Chapter 1 · The Bullet Chat Warned Me: My Fiancé Is A Scumbag

At the class reunion, my fiancé's ex-girlfriend, Vivian Taylor, messed up my shoes.

My fiancé, Samuel Reed, who was always the picture of gentleness and manners, suddenly ordered Vivian to lick my shoes clean.

Just as I was about to step in, a barrage of comments flashed across my vision.

One read: [Seriously, who wants Sylvia Wilson to pretend to be a saint and stop this? Samuel always puts on a tough front with Vivian, but deep down, he's as soft as butter. He's already falling apart inside.]

Another comment read: [Long-lost reunion, forbidden affair, the domineering CEO and the femme fatale—every single trope hits right where it counts.]

A comment read: [Sylvia is such an eyesore. Can't wait for Vivian to make her move and totally gross her out!]

My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at Samuel.

He was sprawled out on the sofa, idly playing with my fingers.

Samuel said coldly, "If licking them isn't your thing, that's cool. These heels my girl is wearing? Custom-made, one-of-a-kind in the world, worth a cool three million.

"You can just pay up."

The whole room erupted in jeers and gossip.

One shouted, "Samuel treats Sylvia like royalty. He drops millions on her shoes without blinking. Bet someone here is regretting their life choices right now."

Another chimed in, "Didn't Vivian land herself a rich husband back then? Can't even scrape together a few million?"

Someone sneered, "Rich family? What a joke, it was all smoke and mirrors! They already kicked her out in the end. Honestly, even if she stripped right here, no one's gonna take her."

The chat comments popped up again.

One read: [Vivian's face went white as a sheet. How can these background characters be so nasty?]

Another read: [Vivian only dirtied Sylvia's shoes to catch Samuel's eye. Seriously? How can Samuel be so clueless about what Vivian really wants?]

A comment read: [Vivian still thinks Samuel's her loyal pup, huh? Like she can crook her finger and he'll come running, just like the old days?]

I ignored the flood of comments and locked eyes with Vivian, the woman who broke Samuel's heart and then tossed him aside without a second thought.

Vivian happened to look over, and our eyes met.

Her eyes burned with shame and bitter defiance.

Samuel took off the shoes Vivian had messed up, then softly wiped my feet with a towel, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Samuel said, "Vivian, if you really can't cough up the cash, maybe go beg your bankrupt ex-husband for help."

Vivian's eyes were red and she was shaking all over.

She snapped, "Fine, I'll strip. Isn't this what you want? I'll keep going until you're happy."

Samuel frowned and shot back, "When did I ever say you had to take your clothes off?" He was still talking when Vivian, right in front of everyone, whipped off her coat.

Underneath, she was wearing a champagne-colored sleeveless dress that clung to her curves.

She reached for the zipper at the back of her dress, but her hand froze mid-air, nerves getting the best of her.

Biting her lip, Vivian glanced at Samuel, looking like she might break down any second.

One comment popped up, reading: [This is pure angst. Vivian's risking it all, hoping Samuel's heart will finally melt for her.]

Samuel gave a cold, indifferent smile.

"Vivian, still the same as ever. If you can't keep your word, don't go making promises so lightly," he said.

A comment read: [Samuel still can't get over how Vivian said she loved him, then turned around and married someone else.]

Another comment read: [Can someone spill the tea about what happened back then? I skipped a bunch, please.]

One comment read: [Back then, Samuel was fighting his illegitimate brother for the family fortune. His stepmom basically sent Vivian to seduce Samuel and steal his key business secrets, which totally ruined him and nearly bankrupted him.

[Before she left, Vivian tricked Samuel, saying she'd stay if he went on the drop tower ride he was terrified of. But as soon as he got on, she walked away without even looking back.]

A comment read: [Seriously? After all that betrayal and bad blood, is there even a chance for love between them?]

One comment read: [Guys, focus on what's really going on. Sure, Samuel keeps running his mouth, but he's been staring at Vivian the whole time. Don't let his tough talk fool you.]

Chapter 1

At the class reunion, my fiancé's ex-girlfriend, Vivian Taylor, messed up my shoes.

My fiancé, Samuel Reed, who was always the picture of gentleness and manners, suddenly ordered Vivian to lick my shoes clean.

Just as I was about to step in, a barrage of comments flashed across my vision.

Another comment read: [Long-lost reunion, forbidden affair, the domineering CEO and the femme fatale—every single trope hits right where it counts.]

A comment read: [Sylvia is such an eyesore. Can't wait for Vivian to make her move and totally gross her out!]

My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at Samuel.

He was sprawled out on the sofa, idly playing with my fingers.

Samuel said coldly, "If licking them isn't your thing, that's cool. These heels my girl is wearing? Custom-made, one-of-a-kind in the world, worth a cool three million.

"You can just pay up."

The whole room erupted in jeers and gossip.

One shouted, "Samuel treats Sylvia like royalty. He drops millions on her shoes without blinking. Bet someone here is regretting their life choices right now."

Another chimed in, "Didn't Vivian land herself a rich husband back then? Can't even scrape together a few million?"

Someone sneered, "Rich family? What a joke, it was all smoke and mirrors! They already kicked her out in the end. Honestly, even if she stripped right here, no one's gonna take her."

The chat comments popped up again.

One read: [Vivian's face went white as a sheet. How can these background characters be so nasty?]

Another read: [Vivian only dirtied Sylvia's shoes to catch Samuel's eye. Seriously? How can Samuel be so clueless about what Vivian really wants?]

A comment read: [Vivian still thinks Samuel's her loyal pup, huh? Like she can crook her finger and he'll come running, just like the old days?]

I ignored the flood of comments and locked eyes with Vivian, the woman who broke Samuel's heart and then tossed him aside without a second thought.

Vivian happened to look over, and our eyes met.

Her eyes burned with shame and bitter defiance.

Samuel took off the shoes Vivian had messed up, then softly wiped my feet with a towel, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Samuel said, "Vivian, if you really can't cough up the cash, maybe go beg your bankrupt ex-husband for help."

Vivian's eyes were red and she was shaking all over.

She snapped, "Fine, I'll strip. Isn't this what you want? I'll keep going until you're happy."

Samuel frowned and shot back, "When did I ever say you had to take your clothes off?" He was still talking when Vivian, right in front of everyone, whipped off her coat.

Underneath, she was wearing a champagne-colored sleeveless dress that clung to her curves.

She reached for the zipper at the back of her dress, but her hand froze mid-air, nerves getting the best of her.

Biting her lip, Vivian glanced at Samuel, looking like she might break down any second.

One comment popped up, reading: [This is pure angst. Vivian's risking it all, hoping Samuel's heart will finally melt for her.]

Samuel gave a cold, indifferent smile.

"Vivian, still the same as ever. If you can't keep your word, don't go making promises so lightly," he said.

A comment read: [Samuel still can't get over how Vivian said she loved him, then turned around and married someone else.]

Another comment read: [Can someone spill the tea about what happened back then? I skipped a bunch, please.]

[Before she left, Vivian tricked Samuel, saying she'd stay if he went on the drop tower ride he was terrified of. But as soon as he got on, she walked away without even looking back.]

A comment read: [Seriously? After all that betrayal and bad blood, is there even a chance for love between them?]

One comment read: [Guys, focus on what's really going on. Sure, Samuel keeps running his mouth, but he's been staring at Vivian the whole time. Don't let his tough talk fool you.]