Chapter 6

Not wanting to upset the golden goose who still bankrolled Chloe's massive monthly allowance, I quickly explained:

"No, no! Chloe did my boyfriend a huge favor. But honestly, we owe you the real thanks, Vincent—he couldn't have secured the franchise without your connections."

"I thought she was finally turning her life around to launch her own business," Vincent said with a dry chuckle. "Turns out she's busting her ass for your boyfriend. She's treating him better than she ever treated me."

Before I could reply, he sighed. "Forget it. I'll buy her the bag. Keep the money for yourself."

I refunded the thirty thousand dollars to Julian and told him my ex-brother-in-law said not to bother.

Julian seemed annoyed. "He's just an ex. Isn't he overstepping his bounds?"

"He's her meal ticket. How else do you think Chloe affords all those couture dresses and luxury vacations?"

Julian's face tightened, though he quickly muttered, "Fair point."

That night, Chloe showed up at my door again. She had been drinking, her cheeks flushed as she planted herself on my sofa and picked a fight.

Even tipsy, her tongue was sharp. She tore into me, mocking every aspect of my life, before pointing a finger at Julian and sneering:

"You really think you can bag a wealthy heir, Nora? Keep dreaming. You will never, ever live the life I have."

She turned her glare on me. "Tattling to Vincent so he cuts my allowance? Believe me, I can find a new sugar daddy by tomorrow morning."

A fleeting spark flashed in Julian's eyes when she said that.

A wave of utter exhaustion washed over me. I left them in the living room and shut my bedroom door.

After that night, Julian's "business trips" and "overtime" multiplied.

When I offered to finally meet his parents, he gently declined, claiming the timing wasn't right.

I knew what that meant.

Chloe had reeled him in.