Rowena''s eyes dimmed for a moment before she forced a smile.


    "Isadora, your Prince Charming really spoils you. We''re lucky just to be in your orbit."


    They arrived at the mall.


    Nte wasted no time, plucking several limited-edition dresses from the racks and disappearing into a fitting room.


    Rowena, on the other hand, was much more reserved, standing awkwardly off to the side.


    Nte called over impatiently, "Rowena, hurry up and pick something! How often do we get to go shopping on our best friend''s boyfriend''s tab? We should enjoy it while itsts!"


    She turned to Kemp, "Is there a spending limit?”


    Kemp shook his head, ncing at Isadora. "Mr. Fitzgerald said he just wants Miss Vaughan and her friends to have a good time."


    Isadora sat on the plush sofa, letting her gaze skim over the rows of high-end designer dresses.


    Each tag started at a small fortune—no less than twenty grand apiece.


    She''d already noticed that the walk-in closet at Summit Crest Estates was packed with exclusive, fresh-off-the-runway pieces, so the urge to buy more was minimal.


    But seeing Nte and Rowena so happy made her smile.


    Isadora pulled out her phone and texted, "Why the sudden generosity-lunch, shopping spree, the works?"


    Victor replied almost instantly.


    "Gotta win over the girlfriend''s besties."


    Isadora blinked, stillposing a reply, when another message popped up.


    Across town, Victor sat at the head of a boardroom table, legs crossed, leaning back in his chair with an easy, self-satisfied smile. "Did I do well?" he texted, as if fishing for praise.


    Up at the front, the senior director was mid-report when he caught the rare smile spreading across President Fitzgerald''s face. Thinking he was nailing his presentation, the director doubled down, enthusiasm bubbling over until he was nearly bursting into song.


    Back at the boutique, Isadora blushed at Victor''s message.


    She shot back, feigning indifference: *"You did this on your own. I never asked you. Don''t expect me to pay you back."*


    *"Just eat a little more tonight. That''ll make us even."*


    *"That''s it?"*


    *"Mhm. I like you with a little more to hold on to."*


    Isadora could only roll her eyes at her phone.


    After the shopping spree, arms full of designer bags, the girls headed to Gourmet Terrace.


    Gourmet Terrace was the city''s new hotspot-a ss-and-crystal wondend filled with rare blooms and dramatic lighting. Every corner was Instagrammable.


    The owner himself ushered them into a private VIP suite, where waiters began serving dish after dish on gleaming porcin tes.


    There was skan king crab, lobster soufflé with sea urchin, wild ginseng with morel mushrooms, pheasant stew with delicate consommé-the table groaned under the weight of luxury.


    And for each woman, a delicate bowl of peach resin and birds-nest soup, paired with a vintage ''82 Bordeaux.


    Rowena eyed the feast, estimating the bill would run into six figures. In the past, she might have shrugged it off, but now she couldn''t help thinking-tonight''s splurge could have wiped out a chunk of her debt.


    Some timeter, the suite door swung open.


    A tall man strode in, every inch the picture of effortless authority. He wore a crisp shirt, gray waistcoat, suit jacket draped over his arm, a striped tie knotted at his throat.


    He was dressed more formally than usual, exuding an air of rxed power.


    "Sorry I''mte. Got held up in a meeting," Victor said as he entered.


    Rowena looked up, momentarily stunned. The man''s striking features,manding presence, and easy confidence hit her like a punch to the chest.


    Victor slid into the seat beside Isadora.


    Nte shot Isadora a sly, knowing look and waggled her eyebrows.


    Rowena, ncing over, noticed how Victor''s arm rested casually along the back


    of Isadora''s chair, as if he meant to shield her from the world.


    Isadora, not used to her boyfriend making such a formal gesture in front of her friends, felt a little self-conscious.


    "Thanks for today. We had a great time shopping-no, ying. Really, thank you," she said.


    Victor''s lips curled at the corners, his dark eyes lingering on Isadora. His voice was low and smooth, just a touch teasing. "Are you happy?"