Chapter 3

Evelyn's fans flooded my account, calling me a brute for beating up their precious, gorgeous queen.

Evelyn posted a pitiful, teary video on her own account, saying I was jealous, trash-talking her, and even pushed her into the water.

She also claimed that since we were both shop review vloggers, I was always ripping off her content, driving her crazy.

The comments section had turned into a war zone, and I was getting absolutely destroyed.

My temples were pounding as I scrolled through the comments. If I'd known it would blow up like this, I would've just sucked it up and let Evelyn have her way. But no, I had to go and rough her up like that.

Now, my career was basically toast.

Just thinking about that night still makes my head throb.

I thought it was just a normal get-together, but it turned out to be Quillan and Evelyn's engagement party.

Ironically, it was Quillan himself who invited me to the event.

I honestly had no clue what Quillan was playing at. Was he hoping Evelyn would put me in my place, or was he just reminding me that, to him, I was nothing but a woman he could summon or dismiss whenever he pleased?

At that moment, I was standing by the pond, feeding the fish.

Evelyn, who never got along with me, came strutting over in her designer gown.

"Well, if it isn't Serena." Evelyn sneered. "What, can't afford a meal these days?

"Had to crash my engagement party with Mr. Greenwood just to score some free food and join the fun?"

The moment she mentioned "Mr. Greenwood," I couldn't help but frown.

The only person anyone would call "Mr. Greenwood" here was Quillan. No one else came to mind.

I tossed the fish food aside and fixed Evelyn with a cold stare. "Evelyn, what are you getting at? Are you really getting engaged to Quillan?"

Evelyn shot me a dramatic eye roll, clearly not impressed.

In the morning, Quillan had specifically told me to look my best tonight, even hired a pro stylist for me and made sure my nails were perfect.

But when I arrived, there wasn't a trace of anyone around. A million possibilities flashed through my mind in an instant.

Damn it. Someone was about to snatch my livelihood right out from under me.

Quillan, you ruthless bastard, you really went all out.

Unbelievable. Even at your own engagement party, you still had to drag me here for a meal. You were on another level.

Fuming, I turned to leave, but as I passed Evelyn, she stuck her foot out and tripped me, sending me crashing to the ground.

"Evelyn, what's your deal?" I snapped, glaring up at her.

Evelyn flashed the massive diamond ring on her finger. "I heard the one always backing you up is Quillan, right?

"You've been holding me down for years, but in the end, it's me who's marrying Mr. Greenwood. Bet that stings, Serena.

"But hey, that's just how life is for me, lucky as hell. Next time you see me, better make sure to steer clear, or I'll have Quillan kick you out for good."

Suddenly, it all made sense. So this was Quillan's plan all along, just wanted to show me the door. He really just wanted me gone.

I got up, brushed the dirt off, and damn tears started falling before I could stop them. "Whatever, I'm out. Like I care."

Just as I was storming off, Evelyn shoved me, and at the last second before I fell in, I grabbed her ankle and dragged her down with me.

The water was only waist-deep.

*****

So there we were, straight-up catfighting in the lake, not holding back with a single slap.

It wasn't until Quillan stormed in that he yanked me out of the lake, then pulled Evelyn out right after.

Quillan planted himself next to Evelyn, his face thunderous and his voice cutting like ice. "Serena, what the hell are you doing?"

I stared at them, looking every bit the picture-perfect couple, and my chest ached. "Just beating up your fiancée, Quillan. Isn't it obvious? I was having the time of my life."

"Serena, I dare you to say that one more time," Quillan snapped, his eyes blazing.

I marched right up to Quillan, and the way he was guarding Evelyn like she was his whole world just pissed me off even more.

If I was going down, I was taking you with me. I kicked Quillan into the lake without a second thought.

Watching Quillan thrash around in the water like a soaked mutt, I was sniffling and wiping away tears. "Quillan, we're over.

"And I mean for good, dead or alive, I never want to see you again."

There went my golden meal ticket.

I was zoning out when my phone rang. It was Dulciana Blaze, an old shop review buddy of mine.

"Hey, Serena, guess what? Your photographer and that studio assistant have both jumped ship to my team," Dulciana said, sounding way too pleased with herself.

I sat up in a flash. "Dulciana, don't push it. I'm not dead yet, you know."