CHAPTER 268: A HELPING HAND

"What did you just say?" Bree burst out, disbelief written all over her face. "Why would Nathaniel do something like that? Zara, don’t fall for her nonsense. I am certain she is trying to drive a wedge between you two."

She glared at Riya with open disdain before turning back to Zara. "Call him right now. Ask him to come here. I want to see how she keeps lying before Nathaniel."

Bree folded her arms and stood defiant as she stared Riya down.

"Go ahead, call him," Riya said with a nonchalant shrug. "But before that, let me share some good news. I’m officially the new face of Nicole’s brand. She sent me the contract already—thanks to Nathaniel."

Zara’s expression faltered. Something didn’t add up. Why would Nathaniel suddenly go out of his way to help Riya?

Riya’s career had been spiraling downward ever since she had lost her deal with Shay Walsh. One endorsement after another had been canceled. Nathaniel hadn’t helped her at the time. So why now?

A troubling thought crept into her mind. ’Is Riya blackmailing him?’

"Oh, and don’t hesitate to ask if you need my help," Riya added with a mocking smile. "I’d be happy to assist."

But Zara wasn’t listening anymore. Her mind was racing too fast. She didn’t want to waste another second arguing with Riya. She needed answers from Nathaniel himself.

"He owes me an explanation," she muttered under her breath as she pushed back her chair and strode out determinedly.

"Hey! I’m still talking to you!" Riya shouted, springing to her feet, but Zara was already gone. Her lips twisted into a scowl. "How ungrateful. I was trying to help her, and she just walked away like that."

She felt humiliated. ’No, I can’t let her ignore me.’

Determined to stop Zara and make her yield, she stormed after her. "Stop right there."

But before she could take another step, Bree moved in front of her, arm outstretched to block her path. "She doesn’t want to talk to you," she said sharply. "Why can’t you just leave her alone? Don’t trouble her."

Riya jabbed a finger toward herself, feigning innocence. "I’m the one troubling her? I came here to help."

"Your help is more like a curse," Bree shot back with contempt. "Stay away from us, you walking jinx."

Riya’s face turned red with rage. "You..." she sputtered, too angry to form proper words. "You’ll regret this." She stormed out, dashing her shoulder with Bree’s.

Bree glared after her and muttered a curse under her breath, lifting her middle finger.

Zara started the engine and drove out of the parking area. But just as she turned the corner, another car suddenly swerved in front of her.

Startled, her eyes widened, and she slammed on the brakes instantly. The car jolted to a stop, her body pitching forward before snapping back against the seat.

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

Looking up, she saw Liam stepping out of the other car. She quickly turned off her engine and climbed out as well.

"I’m so sorry," Liam said immediately, urgency and worry lacing in his voice. "I didn’t see your car coming. Are you alright?" He reached out, his hands resting on her shoulders as he looked her over.

"Uh...I–I’m fine," Zara stammered, feeling awkward at his closeness. She stepped back, brushing his hands away gently.

Liam glanced down at his hands, still feeling the faint warmth of her skin. His heart gave a little twist, but he ignored it and offered a small smile, sliding his hands into his pockets.

"I’m glad you are okay. Really. And... sorry for being so careless. I actually came here to see you."

"Oh?" Zara tilted her head, surprised. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Her genuine concern made him chuckle softly. Even with everything falling apart around her, she was still thinking about helping him. That made her so different from others.

"Can we go in and talk in private?" he asked.

"Uh, sure," she said, forcing a faint smile. "Let’s go to my office."

"Alright."

She turned toward her car. "I’ll just park it back first."

"Same here," he replied.

They both got back into their cars, drove them into the parking area, and then headed inside the office together.

Riya, who was still sitting in her car preparing to leave, caught sight of the scene. Fury twisted in her chest as jealousy flared in her eyes.

"Zara, you wretch," she spat. "You’ve barely divorced Nathaniel, and now you are after Liam? He is my fiancé. Why do you always circle the men who matter to me?"

She slammed her palm against the steering wheel, anger blazing across her face. "Fine. If you won’t stop, I’ll make sure you pay. Don’t blame me for being ruthless. You asked for it."

She stepped on the accelerator and sped away.

When Bree saw Shay Walsh entering with Zara, she nearly forgot how to breathe. Her mouth fell open in shock, words failing her completely.

"Hello," Liam greeted politely, giving her a small wave.

Bree blinked rapidly, trying to compose herself. She managed a stiff smile, then hurried over to Zara, tugging at her arm.

"Please tell me I’m not hallucinating," she whispered frantically. "That’s Shay Walsh, right?"

"It’s not a dream," Zara whispered back.

Bree gasped softly. Shay Walsh was in their office! If the rest of the staff found out, chaos would erupt. She grinned, deciding to keep it quiet. Otherwise, people would start snapping photos or worse, leak it online and alert the paparazzi.

"I-I’ll just go busy myself," she mumbled, backing away on unsteady legs. Inside, she was screaming. ’Shay Walsh. In our office. Oh my God... is he actually into Zara?’

Once Bree slipped out of sight, Zara guided Liam into her office. "Please, have a seat," she said, gesturing toward the chair opposite her desk before sitting down herself. Once he settled in, she started carefully, "You wanted to see me. What did you want to talk about?"

Liam leaned forward, interlacing his fingers on the table. "News travels fast in our industry," he began. "I’ve heard what happened."

Zara’s smile faltered. She averted her gaze for a moment, then forced a faint smile. "Yes, it didn’t take long for the word to spread. And the moment it did, everyone turned their backs on me. Funny, isn’t it? Not too long ago, these same people were lining up outside my office, desperate to showcase my designs. Now, they act as if I never existed."

A small, bitter chuckle escaped her lips. She had learned just how little her talent mattered compared to the famous names in the industry. In this business, loyalty was fleeting.

"Anyway," she said softly, "thank you for coming."

Liam nodded but didn’t return her smile. "I’m disappointed in you."

Zara blinked, startled. "What? Why? What did I do?"

"I thought we were friends," he said blankly, "and that you’d reach out if you ever needed help. But you didn’t. Seems like you don’t see me that way."

Zara hesitated, caught off guard by his words. "I... I didn’t mean it like that," she murmured.

She hadn’t even considered contacting him for help. Liam was Nathaniel’s close friend and Riya’s fiancé. Why would he take her side? She hadn’t expected him to be ready to help her.

"I’m sorry," she said quietly. "I didn’t mean to shut you out. It’s just...I and Nathaniel are divorcing. I assumed you wouldn’t want to help your friend’s ex-wife."

"Your relationship with Nathaniel doesn’t determine my friendship with you," he said calmly. "At least, that’s what I believed. Are you cutting me off just because you are no longer his wife?"

"No, that’s not what I meant."

"Then what is it, Zara?" he pressed. "Don’t I deserve to be your friend? Was our friendship only because of Nathaniel?"

Zara froze, surprised by the emotion in his voice. "No, of course not." She smiled faintly, trying to normalize the situation. "Alright, I admit my mistake. I should’ve called you."

"I’ll always stand by you, even if you break all ties with the Grants," he assured her.

Zara’s heart softened with gratitude. "Thank you."

"Save that for later," he interrupted. "Right now, let’s get to the point. My offer is still valid. I want you to work with me."

Zara blinked in surprise. She had turned him down before, believing her career would flourish under Nicole’s company. But everything was different now.

Nathaniel had shattered her world—her marriage, her career, her trust. At this moment, Liam’s offer felt like the last branch she could cling to.

"Thank you, Liam," she said quietly. "I’ll accept your offer."

Liam’s face broke into a wide grin, relief flooding through him. "That’s—amazing."

"You’ve saved me and my company," she said sincerely.

"No, no... it’s actually you who saved me," he cut in, waving his hand. "I haven’t been able to focus on my studio or my designs lately. Edith has been drowning in work, and I feel bad for her, but there is nothing I can do to help her. You know how it is."

He sighed, leaning back on the chair. "Dad is getting old. He can’t manage the workload anymore. The responsibility of running the family business has fallen on me."

He chuckled softly, his eyes dimming. "Designing is my passion, the career I chose for myself. But I can’t turn my back on the family business either. And I can’t give up on my studio.

It’s my dream."

He looked at her hopefully. "That’s why I need someone I can trust to take care of it. And honestly, you are perfect for the job."

"Thanks for trusting me," Zara said sincerely. "Designing is my dream too. I’ll give it my all. You’ll never have reason to complain."

He grinned widely. "We are partners now. Your decision is my decision. Forget about complaints."

"Alright, now you are trusting me a little too much," she teased. "But are you sure your fiancée will be okay with this? She is not fond of me."

"Oh, please," he groaned, rolling his eyes at the mention of Riya. "Let’s not talk about her while we are working. Anyway, I have something more important to discuss."

He shifted the subject quickly before Zara could say more. "I just got a huge order from an upscale fashion house. The only problem is—I don’t have enough stock. Can you help me out?"