Understanding that Noreen often knew how to handle their boss, the driver scrambled back to his seat without further delay.

Noreen settled into the car just as they were preparing to leave.

Just then, Alexis emerged with her companion. Her car had broken down earlier. The man with her, Hnak Flores, was not only interested in a partnership with Alexis' law firm but also in a_ romantic relationship with Alexis herself. As both were single, he was using the business meeting as an opportunity to connect with Alexis on a personal level.

Seizing the opportunity, Hank offered Alexis a ride. "Let me drive you back, Miss Fowler. It's not easy to find a taxi in this weather.”

Alexis glanced at the rain, thinking of her children waiting at home, and smiled in acceptance. “Thank you, Mr. Flores; that would be very kind."

Hank was delighted by her acceptance but maintained a composed demeanor. He smiled politely and opened the passenger door for her with grace.

Just as Alexis was about to step into the car, she caught a glimpse of Leonel.

His car window was half-open, allowing the rain to streak down the glass, obscuring his face somewhat.

His gaze was fixed on her as he sat silently.

Alexis was indifferent to whether Leonel might misinterpret the situation. Their relationship had ended... However, she suddenly remembered Evelyn's complaints about Leonel's absence. The little girl missed her father, who now rarely visited and mostly connected through video calls.

Despite their divorce, Alexis felt a responsibility towards their children's emotional well-being.

She hesitated, but then decided against getting into the car. Instead, she approached Leonel's car. Noticing her intention, Hank, aware of her history with Leonel, handed her an umbrella, saying gently, “It's raining heavily. Take this."

Having known Hank for years and given his business dealings with her firm, Alexis accepted the umbrella out of courtesy.

Meanwhile, Leonel watched expressionlessly from his car.

As Alexis approached under another man's umbrella, Leonel looked up and, after a pause, asked with a hint of irony, "Is that your new boyfriend? He seems very sweet."

Leonel's words were delivered in a neutral tone, but inwardly, he was berating himself for the bitterness that laced them. Leonel might have once considered himself superior to this other man, but now, recognizing his own Limitations, he felt diminished. The other man, at least, had his career and health-simple things like offering Alexis a ride or holding an umbrella for her, tasks Leonel found frustratingly out of reach.

His physical constraints gnawed at him, especially the thought that he might no longer satisfy Alexis as he once could. How could he compete?

Alexis, unaware of Leonel's internal turmoil, responded evenly, “He's just a partner."

Leonel, his tone edged with sarcasm, couldn't help but probe, “Really? A partner in what exactly?"

The question charged the air with tension. Noreen squirmed, sensing the discomfort. It seemed inappropriate for Leonel to make such insinuations, even if Alexis was really in a new relationship.