Chapter 4

Vincent's POV

Vanessa swiftly yanked Dorian aside, leaving the heavy metal frame to smash against my head. Something warm immediately flowed down my forehead, and the metallic scent of blood permeated my nostrils.

I crumpled to the floor. It was an immense struggle to push the frame off me, and my entire body was aching. But I couldn't even catch my breath before I heard Dorian demand answers from me in a furious tone.

"Why did you push the softbox, Vince?" he exclaimed. "It would have hit me and ruined my looks if Vanessa hadn't reacted so quickly. We probably would have had to postpone the engagement party if that happened!"

Understanding dawned on Vanessa's face. Her expression was as cold as ice when she looked at me and said, "It's no wonder you were so calm when you saw me and Dorian taking our wedding portraits earlier, Vincent. You had already planned how to ruin them.

"Did you think you would get more chances if you stopped us from taking our wedding portraits? Well, let me tell you, that's just your wishful thinking!"

She didn't bother waiting for me to respond after she finished speaking. She just turned around and left, pulling Dorian along with her. Through my blurry vision, I saw the corners of his lips curl up into a wicked smile.

Daniel arranged for someone to send me to the hospital. I didn't return home after I was bandaged up. Instead, I took my medical record to the police station to file a report.

I didn't expect to get a call about the report while I was still on my way home.

"Your case has been dropped, Mr. Finch. This is considered a family matter, so it's not our place to intervene. Perhaps you should have a good talk with your family to settle this issue."

Although the police officer on the other end of the line hadn't been direct, I immediately picked out the underlying meaning behind his words.

Someone had blocked my report. It was easy to figure out who it was. The only person in Southwind with that kind of power who also cared about protecting Dorian could only be Vanessa.

I tightened my grip on my phone, digging it painfully into my palm.

…

I was immediately greeted by Vanessa's icy voice when I opened the door after returning to the Finch residence.

"Dorian and I didn't even pursue the matter regarding the softbox. How shameless can you be to pretend to be the victim and file a police report?" she snapped.

"She's right, Vince," Dorian chimed in. "I didn't even say anything after you intentionally disrupted our wedding portrait shoot because you're my brother. I never would have imagined you would make a police report."

Hurt was written all across his face as he looked at me.

My blood boiled as I stared at them. My voice trembled a little as I said, "You're accusing me of pretending to be a victim and intentionally disrupting the shoot? Do you have the guts to retrieve the villa's surveillance footage before repeating those words?"

"I don't need to look at the surveillance footage," Vanessa snapped, looking impatient. "I just need you to remember that you'll never be able to ruin our engagement plans no matter what you do. You lost your chance to regret your actions from the moment you abandoned and left me five years ago."

I couldn't help but feel how absurd the entire situation was. I stared at Vanessa as I said, "I've never regretted leaving you. Also, I'll repeat myself one more time—I didn't come back because of you. I also married someone else and had a child with her long ago!"

Vanessa's expression immediately darkened, but I didn't care anymore, turning around to return to my room.

Worried that Charlotte and Cora would fret if they saw the wound on my forehead, I canceled our nightly video-call and sent them voice messages instead.

But Charlotte still noticed that something was amiss. Fortunately, I was able to get away with giving her vague answers when she asked me about it twice.

Dad finally shared the news about Mom's keepsake with me after my wound recovered slightly. "An emerald pendant will appear at tomorrow's auction. Your mother loved it very much."

I paused for a moment before my heart started racing.

After Mom jumped into the ocean, her keepsakes were either thrown away by Gemma or pawned off. It was the first time in 12 years that I had received news about her keepsakes.

"Got it," I said, looking up at Dad with just a trace of gratitude in my eyes.

…

The auction took place in the busiest hotel in the heart of the city.

I intentionally arrived at the hotel half an hour early. I had just found a seat for myself when I noticed Vanessa and Dorian strolling into the venue. They were dressed in matching colors and styles. Their movements were intimate, making it obvious that they were a couple.

Dorian's eyes lit up when he noticed me. He hurried over, dragging Vanessa along.

His tone was colored with surprise when he said, "You're here at the auction too, Vince. Did you decide to show up after hearing from Dad that we'll be in attendance? After all, you were never one to attend these types of events in the past."