Chapter 3

"Victoria, you're seriously kicking me off Luna Isle?" Andrew stared down from the stage, disbelief written all over his face.

I said, "I'm not just asking you to leave."

He frowned, frustration clear between his brows.

I shot back, "I'm kicking you out."

The crowd went silent, tension thick as ever.

Peter Evans, Andrew's buddy, stepped up first, looking to smooth things over. "Ms. Sinclair, isn't this a bit over the top? Mr. Hartley only borrowed the place for a birthday party.

"You two are getting married anyway. Do you really need to draw such clear lines?"

I looked at him.

"Would you be okay if someone used your house for your ex-girlfriend's wedding? Would you just let it go?" I shot back.

Peter opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Someone nearby snickered.

Peter's face turned red with embarrassment.

"That's not the same thing," he protested.

"How is it different?" I shot back.

He couldn't answer.

Emily sobbed as she spoke, tears streaming down her face.

"Ms. Sinclair, you've got me all wrong. I never wanted to steal anything from you. I'm just really grateful for how good Andrew's been to me," she said.

I nodded.

"Then go be grateful at the dock," I said.

Andrew shielded her, stepping back. "I'd like to see anyone try."

The head of security stepped forward. "Mr. Hartley, please cooperate."

Andrew let out a cold laugh. "Do you even know who I am?"

The head of security kept his face blank. "Yes, I do."

"And you still have the guts?" Andrew shot back.

"I only take orders from Ms. Sinclair," the head of security replied.

Andrew finally snapped, his glare burning with anger as he looked at me. "Victoria, our families are still engaged. If you kick me out tonight, both the Sinclair and Hartley families are going to lose face."

I shot back, "And you think you look good lying about my island?"

He was left speechless.

Emily tugged at his sleeve.

"Andrew, please don't fight with Ms. Sinclair over me," she said.

She looked at me, tears streaming down her face.

"Ms. Sinclair, I'm so sorry," she choked out.

I said, "No need."

She let out a sigh of relief.

I added, "But saying sorry doesn't cover the cost."

Emily froze, stunned.

I pointed at the venue.

"Tonight's island rental, staff wages, catering losses, fireworks, and restoration fees. The Hartley family will get the bill for every cent."

Andrew's face turned even darker. "Victoria, do you really have to go this far?"

I shot back, "Funny how generous you were when it was my money you were spending."

A girl whispered, "She's not wrong."

Andrew shot her a glare.

The girl instantly went silent.

I turned to John.

"Who gave Andrew permission to use the island?" I asked.

John lowered his head even more. "It was Michael Lewis, the assistant manager in operations."

"Bring him in," I ordered.

Less than two minutes later, Michael was brought in.

When he saw me, he nearly collapsed.

"Miss Sinclair, I thought Mr. Hartley was about to marry into the Sinclair family, so..." he stammered.

I cut him off. "So you used Sinclair family assets to suck up to him?"

"So you used Sinclair family assets to suck up to him?"

Michael shook his head frantically. "No, that's not what I meant at all."

Andrew suddenly spoke up. "I told him to do it. Don't blame him."

I looked at him. "So you're admitting it?"

His face darkened. "Admit what?"

I said, "Admitting you used Sinclair family property without asking me first."

Andrew clenched his fists. "Do we really have to make things this nasty between us?"

"Do we really have to make things this nasty between us?"

I let out a cold laugh.

"Funny, you didn't seem to mind when you were hugging Emily and telling everyone this island was yours," I shot back.

Emily shook her head desperately. "I never told Andrew to say that."

I looked at her. "You didn't tell him to, but you didn't correct him either."

She was left speechless.

Some of the guests started whispering.

"Isn't that just letting him take advantage?"

"She acts all pure, but her posts online are anything but shy."

Emily's tears fell even faster.

Andrew pulled her even closer, shielding her from the crowd. "Enough. I'll pay for everything."

I nodded. "Fine."

"Fine."

He let out a sigh of relief.

I added, "Time to leave the island."

Andrew stared at me, his eyes burning with defiance.

"I'm not going anywhere tonight," he said.

I looked up at him. "Then security can show you the way out."

The head of security stepped forward.

Andrew's friends moved in front of him, trying to block the way.

Peter said, "Come on, we're all in the same social circle. If things blow up like this, how are we supposed to look each other in the eye after tonight?"

I shot back, "If you want to take his side, are you all paying the bill together?"

They immediately backed off.

Peter's face darkened. "Ms. Sinclair, you really know how to keep score."

I looked at him. "If I don't spell it out, you guys just keep mooching, huh?"

No one dared to block the way anymore.

The head of security gave a signal.

Two lady guards strode over to Emily.

Emily, panicked, grabbed onto Andrew. "Andrew, I don't want to be thrown out."

Andrew glared at me, defiant. "Victoria, if you dare lay a finger on her, I'll break off the engagement."

The whole room gasped.

I gave a cold laugh. "Perfect."

He froze, stunned.

I handed my phone to Tom. "Tell the Hartley family I'm breaking off the engagement."