“Give him whatever he wants!” Cynthia, ignorant about the business, gave in to Aries’s demand, and Isla couldn’t help but feel amused as she looked at her uncle.

“Cynthia, are you crazy?” Alfred raised his voice. “He is demanding a majority stake of 51% along with decision-making authority. Do you understand the meaning?” He berated her.

“Alfred, we need Aries on our side!” Cynthia argued.

“At this cost? This will ruin us!” He exclaimed in disapproval and turned to Mr. Johnson. “What is your opinion? You’re the head of the financial department. Don’t you think it’s a risky collaboration?”

“Aries Grayson is the leading name in the business world right now! Intelligent and extremely unpredictable. It is a risky collaboration, Mrs. Glaziers!” He glanced at Cynthia, and her smile vanished.

“But this collaboration could be remarkable in history. With a whopping investment of seventy million, Mr. Grayson offers his expertise and experience, which surpasses our investment threefold. Overall, it’s a good deal given our market position. I’m uncertain whether we’ll generate any profit next year.”

“That is precisely the reason he wants to do business with us!” Alfred sneered. “He understands our Achilles’ heel.”

“That’s what we term as business rivalry!” Mr. Johnson argued. “Had we been in his shoes, we would have done the same. I opine that the Glazier Group will maintain its initial position if we collaborate with Aries Grayson. Aries Grayson is the last resort to save the Glazier Group after Shane Glazier.”

After hearing out both gentlemen, Cynthia ultimately made a decision. “We are proceeding with the collaboration.”

Isla’s mouth curved into a big smile. Her daydreams of meeting Aries were nothing short of a fairytale. But little did she know fairytales were meant for the angels confined in a cuff.

While preparing dinner, Cara occasionally glanced at her new sneaker. She was humming a song and lost in thought when Keith suddenly appeared in the kitchen, wrapped in a towel around his waist, right after showering. “I can’t find my phone!” He looked around.

Blood flooded Cara’s cheeks as she stood watching him. The woody masculine cologne hit her nostrils, and she failed to think straight until Keith picked up his phone from the couch and walked back into his room again.

A few minutes later, “Cara, I’m heading out for a party!” He emerged once more, dressed in blue jeans, a black leather jacket, and a black tee underneath, and Cara gave a nod of understanding without turning toward him. “Why don’t you join me?” He asked.

“No, I’m fine!” She turned to him.

“Come on, join me. Janet will be there to accompany you.”

Tempted by the idea of partying, Cara couldn’t help but nod. Her new shoes had caught Keith’s attention, and he chuckled as he watched her roam around the house in them since they arrived. “I see! You just need to change clothes.”

His remark embarrassed Cara, and she watched him turn to his room. Cara kissed Milo’s head and left to change her clothes in the other direction. Meanwhile, Milo remained in the hall, staring at the two closed doors with his tongue out.

Aries, with a glass of whiskey in hand, was celebrating his first victory over Glazier Group at the renowned bar in New Orleans. The memories of his meeting with Shane Glazier the day before his fatal car accident four years ago were still crisp in his mind.

Shane Glazier was a visionary man. A man with aspirations as grand as his, yet more down-to-earth. Together, they devised a youth-oriented business venture.

He wished his daughter to engage in this partnership with Aries, considering Aries the perfect mentor to educate her on the changing aspects of the corporate world.

His words still linger in Aries’s mind.

“Aries, my daughter is naïve; she doesn’t understand how this world works. If something happened to me someday, I wouldn’t know who would take care of her. How will she survive alone? The thought of it fills me with fear.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Glazier! She has been blessed with two of the finest mentors. I’ll teach her how to soar, and you’ll teach her how to stay rooted,” Aries smiled. “To secure her effortless induction into the business world, it is advisable to initiate work on this project at the earliest opportunity.”

“Ah... there’s no need to rush, Aries! We still have a three-year window!”

Unbeknownst to them, it was their only official meeting. On the night of his daughter’s birthday, Shane Glazier passed away, leaving behind shattered dreams.

Aries let out a sigh and downed his drink. He lifted his phone from the counter and perused Isla’s pictures. He scoured her social media profiles and discovered the brunette relishing life to the fullest. She bore no resemblance to the girl her father spoke of. Isla exhibited boldness, confidence, and haughtiness.

“Time changes everyone!” Aries checked out her profile, and all he could figure out was that she’s a bratty girl who likes to get wasted at clubs while her mommy dearest tries to fix her reputation.

Cara reluctantly accompanied Keith to the party, but the atmosphere completely transformed her disposition. The atmosphere of neon lights, cheerful people, and the poolside arrangement was uplifting and energizing.

“Let’s dance!” someone shouted in the crowd, and everyone grooved to the beat of the music. Cara was enjoying herself until she caught sight of the entrance and was momentarily stunned.

“Isla!” She attempted to conceal herself.

Isla observed her disappearing into the crowd from the corner of her eyes and grinned. “Run. Cara. Run! I’ll make sure you run all your life!”

Cara hastened to scour every nook and cranny to locate Keith and eventually caught sight of him at the bar in the company of his friends. They were relishing in a lively discussion as Cara arrived. Before she could say anything, Keith encircled his arm around her waist and pulled her into an intimate embrace.

She gave him a blank stare, her eyes wide. “Meet my girlfriend, Cara!” As he introduced her to his friends, she momentarily forgot why she was looking for him and simply stared at him before briefly acknowledging his friends with a smile.

“So, she is the one that Natalie mentioned!” A whistle escaped from his friend. “But don’t you think she is quite young for you?” He chuckled while Keith rolled his eyes.

“And too gorgeous for you?” The other said.

“Hello, Cara! I’m delighted to meet you,” his friend reached out to shake her hand.

“Hi,” she greeted him with a handshake.

“I hope this asshole is treating you right!”

“Well, I sincerely hope he is treating you better than me!” Keith’s smile faltered as Natalie appeared, causing him to tighten his grip on Cara’s waist.

Natalie cast a disdainful glance up and down Cara’s ill-fitting and inexpensive dress and smirked. “But I doubt!”

Disregarding her words, Cara faced Keith. “We need to talk!” With a smile, she gradually released herself from his grasp, and Keith’s conscience appeared to kick in.

“No talking, it’s time to dance!” Janet pulled Cara and Keith along, and they all strolled out to the poolside.

As the music played, the couples danced, their eyes locked in love, except for one couple who seemed to be lost in their thoughts. Cara and Keith.

They were evading eye contact and appeared to be in a state of inner turmoil. Cara was afraid that Isla and the Glazier family would find out about her false relationship with Keith. She looked up at Keith and decided to clear her head.

“What’s going on, Keith? Why did you introduce me as your girlfriend?”

“I’m sorry! They kept pestering me with questions, and even though it wasn’t my intention, I ended up doing it. I got irritated!” He spoke, his voice deep and resonant. “I promise I won’t drag you into my mess again.”

Cara nodded and clutched Keith’s shoulder when she saw Isla behind him. “I was thinking, can we go h…” Just as she was about to finish, Keith interrupted her by pulling out his phone to check a message. To his surprise, it was from Natalie.

“Your eyes still linger on me like before. I know you want me back, baby! Stop playing games.”

Keith’s nostrils flared in anger. He pushed his phone back into his pocket and sauntered away, leaving Cara stranded amongst strangers. She advanced a step to chase him, but Natalie materialized out of thin air.

“Stay away from Keith!” With a growl on her face, she pushed her back.

Cara glanced down at her index finger resting on her chest before her hazel eyes shifted back to Natalie. “Keith has no interest in you! Get the message and back off?”

“You bloody lowlife!” Natalie advanced aggressively towards her, and Cara recoiled, inching towards the swimming pool with nervous gulps, berating herself for speaking up.

“Its….. I think good for y-you and K-Keith?” Natalie’s gradual approach made Cara feel intimidated, and she quickly glanced at the blue water behind her.

“Babe, if you tried to get in my way, I’ll wreak havoc in your life! Just fuck off!” Natalie gave her a sudden push, causing her to fall into the swimming pool.

“Keith!!!” As Cara hit the water, she let out a piercing scream, drawing everyone’s gaze. She composed herself and stood still in the middle of the water, feeling the gentle current passing by. The cool breeze made her shiver.

“You’re born to become a butt of jokes, Cara!” Pressing her lips in a straight line, she felt her heart thumping against her chest as she watched everyone laughing at her for no apparent reason. Not one of them came forward to help her.

“This laughingstock thinks she can beat me!” Natalie turned away but caught sight of Keith taking off his white t-shirt, revealing his sculpted body, as he stepped into the water.

The commotion ceased as Keith reached Cara in the pool. His electrifying blue eyes glared at Natalie before turning soft to Cara.

“I am sorry! Alright?” His hands cradled her face as he flicked his eyes back and forth between her hazel eyes and rosy lips.

She kept staring at Keith. Her heart was beating fast as Keith leaned in, and her cheeks grew hot when he pressed his lips to hers. Adrenaline coursed through Cara. She clutched his shoulder and blushed as he kissed her.

Natalie and Isla were taken aback as the crowd around the swimming pool whistled. Anger filled their eyes as they watched them standing close. Keith wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close, and they continued kissing.

To stop him, Cara pushed her palms against his chest. Keith looked into her eyes, searching for something, before turning to Natalie.“You'd better keep your distance from my girlfriend if you don’t want any problems!” His announcement shocked Cara more than Natalie.

“Oh, why the fuck did you send Isla to that party?” Alfred Doyle appeared upset and confronted Cynthia.

“She got to know that Cara is appearing with her boyfriend! So, I asked her to check if they are really in love or if Cara is playing some game with us!” Cynthia sneered.

“You know Isla has a big mouth! She won’t just stand in a corner and observe everything. She may confront Cara aggressively and cause harm. What if Cara revealed everything to Keith?” Alfred Doyle paced back and forth with his face in his hands. “Fuck! What should I do now?”

“Calm down! I warned Isla not to talk to Cara!” Cynthia sat comfortably in her recliner, taking a sip of her coffee.

Alfred Doyle turned to her. “You think Isla will heed your advice?” He cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t recall if she was ever an obedient one!”

Cara changed into a blue bodycon and blow-dried her hair. Looking in the mirror, she touched her swollen lips and recalled the kiss when she heard the door shut. Startled, she turned, only to find Isla walking in her direction.

Her expression turned anxious, and she quickly gulped. “Drop the act, Cara!” Isla smiled slyly. “I know I don’t scare you!”

“W-what do you want?” Cara took a step back, stuttering, while Isla walked towards her, taking a deep breath.

“What would I want from a beggar?” She sneered. “You look better than at our last encounter. Your boyfriend is taking good care of you.”

Cara gulped as she watched Isla’s hand reaching out to set her hair, and the next moment, she pulled her hair back. “Ahh!” Cara yelped in pain and tried to free her hair from her grasp, but Isla only tortured her more.

“Do you think you can fight against the Glaziers? How dare you forget your place!” She growled at her.

“Isla, please leave me!”

Isla’s pressure made Cara’s eyes well up. “You think you can change the world if you have Aries and Keith?” She sneered and laughed evilly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Cara choked. Though she could easily push and slap Isla for her behaviour, something held Cara back, and she could only plead to be let go.

“Beg me more!!” Isla’s grip on her throat left Cara in excruciating pain and struggling to breathe.

“If you don’t leave me alone, I’ll have no choice but to spill everything to Keith,” Cara said, and Isla quickly left her in an instant. She coughed badly, her eyes watering, and took a moment to catch her breath.

“I’ll let him know all the hardships I’ve faced because of the Glazier family!” The little confidence in her voice scared Isla. “He will get me justice, punishing you all!”