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It all started when Clark asked me to be his date to a party.
I never fit in with his high–society crowd and was tempted to refuse, but I’d been away filming for three mon-
ths, and the truth was, I missed him.
So I went.
As expected, I ran into people I’d rather avoid. I tried to steer clear, but they always seemed to find me.
I had just stepped out into the garden for a breath of fresh air when Evelyn and Cara followed me.
Evelyn was Clark’s childhood friend. Her family had moved abroad a few years ago for business and had only recently returned. Cara was my arch–nemesis, the one who constantly paid for smear campaigns and negative press about me.
I never would have guessed they knew each other.
I sat on a bench, not wanting to move. Cara, arms crossed, started in with her thinly veiled insults.
“Isn’t this Mr. Song’s engagement party? How did they let just anyone in?”
Evelyn glanced at me, her tone flat. “Didn’t you drag me out here to talk? Is this it?”
Cara shot her a sycophantic smile. “Don’t be in such a rush, Evie. It was so stuffy inside. Let’s get some air,
we can chat while we walk.”
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Evelyn didn’t say anything, just leaned casually against the fountain.
“Evie, are you and Clark getting married?”
“Mm, it’s more or less decided.”
“That’s wonderful! A match made in heaven. Some people should really know when to make a graceful exit.”
Evelyn remained silent.
Cara kept talking, but I wasn’t listening. I turned to leave, but her next words stopped me in my tracks.
“Some people aren’t just trash themselves, their families are a mess, too. That construction project disast er… so many people lost their jobs. If you ask me, the person in charge getting off with just a broken leg was
karma.”
My steps faltered. I turned, walked right up to her, and slapped her twice. Cara clutched her face, glaring at
- me. “Ivy, are you crazy?”
I scoffed. “Talking behind my back is one thing, but did you really think I wouldn’t dare to hit you to your
face?”
Evelyn frowned at me. “Miss Shaw, this is the Song family’s home. Have you considered the consequences of your actions?”
My gaze was sharp. “Miss Vance, if it were your parents being slandered like that, I hope you’d also have the presence of mind to consider the consequences first.”
Evelyn didn’t answer, but Cara lunged, grabbing my hair. We tumbled into a heap, scratching and pulling. I don’t know how Evelyn got involved, but by the time Clark and the others arrived, the three of us were a tang
led mess on the ground.
Clark’s face was dark as he yanked me out of the fray.
I was a complete wreck. Across from me, Evelyn looked much better.
I leveled a cold glare at Clark. “Picking sides, are we?”
His brow was furrowed, but he said nothing.
I ripped the ring off my finger and threw it in his face. “I’m dumping you!”
Holding my breath, I ran out of the garden, out of the house, and jumped into a taxi that had just pulled up.
But I couldn’t hold back the tears. A wave of overwhelming hurt washed over me. I had just wrapped a shoot
yesterday and had come to see him, filled with longing. We barely spoke, and then I get humiliated and he
takes her side.
My phone buzzed relentlessly. It was Clark.
I answered, launching a preemptive strike. “The penthouse is in my name. You have one week to move out!”
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I hung up and blocked him on everything.
That bastard. We were done.
