Tara quietly watched Frank and Vanessa walk out of her office. The moment the door closed behind them, the room fell into silence.
She leaned back in her chair and released a slow sigh, rubbing her temple. For a moment, the mask she wore all day finally slipped.
Her life had become such a mess.
Just as she began calming her nerves, a soft knock echoed from the door.
"Come in," Tara said gently.
The door opened and Kelly stepped inside, holding a tablet and a small folded note.
"Ah… Miss Logan," Kelly began carefully, "today you have a very tight schedule. There are several overseas meetings scheduled online, and you were also invited to the monthly Influential Women gathering at the Booth Bar at 10:15 p.m."
She hesitated before adding,
"And Miss Crade left a note… just in case you refuse to come."
Kelly handed the note to her.
Tara took it and unfolded the paper.
Hi girl,I know things have been weighing on you lately, but the girls miss you.Please come by today.Oh—and there's new species today. Don't miss out.
Love,K.C.
As Tara finished reading, a gentle smile slowly appeared on her face.
She looked up at Kelly.
"Tell them to send me the time-ticket link. I'll be there."
Kelly nodded quickly.
"Oh, and make sure my schedule is cleared before 9:30 p.m. Is that possible?"
"That will be fine, Miss Logan," Kelly replied.
The rest of Tara's day passed as it always did.
Meeting after meeting.
Discussion after discussion.
Emails, reports, negotiations.
Time blurred together as she moved from one online meeting to the next.
By the time the last employees began leaving the building, the clock was already approaching 6 p.m.
A gentle knock sounded on the door.
"Come in," Tara replied without looking up from her laptop.
Kelly stepped inside.
"Madam, everyone is already leaving."
"Mmm," Tara murmured in acknowledgment, still typing.
Kelly remained standing there.
After a moment Tara noticed.
She paused her work and lifted her gaze.
"Is there something else you wanted to say?"
Kelly shifted nervously.
"Ah… Miss Logan… today is my mom's birthday. I was hoping I could leave work early."
Tara studied her quietly for a moment.
"When do you normally finish work?" she asked calmly.
"Ah… Miss Logan… I usually leave when you leave."
"And what time were you told you could leave when you started working here?" Tara asked.
Kelly answered carefully.
"I was told I could leave at the same time as everyone else unless something urgent was happening… otherwise I would stay until you leave."
A small smile appeared on Tara's face.
"Then starting today, you will leave on time like every other employee unless something serious comes up."
Kelly's eyes widened.
"Really? Thank you so much, Miss Logan!"
Tara waved it off lightly.
"It's nothing. You can go now."
She returned to her laptop.
Kelly hesitated again.
"What about you, Miss Logan?"
"I'm fine," Tara replied softly. "Go celebrate your mom's birthday. And if there's anything you ever need that's within my capability, let me know. I'll do my best to help."
Kelly's expression brightened.
"Thank you again, Miss Logan! Then I'll be leaving now."
Tara looked at her and gave a small nod with a gentle smile.
Kelly left the office.
The door closed.
And Tara returned to her work.
She worked for several more hours, taking short breaks between tasks.
Eventually, at exactly 9:30 p.m., her alarm rang.
Tara shut down her laptop and gathered her belongings.
As she walked toward the elevator, she dialed a number.
The phone rang twice before someone answered.
"Hey girl! What's up? Why aren't you here yet? Everyone misses you like hell!" the excited voice said.
Tara chuckled softly.
"I doubt anyone missed me that much, Tian."
"Oh, we definitely did," Tian laughed.
"I'm on my way," Tara said. "But I wanted to ask—am I supposed to wear anything specific? I just got off work and I'm heading home to change."
"Girl, do not come here smelling like work," Tian said dramatically.
Tara laughed.
"Go home, change quickly, and wear something comfortable like you always do. We're waiting for you."
"Thanks," Tara replied before ending the call.
By the time the call ended, she had already reached the parking area.
She got into her car and drove home.
Her villa was only ten minutes away.
Once she arrived, she quickly showered and changed.
She chose a dark blue U-neckline knee-length dress, elegant but simple. Her hair was tied into a neat ponytail with two soft bangs framing her face.
She wore silver star earrings, a moon-shaped necklace with a silver star inside, a matching star bracelet, black peep-toe heels, and a silver star anklet on her left foot.
To avoid unnecessary attention, she added a long elegant coat over the dress.
After grabbing her phone, she left the villa.
Since she knew she might drink tonight, she ordered a taxi.
The taxi arrived within five minutes.
Twenty minutes later, they stopped in front of the Booth Bar.
Tara stepped out and walked inside.
None of the employees stopped her.
Everyone working at the bar already knew who she was.
She headed directly toward the elevator and pressed the button for the 7th floor.
When the doors opened, she stepped into the quiet hallway.
Taking out her phone, she checked the message.
Booth Room #046.
Coincidentally, the room was right in front of her.
Tara approached the door and held up her phone so the scanner could read the QR code from her invitation.
Ding.
Access approved.
She opened the door and stepped inside.
The door closed behind her.
And instantly—
Every eye in the room turned toward her.
Tara's breath caught in her throat.
Because the people inside the room…
Were both unfamiliar—
And strangely familiar at the same time.