Christopher leaned over the railing with interest, and sure enough, he saw Eira walking off with a young man, chatting and laughing like they had known each other forever.

His eyes widened in disbelief-it really was her.

Edward watched that graceful silhouette disappear into the crowd, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "Seriously, Alex? You actually divorced her?"

Every time he'd seen Eira before, she'd been buried under layers of conservative gowns.

But now? She was turning heads-body like *bam*, and the girl could *dance.* Edward clicked his tongue, completely baffled about why she'd kept herself hidden all this time.

He turned to Alexander, only to find the man just as stunned.

Edward let out a dramatic sigh and muttered, "Alex, I swear, if you withdraw the divorce papers now, you might still have a shot..."

"What are you babbling about?"

Alex furrowed his brow, eyes glued to the scene below.

He watched every little move the woman in the ballroom made. Eira casually placed her mask into that guy's open palm, then wiped the sweat off her face with the tissue he handed over.

She didn't even try to hide it-elegantly dabbing the sweat from her collarbone right in front of him like it was nothing.

As if she'd forgotten there was anyone else around.

Alex's lips pressed into a hard line. He gripped his wine glass so tight his knuckles turned white, completely tuning out the teasing from around him.

The others may not know that guy, but Alex definitely did.

That pretty boy was the one who'd dropped Eira off the day they signed the divorce papers. And now? They were here, acting way too cozy.

It'd barely been a week-no way this was some new crush. She clearly had this going on before she asked for the divorce.

No wonder she'd had the nerve to push for it. She already had someone waiting.

Alex's face darkened, his eyes like a brewing storm. Without a word, he slammed his wine glass down on the table with a loud thud.

"Shameless woman."

*****

Downstairs, Eira was completely unaware of the pair of eyes watching her from above. After that dance, she was hot and covered in sweat.

Hearing John call her name, she squeezed her way out of the crowd, then yanked off her mask and casually shoved it into his hand.

That mask had been suffocating-she'd been dying to take it off.

"Hold your phone up," she told John, finally getting a look at herself. Her makeup had smudged a little from the mask, making her look a bit messy but still sharp.John held the light dutifully. "Boss, you missed it! The moment you stepped out, all those guys were totally stunned."

Eira smirked lightly, fingers smoothing her hair. "Let them stare if they want. I'm happy, that's all that matters. I'm heading to the bathroom to fix my makeup."

Grabbing her clutch, she made her way to the nearest restroom and leaned into the mirror to check her makeup.

As she touched up her look, a burst of excited voices came from a nearby stall.

Ah, classic. Bathrooms and gossip always go hand in hand. She kept powdering while tuning into the chatter.

"Hey, did you hear? A bunch of VIPs are upstairs on the second floor-apparently, the organizers invited them. I heard Alexander is here too!"

"No way? He's actually here? I better step up my game then."

"I thought he was married? Seriously, what kind of charm did that woman pull to get into the Brooks family?"

The two girls rambled on about the rich guys upstairs. Hearing that, Eira's mood instantly soured. She sighed and put her powder compact away with zero interest in finishing up.

Of all places, she just had to run into Alexander freaking Brooks. Talk about bad luck.

Time to find John and get out of here-there's no way she was sticking around to run into her ex.

A good ex should be like a ghost. The less you see them, the better.

She picked up her bag just as the two girls stepped out of the stall. Catching sight of someone outside, they both paused, darting their eyes away awkwardly, clearly wondering if they'd been overheard.

Right then, Eira casually said, "So in your world, a woman needs a man to level up, huh?"

Then she walked off without a glance back.

Outside, Eira spotted John, but before she could call out, a tall shadow loomed beside her. She winced as someone grabbed her wrist and dragged her straight into the stairwell.

One look at that familiar broad back, and Eira cursed silently.

Since he insisted on starting something, fine. She had plenty of frustration to let out-he asked for it.

She stopped resisting and followed his pull obediently.

The stairwell was dimly lit. She acted like she couldn't see a thing and gasped softly.

Just as Alexander was about to speak, she struck full force with her elbow.

"Ugh-"

Hearing the muffled grunt, she didn't stop there. She raised her leg and kicked hard.

Serve you right for showing up uninvited.

Alexander took a couple hits before finally pinning her against the wall.

He rubbed his side, his face dark as the dim stairwell around them. "Eira, you did that on purpose?"

Eira shoved him away, her brows slightly raised, obvious amusement flashing on her face. "What, only you get to throw your weight around? I'm not allowed to fight back?"

"You're unbelievable-you really think the world revolves around you, huh?"

Alexander yanked at his tie, the black shirt on him rumpled and half open, clinging to his frame. He didn't even pretend to care about her sarcasm. His voice was sharp, accusing. "Who's that pretty boy? No wonder you suddenly have the guts to ask for a divorce. Already got your next guy lined up?"

Eira let out a soft laugh. "Him? We've known each other for ages, but-"

She tapped his chest with a teasing smile in her fox-like eyes. "But seriously, what's it got to do with you? I never questioned your side chick, so how about you stop meddling in my business?"

Back then, Eira used to behave like a doormat around him. Now that she asked for a divorce, this is the real her?

Isn't flaunting herself with that sleazy dance in front of everyone shameless enough? One pretty boy isn't enough for her-she's casting a wider net now?

"You seriously have no shame, do you?" Alexander's anger flared as he took a step closer. "Look at yourself-heavy makeup, dressed like that. Don't forget, we're still in the cooling-off period. I'm not about to let you make a fool out of me."

His imposing presence loomed, making Eira instinctively tilt her head up. All she saw in his eyes was resentment and disgust. So in his eyes, whatever she does is wrong? What a joke.

Eira's laugh was cold, her lips curved mockingly. "Oh, don't worry, I remember. What about you, though? Still so invested-could it be you've still got feelings for me?"

"Besides, I can do whatever the hell I want. It's my life. Mind your own damn business!"

She jabbed a finger into his chest, putting some distance between them.

Seeing how much she pushed him away only added fuel to Alexander's fire. "So all those moments over the past two years... fake?"

"You really wanna know?" Eira snorted. "Why would I bother telling you?"

Alexander grabbed her arm tightly. "You're not going anywhere until you give me a straight answer."

At this point, whatever hope Eira had left was gone.

With a bitter smile tugging at her lips, her lashes drooped, hiding her disappointment. "That's right. I faked it all. Happy now? Stay the hell away from me."

With that, she yanked her hand free and made to leave.

But the door was behind him, and as she brushed past, he grabbed her wrist again.

His burning touch shot through her skin, all fury and desperation, like he was trying to brand her with it.She was yanked back by Alexander and pinned hard against the wall.

Heat radiated off him, and the icy cold from the wall behind her made her whole body tense up. Not comfortable in the slightest, Eira shoved at him, trying to create some distance.

Her eyes blazed with anger. "What the hell is this supposed to mean?"

Alexander's eyes were like frozen lakes in the dead of winter-cold and deep. "The divorce isn't public yet. I'm warning you-don't go messing around out there, making the Brooks family look like a joke."

Eira let out a low laugh, her lips curling with sarcasm. "If it weren't for your grandma's health, you think I'd have put up with your crap for this long?"

She scoffed, voice laced with disdain. "And for the record, I've kept quiet about you and Sophia all these years. But if you keep pushing me, I won't mind airing your dirty laundry."

She gave him a hard shove, glaring at him coldly. "Get lost."

Alexander's face turned darker, his stare sharp enough to cut. "You really think you're somebody? If it weren't for Grandma, you'd never have made it into the Brooks family."

Those words made Eira's blood boil. Without thinking, she raised her hand and slapped him-hard. Her arm even shook from the force.

With a controlled voice, she said, "That slap was for Grandma."

"You act like you care about her, but I know what you've been up to behind her back. What, now that we're getting a divorce, you're planning to pin everything on me?"

She thought of the things he just said and chuckled bitterly. "Alexander, I must've really been blind to waste two years of my life on you."

Only after she finished did his expression change, disbelief flickering across his face. "You actually hit me?"

"Why wouldn't I? Honestly, I should've used the other hand."

His jaw clenched tight, veins popping on his arm as his expression turned ice cold.

Barely days after the divorce was mentioned, and now she's acting all new-wearing that kind of dress, dancing here like some showgirl?

What, does she think she's some big deal now?

Just some girl from a poor neighborhood-no matter how she'd dressed up for the Brooks family, she couldn't shake the cheapness inside.

Eira caught the growing storm in his eyes, and his grip on her wrist was getting more painful by the second. She tried to pull away, but it was no use-he held on like a vice.

He looked like he wanted to crush her arm. Seriously.

"Let go of me, Alexander!" she yelled, lifting her knee and landing a solid kick.

Just then, there was a burst of fast footsteps outside, followed by a door slamming open and a boy's urgent voice shouting,

"Let go of her!"

Startled, she looked up and saw the boy rushing down the stairs, hair all messy from the run.

He reached out, pried Alexander's hand off her, and stood protectively in front of Eira, eyes full of worry as he looked at her swollen, red wrist...

The young man looked like he'd just come from some fancy event-slick suit and all, giving off a surprisingly mature vibe.

Compared to their last quick run-in at the bar, Eira suddenly realized Ethan had really grown up.

She raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. "What are you doing here?"

Ethan glanced down at her wrist, giving it a gentle rub. "Does it hurt?"

"I'm fine," Eira said, lips pulling into a faint smile. She spotted his collar sticking out and immediately reached out to fix it, driven by her usual pickiness.

To Alexander watching from not far away, this scene was like a slap in the face.

In just a few days, Eira had managed to reel in not one, but two men?

The guy wasn't just some average guy either - from his getup alone, Alexander could tell he came from money. No wonder Eira had been acting especially smug lately.

His brows knitted tightly, and he spoke with rare ice in his voice, "Where'd you dig up this new toy?"

"You don't mess around, huh? Already juggling guys like it's a game."

Before Eira could reply, Ethan turned on him. "Watch your mouth. Did you really think she had no one to back her up?"

Eira nudged Ethan's arm and said lightly, "No need to bother with the crazy. Anyway, what brought you here?"

Ethan took a deep breath, clearly trying to hold back his temper. His voice came out a bit hoarse. "Saw your post in John's Facebook. I happened to be around for an event."

"Good thing I showed up when I did."

He placed a steady hand on her shoulder as he spoke. From behind, it almost looked like he was holding her close.

When Eira didn't pull away, Ethan grew bolder and draped his arm fully over her shoulders. Together, they walked away.

Just before reaching the stairwell, Ethan looked back at Alexander with a faint smirk - one that carried a hint of provocation.

Outside, Eira said something under her breath, and Ethan's smile slipped away, quickly schooling his expression.

Meanwhile, Alexander stood frozen, watching them walk off like everything was peachy between them.

But his face told a different story - anything but calm.

In the dim stairwell lit faintly by flashes of music and lights from the party, red and green shadows flickered across his features, sharpening his already cold look.

His hand clamped around the railing, knuckles turning white as a sharp crack echoed in the stillness.

After a long pause, he shut his eyes briefly, then pulled out his phone and dialed Daniel.

"Come now."

It wasn't until Edward and Christopher realized Alexander had been gone too long that they started calling him. It took several tries before he finally picked up.

"Where the hell did you disappear to? You've been gone for ages," Edward said, alarmed.

"Something came up," Alexander answered calmly. "Tonight's on me."

And with that, he ended the call, eyes fixed out the window. The red marks on his cheek looked even starker in the dark.

In the passenger seat, Daniel was staring at him, jaw practically on the floor.

Someone actually took a swing at Mr. Brooks?

He glanced into the rearview mirror - only to meet Alexander's gaze dead on.

He flinched and quickly looked away, pretending like he'd seen nothing.

Still, he couldn't help thinking: Ever since the divorce, nothing in Mr. Brooks' life had been going the way he wanted.

*****

A little later, Eira and Ethan ran into a flustered John, clearly on the hunt.

He rushed over. "Boss, where have you been? You were gone forever!"

Then he eyed Ethan from head to toe, clearly not thrilled.

"Oh wow, what a nice 'coincidence' running into him, huh?"

He dragged out the sarcasm in "coincidence," clearly trying to call Ethan out.But Eira didn't bother responding to his childish tone. Still annoyed from running into Alexander earlier, she really had no energy left to deal with the situation, so she brushed him off half-heartedly.

She sighed, "I'm kinda tired. Let's just head back."

John didn't press her, just nodded. "Cool, driver's already here. I'll take you home."

Eira agreed, but right as she stepped forward, she noticed Ethan wasn't following. She turned around, puzzled. "What's up?"

John stopped too, eyes wary as he glanced at Ethan.

Ethan scratched the back of his head and avoided her gaze, looking like a lost puppy as he muttered, "I came to this event last-minute... didn't get the chance to book a hotel."

"Most places are probably booked by now, and the event's gonna last a few days..."

After saying that, he gave her a pitiful look, stepped closer, then bent down slightly and said, "Mind if I crash at your place for a few days, sis?"

Without thinking twice, Eira nodded, "Sure. There's plenty of spare rooms back at the villa, pick whichever you like."

She tugged at his sleeve with a laugh, teasing, "You really dragged it out for this? What, you think I'm gonna say no or something?"

"Of course not!" Ethan quickly replied, tagging along beside her.

John, however, trailed behind them, annoyed enough to stomp his foot where he stood.

Damn kid moved fast-already knew Eira was back?

'Poor guy, his competition was everywhere.'

On the way back to the villa, John ended up in the front seat, having fallen a step behind.

Eira leaned back in the rear seat, occasionally rubbing at her wrist in discomfort, trying to ease the throbbing pain.

That jerk really hadn't held back earlier-almost crushed her damn wrist.

She stared out the window, the scenery flying by, thinking she'd tell the driver to stop if they passed a pharmacy.

But before long, her drowsiness kicked in. Holding her wrist, she slowly closed her eyes.

Ethan noticed the way she kept touching that wrist, and his gaze fell on the red, swollen area.

He glanced down at his phone. "Take a left at the next turn. Gonna grab something real quick."

As soon as the car stopped, he dashed out and ran into a small clinic nearby. He came back with several ointments for bruises and swelling.

Once back in the car, he gently lifted Eira's hand. "Let me put some cream on it. Or it's gonna swell up worse."

Eira slowly opened her eyes, rubbing the sleep away, and saw the tubes of ointment in his hand, a little surprised. "You went and bought medicine?"

Ethan hummed softly, squeezing a bit onto his fingertip and gently spreading it across the swollen spot on her wrist.

He handled it like it was glass, super careful not to hurt her.

She winced a little at the first touch, but soon the cooling sensation spread, easing the burning pain bit by bit.

With a soft smile, she said, "You've changed a lot these past few years."

Ethan paused, then muttered, "I've always been like this... you just never noticed."

After that, he gently blew on her wrist. "There, that should help."

Eira chuckled at his childish little move. Yep, still a kid at heart.

As the discomfort faded, sleep took over again. She leaned her head against the window and dozed off.

Hearing her even breathing next to him, Ethan carefully shifted her head so it rested on his shoulder instead. He adjusted how he sat, making things more comfortable for her.

He could hear each soft breath she took, and the corner of his lips lifted just a little. "You really don't remember, huh..."