?Chapter 139:


    “Really? Perhaps, but my natural beauty is surely more appealing to him than yours.”


    Ellie didn’t even hesitate in her stride. She was never one to attack someone’s looks, but she feltpelled to respond to Essence’s provocation.


    As she left, Ellie messaged Baylee, “I ran into Essence today. She was hostile for no reason, acting like a rabid dog.”


    Ellie’s next assignment took her to the styling studio next door, where she was tasked with styling for the “Nighthawk” series ofputer products by GT Group. The spokesperson, a 16 or 17-year-old boy named Omiros Garcia,y on the sofa with a sullen expression.


    “Miss Gordon, meet Omiros,” the staff introduced. “Omiros, this is Ellie, your stylist for today.”


    Despite Ellie’s limited knowledge of e-sports, she could tell Omiros didn’t fit the stereotype of the antisocial gamer. His features were striking, his eyes captivating, and he exuded a mix of youthful vigor and the mischievousness of a child. Intriguingly, he bore a slight resemnce to Kaiden.


    “Hello,” Ellie greeted.


    Omiros lifted his eyes to Ellie and asked bluntly, “My family thinks e-sports isn’t a proper career. What do you think?”


    Omiros wore a sulky expression, as if he would have a falling-out with Ellie the moment she agreed. Was this child seeking validation because he faced opposition at home? Ellie responded objectively, “Spending all day gaming isn’t ideal. But reaching internationalpetitions and winning honors brings pride to your country.”


    “Then I bring pride to my country,” Omiros seemed pleased with her answer. “You can do my makeup.”


    Ellie sensed an odd attitude from Omiros but couldn’t pinpoint it. Afterpleting her work, she checked her phone for Baylee’s response to her earlier message.


    Baylee’s reply hinted at deeper issues. “It’s probably not for no reason. Essence has been seen with your husband at various events and has socialized with Jerome and others privately.”


    Stay connected through gα?ησν???s


    Ellie recalled Essence being one of the women near Kaiden at the Heart Ind Club. She texted back, “She likes Kaiden?”


    Baylee replied, “Maybe it’s not just about liking your husband, but also about envying you. She used to mimic you in middle school, remember?”


    Ellie hadpletely forgotten. She had no recollection of it at all.


    She typed, “No wonder I feel like I’m looking in a distorting mirror when I see her.”


    Baylee couldn’t help butugh at Ellie’s sharp wit. Though Ellie was often perceived as dignified and polite, few knew of her ability to deliver such biting sarcasm.


    On the thirty-eighth floor


    “Mr. Thorpe, your wife is in the design department on the fifth floor. Her work is almost done.” Bruce expected Kaiden to summon Ellie, but he received no response.


    He nced up and noticed Kaiden examining a dark green tie with a pattern.


    .


    .


    .