Chapter 3
Scarlett
The champagne tower glittered under the crystal chandeliers as the Sterling family's high-end business gala was in full swing. I stood beside Blake in a deep blue gown, trying my best to maintain the facade of a proper fiancée.
Alexander's words from last night still echoed in my ears—"I won't let anyone hurt you."
"Scarlett's temperament is too willful, not gentle and charming like other girls," Blake's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I turned in shock to find him saying this to a group of business elites, as if I weren't standing right there.
Blood rushed to my head. "Blake, what are you saying?"
He waved his hand impatiently. "Look how elegant everyone else is. You should learn their manners. Always so impulsive, not a trace of ladylike behavior."
[The jerk is showing his true colors]
[Don't take this, honey, he's not worth it]
The golden comments appeared before my eyes again, more urgent and angry than last night.
I swallowed my rage, forcing a smile. "Blake, I think I'm plenty elegant."
"Elegant?" Blake scoffed, glancing at his watch. "Whatever, you wouldn't understand what true elegance means anyway. I need to use the restroom."
With that, he hurried toward the bathroom, his steps oddly rushed.
[Follow him!]
[He's seeing someone behind your back!]
[Go catch him in the act!]
The comment system flooded my vision like a frenzy, each one urging me to act. My instincts told me these mysterious prompts had never been wrong.
I waited a few minutes, then quietly followed.
The hallway was dimmer than the main hall. I followed the comments' guidance to the area near the restrooms.
[Right in there!]
[The evidence is right in front of you!]
[Record it! Remember to record!]
I crept closer and heard shocking voices.
"Victoria, you're so much more beautiful than Scarlett," Blake's voice came from behind the half-closed door, with a tenderness and urgency I'd never heard before.
Victoria? Why did that name sound so familiar...
"Blake... not here, someone might see us..." a sweet female voice responded between breathy moans.
My heart nearly stopped. I gently pushed the door open a crack, and the scene before me almost made me cry out.
Blake had a brunette beauty pinned against the sink, passionately kissing her neck, his hands wandering over her body. The woman's dress strap had slipped down, revealing pale skin, her arms wrapped tightly around Blake's back.
"Just hang in there a little longer. Once she's kicked out of the Sterling family, I can properly break off our engagement," Blake said between kisses, his hands growing bolder. "Then we can be together openly."
"But Alexander dotes on her so much..." the woman gasped, her voice trembling from Blake's actions.
"What does Alexander matter?" Blake's hand moved to more intimate areas. "Once he finds out Scarlett isn't his real sister, will he still protect her like that?"
I couldn't take it anymore and shoved the door open.
"Enough!"
Blake and the woman jumped apart, the woman hastily adjusting her disheveled clothes and fallen strap. As she turned, I saw her exquisite features—high nose, deep-set eyes, indeed a more classically beautiful face than mine.
"Scarlett!" Blake fumbled with his shirt, his tie askew. "Let me explain..."
"Explain?" I laughed coldly. "Explain how you're doing this with another woman behind my back? Or explain how you're hoping I'll be thrown out of the Sterling family?"
The woman called Victoria straightened her clothes, showing not a hint of shame. Instead, she wore an elegant smile as she looked me over. "Hello, I'm Victoria."
Her tone was polite, but I read a condescending appraisal in her eyes, like she was examining an item about to be replaced.
Blake tried to sound intimidating but failed. "Scarlett, don't make a scene! Victoria and I were just..."
"Just what?" I pulled out my phone. "Then what about this recording where you said 'once she's kicked out of the Sterling family, I can properly break off our engagement'? And those moves you were making—is that normal interaction between friends?"
Blake's face turned ghostly white.
I didn't bother with them anymore and strode back toward the main hall. If we were going to have a showdown, let's make it complete!
Back at the gala, all eyes turned to me. Standing by the champagne tower, my voice rang clear throughout the hall:
"Everyone, I have an important announcement."
The room fell silent.
"Blake Smith, as of this moment, our engagement is officially over!"
Gasps erupted as Blake rushed into the hall, face ashen, tie still undone. "Scarlett, you spoiled little princess! Without me, you're nothing! Don't come crawling back when the Sterlings throw you out!"
All the guests' eyes darted between us as whispers surged like a tidal wave.
[Your brother's coming!]
[Turn around!]
[Your knight in shining armor is here!]
I instinctively turned and saw Alexander's tall figure cutting through the crowd. Tonight he wore a charcoal gray suit, his expression stern, each step toward me carrying undeniable authority.
"Blake." Alexander's voice was soft yet carried a bone-chilling intimidation. "Show some respect to my sister."
Seeing Alexander appear, Blake's bravado instantly deflated by half. "Alexander, your sister is unilaterally breaking our engagement, this..."
"I fully support Scarlett's decision," Alexander cut him off, his voice calm but each word landing with finality. "Furthermore, all partnerships between Sterling Group and the Smith family end here."
The room went dead silent.
Blake's expression completely changed. "Alexander, you can't just because of a woman..."
"This woman is my sister," Alexander walked to my side and took my hand. "Anyone who wants to hurt her has to go through me first."
His hand was warm and strong, instantly filling me with courage.
Victoria slowly entered the hall, having fixed her makeup and clothes, wearing an elegant smile as if enjoying a fascinating performance. Her gaze swept over Alexander and me, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.
"What a dramatic scene," Victoria said softly, her voice sweet and melodious. "Miss Sterling is quite brave, isn't she?"
Her words sounded like praise, but something about them felt off.
[Victoria isn't what she seems]
[She's here to take your place]
[Watch out—the real daughter returns]
The comments warned me again, and I kept feeling her name was familiar.
"The real daughter?" I whispered, repeating the phrase from the comments.
Alexander heard my murmur and frowned slightly. "Scarlett, let's go. We're not welcome here anymore."
He squeezed my hand and led me toward the exit.
As we passed Victoria, she said to me with surprising warmth: "Scarlett, I hope we can be friends. I think... we'll be seeing each other often."
Her tone was gentle, but I felt an inexplicable chill. The feeling was like being marked by something dangerous.
In the car, my phone suddenly rang. It was Emily.
"Scarlett, where are you? Come home immediately. We have something important to tell you," Emily's voice sounded unusually serious.
Alexander and I exchanged glances, a sense of foreboding settling in my stomach.