Chapter 1

"How dare you call the cops, you worthless piece of trash? Do you even know who I am? Do you have any idea who my uncle is?"

Winona Newsham heard the young man's voice the moment she stepped into the police station. He was wearing a blue-and-white school uniform, and his chin was lifted high, his eyes full of disdain.

Winona paused for a second before walking forward. "Hello. I'm Leona Newsham's older sister."

After hearing her voice, the young man turned over and took a look at Winona. Then, he scoffed. "Your sister's a fat cow, Leona?"

"What did you just say?" Leona, who had been sitting quietly at the side this whole time, exploded. She was about to rise from her seat, but Winona forced her back down.

Ignoring Leona, Winona asked the officer, "What happened to my sister?"

"She called us on the bus, claiming someone molested her."

As soon as the officer's words fell, the young man burst into laughter. "What a joke! Why would I ever molest her? She should go home and take a good look in the mirror!"

Leona gritted her teeth. "I didn't make a mistake! It was him! If you don't believe me, check the surveillance footage!"

"What footage? I told you it was an accident! I bet you're trying to scam me—"

The young man was unbelievably arrogant. He slammed his fist on the table and was about to rise to his feet when he saw something. Then, as if he had seen a ghost, his head immediately dropped.

Winona thought it was strange. As she was about to turn around, a man's voice sounded behind her, "Hello. I'm Damian Grant's guardian, Cassian Grant."

The second she heard his voice, Winona's whole body stiffened. Her hands curled into fists, and she was even trembling a little.

No one seemed to notice her reaction.

The officer across from her hastily stood up. "Mr. Cassian! I didn't realize it was you. My apologies."

Dressed in a black suit, he was tall and perfectly built, his sharp features almost too perfect to be real. An unmistakable sense of power and elegance radiated from him.

He met the officer's flattery with nothing but a calm expression. "It's fine. I've seen the surveillance footage. Whether he did it on purpose or not, it was still my nephew's fault. Handle the matter as you see fit."

The officer hurriedly waved his hands. "There's no need for such formality. No real harm was done. As long as Mr. Damian apologizes and both parties agree to settle, this matter can be resolved."

Leona tore her gaze away from the man and snapped, "Who said I'm settling?"

However, the very next second, Winona held her down by the shoulder and answered, "In that case, we'll settle."

"What are you talking about, Winona?" Leona fumed. "I—"

Ignoring her, Winona turned to Damian. "If my memory serves, you and Leona are classmates, right, Mr. Damian? I'm sure there were a lot of your classmates on the bus earlier, so I hope you can apologize in front of them. Is that possible?"

Damian had toned down his attitude considerably since Cassian's arrival. However, after he heard Winona's request, his expression changed drastically. "What did you just say, you fat cow? You want me to apologize in public?"

He shot to his feet and was about to hurl more insults at her when Cassian beside him shot him a single look. It was but one look, yet it was all it took for Damian to clamp his mouth shut.

"Let's do that, then," Cassian concluded.

"Hold on, Uncle Cassian…" Damian wanted to argue, but Cassian had already told his assistant to handle the rest and walked out decisively.

Before Winona could say another word to the officer, her phone lit up.

Cassian had texted her.

"Come out."

Chapter 2

The hotel was familiar, and so was the room. Winona's dress slipped from her shoulders and pooled soundlessly at her feet. Her brows drew together, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

The man, however, didn't spare her a shred of mercy. The polished, dignified facade he wore in public had completely shattered here.

In the end, she leaned in and kissed him. Her tongue traced him with careful, tentative strokes, almost as if she was attempting to please him.

The man didn't pull away from her kiss, yet his fingers dug harder into the soft flesh of her waist. The veins on his forearm bulged beneath his pale skin.

Winona's kisses trailed downward until her lips landed on his Adam's apple. The moment her tongue touched his skin, his fingers closed around her chin.

Then came his kiss—deep, consuming, and crushing enough to leave her struggling for air. When he pulled back, he finally let her go.

Winona's legs gave out beneath her, and she sank to the floor. She only opened her eyes again when she heard the sound of water running in the bathroom.

After a bit of strength crept back into her limbs, she pushed herself up to her feet, gathered her clothes from the floor, and put them on one piece at a time. By the time she smoothed down her dress and caught her breath, the man emerged from the bathroom.

Dressed in a bathrobe and hair neatly combed back, he was once again that distant, untouchable… Cassian Grant, a man whose world should never have collided with hers.

Merely two hours ago, they had kissed, held each other, and ended up in bed together like a pair of lovers. But it was only for those two hours.

The couple barely spoke outside of that brief window. Even earlier at the police station, he hadn't spared her so much as a glance.

"I'm leaving," Winona said softly.

Cassian didn't answer, nor did he look her way. So, she spun on her heel, only to hear a soft metallic click—the sound of his lighter snapping open.

Winona didn't stop or look back. She dragged her tired, aching body out of the room step by step.

The moment she stepped into the elevator, her phone buzzed. She had received a bank transfer notification for 280 dollars.

She stared at the figure for a while before lifting her gaze to the mirror-like panel in the elevator. Damian's words echoed in her mind. In a society obsessed with being tan-skinned and thin, Winona's figure placed her squarely in the "fat" category, even though she didn't hit 145 pounds.

Her features weren't striking either. The only thing she had going for her was her eyes. Her round, almond-shaped eyes and warm amber irises that looked almost like glass always held a deep, unspoken affection whenever she focused on someone.

Cassian often lost himself staring into them. Winona suspected that was the only reason he still kept in contact with her.

Perhaps… her eyes reminded him of someone else. If not, given his status, he could have as many lovers as he wanted. Why would he ever choose her?

While these thoughts ran through Winona's mind, the elevator arrived at the lobby. Clutching her canvas bag, she walked out with her head lowered.

The grandeur of the five-star hotel only highlighted how out of place she looked in her simple attire. The gleaming Maserati in front of her didn't suit her either.

"Mr. Grant asked me to drive you home, Ms. Newsham," his assistant said respectfully.

Winona nodded. "Please just drop me off at the bus stop nearby as usual. Cars can't get into the alley where I live."

Chapter 3

In the days that followed, Winona fell back into her usual routine of commuting between work and home. Leona never brought up what happened at the police station again.

Winona thought everything was fine until she noticed the burned, singed streaks on Leona's hair. "W-Who did this to you?" Her voice trembled.

Leona, however, shoved her away in a heartbeat. "So, now you care about me? Don't pretend you give a damn! If you hadn't asked Damian to apologize to me in public, no one would've picked on me. He even said he'd make sure I can't show my face anywhere in all of Clearwick!"

…

Leona's bedroom door remained tightly shut by nightfall. She didn't touch the dinner Winona left outside her room either.

Winona had already called Leona's teacher. However, because the perpetrator was Damian, it was obvious he didn't want to get involved. As soon as she explained the situation, he immediately asked if she had any proof.

When she requested access to the school's surveillance footage, he refused and told her she was welcome to file a police report if she didn't believe him. Winona knew that even if she did, the cops wouldn't do anything because the person involved was… Damian.

Clutching her phone, she stared out the window for a long while before gathering the courage to make the call. In the past two years, she had contacted Cassian so rarely she could count the times on one hand because he didn't like her intruding on his life.

Hence, when he picked up, he already sounded impatient. "What is it?"

Winona tightened her grip. "I… I need to talk to you about something. Are you free?"

There was a brief silence on the other end.

It lasted only a second or two, yet it felt long enough for her lungs to forget how to work. Then, she heard Cassian's voice. "I'll have Julian pick you up."

With that, he hung up on her.

Winona came back to her senses and hurriedly changed her clothes. Before leaving, she applied a light layer of makeup. The thin eyeliner accentuated the natural shape of her eyes.

She assumed Julian would take her to the hotel like usual, but the car stopped in front of Fairfax Estate.

Winona had been here once. Back then… he had kicked her out without even giving her time to put her shoes on. The memory washed over her, but she hastily swallowed the emotion back down.

After thanking Julian, she got out of the car. Julian had given her the passcode.

As soon as she keyed it in and pushed the door open, she found him sitting in the living room. He looked drunk.

His coat was tossed to the side, and he had undone the buttons on his shirt, exposing a stretch of pale skin underneath. He didn't react to the sound of the door at all.

Winona slowly walked toward him.

"Cassian?" she called out softly. "Are you alright? Do you want me to get you some hangover remedy?"

He didn't answer. He didn't even lift his eyes.

Winona hesitated for a moment. She was about to reach out to feel his forehead when he abruptly grasped her hand. His grip was so strong it was crushing her wrist.

Winona couldn't help but hiss.

At last, Cassian opened his eyes. After taking a look at her, he hastily threw her hand away. "What is it?"

He looked cold, elegant, and untouchable. That aloof look in his eyes was one Winona was all too aware of.

Slowly, she lowered her gaze. "Because of what happened at the police station… your nephew seems to have a misunderstanding with my sister. I just found out today that… she's been bullied at school." Her voice grew smaller.

However, long after her words, he still didn't say a word. So, she had no choice but to muster her courage and look up at him.

Chapter 4

"So?" Cassian finally drawled leisurely. "Did you come here to complain to me?"

"Damian is your nephew." Winona clasped her hands. "Your older brother has passed away. Damian's only nine years younger than you, but you're still his elder. If he did something at school and the media found out, it would… reflect badly on you too, wouldn't it?"

As soon as those words rolled off her tongue, Cassian let out a low chuckle. Then, he reached out and pinched her chin. "So? Winona, are you… threatening me right now?"

Winona met his gaze head-on. His eyes were dark and sharp, and up close, they looked even sharper and colder. If it were anyone else, they would've lowered their heads and begged by now. Yet, she merely shook her head.

Then, she reached out and held his hand. "I'm… begging you."

Resting her cheek against the palm of his hand, she continued, "You know my parents aren't around anymore. I only have my younger sister. Things escalated last time because I didn't think things through, so… Damian has every reason to hate her.

"I'll arrange for her to transfer to another school. All I'm asking is for you to spare her. Is that possible?"

Her voice was a little hoarse, and with those glassy eyes, she looked heartbreakingly fragile.

However, Cassian sneered. "Winona, is this how you ask someone for help?"

Winona caught on. Without saying another word, she reached up to undo her dress.

Cassian lowered his gaze. His expression remained calm and composed, though desire slowly tinged the corners of his eyes red.

She was hauled up and thrown onto the couch. He was on her in a heartbeat, his body pressing her into the cushions. Winona wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her chin up as his lips traced a burning path from her throat downward.

Only a single floor lamp lit the living room. The air conditioner was pumping out cold air, yet she felt as if it was broken. Why else would she feel so hot and restless?

Winona didn't dare leave any marks on him, so she clenched her own hands so tightly her nails dug into her palm, yet she barely felt the pain. As the sexual tension in the room rose, Cassian's phone rang.

The crisp ringtone snapped Winona back to her senses. Instinctively, she looked at him, but he acted as if he hadn't heard anything.

However, the caller refused to give up. The ringtone chimed again and again until it became impossible for Winona to ignore. In the end, she had no choice but to ask, "Do you want to—"

Before she could finish, he sealed her mouth with a kiss. Then, he sifted through the clothes scattered on the floor and found his phone.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you answering my messages?" a shrill, irritated woman's voice burst through the speaker.

Cassian glanced at Winona, who promptly covered her mouth, before asking, "What do you want?"

"What do you think?" the woman snapped. "Camila is coming back tomorrow. Make sure you pick her up from the airport."

Cassian didn't answer, though his mood seemed to drop in an instant. His hand tightened around the soft flesh of Winona's waist, as if he was venting his frustration.

"Do you hear me, Cassian?" the woman continued sharply. "Also, the engagement party is next month. Don't you dare mess it up!"

Chapter 5

All of a sudden, everything around Winona went still. Her breath hitched, and a cold numbness spread through her limbs.

Almost immediately, she looked at Cassian in front of her.

Who was Camila? Cassian was getting engaged? Why… Why hadn't she heard a single word about it?

The question was right on her lips, but she jolted back to reality before she could pop it. She had no right to ask him that. She wasn't even his lover.

If not for that one coincidence years ago, if not for the pair of eyes he happened to like, he would never have spared her a second glance.

He was the high and mighty Cassian Grant. It was a given for him to marry a woman who was beautiful, elegant, and matched his lineage. As for the two of them… their relationship had always been just a transaction.

Cassian soon hung up on the woman. His cold, brooding gaze landed on Winona.

Winona was hurt by his grip, but she didn't dare push him away. After wetting her lips, she asked hoarsely, "You'll take care of my sister's matter… right?"

…

At some point, it had started pouring outside. Winona hadn't brought an umbrella, and when she was thrown out of the villa, she ended up completely soaked.

When she finally got home, the place was dark. Leona's bedroom door was still tightly shut.

Winona closed the door and was about to head to the bathroom to change when Leona's voice sliced through the dark. "Where were you?"

Winona stopped dead in her tracks. When she spun around, she found Leona sitting on the couch, staring at her.

Before she could respond, Leona had already walked up to her. "It's pouring outside. Don't tell me you went out for a run."

Her gaze bore into Winona. "Did you go crawling back to that boyfriend of yours again?"

Winona stiffened for a split second before answering, "No…"

"No?" Leona sneered. In a flash, she flipped on the lights and yanked Winona's dress down from her shoulder, revealing her pale skin that was covered in hickies.

"Do you still want to deny it? How can you be this loose, Winona? After being with him all this time, has he ever given you anything real or a place in his life?

"Your sister is being bullied right now. I can't believe you'd still be in the mood to fool around with him! What are you, an escort he can summon whenever he feels like it?"

Her voice became shrill, and her singed hair made her look even more twisted. "If our parents saw you right now, they'd wish they could strangle you so you won't keep making a fool of yourself!"

As Winona looked at her, the fear in her chest dissolved almost instantly. She pulled her dress back into place and said calmly, "There are things you don't understand, Leona."

"What don't I understand? You're—"

"Also," Winona cut her off, "I'm your older sister. I know what I'm doing. I don't need you to lecture me!

"Now, go to bed. You still have school tomorrow."

"Don't you dare pull the big-sister card on me!" Leona fumed. "I'm not going to school anymore! I'll just be like you and go whore myself out since—"

Before she could finish, Winona raised her hand and slapped her. She didn't use much force, but the crack of it was sharp enough to cut the air. Leona fell silent, staring at her with wide eyes.

Winona continued, "Don't worry. I'll handle your transfer. You don't need to stress about anything else.

"For the record, I won't be breathing down your neck forever. Once you get into college and graduate, you can do whatever you want. It won't concern me."

With that, she walked toward the bathroom.

Leona glared at her retreating figure. "Enough with the noble act! If it weren't for you, Mom and Dad would still be alive! This is what you owe me!"