The next morning unfolded quietly, the sun barely cresting over the city as Grace Wu arrived at Li Holdings ahead of schedule. The executive floor was still, save for the faint hum of lights flickering on as she walked through the corridor.
She preferred it this way—the calm before the rest of the world caught up.
Sliding into her chair, Grace unlocked her computer and skimmed through the morning's emails. Nothing urgent. A few project updates, a reminder about the Skybound negotiations, and a calendar block that caught her attention.
Dinner – 8 PM.
Victor Zhou.
Grace's fingers tapped lightly against the desk. Emily hadn't exaggerated—Victor moved fast.
Lilly hadn't mentioned it, but Grace knew that was intentional.
She reached for her phone, scrolling to Lilly's name. Her thumb hovered over the call button, but instead, she slipped the device back into her pocket.
This wasn't a conversation for the phone.
By the time Lilly arrived, the office had shifted into its usual flow. Emily sat perched at the reception desk, typing away with one hand while balancing a cup of tea in the other.
Grace rose as Lilly stepped off the elevator, her sleek heels barely making a sound against the polished floors.
"Morning," Grace greeted casually, falling in step beside her.
Lilly nodded faintly, her attention fixed on the tablet in her hand as she scrolled through documents.
"Anything I should know about?" Lilly asked, not glancing up.
"Not much," Grace replied, choosing her words carefully. "Emily mentioned your dinner plans."
Lilly's eyes flickered briefly to Grace, but she didn't break stride.
"Emily gossips too much," Lilly replied, lips curving faintly.
Grace smirked. "She's efficient. I like that about her."
Lilly's office door slid shut softly behind them as they entered.
Grace lingered by the desk, watching as Lilly set her bag down and powered on her computer.
"Victor," Grace started, folding her arms lightly, "he's been around more than usual."
Lilly's gaze shifted, just for a second.
"Is that a problem?" Lilly asked, her tone neutral but laced with subtle curiosity.
Grace held her gaze. "It could be."
Lilly leaned back in her chair, fingers steepling thoughtfully.
"Victor's ambitious," Lilly admitted, tilting her head slightly. "But he knows the rules. I'm not Rocky."
Grace's lips pressed into a thin line. "I know you're not."
Lilly studied her, a glimmer of amusement dancing behind her eyes.
"But you think I'm making a mistake," Lilly remarked.
Grace exhaled, choosing her words carefully. "I think Victor doesn't do anything without strings attached."
Lilly chuckled softly, leaning forward slightly.
"That's what I like about him."
Grace blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the admission.
"I know exactly what Victor is," Lilly continued, swirling the pen in her hand absentmindedly. "He's not subtle. He doesn't play pretend. I respect that more than I ever respected Rocky's games."
Grace frowned. "Victor's dangerous. He's not chasing a partnership—he's positioning himself."
Lilly's expression didn't shift.
"I know," she said simply. "But I'm not afraid of him, Grace. I'm in control."
The words hung between them, firm but unshakably confident.
Grace hesitated, searching for the right argument—but there wasn't one.
Lilly wasn't Rocky.
She wasn't blind to the risks.
Still, something about the entire situation gnawed at Grace's instincts.
"Victor won't stop once he has a foothold," Grace warned carefully.
Lilly's smile was faint but knowing.
"Then I won't stop either," Lilly replied.
The quiet certainty in her voice left little room for debate.
Grace exhaled, her hands relaxing at her sides.
"Just don't let him get too comfortable," Grace said softly, moving toward the door.
Lilly's gaze followed her, but she didn't respond.
As Grace stepped out into the corridor, Emily glanced up from her desk, raising a curious brow.
"Well?" Emily asked.
Grace smiled faintly.
"She knows exactly what she's doing."
Emily chuckled under her breath.
"Good luck to Victor, then."