Chapter 2

The dark water swallowed me whole, and from above, muffled laughter echoed across the surface.

"Damn, Julian, you're generous. That custom Vera Wang cost a quarter of a million, completely ruined."

"Whatever. She’s been with me for three years. She owes me that much."

Julian brushed off the comment with a careless shrug, though glancing at the still water gave him a twinge of unease.

"Someone drag her out. Let's not turn this into a circus for the media."

Bianca clung to his drenched arm, pouting. "Are you feeling bad for her?"

Julian pinched her cheek playfully. "How could I? I just don't want her throwing another hysterical tantrum and ruining our day. Today is supposed to be a celebration. You guys pull her out. I'm going to change."

He turned on his heel and walked away. Bianca watched the surface of the pond, a cruel smirk touching her lips, before running after him. "The minute isn't even up yet! We'll get her in a bit. Julian, wait for me!"

One by one, the guests trickled back toward the reception hall. Nobody stayed behind to check on the woman underwater.

My lungs were burning like fire. Gritting my teeth, I reached behind my back and wrenched the gown open.

Thank God I had insisted the designer install a heavy-duty side zipper. The second the heavy fabric slipped off my body, I kicked against the pond floor and shot toward the surface!

The moment cold air hit my face, I gasped for breath, coughing out water. I swam to the edge, pulled myself up onto the stone landing with trembling limbs, and looked around.

The garden was dead empty.

A bitter, freezing laugh escaped my lips. I marched into the poolside cabana, tore a dry linen tablecloth off the buffet table, and wrapped it tightly around myself.

I flagged down a passing server and borrowed his phone to dial 911.

"Hello? I need police at the Vance Estate immediately. There's been an attempted murder and grand larceny."

The young server stared at my bleeding forehead and drenched hair in absolute horror. After hanging up, I slipped into the private dressing room, booted up my laptop, and went straight to work. With a few swift commands, I deleted every proprietary algorithm, core framework, and cyber-defense system Vance Technologies was currently developing.

Three years. Every single line of code was the result of my sleepless nights. Julian genuinely believed his genius resurrected his family’s empire.

He had no idea that without my architecture, his company was nothing more than an empty shell.

I had already patented the latest system under my personal LLC weeks ago. Now, I executed the pre-set transfer to sell the exclusive license.

Next, I liquidated every single share of Vance Technologies stock I held.

Finally, I compiled our multimillion-dollar contract negotiations and forwarded every file to Julian’s biggest corporate rival, on one single condition: crush Vance Tech completely.

I did it all with terrifying composure. Once finished, I showered, threw on a clean cocktail dress, blew my hair dry, and called hotel management. I told them I had prepared a surprise wedding tribute for the groom and needed full access to the ballroom's main projector and central control feed.

The stage was set.

Meanwhile, Julian had slipped into a crisp, dry tuxedo. Bianca lingered by his side in the green room, tears welling in her eyes.

"Julian, do you really have to go back out there? That woman doesn't deserve you!"

"Do you have any idea what my life was like these past three years? Why does she get to wear your ring?"

"My parents forced me to go abroad! I was alone, terrified, struggling every single day!"

Julian held her shoulders, his voice softening as she broke down. "Bianca, listen... she stayed by my side for three years. My parents and the board already view her as Mrs. Vance. I can't just—"

"I don't believe you! You two are just business partners! Have you completely forgotten how much I suffered out there without you?"

Julian let out a heavy sigh, pulling her into an embrace. "Bianca, you know you'll always have a place in my heart. She will never replace you."