The air in the penthouse was still thick with the aftermath of Eva's visit. Anya and Lex were wrapped in each other's arms, the morning sun casting a warm glow over them. The intimacy they had shared was a powerful shield, but Anya couldn't shake the image of Eva's cunning smile. Lex, sensing her unease, held her tighter.
"Don't worry about her," he said, his voice a low rumble against her skin. "She's just a ghost from the past."
"She's a ghost who knows you," Anya replied, a touch of sadness in her voice. "She knows your family, your world. She's not just a stranger trying to cause trouble."
Lex sighed, pulling back to look at her. "She's a spoiled brat whose father is a mayor. She knows my world because our families moved in the same circles. She's manipulative, but she has no power over me, and no connection to my real business. My family is a different matter. I was going to introduce you to my grandmother soon anyway. Maybe it's time."
Anya's eyes widened. "Your grandmother? The matriarch of the family?"
"The one and only," Lex said with a rare, tender smile. "She's the only person in the world who can put me in my place. But she'll love you, I know it."
Meanwhile, across the city, Eva was a woman scorned. She sat in her lavish apartment, her fiery red hair a halo of fury. She had been so sure of herself, so certain that Lex would drop Anya for her. The public rejection was a new kind of humiliation. She picked up her phone and dial a number.
"Aunt Lillian," she purred. "It's me. I'm back in town. I was hoping to stop by and say hello to Grandma Volkov. Maybe get some advice on... a personal matter."
She knew Lillian, Lex's aunt, was the perfect person to use as a bridge to the family. Lillian was a gossip, a socialite who lived for drama. A perfectly timed visit would get her exactly what she wanted: a way into the family, and a way to drive a wedge between Lex and Anya.
The Volkov Group's headquarters were buzzing with a new kind of energy. The whispers were everywhere, in every corner of the corporate tower.
"Did you see the boss's new girlfriend?" one assistant whispered to another by the coffee machine. "Anya Chen. They say he's completely smitten. He's never brought a woman to the office before."
"I heard she's the one who's heading up the new pharmaceuticals division," the other replied. "The one with the doctor friend."
"It's true," another joined in. "I saw them. She looks so... normal. Not like the usual high-society girls he hangs out with."
These whispers, innocent as they were, were a threat. They put a target on Anya's back, a name to a face that could easily be used by Lex's enemies.
Across town, the set of the new blockbuster movie was in full swing. Zara, looking fresh and vibrant, walked onto the set for her first day. The male lead, Mark, was just as handsome in person as he was on screen. His friendly smile put Zara at ease immediately.
"You must be Zara," he said, his voice deep and welcoming. "Welcome to the team. I've been told you're a friend of Lex's. Small world."
"And you're a friend of his, too," Zara replied, her cheeks a little flushed. "It is a small world."
As they were talking, a tall, striking woman with jet-black hair and a confident stride approached them. This was Isabella, the female lead. She was famous for her elegant beauty and her icy demeanour. She smiled at Mark, a practised, dazzling smile, but her eyes, when they met Zara's, were cold and dismissive.
"Mark, darling," she said, her voice like honey. "Are you going to introduce me to your new little assistant?"
Zara's face fell. "I'm not his assistant," she said, a little defensively. "I'm the assisting female lead."
Isabella's smile didn't waver. "Of course, dear. My mistake. It's so hard to keep track of everyone."
Zara felt a knot of anger in her stomach, but she said nothing. She knew Isabella was playing a game, and she wasn't going to let her win. She walked away, heading to her dressing room to get ready.
The dressing rooms were organised by role. Mark and Isabella, the male and female leads, had large, lavish rooms side-by-side. Zara, as the assisting female lead, had a smaller but still comfortable one.
Later that day, during a break, Zara was rushing to get a coffee. Her mind was a million miles away, still replaying the condescending tone of Isabella's voice. She turned a corner and crashed directly into Isabella, who was just leaving her dressing room.
A loud smash echoed through the hallway as a coffee cup shattered on the floor, spilling its dark contents all over Isabella's pristine white costume.
"You idiot!" Isabella shrieked, her famous smile replaced by a look of pure rage. "Do you have any idea how much this costume costs?! It's a one-of-a-kind designer piece!"
Zara's face went white. "I am so, so sorry. I wasn't looking. I'll pay for the cleaning, I promise."
Mark, who had just come out of his dressing room, rushed over. "Isabella, calm down. It was an accident. Zara, are you okay?"
He was concerned about her first, and Isabella's face, already contorted with anger, became a mask of wounded pride. She was used to being the centre of attention, and Mark's concern for Zara was an insult.
"An accident? Look at what she did!" Isabella wailed. "She's probably just clumsy. I can't work like this. I'm telling the director!"
She stormed off, her fury a palpable force. Zara stood there, mortified. Mark put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry about her," he said gently. "She's... a lot. She's been a little difficult since I didn't return her feelings. This whole movie, she's been trying to get a rise out of me."
"I'm so sorry, Mark," Zara said, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to."
"It's fine," he said, a genuine smile on his face. "In fact, why don't we go grab a real coffee? My treat."
Anya was sitting with Lex when her phone rang. It was Zara, her voice full of a dramatic, comical panic. Anya listened, a wave of affection washing over her. She couldn't help but laugh a little, a sound that made Lex smile.
"Sounds like your friend is making quite the impression," Lex said when she hung up.
"It's a lot of drama, but she's fine. Mark is helping her," Anya said. "Mark is a good person."
Lex nodded, his expression thoughtful. "He is. He has a good heart, and he knows how to handle people like Isabella. But your friend needs to be careful. The entertainment world is even more cutthroat than the corporate one."
"She'll be fine," Anya insisted. She was fiercely protective of Zara.
Lex smiled, a hint of something deeper in his eyes. He got up and went to the window, looking out over the city. "Tomorrow. We'll go to the family estate. I'll introduce you to my grandmother. After that, no one will be able to question your place in my life.