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.

So how did your shopping go?" Lucien asked. He had dropped his work just to welcome her. The action warmed her heart, making her feel more free and comfortable around him.

"I couldn't buy anything," Maya said while pouting sadly. "So I came to return the card."

"Why didn't you buy anything?" Lucien noticed her bad mood and asked her.

"I ran into my ex-fiance and my stepsister," she replied, her mood dropping even more.

Lucien could sense that she wasn't happy. "Did they give you a hard time again?"

Maya pursed her lips before nodding. "She wanted to hit me, but…"

Lucien immediately grabbed her chin. "Where? Where did she hit you? Which hand did she use? I'll make sure to break it."

His worry for her made her smile. "I didn't allow her to hit me. Instead, I struck her cheek hard."

Maya waited for Lucien to judge her and pity Stephanie like everyone else did, but instead, he stroked her hair gently.

"Good girl. That was a good one."

Maya looked at him. He actually encouraged and supported her. He didn't side with Stephanie like everyone else did. Tears formed in her eyes as she hugged him while sitting on his lap. Her sudden action caught him off guard, but he relaxed and embraced her tightly.

As they stayed in that position, Maya began to feel something hard poking her thighs. She released herself from his embrace and was about to get up when Lucien pressed her down.

"Don't move!" he said as his hands pressed her onto his lap tighter.

Confused, Maya stared at him. She could feel something hot and hard pressing against her. Just as she was about to question him, her face suddenly turned beetroot red.

Could it be that… The thought made her blush even more. She shifted slightly to adjust herself, but unknown to her, her actions made the man lose his mind. He suddenly stood up and carried her onto the desk, locking her in a passionate kiss.

Maya was startled. She wasn't expecting him to lose control in his office. What if someone suddenly walks in? What if… Her mind spiraled with lots of questions, but being in his arms, inhaling his masculine scent, made her relax into the kiss.

She felt his hands slide into her dress. His warm hands roamed around her thighs, eventually brushing against a sensitive spot.

"I miss you!" his husky voice whispered into her ear as he moved to kiss her neck.

Maya sighed and tilted her neck up, giving him more room. Lucien sucked hard on a sensitive spot on her neck, leaving a red mark. Satisfied that he had marked what was his, he moved back. He looked at the flushed, out-of-breath, beautiful woman sitting on his desk.

Indeed, she was really beautiful. Her skin was smooth and clear; her red, plump lips looked moist and swollen from their kiss. He stared hard at her half-buttoned shirt, which exposed her cleavage.

Oh my, what does this woman have on me? Just a glance at her and I'm already losing my mind. I just want to bury my face into that deep cleavage and… argh, Lucien thought, his expression darkening.

He moved closer to her and raised her chin. Then, he pressed his lips against hers again. His hand moved toward her breast and gave it a soft squeeze, making her gasp. He continued doing so, his actions stirring up Maya's emotions until she felt a pool of heat forming between her thighs.

"Lucien…" she called out.

Knowing his effect on her, he smiled as he continued teasing her. "Yes, my love?" he replied.

"Ah!" Maya moaned softly.

At this point, he had her full breast out in his hand, teasing her nipple. Even Lucien could hardly control himself, but he needed to know how much she wanted him first.

What is this man up to? Maya questioned in her mind. Every time he pinched her nipple slightly, she would yelp softly.

"Tell me you want more, my love. Tell me," he said while biting her ear softly.

"Umm..." she replied.

"Words, Maya. Words. Tell me."

"I…"

Just as she was about to speak, a call interrupted their session.

"Just a minute," Maya said as she slowly got off the table to answer the phone. "Yes, Dad?" she said as she walked over to a corner in the office.

"Where are you?"

"I'm working on something at the office. Is there anything wrong?" Maya replied.

"I heard what you did to your sister at the mall. Come home immediately. Looks like you've forgotten your place," James scolded.

"My place? What exactly is my place?" Maya asked. Her question made James choke on his words.

"You know what I mean! How dare you humiliate your sister in public? Come home immediately so we can discuss this, or else the outcome won't be good." With that, he hung up.

Maya stared at the blank screen for a moment and sighed. My place? I should know my place.

She blinked away the tears that were threatening to fall and practiced a smile before turning to face Lucien, determined not to let him catch that something was wrong.

"Is everything alright?" he asked as she approached him.

"Yes, I have to go home now," Maya replied as she began to put her things together.

"Is everything alright at home?" he questioned.

"Everything's alright."

With that, she grabbed her bag and was about to walk out when Lucien held her wrist. "I hope they won't give you a hard time. Do you need me to accompany you?"

His question made Maya’s heart skip a beat. As much as she would love for him to accompany her, she could not risk Stephanie finding out about him—or even her parents. She feared that they might try to give him to Stephanie just like they did with Marcus.

She gave a slight smile and slowly pulled her hand back. "I would love that," she said, "but they won't give me a hard time."

Just as she turned away, Lucien spoke up again. "So you won't need me to at least drop you off?"

Maya watched his cold, expressionless face. For some reason, he always kept that look on his face, yet he always cared for her. Just watching how he wanted to make sure she was safe made her feel extremely touched.

Soon, Maya arrived at the Ewell family house. She tried to open the front door, but to her surprise, it wouldn't open. She knocked and called out, but no one answered.

Then, through the huge glass window, she saw the family of three sitting at the dining table, happily enjoying a nice dinner without her while the door remained locked tight.