Chapter 3The Sugar Daddy's Unintended Detour

"Don't you know how to say a few nice words to coax me?"

The man's sudden, aggrieved complaint snapped me back to reality.

I stared at him blankly.

I had no idea why he needed coaxing.

But my mouth moved faster than my brain.

A basketful of compliments poured out.

"Mr. Sterling, it's so weird! Even with my anti-addiction system fully activated, I still fell for you!

"You look incredibly handsome from this angle! Hold on, let me take a picture of you!"

These were lines I had specifically learned online to flatter men with high emotional intelligence.

Arthur seemed to like them.

Every time I praised him like that, he stopped being mad at me.

I skillfully pulled out my phone, ready to take his picture.

But a message from Leo popped up on the screen.

[Mia is back. How much longer do you plan on taking up her spot?]

It felt like fine silk threads were tugging at my heart, bringing a wave of unidentified pain.

Mia was Arthur's arranged childhood fiancée.

They were supposed to get married three years ago, but Mia refused and ran off abroad.

Leo said Arthur wanted to go after her, but his male pride wouldn't let him. So, he ended up keeping me—someone who looked a bit like Mia—as a mistress instead.

Yes, I was also a stand-in.

Arthur noticed my sudden stillness.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. My family just messaged me asking when I'd arrive."

I made up an excuse, raised my phone, and casually snapped a picture of him. I praised him with absolutely zero emotion: "Wow! Even a candid shot looks this handsome! Can I use this as my lock screen?"

Arthur coughed lightly and gave a nonchalant, two-word reply.

"Up to you."

If you're going to put on a show, you have to go all the way.

After changing my lock screen, I stared blankly at the increasingly barren landscape passing by the window.

I momentarily forgot to tell him to stop at the village entrance.