Chapter 4

Taking a deep breath, I lifted the train of my gown and walked up the steps to the central stage.

Carter practically dragged Chloe behind him as he rushed in from backstage with Eleanor trailing close behind.

Their faces were twisted in residual rage, but seeing the crowd, they were forced to plaster on stiff, awkward smiles.

"Natalie, stop this nonsense. Get down here right now," Carter hissed under his breath, trying to look composed.

Chloe assumed her trademark fragile pose, wringing her hands by the edge of the stage.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd below.

"What’s going on? Why hasn't the ceremony started?"

"Look at Carter’s face—did someone slap him?"

"Who is that girl clinging to Carter's arm like that?"

I tapped the microphone gently.

*Tap, tap.*

The room instantly quieted down.

I looked down at the Vance family with a calm smile.

"Distinguished guests, partners, and friends from the press. Good evening."

"Tonight was supposed to be the engagement celebration for Carter Vance and myself."

"Unfortunately, I have an announcement to make: the engagement is officially canceled."

A collective gasp echoed across the grand hall.

Carter’s face went crimson. He tried to lunge onto the stage to snatch the microphone.

"Natalie! Shut your mouth! Get down here right now!"

Before he could take two steps, two towering private security guards in black suits blocked his path like brick walls.

"Mr. Vance, step back."

Their voices were ice-cold.

Eleanor jumped up and down from the floor, pointing a trembling finger at me.

"Don't listen to her! The girl is completely insane!"

"She's just jealous of our Chloe! She's having a psychotic episode!"

I let out a soft laugh and clicked the remote in my hand.

The massive screen behind me flashed.

A crystal-clear, high-definition video began playing on the wall-to-wall display.

It was the exact footage recorded by the security camera inside the VIP lounge just minutes ago.

There was Chloe, flaunting the Imperial Jade bracelet with a smug smirk.

*"Too bad Carter said this bracelet looks way too tacky on you. He said someone with my delicate charm is the only one worthy of its elegance."*

Then came Carter’s entitled voice through the surround sound speakers:

*"Chloe just likes the bracelet. What's the big deal if she wears it for a bit?"*

Followed by Eleanor’s vile curses:

*"She’s an orphan whose parents are six feet under. Any dowry she brings into this family belongs to the Vances anyway."*

And finally, the crystal-clear close-up of Chloe intentionally loosening her fingers, letting the ten-million-dollar heirloom shatter on the stone floor.

The audio was deafening. The footage was undeniable.

The entire ballroom plummeted into a suffocating, dead silence.

Guests stared at the screen, jaws dropping in absolute disbelief.

"My god... are they out of their minds?"

"They stole an heirloom from a deceased mother and smashed it on purpose?!"

"The Vances are complete vultures! They were plotting to rob her blind before even tying the knot!"

"And who the hell is that Chloe girl? A 'foster sister'? She’s a homewrecking gold digger!"

The public sentiment flipped in a fraction of a second. Disgusted, venomous glares rained down upon Carter, his mother, and Chloe.

Chloe’s face turned ghostly pale. Her knees wobbled.

"No... that's not real... It’s deepfaked! It's all fabricated!"

She shrieked, desperate to defend herself, but nobody bought a single word.

Carter panicked. He looked around at the business partners he had spent months schmoozing, only to see them staring at him like he was garbage.

"Mr. Harrison, let me explain..."

The billionaire investor scoffed, taking a step back.

"Save your breath, Vance. All contracts between our firms are terminated immediately."

Another senior executive stood up.

"Same here. We don't do business with lowlife scumbags."

Several key clients walked out of the hall on the spot, shaking their heads in disgust.

Carter crumpled to the floor, his legs giving out completely.

Eleanor tried to resort to her usual street tricks, throwing herself onto the carpet and wailing.

"Where is the justice?! This evil woman is trying to kill my family!"

Before she could finish her sob story, the grand doors of the ballroom swung open once more.

A squad of armed police officers marched in with grave expressions.

Behind them stood the elite legal team from the city's top law firm, led by Arthur Miller.

"Who is Chloe Brooks?"

The lead detective held up his badge, his tone authoritative and firm.

Chloe flinched, trembling from head to toe as she backed away.

"I... I am. What is this about?"

The detective stared down at her coldly.

"We received a report of felony property destruction and grand larceny involving high-value personal assets."

"You are under arrest. Please come with us."