Zoey didn’t care about her living situation or the money she might receive. She had stayed by Katelyn’s side for the opportunities to build valuable connections and advance her career—something only Katelyn could offer her.

If she were sent to the employee dormitory, she’d be surrounded by people as plain as herself, cutting off any chance to network with those who could really influence her future. Zoey balled her fists, her eyes filled with desperation.

“Katelyn, do you really have to be so harsh with me? I only made a minor mistake. Why are you doing this? Or is it that you want to get rid of me because I’m a hindrance to you?”

Katelyn studied Zoey, her expression a mix of bewilderment and intrigue.

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying,” she replied. Her future had been mapped out a year ago when she left Neil and decided to live for herself, and Zoey could never stand in her way.

Zoey tightened her jaw, her frustration intensifying. In her mind, Zoey believed Katelyn was making things difficult for her, trying to push her away out of fear that Vincent’s attention would shift to her.

Before Zoey could say anything, a voice, full of laughter, suddenly cut through the tension.

“What are you ladies talking about? With all this noise, Katelyn, are you really picking on her?” A hint of sarcasm sparkled in Lise’s eyes as she took in the scene. She had been caught in traffic, arriving late, only to walk straight into this chaotic moment.

Lise quickly scanned Zoey from head to toe, her gaze pausing at the exposed skin across Zoey’s chest. A flash of disdain flickered in her eyes. What a fool, thinking she could treat this classy event like some dive bar and flaunt herself like that!

Katelyn shot a cold, unforgiving look at Lise.

Discover the rest on oν?

“It seems none of the lessons I’ve given you have sunk in,” she said, her eyes locking onto Lise’s right wrist. It had been almost a month since the fracture, and Lise had finally taken off the cast. On the surface, everything looked fine, but the spot where Lise had broken her wrist was slightly lighter than the rest of her skin.

Lise felt her composure faltering. Her eyes shifted to Zoey, lingering a moment too long. A sharp realization sparked in her mind.

“I heard you as soon as I walked in. You were asking her to strip in front of everyone? She’s young, and this isn’t exactly a situation anyone would be comfortable with. What were you thinking?”

Lise didn’t need to know the full story to understand the tension hanging in the air. The way Katelyn and the almost-naked woman couldn’t look at each other, the tightness in their jaws—it spoke volumes. This was her chance.

Zoey nodded silently, her eyes meeting Lise’s with a quiet plea, as if she’d been waiting for someone to step in and shift the balance in her favor.

But even with that, Zoey kept up the act.

.

.

.