เข้าสู่ระบบFEW MINUTES LATERThe city looked beautiful from up here, all lights and quiet motion. Cars moved like tiny sparks down below, the skyline glowing against the night. Leona stood there for a long time, one arm wrapped loosely around herself, trying to steady the thoughts spinning in her head.Her phone lay on the table behind her, screen dark. She had changed into her nightgown and tied her hair up, but sleep felt far away. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Adrian, his calm face, that small smile when she’d asked if he liked the woman. His “no” had sounded so sure it left her chest tight.The phone buzzed suddenly. She turned, her pulse jumping. When she saw his name light up on the screen, her stomach flipped before she could help it.Adrian: You got home safe?Her lips parted slightly. For a second, she just stared at the message, the glow of the screen soft on her face. It was simple. Short. But it made something in her ease, like a knot loosening inside her chest.She typed b
FEW MINUTES LATERThe silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Adrian’s pen moved across the paper, his eyes never leaving the file in front of him. Leona sat across his desk, pretending to scroll through her phone, but she hadn’t read a single word on the screen.Her heart kept thudding in her chest, too loud for how quiet the room was. The image of the woman walking out of his office wouldn’t leave her head, her messy hair, the way she had buttoned her shirt, that tiny smile on her lips.Before she could stop herself, the words slipped out. “Who was she?”Adrian didn’t look up. “Who?”“The woman that just left your office,” Leona said quickly, wishing she could take it back. “I just...” She stopped, lowering her gaze. “Forget it. It’s none of my business.”Adrian paused for a moment, his pen still in his hand. Then he said, calmly, “She’s my business partner.”Leona nodded, her fingers tightening around her phone. “Does she... perhaps like you?” The question came out smaller
Evening light spilled through the tall glass windows of Leona’s office, washing everything in a soft orange glow. Papers were stacked neatly on her desk, her laptop already shut. The rest of the floor was quiet now, the usual clatter of heels and chatter of assistants long gone.Leona leaned back in her chair, her pen still between her fingers. Her mind wasn’t on the reports in front of her anymore. It was on yesterday.Her lips twitched slightly, half amusement, half annoyance. Dorian.He really thought she’d come to help him. That poor, clueless man.She let out a soft, humorless laugh and shook her head. “Clown,” she muttered under her breath. “I was even being kind.”Her hand brushed against her hair, pushing a strand away from her face. The faint smile stayed for a moment before fading again. He’d deserved everything that happened. After everything he’d done, to her, to her heart, he was lucky she’d stopped at humiliation.She still remembered the look on his face yesterday
The sun had already started dipping by the time Selene’s car rolled up the long driveway of the mansion. The golden light hit the wide marble steps and glass doors, making them glow. Her driver parked by the fountain, then quickly got out to open her door.She stepped out slowly, the faint scent of her new perfume following her. One hand held a pale shopping bag, the other clutched her purse. Her heels clicked softly against the driveway stones as she walked toward the entrance.“Welcome back, ma’am,” one of the maids said, bowing slightly.Selene smiled. “Thank you, Jane. Is Madam Emilia home?”“Yes, ma’am. She’s in the sitting room. She asked about you earlier.”“Perfect.” She handed the shopping bag to the maid. “Please take this upstairs. I’ll have it arranged later.”“Yes, ma’am.”Selene brushed her fingers over her hair, smoothing a stray strand before walking toward the living room. Her movements were calm, poised, as if she had nothing to hide. Inside, soft piano music filled
The next morning, sunlight poured softly through the wide glass windows of Selene’s car as she drove through the city. Her fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, a faint smile playing on her lips. Everything looked calm again. The transfer from Dorian had come through earlier that morning, two million dollars, just as promised.She felt good. Safe. In control.Her driver stopped in front of the silver-gated building of the HopeReach Foundation. Selene adjusted her sunglasses, picked up her purse, and stepped out gracefully. Her beige heels clicked against the marble floor as she walked through the tall glass doors. The air smelled faintly of coffee and fresh paint.The receptionist looked up immediately. “Good morning, Ms. Selene,” she said with a polite smile. “You didn’t call ahead today.”Selene smiled back, her voice smooth. “I wanted to drop by personally. Is Mrs. Benton in?”“Yes, ma’am. She’s in her office.”“Good.” Selene handed the woman a small smile before walking to
The restaurant carried that quiet, expensive kind of calm, the soft hum of music, the faint smell of wine and polished wood, and the low murmur of voices from other tables. Everything looked perfect, yet there was a chill in the air, one that didn’t belong.Dorian walked in, his face collected. He looked around until he saw her.Leona sat near the window, the golden light catching the edges of her dark hair. Her back was straight, her posture calm. Across from her sat a man Dorian didn’t recognize, Elias. They were already in quiet conversation, the kind that stopped the second he arrived.Leona’s eyes lifted to him. A small, practiced smile touched her lips, not enough to reach her eyes. “You’re right on time.”Dorian returned the smile, though something in her tone made him uneasy. “I try not to keep people waiting.”“Good,” she said, motioning to the seat beside her. “This is Elias. He’s a business partner. I thought you two should meet.”Elias stood, his grin too smooth. “Dorian A







