Audrey's POV:

"Think whatever you want," I sighed, trying to step around her.

I'd been through enough tonight and had zero energy left to deal with her petty provocations.

But clearly, she wasn't about to let me off the hook.

"Drop the act," she blocked my path, "who bought you home? Your sugar daddy or-"

"Enough," I cut her off, suddenly feeling irritated as hell.

"So what if I'm hooking up with rich guys? At least I'm using actual talent,not playing dirty like some people. You've always wanted my spot, right?Well,now it's all yours. Still not satisfied?"

Sienna's face turned ashen in an instant: "You! How dare you talk to me like that?"

I stepped forward, closing in on her, my voice dropping to a threatening whisper.

"Listen up, Sienna. I'm not the same pushover Audrey from four years ago.You'd better not mess with me. I'm in a shit mood today, so don't push me to drop the gloves."

Without waiting for her response, I turned and strode toward the elevator.Behind me came her shrill,desperate voice.

"You'll always be nothing but the Bailey family's unwanted reject! I'll

make sure you stay beneath me forever!"

I didn't look back, just pressed the elevator button.

Even as the doors closed, I could still hear the cursing and the sharp click of heels stomping on marble echoing through the lobby.

Back in my room, I let out a long breath.

Finally, some peace and quiet.

I decided to pull out one of my treasured horror movies to unwind.

Those fictional scares always helped me temporarily forget the real-world pressure.

But tonight, something was off.

The black-haired ghost on screen somehow morphed into Caspar Thornton's face.

His ice-cold stare seemed to pierce through the screen, looking directly at me, while I became the unlucky heroine being relentlessly hunted in the darkness.

*"I don't care what methods you use. Tomorrow morning, I want to see whoever leaked our acquisition plans."*

*"I can tolerate failure, but I will never tolerate betrayaI and deception."*

*"Throw them into the sea to feed the fish."*

His words echoed in my mind,cold and dangerous.

I frantically grabbed the remote and killed the TV, plunging the room into silence.

"Damn it, Audrey, what the hell have you gotten yourself into?" I muttered to the empty living room.

That night, I tossed and turned.

When I finally fell asleep, my dreams were filled with Caspar's icy stare and Noah's longing gaze-two completely different emotions intertwining,giving me no peace.

When my alarm went off in the morning. I felt like I'd barely slept at all.

The mirror showed me sporting two massive dark circles under my eyes,looking like I'd been in a bar fight.

"Perfect," I said sarcastically to my exhausted reflection, "just the look I was going for when teaching the son of 'New York's most dangerous man."

I sighed and started getting ready for work at Luminous Gallery.

Maybe Noah's innocence could help me temporarily forget the fear his father instilled.

When I arrived at the gallery, my mood had improved slightly. The artistic atmosphere here always helped me find some peace.

However, when I pushed open the door and saw the tall figure standing at the entrance, my heart rate spiked instantly.

Caspar Thornton was standing there, holding Noah's small hand.

I quickly looked down, pretending I hadn't seen them, and hurried in the opposite direction.

Maybe I could take the back way to the studio and avoid this encounter altogether.

"Miss Lane?”

His voice came from behind me, low and clear. I pretended not to hear and picked up my pace, practically jogging now.

"Audrey?"

Hearing him use my first name made me panic even more. My thoughts scattered and my steps became unsteady.

Suddenly, a wave of intense dizziness hit me, and the world started spinning.

Oh no... I realized something was seriously wrong. Not only had I pulled an all-nighter, but I'd also skipped breakfast this morning.

"Audrey?" Caspar's voice seemed to come from very far away.

I tried to respond but found my lips wouldn't move, my limbs felt heavy as lead. Black spots spread across my vision, and the world seemed to be moving away from me.

"I'm fine..." I mumbled, but before I could finish the sentence,another stronger wave of dizziness hit.

I felt my knees buckle, and my bodybegan falling forward uncontrollably.

Before I completely lost consciousness, I vaguely felt a pair of strong arms catch my falling body.

When I opened my eyes, Caspar Thornton's face was inches from mine,and I was half-lying in his arms. Our bodies were pressed together,close enough to feel each other's breath.

I blinked, consciousness gradually returning. Suddenly realizing my situation, I immediately struggled to push him away and tried to stand up.

"Easy there," his voice was quiet, "you just fainted. Take it slow."

I took a deep breath and slowly steadied myself against the wall: "Thanks,

I'm okay now. Just low blood sugar-I didn't eat anything this morning."

Caspar's brow furrowed:"No breakfast?"

I avoided his gaze: "I was in too much of a rush today."

He studied me silently, then suddenly asked.

"Why do you run away like a scared rabbit every time you see me? Relax a bit-I'm not as difficult as the rumors make me out to be."

I nodded reluctantly, then suddenly noticed Noah standing not far away,having witnessed our entire interaction.

He suddenly turned and ran off, disappearing into another part of the gallery.

My heart sank as I watched his small figure retreat.

Mrs. Smith's warning from earlier echoed in my mind with painful clarity.

*"Audrey, I have to remind you not to have any improper thoughts."* she'd said,lowering her voice.

*"The previous art teacher, Vanessa Brown, had been using the boy to get

close to his father while simultaneously manipulating Noah emotionally.The poor child ran away and was missing for half a day."*

*"What do you mean?"* I'd asked, alarmed.

*"She started telling Noah she would be his new mother soon. And she threatened him, told him if he didn't behave exactly as she wanted,she'd convince his father to send him away. Can you imagine saying that to a child already struggling with selective mutism?"*

*"When Mr. Thornton discovered what she'd been doing,he not only fired her, but also severely impacted her family."*

The memory made me feel physically ill.

"Noah!" I called out, wanting to chase after him, but Caspar caught my arm.

"You just fainted, don't do strenuous exercise."

I remembered my low blood sugar episode and nodded, walking anxiously in the direction Noah had disappeared.

When I returned to the studio, Noah was already sitting in his spot, head down, seemingly fiddling with something.

I walked over and crouched down to his eye level.

"Noah, what happened earlier was just an accident," I explained softly. "I just didn't sleep well and skipped breakfast, so I had low blood sugar.I absolutely did not throw myself at your dad."

Noah looked up, his big grape-like eyes staring directly at me.

Then, to my surprise, he reached into his desk and pulled out a small

packet of crackers, seriouslyoffering them to me.

"Eat," his voice was soft but firm.

I was stunned, completely unprepared for this reason.

Noah glanced at my frozen expression, then gently took the packet back.

With careful movements, he opened it for me and held out the crackers again, his eyes meeting mine with quiet determination.

I gratefully accepted the crackers. "Thank you,Noah."

Once he was satisfied that I was actually eating, he seemed relieved and pulled out a carton of milk from his backpack, offering it to me.

I was about to thank him again when Noah suddenly looked up,his pure eyes carrying unprecedented seriousness.

"Can Miss Lane become my new mommy?"

The question hit me like lightning, leaving me completely speechless.