Chapter 5

Michael's gaze fell on John's hand, and the anger in his eyes was about to burst out.

A sharp pain came from my wrist, and I couldn't help but cry out.

In that instant, Michael threw a punch at John's face, gritting his teeth and lowering his voice, "Watch your behavior."

The sudden attack caught John off guard. After taking the punch square in the face, his grip on my hand loosened a bit.

Seizing the opportunity, I quickly pulled my hand back.

After coming to his senses, John went crazy and actually tried to fight back against Michael.

A fight between the two was about to break out.

Seeing this, I quickly spoke up to stop them. "That's enough, John. What exactly do you want? Haven't I made myself clear? What's the point of harassing me like this?"

Hearing my words, John actually stopped, but his face was full of resentment.

I honestly couldn't understand what was going through John's mind, showing up at my door late at night to put on this self-indulgent performance.

Did he think that just a few verbal promises would make me devoted to him again?

After I called him out, John's eyes became dejected, looking hurt. "Nancy, my feelings for you are real. Weren't we good together before? What's troubling you? Whatever I can help with, I'm willing to do it."

I'd had a long day and really didn't have the energy to play along with John's dramatic love scene.

After he finished, I shot back without mercy. "John, your feelings mean nothing to me, and I don't need your help. Drop this fake act of yours—it makes me sick. If you keep harassing me, I'll call the police."

After saying this, without giving John a chance to respond, I took Michael's arm and leaned my head lightly against him. "Michael and I are very happy together. Stop trying to interfere with our relationship."

Seeing me like this, John's expression changed more dramatically than a color palette.

Michael sensed my attitude and played along perfectly. "Mr. Brown, if you're really that bored, I can find you something to do, so you don't spend all day staring at my fiancée."

Michael's tone was gentle and affectionate as he spoke.

Our loving display was clearly painful for John to watch, making him even more furious.

"You... you two..." John was so angry he could barely speak, but I still didn't think it was enough.

"Mr. Brown, if you're not feeling well, I suggest you see a doctor soon. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't even be able to attend our wedding." Hearing Michael's words, a slight smile appeared on my lips.

Michael usually seemed cold and distant, but when he got sharp-tongued, he really didn't hold back.

However, this side of Michael was actually quite interesting—at least I liked it.

John was provoked by these words and started speaking without restraint. "Nancy, you're shameless! How did you seduce me back then? Now that you've latched onto someone richer, you're humiliating me?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

In the past, to make John happy, I did plenty of things that sacrificed my dignity. Now that I'd seen the light, I was suddenly shameless?

I never thought loving someone was wrong.

"If you think me being close to my fiancé is humiliating you, then sure, think that. Because what's coming next is even worse." I didn't care about John's words at all.

Before Michael could react, I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck.

Our eyes met, and I felt Michael's body stiffen for a moment, but his hand instinctively went to my waist.

Ignoring John, I planted a gentle kiss on Michael's lips.

The soft sensation came, and feeling my initiative, Michael's large hand cupped the back of my neck, drawing closer and deepening the kiss.

I felt like all the air in my chest was being taken by Michael. While tangled with him, I could even hear my heart pounding wildly.

Watching us being intimate, John became even more furious, pointing at me and stammering but ultimately saying nothing before leaving.

After he left, Michael reluctantly ended this possessive kiss.

When the kiss ended, I gasped for air, and without realizing it, my cheeks had turned red.

"Sorry, I got carried away and overstepped." Before I could react, Michael apologized first.

Though it was an apology, I didn't see a trace of remorse on his face—in fact, he looked quite satisfied.

I unconsciously recalled the kiss just now, and my face grew even redder.

"It's getting late. Be careful on your way home. I'm going inside now." I kept my head down, deliberately avoiding the topic. After reminding him, I fled in a hurry.

As I escaped, I even heard Michael's soft laughter behind me.

I covered my face, feeling even more embarrassed. I had only wanted to use Michael to provoke John, but I hadn't expected to be the one who got flustered by Michael.

I had to admit, he was really good-looking, and a good kisser too.

But as soon as I got home, my giddy mood dropped like a roller coaster.

I hadn't expected that while John was waiting outside, Susan was waiting for me inside.

These two were really hard to deal with.

As soon as she saw me come home, Susan immediately got up from the sofa and grabbed me anxiously, making me sit down.

"Nancy, what's wrong with you today?" Susan pretended to care, but her words were manipulative. "Don't you like John? How did you end up engaged to Michael? I know you don't like Michael. I can help you marry John."

Hearing John's name made me physically sick.

I shook off Susan's hand and rejected her coldly. "No need. Michael and I are already engaged."

Perhaps sensing my mood, Susan softened her tone and continued trying to brainwash me.

"Nancy, I know your family is pressuring you, but marrying someone you don't love—what meaning does your life have? As long as you still love John, I can help you. As your best friend, I don't want you to be unhappy."

Susan had said these things to me more than once.

I used to be foolish and thought she genuinely cared about me, but who would have thought that all this so-called kindness came with a price.

"Susan, I have something to show you." Instead of answering her, I asked the butler to bring out a surveillance video.

In the video, Susan was shown taking designer bags from my room.

Seeing this surveillance footage, Susan's face immediately turned panicked. Forgetting all about John, she frantically tried to explain. "Nancy, this is a misunderstanding. Let me explain..."

With a cold face, I didn't give her a chance to explain and warned her directly. "Susan, the evidence is clear. I don't want to see this kind of thing again. Don't come looking for me anymore."

Seeing my serious expression, Susan realized the severity of the situation. "Nancy, we're best friends. I had my reasons."

Hearing this, I only felt it was ironic.

Usually, I treated Susan well and gave her all kinds of gifts, but who would have thought she was doing these shameful things behind my back.