Chapter 3

Iloona Finch tiptoed over to the bed, her gaze greedily fixed on Case Hathaway’s handsome face. They had grown up together. She had loved him for over a decade, from being a naive little girl to a graceful young lady. In her world, there had always only been him.

She reached out her hand, her fingertips gently tracing the bridge of Case Hathaway’s nose. Her voice was tender to the point of being almost cloying: “Case, I’ve finally seen you again. This time, I won’t let you go away from me ever again.”

Perhaps because her voice was too close, Case Hathaway frowned in his sleep and asked vaguely, “Who is it?”

Iloona Finch quickly withdrew her hand and smiled, pinching his nose playfully. “Casey, it’s me, Iloona. I came to keep you company early in the morning.”

Case Hathaway turned over, gave an impatient response, and fell back into a deep sleep. He had been awake until the early morning due to insomnia. He was too tired to pay any attention to Ilona Finch.

Iloona Finch wasn’t angry either. Instead, she lay down beside him, close to his body, her face beaming with happiness. She knew that Case Hathaway didn’t feel much affection for her yet, but she wasn’t afraid. With Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway’s support, and given the alliance between their families, Case Hathaway would eventually become hers.

After what felt like a long time, Case Hathaway stretched and slowly opened his eyes. A faint scent of perfume filled the air around him. He turned his head and saw Ilona Finch lying beside him, sound asleep.

His expression darkened instantly, his tone tinged with displeasure: “Iloona, how come you’re in my bed?”

Iloona Finch was awakened by his noise. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked at him innocently. “Case, when I came in this morning, my aunt said you were very tired and asked me not to disturb you. I saw that you were sleeping deeply, and since I didn’t want to go back, I just stayed with you for a while. I mean no harm.”

Casey Hathaway was so caught off guard that he couldn’t say a word. He could only frown and get up, walking toward the wardrobe with his upper body exposed. “Please leave for now. I need to change my clothes.”

Iloona Finch watched his broad back, her cheeks slightly reddening. She covered her eyes playfully and said in a coquettish voice, “Kace, why aren’t you wearing any clothes? That’s so embarrassing.”

Casey Hathaway ignored her and went into the bathroom with his clothes in hand. He knew Ilona Finch all too well. On the surface, she seemed polite and understanding, but in reality, she had a very possessive personality. Ever since she was a child, whatever she wanted, she would get it—including him.

Water was flowing in the bathroom. Ilona Finch removed her hand from her eyes. The shyness in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a sinister look. She knew that Case Hathaway would always remain cold toward her. But she wouldn’t give up. No matter what it took, she would keep him firmly in her grasp.

By the time Case Hathaway came out of the bathroom, Ilona Finch was no longer in the room. He frowned slightly, but didn’t think much of it. After changing his clothes, he went downstairs.

At the dining table downstairs, the table was covered with food. Ilona Finch stood by, smiling at him. “Casey, you’re awake. I asked the kitchen to prepare this lunch especially for you. It’s all your favorite dishes.”

Case Hathaway said nothing. He simply walked over to the dining table, sat down, and began eating in silence. He didn’t want to offend Ilona Finch, as the two families were closely related. But he also didn’t want to give her any hopes either.

“Case, is it delicious?” Ilona Finch leaned in, looking at him expectantly. “I specifically told the chef to prepare it according to your taste from when you were a child.”

Case Hathaway nodded absentmindedly, without even looking up. His mind was preoccupied with Brent Haines and what he might say next time they met. He had no interest in dealing with Ilona Finch at all.

Halfway through eating, Case Hathaway put down his chopsticks and looked up at Ilona Finch. “Why haven’t you gone back yet? I need to go out on business in a bit.”

Iloona Finch’s face fell instantly. She pouted, looking upset. “Case, is that really how you want to get rid of me? Can’t I stay with you a little longer?”

“It’s not that I want to send you away,” Case Hathaway rubbed his forehead, his tone tinged with frustration. “There’s something I need to take care of, and it’s not convenient to bring you along. Please go home for now. I’ll talk to you when I get back.”

Iloona Finch noticed his serious expression and knew he meant it. Although she was dissatisfied, she didn’t dare say anything more. She could only act obediently: “Alright then, Case. Come back soon. I’ll be waiting for you at home.”

Case Hathaway nodded and turned to go upstairs to change his clothes. What he didn’t see was that, the moment he turned around, Ilona Finch’s gaze turned icy. She took out her phone, dialed a number, and spoke in a low, sinister voice: “Find out everything you can about someone named Brent Haines. I want all his information, and I need it quickly.”

She had long noticed that Case Hathaway was acting strangely lately. He seemed distracted and hardly ever paid her any attention. She suspected that Case Hathaway had someone else in his heart. And that person, Brent Haines, was the one who had taken Case away from her. Since he was her enemy, she couldn’t be blamed for being ruthless.