Bae slid into the sleek, black car, settling into the back seat beside a man in an impeccably tailored suit.
He crossed his legs with a grace that suggested effortless power, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced in her direction.
"So, I take it she's still not backing down?" paverick's voice was smooth, his words laced with a hint of amusement as his blue eyes locked onto hers.
Bae's gaze hardened, her determination palpable.
"It doesn't matter. I'm taking it—one way or another." Her voice was low but fierce, her focus fixed on the road ahead as the car sped down the highway.
Paverick allowed himself a faint smile, watching the fire in her eyes.
"She's not the same fragile girl I picked up," he mused, impressed. She's changed—driven, unstoppable.
"Well," paverick continued, his tone light but calculating, "we're on our way to meet him. I trust you won't mind."
Bae didn't flinch, her resolve unwavering.
"After all," he added, studying her closely, "he's the one holding onto the late Frankford empire."
Paverick waited, curious to see how she'd react to that final piece of bait
"Good for him," she muttered, her voice tight with barely contained fury. "I'm sure he's happy with his perfect little family."
The words dripped with bitterness, though her outward expression remained composed. But inside, a storm raged.
"For now," she thought, watching as paverick stepped out of the car, now parked in front of a gleaming skyscraper.
"I'll wait here," Bae said, her eyes tracking his movements.
Paverick paused, flashing her a smirk. "Just… do me a favor and stay out of his sight."
Bae's gaze turned icy, her displeasure unmistakable.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" she asked, her voice cold and sharp, clearly offended.
Paverick raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Bae. I'm just looking out for Zanier. You seem to be on the verge of a murder spree." His words were teasing, but the smirk didn't leave his face.
Bae's glare darkened as paverick quickly shut the car door behind him, disappearing into the building before her anger could fully catch up with him.
A few minutes passed, and Bae's patience thinned. Paverick was taking far too long. With a sigh, she stepped out of the car and headed toward the building entrance.
The doors slid open for her, but it wasn't confrontation she sought—it was avoidance.
As her heels clicked against the marble floor, she made her way toward the restroom, needing a moment to gather her thoughts. Just then, she felt a small tug at her skirt.
"Hello, Aunty. We meet again."
Bae froze. The voice was unmistakable.
" It's that kid," she thought, slowly turning to face Aiden—the boy she had encountered just yesterday at the Frankford estate.
Her gaze flicked over him, taking in the striking resemblance to Zanier, the man she despised more than anyone.
But, to her surprise, she didn't feel the same hatred for the boy. "He looks just like him," she mused, but strangely, "I don't hate this child."
Aiden smiled up at her, oblivious to the storm of emotions swirling in her chest. Bae found herself softening, a small smile creeping onto her face.
She crouched down, about to meet him at eye level when a cold, familiar voice cut through the moment like a blade.
"Aiden, where are your manners?"
Bae's heart clenched as she straightened up, her eyes locking onto Zanier. He stood there in an immaculate suit, his expression as cold and indifferent as ever, the same piercing glare she remembered.
Behind him, Michael and several security guards flanked his sides, forming a wall of silent authority.
"Step away from her this instant," Zanier commanded, his voice devoid of warmth, his gaze fixed on Bae
"Hello, Mr. Zanier. I'm Bae. Pleasure meeting you," Bae interrupted, her voice cool but sharp.
"Can't believe this cringe personal of mine."
She knew Zanier was well aware of who she was—perhaps more than anyone else in the room.
Zanier's gaze shifted to her, cold and calculating, before flicking down to Aiden with a trace of annoyance in his eyes.
"Pleasure meeting you too," he replied, his tone matching hers, fully conscious of the underlying threat in her words.
"If you ever want to have a word," he added, a faint smirk playing on his lips, "my door is always open."
Bae's eyes narrowed, her teeth clenching.
"A word with you? Your door always open?" She repeated mockingly, her voice rising just enough to catch the attention of a few people in the lobby.
"How could a married man say such things? You talk about manners—where are yours?"
Her words struck like a lash, and a murmur spread through the room as onlookers turned toward the tension.
"Or are you exempt from your own rules?" she continued, pressing harder, her intent clear—tarnishing his pristine reputation, even if just a little.
Zanier turned back toward her, that faint smirk never leaving his face. "I have no idea what kind of thoughts are running through your mind," he said, his tone smooth yet cutting, "but I was simply offering a conversation. You seem to have quite the personal vendetta."
Bae smiled, but it was a smile laced with venom.
"How we speak and choose our words shows more than we think. Maybe you should pay more attention to yours, Zanier." She didn't wait for his response, turning on her heel and walking away, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
"I'll remember that, Zanier," she thought, the resentment in her heart growing deeper with each passing moment.
"Paverick, I'm leaving," Bae muttered into her phone, her brow furrowed with frustration.
"Let me know when the deal is sealed," she added before ending the call abruptly.
Bae walked out of the building, her jaw tight. She couldn't stand to be in the same space as Zanier any longer.
The air outside felt cooler, but it did little to calm the storm brewing within her.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced down at a message from an unknown number. A chill ran through her as she read the words, already suspecting who it might be.
"Tonight. Meet me at this spot. I have valuable information for you," the message read, followed by a location.
"Valuable information? From him?" Bae thought, her eyes narrowing as she slipped into the back of a cab, crossing her legs with an air of elegant composure.
"Cody," she thought coldly, her mind drifting to the man who had once tried to take advantage of her.
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "The same clown who nearly crossed the line back then?" Her eyes sparkled with mockery as she thought of him, her disdain clear.
"Let's see what this so-called "valuable information" she mused, intrigued by the fact that Cody seemed to have something important to share.
"After all, Cody was well aware of Penny and Brag's secret relationship, a piece of information that could be a game-changer."
Meanwhile, across the city, Penny stared at her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Brag's number again and again, desperation clawing at her.
Their last conversation had left her on edge, with Bae's threat of exposing her looming over her like a storm cloud.
When Brag didn't pick up, she hurled her phone across the room, a scream of frustration ripping through her. Her mind spun out of control, fueled by anger and fear.
"Bae… I swear this time, I'll make sure you're dead," Penny hissed, her eyes wild with rage as she glanced around the room
Just then, Penny's secretary, Bella, walked in, her tablet clutched to her chest as she adjusted her glasses. Her expression was cold, and professional, as if she was unaware of the storm raging inside her boss.
"Ma'am, you have a dinner meeting scheduled with Mr. Paverick tomorrow night," Bella said, her voice even.
Penny, crossing her legs with forced elegance, gave her a dismissive glance. "Cancel it. I have a more important meeting tomorrow night."
Bella nodded, but Penny wasn't done. Her tone sharpened, her irritation evident. "And let Elaine —that old woman—know I'm not available to meet any suitors yet."
"Yes, ma'am," Bella responded dutifully, before turning to leave.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Penny bit down on her lip, trying to suppress the anger rising inside her.
She felt as if she were standing on the edge of insanity, her world unraveling around her. "Why now, of all times?" she thought, her mind spinning.
Her grandmother's insistence on finding her a suitor only added to the pressure. It was a distraction she couldn't afford.
"Not until I've secured everything I desire." Penny clenched her fists her thoughts turning dark, "and avenged myself."
Her resentment toward Bae surged once more, a wildfire burning through her. She stood abruptly, gripping her phone as her eyes fell on a message from Brag.
"See you tonight at the usual spot," it read.
Penny smirked, her fingers tightening around the phone.