For the next few days, Antonio left me alone.
But the housekeeper let slip that Astrid had taken ill, and Antonio had been by her side constantly.
On the day of the charity gala, I returned to the penthouse.
I hurled everything that reminded me of Antonio into the fireplace—including the engagement ring I once cherished above all else.
As I turned to leave, I remembered: my adoptive mother's heart-shaped box was still in the study.
I headed for the study. Just as I reached the door, I heard Astrid’s voice on a video call with two men I didn’t recognize.
"Astrid, you have to find a way to trick Antonio into revealing the location of the financial records. It's the only way we can move against the Vanderwood Group."
I froze. Astrid was a corporate spy?
Astrid smiled, her voice dripping with confidence. "Don't worry. Antonio is wrapped around my little finger. One word from me, and he'd drop that pathetic designer in a heartbeat."
"Once I'm the lady of the Vanderwood Group, those financial secrets are as good as mine."
I almost laughed out loud.
Antonio’s coddling had made her so bold she was plotting his downfall in his own study.
I shoved the door open and strode inside. "If you want him to break off our engagement, Astrid, you'd better learn to beg."
The color drained from her face, but she recovered quickly. "What are you doing here? Antonio said no one is allowed in his study but me!"
I met her gaze and gestured to the two men on her screen. "Is that so? Then who are they?"
Her eyes darted nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about."
I nodded, turning as if to leave. "You don't? Fine. Let’s go ask Antonio what he thinks about you plotting with men from Aperture Dynamics in his private study."
Astrid’s composure finally cracked. She lunged, grabbing my wrist and shoving me hard.
"Antonio is in a board meeting. You're not going anywhere!"
The small of my back slammed into the sharp corner of the desk. Cold sweat prickled on my temples.
"Even if you tell him, he won't believe you!"
Her shrill voice pierced my ears, igniting the fury I had been bottling up.
I slapped her. Hard.
"That's for shoving me."
I glanced down at the burner phone in my hand.
Of course Antonio wouldn't believe my word against hers. That's why I'd hit 'record' the second I heard her voice.
Spoiled by Antonio for years, Astrid had never faced a real consequence. The slap stunned her, a trickle of blood blooming at the corner of her lip.
When she recovered, she let out a nails-on-a-chalkboard shriek.
"You trashy designer! You hit me! I'm telling Antonio!"
Just then, a familiar, cold voice echoed from the doorway.
