Chapter 159

Vanessa only looked away when Evelyn's car vanished down the road. She turned to grip Lucien's arm tightly. "You promised me anything I wanted."

"What's bothering you?" Lucien asked, brushing his fingers along her cheek.

"I want to destroy Evelyn so thoroughly that she'll never dare show her face in public again!" Though Evelyn's car was long gone, Vanessa still glared at the empty road, her eyes burning with resentment.

Lucien followed her gaze, then smirked. "I heard you two were classmates once. Is that true?"

"Yes," Vanessa spat, not bothering to hide her bitterness. "And I hate her more than anyone."

"Why?"

"Back in university, every professor adored her. They handed her every opportunity—why? I was just as talented! In every competition we entered together, she always outshone me. And when it came to love—" She cut herself off, then hissed, "I can never win as long as she exists. She steals everything from me!"

She clenched her fists. "You saw it yourself. Why did we have to run into her here in Silverpine Valley? She flew in first-class, rode in a luxury car—how does she still command such respect when her reputation is in ruins? She's even tangled in a lawsuit! It's not fair!"

Lucien chuckled, sliding his hand to her shoulder, kneading the tension there. "She may be luckier than most, but you're not doing so badly yourself. You found me."

At that, Vanessa softened slightly, leaning into his embrace. "You'll help me, won't you?"

"I told you—you'll get what you want, as long as you keep me satisfied," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her hair.

"Yes," Vanessa whispered obediently.

The car rolled steadily along the road, but the city's skyline never appeared. Instead, endless fields stretched around them.

"It's so far," Vanessa muttered, frowning. She didn’t remember the drive being this long earlier. Just then, the car slowed to a stop.

"What's wrong? Did the car break down?" She glanced around nervously at the desolate landscape.

Lucien turned off the engine, one hand still on the wheel as he looked at her.

"L-Lucien?" That familiar glint in his eyes made her pulse spike. A bad feeling coiled in her stomach.

"Vanessa," he purred, licking his lips.

She pressed herself against the door, trembling. "Lucien, this place is too isolated. I'm scared. Let's go back to the hotel first. We can—"

Before she could finish, he yanked her wrist, pulling her close.

"Doing it at the hotel is so predictable. Don't you think new settings are more exciting?"

She swallowed hard, forcing patience into her voice. "Lucien, this isn't safe. Someone could come by. Let's just—"

"Isn't that what makes it thrilling?" His eyes gleamed, utterly indifferent to her fear.

"No, Lucien. I'm scared. Let's go back—"