"Besides, if you really just came here to see Mr. Harding, you wouldn't actually need to meet Mr. Ross," the receptionist said.

Hearing this, Zara rolled her eyes and let out a mocking laugh. "Savannah, drop the act. Your family is practically bankrupt, and you still have the nerve to use the CEO's executive elevator?"

Our commotion had drawn the attention of several clients waiting in the lobby, and all eyes were now on us.

Their murmured discussions reached our ears without a hint of discretion.

"Who is she? Trying to take Mr. Ross' private elevator?"

"Probably another woman trying to climb the social ladder. Mr. Ross may be engaged, but he still attracts plenty of admirers."

The growing crowd only fueled Zara and Oliver's theatrics. Their voices grew louder.

"Savannah, we had a past, but can you stop clinging to me? Even though Zara and I have some connections with Mr. Ross, I can't stand here and watch you make a scene!

"There's a café outside. If you have something to say, we can talk there."

I glanced at my watch. My meeting with Kayden was about to start. Frustration crept in. "Oliver, Zara, I told you. This has nothing to do with you. Move aside. I have business to attend to."

"Nothing to do with us?" Oliver's voice dripped with sarcasm as he raised his voice. "I've been abroad all this time, and today's my first day back. The moment I finish filming, you show up? You expect me to believe that's a coincidence?

"Savannah, you were the one who said you never wanted to see me again. And now, the minute I return, you just happen to be here? Do you really think I don't know what's on your mind?"

I looked at the two people blocking my way, and irritation flared in my chest. "Are you two done? If you're done talking, get out of my way!"

"Savannah, don't get worked up. We're just chatting with you for old times' sake. After all, Oliver chose me in the end.

"He still feels guilty about it. We've been living happily all these years, and sometimes, Oliver even wonders how you've been doing."

At this point, I finally understood. These two could only see the world through their own narrow lens.

I didn't bother responding. Instead, I walked over to the couch, took out my phone, and called Kayden.

"I'm stuck downstairs in your building. Two people claiming to be close to you are blocking me. Can you come down?"

With that, I hung up.

Oliver and Zara exchanged glances and chuckled. "Savannah, did you just call Mr. Ross?"

I ignored her and focused on my proposal.

Zara suddenly snatched the proposal from my hands, flipped through it carelessly, and then tore it into pieces with a sneer. "What's with these useless papers? Do you really think Mr. Ross will waste his time on you? You probably just dialed a random number and made up a story."

As I watched the strategy document my team had worked on all night get shredded into scraps, frustration and anger surged inside me. I swung my hand and slapped Zara across the face.

"Zara, have you never been put in your place before?"

Zara clutched her cheek in shock. "Did you just hit me? Savannah! I was personally invited here by Mr. Ross, and you dare lay your hands on me? Do you even understand the consequences?

"I was actually considering helping you. Maybe if you begged, I could've introduced you to Mr. Ross. He might even help your failing Palmer Group."

Oliver immediately pulled Zara into his arms, gently lowering her hand to check for any injuries. "Savannah, you're unbelievable! You just bit the hand that tried to feed you!

"Apologize to Zara now! If you do, maybe she'll still be willing to introduce you to Mr. Ross for my sake. Otherwise, you'll regret it."

The receptionist looked terrified. "Ms. Palmer! How could you hit Ms. Cox? She was invited by Mr. Ross himself! If this turns into something serious, can you really handle the consequences?"

Oliver scoffed. "Savannah, if you kneel and apologize, I'll speak to Mr. Ross on your behalf."

The commotion had drawn everyone's attention. No one noticed that the elevator doors had already opened.

A pair of warm hands suddenly wrapped around my shoulders.

"Honey, what's got you so worked up?"