Chapter 4

Ethan began meeting Claire frequently behind my back.

After every meeting, Claire would have another piece of jewelry or another handbag.

As usual, she showed off the jewelry Ethan had given her at the office.

Lily’s eyes widened dramatically.

“This is the limited-edition piece by that Italian jewelry designer. There are only three in the entire world. Claire, who gave it to you?”

Claire smiled meaningfully.

“Some people think they’ve managed to tie down an untouchable flower, never realizing that the flower can grow legs and walk away on its own.”

The corners of her lips curled upward.

I knew that satisfied expression far too well.

She had definitely gotten her hands on Ethan.

I suppressed my anger, put on my headphones, and turned the volume all the way up.

During this time, Ethan had not come to see me because he was overwhelmed with work on the new fund.

Then, on my birthday, he suddenly asked to meet me.

He hugged me excitedly, his voice filled with barely contained joy.

“Nora, I have good news. We finally broke through the bottleneck with the new fund!”

“I know I’ve neglected you lately, and I’m really sorry. I’ve just been too busy.”

Once he overcame this hurdle, he would be able to take complete control of the family business.

He had chosen to share the news with me first, and I felt a little moved.

After that, he took me to an auction, where I immediately fell for a custom piece of jewelry with an opening bid of ten million dollars.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

I stared at the necklace without blinking.

It was so beautiful that it almost seemed unreal.

“It is, but it’s too expensive.”

“It isn’t too expensive. Only something like this can show how I feel about you.”

My nose stung, and the gloom of the past few days lifted.

Ethan placed an exquisitely wrapped jewelry box in my hands.

“Nora, give this to Claire for me.”

I froze, unable to process what he had said.

“What?”

“She’s been running around helping me all this time. She really did me a huge favor. Since you’re my girlfriend, it would be more appropriate for you to give it to her.”

I lowered my head without refusing, my face revealing nothing.

I nodded and contacted Claire right in front of him.

As it happened, she was also at the mall, so Ethan and I went to find her.

When we arrived at the agreed meeting place, we saw her struggling with a man.

The man was my former fiancé, Adrian.

“Claire, stop avoiding me. I’ve already picked out a house—the new development by the waterfront. I’ll put it in your name. As long as you’re with me, I’ll give you everything.”

Claire frowned.

“Adrian, are you sick?”

But Adrian continued pestering her, refusing to let go of her.

The next second, a figure rushed over and slammed a fist into Adrian’s face.

“What do you think you are, harassing her like this?”

Adrian staggered back several steps and glared at Ethan unwillingly.

The two of them began fighting, and neither held back.

It took three or four mall security guards to separate them.

I suddenly found the whole thing ridiculous.

My current boyfriend and my former fiancé were beating each other up over another woman.

It was pretty ironic.

With tears reddening her eyes, Claire threw herself into Ethan’s arms.

“Thank goodness you came. I was so scared…”

Ethan wrapped an arm around her and lowered his head to soothe her.

“It’s okay. I’m here.”

After shooting Adrian a warning look, he led Claire away.

From beginning to end, he never once looked back at me.

I did not react.

After all, everything was part of my plan.

I turned around and was about to leave.

Suddenly, a large hand grabbed my arm and pulled me into the nearby emergency stairwell.

My back hit the cold wall.

A familiar presence pressed down on me.

After a fierce kiss, the man slowly spoke.

“Sweetheart, have you had enough fun? How was my performance? Every time that Claire touches me, I have to go home and shower three times.”