"In that case, tell me. Why did you join the Carter Enterprise?" Noah questioned and this time, he painstakingly stared at Mia, trying to calm his heart. However, he had underestimated the girl's unsightly makeup filled face. The moment his eyes fell on her, he had the urge to throw her out of the room.

Mia's frowned on listening to his confusing question. "I don't understand, Mr. Carter. I joined here to gain knowledge and experience."

"I see. But, why do I feel that you are lying to me? Are you hiding something from me?" Noah interlocked his fingers and glowered at her, his intimidating eyes making her fidget in her place. Noah had not even offered her a seat to calm her nerves down. So, she could not stop herself from trembling as the man's domineering gaze was too much for her to bear.

"No-No. Mr. Carter, I am not lying. I-I..."

"You lying to me again, Miss Stevenson. I know the reason why you are here and on whose orders." Noah declared and immediately after, Mia broke out into a cold sweat. Her legs were about to give away in fear and she had to put a lot of effort to stay still and remain sober.

'Does he know about Jared and my father's deal? Is he talking about this matter or I am thinking too far about it?' Mia thought and darted a glance at Ronnie who raised an eyebrow at her, amusement lingering in his wise eyes. He folded his hands waiting for her to continue and he tilted his head slightly in a teasing manner.

'I must be paranoid. He must be talking about something else.' Mia took a deep breath and tried to soothe her raging heart. But Noah's next words poured cold water on her expectations.

"What did Jared order you to do?" Noah threw his question at her and Mia lost her voice, unable to prepare a coherent reply to his accusation. "I hope you will not lie to me this time as I hate liars. So, think before you speak another word and think twice." Noah warned her and Mia gulped in fear. Noah's menacing eyes made her avert her eyes and she stayed mum for a long time.

Noah too did not force her to speak up and he continued with his work, not pitying her for her misery. She was the one who plotted against him and Noah was not a saint to forget and forgive people who tried to plot against him and his family.

Mia glanced at Noah who seemed to have forgotten about her presence as he indulged in his work. Ronnie too was busy with his work. To them, she was nothing but the wall hanging. Her legs started to ache as time ticked by and after an hour or so, he stood up, making Mia look up at him hopefully.

"Miss Stevenson, you can think through it here. Ronnie will stay with you until you give us an answer. You are not allowed to leave until you answer all my questions." Noah deadpanned, his eyes cold and furious. He buttoned his suit and took a step towards the door only to be stopped by Mia.

"Noah-I mean, Mr. Carter, please wait." She held his hand stopping him from moving forward. The next second, she retrieved her hand back seeing the man's vexed expression. "I am sorry."

Noah patted his sleeves and took a step away from Mia. "Have you finally decided to speak up, Miss Stevenson? Although I have all the time in the world, right now, I cannot entertain you any longer. I have a meeting to attend, unlike someone who is as free as one could be, plotting against someone behind their backs."

Noah's harsh words made Mia flinch and she closed her eyes for a second. 'He is right. I am only deceiving him by plotting behind his back. I love him and it is not right for me to trick him this way.' Thinking through it thoroughly, Mia made a decision and Noah saw how the expressions varied on her face.

"Mr. Carter, I am willing to reveal everything I know. But..."

"You are not in a state to negotiate with me, Miss Stevenson. Just answer my questions and if I am satisfied, I will not file a lawsuit against you." Noah resorted to his last trick and it took effect immediately. Mia's face paled and she gaped at the man in shock. She had never been this horrified before, not even when her father had made her meet Jared to discuss his plan to ruin Noah.

Noah could guess what was running in his mind and he sighed lightly. "I know why you are hesitant to speak up. Let me assure you something. I will not allow anything to happen to you if that makes you relived, but I cannot say the same about your father."

Noah knew that unlike Mia, who cooperated with Jared so that she could get closer to Noah, her father had another reason altogether. The man was wicked and greedy and it was no wonder that he had sold his own daughter to the devil. Mia was a dumb girl, who was head over heels with and Noah already knew about her feelings for him. However, she was not a bad woman. She did not have ill intentions against anyone, nor did she try to harm anybody, not yet at least. So, he had no reason to torture her. But that did not mean he did not have his eyes and ears on her.

People changed faster than the sun would rise and set and he did not want to take any risk, not when it involved his love life and his sweetheart, Aria. He would never allow anyone to harm the girl he loved the most.

Mia took a deep breath before she stared back at him with confidence. "Mr. Carter, when I failed to sign the deal with your company, our company was already under loss. My father did not know how to salvage the situation and at that time, it was Jared who approached us. He gave a helping hand and signed the deal with us, providing us the funds needed for the new project as well as to keep the company afloat."

Seeing the girl reveal everything, Noah stopped her suddenly. "This might take some time. Shall we take a seat and talk?" Noah held out his hand and Mia nodded. They took their seats and Noah pushed forward the unopened bottle of water towards her seeing her nervous state.

"Ronnie, move the meeting to an hour later." He ordered and Ronnie immediately left to follow his orders.

"Where were we before I interrupted you?" Noah then fixed his attention on her, this time, not that offended by her makeup filled face.