Ruth's face turned livid with anger. She had always prided herself on being pure and noble, looking down on ordinary people. Yet today, from a distance, when she saw Gerard, her heart skipped a beat.

How could there be such a perfect man?

"What a pity! Such an excellent man is with a shameless woman," Ruth muttered to Hadley, watching the car disappear into the distance.

"How did Gerard fall for Lilah? She doesn't seem to have anything special besides her appearance," she sighed.

Hadley's face twisted with indignation, too.

Her opinion of Lilah had plummeted to an all-time low over the course of the day.

How could someone be so blatantly rude and dismissive of others?

Having always been in Ruth's company and basking in the respect they commanded, this was the first time Hadley had felt such humiliation.

“Forget it. Tomorrow, we start the next stage. I heard the crew will have us draw lots for team assignments. I'll make sure you're paired with that witch. Don't let me down," Ruth said, arms crossed, her eyes glinting coldly.

Hadley wasn't really willing to do so.

Lilah was trouble, everyone knew that. If it weren't for Ruth, Hadley would have avoided provoking her at all costs.

"What's the matter? Not up for it?" Ruth said menacingly when she saw Hadley's hesitation.

Hadley forced a smile and swallowed her discomfort. “Of course not. I'm just figuring out the best way to make sure she loses to you. That should take her down a peg."

Ruth softened her gaze, satisfied. She turned on her heel and stepped into the car waiting for her.

Hadley moved to follow, but Ruth slammed the door in her face with a loud bang.

A crowd of onlookers witnessed the scene.

Hadley's face flushed with embarrassment, and her eyes stung with unshed tears.

Just because she lacked money and power, did everyone think they could treat her like this? It was so unfair!

As she watched Ruth's car drive away, she clenched her fists in anger. Neither Ruth nor Lilah was a good person. She would work tirelessly on her acting skills to outshine them one day and rise above their pettiness.

When Gerard returned home, he disappeared into his study. Since his return from Xylo, his nights had been swallowed by work, often stretching late into the night.

Lilah knew he was grappling with his business operations in Xylo, and the strain showed.

Darian had pushed Gerard to his limits this time, and any chance of future cooperation with the Martel family seemed utterly shattered.

After washing up and changing into something more comfortable, Lilah instructed a servant to warm a glass of milk for Gerard. She decided to take it to him herself, hoping a small gesture might ease his burden.

As she neared the study, the muffled sound of a phone call reached her ears. She paused, not wanting to intrude.