Chapter 3

The Quinn brothers arrived to bump into the scene. Without asking, they blamed me for everything.

Roger poured wine over my head. "You always humiliate Lauren with your hand-me-downs, and now you're making a scene. That dress makes you look like a wannabe."

Gerard smashed the cake into my gown. "We liked you for years, and this is who you are?"

They stormed off without caring about the consequences.

Their parents heard about it and called it childish tantrums. They sent an invitation, begging me to attend their matriarch's 80th birthday.

I couldn't refuse the elders.

At their house, their parents were warm, urging me to reconcile with Roger and Gerard, but as soon as they left, Lauren appeared.

I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to apologize to me? Why did you bring her here?"

Roger cringed, then cleared his throat. "Well, she is working here as a server. You know, to provide for her family."

I glanced at her designer outfit, worth thousands. No servers were dressed like that.

Gerard chimed in, "We overreacted at the gala, but you were too harsh. Let's forgive and forget. The four of us will get along."

I snorted. They had the nerve to say that after breaking my heirloom, throwing wine and cake at me, and backstabbing me.

Lauren put on her innocent act, bowing. "I should have known my place and shouldn't have greeted you at the gala. I just want a chance to earn a living."

I wasn't impressed. "Didn't they already move you into a luxury condo downtown? And those designer clothes..."

Lauren turned pale as her act was laid bare. Unable to find a good excuse, she started crying.

Roger shielded her. "I bought her those clothes. Only you get to wear nice things? You're so full of yourself."

Gerard echoed, "Life has been hard on her. You don't care, fine, but mocking her? Where's your class?"

They were smitten with her. No doubt about it.

I recalled their childhood promise to be my knights, protecting me forever.

Time had changed everything. Just a scheming girl had them eating out of her hand. Neither of them was worthy of my trust or could bring me happiness.

Then again, our bond was more like siblings. If my parents hadn't pushed marriage, I wouldn't have considered it.

I left a gift for the matriarch and turned to leave.

Roger didn't budge. "Our families have an arrangement. If you walk out, Gerard and I won't chase you like before. If you apologize to Lauren, I'll forgive you."

Gerard smirked, "That's right. Look around, no men in Arvandor can match us. Who else would want you?"

Just then, a voice rang out from the entrance. "Says who?"