The movement was so sudden Nora had no time to react. Luckily, her hands instinctively grabbed the swing’s frame, but her mood soured instantly.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

She spun around, cheeks flushed, only to meet a pair of deep, starry eyes glinting with mockery and mischief.

It was Ryan’s friend.

Nora’s mind was clear. She looked straight at Ethan, her gaze cold.

“Sir, I don’t believe we’ve met.”

The man said nothing. Colored lights from the fountain reflected on his sharply cut face. In those few seconds, his lips curved coldly, and he pulled something from his suit pocket like a magician — a necklace.

At the sight of it, Nora instinctively reached for her neck.

But she had forgotten — she’d blacked out drunk the night before, and only discovered at home that the necklace Adrian Cole had given her was missing.

At the time, she had only felt a brief pang of regret. Now, seeing it again, she reached for it almost immediately. But Ethan’s long arm lifted it just out of her reach, holding it high above his head.

Deliberately taunting her.

That moment, Nora realized his hostility toward her wasn’t without reason — but she had no idea what that reason was.

“Where did you find it?”

Ethan realized then that Nora didn’t remember him.

He closed the necklace in his fist, lowering it slightly. Nora instinctively stepped closer, trying to reach it. As she moved around him, her eyes caught sight of a small red mole at the base of his neck.

And in an instant, the memories came flooding back, her face flushing pink.

“Remember now?”

Her hands froze. The next second, she trembled with shame.

Those hurried, chaotic memories surged back as if they had just happened.

The one that stood out most was when his lips brushed the hollow of her waist. Even in her hazy state, her entire body had turned pink — not out of bias, but because this man clearly knew what he was doing.

He was good at playing games.

And very good in bed.

Seeing him again only made that impression stronger.

Not wanting to get entangled with him further, Nora drew back abruptly.

“Forget it. If you like it, you can have it.”

She turned to leave.

“Another man gave that to you?” Ethan’s voice came from behind.

Nora froze, her fingers clenched tight — but she didn’t answer.

What business was it of his?

“Miss Reynolds, a one-night whim and now you don’t want to take responsibility?”

His voice turned even colder, like a chill that cut through bone.

Nora spun around, furious.

“Watch your words.”

Yes, that night had been unforgettable — but not enough for her to endure this kind of arrogance.

“So you do remember.” Ethan’s voice was deceptively mild.

Nora’s temper flared.

“Tell me what exactly it is you want.”

His gaze was anything but innocent.

“If Miss Reynolds is willing, I don’t see why we can’t continue this… mistake of a relationship.”

Nora let out a laugh, her eyes narrowing.

“We barely know each other. Are you joking, Mr. Blake?”

Ethan’s tone was grave.

“I think last night is something you’ll never forget.”

Nora snapped, “I can’t give you anything official. Stop joking.”

She still planned to start something with Ryan — everyone else could step aside.

Ethan’s fingers hooked under her chin lightly. There was no real force, but the pressure was suffocating.

And he smelled of expensive cologne — sharp, luxurious, intoxicating.

“So you plan to date Ryan?”

Nora frowned in disgust.

“And what does that have to do with you?”

Ethan’s lips curved in a sharp smile, as if mocking her words.

“It does. We already have a relationship.”

“One-night stands are as common as grabbing a meal,” Nora shot back. “You’re Ryan’s friend. Haven’t you ever lived abroad?”

That made Ethan pause, then he gave a low, derisive laugh.

“Didn’t expect you to be so open-minded, Miss Reynolds.”

Nora flushed inwardly but kept her face calm.

“That’s right.”

Her innocent look paired with her stubborn words was almost comical.

“If you change your mind,” Ethan said with a faint smirk, “you know where to find me.”

He pocketed the necklace and handed her his business card — black with gold trim, stark and elegant. The signature wasn’t printed but digitally hand-signed.

Nora watched him walk away, crushed the card in her palm until it was wrinkled beyond recognition, then threw it to the ground and ground it under her heel.

Who said she’d ever change her mind? This man was far too sure of himself!

Just as she turned to leave, she nearly collided with a hard chest.

The man’s torso was like iron — it hurt — and anger surged through her as she looked up, only to find herself face-to-face with Adrian Cole.

Before she could speak, his iron arms clamped around her wrists.

“Who was that man just now? You cheating on me?”

At his domineering tone, Nora yanked her hands free with force, her face flushing hot.

“We’re getting divorced. You agreed to it!”

Adrian’s face darkened.

“I never agreed.”

Nora nearly laughed out loud. She wanted to curse him for being shameless — but then, from behind him, Vivian Lane appeared, slowly approaching.

Nora’s lips curved in a cold smile as she deliberately provoked him.

“Oh, really? And what about Vivian? Don’t you plan to make her official?”

All she saw was Vivian’s sharp, unfriendly face, her gaze like a blade that could cut Nora to pieces.

The angrier Vivian looked, the more delighted Nora felt.

Adrian’s brow furrowed.

“This is between you and me. Leave Vivian out of it.”

“She’s not your precious first love? Now that nothing stands in your way, shouldn’t you be together?”

Her tone dripped with sarcasm, but Adrian was already consumed by anger, too far gone to hear.

“How many times do I have to say it? Vivian and I are innocent.”

“Oh? And does Vivian think the same?” Nora’s voice suddenly rose, her gaze shifting straight to Vivian.

“Stay out of it!” Adrian growled.

Vivian’s tone softened, as if they weren’t standing in a battlefield.

“Nora, what are you saying? When have I ever tried to steal Adrian from you? Are you misunderstanding just because I came with him to the Reynolds house today?”

Vivian’s face changed from fury to polite warmth in an instant — like sleight of hand.

Nora could almost admire her. To play the innocent so well required skill.

But she could never do it. She wasn’t thick-skinned enough. Which was why, in Adrian’s eyes, she always came off as unreasonable and immature compared to Vivian.

“Nora, Adrian’s busy enough. Stop making things harder for him,” Vivian said sweetly.

Nora let out a short laugh.

“He’s the one pestering me. If you’re free now that you’re divorced, Vivian, you’re welcome to take him off my hands.”

“Nora, that’s not what I—”

“Spare me whatever excuse you’re about to make,” Nora cut her off, turning to Adrian.

“I’m getting this divorce, and you’d better get it done quickly before you regret it.”

With that, she lifted her dress and left.

She was so furious that even the garden — usually her favorite place — couldn’t calm her down.

She locked herself in her room to get some peace, but the moment she thought of that pair of hypocrites, her mood sank all over again.

Ryan’s text came in close to eight.

“Nora, I brought you a gift. Are you still at the party?”

Nora Reynolds forced herself to calm down, stepping out from the shadowed corridor. She suppressed her irritation as she typed on her phone, heading toward the gala hall—truthfully, she just wanted to avoid everyone, but clearly that wasn’t an option tonight.

When Nora reached the main ballroom, Adrian Cole and Vivian Lane were already gone.

Ryan Brooks was still trying to keep Ethan Blake from leaving, asking why he was running off so quickly.

“You never invite me to those dinners with Ron,” Ryan complained.

Ethan was silent for a moment, then opened his eyes again, sharp as a blade.

Ryan sighed. “Fine. Once I start my new job, we’ll see each other even less.”

“At least you’re back now,” Ethan said. “Compared to before, we’ll definitely meet more often.”

Ryan grinned. “Then next time, can you at least invite me to one of those meetings?”

“Pay the protection fee first,” Ethan replied with a smirk.

Ryan bared his teeth. “You’re such a hustler.”

Ethan clapped him on the shoulder, still with his back to Nora. “I’ve never actually hustled you out of any money.”

Then Ethan left. Ryan cursed under his breath before turning back and spotting Nora.

“You came?” he asked.

“I saw your message,” Nora replied.

Ryan handed her a beautiful blue velvet box. “Brought this back from a Christie’s auction.”

Nora opened it. “You even thought of me while you were overseas?”

Ryan smiled warmly, towering over her, and ruffled her soft hair.

“Our parents are both trying to set us up,” he said gently. “What do you think about that?”

Unlike Adrian, who was always tense and guarded, Ryan was gentle and composed. His soft-spoken manner and steady temperament soothed the hurt left on Nora’s heart by Ethan’s earlier words. She smiled.

“With your friend here just now, it wasn’t convenient to talk. But yes, I agree to date you, Ryan.”

Ryan’s smile deepened. “This is your little gift, Nora. Thank you for accepting me.”

Nora had never been coaxed so tenderly by a boyfriend before. Her nose stung with sudden warmth.

“Love goes both ways,” she said softly. “Next time, I’ll get you something.”

“Deal,” Ryan said, blinking playfully.

The gala ended close to midnight. Daniel Reynolds strode up to her, his long legs eating up the distance, brows slightly raised.

“I heard you’re going to date Ryan Brooks. Is that true?”

Nora looped her arm through his and smiled. “What do you think, big brother?”

Daniel frowned, his sharp features hard. “In theory, fine—but in practice, I still need to see what kind of man he is.”

Nora nearly laughed. Daniel was clearly on high alert. Then, he suddenly changed the subject.

“Nora, did you date anyone while you were overseas?”

Daniel’s expression was fierce, giving off the vibe of a father interrogating a wayward child.

She gave a nervous laugh. “Brother, did you hear something?”

Daniel let out a cold chuckle. “I heard something tonight that made Mom and Dad furious. How dare someone spread rumors about you?”

He gave her a sidelong glance, letting his words hang. Nora felt her chest tighten under the pressure.

“So?” Daniel pressed. “Did you or didn’t you?”

“No,” Nora said quickly, gritting her teeth.

She cursed Adrian silently in her heart—this troublemaker! It was bad enough he didn’t know who she really was, but to spread rumors to her father?

Just as Nora was about to escape, Daniel grabbed the sash of her dress.

“Stand still!” he barked.

“Mom and Dad want to see you. Come with me!”

“Nooo, Daniel, please—”

With Nora’s status in the Reynolds family, even the smallest ripple could trigger a full family meeting. Soon, she was sitting alone, facing the entire family.