At a high-end restaurant, soft music yed as elites mingled over fine dining.


    A single red candle and a bouquet of roses sat in the center of the table. The small, intimate table barely had enough space for two sets of tes, let alone business documents.


    Serena raised an eyebrow and nced at Zach across from her. "Mr. Foster, this doesn''t seem like the right ce for a business discussion."


    "I just heard this was the best restaurant in town. And they serve foie gras-your favorite," Zach said casually.


    But the effort was clear. The table he had chosen offered the best view of the city skyline. Just beyond the window was a bustlingmercial district, and in the distance, a sereneke reflected the city lights.


    Every dish on the table was exactly to her taste.


    It felt surreal. For a moment, it was as if they were still a couple, like nothing had changed.


    But Serena had no appetite. She had no interest in the view either. She didn''t touch her silverware, her gaze indifferent.


    "Whether I like foie gras depends on who I''m eating with. If you''re not here to talk business, I won''t waste my time."


    She set down her napkin and stood up to leave.


    Zach stopped her. "Mr. Jansen specifically asked you to have this meeting with me. It''s just one meal. Can''t you at least give me that?"


    Serena''s steps faltered.


    The veiled threat about Amber Group surfaced in her mind, and she clenched her jaw.


    The more he forced her into these situations, the more she despised him. Zach knew that, yet he kept pushing her, leaving her to wonder what he was trying to achieve.


    Bitterness from the past washed over her. She took a deep breath before sitting back down and forcing a polite smile. "Whatever you say, Mr. Foster."


    "Rena, do you have to be so cruel?"


    "Let''s not ruin the meal."


    The tension between them was sharp, neither willing to back down.


    Zach didn''t want to keep antagonizing her, so he let out a breath, swallowing back the pointed remarks. Instead, he shifted the conversation to small talk, steering it towards lighter topics, trying to ease the tension.


    Serena asionally responded, but her tone remained indifferent. When his questions became too intrusive, she redirected the conversation back to business.


    From the outside, they might have looked like a couple enjoying a pleasant dinner.


    Separated by a pane of ss and a busy street, Wendy was out shopping alone. She had just bought two sets of silky, delicate lingerie, hoping to catch Zach''s attention more often at home.


    As she turned her head, the sight before her made her freeze.


    There, under the warm glow of candlelight, Zach and Serena sat together.


    For a moment, everything around her went silent. She stood frozen, wondering if she was dreaming.


    Why were they back together? When did this happen? Was it because she had said the wrong thing at thest meeting?


    A flood of questions rushed through her mind. But in the end, they all condensed into a single thought.


    She couldn''t let Zach slip away to Serena again.


    A sudden surge of panic overtook her. Without thinking, Wendy darted across the street, startling the drivers.


    The screech of brakes filled the air as cars skidded to a halt, with horns ring in protest, but she didn''t care.


    She stormed into the restaurant just in time to hear Zach say to Serena, his voice soft and full of longing, "We can go back to how things were..."


    No!


    A surge of fury and panic crashed over her. Clutching her chest, Wendy let out a shaky breath and copsed to the floor.


    "Oh my gosh! Someone has just fainted!"


    "Call an ambnce!"


    Gasps and panicked voices rang out from the entrance.


    Both Serena and Zach instinctively turned toward themotion.


    Serena immediately recognized the woman who was clutching her chest. Before


    she could say a word, a rush of wind swept past her.


    "Wendy!"


    Zach rushed forward without hesitation.