-Chapter 2-
"Sorry, I..."
Just as he was about to refuse, he was cut off by Rose White.
"Lucas Grey, you keep saying you like me, but now you won't even accompany me to a birthday banquet?"
Her face, pale and flawless like snow, showed no hint of a smile as she slowly stepped closer, eyes glittering.
"Have you been lying to me all along?"
Cold sweat formed on Lucas Grey's forehead.
He quickly forced a smile. "How could I? I was just joking. As long as you say the word, I'll go through fire and water for you!"
Rose White curved her lips slightly. "Then get ready. Pick me up at six."
[Pick her up it is. To keep the persona intact, I'll follow the female lead through anything.]
...
At six in the evening, a Porsche appeared right on time at the gates of the White family villa.
Lucas Grey stepped out of the car with a heavy heart, but the moment he looked up, he saw Rose White walking out.
[Wow, she's stunning.]
[Her black hair flowed like a waterfall. Her figure was curvy and graceful. Her delicate waist looked like it could be held in one hand. The slit in her white dress revealed a glimpse of her pale, slender legs.]
[Even her feet in black high heels were fair and flawless. This woman is the very definition of top-tier beauty.]
All his worries vanished. Lucas Grey suddenly felt that this trip was well worth it.
Hearing his inner praise, Rose White scoffed quietly.
Even if his affection was an act, he was still captivated by her looks.
Men really are all the same. All they know is how to ogle legs. Pathetic.
"Let's go."
Once they got in the car, Rose White pretended to casually scroll on her phone, but her mind was filled with thoughts about how to coax information out of him, especially about KY Group.
They happened to drive past KY Tower, and Rose White seized the chance.
"KY Tower is quite impressive. By the way, has the Grey family ever considered working with KY Group?"
Lucas Grey chuckled. "You're asking the wrong guy. I'm famous for being a wastrel who loafs around all day. I don't handle any family business. You know that better than anyone."
"Should I call my dad and ask him?"
[Of course not. KY Group has been in trouble for a while. Their cash flow has dried up. Even the banks won't lend to them. Only a fool would want to work with them.]
[Such a major project, and they didn't even do due diligence? Signed the deal over a dinner meeting? I honestly don't know how this woman built White Group to such heights.]
[The male lead is blessed by fate. Is the female lead just lucky by association? Business queen? Seriously?]
Rose White took a deep breath, barely resisting the urge to pinch him hard.
This guy really had a way with words. When talking about KY, did he have to insult her too?
President Kang was her grandfather's close friend. Her grandfather had been present during the contract signing. Could she really oppose the elders in that situation?
Still, why did Grandpa trust President Kang so much?
Half an hour later, the Porsche stopped at the entrance of the Golden Lace Hotel.
As soon as Rose White stepped out, she drew every gaze on the scene.
No surprise there. She was the number one beauty in Su City.
Who wouldn't want to steal a glance?
Except for Lucas Grey.
Even acting gets exhausting, so whenever Rose White turned her back to him, he used the time to relax and admire the surroundings.
The birthday banquet was hosted by the President of Skybridge Group. He couldn't quite recall the name, but it did sound familiar.
"Rose!"
Suddenly, a gentle voice called out.
"I'm so happy you could come for Dad's birthday. He'll be thrilled. But why are you here with Young Master Grey? I thought you hated him?"
Standing behind Rose White, Lucas Grey had originally planned to keep a low profile. After all, the original novel never mentioned the villain attending this event.
But upon hearing the obvious disdain and surprise in the woman's voice, he couldn't help but glare at her.
Then he froze.
[Yelena Miller! One of the male lead's harem members. Early on, she was his close confidante and the woman he took the longest to pursue.]
[But even with all that buildup, she still ended up giving herself to him.]
[According to the timeline, she's already met the male lead. Three days ago, the male lead returned, happened to witness her father being poisoned, and cured him using acupuncture and massage. That led to him being invited to tonight's banquet.]
Wait a second!
Did she just say this was her father's birthday?
That means... the male lead is coming tonight!
Lucas Grey sharply sucked in a breath.
No way.
Just walking his own villain storyline already had him getting thrashed by the male lead repeatedly.
There was no way he could get involved in anything else.
The male lead was the true protagonist of this novel.
The returned god of wealth.
What Lucas Grey didn't know was that while he stood there reeling in shock, the two stunning women in front of him were equally stunned.
Especially Yelena Miller. Her eyes trembled, her lips parted slightly, and she momentarily forgot all her noble etiquette.
Because she didn't understand.
Why could she hear Lucas Grey's inner thoughts?
At first, she thought he was talking out loud, but after staring at him closely and confirming he hadn't moved his lips at all, she began to suspect she was hallucinating from the stress of caring for her father.
Until he mentioned the poisoning three days ago.
That night, only she, her father, and Brother Fox had been there.
Her father hadn't told anyone about the incident, and Brother Fox had promised to keep it secret. She certainly hadn't said a word.
So how did Lucas Grey know?
And why did he call Brother Fox the male lead?
What was going on?
She was completely confused.
Meeting Yelena Miller's gaze, Lucas Grey grew even more anxious.
[Don't look at me. The male lead fell for you the moment he saw you. He pretends you're just a close friend, but he secretly eliminates every villain who looks at you the wrong way.]
[It's already dangerous enough being Rose White's loyal simp. Please stay far, far away from me.]
Rose White nearly laughed out loud when she heard that.
But the smile at the corner of her lips quickly faded.
Perfect.
Tonight, she would finally meet the man who supposedly stole White Group from her and turned her into nothing but a pretty face in his harem.
Shameless.
He even took down her best friend Yelena Miller? Disgusting.
She would definitely teach this greedy man a lesson.
Yelena Miller gently shook her head and subconsciously took a step forward. "Young Master Grey, I heard you got hurt at Rose's place. Are you okay?"
He said Brother Fox liked her?
Impossible.
Brother Fox was such a noble and upright person.
Lucas Grey had to be slandering him on purpose.
Lucas Grey had no idea all his thoughts had been laid bare. Seeing Yelena Miller talk to him made him want to disappear.
But to stay in character, he could only force a stiff smile and say, "Even if I were hurt, I'd still come. After all, I'm Rose's best friend."
[Stay calm. If I remember correctly, I shouldn't have much to do tonight.]
[The one who provokes the male lead tonight is a minor character named Zeke Miller, a distant relative of the Miller family.]
[After causing trouble, Zeke Miller not only gets beaten half to death but also gets kicked out of the family. Brutal.]
[All I need to do is stay far away and be a spectator.]
Lucas Grey snickered to himself, completely unaware that Yelena Miller had gone stiff as a board.
-End of Chapter 2-