Chapter 9

Lucy spotted Kaylee first.

Immediately, she wrapped her arms around Alex's and rested her head on his shoulder, face glowing with feminine charm.

Kaylee had thought seeing this would hurt, even if she'd moved on.

After all those years together.

But she felt nothing.

If anything, it was almost laughable.

Laughable that she'd been such a fool for this fickle man who looked down on her.

That she'd repeatedly convinced herself to excuse his behavior.

Ignoring Lucy's gaze, Kaylee walked up to Alex. "Mr. Morgan."

His expression brightened at this formal address.

He turned to her, reaching for the clothes.

Kaylee handed him a shirt, then a silk scarf and tie. "Mr. Morgan, this scarf would suit these pants better, but I brought a tie too in case it's a formal occasion."

"Good."

Alex glanced at both items, turning to hand them to Lucy.

Still clinging to his arm, Lucy didn't catch his meaning.

Alex frowned. "Take these."

Lucy glanced at Kaylee, adjusted her hair, but didn't take the clothes. "Alex, I'm your girlfriend, not your maid. I don't do this sort of thing."

Alex's frown deepened.

He was used to treating girlfriends like servants.

Used to them complying sweetly.

Seeing their standoff, Kaylee knew what would come next.

She pulled out her phone and immediately transferred two payments of $100,000 to Alex, then sent him her detailed expense records.

"Mr. Morgan, thank you for your family's care these twenty years. I've kept records since third grade of almost every penny spent on me. My total comes to $167,300. I'm paying you $200,000 including interest. From now on, I'll help your family if needed, but if you need a maid, please find someone else."

Alex froze.

He understood her meaning instantly.

But couldn't believe it.

Kaylee added, "If you think it's not enough, I'll pay more next year when I earn more."

Alex had never intended for her to repay anything.

Lucy jumped in. "You went to international school with Alex since elementary. $200,000 wouldn't cover one year's tuition."

"Mr. Morgan knows exactly how much my education cost."

Kaylee ignored Lucy.

She didn't blame her much.

This was mainly Alex's fault.

"Whatever the amount, you got the education, the tuition must—"

"Shut up."

Alex cut Lucy off mid-sentence.

He knew better than anyone how little Kaylee's education had cost.

She'd won scholarships, and besides uniforms, wore mostly hand-me-downs from classmates.

He'd even yelled at her about it before.

Lucy was shocked at his reaction.

All because of this housekeeper's daughter!

"Alex, I'm your girlfriend!"

Lucy's face reddened with anger.

Usually, she'd storm off.

But she couldn't leave.

They were meeting Alex's uncle for dinner.

Lucy's father was at the same hotel for business, waiting for a chance to pay his respects and network with Alex's uncle.

Kaylee needed no defense from Alex. She turned to Lucy, "Miss Kingston, my academic record earned me full scholarships from elementary through high school - twelve years of free tuition plus additional grants. Yes, the Morgans helped with other expenses, and I've recorded every cent. If you or Mr. Morgan think it's not enough, show me proof and I'll pay more."

Alex and Lucy's relationship wasn't her concern.

But they couldn't fight now.

Knowing Alex, if they broke up later, he'd blame her for what she did today.

Before Lucy could respond, Alex spotted something at the entrance and his expression turned ingratiating. "Uncle!"

Both women followed his gaze.

William, nearly six-foot-three, cut an imposing figure in his bespoke suit that emphasized his tall frame. Every movement exuded aristocratic grace.

His presence in the hotel’s grand lobby was impossible to ignore.

"That's... that's your uncle?" Lucy's voice trembled.

She'd never met Alex's uncle.

She'd imagined a portly middle-aged man in his fifties.

Not this striking young man who could rival any Hollywood star!

Alex ignored her comment, shoving the shirt into her hands before hurrying to greet his uncle.

William noticed Alex first, then raised his dark eyes to Kaylee behind him.

At that moment, she was looking right at him.

As their eyes met, Lucy tapped Kaylee's shoulder. "Kaylee, I'm sorry about earlier. Since we're dining with Alex's uncle, why don't you join us? Let me make it up to you."

Her voice was soft, almost plaintive.

Kaylee suddenly understood why Alex liked her.

Despite her obvious agenda, she still played the damsel card.

As she spoke, the men approached.

William's gaze swept over Kaylee's face before he turned to Alex with a sidelong glance. "Why is Kaylee here?"

"I asked her to bring me clothes."

Alex saw nothing wrong with this.

As if Kaylee was meant to serve him this way.

William's elegant features darkened with displeasure. "Alex, if it weren't for Kaylee's mother sacrificing her life, who knows which of us would have lost our mother. Such a debt can never be repaid. Whatever the family has done for her is the least we could do - it can't make up for her loss."

"I... I understand," Alex quickly agreed.

"And remember, we employed Kaylee's mother, not Kaylee. If I hear about you treating her like a servant again, you can forget about any involvement in any projects."

William's voice was like a calm ocean, but dangerous undercurrents lurked beneath.