Chapter 4

**Chloe's POV**

Serena wore a flowing white tulle gown, looking like a delicate, fragile lily. Around her neck hung the fifty-million-dollar "Tears of the Ocean." And on her head sat my masterpiece, "The Crown of Thorns."

The moment she entered, all eyes turned to her.

"Who is she? Why is she wearing the necklace Mr. Sterling bought at the auction?"

"I heard she’s his childhood friend. They must be incredibly close."

Under the murmuring crowd's gaze, Serena walked up to Julian and me. She looked at me timidly, her voice so soft it could be blown away by a breeze. "Chloe, thank you for letting me have 'The Crown of Thorns.' I really love it."

Her words were carefully calculated. They established her special status while painting me as the one who had to step aside.

My expression didn't change. I didn't even blink. I just looked at her calmly and said, "It’s just an inanimate object. I'm glad you like it, Serena. After all, some things in life can never be obtained just because someone 'let' you have them."

Serena’s face turned pale. Her eyes instantly filled with tears as she turned to Julian. "Julian... did I say something wrong? Did I upset Chloe?"

Seeing Serena’s distress, Julian’s brow furrowed. He turned to me, his tone laced with disapproval. "Chloe, today is a massive night for the company. Don't take your issues out on Serena."

It was hilarious. Me, taking issues out on her?

I didn't even want to waste my breath looking at her.

But then, drama struck.

As Serena turned around, she seemed to trip over her own dress. With a sharp gasp, she fell backward—straight into the decorative indoor pool.

"Serena!"

Julian’s eyes went wide. Without a second thought, he threw my hand off. He didn’t even pause to take off his designer tuxedo jacket before diving straight into the water. He pulled a shivering, soaking-wet Serena into his arms, holding her tightly.

The crowd gasped. Camera flashes exploded over the water.

The CEO of Sterling Group ruining his own launch event by jumping into a pool for a woman—this was guaranteed to be front-page news tomorrow.

When Julian threw my hand off, my heel twisted, and I almost fell. But I caught myself instantly.

I stood by the edge of the pool, looking down at the two of them clinging to each other. Julian’s face was a mask of sheer panic, his eyes entirely locked on Serena’s safety. He had completely forgotten about the woman he had left on the deck—his partner of seven years.

The media’s cameras swung toward me, trying to catch any sign of jealousy, rage, or heartbreak on my face.

But they were disappointed.

My face was completely blank. I stood there like an elegant, emotionless statue.

I calmly signaled the security team to restore order, then stepped up to the podium and took the microphone from the host. My voice was clear, steady, and utterly composed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Sterling has had a minor accident while rescuing a guest. We will adjust the schedule slightly. In the meantime, allow me to introduce the rest of our fall collection."

My control of the room was flawless.

Only after the event ended did I walk back to the dressing room. I looked at my own calm eyes in the mirror.

I pulled out my phone and sent a pre-drafted resignation letter straight to Julian’s inbox.

Then, I texted my grandpa’s assistant: "Change of plans. Send the jet in three days."

---