Chapter 1 Encountering The Ex

City B, neon lights illuminated the night. A black car sped down the rain-soaked road as the drizzle pattered against the windows, mixing with the heavy breathing and the wet sounds of lips and tongues entwined inside. In the backseat, a man and a woman kissed passionately, their clothes in disarray. Soft, breathy moans spilled from the woman's lips. "Slow down, Mr. Mike~ Your girlfriend is still in the front seat~" Mike Davis deliberately glanced at the driver's seat, his voice filled with contempt. "Don't mind her, baby." In the car's rearview mirror, a pair of cold, indifferent eyes were reflected. Violet White gripped the steering wheel, watching the scene unfold through the mirror. Her delicate features remained distant and impassive. The couple fooling around right in front of her? Her fiance and her oh-so-sweet cousin. And her role at this moment? A chauffeur, apparently. A chauffeur's duty was to drive these two lust-driven creatures to a hotel so they could indulge themselves to the fullest. Violet withdrew her gaze and lifted her eyes slightly. Up ahead, an enormous LED screen in the city center was broadcasting the latest financial news. The instant she caught sight of the news, her mind went blank. The car veered out of control and swerved straight into oncoming traffic! "Bang—!" In a flash of sparks and screeching metal, the two vehicles collided and came to a sudden halt. In the backseat, the couple's lips and teeth clashed, leaving them wincing in pain. Fuming at the interruption, Mike shoved the girl off him and erupted in a fit of curses. "Violet! What the fuck kind of driving was that?!" Violet gripped the steering wheel tightly and lifted her eyes, squinting against the blinding headlights. The black luxury car in front had a dented hood, but the gleaming Spirit of Ecstasy emblem remained dazzling. Mike instantly realized they were in deep trouble. His rage flared to the extreme. "Fuck! You're completely screwed now!" Violet struggled to sit up, forced the door open, and climbed out of the car. Bracing herself against the door, she steadied her footing just in time to see the Rolls-Royce's door swing open a few meters away. A polished leather shoe stepped onto the rain-slick pavement. Her gaze trailed upward—immaculate tailored suit, tie, lapel pin. Under the dim streetlights, the drizzle slanted in the night air. A tall, imposing man emerged from the car, his suit perfectly pressed. Raindrops clung to his broad shoulders and golden hair, casting a faint misty sheen. He casually raised a black umbrella and strode toward her, his noble aura unmistakable. As the distance between them closed, his rain-blurred features gradually became clearer, imprinting themselves in Violet's pupils with a haunting familiarity. Sharp, chiseled jawline. A high, straight nose. Strong brows exuded an intimidating presence. His blue eyes were icy and piercing. A leather-gloved hand gripped the umbrella, and on his fair wrist, a single red string was wrapped around it. He was refined yet dangerous. A bone-deep sense of oppression engulfed her. Violet's slender frame stiffened. The man who had just appeared on the financial news moments ago was now standing right in front of her. Country A's rising financial tycoon. The heir of City B's prestigious research family. Lucien Jones. Her ex-boyfriend. Mike stood there, frozen in shock, the smudge of lipstick on his lips still visible. "Uncle? Why are you back?" Violet's lashes quivered at the unexpected title. Then, Mike quickly ran up to Lucien, flashing a friendly smile. "Uncle, why didn't you tell me you were coming back? I could've picked you up at the airport. Now, look at this mess—just a silly misunderstanding!" "That's my fiancee, Violet White! Her driving is absolute garbage! Uncle, you're not hurt, are you?" Mike asked with concern. As he approached, Lucien with frost-like eyes furrowed his brows slightly and spoke in a cold voice. "Get lost." Mike immediately nodded along. "Got it! I'll make her leave right now!" Hearing that, Violet, who had remained silent the entire time, slowly loosened the tight grip of her fingers. A quiet breath of relief escaped her. As long as he was fine. Maybe after three years, Lucien had already forgotten about her… But in the next moment, Lucien's gaze shifted to the much shorter Mike. His voice wasn't loud, but the weight of it pressed down like a mountain. "I meant you." Mike's grin froze in place. He watched as Lucien lifted his gaze, his thin eyelids slightly raising. His eyes finally settled on Violet, standing in the drizzle. His voice was deep and deliberate, each word crisp and clear. "She stays." Violet stiffened at his command. The moment Mike heard that his uncle wanted Violet to stay, he wasted no time shifting the blame. "Violet, my uncle's car isn't cheap. You caused this mess, so you figure it out yourself!" With that, he grabbed his tangled-up little lover from the backseat and hailed a cab without a second glance, leaving her alone on the road. The spring night breeze lifted strands of Violet's hair, and raindrops clung to her curled lashes. The man holding the umbrella stood before her, so close she could hear his breath. Her gaze, unable to dodge in time, met his midair. Lucien's pupils were as blue as the sea. The three years had refined his features into something even sharper and more striking. His tailored suit accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, exuding a mature, restrained sensuality that seemed ready to burst from the crisp fabric with each subtle movement of his Adam's apple. She swallowed involuntarily. Damn, he still looked ridiculously good. Lucien's well-defined fingers gripped the umbrella handle tightly, as if letting go even slightly would cause the umbrella to tilt instinctively toward her. He hated her. Hated her to the core. So why the hell would he shield her from the rain? His gaze darkened as he stared at her, the faint curve of his thin lips carrying an unreadable depth. His voice was unhurried, yet laced with something deeper. "Did you miss me… my ex-girlfriend?" Violet found the title mocking, but it wasn't inaccurate. They had dated in college, but it hadn't lasted long. She had been the one to dump him. Of course, resentment was inevitable. She inclined her head slightly, cutting straight to the point. "Mr. Lucien, the accident was my fault. I apologize for the trouble I've caused you." Hearing how she addressed him, a glint of amusement flickered in Lucien's eyes. Mr. Lucien? Now that was new. So distant, so formal. But at least she hadn't erased him completely from her memory. He stepped closer, his broad black umbrella—whether intentionally or not—tilting ever so slightly to shield her from the rain. His fox-like eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief as he studied her. His long fingers clenched imperceptibly, his throat bobbing as his deep voice rolled out with precise clarity. "An apology isn't enough. You… are going to take full responsibility for me."