Chapter 4

"You've already prepared a birthday gift for me, right?"

Tristan cut in, taking over from Chloe. His tone was flat, but carried an undeniable sense of pressure.

He turned his head, his eyes cold as they swept over Chloe. The look was full of warning, like an ice-cold blade that cut off the rest of Chloe's words right in her throat.

Chloe shuddered under that gaze. The truth on the tip of her tongue was forced back down, and her face flushed red.

When Tristan looked back at Scarlett, all the coldness in his eyes had vanished without a trace, replaced by nothing but tenderness. "Scarlett, since you're not feeling well, let's throw a party next week. I'll officially give you this ring then, and let everyone know that you'll always be my one and only wife."

Scarlett looked at him quietly.

He could threaten his mistress without batting an eye while sweet-talking his wife with apparent devotion.

This ease with dancing on the edge of lies sent chills through her.

"Sure." Scarlett lowered her lashes, hiding the self-mocking smile in her eyes. "Since you want to do it, let's make it grand."

Seeing her agree, Tristan relaxed slightly and bent down to kiss the top of her head. "Whatever you say."

Later that evening, Tristan left for business.

Scarlett sat in the empty living room, looking at the huge diamond ring on her finger. It felt as heavy as shackles.

Rose appeared silently behind her and said in a low voice, "Scarlett, it's done."

Scarlett snapped back to attention, her eyes cool. "Tell me."

"I've made contact with an organization that specializes in identity erasure and faking accidents. They're very professional. They've looked into it—as long as we cooperate well, they can make it so you never existed. Even Mr. Getty's network won't find a single trace." Rose paused, her expression serious. "But they have one requirement. For a job at this level, they must meet with you in person to discuss the details."

Scarlett rubbed her fingernail, her fingertips ice-cold. "I'll find a chance to meet them in a few days."

On Saturday evening, the Getty Family estate was brilliantly lit, with all of Sovereign City's elite in attendance.

Scarlett wore a simple black satin gown that made her skin look pale as jade.

Tristan publicly put a globally limited necklace called "Eternal Tears" on her.

The main diamond on the necklace was enormous, reflecting blinding light under the chandeliers.

"Scarlett, you're so beautiful." Tristan whispered in her ear. To outsiders, they still looked like an enviable couple.

Just then, a discordant voice interrupted.

"Scarlett, you look absolutely stunning today." Chloe appeared uninvited, wearing a fire-red dress as bold as a flame.

She deliberately raised her hand and brushed back the hair by her ear.

Scarlett's eyes narrowed.

On Chloe's middle finger was a light blue diamond ring identical to the one on her own ring finger.

They were either from the same set, or Tristan had specially commissioned a replica to appease Chloe.

The socialites and wealthy ladies around them had already started whispering, their eyes moving back and forth between the two women's fingers, their expressions subtle.

Chloe lifted her chin proudly and lowered her voice to taunt Scarlett. "Scarlett, the rings are the same, but Tristan said it only looks good on me. After all, new is always better than old, isn't it?"

Scarlett said nothing, just looked at her quietly with the calm of someone looking at a dead person.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you blinded by how good this ring looks?" Chloe grew more arrogant.

Scarlett laughed softly and picked up a glass of red wine from a passing waiter's tray.

"It is pretty blinding."

Before she finished speaking, her wrist seemed to slip carelessly.

The entire glass of rich red wine poured down the front of Chloe's fire-red dress, instantly staining the expensive fabric with filth.

"Ah!" Chloe screamed. "Scarlett, are you crazy!"

"Sorry about that, my hand slipped." Scarlett elegantly set down the glass and took out a handkerchief to wipe her spotless fingertips, her tone cool. "But it doesn't matter. When clothes get dirty, you can wash them and still wear them. But some things are dirty by nature—like stolen goods. Even if you put diamonds on them, you can't hide that cheap, rotten stench."

Chloe trembled with rage and instinctively looked toward Tristan in the distance.

Tristan was talking with several business tycoons. Hearing the commotion, he glanced over, his brow furrowing slightly before he looked away, apparently not planning to stand up for Chloe.

Chloe bit her lip hard, grabbed her skirt, and rushed to Tristan's side, shouting tearfully, "Tristan! Look at what she did! She did it on purpose! And what about the baby in my belly—don't you care?"

The last sentence was said quietly, but loud enough to make Tristan's face change dramatically.

Tristan's previously indifferent eyes instantly became deep and complex. He glanced toward Scarlett, saw her looking down and talking with someone, then grabbed Chloe's wrist and forcefully pulled her toward a secluded spot on the terrace behind the ballroom.

Scarlett stood in place, watching their figures disappear into the shadows. The last bit of warmth in her heart was completely extinguished.

She turned around, pushed open a side door, and walked to the deserted garden for some air.

The cool night breeze dispersed the smell of alcohol and cleared her head considerably.

"Ms. Mellon, now that the show's over, it's time to talk business."

A low, magnetic male voice spoke from the shadows.

Scarlett turned around warily and saw a man sitting on a bench. He wore a dark gray suit and was half-hidden in darkness, a unit cigarette between his long fingers. His whole presence carried a sense of coldness and detachment that clashed with the party atmosphere.

The man stood up and slowly walked into the lamplight.

"Who are you?" Scarlett asked coldly.