Chapter 4

The charity gala was a glittering affair of high society.

Holding a glass of champagne, I sat alone in a quiet corner to avoid the crowd.

But Serena just had to find me. She walked straight over and stopped right in front of my chair.

"Hey, Vivian. Enjoying some peace and quiet all by yourself?"

Her smile was bright, but her eyes were dripping with malice.

Without waiting for me to reply, she held up her right hand. A massive diamond ring on her finger caught the light, sparkling brilliantly.

"Do you like it? Carter picked it out just for me."

"He said we’re going to announce our engagement next month. If you have time, you should definitely come to our party."

I glanced at the ring, letting out a soft chuckle.

"Well, an engagement ring from the Coles isn't exactly a lifetime contract, is it? Carter and I were engaged too. Look how that turned out. Until you actually sign a marriage license, a ring is just a piece of rock."

I leaned forward slightly. "By the way, I heard Mr. and Mrs. Cole still refuse to see you?"

My words were soft, but they stabbed Serena right where it hurt.

Carter’s parents absolutely despised her, and they had practically threatened to disown him over her.

Serena’s face turned pale, then flushed with embarrassment and anger.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

I took a sip of my champagne, my gaze passing over her as if she were air.

"Nothing. It’s just that some champagne is poorly aged—sour and hard to swallow. Just like some people, trying so hard to squeeze into a circle they don't belong to. Don't you think, Serena?"

Her chest heaved with rage, her knuckles turning white.

Yet, she couldn't find a single word to fight back.

Right then, a tall figure hurried over. It was Carter.

He frowned deeply, seeing Serena looking pale and shaken. He turned to me, his tone filled with clear annoyance.

"Vivian, that’s enough."

"Serena is innocent and sweet. You don't need to use your petty mind games to bully her."

Serena immediately hid behind his back, clinging to his arm.

They looked so perfect together.

I let out a mocking laugh, staring straight into his eyes. "Well, look at that, Carter. It seems your 'touch aversion' is miraculously cured."

I took a half-step forward, forcing him to look at me. His face instantly went rigid.

"Don't worry, I have no interest in her."

"As long as she doesn't bother me, I won't waste my breath on her. After all, once you pick up someone else's trash, you should keep it hidden. Parading it around only makes you look ridiculous."

With that, I turned around and walked away.

Having my peace ruined by those two completely spoiled my mood.

After hiding in the lounge for another half hour, the gala was finally wrapping up.

I checked the time, getting ready to leave early.

Suddenly, Serena rushed toward me, her face contorted in agony. She grabbed my wrist tightly, screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Vivian! What did you put in my drink?"

"That glass... I only drank the champagne you handed me!"

I frowned, immediately shaking her hand off my wrist.

"What kind of nonsense are you talking about?"

"I never gave you a drink."

But from a distance, two police officers were already walking quickly toward us, their faces grim.

Serena had called the police. She was accusing me of poisoning her.

Being escorted out by the police in front of the entire high society on a charge of drink-tampering would completely drag the Vance family's name through the mud.

In the rising panic, I looked at Carter, who was standing nearby.

"Carter! You were right there. You saw it, didn't you?"

"I never gave her a drink. Can you please explain that to the officers?"

Carter’s eyes shifted between me and Serena.

His expression was dark and incredibly complex. In the end, he avoided my gaze.

"There’s nothing to explain."

"Before the police investigate, no one's word counts. If this is a misunderstanding, I will personally bring Serena to your door to apologize later."

His words felt like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head.

It completely shattered the last shred of hope I had left.

Just as the officers stepped forward to put me in handcuffs, I made one last desperate move.

I took a step toward Carter, reaching out to grab his sleeve. My voice was trembling.

"Carter, we were together for three years."

"Do you really not trust me at all?"

However, the moment my fingers touched his fabric, Carter flinched violently as if he had been burned. He took a massive step back, evading my touch.

"I’m sorry... I have touch aversion. Please don't do this."

I stared at him, utterly paralyzed by shock.

Touch aversion?

He was still using that transparent lie to reject me.

Carter knew I was begging for help. He knew his 'touch aversion' was a lie. But he refused to help me, and he couldn't even be bothered to come up with a new excuse.

Vivian Vance’s seventy-third attempt to touch Carter Cole had failed.

But I knew this would be the last.

I looked at my empty hand and slowly pulled it back. All the struggle, the pain, and the love I had carried for him for three years died in an instant, leaving behind nothing but cold, lifeless ash.

I turned to the police officer and calmed down.

"Fine. I’ll go with you to the station."

Amid the whispers of the crowd, I gave Carter one final, icy look.

Carter froze, visibly pierced by my gaze. He subconsciously rubbed the sleeve I had just touched, as if some burning warmth still lingered there, leaving him utterly restless.

A strange, uncontrollable doubt crept into his mind.

Did he... make a mistake?

Because drink tampering was a serious public safety felony, I was detained overnight for questioning according to protocol.

The next morning, as the first light of dawn broke through the window, the detective walked in.

"Miss Vance, after a thorough investigation, the evidence does not support the charges against you."

"You are free to go."

I nodded, walked out of the precinct, and opened the door of the car that had been waiting for me.

"Take me to the airport."

"Also, tell our legal team to file a defamation lawsuit against Serena Shaw. Sue her talent agency too. She wanted to play dirty? I’m going to ruin her career."

I turned on my phone, which had been confiscated overnight.

The screen lit up, and hundreds of missed calls and texts from Carter flooded in, sent throughout the entire night.

I didn't read a single one. I blocked his number and deleted everything.

No hesitation.

Whether he felt regretful, wanted to explain, or was just trying to mock me—none of it mattered anymore.

At the airport, I grabbed my boarding pass and walked toward the gate without looking back. As the plane roared down the runway, the engine's noise drowned out all my past.

Coming to my door to apologize? Who cares?

Carter Cole.

From now on, we are strangers.