Chapter 4

Jax truly became my ally.

He never forced cash directly onto me, knowing my pride would reject it.

Instead, he helped me in the most roundabout ways.

He would claim he was in a foul mood after losing a match, dragging me to the highest-end restaurants, where he'd "accidentally" order an entire table of my favorite dishes.

He would complain that his closet was overflowing, forcing bags of brand-new designer clothes onto me—clothes that mysteriously fit my exact measurements.

He even showed up out of nowhere like a guardian angel when a group of debt collectors cornered me in an alley, taking down three burly thugs with swift, ruthless efficiency.

Even though he ended up with a bruised cheek and split lip, he grinned wider than anyone.

"Hey gorgeous, was I badass or what?" He tilted his chin up, looking like a puppy begging for a treat.

Dabbing antiseptic onto his cut, I muttered in exasperation, "Yeah, badass. A totally reckless idiot."

With his presence, a splash of color slowly returned to my bleak, gray existence.

I even found the strength to start fighting back.

Julian and Chloe's engagement party was set for a month later. The invitation arrived in my email via Austin, accompanied by a spiteful note: [You're cordially invited, Miss Tessa, to witness the happiness you could never deserve.]

It was obviously Chloe's doing. She wanted to crush me under her heel in front of high society.

I showed the invite to Jax.

He slammed his phone onto the sofa. "The nerve of these people! Let's crash it! Let's make sure that damn wedding never happens!"

"Crashing it is amateur," I said, shaking my head with a cold smirk. "I'm going to give them a real gift. A gift that will haunt the rest of their miserable lives."

I began digging. Using what few connections my father had left behind, I ran a deep background check on Chloe.

Soon enough, I unearthed a fascinating secret.

The degree she boasted on her resume from abroad wasn't in finance at all—it was in art history.

Her high-level executive position at the Vance Corporation was handed to her purely through her family's ties with Julian's parents.

And the sole reason Julian had fallen for her intellect during his early startup days was because she had conveniently presented him with a groundbreaking core proposal that aligned perfectly with his vision.

On paper, they looked like a match made in heaven.

Except... that business proposal was written by me.

Back in our junior year of college, Julian was building his first tech startup, practically living in the campus library.

I stayed by his side through countless sleepless nights, drafting the market analyses and strategic blueprints for him.

Later, he claimed the project was shelved, and the draft was forgotten.

Looking back, he had simply taken my hard work and handed it over as a trophy to court his dream girl.

On the evening of the engagement gala, I wore a sleek, elegant black cocktail dress Jax had picked out for me, with sharp, flawless makeup.

Jax wore an immaculate white tuxedo, looking like a prince straight out of a fairy tale.

Standing side by side, we looked undeniably striking.

"Gorgeous, you look breathtaking tonight," he murmured, his eyes glowing with genuine awe. "A hundred times prettier than that Chloe chick."

I took his arm, and together we stepped into the glittering, chandelier-lit grand ballroom.

Our entrance instantly drew every eye in the room.

Catching sight of me, Julian marched over with a livid face, his voice dropping into a harsh hiss. "Tessa, what are you doing here? I'm warning you, tonight is the most important night for Chloe and me. Don't you dare cause a scene!"

Before I could reply, Jax stepped smoothly in front of me, flashing an insolent smile. "Watch your tone, Mr. Vance. My girlfriend is just here to offer her congratulations. How is that causing a scene?"

"Your girlfriend?" Julian's gaze flickered rapidly between the two of us, filled with disbelief and a flicker of rage he couldn't quite conceal.

Austin stormed over as well, pointing an accusatory finger at me. "Tessa, you shameless bitch! You barely broke up with Julian and you've already hooked up with this boy-toy?"

I didn't waste a second arguing. I walked straight past them and took a seat in an inconspicuous corner near the stage.

The ceremony commenced. Julian and Chloe stood together under the spotlight, looking every bit the golden couple.

The host spoke passionately into the microphone, reciting their "epic love story."

"...During the darkest, most grueling days of Mr. Julian Vance's startup journey, it was Miss Chloe Montgomery who crossed oceans to deliver a priceless strategic blueprint, laying the very cornerstone of his empire. She told him, 'Your dream is my dream.' What a divine, soulmate connection! Let us shower them with our warmest congratulations!"

Thunderous applause erupted across the hall.

Chloe gazed at Julian with adoring, tear-filled eyes.

Moved, Julian pulled her into an emotional embrace, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

At that exact moment, I pulled out my phone and hit 'send,' delivering a comprehensive dossier to every mainstream financial journalist sitting in the press corner.

Then, I stood up, walked over to Austin, and said in a calm, clear voice:

"Austin, haven't you secretly been in love with Chloe for years? How about I give you a golden opportunity?"