Chapter 3

The top-tier venture capital gala in Napolis was always an arena for the city's elite.

Edward wore his priciest custom suit, with Ivy on his arm in a champagne-colored gown. They hoped to find new partners tonight to fill the huge gap left by the Sampson Group pulling out.

"Edward, don't worry. With your skills, you're bound to land the investment," Ivy said, holding onto his arm, her laughter bright and charming. Even though in her heart, she was a bundle of nerves.

She'd worked so hard to get Jolin out of the picture. There was no way she would let herself go broke with Edward before she even got to enjoy the high life.

Edward put on a brave face and walked over to Ashton Carroll, an old acquaintance and bank president. "Hey Ashton, it's been a while. About that loan for the new project."

Ashton had been laughing, but his grin instantly cooled off when he saw Edward. He gave a polite nudge to his glasses. "Sorry, Mr. Sampson, I've got someone important to see right now. Let's catch up another day."

With that, Ashton bolted like Edward was contagious.

After hitting a wall with every conversation, Edward's expression was grim. He could sense the shift in the room. Everyone was looking at him with pity and detachment.

"It must be that bitch Jolin, spreading rumors about us everywhere!" Ivy hissed, her teeth clenched in frustration.

"Her? She couldn't even score a ticket to a party like this. What could she possibly say?" Edward put on a brave front. But deep down, his anxiety was growing.

Just then, the doors to the hall were opened with ceremony by an attendant.

The lively crowd instantly went quiet, as if someone had hit pause on the whole room.

All eyes were fixed on the entrance.

A sleek black Maybach glided to a stop at the end of the red carpet. The door swung open, and the first thing to appear was a pair of long legs. The black stilettos flashed under the lights with a chilling, razor-sharp gleam.

Next, the elusive and legendary Napolis tycoon, Dylan Moore, circled to the other side of the car. He bent down and, with impeccable gentlemanly grace, offered his hand.

Jolin placed her hand in his and stepped elegantly out of the car.

She was dressed in a minimalist black backless gown, a priceless "Heart of the Ocean" pendant resting on her swan-like neck.

The gentle, demure image she once had was nowhere to be seen. Now, she exuded a razor-sharp, commanding queen's aura.

In that instant, her beauty was absolutely stunning. She was cold and untouchable. No one dared to meet her eyes.

"Is that Jolin?" Edward's champagne glass shook violently, spilling champagne onto his hand, but he didn't even notice.

He rubbed his eyes, struggling to believe that the dazzling woman Dylan was treating like royalty was the same useless ex-wife he had insulted and belittled just three hours earlier, when she was still dragging an old suitcase behind her.

"No way! How could she possibly know Dylan?" Ivy shrieked, her face turning pale.

With everyone's eyes glued to them, Dylan escorted Jolin straight to the center of the hall.

The same big shots who'd been dodging Edward moments ago now swarmed over like sharks scenting blood, plastering on their biggest smiles as they approached Dylan and Jolin.

"Mr. Moore, who is this?" someone asked.

Dylan smiled, his hand resting naturally at Jolin's waist. His voice was calm, but it carried across the entire hall. "Let me introduce you all. This is Ms. Jolin Eaton, the power behind the Sampson Group and my only partner. Of course, on Vine Street, you might know her better by another name, J."

The whole room erupted in shock.

"J? The legendary J who can short a whole conglomerate in just three minutes?"

"Holy crap, she's so young and drop-dead gorgeous!"

Edward's mind was blown. He stood there, utterly stunned.

Sampson Group owed everything to Southview Ventures' investment. He'd always thought they backed him because of his potential, but it never crossed his mind that the true mastermind behind it all was the woman who'd slept beside him for seven years.

Jolin picked up a glass of red wine and turned around with effortless grace.

Her gaze casually swept over the crowd, finally landing for a brief moment on Edward's pale face.

Her eyes were icy and distant, with a contemptuous look, like she was staring at a bug beneath her feet.

Edward instinctively wanted to step forward, to confront her, to justify himself. But Jolin had already looked away.

Her heels clicked against the floor as she strode past him, utterly composed, treating him like a total stranger.

Refusing to back down, Ivy reached for the hem of Jolin's dress. "Who do you think you are, Jolin? Stop acting all high and mighty."

But before she could even get close, one of Dylan's bodyguards intercepted her, cutting her off with a cold, stone-faced glare.

Dylan paused, turning to Edward with a look of pure disdain. "Mr. Sampson, I heard you got divorced? How funny. Ms. Eaton told me the best decision she ever made was signing that divorce agreement."

Edward felt like he'd been struck by lightning, his throat so dry he couldn't even get a word out.

He watched Jolin walk away, the hem of her black dress fading into the distance. It was like there was a chasm he'd never be able to cross, no matter how hard he tried.