The soft hum of the gala music drifted out into the marble courtyard, where Sofia still stood — shaken, humiliated, and trembling with leftover rage. The echo of Gracie’s words played in her mind like a cruel melody she couldn’t silence.She wiped her face roughly and turned away, desperate to leave, when a low chuckle came from the shadows near the fountain.“Well,” a familiar voice drawled, “that was entertaining.”Sofia froze. She didn’t need to look up to recognize that mocking tone.When she did, Nikolai Vega was already walking toward her, hands casually in his pockets, his lips curved in a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes.“Leave me alone,” she said sharply, trying to walk past him.But Nikolai stepped sideways, blocking her path. “You know, Sofia,” he began, his tone smooth and lazy, “you always make things harder for yourself. Why keep chasing a man who keeps running from you? Especially when you could start over—with someone who actually wants you.”Sofia blinked, disbe

The sun was barely out when Gracie stepped out of the cab, her heels clicking softly against the marble pavement in front of Whitewater Corporation. The city breeze brushed past her face, and for once, she felt a rare calm the kind that came after a long stormy night.But the moment she saw Andrea waiting near the company gate, that calm began to shift into something else entirely.He leaned casually against his car, hands tucked in his pockets, the early light catching the sharp lines of his jaw. The sight made her heart do a small, involuntary skip.“Morning,” Andrea greeted, his tone gentle yet unreadable.“Morning,” Gracie replied, adjusting her bag strap.He glanced around, then frowned slightly. “Where’s your driver? Don’t tell me you came here alone.”Gracie shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. “I just felt like taking public transport today.”Andrea’s brows lifted. “You? Public transport? That’s new.”“I needed the air,” she said simply, her tone calm but distant. “And beside

A few brave interns began murmuring among themselves.“Did she really see them together?”“I don’t think so. She’s just jealous.”“That’s messed up… spreading lies like that.”Laura, hearing the whispers, felt her face heat up. Her confidence cracked like glass. She spun around and glared at everyone. “You all believe her over me? Seriously?”No one answered. They looked away afraid of being next on Gracie’s bad side.That only made Laura angrier. Her hands trembled as she stormed toward Gracie, who was calmly scrolling through her phone, completely unbothered.With a furious cry, Laura shoved her hard.“You think you’re so perfect, don’t you? Who do you think you are, huh? Why are you so arrogant?”The room went dead silent. Every intern froze.Gracie steadied herself, her cold eyes meeting Laura’s. Her lips curved into a faint, controlled smile the kind that could chill blood.“If you don’t know who I am,” she said softly, “then let me do you the honor of introducing myself.”Laura

The tension inside the office didn’t fade even after Andrea’s sharp words. The air was thick with unease, every whisper feeling like a spark waiting to ignite something bigger.Ethan stood frozen, his hand hovering awkwardly near his wrist, while Laura’s mind raced desperately for a way to protect him from further humiliation. The eyes of their coworkers pierced through them — questioning, doubting, judging.Laura leaned closer to Ethan, her voice barely above a whisper.“Just bring out the wristwatch,” she murmured quickly, panic edging her tone. “Show them something—anything—so they’ll stop talking.”Ethan’s throat tightened. He didn’t move. His jaw flexed as if he were fighting an internal battle. “I… I don’t have it right now,” he said quietly, his words stiff and unconvincing. “I’ll bring it tomorrow.”Gracie arched a brow, her expression unreadable. “Tomorrow?” she echoed, her voice cool and laced with disbelief.Andrea gave a faint, knowing smirk, his eyes glinting with quiet a

The morning air inside the Whitewater office was unusually tense. The previous day’s gossip hadn’t died down — if anything, it had only spread wider. Everyone was waiting to see if Ethan would show up… and if he’d bring proof that he was truly the Konstanio heir.By mid-morning, the elevator chimed. Heads immediately turned.There he was — Ethan.He strode into the open office space with that self-assured smirk he always wore, his suit pressed to perfection, and a gleaming silver wristwatch catching the light with every step he took. The metallic glint was deliberate — the kind of move that screamed look at me.Laura was the first to notice. Her eyes widened, and she nearly gasped.“Ethan!” she called, her voice high with excitement as she rushed over to him. “You came! And— oh my God— is that the wristwatch?”Ethan smirked, tilting his wrist so the watch would glimmer even brighter. “You tell me,” he said smugly.Laura’s excitement burst like champagne foam. “Everyone, come here! Loo