Nicole held back her tears, steeling herself to be unbeatable. The sleepless nights and living in torment weren't supposed to be hers alone.

After the meeting, Nicole went with some leaders to a buffet dinner.

Nicole's superior was a powerful woman named Archer, who had always been supportive and kind.

Before Nicole came back to the country, she had already quit her job.

However, Archer, aware of Nicole's ambition to run a company, invited Nicole to become a partner in a project.

For Nicole, joining the project offered a much better chance than trying to make it on her own. She happily accepted the offer.

Nicole had set up the company in name only, keeping her involvement a secret to avoid raising Jarrod's suspicions. She even used a fake job title to keep her plans under wraps.

Nicole was thankful for Archer's support and gladly helped out with various tasks, such as presenting at dinners.

Midway through the dinner, Archer felt sick and had to leave early, leaving Nicole to keep the partners entertained.

The dinner also featured a social dance event for those who wanted to dance or just chat. At these events, it was common for wealthy young women to approach men they were interested in.

The conference attendees were mostly wealthy, making the single men particularly popular.

Nicole, holding a drink and standing off to the side, noticed Jarrod.

He instantly drew the attention of several women. His perfectly fitted suit and the slightly unbuttoned collar that showed off his collarbone made him stand out.

Jarrod was a memorable sight. Many women sneakily looked his way, clearly showing interest. He was undeniably good-looking and well-off, which made him attractive to those who didn't know him well.

But Nicole knew his darker side, something not everyone was aware of.

Despite the attention he received, few women actually approached him.

His grumpy appearance turned them off, as they feared he wouldn't be friendly if they tried to start a conversation.

Nicole watched, amused at first, but her mood quickly changed when she saw Jarrod looking her way from across the room. Jarrod walked over, dampening her spirits.

Nicole decided to leave, wanting to avoid any drama with him.

But then, out of nowhere, a poised and attractive girl stepped in front of Jarrod, obviously from a rich family, bravely catching his attention.