In a room at the Grand Horizon Hotel, two people were hugging and kissing in the dark.

“Hey, be careful. You might wake her up...” The woman whispered while snuggling close to the man, whose hands were moving all over her body.

Meanwhile, Bianca Scott lay in bed with a terrible headache and feeling feverish. Just opening her eyes felt like a huge effort. When she managed to crack them open a bit, she saw something shocking!

Her boyfriend, Haris Carter, was holding another woman by the bay window—and it was her stepmother, Stacey Scott!

“Don’t worry. She’s completely knocked out. The drug I gave her could knock out a wild animal,” Haris assured Stacey, not even sparing a glance at Bianca in the bed.

The next moment, Haris lifted Stacey up and started moving quickly, making her moan loudly with pleasure.

Bianca clenched her fists, trying to clear her mind. Stacey had introduced Haris to her, so she never imagined her stepmother would sleep with him behind her back!

Tonight, Haris invited her to dinner. She passed out after drinking the wine he gave her.

It turned out this was all a trap set by this shameless couple!

“If Bianca finds out she slept with someone else tonight, how do you think she’ll react?” Stacey asked between moans.

“She won’t find out. As long as she thinks I’m the one she slept with, she’ll be focused on marrying me! Eventually, we’ll have control over the Scott family’s properties and her mother’s too!” Haris replied in a heavy tone as he penetrated deeper inside Stacey.

Haris’s harsh words made Bianca shiver in fear.

“How will you handle her brother?” Stacey asked, sweat dripping down her forehead.

“Simple,” Haris said with a wicked grin. “Once I control the Scott family, I’ll find a way to put him in jail.”

Stacey giggled and moved with Haris, her eyes shining as if she could already taste victory.

Then, a dark thought crossed her mind, and her expression soured a bit. “I won’t let her live comfortably! When you marry her, don’t you dare sleep with her even if you share a room!”

Haris gripped Stacey’s waist tightly and moved more forcefully. “What should I do?” he asked, breathless.

“Hmm... Crash into her car. Make it seem like an accident. Whether she’s killed or injured for life, it’s up to you!” Stacey didn’t hesitate to plan while they were busy. Her face showed determination to get rid of the woman she despised.

Sweating heavily, Haris smiled and agreed, “Sure, whatever you say.”

As they were about to climax, Bianca shut her eyes, hoping to disappear.

After quickly getting dressed, Haris and Stacey glanced at Bianca lying on the bed. Satisfied, they left the room with a smirk.

As soon as the door closed, Bianca opened her eyes, tears flowing down her cheeks, staining the sheets.

“I was so naive, Haris Carter! I would’ve trusted you with everything, but you’re just heartless, scheming against my family!”

Anger trembled through her.

She tried to get out of bed, wanting to flee, but her legs felt heavy.

The drugs were too powerful; she couldn’t even stand up!

With clenched teeth, she reached for the fruit knife on the bedside table and cut her arm. Blood spilled out, but the pain helped clear her mind.

As she struggled to her feet, she heard a noise outside the door. Without hesitation, she went to the window and climbed out.

Seconds later, she heard Stacey and Haris’s voices from the room she had left.

“What the heck? Where is she? Did she escape?”

“She can’t have gone far! If she doesn’t sleep with someone tonight, the drug will kill her!”

With determination, Bianca focused on not looking down, gritting her teeth as she carefully moved from one windowsill to another. Just as she found a steady foothold, a hand suddenly reached out from the adjacent room’s window, covering her mouth and swiftly pulling her inside.

Losing her balance, Bianca instinctively grabbed the man’s collar, and they both tumbled to the floor.

The man ended up on top of her.

His enticing scent filled Bianca’s senses, making the hairs on her arms stand up.

Her logical side wanted to demand that he get off, but what came out of her mouth was more of a seductive moan.

“Did Justin send you?”

In the dim light, the man spoke to her in a calm, soothing voice, which was comforting to Bianca.

Feeling restless, Bianca placed her hands on his chest, sensing his firm muscles through his shirt. Her heart raced, and the heat inside her intensified.

She didn’t know who Justin was, and she didn’t care.

Right now, all that mattered was staying alive.

“Are... Are you handsome?” she asked in a weak, hoarse voice.

Dave Evans frowned slightly.

Nevertheless, he entertained her question. “I suppose you could say I’m not terrible to look at.”

“Then, at least, you’re not ugly.”

Sleeping with a handsome stranger seemed better than being with a homeless man!

Bianca reached up and touched his face, whispering, “Thank you.”

Then, she leaned in and kissed him passionately.

The aphrodisiac was so potent that they made love passionately all night long, moving from the floor to the sofa, from the bed to the balcony.

Their moans and gasps filled the room until they finally fell asleep from exhaustion.

Bianca wasn’t sure how long she had slept. When she opened her eyes, she winced as she tried to sit up. Her body ached from last night, marked with noticeable hickeys.

Then, she heard running water from the bathroom.

Her eyes widened. The man she’d been with last night was in the shower!

Afraid he might hold her accountable for their night together, she quickly dressed and wrote a note thanking him. She left spare change and jewelry on the bedside table as a gesture of gratitude alongside the note.

With no time to waste, she dashed out of the hotel as fast as she could.

By the time Dave came out of the bathroom, she was already gone. He glanced around the room, noticing bloodstains on the bed sheet.

His frown deepened.

Then, he spotted the items she’d left on the bedside table and chuckled.

As the heir to the Evans family, CEO of the Phoenix Alliance Group, and a hidden economic powerhouse in the city, Dave couldn’t believe a woman would simply leave after using him for a night, leaving behind only a small reward of less than five hundred dollars and a note.

Dealing with him wasn’t that simple!

Ten minutes later, Dave stood tall, cigarette in hand. He took a long drag, exhaling slowly as he eyed the man kneeling before him.

The young man, tied up, dropped to his knees, crying, “I’m sorry, Dave. I did it for your own good. You’re twenty-eight and have never had a girlfriend, never even flirted. I was worried, so... I took matters into my own hands!”

Dave glanced at the bloodstains on the bedsheet and asked coldly, “What’s her name?”

“What?” Justin Wilson, his best friend, looked confused.

“What woman?”

Dave hadn’t shown any interest in women for twenty years, leading Justin to assume he wasn’t interested in them.

Justin had sent someone last night, but it wasn’t a woman—it was a man!

So, who was this woman Dave was referring to? Justin’s eyes widened in shock.

“Dave, I…”

Before Justin could speak further, Dave interrupted with a swift kick to his shoulder.

“Review all the surveillance footage from last night,” Dave ordered sternly. “Find that woman, even if you have to search every corner of the city. And by the way, the person in charge of the overseas project just died of malaria. If you can’t find her, you’ll take over the position immediately!”

Justin stared up at the tall figure before him in shock, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.

He couldn’t shake his worry about the woman.

Everyone knew Dave was ruthless. Whether she lived or died depended on his mood.

Whoever had been with Dave last night had the guts to leave him like that.

***

Bianca, the woman in question, took a taxi straight home.

Stacey and Haris’s cruel scheme kept replaying in her mind. Angry, she clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her skin.

No, she couldn’t let them get away with this. She had to take action.

She had to reveal their true intentions!

After collecting her thoughts, Bianca returned home with a composed expression as if nothing had happened.

As soon as she entered the house, her father, Peter Scott, stood up from the sofa.

“Where were you last night? I called your teacher and was told you never returned to your dorm,” he asked in a low voice and looked sternly towards her.

Peter’s angry glare was intense, and he seemed ready to explode.

“Peter, calm down. Getting angry won’t help. Bianca is young and still learning,” Stacey intervened, pretending to be understanding and trying to soothe Peter’s temper. She then turned to Bianca with a fake sympathetic look.

“Bianca, don’t be upset with your father’s anger. We’re just concerned about your safety. Imagine how worried we were when we found out you didn’t go back to your dorm. We feared something terrible had happened to you. It’s not about our family’s reputation; it’s about you.”

Stacey’s eyes showed apparent concern as she talked. If Bianca hadn’t overheard Stacey plotting with Haris last night, her “concerned parent” act might have worked.

But now, Bianca was clear-headed and knew Stacey’s true intentions.

Stacey’s words only fueled Peter’s anger further.

“Nonsense! You’re over twenty and still acting like a child! It seems I’ve spoiled you too much. Today, you’ll learn a lesson!”

Peter grabbed a stick and swung it at Bianca!

Just as the stick was about to hit her, Bianca quickly knelt down in front of Peter.

“Dad, I’m sorry. I went out with friends to play cards last night and lost track of time. My phone died, so I couldn’t call. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”

Peter paused, surprised by Bianca’s apology. She used to argue with him about everything, so their relationship had soured.

‘What’s going on now? Why did she seem like another person?’

Bianca knew what she was doing. Stacey could manipulate Peter, and Bianca had no proof yet of Stacey’s schemes. If she told her Dad everything, he’d believe Stacey rather than her.

So, she decided to act obedient and wait for the right moment to make a move.

“Dad, Stacey isn’t my real Mom, so she doesn’t understand me like you do. You know me better, and I’d never do anything to hurt our family’s reputation!”

Tears filled Bianca’s eyes as she talked, making her look pitiful.

Even though Peter and Bianca’s Mom had divorced long ago, he was always a caring father. Hearing Bianca’s apology softened his heart.

He put the stick away and said gently, “It’s good you realized your mistake. Just be more careful next time, okay? Now, get up.”

Seeing Peter forgive Bianca easily annoyed Stacey, but she had to stick to the plan. She pushed aside her resentment and forced a fake smile.

“See? It was just a misunderstanding. Bianca is a good girl; she wouldn’t do anything wrong. Right, Bianca?”

Bianca sensed the implication but kept smiling, though her eyes remained cold.

“Oh, Bianca, your Dad has something to tell you,” Stacey nudged Peter and gave him a meaningful look.

Peter took a deep breath and sat back on the sofa.

Then, he cleared his throat and said sincerely, “Bianca, I’ve thought about it, and Stacey’s right. I shouldn’t force you into a marriage you don’t want or stop you from marrying someone you love. Even though Haris isn’t from a wealthy family, you both care for each other. That’s what matters.”

Bianca was shocked by her father’s sudden change of heart.

Her Dad always saw Haris as someone who’d use powerful women to climb the ladder, so he opposed their relationship. Before Bianca met Haris, her Dad already picked out a suitable husband for her: Isaac Ford, the youngest son of the Ford family.

But Isaac was a playboy and got into trouble often, which Bianca didn’t like. This caused tension between her and her Dad.

“And this morning, I heard Isaac got into a fight at a club over a prostitute. It made the news! I couldn’t forgive myself if I forced you to marry him,” Peter said, sighing. “As long as Haris treats you well, I won’t object to your relationship. When you can, invite him over, and we’ll talk about getting engaged.”

“What? Engaged?” Bianca was shocked.

Peter nodded. “Your birthday’s coming up. Why not get engaged, then? We can celebrate two things, and the family will be happy for you. You’re not getting any younger. Let’s hurry and get your marriage settled so I won’t worry about you anymore.”

As Bianca thought about it, she realized Stacey must have been influencing Peter when she wasn’t around.

Stacey’s eagerness for Bianca to marry Haris wasn’t a good idea at all after she witnessed their betrayal last night.

Bianca considered her options. She had been struggling to find evidence against Stacey and Haris, so why not go along with their plan until they slipped up?

With a small smile, Bianca went to Peter, knelt in front of him, and took his hand.

“Thank you, Dad. I’m sorry for arguing with you before. I promise to listen to you from now on.”

Stacey felt relieved when Bianca agreed to the engagement. It seemed Bianca didn’t suspect her and Haris’s involvement in what happened yesterday.

‘But... Where did Bianca go last night? She should have been in bad shape after being drugged so heavily.’ Stacey frowned, unsure if Bianca had spent the night with someone.

Suddenly, Stacey noticed a red mark on Bianca’s neck. As an experienced woman, she knew what it was.

‘Hmph! I was right,’ Stacey thought.

Now, Stacey was sure Bianca had been with someone last night. A plan began to form in her mind, and she smiled.

As soon as Bianca got back to her room, she hurried to the bathroom and tried to wash off the marks on her body.

She felt upset, knowing she lost her virginity to a stranger.

‘This is all Stacey and Haris’s fault!’ she thought angrily.

After a long shower, Bianca calmed down and thought about how to handle the engagement party at the end of the month.

She called a private detective recommended by a friend, asking him to secretly track Stacey and Haris, gather evidence of their infidelity, and find out their plans for the engagement party.

After getting things in order, Bianca turned on her computer and posted a status on her social media.

At the same time, Justin burst into Dave’s office at the Evans Group’s headquarters, brimming with excitement.

“Dave, I found her!”

Dave stopped what he was doing, eager to hear Justin’s report.

With a grin, Justin sat across from him and showed him a photo of a pretty lady with a ponytail and bright eyes, looking cute and smart.

Dave had only glimpsed at her that morning, but her face stuck in his mind. She was the woman he woke up next to!

“Find out everything about her background. Every detail,” Dave said, touching the photo with his fingers, showing no emotion.

Justin cleared his throat and shared what he found about Bianca.

“Her name is Bianca Scott. Her father’s been searching for investors because their family business is struggling lately.”

Justin paused to ask, “Do you think she did it to help her dad? But why did she run away afterward? Is she playing hard to get?”

Ignoring Justin’s questions, Dave said, “Keep going.”

“She has a boyfriend named Haris Carter. He works as a sales representative in an unknown company.”

Dave frowned. ‘She had a boyfriend? Then why did she throw herself at him last night?’

“There’s one more thing,” Justin said, interrupting Dave’s thoughts.

“What is it?”

“Look!” Justin showed Dave his phone. “She just posted this weird ad.”

Dave frowned as he read Bianca’s clear caption. His expression quickly darkened.

“Looking for a boyfriend!”

The post said: “Looking for a boyfriend for hire, just for a day. Once passed, huge compensation will be given. Details were discussed at the interview.

Requirements: Over 6 feet, handsome, in good shape, and good-natured.

If you’re interested, please give me a call…”

“What game is she playing now?” Dave muttered.

Justin looked confused at Dave’s reaction.

Seeing Dave’s dark expression, Justin cautiously suggested, “Should I have someone bring her here?”

Dave’s hands clenched into fists, blue veins popped out, and his eyes blazed with anger.

In the next seconds, in a chilling voice, he ordered, “Take down that post. No one should see it!”

****

“Achoo!” Bianca sneezed suddenly. Rubbing her nose, she wondered who could be talking about her behind her back.

She checked her phone but found no notifications, which felt odd.

It had been an hour since she posted the ad, but she hadn’t received any calls or comments. With thousands of followers, this was unusual.

‘Was something wrong?’

‘Was her post too demanding?’

As she pondered, her phone rang, bringing her back to reality.

It was a call from an unknown number.

Bianca sat up straight and answered the phone without hesitation.

“Hello?” A pleasant, mellow voice came from the other end.

“Hello, who’s this?” Bianca asked politely.

“I saw your ad about a boyfriend-for-hire, and I think I meet your requirements.”

The man’s voice had a deep tone, like a cello’s melody, which made Bianca feel something she couldn’t explain. Yet, she also felt like she knew that voice from somewhere.

Bianca quickly threw her strange thoughts, asking. “Sure thing. When can we meet?”

“You pick the time and spot,” he calmly replied.

Bianca appreciated his directness. “Okay, let’s meet at Galaxy Café tomorrow at eight in the evening. I’ll send you the details once I’ve booked the table.”

“Great. See you then.”

Bianca felt excited. She didn’t think everything would go this well.

Meanwhile, Dave sat in his big office, wearing a mysterious look. After the call, a small smile appeared on his thin lips.

He was curious about what Bianca was planning.

The next day, Dave reached the café exactly at eight.

When he walked in, he saw Bianca sitting at their table, glancing around nervously.

This scene was not exactly what Dave had imagined. The girl in front of him wore a white shirt and a khaki windbreaker. Her long hair flowed down her shoulders, giving her a calm and peaceful look.

Dave checked his watch, impressed by her punctuality.

He started walking towards her with big strides.

Bianca felt him coming closer and turned around, meeting his eyes. She was taken aback by his strong build and handsome face.

She might have mistaken him for a movie star if he hadn’t stopped at her table!

“Excuse me, are you Miss Bianca Scott?”

A familiar and pleasant voice suddenly jolted her.

Bianca was stunned for half a second before finally realizing that this person was the man she was supposed to meet!

“Um, hi,” Bianca uttered nervously, still surprised to see a man who looked like a movie star in response to her online ad.

“Please, take a seat.”

As the man sat down, Bianca discreetly checked him out.

He had thin lips and looked a bit distant. His face was angular, with refined features and a strong jawline. His hair was casually slicked back, adding to his cool demeanor. Despite wearing just a worn-out brown leather jacket over a simple T-shirt and jeans, he had a regal air that caught everyone’s attention.

People who knew Dave would never have expected him to wear such plain clothes and sit in a modest coffee shop, facing a woman who seemed completely out of place in such an environment.

Such an idea seemed impossible!

“It’s nice to meet you. What’s your name?” Bianca asked, trying to smile despite feeling nervous.

Dave felt relieved that she didn’t recognize him.

“I’m Evans,” he said, only giving his last name.

Bianca figured he didn’t want to share his full name, which was fine with her, so she didn’t ask further.

“Mr. Evans, what drink would you like?” she asked.

“An Americano, please.”

“Sure.”

Bianca smiled and signaled the waiter.

Dave took the chance to study her features: a smooth forehead, a straight nose, rosy lips, and a slender neck. There was a small red mark at the base of her neck, like a flower in bloom.

Memories of their night together flooded back, making him gulp nervously. He tugged at his collar, feeling short of breath.

When Bianca turned back to him after ordering, she got straight to the point.

“Mr. Evans, your appearance fits what I’m looking for. Now, please name your price?”

Name his price?

Remembering the small amount of money she left on the bedside table, Dave chuckled.

“Let’s talk about the job details first.”

“Of course,” Bianca instantly cut in, sitting up straight. She explained, “I need you to be my boyfriend at my engagement party next weekend.”

As she saw the handsome man’s expression change from being intrigued to confused, Bianca realized she had said something contradictory. She quickly added, “You see, I recently found out my fiancé is cheating on me. But I have no proof, and my dad doesn’t believe me. He’s making me marry the guy, so I had to post that ad. Long story short, your job is to ruin the engagement party.”

Dave looked surprised.

Dave never imagined that this woman needed a fake boyfriend to sabotage her own engagement party.

Since the man remained silent, Bianca thought he might not want the job. She tried to convince him, saying, “I know it’s a tough task, and I’m willing to pay you well. How about this? I’ll pay double your usual rate.”

Bianca believed finding a man as handsome as him was rare, and she assumed he needed the money if he was applying for this job. So, she offered a tempting reward.

Finally, Dave looked up, and their eyes met, making Bianca feel uneasy.

Unable to bear it, she pretended to drink water, avoiding his gaze.

But from the corner of her eye, Bianca noticed the man was still looking at her.

It reminded her of the man from the hotel that night.

Bianca shook her head. ‘No, it couldn’t be.’ The world was huge. How could the stranger from that night have seen her ad?

‘The chances of that were like winning the lottery,’ she thought.

Just then, the waiter brought their coffee.

To ease the tension, Bianca took a sip of her coffee, and Dave did the same.

“All right. I’m in,” Dave said suddenly.

As soon as Dave set his cup down, he spoke up, his deep, captivating voice catching Bianca off guard.

“Mr. Evans, did I hear you right?” Bianca asked, surprised.

Dave nodded subtly.

He had chosen to keep his identity a secret and go along with her plan until he understood her true intentions.

“Well, that’s great! Don’t worry. I’ll pay whatever it takes!” Bianca said generously, smiling at him with excitement.

“What exactly do you need me to do?” Dave asked, slightly frowning.

Bianca looked him up and down carefully, then slowly narrowed her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ll get you some better clothes tomorrow,” Bianca offered, beaming at him.

Dave glanced at his casual attire, his expression darkening. ‘Did she think he looked too poor to be with her?’

Bianca, however, didn’t notice the change in Dave’s expression. She kept going enthusiastically, “You already look great, but I want my ‘boyfriend’ to look incredibly wealthy and stunning. That way, he’ll outshine everyone at the engagement party, including my awful fiancé. So, you’ll need to wear clothes that fit this image. But don’t worry! I’ll cover the cost, and you can keep the clothes afterward.”

Dave stopped fiddling with the coffee cup in his hands.

He had never let a woman pay for him before.

“Since the clothes are for me, I’ll pay for them,” he offered.

“No, no, I insist. You’re doing me a huge favor.”

“But-”

“No arguments! I’m calling the shots now, so you better listen to me.”

A hint of surprise flashed in Dave’s eyes, and his gaze toward Bianca shifted.

They chatted a bit longer before Bianca checked her watch and said, “Mr. Evans, it’s getting late. I should head out. I’ll see you tomorrow at the mall, okay?”

Dave nodded in agreement. With that, Bianca stood up and left.

Dave waited a moment before departing the cafe himself.

Suddenly, a sleek, limited edition gray Bugatti car pulled up in front of him.

Dave’s assistant, Zane Miller, quickly stepped out and opened the door for him.

“Mr. Evans, I noticed the lady left, so I came to pick you up.”

Without a word, Dave handed his jacket to Zane, got into the car, and settled in.

Zane took the driver’s seat and handed Dave a paper bag. Inside was a custom-tailored suit.

Glancing at the worn-out jacket Dave had just taken off, Zane sighed quietly. The jacket didn’t seem to match his boss’s style at all.

“Mr. Evans, I think we should get rid of this jacket.”

But just as Zane was about to step out of the car with the jacket, a cold voice halted him.

“Keep it.”

“What for?”

“I’ll need it tomorrow.”

Zane was too surprised to react. With his boss having so many luxury clothes to choose from, why would he opt to wear this cheap jacket?

Shaking his head in bewilderment, Zane couldn’t understand his boss’s decision. ‘He must be out of his mind!’

That evening, Bianca texted him to confirm the time of their appointment the following day. After sending the message, she tucked herself into bed and drifted off to sleep.

She arrived at the designated mall at exactly three o’clock the next day.

This was one of the city’s top-notch shopping destinations, boasting a collection of renowned international designer brands.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Evans,” Bianca greeted Dave as she saw him waiting at the main entrance. His hands were tucked in his pockets, and he was clad in the same jacket he wore the day before.

Bianca trotted over with a smile, asking, “Have you been waiting for a long time? Honestly, you don’t have to come so early. I’m always punctual, so you just need to come on time.”

Dave gave Bianca a quick once-over. She was wearing a casual T-shirt and light-colored jeans. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, which made her look youthful and pretty.

“I’m not used to having people wait for me.” With that, he turned around and walked into the mall.

Bianca shrugged and followed him in.

After visiting several men’s clothing stores, Bianca couldn’t help but sigh. This man was so handsome that he looked good no matter what he wore. Whenever he tried on the suits she chose for him, he’d attract the attention of all the women in the store, who would gawk at him unabashedly.

Of course, women also looked at Bianca, their gazes burning with jealousy.

“Mr. Evans, I think this is the one. What do you think?”

Bianca stood in front of Dave and helped him with his tie. She looked at the suit she had chosen for him with satisfaction.

When she raised her head, she met Dave’s intent gaze. Realizing that the two were standing very close to each other, Bianca blushed furiously and took a few steps back in a hurry.

Her reaction made Dave smile faintly. Feeling particularly playful, he started to approach her. Bianca wanted to retreat, but as soon as she backed away, she bumped into a wall behind her. Dave then bent over, planting his palm on the wall beside her ear.

Bianca’s heart was pounding hard in her chest.

She crossed her arms and looked at him cautiously. “What... What are you doing?”

Seeing her nervous, Dave chuckled and pointed to the wall behind her. “If you don’t move, how can I see how I look?”

Then, Bianca realized she was blocking the mirror!

Her face turned as red as a tomato. She quickly stepped aside, putting some distance between them.

“Miss Scott, do you often help men with their ties?” Dave asked casually, adjusting his cuffs.

Bianca felt puzzled. “Why are you asking me that?” she replied.

Dave removed the suit jacket and looked at Bianca calmly. “Since we’re pretending to be a couple, shouldn’t I get to know you better?”

“Ah, good point. Let’s talk while we shop,” Bianca said with a sly smile. “Do you often go shopping with women?”

Dave was at a loss for words.

He was always busy and rarely had time for leisure activities like shopping, especially with women.

Not wanting to dwell on the topic, he handed the suit jacket to Bianca and said, “This one looks good.”

After buying the suit, Bianca and Dave wandered around the mall. Eventually, they ended up in the women’s clothing section.

“I need to use the restroom. Feel free to look around here,” Dave said, pausing at the entrance of a shop.

Bianca nodded and entered the store.

A stunning dress in the window immediately caught her eye.

It was a gorgeous white evening gown with silver diamonds decorating the waist and hem. Under the store lights, it shimmered like a starry sky. Bianca loved it, but she knew it would be expensive, so she reluctantly decided not to buy it.

Just as Bianca was about to leave, she heard a harsh voice call her name.

“Hey, Bianca!”

She turned around and saw a woman walking towards her. The woman was wearing a tight, strapless dress and had a confident strut.

It was none other than Carla Bentley, Bianca’s high school rival!

Back in high school, Bianca was considered the prettiest girl in class, which made Carla jealous. When Bianca started dating the school heartthrob, Carla’s jealousy turned into resentment. From then on, Carla made it her mission to make Bianca’s life difficult. After high school, they hadn’t seen each other until now.

“Hey, Bianca! Long time no see.” Carla walked up to Bianca with heavy makeup and bright red lipstick, stopping right in front of her. She glanced at the dress Bianca had been looking at and sneered, “Like that dress? Why don’t you buy it?”

Then, Carla covered her mouth as if she remembered something. She switched to a fake apologetic tone and said, “Oops, my bad. I forgot this shop’s clothes are expensive. You probably can’t afford them.”

Hearing her statement, Bianca just smiled. “It’s been years, Carla, but you’re still as mean as ever.”

“You are….” Carla sneered instantly, feeling insulted, but her anger was interrupted as she saw a tall, handsome man walking towards her.

Carla couldn’t help but be drawn to his handsome face and mysterious vibe. She quickly composed herself, smoothing her hair and hoping to catch his attention.

Surprisingly, the amazing man didn’t even look at her. She watched as he went straight to Bianca.

“Who’s this, Bianca?” she asked nicely, acting like a quiet, gentle girl.

Bianca leaned on Dave and held his arm, saying lovingly, “He’s my boyfriend. What do you think? He’s really charming, isn’t he?”

Dave looked at her briefly and didn’t say anything.

Carla was shocked. She didn’t think Bianca would get such a handsome boyfriend. Thinking about her own overweight and balding boyfriend made Carla really jealous.

She checked out Dave from head to toe. That’s when she noticed his old leather jacket, and suddenly, a thought popped into her head.

“What good is a handsome face if he can’t even buy nice things? A man’s worth is only as much as the money he has. Otherwise, his woman will just suffer. Look at you. You can’t even afford the clothes you admire. How sad is that?” Carla sneered, a mean smile spreading across her face.

Then she pulled out a bank card from her bag and waved it in front of Bianca.

“My boyfriend is different. I told him I had more than enough clothes, but he insisted I go shopping for more. Look! He gave me a credit card and told me to buy whatever I wanted. I don’t even know how I’ll spend all this money!”

When the store assistant heard this, she hurried over to Carla with a big smile and started talking to her about their latest collection.

Carla felt satisfied with herself, but she couldn’t help but sneak glances at Dave. What bothered her was that he didn’t even look at her, even when she was boasting earlier. Instead, he kept his eyes on Bianca. ‘What was so special about her?’