Part 1The Billionaire's Retainer

Once I hooked up with one of the most powerful billionaires in New York, I played the "perfect, devoted girlfriend" role to the absolute limit.

When Ethan Sterling was messing around with Instagram models, I was the one who personally drove them to the clinic for STI testing.

When Ethan was cornered by paparazzi outside a luxury hotel, I was the one working the phones, paying off media outlets to bury the story.

Even when his new flavor of the month showed up at my front door to provoke me.

I could smile and politely brief her on his daily habits and dietary preferences.

Everyone in our elite circle said I loved Ethan so much I had completely lost my self-respect.

They said I would do absolutely anything just to stay by his side.

But what they didn't know was that I was the one who intentionally hired Chloe Thorne to catch his eye.

And they definitely didn't know just how generous Ethan was whenever he felt guilty about cheating.

A medical bill? Fifty thousand. A PR crisis? Two million.

And the endless stream of jewelry and designer bags he showered me with as "compensation" was incalculable.

Over the years, not only had I amassed a nine-figure bank account.

I also owned multiple high-end properties around the world.

After ten years of playing the ultimate sugar baby, I could finally officially retire!

When Ethan proposed to Chloe, I was curled up on the sofa in my Bel Air mansion, binge-watching Netflix.

Ethan had transferred the deed of this mansion to me not too long ago.

It was my compensation for the time Chloe pushed me down a flight of stairs, causing me to miscarry his child.

I tore open a bag of Doritos.

My phone screen lit up constantly as notifications from our mutual friend group chat flooded in.

"Ethan is really going all out for Chloe."

"The wedding of the century. Even Mia didn't get this kind of treatment back in the day."

"Looks like Ethan finally found his true love."

"Chloe bullied Mia so relentlessly, and Ethan didn't even say a single harsh word to her."

"Do you think Mia is going to get thrown out on the street? She loves Ethan so much, if he dumps her, she'll probably just jump off a building."

The potato chip crunched loudly in my mouth.

Savoring the absolute satisfaction of high-calorie junk food, I couldn't help but smile.

I was about to keep reading the gossip when the front door suddenly swung open. Ethan walked in.

He glanced at the bag of chips in my hand, his brow furrowing deeply.

"Mia, you know I hate the smell of junk food."

As a top-tier sugar baby, providing emotional support and maintaining a flawless figure were basic job requirements.

I instantly slipped into my 'understanding girlfriend' persona, answering with sweet obedience.

"I know."

"I just didn't think you were coming back tonight..."

Ethan's footsteps halted.

His expression softened significantly.

"I just came back to grab the keys to the old estate."

"Your body hasn't fully recovered yet. Stop eating that garbage."

"Chloe needs Maria to take care of her full-time now. I'll transfer some money so you can hire a new housekeeper."

After sending the money, he walked over to the wall safe and punched in the code.

Besides the keys, he also pulled out the Sterling family's heirloom diamond necklace.

Before his mother passed away, her dying wish was that the necklace be given to the true matriarch of the Sterling family.

It seemed Ethan had finally made his choice.

I felt a twinge of regret over losing the diamonds, but I still forced a perfectly understanding smile.

"There's no need for more money, Ethan."

"You've given me more than enough over the years."

Ethan froze for a second.

"What did you just call me?"

I lowered my eyes, refusing to say another word.

He sighed, walking over and gently stroking my cheek.

"Mia, don't overthink things."

"You've been with me for so long. I would never mistreat you."

His touch was gentle.

But the moment his thumb brushed against the faint, almost invisible crow's feet forming at the corner of my eye...

He quietly pulled his hand back.

"I'm taking Chloe to stay at the old estate for a few days, so I won't be coming around for a while."

"Take care of yourself."

The old estate?

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.

I knew Ethan was infatuated with Chloe.

But I had no idea their relationship had reached that level.