Chapter 4

I didn’t expect to run into those two at my father’s business gala.

Mason noticed me immediately, but the moment he saw me talking to another man, his expression darkened.

After spotting me, Joyce casually brushed a hand over her stomach and said in a soft, fragile voice, “Mason, I’m tired. My feet hurt… it’s so stuffy in here.”

He helped her along, all gentle concern, though his gaze flicked toward me as if by accident.

He was probably waiting for me to go up to him first.

Unfortunately for him, I didn’t.

From beginning to end, I didn’t spare him so much as a glance.

At last, he lost his patience. He strode over to our table and set his glass down with a heavy thud.

“Yuna, are you upset because I had someone stand in for me at the wedding?”

I couldn’t even be bothered to look at him. I stood, ready to leave.

“I missed the ceremony because Joyce was sick. It was urgent; I had no choice.”

Joyce swayed over and blocked my path, her tone soft and apologetic. “Yuna, please don’t blame Mason. It’s my fault. My health held up your wedding…”

Mason let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “Yuna, since when did you become this petty? It was just a wedding.

“We didn’t even sign the papers. How does that count as a marriage? Was it really worth teaming up with your father to pull the funding just to force my hand?”

As he spoke, he reached out as if it were only natural to grab my arm.

My gaze turned cold. I shook him off immediately.

“Mr. Rivers, have some respect.

“Didn’t your parents tell you what happened at the wedding?”

Mason froze. “Tell me what?”

A flicker of panic crossed Joyce’s face as she grabbed my wrist. “Yuna, don’t be like this. Mason still cares about you…”

Her voice sounded conciliatory, but her nails dug hard into my skin, sharp enough to make me suck in a breath.

The comments exploded: [What the hell? What’s with the female lead. She’s already making a move?]

I yanked my hand free. “Get off me.”

“Ah—!”

Joyce stumbled back and fell hard to the floor, utterly disheveled.

Mason’s eyes went bloodshot as he hurried to help Joyce up, then roared at me, “Yuna! Do you have any idea how fragile she is? Apologize to her right now!”

I let out a cold laugh and turned to the security staff rushing over. “Security, escort them out.”

Mason’s face darkened with fury. “Don’t think this will get my attention. If you behave yourself, I’ll go register the marriage with you in a few days.”

[Seriously, what’s wrong with this guy? Isn’t he supposed to love the female lead? Why does he sound like such a self-absorbed jerk?]

[I’m dying. He still doesn’t know she’s already married to the villain. Yet, he still expected her to come crawling back?]

I smiled. “Register the marriage? I’m already married.”

The smile on Mason’s face froze. He stood there, stunned, his brows knitting tightly together.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

He stepped forward, his tone still dripping with arrogance. “If you’re married, where’s your husband? Why didn’t he come with you?”

A trace of mockery curled at my lips. “My husband’s on a business trip. Unlike certain useless men who have nothing better to do than live off women.”

Before he could explode, Joyce’s eyes reddened instantly, tears welling up on cue.

“Yuna, how can you say that about Mason? He works late every night for the company. Not only do you refuse to support him, you even lie just to upset him. You’re really breaking his heart.”

She paused deliberately, and just like that, Mason’s gaze toward me filled with disappointment and anger.

“Yuna, look at yourself, You’re so sharp-tongued and bitter. Who would even want you besides me?

“I’m telling you, drop the act. Playing hard to get will only make me look down on you even more.”