The Dimitri Group office was bustling as usual, filled with employees rushing around with documents in hand. The sound of ringing phones and hurried footsteps echoed through the halls.

Louis walked toward his office, but his steps slowed when he saw Cleopatra Thompson stepping out of the elevator.


She looked as flawless as ever—her long black hair flowing neatly, her red lips set in their usual firm expression, and her stride exuding confidence. But her eyes couldn't hide the turmoil in her mind.

Louis didn't know what Cleopatra was dealing with, but he could see the tension on her face. That was rare. Usually, Cleopatra maintained an icy demeanor, as if nothing ever bothered her. But this morning, something was different.

He finally decided to speak first. "I don't know what you're facing, but you don't have to go through it alone."


Cleopatra paused. Her eyes locked onto Louis's, as sharp as ever. But this time, her gaze wasn't playful or teasing—it was the look of someone weighing a decision.

For a moment, Cleopatra hesitated. She wanted to trust someone.


But as always, Cleopatra would never admit weakness in front of anyone. "I'm fine," she finally replied, though her voice sounded uncertain.

Louis didn't believe her.

He studied her for a long moment before saying, "If you need help, I'm here."

Then, without waiting for a response, he walked away, leaving Cleopatra standing there.

She remained still, watching Louis's back as he disappeared down the hallway.

Her fingers tightened around her phone as she glanced at the screen, still displaying the threatening message she had received last night:

"I know your engagement is fake. If you continue, I will make sure everyone knows who you really are."

Who sent this message?

And more importantly… why was this person so certain that her downfall would be inevitable if the truth came out?

________________________________________

When Cleopatra stepped into the conference room, she found Adrian Brook, Sarah Harper, and Peter Moon engaged in a conversation with serious yet excited expressions.

From their tone, Cleopatra could tell they were gossiping about something significant.

But the moment she heard Louis's name—and her own—being mentioned, her eyes narrowed.

"So, there's a new bet?" Adrian chuckled.

Peter nodded with a smug look. "I bet Louis will be the first to admit he's in love. Sarah says Cleopatra will confess first."

Cleopatra stopped right behind them.

Her eyes gleamed with cold amusement. Folding her arms, she stared at her employees silently.

None of them realized her presence—until she cleared her throat.

The three of them instantly froze.

Sarah turned pale, Adrian faked a cough, and Peter suddenly pretended to be engrossed in a financial report.

Cleopatra narrowed her eyes before speaking in a soft but lethal tone.

"You're all very lucky that I'm a patient CEO."

The trio exchanged nervous glances.

"But if I hear my name in another ridiculous bet like this again..." Cleopatra stepped closer, looking each of them in the eye with a chilling smirk, "I'll make sure you work overtime indefinitely."

Peter swallowed hard. "Understood, Miss Thompson."

Adrian nodded quickly, while Sarah forced a weak smile.

Cleopatra smirked. "Good."

Before she could turn away, Louis entered the room.

He noticed the expressions of Sarah, Adrian, and Peter—who looked as if they had just witnessed the end of the world—and Cleopatra, who clearly enjoyed the situation.

Raising an eyebrow, Louis asked, "What's going on?"

Peter immediately shook his head. "Nothing!"

Sarah smiled nervously. "Just… a casual team discussion."

Cleopatra glanced at Louis before walking to her seat.

But before sitting down, she leaned in and whispered near his ear,

"You're a hot topic for office bets."

Louis frowned. "Bets?"

**

After the meeting, Cleopatra walked back to her office with steady steps. But her mind was still chaotic. The threatening message lingered in her thoughts, and she knew something bigger was looming.

When she opened her office door, something on her desk made her stop in her tracks.

A black envelope.

No sender's name. Just a short inscription on the front:

"Open this, and you will know the consequences of your lies."

Her heartbeat quickened. Her hand reached out, but there was a slight tremor.

Who had sent this?

Taking a deep breath, she finally opened the envelope slowly.

Inside were several photos that immediately sent a chill down her spine.

Photos of her with someone from her past.

Her eyes scanned each image—each moment that should have been long forgotten. Someone who should no longer have control over her life.

Her fingers clenched around the envelope. If these photos were leaked, it could become a major scandal.

Footsteps approached.

Cleopatra quickly shut the envelope and slid it into her desk drawer. Just as she did, her office door swung open, and Louis walked in.

"Cleo, what's wrong?"

Louis immediately noticed something was off. Cleopatra looked pale, and her expression was unlike her usual self.

Normally, she exuded confidence—unshaken and unbothered. But now, there was fear in her eyes.

Cleopatra straightened her back, quickly regaining her cold and composed demeanor.

"There's nothing for you to worry about," she said flatly, though Louis knew she was hiding something.

His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Cleo..." His voice softened. "You know I can tell when something's wrong, right?"

Cleopatra took a deep breath and shook her head.

"This is just business. It has nothing to do with you."

Louis wasn't convinced.

But he knew Cleopatra wouldn't easily open up.

So, he didn't push.

"Alright," he finally said. "But my offer still stands."

Cleopatra frowned. "Offer?"

Louis held back a small smile. "You know… if you need help, I'm here."

Cleopatra didn't respond.

She simply stared at Louis for a long moment that felt heavier than usual.

Then, without a word, she turned her attention back to her work.

Louis knew the conversation wasn't over.

But he also knew Cleopatra would only talk when she was truly ready.

**

That night, Cleopatra couldn't sleep.

She sat on the sofa in her penthouse, staring at the black envelope now resting on the glass table.

The night breeze drifted in from the balcony, but its chill was nothing compared to the cold dread creeping into her heart.

This wasn't just an empty threat.

If someone was bold enough to send these photos directly to her desk, it meant they knew just how valuable this secret was.

And worse…

They knew how to destroy her.

Cleopatra clenched her fingers, thinking hard.

She had always faced everything alone.

She had never relied on anyone.

But this time…

She couldn't lie to herself.

Her hand moved to her phone beside her. She scrolled through her contacts, searching for one name.

Louis Toreto.

For a moment, she hesitated.

Calling him meant admitting she needed someone.

Admitting that she couldn't handle this alone.

But… hadn't Louis already offered his help?

Hadn't he proven he wouldn't just walk away?

Cleopatra took a deep breath and finally pressed the call button.

In his small home, Louis was getting ready for bed when his phone suddenly vibrated.

Seeing Cleopatra's name on the screen, his eyebrows lifted in surprise.

This was the first time Cleopatra had called him first.

He immediately answered.

"Cleo?"

Her voice was quiet, almost hesitant.

"You said you'd be here if I needed help," Cleopatra finally said. "Does that still stand?"

Louis immediately sat up straight.

"Of course," he replied without hesitation. "What's going on?"

There was a pause.

Cleopatra didn't answer right away.

Then, in a voice softer than he had ever heard from her, she said:

"Can you come to the penthouse now?"

Louis was stunned.

Cleopatra never asked for help like this.

He could have ignored it, dismissed it as something trivial.

But he didn't.

He knew this was serious.

Without a second thought, Louis grabbed his jacket and rushed out of his house.