Natalie smiled and walked to the door. She opened and saw Mimi in front of her. Natalie looked at her with a cold gaze. Because Solace was blocked by Natalie's back, she couldn't see the door. Mimi's lips turned up into an unpleasant arc as she looked at Natalie.

''Mother, your stepdaughter is here…'' Natalie said in a mocking tone before pushing Mimi aside and left.

Natalie's statement rang inside Mimi's ears for a good while. She didn't even hear Solace calling her as her mind kept replaying the cynical statement.

''Mimi, what are you doing here?'' Solace asked.

Mimi came back to her senses and smiled as if nothing was amiss. ''Mom, dad was looking for you so I came here to check. I didn't know I would bump into you and elder sister. What were you two talking about?'' Mimi acted as if she didn't hear anything.

''We didn't talk about anything important. Let's go, your father must be waiting'' Solace walked out first and Mimi followed. Her hands around her bag clenched on to the hands tightly.

By the time Natalie returned to the hall, Xia and Connor had arrived. They all sat on one table, so she went and joined them.

''Xia, you are here''

''Yes, I had to pass by the hospital to visit Via first''

Natalie sat by Mikael's side as she continued to chat with Xia.

''Alice, I never thought that I would one day sit in the midst of all these powerful people. I should thank you''

''Look, that's Lucas and Reynolds'' Alice said and Zeya turned to look at the two friends coming in. Her gaze followed them until they joined a table just four away from theirs.

After sitting down, Lucas looked around the hall and his gaze settled on Zeya. The two of them looked at each other before Zeya turned away. She picked the glass of water from her side and sipped.

The hall became silent when the Governor walked to the stage to give his introductory speech. He has changed into a light blue outfit with his wife.

''I want to specially welcome everyone here today…'' he started. 'I begun this journey, my political career a few years back and today I stand before you my family and friends, business partners and the whole of City X as your Governor''

As the Governor was giving his opening speech, Natalie turned her gaze towards her mother. She noticed that Daniel Song was looking at her with a weird smile. It somewhat put her off.

''It's that look again'' Natalie muttered to herself. She could remember clearly this was the kind of creepy gaze he gave her that day at the hospital.

''Why does it seem so familiar, though?'' Natalie felt as if she had seen that smile before but she couldn't remember anything.

''What are you looking at?'' Mikael asked.

''Mikael… Daniel Song, I don't like the way he looks at me. It's creepy and suspicious. You know when you have something you don't want to share with others and then you keep watching it from afar''

''You are thinking too much, Natie. Don't look at him. Just look at me instead'' Mikael kissed her cheek.

''Tsk! Scoundrel!'' Natalie smiled and looked away.

''My wife and I thank each and every one of you for coming here. Today, we just want everyone to have fun tonight''

Daniel looked at the podium and suddenly saw himself standing there giving the speech. In his subconscious mind, the person on that stage was no longer the Charles Swift but he Daniel Song, giving his speech after becoming the Governor.

He was dressed elegantly and looked immaculate on the stage, with bodyguards protecting him. Mimi was standing next to him proudly.

''Dad, what is making you so happy?'' Mimi asked when he saw the bright smile on her father's face. He looked extremely pleased.

Daniel turned to look at Mimi, ''nothing, Mimi. Daddy just remembered something and is happy about it''

''I see'' Mimi turned to look at Solace. She noticed her mother was looking somewhere and she decided to follow her gaze. Mimi's eyes fell on Natalie and she realised Solace was looking at her.

Solace's gaze was soft filled with love and longing as she looked at Natalie who was busy having a chat with Xia and Alice.

Mimi clenched her fists tightly. Her lips trembled and she bit her lower lip. She was feeling anxious for a reason.

After giving his speech, the Governor with his wife visited each table after another, welcoming them again and having small talk with the people they invited.

''Alice, I am going to the washroom'' Zeya said to Alice before standing up to go. Alice watched her with a worried expression. She had noticed how uncomfortable Zeya felt since Lucas arrived. She didn't know if she should meddle in her business or not. Even if they were friends, she couldn't do anything since she wasn't like Xia or Natalie to her.

Zeya splashed water on her face and sighed. She placed her hands on the sink and murmured.

''Calm down, Zeya. You two are already over. There is nothing to be afraid of. It's good you found out he was scumbag earlier and dumped his a**''

Zeya cleaned her face, applied a little makeup to lift her face up before she picked her bag and walked out of the washroom.

''Zeya'' Lucas walked closer to her. He had his hands in his pockets.

''Are you just going to pretend we don't know each other?'' he spoke when Zeya tried to walk away.

''What do you want?'' Zeya asked impatiently.

''Are you going to continue been this stubborn? I already ended things with that girl. Remove me from your blacklist'' he said and held her hand.

''Let go!'' Zeya tried to remove her hand but he tightened his grip on her.

''Zeya, we will soon be acting alongside in the new series. You and I are going to play a couple in that drama, the lead couple''

'Alice is playing the lead and I am playing the second lead. We won't have much interactions throughout the filming. I specifically asked for that role to avoid you. Lucas, I already broke up with you. stop acting entitled with me''

''Zeya, stop being stubborn, okay? I helped you with a lot of endorsement. Can't you forgive me for messing around just once?''

''Just once? Lucas, you slept with her… no, you have been sleeping with her for the past two years that we dated and that too… in the house we made a down payment for when we were planning to move in together. You made your bed, lay in it. Stop calling me''

''Didn't you use to hate Alice? Now you two are like best friends. Are you not afraid that she will steal all your gigs and leave you with nothing? Haven't you learnt anything from Mimi Song? Or are you trying to be friends with her so that you can climb the social ladder?''

''What?''

''Zeya… is everything alright?'' Alice walked over to them.

''Alice Jun?'' Lucas looked at Alice.

''Hi, Lucas Biden'' Alice said and turned to look at Zeya, ''the others are going to the poolside for some drinks, so I came to call you. Are you done… here?''

''Yes, let's go''

''If you leave I will let the company stop sponsoring your clothing'' Lucas said.

''I didn't know Lucas Biden was such a cheap man? Threatening a woman with outfits? Besides, there isn't just one fashion house in the whole of City X? Apart from your company, we already have Fins Fashion House, Lebron and AGATHA, right, we also have my boyfriend''

''Those companies you mentioned are big time business people, they don't even need advertisement for their clothes to be sold out. Zeya, I am not threatening you. I am just asking you to remove me from your blacklist, reply to my messages and answer the phone when I call. As for other things, we can take things slowly''

''I am going to get an endorsement with AGATHA, very soon. I received a call from them last night''

Alice looked at her with furrowed brows. Lucas was equally surprised.

After a moment of silence, Lucas started laughing. ''Zeya, can you at least say something that is believable? AGATHA called you and asked you to be their brand model? Do you even know who AGATHA belongs to? Do you remember the girl you were rude to three months ago at the awards show? She is the daughter of the owner of AGATHA, she is Sebastian Bassey's cousin. You and Sebastian don't get along because he hates you. Tell me, do you think AGATHA is crazy to actually hire you?''

''Zeya isn't lying. Sister Lylia was the one who got the call and informed Zeya'' Alice spoke. Zeya looked at her with a shocked expression.

''What?'' Lucas sneered.

''Besides, my brother in law is good friends with Sebastian, there is no need for Zeya to lie. Don't think that everyone is just like you. If Zeya wants to wear clothes from AGATHA, that will be a piece of cake. Let's go, Zeya. She is not taking you off the blacklist, enjoy being ignored'' Alice held Zeya's hand and they walked away.