As soon as Cayden saw Lilian coming out of the private room, he quickly stepped forward, his eyes filled with worry. He moved aside to let her pass, then walked beside her toward the Rolls‑Royce Sweptail. Gentlemanly, he opened the co‑pilot's door, placing his palm lightly above her head to prevent it from hitting the roof. Lilian slipped inside, and Cayden closed the door before circling around to sit beside her.
He looked at her calmly, his face leaning closer as though he were about to kiss her. Lilian tensed, her heart pounding in her chest. She held her breath, instinctively closing her eyes, but she did not move away.
Seeing her like this, Cayden's heart skipped. His gaze lingered hungrily on her pink, plump lips, his Adam's apple rolling several times. But instead of kissing her, he quickly reached forward, buckled her seat belt, then leaned back heavily against his seat. Exhausted, he closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
Only then did Lilian realize he had only been trying to help her buckle up. Embarrassment flooded her. Why did I overreact? she thought. Worse, she hadn't even tried to reject him. Did that mean she was too pushy, too easily accepting his advances? Anger at herself rose, and she regretted her behavior.
Cayden noticed her discomfort. Gently, he soothed the back of her hand. "I'm sorry," he said softly.
Lilian raised her brow, expecting more. Cayden met her gaze. "It was my fault. I was carried away… I almost kissed you."
Her face flushed red as a tomato. Shyly frowning, she scolded, "Derek, what are you thinking? If you keep saying this, I'll ignore you."
Cayden quickly raised his hands in surrender. "It's my fault. I'm sorry. I won't say it again. Please don't ignore me."
Lilian couldn't pretend to be angry anymore. She burst out laughing, covering her lips with her palm to stifle the sound.
Cayden sighed in relief, smiling as the awkwardness faded. He started the car and drove away.
---
Not far away, Perry had been watching. He saw Derek lean close to Lilian, saw her laugh happily, and watched them drive away together. His heart twisted with regret.
He realized too late how much he loved her. He had been too confident, believing no one could take her away, believing she could never escape his grasp. If only he had expressed his feelings earlier, treated her with respect, perhaps she might have loved him back.
Now she hated him.
The thought suffocated him. Pain stabbed his chest, and he clutched it, his face contorting.
Just then, a melodious voice sounded behind him. "Excuse me."
Perry frowned, turning to see a beautiful, enchanting woman. She looked almost the same age as Lilian—perhaps two or three years older. She was fairer, with long, wavy silver hair and light brown eyes. She smiled, stretching out her hand.
"I'm Nina Oakley. You must be Perry Jerome."
Perry wasn't surprised, but irritation flared. He felt she was noisy, unnecessary. "Get out of sight!" he barked.
Nina quivered for a moment, then smiled calmly, watching him head toward his car.
"I have a way to get Lilian Asienwegher back to you!" she called boldly.
Perry froze, his hand hovering over the car door. Slowly, he turned back, taking deliberate steps toward her. Nina mirrored his movement, continuing confidently.
"I know you're rich and powerful. But Lilian is well protected. You'll never get close to her. Still, you can make her come to you willingly."
---
Perry's eyes lit up. It sounded too sweet to believe, but he wanted to believe it. He scrutinized Nina suspiciously, snorting. "What do you want? And why should I believe you?"
Nina remained calm, crossing her arms confidently. "What I want is Derek Russell—just as you want Lilian Asienwegher. The only way to get my man back is if Lilian is out of his life. And you're the only one who can fight Derek once she's in your hands. Isn't that enough reason for us to work together? Whether you believe me is your choice."
She shrugged, turning to leave.
"Wait!" Perry called.
He realized they were in the same boat. If she truly had a plan, it could be useful.
"So how do you plan to achieve that?" he asked.
Nina sighed in relief, smiling calmly. "Can we sit somewhere else and talk?"
Perry nodded. Together, they walked into a private room.
---
Nina looked at him seriously. "Based on the information I read about Miss Asienwegher, she just turned twenty‑two last week."
Perry nodded. He remembered—it had been three days before her birthday when he came to Atherton. He had sincerely wished to celebrate her birthday in a grand way.
Nina took a deep breath. "But the most important part of her life is that she has never had a true friend—except a cousin who betrayed her and sold her to you."
Perry studied the woman before him. She was not simple. His kind‑hearted Lilian could never match her cunning.
Nina continued, unfazed. "Now she has a very good friend whom she loves and treats like a sister. And as kind‑hearted as Lilian is, she won't sit back and watch you harm her only friend. Even if it means sacrificing herself, she will do it to save her friend. Am I right?"
Perry's eyes sparkled. He smiled, nodding. "Yes. You're absolutely right."
They shook hands, snapping their fingers together.
"Deal!" they said in unison, smiling impressively.
"That's my Lilian," Perry thought. "She would sacrifice even for her enemy rather than save herself."
Soon, Perry burst out laughing. He made a toast to Nina.
The hotel staff brought the most expensive wine. Perry raised his goblet, Nina doing the same.
"For happy cooperation," Perry said.
"For a successful cooperation," Nina replied.
Their glasses clinked, and they drank in one gulp.