Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

For three years, he had been living there.

On top of that, she sent him a ten-thousand-dollar check every month. Whenever she felt like it, she would visit him. Their meetings were always at night or late into the night, and each time, he knew exactly how to make her smile.

It was like they had an unspoken agreement. They never talked about anything beyond their immediate pleasures, nor did they inquire about each other's families or backgrounds. They were in it just for the fun. He represented the most unconventional and rebellious part of her life. When she realized that this part of her life seemed to have gone beyond the control of her own reason, she decided to end their clandestine relationship. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She thought they would return to their separate lives without crossing paths again. But she was shocked to find that her once weak prey was now staring at her with the confidence of a hunter. She seemed to have already fallen into his trap.

When Lucas returned, he saw Chloe sitting in the chair, lost in thought. Her face was pale, and she looked distraught as if she'd suffered a heavy blow. Her usually bright and enticing eyes seemed to have lost their color, becoming somewhat empty. She was always so charming, but now her dullness made her seem pitiful, tugging at his heartstrings.

Lucas suppressed the urge to ask what was wrong and sat down beside her. However, he already knew it was because of Leah and Lisa. The woman she had called mother for twenty years now treated her like a stranger. Leah and Lisa weren't sitting at the same table with them.

The banquet soon began. Lucas noticed Chloe drinking one glass after another, clearly burdened with thoughts. When Chloe poured herself a drink for the third time, Lucas stopped her.

"Why are you drinking so much?" he asked.

Chloe looked at him with a smile, her voice slightly teasing, "Why? Are you worried about me?"

Lucas' voice was cold. "Today is an important occasion. Don't get drunk and disgrace the Moncada family."

Chloe huffed, "Leave me alone, I'm heartbroken. Can't I drink a little to ease my pain?"

Lucas noticed the blush at the corner of her eyes, his heart slightly shaken. But then he hardened his expression. "Chloe cut the act. Even if you pass out drunk on the table today, I wouldn't feel sorry for you for a second."

Chloe remained silent, continuing to drink. She didn’t understand—how did Trophy Boy turn into Mr. Connor? Did he even know her real identity? He was pretending to be a gigolo she supported for three years, and he never once tried to explain.

As the banquet progressed, guests began to approach the main table to toast. Lucas also stood up, "Let's go. We should toast to Marian."

Lucas led the way, with Chloe behind him, holding her drink. They quickly reached the main table. The area around the main table was crowded. Marian had already left. Only Connor was holding the fort. Many guests came to toast, but mostly, the guests drank themselves, and Connor would just touch his glass as a polite gesture. He would symbolically take a sip if it was a particularly high- ranking guest.

Once the people in front of Lucas left after their toast, Lucas found an opening and approached Connor.

"Mr. Connor, I'm Lucas Moncada from Riverbrook. I've heard much about you, and I'd like to offer you a toast."

Lucas copied what the previous guests had called him. Mr. Connor. Lucas held out his glass, seemingly waiting for Connor to clink glasses with him. Lucas had observed that no matter who came to toast Connor, young or old, he would not refuse and would at least politely touch glasses. But at this moment, Connor showed no intention of taking his glass and acknowledging Lucas.

Lucas' hand, holding the glass, hung in mid-air. The atmosphere turned slightly awkward.