Elena Zhou leaned back against her chair, fingers tracing the rim of her teacup. She forced a calm expression, but her heart pounded. Every word, every look mattered now—because this was the second time she was living through these days, and she refused to repeat her mistakes.
Across from her, Adrian Chen sat like a king surveying his territory—sharp suit, cold eyes, and that lazy smirk that used to make her pulse race. The same smirk that once masked a knife behind his back.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Adrian finally asked, raising a brow.
Elena tilted her head, her lips curving into the faintest smile. Because last time, I trusted that face too much.
"I was just thinking," she replied smoothly, "it's funny how some people look trustworthy… until they're not."
Adrian's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second. "Are you accusing me of something, Miss Zhou?"
Her eyes glinted, but her voice was steady. "Not at all. Just an observation."
Inside, though, she burned with determination. In my last life, I gave you my heart and you crushed it. This time, Adrian Chen, I'll make sure you're the one left doubting everything.
Before the tension could thicken further, the door burst open. Lila—her so-called best friend—walked in with a sweet smile plastered across her face. Elena's stomach twisted. The very sight of her felt like poison.
"Elena! There you are!" Lila chirped, pretending to be delighted. Her gaze darted to Adrian, and that too-bright smile widened. "Oh, and Adrian's here too. Perfect."
Elena's nails dug into her palm under the table. Perfect, indeed. The two of you… the perfect traitors.
But outwardly, she laughed softly. "What a coincidence."
Adrian's gaze lingered on Elena, sharp, unreadable. "You've changed, Zhou. You're not as easy to read as before."
Elena lifted her cup and sipped her tea slowly, letting the silence coil around them like smoke. Then she lowered it, her eyes locking with his.
"Maybe," she whispered, her tone laced with challenge, "I've simply grown smarter."
For the first time, Adrian's expression hardened. He leaned forward, his voice low. "Be careful, Elena. Sometimes, being too smart is dangerous."
A shiver ran down her spine, but she didn't flinch. She met his cold gaze with a dangerous smile of her own.
Oh Adrian Chen, you have no idea who you're dealing with this time.