Scarlet glanced lightly at Lucian who had retracted his gaze and focused his interest in driving with all seriousness he could muster then shifted her gaze toward the window watching the scenery.
A murmur slipped past her lips, almost like a confession to herself. "I still don't understand how I ended up married to you of all people."
She wasn't sure if he heard her, and she didn't care.
Fate must really enjoy playing tricks on people. If someone had told her a week ago that she would be married to her cold, distant CEO, the man feared and revered by the entire company, she would have laughed them off.
Yet here she was, sitting beside Lucian Sterling in the passenger seat of his ridiculously luxurious car, heading to confront her chaotic family.
What confused her even more was him. The Lucian known by the staff and employees of the Sterling group was cold, reserved, and almost untouchable.
But this Lucian she is married to and the one driving, speaking softly, and showing concern, seemed… different. Human, even. Maybe she was seeing things. Or maybe everyone else never really got close enough to know the truth.
Still, whatever this marriage had started as a mistake, an accident or misconception — she was already inside it.
And since her family sees her as a tool and a means of maintaining a long lasting friendship with the loan shark, a ticket to wealth, she might as well use this marriage as protection.
As leverage. She couldn't afford to be weak anymore.
Letting out a quiet sigh, she leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, trying to steady the flutter in her chest. Her thoughts were messy, tangled like a web of old pain and new confusion.
Lucian didn't miss her subtle shift. His fingers curled slightly on the wheel, but he said nothing.
Then, just as the car rolled past a traffic light, Scarlet muttered, almost too casually, "Even this car is too expensive. We need to change it."
Lucian's eyes widened. His foot slammed the brake harder than intended, jolting the car to a sudden stop. A loud honk came from behind them as another vehicle narrowly avoided hitting them.
Yet they paid no mind and the driver after raining abuses on him, drive off.
"What did you say?" he asked, turning his head slowly, as if trying to confirm he had heard correctly.
"I said we should change the car," she repeated with a calm face, completely ignoring the chaos she had just caused.
Lucian blinked, speechless for a moment. "You… want me to change my car?"
Scarlet nodded. "Yes."
He stared at her, baffled. "Do you really mean I should change the car, like for real?" He asked not hiding his shock.
She shrugged. "Not my business. But it looks like a magnet for attention — exactly what I'm trying to avoid." she murmured.
Lucian exhaled slowly, leaning back into his seat. "First, change the clothes. Now, the car too. Are your people that… greedy?" he muttered under his breath.
But her serious face told him this wasn't only about her family's greed, it might also be her defense mechanism.
Without another word, he pulled over to the roadside and took out his phone. Dialing quickly, his voice was firm.
"Get me a different vehicle. Something... average or possibly cheaper. Meet me at Boulevard Bus Stop. Fast."
Scarlet gave a tired chuckle. "So this is what it feels like to live rich. Just wave your hand and—bam! New car."
Lucian ended the call and turned to face her. "Why though? Why does the car matter so much to you?"
She looked out the window again. Her voice was low, thoughtful. "Because... I know my parents. I know their kind of greed. If they see the car, they'll name a price and slap it on my head. They'll find a way to say I owe them more. They'll never stop."
Lucian didn't reply. He simply studied her. For once, the sharp lines in her expression weren't caused by stubbornness, they were from years of emotional wounds, and she might have experienced such occurrences all the time.
This wasn't just about avoiding gossip. It was about avoiding being devoured.
Scarlet clenched her fists slightly. She couldn't go into the matter of explaining herself now. She didn't want to relieve the memory of her parents' money mindedness, it is quite horrible.
She is not ready to be their cash cow anymore, it's her decision.
And starting this moment, she will make good her promise to them, it's her revenge for the suffering and pains she had gone through in their hand..
So, Whatever this marriage was, mistaken or accurate she was going to use it to protect herself. For once.
Lucian broke the silence. "Since we have to wait for the car, we might as well get something to eat."
He pointed toward a nearby upscale restaurant. The glowing lights, mirrored windows, and stylish exterior clearly said, We serve people with deep pockets.
Scarlet sighed deeply. She could already imagine the social media headlines: Sterling Group CEO dines with unknown woman or Office affair rumors confirmed?
"I'll pass," she said quickly, arms folded. "I'd rather not make the news today."
Lucian quirked a brow. "Still afraid of bumping into your colleagues?"
Scarlet chuckled softly, her voice tinged with dry humor. "You top executives wouldn't understand. You all live in penthouses and are familiar friends with the media and reporters. People like us — we have to survive around gossip and rumors. Even if they're false, they stick."
Lucian nodded thoughtfully. "So, it's not about fear. It's about reputation."
She glanced at him. "It's about peace. I still want to come to work tomorrow and not be stared at like I have some forbidden story written on my face."
Lucian leaned back, resting an arm on the steering wheel, his gaze now focused on her entirely. "You're more complicated than I expected, Scarlet."
She smiled faintly. "That's funny. I think you are much more complicated."
Lucian gave a short laugh under his breath. He didn't say anything else. The silence between them wasn't heavy this time. It was calm… strange, but calm.
Moments later, Brandon with an old car pulled up beside them. Lucian felt his breath hitched. He couldn't help wondering what on earth he should be doing in such a rickety car.
"Are you sure this is okay?" He asked again as he stared at the car parked beside them.
Scarlet raised an eyebrow. "It is okay or do you think you can't ride this?"
Lucian nodded. "Quite difficult to drive but then I will try." He murmured resignedly as he alighted his car and motioned for her to come down.
She giggled, surprising even herself. "Never thought I will witness Lucian clad in substandard clothes and a car." It is quite refreshing. She mused.
He stepped out to make the switch, then paused and turned back toward her. "I hope there is nothing to change again?" He asked with smirk in his voice.
Scarlet blinked, watching him walk away.
Maybe… just maybe… Lucian Sterling wasn't so cold after all.