Emily Blair said quietly, "We're about to meet the project manager. Don't let your nerves show like you just did."

Elizabeth Wilson stiffened her neck. "I'll be strong."

The car stopped first at the villa Vanguard Automotive had assigned to them. It was a three-story house, and every single tile seemed to feature a cat motif. Even the fountain in the garden, the sofas in the living room, and the floor lamps everything was cat-themed. The sight left Elizabeth with mixed feelings.

"It's adorable... and kind of terrifying," she muttered.

They quickly divided up the rooms and hauled their luggage upstairs.

Elizabeth tiptoed down the hall, glancing around with obvious suspicion.

Emily rolled her eyes. "Stop it. They already said the cats won't come in unless you let them."

Elizabeth, still on her toes and looking deadly serious, replied, “You don't get it. Cats are basically liquid. They can be anywhere."

With a sigh, Emily grabbed Elizabeth by the arm and nudged her into her room. "Just get inside, will you?"

After unpacking, they piled back into the car and headed to the meeting point.

The rendezvous was at the resort center in the heart of the villa community. If the villa was cat-themed, the resort center was twice as over the top. Cat decorations everywhere—and not just figurines. Real cats roamed the polished floors, weaving between people's legs, purring, and rubbing up against anyone who so much as glanced their way.

Elizabeth shrank into a corner, warily observing what she considered deceptively cute creatures-masters of manipulation hiding behind innocent faces.

The project manager hadn't arrived yet. Emily, unable to resist a ginger tabby winding around her ankles, crouched down and scooped it into her arms.

A staff member approached and spoke gently, "All our cats are well-fed on a strict schedule. They get everything they need, so please don't feed them—it's for their health. Thanks for understanding."

Emily nodded, indicating she got the message.

She glanced around. Every cat here looked healthy, not too plump, not too thin, their fur glossy and soft. They seemed to live the good life—carefree and content. Maybe that was why they were so trusting with strangers, happy to be petted and cuddled by anyone.

While Emily was still stroking the cat, a voice sounded above her, speaking haltingly in Mandarin.

"Hello, I'd like to get to know you, if that's okay?"

Emily looked up, still holding the tabby.

A blond, blue-eyed guy stood there with a warm smile. "Hi, I've been watching you from over there for a while. You're beautiful. Can I introduce myself?"

Everyone here had been invited by Vanguard Automotive, each wearing a company badge around their neck. Emily glanced at his he worked for a famous tech giant.

She stood, still cradling the cat in one arm, and offered her hand. "Hi, I'm Emily Blair."

He smiled and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Larkin Porter."

As they let go, Larkin sat down beside her. "So, you're a cat person?"

Emily nodded. "Yeah, I love them."

Larkin grinned. “Me too. I just don't have one at home."