Chapter 3

While waiting, I whispered to my dad, telling him to immediately gather all the evidence of William embezzling company funds.

"Once you have it, email it directly to the Board of Directors and the SEC," I instructed.

Since he wanted to save his darling Grace so badly, he could pay for it with his CEO title.

Arthur arrived even faster than promised.

He was wearing a bespoke black suit, with a light dusting of snow on his shoulders. The moment he stepped through the heavy oak doors, every eye in the room locked onto him.

He walked straight to me and handed me a black velvet box with his long, elegant fingers.

"I happen to carry a ring with me. The size should be perfect."

I took the box and opened it. The ring inside was exactly my style, and when I slid it on, it fit perfectly.

"Are you sure about this, Arthur? If you marry me, you and William will be sworn enemies in the business world."

He took my hand without a second thought. His voice was deep, warm, and steady.

"I have never been more sure of anything in my life."

The priest recovered quickly, clearing his throat and announcing that the ceremony would proceed.

The remaining guests went from shocked murmurs to stunned silence, which quickly erupted into thunderous applause.

As Arthur and I exchanged rings, he leaned down and pressed a gentle, feather-light kiss against my lips.

"Ann, from this day on, I’ll protect you."

Feeling the warmth of his palm, the anxiety that had gripped my chest for two lifetimes finally dissolved.

The moment the ceremony ended, my phone vibrated like crazy.

It was a text from William on SnapChat.

[Ann, I know you’re just doing this to get back at me. Hiring an actor to play your groom? Really?]

[Apologize to me right now, and I might consider coming back to finish the wedding later tonight.]

I figured his assistant, who had stayed behind, must have sent him photos of me and Arthur.

I didn't reply. I just locked my screen.

A second later, my phone rang. It was him. His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Ann, you really are desperate to get me back, aren't you? Hiring some random guy to play a role? You think this is funny?"

Before I could speak, Grace’s weak, trembling voice came through the receiver in the background.

"William, don't blame Ann. She probably just loves you too much. She acted on impulse..."

"Oh, by the way, I just asked the nurse... she said the brake lines on my car looked really strange, like someone tampered with them..."

William’s fury instantly boiled over the line. I could practically feel his rage through the screen.

"Ann! Was it you? Are you so jealous of Grace that you tried to murder her?!"

Hearing this utterly ridiculous accusation, I laughed out loud.

"I don't have the time or the interest to touch her cheap car, William. Believe what you want."

"Stop lying! Why would Grace accuse you if it wasn't true?"

He was completely deaf to reason. I didn't want to waste my breath, so I hung up and blocked his number on everything.

Right after I blocked him, a text from an unknown number popped up.

[If you want my forgiveness, come to the hospital, get on your knees, and apologize to Grace. And you’re going to sign over your corneas to her. She might go blind.]

[Do it, or I’m calling the police and throwing you in federal prison.]

I stared at the text, then slid my phone over to Arthur.

Arthur glanced at the screen, and his eyes instantly turned predatory and cold.

"Do you want me to handle this?"

I shook my head, raising my glass of champagne to clink against his.

"No. I want to ruin him myself."