Chapter 6

Lena POV

Kai was dragged out by security like a dead dog.

But people like him can't be killed off completely.

That afternoon, Serena came.

She wore a black dress, no makeup, her face pale. She looked like a little white flower swaying in wind and rain, her fragility maxed out.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, that nauseating arrogant air spilled out.

"Lena, we need to talk."

She sat across from me, spine straight, as if she were the victor.

"I know you hate me. I admit that what happened last night was my fault. But I love Kai, and Kai loves me. Love doesn't follow first-come-first-served rules."

"If you want money, I can pay you back. But I hope you won't use those dirty methods to destroy Kai's future."

She pulled out a bank card from her bag and placed it on the table.

"There's five hundred thousand dollars here. I saved it by selling paintings. I'll slowly pay back the rest."

Five hundred thousand dollars.

To repay fifteen million dollars in debt.

And she was putting on this "I've done my best, don't be ungrateful" attitude.

She made me laugh with anger.

"Serena, do you think the whole world is your mother and has to indulge you?"

I picked up the card, held it between two fingers, and bent it lightly.

Snap.

The card broke.

"Your paintings? The ones that hung in galleries for three years with no buyers, don't you know who bought them at high prices?"

I leaned forward, staring into her eyes.

"It was Kai. Using my money to buy your garbage, then praising you as a genius."

"Your so-called nobility, your so-called talent, all of it was built with my family's money!"

Serena's face flushed bright red, like she'd been slapped hard.

"You're lying! My talent doesn't need anyone's validation!"

She shot up, her voice shrill.

"Someone like you, who only knows money, what do you know about art? You're just jealous of me!"

"Jealous of you?"

I turned on the projector.

Photos and receipts jumped onto the screen.

All evidence of Kai's embezzlement. Every transaction clearly pointed to Serena's account, or became the designer brands she wore, the paintbrushes in her hands, even the luxury apartment she lived in.

"Jealous that you spend a man's money while pretending to be noble? Jealous that you're a mistress while pretending to be innocent?"

"Serena, to fill these holes, Kai has already sold company secrets to competitors. This is serious commercial crime."

"And you, as the main beneficiary of the stolen money, you can't escape either."

Hearing the word "crime," Serena finally panicked.

Her facade of cool elegance instantly collapsed.

"No... impossible... Kai wouldn't do that..."

"Whether he would or not, you'll find out soon enough."

I pressed the intercom.

"Let the officers from the Economic Investigation Division come in."

The office door opened, and two uniformed police officers walked in.

"Miss Serena? You're involved in a case of large-scale embezzlement and money laundering. Please come with us."

Serena was so scared her legs went weak. She clutched the table corner, refusing to leave.

"No! I didn't! That was Kai's gift to me! I didn't know it was embezzled funds! I'm innocent!"

She looked at me, fear and pleading finally in her eyes.

"Lena! Lena, help me! I was deceived! Kai deceived me! I'm a victim!"

Look, this is true love.

When disaster struck, she sold out Kai without hesitation.

I smiled at her, my eyes ice cold.

"Miss Serena, save that energy to explain to the judge. See if your nobility can be used as a bargaining chip for a reduced sentence."

Watching Serena being led away, I picked up my phone and sent a message to Kai, who was still running around trying to bail her out.

"Your goddess says she's a victim and was forced by you. Kai, good luck."

After sending it, I blocked the number.