Chapter 1

My father’s silence on the other end stretched for two seconds. "You want to cancel the wedding?"

"No, merely the groom," I replied, taking a sip of my ice-cold martini, a bitter smile playing on my lips.

To prop up Liam, a destitute architect, I had mobilized every resource my family possessed. I had even gone so far as to turn against the board of directors just to install him as CEO. We had even scheduled the launch of our companies' core joint project, the "Eden" Resort, to coincide with our wedding day.

But now, the very foundation had crumbled.

Father sighed. "At this critical juncture, only Damon Wolfe has the capacity to catch this falling knife. His family has been seeking a partnership with us in the European market, and... he doesn't seem to find you objectionable."

I frowned. Damon Wolfe was Wall Street’s notorious "Corporate Raider" and my sworn nemesis. At the charity gala where I announced my engagement, he had coldly mocked my taste as being "cheap as a bargain-bin discount." I never imagined his venomous tongue would turn prophetic.

Time was tight, so I had no choice but to compromise. "Fine, let it be him. Get in touch with his legal team. If he refuses, I’ll come up with another PR strategy."

Father replied instantly, "No need to contact them. He is already drafting the prenuptial agreement. He says he agrees."

"What?"

Before I could digest this news, a group of friends who dubbed themselves the "Chloe Support Club" surrounded me.

"Are you Liam's fiancée, Scarlett? That Chanel suits you perfectly!"

"Liam will be down in a moment. He treats you so well; he even considers your feelings when Chloe is sick."

I gripped the steering wheel of my Porsche, putting on my sunglasses to hide the mockery in my eyes.

Liam had introduced me to his social circle early on. In everyone's eyes, I was the lucky girl with the perfect life.

But who could have guessed that he was about to marry someone else at that so-called "healing ceremony"?

After bidding farewell to those hypocrites, Liam got into the car and casually tossed a velvet box at me.

"Chloe asked me to give this to you. You embarrassed her at the art exhibition yesterday, and she said this is an apology. Find some time to go and say sorry to her."

The brooch was obviously a freebie from some luxury store. I had seen the receipt in Liam's suit pocket a few days ago; it was a complimentary gift included when he bought Chloe a limited-edition handbag.

I said coldly, "Throw it away."

Liam furrowed his brows. "What are you raving about now? You barged into the exhibition claiming you bought that painting, making her lose face. Not only did she not blame you, but she even thought to get you a gift. How can you be so ill-bred?"

The man who once vowed to respect me forever was gone. Now, all his patience was reserved for another.

Liam, agitated, rolled down the window for some air. After a long while, seeing that I wasn't bowing my head to coax him as usual, he finally spoke. "Fine. We were supposed to go try on wedding dresses today anyway. I don't want to fight with you in the car."

This was his first "magnanimous" concession of the year.

When we arrived at the Vera Wang bridal salon, the head designer greeted us:

"Mr. Sterling, Ms. Vance, the haute couture wedding gown and evening dress you ordered are ready."

But Liam's gaze didn't linger on the exquisite lace. He looked down at his phone, his expression turning anxious.

Noticing my stare, he quickly put his phone away, a trace of perfunctory apology appearing on his face.

"Scarlett, there’s an emergency with Chloe. She seems to have fainted in the bathroom. I have to go over there immediately. Try the dress on yourself, and just pick out any tuxedo for me. I trust your taste."

With that, without even waiting for my reply, he hurriedly hailed a taxi and left, abandoning me alone at the entrance of the massive fitting room.

The designer approached awkwardly and asked tentatively, "Ms. Vance, will you be selecting the tuxedo personally?"

I withdrew my gaze and nodded.

Of course I would choose. Only, this tuxedo would no longer be worn by Liam.

After all, the man standing at the other end of the altar had already changed.

I drove back to the penthouse in Manhattan, assuming Liam wouldn't return all night. Yet, he rushed back before dinner.

He strode toward me, carrying a gift box of famous Ladurée macarons.

"I took a detour to Madison Avenue specifically to buy these for you."

I looked at the box of macarons.

The exquisite box, which originally held twelve, now contained only eight. One of the rose-flavored ones had a corner missing, clearly bitten by someone.

Half an hour ago, I had scrolled past Chloe's Instagram update.

The photo showed the exact macarons missing from my box, captioned: "Sweetness sent by a best friend when I'm sick. Even though I don't like rose flavor, he forced me to take a bite. Love you, L."

I set down my wine glass, a self-deprecating smile curling my lips as my appetite vanished instantly.

"I’m not eating them. Throw them in the garbage disposal."

Liam looked at me with immediate displeasure but held back his temper. He sat down on the leather sofa beside me and complained:

"You have no idea how pitiful Chloe was today. My parents went to her rented apartment, disgusted that it was a slum, saying someone of her background isn't fit to be my friend. She was so upset her asthma nearly flared up."

"Chloe just lost her job and doesn't have much in savings. I was thinking, lend her that set of emerald jewelry of yours for a few days, just to help her keep up appearances."

His tone allowed for no refusal, carrying a natural arrogance.

I looked at him sardonically. "So, I am also expected to provide the Vance family heirlooms to your 'mentally fragile' friend?"