Chapter 4

The night of the charity gala arrived.

Seth was dressed in a designer tuxedo, with a black diamond bracelet fastened around his wrist.

Three years ago, Sheryl had won it at auction as a coming-of-age gift for me. Now, it rested around Seth's wrist and gave off an understated glimmer when the light hit the beads at certain angles.

I stood beside him in a cheap, ill-fitting suit with my head lowered. Sheryl had given me the bank card, but Seth had cheerfully snatched it away the moment she turned her back.

"Matthew just got out of prison," he said. "He doesn't know anything about current fashion. What if he buys the wrong piece and people laugh at him? It's just a simple thing. We can have one of the household staff take care of it."

He sounded considerate enough. But then, he gave one of the maids a knowing look.

In our household, the maids survived by reading the room. There was no way they were going to put any real effort into helping me. When they tossed me the suit, they hadn't even bothered to iron it. It was all wrinkly, and the pant legs were too short.

People around us began whispering.

"Who is that? He looks kind of familiar."

"Shh. That's the Ingram family's biological son who just got out of prison."

"Seriously? They have some nerve bringing him here."

"I heard he was trouble even in prison. He was always getting into fights…"

Their judgmental whispers wormed their way into my ears.

Seth heard them too. His eyes were filled with smug satisfaction as he slowly turned the black diamond beads around his wrist. Then, he deliberately waved them before my eyes.

He taunted, "This bracelet was originally meant to be your coming-of-age gift. Too bad it's on my wrist now. It's the same for the position of the true Ingram heir and Isabella. They're all mine."

A bitter ache arose in my chest. I lowered my head and stared at the tips of my shoes.

When a waiter approached, I didn't notice him at all. The tray he was carrying slammed into my shoulder. Red wine splashed all over me and sprayed onto Seth, who was right beside me.

Seth glared at me resentfully. Then, his eyes lit up.

He reached up and yanked the diamond beads off his wrist. The string snapped, sending the beads scattering across the floor with a clatter.

Before I could react, he shoved several of the beads into my hand. Then, he threw himself backward and landed heavily on the floor.

Pointing at me with a trembling finger, he said, "Matthew, if you wanted the bracelet, I would've given it to you. Why did you push me?"

Sheryl's expression turned grim.

Isabella was furious. She rushed over and shoved me aside.

"Have you lost your mind, Matthew?" she shrieked.

My balance was already unsteady. The force of her shove sent me crashing into the pillar behind me. A sharp pain shot through the back of my head.

Before I could even recover, Sheryl raised her hand and slapped me across the face. My head snapped to the side from the harsh slap, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

The impact had dislodged the prosthetic eye in my left socket. It slipped out and hit the floor. Then, it rolled several times and came to a stop beside Sheryl's feet with a soft clink.

"What is this?" Sheryl froze.

The next second, a video began playing on the giant screen above the stage.