CHAPTER 286: CHAPTER 286

Cora’s lips parted slightly. She was expecting some kind of flirty comment, maybe even a teasing suggestion that they’d be sharing the bed. But instead, Oliver defused the entire situation with ease, already placing himself on the couch in her mind without making things awkward. Strangely, that made her feel a little... disappointed.

"You don’t have to act like that," she muttered, looking away.

"Huh?" Oliver asked as he picked up a folded shirt and placed it in the top drawer.

Cora glanced at the bed and sighed. "Nothing. Just... I didn’t expect you to notice the bed was new."

Oliver smirked, walking back toward her. He leaned his back against the wall casually and folded his arms. "Cora," he said gently, "I’ve known you long enough to know this is not your kind of bed. You’ve always preferred cozy, neat, and small. This bed?" He looked back at it dramatically. "This bed screams ’I might have to share it but I don’t want to admit it.’"

Immediately Cora’s face flushed with a mix of surprise and annoyance. "You’re overthinking."

Oliver raised his hands in surrender. "Hey, I’m not complaining. I love the bed, it’s a five-star hotel upgrade. But just in case you’re worried I’m not here to make things uncomfortable. I know we’re acting. I’m not going to cross any lines."

His words calmed something inside her—but they also stirred something else. Because even though this started as an act, Cora didn’t know anymore what she truly wanted it to become.

Still trying to cover her thoughts, she turned away. "Well... just make sure you don’t snore on the couch."

Oliver laughed. "I can’t promise that. But I’ll try."

At that moment, before Cora could say another word, her phone began to ring. She hesitated. Her eyes darted toward the screen, but her heart wasn’t in it she wanted to stay focused on the conversation she was having with Oliver. This was the first time they’d had some peace and privacy, and even though things felt strange, there was also something warm and grounding about it.

But then Oliver casually nodded toward the phone lying on the bed. "You should pick it," he said gently, without looking up from the drawer he was folding his clothes into. "Might be something important."

Cora sighed. She didn’t want anything or anyone breaking this moment. Still, she slowly reached for the phone, and when she saw the caller ID, her expression changed. "It’s Malisa," she said.

Oliver raised a brow slightly but didn’t say anything. Cora reluctantly answered the call.

"Cora, I’m so sorry for calling this early," Malisa’s voice came through the speaker in a hurried tone. "I know I should have told you earlier, but I completely forgot. The logistics company we’re using for the estate construction... they scheduled a meeting with me today. They just confirmed it late last night, and I should’ve informed you but I didn’t. I’m so sorry."

Cora’s entire body tensed.

"You forgot?" she snapped, trying hard not to raise her voice. "Malisa, do you know how important this is? You know my dad is flying in today! I’m supposed to meet him at the airport, and now you’re calling me last minute about some meeting you should’ve told me about yesterday?"

"I know, I know!" Malisa’s voice was apologetic, almost pleading. "Please don’t be mad. It just slipped my mind. I’m really sorry, Cora."

Cora got up from the edge of the bed and walked a few steps away, pacing lightly with the phone still to her ear. She ran her hand through her hair, clearly irritated but trying to stay calm.

Oliver looked at her from across the room but said nothing, respecting her space.

"I swear, Cora, it just escaped me," Malisa continued. "I didn’t mean to put you in a tight spot. Please forgive me."

"Just send me the location," Cora muttered coldly. "I’m not saying I’ll attend, but I want to see how far it is and decide what I can do."

"Okay, okay. I’ll send it right away," Malisa replied quickly, still sounding nervous.

However Cora didn’t respond. She just ended the call, her jaw tight with frustration.

At that moment, Oliver paused what he was doing and looked up from where he was straightening the edges of his shirt on the bed. His eyes locked onto Cora’s face, and instantly, he knew something was off. Her expression had changed. She wasn’t smiling anymore. Her brows were slightly furrowed, lips pressed together in a tight line, and her eyes kept shifting between the phone in her hand and the floor like she was trying to process something fast.

"Hey," Oliver said gently, tilting his head a little. "What’s going on? You look bothered. Did something happen?"

Cora sighed softly and sat down at the edge of the bed, her shoulders dropping a little. "It’s not... like extremely urgent," she said slowly, "but it’s important. Malisa just called. My secretary."

She glanced at him, hoping he wouldn’t be upset with her. "She just told me now that we have an important meeting to attend this morning. Something with the logistics company we’re partnering with for the estate construction. They scheduled a last-minute meeting, and she forgot to tell me yesterday. And now... it’s suddenly urgent."

Oliver didn’t say anything for a moment. He just looked at her, reading the stress in her posture and the way she held her phone like it had personally betrayed her. Then, he sat beside her and asked calmly, "Okay, so how long do you think the meeting will last?"

Cora shrugged and looked away, trying to calculate. "Maybe an hour? At most. It’s one of those quick, high-level discussions. I should be done within the hour."

"Then we’re fine," Oliver said with a light smile, tapping her hand. "You still have enough time. Let’s just go together."

Immediately Cora blinked and turned back to face him. "Go together?"

"Yeah," Oliver said, standing up. "We’ll both get ready now, head to the meeting together, and as soon as it’s done, we’ll leave straight for the airport to meet your dad. That way, there’s no need for you to come back here, and I won’t have to chase after you again."

He grinned playfully at that last part.

For a few seconds, Cora just stared at him, caught off guard by how quickly he came up with the perfect plan. Then she slowly nodded, her lips curving into a small, grateful smile. "That’s actually... that’s a really good idea."

Oliver chuckled. "I know. Quick thinking is one of my many talents, remember?"

Cora rolled her eyes, but her smile grew wider. "Show-off."