"Oh, how about this?" Kylie jumped up excitedly, pretending a great idea came to mind. "Khloe is involved in so many scandals now. Why not say something good about her when I go to the opening ceremony? Since everyone believes we do not get along, my words would be way more reliable than your countless PR letters."

Laurence looked at Kylie suspiciously; this was the first time Kylie had said something positive about Khloe. However, the more he thought about it, the more he was beginning to yield to Kylie's idea.

​​

"Now, you're being mature! Since you are the cause of your sister's scandal in the first place, it's your duty to clarify." Laurence took a sip of his coffee, "You need to focus on Khloe's diligence, outstanding acting skills, easy-going character, anything good about her…"

Kylie discreetly rolled her eyes, "Yes, you've mentioned these traits before. You're my father, and Khloe's my younger sister. I'll definitely do something to help her." Kylie sighed, "I know Khloe is your favorite. I'll do her a favor just for you."

"I'm glad you understand then! But you're both my daughters, and I don't have a favorite." Laurence replied and waved his hand, motioning Kylie out of the room.

As Kylie was walking out of the office, she pondered upon the paradoxical attitude of her father. On the one hand, he did not even ask her how she was seeing her sick form, and on the other, he told her she was his daughter? Kylie scoffed and tried to rid her mind of such thoughts. She should have accepted the fact by now that all her father ever cared about was money and fame. Family meant nothing to him.

***

As Kylie sat in her car, her cell phone started ringing. Thinking it was Lucas, Kylie picked up immediately. But the voice on the other side stunned her.

"Kylie Finch…I'm so drunk. Come pick me up…" A feminine voice slurred on the other side.

"Um…Fannie?" Kylie asked, slowly thinking she must tell mistaken me.

"Who else, bitch?" Fannie laughed into the phone. "I'm at the Royal Private Club, Room 8. Come pick me up." Fannie then hung up the phone.

Kylie looked at her phone in surprise and confusion. Why was Fannie Bass calling her drunk, and more importantly, how the hell did she get Kylie's phone number? Kylie had only met her once; they were not strangers but not familiar enough to exchange numbers.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Kylie decided to drive to the location even though it seemed so bizarre. When Kylie reached the private club and knocked on the door of Room 8, she was absolutely shocked to see the scene inside. Fannie was in a leather mini skirt and a thin see-through camisole. Her hair was dyed a rosy pink color, and even her usual youthful face and minimal makeup had changed to bright and vibrant shades.

Fannie pulled Kylie inside and handed her a bottle of beer, "Come on! Have a drink!"

What the hell happened to Fannie Bass?

Kylie looked at Fannie with a bewildered look on her face. Fannie continued pushing a bottle of iced beer into Kylie's hands. However, seeing Kylie staring at her, Fannie snapped, "What the hell are you looking at?"

Shaking herself out of it, Kylie shrugged her shoulders, "Nothing! Just…surprised to see you here!" Kylie laughed and took a large gulp of the beer. "What's wrong with you? Did you change your career now? What do you call yourself now? Princess Fannie, the escort?"

Fannie laughed out loud, choosing not to reply to Kylie's question.

"So tell me, I heard you're married to Ethan Parker?" Fannie asked with her eyebrows raised.

Kylie was about to munch on the peanuts on the table but stopped suddenly in surprise, "Well…it's very complicated. Wait, how do you even know about that?"

"It doesn't matter how I found out," Fannie sniffed and looked at Kylie arrogantly. "Honestly, I did not expect Lord Ethan to choose you. I still can't believe you're his type!"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I'm pretty sure he loves someone else," Kylie pondered out loud. Kylie could not forget that William had told her there was another woman who occupied Ethan's heart. That could be the reason why Ethan was not willing to be with her fully. There was always something that made him hesitate, and Kylie had not figured out what or who that was.

Fannie was astonished to hear Kylie's statement, "So, you're basically…a rebound?" She snorted while staring at Kylie, "Now I understand why my older brother told me Ethan treats you differently."

"Your older brother?" Kylie asked.

"Nate Bass. He's good friends with Lord Ethan."

"Nate? He's your older brother?!" Kylie finally figured out how Fannie knew about their relationship.

Fannie took another sip of her beer, looking sad all of a sudden. "Well, I mean, a back-up is fine for me, I guess."

"What do you mean?" Kylie asked, having no clue as to what Fannie was referring to.

"You don't understand Kylie. Lord Ethan wouldn't allow any woman near his side. I tried so fucking hard, but he did not even glance at me."

Kylie remained silent. Fannie clearly loved Ethan; she sounded love struck the same way Kylie had talked about Aiden back then. Abruptly, Kylie's phone started ringing, which she had placed on the table. It was as if things happened in slow motion. Ethan's name flashed across her cell, and both Kylie and Fannie lunged for the phone.

Fannie had been sitting closer, so she easily swept the phone and answered.

"Ethan! Didn't you say that you're not looking for a wife? And now I find out you're married to fucking Kylie Finch? Tell me, is this relationship of yours real or all a scam?"

Kylie was dumbstruck by Fannie's fierce reaction. Fannie must really be drunk. Ethan, on the other side of the phone, seemed shocked as well.

"That's none of your business Fannie," Ethan replied.

"None of my business? Ok, well, I'll take that as a no. By the way, do you know where we're at? We're at a strip club, and you know a lot of guys here would love to fuck Kylie. You wouldn't mind, would you?" Fannie exclaimed and hung up.