Chapter 5

The annual Tech Summit and Charity Gala was held at the Park Hyatt in the city center.

Dozens of tech media and financial channels were livestreaming the event.

For the past three years, Ethan had demanded that I dress modestly and stay out of the spotlight.

Tonight, I wore a backless, pure black designer gown. With my hair pinned up and bold red lipstick, I looked as sharp and cold as a blade.

Holding a glass of champagne, I stood by the edge of the circular balcony on the second floor, looking down coldly at the fake smiles below.

When the gala reached its peak, Ethan went up to the stage to deliver his keynote speech.

Bianca stood right beside him, wearing a white mermaid gown, looking like a proud swan.

As she reached up to adjust the microphone, her wrist caught the brilliant light, flashing a deep blue.

I saw exactly what it was.

It was my late father’s last bequest—a rare, limited-edition Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon.

Two weeks ago, Ethan had taken it from me, claiming he was sending it to a master Swiss horologist for maintenance.

Now, it was on Bianca’s wrist, serving as her latest trophy.

After the speech, Ethan went to mingle with the crowd. Bianca, holding a glass of red wine, walked straight toward the champagne tower where I was standing.

She stopped half a meter away from me. Nearby, cameras began to drift toward us.

"Stella, this black dress really doesn't suit you. You look like a widow who just lost her husband," Bianca whispered, her voice too low for anyone else to hear.

She raised her wrist, stroking the Patek Philippe watch mockingly.

"This watch is beautiful. Ethan said only my elegance could match it. Leaving it with you is just a waste of a masterpiece."

I stared at her and took a step back, widening the gap between us.

"Why are you backing away?" Bianca suddenly shrieked.

She lifted her glass, her body suddenly leaning forward, and threw herself directly into the massive champagne tower beside us.

Her wrist slammed hard against the solid glass base.

With a sharp crack, the sapphire glass of the watch face shattered, and the delicate gears spilled across the floor.

The champagne tower collapsed, sending glass shards flying everywhere.

Bianca used the momentum to fall right into the pile of broken glass, her arm getting sliced by several small shards.

"Ah! It hurts!"

Clutching her bleeding arm, she looked up at me in terror, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls.

"Stella! I know you're mad at me for taking the credit for the AI system, but why did you push me?! You know my depression can't handle this!"

The crowd gasped.

Everyone’s eyes and dozens of high-definition cameras locked onto us instantly.

The crowd was roughly pushed aside, and Ethan rushed out like a furious beast.

He took one look at the blood on the floor and the shattered watch, then ripped off his suit jacket to wrap a trembling Bianca tightly in his arms.

He stood up slowly, stepping right in front of me, his eyes terrifyingly dark.

Slap!

Without any warning, a heavy blow landed on my cheek.

The force of the slap whipped my head to the side, and the metallic taste of blood burst in my mouth.

The flashbulbs went wild. Ethan’s hands gripped my shoulders so hard his knuckles turned white.

He twisted the heavy platinum ring on his finger, his eyes, usually so cold, now burning with pure rage.

"Stella Brooks, did you leave your manners in the gutter? You know how fragile she is, yet you pushed her! How can you be so vicious?"

He commanded, his voice heavy with undeniable pressure: "Kneel down. Apologize to Bianca. Don't make me say it twice in front of the press."

I didn't shed a single tear.

I wiped the blood from my lip with my tongue, tasting the iron.

Then, I reached out and grabbed a broken champagne bottle neck from the table beside me.

Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, I drove the jagged glass deep into Ethan's left shoulder.

The glass tore through his expensive white shirt, sinking deep into his flesh.

Blood sprayed instantly, splashing across Bianca's pale, horrified face.

"Ah—!" Bianca screamed like a dying pig.

Ethan let out a sharp gasp of pain, his eyes wide. His grip on my shoulders loosened instantly. He stared at me in disbelief, as if he didn't recognize the woman standing before him.

I pulled a thick manila envelope from my purse and slammed it hard against his perfect face.

Inside were the bank records and signed documents proving Ethan had used my AI patent royalties to purchase three luxury villas overseas for Bianca.

The papers scattered like snow, falling around the guests’ feet.

I slipped off the diamond engagement ring that represented three years of my wasted youth and threw it onto the red carpet like trash.

"Ethan Vance, you played the clean germaphobe for so long, did you actually start believing you aren't filthy?"

I looked at his bleeding shoulder and spoke, my voice echoing clearly through the entire hall.

"Take your trash and rot in the gutter."

I turned, stepping over the glass in my high heels, and walked out of the gala without looking back.