Chapter 4

Ryan suddenly remembered those nights back in high school. After evening study hall, he'd walk Emily back to her dorm, taking the long way around three blocks.

Every morning, he'd hand her a carton of milk, worried she wasn't getting enough nutrition.

He remembered how Emily would curl up in her seat, suffering through her period. He'd skip class and search the whole street for medicine to help her feel better.

Those sweet days felt like they were yesterday.

He thought, 'But when did everything start to change?'

Maybe it all started when his friends kept mocking Emily for being an orphan, saying she wasn't good enough for Ryan, someone from a wealthy family.

They claimed Emily was desperate to hold onto him, trying to climb the social ladder. After hearing it repeated over and over, he began to feel ashamed of being seen with her.

Emily's genuine feelings and reliance on him gradually turned, in his eyes, into an immature attachment.

He got tired of constantly reassuring her and accommodating her whims. Instead, Olivia, who was sensible and came from a family like his, seemed like a much better match.

He was convinced Emily couldn't live without him, figuring that no matter how badly he treated her, she'd always cave in, like before.

So, he became increasingly shameless, letting his ambition and pursuit of status justify the way he treated Emily.

"Ryan?" Olivia's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Ryan snapped back to reality and walked over to the front gate.

But when he got there, a well-dressed woman he didn't recognize stepped out of the car. "Are you Mr. Lee?" Her voice was calm.

Ryan frowned. "Who are you? Where's Emily?"

The woman smiled slightly and took a document out of her handbag. "Ms. Grant is currently in Harbor City and doesn't have time to come. I'm Susan Shaw, the owner of Prestige Gallery."

Ryan's face darkened when he heard the words "Prestige Gallery."

That was the luxury boutique where Emily used to work.

Susan handed him the document. "Mr. Lee, you caused damage to a glass display case and three limited-edition handbags in our store.

"The total loss amounts to nine million dollars. Here is the assessment report and the compensation list. Please make the payment within three days."

"What?" Ryan took the document and scanned through it, his expression growing more grim with every page. "Over nine million dollars for a display case and a couple of handbags? This is extortion."

Susan said in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, "Every item has its authentication certificate and purchase record. Ms. Grant said that she wants you to pay, so you know exactly what you're paying for."

The guests nearby started gossiping in hushed tones.

Olivia walked over awkwardly, trying to keep her composure, but her embarrassment was obvious. "Ryan, what... what's going on?"

Ryan clenched the document so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Wasn't she supposed to be the one paying for this?"

'Why is the bill handed to me?' he wondered.

Susan raised an eyebrow. "You must be kidding, Mr. Lee. The security footage from that day makes it pretty clear. Your fiancée, Olivia, was the one who approached Ms. Grant.

"She lost her balance and crashed into the display case. Ms. Grant was protecting herself; she never actually pushed her."

She took a tablet from her assistant and pulled up a video.

The footage was crystal clear, and the audio was as sharp.

Olivia's voice came through, choked with emotion. "Emily, I want to help you. Can you stop acting so high and mighty?"

Her shaky voice, the way she stepped forward, Emily backing up half a step, only for Olivia to close in again, every detail was exposed for everyone to see.

Ryan's face went ghostly pale as he suddenly turned to Olivia.

Olivia shook her head desperately, panic written all over her face. "That's not true. She cut the footage. I was only trying to help her."

"Ms. Stone," Susan said, her voice calm as ever. "Don't spread lies, or I'll call the police."

"No, please don't call the cops." Olivia blurted, panic in her voice. She realized she'd slipped up, and her eyes instantly filled with tears. "Ryan, I swear, I lost my balance. I didn't mean to. And Emily didn't protest back then."

"She didn't respond because she simply doesn't care what any of you think." Susan finished her sentence, then took out a palm-sized velvet box from her bag and flipped it open.

Inside, a few things were laid out, including a thin silver chain, slightly oxidized and darkened with age, a cheap couple's ring, engraved with "L & J," and a few cards with handwritten notes, the writing so faded it was barely legible.

All of these were things Ryan gave Emily back in high school and college. They weren't worth much money, but to her, they used to be her most cherished keepsakes.

"Ms. Grant told me to give these back to you," Susan said.