Liza furrowed her brows, her voice soft but tinged with grievance. “Miss Susan’s acting skills are truly abysmal. As the scriptwriter, I have a duty to ensure the quality of this film. All I did was point out an issue, and she started berating me. She even claimed that President Sam would invest 50 million because of her. Mr Gavin, she’s been bullying me relentlessly!” A faint glimmer of amusement flashed in Gavin’s eyes, though it quickly disappeared beneath a cold expression. His voice was sharp as he called, “George.” Without hesitation, George nodded and gestured to the bodyguards, who promptly restrained Susan. “Miss Susan, please cooperate,” he said firmly. Susan froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. She hadn’t realized until this moment that Liza had Gavin’s backing. Her mind raced in panic. When did this wretched woman manage to seduce someone like Gavin? As Susan glared at Liza, who appeared weak and pitiful, her anger boiled over. Gavin must be bewitched by her appearance! she thought bitterly. He has no idea what kind of person she really is. Unable to contain her fury, Susan shouted, “Mr Gavin! How can you defend someone like Liza? She’s a shameless woman with scandalous relationships. She’s a mistress and has probably been sleeping with some old man for favors. Just look at that diamond ring on her finger—it’s obvious she got it by selling herself. Mr Gavin…” “A bastard?” Gavin interrupted, his tone dangerously calm. He stepped closer, his piercing gaze fixed on Susan. Susan mistook his approach for agreement. “Yes, Mr Gavin! I’m telling the truth. That ring is ridiculously expensive—there’s no way Liza could afford it on her own. Who knows how many nights she spent with him to get it…” “In your eyes, I’m a bastard?” Gavin’s voice was cold and laced with mockery. Susan’s confidence faltered. “W-What?” Gavin continued, his tone as lazy as it was cutting. “ President Sam is past his prime. His taste must be truly unique to favor someone like you. But I’m different. I only like Liza.” His words hit Susan like a thunderbolt. “Miss Susan,” Gavin added with a faint smirk, “if you think your life has been too smooth, I could always inform President Sam’s wife of your... indiscretions. I wouldn’t want you bullying Liza anymore. It would hurt my heart to see her upset.” Liza blinked, her heart skipping a beat. Wait... did I hear that correctly? she thought. Did Gavin just say he only likes me? Susan, meanwhile, was spiraling into disbelief and panic. This can’t be real! she screamed internally. Liza is nothing but a cheap woman! How could Gavin possibly fall for her? Her chaotic thoughts were interrupted by her manager’s phone ringing. From the other end, President Sam’s furious voice boomed, “Has Susan lost her mind? She dared to provoke that man? Tell her to stay away from me. I’m pulling out of the investment, and I don’t want to see her again!”The words hit Susan like a slap. She collapsed onto the floor, her mind blank with despair. President Sam had abandoned her, and now she had made an enemy of Gavin. All I wanted was to get rid of Liza, she thought bitterly. I only wanted to gain favor with Brandon and Serena. How did it come to this? Gavin’s voice broke through her thoughts, smooth and unforgiving. “Miss Susan, there’s something else I meant to mention,” he said slowly. “You reek of an old man. It’s nauseating. Next time you pick a man, you might want to choose more carefully. President Sam is old enough to be your father.” Liza stared at him, momentarily speechless. Her lips twitched. Gavin’s tongue is as sharp as a blade, she thought, her surprise giving way to a small smile. And I like it. Susan took a deep breath, her face paling under the weight of Gavin’s mocking words. His attention, however, had already shifted elsewhere. “Let’s go,” Gavin said coolly, turning to Liza. She nodded, falling into step beside him. Her gaze dropped to his hand, where a ring gleamed faintly. A frown tugged at her lips as curiosity got the better of her. “Gavin, your ring looks similar to mine,” she remarked, “but the design is simpler.” Gavin paused for a fraction of a second, caught off guard. He glanced up, careful to keep his expression neutral, though a faint blush threatened to creep onto his face. “It’s a nice ring,” he replied, his tone measured and calm. For a brief moment, Liza entertained the idea that Gavin might have bought a pair of couple rings. But the thought seemed unlikely—Gavin didn’t strike her as the type to make such sentimental gestures. It was probably just a coincidence. George, standing nearby, nearly choked on his disbelief. His face twisted in exasperation as he glanced at the two of them. Seriously? he thought. Those are clearly couple rings! Why won’t the president just admit it? Gavin, meanwhile, reached for his cufflinks, his expression softening slightly. The cufflinks had been a gift from Liza—one she had given him under the guise of her identity as Black Tide. At the time, she believed she was gifting them to her senior, unaware that Gavin himself held that title. Enough time had passed that Gavin decided it was time to nudge her toward the truth. In his usual calm tone, he asked, “Mrs. Liza, did you come here today to meet your senior?” Liza stiffened, her body tensing as her mind scrambled. How does he know? she thought, panic flickering in her eyes. She quickly forced a smile, though her annoyance was evident beneath the surface. “Mr Gavin, you must be mistaken. There’s no such thing.” Gavin’s lips curved faintly, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Mrs. Liza,” he said smoothly, “you seem a little nervous when you lie.” Liza’s throat tightened. How was Gavin so certain? Her senior was someone formidable, someone who shouldn’t easily catch the attention of others. It must be Mason! she thought angrily. That troublemaker must’ve leaked the news! Her forced smile faltered as she tried to maintain her composure, but Gavin’s knowing expression only made her more flustered. Whatever game he was playing, he was clearly enjoying it far too much.