Chapter 1
"Scream for me."
The icy command fell, and Evelyn Arden's chin was gripped ruthlessly by long, slender fingers. A restrained moan slipped involuntarily past her lips.
Before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the luxury penthouse, she was pressed against the cold glass, Matthew Perkins' hard, burning chest at her back. His kisses mapped every inch of her body, carrying a long-absent, domineering possessiveness.
Evelyn closed her eyes, passively enduring this encounter after two months apart.
Matthew ravaged her until she nearly lost consciousness before releasing her, then walked straight into the bathroom. The sound of rushing water filled the air. Evelyn slid limply onto the carpet, staring at the frosted glass, her gaze somewhat distant.
Since Britney Fox appeared, Matthew hadn't come looking for her in ages. The gossip had been flying through their circles for weeks—Matthew Perkins had finally fallen for real this time.
Evelyn had thought she wouldn't care, but when she'd gotten Matthew's message saying he was coming, she'd still carefully applied her makeup and waited for him in the apartment ahead of time.
On the coffee table, Matthew's phone screen suddenly lit up.
[Mr. Perkins, someone's forcing drinks on me at the celebration party. I'm a little scared. Could you come pick me up?]
Evelyn saw the message from Britney, her heart jolting, her fingertips unconsciously digging in. After three years as a kept woman, was she finally being "relieved of duty"?
The thought surfaced, and she felt inexplicably relieved.
Three years ago, she'd been cornered in an alley behind a bar by some drunk. Matthew's driver had gotten out and chased the man away. She'd been trembling all over, and when she looked up, she met Matthew's gaze through the car window, watching her intently.
The next day, Matthew's assistant tracked her down and handed her a contract.
Three years, ten million dollars, plus coverage of all her mother's medical expenses. Only one condition—become Mr. Perkins' secret mistress.
Evelyn's hands had trembled uncontrollably as she held the contract. Back then, her father's business had failed and he'd jumped to his death. Her mother had suffered a mental breakdown from the shock and been admitted to a care facility.
Evelyn was working at a nightclub, harassed daily, but the money in her hands was just a drop in the bucket.
She had no choice.
And so, she became Matthew's secret mistress.
Matthew always stared at her face in a daze. Later, she learned he was simply seeing someone else through her. Jane Collins, the only woman Matthew had ever loved, had rejected his proposal and gone abroad to study.
Since she'd signed the contract, she had to fulfill her employer's requirements. She tucked away her natural rebelliousness and learned to act like Jane—docile and compliant.
People in high society gossiped, saying she was a woman who'd climbed into Mr. Perkins' bed on her looks alone. When she heard it, she only smiled gently, never arguing. That's what Jane had been like—gentle, quiet, never fighting for anything.
She played the part perfectly, and Matthew was quite satisfied.
He not only delivered on the money but also hired her as his executive assistant. One contract, two incomes. The project resources and opportunities others would kill for, she could get with just Matthew's nod.
Three years had passed in the blink of an eye. It seemed Matthew had grown tired of her too.
The bathroom door opened. Matthew picked up his phone, saw the message, and his eyes flickered slightly. Evelyn's heart clenched in response.
'Go ahead, go pick her up, then tell me in person that the contract's over,' she thought bitterly.
But Matthew only turned off the screen, placed the phone face-down on the table, walked over to her, gripped her chin, and leaned down to kiss her again.
Evelyn's whole body stiffened.
After another round of passion, Evelyn propped herself against Matthew's shoulder, her voice weak: "Mr. Perkins, you should go. Miss Fox seems to need help."
Matthew paused, lowering his gaze to her. "You want me to go?"
Evelyn's eyes curved gently, still wearing that obedient expression. "I'm afraid I'll delay your important business."
Matthew released her and stood up.
Evelyn also rose, retrieving a shirt and suit from the closet. Matthew extended his arms, and she lowered her eyes, buttoning his shirt and tying his tie with practiced movements. Matthew looked down, quietly studying her pale face.
"You'll lead the AI big data project next month," Matthew said suddenly.
Evelyn's hands froze on his tie. She looked up at him, eyes wide with shock.
That was the Perkins Group's flagship project for the year, with a budget over ten million dollars. Senior executives in the company had fought over it for six months without a decision.
Giving it to her?
Of course—the severance package had to be generous to maintain Mr. Perkins' dignity.
She suppressed the bitterness in her chest, putting on a respectful yet flustered expression. "Thank you, Mr. Perkins. I'll prepare thoroughly."
Matthew chuckled softly, raising his hand to cup her face. "You've earned it." His thumb brushed across her lips, enunciating each word. "These three years as my mistress, you've been very satisfying."
He leaned close to her ear, his voice dropping extremely low, carrying unquestionable control: "As long as you stay with me, I'll elevate you to the highest position. But remember, everything about you belongs to me."
Stay with him?
Thinking of how he looked when he was with Britney, Evelyn felt a tightness in her chest. But she quickly lowered her eyes, and when she raised them again, she wore that gentle, obedient expression once more. "I'll remember, Mr. Perkins."
Matthew released her with satisfaction, adjusted his cuffs, and left without another word.
The room fell completely silent, leaving only Evelyn. She slowly walked to the window. Matthew had said he wanted her to stay with him.
But in the paparazzi photos from last time, the way Matthew looked at Britney was focused in a way she'd never seen before. With her, he only had possession and control. With Britney, there was that kind of tender gaze.
Her phone suddenly vibrated. A news notification popped up: "Perkins Group CEO to Enter Marriage Alliance with Daughter of Overseas Capital Magnate—Power Couple May Reshape Industry Landscape."
Evelyn stared at the words on the screen, a sharp pain suddenly stabbing through her heart.
So that was it. He was getting married.
This was why Matthew had suddenly given her so much authority. Not as a severance package, but because he wanted to keep her tethered, to make her his post-marriage mistress who couldn't see the light of day.
What a bastard.
Evelyn pulled at the corner of her mouth, but couldn't manage a smile. Her stomach churned violently. She rushed to the bathroom and dry-heaved, but nothing came up.
In the mirror, the woman's face was deathly pale, her eyes rimmed red.
Enough.
She told herself.
It was time to leave.
---
The next day, Evelyn went to the financial broadcast studio to deliver a coat to Matthew.
The distressed director's eyes lit up when he saw her, and he grabbed her arm like a drowning man clutching a lifeline. "Eve, save me! The entire crew is waiting for Britney to rehearse, but she won't budge! She and Mr. Perkins have a special relationship, so we don't dare push her. But you and Mr. Perkins are close—go talk to her!"
Evelyn hadn't wanted to get involved, but seeing dozens of staff members waiting under the scorching sun, she finally walked over.
"Miss Fox, everyone's waiting for you."
"Oh, look who it is." Britney glanced up at her, eyes full of mockery. "Didn't Mr. Perkins tell you not to appear in front of me?"
Evelyn's expression remained blank as she reached out and pulled Britney to her feet. "The whole crew is waiting for you. Please cooperate with the shoot."
"Cooperate?" Britney sneered, about to say "Who do you think you are—" when her words cut off abruptly.
Her expression changed, her eyes instantly reddening, her voice taking on a tearful quality: "Evelyn, I know you blame me for taking the hosting job, but this was the company's decision... How could you say something like that to me?"
Evelyn froze.
She turned to see Matthew standing not far away, his expression cold.
"What's going on?" He strode over, his gaze immediately landing on Britney's reddened eyes.
"Mr. Perkins..." Britney sobbed, her eyes growing even redder. "I just wanted to touch up my makeup, and Evelyn said I was being a diva, and that I... that I slept my way to the top..."
Evelyn was nauseated by Britney's clumsy performance, but she couldn't laugh. Because she could clearly see Matthew raising his hand to gently pat Britney's back, his eyes holding a tenderness she'd never seen before.
The next second, he turned to look at her, his gaze instantly cold as ice. "Evelyn. Apologize."
Those two words, heavy as a thousand pounds, stabbed into Evelyn's heart like needles.
She'd thought Matthew was just playing around with everyone, that he wouldn't truly care for anyone. Turns out she simply wasn't worthy. Of course—a substitute, a canary bought with money. What right did she have to expect his genuine feelings?
Evelyn's mind cleared suddenly. She turned and walked away.
"Evelyn!" Matthew's voice, tinged with anger, sounded behind her.
She didn't stop.
She didn't know how long she'd walked when hurried footsteps approached from behind. Matthew blocked her path, his tall frame casting a shadow that engulfed her.
"What's gotten into you today?" His tone was full of displeasure.
Evelyn turned around. She didn't dodge or retreat, and for the first time abandoned her practiced docility, meeting Matthew's gaze with her own true eyes. "Mr. Perkins, my contract with the company is about to expire." Her voice was calm. "I won't be renewing."
"What are you saying?" Matthew narrowed his eyes, the pressure around him dropping sharply.
Evelyn pulled at the corner of her mouth, her smile full of detachment. "I mean, I'm leaving. Oh, and congratulations on your upcoming marriage. I told you from the beginning—I won't be a mistress. When you get married, I leave."
She paused, then added, "Don't worry. I'll handle all the work transitions properly."
With that, she turned to go.
"Evelyn!" Matthew suddenly grabbed her wrist, his grip so tight it nearly crushed her bones. "Who gave you permission to leave?"
"Mr. Perkins, let go." Evelyn didn't turn around, her voice cold. "Be careful someone photographs us and causes a misunderstanding with your fiancée."
Matthew froze, his grip loosening for an instant. Evelyn seized the opportunity to pull her wrist free and left without looking back.
Outside the studio, Britney leaned against a car door. Seeing Evelyn emerge, she curved her red lips in a triumphant smile. "Mr. Perkins' heart is mine," she moved closer, her voice dropping low with provocation. "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave on your own."
Evelyn's footsteps paused at those words.
She was done pretending.
The gentleness drained from her face, replaced by a radiance and defiance Britney had never seen. "Matthew's getting married. Whoever wants to be his mistress can have the honor."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "I find it disgusting."