ire instinctively hid her hands behind her back, drawing a flicker of sympathy from ude, who turned to me with a stern look. "Don''t let it happen again." What did he mean by that? I couldn''t figure it out.


    But as I held the milk, my grip loosened, and it spilled over my hands.


    "Ouch, I''m such a klutz."


    Kate rushed to grab some napkins to clean me up, but I grabbed a disinfectant wipe instead and quickly dried my hands, tucking them behind my back.


    I mumbled, looking down, "It wasn''t on purpose. Hearing that Kate got scalded by the milk made me feel so guilty I just couldn''t hold it steady."


    Kate tried to check my hands for burns, but I pulled away.


    I wondered if she felt guilty, knowing well that this temperature couldn''t possibly cause a burn.


    Probably the only one fooled was ude.


    "If it''s a burn, we should head to the hospital," ude mentioned, his gaze unreadable.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    I shook my head. "It''s nothing, really."


    Compared to the time I was engulfed in a wildfire, this was nothing. Back then, every inch of my skin was seared, and ude was nowhere to be found, too busy being lovey-dovey with Kate to care about my wellbeing. "You''re always so stubborn."


    Before I could respond, Kate intervened, "ire''s still young, ude. Let''s not be too hard on her." She then pulled out an invitation from her bag. "There''s an auction tomorrow. ude wants to bid on a stone for my engagement ring. I thought, ire, since you have such great taste, you could help us choose."


    She thought I had good taste. Yet, I thought my judgment was the worst. Otherwise, why would I have fallen for ude and brought disaster upon everyone who loved me?


    The thought made me clench the fabric of my dress, lips pressed tight, not wanting to say a word.


    However, I could feel ude''s gaze on me, shifting from cold to zing.


    "If you don''t want to go, just say no."


    But I didn''t go along with ude''s suggestion. Instead, I felt a surge of defiance.


    "Can I pick out a few trinkets for my wedding gifts if I go?"


    swnovel


    Kate seemed taken aback by my words, her expression changing slightly, a hint of something indescribable lingering in her eyes.


    "You''re not even graduated yet," ude countered, only fueling my determination.


    "So, you''re saying you won''t spend on jewelry for me? Fine, I won''t go."


    For some reason, ude sighed softly, "If you want to go, then go."


    Kate also grabbed my wrist gently, smiling, "Of course, ire. ude wouldn''t mind spending a bit. When you get married, I''ll add to your wedding funds myself. Pick out whatever you like tomorrow night, okay? Stop arguing with your udy."


    I agreed, smiling.


    But deep down, I felt if she didn''t betray me, I should be thankful.


    Yet, as I looked back at ude, he was casually sipping his drink.


    Then his secretary approached him, "Mr. Hart, your guest is in the next room."


    He stood up to leave, ncing back at me as if to warn me not to mess with his Kate.


    After he left, I made an excuse to leave too. Kate didn''t stop me, just mentioned she''d wait for ude.


    Passing by ude''s room, I identally caught a glimpse of Max.


    ude, ever so superior, was pouring wine for Max.


    Was Max also ude''s client? Did Max need legal assistance?


    ude surely treated his clients well.


    I didn''t linger and headed back to my apartment.


    Butte at night, after finishing my thesis, the doorbell rang.


    Who could it be at this hour? For some


    of son, my first thought was


    of ude, especially after the look he gave me earlier-part warning, part intense heat.