Chapter 1：She's just a housemaid

Lyra was awakened by a deafening noise.

She had lived alone in this villa for two years and had never been disturbed. Why was it suddenly so noisy?

Could it be him?

Lyra felt her heart pounding wildly. Was it he who had returned?

She almost immediately jumped up from the lounge chair, opened the door, and rushed downstairs.

The previously serene living room was dimly lit, with blaring music emanating from the speakers.

While Lyra was puzzled, a woman's voice came, "Hey, you there, get me some ice."

Lyra turned her head and saw a glamorous woman holding a glass of red wine, pointing arrogantly at her with her other hand.

The woman, noticing Lyra's hesitation, impatiently raised her chin, "Are you deaf? Go get some ice!"

"Who are you?" Lyra frowned.

The woman's pupils contracted as she looked Lyra up and down.

When her gaze fell on Lyra's plain cotton pajamas, she smirked with disdain, as if looking at something unsophisticated.

The woman waved her hand impatiently, "I understand. I'll sign for you later. For now, go get me some ice."

"I don't know you. Please leave," Lyra, unsure of the situation, but true to her character, spoke firmly.

After saying this, without hesitation, she turned around, intending to go upstairs to call security.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm from behind, and as she turned, a glass of red wine splashed onto her face and hair, drenching her completely.

Before Lyra could react, she heard a deep, pleasant voice.

"What's going on?"

Upon hearing this familiar voice, Lyra trembled all over. She slowly and stiffly lifted her head.

That arrogant man exuded an untouchable aura.

With ink-colored hair cascading down, captivating peachy eyes, and a faint smile enough to drive a woman crazy.

"Ronan!" The woman rushed over, clinging to Ronan Vale like an octopus.

Her slender arms wrapped around his body as her exquisitely made-up face peeked out from his embrace, raising her innocent-looking face, "Who is she? Why is she in your house?"

Lyra stood on the stairs, staring at that face that had once captivated her, unable to hide her surprise.

Ronan Vale sensed her gaze, raised his head, and met her eyes.

With a mere glance, he looked away.

His pleasant tone remained unchanged, "She's our housemaid."

His attractive lips curved up, a hint of a mischievous smile, as he lifted the woman in his arms and headed towards the bedroom.

Lyra trembled all over. She wanted to leave immediately, but her nerves seemed incapable of moving her body.

At this moment, she felt like a fool, standing there, letting the red wine drip from her hair.

She knew she should leave at this point, preserving whatever dignity she had left.

However, almost as if controlled by some unknown force, she found herself standing at the bedroom door.

The half-open door revealed clothes scattered on the floor.

"Ah! Ronan, you're amazing!"

The overlapping shrill voices entered Lyra's ears. The bed violently shook, producing creaking noises.

Those two voices clashed like the dullest blade in the world, vigorously cutting through her heart.

That was her room, her bed, and... her husband.

Lyra's steps abruptly halted. Something seemed to fill her chest, making her breathing difficult, her face turning pale.

The woman inside the room continued to scream uninhibitedly. Lyra, trembling, covered her ears with shaking fingers, took a deep breath, finally regained her senses, and then turned and left!

She was in a panic, unable to figure out the direction. After a few steps, she tumbled down the spiral staircase!

Her entire body felt as though it was going to scatter, and her head throbbed with pain.

The gasping sounds from upstairs continued. She felt suffocated here. She knew she needed some peace, that she had had enough.

She sat on a bench by the roadside for twenty minutes. With the sound of screeching brakes, a bright red Audi stopped in front of her, and a woman jumped out of the car.

The woman in the red coat paired with jeans had lively, curly hair.

She bounced up to Lyra, spewing words at her, "Lyra, have you finally come to your senses? Have you decided to leave that scumbag, Ronan Vale?"

Lyra was a bit stunned by her loud voice. After habitually rubbing her ears, she responded, "Calla, help me find a house. I want to live on my own."

"Isn't living with me enough?"

Lyra shook her head.

Calla Sinclair was Lyra's good friend. Seeing her exhausted look, and pale face, as if she might faint at any moment, Calla angrily grabbed her luggage and shoved it into the trunk.

They quickly found a house, a simple one-bedroom apartment. They added a few things, making it cozy.

Calla, lying unceremoniously on the sofa, sneered, "So, what has that scumbag Ronan Vale done this time?"

The name "Ronan Vale" felt like a knife stabbing into Lyra's heart, causing an unexpected ache.

She clenched her teeth, exerting great effort to suppress the emotions she shouldn't have. She recounted the events from the previous night.

After listening, Calla immediately jumped up from the sofa, her eyes blazing, as if ready to confront Ronan. Through gritted teeth, she said, "That scumbag brought a woman home and caused chaos, and then called you a maid?"

Closing her eyes, Lyra showed a moment of distress on her face. When she reopened them, the pain and anger were gone.

Calmly, she said, "I think... he probably doesn't even remember what I look like."

Angered, Calla cursed, "Blame it on your family of hypocrites. He married you because you were easy to bully. He can fool around with other women outside..."

Seeing Lyra lost in a daze, Calla felt a pang of pity. "Alright, let's not talk about that disgusting scumbag. What are your plans now?"

Lyra's slender hand clenched into a fist, nails leaving red marks on her palm. After a moment's thought, she earnestly said, "I want to find a job first. When I can support myself, I'll file for divorce."

With a firm pat on her shoulder, Calla assured her, "Consider it done. Aren't you studying fashion design? My friend's company needs a fashion assistant."

Lyra's eyes brightened. She hadn't expected to find a job so easily. After all, for the past two years, she hadn't done anything while living in Ronan's villa. She was excited, "I don't have any work experience. Is that okay?"

Dismissively, Calla waved her hand, "What does that matter? I'm recommending you. Who dares to say anything?"

"Calla, thank you!"

Lyra's mother died when she was young, and her father remarried, sending her to the countryside to be raised by her grandmother.

Two years ago, The Everly Family suddenly decided to take her back, promising to take care of her grandmother, who had Alzheimer's.

For her grandmother's sake, Lyra reluctantly returned to The Everly Family, only later discovering it was for a business alliance.

She remembered the sunny afternoon she was brought into The Everly Family's villa.

She wore large black-framed glasses, her messy hair hastily tied at the back of her head, a T-shirt paired with jeans, and dirty cloth shoes on her feet.

Ronan Vale and her father stood on the second-floor railing. Her father pointed at her and said, "This is Lyra."

The sunlight bathed Ronan in a glow, making him look as though he emitted light. He seemed more beautiful than anything Lyra had ever seen in her life.

"Lyra?" Ronan softly pronounced her name. His tone was unhurried, perfectly modulated.

Lyra had never known that her name could sound so melodious and beautiful. A hint of amazement appeared in her eyes.

However, Ronan had long grown accustomed to such admiring gazes. He smirked and turned away.

Lyra once wondered why an outstanding man like Ronan would agree to a business marriage and marry a woman he didn't love.

On their wedding night, he spent the night in a hotel with a minor celebrity, making her the subject of ridicule in all of T City's gossip magazines.

Lyra had initially believed it was her lack of excellence that failed to attract Ronan.

Over two years, she learned yoga, makeup skills, etiquette, tea ceremonies...

She transformed into a poised lady, yet he never spared her a glance.

She deluded herself into thinking she could ignore Ronan's infidelity until he brought another woman home.

Calming herself, Lyra decided to find a job first. She needed to independently support her grandmother's medical expenses before she could divorce Ronan.

Lyra, introduced by Calla, started working as a fashion assistant in an advertising company.

This company mainly collaborated with celebrity magazines, shooting advertisement photos.

"Today, we're shooting photos for Lumi Hawthorne. Everyone, be on your best behavior!" Department head Verity clapped her hands, reminding everyone.

Verity turned to look at Lyra, cautioning her, "Lyra, you're new here. Lumi Hawthorne is notoriously difficult to please. Be extra careful!"

The shoot was scheduled for one o'clock in the afternoon, but by three o'clock, there was still no sign of Lumi Hawthorne.

All the staff from the advertising company were waiting for her, and the rented studio charged by the hour.

Verity made countless phone calls before Lumi Hawthorne finally arrived with her agent and assistant.

Moments later, voices of discontent echoed from the makeup room.

"I said I only use Lamer cosmetics. My skin is delicate. Using other brands will cause allergies. Don't you understand?"

"What's this trashy outfit? How can I wear something so low?"

"Also, where's my coffee? It's been five minutes. Why isn't it here?"

The woman speaking carried an air of arrogance with each word. Makeup artists, stylists, and assistants kept shuttling in and out, changing clothes and cosmetics.

Outside the makeup room, Verity was trying hard to negotiate with Lumi Hawthorne's agent, "Our entire staff has been waiting for her for three hours. We hope Lumi can cooperate with our shoot."

The agent sneered at Verity arrogantly, "Do you know how popular Lumi Hawthorne is now? She's the new star endorsed by Zenith Ventures! If you can't do your job properly, don't drag us into it."

Taking a deep breath, Verity apologized with a forced smile, "I didn't mean that. We're all here for work."

Several staff members nearby murmured discontentedly, "I've never seen a female celebrity as difficult and high-maintenance as Lumi Hawthorne. She's late even though the time was set, and now she's being so picky."

"She's just using her connection with Zenith Ventures CEO Ronan Vale."