LOGIN"So?"Xavier Grayson remained unnervingly calm.Chloe Bishop stared at him, bewildered by his apathetic reaction. "Mr. Grayson... aren't you worried?"Any normal man would be furious at the thought of being cheated on, yet Xavier was asking her back with a straight face.His dark, clear eyes were devoid of even a ripple of emotion. "Are you talking about Ava Adam? She isn't my girlfriend."Not his girlfriend?Chloe froze, staring at him in sheer disbelief. "She's not your girlfriend? Then why have you been treating her so well? Everyone outside says you two are a couple!""Years ago, because of a certain incident, I felt a deep sense of debt toward her," Xavier explained flatly. "My kindness toward her over the years has been nothing more than compensation."He hadn't spent a single private moment alone with Ava Adam in years; there was zero romantic attachment between them.Even if Ava chose to be seen at a hotel with another man, it meant nothing to him."Does that mean... Mr. Grays
"I haven't had anyone keeping me company lately. You... well, I suppose I can reluctantly let you sleep with me."A surge of fury erupted through her. She shoved him back, hands on her hips, her eyes flashing fire. "Who the hell do you think you are?! Do I look like the kind of woman who sleeps her way around?!"The director sneered at her, a villainous glint dancing in his greasy eyes."Oh, stop pretending to be a pure, innocent maiden, Ava Adam. It's not like I haven't slept with you before. What, just because you turned into an A-list star overnight, you're suddenly too good to get back into my bed?"Back then, she had begged him on her knees for casting favors, selling her body just to secure a few minor roles. Now that she had clawed her way to the top of the entertainment industry, she dared to act so high-and-mighty in front of him?"If you don't play along," Director Lin threatened, casually tapping his phone, "I'll make sure Xavier Grayson hears all about your little secret."
Inside XY Design Studio.Kate Bishop pulled a single design sketch from the bottom of her drawer.The sheet was noticeably yellowed around the edges, clearly showing its age. Rendered on the paper was an exquisitely detailed bracelet—every line flushed out with flawless precision, a masterwork of high-end jewelry craft.Kate studied the draft intently, tracing over the original linework to copy it stroke by stroke.This was nothing more than an unreleased legacy sketch left behind by Chloe Bishop's late mother. Kate had quietly claimed the entire collection as her own, using those stolen designs to build the entire XY brand from the ground up.And thanks to those stolen sketches, she now reigned supreme in the fashion design world.Yet as she held the drawing pen, an odd restlessness took root in her chest.Now that Chloe Bishop had transferred into the design department at Grayson Corporation, didn't that mean she would inevitably make a name for herself? Wouldn't she become a direct
"Hello, Annie? How's things going with my sister lately?"Kate Bishop took the initiative to place the call.On the other end of the line, Annie picked up. "Her? I already asked around for you—she's been transferred over to work in the design department.""Alright. Thank you."The design department?Kate's delicate brows knitted together in deep suspicion.If she wasn't remaining in the secretary's office and had instead chosen to transfer to design, did that mean her relationship with Xavier Grayson had completely broken down?Otherwise, she would have had zero reason to willingly step away from Xavier's immediate orbit.Yet, if that were true, it opened up a dangerous possibility: she might start turning her sights back toward Liam Martin.Meanwhile, the outdoor commercial shoot was in full swing.Under the blaze of studio lighting, Ava Adam posed effortlessly for the camera."Hold that angle, perfect.""Great, now shift just a fraction to the left."The photographer's shutter snapp
Sara wiped her tears with the back of her small hand. "I didn't do anything wrong! She's the one who said I don't have a daddy first, and then she pushed me!""Mommy, I didn't!" the girl squeaked, clinging obstinately to her lie.The lace-dressed woman dug her heels in, pointing an accusing finger at the trio. "It's obvious your kids are the ones with serious behavioral issues!"Xavier Grayson’s expression turned razor-sharp. He had zero interest in engaging in petty squabbles with a woman like her.Just as Chloe Bishop opened her mouth to step in, Xavier’s thin lips parted, his voice ringing out cold and absolute. "Enough. I trust Sara completely. I won't press charges over your daughter shoving mine today, but if you insist on dragging this out, I'll have my legal team handle it directly."The woman choked on a sharp gasp, the color draining from her face.The overwhelming authority radiating from Xavier Grayson was sheerly intimidating, leaving zero room to doubt that he would genu
Outside the classroom doors.Having wrapped up the admission paperwork, Chloe Bishop stepped back inside, her eyes scanning the lively crowd for her two children."Sara! Adrian!" she called out, searching the room.Hearing her voice, Sara snapped her head around. "Mommy! I’m over here!" she called back.Unfortunately, the indoor racket was far too loud, swallowing the little girl's sweet voice before it could reach her mother's ears."Is that your mommy?" the ponytail-braided girl asked, following Sara's gaze.Sara puffed out her chest with absolute pride. "Yep! My mommy is super pretty, right?""Then where's your daddy?"The question hit Sara like a brick wall, catching her completely off guard."My daddy... he's..."Noticing the girl's sudden wavering confidence, the ponytail-braided girl sneered. "Don't tell me you don't even have a daddy?""You're the one without a daddy! Of course I have one!" Sara retorted, her voice lacking genuine conviction. The last thing she wanted was for







