Tara held Selena's hand, her voice soothing. "Don't be upset, sis. I just want to try running my own studio."
Selena was still confused. "But why? If you think working under me is holding you back, you could switch departments once you're permanent and work in a different role."
"That's not it, really." Tara sensed Selena's hand growing colder and hurried to clarify. "I just feel that this company doesn't quite suit me. Actually… I've never really wanted to go into finance. My real love has always been design."
"Then you could transfer to the design department," Selena suggested.
But Tara shook her head. "I want to try on my own. I entered the international design competition a few weeks ago. At first, I didn't plan to stay in the company this long, but then I met you, and I found the motivation to stay."
Tara's voice softened. "But you can see it for yourself. My work is tedious, repetitive, and honestly doesn't require much skill. It wouldn't matter who replaced me. My family's accomplishments in finance are already huge, and no matter how hard I try, I'll always be in their shadow. Whatever success I achieve, people will just say, 'She's James Tan's daughter; her family must have helped her.'"
Selena's gaze grew thoughtful; she understood that Tara was right about how things would likely play out. But she let Tara continue without interruption.
"I just want to test my own abilities, to see what I can accomplish on my own. Do you understand, Selena?"
In truth, Selena didn't fully understand.
To her, it was natural to draw on family support. Her own experiences had taught her that the only things worth holding on to were the tangible ones she could control. But since Tara wanted to try, Selena wouldn't stand in her way. She trusted Tara's talent and determination. And even if she failed, it wouldn't be a catastrophe. After all, she'd be there to catch her.
Selena gently patted Tara's hand. "I understand. Go ahead and do what you want."
Tara responded by pulling her into a light embrace. Feeling her lover's warmth, Tara finally relaxed. She didn't share with Selena the real reason she'd decided to leave.
It wasn't just about achieving things independently. Tara wanted to prove something to herself and to her parents. She needed to show them that she, Tara, was capable of building her own life and future, without their intervention. Only then could she truly imagine a long-term future with Selena.
Arcadia Hotel, New York City.
Nina lounged lazily against the headboard, a cigarette balanced between her fingers, her expression one of cold disinterest.
The door opened, and only then did she lift her gaze.
Standing there was a young woman with a fresh, delicate look about her. Even dressed in a simple tracksuit, she managed to look captivating.
"You came after all." Nina's dark eyes focused on the figure before her, though her emotions were unreadable. She was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice the cigarette ash nearly falling onto her hand.
Leon sensed the underlying sarcasm in Nina's tone. She bit her lip but remained silent.
"I thought you'd have more spine. Yet here you are, compromising for just three million."
Nina's voice was indifferent. She had expected to feel some sort of satisfaction seeing Leon here, but instead, she felt nothing but irritation.
Without thinking about why, Nina stifled her irritation, put out the cigarette, and said to Leon, "Take off your clothes."
Leon's hands nervously twisted at the hem of her shirt. "My mother's illness got worse… I had no choice…"
Nina waved a dismissive hand, interrupting her explanation. "Why are you telling me this? Do you think this is some romance novel?"
Leon froze, the room falling into an awkward silence.
Mocking Leon didn't give Nina any satisfaction; in fact, it seemed to deepen her frustration. The sight of Leon biting her lip in discomfort only added to her own strange unease.
To end the awkward tension, Nina stood and walked over to Leon. "You're being paid. Just do the job, no explanations required."
"Or… do you need help with this part?"
Leon, meeting Nina's piercing eyes, felt a sting from her blunt words. Hands trembling, she gripped her shirt and slowly began to lift it.
Her porcelain skin glowed softly in the light, her lean waist showing no hint of excess, yet she hadn't the full definition of an athlete's figure. She continued to lift her shirt until Nina's hand stopped her.
"That's enough."
"Don't bother taking off more."
Leon paused, unsure of how to respond or what had caused Nina to change her mind.
Nina was tense, but she couldn't very well admit that seeing Leon's discomfort made her feel uncomfortable, too. Instead, she looked for a different reason. "Have you been practicing your act? You looked nothing like Selena just now."
"Selena would never look so submissive, so ready to be pushed around. If anyone crossed her, she'd slap them without a second thought."
Drawing on a newfound courage, Leon reached up and gave Nina a playful tap on the cheek. "Like that?"
There was no force behind it, nothing vindictive about it. It was almost… teasing.
Nina looked down into her innocent eyes, and she couldn't hold back the muttered curse, "Damn it."
Leon dropped her hand, lowering her head so that only the delicate curve of her neck showed, a vulnerable contrast to the sharp, almost predatory gaze Nina usually wore.
Being a bit taller, Nina had a full view of Leon's expression, yet her frustration only grew when she saw how much Leon differed from Selena.
So what had she been doing?
Spending three million on… what exactly?
But the anger that should have followed didn't come. Instead, all she felt was a gnawing agitation, a feeling she couldn't recall from any other relationship.
Then came a knock at the door, snapping her from her thoughts.
Leon, sensing the cue, opened the door.
Outside stood Lily, accompanied by Li, who looked completely drained, dark circles visible under his eyes, as he shrank into himself, almost like a frightened animal.
Lily entered the room with a gleeful expression, waving a folder at Nina. "Got all the pictures, plus an unexpected bonus."
Nina crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"Tara really is James Tan's daughter."
Nina replied flatly, "Then weren't you worried about giving her a hard time? You know James could take it out on you."
Lily's smile dimmed slightly as she scoffed, "Tara's practically trying to keep anyone from knowing she's his daughter. No way she'd ask him to intervene."
"Well, in that case, it'll be much easier."
Nina said nothing, letting Lily carry on with her scheming. "James and his wife are both strict and traditional. There's no way they'd accept their daughter dating a woman. All it'll take is sending these photos to the Tans, and those two will have no choice but to break up. You get what you want, and so do I."
Once the Tans found out, there'd be no way for Selena to compete with her.
It was a perfect plan.
But Nina seemed uninterested. She merely waved her hand. "Then go ahead."
When Lily didn't move, Nina glanced at her. "Something else?"
Lily shook her head, looking confused. "No, that's it."
"Then go."
Lily looked skeptical. "You don't seem very pleased."
Nina had thought this news would excite her, that finally she'd be able to have Selena for herself, instead of merely indulging in a stand-in. But her heart didn't stir at this so-called victory. She didn't worry about morals or feel guilty about her methods, but the emptiness persisted.
Not wanting to reveal her conflicted thoughts, she smiled. "Oh, trust me, I'm thrilled."
"Just remember to handle it cleanly. Make sure Selena doesn't suspect a thing… We wouldn't want her to get hurt."