Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

After hitting send, Kailee felt a secret thrill bubble up inside her. It wasn't long before the comments started pouring in.

"Why are you so obsessed with chasing this guy? Did all the men in the world suddenly vanish?"

"If you were really loaded, you wouldn't even glance at a guy like that."

"Stop trying to play savior, girl."

Kailee frowned, caught off guard by the blunt responses. She didn't really want to chase Lewis, but to keep him quiet and to one-up her frenemies, she felt like she had to.

But the comments sparked a light bulb moment for her. She'd made a deal with Lewis: he wouldn't spill their secrets until she had successfully won him over. Lewis had agreed. So, as long as she didn't actively pursue him, she hadn't technically failed! The logic was solid! Feeling like a genius, Kailee quickly typed back. "Totally, why would I chase some guy? I'm cute as a button, a real heartbreaker. Heck, I even had a Saudi prince confess his love to me. Why waste my time on some broke dude? You all just opened my eyes, haha. I'm off to sponsor some hot young model instead."

Despite the joke about sponsoring a model, Kailee had no interest in that. She'd rather splurge on some new jewels.

Once she set her phone aside, her focus shifted to her latest obsession: her diamond-encrusted wings. Trying them on, she admired herself in the mirror, completely forgetting about Lewis.

Meanwhile, Lewis was supposed to report to the research institute. He waited outside his house for Kailee's car, which never showed. With

Kailee's usual approach, he expected nothing more than a ride to and from work as her attempt to woo him.

After waiting for two hours with no sign of her car, Lewis's initial optimism turned to disappointment The institute called, politely asking about his whereabouts since they'd planned a welcome gathering for him. Left with no choice, Lewis halled a cab.

Upon arrival, he was greeted by the institute's leading scholars, their warmth almost making him forget about the morning's letdown. Despite his calm demeanor, whispers of his past publications and influence buzzed around him.

whispers of his past publi

Ruby, unable to believe someone as brilliant as Lewis could ever be dumped by Kailee, approached him with a mix of admiration and skepticism. "Kenzo, welcome to the institute. We're honored to have you."

As Lewis changed into his lab coat, the institute was abuzz with speculation about his marital status, fueled by Ruby's jealousy and disbelief over Kailee's claims of breaking up with him.

Driven by a mix of jealousy and curiosity, Ruby couldn't resist stirring the pot, texting in their group chat, "Kailee, I'm thinking of asking Kenzo out, just to see if you really did dump him."

Kailee, lounging at home admiring her gemstones, nearly jumped out of her skin. She scrambled to think of a way to keep Lewis from spilling the beans but then realized she didn't even have his number. "Why didn't I save it when I had the chance?" she lamented, realizing she might have played herself.