Chapter 2

The woman sneering at me was Chloe, Jessica’s loyal sidekick.

Looking around, I spotted dozens of familiar faces—all of our old college classmates.

And right in the center of the crowd, dressed in an extravagant white lace gown, stood Jessica Vance.

She scanned me from head to toe with absolute disgust.

"Audrey Sterling, if you came to beg me for scraps, the least you could do is look presentable. Showing up in cheap, frumpy rags like this only proves how little respect you have for me!"

"All these years after graduation, and you haven't improved one bit. No wonder your life is a disaster, reduced to popping out a kid for some fat, hideous old creep!"

Jessica was as toxic as ever. I frowned in disgust.

Sure, my postpartum body wasn't back to its runway standard yet, but it was nowhere near what she claimed. Lucas had spent nearly a hundred grand on elite postpartum recovery programs alone.

Besides, I was just coming to my own house. Why would I dress to the nines?

I swallowed my temper. Many of our former classmates here had been decent people.

Today was supposed to be her wedding day. Even if she was a pathologically vain liar, I didn't want to humiliate her in front of everyone.

I said flatly, "I didn't come for your wedding. I came to my own house. It's a coincidence."

"And as for the rumors, let me clear the air. My husband isn't an ugly old creep. He’s young, wildly successful, and treats me like a queen."

"Wisdom silences rumors. We were classmates once; there’s no need to make this ugly."

Chloe let out a loud snort, crossing her arms arrogantly.

"Oh please, Audrey! Are you seriously bragging about your pathetic marriage right now?"

Brad, our former class president, stepped forward and pointed toward the massive portrait display near the villa entrance.

"Audrey, don't you feel any shame trying to flex in front of us? Jessica is marrying Lucas Adams—a titan of the business world! He has the looks, the power, and the fortune."

"Your nobody husband isn't fit to shine his shoes. Stop making a fool of yourself!"

I followed his finger to the display wall.

My blood ran cold. The man in the photograph was unmistakably Lucas.

There was no mistake now. The groom Jessica was marrying was my husband.

A sickening sense of absurdity hit me. What kind of sick game was she playing?

I marched forward, leaning in close so only she could hear my low, venomous whisper: "Lucas Adams is my husband. I suggest you quit while you're ahead, Jessica. Otherwise, you won't survive how this ends."

Instead of flinching, Jessica’s face darkened, and she raised her hand, slapping me across the face with all her might.

*Smack!*

"Audrey Sterling! You really are a shameless leach! Back in college, you stole my art submissions, and now you have the nerve to claim my husband?!"

She glared at me and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Everyone, guess what I just heard?"

"Audrey just claimed Lucas is her husband!"

The lawn erupted in collective outrage.

"What the hell? Has she lost her damn mind?"

"Look at her—exhausted, plain, washed-up! Mr. Adams wouldn't look at her if she were the last woman on Earth!"

"Jessica was way too soft-hearted back then! She never should have forgiven her for the plagiarism. Scum like Audrey doesn't deserve pity!"

I clutched my stinging cheek, trembling with rage. "Jessica Vance! That contest piece was mine, and you stole it!"

"I stayed silent back then because your family was dead broke and desperately needed the prize money! And you dare turn this on me?!"

Jessica curled her lips into a cruel, unbothered smirk.

"Fine. Since you claim I stole your art, and that Lucas is your husband... where’s your proof?"