Chapter 3

3

I didn't want to waste another breath on them. I just wanted to find my daughter and go home.

But Celine wasn't finished. She was desperate to feel superior to me.

"Daphne, you probably spent every cent you have on those cufflinks today. You're really desperate to win Pierce back, aren't you?"

"But don't bother. That small amount of money wouldn't even buy me a few designer bags."

A group of women behind her, eager to suck up to her, joined in the mockery.

"Is being a mistress the new trend? How can she be so shameless!"

I bit my lip, my patience finally reaching its limit.

"Miss Vance, I am already married."

The word "married" made Pierce snap his head toward me.

"You're married?" he demanded.

Before I could even nod, he let out a cynical laugh.

"Daphne, at least come up with a believable lie. Have you forgotten? You literally knelt before your parents and told them you'd only ever marry me."

I blinked. I didn't realize he knew about that.

My parents hadn't wanted me to marry him because they saw his heart wasn't in it.

But I had been stubborn. I knelt outside their bedroom door all night to convince them.

They finally gave in because they saw my bruised knees and because our family needed the Sterling investment.

But that kind of pathetic devotion belonged to a past life.

In this life, my only goal was to stay as far away from Pierce as possible.

I sighed, my voice cold and distant.

"Mr. Sterling, that was a long time ago. I've moved on and forgotten all about it."

"Forgotten?" Celine didn't buy it for a second.

"As if you could find a man better than Pierce."

Just then, someone in the crowd pointed at my dress and gasped.

"Wait! That dress is from the latest private collection of that French luxury house. I saw it in a magazine!"

"They only sell those to VVVIP members. You can't even buy it with just money!"

Celine glared at my dress, her eyes burning with envy.

Then, a nasty thought seemed to cross her mind, and she sneered.

"Daphne, did you marry some old sugar daddy for money? Is he not enough for you, so you're back to chasing Pierce?"

She dramatically pulled Pierce back a few steps.

"Pierce, we should stay away from her. Who knows what kind of diseases a woman like her carries after doing anything for money."

Pierce's brow furrowed into a deep V. He looked at me with pure disgust.

"Daphne, I didn't think you'd fall this low."

I ignored Pierce and looked Celine straight in the eye.

"Celine, slander is a crime. I'm sure you wouldn't want me to call my lawyers."

Seeing that I wasn't joking, Celine shut her mouth for a second before muttering under her breath.

"Please. You're broke. If you didn't sell yourself for that dress, it's probably a knockoff."

I turned my back on her to find my daughter.

Suddenly, a voice rang out through the hall.

"I just got word! Mr. Thorne is on his way to pick up his wife and daughter. Has anyone seen them?"

The name hit the room like a bomb. Everyone started buzzing instantly.

Celine was the most excited.

"You mean the Silas Thorne? The one on the Forbes Top 10 list? He's actually back in the country!"

Pierce nodded, his eyes lighting up with greed.

"It's him. If we can get an in with the Thorne Group, our company will reach a whole new level."

"They say Mr. Thorne absolutely adores his wife. I wonder which lucky heiress he married!"