Chapter 3

"Hello, Eve." Lucas's good-looking eyes held a gentle smile. "Alina is Mr. Costa's daughter. She's like the princess of the Costa family. Why don't you go and say hello to her? You will have plenty to talk about with each other."

Eve glanced at Lucas coldly and gave a mocking smile. "A princess? She is only an illegitimate daughter and was unacknowledged by Mr. Costa."

The music in the ballroom suddenly stopped, and the guests fell silent and were held their breaths.

Alina's face turned pale, and her fingers were clutching her dress tightly.

Lucas frowned. "Don't be stubborn, Eve. Mind your words. Today's occasion is important."

"Important?" Eve suddenly laughed with sarcasm. "Is it important enough for you to go back on your word?"

Lucas was stunned.

"You said you didn't like dancing." Her voice turned icy. "You said you weren't worthy of me, so you'd never attend any ball with me."

Eve's gaze turned to Alina, who stood nervously and was clutching her dress. She looked innocent and timid.

"But you held her hand and danced the opening dance." Eve's voice trembled slightly.

The guests fell completely silent, and their eyes fixed on the three of them.

Lucas's face darkened. He stepped forward and warned Eve in a low voice. "Enough! Eve, don't throw a tantrum here.

Alina is the princess of the Costa family, and I need her assistance."

"Am I throwing a tantrum?" Eve raised her voice abruptly, and her eyes were burning with anger. "Who's throwing a tantrum? Her mother was just a lowly courtesan. What help can she offer you..."

"Slap!" A loud slap echoed through the ballroom.

Eve staggered back a few steps and incredulously covered her burning cheek.

She looked at Lucas, and his hand was still suspended in the air with his knuckles slightly red. He must have used all his strength.

The ballroom fell into a dead silence instantly.

Eve's lips trembled, and she wanted to speak, but tears streamed down uncontrollably.

Lucas was also stunned. He opened his mouth and seemingly wanted to say something, but he just stiffly took back his hand.

Eve was spoiled and often threw childish tantrums after she dated Lucas.

She would draw on his face and hair with paint, and he would not mind it.

She would play pranks to publicly embarrass women who pestered him, and he would merely laugh it off.

Before a critical mission, she accidentally broke his most reliable gun, and he calmly had his men prepare another one. Then he would have sex with her in front of the large window until she was weary.

But he slapped her in public just because she had said some truths about Alina.

"Did you slap me?" Eve's voice was so light that it was almost inaudible. Her heart ached. "Did you slap me for a mistress, an illegitimate daughter?"

She couldn't believe that Lucas, who had once treasured her like a delicate jewel, would treat her like that now.

Lucas didn't answer, but his gaze said it all.

He had chosen Alina.

Eve suddenly laughed, and tears ran down her cheeks. "Fine. Lucas, from now on, we're done!"

With that, Eve left, and the guests automatically made way for her. No one dared to stop her.

Alina hurriedly caught up and grabbed Eve's arm. "Do you really think Lucas loves you?"

Alina chuckled and said vicious words, which sharply contrasted with her innocent appearance. "Last night, when he had sex with me, he said every time you touch him, he feels disgusted."

Eve stiffened instantly.

Alina watched with satisfaction as Eve's face turned ashen. Then she continued to whisper viciously, "He said you were like a desperate whore and always clung to him. You suffocated him. You're not even worth a strand of my hair. That's why he came to me. After all..." She paused and lowered her voice while chuckling softly. "He can truly relax in my bed."

Eve's pupils contracted instantly, and her ears buzzed. The world seemed to have lost its sound in that moment.

In the next moment, Eve picked up a wine bottle and smashed it hard on Alina's head.