In the very next second, Lilah snapped completely, her composure shattering as she shrieked, "What kind of nonsense are you spewing, you ugly freak? I was the one who brought the perfume here. Who else could've made it if not me?"

Whipping her head to the side, she looked at her two assistants, Delores Craig and Emberly Ford. "You two were there when I made the perfume. Tell them. This is my work, isn't it?"

Delores reacted instantly, nodding. "Of course it is! We watched you make it with our own eyes! What kind of shameless person will try to snatch someone else's work and claim it as their own?"

With a smug huff, Lilah folded her arms across her chest, chin tipped high as she faced Brenton. "Mr. Davies, just look at this farce. I can't believe she'd dare steal the results of my hard work right in front of me!"

After a pause, she added sharply, "Have security kick her out. I don't want to see her ever again!"

Her voice then dropped into a cold, calculated threat. "Otherwise, I'll take this public. I have hundreds of thousands of followers online now—one post is all it takes. If this turns into a scandal, your company won't come out unscathed."

Meanwhile, I kept my expression steady and casually reached for my phone, thumbs moving with unhurried precision as I sent a message to Jenifer, who was waiting downstairs in the lobby.

"I have a witness as well. Please give me a moment," I said.

A sharp sneer twisted Lilah's lips, her eyes dripping with scorn. "You have a witness?" she said, letting out a mocking laugh. "You think you can just drag some random person here and call them a witness?"

She angled her body toward Brenton, her expression tinged with disdain. "Honestly, this woman is clearly here to cause trouble, Mr. Davies. There's no need to waste time on her—let's sign the project contract first. I can't stay here for long. I have a meal scheduled with my fiancé, Karson Jones."

She deliberately emphasized Karson's name.

The moment she finished speaking, the room door flew open, footsteps sharp and urgent echoed as Jenifer strode in, her voice cutting through the tension. "Alexandra!"

Still basking in her certainty, Lilah turned with a curl of contempt on her lips. "Oh? Let's see what kind of joke you've dragged in here..."

Her smugness disappeared the instant she recognized Jenifer, her features locking stiffly as if someone had flipped a switch.

Keeping my tone even, I said, "That's my friend—Jenifer Moore. Last night, at Nova Club, you took the perfume I created from her. I am sure you still remember that."

With a small nod, Jenifer met Lilah's gaze and said, "Miss Lilah Harris, what a coincidence. We meet again."

The shock flickering across Lilah's face vanished almost instantly, hardening into razor-sharp fury. She said, voice rising, "So this is it—you two planned this together, didn't you? You are just trying to set me up."

Without missing a beat, Delores rushed to her defense, nodding emphatically. "That's right! Miss Lilah Harris can have anything she wants. She'd never lower herself to taking things from others!"

Emberly also spoke, her lips curling in contempt. "Exactly. You two are shameless. Apologize to Miss Lilah Harris right now!"

I had expected this response already; someone like Lilah would never admit the matter easily.

Fortunately, I had come prepared.

"So, you're determined to deny it until the evidence is right in front of you," I said lightly, a soft laugh escaping me. "Fine—then take a look at this."

I linked my phone to the room's projector, and surveillance footage flickered onto the massive screen.

The recording had been pulled from Nova Club after I had reached out to them the previous night.

In the footage, Jenifer could be seen, her voice firm as she said, "I'm sorry, but the perfume was created by my friend. It's not for sale."

Despite Jenifer's words, Lilah stretched out a manicured hand and snatched the bottle, her lips curling as she announced, "Then pass along a message—this perfume belongs to me now. It's your friend's honor that I even like it. If she dares to cause trouble over this, the Harris and Jones families will not let her off!"

When the footage finished playing, I lifted a brow and calmly studied the embarrassment flickering across Lilah's face. "Miss Lilah Harris, you certainly know how to talk big. Now, tell me how you are going to explain this."

As soon as the video ended, Brenton's face tightened with anger while he turned sharply to Lilah. "I never imagined you were this kind of person," he said in a glacial tone. "The Apex Group won't work with anyone whose integrity is this disgraceful. You're done here. Leave."

Rage twisted Lilah's face into something sharp and ugly.

Behind her carefully crafted image, her standing in the perfumery world rested on little more than aggressive marketing and a flood of money, with no genuine skill to support it.

In her mind, landing a partnership with the Apex Group would have cemented her status and silenced every critic.

However...

The sight of Lilah cornered, seething yet utterly powerless, sent a quiet thrill through me. As she brushed past me to leave, she leaned close and said through clenched teeth, "This isn't over."

***

Delores and Emberly scrambled after Lilah without hesitation. The deserted corridor swallowed their footsteps as Delores spun toward Lilah, her face tight with outrage. "So that's it? We're just supposed to swallow this and walk away?"

A crooked smile tugged at Lilah's lips, sharp and smug. "Of course not."

Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone, her eyes glinting. "I'll call Daniel from the Edwards Group right now. The Heartstring Moments project has to end up in my hands. I'd love to see who's stupid enough to try and take it from me."

Emberly stiffened, her voice dropping in alarm. "But... Daniel isn't just anyone. He's the kind of ruthless man no one in Atokton dares to provoke. You really think he'll help you?"

Lilah let out a laugh, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers. "It's all thanks to my dear sister. I don't know what tricks she used to worm her way into Daniel's favor, but after she vanished five years ago, he has kept a close watch on everything connected to her. And he helps my family now and then because of her."

She lifted her chin, confidence radiating from her posture. "And since I'm her only sister, he's never turned me down."

Delores' expression instantly shifted, admiration replacing anger as she flashed a thumbs-up. "Then you can really do anything you like in Atokton!"

A satisfied smile curved Lilah's lips, her arrogance plain. "Of course. That hideous freak doesn't even know her own place; she had the audacity to come at me. I'll make her pay!"

***

After the contract was signed, Jenifer and I gathered our things and prepared to leave.

We had just reached the ground floor when Brenton rushed over, his steps uneven, his breath coming fast.

"Miss Harris, I-I'm afraid there's bad news," he said.

A sharp knot formed in my chest as I stopped. "What happened?"

Dragging a hand down his face, Brenton let out a weary sigh. "Not even a minute after we signed the contract, the Edwards Group called. They insisted that Miss Lilah Harris take charge of the project..."

He paused, his voice apologetic. "I'm truly sorry."

The words struck me like a sudden lightning bolt, leaving my thoughts momentarily blank.

Daniel's open protection of Lilah, the person I hated deeply, could only mean one thing—their ties ran deep.

Memories I had tried to bury surged back without warning. Five years ago, I had been powerless and injured, eight months pregnant, trapped in despair, crying until my voice gave out...

That night, and the pain branded into it, was something I would never forget.

The resentment I felt toward Lilah burned just as fiercely as the rage I harbored for Daniel now.

Jenifer's face flushed with fury as she snapped, "Why the hell would Daniel do that? We never crossed him!"

Hearing that, Brenton explained, "This really has nothing to do with the two of you. For years, people in Atokton have whispered that Lilah is backed by the Edwards family—that's where all her arrogance comes from. Everyone knows how formidable the Edwards family is, so it's best not to offend them."

He paused for a moment. "That said, Miss Alexandra Harris, even if you don't take on this project, the Apex Group is still open to working with you if you're willing."

Drawing in a slow breath, I forced my emotions back under control. "I'll think about it. Thank you for letting us know, Mr. Davies. We'll be leaving now."

Brenton gave a small nod of courtesy. "Alright then—take care."

After Jenifer and I slid into the car, Jenifer immediately launched into a stream of irritated complaints.

Noticing how quiet I'd gone, she finally glanced over at me and asked, confusion edging her voice, "Alexandra... aren't you angry about this?"

How could I not be angry?

No one despised Lilah more deeply than I did, and the fury clawing at my chest burned so fiercely that it threatened to swallow me whole.

Drawing in a long, measured breath, I swallowed the rage churning inside me and said, "What good does getting angry do right now? Mr. Davies isn't wrong. Going up against Lilah is one thing, but crossing the Edwards family is totally different."

Jenifer gave a subtle nod, her tone steady. "It's fine—they've got power, sure, but we can afford to be patient. There'll be opportunities for us to get back at them."

A quiet dip of my chin was all I offered in response.

After dropping Jenifer off at her place, I headed home.

The moment I neared my front door, my steps slowed. Two figures were waiting there.

One of them was a tall, commanding man, exuding an oppressive aura.

His sharp features were carved with cold precision, and his slightly lowered gaze made his eyes seem unfathomably deep.

A flawlessly tailored suit traced his broad shoulders and lean frame, amplifying his grace.

Recognition struck me instantly—he was Daniel.

Cradled in his arms was Emily.

The instant she spotted me, Emily waved enthusiastically as she called out in a sugary voice, "Hey!"

A faint crease appeared between my brows.

The moment Daniel helped Lilah, he made himself my enemy.

Never in my life had I imagined he would actually show up at my door in person.

Suppressing my emotions, I kept my expression glacial and said sharply, "Why are you here? You should leave right now!"

Staring at me in disbelief, Joshua said, "How dare you talk to Mr. Edwards like that?"

Emily shrank back like a startled little rabbit, her eyes instantly glossing over with tears.

The sight of Emily's distress tugged at me despite myself, and after a quiet breath, I reined in my temper and softened my voice. "Do you need something?"

With an icy gaze, Daniel replied, "Emily wanted to see you—that's why she's here with me. Otherwise, I would never come to your place."

Without bothering to soften my expression, I said, "Mr. Edwards, I already turned you down last night."

Even at her age, Emily grasped the meaning of my words immediately. Her small face crumpled, tears spilling over as she looked at me. "You don't like me... do you?"

A tight line formed at Daniel's mouth as he passed Emily to Joshua, flicking him a look, signaling him to take her away.

The moment Emily disappeared from view, the temperature around him seemed to drop, his gaze turning razor-sharp. "Emily hasn't done anything wrong," he stated icily. "She only wanted to see you. How can you be so cruel as to turn away a child?"

A short, cold laugh escaped my mouth. "After everything you've done to me, this is already me being courteous."

Fatigue weighed heavily on my shoulders, and I had no patience left for Daniel. Turning away, I was ready to open the door to go inside.

But just then, Daniel's hand snapped around my wrist, his grip firm, eyes dark with confusion. "What exactly have I done to you?"

I tried to wrench myself free, but his grip was unyielding.

Letting out a slow, tired breath, I forced myself to meet his stare. "Mr. Edwards, are you really pretending not to know what you did?"

My voice sharpened as I continued, "Didn't you use your pull to force the Apex Group to hand the Heartstring Moments project to Lilah?"

At that, a subtle shift flickered through Daniel's eyes before he masked it, his tone casual. "It was nothing important. She wanted it, so I let her have it."

That calm response wrung a sharp, humorless laugh from my throat. "You make it sound so simple," I said, bitterness slipping through my tone. "Do you have any idea what Lilah and I..."

Without warning, old memories surged in my head, crashing through me like a rising tide, stealing the rest of my words.

Unwilling to let it drop, Daniel held my gaze, his expression unyielding. "What exactly happened between the two of you?"

Something inside me finally snapped. Heat rushed to my face as my control crumbled, and I yelled, my voice shaking with fury, "Everything I went through was because of Lilah! I am actually..."

Before I could finish, color rushed up Daniel's neck, his expression turning intense as his voice rasped out, "W-what did you just say? Who are you?"

A faint tremor ran through his fingers where they clutched my wrist, the unsteady pressure betraying his emotions.

Something unreadable churned in his eyes, like he was searching my features for another woman hidden beneath my skin.

The fury that had fueled my outburst vanished in an instant, leaving me feeling hollow.

Breath escaping me in a weary sigh, I felt the weight of my own foolishness settle in my chest.

Why did I even bother telling him that?

To him, I was nothing more than a stranger, and none of it carried the slightest meaning.

Calming down, I spoke with deliberate chill. "I know what kind of rotten person Lilah is. She hurt me deeply before. Since you've chosen to stand on her side, there's nothing left for us to discuss. You're not welcome here. Leave this place immediately."

A crease formed between Daniel's brows as his gaze dropped, disappointment flickering across his features. "So that's all you wanted to say?" he asked in a low voice.

My voice stayed flat as I replied, "What else are you expecting me to say?"

After a brief pause, he inclined his head, a faintly mocking curve touching his mouth. "Of course," he murmured, bitterness edging his tone. "How could you possibly be her..."

Closing the distance by a single step, he fixed his eyes on me. "So you're angry with me just because I helped Lilah snatch your project?"

My temper finally snapped. "Of course! Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about!" I shot back, my words sharp. "If someone did that to you, wouldn't you be livid? The way you keep pestering me is making me sick!"

Just as I finished speaking, I yanked my wrist free from his grasp and retreated a step. "I don't want to see you right now," I said coldly. "When I come back, you'd better be gone."

With that, I turned away to leave without sparing him another glance.

The moment the elevator doors slid shut, my strength drained out of me. I wrapped my arms around myself as a familiar ache bloomed in my arm.

Five years ago, I fell from the stairs and suffered a comminuted fracture in my arm, an injury that never truly healed.

The brief confrontation with Daniel earlier had aggravated the injury again, sharp pain crashing through me in brutal waves as cold sweat soaked my temples and slid down my spine.

Using my uninjured hand, I fumbled my phone out of my pocket, fingers trembling as I forced myself to punch in a familiar number.

The call connected almost immediately, and a soft, teasing voice drifted through the speaker. "Alexandra? I thought you forgot about me the moment you got back. You haven't reached out to me recently."

Agony strangled my throat, leaving me barely able to form words as I ground them out between clenched teeth. "Jacob... didn't you say Dr. Kieran Thorpe got back to the country, too? Where... where is he?"

The teasing in Jacob's tone vanished at once. "Alexandra, is your old injury acting up again?" he asked, urgency flooding his words. "I'll send Kieran to you right now. Stay where you are; I'm coming over!"

He had barely finished speaking when his assistant's panicked voice cut in; he was clearly trying to stop him. "Mr. Lewis, you can't leave right now! If you do, the entire Luminova Tech project will collapse!"

"Enough. Shut your mouth!" Jacob snapped.

I was just about to urge Jacob not to do anything rash when a sharp chime echoed, and the elevator doors slid open.

My legs wobbled as I stepped out, and before my eyes could adjust, I crashed into a hard chest, my phone slipping from my fingers and clattering to the floor.

A strong arm wrapped around my waist in an instant, steadying me before I could fall.

Lifting my head, I saw Daniel's piercing gaze, the chill in his eyes unmistakable.

Joshua was standing nearby, and Emily was in his arms. She tilted her head and spoke up in her soft, earnest voice. "Daddy, that was your fault—you bumped into her just now. Say sorry to her."

Joshua quickly interjected, "Miss Edwards, it was Miss Harris who ran into your father. How could you expect him to apologize for that?"

Worry flooded Emily's small face, her eyes glassy as she teetered on the verge of tears. "She looks like she's really in pain—Daddy must have injured her!" she cried, twisting in his arms. "Let me down. I want to check on her!"

Seeing Emily so worried about me sent an unexpected warmth spreading through my chest.

But Daniel merely lifted an eyebrow, his expression unreadable as he released his grip with careless detachment.

The instant his support vanished, my legs gave way, and I staggered before collapsing onto the cold floor.

"Daddy!" Emily exclaimed, tears spilling freely down her cheeks. "How could you do that? Take her to the hospital right now!"

Her sobs shattered Daniel's composure. The man who was usually distant and cold turned visibly flustered.

Without offering a single explanation, he bent down, swept me into his arms, and hurried toward the hospital.

The doctor gave me a brisk but careful examination, and by the time he finished, the sharp pain in my arm had dulled to a tolerable throb, but I still felt a bit weak.

With trembling fingers, I reached for my phone and saw a message from Jacob—Kieran had already come looking for me but hadn't been able to find me.

I sent a quick reply and pushed myself upright, intent on going to see Kieran.

No one understood my old injury better than he did, and he was the only one who could treat me.

Yet just as I reached the door, familiar footsteps echoed in the corridor, followed by Daniel's low, steady voice.

"Why didn't you tell me the person the Apex Group selected for the Heartstring Moments project was Alexandra?"

Joshua answered hesitantly, his tone tight with unease, "I'm sorry, Mr. Edwards. I didn't look into it carefully enough."

Daniel's voice cooled further. "Make sure it never happens again."

After a brief pause, he asked, "Have you figured out the grudge between Alexandra and Lilah?"