Chapter 9 A Complicated Relationship?

• Mike couldn't sit still anymore. "Uncle, what exactly did you mean by that?"
• Lucien lifted his gaze, a smile tugging at his lips—one that never quite reached his eyes. "What else could I have meant?"
• The air at the dining table carried an almost imperceptible tension among the elders, but to Violet, it was thick with gunpowder.
• Lucien wasn't even bothering to hide it anymore—he was blatantly competing with Mike for her.
• Old Mr. Davis still wore a pleasant smile. "Who wouldn't like Violet? She's outstanding and well-mannered. Mike, you'd better learn to cherish her."
• Mike gave a dull response.
• It wasn't that he didn't want to cherish her—Violet simply had no interest in him.
• Yet, the more he watched, the more convinced he became that there was something off between her and Lucien.
• After dinner, Old Mrs. Davis made a suggestion. "Violet, it's the weekend tomorrow, and you don't have to work. Why don't you and Lucien stay the night?"
• Violet quickly searched for an excuse. "Grandma Davis, I actually have to stop by the set tomorrow morning, so it's not very convenient…"
• Old Mrs. Davis immediately turned to Lucien. "Lucien, that's on you. How could you make your family work overtime? Cancel it."
• Lucien nodded politely. "As you wish."
• At that moment, Violet felt all her hopes shatter.
• Pleased, Old Mrs. Davis called for the butler. "It's settled then. The rooms on the third floor are all empty—take them up."
• With every step she took, Violet cursed Lucien in her mind.
• Third Floor
• At the top of the stairs, a spacious common lounge unfolded before them, complete with a refrigerator, sofas, and a coffee table.
• Violet's room was on the left, next to Mike's, while Lucien stayed alone on the right.
• Once the butler left, Lucien poured himself a glass of water and headed toward his room.
• Behind him, a faint sound caught his attention. As he entered, he caught a glimpse of the scene to his left—Mike blocking Violet's path, his tone almost pleading.
• "Violet, I need to talk to you."
• At the same time, Violet noticed the door on the right closing.
• She looked at Mike. "Give me the money first."
• Without hesitation, Mike handed her a check. Just as she was about to marvel at his uncharacteristic generosity, she realized—of course, he had an ulterior motive.
• Lingering at the doorway, Mike said, "Violet, I've seriously thought about what Grandpa said today. I think we can really make this work. As long as you're willing to be with me for real, I promise I'll never fool around again. You can have as much money as you want—just give it a chance."
• Violet couldn't help but laugh. "Did you get your head slammed in a door?"
• This was the same Mike who used to look down on her, who was never short of women by his side. And now he was saying this? What, had he decided to turn over a new leaf overnight?
• To her, he was just enjoying the thrill of throwing money around. Maybe he'd even been provoked by Lucien's words, and now his ego was acting up.
• Mike insisted, "I'm serious."
• "Why don't you ever believe me? If I didn't love you, why would I have let Grandpa arrange this engagement? But you're always so distant with me—I had to look for other women…" In his mind, he had already sacrificed so much for Violet.
• Violet let out a laugh.
• What a classic case of moral coercion!
• A scumbag acting like he had the moral high ground—what a joke.
• Her gaze turned icy. "I suggest you get lost before I start cursing you out. No one gives a damn about your so-called redemption. Don't pollute my sight."
• Without hesitation, she slammed the door shut, not caring whether Mike's foot was in the way.
• Mike, left outside, yelped in pain and hopped on one foot. Frustrated, he slammed his fist against the wall.
• There wasn't a single woman in this world that Mike couldn't get!
• As long as he refused to let go, no one could take her away from him!
• After washing up, Violet changed into her pajamas and lay down. A notification popped up on her phone—a friend request sent by Lucien half an hour ago. She hadn't noticed it earlier.
• Just as she was about to hit "decline," a knock sounded at the door.
• Assuming it was a servant bringing her fresh clothes, she grabbed her phone and went to open the door.
• Before she could register what was happening, a tall, broad-shouldered figure pressed in close. A large hand reached past her and effortlessly shut the door behind them.
• Violet's heart leaped to her throat. "You—what are you doing in my room? Get out!"
• Lucien backed her up against the cabinet, his arm wrapping tightly around her waist. His voice was low and demanding.
• "Why didn't you reply?"
• He had been going crazy wondering what Mike had said to her. He had sent her a message, but she never responded. He had agonized over it for half an hour before finally knocking on her door.
• Violet held up her phone, the screen still glowing. "I was taking a shower."
• Only then did Lucien notice her change of clothes—a white silk nightgown, smooth and soft, with a V-shaped neckline that exposed her fair skin, faintly tinged with a hazy pink.
• The delicate fabric pressed against his cold black dress shirt, heat building between them at an alarming rate.
• The scent of her bath lingered in the air, mingling with the warmth of their proximity. The thin silk clung to his shirt, as if the fabric barely existed, leaving only the sensation of each other.
• Lucien's gaze dropped to her phone screen. If he hadn't come, he would have received yet another friend request rejection.
• Unable to stop himself, he pulled her into his arms. "Don't refuse me. Don't push me away, okay?"
• With their height difference, the tight embrace completely buried Violet in his chest.
• Feeling suffocated, she struggled slightly. "Lucien, loosen up. I can't breathe."
• He relaxed his hold just a little, and she tilted her head up, gasping for air. The man in front of her, standing at an imposing 6'3", felt like an immovable mountain—no matter how she pushed, he didn't budge.
• She could feel his breath at the curve of her neck, his lips barely grazing her skin.
• "Baby, what did you two talk about?"
• Violet froze. It took her a moment to realize what he was asking. "If you want to know, go ask Mike. Why the hell did you come to my room?"
• Lucien's broad palm remained firmly at her waist, as if claiming her. "I only want to hear it from you. I want you to explain it to me."
• Violet felt a headache coming on.
• What even was their relationship now? Did she owe him an explanation?
• "Don't you think you're overstepping?"
• His voice was low and resolute. "I only care about you."
• Violet took a deep breath. "But I have no obligation to satisfy your possessiveness."
• She and Mike were only engaged in name, never interfering in each other's affairs.
• Yet being alone in a room with Lucien like this—her ex-boyfriend, her uncle-in-law—sent a forbidden thrill through her veins.
• Suddenly, a knock came from behind the door, making Violet tense up.
• "Violet, you're still awake, right? Grandma wants to talk to you~"