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."

Lainey had just crossed the door when voices reached her ears, Laurie White's sharp tone aimed straight at the butler Bruno James.

"Bruno, remember your place," Laurie said with a cold laugh, chin high. "Lainey has followed my son for six years, and every time she meets me, she would show me respect. What gives you the nerve to lecture me?"

Lainey's brows drew together before she could stop herself.

Laurie went on. "Soon this entire household will fall into my son's hands, and even if I tossed out ten crates of luxury caviar, Lainey would never dare speak back. With one sentence from me, you would be out on the street."

"Is that what you believe?"

Lainey's sudden voice made Laurie flinch.

"Miss White, when did you come back?" Laurie asked in haste.

"Do I need to announce myself before entering my own house?" Lainey asked calmly.

"Of course not, Miss White. I was only joking," Laurie said stiffly.

Her voice sounded stiff, and her smile was far from genuine.

Lainey paid her no attention, lifting a coffee cup from the tray and lowering herself onto the sofa. She crossed her legs with ease and took a slow sip. "Bruno, explain what happened."

Before Bruno could speak, Laurie cut in, "Miss White, I only tasted a little caviar, and Bruno raised his voice at me. He has no manners at all. Someone like him does not deserve to work here."

Bruno turned pale and rushed to defend himself. "That is not true, Miss White," he said quickly. "Your father brought the caviar back for you. Laurie fed it all to the cat, and I could not ignore it."

Lainey's eyes shifted to the black cat sprawled on the sofa, its whiskers still smeared with caviar. Her gaze cooled.

This cat had been a recent present from Erin to Jeremy.

Though he knew she feared cats, he kept it anyway, forcing her to clean after it. Even when it bit her, he blamed her and believed she had hurt the animal first.

Now the thought struck Lainey as absurd. Since when did a cat outrank her in this house?

She turned slowly toward Laurie, who still held herself with stubborn pride as she said, "Miss White, this caviar tastes horrible. What if my son became ill from it?" She sniffed lightly. "It was meant for him in the first place. I only gave it to his cat. You should thank me for that."

"You truly deserve a lesson," Lainey said in an icy voice.

Laurie flicked a proud glance toward Bruno.

"Did you hear that?" she asked coolly. "This is what happens when you offend me."

Lainey spoke in a calm tone. "I was talking about you."

Laurie froze, disbelief flashing across her face. "What did you say? Do you really think I won't tell Jeremy about your attitude?"

A chill sharpened Lainey's gaze, pale light glinting in her eyes.

"You used my feelings for your son to pretend you truly belonged here."

"Lainey, apologize to me now," Laurie said loudly. "Hand over that three million necklace, and I will stay silent."

A soft laugh slipped from Lainey, filled with quiet scorn.

"You have no sense of shame. Who told you that caviar belonged to your son?" She held her gaze. "And why would I ever beg forgiveness from a servant who crossed the line?"