Chapter 4

His face was pale, his usually bright eyes dimmed, his gaze fixed on me, devoid of life. His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

The standoff lasted a few minutes, until Brittany emerged from the company building.

"Liam, you came to pick me up!" Brittany's voice was sweet and shrill, as if she wanted everyone around to hear.

Was she staking her claim? It was laughable.

Brittany saw me, and her face instantly clouded over. She slumped against Liam's shoulder, dramatically raising a hand to pretend to wipe away tears.

"Liam, Chloe was so mean today. She said the ring you gave me wasn't pretty, that it was trash… I'm so upset. That was your thoughtful gift…"

In that moment, I realized how utterly clueless Brittany was. She knew it was a gift from Liam, but she had no idea it was originally meant to be *my* engagement ring.

At the mention of the ring, Liam suddenly looked up, as if realizing something. His previously sharp, fixed gaze softened. "Chloe-belle…" Liam's lips trembled. "I… I…"

He used to only call me 'Chloe-belle' when things were passionate between us.

I used to revel in it for days. Now, it just sounded jarring.

If it weren't for those videos last night, I'd probably still be lost in the illusion of a beautiful marriage.

A thought crossed my mind: "Liam… you really thought I was a complete fool."

Brittany tried to continue her provocation, but seeing Liam unresponsive, she instantly grew anxious, tugging at his arm and sleeve, desperately clinging to him for comfort.

I turned to leave, just as a black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen smoothly pulled up to the curb.

At the same time, the passenger window slowly rolled down, and a two-liter bottle of green tea was forcefully tossed from the window. It had clearly been thrown with intent, just barely missing Brittany. What a shame.

Amidst Brittany's cursing shriek and Liam's stunned silence, Maya, wearing dark sunglasses, barked commandingly from the driver's seat: "Get in!"

After only a brief hesitation, I cheerfully responded, "Coming!" and eagerly hopped into the car.

I buckled my seatbelt, and with a roaring throttle, we sped off.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, I saw Brittany stomping her feet in a fit of rage. And Liam…

Was he looking at me?

Sitting in the passenger seat, as a corporate drone for years, a high-end car like a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen was a dream I could only admire from afar. But now, with the dream temporarily realized, I found myself unable to truly feel happy.

Was Liam sad or regretful just now?

Pfft, the thought itself made me realize I was wrong.

Eight years. If Liam had been genuinely kind to me for even a moment, things wouldn't have ended up like this.

He had been so heartless towards me, why should I feel pity for him based on a single glance?

I absolutely couldn't go soft this time.

Shifting my thoughts, Maya's car was playing our favorite rock song, "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" by Beyond.

As the music crescendoed, while stopped at a red light, Maya couldn't help but get all pumped up, yelling, "Manipulative women and pathetic men belong together! Brittany's manipulative act makes me sick! Ugh!"

She vowed that if Brittany ever bothered me again, she'd make her pay, and begging on her knees wouldn't be enough.

Watching Maya's excitement, I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. My earlier annoyance dissipated considerably.

"Hey, tell me the truth, did you rent this car? Huh?" I leaned over, a teasing, half-flattering grin on my face. "Did you know I was upset, so you deliberately rented it to make a scene for me?"

Brittany loved to travel. Liam once rented a regular Mercedes for a road trip.

That single week cost almost ten thousand dollars.

Let alone a high-end Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen like this.

I tried to lean in for a big smooch on Maya's cheek. How could I not love a sister like this?

However, "Cough, cough…" Maya saw my impulsiveness and quickly dodged in the opposite direction, pointing behind me…

Was someone in the back?

I looked at her, then at the back, utterly confused, and instantly froze.

"Hi, Chloe!"

A clear voice, tinged with youthful hormones, emerged.

I followed the sound with my gaze, from bottom to top. The owner of the voice wore loose sweatpants and a light grey hoodie. In contrast to his casual attire, his features were sharply defined, a golden ratio, with a straight nose and thin lips. Our eyes met, sparkling like stars in a flowing galaxy.

"H-hi."

I awkwardly replied, instantly turning to sit rigidly in the passenger seat, clutching my seatbelt, swallowing a noticeably loud gulp.

From the moment I got in the car until now, I hadn't sensed the slightest presence of a third person!

Maya looked at me, and the guy in the back subtly turned his head, also looking at me.

Me: "…"

A subtle tension filled the air, my heart pounding erratically.

While the car was stopped, I desperately tried to signal with my eyes, contorting my features as if to say, "What the hell is going on? Who is this guy? You better explain yourself, right now!"

Maya ignored me and kept driving.