Chapter 4I Raised a Mad Dog Three Years Ago

“All of you, get out!”

When Asher gave an order, no one dared to disobey.

Everyone except Claire scrambled out of the room, tripping over each other in their haste.

The gossip about the young master getting slapped would probably be all over their social circle before long.

Seeing that I wasn’t leaving, Claire frowned.

“Miss, please leave! Didn’t you hear Mr. Vance? Can’t you show a little basic courtesy, or did you really drop out of high school?”

Asher, dizzy with anger, snapped, “I was talking to you. Get out. Now.”

Claire froze, her face crumpling as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Though they weren't officially together, it was clear she had already cast herself in the role of Asher’s girlfriend.

She shot me a resentful glare, the kind you give the other woman, before running out of the room crying, her retreating figure like a fragile white flower.

Nice. Very delicate.

Too bad Asher was completely immune to such charms. He didn’t even glance her way.

[What is the male lead doing?! How could he kick out his future wife? Shouldn’t he have yelled at the side character and comforted her?!]

[This has nothing to do with the side character. It’s definitely because our girl said a few extra words to the second male lead yesterday, and our male lead saw and got jealous.]

[Our male lead is such a little jealous baby! I hope he figures out his feelings soon and makes it up to Claire!]

[But I’m still a little mad that he’s using the side character to make Claire jealous. Ugh, is he really letting this bitch get away with it?]

[Don’t worry, our male lead knows what he’s doing. He would never let the side character touch a hair on his head. This is all just an act.]

After enjoying their ridiculous mental gymnastics, I sat down across from Asher.

“Your taste has changed?”

Asher looked at me mournfully, ignoring my question. “Weren’t you going abroad? What are you doing here?”

I raised an eyebrow. “How did you know I was going abroad?”

Asher was speechless. “I…”

“Paying such close attention to me… you’re not still in love with me, are you?”

I leaned forward, my gaze invasive.

The familiar pressure washed over him. Asher instinctively looked away, the tips of his ears turning red, but his mouth was still stubborn.

“Who’s in love with you? That’s hilarious. It’s been 1,186 days. I’ve already forgotten all about you!”

A smirk played on my lips as I stood up.

“Alright. Well, I forgot to tell you, I moved my things back into the apartment we used to live in. Since you’re not interested, I guess I’ll just have to live there by myself.”

Asher shot to his feet, his expression a complex mix of emotions. “You never ended the lease on that place? For three years?”

I gave him a meaningful look without saying a word and pushed open the door to leave.

He started yelping behind me like a desperate puppy.

“Hey, hey! We can talk about this, don’t be in such a rush to leave! I never said I wouldn’t go! Dammit, you abandoned me for three years, can’t you at least pretend to beg me a little? Vera, get back here!”

The corners of my mouth lifted. I leaned against the wall outside and lit a cigarette.

After my foster mother passed away, I’d picked up the habit of having one occasionally.

I watched the smoke curl slowly upwards, listening to Asher’s soft, excited muttering from inside the room.

“Thank you, God, Jesus, Mary, and all the saints, she really came back for me…”

I lowered my eyes, hiding the look in them.

You fool.

It wasn’t a god who answered your prayers.

It was your mother’s money.