Chapter 3

A collective gasp rippled through the guests.

The sheer audacity of her words made me laugh out of pure rage.

"She steals my blood and sweat to land a job, and I'm supposed to throw her a parade?"

"On what grounds? Because her skin is thicker than a brick wall?"

Tyler frowned, staring at me with deep irritation.

"Summer, you have no grace at all."

"Even if you did draw it, what’s the big deal if Chloe borrows it?"

"Family shares everything!"

"No wonder I fell out of love with you. A petty, calculative woman like you was never good enough for me anyway."

I was so enraged that laughter burst from my lips.

Staring at Tyler’s smug face, I didn't hold back.

"You mistake my silence for weakness, Tyler?"

"A cheating scumbag and a two-faced snake—honestly, you two are a match made in a landfill."

"Do the world a favor, tie yourselves together, and never taint anyone else!"

Tyler’s face darkened, and he raised his hand to strike me.

My maid of honor reacted instantly, shoving him back.

"Back off! You dare lay a finger on her?!"

"You people are utter trash!"

Chloe took the chance to pull herself upright from Tyler's arms.

She patted her messy hair, her expression turning insolent and arrogant.

"Summer, I’m done arguing with you."

"No matter what you say today, the gold trophy has my name carved on it."

"Besides, Mr. Hayes from Pinnacle Group handpicked me for my talent."

"He's actually coming to the reception today."

"Keep making a scene and piss off Mr. Hayes, and the entire family will go down with you!"

At the mention of Pinnacle Group, Brenda stood tall and proud.

"Did you hear that?!"

"Pinnacle Group is the titan of the luxury jewelry world!"

"Mr. Hayes will be here any second!"

"Summer, delete those raw files right now and sign a waiver forfeiting all copyright claims!"

My dad pulled a pre-printed document from his jacket pocket.

He slammed it onto the table and forced a pen into my hand.

"Here's the waiver. Sign your name right now!"

"If you don't sign, consider yourself disowned!"

I looked down at the paper.

In crisp black ink, it stated that I confessed to plagiarizing Chloe White’s work and voluntarily surrendered all legal claims.

I let out a bitter laugh.

They had planned this all along.

Today wasn't a wedding; it was an ambush.

If I hadn't pulled the security footage in advance...

If I hadn't brought the source files...

They would have pinned me to the floor and forced my hand onto this modern-day slave contract.

I raised my eyes, my gaze sweeping over every single one of these so-called relatives.

With a sudden burst of strength, I flipped the banquet table in front of me.

Glasses shattered with a deafening crash, red wine spilling across the floor like blood.

"You want me to sign?"

"In your dreams."

"Not only will I never sign, but I am calling the police right now."

Chloe’s expression flickered, but she quickly masked it with smug confidence.

"Call the police?"

"You think they care about petty family drama?"

"Even if they come, Pinnacle’s legal team will squash this before it even hits a courtroom."

"Summer, what chance do you honestly think you have against me?"

She stepped forward, leaning close to my ear.

In a whisper meant only for me, she hissed gleefully:

"Tyler is mine. The award is mine. The Pinnacle offer is mine."

"You're an absolute loser, Summer."

"How do you plan on fighting back?"

I didn't waste a breath.

I reared my hand back and swung.

Smack!

A crisp, thunderous slap exploded against Chloe’s cheek.

Chloe shrieked and dropped like a sack of bricks to the floor.