Chapter 3

When it came to Tristan, Victoria always moved fast.

We'd barely signed the papers in the morning when she arranged a press conference for the evening, having her assistant invite me to attend and clarify the situation. I didn't say anything.

The assistant, assuming I would refuse, relayed Victoria's message. He said, "Mr. Sterling, you really should attend this press conference. If not for Ms. Dawson, then for your own reputation."

I paused for a second, then scoffed. Victoria was threatening me. She wanted to use the same old tactics from my past life, to slander my name, crush me with public opinion, and force me to surrender.

I could never understand, did Victoria see me as a partner or an enemy?

Now she wanted to publicly clarify our relationship. I wouldn't shy away.

The press conference was held in the city's most exclusive hotel ballroom, attended by all the major media outlets. When Tristan, dressed in a suit, appeared alongside Victoria, reporters immediately swarmed them. Victoria instinctively shielded him, smiling as she deflected microphones. "Please wait, I'll answer all your questions."

"Could you please make way?"

Her voice was gentle. She looked up, meeting my eyes, as I too was surrounded. For a moment, I actually hoped she'd help me out of the crowd. But the next second, she subtly shifted her gaze, a smile on her lips, and led Tristan onto the stage, as if she hadn't seen me at all. I gave a self-mocking twist of my lips.

The closest reporter, who looked like an intern, timidly held out a microphone and asked, "Mr. Sterling, are you really divorcing Ms. Dawson?"

"Yes," I replied, looking up with a smile and a nod.

The intern pushed up his glasses. "But you and Ms. Dawson met in high school, dated for seven years, and have been married for five."

"Last month, Ms. Dawson even bought an island and named it after you."

I continued to smile, though the warmth didn't reach my eyes. "That's what she owed me."

To care for the ailing Tristan, she had missed my birthday. The island was her belated apology. In my past life, I'd been proud of it, only to later learn it was Harper's idea, and Victoria's assistant had picked the island. Victoria didn't even know where it was.

"So, do you still love Ms. Dawson?"

She looked at me anxiously. The surrounding reporters fell silent, even Victoria on stage looked over. Her brow furrowed slightly.

I simply met her gaze, a slight curve to my lips, and clearly stated:"No, I don't."