"What's this supposed to mean?" Giles frowned at me. "Playing the dutiful little wife now? Trying to win me over?"

I ignored the jab.

"I have something I want to discuss with both of you."

"There's a client hosting a birthday party the day after tomorrow. Everyone's expected to bring a plus-one."

"Giles, I need you to play the part of my boyfriend for one day. After that, I'll move out by the end of the month, just like I promised. Clean break."

Giles shook his head reflexively.

"No. I can't do that. I won't do that to Lissa."

I pulled a bank card from my bag and set it on the coffee table.

"A hundred thousand dollars. For one day."

The living room went silent.

Giles stared at the card. His Adam's apple bobbed.

I knew he needed the money. After signing with Gilbert Media, the company had enrolled him in a training program that came with a hefty fee. He needed this.

"But..."

He looked at Lissa, hesitant.

"It's fine." Lissa spoke up, wearing a magnanimous smile. "Giles, just think of it as doing her a favor. A clean break is the right thing."

Behind that smile, her eyes glinted with calculation.

"But a hundred thousand isn't enough. Add another fifty."

I nearly laughed out loud.

This woman drove a harder bargain than I did.

"Done."

I agreed without blinking.

Giles looked at her, then at me, and finally nodded. The expression on his face suggested he was making some tremendous sacrifice.

I rolled my eyes internally.

A hundred and fifty thousand for one day of your time, and you're acting like the victim?

Dad's birthday gala was held at the Gilbert Grand Hotel, as always.

The room was full of industry insiders, suppliers, and business partners. Giles and I blended into the crowd without drawing attention.

After making the rounds with the other guests, Dad came over to find me.

I made the introductions, keeping my tone professional.

"Mr. Gilbert, this is my boyfriend, Giles Weiss."

Dad clasped Giles's hand and looked him over.

"Sharp-looking young man. I hear you're in the music business?"

"Yes, I signed with Gilbert Media." Giles's voice carried a hint of deference. "One of your subsidiaries, actually."

Dad shot me a meaningful look.

The message was clear: You pulled strings for him?

I pretended not to notice.

Dad patted Giles on the shoulder. "It's good for a young man to have ambition."

Throughout the gala, Giles played his part well enough.