After a moment outside the room, Cleopatra entered the CEO's office with a confident stride. Without looking back, she made her way to her chair, carefully placing the Prada bag she was carrying on the table, and then sat down elegantly. While removing her signature sunglasses, she gazed at the MacBook screen in front of her, as if searching for answers in the quiet and dull world of digital space.

Peter Moon, her ever-loyal personal secretary who always stood behind her, seemed unable to hide his unease. Although he should have focused on his tasks, the scene they had just witnessed in the elevator troubled him. Something was bothering him, and he felt the need to ask a question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time.


"Cleopatra," Peter said, breaking the silence of the CEO's office. "What exactly is going on between you and Louis Toreto?" He nodded slightly, suggesting it was time to ask directly. "Aren't you and Louis planning to marry under a contract? Isn't it part of the plan to defeat your uncle, Theodore William Blake?"

Cleopatra took a deep breath and without turning, she swiveled her chair backward in a calm motion. She crossed her arms over her chest, tilted her head, and then answered in a voice that sounded softer yet still full of mystery. "I'm still considering it," she said slowly. "Everything is still open. There's too much to think about."

Peter was slightly surprised by her answer. He didn't know exactly what was on Cleopatra's mind, but he felt the need to offer a perspective from his point of view. "Louis might be the best candidate," he said cautiously. "But if you want to find another man who is more suitable, that's of course up to you."


Cleopatra nodded slowly, accepting Peter's opinion with gratitude. "Thank you for the suggestion, Peter. I'll consider it." Then, she continued, "What about today's meeting?"

Peter nodded. "There is a joint meeting outside the office today. The staff attending will be from the finance division, including Sarah Harper and Louis Toreto, as well as Adrian Brook, the head of internal administration."


Hearing Louis's name, Cleopatra furrowed her brows. "So, I will meet Louis again today?" she asked, a slightly anxious tone in her voice.

Peter nodded. "Yes, that's right. All the staff I mentioned will be present."

Cleopatra sighed softly, as if feeling uncertain. "I actually don't want to get involved with Louis, at least until I can sort out my heart and mind. But..." She glanced at the still-dark MacBook screen, "I have no choice but to face the reality."

Later that day, they gathered at a five-star restaurant in the hotel near the Dimitri Group office. A large table had been prepared, and around them were Sarah Harper, the finance manager, and Adrian Brook. However, the most attention-grabbing presence was Louis Toreto, the financial consultant, who always seemed calm even under pressure.

Cleopatra sat with grace, but there was an awkward tension in the air. Meanwhile, Peter Moon stood beside her, ensuring everything went according to the agenda.

Suddenly, as the meeting became more intense, Cleopatra rose from her seat to explain the latest financial reports. However, her determined step accidentally bumped into a man passing by, causing the coffee he was holding to spill onto his shirt. The atmosphere immediately changed.

"My apologies!" Cleopatra said quickly, startled by the incident, while looking up to see who was in front of her. Her gaze locked on the figure of a man she recognized. It turned out the man was Noah Walker, her ex-boyfriend.

Her eyes blinked for a moment, but Cleopatra tried to suppress the mixed emotions that surfaced. "Noah?" Her voice sounded lower than usual, full of confusion and surprise.

Noah, who was equally surprised to see Cleopatra there, looked at her with an unreadable expression. "Cleopatra," he replied softly, "didn't expect we'd meet like this."

For a moment, their eyes met, and the atmosphere around them became still. All eyes shifted to the unexpected interaction, especially Louis, who seemed to sense the deep tension between Cleopatra and Noah.

Cleopatra took a deep breath, trying to regain composure. "I'm very sorry, the coffee..." she diverted her attention, speaking to the surprised man. "Let me replace your shirt."

However, despite trying to maintain a professional demeanor, Cleopatra felt uneasy inside. What was happening? Why did Noah show up here? What did he want? Of course, these questions swirled in her mind, reminding her of the difficult past she couldn't forget.

Cleopatra felt the meeting's atmosphere tightening after the incident with Noah. A few seconds after the unexpected encounter, she realized that all eyes were now on her, triggering an unavoidable awkwardness. In this situation, as a CEO, she knew she had to show control, even if her heart was tumultuous.

She looked around the room, where all the staff and colleagues were momentarily quiet, trying to adjust to the sudden change that had occurred. Cleopatra felt the tension, but she immediately took control. Without hesitation, she turned toward Peter, who was standing behind her, and gave a brief nod. Peter immediately understood—this was the signal to continue the meeting without her.

"Continue the meeting, everyone," Cleopatra said in a firm tone, though she still tried to sound calm. "I'll be back shortly," she added as she stood up from her chair, then glanced briefly at Noah, who was still standing at the far end of the room, waiting patiently.

Though the staff was surprised by the sudden decision, they quickly obeyed Cleopatra's command. The conversation in the room resumed, but all attention seemed divided. Everyone knew, although this meeting was important, there was something larger to be resolved outside the conference room—and that was Cleopatra's meeting with Noah.

Cleopatra stepped out of the crowd, signaling with her hand for Noah to follow. They headed toward a table farther from the center of attention, away from the view of the staff who continued with the meeting. As they walked, Cleopatra heard some murmurs, but she tried to stay focused on what would happen next. Each step felt heavier than the last.

At the table, Louis couldn't suppress the deep unease that clouded his mind. His gaze remained fixed on Cleopatra, who was now sitting with the man who felt so familiar to him. Louis couldn't remember exactly who the man was, but there was something in the way they interacted that made his heart stir. There was a clear connection between them—a bond that seemed to go beyond just old memories.

Louis felt anxiety creeping in. He tried to respond to his colleagues' questions, but every time his eyes shifted toward the far table, his thoughts were distracted. Who was that man? What was his connection to Cleopatra? Why did they seem so comfortable with each other? Even from a distance, Louis could see how easily they talked, as if they had known each other for a long time.

A slow sense of jealousy crept in, trapping Louis further in a feeling he couldn't control. He didn't know what was happening inside him—did he have the right to feel this way? They were only bound by a contract, or so he had always believed. But seeing Cleopatra with that man... it made him question so much. What was really going on between them? Did Cleopatra still think about her past, or was there something deeper in their relationship that he didn't know?

Louis tried to calm himself, but his mind kept racing. The desire to know more grew stronger inside him. Was he just anxious because he didn't know about the man? Or was there something larger he was afraid of? His heart was in turmoil, but on the outside, he tried not to show it.

Meanwhile, Peter Moon, who had now taken over the meeting, noticed the change in Louis's demeanor. Although Louis tried to stay focused on the meeting agenda, Peter could clearly see that Louis's attention had been diverted. Every time Louis glanced at the table where Cleopatra and Noah were sitting, Peter could see the anxiety hidden on Louis's face. This wasn't easy to handle, especially with someone like Louis, who was usually calm and composed.

"Louis," Peter's voice broke Louis's reverie, "What's your opinion on next year's budget projections?" Peter asked, trying to refocus Louis's attention on the meeting.

Louis snapped back to reality and quickly responded, though his voice was still filled with questions. "Oh... the budget. Yes, our projections are quite solid, but there are a few things we need to consider to reduce operational costs." Louis tried to give a logical and relevant answer, but his mind kept slipping back, focused on the image of Cleopatra and the man that lingered in his thoughts.

Peter continued the meeting, handing out some materials to the team, but he could feel that Louis wasn't fully present. Though Peter kept giving directions and explanations, his eyes frequently flicked toward Louis, who appeared restless and unfocused. Peter knew that Louis needed to address his feelings first before he could fully engage in the meeting again.

However, Louis felt trapped. On one hand, he wanted to approach Cleopatra, make sure there was nothing to worry about. On the other hand, he also felt confused and hurt. That jealousy was growing stronger, and he felt as though there was a widening gap between him and Cleopatra.

Meanwhile, Cleopatra and Noah were sitting at a table further from the meeting crowd. Cleopatra pulled a tissue from the stack on the table and handed it to Noah, who looked a bit awkward after the recent incident. Cleopatra sighed, starting the conversation cautiously.

"What brings you here, Noah?" Cleopatra asked in a softer tone than before, trying to ease the tension between them. She couldn't help but feel curious, even though she knew this meeting wasn't planned.

Noah took the tissue and wiped a bit of coffee stain from his shirt. "I actually had a meeting with a client," he replied with a slight smile. "But I'm glad I could meet you again, Cleopatra. It's been a long time since we last spoke."

Cleopatra nodded slowly, then looked at him with a more serious expression. "I didn't expect to meet you here. So, how have you been?" she asked, trying to learn more about what Noah had been up to recently.

Noah shifted in his seat, then asked with a hint of curiosity, "So, you're back because you're going to lead your father's company? I heard you're in control now. How's Mr. Thompson? He's doing well, right?"

The question made Cleopatra pause for a moment. Her face darkened slightly, and a sudden sadness appeared in her eyes. She took a deep breath before answering in a softer voice, "My father passed away, Noah." Cleopatra's voice sounded weak, though she tried hard to remain strong. "I... I have to carry all of this for him."

Noah fell silent, his eyes looking at Cleopatra with deep empathy. "I'm so sorry to hear that," he said sincerely, his voice full of sympathy. "I know how important that company was to you and your father."

Cleopatra simply nodded slowly, trying to hold back the emotions rising within her. Though she felt comfortable talking to Noah, there were still many things weighing on her heart, especially when she thought about all the changes that had happened since her father passed.

At the table next to them, Louis still sat uneasily, his eyes never leaving the conversation between Cleopatra and Noah. For some reason, every word that came out of Noah's mouth made Louis feel more and more pressured. He didn't know what was going on between them, but that jealousy was growing stronger. He could only wonder, would he ever have a place in Cleopatra's heart, or had this man, with his confident smile and gaze, already stolen Cleopatra's attention for longer than he had realized?

Cleopatra quickly grabbed the tissue from the table, beginning the process of wiping the coffee stain from Noah's shirt. With care and swift movements, she tried to remove the stain as quickly as possible, though there was a sense of awkwardness between them. Cleopatra's hands moved swiftly, but her thoughts remained divided. Every time she looked at Noah, there were past memories that were hard to avoid, even though she tried hard to stay professional.

After a few seconds, Cleopatra stopped wiping and took out a check from her wallet, placing it on the table. "This is to replace the shirt," she said in a flat tone, as if this were a normal thing. "Take this, as a form of responsibility for this incident."

However, before Cleopatra could pull her hand back, Noah quickly stopped her arm. This scene immediately caught Louis's attention, who was sitting at the other table, feeling uneasy about what he saw. Louis looked sharply at the table where Cleopatra and Noah were sitting. Noah's eyes were still fixed on Cleopatra's arm, and Noah's hand gently held her arm as if he didn't want to let go. Louis felt the jealousy flowing strongly inside him, but he was also confused by the sudden feeling.

Louis tried to calm himself, but his heart was racing, and his eyes couldn't leave the scene. Why was Noah so close to Cleopatra? They seemed so familiar, and every gesture Noah made seemed to emphasize that closeness. Jealousy seeped into Louis's feelings, as if there was something more than just a professional relationship between them.

Noah, still holding Cleopatra's arm, finally spoke in a relaxed but firm tone. "Cleopatra," he said, his eyes meeting Cleopatra's directly. "I don't need that check. I just want your business card."

Cleopatra was surprised by the request, but she remained calm, trying not to show the tension she felt. "Business card?" Cleopatra asked, confused. "For what?"

Noah smiled slightly, letting go of Cleopatra's arm and giving a more serious look. "It turns out, you still misunderstand, Cleopatra," he said softly. "You think our relationship is just transactional, like in the past. But that's not true."

Cleopatra fell silent, her feelings a little shaken by Noah's words. There was truth in what he said, and it made Cleopatra feel stunned. Why did those words feel so close to reality? All this time, she had worked hard to avoid the truth that their relationship had been more than just a transaction. Perhaps, even though she tried to cover up the past, it still existed, and it couldn't be denied.

After a moment of silence, Cleopatra finally nodded slowly, realizing that she needed to respond to Noah's request in a more mature way. "Alright," Cleopatra said in a slightly softer voice than usual. She reached into her wallet and took out a business card that seemed so simple, yet had a deeper meaning.

She handed the business card to Noah with a calm gesture, not saying another word. Noah, with a hopeful look, took the business card and held it carefully. The card clearly read: Cleopatra Thompson at the top, and CEO of Dimitri Group below.

With a smile slowly forming on his face, Noah looked at the business card with feelings he couldn't express. "Thank you," he said, his voice full of gratitude and relief. "This means a lot to me."

Meanwhile, Louis, watching the scene from the far table, felt his emotions becoming more and more chaotic. Seeing how Noah held Cleopatra's business card with so much pride and satisfaction made the jealousy press heavily against his chest. He wondered if he would ever get the chance to have a place in Cleopatra's heart as he wanted, or if this man, with his confident smile and gaze, had already captured Cleopatra's attention longer than he realized.

After the meeting with Noah, Cleopatra returned to the table and rejoined the meeting. Her presence brought a sense of quiet authority back to the room, but it wasn't the same. Her mind was still occupied with what had just happened. She could feel the eyes of the others on her, but she did her best to stay composed, refocusing on the ongoing discussion. The minutes seemed to stretch endlessly until, finally, the meeting came to a close.

As the others began to rise from their seats, gathering their belongings and heading toward the door, Louis remained seated. He was waiting for a moment, biding his time. He saw that his two colleagues were leaving first, giving him the opportunity he needed. He had to talk to Cleopatra, and he was determined not to let this chance slip away.

Once the room cleared out and only Cleopatra was left, Louis stood up and walked toward her. He stood firmly in her path, blocking her way to the door. Cleopatra, who had been gathering her things, paused and looked up at him with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"Louis," she said softly, but there was no mistaking the calm yet distant tone in her voice. "What is it?"

Louis took a deep breath before speaking, his voice steady but tinged with a certain urgency. "I need to talk to you," he said simply, his expression serious.

Cleopatra glanced around the now empty room, then back at Louis. Her eyes softened slightly, and she gave a small nod. "Alright," she said, the resignation clear in her voice. "We can talk."

With a slight movement of her hand, she gestured for him to follow her. There was no denying that something important was about to unfold between them, but both of them knew this conversation could not be avoided any longer.