<b>Liz </b>couldn’t help butugh at him. “You’ve only been working for a week. You’ll get used to it eventually.”


    Hunter let out a tired sigh and stayed quiet for a moment. Then he looked up and asked, “Liz, has your workload always been this intense?”


    She shook her head. “Not always. Sometimes it’s even worse. There was a time I worked past midnight every day for an entire month.”


    Hunter stared at her in disbelief. “Even on weekends?”


    She nodded. “Yes.”


    “You don’t get any time to yourself at all. Liz, are you such a workaholic that you’ve never even been in a rtionship?”


    Liz froze for a second, her hand still in midair as she reached for another bite. A faint, unreadable look passed through her eyes.


    Before Zac had cheated on her, they used to set aside at least one day a week just to be together. Sometimes they would go for a walk. Other times, they would stay in, cook dinner, and watch a movie on the couch. It was ordinary, but warm andforting.


    After Xena came into the picture, things between her and Zac turned into constant arguments. Slowly, she began using work to escape the emotional mess. The more she worked, the less she had to think about the pain. Hunter noticed her silence and tilted his head, “Hold on. That look on your face–don’t tell me I was right.” Liz snapped out of it and looked at him. “Of course I’ve been in a rtionship. We broke up.”


    “Oh. Got it.”


    “You sound almost disappointed. What, did I not seem like someone who’s ever dated?”


    Back in college, there were so many guys chasing her that the line could stretch from her dorm all the way to the front gate.


    “No, no. You definitely look like someone who’s dated. Honestly, you seem like the type who’s had at least eight or ten boyfriends.”


    Liz burst outughing. “Alright, enough of that. Eat your food, kid.”


    Hunter immediately frowned. “I’m not a kid. I’m twenty–two, I could’ve been married already if I wanted to.”


    “Okay, okay. You’re a big kid now. Happy?”


    Hunter gave her a look but didn’t say anything.


    After dinner, Liz dropped Hunter off and was just about to head home when her phone rang. It was Jane.


    “Liz, want to go out tonight? It feels like forever since west saw each other.”


    Liz thought about it for a moment. It really had been a while. She asked for the address and followed the GPS there.


    Meanwhile, in a private room tucked away in the far corner of the East wing on the second floor of an upscale lounge, Jeff leaned toward Zac once Xena stepped into the restroom.


    He could no longer hold back his curiosity.


    “Zac, are you really serious about being with Xena?”


    Zaczily turned a Patek Philippe lighter in his hand and replied without much interest, “Why wouldn’t I be?”


    “It’s not that you can’t be. It’s just… Xena doesn’t have any background or social standing. Don’t you think she’s a bit out of ce in your circle?”


    Even though Liz had publicly severed ties with the Smith family, everyone still knew she was their real daughter. The one being favored now was just a fraud.


    When it came time to divide the family assets, Liz might end up with just as much as the imposter, if not more.


    Jeff had also heard that the Smiths were considering bringing her back into the family.


    If that happened, Liz’s value and status would increase significantly.


    Walking away from the true Smith heiress to be with a girl from a rural background, someone with no connections or reputation, was not a choice any rational person would make.


    Even if Zac truly had no intention of getting back together with Liz, that didn’t mean he needed to settle for someone so far beneath her.


    “What’s so hard to bring around? It’s not like Xena’s missing an arm or a leg,” Zac replied coolly.


    Jeff frowned. “You know that’s not what I meant. I’m just saying, think this through. If you go through with this, you’re closing the door on any chance of reconciling with Liz. I’m just worried you’ll regret it.”