Chapter 2The CEO Who Bled Me Dry is a Wreck After My Rebirth, While I'm Holding Hands with a Supermodel

Once they were gone, I pulled a prepared envelope from the nightstand and handed it to the model. "Thank you for your trouble. Here's a bonus."

As she took the money, she leaned in close, her perfume a subtle, alluring cloud. "Mr. Logan, if you ever need my services again… call me."

The door clicked shut behind her, and I let out a long breath.

The sun streamed through the window. I greedily inhaled the sterile, antiseptic air—the scent of being alive.

In my last life, in this very room, I had signed the marriage certificate in my amnesiac state. I had even willingly handed over all my shares in the Logan Corporation to Victoria.

This time, I would not repeat my mistakes.

My phone vibrated. I answered.

"Thomas," my mother's voice was hesitant. "The Thorne family from Capital City paid us a visit today. They… they want to propose a marriage alliance. Would you be willing to reconsider?"

I gripped the phone tightly.

My mother had brought this up in my last life, too. I had rejected it on the spot.

"I know all you can think about is that Frost girl," she had said, "but you can't force love, darling. I just want you to find someone better."

"Who said I like Victoria Frost?" I let out a light laugh. "Mom, our rivalry has always been about business. Nothing more."

On the other end of the line, my mother sounded surprised.

"I agree to the alliance with the Thornes," I said, my voice calm. "Their family has an impeccable reputation. They are the most suitable match."

"Really?" My mother's voice was suddenly buoyant. "The Thorne heiress might be a bit cold, but she's leagues better than that Frost girl! I have to go tell your father!"

After hanging up, I stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.

The Thornes were undoubtedly the better choice. They were not just an old-money dynasty with deep roots in the capital, but more importantly, I remembered clearly: in my past life, Thorne Industries was the only company that continued to support the Logan Corporation even under the immense pressure of a hostile takeover by the Frosts.

A week later, I attended a high-end auction for my mother's birthday. I'd barely walked in when I saw Victoria holding Leo's hand, the two of them inseparable.

Leo’s eyes fell on my custom-tailored suit, a flicker of envy flashing in their depths.

"Interesting," Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Following me now, Thomas? How pathetic."

"Don't flatter yourself. It's a coincidence." I turned to leave, but she grabbed my wrist.

"There's a limit to playing hard to get," she hissed. "You think this will get my attention?"

I shook her off. "Miss Frost, you think far too highly of yourself."

Once the auction started, every item I showed interest in, Leo would immediately raise his paddle. Victoria took it even further, tripling the price on a particular antique vase.

"Five million!" she declared, looking at me with open provocation. "Is Mr. Logan going to bid higher?"

A murmur went through the crowd. The vase wasn't worth half that.

I gently set down my paddle, stood up, and left.

My phone buzzed with a message.

If you want to marry into the Frost family, you learn to heel. Right now, you're not even fit to be my boy-toy.

I stared at the screen for two seconds before permanently blocking the number.

A few days later, I ran into her again at a luxury department store.

Leo's eyes lit up at the sight of a pair of leather shoes I was holding.

Victoria immediately understood. "You want them, Leo? I'll buy them for you."

The store clerk intervened. "Ma'am, I do apologize. This particular pair was a limited edition, custom-ordered by Mr. Logan three months ago. It's the only one in the entire city…"

"I said," Victoria's voice rose, her gaze sharp as daggers, "I want those shoes. Now."

I slapped my black card down on the counter. "First come, first served. Does Miss Frost not understand the most basic of rules?"

Victoria yanked my wrist, her nails digging into my skin. "Thomas Logan, must you always oppose me?" she seethed. "The more you do this, the more pathetic you look. If you want to marry me, just say so. Stop with these childish games."

I pulled my hand back forcefully. "You really do think too highly of yourself."

I turned to the clerk. "Please wrap them up for me now."

The clerk timidly took my card. Victoria's face turned impossibly dark.

Seeing this, Leo quickly clung to her arm. "Victoria, let's just go. I don't want them anymore…"

"No." Victoria snatched the shoe box as the clerk was wrapping it. "In Cresthaven, there is nothing Victoria Frost can't have!"

With that, she dragged Leo away without a backward glance.