Nicole drew in a steady breath before answering quietly, "No." She then wheeled Connor toward the bed. "It's late—you should get some rest. If you need anything during the night, just call out."

Although they shared the same roof, they didn't share the same room, with Nicole taking the guest room next door.

Once her footsteps faded, Connor calmly ordered someone to forward Erika's background report. After skimming only a few pages, he shut the file with a faint curl of disdain—a good-for-nothing woman and a complete waste of time.

...

Nicole poured herself into designing her dress for Erika's birthday party, adjusting every seam until it finally felt right just two days before the event.

For a long while, her gained weight had kept her from dressing up at all, the old habit of shrinking inward leaving her shoulders rounded and her gaze lowered. This time, she was determined to stand tall, spine straight.

Once she slipped into the dress, she slowly turned before the mirror, studying the reflection from every angle. It still felt lacking.

Right then, Samuel stepped in carrying a sleek black box and spoke with practiced courtesy. "Ms. Perry, this is a gift from Mr. Reed. He asked that you open it yourself."

Nicole froze for a split second, genuinely surprised. A gift—from Connor?

Shock melted quickly into a quiet thrill as she lifted the lid and found a sapphire necklace gleaming inside, its deep blue facets catching the light.

Against her black dress, the necklace sharpened her presence instantly, lending her a poise.

Even so, beneath the flicker of joy, unease stirred—something this exquisite had to carry a price tag she wasn't sure she was comfortable accepting. Given that the money for their arranged marriage had come from the Reed family—and that Connor himself likely didn't have much disposable cash—she couldn't help but worry about the cost.

"Renting this necklace for just one day has to be outrageously expensive, doesn't it?" she asked, frowning faintly. "Emily's birthday is the day after tomorrow. Wouldn't it make more sense to book it only for that day? Otherwise, we're just throwing away two days' rent."

A barely perceptible twitch tugged at Samuel's lips. Rent? What utter nonsense. Connor had never fretted about money. A necklace priced at a million barely registered for him, as insignificant to him as spare change.

Still, knowing Connor had to keep up his act of the unwelcome member of the Reed family with little money in his pocket, Samuel played along with the story. "The store offered a special arrangement—rent it for a day, and they throw in two more for free. You can wear it without a second thought."

Delight flickered across Nicole's face as she lifted one brow. "Wait, a deal like that actually exists?"

With a straight face that barely concealed the playfulness, Samuel added, "Mostly because Mr. Reed is devastatingly good-looking. The store decided to grant him exclusive privileges."

After fastening the necklace around her neck and admiring how it caught the light, Nicole approached Connor and thanked him sincerely, her voice warm with genuine appreciation.

Connor watched her waddle closer without the slightest flicker of interest crossing his composed features.

Despite her knowledge of his blindness, heat still crept up her cheeks, and she murmured, a little flustered, "Thank you for being so considerate. The necklace was lovely—I'll take good care of it."

Resting a finger against the raised dots of the braille-engraved book in his hand, Connor answered coldly, "Spare me such talk. I just didn't want you to go out looking sloppy and affect my image."

The words came out blunt, but they carried no real bite.

Nicole shrugged it off with an easy laugh, her mood untouched, and turned back to her chores with a light step.

Soon after Nicole departed, Samuel drifted over and asked with a teasing smile, "Funny coincidence, Mr. Reed—we have an engagement on the same day, same hotel. Want to steer clear of Ms. Perry?"

Curiosity flickered through Connor at the thought of how her uncle's family would handle her, so he answered evenly, "No need. Just move it to another hall."

...

Days later, Erika's birthday celebration arrived. Right on cue, Nicole showed up.

At the entrance, Erika latched onto Jerald's arm as they welcomed guests, the two of them polished and dazzling, an eye-catching pair framed by smiles and spotlight.

Upon spotting Nicole, Erika hurried over and clasped her hand with practiced warmth, smiling brightly as she said, "I'm really relieved you showed up. I was worried you were still angry with me and wouldn't even come to wish me well."

At those words, nearby guests shifted their focus, murmurs rippling through the room as curious glances slid toward Nicole.

For years, Erika had perfected the art of painting herself decent, spinning half-truths in a few soft sentences that always left Nicole cast as the heartless cousin.

Seeing through Erika's tricks, Nicole met her gaze calmly and replied, "Why do you always phrase things in a way that invites misunderstanding? Or is it simply because you don't like me?"

Caught off guard, Erika froze, the sweetness on her face cracking for a brief, awkward second.

Accustomed to trampling over Nicole without resistance, Erika had never imagined she'd be challenged. When the question was flung back at her, panic flickered in her eyes, and she instinctively fell back on old tricks—lowering her lashes, letting moisture gather until she looked fragile and aggrieved.

Unable to stand the sight of Erika's distress, Jerald pulled her into his arms at once, his brow knitting as he turned on Nicole. "After all this time apart, I honestly thought you'd reflect, maybe even change," he said coldly. "Yet, you are still the same. What did Erika ever do to earn this kind of hostility from you?"

Nicole lifted her gaze to him. He'd already become just as bad as Erika, and with every last attachment already severed, a quiet boldness rose in her chest. "After all this time apart?" she replied evenly. "By my count, it's been barely half a month. I assumed you couldn't stand me at all and wouldn't register my absence—but clearly, you've been marking the days a lot more carefully than I thought."

Dramatic tears threatened to fall as Erika put on her pitiful act, but Nicole's words cut it short, twisting her expression at once. What kind of ridiculous nonsense was Nicole trying to stir up now?

For a split second, Jerald's expression shifted, his brows drawing tight in an unguarded reaction. If Nicole hadn't spelled it out so plainly, the inappropriateness in his own words might never have registered with him at all. Barely half a month had gone by, but his phrasing made it sound like centuries had passed. He had wanted nothing more than to never lay eyes on her again, at least that was what he thought about his real intentions.

Afraid Nicole might speak anything that might revive Jerald's old memories, Erika forced a sob into her throat and quickly turned to Jerald, tugging at his sleeve. "Could you help entertain the guests for a bit?" she insisted. "I need to say a few things to Nicole alone."

Jerald snapped out of his thoughts, hesitation clouding his eyes as concern crept in. "Are you sure?" he asked, lowering his voice. "What if she bullies you?"

With her lower lip caught between her teeth, Erika shook her head gently. "No, Nicole wouldn't bully me. Don't always assume she's malicious."

Nicole sneered inwardly.

After a beat of uncertainty, Jerald cast Nicole a guarded look before turning away, eyes sincere as he said firmly to Erika, "If anything happens, call me right away."

The warning hung in the air, as if Nicole were some dangerous presence.

Once he was out of sight, Erika delicately dabbed the moisture from her lashes with a tissue, careful not to smudge her flawless makeup. The pitiful mask vanished, replaced by a thin, derisive smile. "Trying to seduce Jerald? Do you really think that will work? Tell me, did he even show a shred of interest in you?"

Nicole's expression remained composed, her voice steady and unhurried. "Since when does telling the truth count as seduction? Or does it bother you because what I'm talking about is something you stole—and you're afraid it might be taken back?"

Rage flickered through Erika's eyes before she smothered it. Had they not been surrounded by onlookers, her hand would have already struck Nicole's face!

Drawing in a slow breath, Erika forced a polished smile and said coolly, "I won't waste my energy arguing with a broke, overweight nobody like you. Enjoy your remaining good days while they last."

Nicole noted the naked calculation gleaming in Erika's gaze, the same familiar, chilling look Erika had worn before.

Memory dragged Nicole back to Erika's previous birthday, when Erika had deliberately ground her heel into Nicole's hem in full view of the crowd, ripping the fabric and baring Nicole to everyone. Several of Erika's male friends had been there, roaring with laughter and tossing out crude, cutting comments.

Back then, Nicole had collapsed to the floor, hugging herself tightly as Erika calmly doused her with red wine, and she hadn't dared make a sound. Defiance had never been an option, because a single word from Erika could have ended her mother's medical treatment. Maybe her mother, overwhelmed by that quiet, endless pain, had chosen to leave this world early—hoping her daughter might finally live for herself, just once.

...

For wealthy families, birthday banquets were little more than elaborate networking events.

Crystal chandeliers glittered over a sea of prominent faces as Phillip circulated with a wineglass in hand, formally introducing Erika and Jerald to influential entrepreneurs, intent on making them recognizable to everyone who mattered.

With barely concealed enthusiasm, Phillip praised Jerald at every turn, pushing him forward as though connections might solidify through sheer persistence.

Not to be outdone, Erika maintained a poised smile, adjusting her posture and tone to project charm, ambition, and effortless confidence.

Among all the attendees, Neil Wagner drew the most attention—a towering authority in modern architecture and the Perry family's most coveted prospect.

Spotting Phillip stirred memories of the late Norton Perry, and Neil sighed with genuine regret, "If the Xynergy Project had made it to launch back then, it would've stood as a defining milestone in architecture."

Having anticipated this comment, Erika stepped in smoothly. "Mr. Wagner, actually, my dad and I have been waiting for the right chance to bring Xynergy Project back to life."

Her confidence prompted Neil to study her more closely, his gaze lingering as he quietly assessed her. Holding deep respect for Norton, he had no intention of dismissing Norton's niece outright. A polished, practiced smile crossed his face as he responded, "Is that so? You should know—it's not an easy project."

Drawn by the tension and the names involved, nearby guests gradually drifted closer, eager to witness how the exchange would unfold.

Used to commanding attention since childhood, Erika lifted her chin and spoke without hesitation. "When the challenge rises, so does my resolve to see it through. Besides, my dad and I developed this project. Uncle Norton only joined later, and for the sake of appearances, he took credit for it behind our backs. My dad didn't want to damage family ties, so he chose not to expose the truth."

A ripple of hushed disbelief spread through the crowd. Could there really be such a backstory?

Standing off to the side, Nicole listened to the blatant fabrication, her gaze turning icy as a bitter smile tugged at her lips. Accusing others of theft while rewriting history herself—Erika's audacity was almost impressive.

Neil offered no reaction to Erika's theatrics, his attention fixed solely on how the project would move forward. Turning slightly to Phillip, he inquired with controlled ease, "So, Mr. Perry, are you open to working with me?"

Without hesitation, Phillip gestured toward Erika. "Age has dulled my instincts," he said with a self-deprecating sigh. "But my daughter is sharp, talented, and more than capable of supporting you in this field."

Lifting her chin, Erika let a self-satisfied smile bloom across her lips. "Please rest assured, Mr. Wagner," she said smoothly. "With my involvement, this project will be taken as far as it can possibly go."

A low laugh escaped Neil as he studied her anew, a glint of approval in his eyes. "In that case, we have an agreement."

Neil raised his glass and tapped it lightly against Phillip's before taking a measured sip.

As the liquor settled, Neil seemed to recall something and turned back to Erika with an offhand air. "By the way, Erika, could you walk me through the project's core objective?"

The question sounded casual, almost idle, yet color drained from Erika's face in an instant. The core objective? She had no idea how to answer that! Panic flickered as she shot Phillip a pleading look, only to find him just as stiff and at a loss, his mouth opening and closing without a word.

Noticing the hesitation, Neil's eyes sharpened. "What's the issue, Erika?" he asked coolly. "Weren't you the one who claimed you and your dad developed this project? Why can't you explain it now?"