Chapter 2

I look around the room.

Everyone here came to watch me embarrass myself.

Fine.

I'll give them a show.

I pick up a glass and pour every kind of alcohol I can find into it.

Whiskey.

Vodka.

Champagne.

Everything.

People stare at me.

“What are you doing?”

I smile.

“Playing.”

I place the glass on the table.

“Truth or Dare.”

“The loser drinks.”

“And then answers one question honestly.”

“If they refuse…”

“They drink three more.”

One of Ethan's friends laughs.

“That sounds boring.”

He looks at me.

“What's the prize?”

I smile.

Then I take out a black card and place it on the table.

The room goes silent.

“This card.”

I tap it.

“Whoever makes me drink tonight gets it.”

“Unlimited spending.”

Nobody laughs anymore.

Even Ethan's expression changes.

“Chloe.”

His voice turns cold.

“Are you trying to humiliate everyone because your family has money?”

I ignore him.

My eyes stay on Lily.

“Weren't you the one who liked jokes?”

“Come on.”

“Play.”

Lily hesitates.

But when she sees the card, greed flashes in her eyes.

She sits down.

“I'll play.”

The first round begins.

She rolls the dices.

I don't even look.

I already know the result.

“Six, six, six.”

Everyone freezes.

Lily's smile disappears.

I lean back.

“Looks like you lost.”

Her face turns pale.

I pick up my glass.

“Truth.”

She looks nervous.

I smile.

“Your mother…”

I pause.

“Did she marry your father before or after you were born?”

The room becomes silent.

Lily's fingers tighten.

“I…”

She looks at Ethan.

“I choose dare.”

I nod.

“Fine.”

I push the alcohol toward her.

“Drink it.”

She stares at me.

“And then call your mother.”

“Tell her, loud and clear……”

“That Lily Hayes' mother was the real mistress.”

Her expression changes instantly.

“No.”

Her voice shakes.

“Ethan.”

“I don't want to play anymore.”

I almost laugh.

That's it?

She can insult my family but cannot handle one question?

Ethan suddenly stands up.

“Enough.”

He pushes me away.

“Chloe, what is wrong with you?”

“Lily is a woman.”

“How can you treat her like this?”

I stare at him.

A woman?

So when she insulted my mother, she wasn't a woman?

When she tried to ruin my reputation, she wasn't a woman?

I step closer.

“Ethan.”

“Do you know what's funny?”

He glares at me.

“You keep protecting her.”

“Anyone who didn't know better would think she was your secret girlfriend.”

His expression changes.

“Watch your mouth.”

I smile.

“Or what?”

His hand rises.

For one second, everyone goes quiet.

He wants to hit me.

I don't move.

“Go ahead.”

I look at him.

“Hit me.”

“Let everyone see how the Carter heir treats his fiancée because another woman cried.”

His hand stops.

Because he knows.

Tomorrow is our wedding.

And one scandal is enough to destroy everything.

I take out my phone.

“I wonder what your father will think when he hears the wedding is canceled.”

Ethan immediately grabs my phone.

He throws it onto the floor.

“Enough.”

His eyes are full of anger.

“Tomorrow is your wedding.”

“Think about what you did tonight.”

“Don't embarrass yourself on stage.”

He leaves.

With Lily.

His friends follow behind.

Leaving me alone in the ruined party.

I look at the broken glass.

Then I smile.

They think I lost.

They really think I lost.

Tomorrow.

Everyone will know who the real joke is.

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