Chapter 1I Raised a Mad Dog Three Years Ago

Three years after breaking up with Asher Vance, his socialite mother tracked me down. She claimed he'd become a worthless degenerate and begged me to "save him."

I found him at a club, surrounded by sycophants as he flirted with girls.

He froze when he saw me—then sneered. "Want me back? Get on your knees first."

I slapped him hard.

Text suddenly scrolled across my vision:

[Is this side character insane? Slapping the male lead!]

[Our sweet heroine Claire would never act like this!]

[Disobedient women deserve to die!]

Asher's face burned red with rage...

Then he gritted out, "...Sorry."

The club fell silent.

They'd forgotten—three years ago, I'd trained this young master to be my most obedient dog.

* * *

The day Asher’s socialite mother found me, I was finalizing my plans to study abroad.

“Vera, please, I’m begging you. Go back to Asher and save him.”

We met at the same café as last time. She got straight to the point, squeezing out a few crocodile tears.

“Ever since you two broke up three years ago, he’s been spiraling. Now, he’s a completely degenerate heir who does nothing but party and waste his life away. That boy has been spoiled since birth. His father and I can’t get through to him at all. If he keeps going like this, he’ll be completely ruined!”

I stirred my coffee, listening to her entire speech before letting a small, amused smile touch my lips.

Because it was this same woman, in this same café, who had thrown a check at my face three years ago and demanded I leave Asher.

She had arrogantly called me a gold-digging nobody, unworthy of trying to control her son. That men were born to be on top of women. That I should spend less time social climbing and more time educating myself. That my poverty was a sin and he would be better off without me.

She conveniently forgot that it was because of me that Asher had managed to rein in his temper, graduate from college, and was preparing to take over the family business.

I looked up at Mrs. Vance, my expression no longer holding the fear and uncertainty of three years prior. It was replaced by a cool, mature composure.

“Alright,” I said. “I’ll do it.”

Before she could even smile, I delivered the second half of my sentence.

“But that comes with a different price tag. How long I stay by his side depends on how much you’re willing to pay. The moment the term is up, I’m gone.”

Mrs. Vance’s face turned a sickly green.

“Vera, how could you become so mercenary? You can’t put a price on matters of the heart! You’ve disappointed me so much!”

I didn’t waste another word. I stood up to leave.

Her expression shifted instantly. She scrambled to placate me, fawning and promising to wire the money immediately.

I chuckled softly.

Kindness gets you bullied. I learned that lesson three years ago.

That night, with a five-million-dollar deposit in my account, I found the club where Asher was holding court and pushed open the door to his private room.

The noise inside died instantly.

All eyes turned to me.