"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?

Erin clenched her jaw and pulled a card from her purse. "Put it on my card," she said, forcing calm into her voice.

As the manager accepted it, Erin felt a dull ache spread through her chest.

This was nearly all her savings, yet she believed it was a small price to pay for a future among the rich.

Jeremy felt a surge of gratitude, convinced Erin was perfect for him, nothing like the scheming Lainey he now despised.

"Lainey, did you see that?" he said proudly, lifting his chin. "Only Erin deserves to be my wife, and this little act of yours only makes me dislike you more."

While Erin savored the moment, Lainey let out a quiet, amused scoff.

"And what makes you think I even care?" she asked coolly, eyes steady.

Erin answered at once, "Isn't it obvious? You chased Jeremy for six years and treated him like your whole world, now that he chose me, you're acting distant just to pull him back. Don't you think that's a little pathetic?"

Lainey turned aside without a word, just in time to catch a familiar silhouette crossing the doorway.

Was it him?

At once, a faint smile touched her lips.

"Sorry," Lainey said lightly, eyes bright. "There's someone I already care about, and I won't use cheap tricks on Jeremy."

"That's impossible," Jeremy blurted out without thinking.

After all, she had chased him for six years. How could she fall for someone else overnight?

"Why would it be impossible?" Lainey said quietly, lifting her gaze. "I was blind with love once, but now I finally see clearly."

With that, she walked out of the private room.

At the end of the corridor outside, Dylan stood by the window as he mulled over what Ian had uncovered about Lainey.

A tipsy woman suddenly latched onto his arm.

"Hey, handsome, first time here?" she laughed softly, swaying closer.

His expression darkened, danger flashing through his eyes.

"Careful," he said lowly, voice edged with warning. "You're testing your luck."

Just as he moved, someone caught the woman's wrist.

Lainey burst into view like sudden flame, bright against his quiet world.

His eyes flickered. Her again?

"He's mine," she said coolly, shoving the arm away. "Leave."

Lainey shook the woman off without mercy, and then turned her eyes back to Dylan as the heels faded down the hall.

"Didn't I make myself clear last night?"

She arched a brow, eyes glittering, a smile slow and dangerous.

When Dylan stayed silent, she caught his collar and leaned in, breath warm as she whispered, "For this month, you're only mine, understand?"

Dylan blinked in surprise.

Meanwhile, Jeremy and Erin stepped out of the room and caught sight of Lainey with a total stranger.

Jeremy shouted, "Lainey, don't tell me the man you fancy is this guy?"

Drawn by the noise, Lainey let go of the man's collar.

"So what if he is?" she replied lightly, tilting her head. "He's good looking and knows how to please me. Why wouldn't I want him?"

She sent Jeremy a slow sideways glance.

Jeremy looked Dylan up and down with contempt, yet the calm stare he received made a chill crawl through him.

Forcing himself steady, he turned away and laughed bitterly.

"I can see right through you," he said scornfully. "Trying to make me jealous, do you really think I care? Give it up. In my heart, you can never come close to Erin."

Lainey lifted a brow. Being chased for years had made him arrogant, convinced she could never leave.

If not for owing him her life and that stupid promise of marriage...

Behind Jeremy, Erin's eyes flared with awe when she caught Dylan's face, but then cooled into open contempt.

"Miss White, even if you failed to win Jeremy, you shouldn't just pick a random guy," she said sharply, folding her arms.

Jeremy rested his hands on her shoulders and murmured softly, "Once I ignore her for a few days, she'll come crawling back to apologize."

After Erin nodded obediently, he turned back toward Lainey.

"Lainey, you'll regret this, I won't let this go so easily."

With those cutting words, he led his group away.

Watching their figures fade, resolve flickered quietly in Lainey's eyes.

If Jeremy had only kept his promise to marry her, he would have become the envy of all, but now...

She had repaid the life she owed, and it was time to make him pay.

Suddenly, a voice cut through her thoughts, sharp and hurried.

"Mr. Roberts, we found something," Ian said, breath tight as he stepped closer.

He froze the instant he noticed Lainey standing there beside Dylan.

"Mr. Roberts?" Lainey asked slowly, studying Dylan. "Are you with the Roberts family?"

Just as she was about to press for answers, Dylan leaned in with a lazy smile, "What, you dislike the title?" he whispered. "Or do you think I do not deserve it?"

Color rushed to Lainey's cheeks, the doubt in her eyes fading under the closeness.

So many people carried the name Roberts. Maybe it meant nothing at all.

Dylan used the moment to glance at Ian, who slipped away at once, melting into the dim corridor.

Dylan straightened and took a step back.

"If you're trying to make him jealous with me," he said calmly. "You picked the wrong man."

He turned as if to leave.

Lainey caught her breath and said, "You misunderstood. I'm simply drawn to you, and it has nothing to do with anyone else."

Dylan's stride slowed, enough for Lainey to add, "Date me for a month, and I'll let you name the price."

With only one month left, if she failed to bring a man home, she would have to accept the promise made six years ago and marry the head of the Roberts family.

The thought sent a cold shiver sliding down her spine.

A glint sparked in Dylan's eyes as he turned to meet Lainey's gaze, something unreadable flickering there.

"I'll agree," he said slowly, a faint smile curving his lips. "But only if you accept one condition."

"What condition?" Lainey asked, brows knitting as curiosity softened her voice.

"While we're together," he said calmly, hands slipping into his pockets. "We stay out of each other's private worlds."

"That's exactly what I wanted," she replied with quiet relief, extending her hand and adding. "I'm looking forward to this."