Part 3Hidden Assets

In Julian's eyes, was I just a presentable, obedient canary?

It was laughable.

I nodded. If that was the case, fine.

My heart hurt, but I knew when to fold. I came to salvage this. If it couldn't be salvaged, I would let go.

I looked at Julian and smiled bitterly. "Fine. I wish you happiness."

I turned to leave the stage.

Julian clenched his fist and looked away, refusing to meet my eyes.

But Tiffany blocked me again, grinning maliciously. "Since you're here, stay and watch. Otherwise, you're disrespecting me, disrespecting the Gore family, and disrespecting the whole city!"

"That bold, huh?" I laughed.

I’d heard talk like this before. The country is big, and not everyone knows my face. Occasionally, someone tries to flex on me. Usually, once I handle a few of them, the rest shut up.

Tiffany didn't catch the disdain in my voice. She clapped her hands.

A dozen men in black suits emerged from the shadows, surrounding the stage.

"Bitch, if I'm not happy today, you don't walk out of this room," Tiffany spat.

Julian stepped forward, glaring at me. "Just get out of here! I don't want to see you!"

"Did I say you could speak?" Tiffany snapped at him. "Do you think I'm stupid? I see you trying to protect this slut."

Protecting me?

I looked deeply at Julian. Beneath the cold exterior, his eyes were full of panic.

Maybe what he said earlier was a lie.

Julian shook his head. "I just don't want ties to my past. Plus, having my ex here at our engagement? It makes us look bad. Think about your reputation, Tiffany." His voice softened. "I'm thinking of you."

Tiffany’s face relaxed slightly, but she sneered, "I don't care about reputation. In this town, I am the law."

She pointed at me. "Go sit down and watch!"

I nodded, shot Julian a knowing half-smile, and walked off the stage.

Immediately, four security guards surrounded me, escorting me to a corner table. They were terrified I’d bolt.

From the stage, Tiffany yelled, "You watch closely. If I don't say you can leave, you stay put."

"If you don't let me leave now," I said calmly, "when you want me to leave later, I might not go."

"Shut up!" Julian yelled.

I smiled and stayed silent. If they wanted to play, we could play.

Tiffany continued, "I heard you're from the Capital? That's cute. Later on, some real heavy hitters from the Capital are coming—real elite circle guys. I'll introduce you. Help you see what the real world looks like."

"I'll thank you in advance, then," I chuckled.

A group of young people walked over to my table. They looked arrogant, loud, and tacky. Definitely Tiffany's entourage.

"Little gold digger, do you have a death wish?" "You think Julian can protect you?" "Let's be real, even if you didn't crash this, Tiffany wouldn't have let you go. She’d never let a woman who slept with her fiancé for four years live." "I have a phone, want me to call the cops for you?"