Chapter 3

After that, I settled into a pretty sweet routine.

I worked hard during the day and spent my nights quietly transferring assets.

Whenever I had some free time, I'd feel up my abs, pecs, and biceps.

And every now and then, I got to watch Vanessa and Nolan go at each other.

Life was pretty good.

One morning, I woke up in that absurd sixteen-foot-wide bed with several important meetings ahead of me.

And, of course, Vanessa was causing trouble again.

After the body swap, I'd installed security cameras throughout the mansion.

Checking them had become the first thing I did every morning, like I was surveying my territory.

That morning, Vanessa stopped Nolan in his tracks.

With her hands on her hips, she said smugly, "Do you have any idea how much Nolan loves me? I did lie to him about having a life-threatening illness. So what?

"Believe it or not, even if I hadn't lied, he'd still treat me like a princess.

"Last month, when you had a 104-degree fever, he told you he was tied up with a business deal. But he was actually at my place fixing a pipe.

"And when your father had a heart attack, Nolan said he was out of town and couldn't make it back. Your dad didn't get to the hospital in time, and he died. And you know where Nolan was? With me, watching the stars.

"So now you know where you stand with him, right? Get out of his life already. He's never going to marry you!"

Nolan stared at her in disbelief.

Instinctively, he grabbed Vanessa's hand, about to confront her.

But before he could get a word out, Vanessa suddenly cried out and tumbled down the stairs.

Nolan froze.

I'd seen this trick enough times by then. I just smiled calmly.

Well, looked like it was my cue.

By the time I got there, Vanessa was sobbing hysterically, blood staining the floor beneath her.

"Nolan, the baby..." she choked out. "She killed our baby!"

Nolan stared at her, then down at his hand, his expression unreadable.

I was speechless. Still, I immediately had Vanessa taken to the hospital.

While she was in surgery, I went back to the office for my meetings.

By the time I returned, her surgery was over.

Vanessa looked utterly pitiful as she cried and begged me to get justice for the baby.

Nolan stood nearby, looking conflicted.

I stayed perfectly calm.

"Don't worry. I won't accuse an innocent person, and I won't let the guilty one off the hook."

Then I added, "I installed security cameras at home."

The footage had captured every word Vanessa said.

It also clearly showed her tumbling down the stairs on her own.

Nolan finally relaxed.

This time, Vanessa went rigid.

"That bitch must've tampered with the footage!" she cried. "I never said any of that! Nolan, you know what kind of person I am!"

Oh, I knew exactly what kind of person she was.

Still, I stuck to the usual routine. I gave Nolan a halfhearted scolding and told him to apologize.

By then, he was too furious about being falsely accused to worry about Vanessa anymore.

He slammed his hand on the table and glared at me.

"You saw it yourself! Why should I apologize?"

"So what if I saw it?" I said coolly. "Nessa's right. How do I know you didn't mess with the footage?

"Can you just be a little more understanding? I'm busy right now."

I tapped my watch, keeping my expression stern.

Playing favorites and brushing someone off? Anyone could do that.

Unbeknownst to me, Vanessa shot Nolan a smug, taunting smile from the side.

Nolan looked ready to explode from sheer frustration.

He clenched his jaw and bit out each word.

"Fine! I'm sorry! Happy now?"

Vanessa only cried harder.

"My baby is dead, and you think one apology is enough?"