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“You helped me–returning the favor is only fair,” Eliza said calmly.
Soren offered a faint smile. “Try the food. It’s rare I have time for a proper meal.”
“Is Mr. Soren usually that busy?”
“More or less.”
Soren was focused on picking out bones from a pięce of fish with his fork when he added casually, “If possible, Ms. Eliza, could you not be so formal?”
“Then… should I just call you Soren?”
“Please do.”
Soren looked at her. “I just realized–I don’t even know your full name.”
“I’m Eliza.”
At that, Soren’s hand paused over the fish. “Eliza?”
“Yes. Why? You sound surprised.”
“There’s been a lot of talk lately… people are saying that Ms. Cassandra of the overseas Sue family is actually Eliza.”
Soren had originally thought the surname “Rivers” was just a coincidence. He hadn’t expected the woman in front of him to be that Eliza.
The rumors claimed this Eliza came from a modest background. Brilliant, yes–but without powerful connections. And she was still only eighteen.
Eighteen–and the owner of MISS?
“As you said, those are just overseas rumors.”
Eliza shrugged. “I’ve never admitted I’m Ms. Cassandra of the Sue family.”
“You’ve got some guts, I’ll give you that.”
Most people, finding out they were the daughter of a foreign billionaire, would’ve rushed overseas to claim their inheritance.
That kind of fortune could change anyone’s life.
But Eliza had walked away from it.
“This has nothing to do with guts. I can live just fine on my own.”
As she twirled a forkful of thousand–dollar pasta, Eliza still didn’t understand how a restaurant could
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charge so much for ingredients so basic.
Suddenly, an idea struck her.
If I opened a place like this… I’d be rich.
“Eliza?”
She snapped out of it–Soren was looking at her curiously.
Quickly pulling herself together, she realized he’d handed the signed contract back to her.
Eliza looked down at the signature and smiled with satisfaction. “Here’s to a smooth collaboration.”
Soren raised his glass. “To a smooth collaboration.”
Meanwhile, Nolan stood outside Eliza’s bedroom door and found it empty.
A note on the desk read. I have something to do. I’ll be back later.
His eyes darkened.
He pulled out his phone and opened their chat.
Nolan wasn’t great with technology. Most notifications were turned off by default.
Ever since Eliza realized this, she’d stopped messaging him often.
Just then, his phone lit up with an incoming call.
Nolan answered.
“Mr. Nolan, Ms. Eliza is currently at the Four Seasons Hotel.”
“The hotel?”
“She’s with… Mr. Soren.”
Nolan’s face immediately turned cold.
He hung up and grabbed his car keys, heading straight for the garage.
Finished
Back at the Four Seasons, Eliza and Soren were still sitting across from each other at the round table.
“Where are you staying? I can give you a ride back.”
“Don’t you have work tonight? I heard your schedule is packed–you even have to carve out time just to eat. Being a top–tier actor isn’t easy.”
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“It’s fine. I pushed back the rest. Don’t forget, I own my agency.”
Eliza nodded.
That’s the good thing about being your own boss. Take time off whenever you want–no hassle.
“That’s alright. I’ll go back myself. I’m staying at a friend’s place, and he doesn’t like people stopping by unannounced.”
She didn’t say who that friend was–and had no intention of mentioning Nolan.
Soren hesitated, then asked, “Boyfriend?”
In the past, Eliza would’ve immediately said no.
But after last night, she wasn’t so sure anymore.
What exactly was her relationship with Nolan now?
They kissed?
That sounds way too blunt.
She cleared her throat. “Actually… he’s just a good friend. What about you? How’s your mom been?”
“Same as always. But… thank you for remembering.”
“Of course. Having a parent like that must be exhausting.”
Soren went quiet.
Then Eliza asked carefully, “Do you have anyone else in your family? Like… siblings?”
At the mention of siblings, Soren’s expression turned cold. “No.”
The firm denial sent a chill through Eliza.
But she remembered–she knew what had happened downstairs that night.
88
B
