The Caged Bird's Secret Fortune

The 'first love' of the city's most powerful magnate had returned. He’d abandoned an international conference, eager to greet her at the airport. Everyone was buzzing, saying they were finally going to marry. As the most sensible "songbird" by his side, I decisively packed my bags and fled with my savings. Before leaving the country, I sent a farewell message to the magnate: [I’m going abroad, goodbye.] But I accidentally typed "astray" instead of "abroad." Moments later, I was cornered by a group of men in black at the airport. The one leading them gritted his teeth, his voice laced with fury. “You’re really playing a wild game now, aren’t you?” 1 “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight…” Penny leaned in, curious. “What are you counting?” I pointed at my phone screen. “The number of digits in my bank balance.” Her jaw practically hit the floor. “Mr. Duff is that generous with you?” I offered a noncommittal shrug. Everyone in the city knew about Mr. Duff’s pampered little songbird. That would be me. He was usually aloof with everyone else, but he looked after me exceptionally well. My every wish was practically his command. That’s why I had happily lived in the Duff family estate for three years, letting him have his way. But lately, I’d been considering making a break for it. Because Mr. Duff’s 'first love' was returning home. Everyone knew that years ago, before Mr. Duff had consolidated his power, his first love was forcibly sent abroad due to family meddling. Their painful separation had left lingering bitterness. Now, Mr. Duff held immense sway, with enough influence to protect anyone he cherished. He could finally have his fairy-tale ending with his first love. But what about me, with no official title or standing? What would my ending be? Just as I was thinking this, a message from Mr. Duff popped up. [Tiger-stripe taro swirl or matcha mille-feuille? I’ll be home in an hour.] I pursed my lips. He was always like this. So thoughtful about these things, which seemed utterly out of character for him. After a moment, I replied: [Neither.] He didn't reply again. But when he arrived home, he exacted his revenge by bringing two large bags of desserts. “Bad mood?” Mr. Duff naturally wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, his soft kisses brushing against my neck. In the space of my silence, his large hand expertly traced down my spine, effortlessly untying the ribbon at my back. I leaned my head against his chest, choosing to deny it. “No.” He didn’t press further, simply lifted me, placed me on the sofa, and leaned over me. “If something’s bothering you, you should tell me.” My legs felt like jelly. Mr. Duff always did this. He’d first stir me into a dizzying passion, then coax me into saying what he wanted to hear. I was utterly defenseless against him, only able to ask in a soft voice. “Mr. Duff… I was wondering, if I were to leave here…” My tentative question was cut short by a fierce, heavy kiss. It stole my breath, leaving me no strength to speak. “Don’t ask.” My mind was a blur, as if fireworks were exploding. Didn't he just tell me to speak my mind? And now he wouldn’t listen? 2 The next morning, when I dragged myself out of bed, aching all over, Mr. Duff was already gone. Recalling his uncharacteristically intense behavior last night, my legs still felt weak. That stubborn man, always tormenting me. Would he be so unrestrained with his first love? I picked up my phone indignantly, only to find the group chat had blown up. Thanks to Mr. Duff, I’d long since infiltrated the city’s socialite circle. Several people were frantically tagging me. [Girls, who heard? Amelia came back early today, and Mr. Duff literally ditched an international meeting to pick her up at the airport!] [Where’s Serena? Why hasn't she replied?] [Has her Mr. Duff been working her over so much she still hasn’t woken up?] [Seriously, Serena has it good. Such blessings.] [@Serena, if you don’t wake up, your man’s going to be stolen!] [Though I hate to be a downer, Serena, Mr. Duff’s actions definitely mean he hasn't moved on.] [I heard Amelia saved his life when they were kids. If not for their families' opposition, they would have been married long ago.] [Even though Mr. Duff spoils Serena like crazy, I don't think he'll ever marry her…] There were also a few photos someone had snapped. The background was the airport, a man and a woman, walking side by side. The man was pulling a suitcase, and the woman was smiling gently up at him. The sweet vibe screamed "couple." The man was Mr. Duff. The woman… actually bore a striking resemblance to me. So this was his first love, Amelia? 3 As much as I disliked being conceited, Amelia's face truly bore a five-point resemblance to mine. Mr. Duff had been treating me as a stand-in! Enraged, I simmered for a moment. After a day of agonizing thought, I decided to make a break for it. What, was giving his first love my spot not good enough for him? But with someone like Mr. Duff, running away meant acting first and informing later. Otherwise, if he knew I was planning to dump him, he’d never let me go. I started secretly selling off luxury items that were inconvenient to carry and depositing the money into another account. But when I sold the eighteenth bag, Mr. Duff found out. “Serena. Are you short on money lately?” He sat formally in his armchair, his expression unreadable. But the deep indent in the soft leather of the sofa hinted at his foul mood. I hung my head, speechless. Damn it! How was I supposed to know that bag was custom-made by a designer specifically for Mr. Duff? That cursed reseller had immediately put it up for auction! Mr. Duff showed no outward displeasure, glancing at the exquisitely crafted bag nearby. “Do you know your name was engraved on it?” Would I have dared to sell it if I knew that? I muttered to myself. Even though I was thinking that, in reality, I gently draped myself around Mr. Duff’s neck, tilted my head, and kissed his earlobe. “I’m sorry…” Three years together, I knew exactly how to please him. But this time, he did nothing. He merely squeezed my lower back in a punishing grip, taking a deep breath. “If you need money, tell me.” That very evening, ten million dollars appeared in my account. I silently counted my balance again. As long as I wasn't too extravagant, this money was enough for me to live comfortably for the rest of my life. As for leaving Mr. Duff… I really couldn't put it off any longer. 4 As soon as my visa came through, I started discreetly inquiring about Mr. Duff’s schedule. Rumor had it that after Amelia returned, she planned to visit her hometown, and Mr. Duff would accompany her. “Mr. Duff, I heard from Mrs. Davies that you’re packing your bags again?” Hearing my sudden question, Mr. Duff paused his movements. He frowned, pushing himself up. “You seem very interested in my affairs lately.” I took the opportunity to roll over, obediently resting on his chest, blinking my eyes. “Don’t you like it?” Mr. Duff clearly found this pleasing. He chuckled, reaching out to cup my waist. “No.” He pressed the back of my head, biting my earlobe, his other hand moving with just the right amount of pressure. I instinctively squirmed. But he held my shoulders, forcing me to feel his warm breath against my ear. “Serena, I love it when you care about me.” Trapped in his embrace, unable to move, I could only whimper a few times. In my mind, I silently scoffed, Why is he so mushy? He only says sweet things like this in bed. Pfft. 5 Mr. Duff told me he would be going on a business trip to a neighboring city for three days, starting the day after tomorrow. I began packing my luggage that very day. And, that morning, I sweetly and amiably saw him off. Hmph, calling it a business trip. Did he think I didn’t see Amelia follow him out right after he left? That stubborn man, going on a trip with his first love and keeping it from me. Good thing I was already planning my escape. Calculating the time, Mr. Duff should have already arrived in the neighboring city. I immediately dragged my luggage to the airport. Standing at the airport entrance, I looked back at this familiar city, sighing. Goodbye, my city. What could I do? I was just a gilded cage bird. After much thought, I still pulled out my phone and sent Mr. Duff a farewell message. [Mr. Duff, thank you for your care over the past three years, but I plan to cheat now. Apologies, I wish you all the best, goodbye.] After sending it, I quickly blocked and deleted him. My movements were so swift that I didn’t notice I’d made a typo. I turned off my phone and dragged my luggage through security. After getting my boarding pass, I comfortably lay in the waiting lounge, eating dessert. But after only a couple of bites, the big screen suddenly showed my flight was delayed. The reason for the delay was “passenger reasons.” When I asked, they said an important first-class passenger hadn’t arrived yet. I felt indignant. I bought a first-class ticket too! But the pretty attendant gently and apologetically brought me a plate of mini cakes. And then I was appeased. I started eating, planning how to spend the money I’d saved over the years. Just as I leisurely finished, a large group of men in black suddenly surged through the entrance. They surrounded me, their presence so overwhelming that the small fork in my hand clattered onto the table. Then, a familiar figure walked in, his face contorted with fury. He stalked towards me, practically gnashing his teeth. “Serena Jen, you’re playing quite loose now, aren’t you?” 6 Gasp. Could Mr. Duff teleport? How did he get here? But I couldn't ask any questions. Mr. Duff had already grabbed me like a chicken by the neck. A group of bodyguards escorted me, making me feel like a misbehaving elementary schooler caught by their parents. People passing by frequently stared at me. I covered my face. So embarrassing, so utterly humiliating! Damn Mr. Duff. The next time he tries to kiss me, I absolutely will not open my mouth! But Mr. Duff's aura was terrifyingly low throughout the journey, so I dared not speak. It wasn't until I was escorted home and saw his expressionless face that I tentatively spoke. “Mr. Duff, I…” My unfinished sentence was quickly swallowed. Mr. Duff spun around, pinning me against the door, gripping my chin and kissing me fiercely. He roughly pried open my lips, more frenzied than any time before. Within moments, I was breathless, my entire body melting into his embrace. Only then did Mr. Duff release my mouth, scoop me up, and carry me upstairs. “You… what? Getting bold, Serena Jen?” He finished, even swatting my behind. I was utterly mortified, kicking my legs wildly. “Mr. Duff!” The next second, he pinned my legs and threw me onto the bed. With one hand, Mr. Duff held me down; with the other, he swiftly yanked off his tie. “What? Cheating? What ‘track’ are you trying to stray onto? Am I not enough to satisfy you?” After years of being together, he knew my sensitive spots intimately. His large hand, completely devoid of chivalry, covered me. My mind hadn’t even processed what he was saying, but my insteps were already curling unconsciously, and I was whimpering and crying. “Who’s cheating? Mr. Duff, gentle, please, ohh ohh ohh.” He chuckled, intensifying his movements. I nearly screamed. Physiological tears welled up, and I cried even harder. “Mr. Duff, you’re not playing fair, ohh ohh ohh!” … You really can’t provoke Mr. Duff in bed. By the end, I didn’t even have the strength to beg for mercy. I lay soft and limp in his arms, weakly scratching at him. Mr. Duff then fumbled for another one from the nightstand. “You just needed a good lesson.” 7 I drifted in and out of consciousness until dinner time. The phone screen on the bedside table lit up. I groggily picked it up, realizing it was Mr. Duff's. Amelia had sent him several messages, which I didn't dare open. Just as I was about to close it, I noticed Mr. Duff actually had me pinned to the top of his WeChat. I tapped it open, finding he had sent me many messages. The first few were all red exclamation marks. [?] [Are you serious?] [...] [You actually blocked me?] [Serena Jen, unblock me right now!] ... [Who is he?] [Can't we talk about this?] [You really did it.] [You just wait.] I was surprised. How could he have sent so many messages, knowing he was blocked? I scrolled up through a mountain of messages. Finally, I saw the message I'd sent right before I blocked him. [Apologies, I plan to cheat now.] Plan to cheat now… cheat now… now. Miss Manners was quite polite, wasn't she? OMG. Didn't I mean to say go abroad? How could I make such a huge blunder?! No wonder Mr. Duff was so angry. I had been wondering if he simply couldn't bear to lose me. But if he couldn't accept that the woman he was keeping had cheated on him, well, that made perfect sense. As I stood there in shock, Mr. Duff rolled over beside me and pulled me into his arms. He squinted at the phone in my hand. “What are you looking at? Checking up on me?” I sheepishly put the phone back on the nightstand. “Hardly.” I knew my place as the sugar baby to the sugar daddy. He pinched my waist. “I think you dare to do anything.” Feeling his hand on me, I instinctively flinched. “Again, already?” Mr. Duff raised an eyebrow. “Not enough?” I didn't speak. He already pushed himself up. “I’m not done.” I closed my eyes. How could one man have so much stamina?! 8 It wasn't until I got up and opened my own phone that the realization hit me. Wait. How did I open Mr. Duff’s phone just now? I entered my own password. How was his password also my birthday? But I didn't ponder for too long. Mr. Duff had already put on his trousers and buckled his belt. “I need to go out for a bit. Don’t wait up for me to sleep tonight.” Hearing the word “sleep,” a shiver ran down my spine, my legs still weak. No way I’d wait up, absolutely no way. Noticing the change in my expression, Mr. Duff leaned down and kissed me soothingly. “If you still want to go abroad, wait until I’m done with work, and I’ll go with you. Don’t cheat again.” He chuckled softly. I bit him indignantly. “You said it again!” Mwah! He actually laughed at me for half an hour about that “cheating” typo, even after I explained I meant to go abroad! Mr. Duff quickly hurried out the door. Hmph, dressing himself up so handsomely. Just because Amelia sent him a few messages? Getting all worked up like that. Stubborn man. Even if I wasn't going to cheat, I wouldn't just sit around and do nothing! I indignantly opened the socialite group chat. They were buzzing about Amelia heading straight to the jewelry store after returning from her hometown alone. [Didn’t they say they were going to her hometown together? But Mr. Duff came back first this afternoon, and Amelia only returned much later by herself.] [I bet they had a spat on the way, throwing a fit.] [Amelia going to the jewelry store must mean Mr. Duff is buying something to appease her.] [Exactly, exactly! Haven’t you heard? Mr. Duff’s car was also heading towards the jewelry street. So late, such a coincidence—what else could it be for?] [What about Serena? Mr. Duff came back this afternoon to find Serena, right?] [Ugh, don’t mind me saying this, but when a man gets frustrated by his first love, he takes it out on his little songbird. Isn’t that standard procedure?] [Tsk, you’re right.] [Poor Serena has been missing for several hours again.] [Mr. Duff’s stamina is truly unmatched by ordinary men…] …A lot of chattering. The latest message was— [No, girls, oh my god, my friend at the jewelry store just messaged me—Mr. Duff bought Amelia an engagement ring!] [Apparently it’s a custom-made one! Engraved with Amelia’s details!] My heart sank as I read the messages. Following closely was a picture. It was a blurry candid shot. But I could make out Mr. Duff and Amelia together at the engagement ring counter. On the counter was a card, which read: [Customization Request: Customer’s Birthday: 08/06, Scalloped edge.] Damn it. Amelia’s birthday was the same as mine? So Mr. Duff’s phone password wasn’t my birthday. It was Amelia’s birthday! I silently looked at the smiling faces of the two people in the photo. An indescribable emotion spread through my heart. He had just said he’d go abroad with me, and now he was buying someone else an engagement ring? Mr. Duff’s words were all bullshit. Pfft, pfft, pfft!