Chapter 2

Once I got back to my own penthouse, I took a moment to compose myself before calling my parents.

When I told them about breaking off the engagement with Carter, their reaction was surprisingly calm—and incredibly supportive.

"We knew something was wrong with that boy!"

My mother’s voice was filled with heartache.

"Some 'touch aversion' disorder? You were just too blinded by love to see through his lies back then. He even claimed he needed 'time to heal.' Now he’s all over the tabloids with that little actress. This is straight-up fraud!"

"It’s good that you called it off," my father took over the phone, his voice steady and commanding. "You are finally free. I’ll have our PR department draft an official statement. We’ll announce the termination of the engagement by tonight."

I nodded. "Thank you, Dad."

But when my father mentioned pulling out of all joint business ventures with the Cole Group, I gently stopped him.

"Business is business, Dad. Our companies are too deeply intertwined to cut ties overnight. If the Coles truly feel guilty, they can just concede some profit margins on our next projects. That’s much more practical."

I paused, then added, "By the way, hasn't the position for the head of our European branch been vacant?"

"Dad, let me go to Zurich."

The phone went silent for a moment. My father was clearly reluctant to let me go so far away.

After a hushed whisper with my mother, he finally sighed and agreed.

"Alright. Go get some fresh air, change your environment for three to five years. You are a Vance. You can have any man you want in this world. There’s no need to waste your life on Carter Cole. I’ll arrange your flight for next week."

"Thanks, Dad." I hung up.

Not long after, my doorbell rang.

Looking through the peephole, I saw Carter standing outside. I pulled the door open and waited for him to speak.

"Are you... really calling off the wedding?"

I scoffed. "Why wouldn't I? Should I let you fool me for another three to five years with your pathetic 'touch aversion' lie?"

Carter took an eager step forward. "It’s not what you think! I can explain—"

I cut him off, my voice freezing cold. "Save it. If you’re only here to talk about this, we have nothing left to say."

I grabbed the edge of the door to shut it.

"Wait!"

Carter slammed his hand against the door, blocking it. He looked at me with desperation in his eyes.

"I’m here to ask for a favor."

I leaned against the doorframe, silent, raising an eyebrow to let him continue.

"The airport incident went viral on Twitter and TikTok this morning. Some reporters dug up our old engagement invitations. Now people are calling Serena a homewrecker. Your family is preparing to release the breakup statement, right?"

"If you release it now, it will confirm all those rumors! Her career just started taking off. She can't survive a scandal like this!"

"Can you... can you please put out a statement saying that our breakup has nothing to do with her?"

I narrowed my eyes, staring at him.

"A clarification?"

"Does our breakup have nothing to do with her? Carter, do you really not know the answer to that?"

Carter was struck speechless.

He took a deep breath, his tone turning transactional and sharp.

"Fine. Since we can't talk through this nicely... just name your price. What do you want in exchange for that statement?"

Before I could answer, he added firmly, "But if you expect me to go through with our wedding, that’s impossible."

Seeing how he treated me like some sort of toxic plague, I just found it hilarious.

"Since you want to 'buy' Serena’s innocence so badly, let’s make a real deal. For the green energy joint venture we have in the West Side, I want the Cole Group to give up ten percent of its equity to the Vance Group."

Carter’s brow furrowed instantly, sheer shock washing over his face.

"Ten percent? That’s almost half of our projected profits from that project!"

"Vivian, you weren't like this before. Since when did you become so calculating?"

"Are you doing this out of spite? Just to hurt me?"

I shrugged nonchalantly.

"In the past, I loved you, so I didn't mind taking the loss."

"But now, I simply don't care anymore."