Chapter 4

Later that evening, I stood by the hospital entrance waiting for my mother to bring the car around. A tall, sharply dressed man stepped out of the shadows.

Lucas Reed, CEO of Reed Conglomerate and principal owner of this private medical center.

"Miss Vance, you did that on purpose, didn't you?" His tone was detached and condescending.

"Knowing Bella needed plastic surgery stitching, you pulled our top surgeon away just to look at your wrist."

I took a step back, disgusted. "I don't have time for this."

"Come on. You're going upstairs to apologize to Bella." He reached out, grabbing my injured arm.

A sharp gasp escaped my throat as fresh red blood blossomed through the white gauze.

"You're actually hurt?" Lucas dropped his hand, though not an ounce of guilt showed on his face.

"Well, with a hand like that, you won't be attending tonight's wrap party anyway."

"Tell Julian to take Bella as his date instead. Consider it your compensation to her."

"Bella missed a massive red-carpet opportunity because of you. You owe her."

I leveled an icy glare at him.

"Who Julian takes is his business. Keep me out of it."

"Our engagement is officially off."

"Stop playing hard to get," Lucas scoffed, convinced I was bluffing.

"I already told Julian to announce you two are attending the charity gala this weekend. Don't be late."

Seeing my mother’s sleek Mercedes pull up, Lucas smoothed his lapels and walked away.

My mother rolled down the window, scoffing. "Ignore that arrogant Reed boy. He’s cut from the same cloth as Julian."

"I found you a real match. I’m sending his info to your phone right now!"

[Ooooh! The charity gala is where the real chemistry happens between Julian and Bella!]

[Chloe is probably still waiting like an idiot for Julian to pick her up, only for him to show up with Bella on his arm!]

[Wait, the original novel never had Chloe going on blind dates? Is anyone else noticing the plot going off the rails?]

[Paywall chapter ahead! Unlock the villainess slapdown!]

Reading the floating text, my interest was piqued. I accepted the contact card my mother sent.

The man simply introduced himself by his surname, Cole, stating he had just returned from overseas and wanted to discuss an entertainment project I couldn't possibly refuse.

We agreed to meet at the charity gala.

The moment I stepped through the gala's grand entrance, Julian stepped out from behind a floral pillar, blocking my path.

"Why are you so late? Bella spilled wine on her gown. Go get a spare from the concierge," he ordered casually.

I tried to side-step him, but he stepped into my space, frowning.

"Chloe, what's your problem?"

"Dressing up like this... are you trying to outshine Bella on purpose?"

"Fine, I admit you look stunning tonight, but Bella is the star of this evening."

I ignored him, walking toward the grand ballroom.

Bella slipped out from behind him, wrapping both arms intimately around his bicep.

"Julian, I'd love a glass of champagne over there, but Miss Vance is blocking our way."

Julian looked slightly embarrassed by her petty tone in high society, but to prove a point to me, he cleared his throat.

"You heard her. Move aside. Don't cause a scene."

Watching them play their little game felt utterly exhausting.

Just as my patience wore out, a deep, commanding voice cut through the air behind me.

"Who gave you permission to touch my guest?"

"Sebastian... Cole?" Julian’s face drained of all color.

Sebastian Cole. The legendary heir to the Cole Dynasty who had been living abroad for years due to health reasons.

He rarely made public appearances, but his name carried absolute weight in both finance and Hollywood.

Bella eyed me, whispering, "Why would a billionaire like Mr. Cole look twice at an uptight producer like her?"

I pulled out my phone, dialed Julian’s father, and hit speakerphone.

A furious roar exploded through the speaker: "Chloe called off the engagement hours ago, you idiot!"

"I told you to go on your knees and beg for her forgiveness, and what did you do?!"

"Stop humiliating our family in public and get your pathetic ass home right now!"

Julian stood frozen, his face turning paper-white.

"Wait, so she's really with Sebastian—"

"Who she's with is none of your damn business!"

"You useless brat, you just ruined the biggest alliance our family ever had!" Mr. Drake slammed the phone down.

Sebastian stepped forward, smoothly slipping his tailored tuxedo jacket over my shoulders.

With a single flick of his fingers, his private security stepped in, escorting the pathetic pair straight out the security exit.

The entire ballroom fell dead silent.

"The sci-fi novel Deep Space you've been trying to adapt for two years? I hold the international rights," Sebastian said, handing me a glass of warm water.

"I read your pitch deck. If you're ready, Cole Pictures will fully fund it."

I looked up at him, puzzled. "How do you know so much about me? Have we met before?"