If her friend Diya hadn’t been forbidden by her family from contacting her, Lena wouldn’t have had to turn to that so-called "fiancé" of hers—who broke up with her the moment her family hit financial trouble. Lena stepped out of the club, her solitary figure starkly contrasting with the lively scene she’d just left behind.
The memory of what happened inside left her feeling sick to her stomach, lingering unshakably. Feeling unsteady, Lena clutched her transit card and headed toward the bus stop. Ironically, she’d only learned how to use public transportation a few days ago. Even though she was adopted, her parents had never treated her any less than their own, spoiling her like a little princess. But times had changed. Now she couldn’t even afford gas, let alone a car of her own. She sighed softly. After walking just a short distance from the club, she felt an intense gaze from the street. Looking up, she saw a tall figure leaning against a red sports car. She didn’t need to see his face to know who it was; she knew this person all too well, as loud and showy as his car. She was already having a rough day and had no desire for a confrontation, so she pretended not to see him and kept walking. “Lena.” A deep voice reached her ears. Lena’s mouth twitched. She knew he wouldn’t let her go that easily. Shooting him a glare, she said coldly, “Alaric, I’m not in the mood to spar with you today.” “Let me guess—your fiancé threw you out?” Alaric said, his arms crossed casually, his relaxed stance highlighted by the warm streetlight reflecting off his prominent nose, deep brown hair, and piercing brown eyes. Knowing the type of place she’d just left, he could easily guess who she’d been trying to meet. His words were like a sharp stone striking her. The frustration she’d held back inside the club bubbled to the surface. Lena turned back, stepping into the same pool of light, her doll-like face now clear, tinged with a trace of anger. Her long, wavy, light-brown hair swayed as she glared up at him, standing her ground with piercing blue eyes. “Thrown out? Watch your wording!” With their height difference, she had to look up to meet his gaze, but she wasn’t about to back down. “Does he own this place? I have every right to be here.” Alaric raised an eyebrow. “No need for the attitude. I was just concerned about you, you know. We’ve known each other long enough.” They’d known each other a long time, yes, but they’d never been friends. From grade school through high school and even into the business world, they were often compared. Their families worked in similar industries, and they were close in age. Their rivalry started when they first met at six years old, in one summer incident where Lena accidentally hit Alaric with a ball. He thought she was rude; she thought he was soft. They’d been at odds ever since. At that time, Alaric wasn’t even taller than Lena. But by high school, his height and build shot up like a wild tree, towering over her. “Oh, thanks for the concern.” Lena’s words dripped with sarcasm, each one squeezed out through gritted teeth. “I’m sure you were the first to cheer when my family’s business went under.” Alaric’s family was also in real estate, though recently they’d branched out internationally. “Hey, don’t make it sound like we caused your problems. Your company expanded too fast, over-leveraged, and that’s what led to your financial crisis. It’s a shame we’ve lost a competitor, but I really feel for the suppliers, creditors, and investors you all left hanging…” “Shut up. I don’t need your reminders.” The tension between them thickened in the air. Alaric shrugged, feigning innocence. “I just can’t believe you, of all people, would go crawling to your so-called fiancé… or should I say ex-fiancé. I told you years ago he was no good.” Stellan was well-known in their circle as a player. Alaric had warned Lena about him three years ago, but back then, she’d thought he was just being spiteful. “Hah, like you’re any better.” Lena gave him a once-over. Wasn’t he right outside the club too? Alaric hadn’t come to party; he was here for a business deal, though he saw no need to explain that to her. “Honestly, you’d be better off asking me for help. You’d have better odds.” He watched her, clearly amused. “You?” Lena scoffed, as if he’d just told her a joke. “You think I’d ever trust you? Keep dreaming.” Her reaction was exactly what Alaric expected, and he didn’t mind. “At least I have some principles.” Lena knew that Alaric, ever pragmatic and profit-driven, wouldn’t just offer help out of kindness. “So what, you want to use me somehow? Or is there something I have that you need—information...” Alaric’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Of course I’d want something in return. I’m not running a charity.” Her suspicions confirmed, Lena’s mind raced, a faint smirk appearing on her lips. “Then maybe it’s you who should be asking for my help. After all, everyone wants something valuable.” The dynamic shifted; neither was willing to back down. Their gazes locked, an unspoken challenge to see who would break first, each trying to read the other’s thoughts and emotions. Finally, Alaric’s expression relaxed as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a cigarette. With a click of his lighter, a small flame flared, illuminating his face. He took a slow drag. “Heh, here you are, acting all tough. You wouldn’t have gone to Stellan if you had any other option. I’m giving you a real chance, so take it.” Lena, disliking the smell of smoke, stepped back. Alaric’s calm face was hazy behind a veil of smoke. She blinked, an unreadable emotion flickering in her eyes. “No thanks. I don’t have time to waste on you.” It had been a long day, and she was exhausted. Alaric’s expression shifted subtly. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me, right?” Lena, already walking away, raised a middle finger over her shoulder without looking back. The night swallowed her silhouette.Lena returned home to the vast, empty mansion, once filled with warmth and life. Her family was gone, the household staff dismissed, leaving only a hollow shell of the place she used to know. The house itself was now collateral under the company’s assets, with everything inside tagged for repossession. In a few days, it would be sealed off and auctioned to repay their debts.She didn’t have the energy to pack. Instead, she went straight to her bed, lying down and staring blankly at the ceiling. She kept thinking back to last month when her parents had celebrated her twenty-sixth birthday. They had carefully planned every detail of the party: floral arrangements, balloons, creating a dreamy atmosphere. She wore a custom black satin gown with a delicate strap and 3D white feathers adorning it. One of her gifts that night was a set of jewelry with aquamarine gems, the same color as her eyes—a necklace, along with a pair of platinum earrings set with diamonds and pear-shaped aquamarine s
After waiting three days, Diya finally responded, saying her family was monitoring her bank account closely, and she could only send a few ten thousand dollars to Lena.It was just enough for Lena to pay the final wages to the maids, gardener, and driver, with nothing left over for herself. Money wasn’t even the main issue now; she urgently needed a skilled lawyer and some connections to help her. After some thought, she realized her ex-fiancé was her best option—at least he might remember their past relationship. But it was worse than she expected; he only humiliated her.With no news of her family, she couldn’t just sit and do nothing.“That lady up there doesn’t have an invitation,” someone pointed out as Lena stood outside a private cocktail party, trying to slip in with an older couple. She was dressed well enough to look the part, so the security guard at the door hadn’t immediately suspected she wasn’t with them.“Just my luck,” Lena muttered under her breath. When one of the g
“Uncle Tom, how much farther do we have to go?” Lena lifted her skirt slightly as she followed Tom out of the main hall, down a long corridor that became more and more isolated with each step. Her ill-fitting heels chafed painfully against the back of her heels, turning each step into pure agony.“Just a bit further; the person I’m introducing you to is right over there,” Tom replied, his tone now vastly different from the friendly one of fifteen minutes earlier, as if afraid she’d turn and leave.They passed a few steps and arrived at a door with elaborate decorations. The doorman swung it open, and sounds seeped through the gap, eerily reminiscent of the kind she’d heard at the club a few days earlier.—“Boss, it seems Miss Carrington has left the main hall,” Alaric’s assistant whispered by his side.“Good. As long as she knows how to get home.”“It looks like she didn’t head home, though. I think she went off somewhere else with someone.”Alaric paused, frowning slightly. “Somewhe
Lena and Tom turned toward the sound. Alaric stood at the other end of the corridor, his face expressionless, with only an assistant beside him. Lena’s hand, which had been hovering near her high heel, instinctively moved away. Tom cleared his throat, releasing her as he stood up, trying to look casual. "Alaric, what are you doing here?" he asked, his mouth twitching up into a forced smile, causing his mustache to lift with it. Alaric's gaze was dark, and he didn’t answer, striding toward them with his tall frame and repeating what he’d said earlier, "What you just did wasn’t very appropriate, was it?" Tom froze, a faint blush creeping onto his face. "It was just…an accident, really.” Alaric’s stare unsettled him, and Tom decided not to dwell on why Alaric was even standing up for Lena. He only knew he was up against someone who could be both powerful and unpredictable. Stumbling over his words, Tom said, "O
This would be Lena’s last day at the villa. The next morning, she packed a few clothes and essentials into a suitcase, dressed herself in a formal business suit, styled her hair neatly in a half-updo, and put on a pair of comfortable white shoes. She wore no flashy jewelry, but her look was sharp and professional. "Ms. Carrington, how do you feel about everything right now?" "Your employees are facing layoffs and unpaid wages—will you take full responsibility for them?" "Why are you here alone? Where is your family?" "What are your current assets? Will your personal wealth be used to repay the company’s debts?" The reporters' questions were blunt and relentless. They had been camped outside her villa since early morning, with even more swarming outside her company building. Flashbulbs flashed continuously as financial and entertainment journalists all vied for a comment. Even some small creditors and clients
"What's got her so stressed? Is she really wandering the rooftop just because she can't have pretty clothes and bags?" "Haha, you guys are brutal." "I'm heading to the scene now. Anyone coming?" "Count me in—anyone else want to team up?" "Don't bother. She’s not actually going to jump; she’s just looking for sympathy." "Is it really okay to rub salt in someone's wounds like that?" ... The online comments were relentless, and the things people said were too harsh for Lena to ignore. She rolled up her sleeves, adjusted her posture, and her fingers flew over the keyboard. "I'm really sorry for hogging public resources. Rest assured, I have no intention of taking my own life—past, present, or future. Also, if someone truly had suicidal thoughts, those making snide remarks would only be complicit. Please watch what you say, and have a great weekend." Lena switched off her screen and set her phone face down. She didn't care what else people might say; she’d spoken her mind
After staying at the hotel for a week, Lena rented an apartment and was checking out of the hotel. “We look forward to your next visit!” The receptionist politely handed Lena her credit card back. It was a new hotel—not perfect in terms of amenities but with excellent service. She’d had a good experience these past few days. “Wait, it’s you again? Why are you stalking me?” Lena’s smile vanished, replaced with a defensive glare. “Hey, lady, who’s got the time to stalk you?” The guy replied with a smirk, two buttons undone on his shirt, revealing a hint of muscle. “Then what are you doing here?” she asked, eyeing him with suspicion. “This hotel’s mine. Why wouldn’t I be here?” “Yours?” Lena couldn’t believe it. This hotel belonged to Alaric? He grinned proudly. “A little pre-birthday gift for next month. What do you thi
Lena's apartment wasn’t big, but it had the advantage of tight front desk security, keeping journalists away so she could have a little peace. At least, that’s what she thought—A call interrupted the quiet. It was from an unknown international number, most likely a scam, so she didn’t answer. But two minutes later, the same number called again. When it almost went to voicemail, curiosity got the better of her, and she answered.“Lena... it’s me, your mom…”Lena’s hand slipped, and the phone tumbled onto the carpet, spinning as her mind went blank, buzzing in shock. After several seconds, her vision slowly focused. With trembling hands, she picked up the phone, put it on speaker, and set it on the floor. She sat down, hugging her knees, dreading what she might hear, yet unable to turn away.“Lena, are you still there?” Her mother’s voice was gentle, “You must be so tired lately; it must have been so hard. Your dad and I didn’t want to le
Lena glanced at Alaric, who hadn’t moved a muscle. Lowering her eyes, she swiftly swung her legs off the bed. “Forget it. I’m not thick-skinned enough to hog your bed. I’ll just—”As she brushed past him, her dress lightly swept against his leg. In an instant, Alaric’s hand encircled her waist, pulling her back against him. Her back pressed against his rising and falling chest, and even through the fabric, she could feel the heat emanating from his legs, now supporting her seated on his lap.Her breath hitched, and a gravelly voice murmured by her ear, “Be honest, were you thinking about sleeping with me?”The words were nearly the same as before, but the tone was completely different. The air had shifted. Lena’s heart pounded chaotically. She
Lena’s heart skipped a beat as she turned her head, finding Alaric standing there, hands in his pockets, a playful smirk on his face."Finished most of that coffee, huh? Aren’t you worried it’ll keep you up even more?" he teased.A small flicker of relief washed over her, but she quickly masked it, turning her head away with a huff. Of all things, he’d managed to track her down and call out her excuse. She lightly touched her cheek with her fingertips, glancing upward. "And what about you? What are you doing down here? How’d you even know I was at the café?""You’re afraid of ghosts, so obviously you’d stay somewhere well-lit," he said matter-of-factly, taking a seat across from her."
Lena ignored the architect's puzzled look. After carefully studying the drawing, she looked up and said, “This design is solid, no doubt. But I do have a question—when designing this linear layout, did you take the impact of wind direction and sunlight on the residents into account? Considering we’re by the seaside, it’s a crucial factor.”The two architects froze, seemingly caught off guard. Lena's focused gaze bore into them, prompting a response after a brief pause. One of them replied, “We’re addressing it by enhancing window sealing. As for the wind direction…”The other quickly added, “We’ll reassess the building’s orientation to see if adjustments are needed.”Lena nodded slightly before pointing out, “Another thing—I n
When Lena got home, she leaned against the wall, taking several deep breaths. She was terrified that if she’d walked any slower, the words “Do you want to come up for a bit?” would have slipped out of her mouth.She kicked off her heels, tossed her bag aside, and buried her fingers in her hair, exasperated. “What’s wrong with you, Lena? Have you lost your mind?” she muttered, scolding herself. Her hair became as disheveled as her thoughts. She couldn’t let herself repeat the mistake she made last time—getting drunk and accidentally sleeping with him. No way. Not again....Even if his physique and skills were—Stop!She hurried into the kitchen and gulped down some ice water. The sudden
Cassian quietly stepped out of Tessa’s room. “Sorry about that—she fell asleep.”Lena guessed as much. “Her love for naps hasn’t changed one bit since she was a kid.”He sighed. “Exactly. I told her to finish just two pages of homework, and not even an hour later, she passed out at her desk.”Lena chuckled. “See? You do spoil her.”“What can I do? She’s my only sister.” He shook his head with a helpless smile. “Next time, I’ll invite you over earlier and cook for you to make up for tonight.”Lena’s eyes lit up. “Really? You better tell me in advance then, so I can skip dinner the day before!”
As soon as Lena entered Cassian's apartment, a teenage girl, around 14 or 15, came running out of the hallway. Her curly auburn hair matched Cassian's.Lena froze for a moment. The girl she remembered as barely waist-high had suddenly grown so much taller."Brother, you're back!" Tessa exclaimed, throwing her arms around Cassian. He gently patted her head—a habit he had with younger girls. "Look who’s here," he said, gesturing toward Lena.Tessa turned her head curiously and said, "Huh? Who’s this pretty lady? Is she your girlfriend? She looks familiar."Lena chuckled, "I’m not your brother’s girlfriend. But do you remember how you used to run to my house whenever your brother scolded you and you didn’t want to go home?"
Alaric picked up his phone, glanced at it quickly, didn’t type a single word, and put it away again. His expression turned two shades colder than before.Emma tried to keep the conversation going, but he clearly wasn’t in the mood to talk. His replies grew noticeably shorter.Thinking he might just be overworked and tired, Emma reminded herself of the research she had done before this blind date. Alaric had managed a large company at such a young age, and that alone had earned her admiration before they even met. She didn’t want to let go of such a high-quality match.The main course was finished, and dessert was served. Emma picked up her dessert fork but didn’t take a bite. Instead, she said, “I know you’re here because, like me, your parents pushed you into it. Honestly, I hate this kind of thing, t
"Alright, I’m heading out." Alaric placed his napkin on the table, getting ready to stand up.A hand reached across the table and gently pressed down on his.“Alaric, you just got here. You haven’t even warmed the chair and you’re already leaving?” It was Alaric’s mother, Daisy, speaking. She had been pestering him for ages to come home, and now that he finally showed up for dinner, she wasn’t going to let him off so easily. "It’s Friday evening—surely you don’t have anything urgent to do? Stay a little longer.”“I have a few reports to review for Monday’s meeting,” Alaric replied, pulling his hand back as he stood.Mrs. Winfield, not wanting to confront her son directly, redirected her frustration toward her husband, Albert. “Look at you! You handed over the company to him so early, and now he’s too busy to have a life of his own.”Albert was busy staring at his phone.Irritated, Daisy snatched it away.Startled, Albert blinked in confusion. He had been
On Thursday afternoon, the meeting was in full swing.The special meeting focused on the project The Corner in Zone 2, unlike the regular Monday meetings. Lena brought three of her deputies, striving to push for an extension on the project’s delivery deadline.Lena presented her reasoning for why the project required more time than initially planned. She pointed out discrepancies in the early calculations and emphasized the importance of execution quality. “Since this is the company’s first build-to-rent project, I firmly believe we should prioritize quality,” she stated.Alaric, however, disagreed. “The schedule has already been delayed due to previous repairs. There’s no room for further extension. I need to see this project completed by the end of January next year.”His tone was resolute.“Rushing the delivery will lead to inevitable flaws and affect our future leasing potential. Please reconsider quality as a priority,” Lena urged.“No. Our marketing cam