One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure

The man was Luke Larson. The infamous playboy of the capital had actually shown up at my doorstep, all on his own.

Without even looking up, Luke lazily said, "Ms. Forrest, what do you want as an engagement gift? Would you like my sincere heart?"

I stopped in front of him and scrutinized him judgmentally. Luke was indeed better looking in person than in photos. However, he was also even more arrogant and unserious.

"I want the port that the Larsons own in the southern part of the city," I answered.

The moment the words left my mouth, Luke immediately sat up straight. His frivolous smirk instantly vanished, and his gaze turned sharp.

He stared at me for a few seconds. Then, he suddenly grinned.

"Deal," Luke said.

He stood and brushed dust off his suit. "But let me remind you that this foster brother of yours is not someone to be taken lightly. Watch out, he might just ruin our engagement party."

It seemed Luke knew more about Jim than I had thought. Just then, the sounds of an argument came from the direction of the pavilion.

"Why didn't you tell her the truth, Jimmy!" Anne cried heart-wrenchingly. "You only made me pretend to be your woman because you were trying to protect her!"

My heartbeat abruptly quickened. I had never heard Jim's explanation, nor had I ever been interested in it. But in that moment, Anne's words pricked viciously at my heart like a needle.

Jim's voice was harsh and laced with pain. "I've already said this matter is over! There's no longer a future between me and her!"

I was the one who had walked away from him, so why did it hurt so much to hear him say that? Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stay composed.

Luke watched me with amusement. "Hear that? A classic guilt play. Too bad—it doesn't look like you're buying it."

I ignored him and walked straight toward the pavilion. Stopping at the edge, my gaze dropped toward Anne's round, pregnant belly. She was at least seven to eight months along. If things really were as she said—that it was all a charade…

When I spoke, my tone was calm and almost detached. "You took your act all the way and even had a child. You really threw yourself into your undercover mission, Jim."

Jim paled. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Anne burst into tears again, and her delicate sobs made my stomach churn. She pulled out her phone and tapped on some photos.

"In truth, Jimmy has always loved you, Cecilia," Anne choked out.

Then, she "accidentally" dropped her phone. The screen showed a few screenshots from her social media.

Last year, on Valentine's Day, Jim was photographed in a penthouse suite passionately kissing Anne. He even gifted her a diamond ring worth tens of millions.

And at the same time, I had broken ties with my family and was penniless. I lived in a dilapidated rental and barely ate. Even when I had been hospitalized for appendicitis, I had lain alone in that sterile ward.

My expression stiffened. It turned out all those days I had struggled through had been a complete joke.

I turned to Luke, who had followed behind me. Forcing my voice to sound casual, I asked, "Is there something you know that I don't?"

Luke paused. Then, his gaze became meaningful. "I only know that the person who assigned Jim to go undercover was my father."

My heart skipped a beat.

"And that woman he brought back." Luke lowered his voice before continuing, "Her file's completely blank. She's not the informant mentioned in his official reports at all."

His words sent a jolt through me, but outwardly, I remained composed.