Fall From Grace, Rise To Reign

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...