Chapter 2: A Woman’s Lips, a Liar’s Game

Seren Thorne: "?"

{What does this jerk mean? Is he implies I'm mentally ill?}

{I was actually going to give him a few free tips since his face shows he's about to be backstabbed by someone close to him, but now? He's getting charged.}

{Free advice? He doesn't deserve it!}

Hearing this, Alaric Vane swept a glance over her.

This woman knew how to read faces and tell fortunes? Since when?

In the past, Alaric would never have believed in such supernatural nonsense, but now that he could actually hear Seren’s inner thoughts, the idea of her being a mystic didn't seem all that surprising anymore.

Acting on a sudden impulse, he called out to the assistant who was about to leave, attempting to guide Seren’s train of thought: "The mole I asked you to investigate—any leads yet?"

Brooks replied respectfully, "The investigation is still ongoing.

"Initial findings suggest that the person who leaked the internal company data is likely a core member of the R&D department.

"As for the suspect's specific identity, we need further investigation."

As soon as Brooks finished speaking, Alaric heard Seren’s voice: {Wrong, wrong, completely wrong. The suspect isn't in R&D at all; it’s this two-faced Brooks standing right in front of you.

{You’re asking him to find the mole? That’s like asking a murderer to lead the police investigation. You’d have to be a ghost to find anything.}

Alaric’s eyes flickered, his scrutinizing gaze landing on Brooks.

Brooks was a top student sponsored and raised by the Vane family. He had joined Vane Enterprises immediately after graduation and had been with him for three years.

For those three years, Brooks had been fiercely loyal, solving countless problems both big and small. Alaric had never doubted him before—and he didn't want to.

But human hearts are impenetrable. Even Seren, who used to act like she loved him more than life itself, turned out to be a fake. What about an assistant who only worked for a paycheck?

Brooks worked for the company for profit; who could guarantee he wouldn't betray the company for his own gain?

Alaric masked his emotions perfectly and said to Brooks, "I see. Have someone keep a close eye on the R&D staff. Find them as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir." Brooks noticed nothing unusual in Alaric’s demeanor and exited the room.

Once Brooks was gone, Alaric sent a message to a private contact to investigate him.

He would know soon enough whether Seren was truly a mystic or just talking nonsense.

Right after he sent the message, he saw Seren leaning in mysteriously. "Alaric, I'll tell you a secret. I actually know how to tell fortunes."

{This dog of a man cost her fifty million and a villa. She has to blackmail a hefty sum out of him now!}

Alaric glanced at her but said nothing.

Seeing no reaction, Seren continued, "I’m confident I can help you catch the mole who leaked your company secrets. If I find them, you give me three thousand dollars and we get that divorce. How about it?"

In her past life, she charged fifty bucks a reading. Three thousand dollars seemed like a massive fortune to her.

Alaric had expected her to demand millions; he hadn't expected this woman to be so unambitious that she only dared to ask for a pittance.

He was utterly unimpressed. "No need."

Seren thought he just didn't believe in her skills and was about to offer a free reading to prove herself when Alaric said, "I’ll have someone look into Brooks."

Seren was stunned. "How did you know Brooks was the mole? Do you tell fortunes too?"

Alaric gave her a side-eye, said nothing, and got back into bed to sleep.

It was already half-past midnight. If not for Seren’s schemes, he would have been asleep long ago.

Seeing that he was ignoring her, Seren felt a bit deflated.

A perfect opportunity to make money had just flown away.

Three thousand dollars!

A whole three thousand!

In her past life, that would have fed her for months.

And she could have had meat with every single meal.

If she’d had three thousand dollars back then, she wouldn't have starved to death.

Hearing Seren's inner thoughts, Alaric’s mind stirred.

He didn't believe that anyone in modern society could actually starve. Was the soul inside Seren exaggerating, or was it the truth?

As he was pondering, he saw Seren also lie down on the bed.

He frowned and barked coldly, "Get out!"

They had been married for over a year, and Seren had always slept on the sofa.

If he hadn't drunk something he shouldn't have tonight, Seren wouldn't have had the chance to touch him in this lifetime.

It was already an act of mercy that he wasn't punishing her for earlier; this woman actually dared to climb into his bed!

Facing the man’s dark and chilling command, Seren remained unmoved. She even pulled the blanket toward her side, wrapping herself up like a cocoon, and muttered under her breath, "Why should I? This bed was part of my dowry. If anyone’s leaving, it should be you."

{The dog man. The original Seren loved him for years, and even if he didn't return her feelings, he wouldn't even let her have a bed in the bedroom. He let that poor girl sleep on a sofa for an entire year.}

{No wonder he can't win over the heroine. With a personality like this, he deserves to be wifeless.}

Hearing Seren mention that "heroine" again, the veins on Alaric’s forehead throbbed.

What kind of garbage was this woman thinking about all day? Did she think he was as love-struck as she was?

His life had always centered on his career. Lowering oneself to beg for love was something only the weak did.

He, Alaric Vane, would never bow down to please any woman.

Since Alaric couldn't kick Seren out and couldn't bring himself to get physical with a woman, he could only sleep with a darkened expression.

However, not long after he closed his eyes, he felt something roll over.

The next moment, Seren rolled right into his arms, hugging him like a koala.

Her dark hair, smelling of body wash, brushed against his jaw, and the softness beneath her collarbone pressed tight against his hard chest.

Alaric’s temples throbbed. "Get off me."

The person in his arms gave no response; she seemed to be fast asleep.

With a dark face, he reached out to peel her off him and pushed her aside with zero tenderness.

But not long after he pushed her away, just as he was about to drift off, Seren clung to him again, her head resting on his arm, sleeping soundly.

Alaric, expressionless, woke her up directly. "Don't touch me."

"Oh." Seren’s eyes were hazy with sleep as she rolled back to her side in a daze.

Twenty minutes later, she rolled back again.

Alaric: "..."

If this woman’s inner voice hadn't vanished because she was asleep, he would have suspected she was faking it.

He woke her up and pushed her away again.

A while later, she was back.

After repeating this several times until three in the morning, Alaric finally gave up.

A woman’s lips were indeed a liar’s game.

On the surface, she claimed she didn't like him anymore, but her body was certainly honest.

Heh.