Chapter 3

Seraphina’s POV

"Oh my, who's this little princess?" Patricia immediately stood up, her expression shifting from cold indifference to fawning smiles. "Ivy, come in, come in!"

The girl glided in elegantly, smiling. "Sorry to interrupt. Just got back from Europe and brought you a little gift."

"Wow! This is this year's latest Hermès bag!" Patricia's voice trembled with excitement. "I saw it in Vogue—it costs over a hundred thousand dollars!"

Ivy waved dismissively. "Oh, that? Just picked it up in Paris. It's nothing really."

I examined the bag closely and smirked inwardly. Fake. The hardware's shine was off, and the leather texture was wrong. Growing up around luxury goods, I could spot counterfeits instantly.

But that necklace around her neck...

An angel-shaped pendant surrounded by diamonds, breathtakingly exquisite. The necklace was real—because I owned an identical one!

"Look at her class!" Patricia turned to me with disdain. "Sera, you should learn from her."

Ivy looked at me politely, extending her hand. "Hello, I'm Ivy Sterling."

"Seraphina." I shook her hand, forcing myself to stay composed.

"Ivy's an investment company heiress!" Patricia gushed, her voice dripping with flattery. "She lives in our most exclusive neighborhood!"

"Palo Alto Hills?" Dex suddenly spoke up, interest flickering in his eyes.

"Yes," Ivy nodded gracefully. "My family spoils me—they give me only the best."

Palo Alto Hills... The name sent a shock through me.

Wasn't that where Phoenix secretly bought me a villa? Three years ago when I left home, Phoenix worried I'd suffer on my own and quietly purchased a villa there. But I was too angry then, insisting on independence, and never lived there.

It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?

"Wow, that's Silicon Valley's most expensive area!" Patricia's face flushed with excitement. "The house must be worth tens of millions!"

"Something like that," Ivy said casually. "I don't really pay attention to numbers."

Patricia looked at me with disgust. "See the difference between you two? Go home and fix yourself up—stop embarrassing yourself here!"

My face burned red, fury blazing in my chest. But I held back, not wanting to explode in front of strangers.

Dex moved closer to Ivy, obvious interest in his eyes. "Miss Ivy, what kind of investments does your family do?"

"Mainly tech equity investments," Ivy replied smoothly. "My father says this is the AI era—we should invest in promising tech companies."

Dex's eyes brightened further. "What a coincidence! Our company just completed Series A funding. We specialize in AI algorithms. If there's an opportunity..."

"Of course there is!" Patricia immediately interjected. "Ivy, stay tonight! Let's chat properly—maybe we can collaborate!"

Watching this scene, my heart felt like it was being carved with knives. Just minutes ago, Patricia was humiliating me, saying I wasn't worthy of her son. Now, seeing Ivy's wealth, she'd completely changed her tune.

What hurt more was that Dex didn't object—he seemed excited.

"That sounds wonderful," Ivy smiled. "I'd love to learn about Silicon Valley's startup environment."

Dinner began, but I had no appetite.

Patricia attentively served Ivy, fussing over her while treating me like air. Dex enthusiastically explained the company's business to Ivy, and they chatted animatedly.

"Ivy, your watch is gorgeous!" Patricia stared at Ivy's Cartier. "It must be expensive!"

"Not bad, just a few tens of thousands," Ivy said easily. "I enjoy collecting watches."

Tens of thousands mentioned so casually—Patricia was now convinced Ivy was genuine old money.

"Your necklace is special too," Patricia continued flattering. "I've never seen this design before."

"It's getting late, Ivy. Stay the night," Patricia said warmly. "Our guest room is very comfortable."

"Thank you, Auntie," Ivy said sweetly.

Late that night, I woke from a nightmare to find Dex, who should have been sleeping beside me, gone.

I had an ominous feeling.

I decided to get up for some water.

Passing the living room, I heard rustling sounds from the guest room.

Alarm bells rang in my head as I tiptoed to the door.

It wasn't completely closed, leaving a small gap.

I peered through and was instantly petrified.

Dex and Ivy were embracing, disheveled, rolling around on the bed.

"You're so beautiful, Ivy..." Dex's voice drifted out.

"Shh, keep it down. Don't let your girlfriend hear," Ivy giggled.

My mind went blank, anger and pain intertwining.

I pulled out my phone, trembling as I captured the scene.

Then I burst through the door, roaring: "What are you doing?!"

Both Dex and Ivy jumped, hastily separating.

"Sera... let me explain..." Dex's face was pale as he frantically pulled at his clothes.

"Explain what? Explain sleeping with another woman?" My voice shook with rage. "Three years together, and this is how you treat me?"

"Sera, calm down..."

"Calm down?" I laughed bitterly. "I saw you two together with my own eyes, and you want me to calm down?"

Patricia, hearing the commotion, rushed over. But seeing the scene, instead of condemning Dex, she sneered at me.

"If you're not good enough, don't blame my son for loving someone else!" Patricia said mercilessly. "A girl like Ivy is worthy of my son! Her family's investment could make Dex's company ten times bigger!"

I stared at Patricia in shock, unable to believe she could say such things.

"Auntie..." Ivy looked embarrassed. "I didn't mean for this to happen..."

"It's fine, sweetheart," Patricia comforted. "She's the one who doesn't know her place."

Looking at these three people, my heart turned completely cold.

Three years of love, three years of silent dedication—apparently worthless in the face of money.

"I'm leaving!" I turned to go.

"Sera, wait!" Dex called after me, but I didn't look back.

I rushed out of the house, standing in the night wind as tears finally burst forth.

I didn't want to return to my apartment—too many memories of Dex there.

Suddenly I remembered the villa Phoenix had secretly bought me. Though I'd never lived there, the housekeeper should still be maintaining it.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the villa's number.

"Hello, Miss Vale?" The housekeeper Marcus answered, sounding surprised. "Didn't you say you wouldn't live in the villa? Why do you suddenly want to come back?"