Chapter 1

I've been in love with Michael Montgomery for ten years. During this time, I've used all the Sullivan family's connections and resources to propel him to the top of the business world.

I even went as far as offending Lucas Anderson, the heir to a wealthy family in the city and my childhood friend, for Michael's sake.

As a result, Lucas has held a grudge against me for as long as I've been with Michael.

On the eve of our wedding, at the company's celebration party, Lucas showed up with a seductively dressed woman.

Right in front of me, he pushed Anna into Michael's arms, making sure I saw their ambiguous interaction.

I calmly called Lucas out, but my hand trembled as I tried to slap him, shaken by his words.

"Sophia, do you still think Michael truly loves you?"

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Lucas and I stood outside the private room. The sound of my slap was drowned out by the laughter from inside.

Lucas gripped the back of my neck tightly, pinning me against the doorframe. He hissed through gritted teeth:

"Take a good look! Do you still think this Michael loves you?"

Inside, Michael had his arm around Anna's waist. They were laughing about something, their faces full of joy.

Anna wore a low-cut evening gown, and Michael's gaze never left her chest.

Her hand traced his Adam's apple, causing Michael to chuckle repeatedly. He caught her hand and brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss.

The guests in the room were still teasing: "No wonder even the self-controlled Mr. Montgomery is smitten with Miss Anna's charm!"

"You flatter me," Anna replied coyly. "I'm no match for Mrs. Montgomery. Isn't that right, Mr. Montgomery?"

Anna boldly took Michael's hand and removed his wedding ring, playing with it.

That ring was specially designed with both of us involved in every step, from material selection to production.

Michael frowned and reached out to take it back, but Anna deliberately leaned in and kissed him directly on the lips.

He didn't push her away. After the kiss, he looked at Anna nestled in his arms and smiled helplessly:

"Fine, play with it if you like."

I leaned against the door, my face ashen, watching as they started kissing again. I finally couldn't take it anymore and turned to push Lucas away.

Lucas let out a cold laugh and started questioning me:

"Sophia, are you really willing to ruin the rest of your life for ten years of feelings with this scumbag?"

"It's because he's drunk!" I retorted, my eyes red.

I suddenly turned back, making sure my outburst hadn't alerted the people inside. Then I grabbed Lucas's collar and pushed him into a corner.

"You deliberately took advantage of him being drunk to send that woman to ruin his reputation!"

I deliberately lowered my voice, feeling my throat go dry. I instinctively continued to defend Michael.

"We've been in love for ten years! Ten years, do you understand? I know him better than anyone!"

"And you, heir to a wealthy family, what are you? You're just a jerk!"

I composed myself and pushed past Lucas to enter the private room.

Inside, Michael and Anna had already resumed their proper postures upon hearing the commotion.

Seeing me enter, Michael habitually stood up to pull out a chair for me, placing a plate of prepared seafood in front of me.

The ring was still in Anna's hand, and Michael deliberately avoided that empty hand as he held the plate.

Noticing my upset expression, he pulled me into his arms, asking with concern:

"What's wrong, Sophia? Are you feeling unwell?"

I buried my head deeper into his chest and said softly, "It's nothing. I might have had too much to drink. I feel a bit tipsy."

Michael called over a waiter, giving him a generous tip to buy some stomach medicine and prepare a bowl of sobering soup.

He was always like this, attentive to every little detail about me.

I looked up at him steadily and tentatively asked, "What were you talking about with Miss Anna just now? You seemed so happy."

Michael hesitated for a moment before responding, "Oh, nothing much. Just some work stuff."

But as I lowered my head, I saw what was happening under the table.

Anna kept rubbing her leg against Michael's, and Michael was using his shoe to lift her skirt and caress her, the atmosphere incredibly intimate.

A wave of nausea hit me, and suddenly Michael's embrace felt utterly disgusting.

I abruptly stood up, grabbing my bag to leave. "I'm not feeling well. I'm going home first."

Michael instinctively wanted to follow, but Anna caught his hand and placed it on her collar:

"Mr. Montgomery, I'm feeling a bit drunk too."

Michael hesitated for a moment, choosing not to move his hand away. He only called for a driver, instructing him to take me home safely.

As I was leaving, I bumped into Lucas, who hadn't left yet. He was smoking, and through the smoke, I couldn't clearly see the look in his eyes as he gazed at me.

But I imagined it must have been mockery.

On the way home, I looked at the ring on my finger, tears falling uncontrollably.

Michael, did he truly love me?

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