Chapter 2

Bella Rose leaned over, dramatically covering her mouth.

"Oh my, the system shows Aria's bank account is frozen. Don't tell me she's become a dishonored debtor!"

Gasps erupted around us.

"So she's a deadbeat!"

"No wonder she's digging through trash - I knew she was here to scam money!"

"Tsk tsk, looks decent enough, but she's worse than my house servant."

I then remembered that last month our pack went through asset restructuring, and all accounts were changed. The old bank card was indeed deactivated.

Ethan's eyes showed disgust.

"Just how much debt have you accumulated over the years?"

Bella Rose sighed hypocritically.

"Aria, paying debts is only natural. Don't stray further down the wrong path."

I was infuriated by their disgusting behavior.

"Who says I have no money?"

Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted.

"I remember now! No wonder she looked so familiar - wasn't the Blackwood pack acquired by Marcus's Northern Territory two years ago? Miss Blackwood must be bankrupt now!"

This statement exploded like a bomb.

Ethan's expression shifted from disgust to sudden understanding.

"No wonder."

"So you're at your wit's end?"

My temples throbbed.

I hadn't said a word, yet this crowd had already imagined an entire drama.

"I was saying..."

I started to speak but was interrupted by Ethan.

"Stop pretending, Aria. I'm only offering you money out of pity, nothing else. After all, Bella and I are getting married soon - the past is long behind us."

Bella Rose clung to him like a delicate bird, looking at me with pity.

"Regardless, sister, you graduated with a finance degree from a top university. How could you let yourself sink to this level?"

"I know the Blackwood family's troubles hit you hard, but you can't degrade yourself to scamming people for money!"

"Bella Rose!"

I scolded sharply.

"I'm just looking for my belongings. When did that become scamming?"

Bella Rose, having lost face, pouted resentfully.

"If you're not scamming, why are you digging through trash?"

"I was just trying to help you out of kindness. Since you don't appreciate it, forget it."

Ethan frowned.

"What are you still pretending for? Do you think you're still the high-and-mighty Miss Blackwood who needs all of us to worship you?"

I swept them with a cold glance and turned back to search for my ring.

"None of your business!"

Just as I reached out, Thomas grabbed me again.

"Who gave you permission to dig through that? Get out!"

My temper flared.

"Get lost!"

In our struggle, the trash bin toppled over.

A silver gleam bounced and rolled out.

My eyes lit up as I bent to pick it up, but a strong force yanked my arm back.

"Haven't you made enough of a scene?"

He lowered his voice in anger.

"Embarrassing yourself in a place like this - do you have any self-respect left?"

I stared coldly at Ethan's hypocritical face as memories flooded back like a tide.

I forcefully shook off his hand.

"Let go!"

Bella Rose spoke with sarcastic undertones.

"Aria, Ethan means well. The way you are now is really..."

"Shut up!" I spun around to glare at her. "It's not your place to speak here!"

Ethan's expression instantly darkened.

"Aria! How dare you speak to Bella like that? Don't forget who stayed by my side through the hardest times!"

I laughed bitterly at his words.

"Ethan, search your conscience - who really stayed by whose side?"

Memories flashed like a revolving lantern.

During his startup phase, I stayed up nights helping him revise proposals.

When his funding chain broke, I went home to beg my parents for loans to help him.

When competitors suppressed him, I ran around seeking help.

And all of this was repaid with his secret affair with Bella Rose after his success!

I'll never forget the humiliation Ethan put me through the night I discovered the fake mating certificate.

I coldly withdrew my hand and slapped Ethan across the face.

The crisp sound made the entire banquet hall fall silent instantly.

Ethan's face turned aside from my slap, a red mark quickly appearing on his left cheek.

He was stunned for a moment, but instead of getting angry, he spoke in an almost indulgent tone.

"Aria, stop throwing tantrums like a child. Now that you've slapped me, you've vented your anger."

"Be good, apologize to Bella, and I'll take you home."

I was almost laughing from his shamelessness.

"Ethan, are you mentally ill?"

I stepped back, raising my voice an octave.

"I'm already mated! I have a mate and a child - what deep affection are you performing here?"