The entire ride to the office, Adira was absent-minded and kept thinking about Jared. She couldn't stop wondering who he was and how he had been able to know something so deep about her. Could it be possible he got the information from someone close to the family? But who could that person even be? It was disturbing. She had her gaze pinned to the window until the car rode into the company and pulled to a stop. Her door was immediately opened for her, and she stepped out with Bonnie, who had been in the front seat the whole time. Heads bowed in respect as she walked past a lot of people, and when she got to the ground floor, one of the receptionists sprang to her feet. "Good morning, ma'am. The guest you've been expecting is already here. I asked him to wait outside your office," she informed Adira's eyes beamed. Her guest? That must be Lancelot. She had informed the receptionist of his coming ahead of time and wanted him in. "Alright, then. Thanks." She smiled lightly and walked away. In the elevator, so many thoughts flashed through her mind. She wouldn't deny feeling a little nervous about seeing Lancelot again. The good thing was, she wasn't meeting him as that poor, pathetic wife who was begging for his love. Things were different now. The elevator door slid open, and she emerged from it, feeling euphoric. She prepared her mind for the very moment she'd set eyes on Lancelot. It could be any moment. She walked past the open-space offices of her staff, and after a few more steps, she found Lancelot, sitting patiently at the client's waiting seat. Adira felt a little skip in her heart. For a moment there, she nearly slackened her steps, but thankfully, she was able to overcome it. Lancelot rose to his feet when he caught sight of her. He felt his breath seize as well as his head spin upon beholding her gorgeousness. How the hell did Adira get so beautiful? She was more beautiful in person. His heart stopped beating right until the moment she walked up to him. "Hi," her lips stretched in a small smile. He was finding it so difficult to concentrate. "Hi, Adira," he gulped afterwards. For a few seconds, the duo just stood and stared at each other. Then, saying nothing, Adira began walking away to her office, leaving Lancelot pondering for a while whether he should follow her or not. But since she didn't comment on it, he decided to go after her. "Ma'am, should I get coffee?" Bonnie asked just before Adira would open the door to her office. She paused and looked back at Bonnie. "There will be no need for that. Lancelot won't be staying long," she smiled and proceeded into the office.Lancelot felt a little twitchy. Adira took her seat and gestured at Lancelot to do the same. And as he did, she took time to scrutinize. He was still as handsome as he used to be, and his outfit was more presentable. Obviously, the coma didn't take much from him. His handsomeness did nothing to change the feelings she had for him. At that moment, she felt nothing but deep hatred for him—him and his wife—and wanted nothing more but to ruin them the same way they ruined her. She worked a small smile into her face as he was finally seated and faced her. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting for so long?" She took out a file from her drawer and began scanning through it. "Not at all. You don't have to worry about that," Lancelot replied. It was taking him a lot to swallow his pride and remain in front of this woman. A few years ago, she was his wife. His wife! But today, he was sitting in her office like a client! "How have you been, Adira?" He asked, trying to force a conversation. "Well, I've been great. I believe you asked that question last night," Adira responded without looking at him. "And how are you? Heard you got into a coma during your honeymoon?" Her question was a little uncomfortable for Lancelot. Why was he hearing an echo of mockery in her voice? Moreover, she had already asked him that question the previous night. "Yeah, I did. But I'm fine now." He answered edgily. Deciding to go into the main topic, he opened his suitcase, brought out some files, and placed them in front of Adira. "Here. These are the proposals from my company. For years, we've been trying to get signed with Yonder Dynamics, so I really hope you'd be able to be of help." Adira didn't touch or glance at the files. Instead, she focused on the file she already had in her hand. This got Lancelot a little worried. "How's Jardine?" She gazed up at him and smiled. "She's um...fine." "I know this is unethical, but are you living the life you wanted? Is your mom finally happy that she got the daughter-in-law she's always wanted?" Lancelot lowered his head, wondering why Adira was bringing up those questions. They were embarrassing for him. He heard her chuckle, and looking up at her, he found her taking one of his files from the desk. Thank goodness. She flipped through the pages with a blank expression. Done with that, she took up another file and the next. "Hm. Your proposal seems good," she muttered when she was on the last file. "Although I'm a little curious... You are aware Jardine was here a few days ago, right?" She shifted her gaze from the file to him. "I'm pretty sure you know I rejected her. So, what makes you think I'd want to accept you?" Lancelot was tongue-tied for a few seconds. His gaze dropped again. "Well, I just had some confidence," he shrugged. "You know, we knew each other for over a decade. So, I was hoping that would do some tricks." Adira laughed lightly, her eyes going through the file. Lancelot had a hard time discerning if her laugh was for good or bad, but she looked really beautiful. For a while, nothing happened as Adira perused his documents. Then she sighed and returned the one she had in her hand. "I'll go through them and get back to you," she stated formally. Lancelot's heart fluttered. She'd be going through them? That was definitely some hope to hold onto. It was more than enough for him."Oh... Thank you so much, Adira. I really appreciate it," he beamed. She said nothing and just smiled at him, reclining in her seat. Then Lancelot picked up his suitcase like he was ready to leave. "Uh..." He dropped his suitcase. "I was thinking, Adira, would it be okay to treat you to dinner?" Adira's hands fisted beside her as she forced herself not to laugh. Dear Lancelot, he didn't disappoint her, did he? That was the essence of inviting him over to her office? "Dinner?" She moved her hand and gaze to her system. "That doesn't sound like something your wife would like." Lancelot chuckled nervously. "You don't have to worry about that. It's just a friendly dinner." "Is it?" Adira looked up at him, intentionally making their eyes lock. Lancelot was nearly losing his sanity. Her eyes are so damn gorgeous! She cut the contact and returned her gaze to her system. "Alright, then. "I'll think about it." He took a deep breath. "Thank you so much, Adira." "I'll be on my way now." Picking up his suitcase, he exited the office while Adira smiled from behind. ****†****†****†****†****† Lancelot towered over Jardine, his eyes reflecting in the mirror, while Jardine fussed over him, straightening his collars and any wrinkles in his shirt. His hair was neatly combed back, and his shaven face accentuated his sharp features. "Is this meeting so important? I really wanted us to watch some movies tonight," Jardine uttered wistfully. She was done with his collars and took a step back. "I'm afraid I have to go. The clients will be traveling out of the country first thing tomorrow. So, it's important we meet tonight," Lancelot replied, watching her pout her lips. "Alright, then. We can just watch movies tomorrow. Goodluck, okay?" "Thank you." She pecked him on the lips and saw him off to the car. As Lancelot drove out of the compound, he heaved a sigh of relief. He felt glad that he had been able to deceive Jardine into believing he was meeting with a client. His heart fluttered as he thought of meeting with Adira again. It's been two days since they met in her office, and that evening was meant for their dinner. Lancelot had been so excited when she agreed to have dinner with him. Although he knew Jardine would get angry if she learned of it, perhaps it didn't really matter at that moment. **** Adira descended the staircase, elegant in a flowing black dinner dress that hugged her every curve. Her eyes sparkled, and her lips were painted a deep shade of red. She had so many thoughts on her mind, all related to the dinner she was about to have with Lancelot. He obviously had no idea it was all a trap and a means of locking him up. Definitely, after tonight, his relationship with Jardine would become sour. She couldn't wait to see Jardine lose the very thing she bragged about stealing from her. Adira's thoughts froze when her eyes caught a glimpse of Nikolai sitting in the living room. Although the TV was on, Adira could tell he wasn't focused on the movie but had his eyes on his phone instead. Nikolai was always too busy with his phone. She slackened her steps, feeling a little edgy as she approached him. And when she got close enough, he cocked his head to look at her. At that moment, Adira felt her heart skip; it became worse when she noticed his stare on her took longer. Was something wrong with her dress? Or makeup?"Good evening," she inclined her head. Nikolai gave no response. And gulping hard, she started towards the door. "Adira," he suddenly called, making her halt. At the same time, her heart fluttered. Why was he calling her?