Chapter 3

“Serena, I hope you don’t mind using the guest set.”

Lila smiled as she placed matching plates and wine glasses in front of herself and Adrian.

Then she went back into the kitchen to help him.

The two of them talked and laughed like a couple.

Meanwhile, I sat in my own home feeling like the guest.

My stomach turned.

I looked at the untouched food.

“Adrian.”

My voice cut through their laughter.

“You said you rented the place to her. Where’s the lease?”

Adrian frowned.

“Serena, it was just a formality. I didn’t think we needed paperwork.”

I gave a cold laugh.

“Fine. Then how much is the rent?”

“Lila pays me.”

He leaned against the counter.

“If you want it, I can transfer it to you. But honestly, she’s been keeping the place clean while you were away.”

He glanced at her.

“If anything, we should probably be paying her for taking care of it.”

I almost laughed in his face.

Lila twisted her fingers together.

“So should I send the rent to you from now on?”

She smiled shyly.

“Adrian knows I don’t make much, so he only charges me fifty dollars a month.”

She pulled out her phone.

“I haven’t paid this month yet. I can send it to you now.”

Then she looked straight at me.

The smile was still there.

So was the challenge.

“Fifty?”

I stood up.

Adrian’s expression shifted.

“This townhouse is in one of the most expensive districts in the city.”

I pointed toward the windows.

“It’s minutes from the Vescari logistics headquarters. A place like this rents for at least twenty thousand a month.”

I stared at him.

“And you gave it to her for fifty dollars?”

Adrian said nothing.

I laughed coldly.

“Adrian, are you renting her the house…”

I looked at Lila.

“…or are you renting her yourself?”

His face darkened immediately.

“Serena, enough.”

He slammed his hand against the counter.

“It’s my birthday. You came back early to surprise me, not start a fight.”

“A fight?”

“Lila is my subordinate. I was helping her.”

His voice grew sharper.

“There is nothing going on between us.”

Then he looked at me with open irritation.

“You’re seriously jealous because I helped someone who needed it?”

He gave a bitter laugh.

“If your mind is dirty, everything looks dirty.”