Chapter 3

No wonder Caleb could be so unscrupulous, using his mother's supposed illness to frame me.

The critical illness was a complete lie.

I sent Seraphina a text: "Caleb's mother is fine. The truth is in the email I just sent you."

Whether she read it or not was no longer my concern.

My flight was booked for three days later, personally arranged by Blair Sterling.

When Seraphina returned, she found me packing.

Half my clothes were being discarded, a small portion shipped to San Francisco.

"Why are you packing?" Seraphina's expression was hesitant.

I vaguely replied, "Moving."

She paused for a moment, not catching on, and continued, talking to herself.

"The Vance family's headquarters are in San Francisco. We're supposed to settle there after we're married, so it makes sense to start packing early."

Then, her gaze turned stern as she looked directly at me.

"About Caleb's mother, apologize as soon as possible, don't make things difficult for me. How about at the wedding? What do you think?"

She finished speaking and tossed her phone aside to look for her ID—today was the day she and Caleb were going to the city hall to register their marriage.

She didn't come back until evening. I opened my phone, and Caleb's message popped up.

The picture showed Seraphina and him in matching outfits, sharing a bed.

I closed my eyes, but my heart still throbbed with a sharp pang.

I suppressed the emotion, turning off my phone.

Late that night, the phone by my pillow vibrated every hour. Each vibration meant Caleb had sent another video of him and Seraphina, a naked provocation.

Until the next morning, when Blair Sterling sent me a message.

"Mr. Vance, the flower has bloomed. You can come back now."

The accompanying image showed two marriage certificates and a pot with a vibrant Queen of the Night cactus flower in full bloom.

I hadn't realized that the tiny plant I'd casually given her years ago, she had meticulously cared for until now.

An inexplicable, strange emotion swelled in my chest.

I replied with one word: "Okay."

I put down my phone and began to pack my laptop and work documents. I didn't know when Seraphina had returned.

She was packing her everyday luggage. "I'm moving in with Caleb for a few days, he can't manage preparing for the wedding alone. Remember to be at the wedding on time the day after tomorrow, don't be late."

After saying that, she went on a long explanation, mostly about how she was just helping out normally and that I shouldn't cause any more trouble.

"Mmhmm, I won't be there." I said, my eyes lowered.

After last night, the last shred of affection I had for her was completely gone.

Seraphina looked at my calm demeanor, an unnamed dread washing over her. She suddenly hesitated.

But recalling Caleb's insistent dependence, her grip on her phone loosened.

Leo Vance loves her so much, what could possibly go wrong?

Thinking this, she breathed a sigh of relief, no longer bothering me, and vanished from my sight.

I watched her retreating back and made a call.

That same evening, a helicopter landed in the plaza.

A staff member approached. "Mr. Vance, your helicopter has arrived. You'll be safely transported to South City in half an hour."

I nodded, then handed him a file.

"Deliver this to the wedding venue tomorrow. It's my wedding gift for the happy couple."