"Mom, can you tell me why this is happening?" Lia Aiken murmured to herself, understanding that it was because of her mother that her father treated her this way.

What happened between her parents back then? Why didn't she know her mother was sick, and why did her mom suddenly leave her? Why did the father who once adored her now loathe her, treating her like a pawn—attentive and considerate when she was useful, suppressive when she wasn't?

"Ring, ring..."

The ringing of her phone pulled Lia Aiken's wandering thoughts back.

It was a call from Ivan Horne.

Lia took several deep breaths, adjusted her mindset, and then answered Ivan Horne's call.

"Lia, it's me." Ivan Horne's warm and melodious voice came into Lia's ear, inadvertently brightening her mood, "Are you home?"

The Valence Hotel is a subsidiary of the Valence Group. Lia had checked out, and of course, Ivan Horne would know.

"Yeah, I'm home. Are you still busy?"

Ivan chuckled and replied, "I'm at home, no social obligations tonight." In the future, he planned to cut back on social engagements, after all, he needed to make time to woo his wife. Soon, he asked with concern, "Did your dad ask you to come home?"

Tom Aiken had an appointment for tomorrow, and he had subtly expressed his liking for Lia to Ethan Aibileen. Presumably, Tom Aiken would bring Lia over.

Ivan Horne most disliked those bosses who had ulterior motives when discussing business, just like how Tom Aiken would bring his daughter along occasionally. But when the person involved was Lia, Ivan seemed not to mind as much.

"Yes. Ivan, tomorrow my dad will bring me over to discuss business with you. Business is business; if it's not profitable, don't worry about saving face for me, just do what needs to be done. Also, if my dad tries any low tactics, please send me to Lena for her sake, thank you."

Lia straightforwardly told Ivan Horne that her father might drug her or get her drunk to facilitate cooperation with Valence, potentially sending her to Ivan. She intended to guard against it, but prevention was challenging, so it was better to inform Ivan ahead of time.

Ivan's smile deepened, teasing Lia, "What, do you think I'm not worthy of you? You don't want to latch onto me to make me responsible?"

"It's not about worthiness. I'll decide my marriage. Even if my dad schemes against me, I won't force you to take responsibility. But I believe you're not that kind of person." Lia didn't want a marriage riddled with schemes, nor did she desire a marriage merely for taking responsibility; she hoped for a relationship based on mutual affection.

However, she trusted Ivan, a gentle man, fully believing that if she unintentionally ended up at Ivan's, he wouldn't lay a finger on her.

Ivan laughed heartily, "Lia, thank you for trusting me so much. Rest assured, under my watch, not even your own dad can touch a hair on your head."

Listening to his words, Lia felt there was more to them, strangely so.

"It's late. Get some rest, and we'll see each other tomorrow."

Ivan, in high spirits, didn't push for more conversation, advising Lia to get a good rest before hanging up.

Staring at her phone screen, Lia dared not overthink, but couldn't help but consider—was Ivan Horne overly concerned about her? He was back in G City, supposedly taking care of her at Lena's request. Now, both at their respective homes, he still called out of the blue, leaving his words open to interpretation.

Did Ivan Horne like her?

Lia shook her head, muttering to herself, "Lia, don't let yourself daydream. Ivan Horne isn't someone you can think about."

In front of Ivan, Lia never felt inferior, but she was well-aware of the gap between them. She couldn't believe Ivan would have feelings for her after less than ten days of knowing each other.

With these thoughts, Lia warned herself to maintain her defenses around Ivan, never to surrender easily.

The next day.

When heading out, Lia saw her father and half-sister, Violet, already in the car. Her eyes sparkled, understanding that Violet must have persuaded her father to let her come along.

Lia knew all too well what they were thinking.

There were many who set their sights on a man like Ivan Horne.

Two cars were set to take Tom Aiken and his two daughters to the airport.

Tom and Violet sat in the front car, while Lia took the rear one. Lia was glad they were sitting separately, avoiding a quarrel with Violet along the way, which would only spoil her mood.

A car approached from afar and soon blocked the Aiken family's two vehicles.

The car door opened, and Ethan Aibileen stepped out with a large bouquet of vibrant red roses. He bypassed Tom's car and walked straight to Lia's, leaning down to knock on Lia's window, calling her name through the glass.

This bastard was here again?

He even knew she was in this car—someone had informed Ethan of her whereabouts?

Lia's beautiful eyes grew cold. It seemed that there were traitors even in the Aiken Mansion. Was Celine Taylor the one managing the household, or was it Celine who had disclosed the information to Ethan? Was she hoping Ethan would pester Lia, giving Violet a chance to pursue Ivan Horne?

A sarcastic smile played along her red lips. Lia figured she might be in for quite a spectacle on this trip to T City.

"Lia, Lia, come out of the car, I have something to tell you." Ethan, warned by Ivan, was undeterred. Back in River City, bolstered by Tom's past promise to marry Lia to him, he thought he had a chance to win her heart and wasn't afraid to court her with flowers.

His mother had once again brought up the idea of marriage to the Aiken family, but Mrs. Aiken had subtly rejected it. The more she pushed back, the more determined Ethan became to have Lia.

"Ethan."

Sitting in the car, Lia couldn't be bothered with Ethan; she didn't even press the window down, let alone get out of the car.

Her father, however, couldn't sit still. He got out quickly, walking over with a stern look, saying to Ethan, "Ethan, what is the meaning of this? Are you blocking the car?"

Ethan stood tall and said to Tom Aiken, "Uncle Tom, you promised to marry Lia to me. I'm willing to marry her now. How come you're going back on your word? I'm not blocking the car; I'm here to express my love. I like Lia, and I'm determined to have her."

He then loudly knocked on Lia's car window, shouting, "Lia, get out of the car. I want to confess my love. I like you, I want to marry you! No one but you!"

Spoiled by his family, Ethan was a typical playboy. In River City, people catered to him, and there were always those willing to cater to his whims, exchanging benefits to gain from him.

In front of Ivan Horne, he wouldn't dare act out, though he harbored resentment. Lia, set to be his arranged partner, was his possession unless he tired of her; otherwise, he wouldn't back down or let go. With Ivan not present here, Ethan acted with impunity.