Chapter 4

A charity auction gala was being held — one of the industry's big annual events. Zachary, as my publicly announced fiancé, was expected to attend with me.

He was waiting downstairs early.

He'd even thoughtfully prepared a bouquet — of lilies, which I can't stand.

"Nina, there's a sapphire necklace tonight that I know you'd love. Whatever it costs, I'll bid on it for you — sound good?"

He held the flowers out to me.

I took them.

Then dropped them straight into the trash can.

"I like daisies."

Zachary went rigid with embarrassment.

He scrambled after me into the venue, tripping over himself with apologies.

Inside the gala, the city's elite had gathered.

The moment we walked in, admiring looks followed us from every direction.

Zachary straightened up and leaned into it.

He loved being the center of attention. His grip on my arm tightened slightly without him even noticing.

As if he really were the flawless heir to the Sinclair family he pretended to be.

But all of this was exactly where I needed it to be.

Just when Zachary thought everything was going perfectly — that tonight was his night to shine —

Something unexpected happened.

His phone started buzzing relentlessly.

He covered it quickly, but not before I caught a glimpse of the caller ID.

It was Lily.

He tried to pretend nothing was happening.

I tilted my head and smiled. "Aren't you going to answer? What if it's urgent?"

Zachary looked uncomfortable.

Sweat was already appearing at his hairline. He forced a laugh. "It's nothing. Spam call."

"Is it?"

I smiled. "Funny — I could've sworn I recognized that number. Wasn't that your assistant you supposedly let go?"

Zachary's face changed.

He glanced around quickly, his voice dropping into a panicked hiss. "Nina, what are you talking about? I haven't been in contact with her —"

But before he could finish explaining, a commotion broke out near the entrance.

A figure came stumbling in.

"Zachary! Help me, Zachary!"

She screamed it without caring who heard. Not even the security guards could stop her.

By the time Zachary registered what was happening, his face had gone the color of old ash.

It was Lily.

Every head in the room turned. Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Nina, I — I honestly have no idea what's going on!"

Zachary stared at me, completely rigid.

Of course he didn't know what was going on. Because I was the one who arranged it.

When Lily spotted Zachary, she broke down completely.

She made a beeline straight for our table. "Zachary! I got thrown out of my apartment — my bank account's been frozen — I have nowhere to go!"

"You have to do something!"

She dropped to her knees at his feet, crying like the world was ending.

Zachary's fists clenched until his knuckles went white.

The people around us started murmuring.

"Isn't that the assistant he fired?"

"I thought she was long gone — why is she still causing scenes?"

"Wait — is anyone else looking at that watch she's wearing? Isn't that the one Nina gave Zachary for his birthday last year? That thing is worth hundreds of thousands —"

Zachary finally snapped into action.

He kicked Lily's hand away and snarled, "What's wrong with you? I barely even know you — get away from me!"

Lily stumbled back. She looked up at him like she'd been slapped.

"So you really were lying to me this whole time, weren't you?"

"You told me if I was patient, once things blew over you'd come back for me!"

"That apartment — you bought it for me! And now that you're done with me you're taking it back? You played me from the start!"

She screamed it for the entire room to hear.

The words detonated like a grenade.

I looked at Zachary with a cold smile.