Chapter 2

Lucas's gaze falls back on my face. "The Shaw Group collapsed, your father died in his office, and you have no source of income. If you need money, I can help you. As much as you want. But on the condition that it's kept secret, no commitments, just to satisfy physical needs."

He shamelessly looks me up and down, his words direct.

My breathing tightens slightly as I look at this man who grew up with me but has now changed beyond recognition. I firmly refuse: "Impossible!"

All these years, I've struggled to live, just so that when I meet Lucas again one day, I won't be so miserable.

Yet he wants me to sell myself, to be his mistress!

Lucas lets out a light laugh, showing impatience. He leans close to my ear: "How noble of you. Evelyn, don't think about running away. I can catch you no matter where you go, even to the ends of the earth."

"You want... revenge on me?"

"Heh." Lucas seems to laugh at my obvious question.

Just then, his phone rings. He lets go of me and walks to the side to answer it, his tone gentle: "I'm coming now. Bring her? Alright, got it."

Hanging up the phone, Lucas's cold gaze falls on me. "Olivia wants to see you. If you don't want to lose this job, you know what to say and what not to say."

He says this without a trace of mercy.

I lower my eyes and say, "Mr. Thorne and I have no relationship."

I arrive at the entrance of the Japanese restaurant. Olivia waves me over: "Come in."

As I walk over, I hear Lucas pointing at a wedding photo on his phone saying, "This one."

Olivia rests her cheek on Lucas's shoulder, saying softly, "I want to tell Dad that the man I love most has fulfilled all his promises to me!"

After sending the message, she unhurriedly raises her head to scrutinize me: "So beautiful. Lucas, is this the type of woman you men like best?"

"What type?"

"Good figure, youthful looks."

"It's nothing special."

"If she were willing to be with you now, would I still be Mrs. Thorne today?"

Lucas doesn't want to discuss this topic, his brows furrowing.

Unexpectedly, Olivia suddenly asks: "Have you two slept together?"

Her gaze is fixed intently on Lucas, not missing the slightest change in his expression.

Lucas takes a sip of wine, his expression indifferent: "No."

I also say: "No. Mr. Thorne and I have no relationship."

Olivia frowns as she looks us both over.

"Then I'll go back to work."

Just as I'm about to leave, Olivia suddenly calls out to me: "Wait a moment."

"That outfit you're wearing looks like the H brand's classic limited edition? Over a hundred thousand dollars. There are only two in Ocean City, one with me and the other with my cousin. Where did you get yours?"

"Mine is a replica, just a few hundred dollars."

Olivia smiles, speaking slowly: "You're so vain. If you met someone who didn't know better, they might actually believe you could afford a hundred-thousand-dollar outfit. What level are you to wear the same as me? Even fakes are not allowed!"

She takes out five hundred dollars in cash from her bag and places it on the table. "I'll give you money, you cut up this outfit."

As she speaks, two people come up to strip off my clothes.

When they're about to cut with scissors, one of them suddenly trembles, "Miss White, this... is the one from Capital City. It's genuine."

Olivia's expression changes.

Lucas, however, remains calm. He takes out a blank check from his pocket, signs a number, then throws it on the ground. "Miss Shaw doesn't have occasions to wear such clothes anymore. It's better to exchange it for money. I'll buy this outfit."

I bend down to pick up the check, my fingertips pressing slightly. Ten thousand.

Lucas looks at Olivia, his tone indulgent: "Cut it."

"Aren't we bullying her?" Olivia asks.

"How could we? We've paid for it."

I remain silent, my nails digging into my palm, painfully.

Behind me comes the sound of fabric being torn.

The top-quality hand-woven fabric turns into shreds under the scissors.

Pearls scatter, covering the ground.

Coincidentally, at this moment, several of Olivia's acquaintances enter the restaurant, amusedly looking at my disheveled state.

Then they pass by me, saying: "You two are engaged, right? If there's good news, remember to let us know."

Olivia smiles shyly, "Lucas says the baby is already in his plans, so there should be good news soon."

Their conversation is joyful, no one noticing me in the middle, wearing thin clothes and freezing cold.