Upon arriving at the doors of the Harris Group, Amanda waved goodbye to Winter. She was about to step out of the car when the little girl's hand pulled her back.
"I forgot something important!"
Winter pulled a stack of photos from her pocket and handed them to Amanda. "The announcement ceremony for the movie Love Is Tested is coming up. Here are some dress models selected by Mr. Sam for you to review and choose from."
Amanda raised her eyebrows slightly as she took the photos, reminded that the ceremony was tonight. Unlike other artists who had to borrow clothes from fashion brands for parties, Amanda's family was wealthy enough that she simply bought whatever she liked.
"I know. I'll send you my choice tonight," Amanda said. "Go home quickly, bye-bye."
Waving to Winter once more, Amanda stepped inside. The receptionist, who had already met Amanda twice, remembered her well. Furthermore, Secretary James had given her private instructions: when this girl arrived, she was to be taken directly to President Harris—preferably to a spot where the big boss could see her the moment he lifted his head.
The receptionist personally escorted Amanda upstairs, but this time, they bypassed the 30th floor and stopped at the 25th.
"Why are we going to the 25th floor?" Amanda asked suspiciously. The 30th floor was where Quentin's office was located.
"The President is in a meeting on the 25th floor, Miss," the receptionist answered politely. Amanda was surprised that she was being taken to the main conference room, but she didn't press further and simply nodded.
Inside the large meeting room, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.
"A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Kent."
"The pleasure is mine, President Harris."
Quentin and Derrick shook hands sincerely. On the table lay two contracts bearing both their signatures—proof that the "Garden Project" had officially been approved by the two leading corporations of the North and South cities.
Javier sat in the deputy director's chair, his face gloomy and devoid of warmth as he glared coldly at the pair. He had used every strategy to prevent this partnership, yet he had failed.
The more Javier watched them, the angrier he became. He stood up abruptly, his chair screeching shrilly against the floor. Quentin and Derrick barely spared him a glance, not even bothering to acknowledge him. Javier snorted coldly, straightened his sleeves, and stormed out.
Derrick watched him go, looking amused. He elbowed Quentin's shoulder and whispered, "Look at that. Your dear nephew was played by us until he's ready to spit blood!"
Quentin shifted aside to avoid the elbow and calmly dismissed his guest. "If you have so much free time, go home and look after your own company."
Derrick shrugged, tucked the contract under his arm, and waved to the department directors Quentin was still holding back. "Goodbye, everyone."
Javier stormed out of the meeting room and immediately collided with Amanda, who had just stepped out of the elevator.
When Amanda saw him, her footsteps faltered. She wanted to turn back into the elevator, but the receptionist had already pressed the button for the ground floor. The receptionist had told her to wait in the lounge near the conference room, but with Javier standing there, Amanda turned to walk in the opposite direction.
Seeing the woman who used to cling to him now treating him like a stranger ignited Javier's fury. Already humiliated by the meeting, his face turned pale with rage. He reached out and snatched Amanda's arm, pulling her back.
"Does seeing me bother you that much?"
"Let me go!" Amanda struggled against his grip. Javier only tightened his hold until it hurt.
"I won't let go. What are you going to do about it?"
"Javier! You're crazy!"
Amanda raised her hand to slap him, but Javier was faster, catching her wrist mid-air.
"You want to hit me? Fine, let's find somewhere else to play!"
Today's loss to Quentin was his third major defeat of the year. Blinded by spite, Javier dragged Amanda toward the elevator.
"You bastard! Let go! Do you think I won't scream?"
Because this floor was reserved for executive meetings, the hallway was deserted. Amanda sensed Javier was losing his mind and refused to enter the elevator.
Javier's expression darkened. He laughed mockingly, pinning Amanda's hands behind her back. "Then scream," he hissed. "Let everyone know that Quentin's wife was being groped by me in his own company."
Amanda's chest heaved with rage. With her hands restrained, she didn't hesitate—she slammed her head forward, striking his forehead with all her might.
Javier cried out in pain and his grip loosened. Amanda immediately turned to run for help, but she only made it two steps before Javier roughly tackled her against the wall.
"You're so aggressive now... are you in love with him?"
Javier's eyes looked like those of a rabid animal—bloodshot, fierce, and full of venom. For a moment, the look reminded Amanda of the way he had looked right before he pushed her off the rooftop in her previous life.
A suffocating weight pressed down on her chest. The anger in her eyes sharpened into a lethal coldness as she stared him down.
"What if I do love him? A vile, despicable person like you doesn't even have the right to ask!"
Javier narrowed his eyes and swung his hand back to slap her. But just as he moved, someone caught his arm, stopping him cold.