Chapter 2

Late autumn in New York was cold enough to cut into the bones.

But the charity gala on the top floor of the Peninsula Hotel was filled with elegant gowns and polished guests, warm as spring.

I sat in the corner of the lounge, looking down at the balance on my phone.

Mia’s medical funds were almost drained again.

Vivian brought me here tonight, saying she was going to bid on something for me as a gift for our third anniversary.

To be honest, I had been looking forward to it.

It had been three years, and she had never brought me to a public event before.

This was the first time.

Footsteps and teasing laughter came from outside the door.

“Vivian, that was a huge move. Thirty million for a limited-edition Patek Philippe, and you didn’t even blink.”

It was Vivian’s best friend, Zoe Carter.

“Ethan likes it, so what’s thirty million?” Vivian’s voice was lazy and careless.

My heart sank hard.

Ethan?

That heir of the Sullivan family who had just come back from overseas?

“But what about the one in your lounge? He’s been with you for three years. Even if he hasn’t contributed much, he’s at least put in the effort, right?” Zoe lowered her voice, her tone teasing.

Vivian let out a soft laugh.

That laugh, separated from me by a thin door, stabbed into my heart like a knife.

“Liam Reed?” Her tone was indifferent, as if she were talking about some irrelevant object. “He’s just a pastime I can dismiss with money. His sister’s life is still in my hands. He wouldn’t dare make trouble.”

“True. The Sullivan family has the core technology for the South Bay project, and you’re getting engaged next month, so it’s time to clean up those messy relationships.”

I sat on the sofa, my whole body ice-cold.

It felt like I had fallen into an ice cellar.

Engaged?

Three days ago, she had held me in her arms and murmured in my ear, saying that after Mia’s surgery, we would go to Iceland to see the northern lights.

So it had all been a lie.

I thought time had turned into love, but it was only charity after she weighed the benefits and losses.

The door was pushed open.

Vivian walked in wearing a couture gown, holding the velvet box with the luxury watch inside.

When she saw my dark expression, she frowned slightly.

“What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

She walked over and instinctively reached out to touch my face.

I turned my head and avoided her hand.

Her hand froze in midair, and her eyes darkened.

“Why are you throwing a tantrum?” Her tone carried a trace of impatience.

I stood up and looked straight into her eyes.

“You’re getting engaged?” I heard my own voice, calm in a terrifying way.

Vivian froze for a moment.

Then she tossed the box onto the coffee table and crossed her arms.

“You heard?” She showed no panic at being exposed and instead looked perfectly entitled.

“The Sullivan family can help me secure the land in South Bay. A marriage alliance with them benefits the company.”

She looked at me like she was soothing a clueless subordinate.

“Be good. This watch is yours, and your monthly allowance will double from now on. Aside from status, you won’t be missing anything.”

I looked at the watch gleaming with a metallic shine.

Suddenly, I found it unbearably disgusting.

“Vivian Grant,” I called her name.

“Do you think my spine is made of money?”

She sneered.

“What else would it be? Have you paid your sister’s dialysis fee for tomorrow? Without me, you two would have starved to death on the streets long ago.”

She was certain I could not leave her.

Because I was poor, and because I had a sick little sister dragging me down.

I took a deep breath.

Then I picked up the velvet box on the table.

A mocking curve appeared at the corner of Vivian’s mouth, as if she thought I had finally compromised.

The next second.

I threw the box back into her arms.

Bang!

The box hit her arm, bounced to the floor, and the watch slid out, rolling deep into the carpet.

Vivian’s expression changed instantly.

She glared at me in disbelief.

“Liam Reed! Are you insane?”

“Yes, I’m insane.” I looked at her coldly. “These three years, just consider them my wishful thinking. We’re done.”

After I said that, I turned without hesitation, pushed the door open, and walked into the cold wind of the hallway.