98 In the Shadows of the Past

Lennox, despite his accomplishments, couldn't shake off the feeling that Emma was a thorn in his side, a complicated puzzle he hadn't anticipated. He mulled over his future interactions with her, knowing full well that any misstep could trigger a chain reaction involving both their influential families. "I need to tread carefully," Lennox thought to himself. "Any conflict with Emma could force me back to the Hartleys, something I've been avoiding." Turning to Alex, Lennox prodded, "You've made quite a name for yourself, starting from nothing. Have you ever considered challenging Emma head-on? Your paths must have crossed in the business world." Alex, caught off guard by the question, pondered for a moment. "Emma and I have our separate paths. My focus is on growing my business, not entangling myself in unnecessary rivalries," he replied, firmly believing in maintaining a professional distance from Emma, despite their shared history. Lennox nodded, understanding the delicate