Sadie wasn't in the mood for gossip at all. Her mind was already spinning with worst-case scenarios, imagining how Andrew Lane might come after her.

Beatty gave her a reassuring smile and patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Mr. Lane isn't the type to hold a grudge."

Sadie just shook her head and kept quiet.

But Beatty couldn't help herself. “So... is it true Ms. Blair has a boyfriend now?”

It wasn't exactly a secret, so Sadie answered without thinking much about it. "Yeah, it's true. Pretty much everyone knows."

Beatty's eyes lit up, obviously curious. "Ms. Blair is so impressive. What's her boyfriend like?"

Sadie let out a tired sigh. "Tall, good looking, rich. He's right up there with Mr. Lane... but whatever, let's not talk about it."

"Alright," Beatty replied.

She gave a small nod. "Thanks for telling me." Then she turned away.

Sadie just waved her off.

As soon as Beatty's back was turned, her cheerful expression faded. She rubbed at her left hand with her right sleeve where Sadie had touched her, pursed her lips, and picked up her pace.

After Beatty left, Sadie's friend nudged her. "So... what now?"

Sadie rubbed her face with both hands. “What else can we do? Might as well just let fate decide."

Just then, their number got called. Sadie's friend grabbed her arm. “Come on, it's our turn. Let's eat first and figure out everything else later."

That night, Emily Blair got a text from Andrew Lane.

Andrew Lane: I ran into your assistant today. She had your earrings.

Emily Blair rolled her eyes. Not this again. She replied: Didn't you say you didn't care? If you want them back, ask my assistant yourself. I'm not getting involved.

Andrew Lane: That's not what I meant. I wanted to ask if you like necklaces or bracelets.

Emily's face went cold as she typed back: I wouldn't like anything from you.

She figured that was harsh enough to get her point across. If he had any shame, he'd back off.

But Andrew sent another message: Then I'll have someone else give it to you. That way, you won't mind, right?

Emily let out a frustrated click of her tongue, tossed her phone aside, and didn't bother replying.

She was on her way home from a dinner meeting. These work dinners always meant drinks, no matter how hard she tried to avoid them.

She sat in the car, cracked the window just a bit, and let the winter air cool her face.

It was cold, but it helped her think more clearly.

The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Heading home, Ms. Blair?”

She leaned back, watching the city lights blur by. "Yeah," she replied softly.

The car had barely started moving when the driver slammed on the brakes Emily jerked forward,

catching herself just in time with her

hands against the seat in front of

her

Her driver had been doing this for over twenty years. He was always careful.

She frowned and looked out the windshield. "What happened?"

The driver's hands were clenched tight on the wheel. He muttered a curse and then turned around, his. face apologetic. Sorry, Ms. Blair. Someone just stepped out of

nowhere. I didn't see them."

"Did you hit him?" Emily asked.

He scratched his head, still looking frazzled. "No, thank goodness. It was so sudden, but we weren't going fast. If we'd been going any faster, we really would have hit him."

He turned again. "Should I get out and check on him?"

"Go ahead," Emily said.

The driver nodded and got out of the car.

Outside, the street was dim and the streetlights didn't help much. Emily had to

squint before she could make out the man standing in front of the car.