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“But Jude said there’s a chance. Since the case was assigned to me, I can’t just turn it down. I have no choice but to tough it

out.”

Kaia became interested and nced at the documents–it turned out Luna’s album poster was used of creative giarism.

Indeed, it is hard to win.

“Why do you think Jude assigned this to me?”

Kaia figured Jude probably didn’t want her involved because of her past rtionship with Alden.

S

led gently, “I’ll help you figure it out tomorrow.”

“Kaia, I love you!”

*****

At 1:50 p.m., Jude and Kaia arrived punctually at Graves Group’s conference room–the familiar room, the familiar

contacts.

To their surprise, the usually aloof Julian actually greeted them

first.

“Mr. Halston, Ms. Domont, the due diligence report you

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submittedst time was excellent. My boss was very satisfied.”

Jude found it odd.

It’s just a due diligence report. Is this level of praise really necessary?

He didn’t realize Julian was buttering them up.

“That’s just part of our job. Thank you for thepliment.”

The ounting firm employees nearby grew uneasy.

Was our due diligence not good enough?

As usual, Lucien made his entrancest. His gaze lingered subtly

on Kaia for a split second–a detail Julian didn’t miss.

Ι.

my ttery wasn’t misced.

Lucien was wearing sses again today–the same pair he’d taken from Kaia’s ce yesterday.

Kaia felt an indescribable weirdness about it.

“I’ll keep this brief,” Lucien began. “I’d like us tomunicate work matters as much as possible during office hours and minimize overtime, including for our partners, I don’t want our progress to rely on after–hours work. What do you think of this proposal?”

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Julian immediately raised both hands in agreement. “Mr. Graves, you’re absolutely right–office hours are more efficient! We have no objections. Mr. Halston, what about you?”

Jude’s lips twitched. This was the strangest proposal he’d ever heard.

“Of course, we have no objections either.”

Kaia muttered inwardly.

Lucien is abusing his power for personal gain!

The meetingsted two hours, ending just before closing time.

Julian deliberately stopped Jude and dragged him to his office

nother chat.

Kaia stayed behind in the conference room to organize the meeting notes.

She didn’t notice the room had emptied–except for Lucien, who lingered leisurely.

He tapped the table lightly. “So, the weekend date is still on?”

His smooth voice startled Kaia.

She quickly scanned the room, realizing they were alone,

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Still, she lowered her voice cautiously. “Mr. Graves, we’re going furniture shopping this weekend. It’s not a date.”

Lucien raised an eyebrow. “What was that? I didn’t catch it.”

Kaia didn’t want to argue, nor did she want to risk someone walking in.

“Never mind. See you this weekend.”

She hurriedly stuffed her notebook into her bag and rushed out.

Lucien slid a hand into his pocket, smiling faintly.

“Such a coward.”

Kaia walked away, she texted Jude.

[Jude, I’ll wait for you in the parking lot.]

The moment she sent it, she bumped into someone.

Kaia looked up–and froze. It was Zane.

Zane was equally surprised. “Kaia? Were you looking for me?”

She shook her head quickly. “No, I’m here for work.”

Andy Hanson, Zane’s assistant, recognized Kaia–after all, she

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had nearly married Alden.

Zane frowned, “What work?”

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“Ms. Domont is probably here for thetest merger. Julian mentioned we’ve finalized our partnership with Vanguard Law Firm,” Andy reminded him gently.

Zane nodded. “Ah, I see.”

He chuckled politely, “Feel free to contact my assistant if you need anything. I have another meetingb, /bso I’ll take my leave.”

Kaia maintained a polite smile throughoutb, /bthough her eyes were cold.

She knew better than to take Zane’s courtesy seriously.

If he truly wanted to help, he would’ve told her to contact him directly.

Kaia understood perfectly–ever since her engagement to Alden fell throughb, /bshe could no longer expect Zane’s goodwill.

Especially since she had called off the wedding on the very day itself.

Not only had she humiliated Alden, but she’d also embarrassed

Zane.

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The fact that Zane could still manage surface–level politeness was already a small miracle.

Zane returned to his office, his expression cold. “Is this thew firm Julian personally selected for the cooperation?”

Andy nodded, responding, “Yes.”

Julian is Lucien’s mani. /i

iCould /ihe have ifound /iout iabout /iKaia’s iprevious /iengagement ito /i

Alden?

“Find an opportunity to sound out Julian. If that’s indeed the case, you can drop him a hint.”

mplication was clear–Zane didn’t want Julian to

derstand that Kaia still had any ties to the Graves family.

Since she chose ito /ibreak off the engagement, she doesn’t deserve ito /iienjoy /iany iprivileges /iassociated iwith /ithe Graves ifamily/i.