Lilah's response was quiet, conflicted. "Maybe I should be the one apologizing. I never considered..."

“No, you don't owe me any explanations," Andrew interrupted, his smile tinged with sadness. "I'm the one who's imposed on you. And I was wrong to judge Gerard. He's a decent man and treats you well.

I'm leaving for home tomorrow."

The air was thick with unspoken sentiments as Lilah held back her words.

Yet, a question lingered.

"Who drugged you?"

Lilah was baffled. Andrew was usually so cautious; it was astounding that he'd been incapacitated so easily.

The culprit must have been cunning and resourceful.

Andrew's eyes narrowed with a cold edge as he recalled the evening's events at the bar.

"You needn't concern yourself," Andrew assured Lilah, his voice gentle. "It's late. You should head home. I'm alright."

“Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes." He nodded, offering a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he watched her depart. His blue eyes dimmed once she was gone.

It was clear he had to let go of something he never really had.

Lilah got home late and fell into bed, succumbing to sleep instantly.

The next day, she awoke at ten o'clock, surprised that Gerard hadn't come to wake her for breakfast. Shaking off her bewilderment, she realized she was running late for work.

Once at the Phillips Group, Lilah plunged into her workload.

Lunchtime found her in the company cafeteria, discussing design concepts with Phoebe and other colleagues.

But she couldn't help noticing the odd looks she received from some of the employees.

There were whispers.

“Miss Phillips is making the most of her looks, isn't she?"

"Some people are so talented they could just live off their looks.

Why bother with the company, making it look bad..."

Phoebe's face fell upon hearing these murmurs. Whirling around, she confronted the gossipers. “Internet rumors are baseless. As adults, we should know better than to believe them," she retorted sharply.

Her rebuke silenced the two whispering employees, who shrank back, embarrassed.