Chapter 1

I had just sat down in the VIP lounge of the club when the door was violently thrown open.

A woman in a red dress stumbled in, crashing into the fifty-thousand-dollar crystal antique ornament I'd just acquired.

She grabbed my arm, her eyes reddening as she put on a pitiful act:

"Mr. Reed, save me! Bad people are chasing me outside. Please let me hide here!"

Before I could respond, her thoughts suddenly exploded in my mind:

[This innocent no-makeup look didn't go to waste---men really do fall for this act!]

[When his friend bursts in after me, I'll put on a show of being wrongly accused. Once I hook Ethan Reed, heir to the Reed empire, won't all the Reed family money be mine?]

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I opened the lounge door and waved to my friend Shane outside:

"You looking for this person? She's right here."

The woman's face turned green and red with disbelief as her eyes widened.

Shane strode upstairs and pulled me to his side. "Ethan, are you alright?"

"Her name is Laura Stone. She's the daughter of Sterling Pawn Shop's owner. I'm taking her with me first."

"As for the money she owes you for breaking your antique, I'll get it back for you."

Shane didn't elaborate, but with our understanding, I figured something must have happened.

But he didn't want to tell me, to spare my ears from being sullied.

Laura, however, had no such reservations. At his words, she immediately put on an aggrieved expression.

"Mr. Reed, don't listen to her nonsense!"

"I was being a Good Samaritan, exposing her true colors, which made her furious and want to cause me trouble!"

"Today is the baptism banquet for the young master of the Harris family. I was fortunate enough to be invited."

"But I never expected to see Shane sneaking drugs into Damien Harris's drink!"

"I couldn't stand by and watch, so I exposed her directly, which made her fly into a rage!"

After Laura finished, she straightened her back, acting like she wasn't afraid of the powerful.

"I know I'm just a nobody, of ordinary background, and shouldn't oppose Miss Shane."

"But when I witness injustice, speaking up for the innocent is my duty!"

She glanced at me, her eyes containing hidden smugness.

[Let's see how Shane tries to defend herself now! That last line of mine---won't it charm Ethan Reed to death!]

[Look at him frowning in thought---he must be disgusted with Shane but doesn't know how to say it.]

I paused, feeling somewhat speechless.

I was just thinking about how someone like her, daughter of a pawn shop owner, would have the qualifications to attend a banquet of the Harris family's caliber.

Besides, baptism banquets only required elders to attend. Like our family, only Father attended as the representative.

The reason Shane was there was because the Harris family matriarch was her grandmother.

What was Laura supposed to be?

The next moment, Laura's thoughts answered my question.

[A beauty like me with such a sweet talk---who could resist?]

[I'm a modern person. I just used a few flirting tricks and had that male assistant by Damien's side completely smitten!]

[He brought me into the Harris residence and led me into the banquet.]

[But my goal wasn't to date this assistant---it was to climb up to that Harris young master!]

[But Shane ruined everything!]

Laura complained inwardly while gritting her teeth outwardly.

[Since she ruined my plans, I'll just steal her man!]

[I'm so excellent---I could marry any wealthy heir I want, let alone an Ethan Reed?]

[Though Ethan Reed has a better family background than Damien, so I'll make him my official boyfriend and keep Damien as my lover. That's not really settling!]

I couldn't help the cold laughter rising inside me. Shane had already clenched her fists in anger.

"You're talking nonsense! I clearly caught you secretly photographing Damien, and you dare twist the truth!"

"If I hadn't been worried about alarming the guests and damaging Damien's reputation, do you think you could have escaped the Harris residence?"

Laura quickly hid behind me. "Mr. Reed, save me. Look how fierce Miss Shane is. I'm really scared..."

I stepped aside, directly avoiding Laura, then patted Shane's arm reassuringly.

"Don't worry, I believe you."

Laura's face changed as she looked at me.

I continued, "With only you two present, it'll be hard to determine the truth when both have different accounts."

As soon as I finished speaking, Laura's lips curved up smugly.

"But..." I continued, "Someone like her wouldn't have the qualifications to attend the Harris family banquet."

"There's definitely something wrong with this. And she navigated to the banquet hall so easily---even more suspicious."

"I think you should investigate Damien's assistants, especially his personal one."

Laura's eyes widened. The smug smile froze on her face, looking rather ridiculous.

At the same time, intense screaming erupted in her thoughts.

[Ahhhh! What's going on? How does this damn Ethan Reed know all this?]

[Aren't these rich young masters supposed to be brainless and innocent? How could he figure this out so quickly!]

[Hmph, fine then. Don't blame me for using some methods.]

[I originally had some genuine feelings for Ethan Reed since he's good-looking.]

[But if he dares to belittle me like this, I'll force him to marry me, and then...]