Chapter 5

Three years ago, when the Nash Group's cash flow dried up, I turned to Frank for help.

He was all set to invest, but after just one meeting with Julia, he backed out, leaving me hanging.

I holed up in my room all day, and it finally hit me: if I wanted to be saved, I'd have to save myself.

That very night, I went back to Nash Manor, took the antiques my father had treasured, and headed straight to the house of a longtime family friend.

Back then, I had no one in my corner. But now, for Julia, Frank didn't hesitate to shell out cash.

I called Lucas in.

I asked, "Give me your assessment: if I blacklist Julia and go up against the Goodman Group, what are my chances?"

Lucas adjusted his glasses.

He said, "Ms. Nash, even though Mr. Goodman handed over most of his businesses to you, the industry still sees him as a powerhouse.

"The divorce barely put a dent in his reputation, status, connections, or resources.

"When it comes to someone like Julia, you call the shots. But against Mr. Goodman, you're still the underdog.

"The Nash Group's come a long way to get here. My advice? Play it safe for now."

I waved him away, dismissing him with a flick of my hand.

Just as he reached the door, I called out, "Post the evidence of Julia faking her psychiatric evaluation online."

I had known all along that Julia was faking her depression.

If I hadn't wanted the divorce to go smoothly, I would've exposed her ages ago and let them go at each other like wild dogs.

A week later, I got an invitation from the Lynn family.

Zack's mother was turning sixty, and the Lynn family cordially invited Novalume's elite to gather and celebrate.

I grinned.

After Zack went after Victor last time, Frank probably thought I'd make a move on him, so he got Zack out of Novalume that very night.

My people checked every place Zack could've gone, but he was nowhere to be found.

But now that his mom was having her birthday, there was no way he'd skip it.

I beckoned Lucas over.

I said, "Go get me a baseball bat, just like the one Zack smashed Victor's leg with last time.

"Don't bother wrapping it. I want to give it to Zack in person."

For once, Lucas's usually calm and collected face showed a rare hint of confusion.

"Ms. Nash, what are you up to?" he asked.

He shot me a cautious look and added, "Ms. Nash, I only get paid as your assistant. If you want me to get my hands dirty, that's a whole different price tag.

"That bat Zack swung? Limited edition, star-signed. It was so prized that Victor kept it wrapped in velvet even while his busted leg throbbed in the next room."

I looked at him, stone-faced.

Lucas flashed a professional smile and said, "Got it, Ms. Nash. Leave it to me."

On the day of the Lynn family's birthday party, I walked in wearing a handcrafted rose-themed gown and turned every head in the room, outshining all the other socialites.

It was the perfect plug for my own couture label.

I ran into Frank at the entrance.

Under the evening sky, he stood tall and straight, his bespoke suit showing off that mature, sophisticated vibe; he looked all polished and put-together, but I know better.

He didn't bring Julia tonight. Guess he knew she wouldn't cut it at a place like this.

I couldn't be bothered with him, so I strode straight into the main building of the Lynn family's estate.

Since I had a little scheme in mind for later, the birthday present I brought for Zack's mother tonight was outrageously lavish, and even Frank, who stepped up right after me, looked genuinely taken aback.

Zack's mother smiled with maternal warmth, clasped my hand, and asked Frank and me to step onto the floor for the first dance.

She said, "I'm getting old, you know. I just love seeing beautiful young people dance."

I was about to turn her down, but then I remembered: the sweet old lady in front of me had no idea I'd be breaking her son's leg later tonight.

I might as well let her enjoy the moment before things turn messy.

As the music started, Frank and I took our place in the center of the dance floor, moving in perfect sync.

Every step, every turn, we matched each other so perfectly that it made my skin crawl.

I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth: private art lessons at three, piano at four, yet for some reason, dancing remained my blind spot.

Right before my graduation ball, Frank went out of his way to teach me how to dance.

He even turned a spare room at his place into a dance studio just for me.

It was Victor's birthday that day. After a quick dance lesson, I headed out.

Halfway there, I realized I'd left Victor's present behind, so I rushed back to Frank's villa.

The villa was shrouded in darkness, and up on the second floor, Frank was alone in the dance studio, lost in a Latin dance.

He was laser-focused, every move dripping with danger: sexy, intense, and almost predatory.

In that instant, it struck me: this was the real Frank, raw and unfiltered.

Up until then, what I felt for him mainly was respect and admiration.

But right then, that was the moment my heart really started racing for him.