Chapter 2

Night fell, and I changed into an inconspicuous outfit, evaded the eyes and ears around the secluded estate, and made my way down a familiar route toward Bramford's most bustling riverside. Pleasure boats stretched along the river, their neon lights glowing beneath a haze of revelry and wine.

I boarded the largest one and deftly pushed open the door to the VIP suite. The moment I stepped inside, the heavy scent of perfume hit me.

The rakish Marchioness, Sienna Fairfax, was lounging on a couch, her shirt half-unbuttoned and her posture languid.

Several handsome male courtesans swarmed around her, one feeding her wine while another massaged her legs. She lazily waved her signature ivory-handled fan, wearing a dashing, carefree smile that made her look like a living embodiment of wealth and splendor.

When she saw me walk in, Lady Fairfax arched her brow, a hint of amusement dancing in her captivating eyes. She pushed away the person beside her and sat up straight.

"Well, well, look who decided to drop by. What's up, Mr. Pemberton? Are you jealous? Did you run all the way here in the middle of the night to check up on me?"

I paid her teasing no mind. I stepped forward, pulled out a thick ledger from my sleeve, and handed it to her with both hands. "My lady, you jest."

I said in a strictly businesslike tone, "Winter is right around the corner. As agreed, it's time to settle the fall dividends for our cosmetics store."

The smile on her face stiffened for a moment. Instead of taking the ledger, she used her fan to tilt my chin up. Her eyes lingered on my face.

In an effort to make a little extra money, I had personally taken to the streets to market the cosmetics I had formulated myself. As luck would have it, I had stumbled upon Lady Fairfax, who was being hunted down by her enemies.

At the time, she was gravely injured, and she had collapsed in a dark alley. Initially, I didn't want to poke my nose into other people's business, but the egg-sized sapphire hanging from her waist had been far too dazzling to ignore.

Hence, on a whim, I had flung the entire bag of pepper-infused face powder in my hand straight into the assassins' eyes and dragged her away.

Later, after she looked into my background, she didn't silence me to cover her tracks. If anything, she found my money-grubbing, mercenary ways refreshing.

Lady Fairfax provided the capital, and I supplied the formulas. Together, we established the biggest cosmetics store in Bramford. Concurrently, I also became one of her male confidants who could never see the light of day.

"Carpe," she sneered, flicking her wrist and tapping my forehead with her fan, "I simply adore how heartless and money-obsessed a mercenary you are."

Lady Fairfax turned her head and shot her attendant a look. The attendant immediately walked over with a heavy rosewood chest.

When I popped it open, there were 20 gold bars neatly stacked inside. The golden glow was so dazzling it nearly blinded me.

Noticing my eyes lit up, she said lazily, "Take it. It includes both your principal and your share of the profits. Remember, we're both getting what we need out of this. Let's not bring feelings into this. It's bad for business."

I immediately wrapped my arms around the wooden box. Its weight alone provided me with a profound sense of security.

I grinned from ear to ear and nodded enthusiastically. "You hit the nail right on the head, my lady! Feelings can't hold a candle to cold, hard gold."

I took two steps back and continued respectfully, "I wish you endless riches, a different groom every night, and the freedom to enjoy countless romantic encounters without getting attached, my lady!"

Lady Fairfax gaped at me, the corner of her eye twitching slightly, as I hugged the gold bars to my chest and walked off the boat without a shred of hesitation.