Weaknesses

After Noah ended the call with Joe, Max asked in disbelief, "Are you really not going to be attending the trials against Harold and his men?" Noah didn't look up and just replied, "You heard what Joe said. It won't do us any good and he will let us know when that changes. I have never ignored his advice so far, and I don't plan on starting now. Too much is at stake for me to do something stupid for my own pleasure, while risking the bigger prize, which is seeing all four of them rot in a cell."

Max nodded and reluctantly gave in. If both Noah and Joe had agreed that it was the best idea, there was no room for him to disagree any further. Although he said this, the moment he left Noah's office, the wheels in his head had already begun spinning. Thinking of how he could have eyes inside of the courtroom, without actually being present in person. After all, if he managed to think of a way to do that, he wouldn't be going against their wishes.

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Meanwhile back at home, Laila was getting started with her day. She had gotten out of bed and finished her breakfast. No longer having Maria around to keep her company, and no longer having to deal with her fake friendship with Olivia, she had found herself with nothing to do. She was just contemplating how she would fill her day, when her eyes landed on the design she had started on when she discovered Noah would be going on a date with Olivia.

Now that she no longer had to worry about the likes of Harold or Olivia, though it did play in the back of her mind a bit and would probably continue to do so until their sentencing had been done, she could turn her focus on her own venture. She stood up, had the table cleared and spread everything out across the table. She began drawing, colouring, picking out swatches. She was completely immersed in her work, and continued to be for hours. So much so, that when Noah called her on her phone, she didn't even hear it ring. It was like she was in her own world. Now that her creative juices had begun flowing, there appeared to be no off-switch.

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At the office Noah was quite surprised at Laila not picking up her phone. They always made sure to pick up each other's calls. There were very few exceptions. None of which he could think of that could be applying right now. His surprise was so big, that he even took a second look at his screen, to make sure he was indeed calling Laila. Wondering what could have caused her to not pick up. After he called her a second time after a few minutes, still with no answer, he got a bit worried. He was wondering if Laila was okay. Hoping there was nothing wrong with the baby. In order to ease his worries, he decided to call the house.

Fortunately Garry picked up the phone after only two rings and greeted him in his formal, yet warmly manner. Anxiously Noah said, "Garry. Wonderful. I am so glad you picked up. Where is Laila? I can't get a hold of her. I have already called her twice and I am starting to get a bit worried." Garry looked around a bit confused before he said, "That is indeed very strange sir. I haven't seen her since early this morning, but I was busy with instructing the gardening team with tidying up the backyard. I shall inform for you immediately. Please hold." Noah nodded and felt even more nervous now since Garry couldn't give him an immediate answer.

Of course the house they lived in was large, and Garry had many things to do in a day as the housekeeper. Not being able to keep watch over Laila during all hours. It wasn't part of his job description in the first place and wasn't normally necessary either. But with the way Laila's pregnancy had been going, it had become somewhat of an unspoken expectation for the staff to keep an eye on her. A task they might not have been as mindful of lately with Laila's recovered appetite and stamina. This however didn't change the effect, of Garry not knowing, had on Noah.

He couldn't fully explain his anxiousness over not hearing from Laila in such a short period of time, even if it was out of the ordinary, but with what they had been through during the past few days and past few weeks, it wasn't thoroughly unexpected either. After the whole Harold ordeal Noah just couldn't ease his worries so easily, which wasn't so hard to understand. That is why, although Garry was a bit confused at not seeing Laila at her usual spot, he wasn't surprised at Noah calling or asking this question. His mistress was normally someone who could fend for herself quite easily, but with her pregnancy, she had become more vulnerable. An easier target. And the perfect way to hurt the master of the house, who seemed to have no other 'weaknesses'.