"Julie, don’t give those rags a single second of your time!" Laura Taylor’s voice practically trembled with frustration over the phone. "It’s all garbage—they just pull cheap stunts for clicks!"

"You belong with this family. No one else gets that spot."

"I tried to get ahold of Cameron to give him a piece of my mind… couldn’t reach him, so I just let it all out to Jeremiah instead."

"Thank you, Mrs. Taylor. I’m holding up okay," Julie Morgan replied in that soft, steady way of hers.

Laura sighed in relief. "Julie, honey, you’re just too sweet and too forgiving. Cameron does care about you—he just has those infuriating blind spots. Don’t you worry, once you’re married I’ll make sure he learns how to treat you right."

The idea that he cared about her…

That’s what the entire Taylor family kept insisting, over and over.

Julie had let herself believe it too, once. But reality taught her: empty words without real love behind them mean empty feelings, too. If that wasn’t true, how could she—who’d once loved Cameron so deeply it ached—be hiding what she’d already decided?

Expecting a man who’s checked out before the wedding to turn around after?

That’s a pipe dream.

In the end, she just couldn’t bring herself to say the words: I’m breaking up with him.

Calling off this engagement, the person Julie felt guiltiest toward was Mrs. Taylor.

But she figured Laura would find out soon enough anyway.

The staff and maids at The Carlton aren’t exactly known for keeping secrets.

...

"Julie, you’re covering the Film Gala tonight with Ryan Dunn," Khloe Boyd instructed, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Sophie Chavez will be there. See if you can get her to slip up and spill something. If she admits it on the record? We’ll see if Cameron dares actually sue you."

The Film Gala was notoriously rigged when it came to awards, and every seasoned reporter in the department wanted nothing to do with it. Khloe had had someone else lined up first, but swapping in Julie—an easygoing newcomer—didn’t get a single objection. Instead, everyone cheered her on.

"Good luck, Julie! Dig up the scoop and blow Cameron’s fake perfect cover!"

"We’ve got your back, girl!"

"Just catch Sophie in a compromising position—any compromising position—and you win the whole thing!"

What a load of crap…

Khloe nodded. "Harsh but fair. Go give it everything you’ve got, Julie."

Even though Silas had promised to back her, everyone knew a full-on fight between Taylor Group and Morgan Enterprises would hurt both bad. If Cameron actually tried to sue Julie over this, would Inertia Publications really risk their relationship with two corporate giants just for one rookie reporter?

They’d throw her under the bus before the ink even dried on the lawsuit.

Khloe looked at Julie’s stunning face and sighed quiet to herself.

Such a talented, beautiful girl. Just plain unlucky.

She’d hit the jackpot with her very first story, only to come crashing down right after.

Getting tangled up with Cameron Taylor— that cold, ruthless tycoon—was gonna cost her everything.

...

Ryan had already set up the camera, hanging back out of sight.

At tonight’s Gala, Sophie Chavez was keeping her mouth glued shut. Reporters swarmed her, but her bodyguards held them all off.

"Miss Chavez! Is it true you’re dating Cameron Taylor?"

"Sophie, over here! Is that an engagement ring on your finger?"

"Ms. Chavez, you’ve confirmed your relationship—when’s Cameron gonna do the same?"

"Ms. Chavez, rumor has it Cameron’s suing for defamation over these dating reports—what’s your response to that?"

Sophie ignored every question, holding that plastered-perfect smile while her bodyguards ushered her away.

Julie didn’t bother joining the pack.

She and Ryan were already posted up outside Sophie’s hotel, waiting for the real story to come out.

Khloe had handed her this chance to "change her fate"—and she knew full well how brutal Cameron’s legal team was.

Still…

Julie scanned the crowd of other reporters lurking all around.

She wasn’t the only one who’d thought of this play.

"Waiting around all night might get us nowhere," she thought.

Everyone was gunning to catch Cameron and Sophie together.

Cameras were trained dead on Sophie’s hotel room windows, just desperate for a single shadow of a silhouette.

But the thing was… Cameron wasn’t even in town.

"I’m gonna go try my luck," Julie said, letting down the pinned-up twist she’d worn all day.

Ryan froze for half a second, stunned by how her hair cascaded down her back, then pulled himself together. "Julie, this is The Carlton. How the hell do you plan on getting up to the fifteenth?"

The Carlton’s a five-star, members-only spot. No membership card, you only get access to the first ten floors. And Sophie Chavez was staying in the top-tier VIP suite on the fifteenth.

Julie stepped aside from the thick hedge lining the entrance. "I have one."

It was a gift from Laura Taylor.

Digging into your ex-fiancé’s new romance was guaranteed to hurt like hell.

But Julie needed this job. Needed the money—her little sister Maryam was still in the hospital, her life hanging by a thread.

Getting more solid evidence would only improve her odds of coming out on top.

If Cameron wanted to sue her? So be it.

Julie was ready to stand her ground.

His lawsuit would just be the launching pad for her career.

Ryan watched Julie walk into the hotel lobby.

Under the dazzling chandelier lights, her slender, graceful figure glowed with that quiet, innate elegance. No one would’ve guessed she was a reporter chasing a scoop.

Ryan rubbed his eyes.

Thinking back to how Silas Olson acted around Julie…

Was this rich heir actually hiding his girlfriend in the company to help her build her career?

...

Julie checked in for a suite on the fifteenth floor.

The receptionist was about to turn her down, but one glance at the name on the membership card brought the manager running over, and her check-in was done in two minutes flat.

Julie breathed out soft, slow.

She’d been worried Sophie had booked the entire floor just for herself.

Thankfully, Laura Taylor’s membership card carried more than enough weight.

She was alone in the VIP elevator. As it climbed higher, her phone rang—an unexpected call from Sophie Chavez herself.

"Miss Morgan. I’m sure you’ve seen the news."

Sophie’s voice oozed smugness, thick with the kind of victory that begged to be recognized.

Julie didn’t even flinch. "Seen what?"

"The reports about me and Cameron," Sophie laughed. "We picked out a ring yesterday. It’s official. Surely you’ve heard that?"

"Is that so?" Julie replied, as calm as still water. "Last I heard, he’s suing those same reports for defamation. This announcement sounds like it’s just your side of the story. Cameron hasn’t said a word."

Sophie’s tone shifted. Her composure cracked, rattled by how unshaken Julie was.

"Julie Morgan, unlike you, I actually have a family name to protect.""

"Our relationship will get its formal announcement on an auspicious date. Right now, Cameron’s staying quiet to keep it from messing up the strategic merger between our companies."

Julie’s calm, cool demeanor stoked a ravenous urge in Sophie to prove herself. She lashed out immediately, “Even if reporters grill him, he’ll just deny it for now. But the engagement ring we picked out together, every memory we shared—those don’t just disappear overnight.”

"Sometimes what you see isn’t what it looks like," Julie murmured quietly back.

Sophie let out a sharp, bitter laugh of frustration. “The lifestyle section of the *Observer Times* dropped a deep dive today, picking apart my seven-year relationship with Cameron. It’s already gone viral. You should check it out—every single word is true.”

Julie’s tone stayed ice-cold as she answered, “You’d bet your entire family’s reputation on that, huh?”

"Hell yes! I’m the Chavez family’s oldest daughter—my word is my bond!" Sophie shot back.

"Alright, I get it. I wish the two of you the best."

After hanging up, Julie hurried out of the elevator and ducked into the stairwell, where she immediately started editing the audio recording of their call. She cut every reference to her own family, tweaked her voice slightly to muffle it, and fired the file straight to Khloe Boyd’s email.

"Khloe," she said when her call connected, her voice steady as a rock, "I’ve got a recording of Sophie Chavez admitting the relationship. It’s in your inbox."

"No way! That’s incredible!" Khloe burst out, shocked. She’d seen Sophie’s earlier interview, knew how tight-lipped she’d been the whole time. "You pulled off what the entire gossip industry couldn’t—you’re seriously this department’s lucky star!"

Julie let herself relax a little. Logically, she didn’t need to do anything more. But the more dirt she had on them, the more leverage she held, right?

She called Ryan next. "Ryan, I need you on standby tonight. I’ll tweak my plans as I go and keep you updated."

Should she meet Sophie face-to-face? Julie double-checked that the tiny hidden camera was tucked discretely to the side of her bag. Cameron, you left me no other choice…

Up on the fifteenth floor of the Ritz Carlton, the elevator doors slid open. Cameron was walking out, already listening to Jeremiah’s call.

"Mr. Taylor, hotel management just tipped us off—Mrs. Taylor got into the city and checked into the fifteenth floor of the Ritz!"

Cameron froze mid-step. "Did they spot her?"

"I didn’t push for that, but her membership card doesn’t lie," Jeremiah answered, back at the office wrapping up loose ends. Cameron had been pulling two all-nighters in a row by this point, and laying low felt way safer than blowing up. Jeremiah had cleared out the entire fifteenth floor to keep everyone safe.

The hotel never let anyone else stay this floor unless they were immediate family, anyway. Remembering the screaming calls Laura Taylor had made earlier that week, Jeremiah added a warning: "Mr. Taylor, she’s pretty furious right now."

"What room is she in?" Cameron asked.

"Be careful, sir—she’s right next doo—"

Cameron went completely still, his gaze locking straight on the door marked 1553. He stood there for a long beat, then ducked into the adjacent stairwell. Years of dealing with his mother’s temper had taught him: never confront her when she’s this heated.

Julie, who’d just finished prepping her gear and was about to step out of the stairwell, collided straight with someone coming in. Their eyes locked—both of them just as shocked as the other.

The staircase was dimly lit by a cool blue glow, like the dappled light dancing beneath the ocean’s surface. It wrapped around Julie Morgan soft, and for a split second, Cameron Taylor barely recognized her. She’d vanished from his life out of nowhere, only to pop back up just as suddenly. It felt like a tidal wave had crashed straight into his chest—tonight, Julie looked like a total stranger.

She wore a black long-sleeve polo pullover accented with bold pops of color, paired with dark skinny jeans and crisp white sneakers that showed off her long, slim legs perfectly. The whole look was bright, effortless, chic without trying too hard.

Cameron couldn’t even remember the last time he’d seen Julie in anything other than her signature frilly Victorian-style dresses. Ever since they’d first met, that’s all she’d ever worn, predictable as the turn of the seasons. Her straight black hair used to fall down her back like a straight, disciplined waterfall. But tonight? She’d dumped that whole old-fashioned debutante look. Her hair fell in soft loose curls around her shoulders, and she looked… almost like a whole new person.

Something was different about her. And yet, when he looked closer, she was still the same Julie: her skin glowed pale as fresh snow, her eyes sparkled like starlight, her hair was black as midnight. No words could ever do her beauty justice.

Suddenly, Cameron’s whole demeanor shifted. His face went cold, sharp, dangerous. "Having fun?" he bit out. He’d thought her disappearance was her finally running off to find her little independence. But here she was, just as determined to get under his skin as ever, her stupid little schemes just as clever and persistent as they’d always been. She’d left on purpose just to follow him here. If he hadn’t wandered into this stairwell by accident, he never would’ve even known she was lurking around!

Stirring up chaos in the Taylor family and creeping after him—she must’ve gotten a kick out of watching Laura Taylor chew him out because of her. Did Julie Morgan really think she could cash in on her family’s old favors to the Taylors to get what she wanted?

Julie pulled herself together fast. When Cameron burst in, she’d almost thought he was a hallucination. Just last night he’d been at The Gardens, warning her not to stay out too late. And now here he was, in Imperial City, at The Ritz, in the fifteenth floor stairwell.

But then it clicked. If Sophie Chavez was here, of course Cameron would be too. They were clearly so hooked on each other they couldn’t stand to be apart for five minutes, which made her last thirteen years feel like one big, stupid joke.

A cold chill crept slow into her chest, then melted into the familiar ache. Julie unclenched her fists and adjusted her shoulder bag like it was no big deal. "Cameron, is it true? You and Sophie Chavez are officially together?"

The words barely left her mouth before Cameron’s face went even darker, his expression a raging storm of fury and disbelief.

"So that’s why you followed me here? Stole my mom’s club membership card, pretended to be her?" Cameron shot back, disgust curling in his eyes. "But wake up, Julie Morgan. No one wants to play these stupid little games with you. Did you think these tacky stunts would ever make me respect you?"

Running away from home, chasing after him, trying to drive a wedge between him and his mom—It was all for nothing.

Cameron grabbed her arm, his grip so tight it didn’t budge. "Julie Morgan, cut this pitiful act. I’ve seen through your petty little schemes for years."

Pain bloomed from her already bruised arm, crawling up to her shoulder. Cameron’s words, his whole attitude, were like daggers stabbing straight into her. In the past, every time Cameron got this cold, threw these cutting words at her, Julie would back off, run from the fight. To protect herself, she’d gotten good at being small and scared, staying out of his sight or crying where he couldn’t see.

She’d swallow the pain, use the old sweet memories to bandage the wound, lie to herself until she went numb. She never bothered to tell the difference between his kindness and his cruelty. But now? The old familiar hurt only made her pause.

She pressed down on the tight ache in her chest and forced herself to hold Cameron’s gaze steady. "You still haven’t answered my question," she insisted, refusing to back down. "Yesterday afternoon Sophie made it official, and this morning The Times ran a whole detailed story on you two…"

"You actually believe that?" Cameron scoffed. "You were almost a journalist, Julie. Don’t you know what these people are like?"

His words jabbed her both personally and professionally—two cuts for the price of one.

Julie slowed her breathing to get her emotions under control. "I read the article. The reporter laid out clear logic, solid evidence…"

Cameron cut her off, his tone arrogant and ice-cold. "I call it lies and gutter gossip." He sneered, "…just like you."

If she didn’t know for a fact Cameron had no clue she worked for The Times, Julie would’ve sworn he knew she’d written that article. How else could he insult both her and all reporters in one smooth go?

Julie pressed her lips together, tucking her hurt away deep. "Cameron Taylor, answer my original question. Are you and Sophie Chavez officially together?"

Tonight, she needed that answer. For it, she’d take any hurt he could throw at her. Even if it broke her for good, she needed to hear him say it.

What did she have left to be scared of? After all these years, from the inside out, was there any part of her he hadn’t already touched?

Silas Olson once said Julie was a natural interrogator—never easy to provoke, always clear-headed, always focused. No matter how her opponent dodged or changed the subject, once she locked on her target, she never let go. She’d wait for her opening, find the crack, then strike without mercy.

But with Cameron, all those skills went right out the window. He’d burrowed into her heart, roots tangled so deep in her bones he controlled every single thought she had. Every confrontation felt like she was torturing herself. And he just stood there watching, cold, full of disdain, almost laughing at her pain.

"What now? Pestering didn’t work, so you’re pulling the jealousy card? Competing with Sophie Chavez—are you even worthy?" Cameron mocked.

Julie turned away to hide the prickle of tears behind her eyes. The green glow of the emergency exit sign seemed to mock her too, cruel and unrelenting.

Right. She wasn’t worthy. An orphan with no one, kept afloat by the Taylor family’s charity—how could she ever measure up to him, the golden heir to the entire Taylor legacy?

Even with pain screaming through every inch of her, Julie forced herself to ask one last time. "So you and Sophie Chavez really are together, aren’t you?"

When she finished, she tightened her grip on her bag, certain the hidden camera inside had caught every last one of Cameron’s expressions…