"I'm leaving."

Having played the role of a tough guy for so long, Luella really wasn't used to

dragging out goodbyes. She pulled her hand from Jimmie's and strode toward the door.

"Luella, don't lie to me." Jimmie watched her back, his tone turning serious. "I'll be waiting right here in the hotel until you get back."

"I know."

Luella ruffled her own hair, feeling a strange mix of frustration and warmth.

Dropping all his work to chase her from Eclara City to Stellara Country. He was unbelievable.

Hopelessly devoted.

His whole family was full of hopeless romantics.

The elevator doors chimed open.

Luella stepped in and bumped right into the hotel manager.

"Are you alright?" The man studied her, a knowing smirk on his face. "You drank a lot last night. Kept calling out Jimmie's name. When he showed up, I had no choice but to hand you over."

"Oh." Luella rubbed her nose, answering guiltily. "I'm fine."

"Did you drink that much because of him?" The manager leaned in, his gossip radar pinging wildly. "Boss, are you two secretly dating?"

"No way!" Luella's eyes snapped up, blinking furiously. Her denial lacked any real conviction.

"Really?" The manager chuckled, not buying a word of it. He dropped his voice. "If you are, you better be careful. Don't let your wicked stepmother or that bastard of a father catch you."

"I know." Luella awkwardly watched the floor numbers light up, turning her head slightly. "Thanks, by the way."

"Don't mention it." The manager smiled faintly. "I wouldn't be where I am today without you, right? Don't worry. For you, I'll take a bullet."

"Tch." Luella scoffed, entirely used to his smooth-talking.

This man was one of the very few allies she had left in Stellara Country. After saving him by chance, she had placed him here as the hotel manager.

"But-"

As the elevator doors opened, the manager stepped out, covered his mouth, and

asked with burning curiosity, "Between you and Jimmie... who's the top?"

Luella stopped dead in her tracks. She casually picked up a heavy decorative vase from the console, flashing him a deadly smile What quite

was that? I didn'tch

Come a little closer."

The manager stumbled backward, already speed-walking away. "I said, the weather

looks great today! I've got work to do! See you later, Boss!"

Watching him flee, Luella let out a

dark chuckle and set the vase down. She pulled out her phone and sent him a text: "Keep Jimmie's information totally secure. No one else finds out he's here.

Manager: Understood.

But thinking about it... the chances of Jimmie being the top were actually pretty high.

At the Executive Residence.

After dealing with the exhausting tasks assigned by Lachlan Langley, Luella collapsed onto the sofa.

"Mr. Langley, your coffee." Kate carefully set the mug down, her demeanor polite and incredibly respectful.

"Thanks."

Luella picked up the mug, swirling the dark liquid, a faint smirk on her lips. "No poison in this, right?"

"Huh?" Kate froze, nearly biting her own tongue.

"Guess not." Luella was just joking. She took a sip and raised her eyebrows in

pleasant surprise. "This is actually great. Did you study this?"

"I worked as a barista in college to pay my tuition."

"Oh?" Luella's interest was piqued. She stared directly at Kate. "So why did Lachlan choose you to spy on me?"

Kate pressed her lips together, too terrified to speak.

"First off, he's incredibly powerful, and you have absolutely zero leverage to fight back," Luella said casually, Secondly, you definite have people or things you care about, and your boss is holding

them over your head."

People like Kate would never normally even get to meet Lachlan Langley in their lifetime.

Kate's brows furrowed, proving Luella right.

"Family? Friends? Or your career?" Luella pressed.

Kate slowly looked up, her voice tight. "Mr. Langley, I am merely completing the

tasks assigned by my superiors."