Chapter 2

James's buddies started to give me the cold shoulder.

They didn't talk to me for a whole week, and in the group chat with me in it, all they shared was random celebrity gossip.

But even my friends alone had seen them hit up different clubs together four times.

I raised an eyebrow, feeling even more excited.

Three days later, James's birthday rolled around, and the Eaton family threw a lavish party.

To keep up the façade of our engagement, James had to invite me to attend it as his fiancée, like it or not.

I bribed the Eaton family's tailor and slipped a hidden camera into James's collar.

The tailor stared at me in terror. "Ms. Grant, this is illegal. If Mr. Eaton finds out, he'll kill me."

I gave him a gentle smile. "Of course not.

"It's just a little playful thing between us as an engaged couple. James loves to joke around. He wouldn't make a fuss over something like this."

As I spoke, I showed him the tiny camera on my own collar.

My sinister smile was enough to send the tailor packing. He booked a flight and left town that very night.

On the day of the party, Erica ditched her usual tomboy style and showed up in a blue-and-white evening gown.

The design on her dress matched James's perfectly.

Erica walked in on James's arm, but the moment her eyes landed on me, her face went ghostly pale.

She took a step back and bumped right into one of James's buddies, her face a mix of panic and hurt.

"I'm sorry, Sandra. I know you don't want to see me. I'll keep my distance from James," Erica said.

Then she spun around and bolted.

James shot me a fierce glare and then took off after her. The two of them disappeared onto the balcony.

James's parents, Richard and Mavis, looked at me with clear disapproval. "Sandra, we've heard all about the trouble you've stirred up these days.

"Erica's been like family to us since she was a kid. James is lucky to have a friend like her.

"Just because you're engaged to James doesn't mean you get to decide who James can be friends with.

"If you want to be Mrs. Eaton, you need to learn to be gracious. Don't let a few careless words turn the whole house upside down."

I tilted her head, giving them a genuinely puzzled look. "So, everything that happens between James and Erica can be chalked up to friendship and a little harmless fun, huh?

"Well, I'll make some fun with James, then. I hope you don't mind."

With that, I activated the hidden camera on James's collar.

Erica was sobbing in James's arms. "James, are we really going to have to keep our distance from now on? I don't want that.

"James, could you leave me something to remember you by?"

James's voice shook, full of heartbreak. "Just tell me what you want. If it's within my power, I'll do it."

"A child. I want a child," Erica whispered, her tone dripping with temptation.

"We're still friends, you know. Our bond is for life. Don't you think raising a child together would make things more stable, and a lot more exciting?

"We don't have to get laid. Just go to the hospital and get a procedure done..."

Richard and Mavis looked like they'd seen a ghost. I nearly cracked up right then and there.

I'd already dug up the fact that Erica had scheduled an IVF appointment.

I knew flipping on James's camera would catch something juicy, but I never thought Erica would actually drop that bomb at a party like this.

I looked at Mavis, my head tilted in genuine confusion. "Mrs. Eaton, I'm not quite sharp, so I can't really tell what's a joke and what's not. Is Erica actually serious about this?"

It wasn't long before James and Erica walked back in together, keeping a careful half-step between them. They looked all proper and restrained, like nothing had happened.

No one would ever guess how twisted their conversation had been moments ago.

When Erica saw me standing with Richard and Mavis, a sullenness flickered across her eyes.

Then she forced a shaky, almost pitiful smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Eaton, I haven't come to see you in days. I'm really sorry.

"It's just that I said a couple of jokes with James earlier and upset Sandra, so I didn't dare show my face around you guys."

Mavis gave Erica a blank look, and then motioned for her to join us as we headed to the lounge.

Erica looked a little lost. Usually, Mavis would've pulled her into a hug and comforted her instead of acting so indifferent.

What really stunned Erica was what happened the moment we stepped into the lounge. Mavis, without warning, slapped her right across the face.

Erica's tears started streaming down her cheeks instantly.

James's face went pale. He rushed to stand between Erica and Mavis, looking like he was ready to go head-to-head with Mavis.

But then with a single, brutal move, Richard kicked James in the back of the knee, sending him stumbling to the floor on one knee.

Mavis faced the two of them, who looked stunned, her voice barely steady as she demanded, "I always thought you two were just close childhood friends, but I never imagined you'd be this shameless behind our backs.

"Now you're even planning to have a child together? Are you trying to drag the Eaton family into a scandal with an illegitimate kid?

"How are we supposed to explain this to the Grant family?"

James went sheet-white, his eyes boring into me like daggers. "How did you find out? Were you spying on me?"

I shrugged and tapped the camera on his collar. "Honestly, James, I can't tell if you and your friend are joking around or actually serious. So I figured I'd broadcast it and let your parents decide for themselves."

James's chest heaved with anger, but for some reason, he swallowed his pride and took the hit.

He lowered his head and admitted, "I'm sorry. Erica and I crossed a line.

"But since I've chosen to marry you, I swear I'll never betray you. From now on, Erica and I won't meet alone ever again.

"After the wedding, I'll send her abroad."

Erica let out a sharp gasp in shock.

James shot her a warning glance, and Erica turned to glare at me, her stare full of venom.

I shrugged at her, completely unfazed.

I was stubborn as hell.

If I wanted someone, I got them. If I wanted something done, nothing could stop me.