Chapter 3

For the next month, I frequently hit the headlines of the major tabloid press.

[Lane Corporation's Heir Cast Aside? Edward Hits Up Nightclubs, Blows Cash Like There's No Tomorrow]

[Meet the Seven Influencers Edward Dated in Just One Week]

[Lamborghini and Glamor Girls: The Scandalous, Hedonistic Life of the Scion of a Rich Family]

My dad sent everyone—from Lane Corporation's old-timers to the elders of the Lane family—to persuade me. They pretty much wore out the doorstep of my brand-new villa.

I ignored every single one of them.

Since they couldn't even get inside, all they could do was stand at the door anxiously.

In the end, my dad ran out of tricks, so he came over himself.

That day, I was kicking back by the pool with Cecilia Hughes, the newly crowned Best Actress.

I spent a lot of money hiring her to do only one thing—put on a show to mess with my dad.

Just as the butler came over to give me a heads up, Cecilia was stretched out on top of me, smoothing sunscreen all over my back.

"Sir, Mr. Richard Lane's here," the butler said.

"Let him wait," I replied, not bothering to open my eyes or even lift a finger.

Cecilia's hands were impossibly soft. Her touch felt so good that I could practically melt into the chair.

"Is this really all right?" Cecilia whispered into my ear.

"What's wrong with it?" I shot back, cracking one eye open to look at her.

"You took my money, so you have to follow my lead," I continued.

Smiling, Cecilia didn't say anything else.

We lingered by the pool for almost an hour before finally sauntering into the living room, taking our sweet time.

My dad was sitting on the couch with a dark expression.

The ashtray on the coffee table was overflowing with cigarette butts.

As soon as he spotted me, he said coldly, "Done having fun?"

"Not even close. I'm just getting started," I replied nonchalantly.

I draped my arm around Cecilia and dropped myself onto the couch right across from my dad.

Cecilia lay in my arms, playing her appointed role to perfection.

My dad shot her a look sharp enough to cut glass.

Cecilia stiffened, but she soon relaxed when I gave her waist a light squeeze.

"Edward, the company really needs you right now," my dad said, his tone softening.

"Oh? Is that so?" I replied, feigning surprise. "What about Andrew? I thought he was your golden boy."

"He..." My father's jaw tightened. "He's still green. He has a lot to learn."

"Then let him learn," I said nonchalantly. "Every rookie has to pay their dues eventually."

"Edward!" My dad wanted to explode into rage, but he restrained himself in the end.

"Something went wrong with the project in South Flobury. I need you to come back and sort it out," he said, his voice tight and strained.

Of course, I knew about the project in South Flobury.

I was the one who steered that project from day one before I walked away.

It was a billion-dollar luxury resort and entertainment complex.

It was a minefield of hidden agendas and red tape, enough to swallow anyone whole.

I'd bet my life that Andrew, that lightweight, had been taken for a ride by our partner.