Chapter 2

I couldn't believe what Kylo had just said. For a moment, I thought I misheard.

My voice shook as I told him to repeat himself.

"I don't know what tricks your mother used, but mine actually listened to her. She even threatened me with the family's future and forced me to marry a woman like you."

Kylo glanced at the cake on the ground, then at the cream smeared on Nora's bag. His voice dropped lower. "Nora's bag is a global limited-edition worth millions. You'll pay full price for the damage. As for that slap, I'll make sure you get it back tenfold."

I clenched my jaw and spat at his feet. "Kylo Winston, I'm calling off this engagement."

Not only that, but I would also make him kneel before Mom and apologize in person.

The murmurs from the crowd clearly reached my ears. Kylo's face flushed dark red, humiliation twisting his expression.

"So she's the rumored fiancee? She actually dumped him?"

"Guess money can't buy everything. He still got rejected."

His eyes went cold as he tried to suppress his rage.

Nora gestured to one of her assistants, who brought over a small pig. The animal trotted forward, snorting as it licked the cream off the ground.

"See that? That's the difference between us. What you treasure is pig feed to us."

This was too much.

Rage shot through me. My fingers trembled as I dialed Kylo's mother's number. "Diane, I heard your family has two daughters-in-law now?"

There was a brief pause before Diane Longford responded, her tone sharp.

"Who is this? How dare you meddle in Winston family business? So what if there are two? That just proves how desirable my son is. What does it have to do with you?"

The call ended abruptly. Nora's lips curved into a faint, smug smile.

Perfect. So Diane had known about their improper relationship all along. She deliberately used her friendship with Mom as leverage and begged her to arrange Kylo and my engagement.

What a calculated scheme.

Mom's birthday banquet was starting soon. Panic rose in my chest as I rushed to find another gift for her. I barely made it out of the bakery before Kylo grabbed my wrist and slammed me against the glass wall.

"You think you can just walk away after causing trouble? Not a chance."

His grip tightened around my wrist. Pain shot through my arm as I frowned, trying to reason with him. "You can't afford to offend the Lane family. Let go. The three great families of Silverlake are the Winstons, the Cullens, and the Lanes. Surely you know that."

Kylo froze, as if processing the information. I thought he finally understood. But Nora let out a light scoff beside him.

"Stop flattering yourself. Everyone knows the third great family of Silverlake is supremely powerful and has remained hidden for years. How could they possibly be related to you?"

A sly glint flashed in her eyes as she continued fanning the flames. "Kylo, she's the one who said she'd destroy the entire Winston family just now."

He released my wrist immediately. When he looked at me again, his gaze was filled with disgust.

"That depends on whether you actually have the ability. Someone grab her and throw her out on the street."