Chapter 2

Emily was her best friend. They'd broken into the industry side by side, crashed in basements, shared a single bowl of instant noodles. They used to be inseparable, telling each other everything.

But now, Emily not only knew all about Richard's cheating, she was even backing Olivia, the new girl, right in front of her.

When Charlotte decided to go abroad for her studies, Emily had told her, "It's good for a girl to get more education."

But behind her back, Emily told others that Charlotte couldn't cut it in the industry, so she went overseas to hit the books.

Turns out, she wasn't betrayed by one person after all.

Richard frowned, stepping forward to steady Charlotte, his voice strained as he tried to keep his emotions in check. "Charlotte, I know you're falling apart right now, but Olivia doesn't know anything. If you need to vent, do it at home."

Charlotte cried even harder.

She was the one who'd been hurt, hadn't even said a word, and yet Richard was already jumping to defend Olivia.

What about her? What did she even mean to him?

Was she a joke to him?

Charlotte shoved him away. "Richard, you bastard. I crammed a three-year course into two years, so I could come back early and surprise you. But you and my best friend teamed up to stab me in the back.

"For two whole years, I flew back every month. I kept a whole box of ticket stubs. I was afraid you were busy, so I barely called. I worried about your stomach, so I made meal plans for you every single day.

"No matter how many people told me rumors about you and other women, I didn't believe anyone. I only believed you. And look what you did to me."

Charlotte's face was streaked with tears, the pain so intense she felt like she might pass out.

Olivia's face went pale as a sheet, her voice trembling as she sobbed, "Richard, what is she talking about? I'm the one who's your girlfriend. You promised we'd get married as soon as your family said yes. What the hell is going on?"

"Olivia, don't cry. You're my girlfriend, and I meant every word I said to you. I don't even know her. She's some crazy woman. I'll have her thrown out right now," Richard said.

He was flustered, tried to soothe Olivia, then called over a bunch of bodyguards and had them toss Charlotte out without a second thought.

He didn't even spare her a single glance the whole time, treating her like she was nothing but garbage.

After Charlotte was left out in the cold at the hotel entrance, Richard went back inside, holding Olivia close.

Emily came over, offering her a tissue, hesitating as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself. "Charlotte, don't make things harder for yourself. Given your background, marrying Richard was already more than you could hope for. Don't expect too much.

"Take some time to think it over."

Charlotte was sobbing, her strength almost gone, staring at the woman who used to be her best friend.

"Making a scene? I'm the one who's actually married to him. Olivia's the homewrecker here. Shouldn't you be keeping your own client in check instead of coming after me?" Charlotte snapped.

"Emily, did you forget? You were a nobody assistant back then. I spent three years of my salary on you, made you the top manager in the industry. And this is how you thank me? By stabbing me in the back?"

Emily's expression shifted instantly, and she stood up, letting out a cold, mocking laugh. "Stab you in the back? Did you ever even think about me when you insisted on going abroad? What was I supposed to do in this industry after you left?

"You could leave me behind for your own career, so why can't I find someone who can actually help me.

"Charlotte, you're stupid. You really thought there was such a thing as real love? Everything that's happened to you was your choice.

"Let me give you some advice. Don't even think about messing with Olivia. She's the hottest star in the business right now. If you try anything, I won't let you off, and Richard won't show you any mercy either.

"Remember, you're on your own now."

Everyone left, leaving her all alone.

The waiters nearby shot her looks full of disdain, whispering to each other, "She must be out of her mind, thinking she could ever belong here."