"You don't get our relationship," she said, leaning over Eliza's desk, her gaze icy as she stared down the other woman. "We've known each other since college. Everything that could happen, did. You know how guys are, always hung up on their first love, Elle. Plus, we have a kid together. Who do you think he's going to pick, you or me?"

Eliza looked at her with a calm, almost indifferent expression. If Casper was so sure about choosing Fiona, she wouldn't be here trying to prove a point. Taking the initiative often shows you're not as confident as you seem.

"Maybe you should ask Casper that question," she replied.

"Actually, I should thank you. You've looked after Casper all these years, and you've done a great job. We're going to be really happy together, thanks to you."noveldrama

Eliza couldn't help but feel a wave of revulsion at those words. "No need to thank me, I didn't do anything special for him. And who do you think you are, handing out thanks like candy? Are you out of your mind?" Fiona was caught off guard. Eliza seemed so gentle and reserved, yet her words were sharp enough to cut.

"You..."

"Fiona, let me make something clear. I'm not some pushover. You probably have no idea what Casper and I have been through. Let me tell you, when I lose it, I could actually do something drastic. You might want to leave before that happens."

Fiona didn't really know Eliza. She wasn't sure if she should take her seriously, but she found herself stepping back anyway. Still, she tried to sound tough. "Whatever you and Casper went through doesn't matter. What matters is that after yesterday's news, even for the sake of Welton International's shares, he'll have to explain himself. If he loves you, he'd have done it by now. Has he?"

Casper hadn't reached out to Eliza at all. No text, no call. She hadn't expected him to, not with everything going on. She knew she was never his top priority.

"Fiona, stop trying to find comfort here," Eliza said, her eyes narrowing, her fingers idly twirling a pen, a hint of disdain in her calm voice. "You might want to start thinking about how to look out for yourself."

Eliza was done with this

conversation. It was pointless. It might actually drive her mad. It was strange because she wasn't always on the edge like this. Maybe she'd been holding it all in for too long, or maybe she was just tired of being pushed around. If the world wasn't going to be kind, why should she be?

Fiona wasn't budging. She still wanted to argue. "Casper's always been lenient with me. And last night was mutual. Even if I did leak the photos to the gossip rags, so what? He was the one who started it." Eliza closed her eyes. Fiona was saying exactly what she didn't want to hear. If she didn't keep her cool, Fiona's face might've ended up with a few new scratches.

"Brian, show her out," Eliza said, pressing the intercom for her assistant.

Brian walked in and politely asked Fiona to leave. "Miss Fiona, Ms. Eliza has another meeting. Please, if you could see yourself out."

"Eliza, are you scared?" Fiona

taunted, thinking she'd hit a nerve.

She laughed loudly, full of

arrogance. "Or is it hearing about et Casper and me together Dout

bothering you? Last night, we were really something. Casper was all over me..."

"Show some dignity, Miss Fiona," Eliza replied, baffled at how Fiona could talk so flippantly about such things in a professional setting. "If you're that eager to share, why not post it online? This is an office, no one wants to hear your sordid details."