"Would you like toe in for some tea before you go?" Yvonne offered out of courtesy.


    "Maybe next time. I have some things to take care of at the office," Marina politely declined.


    Yvonne didn''t press the issue. She stood at the gate, watching Marina''s van drive away before turning to walk toward the house.


    As the van slowly pulled away from the residential area and onto the main road, Marina kept her eyes fixed on the rearview mirror until the mansion disappeared from view.


    Her assistant nced at her and sighed. "Being born into the right family is everything, isn''t it? Girls like Ms. Spencer and Ms. Jones get any opportunity they want just by asking. Meanwhile, everyone else has to w their way up from the bottom, trading drinks and sleeping their way into a role."


    Marina lowered her gaze, her expression unreadable.


    “Still,” the assistant continued, "you''re getting married soon. You''ll finally be free of all this." Having been with Marina since the start of her career, the assistant had witnessed firsthand how hard her journey had been. More than anyone, she wanted to see Marina find happiness.


    The van finally came to a stop in the underground parking garage of the Nexus Media building.


    Marina, wearing a hat and sunsses, stepped into the elevator with her assistant. It shot up from the garage directly to the executive floor.


    "Marina," the executive secretary greeted her respectfully. "Chairman Spencer has been waiting for you in his office. Please, follow me."


    Marina nodded and followed the secretary toward the chairman''s office. When her assistant tried to follow, another secretary stepped in her way.


    "Chairman Spencer only wishes to see Marina. You can go home now."


    The assistant, being on the Spencer payroll, didn''t dare argue and obediently took the elevator back down.


    Marina followed the secretary into George''s office. After serving two cups of coffee, the secretary discreetly excused herself.


    "Chairman Spencer,” Marina said, standing stiffly before him. She sped her hands together in front of her, her posture tense and nervous.


    George, however, was all smiles. "Ah, Marina, you''re here. Sit, sit. Let''s talk.”


    She did as she was told, perching on the edge of the sofa with her back ramrod straight.


    "Here''s the endorsement contract


    for Bloom & Co.," George said, sliding a folder across the table toward her. "Take a look If there are no issues, you can sign it today." He spoke with the warm, gentle tone of a caring mentor.


    But when Marina saw the contract, a look of terror shed in her eyes. She instinctively pushed it back as if it were burning hot.


    "Thank you for the generous offer, Chairman Spencer. But Bloom & Co. is a world-renowned cosmetics brand. Their ambassadors are alf A-list Stars. My status isn''t high


    enough. I wouldn''t want to


    embarrass thepany."


    It was a polite refusal.


    George''s smile slowly faded as he looked at the contract she had pushed back.


    "You''re right, your status doesn''t


    merit being a Bloom & Co.


    ambassador," he said, his voice hardening. "But Mr. Ward has taken, a liking to you, and I owe him a favor. He pushed the contract toward her again.


    This time, a hotel room key card was sitting on top of it.