Chapter 4

"Let me tell you, Chloe, if you ruin this alliance with Carter, don't blame us for—"

"Cut the crap," I interrupted coldly. "That mega-project you two failed to close for years? I just signed it. Our company’s market cap has officially surpassed the Hayes Group."

"Wait... really?!"

My father’s disbelieving gasp echoed through the speaker.

I let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

I always knew they never gave a damn about me—only the business.

Ever since their health deteriorated, they had reluctantly handed the reins over to me, but they held me to standards ten times harsher than they ever held themselves.

Even though I hit every milestone and broke profit records year after year, I had never once heard a word of praise.

Whenever they needed to use me, they’d say: ‘You’re the man of this house. Step up and take responsibility.’

But the second they wanted to belittle me, they’d sneer: ‘Just a useless woman. What do you know?’

Those words came from my own flesh and blood. How sane was I supposed to turn out?

"From now on, Carter can sleep with whoever he wants. The Vance family won't suffer either way. If you keep nagging me, I swear I’ll burn this entire company to the ground."

"Okay, okay! We won't say another word!"

Over the past few years, they had witnessed my ruthless streak. They knew my threats weren't empty, and they backed off immediately.

Once I was sure they wouldn't harass me anymore, I hung up.

To my surprise, Harper sent me a friend request on SnapChat.

I accepted it.

I wanted to see what kind of garbage she was planning to pull.

Unsurprisingly, she went straight into the gutter.

She sent me a short video of the two of them tangled in bed sheets, quickly unsent it, and then typed:

【Oops, wrong chat! I just wanted to ask—are you coming to pick Carter up?】

【Busy.】 I replied.

I didn't look at my phone after that, but Harper spammed me with 99+ notifications.

The girl was truly relentless.

I skimmed through her messages without really caring.

Her point was crystal clear.

Summed up in one sentence: 【Carter is mine. Always has been, always will be.】

I sent back a thumbs-up emoji: 【Yup. Keep him.】

After that day, Carter didn't contact me once.

Instead, he and Harper were spotted together everywhere in public.

The rumors flew wild, with everyone speculating that our engagement was officially dead in the water.

Reporters even asked Harper directly, and she just blushed demurely. "I’ll leave that decision to Carter."

I knew Carter was waiting for me to crawl back and apologize.

But why the hell would I apologize?

I didn't love him.

In three years, I had turned myself into the most powerful executive at Vance Group. Nobody could touch my position now.

Why would I degrade myself for a man?

Two weeks later, the day of our scheduled engagement party arrived.

Carter finally deigned to call me. "Your parents are already here. You better hurry up."

I was about to say, ‘The engagement is off,’ but he hung up before I could finish.

Fine. I guess I'd have to break the news in person.

The moment I walked into the grand ballroom, I saw Harper with her arms wrapped around Carter’s neck.

"Hey, bestie... you're about to get engaged to that woman. Are you really going to abandon me forever?"

"I’m pregnant with your baby now. You don't actually expect me to get an abortion, do you?"

"I mean, I don't care, but your parents are dying for a grandchild."

Harper looked at Carter with big, teary eyes.

Carter looked like he was being torn in two on a torture rack.

Seeing this ridiculous circus, I sighed, walked up to the stage, and snatched the microphone from the host's hand.

"What's there to hesitate about? She’s carrying your child—you two should just get engaged right now!"

"As for me, the little stand-in? It's about time I step down."

My voice boomed through the speakers, echoing into every corner of the hall.

Amidst the stunned silence of the high-society crowd, I gave Harper a polite, inviting gesture.

"Well? Isn't our leading lady going to take the stage?"

Harper’s eyes lit up, and she took a step forward.

But Carter stepped right in front of her, cutting her off, and marched straight toward me.

"Chloe Vance! Who the hell said you were a stand-in?! You’re the only one I love. You’ve never been a replacement for anyone!"

Oh? Did I just get upgraded to the main character?