Chapter 3

Unwilling to give up, Sophia stepped forward and blocked our path.

Skylar paused for only a second before a cold gleam flashed in his eyes.

"Move aside," he said, his voice icy.

"I really am sorry... Let me have your number so I can make it up to you," she insisted, holding out her phone with that practiced, pleading look.

I nearly scoffed aloud.

This was her classic move, the same trick she'd used to reel in every one of my exes.

Once they gave her that contact, it was only a matter of time before they fell under her spell.

"That won't be necessary."

In the dim lighting, Skylar's lips curved slightly, but his eyes held unmistakable disdain.

"You are my future sister-in-law," he said, his tone cutting yet polite, "have some self-respect."

His smile was perfectly measured, his detachment deliberate—as if he'd seen right through her from the start.

Sophia froze, her face flushing bright red.

Seeing her so thoroughly shut down sent a surge of satisfaction through me.

My past exes had all hesitated when she pulled this move; some politely declined, others seemed distracted.

But she never pushed too hard then.

She knew they'd come looking for her later.

Even Morris, who'd held out for over half a year, eventually fell.

But Skylar was different. He hadn't just refused. He'd called her out, openly and coldly.

Then, in one smooth motion, he swept me into his arms, carrying me away without a backward glance.

"Alright, sweetheart, I've met your sister," he murmured. "So when are we getting engaged?"

I smiled, raising my voice just enough for Sophia to hear.

"That depends on your performance."

For a while, I truly believed I'd finally found someone she couldn't steal.

But the moment I stepped into the private dining room, that illusion shattered.

"Skylar, I want shrimp. Will you peel some for me?"

There was Sophia, clinging to his arm, her voice sickly sweet.

When he noticed me, Skylar quickly shook her off and walked over.

"I had no idea our families were business partners," he explained. "Your sister arrived a bit earlier."

Sophia took a bite of the shrimp he'd peeled, glancing my way with a look of pure triumph.

I stayed silent, my expression cold.

Skylar gave a meaningful smile. "Chloe, are you jealous?"

Without waiting for an answer, he took my hand and led me outside, ignoring Sophia's protests.

Once we were alone, he sighed. "We were the only ones here early, so I was just being polite."

"Fine, but you..."

A notification chimed, cutting me off.

Skylar pulled out his phone, and I immediately recognized the number on the screen.

"You have her contact?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

Just moments ago, I'd been so sure of him, so confident she couldn't touch us. Now, it felt like a slap in the face.

He looked nervously at my expression. "Chloe, she's your sister. Sooner or later, I'd have to interact with her."

I said nothing.

He quickly blocked the number, then pulled me into his arms. His expressive eyes looked pleadingly into mine.

"Please believe me, I have zero interest in her. See? She's blocked now."

Seeing this proud man so anxious, I finally softened. "Don't let it happen again."

Relief washed over his face.

"I've always loved you, and only you," he promised softly. "I'll visit your family soon to discuss our engagement."

I nodded, but my mind kept returning to the image of him peeling shrimp for Sophia.

No matter how I tried to shake it, the discomfort lingered.

After that incident, Skylar made a point of keeping his distance from Sophia, his demeanor growing noticeably cooler.

But for Sophia, a man like him only represented the ultimate challenge, and she wasn't one to back down easily.

Later, inside the private room, Skylar sat with one arm around me, a cigarette between his lips, his legs crossed on the leather sofa. He frowned deeply.

"The project approval still hasn't come through?"

When Sophia overheard him mention the struggling venture, her eyes lit up. She poured herself a glass of wine and smiled. "I might be able to help with that."

I noticed Skylar's gaze flicker in her direction.

When he didn't immediately respond, she blinked playfully and continued, "A close friend of mine is overseeing that project. I have some insider information. If you'd like, I can introduce you."

She flashed him a charming, knowing smile.

Beside me, Skylar stubbed out his cigarette slowly.

I could feel it. He was tempted.