Chapter 51

Lucy White didn’t expect to run into Michael Johnson in the parking lot.

She frowned slightly, her tone distant. "What do you want?"

Michael’s chest tightened at her cold expression. How had things between them come to this?

His gaze flickered to Ethan Smith standing beside Lucy, hostility flashing in his eyes. The award-winning actor always gave him an inexplicable sense of unease.

Ethan, hands in his pockets, met his stare with a lazy smirk, a glint of ice in his eyes.

"My mom’s back," Michael said, voice strained as he looked away. "She wants to see you."

Lucy froze. Mrs. Johnson had treated her like a daughter—she couldn’t ignore that bond.

"Fine," she agreed. "Give her my regards."

Michael brightened. "Let me drive you?"

"No need." She turned toward her van, but just as she closed the door, a lean hand stopped it.

Michael pushed his way inside without hesitation. "Then I’ll ride with you."

Lucy scowled. "Get out."

"No." He stubbornly settled beside her, just like when he used to pester her as a child. "I have something to say."

A memory flickered through her mind, and she turned away. The past was still vivid—she didn’t hate him, but she refused to be entangled again.

"Drive," she told the chauffeur.

Silence filled the car. Michael studied her profile, his throat bobbing. "About the trending scandal… I’m sorry."

"Don’t bother." She closed her eyes. "It’s over."

Three simple words, sharp as a blade. His fists clenched. "Can we… really never go back?"

"No." She didn’t open her eyes.

His chest ached. He knew her too well—this was final.

Suddenly, the driver slammed the brakes.

"What’s wrong?" Lucy’s eyes snapped open.

Outside, seven or eight burly men surrounded the vehicle. The leader rapped on the window with a leering grin. "Miss White, someone wants to invite you for tea."

The driver trembled. "T-This is illegal!"

"Illegal?" The man sneered. "We are the law!"

Lucy smirked. She knew this scene too well—Liam Parker had pulled the same stunt in her past life to defend Lily Green.

"Invite me?" She rolled down the window, her gaze glacial. "With what authority?"

The men’s eyes gleamed with greed as they took in her beauty. "Feisty little thing. Let’s see how tough you are later."

Michael’s expression darkened, but Lucy stopped him before he could step out.

"Don’t dirty your hands," she murmured, her fingers twitching as dark energy gathered unseen around them.

The thug remained oblivious, still taunting. "Come quietly, or this’ll get ugly."

Lucy’s lips curved. "You’re dead."