When Ian appeared in the office with apletely new look, everyone was stunned. Previously, Ian was known as a nerd-in and awkward in his old-fashioned clothes, with long, unkempt hair that made him look far older than his age.


    But after Aurora helped him with a makeover, the change was striking. When Ian walked in, all eyes were on him. Even Gemma, who was in the middle of applying lipstick, dropped it onto the table in shock. If this Ian had pursued her back in their first year of college, how could she have possibly said no?


    Ian''s tall and athletic figure, honed by years of basketball and exercise, had always been hidden beneath his frumpy sportswear. Back then, he wore oversized sses with thick ck frames, and his messy hair obscured much of his face.


    Now, dressed in a sharp suit that highlighted his physique, with his hair styled neatly and contact lenses recing his sses, Ian looked like an entirely different person- like a refined young gentleman from a wealthy family.


    "Ian, you look like apletely new man!" Gemma greeted him enthusiastically, even going so far as to link her arm with his.


    Ian frowned and pulled his arm away. "This has nothing to do with you."


    Leonard also came over, visibly impressed. "Wow, man, what happened? You''re like a new person overnight!"


    "I have work to do," Ian replied curtly. He remembered what Aurora had told him- trouble was likely brewing for thepany soon. Determined to help her, Ian had already bought several books about perfumery the day before.


    NE''s actions against Aurora had filled Ian with self-reproach. If he had the skills, he could have created the perfect perfume for her.


    Ian was the kind of person who acted on his thoughts immediately, regardless of hisck of experience. As long as he had a goal, he would start pursuing it without dy.


    "Why are you buying so many books on perfumery? That''s not even your field," Leonard asked, puzzled.


    "I''m just browsing. Things are slowtely anyway," Ian replied casually.


    "How do you know it''s going to be slow?" Leonard and the others weren''t yet aware of the issues with the order.


    "It''s nothing. You guys should get back to work," Ian said. By now, he had fully aligned himself with Aurora and considered himself one of her trusted confidants. There was no way he would casually revealpany secrets.


    Leonard and Gemma both noticed that Ian had changed-not just in appearance but also in demeanor. He was no longer the shy, self-conscious guy who couldn''t even make eye contact with people.


    Now, Ian often sat by the window with a cup of coffee and a book. He read diligently, looking up anything he didn''t understand and taking notes as he went.


    For the first time, Gemma noticed how attractive Ian''s hands were and how his sun- kissed skin radiated a subtle charm. He was undeniably an exceptional man. How had she not seen it before?


    Heather had also transformed, cutting her hair short and adopting a more polished appearance. Like Ian, she had started researching perfumery and was teaching herself the craft.


    Both Ian and Heather werepletely different from their past selves, attracting attention from their colleagues. Heather had evolved from being a timid assistant in the Montgomery Group, often overlooked and ordered around, to bing an independent, confident woman admired by many.


    Unlike Gemma, who relied on feigned weakness to attract men, Heather''s independence and warm personality drew genuine admirers. Flowers began appearing on her desk, and colleagues offered to stand in line for her meals or apany her home after work.


    But Heather didn''t let it go to her head. She knew she still had much to learn and aspired to be someone like Aurora.


    Ian shared the same ambition. Both he and Heather had found a mutual goal in Aurora. Though they never spoke much-just exchanged polite smiles when they happened to meet on the subway-they had be allies in their shared pursuit of growth and excellence.


    For two days, Ian hadn''t seen Aurora. Her absence left him with an inexplicable void.


    That day, he spotted Mona and finally worked up the courage to ask, "Manager, why haven''t I seen the boss aroundtely?"


    "The boss is in New York for training," Mona replied. "Why? Did you need her for something?"


    "No, I was just worried she might be upset about notnding that order and decided to stay away," Ian said, masking his true thoughts.


    "Don''t worry about her. The boss didn''t get to where she is by being fragile. She''s been through things you can''t imagine. This is just a minor setback. She''s in New York learning perfumery from a master. When she returns, she''ll be better than ever," Mona reassured him.


    Mona knew that Ian was someone Aurora valued, so she didn''t brush him off and instead told him the truth.


    Ian admired Aurora even more. Despite her status, she was still willing to humble herself and learn from the best, even leaving her twopanies behind to do so.


    "Got it, Manager. Thank you. I''ll head out now," Ian said, feeling much lighter after learning Aurora''s whereabouts.


    "Alright, take care."


    Ian was about to take the subway home when his phone rang. It was Leonard. "Leo, what''s up?"


    "Ian, let''s hang out tonight! It''s been ages since we all got together," Leonard said. "Not tonight. I need to go home and study," Ian replied instinctively.


    "Come on, man! You''ve gone crazy with books, and it''s not like you''re preparing for an exam. It''s the boss''s birthday today. If you don''te, it''ll look bad. We''ve been through so much together-skipping sses and all that. Don''t let me down," Leonard pleaded.


    "Alright, fine. Where''s the ce?"


    Leonard gave him the address, and Ian reluctantly headed over.


    When he arrived, he immediately noticed Gemma was there. His expression darkened. He had grown to despise her.


    "Why is she here?"


    "We invited your goddess, of course. Surprise, huh?" Everyone still thought Ian had feelings for Gemma.


    "You ran all the way here, didn''t you? Look at you, sweating all over," Gemma said, acting sweet and attentive as she reached out to wipe his sweat.


    The more she acted like this, the more repulsed Ian felt. Her maniptive nature reminded him of how naive he had once been.


    Grabbing her hand, Ian addressed the group seriously, "Since everyone is here today, it''s time to clear the air between me and Gemma. Listen up-I''ll only say this once."