Chapter 3

I thought that with my degree from a top university, finding a job wouldn't be difficult.

But I underestimated Ethan Thorne's influence.

In one week, I sent out hundreds of resumes.

Either they went nowhere, or after passing an interview, I'd get a call the next day saying I wasn't suitable.

Until I went to a decent internet company.

The HR manager handed my resume back directly.

"Ms. Lily, if you've crossed the wrong person, New York isn't the place for you anymore. Go back home."

I clutched the resume, my nails digging into my palms.

Ethan Thorne.

He wanted to push me to the brink, force me to come back and beg him.

I stood under the scorching sun, looking at the distant Thorne Industries building.

Towering into the clouds, absolutely domineering.

"Ethan Thorne, you wish." I gritted my teeth, saying each word slowly.

If I couldn't get into a big company, I'd go to a small one.

A place that didn't require background or academic qualifications, only results.

Finally, I joined a newly established real estate agency.

A base salary of fifteen hundred, commission entirely dependent on my sales.

An office without AC, a beat-up electric scooter, and every day, I'd be out on the streets, handing out flyers under nearly 100-degree Fahrenheit heat.

"Excuse me, interested in buying a house? New development in the South District, great school zone!"

I stopped a middle-aged woman passing by and handed her a thick stack of flyers.

The woman waved her hand dismissively, like shooing a fly.

"Go away, go away, it's too hot!"

The flyers scattered across the ground.

I knelt down, picking them up one by one.

Sweat stung my eyes.

My white shirt was soaked with sweat, clinging to my back.

But I had no time to complain.

After half a month, I was tanned and had lost ten pounds.

But I also closed three small deals, earning over ten thousand dollars in commission.

On payday, I bought a roasted chicken and took it to the hospital to share with Leo.

Leo ate heartily, his mouth covered in grease, laughing happily.

Looking at him, I felt it was all worth it.

Just when I thought my life was finally getting back on track.

Trouble came knocking.

That afternoon, my manager suddenly called me into his office.

"Lily, we have a big client tonight, specifically asking to see the villa at South Hill Estates. You're coming with me."

Mr. Peterson rubbed his hands, his face excited.

"South Hill Estates? That's a hundred-million-dollar mansion!"

"Exactly! If we close it, the commission alone will be over a million! You're in luck, kid!"

I felt a faint unease.

How could such a big deal fall to me, a newcomer?

But a million-dollar commission was too tempting.

With that money, Leo's surgery and subsequent recovery costs would all be covered.

I pushed down my doubts and followed Mr. Peterson to South Hill Estates.

The moment I pushed open the door to the luxurious private room.

All the blood in my veins froze.

On the leather sofa.

Ethan Thorne had his legs crossed, a glass of red wine in his hand, looking at me with a half-smile.

Serena Cross leaned against him, dressed in a Chanel maternity outfit, her face full of coy charm.

There were a few other trust fund kids from their circle in the private room, all staring at me with expressions of eager anticipation.

"Mr. Thorne, I've brought her." Mr. Peterson bowed and fawned over him.

I turned to leave.

"Stop." Ethan's voice was cold.

Two bodyguards immediately blocked the door.

I turned back, looking at him coldly.

"Mr. Thorne, if you're buying, let's see the house. If not, I need to get off work."

Serena let out a snicker.

"Ethan, is this the stubborn woman you were talking about? Look at the state she's in now."

She eyed my cheap professional outfit and my tanned, rough skin, her eyes full of disdain.

"Heard you're selling houses? Fine." Serena pulled a stack of cash from her bag and tossed it onto the table.

"Drink these three bottles of liquor on the table, and I'll sign for this hundred-million-dollar villa with you."

On the table were three bottles of expensive, high-proof tequila.

Mr. Peterson was frantically signaling me from the side.

"Lily, drink it! This is Mr. Thorne and Ms. Cross doing you a favor!"

I looked at the three bottles of tequila.

I'm allergic to alcohol. Drinking this much could be fatal.

Ethan looked at me, his eyes holding an air of condescending charity.

"Lily, if you drink it, not only will this deal be credited to you, but I'll cover all of Leo's future treatment abroad."

He was certain I would concede.

Just like every time he had used Leo to manipulate me over the past three years.

I walked to the table.

Serena's smile grew wider.

"A pauper is a pauper, willing to throw away her life for money."

I picked up a bottle of tequila.

I unscrewed the cap.

Then.

With a flick of my wrist.

"SPLASH!"

The entire bottle of liquor was precisely doused all over Serena's Chanel dress, worth hundreds of thousands.