Chapter 1

I lowered my head and took a calm sip of tea, completely ignoring Lester Kaine.

Everyone had heard the stories of how, over the years, he had become the star lawyer every major firm in Novindale fought to recruit.

Lester was about to speak again when a crowd swarmed around him.

"You really are going places, Mr. Kaine! It's impressive that you're so young, yet you're already such a renowned lawyer abroad!"

"That's right, Lester. Don't forget about us now that you're doing so well. We used to be so close back in school."

"I heard he's not just brilliant but devoted. He and Mrs. Kaine were campus sweethearts who became husband and wife. They're such a perfect couple, it makes the rest of us jealous."

Mable Stark blushed and stole a shy glance at Lester before nestling into his arms. Their show of affection drew a chorus of teasing laughter from the crowd.

"I heard that Mrs. Kaine's sister has been seen around that rich neighborhood, The Bayview Estates. Maybe she's some rich man's mistress…"

A flicker of disgust crossed Lester's eyes at the remark, while Mable subtly straightened and sighed in fake pity. "It's such a shame. Our family has always been respectable, yet she turned out to be so shameless."

She dabbed at the corner of her eyes, then feigned a dramatic gasp when her gaze slid past me. "Erica Zinger… did you hear all that?"

All eyes turned sharply toward me at once.

One of Lester's lackeys gave me a once-over and said, "I heard the club owner hired some pretty girls to sing here. Maybe she's one of them."

The others laughed and piled on.

"This place isn't just a music lounge. They offer full-service entertainment too."

"Even if Ms. Zinger has cut ties with Mr. Zinger, she was raised in a family of scholars. How could she have fallen this low? One of you single guys should just take her home."

I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and paid them no mind.

Sneering, Lester walked up to me and grabbed my chin. As he fixed me with a cold stare, he hissed, "It's only been a few years, Erica. What happened to you? I went from being a spoiled heir to a respected lawyer, while you've sunk to singing in bars."

Inside, I rolled my eyes. He was just a lawyer. What was there to brag about?

If I remembered correctly, there were countless lawyers of his caliber here in Novindale. He couldn't even hold a candle to Caspian Kaine in talent or character.

As Lester studied my face, a flicker of astonishment and surprise flashed in his eyes.

Caspian adored me and spoiled me in every possible way after our marriage. Luxury and ease had completely reshaped me, and the elegance that came with it far outshone the version of myself that once was in the Zinger family.

A mocking smile tugged at Lester's lips. "Is this how you do it now? Flashing that fake innocence to reel men in?"

Mable shot me a furious look and softly said, "Even if my dad cut her off, she's still my sister, babe. Let's spare her a little dignity for old times' sake."