Chapter 3

I never received invitations to these kinds of afternoon tea parties for socialites and rich wives in the circle.

My reputation was terrible, I wasn't favored by my family, and in our social circles, I was implicitly considered to have no social value.

The next day, I went to Valerie's afternoon tea party.

By the time I arrived, quite a few people were already there. Valerie, surrounded by admiring glances, was clearly the center of attention.

I found a corner and helped myself to food and drinks.

The sound of Ryder's voice made me crush the delicate mini-cake in my hand.

A chorus of envious voices rose around us.

"Valerie, Young Master Sterling is such a busy man. He often misses board meetings, but he's actually spending an entire afternoon having tea with us, just for you?"

"Valerie, when you first said you could get Young Master Sterling to come, we thought you were joking."

"Valerie, you and Young Master Sterling have already gotten your marriage certificate. When's the wedding?"

"Young Master Sterling, I hear you've been looking into wedding venues. Any chance of working together?"

I sat outside the group, my gaze distant, meeting Ryder's eyes.

Ryder's lips were still at Valerie's ear, clearly whispering sweet nothings between husband and wife.

Valerie followed Ryder's gaze and noticed me too.

A flicker of malicious triumph crossed her eyes.

Valerie walked towards me, outside the crowd, and intimately linked her arm through mine.

I dug my nails into my palm, repeating one phrase to myself—

Just one more month.

Just one more month of Ryder's promise.

Perhaps... this man who had never broken his word to me, my lover of seven years, would actually keep his promise.

Perhaps he would marry me and take me home.

Just as I was about to reach my limit, Valerie whispered in my ear.

"Stella, do you know how Ryder described you to me?"

"Ryder said you were just a slut. Someone he didn't even have to spend money on, someone who'd spread her legs for just a few sweet words."

"Did he promise to marry you in a month?"

"Our wedding is in a month, Stella. Ryder said he's going to make you look absolutely pathetic that day, to let all of Veridian City see that Stella Reed, the adopted daughter of the Reed family, is a public plaything!"

"Last night, Ryder told me to send you the marriage certificate."

"He said he was in bed with you at the time, and he just wanted to know if, after seeing him marry me, you'd still willingly let him..."

Valerie didn't finish the last word, 'screwed.'

The crisp sound of a slap echoed through the room, and a deafening silence fell over the entire room!

I had just slapped Valerie hard, knocking her to the ground, in front of everyone!

For the first time, Ryder lost his composure publicly.

He quickly rushed forward to help Valerie up. Then he turned, raising his hand high, ready to strike me.

I stared him down, offering him half my face.

Ryder clenched his fist, then let it drop.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!"

He grabbed my collar, lowering his voice.

"This is not where you belong! Now, apologize to Valerie! Tell her you were jealous and lost control! Then go home!"

I laughed.

My smile was seductively charming.

"Jealous of her? Of what?"

I kept my voice low, only audible to the two of us. My words tumbled out at a breathtaking pace.

"Jealous that you were dating me while secretly chasing her for seven years? Jealous that we both came from the orphanage, but you ruined my reputation until I was universally despised, while she was praised as a pristine, untouchable flower? Jealous that you promised to marry me in a month, yet got married to her on the very same day?"

I couldn't help but raise my voice on that last sentence!

The slap Ryder had held back moments before now landed heavily in front of everyone.

It utterly silenced my last words.

The moment the slap landed, Ryder regretted it.

He had only wanted me to shut up.

But the blow made his palm tingle.

He saw me standing rigidly, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth.

Ryder's voice held an almost imperceptible plea.

"Stella, I'm begging you, don't make a scene in public! I promised to marry you in a month, and I will! Please, believe me, okay?"

I closed my eyes.

Only twenty-nine days left.

Believe him or not, the pain Ryder could inflict on me only had twenty-nine days left.

"I believe you. Twenty-nine days from now, I'll be waiting for you to propose at the Reed family home."

Uttering those words with every ounce of strength I had, I turned to leave.

But Ryder gripped my arm tightly.

"Stella, you haven't apologized to Valerie. You can't leave... Today is her day, you need to show her that respect."

My eyes were cold.

"Apologize to Valerie? Never."

Ryder stared at my stubborn refusal, then suddenly raised his voice.

"Guards!"