With his voice heard, the woman halted, turning her head to look at Levi. Her eyes widened in shock. She stuttered, "Mr. Morrison, about this situation…"

Levi shook his head and took a sip of the cocktail.

"If it's dirty, wash it," Levi said coldly.

When Levi said that, the woman did not dare to react further. She only pursed her lips and added, "Gosh, you are so lucky Levi is here. You didn't even thank him."

I tightly gripped my tie in my hand. Then, momentarily, I turned towards Levi, positioned myself and nodded again in his direction.

"Thank you, Mr. Morrison," I said, scared and embarrassed.

Levi did not say anything. His mouth was zipped and he leaned over and placed the wine glass on the table.

Back then, when I pursued Levi with everything I had in mind, he ignored me.

Later that time, Levi's father was beaten up for owing money. His father had a lot of bruises on his nose and even had a swollen face.

That was when Levi begged me to lend him some money, but I ignored it.

He eventually humbled himself, bowing slightly towards me.

I remembered what I told him before.

"Unless you will kneel in front of me," I said, lips tight and fists clenched, standing still for a long time.

Despite how hard I was to him, he knelt in front of me with his teeth gritted. He said, "Kaylee, please save my father. I am begging you."

He was proud and reserved. I realized then that I could never win his heart.

In silence, I left the private room, tightening my tie.

My life at the moment was far different from Levi's. Once I had finished washing the tie, perhaps it would be best not to see him again.

I went into the bathroom and started running the water. I was lost in thought, staring at the purple tie with me.

If my memory served me right, Levi usually wore gray ties the most, not that one.

Whenever we went out, I ordered him a purple tie and forced him to wear it even though he preferred other colors.

What he had told me back then was still in my mind.

He disagreed, saying, "I can't even decide about my clothes. Will it have to be you to decide everything in my life?"

I fiddled with my purple nails without looking up and said, "Who made me like purple?"

I tossed it to him and said firmly, "Put it on."

At first, Levi resisted and didn't want to do it. But later, he took out the purple tie and wore it without hesitation.

I rubbed the stain, having worn it for so many years. Lost in thought, I didn't notice Levi coming out of the bathroom to wash his hands in the sink across from me.

His unexpected appearance made me lower my head more.

We stood back to back, with him staring at the mirror, not moving.

Feeling his gaze on my back made me uneasy.

After a while, he said, "Do the waiters here have to wear masks even when washing things?"

He started drying his hands and still wondered.

I rubbed my tie and replied, "Sir, I have a slight cold. In this special time, I don't want to risk infecting customers."

He kept rubbing his hands and walked over slowly, tossing the paper into the trash near me. He then leaned against the mirror, looking at the sink.

"How long have you been doing this job?" he asked.

I paused and replied, "Since graduation."

He pulled the wrinkled tie from the sink, asking, "Since graduation? Can a tie be washed like this?"

Right. I used to be spoiled. I wouldn't even wash my hands without gloves.

I looked at my rough, red hands. Instead of answering him, I said, "Sir, I'll iron it and bring it back to you."

He grabbed my arm and squeezed. I stubbornly looked up and met his eyes. His gaze was complicated—both proud and pitying.

I, Kaylee, never needed anyone's pity, especially from men I had been with. I tried to pull away, but he held on tighter.

Suddenly, our store manager burst in, yelling, "I've been looking for you! Are you being lazy? Private room 456 wants fruit. Didn't you hear?"

For an instant, Levi let go of my hand.

"I'm sorry. I am doing the laundry," I explained. "But don't worry. I'll bring it right away."

The manager did not look joyous and even looked disgusted.

"I don't care. You better hurry and go. You're always procrastinating and the customers have repeatedly complained to you!"

"I'm sorry," I said.

Once the manager turned and left, I took a deep sigh. And as I turned around to see Levi saying, "Sir, can you wait for a moment? I have something to deal with this time."

"No," he replied coldly, "I don't want to waste time, so do it."

I pursed my lips and was at a loss for words.

I know he had a bad temper and I knew that.

Before his father had an accident, I sent him flowers and he threw them away.

I gave him a watch and he gave it to someone else.

I confessed my love to him with LED lights for the whole city to see and he called me crazy.

But in the end, that confident and arrogant man knelt before me and wanted to be with me.

However, it was already different. I was unsure what to do and I knew I would lose my job.

I was once hungry, especially now that I did not feel my parents' love.

Out of the blue, Levi handed me a business card. He said, "Anyway, you can bring it to my house."

I took the business card and read what was written on it.

'Levi Morrison, CEO of Morrison Financial Company.'

I kept it inside my pocket and said, "Okay. I will do so after I wash and iron it; someone from the company should deliver it to you. Do not worry about it."

I did not want to build connections with him anymore. As much as possible, I would cut ties with him as soon as possible.

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my shoulder.

His presence felt heavy. He said in a cold, firm voice, "I meant you deliver it."

I turned and looked at his calm face, about to say something. However, he looked at me straight into my eyes and didn't let me say anything.

"You don't want your salary to be deducted?"

It was the weekend. I wore a mask and a duckbill cap as I had to deliver something and would leave afterward.

I rang the doorbell and prepared myself before seeing him.

After waiting a minute, Levi opened the door, which made me hesitant to move.

Nevertheless, I told him, "Mr. Morrison, I still have much to do back in the company. Could you please sign it for the tie?"

I stretched my arm and wanted to hand it over to him.

However, Levi did not mind. He instead brewed some coffee in the living room until the dining room.

"I have told the higher-ups in your company that I have bought you for a day," he said coldly.

With that, my heart almost skipped a beat.

When I pursued Levi, he was too busy and too focused on his career and hobbies.

He would not dare to respond to all my messages and calls and would never dare to attend the restaurant appointment I booked for a dinner date.

I still recall what I did to him before.

During that time, I halted him in a fit of furiousness and said in a domineering way, "Levi, how much money can you earn in a day?"

His hand, which was holding his bag, halted from moving.

Without hesitation, I threw all the money in his direction.

"I'll buy you a day's worth of time. Is this already enough money for you?" I told him.

That time, Levi had to look at me with disgust as if I had sinned to him.

"Kaylee, I want you to know that time cannot buy any amount of money!" He explained, furiously looking at me.

I stepped inside the house and at that moment, it was he who bought my time with money, the way I had done to him before.

"Hmm, is your cold better now?" he suddenly inquired as he continued to make a cup of coffee.

I placed the tie on the table, adjusted my mask, lowered my hat and pretended to cough a few times.

"Thank you, Mr. Morrison, for your concern. I'm still not well," I lied.

"Can you drink coffee?" he asked, bringing two cups and handing me one.

I waved my hand and didn't want to accept his offer.

Masks were not allowed; it was my last bit of dignity.

He sat down, looked at my nervous eyes, took a sip of coffee and asked, "Did you catch a cold from your hat?"

I adjusted my hat and placed the box in front of him.

"Mr. Morrison, please check the tie. If you're not happy with it, let me know. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way," I added.

He put the coffee down on the table. He glanced at the tie, opened the box and asked, "Do you think this purple tie looks good?"

I lowered my gaze to the ground and did not look him in the eyes.

"I mean, you quite have good taste," I said so he wouldn't ask me further. "The purple mask is too good and fits you well."

Upon hearing that from me, Levi could not help but laugh his ass out loud.

It would be too rare for me to see Levi smile that wide.

Back then, Levi's focus was on all the things he had been doing and all that I had told him. And I knew that kind of laugh was somewhat hard to determine whether it was sarcasm or ridicule to me.

I used to be arrogant and overbearing. I hated being rebellious amidst repeated accusations and insults. I already knew how to show my weaknesses and cater to the people.

However, in front of me, Levi continued laughing.

He closed the door and asked, "How have you been these past few years?"

I was momentarily shocked as if he were asking about an old friend we hadn't seen in years.

When I was struggling, hungry, cheated out of money and fighting with others for food from trash cans, I wished for a friend who would check on me and ask, "Are you okay?"

But I had no one to lean on.

The time my parents died, almost all my arrogant and selfish relatives took all the family property. Even my former friends had left me and couldn't dare to stand with me during my hard times. It was too late to realize they weren't my true friends.

No one cared about me. I worked hard, got cheated and felt like a rat in a dark gutter, unable to see any light or feel worthy of it.

Tears escaped from my eyes. I cleared my throat and said, "Thanks for your concern. I have been in this industry for many years and am still doing well."

I stood still confidently and added, "Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Morrison, but I have to go now."

I could not dare to stay any longer.

I was terrified that all the strength I had built would fall apart instantly.

My love was about persistence and determination, but I maintained my dignity.

"Levi!"

As soon as I was about to leave the door, I met a familiar, gorgeous, rich girl about to enter the door.

My eyes widened and I did not expect to see Camila Watson.

When my parents were still alive, I remembered how her family were our sworn enemies. And as expected, she remained arrogant and domineering, like I used to be. I wouldn't deny that.

However, I didn't want to deal with it or get involved in this situation.

Camila poked me with her fingers as I wanted to step outside, then turned to look at Levi, somewhat frustrated.

"I didn't know you had another woman with you in the house," she said with suspicion.

Still, Levi calmed down, sipped his coffee and replied, "Camila, stop. She is here to bring back the tie."

Upon hearing this, Camila got even more upset.

She pulled me back and pointed at Levi, asking, "While I was gone, have you moved on to pulling ties?"

Everything seemed to be getting darker. If I were involved, I might not be able to leave for a while.

I pointed to my uniform and said, "Miss, you've got it wrong. I work at Raven Karaoke Club and Mr. Morrison is a VIP customer. His tie got stained and I was just here to return it after I had cleaned it."

Since she seemed not to believe in me, I walked closer and handed her the tie to believe in me and the cleaning list for our Karaoke Club.

Camila pulled over, looking around and said, "Levi, don't let me find out you have an affair with another woman again. You are mine!"

Levi chucked. In a cold tone, he said, "Yes, I used to be yours, but not anymore. Don't forget that."

It made sense that the Watson Group supported Levi. He had his dreams and career. But I remember he hated being forced and controlled the most.

When forced to be with me, he often gritted his teeth and yelled, "Kaylee, this is the worst shame for a man!"

Yet, it turned out he had started clinging to other women again for the sake of his career.

But it wasn't about being forced. He liked someone else and that wasn't me.

I was disheartened and looked up at Levi. He was the man I had pursued and tried so hard for, who I had to use the money to keep around.

And I knew he was never meant to be mine.

I could not help myself but became tearful. When I was on top, he mocked my love. However, my love for him seemed even worthless when I was at my lowest.

"Levi, you came to me for a few pieces of money, just like you once did with Kaylee!" Camila shouted, made me come back to my senses.

Camila couldn't accept his answer. She went on, "Kaylee's family went bankrupt years ago! It's been so long since we heard from her. She's probably gone!"

Still, Levi didn't utter anything, so Camila continued, "But look, I am different now. You see that the Watson Corporation is striving. It means I can give you anything I want as long as you'll be my man."

Levi raised an eyebrow, shook the glass of coffee in his hand and said, "You can't give me what I wanted."

Upon hearing this, Camila's face twisted in anger. She was in high heels and was about to go up and grab Levi by the hair.

Levi didn't move and let her pull him while I stood in shock.

Back then, he never tolerated being touched. He always said his body was off-limits. And what was worse, he hated losing the freedom he couldn't control anymore.

Camila saw this and reached to grab his face. He could have moved, but her sharp nails left scratches and blood on his pale cheeks.

In the chaos, I could have left.

I watched Levi, the man I once loved deeply, getting beaten. His hair was pulled and his face was scratched and bleeding. He said he wanted freedom.

I didn't care so much. I rushed up and shouted, "You guys stop! Don't fight anymore!"

Camila was stunned. Her furious face stared at me and she said, "You! You're just a waiter, yet you're meddling with our affairs!"

She attacked me with teeth and claws and I couldn't escape. We ended up wrestling.

Suddenly, she grabbed my mask and pulled it off.

In an instant, my face was revealed to them.

Camila's eyes widened in astonishment and she said, "Kaylee?!"

I clumsily placed my mask back on and I wanted to be with him, but I felt unworthy of seeing and loving him again.

Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes and I nervously pulled my clothes up hard, trying to cover up a bit of myself.

Levi was nearby. He looked up with blood on his face and his eyes were soft. "Kaylee, it is you," he almost mumbled.

He paused and continued, "I've been looking for you for years."