Chapter 3 She Is a Collaborator

Samantha had been nothing short of a benefactor to her. Though they were both students in the Academy of Arts, Samantha had an exceptional knack for business—her vision was keen and far-reaching. Without her involvement early on, Xena doubted that the Arts Center would have developed as rapidly as it did. Relying on her efforts alone wouldn't have yielded the same results. "Take a look at this," Samantha said, sliding a file across the table for Xena to review. "This just came in. Mr. William from Barnum Group stopped by and handed it to me." Xena frowned slightly but took the document without hesitation, flipping it open in Samantha's presence. The bold title at the top, "Equity Transfer," caught her eye immediately. It turned out that Philip had transferred his shares in the Arts Center entirely to her. "You two…?" Samantha's gaze lingered on the contents of the document, her expression hesitant, as if she wasn't sure whether she should ask more. "We broke up," Xena replied frankly, without a hint of reluctance. It was Samantha, with her extensive connections, who had initially paved the way for Xena to secure that coveted performance slot in an elite event, an opportunity that ultimately led her to meet Philip. Samantha had been privy to their relationship from the beginning, so there was no need for Xena to be guarded about it. Their partnership, after all, was founded on mutual benefit. Although Samantha approached most things with a firm eye on her own interests, she had proven to be more than just a business associate to Xena; she was part mentor, part friend. "Is it because of Zena Dunne?" she probed. She lit another cigarette, exhaling a ring of smoke that drifted into the air. Xena froze, surprised by the question. How does Sam know? Samantha picked up her phone, opened the latest news headline, and held it out in front of her. The article was trending at the top, with a headline that screamed for attention. 'Renowned ballet star Zena Dunne quietly returned at noon today and was greeted by a mysterious man! Suspected romance revealed!' The accompanying photo showed a tall, slender man in a long black trench coat, his back to the camera. Despite the obscured angle, his posture exuded an air of elegance and refinement. Although his face wasn't visible, Xena recognized him immediately as Philip. In the photo, Zena, whose features had a striking resemblance to Xena's, stood beside him with a soft, bashful smile as she leaned gently against his arm. "Anyone in the arts knows Zena," Samantha said, her voice slicing through the smoky haze. "But back in school, you were always so devoted to your piano practice. That's probably why you didn't know about her, the heiress of the famous Dunne Group. And, to top it off, she was technically your senior." Her words felt like they held a sharper edge. Xena murmured almost to herself, "So, that's how it is…" Her mind flashed back to those intense, intimate moments with Philip, how he would press against her neck, whispering 'Xena' over and over. She had believed that tenderness, that quiet passion, was meant for her—'Xena' for 'Xena.' But she never thought it was for Zena! Upon seeing Xena's complexion pale, Samantha's expression softened with concern. "Are you alright? Maybe I should cancel tonight's social event?" "No need," Xena replied, shaking her head. Nowadays, many families have placed a high value on elite education, viewing it as essential for their children's future. Alongside academic excellence, there was a growing trend toward nurturing personal interests and hobbies. Apart from the regular flow of students constantly coming and going for daily tutoring sessions, the enrollment demand at their Arts Center had been overwhelming. With the surge in popularity, many business owners now wanted to collaborate with them, and it seemed the perfect time to expand Melody Arts Center to a larger scale. Tonight's social event had been a hard-won opportunity, secured with Samantha's efforts, so naturally, Xena felt she couldn't miss it. As she glanced at Xena's tired face, Samantha couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. She knew all too well the pain that love could bring, and she wished Xena would have the strength to make a clean break. Focusing on her career, she thought, was the smartest path forward. Xena borrowed Samantha's cosmetics and drew her eyebrows carefully in front of the mirror. She brushed some blush onto her pale cheeks, adding a touch of life to her complexion. Her eyes sparkled beneath her gracefully arched brows, and a small beauty mark just below the corner of her right eye, a "tear mole," gave her face an added hint of charm and vulnerability. Samantha, observing her friend's transformation, gave an approving smile. "You look amazing," she praised. "Tonight's social event is bound to go smoothly." … By 8:30 p.m., Samantha was behind the wheel, driving both of them to Ariville's most exclusive venue, the Densy Club. This was a place that only the wealthy could afford to frequent. The sprawling outdoor parking lot, located to the left of the club, was filled with limited-edition luxury cars. Samantha had reserved a high-end booth in the club's most lively area and had already given Xena a heads-up, explaining that their guests for the evening included a top figure from the Education Enrollment Office, with access to plenty of student resources. To leave a favorable impression on him, a little drinking might be expected tonight. Xena didn't mind this, as she could hold her liquor just fine. The nightclub was alive, pulsing with energy as multicolored lights from the spinning disco ball swept across the room. At this hour, the party was already in full swing, and a beautiful DJ in a bikini was skillfully spinning tracks, setting the perfect mood for the crowd. It was already twenty minutes past the agreed meeting time, and still, there was no sign of the guests. Samantha looked down at her own watch with a slight frown. "Xena, I'm going to run to the bathroom for a moment. If they show up, could you greet them for me?" Xena nodded, raising her glass to take a sip just as a voice called out from behind her. "Well, if it isn't Xena!" The voice was unmistakable, familiar enough to freeze her mid-motion. She turned around slowly, her expression briefly stiffening as she faced the speaker. It was Samson Ownes, one of Philip's close friends and the second son of Ownes Construction Group. Beside him stood Fenwick Yull, another man with a solid background and connections to match. Philip had once taken her to dine with these corporate heirs, so she had met all of them before. Their presence here could only mean one thing: he was here, too. And then, just as she suspected, her eyes zeroed in on Philip. His face was framed by an effortless cold grace, carrying that aristocratic air that always set him apart. Standing beside him was Zena. Xena's mind flashed to a memory. She remembered Samson and Fenwick excitedly discussing in the group chat how they were going to throw a welcome-back party for Zena, who had just returned to Ariville. The world really was a small place, wasn't it? Of all the places, they had to end up at the same club. Zena looked even more captivating in person than in the photos Xena had seen. There was a graceful elegance about her, a kind of refined allure that only a ballet dancer could carry. Standing beside her, the social media beauties accompanying Samson and Fenwick looked noticeably less striking. "Xena, what brings you here? Don't tell me you came just to chase Mr. Barnum…" As always, Samson was quick to open his mouth. Yet, just as he was about to finish his sentence, a sharp, icy look from Philip shot his way, silencing him instantly. He swallowed his words, clamping his lips shut. Xena took it all in, every detail, yet the heaviness in her chest lingered, an unshakable melancholy that wouldn't go away. Is Philip really that afraid of his lover learning about my existence? Meanwhile, Zena, too, noticed the peculiar atmosphere between Philip and Xena. After a moment of studying Xena's face, which was remarkably similar to her own, an understanding spark lit in her eyes, though she maintained her gentle, almost saccharine tone as she turned to Philip. "Phil, do you two know each other?" Before Philip could respond, Fenwick cut in with a teasing smirk. "Zena, Miss Wheeler here is something of a long-term collaborator with Phil." Xena easily recognized the taunt in his tone. But instead of showing anger, she merely smiled, raising her glass in their direction with a calm composure. "Mr. Yull, you are correct," she replied. "Mr. Barnum was a significant partner of our Arts Center. Though we couldn't continue our collaboration, I appreciate his support over the years. Allow me to drink to that." With that, she met Philip's impenetrable gaze and drained her glass in one smooth motion. Fenwick blinked, taken aback. He hadn't expected her to maintain her composure despite his jabs. Suddenly, he lost interest in poking fun and walked toward the booth, looking mildly embarrassed. Samson, sensing the change, followed close behind, eager to steer clear of any potential conflict. Philip, meanwhile, gave Xena a faint smile. "Then, Miss Wheeler, I look forward to the day when we might collaborate once more."