Inside a closed-off luxury menswear boutique, the store manager and a dozen sales associates stood in a nervous line, their eyes fixed on the big boss sitting on the sofa. ording to his executive assistants, Felton and Flint, Mr. Schwartz was preparing for a face-to-face with a rival. He had already tried on several outfits, none of which seemed to meet his approval. The atmosphere in the store was thick with tension, and the staff barely dared to breathe.


    "Mr. Schwartz, thesest few pieces are also in your size,” the manager said, wiping sweat from his forehead as he presented the final options. "This navy blue suit is a newer, more casual style. It has a younger feel to it, which might not be what you typically prefer..."


    Before he could finish, Shanley slowly looked up, his deep eyes flickering with interest. "Bring it here," he said, his voice a low rasp.


    “What?” The manager''s heart skipped a beat, his confusion in to see. Mr. Schwartz''s wardrobe, always custom-tailored by their brand, was exclusively formal and business-oriented. When had he ever shown an interest in a "younger" style?


    "Yes, of course." Snapping back to reality, the manager personally brought the suit over. "Please, Mr. Schwartz, try it on."


    Momentster, Shanley stood before the mirror.


    The navy blue suit perfectly entuated his tall, powerful frame-broad shoulders, a narrow waist, not an ounce of fat on him. Paired with his sharp, wless features, the manager could only think of one word: perfection.


    “This one," Shanley decided, removing the tie and unbuttoning the top of his shirt with long, elegant fingers, intentionally revealing the corbone and Adam''s apple that Juniper adored.


    "Excellent choice, Mr. Schwartz." The manager finally breathed a sigh of relief, beaming as he escorted him out. With looks like that, what rival could possibly pose a threat? He couldn''t help but wonder what kind of woman could make Mr. Schwartz feel so insecure.


    ...


    In the car, Shanley leaned back against the seat, his expression unreadable as he stared out the window.


    A notification chimed. It was a message from Juniper, forwarding the address for their meeting. Shanley opened it and saw it had been forwarded from a contact named "L."


    L? Lue?


    A cold, mocking smile touched his lips. So, he really was meeting him.


    Felton and Flint exchanged nces. One ran a hand through his hair, the other scratched his chin. Who in their right mind suggests a hotel for a first meeting? This Lue


    character was clearly making a


    power y trying to


    intimidate the


    boss from the start. This rival wasn''t


    pulling any punches!


    "Boss...” the two assistants began, looking at the dark aura emanating from the man


    in the back seat, awaiting his orders.


    "Follow the directions Juniper sent," Shanley said, exiting the chat.


    He gazed at the photo of Juniper on his phone, his eyes darkening. Unless Juniper herself told him she was choosing Lue over him be wouldn''t back down. If Lue truly intended to fight him for herp Shanley was prepared to turn the whole city upside down.


    On the other side of the city, Melvin and Jimmie had left their respective offices. They called each other on the way, specting about the invitation.


    Melvin began, “Juniper is introducing Shanley to a friend. Why are we invited?"


    "Probably to stop Shanley from getting beaten to a pulp. I hear it''s a childhood friend of Juniper''s, and the key part is, it''s a guy."


    "A childhood sweetheart," Melvin said with a smirk, clearly looking forward to the drama. “This is going to be good."


    If a fight did break out... he''d make sure not to pull them apart too forcefully.


    "Oh," Jimmie said, steering with one hand, his eyes narrowing. "I hear J has older siblings, too. I wonder what they''d think if they knew some guy even more of creep than Shanley was after their little sister."