Chapter 2
Scarlett caught a hint of bitterness in his tone but brushed it off as her imagination.
Feeling uneasy, she wanted to wrap up the conversation quickly. "What a strange question. Why would I get engaged if I didn't like him?"
She pulled away from his arm, leaned back, and pretended to scroll through her phone, trying to ignore Alexander's odd questioning.
She knew Sebastian liked someone else, but that didn't matter.
This engagement was never about love.
Sebastian needed a cover, and she needed business connections. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, nothing more.
The phone screen was bright, and she used the light to get a good look at Alexander's face.
The face that had once made her head spin.
Five years had passed, and his face had only become more dangerously attractive. His features were sharper, and his refined looks made her heart race.
Scarlett's professional instincts kicked in, and she couldn't help but think about how much money Alexander could make her if he were in the entertainment industry.
Alexander let out a mocking laugh. "Still mesmerized?"
He had been watching her closely, not missing even the slightest change in her emotions.
Five years ago, Scarlett would stare at his face in a daze, even during their most intense moments in bed.
She would hold his face and giggle like a lovesick fool, asking, "Why are you so good-looking, Alexander?" even when she was too exhausted to keep her eyes open.
She hadn't changed a bit.
Scarlett felt embarrassed and tried to steer the conversation back. "It's been years, and I didn't expect Mr. King to become so unrestrained."
Alexander looked into Scarlett's eyes and retorted, "It's not about being unrestrained. I just realized how poor your taste is. I'm glad you let me go."
Five years ago, she got bored of him. Now she claimed to like Sebastian.
What great taste!
Scarlett frowned, confused by his cryptic words.
Just then, sounds of passion came from the next room.
First, there was Emma's emotional sobbing, "Sebastian…"
It seemed they had progressed to an R18 scene.
Though she knew her benefactor's private life was his own business, Sebastian's actions were embarrassing her in front of her ex-boyfriend.
Had Sebastian gone mad, getting aroused anytime, anywhere?
She wished she could add a clause for emotional distress in their contract.
Alexander spoke up at the right moment. "How's the show?"
Scarlett wanted to laugh but felt a bitter taste inside.
A sugar baby being maliciously abandoned, years later bringing the sugar mama to catch the cheater.
If someone handed her such a ridiculous script, she wouldn't even consider it for her artists. Yet, it was happening to her.
Even though it wasn't her business.
After all, the one busy "filming an adult movie" next door was Sebastian's current girlfriend, Emma.
Their engagement today was just a temporary solution because the Black family refused to accept Emma.
She looked up at Alexander, squinting and forcing a casual smile, her fingers lightly touching the buttons on his shirt. "Wanting to do things with someone you like is normal, just like back then."
She meant them.
But she had no right to say that now. If she did, Alexander would surely mock her mercilessly.
Scarlett's delicate face showed a bitter smile.
Alexander was almost losing his mind.
Her fiancé cheated on their engagement day, and this was her reaction?
Or did she like Sebastian so much?
She could tolerate Sebastian to this extent!
Unbelievable!
Alexander sneered.
In the five years they were apart, he had often wondered how he would face Scarlett when they met again.
Now it seemed clear. She was doing well.
Soon, she might even introduce mistresses to her beloved husband.
Only he wasn't doing well.
Alexander stepped forward and pulled Scarlett into his arms, his right hand gripping her waist tightly.
Scarlett winced in pain, her eyes filling with tears. "You're hurting me."
Alexander instinctively loosened his grip.
She was still as delicate as before.
The memories of Scarlett were both sweet and painful for Alexander.
After today, they would be purely painful.
He remembered everything about Scarlett, but she had kicked him aside and found a worse man.
All for love?
Scarlett had no idea her one rebuttal had stirred so many thoughts in Alexander's mind.
"Do as you please. It's none of my business," Alexander scoffed, withdrawing his hand and returning to his cold, indifferent demeanor.
She took the opportunity to escape his grasp, relieved to put some distance between them.
After all, she had professional ethics.
Sebastian was her investor now, and she didn't want the Black family to see her tangled up with Alexander and ruin things for Sebastian.
Checking her clothes, Scarlett decided to leave.
Since Sebastian was busy, there was no need for her to stay and waste time with strangers.
Scarlett touched the door handle, contemplating whether to go straight home or stop by the office to deal with her troublesome artist.
More sounds came from the next room, Sebastian whispering sweet nothings.
Scarlett's toes curled in embarrassment, and she fled the room.
What a suffocating place.
The Black Mansion was too remote, making it hard to get a cab. Scarlett had arranged for the company's car to wait nearby, ready to pick her up in about five minutes.
As she left the Black Mansion, trying to avoid Alexander, a Maybach pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing Alexander's cold, aristocratic face. "Get in."
Scarlett's heart skipped a beat, and she nervously declined. "No need, Mr. King. My car is almost here."
No way. She was avoiding Alexander like the plague. She'd be crazy to get in his car.
Alexander replied, "Suit yourself. Sebastian asked me to take you. If you want to leave on your own, go ahead."
Alexander's assistant, Mike Scott, chimed in, "But Mr. King, didn't Mr. Black just say—"
Alexander shot him a look.
Mike thought, 'I spoke out of turn.'
Luckily, the company's car arrived.
Scarlett felt like she was seeing a savior. She thanked Alexander, "Thank you for the offer, Mr. King, but my car is here. I won't trouble you."
She sprinted in her high heels and got into the company car.
Once seated, her heartbeat finally calmed down.
She needed to sign a supplemental agreement with Sebastian to avoid any situations involving Alexander.
She was afraid of seeing Alexander, afraid of remembering his expression when she ended their arrangement with compensation.
Alexander must hate her.