“Mr. Harris? He's currently in a meeting with me. Can you come back later?"

Lilah arched an eyebrow. "You and Mr. Harris are...?

The actress smirked enigmatically. "Perhaps we're closer than you might assume."

Lilah felt a pang of discomfort. She had trouble imagining Gerard in any sort of inappropriate relationship.

Feeling somewhat out of place, Lilah muttered, "I apologize for the interruption."

She was about to depart when a stern voice echoed from within the room.

“Effie, enough with the games!"

The door swung open wider, revealing Gerard, his visage marked with displeasure.

Effie Harris seemed taken aback by his rebuke. "You're overreacting, Gerard."

Before she could continue, Gerard gently moved her aside, taking Lilah's hand and ushering her into the room.

"She's exaggerating. Please, don't read too much into her words," he told Lilah earnestly.

Effie, looking somewhat affronted, countered, "You're always so cold to me, Gerard. Maybe I should chat with your mother about how you treat me."

Lilah was perplexed. Just what was the dynamic between Gerard and Effie?

Gerard motioned for Lilah to sit, and as she settled onto the sofa, he handed her a cup of coffee. Addressing Effie with a stern voice, he remarked, “If you're so inclined to complain about me, perhaps it's time you reconsidered your star status."

The levity vanished from Effie's demeanor as she took a seat opposite Lilah. “I was just having a bit of fun."

Effie's gaze lingered on Lilah, taking in her features. As she studied the woman before her, a thought crossed her mind. Maybe, just maybe, her brother had finally found someone who could capture his heart. Unable to contain her playful nature, Effie smirked and declared aloud, “Looks like I've found myself a stunning sister-in-law. I knew it, a pretty face can turn any man's head!"

“Sister—in-law?"

The term caught Lilah off guard.

Gerard intervened, attempting to clear up the confusion. “Effie Harris is my younger sister," he clarified with a soft chuckle, somewhat pleased with the term "sister-in-law".

The pieces fell into place for Lilah. The shared features, the banter.

It made sense they were siblings. The air in the room seemed to lighten with this revelation.

Feigning a dramatic sigh, Effie gestured to herself. "See? Talent and beauty, all without leaning on the family name. Unlike Maggie, the fool who waves her lineage around like a flag," she said, her voice dripping with disdain.

Lilah caught the hint of animosity when Effie mentioned Maggie, but before she could dwell on it, Effie leaned in, her interest apparent.

“So, what brings you here? Looking to strike a deal with my grumpy brother?"