Chapter 2

Suddenly, someone let out a startled gasp, exposing them for who they truly were.

One of my friends gave me a worried look, clearly at a loss for what to say.

"This is disgusting." Elise, a fierce young lady, sneered. "Stop gawking. Bring some water and splash it on these shameless people."

A servant grabbed a bucket and splashed water onto the couple on the bed.

The icy water poured down, soaking the two lost in passion and chilling them to the bone.

Collin shuddered, coming fully to his senses.

He jerked his head up, taking in the chaos around him, and his expression turned stormy.

Olivia cowered behind him, hastily gathering up the scattered clothes, her eyes swimming with tears, looking vulnerable.

Collin clenched his fists. He knew at once that he'd been deceived.

However, when he glanced at Olivia, who was tearful and forlorn, his heart softened slightly. He thought she might be innocent.

Feeling some sympathy, he moved to block everyone's view of her.

Then he looked up and saw me in the crowd, and his face went pale in an instant.

He quickly moved Olivia out of the way, sounding desperate. "Isabelle, I came because you asked me to come here. I—"

Disappointment washed over me.

He'd already committed such a disgraceful act, yet instead of reflecting on his actions, he made me the target of gossip and put me in the line of fire.

I took a step back, cutting him off. "Lord Collin, watch your words.

"A young lady's reputation is everything. I've always followed the rules. Even though we're engaged, I'd never do something so shameless before the ceremony."

He froze, as if the coldness in my eyes had struck him.

Olivia's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice trembling. "I was brought here against my will."

Collin's face darkened, his tone icy as he commanded, "Find out who did this. I want to see who dared to scheme against me."

He spoke with absolute conviction, never noticing the fleeting hint of guilt in Olivia's tearful gaze behind him.

I suggested they get dressed first, just trying to help.

The maid who led Collin there was quickly dragged out. She bowed, terrified out of her wits.

"Who sent you?" Collin demanded.

The maid stammered and kept glancing at me because Olivia kept signaling her with her eyes.

She seemed to get the message and, in a panic, pointed at me. "It was her."

I sneered. "Do you know who I am? Do you think I'd send my own fiancé to another woman?"

Cora, seeing me slandered, was mad. Without waiting for anyone else to react, she ordered, "Beat her until she tells the truth."

The maid broke down, sobbing, "Wait, I'll tell you the truth. It was Lady Olivia. She told me to pass on a false message and bring my Lord Collin here. The drug was from her, too."

Everyone in the room gasped in shock.

Olivia's face turned pale as she glanced at Collin, only to find his eyes cold, void of any mercy.

Olivia got exposed so fast that the Quinn family didn't have time to hide it.

Yet the Quinn family's power was immense. Though everyone understood the truth, no one dared confront her.

Realizing her plan had fallen apart, Olivia gave up pretending altogether. With tearful eyes, she clung to Collin's sleeve, her voice trembling. "Collin, I just can't help it. I love you so much."

Collin instinctively looked at me, as if begging for my forgiveness.

"Bullshit," Cora, who always despised such schemes, snapped. "Olivia, you're the Chancellor's daughter. How could you sink to such disgrace? This is ridiculous.

"I used to think you were spoiled and reckless. And I assumed what happened must have scared you. Now I see. It was all your own twisted plot. Well, I can't believe you would even hurt your own reputation for a man."

Olivia's face turned pale, then she bit her lips in grievance. "Your Highness, why are you being so aggressive? I'm also a victim."

Seeing Olivia play the victim, Cora felt a sudden flare of anger rise within her.

I gently steadied Cora, then looked at Olivia and said calmly, "You bribed a maid, drugged Collin, and ruined my engagement. Why put on this pitiful act? Collin, do you think she's innocent?"

Collin was left speechless.

I took a breath to steady myself, then turned to Cora and Elise, giving them a grateful nod.

Then I curtsied to the host. "I'm sorry for all the trouble. From here on, this man has nothing to do with the Sterling family. I should go."

"Isabelle," Collin called out, stepping forward to reach for me. "Please, just let me explain."

I turned aside, avoiding his hand. "My lord, since you've already been with another woman, you need to stay with her."

When I returned home, I explained everything to my father.

He was livid and immediately wrote a letter, sending back all the gifts from the Schmidt family.

The whole city was abuzz with gossip, but in the end, the scandal was suppressed.

That maid suddenly got sick and died the very next day, leaving no witnesses behind.

To protect Olivia, the Quinn family put pressure on the Schmidt family, insisting Collin take Olivia as his wife without delay.

Olivia finally got what she wanted; she married Collin.

It sent shivers down my back.

Luckily, she only took the drug herself; she hadn't considered using it to hurt me and ruin my engagement.

I thought I could finally move on.

Still, it stung to see how quickly Collin went along with the marriage.

The man I once saw as pure and honorable had fallen into utter disgrace.

He was nothing but loathing to me. I'd completely put him out of my thoughts.

However, I never expected just how low the Quinn family would stoop.

One day, Louis Quinn, the Quinn family's well-respected eldest heir, showed up at my home. He stood before me, every bit the dignified and reserved heir of a noble house.

He said, "Lady Isabelle, I've heard your father's been swamped with work at the Chamber of Revenues lately, and it seems he's troubled. My father's network reaches across the court. He'll be happy to help."

My mind went blank, and my fingers turned icy.

Even though he spoke indirectly, I understood right away.