Chapter 4

I didn't even pick up the backup phone, just read what was on the screen.

Announce the wedding date as scheduled.

It turned out my wedding date with Charles had become just another item on the press conference agenda. When to announce it, and after whose appearance, could all be arranged down to the last detail.

I slipped the blue ignition card into my bag and texted the wedding planner.

I texted back: [Cancel the engagement. Keep the venue.]

She called right away. I stepped out onto the balcony and lowered my voice. "Remove all the personalized items. Hold off on notifying the guests. I'll cover the costs."

The planner hesitated. "Ms. Lane, should we let Mr. Rivers know?"

"No need." I stared at my reflection in the glass. "He'll find out tomorrow."

After hanging up, I sent the original program package, the revision records, and Charles's notes to an old email address.

It was Gavin Hunt's email, an old mentor from college. He now worked at the Tourism and Culture Association and was in charge of the industry review for this press conference. Three years ago, he was the one who had recommended me to Charles as.

He replied almost instantly: [Got it.]

The next morning, the driver arrived right on time at ten.

I put on the white dress Charles had insisted I wear, left the crescent moon necklace behind, and only packed the blue ignition card and a copy of the engagement cancellation letter in my bag.

When the car pulled up to the hotel entrance, I saw Susan posing for photos in front of the backdrop.

She was dressed in a pale blue gown, the crescent moon pendant nestled against her collarbone, her whole figure lit up by the media lights.

Charles was right next to her, fixing her earpiece like he'd done it a hundred times, totally focused.

Someone spotted me and called out with a grin, "Ms. Lane, you're here! Mr. Rivers is going to announce the big news today, right? Congratulations!"

I smiled. "Let's just watch the press conference first."

Charles turned at the sound, his gaze sweeping over my bare neck. "Why aren't you wearing the necklace?"

I replied, "It doesn't fit me."

Susan immediately reached for her own pendant, smiling awkwardly. "Eve, if it bothers you, I can take it off right now."

Charles gave her a brief look. "No need. The press conference is starting soon. Don't make a scene."

The people around us shared knowing looks.

I stood there, feeling how absurd this all was. It wasn't that he didn't understand how showing favoritism in front of everyone could hurt me, he was just so sure I'd never put him on the spot.

When the host took the stage, Susan was invited to the center as the project presenter.

Her voice was gentle, and she recited the script flawlessly. "The theme for this fireworks show is 'Homeward,' inspired by a quote from Mr. Rivers: 'No matter how many lights shine, there's always someone waiting for you to return home.'"

The audience responded with applause.

I lowered my gaze to the program booklet in my hands.

That line wasn't Charles's. It was something I'd scribbled as a note on the very first page of my proposal. The original line was: "May everyone returning late at night find a light shining just for them."

Susan continued, "My team and I spent night after night working on this plan, and Mr. Rivers was always there, helping me fine-tune every detail. The crescent moon fireworks at the beginning? That's a part we both really love."

As she said "we," her gaze lingered on Charles.

Charles didn't say a word to contradict her.

Backstage, a staffer reached out to me. "Ms. Lane, can I have the ignition card? Mr. Rivers and Ms. Ray are going to launch it together soon."

I stayed put. "Wasn't it supposed to be Mr. Rivers and me?"

The staffer blinked, flipping through the schedule. "They changed it last minute. Mr. Rivers said you don't like being on camera, so Ms. Ray's going up instead."

Charles walked over and lowered his voice. "Eve, don't stir things up right now. Just give him the card. I'll explain later."

I stared at him. "Explain what? Why my birthday fireworks got handed to her? Or why my plan got credited to her?"

His face darkened, but he kept his voice low. "Do you really have to make me look bad in front of everyone?"

I asked, "Weren't you the one who wanted me here?"

Susan followed, her eyes welling up with tears. "Eve, if you feel hurt, I can skip the stage. But the press conference has already started, and Mr. Rivers has poured so much effort into this project.

She spoke quietly, but everyone around heard her.

Charles closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, his gaze was icy calm. "Evelyn, give me the ignition card."

I didn't let go.

He reached out and wrapped his hand around my wrist, not hard, but firm enough that I couldn't move. "You're too emotional right now. Go wait for me in the lounge. Leave the card."

He slid the blue ignition card from between my fingers.

The edge of the card grazed my palm, leaving a faint red mark.

He turned and handed the card to Susan. "Just follow the plan."

Susan took the card, her finger just covering the scratched-out words on the back, "Only for Eve." She shot me a quick, knowing smirk, then instantly put on her innocent face.

The host's voice came from the stage. "Now, let's welcome Mr. Rivers and Ms. Ray to light the first fireworks of the Homeward project together."

Charles stepped aside, motioning for Susan to go up on stage.

I stood where the backstage lights faded into shadow, and my phone vibrated in my bag.

Gavin texted me: [Copyright registration is confirmed. The association representative is here. Once they set off the fireworks, we've got all the evidence we need to prove the infringement.]

I looked up and watched as Charles grabbed Susan's hand, leading her over to the launch console to trigger the fireworks.

The countdown began.

"Three, two..."