Chapter 4

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Vincent held Tiffany tight and kissed her deeply, though his gaze kept darting nervously toward me.

Once the kiss ended, Tiffany walked up to me with pure malice in her eyes. Gripping my shoulder with manicured nails, she snapped a leather dog collar around my neck.

"A bitch is a bitch. Don't ever dream of standing as an equal to your owners," she sneered, yanking the collar to force my face close.

At that close range, my eyes locked onto the uniquely crafted gold chain around her neck.

As the party dragged late into the night, Tiffany gave Vincent a sultry wink, signaling for him to join her in the master bath.

Passing me, she pointed a finger.

"A loyal pet stays guard outside the door."

I hesitated, but Vincent shot me a stern, commanding glare. "Remember what I said: cater to her."

Swallowing the bile in my throat, I followed them upstairs and stood outside the bathroom door.

Inside, Tiffany tossed her garments and jewelry out piece by piece, hurling them toward me. Then came the gold chain.

With trembling fingers, I picked it up. Sure enough, right on the edge of the pendant, there was a tiny, custom-engraved letter: "J".

Instinctively, I slipped the necklace into my pocket. But at that exact moment, the bathroom door swung open, and Tiffany walked out wrapped in a towel.

"Thief! Help! We have a thief!" she screamed, instantly drawing a crowd of partygoers up the stairs.

Caught red-handed with the necklace in my pocket, I had no alibi.

"I know you're obsessed with Vincent, but stealing my jewelry won't make him marry you!" Tiffany cried out, playing the innocent victim.

The onlookers muttered venomous comments in agreement.

Vincent stepped out in a bathrobe, taking in the chaotic scene. His jaw clenched. Without a word, he grabbed my arm, dragged me into the private bathroom, and slammed the door shut.

"Do I not pay you enough that you have to steal from her?!"

"Whatever you wanted, couldn't I buy it for you?! I explicitly told you to keep Tiffany happy! Are you so desperate to replace her that you've lost your damn mind?!"

He gripped my face painfully hard, his bloodshot eyes blazing with fury.

I held the necklace tightly in my fist, staring right back into his eyes without fear.

"I promised I wouldn't interfere with your wedding, and I won't. You don't have to worry about that," I said quietly, completely ignoring his accusations.

"You know what? I despise this soulless, emotionless look on your face!"

Vincent lost his temper completely, punching the tiled wall right next to my head before shoving me hard through the door.

My body smashed through the doorframe and hit the hallway floor with a brutal thud.

Seeing the red bruise blooming across my cheek, Tiffany looked thoroughly satisfied. The crowd slowly dispersed.

Vincent leaned in and whispered something sweet into Tiffany's ear, making her giggle and playfully swat his chest. She didn't look at me again.

"Whatever. I don't even remember where I got that ugly piece anyway. Keep it," Tiffany tossed casually over her shoulder. "Anything touched by a dirty mutt makes me sick."

She locked hands with Vincent and disappeared into the master bedroom.

She had no idea that her upcoming engagement party would be her very last meal in the free world.