Chapter 3

"Natasha, don't push your luck!"

Cameron's face turned completely cold, his eyes dark and menacing.

"Look at yourself. Who do you think you are?"

"An ex-con with a criminal record. Who else would want you besides me?"

"Do you really think a man like Kennedy Monroe would marry you? You're just a plaything to him."

I looked at his raging face, feeling absolutely nothing.

"That is none of your business, Mr. Franklin."

I hailed a passing taxi and slid into the backseat.

As the car sped away, I saw Cameron standing under the streetlights in the rearview mirror, his face twisted in anger.

The next morning, I went to an interview for an administrative manager position at a multinational firm.

The pay and benefits were excellent, and I had aced the written tests and the initial interview.

The HR Director, Sarah, was highly impressed and was about to hand me the offer letter.

Just then, her office phone rang.

She picked it up, listened for a few seconds, and her expression slowly changed.

After hanging up, she looked at me with a mixture of pity and regret.

"Miss Sinclair, I am terribly sorry. We just received a directive from upper management... We cannot hire you."

My heart sank, but I kept my composure.

"May I know why?"

Sarah sighed and lowered her voice.

"Your background check... Someone powerful called in. They mentioned your criminal record."

"And... they said you crossed someone you shouldn't have."

I understood immediately.

In this city, the only people who had the power and malice to do this were Cameron and Louise.

I thanked her politely, took my resume, and walked out of the building.

As soon as I reached the lobby, I saw Louise. She was wearing sunglasses and designer heels, flanked by a group of bodyguards.

Seeing me, she stopped, took off her sunglasses, and smirked.

"Oh, look who it is. Natasha. Looking for a job?"

She scanned my faded white shirt with pure contempt.

"How did it go? Rejected again?"

I stared at her coldly, saying nothing.

Louise took two steps closer and whispered in my ear.

"Natasha, did you really think you could start over?"

"As long as I am in high society, you will never find a decent job in this city."

She chuckled softly, her voice dripping with venom.

"I am grateful you went to prison for me. Truly."

"That’s why I asked Cameron to give you some money. Why don't you take it and crawl back to your hometown? Why stay here and eyesore me?"

Looking at her hideous face, I realized Cameron had been completely blind for three years.

"Louise, do you really think that with Cameron protecting you, you own this world?"

Louise raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed.

"Well, crushing you is easier than stepping on an ant."

"Cameron loves me. You were nothing but a convenient shield."

She reached out to pat my cheek, but I slapped her hand away.

"Don't touch me. You're filthy."

Louise’s face stiffened, but she quickly recovered her arrogant posture.

"Enjoy being stubborn while you can, Natasha. Let’s see how long you last."

She put her sunglasses back on and walked away with her entourage.

I stood in place, pulled out my phone, and dialed a number I knew by heart.

The moment the call connected, I spoke softly.

"Are you really sure you can play Mrs. Franklin forever, Louise?"