DAVID ARMSTRONG.

While walking, her phone beeped with a message from Vince. Distracted by the text, she didn't pay attention to where she was going.

"Have you gotten there already?"

"How was your flight?"

"How's everyone?"

She smiled at the messages, reflecting on how caring Vince had been throughout their nearly two-year relationship. It felt as if they were already a couple.

Suddenly, she collided with a man, causing her phone to slip from her hand and crash to the ground. The older man groaned and knelt, holding his head where her phone had struck.

"I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, quickly bending down to help.

"Why weren't you watching where you were going?" he replied, his voice deep and somewhat raspy.

"Do you need to go to the hospital?" Rose asked, flustered and feeling guilty.

The man stood up, brushing himself off. "That's what you rich people think—you can just pay for your misdeeds."

"I beg your pardon?" Rose said, taken aback and feeling insulted.

He noticed her broken phone on the ground. "I don't need your apology. But I'm sorry about your phone; it's now in bad shape—all thanks to me." With that, he turned and walked away.

As Rose picked up her phone, she spotted a card on the ground. It bore the name "DAVID ARMSTRONG." Realizing the man she had bumped into was the same David, she turned to call him, but he had already disappeared. Scrutinizing the card, she noticed his phone number scribbled on the back. She decided she would call him later.

---

"Good morning, Miss Rose. It's nice to see you again," the friendly front desk officer greeted her.

"Morning! Is my mother at work?" Rose asked casually.

"Yes, she is. I'm sure she'll be glad to see you."

"I hope so."

Just as she walked a few meters, Rachel called out to her. "Miss Rose, you left this here!" She raised her hand, waving the card.

Rose returned and said, "Could you please call him and return it for me? Make sure to give me some feedback."

"DAVID ARMSTRONG," Rachel read aloud.

As Rose turned to leave, she heard Rachel say, "He came earlier to see Mrs. Goldie. Do you know him?"

"Really? Does my mother know him?" Rose asked, curious.

Rachel thought for a moment. "She said she didn't, but she sounded odd on the phone, and so did he."

"Do you know him?"

Rose tried to recall his face but did not feel any familiarity. "No."

---

The name lingered in her mind as she walked into the elevator and made her way to her mother's office. She didn't bother knocking; she simply opened the door and stepped inside. Her mother stood there, as if she had been waiting for her.

They exchanged glances until Ruby spoke first. "What brings you here, Rose?"

She walked in and took a seat. "At least invite me to sit if you can't welcome me with open arms."

"You haven't answered my question," Ruby replied, her tone sharp.

"Do I need to? Well, Granny said you need your daughter by your side, so here I am to help," Rose said, feigning obstinacy.

"Aren't you happy to see me after two years?"

Ruby sat down and resumed working on her computer.

Their mother-daughter relationship had never been strong. Rose had always been closer to her father, who showered her with love and attention, providing her with the best childhood imaginable. In contrast, her mother, Ruby Goldie, made Rose feel like an unwanted burden from the moment she was born. Dorris, their housekeeper, had been the one to care for her during her infancy.

"Your Granny is just exaggerating. How can I not handle my husband's legacy?" Ruby typed, her voice devoid of emotion.

"As his only child, I should be part of this corporation," Rose insisted, crossing her legs comfortably.

Ruby stopped typing and fixed her gaze on Rose. "I don't know what makes you think I'd let you."

"I don't need your permission, Mum. This is my father's legacy. If you don't let me take my rightful position, I'll have to pursue it legally," Rose said, grabbing her bag.

Just as she stood to leave, Rachel called her.

"Hello, Miss Rose."

"Hello, Rachel."

"I called, just as you suggested, to give you feedback on Mr. DAVID ARMSTRONG."

"DAVID ARMSTRONG? Oh, right! What's up?" she asked, recalling the name.

Ruby's heart sank at the mention of David Armstrong. She anxiously awaited the end of Rose's call to interject.

"He got his card. We called him and returned it," Rachel said.

Once the call ended, Rose made her way toward the door, but her mother stopped her.

"Do you know DAVID ARMSTRONG?" Ruby asked.

Rose turned, surprised. "Why do you ask? Do you know him too? I found out he came looking for you."

Ruby stood frozen, her face pale as if her worst nightmares had come true.