Chapter 3

3.

Two days later.

Sotheby's hosted an ultra-exclusive charity auction gala in Manhattan.

As a well-known executive in the New York PR scene, I was naturally on the guest list.

And Julian, wanting to build hype for his upcoming Series B funding and network with Wall Street's big players, would never miss such a prime opportunity.

We were supposed to walk the red carpet together as the tech world's most watched "power couple."

But tonight, I arrived alone, wearing a stunning, sharp-shouldered black couture gown. I deliberately chose a seat at a quiet table, far from the main action.

I didn't notice that the moment I sat down, a deep, cold gaze from the neighboring VIP table had already locked onto me.

The man in the charcoal custom suit tilted his head slightly, quietly asking a nearby waiter for my name, his well-defined fingers toying absently with the stem of his wine glass.

Halfway through the auction, the house lights dimmed.

A spotlight hit the display stage as the auctioneer announced the next item: a vintage Bvlgari diamond necklace, valued at one hundred thousand dollars.

Just then, I saw Julian, seated at the front VIP table, repeatedly raising his paddle.

He acted like a magnate throwing money around to win a woman's favor, and finally, to the gasps of the entire room, he won the dazzling necklace with a bid of one hundred fifty thousand dollars.

The room erupted in applause. Several major venture capitalists shot him looks of approval and even teasing, as if they were validating the young CEO's deep pockets and financial strength.

And in the seat beside him, Vanessa held her hands to her mouth, feigning a look of shocked, overwhelmed delight, as Julian, in front of all the city's elite, personally fastened the expensive diamond necklace around her pale neck.

The flashes from the media cameras went off like a storm, capturing this "golden couple" moment.

At the same time, the screen of the phone in my clutch lit up.

It was a top-level transaction alert from my bank.

The account that was just charged $150,000 wasn't his company's corporate account. It was the joint trust account we had opened to plan our Lake Como wedding, buy our rings, and make a down payment on our future home!

Almost every single cent in that account was from my commissions, money I had worked myself to the bone for on one PR campaign after another over the past five years.

He used the money I had saved for my own wedding ring to buy another woman a six-figure necklace just to show off!

After basking in the envious stares of the crowd, Julian finally seemed to notice me sitting in the shadows in the corner.

He walked over to my table, carrying two glasses of champagne with Vanessa in tow.

It was then that I noticed the man at the next table, the one in the charcoal suit with the deep, cold aura, watching the scene unfold with keen interest.

He was Alexander Sterling, Wall Street's top M&A shark and elite lawyer, and also the silent majority shareholder of my new employer, Vanguard Global.

Vanessa followed close behind Julian, her slender fingers tracing the diamonds on her neck, her eyes filled with a victor's provocation.

"Serena, what are you doing sitting over here? Don't look so miserable, the press is watching," Julian said as he reached my table, his voice low, a controlling tone meant only for the three of us to hear.

"Vanessa is representing the company's image tonight. This necklace is just a PR expense, a way to show our investors we have what it takes. As a PR VP yourself, you of all people should understand how this game is played, right?"

Vanessa chimed in with a perfectly timed, innocent smile, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"She's right, Serena. This is just for the VCs and the press releases. Please don't be mad at Julian. It would make you look so unprofessional."

I looked at the two of them, standing in front of me with their pathetic act. Seeing my money hanging around another woman's neck made me physically sick.

I didn't throw my wine in their faces. I didn't cry.

"Don't worry, I'm not mad."

Slowly, coldly, I curled my lips into a smile and placed my untouched champagne flute on a passing waiter's tray.

I looked directly into Julian's suddenly uneasy eyes and said, word by word:

"Because soon enough, that necklace, along with your sinking ship of a company, will be tied up in federal bankruptcy proceedings."

"You two should enjoy your celebration tonight. Drink up."

With that, under Julian's stunned and furious gaze, I gathered my dress and walked out of the banquet hall without a backward glance.

As I passed Alexander Sterling, the Wall Street titan raised his glass slightly. His deep eyes flashed with a look of intense appreciation, and in a low voice that only I could hear, he said:

"An excellent opening move, Miss Serena. If you ever need Wall Street-level liquidation, you know who to call."