His Awesome Ex Is Now Uncle's Lady Free Preview

In the third year of her relationship, Alicia Gibson was preparing to propose to her sweet and gentle boyfriend.

She had carefully arranged a romantic candlelit dinner for the two of them tonight. Slipping into an exquisite dress, she applied a bold layer of makeup to finish her look.

Her boyfriend, David Burton, suddenly hugged her from behind as she began to pour the wine. Holding her tightly in his arms, he pressed fiery kisses along the back of her ears. "Have you finally made up your mind, Alicia? Tonight…"

His strong arms circled around her slender wrist, his long fingers lightly tracing over the smooth satin of her dress.

She turned around and gently nudged his chest. "Stop fooling around. Let's have dinner first."

Being three years younger than her, David was just about to graduate from university. He was tall and lean. Even a plain white T-shirt could not hide his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and well-defined muscles.

His features were sharp and sculpted; his profile was smooth and refined. The atmosphere around him resembled the first rays of sunshine—full of youthful vitality.

He gave a low chuckle, a wicked smile tugging at his lips. Stepping closer, he smoothly moved between her legs. He caught her slender waist and pressed her back against the wine cabinet, then leaned down to claim her lips in a deep kiss.

In the flickering firelight, the heat of his breath grew more intense. He was burning with unbridled desire.

His fervent enthusiasm nearly overwhelmed her, but she did not forget the real reason for her preparations tonight. Gently pushing him away, she stepped away before the situation became too steamy.

His half-lowered eyes were dark with desire. Biting her lip lightly, he murmured in a husky voice, "Forget dinner, Alicia, and eat me instead…"

She laughed softly.

Her face was impossibly beautiful, with striking features that highlighted her delicate countenance.

It was just that she rarely smiled due to her extremely hectic work schedule. She was only three years older, but the pressure of her work often left her with a cold and unreadable expression. His friends even jokingly gave her the nickname "Ice Queen".

But when she smiled without reserve, it was as though spring was breaking through the ice—warm and full of life. Her unexpectedly stunning appearance made his heart skip a beat at the sight.

Just the thought that he might finally embrace her tonight made him uncontrollably giddy with excitement.

She sternly chided, "Behave yourself."

Then, she resumed pouring the wine as she silently observed the man sitting obediently before her. That was the best thing about him—he always listened to her instructions.

Setting the bottle down, she took her seat across from him.

A quiet yet suggestive tension flowed between them under the soft amber glow of the lights.

Her tone turned unusually soft and tender. "David… do you love me?"

He reached out and took her hand, his teasing expression fading into something more serious. "You've been observing me for the past three years. Don't you know how I feel about you by now? Of course, I love you, Alicia."

Her lips curved into a faint smile at his answer. She pulled out a small velvet box. "This is for you."

Inside was a simple platinum ring, designed for men. The plain band caught the candlelight, gleaming with a brilliant shine.

The look of anticipation on his face instantly froze, an unforeseen chill creeping into his expression instead. He did not look happy to see the ring. In fact, the joy she had expected… never came.

Nevertheless, she could understand his feelings a little. He might not have been mentally prepared, so she might even have frightened him with the sudden proposal.

"What is this supposed to mean, Alicia?"

"My family has been pressuring me into marriage, so I was hoping to bring you home to meet them," she explained gently. "We can also take the chance to make our engagement official."

She looked him straight in the eye, her tone calm but firm. "What's wrong? You don't want to?"

They had been together for three years. It was easy to see just how much he loved her.

Otherwise, he would never have lived under the same roof without ever once crossing the line with her.

It had taken her three years to accept having a boyfriend who was three years younger.

Naturally, she had not agreed to the relationship just because of his sincerity. She had investigated his background thoroughly from the beginning.

He was the youngest son of the prestigious Burton family, known throughout the social circles of Litchbrook. But he had hidden his identity to enroll in a university in the southern region, living as nothing more than an ordinary student for four years.

She, on the other hand, was his complete opposite. Despite being the eldest daughter of the Gibson family, she was the unloved child. Her father had immediately brought his mistress and their children into the home as soon as her mother passed away, while she was sent overseas for years.

Even after she returned from studying abroad, she had to fight for a place in the family. She eventually accepted her grandfather's proposition: Strip herself of the family name and take over a failing company that had nearly gone bankrupt. If she could turn the company around within three years, he would consider handing the family's business to her.

Since the Gibson family and the Burton family were equal in terms of influence, they were the perfect match for a marriage alliance.

It could be said that they were made for each other—they not only loved each other, but their family backgrounds were a suitable match too.

Now that she had successfully achieved her performance targets, she received word from home: The Burton family was indeed considering a marriage alliance with the Gibson family.

So, she knew it was time to lay her cards on the table if she wanted to stop her half-sister from stealing the opportunity.

She initially assumed that he would be overjoyed at the idea of taking their relationship to the next level, but at this moment… he seemed totally panicked instead.

The ring she had carefully chosen and engraved with the initials of their names was being treated as though it were a cursed object. He didn't even dare to reach out, much less touch it.

"Alicia… this is too sudden. I'm not ready."

He shot to his feet, a chilly air settling over his handsome features. "Oh, right. Reggie just called me about something. I need to go."

With that, he rushed toward the door. He left so quickly that he even forgot to wear his shoes.

The door slammed shut behind him.

…

Moments later, the sound of a car speeding out of the driveway echoed back at her.

Alicia stared at the untouched ring on the table in stunned silence. I see, he… has never truly considered marrying me…

The simple bracelet on her wrist caught the flickering candlelight, the cold glint practically mocking her for her foolish hopes.

David had given that bracelet to her in their first year together. At the time, he even worked a part-time job for an entire month just to earn the six grand required to buy the bracelet for her.

Maybe it was the Burton family's way of training him, but his standard of living over the past few years was lower than that of most university students.

That was the reason why she had fallen for him. She had watched him hand out flyers on the street every single day, sweating profusely in a mascot suit. Even passing out from heatstroke had not deterred him. His pure determination was what made her truly fall in love with him.

In his eyes, she was nothing more than a small-time businesswoman running a company on the brink of bankruptcy. Even her home was rented. If the business failed, she would be homeless in the blink of an eye.

Yet, she had the kind of grit many others did not possess. She had persistently hustled through endless social dinners and pursued countless investors to maintain the company, never once backing down from these hardships.

He always used to say, "One day, when I have money, I'll take care of you. You won't have to work so hard again."

During their years together, he played the role of a poor university student while she played the role of a bankrupt career woman.

They had survived through the toughest times together. But just when she was ready to be honest with him… he bailed on her.

…

Midnight came… and went, but he never returned home.

He once claimed, "A good man always comes home before midnight."

She tried calling his phone, but it was turned off.

Did I really frighten him that badly with the sudden proposal?

Determined to talk things through with him, Alicia headed to the bar they often visited together.

The door to their usual private room was slightly ajar. She caught a glimpse of him sitting there before she even stepped inside. He was puffing away inside the smoke-filled room.

It was no secret that he smoked. But after she warned him that smoking was bad for his health, he never smoked in front of her again.

She had not pressed the issue either, choosing instead to turn a blind eye.

After all, he had always been so well-behaved around her—so much so that she never bothered to sweat the small stuff.

But now… her sweet and obedient little puppy was just like any other man.

Lounging lazily on the couch, David leaned back with his legs crossed, a beautiful woman nestled in his arms. He held out a cigarette for the woman to light with practiced ease, the red glow at his fingertips flickering in the dim room.

A mocking voice came from one of his friends. "I told you to break things off, David. Now look—blew up in your face, didn't it? That old woman caught feelings and wants to push for marriage! Does she even know who you are?"

Alicia froze outside the room. I can't believe it! The same friends who once greeted me politely are now calling me an old woman behind my back!

David exhaled a puff of smoke, then leaned down to bite into the grape the woman was offering him. His expression was cold and distant, completely unfamiliar to Alicia.

"That's just her wishful thinking. With her lowly status, how could she even dream of marrying into the Burton family? There's no way I'll marry her. But she does have a pretty face, though. Maybe I'll keep her as a pet somewhere in Southam."

"True. You're about to marry into the Gibson family anyway. With one in the north and one in the south, they'll never cross paths. No one will care as long as she doesn't go crying to Ms. Gibson."

Another person chimed in, "Hey, David! The deadline for our bet is coming up soon. If you lose…"

Smoke curled around David's face, making it hard to read his expression clearly.

But his voice—cold and sharp—cut through the haze. "Relax. I'll definitely sleep with her before I return to Litchbrook. After playing the sweet and innocent act for so long, it's time to reel her in!"

Outside the door, Alicia staggered backward slightly. Her high heels sank into the plush carpet, muffling the sound of her footsteps.

Though it was the height of summer, an icy chill had seeped deep into her bones.

She tried to convince herself that it couldn't have been because of the betrayal.

It was just the air conditioning.

So… why did her heart hurt so much?

Her mother's death, which took place when she was ten, had taught her that neither love nor marriage was reliable.

"Never trust a man—and never expect anything from one."

The years she was exiled abroad had further transformed her; she had changed from a pampered little princess into a strong and independent woman.

Having sworn to reclaim her rightful inheritance and her mother's dowry, she armored herself with indifference and forced herself to mature quickly.

She knew her grandfather had given her an impossible task, but she had gritted her teeth and accepted the proposition anyway.

After all, she was determined to prove herself. She had to earn her grandfather's vote so that she could secure her position in Gibson Corporation.

Then, David came into her life. Like a ray of sunlight breaking through the dark clouds, he had gradually warmed the frozen heart that she had long sealed away deep within her.

She had always known—it was her fate to be forced into a marriage alliance. If that was the case, why couldn't she choose a wealthy man who actually loved her instead?

But what she thought was a match made in heaven… turned out to be an elaborately orchestrated scam.

He had approached her not out of love, but for a crude bet. It was nothing more than the arrogant game of a wealthy heir with too much time on his hands.

To men like him, a cold and gorgeous woman like her wasn't a partner but a target for conquest.

I should have known better…

Someone like him… would have every type of woman hanging at his fingertips. There was no way he would believe in love at first sight…

Her heart ached as though it were bleeding.

She stared at the simple ring inside the velvet box.

For a time, she had truly imagined marrying him and spending her entire life with him.

I'm so stupid. How could I have forgotten Mom's warning? It's my own foolishness that has landed me in such a humiliating mess.

Sitting in a dark corner, Alicia gulped down glass after glass of wine.

She saw David leading an escort into the elevator, his arm wrapped around the woman. There were private rooms upstairs, for resting… or other things.

So that's where he'd been, on the nights he hadn't come home…

Those nights when he claimed he was watching the games with his friends… He had actually been here, spending the night in someone else's bed.

Of course… He's the heir of a wealthy elite family from Litchbrook. What woman couldn't he get?

Even if it's something I refuse to offer, someone else will gladly take my place.

Why would he ever need to compromise?

She was a woman who could hold her liquor. After all, years of social dinners had trained her well, but tonight, she was truly drunk.

Her body swayed as she staggered out of the establishment, her steps uneven. All of a sudden, she found herself falling forward.

But the pain she expected never came. Instead, a pair of strong hands caught her by the waist.

Her head bumped into the firm chest of a man, the impact making her even dizzier.

Then, a deep and magnetic voice entered her ear. "Are you okay?"

She lifted her head in a daze, only to meet a pair of dark eyes.

The man was dressed sharply in a tailored suit, and his handsome features were chiseled. But it was his gaze—dangerous and piercing—that sent chills down her spine.

For a split second, she thought it might be her imagination, but… he seemed to resemble David in appearance.

However, their auras were completely different. One was calm and composed, radiating with power. And the other? A charming playboy, arrogant and outgoing.

The image of David leaving with the escort abruptly flashed through her mind, and just like that, the thought of revenge surfaced.

Her red lips curled into a faint, seductive smile. "Hey, do you have a girlfriend?"

She had no idea how drunk she was, or how much rationality she retained, but she had seen the way he studied her, his gaze laced with quiet scrutiny.

"No," he finally answered in a low voice.

Stepping closer, she hooked her arms around his neck and flashed a radiant smile.

"Well, now you do."

She was undoubtedly a gorgeous woman. Especially when she smiled, she was absolutely breathtaking—like a rare bloom of elegance and allure.

It was the reason why David had spent three years trying to win her heart without giving up once. She was simply that dangerously attractive to men.

The man lowered his eyes, his gaze as deep and unreadable as the depths of a night without a single star.

"Are you referring… to yourself?"

If she were sober, she would have steered clear of such a dangerous man.

However, right now, she was drunk. Being drunk had diminished her rationality and emboldened her.

"I'm giving myself to you. Do you want me, or not?"

To hell with love. I'm done with such stupid emotions.

David wanted me to give myself to him willingly, didn't he?

Well, he's about to lose his bet!

The night air was filled with temptation and desire.

Sometimes, an exchange of glances was enough to ignite the passionate chemistry between a man and woman.

Besides, this man was leagues above David in terms of looks and presence. She wasn't losing out on anything.

Alicia pulled the man toward the elevator, insisting they head to the private rooms upstairs.

If David can do it, then so can I.

However, the man stopped in his tracks. "Let's go somewhere else," he said flatly.

Next thing she knew, she was being taken to a hotel.

She could barely stand by the time they reached the elevator. Noticing how unsteady she was, he slipped his arm around her waist and held her firmly against his chest.

A whiff of his scent entered her nose—the cool fragrance of pine—making her feel slightly better.

The man took her into a luxurious suite. Her gaze was clouded and unfocused. But he looked straight into her eyes and gestured at the door, which remained slightly ajar.

"It's not too late for regrets."

Rising onto her tiptoes, she breathed softly into his ear. "What's wrong? Afraid you can't satisfy me?"

The man's answer came in the form of a deep and heavy thud—he had kicked the door shut behind them. Then, he scooped her into his arms.

"No turning back now." His hot breath brushed against her ear.

She found herself gently being placed on the bed while his long fingers swiftly loosened his tie.

His composed and elegant demeanor was now laced with something far more dangerous after he unbuttoned his shirt.

The way he looked at her… was like a beast surveying its territory. His gaze was hungry and intense, nothing short of predatory.

Her heart raced at the sight. "I… I need a shower first."

Kneeling on the bed, he pinned her under his body and slowly leaned down. His tone was forceful and commanding. "After we're done."

Her feet kicked at the soft covers. The last bit of rationality in her mind warned her to bolt for freedom. She pressed her fingers against his chest, instinctively trying to flee his grasp.

But he hooked her chin with his fingers. His dark eyes burned with passion, and his voice carried a seductive tone. "Why don't you see if I can satisfy you?"

The fire she had sparked was naturally something she would have to put out herself.

She was certain she had truly lost her mind.

Despite having been in a relationship with her boyfriend for three years, she had never given herself to him. Yet, she was casually giving everything to a perfect stranger.

The velvet box in her palm rolled onto the bed.

He opened the box to see the simple men's ring that she had been clutching tightly in her hand.

Taking the ring out of the box, he casually slipped it onto his middle finger.

It was a perfect fit, almost as though it had been custom-made for him.

He lowered his head and admired the ring that matched the one on her finger. "Not bad."

She instantly panicked and reached out to snatch the ring away. "Give it back—mmph—"

The kiss came out of nowhere. His hand, which was adorned with the ring, seized hers. Threading their fingers together, he lifted her hands above her head.

His movements were rough and dominant as he stole her breath.

Their clothes quickly fell to the carpet, his shirt landing on top of her lace lingerie.

Soon, the room was filled with heated passion and soft moans…

Alicia awoke the next morning to an intense ache over her entire body.

Her memories from the night before were fragmented, so she wasn't sure what had happened.

When she sat upright on the bed, the silk blanket slipped off her body to reveal the bruises covering her skin.

Even an idiot could guess what had happened. In the next moment, the missing memories came flooding back like a huge tidal wave.

I know I was drunk, but did I really grab a random handsome man and…

Her complexion went pale. The messy state of the bed showed her just how wild and intense things had gotten last night.

She could hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom, but she was already freaking out inside.

A one-night stand might have been fun in the moment, but the aftermath was a total disaster!

After seeing David with an escort, her mind was only filled with thoughts of revenge—she even forgot that she had zero experience in such matters.

She had no idea how to face the awkward situation of meeting the man she had slept with the next morning.

Keeping her head down, she frantically searched through the clothes scattered on the floor for her own.

When she kicked aside the man's pants, she finally found her dress and her bra.

But her underwear was nowhere to be found!

The sound of water inside the bathroom petered out.

Realizing that the water had been shut off, she quickly grabbed her high heels and bolted from the room. She didn't dare to stay there for a second longer.

The bathroom door opened.

Steam swirled in the air as a man stepped out of the bathroom and glanced at the rumpled bed.

There was no sign of the woman who had been sleeping there. However, the dark red blood stain on the bed sheets was impossible to miss.

His lips curled into a cold but knowing smirk. Does she really think she can run away from me?

A sharp knock came from outside the door, followed by David's voice. "Uncle Austin, are you awake?"

The man from last night turned out to be David Burton's uncle, Austin Burton. He nonchalantly opened the door with a bath towel wrapped around his waist.

David was taken aback by his uncle's appearance. Besides the suspicious kiss mark on Austin's neck, there was also something that closely resembled a bite mark on his shoulder.

These marks made the normally cold and aloof man suddenly seem… wildly seductive.

"Uncle Austin, did you—"

"I heard you have a girlfriend. When are you introducing her to meet the family?" Austin's expression remained unchanged in the face of his nephew's stunned reaction.

"What girlfriend? She's just someone to kill time with…"

Before David finished his sentence, he caught sight of the scratch marks covering Austin's back and momentarily forgot what he was saying.

Those were definitely left by a woman!

He glanced further inside and abruptly noticed the messy state of the room. The blankets on the bed were rumpled in a strange way, and various clothes were strewn across the floor.

What's more, there were several used condoms by the trash can and the bed!

The sight stunned him into silence.

No way! Is that really the disciplined and self-restrained Uncle Austin I know?! I can't believe he actually hooked up with a woman on his very first night in Southam! She's clearly quite a wild one, too!

"Uncle Austin—"

Austin casually plucked his pants off the floor. A pair of women's underwear fell out of the pocket.

He quickly stuffed them back into his pocket before David could get a clear glimpse and shot his nephew a withering look.

"Is it that surprising for adults to have some company at night?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if it were anyone else, but you? That's a real shocker." David quickly gave a sheepish smile. "Anyway, I'm sorry about last night. My phone was turned off because I had something going on."

"It's no big deal. I have a meeting today, so let's have dinner together later."

"Sounds good."

"Want to bring your girlfriend along?"

"I told you; she's not my girlfriend." An awkward expression flashed across David's face. "Besides, I'm supposed to enter a marriage alliance with the Gibson family when I return to Litchbrook. These women on the side… they're just for fun."

His gaze drifted to the ring on Austin's hand. Is it just my imagination? But it sure looks like the ring Alicia prepared last night…

Nah, I was too flustered to have a good look at the ring… And these plain rings always tend to look the same anyway. I'm probably just overthinking it.

"Will you be getting married soon, Uncle Austin?"

Austin traced the cold metal of the ring with his fingers, quietly cracking a sly smile. "Mm. I'm sure you'll meet your aunt soon."

...

Alicia returned home in a daze. Everything that had happened last night felt like a dream—or a nightmare.

Turning on the shower, she repeatedly scrubbed her body clean. But the marks wouldn't go away even after she had scrubbed her skin raw.

Her mind was filled with a man's low and breathy voice in her ear. "Good girl. Go ahead and bite me if it hurts."

His tender kindness had made her feel as though she was something precious.

In just one night, her carefully laid plans had completely fallen apart.

Now that she had seen David's true colors, she knew she could never force herself to go through with the marriage alliance.

Yes, she was driven by ambition. But she couldn't pretend that nothing had happened after hearing how coldly and mockingly he had spoken about her.

Just the thought alone made her sick to the stomach.

What made it worse was that she once believed he was different from the other spoiled children of wealthy families—she actually thought that he had some self-control.

She logically understood that he had simply been venting his desires when she watched him leading the escort to the private rooms upstairs last night. There were no emotions involved. It was normal within their social circle; there were countless ways for men to fool around with women.

If they had not been romantically involved—if it had been purely a political marriage—she would not have cared about his nightly activities outside the home.

The problem was that she had invested three years of genuine emotion into their relationship. She could never look at him the same way again.

Just thinking about how many women he had kissed with the very same lips that had kissed her, she was so disgusted that she felt as though she would be sick.

Alicia knew—David would probably get engaged to her sister, Aria Gibson, if she did nothing to fight for herself.

So, if she wanted a marriage alliance to further her ambition, then she would need to choose someone with a higher status than him.

It was truly unfortunate that the Burton family stood at the top of Litchbrook's social scene. There were several eligible bachelors from other families, but none of them could compare with the status of the Burton family.

That was the main reason she had agreed to enter a relationship with David in the first place.

If it weren't for his attractive family background, she would never have allowed her emotions to cloud her judgment.

Alicia was miserable. She had lost both love and a promising marriage prospect in a single night.

Three years of careful planning had been ruined by one wrong move.

Pulling the curtains shut, she flopped onto her bed. She was absolutely exhausted. But no matter how tightly she closed her eyes, she could not fall asleep.

The feelings she had built over the past three years had been genuine. Hence, it was impossible for her to process everything and move on with her life in just a single day.

Last night's impulsive revenge had brought about a brief moment of pleasure, but… she was now left with nothing but a hollow emptiness and despair.

The sound of the front door creaking open echoed throughout the house, and then a figure came into her room.

With the curtains drawn tightly, David could only make out the small figure curled up on the bed.

He dropped the arrogant demeanor he had displayed in front of his friends.

Truth be told, his feelings for Alicia were real. But his sincerity did not extend far enough for him to actually marry a small business owner.

Even if her company had improved over the years, it was nothing compared to the Burton family's businesses.

David could play around and have some fun, but he would never risk his future over such trivialities.

His pitiful voice came from across the room. "I'm sorry, Alicia."

In the past, she would have caved whenever she heard his sad and groveling voice, but it was different now. She simply hid in the cover of darkness and watched his performance.

"Why are you apologizing?" Her voice was hoarse.

He was surprised by Alicia's raspy voice. It never occurred to him that such a strong and independent woman would break down in tears. He immediately realized that he must have truly hurt her feelings last night.

"It's not that I don't love you, or that I'm unwilling to marry you. It's just… I'm only twenty-two. The thought of marriage has never even crossed my mind before, so… I just freaked out."

"And now? A whole night has passed; have you decided?"

"Alicia… your company is just getting started. Besides, I don't even have a stable job yet. Don't you think it's too early to talk about marriage? Can we wait a few years? I promise I'll marry you before you turn thirty!"

A cold snicker escaped her lips. "Thirty? I'd be an old lady by then!"

"That's not true! You're beautiful and dignified. Even at thirty, you'll still be a stunning woman. Age has nothing to do with your appearance." Her answer made his heart sink. "I'm sorry. It's my fault for making you sad last night."

Reaching forward, he tried to slap himself with her hand, but she jerked away in disgust.

"You didn't come home last night." Her voice sliced through the dim light of the room, cold and sharp. "Where were you?"

Throughout the three years of their relationship, Alicia had never questioned David's whereabouts. He was the one who would voluntarily provide the information.

This was the first time she had ever asked. For some reason, he was flooded with a wave of unease.

"Reggie fought with his girlfriend last night, and they nearly broke up. We drank so much that I was completely wasted, so I crashed at his place. If you don't believe me, Reggie and the others can vouch for me."

His words seemed spoken with heartfelt sincerity, but they just sounded disgusting in her ears.

It turned out that the man she once considered pure and innocent was just another sleazy man with a bunch of sketchy friends.

"Look, I'll call them right now." He quickly handed his phone over.

"No need. I didn't get any sleep last night, so I'm exhausted. You should rest, too."

"Please don't be mad, okay?"

"Okay."

"Oh, right. I'm having dinner with some friends tonight. Do you want to join us?"

He asked, knowing that she was always busy. She often turned him down, rarely choosing to join him on these gatherings.

At this moment, just the thought of his so-called friends made her sick.

She replied coldly, "I'll pass. I'm tired."

"Okay. Get some rest then. Oh, by the way… there's a gift I want to give you in a few days."

"Alright."

David left the house not long afterward.

Alicia quickly threw off the blankets and climbed out of bed. For the first time since moving into the house, she entered the spare bedroom.

Although they had been together for three years, she had always maintained certain boundaries. She had never checked his phone or rummaged through his stuff.

It might be that he knew how much she respected their respective boundaries, so he didn't even bother to hide anything.

Pulling open a drawer, she immediately came across a property deed.

It was for the little townhouse she had been renting, but the owner listed on the property deed had been changed to his name.

This must be the gift he mentioned earlier.

Did he purchase the house as some form of compensation for sleeping with me?

There was a phone beside the property deed.

She was surprised to find her picture set as the lock screen wallpaper. Even the password was her birthday.

It was hard to say he didn't love her. If he truly had no feelings for her, then why was his burner phone filled with everything about her?

Yet… if he loved her that much, then why was there another messaging app on the phone filled with messages from various known playboys and women from Litchbrook?

'David, that night on the yacht was unforgettable.'

'When are you coming to see me again, Mr. David?'

Most of the messages had been ignored. But among these messages, the one who contacted him the most was a woman saved as "Lily".

She tapped on Lily's profile. At a glance, the woman looked unmistakably similar to her.

'I miss you, David.'

'I've just arrived in your city. It's been so long… Don't you miss me?'

'David, I can give you whatever your girlfriend can't.'

These messages were followed by several racy photos—each more explicit than the last.

The final message… was a response from him: '10 p.m. I'll meet you at the hotel.'

Reading through the mounting evidence of his cheating, she felt as though she had fallen into a pit of ice.

She had thought he was a sweet and obedient puppy—someone easy to control, but in reality, he was a shameless playboy behind her back.

Thank god, I never actually slept with him...

Oh, sh*t! A sudden thought occurred to her. Recalling the wild activities of the previous night, she abruptly felt a chill running down her back. What if that man was just as bad?

D*mn it… I regret being so reckless now… I'd better go get tested.

Pushing aside the swirling thoughts, she calmly saved every piece of evidence.

She quickly realized why he would return home every so often, pretending to visit his family. His visits turned out to be extremely eventful.

There were yachts, nightclubs, cars, private jets…

Sure, he's young. It's only natural to have needs. But to act innocent in front of me when he was actually such a depraved b*stard…. That's just disgusting.

What a filthy and shameless man… Simply breaking up with him will be letting him off too easily.

She decided, at that moment: I'm going to get my revenge on him. He's going to pay dearly for this betrayal. How dare he deceive me, of all people?

Placing the phone and the property deed back inside the drawer, she quietly left the room.

She opened her contacts and tapped on the one labelled "Grandpa". Deleting the message she had written earlier—about how she was planning to bring her boyfriend home—she swiftly typed out a new message.

'Grandpa, I've accomplished my mission ahead of schedule. I'll be coming home next week.'

She had originally planned to wait another two weeks so that there would be enough time for David to settle his graduation matters before they returned home together.

However, there was no need to delay anymore.

Before that… I must prepare one last gift for him. It's going to be a huge surprise.

"I need you to prepare a fake medical report stating I have late-stage cancer." She made a call to her assistant.

"What are you planning, Ms. Gibson?"

"Don't ask so many questions. Just do as I say."

It wasn't enough to slap David in the face, and breaking up with him would only hurt him for a moment. She wanted him to suffer for life!

She had come to understand one thing when her mother passed away: A woman's tears were useless—unless they were used as a weapon.

Instead of drowning herself in heartbreak, it would be better to spend her time finding a better match.

She bounced back quickly. Cleaning up the mess from the previous night, she tidied the room and cooked herself a lavish dinner.

But as night fell, her mind drifted back to her wild encounter.

Worry began to gnaw at her as she pondered the situation. What if that man was just as bad as David? She could have contracted something bad.

In the end, she drove herself to the hospital.

…

Austin was having dinner with David. They were exchanging updates about their recent lives when an assistant rushed over and whispered something in his ear.

He gave David a quick glance and said, "Something urgent came up. I have to go."

"Alright."

Then, he hurried to the hospital.

Various thoughts plagued his mind. Was I too rough last night? Did I hurt her?

…

By the time Alicia arrived at the hospital, only the night-shift doctor was there.

The female doctor spoke in a cool and professional tone.

"Remove your pants on one leg and lie down on the bed."

Alicia suppressed her embarrassment and obeyed the instructions. Having always been a virgin until now, she had never needed such a thorough and invasive medical examination.

But she was afraid of catching diseases, so there was no other choice.

Noticing how stiff and awkward Alicia was, the doctor casually pulled the curtain around them. Then, she put on a pair of gloves and approached with a swab.

Alicia squeezed her eyes shut, too nervous to watch.

Before the doctor even touched Alicia, she calmly remarked, "Young lady, you should take it easy next time. You've ripped yourself. I'll apply some medicine, but you should be more careful next time."

"Yes… Thank you, doctor…" Alicia flushed a deep red at the comment.

Just then, the doctor received a phone call before she could start the examination.

"Wait here for a moment," she said. "I need to check on another patient. I'll be right back."

She rushed out of the room, leaving Alicia lying on the examination table alone.

…

A short while later, Alicia heard the sound of the door opening. She quickly shut her eyes in panic when she heard someone pulling back the curtain.

Thinking it was the doctor, she timidly whispered, "Doctor, it hurts badly. Can you please apply the medicine?"

It was cold and painful when the ointment touched her wound.

Shivering at the sensation, she furrowed her brows as a gasp of pain escaped her lips. "Ow…"

The person immediately slowed down their movements.

"Is it bad, doctor?" Trying to suppress any further reaction, she spoke through gritted teeth. "And is there anything… abnormal? I'm worried about getting an infection."

Unexpectedly, it was a familiar male voice that sounded right beside her ear instead.

"Don't worry. I'm healthy, and I don't carry any diseases."

Her eyes flew open in alarm.

There was a man dressed in a tailored suit, standing in front of her with a cotton swab in his hand. But he looked… strangely familiar.

Her voice trembled in disbelief. "I-It's you!"

Looking down at her, he smiled slightly in amusement. "Hello. We meet again, my girlfriend."

Alicia jolted upright on the examination table, the sudden movement tugging at her injury and causing her to wince in pain.

Scenes from the previous night—those unspeakable, explicit memories—flashed through her mind in an instant.

The very same man, who had starred in those wild memories… was standing right in front of her. In fact, he looked even more handsome than she remembered in her drunken haze.

If she hadn't known that David did not have a brother, she would have mistaken this tall and elegant man as his older sibling.

Nevertheless, she was beyond mortified by his presence. Once in a drunken stupor, and now nearly half-naked on an examination table… That was definitely not how she wanted to meet someone twice.

"Why are you here?"

Panicked, she scrambled to pull up her pants. Her eyes were filled with guarded wariness as she glared at the man.

Austin stepped forward. Though she had only just managed to stand, she immediately stumbled and plopped back down on the examination table in her haste to escape.

Leaning down, he braced his hands on both sides of her body and trapped her within his personal space. At such close distance, she could clearly catch a faint whiff of the cool scent of pine wafting from his body.

"If I hadn't come, my girlfriend would've run away, and I wouldn't even have known." His lips curled into a teasing smile.

Having spent three years hustling in the business world, she was not naïve. She had handled her fair share of awkward or complex situations, but she never imagined she would find herself in a situation this awkward.

"Uh… About last night, I—"

He interrupted her, "You were really passionate last night."

Huh?

She blinked at him in confusion. The statement, which came out of nowhere, caused her to blank out for a moment.

Her bewildered expression made her seem unexpectedly adorable.

"So," he smoothly continued, "I have no intention of ending the relationship."

"There is no relationship between us, so there's nothing to end." Her voice cooled instantly. "What happened last night was consensual, between two adults. Surely, you understand the meaning of a one-night stand?"

"But one's first time is precious to me."

"Relax." She snorted coldly. "I'm not asking you to take responsibility."

Raising his hand, he gently lifted her chin. The rough tip of his thumb brushed softly against her lips. "What I mean is… You need to take responsibility for me."

What?! I've never met such a shameless man in my life!

It was a mutual decision! I didn't even ask him to take responsibility for me!

Why would a grown man need a woman to take responsibility for him?!

Various thoughts flew through her head in the instant, then she heard him continue with great emphasis, "Because it was my first time."

Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at him in disbelief.

Even David, who was barely twenty-three years old, had been with countless women. Yet this ridiculously handsome man, who looked as though he had just stepped out of a fashion magazine, claimed that he had never been with a woman before?

Who would believe that?

"If you don't mind me asking… how old are you?"

"Thirty-two."

Rolling her eyes, she shoved him aside and stormed out. "I can't believe you're pretending to be a pure virgin at that age. You're absolutely shameless."

Seriously, why did I have to meet such a weirdo? Wasn't one free ride enough for him?

Meanwhile, he lowered his gaze and studied himself. I'm only seven years older than her… Does she really mind that much?

When the female doctor returned to the examination room, she found her female patient gone. Instead, there was an extremely good-looking man standing there.

Austin touched his face and murmured, "Do I… look old?"

The doctor stared at him, completely confused. She secretly thought to herself, He's handsome, sure… but clearly insane.

Alicia practically speed-walked in her high heels, desperate not to be caught by that man. Forget it. I'll just get a full check-up again when I'm back in Litchbrook.

…

When Alicia arrived home, she was not surprised to see that David wasn't back yet.

She decided to call him.

The call rang for a long time. Just when the call was about to be disconnected, he finally answered the phone. His voice was low and breathless.

"Alicia."

The image of the man from last night—the way he looked on top of her—instantly flashed through her mind. She instantly understood what David was doing at the moment.

He's really full of energy, isn't he? He's not even taking a single night off.

"What are you doing? Why are you so out of breath?"

"I was playing ball with some friends. Go to sleep first, Alicia. I'll be home soon."

"Okay. Come home soon." She ended the call. David… if you're going to be so heartless, then don't blame me for being just as ruthless.

She didn't go to bed.

Instead, she carefully applied just enough makeup to make herself look pale and sickly.

It was midnight by the time David came home.

He was surprised to find that she wasn't working in the study or asleep in bed.

She usually maintains such a strict and disciplined routine… What's up with her tonight?

She was sitting on the couch in her pajamas, her hair loose and disheveled down her back. She didn't even notice his presence when he approached.

"Alicia, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Crouching beside her, David reached out and gently placed his hand over hers.

Startled, Alicia immediately raised her head and pulled her hand away. Her complexion was pale, her eyes were red and puffy, and tears clung to her long eyelashes.

He had seen her looking cold and composed, but never like this—she had never shed tears before.

Panic flared in his eyes. Did she find out?

"Why are you crying, Alicia? Your face… You look awful. Did something happen?"

She hesitated. After a moment, she finally asked, "Do you really not want to marry me? I just… I don't want to have any regrets."

"Alicia, you've always cared more about your career than anything else. Why are you in such a rush to get married now?"

Her expression became flustered. "I… My family's been pressuring me, that's all. Don't worry about it, it's nothing. You must be tired from playing ball… I made you some soup."

Wiping away her tears, she stood and went to bring the soup.

When she glanced backward, she caught the look of guilt and regret flickering across his face.

She tenderly spoon-fed him each mouthful of soup.

"Alicia, why are you suddenly being so nice to me? It's a bit weird…"

Throughout their relationship, he was usually the one putting in the effort. She had always been a relentless workaholic who never took a break from work.

"You've always taken such good care of me, and I don't have much time left…" Her voice trailed off softly.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing," she quickly backtracked. "I've been so busy with work that I've neglected you. I promise I'll treat you better from now on.

"Finish the soup. You must be tired after playing ball. I'm going to bed."

As David watched her retreating figure, a strange unease settled in his chest.

She couldn't have found out. With her proud and fiery nature, she would never have been so gentle with me if she'd known. So, what's really going on? Does she really want to get married that badly?

Alicia smirked, pleased by his confusion. That's good. Keep guessing.

…

The next morning, David woke up to find a lavish breakfast spread on the table.

Alicia stood beside the table, waiting for him.

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but her complexion seemed terrible. She looked extremely pale and sickly, for some reason.

"Alicia, you don't look so good."

"I just didn't sleep well last night."

How could I have slept?

An unknown number had sent her a flood of explicit photos at 3 a.m. last night. Well, there was no need to guess anyway—she was certain the sender was that woman named "Lily".

But she kept quiet about the incident.

"I'm heading to the office today."

The newly-appointed CEO was starting today; she had to do a proper handover. Once these company matters were settled, she could finally return to Litchbrook.

"Come home early tonight, Alicia."

"Okay."

Then, she left the house without so much as a backward glance.

It wasn't until she reached her car that she reapplied her lipstick.

She was just about to start the engine when her phone rang—it was a call from home.

"When are you coming home, Ms. Alicia? Ms. Aria's engagement partner has been decided." The hushed voice of the family butler, Vincent Porter, came through the phone.

"Who is it?"

"The son of the Burton family, David Burton. He is the same age as Ms. Aria. I heard he is currently attending a university in the southern region."

Thinking about the man who had sweetly called her name just moments ago, she instinctively tightened her fingers around the steering wheel.

"He agreed?" Her voice sounded slightly strained.

"I heard the Burton family is very pleased with the match. They'll be meeting in three days, and if all goes well… the engagement will be decided."

"Mm."

The butler's voice turned anxious. "Ms. Alicia… If Ms. Aria gains the support of the Burton family, your standing in the family will…"

Be gone.

Although the butler did not finish his sentence, Alicia understood what he meant perfectly.

Things could work out if she revealed her true identity and replaced her sister in the engagement.

But just the thought of everything David had done behind her back made her stomach turn.

Living together under the same roof was hard enough. If she were tied to him together for life? She would surely lose her mind.

"Vincent, please help me look into suitable marriage candidates in Litchbrook. Preferably someone with more power than David Burton."

"Honestly, there's no family better than the Burton family, Ms. Alicia…" He paused briefly before continuing, "Oh, but… I actually do have one person in mind."

Her eyes instantly lit up. "Who is it?"

"David's uncle."