Chapter 4

Looking at Marcus's confused and anxious face, I found it hilarious.

"Why am I calling a lawyer?"

I repeated his question, my voice light and airy.

"To handle the aftermath of our canceled engagement, of course."

"For example, the engagement gifts my parents prepared for us."

I paused, my eyes drifting to the pale-faced girl behind him.

"You remember those two 20,000-square-foot commercial retail spaces in the luxury downtown district?"

"My dad was going to transfer them to our names so we could collect the rent as pocket money."

"Oh, and one more thing."

"My dad was going to bring you into his company. Direct entry as a Vice President."

I watched Marcus's pupils dilate in pure shock. I smiled, delivering the final, crushing blow.

"Now, all of that is void."

For a second, Marcus was stunned. But then, as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world, he burst into loud laughter.

"Hahaha!"

He laughed so hard he almost doubled over.

"Chloe, have you completely lost your mind?"

"To save your pathetic pride, you’re fabricating stories about your parents now?"

"Giving us prime retail properties? Making your man a VP? Who do you think you are, a character in a Netflix drama?"

His mocking reminded me of something.

For the past six years, I had indeed been "lying" to him.

But that was my parents' idea.

Years ago, I rejected all the arranged matches my family set up. I insisted on finding true love on my own.

So, my dad made a bet with me. He said that human hearts are unpredictable. Only love without the filter of extreme wealth can show someone’s true character.

Thus, I became Chloe, the daughter of an ordinary working-class family.

Even when our parents met before the engagement, my parents wore simple clothes and drove a battered old sedan.

I had asked them why back then.

My dad had only said one thing.

"Men change, Chloe. The ultimate test of his character must last until the wedding day."

"Right now, it’s only an engagement."

Looking back, my dad was incredibly wise.

Unfortunately, Marcus couldn't even pass the engagement test.

Oh well.

Since things had reached this point, there was no need to hide it anymore.

Last night, I had begged my parents to let me tell Marcus the truth today to give him a surprise.

But they had to fly out suddenly for a major international client. They only promised they would make it back in time for the ceremony.

Though they hadn't arrived yet, I was more than happy to reveal the truth myself. I couldn't wait to see the regret on Marcus’s face.

I looked at him, speaking clearly and deliberately.

"Marcus, listen carefully."

"I am the sole heiress of the Vance Group."

A three-second dead silence fell over the room. Then, the entire hall erupted into roaring laughter.

"The Vance Group? Haha! The multi-billion dollar multinational conglomerate? This girl’s lies are getting out of hand!"

"Did Chloe snap under pressure? Just because her last name is Vance, she thinks she’s *the* Vance heiress? What a joke."

"I mean, the guy was wrong first, but there's no need to make up such an embarrassing lie. This is painful to watch."

At that moment, Marcus’s aunt, Brenda, who had been watching the drama unfold from the crowd, finally stepped out.

She sneered, looking me up and down with utter disdain.

"Chloe, sweetie, I know you’re hurt. We might not be rich, but we have morals. You can't just stand there and lie through your teeth."

"The heiress of the Vance Group? How do you even say that out loud without blushing?"

I sneered inwardly.

When we were discussing the wedding budget, Marcus’s family cried about how poor they were. Brenda wept, saying Marcus’s parents died early and she had a hard time raising him alone.

My heart softened. I lowered my expectations, agreed to a cheap venue, and even promised to support her after the wedding.

And yet, on the day of our engagement, they trampled my dignity under their feet.

I didn't want to waste another breath on them.

"Believe it or not, I don't care."

I swept my gaze across the room, locking onto a few specific corners.

"Some of the guests here today are actually business partners of the Vance Group."

I slowly raised my hand, pointing to a middle-aged man holding a champagne glass not far away.

"For instance, Mr. Donald, the CEO of EastGroup."

Mr. Donald's hand froze mid-air.

I shifted my finger to the other side of the room.

"And him. Mr. Harrison, the Chairman of Apex Realty."

Hearing his name, Mr. Harrison's expression changed instantly.

The guests' gaze flicked back and forth between me and the two business moguls.

The laughter of Marcus and Brenda died in their throats.

I crossed my arms, looking at them with a smirk.

"Is my identity real or fake?"

"Why don't you ask them yourselves?"