Scarlett’s POVI stop, but I don’t know how to turn around.For a long moment I pause there, and for a long moment, he waits patiently behind me.How great it would be, if he had asked me this question at ANY POINT in our marriage? If he had doubted Ava just a little bit in the long time window when I kept hope, I would have jumped to tell him the truth. If I had even a shred of confidence that he would have believed me, I would have.But now...I turn around, only to find him standing on the green grass when I’m already off on the cold blacktop. A hard line between us, like the five years that we can leap over. He looks at me with too complicated a look that I can’t quite read. In his eyes are hope, struggle, hesitation, and...fear.Fear of what? Of me being the girl he saved? Or not?“The question is...” I take a deep breath just so I can look into his eyes, “Do you WANT me to be?”Were you taking care of Ava ONLY because of that girl, or was your love for her also because of who sh
Scarlett’s POV“I, owe, you?” I raise my eyebrows, poking his chest with a frown.Sebastian chuckles at my “attack”, holding my waist tighter: “I owe you a million apologies and more. I owe you a good husband, a comfortable home, and five years of happiness, but yes, this one thing, you do owe me.”“I gave you a chance and a million after that,” I humph at him, trying to push him away with my arms as wedges between us. Effort in vain.“You don’t love me anymore, do you?” Sebastian asks and I lower my eyes. He taps my chin up with a hooked finger, but to my surprise, there is a smile instead of sadness in his eyes, “I know you don’t, and I deserve that. But you forced me to marry you when I wasn’t in love with you, and you owe me a chance to pursue you now, when our position is exactly the opposite.”“I just want what you asked of me five years ago, Scar,” Sebastian gazes at me with his soulful eyes, “Every bit of my debt I will pay, but I want to collect just this one debt from you...
Damian’s POV“Surprised to see you without your little pet,”I’m about to be bored to death at Oliver’s party. Well, sort of a “party”. It’s just a club where a lot of actors hang out, and he just invited a few more, and tagged it a “truth and dare” themed night. I enjoy a drink with him occasionally, but a quiet drink, not this type.“I wouldn’t be if I’m not stuck here, so, thanks for that,” I roll my eyes at him, resting my arms and neck on the back of the sofa as I try to ease the sourness in them. Oliver calls Lilith my little tail because I have been working extra hours recently -- something I don’t normally do -- just to spend time with Lilith.I never liked the mentor-apprentice rule in law firms, but when she came to join, I couldn’t help but chase off all the other partners who had eyes on her.I never thought I would want one myself.But how could I not? She’s perfect. Lilith is a great work companion, a kind person and a cute girl. She works herself to the most, but she wou
Damian’s POV“The mean girl? Who’s married? Whose blood type is registered as AB?” I blink at Oliver, can’t quite process what he said, “How much did you drink tonight?”He rolls his eyes at me. He rolls his eyes at ME when he is the one being ridiculous?!“Uncle Johnny always says that I saved your life, when in fact I hesitated about helping you,” Oliver suddenly blurts, coming to sit by my side, “I felt bad taking your help because...I don’t know if I would have saved you, if it wasn’t my team member that hurt you in the first place.”“What do you mean?”“I mean,” Oliver raises his glass, giving me a mysterious smile, “the world is a dark place.”What does that mean?!“You know I lost my parents to a car accident, right?” Oliver leans in, his voice low and his look heavy, which is very rare, if you know him. “A car crashed into him, but it wasn’t an accident. It was murder.”“What?! Why the hell didn’t you say anything?! We can look into it--”“The driver is still in prison,” Oliver
Damian’s POV“So the surprise you invited tonight was Scarlett Fuller?”Oliver gives me his icon smirk: “You said you wanted to get to know her while looking into whether she’s the real Alice, no? So, I invited both of them.”And neither of them showed up.Waited late into the night, Oliver finally began to get nervous. Taking the time to rest, I close my eyes so I don’t have to see his guilty look.“That’s weird...” Oliver mumbles to himself, but makes it loud enough for me to hear, “I was so sure that at least Scarlett Fuller would come...”I can’t help my laugh escaping me, and Oliver hits me on the shoulder with red ears.“What?!” I laugh at him, “You have met them like what, twice?? What makes you so sure that--”“I saw her eyes!” Oliver cuts me off with solemn look, “I recognize a clean look in them, it’s like...like someone who maintains her innocence after seeing real darkness...I don’t know how to describe it, but I just feel her, okay?!”Seeing my taunting nod his solemnness
Damian’s POVI frown at the sight, confused, too.I got her 10,000$ in that fight last time. I didn’t dare give her more because she might get suspicious. So when she didn’t return to the black fight club, I took that as the money being enough to cover whatever problem she was having. So why is she doing another part-time? At such a place no less?!“You don’t work your people too hard, do you?” Oliver says with a sarcastic tone, “I knew there was a dark side in that girl! Not to brag but... I told you soooo.”I click my tongue at him, and he raises both his hands but rolls his eyes at the same time.Oliver doesn’t like Lilith for some reason. He keeps calling her my pet because he sees her as a gold digger. Well, he sees all women around me as gold diggers, and most of the time, I agree with him. But he is wrong about Lilith. She has something special in her. I don’t know why he can’t see that.“Since your surprises are not coming anyway--” I stand up, sorting my suit. Maybe I should
Scarlett's POVI asked Sebastian to come to the party with me. Well, I told Sebastian about it, and he tagged along against my suggestion.“Since when have you been interested in disco bars?” Sebastian tries to hide his impatience. Effort in vain. He prefers quiet ones.“No one even invited you,” I roll my eyes, looking around for Oliver.“I want to be with YOU,” He grunts, following me tightly as he tries to avoid making contact with anyone, an annoyed look on his face, “It could have been at home--”“I couldn’t have been because I wasn’t planning on going home with you,” I wheel on him, somehow, in the crowd, “I said you have a chance, under the condition that you won’t put Ava Fuller above me. I’m not just going back to be your tamed little wife, not again!”“I know, I know!” He raises both his hands, smiling tamely, “I’m sorry. You can at least come home to sleep, no? I won’t be there.”“So what, now I’m chasing you out of your own house?” I shake my head, but before we can get to
Scarlett’s POVMy only way out is blocked by Oliver Scott.What do I do? Why does he seem to have a problem with me? I barely even know him. For Ava? If so, then does that mean he would look out for his real sister? But he wanted her dead! Besides, I can’t even prove I AM his sister even if I want to!“Hey, it’s okay,” Oliver Scott suddenly says, “He is here for a girl who played him, and that’s why he came to my table. If you don’t like it, I’ll ask him to leave.”“Tsk,” Damian Vanderbilt clicks his tongue, shooting a glare at his friend, “Seriously?”I blink the tears that are almost pouring out back in. Really? He would be on my side?“I want to leave,” I say quietly to Oliver Scott, staring into his eyes, my heart pumping fast in my chest. Oliver looks at me for several long seconds without too much of an expression, but then he stands up and makes way.“I didn’t know bullies scares so easily,” Damian Vanderbilt taunts. I turn around in worry, but he is not coming after me, “I mea
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