I arrived just as Jessica was saying to Caden, "I wonder when you'll have some free time, Mr. Holbrook. Could I have the honor of inviting you to dinner soon?" As she spoke, she raised her glass, clearly aiming to toast with Caden. Before she could, I stepped in, tapping my glass against Caden's instead. "What are you two discussing? Ms. Sullivan, you seem in such a good mood." Jessica's expression flickered for a moment, but she quickly masked it with a smile. "It's just a business matter," she said smoothly. "Though, Ms. Sinclair, you look a little tense. Are you perhaps misunderstanding something?" Her voice was playful, and she even gave Caden a pointed look. Caden, however, didn't acknowledge her at all, turning his face away as if she weren't even there. I couldn't help but laugh. "A misunderstanding? Hardly. There's nothing to misinterpret here—Caden would never be interested in someone like you." Jessica's expression gave a slight twitch, though she kept up a strained smile. "You sound awfully confident, Ms. Sinclair. What makes you so sure Mr. Holbrook wouldn't be interested in me?" I gave a mocking laugh. "The fact that you'd even ask such a foolish question is reason enough." Leaning in toward her, I flashed a teasing wink. "Tell me, Ms. Sullivan, do you recall what you said at the witch's stone betting table?" Jessica's brows drew together. "What are you talking about?" "You said if you won, I'd have to walk away from Caden. But if you lost ... " I gave a faint smile, though my voice had turned sharp and cold. "Then your life would be mine to take. Ring any bells, Ms. Sullivan?" She really had the audacity to make a move on my man while I was standing right there—clearly, she needed to be put in her place. Jessica paused, then let out a dry chuckle. "Technically speaking, that wager never actually happened, did it?" My eyes narrowed. "That's true," I said coolly. "Because if it had, you wouldn't still be standing here, Ms. Sullivan." "Rosaline, you're crossing the line!" Jessica's grin disappeared as she glared at me. I calmly swirled the wine in my glass, watching the bubbles rise as I spoke evenly. "That's exactly why I find you somewhat tolerable, Ms. Sullivan—you know when to stop. If it were some clueless she-wolf in your place, who knows how things would've ended."Jessica's expression shifted. "What are you implying, Rosaline? Is that a threat? I'm the heiress of the Stars Pack—you really think you can lay a hand on me?" "Oh no, I'm shaking in my boots," I replied, my smile calm and careless. Jessica leaned in slightly, her tone low and laced with sarcasm. "Rosaline, I will win Caden over." Then, without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked off. I stared at her back with a frosty gaze, my hands balling into fists before I even realized it. Right then, I was pulled into a familiar warm hug. When I looked up, it was Caden's striking face I saw. "I'm feeling jealous," I confessed without holding back. Caden pressed a soft kiss to my neck, speaking in an even voice. "Our company does have some recent business with the Stars Pack, but I haven't mentioned anything to Jessica." I turned in his arms to face him fully, looping my arms around his neck. "What am I supposed to do, Caden? I've never dealt with such a bold, shameless rival before." Caden hesitated for a moment before saying in a steady tone, "There is one solution." "What is it?" I asked, looking up at him with wide eyes. He glanced down, gently running his fingers across my forehead, his voice soft and low. "Become my wife." I froze, completely caught off guard. I hadn't seen that coming from Caden, and for a second, my heart skipped a beat. I bit my lip and glanced at him. "Are you asking me to marry you?" His voice dropped to a gentle murmur. "And if I am ... would you accept?" "This kind of place for a proposal?" I huffed, turning my head with a playful pout. "Mr. Holbrook, that's seriously lacking in romance. No way I'm saying yes to that." Then I rested my head against his shoulder. I was only partly joking—deep down, I knew I wasn't ready for marriage. It just didn't seem like the right moment. Caden must've picked up on my hesitation, because he gently kissed the top of my head. "You really wouldn't say yes?" he murmured.I could hear the quiet trace of disappointment in his tone, which made me pause. "It's not that I don't want to ... I just haven't seriously thought about it yet." Caden just gave a faint smile, slipped an arm around my waist, and stayed quiet. That's when Queenie showed up. She stood awkwardly a few steps away, clearly unsure of herself, before finally stepping forward. "Caden ... " she called hesitantly. He gave her a quick look, and Queenie nervously bit her lip before asking, "What are you planning to do about Wendy?" Caden's eyes settled on her, his tone turning cold. "Why? Is there something you need from me?" Queenie faltered under his gaze, managing a shaky smile. "N-no, it's nothing. I was just wondering ... after what she did to Rosaline." I eyed her coldly, unimpressed by her little act. Honestly, she had some nerve trying to gauge Caden's stance even now—was she completely clueless? If she'd gotten herself tangled up in Wendy's scheme, she'd be rotting in a cell right next to that idiot by now. "Uh ... " Queenie stammered, fumbling over her words, then quickly turned to walk away. As I watched her hurry off, I couldn't hold back a laugh.