Scarlette walked in, arm-in-arm with a guy ra didn''t recognize. ra gave him a friendly smile.


    Scarlette, unaware of who was in the private room, introduced him anyway. "Hey, meet my boyfriend, Morgan. He''s a university professor."


    ra reached out to shake his hand. "Nice to meet you, Morgan."


    Morgan looked like he was in his thirties, radiating that maic charm only a mature guy can pull off.


    "Pleasure to meet you," he replied.


    ra was there to drop off some documents. As she was about to make a quick exit, a familiar voice from inside interrupted her ns. "Scarlette, you''ve got a boyfriend and didn''t even bring him home?"


    Scarlette hadn''t anticipated Nichs being there; her smile faltered for a brief second.


    Nichs had already swung open the door and was eyeing Morgan with interest. Even ra, who wasn''t the most perceptive, could feel the tension in the air.


    Was there a sibling rivalry or something?


    Nichs didn''t linger on Morgan for long before delivering a jab, "Your taste in men is as outdated as ever."


    Scarlette flicked her curls back with a sigh, "Nichs, could you be a bit more polite?"


    Nichs shrugged, stepping aside. "Well, since you''re here, why not join us for breakfast?"


    Scarlette was about to decline, but Nichs cut her off with a knowing look. "Morgan, you''ve never met her family, have you?"


    Scarlette chuckled, "Alright, we''ll join. Hope we''re not interrupting, Mr. Dn."


    She addressed this to Dn, who nodded from his wheelchair.


    ra didn''t want any part of the brewing storm, so she quickly settled into a seat next to him.


    Scarlette and Morgan took seats together, while Nichs sat solo.


    A waiter knocked gently. "Ready to serve the dishes?"


    Silence.


    The waiter felt a shiver, and then a voice as soft as a whisper broke the quiet. "Yes, go ahead."


    Dn then turned to ra. "Anything you''d like in particr?"


    ra felt a bit on edge. The vibe was okay, but something was off. "I''ll have hatever you''re having, Mr. Dn."


    As breakfast was served, ra kept her head down, eating quietly. Nichs broke the silence. "Scarlette, why haven''t you been answering my calls?"


    ''Here we go.'' ra braced herself for some juicy drama, expecting to hear about a major falling-out between the siblings.


    But Scarlette was cool as a cucumber. "Since leaving the Greenard Group, I''ve been doing just fine on my own. I want to prove I don''t need to ride on thepany''s coattails, so I''m keeping my distance."


    Morgan picked up some fruitcake for her, but Nichs intercepted. "She''s allergic."


    Surprised, Morgan looked to Scarlette. "We just had some the other day. Why didn''t you mention that?"


    Scarlette reached for the fruitcake. "Don''t worry, I used to be allergic."


    Before she could grab it, Nichs tossed the fruitcake into the trash. Scarlette''s brow furrowed as she set her fork down. "I need a smoke."


    Scarlette smoked in private. She always chose the nice-smelling, light cigarettes.


    She''d barely been outside for five minutes when Nichs got up and followed her out. He didn''t say a word to anyone.


    ra was worried about a potential showdown, and whispered to Dn, "Mr. Dn, I''m just gonna check on her."


    She couldn''t shake the odd feeling from Dn''s nce, but he didn''t stop her, so she slipped out.


    The Lakeside Restaurant was sprawling, with multiple floors and beautifully decorated corridors. It was still early, so the lighting was soft and dim. Each private room was spaced out by about ten meters, with top-notch soundproofing, catering to their elite clientele.


    As ra walked past one of the rooms, she saw Nichs pinning Scarlette against the wall through an open door.


    Scarlette had a cigarette dangling from her lips, her gaze sharp. Just as she was about to speak, Nichs took the cigarette from her mouth.


    He flicked the ash, popped it into his own mouth, then frowned. "Still smoking the same brand, I see."


    ra paused, unsure if she should step in. It didn''t seem like a fight was about to break out.


    Scarlette tried to push him away, but he held her hand to his chest. "Scarlette, you never answered me. Why haven''t you been taking my calls?"


    She''d already given an answer in the room, but Nichs wasn''t buying it. He held her hand tightly, his eyes stormy, "Are you avoiding me because we hooked up? I thought nothing scared you."


    Scarlette frowned, trying to pull her hand back. "Are you done?"


    "Not even close." He lifted her hand and bit her fingertip. "You knew I''d make a fuss, that''s why you''re dodging me. I wasn''t drunk that night, you made the first move. You slept with me, so you''re my woman now. And now you''re seeing someone else? What does that make me?"


    "Nichs!"


    Before she could say more, Nichs tossed the cigarette aside, lifted her up, and kissed her with a fierce intensity.