Chapter 205

Ben stepped out of his car and stood for a moment, staring at the tall glass building in front of him.

I & A Atelier.

The building rose twelve floors high, its glass walls shining under the bright Teriporto sun. Peopte moved in and out with purpose, dressed neatly, looking busy and important. Ben adjusted his jacket and walked inside.

The moment he entered, cool air welcomed him. The lobby was wide and elegant, decorated with modern art and soft lighting. He walked straight to the reception desk.

Behind the desk stood a tall woman with short hair cut neatly into a pixie style. She looked professional and alert.

When she saw him approach, she smiled politely.

“Welcome to I & A Atelier, sir,” she said. “How may I help you?”

“Hi,” Ben replied calmly. “I’m here to see the manager.”

The woman nodded and turned to her computer. “Do you have an appointment, sir?” she asked while typing.

“Yes,” Ben answered.

“Alright,” she said after a moment. “The manager’s office is on the sixth floor. There is another receptionist there who will direct you.””Thank you,” Ben said.

“You’re welcome, sir.”

Ben turned and headed toward the elevator. As he waited, his thoughts wandered.

Buying this jewellery company was the main reason he had returned to Richbouph. He had studied the company carefully. Its designs were unique. Its reputation was clean. And its growth was impressive. It was a perfect investment.

But the owner had always refused to meet him.

Every email had been politely declined. Every request was

– ignored. It had frustrated him deeply. That was why he decided to try a different approach today. If he couldn’t meet the owner directly, then the manager might be his way in.

The elevator doors opened. Ben stepped in and pressed the button for the sixth floor.

As the elevator rose, he remembered how the company was supposed to launch a new product weeks ago. He had planned to attend the launch, believing it would finally give him access to the owner. But suddenly, the launch was canceled. No explanation. No rescheduled date. Just silence.

The elevator stopped.

Ben stepped out onto the sixth floor.The space was too quiet. The hallway was long and neat, with glass offices on both sides. He walked toward the reception desk, but to his surprise, no one was there.

He stopped and looked around.

“Hello?” he called softly.

But there was no response.

Just as he was about to turn back, he heard voices from farther down the hallway. They sounded like they were coming from an office.

Ben followed the sound.

As he walked closer, the voices became clearer. One was unfamiliar, but the other made his steps slow down.

It sounded… familiar.

His heart skipped.

He stopped in front of a door that was slightly open. He straightened his shoulders and fixed his posture. Then he raised his hand and knocked once.

Without waiting for an answer, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Ben froze.

His breath caught in his throat.

Standing by the office desk were two women. One wasblonde, tall, and familiar in every possible way. The other was shorter, with blue eyes and a professional look:

Both women stared at him in shock.

“Ben?” the blonde gasped.

She covered her mouth for arsecond, then smiled widely.” What are you doing here, darling?”

The shorter woman immediately understood the situation. She smiled politely, excused herself, and quietly left the office, closing the door behind her.

Ben barely noticed her leave.

His eyes were fixed on the woman in front of him.

Betsy.

His fiancée.

“You work here?” Ben asked slowly, still trying to understand what he was seeing.

“Yes,” Betsy replied with a smile. “I do.”

“But you never told me,” he said.

She shrugged lightly. “You never asked.”

Ben let out a short breath.

Just a few hours ago, he had spoken to her on the phone before leaving Carminton. He hadn’t told her he wascoming to Teriporto. He planned to surprise her later, after finishing his business.

And now here she was.

In the very company he wanted to buy.

“Betsy,” Ben said carefully, “who owns this place?”

Her smile widened. “Isla does. This is Isla’s personal company. I thought you knew.”

Ben’s eyes widened in shock.

“What?” he asked. “This is the business you’ve been talking about all this while?”

‘ “Yes,” Betsy nodded.

She stepped away from the desk and walked toward him.

Her baby bump was much bigger now, round and noticeable beneath her dress.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, pressing her lips against his. Then she whispered softly, “I missed you.”

Ben instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist and returned the kiss. But even as he held her, his mind was racing.

Isla.

So Isla was the woman he had been trying to meet all thistime.

He pulled back slightly and shook his head with a short laugh.

“So Isla was the owner i couldn’t reach,” he said. “All this time.”

Life really had a strange sense of humor.

Betsy smiled but noticed the change in his expression.”

Any news about Isla?” she asked gently.

***

Later, they sat together on a comfortable sofa near the floor-to-ceiling glass window. Outside, the city moved endlessly, unaware of the tension inside the room.

“So it’s true,” Betsy said quietly. “Carl is marrying Delphine in two days?”

“Yes,” Ben replied. “And Gabriel wants us to attend.”

Betsy frowned deeply. “I don’t like this,” she said. “Isla is still missing, and Carl has taken over Gabriel’s office. Now he’s marrying Delphine? Something is wrong.”

Ben watched her closely.

Betsy had always believed Isla was alive. Even when others slowly accepted the idea of her disappearance, Betsy refused to give up hope.When Isla first went missing, the shock had hit everyone hard. Sofie had collapsed from the stress and had been hospitalized. She almost lost her baby. Thankfully, she recovered.

But Sofie, she believed something was wrong. The business never shut down like everyone expected.

Instead, it moved to a new building-with Gabriel’s help.

Nothing added up.

“Now tell me,” Betsy said, turning to Ben. “Why are you really here?”

Ben hesitated for a moment. Then he decided not to lie.

“I came to buy this company,” he said honestly. “That’s why I returned to Richbouph.”

Betsy’s eyes widened.

“What?” she asked in shock.

Ben nodded slowly. “I wanted to buy | & A Atelier.”

And the room went quiet.