Zinnia's words hung heavily in the air, a declaration of her resilience and determination to rise above the challenges she faced. While Duncan's smile remained unfazed by Zinnia's insult, almost as if her words didn't affect him at all. He brushed off her remark, fully confident in his own superiority."Ignorant fool," Zinnia muttered under her breath, her teeth gnashing with frustration. Despite her anger, she couldn't help but fulfill her duty(which she had unwillingly bestowed on herself) and inform Duncan that dinner was ready. Reluctantly, she shared the information, acknowledging that it was her grandmother, Ma'am Luna's, instruction. Duncan's response was laced with sarcasm and mockery. "Oh, I can't wait to taste the delicacy you've made," he exclaimed, his voice dripping with exaggerated enthusiasm. "I'm sure it's Aweeeee-some." His laughter erupted once again, echoing through the room. Zinnia groaned in exasperation, feeling the weight of the situation pressing upon h

As Duncan resumed eating, he couldn't help but notice Ma'am Luna's reaction—or rather, lack thereof—to his dismissive and rude behavior on the phone. Surprisingly, she seemed to overlook his unacceptable action, choosing not to react or reprimand him. Duncan's keen observation allowed him to discern the reason behind Ma'am Luna's unusual response. He noticed that her attention was focused on Zinnia, who was visibly seething with anger and frustration. Ma'am Luna's satisfaction at witnessing Zinnia's distress was apparent. The hurt she still harbored due to Zinnia's loss and the emotional distance between them had clouded her judgment and caused her to align herself with Duncan, even if it meant taking his side over her own granddaughter. Deep down, Ma'am Luna knew that her actions were misguided. She had always loved Zinnia and had never intended to uphold Duncan in front of her. However, her unresolved pain and resentment had fueled a temporary alliance with Duncan, blinding he

As Duncan spoke those words, he was clearly issuing a challenge to Lisa. His confident tone hinted at a determination to prove himself as the better player. With that, Duncan cast a final glance at Lisa's room door before continuing his walk down the hallway. As he whistled, he suddenly halted in his tracks upon reaching Zinnia's room. Intrigued, he stood by the side of the door and peeped in through the partly-opened door. Inside, he saw Zinnia in tears, her distress evident on her face. Observing the scene, Duncan couldn't help but smile, finding some satisfaction in witnessing Zinnia's vulnerability. Zinnia's mother, Laila, noticing her daughter's tears, moved to comfort her. She approached the tissue box and took a tissue, urging Zinnia to stop crying. Her words carried a gentle tone, reflecting her motherly concern and desire to soothe Zinnia's emotions which went down the drain."My dear, stop crying," Laila encouraged, her voice filled with compassion. Duncan's joy

Duncan, caught up in the ambiance of the bar, took a final glimpse at Peterson as he approached. Peterson's footsteps seemed to synchronize with the melodic, calming song emanating from the speakers, causing Duncan to unconsciously sway his head in rhythm. Taking a sip from his drink, Duncan's gaze inadvertently landed on a girl, and he unintentionally winked at her. However, instead of reciprocating the gesture, the girl frowned in response. In the midst of this interaction, Peterson reached Duncan's side and tapped him on the shoulder. His tone carried a hint of anger as he questioned Duncan's decision to keep his presence at the bar a secret. "Hey, I can see that you've been here for a while, but you deliberately chose not to inform me. Why?" Peterson asked, his frustration evident. However, despite Peterson's inquiries, Duncan remained silent, paying no attention to him. He continued to smile and enjoy his drink, seemingly indifferent to Peterson's growing irritation. Dun

In her penthouse, Karla focused on arranging the dining table, meticulously placing the silverware, plates, and glasses in their designated spots. She took pride in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for her and Julie to enjoy their dinner together. The aroma of the food she had prepared filled the air, adding to the anticipation of the meal. As Julie entered the dining room, engrossed in her music with a headset on, she immediately noticed the delightful scent. She paused for a moment, momentarily distracted from her music. "Hm, a pleasant aroma is filling everywhere, I guess I know why now," Julie remarked with a smile, acknowledging Karla's efforts. Rose, appeared from the kitchen, carrying a steaming bowl of stew. She nodded respectfully to Julie. "She's really happy to see you again, Ms. Julie," Rose said warmly, her voice reflecting genuine fondness. Karla's face lit up at Rose's words. The bond between her and Julie was special, and it warmed her heart to know