Chapter 3

When Arthur heard that, he paused with his coffee cup in his hand.

He set the cup down, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and asked casually, "Oh? What did Marina say?"

He knew.

Arthur didn't just know. He had probably been planning this with Marina and Daisy from the very start.

I lowered my head, feigning concern. "It's nothing big. It's just... if something unexpected happens, would you think less of me?"

For a couple of seconds, no one said a word.

Arthur looked at me, and his expression softened.

He leaned toward me, looking completely sincere. "Angela, what kind of man do you think I am? No matter what anyone says, you're the only woman I'll ever call my wife!"

Daisy set down her coffee cup and cut in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Arthur's love for you is rock solid. I'm so jealous."

I looked at the two of them and remembered my previous life: Arthur standing on the yacht with his arm around Daisy while I was thrown into the sea.

I rose slowly and hid the coldness in my eyes. By the time I looked up, my face showed nothing but gratitude.

"Arthur... hearing you say that, I can finally relax."

He smiled and exchanged a look with Daisy.

I pretended not to see and went on. "Then I'll... go ahead and do what Mom says."

A smug look flashed in Daisy's eyes, and she chimed in right on cue, "Mom's definitely looking out for you. Go ahead. I'll take care of Dad at home, so you don't have to worry."

I almost laughed at the fake kindness plastered across her face.

Don't worry, little sister. I'll go, all right.

That afternoon, I arranged to meet the male model, Gavin Green.

He worked as a waiter at a private club and seemed surprised to see me.

I stood in the doorway of the private room and got straight to the point. "Do you know what Marina wants you to do?"

His eyes darted away. "Yeah... yeah, I know."

I gave him a cold smile. "And do you know which room you're supposed to go to?"

He answered, "The Victoria Hotel. Top floor, Suite 1808."

I nodded. "Good. Don't go to the wrong door."

I turned to go, but he called after me. "Are you really okay with this?"

I looked back at him.

He looked uneasy, but the greed in his eyes was unmistakable. To him, ruining a woman's reputation was a ticket to the top.

I said, "Mom's only looking out for me. Of course I'm okay with it."

He smiled, and so did I.

Daisy came to my room again, followed by her assistant, Mary Hale. Mary looked down her nose at me as though she could already picture my downfall.

I let them in. Daisy looked around my room and said excitedly, "The model's ready. Tomorrow night, Mom will bring Dad and the reporters to the hotel to catch you. You'd better make it look real."

Worried I might grow suspicious, Daisy patted my hand. "I just don't want you to get scared when things get crazy. This way, you'll be ready."

I nodded. "Got it."

On her way out, she turned back and tilted her head at me. "You're being awfully cooperative."

I answered softly, "Mom's only looking out for me."

She couldn't help snickering. "Yeah. Looking out for you."

I quietly followed them. Daisy stopped around the corner.

Mary asked, "Does she really believe it? She couldn't be faking, could she?"

Daisy sneered. "She's an idiot. You think she's smart enough for that?"

I clenched my fists. Right. An idiot.

God had given me a second chance at life. I wouldn't be that stupid again.