Chapter 4

Luciana's smile froze, all for show and not reaching her eyes. "Jolene, you must be kidding. Even our janitors have college degrees."

She continued, "Plus, our company is about to team up with the legendary jewelry designer, Lily Martin. Hitting the top 100 companies will be a breeze. If you turn us down now, you might not even be able to get a foot in the door with us later."

When I heard that name, I gave her a strange look but kept quiet. The mood got a little awkward.

After a moment, Solomon cut in, "If you don't want to join the Hensley Group, you could always be my personal secretary..."

He locked eyes with me, his gaze intense. "The kind who gets things done on her knees."

Everyone around us gasped.

I replied calmly, "No need. You can't afford me."

Solomon stared at me, trying to read me like an open book.

I met his gaze without flinching. In the end, he was the one who looked away first, scoffing under his breath. I could tell he thought I was just bluffing.

The Maybach rolled up, and Solomon put on his best gentleman act, opening the door and helping Luciana into the car like she was made of glass.

With one of the main characters gone, the rest of the crowd scattered. Only Jairo hung back, staring at me for a moment before spitting out, "You really don't know what's good for you."

When I got back to my villa in the upscale district, the moment I stepped inside, the housekeepers rushed over to take my bags and offered me a warm towel.

"Mommy!"

My daughter came running over, her little feet thumping on the floor as she threw herself into my arms.

Her soft little body clung to me, and I scooped her up without hesitation. "Did you behave today, Lacey?"

She grinned and nodded. Seeing her sweet face, the irritation I'd been feeling melted away.

That night, just as I'd finally gotten her to sleep, my phone buzzed with a message.

After I got back to Solviora, I reactivated a phone number I'd left unused for years.

I'd always figured it would get shut off for non-payment, but somehow, someone kept it active all this time.

In less than a minute, whoever it was sent me three videos back to back.

I clicked them open and was surprised to see videos of the little apartment I used to share with Solomon.

That apartment was the very first gift he ever gave me after his business started taking off.

He paid for it in full, and it was registered under my name.

I still remembered how his ears turned a little red when he handed me the keys.

He said, "I heard from a friend that every girl should have something of her own before she gets married. This apartment is my gift to you. When I make even more money, I'll get you a bigger place!"

For a long time after that, we lived in that apartment. Every little detail was my labor of love. I picked out all the furniture and decorations myself.

But when I left the country, I sent the keys back to Solomon.

Now, if it weren't for the same view outside the window, I wouldn't even recognize it as our old place.

The soft mint-green curtains had been replaced with heavy black ones.

The shelves that used to hold our plants were now empty, and the cozy little couch we used to snuggle on for movie nights was gone, replaced by a tatami mat.

The second video was shot from above. Solomon's chiseled face came into view as he lay with his head resting on a pair of fair thighs. His breathing was steady, and then a pair of snow-white hands gently stroked his face.

Luciana said: [Jolene, Solomon Saunders is mine.]

[I'll take everything you care about. Your mom couldn't beat mine back then, and you won't beat me now.]

I closed the video and rubbed my temples, knowing full well this was Luciana's provocation.

It was really wasting my time to reply to her.

It had been five years. My life was completely different now. If I feel anything for Solomon these days, it's nothing but disgust.

I was lost in thought when my phone buzzed again. My eyes softened as soon as I saw "Hubby" pop up on the screen.

"Babe, I picked out a dress for you. I'll come get you for the party the day after tomorrow," Nicholas said, his voice low and soothing.

Nicholas Gentry's voice warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but smile. "No need, I'll come on my own. Just focus on work. Once you wrap up this deal, we'll head back to Virelia City."

"Alright," he said.

In recent years, the Gentry family's business started leaning toward international markets, so Nicholas hardly ever came back home. Whenever he did, people would flock to see him.

After dealing with it so often, he'd just host the dinners at his own place to keep things simple.

On the eve of the party, Nicholas took our daughter Lacey out shopping for a present, while my stylist showed up early to work her magic on me.

My long, silky hair was swept up into an elegant updo, leaving my bare, fair neck exposed. Hanging at my throat was a sapphire-blue diamond pendant, shaped like a teardrop and glinting with every move.

This was the gift Solomon had splurged on for me at an auction in Virelia City just two weeks ago—he dropped a cool 250 million dollars on it.

The housekeeper carefully adjusted my elaborate evening gown, and my assistant, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward and asked cautiously, "Lily, do you remember that company I mentioned a few days ago? The one that wants to commission a design from you?"