Ss strode into his office, anger simmering in his chest. By the time he reached the reception, most of the alcohol in his system had


    cleared


    Mrs. Harris stood up when he opened the door.


    "Mr. Stone," she said, her tone quaking with regret. "I tried to stop him, sir, but he wouldn''t listen."


    Ss nodded, keeping his temper in check. "Is he inside?"


    "Yes, sir," she replied, nodding. "A security guard is with him."


    "Alright," Ss said, heading toward his office.


    His office was a spacious room with three big windows above the bustling street below. Standing by the windows always gave him a sense of power, as if he was sitting on top of the world,


    And everytime he entered his office, he always looked forward to standing at the window, watching nameless strangers go about their lives.


    But today, he felt no anticipation-just pure anger towards Dn, Well, anger, confusion and curiosity.


    When he pushed the door open, the security guard turned to face him.


    "Hello, sir, the guard greeted.


    "The Ss Stone," Dn said, the corners of his mouth curled into a mocking smile. He was lounging on Ss chair, spinningzily with a magazine in his hand.


    Ss clenched his jaw at the sight. "Get out of my chair," he ordered.


    The security guard shuffled nervously, his voice quaking. "I tried to tell him... not to touch anything."


    "It''s okay. I''ll handle this," Ss said, assuring him.


    The guard nodded and left.


    Dn smirked, dropping the magazine on the desk as he stood. "How are you doing today?"


    Ss snarled. "What the fuck do you want?"


    "Oh, cursing are we?" Dn teased, sauntering away from the table.


    Ss inhaled sharply, resisting the urge to lunge at Dn and punch the smirk out


    of his face. Instead, he moved to his desk and sank into his chair.


    "How can I help you, Dn?" Ss asked,


    Instead of replying, Dn scrolled around the office. He paused at the bookshelf Ss used as decoration and pulled out a book.


    "Still looking sharp in here," Dn said, flipping through the book like he wanted to consume its content, "You''ve done great these past months. Well done."


    Ss rolled his eyes at the insincerepliment, his anger simmering. They used to do everything together. Dn used to be the COO of thepany, overseeing


    its operations with precision-before he decided to sleep with Kim.


    Ss hadn''t fired him, Dn had just been too ashamed to carry on.


    "What do you really want?" Ss demanded, his voice filled with irritation.


    "Can''t a man visit an old friend?" Dn asked in a tone Ss didn''t trust. "I just wanted to see how you''re doing, how thepany is doing


    "As you can see," Ss said coldly, "thepany is thriving beyond your wildest dreams."


    "I heard you got the Entrepreneur of the Year award," Dn said, returning the book to the shelf before facing him. "Technically, I put


    11:53 AM


    you on that map."


    "Still delusional, I see," Ss shot back, his patience wearing thin.


    Dn had always been a cocky bastard, but that cockiness had its advantages. It had gotten him far-gotten them far. Ss felt a pang of longing slicing through his anger. As much as he hated to admit, he missed his best friend. But he knew better. No best friend would harm another. No best friend would take his best friend''s fiancée to bed-even if she was a cheap opportunist.


    Dn chuckled. "A man can only hope."


    Ss had a lot to do today and no time to pretend Dn''s betrayal wasn''t still hurting him. "I don''t have all day, Dn." His voice was cold and he saw that Dn noticed it.


    Dn nodded, and started to pace. He ced his hand in his trousers pocket like he always did when he was struggling with his ego. "Well," he began softly, his blue eyes shifting with guilt, "I came to apologize."


    Ss clenched his fist under the table. "For?"


    "Ah,e on!" Dn whined. "Don''t be like this."


    Ss wanted tough at Dn''s difort, but his anger swallowed the urge. "If you don''t have anything worthwhile to say, use the door."


    "Fine," Dn sighed, dropping his hand. "I''m sorry for... smashing Kim."


    God, Ss had been waiting for Dn to say those words for months. The image of Dn grinding Kim had haunted him relentlessly, but he''d been willing to give Dn a chance-a chance to exin, a chance to apologize. And yet, Dn gave him nothing.


    Now, hearing the apology he''d longed for brought no relief. He felt nothing.


    "Alright," Ss replied tly, turning back to his desk.


    "Alright? That''s it?" Dn asked, incredulous.


    Ss raised a brow. "What else were you expecting?"


    "I don''t know," Dn shrugged, moving closer. "Maybe that you forgive me? That you''re not angry anymore?"


    "I''ve already worked through my anger a very long time ago," Ss said without looking at him. "I''m not mad at you."


    "But you won''t forgive me?"


    Ss feit the anger rekindle in his chest. "Forgive you? You slept with my fiancée!"


    "Well, we slept together, Dn countered.


    Ss shook his head, disgusted by Dn''s attitude. "Just leave, Dn."


    "Fine. I was a terrible friend, and I shouldn''t have done that!" Dn blurted out,


    his eyes glistening with regret. But Ss wasn''t buying it.


    "Go," Ss said, reaching for hisptop.


    "I couldn''t keep my dick in my pants, and neither could Kim," Dn added hastily. "But I''m not ming her-"


    Ss sprang from his seat, anger tightened his chest. "You''re a womanizer, cool. But you had no right to touch what was mine!"


    Dn flinched at Ss''s tone and nodded slowly. "I understand," he murmured, lifting his hands in defeat. "I understand."


    Ss adjusted his shirt and sat back down, exhaling slowly.


    "Congrattions on your wedding. Am I invited?" Dn teased, trying to lighten the mood.


    "Get out," Ss scoffed, without sparing him a nce.


    Dn gave him a long, sad look, brushing a hand over his hair. "Fair," he nodded. "Bye. Talk to you some other time."


    Ss ignored him until he left the office. Once Dn was gone, Ss let out a


    sigh. He couldn''t believe he''d handled that better than he''d


    expected.


    this inte and


    He reached for hi


    dialed his chief security officer. When the call connected, Ss spoke firmly. "Dn Wright has no authority to walk into thispany again. If I find him here again someone''s getting fired."


    "Understood, sir," Bruno replied.


    Ss dropped the call and spun his chair around. He walked to the window, taking in the scene below. As he closed his eyes, to the distant noise of activities, he felt his anger begin to thaw.


    s another matter. He couldn''t let Dn get close again-especially close to Ivy.


    was calling.


    He wasn''t mad at Dn anymore, but trusting him


    His phone rang interrupting his thoughts. He returned to his desk and picked it.


    Wade.


    "Hello Ss," Wade said, his tone impatient.


    "Yes?" Ss replied, weariness seeping into his voice.


    "Have you seen the news?"


    Ss stiffened. What now? "No, I haven''t," he said."


    Ss


    "Well," Wade began, his tone a blend of disappointment and frustration. "Ivy''s c


    mother, getting her hospitalized."


    on the news.


    Apparently, she got into a fight with Mason''s