She also knew employing someone from Gerard's company would only fuel more rumors.

She was determined to earn her place beside him through her own merits.

“Understood,” Gerard replied, respecting her decision.

During an afternoon stroll for some fresh air, Lilah decided to grab a coffee. As she approached the coffee shop, she spotted a figure clad in worn-out attire.

The person's long hair masked their face, making it difficult to discern their gender.

Lilah, moved by a sense of compassion, extended a banknote toward the individual.

“What are you doing?"

The response was unexpectedly sharp, tinged with indignation, as the person grasped the money.

When they lifted their head, Lilah was taken aback. Beneath the disheveled hair was a face surprisingly clean and strikingly handsome, not at all what one would associate with a beggar.

"Sorry, I seemed to have dropped this," she said, quickly retrieving the note, a tactful move to preserve the stranger's pride.

The man huffed, rose to his feet, and brushed off his clothes. He then peered longingly into the coffee shop, eyeing the pastries.

Suddenly, a loud stomach rumble broke the silence, creating a momentarily awkward atmosphere.

Lilah couldn't help but find the situation and the man's stubborn pride somewhat charming. Here was someone clearly famished, yet too proud to accept charity.

Lilah, after a moment's thought, purchased some bread and approached the stranger. "I can't eat all this myself," she offered casually.

He eyed her skeptically. “If it's too much, why buy it? That's wasteful, isn't it?"

Despite his words, he accepted the bread, eating with evident hunger.

It looked as if he hadn't eaten properly in ages.

Lilah then silently handed him a bottle of water she had also bought.

He downed it swiftly.

As he brushed his hair back, his face became fully visible, striking a chord of recognition in Lilah.

"You're the senior architect from the Dillon Group, aren't you?"

The realization hit her, bringing with it a wave of regret.

How had she unwittingly helped someone from a competitor?

He was memorable because he was a celebrated architectural designer at the Dillon Group.