Zach frowned, feeling uninterested that night. “No need, take her away,” he said.

The manager’s smile didn’t falter as he motioned for Dani to leave, and they both walked away without protest.

A little further down the hallway, Dani asked, “Didn’t you say Mr. Zach usually likes company when he stays over? What happened tonight?”

The manager chuckled. “That’s how it usually is, but there are exceptions. Do you think every man in a hotel is just looking for that?”

“But I…” She had waited so long for this chance.

The manager sneered. “What you want doesn’t matter; it’s what Mr. Zach wants that counts. Tough luck this time—maybe he’s already had his fill and isn’t looking for dessert. You’d better get over yourself, you’re not as irresistible as you think…”

Dani clenched her teeth in frustration.

Meanwhile, Winter enjoyed a relaxing bath. She had just finished drying her hair when she heard a knock at the door.

She assumed it was Zach.

“What do you want at this hour—oh!”

It wasn’t Zach.

A young man stood in the doorway. He offered a slightly awkward smile when their eyes met. “Sorry, I think I knocked on the wrong door.”

“It’s fine,” Winter replied, ready to close the door. Suddenly, his hand blocked it from shutting.

She raised an eyebrow, looking at him. “Is there something else?”

“Do you really not recognize me?” he asked, his eyes shifting to an expression of longing mixed with a hint of vulnerability.

Winter chuckled, taking a moment to really examine him. She didn’t believe the “wrong door” excuse. There were only two suites on this floor—hers and Zach’s. Was he trying to say that he had come looking for Zach dressed like this?

The man wore a white T-shirt with light green shorts and sneakers. He had that fresh, youthful look that hit all of Winter’s aesthetic preferences.

“Li…”

“Liam Chapman,” he finished, not minding that she hadn’t remembered his full name.

“Liam, what do you want?” Winter crossed her arms, watching him intently.

“Did Duane really take you to that dinner?” he asked.

“And if he did?”

“If he did, then you should replace him,” Liam responded confidently.

Liam was from the same agency as Duane, and they had debuted together. Despite their seemingly amicable front, they were fierce rivals competing for the same resources.

Winter’s smile deepened, prompting him with the question he’d been waiting for, “Replace him with who?”

His eyes lit up. “What about me? I’m younger than Duane, cleaner than him, and most importantly—I understand the rules.”

Ah, the rules…

Winter sized him up; he was indeed more pleasant to look at than Duane.

“So, are you offering yourself to me?” she teased.

Liam blushed, his cheeks turning noticeably pink. “If that’s what you want…”

“Come in,” Winter said as she turned and walked back into her suite.

Heart pounding, Liam stepped inside, gently closing the door behind him.

Zach lay in bed, fiddling with his phone, but sleep wouldn’t come. His stomach growled, reminding him he was hungry.

Deciding to order some late-night snacks, he headed over to knock on Winter’s door.

“I’m ordering some food. Want me to get you something?”

“No need. I’m already in bed!” came the reply.

“Alright, your loss.” Zach turned away but paused mid-step.

Something seemed off. Her voice sounded… breathless?

“Hey, are you okay in there?”

This time, there was no response.

Zach let out a snort. This woman—so tough, so bossy, and now ignoring him!

Without someone to share a meal with, he lost his appetite. He returned to his room and, surprisingly, fell asleep rather quickly.