Oh so domineering, I love it.

I quickly put my phone away, stood up, and downed my coffee in one gulp. "I'll call you later. Duty calls – Master Brad awaits~"

Back at the luxurious villa Brad bought me, he was working on the couch. I leaned against the doorframe, silently admiring his chiseled features.

In my past life, we met by chance after college. The next day, he had me brought to his home.

I thought he was captivated by my beauty, unable to resist.

Little did I know, it was because I resembled his first love who went overseas.

At first, I refused to comply.

Who did he think he was, snatching me up like that?

Then he handed me a black Amex.

Just like that, this small-town girl with nothing but good looks, who dreamed of rolling in dough, fell hard.

But on one condition: we had to date. I wouldn't be just another sugar baby.

Just as I braced myself to chase my dreams, Brad only wanted to Netflix and chill.

It was a win-win. I wasn't complaining.

Then Anne appeared, telling me I was the side chick, just a stand-in for Brad's lost love.

Young and proud, I broke things off with Brad.

He froze all my assets, and in a fit of anger, I ran away...

Only to get hit by a truck.

An untimely death.

What was the point of my stubbornness? It only let Anne succeed.

Not just proud, but stupid too!

Change your perspective, and suddenly the world's your oyster.

The other woman? As if.

I'm Brad's little pet, living it up in a golden cage, there for him to cuddle when the mood strikes!

I know my place in his heart.

"Come here." I looked up. Brad had noticed me, still writing as he spoke.

I obediently walked over.

Brad handed me a piece of paper, speaking tiredly, "Give me a hug."

I looked down, my eyes lighting up.

A check!

I glanced at the amount.

$100,000!

I reached out, then paused. Two seconds later, I painfully pushed the check back.

I leaned into his open arms. "Today it's free! This one's on me!"

As Master Brad's pet, I've been quite unprofessional.

How could I let him wait for me at home?!

I felt his embrace stiffen.

Too tired from work today?

Brad always finds me when he's uncomfortable or in a bad mood.

Hugging me, kissing me, it's like his personal way to recharge.

$100,000 for a hug, far above market price. Seems his mood is really off today.

Being a good pet, I patted his back comfortingly.

Brad's chest vibrated slightly. "What's with the sudden obedience?"

I panicked.

This is what your dear pet should do!

Before, I'd take his money but act reluctant, wanting it both ways.

Looking back, my attitude was terrible!

I was so ungrateful!

Who wouldn't love a man with money, looks, and a great body, who loves his work, comes home only once a month, and satisfies you completely each time?

As we continued hugging, Brad's head tilted and fell onto my shoulder. He had fallen asleep.

Dark circles shadowed Brad's eyes, and the butler beside us looked heartbroken. "Miss Harper, the young master only sleeps this well when he's with you."

Huh?

I tentatively put on a similarly concerned expression, gazing at Brad with deep affection.

The butler's face immediately softened with relief.

Being a pet isn't as easy as it looks!

Of course, this position belongs to the most capable.

I hadn't forgotten that Anne was still eyeing my spot hungrily.

So there I was, serving as Brad's human pillow while I idly played with my phone.

Suddenly, a few messages popped up on my phone.

"Darling, I made your favorite dish today."

What's this about?

A second later, the messages were frantically deleted.

Then, Brad's phone screen suddenly lit up.

Did she send it to the wrong person?

What a scatterbrain.

I snickered and typed, "What did you just send? I was busy and didn't see it."

The other side typed and deleted, typed and deleted, rapidly responding in the chat box.

"Are you at home? Nothing happened with Brad, right?"

Testing me.

"I confronted him about breaking up, but he's locked me in the house and won't let me leave!"

"Oh my God! How could he do that to you? That's terrible!"

"Miss Harper, don't be afraid. I'll help you!"

Anne fired off a few messages.

It was all about how to make Brad angry, how to disappoint him, how to make him lose patience—poisonous schemes.

Reading through these, it's clear Anne doesn't want me by Brad's side!

"I have a brother who's a great guy. How about he takes you away first to lay low for a while?"

My eyes narrowed as I typed, "Really? I'm new to the city and don't know anyone. If your brother is willing to help, that would be amazing!"

"Great, the day after tomorrow at 8 PM, meet at the city harbor. My brother will be waiting for you there."

"Okay, but what about you? Aren't you coming with us?"

The other side started typing rapidly in the chat box again.

A few seconds later, "I'll be fine. My family has some connections, so Brad won't give me trouble."

Oh ho, some connections.

You mean that crippling factory that is going to bankrupt?

Who are you trying to fool?

"That's a relief then."

In my past life, I nervously snuck out to that harbor behind Brad's back. The man she said would meet me was just a thug she'd paid.

As soon as we met, he started pawing at me.

In the end, he tried to force himself on me.

Later, Brad discovered I was missing and brought people to the harbor just in time to save me.

In the chaos, I stole the thug's car keys.

With my terrible driving, I didn't make it far before crashing into a truck.

Remembering how cruel Anne was to me before, I clenched my jaw.

This time, I'll definitely cling tight to Brad and make her pay.

---

The curtains were suddenly yanked open, and sunlight flooded in, dazzling my eyes.

I squinted, about to grumble, when I remembered only Brad dared to enter my room.

I immediately put on my best smile, showing all eight teeth.

Fawningly, I said, "Young master, did you sleep well last night?"

Brad turned and glanced at me.

As a perceptive lapdog, I immediately sensed something was off with Brad.

I was about to say something when my phone notification rang out in the room.

“Bank Transfer: 50,000 dollars.”

Now that's a big shot with style. Even in a bad mood, he pays bonuses on time.

Giving what he should, never skimping.

My face hurt from smiling so hard.

"Thank you, young master."

Unexpectedly, as soon as I spoke, Brad's face darkened further. "You seem quite happy lately."

That sounded somewhat sarcastic.

This isn't good. My beloved master isn't happy—it's an insult to my professional abilities!

I quickly pocketed the money and said, "Young master, is there anything I can do for you?"

Brad frowned, hesitating before speaking, "This way you're addressing me..."

I suddenly remembered that in my past life, I resented Brad for forcefully bringing me here. I was incompetent but troublesome, harboring a grudge against Brad.

So until the car accident, I always addressed Brad as "Hey" or "You."

Thinking about it now, I was absolutely outrageous!

Is that any way to speak to your master?

Thinking he might not like being called "young master," I tentatively tried, "Daddy?"

Brad's frown deepened.

My heart skipped a beat as I suddenly remembered the message Anne sent last night. What did she call Brad again?

Darling?

As the reigning champion of stand-ins, I thought her choice of words might be worth borrowing.

I took a deep breath, letting the words roll around in my mouth before speaking. "B-Brad… darling?"

Thank heavens, his brow smoothed out.

So this is what Brad likes?

"The day after tomorrow at 8 PM, dress up nicely. You're coming with me to a dinner party," Brad said, his tone laced with authority.

I was startled. This wasn't how things went in my past life.

8 PM? What a coincidence.

Thinking about Brad's sour mood all morning, it clicked. My Oscar-worthy performance must have set off Anne's alarm bells. She must have ratted me out to Brad.

Crap.

Seeing me clam up, Brad spoke again. "$50,000 has been wired to your account."

I nearly teared up at the power of cold, hard cash. My anger toward Anne melted away.

"Brad, darling~ What kind of dress do you like? Off-shoulder? Crop top? Long or short? Any color preference?"

This time, I was determined to make Brad feel right at home with my service!

---

I knew Brad wouldn't parade me around in public.

The parties Brad attended were always high-class affairs.

He probably just found out about my planned escape that day and wanted to keep me under his watchful eye.

In my past life, I would have argued with Brad, complaining about how being his girlfriend wasn't respectable.

Now, I was fully aware of my role as Brad's arm candy.

Sure enough, a sleek black stretch Porsche Cayenne pulled up slowly at the entrance of the banquet hall. Brad instructed me to exit the car separately from him.

Brad was the center of attention.

I didn't want to be blinded by the flashing cameras either.

I got out of the car five minutes after Brad left.

Walking into the banquet hall, I was smacked in the face by luxury.

I'd never seen anything like this before. Like a country bumpkin in a palace, I couldn't help but gawk at everything.

Anne was at the entrance, dressed to the nines. As soon as she walked in, her eyes locked onto Brad as if she had a built-in GPS.

I was baffled. Why was she here?

Brad would never invite both his side pieces to the same party.

"I heard Mr. Halter is announcing his engagement tonight?"

"Yeah, three years ago, the CEO said he'd hand over full control of Halter Group to Brad as soon as he got married."

"Why's that?"

"Happy wife, happy life - good for business. After Miss Clark split three years ago, Brad went on a rampage through the city..."

Two well-dressed men whispered nearby.

Announcing an engagement?

In the distance, Anne lowered her head, fiddling with her phone.

"Buzz buzz—"

"How's everything going?"

I have to say, money really does talk. I hired a bunch of street thugs to rough up that lowlife. They also conveniently took his phone while he was taking an involuntary nap on the ground.

Anne looked around, as if checking for people who shouldn't be there.

I lowered my profile, slipping into a corner.

I replied, "Everything's under control."

Anne smiled, her tone light, "That Lindsey Harper's a looker. Lucky you."

My fingers turned white as I gripped my phone, but I sent back a drooling emoji.

Sure enough, Anne's expression visibly relaxed. Her gaze turned to Brad, who was surrounded by people in the center of the room, looking confident.

Piecing it all together, I realized she wanted to push me out and marry Brad herself.

Trying to take advantage of my sugar daddy?

As if I'd let that happen.

I looked down at myself with a pained expression.

What a shame for this $210,000 custom gown.