Chapter 5

Why does Jane always have to play the martyr?

"Are we even close?

"Why would I bother lying to you?

"If that's all, just drop it off and leave," I shot back.

With a cold voice, I strode forward and snatched the acceptance letter right out of Jane's hand, completely ignoring the nervous, lost look in her eyes.

I slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

The sound echoed through the empty studio.

I knew Jane hadn't done anything wrong, and I knew she shouldn't take it out on her, but I just couldn't help myself.

It was late at night, and I had just booked my flight to Veritas, set for ten days from now, when Priscilla's message suddenly popped up on my phone, complete with a video attached.

During this time, Hadden didn't contact me at all. He was busy with work, personally taking care of every little thing for his engagement party with Jane.

Honestly, I never thought he'd even have time to grab a drink with his old friend Hadley Parks.

Hadley used to be the golden boy of Erisia, the heir everyone had their hopes pinned on. But when his illegitimate half-brother took over, Hadley was cast out and spent more than ten years abroad. It was only this year that he finally returned to Erisia.

Hadley took a sip of his drink, a complicated look flickering across his face. "Are you really going to marry Jane?"

"Yes," Hadden just said, frowning. "I've had to answer this question a dozen times already. Why wouldn't I?

"She may be the Binder family's adopted daughter, but in Erisia, she's basically the number one socialite," Hadley added.

"Is that really the only reason?" Hadley pressed. "What about your niece?"

Hadden didn't answer. Instead, he looked up and asked, "Are you interested in Eleanor?"

"I'm not—" Hadley protested.

"Hadley," Hadden cut him off, his voice icy. "I know you didn't come back to Erisia without a plan. If you're still going to fight that bastard, do you really think someone with nothing between their ears can help you?

"Help you win at the tables? Or just keep your business partners company at the club?"

Hadley clearly hadn't expected Hadden to say that about me. He drained his glass in silence, then muttered under his breath, "She's... not that bad, is she?"

Hadden snorted, his voice thick with sarcasm.

And just like that, the video ended.

I always knew Hadden thought I was useless, but hearing it for myself still left a sour ache in my chest.

My phone buzzed again, and Priscilla's voice messages started popping up one after another.

"Seriously? That's all Hadden's got? Just a bit of money and power? If that old face of his tried to hit on me, I wouldn't even take a hundred bucks to go out with him.

"What a total loser."

Priscilla, worried I might be upset, kept roasting Hadden for me.

I glanced at my phone, a small smile playing on my lips. Through everything, Priscilla'd always been the one constant.

Three minutes later, Priscilla sent me another message. [That mutt Zeph Wilkinson is coming back.]

I froze for a second.

Zeph was born into a military family and signed up for the army in his sophomore year of college. His mom was once a big-name actress—after she caught his dad's attention, he went after her like crazy.

Their story was the talk of the town, making waves everywhere.

But she always refused him, saying he already had a family.

Her upbringing wouldn't let her get involved with a married man; she'd never be the other woman. But up against power and status, her defiance was nothing.

Once Zeph's dad wanted something, he always made sure he got it.

So he never gave up, just waited for the right moment. Then, one night, he took what he wanted by force. As soon as she came to her senses, Zeph's mom saved the evidence and went straight to the police.

She bolted, frantic and terrified, her body bearing bruises and scars from his violence.

She reached out to everyone she could—her agent, her boss, anyone who might help. But in the end, she never found any justice.

She was left hopeless once more.