-Chapter 16-
After saying something so tasteless, Lucas thought Rose would look down on him.
But when he turned to look at her, he saw that she was staring straight at him. Her clear eyes were full of affection, like she was looking at a mischievous child.
Lucas was full of question marks.
What the hell?
David was still putting on that arrogant air, acting like even if Lucas made a scene in heaven, he still wouldn't spare him a glance. He sat motionless on the sofa.
"I came today for the future development of the White Group, and for your future, Rose."
As he spoke, he fixed his gaze on Rose.
The fire flickering in his dark eyes would make any woman feel weak in the knees.
This was the natural buff of the Dragon King male lead.
Even if there were ten women around him, all ten would go crazy for him.
Whether it was his master's wife, his sister-in-law, his junior's wife, his own older or younger sister, or even the woman of a deceased brother, none could escape.
For seven years, he had always succeeded.
That was why he brimmed with confidence now.
But strangely, when Rose met his burning gaze, not only was she unmoved, but her cold eyes even flashed with resistance and anger.
David froze.
Why was she resisting him?
Why was she angry?
He didn't understand.
When James asked about the so-called future development, David had to push aside his confusion and continue.
"I came today for two reasons. Aside from handing over Ethan and letting you deal with him, I also wanted to tell you that the land in the east of the city that's currently being auctioned has immense future value. You'd better act fast and bid for it."
James was stunned. "That plot in the east? Isn't that a mass grave? How could it have great potential?"
David merely smiled.
Right now, it was indeed a mass grave.
But very soon, the news would be released. That area would become the commercial center of the new city district.
He had just learned this from an official in Su City.
It was absolutely reliable.
Hearing this, Lucas finally relaxed.
The plot hadn't gone off track. Things were still following the original storyline.
To make the male lead's face-slapping moment more satisfying later, he immediately stirred things up.
"Commercial center? That's total nonsense. That place is a mass grave, dirt cheap, and no matter how you redevelop it, the bad luck will stick. No one will buy it. It'll just rot in your hands."
"Besides, if a new city district really was being developed, how could we not hear a thing? How would a loser like you know first?"
"If you ask me, Uncle White, this guy's just embarrassed after making a fool of himself at the engagement banquet. So now he's colluding with the developers of that graveyard plot to scam you and pocket some referral fee."
James nodded furiously. "Makes sense, makes sense. If this were real, how could Young Master Grey not know? This guy clearly sees me as an easy target and wants to con me out of money."
Hearing this, Lucas instinctively looked at Rose.
[You're the queen of business, sharp as a blade. There's no way you didn't notice something was off about Volt Company. No way you don't see the value in that land. This time, you'll finally speak up for the male lead, right?]
Rose heard his thoughts and smiled inwardly.
Of course she could see the truth.
The owner of Volt Company suddenly planning to emigrate and sell the company was obviously suspicious. Anyone with a brain could tell he was trying to run away.
As for that land.
Even though she hadn't received any official news, David wouldn't casually bring up a mass grave just to tell such a huge lie. So it was almost certainly true.
A problematic company versus a piece of land with huge potential.
Even a fool would know what to choose.
But Rose said instead, "Mr. Fox, the White family has no grudge against you. Why would you try to deceive us with land from a mass grave? The White family doesn't welcome shady guests like you. Please leave."
She turned to the butler.
"See Mr. Fox out."
Lucas: "Huh?"
What was going on? Why was Rose standing on his side again instead of David's?
It was over. Her brain must be completely broken. Even her character setting was falling apart.
He decided to just ignore her and focus on staying in character.
"Hahaha, exactly! Rose, you're so sharp and clever. You saw through this guy's scheme at a glance. He's trying to con you, plain and simple. Butler, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and kick this loser out!"
Luckily, the butler had some sense and politely said to David, "Mr. Fox, this way, please."
David's face turned dark. He clenched his fists and stared hard at Rose.
He truly couldn't understand.
What was this woman thinking?
Even if she misunderstood him, how could she possibly like someone as despicable as Lucas?
Had she been kicked in the head by a donkey?
"Rose, I didn't even buy that land for myself. I left it for you so the White family could soar to new heights. I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful. Fine, I'll buy it all myself. When the time comes, don't regret it."
Rose snorted disdainfully. "Don't worry. Even if what you said is true, I won't regret it."
She didn't want to owe this man anything.
She wanted to make it clear she had chosen Lucas over him, even if Lucas's decisions would lose money.
David just thought she was being stubborn. He let out a cold snort, full of frustration, and stormed out of the White household.
Once he was gone, Lucas let out a long sigh of relief.
[Even though Rose's character setting still collapsed, at least the plot played out. That's fine too. The more she distrusts David and the more she dislikes him now, the better the impact when David turns things around and shows off later.]
Two days passed.
To avoid unexpected changes before the next plot point, Lucas stayed holed up at home, refusing to go out at all.
Sylvia called him several times, and he ignored every one.
He really didn't want to get involved with those women anymore.
Finally, on the third day, Lucas perked up.
According to the plot, today was the day the news would break that the mass grave land was becoming the new city district's commercial center. It was also the day the male lead would thoroughly humiliate him and the White family.
To mark the occasion, Lucas put on a brand new suit and went to the banquet hotel near that land, where a promotion event was being held.
He looked up at the crowd of businesspeople going in and out, full of ambition. He was ready to go all out today and set the stage for the male lead's glorious performance.
But just two steps in, he heard Sylvia laughing nearby.
"Look, that's my boyfriend, Lucas... Lucas, over here! Come here!"
Lucas really wanted to pretend he didn't hear her, but her voice was so loud. With so many people coming and going in the parking lot, if he didn't respond, she might start yelling that he was her husband.
Helpless, he shuffled over.
"Who's your boyfriend? Stop talking nonsense. I'm devoted to Rose and will be loyal to her for life."
It was only now that Sylvia's girl-friends finally recognized Lucas, and their faces instantly filled with surprise.
"Sylvia, your boyfriend is Lucas?"
"He's already engaged. Everyone in Su City knows he's engaged to the number one beauty here, and you're still with him?"
"What's going on? Is this guy two-timing?"
Lucas, afraid that his character persona would collapse, quickly defended himself. "I'm not! I already said I'm wholeheartedly devoted to my wife. I wouldn't even glance at another woman!"
To his dismay, those girlfriends looked even more offended after hearing that.
"So you're saying Sylvia is the one clinging to you?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Do you have any idea how popular Sylvia was abroad? Those noble heirs followed her around like puppies, dying to offer her their entire families. She didn't even bat an eye at them. Why would she be into you?"
Lucas thought, What does her popularity have to do with me? She was the one who called me over just now. Are you all deaf?
"If she's the one clinging to me, can't you just ask her?"
"There's no need to ask! We—"
Before they could finish, Sylvia interrupted them.
"It's true. I'm the one chasing him. I want him to be my boyfriend, and I don't care that he's already engaged. I'm still going to be with him."
With that, she even took the initiative to wrap her arms around Lucas's.
Lucas looked smug and glanced at her two girlfriends. "See? I wasn't lying, was I?"
[You still look down on me? What a joke. I may be a villain and a simp, but I'm still the young master of the Grey family. Who even knows which backwater clan you two come from? What right do you have to judge me?]
The girlfriends were completely dumbfounded by what they saw and heard.
Sylvia, who treated all noble heirs abroad like air and ignored every admirer and simp, was now throwing herself at a worthless playboy?
Was she insane?
The more Sylvia looked at Lucas's proud expression, the cuter she found him. She couldn't help but lean in and plant a kiss on his cheek.
"Hey, don't take advantage of me," Lucas said, quickly pushing her away.
But before he could say more, a familiar fragrance drifted over.
He turned his head and instantly felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him.
It was Rose.
"Ba—baby, let me explain. There's nothing between us. Just now, she—"
Before he could finish, Rose curved her lips into a smile. "You don't need to explain. I believe you."
Forehead!
She believed him that easily?
He didn't even believe himself.
When Sylvia saw Rose, the playful look on her face vanished, replaced by her usual cold and noble demeanor.
"Long time no see, Rose. You came to the banquet too?"
Rose answered coolly, "My fiancé is attending, so naturally I came with him."
Sylvia raised an eyebrow. "You're clinging to him that tightly? Be careful he doesn't get annoyed and sneak out to find someone else to relax with."
"Some men might do that," Rose replied, "but my man would never. Everyone in Su City knows how madly he loves me. What, Miss Morgan, haven't you heard?"
Lucas stood nearby, feeling like there was some strange tension crackling between the two women.
Were they… getting jealous over him?
No way.
That kind of plot only happens to the male lead. How could it happen to a villain like him? He needed to stop imagining things.
Then Sylvia said, "I haven't heard that. I only know Lucas and I get along great. We go swimming together, share secrets, attend auctions. When I need a massage, the first person I look for is Lucas. Have you ever tried his massages? They're incredibly relaxing."
Lucas's face turned red.
If he still couldn't tell that Sylvia was deliberately provoking Rose, he'd be an idiot.
"I didn't—"
Just as he tried to explain, Rose smiled and interrupted him. "Honey, from now on, can you not give massages to random women? Just massage me alone, okay?"
Without hesitation, Lucas nodded. "Okay, of course, no problem!"
[Who cares if it's true or not? Just agree first. Nothing matters more than maintaining my simp persona!]
Rose looked at Sylvia with satisfaction. "What a pity. The massage Lucas gave you last time will be the last one in your life. From now on, whenever I want a massage, I can have one. Let's go inside, honey."
Leaving behind those words that could make Sylvia explode with rage, Rose took Lucas's hand and walked with him into the banquet hall.
But the moment they stepped inside, Rose's expression changed.
She frowned and glared at Lucas. "You're really that close with Sylvia?"
"No, I've only seen her a few times. There's no way we're close."
[But honestly, Sylvia's been a bit much. I'm not the male lead. Why is she always clinging to me? I really don't get it.]
[And is there something wrong with her? She's always arguing with Yelena or fighting with my wife over me. She's not even my anything. I have no idea what she's thinking.]
[It's all David's fault. That so-called Northern God of War is useless. After finally mastering some god-tier martial art and returning for revenge, he's done nothing at all. One woman after another keeps slipping through his fingers. What a waste!]
Rose almost laughed hearing all of Lucas's grumbling.
So he really wasn't involved with Sylvia. In fact, he didn't even like her much.
That was enough.
She looked at Lucas's pitiful and aggrieved face, then suddenly leaned in and kissed his cheek.
A jolt of electricity shot through Lucas's body.
He was finding it harder and harder to resist Rose's teasing.
Especially now. He felt a strong urge to hug her tight and kiss her lips again.
But he held back.
Then he couldn't help but think, Come on, I'm her fiancé and a full-time simp. Why can't I kiss her?
Besides, she's already taken advantage of me more than once. Why shouldn't I get something in return?
The more he thought about it, the more indignant he felt. Lucas suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her into his embrace, and boldly kissed her on the lips.
Rose was startled. Realizing they were in a banquet hall with many people watching, she shyly pushed at his shoulders.
But Lucas was already lost in the kiss, his whole body tingling, kissing her deeply without restraint.
The two of them quickly got wrapped up in each other, completely ignoring everyone around them.
It wasn't until someone nearby cleared their throat loudly that Rose hurriedly pushed Lucas away, her face flushed as she stepped aside.
Lucas was panting, still tightly holding Rose's hand. He looked around in confusion.
Only then did he realize that Yelena had appeared beside them at some point and was watching him with a strange expression.
A moment later, Yelena gave him a meaningful glance.
Lucas turned to look—and instantly froze.
-End of Chapter 16-