Perhaps Chase Lockwood’s gaze was too scorching at that moment, leaving Mia Kane feeling unsettled.

She looked down and drank her coffee, avoiding his eyes.

"Mia, you shouldn’t destroy yourself just to get back at me. I know I hurt you deeply. If I hadn’t met Vivian, I would have chosen you. But alas..."

"Turn back. If you’re short on money, you can tell me. I’ll help you."

"It’s not what you think between him and me."

"Then what is it? Adrian Preston is already married. You’ve always despised being the other woman. You couldn’t even stand me and Vivian, so why would you debase yourself by being Adrian’s mistress?"

"Why don’t you go ask your ’good brother’ yourself? If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving."

Mia Kane had no desire to waste any more words on him.

She turned to leave but was unexpectedly stopped by him again.

"If you’re determined to be someone’s mistress, then... be mine."

Mia Kane stopped dead in her tracks, looking at him in disbelief. "What are you talking about?"

Chase Lockwood seemed to have given this considerable thought. He looked at her earnestly. "Whatever he gives you, I’ll give you double every month. I don’t need you to do anything. You can just quietly do whatever you want."

"It pains me to see you go down this path of no return just to get back at me. You weren’t like this before! Mia, turn back."

At this moment, Chase Lockwood felt like a saint on a mission to save the world. He assumed Mia Kane loved him to the bone, so much so that she would debase herself just to get revenge on him.

Chase Lockwood’s heart ached for this foolish girl. ’Since she’s been fine for the past three years, maybe things can continue this way in the future. I’ll give her money and set her up somewhere. It won’t threaten Vivian’s position, nor will it affect our relationship.’

He could even satisfy Mia Kane’s deep, undying love for him.

It was the perfect solution, the best of both worlds.

Mia Kane opened her mouth, wanting to tell him he’d lost his mind, but the words caught in her throat. She forced them back down.

’No matter what I say,’ she thought, ’Chase Lockwood will just think I’m acting out and debasing myself because my love for him is unrequited.’

"Does Vivian Lynch know about this?"

"Of course I won’t let her know."

"But the truth always comes out. She’ll find out sooner or later, and it’ll affect your relationship. This is the path I’ve chosen, and I accept it. As long as you and she are happy, it doesn’t matter what happens to me."

Mia Kane fought back a wave of nausea. ’Turns out, not everyone can play the part of a green-tea bitch.’

Hearing her words, Chase Lockwood’s heart ached for her even more.

"If you’re short on money, I can give you..."

"It’s not about the money. It’s my heart... it’s been completely shattered. Chase Lockwood, don’t look for me anymore. Remember to be happy with Vivian Lynch."

With that, Mia Kane turned and left, looking for all the world like a character in a trashy, melodramatic love triangle from a TV drama.

She was going to make Vivian Lynch feel exactly what she had felt.

She would forever be a thorn in Vivian Lynch’s side, one that could never be removed.

As soon as she got outside, she unexpectedly ran into Rosalyn Shield.

"What are you doing here?"

"Buying coffee."

Mia Kane nodded without asking any more questions and returned to her design studio.

Suddenly, her phone chimed. Chase Lockwood had transferred five million to her.

She sent it back. Chase Lockwood transferred it again, this time sending a text message as well.

"I gave you the money, so it’s yours. I don’t like being rejected. I advise you to consider my offer carefully. If you have financial difficulties, come to me."

Mia Kane looked at the message, feeling incredibly calm. She finally understood. Even without Vivian Lynch, there would have been someone else.

A man like Chase Lockwood always coveted what he couldn’t have. With a little prodding from someone else, he’d start to think his once gentle and sweet little lamb had become unreasonable, far less docile and obedient than the women he could find elsewhere.

He might like Vivian Lynch, but his own base instincts were a bigger part of the problem.

She transferred the money directly to Vivian Lynch.

Vivian Lynch called her almost immediately, demanding, "What’s the meaning of this? Why are you giving me money out of the blue?"

"Chase gave it to me. He was worried I was having a hard time and told me to spend it freely, and that I could ask him for more if it wasn’t enough. But I don’t want it, and he refuses to take it back. I figured since you two are family, giving it to you is the same thing."

"Chase gave you money? How is that possible?"

"Believe it or not."

Mia Kane hung up and sent another message to Chase Lockwood.

"I’m not taking your money. We’re over. You have no reason to spend money on me. I gave all of it to Vivian Lynch."

"Mia Kane, why are you so stubborn? I’ve tried being nice, I’ve tried being firm, don’t you know when to back down?"

Mia Kane didn’t reply. ’He should worry about how to deal with Vivian Lynch,’ she thought.

The handmade suit she was making for Adrian Preston was ready. Shannon Preston’s gown, however, had complex embroidery and needed to be encrusted with jewels, so it would take a lot more time.

Besides, she didn’t get along with Shannon Preston and had no desire to rush the job.

She had a delivery to make anyway, so she decided to drop off Adrian Preston’s suit on the way.

When she arrived downstairs, she called Adrian Preston to ask if it was a good time.

"Perfect timing. Come straight up. There’s something I need from you."

Mia Kane took the private elevator up and soon arrived at the CEO’s office.

Adrian Preston was dressed in a silver-gray suit with a dark cyan striped tie and custom-made leather shoes. His short, neat hair was combed back.

The very picture of a high-society elite, he exuded an air of noble arrogance.

’This man is truly handsome,’ she thought.

"Hm?"

Seeing her, Adrian Preston unexpectedly frowned.

"You didn’t bring a hair tie?"

"What do you need a hair tie for?"

"The Preston Group is holding a press conference later that I’ll be attending. I plan to subtly announce our marriage then. Since we don’t have wedding rings, I need something else as proof. If I wear one of your hair ties, the reporters will get the message."

"Are you really planning to defy your parents? Our marriage is fake. Announcing it publicly won’t do you any good, will it?"

"My marriage is not for them to decide."

Adrian Preston said coolly, "If you don’t want outsiders to know who you are, I won’t release your information. But I need them to see my resolve."

She had a faint feeling that Adrian Preston was not on good terms with his parents.

"But what if I don’t have a hair tie?"

Mia Kane thought for a moment. "I have an idea. Wait a second."

Mia Kane went into the break room and came out a moment later. She then took out a thin black strap and wrapped it around Adrian Preston’s wrist.

The strap still held her body heat and a faint, pleasant scent.

"What is this?"

"A bra strap."

Hearing this, the look in Adrian Preston’s eyes grew darker.

"This should be enough proof, right?"

Mia Kane finished tying it for him and was about to pull away, but he wrapped an arm around her slim waist.

"It’s not enough."

"Then what more do you want?"

"Right here. Give me a few hickeys."

He tilted his neck back slightly, exposing his sexy Adam’s apple.

His fingers grazed lightly over his throat. As he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbed.

The gesture was both wild and sensual, a stark contrast to his usual cool, abstinent aura, which only made it more intoxicating.

Mia Kane’s breath caught, and her heart skipped a beat.

"We’re seeing Grandpa tomorrow. This will make for a good report."

There was an urging tone in Adrian Preston’s voice.

The moment he brought up Grandpa, she immediately gave in.

She let out a breath. ’We’ve already done far more intimate and absurd things. What’s the big deal about a few hickeys?’

She leaned in, her red lips pressing against his neck, her tongue tracing light circles...