Chapter 4

My assistant paused briefly. "Understood, Ms. Vance. But there is one more matter I need to report."

"The video online is still blowing up. Between that and your father's passing, our stock price is taking a hit. Six of our corporate partners have already requested contract terminations."

I drew a slow breath, cold determination settling in my eyes. "It's fine. I'll handle it personally. As long as I'm breathing, the Vance family won't fall."

After hanging up, I scheduled back-to-back dinners with all our major partners.

Drinks followed drinks in an endless cycle. My stomach churned painfully, leaving me completely drained.

By the time I stumbled out of the private dining room, it was nearly midnight.

At the end of the hallway, I saw Dylan and Taryn walking side by side toward me.

"Taryn, why did you bring me here?"

"Your company goes public tomorrow!" Taryn smiled mysteriously. "I coordinated with your team and put together a private celebration for you."

Dylan beamed with smug arrogance. "After all these years of slaving away for Luna Vance, I'm finally coming out on top."

I stood rooted to the spot, my head spinning.

Suddenly, Taryn spotted me.

Her eyes drifted over my flushed face, and she chuckled mockingly. "I heard the Vance family lost a bunch of clients recently. What, are you out here drinking with men to beg for contracts?"

Her sleazy, suggestive look made my stomach heave with visceral disgust.

Seeing me sway on my feet, Dylan stepped forward to support me.

Before I could speak, Taryn grabbed my wrist. "Luna, we're throwing a party for Dylan. He couldn't have achieved any of this without you. You should join us!"

She dragged me toward their private room.

Dizzy and weak from the alcohol, I couldn't pull myself free in time.

The room was packed with employees from Dylan's company, a massive celebration cake sitting in the middle of the table.

Taryn smiled sweetly, shoving me in front of the cake. "Without Ms. Vance, our CEO wouldn't be where he is today. It's only right that Ms. Vance gets the first bite."

Suddenly, both of her hands slammed onto the back of my head, shoving my face violently down into the cake.

Thick frosting blocked my nose and mouth, a wave of suffocation hitting me instantly.

I fought desperately to pull up, but Taryn held me down with all her weight.

Uproarious laughter erupted all around us.

"Look at Ms. Vance enjoying the cake!"

"Hold still, hold still, take a picture quick!"

Dylan's expression shifted. Instinctively, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back, shooting a glare at Taryn. "Taryn, don't take it too far."

I gasped violently for air, frosting smeared across my face, completely disheveled and humiliated.

Taryn pouted playfully. "Everyone messes around like this at parties, it's just for fun!"

As she spoke, she casually dabbed a smear of cream onto her own cheek. "See? I did it too."

Dylan let out a soft laugh. "All right, all right, you look like a messy kitten."

Turning to me, he handed me a few napkins. "Luna, clean yourself up."

Trembling, I gathered the strength to stand and walk out, but Taryn stepped in front of me, holding a glass of wine. "Don't run off, Ms. Vance. You haven't finished your drink yet."

She shoved the glass toward my lips aggressively. I frowned and tried to push it away, but she wouldn't let up.

In the struggle, the wine splashed entirely over my face, soaking straight into my blouse.

The last thread of my sanity snapped.

With bloodshot eyes, I snatched the wine glass and smashed it onto the floor.

Then, with a furious sweep of my arm, I sent every bottle, plate, and dish crashing down in an explosive mess.

The room fell dead silent.

Dylan's face instantly darkened. "Luna, what the hell is your problem?"

He seized my wrist, his voice dropping into a harsh hiss. "My company goes public tomorrow. Everyone is just excited and wanted to share a drink with you. Why do you always have to throw a tantrum?"

Looking at the blame in his eyes, I let out a mocking laugh. "You really think your company is going public?"

Right as the words left my lips, Dylan's phone rang shrilly.

"Mr. Miller, we have an emergency! The regulators just rejected all our IPO filings! The public listing is dead in the water!"