LOGINThe next day, Vincent walked into the office and immediately felt everyone's eyes on him. He wasn't the type to worry about gossip, but the scandal had clearly made its way through the entire company.Marisol had returned in a hurry, looking tired. Upon spotting Vincent, she came straight over, looking grim as she gave her report. "It's not looking good," she said. "I reached out to the media, and based on their reactions, someone is actively feeding them information to ruin you."Vincent smirked. He had a pretty good idea who was behind it.This was Chad's doing, and Tony was surely pulling the strings. The two of them would stop at nothing to strip him of his position.Vincent had been sloppy this time. He never met the real Laura, got played by a fake, and ended up in a huge mess.Even so, he wasn't worried. His reputation wasn't the only one taking a hit."Don't worry. I think I know someone who can clean this up," Vincent said, trying to reassure her.He pressed his lips
Vincent smiled. He knew Calliope was too smart not to understand the rivalry between him and Tony."There's no room for family in business. I'm the new CEO, and I need actual wins if I want people to take me seriously. Wouldn't you agree, Ms. Moore?"He kept the details brief, leaving out the worst of the power struggle between him and Tony. It was a family matter, and she didn't need to know the specifics.Luckily, she let it drop. Vincent figured his explanation had done its job to ease her frustration.Or so he thought.Calliope said nothing more. She just stared at him with an unreadable expression as if she were trying to figure out what his next move would be.After a long moment, she finally spoke."You're more interesting than I expected. I have to admit, I'm curious about you."The comment, coupled with her knowing look, made Vincent uncomfortable.What was she getting at? She wasn't acting like herself tonight at all."Ms. Moore, I wasn't careful tonight. I should'v
Calliope lost her patience completely when she was met with nothing but silence."Vincent, open the door!" she repeated, her tone turning cold and sharp.Vincent glanced at the clock on the wall before replying calmly, "I'm sorry, Ms. Moore. I'm already in bed."But she wasn't having it."If you won't open it, I'll let myself in," she warned.Vincent's heart dropped. Calliope was no pushover. Then again, this was her villa. She had plenty of ways to get into his room.Vincent had no choice but to throw on some clothes and open the door.Calliope was waiting in her wheelchair, her cold, piercing gaze cutting right through him."Ms. Moore, it's late. Is something wrong?" he asked, feigning ignorance.He already knew the answer, having just seen the headlines about him and another woman. Though he was playing dumb, he couldn't even fool himself.Still, Vincent didn't feel guilty. He hadn't done anything wrong anyway.But there was something downright dangerous about Calliope's
Calliope seemed put out.No, it was more than that. She never smiled when Vincent was around, not even once. He couldn't figure her out at all."I'm sorry, Ms. Moore. I didn't mean to intrude."Vincent took the hint and apologized. It was clear that she didn't want to talk about the painting or the man in it any further. There was no point in prying further.Still…He stole a glance at her again before he left. Calliope sat in her wheelchair with her back to him."Thanks for giving me the invitation for the gala," he said quietly.Vincent hadn't finished what he'd set out to do, but he knew she'd indirectly helped him.Calliope said nothing.The only sound was the door clicking closed, and the room fell silent once again.In the dim light, she slowly rose from her wheelchair and walked toward the painting.Her pale, slender fingers traced the man's face on the canvas. How could she ever forget those eyes?Moments before, those same eyes had looked right at her. Whatever nam
"Ms. Moore, I'm home," Vincent called.The study was pitch-black, and there was no sign of anyone.That was strange. Where had Calliope gone?It was late, far too late for Calliope not to be in the study. Perhaps she was in her bedroom.Vincent passed by her door on the way out and knocked casually. It was slightly ajar, with a faint light spilling from within. "Ms. Moore, I'm coming in," he said.But the bedroom was empty too.Vincent frowned. This was the first time Calliope hadn't been home since he'd moved into the villa. Where could she have gone at this hour?He was about to go look for Edmund when a painting caught his eye.It was a portrait of a man, though his eyes had been left completely blank. Vincent couldn't tell if it was unfinished or a deliberate artistic choice.For some inexplicable reason, he found himself drawn toward the easel. Could Calliope have painted this? He had never expected her to be capable of such work.The man's sharp features were clearl
When Vincent disappeared from view, Laura pulled off her mask with a knowing smile.The crowd collectively held its breath. Even Chad, who believed no woman on earth could surprise him anymore, froze solid at the sight of her.He was no stranger to breathtaking women, but none of them compared to her.The thought that Vincent didn't stand a chance with her sent his mood soaring. He was going to make Laura his."God, she's stunning," someone blurted out before immediately shrinking back under Chad's sharp glare.Competing with him for a woman was a death wish, and everyone knew it. Nobody stood a chance against him anyway.Chad's looks, status, and charisma made him irresistible. The others knew it would be futile and lacked the courage to try, so they slunk off in defeat.Soon, only Chad and Laura were left in the garden.Chad studied her closely, trying to figure her out. But she didn't show a single emotion.He thought her refusal to leave spoke volumes. Had she already size







