Chapter 2

Four years ago, Kallie, a member of the gang, was arrested.

She took her own life in prison.

The authorities, after a meticulous selection process based on her appearance, chose me to impersonate her, infiltrating the gang upon release.

I bore a striking resemblance to her and had undergone rigorous training to perfectly mimic her temperament and habits.

She was notoriously greedy, boisterous, and was one of the guys.

For the past four years, I have been pretending to be her, never daring to let my guard down for even a moment.

Three years ago, the campaign against organized crime succeeded, and the gang was dismantled.

However, the gang leader, Jerold, was rescued by a high-ranking official and mysteriously vanished during the thorough manhunt.

I must capture Jerold and uncover the high-ranking official he has bribed.

To achieve this, I continue to live as Kallie, adopting her lifestyle, mingling with the elite, and even performing exotic dances for money.

Finally, I waited for Jerold to reappear.

Three days later, in the basement level of the Diamond Crest Hotel in the city center, I met Jerold.

A scar ran through his left eye, giving him a menacing appearance.

"Little Kallie, I heard you've been ingratiating yourself with Brenton these past few years and making quite a bit of money, huh? Now that I'm back in action, I'm a bit short on cash," he said, rubbing his fingers together.

Without hesitation, I transferred all the two hundred thousand dollars of pocket money Brenton had given me over the years to him.

I needed to earn his trust.

"Big brother, all the money I have is here. If it's not enough, I can ask Brenton for more. But Brenton has a new flame now, and he might kick me out soon."

Jerold laughed heartily, giving my shoulder a heavy pat. "Good job, I knew I could count on you. I have a new task for you—make sure Brenton marries Sarah."

What?

I never imagined a gang leader would issue such an order.

Jerold's right eye gleamed with cunning. "Sarah's father is the deputy mayor of Rusnocia and a good friend of mine." In an instant, I understood everything.

The high-ranking official Jerold had roped in was Sarah's father, Vince.

Jerold continued, "If we want to make a comeback, we need Vince as our insider in the political arena. We're in this together, and we must help him secure his position—by marrying his family into the wealth of Brenton!

With a capable son-in-law like Brenton, Vince will surely rise through the ranks, becoming our greatest protector!"

I quickly reported the secret collusion between Vince, the deputy mayor of Rusnocia, and the gang to my superiors.

A few days later, my superiors gave me new instructions: the disciplinary committee had begun a covert investigation into Vince. To avoid alerting the enemy, I must continue my undercover role and comply with all of Jerold's demands.

This meant I really had to follow Jerold's orders and facilitate the marriage between Brenton and Sarah until they were wed.

At Sarah's birthday party, Brenton held her close, flaunting their affection in front of me.

To please her, he once again humiliated me with a box of money.

I tossed the box aside.

"Don't give me money. I don't want it. I'll do whatever you want—bark like a dog, crawl on the ground, strip dance... No problem! Just kiss each other, come on! Kiss!"

I clapped my hands, inciting the crowd to join in the chant.

Brenton was stunned, pulling me aside to quietly question, "What are you doing? Aren't you usually all about the money? Now you're pushing me and Sarah together?"

I laughed it off. "Aren't you happy? Don't you love her the most? I want you two to marry soon! Live happily ever after!"

Brenton stared at me, gripping my shoulders. "No, this isn't right. If you love me, you should be jealous... Of course, I don't care if you love me or not, I just, just..."

I answered briskly, "You're overthinking it. I don't love you."

Saying that hurt my heart because I was lying.

Brenton froze, moving closer. "You don't love me? Then why are there tears in your eyes? Why are your hands shaking?"

He stepped closer, cornering me, his long fingers sliding from my shoulders to my waist, gripping tightly.

His strong, fresh scent overwhelmed me.

He sniffed, touched, and squeezed me, finally letting out a satisfied chuckle, whispering in my ear, "Still dare to say you don't love me? Your every action shows you do."

I pushed him away forcefully. "Don't touch me! You make me sick! There's no love between us, only a sordid financial arrangement. Now the deal is over. You have Sarah, you can't touch me anymore."

Brenton's handsome face seemed to crack, disbelief filling his eyes.

"I don't believe it. In the past three years, did you really have no feelings for me?"

I met his gaze coldly. "That's right."

Just then, Sarah appeared, timidly tugging on Brenton's sleeve. "Brenton dear, what's wrong? Did she upset you again?"

Brenton grabbed her hand, sneering. "Her? A woman past her prime, making me upset?"

Sarah's eyes widened innocently. "But I thought you two were close. Brenton dear's room still has her photos."

Brenton immediately ordered our photos cut.

We had climbed Hasneau Mountain, visited Gucruiburg, Broatho, Ablyae, Oscoye...

So many beautiful memories captured in Polaroid photos.

Now they were all cut by the housekeeper, my half shredded and fed into the shredder.

All my personal items in Brenton's bedroom were thrown into the trash, my clothes burned.

The books I left in his study, the letters I wrote him, all burned.

The flames illuminated Brenton's cold, handsome face, his eyes filled with hatred.

Sarah was in high spirits, her joy almost visible, deliberately asking Brenton, "What about the money you gave Kallie..."

She wanted me to return the money I got from Brenton.

Quite the schemer, worthy of being Brenton's future bride.

Brenton didn't even glance at me, scoffing, "Do I need to beg for money from a beggar?"

He got up and left, his back proud and unyielding.

Sarah didn't follow him but turned to me with a mysterious smile. "Well done, little Kallie, no wonder you're Jerold's underling."

It seemed she had long known I was working for Jerold and that her father was in cahoots with him.

Her red lips curled arrogantly as she commanded, "Keep it up, make sure Brenton proposes to me, or... I'll have Jerold deal with you!"