The company landed a major client and was throwing a banquet to celebrate. My fiancé, Liam, took me to his friend’s boutique to pick out a gown. “Yvette’s a renowned designer. Just listen to what she suggests.” But when I tried on the dress, I discovered it looked absolutely hideous. The waist was bulky and unflattering, and half my ass was exposed. Just as I was about to protest, Liam looked at me with disgust: “You really do look terrible in everything! Let Yvette go in your place as my fiancée to the banquet instead.” At his words, Yvette immediately pulled out a gown she’d prepared in advance and slipped it on. I watched them walk out hand in hand, all lovey-dovey, and the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. They’d been hooking up behind my back all along. Too bad Liam had no idea—he only landed this deal because I was the client’s daughter. I tore off the rag of a dress and dialed my phone. “Dad, cancel the deal we just signed with Liam.” “All right, take a look and see if you like it.” I opened my eyes at the sound of the voice, only to be startled by my own reflection in the mirror. The elegant, haute couture gown had been transformed into tattered rags. The waist had been deliberately taken in so tight it created rolls of flesh, making me look like a trussed-up slab of pork belly. The fabric on the back had vanished entirely, leaving most of my rear exposed to the cold air. Most insulting of all were the “artistic” cutouts across the chest, perfectly positioned to display both the edges of my bra and my excess flesh in all their glory. “Yvette!” I grabbed at the precarious fabric, trying to keep it from falling. “You did this on purpose?” The dressing room spotlights suddenly blazed to life, illuminating my humiliation in merciless detail. Yvette covered her mouth and took a step back. “Miss Laurel, how can you say that? It’s just that your figure… needs some adjustments in certain areas.” Her gaze swept pointedly over my waistline. That’s when I noticed she was holding up her phone, the camera pointed straight at me. Blood rushed to my head. I lunged forward and snatched the phone from her hands. The screen clearly showed a video recording interface. “Liam, look,” came Yvette’s deliberately lowered voice from the video, “I told you she couldn’t pull off your taste…” The dressing room door suddenly swung open. Liam stood in the doorway, one hand in his pocket. His gaze raked over me like a scanner before landing on my hand gripping Yvette’s wrist. “Had enough of your tantrum?” He loosened his tie, his Adam’s apple bobbing with disgust. “Yvette’s a featured designer at Paris Fashion Week. What are you?” Yvette seized the opportunity to wrench free from my grip and scurried behind Liam like a frightened rabbit. “Don’t be angry, Liam,” she said, her fingertips lightly tugging at his sleeve. “Miss Laurel probably just isn’t used to haute couture…” My eyes reddened with hurt and anger. “Liam, she deliberately cut up the dress like this, and she was secretly recording me…” “Enough!” Liam cut me off sharply, his eyes cold as ice. “Yvette’s been my friend since childhood. You really think she’d do something like that?” Yvette’s eyes glistened with moisture. “Miss Laurel, I know you have issues with my relationship with Liam, but you can’t slander me like this…” I clutched the ruined fabric, my nails digging into my palms. “Then how do you explain this? You cut my dress to pieces!” Liam frowned impatiently. “Stop making a scene! Laurel, there’s no way you can attend the celebration banquet looking like this. Just don’t come tonight.” “What?” I looked up in disbelief. His gaze shifted to Yvette, his tone self-righteous: “Yvette attends high-end events all the time. She has way more experience than you. Tonight’s banquet is crucial—the client’s CEO will be there. We can’t afford any mistakes. I think she should go instead.” Before I could respond, Yvette let out a cheerful squeal. “Liam, what perfect timing—I just happen to have brought a backup dress.” She reached into the wardrobe and pulled out a champagne-colored mermaid gown. One she’d clearly prepared in advance. Liam’s gaze lingered on her for a few seconds, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly. “I’d appreciate you coming with me tonight.” A chill ran through my entire body as understanding finally dawned. “You planned this all along, didn’t you?”
Yvette pretended to look innocent as she nestled into the man’s embrace. “Liam, she’s misunderstanding me again~” Liam looked me up and down with disgust. “Look at yourself right now—you look like a streetwalker. How could you possibly go?” Yvette leaned against him, covering her mouth as she laughed softly: “Don’t say that, Liam. I think Miss Laurel’s current look really suits her personality.” I gripped the torn fabric tightly, forcing down the humiliation. “Liam, you two can go, but at least give me something decent to wear.” “Why should I?” Liam sneered. “Do you even deserve nice clothes?” He wrapped his arm tighter around Yvette’s waist. “Look at Yvette—now that’s the kind of figure that deserves haute couture. As for you…” “You’re nothing but a joke.” Yvette suddenly pulled something from her bag that looked like a filthy dishrag of an apron. “Oh my, I happen to have this ‘outfit’ here. If Miss Laurel doesn’t mind…” She held it out with feigned thoughtfulness, malice glinting in her eyes. “It really matches your current look.” The grimy apron even had a few drops of foul-smelling yellow liquid on the hem. Seeing me frown, Yvette’s smile grew wider. “What are you standing there for? Didn’t you say you wanted clothes?” I looked at Liam in disbelief, my heart sinking to the ocean floor. Once upon a time, I had dulled my own edges as the Laurel family heiress for Liam’s sake, learning to be the “gentle and refined” fiancée he claimed to want. He said I was too shrewd, so I hid my business acumen and only smiled without speaking when accompanying him to events. He said he liked docile women, so I became his subordinate, paving the way for his climb to success. I thought he appreciated my compliance. I thought his feelings for me were real. But it turned out that in his eyes, I was nothing more than a gullible fool! I swallowed my rage and picked up the apron, barely covering myself with it. “Don’t forget, Liam—this project only succeeded because of me.” A flash of awkwardness crossed his face, but it instantly transformed into contempt. “Because of you?” He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up, his eyes full of mockery. “Someone like you thinks you deserve credit?” Yvette helpfully handed him a glass of ice water, which Liam took and poured directly over my head. The ice water ran down my hair and into my collar. I couldn’t control the shiver that ran through me. “Who knows if you didn’t just sleep with the client?” He leaned close to my ear, but his voice was loud enough for the entire room to hear. “After all, with a body like yours…” His fingers traced maliciously along my exposed waistline. “That’s about all you’re good for.” Yvette covered her mouth, laughing until she nearly doubled over. “Liam, you’re so bad~” “Though with her shameless appearance right now, it really is quite possible…” I wiped the water from my face and suddenly laughed. “Liam, since you think so little of me, let’s break off our engagement.” He froze for a moment, then smiled as if he’d heard the funniest joke, his lips curling into a mocking arc. “Fine. But don’t you dare regret it.” He gave me a contemptuous glance. “Don’t come crying back to me later.” Yvette immediately linked her arm through his, triumphantly tilting up her chin: “Miss Laurel, you’d better think carefully. A man like Liam isn’t someone just anyone can aspire to.” I looked down, adjusting the remnants of fabric on my body, my voice calm: “Don’t worry. I won’t regret it.” Liam scoffed, pulling Yvette closer by the waist and turning toward the door. “Good.” He tossed the words over his shoulder without looking back: “I’m taking Yvette to the celebration banquet. This project is extremely important. Someone as low-class as you would only embarrass yourself there.” The door slammed shut heavily. I stood there for a moment, then slowly pulled out my phone and called my father. “Dad, I’ve broken off my engagement with Liam.” There was a moment of silence on the other end, then my father’s deep voice came through: “He initiated it?” “No, I did.” I smiled softly. “Though he agreed quite readily.” My father’s voice turned cold: “Does he know about the contract?” “He has no idea.” I stroked the dress that had been cut to shreds, my eyes ice-cold. “Good.” My father’s voice carried anger. “In that case, the partnership is void, effective immediately.”
I found a hotel to shower in and finally got that disgusting outfit off, changing into clean clothes. But just as I was about to leave the hotel, I was suddenly grabbed by a group of men in black who covered my mouth and dragged me into a van. When I woke up, everything was spinning. Once my vision finally focused, I saw Liam and Yvette standing over me. “You’re awake?” Liam stood with one hand in his pocket. “The celebration banquet is about to start. I can’t have you going there to cause trouble.” That’s when I realized I was tied to a chair, my wrists bound with rough rope that had already left bloody marks. Yvette was holding my phone, waving it tauntingly: “Liam was worried you’d make a scene at the banquet~” “This is illegal detention!” I struggled violently, the chair legs scraping against the floor with a harsh screech. “Liam, have you lost your mind? Kidnapping your fiancée over a banquet?” Liam suddenly leaned down and grabbed my chin, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush the bone: “Fiancée?” He sneered. “Didn’t you just say you wanted to break off the engagement?” Yvette covered her mouth and laughed. “Too late for regrets now, Miss Laurel~” I jerked my head to the side and bit down hard on her finger. She screamed and yanked her hand back, throwing herself against Liam. “Liam, look what she did!” Liam slapped me across the face. The burning pain made my vision go black. “Bitch!” He grabbed my hair, forcing me to look up. “After the banquet’s over, I’ll deal with you.” Yvette rubbed her reddened finger, suddenly putting on a troubled expression. “Liam, if we leave her tied up here, what if she escapes?” Liam’s brow furrowed, then he suddenly sneered. “Then we’ll make sure she doesn’t dare run!” “Strip her!” I looked at them in horror as they approached: “What are you doing?” Yvette smiled knowingly and ripped open my collar. “Taking some ‘artistic photos’ of you, of course~” “No!” I struggled desperately, the chair crashing to the floor. Liam planted his foot on my waist. The pain made me arch my back. “Stay still.” He crouched down, holding his phone camera almost against my face. “Smile, Miss Laurel.” The camera flash went off repeatedly. I squeezed my eyes shut in despair. Yvette directed him from the side: “Liam, get a few close-ups. Yes, that angle…” Just then, urgent knocking came from outside the door. “Mr. Rivers? The banquet’s about to start. The chairman is looking for you.” Liam responded impatiently and pocketed his phone: “You’re lucky.” He dragged Yvette toward the door, but not before issuing a final threat: “If you dare show up tonight and cause trouble, these photos will be all over the internet immediately.”
The door slammed shut. I heard the lock click. I wriggled painfully, trying to loosen the ropes. My wrists were already bleeding, but the rope showed no sign of giving. Time crawled by. I could hear music and laughter from the banquet hall. Thinking of Liam parading around with Yvette as his fiancée in front of everyone, I was nearly consumed by rage and humiliation. Suddenly, there was a slight sound at the window. I turned my head in alarm to see a dark figure nimbly climb through. “Who?!” My voice shook. The shadow quickly approached. In the moonlight, I recognized Frederick, my father’s most trusted bodyguard. “Miss, the chairman sent me to get you.” He swiftly cut through the ropes and helped me to my feet. “The chairman says the contract has been voided. We won’t be sending anyone to tonight’s banquet. Let me take you home to rest.” I looked toward the brightly lit banquet hall outside the window, all song and dance and celebration. “No. I’m going to the banquet.” Frederick frowned: “Miss, in your condition…” “Contact my father.” I cut him off. “Tell him I want to appear as the client representative.” Half an hour later, I stood in the shadows by the banquet hall’s side entrance. My father sent a message: [Everything’s arranged. Do whatever you want.] Inside the banquet hall, Liam stood on stage in a sharp suit, wearing a confident smile. “Thank you all for coming to tonight’s celebration.” He surveyed the room, his tone smug. “I’m honored to have led the partnership with Stellar Group.” Thunderous applause erupted. Yvette sat at the head table in that champagne mermaid gown, looking every bit the lady of the house, shooting triumphant glances at those around her. Liam raised his hand for silence and continued: “Next, let us welcome…” He paused deliberately, his eyes sweeping the room. “The chairman of Stellar Group!” The room fell instantly silent, all eyes focused on the entrance. Liam’s face wore an obsequious smile. He even bowed slightly in a welcoming gesture. But the door didn’t open as he’d expected. One second, two seconds… The room descended into awkward silence. Sweat beaded on Liam’s forehead as he repeated with a forced smile: “Let us welcome Chairman Laurel of Stellar Group!” Still no response. The audience began to whisper. Yvette stood up uneasily. Just then, all the lights in the banquet hall suddenly went out, leaving only a single spotlight trained on the side entrance. The door slowly opened. I stepped forward in my heels, walking into the spotlight. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, I smiled lightly. “As the daughter of Stellar Group’s chairman, I’m here to announce that Stellar Group is terminating our partnership with Horizon Tech, effective immediately. The signed contract is now void!”
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