Scarlett’s POV“Scar, what’s wrong?” Aurora frowns, then as if realized something, she slowly looks up at the fancy hotel, her voice now shivering, too, “...what’s today’s party again...?”Then she takes a gasp.“Yeah...” My brain freezes, and before I could do anything, I watched a police car pulling up, and Lilith comes off.“You sure it’s here? It doesn’t look like a place for people like us--” Damon’s voice follows Lilith out as she sprints to us, “Lil!”“Scar!” Lilith crushes into me for a big hug, turning to make a naught face at Damon, “Told you I got the right address!”Damon sticks his head out at me and Aurora: “Sorry I’m dumping my problem on you guys, but I’m on a case right now and I really can’t--”“It’s okay, we got her,” Aurora nods at him, and I dart my eyes down to the ground -- we can’t tell Lilith to leave now. It wouldn’t be any less humiliating than telling her it’s an upper-class party that we are going for.And Lilith came in a pair of jeans. Just great.Aurora
Scarlett’s POVI really want to throw my purse into his face before leaving with Lilith, but I can’t do that to Granny. Our war should not ruin her day.In the end, we watched Sebastian and Ava walk in with winning smiles, leaving us by the gate. While Ava attacked Lilith just to upset me, she has a point. I can’t let Lilith walk in there in her jeans. It would definitely upset Granny.So long as we get a dress, we can make it through the party. Granny might not even notice her.“It’s okay, I can wait for you guys at some bar nearby,” After me and Aurora’s awkward explanation, Lilith hugs us with a comforting smile, “I really don’t mind.”“It’s only because--” I want to explain more. If only I had told Aurora what the party was about.If only I thought I could handle Sebastian and Ava on my own...“You know I don’t like this kind of stuff, I understand,” Lilith grins at me, not looking offended. Or she just hides it well.“I--”“What seems to be the problem here?”An unfamiliar voice c
Sebastian’s POVGranny’s birthdays have been the happiest days of our marriage, that’s for sure.For a moment there, I seem to have seen the Scar I used to know. When I felt her tender body under my plam again, when I saw her lively eyes. When she talked to me.She used to report everything to me. Even a weird-shaped cloud outside her window she would take a picture and send it to me, adding a smiley face. But now, all she talks about with me is the fucking divorce.I don’t want a divorce.Too much is at stake. The stock, the company’s image, Granny’s wrath. I clearly remember how stern Granny was when she heard that the marriage was a deal Scar made by threatening a life. I don’t know how Scar turned Granny around, but Granny loves Scar now, sometimes more than she loves me.Scar keeps using Ava to probe me. About how I can marry Ava now. That’s how I know she still cares about me, she just hides her love away and wouldn’t let me see any. Her way of showing her love used to be nothing
Scarlett's POVI think Granny heard me. In fact, I think half of the party heard me. But Granny is not the kind of person that would embarrass you in public, and I dare not to bring it up myself -- I just yelled at her beloved grandson, and now my ears are burning.I don’t even know what I could say IF she asked. We have never fought in front of Granny before.“How are you doing recently?” Granny chats with me casually, leading the way among the crowd, nodding and returning smiles from time to time, “Sebastian mentioned something about a new job?”I sneak a glance at Sebastian, and he rolls his eyes all the way to the ceiling.So he “complained” something about a new job. No doubt it’s because of Adrian.“It’s because my...hmmm, Mom, mentioned Richard Hanson the other day,” I try to find my words to skip the crazy mess that happened recently without lying...too much, “and I thought maybe I could give my script a try.”“Ohh, you wrote a script?! How wonderful!” Granny exclaims with a su
Scarlett’s POV“Granny, I’ll go check!” I pick up my dress a little, hurrying to leave.“I’ll come with,” Granny says, frowning as she looks over, too. She doesn’t like people raising a fuss at her party, and she would like it even less if she knows who Lilith is.I blurt: “No need, Granny, I’ll sort it out--”But before I can finish, a fair-sounding voice cuts in:“Granny, no need to stress yourself out. I’m sure Scar can take care of the situation...considering that girl is her friend.”Ava Snake Fuller. Of course she would jump out at such a moment. I bet whatever is going on with Lilith, Ava has her hand in it. She’s the only one with a motive to attract sour attention to Lilith.To my surprise, Granny didn’t get any of Ava’s keywords, but asks coldly: “Who are you calling Granny?”The smile freezes on Ava’s face. She quickly flinches to Sebastian’s side and murmurs: “I’m sorry, Mrs. Knight...”Granny shoots her a cold, knife-like glare before she strides in Lilith’s direction like
Scarlett’s POVI used to argue with Ava, when I cared.I don’t care about Sebastian anymore, and I no longer have any desire to “win” over her, especially in a meaningless argument. She has his heart, end of story. I just want to protect my friend right now.Ava always wins our battles by making me the bully. She doesn’t know how to handle my surrender. Utter speechless, she bites her lips in silence, and her dogs move away hesitantly.I grab Lilith’s wrist as I turn to Granny: “I’m really sorry...”“Where are you going?”I almost run into a guy, and I pull to a sudden halt at his words. He replaced the mean girls' group, blocking my way. To think I thought it was fascinating how we shared a rare eye color. Now I just want to hit him in the head when I see his taunting eyes.I KNEW he was part of the evil plan!!!“You--!” I grip his collar to blow out. He grabs my wrist gently, stopping me from doing more damage, but not hurting me as he cuts me off faster:“I thought the fuss was abou
Scarlett's POV“So, you are saying that I bought a knockoff, is that it?”The handsome stranger does not let Lilith go, but looks up at the group of mean girls with a nod. Suddenly all his moves are elegant in my eyes, a pleasure to watch for some reason.I think Lilith feels the same because she is looking up at him with a smitten slash stunned look from his chest.“I--” The mean girls all look at the one standing in the middle, Olivia Keen, Ava’s best friend. She hems and haws, “I mean...”Eyes darting to Ava, she’s too nervous and she needs instructions from her master.“I’m sorry, who are we talking to?” Ava clears her throat and steps up, her tone polite and her voice pleasent. It’s the voice she uses when she wants to impress. Guess it’s universal that the stranger is considered handsome. Or Ava just evaluated the tailed suits on him well.The stranger cocks his eyebrows with an amused look as if pleasantly surprised.I’m nervous again. If Ava wants to come off as charming, she c
Scarlett’s POVThe circle is surprised to utter silence. Aurora frowns -- Granny is resolving the situation on his behalf and he doesn’t seem to understand that. Ava smiles politely with restraint, delivering her disappointment at an “unreasonable liar” perfectly.Even Granny is surprised.Lilith shoots over a worried look at him and he gives her a reassuring smile.The mean girls throw mocks mixed with attacks, but none seem to even land on the stranger. He just stands there with a polite smile, looking directly at Ava.“I’m not sure if I want to answer your question,” Ava pouts lightly, “considering you didn’t answer mine.”About his name? I mean, sure he didn’t answer, but I would hardly consider that an offense--“Why did you--” The stranger takes a step in Ava’s direction and Ava backs a step as if scared.Instantly Sebastian walks up and stands between Ava and the stranger.“I mean no harm. Can I not even talk to the lady who made a pretty mean accusation at me?” The stranger loo
What?!All happened too fast and Scar is not even coming around. Her body is moving before her mind catches up. Her legs could barely keep up with his pace. All she knows is, that Sebastian is holding her hands tight in his palm, his palm warm and firm.“Careful!” Sebastian kicks open the back door of the warehouse, blocking the rebound of the door as he shouts at Scar, “This way!”They turn left right after they dash out of the door even though the door is open to a huge yard.Why? They might have guns? Scar finds it funny that her brain is full of a bunch of useless nonsense, but it can’t process what’s going on or what to do next when she tries.“Do you think you can climb over the wall if I get you on my shoulder? Scar?!”It’s only when Sebastian’s shout pulls her flowing mind back that she realizes he already led her down to the wall of the yard. She can’t. The wall is over four meters. Even a ninja couldn’t climb over a smooth concete wall like this.“I can’t! I’m sorry!” Scar b
“What are you doing here?!” Scar blurts.She was expecting Silco to come to save her. Maybe even Damian. They are the only two who know her whereabouts. Never did she expect her cold Ex who had all his heart on Ava would come to her rescue when she literally just slapped him and announced her death sentence on that girl he cared about enough to challenge the law.Maybe he was telling the truth?“Who the fuck are you?!” The driver demands at Sebastian, visibly more panicking than before.Looks like he is new to this business.“Hey, calm down,” Scar has to remind him when his hand is shaking, “You don’t want to carry a life on your head, do you?”“Ohh, sorry!” The driver blurts.Scar: “...”Is he really an outlaw Jack Fuller hired to rob her?! Did he just apologize to her for putting a knife on her neck?The driver doesn’t answer. Scar turns to his side slightly, just enough to glance at the earbuds he is wearing. He is getting orders from his boss!“Don’t move!” The driver snaps at Sca
It’s the car that followed Scar out of the auction house.She should have known. But too distracted, she didn’t notice that they tailed us earlier. It wasn’t a misunderstanding. They WERE following her and they ARE after something.The files!“Off, the car!” The driver came off our side and is now outside Scar’s door. His barrel pointed right at her head.“Author? Author, are you okay?” Scar opens her door slowly, taking the chance to ask for her loyal driver.Authur blacked out on his seat.“Off, now!” The guy demands again, knocking on her window in haste.“Jack Fuller sent you, didn’t he?” Scar comes out of the car, putting on a calm mask, “However much he is giving you, I can double the price.”“I don’t know what you are talking about,” The guy replies impatiently, “All I know is, you have to come with me.”“I--” Scar wants to give it another shot, and the gun almost sticks into her mouth. She purses her lips, and the guy indicates a direction with his gun, pushing her forward.An
Long after Scar stormed out of Sebastian’s company, her hands are still shaking. It takes three of Authur for her to snap out of it to hear his question.“Where are we heading now, Miss?” Authur is patient just as the first time he asked her.“Sorry!” Scar takes a deep breath, combing her hair with her fingers to calm herself, “Let me…give me a minute.”She’s two hours early for her dinner plan with Damian. Either going back to Silco, or sitting by herself for another two hours. But Scar wants to do neither.She can’t help letting Sebastian’s words get to her.If it was before, she would never doubt his word even when he treated her as his enemy. That man doesn’t lie. But now? She’s not sure. He let Ava get to her not once, but twice. Honesty is not the only thing that matters in this game.She’s not even sure if his feelings have changed about lying. After all, it was Ava. Scar won’t be surprised no matter what that man does for her.Could it be true though?She didn’t see that woman
The fateful night five years ago, Sebastian almost lost the two people he cared about the most. His wife, and his unborn baby that he didn’t even know existed. He spent all the time he could spare after taking care of the baby and Scar on tracking the person who broke in, and he knew as much as the police if not more. That’s why the policeman didn’t arrest Ava --It wasn’t her.Ava didn’t cut her wrist when she was taken to the hospital. She did sneak out of her room and back in through her window. All of that was true. Scar accused Ava of being in the house, and provided detailed evidence about when she heard noises in the house and what happened after that, and the police did look in that direction. It was actually easy to find out how that person broke into the house without triggering the security system--Ava’s fingerprint was used as the last guest, exactly at the time when the break-in happened.But it was exactly Scar’s testimony that proved Ava’s innocence--Ava was captured
“I told you, I’m not after your money nor your company,” Scar says calmly, dropping the card on the table.“Then what are you after? Why are you here with a card to help me from going bankrupt?” Letting the card bouncing off the table, Sebastian grabs her wrist instead before she could pull back. He leans in so close that she could smell his cologne, his head bent lower to nail her eyes as his whisper stiffens her body: “...why do you care at all…Mrs…Knight?”“I’m not--!” Scar tries to swing his hand off, only to stop in the middle of her outburst, glaring at him like a puffed balloonfish.Sebastian curves his lips.“You are not Mrs. Knight? I know.”Scar won’t answer.“You hate me, don’t you?” Sebastian announces. The pain in his voice hidden well. “You hate me so much that you don’t want anything to do with me, even if I’m handing you my everything. Why won’t you say it out loud?”Scar lowers her eyelids to prevent the man from seeing through her, but he continues--“The Scar I knew
Prepared for this question, Scar answers unnecessarily fast: “I couldn’t risk anyone helping Ava to get MY Mom’s necklace. That’s why.”Her answer dims the pleasant light in Sebastian’s eyes.“I know…” Sebastian nods slowly, hiding the disappointment in his eyes, “But you didn’t have to come help because of that, did you?”Scar snorts coldly: “I’m doing this for Granny, not you.”“Granny kicked me out of the company for what happened five years ago,” Sebastian lets out a light laugh, “I’m pretty sure she would be the last one who would want you to help me right now.”Scar raises her eyebrows. She didn’t think Granny would be so cruel to Sebastian, but then again, there weren’t too many who could rip Sebastian’s title easily.“What did you tell her?” Scar frowns.Scar blamed Sebastian only because he trusted the wrong person. Legally, or any other aspect speaking, he wasn’t the killer five years ago. He just protected the killer was all. But Ava was never convicted, and Scar didn’t thi
“You want to meet early?” Scar glances at her phone to make sure the caller is indeed Damian, “Sure thing, but how early can dinner be?”She’s a bit surprised that Damian would move their dinner plan forward, but considering how he has been making effort to build a connection, she persuaded herself.“Authur, could you--?”“Yes, Miss Green,” Authur answers swiftly, “After you deliver the card, I will drive you right over.”Scar: “…”This time she’s really not trying to dodge that bullet! Didn’t he hear that it was Damian Vanderbilt who--… Whatever.Standing in front of Sebastian’s new building, Scar is still grumbling Silco’s name, along with his evil loyal driver, Author. Sebastian’s new building is not the same as before – the modern design of Z-house as its own symbol. This time it’s just a normal building, low-key to the extreme, considering its owner’s usual luxurious style.A sour wave washes Scar’s heart.Kind and gentle, Sebastian was never low-key. He was the shining prince of
“Why do I have to do it myself?!” Scar huffs, glaring at Silco.Sitting on the sofa casually with his legs crossed, Silco glances at Scar from above the papers he’s reading, amused. A moment ago the girl was crying in his arms, and now she’s like a kitten with her tail stomped on.“I can send Arthur over!” Scar pouts.“If you can command him,” Silco answers almost gently, but the laughter in his voice is not hidden at all.Scar rolls her eyes.“I’ll just--I--” Scar blurts, fidgeting around, “You already gave up on Sebastian’s company, so why are you making the one last step so hard for me?!”“Sorry, I didn’t think delivering a card to a fancy office building with a driver at your service all the time would be a horrifying chore,” Silco answers, still with that annoying smile.“You KNOW that’s not what I’m talking about!” Scar snaps angrily. If she had been grateful to this man with her full heart a moment ago, she is now annoyed 120%, “You can send anyone but me!”“I’m spending two bi