Chapter 5

"What's wrong, Vivian?"

Vivian held out her left hand, pointing at her empty ring finger, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Ethan, the proposal ring you gave me is gone... That's the ring you can only customize once in your life, and it was still there before I went to the restroom..."

Vivian looked at me, then grabbed me while crying:

"Miss Grey, you and I were the only ones in the restroom... I know you've been Ethan's secretary for many years, so you probably have some possessive feelings toward your boss... but that ring is really important to me. If you took it, please, I'm begging you to give it back!"

With this move, Vivian made everyone see me as the thief.

"I knew these secretaries were all trouble. She even deliberately made herself look like Miss Vivian. A sparrow is still a sparrow - did she really think using cheap tricks would turn her into a phoenix!?"

"Exactly! And she actually had the audacity to steal an engagement ring! This kind of low-class woman should be permanently banned from our circle!"

All kinds of cutting, mocking words shot toward me.

I instinctively looked at Ethan, only to see him darkening his expression and snapping at me:

"Hand it over!"

Even knowing he didn't love me, I still couldn't believe that in his heart, he actually thought I was capable of doing something like this.

"How am I supposed to hand over something I never even saw!"

I bit my lip hard, struggling to control the sob in my voice.

I absolutely could not cry here. If I cried, I would truly lose everything.

Ethan shook his head, his eyes filled with disappointment in me.

"You're still making excuses!? Since you won't return it voluntarily, I'll have to have you searched!"

With that, Ethan called over several servants to search me on the spot.

Claire rushed over:

"Ethan, don't do this to Luna! I've known her for years - she would never do something like this!"

Mrs. Rivers also anxiously tried to intervene:

"That's right, Ethan. I also think Miss Grey doesn't seem like someone who would do this. Could there be some misunderstanding?"

Ethan laughed coldly:

"There can't be any misunderstanding! Vivian has always been kind-hearted, not the type to falsely accuse people. If she hadn't done something, why would Vivian suspect her for no reason?"

My heart turned to ash.

Even Mrs. Rivers, who'd only just met me, was willing to believe in my character and speak up for me.

But Ethan had known me for ten years, and we'd been together for a full eight years!

One casual accusation from Vivian made him completely disregard all those years we'd spent together, nailing me to the pillar of shame as someone with rotten character!

The difference between being loved and not being loved truly was the most insurmountable chasm in this world!

I was held down by several servants and could only close my eyes in despair as they roughly searched me.

Only after they'd searched everywhere did Vivian suddenly cry out in surprise.

She pulled the engagement ring out of her purse:

"Oh my... I'm so careless... I forgot I'd already put it in my bag before washing my hands..."

"Miss Grey, I'm so sorry... I misunderstood you. I apologize..."

Vivian spoke the words of apology, but the next second she covered her face and ran out crying.

Ethan only glanced at me once, said nothing, and then chased after Vivian to comfort her.

Exhausted in body and soul, I declined Mr. and Mrs. Rivers' apologies on Ethan's behalf, left the Rivers estate, and got straight into a cab headed for the airport.

I sat numbly in the airport waiting to board my rescheduled flight. In the meantime, Ethan sent me a message.

[You shouldn't have made Vivian lose face like that at the event. She's technically your superior now. Remember to apologize to her later.]

The announcement for my flight boarding just happened to come over the speakers.

A relationship no one knew about didn't need a breakup.

I replied with a simple [Okay], treating it as my final goodbye to Ethan.

Then I exited the chat, blocked him on every platform, and boarded the plane to New York without looking back.

......

A few days later, Ethan's wedding day with Vivian arrived.

But he stood in the wedding hall smoking one cigarette after another.

When his friends asked what was wrong, his furrowed brow showed concern:

"Luna hasn't made a peep these past few days. With how big my wedding is today, she's probably crying somewhere right now."

One of his friends looked stunned and pulled out his phone, showing it to Ethan:

"You don't know yet? The Cross family - New York's wealthiest - just announced a wedding this morning. Their eldest son, Sebastian Cross, is marrying your secretary..."