Scarlett’s POVHis men haste up their steps and surround us, all in straight faces with their eyes hiding behind cold sunglasses. “...Adrian...?” My voice is shaking.“Take the tickets,” Adrian puts them in my hand, standing in front of me, “You will be okay. Nobody can touch you today, so long as I’m here.”“Mr. Dunn,” Jack Fuller nods at Adrian with a smile, “Fancy seeing you here.”“I guess I can say the same to you,” Adrian blocks me with his body, “Where are you traveling to, Mr. Fuller, if I may ask?”Jack Fuller curves his lips scornfully, but then he answers tamely: “North Dakota.”My stomach drops. He is here for me, and he knows what I’m up to. I knew he was crafty with a black heart, and I just watched how he tamed Ava. But still. Never have I been more frightened by this man I once called Dad than at this moment.I feel like I could never get out of his grasp.“Scarlett, come home with me,” Jack Fuller took a side step, looking at me right in my eyes, “This is for your own
Scarlett’s POVHe doesn’t want me to find my real family. Of course not. He wants me to be bound to his city, to Ava, for life! And whether I’m happy or suffering in the process, he does not care.Look at Jack Fuller’s cold face, I can’t begin to understand why he hates me so much. I’d understand it if Ava needs me. What he did wasn’t decent, but at least he did out of love for his daughter.Why stop me now?My blood type is rare, but it’s not like I’m the only one. Every state has its own RH- blood bank established, and ours is one of the best. So long as Ava’s demand is within the ordinary range, it won’t be a problem for a rich family like the Fullers.So why keep me here?“I don’t need a plan because I’m not in a hurry to find my real parents,” I break the awkward silence after Adrian’s question, “Sebastian is marrying Ava, so I don’t want to be in the same city and bless my sister with my ex-husband. Is that reasonable?”Jack Fuller narrows his eyes: “You would be willing to divo
Sebastian’s POVI got into a fight with Adrian.I saw Scar with Adrian in the parking lot talking, happily. I could have gone and given her the files. It has been in my car where I basically live these days. I didn’t. I wasn’t in a hurry to cut the only connection between me and Scar.I followed their car, not sure what I wanted out of it. Another talk after Adrian sends her home? What could another conversation do? Everything I do right now only pushes her further away. But I followed them like a lost kid.Adrian the jerk soon spotted me and lost me in the traffic. He was a racer, the one thing I could never win him with.When I caught up with him, Scar already went to see Ava. I admit, I was upset. Ava wasn’t in any urgent need, and he shouldn’t have let her go. Jack Fuller doesn’t care whether Ava needs it. He would drain Scar no matter what.His daughter’s illness planted a hunger for Scar’s blood deeply in him.I demanded why he let Scar do that and he punched me, shouting someth
Sebastian’s POV“...what do you mean...?” Scar’s voice shakes with fear when I get close. She shoots me an indifferent glance like she doesn’t see me at all. Her eyes are red in tears, and her fists shaking.What could Jack Fuller possibly say to her? She wasn’t this upset even when she gave me those files.“You have always thought I faked your adoption file,” Jack Fuller says with a heavy sigh, “You were right. I didn’t adopt you from the orphanage. I found you in North Dakota, in your mother’s cold arms.”“You are lying!” Scar hisses at Jack Fuller like a hurt little kitten. Her ears would fly backward if she had any. She shakes her head and tears fall down but she doesn’t even feel that. She turns to grab Adrian’s shirt with a wronged look, and I glare over at Adrian.“Take her out of here,” I tell Adrian before I turn to Jack Fuller, “You don’t have to do it here, not like this.”I don’t know about Scar’s past, but Jack’s opening doesn’t sound like a nice story.Adrian complies, h
Scarlett's POVWhy did he even help earlier?I stare at him, shocked. I thought he was better than Jack Fuller. I thought though he cared about Ava, he was decent, unlike Jack Fuller.“I’m not staying,” I suppress my anger as it burns away my reason bit by bit, “I don’t fucking care about those files. Just remember, bigamy is a crime.”How much of an influence does he think my feelings toward him still have on me? I don’t want to do anything to them because I don’t want to waste my time on them, not because they can still walk all over me.“I’m not planning on marrying Ava,” Sebastian raises the file, “I just want another chance. You wanted a chance from me, and that’s all I want now--”“I gave everything for that chance!” I snap angrily. He does know how to get me, “Let’s say that you are not asking me to stay for Ava, your way of asking is to threaten me?! What do I have to lose if in this? You want to be bound to me? Be my guest!”Just one person in front of me and Adrian before we
Scarlett's POVI look up in surprise, and I see Ava crying. Sobbing like a deeply wronged, perfect doll, she wipes her face but tears pour out so fast that drops keep splashing near my feet.Nothing good even happens when she cries.“Your mom begged Daddy to take you home...” Ava cries so hard that she has to gasp for air, and that breaks her words, “You want to leave so much, then leave, but Daddy saved you when your mom was turning cold because of the drugs she used! Daddy would have saved her if he--!”“As if I’d believe any of your vicious lies!” I snort at her lousy try, trying to stand up on my twisted ankle, “Junkie? Seriously??? You told me yourself that I was dumped at the orphanage, need I remind you!”Ava is never timid except when she lies. She knows playing the victim gets her what she wants, especially from Sebastian.I’d be stupid if I believed her.“That was anger talk!” Ava keeps up her poor little thing act, “I told you Daddy took you back from that trip to North Dak
Scarlett’s POV“Scar, I’m sorry--” Sebastian comes up, trying to hug me.“I don’t fucking care for your apology,” I cut him off, cutting pieces off him with my eyes, “She is a lying bitch, and she is paying for it, TODAY!”“Scar,” Adrian comes between me and Sebastian in a protective posture, whispering to me, “You are hurt. I'll deal with Ava Fuller later, but now--”“It’s okay,” I push him away gently, “it will only take a minute.”He looks worried, but he purses his lips and just stays by my side as a silent guard.“Did you sign them?” I point at the folder in Sebastian’s hand, “Give me.”He flinches with a reluctant look.My whole world turns red at his move. I swear to God! I take a deep breath to hold in the firing bursting out of me: “I’m fucking staying, so give me the fucking folder!”“Scar, you are in shock--” Sebastian stops his words when I glare at him right in his eyes. I don’t know if my eyes are bleeding, but the whole world looks red.“You used the file to stop me, Se
Scarlett’s POV“He won’t...” Ava grips the torn pieces in her fists, mumbling to me. I don’t know about others, but I certainly see viciousness in her eyes.“What’s that?” I raise my voice as I pull out my phone, shooting a featured video for the drama queen, “Please, you are not saying you are into the husband of your sister, are you?”“Stop that!” Seeing me shooting, Ava covers her face like a vampire exposed under the sun. The camera wakes up her acting spirit, and she snaps out of it.Jack Fuller walks up and pulls her off the ground, a little rougher than necessary.“Mad at her now?” I turn my camera at Jack Fuller, “You weren’t exactly upset when she came to me with the cruel truth about my family. You only see how shameful she is to your family name now?”Jack Fuller shoots me a glare, reaching for my phone. I dodge backward quickly, and Adrian comes up fast, standing in front of me. His hands casually put in his pants, looking harmless.Jack Fuller halts his steps cautiously.
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
All the way home Scar feels like something stuffed in her chest. Over and over again she tells herself that she doesn’t care about Johnny Vanderbilt, but it doesn’t seem to work.A car seemed to have followed her for a while, but it was gone at the last turn.She lives in a house in the upper part of the town now, a community better and safer than the Fuller’s villa. Silco rented her this place, along with the guards. When she arrives, Silco is not yet home.Scar throws herself into the sofa, frustrated about Johnny Vanderbilt, and herself. Not only did she have to take all the garbage about him from Jack Fuller, but she also had to see with her own eyes that the man was not interested in making up with her. Not that she cares, but still, it doesn’t feel good.She is getting mixed information about that man.In Damian’s eyes he was a loving husband, a strict father who spoils his own daughter. But Emma left him for cheating, Anna was convinced that he was still into her, and from what
With Ava and Jack Fuller hovering at the front door, Scar doesn’t even step out of the elevator, but just remains inside for the underground parking lot. She is so drowned in Damian’s words that she barely makes it out before the door closes on her—“You are a lot like Mom,”That’s what he said. Even now Scar’s heart is pumping fast at that. Is she? She doesn’t even remember being held in that woman’s arms. She doesn’t remember the home she briefly stayed in. She doesn’t even remember the car accident which should have left some impression even in her childish mind.But she grew up into a woman a lot like her angel-like mother?What did she blurt? She was so daunted in the face that she murmured: “I have always imagined her to be like one of those…”Elegant ladies. Those who would sit in a café at 3pm, watching out the window with 20-dollar-coffee in hand.“Like a lady, huh?” Damian grins, seeing through her easily, “Nahhhh. Far from it. Mom is cool, almost hippy like. She would drive
I got Mom’s necklace. Even when completing the process in the office after the auction, it still feels surreal. Anna Fuller’s appearance was unexpected, but what was the real surprise was how easily Johhny Vanderbilt gave up on the necklace in the end when I called my price.I can’t take the necklace away, not till the bank processes the deal. But I got all the papers the Fuller’s provided for its authenticity. Finally, the first step of my revenge, is grasped in my palm. The plan is to get the papers and send them to prison –Silco would freeze the card after I win the necklace, giving me exactly three days to prove the Fuller’s guilty on faking the files. I want Mom’s necklace, but I don’t plan on making that bloodsucking family billionaires by buying something originally mine from them.It’s them who have to pay.“So…” I turn to Damian, feeling a bit awkward. I have been really mean to him ever since I met him, and yet he came to my help today without hesitation. I’d be lying if I
The love-and-hatred show is still on as Scar and Damian quarrel. Johnny Vanderbilt would raise his plate instantly after the host announces Anna’s call or even faster, and Anna would pout, bite her lips, and glare over before she raises again. Her face is like a painting plate, changing color in seconds as if every one of his calls is like a bomb blowing up on her face.The phone call comes in at that moment--Anna’s phone rings, breaking the silence in the room, loud and clear. She glances at it with an indifferent face, not picking it up. But her hand hesitates to raise her plate again.“Who could be calling her?” Scar murmurs to Damian. All of Anna’s family is down there by her side. Her parents died years ago. So who could be so important to her that a phone call from him could hesitate her decision?Seeing all these, Johnny Vanderbilt suddenly raises his plate again, this time announcing himself: “Two billion.”Anna’s tears break out as her hand drapes powerlessly -- it’s not the
Tears flow down Anna Fuller’s cheeks, the plate raised halfway in her hand is shaking hard because she was not expecting Johnny Vanderbilt to be so cruel to her—He knew she was going for the necklace, and he did not only bid for it, but actually gave her a price that told her to keep away from it.One billion. What a cold number.Jack Fuller didn’t want her to come. In fact, Jack Fuller didn’t tell her about the auction of the necklace. But she knew. She knows everything about Johnny Vanderbilt, the man who was supposed to be on the sacred altar with her. How could Jack Fuller expect her to not come?Ava is beyond excitement at Johnny Vanderbilt’s bid – to Ava, it’s just a number unnecessarily high for an item they stole with a reserve price low as 30 million. But whatever. Maybe the riches just like to brag about how much money they have. The more the better – for her.The item is listed under her name, and she takes the bigger part of the final price.Scar raises her plate in a has
Scar didn’t think it would go this smoothly.She prepared several other reasons and actually rehersed in her head on her speech to persuade Damian, who known to be an ironwrist in the courtroom, shouldn’t be persuaded easily. But maybe just eager to maintain the peace with his long lost sister, Damian jumped on board without so much as a nudge.All parties are set, and now between Scar and the necklace, remains only “the last minute”.Everyone knows “once, twice, sold,” but few know that after the host announces the upset price, bidders have 60 seconds before the item is announced unsold. This time is called “the last minute” because it’s the most crucial battle between bidders—to decide, fake, trick, or hide their strategies over an item.You don’t want to show your cards too early too clearly. Some would wait for the last few seconds to call, and others use this time to feel out the bottom price from other bidders. Once the first call is announced, it’s a bloody war.Ava wants an un