Chapter 7 

“Wait till you see this cake,” a team exec’s voice carried across the room. “The boss hand–picked it from La Pâtisserie this morning.” 

My heart stuttered, remembering Adrian’s promise of making up for my birthday. 

For a moment, I let myself hope, despite everything. 

Then they placed the cake in front of Sophia. 

Of course. It was her birthday too. 

She was about to blow out the candles amid a chorus of expensive perfume and fake laughter when Adrian’s voice cut through the celebration. 

“Wait. Let Riley blow them out too.” 

The room froze. 

Even I stared at him in disbelief. 

“Excuse me?” Sophia’s voice could have frosted champagne. 

“Yesterday was her birthday. I promised to make it up to her today.” Adrian’s tone was casual, as if he hadn’t just dropped a social bomb. 

Sophia’s perfect features twisted. 

“Seriously, Riley? Couldn’t afford your own cake? Had to piggyback on mine?” 

The room filled with stage whispers. 

“So desperate…” 

“Always these assistant types…” 

“Trying to climb the ladder…” 

Humiliation burned through me, but anger burned hotter. 

This was classic Adrian – making a show of remembering, but in the cruelest way possible. 

I escaped to the bathroom, gripping the marble counter until my hands stopped shaking. 

When I emerged, Sophia and her friend were blocking the hallway, designer purses swinging. 

I tried to slip past them to the sink, but their voices followed. 

15:42 

F1 Champion’s Perfect Crach. Wko. I 

Chapter 7 

“Sophie, that earring is gorgeous! But where’s its pair?” 

Sophia caught my eye in the mirror, her smile razor–sharp. 

“It’s special because it’s one of a kind. Adrian gave it to me for my birthday.” 

My world stopped spinning when I saw it. 

A delicate sapphire butterfly, its wings caught in eternal flight. 

My mother’s earring. 

The only piece of her I had left.