Chapter 137

Anthony's gaze lingered on Sarah's eyes.

Those eyes, so different from what he remembered, seemed to have lost their innocence. They were now muddied with complexities he couldn't decipher. Was she really Angel? Had his imagination embellished her eyes in his memory, or do people's eyes change as they grow up?

Maybe both.

One thing was clear though: she was his angel, the one who'd saved his life.

"What's with that look? Is there something on my face?" Sarah's scalp tingled nervously, fearing he'd seen through her disguise as Layla.

With a chuckle, Anthony reassured her, "You look good. Black suits you."

Relief washed over Sarah, and she forced a rigid smile. "You had me worried for a second. I thought you didn't like it."

On their way out of the store, Sarah dropped a casual remark, "My hair doesn't really go with this outfit, does it?"

"I'll go with you to get it done."

Overjoyed internally, Sarah feigned concern. "But wouldn't that be a waste of your time? I should pay you back for the styling too."

"After all that you've done for me? This is nothing. Let's go." He offered his hand, which Sarah eagerly took, beaming up at him. "You're the best."

Inside the luxury boutique, Sarah tried ensemble after ensemble from Chanel. Anthony purchased every dress she tried, even the ones she simply glanced at or complimented. His assistant, hands full, had to get the staff to send some items back to their home first.

Jealousy and gratitude swirled within Sarah as she thought of Layla, the intended recipient of these luxuries. She was resolved to keep the truth from him.

Riding in the car, her face was a bloom of smiles and her eyes sparkling. "I feel bad you're spending so much on me."

"It's no big deal," Anthony said dismissively.

A mere million was just a drop in the ocean for him. "As long as you're happy."

"I am, but it's not because of all the clothes. It's because you're so good to me." Sarah's sweet talk was bold as she leaned her head on his shoulder. When he didn't resist, she clung tighter to his arm, wrapping herself around it.

He smelled amazing.

Even without his wealth, his looks alone made her want to be with him. Of course, the money was a sweet bonus. His generosity meant more lavish treats to come-a thrilling thought.

"You're twenty-one this year?" Anthony asked.

"No, I'm twen..." Sarah caught herself before finishing with 'eight,' "Yes, twenty-one."

"Finished with college?"

"II attended a community college," Sarah confessed, her cheeks ablaze with a flush of embarrassment. She chewed on her lip, looking down. "I had the grades to get into City University, but my stepmom refused to finance it, so I had to settle for the free option."

Anthony's heart twinged with sympathy. "You've had it tough," he observed gently.

Shaking her head, Sarah insisted, "Meeting you makes all the hardships seem insignificant. It's just that..."

"Yes?"

"I have some regrets." Sarah let out a sigh, her voice tinged with a soft sadness. "My dream is to be a star-an actress," she hastily corrected, afraid he might find her superficial. "I've always been passionate about acting. If I could have gone to City University back then, I would've majored in drama. But...it looks like that dream will never come true."

"That's not necessarily true."

"Really?" Sarah perked up, her voice wavering between excitement and skepticism. "Isn't it incredibly difficult?"

She had tried finding sponsors before but knew all too well that success in showbiz often depended on financial backing, and only those with strong connections could prevail.

In Anthony's world, 'difficult' wasn't a word he recognized.

With just a word from him, he could have her basking in the limelight as a leading lady within a year.

"Who...who exactly are you?" Sarah asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Anthony."

"What a lovely name," she complimented, thinking it suited his refined demeanor.

He handed her a business card.

"President of Eilish Group?" Sarah gasped, her jaw nearly hitting the floor, "You're that Anthony, from one of the top three influential families?"

He nodded simply.

Oh my god! Sarah felt as though she had been struck by a meteor, dizzy with disbelief as if living in a dream.

She knew he was wealthy-a prime catch-but had never imagined that he was the male heir of the illustrious Eilish dynasty, almost beyond reach.

If she could somehow entice him into marriage, wouldn't she become Mrs. Eilish?

Sarah's mind swirled with fantasies of people clamoring for her favor.

"What are you thinking about?" Anthony inquired.

"Nothing, it's nothing," Sarah feigned a sense of unworthiness convincingly. "I just think our worlds are so different, I don't deserve to even be your friend."

"You're worrying about nothing. Status won't keep us apart. You'll always be my angel."

"Then... may I call you Anthony?" Sarah asked, her eyes brightly hopeful and her cheeks blushed with the sweet shyness of a woman smitten.

"Of course."

"Okay, Anthony. Anthony," Sarah cooed, each utterance sweeter than the last.

Anthony peered out the window at the run-down apartment complex and frowned slightly. "So, you live here?"

"Yeah."

"How about I help you find a better place?"

Was he talking about getting her a mansion? Sarah had always dreamed of living in a grand house, and she eagerly nodded before shaking her head. "No need, I don't want to owe you too much." But deep down, she was thinking: You've got to play the long game to catch a big fish. Showing greediness too early on only leads to getting less.

Millions of dollars, or even a mansion, could no longer satisfy her; she had her sights set on Nora's position.

"I don't want to leave the place where I grew up. As for moving, we can talk about it another time."

"Alright. If you need anything, just let me know. Don't be shy," Anthony said gently.

"Yeah, I better head up. Goodnight." Sarah wanted to kiss him, but fearing that he might find her too forward, she resisted the impulse and headed upstairs after getting out of the car.

In the front seat, the assistant couldn't help but say, "Sir, I find this Miss Adkins a bit... strange."

It felt like she was deliberately masking her greediness.

He had encountered many girls like her before; he could easily see through their facades. But the boss rarely interacted with women, so he might not see through her ploy.

"I will not allow anyone to make unwarranted judgments about her," Anthony's gaze swept over the assistant from the rearview mirror, prompting an immediate apology, "I'm sorry, sir. I spoke out of turn."

Anthony looked thoughtfully out the window; after a while, a faint smile appeared on his lips, and he murmured, "Angel, I've finally found you."

From now on, he would treat her well, fulfill all her dreams, and ensure she never had to live a hard life again.