Chapter 4

"Most of you probably heard that I used to be blind. I mistook a piece of glass for a diamond and dragged out a pointless relationship for five whole years!"

A wave of snickers rippled through the crowd.

I could feel countless eyes on me—some pitiful, some mocking, some gloating. I kept my back straight, my nails digging into my palms, but maintained a neutral face.

"Those five years were like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from. I gave her my heart, and she stepped on it. I planned a future, and she cheated."

Julian’s tone was dramatic, as if he were the ultimate victim.

Then, he raised his voice, looking at Chloe with deep affection:

"Thankfully, karma is real!"

"It was Chloe! The girl I always thought was my 'rival' was actually the one standing by me, never leaving my side! She woke me up and showed me what real love looks like!"

Chloe lowered her head right on cue, her eyes glistening with tears as she put on a shy, touched act.

Julian wrapped his arm around her waist and continued:

"Chloe, I was an idiot before. Today, in front of everyone, I’m asking you to marry me! I want the woman who wasted five years of my life to see what real love actually is!"

With that, Julian pulled out a velvet box and got down on one knee.

The most hilarious part? The ring.

It was the exact same ring he had used to propose to me.

He was literally throwing my dignity and my past feelings onto the floor and stomping on them.

Chloe nodded eagerly, and amid the cheers of the crowd, Julian stood up and kissed her passionately.

The crowd clapped and cheered.

But Julian’s gaze drifted over Chloe’s shoulder, locking onto me like a venomous snake, full of triumph. He mouthed silently:

*I. Don't. Want. You. Anymore.*

The applause faded, but the whispers didn't.

Julian wasn't done humiliating me. He raised the mic and called me out directly:

"Sienna, we have history. Now that I’ve found my true love, aren't you going to say 'congratulations'?"

Muffled laughter echoed around me as everyone waited to see me break down.

I took a deep breath. Instead of backing away, I took a step forward, meeting his arrogant gaze.

"Congratulations?"

My voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the whispers clearly.

"If anyone is getting congratulated tonight, it should be me."

Julian’s smirk froze, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.

"I was going to wait a couple of days to announce this through an official press release. But since you're so eager to know, I might as well share the good news now."

Under everyone's puzzled stares, I slowly raised my left hand.

I revealed my ring finger, which had been discreetly hidden.

An antique, breathtakingly powerful diamond ring sat securely on my finger.

"I'm engaged."

Julian’s smug expression shattered. He burst into laughter:

"Sienna, have you lost your mind?"

"You put on a cheap ring and think you can lie your way out of this?"

"If I remember correctly, you came here alone tonight. Where is your fiancé? Is he too embarrassed to show his face? Or did you run out of money to hire an actor?"

The crowd erupted into even louder laughter.

My voice went ice-cold:

"Julian, look closer. Don't you find this ring familiar?"

His eyes instinctively locked onto the ring.

Suddenly, realization hit him, and his pupils dilated in horror.

"This is the Sterling family heirloom ring, passed down to the matriarch of the family."

"And you called it cheap?"

I met Julian's completely panicked eyes and said clearly:

"I came alone tonight because my fiancé is currently hosting this gala in the Sterling estate."

"Julian, the man I am marrying is your adoptive father—Dominic Sterling."