Chapter 2

The whispers in the ballroom buzzed like flies, accompanied by countless judging stares.

I pushed Julian away and was about to explain.

But my father walked over, his face livid.

Without a word, he raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face!

The loud slap made my ears ring, and I stumbled to the floor.

"You disgrace! You've ruined the Sterling name! How did I raise such a shameless daughter? Forget choosing—you're marrying into the Vance family right now!"

Holding my stinging cheek, I refused. "Father, I don't want to marry him!"

My father leaned down, whispering with vicious calculation in his eyes, "Don't want to? You think I care who you marry? I care about your mother's stupid will!"

"As long as you remain unmarried, the core assets of the Sterling family are locked in a trust fund. I have to live like a dog on table scraps!"

"Do you know how I've survived these past fifteen years? I had to get the board’s approval just to buy Serena a necklace!"

Serena was my stepsister.

My father loved his mistress and her daughter dearly. After my mother died, he brought them both into our home.

For fifteen years, my life had been a living hell.

Seeing that I was still resisting, my father raised his hand to strike me again.

Julian frowned slightly and silently stepped in front of me, shielding me.

"Sir, I will take responsibility for Chloe."

Seeing he had got what he wanted, my father’s anger subsided. "Fine. Since Julian is willing to marry you, pick a date and get it over with."

I still refused.

I looked at Liam standing nearby, tears blurring my vision.

"Liam, do you believe me? I'm not pregnant. He's lying!"

"The one I want to marry is you! Will you marry me?"

Liam looked at my swollen cheek and tearful eyes.

He nodded heavily, trying to pull me behind him. "I believe you, Chloe. I'll marry—"

"Believe?"

Julian's calm voice cut Liam off.

He casually took out his phone and tapped the screen.

An intimate audio recording began to play, loud and clear for Liam to hear.

"Julian, don't..."

A female voice that sounded exactly like mine played, accompanied by the rustle of clothes.

"Now you're saying no? You're the one who gave me your room key..."

A deep, chuckling male voice replied. It was clearly Julian.

The recording cut off there.

Julian pocketed his phone.

"Mr. Hayes... do you still believe her?"

Liam violently真实地 shuddered.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with struggle and shock, which quickly turned into humiliated disappointment.

He didn't say another word.

Slowly, he pulled back the hand that had tried to protect me.

Avoiding my gaze, Liam muttered, "I only believe evidence, Chloe."

He turned and quickly walked out of the ballroom.

I instinctively wanted to chase him, but Julian stopped me again.

"Still chasing him?"

"If he really loved you, how could he believe that recording was real? Anyone listening closely can tell that wasn't your voice."

I slapped his hand away and glared up at him. "And what about you? If you claim to love me, why use such cheap tricks? You ruined my reputation in public! Forced me to marry you—is this what you call love?"

Julian looked at my red eyes and sighed.

He reached out, trying to touch my bruised cheek.

"Who in our circle is truly clean? Power, greed, dirty secrets... who is better than whom?"

"Chloe, you're the only clean one."

I flinched away from his hand in disgust.

"Don't drag everyone down to your level!"

I ignored him, grabbed my gown, and ran out.

I had to explain everything to Liam myself!

Julian didn't stop me. He just watched my retreating figure with unreadable, deep eyes.

His assistant silently approached and whispered, "Mr. Vance, we've cleared it up. The list of shareholders for the 'underground organ market' is confirmed. Except for you and the Hayes family, every major player in our circle has their hands dirty."

Julian didn't look surprised. His eyes only darkened. "What is the Hayes family doing?"

"Old Mr. Hayes is gravely ill and has lost control. But the side branches of the Hayes family have been in close contact with Arthur Sterling lately. They seem to be aligning."

Julian frowned. "What about Liam?"

The assistant paused before answering cautiously, "He hasn't taken a clear stance. But the Hayes family has been declining over the years. According to our sources, his attitude is very ambiguous lately. He might get involved to save his family."

Julian remained silent for a long moment.

He looked toward the hallway where I had disappeared, and ordered coldly, "Keep a close eye on her. Bring her back to me before she crashes and burns."

"I won't let Chloe be driven to death again in this lifetime."