"Do you have any idea who I am?" the man demanded.
His dark tone already carried the answer—important, untouchable, don't-mess-with-me.
I glanced at his face and frowned. A flicker of uncertainty crossed my expression as I tried to place him. Nothing clicked.
"Who are you?"
Then my eyes dropped.
To the sweater.
I froze.
And then I burst out laughing.
The man—Lucas Blackwood, though I didn't know that yet—looked utterly lost. What now? Did he think I'd finally gone mad after offending someone powerful?
"You bumpkin," I scoffed between laughs. "Don't try that you-know-who-I-am card with me. It won't work."
He stared at me like I'd slapped him.
I could tell—I'd shocked him again.
"You don't know who I am," he said slowly. Then he smiled. A strange, amused smile. "Interesting."
I glared at him. "Wipe that smug smile off your face, bumpkin. Are you trying to scare me into compensation?"
My gaze flicked to the shattered phone on the ground. I assessed it quickly, then pulled out some cash and tossed it at him.
"Here. That should cover your loss."
He stared at the notes like they were some alien artifact.
I watched him carefully.
So he's never even handled this much money before, I concluded smugly. Definitely a bumpkin.
"What if it doesn't cover my loss?" he asked calmly.
"It cost your mother!" I snapped.
He froze.
I froze too—only for half a second—then lifted my chin.
Feisty, he looked at me like he'd just discovered something dangerous.
"This is all you're getting," I said sharply. "Don't get greedy. It wasn't entirely my fault anyway. You were too busy enjoying a random kiss to watch your phone."
Was this man seriously trying to extort me?
Huffing, I spun on my heels and walked away.
Behind me, I felt it.
A fire.
A gaze sharp enough to burn through my back.
"You're going to regret this," he said.
...
I stepped into my apartment and let the door close behind me.
Chaos.
Clothes everywhere. Nothing in its place.
I didn't care.
I wouldn't be staying here much longer anyway.
I collapsed onto the couch, stretched out my legs, and rested my arm over my forehead, staring at the ceiling.
On the table lay my reality.
Bank notices.Final rent warnings.University fee deadlines.
My phone rang.
I groaned, checked the screen—and smiled.
I'd been waiting for this call.
"Well, if it isn't my dear cousin," I drawled, "the boyfriend-stealing bitch finally decided to call?"
Silence.
Emily Bennett was stunned.
"Didn't you learn your lesson after losing your job?" she finally snapped.
Ah. There it was.
Threats.
The plan was obvious. Break me. Corner me. Force me to crawl back.
I smiled lazily, stretching out on the couch.
"And my dear cousin," I asked sweetly, "are you calling to congratulate me on finding a new man?"
"Stay away from Julian," Emily hissed. "He belongs to me."
I chuckled.
Perfect match, those two. Manipulative. Hypocritical.
"My dear cousin," I cooed, twirling my hair, "how can I control it if men get seduced by my looks? Maybe you should reflect on your performance in bed."
"Clara!" she shrieked.
I laughed softly.
People change.
Circumstances force them to.
"I suggest you focus on keeping your boy toy satisfied," I continued calmly, "instead of threatening me. Otherwise, you might lose him."
Her silence was delicious.
"Just like I did," I added lightly.
"You were the third wheel!" she screamed. "Julian and I were always in love!"
I almost admired the shamelessness.
"Oh," I said softly. "Want to hear a secret?"
I lowered my voice.
"I know Julian very well. And I'm sure he won't look at you again once he finds out about you and Jasper Jiang."
I hung up.
Emily was left frozen, drenched in cold sweat.
How could Clara know?
She dialed back.
Once.Twice.Again.
My phone stayed off.
And for the first time, panic truly set in.