He had already bribed a few junior executives to downplay any of Lily’s proposals or make her appear unprofessional. Additionally, Derek had gathered enough dirt on her supposed relationship with Robert, which he intended to use against her. He had planned to imply that Robert was only interested in her because of her association with the Hartleys' wealth, a narrative he knew would cast doubt on her in the eyes of anyone listening.“All I have to do is drop a few well-placed comments during the meeting,” Derek mused. “And those snide remarks about how she’s nothing more than an adopted outsider will do the trick.” He knew that undermining her confidence would make her falter in negotiations, and he’d step in as the “hero” to salvage the situation. The executives would see him as the one capable of getting the deal back on track, and Lily would be painted as the incompetent, useless woman he had always believed her to be.But his plans didn’t stop there. If he could successfully sabot

As soon as Derek spotted Lily, he didn’t miss a beat. "Oh look who’s here," he sneered, his eyes narrowing with disdain. “Your broke boyfriend’s already here—probably scrubbing the toilets to secure that contract for you. And I suppose you’re here to worm your way through to the director, huh? Desperate times, I guess. Honestly, I expected better, but I really shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve always expected too much from you.”Lily’s face flushed with anger, her fists clenched at her sides as she struggled to contain her rage. Derek’s words cut deep, not just because of their cruelty but because they reflected his utter lack of respect for her and Robert. Her eyes flashed with fury, and for a brief moment, she looked like she was about to tear into him. But she caught herself, biting her tongue as her mind raced.Meanwhile, Robert watched the scene unfold with growing anger. His calm demeanor was slipping, and a dangerous edge flickered in his eyes. The thought of how to handle Derek, h

Simon listened attentively, his smile reflecting genuine interest as Lily recounted their relationship. He could see the sincerity in her eyes and the affection she had for Robert. “That’s quite a story,” he said, his voice warm and encouraging. “It’s clear that you both care deeply for each other.”With that, Simon gestured for Lily to make herself comfortable as they continued their conversation, her nerves slowly calming under the gentle approach of Robert’s trusted friend.Simon leaned back in his chair, his warm smile never wavering. “Robert is indeed a great guy,”he said, nodding in agreement. “I’ve always enjoyed hanging out with him. It’s good to know that the two of you are getting along so well.”Lily felt a sense of relief at Simon’s words, but the lingering tension still gripped her. She shifted uneasily in her chair despite Simon’s kind demeanor. She had expected the director to be stern and difficult, yet here he was, smiling and being surprisingly friendly. Summoning h

His outburst drew the attention of those in the lobby, but Derek didn’t care. He was too far gone, consumed by the need to tear Robert down. Meanwhile, Robert’s calm replies only fueled Derek’s fury, leaving him boiling over with frustration as he struggled to regain control.As the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, all eyes turned toward Lily. She stepped out slowly, her face streaked with tears, her eyes red and swollen. Derek immediately saw the tears and, without taking a moment to consider, assumed the worst—that things had not gone well for her inside the office.A smug, cruel smile spread across his face. He crossed his arms, his previous anger giving way to twisted satisfaction. “Well, well, well," Derek sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Look who’s come back with her tail between her legs. I knew it. You thought you could waltz in there and actually get something done? Pathetic.”He took a step closer, his grin widening as he continued to taunt her. “What h

Lily's heart sank, and no matter how hard she tried, her efforts proved futile. Derek was stronger, more arrogant, and completely convinced of his superiority. He tucked the contract more securely under his arm, eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he announced, "I’ll be gone," and made his way toward the door.Before Lily could react, Robert stepped in Derek's way, his voice calm but deadly serious. "Give it back," Robert said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "I’d advise you to do that quickly before things get unpleasant."Derek paused, locking eyes with Robert, and for a split second, his confidence faltered. He knew full well that pushing further could cost him dearly. But instead of backing down, he made a quick decision. Without warning, Derek dashed out the door, clutching the contract tightly. Lily stood frozen in disbelief, her mind spinning. How could this happen? Her hard work, the chance to prove herself, the contract that would change everything—it was all gone i