Chapter 3

**Vivian’s POV**

They were all waiting for me—the "discarded toy Julian got tired of"—to go crazy.

Instead, I set my glass down and walked straight toward the happy couple.

Melanie pretended to be innocent, grabbing my hand. "Vivian, you don't hate me for keeping this from you, do you? Julian and I... our families were worried you’d feel awkward, so we didn’t say anything sooner."

Julian stared at me, his brows knitted tightly. A flicker of panic, which even he didn't seem to realize, flashed in his eyes.

But I just curved my lips, my voice ringing clear throughout the hall.

"Why would I? Congratulations, Julian."

Julian's face went instantly cold.

A flash of jealousy burned in Melanie’s eyes. She grabbed my arm and forced me toward the VIP lounge. "We haven't caught up in so long, Vivian. Come talk to me."

The moment the lounge door shut, Melanie’s sweet disguise shattered into pieces.

"Nice act," Melanie sneered maliciously. "Aren't you dying of jealousy inside? Your mother stole my mother's place, so I’m going to take everything from you! Now everyone knows you’re just as dirty as your mother was. How are you going to compete with me?"

"My mother married my father before she even knew you existed!" I balled my hands into fists.

Melanie suddenly let out a creepy laugh.

She grabbed a glass from the table, smashed it hard onto the floor, and then grabbed my hand, slamming her own palm down onto the jagged shards!

Blood gushed out instantly.

The door was kicked open, and Julian rushed in.

Melanie immediately collapsed into his arms, sobbing. "Vivian! I was just trying to ask you to stop bothering Julian! Why did you stab me with glass?!"

I stood there, my own hand dripping with blood from the flying shards.

But Julian didn't even look at me. He swept Melanie up into his arms.

As he walked past me, his gaze was like a knife. "Vivian, do you have to be this sick to be satisfied?"

I looked at my bleeding hand. I didn't shed a single tear.

In the study, my father was furious.

"Get on your knees!"

I stood tall, staring coldly at the man who was biologically my father. "I didn't push her."

"You dare talk back?! If Melanie’s hand is ruined and she can't paint, I will ruin your life!" My father grabbed an inkstone and hurled it at my feet.

Outside the door, Melanie leaned against Julian, her hand wrapped in thick gauze, crying dramatically.

Julian looked down at me like I was a stubborn criminal. "Kneel and apologize to Melanie. Do it, and I’ll pretend this never happened."

"And if I don't?"

A cruel light flashed in Julian’s eyes. "Then the scandal about you sleeping your way into the Hudson Fellowship will hit the front page of every major outlet tomorrow morning. Vivian, don’t force my hand."

How hilarious. The man who pushed me off the cliff was now standing on high ground, demanding my gratitude.

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