As they reached the room where the doctor was waiting for them, Lucien immediately ordered the doctor.

"Examine her cheek first," he said, his voice dropping all its usual coldness as he turned to Maya.

He gently cupped her face, taking extreme care not to press near her bruised cheek. "We can talk about the past anytime. Right now, taking care of you is my only priority."

The doctor bowed respectfully toward Lucien, then he immediately stepped up to examine Maya.

"Apply the cooling ointment directly to the swelling," Lucien instructed sternly, standing right beside Maya’s chair. His intense gaze never left her face. "Make sure it doesn't hurt her, or you won't like the consequences."

"Y-Yes, Young Master Blackwood!" the doctor stammered, his hands trembling slightly under Lucien's intimidating pressure.

As the cold cream touched Maya’s swollen cheek, she flinched slightly. Before she could even gasp, Lucien’s broad hand slid into hers, squeezing softly.

"Does it hurt?" he asked softly, bending down until his face was just inches from hers.

Maya looked into his deep, worried eyes and shook her head. "No... it actually feels much better."

"Good." Lucien pulled out a sleek black credit card from his wallet and slipped it directly into Maya's hand, closing her fingers around it. "Take this."

Maya blinked, startled by the heavy metal card in her palm. "What is this? I can't take this, Lucien."

"It has no limit," Lucien declared casually, as if handing over a piece of candy. "You came here wearing clothes that look old. My woman will never wear old, worn-out clothes. My assistant has already prepared the top boutique in the city. Go buy whatever you want."

Maya’s heart pounded against her chest. In the Ewell house, she only ever received Stephanie’s hand-me-downs. But Lucien was treating her like a queen, showering her with a lot of luxury without asking for anything in return.

"I can buy my own clothes..." Maya muttered shyly, her face flushing red.

"I know that you can," Lucien whispered, leaning close to press a warm, gentle kiss against her forehead, right above her injury. "But I want to pamper you. Let me."

Before Maya could protest further, Lucien’s phone rang. It was an urgent call from his corporate headquarters regarding an international board meeting. Lucien frowned, clearly annoyed at the interruption.

"I have to take care of a quick matter at the office," Lucien said reluctantly, smoothing down a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I’ve arranged for my personal driver to take you to the mall. Afterward, he will drive you back safely. Remember—if anyone tries to bully you, tell me immediately."

"Okay," Maya whispered, feeling a warmth spread through her entire chest.

Watching Lucien leave with his sharp, commanding presence, Maya held the black card tightly against her chest. For the first time in years, someone actually took the responsibility to make her feel loved.

An hour later, Maya stepped out of the luxury car in front of the city's highest-end shopping mall. She was dressed in a simple blouse provided by Lucien's staff. She walked into the most exclusive designer store in the mall.

The sales associates immediately recognized the Blackwood family's VIP status and bowed politely, guiding her to the private collection room.

Just as Maya was looking at a breathtaking, elegant evening dress, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the quiet room.

"Look who we have here! Isn't this my pathetic stepsister?"

Maya turned around and saw Stephanie walking in, holding Marcus’s arm tightly.

Stephanie was sneering, while Marcus stood beside her, his eyes immediately locking onto Maya’s neck where the faint marks were still a bit evident. He still couldn't get over the fact that someone touched what was his. This irritated him, causing him to clench his fist.

"Maya? What are you doing in a place like this?" Marcus demanded, his tone laced with possessiveness and jealousy. "This store is for high-society clients. You can't afford a single thread in here!"

Stephanie smirked, clutching Marcus harder. "Marcus is right. Maya, did you come here to beg for a job as a cleaner? Or did the man who slept with you throw a few pennies at you?"

Marcus’s face darkened at the mention of another man. He stepped forward, grabbing Maya's wrist tightly. "Tell me who he is." When he saw Maya wasn't planning on speaking, he changed the topic. "Maya! Come home right now and apologize to your parents, and I might still consider forgiving you!"

Upon hearing his words, Maya smirked coldly. "Let go of me, Marcus," Maya said, yanking her wrist out of his grip. Her eyes were devoid of any affection. "You belong to Stephanie now. You have no right to touch me." Her words immediately unsettled Marcus. Then she turned to Stephanie. "You can keep my trash. I don't need it anymore."

"How dare you refer to Marcus as trash?" Stephanie snapped. "Seems like you have forgotten who has more power here. You suddenly have a loose tongue now, huh? After opening your legs for some old sugar daddy, you suddenly feel like you own the world. I'll put you in your place today, you slut." With that, Stephanie charged up to Maya, her hand raised, ready to slap her just like their father did. "You need to learn your place!"

SLAP!

A crisp sound echoed through the high-end boutique.

Stephanie gasped, clutching her face in utter shock. But it wasn't Stephanie who had delivered the slap—Maya had intercepted her arm and struck Stephanie’s cheek hard!

"You..." Stephanie shrieked, tears immediately pooling in her eyes as she looked at Marcus pitifully. "Marcus! Look at her! She hit me!"

"Maya, have you gone crazy?!" Marcus yelled angrily, stepping between them. "Apologize to Stephanie right now!"

Maya watched the man she had loved all her life with cold eyes. So has it really gotten to this?

Upon hearing her silent reaction, Marcus paused, a hint of guilt flashing through his eyes.

"Maya, it's not that..." he suddenly spoke up, feeling at a loss for words.

Maya scoffed. "First you cheat on me, then you don't mind showing your face in front of me, flaunting your new love."

Just thinking about how foolishly in love she had been with him in the past made Maya feel disgusted. A part of her was still hurt about his betrayal.

"I should apologize? She tried to hit me, yet you want me to apologize for defending myself?" she questioned, her body trembling.

This was how it had always been.

Even when Stephanie was the one to provoke her, she would still be the one to be blamed. This incident brought Maya back to the past.

“Maya, you have to sacrifice for your sister. She’s been through a lot,” her mother scolded.

Maya was literally the one who had been wronged, but as usual, all they cared about was Stephanie and her feelings.

She choked back her tears. “But Mom, she’s the one who stole from me! Why am I the one getting scolded for it?”

It wasn't just any random item Stephanie had taken, it was the diamond necklace Marcus had given her on their anniversary, yet to her parents, it was just another shiny toy Maya was expected to hand over.

“Maya, don’t say that about your sister! Can’t you see that she’s going through a lot? She grew up without her parents, without any of the privileges you have. It’s normal for her to want the things you have. Instead, you should be sharing with her. Case closed.”

With that, her mother took her adopted sister, Stephanie, into the living room, sat her down on the couch, and stroked her head as Stephanie cried into her arms.

Maya was always wrong in their eyes. Ever since they had adopted Stephanie from the orphanage, Maya was always expected to bend over backward just to accommodate her.

And up till now, it still remained that way. Even with the man she loved all her life, he didn't side with her; he chose her sister just like everyone else did. She was still expected to bend even though she wasn't the one who started it.

“I won't apologize, and there's nothing you can do about it.”

Upon hearing her words, Stephanie cried out, “Marcus, see what she's saying! She hit me just now and she's refusing to apologize for it. Are you just going to stand there and watch me being wronged?”

Upon hearing the word wronged, Maya turned to Stephanie. “You talk about being wronged, but between me and you, you know who is wronged more. I have always had to suppress myself just so you can feel better, just so you can be satisfied. You take my fiance away from me, and yet you still talk about being wronged.”

“What…” Her words made Stephanie at a loss for words.

Seeing Maya was gaining the upper hand against Stephanie, which left Stephanie with nothing to use to defend herself, Marcus decided to step in. “And who do you think you are, talking to Stephanie like that? And yes, I chose Stephanie over you, and it is not her fault. And do you know why I chose her over you? Because she's better. She's better than you, that's why I chose her. If you want to find someone to blame for it, come to me. Leave her out of it.”

Watching his protectiveness over Stephanie made Maya clench her fists.

This was all she ever wanted, for someone to finally stand up for her and choose her. She refused to let the both of them get to her. She had finally found her person, so she didn't have to waste time with the both of them.

Marcus finished speaking, expecting Maya to cry, beg, get jealous, and ask him to take her instead. Her next words shocked him.

“I'm happy for you and your new blooming love,” Maya said with a smile.

In the past, Maya was head over heels for him.

Anytime he'd throw a tantrum and not talk to her, she'd blow up his phone with calls and texts, and shower him with gifts.

He was sure she was just playing hard to get just to get his attention. If not, how did she suddenly appear at this mall where she cannot afford anything? It's just to get my attention, Marcus thought, a smirk forming on his face.

Even though Marcus convinced himself that Maya was still head over heels for him, there was a certain feeling he got about the way she smiled. It felt so distant, like she held nothing for him.

Marcus watched as her beautifully curved lips formed into an addictive smile, her clear, flawless skin making her look neat and beautiful.

For a moment, he could not take his eyes off her. The more he imagined her in his head with someone else while he spent six years trying to get closer to her, the more it made him greatly annoyed.

And Maya's words, “I'm happy for you and your new blooming love,” unsettled him. What does she mean by that? Is she satisfied with me being with her sister? Has she moved on so fast? he thought, now doubting his earlier confidence.

“I came here to do a little bit of shopping, now it has been ruined by the both of you,” Maya mumbled under her breath, but Stephanie caught onto the words.

“Shopping?” Stephanie scoffed. “Can you even afford anything that's here?”

Maya stared at the card Lucien had given her. He claimed it had no limit, but that doesn't mean I should overuse it, Maya thought to herself.

Stephanie saw the card and laughed. “Oh, a black card? Let me guess, your old sugar daddy threw it at your face after you entertained him for the night?” Her loud words instantly drew a crowd.

“Stephanie, do not keep provoking me, or else—”

“Or else what?” Stephanie interjected. “What do you think you can do to me? Just because you hit me once doesn't mean you can do so again. And you also won't get away with that slap,” Stephanie threatened.

With that, Stephanie pulled Marcus and walked out of the mall angrily. Maya stood there, watching the people who hurt her the most walk out. When the people who gathered saw that there was nothing else to watch, they dispersed, feeling disappointed.

Her mood to get new clothes was immediately ruined. She called the assistant, who came to pick her up in minutes.

“Where to, Miss?” he asked.

“Is Mr. Lucien around?” she questioned.

“No, Miss, he's at his office,” the assistant replied. “Is there anything you need from him?”

“Well, can you take me to his office?”

Maya knew best not to disturb Lucien when he was busy because she didn't know how he'd react. When she was still with Marcus, he'd get extremely upset and wouldn't talk to her for a long time whenever she disturbed his work. She'd have to buy him gifts and beg him to talk to her before he would. She didn't want the same to happen with Lucien, but she had to return his card personally so she wouldn't look ungrateful.

The car soon pulled up at the huge building. Maya got out of the car and was escorted inside by the assistant.

“So tell me more about Mr. Lucien,” Maya asked the assistant as they moved towards the floor where Lucien's office was located.

“Umm, well, I don't know much about Mr. Lucien’s personal life, but I can tell you about his position in the business empire,” the assistant replied.

“Sure you can.”

“Well,” the assistant started, “Mr. Lucien, even though he's the leader of the Blackwood family, refused to take over the family business. Mr. Lucien started his own empire, which has ranked as the most successful in the whole country.”

“So who took over the family business?” Maya asked.

“It's him. He's still the one in control of the family business.”

“So he's maintaining two huge empires?” Maya asked. That must be a lot of stress, she thought inwardly.

“Yes, he is. And I must say, I admire his ability to run them so smoothly without breaking down. It's like there's a force that keeps him pushing. Also, at a young age, Mr. Lucien was faced with the burden of developing this huge empire from scratch,” the assistant added.

“Why didn't he accept the easier route by taking over the Blackwood family's empire?” Maya asked.

“Well, it's because there's a lot of internal conflict there. His position there wouldn't be stable.”

“Why?” Maya asked. “Isn't he the eldest son of the Blackwood family?”

“Yes, he is. But it's complicated, and it's not in my place to say.”

They got to Lucien's office, and the assistant knocked on the door.

“Come in,” his stern voice responded. It sounded so chilling and oppressing that the assistant gulped hard before opening the door.

“Sir, Young Miss is here to see you,” the assistant reported.

As he announced her arrival, Maya prayed internally that Lucien wouldn't get annoyed by her.

“Tell her to come in,” she heard his voice say again, and his response made her heart almost jump out of her throat.

The assistant walked out of the office and approached her. “Miss, you can go in.” With that, he bowed and left.

Maya took a deep breath before pushing the office door open. Immediately upon walking in, she spotted a handsome-looking man sitting behind a desk full of documents. He looked poised and graceful, even when faced with a lot of work.

He lazily looked up from his computer and stared intensely at her. Maya stood there nervously, praying that he wouldn't lash out at her for coming to his workplace while he was busy.

“Why are you just standing there? Come here!” His deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

Maya stared at him, looking for signs of anger or irritation on his face, but his expression was completely blank. She couldn't read any emotion from it. However, there was a certain warmth that flashed through his eyes whenever he looked at her.

Maya walked forward, and he gestured for her to join him where he was seated. She obeyed quietly. He directed her onto his lap, causing her face to flush red.

“How did you know that I was missing you, my love?” he asked huskily as he nibbled on her earlobe.

The action tickled Maya, and she giggled. “I don't know, but now I'm here,” she responded as she began to massage his hair.

For the first time, Maya felt like she finally had someone in her life. She didn't really know why Lucien treated her so specially, but now that she was his, she planned on maintaining that position.