The morning sun broke through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room.

It revealed the disheveled state of the bed.

Isabella had no memory of when sleep finally claimed her.

She woke with a stiff neck, rubbing it as she pushed herself up.

Her laptop remained open, the finalized design draft still glowing on the screen.

A wave of relief washed over her.

She had finished right on schedule.

She glanced around the room.

Ethan was gone.

His absence brought a subtle sense of comfort.

The closeness they shared last night had left her feeling conflicted.

She closed her laptop carefully and picked it up.

It was time to deliver it to Olivia.

Her hand reached for the doorknob.

Just as she began to turn it, the door flew open from the outside.

Sophia stood in the doorway.

Seeing Isabella, Sophia’s hand shot up as if to strike.

Isabella caught her wrist swiftly, her gaze turning icy.

“Miss Reed, what is the meaning of this?”

Sophia tried to pull away, but Isabella’s grip was firm.

Rage burned in Sophia’s eyes.

“You’re disgusting, Isabella! You and Ethan are divorced, yet you still chase after him? How pathetic!”

Isabella released her wrist with a cold laugh.

“Aren’t you the one who’s disgusting, Miss Reed? You’re the mistress here.”

“You—!” Sophia’s face paled with fury.

Her finger trembled as she pointed at Isabella.

“What gives you such confidence? Do you really think you can change anything? You’ll see—you’ll end up with nothing!”

Isabella chose to ignore her and turned to leave.

“Think you can just walk away? Think again!”

In a sudden burst of anger, Sophia shoved Isabella violently.

At the end of the hallway was a small step Isabella hadn’t noticed.

Caught off balance, she stumbled backward.

Her laptop flew from her hands.

It traced a sharp arc through the air before crashing heavily into the rain outside.

“No!” Isabella cried out in horror.

She watched as the rain soaked her laptop, the screen going black instantly.

A smug grin spread across Sophia’s face.

“My thanks, Isabella. It seems Olivia’s project is mine now.”

With that, she turned and walked away, radiating triumph.

Isabella stood frozen, her mind racing.

The design draft was gone.

What was she going to do now?

She bent down and carefully retrieved the laptop.

It was drenched and cold, its screen dark.

Her heart felt just as heavy.

Nearby, hibiscus flowers glistened brilliantly in the rain.

Their dew-kissed petals stood out vividly against the dull backdrop.

A spark of inspiration ignited in Isabella’s eyes.

She began to form a plan.

Down the corridor, Sophia strode forward confidently, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor.

As she turned the corner, she came face to face with Ethan.