Chapter 3

Brandon was a true privileged heir; the talent agency he worked for was part of his family’s empire.

I led Luna to the reception desk.

“Tell Brandon that Alex Blackwood is here. I need to see him.”

Soon, a secretary invited us to Brandon’s private elevator.

I watched Luna’s reflection in the elevator doors, and an idea sparked in my mind.

“Luna, whatever I say later, don’t contradict me.”

She nodded, perfectly obedient, instantly endearing.

Nineteen-year-old Luna was just like that: sweet and adorable to everyone, but a little kitten only with me.

She loved to be pampered, playful but also incredibly gentle.

…

“Well, well, if it isn’t Alex Blackwood? The top student. How have you been doing lately?”

Brandon fiddled with a luxurious watch on his wrist. He hadn’t changed much over the years, looking as if he were still in his twenties.

Meanwhile, Chloe and I, having built our company from the ground up, now bore the clear marks of time on our faces.

I clenched my fists, suppressing the nausea churning in my stomach, and put on a polite, respectful facade.

“Brandon… I came here today to ask you one thing…”

I lowered my voice, making it sound utterly humble.

“Has Chloe been cheating?”

Brandon’s expression hardened for a moment, then he scoffed.

“How should I know? You’re her partner. Who are you asking?”

I tightened my grip on the voice recorder in my pocket.

Brandon was a public figure, after all; he wouldn’t easily admit to being the third party.

What a shame…

Dropping my pitiful expression, I reverted to my usual cold demeanor.

I pulled a stack of photos from my pocket and tossed them onto his desk.

Finally, a crack appeared in Brandon’s composure.

But he quickly recovered, not even glancing at the pictures.

“Alex, you know how advanced AI technology is these days.”

“These photos must be faked by someone trying to slander me.”

Brandon’s words were earnest.

He had maintained a gentlemanly image all these years, but the malice in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.

Over a decade ago, he was the one who led others to bully me.

And he, with that seemingly upright face and privileged background, had escaped everyone’s suspicion.

Everyone, except Chloe.

Back then, only Chloe stood by my side.

It was just the two of us here. I chuckled, then swung my arm.

My fist landed squarely on Brandon’s face.

“Ah—!”

Brandon yelped, instinctively trying to retaliate, but I fiercely held him captive.

I tilted my head, a smirk twisting my lips.

“Brandon, I’ve only been living like an ordinary person for a few years, and you’ve already forgotten who I am.”

I looked down at him, my gaze icy.

The soundproofing here was excellent; no one outside would hear a thing.

Back in high school, Chloe was just a middle-class girl. She only protected me with her body.

Brandon, a rich heir, wouldn’t have feared her.

That school bullying incident was ultimately resolved by my father.

I’m the only direct heir of the Blackwood family. Who were the Brandons to even think they could challenge us?

It was only after my father passed away and I cut ties with my family that Chloe married me.

Otherwise, for a girl with no family background like her, marrying me would have been almost impossible.

But I truly had cut ties with my family, and now I was just gambling that Brandon would be apprehensive.

After all, if the Blackwood family decided to act, the Brandon family would have no hope of resisting.

I glanced at Brandon, who looked utterly indignant, then turned and called out to Luna, who had been waiting just outside the door.

Luna looked at the scene before her and, surprisingly, seemed almost delighted.

She leaned close to my ear.

“Alex, you’ve become so powerful now,”

“I won’t ever have to worry about anyone bullying you again.”

I froze.

I had thought she would think I had changed.

Did Chloe not like the gentle, compliant Alex she had fallen for?

Luna was oblivious to my thoughts. She met Brandon’s stunned gaze, visibly shuddered in disgust, her brows furrowed.

I / Brandon: …

Nineteen-year-old Luna clearly despised Brandon.

Brandon’s expression gradually turned venomous. He gazed covetously at Luna’s face.

“Alex, what kind of person are *you* to talk?”

“You brought *her* here, aren’t you just trying to replace Chloe?”

He stood up, looking at Luna with a lost expression, and shakily reached out to touch her face.

Then Luna slapped his hand away.

I / Brandon: …

Luna went on a passionate rant. “Who do you think you are, trying to touch me?! Look at your own repulsive face?!”

…I rubbed my chin.

Objectively speaking, Brandon’s face was actually quite handsome.

Young people these days, so quick to judge, huh?

I tsked softly. Luna, understanding my unspoken signal, stepped behind me and subtly hooked her little finger around mine.

My heart embarrassingly skipped a beat.

It was a feeling of infatuation I hadn’t felt in years.

Clearing my throat, I turned my gaze back to Brandon.

My intention today was simply to provoke him.

People rarely reveal their true colors without a little push.

I wanted Brandon to fall, and fall hard.