Chapter 3

Lila's POV

The rain grew heavier.

I dragged a cheap suitcase down the empty street.

My clothes were soaked through, my body shaking from the cold, but I didn't want to stop.

I just wanted to get as far away from Gavin's world as possible.

Just then, a black Maybach slowly stopped beside me in the rain.

The window lowered.

Revealing a handsome face.

The man wore a perfectly tailored black suit with gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.

Behind those lenses, his eyes were deep, dark, and carried an irresistible sense of authority.

Dominic Kane.

Heir to New York's most elite financial empire.

Rumor had it he was a ruthless, unpredictable, heartless capitalist.

I'd only met him once.

It was at one of Gavin's private cocktail parties.

I attended as Gavin's date but was left alone in a corner. Dominic saw this and handed me a glass of warm water, expressing concern.

"Miss Sterling, in such heavy rain, where are you planning to go?"

His voice was deep and pleasant, with a hint of leisure.

I stopped and looked at him warily. "Mr. Kane, is there something you need?"

The car door opened.

A large black umbrella appeared over my head.

Dominic's assistant stood respectfully to the side. "Miss Sterling, Mr. Kane requests that you get in the car."

I didn't move.

I'd just escaped one cage. I didn't want to jump into another abyss.

Dominic seemed to see through my thoughts.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on my face through the rain.

"Lila, your father had a sudden heart attack in prison. He's being rushed to the hospital right now."

"Gavin has already cut off his medical payments."

"If you go now, you'll only see his corpse."

My brain went blank with a buzzing sound.

The suitcase slipped from my hand, crashing into a puddle and splashing muddy water.

"What... what did you say?" My whole body trembled, my voice shaking.

"Get in." Dominic's tone was serious. "I'll take you to him."

Without any hesitation, I bent down and got into the car.

The cabin was heated, filled with a faint, pleasant fragrance that inexplicably brought peace of mind.

Dominic handed me a clean towel.

"Dry yourself off."

I took the towel and hastily wiped the rain from my face.

"Mr. Kane, why are you helping me?" I stared at him, trying to find answers in his expression.

I didn't believe in random acts of kindness in this world, especially not from someone like Dominic Kane.

Dominic chuckled softly.

He pulled out a document from the storage compartment beside him and placed it in front of me.

"I need a wife. And you happen to be suitable for the position."

I froze, looking down at the document.

"Marriage Agreement."

"Why me?" I couldn't believe it.

With Dominic's status and position, he could find any type of woman he wanted.

Why would he choose someone ordinary like me, someone Gavin had discarded?

"Because you're smart enough, and strong enough."

Dominic's slender fingers lightly tapped his knee, his gaze deep as he looked at me.

"More importantly, I've seen your real design drafts. Gavin is a blind fool who doesn't know how to appreciate them, but I'm not."

He leaned forward slightly, moving closer to me. His warm breath fell on my ear, carrying a hint of temptation.

"Lila, marry me. I can not only save your father but also help you take back everything that belongs to you. Including healing your right hand."

My heartbeat skipped a beat.

My right hand. This was my deepest pain.

I looked into Dominic's beautiful eyes, knowing I had no other choice.

I picked up the pen and signed my name on the agreement.

"Alright, I agree."

Dominic looked at the name on the paper, his lips curving into a satisfied arc.

"Mrs. Kane, pleasure doing business with you."