"Ethan, it's my fault. Last night, I was celebrating Amelia's birthday, got way too excited, and drank a lot. I didn't mean for this to happen..."

Sabrina thought those marks were something flirty, but she didn't expect this explanation. She couldn't help but wonder-could Amelia have done this to mess with her? But looking at how clueless Amelia seemed, it didn't look like she had the brainpower for that.

"It's fine, as long as everyone's okay." Ethan had been a bit anxious earlier when Sabrina mentioned Amelia's injury.

"Sis, didn't you say you wanted tiramisu? Ethan and I are going to a gala tonight, so I can pick it up for you on the way." The true purpose of Sabrina's words lay in the latter half of her sentence, and her eyes gleamed with a flicker of pride.

"A gala? Can I come with you?" Amelia looked at her hopefully, her eyes lighting up.

"But Ethan only has two invitations," Sabrina replied.

Amelia's face fell, a trace of disappointment creeping through her expression.

"Well, I'm his fiancée. It's only logical for me to go with him." Amelia said this deliberately, but, deep down, she had no interest in attending with Ethan.

Showing a rare hint of generosity, Sabrina said, "Ethan, why don't you let my sister go with you?"

"You're coming with me, Sabrina." Ethan wasted no time with his response. After what happened last time, there was no way he wanted Amelia tagging along.

"Sis, don't worry. I'll keep an eye on Ethan for you and make sure no sleazy girls get near him." Sabrina glanced at Amelia with disdain. Who did she think she was, wanting to go to an event like this? Clearly, last time's embarrassment wasn't enough for her.

Amelia's inner thoughts: You're literally the biggest "sleazy girl" here.

Ethan's refusal to take Amelia wasn't random. The last time they went to an event together, Amelia had embarrassed him in front of everyone. While he had planned to network and make important connections, she showed up wearing tacky counterfeit clothes. People whispered behind their backs until Ethan was forced to leave early out of humiliation.

Those fake clothes? They'd been a "gift" from Sabrina, who had assured Amelia they were designer pieces brought over by a friend from abroad. Sabrina later claimed her friend had scammed her, and Amelia even comforted her for days.

Standing awkwardly, Amelia fidgeted with her fingers, the gesture making her seem as fragile as a little bunny. She looked up at Ethan, her voice soft, "Ethan, you really won't take me?"

Ethan's expression didn't waver. "I need someone with the elegance of a proper lady to go with me. Do you fit the bill, Amelia?"

Just thinking about last time-the whispers, the judging eyes-made Ethan's temper boil. Tonight's gala was even more important, and there was no way he'd let Amelia ruin it.

Sabrina already knew exactly what Ethan was worried about. Flashing him a sweet smile, she said, "Ethan, don't hold it against my sister. She grew up in the countryside for years; habits like that aren't easy to break."

Suddenly, Amelia's demeanor sharpened. She raised her head and locked eyes with Ethan. "If you think I'm so beneath you, then let's just call off the engagement."

Ethan froze, taken aback. For reasons he couldn't quite explain, a spark of panic flickered in his chest. It had to be the shock, that's all. "If Grandpa hadn't insisted on this, do you think I'd have chosen you myself?"

"Well, it's clear we're incompatible. Maybe it's better this way." Amelia had expected Ethan to jump at the chance to agree, but to her surprise, he hesitated. What was holding him back?

Sabrina's face clouded with contrived sadness. "Sis, I get it. You're still upset about me going to the gala with Ethan. If that's the case, I'll stay behind-"

Ethan cut her off with a cold laugh, his gaze hardening as it fell on Amelia. "Amelia, stop playing games. What is this? Another attempt at reverse psychology?"

Amelia was beyond speechless. Seriously, does everything have to be some kind of mind game? I meant what I said.

Sabrina tugged on Ethan's sleeve, pouting. "Ethan, why don't you take my sister instead? I don't want her to be upset because of me..."

Ethan shot Amelia a cold glance. "Forget it. Let's go." With that, he walked off with Sabrina.

Amelia watched them leave, her gaze cooling slightly.

Not long after, Sabrina returned.

"Sis, I've got great news!" she said with a bright smile.

Amelia sighed softly. "The only good news right now would be going to that party with Ethan... but I know that's not happening."

"Who says it's not?" Sabrina handed her an envelope, grinning. "Here-I got you an invitation from a friend."

Amelia opened it and peeked inside, her face lighting up. "Sabrina, thank you! This really means a lot!"

"I didn't tell Ethan," Sabrina added quickly. "He might get upset, so keep this between us, okay? Don't let anyone know I gave it to you." Her eyes gleamed slyly. So easy to fool.

Just like last time-Amelia had taken the fake invitation straight to the venue, excited, only to be stopped at the door and thrown out by security. They nearly called the police.

When Richard found out, he'd been furious and slapped Amelia so hard her face stayed swollen for half a month.

And Sabrina? She played the innocent victim perfectly-claimed she'd been scammed by a ticket scalper and spent a fortune on a fake invite. Poor Amelia got caught in the crossfire. Richard didn't even scold Sabrina; he comforted her instead.

Amelia took Sabrina's hand gently. "You're really the best sister. Don't worry, I won't say a word."

Sabrina paused. Why did that sound a little... off? Almost like Amelia's tone was colder than usual? No, must be overthinking. Tonight's going to be a disaster for Amelia. Can't wait to watch the show.

*****

Later that afternoon, Amelia headed out.

She didn't have a car at the Johnson residence. She'd brought it up once before, but Grace told Richard, "Amelia grew up in the countryside. She's not familiar with the city-it's not safe for her to drive."

After that, Amelia never mentioned it again.

In truth, she did have a car-it was just parked at Rowan's place.

Rowan lived in one of the most upscale neighborhoods in the capital-Rosemont Heights.

The moment Amelia arrived, Rowan all but pounced on her. "You're finally here! I thought you were going full hermit on me."

Amelia gave him a flat look and pushed him away. "Let's not bring up my past foolishness, okay?"

"Fine, fine-whatever you say, as long as you've come back to your senses." Then Rowan noticed the bag Amelia was holding and raised his brows. "Wait, don't tell me someone like you actually fell for a knockoff?"

"Sabrina gave it to me," Amelia said, tossing the bag onto the table like it was nothing more than trash. "Wore it once and got mocked all day."

Rowan let out a low whistle. "Then why wear it in the first place?"

"I didn't know it was fake. She told me it was a limited edition straight from overseas." There was a bitter edge to Amelia's voice. Back then, she trusted Sabrina too much to doubt her. "It's barely worth using as a rag now."

"You think your sister knew it was fake?" Rowan asked.

Amelia let out a humorless laugh. "Of course she did. That was the whole point-she wanted me humiliated."

"So much for being 'super nice' to you," Rowan muttered. "I always thought she treated you pretty well."

Amelia sighed. "Rowan, you're literally the only person I can trust."

Rowan's expression shifted, the teasing gone. "What happened?"

Amelia met his gaze steadily. "It's been happening all along. I just didn't see it until now."

"If living at the Johnson house is hell, then move in here," Rowan said, surprisingly serious. "You know this place is yours whenever you want."

Amelia nodded. "Yeah."

But now wasn't the time. She hadn't done anything wrong. If someone had to leave, it should be that two-faced mother-daughter pair.

Amelia rubbed her stomach. "I'm starving. I'm going to grab something to eat."

The moment she stepped outside, Rowan opened the bag she had brought, spread the counterfeit items on the floor, and began taking a few photos.

*****

What Amelia didn't expect was to run right into him-right at the neighborhood entrance.

Running into Amelia here surprised Damien. "I didn't expect to see you in this neighborhood, Miss Johnson. Do you live around here?"

"My friend lives here," Amelia answered with a light smile. "I was just heading to the supermarket."

"I'm going there myself," Damien replied.

"What a coincidence. Shall we go together, then?" It was mostly a polite gesture-after all, she barely knew him, and shopping together might feel a bit awkward.

"Sure," Damien said calmly, though there was a faint warmth in his eyes.

Amelia found Damien surprisingly approachable-not at all like the cold, distant man rumors made him out to be.

Earlier that day, she had looked him up online out of curiosity. Among the business articles, she stumbled upon a few gossip pieces-including speculation that Damien might prefer men. No wonder he didn't make a move last night, she thought. Maybe he really isn't interested in women.

But then again, a man like Damien-at the top of the social ladder-could have anyone he wanted. Even if he did like women, she doubted he'd take notice of someone like her.

After picking up some snacks, they walked back toward the villas.

When Damien continued alongside her, Amelia tilted her head slightly. "Which villa is yours, Mr. Taylor?"

"Right next to your friend's," he replied.

"You knew my friend lives in Number Sixteen?" Amelia looked surprised.

"There are only two villas on this lane. It wasn't hard to guess," Damien said mildly.

Amelia nodded, not thinking too much of it.

As soon as she entered Rowan's villa, Damien made a quick call. "Check if Villa Fifteen at Rosemont Heights is still on the market."

Two minutes later, his assistant called back. "Master Taylor, it's still available."

"I'll take it. Bring me the keys within ten minutes."

The keys arrived quickly-but it wasn't his assistant who delivered them. It was Liam Taylor, his younger brother.

"You already have a place here. Why buy another?" Liam grinned teasingly. "Don't tell me you're planning to keep someone here?"

Damien shot him a sidelong glance. "What gave it away?"

"Wait-seriously?!" Liam's eyes went wide.

Damien didn't answer. He simply unlocked the door to the fully furnished villa.

Liam followed eagerly. "Bro, you have to tell me! The whole family's waiting for good news!"

Damien didn't look at him. "Replace all the furniture. I want it styled like the old house."

"Who is she?!" Liam's face lit up with gossip.

"Start now," was all Damien said.

"Is she pretty? Nice figure?" Liam was practically bouncing with curiosity. So many society girls had tried to get close to Damien, with no success. He couldn't wait to meet the one who'd actually caught his brother's eye.

Damien's expression didn't change. "If you're not doing it, leave."

"No perks, no work," Liam bargained with a sly smile.

Damien raised a brow. "What do you want?"

"That Black Feather sports car of yours." Liam's eyes gleamed.

Damien gave him a look that clearly said, Don't push it.

"Come on, bro, you don't even race. That car's wasted on you. Give it to me-I'll make it shine." Liam turned on the puppy-dog eyes.

"Take any of the others. Not that one." Damien didn't care much for cars, but the Black Feather was different.

*****

Next door, at Villa Sixteen-

Amelia tore open a bag of chips and flopped onto the sofa, flipping through channels. "You know Master Taylor, right?"

Rowan, mid-sip of milk, shot her a puzzled look. "Of course. Why?"

"He lives next door. Did you know that?"

Rowan shook his head. "No way. That place has been empty for ages."

"It's his. He just doesn't stay there often."

Rowan frowned. "And how exactly do you know that?"

"I ran into him at the gate. We even went grocery shopping together."

Rowan leaned over and pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. "Are you feeling okay? It's the middle of the day-you sound like you're hallucinating."

"You might not believe it, but yesterday we-"

Just then, the doorbell chimed crisply through the house.