Chapter 3

In the hotel lobby, the manager recognized me instantly.

He stood at the entrance of the grand ballroom, a look of embarrassment plastered on his face.

"Ms. Sterling, the venue layout has been changed."

"Changed to what?"

"Miss Vance's birthday party."

My fingers tightened on my bag's strap.

I had personally booked this venue six months ago.

The deposit, the floral arrangements, the lighting---every single dime had come from my personal bank account.

Carter hadn't said a single word to me about this.

"Show me the receipt," I said coldly.

The manager tried to brush it off, rubbing his hands. "Mr. Hayes instructed us..."

"I want to see the receipt," I interrupted.

Unable to win the argument, he pulled out the booking contract.

In the payer column: my name, in bold black ink.

I snapped a picture of the contract and called hotel security.

When the ballroom doors were pushed open, the party inside was in full swing.

Chloe sat in the center seat, wearing a pink tulle dress, surrounded by a dozen of Carter's relatives.

Some were handing her gifts; others were taking photos with their phones.

A three-tier champagne tower stood nearby, the top glass bubbling merrily.

When she saw me, she froze.

Then, she smiled.

It was the kind of smile she was best at---delicate, innocent, with just the right amount of panic.

"Grace?" She instinctively shrank back into the crowd.

I didn't even look at her. I walked straight to the audio control panel and ripped out the power cord.

The music cut out instantly. The speakers let out a sharp, ear-piercing screech as the power died.

Someone's hand shook, knocking over a champagne glass.

The entire hall fell dead silent.

Carter stood up from the back and walked over to me in a few quick strides, his face pale with anger.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Canceling my booking."

"Our family is all here---"

"You used my money," I interrupted, "to throw her a birthday party?"

He paused.

I could tell. He thought the company had paid for it.

He probably hadn't even looked at the payment records.

"My assistant booked it," he said, sounding defensive.

I slapped the contract onto the table.

The paper landed on the red tablecloth, covering Chloe's unopened gift boxes.

"Look at the payer name yourself."

He looked down, his throat tightening.

Whispers began to break out in the hall.

One of Carter's aunts frowned. "Carter, what's going on here?"

He didn't answer.

Right on cue, Chloe's eyes welled with tears.

She grabbed the sleeve of the aunt next to her, her voice trembling perfectly.

"I didn't know... I really didn't know this was Grace's venue..."

Her nose turned red, tears clinging to her eyelashes.

Without giving her a single glance, I turned to the manager.

"Here's the contract. I'm the payer. Clear the room."

The manager hesitated for two seconds.

He looked at the contract, then at Carter, and finally nodded to the security guards.

The staff began clearing the tables.

A waiter fumbled while moving the champagne tower, and one of the bottom glasses shattered against the edge of the table.

The sound of breaking glass was sharp, and champagne spilled all over the table.

Balloons were deflated one by one, sinking onto the carpet.

Chloe finally covered her face and ran out of the room.

Several relatives scrambled to follow her.

Carter stood in the middle of the mess, his fists clenched, silent.

I took my contract back and turned to leave.

Behind me, his voice came, low and strained.

"Are you happy now?"

I didn't stop walking.

"I'll remember what happened today. Think carefully before next week's project meeting."

I pushed open the glass doors of the lobby.

The sun outside was blinding. I squinted.

Standing on the steps, I pulled out my phone. The business card of our competitor, Mr. Davis, was still tucked inside my phone case.

Before dialing, my throat tightened slightly, but my hand was perfectly steady.

It rang twice before he picked up.

"Mr. Davis, this is Grace Sterling."

"About the proposal we discussed last time... I'd like to schedule a time to meet."