Chapter 2

Her eyes widened in horror as I let out the news with a cold, easy smile.

"The kidnappers want a hundred million. If we don't pay up, they kill him."

"Miss Vance, was it? Maybe it's time you start looking for your next meal ticket."

As I spoke, my gaze never left her face.

First disbelief, then grief, followed by desperate, pleading eyes.

I had to give it to her—stellar acting.

If I didn't already know she was after his fortune, she might have actually fooled me.

Too bad for her, I was an experienced predator. Playing innocent wasn't going to work on me.

"Richard is your father! Aren't you going to save him?"

Without a word, I pulled out the transfer agreement and waved it in front of her.

"I assume you know he was planning to sign his entire estate over to you."

"Before making that generous decision, he didn't even think about leaving a dime to his own son."

"Tell me, why should I save him?"

Her eyes tracked the papers like a hawk. I tossed the folder onto the coffee table right in front of her.

"If you were in my shoes, would you?"

Chloe didn't answer. Her fingers trembled with barely concealed excitement as she flipped through the pages.

I let out a soft scoff, sinking back into the plush leather sofa.

"Don't get too excited. He was taken before he could sign it."

Watching the disappointment flash across her face, everything clicked into place. I made a casual offer:

"Since you meant so much to my dad, why don't you stay here for now? I'll look after you in his place."

She didn't agree right away, instantly putting up a guarded posture.

I smirked, shaking my head.

"Relax. You're not my type."

The moment act one ended, my dad’s call came through on the private line.

"See? I told you my Chloe is pure! She literally begged you to save me!"

Inside his resort suite, I had installed a massive projector, streaming everything happening in my living room in real-time.

I hadn't even reached my bedroom, and he was already gloating.

"What's the rush? The show just started."

Knock, knock, knock.

A rhythmic tap at my door cut us off. I hung up on the old man immediately.

I opened the door to find Chloe.

She had clearly just stepped out of the shower. A single bath towel was wrapped around her, skin still glistening with damp steam.

I stepped back, keeping my distance.

"Miss Vance, what is this?"

She really couldn't wait, could she? Moving in tonight, and pulling this stunt already.

Chloe bit her lip, looking utterly mortified.

"Lucas, the hot water heater seems broken. Could you take a look?"