Chapter 3

Seeing me agree, Vanessa let out a disdainful snort.

"Smart move."

"If you had been this obedient from the start, you wouldn't have had to get yelled at."

Julian immediately kicked his old, scuffed dress shoes over to me.

"Sorry to make you wear these, Ethan."

"They might pinch your toes a bit, but it's better than walking down the aisle barefoot."

I stared at the peeling, worn-out leather shoes on the floor. I said nothing.

There was a massive, deliberate scratch across the leather.

For the sake of the plan, I would endure this.

I slipped my feet into the shoes, which were a size too big, forcing down my disgust as I stood up.

The soles were stiff and painful against my feet.

Vanessa adjusted her gown, satisfied.

"Let's go, my groom."

We stepped out of the dressing room into the long hallway leading to the ceremony hall.

Vanessa walked ahead, dialing a number on her phone.

Believing I was completely broken, she didn't even bother to hide her conversation from me.

"Yes, are the contacts at the IRS taken care of?"

"The moment the video plays on the big screen, send the anonymous tip immediately."

"Tomorrow morning when the market opens, short all Vance Enterprises stock."

I heard every single word from behind.

The Vance family was one of the wealthiest dynasties in the country.

Years ago, when the Hayes family went bankrupt, it was solely through my connections that Vanessa even managed to secure a foothold in Vance Enterprises.

My dad had raised her like his own daughter.

To help her gain respect on the board of directors, my dad had even handed over several core business sectors for her to manage.

Everything she wore, ate, and used was paid for by my family.

Yet, behind our backs, she was plotting with an outsider to short our stock and take my father's life!

After hanging up, Vanessa was pulled away by the wedding coordinator to finalize the entrance sequence.

Only Julian and I were left in the hallway.

Without Vanessa around, Julian dropped his act completely.

He crossed his arms, looking at me with smug arrogance.

"What if you know the truth, Ethan?"

"In the end, you still have to wear my trashy shoes and marry her."

"Vanessa has been disgusted by you for a long time. You're nothing but a wealthy, brainless ATM."

Staring at his pathetic, homewrecking face, I suppressed my rage and looked at him coldly.

"A brainless ATM is still better than a parasite who scavenges for scraps."

"Do you really think Vanessa loves you?"

"She's just waiting until she's drained every penny from the Vance family."

My words hit a nerve, and Julian's face darkened instantly.

"Keep acting tough!"

"After today, when the Vance family goes completely bankrupt, let's see how arrogant you can be!"

"Vanessa promised me that once it's over, she'll lock you in a basement and treat you like a dog."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a malicious whisper.

"Your bone marrow happens to be a perfect match for my brother. Talk about recycling trash."

"When that time comes, you'll have to beg me on your knees just for a scrap of bread."

Hearing him speak of such sickening cruelty as if it were a casual plan, I laughed out of pure anger.

"Sure. Let's wait and see."

I turned my back on the idiot.

The phone in my palm was vibrating like crazy.

Future me: [Did you hear that? That is their true face.]

Future me: [Hurry! Log into the control room system! We're running out of time!]

Future me: [In my timeline, our dad was so shocked by the fake evidence they projected that he suffered a fatal heart attack on the spot.]

Future me: [Today, you must make them pay this debt in blood!]