&quot;Except for resigning.&quot;

 &quot;Not that.&quot;

 &quot;Then say it.&quot;

 &quot;What I want is, just like before, to be in charge of public relations for Valmonté &amp; Roussier International. How does that sound?&quot;

 I gently set down my chopsticks, waiting for Alexander’s response. Seeing his silence, I couldn’t help but smile lightly, continuing to eat. &quot;Forget I said anything.&quot;

 I had already anticipated this outcome. He was still cautious around me, using Olivia to balance things out. He didn’t trust me, didn’t believe I wouldn’t go after Isabella.

 &quot;You can ask for something else.&quot;

 &quot;No need.&quot;

 I said softly, already knowing that what Alexander could offer was clear—nothing I truly wanted.

 Alexander looked into my eyes, his brow furrowed, but he stayed silent.

 As dinner was winding down, Alexander suddenly spoke. &quot;Tonight,

I pointed toward the bathroom inside the room. &quot;I’m done, you can go ahead and wash up.&quot;

 Alexander picked up his pajamas and entered the bathroom.

 In the separated wet-and-dry bathroom, the scent of shower gel lingered in the air.

 It was the scent that belonged to Vivienne.

 The fragrance wafted up to Alexander’s nose, his nerves reacting, sending the scent straight to his brain.

 The heat inside him became increasingly unbearable. Closing his eyes, his mind was flooded with memories of the intimate moments he’d shared with Vivienne.

 I sat on the bed, scrolling through my phone briefly before preparing to sleep when I suddenly realized that Alexander had been in the bathroom for a while but there was no sound of running water.

 Suspicious, I lifted the covers, got out of bed, and walked to the bathroom door. Faintly, I could hear the sound of heavy breathing from ins

I was scrolling through Twitter while talking to Julian. &quot;Is this the TV show script you were telling me about a few days ago?&quot;

 &quot;Yes, that’s the one.&quot;

 I smiled. &quot;Congrats! You got the role you wanted. Good luck—aim for Best Actor in a Drama.&quot;

 Julian had a solid reputation, always willing to take on a variety of roles. Among the younger stars, he was a breath of fresh air.

 Recently, he’d played the lead in a romance drama and received rave reviews.

 &quot;Do you like Best Actor in a Drama winners?&quot;

 &quot;Of course, who doesn’t admire a talented actor?&quot;

 &quot;You’re right. I’ll work hard and bring home the Best Actor in a Drama award so you can see it for yourself.&quot;

 After hanging up with Julian, I continued scrolling and came across another trending topic that caught my eye.

 Alexander &amp; Isabella.

 I could pretty much guess 

&quot;Except for resigning.&quot;

 &quot;Not that.&quot;

 &quot;Then say it.&quot;

 &quot;What I want is, just like before, to be in charge of public relations for Valmonté &amp; Roussier International. How does that sound?&quot;

 I gently set down my chopsticks, waiting for Alexander’s response. Seeing his silence, I couldn’t help but smile lightly, continuing to eat. &quot;Forget I said anything.&quot;

 I had already anticipated this outcome. He was still cautious around me, using Olivia to balance things out. He didn’t trust me, didn’t believe I wouldn’t go after Isabella.

 &quot;You can ask for something else.&quot;

 &quot;No need.&quot;

 I said softly, already knowing that what Alexander could offer was clear—nothing I truly wanted.

 Alexander looked into my eyes, his brow furrowed, but he stayed silent.

 As dinner was winding down, Alexander suddenly spoke. &quot;Tonight, Pop-Pop and Nana want us to go to Ashford Manor for dinner.&quot;

 I nodded. &quot;I know.&quot;



Chapter 22