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Later, she headed downstairs. The dining table was already set for breakfast.

Lucas had changed into his office suit. Tie perfectly knotted, hair sleeked back and fresh. He smelled like something expensive—clean and masculine. Fully dressed in perfect, tailored clothes, he looked every bit the handsome billionaire.

Dillon stood a little way off, eyes glued to his phone with an intense focus.

Both men looked up as Emily’s footsteps echoed down the stairs. Dillon barely glanced her way, ignoring her completely.

She approached the table, scanning the spread.

A steaming coffee mug sat in front of Lucas. He sipped calmly. When she approached, he pointed to a cup across from him.

“Drink,” he said, voice firm.

She bit her lip, hesitated, then moved to the seat he indicated. Her fingers brushed the back of the chair as she sat down and looked into the cup.

Cream swirled on top of the dark coffee, and her face twisted in distaste.

“I don’t want to,” she said.

Lucas’s annoyance flared immediately. His eyes lifted to hers, and his hand pushed the cup closer.

“Stop doing that, Emily. What’s wrong with you now?”

She stared at the coffee, then at his hand nudging it toward her, and back to the creamy swirl. ‘I've been lactose intolerant since I was a kid, she thought, quietly. ‘He’s been my boyfriend for years, and he doesn’t even know that?’

Lucas was still staring at her intently, like he expected her to just pick up the coffee cup and drink.

A cheerful voice broke the silence.

“Mr. Cantrell, Ms. Amelia is here to see you,” Dillon said, holding up his phone with a small smile—one far softer than the frowns he usually gave Emily. “She said it’s something urgent about a project, so she came straight here instead of waiting at the office.”

Lucas didn’t look up. He took another slow sip from his coffee and muttered, “Let her in.”

“Sure,” Dillon replied, already heading for the door.

A few moments later, the front door clicked shut again, and Dillon reappeared—this time with a woman behind him.

Emily folded her arms across her chest, her gaze sweeping over the woman from head to toe.

‘So this is Amelia. The goddess I’m not allowed to offend. The so-called pure soul who I supposedly insult every time I breathe wrong. And I’m just the clingy, overreacting girlfriend who can’t take it?’

Emily studied her more closely. The woman wasn’t jaw-dropping gorgeous, but she was... pretty. Polished. Her office clothes were a little too tight, a little too well-fitted. The blouse hugged her curves in a way that made it more seductive than professional. Her hair was curled and styled, one side tucked neatly over her shoulder, the rest cascading down her back. Light makeup, dark lipstick.

‘Who wears red lipstick at nine in the morning?’ Emily thought. ‘The more I stare, the more she looks like a walking clown emoji trying to play innocent.’

Tearing her eyes away, she turned her attention back to the coffee cup in front of her. It annoyed her more now. She used the back of her hand to push the cup away.

Lucas’s gaze followed the movement, and his jaw ticked. His eyes narrowed slightly.

‘She’s doing it again,’ he thought. ‘Every time Amelia’s around, she tries to make a scene.’

He exhaled through his nose, voice calm but edged with warning. “Emily, don’t start. Just drink your coffee. Amelia’s here for work.”

Emily waved her hand dismissively, not even glancing his way. “I’m not interested in your matters.”

Amelia, who had been silently watching the tension unfold, clutched her hands nervously in front of her bag, her fingers curled tightly around the leather straps.

Her innocent gaze flicked back and forth between Lucas and Emily before she spoke in a soft, gentle tone. “Lucas, don’t get angry. She’s your girlfriend. I’m sure she doesn’t mean to be upset with me… Right, Emily?”