Chapter 24
Lianne would never put herself in such a terrifying position again.
The highlands differed vastly in climate during the day and night. Lianne shuddered in the cold breeze.
Zane removed his jacket for her, but Lianne declined the offer “Mr. Atlas, I’m wearing a down jacket. You won’t have anything thick to wear if you give me your jacket. You’ll freeze.”
The man had a clear head. While Zane’s health was at its peak, his tattered white shirt would not shield him from the freezing temperatures. Besides, Lianne risked her life to save him. Her injury would be in vain if he were to catch hypothermia instead.
Since Zane could not provide Lianne with extra clothing, he tried to steady or hold her in case she fell. Alas, Lianne refused his kind gestures. She insisted on walking herself, and her show of toughness and independence came off as a little headstrong
During the more than half an hour journey along the rugged mountain path, they maintained a certain distance from each other. They finally spotted a few approaching cars with lights on when they made it to the asphalt road
It was Liam, with a team of doctors along.
Getting out of the vehicle, the doctors rushed to Zane’s side. “Mr. Atlas, please get into the car. We cant then proceed with a full physical”
Zane gave the doctors a chilling look. They were fools not to take notice of the injured party. “Lianne is the patient. She should get a full health check, and I expect all tests to be run on her.”
Seeing that Zane took Lianne’s injury seriously, the doctors got down to business and helped Lianne into the car. The group was driven back to the hotel’s infirmary.
Lianne knew that only her left arm was hurt. Nevertheless, the doctors did not rely on Lianne’s statement since Zane would not take her word for it. The medical practitioners tended to her arm and ran a complete physical on her before giving her a clean bill of health. Only then was Lianne allowed to leave.
It took a while to run medical tests, so Lianne was under the impression that Zane had left a while ago. She was surprised to find Zane hanging around when she walked out of the examination room.
As Lianne approached, he put out the cigarette. You must speak out if you don’t feel well. Don’t try to be
a hero.”
Lianne answered, “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Atlas, but I’m fine.”
Zane said, “Get some rest in your room. I’ll have dinner delivered to you.”
Lianne did not want to be a nuisance to other staff over her minor injury. “Mr. Atlas, that won’t be necessary. I’m fine.”
Zane said nothing since she held firm on dining in the restaurant.
Once at the restaurant, Zane got an upsetting phone call.
It was not every day that Zane showed his frustration as he never let his emotions get the best of him. Yet, he gave the person on the other end of the line a dressing down. “The Atlas Group has no place for those who can’t pull their weight.”
The phone call was from Mr. Cash. He had been worried since Lianne missed the appointment the night before. Mr. Cash dragged his feet until the next afternoon to inform Zane
Sure enough, Mr. Cash was fired.
By right, with his qualifications and job experience at the Atlas Group, Mr. Cash should have no problems receiving multiple job offers.
The problem lay in the fact that Zane fired him. No one in the industry would hire him.
Mr. Cash’s incompetence in accomplishing the task was not the only reason Zane threw a fit. For some reason, Zane was in an irritable mood.
Lianne and Liam walked on eggshells around Zane, picking a table further away from the man to dine at
Liam whispered, “What has gotten into Mr. Atlas, Lianne?”
Unable to make out Liam’s murmurs, Lianne drew a little closer. “What did you say, Mr. Zimmer?”
Liam was about to repeat himself when Zane’s grimacing voice interrupted them. “Liam, deliver the notes of today’s inspection to my office now”
He put down his cutlery right away. “Yes, sir.”
Lianne got up to go with Liam
Zane then said, “Can’t he handle the task himself? Does he need you to accompany him?”
Lianne replied, “No.”
Zane asked. “What is it then?”
Lianne had no words.
If only she could be honest that he scared her and wanted to switch her seat to a table further away from him.
Zane blurted. “You’re always mindful to keep me at arm’s length since you’re married. Shouldn’t the rules apply to other men too?”
