Chapter 5

I had no interest in watching Sienna's self-directed soap opera.

Sitting in the airport lounge, I texted Julian:

"Julian, don't forget to pick me up."

He replied almost instantly: "Did something happen? Did the shoot wrap early?"

"Nothing happened. I just missed you. So I pulled diva behavior, rushed my scenes, and got out early."

He sent back a cute sticker of a husband hugging his wife.

Yes, the man I was going to marry was Chad's uncle, Julian Sterling.

I genuinely couldn't wait to hear Chad call me his aunt.

Unfortunately, my escape was cut short.

Sienna had blown the "spiked drink" scandal completely out of proportion.

The production called an emergency meeting, demanding that everyone delete any footage or photos.

When Director Miller saw me, his face was practically purple with rage. "Chloe! Why are you picking fights with a rising star?!"

"If this leaks, not only will you be blacklisted, but the entire movie's investment will go down the drain!"

The entire crew glared at me with pure condemnation, as if I were a deranged lunatic who would do anything to steal a man.

Sienna dabbed at her teary eyes, putting on a show of magnanimity. "Director, let it go... I honestly didn't know the man in my room was Chad... and I certainly didn't know Chloe was the one who drugged my drink..."

With a few innocent words, she made herself the ultimate victim.

Miller, clearly acting under someone's orders, insisted on searching my phone.

I said there was no recording, but nobody believed me.

They combed through every file, only to find dozens of custom wedding dress sketches.

They were all designs Julian had sent for me to pick from.

Someone sneered sarcastically, "Oh, look at all these bridal gowns! Don't tell me you're crazy enough to crash Chad's wedding?"

My past history with Chad had already become the hottest gossip on set.

Exhausted, I reiterated calmly, "Whoever I marry, it will never be Chad."

The room went dead silent for a second, followed by an explosion of mocking laughter.

"Who does she think she's fooling? What a psycho!"

"I believe she doesn't have the audio."

Once the crowd dispersed, Chad suddenly gripped my wrist.

"Chloe, I know you still have feelings for me. But the gap between our worlds is too wide. We can never have a real future. Why torture yourself like this?"

I almost burst out laughing. He actually believed I was going to crash his wedding!

Seeing my reaction, he assumed I was breaking down from heartbreak, and his eyes softened with patronizing pity.

"Chloe, considering you waited for me for four years... on the day of my wedding, if you show up to stop it, I'll marry you."

"Really? Then what about Sienna? Would you leave her behind for me?" I yanked my hand back, my voice completely flat.

Seeing him hesitate, I held up my left hand, letting the ten-carat diamond ring catch the light right in front of his face.

"Chad, don't flatter yourself by thinking the world revolves around you."

"I'm already getting married. To the true master of the Sterling family. Someone very different from you."

Chad's smug expression instantly morphed into venomous rage. His fingers clamped around my throat, squeezing until I couldn't breathe.

"Chloe, you've really grown some balls! You dared to go behind my back and seduce another man?"

"Tomorrow, you show up at my wedding whether you want to or not. Otherwise, neither you nor that pathetic bastard will survive!"

I struggled, tearing myself from his grip and gasping for air.

Even then, I didn't back down. Looking into his cold, arrogant eyes, I said, "Chad, do you really think Sienna is completely innocent?"

Chad scoffed with contempt. "You think everyone is as filthy as you? Sienna's love for me is pure. You? You're nothing."

With that, he spun around and left.

As I turned into the stairwell, I caught sight of Sienna and Chad whispering.

"Chad, if she really shows up... you wouldn't actually marry her, would you?"

Chad's answer was utterly careless: "I'm just stringing her along."

"My marriage was arranged by the family. Even the bridal dress was chosen by the Harringtons. It's boring as hell."

"Having someone crash the venue just adds some drama. Did you really think I'd marry a nobody like her?"

"What about the Harringtons, then...?"

"The moment Chloe objects, I'll reject her publicly. Victoria Harrington will see that and fall head over heels for my loyalty. Once I secure the Harrington alliance and take over my mother's Apex Corp, I'll be set for life."

I dug my fingernails into my palms until they nearly drew blood.

In four short years, this man's shamelessness had reached depths I couldn't even fathom.