Chapter 4

Lucas and I had agreed to go look at wedding dresses, but he stood me up.

The reason was that Vanessa had taken him to meet the boss of the business partner. Their discussion went very well, and they even had lunch together at a restaurant.

Thanks to Vanessa's help, the project that had been giving Lucas headaches for months was signed smoothly.

Lucas told me he wanted to buy a gift to thank Vanessa and asked for my opinion.

I thought for a moment and said, "Vanessa has had everything since she was little. No matter what gift we buy, she won't think much of it."

But Lucas said, "You're her best friend, shouldn't you at least know what she likes?"

I fell silent for a moment, observing Lucas's slightly expectant expression, and finally said, "Vanessa decided to help because of me. Even if someone needs to thank her, it should be me. You don't need to worry about this, I'll handle it."

Lucas didn't say anything more and went back to his study to work on the new project.

That night, Vanessa didn't come back until nearly dawn. She was drunk again, carelessly holding her bag, stumbling on her high heels. The strong smell of perfume and alcohol hit us as she came in. Because she couldn't stand steady, Lucas reached out to support her, and she fell into his arms.

I walked into the living room with a cup of hot water, just in time to see this scene.

Lucas looked up at me, awkwardly pushing Vanessa away and standing up to avoid suspicion, saying, "You take care of her."

Lucas and I helped Vanessa back to the guest room. Vanessa had a habit of randomly taking off her clothes when drunk. Her high heels were thrown at the door, and she was uncomfortably writhing in the bed, raising her hand to toss her bra under the bed.

I turned to look at Lucas, who was looking at me awkwardly, seeming a bit at a loss.

I then noticed that at his feet lay Vanessa's lacy panties.

Lucas stiffly averted his gaze and said mildly, "You look after her. I'll go rest first. Call me if you need anything."

After Lucas left, I turned to look at Vanessa sleeping.

She was always like this, able to have the love of many people from the moment she was born.

Like a proud princess, under everyone's care, she would pluck the exquisite flowers in the garden, then disdainfully trample them underfoot. Those things cherished by others, she would crush into mud without a care. She would still be that princess loved by everyone.