Chapter 2

I forced myself to calm down and said in a steady voice, "I'm not going to apologize."

"Then pack your things and get out. From now on, you're no longer a Warren," my dad spat, his eyes burning with disgust as he glared at me.

I heard him thinking, 'What a worthless piece of trash. She's really a disgrace to our family.'

Hannah reached out like she wanted to stop me.

"Vivian, don't say stuff you'll regret. Mom and Dad are only trying to help you," she said softly.

But deep down, she was thinking, 'You should've left ages ago. I'm the one true princess of this family, and you? You were born to be stepped on by me.'

I caught the smug glint in Hannah's eyes.

Suddenly, the family I used to know inside out were strangers to me.

A desperate sorrow welled up inside me.

The one I loved most didn't love me back, and my family wished I were dead.

Now that everyone despised me, fine—I'd not want anyone either.

"Then let's split the family," I said, my voice firm. "I deserve my cut of the Warren Group."

Instantly, my dad scoffed, "You think you deserve a share of the Warren Group? Come on. What gives you the right to demand anything? I'm the chairman."

I replied coolly, "Because I was recruited straight out of college. Because I was the one who took the Warren Group from a tiny business to a publicly listed corporation. And because I hold 35% of the shares."

Even my dad, supposedly the biggest shareholder, only had 30%.

Everyone stared at me, utterly stunned.

My dad's eyes went wide in disbelief. "How did you have 35% of the shares?"

My lips curled into a mocking grin.

Back when the Warren Group was on the verge of collapse, they had to offload a bunch of shares. And that hat had always been Dad's headache.

Over the years, I'd been snatching up those shares behind the scenes, ready to hit Dad with a birthday surprise.

But looking at him now, I realized he didn't deserve it at all.

"I'm the biggest shareholder now. If you want me out of this family, you'd better be ready to lose the Warren Group for good," I said coldly.

The three Warrens' furious expressions shifted in an instant. They exchanged glances, their minds racing.

I couldn't care less about what was going on in their heads. I turned to walk away.

Just then, Sean grabbed my wrist.

He looked at me, his expression shadowed. "Vivian, are you sure you want to do this?"

I raised an eyebrow. "I do whatever I damn well please. Who do you think you are to question me?"

Sean never expected me to talk back like that, embarrassment and fury flashing across his face.

Hannah rushed forward, putting herself between me and Sean.

"That's too much, Vivian!" she scolded. "If you're angry, just say it—why are you taking it out on Sean?"

Sean looked at Hannah, his face full of gentle affection.

He stepped forward, shielding her behind him.

"Vivian, whatever you're angry about, take it up with me. Don't drag Hannah into this," he said firmly.

Watching them stand up for each other, I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"Wow, you're so protective of each other. If this weren't my wedding, I might think you're the ones getting married," I said mockingly.

Sean's face froze, like I'd just hit a nerve.

Hannah quickly ducked behind him.

"What are you saying? Sean and I are just like siblings, and that's all. Why are you twisting things like this?" she shot back, her voice shaky.

'So what if Vivian catches on?' Hannah thought. 'Sean still only loves me.'

Suddenly, a smug look flickered across Sean's face, as if he'd thought of something that would win him the whole game.

"Vivian, quit all this drama," he said. "Say sorry to Hannah, and I'll act like none of this ever happened. The wedding goes ahead, and you get to be Mrs. Hamilton like you always wanted."

I burst into laughter—so hard that even tears welled up in my eyes.

Not wasting another breath on Sean, I strode straight to the stage.

I grabbed the mic right out of the emcee's hand and faced the crowd.

"I'm calling off the wedding with Sean Hamilton," I declared. "We're done."

Dad was the first to react, storming over and trying to snatch the mic from me.

"You brat, who the hell gave you permission to announce that?" he shouted.

I dropped the mic, letting it hit the ground with a harsh, ringing clang that cut through the air.

"You disowned me, and now you think you can tell me what to do?" I sneered. "Plus, I'll have my lawyer handle the family estate settlement in the next few days."

Ignoring whatever faces they were pulling, I walked straight out of the hall.