The next day, Ethan woke up with a pounding headache. Having had a bit too much to drink with Aurora the previous night, he had completely forgotten their conversation, let alone the covert clash between Aurora and Sophie. After washing his face, he headed to the office as usual. Vivian had finally agreed to finalize the divorce, meaning things on her end could finally be put to rest, although he didn't know whether Vivian would actively come looking for trouble. For now, the more pressing matter was that he was considering giving himself a promotion. Over the past few days, he had gotten a firm grasp on the company's operations. Securing Sophie's order had also helped him build a solid reputation within the firm. The role of a mere sales representative was no longer fitting for him. He was going to give himself a promotion and get involved in Stellaris's transformation plan. Meanwhile, after many years, Damian finally set foot in the Lockwood household again.He knew Vivian

The congratulations hit Ethan before he even reached his desk."Carter! Deputy head of marketing—man, you're moving up fast!""Didn't even finish probation. What's your secret?"A cluster of employees had formed around him, their faces a mix of genuine surprise and poorly hidden curiosity. One of the sales reps, a younger guy named Marcus who'd trained with Ethan during his first week, leaned in with a conspiratorial grin."Be honest," Marcus said. "Are you, like, connected to the boss or something? I saw you sitting next to Ms. Sinclair at lunch last week."Ethan let out a slow breath. He had expected this.He laughed, shaking his head. "If I were connected, you think I'd be stuck handling Sophie's account? That order was a nightmare."A few of them chuckled. Sophie's demands had become office legend in under a week."Just lucky timing," Ethan added. "Right place, right moment.""Fair point," Someone admitted, though her eyes still held a flicker of skepticism."Seriously, though," T

The silence stretched, then Ethan let out a cold laugh.He didn't need anyone to spell it out. These people were testing him.He could have pulled rank to force someone to go with him. But doing so would play right into Nathan's hands, casting him as the rumored emotionally unstable, incompetent connected hire—only breeding resentment and inviting sabotage.He wasn't about to fall for such a cheap trick. Ethan flashed Nathan a knowing smile, then turned and walked away."Wait!" A young voice cut through the quiet. Ethan paused. A kid—barely out of college by the look of him—stood up from a corner cubicle, his face flushed. An intern badge dangled from his shirt pocket."Deputy Manager Carter, I... can I go with you?"A few nearby employees exchanged glances. Someone let out a dry chuckle. The intern's face reddened further, but he didn't sit back down.Ethan let the silence stretch just long enough to test the intern's nerve. The kid didn't look away.Then he offered a genuine, ap

The glass door of Aurora's office hadn't finished swinging shut before Sophie slammed both palms on Aurora's desk. "What else is there to say?"The impact rattled a pen holder. One pen rolled off the edge and clattered to the floor. Neither woman looked at it."You happy now?" Sophie's voice climbed. "You took my man. I've loved Ethan since university. Years. And you just—"She snapped her fingers. "—slide in without a word and take him. You two were flirting just now, and now you want to sit here and 'discuss our relationship'?" She spat the words like they tasted of poison. "Don't you feel fake?"Aurora didn't rise. Her fingers interlaced on the desk surface. "I didn't take your man.""Oh, please—" "I sent you that message calling him your brother-in-law," Aurora cut through, voice steady. "I said sweet things to him. Yes, I have feelings for Ethan. I won't deny it."She held Sophie's glare. "But that doesn't mean I can be with him."The words landed wrong.Sophie's expression froz

Sophie’s breathing grew ragged, and her hands began to tremble. Damn it. She had finally reunited with Ethan after so much trouble. Why was everyone forcing her into a corner! "I can't do it, Dad." A single tear rolled down her cheek. "Please, I beg you, just let Ethan and me be together!"But Augustus showed no mercy. He did not, as he used to, gently comfort Sophie with heartache the moment she began to cry—for a daughter’s heartbreak always broke her father's heart. He merely looked at Sophie with disappointment. "No," he said simply. Sophie’s breath hitched in her throat. "You are too blind; you have absolutely no idea how to balance your personal desires with the interests of the family," Augustus sighed deeply. "In this regard, you are far inferior to your sister, Aurora. "Aurora had the sense to reject a marriage proposal from the heir of the wealthiest family in this city to preserve our family's standard. Yet you are fooling around with a complete nobody! "When wi