Chapter 3

I pushed open the restaurant door.

My gaze swept across each table until it landed on a woman seated by the window.

She wore an elegant dress and flawless makeup, her every movement exuding the effortless grace of someone born into wealth.

I walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down without a trace of emotion on my face.

She glanced at me.

“I booked a private room. Let’s talk there.”

Without waiting for a reply, she stood and walked ahead.

I had no choice but to follow.

Inside the private room, she began pouring a glass of water with deliberate, unhurried gestures.

I didn’t rush her. I simply sat in silence and watched.

“I’m Amelie Poldark,” she announced abruptly. “Emmett’s fiancée.”

She spoke plainly, her tone laced with a hint of provocation.

I said nothing, but calmly met her gaze.

Amelie clearly hadn’t expected my composure.

She pursed her lips.

“Aren’t you supposed to be his girlfriend? Don’t you have anything to say about me suddenly showing up as his fiancée?”

I shook my head, my eyes hollow and distant.

What thoughts could I possibly have?

The moment I overheard that conversation in the hallway, I had given up on Emmett for good.

She bit her lip and let out a low chuckle.

“The Meyers and Poldarks are about to enter a major partnership. Both sides have already agreed to a marriage alliance. Emmett has given his consent.

“No matter what promises he made to you, in the end, he’ll marry me. So I suggest you walk away while you still can.

“I can even offer you some compensation—save you from ending up with nothing.”

I took a deep breath and kept a steady gaze on her.

“When does this project between your families launch? When do you plan to announce the engagement?”

Amelie looked a little caught off guard, but a triumphant smile soon crept across her lips.

“By the end of this month. The exact date isn’t set, but it’ll be around then.”

The end of the month, right when I was supposed to graduate.

So Emmett had planned it all out.

Expose the scandalous photos at my graduation, then ride the wave straight into a public alliance with the Poldarks.

A perfect strategy, one even Uncle Franklin wouldn’t be able to counter.

But still…Emmett, oh Emmett.

You were colder than I ever imagined.

It’d been three years, and I still couldn’t warm your heart.

I looked up at her and calmly poured myself a cup of water.

My voice came out light and even. “Alright. I understand.”

Amelie hadn’t expected such a composed reaction.

Her face darkened instantly.

I set my cup down and didn’t give her a chance to speak.

“Don’t worry. I don’t want Emmett anymore. He’s all yours.”

As soon as the words left my lips, I rose from my seat, ready to leave.

But Amelie suddenly stood up and grabbed my arm.

Before I could react, she seized the steaming cup of water from the table and hurled it at me.

The scalding liquid splashed across my shoulder and chest.

Still not satisfied, she reached for her handbag and aimed it straight at my face.

I raised my hand instinctively and slapped her hard across the cheek.

Stunned and seething, Amelie lunged forward and shoved me to the floor with all her strength.

I had been sheltered my whole life, raised as a gentle, soft-spoken girl, but even docile lambs grow teeth when cornered.

And at that moment, faced with a woman so vicious and irrational, I didn’t even think.

I stood up and struck her again.

"How dare you!" she shrieked, her face twisted in rage.

I stared at her, unflinching, not the slightest bit afraid.

In fact, I almost laughed.

“I’ll kill you!” she screamed.

Hearing her hurl those words, my patience snapped.

I raised my hand once more, ready to deliver another slap.

But just before my palm met her cheek again, someone caught my wrist.