Chapter 3

[Trying to pair up everyone will only end in heartbreak. The male lead and female lead are together now, and honestly, their chemistry and visuals are just on point.]

[They say the second female lead can spend as much as she wants, but with the card in the butler's hands, it's still up to the male lead how much she actually gets. But with the female lead, it's a whole different story. He just hands over all his cards to her, no questions asked.]

'Card?' I glanced at the flimsy piece of plastic in Nancy's hand. 'Is that what they're talking about?'

Norris had handed me one when I first got here, but he snatched it back before a day was even up.

Seeing all those comments flying by made me super curious.

"Nancy, how about we go check out where Norris works?" I suggested, a little excited.

"Sounds good," Nancy said with a smile. She reached out and patted my head, her voice soft and soothing.

Nancy added, "But I'm not exactly sure where it is. I'll give him a call and find out for you."

I grabbed her hand before she could make the call.

I'd asked Norris about it so many times, but he always found a way to dodge the question. Why would he suddenly tell she now?

Seeing the chat blow up, I suddenly had an idea.

"Don't tell me even you don't know. Could Norris be jobless or something?" I teased, pretending to look disgusted.

The comments went wild. Someone in the chat even leaked Norris's company address.

Apparently, Norris and the female lead started an animal research institute together.

I pulled Nancy along, who still looked surprised. I said, "Let's go, I know where it is now."

Following the hints from the chat, we tracked down a two-story building with a black serpent emblem coiled in a ring on the front.

From a distance, we could see a man and a woman standing at the entrance.

Norris had his coat slung over his arm, looking like he was about to leave.

The woman facing him was rocking a white lab coat, looking absolutely radiant. And to my surprise, she was actually a black snake in disguise.

The chat was even more lively than before.

[The male and female leads look like they were made for each other! I'm totally shipping this power couple.]

[Now I finally get why the male lead isn't into the second female lead. Cute doesn't stand a chance against sexy.]

[Hey, all you people who said the male lead was broke, see that? He's just been pouring all his cash into his wife's career, that's all.]

Honestly, they look so good together, like a total power couple, both absolutely stunning.

Maybe it was all that clothes shopping earlier, but my eyes were starting to sting a little.

The woman handed Norris a sleek vial of pills.

Rabbits were born with crazy good hearing, so I didn't miss a single word they said.

"This is our newest discovery. When the time comes, you and the rabbit each get one," she said.

Norris asked, "Any side effects?"

She just chuckled and teased him. "The only side effect is her heat will come early. Makes it easier for you to get a taste of her."

'So scared.' I quickly tucked my ears down and pulled Nancy even deeper into the shadows, making sure we were completely hidden.

'Not only has Norris moved on to someone else, but now he's actually planning to eat me? Seriously?

'Snakes and rabbits are supposed to be mortal enemies, but he grew up surrounded by bunnies. Shouldn't he have sworn off meat by now?'

My survival instincts were screaming. And my life was seriously on the line here.

When a rabbit went into heat, she was basically helpless. I'd be a sitting duck, no, a sitting bunny, just waiting to get devoured.

'Nope, I've gotta bolt. Like, right now.' But when I turned around, I caught Nancy glaring at the two of them from afar.

Her gorgeous face twisted with shock, anger, and hurt all at once.

'Was she... actually upset on my behalf?' I was honestly moved and tried to cheer her up. "Don't worry, Nancy, there's plenty of fish in the sea. We'll find you someone even better."

Nancy couldn't take her eyes off them, well, more like she was glaring straight at that woman.

I gave her another little tug, and only then did she snap out of it, muttering angrily under her breath, "I'm not going back. Like hell I'm gonna be a butler. Count me out."

I stared at her in shock. 'Was this really the Nancy I knew?'

But then it hit me. Nancy just couldn't stand Norris acting like such a jerk. Her sense of justice wouldn't let her look the other way.

"Gabrielle, once I'm gone, take care of yourself, okay? If you see something you want, just go for it. Don't feel bad about spending Norris's money," Nancy said, her voice gentle but determined.

As she spoke, Nancy slipped Norris's black card right into my hand.

Is she worried I'm still hung up on Norris, and doesn't want me to get hurt?

'Nancy's got me all wrong. I'm not just some girl who loses her head over love.

'Besides, this is way bigger than love. My life's literally on the line here.'

I gently pressed the card back into her palm, refusing to take it. "Nancy, can I go with you?" I pleaded softly.