship their assistants off to Africa? If every assistant got sent there, the whole continent would be a business powerhouse by now.

Charles grumbled inwardly but kept his face as respectful as possible, almost dropping to his knees in front of the boss.

Landon shot him one last warning glare before heading into his office, leaving Charles to breathe a quiet sigh of relief.