Chapter 3

Three days later, it was Lyra's birthday. I'd personally planned a yacht party for her.

She still didn't quite believe that I loved her, so my only option was to slowly prove it to her.

After getting Lyra to board the yacht first, I instructed Heath to prepare the fireworks and make sure they went off at 12:00 am sharp.

Once I was certain that everything was perfect, I boarded the yacht to look for Lyra—only to end up seeing Lorraine instead.

She was wearing the gown I'd picked out for Lyra. The pearl necklace I'd prepared for Lyra was now hanging around her neck.

With a man on her arm, she was smugly flaunting in front of Lyra.

"Who let you onboard, Lyra? Cyrus prepared this yacht party for me, and I didn't invite you."

Lorraine's friends were openly making jokes at my expense, too.

"I didn't believe Lori at first when she said that Cyrus was her simp, but I believe her now. Even after she'd humiliated him like that, he went to such great lengths to prepare a birthday party for her, like a groveling doormat."

"Well, unfortunately for him, Lori likes sweet and thoughtful guys like Evan. It's a shame that all of Cyrus' devotion will go to waste."

Thanks to their sycophantic flattery, Lorraine was practically floating on cloud nine. Leaning against Evan, she remarked with a self-satisfied smile, "I didn't even want to show up today, but I had to just to put a stop to Cyrus' constant begging.

"Who would've thought I'd run into this dear sister of mine here? She's such an eyesore. My mood is completely ruined thanks to her. Say, why don't I let you guys see a performance, huh? Who wants to see a mermaid show?

"Call the staff over. Tell them to throw Lyra into the water. Feed her to the sharks."

"I dare anyone to try!" I growled as I shielded Lyra behind me, my expression hostile.

I never knew that Lorraine and Evan had already known each other at this point in time. What a despicable couple they were.

Sneering, Lorraine looked at me with a haughty expression and said, "Cyrus, didn't you make the announcement saying that we no longer had anything to do with each other just so you could give me a surprise today?

"Well, I've seen your surprise, and it's not all that special to me. Everything looks so tacky, from the flowers to the gown and jewelry, and even you.

"You're still the same guy who likes to use your money to humiliate everyone else. You're nothing like Evan. He's a refined gentleman—a true prince among men. Just having you in the same space as him puts me off. I wouldn't want you sullying his sophisticated bearing."

Laughter erupted all around us. Evan's eyes also flashed with smugness as he said with a chuckle, "Lori tends to speak bluntly, Mr. Lloyd, but it's only because she's innocent. Please don't take it to heart."

Eyes darkening, I smirked. "Why would I take it to heart? Since she doesn't know how to talk properly, I'll just have to teach her."

Lorraine seemed to have thought of something. Her eyes turned cold as she snapped, "Don't you dare mess around, Cyrus! I won't be kissing you in public. It'll only sicken me."

I could feel Lyra's body swaying a little behind me. My heart clenched as I squeezed her hand. A wave of regret washed over me.

Since Lorraine and I used to date, it wasn't unusual for us to kiss or hold hands, but I was afraid that Lyra might get the wrong idea.

"Shut up, Lorraine!"

Scoffing, Lorraine retorted, "What now? Are you going to use your power to coerce me? What do you have besides money, huh, Cyrus?

"I'll have you know that I'm going to become a CEO in the future. I'll be even richer than you! When the time comes, I won't have to suffer under your thumb any longer.

"I don't care for this surprise you prepared for me either!"

Saying that, she pushed over the 24-layer cake beside her. The movement also knocked over the champagne tower, which shattered into pieces on the floor.

The birthday party I prepared for Lyra was now completely ruined.

Clinging to Evan's arm, Lorraine attempted to strut off. Furious, I marched up to them and gave the signal. Instantly, a group of bodyguards stood in their path.