I Borrowed Money From My Bullies Before Faking My Death Chapter 04

The mansion was decked out, dripping with opulence. Champagne towers everywhere. The whole place hummed with that over-the-top, extravagant birthday energy.

That night.

Designer suits and gowns poured through the doors. I could hear the noise from all the way up on the third floor.

Knox came back.

He threw a dress at me.

Moonlight white. Short. Not flashy—more understated and fresh. Except for the massive bow right at the cutout on the waist.

I shook my head. “Not wearing it.”

Even with amnesia, Knox hadn’t changed one bit. Back in school, he’d pulled every trick to get me into a short skirt. Same thing now.

Knox’s eyelids lifted. “Don’t tell me you plan on going downstairs in that.”

What was wrong with that?

A simple white tee. Relaxed black pants.

I mumbled, “I could just not go down.”

Knox let out a humorless laugh. “Then what the hell did I keep you here for?”

He dragged me onto the balcony. Jerked his chin toward the buzzing garden below.

“Everyone else is in evening gowns. You think you’re special? Not that putting one on would make you look better than any of them.”

I cut him off. “I didn’t ask to be here.”

Just then, a wave of noise rose from below.

Enthusiastic greetings. Cheers.

The guest of honor had arrived.

I spotted the man stepping out of the car instantly.

Sharp, tailored suit. Arm linked with a girl who looked soft and demure. She wore this timid little expression, like she’d never seen anything like this before.

Seven years ago, Silas had still carried traces of boyish detachment, cold and restrained. Now, he was fully grown. All controlled power. Effortless authority. A face that gave nothing away.

Knox watched the scene below and clicked his tongue.

“My brother’s here. I’ve got to go see to him.”

He gave a lazy shrug. “Suit yourself.” He pinched my cheek, a smirk playing on his lips. “Maybe he likes them this frumpy.”

I blinked.

Still processing his words as he pushed the door open to leave.

He clearly assumed I wouldn’t dare go downstairs—or try to run.

“Wait here like a good girl,” Knox said, easy and unhurried. “And lose the sour face. If my brother takes an interest, you could make serious cash. If not? You’re free. I’ll throw in some money myself. How’s that?”

I frowned. “He already has a date tonight.”

“Oh.” Knox didn’t care. “He swaps them out constantly.”

The door clicked shut.

His footsteps faded down the hallway.

I stood there, the night breeze brushing past me.

Still dazed, I caught movement in the corner of my eye.

Silas, down below, tilted his head slightly.

His gaze was about to sweep this way.

I dropped down instantly. Crouched low. Slowly crawled back into the room.

I’d done a lot of thinking these past few days.

Sure, the odds of Silas remembering me were slim.

But seven years ago, the guy was a genius with a photographic memory. And a grudge.

These elite types weren’t good people.

If there was even a one percent chance of being recognized, I couldn’t take it.

And Knox? He could recover his memories any day.

That was even worse.

Anyway, what I needed to do was just that “bitter gaze” thing.

I’d apply for a janitor job at Silas’s company. Show up every day in full disguise, cleaning floors. Plenty of chances to stare at him from the shadows.