"Tell you what. If you wash all of Noel's underwear in front of everyone today, nice and clean, I'll forgive you. Tomorrow we'll go sign the marriage certificate, just like we planned."

Her assistant brought over a small basket. There had to be at least a dozen pairs inside.

Clearly, they'd had quite the night.

My hands had been protected my entire life. My family had never let me do so much as a single chore.

I stared at her, unable to process what I was hearing.

"Lauren, did your brain and your ass switch places? Every word out of your mouth is pure garbage."

"You two spent my wedding night making out and sleeping together, and now you want me to wash his dirty underwear?"

"Let me make one thing clear: even if you chopped Noel Cobb into pieces and sold him by the pound, he wouldn't be worth me lifting a single finger!"

Lauren's face went cold instantly.

"Who told you to humiliate Noel in front of everyone yesterday? This is the compensation you owe him!"

"Drop the act. Those hands of yours teach calligraphy all day. How much does that even pay? I promised you the position of man of the house at Sanchez Corp. Don't bite the hand that feeds you!"

"This is the anniversary gift Noel wants most, and I will give it to him!"

With that, she pulled out a bamboo calligraphy brush and sneered.

"Laurence, I believe this means a great deal to you. Am I right?"

"If you don't want me to snap it in half right now, you'll do exactly as I say."

My fists clenched at my sides.

That brush wasn't worth much money, but it was the last birthday gift my father ever gave me.

He'd made it by hand.

Not long after that, he died in a car accident.

I drew a deep breath, grinding my teeth before I spoke.

"Fine. I'll wash them."

Then I bent down, picked up the plastic basin they'd prepared, and said without a trace of expression, "Can I go to the bathroom to fill this up now?"

Only then did Lauren curl her lips in satisfaction.

"Good boy. As long as you keep Noel happy, I'll give it back, and things can go back to the way they were."

She posted a bodyguard at the door so I couldn't run.

Water rushed from the faucet, and my reflection stared back at me with ice-cold eyes.

I pressed the hidden button on the back of my mechanical watch.

A faint crackle of static lasted two seconds before a voice came through, equal parts roguish and wounded.