The morning sun hadn't fully illuminated the city yet.
Leo Carter was already lurking near Breeze Perfumes headquarters.
This time, he'd learned his lesson.
Instead of blocking the main entrance directly, he chose a corner at a calculated distance.
He held up a glaring banner with black letters stark against white fabric.
"Sophia Sullivan is morally corrupt! Two-timing! Beating her childhood sweetheart!"
With a dramatic thud, he collapsed onto the pavement.
His wails pierced the morning air.
"No justice! Sophia abandoned me for wealth! She turned her back on me!"
The morning commute crowd began stopping.
A circle of spectators quickly formed.
Seeing the growing audience, Leo intensified his performance.
Tears and snot streaked his face.
"We met at the orphanage! I took care of her since childhood! She promised to marry me!"
"Now she's dumped me for some rich guy!"
"Even hired thugs to beat me! Judge for yourselves!"
His hysterics escalated.
He rolled on the ground like a child.
"Sophia! Come out here!"
"Stop hiding like a coward!"
The commotion soon reached inside the building.
Meanwhile.
Sophia had just parked in the underground garage.
She was heading toward the executive elevator, oblivious to the scene outside.
Charlotte Vance rushed over, breakfast bag in hand.
"Ms. Sullivan!"
She hesitated, her expression strained.
"You look pale today."
"Perhaps you should rest at home?"
Sophia paused.
Her cool gaze assessed Charlotte.
"What happened?"
Knowing concealment was futile, Charlotte confessed.
"That man from yesterday is back."
"Causing a scene downstairs."
"Accusing you of gold-digging."
"Security has him contained."
"But reporters might show up."
Sophia's eyes turned glacial.
Leo's audacity surprised her.
After losing a finger yesterday, he dared return.
"Where is he?"
"By the side entrance."
"Very well. Carry on."
Sophia pulled out her phone.
A quick text to Ian:
"Bring the neuropathic drugs."
She pocketed her phone.
Marched straight toward the crowd.
Spectators parted automatically as she approached.
Sophia stood over Leo's writhing form.
Her stare could freeze lava.
"Yesterday's lesson wasn't enough?"
Leo's wails amplified at her presence.
"Look everyone! Here she comes!"
"She's going to hit me again!"
Sophia's laugh was arctic.
"Childhood sweethearts?"
"You stole over twenty times at the orphanage."
"Got sent to juvenile detention."
"We barely knew each other."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Leo scrambled to counter.
"I stole for you!"
"Because you wanted pretty things!"
"Now you're twisting the story!"
Chloe Evans had coached him well.
Lies needed no proof.
Repetition bred doubt.
Sure enough, some spectators eyed Sophia differently.
Then reporters arrived.
Cameras focused on the pair.
Leo produced photos dramatically.
Wailed for the cameras.
"Here's the proof!"
"She threatened and extorted me!"
"Someone give me justice!"