Chapter 2

I told my assistant to inform the Sinclair family's overseas team: I don't care what it takes, carve up the Shaw family's market piece by piece.

When it came to money, Edward couldn't even begin to compare to me.

If I hadn't had a shred of affection for him back then, the Shaw family would've been begging for crumbs in some back alley a long time ago.

A few days later, I received an invitation to the Shaw family's party of celebration.

My parents saw an opportunity to stand up for me, but I held them back.

"No need to rush. I'll give him some peaceful time, so when I strike, he'll be caught off guard," I said.

Daniel Turner, Edward's sworn enemy, had been very close to me these past few years.

He'd talked about wooing me nonstop, but he'd also take every chance to milk some benefits from me whenever he could.

Inside the bar's private room, Daniel was dressed to the nines in a showy purple suit.

His elegant fingers pushed a limited-edition handbag across the table to me.

He let out a helpless sigh. "You said you'd give me the Southridge Development Project, remember? Now that Edward's back, don't tell me you're actually going back on your word."

I casually swirled my wine glass, and for the first time, really took a good look at Daniel.

Unlike Edward's tough vibe, Daniel had this delicate gentleness about him.

Whenever he squinted his sly eyes, he looked just like a trickster.

But somehow, he was actually very simple and innocent.

All this time he'd been by my side, not once did he step out of line.

Someone as arrogant and domineering as I didn't really have friends.

Daniel was basically my only friend.

Just then, the door swung open, and in the doorway appeared an innocent-looking girl.

Daniel's first reaction was to ask, "Who are you?"

The colorful lights flickered across the girl's face.

It was Sophia.

I put my glass down and leaned back, settling into a more relaxed position.

"Sophia, Edward's new lover," I said.

As soon as I said it, Daniel showed a scornful expression.

He went, "Ew."

Eyeing her up and down, he scoffed, "She can't even hold a candle to you, Miss Sinclair. Has Edward completely lost his mind?"

Sophia finally dared to raise her head, looking up at me like a frightened little bunny.

"Miss Sinclair," she stammered, "when are you going to break off the engagement with Edward? He doesn't love you anymore. Can you stop clinging to him, please?"

I watched her with an air of leisure. My fingertip carelessly grazed the face of my watch.

Daniel caught the small gesture and instantly knew I was running out of patience.

He gave a lazy wave to the bodyguards standing behind Sophia, signaling them to haul her out.

The burly bodyguards closed in on Sophia. In panic, she dropped straight to the floor.

She started bawling her eyes out, as if we were actually about to hurt her.

I sauntered over, bent down, and casually tilted her chin upwards with my finger. I sounded bored and distant.

"Breaking off the engagement is something Edward himself should be here for. You don't even have the qualifications to stand in front of me," I said.

The footsteps in the hallway kept getting closer. Edward suddenly came in.

He looked like he'd just dashed over. His hair was tousled, and his shirt was messy.

He strode right up and pulled Sophia to her feet. His glare was chilling, and his brow twisted tight with anger.

Edward said, "Rachel, do whatever you want to me, but don't you dare use your dirty tricks on an innocent girl like her."

What a joke.

"Innocent?" I asked.

I stepped forward, asking him with a serious voice.

I added, "She knew you had a fiancée, but she still chose to mess around with you. And you call her innocent?

"Who does she think she is, showing up here and telling me to break off our engagement? And you still have the nerve to call her innocent?

"We're still engaged, and she'd already crawled into your bed. And you're honestly calling her innocent?"

Behind me, Daniel snickered. "She's definitely a schemer. I didn't know you like two-faced women, Mr. Shaw."

Edward's eyes narrowed. Annoyance was written all over his face.

He sneered, "Daniel, you're just Rachel's pet dog. Who are you to judge anyone?"

I couldn't believe those words actually came out of Edward's mouth.

I was shocked.