Chapter 6

Iris's POV

It's him?!

The man I impulsively spent five hundred thousand on last night!

That was five hundred thousand!

Though considering how good-looking he is, I suppose the money was well spent.

But if he thinks I'm going to keep spending money, that's impossible. I have more important uses for my funds.

"Um... you've misunderstood. Your service was quite good," I hastily explained.

Thinking of the bed photo I received this morning, I added, "Our transaction is complete. Please delete that photo of yours."

The man chuckled softly at my words. "But what if I want to provide my services to you one more time?"

I pressed both hands firmly against his chest, shaking my head repeatedly. "No—I don't need that anymore, and I don't have that much money left."

"You could run a tab. Pay me when you have the money," the man seemed unwilling to give up.

I didn't quite understand why he was so insistent. After thinking for a moment, considering we were near a bar, he was probably looking for his next target, right?

With this thought, I casually asked, "Are you really that short on money?"

The moment the question left my lips, he seemed to freeze for a second before asking back with an uncertain tone, "Is that how you see me?"

I nodded seriously, then worried my words might hurt his pride, my tone unconsciously softening. "I don't mean anything by it. If you really need money, I can introduce you to wealthy clients in the future. But tonight I need to get home quickly. I have something important to do."

After a few seconds, I felt the arm around my waist finally relax.

I quietly breathed a sigh of relief. "Goodbye!"

I turned and ran to the roadside to hail a taxi.

When I got home, Serena was already back, wearing a silk nightgown in the living room, playing on her phone, seemingly chatting happily with someone.

Seeing me return, she quickly put away her phone, seeming to want to greet me. I ignored her, went straight upstairs to wash up and change into loose pajamas, then came back downstairs to the kitchen to grab some snacks and yogurt. I sat on the far end of the sofa from Serena, eating while waiting for Dad to come home.

Seeing I wasn't paying her any attention, Serena resumed chatting with whoever was on the other end of her phone.

After a while, Dad finally came home.

His brow was furrowed, and he didn't look particularly happy.

He tossed his coat onto the sofa and sat down heavily with a deep sigh.

Camilla thoughtfully walked over to collect his suit jacket and hang it up properly, made him a cup of coffee, then stood behind Dad massaging his shoulders, asking gently, "Darling, what happened?"

Dad shook his head. "Nothing, just a lot going on at the company lately."

Camilla continued rubbing Dad's shoulders, saying somewhat self-reproachfully, "Yesterday I told Julian to go to the company and help share your workload so you could relax a bit. But he refused. Today he even told me he wants to do his own thing and just moved out."

Dad didn't seem to have any particular reaction, merely responding flatly, "If he doesn't want to join the company, then he doesn't have to. He's old enough now. It's good if he has something he likes doing."

After saying this, he suddenly looked at me. "Iris, you've been back for several days now. What have you been up to lately?"

I quickly answered, "Just having meals with friends and wandering around."

Dad was clearly unsatisfied with my answer. He took a sip of coffee and suggested, "You can't just keep idling around like this. I'll say it again—spend more time with Damian these days. After all, you two are getting engaged soon. You can't keep acting like a child."

Suddenly the snacks in my hands didn't taste so good anymore. Looking at Serena sitting nearby, eyeing me with jealousy, I found it quite amusing.

"Dad, Serena and Damian have a great relationship. I don't think I need to contact Damian anymore, do I?"

The moment the words left my mouth, Serena quickly stood up to clarify. "Dad, I haven't. Damian and I are just ordinary friends."

Dad nodded. "I know. You don't need to explain."

Camilla's gaze shifted between Serena and me several times before she smiled and said, "You're all children. There's no harm in spending time together."

Serena quickly nodded. "Yes, Iris, after you and Damian get married, he'll be my brother-in-law."

Hearing her words, I thought of how she'd been sitting on Damian's lap at the bar tonight, and felt utterly disgusted.

Dad didn't seem to catch the implication in my words. Instead, his tone became more serious. "You may not know this, but Dad's company is having some cash flow problems lately. Once you and Damian get engaged, we'll receive financial support from the Harrington family and share some resources."

I jumped up from the sofa, questioning him with great displeasure. "Dad, are you using me as a bargaining chip? Making me sacrifice my own happiness for your company?"

Dad immediately refuted my words. "Iris, you're too naive. How can you think that way? Damian is the eldest son of the Harrington family. He'll take over their business empire in the future. You'll live a happy life after marrying him."

I lowered my head and let out a derisive laugh.

Damian's character was utterly selfish. All he did was eat, drink, party, and date girls. How could he possibly have the ability to grow the family business?

What if the family business goes bankrupt in his hands and drags me down with it?

But I'd been waiting in the living room tonight for an important reason. I had to leverage this arranged marriage to get something for myself.

"Dad, it's not impossible for me to agree to get engaged to Damian, but I have one condition."

Dad looked at me hesitantly. "What condition?"

"I need five million dollars."

"Five million? What for?"

"To start my own company."

Dad studied me for a long time, seeming to verify whether I was joking.

Finally, seeing my serious expression and earnest tone, he slowly nodded. "Alright, Dad will give it to you. Furthermore, Dad will give you a car as well, so it'll be more convenient when you meet with clients. But you must get engaged to Damian. Don't disappoint Dad."

"It's a deal. Thank you for your support, Dad!"

Mission accomplished. I cheerfully went upstairs, lay on my bed, and took out my phone, wanting to call Mom.

But seeing it was already past eleven at night, I put my phone away. I'd better wait until tomorrow morning to go see Mom in person and tell her this good news!

A good night's sleep.

The next morning I got up early, had a simple breakfast, took a taxi to buy some fruit first, then headed straight to Mom's house in the south part of the city.

"Ding dong! Ding dong!"

The doorbell rang twice, but Mom still didn't come to open the door.

Mom rarely went out. At this hour, she should normally be home.

I pressed the doorbell again. Still no response from inside the house.

I panicked.