Chapter 10

Chelsey glanced at Shannon's hand, which was wrapped in gauze, and asked casually, "Did you catch the people who attacked you?"

A trace of terror flitted past Shannon's face at her question. She subconsciously leaned closer to Lucas. "Yes, but we didn't find the mastermind."

Lucas' expression darkened. He scrutinized Chelsey, seemingly wanting to detect any trace of her being the mastermind.

Chelsey sneered. "What does it matter? Lucas thinks I'm the one who hired those people to do that to you, anyway. He even wanted to break my hand to avenge you, you know!"

The drama queen in Shannon immediately took over. She said to Lucas tearily, "Lucas, Ms. Jenson cared for you without a complaint for three years; you can't suspect her of these things. Look at how much she loves you—you'd break her heart by saying something like that.

"I trust Ms. Jenson, and I know she wouldn't do something like that. You have to treat her well, Lucas."

Every word out of Shannon's mouth made it seem like she was speaking up for Chelsey, but every word stabbed Chelsey in the heart.

Chelsey waved a hand impatiently. "Alright, you can drop the act. It gets on my nerves. If you want to put on a show, you can do it outside. I'm not interested."

Shannon's tears streamed down her face. It was as if she had a bottomless source of them. "I'm sorry. I'll get going immediately. I only came over here to look for you because I was worried, Lucas. I didn't mean to disturb you and Ms. Jenson.

"You don't have to take me anywhere. I'll head home on my own. Bye."

Lucas stopped Shannon from leaving and glared at Chelsey. "Stop being so ruthless, Chelsey. Shannon hasn't done anything to offend you, nor has she badmouthed you in any way. She even advised me to treat you well!

"Yet all you've done is slander and humiliate her. You're too petty!"

Chelsey was speechless. "Yes, you're absolutely right. Shannon White is the kindest, most loving, and most adorable woman on this earth, while I'm the most evil, cruel, and ruthless witch ever.

"I'm petty, selfish, and sharp-tongued. Now, have you said your piece? If you have, get the fuck out of here. This is my home, and I don't want to see any of you here!"

"Well, I don't want to see you, either. Let's go, Shannon!"

Lucas kept his arm around Shannon's shoulder as he stormed out of the villa.

Chelsey scoffed and headed upstairs. She'd never felt so exasperated in her life. Honestly, what had possessed her to make her fall for someone as blind and heartless as Lucas?

Thank God it wasn't too late for her to realize her mistakes and turn a new leaf. She was only 22 years old and in the prime of her youth.

Chelsey headed upstairs to track down her phone. It, too, had run out of battery. She charged it and called Sandra.

As soon as the call was connected, Sandra asked urgently, "Are you okay, Chels?"

"Yeah. Why was Lucas the one to take me home last night?" Chelsey had no recollection whatsoever of how she'd gotten home.

Sandra said angrily, "I was gonna do it, but he swept you off your feet and left without a word. He even had his bodyguards stop me from following him! What the hell is going on between you two?

"He seemed pretty worried about you, you know. Did you two …"

Sandra didn't finish her sentence, but Chelsey knew what she meant.

"Nah, nothing happened. His first love just came over to look for him, and he left with her. We even had an argument. I don't want to see that shameless couple ever again!"

When Sandra heard how angry Chelsey sounded, she couldn't help saying, "Could there be some sort of misunderstanding between you and Lucas? From what I saw last night, he doesn't treat you too badly …"

"Alright, that's enough. Let's not talk about him anymore. The mention of his name disgusts me."

Chelsey didn't want to harbor any hopes for Lucas anymore. She should've given up on him from the moment he'd chosen Shannon.

Three years was more than enough time to melt even a heart of stone, but he still didn't have any feelings for her.