Chapter 3

During the month of our divorce waiting period,

Victoria Vance’s Instagram was incredibly active.

She used to complain constantly about my inability to have children. She only held back because Julian protected me and because of the Sterling family's influence.

Now that Julian and I were parting ways, and she suddenly had a grandson, she couldn't stop bragging.

Every day, she posted nine-image grids showing off the luxury postpartum suite and the baby.

At first, she tested the waters with subtle gloating:

[Grandma’s little angel is here! A healthy eight-pound baby boy. He takes after his mom. Lacey is so strong and amazing!]

Then, she shared a passive-aggressive article titled, "Ten Qualities of a Good Wife."

She commented:

[Thank god Lacey is fertile, or the Vance bloodline would have ended! I shudder just thinking about it.]

In the end, she stopped hiding it entirely and posted:

[Lacey is a million times better than that useless ex-wife. I hope Lacey recovers quickly so she can give us a granddaughter next!]

It was hilarious to watch.

But I played the heartbroken victim for a whole month, milking Julian’s guilt for all it was worth.

When the divorce was finalized, I walked away with two billion dollars in cash and five luxury properties in prime downtown locations.

At first, I didn't really understand what two billion dollars meant.

Until my wealth manager told me that the daily interest alone was about a hundred and sixty thousand dollars.

That meant no matter how late I slept in and nothing I spent each day, a hundred and sixty thousand more dollars would be waiting for me the next morning.

How exhausting.

Too much money is truly a burden.

Holding the divorce certificate, I looked up at Julian.

For the sake of the two billion, I gave him a sweet, polite smile.

"Mr. Vance, I wish you and Lacey a lifetime of happiness."

"Take care of yourself."

Julian seemed choked up by the formal "Mr. Vance." He instinctively reached out to grab my wrist.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say more.

"Julian!"

Lacey's voice suddenly cut in.

She stepped quickly out of a luxury van parked by the curb. To mark her territory, she wrapped her arm around Julian's right in front of me.

Her eyes swept over the divorce papers in my hand, and she could barely contain her smug grin.

"I'm still recovering, and I shouldn't be out in the wind. But on such an important day, how could I not be by your side? Serena, you don't mind that I took him, do you?"

"Even though our parents kicked me out of the Sterling house back then, you'll always be my only sister in my heart."

"Julian and I are going to host our wedding and the baby's party together. You absolutely must come!"

I sneered inwardly.

Lacey hadn't even cleaned up her own mess yet, and here she was, trying to flex on me.

Thinking about the dirt my private investigator had sent me a few days ago, I decided to give the happy couple an early wedding present.

I grabbed Lacey's hand, my eyes turning red with fake emotion.

"How could I blame you, my sweet sister?"

"I heard that after you left the Sterling family, you worked at 'The Velvet Room.' Hosting clients and pouring drinks... that must have been so hard. You almost got into major trouble... luckily, that old client, Mr. Marcus Kane, had a change of heart and got you a job at the luxury boutique counter."

"And that's how you met Julian."

Julian’s face turned instantly dark the moment he heard "The Velvet Room."

That was a highly exclusive, shady VIP lounge.

With Lacey's looks, she certainly wasn't working there as a cashier.

He yanked his arm out of Lacey's grip and turned on her.

"You worked at The Velvet Room?"

Seeing Julian snap,

I quickly covered my mouth, looking shocked and regretful.

"Lacey... you didn't tell Julian about that?"

Lacey panicked.

It had been almost ten years. The owner of The Velvet Room had changed.

How could I possibly know about this?

Lacey reached out again to grab Julian’s arm, but he pushed her away in disgust.

"I... I didn't! No!"

"Julian, don't listen to her! She's trying to ruin me!"

I listened to her accusations, shook my head, and looked at her like she was a misbehaving child.

"Lacey, you don't understand. Julian hates being lied to more than anything."

"Besides, some secrets can't be kept forever. People in our circle used to see you at The Velvet Room back then. When Julian bumps into them in the future, it's going to be so... awkward."

I didn't finish the sentence. I just sighed, turned, and walked away.

Sure enough, before I even reached my car, I heard Julian’s roaring voice behind me:

"A cashier? My ass!"

"Lacey, don't you dare play me for a fool. We both know what kind of place that is. You better tell me the truth right now!"

"Or when I find out myself, I'll make your life a living hell!"