Chapter 3

I pushed my feelings down.

I didn't want to argue with them.

It was pointless.

I looked at Seth.

My voice was completely calm.

"Aren't you here to pick me up?"

"Let's go."

The whole group went dead silent.

They exchanged looks.

Then they burst out laughing.

Chloe sneered.

"Pick you up?"

"Don’t make me laugh."

She pointed at the VIP sign.

"Read it carefully."

"We are waiting for Mrs. Vance."

"Do you even know who that is?"

Vance was my new married name.

Of course I knew.

"Mrs. Vance is the matriarch of the Vance family."

"She is the actual wife of Grayson Vance."

"Grayson Vance is a ruthless billionaire."

"But he's completely obsessed with his wife."

"Rumor has it, he stayed single for years."

"Just waiting for her."

"Everyone in the industry knows the rule."

"Don't try to kiss up to Grayson."

"Kiss up to Mrs. Vance."

"She is his entire world."

Listening to them gossip about my marriage...

I couldn't help it.

A genuine, happy smile spread across my face.

We had been married for three years.

Grayson's empire had only gotten bigger.

And his reputation as a fiercely devoted husband had spread everywhere.

Chloe always needed to feel superior to me.

She couldn't pass up a chance to show off.

"To win his wife's heart..."

"Grayson Vance bought a custom diamond bracelet at Christie's."

"It's called 'Eternal Heart'."

"It cost twenty million dollars."

"Mrs. Vance is literally the most envied woman on earth."

Chloe paused.

Her eyes darted down to my wrist.

She let out a sharp gasp.

"That's the exact same bracelet!"

The terminal went dead silent again.

Every single person stared at my wrist.

Seth violently grabbed my hand.

He yanked my arm up to inspect the bracelet.

Then he scoffed.

"It's a pretty good fake!"

"Which broke delivery guy bought this for you?"

"Buying you a cheap knockoff."

"Absolute trash."

I snatched my hand back.

And gently rubbed the bracelet on my wrist.

I smirked.

Seeing my happy, unfazed smile...

Seth's eyes narrowed in pure rage.

He lunged forward.

He grabbed my wrist with a crushing grip.

And violently ripped the bracelet off my arm.

I gasped in shock.

I wasn't expecting him to get physical.

He tore it right off.

Chloe eagerly stepped forward.

She snatched the bracelet from Seth's hand.

And started playing with it.

"Wow, it really is a high-quality fake."

"Way better than the replica I bought."

"But I'd never actually wear mine in public."

"It's so embarrassing."

"These overseas knockoffs hit different."

"The weight actually feels real."

She gave me a mocking, sickly sweet smile.

"Or what, Vanessa?"

"Are you going to tell us you're the real Mrs. Vance?"

"Are you the legendary billionaire's wife?"

The second she said it.

The frat boys erupted into hysterical laughter.

To them, it was the most absurd joke in the world.

Grayson Vance was a globally feared financial shark.

He was ruthless and unstoppable.

And three years ago, I was just their pathetic friend.

The loser who got dumped at the Clerk's Office.

There was absolutely no way.

Chloe spun the twenty-million-dollar bracelet around her finger.

"Vanessa, just sell this fake to me."

"I'll pay you double what your broke boyfriend paid."

I panicked, terrified she was going to drop it.

"Give that back right now!"

"Grayson gave that to me—"

I didn't even get to finish my sentence.

Seth's hand slammed across my face.

My head snapped to the side.

And I tasted copper as my lip split open.

"Shut your mouth!"