Chapter 4

Wednesday was my mother-in-law’s birthday dinner.

I arrived at the hotel early to help her go over the guest list.

Just before dinner was about to begin, the entrance suddenly went quiet.

I followed everyone’s gaze.

Adrian had arrived.

Vivian was on his arm, wearing a pale silver-blue gown.

A brilliant pink diamond gleamed at her throat.

Someone behind me lowered their voice.

“Isn’t that the pink diamond from the auction a few days ago? The one Mr. Pierce paid a fortune for?”

“I thought it was for Mrs. Pierce.”

“Everyone did. Adrian Pierce is famous for spoiling his wife. Who else would he buy it for besides Anna Shaw?”

“Then the woman wearing it is...”

No one finished the sentence.

That was how I found out the outside world had assumed Adrian bought the diamond for me.

Eyes turned toward me from every direction.

The awkwardness was mixed with pity.

My mother-in-law’s expression darkened immediately.

She walked over, but her eyes stayed fixed on Vivian.

“Adrian, why didn’t you tell me you were bringing a guest?”

“The seating arrangements were finalized days ago. There aren’t any extra seats.”

Vivian immediately released Adrian’s arm.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Pierce. This is my fault.”

Her eyes reddened as she looked at Adrian.

“I should probably leave. I don’t want to ruin your mother’s birthday because of me.”

Adrian grabbed her before she could move.

“It’s one extra chair. Is it really that big a deal?”

My mother-in-law gave a cold laugh and beckoned to the butler.

A few minutes later, he really did bring over another chair.

It was old wood, with a patch of paint chipped off the back.

Surrounded by an entire ballroom of elegant upholstered chairs, it couldn’t have stood out more.

“Ms. Young, I’m afraid this will have to do.”

The room went silent.

Every trace of color drained from Vivian’s face.

Adrian understood the insult too.

His face turned livid.

He grabbed Vivian and walked out.

My mother-in-law was so furious that her hands were trembling.

I went over and supported her.

After the dinner ended, I accompanied her back to the Pierce family home.

We had been driving for quite a while before she finally spoke.

“Vivian was Adrian’s first love.

“The first time I met that girl, I knew she was trouble.

“But Adrian was at that age where once he set his heart on someone, no one could talk him out of it.”

After high school, my mother-in-law had planned to send Adrian overseas for college.

Vivian panicked.

She set Adrian up, hoping to put him in a situation where he would be forced to take responsibility for her.

But my mother-in-law had already been suspicious.

She produced the security footage in front of everyone.

That was when Adrian finally realized Vivian had been manipulating him.

Not long afterward, he went overseas.

I stared out the car window.

Strangely, I felt calm.

My mother-in-law gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

When we reached the house, she opened her safe and took out an antique heirloom bracelet.

“This belongs to the daughter-in-law of the Pierce family.”

She slipped it onto my wrist herself.

“I should’ve given it to you years ago.”

“Consider this Mom making up for lost time.”

The floating comments instantly exploded.

[Why does SHE get it?! Vivian lost ten years with her boyfriend because of this woman, and now the family bracelet that should’ve been hers is going to the substitute too?]

[Hahaha, she actually accepted it! Looking like Vivian was one thing, but does she seriously think that makes her the real Mrs. Pierce?]

[Just wait until Older Adrian comes back. The first thing he’ll do is take that bracelet off her wrist himself and give it back to Vivian!]

I ran my fingers over the cool bracelet.

Three more days.

I had barely gotten into the car for the ride home when Grandma’s caregiver called.

“Ms. Shaw, your grandmother suddenly collapsed! They’ve rushed her to the hospital!”

By the time I reached the hospital, Grandma’s condition had temporarily stabilized.

But the doctor told me she needed surgery as soon as possible.

“Our team isn’t confident we can handle a case this complicated.

“Your best option is to contact Dr. Wilson and the team who operated on her three years ago.”

Only then did I realize I didn’t even have Dr. Wilson’s contact information.

Three years ago, Adrian had handled everything.

He had found the doctors.

He had arranged the surgery.

All I had done was stay beside Grandma.

I immediately went back to the house.

Adrian and Vivian were sitting in the living room watching TV.

“Grandma needs emergency heart surgery.”

I walked straight up to him.

“I need you to use Adrian Pierce’s identity and contact Dr. Wilson’s team, the doctors who operated on her three years ago.”

Adrian froze for a second.

Then he immediately pulled out his phone.

“What’s his full name?”

“Dr. Wilson. That’s all I remember.”

He opened his contacts while I stood beside him and explained Grandma’s condition.