Chapter 2

I threw away all the useless things from my office.

In the end, I found I had nothing left to take.

Looking at the empty cubicle, I almost wanted to laugh.

My mind drifted back to the anonymous video I'd received last night while working late at the office.

In a private room, Adolph had his arm around a stunning beauty, listening indifferently to the chatter around him.

"Rory is still dutifully doing grunt work at Adolph's company, huh?"

"You've got to admit, Adolph's got skills. That heiress hasn't shown up to any of our parties in ages."

It was true.

Chasing Adolph for years, a privileged heiress like me, I'd practically become his indentured servant.

All he had to do was ask, and I'd willingly work late, attend his business dinners, until I was exhausted and sick.

In the end, all I got was a jest from his friends.

"Looking at it this way, Rory really is like Adolph's most obedient dog."

He stood by, swirling his drink, not denying it.

He even scoffed.

"What are you talking about? She's just *a* dog by my side, not 'the most' obedient one!"

The room erupted in laughter.

In that moment, it felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head.

So cold.

But it was also like I'd instantly woken up.

After a moment's thought, I quietly pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts to find the new guy my family had set me up with recently.

I'd heard he was a genuinely wonderful person.

But before, my mind was entirely consumed by Adolph, so I kept postponing the meeting and even thought about sabotaging it.

Now...

It seemed a little unethical, perhaps.

But as everyone knows, the best way to get over an ex is to start something new.

I tapped the screen.

**[Want to meet tomorrow?]**

To my surprise, he replied almost instantly.

**[Sure.]**

He was very gentlemanly.

He offered to let me choose the time and he'd arrange the location.

But when my parents had mentioned the meeting before, I hadn't listened to a single word.

So now, I knew absolutely nothing about this man.

Arriving early at our meeting spot, I hesitated outside the door.

What if I didn't recognize him later? That would be so awkward.

As I paced back and forth, I accidentally bumped into someone.

I looked up.

My gaze met a perfectly tailored, sharp suit.

Above that, a face with astonishingly refined features.

And the owner of that face was looking at me with a gentle expression.

"Why aren't you going in?"

His seemingly perfectly kissable thin lips moved as he spoke...

I subconsciously swallowed.

Then quickly realized my lapse in composure.

Because I knew this man.

Archer Kingston.

A well-known powerhouse in the industry.

I'd seen his name countless times on Adolph's company's target partner list.

But rumor had it he was ruthless, cold-hearted, and incredibly difficult to approach.

Collaborations with him had never succeeded.

I quickly stepped back, making way for him.

"Oh, sorry, so sorry. I'm waiting for someone, I was a bit distracted, my apologies, please go ahead—"

But the man in front of me let out a soft laugh.

"Ms. Jenkins."

I looked up, surprised.

How did he know my last name?

His eyes held a hint of a smile.

"Is there a chance the person you're waiting for... is me?"