Chapter 3

Not long after, Shawn called. He rushed through a few words, apologized, and hung up. Guess I just got stood up.

Worked for me anyway. Mindy, you couldn't blame me for what came next then.Before I knew it, the so-called charity ball had arrived. Charity, my ass. It was nothing more than a respectable excuse to cozy up to the powerful, find someone even bigger and meaner to bow to, and launder a fortune while they were at it. Not a bad business model, all things considered.

With a fifth of the company in my hands now, the wives and heiresses who used to snub me were suddenly crowding around, fawning and eager to please.

I went through the motions, barely paying attention, and waiting for Mindy. After all, the main character wouldn't miss her own spotlight.

"Who let you in here? People like you should stick to your lane," Mindy sneered, pointing at a cleaner like she was terrified her fancy dress might get dirty.

Here it came. The real show was about to start.

I stepped in to the rescue, putting on my best innocent face as I looked at Mindy. "Mindy, don't get too cocky. If you ever fall from that high horse, it's gonna hurt." I flashed her a sweet smile.

"Mindy, don't get too cocky. If you ever fall from that high horse, it's gonna hurt." I flashed her a sweet smile.

She lunged at me, clearly wanting payback for that slap last time. But before she could get to me, Leonard Lindth grabbed her wrist and snapped, "Stop making a scene."

Now that the Gray family needed the Lindth family's help, they were pushing Mindy into a marriage alliance. She had no choice but to play along.

"Are you picking on Bella again?" Anson walked over, not bothering to hide his annoyance as he confronted Mindy.

That really got Mindy fired up, and the two of them launched right back into their usual shouting match.

"Mindy, is this your fiancé? He sure doesn't match his photos," I said, holding out a few photos between them and cutting their argument short.

Leonard grabbed the photos and saw two naked bodies tangled together. He slapped Mindy across the face and walked out without another word.

The plan worked perfectly.

The next day, the news of the Lindth and Gray families calling off the engagement, along with Mindy's messy private life, shot straight to the top of the trending charts.

I sat on the couch, scrolling through my phone, absentmindedly tracing the scars on my wrist. "Mindy, if you like bullying the weak, you'd better be ready to taste what it's like to be the loser."

"Dinner's ready," Ronald called out, setting the table. That face of his, usually so sharp and intimidating, looked gentle right now.

Over the past three years, we'd gone from strangers to having this silent understanding. I'd gotten used to his kindness, but at the same time, I couldn't help but feel like I owed him more than I could ever repay.

Ronald was such a fool. He really went all in for me. He gave everything because of what happened years ago.

Debts were easy to repay, but when it came to feelings, that was a whole different ball game.

*****

At the airport exit, Jayden Gale caught everyone's eye in his black leather jacket and dark sunglasses. He walked over and waved at me.

Jayden was from the Gale family, one of Cheshire's top five families. Back from Ashridge, he was here to take over as the Gale family's heir.

He was my childhood friend. We grew up together and went to the same high school. Charismatic and clever, he was always teasing me.

"Bella, did you miss me?" Jayden said, throwing his arm around my shoulders in a familiar gesture, completely oblivious to Ronald by my side.

I was standing with my back to Ronald, so I missed the way his brows knitted together in irritation.

"Jay, if you help me out this time, I owe you one," I said, skipping the small talk and getting straight to my plan.

Three years ago, Preston Gray, my dad's so-called best friend, was pulling strings in every ways, all to snatch up more shares. He wanted to sell the company for a fat profit and climb his way into the Banks family's good graces.

But after my dad died, everything fell apart. Now, Loco Group's cash reserves were nearly wiped out, and we barely had any working capital left. Honestly, we were in deep trouble.

I'd already scooped up a bunch of shares, and with what my dad left me, I had enough power to call the shots on the board. But shares alone weren't enough. We needed fresh investment if Loco Group was ever going to make a comeback.

The funding gap was so massive that no one was willing to invest lightly. But if the Gale family stepped in as the lead investor, it would be much easier to bring other investors on board.

I knew Jayden was only helping me because of our friendship. That wild, laid-back guy has had a crush on me since high school.

Once the business talk was over, I got this weird feeling that something bad was about to happen.

Ronald was gripping the steering wheel up front, I was in the passenger seat, and Jayden was in the back, cracking jokes and talking nonsense.

"Hey, Bella, you got a boyfriend yet? Bet you don't. So, what do you think about me? I'm charming, handsome, and totally irresistible! Maybe you should give me a chance," Jayden said.