The car window slid down, and Sebastian''s chiseled profile caught the sunlight. He nced over the gossiping crowd outside. "What''s all themotion about?"


    L gave him a sweet, almost fawning smile. "Hello, Mr. Ratcliff. We were just talking about this chick who''s been trying every possible way to get into the institutetely."


    "She actually married well, but she still goes behind her husband''s back and cheats. Don''t you think that''s just too much?"


    Sebastian''s brows knit together. "Dominic would let someone like her into the institute?"


    "Exactly. No one can figure out what he is thinking these days."


    After a moment, L leaned a little closer. "Mr. Ratcliff, since you and the professor work together, could you maybe say something? Get her out of the institute?"


    Sebastian''s gaze shifted to Sofia. "I''ll talk to Dominic when I get a chance."


    Across town at Maple Street Diner, Reese and Millie grabbed a table in the busy main hall. It was ast-minute lunch, so they hadn''t bothered with a reservation.


    Millie reached into her bag and slid a bank card across the table. "Here. It''s your share of the profits."


    "I know things were rough for me before, and you always helped out for nothing. This time, you have to take it."


    She paused, eyes shining. "My husband''s back from the army. We''re thinking about starting our own business. I''m going to need your help again soon."


    Reese saw how much it meant to her and took the card. "Of course, I''m so happy for you."


    They were still catching up when Sofia walked in with a group behind her.


    L made a big deal of looking around, looping her arm through Sofia''s. "You''re something else, Sofia. This is my first time in a Bentley and wow, it''s next level."


    "And Mr. Ratcliff is impressive, too. I heard you have to book a private room here a month in advance, but today we just show up and there''s one ready."


    Sofia just smiled. "He has his own suite here, up on the top floor. It''s always avable."


    L looked genuinely jealous, mumbling, "You really hit the jackpot with him."


    She didn''t bother to keep her voice down, and a few people started to nce


    over.


    Millie recognized Sofia right away and her face soured. She muttered under her breath, "Great, just what I needed. Why do we keep running into her?"


    Reese felt the same. Lately, Sofia seemed to pop up everywhere.


    She remembered how her dad, Bailey, had cheated years ago. Her mom found out, and no matter how much Bailey begged, she still divorced him. Reese was barely six when her mom took her and left for her uncle''s house. Not long after, Bailey brought Sofia and her mother home.


    Millie nced at Sofia. "She''s got a boyfriend now? Looks like he''s a big deal."


    "I have to wonder what kind of guy would go for her," she added.


    Reese followed Millie''s gaze and said quietly, "Sebastian.”


    Millie''s eyes went wide. "Wait, what?" She realized people were staring and lowered her voice. "I thought Sebastian is your husband."


    She still remembered how suddenly Reese had gotten married. Millie had seen the marriage certificate, and remembered the man Reese had given up so much for.


    Reese didn''t look up from her menu. "Not for much longer. I''m divorcing him."


    "Let''s just ignore them," she said, not wanting anyone to ruin her rare lunch with Millie.


    But Millie''s outburst had already drawn Sofia''s and L''s attention.


    L was surprised to see Reese here. She raised an eyebrow and strutted over, heels clicking on the floor.


    Her voice was sharp. "Well, Reese, out for lunch with a friend?"


    "Did you overhear us saying Mr. Ratcliff brought us here to celebrate? Are you that jealous of Sofia that you want to bump into Mr. Ratcliff yourself?"


    "Honestly, have you no shame?"


    Millie stood up and stared L down. "Watch your mouth!


    "I''m treating my friend to lunch. Mind your own business."


    “Not surprised, really. Anyone who hangs out with Sofia is probably just as bad," she added.


    L snapped back, "And who do you think you are, talking about Sofia like that? Her boyfriend is the heir to Ratcliff Global.


    "If you cross her, you''ll never work in Bridger Lake again.”


    Millie crossed her arms. "Wow, her boyfriend''s that powerful, huh?


    "But do you even know that Mr. Ratcliff is already married? She''s just the other woman."