George's other side.

"You know I can strangle you," George said, his voice low and menacing. "I can kill you for underestimating me."

Astrid's eyes widened as George's grip on her neck tightened.

"I can kill his baby too," George continued, his words dripping with malice. "I can kill him for trying to take what's mine."

Astrid struggled to breathe, her vision blurring.

"He's trying to take my pride," George snarled, "and I won't let that happen."

Just then, the hitman assigned by Andrew burst in, delivering a swift punch to George's face. George stumbled back, releasing Astrid.

The hitman turned to her. "Are you okay, miss?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

Astrid nodded, still shaken. "I'm fine," she whispered.

As she looked at the hitman's face, she realized he wasn't someone familiar.

"Let's get you somewhere safe," the hitman said gently.

Astrid hesitated, unsure if she should trust him.

"I was sent by Mr Thompson to ensure your safety," he explained.

Astrid's doubts faded, and she followed him.

As they walked away, Astrid glanced back at George, who was groaning and bleeding in pain.

She felt ashamed of falling for someone like George, who never truly loved her.

He only saw her as an asset to secure his wealth and establish his companies.

They arrived at the Thompson's mansion, where Andrew waited anxiously outside.

"How's she?" Mr Thompson asked, and the hitman replied, "She's fine, I checked. She's okay."

Andrew dismissed the hitman and gently held Astrid's face. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice soft.

Astrid's eyes welled up with tears. "I can't break the engagement with George," she explained. "Both parties have to agree."

Andrew's expression turned thoughtful.

"My family has its own rules," he said. "We initiated the engagement, so we can break it that's for my family"

Astrid nodded slowly.

"The Smiths have different rules," Andrew continued. "For them, both parties must agree to end the engagement."

Andrew hugged Astrid reassuringly. "Calm down, it will be alright."

After a moment of silence, Astrid asked, "What are you doing outside?"

"Waiting for you and watching the stars," Andrew replied, smiling.

Meanwhile, Mira had been waiting outside Andrew's company, targeting Kimberly Evans, his secretary.

Mira waited patiently, knowing some employees were still working.

Once the workers dispersed, she entered the building and walked to Kimberly's office.

"Good evening," Mira greeted.

"Good evening," Kimberly replied without looking up. "Mr Thompson is not around. Can you come back tomorrow, maybe by three?"

Mira's smile grew wider.

"I'm not here for Mr Thompson," she said, her voice dripping with malice.

Kimberly looked confused.

"Oh?" she asked. "Who, then?"

Mira's eyes locked onto Kimberly's.

"You," she replied, her voice cold.

Mira pulled out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses from her bag.

"I couldn't drink alone, you know," she said, her tone sinister.

Kimberly's unease grew.

"Why exactly would I be drinking with you?" she asked.

Mira leaned forward, her eyes glinting.

Technically, we share the same fate," Mira said, her voice laced with malice.

"Losing Andrew, losing Andrew Thompson. And there's nothing, absolutely nothing, we can do about it."

Kimberly's eyes narrowed, unsure where Mira was heading.

"I still don't understand what you're saying," Kimberly replied, attempting to end the conversation.

Mira leaned in, her words dripping with venom. "I know you like Andrew; everyone here knows that. But he's too blind to see the things you do for him, the extra mile you go for him, even if it costs you something."

Kimberly's face flushed.

"I, too, like him," Mira admitted, her eyes welling up with fake tears. "I've done a lot for him; it has cost me a lot. But he's not seeing it."

Mira paused, collecting her thoughts.

"Ah, excuse me, you're getting married to Mr Thompson already. I should be the only one losing him."

Kimberly's confusion deepened.

"Everything was going well," Mira continued, her voice cracking. "Everyone agreed that we would get married. There was no hitch in the planning of the wedding. Everything went smoothly."

Mira's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Then I found out my one and only biological sister betrayed me. She seduced my fiancé, slept with my fiancé behind my back."

A single tear rolled down Mira's cheek.

"Now my sister is carrying my fiancé's child, and because of that, I can't marry him. Astrid will get married to Andrew, and I... I don't even know what I'll do with my life."

Mira's sobs grew louder because her aim was to win Kimberly's sympathy.

Kimberly handed Mira a tissue.

"It's okay," Kimberly said softly.

Mira poured a drink for both of them.

"I know you must be feeling the same pain I'm feeling now," Mira said. "I wanted to talk to somebody, somebody who would understand me, somebody who wouldn't judge me for the way I felt."

Kimberly nodded sympathetically.

"I understand the way you're feeling," Kimberly said, her voice barely above a whisper. "There was a time when we had to sign a contract at the club, and Mister Thompson brought Astrid along. I felt hurt because they looked so good, so perfect together."

Kimberly's eyes clouded.

"She always made him smile. I love the way his strong arms held her. That moment, I wished I was Astrid, sitting on his lap, feeling his hands all over me."

Kimberly said as she emptied her glass in one gulp not knowing that Mira had put some powdery substance around the glass

Mira watched Kimberly drink, waiting for the drug to take effect.

Meanwhile, Kimberly's thoughts drifted to Mr Thompson.

"She worked so hard, day and night, just to please him. Why was she so stupid to think Andrew would like her one say?"

Kimberly's gaze dropped.

"Meanwhile, the highest he ever did when he noticed her handwork was double her salary, give her monthly allowances, and three days off work."

Tears began to well up in Kimberly's eyes.

Mira's eyes locked onto Kimberly's she was wondering why Kimberly wasn't tipsy yet or if the man slid a wrong drug to her?

"Do you have a high alcohol tolerance?" Mira asked after so much anticipation.