Chapter 4

Without looking back, he scooped Rebecca up in his arms and carried her toward our bedroom.

That night, they were entangled all night long.

I spent the entire night downstairs in the study, checking the accounts.

New Year bonus: 188,000. Christmas Eve bonus: 200,000. Valentine’s Day allowance: 300,000. Rebecca Lane was listed as the payee for all of them.

I chuckled. She even had a Valentine’s Day allowance.

His definition of Rebecca’s position was pretty spot on.

I sent all the documents to the lawyer.

He kept praising the great benefits our housekeeper enjoyed and asked if I was strict about gender.

I joked, “Gender isn’t clear, but you’ll have to be willing to sacrifice yourself.”

The lawyer stopped kidding around with me.

He kindly reminded me that the top-tier lawyers hired by the Hans family were not just there for show.

If I wanted to sue him, I would have to make a big deal out of it.

I spent the whole night thinking it over in my study.

After dawn, I dutifully grabbed my cleaning supplies and pushed open the bedroom door.

Arvid was holding Rebecca close while smoking a cigarette.

When he saw me, his eyes flickered with mixed emotions.

“Layla, what are you doing here? Do you enjoy watching this? If you like it so much, why don’t you sketch it out?”

I was taken aback.

Even though I had expected him to humiliate me, I never imagined he would do it this way.

When we first met, I was sketching outside my family’s flower shop.

He happened to walk into my frame. He was so handsome that I quietly added him to the sketch.

Little did I know that when I finished, he would walk up to me and ask, with a carefree air, “Are you drawing me?”

I blushed instantly.

He just smiled and complimented me, saying my drawings had a certain flair and that the flowers I tended to had even more spirit.

Yet he was determined to destroy even that last shred of beauty.

“Sure, but it’ll cost extra.”

Seeing me agree so readily, Arvid seemed a bit taken aback.

“I’m a housekeeper. I’m only responsible for housework and cleaning. Painting is a separate fee.”

Arvid snorted derisively and turned around on the spot.

“100,000 dollars. Is that enough?”

How generous. It was almost as much as the bonus Rebecca got for sleeping with him.

I raised an eyebrow at Rebecca. “Aren’t you going to tip me, Mrs. Hans? I’ll definitely paint it beautifully.”

It seemed my use of “Mrs. Hans” had flattered her ego.

She agreed readily, saying, “My phone is in my bedroom. I’ll transfer it to you when we’re done.”

“No problem. Let’s get started, then.”

I calmly took out the sketchpad I had hidden in the bedroom.

However, Arvid suddenly looked a bit uneasy.

He had just opened his mouth to say something.

However, in the next second, Rebecca wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

I picked up my pencil and began sketching. My face was expressionless.

For context, I was a master at drawing nude models’ anatomy.

When I was in the mood, I would even coach them on their poses.

Several times during the process, Arvid’s expression seemed off.

It was not until I finished the third sketch that he suddenly strode over and knocked my easel over with a single sweep of his hand.

“Layla, do you even know what shame is?”

I found it somewhat amusing. Was he not the one who asked me to draw? How could he turn around and ask me if I knew what shame was?

I nonchalantly reached down to pick everything up.

“Enough. The game is over.”

He called for a halt, clearly irritated.

“The Hans family is hosting a charity auction tonight. Go prepare yourself properly. Remember your status as Mrs. Hans. Don’t disgrace the Hans family.”

I put on my usual dignified smile. There was a hint of amusement in my voice.

“Sure.”

‘I will definitely make you proud,’ I thought.

Before leaving, I did not forget to leave a reminder for Rebecca, who was still sulking on the bed.

“Mrs. Hans, don’t forget to transfer my bonus.”

That evening, celebrities from all walks of life in the capital’s social circles were in attendance.

I carefully arranged the auction items from each family.

As I was leaving, I took one last look at the item Arvid had prepared.

After tonight, he would never forget this for the rest of his life.

I headed to the venue and sat down, waiting for the show to begin.

However, I never expected that Arvid would actually bring Rebecca along with him.

Perfect timing. The stage was set, so we had to have the female lead in place.

He was as generous as ever toward Rebecca.

If she liked something, no matter how many times she raised her paddle to bid, Arvid did not bat an eye.

Perhaps the string of good luck had made her a bit carried away. She actually turned to Arvid and said, “After all, the madam is a representation of the Hans family. She’s not bidding on a single item… Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?

“Oh, right, I almost forgot. The madam is famous for being ‘frugal.’” She turned to me. “Aren’t you?”

“Since you’re so well-off,” I said with a smile, “why don’t you bid for me on the next lot?”

She snorted derisively but agreed readily. “Sure, it’ll just be giving donations to a beggar.”

Arvid seemed to feel his pride was wounded. He frowned and shot me a disapproving glance.

“Layla, only beggars accept handouts. Where have your manners and decorum gone?”

I smiled but did not answer. They were the ones who needed a lesson in decorum.

“Next up, a piece from Mr. Arvid Hans’ private collection…”

The auctioneer’s booming voice echoed through the hall.

Arvid and Rebecca both looked over expectantly.

I could not help but snicker. They actually thought it was still one of those priceless antiques.

In the next second, the velvet curtain fell.

The flattery and praise they had anticipated never came.

Instead, a wave of gasps filled the room.

Arvid whipped his head toward me, staring at the scene in disbelief. “Layla, have you lost your mind? That’s…”

Rebecca’s face went pale in an instant.

I pressed my lips together in a smile and asked her sarcastically, “Didn’t you say you’d help me bid on it? Why aren’t you moving? Oh, do I have to do it myself?”

Without waiting for her to react, I grabbed her arm and shouted, “Unlimited bid!”