Chapter 270
The VIP lounge of the airport was quiet, almost too quiet.
Nick sat alone near the floor-to-ceiling window, a project file resting in his hand. He wasn’t really reading it. His attention kept drifting—back to Khloe’s face when she turned away earlier, as if she had left something unfinished behind.
“What time is it?” he asked without looking up.
Lenny checked his watch. “Nine o’clock.”
Then, after a brief pause, he added carefully, “They should be here soon.”
This trip was tied to a major national-level project under Hunt Group. Three years of negotiations had finally secured it. The site lay in the far southwest border region, where two countries met across a stretch of rugged mountains.
It wasn’t just a commercial development. It was also a joint public welfare initiative, co-funded by both nations to improve infrastructure and living conditions in remote mountain communities.
As part of the agreement, each side would assign a “public welfare representative” to document the launch, conduct interviews, and promote bilateral cooperation.
Nick had been informed late. The representatives were already in the city and would join him directly at the airport.
Originally, Lenny had been prepared to pick them up.
But the representative’s assistant had refused, only confirming time and place.
The door to the lounge opened.
Staff stepped aside respectfully.
Michelle entered.
For a brief second, something flickered across Nick’s eyes—surprise, restrained and quickly contained. His expression returned to its usual calm detachment almost immediately.
He hadn’t expected her.
But given the Keller family’s influence, it wasn’t impossible. In fact, it made sense. Her family had deep roots in diplomacy and international infrastructure work. Her grandfather had once served as a long-term overseas construction representative for nearly a decade in Felanche.
So her presence here wasn’t inappropriate.
It was strategic.
Michelle stopped in front of him with composed ease, as if the past between them didn’t exist at all.
“Nick,” she said lightly, offering her hand, “I’ll be the public welfare representative for this project. I look forward to working with you.”
Her tone was professional. Clean. Measured.
No hesitation. No emotion.
Nick glanced at her hand.
He didn’t take it.
After a brief silence, he spoke instead. “Your health has only just stabilized. This trip is demanding. You don’t have to force yourself into it.”
Michelle’s lips curved faintly.
“I’m here for work, not sympathy,” she replied calmly. Then, after a pause, she added, “As for the hospital… I already said what I needed to say. I hope you won’t keep treating me like I’m fragile or unfinished business.”
The air shifted slightly.
Lenny, standing off to the side, suddenly found the carpet very interesting.
Everyone present understood the unspoken history between them—even if no one said it aloud.
Michelle Keller wasn’t just anyone. She came from a family with deep political and cultural influence, and she had once been active in the entertainment industry as well.
After her hospitalization following the suicide attempt, Nick had strictly cut off public association with her.
George had ensured every trending topic was suppressed before it could spiral.
But Michelle had not disappeared.
Instead, she had reemerged in a new direction—live-streaming public welfare content. Within days, she had rebuilt attention around herself, carefully reshaping her public image with the Keller family’s backing.
Now she stood here again.
Not as a patient.
Not as a rumor.
But as a representative of the very project Nick was about to lead.