Chapter 4

Stella's birthday party was far more elaborate than I had imagined.

I walked into the upscale restaurant's private dining room, carrying the carefully selected diamond necklace, only to find a scene that caught me off guard—not just our usual group of old friends, but seven or eight strangers who appeared to be business elites.

"Scarlett!" Stella approached me in an expensive black evening gown. "You made it! Come meet some friends."

She pulled me toward the group of strangers: "This is Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Chen..."

I smiled politely as I shook hands, though something felt off. When did Stella acquire so many business connections? Nathan had only been gone for two years—how had her social circle changed so dramatically?

"Scarlett, your necklace is gorgeous!" one of the women complimented.

"Thank you." I handed the gift box to Stella. "Happy birthday."

Stella opened the box, and the diamond necklace sparkled under the lights. She gasped with delight: "Oh my God, it's beautiful!"

"It'll look perfect with that diamond ring of yours," I said with a smile.

At the mention of "diamond ring," I noticed Stella's expression freeze momentarily before quickly returning to normal: "Thank you, darling."

The party was lively, but something felt off. These business people were particularly warm toward me, constantly asking about my work and life, especially about the gallery.

"Scarlett, I hear you manage a very prestigious gallery?" Wilson inquired.

"I wouldn't say manage—I'm just an employee," I replied modestly.

"Too modest," another man interjected. "Mr. Nathan's gallery has quite a reputation in the industry."

My internal alarm bells went off. How did these people know Nathan? More importantly, why were they interested in the gallery?

Just then, the door opened. Ryan hurried in, still wearing the fatigue of someone who'd just left work.

"Sorry I'm late." He walked straight to Stella. "Work ran over."

Ryan embraced Stella, and I noticed the hug lasted longer than a normal polite greeting. Even stranger, Ryan's hand gently caressed Stella's back—the gesture was too intimate.

"Ryan!" I approached them. "What brings you here?"

"Stella invited me." Ryan kissed my cheek, but I could sense his attention was entirely focused on Stella.

Throughout the evening, I observed Ryan and Stella's interactions. On the surface, everything seemed normal, but I caught certain details:

Ryan was always the first to respond to Stella's needs, even more attentive than I was as her "best friend."

When Stella mentioned feeling lonely, a flash of pain crossed Ryan's eyes—not the sympathy of a friend, but something deeper.

Several times, they exchanged glances in a way that felt familiar, like... like lovers like lovers who were crazy about each other.

What concerned me most was that whenever others discussed investment topics, both Ryan and Stella would glance at me with looks full of... calculation?

By ten o'clock, the party was winding down. I excused myself to the restroom, needing a moment to collect my thoughts.

In the restroom, I heard voices outside the door.

"That Scarlett tonight doesn't seem easy to fool."

"No worries, Ryan will handle it. Everything will be much simpler after the wedding."

I pressed closer to the door, straining to hear clearly.

"Is Stella sure she won't suspect anything?"

"She won't. She trusts me too much. Besides, Stella's acting is flawless—no one can see through it."

My heart pounded. Were they discussing me? And Ryan... what did Ryan know?

The footsteps faded. I waited several minutes before leaving the restroom.

When I returned to the dining room, I saw Ryan and Stella standing on the balcony in hushed conversation. From their body language, this was definitely not an ordinary friendly chat.

"What are you two talking about?" I approached them.

Both turned simultaneously, panic flashing across their faces for an instant.

"About Nathan," Stella quickly replied. "Ryan was comforting me."

"Yes, today's somewhat special for Stella," Ryan echoed.

But I noticed their positioning moments before—they'd been standing too close. If they were really just discussing Nathan, why stand so near each other?

"Well, let's go back then. We shouldn't keep the guests waiting too long," I suggested.

For the rest of the night, I continued observing and discovered more anomalies:

When Ryan's phone buzzed, he'd sneak a glance, then look at Stella.

During toasts, Stella deliberately moved to Ryan's side, their clinking glasses full of hidden meaning.

Most tellingly, when Wilson mentioned "pleasant cooperation," both Ryan and Stella smiled knowingly.

Cooperation? What cooperation?

After the party ended, I offered to drive Stella home.

"That's not necessary—Ryan already agreed to take me," Stella said.

"Ryan?" I looked at my fiancé. "Didn't you say you had an important meeting tomorrow morning and needed to rest early?"

Ryan looked somewhat embarrassed: "I'll head straight home after dropping off Stella."

"Then I'll come with you both," I insisted.

"Don't," Stella suddenly said. "You've had a long day. Go home and rest. Besides, Ryan and I have some... private matters to discuss."

Private matters? My fiancé and my best friend had private matters to discuss?

"What private matters?" I asked directly.

The two exchanged another glance.

"Some documents Nathan left behind," Ryan explained. "Stella needs to sign some legal papers."

The explanation sounded reasonable, but my instincts told me things weren't that simple.

"Alright." I agreed on the surface. "Ryan, come home early after you finish talking."

I drove away but didn't go straight home. I parked around the corner, waiting to see what Ryan and Stella would do.

Ten minutes later, they emerged from the restaurant. I watched Ryan naturally place his arm around Stella's waist, helping her into the car. That gesture... was definitely not that of a friend or lawyer.

I followed them and saw Ryan's car stop outside an upscale apartment building. I recognized the place—this wasn't Stella's residence.

At 11:30 PM, my fiancé and my best friend entered an unfamiliar apartment building.

I sat in my car, my hands went cold.

Everything started clicking into place: that mysterious note, Ryan's special concern for Stella, tonight's anomalies...

I finally understood.

Ryan and Stella definitely had secrets. Secrets I'd been kept in the dark about.

I took out my phone and texted Ryan: "Let me know when you finish work stuff. I'll wait for you at home."

Then I drove home, my mind already planning.

If they thought I was some gullible fool, they were dead wrong.

I wouldn't blindly trust anyone anymore, including my most trusted friend and most beloved man.

Starting tonight, I would keep my eyes wide open and see this game for what it really was.

Sitting in the dark living room, I waited for Ryan to return, waited to hear what lies he would concoct.

I thought about Wilson and the others' special attention toward me tonight, about the "cooperation" they'd mentioned, about Ryan and Stella's knowing glances.

None of this was coincidence.

They were planning something, and I might just be a pawn in their scheme.

But what they didn't know was that starting tonight, this "pawn" was going to fight back.

At 1 AM, Ryan finally came home. He opened the door quietly, thinking I'd already gone to bed.

"You're back," I spoke from the sofa.

Ryan jumped: "Baby, why aren't you sleeping?"

"Waiting for you." I stood and walked toward him. "Are all the documents taken care of?"

"Yes, everything's resolved." Ryan wouldn't meet my eyes.

I moved closer and caught the scent of perfume. Not my perfume—the one Stella had worn tonight.

"You smell like perfume," I said softly.

Ryan stiffened slightly: "Probably picked it up at the restaurant."

I nodded and gave him a light kiss on the cheek: "You must be tired. Get some rest."

I turned and walked toward the bedroom, leaving behind a confused Ryan.

Lying in bed, I listened to the sound of him gently closing the door, my mind already made up.

Starting tomorrow, I would investigate all their secrets.