"Come on, Christopher my son. How could you be so wild even before the wedding?" Grace teased with a sleazy chuckle, wanting to let all the guests learn that her son's marriage to the daughter of the Grant family was imminent.

So, it remained to be seen to whom the heir-ship will go.

All in her complacency, Grace didn't notice the frozen face of her son. Christopher stared at Roxanne with hidden anger in his eyes, waiting for a reasonable explanation.

The last time they had made love was months ago. When and how the hell could she get such a mark? He couldn't believe that a meek girl like Roxanne even dared to cheat on him.

Meeting his angry gaze, Roxanne felt her heart clench but it soon turned to be the thrill of revenge.

'See? No one likes to be cheated on, Christopher.'

She sneered inside and simply explained, "Ah, this is just a mosquito bite."

"A mosquito bite?"

Her answer caused the faces of the crowd to vary.

Grace was embarrassed, Christopher was confused, and Lance's grin froze on his lips.

How dare this woman compare him to an obnoxious mosquito?

'You'd better be ready to pay the price for your words, woman.' Lance thought as he took a sip of the wine in his hand.

Trying her best to ignore Lance's meaningful gaze, Roxanne took Christopher's hand in hers and explain to him again.

"Iris had forgotten to fumigate her place."

She knew Christopher wouldn't buy her words at once, but he had no reason to doubt her when 'she was at Iris' home last night'.

"You know I hate mosquitoes the most, but you were not there by my side at that time." She pouted as she complained to Christopher, which slowly dispelled his doubts.

Maybe he was just overthinking. Where did a good girl like her get the guts to cheat? Christopher always knew how much she cherished marriage and family.

Watching the couple regain their apparent harmony, Lance chuckled, "Yeah, good job of the mosquito."

His sarcastic comment had both Christopher and Roxanne glancing at him. Roxanne warned him with her eyes but Lance didn't care at all. He seemed to say something more, the voice of his father sounded to draw all their attention.

"Thank you all for taking the time to attend our family party." Lance's father Layton raised his wine glass high at the center stage as he stated, "In addition to celebrating the birthday of my father, the Chairman of the Laurent Cop, there is one more important announcement to make today."

Layton smiled mysteriously, making the hearts of the crowd tense up. And finally, his eyes fell on Lance.

"Let's make a toast to my son Lance Laurent who shall be engaged by the end of this month."

The words were followed by applause.

There was a tradition in the Laurent family that the offspring could only get the heir-ship after they got married. Most people had thought the succession was close to going to the stepson Christopher first, after all, he was already engaged while Lance still enjoyed the indulgent single life without any semblance of getting married.

Yet now, a simple engagement announcement helped Lance win back easily.

Sure enough, the Laurent family value their own bloodline more.

Nearly at once, Lance was quickly surrounded by congratulations from different guests.

Roxanne couldn't see his face clearly as she was pushed out of the way by the crowd. But she could clearly feel the anger from Christopher, who was standing beside her but staring hard at Lance.

For a moment, Roxanne had a feeling of indescribable pleasure.

She hadn't yet carried out much of her plan, and Christopher was going to lose everything. This should be his retribution for betraying her, right?

Roxanne stepped closer, intending to watch more of his suffering face but Christopher just turned away, excusing himself to the restroom.

In an instant, her heart hit rock bottom again. So, this was his true attitude toward her. As long as he found she was useless to him, he would abandon her like trash.

He doesn't love her at all.

Roxanne should be glad that she had already found this out, but why did her heart still hurt?

** ** ** **

[Third Floor, fifth room.]

Roxanne stared at the message on her phone that had come from an unknown number.

She was ready to leave when other guests were standing outside in the garden watching the exquisite firework show.

Christopher was not in the mood after that announcement, and she was also not interested in pretending to keep this loveless relationship. She would inform him of dismissing their engagement soon, but not today.

She was not going to break him twice in one night. This would be her last mercy for him.

After all, he did accompany her at the darkest time when she lost her parents.

After tonight, they would have no relationship and she would start her new life.

Ignoring the inexplicable message, Roxanne was about to leave. But it was as if the other party had read her mind. A new message popped up again.

[If you don't want to let others know about last night, come over soon.]

Damn it! She knew she had chosen the wrong date for a one-night stand last night.

Lance Laurent. Why would he try to pester her when he clearly had no shortage of women? And it was not to mention he'd already engaged.

That liar.

She clearly remembered that she had confirmed his single condition before she took him to the hotel. Obviously, he lied to her.

Roxanne was tempted to walk away but recalling the madness that had flashed in his eyes, she decided it was better to have a talk to him.

It was only a one-night stand and they should just forget it.

She looked back to observe the garden where everyone was focusing on the firework show and they would only think she had gone home. It wouldn't hurt for a short stay.

She finally arrived at the location Lance had told her as she walked through the building. In front of the room, she took a deep breath in, calming her nerves as she raised her to push the door open but stopped when she heard the familiar sound of moaning.

"Ah. Chris. ah, fuck."

It didn't take Roxanne more than a second to recognize Amber's voice. Her hand shivered and once again, her heart ached in disappointment.

Why Was Amber here? During such a family event, was Christopher so eager to fuck his mistress? What the hell did he think she is? Anger was burning in Roxanne's heart.

She should really call the others over to see how shameless the stepson of the Laurent family was.

At that moment Roxanne really wanted to do that, even if it would draw her ridicule at the same time. Just as she was about to move, she heard their talk.

"Are you still going to continue your plan, Chris boo?"

"Why not? I have put so much effort into Roxanne, it's time for her to repay me."

Repay? What gave him a face to say that? Hadn't she given his company enough support over the years? She even fought many times with her family for that.

"You aren't really in love with her, right?"

For some reason, Roxanne's heart lightly throbbed, but what she heard next totally shattered her heart.

"Love?" Christopher chuckled as if hearing a big joke. "Just dealing with her family is sick enough for me. If they weren't obstructing everything, all her property should have been under my name already."

"With that, I should have defeated Lance long ago."

"How nice it will be if her damn family could also die in some accidents like her parents. That way, Roxanne will just be my obedient puppet and you will be my only noble queen."

"Oh, you're so bad."

"Don't you just love the bad way I am?"

Amber giggled and their moans and grunts of pleasure restarted again. And Roxanne, who heard all their talk, was almost on her edge.

How dare he curse her family like that?! She thought he was at least the most person who know her pain of losing her parents. So it was all a lie, right?

How stupid she was to fall for such a hypocritical bastard! Seven whole years wasted. Roxanne thought as a quiet self-deprecating laugh left her lips.

Taking a deep breath, Roxanne was going to kick off the door but was stopped by a firm hand.

She turned around and saw Lance who was standing behind her with a smirk.

"So sunshine, do you want to join my plan?"

"Do you want to join my plan?"

His words were like a demonic whisper. Roxanne knew she should avoid him but she couldn't help being curious.

"Let me hear it first."

They had moved to the balcony at the end of the hallway, where the light was dark enough that no one would find them.

She crossed her arms, minding an appropriate distance from him. Unlike last night, she was sober tonight and she shouldn't make the same mistake again.

"So, what were you going to do just now?" Lance asked instead of answering. "Break down the door and yell at them? Then draw others' attention to give you justice?"

"It's none of your business." Being seen through by him, Roxanne was a little chagrined.

"This is still the mansion of the Laurent. Do you really think you can win by exposing them?" Lance reminded her, "Even if he's disgraced, Christopher is still the stepson of the Laurents."

"Maybe some people will sympathize with you, but no one would dare to ask a justice from the Laurents for you."

"So what do you mean? You led me there to that good show and now you want me to surrender?" Roxanne couldn't help but question him while clenching her dress.

She knew he was telling the truth. Her family was somewhat powerful but not enough to compete with the Laurents. And she had referred too many resources to Christopher. It was not the best time to tear up their engagement. But she just couldn't bear it, especially when Christopher cursed her family so viciously.

"I think your plan of last night is much more interesting." He implied meaningfully and Roxanne was more furious to realize that he had no intention to help her but to insult her.

"Last night is an accident. You are never part of my plan." She retorted disdainfully, and his face darkened to hear that.

Lance stepped forward and looked at her intensely. "Oh really? So why did you kiss me first?"

That scene flashed into her mind. With loud music around them at the bar, he rejected her at first but she refused to lose her hands holding his neck and kissed the knot of his throat boldly. Roxanne felt heat on her cheek again.

"I was drunk."

"But you called out my name."

"I said I was drunk." She argued and wanted to leave but Lance domineeringly held her waist to stop her.

"It is said that alcohol can stir up the most primal of one's desires." Lance leaned his head closer to her ear as he asked in a hushed tone, "We had a good time, didn't we?"

His breath sprayed between her neck, making her more sensitive. Not wanting to be influenced by him, Roxanne pushed him away.

"That's enough. If you're not serious about giving me any useful suggestions, I'd rather go now."

He caught her in his arms again before she could resist, "Did I say I wouldn't help you?"

"Then just say it." She put her hands between them as she met his gaze.

"Defeating a Laurent isn't easy unless you have another Laurent to be your back."

His words hit her. It was indeed a good choice but somehow she felt she had better not to mess up such a man who was too full of danger and mystery.

"So you mean an alliance with you? Do I have anything that you want?" She asked, mockingly.

"You."

The way he looked at her was so different that shocked her. For a moment, she didn't know whether she should be surprised or angry.

"If I remember correctly, you're engaged, Mr. Laurent." She reminded him coldly. She would not be fooled again.

"Weren't you also engaged when you slept with me last night?"

"That's not the same!" Roxanne argued as her face turned red.

"What's different? Do you dare to say you were not happier with me than with Christopher?"

"You lied to me yesterday. I would never pick you if I knew you're not single."

"I didn't!" Lance seemed to be annoyed as he held her more tightly. "I am also informed about the engagement just now. I didn't even know that woman."

"That's not what I should care. Let me go." Roxanne argued while struggling while Lance had no intention to let her go.

"Listen, Roxanne." He grabbed her chin forcefully."Never think to reject me especially after you slept with me."

"You bas..." Roxanne wanted to protest his dominance but his lips had fallen on hers.

A loud explosive and colorful bang of fireworks released behind them. At that moment, she felt his tongue penetrate her mouth once more and roam inside. When Lance hauled her up onto the thick railing of the balcony, another firework went off in the air.

Roxanne gasped and quickly glanced downstairs to make sure that no one had seen them. Fortunately, people seemed more fixated on the firework show than on whatever was happening in this corner.

"No way here, Lance." She pinched his arms and warned him when he stopped between their kisses.

"Don't you think this is the perfect place?" Lance stared her straight in her face, grinning like a demon. "Don't lie to yourself. When your useless fiancé is cheating on you nearby, don't you ever want to return him something same?"

It sounded so tempting that Roxanne forgot to reject it at that moment.

She moaned out when she felt Lance's finger caress her sensitive clit.

"Easy sunshine. It's just the beginning." Lance teased as he leaned in and kissed her neck, leaving a new mark on the same place.

Roxanne couldn't help but arch her back both the feeling of his fingers massaging her throbbing clit and the fiery feeling of his wet tongue against her skin. He knew too well how to awaken her body.

It was a combination that had slowly been making her lose all sense of reasoning and travel down the pleasure lane.

** ** ** **

By the grace of God, Roxanne made it on time when she rushed into her office the next morning.

She had no time to reprimand herself for making the same mistake as there was a huge project going on today.

"Oh, the bride-to-be, be glowing." Ella, her coworker teased as she stepped into the company, about to quietly slip into her office.

Roxanne forced a chuckle and a smile. "Knock it out, El."

"Why should I?" Ella asked as she picked up the files she had come for from Roxanne's desk and cradled them in her arms. "Everyone has been talking about it since the moment you stepped in. You're definitely glowing today."

Ella suddenly inched closer to Roxanne's table and asked. "A good night with Chris?"

"Minding your own business," Roxanne told her off with a serious look.

"Alright, if you don't want to share. No need to be so mean." Ella pouted as she stepped out of Roxanne's office.

Once she was alone, Roxanne sighed and pushed her white blonde hair backward and then her eyes landed on the picture on her table. A happy picture of her and Christopher when they had celebrated their second-year anniversary.

They were both smiling so happily at the camera that anyone would have pictured them as a perfect couple. not as they were now.

Shocking her head, she grabbed the picture and shoved it into one of her drawers. It's over. Now what she should focus on was to get all the things that belonged to her back.

BUZZ BUZZ

A new message popped out at that time. Even though she didn't save that number, she knew it was Lance.

「Sorry to bite you again, sunshine. Have a good day.」

Looking at his annoying message, her face scrunch up in distraught. God, why couldn't she be more determined and reject him last night?

It's not that easy to deal with Lance Laurent. Well, she should avoid him for a period first and then he would forget her just like other women.

She sighed as she deleted the message, and then her assistant knocked on the door and told her.

"Team manager, our new investor has arrived."

Roxanne nodded her head and walked towards the conference room after gathering the material in her hands.

'Pretty smile, Roxy.' She reminded herself as she took a deep breath and stepped into the conference room.

However, seconds later, her smile immediately froze as she spotted the familiar face sitting on the seat for their major investor.

The moment when his eyes met hers, Roxanne felt the heat of the hickey on her neck again.

Damn, why didn't anyone tell her that their new investor was Lance Laurent?

"Roxanne, take your seat soon."

The sound of her coworker snapped Roxanne out of her shocking thoughts. It was her workplace, she should be professional no matter who their client was.

Roxanne reminded herself as she headed to her seat.

"Everyone is present, shall we begin, Mr. Laurent?" Her boss politely asked Lance and the latter just nodded his head.

Somehow, Roxanne could feel his aura today was totally different from what he used to have. More abstinent but more charming.

'Charming? Keep your head, Roxy. You two only had a two-night stand. Let it go and focus on your work.'

Shaking off those messy thoughts, Roxanne forced herself to focus back on the meeting while not noticing Lance's face turned colder when she ignored his new message again.

The meeting lasted for several hours before it ended, mainly because of a picky assistant beside Lance. For some reason, Roxanne could feel that it was not that woman hate her design but hated Roxanne the person instead.

Several times, Roxanne couldn't help but glance at Lance to see if it was his idea but he didn't look at her anymore.

Weird. But it might be a good signal that he started losing interest in her.

Roxanne encouraged herself to think positively but the assistant suddenly blocked her way after the meeting.

"Long time no see, Roxanne. Hope we have good cooperation." The woman said to her with a provocative smile and then Roxanne's eyes widened as she remembered who the woman was.

***

"What? Do you mean Julie Curt, your nemesis in college? She is your client now! " Iris exclaimed after Roxanne shared her meeting with Julie that morning. Now, they were at a bar where they usually gather after work.

"Yeah," Roxanne sighed as she took a sip, "But she looked a bit different from before so I didn't recognize her at once."

"Well, good luck, sis." Iris hugged Roxanne and changed the unpleasant topic, "Putting that aside, how are things with you and Chris? "

Roxanne's fingers had curled up around her glass and froze there. Iris barely knew all that was going on. She had left her in the dark for so long and was now feeling guilty. But just as she opened her mouth, the sound of a loud chanting from the dance floor interrupted her.

Iris along with Roxanne turned their heads around slightly and saw a woman who was dressed in a red short gown actively swaying her hips to the music and dancing wildly on the dance floor, attracting the attention of many horny men.

With her red short dress, black heels, and loose blonde hair, the woman was without a doubt, pretty.

"Wait, that woman seems to be Julie Curt." It didn't take Roxanne a few seconds to recognize that face and Iris then squinted her eyes to get a better view.

"She changed a lot," Iris commented and a thought hit her when her eyes fall back on her best friend, "Don't you even realize that the face of Julie Curt now resembles yours."

"What?" Roxanne frowned to hear that. Was Iris mean that Julie got a facelift to look like her? What kidding. They both knew how much Julie Curt hated her.

Roxanne wanted to argue but suddenly noticed that Julie was straight up rejecting any guy who had come up to her as she walked seductively towards the VIP section, swinging her hips at every step.

Then the duo caught a dashing-looking young man there with a glass of whiskey in his hand. It was Lance Laurent.

"That sly little witch." Iris sneered as she watched Julie practically throw herself at Lance.

Iris had never liked Julie.

Not when they had been course mates during college and definitely not now when she was trying to use a face resembling her best friend to seduce her college senior.

No way in hell was she going to allow a leech-like Julie to have her way.

Without saying a single word, Iris stood up and approached Lance in the VIP section before Roxanne could say a single word.

She was stopped at the entrance by a few bouncers but once Lance recognized her, she was allowed in.

"Well if it isn't Lance Laurent." Iris greeted with a genuine smile happy to see her college senior after quite a while.

"Iris," Lance addressed her with one of those his usual bachelor smile. "You've grown."

"Right back at you," Iris said and turned her gaze to the leech seating beside Lance. Her smile dropped as she eyed her viciously and without acknowledging her presence, turned back to Lance.

"When was the last time we met like this, off work I mean?"

Lance chuckled and took a sip from his glass as he remembered the last time he had hung out with Iris and ended up spending close to a million dollars on drinks. "Three years if I recall correctly."

"Well, care to join this junior for a drink?" Iris said and pointed towards her table.

Lance's eyes followed the direction where she had pointed and when his gaze landed on Roxanne who had been watching them and she instantly avoided his eyes, he chuckled.

"I didn't realize you now went for fake copies, Lance." Julie cut their talk while having craftily wrapped her arms around Lance's upper ones.

Iris' smile faded at once. God she really can not stand Julie using that low version of Roxanne's face to do such disgraceful things.

She looked back at Lance. "I didn't expect your taste to diminish so much."

Before Julie lost her temper, Lance just chuckled and stood up, "Let's go for some drink."

Roxanne was nervous while watching them approach. Before Iris had her seat with Lance, she rose from her and dragged Iris by the arm.

"Please excuse us for a minute." She faked a smile at Lance but barely looked him in the eyes before rushing off.

In the restroom, Roxanne made sure they were both alone before asking. "What are you doing?"

Iris seemed confused. She didn't see anything wrong in what she had done.

"Inviting a friend over to join us and drink? Why? What's wrong?"

"A friend?" Roxanne asked and barked a laugh like she was some crazy person. "Unbelievable."

Iris was truly confused at this point and asked. "What's wrong? Roxy, did you do something that you're not telling me about?"

That question was all it took to make Roxanne burst.

"Yes. I slept with him." She admitted and felt like a lump had been removed from her throat, while Iris stared at her silently with wide eyes.

"You. you slept with Lance Laurent?" She had nearly screamed but calmed herself down at the last moment. "Wait, doesn't that mean you cheated on Christopher?"

Roxanne shook her head and pulled Iris closer before explaining the entire situation. By the time she was done, Iris's nostrils were flaring with anger toward Christopher.

"That douche bag." She gritted out. "I swear to God I'd kill him when I get my hands on him."

"Don't." Roxanne objected. "Not yet at least." She added seconds later.

Iris snickered before asking. "So, you and Lance?"

Roxanne felt heat rush to her cheeks and was about to dismiss the topic but before she could, Iris asked.

"Was he good in bed?"

Roxanne thought back to the night they had sex and licked her bottom lip. He had been more than good, fantastic was the word to describe his skills, but obviously she wasn't going to admit that.

"He was average." She told Iris with a shrug. "A bit disappointing if you asked me."

Iris laughed out loud. She couldn't believe what her friend had just said.

"You are crazy, scratch that, insatiable."

Roxanne swatted her teasing aside and leaned against the wash hand basin with a huff.

"Well now that you know, best keep that big mouth of yours shut." She warned.

Iris raised her hand in the air. "You can trust me, this secrete goes to the grave with me." Then she added in. "Shall we head back now?"

Roxanne glanced in the direction of the restroom door and shook her head. She felt like she needed to sober up a bit before going back out. She didn't want to face Lance right now as she seemed to have drunk a bit too much before.

"You go ahead; I think I need to clean my makeup up a bit."

However, when she stepped out of the restroom a few whiles later, she was suddenly picked up and thrown over a shoulder.

A harsh smack on her butt caused her to yelp and her movement to come to a standstill when she heard that familiar voice.

"Some little birdie told me you were quite disappointed with my bed skills. Then let me show you something tough tonight."