“That is what I am thinking about, the bigger prize you want, and rest assured that I am going to do everything I can to find the answer.”

“Are you so jobless that you don’t have anything more valuable to do with your time instead of focusing on a failed mission from which you will gain nothing?”

“I have been told that many times, but in the end, I always turn out to be right. Soon, I will find out what you have in store for my family, and we will know who will be laughing last.”

I moved toward the head of the bed, sat, rested my head on the board, and crossed my legs, “It isn’t every day I get to watch someone fight a losing battle. I didn’t realize it was this thrilling to watch.”

“You.” He sneered, pointing at me, “A bad influence on my sister, and I will make sure to cut that link.”

“Good luck in trying, Mason.”

“One week, that’s all that it will take me to get to the bottom of this.”

“Too bad. Once the party is done by tomorrow, I will do my painting and disappear from your life.”

I saw his face contort, probably not thrilled that there was no way he could get what he wanted.

“Why are you sad? Isn’t that what you wanted all along?”

“Then I will get my answers before then.”

“A hard-working, man you are. I love to see it.”

“Soon, Lucy, soon.” He scoffed as he moved close to the door, turned toward me, and frowned. “Pray I find nothing implicating, or you will regret ever coming across my family.”

Chuckling, I held my hand to my chest and made a pitiful look, “Oh my God, I am so afraid.”

Mason cursed, opened the door, and just outside was Ella, glaring at him. After a moment, he furiously walked past her.

I chuckled as Ella opened her mouth to speak, paused, shook her head, and began to walk into my room, “My brother is the pettiest human I have ever come across in my entire life.”

“And you aren’t, Ella?.”

“Hahahaha, that was quite funny, Lucy,” Ella chuckled while moving toward the bed. “How did it go?”

I shrugged and watched her sit, “You know, just the usual display of ego and misogynist values as you talked about.”

“Christ.” Ella groaned and shook her head again.

“He still believes I have an ulterior motive for coming here and is determined to find the reason before a week.”

“Please tell me you are kidding.”

“In fact, he said my attempted rejection of your mom’s gift was a plan to win her over so I could get closer and get the bigger prize I was after.” I covered my face then and burst out laughing, unable to stop myself. “Your brother is truly, truly top-tier unbelievable.”

Ella chuckled and laid down on the bed, “Glad you have come to see what I was telling you about.”

I lay on the bed beside her and giggled. “Yeah, surprised you haven’t gone nuts already.”

Even though Mason was incredibly full of himself, I couldn’t stop thinking about his lips. I knew nothing would ever come of it, but I couldn’t stop picturing myself kissing him.

“I can’t wait for the party to be done. Then, I will be gone to such a faraway place where he can’t reach me.”

“How about your mom?”

“She will be the only one with my number.” Ella shrugged, “Once the party is done and you have done her portrait, then we will disappear.” She sat up and looked at me, “How long will it take you to get it done?”

I held the pillow and began to throw it while catching it in midair. “Two days max. All I need is her sketch.”