But just five minutes later, he was completely paralyzed, his heart sinking, as he witnessed a scene that made the entire mall hold its breath… The grand lobby of the Sterling Galleria, one of New York City’s most luxurious landmarks, gleamed like a palace.
Logan Carter stepped out of his gleaming black Mercedes, his arm around the waist of Sienna Blake, his young and attractive lover, whom he always showed off as they walked together.
That day he hadn’t gone shopping.
He had come to try to get close to the most influential businesspeople during the launch event for a strategic partner: his perfect opportunity to climb to the next level.
As he walked through the luxury boutique area, Logan suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
In front of a shop window displaying an exclusive collection, a woman stood motionless.
A simple gray uniform, a cleaning cloth in her hand, a slender figure, her hair hastily pulled back…
But her posture…
Her serenity…
That presence…
It all felt too familiar.
Logan narrowed his eyes.
His heart skipped a beat.
“Madison?”
The woman turned.
A natural face, no makeup. A few fine lines at the corners of her eyes. But her gaze… was still deep and surprisingly calm.
It was her.
His ex-wife.
Seven years ago, when his career was just beginning to take off, Logan signed the divorce papers without hesitation.
The reason?
“You’re too simple, too slow. You’re not up to the standards of a director.”
He left her with a humble house and no support.
And now… he found her working as a cleaner.
A contemptuous smile spread across his face. He approached, his shoes clicking on the floor, intentionally.
Madison was still staring at the red dress on the mannequin: a unique design called “Phoenix Fire,” adorned with rubies, so elegant it took her breath away.
Logan let out a mocking laugh.
“Do you like it?”
Madison nodded gently.
“It’s beautiful. Refined. Powerful.”
Logan’s laughter grew louder.
He took some small bills from his wallet and threw them into the trash can next to her.
“Just because you think it’s pretty doesn’t mean anything. People like you, even if they worked cleaning their whole lives, couldn’t afford a single button on that dress.”
Madison didn’t pick up the money.
She just looked at the dress one last time.
And that look… made Logan feel an inexplicable unease.
And right at that moment…
From the back of the lobby, several bodyguards dressed in black advanced quickly.