Chapter 3

The next day, I dropped Ashton off at his college campus. The boy was incredibly clingy, wrapping his arms around me at the campus gate and kissing me as if we couldn't bear to part.

Finally satisfied after our wild night, he slipped a ring onto my ring finger that matched the one on his own hand.

"It's a promise, Yvonne. We're going to my house tonight. I'll come find you right after my afternoon class."

I smiled and nodded, finally sending the boy on his way.

The moment he walked away, I got back into my car. Within thirty seconds, another man slipped into the passenger seat Ashton had just vacated.

"Don't touch the seat adjustment. Ashton will notice, and he won't be happy."

The man raised an eyebrow and turned to look at me.

"What? Did you actually fall for your little revenge tool? Yvonne, let me remind you, you're twenty years older than him!"

Kaden was barking like a jealous dog in my passenger seat. It was incredibly annoying.

With a sharp screech of the brakes, I pulled over. Unable to take his whining any longer, I grabbed Kaden by his collar and slammed my lips over his noisy mouth right there on the side of the street.

"I don't love him. You're the only one I love, Kaden. Now shut up."

The kiss worked instantly. Kaden shut up, a deep blush creeping up his neck all the way to his ears.

"Then... why can't I adjust the seat? This is really uncomfortable..."

Kaden shifted uncomfortably, his furious glare replaced by a kicked-puppy look.

"Ashton is a psychopath. He's incredibly observant. If you adjust the seat, he'll notice immediately, and it'll ruin my plans."

Only then did Kaden shut his mouth.

He was my uncle's adopted son, only five years younger than me. Twenty years ago, he was the one who braved the roaring flames to drag my half-dead body out of that burning villa.

He was also the one who helped me fake my death, accompanied me abroad to rebuild my life, and spent two decades preparing for this sweet revenge.

"I just want to remind you that I'm the one who has been by your side this whole time. I gave you everything you have now, and all I've ever wanted is you. No matter what your plan is, you can't abandon me."

Kaden whined, looking thoroughly pathetic. I nodded absentmindedly.

"I've waited twenty years for this revenge, Kaden. I promise you, once this is over, you'll be the only man by my side."

"What are you so worried about?"

Kaden snorted. "That's more like it."

"Where are we going now?"

I restarted the engine and drove toward the nearest shopping mall.

"To buy gifts for Ashton's parents."

Kaden scoffed in disgust. "Arthur and Lynda? They don't deserve shit."

I smiled. "They don't. But you have to give a little to gain a lot, right?"

"Is my new identity officially in the system?"

Kaden pulled an ID badge from his pocket.

"Marketing Director of WTU Global Trading, Andy. That's your new identity."

"Arthur's company is practically on life support. Neither he nor Lynda has any business sense. They've spent the last twenty years squandering all the assets you left behind. Now, they've set their eyes on WTU. If they can secure WTU's international trade contract, it'll save Fletcher Enterprises from bankruptcy. So when they meet you, they'll literally beg for your help."

Kaden's tone turned wicked.

"I wonder if they'll still be able to play their cards when they see your face. Haha, do you think they'll wet themselves in terror?"

I rolled my eyes at Kaden, staring at the slightly photoshopped portrait on the ID badge. Slowly, a dark, satisfied smile spread across my face.

That afternoon, I went to pick up Ashton.

The second Ashton got into the car, his eyes narrowed.

"Yvonne, did someone else sit in your car after I left?"