Chapter 3

The next few days were pure hell for me.

Adeline and Chloe didn't dare kick me out openly, but they never stopped messing with me behind my back. One day, my clothes got trashed in the wash, and the next, my food tasted like someone dumped a chemistry set in it.

But for those ten buildings, I gritted my teeth and took it all.

I thought, 'Survive these thirty days, and I'll be a rich queen.'

That night, I was so suffocated that I had to sneak out for some air.

I changed into black sportswear, pulled on a baseball cap and a mask, and crept down to the underground garage like a thief.

When I reached a red sports car, someone suddenly wrapped their arms around my thigh.

"Stop. Where are you going?" a childish but cocky voice echoed through the empty garage.

I looked down and saw a little boy, maybe five or six years old. He was decked out in designer kids' clothes. His face was as cute as a doll, but he had a rebellious glare.

This was Fernando Lancaster's son, Alex Lancaster, and Fernando was Edward's elder brother. He was a child prodigy and an absolute terror.

"Come on, little devil. Let go," I whispered, trying to pry his tiny hands off my leg.

"No way. Are you trying to sneak out?" Alex clung to my thigh like a koala. "If you don't take me with you, I'll scream and bring everyone here."

I was so mad that I could grind my teeth to dust.

I thought, 'What is this little terror doing in the garage in the middle of the night? Trying to threaten me? Please, I'm not scared of you, kid. I've seen worse.

'Don't make me spill the dirt about your dad keeping a side chick and having an illegitimate kid. That so-called perfect dad of yours swiped company money to buy a villa for his secret family.'

I took a deep breath and forced a sweet smile. "Alex, I'm not sneaking out for fun. I've got grown-up stuff to handle. Go back to bed, and tomorrow I'll get you a robot toy. Deal?"

Alex rolled his eyes, full of disdain. "Yeah, right. You're heading to the bar to meet gigolos. I heard you on the phone just now."

I froze and thought, 'Holy crap. This brat's got radar ears.

'I was quietly calling my best friend in my room, and he actually caught it? No way. I can't let him mess up my plans.'

I gritted my teeth and shot him a glare. "Let go or I'll spill the beans about your dad's hidden money.

"Your dad keeps his secret cash in the safe behind the oil painting in the study. The password is your birthday."

Alex froze, his eyes blinking as he tried to process this bombshell.

When I thought he was about to cave, a cold voice came from behind me. "Julia, you've really got some nerve. Threatening a kid now?"

I stiffened, turning around like a robot.

Edward stood behind me in a perfectly tailored black suit, looking like a grim reaper in the night.

The dim garage lights fell across his face, making him look colder and more terrifying.

"E-Edward, what are you doing here?" I stammered, my smile twisted and uglier than crying.

I thought, 'I'm doomed. My gigolos, my bar, and my freedom are all down the drain. Why does this freak haunt me like a ghost?'

Edward strode over and picked Alex up, pulling him off my leg.

"Where do you think you're going, dressed like that in the middle of the night?" He towered over me, his eyes sharp enough to cut glass.

I swallowed nervously, my brain working overtime. "I-I thought the house was too stuffy, so I wanted to step out for a walk."

"A walk? In the underground garage?" Edward snorted, his gaze flicking to the sports car nearby. "Were you planning to take my car out for a spin?"

I rubbed my nose awkwardly. "Well... The garage is cooler."

I thought, 'Cooler, my ass! I was going out to have some fun. If you hadn't locked up my passport, I'd be in Camoria right now, scoping out hotties. You clueless blockhead. No wonder a two-faced snake like Chloe can play you like a fiddle.'

Edward's face turned grimmer. He grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward the elevator. "If you're feeling suffocated, then get back to your room and think about what you've done. For the next thirty days, you're not allowed to go anywhere unless I say so."

I fought back as hard as I could, but his grip was like iron. "Edward, let go of me! Who says you can control my freedom?" I yelled.

"Because you're still Mrs. Lancaster," he replied.

Once Edward forced me back to my room, I was completely grounded. Two burly bodyguards stood guard at the door. Not a fly could get past them.

I was so furious that I smashed two vases in my room, but it didn't change a thing.

I thought, 'Edward, you jerk! This is illegal detention. The moment I get out, I'm dragging you to court. Please, I don't want the ten buildings anymore. Let me go.'

I collapsed onto the bed and wanted to cry.