The business meeting at the restaurant had just concluded. Cleopatra stepped out gracefully, her sharp eyes carrying an empty gaze, as if nothing could penetrate the icy layer surrounding her. Peter was already prepared to open the car door, but his movement halted when Louis's deep voice called out from behind.

"Cleopatra, I need to talk to you."


Peter and Cleopatra exchanged glances. There was uncertainty in Peter's eyes, but Cleopatra remained composed. She nodded once, and Peter understood.

"I'll be waiting in the car," Peter said before closing the door without further question.

Cleopatra stepped back into the restaurant, followed by Louis, who looked slightly uneasy. They chose a new table in a quieter corner. The restaurant was still filled with the murmur of businessmen enjoying their evening, the golden chandelier lights illuminating every corner gently, creating an exclusive atmosphere scented with coffee and expensive wine. Waiters moved lightly across the room, carrying trays filled with meticulously prepared gourmet dishes.


After they sat down, a waiter approached with a polite smile. Without hesitation, Cleopatra ordered a glass of red wine with a sweet touch from Bordeaux, while Louis, who seemed unwilling to linger in this setting, only ordered a bitter espresso.

Cleopatra crossed her legs elegantly, her fingers lightly tracing the cool stem of her glass. Her eyes observed the crimson liquid before taking a measured sip, as if she were analyzing every note of flavor that touched her tongue. Across from her, Louis gripped his espresso cup with one hand, warm steam rising slowly into the air, carrying the rich aroma of robusta.


"I'll get straight to the point. I'm busy," Cleopatra said coldly, her gaze locking onto Louis without emotion. Her voice was flat, as if the time she spared him was merely an act of generosity. Louis swallowed hard, feeling increasingly uncomfortable under her unyielding stare.

Louis looked at her uneasily. Cleopatra had truly changed, and it tormented him more than he had expected. "Why are you treating me like this? I feel like something is wrong. Did I do something?"

Cleopatra gave a faint smile—one that wasn't truly a smile. "Why do you care?"

Louis tensed. "Because I—" He hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Ever since Jack told us about the contents of the will, I feel like something has changed between us. You're pulling away."

Cleopatra raised an eyebrow, slowly placing her glass on the table. "That's what bothers me, Louis. You feel uncomfortable because I've changed? Then what about me? I have to face this reality alone. I have no intention of continuing this charade any longer."

Louis let out a low growl. "I just want us to talk about this. We can't ignore what's happening."

Cleopatra let out a soft, bitter laugh. "Louis, having a child is not a decision that can be made lightly. And I know you wouldn't do it just for a contract marriage."

Louis stared at Cleopatra deeply, then suddenly leaned back in his chair and spoke in a provocative tone, "I'm willing to do anything as long as it exposes Theodore Blake's crimes."

Cleopatra narrowed her eyes, her expression shifting into something unreadable. Then, a smile crept onto her lips—a dangerous smile, filled with calculation.

"Are you truly willing to do anything, Louis?" her voice lowered, taunting.

Louis swallowed hard, doubt flickering in his eyes, but he still nodded. "Yes."

Cleopatra smirked, a wild idea forming in her mind. With a graceful motion, she extended her hand toward Louis. "Then, do we have a deal?"

Louis stared at Cleopatra's outstretched hand. For a brief moment, he understood that this was not just a simple business agreement. It was more than that—deeper, more dangerous. But he had gone too far to turn back now.

With slight hesitation, he finally shook Cleopatra's hand. "We have a deal."

As their hands clasped, something felt different this time. This was no longer just a game. This was the beginning of something bigger—either a victory or a descent into even greater ruin.

*****

With a victorious smile, Cleopatra stirred the drink in front of her, then, in a light yet piercing voice, she asked, "So, Louis, when are we going to sleep together?"

Louis, who was in the middle of sipping his espresso, was utterly shocked. His eyes widened, and without realizing it, he spat out his drink—right onto Cleopatra's face.

"Oh my God!" Cleopatra shrieked, immediately grabbing a napkin from the table to wipe the coffee off her face and neck.

Several guests in the restaurant who witnessed the scene stifled their laughter, while others whispered to each other in amusement. The ever-graceful and composed Cleopatra now looked furious.

Her gaze turned ice-cold in an instant, and without saying much, she stood up, her anger unmistakably written on her face.

"You're paying for our drinks," she said curtly, grabbing her purse and walking away without waiting for Louis's reaction.

"Cleopatra, wait!" Louis called after her, but she didn't even glance back. With quick strides, she stormed out of the restaurant and into her car, slamming the door shut, startling Peter, who was sitting beside the private driver.

"Ms. Thompson! Are you okay? Oh God, your face—" Peter hurriedly grabbed a tissue and handed it to her.

Cleopatra let out an angry growl as she snatched the tissue. "Damn it! Louis has completely lost his mind!" she muttered in frustration, while Peter wisely remained silent, not wanting to make the situation worse.

The car sped up slightly beyond normal limits. Cleopatra leaned back in the rear seat, her breathing still uneven. Her fists clenched on her lap, her mind in turmoil. No one had ever humiliated her like that—especially in public.

"Take me to the penthouse," Cleopatra finally said, her voice more controlled now, though still icy.

Peter nodded and signaled the driver to change direction. However, before the car could go any further, Cleopatra's phone vibrated inside her purse. Irritated, she reached for it and glanced at the screen.

Louis.

Her jaw tightened. She was about to press the red button to ignore the call, but something inside her stopped her. With a sharp movement, she pressed the green button and brought the phone to her ear.

"What do you want?" her voice was sharp, with no room for pleasantries.

"I… I didn't mean for that to happen," Louis's voice came through the speaker, slightly awkward, slightly remorseful.

Cleopatra narrowed her eyes, staring out the window with an unreadable expression. "You spat coffee on my face, Louis. In front of a crowd. That was an extreme humiliation."

Silence hung over the call. Cleopatra could hear Louis taking a deep breath before speaking again.

"It was reflex," he said, clearly frustrated. "I didn't expect a question like that to come out of your mouth. That was… insane."

Cleopatra let out a small laugh, but there was no amusement in it. "You're really naïve, Louis. Or are you just pretending?" Her voice dropped lower, more seductive than before. "You know, I could make you regret embarrassing me like that."

Louis sighed heavily. "Cleopatra, I don't want to fight with you."

"Too late." Cleopatra pressed the red button, ending the call without hesitation.

She tossed her phone onto the seat beside her and closed her eyes briefly, trying to steady her emotions. But in her mind, she was already crafting a plan.

Louis Toreto had just declared war. And Cleopatra never lost a game.