The two colleagues standing beside Olivia cast furtive glances at Penelope, retreating a few paces before pressing themselves against the wall.

Penelope, unperturbed, took note of Olivia but promptly turned away.

Her gaze, cool and dismissive, conveyed a clarity that she had no intention of acknowledging Olivias existence.

Flanked by a cluster of managers, Penelope strode into the waiting elevator with poised command.

As the elevator doors slid shut, Olivias colleagues exhaled audibly, abandoning their tension with visible relief, only for their excitement to immediately transmute into whispered chatter.

"Wasnt that the famed girlfriend of Mr. Hayes? Shes breathtaking, absolutely stunningand dressed head to toe in designer brands! It must cost a fortune. But thats exactly what youd expect of someone born into wealth, isnt it? The confidence, the grace, the auraits a world completely set apart from ours ordinary folk!"

"Totally! You couldnt have said it better!"

Together, their voices bubbled over with awe before their curiosity swiveled toward Olivia. "What about you, Olivia? What do you think?"

Eyes casting downward, Olivia gave a concise, measured response. "Yes, she is."

Penelope, in fact, was her fathers mistresss daughter.

No, labeling her a mere child born of an illicit affair felt inadequate, far too crude.

Eight years into Olivias childhood, her father undid his marriage to her mother so that Penelope and her mother wouldn't have to suffer.

Penelopes mother had stepped uncertainly into the primary rolea victory painted with delicate lies about justice and reparations.

And Olivia? Shunted into incongruity, into a breakable orbit around her despondent mother.

Her life there grew boxed in within her grandmothers vigilance and overshadowed by the worrying spiral of an uncle whose business faltered under declining fortune.

Meanwhile, the Garcia family blossomed, flourishing.

It was said that to make up for the hardships Penelope endured in her childhood, her father spared no expense in giving her the best of everything and invested heavily in her upbringing.

And Penelope lived up to expectationsby all accounts, she had grown remarkably accomplished.

So the once-illegitimate Penelope was now a rightful heiress of a wealthy family.

After more than a decade as a young lady, Penelope now carried herself with even more aristocratic grace than Olivia ever had as the genuine article.

Olivia had thought that after childhood, their paths would never cross again.

But God seemed to favor Penelope especially.

Olivia and Jason had grown up together, yet no matter how hard she tried, Jason never seemed to love her.

But the moment he laid eyes on Penelope, he fell completely in love

Olivia, are you okay?

Noticing Olivia had gone pale, her two colleagues looked concerned.

Olivia snapped back to attention. Im fine.

She and Jason would soon be divorced. Whoever Jason loved had nothing to do with her anymore.

That day, Olivia didnt dwell on whatever was happening between Jason and Penelope.

She worked late until almost 9 p.m.

Just as she was wrapping up, her phone rang. It was her best friend, Ava, calling.

When Olivia answered, she was told Ava was drunk and needed a ride home from the restaurant.

Olivia quickly finished up the documents she was working on, grabbed her car keys, and left the office.

Twenty minutes later, she arrived at her destination.

As she got out of the car and headed toward the entrance, a little girl emerged from the other side of the parking lot.

Catching a clear glimpse of the girls profile, Olivia froze.

Amy?

Wasnt she supposed to be at school in Sylvaria? How could she be here? Was she back with Jason?

Given her position, Olivia didnt have access to confidential company files, but she knew it still took some more time for Jason to finish his expansion work in Sylvaria.

She had assumed hed returned only briefly to handle some business.

It never occurred to her that her daughter would have come back too.

She didnt know exactly when they had returned, but since she saw Jason that morning, they must have been back for at least a day.

Yet her daughter hadnt called her once to let her know they were back.

At that thought, Olivia tightened her grip on her bag.

Watching the cheerful little figure skipping ahead, she quietly followed.

As she reached the corner of the lobby, Penelope and several of Jasons friends appeared at the end of the hallway.

Olivia quickly turned away, hiding herself.

Then she heard her daughter call out happily, Penny! before darting forward and throwing herself into Penelopes arms.

Olivia sat down on a nearby sofa with her back to them, using the potted plants and high chairbacks to conceal herself.

Amy, youre back, too?

You came back, Penny! Dad and I missed you so much that he finished work early and brought me back! We made sure to return the day before your birthday so we wouldnt miss it!

This is a necklace Dad and I made for you ourselves. Happy birthday, Penny!

Wow, you and your dad made this yourselves? That mustve taken so much effort. Youre amazing, Amy! I love it. Thank you!

Im just glad you like it, Penny.

Amelia hugged Penelope, snuggling against her. I missed you so much this past week, Penny. If I couldnt call you every day, I wouldnt have been able to stay in Sylvaria.

I missed you too, Amy.

Just then, footsteps approached from the side.

Olivia froze.

It was Jason.

Even without seeing him, she knew from the sound of his footsteps.

She could recognize them because, throughout their six years of marriage, she had waited for him almost every day.

Jasons footsteps were like the man himselfunhurried, steady, and self-assured.

Even with his own family, he was calm and almost detached, as though not even the sky falling could faze him.

She had once thought nothing and no one in this world could ever unsettle him.

But then Penelope appeared.

And suddenly, there was an exception

Before Olivia could dwell further on the past, she heard her daughter call out, Daddy!

Jasons friends greeted him one after another.

Jason acknowledged them, then said to Penelope, Happy birthday.

Penelope smiled. Thank you.

Daddy, you prepared another birthday gift for Penny, didn't you? Hurry up and give it to her!

The group fell quiet for a moment before one of Jasons friends chuckled softly, leaned down, and pinched Amelias cheek.

Thats a gift your dad prepared privately for Penny. Hell probably give it to her alonelets not get in the way. Haha.

The others laughed suggestively.

Then Jason said, I already gave it to her.

Huh? When? Amelia pouted. Daddy, you went to see Penny without me? Hmph!

Jasons friends burst into laughter.

Olivia, however, recalled Penelopes visit to the Hayes Group that morning.

He must have given it to her then.

Penelope smiled bashfully and spoke up, Lets not stand around here. Lets head upstairs.

The sound of footsteps faded into the distance.

Olivias mind went blank.

A dull, persistent ache spread through her chest.

It took her a long moment to collect herself before she silently entered the elevator and went upstairs to help her friend back down.

Ava and Penelopes dinner parties were actually on the same floor.

As Olivia supported Ava into the elevator, one of Jasons friends, Callum, paused mid-step.