Chapter 5

Stella Sterling POV

Two weeks later, at the theater.

This charity symphony concert, jointly hosted by several top financial conglomerates, not only gathered the nation's finest musicians but also attracted countless celebrities and dignitaries.

I didn't attend as Mrs. Lancaster.

After all, we'd kept our marriage secret for three years. The outside world had no idea Ethan was married.

I came as a guest cellist with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Though the antique cello had been seized, Professor Wright had worked through the night to borrow an equally prestigious instrument for me, preserving my performance opportunity.

At seven p.m., the red carpet ceremony officially began.

I wore a well-tailored black velvet gown, my hair swept up elegantly.

Free from the oppressive rules of the Lancaster household, I felt much more relaxed.

I had just walked to the signature board when the crowd suddenly erupted in violent commotion and flashbulbs went wild.

"It's Mr. Lancaster! Ethan Lancaster is here!"

"Oh my God, who's that woman with him? She's gorgeous! Mr. Lancaster is actually helping her out of the car himself!"

My hand holding the signing pen paused slightly. I turned to look.

At the end of the red carpet, Ethan wore a custom black suit, his posture upright, coldly noble.

And on his arm was Miranda in a custom white starlight gown.

One in black, one in white, they walked slowly forward surrounded by countless cameras.

Miranda seemed somewhat uncomfortable with such blinding flashbulbs and shrank back slightly.

Ethan immediately turned aside, using his tall frame to shield her from some of the cameras, leaning down to whisper comfort in her ear, his eyes so tender they could drip water.

Reporters frantically pressed their shutters, someone shouting questions.

"Mr. Lancaster, is this beautiful lady your girlfriend? Did you come tonight specifically to support her?"

Ethan stopped, his gaze sweeping the entire venue before settling on the cameras.

"This is Miranda, tonight's guest violinist."

Ethan's voice carried through the microphone across the entire plaza, low and firm.

"She's also... a very important person to me. I hope everyone will support her performance tonight."

The entire venue erupted.

This was clearly Ethan announcing Miranda's status to the entire city.

Standing in the shadows not far away, I quietly watched this scene.

My heart was strangely calm. No jealousy, no anger, only indifference.

I turned and walked straight into the theater without another glance at them.

The first half of the concert went extremely smoothly.

My solo performance stunned the audience. With flawless technique and abundant emotion, I announced to everyone the powerful return of the former cello prodigy.

During intermission came the charity auction segment.

I sat in the orchestra section, watching the auction items sell one by one on stage.

Until the final featured item was wheeled onto the stage.

It was a pair of rare nineteenth-century European royal antique matching rings, called "Eternal Vow."

The instant I saw those rings, I took a sharp breath.

Before our wedding, I had seen this pair of rings at a private exhibition and loved them beyond measure.

Full of joy, I'd pulled Ethan along, hoping he would bid on them as their wedding rings.

But Ethan had only glanced at them coldly, shaken off my hand, his tone mocking.

"Stella, marriage is just a transaction of interests. Buying such impractical things, don't you find that ridiculous?"

In the end, our wedding rings were just ordinary plain bands, and Ethan, citing "inconvenience at work," never wore his once in three years.

And now, the auctioneer enthusiastically introduced the rings' significance on stage.

"'Eternal Vow,' representing love that transcends time until death. Starting bid, twenty million!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, from the front VIP section, Ethan raised his paddle without hesitation.

"Fifty million."

The entire venue gasped. Jumping straight to thirty million more. This wasn't just a display of wealth but a determination to win.

No one dared compete with Ethan.

The auctioneer excitedly brought down the gavel.

"Fifty million, sold! Congratulations, Mr. Lancaster!"

The host joked with a smile.

"Mr. Lancaster spent a fortune on this pair of couple's rings. Which lucky lady are you planning to give them to?"

The spotlight instantly focused on Ethan and Miranda sitting beside him.

Ethan stood up and accepted the velvet box containing the rings from the staff.

He turned his head, looking at Miranda beside him, her face full of shy delight, his voice carrying through the microphone to every corner of the theater.

"These past years, I lost something very precious and left behind a great regret."

Ethan's gaze was deep and devoted.

"These rings are to make up for that regret. I want to give them to the person who is most important to me."

The venue erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

Miranda covered her mouth, tears of emotion streaming down her face.

And sitting in the corner, I silently raised my phone and recorded the entire scene.

I opened my email and sent the video to Mr. Williams with a message.

"Mr. Williams, this is the latest evidence of Ethan Lancaster's extramarital affair and transfer of marital assets. Please add it to the divorce litigation file."

After sending it, I darkened the screen.

Ethan Lancaster, since you love such public displays of affection, I'll grant your wish and let you love to your heart's content. In court.