Chapter 4

Upon hearing Stephen’s words, Liliana immediately put on a smile and followed him.

“Sir, is it possible to pay for overtime in advance?” Liliana quickly inquired. She thought it would be best to receive her payment early in case Stephen forgot to pay her later.

The corner of Stephen’s mouth curled up, forming a cold and slightly mocking smile. He spun around.

Liliana hadn’t expected Stephen’s sudden turn, and before she could retreat, she collided with his well-defined chest.

“If you want to gain someone’s trust and favor by attending such events, it’s still not too late to act. Or you can perform well, and you’ll receive a reward beyond your imagination,” Stephen’s voice was low and seductive, his dark eyes gleaming with a glint. He was tempting her with an irresistible offer. She liked money, so he would give her money, but if she wanted to get paid, she needed to make some sacrifices.

Liliana stared at Stephen’s handsome face from a very close distance, and she could smell the faint citrus scent emanating from him. It was quite intoxicating, and she couldn’t help but nod. In her mind, a vivid image of the night six years ago appeared.

Stephen saw Liliana nod, and his smile deepened. She was indeed a typical money-minded woman.

When Stephen took Liliana’s hand, she was startled. She wanted to pull her hand away, but she couldn’t compete with his strength.

“Sir, may I ask what my reward will be?” If he could enjoy her services, she wanted something in return. She didn’t want to leave her slender, precious hands empty.

Stephen raised an eyebrow, slightly furrowing his brow. This woman mentioned money in almost every sentence she spoke. He was a tall and handsome man, and everywhere he went, he was the center of attention. Yet, Liliana only saw money when she was with him. He had to admit that it was quite frustrating.

“It depends on your performance,” Stephen said, with a hint of temptation in his low voice. His dark eyes seemed to sparkle. “You’ll get rewarded beyond your imagination.”

Liliana widened her eyes and stared at Stephen, absorbing his words. She couldn’t believe her ears. What kind of reward was he talking about?

When Stephen mentioned her performance again, Liliana couldn’t help but feel her curiosity piqued. She wondered how she could impress him and reap the rewards.

With those words, Stephen turned and walked out, heading towards the car waiting in front of the building. He had ordered the driver to wait.

Liliana followed him from behind, still trying to process what was happening. She couldn’t understand Stephen’s intentions and was determined to find out more.

When they arrived at their destination, Liliana realized she had just entered a high-end luxury boutique. Stephen had her try on a tight-fitting red dress that was incredibly expensive. It showcased her slender figure, and the dress had pearls forming small flowers, giving off a radiant glow. Liliana had never worn such an exquisite and expensive dress in her life.

She felt like a princess in a fairy tale. This stunning dress was certainly a part of Stephen’s plan to win her over.

The dress fit her perfectly, making her look graceful and charming. It dazzled even the man next to her. This was the first time he had met a woman who could transform a piece of clothing into something so breathtaking.

“If you don’t want it, that’s fine,” Liliana said when Stephen didn’t comment on the dress. She thought he might not give it to her for free.

Stephen raised an eyebrow, and Liliana’s words didn’t escape his attention. He was fascinated by this woman, who seemed to talk about money in nearly every sentence. He had already noticed her personality, but he wanted to see her reaction. What he found intriguing was that she seemed to perceive things differently from others.

Looking at Stephen, Liliana assumed he didn’t want to give her the dress. She expected nothing for free.

Stephen’s eyes darkened, and he admired her adaptability to the situation. This was an interesting game, and he wondered how far she would go.

Saying nothing, Stephen continued to the car, leaving Liliana to follow. She couldn’t help but feel a mix of curiosity, anxiety, and excitement about what would happen next.

In the Waymont family mansion, Liliana obediently followed Stephen, silently cursing in her heart. What was this man trying to do by bringing her to his family’s house? She wasn’t part of his family.

At that moment, Liliana suddenly spotted a figure in front of her. It reminded her of a scene at the school where her daughter had pointed out a boy, and her son had liked his outfit. Curiosity got the better of her, and she wanted to glimpse this boy.

Seeing the tiny figure ahead, Stephen raised an eyebrow and called his son over.

Inside the dining room, there were three people seated in order: the Stephen’s father, Tom, his stepmother, Maria, and next to her was Cherry, the heiress of the Forest Group.

Upon Stephen’s entrance, Cherry was about to rush over, but then she suddenly noticed another woman behind him. Her face turned stony.

Liliana watched the scene before her and felt anxious. Apparently, Stephen had brought her here to meet his family. She couldn’t help but feel like she was a third wheel, ruining someone else’s happiness. She was anxious about the confrontation with Cherry, who seemed to question why another woman was present.

“Stephen, who is she?” Cherry’s voice was sharp and filled with dissatisfaction. In a moment, her father would arrive, and today was supposed to be the day they would decide on the engagement.

Stephen brushed off Cherry’s question and took Liliana’s hand, his eyes now filled with warmth.

Liliana was stunned by Stephen’s actions. She didn’t want to play this role and be caught up in his charade.

“I will not accept this engagement,” Stephen said.

Both women were taken aback.

Maria’s face darkened, and a hint of coldness flashed in the depths of her eyes. This engagement was essential not only for the Forest family but also for the Waymont family. Maria couldn’t allow this woman to ruin an excellent opportunity.

“Come over here and sit down!” Tom said coldly, with an air of authority in his voice. He would not allow Stephen to be so casually accompanied by another woman. Having fun with someone was one thing, but having a genuine relationship was a different matter.

Stephen led Liliana to sit down, and she complied, feeling tired from standing. She had not yet greeted Tom and Maria.

“A peasant woman who doesn’t understand etiquette. Even a simple greeting seems to be beyond her capabilities.” Maria’s disdainful voice was clear. She didn’t even consider the new woman in front of her. After all, the Waymont family would make sure she paid for disrupting their good news.

“Are you receiving guests like this? Is this what you call etiquette?” Liliana questioned, with no trace of anger. She had observed Stephen’s displeasure with the other women in the room. If she did this, would he reward her with more money?

Stephen furrowed his brow, and Liliana’s unexpected response pleased him. Her behavior exceeded his expectations.

Maria’s eyes shot daggers at Liliana as she had not expected this woman to be so quick-witted and sharp-tongued. She despised her even more.

“A lowly person is indeed a lowly person,” Cherry added, taking a step forward. Her eyes were cold, and her gaze on Liliana was filled with hostility. She was determined to make this woman pay dearly for trying to steal her man.