Chapter Five

Ann went out of Emily's apartment and took the subway to The Venice. Yes, it was the same hotel which brought Ann to her darkest time five years ago. But Ann heard The Venice was Vivian’s fiance’s, and they would hold their engagement party there. 

How rich he was!

The moment Ann stepped inside the party hall, she felt she was in a whole new world. 

The big hall was very bright because of the large beautiful chandeliers. The interior decorations were so beautiful that Ann felt everything came out from fairy tales. People inside all wore luxury brand clothes and accessories. Women’s dresses were so exquisite and their jewelry seemed to shine brighter than the chandeliers on the ceiling.

Looking at her plain light yellow dress, Ann felt she did not belong here. She seemed to be stabbed by people’s stares, as if they were saying, “Who’s that girl? Look at her dress. How did she even get an invitation?”

Ann took a deep breath. She grabbed a glass of wine and drank it. 

Ann stepped inside the party. Then, out of her surprise, she saw lots of celebrities. They were interacting with each other like casual friends.

Leonardo Di Carpio was standing in front of her. He was talking with Anne Hathaway, who was super stunning in her white dress. Members of BTS, which was a famous K-pop band, and they were so popular among young people nowadays. 

Ann could not believe her eyes. She muttered, “Unbelievable. To whom is Vivian engaged?”

As Ann remained star-struck, she averted her gaze from across the hall. There she saw Vivian. She looked spectacular in a deep burgundy long evening dress, which revealed her perfect body figure and elegance. Her brown hair was still shining, and her make up was almost perfect.

Ann found herself a little jealous of Vivian.

Then, Ann thought the man besides Vivian looked familiar. She looked at him for a while, and found out it was … Simon?!

Ann was taken aback as she saw Simon ---- the CEO of the Santorini Enterprise Group. Simon looked spectacular in a fancy gray suit with his blonde hair brushed up. He was standing beside Vivian, and her arm was linked in his. 

Was Simon Vivian’s fiance? 

So this was the result. Simon was The fiance, and Vivian was The girlfriend. There were too many coincidences, and Ann should have noticed it earlier. “Simon’s girlfriend was a famous actress named Vivian.”

That would have explained this whole endeavor: why was everyone here so famous. After all, Simon’s company rivaled the famous brand Louis Vuitton and Gucci! The Santorini Enterprise group could buy all those companies in one day. They were the largest and most successful company after all, and on top of that was none other than Simon.

The Unattainable. Vivian managed to attain such a perfect man.

Ann had complicated feelings, but before she could react, she heard someone calling her. 

“Ann, you are here. Come over.” It was Joe. He called her calmly.

Ann gulped hard as she walked towards him, and the latter was not far away from Vivian and Simon. Then Joe brought Ann to the engaged couple.   

From afar, Ann saw Vivian already rolled her eyes. Beth, who was also standing beside Vivian, glared at Ann’s face contemptuously. 

Ann sighed deeply as she walked over.

When Ann arrived, Joe wrapped his arm around Ann’s shoulders, which he hadn’t done for years. Ann looked at her father. She seemed to want some positive responses from Joe, but there was none. Joe just brought her in front of the engaged couple and began to introduce. He didn’t even look at Ann. 

“Simon, this is my other daughter, Ann,” Joe said affably. “She is my ex-wife’s daughter.”

“Hello, Simon, it’s my pleasure to meet you. I am Ann.” Ann said politely. Joe made her say this by grabbing her shoulder tightly. 

Simon looked at her coldly. He didn’t respond to her greetings.

Ann anticipated this. It was obvious that Simon still remembered her. To Simon, she was nobody but a reckless employee. Besides, Ann was sure that Vivian definitely had given him plenty of slanderous talks about her.  

Seeing this, Vivian smirked as she interlocked her fingers with Simon. She said, “It’s okay, Simon. She’s family after all. I don’t want people to think we are too cold despite the fact that she was always rude to me.”

“What did you say?” Ann said angrily. “I was rude to you?”

“There she goes,” Vivian said helplessly.

That was typical Vivian. She managed to turn the tables. 

Ann was about to defend herself, but Joe stopped her. He grabbed her shoulder more tightly.

Ann felt small and ashamed. Nobody would defend her, and nobody was on her side. She did not belong to this world.

Simon did not care about her either. Why would he?

The party dragged on, but Ann was just standing in the corner. 

Then, Joe began to give a speech on the stage, “To my dearest daughter-“

Ann knew this was for Vivian, but how she wished this was for her. Ann felt herself on the verge of tears, but just then, Vivian bumped into her shoulders as she walked past her with a smirk.

Vivian went upstage. Her gaze pierced through Ann’s heart. 

Joe continued, “My darling Vivian, I really wish you all the happiness, but please, do come home often.”

“Sorry, father, I was busy, just like your other daughter,” Vivian smiled gently. Obviously, she was satirizing Ann.

But Ann stared at them without moving. She didn't care about Vivian. She was just touched by this scene.

“Oh, it seems like you are very jealous. Right, little Ann?” Beth moved besides Ann, and talked to her suddenly. “I told you before. Your father never loved you and your mother. Know your role.”

Ann looked at Beth and clenched her fist. She made her gross. What a stupid and shallow woman! 

“I also told you before,” Ann said, “you have no right to speak of my mother. You are nothing compared with her.”

Beth was super furious that she raised her hand. She slapped Ann's face immediately. 

Everybody else was looking at them.

Ann stared at Beth angrily.

Just when Ann thought it could not get any worse, Vivian approached the two of them. She asked, “What is going on here?”

“It seems like somebody is making trouble intentionally, what should we do?” Beth said.

Vivian looked at Ann cunningly, saying, “That’s easy.”

Then, she pushed Ann so hard that Ann lost her balance. Just then, a waiter who was holding a tray of champagne passed by. Ann bumped into the waiter, and both of them fell down on the floor. All of the champagne poured on Ann’s body.

She was soaking wet and her bra showed through her dress. Ann felt so humiliated.

Everyone stopped talking and stared at her, including Simon.  

She glanced up and saw her father. She looked at him, as she was pleading for help. But he was still nonchalant. 

Tears were rolling down on her face. It was life or death, and she must choose. 

Then, Ann suddenly stood up and rushed to Vivian. She pushed her down with all her strength. 

Everyone in the hall held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

After this, Ann ran out of the evil hall with all eyes on her. Neither Beth nor Vivian had time to react. 

She finally felt a little bit relieved.

She didn’t want to be there. She wasn’t supposed to be at that stupid party, but they asked her to come so they can humiliate her.