The café's soft hum blended with the faint hiss of steamed milk, but Grace Wu's focus remained on the espresso dripping into the small cup before her. The morning rush had thinned, leaving the space calm and quiet.
"Two shots of espresso, black," the barista called, sliding the cup across the counter.
Grace accepted it, along with a neatly wrapped sandwich, tucking the bag carefully under her arm. The warmth from the cup pressed against her palm as she stepped back into the cool morning air.
Lilly's post-board-meeting ritual—espresso and something light to eat.
Emily had joked about it, but Grace understood the necessity now. After dealing with Li Jian, even the sharpest minds needed something to steady them.
As Grace crossed the street, the events of the morning replayed in her mind—Li Jian's cold precision, Lilly's carefully controlled responses, and the silent tug-of-war that seemed to exist between them.
But even after all that, it wasn't Li Jian who occupied Grace's thoughts. It was Victor Zhou.
The flowers he had sent lingered in her memory, their pale petals somehow feeling heavier than they should have. Victor wasn't known for gestures. He was known for calculated moves.
Grace stepped into the lobby of Li Holdings, the familiar hum of the office wrapping around her as she made her way to the executive floor.
Emily looked up as Grace approached, her tea resting lazily on the desk.
"Double shot and a sandwich?" Emily asked with a knowing smile.
Grace smirked faintly. "She'll need it."
Emily chuckled softly. "She'll pretend she doesn't, but yeah."
Sliding the espresso onto a tray, Grace made her way to Lilly's office, slipping inside without knocking.
Lilly stood near the window, arms crossed, the morning light tracing soft shadows along her features. She glanced over her shoulder as Grace entered, her eyes flicking to the cup in Grace's hand.
"Emily's idea?" Lilly asked dryly, but she stepped forward to take the espresso without argument.
Grace set the sandwich down carefully.
"She mentioned this helps after meetings with your father," Grace said lightly.
Lilly's lips curved faintly as she took a slow sip of the coffee, letting the warmth settle.
"She's not wrong," Lilly admitted, sinking into the chair behind her desk. "It's the only thing that keeps me from snapping at him."
Grace sat across from her, studying her carefully.
"You handled him well today," Grace remarked.
Lilly smirked. "I've had years of practice."
Grace let the silence hang for a moment, observing how Lilly's gaze drifted—sharp but distant.
After a beat, Grace leaned back, tilting her head slightly. "Emily mentioned Victor was at Golden Arrow the night everything with Rocky unraveled."
Lilly didn't flinch, her eyes still fixed on the skyline.
"He was," Lilly replied simply.
Grace arched a brow.
"You don't find that convenient?"
Lilly finally met Grace's gaze, resting the cup carefully on the desk.
"It wasn't convenient," Lilly said, a faint glimmer of amusement flickering in her eyes. "It was planned."
Grace blinked.
"You're not surprised," Grace noted.
Lilly's smile deepened, just slightly.
"Victor's predictable in his own way," Lilly admitted. "He wanted me to see it."
There was no anger in her tone—no bitterness or regret.
Grace folded her hands on her lap, studying Lilly carefully. "You let him."
Lilly's eyes softened, the weight behind them shifting from calculation to something quieter.
"Rocky always underestimated people like Victor," Lilly murmured. "He thought charisma was enough to win." She exhaled softly, swirling the last bit of espresso in the cup. "Victor knows better. He plays the long game."
Grace hesitated for a moment, her fingers lightly brushing the edge of the desk.
"You seem… okay with that," Grace observed.
Lilly set the cup down, resting her chin lightly against her hand.
"I am," Lilly said softly, her gaze turning thoughtful. "Victor's different from Rocky. He doesn't hide his ambitions. I know exactly what he wants."
Grace's brows lifted slightly.
"And that doesn't bother you?"
Lilly's eyes flickered with something sharper—a flash of control.
"No," Lilly replied, her tone even. "Because I know exactly what I want, too."
Grace's curiosity stirred, but she kept her expression neutral. "And what is that?"
Lilly leaned back, folding her arms.
"Power. Stability," Lilly said without hesitation. "Rocky wanted affection. Victor wants influence." Her lips curved faintly. "I prefer the latter."
Grace considered that carefully.
"Victor's dangerous," Grace pointed out, though there was no judgment in her tone.
Lilly met her gaze directly.
"I'm dangerous too," Lilly replied, the faintest smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Victor knows that. I like him for it."
Grace couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips.
"That's different from what I expected," Grace admitted.
Lilly chuckled softly, picking up the sandwich but not unwrapping it just yet.
"Rocky never really knew me," Lilly said quietly, her gaze distant but calm. "Victor does."
Grace absorbed that in silence, letting the weight of Lilly's words settle.
She hadn't seen this side of Lilly before—the part of her that wasn't just corporate steel but something more grounded, more deliberate.
It was subtle, but Grace could feel the shift—a deviation from the timeline she remembered.
Victor wasn't just circling Lilly. She was letting him.
And this time, Grace wasn't sure if that was better or worse.
Rising from her seat, Grace smoothed her blazer.
"If you need anything else, I'll be outside."
Lilly's gaze softened briefly.
"Thank you, Grace," Lilly said quietly.
Grace nodded, stepping out into the hall where Emily awaited, watching with mild curiosity.
"Well?" Emily asked, raising a brow.
Grace smirked faintly.
"She's fine," Grace replied, brushing past her. "More than fine, actually."