Chapter 4

Sylvia's POV

What I didn't know was that up on a high floor of the inpatient department, Julian stood motionless by the window, watching me.

His hand gripped the window frame tightly, his expression so grim it looked as if it might shatter, his face masked in unbearable pain.

But he didn't come down.

After a long, quiet moment, he drew the curtains shut.

Once I had cried myself out, I wiped my face fiercely with my sleeve.

What was the point of crying?

I, Sylvia Spencer, have never been the type of person to sit around and wait for pity.

In all the years I've known Julian, he has frozen me out, avoided me, and rejected me. When did I ever give up?

This time would be no different.

Besides, the more I thought about it, the more off it felt.

I knew Julian's character. No matter how ruthless he was, he was always rational. He would never conspire with an outsider to frame me.

Yet, that was exactly what he did—and he did it so hastily, so ruthlessly.

It was too out of character.

He must be hiding something from me.

I took a deep breath and stood up.

Fine. If you won't tell me, I'll find out myself.

It wasn't like I didn't have connections.

There were still a few veteran employees in the PR department of Boundless Tech who were close to me and hadn't had the chance to distance themselves yet. I could get first-hand updates on Julian and Giselle's schedules and media movements.

Over the next few days, I kept a close eye on any news about Julian.

But the more I followed, the more anxious I became.

The media was flooded with reports about Julian and Giselle.

Julian himself was a top-tier figure in the tech community—the founder of Boundless Tech and a genius programmer. Cameras followed him wherever he went.

Giselle, on the other hand, was the heiress of the Sutton Group, a socialite who naturally drew attention. Together, they made trending headlines almost every day.

Two weeks later, I was hit with an explosive headline.

[Julian Kingsley and Giselle Sutton Officially Engaged, Engagement Party to Be Held Next Month]

I stared at my phone screen, blood rushing to my head.

Engaged? It had only been two weeks since he threw me out, and now he was getting engaged to Giselle?

What drove me even crazier came next.

Giselle did an interview, smiling sweetly at the camera.

"Actually, we're childhood sweethearts. Our families lived close by when we were kids, so we grew up together. Our parents even arranged a betrothal for us back then."

"So you and Mr. Kingsley have a very deep emotional foundation?"

Giselle smiled, looking bashful.

"I suppose. We even played house when we were ten. He insisted on playing the groom to marry me and even wove a ring out of a willow branch. It was childish, but thinking back, it was really sweet."

Childhood sweethearts? Arranged betrothal?

I had only just met Julian in the orphanage when I was ten!

For the past sixteen years, Julian and I had been inseparable. Giselle hadn't even been a shadow in his life!

I was the one who had always been by Julian's side!

What right did Giselle have to suddenly pop up and push me out?

I combed through every single related report.

The engagement party was set for next month.

The venue was The Peninsula Hotel downtown.

A wild idea slowly began to take shape in my mind.

Julian wouldn't give me a chance to speak, right?

Then I would create one myself.

A month later, The Peninsula Hotel was brilliantly lit.

Wearing a wig and a mask, and holding an invitation I had managed to pull strings to get, I blended in with the guests and slipped into the banquet hall.

Holding a glass of champagne, I stood in a corner, watching the hall decorated with flowers and crystal chandeliers in a display of gold and splendor, watching the guests clinking glasses and laughing merrily, and watching Julian and Giselle's portrait printed on the stage backdrop.

In the photo, Julian wore a dark suit while Giselle held his arm. The two of them looked like a perfect match.

I downed the champagne in my glass in one gulp, my stomach churning with jealousy and bitterness.

On stage, the master of ceremonies was warming up the crowd, announcing that the happy couple would be making their entrance soon.

I took a deep breath, and while the staff wasn't paying attention, I rushed onto the stage and snatched the microphone from the MC's hand.

I took off my wig and ripped off the mask.

"Sorry to interrupt. I have a few questions that I must ask today's groom in front of everyone."

The entire hall fell silent, and countless phones were raised.

Julian and Giselle were standing at the entrance of the backstage. When they saw who was on stage, both of their faces changed instantly.

Julian marched toward the stage, suppressing his fury.

"Sylvia, get down here."

"I'm not getting down. You changed all your contact info, the company won't let me in, and there are guards at your door. If I want to ask you something, this is the only way."

Giselle caught up, grabbing Julian's arm. She offered a reassuring smile to the crowd below, then turned her head and lowered her voice.

"Sylvia, haven't you caused enough of a scene? This is my engagement party. Believe it or not, I can have you dragged out of here right now."

"Where are the guards? Get her out of here!"

I ignored her completely and stared straight at Julian.

"Julian, I just want to ask you one question. We grew up together. Can't I even ask you one question?"

"What do you want to ask? Ask it and leave."

"Fine."

I looked at this man whom I had loved for sixteen years.

At this moment, he was getting engaged to someone else, with Giselle right by his side.

I gripped the microphone tightly and asked loud enough for the whole room to hear:

"Julian, what do you plan to do about the baby in my belly?"