The cold shoulder.

Harper confided in Abigail, revealing that Johnson had been relentlessly harassing her over the phone, begging to meet up one last time. Despite his persistent pleas, Harper had continued to reject him, steadfast in her resolve. As they discussed the matter seriously, they failed to notice Julian listening in, his expression etched with concern.

Meanwhile, Julian had bought some snacks for his sister, intending to surprise her. However, after overhearing the disturbing conversation, he quietly slipped out of the boutique, his mind preoccupied with worry for Harper's well-being.

The Lane family of eight gathered around the huge dining table, with the elderly patriarch, a man of elegant posture, seated at its center. The maids served the dishes and quietly withdrew, awaiting further instructions. The old man initiated the conversation, "How's the construction process in the city building?" Jackson replied calmly, "It's going well."

The family then continued eating in silence. Once dinner was over, the old man requested that Caleb meet with him.

Caleb entered the room with a respectful stride and took a seat when the old man gestured for him to do so. "Grandpa, how's your leg?" Caleb asked, his voice filled with concern. "It's better now," Grandpa replied, his face warm with a gentle smile. "Caleb, as your mother has mentioned, it's time for you to start planning your future," Grandpa said, his tone turning serious. "You're my first grandchild, and I want to see you settled. Building a life and starting a family isn't an easy task, and you've reached the stage where it's time to consider marriage."

Caleb fell into a thoughtful silence, his expression unreadable.

Grandpa's eyes twinkled with warmth as he said, "If you have someone special in mind, bring her to meet me."

As Caleb stepped out of the room, he was immediately greeted by his mother, Amelia, whose curious expression hinted at her eagerness to know what had transpired. True to form, she bombarded him with questions. "What did Grandpa say? What did you talk about?."

Caleb opened his mouth to respond, but his words were cut off when a maid approached Amelia and whispered something in her ear. Amelia's expression changed, and she excused herself, saying, "Grandpa wants to see me." As she headed into the room, Caleb couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on, overwhelmed by the pressure that seemed to be mounting around him.

The grand hotel was transformed into a luxurious oasis for fashion week, showcasing opulent decor and attracting A-list guests. The attendees were dressed to impress, donning sophisticated ensembles and designer attire. Some arrived in style, stepping out of sleek, expensive cars. In contrast, Harper and Abigail made a humble entrance, arriving by cab. However, their outfits were anything but understated.

Abigail stunned in a light pink gown, adorned with a delicate ribbon that added a touch of whimsy to her overall look. Harper, on the other hand, exuded elegance in a chic black dress, elevated by a vibrant yellow floral pattern that added a pop of color. What made their outfits truly special was that they had designed them themselves, showcasing their unique style and creativity.

Abigail and Harper stood side by side, their eyes locking in a moment of mutual understanding. Abigail offered Harper a reassuring smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth and support. The gesture was meant to calm Harper's nerves and distract her from thoughts of Johnson, who had been weighing heavily on her mind. Abigail's smile seemed to say, "You're not alone, and everything will be okay."

As they presented their tickets at the entrance, the receptionist's eyes widened in surprise. She quickly called over a colleague, who escorted them to the VIP section. Abigail and Harper exchanged amazed glances, realizing that their tickets were equivalent to first-class treatment.

Abigail's mind raced with wonder. She had assumed the tickets were just standard issue, but it seemed Caleb had arranged something special. A hint of curiosity crept into her thoughts: What kind of connections did Caleb have? Who was he, really?

The night sky erupted in a kaleidoscope of colors as fireworks heralded the start of Fashion Week. The audience buzzed with excitement as models prepared to strut down the catwalk, showcasing exquisite designs from renowned fashion houses.

Abigail's eyes widened in surprise as Sean settled into the seat beside her. "Surprised to see you," he said with a charming smile. When he spotted Abigail and Harper, he was taken aback. He couldn't help but wonder if Abigail was accompanied by someone influential, as he couldn't fathom how she would have otherwise obtained VIP tickets. In his opinion, Abigail didn't have the connections or the audacity to procure such exclusive access.

Harper acknowledged Sean with a nod, a subtle exchange of greetings. The three of them focused on the fashion show, taking in the stunning designs and expertly choreographed runway walks.

As Abigail chatted with Sean and Harper, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She caught glimpses of people stealing glances their way, their eyes drawn to Sean's familiar face. As a renowned model and actor, Sean was no stranger to the spotlight.

Abigail instinctively created some distance between herself and Sean, uncomfortable with the attention. She preferred to keep a low profile, avoiding the spotlight and the scrutiny that came with it.

As Abigail turned to her left, her eyes met Caleb's, who stood out in a sleek black suit. Their gazes locked, and Abigail sensed a piercing intensity in Caleb's eyes as he took in the scene before him, his attention fixed on Sean. Abigail offered a thin, polite smile as a greeting, but Caleb's expression remained impassive. He seems to regrard as a stranger, his eyes glazing over before he turned away, dismissing her enterily.

Abigail's eyes lingered on Caleb for a moment, her mind whispering a wry observation: "Wow, what a narcissist!" She shrugged off the encounter and refocused on the fashion show, the models' elegant strides and the vibrant colors on display capturing her attention once more.