In his presence, Ethan shrank from the center of attention to a pathetic, overshadowed clown.
"Julian… Mr. Thorne," Ethan stammered, his voice faltering. "Ava's had too much to drink. She's talking nonsense, please don't mind her."
Julian Thorne didn't even spare him a glance.
He came to my side, his intense gaze fixed on my face.
Then, with an unnerving calm that dismissed the entire scene, he spoke a single word.
"Alright."
Ethan's pupils constricted, his face a mask of disbelief.
Chloe turned deathly pale.
"Is this some kind of sick joke? There's no way Mr. Thorne would ever be interested in you!"
"Whether Mr. Thorne is interested in me or not is none of your business, Miss Vance." I linked my arm through Julian's, smiling brightly.
"As for you, after coveting someone else's fiancé for ten years, you've finally picked up the trash I threw out. Congratulations."
"You!" Chloe trembled with rage, looking at Ethan with teary eyes. "Ethan, she insulted me..."
Ethan hugged her protectively, but his glare held a raw ferocity I'd never witnessed before.
"Ava, if you dare walk out of here with him today, we are done for good!"
He thought that was still the trump card that could control me.
Too bad.
"We," I said, my voice cutting,
"were over the moment you humiliated me at our engagement party for the fifth time—for her."
"Now, I'm the one who doesn't want you, Ethan."
With that, I didn't spare him another glance. I took Julian's arm, turned, and left without a shred of hesitation.
