August glared at the hand gripping Gwenda’s arm and retorted. An ominous aura filled the air, chilling the room.

Realizing something was amiss, Gwenda looked up at the two men and stepped forward. "August, please don't misunderstand. This is my friend, Olivier Petit. Mr. Petit, this is my cousin, August Reed."

"Friend?" "Cousin?"

The two men stared at Gwenda in surprise. Under immense pressure, she laughed dryly. "Yeah."

"You" August began, intending a lecture.

Gwenda interrupted. "August, are you finished?"

He grunted in confirmation. "What were you two doing?"

"N-nothing! Since it's over, we should go." Gwenda grabbed her cousin's hand, pulling him away. "Mr. Petit, we're leaving."

"Gwenda, let go"

August roared, "Don't try to fool me!"

"Let's talk as we go" Gwenda pulled him forcefully.

Olivier watched them disappear, a dark amusement in his eyes. A laugh escaped him. Cousin? He facepalmed in exasperation. His rage had clouded his judgment.

August was dragged to the hotel entrance. He finally shook off Gwenda's grip. "Gwenda, explain yourself! What just happened?!"

""

"Don't lie, or I'll snap your neck!"

That distance. A man like that. To say nothing is going on would be foolish! August thought furiously.

Embarrassed, Gwenda bit her lip, finally succumbing to August's stare. "It's exactly what you think. But I'm not in a relationship with him. He's courting me."

"Courting you?" August snorted incredulously. "Is he blind?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gwenda glared. "How is he blind if he's courting me?"

"Cut the crap. What's his name again?"

"Olivier Petit."

"Olivier Petit?" Surprise flashed across August's face.

Gwenda knew what he was thinking. "Yup, that Olivier. CEO of Petit Corporation."

August was speechless. Gwenda watched his puzzled expression. She nudged him. "What? A problem?"

"How did you meet him?"

"At the fire. I saved his life—no, he saved mine, too. Afterward, he said he wanted to court me."

August fell silent again, then laughed, raising an eyebrow. "I was thinking of cooperating with him. Do you think he'd agree if I… gave you to him?"

"What?! Sell your cousin for profit? Are you even human, August?!" Gwenda was furious.

August snorted. "If I weren't, I wouldn't have brought you here."

He walked toward the parking lot, leaving Gwenda. Remembering the meeting's purpose, she chased after him. "Hey, August! Wait! About lunch… you didn't give KG Entertainment the endorsement, did you?"

"Why ask if you know the answer?" He got in the car and fastened his seatbelt.

Gwenda got in, grinning. "Then can you give it to Cecilia?"

He started the car, ignoring her.

"You brought me for lunch to tell me about KG Entertainment's attempt to get the endorsement," she continued. "And you said Cecilia lacked decent endorsements. This would greatly increase her value. August, please? Give her the endorsement"

August remained silent. Gwenda persisted, acting like a spoiled child.

Reaching his limit, he glared. "Sit properly!"

She instantly obeyed. He snorted. "Didn't you disagree with me? Why are you begging now?"

"I wasn't being sensible. I apologized." She clasped her hands. "August, managing this studio alone is hard. Please, have pity and let me have the endorsement." He raised an eyebrow, a wicked smile playing on his lips. Gwenda continued to plead.

After a long while, he grudgingly conceded. "Fine. But the endorsement fee"