“Honestly, I was just as surprised as Lily was,” I thought to myself.

Nathan promised he’d be with someone else two years ago, but now he’s back trying to flirt with me. Is he trying to be like Jared and juggle multiple women at once?

Maybe this whole ‘wanting everything at once’ thing is just hardwired into guys. If it weren’t for the law, they’d probably be living like ancient men – three wives, four concubines, and a house full of beauties.

Lily stared at me, her eyes still full of pleading, like I was some blinding obstacle ruining her plans.

I forced myself to chill out and reflect. ‘Honestly, when I was with Nathan, I had no clue about any of his secrets.’

‘I didn’t do anything wrong. He’s the one who hid that he promised to marry another woman. This is all on him.’

“Victoria, I know you just got divorced, and finding a guy as great as my brother isn’t easy,” Lily said.

“I heard your ex-husband was pretty successful too, giving you a comfortable life. I get it if you want to marry my brother to keep that lifestyle going.”

Lily took a deep breath and went on, “But you need to understand… the Chancellor family is my brother’s biggest backer. Without their investment, he wouldn’t have gotten his business to where it is today.”

I looked at her coldly, unmoved. I already knew exactly what she was getting at.

But if she thought I was hanging onto Nathan like a lifeline just because I couldn’t get remarried after my divorce, she's got it all wrong.

“Thanks for letting me know all this. I’ll sort things out with Nathan myself,” I said, getting to my feet. I had no interest in continuing the conversation.

‘Is Lily really pretending she’s not just looking out for herself?’ I thought.

Lily’s loyalty was obviously with Miss Chancellor. No matter how Nathan felt about me, she’d always want him to end up with Miss Chancellor.

In Lily’s mind, none of what I had to offer mattered at all.

People always look out for themselves. I get it.

“Victoria, are you mad?” Lily asked, jumping up as I started to leave. “Are you going to tell my brother about this?”

I gave her a calm smile. “You came to talk to me behind his back, knowing he’d get mad, and now you’re worried about what I might say?”

Lily’s face turned bright red, and she nervously twisted her fingers. “I’m honestly pretty scared of my brother. I’m still counting on him to help me with my career. Victoria, please don’t tell him about this, okay?”

I had to hand it to her – Lily was sharp and shameless, bold enough to say and do whatever it took for her own interests, and now she was even begging me not to snitch.

“If I don’t talk things out with Nathan, how am I supposed to break up with him? Or do you want me to throw a tantrum and play the villain?” I said. ‘She can’t expect to have all the benefits to herself,' I thought.

Lily was completely shut down, just blinking her hazel eyes, speechless.

I shot her a cold look. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-one,” she said.

“Then act like it. Time to own up to your choices. You want me to break up with him? Fine – but you’ll have to deal with whatever he throws your way.” With that, I grabbed my bag and strode out.

It’s not like I was in love with Nathan or anything. We were just in that getting-to-know-each-other, mutual crush phase.

Sure, pushing away someone you like might hurt for a few days, but honestly, after what he did, a few days of feeling down is nothing.

I was even considering buying some Hayes Corp stock before, but now? Yeah, that’s not happening.

Money’s not exactly an issue for me right now, and with work picking up, I’ll be earning even more soon.

I’ve never been the type with endless desires or ambitions I can’t satisfy.

Honestly, my biggest wish right now is pretty simple: financial freedom, plenty of time, and family by my side. I want to stay healthy, enjoy life, and travel the world while I’m still young and full of energy. And if I happen to find someone special to share it all with, well, that would just make everything even sweeter.