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The Billionaire’s Flash Marriage: Baby I’m Sorry - Chapter 4



Chapter 4


"Do you want to go shopping with me? Even though we had a flash marriage, we still need to buy rings to have a sense of formality, right? Besides, I also want to buy you some new clothes as a meeting gift."

Kane was so handsome that he deserved to wear expensive and elegant custom-made suits, not just an ordinary suit like this, Lani thought to herself.

"Why would I let you buy them? If we buy, it's my money, and I can't let you pay like that."

Kane chuckled at Lani's words and gently patted her head. Then both of them felt a little awkward.

"Why not? I've said it before: I have a lot of money, and I will take care of all the expenses for our future lives. You don't need to worry. You just need to keep the house clean and cook delicious meals every day."

Without letting Kane hesitate any further, Lani took him directly to a nearby large shopping center. Both of them were already wearing masks to ensure that no one recognized them, so Lani comfortably told the staff that she wanted to buy the most beautiful diamond wedding rings.

"How do you feel about this one? Or you can choose whichever you like."

Kane was flexible, so he quickly played the role of a poor man and seriously chose an exquisite pair of wedding rings, with a sparkling pink diamond in the woman's ring and a surrounding diamond in the man's ring.

"That's great; let's take these."

Lani casually swiped her card and then handed it to Kane to help her put on the ring for him. Feeling the joy of spending money, Lani took Kane to some nearby men's clothing stores and ordered him five exquisitely tailored suits at a considerable price.

Afterward, they went to another luxury clothing store, where Lani bought Kane some more comfortable home clothes and a few pairs of shiny and elegant leather shoes.

"Hey, I think it's enough. I don't need to buy so many new clothes like this."

At this point, Kane felt a little guilty for deceiving Lani, but she was treating him so well. However, Lani just waved her hand and said she didn't need to worry because she had a lot of money, and the money spent on clothes was nothing.

"It's okay; I told you before that this is just a meeting gift for my husband. Just accept it; it's fine."

It wasn't until Lani's feet were a bit tired that she finally listened to Kane and left the shopping center. Kane's hands were filled with shopping bags from various famous brands, and when he put them in the taxi's trunk, it was nearly full.

"Where do you live? Is it nearby?"

Kane casually mentioned the name of a cheap rental apartment in the suburbs. Lani didn't inquire further about the address, only instructing the driver to take her home first.

"In a little while, when we get to my place, I'll let you drive my car home. I have a few cars, and I'll leave one for you to drive. Taking a taxi when you go out is very inconvenient."

"Also, I hope you can move in with me soon to help me with cooking and cleaning. When can you move in?"

Kane agreed that he could move in with Lani next week, and she eagerly accepted. Then, as if thinking of something, Lani took a bank card from her purse and gave it to Kane. She leaned in close to his ear and whispered the PIN, then explained in a hushed voice.

"This is your spending money. Feel free to buy whatever you want; there's no need to save for me. I'm not extremely wealthy, but I'm well off enough to take care of you."

Kane, by now accustomed to Lani's generosity, accepted the card with a dreamy expression. He found her innocence and generosity charming.

Their conversation ended, and Lani idly picked up her phone to browse the web. She casually came across a post about Hebe and Amory. Two hours ago, Amory posted a selfie of himself and Hebe with the cheesy caption, "Meeting you is my happiness, my girlfriend."

Lani saw this status and couldn't help but burst into laughter. In their three years together, Lani had wanted to publicly acknowledge their relationship several times, but Amory had consistently refused, citing a desire to focus on his career. Now, after just a few days of dating Hebe, he was in such a hurry to make it public. It was truly eye-opening for Lani.

As Lani had predicted, the media was buzzing with excitement over Amory's status. 

After all, the private lives of actors were always a matter of great interest, especially when they involved celebrities like Amory and Hebe. Fans couldn't stop praising them as a beautiful couple and eagerly anticipating films starring them as the lead actors. Some even urged them to get married quickly.

This was something Lani had considered before, but in the end, it hadn't happened to her; instead, it was happening to someone else. She no longer felt the same pain, but rather a sense of irony. 

Amory's love had indeed been quite shallow. She had been naive enough to believe Amory's words—that he didn't want to go public with their relationship to protect her and shield her from any hurtful comments from fans.

At that moment, she noticed a message from Hebe sent an hour ago, which contained a screenshot of Amory's status along with a teasing message.

"My dear sister, don't be too sad. Although Amory loves me so much that he immediately made our relationship public, I can also compensate you."

"I'll introduce you to some wealthy executives. They might be bald, have beer bellies, or be divorced, but they are rich and can openly have a relationship with you instead of keeping it a secret for three years as Amory did with you."

Lani could almost picture Hebe's triumphant face from across the screen. But she didn't want Hebe to enjoy herself too much. She smirked and looked over at Kane, who was sitting beside her, smiling charmingly.

"Do you mind if we take a selfie?"

Kane nodded in agreement. Although he found it a bit strange, he obediently allowed Lani to hold his hand, and they took a photo together with their hands interlocked, showing off their sparkling wedding rings. Afterward, Lani quickly took a photo of their marriage certificate and sent it to Hebe with a mischievous grin.

"Too bad, I'm already married. My husband is even more handsome than Amory, and he loves me very much. He sincerely wanted to marry me the first time we met. You're just Amory's girlfriend for now, aren't you? You two still don't have any plans to get married, right? What a shame!"

Lani mimicked Hebe's fake tone in her reply, knowing full well that Hebe would be shocked and infuriated. She was confident that Hebe wouldn't leak the photos, so she felt safe sending them and taunting her.

Lani smiled smugly, her eyes sparkling, as she glanced at Kane beside her.

"For the first time, I feel having a husband is wonderful."

Her eyes curled like the crescent moon, and her smile was both pure and sweet, making Kane smile in response. 

At that moment, the car stopped in front of Lani's house. Kane grabbed their shopping bags and got out of the car, while Lani opened the door and went inside to grab the keys to her car and her house. She handed them to Kane.

"You drive this car back. And here's the key to my house. Next week, whenever you're ready to move in, I'll be away for a few days filming in the neighboring city. When you move in, you can use any room you like and make yourself at home."

"See you later, my husband."

After saying this, Lani helped Kane load the bags into the car and then waved gracefully as he drove away. Her gentle smile tugged at Kane's heartstrings.





Chapter 5

After Kane left Lani's house, he drove back to his mansion in the city center. Familiar with the route, he parked his car in the garage, entered his house, and collapsed onto the sofa, closing his eyes to rest.


Everything had happened so quickly today that Kane couldn't believe he had a wife in the blink of an eye. In his daze, the sound of his phone ringing slowly filled the room.


"Mom, what's up?"


Kane glanced at the flashing name on the screen and sighed before answering. A gentle female voice quickly reached his ear, filled with excitement.


"How did the date go, Kane? The dating app worked out well, didn't it? Did you like the actress?"


Maris had been urging Kane to get married for years, and now that he seemed happy going on a date, she was overjoyed. She had even prepared dates with beautiful actresses and models of the right age for Kane, ready to set them up in case he wasn't satisfied with today's girl.


"Mom, I and she got married."


Kane poured himself a glass of water, swirled it around like a glass of wine, and took a sip casually. On the other end, Maris seemed to be slow to react, lost in her own pace.


"It's okay, my dear son. I have a list of beautiful and gentle girls for you to choose from. I guarantee you'll find someone you like."


Kane placed the glass on the table, counted to three seconds, and now Maris had managed to process Kane's response.


"What, what are you saying? Did you marry the girl you met today?"


Maris's voice was particularly high-pitched, making Kane instinctively cover his ears and move the phone away, but he could still hear her excited tone.


"So I have a daughter-in-law now, haha. When can you bring her over for me to meet? I am looking forward to meeting her.’’


"Right, what does she like to eat so I can have someone help with the cooking? Also, what gifts does she like? Jewelry, clothes, cars, or houses? I'll give her a jewelry store, a luxury clothing shop, a Rolls Royce, and a downtown mansion. Is that enough?"


Kane had already anticipated this situation and wasn't surprised. He replied slowly after Maris had finished speaking.


"We can't meet right now. She's a famous actress and is currently filming, so she's very busy. Whenever she has some free time, I'll bring her to meet you."


Kane responded with a casual tone, not wanting his mother and Lani to meet, as it would reveal his fake, poor identity. Maris, however, didn't think much about it and happily agreed, wanting to send gifts to her new daughter-in-law.


"Do you have a picture of her? Even though we can't meet yet, I still want to know if my beautiful daughter-in-law looks like what?"


Kane comfortably sent Maris a selfie of him and Lani taken earlier. Maris couldn't stop praising how obedient and beautiful Lani looked, truly living up to her status as a famous actress.


After a while, Maris remembered something and asked, "Have you informed your father about this?"


At the mention of his father, Kane's gaze momentarily turned cold and filled with disdain. He raised his head to look at the white ceiling and replied casually, "Why should I inform him? He's happily living with my stepmother and their beloved son, not interested in my life at all."


Maris didn't comment on this matter and simply told Kane that if he had the time, he should bring Lani to meet her, and then hung up.


Kane's mood remained relatively good. After resting enough, he went to the shopping center to buy some ordinary and affordable clothes, shoes, and household items before driving back home. 


When he was in front of Lani, he needed to appear poor, and he didn't want to reveal his true identity too soon.


After completing his tasks, Kane stayed at his own home for a few more days before finally moving to Lani's house when she was about to return to the city. Over the past few days, he and Lani have been in regular contact. Most of the time, Lani would inform Kane about her schedule and instruct him on anything he didn't understand or know how to use.


Although Kane was familiar with high-tech gadgets at home, to play the role of a convincingly poor person, he pretended not to know how to use a vacuum robot, prompting Lani to video call him to teach him.


Finally, the day arrived when Lani returned. Compared to their last meeting, when she was unscathed, her left hand is now bandaged. Kane was taken aback by the sight, and Lani chuckled awkwardly upon seeing his surprised expression.


"Oh, I wasn't careful while filming and injured my hand. It's not dangerous."


Behind her, Aurora helped Lani bring her luggage inside and then gave Kane some instructions on taking care of Lani. Kane silently absorbed the information, and when Aurora left, the two of them sat in the living room, exchanging awkward smiles.


Kane was inherently reserved and not talkative, so Lani had to initiate the conversation.


"Have you gotten used to being here these past few days? Any problems?"


Kane shook his head. Honestly, Lani's apartment was well-equipped and cozy, and it was closer to his company than his mansion. Lani let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this, thinking that Kane was comfortable.


Sitting face-to-face in the living room wasn't ideal for conversation, so Lani stood up slowly, pretending to be at ease.


"Well, you can continue resting. I'll go take a shower. After being outside all day, I'm covered in dust."


Her white dress fluttered past Kane as she walked by, and he also got up to tidy up the house. While he was busy cleaning under the kitchen counter, he heard Lani's soft voice echoing from upstairs.


"Kane, could you help me with something?’’


Kane washed his hands and went upstairs to find Lani standing in her room, biting her lip, and looking a bit embarrassed. After seeing Kane, she helplessly pointed to her dress and blinked her eyes.


"I didn't mean to do anything bad, but could you help me unzip my dress? I can't raise my arm."


Lani finished speaking and continued to pursed her lips, her petite face blushing with shyness. She was wearing a white dress adorned with sparkling pearls, and initially, Aurora had helped her zip it up, so she hadn't anticipated this situation.


Kane silently nodded and approached, gently helping Lani unzip her dress, revealing her fair skin. His warm hand brushed against her soft skin, making her tremble slightly. In such proximity, Lani could faintly smell the subtle scent of mint emanating from Kane's body.


Kane remained courteous, tilting his head slightly in another direction, and asked in a matter-of-fact tone if Lani needed any further assistance before leaving the room.


The background music that had been playing earlier came to an end. After Kane had finished tidying up the room, he proceeded to cook dinner. Lani, still feeling a bit embarrassed about the earlier incident, didn't dare to go to the kitchen. Kane called her down only after he had finished cooking.


For dinner, Kane had prepared spaghetti and beefsteak. Knowing that Lani's hand wasn't in the best condition, he cut the steak into bite-sized pieces for her. The two of them sat across from each other, savoring their meal. Lani took a bite, and the explosion of flavors delighted her taste buds, causing her eyes to light up with praise.


"Wow, I didn't expect you to cook so deliciously. I'll get to enjoy restaurant-quality food every day from now on."


Lani's eyes sparkled with a pure, innocent glow as she curved her lips into a smile. Kane tilted his head to look at her and responded in a soft, reserved manner.


"If you like it, that's good. In the future, just tell me what you want to eat, and I'll cook it for you."


Lani nodded enthusiastically, quickly finishing the beefsteak on her plate and moving on to the spaghetti. Each time she enjoyed a delicious bite, her head would gently sway in appreciation, showing her happiness. Kane observed her and couldn't help but find her adorable.


During the next few days, Kane's life at Lani's place seemed just as dull as when he was at his own home. However, when Lani returned, everything became remarkably special.


After they finished eating, Kane cleared the table and placed the dishes in the dishwasher. Then, he and Lani went to the living room to watch a movie. Perhaps getting used to Kane's presence, Lani felt comfortable enough to let him sit beside her. They watched a recent film in which she had starred.


Lani had a habit of rewatching her previous films to observe her acting skills and identify areas for improvement. Kane, who didn't have any particular pr

eferences, quietly watched with her. The evening passed peacefully and serenely for the two of them.





Chapter 6

"Do you want some apples and strawberries? Let me get them for you."


Halfway through watching the movie, Kane quietly asked, and Lani nodded slowly. He left for a moment and returned with a plate of fruit, each piece neatly cut into small portions, which he offered to Lani.


Once again, they sat close to each other, engrossed in watching the movie. Lani took a bite of a strawberry and fixed her gaze on the screen without blinking. Whenever she was focused on something, she tended to become so absorbed that she paid no attention to her surroundings, and this time was no exception.


The fruit plate was eventually emptied by Kane alone, and he chuckled helplessly before using a fork to pick up a strawberry and holding it to Lani's lips.


"Have a bit more; the strawberries are really sweet today."


Lani didn't pay much attention, obediently accepting the fruit, her lips slightly puckering as she savored the sweet strawberry. Kane watched her and felt a touch of embarrassment. He absentmindedly scratched his head before rigidly feeding Lani a few more pieces.


When the movie ended, Lani lazily stretched her shoulders and leaned back, her head naturally finding a place on Kane's shoulder. She looked up at him in confusion, their eyes meeting in mid-air. 


Kane's gaze lingered on Lani's rosy lips, as clear and pure as the waters of autumn. Lani also blinked and held Kane's gaze for a few seconds before regaining her composure and sitting up straight, her voice slightly hoarse.


"There's some strawberry left; have a bit more."


Kane, out of habit, placed the plate of strawberries near Lani's lips, and she casually accepted them. It was only now that both of them realized the intimate nature of this gesture; their faces were momentarily flushed with a bright, intense red.


"Thank you," Lani stammered, not knowing what else to say. She then turned and headed back to her room, leaving Kane standing there in a daze. 


The close intimacy from earlier didn't make Kane feel uncomfortable; instead, his heart raced faster. 


He cleared his throat and took a deep breath to regain his composure, suppressing the strange emotions that had arisen.


After the somewhat awkward atmosphere of the evening, both of them quickly retreated to their respective rooms without further communication. 


Initially, Lani had only thought of marrying Kane to seek revenge for Amory's betrayal and prevent Hebe from getting her way. She hadn't anticipated any deeper emotional involvement with Kane.


However, she had started to think about it tonight. 


It seemed that having a handsome husband who could cook well and was polite, like Kane, was quite wonderful.


...


The next morning, Lani followed her normal filming schedule and woke up early. With nothing else to do, she wandered into the garden to water the flowers. She had a deep love for flowers, and her small garden was filled with various colorful blooms. There was also a small swing where she liked to sit when she needed some healing.


In the past few days, Kane has taken excellent care of her garden, as all the roses were blooming beautifully, vibrantly, and radiantly under the sunlight. Lani watered the flowers while humming a few tunes. Suddenly, her phone rang, interrupting the peaceful atmosphere.


Seeing the name displayed on the screen, Lani's cheerful morning mood disappeared without a trace. She sighed tiredly and answered the call, quickly hearing an angry voice on the other end.


"Lani, you're really excellent. Did you get married without telling me? Do you still consider me your father?"


After seeing the wedding certificate that Hebe had shown him, Derek was furious and immediately called Lani to reprimand her. However, Lani calmly sat down on the swing, closed her eyes, and let the cool breeze rustle through her hair.


"Uncle Derek, you must be joking. Haven't we already cut off our father-daughter relationship long ago to become strangers? I'm an orphan now, my mother passed away a long time ago, and I don't have a father anymore. I can't even decide for myself when it comes to marriage, can I?"


Lani's cold and indifferent tone further fueled Derek's anger. He slammed his hand forcefully on the table in front of him and yelled.


"Lani, do you truly not care about anyone? Hurry up and bring your husband here; I want to see who you've married."


Lani chuckled mockingly, knowing that her father was not genuinely concerned about her life or her well-being but rather that Hebe had likely coerced him into making this call.


"I don't need to come back, and that's not my home anyway. Furthermore, you and Hebe, listen carefully; I married an ordinary office worker. So, Hebe doesn't need to be jealous or compare anything."


"And if Hebe ever tries to seduce my husband the way she did with Amory, I will never return. I can't let my husband know that I have such a shameless and despicable stepsister like her, right?"


Lani chuckled, her voice as light as a silver bell but carrying a warning. She could see Hebe's motives clearly—Hebe wanted to seduce Kane to make Lani feel abandoned once again, to become sad and lonely. But Lani wouldn't let Hebe have her way.


"Furthermore, I don't want any ties with your family, so I've refrained from bringing up the past. However, if Hebe continues to cause trouble or challenge my boundaries, don't blame me for exposing evidence of her affair with Amory in the past. At that time, I can't guarantee that her fans will still stand by her and protect her."


Lani abruptly hung up. It felt good to give Derek and Hebe a piece of her mind, even if it was through a phone call. She had endured Hebe's bullying for far too long and had been foolish to let it continue. 


Lost in thought as she returned to the house, Lani accidentally stepped on a stone in the garden and stumbled, causing her to fall. She cried out in pain, and Kane, who was standing outside, rushed over. 


"Lani, are you okay? What happened?"


Kane held a small watering can in his hand, probably intending to water the plants in the early morning. Lani furrowed her brows and rubbed her foot before responding.


"It hurts a bit. I was in the garden watering the flowers when I accidentally stepped on a pebble, causing me to fall."


Kane gently touched Lani's injured foot, which had now turned slightly red. She winced when he lightly pressed on it. Taking a deep breath, Kane helped her stand up and carried her, saying softly,


"You might have sprained it. Let me take you inside to tend to the injury."


At this moment, the distance between them was close enough for Lani to see Kane's long eyelashes and the perfect, straight line of his nose. Lani's hands rested on Kane's shoulders, lightly steadying herself, and the warmth emanating from his touch made her heart beat faster.


The injury on her hand was still not fully healed, and now she had added a new one to her leg, making Lani feel extremely miserable. She was currently unable to walk without experiencing pain, and even slight movements caused her leg to ache.


After Kane had bandaged her foot, he carefully held Lani and placed her on the sofa. He gently stroked her soft, fragrant hair, which still carried a faint scent of flowers.


"You shouldn't walk too much right now. Just sit here and watch TV. If you need anything, just call me, and I'll get it for you."





Chapter 7


Lani, with both her feet and hand injured, had to move more gently. She obediently leaned on the sofa, watching a popular game show that had recently aired. Kane was still busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast, occasionally bringing Lani some snacks.


"Kane, that's the male actor who co-starred with me in the movie we watched yesterday," Lani said excitedly, pointing at the introduction on the screen. Kane only responded with a cold snort and no further reaction. This actor had kissed Lani in the movie, a scene that Kane undoubtedly remembered.


Lani didn't understand the hostility in Kane's eyes but shrugged it off and continued munching on her snacks. Once breakfast was ready, Kane carefully carried Lani and placed her in her seat. 


The proximity between them was so close that Lani only needed to lean forward slightly to kiss Kane on the cheek.


Lani knew this and felt a bit embarrassed. Kane helped her sit down at the breakfast table, and they ate in relative silence, with a calm atmosphere prevailing.


"Now, where would you like to go? I'll carry you there," Kane offered.


Lani, with her feet and hand injuries, needed help with movement. She softly said she wanted to return to her room, then affectionately leaned on Kane's shoulder. Kane lifted her gently and slowly carried her upstairs.


"Later, if you need anything, just call me, and I'll be there right away."


Lani nodded seriously and leaned back against her bed to play with her phone. She called Aurora to inform her about the morning call and the unfortunate events of the day.


"Hebe is truly despicable, and yet you're still so forgiving. Do you want me to help you release the video of her and Amory's affair in the cafe that day? It would make Hebe unable to hold her head high in front of you anymore."


After that meeting the other day, Aurora had requested and obtained the video footage from the cafe's security camera, planning to expose it when Lani wished. However, Lani, being kind-hearted, didn't want to spread Hebe's misdeeds. But now, after another round of provocation, she was reconsidering.


"It's not necessary; you know my father can make that information disappear in an instant."


Lani sighed, realizing that this action wouldn't serve much purpose. She only wanted to use it as a threat to make Hebe behave better.


"Fine, let's not talk about Hebe. How are you and your husband doing? Have you taken advantage of this injury to mend your relationship a bit? Have you kissed yet?"


Aurora's words were always casual and unreserved. They made Lani blush and her heart race. She replied, embarrassed, that they hadn't done anything, and Aurora teased her.


"You're such a fool; you don't know when to seize the opportunity. Handsome and gentle men like Kane are rare in this world. Quickly seduce and kiss him, haha."


Lani pretended not to hear and didn't pay much attention. However, the thought of Kane's handsome face and his soft lips left her mind in disarray. She quickly ended the call, deciding she should avoid listening to Aurora's inappropriate advice in the future to keep her mind clear.


Indeed, Aurora's temptations always made Lani's mind wander. At lunchtime, Lani's gaze often lingered on Kane's thin lips and the corner of his resolute mouth. Perhaps her gaze was too intense, as Kane occasionally tilted his head to look at her curiously.


"What's wrong, Lani? Is there something on my face?" he asked.


Lani snapped out of her thoughts and blushed, shaking her head. "No, there's nothing."


Kane raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. The two of them continued their meal, their interactions filled with subtle moments that left Lani's heart racing.


Lani shook her head and replied nonchalantly, burying her face in a plate of pasta to dispel her tumultuous thoughts. As she tried to focus on eating, she suddenly felt the warmth of Kane's lips against her own, and the gentle temperature of his hand was transmitted directly to her heart.


"Food stuck on your lips? Are you a three-year-old, Lani?"


Kane teased, and Lani blushed in embarrassment, lowering her head even further. After lunch, they both sat together on the sofa once again, and Kane carefully helped Lani change her bandages to make her more comfortable.


"All done."


Kane was still kneeling on one knee on the floor, so when he raised his head, their eyes met at close range. Lani's eyes were bright and sparkling, and her gaze was soft and tender, which made Kane's heart skip a beat.


He looked closely at the delicate and beautiful features of Lani's face—the graceful eyebrows, the high and petite nose, and the soft, pink lips. He couldn't explain the strange emotions welling up in him, but he could hear his own husky voice as he spoke.


"May I kiss you?"


Kane's voice was still deep and low, but this time, it seemed to carry an electric charge that left Lani feeling slightly dazed. She took a few seconds to react before nodding slowly. 


Kane leaned in carefully, gently placing his hand behind Lani's head, and slowly moved closer, kissing her lips.


Kane's kiss was as gentle as his character, and it slowly engulfed Lani. Her eyelashes fluttered lightly, her arms hung timidly behind Kane's back, and as the kiss deepened, she became entranced. 


When the kiss finally ended, Lani's lips were slightly swollen, making her look even more beautiful. Her eyelids were tinged with a rosy hue, and she appeared dreamy. Kane tenderly brushed her soft hair and whispered, "Lani, you are so beautiful."


Blushing, Lani nestled her head into Kane's shoulder, seeking refuge from the intense emotions that had engulfed her. Once again, she thought about Aurora's teasing earlier in the day.


Indeed, Kane's thin lips were wonderful to kiss, and they tasted sweet, Lani thought to herself as she licked her lips discreetly.


Lani realized that she shouldn't discuss her relationship with Kane with Aurora anymore. She knew that Aurora tended to encourage her to think about things that might be considered inappropriate or embarrassing.





Chapter 8

After the sweet afternoon kiss, the two of them had grown closer. At least in the evening, Lani could lean on Kane to watch TV and enjoy some fruit snacks. They continued to watch the TV series they had started the day before, their eyes fixed on the large screen.


Lani's phone rang, shattering the harmony around them. She glanced at the caller ID and felt a wave of weariness. These days, she had been constantly bothered by Hebe, Amory, and Derek, and it was giving her a major headache.


Lani icily silenced her phone, but Hebe, apparently with a lot of free time on her hands, kept calling, so Lani reluctantly answered. Kane sat beside her, pausing the movie to allow Lani to hear the conversation.


"What's the matter, my dear sister? Haven't seen you for a few days, and you don't even want to answer my calls?" Hebe's voice was dripping with sarcasm.


Since Lani couldn't use her injured leg comfortably, she sat next to Kane and raised an eyebrow. She had grown tired of Hebe, and after recent events, she didn't feel like giving in anymore.


"Sister? My mother had only one daughter, and that's me. There's no room for someone as shameless and ignorant as you," Lani retorted, her tone calm but filled with underlying tension.


Hebe chuckled coldly, admiring her freshly done nails as she continued, "Is that so? Do you want to hear how your father gave me an amazing role?"


A sense of unease washed over Lani, and she instinctively gripped the edge of the table. She exchanged a worried glance with Kane beside her before responding, trying to sound unfazed, "I can guess. You're still as despicable as ever, always snatching things away from others. Just like your mother, seducing men who are already married and shamelessly flaunting it in front of my mom."


Lani had known from a young age about her father's affair with Doris and how they had conspired against her mother to steal her wealth. 


She spoke calmly as if recounting old news, but her grip on the table tightened as she thought about the past.


"Don't pretend to be comfortable, Lani. Let me tell you, my father has connections with the director, and he secured the lead role in me in the movie you were supposed to star in. It's the film directed by Zhang that you value the most. It looks like you'll have plenty of free time at home in the last few months of this year."


This wasn't the first time Hebe had stolen a role from Lani, but it still disgusted her. This was the film project Lani had been looking forward to the most this year, and her role had been confirmed three months ago. She never expected it would end up going to Hebe. 


Lani laughed out of frustration and shot back, "I see. You seem to have a knack for inheriting the leftovers I leave behind or things I've already used. From boyfriends to roles, don't you find it disgusting? I feel embarrassed for you."


"But it's true, isn't it? You're just like your mom, always coveting what belongs to others. So I'll give it to you and see who ends up living more comfortably in the end."


Lani spoke coldly before ending the call, her face turning pale and flushed with anger. Kane, sitting beside her, held her hand in reassurance and gently stroked her cheek as he asked, "Is she your stepsister? She took your role."


Kane listened to Lani's conversation and gathered some understanding of the situation. Lani then comfortably nodded and briefed Kane on the situation. Kane's eyes briefly displayed unfamiliar emotions, but he quickly returned to his usual self, gently embracing Lani to console her.


"It's okay; consider this having more time to rest at the end of this year. You'll get even better roles in the future," Kane reassured her.


Lani nodded in agreement and hugged Kane back. The sense of calm and warmth beside Kane always made her feel incredibly secure. They both regulated their emotions and continued watching the movie together, not letting Hebe's disruption spoil the sweetness of the evening.


By the time the movie ended, it was getting late. Kane gently persuaded Lani to go to bed early and then lifted her to her room. At this point, his movements were much more natural, and Lani felt comfortable in his arms, sensing his warm and strong hands on her back and legs.


After placing Lani on the bed, Kane planted a light kiss on her forehead, helped her tuck in, turned off the lights, and then slowly left the room.


Back in his room, the amiable and composed facade that Kane had adopted earlier was no more. 


He took out his phone, dialed a number, and the person on the other end quickly answered. Kane typed a few messages on the table's surface and then asked slowly, "What's the project directed by Zhang at the end of this year? Why did the lead actress change from Lani to Hebe?"


Kane had figured out some of the situations from Lani's conversation. The other person provided a concise update on the situation and mentioned the key points of the film project. Kane furrowed his brow slightly, as he had wanted to secure the role for Lani, but now he felt it might not be suitable for her. Lani deserved a better lead role in a more promising film.


Kane's voice turned colder as he inquired further, "Who's the main investor for this project?"


After hearing the name, Kane chuckled softly. It turned out to be an acquaintance. He discreetly reminded the person on the other end to instruct the film's main investor to withdraw funding immediately upon the start of filming. He wanted to see how well Hebe's father could protect her in this situation.


By withdrawing the funds directly, it would cause a shortage of budget for the film. If they didn't secure additional funding in time, production would have to halt. This was the price to pay for bullying Lani and enabling Hebe to take what rightfully belonged to her.


Following this, Kane casually continued the conversation, "Are there any good scripts recently, ones predicted to be hot this year? Please arrange a lead role for Lani. Remember not to disclose my identity."


After giving instructions, the other person quickly mentioned a few film scripts. Kane chose one by a renowned country director, featuring a famous cast and promising acting opportunities. However, they were still looking for an actress to play the lead role. The person on the other end agreed to arrange for the film crew to contact Lani, and Kane finally felt a sense of relief.


"Invest an additional three hundred thousand dollars into the production team. I want Lani to have the best costumes and the most professional makeup artist," Kane instructed.


After ensuring everything was in order, Kane hung up the phone and returned to his usual role as an office worker, his demeanor calm. He entered the bathroom to wash his face, then lay down on the large bed. He had been looking forward to these days, and he wanted those who

 had bullied Lani to know that they would never end well.


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