Chapter 2 Mr. Dream Man

I was in my car when a message popped up on my other phone.

[Mia]: Miss, Vivian's hosting dinner tonight. They've invited Mr. Lucas Becker. Seven o'clock.

My eyebrow shot up. Lucas Becker. That name immediately snagged my attention.

I let out a cynical laugh. A family dinner, huh? I jerked the steering wheel hard, changing the car's direction. My plan to just go home to my own mansion vanished in an instant. Tonight, I was heading back to that lion's den. Not as a captive, but as the most lethal uninvited guest.

I floored it to my usual salon, an exclusive spot downtown that operates 24/7. Whenever I show up, they're ready. The moment I walked in, the staff were already greeting me, sharp as ever.

"Evening, Miss Young," one of my top stylists said, instantly understanding from my look that this was an urgent mission.

"I need something fresh," I said simply. "And do my hair too."

They didn't ask a lot of questions. They were well-trained. Two people immediately swarmed around me. One started on my face, the other's hands were already busy working on my long hair.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Those eyes, their gaze hadn't faded. If anything, it was sharper now. The smile forming on my lips was a predator's sneer.

Fifteen years ago, I was a scared little girl. Now, I'm a woman ready to devour. In less than an hour, my transformation was complete.

At my mansion, I headed straight to the dressing room, pulling out a black evening gown, heavily adorned with crystals.

Once everything was ready, I left my mansion. Driving my car toward my father's house.

I arrived at six PM, an hour before Lucas Becker was expected. On purpose. I wanted to give them plenty of time to panic because of my arrival.

The gate opened automatically as soon as the sensors detected my car. I parked in the guest area, not the family garage.

I walked inside and was immediately greeted by Mia.

"Welcome, Miss," Mia said.

Before I could even reply, a shrill voice shrieked from the living room. "Scarlet?! What are you doing here?!"

That was Sarah, my stepmother, with the same old expression: angry and displeased. She was already dressed up, wearing a bright red cocktail dress.

But her shock wasn't just about my arrival. There was something else. Sarah's eyes swept over my appearance from head to toe. She definitely saw how much I'd changed.

I offered a slight smile. "Hello, Stepmother." My voice was calm, commanding the entire room. "Don't tell me you're not happy I came?"

Sarah stepped forward, her hands clenched into fists. "Get out of here right now, Scarlet! You're not invited! Your father doesn't even know you're coming! This is a family event!"

I just breezed past Sarah, sauntered over to the plush cream sofa, and casually dropped onto it, crossing my long legs. "Mia," I called out, my voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Please get me a drink. Fresh orange juice, not too sweet."

Sarah absolutely shrieked. "Mia, don't! Don't serve her! Scarlet, I told you to get out of here!" Her face was bright red, barely containing her explosive rage.

I turned to her. "Why? Is there a problem?" I asked with feigned innocence. "Or do you just not want a scene when your special guest arrives?"

Sarah's expression hardened. She took a long, deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Vivian's boyfriend is coming over. He'll be having dinner with us tonight. I don't want any trouble. So, for Vivian's sake, just leave. You can come some other time."

"Oh, really?" I sneered. "I see. Well, in that case, I want to join this dinner too. I want to get to know Vivian's 'boyfriend.' Who knows, he might be interesting."

Vivian appeared. "You are not joining our dinner!"

"Oh, him? The same guy who used to chase me all the way to campus?" I saw Vivian hiss in anger. "Interesting. In that case, I absolutely have to be here."

Sarah ran out of patience. She stomped over to me. "Scarlet, stop messing around! I said, leave!" Her hand reached out, trying to grab my arm. I anticipated her move. Quick as a flash, I caught her hand, twisting it behind her back.

"Aaah!" Sarah shrieked in pain, her arm contorted behind her back. Her eyes were wide with shock and agony.

Vivian lunged forward. "Mom! Scarlet, what are you doing?!" Her hand flew up, aiming to slap me. I saw it coming. Quickly, I shoved Sarah, making her stumble sideways, then with one easy motion, I parried Vivian's hand. She lost her balance.

Just then, Mia arrived with the orange juice. I grabbed it and splashed the contents right into Vivian's face.

"You bitch!" Vivian screamed hysterically. Her face was soaked, her makeup running. "Dad! Dad! Look what she did!"

Moments later, heavy footsteps echoed from the staircase. Dad appeared. His eyes swept over the scene in the living room. I sat calmly on the sofa, arms crossed over my chest with a satisfied smirk.

"What is going on?!" Dad thundered.

Vivian immediately pointed at me. "Dad! Look at her! She threw a drink at me! She hurt Mom! She came uninvited!"

Dad stared at me, then shifted his gaze to Sarah and Vivian. He let out a long sigh. "Sarah, Vivian, shut up!" They were stunned. He was telling them to shut up. "Go fix yourselves up! The guest will be here soon!"

Sarah stared at Dad in disbelief. "But, honey-"

"I said, shut up!" Dad cut her off. "Go change. Now!"

Sarah and Vivian exchanged venomous glares at me, but they didn't dare defy Dad. With annoyed grumbles and barely audible curses, they turned and hurried upstairs, leaving me alone with Dad.

Dad gave me a sharp look. "Scarlet," he said. "Don't make trouble. You know we have an important guest coming."

I scoffed, my expression flat. "I'm just welcoming them, Dad. What's wrong with that?"

Dad just shook his head, giving up. He turned, walking towards his study at the end of the corridor, perhaps to avoid further problems, or maybe because he himself didn't know what to do with me.

I straightened my legs again, enjoying the sudden silence that fell over the room. A soft chime sounded. It was the doorbell.

Mia rushed to open the front door. A man stood in the doorway, tall, in an expensive suit that fit him perfectly. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his eyes immediately locked onto mine, as if he already knew I'd be there.

I stared back at him. A subtle winning smile played on my lips. "Hello, Lucas," I thought to myself.

Lucas Becker.

He looked at me, his eyes betraying a hint of surprise, then his expression hardened. He shifted his gaze, as if I were something he didn't want to see.