"You must get engaged, or don't even think about graduating!"

The words rushed back into Kathleen Fisher's head. She looked at the glass of wine, tipsy. The ethereal flickering light in the bar was reflected in her enchanting bleary eyes.

"Kathleen, it's your turn. You're getting engaged in a week. You won't be available afterward. Do you dare to raise the stake?" her friend Trystan Mason asked.

Getting engaged? Kathleen withdrew her gaze with a faint smile and didn't deny it. She folded her arms across her chest and gently swirled the wine in the glass with her right hand. A trace of cunningness showed in her eyes.

"How does the game go?"

"You must unbuckle the belt of the first man walking in, regardless of his age or appearance."

Kathleen raised her brows. "What if he isn't wearing one?"

"Unbutton his pants, then. His pants must have a button," Trystan cried out.

Kathleen smiled and pushed the tray into the center of the table with her left hand. Tapping the tray with her slender forefinger, she glanced at the tray and declared, "Old rules. Fifteen dollars per person. I'll double the stake if I lose."

"Kathleen, you're so mercenary. Isn't your family wealthy?" Trystan complained loudly.

The Fisher family was indeed rich, but the money didn't belong to her.

And they wouldn't let her have it.

When Kathleen was eight, a fortuneteller said she was destined to be the most powerful woman in the country when she grew up. And she would bring good luck to her husband. If it were in ancient times, the man marrying her would become an emperor.

That was why the Fisher family adopted her.

Kathleen didn't know whether she'd bring good luck to her husband. But she was sent to an orphanage on the tenth day after her birth and saved her biological parents a fortune. That accounted for something, right?

Now, she was about to graduate. The Fisher family planned to marry her into the illustrious Lowery family for an investment. So she guessed it was fair to say she brought good luck to her adoptive family.

A sly look flitted across Kathleen's eyes. She raised her brows, muddle-headed. "Are you in or not? Never mind if you're not!"

"Of course, I'm in." Trystan laughed and put 15 dollars in the tray.

Barflies tended to be rich. Kathleen didn't think 15 dollars was a big deal to them.

However, she was poor. She could use the money to buy a nice meal for the children in the orphanage. Also, she could save up and leave the Fisher family.

Then, she wouldn't be their pawn anymore.

Kathleen stood up and walked toward the entrance.

She was stunning.

Not only because she had beautiful features but because she had a unique bearing. She looked sluggish yet irresistibly enchanting. She was sweet on the outside but had an aloof air.

At the entrance, Kathleen took a deep breath.

A distinguished-looking man in a black windbreaker came in. With his head bowed, he was giving an order to his companion.

"Sir," Kathleen began sweetly.

The man turned to Kathleen. There was a trace of confusion in his gorgeous eyes. But it was gone soon, replaced by an unreadable intense look.

"Can I have a look at your belt?" Kathleen glanced at the waist of the man with a harmless smile.

The man frowned in surprise but then peered down at Kathleen calmly. The intense look in his eyes deepened.

Kathleen hadn't expected such a cold reaction. Rigidness and excessive rationality were betrayed in his overly black eyes.

"Kathleen's about to lose," Trystan said.

The mn who had just come in looked at Kathleen's classmates, who sat behind her, and then shifted his wise gaze to her again.

Embarrassed, Kathleen subconsciously smoothed the hair on her forehead and asked again, "Can I?"

"What price are you willing to pay?"

The man finally spoke. He had a beautiful voice, sexy, husky, and magnetic.

His tone wasn't frivolous. Instead, it sounded stately, dignified, and estranged.

"Hmm?" Kathleen looked at the man before her, stunned. He grabbed Kathleen's fair hand before she could say anything more.

The warmth of his hand spread to Kathleen's cold hand and blood.

Kathleen's fingers slightly trembled.

He moved Kathleen's hand to the buckle of his belt. With one press of the button, the belt was unbuckled.

Kathleen looked in surprise at the charming, extraordinary yet aloof, elegant man and met his intense, vortex-like bright eyes.

He took off his belt and put it in Kathleen's hand.

"Keep it for me for now. I have something to do. Return it to me later." He turned around and left before Kathleen could refuse.

His body warmth lingered on the belt, and his hand warmth on her palm. Holding the belt, Kathleen felt a growing panic in her heart.

She didn't like physical contact.

Especially when it was a gorgeous, seemingly dangerous man!

A warning would come from her mind.

But the buckle of this leather belt had diamonds. At a glance, Kathleen knew it was expensive.

She was afraid she wouldn't be able to afford the compensation if she lost it. If she took it home, the man might call her a thief.

Complicated emotions showed in Kathleen's eyes. She looked at the man and found him sitting in a booth.

The bar manager was serving him in person, nodding and bowing respectfully.

The man said something to the manager. Then, he slowly shifted his calm gaze to Kathleen.

When their eyes met, Kathleen felt he was like a beast lurking in the dark. His keen and charming eyes with an intense look were captivating and breathtaking.

Kathleen nodded to the man gracefully and politely and went to her classmates.

"That man is handsome. He's the hottest man I've ever seen. Kathleen, will you go and get his phone number later? I want to be friends with him. Just looking at him is pleasant enough," exclaimed Caitlyn Taylor, the most enchanted one among Kathleen's classmates.

An idea occurred to Kathleen. She threw the belt to Caitlyn and smiled, "You'll know him when you return the belt to him later."

"You're willing to give this great opportunity to me?" Caitlyn asked excitedly.

"Of course. Kathleen is getting engaged to the son of the Lowery family next week. The Lowery family is among the richest families around the world. However handsome that man is, he can't possibly be as powerful as the Lowery family," Trystan cut in.

Kathleen smiled carelessly, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Deep pockets, I'm taking this money!"

Kathleen picked up the 120 dollars in the tray and put it in her purse.

Feeling that someone was staring at her, Kathleen subconsciously looked at the man in the booth.

The man wasn't looking at her, though. Several other people had joined him. With a faint smile on his mouth, the man looked distinguished and elegant. He spoke with a relaxed air.

The man sitting opposite him handed him a cigarette and lit it for him.

The distinguished man had the cigarette between his long, slim fingers. When he parted his enchanting rosy lips, thick and fragrant smoke came out and shrouded his eyes.

His image became unclear and created a dangerous feeling.

In the smoke, Kathleen seemed to notice his stare. She withdrew her gaze immediately and took a sip of wine.

Just then, the bar manager came over and smiled at them, "Mr. Lowery says your bill will be all put on his tab tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, what else would you like?"

What a loaded squanderer!

Kathleen gave a sarcastic smile.

One of the kinds of people she hated was squanderers.

The rich didn't know the sufferings of the poor. Back then, Kathleen had sold her eggs for Marisa's medical expenses. She didn't have other ways to get the money.

The ringing of Kathleen's phone broke her reverie. It was a call from her adoptive mother Reyna Weiss. Kathleen's eyes dimmed at the sight of the caller ID.

"Excuse me. I need to take this." Kathleen answered the call in the ladies' room.

"Kathleen, come back within 30 minutes. I need to talk to you about something important." Reyna spoke aggressively and hung up.

Kathleen looked up into the air. She took a deep breath when a shrewd look flitted across her bleary, pretty eyes.

The Fisher family had connections in the private school she went to. She was about to graduate. She wanted no trouble at this time. Besides, she couldn't support the children in the orphanage on her own. Right now, she had to endure it.

After hanging up, Kathleen walked toward the entrance.

Rain was falling outside. It was cold in March.

Regardless of the rain, Kathleen stood at the roadside to hail a cab.

She knew Reyna well. If she didn't get back within 30 minutes, Reyna would make serious trouble for her tonight.

Many cabs waited for passengers outside the bar, but it wasn't easy to get one. And it was raining.

Kathleen checked the time on her phone and frowned.

Just then, a Bentley Arnage worth 1.6 million dollars stopped in front of her.

The black window was rolled down, revealing the cold face and the intense eyes of the man she had just met in the bar.

Kathleen was surprised to see him.

Didn't he just arrive? He seemed the kind of person used to flattery. Why was he leaving so soon?

But on second thought, it couldn't be because of her. Maybe he was going to attend to something.

"Get in," the man ordered.

Kathleen looked around. No cab was coming. And several other people were also waiting.

The man didn't rush her. He parked the vehicle before her and waited patiently.

In this case, no cab would stop for her.

Five minutes had passed. Kathleen looked at the man resignedly.

She told herself that a man driving such a fancy car avoided trouble more eagerly than she did.

Afterward, she opened the car door, sat in the passenger seat, and buckled the seatbelt.

"Springwater Apartments. Thanks," Kathleen said, looking ahead.

Brandon Lowery started the car and drove toward Springwater Apartments.

It was quiet in the car.

Since Kathleen remained silent for a long while, Brandon glanced at her.

She wore a white batwing blouse today. The top got wet in the rain and became transparent, faintly revealing her deep cleavage.

The look in Brandon's eyes changed subtly. He turned his head and kept his eyes on the road. But a fit of excitement ran through his body. He knitted his brows slightly.

"Do you know what it means when a woman asks for a man's belt?" His magnetic voice sounded extremely tempting in the narrow space of the vehicle.

Kathleen tried to calm down. She smiled, "Sorry, it was a game. My classmates and I were playing Truth or Dare."

To nip his affection for her in the bud, Kathleen declared, "I have a fiancé."

Brandon looked at her deeply and rested his gaze on her chest. "Is it OK with your fiancé for you to dress like this?"

Noticing Brandon's gaze, Kathleen looked down and found her wet blouse was almost transparent. The shape of her breasts was showing. She hurriedly covered her chest, glanced at Brandon, and blurted out, "He's gone on a business trip."

"So?" Brandon asked with a smile. "Are you implying that you've been lonely lately?"

The smiling Brandon was more charming than when he was cold.

But his smile was meaningful as if he was affirmative. It made Kathleen uncomfortable.

Her tone became harsh and gloomy despite her smile.

"I'm not interested in older men like you. I wore a diaper when you were dating someone."

Brandon cast a deep gaze at Kathleen and said casually, "I've dated no one. Are you still wearing a diaper?"

He shifted his gaze to Kathleen's pencil skirt. The look in his eyes had changed subtly. "Still wearing a diaper?"

He spoke in a relaxed, stately manner, not like a frivolous playboy at all. But each of his remarks could reduce Kathleen to silence.

She realized this man was very dangerous.

"I want to get out," she said.

Brandon smiled upon seeing the blush on her face, but he didn't pull over. He turned on the heater.

When he reached for the heater switch in the middle, Kathleen moved her legs to the right to stay away from him.

Brandon looked at her, took off his black windbreaker, and handed it to her. "Put it on," he said in a deep voice.

Vigilant, Kathleen didn't take it over.

"You don't have to if you mean to show me your sexy body," Brandon continued.

Kathleen regretted wearing the white batwing blouse and pencil skirt.

She decided to put the windbreaker on. It was wiser than letting Brandon hit on her.

Taking over the black windbreaker, Kathleen draped it around her shoulders and pulled it closer to cover her chest.

The garment still had his physical warmth. And a fragrant scent mixed with the smell of tobacco lingered on it. It smelt refreshing, like sunshine slanting on grass. Kathleen liked it.

Her cold body finally felt warm.

Kathleen looked out the window to avoid speaking to Brandon and giving him a chance to speak.

Seeing the large sign of Springwater Apartments, she said immediately, "Just drop me off at the entrance."

Brandon stopped the car.

Kathleen took the windbreaker off and put it on the platform. When she turned to open the door, Brandon grabbed her wrist. She was startled. A tinge of fear appeared in her eyes. Kathleen looked back at him. Brandon handed her an umbrella.

"It's raining heavily. Take this," he said firmly with a calm and strong aura.

Kathleen found him odd. This man helped her in the bar, drove her home, and now was giving her an umbrella.

But they had just met and probably wouldn't meet again.

"I'm good. Thanks," Kathleen refused and ran into the rain before Brandon could say anything. Her figure gradually disappeared in the night.

Brandon looked at his windbreaker thoughtfully. A hair of Kathleen's lay on it. Brandon picked it up and held it in his hand.

Just then, his phone rang. Brandon answered the call.

"Brandon, where are you? Why did you leave suddenly?" Lemuel Kelsen asked.

"Hmm," Brandon responded. "Lemuel, your uncle is the president of Laurel Hospital, right? I need a favor."

Kathleen didn't live in Springwater Apartments but in Hourglass Estates behind it.

She ran home and found Reyna sitting on the sofa with a long face, her arms crossed over her chest.

Frowning, Reyna looked at Kathleen's outfit in disgust. "You dress like this at school?"

Kathleen bowed her head and remained silent.

Reyna didn't like her. Anything Kathleen said or did would be wrong.

Reyna tossed a gift bag at Kathleen's feet and ordered coldly, "Put this outfit on. Rolland returned from abroad today. Take some things to him."

Kathleen raised her brows and understood. Reyna had rushed her back to ask her to butter up Rolland.

Kathleen silently picked up the bag and went to her room.

Kathleen wanted no trouble. Besides, it was just a gift delivery.

She changed into a Versace V-neck tight-waist sundress with irregular purple splicing patterns. It accentuated her perfect figure. The v-collar revealed her sexy cleavage and added to her charm. The customized fur covered her shoulders but not her enchanting collarbones. The outfit left the body parts she usually concealed revealed.

Kathleen smiled bitterly. Reyna made her look like a hooker.

Kathleen slowly bound her hair in a ponytail, but the look in her eyes grew firm and sharp.

She'd be free of Reyna's control as long as she managed to postpone the wedding until after her graduation.

When Kathleen was leaving the house, Reyna looked at her up and down with satisfaction and handed her a pink gift bag.

"Jerry will drive you there. Rolland lives in room 801. You must give him the gift in person. Tell him you bought it yourself. Ask him if he likes it. Tell me his answer when you come back."

Reyna's chauffeur Jerry Olson stopped the car in front of the building.

Kathleen walked to room 801 reluctantly.

The door was open.

No one was seen in the living room.

Kathleen knocked and asked, "Anybody in?"

There was no answer.

Kathleen checked the time on her phone. It was 11 p.m. She wanted to go home and sleep. She had school the next day.

Vaguely, noises came from the bedroom in the middle. Thinking it was Rolland, Kathleen walked over. She knocked. Still, no answer.

Kathleen frowned in confusion and opened the door curiously.

The first thing she saw was the glass shower room. A man was standing with his back to Kathleen. Water was streaming down his muscled shoulders.

Finally, she realized what the odd noises were.

Kathleen turned around hurriedly. "Sorry, I didn't know you were showering."

Hearing Kathleen's voice, Brandon turned around in surprise. It was really her. "How did you know I live here?" he asked.

His voice sounded familiar.

Kathleen had met Rolland once. She had meant to wait outside. But when the man's voice came from behind, she decided against it and handed him the gift bag with her back to him.

"My mom told me. Look at this. Do you like it?" Kathleen got to the point, intending to leave as soon as he answered.

Brandon looked at the woman who had appeared suddenly. Complicated emotions fill his eyes.

The suppliers vied to find women for him wherever he went. Usually, they first arranged for the women to serve him at the dinner table to see if he liked them. Kathleen was the first one to show up in his bedroom directly.

Which supplier arranged her? Did she know the man she was supposed to please was Brandon?

Or were there other reasons that she was here?

Brandon had so many questions. Frowning, he took over the gift bag and opened it. His eyes dimmed when he saw what was inside.

Brandon had never accepted the women the suppliers arranged for him. He was always a decent man. But this time, it was her...

A wicked look flitted across his intense eyes. He took out the item in the bag and asked, "Do you want me to be the audience? Or do you need my help?"

The sound of a motor running came from behind Kathleen. Wondering what Brandon meant, she looked back.

The thing in Brandon's hand was wriggling.

Although she hadn't had her first time, Kathleen knew what the item looked like. Astonished, she slapped Brandon's hand.

The item dropped to the floor.

Kathleen looked up at the man. Her eyes widened in shock.

It was not Rolland but the man from the bar.

Was she in the wrong room?

Kathleen didn't know what the gift was. Her face was flushed with embarrassment.

Before she could think straight, she took a step back and happened to step on the item. She slipped and leaned against the wall.

The switch of the lights was behind her back. The lights were accidentally turned off.

Kathleen screamed and frantically grabbed Brandon's towel.

Brandon held her by the waist to keep her balance.

In the dark, they couldn't see each other's faces.

Brandon had just had a shower. The scent of moisture and body wash came to Kathleen's nose. The warmth of Brandon's hand transmitted to her blood when it touched her skin.

The room was so quiet they could hear each other breathe.

Kathleen's heart leaped.

She regained her balance. Seeing the towel in her hand, she let go at once.

The towel fell on her foot. It seemed she had pulled it off intentionally.

"Sorry, it's an accident." Kathleen hurriedly picked up the towel.

She intended to wrap it around Brandon's waist.

If the lights were on, he'd be standing naked before Kathleen.

Luckily, the room was dark.

Kathleen couldn't see Brandon. She had to fumble.

Kathleen touched his sturdy leg. Brandon's body warmth and firm muscles made her heart flutter. She retreated immediately.

Afraid there'd be inappropriate touch again, she pleaded with embarrassment, "Can you put it on yourself?"

Her voice was soft and beautiful. When she pleaded, she sounded coquettish.

Brandon's eyes gleamed. A warmth rose from his back and came to his head. Holding her waist, he forcefully pulled Kathleen's soft body into his arms.

Kathleen subconsciously pressed her hands against his chest and squirmed. "What are you doing?"

But her struggle only excited Brandon even more. The last sense left him.

"You started it. How can you not help me?"

His voice was full of desire and husky. He was like a beast lurking in the dark and threatening to devour her any minute.

"I didn't," Kathleen blurted out.

"Then, why did you give me that kind of gift? Hmm?" Brandon asked in a weird tone.

"It's..." She meant to say, "It's not for you." But before she could finish her sentence, Brandon kissed her on the lips. His tongue roamed around Kathleen's mouth, trying to get in.

Kathleen gaped and pressed her lips tightly. She turned her head away and punched Brandon's bulky body anxiously.

Brandon gripped Kathleen's wrist and took a step forward. Her back hit the wall, and her hands were pinned above her head as his body moved closer.

Kathleen felt a sharp pain in her lips and subconsciously opened her mouth, gasping.

Brandon took the opportunity to kiss her deeply.

His scent overbearingly filled her mouth and surrounded her.

Kathleen only felt as if the oxygen in her body was vanishing little by little. She got weaker and weaker, her head buzzing. She was unable to think.

The moment the hem of her dress was lifted up, Kathleen was scared, and she somehow got the courage to bite his tongue hard.

Brandon groaned.

Kathleen tasted Brandon's blood and swallowed it.

Brandon stepped back and turned on the light. His cold eyes locked on Kathleen's red face as he said in a deep voice, "What do you mean?"

Kathleen met his deep, dangerous eyes and saw his strong, perfect pecs out of the corner of her eye.

Kathleen didn't dare look down, wiping the blood off her mouth with the back of her hand. She was still trembling with fear, but she forced herself to calm down.

"I think you're mistaken. I'm not here for you. I'm in the wrong room," Kathleen said in explanation.

Brandon frowned, finally understanding why she had suddenly and strangely shown up here.

But then his eyes turned sharp. "You mean you came for another man..."

Brandon narrowed his suspicious eyes. "Your fiancé went on a business trip, didn't he?"

"So you feel lonely?" Brandon added, raising his voice toward the end. His infinite eyes were fixed on Kathleen.

His words were meaningful and dangerous.

Kathleen felt so embarrassed that she wanted to hide.

However, there was no need for her to explain so much to a stranger, not to mention that this man made her feel nervous. His innate powerful aura inexplicably made her afraid.

"Yes, and he just got home," Kathleen replied.

"You’ve been dating long?" Brandon asked meaningfully.

"Yes." Kathleen lied.

Brandon snorted and gave a sarcastic smile. "Then how could you have walked into the wrong room, given something to the wrong person, and kissed the wrong person?"

She remembered he had forcibly kissed her.

"You didn't give me time to explain," Kathleen said.

Brandon's eyes went icy.

He felt humiliated being used as a substitute. A moment ago, he kissed her passionately, but now, he became distant, saying coldly, "Get out!"

Kathleen didn't hesitate to rush out of the room. She had just reached the door when she saw Rolland coming out of the elevator.

If she went out now and was seen by him, she would be unable to explain it.

Kathleen backed into the room and closed the door, wanting to wait for Rolland to leave before going out.

Suddenly, she heard the door opening.

Something came to her mind.

Kathleen thought, "I indeed entered room 801, and Rolland lives on the eighth floor. There is only one apartment on this floor. Could it be that Rolland and that man know each other and live together?

"Shit!"

Kathleen didn't have time to hide. The moment the door was pushed open, she crouched by the couch near the door of Brandon's room.

"Brandon, are you done? If so, come out and have some snacks."

It sounded like they were very close.

Hearing this, Kathleen was surprised.

She had not expected the two men to have such a good relationship.

Watching Rolland come toward the couch, Kathleen squatted there, not daring to move.

"OK," Brandon answered in a deep voice.

Kathleen heard the door behind her opening, her heart thumping. She thought, "I'm done for. I'll be discovered." She looked back in a panic.

Brandon, who had worn a graceful suit at the bar, was now wearing a V-neck beige sweater and casual pants. He was not as dangerous and oppressive as he had been just now in the room. The light made him look soft and warm.

Brandon was surprised as he met Kathleen's panicked eyes.

Kathleen knew that after what had happened just now, Brandon was unlikely to help her, but she couldn't be found here. It was too intimate for a man and a woman to stay alone in a room. It would be okay if she just stood there. However, she was hiding nervously, so if she was discovered, she couldn't defend herself.

She did not care whether Rolland would refuse to marry her, yet now was not the right time. She must hold on until she graduated and could offer the group of children a place to live. She couldn't make them homeless.

Kathleen clasped her hands before her chest with a frown and a pleading look in her bright eyes. She gently bit her red lip, shook her head, gestured for Brandon to help her leave, and then put her index finger on her mouth, signaling Brandon not to make a sound.

After that, Kathleen clasped her hands before her chest again, mouthing repeatedly, "Please."

Brandon's unreadable eyes locked on the pitiful Kathleen.

He met Kathleen six years ago when she stood in front of the screen and he sat behind it. She was the seller, and he was the buyer.

She couldn't see him, while he could see her.

Kathleen seemed to be eighteen years old at that time, not the best of the interviewees. When asked what made her think she would be chosen, she gave a convincing answer.

She said, "This egg will be a part of your son, the biggest treasure in your life, and I want to sell it to save someone's life and return a favor. What can be more valuable than an egg with such an honorable mission?"

Brandon felt that though young, she possessed the confidence, grit, intelligence, gratefulness, and kindness that he needed for his child's genes.

So he bought her egg.

A long time after that.

Brandon was stunned by Kathleen in the bar. The eighteen-year-old girl full of energy and confidence had become languid, mature, sexy, and even alluring.

At this moment, her liveliness and helplessness fully showed her girlish side.

Kathleen was an interesting girl.

Brandon smiled, his cold face softening. He calmly averted his eyes and sat down on the couch.

"Brandon, are you really going to take over the Lowery Group?" Rolland handed Brandon a fork.

"Your grandfather is not well. I'm only taking it over temporarily. I have other things to do," Brandon answered succinctly, bowing his head to eat the snacks. He watched the side of the couch out of the corner of his eye.

Her feet would soon go numb from squatting.

"Rolland, get me a beer from the fridge," Brandon said seemingly casually.

The fridge was in the kitchen.

Kathleen was grateful, knowing Brandon was deliberately sending Rolland away.

"Since you want to drink, of course, I'll drink with you," Rolland replied as he stood up. Just then, his cell phone rang.

Rolland answered it, his charming eyes turning to the doorway. He frowned suspiciously. "Kathleen's here? What gift? I'll call her."