Chapter 2

The elevator doors slid open, and the moment I turned around, I locked eyes with Silas.

His gaze was burning with anger. "Serena, did you just hand in your resignation?"

I barely spared him a glance before pressing the button to close the doors.

Silas shoved his way in before they could shut completely. "You know the company is in a critical growth phase, and we're nearing the end of the year. Where am I supposed to find someone to replace you now?"

"You have Vivian, don't you?"

He'd sung her praises more times than I could count, saying how competent and reliable she was. Well, now was the perfect chance for me to back off.

A flicker of hesitation crossed his face before he finally spoke, "Vivian's good, but the company still needs you.

"Are you still mad? Serena, I've told you—marrying her was just to keep up appearances for her parents. I promise I'll divorce her once everything's settled."

I'd heard of this exhausting excuse too many times to count.

Just then, the elevator arrived at the underground parking lot. I stepped out without hesitation and quickened my pace.

Silas was right behind me, but I reached my car first. I yanked the door open, slid inside, and peeled out of the lot before he could get any closer.

His voice echoed after me, "Serena, you think you can just walk away?

"How dare you treat me like this? Do you really believe the Walker family will keep thriving without me?"

For years, Mom and Dad had poured everything into the company, but time had worn them down. The business had been slipping, and Silas had used that to step all over me.

He must have forgotten—if I hadn't joined Grant Group back then, I would have taken over Walker Group instead.

Grant Group had been on the verge of collapse before I came in and turned things around.

…

After I took over my family business, my schedule became suffocating. I barely had time to deal with Silas until a high-society gathering.

I rarely attended such events, but I'd just taken over Walker Group and needed to expand my network. So, I went.

And of course, I ran into Silas and Vivian.

While Silas was busy charming the elite, Vivian made a beeline for me. "Serena, so what if you and Silas were childhood sweethearts? In the end, I am the one he will marry."

Then, with a glass in hand, she "accidentally" bumped into me, sending red wine cascading down her dress.

As the glass shattered, Silas appeared right on cue. His touch was gentle as he brushed shards of glass off her.

Vivian stole a glance at me, but her eyes glistened with faux innocence. "Silas, don't be mad at Serena. I'm sure she didn't mean it."

Silas glared at me. "Serena, enough is enough! Are you really still playing these childish games? You think you could actually win me back with such petty schemes?"

"Listen to me—lay a hand on Vivian again, and I won't care about the history between our families."

I cast an amused glance at Silas before taking a slow step toward Vivian.

My eyes locked onto his as I said, "Lay a hand on her? Watch closely. This is what that looks like!"

Then, without hesitation, I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.

"Got a good look? Consider that my wedding gift to you both—may you two have a long, sweet life together."

Silas stood there, frozen. He didn't even react as I walked away.

…

The next morning, I headed straight for the most exclusive bridal boutique in Brightchester.

Silas had always been too busy to shop for wedding necessities, so I had handled everything myself. To save Silas from embarrassment, I had gone as far as commissioning a custom tiara, inspired by vintage royal designs.

And since I loved historical fashion, I had also designed a bespoke wedding gown with intricate embroidery.

But now that the wedding was off, it was only right to take them back.

But when I arrived, the boutique owner looked uneasy. "Mr. Grant already picked up the tiara and the wedding gown.

"He brought the appointment slip, and we assumed you were too busy, so we let him take them…"

Silas had chosen that moment to take the wedding gown? His message couldn't be clearer.

The gown, I could let go. But the tiara?

No. It was embedded with a rare aquamarine gemstone—a priceless Walker family heirloom.

I dialed Silas, but all I got was a thinly veiled threat.

"You want the tiara back? Sure.

"But… your parents just started a project with Grant Group, didn't they? I heard there's been a little… problem."

A threat, huh? I let out a cold snort.

Silas' tone softened as he said, "Serena, it's just a tiara. You can always get another one when we get married. Let Vivian have this one—I just want her to have a little dignity."

For the first time, I actually laughed. Not out of amusement, but of disbelief.

I didn't reply, and Silas took my silence as an invitation to keep talking.

"Serena, the wedding between Vivian and me is coming up soon. If you'd like to attend—"

"That won't be necessary," I cut in coldly. "I won't have the time."

Silas was confused. "Busy with what?"

"My parents are arranging my marriage," I said calmly.

"Oh…yeah, yeah, this is for the best. Otherwise, it would be awkward when we hold our wedding in the future. Serena, you always think ahead. Alright. I'll adjust the wedding plans accordingly."

And with that, he hung up.

I didn't bother explaining. Right now, I have only one goal. I had to get back the aquamarine gemstone from the tiara. But I will let the professionals handle it instead.

…

Silas and I were set to have the wedding ceremony on the same day. That morning, hundreds of luxury cars departed in unison, making their way to my home to escort me.

Our route just so happened to pass by the hotel where Silas and Vivian's wedding was being held.

Through the tinted glass, I spotted Vivian stepping out of her bridal car, dressed in my custom gown and wearing my tiara that had my family's heirloom—the aquamarine gemstone—glinting under the morning sun.

She beamed, clinging to Silas's arm as she soaked in the envious gazes of the crowd.

But soon, their smiles froze.