I am Levias Thorne’s kept woman, his little bird in a gilded cage. In bed, I’m all sultry wiles and coquettish charm, the kind of woman who can wrap a powerful man around her little finger. Out of bed, I carry myself like his rightful wife, amusing myself by sparring with the woman he supposedly pines for, his one-that-got-away. To everyone else, I am a woman madly in love with Levias Thorne, a mere substitute destined to be discarded. The truth is, I don't love him at all. I only love his money. Under the cover of his name, my own business ventures have flourished. I’m on the verge of becoming a new powerhouse in the corporate world. I decide to dump him first, staging a tearful, dramatic breakup. “Levias, I’ve spent five years trying to make you love me… I’m tired. Let’s end this.” A bead of sweat drips from his chin onto my skin. He looks down at me, a smirk playing on his lips. “Just as I thought. A woman gets a little money and her heart changes. How about this: I’ll bankrupt you, help you get back to your roots.” 1 Levias rose from the bed and started dressing. "She's flying back today," he said. "Prepare a welcome banquet for her at the Serenity Garden." "She" was Amelia Garcia, Levias Thorne’s unrequited love, his white moonlight. I draped myself over his back like a boneless cat, my freshly manicured nails tracing the lines of his abs. His body tensed for a moment. "Who else will be there?" "Just friends from our circle." My eyes darted around mischievously. I purred, "A proper banquet needs proper jewelry. I saw this gorgeous jade bracelet, top-grade icy jade, but it's a little… pricey. Eight hundred thousand." "Buy it." I squealed with delight and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Levias, darling, I love you." He was unmoved by my declaration of love, grabbing my wrist instead. "These nails are too long," he said, his voice flat. "My back is covered in scratches." I gave him a guilty smile. "But they look so good… Should I cut them?" "Leave them. They do look good." His eyes darkened. He pulled me onto his lap and gave me a long, passionate kiss. Later, at the Serenity Garden, I greeted the guests, the new jade bracelet glittering on my wrist. I had shed my bedroom persona and was now the picture of a dignified, gracious hostess, the perfect wife. Amelia’s clique of friends were whispering loudly about me. "Amelia, that's her. Levias's little pet." "Her eyes look so much like yours, Amelia. Everyone in our circle knows she's just your substitute!" "I heard she was just some small-time actress before. She only got where she is today because she looks like you." "Amelia, don't be sad. Levias really loves you." My eyes met Amelia’s. She was beautiful, the kind of woman who had clearly been coddled and raised in luxury her whole life. The rumor was that Amelia had been the one to "save" Levias back in high school, when he was just a poor kid with nothing. But Amelia was in love with Carter Hayes, the heir to a massive old-money fortune. She had married Carter and they had moved to the States. Levias was with me, they said, because I was her replacement. Now, Amelia was divorced and back in the country. A lot of people were waiting to see me, the substitute, get thrown out by Levias. I raised my glass and gave Amelia a warm, friendly nod and smile. She was taken aback, clearly not expecting that reaction. She was Levias’s cherished memory; I wasn't stupid enough to provoke her. Keeping a respectful distance was the smart play. But Amelia’s friends wouldn't let it go. Suddenly, I felt a hard shove from behind. I stumbled into the champagne tower. I lost my balance, about to fall into a sea of shattered glass. I instinctively protected my precious bracelet and squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the pain. It never came. A hand grabbed my arm, yanking me upright. I collided with a solid chest, the familiar scent of a man's cologne filling my senses. Amelia and her friends had really pissed me off. Fine. I could be crazy, too. I wrapped my arms around the man's neck, looked at the lackey who had pushed me, and said in my most fragile, helpless voice, "Levias, darling~~ I'm pregnant. Our baby… she almost killed our baby." The entire room seemed to freeze, a collective gasp rippling through the crowd as they stared, hungry for the drama. Levias frowned at me, his eyes a mixture of shock, joy, and something akin to awe. His eyes were even turning red. He used protection every single time. How could he possibly believe my bullshit?! Did he think I'd secretly poked holes in them? 2 "You're lying! I didn't push you!" I pointed to the security camera directly above the woman's head. "Should I have them pull the footage?" The woman looked desperately at Amelia, pleading for her to speak up. Amelia avoided her gaze, distancing herself completely. The woman panicked. "You're not hurt, are you? I… I was just joking!" Levias's anger twisted into a cold smile. "A joke? Then I'll be sure to 'joke' with you often in the future. I hope you'll still be laughing then." In this city, Levias Thorne was a name that struck fear into people's hearts. He was known for being swift, ruthless, and vengeful. For him to say that meant the woman was in for a world of hurt. She collapsed onto the floor, looking utterly lost as the staff escorted her out. My original plan was to first claim the moral high ground, then go ballistic and shove her face into the broken glass to scare her. I hadn't expected Levias to actually believe my lie and stand up for me. I was about to confess to him when Amelia spoke up. "Levias, I need to talk to you." "Let's go to the tea room." Levias and Amelia left together. He didn't spare me another glance. Was I hurt? Of course not. In these five years, aside from the gifts Levias had given me, the stocks and funds he'd helped me invest in, and the projects he'd brought me into, I had made a fortune. Looking at the eight-figure balance in my bank account, I was the sunniest, happiest girl in the world. With Levias gone, I was like a mouse in a cheese factory. Levias’s circle of friends was a goldmine of connections, the rich and powerful. How could I let such a precious resource go to waste? I had started my own company, and this welcome banquet was my sales pitch. The guests were all potential clients. With my silver tongue, I closed three million in deals over the course of the meal. Levias's best friend, Ian, said, "Levias is in a room alone with his old flame. Aren't you jealous?" "I'll get to that later. That new project of yours, I want to invest five million." "What if it fails?" "If it fails, I'll go cry to Levias and make him pay me back." Ian burst out laughing. "Alright, Levias is completely wrapped around your finger." I had done my due diligence on Ian's project. It wouldn't fail. And if it weren't for Levias, Ian would have never let me in on it. My mind was a busy abacus, clicking and clacking. Making money was the happiest thing in the world. Still, in front of my sugar daddy, I had to act like I loved him more than I loved money. 3 I peeked into the tea room, ready to play the part of the jealous lover. Levias saw me and beckoned me inside. "From now on, Amelia will be staying at the Serenity Garden. Arrange a room for her. She is my honored guest. See to it that her needs are well taken care of." The Serenity Garden was a magnificent, traditional-style estate. Old money families all had their ancestral homes, their main residences. The Serenity Garden was Levias's, the seat of his self-made dynasty. He spent most of his time here. A sour feeling churned in my stomach. So this was the power of the white moonlight. She could just waltz in and take up residence. Oh well. I'd just have to use Levias's card to buy myself a new bag to cheer myself up. I smiled, the picture of a gracious and understanding partner. "Of course, darling." Levias took a sip of his tea, his expression coolly indifferent. "Go on, then." I took Amelia to her room. She struck up a conversation. "It's been over a decade. Levias is a real powerhouse now. You never saw him at eighteen. He was the only scholarship student at our elite private school. He was so plain and poor, and so gloomy. Carter Hayes and his gang of rich kids used to bully him relentlessly. They beat him so badly he went deaf in one ear. If I hadn't paid for the surgery to fix his hearing, how could a deaf boy have ever become the CEO he is today?" So she was here to cash in on that old debt, to live off him for free. When he was poor, she looked down on him. Now that he was successful, she was back, trying to snatch him up? We were walking across a small bridge in the garden. Suddenly, Amelia shoved me into the lake. "Help! Someone fell in the water!" After shouting, Amelia jumped in too. She grabbed my hair, her eyes filled with malice. "Tell me, do you think this ice-cold water is enough to make you miscarry?" She pushed my head under the water. A terrible memory flooded my mind… A winter day. My father shoves my head into a water barrel crusted with ice. "I work my ass off all day, and you can't even make a hot meal! What's the point of a girl getting an education? You're eighteen now. I've already settled the bride price with the Lowell family. You're getting married!" Amelia kept my head submerged, not letting me breathe. I reached my limit, gasping in a mouthful of water. Rage consumed me. I struggled, broke the surface, and punched her square in the face. My strength was fading. I doggy-paddled to the shore. Just then, Levias and the others arrived. I was shivering violently. I looked at Levias. He took off his coat, knelt down, and wrapped it tightly around me. I huddled in his arms, already plotting my revenge against Amelia. This was our first real fight. I had to show her what I was made of. "Levias… save me!" Amelia thrashed in the water, crying for help. Levias said to one of his men, "Pull her out." Once on shore, Amelia burst into tears. "She slipped and fell in. I was trying to save her. But when she got to the edge, she punched me in the face! That's why I almost drowned…" The bruise on Amelia’s face was a blatant piece of evidence. Her friends immediately chimed in. "Lily Hill! You're so vicious!" "Our kind Amelia risked her life to save you, and you tried to kill her!" I clutched my stomach and let out a heart-wrenching wail. "Levias, our baby… it's gone!" The guests gasped. A moment ago, they had been looking at me with disgust, as if I were the evil villainess. Now, their faces were filled with sympathy. They turned on Amelia and her friends. "Just shut up. She just lost a child. Don't provoke her." "She must have been terrified. That's why she hit Amelia by mistake." "You just got a punch. She lost a baby." "If you're so kind, then just drop it." Levias swept me into his arms and strode quickly toward the bedroom. I wrapped my arms around his neck and shot Amelia a triumphant look over his shoulder. She stood frozen, her face a mask of resentment and jealousy. 4 In the bathroom, Levias pressed me against the cold tiles. He had seen through my lie back when I first confronted the lackey. "Let go of me! Levias… you didn't use protection!" "Don't you want a baby? I'll give you one right now!" I glanced at our reflection in the mirror. Levias was kissing my neck, urgent and fierce. My own expression was a mixture of dark satisfaction and triumph. Five years. I didn't know if he had ever truly had feelings for me. But he was definitely physically attracted to me. I picked up his cigarette case and lit one. He looked up at me. "Pay attention." I blew a puff of smoke in his face. "This is too exciting. I need a cigarette to calm down." That only made him crazier. … "You made a lot of mistakes today," he said later, carrying me to the bedroom. "Reflect on them. Tell me everything you did wrong." I wracked my brain. "I shouldn't have… lied about being pregnant." "Continue." "I shouldn't have… hit your white moonlight." Levias's hand cupped the back of my neck. "You have no idea what you did wrong, do you? No matter. We have plenty of time." I buried my face in the pillow. He had been working out like a madman lately, and his stamina was even better. I wanted to run. Levias grabbed my ankle and pulled me back for more. He kissed my swollen lips, wiping away my tears. "Crying so pitifully. Do you know what you did wrong yet?" Overwhelmed, a sudden moment of clarity struck me. "I shouldn't have… protected the bracelet first when I fell." "Mm." I smiled. "I knew you cared about me, darling." Levias stroked my back. "Are you jealous that I let her stay?" "Of course. I love you so much, I'm dying of jealousy." He sat up, lit a cigarette, his voice and expression cool. "Hah. You don't love me. You only love my money." I shot back, full of false bravado, "How could I be so shallow? I'm also greedy for your body." I took the cigarette from his hand and finished the last half. Just then, the butler came to the door. The white moonlight had a fever. "You go to sleep. I'll go check on her." The moment a man gets out of bed, he's a heartless bastard. To be honest, I was a little hurt. Just a tiny bit. I pulled the covers over my head and fell into a deep sleep. 5 I woke the next morning to see Levias standing on the balcony, smoking. I had no idea when he'd come back. There was a deep loneliness about him. After five years together, he was still an enigma. I couldn't figure him out. He was rich, handsome, had a great body, and was good in bed. He was generous with me, gave me the resources to start my business, and taught me so much. He was a truly charismatic man. Seeing I was awake, he slid open the door and came inside. He walked over and hugged me. He was cold, carrying the chill of the night. The atmosphere was just right. I couldn't help but ask the question that bothered me most. "Am I Amelia's substitute?" "What do you think?" "I don't think so." I laid on the flattery thick. "Using a substitute is something only a low-life scumbag would do. You, darling, are a man of noble character. You're above such things." He chuckled at my antics and kissed my forehead. "Mm. You're not a substitute." "Then who am I to you?" I puffed out my chest proudly. "I am your most cherished little bird in a gilded cage!" I was joking, but he wasn't smiling. He frowned. "About what happened at the lake. Don't you have anything to say to me?" I was well aware of the destructive power of a white moonlight. Accusing her without any proof would not only be unbelievable to him, but it would also make him resent me. "Not at the moment." The warmth in Levias’s eyes vanished, replaced by a look that said he wanted to strangle me. Of course. I'd hurt his precious memory, and now he was upset. I decided to placate him first. I flirtatiously swept my bangs aside, my voice a sultry purr. "Darling, I'll give you an explanation for this later. Don't be angry." Heh heh heh. Amelia had messed with the wrong person. If I didn't get her kicked out of the Serenity Garden, my name wasn't Lily Hill. "Do whatever you want." Levias turned and left. My stomach churned. I clutched it, grimacing, already plotting my next move against Amelia. Levias came back with stomach medicine and a bowl of congee. I had developed stomach problems from years of going hungry as a child. After five years of being pampered by Levias, it rarely acted up anymore. I had been hiding the pain. How did he know? "Take the medicine, then eat the congee." "Oh." I sniffled, touched. I tugged on his belt. "Levias Thorne, I don't care what history you have with her. My bottom line is this: you only sleep with me. If I find out you've been unfaithful, I'm done with you." As a kept woman, you can't just be submissive. Showing a bit of strength now and then is more attractive. He looked at me for a long time, his eyes shining. "Alright." He was completely wrapped around my finger. 6 Levias went to the office. I caught a few non-venomous snakes and put them under Amelia's bed. While she was taking her afternoon nap, I squatted outside her door, eating sunflower seeds. "AHHHHHHHHHH!" Amelia's scream echoed through the Serenity Garden. I walked into her room. A patterned snake was coiling itself around her calf, its tongue flicking in and out. Other snakes were writhing on her duvet. She was terrified of snakes, crying and screaming hysterically. "Get them away from me! AHHHHHHH! Lily Hill… I shouldn't have pushed you into the lake! I know I was wrong, please get the snakes away!" I took out my phone. "Say that again. I'm recording." Amelia, her face a mess of tears and snot, her body rigid with fear, repeated herself. I opened a burlap sack and deftly scooped the snakes back inside, one by one. "What's all the commotion?" Did this woman have some kind of protagonist-level luck? Why was Levias home at this hour? Amelia saw him and ran toward him barefoot. She was wearing a silk nightgown, her long hair flowing behind her. It was actually a rather beautiful scene. Levias dodged her embrace. Amelia missed, nearly face-planting on the floor. I discreetly tried to hide the sack behind my back. But the snakes had surprisingly sharp teeth. They had chewed through the sack and were escaping. One snake lunged and bit my arm. Levias rushed over, grabbed the snake by the neck, and slammed it on the ground. The snake went limp. "Butler, get the car!" "This snake isn't venomous…" "Shut up! Even if it's not venomous, you're going to the hospital! Let a doctor check your brain!" Hmph. His precious white moonlight was fine. Why was he so angry? So annoying. I decided to stir the pot some more. I played the recording. "Levias, darling, you heard it. She was the one who pushed me at the lake." Amelia reacted quickly, her voice full of hurt. "I'm terrified of snakes… She used them to force a confession. The words on that recording, they're not true." "Enough!" Levias's face was like a thundercloud. He ordered someone to get rid of the snakes, then grabbed my arm. "Is this the explanation you were going to give me? You've been with me for five years. How can you still be so brainless?!" I shook his hand off. "I don't like the word 'with'. Don't use that tone of superiority with me!" 7 Suddenly, the whole thing just felt pointless. I was so rich now. People called me Ms. Hill. Why was I fighting with another woman over a man? If I dumped Levias, I could have my pick of eight male models. I feigned tears, putting on a show of a tragic, tormented lover. "Levias Thorne, I've spent five years trying to make you love me… Since your white moonlight is back, I won't stand in your way. I'm tired. Let's break up!" Levias's expression turned terrifying. He raised his hand. I thought he was going to hit me and covered my head. He threw me over his shoulder and strode out of the room. Back in the bedroom, he tossed me onto the bed. "Hey, hey, hey, don't rip my clothes… This is a new Hermès dress!" … A bead of sweat dripped from Levias's chin onto my skin. He looked down at me, a smirk playing on his lips. "Just as I thought. A woman gets a little money and her heart changes. How about this: I'll bankrupt you, help you get back to your roots." This time, I was genuinely scared. He could play with my emotions, but he couldn't mess with my money. "Darling, I was just being dramatic. Don't take me seriously." I could be flexible. I beamed at him, my eyes crinkling. "Darling, I still love you. I can't live without you." Levias's smile was handsome, but chilling. "Remember this. If I don't let you go, you're not going anywhere. Lily Hill, you made two mistakes today: first, you let a snake bite you; second, you tried to break up with me. How should I punish you?" Levias's fingers threaded through my hair, finding the long scar on the back of my head. There was a flicker of pain in his eyes. He sighed, a sound of resignation. "Forget it… I'm not the one in charge here. You're the one who rules my world." This time, he was exceptionally gentle. Levias was taking care of his divorced ex-love, but he wouldn't break up with me. What was he thinking? In a moment of passion, I bit down hard on his shoulder and wiped the sweat from his chin. He was so sexy… I fell asleep, exhausted and satisfied. When I woke up, the snake bite had been treated. With nothing better to do, I went to Amelia's room to annoy her, channeling the persona of a viciously favored imperial concubine from a historical drama. I saw a servant bringing her a meal and glanced at the food. "What's her status? She's eating the same bird's nest soup as me? Take it away." Amelia was furious. "Lily Hill, do you really think you're the mistress of the Serenity Garden?!" I gave the servant a look. The servant said haughtily, "All expenses at the Serenity Garden are managed by Ms. Hill. You eat what Ms. Hill tells you to eat." I grabbed a handful of Amelia's hair. "If I had really been pregnant, you would have actually killed my child. You'd better sleep with one eye open. There might be a snake hiding in a corner somewhere that we missed." Fear crossed Amelia's face. "Lily Hill, you won't be gloating for long!" Two days later, Amelia made her next move. She exposed the secret I had hidden for years.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "393054", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel