Chapter 3 VIP

Raina froze.

If her son were still alive, he would be about this age-this tall. Maybe, like this child, he'd be soft and chubby, cling to adult legs, and snuggle in arms-utterly adorable.

Thinking of her child, her eyes softened.

She knelt down and looked into the child's eyes. For some reason, she felt something stir deep inside.

"Little one, whose kid are you? Did you get lost?" Raina reached out and gently rubbed the child's cheek.

The touch was something she'd never experienced before.

The child's skin was soft, smooth, and fragrant-so irresistibly cute.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but when she spoke, the child hugged her leg tighter, though he remained silent, his big dark eyes fixed on her.

Raina felt a headache coming-though she was a mother, she had almost no experience with children.

"Hey kiddo..." a low, magnetic voice came from behind.

Then a tall, handsome figure appeared in her sight.

The man was dressed in black formalwear, followed by several bodyguards.

For a moment, Raina felt his gaze linger on her-and strangely, she thought he looked familiar.

In a flash, her heart skipped a beat.

No wonder she felt familiar-this was Leif, the head of the Vexley Group!

Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, here he was.

Seems like misfortune never comes alone.

"Still not letting go?" Leif didn't know his identity had been exposed yet. He just lowered his head and looked at the kid clinging to Raina.

No way...

Seriously?

Of all things, could this kid actually be Leif's child?!

Well, just look at the little guy - his features were almost an exact copy of Leif's.

"Rael, take the little master away," Leif said softly.

Alright, no need to guess anymore - she was right.

Rael stepped forward a couple of paces, his face awkward like never before. Raina didn't get it at first, but then she caught on. The kid was still clutching her leg tightly, and no matter how you looked at it, it was a bit inappropriate for a man to touch a woman's thigh so boldly.

"Sorry, miss, but you need to-"

Before Rael could finish, the little kid suddenly let go of Raina's leg and charged right up to Leif. That cherubic face now looked filled with something way beyond his age... a fierce anger.

The kid's small fists clenched tight, silently resisting something.

Leif raised his hand and pushed up his glasses, their lenses flashing white. Beneath them, his deep, abyss-like eyes flickered with a sharp, barely noticeable chill.

"Do I need to say it again? Get in the car." Leif ignored the kid's resistance and ordered coldly.

Father and son stood off for a while. The kid seemed to be holding back, then suddenly, tears burst from his tiny eyes.

Leif was silent for two seconds, like he'd given up. He bent down to pick up the kid, but the boy suddenly darted away.

A few seconds later, Leif straightened back up and fixed his gaze on Raina.

Raina felt the stare crawl under her skin, making her scalp tingle. She was about to find an excuse and leave when Leif acted first - turning around with his people and heading back into the hotel.

Raina let out a quiet breath of relief. On impulse, she glanced at the black car the kid had run toward earlier, then smiled and shook her head.

Just some random kid she'd run into by chance. How could she feel so worried?

Taking a deep breath, she waited until Leif and his group disappeared into the distance before stepping toward the hotel entrance.

But there, a security guard stopped her. "Invitation, please."

"Invitation?"

"Yes. There's a VIP birthday party in the grand hall tonight. Only the wealthy and influential are allowed. You have to show an invitation to get in."

Raina thought for a moment. Mireille had deliberately left out the invitation when she called - obviously waiting here to embarrass her in front of everyone.

The guard grew impatient when she couldn't produce an invite and even tried to shove her out.

Crowds coming and going couldn't help but laugh at Raina.

At tonight's high-society party, Raina's simple look made her stand out - and not in a good way.

She looked up and saw Mireille at the door not far off, arms crossed, wearing a smug grin.

Mireille knew the situation but acted like she was watching a show.

"Seriously? An adult playing these childish games..." Raina muttered under her breath.

She tapped her phone a few times and then casually said, "I don't have an invitation, but what about this?"

On her phone appeared a long purple-and-gold digital card.

The guard froze.

That was... a lifetime VIP card for the Diamond Palace Hotel!

The crowd gasped. The Diamond Palace Hotel was a five-star, and lifetime VIPs were incredibly exclusive - only about ten in the whole country, all huge power players.

No one expected plain-looking Raina to be one of them.

Mireille's face went pale, stunned.

Could this ugly duckling have hooked a big shot? But seriously, with her looks, how?

'That card must be fake!' Mireille thought.

Just then, the guard pulled out a scanner and checked the barcode.

"Beep! Verified!"

The card was legit - Raina really was a lifetime VIP!

"Now, can I come in?" Raina tucked her phone away and asked coolly.

The guard didn't dare stop her anymore and immediately let her through.

At the hotel entrance, Mireille, surrounded by guests, finally noticed Raina approaching with poise and grace.

"Oh my, isn't this my dear sister? You finally decided to show up," Mireille said. Her words instantly drew all eyes to Raina, who became the subject of whispers and pointing.

"So this is the Carrington's eldest daughter? Not bad figure-wise, but what about that face..."

"What face? You saw that ugly photo from five years ago, right? I was scared for days, barely able to eat..."

"She actually dared to come out and show herself? That takes guts, haha..."

Hearing the mockery, Raina acted like she didn't hear a thing, just staring straight at Mireille with a faint, unreadable smile.

"Sis, I'm really glad you came... Jasper and I truly love each other. Don't blame him - it's all my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame me..." Mireille said, eyes reddening, looking pitiful.

Seeing her clumsy performance, Raina wasn't the least bit surprised. She responded coolly, "Don't blame yourself. Jasper is just a toy-whatever your big sister doesn't want, she hands down to you."

Meaning, Jasper was what she didn't want, so she gave him to Mireille.

***