“Gloria is trying to be thoughtful. To celebrate your return, she organized a special welcome party for you. So, don’t let her down, Amelia,” Robert said with a smile.
I was curious about what Gloria was planning, so I agreed to attend.
The party was grand. Besides the company’s employees, many of Robert’s business partners were present.
In the past three years, Robert had done well for himself. He had established connections with influential individuals from various industries. Many of them owed him favors. In return, they helped his company grow quickly.
But the moment I stepped into the party hall, two buckets of raw yolks were poured over me.
“What are you doing?!” Robert shouted angrily, glaring at the waiter.
Gloria quickly stepped forward, looking frightened.
“Robert, please don’t be mad. Amelia just came out of prison yesterday. I heard that raw yolks can wash away bad luck. That place isn’t clean … I had a stomachache last night, so I was afraid it might be because of that.”
“I only did this for her sake,” she continued softly.
“Even if people don’t say it out loud, they might still feel uncomfortable. Doing this can help remove bad energy. But don’t worry, I already prepared a new dress for Amelia. It’s a special gift I bought for her.”
After hearing that, Robert’s anger faded.
“Then I’ll take Amelia to change first.”
Gloria held his hand gently.
“Robert, your business partners are here today. If we don’t greet them first, they’ll think we’re being rude.”
He thought for a moment and nodded approvingly.
“Gloria, you’re so considerate.”
Then he turned to me. “Amelia, go change on your own. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
When I arrived, I had been wearing a long-sleeved suit and trousers. But the dress Gloria prepared for me was an evening gown. It was tight, low-cut and far too revealing. The moment I stepped back into the hall wearing it, I finally understood her real intention.
As soon as everyone’s eyes landed on me, they gasped at the sight of my scarred skin.
“Oh my god, is that even a human body? That’s disgusting—I’m going to throw up.”
“She just got out of prison, right? I heard she caused trouble in there and got punished. They say she can’t even have children now. Serves her right—she was the one who pushed Miss Bello down the stairs.”
“Honestly, how could someone like that be worthy of Mr. Fuentes? Miss Bello and he are a perfect pair. Even with her leg injury, she’s much more graceful. Look at Amelia—so ugly and ruined. No man could stand that.”
Gloria’s face turned red as if she was embarrassed, but she said gently, “Please don’t say that about her. She already admitted her mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
“Besides, how can I compare to Amelia? Robert even bought her a beautiful diamond necklace. What am I compared to her…”
She really knew how to make herself look kind and lovable. One of Robert’s business partners, meeting me for the first time, looked at Gloria, then turned to me with clear disgust.
“Mr. Fuentes, did I hear that right? That hideous ex-convict is your fiancée?”
Robert and I locked eyes. For a few seconds, he said nothing. Then he looked away.
“No, we were just childhood friends.”
It was the same as announcing our breakup to everyone. The crowd immediately burst into cheers for Robert and Gloria.
“What a perfect match! Just be together then!”
The business partners nodded approvingly.
“I told you, a man like you deserves someone elegant like Miss Bello. That diamond necklace suits her perfectly.”
And with that, Robert fastened the necklace around Gloria’s neck as my heart broke even further.
