Truly Shameless

Lucian shot her a puzzled look.

"I didn't know Ms. Valerie was keeping track."

Valerie chose to respond with silence.

Lucian then brought up.

"That wound— did you perhaps get beaten up?" Amusement laced his tone.

Ignoring his words again, she changed the topic.

"Give me some time. I will personally break the engagement between us two," Valerie solemnly vocalized. Knowing Rye, Lucian was definitely forced into it, and she didn't wish for him to do anything against his will.

"You will?"

"What Rye did was wrong, and I apologize in her place. Time can't be turned back, and it wouldn't reflect well on you if the engagement is suddenly broken down. All I can do is compensate you for it."

With that, Valerie pushed a folder towards Lucian.

Lucian opened up the folder. There were contracts for drama roles and ambassador of international brands. Each of them were attractive. Although Lucian didn't lack resources, he did enjoy good contracts.

"Aren't you too insincere, Ms. Valerie? I would have been able to get these with my own abilities," he pointed out.

"Then, what do you want?"

"We will get to that later. For now, I have questions."

"Keep them within yourself," Valerie voiced out.

"And what if I accidentally spilled the beans? I am sure there is a reason why the existence of Rye is a secret."

Valerie who was about to cut into the steak paused her motion and raised her head to look at him. Faint signs of displeasure could be seen in her eyes.

"From when did Rye come into existence?"

"No idea. She was there for a long time," Valerie cryptically answered. However, that did contain the truth. She couldn't pinpoint the time when Rye first emerged.

"And the one I knew? Who was she? Rye or Valerie?" Lucian's voice turned solemn as he looked at Valerie with his sharp eyes, trying to read her. Other than flinching slightly, she barely gave away anything.

As expected from Valerie.

"It was Rye," Valerie answered.

"Oh? Are you being honest?"

Valerie paused before nodding.

"I don't see you like Rye."

Even though this would mislead Lucian, this was the truth. While Rye saw Lucian as hers, Valerie didn't. She saw him as someone precious she should protect, not own.

"Then, what do you see me as? What am I to you?"

Lucian's eyes stared at Valerie's, and the atmosphere was tense.

"A responsibility."

A responsibility?

That was indeed a funny answer, and it was cold at the same time. Lucian did understand her words. Because Rye wanted to keep on messing with him, Valerie considered him to be a responsibility.

At the same time, she most likely considered him go be a bother. After all, she was the type person who wished to have it all under control. It was most likely due to Rye she didn't want to go through this engagement that will bring her benefits.

"Then, you should hate me."

Having to take on such a responsibility after all.

"I don't," she responded.

She never could. Everything was her fault after all.

"What about me? Do you think I should hate you?"

Should he? Of course, he should. Although she was shameless enough to separate herself from Rye, it didn't change the fact she ruined his life.

"If you wish to," Valerie answered. In the end, it was too much for her to ask him to hate her.

"And what if I want to destroy Rye?" The look in Lucian's eyes turned dangerous.

"Go ahead."

Talking to Valerie can get frustrating. This wasn't the first time he realized it. Nonetheless, his opinion didn't change. Her indifference was really bothersome.

Did she really not care about what he might do or could it be that she didn't consider him a threat?

She then added, "Don't bite off more than you can chew."

Of course, it had to be the latter.

"Rye is mentally unstable and dangerous. She considers you to be her belonging and would destroy you if it means that you would be hers," Valerie advised.

It was strange to see Valerie talk of Rye as a separate individual. He didn't delve into psychology, so he doesn't know much about it. There was distaste mixed with a hint of slight fear in her tone.

This only made him more curious.

What he did notice is that Valerie didn't include herself. If he tried to do anything to Rye or Rye did anything to him, surely she would be equally involved yet she talked as though she was a bystander.

Maybe this was her roundabout way of talking about this. She wanted him to stay away, so that he didn't provoke Rye.

"She will do worse to you than what happened in that year," Valerie warned.

Lucian stiffened, and his jaw clenched before he curled up his lips to form a seemingly evil smile.

"And what did she did to me that year, what if I give a taste of that? What will you do, Valerie?"

Valerie gave no response and stared down at her food.

What would she do?

Of course, nothing.

After all, back then, there was no Rye. It was her who did everything and now deceived Lucian just because she couldn't tolerate him looking at her in hate. She ruined him yet she had the audacity to act innocent before him.

She was truly shameless.

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