It took a whole minute for Zaria to react to what her friend had just said. A laugh escaped her lips. "Yup. You're dreaming."

"He does. I'm sure even Nina can tell." Ximena insisted. "He has been treating you so well for years. Just how much of a blockhead are you to not be able to know this?"

"We are friends, Xim." Zaria was helpless.

The woman tilted her head as if she heard the most insane kind of reason. "And that's not a reason for him to not like you. Who said friends should not fall in love? Besides, look at you. Beautiful face, perfect figure. Nice bottom…"

Ximena had not whispered, so the other patrons who were within earshot heard her words. Zaria could feel their eyes scanning her and checking out her bottom—including women and a pair of teenage girls. She so badly wanted to drown in the blueberry ice cream that was starting to melt in her porcelain oval plate.

Ximena glanced at her and resumed. "Alluring eyes, beautiful long hair, most importantly, smart. Tell me which man won't want to fall at your feet if you ask them to?

If I were a man, I swear I wouldn't let Ryan that dimwit have a chance."

Zaria looked up at her friend and just happened to catch a guy staring at her boobs. She frowned and pulled her attention back to the rambling Ximena while tilting her angle to block his view.

"He is such an idiot." Ximena continued. "The two of you grew up together, sharing your snacks, crying together, and wiping each other's tears and snot. You even snuck out at night together to watch concerts of the idols you liked. How many chances did he have, and how many did he waste?"

"Just stop, Ximena." Zaria felt her head start to hurt.

The other woman paused with an expression of worry. "You still don't want to get into a relationship? Is it because of…"

"Xim, I'm getting a little tired. Let's go home, okay?" Zaria did not know what had triggered this woman into a chatterbox tonight, but it was better to get her out of here.

"As you wish. Don't let your chance slip, girl." Ximena stood up at the same time as her friend. As they exited, a loud chatter suddenly broke out in the ice cream parlor and she realized that they were taking the chance to get a better view of Zaria's body.

The guys cheered while some of the women pouted in jealousy and called Zaria out for seeking attention. Meanwhile, a young man who must have just reached adulthood rushed over with his phone in hand. "Beauty, can I have your…"

He was yet to say "number" when he received a fierce glare from Ximena, who looked like she was ready to fight.

The young man fled in panic, making Zaria laugh.

"No wonder you're single."

She kept scaring guys away. Who would have the guts to go after her?

"Where are you going to stay? You can stay at my house." Zaria suggested as they got into her car.

Ximena fastened her seat belt, excited that her friend had a new car. "Thanks, but I already rented an apartment before my return. Why don't we call it a sleepover? I can settle in tomorrow."

"Good idea." Zaria was ready to bite her to death if she insisted on going to her rented apartment tonight.

...

Pearl Ice Cream Parlor wasn't far from Phoenix Apartments, so they arrived within ten minutes.

As soon as the front door opened, a cute ball of fluff rushed over, placed his paws on Zaria's leg, and then looked up to express that he had missed her.

She picked it up with a smile. "Did you miss me? I missed you too."

Ximena was caught off guard by the appearance of the puppy. When she saw it clearly, she was excited and held out her palm. "Aren't you the cutest? Come here, let me hug you."

The little thing was friendly. Seeing that his owner was close to Ximena, he looked at her curiously before climbing onto her arm and rubbing his head against her. She could almost die from the cuteness.

"Zaria, since when do you like dogs?" She asked the question that Theodore had asked too.

"Recently." She changed into indoor slippers and gave a pair to Ximena, then had her sit on a couch.

"There's something you're not telling me." The latter was suspicious, making Zaria cough.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Spill it." She demanded.

A smile uncontrollably formed on Zaria's lips as she stood up and headed towards the kitchen. "Xim, are you hungry? You probably didn't eat throughout the flight. Let me cook something."

Ximena glanced at her disappearing back then at Des. "Why won't she answer me? Did she steal you?"

She got no response, so she rubbed the comfortable little thing helplessly. "You're so cute. If I were in her shoes, I would steal you too!"

___

At the same time, in Desmond's mansion.

The man was reading an article in his study when he received a call from Samantha.

"Did you make up your mind?" He asked impatiently.

"I know a way out." The woman chirped.

"Speak."

She didn't want to spend too much time talking to Desmond either, so she went to the point. "Get that woman from F&P Media out there and have her explain where the hell she got that piece of news. That way, you might be able to get another witness and stop bothering me. Oh, her name is Zaria Williams and I heard she's working at your company for heaven knows what reason."

"What drugs are you on?" Desmond was displeased. "Don't even try to shirk responsibility. You have six days."

"Indeed, you are protecting her. So Marion was telling the truth. Is she really your mistress?" It turned out that the call was merely an excuse for her to test him and confirm the information.

He clenched his teeth. "None of your business."

Desmond hung up on her, but that only made Samantha sure that Marion was right. That woman really was Desmond's mistress.

…

Grinning, she made her way to Sparks Villa the next evening.

Sparks Villa was one of the most affluent residences in Imperium City and was almost as big as the president's palace.

Such a place was bound to have security high enough for visitors to find oppressive and Samantha was no exception. The countless security checks irked her. Since when did she, the daughter of the Fort family, have to undergo such humiliation?

From her information, the Fort family was highy respected by the Sparks and such treatment was uncalled for. Was it because of Desmond's playfulness that the Sparks had started to bare their fangs?

Samantha would never have guessed that this exaggerated treatment was because of how she had humiliated Desmond's best friend four days ago.

When she arrived at the villa, she met a straight-haired woman at the entrance—Natalie Sparks.

"It's you." Her tone was neither enthusiastic nor contemptuous. She welcomed Samantha into the house distantly.

"It's been long." She said as a formality.

Samantha was too enraged to go through with small talk, so she grabbed the chance. "I can't see you anymore. Plus Desmond is too busy with his new assistant to bring you home for a visit."

"Hm." Natalie merely hummed expressionlessly.

She was usually cold and distant, so Samantha didn't overthink. She gently apologized, "Sorry, I spoke too much."

"It's alright. How have you been?" She didn't bother to ask about the assistant, but Samantha offered the information anyway. This was what she was here for.

"Desmond still ignores me. What a jerk. It's all because I told him to stop playing around. Even if he wants to play, why does he have to go for a lowlife with poor morals? There isn't anyone in Olphire who doesn't know about your engagement with Desmond, but she still fools around with him. That's degrading a perfect woman like you!"

She had attempted to jab what she thought was the woman's most sore spot. She was every man's dream, yet her fiancé was constantly cheating on her and wasn't even trying to hide it. Was there any woman who could take it lying down?

This is why Samantha had chosen this method to deal with Desmond's new pet. By simply throwing the legitimate fiancée into the mix, she would not need to dirty her hands.

"You don't have to feel wronged on my behalf." Natalie merely smiled.

Samantha was done here, so she didn't overstay her welcome and left after a little small talk.

"Was that Samantha? Why didn't Desmond come along?" Ava Sparks—Natalie's mother— appeared from the kitchen, having overheard their conversation.

Natalie shrugged. "Who am I supposed to ask?"

Ava thought about it with a frown. "I don't trust a woman who would backstab her mother. But hooking up with his secretary does sound like something Desmond would do. He has done worse before." She slapped her forehead in anger. "What was your dad thinking, pairing you up with a man who knows nothing but to play around? I will…"

"Stop." Natalie grabbed her mother's phone as she knew that the latter was about to give Desmond a call to scold him. "I can handle my own relationship matters."