I slapped my black card on the counter. “First come, first served. Doesn’t Mr. Alexander understand basic manners?”
Ethan grabbed my wrist with a bruising grip. “Luna, are you really set on opposing me?”
His voice dropped low. “The more you act out, the more pathetic you look. If you want to marry me, just say it. What’s with all these games?”
I yanked my hand back. “You overestimate yourself.”
Then to the clerk: “Please wrap them up. I’ll take them.”
The clerk accepted my card hesitantly, and Ethan’s expression turned stormy.
Vanessa quickly clung to his arm. “Ethan, forget it. I don’t want them…”
“No.” Ethan snatched the shoebox from the clerk. “In Southvale, there’s nothing Ethan can’t get.”
With that, he dragged Vanessa away without a glance back.
---
The next morning, an elegant gift box appeared on my desk.
As soon as I untied the ribbon, a sickening, metallic smell hit me. The red high heels were stained with suspicious marks, a few strands of hair clinging to the soles.
My phone buzzed. A message from Vanessa lit up the screen.
“Ms. Everly, I’ve thought it over. I can’t take what doesn’t belong to me. I’m returning the shoes. Sorry, they got dirty while I was dancing with Ethan last night.”
Stifling my nausea, I dumped the heels straight into the trash.
Just then, a message from my mother popped up.
“Luna, the Foster family’s betrothal gift list is unbelievable!”
I opened the attachment and gasped. The listed value could buy three entire Everly Groups.
Usually discreet and reserved, the Foster family had made an exception for me—showing sincerity beyond imagination. The rare treasures alone proved how serious they were.
---
At the annual Southvale Business Dinner, I mingled with a group of socialites, exchanging light laughter.
Suddenly, the hall doors flung open. Vanessa strutted in wearing a blinding sequined dress and an oversized diamond necklace.
Whispers erupted around us:
“Oh my god, what is she wearing? So flashy...”
“Wasn’t she a maid in the Alexander household? Now she’s Mr. Alexander’s assistant?”
“I’ve seen her type before—always pushing their luck.”
Vanessa remained unfazed, walking directly toward me.
“Ms. Everly,” she called loudly, “why aren’t you wearing those limited-edition heels?”
I took a sip of wine and replied coolly, “Oh, they got touched by something filthy, so I threw them out.”
She stiffened, then sneered. “Miss Everly, just wait. You’ll never beat me.”
Before she could finish, she stumbled backward.
The champagne tower crashed down, glass flying in every direction.
“Ah!” she shrieked, instantly drawing all eyes.
Before I could move, Ethan rushed in and shoved me hard. I staggered back, pressing my hand onto shattered glass. Blood gushed instantly.
“Luna!” he yelled, holding the trembling Vanessa. His eyes were sharp as knives. “What the hell are you doing?”
Vanessa sobbed in his arms. “It’s my fault... I shouldn’t have shown up and upset Miss Everly.”
“She said I’m beneath her...”
“Apologize,” Ethan ordered coldly.
Clutching my bleeding hand, I hissed, “Why?”
Without warning, he reached out and tore the jade pendant from my neck—the only keepsake my grandmother left me.
“No!” I lunged forward to stop him.
Bang! He hurled the pendant to the floor, shattering it into pieces.
