Chapter 3

Next year. Always next year.

How many eight-year periods does a person have to waste waiting for a promise that will never be kept?

Arthur’s bet was only for eight years.

And my youth only lasted those eight years, too.

"There is no next year."

I stepped aside, dodging his hand. My movement was so sharp that he grabbed empty air.

Julian’s hand froze, and his face darkened instantly.

"Vivian, don't push it! I’ve already lowered myself to apologize. What more do you want?"

"I don't want anything."

I walked past him, heading straight toward Chloe, who was standing there looking innocent but holding a smug look in her eyes.

Seeing me approach, she shrunk back. "Vivian... don't be mad. I’ll take it off. I’ll take it off right now..."

"No need."

I stood in front of her, staring at the pristine white fabric.

It was so beautiful.

Just like my heart when I first fell in love with Julian—clean, pure, untouched by dirt.

But now, it was filthy.

"Since this dress is dirty, worn by someone who shouldn't touch it, it might as well be ruined."

My voice was very soft, barely a whisper.

Before either of them could react, I grabbed a bottle of unopened red wine from the decorative champagne tower near the door.

The bottle was freezing, pressing painfully into my palm.

"Vivian! Don't you dare!" Julian roared, realizing what I was about to do.

Too late.

Pop! Splash—

The cork was forced open, and the dark red liquid arched through the air in a dramatic, decisive wave.

Precise, ruthless, without a single shred of hesitation.

The entire bottle of red wine poured over the multi-million-dollar silver gown.

The red wine stained the white silk instantly, spreading along the threads like bleeding roses blooming in the snow. It was shocking, wild, and tragic.

"Ah! My dress!"

Chloe screamed, grabbing the skirt in panic. But the wine had already soaked through. The once-ethereal gown was now a complete, ruined mess.

"Vivian! Are you insane?!"

Julian was livid, his eyes bloodshot. He rushed forward, shoved me aside, and hurriedly wrapped his own suit jacket around the shivering Chloe.

When he turned back to me, his hand flew up, carrying the force of a hurricane, aiming right for my face.

"How did you become so malicious?!"

The wind from his hand stung my cheek before it even hit.

I didn't dodge.

If this slap landed, it would completely sever the very last thread of gratitude I owed the Kingsley family.

I closed my eyes, waiting for the blow.

But the expected pain never came.

Instead, a dull thud echoed in my ears—the sound of bone colliding with bone.

I opened my eyes.

A long, powerful hand had reached out from behind me.

With sharp knuckles and a black luxury watch around his wrist, the hand locked around Julian's wrist like a steel vice.

Then, a deep, raspy voice—carrying a lazy chuckle but sending chills down everyone's spine—echoed through the hallway:

"Mr. Kingsley, hitting a woman in public? Is this the famous Kingsley family manners?"

I turned my head and locked eyes with a pair of bottomless dark eyes.

When I realized who it was, my heart skipped a beat.

Damian Thorne.

The head of the Thorne Empire, the notorious "mad dog" of the investment world.

Rumor had it he was ruthless and completely unpredictable. Three years ago, he had returned to the Thorne family alone and completely crushed his illegitimate uncles and cousins. He was the Kingsley Group’s biggest rival in the market, and the one man Julian feared the most.

"Damian Thorne? This is none of your business!"

Julian’s face turned green when he recognized him. He struggled to pull his hand back.

But Damian’s grip was terrifyingly strong. He didn't budge an inch, keeping a playful smirk on his face while his eyes remained locked on me.

His gaze was intense, carrying curiosity, amusement, and something else... a strange, burning heat?

"It wasn't my business," Damian said, casually letting go. Julian stumbled back half a step, looking completely disheveled.

Damian adjusted his spotless cuffs, speaking in a relaxed tone, "But the way this lady poured that wine just now was beautiful. The angle, the force... it was pure art. I’m a man who appreciates talent. I couldn't help but want to applaud."