Chapter 4 Looks Like You're Seeing Someone

"You hide your connection with my family at school, take financial aid, and scrape by with part-time jobs... and you say you don't need money?" Vincent's voice was thick with amusement.

Iris stayed silent, gathering the torn pieces of her dress. "It's ruined."

The events of last night flashed in her mind, making her face burn with embarrassment.

Vincent nodded toward the wardrobe. "There are more inside."

Barefoot, Iris moved toward the wardrobe, opening its doors. Inside were rows of carefully arranged clothes. Exactly the kind of wardrobe a woman her age would dream of.

A sense of dread washed over Iris.

It was clear this villa was just another of Vincent's places for rendezvous.

He seemed to have a particular taste-fresh-faced, curvy college girls. And she fit the bill perfectly.

Iris grabbed the first dress she could find and slipped it on.

It didn't matter, as long as it wasn't too tight.

Vincent stepped into her path, twirling a delicate set of black fabrics around his fingers. "Wear this set next time."

Iris stared at the small pieces of black fabric, confused.

Then he held them up to her.

It was a set of lingerie.

A wave of embarrassment flooded her, and she grabbed her handbag. "I'm going home."

There would be no next time.

By the time Iris arrived at the Stewart Mansion, Vincent had already returned.

Elianna sat in the living room, quietly wiping away her tears.

Bryanna was confronting Vincent. "What are those scratches on your neck?"

There were three distinct red marks, definitely made by a woman.

Vincent hadn't returned all night. There was no doubt about what he had been doing.

Iris walked inside.

Bryanna immediately turned to her. "Do you have an idea which woman Vincent spent the night with?"

"I don't. I returned to school last night," Iris replied, her head lowered.

Bryanna's sharp eyes scanned her. "Where did that dress come from? What happened to the one you were wearing earlier?"

Iris gripped her handbag tightly, her heart pounding.

Bryanna had bought all her clothes.

Since Iris turned eighteen, Bryanna had always selected dresses that clung to her body, claiming they showed off a woman's curves best.

Vincent leaned lazily against the sofa, speaking at last. "I threw up on her last night. She ditched me and went back to school."

Iris quickly caught on. "The dress is from a friend."

Bryanna turned back to Vincent. "So where did you go after that?"

Vincent closed his eyes, offering no explanation.

The open collar of his crisp white shirt only made the red marks on his skin stand out more.

Elianna sniffed softly.

Bryanna sighed deeply. "Vincent, you are seeing Elianna now. It's high time you considered settling down."

Elianna sobbed even louder.

Bryanna glanced at Iris. "Take Elianna upstairs and comfort her."

Iris guided Elianna to her room.

Elianna wiped her tears, then grasped Iris's hands. "Tell me the truth, Iris. Who was Vincent with last night?"

Iris shook her head. "I don't know."

Elianna scowled slightly as something clicked. "Where's Clint?"

Iris hesitated before answering, "Vincent gave him a month off, so he went back to his hometown."

Elianna's jaw tightened. "He must have seen something. I'll make him talk. And when I do, that woman will pay."

Behind her polished facade, she was possessive and ruthless.

If she found out who Vincent had really spent the night with, she might just go as far as to kill her.

Eliana's eyes dropped to Iris's collarbone, her eyes narrowing as she reached for the fabric of Iris's dress. "What's this?"

Iris pulled back, her hands flying to shield her chest as she took a few quick steps away.

Last night, Vincent had relentlessly kissed every inch of her. The marks were now even more prominent, deepened overnight, contrasting starkly with her skin.

"Who were you with last night?" Elianna's voice grew sharp as she took a step closer.

Iris backed away, her head shaking rapidly.

Trusting her intuition, Elianna could feel her grip slipping away.

After all, there was no blood connection between Vincent and Iris.

Elianna glanced at Iris's handbag. "What's in there?" She lunged toward it. Iris held it tightly, refusing to let go.

As they struggled, the torn dress spilled out.

A sickening realization washed over Elianna. Vincent had claimed Iris left for school after he threw up on her. It had all been a lie.

"Who were you with last night?" Elianna demanded again, her voice full of fury.

As she shouted, the tight dress unraveled on the floor, and a small black piece of fabric slipped out.

Elianna instantly understood what it was.

She slapped Iris across the cheek, the force sending her staggering back into the wall, a thin stream of blood appearing at the corner of her mouth.

"How dare you touch what's mine?" Elianna hissed, cornering Iris as her hand rose for another blow-when a card slipped from Iris's handbag and fluttered to the floor.

Elianna bent down and grabbed it, her face shifting from anger to satisfaction. "Looks like you're seeing someone."

The name on the card was Jayden Warren. Only a naive college boy would bother writing such cheesy lines.

Someone like Vincent, with his wealth and power, would only offer credit cards that had no limits.

"I misunderstood you, Iris. I hope you won't hold this against me," Elianna said sweetly, wiping the blood from Iris's lips with a tissue, then quickly applying powder to the bruises with a compact.

Iris shook her head.

Elianna pulled a lipstick from her bag and handed it to Iris. "This is a gift for you. We'll be family soon."

Iris instinctively pushed it away, unwilling to accept anything from her.

Elianna casually twisted the lipstick open and carefully applied it to Iris's lips. "Bryanna says you're the most obedient. From now on, watch Vincent for me. If any woman approaches him, make sure you tell me immediately, understand?"

Iris, like a marionette in her hands, nodded stiffly.

Pleased, Elianna led her by the hand and took her downstairs.

Downstairs, Bryanna noticed the light return to Elianna's eyes and smiled with relief. "Iris always knows what to do. Just a few words, and Elianna is at ease."

Vincent, lounging on the sofa, lazily glanced at Iris. "What happened to your face?"

Before Iris could answer, Elianna jumped in with a bright smile. "I gave her some lipstick. Do you like it, Vincent?"

Vincent turned his eyes away, a sneer twisting his face. "It's hideous."

Elianna sighed in relief.

She had overthought it. The disdain in Vincent's eyes was unmistakable.

"Now that I'm back, you can leave," Vincent said flatly.

Elianna froze in place.

Bryanna quickly intervened. "Elianna, you're not officially engaged to Vincent yet. It would be improper for you to stay the night. Once you two are engaged, you'll be welcome to stay as long as you like."

Elianna's face flushed with embarrassment.

Bryanna took her hand. "Come on, let me walk you out."

Outside, Elianna said in a low voice, "Iris is maturing. She's beautiful. Any man would be drawn to her. You should keep a close eye on her."

Bryanna bristled. "Is someone pursuing her?"

Elianna gave her a knowing smile. "If it's just a suitor, then fine. But what if she gets deceived..."

Bryanna frowned, worry creeping across her face. "Iris always listens to me. I would never allow any man to get close to her."

Elianna said no more, having made her point.

Bryanna's mind began to race. She could keep an eye on Iris at home, but what about at school?

Elianna smiled sweetly. "Iris is such a lovely girl. No wonder Vincent is so fond of her."

Bryanna chuckled lightly. "And how do you know he's fond of her?"

Elianna responded, "At Caden's funeral, Mrs. Maggie Warren mentioned seeing Vincent and Iris talking at the gazebo behind the funeral home. They looked very close."

The smile froze on Bryanna's lips.

Vincent had told her himself that he and Iris hadn't even crossed paths at the funeral. Her expression turned icy as she stormed back inside.

"Iris, how could you lie to me!"