Amara frowned. Was it her imagination, or did this tall man, now bowing his head to apologize to her, look a little... pathetic?


    It had to be an illusion. A man this tall, powerful, and influential was always the one making others miserable, never the one to be pitied.


    Shaking off the useless flicker of sympathy, Amara ignored him and went to her room.


    Finnian didn''t go back to the office that day. Will had brought over his pending work when he delivered Amara''s car, so he decided to stay at the estate and read. He spent the night there as well.


    The next day, Finnian went to the office in the morning but was back by the afternoon. Amara was reading in the living room and was surprised to see him return so early.


    Finnian nced at her but didn''t say a word before disappearing into the study. Amara stayed where she was and continued to read. In the evening, the three of them—Amara, Finnian, and Mr. Kevin Everly-had dinner together.


    Around ten, just as Amara was getting ready for bed after washing up, there was a knock on her door.


    She had a feeling who it was. She put on her robe, opened the door, and sure enough, Finnian was standing outside.


    Strangely, he was dressed to go out, with a jacket slung over his arm.


    "Is there something you need, Mr. Everly?" Amara asked.


    "Do you want to go out?" he asked. "We might be able to see Andrew and Fiona."


    Amara had been about to refuse after the first part of his question, but at the mention of Andrew and Fiona, her eyes lit up. "Okay," she nodded. "Wait for me, I''ll go change."


    Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Finnian couldn''t help but smile. He found this side of her incredibly charming.


    For Amara, Andrew and Fiona''s affair could only benefit her, so catching them in the act was like watching a juicy piece of gossip unfold.


    She changed as quickly as she could, left her room, and went out with Finnian.


    Finnian drove them out. On the way, Amara texted one of the housekeepers to ask what Fiona was doing.


    The reply came: "Ma''am went shopping with friends today. She said she''s staying at a friend''s house tonight and probably won''t be back."


    Amara smiled slightly and put her phone away.


    Finnian nced at her. "Why are you so happy?" he couldn''t help but ask.


    It was only then that he realized how much he longed to see her smile. He would do anything to see her genuinely happy.


    "It''s nothing," Amara said. "I was just texting with one of the housekeepers, confirming that Fiona isn''t home."


    They made small talk until the car pulled up in front of a bar.


    Finnian exined, "We''ll go into a private room first. It''s adjacent to the one Andrew and Fiona booked. There''s a hidden peephole between the rooms that will let us see what''s going on."


    Amara was surprised by this arrangement but nodded. "Okay." She followed Finnian inside.


    A staff member led them to the room. Finnian locked the door, and they sat on the sofa. He then lifted a painting ng on the wait behind them Tevealing a small, thumb-sized hole.


    Amara quickly put her eye to it and saw Andrew and Fiona in the identical room next


    door. Andrew had his arm around Fiona, and they were whispering to each other.


    After a moment, Fiona, who was


    het


    usually so caustic, actually had coy look on her face before she giggled. Then, the embraceo tightened, and they started kissing.