Theo Mason regarded her steadily, then let a small smile slip. “Fair enough.”

The Diaz family matriarch’s dinner party was a who’s-who of the elite. A sleek black Maybach glided to a stop in front of an estate.

Inside the car, Makenzie Bell tilted her head slightly. “How will you explain my presence?”

“You’re my new assistant.”

“Okay.” Makenzie nodded agreeably.

That was exactly what she’d been thinking, too. If they looked too close in public, it would only make managing the other three male leads harder.

Theo handed her a gift box. “An Alpine crystal. A gift for the matriarch.”

The intricately carved wooden box looked lavish. She accepted it quietly, and Theo—ever gallant—walked around the car to open her door and help her out with practiced ease.

The grand doors of the banquet hall swung open, revealing a room bathed in light. With her arm linked through Theo’s, Makenzie entered slowly. Chin high, she let the chandelier’s warm glow wash over her delicate features—faithful, elegant, breathtaking.

“After years of being single, Mr. Mason finally brought a date? Who is she?” the guests murmured over their wine glasses.

In Seabrook, Theo’s personal life was scandal-free. His reputation was spotless. And for years, he’d been especially loyal to Lila Roberts.

Makenzie had picked up that tidbit from System 66, and she couldn’t help but admire the man’s loyalty.

“But 66, do you think he’s—you know—not interested in anyone? Theo’s twenty-eight. Shouldn’t there be someone close to him?”

“He’s plenty lively—just not for you,” System 66 teased, derailing her train of thought.

“Oh, come on. As if you’ve vetted him for the heroine.” Makenzie snorted quietly.

Theo glanced at her. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t do anything unnecessary. Got it?” he warned coolly.

“Understood.”

Her own family was among the guests—and so was Jason. When they caught the pair whispering, surprise flickered across their faces.

Makenzie’s mother blinked in astonishment. “Isn’t that our Makenzie?”

Jordan’s gaze swept over the girl—the subtle styling made her glow—and he chuckled. “Not our Makenzie. Did you forget, Mom? She was kicked out just yesterday.”

Kristen noticed Jason staring, lost in thought, and clutched Jason’s arm. “Who knows what she’s up to? One day she’s causing trouble with Jason, the next she’s cozying up to the Mason Group’s CEO.”

Jordan suddenly understood why she’d left with such confidence. A smile tugged at his lips. “They’ve met before. Last time Dad almost had her arrested, but he stepped in.”

Makenzie spotted her family in the crowd too. Her gaze slid past them, indifferent, without lingering for even a second.

Mrs. Diaz, elegant in a Victorian gown, her hair streaked with gray and a strand of pearls in her hand, warmly regarded the approaching pair. “I thought you’d skip this year, too.”

Theo answered with composure. “I had to come.” Ever since Lila Roberts had married into the Diaz family, his visits had been scarce.

“And this young lady is?” Mrs. Diaz’s gaze shifted to the woman beside him. Something about her felt familiar.

“Good evening, ma’am. I’m Makenzie Bell, Mr. Mason’s new personal assistant.” Her smile was radiant as she presented the wooden box with both hands. “He chose this rare Alpine crystal for your birthday.”

For all her charming smile, the young woman’s tarnished reputation stood in stark contrast to her elegant appearance.

The elegant woman beside Mrs. Diaz stepped forward to accept the box. “Allow me.”

As their faces drew closer, Mrs. Diaz immediately understood why the resemblance had struck her—Makenzie bore an undeniable likeness to her granddaughter-in-law.

“It’s unusual for you to bring an assistant,” Mrs. Diaz remarked to Theo. “Care to join me for a chat in the garden?”

“Certainly.” Theo inclined his head, then said softly to Makenzie, “Stay here. Don’t wander off.”

His tone softened, and Makenzie’s gaze flicked to the elegantly poised woman holding the gift. Her eyes were slightly red.

So this was the heroine, Lila Roberts. Makenzie understood now—she was being used strategically.

“All right, I’ll stay right here,” she replied with a small smile. She reached out to straighten his tie and met his gaze with a grin. “Mr. Mason, your tie was crooked. Now it’s perfect.”

Theo nodded and led Mrs. Diaz away.

System 66 informed her. “Your account has received $500,000. Theo Mason’s favorability has increased by 4%. Your timing was spot-on—Lila Roberts is visibly affected.”

“I’m Lila Roberts, the Diaz family’s eldest daughter-in-law.” The faithful woman extended a delicate hand in greeting, her eyes a mix of curiosity and caution.

“Nice to meet you.” Makenzie shook her hand.

“Your eyes…” She paused, pressing her lips together hesitantly. “Did Mr. Mason have a makeup artist do that?”

“Nope. They’re natural.” Makenzie replied candidly, gesturing to her eyes. “Strangely enough, Mr. Mason seems captivated by them.”

Lila laughed softly. The question in her eyes brightened as understanding dawned, and she shook her head ruefully. “No wonder you became his assistant.”

Makenzie wanted to pat her shoulder and confirm the assumption, but she kept up appearances and feigned seriousness. “Ma’am, I got this job on my own merit. Mr. Mason pays me a fixed salary—no strings attached for a pair of eyes.”

Before Lila could respond, a servant whispered something in her ear. She gave Makenzie a nod and departed.

The lavish venue boasted a long table piled with exquisite foods and desserts.

Ignoring the curious and disdainful glances, Makenzie strolled over, picked up a small piece of spiced honey cake, and ate it contentedly.

Kristen approached with a glass of wine. “Mom wants you to come home. Don’t be stubborn because of Dad.”

“Oh.” She was finding the strawberry mousse quite delightful.

Kristen regarded her outfit. “An Ellie Spring Summer haute couture dress—over a hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Mason must be very generous, letting his assistant wear this?”

Makenzie paused and glanced down at the fabric in disbelief. Theo had casually given her a dress worth two years of her salary? Selling it secondhand could fetch quite a sum.

Spotting her disbelief, Kristen scoffed. “I know you’ve become Theo Mason’s lover, haven’t you? Your resemblance to Lila Roberts is uncanny.”

Makenzie quietly set the cake down and gestured behind Kristen. “Look over there.”

As Kristen turned, Makenzie swiftly hit the record button on her phone.

“What is it?” Kristen asked.

Makenzie calmly slipped her phone into her handbag. “Nothing. Just a trick of the eye. By the way, when do you plan on returning the Eternal Jewelry design sketches Jason took from me?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Kristen’s eyes shifted, and she denied the accusation outright.

A mischievous glint danced in Makenzie’s eyes as she leaned in a little. “You stepped into the spotlight with my jewelry designs and passed them off as your own,” she said, smiling. “Did you forget?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Kristen shot back, turning to leave.

Makenzie stayed perfectly poised. “I’ve held back because of my ties to Jason. But that design was worth a million dollars. You have three days to make the transfer—or I’ll publicly demand what’s mine.”

“You wouldn’t dare, Makenzie!”

Kristen’s face turned crimson with anger as curious eyes began to turn their way. She forced herself to stay calm. Jason had assured her Makenzie could never prove a thing—the designs had never been labeled or officially recognized. They’d deleted the files from Makenzie’s computer, leaving no evidence behind.

Makenzie raised her glass of champagne and gave Kristen a playful toast. Her smile was innocent and radiant.

When Kristen rushed back to Jason’s arms, teary-eyed, the crowd assumed she’d been wronged again. Her father’s face turned grim, and aside from Jordan, the whole family seemed either helpless or disdainful.

Ignoring the onlookers, Makenzie set down her glass and plate, slipped through the glass doors, and exited quietly.

The curving balcony led down to a stone staircase into the estate’s garden, which was bursting with red roses. Makenzie wandered in. A gentle breeze brushed her face as she exhaled softly.

She meant to find a quiet spot and wait until Theo Mason returned—but then she noticed a couple in a nearby gazebo. The woman wore a green Victorian-style dress, her eyes red as she confronted a tall man. Her new boss.

Curious, Makenzie quickly crouched behind the rose bushes to listen.

“Theo, did you bring her here just to torment me? She looks so much like me.” The woman’s voice was soft and pained. “You know that I…”

Theo brushed away the hand reaching for him and took a step back. His eyes were cold, and his voice was colder. “Mrs. Roberts, don’t flatter yourself.”

“You know I was forced to marry Kelvin Diaz!”

“Who you married is none of my concern.” Theo turned to leave, but the woman clutched his sleeve, her tear-filled eyes pleading. “When will you stop hating me?”

Watching her boss pull away again and again, Makenzie couldn’t help asking System 66, “Why is Theo Mason meeting her here if he won’t even hug or kiss her? Why is he holding back so hard?”

System 66 analyzed matter-of-factly, “Theo’s father went bankrupt once, and it was Mrs. Diaz’s family who saved them. Despite his feelings for Lila Roberts, Theo remains respectful, knowing he owes them. That’s why he needs a stand-in like you.”

“Tough guy, huh? Won’t even let himself have an affair,” Makenzie murmured softly.

“What are you doing?” A soft yet clear voice suddenly came from above her.

Startled, she looked up. Moonlight spilled silver over the man above her, washing over his exquisite, porcelain-like features.

“Get down.” Makenzie quickly caught his wrist and pulled. The tall figure crouched down beside her.

His chin bumped against her shoulder, and he coughed lightly a few times.

“Shh.” She pressed her hand over his mouth. “Not a sound.”

He nodded, and she slowly let him go.

“Are you spying on people’s private business?” he asked quietly.

A pleasant scent drifted toward her—woods, with a faint hint of medicinal herbs. Makenzie turned, her nose brushing his. She instinctively leaned back. “My boss is meeting his lover. I’m just keeping watch,” she whispered.

System 66 cut in. “Host, he’s not—”

“Quiet, I’m busy,” Makenzie silenced it internally. Beside her, the man let out a soft chuckle.

“You mean Mrs. Roberts and the CEO of Mason Group are having a secret rendezvous?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” She gestured toward the gazebo—though thanks to the interruption, she’d missed much of the conversation.

“Host! Watch what you say!” System 66 yelled internally. “That’s Kelvin Diaz! He’s Lila Roberts’ supposedly sickly husband!”

“…”

A shock went through Makenzie. The man leaning so close to her neck was the fragile Kelvin Diaz.

“Clearly, I was mistaken,” she quickly amended, flashing a friendly smile while straightening a little to block his view. “I must have misread the situation.”

“Is that so?” Kelvin Diaz lowered his gaze, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He seemed completely unfazed by catching his wife with another man.

“My boss wouldn’t engage in such immoral acts. As his assistant, I know him well,” Makenzie replied. Realizing she was still holding his wrist, she quickly added, “You don’t look well. Should I help you find somewhere to rest?”

“Aren’t you going to go say hello?” he asked gently. His breath brushed her face, tickling lightly.

“No need. It’d be improper, and it wouldn’t help anyone,” Makenzie said with a smile.

Kelvin studied her, his lips curving into a smile, muffled by a light cough. “Let’s go.”

With the rose bushes shielding them, Makenzie helped the frail man up onto the veranda and led him away from the gazebo.

“You’re Theo Mason’s assistant? I thought his assistant was named Amari,” Kelvin inquired. Locks of hair fell across his forehead, adding a bit of color to his pale face.

“Amari indeed—but I’m the new assistant, Makenzie Bell.”

Makenzie met his amused gaze.

He’d just watched his wife cheat, and his only reaction seemed to be finding humor in her joke. How peculiar.

“Young master!” A butler in a black suit rushed over, panting as he offered support. “Why are you out alone? Mrs. Roberts is looking for you everywhere.”

“It’s fine. Just taking a stroll,” Kelvin replied softly.

Makenzie took the chance to release his hand and stepped aside. “I’ll be off now.”

She nodded politely, gathered her dress, and slipped away without hesitation.

Kelvin watched her leave. “Is that the daughter causing a stir in the Bell family lately—Makenzie Bell?”

“Yes. How’d you meet her? Quite a scheming girl,” the butler said, carefully supporting Kelvin, as if fearing his fragile frame might give way.

Kelvin shook his head, his smile soft. “I don’t think so. She didn’t even know who I was. I found her rather intriguing.”

The butler eyed him with surprise, still wary. “Keep your distance. She’s likely putting on a front.”

Back inside the vibrant banquet hall, the faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered as Makenzie questioned a staff member on her way to the restroom.

Jason spotted her leaving and found an excuse to follow.

“66, why didn’t Kelvin Diaz react to Lila Roberts being with another man? Did I say something wrong earlier?”

Makenzie had just finished washing her hands when a sudden grip on her wrist yanked her into a dimly lit supply closet. Her back hit a row of mops, and she winced. As she recognized the figure in front of her, recognition—and wariness—flared in her eyes. “Jason Carter? What do you want?”

Under the dim light, Jason's hands clamped down on her shoulders, his voice edged with anger. “What's going on between you and Theo Mason? Kristen told me you're having an affair with him.”

Makenzie glanced at her purse lying on the floor, praying it was still recording. A cold smile curved her lips as she got ready to put on a show. “You believe every word she says, but you won't take my word for anything. So why bother asking?”

“I trust you,” Jason said urgently. “If you say you're not involved with him, I'll believe you.”

With a hard twist, Makenzie broke free of his grip. She could already feel the red marks blooming on her shoulders. “You're about to marry Kristen. So why do you care about me?”

“I— You know I never loved her,” Jason said, his face twisting with pain. “Three years together, from school to work—I can't just turn that off.”

He was serving up the same tired story, but Makenzie wasn't buying it. “If you love me and trust me, then hear me out.”

She paused, then let out a humorless chuckle. “I was left with nothing. I have to make a living. Whatever garbage Kristen is spreading about me being somebody's mistress, you should know better. I graduated top of my class from a prestigious university, taught myself jewelry design, and now I'm Theo Mason's personal assistant. I can stand on my own two feet.”

Jason went quiet. He knew how competent she was—how much of that polish came from a privileged upbringing, despite her family's recent betrayal.

“And you were the one who ended things, Jason. We're done. Don't come looking for me again.”

Makenzie scooped up her purse and made for the door, but Jason wasn't letting her go that easily. “Don't work for Mason. I'll take care of you.”

She arched a brow and glanced back. “So you want to be my sugar daddy?”

“Someone like Theo Mason wouldn't bother keeping you. I would,” Jason said, with insulting earnestness. “I'll marry Kristen, but you'll still be my priority.”

What about the fact that Theo Mason is already my mentor? System 66 cut in, disgusted. “What a piece of work!”

Makenzie kept her face blank and silently labeled him a jerk. “When we were together, you were already tangled up with Kristen. Now you expect me to be your kept woman? You make me sick.”

“How did you know?” Jason asked, genuinely thrown.

She'd guessed—this was straight out of a melodrama. “Stay away from me. You've already ruined my reputation. I just want to get on with my life.”

When she tried to shove past him, Jason caught her hand and backed her into the corner. “Don't be like this, Makenzie. I really love you. Can't you compromise just a little?”

System 66 erupted. “Is he even human?”

Makenzie kept her cool and curled her fingers around a nearby mop handle. When he leaned in for a kiss, she drove her knee hard into his groin.

“Ah!”

As he staggered back in pain, she jammed the mop into his gut and shoved him aside. In one swift motion, she dropped the mop and bolted for the door—just as it swung open from the outside. Caught off guard, she stumbled forward and smacked headfirst into a solid chest. A pained whimper slipped out as she clutched her forehead.

“Makenzie?” Theo Mason's voice rang out as he caught her.

She looked up into dark, ink-black eyes and froze. “Mr. Mason.”

Seeing her distress, Theo slid an arm around her waist. His voice went icy. “What happened?”

Jason limped out, one hand clamped over his groin, face twisted in pain. The moment he saw Theo's cool, impassive expression, he went rigid. “Mr. Mason.”

“What did you do to my assistant?” Theo asked, voice stripped of emotion. Under the lights, he looked downright formidable.

“Nothing... just an old friend saying hello,” Jason stammered. He avoided Theo's eyes, ducked his head in a nervous bow, and beat a hasty retreat.

The second Jason disappeared, Makenzie exhaled and finally let herself relax. She glanced up at Theo, her voice soft. “Jason tried to hit on me. Disgusting.”

Theo paused and glanced at her. “And you weren't interested?”

Makenzie's eyes went wide. “Mr. Mason, you transferred money to me yesterday, and today you're already pretending you don't know me?” Did he really think it would be that easy?

Theo's expression stayed aloof. “I don't do things against someone's will.”

“Can I have a contract with Mason Group?” she asked, biting her lip.

“What for?”

“To permanently deal with Jason Carter,” she said, her resolve clear.

Theo recognized the steel in her eyes and nodded. “I'll take care of it.” New as he was to relationships, he understood one thing: he had to handle his new companion's problems.

“I'll handle it myself,” Makenzie said with a smile. “It's not all about the money with you.” After all, she couldn't give the boss subpar service.

“Theo, the matriarch is looking for you again,” came a gentle voice from behind them.

They turned to see a couple whose soft auras somehow matched perfectly—Lila Roberts and Kelvin Diaz.

Theo instinctively tightened his arm around Makenzie's waist, his fingers digging into her side. She let out a soft yelp. “Ow.” She laid a hand over his, and felt his grip slowly loosen.

“You look well,” Theo said, voice steady, expression blank, his gaze flicking briefly to the hand resting on Lila's shoulder.

Kelvin regarded Makenzie with obvious disinterest, looked away, then smiled lightly. “Would you like to join us?”

“Sure.”

Apart from the flicker of emotion he showed in front of Mrs. Diaz, Theo kept his icy composure.

A steady stream of guests came over to toast him, and he accepted every glass, one after another.

After he downed ten glasses in a row, Lila finally shot him a worried glance—though she stayed in Kelvin's loose embrace, unable to pull away.

His severe ulcer couldn't take that pace. It was asking for trouble.

Noticing Lila watching, Theo tipped back another glass.

Makenzie caught the shift in his mood. She picked up a glass of red wine, linked her arm through Theo's, and toasted the guest beside him with a smile. “I'll drink for Mr. Mason.”

She tipped her head back and downed the wine in one go.

She'd drunk it too fast. She coughed several times, set the glass down, and wiped her mouth, cheeks flushing hot immediately.