Chapter 11

I never expected Lucas Gray to act so quickly.

Just a few days later, headlines about Kevin's upcoming arranged marriage were plastered across every major media outlet.

But strangely, there wasn't a single word of congratulations.

I sat at my desk, halfway through proofreading a report, while gossip about Kevin's engagement kept drifting into my ears.

"I heard the bride-to-be from the Yates family has… unusual habits."

"Unusual? How so?"

"She's got three sisters."

"And?"

"They like to… do everything together."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, let's just say Kevin won't be the only one in their marriage—"

The gossip abruptly stopped when Lucas appeared in the office doorway.

He called my name, "Ayla, come with me."

Still preoccupied with thoughts of Kevin's engagement, I didn't even notice Lucas locking the door behind us.

By the time I snapped out of it, I was already in his arms.

"Ayla," he said, holding me close, "take a look at these professors and tell me which one you'd prefer."

It turned out that the emails I'd sent out had received responses. Several professors were interested in taking me on as a student.

Without hesitation, I picked the mentor I'd always admired.

The paperwork would take about six months to complete, and during that time, I'd be going abroad for treatment.

As I finalized my decision, I suddenly realized how close Lucas and I were. Our position felt… too intimate.

I awkwardly moved my neck and muttered, "I… I'm feeling a little warm."

"That's normal," Lucas replied casually. "I didn't turn on the AC."

With practiced ease, he reached for the zipper of my dress and pulled it down.

"Ayla," he murmured, his voice low and teasing, "I don't have much time left. Before you leave, I need to make sure I leave a lasting impression…"

His lips brushed against my skin, soft and deliberate.

"…So that even three years from now, you'll still remember me."

I had to admit, Lucas was very… dedicated.

With just a few words, he had me completely disarmed, my rationality slipping away as I clung helplessly to the desk.

Somewhere in the haze, he slipped a black card into my hand.

The back of the card bore his signature in elegant script.

I weakly pushed it back at him, muttering, "I don't want it…"

"It feels weird… like… like you're trying to keep me…"

Before I could finish, Lucas silenced me with another kiss, his eyes dark and stormy.

"Are you saying…" His voice was barely audible, but it carried an edge. "You think I'm trying to keep you?"

"…Aren't you?" I shot back.

Lucas's tone was light, almost indifferent.

"This card contains everything I own. My entire fortune."

"I didn't realize you thought me capable of being so reckless—throwing my entire net worth at someone just to keep them."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stammered, "What… what are you trying to do? Are you asking me to marry you or something?"

Lucas let out a laugh—low, soft, but tinged with exasperation.

"Ayla, you didn't hear a word I said last night, did you?"

Seeing my confused expression, he smiled to himself.

"Well, I should've guessed."

"I must've been too indulgent, making you so happy you couldn't hear a thing."

He leaned in and whispered, "So, let me say it again: Ayla, please marry me."

That's the last clear memory I have of that day.

I lost control after hearing those words and ended up making an absolute mess of Lucas's office.

By the time he was cleaning up, I was curled up on the couch, my face burning with embarrassment.

Lucas, ever the problem-solver, handled it all without a word of complaint.

I decided to play dead, refusing to acknowledge what had just happened.

And so, the proposal was left unresolved.

As I left the office that evening, I noticed commotion outside the neighboring building.

A coworker tugged at my sleeve. "Ayla, look! It's Jenna York—that web series actress."

Following their gaze, I saw Jenna pinned to the ground by several large men.

A woman stood over her, delivering a series of sharp slaps to her face.

"On your knees," the woman said lazily, her voice dripping with disdain. "Lick it clean."

I glanced down and noticed a coffee stain on the woman's expensive shoes, which also marred her designer dress.

Jenna sobbed, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to… I just wanted to see Kevin!"

"I never said you did it on purpose," the woman replied coldly. "I'm simply telling you to clean it up. What's wrong with me wanting to bully you?"

It didn't take long for me to piece together what had happened.

Jenna had tried to pull another one of her stunts, spilling coffee to humiliate Kevin's fiancée.

But this time, her target was Luna Yates—a woman from one of the most prestigious families in the country.

Unlike me, Luna wasn't someone who could be easily manipulated.

With her notorious reputation and sharp instincts, she wasn't about to let Jenna off the hook.

By the time Jenna was dragged into a car, her face was swollen beyond recognition.

A coworker shuddered beside me. "Kevin can barely protect himself right now. Jenna's just a small-time actress with no connections. Falling into Luna's hands… she's as good as finished."

As Luna walked to her car, she caught sight of me.

Her head tilted slightly, and then, to my surprise, she started walking toward me.

"Miss Ayla," she said with a faint smile. "Let's have a chat."

…