When Hunter returned with water, he saw Liz staring nkly at a nearby family of three. He walked up and handed her the bottle.


    “Liz, do you want some ice cream too?”


    He was pretty sure he hadn’t imagined it. Her gaze had been locked on the little girl holding an ice cream cone.


    Liz took the water and replied, “No, I just thought that little girl was really cute.”


    “No one’s ever told you you’re cute too?”


    Liz nced up at him. “Not really. People usually describe me as professional and efficient. Oh, and clients I’ve beaten in court say I have a sharp tongue and a ruthless mouth.”


    “That’s actually a pretty urate description.”


    She gave him a t look. “Okay, that’s enough. It’s gettingte. Let’s head back.”


    “Sounds good.”


    They left the amusement park together. After getting into the car, Liz turned to Hunter. “Thanks for today, Hunter. I actually feel a lot better now.


    “No need to thank me. It was nothing.”


    He started the car and drove off.


    Back at the firm, Liz got to work searching for new cases, while Hunter began reviewing the files from her previous cases.


    For the next week, Liz focused on following up with her current clients but didn’tnd a single new case. It was clear Zac still wasn’t nning to let her go that easily.


    *


    Before she realized it, the weekend had arrived and so had Jane’s birthday.


    Jane was the eldest daughter of the Stone family, one of the four most influential families in Stanley City. Every year, her birthday was avish event held at the family estate.


    When Liz pulled up to the gates, luxury cars were already lined up along the street.


    She parked in a quiet corner, stepped out, and walked into the estate.


    At the center of the garden stood an enormous multi–tiered cake. The ce was buzzing with guests dressed to the nines in designer gowns and tailored suits. The atmosphere was elegant and vibrant.


    Liz’s n was simple: find Jane, give her the gift, and leave. But just as she passed by a towering champagne disy, someone suddenly bumped into her. She lost her bnce and crashed straight into the fragile structure.


    A loud crash echoed through the garden.


    The champagne tower, nearly as tall as two people, copsed like dominoes, instantly grabbing everyone’s attention.


    Liz barely managed to grab the edge of a nearby table to steady herself. As she caught her breath, an annoyed voice came from above.


    “Do you even watch where you’re going?”


    Liz looked up and saw a woman standing a few feet away in a deep red satin cocktail dress with a plunging neckline. Her short curls were styled perfectly, and her makeup was wless. But the look in her eyes was pure disdain.


    With just one nce at Liz, she had already judged her outfit as cheap–probably under a hundred dors. In her mind, Liz must have been some nobody trying to sneak into the


    party.


    Liz straightened up slowly. “Miss, you bumped into me. Shouldn’t you be the one apologizing?”


    The woman got a good look at Liz’s face and immediately frowned with envy. Now she was convinced Liz hade here to flirt her way into a wealthy man’s life.


    She raised her chin and looked Liz up and down before saying in a sarcastic voice, “Oh, I know your type. A pretty face, hoping tond a rich guy by crashing a party like this? You really think just being here is going to get you a husband?”


    By now, a crowd had gathered to watch the scene unfold.


    Zac and Xena were among them.


    Xena stood off to the side with a pleased smile, learly enjoying the drama. Zac, on the other hand, looked serious and tense, his eyes fixed on Liz.


    In his mind, all Liz had to do was swallow her pride and ask for help. He would step in, pretend none of this had happened, and save her.


    But Liz didn’t move. Her face remained unreadable.


    “Do you realize that making false usations is against thew?” she said calmly.


    The woman blinked, then gave a cold, mockingugh. “What are you talking about? What usation? You ran into me, and now you’re trying to turn the story around? Where are


    you even from?”


    “There are security cameras in the garden. Let’s get someone to check the footage. That way we’ll see exactly who’s lying.”


    The woman’s expression shifted. For a second, she looked uneasy. Then she snapped back,


    her voice sharp.


    “This is Jane Stone’s birthday party. Everyone here is somebody. You think you can just demand ess to surveince footage? How do we know you’re not here for something shady?”