Chapter 3

When I got home that evening, Lucas was cooking in the kitchen.

He was tall and well-built, with gentle features and a calm, scholarly air about him. Wearing an apron, he looked just like the perfect house husband.

Vanessa was sitting barefoot on the living room couch, scrolling through her phone while munching on an apple.

Perhaps because she was a guest in our home, her makeup was more subdued than usual. Instead of her usual sexy, glamorous look, she appeared fresh and delicate.

Her custom-made bag from France sat on the coffee table, seeming to fill the air with the scent of expensive perfume.

Seeing me come in, she looked up and gave me a sweet smile—

"You're back? Your fiancé is a great cook. I just had a taste, and it's quite good..."

To be honest, facing Vanessa now made me nervous and uneasy.

She was too beautiful, with the kind of confidence that comes from being raised with privilege and luxury, constantly rubbing against my insecurities like sandpaper.

If she had really set her sights on Lucas, what were my chances of winning?

On the first night, she didn't interact with Lucas at all, keeping the conversation centered around me.

Our dinner talk mostly revolved around work. When Vanessa learned that Lucas was currently in charge of a project, her eyes suddenly lit up. She looked at Lucas with a meaningful smile and said, "I know the boss of your business partner. Since you're Emily's fiancé and you just cooked me a delicious meal, I'll help you out. It's just a matter of putting in a good word."

That night, Vanessa stayed in the guest room while Lucas and I returned to the master bedroom.

Vanessa had voluntarily offered to help with his project, and although Lucas didn't show much reaction on the surface, I could tell he was pleased.

He came out of the bathroom after a shower and casually said to me, "Your friend seems alright."

I was sorting out his clothes for the next day when I heard this. I looked up at him, a bit at a loss for words.

Lucas seemed to realize something and added, "Don't worry, your friend's type... I can't handle that."

I finally managed a smile and walked over to hug Lucas, but he pushed me away—

"We have a guest today, it's not convenient. Besides, shouldn't you go keep your friend company?"