The car pulled up in front of one of Draesdale's most famous buildings, the Axis Building. Claire and her friend headed straight for the top floor.

Rylie slipped her arm around Claire's shoulders and nudged her forward. "Come on, lift your head. You're finally free." A mischievous grin spread across her face. "Tonight we're celebrating properly. I'll hire ten male escorts with perfect abs and throw you the wildest party you've ever seen."

Despite herself, Claire felt the corner of her mouth lift into a faint smile.

Then Rylie suddenly reached up.

In one swift motion, she removed the thick black glasses from Claire's face. With an easy flick of her wrist, she tossed them straight into a nearby trash can.

Without those frames hiding her features, Claire's face immediately looked sharper and clearer.

Her smooth forehead and bright eyes now stood out under the lights, every detail visible without obstruction.

"Much better," Rylie said as she studied her closely, clearly pleased with the result.

Not long afterward, Claire found herself sitting upright before a vanity mirror.

The woman reflected in the glass barely resembled the dull version of herself she had shown the world for years.

Her once straight hair had been styled into soft waves that framed her face and made her look vivid and striking. Her makeup remained simple, almost natural, except for the bold touch of red lipstick.

The realization struck her like a sudden jolt. The woman staring back in the mirror was nothing like the quiet, easily ignored Claire the Willis family had grown accustomed to overlooking.

From the velvet sofa, Rylie stretched comfortably and watched with a pleased smile. "I told you," she sneered with confidence. "With a face like yours, all it takes is a little effort and you'll turn every head in the room."

Even the stylist, who worked with beautiful women every day, couldn't hide his reaction. "That's unbelievable..." he murmured under his breath.

Claire remained silent as she studied the reflection before her.

For years, she had deliberately concealed this face.

Her mind drifted back to her mother during those final moments. Martha Lloyd's frail hand had gripped hers tightly, her breath so faint it barely carried her words. "Claire... beauty invites lies. It makes people use you. Hide it. If you look plain, you'll stay safe."

Claire had believed every word.

Her mother had once been known for her beauty, yet that same beauty had drawn men who manipulated and deceived her until she was trapped in a marriage that felt like a prison. In the end, neglect and cruelty destroyed her spirit—and soon after, she passed away.

When everything fell apart, Claire had been left behind and sent to an orphanage.

From that moment on, she buried herself beneath layers meant to erase her presence. Thick bangs hid her forehead. Oversized glasses masked her eyes. Pale powder dulled her skin, and loose clothing swallowed her figure.

Piece by piece, she had transformed herself into someone ordinary enough to be ignored.

Back then, she had even convinced herself that Cade might be different. She thought he might look past appearances and appreciate who she truly was.

She had been mistaken.

Concealing who she truly was had never protected her. If anything, it had only made people more comfortable showing their contempt and cruelty.

That meant one thing. She would no longer hide.

"Claire," Rylie called out as she stepped up beside Claire, her tone suddenly serious. "From this moment on, be yourself and stop shrinking into the background. You deserve to live in the light and have the best life possible."

Slowly, Claire raised her hand and brushed her fingertips across her cheek as if testing the reality of what she saw.

"You're right. Let's go," Claire remarked as she stood up. Her voice sounded calm, yet there was a quiet determination in it that was impossible to ignore. "We have somewhere to go."

...

Meanwhile, inside a private VIP room at the hospital, Dina rested against the headboard of her bed. Her complexion looked pale, and an IV tube was taped to the back of her hand.

"Cade... I'm sorry. I made you worry again," she muttered softly, her voice trembling just enough to sound fragile. "I only felt a little dizzy. It's an old problem that comes and goes."

Sitting beside the bed, Cade took her hand gently in his. His voice carried a warmth he rarely showed anyone else. "Don't apologize. Your health matters, so you have to be careful. What did the doctor tell you?"

"It's nothing serious. I only need a little rest," Dina responded with a gentle smile, her eyes resting on his face with quiet gratitude. "Cade... being able to return to your side again makes me truly happy."

A faint warmth stirred in Cade's chest. He was just about to respond when his phone vibrated.

Lowering his gaze, he saw a message from his assistant, Nigel George. "Sir, Ms. Lloyd has already moved out. She signed the divorce agreement as well. Regarding the asset transfer and the additional fifty-million settlement, should we begin processing it now?"

That quickly?

Cade frowned. He had imagined she would hesitate. He expected tears, arguments, or even pleas.

Given her feelings for him, he assumed she would use her efforts over the past three years as leverage in some way.

For a moment, a faint and unfamiliar emotion passed through his mind. It was so slight that he did not even pause long enough to identify it.

Then Dina coughed softly beside him, and the thought disappeared completely.

"What happened?" she asked with gentle concern. "Is there a problem at the company?"

Cade locked the screen and slipped the phone back into his pocket. When he turned back to her, a calm and reassuring smile returned to his face. "It's nothing important. You should rest. I'll stay here with you."

After some time, Dina finally drifted into sleep. Once she was resting, Cade stepped out into the hospital corridor, where Nigel was already waiting. The assistant quickly handed him a tablet, barely able to hide the excitement on his face.

"Mr. Willis," Nigel said eagerly, "we just received new information about Dr. L."

A shadow crossed Cade's eyes. "Are you certain about this?"

Dr. L had long been spoken about like a legend within the medical world. The mysterious doctor had once caused the wealthiest and most powerful people across the globe to compete fiercely for a single appointment.

Then three years ago, the figure disappeared completely, leaving behind no clues.

Dina had always been physically fragile. With her current pregnancy, the risks had grown even greater.

If anyone had the ability to protect both her and the child during delivery, it would be Dr. L.

If that elusive figure had truly reappeared, it meant more than just good news for Cade. To him, it was the only hope left.

Nigel paused for a moment before continuing, "Mr. Willis, there's another matter you should know about. Dylan Morgan, the head of Morgan Group, has also begun searching for Dr. L. From what we've heard, it's for his grandfather, Toby Morgan."

Cade's brows tightened slightly. "Have they discovered anything yet?"

"So far, nothing solid," Nigel replied. "But Morgan Group has already spread the word. Anyone who provides reliable information or helps secure Dr. L's help will receive a generous reward. On top of that, they'll gain priority consideration for future business partnerships."

Cade's thoughts shifted instantly.

For years, Willis Group had been trying to establish closer ties with the Morgan family, especially in the field of medical investments. If this situation could open that door, it might become the opportunity he had been waiting for.

"Mobilize every connection we have," Cade instructed in a calm but decisive voice. "We need to find Dr. L before anyone else does."

"Understood, Mr. Willis."

...

That evening, the most exclusive private club in the downtown district, Nimbus, glowed brightly under a sea of lights.

By the time Claire and Rylie stepped into their reserved private room, the atmosphere inside was already lively.

"Claire!" A young man with silver-gray hair rushed toward her immediately, his arms spread wide as if preparing to pull her into a hug. Claire smoothly shifted to the side, leaving him embracing nothing but empty space.

"Nate," she said with a faint smile. "You're still as noisy as ever."

"I can't help it. I'm excited!" Nate said as he rubbed the back of his head, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. The well-known racer in their circle looked thrilled. "You've finally come back. The men on my team keep talking about you. They still say no one has managed to beat your lap record."

While he spoke, another man approached with a drink in hand. His thin wire-rim glasses caught the light as he examined Claire with the calm scrutiny of someone evaluating a patient. "You look perfectly fine," he said with a sharp smile. "That miserable marriage didn't seem to drain you the way it could have. Even so, I'm still giving you a full checkup later. I'll handle it myself."

This was Kenneth, a medical prodigy who could appear relaxed in a party setting yet still give people the unsettling feeling that he was holding a scalpel somewhere behind his back.

Across the room, a thin young man wearing a hoodie remained focused on the laptop in front of him. He never even lifted his head as his fingers raced across the keyboard. "Claire, I've already slipped through the Willis family's surveillance system. I can monitor their movements for the next three months. And if you want, I could create a little problem for Cade's finances."

This was Zayne, a shadow within the cyber world who could break into nearly any system he chose.

"No need for that." Claire settled onto the sofa and accepted the drink Rylie passed to her. "My ties with the Willis family are finished. I'm cutting them off completely."

"Finished?" Jemma, a renowned jewelry designer, lifted her head from the tablet she had been studying and pushed her glasses higher on the bridge of her nose. "No, that's not enough. They don't deserve a clean exit. They owe you, and they should repay that debt piece by piece."

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a folder and slid it across the table. "Take a look at this. I created it especially for you. My newest jewelry line, 'Rebirth.' Every design was inspired by you." Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "The theme is transformation. Thorns, flames, wings rising after the ashes. When you step back into the spotlight, you'll wear these pieces. I want the entire world to feel your return."

Claire opened the folder and studied the pages. The sketches of the jewelry were breathtaking, so striking they almost made her pause.

Back when she married into the Willis family, she had poured all her time and energy into Cade. The friendships from her past gradually faded because she stopped reaching for that life altogether.

Yet despite the years that had passed, these people were still here, standing beside her just as they always had.

A quiet warmth spread through her chest.

Lowering her gaze, Claire took a sip of the drink. The alcohol slid down her throat with a sharp burn, a taste she hadn't allowed herself to enjoy for a long time.

Not long afterward, Rylie's phone began to ring, and she stepped outside to answer it.

Claire stood up a moment later and made her way toward the restroom.

She had barely stepped out when a man staggered into the hallway and blocked her path, the heavy smell of alcohol clinging to him.

"Well now. A beautiful woman walking around alone? Come join me for a drink." The man looked to be in his early thirties and wore a gaudy shirt that made him stand out even more. His gaze wandered over her with drunken confidence.

Claire's face remained calm. She gave him a brief, uninterested glance and attempted to move past him.

"Hey, hold on." The man reached out as she tried to leave. "What, you think you're too good for me? Anyone who comes to a place like this is here for a good time. And I have plenty of money. You—"

Before his hand could touch her, another hand suddenly appeared and caught his wrist in midair. The long, firm fingers tightened with crushing strength.

"Ow—hey! That hurts!" the man shouted, instantly sobering as the pain cut through the alcohol haze.

Claire lifted her eyes.

At some point, a man dressed in a dark gray suit had stepped between them without her noticing.

He stood tall with broad shoulders, his frame sharp beneath a perfectly tailored suit that looked as though it had been made specifically for him.

Even from behind, the man carried an unmistakable presence, the kind that spoke of power and authority that few people would dare challenge.

The stranger tilted his head slightly. The moment his cold gaze landed on the drunken man, the atmosphere in the hallway seemed to freeze.

"M-Mr. Morgan?" the man stammered as recognition struck him. The color drained from his face instantly, and his voice trembled. "I—I'm sorry. I didn't realize she was with you. I'll leave right away."

The drunk man staggered away in a panic, almost tripping over his own feet as he hurried down the corridor.

Claire stared at the man in front of her, a flicker of surprise catching in her chest.

Dylan Morgan—the man who currently controlled the powerful Morgan family in Draesdale. His name alone carried enough influence to make even the financial world uneasy. People described him as cold and ruthless, the type of figure most only encountered across a negotiation table, and even that was rare.

He almost never appeared at public gatherings. No one had ever heard of him stepping forward to help someone like this.

Why would he intervene for her?

For a moment, Dylan remained facing away from her.

He slowly took out a dark gray handkerchief and carefully wiped the fingers that had grabbed the drunk man's wrist, as though even that brief contact had been unpleasant.

Only after finishing did he turn around. His eyes settled on Claire's face.

His expression showed nothing. No warmth, no curiosity, no emotion at all. His gaze remained calm and unreadable.

Then something changed.

The moment he saw her clearly, his movement halted.

The hesitation lasted less than a heartbeat. It was so brief that Claire almost convinced herself she had imagined it.

A faint, unreadable glimmer crossed Dylan's dark eyes before his expression returned to its usual calm stillness.

Claire spoke first. "Thank you." Her voice carried a clean, steady tone.

"It wasn't anything," he replied, his deep voice distant and indifferent.

Her mind drifted back to something Rylie had mentioned in the car earlier.

"Besides Cade searching for Dr. L, Dylan Morgan has been looking for Dr. L, too. Apparently, it's for his grandfather's heart problem."

Claire raised her eyes and met Dylan's gaze directly. "I don't like leaving debts unpaid. Maybe I can repay you with a small favor."

A subtle spark of interest appeared in Dylan's eyes.

"No." His answer came immediately, firm and decisive.

Claire continued speaking as if she hadn't heard the refusal at all. "Mr. Morgan, you're searching for Dr. L, aren't you?"

Dylan's expression sharpened, and his eyes locked onto her with sudden intensity. "What exactly do you know?"

"I can treat your grandfather." Claire didn't hesitate. Her tone stayed steady and unflinching.

The darkness in Dylan's gaze deepened as suspicion quietly filled the space between them. "Who are you?"

"My name is Claire Lloyd," she answered without the slightest pause. "Your grandfather's heart condition has been worsening, and the medication he's taking now is losing its effect. Isn't that correct?"

For a brief moment, Dylan went completely still.

His grandfather's illness was one of the Morgan family's most tightly guarded secrets. Even the doctors responsible for the treatment had been forced to sign strict confidentiality agreements.

Yet this woman had described the situation with unsettling accuracy.

"Then prove it," Dylan muttered quietly, though the pressure in his voice was unmistakable.

Claire opened her clutch and removed a small glass vial containing several dark brown pills.

"This will help with the pain he feels at night," she explained calmly. "When the symptoms start, let him place one beneath his tongue. It will take effect in about five minutes, and the relief will last for roughly six hours. There are no side effects."

Claire extended the small vial toward him. "Have a doctor you trust examine it first. After that, let him try a single dose. If it works, then we can talk about the rest of the treatment."

From the far end of the hallway, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed, followed by Rylie's voice calling out, "Claire? Where did you go?"

Without hesitation, Claire placed the vial into Dylan's hand.

"Whether you trust it or not is up to you," she remarked calmly. "If you decide you want the treatment, call this number."

She quietly recited the digits, gave him a slight nod, and turned away to walk toward Rylie.

Dylan remained standing in the same spot. His eyes stayed on the small vial resting in his palm, his expression unreadable.

...

About thirty minutes later, inside the underground parking garage beneath Nimbus, Rylie slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. Her irritation was obvious. "That jerk Cade. You only just signed the divorce papers, and he's already preparing an engagement party for Dina."

Claire's hand paused on the seat belt. "An engagement party?"

"Yeah," Rylie replied with frustration. "This Saturday. Three days from now. It's happening at the Halcyon Hotel. Invitations have already been sent out. He can't wait to announce it publicly, like he's desperate for everyone to know how deeply in love they are."

Rylie's anger kept building as she gripped the steering wheel. "I'm calling him right now and telling him to stop searching for Dr. L. Dr. L would never—"

"Don't," Claire answered, cutting her off before she could finish.

Rylie stared at her in confusion.

Claire turned her face toward the window. Neon lights slid across the glass, casting a pale glow over her steady, unreadable eyes.

"Tell Cade I'll take the case."

"What are you talking about?"

"He's been searching everywhere for Dr. L, hasn't he?" Claire spoke calmly. "Let him know I'll treat the woman he cares about so much. And set the time and place for the meeting."

Her words paused briefly as a faint smile touched her lips. "Saturday night. The Halcyon Hotel. At their engagement party."

For a moment, Rylie could only stare at Claire. Then a grin slowly spread across her face, caught somewhere between disbelief and excitement.

"Claire, you can't actually be planning to—"

"They want that night to be flawless," Claire responded quietly while watching the city lights rush past the window. Her tone carried a chill beneath its softness. "Then, as his former wife, I should bring them a gift they'll never forget."