Chapter 8

Vincent's POV

Yelena's voice echoed from the receiver. "Why have you been targeting that pig so much recently, Nessa? Don't tell me you care so much because you've fallen for him? Didn't you stay at the convent for five years to convince your family to let you marry Dorian?"

"There's no way I'll ever fall for him," Vanessa said mockingly. "Vincent just up and left after refusing to marry me all those years ago. Now, he just decides to come back after regretting his decision.

"What does he take me for? If I don't do something, I'll never be able to face the past version of myself who suppressed her disgust and dated him for a year."

I couldn't help but feel how absurd the entire situation was. So, that was the true reason behind Vanessa's decision to stay at the convent for five years.

It was utterly ridiculous. But it also managed to convince everyone that she had stayed at the convent because I hurt her, and that I had returned to the country because I wanted to crash the engagement party and pursue her again.

Even Vanessa had thoroughly convinced herself that those were my intentions and purposefully took revenge on me. However, I had already made it clear long ago that I was married with a child.

A hint of warmth spread through my chest at the thought of Charlotte and Cora. Only about three days remained before they returned to the country.

…

I thought I would be locked in the storage room until after Vanessa's and Dorian's engagement party, but I was released the day itself.

Vanessa had a cold look on her face as she spoke.

"I'm only letting you out because Dorian wants your blessings. You better behave yourself. No funny business."

I remained silent, letting my gaze linger on the spot where Mom's grave used to be. It had been completely dismantled and turned into a sea of flowers.

The atmosphere was lively. The scent of perfume and champagne permeated the air. Guests gathered in groups of two and three, discussing the grand scale of the engagement party.

"I heard that the Sterling family spent hundreds of millions of dollars on this engagement party."

"They probably did. I mean, they even invited Charlotte Shaw. Ms. Shaw has settled down in Goldcrest and doesn't return to the country often. It's obvious how the Sterling family holds Dorian in high regard, since they even invited her to attend the party."

Charlotte Shaw? My heart skipped a beat. I pulled out my phone, wanting to message Charlotte. I had just tapped on our chat when someone covered my phone with their hand.

"What are you planning now, Vincent?" Vanessa demanded, shooting me a dirty look. "I already told you—no funny business."

"I'm not planning anything," I said, looking at her. "I already told you many times that I didn't come back because of you. I won't do anything to get in the way of your engagement."

A hint of uneasiness bloomed in Vanessa's heart as she stared into my emotionless eyes. She wondered if I was telling the truth—that I hadn't returned to the country because of her.

Her breathing turned heavy. But the next second, chaos erupted.

Vanessa and I looked up at the same time. The huge screen was lit up, broadcasting intimate photos of Vanessa and me when we were still dating.

I weighed 220 pounds and wore loose shirts in the photos. I had a goofy smile on my face as I stood next to Vanessa.

The guests completely lost their minds.

"Oh my God! Is that Vincent? I can't believe that he was so fat back in the day."

"I heard rumors that Vincent came back to the country to crash the engagement party. I can't believe how utterly shameless he is, broadcasting these photos during Vanessa's and Dorian's engagement party."

"He has no manners at all. It's probably because he didn't have a mother to teach him any!"

Their mocking words were like blades driven into my heart. My entire body stiffened.

However, I hadn't had a chance to explain myself before Dorian's anguished voice rang out from a short distance away.

"I know that you haven't given up on Vanessa yet, Vince, but you shouldn't use these photos to humiliate me at my own engagement party! I would have let you have Vanessa if you had just said something to me," he exclaimed before running off with bloodshot eyes.

"Dorian!" Vanessa shouted in a panic.

She wanted to chase after him, but stopped when she noticed me standing rooted to the spot. She then slapped me hard across my face.

My cheek stung hotly. Vanessa's eyes were wide, but I couldn't shake the feeling that she seemed to be a little relieved.

"What was that you were saying about not getting in the way of my engagement, Vincent? It seems to me you had planned this from the start and were just waiting for the right time to broadcast those photos. I'm telling you, I won't call off the engagement. You'll never get what you want!"

She shoved me aside after she was done speaking, preparing to chase after Dorian.

Just then, a young and sweet voice cut through the air. "I won't let you bully Daddy!"