Chapter 4

Brandon's official fiancée, Victoria Sterling, suddenly returned from abroad.

She was the sole heiress of Sterling Corporation, a family of comparable wealth to the Albrights. This marriage had been arranged by their grandfathers long ago.

Mrs. Albright had us pick her up from the airport, under the pretense of bonding with our future sister-in-law.

In plain terms, it was to make us her background dancers, to show her how many women orbited Brandon, hoping to spark a sense of urgency in her.

Victoria wore a high-fashion designer suit, her makeup flawless. Her eyes, hidden behind dark sunglasses, swept over us, as if looking at a few pathetic pets begging for her attention.

Her gaze finally settled on Clara.

Clara had specifically worn the limited-edition dress Brandon had given her that day, and her delicate, flirty makeup did nothing to hide that little flutter of excitement; it was completely transparent to Victoria.

At the evening gala, Victoria, holding a wine glass, moved with casual elegance towards Clara, a smile playing on her lips.

"Clara, right? Brandon mentioned you're quite the equestrian. I just got back and I'm itching to ride. How about we go to the stables tomorrow for a friendly competition?"

Clara was thrilled by the unexpected recognition; Brandon had never praised her like this in front of others.

She accepted without a second thought, believing it was Brandon's approval.

The next day, nearly all the city's elites received invitations to witness this 'friendly competition' that was clearly a public display of dominance.

Victoria personally picked the most spirited chestnut mare for Clara, claiming it was noble and suited her.

Clara was scared, but to impress Brandon, she gritted her teeth and mounted the horse.

The race began, with Victoria's horse taking an immediate lead.

Clara chased closely behind.

At a bend, Clara's horse suddenly spooked, rearing on its hind legs with a neigh, throwing her violently to the ground.

Everyone gasped in alarm.

Brandon was the first to rush forward, but not towards Clara. Instead, he caught Victoria, who had somehow also slipped from her horse and merely twisted her ankle.

He held Victoria, his face etched with heartache, anxiously checking her ankle, as if his cherished treasure had shattered.

Meanwhile, Clara lay not far off, her lower leg twisted at an unnatural angle. Her face was chalk-white with pain, cold sweat beaded on her forehead, yet no one seemed to notice her.

She watched Brandon and Victoria, intimately intertwined, and the light in her eyes extinguished, bit by bit.