Chapter 2
Edward paused for a few seconds and then sighed, looking helpless.
"What's up with you today? You're not usually like this," he said.
He slipped the ring into his pocket without a second thought, then reached out, and pinched my cheek, just like he'd done a million times before.
"Charlotte, you're always the reasonable one. Don't throw a tantrum," he said.
He dropped his voice, trying to coax me.
"There are tons of guests watching. Don't put me on the spot. Sophie's got real talent. You've seen it yourself. Her designs are truly inspired. We're aiming to make her the next Catherine. This is my career, so just back me up on this, alright?"
The next Catherine, huh?
So she was really going to launch her superstar career by destroying the engagement dress Catherine herself designed for me?
I stared at his familiar, handsome face and felt my heart turn to ice.
He spoke so matter-of-factly, like my humiliation and embarrassment barely registered to him.
Maybe, in his eyes, my feelings never carried any weight.
I just never had reason to question it before.
I was shaking with anger, about to say no, when Sophie's sharp, annoyed voice cut me off.
"Hey! Princess!" she called out.
She strode right up to Edward, chin held high.
"I already said sorry. What more do you want? You stuck-up heiresses are impossible! It's just a dress. I'll pay for it. Do you really have to keep dragging this out and put your fiancé on the spot like this in front of everyone?" she said.
I fixed her with a cold stare. "One million dollars. How exactly do you plan to pay for that?"
She huffed, clearly fuming.
"You're really trying to bleed me dry!" she snapped.
"Does bullying a newbie with dreams make you feel good about yourself?" she shot back.
"You're so out of touch with reality," she added.
After she finished, Sophie turned to Edward, her voice openly aggrieved and just a little bit bratty.
"Edward! If I'd known your fiancée was this much trouble, I never would've come to work for you! There are people lining up to recruit me. Seriously, the line could go from our school all the way to France! I feel so suffocated here!"
She looked small in his jacket, almost lost in it. Her thick, curly hair had fallen into disarray around her face, and her eyes were rimmed red, holding back tears she refused to shed.
Edward's voice instantly turned gentle, coaxing her.
"Alright, alright, I messed up. Don't be upset. Didn't you say you wanted to try the signature Beef Wellington at that revolving restaurant? I'll take you tonight, as my way of saying sorry, alright?"
As he spoke, he whipped out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen.
My phone buzzed a second later.
A bank notification came through for one million dollars, the memo line reading, "Dress compensation."
Once he was done, Edward turned back to me, and any trace of warmth in his eyes was completely gone.
"I've sent you the money. Happy now? Enough drama, right? Time to let it go? Sophie and I need to go greet Mr. William. Let's not keep the guests waiting," he said.
He lifted his hand, like he was about to put it around my shoulder, but paused mid-air and let it fall.
Then he turned to Sophie, his tone gentle again.
"Let's go," he said.
Sophie snorted under her breath, wrapped herself tighter in Edward's jacket, and practically glued herself to his side as they walked off together.
As she passed me, she shoulder-checked me on purpose.
She really put some force into it.
Totally caught off guard in my heels, I staggered back a step before I could catch myself.
I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms.
That sharp pain forced me to stay composed, tamping down all my turmoil.
From down the hallway, Sophie's voice drifted over, sounding both aggrieved and indignant.
"Edward," she called out.
"Your fiancée is such a tyrant. Does she think being a rich heiress makes her untouchable? It's bad enough she bullies me, but honestly, I'm scared she'll start treating you like that too."
Edward turned his head slightly, lowering his voice as he spoke to Sophie.
He was probably saying something to back her up.
Then Sophie looked up at him, her face bright with a dazzling smile.
She flashed me a dazzling, provocative smile, her gaze flicking over to me with open defiance.
I slowly unclenched my fists.
Good. Very good.
I pulled my phone out of my bag, and my blank face stared back at me from the screen.
"Mr. William," I said.
"Charlotte? How's your dad been lately? I was just about to head over to your engagement party. Thought I'd drop by and see him," he replied.
"The engagement party's been put on hold. Something unexpected came up," I said.
I gripped my phone tighter. "And there's something else. I was hoping you could do me a small favor."
"Oh? Go ahead," he said.
"Edward's going to introduce someone to you tonight..." I said.