Chapter 1

Colette Parker braved the heavy snow to reach Sacred Heart Church. There, a stretched Rolls-Royce Phantom was parked, with a vanity plate number 7777 and a fully bulletproof structure.

It was Jason Cadwell’s car.

The Cadwells were the epitome of wealth and power.

Jason’s father, Henry Cadwell, was the second most powerful figure in the city. His mother was an educator whose maiden family owned a large enterprise and was listed in the Global Wealth Report.

They were a ‘power couple’ that embodied stability and prestige.

On the first and fifteenth of every month, Mrs. Margaret Cadwell would come to the church regardless of the weather to pray. She did not pray for wealth or children, but for the peace of her family.

On those days, the clergy would turn away all other visitors and read scriptures with her.

Today was the fifteenth of January, and Margaret made another generous donation.

As soon as Colette entered the hall, she saw Jason standing with his back to the door. He was dressed in a black cashmere coat, his posture straight and imposing.

Jason was recognized for his good looks in his social circle. He was a top student in aerospace engineering and the youngest chief engineer in the company, outstanding in both his capability and demeanor.

Furthermore, he had a pristine private life. No one dared to inquire on whether he had a lover.

Colette stood at the back, her gaze falling on Jason’s profile.

Last night, he had been so passionate that Colette could not hold back and instinctively bit him. She had not expected the mark to be so conspicuous.

She took a deep breath to steady herself and walked to Margaret’s side. “Mrs. Cadwell.”

Margaret finished praying and took Colette’s hand. “Your father’s grave is on the hill behind the church. Henry personally picked it out. He went to the New Year’s Gala, but before he left, he asked me to have you come to ours for the holiday.”

Colette’s father and Henry were old acquaintances, with the former being promoted from a chauffeur.

A few years ago, he got into a scandalous affair with a seductive pharmaceutical representative and committed suicide in an underground parking lot. Since then, her stepmother’s mental state had been unstable, and she was admitted to a sanitorium.

Margaret treated Colette like a daughter out of pity. However, since Colette was an outsider, she was reluctant to impose.

Just as she was about to refuse, Margaret suddenly stared at Jason’s chin. “How did you get injured?”

Colette’s words stuck in her throat, her face burning with embarrassment.

“I bumped into something.”

Though, it was obviously a mark made in the throes of passion.

Margaret said meaningfully, “It’s normal to have a woman. You don’t have to hide it from me.”

Jason glanced at Colette, his expression unchanged. “I’m not hiding anything.”

“You’ll be thirty in October.” Margaret did not press further about the woman and went straight to the point. “You know what you need to do.”

Many in their social group started getting married at thirty.

Before that, they could play around without their families interfering. However, once they reached that age, they could not escape marriage and had to settle down.

That included Jason.

Although Margaret urged him every year, he always brushed her off.

This year, she was determined. “You’d better come up with a plan. You can’t avoid it.”

Jason slowly buttoned his coat. “Do you have anyone in mind?”

“Your father is helping you pick.” Margaret’s tone was proud, yet cautious. “There are a few ladies with good backgrounds. If you’re with someone now, you must cut ties with her completely.”

Colette looked up nervously and met Jason’s gaze, but he quickly looked away. “I’ve been busy lately. There’s no rush.”

After visiting the grave and leaving the church, Margaret’s car went down the mountain, but the Rolls-Royce Phantom remained.

The car window lowered, the wind blowing snow into the backseat. Jason, surrounded by a thick mist, looked at her. “I’ll take you back to school.”

“Where’s my cab?” She had given the driver two hundred bucks to wait for her.

The man’s expression was calm. “He left.”

Sacred Heart Church was closed to the public today, so there were no cabs nearby. Colette had no choice but to get into his car.

The refreshing scent of men’s cologne carried a subtle herbal undertone. It was a stark contrast to his demeanor, yet intriguingly attractive.

As soon as she sat down, she let out a groan from a sharp, prickly ache.

Halfway through the journey, Jason, still facing forward, asked in a low voice, “Did you apply ointment?”

She clenched her hands tightly.

The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “I remember you got hurt.”

Colette’s nails dug into her palms.

Over the years, she had developed feelings for Jason. Though she had always suppressed them and kept her distance.

As the only son of the Cadwells, every step of his life, from his partner to his marriage and career, was meticulously planned.

Their backgrounds were worlds apart. She knew there was no future for them, so it was better not to entertain fantasies and save her the heartache.

Although she was reluctant, it was better than letting her fall deeper and suffer an agonizing fate.

Last night, Jason had made the first move while drunk. Colette never imagined that she would be intimate with him and did not dare to imagine the upheaval if the Cadwells found out.

Her mind was still in a mess.

After a long while, Jason broke the silence again. “Did you tell anyone about that?”

Colette snapped back to her senses.

She understood his concern. It would negatively impact the Cadwells and him if word got out.

“I didn’t tell anyone.”

Jason hummed. “There’s a new housing development near the school. Pick a unit and tell me once you’ve chosen.”

When she remained silent, he added, “I can also transfer ownership of Redwood Estate to you.”

Redwood Estate was a mansion passed down by Jason’s grandfather. It was worth over a billion.

It was something that she could never afford in her lifetime.

Although his offer was generous, Colette did not appreciate compensation with a clearly defined price tag. “It’s more convenient for me to stay in the dorms.”

Jason did not insist.

Half an hour later, the car stopped outside the dormitory building, and Jason leaned over her to open the door.

The sudden closeness was overwhelming and intimate. It felt like breaking a taboo.

Colette shivered from the scalding warmth of his body.

Jason noticed and pulled back, straightening again. “Your underwear is at my place. Come by to get it.”

Colette’s expression was stiff. “Just throw it away.”

Jason frowned. “You don’t want it?”

“No.” She got out of the car and ran back to the dorm, not looking back once.

Chapter 2

Colette lived in a four-person dormitory. Her roommates were having dinner when she entered.

The finance department was full of wealthy students. Last year, ‘Oakridge Dance Halls’ from the northeast became a sensation. The owner of the most luxurious one was the stepfather of Anna Blake, who occupied the bed next to Colette.

Colette had a good relationship with Anna but was not as close to her two other roommates.

“Why did you leave early last night? You didn’t answer your phone either.”

“I wasn’t feeling well.” Colette grabbed her pajamas to change on the bed. “I went to the hospital to get an IV.”

“Mr. Cadwell seemed unwell, too. Gwen wanted to help him to a hotel, but his secretary refused.” Anna continued, “Gwen’s goal is to marry into a wealthy family, but she has tons of fallback guys. You two have the most famous names in our major. She sees you as her rival.”

Gwen Harper’s chest and Colette’s ass were the two standout features of the finance department, overshadowing even the girls from the foreign languages department.

While Gwen was addicted to dating, Colette was hard to woo and rarely smiled. The rich kids made bets on who could successfully hook up with her, with the prize being an Aston Martin.

They all failed.

Colette checked herself in the mirror behind the curtain.

“Did you see the school forum?” Anna pulled the curtain open. “Mr. Cadwell donated a dance studio and a gym during the anniversary ceremony.”

Colette panicked and hid under her blanket. “I heard about it...”

Anna continued, oblivious to Colette’s odd behavior. “They’re being built on the first floor of the girls’ dorms. You won’t have to walk far to practice anymore.”

Every year, the school would invite outstanding alumni from various fields, including the government, business, entertainment, and so on.

Jason disliked noisy places. However, since his mother was the honorary dean, he had to attend out of obligation. He ended up drinking several glasses of wine offered by the school leaders.

He could not hold his liquor, which led to the unexpected night.

That afternoon, Gwen came back with a package in her hand. “Colette, you have a delivery. The dorm supervisor signed for you.”

She tore open the packaging as she spoke, revealing a white Hermès Kelly bag, a limited edition with matte crocodile leather. “Woah, this is worth 200 grand on their official site. Who sent it?”

Colette quickly grabbed the bag and stuffed it into her drawer, locking it away. “It’s for someone else. I’m just passing it on.”

“Why would someone send such an expensive bag through you instead of delivering it personally?” Gwen sneered. “Did you get a sugar daddy? Stop acting so pure. There’s nothing shameful about receiving gifts. Why try to hide it?”

Colette ignored her and lay down to catch up on sleep.

Gwen was angry and jealous.

There were many fake socialites in her circle. They got everything as long as they were pretty and sensible.

Breakup gifts ranged from 30 grand Chanel bags to Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces, and gifts over 100 grand were meant to buy the woman’s silence. However, Gwen had never seen someone receive a gift worth 200 grand.

It seemed Colette’s man was not only wealthy but also very happy and infatuated with her.

...

The next day, the school organized three alumni to give speeches in the auditorium. When Colette arrived at the door, she heard Jason speaking, his voice rich and resonant.

When she opened the door, Jason glanced at her briefly before continuing his speech.

He wore a turtleneck sweater that covered the bite mark on his chin.

Margaret was of mixed heritage, so Jason had a well-defined face with deep-set eyes and a high nose bridge. Furthermore, he did not smoke, so his overall look was mature and clean.

The appeal of such a wealthy and noble man was lethal to young women just entering society.

Colette sat in the corner of the last row. Jason’s voice rang in the hall, but she could not register a single word.

Beside her, Anna kept praising Jason’s physique, saying that he was lean with muscles in all the right places, comparing him to a woman with a size 38D.

Colette did not respond and pulled her coat collar tighter.

At that moment, Jason looked gentle and refined, exuding the mild aura of a mature man. However, Jason at night was a fierce stallion that not even a bull could overpower.

“I heard that Mr. Cadwell isn’t married yet.”

Colette played with her phone, not looking at the stage. “He probably will be soon.”

Anna sighed. “The last eligible bachelor of the century... entering the grave that is marriage.”

After the speech, there was a group photo. Since there was limited space, and it was too crowded, Colette did not join and slipped away to the washroom.

She washed her hands and straightened up to tidy her hair, only to see Jason behind her in the mirror.

“You look pale.” He stepped closer and examined her carefully.

“I didn’t sleep well.”

Jason stood at 6 feet, his figure embodied the typical golden ratio. His shadow completely covered her.

He took out a box of ointment from his pocket and handed it to her. “This is for the swelling.”

Colette’s face burned. She did not take it and lowered her head, slipping past him. “I already bought some.”

“Colette,” Jason called her. “I lost control one time. Don’t forget to take the pill.”

Fortunately, her period started this morning.

She should not get pregnant.

“Did you send the bag?” Colette looked up at him.

Chapter 3

Jason’s silence was affirmative.

“Is it compensation?”

“It’s a gift.” He stood with his back to the window in the hallway, his face unreadable. “Next week is your birthday, but I’ll be out on a business trip. So I’m giving it to you in advance.”

Colette did not respond.

Her birthday was in February.

Jason had even forgotten her birthday.

Although they had known each other for years and were even intimate before, she truly held no weight in his heart.

“Do you want a car?” Jason was not known for his patience, but he was rather gentle when it came to women. “I have an Audi in my garage. You can drive it.”

That Audi A6 was his first car. He drove it for fun a few times before switching to a more luxurious one.

However, it was well-maintained and was considered mostly new.

Colette had just gotten her driver’s license and was indeed looking for a car. It would pain her less if she damaged a second-hand car, and the Audi held some sentimental value.

As she hesitated, a few figures appeared around the corner of the hallway. The one leading was the dean of the finance department. Colette pretended not to know Jason and walked past him.

“Colette, you didn’t join the group photo?”

The dean stopped her and turned, noticing Jason. “Mr. Cadwell, would you like to join us for lunch in the cafeteria?”

“No, thanks. I have some private matters for the afternoon.”

The dean said regretfully, “The club rehearsed a dance. I was going to invite you to watch.”

Jason said politely, “Maybe another time.”

“Colette is the club leader. She won dance competitions in the city before!” The dean patted Colette’s shoulder proudly. “She performs during each year’s school anniversary.”

The disinterested Jason finally spoke up at those words. “Why didn’t she perform this year?”

The dean was exasperated. “She refused to go on stage. I couldn’t persuade her either.”

“Why did she refuse?” Jason stopped and turned around.

It was then the dean realized he was displeased.

Girls usually could not wait to perform for him, hoping to catch his attention. A compliment from him would be more than enough to secure them a role in the entertainment industry.

It was the first time someone did not seize the opportunity.

The dean pushed Colette forward, who tripped and almost fell into Jason’s arms.

Jason nimbly grabbed her arm to steady her, asking in a low voice, “Is it because of me?”

His breath carried a faint bitter aftertaste of tea. Jason had a habit of drinking a strong cup of tea in the morning to stay alert.

Colette took a step back stiffly. “I injured my foot.”

The man glanced down to see her ankle wrapped in a thick bandage.

“Mr. Cadwell, Colette will definitely perform at the June graduation ceremony!” The dean quickly intervened.

Jason did not mention whether he would attend. Instead, he calmly headed to the first floor.

The dean finally relaxed. “He’s not difficult to deal with, but don’t offend him. University is like a miniature society. You need to understand human relationships.”

Colette said nothing.

“If he’s willing to watch the performance, and you perform well, you’ll easily be elected to the student council in your senior year.” The dean glanced at her. “I’m only advising you because you’re a smart girl.”

“Thank you, sir.” Colette smiled modestly.

She knew he meant well.

Adults put importance into reality and one’s background. Some people’s words were worth more than gold.

Especially if those words came from the Cadwells.

Colette parted ways with the dean at the auditorium only to receive a text from Jason, asking her to return.

Margaret had been urging her recently, so she had no choice.

She rushed back to her dorm, took out the bag from the drawer, and handed it to Jason in the car.

“It’s too expensive. It’s not suitable for school use.”

Jason had his hand resting on the window, his eyes closed. “Toss it in the trash.”

Colette was speechless.

Ever since her father’s assets were confiscated and her family lost their income, she knew the hardships of having no money. She could not bear to throw away a bag worth 200 grand.

Jason knew that better than her.

Colette ignored him.

After driving past another intersection, they were approaching the Cadwell residence. Jason suddenly asked, “What kind of dance do you perform?”

“Classical dance.”

He turned his head to appraise her. Her waist was slender, her arms delicate, yet flexible and strong. It was the physique of a dancer.

Jason did not possess the vices of high society, but he socialized with the circle.

Those people liked dancers.

“Will you perform at the graduation ceremony?”

Colette pursed her lips. “Will you be there?”

“If I have time.”

Jason was always like this.

He left vague promises, leaving room for interpretation and withdrawal.

The car turned into a neighborhood. The Cadwell residence was the first unit, a 400-square-meter compound with ash gray tile and bricks, exuding grandeur.

The driver parked the car and swept the snow outside the car door before Jason got out.

His polished shoes did not touch a speck of snow or mud.

Jason lived in a large apartment downtown after work, only returning to the Cadwell residence on weekends to eat with the family, watch the news, and report work to Henry.

It was a rule set by his father’s generation.

In the courtyard was a persimmon tree covered in frost. Jason picked a large persimmon and handed it to Colette.

“The persimmons are ripe.”

She touched it, feeling the frost on it.

She could not eat cold food during her period, so she shook her head.

Jason held it in his hand. “Do you not like persimmons anymore?”

“I’ll eat it in a few days.”

Colette wondered if he knew she had started her period.

Jason walked up the steps, opened the mahogany door, and told the nanny, “Make some soup. Colette has a sore throat.”

Entering the living room, Margaret was on the phone with Henry’s secretary.

The secretary said that Henry had eaten roast duck in Crestwood Lodge opposite the TV station and would return home the next day.

Colette had a friend working at Crestwood Lodge as an attendant. The guests there were all big names.

Entering the lodge required ID checks, and security was extremely strict. No photos of the rooms or meals were allowed.

Jason had also attended business summits there.

“Remind him to take his blood pressure meds and smoke less. I’ll take care of Jason’s matters, so tell him not to worry.”

After hanging up the phone, Margaret gestured for Colette to sit. Her gaze fixed on Colette’s bag.

The prerequisite spends required for the bag alone cost around 500 grand, more than the bag itself. Colette stopped accepting living expenses from the Cadwells after starting her internship. Her salary could not even buy a strap for this bag.

She sensed Margaret’s gaze and subtly hid the bag with her body.

Margaret smiled kindly. “It’s been three months since you’ve been back. Henry misses you.”

“I miss him too.”

“Lettie, do you have enough for your mother’s treatment fees?”

Margaret and Henry called her Lettie in private. It was an intimate nickname that Jason never used except once in bed.

She continued, “The sanitorium costs a lot. Let me know if you need more. Focus on your studies. Making money can wait.”

Colette snapped back to her senses. “It’s enough, Mrs. Cadwell.”

“Lettie, are you dating anyone?”

Margaret’s sharp gaze made her scalp tingle.

“Not yet...”

“Do you have anyone you like?”

Colette felt uneasy.

Jason sat on the opposite armchair, calmly adjusting his cufflinks. When the nanny asked what he wanted to eat, he mentioned a Belforst dish.

Henry often got transferred around in his job, and Margaret was also busy, so he was raised by his grandfather in Belforst until middle school, when he returned to the north. He could even speak the old Belforst dialect.

Hence, he had the stature and presence of a man from the North, but the fair complexion and shrewdness of the South.

It was the best of both worlds.

“No.” Colette avoided Margaret’s eyes.

Margaret glanced at the bag again but did not comment.

Young girls cared about their reputations and sometimes made mistakes under temptation. It was something that happened often at university.

“If you have troubles you can’t tell me, talk to Jason or his wife.”

His wife...

Colette gripped the sofa cushion, her knuckles cracking.

Margaret looked at Jason seriously and pointed to some photos on the table. “Pick one you like.”

He fiddled with a bejeweled ashtray meant for guests. “Which one do you like?”

“I won’t interfere with your choice.”

Colette looked at the women in the photos. They were all elegant and beautiful, around the same age as Jason.

Most importantly, they had the refined air of a lady who came from a privileged background, making them suitable for him.

“This one.” He picked a photo from the bottom.

She was the prettiest one.

It was the kind of beauty that grabbed attention, striking and aggressive.

Colette’s heart ached.

Sure enough, men were visual creatures. Their primary attraction was always beauty.

However, Margaret was dissatisfied and pointed to another. “What about her? She’s educated, and her parents are professors. Her grandfather also retired from the military.”

“Do you like her?” Jason’s expression remained unchanged.

“It’s your wife. Make your own choice.”

“I already did,” he insisted.

Margaret’s smile faded completely.

“Lettie, pick one for Jason.” Margaret moved the photos in front of Colette. “A woman’s judgment for other women's the most insightful.”

Colette bit her lip, her insides twisting and suffocating her.

“Why should she pick?” Jason leaned against the sofa, his brows furrowed in annoyance. “She’s not the one marrying; I am.”

“Do you really like her that much?” Margaret probed.

“Arrange a meeting.”

Jason agreed without hesitation.

He picked up a teacup, his right hand flashing in Colette’s eyes.

It was the hand that developed the most advanced aircraft parts, making the aerospace company he worked for a leader in the industry. It was also what made him the highest-paid chief engineer.

When Jason’s name was brought up, the industry described him as highly esteemed and noble, aloof and unapproachable, enigmatic and unreadable.

Colette felt that staying away from him was the right decision.

A man like him was destined to make women heartbroken.

Chapter 4

Colette did not have an appetite for dinner and only had a bowl of oatmeal. The atmosphere between Margaret and Jason was slightly tense as well.

Although Margaret was relatively open-minded, she was somewhat disappointed that Jason did not pick the daughter-in-law she preferred.

She wanted to try persuading him, but he put down his cutlery and left the table directly.

Jason’s room was next to Colette. It was a separate suite with a private study.

Colette’s door was ajar when he walked past, and a classical symphony sounded from inside. She lay on her blanket, reaching for the charging cable at the head of the bed, her legs crossed and slightly raised.

Jason swallowed and looked away.

After taking a shower, he came out with a bag and knocked on her door.

“Are you asleep?”

Colette was stunned.

That was Jason’s voice.

She sat up on the bed. “Do you need something?”

“I’m returning your stuff.”

Colette’s heart raced. “Hang it on the knob.”

There was no response from outside. After a while, Jason lowered his voice further. “It’s underwear.”

Her face flushed, and she quickly put on her pajamas and opened the door.

Across from her was the staircase, and Margaret was watching TV on the first floor. She would easily spot them if she raised her head.

Jason seemed to be aware of that and gently grabbed her arm, entered the room, and closed the door.

For some inexplicable reason, Colette felt guilty. She reached out and pulled him. “Get out!”

There was a significant gap in strength between a man and a woman. Despite her best efforts, he did not budge an inch.

“Your underwear was cleaned.” The bedside lamp was dim, and Jason’s presence was heavy in the hazy light.

As he bent over, his shirt wrapped around his chest, and his curved back displayed a smooth, muscular build.

The faint smell of men’s body wash wafted from him.

Colette’s fingertips touched the underwear, which seemed to burn her skin.

“Did you apply ointment to your foot?”

She was so nervous that her toes curled. “Mrs. Cadwell is downstairs.”

“I’ll leave when you finish applying the ointment.”

Colette sat down and rolled up her pants. Used to a daybed, she did not like sleeping on a bed frame. Jason’s elevated position gave off a sense of dominance that made her feel cornered.

She removed the bandages and used her thumb to spread the ointment. “What ointment is it?”

“It’s for swelling and bruises.” Jason’s expression was calm. “It can also be used on feet.”

Also...

It was the same ointment he bought before.

Colette only applied a small amount and tossed it into the drawer.

“Does it still hurt?”

She could not tell which part he was asking and answered vaguely, “Not anymore.”

“Lettie?” Margaret’s voice suddenly called from outside the door.

The next second, the lights went out.

The sudden darkness startled Colette. “Jason...”

He reacted quickly and covered her mouth.

“Lettie, why did you turn off the lights?”

When the door was pushed open, Colette panicked and shouted, “Mrs. Cadwell! I’m not dressed.”

Margaret laughed and went out again, knowing that the girl was embarrassed.

“Henry wants to use his connections to find a well-off man for you. Good men aren’t readily available in the market. It’s hard to meet them without a shared circle.”

Jason remained silent. He stood by the bed, his eyes fixed on the slightly ajar door.

Perhaps due to the dim lighting, his expression seemed dark.

After a while, he bent down and braced himself on the bed. “Don’t make a sound.”

A damp, warm breath brushed her ear. Colette could not help but shiver, feeling his face close to hers.

Margaret listened carefully. “He’s the second son of the Spades. He graduated from the police academy and has a stable job. Though he’s six years older than you, he has a good character and a bright future. Henry likes him quite a lot.”

The Spades were also a prominent family in the city. They had two sons in the third generation, with the elder being the most renowned.

He worked in the same field as Jason. Thanks to them, the aerospace and aviation industries were booming. Previously, engineering fields had more men, but there was now a predominance of women.

The second son of the Spades was much more low-profile.

“Do you agree?” Jason’s eyes were like a deep pool, so dark that they were bottomless.

Colette met his gaze nervously.

He was just a millimeter away from kissing her.

“I have a lot of field work in my third year. Let’s talk about it next year.”

She could not handle the tension of the moment and simply parroted everything Jason told her to say.

“Say you’re tired and want to rest.”

After a while, Jason walked over and checked that Margaret was no longer in the corridor. He turned around, glanced at Colette, and left.

The door opened and closed. Colette felt like she had just been pulled out of the water, drenched in sweat.

She collected herself and took the bag containing her underwear. It had a fresh, floral, and feminine scent.

Perhaps he bought a special soap for women, or... He used female products at his place.

Colette remained in a daze for a long time. Then, she folded the underwear neatly and placed it in her coat pocket.

...

The next morning, Margaret personally made Colette’s favorite yogurt bowl and breakfast tacos.

Margaret was not only a skilled cook but also had a high EQ and knew how to manage her husband. Many wealthy wives sought her advice on how to handle mistresses and keep their husbands’ attention.

She never boasted about herself, only praising Henry as responsible and a good husband and father. Henry’s reputation in the circle was excellent largely due to Margaret’s efforts.

Not long after Colette came down, Jason did as well.

He had just woken up, and his short hair was unstyled and disheveled. His voice was hoarse, and his stubble was unshaven, lining his jaw and sideburns with a five o’clock shadow.

He looked quite sexy.

Colette lowered her head and continued to eat.

Margaret flipped a pancake. “If you don’t get along with the Spades’ second son, what about the Barkers? Mrs. Barker invited me for tea this weekend. You can come with me.”

“Mrs. Cadwell, I’m busy this semester. Let’s wait till summer break.”

“Summer break...” Margaret counted the days. “The Barkers will be going south in May, so it’s better to meet as soon as possible.”

Colette was stunned. “You want me to go to the south too?”

Margaret smiled. “If you miss home and us, you can come back anytime.”

Colette’s mind went blank.

Did Margaret notice something?

Was she trying to extinguish this spark quickly to avoid future troubles?

Colette held her spoon, finding the food tasteless.

“Where are you interning?”

Colette swallowed her mouthful. “At a classmate’s company.”

“Did you get a raise? The bag you’re carrying isn’t cheap.”

She woke up from her daze.

Margaret was not suspicious of her relationship with Jason. She was concerned that Colette was selling herself for money.

“It’s... an imitation.”

Margaret seemed skeptical. She could distinguish between genuine and counterfeit goods.

The bag was clearly authentic.

However, she might be mistaken.

Jason finished washing up, took the coat from the nanny, and walked to the dining room. “Internship or classes?”

Colette quickly stood up as if seizing a lifeline. “I have an exam.”

“What exam?”

“Security investment.”

He asked briefly, then looked at his watch. “Let’s go together.”

Margaret stopped him. “I’m not done talking to Lettie.”

“I’m going to the company. I’ll drop her off along the way.”

Jason had a decisive temperament. No one dared to oppose him when it came to business.

At home, he knew how to keep the bigger picture, so when it came to marriage and the smaller things, Henry and Margaret usually deferred to his wishes.

Colette put on her hat, said goodbye to Margaret, and followed Jason out of the courtyard.

He was not driving the Phantom today but a silver-white car. Colette did not recognize the car brand. All she knew was that it was not a Volkswagen.

Jason handed her a VIP bank card. “You don’t want to owe the Cadwells too much, right? They don’t know about this money.”

Colette stared at the card and seemed to understand.

Jason had probably considered their relationship for the past two days and felt that they were quite compatible intimately. It was much more convenient and reassuring to be with an ‘old acquaintance’ than meet a ‘newcomer’.

She suppressed her racing heart. “Aren’t you getting married?”

“Not so soon.”

Jason leaned back against the seat. The light streaming in after being reflected by the snow was blindingly white.

“Whether she’s suitable or not is another problem.”

Colette followed his lead and asked, “What if she’s suitable?”

“Arrangements will be made then.”

She fully understood what he meant.

A man’s view on emotions was not limited to love, hate, and status. It included physical needs as well.

A legitimate relationship had its security, while an affair had its excitement.

“I don’t want it.” Colette shook her head.

Jason slipped the card into her coat sleeve. “You don’t want it, but your mother needs it.”

Colette pulled out the card and was just about to throw it back at him when he grabbed her wrist. “This is this, and that is that. They’re not the same thing.”

She breathed unevenly, her chest heaving as it pressed softly against Jason’s hand.

“The driver is here. Settle down.” The friction also had him feeling hot and restless. He loosened his collar and let go of her.

The ride back to school was silent. No one spoke a word.

The atmosphere in the car was heavy with tension.

When they arrived at the school, Colette got out. “The bag is hidden in the mirror cabinet in the washroom.”

Jason lowered the car window, but Colette quickly walked away before he could speak.

“Colette!”

Gwen held a stack of books, running over from the cafeteria to stop her. “You skipped class yesterday.”

Colette’s heart skipped a beat.

It was not every month that Jason picked her up. He usually stopped at a barbecue restaurant 300 meters from the school, and Colette would walk over alone for fear of being spotted by her classmates.

A university campus was a hotspot for romance and gossip.

Although she had made efforts to be extra cautious, she still could not hide from Gwen.

“Your boyfriend?” Gwen smiled with a hint of malice. “That car costs over two million. You’re amazing.”

Colette walked past her. “No.”

“Then, is he your sugar daddy?” Gwen pressed. “And do you actually call him ‘daddy’? He must be quite old, right?”

Chapter 5

Gwen was vain and had a sharp tongue, disliking when other girls did better than her. However, Colette could not be bothered to argue with her and walked straight into the dormitory building.

Gwen kicked the trash can in the corner of the hallway in frustration.

Inside the dorm, Anna was panting from doing acrobatics. “The dean announced your performance. You’ll be performing a solo dance at the graduation ceremony!”

Colette took out the underwear from her pocket and hid it under her pillow. “I’m not dancing.”

“All the girls are fighting for center stage, and you’re refusing it?” Anna rolled up her mat and set it aside on the balcony. “I heard that Mr. Cadwell specifically requested to see it.”

Colette stiffened and pressed her pillow down tightly.

It had been so many years, but Jason had never seen her dance.

He only knew that she could dance.

“Mr. Cadwell even visited the student Hall of Fame and asked about you.” Anna had a date in the afternoon and sat on the chair, putting on makeup.

“About what?” Colette could not help but be curious.

“He asked about your grades and whether you get along with your classmates. It’s strange. The president thought he knew you, but he denied it and said he was just curious.”

Colette felt as if a large chunk of flesh had been torn from her chest.

She had never mentioned her connections with the Cadwells to anyone.

Margaret wanted to talk to the president and have him look after her, but she refused.

She had been admitted to the university through her own scores. She did not want to be a ‘nepo baby’.

However, Jason’s complete distancing from her made her fully aware of her position.

Women might become more invested after sharing a bed with someone, but in a man’s eyes, it might just be a fleeting affair.

There was no need to expose it, and it was not worth the risk.

Colette finished her exam in the morning and lay in the dorm all afternoon. In the evening, Gwen made a racket while tidying her wardrobe.

Since Colette stayed silent, Gwen thought she was asleep and sneaked into her drawer.

Colette had no valuables, and she returned the bag to Jason, so she did not lock it.

Gwen easily pulled it open.

Inside was a square jewelry box containing an 18K gold necklace worth three grand, and the rest were bracelets and hairpins from street vendors.

Gwen scoffed in disdain, climbed back to her upper bunk, and video-called one of her fallback guys. “I guess the bag was fake. That man is just fooling her. She’s never seen the real world before, so she can’t tell genuine products from counterfeits. Or maybe she rented it. Haven’t there been many fake socialites lately? They rent bags, luxury cars, five-star suits, then take pictures and show off online.”

Colette turned off the bedside lamp.

Gwen froze and instantly fell silent.

...

The long northern winter nights were dark, and the sky only started to brighten at 7 AM. Colette was sound asleep when Anna climbed up the ladder to shake her. “Colette! There’s a rumor about you in the class group chat!”

When Colette turned around, Anna turned her phone screen to the former. “Are you dating an old man?”

Colette was still drowsy. “Old man?”

“Gwen leaked the news that you got out of a luxury car. She said the man is in his fifties, bald, has a potbelly, and yellow teeth, and he used a fake Hermes bag to trick you into sleeping with him.”

The shock immediately cleared Colette’s drowsiness. She quickly changed into a down jacket and rushed to the cafeteria to find Gwen.

The finance department had a morning class, so most of the classmates were eating together, whispering at their tables.

The moment Colette appeared, they all fell silent.

“Where’s Gwen? Her phone is off.”

The classmates shook their heads.

Colette then asked the dorm supervisor and learned that Gwen had been picked up by a BMW 7 series from the nearby Music Academy around 6 AM and had gone to Lunar Bay Skating Rink.

Gwen stayed off campus every weekend. If Colette did not catch her, she would have to wait until Monday. The rumor might grow out of hand by then.

Colette hailed a cab and went straight to Lunar Bay Skating Rink.

The ice rink was not crowded. Gwen was hugging a boy in Air Jordan sneakers and an LV jacket by a roadside food truck.

Colette got out of the car, ran past the iron gate, and grabbed Gwen. “What nonsense are you spreading in the group chat? Are you trying to spite me?”

Gwen’s boyfriends ranged from street thugs to trust fund kids. She was used to being arrogant. When Colette humiliated her publicly, she was enraged and snapped, “You don’t have parents. How could you ride in a luxury car if you weren’t kept by a man? Even a fake Hermes costs thousands. Where did you get the money?”

Her friends laughed along.

Colette could not explain the fury she felt at the slander. Shoving Gwen hard, she said, “It’s none of your business, so stop spreading rumors! You’d better watch yourself. Does your boyfriend know you were video chatting naked with an Eldoria transfer student in the dorm during Christmas?”

Gwen raised her hand to slap Colette when a horn suddenly blared.

Jason’s driver stood outside the ice rink’s fence. The gleaming black Rolls-Royce Phantom had its hazard lights on.

“Ms. Parker, I’ll take you to class.” The driver’s stern gaze scanned the group of people, intimidating them into behaving.

The driver was a retired SWAT officer and was skilled in handling brawls. Henry had personally selected him.

The Cadwells had one son and three daughters in the previous generation. With Henry being the son, and Jason being the only male in the younger generation, they were extremely cautious about his safety.

Jason was also skilled and had been trained from a young age, capable of handling multiple opponents at once.

Colette did not expect him to pass by Lunar Bay today and let go of Gwen’s collar.

“Gwen Harper, I haven’t provoked you, so don’t slander me again.”

She turned expressionlessly and walked away.

One of the boys, who was well-informed, recognized the car and kindly warned Gwen, “You don’t know her background, right? You should stop targeting her.”

“Background, my ass! Her dad is a cheater, and her mom is crazy.”

“Is her man really an old man?” The boy was skeptical. “If your information is wrong, it might ruin all of us! There are only seven Rolls-Royce Phantoms in the city. My dad can’t afford to offend the owner of one.”

Gwen had been guessing and did not have real evidence, so she instantly fell silent.

Colette walked to the back of the Phantom.

Jason was wearing a formal suit with a gray shirt and a tie underneath. His hair was neatly cut and styled, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses was perched on his nose.

He held blueprints in one hand and rubbed his temples with the other, clearly exhausted from a night of meetings and overtime.

It was so cold that Colette shivered, but her palms were sweaty. She wiped them on her scarf and mustered the courage to speak first. “Why are you here?”

The man removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Get in.”

Colette bent down and climbed in. The car was warm, and soon, the frost on her eyelashes and eyebrows started to melt.

“You’ve grown some skill.” Jason closed the blueprints and looked at her with a neutral expression.

She silently wiped the water from her face.

Jason handed her a handkerchief.

It was white with green bamboo, embroidered by hand.

He liked pine and bamboo and had ornamental bamboo and dwarf pines in his private yard. It was like a representation of him—noble, disciplined, and enduring.

“Why did you raise your hand?”

His tone softened. So Colette stopped being stubborn. “Gwen was spreading rumors.”

Jason was smart enough to understand and did not ask further.

Her eyes were red from the cold, and her nose was also red, making her look pitiful. Jason held her hands and rubbed them to warm them up.

Colette tried to pull away but failed.

They held hands the whole way.

At the traffic light intersection, Jason directed the driver to a hotel.

Colette stiffened. “Why are we going to a hotel?”

Their first time happened in a hotel.

This decadent and domineering side of Jason was unfamiliar to Colette, making her feel at a loss.

Under his seduction, she found herself experiencing something indescribable.

It shifted from fear to obsession, and then to depravity.

She felt almost intoxicated.

Colette knew that once tasted, this kind of wildness would become addictive.

“Take a hot shower.” Jason knew what she was thinking. “Don’t get a cold.”

Her stiff back relaxed.

“I’ll take one too to relieve fatigue.”

Chapter 6

The car drove into the hotel, and Colette followed Jason upstairs.

The executive suite was on the 33rd floor, the top floor.

Jason sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, tapping his finger lightly on the edge of the table.

Colette felt each tap on her heart.

He always seemed nonchalant when they were alone. She was the only one feeling uneasy.

In that aspect, men were indeed more open than women.

“The driver bought soy milk. Drink it after your shower.”

The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

The atmosphere was tinged with subtleties.

Jason studied her for a long time. As the room temperature rose, he casually removed his tie and tossed it aside. “Go shower.”

Colette ran into the bathroom and locked the door.

It was as if she was floating.

The tension between Jason and her was palpable.

It could become uncontrollable if not broken carefully.

Colette hung her clothes on the door handle and turned on the shower, only to realize she had not brought a towel. She opened the door and asked, “Is there a towel?”

Jason looked up and met her gaze. Only then did Colette realize he was on the phone.

“Are you with a woman?” Margaret’s sharp ears picked up.

“Yeah.”

Caught in the act, he did not deny it.

He had no female subordinates. All his assistants and personal secretaries were men. It was something that Margaret knew.

Female subordinates could develop ambitions of climbing up over time.

If they lay a hand on him, their goal would undoubtedly be to use a child to secure a prominent position or even become the next Mrs. Cadwell.

The other end of the phone was silent for a while. “Where are you?”

“In a hotel.”

“You didn’t go home?”

“No.”

“At least you have some decency.”

Margaret was prepared for this.

Although he was busy with work and lived a celibate life, he was still a young man full of vitality. An occasional night or two of passion was to be expected.

“What’s her occupation?”

Jason crossed his legs, smoothing out a crease in his pants. “Student.”

Colette held her breath, terrified that Margaret would catch the faintest sound from her.

“Is she legal?”

“She’s twenty.”

Margaret was in a mall, where the noise of a cosmetic advertisement played in the background. “That lady has agreed to meet you.”

“Pick a date.”

Jason responded without showing excitement or reluctance. He merely accepted everything calmly.

Margaret pondered. “What about two days from now?”

He agreed again.

“In that case, make sure to handle this properly.” Margaret did not want any complications to arise. “It’s better to give that student more than less when compensating her. The last thing you need is for her to bug you. Settle it immediately and cut ties with her.”

Jason calmly hung up the phone and looked at Colette. “In the sealed bag on the bed.”

It was no wonder he took a bag out of the trunk. There was a towel in it.

How considerate.

He knew how to care for women without being overly emotional, and he was rich and stylish. What woman would not love him?

“Hotel supplies aren’t sanitary.” Jason’s gaze lingered on her with an unreadable expression. “If you get sick, it’ll affect me too.”

Colette felt her ears buzz.

Jason’s message was clear.

If the timing was right and they both felt like it, he did not mind this dangerous and forbidden relationship.

“Is the date set?”

“Yes.”

As Colette fiddled with the zipper on the sealed bag, the face of that charming girl appeared in her mind. “Do you like pretty girls?”

“Of course.” Jason swiped on his phone, the screen flickering under his thumb’s repeated touches. “Do you like ugly men?”

The force she used on the zipper caused it to break.

She held the misaligned zipper together.

“Looks are important, but it’s not the most important.” Jason leaned against the sofa.

Colette lowered her arm. “Family background is the most important.”

“Is that what you think?”

She turned slightly.

Jason’s face was obscured by the sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows. The curtains dimmed some of the light, making his expression mysterious and dark.

Colette softly walked into the bathroom.

...

After finishing his last stack of documents, Jason stretched his neck and shoulders.

From his peripheral vision, he caught a glimpse of Colette drying her long hair with the towel.

He stood up and removed his shirt, revealing a hickey on his collarbone.

Jason turned around, his spine shifting as he placed his belt on the sofa.

The sound of running water roared in the shower, turned on to its maximum flow.

Colette flipped through a travel magazine in the hotel to pass the time.

“Towel,” Jason called out to her.

She stepped closer. “There’s no more towels.”

The water from the shower muffled his voice. “Give me the one you used.”

A taut string seemed to snap inside her.

“Colette?” Jason called again.

Colette grabbed the wet towel from the rack and handed it through the partially opened door. Steam billowed out as Jason held his hand out, water trailing down his sinewy arm.

He grabbed the towel and her arm along with it.

His grip now differed from in the car. Here, she was a woman, and he was a man.

A naked, scalding hot man.

Colette recoiled, pulling her hand behind her.

“Slippers.”

She went to the door and fetched a new pair of slippers for him.

The steam spreading from the bathroom made it hard for her to breathe.

“Do you need anything else?”

Jason took the slippers. “No.”

Colette fled as if granted asylum.

Ten minutes later, the driver returned with breakfast and handed her a square paper box. “It’s for Chief Cadwell.”

She placed it on the stack of finished documents.

Right as the driver left, Jason opened the bathroom slightly. “Pass it here, Spencer.”

Colette held a cup of soy milk and said, “The driver left. What do you need?”

The sound of running water inside the bathroom stopped, making his voice clear. “Is there a box?”

“Yeah.”

“Hand it over.”

The box label brushed against her wrist. Colette instinctively looked at it: men’s pure cotton underwear.

She felt a mix of emotions.

Jason had an imposing and proper demeanor, but it seemed there was an unknown lustful and wild side to him.

He put on the underwear and walked out of the bathroom, drying his hair. “What are you thinking about?”

Colette felt as if he had seen through her thoughts. “Yesterday’s exam answers.”

“Liar.” Jason’s eyes were like hooks, deep and captivating.

The tides in her heart surged again.

“The driver bought the wrong type. I’ve never worn this kind before.”

“You...”

“Do you like it?” Jason interrupted her.

Colette froze.

“Have you seen a man wear one before?”

She shook her head, then nodded.

“Where?”

The soft light made Jason look gentler.

Colette said truthfully, “At the pool.”

Jason pinched a lock of her hair and tucked it behind her ear, her face illuminating under the lamp.

“Can you swim?”

This time, she shook her head firmly. “I’ve never learned.”

“I’ll teach you.” Jason brushed against her earlobe. There were calluses on his fingers made from long hours of work.

Every inch of skin he touched became intensely sensitive.

Colette felt her heart leap out of her throat.

After a moment, he opened his palm and revealed a small pearl hairpin.

“Careless.”

She had forgotten to take it out when washing her hair, causing it to get tangled.

She had not noticed it.

“Thanks.”

Colette clipped her stray hairs. The small pearl was delicate and round, complementing her small forehead.

Jason’s gaze darkened.