Upon returning home, Amari went straight to the bathroom for a warm shower. She wanted to unwind, to wash away the emotional weight of the evening.
Though she had lived alone in the past, she felt even more at ease now. There was something freeing about this solitude. Before, her mind was always preoccupied with him—that man who had once occupied so much space in her heart. But now, for the first time in a long while, she could focus entirely on her career and her personal goals. The question lingered in her mind: Why had she wasted so much time and energy on him?
Despite being a light sleeper, Amari managed to get some decent rest that night. She had no regrets—not anymore. On the other hand, there was someone who couldn't sleep at all.
As soon as Sebastian left the Bo household, he drove straight to the Clavel Corporation headquarters. He worked a little, trying to distract himself, then tried to lie down and rest. But the moment his head touched the couch, his mind was consumed by Amari—her calm eyes, her proud silence, and the faint, mischievous smile she sometimes wore when she wanted to push his buttons.
His eyes suddenly shot open, sharp with intensity. His entire expression turned cold.
He sat up abruptly and called his assistant. "Gather everyone. We're having a video conference tonight."
"But, sir, it's already past—"
"Tonight," he repeated sternly.
That entire evening, Sebastian didn't get a wink of sleep. The virtual meeting dragged on into the early hours of the morning. His mood was clearly foul, and the exhaustion was written all over his face. The employees in the video call were so tense that no one even dared to cough.
Who could have ruined Mr. Clavel's mood so badly? they all wondered silently.
The next day.
Amari was reading through some research materials in her living room when she received a call from Lea.
"Hey, Luna—Mr. Haskel wants to speak with you," Lea said hesitantly. "Do you think… you can handle this?"
Amari paused, thinking for a moment. She couldn't avoid this forever. Eventually, she would have to face it. "I'll go," she said calmly. "Tell him I'll be there."
About thirty minutes later, Lea arrived to pick her up.
"You sure you're ready for this?" Lea asked, her voice laced with concern as she glanced sideways from the driver's seat.
Amari, seated quietly in the passenger side, replied softly, "I've been ready for a long time."
Lea wasn't convinced. "Do you really think you can convince Mr. Haskel? Last time you met with his legal team, didn't they question your credentials? And he still doesn't know your real identity, right?"
Amari gave her friend a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry. He'll know everything soon."
What Amari truly hoped was that her credibility wouldn't be damaged. She had worked too hard to build a name for herself, and she wouldn't let anyone—especially not her past—ruin it now.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Amari immediately noticed a striking man seated at a table. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, clearly custom-made and expensive. He exuded a refined elegance that commanded attention without effort. His eyes, deep and expressive, held a warmth that was often overshadowed by a cold, blade-like sharpness.
Despite his polished look, the sounds of a mobile game chirping from his phone seemed out of place—almost comical.
Hearing footsteps approach, the man lifted his gaze slowly.
There she was—tall, poised, and radiant. Her long, black hair was styled in a braid, with soft curls framing either side of her face. She wore a light blue corset dress that emphasized her flawless figure: balanced, graceful, and effortlessly alluring.
Her face, small and naturally beautiful even without makeup, gave off a quiet strength. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with intelligence and poise—a professional confidence that drew people in.
Mr. Haskel's breath caught when he recognized her.
He immediately placed his phone face down on the table and gave a half-smile, slightly sarcastic. "Mrs. Clavel? It seems you've walked into the wrong restaurant."
Haskel had arrived early—he always did when the person he was meeting was important. He had expected to see "Luna," the sharp legal mind he had heard about. What he didn't expect was to meet the wife of his fiercest rival.
Amari walked in with calm assurance and took the seat directly across from him. Her lips curved into a subtle smile. "Didn't you invite me?"
Haskel's eyes narrowed slightly, then flicked over to Lea, who stood behind Amari like a loyal shadow. A realization was dawning on him.
"Luna?" he asked, incredulous. There was a trace of disbelief in his voice. Amari's beauty was unforgettable. One glance was all it took to imprint her image on anyone's mind.
In her presence, it felt as if the rest of the world faded.
And yet, it was truly unfortunate that such a woman belonged to Sebastian Clavel.
Haskel turned to Lea with a sly grin. "Miss Lea, don't you think… an explanation is in order?"
Lea coughed lightly and lowered her head, clearly embarrassed. "Mr. Haskel… Luna—uh, I mean Luna's situation was complicated before. I didn't know how to explain it clearly. But now that you've hired me for this case, I believe it's time to tell the truth."
A shadow of confusion flickered across Haskel's face. After a few moments, he regained his composure and spoke calmly.
"So what you're telling me, Miss Lea, is that the person I was trying to recruit to represent me… is actually married to my rival?"