Chapter 6

Lily's POV

I looked at Harrison in disbelief.

"So you brought me here to trade me for Vivian and hand me over to Derek?"

Harrison turned his head away, unable to meet my eyes.

"Vivian saved me once. I can't just abandon her."

All the grievances I'd accumulated erupted in this moment. Tears streamed down my face.

"So you're using me to repay your debt?"

"Harrison, what am I to you?"

Harrison's brow furrowed.

"I've already made arrangements. I won't let anything happen to you."

With that, he pulled me forward without hesitation and walked inside.

Upon entering the casino, we saw Vivian with her hands bound, kneeling on the ground.

When she saw Harrison, she immediately showed a pitiful expression.

"You finally came. I was so scared!"

Seeing Vivian like this, Harrison's eyes filled with concern:

"I've brought the person. Release Vivian now."

Derek sat in his chair, looking at Harrison mockingly.

"They say men forget old lovers when they get new ones. I didn't think Mr. Quinn would actually bring Lily here."

As Derek spoke, he lifted Vivian up.

"One for one. Fair trade."

I wanted to run. Harrison gripped my hand tightly and shoved me forward.

The moment he pushed me with his own hands, my heart completely plunged into the abyss.

Just as Vivian and I passed each other, Derek suddenly pulled out a gun and aimed it at us.

Harrison rushed forward, pulling Vivian into his arms and shielding her with his entire body.

Then I heard a bang. The bullet grazed my temple. Crimson blood dripped down my cheek.

I watched Harrison anxiously protecting Vivian, my heart pierced with pain.

I'd known the answer all along, yet it still hurt so much I couldn't breathe.

The scene quickly descended into chaos. I curled up in a corner, blood having already stained my white dress red.

Harrison started to walk toward me, but Vivian suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Mr. Quinn, I don't feel well!"

Harrison immediately lifted her in his arms and headed out without looking back.

"I'll take you to the hospital right now."

Watching them leave, I laughed bitterly at myself.

I would never be his first choice.

I returned home in a wretched state. Before even entering, I saw wedding decorations throughout the courtyard.

When the servants saw me, their eyes filled with contempt.

"Tomorrow is Mr. Quinn and Miss Taylor's wedding day..."

"How shameless..."

I froze in place. Harrison had already planned to give the wedding that should have been ours to Vivian.

A month ago, I was still dreaming about our wedding.

Now, I-the bride-to-be-didn't even know when I'd been replaced.

I was about to pack my luggage when the door was suddenly kicked open.

Harrison threw a pile of shredded fabric in my face.

"Lily, what a vicious heart you have! Knowing I'm marrying Vivian, you cut up her wedding dress. When did you become so scheming?"

Watching Harrison and Vivian play their coordinated act, I found it laughable.

"Harrison, I just got home. How could I possibly have had the chance to destroy Vivian's wedding dress?"

Harrison froze, about to speak, when Vivian stepped forward and grabbed his hand.

"Since Miss Sullivan hates me so much, let's cancel our wedding! Let my mother leave with regrets!"

Harrison immediately pulled her into his arms tenderly, looking at me coldly."Lily, I remember you have a rare haute couture wedding dress. Since you destroyed Vivian's dress, give yours to her as compensation!"

I stared in disbelief:

"Why should I? That's my mother's keepsake! It's a symbol of her hope for my happiness!"

Harrison's eyes darkened:

"When you do wrong, there are consequences."

With that, he walked straight to my closet and took out the wedding dress.

I tried desperately to rush forward, but the bodyguards pinned me to the ground. I couldn't move.

"Harrison, you can't do this to me!"

I screamed in anguish.

Harrison looked at me with disgust, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

"Lily, since you refuse to repent, go kneel at the gate. You can get up when you admit your mistake."

Then he put his arm around Vivian and headed out:

"Come on, I'll take you to try on the dress."

The bodyguards quickly dragged me to the courtyard. When I refused to kneel, they kicked my knees viciously.

Under the mocking gazes of all the servants in the yard, I fell heavily to my knees.

From evening until late night, I knelt until my body went numb. Finally, the main gate opened.

The butler Adam came out carrying a suitcase, looking at me with sympathy:

"Miss Sullivan, tomorrow is Mr. Quinn and Miss Taylor's wedding. Mr. Quinn is afraid you'll cause trouble, so he's asked you to return to your hometown for a while. He'll bring you back after the wedding."

Looking at the suitcase, I felt relieved.

I could finally leave openly!

I stood up trembling, took one last look at the house that had imprisoned me for three years, and turned away without hesitation.

Just outside the gate, a black luxury car stopped in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing a chiseled face.

"My dear fiancée, I've come to take you home!"