Asking her for help felt degrading, yet he rationalized that it was for her benefit too.

Tilda regarded him with surprise.

In her eyes, Keanu was someone defined by his pride.

He wasn't the type to ask for help-at least, he hadn't been in their school days.

But here he was, vulnerable and pleading for her assistance with Lyndon.

It didn't seem like him at all.

She hesitated. "I don't understand business, Keanu. Even if I talk to my husband, there's no guarantee he'd listen."

Keanu's gaze remained fixed on her. "Tilda, if you were my wife, I'd do anything you asked— because I love you."

The implication of his words hung heavy in the air. If she asked Lyndon and he didn't comply, wouldn't that mean he didn't love her?

Tilda's heart clenched slightly as she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, falling silent.

She sensed the subtle challenge in Keanu's words, and a question lodged itself in her mind: would Lyndon truly agree to work with Keanu if she asked?

Probably not.

Because, in the end, he didn't love her enough to do whatever she wished.

Keanu, seeing the flicker of doubt in her eyes, pressed on, "My boss mentioned that if you could help secure the partnership, they'd offer you a share of the deal."

“A share for me?" Tilda repeated, caught off guard by the unexpected offer.

Keanu nodded. "Yes. You're married to Lyndon, and his assets are partly yours. I imagine you wouldn't want to see him giving away what's yours to someone else, right?"

He hesitated briefly, recalling Scarlet's advice before he spoke again, carefully choosing his words. “Tilda, I know you're a kind person, but the world isn't always kind in return. No matter how comfortable your life may seem, money still matters. If you and Lyndon aren't meant to be together forever, wouldn't it be wise to secure your own financial future? That way, no matter what happens, you wouldn't be left empty-handed."

The more Keanu spoke, the more unfamiliar he seemed to Tilda.

Had he changed that much, or had she simply never known him as well as she thought?

She frowned, her expression questioning. "Keanu, is this really what you believe?" she asked quietly. "Or is someone putting these ideas in your head?"

Instead of answering directly, Keanu countered, “Do you find anything wrong with what I said?"

Tilda paused, considering his words. "I don't want to comment on whether you're right or wrong, but I don't believe relationships should be about calculating gains and losses. Maybe I'm a bit of a romantic, but I don't want to reduce my marriage to a business transaction. I don't want to obsess over maintaining a title or strategize about how to divide assets. Because I'm already wealthy, Keanu. I don't lack money."

She looked at him directly, her gaze unwavering.

Her words were simple but carried a clarity that left him feeling strangely small.