Chapter 2

More than a dozen cars were lined up behind us, honking so loudly the sound shook the air. The gas station attendant looked at him awkwardly.

"Are you waiting for that lady to come pay?"

The people behind us could not take it anymore.

"Buddy! You're going home for New Year's and still need a woman to pay for your gas? Hurry up. We're all waiting."

"Exactly. It's not even that much!"

Sweat rolled down Derek's cheeks. In the end, his pride trapped him. He had no choice but to pay.

The moment he entered his PIN, I appeared at just the right time and looked at him in delighted surprise.

"Wow, Mr. Caldwell, you really are generous. No wonder you're a big boss. Thank you."

Derek could not say a word. He forced out a dry, "You're welcome."

The attendant and I exchanged a look before I got back in the car.

Derek was quiet for a long while after that.

"About that money..."

I immediately made a sharp turn, jolting him sideways.

A traffic officer suddenly appeared and waved me down.

"Sorry, ma'am. The road on the left has traffic controls and restrictions in place. I suggest you take the highway on the right."

I looked at the long line of cars ahead and estimated the time.

The road on the right would take a little longer, but once we left the freeway, the surface roads would still be faster overall.

"All right."

I was just about to take the right-hand ramp when Derek's face darkened.

"Why is it restricted? Aren't you wasting ordinary people's time? What are traffic cops even for?"

"I don't care. I have to take the left side today, or I'll file a complaint against you."

The officer probably had never met someone this stubborn before.

"Sir, you may file a complaint if you like. The road is restricted because of snow. Why would I lie to you?

"I understand that you want to get home, but if you take the freeway and then the surface roads after the exit, it won't be slow."

Derek was left speechless by the officer, so he turned to me instead.

"Miss Hancock, what do you think? Taking the left side would save us two or three hours."

He thought I would definitely stand on his side.

Instead, I turned the wheel and drove straight onto the highway on the right.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

Derek practically bounced out of the passenger seat.

"Are you stupid? Listening to that cop is how they trick people out of money. Girls like you have no real-world experience at all!"

I could not bear it anymore.

"The traffic officer already said that road is closed. If you're so determined, why don't you get out and walk?

"You're a grown man. Can you stop nagging?"

Derek's pride took a hit, so he tried to save face.

"You think I wanted to sit in your car? Your aunt begged me to meet you!

"I don't even think you're good enough for me."

I pressed the window button. Cold wind rushed in, and he shrank back.

"If I'm not good enough for you, then don't sit in my car.

"Mr. Caldwell, get out right now, and I'll respect you as a man."

His expression turned awkward at once, though he still forced an explanation.

"You women are such trouble."

I shot back, "Were you not born from a woman? Or is your mother not a woman?"

Derek gritted his teeth. He looked like he wanted to explode, but he could not refute me.

He shut his mouth in resentment.

"A real man doesn't argue with women."

Staying in the same car with him was suffocating.

"There's a service area up ahead. Let's stop for supplies and a restroom break."

I could not wait to get out of the car.

Only after I stepped out did I realize that aside from the restrooms, all the shops were locked.

"What kind of place did you find?"

Derek looked impatient.

"No food, nothing to buy. This place is useless except for the bathroom."

I rolled my eyes in secret.

In this weather, having a place to stop at all was already a blessing.

I quickly used the restroom so I could breathe and stretch my legs.