1 When Ethan Vance broke off our engagement, everyone said my life was over. For five years, I’d bent myself into knots to please him, and my reputation was already in tatters. No one, they claimed, would ever want a woman like me. When Ethan found new love, those around me waited for me to grovel, to beg for him back. But they didn’t know I had willingly taken my younger sister’s place, marrying into a family in Portsmouth through an arranged marriage. Before I left, I returned the treasured keepsake box Ethan had given me, along with the blank promise card he had penned as a boy. I left nothing behind, no trace. It wasn’t until the day before his engagement that Ethan suddenly spoke of me: “She hasn’t made a sound in all this time. Has Elara Sterling finally withered away?” And I, having just endured a night that brought me close to death in a different way, was being woken by my new husband’s kisses. “Elara, sweetheart, you promised four rounds, and not one less…” … That day, when Ethan suddenly declared he wanted to get married, I hadn’t seen him in three months. Our last encounter, I’d overheard him telling his friends he was utterly bored with me. The entire room had erupted in laughter. They laughed at me, at how I’d spent five years trying to please him, tarnishing my own name, only to be cast aside like worn-out rags. Those three months at the Sterling home had been brutal. Just days ago, Victor Sterling had come home drunk, and his hands had been heavy. The wounds on my back still throbbed faintly. So, when Ethan unexpectedly called me today, asking me to come over, a flicker of hope ignited in my chest. I specifically wore the jade bangles we’d exchanged on our engagement day and hurried to his villa. By the time I arrived, Ethan was already tipsy. He lay half-reclined on a young woman’s lap, his eyes closed. The girl looked like a student, innocent and pure. Seeing me enter, she, who was massaging Ethan’s head, stumbled, flustered, trying to rise. But Ethan’s hand clamped onto her wrist. “Just stay put.” He didn’t open his eyes, merely applied gentle pressure to her hand. She was pulled closer, her body pressing against his. Submissively, she lowered her head, allowing him to kiss her. He released her, then cupped her chin. The kiss was deep, the sounds echoing. I stood in the doorway, clutching my clutch, bewildered for a long moment. It took immense effort to compose myself, to feign indifference, and turn my gaze to the window. “I’ll go stroll in the garden for a bit. I’ll come back later.” No sooner had the words left my lips than Ethan scoffed. The girl beside him, ever so sensible, quickly stood up. “Perhaps I should leave first, and let her come over.” This time, Ethan didn’t stop her. He held her hand, idly toying with it for a moment, before reluctantly releasing it. “It’s cold outside, don’t catch a chill.” The girl smiled softly, nodded, her long, dark hair shielding most of her flushed face. As she passed me, she politely greeted me as “Sister,” then offered a gentle “hello.” I nodded back, returning her smile. She was very young, her eyes clear and guileless, her shy demeanor eerily reminiscent of my younger sister. “Elara Sterling, come here.” Ethan leaned back on the sofa, patting the empty space beside him. The intricate, splendid crystal chandelier cast dappled light, illuminating his face—narrow, sculpted, his features strikingly handsome. The play of light and shadow rendered him almost ethereal. For a moment, I felt a dizzying unreality, coupled with an inexplicable ache. Ethan’s languid eyes, shimmering with a hint of intoxication, were subtly reddened at the corners. His collar was loose, revealing a constellation of hickey marks on his collarbone and the side of his neck. “That girl was Seraphina Hayes.” I nodded. “Yes, I know.” “What do you think of her?” I thought for a moment, then answered earnestly. “She’s very innocent, very pure, very well-behaved.” Ethan nodded. “Doesn’t she remind you of yourself five years ago?” I froze. 2 Five years ago, I had just started university. In Ethan’s words when he pursued me, I was “so pure it made his heart ache.” Back then, he truly loved me. And he doted on me fiercely. He treated me as if I would melt if he held me too tightly. I was also his longest relationship. I even got engaged to him before graduating from college. Only, what a pity. The person I was now was unrecognizable, my reputation utterly ruined. Everyone in the Capital City knew. Knew how many shameless things I’d done just to cling to that prized catch. Back then, he said he was tired of my innocence and purity. To please him, I forced myself to change, to immerse myself in his depraved circle. I indulged his perverse tastes. He wanted sophistication, a fiery sensuality, an open boldness. I endured the humiliation, satisfying him one by one. Yet my desperate attempts to please him ultimately earned me only his scornful words. “Elara Sterling, you’re truly pathetic.” “Even the cheapest hooker isn’t as uninhibited as you are in bed.” “Look at you now, do you have even an ounce of a proper lady left?” When he first proposed breaking up, Victor Sterling threatened me with my younger siblings. To keep him, I’d slashed my wrists, I’d taken pills. I had done it all. Now, he stood before the unrecognizable me, saying he loved Seraphina. He loved that she reminded him of myself five years ago. I wanted to laugh, but the laughter wouldn’t come. “I truly like her. I want to give her a proper name.” “She’s not like you. She’s terribly timid, so pure. I have to take responsibility.” I wanted to say something, but my lips felt glued together. Not a sound escaped. After a long moment, I managed to force out a smile. “Alright, I understand.” “I can put in a good word for you with The Sterlings.” “No need. I’ll figure it out myself.” “As you wish.” He swayed as he stood up, pulled something from his pocket. It clattered onto the coffee table. My eyelids twitched violently. It was the token we’d exchanged when we got engaged. My biological mother’s relic: a matching jade pendant. What Ethan had given me was his mother’s wedding dowry: a pair of jade bangles. The very pair I now wore on my wrist. “Take off the bangles.” “Our engagement is off.” I looked up at him, his once languid eyes now cold, as if filled with frost. So when he said he wanted to get married, he hadn’t meant with me. The five years of companionship couldn’t compare to the fleeting thrill a new lover brought. I thought I would collapse, that grief would overwhelm me. But I didn’t shed a single tear. I calmly removed the jade bangles and returned them to him. Ethan’s brow subtly arched, a hint of surprise in his expression. But he took them, then turned and walked away without a backward glance. 3 News of Ethan Vance breaking off our engagement spread quickly. The expected brutal punishment never came. Only, I once again lost contact with my younger siblings abroad. I knew this was my father’s customary way of unleashing his wrath. He and my stepmother, Vivian, began scouring the Capital City for a suitable husband. They wanted to marry me off, to secure The Sterlings’ continued prosperity. But soon, ugly rumors began to circulate. They said that all these years, to please Ethan, I had done everything imaginable, that I was utterly used up, that I had even lost the ability to bear children. No one in the Capital City would be willing to take on a woman like me. Father’s temper grew increasingly volatile. My days became increasingly unbearable. The second month after Ethan broke off our engagement, another explosive piece of news spread through the circle. It was said he was getting engaged again, to Seraphina. Ethan had even defied his parents for her. The usual gossipmongers made sure the news reached me. I knew what they wanted to see. Nothing but boredom in their lives. And perhaps, a longing for the old days when they had a spectacle like me to entertain them. “Elara, I actually think Ethan still really likes you.” “You’re probably having a tough time now, aren’t you? Why don’t you go beg Ethan?” “He’s soft-hearted. If you cry a little, or even pretend to try to end it all, he might change his mind.” “Seraphina can’t compare to you, Elara. You’re much prettier than her.” I saw all the messages but didn’t reply. Instead, I poured my entire being into preparing for my own marriage. Just a week ago, I had knelt for an entire night. Finally, I convinced Father to agree to my taking my newly adult sister’s place, marrying into a family in Portsmouth. I’d heard that the eldest son of The Thornes, Dorian Thorne, was ruthless and cunning, yet wielded immense power, an uncrowned king in Portsmouth. But he was also said to have a fierce and unpredictable disposition due to a physical disability that confined him to a wheelchair. But I wasn’t afraid. To escape The Sterlings, to ensure my siblings’ freedom. I would welcome it all. Besides, I could no longer stand to be in the Capital City. Portsmouth might just offer a glimmer of hope. 4 Before my wedding, I met my best friend for dinner. While on my way to the restroom, I unexpectedly ran into Seraphina. She looked nothing like her previous self. She wore exquisite makeup and Dior’s classic little black dress, slender and alluring. A thin ladies’ cigarette dangled from her vibrant lips. “Miss Sterling, you’ve heard, haven’t you?” Seraphina looked at me, a provocative smile on her face. “Ethan Vance is getting engaged to me.” I looked at her, suddenly recalling her pure, shy demeanor when I first met her. For some reason, a wave of melancholy washed over me. “Yes, I heard.” Seraphina’s smile deepened. “Miss Sterling, are you very jealous?” “I heard you lost three of his children. All these years, you’ve done everything low and shameless just to keep him, to marry him.” She leaned against the window sill, her eyes alight with disdain and contempt. I looked at her coolly. “Miss Hayes, you just said yourself, you ‘heard.’ We’re both women; there’s no need to spread such vile rumors, is there?” Seraphina instantly scoffed. “It’s spread throughout the Capital City; how is it a vile rumor?” I didn’t want to waste my breath on her and turned to leave. But Seraphina suddenly said, in a strangely snide tone, “Miss Sterling, girls are not all the same. You have no self-respect. Didn’t your mother teach you anything before she passed away?” My steps halted abruptly. Hearing the word ‘mother,’ a surge of hot blood rushed to my head. I didn’t have time to think, couldn’t be rational. I spun around and slapped her. “Miss Sterling…” Seraphina froze for a moment, then immediately covered her face and began to cry pitifully. “I know it hurts you that Ethan and I are getting engaged, but you can’t just hit people…” “I understand you’re angry, but you can’t force feelings.” “Ethan doesn’t like a woman as… loose as you. It’s not my fault…” She sobbed, whimpering, sounding aggrieved and pathetic, but every word she uttered felt like a knife twisting in my heart. “I know your mother died young, and you had no one to guide you, Miss Sterling. I won’t pursue this matter… this time…” I gritted my teeth until my jaw ached, raising my hand to slap her again. But my arm was viciously seized by Ethan. “Elara Sterling, apologize to Seraphina.” “I won’t apologize.” I stood rigid, my back straight, my face pale, my lips colorless. But my eyes were bloodshot, shining with a dangerous intensity. 5 Ethan seemed surprised. Over the years, he had seen me as innocent and pure. He had seen me as obedient and docile. He had also seen me hysterical, sobbing, and clinging. I had been naive, alluring, cried, laughed, and made a fuss in front of him. But I had never been so calm, so distant, as I was at this moment. He pushed Seraphina aside and walked emotionlessly in front of me. “Elara Sterling, I’m only going to say this one last time: apologize to Seraphina.” I stared fixedly at him, then suddenly laughed. A laugh that was resolute, desperate. “Ethan Vance, I told you, I won’t apologize. I’ll die before I apologize…” A sharp slap suddenly echoed in the empty corridor. After delivering that blow, Ethan seemed to freeze. Seraphina covered her face, her eyes wide, similarly stunned and disbelieving. Only I slowly raised my hand to my stinging cheek, my eyes slowly reddening. “Elara Sterling…” Ethan instinctively stepped forward. But I immediately stepped back. His hand, which had been about to rise, abruptly dropped, and his face hardened again. “Elara Sterling, this is your own fault.” “If you had apologized just now, I wouldn’t have laid a hand on you.” Ethan’s voice was low and somewhat hoarse. “You know I never hit women.” “We’ve been together for so many years; I’ve never laid a finger on you.” “You shouldn’t have touched Seraphina today. I like her; it’s not her fault.” “Elara Sterling, stop making a scene. Save yourself some dignity.” He was usually a man of few words, never rambling on like this. But I didn’t hear a single syllable. My bloodshot eyes uncontrollably filled with tears. I desperately tried to hold them back, but I couldn’t. My tear ducts ached fiercely, and tears streamed down my face in large drops, as if they would never stop. Ethan, at some point, had tightly clenched his hands, his brows furrowed. Seraphina walked to his side and said obediently, “Ethan, let’s just go.” Ethan gripped her hand, but his gaze remained fixed on my face. “Elara Sterling, don’t try to bother Seraphina again.” “And don’t ever appear in front of Seraphina and me again.” “This is my final warning to you.” After he finished, he didn’t immediately leave with Seraphina. Instead, he stood there, watching me, as if waiting for my reply. But I said nothing, only lowered my head slightly. It felt as if I wanted to shed all the tears of my lifetime in this moment. After about thirty seconds, Ethan finally led Seraphina away. As he turned to leave, I suddenly spoke, my voice low. “Alright.” “I swear, I will never appear in front of you and Seraphina again in this lifetime.” Ethan’s tall, broad-shouldered back stiffened abruptly. But he quickly pulled Seraphina forward, walking on without a single glance back. Seraphina, however, turned to look at me. Her eyes were still tear-filled, but the corners of her lips were triumphantly turned up. I slowly lowered my hand. Good, I thought to myself. Five years of entanglement, that love-hate for Ethan, so deeply rooted in my heart. Now, in this moment, it was finally ripped out by the roots, severed completely. I could leave, unburdened, without a single regret, forever. 6 After returning that day, I received many messages and calls. A large portion were screenshots from Seraphina’s social media. The most prominent was the engagement ring she was flaunting. I closed my messaging app, still not replying. And I didn’t answer any of the calls. My face was still a bit swollen, so I got some ice and pressed it to my cheek for a while. When I came back, my phone showed a new account deposit notification. I was puzzled, and then shocked by the string of zeros. Before I could even count them, my phone rang. The three words flashing on the screen were saved by my own hand: Mr. Thorne. This was the first time Dorian Thorne had called me since our engagement was settled. My heart pounded a little faster. I took a few deep breaths before answering. “Miss Sterling, did you receive the money?” “Yes, I did.” “But, Mr. Thorne, you already sent the dowry…” I reminded him softly, wondering if someone around him had made a mistake. “The dowry was for The Sterlings. This sum of money is specifically for you.” I clutched my phone, stunned for a long moment, before I finally spoke in a low voice. “Mr. Thorne, you don’t have to do this.” “I was previously engaged, and my reputation isn’t good…” “It doesn’t matter.” Dorian’s voice was exceptionally deep and melodious, yet it carried a soothing power. I thought of the rumors about him: ruthless in his dealings, brutal in his methods, unpredictable and volatile. But in his voice now, there was absolutely no hint of any of that. “You said yourself, it was ‘before’.” “Everything before is in the past, Miss Sterling. Don’t dwell on it.” “You’re marrying far away. Anything you like, you can buy for yourself and bring to Portsmouth.” My eyes felt warm, welling up with tears, yet I couldn’t help but curve my lips slightly. “Mr. Thorne, thank you.” The news of my marriage to The Thornes had been kept completely under wraps. This was Dorian’s instruction. The Thorne family’s welcoming party had already arrived in the Capital City. With them there, The Sterlings were, naturally, on their best behavior. Thus, no one in the Capital City knew I was about to marry far away. Three days before my departure. All my luggage was packed. I looked at the exquisitely crafted keepsake box on my dressing table. And a yellowed, blank promise card. The keepsake box was a gift Ethan had given me when he pursued me. It had nine layers, filled to the brim with all sorts of jewelry. The blank promise card was a thank-you gift he’d given me when he was twelve. Of course, he’d long since forgotten it. I had actually considered using that promise card to make him agree to marry me. But in the end, I decided I didn’t want to waste my life on a man like him. The jewelry was too valuable, so of course, it had to be returned. The blank promise card bore his private seal. It, too, could not fall into the wrong hands. I carefully packed both items. Then I called Liam, Ethan’s personal assistant. “These items are very valuable. Please make sure to deliver them to him personally.” I repeatedly emphasized this. Liam, though still polite, was clearly impatient. “Miss Sterling, let me give you some well-meaning advice. Don’t waste your efforts anymore.” “Mr. Vance is about to get engaged. Let’s all just move on.” He thought I was playing tricks again, trying to reconcile. I wanted to explain. But he clearly couldn’t be bothered to humor me. He casually tossed the box into the trunk and drove off. 7 I quietly left the Capital City with the Thorne family’s welcoming party. Two days later, I met my future husband for the first time. The heir to The Thornes, Dorian Thorne. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, looking noble and handsome. Though seated in a wheelchair, his legs covered by a thin blanket, his posture was upright, his shoulders broad and powerful. It made you completely overlook his physical disability. “Elara Sterling.” He uttered my name in a low, resonant voice. I took a deep breath, walked quickly forward, and then slowly knelt. My gaze met his. I must have been incredibly nervous and shy, because I saw a tiny version of myself reflected in the dark depths of his profound eyes. My eyelashes seemed to tremble faintly. I secretly inhaled, gathered my courage, and reached out to gently take his hands, which rested on the blanket. “Mr. Thorne, hello. I’m Elara Sterling.” The moment my hand touched his, I seemed to hear gasps around me. But my nervousness was too overwhelming to heed them. Instead, I clutched his hands, unconsciously tightening my grip. Dorian didn’t push me away. His fingers were long and slender, his knuckles strong; my hand couldn’t fully encompass his. Just as I felt on the verge of suffocating from nervousness, Dorian suddenly clasped my cold fingers. His large palm completely enveloped my chilled hand, holding it tightly. “Elara Sterling, push me back to the room.” I quickly tried to stand, but as I rose, I swayed, nearly losing my balance. Dorian reached out at just the right moment, steadying my waist firmly. “Careful.” His hand released quickly. But my cheeks still felt faintly flushed. I murmured a soft “Mm,” took the wheelchair from the attendant, and pushed him into the room. The room door closed, and warm lights illuminated the space. Dorian looked at me, then pointed to his legs. The corner of his lips seemed to subtly curve, but it might have been my imagination. “My legs aren’t convenient, Elara. You’ll have to put up with me tonight.” I lowered my head, not daring to meet his gaze, and simply nodded softly. Then, somewhat uncomfortably, I raised a hand to pinch my earlobe, only to find it unusually hot to the touch… 8 Before his engagement, Ethan Vance hosted a party. His fiancée-to-be, Seraphina, wasn’t there, just his usual circle of fair-weather friends. After a few rounds of drinks, everyone grew a little out of hand. Someone, unable to hold their tongue, suddenly brought up Elara Sterling’s name. “Ethan’s dated so many, but Elara was still the prettiest.” “Yeah, we all agree on that.” “Honestly, if Ethan hadn’t laid down the law, I would’ve tried to date her.” “Get in line, kid, you’d have to wait your turn.” Their conversation grew increasingly inappropriate. At some point, Ethan set down his glass. He just leaned back on the sofa, watching them intently. The chatter slowly died down. “Uh, Ethan, we were just talking nonsense.” “Had a bit too much to drink, just messing around. Don’t take it seriously.” Ethan, however, smiled faintly. “Hearing you all talk, it did remind me of Elara Sterling.” “But, is she dead? She hasn’t made a sound in so long.” His voice sounded cold, almost nonchalant. As if he had truly only just remembered Elara. As if her death, even if it had happened, would be an insignificant matter. But the room suddenly fell silent. Liam, Ethan’s assistant, quickly offered a conciliatory smile. “Mr. Vance, I was remiss. I forgot to tell you.” “Just a few days ago, Miss Sterling asked me to deliver something to you. She said it was very valuable.” “I figured she probably wanted to reconcile, so I gave her a hint and stopped her from bothering you.” Ethan’s gaze, cool and indifferent, fell on Liam, and he even let out a soft chuckle. “Well, Liam, your nerve seems to be growing.” Liam jumped, quickly rising. “Mr. Vance…” “Since when do you decide what happens in my life?” “Yes, yes, I overstepped.” Liam bowed repeatedly, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Ethan lowered his gaze, habitually twirling the ring on his middle finger. “Call her. Tell her to be there in thirty minutes.” Liam froze for a moment. “Mr. Vance?” Ethan turned his head, looking out at the dark night. “If she doesn’t make it, tomorrow, I’m truly getting engaged to Seraphina.” 9 When Liam’s call came, I was just climbing off Dorian Thorne’s lap, my face slightly flushed. He leaned by the window, watching my slightly swollen lips with a knowing smile. My ears burned. I took my phone and walked to the window to answer. “Liam,” I said, my breathing a little rapid, “Is there something you need?” Liam’s voice on the other end of the line was somewhat urgent. “Miss Sterling, Mr. Vance said to be at the old spot in thirty minutes. Otherwise, he’s truly getting engaged to Miss Hayes.” At his words, I couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. The night was too quiet, and Dorian likely heard it too. He placed his water glass on the bedside table with a distinct clink. Liam on the other end of the phone also seemed to hear the movement and immediately asked. “Miss Sterling, it’s so late. Is there someone else with you?” In the past, I had always been compliant, accommodating Ethan’s every whim. Being on call was a regular occurrence. And I had always treated Liam, Ethan’s personal assistant, with utmost politeness, never lightly. But now, that would never happen again. “Liam, my private life is none of your concern.” I spoke slowly. “Furthermore, Ethan and I have already broken off our engagement; we have no ties whatsoever. Who he gets engaged to is irrelevant to me.” Liam seemed to panic immediately. “Miss Sterling, please don’t act impulsively out of spite. You’ll regret it deeply.” “Tomorrow is Mr. Vance’s engagement party with Miss Hayes. Tonight is your last chance to turn things around.” “I don’t need that chance.” My tone was calm and cool. “And, did you give Ethan the things I entrusted to you last time?” Liam fell silent for a moment. That cardboard box had been taken by Seraphina two days ago. And he, mindful of Seraphina’s status, had not stopped her. I reminded him again. “Liam, I’ll only say this once. Please hand it to Ethan personally, immediately.” When Liam spoke again, his voice was incredibly polite. “Miss Sterling, it would be better if you handed these things to Mr. Vance yourself.” “I told you, Liam, he and I have broken up, and I will not see him again.” I paused here, letting out a long, heavy sigh. “Liam, after you give him the things, I will delete your contact information. From now on, please don’t contact me again.” 10 After ending the call, I walked back to the bed with my phone. Dorian took the phone and casually tossed it onto the sofa beside the bed. He wrapped an arm around my waist, his warm breath fanning my face and the side of my neck. His long fingers gently traced the soft skin of my waist, sending shivers through me. I instinctively tried to pull away, but he held me tighter. “Elara, do you know it’s very rude to take an unimportant call in the middle of a kiss?” These past few days, I had been constantly by Dorian’s side. And he, for his part, kept saying that since we were about to hold our wedding and become true husband and wife, we should adapt to marital intimacy sooner. So every night before bed, we would embrace and kiss, then say goodnight. Since arriving here, my life had been incredibly comfortable, completely unlike what I had imagined. Dorian was nothing like the ruthless, volatile man of rumor. On the contrary, he treated me exceptionally well, and everyone around him too. Our feelings for each other were also rapidly warming. I had also reconnected with my siblings abroad. They were both safe and sound, their studies and lives completely unaffected. And as long as my marriage to him went smoothly, Dorian had promised me that my siblings would be free to live their own lives, no longer controlled by Victor Sterling and my stepmother. I was so incredibly eager for that day. Give a peach, get a plum in return. Dorian treated me well, so I had long since adjusted my mindset, genuinely seeing him as my husband. Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but reach up, hook my arms around his neck, and lean in to give him a light kiss. “Mr. Thorne, is this enough of a compensation?” “Just one kiss, Elara?” I suppressed my shyness and kissed his cheek again. Then his chin, his Adam’s apple. When I kissed his Adam’s apple, Dorian’s body stiffened for a moment, and his Adam’s apple visibly bobbed up and down. “Good girl, Elara, not enough.” With that, he took control, cupping my jaw and lowering his head for a deep kiss. And this time, it was different from every kiss before. He kissed heavily, deeply, as if he wanted to devour me. And I, too, felt every reaction of his body. But I had no time to think of such things; I was utterly consumed by his kiss, my legs turning to jelly. The people in the distant Capital City were long since forgotten. My entire being was focused solely on the man before me. I don’t know how long passed before Dorian finally released me, his voice hoarse. “It’s late. Time to go back to bed.” “Elara, goodnight.” I rose from his lap, roughly straightening my disheveled clothes. I reached up to smooth my messy hair, said goodnight, and then turned to leave. My room was right next to Dorian’s. Lying down, just thinking that my future husband was living just a wall away, brought an immense sense of peace. I closed my eyes and quickly fell into a deep sleep. Long after the call ended, Liam remained standing there. But ultimately, he could only sigh deeply, a headache brewing, and walk into the room to relay my words to Ethan Vance. 11 After Liam spoke, Ethan’s expression remained unchanged, but the hand gripping his wine glass was clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white. Liam, without realizing it, broke out in a cold sweat. “Mr. Vance… perhaps Miss Sterling is just acting out of spite.” “Spite?” Ethan asked, a mirthless smile playing on his lips. Liam lowered his head, his breathing barely audible. The next second, Ethan kicked over the coffee table in front of him. Glasses shattered, creating a chaotic mess. The others looked over, startled. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Ethan sneered twice. “She’s really gotten bold, trying to play these games with me.” “Fine, let’s see how many days she can keep up this act.” Ethan’s expression turned sour as he looked at Liam. “Where are the things?” Liam’s head dropped even lower. “Miss Hayes just happened to see it that day and took it, saying she’d throw it away.” “I thought, since Miss Hayes and you are about to get engaged, I shouldn’t interfere.” Ethan looked at him, his gaze cold and dark. “Liam, you’re doing a fine job.” Liam almost knelt. “Mr. Vance… I was wrong. I won’t dare to do it again.” Someone quickly tried to smooth things over. “Why get angry with an assistant? Besides, Seraphina handled Elara Sterling’s things, saving you the trouble of looking at them.” “Yeah, if you’d taken them, Elara Sterling would have had an excuse to cling to you.” “You’re right. Even if he didn’t take them, she’d still cling to him. After following Ethan for so many years, everyone knows she can’t live without him.” “Now, she’s just playing hard to get, trying to get Ethan’s attention.” No one present found anything wrong with these statements. In fact, they all felt this was exactly what Elara Sterling would do. After all, they had seen such antics far too often over the past five years. Ethan glanced at Liam, his expression still cool and aloof. “Get out.” He always detested it when those around him took matters into their own hands. This Liam, he was truly getting out of line. Liam didn’t dare say another word and quickly left the room. Seeing Ethan’s foul mood, everyone else also dispersed one by one. Ethan leaned back on the sofa, the alcohol rushing to his head. He closed his eyes. Yes, his friends were right. Elara Sterling loved him so much, cared for him so deeply, she couldn’t live without him. She would never just let him get engaged to Seraphina. Even if she acted tough today, she would absolutely appear at the engagement party tomorrow, doing everything she could to disrupt it. Her situation at The Sterlings was so dire, and he was the only one who could save her. As long as Elara wasn’t a fool, she wouldn’t let go of him, her only lifeline. At the very latest, tomorrow, she would come. Thinking this, Ethan felt the knot in his chest loosen slightly. If she came, out of consideration for their five years together, he might give her a way out. The engagement party. Seraphina, in a complex, luxurious white gown, her makeup flawless, looked young and delicate. Ethan, too, was in a custom white suit, making him appear tall, handsome, and exceptional. Surrounded by friends, all beaming with joy, he responded vaguely to a few remarks, but his gaze kept drifting towards the main entrance. Less than fifteen minutes until the engagement was officially supposed to begin, and still no sign of Elara Sterling. An inexplicable restlessness began to rise in Ethan’s heart. He forced himself to suppress the irritation, downing the water in his glass. With two minutes left, he raised his wrist, checking his watch. “Are all the guests here?” His voice was light, as if a casual query. “Of course. The engagement is about to begin. The guests arrived long ago. We’re just waiting for you and Seraphina, the stars of the show, to make your appearance.” Ethan swallowed his annoyance, stood up. “Let’s go.” In the ballroom, a glittering crowd of finely dressed guests filled the space. Seraphina was surrounded by her friends, her face a mix of joy and shyness. Ethan scanned the room. He didn’t see Elara Sterling. The increasing agitation in his heart churned. He turned, looking far out towards the main entrance again, but there was no change. “Ethan.” Seraphina walked over shyly, taking his arm, her voice soft. “The engagement is about to start. I’m a little nervous.” “It’s just an engagement, what’s there to be nervous about…” Ethan replied dismissively, his gaze sweeping over Seraphina’s earrings before suddenly stopping. “It’s just that I care so much about our engagement party, that’s why I’m so nervous… Ah!” Seraphina suddenly cried out in pain, and all the guests looked over. Ethan’s face was ashen. “That bracelet and earrings… Where did they come from?”
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