When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him

Chapter 1869 Apply For A Leave

Only then did it hit her: it was still work hours.

She quickly completed the order and turned to Yannick with an apologetic look. "I have to head back to the office."

Yannick gazed at her, his expression full of exaggerated sorrow. "You're really leaving me here alone? The doctor said I need to be observed for at least two or three days. What if there's some hidden internal injury?"

Jocelyn hesitated, guilt flickering across her face. "I'll come by right after work-l promise."

"But who's going to take care of me?" Yannick asked, his voice deliberately pitiful.

Jocelyn thought for a moment, then said gently, "Don't worry. I'll take a couple of days off later and stay with you."

Yannick looked satisfied with her response. Still, he hesitated before asking, "Nicholas won't criticize you for that, will he?"

Jocelyn shook her head. "I don't think so. I've never taken leave before, and besides, a car accident is not a small issue. I have to take care of you."

She had already made up her mind to ask for time off. Yannick was her fiancé, the person closest to her, second only to her family.

"Jocelyn, you're the best," Yannick said earnestly, his tone full of gratitude.

His words made Jocelyn inexplicably flustered. She quickly stood up. "Your food should be delivered soon. I'll head to the office now to request leave—I'll be back later."

"Okay," Yannick nodded eagerly. But as soon as Jocelyn left the room, the smile slowly faded from his face.

He looked down at the phone still buzzing in his hand. Unlocking the screen, he read the message from one of his subordinates: This incident might be tied to Nicholas. We've found that the driver has had frequent contact with him in the past.

Nicholas...

Yannick silently repeated the name in his mind.

At first, he had assumed someone from the Reese family was behind the accident.

But to his surprise, it was Nicholas.

What's his problem? As far as I know, there's no bad blood between us. Why would he go out of his way to harm me?

He closed his eyes and asked his subordinate, "Do we have any solid proof?"

"We weren't able to gather concrete evidence," came the reply.

So, there was nothing they could hold against Nicholas.

Of course. Nicholas would never leave a trail behind.

Back at the office, Jocelyn headed straight to Nicholas' office to request leave.

Nicholas' expression didn't waver at first. He simply asked, "Why the sudden time off?"

"Yannick was in a car accident today. I need to take care of him," Jocelyn replied.

Nicholas' gaze darkened ever so slightly. "As the heir of the Hayes family, I doubt he's lacking someone to care for him."

Jocelyn was taken aback. After a beat of silence, she replied firmly, "I'm his fiancée. He's been hurt, and it's only right that I look after him."

Nicholas fell quiet.

Jocelyn used to think of him as a reasonable man. But lately, she couldn't tell what was wrong with him. Even something as simple as asking for a day off now felt like walking on eggshells.

"If you think I'm taking too many days off, I can resign," Jocelyn said, each word crisp and deliberate.

Nicholas hadn't expected Jocelyn propose resigning for Yannick's

sake. A flicker of surprise crs nee

his eyes, and the pen in his hand tightened unconsciously in his grip.

"Jocelyn, you've worked with me for years. How could I possibly think you're taking too much leave?" His voice was composed, almost too calm. "Honestly, even if you didn't ask for my permission, it'd be fine."

Jocelyn nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Nicholas."

"There's no need to thank me," Nicholas said with a polite smile. "I hope your fiancé recovers quickly."

Jocelyn returned the smile with a nod, then turned and left without hesitation.

The moment the door closed, a crack echoed in the quiet room-the pen in Nicholas' hand had snapped in two.noveldrama