Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Revenge Plan: Seduce His Dad

Twenty minutes later.

Lumi Hale found Calista with her cheeks swollen and red, face twisted in fury, looking absolutely disheveled in a wrinkled evening dress. She gasped and asked,

"Cali, what happened? Weren't you supposed to be getting engaged to Lucas today? I was literally on my way there when you called me over."

"It's not my engagement with Lucas," Calista replied, her voice tight. "It's Felicity and Lucas's."

Lumi's eyes widened instantly.

"Wait, what? Felicity and Lucas?! Are you kidding me?"

Calista took a sip of her coffee, then calmly laid out the whole story.

Lumi exploded as soon as she heard the details. Slamming her hand on the table, she snapped, "Seriously? Just because she's got a heart condition, she thinks she can steal your fiancé and still have the nerve to ask you to support them? That's insane! I've seen some shameless people, but this takes the cake."

She stood up, fired up. "Girl, gimme a katana and I'll go full Kill Bill on those two clowns!"

Calista quickly stopped her, pulling her back by the arm.

"What's the point in going berserk now? Killing them would be too easy-it doesn't cut deep enough."

Lumi took a breath to calm down, eyes fixed on Calista, licking her dry lips. "Alright. So what's the plan then? Whatever it is, I'm right behind you."

Calista gave a slow smirk. "Lucas's dad-weirdly young looking, right? Since Felicity's obsessed with stealing everything I've got, I'll just beat her at her own game. I'll marry his dad. Just imagine-next time they see me, they'll have to call me 'Mom.'"

"Pfft!"

Lumi spat out her coffee-literally. But in the next second, she clutched Calista's arm, her eyes gleaming. "Okay, wait, I love that. Like, actually love it. I've seen Lucas's dad before. I don't know what kind of skincare sorcery he's into, but the man looks like he's Lucas's age-only hotter. And I mean, way hotter. Total glow-up from Lucas."

"Seriously? Good-looking and youthful?"

"Hang on-I got pictures." Lumi whipped out her phone. "I was at this party a month ago with my dad, and he pointed the guy out. I was so stunned I sneakily snapped a photo. Total heartthrob."

She handed the phone to Calista, who stared at the screen-and just like that, her eyes lit up like a million stars.

Damn, this dude... he's actually Lucas's dad? What the hell is he eating to stay that fine? That face is insane.

"He's hot, right?"

"I mean, just for that face alone, I'd do it. No regrets."

"I'm with you. Gimme a sec, I'll find out where he's at."

No time wasted-Lumi got to work contacting her people, digging up every detail about Lucas's father. In less than half an hour, she had him all mapped out.

"Once he's out cold, get him to the room I booked. Tonight's the night. Tomorrow, Lucas and Felicity better be saying 'Mom' real polite."

"Say less. All on me."

*****

9 PM. On the dot.

Calista stepped up to the door in a killer low-cut dress, keycard in hand. Lumi waited by the door, flashing her a mischievous grin. "Have fun in there."

Not shy at all, Calista laughed, chin up, waving Lumi off like she had this in the bag.

She opened the door, strutted straight toward the bed. The man was lying there, eyes shut, and up close? Damn, that face was unreal. Striking features with that arrogant charm-total knockout.

Seriously, this guy? Way out of Lucas's league. Ten out of ten, easy.

"You know, for a guy with a grown-ass son like Lucas, you're surprisingly easy on the eyes. Honestly, I'm kinda getting the short end of the stick here-but I'll let it slide. As long as those two kneel and call me 'Mom' one day, it's 100% worth it. And hey, you're not bad to look at, so I guess it evens out. Worst case? When you drop dead, just leave me half your fortune. Fair trade, right?"

After eyeing him up, Calista licked her lips and reached for his collar, all set to get things moving.

No time to waste-if that drug wore off, she'd be in trouble. Timing had to be tight to make this plan work.

She was deep in her thoughts when suddenly-bam-the guy's eyes flew open.

"Ah!" Calista jumped back, totally spooked.

"What are you trying to pull?"

Lancelot Bennett raised his brows, slowly sitting up, voice deep and rough as he stared at her.

Calista took an instinctive step back, panic flashing in her eyes.

Seriously, Lumi? Wasn't he supposed to be knocked out? Why did he look totally fine?

Whatever. No turning back now.

She clenched her jaw, shut her eyes tight, and threw herself straight at him.