2

When I got home.

Aidan Shaw was sitting on the sofa, a rare sight.

I saw him, but ignoring each other in private was one of the few unspoken agreements we had, so I turned to walk up the stairs.

"Elara Hayes," he called out suddenly.

I made no move to go back down, simply turning to look at him.

"What is it?"

Aidan Shaw looked up, his eyes meeting mine, wearing that same old cynical expression.

"You're coming with me to a banquet. Now."

I frowned. "I'm not feeling well. Just have Secretary Chen go with you."

Aidan Shaw let out a cold laugh at my words.

"Did you think I was asking you?"

"Elara Hayes, you don't have the right."

I really wasn't feeling well, and on top of that, going to a banquet meant I'd inevitably have to drink.

"Didn't Secretary Chen always go with you before? Why not today?"

Aidan Shaw suddenly started laughing.

His reaction left me completely confused. I reached out a hand to steady myself on the nearby banister.

"What's so funny?"

Aidan Shaw stood up and advanced on me, one step at a time.

He stopped when only a single step separated us.

"Elara Hayes, are you jealous?"

His smile was playful, just like the rebellious boy he used to be. But no matter how I looked, I could no longer find that old clarity in his eyes.

I was lost in thought for a moment, and my hesitation only made Aidan Shaw more certain he was right.

Aidan Shaw leaned in slightly, his warm breath brushing against my face.

"What?"

"Hit a nerve?"

I let out a soft laugh, raised a hand to push Aidan Shaw away, and looked at him seriously.

"Don't worry. To me, you're a Patron, at most. Since there are no feelings involved, why would I be jealous?"

"It's just a banquet, isn't it? It's not like I haven't been to plenty of them."

: She Wouldn't Dare

3

When Aidan Shaw and I first got married.

His greatest pleasure was humiliating me in public.

"Chug this whole bottle of liquor, and the one hundred thousand dollars is yours. How about it?"

Aidan Shaw was sitting in a booth at the bar, his fingers casually propping up his chin. He looked at me with a playful, mocking gaze.

Meanwhile, his so-called friends were egging me on from the side.

"Go on, drink up! One hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money for you, Saozi."

"Yeah, that's a few years of hard work you could skip."

"Aren't you a party girl, Saozi? Drinking shouldn't be hard for you, right?"

...

Even though they kept calling me Saozi, in their eyes, I was nothing more than someone they could make fun of whenever they pleased.

And the reason they could be so brazen was not just their wealthy backgrounds, but also Aidan Shaw's silent approval.

These days, Aidan Shaw practically ran the city.

Whatever he said, went. And whoever he hated, everyone else was expected to hate, too.

As a last hope, I gambled that Aidan Shaw wasn't that kind of person.

I raised my hand, grabbed the bottle, and looked at Aidan Shaw.

He, in turn, stared at me with great interest.

I understood then. I had lost the bet.

The harsh liquor slid down my throat, stinging my nerves.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, I drained the entire bottle.

When it was over.

They clapped while Aidan Shaw raised an eyebrow and tapped a few times on his phone.

"The money's been sent to your account."

I set the bottle down, unable to hold back my tears.

"Thank you."

Aidan Shaw's expression softened, but only for a fleeting moment.

Worried the alcohol would hit me and I wouldn't be able to make it home, I made an excuse and left.

Before the door closed, I heard someone ask.

"Young Master Shaw, doing this... Saozi won't get mad, will she?"

Aidan Shaw replied with absolute confidence.

"She wouldn't dare."