Chapter 5 A Chip on Her Shoulder

• "Lara, what has gotten into you?" Heather was utterly confused.
• However, Lara snorted disdainfully and said, "Nothing. Anyhow, never call me again, and don't go around telling people you know me!"
• "Are you in some kind of trouble? Why don't you tell me about it? We can figure it out!" Heather offered with worry.
• Lara's patience was wearing thin. "I'm completely fine. Stop thinking nonsense! By the way, I'm never going back to the apartment or that stupid company, and don't call me ever again. You annoy me!" With that, she hung up.
• Only after receiving Lara's inexplicable rant did Heather recall the call and texts from earlier that morning.
• With that, she slapped her forehead in irritation. She sure was swamped with work. So be it that she had forgotten all about it; she even acted so worriedly when Lara had already given her the cold shoulder that morning.
• She smiled wryly at that. Is there anyone more unfortunate than me?
• First, her virginity had been taken away, and now, her best friend had severed their friendship.
• Heather sniffled her nose, slightly upset, as she looked at her janky apartment. No one will be by anyone's side forever, no?
• On the other side, Lara had arrived at the Forger Family's Colemar Estate, and when she saw the shiny, golden Order of Merits hung on the foyer walls, she immediately had a gist of this Forger Young Master's secret identity.
• With that, she looked over at Peter with worry. "Is Young Master in the military?"
• Peter nodded but then shook his head as he smiled.
• However, Lara's face turned glum after she saw Peter's reaction.
• If the person she was to marry was a soldier, then it meant that she'd be a grass widow, wouldn't she!?
• Heavens, if she had known, she wouldn't have pretended to be Heather!
• Lara's gaze dimmed as she began feeling regretful.
• Peter, on the other hand, saw through Lara at one glance. With that, he explained, "Don't worry, Young Mistress Lara. Young Master will withdraw from service this year and direct his attention to the business world, taking over Forger Corporation!"
• "Really?" Lara's eyes lit up after Peter's explanation.
• Peter smiled dryly and nodded in response. However, he couldn't help wondering how Young Master Austin had taken a fancy to such a materialistic woman?!
• "Young Mistress Lara, do you sincerely want to be with the Young Master? If you have your hesitations, it's still not too late," Peter reminded with a smile.
• However, Lara answered without a doubt, "I will be his for the rest of my life!"
• "Okay! Since you've made up your mind to marry Young Master, Young Mistress Lara, he also mentioned that you can bring up any requests, and I'll see to it to my ability."
• Lara nearly laughed aloud, loving how Peter addressed her as Young Mistress.
• This was exactly the glamorous life she had been dreaming of! However… this was all supposed to be Heather's…
• As the thought crossed her mind, her gaze dimmed.
• After dinner, Heather cleaned up the kitchen, then grabbed her bag and headed out.
• She didn't have time for grocery shopping during the day, but the fridge was getting empty, so she decided to buy some fresh fruits at her local greengrocer.
• Now that Lara was no longer around, she'd have to come in and out of this rented apartment alone.
• Though she felt a little lonely, this was life; all things would eventually come to an end. She could live her life to the fullest on her own too.
• Inside the greengrocer, she picked a few fruits and headed to the cashier.
• Just when she was pulling out her wallet to make a payment, a slender arm had handed a hundred to the cashier.
• "Here's your fifty for change. Thank you, and please come again," the female cashier said with a smile as she handed the change to the person.
• Stumped, Heather looked up along the arm.
• "Miss, your boyfriend sure is good-looking!" the cashier praised with astonishment as she smiled at Heather before looking over at the guy next to her.
• This man was indeed good-looking!
• He was like a living embodiment of a Greek god with his chiseled face.
• The man was in an army suit, and his slender waist and long legs were to die for.
• More than that, he was a head and a half taller than Heather.
• "You—"
• "Come with me!"
• Austin grabbed Heather and took her out of the greengrocer without giving her a chance to speak.
• "Who are you?! Let go of me!"
• Heather tried to break her hand free from Austin's grasp while carrying her grocery bag with her free hand. However, he only continued to drag her forward. Too bad her strength was incomparable to him, or she wouldn't be dragged like this.
• Though it had only been less than 24 hours, it felt as though a decade had passed, and he had missed her badly.
• Clearly, Heather wasn't feeling the same, even wondering if this man was crazy!
• The hell, she didn't know this man at all!
• Just then, Austin stopped and turned around suddenly, leading Heather to jump right into his chest.
• Right as she looked up, he lowered his head to kiss her.
• His kiss was overbearing and assertive, and his wildly beating heart and erratic breathing rendered Heather's head blank.
• He smells very much like the guy from last night!