Inside the White family's villa, the halls breathed a muted, watchful quiet.

Lainey slept in fragile calm, wrapped in the hush of silk and shadow. She jolted awake as the door crashed inward, the echo snapping through the room.

"What did you do to Erin, Lainey?"

Seeing Jeremy charge inside with fury burning in his eyes, Lainey rose slowly from the bed. The satin sheets slid away, and the black robe traced her shape in the pale light.

"Since you already figured it out," she said softly, lifting her chin. "Why pretend you need answers?"

Jeremy closed the distance and seized her wrist.

"Because I care about Erin, you sent her away, is that what this is?"

Disdain flooded his gaze as it cut through Lainey.

Lainey tore free and laughed under her breath, the sound thin and icy.

"She deserved it," she replied, eyes steady.

She only sat there as he said, "Money is the only thing you have. I will never want someone so petty and cruel, and every time I see your fake smile, it turns my stomach."

Her eyes tightened, a quiet storm gathering behind them.

Fifteen years earlier, flames had devoured their home. Her mother vanished in the smoke, while she was carried out by a stranger.

Six years before tonight, she finally found her rescuer, and it was him, the housekeeper's son, Jeremy.

Out of gratitude, she lowered herself to chase him, swallowing pride with every quiet step toward his shadow.

She never imagined that six years of time, effort, and money would end with words of scorn burning in her ears.

"So you're saying the money and gifts I gave you meant nothing?" she asked, voice calm, eyes steady.

"Exactly," he said, jaw tight. "Your self righteous kindness makes my skin crawl, and every gift you handed me for six years felt like an insult I had to swallow."

"Then return every single one," Lainey said, lifting her chin.

Jeremy froze and stared at her. "What are you talking about?"

"I'll write everything down," she replied coolly. "You can give the items back or pay me in full."

Noticing the shock flicker across his face, she tilted her head and said with quiet mockery, "What's wrong, can't let them go? Or are you only pretending to be honorable?"

Jeremy's face hardened, the warmth draining from his eyes.

"Lainey, do you think this will make me care?" he said flatly. "Wake up and stop chasing illusions."

With that, he walked out, the door thudding shut before he returned moments later with several boxes in his arms.

His tone cut through the air, sharp and merciless.

"Take your money and your things back," he said, setting them down. "Don't come crying later."

He turned away, certain that within three seconds she would break and beg him to stay.

One. Two.

"Wait a second," Lainey called after him, voice clear but restrained.

He turned with a confident smile and said, "If you're going to apologize, go ahead. Tonight is Erin's birthday, and if you can make her smile, I might take these back."

Lainey's eye flickered, a sharp tremor betraying how love had once blinded her into choosing someone like him.

"Don't get it twisted," she said, voice even. "Those clothes on your back came from my money."

Jeremy's face shifted, emotions churning before hardening into contempt. He stripped them off in a rush and flung them to the floor and said, "Happy now?"

She watched him storm away, the room turning hollow around her, and remembered that today was her birthday too.

At the Laurel Club.

The "Diamond Room" glowed under muted lights.

Lainey paused at the doorway and saw Jeremy and Erin encircled by admirers, their laughter and flattery making her brows knit together.

Why were they inside the private room she had personally booked?

"Everybody in Carville knows the Roberts family owns this place," a man murmured in awe, glancing around. "And they only host people from elite families. Without Mr. White and Miss Carter, we would not even step past the lobby."

Erin lifted her head with a soft smile, her eyes lingering on Jeremy's side profile.

She believed she had chosen the best man for herself. She was certain of it.

Then another voice cut in. "Isn't that Lainey, the one who chased Mr. White for six years? She even followed him here. She's really desperate."

Heads turned toward the entrance.

Lainey stood framed by the doorway in a wine-red strapless gown, her presence sharp and luminous, like a rose blooming among thorns.

A flicker of darkness crossed Erin's eyes before she masked it with a smile and slipped her arm through Jeremy's, guiding him toward Lainey.

Jeremy suddenly remembered his mother saying Lainey had personally reserved the "Diamond Room" in this club, a space never open to the public and only offered to a handful of top-tier VIPs. It had to be another one of her tricks to win him back.

He knew she would never truly give up after six years of chasing him.

Even her taking back the gifts she once gave him now felt like nothing more than bait to draw him in again.

"Lainey, I do not remember inviting you to my birthday. But since you showed up anyway, why not stay for some cake. Jeremy will soon announce our engagement to everyone and I want you to witness," Erin said.

Lainey arched her brow.

"And what does your birthday have to do with me?" she asked coolly.

Erin's friend, Mia Stephens, immediately became furious.

"Lainey, do you have any idea how much a private room here costs? It equals two or three years of your salary. Mr. White even booked the most luxurious suite in Laurel Club just for Erin. Being invited is a favor. You should be grateful."

Lainey shifted her gaze to Jeremy, her eyes frosting over.

She had once been foolish enough to give Jeremy her black card to keep him happy. As a result, their identities in the public eye had been swapped. He enjoyed the prestige of being mistaken for a White family scion, while she was whispered about as a lowly social climber.

"This is interesting. I thought the White family only had one daughter. If Jeremy is the son, then who is she?"

Jeremy's expression suddenly changed.

A mocking laugh bubbled out of Mia before he could answer.

"Do you really think you can comment on Mr. White's identity? The White family has a deep legacy. Powerful families often hide their heirs from the public for protection. If you do not understand, perhaps just stay quiet and stop embarrassing yourself."

At those words, Erin joined in, covering her mouth as a derisive giggle escaped her.

"Miss White, I know you chased Jeremy for six years, and seeing us together must make you jealous. I am not asking for your blessings, but do not slander us, or Jeremy will dislike you even more."

The surrounding crowd began to cast suspicious glances at Lainey.

Seeing how easily they were fooled, Lainey didn't get angry. Instead, a small, knowing smirk flickered at the corner of her mouth.

"Is that so, Mr. White?" Lainey asked lightly.

Meeting that teasing look, Jeremy felt a jolt of panic hit his chest. A split second later, it was gone, replaced by a scowl of forced indignation.

"Lainey, that's enough. Tonight is Erin's birthday. I can ignore this once, but if you keep causing trouble, I will have the bodyguards throw you out."

A soft laugh slipped from Lainey's lips.

"Relax, I was only teasing. Mr. White, a man as broad-minded as you surely would not take a joke like that to heart. And since Miss Carter was kind enough to invite me for cake, it would be impolite to refuse."

"So be it," Jeremy said casually, turning away to mingle with the others. "Everyone, make yourselves comfortable. Tonight, I am covering everything."

Cheers immediately rippled through the room.

A faint, amused gleam flashed in Lainey's eyes.

Jeremy would eventually regret this moment.

"There's a kind of soup here people swear by," Lainey said lightly, brushing her fingers along the menu. "The chef's signature is famous, and skipping it today would be tragic. They even offer live band services, and on a birthday, the mood matters."

Each of her gentle suggestions nudged Jeremy closer to the quiet snare she had prepared.

"Today is Erin's birthday," Jeremy said without thinking, waving a hand. "Her happiness comes first, order everything you just named."

Lost in the chorus of praise around him, he forgot himself completely.

Lainey curved her lips, the hint of triumph warm and patient.

She waited, curious to watch how he would face what came next.

Just then, Erin approached with a proud tilt to her mouth.

"Lainey, do you see this?" she said sweetly, fingers grazing the table. "This is what separates us. I only stand here, and Jeremy showers me with the best, while you chased him for six years and barely earned a smile, sometimes I almost pity you."

After that, Erin raised her chin, eyes bright as she waited for shame to bloom.

But Lainey only answered with a quiet, steady smile.

"You do?" she asked softly, eyes glinting. "Before you pity me, maybe keep an eye on his wallet."

"What are you talking about?"

She followed the direction of Lainey's gaze.

A sharply dressed manager came forward with careful steps, holding a bill edged in faint gold that caught the warm light.

"Mr. White, this is tonight's full statement," he said politely, offering it with a slight bow. "Would you care to review it?"

Without looking, Jeremy drew out the black card she once placed in his palm and slid it across the table with a careless motion. "Put it on my card."

The manager took it away and returned moments later, tension flickering briefly across his composed face.

"I'm very sorry, Mr. White," he said in a low voice. "The payment could not be processed."

Jeremy's expression tightened, disbelief flashing through his eyes.

"That can't be right," he said coldly. "Run it once more."

The manager repeated the attempt, the machine beeping before falling silent again.

"My apologies, Mr. White," he said carefully. "Our system is operating normally, and it's obvious that this account is currently frozen."

"The account is frozen?"

His voice cut through the room, sharp enough to turn nearby heads.

His gaze shifted to Lainey, who was calmly lifting her glass.

Was this her doing?

He lowered his eyes to the receipt at last, shock breaking through as he reached the final figure.

"Six million?"

Color drained from his face as the number settled into his mind.

He kept staring, as if willing the digits to change under his glare.

Lainey placed her glass down and said with quiet amusement, "Surely, Mr. White, a man like you can cover that."

Slowly, he raised his head and met her gaze, her eyes cool and openly amused.

"So this was your plan?" he asked, eyes narrowing, disbelief rough in his voice.

"Didn't you announce you'd handle every expense tonight?" Lainey said mildly, folding her hands. "Mr. White, surely you're not taking your words back now, are you?"

As her voice lingered, the bright laughter in the room thinned into an uneasy hush.

Everyone could feel the shift, the tension curling around Jeremy.

Erin let out a short laugh, lips curling with scorn.

"Lainey, what kind of nonsense is this?" she said lightly, brushing her hair aside. "Jeremy always keeps his promises. Maybe the bank made a mistake, and even if the card is frozen, can't it go on the White family's account?"

The manager's polite smile slowly disappeared.

"I'm sorry," he said with quiet firmness. "The Laurel Club does not allow credit under any circumstances."

Jeremy closed his hands into fists and moved toward Lainey, steps stiff with restraint.

"Lainey, could we speak outside for a moment?"

"Mr. White, anything you wish to say can be said right here," she replied calmly, eyes clear. Pretending not to notice his tension, Lainey looked at him with open confusion.

His face tightened, and through clenched teeth he murmured, barely audible, "Can you pay it for me this time?"

Lainey widened her eyes and lifted her voice in disbelief.

"What? Mr. White, you want me to pay for all this?"

Her words rang out, neatly drawing every gaze in the room toward them.

Ignoring Jeremy's desperate glances to keep quiet, Lainey lifted her voice so the whole room could hear.

"Didn't you just promise you'd pay for everyone tonight?" she said evenly, eyes bright. "Asking someone who has nothing to do with you to settle the bill now... Doesn't that feel a little shameless?"

Her words struck like a clean slap, ringing against the fragile silence around them.

Heat rushed to Jeremy's face, shame burning through him as he swore he would never forgive her for this.

"I'll pay you back later," he muttered, staring at the floor.

He refused to look around, afraid of the scorn he might find in every face.

"But-" Lainey paused, glancing at Erin before leaning closer and whispering. "Are you really sure you can afford to?"

Seeing them so near, Erin tightened her grip on her purse, knuckles paling.

Did Lainey really believe she could steal him away with tricks like that?