Chapter 2
Listing the villa for tens of thousands below market price, Vanessie was soon flooded with inquiries from prospective buyers.
By the time she finished replying, it was deep into the night.
Sleepless, she opened a newly popular app among women.
A pushed post immediately caught her eye, which read: “My boyfriend is getting married in two months. Today I wore his fiancée’s wedding dress and had sex with him in the bridal shop! The thrill was unreal.”
The comments were a mix of outrage and demands for the algorithm to expose the post to the unsuspecting fiancée.
Vanessie’s fingers trembled as she clicked into the poster’s profile.
Scrolling down to the first post, she found no caption, just a photo of two hands laced together.
She instantly recognized the small mole on the man’s index finger and the ring on his ring finger.
The post was published half a year ago, just a week apart from the day when Bergen proposed to her.
Vanessie stared blankly at her phone, then at the matching ring on her own finger. A wave of nausea rose inside her.
The next second, she yanked it off and flushed it down the toilet.
Something tainted wasn’t worth keeping.
The poster was soon updated again.
This time, the tone was no l
tone was no longer gloating but pleading
“Stop attacking me. We’ve already agreed that in one month, I’ll return him to his fiancée, completely intact.”
The post included a photo of a man’s bare back as he lay in bed.
That familiar silhouette made Vanessie’s breath catch.
“Completely intact“? How ironic!
In that moment, she finally understood why people laughed when they were at a loss for words
Bergen never came home that night. He called at dawn the next morning, offering no explanation, just telling her to meet at the bridal shop
Vanessie amved a few minutes earlier than he.
Her w
r wedding gown hung in the third–floor VIP exhibition room, pristine and sacred, as if untouched by any stain.
“M. Chavez, Mr. Chadwick is on his way. Would you like us to help you into the dress nest? That way, he can see how perfectly beautiful you. look the moment he arrives? the salesperson spoke with respectful courtesy, though a hint of pity flickered in her eyes.
Vanewie responded indifferently, “No need”
She found the thought repulsive.
to sooner had she spoken than a large hand slid around her waist, pulling her into a familiar embrace. The scent she knew so well, now mixed
ses of shower gel, enveloped het.
the
“Why not? Nemir, do you know how long I’ve waited for this day? Will you put it on for me?”
‘anemie glanced sideways at the man who looked remarkably refreshed for someone who’d supposedly worked all night, her heart cold with
He hadn’t come alone. Standing tot far behind him was a girl dressed in light blue jeans and a simple white blouse, her face adorned with a
Vaneige traveled post Bergen to rest on the girl, her eyes turning cold
Was this yet another one of their carefully orchestrated games for thrills?
Bergen noticed her gaze and tightened his arm around her waist, though his expression remained indifferent
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“She’s an intern from one of our partners. She reminds me of how you were years ago. I thought you might like her.”
He waved the girl over. She bounded up eagerly, extending her hand toward Vanessie.
Hi, Vanessie! I’m Kelly Campbell. So nice to meet you!”
Vanessie ignored the outstretched hand, her voice cool
“Young ladies are usually good at pleasing men. Most men struggle to walk away from such fleeting fantasies, don’t they?”
Kelly caught the sarcasm in her tone, looking a bit hurt.
“Are you mocking me for being good at seducing men?”
The arm around Vanessie’s waist clenched painfully tight. She turned her head, her eyes flashing displeasure at the man beside her.
Only then did he ease his grip slightly, leaning down to murmur softly in her ear, “Take it out on me however you want when we’re home. But
‘s young. Don’t humiliate her here.
she’s
“Let’s focus on the dress fitting now.”
The staff quickly snapped out of their stunned silence and carefully took down the wedding dress, inviting Vanessie to try it on
Vanessie’s gaze shifted to Kelly, noticing how the girl’s eyes sparkled as they lingered on the gown.
A cold glint flashed in Vanessie’s eyes
Do
you like it?” she asked abruptly.
Kelly answered without hesitation, “I do.”
Then, as if catching herself, she glanced nervously at Bergen.
Seeing the icy warning in his expression, she quickly added with feigned humility, “Though I like it, not every woman can be as lucky as you to wear such a beautiful dress and marry the person you love.”
When she spoke, her eyes were downcast, visibly showing her sadness and disappointment
Vanessie cast a sidelong glance at the inscrutable man beside her, then coolly addressed the staff, “I’m not feeling well today and don’t wish to participate. Since her figure resembles mine, let her try it on for me
That dress had already been defiled by them. Even touching it might stain her.
The waff hesitated, looking uncertainly at Bergen for direction.
Bergen’s darkened gaze remained fixed on Vanessie, his jaw tight.
Kelly, however, mepped forward eagerly, her signature sweet smile plastered on her face.
“Of course! It’d be an honor to stand in for you.*
Without waiting for permission, she reached for the dress.
The staff wood frozen, unsure how to proceed, their eyes darting nervously toward Bergen for guidance.
Bergen’s eyes glinted with a dangerous chill, his expression unreadable yer brimming with silent warning.
Kelly hit her lip, her earlier confidence wavering under the tension.
shewar removed Bergen’s arm from her waist and settled unto a nearby sofa
ugged, her tone light but firm.
Regaining her composure, Kelly flashed another sweet smile and took the dress from the staff, lisappearing into the fitting room.
Bergen sat down near to Vanemie with a frown, about to express his dissatisfaction. But before he could speak, Vanessie met his gaze with a
ent pou going to help her?
A her remark, everyone’s faces frose
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<Chapter 2
The staff who had served Bergen and Kelly the day before barely suppressed their shock.
Gladly, they didn’t ask for leave today, or they’d have missed this drama,
Bergen frowned, his thin lips forming a straight line, looking wary. “Vanessie, what are you talking about?”
“Nothing.” She shrugged, turning to a salesperson for a coffee. “I just thought you’d be eager to assist.”
The huge curtain in the fitting room was pulled open, and Kelly, wearing a wedding dress, stood shyly and modestly in the center, with a sweet
smile.
The wedding dress designed for Vanessie seemed to be tailor–made for Kelly.
Vanessie glanced at Bergen’s face with a cold smile in her eyes.
She asked, “Well? Does she look beautiful?”
Bergen’s face darkened as he refused to even glance in Kelly’s direction. His voice was low and controlled.
“Nessie, what exactly are you up to?”
Vanessie didn’t answer. Instead, she picked up her coffee and walked steadily toward Kelly
When she approached, Kelly quickly put her hand up to cover her face, thinking that Vanessie was going to splash coffee on her face.
But the burn never came. Gasps erupted around them as Kelly lowered her hands and looked down.
The priceless wedding gown was now ruined, stained with dark brown streaks.
Staff rushed forward with tissues, but the damage was irreversible.
Vanessie looked at her expressionlessly, with a cold smile.
“How can you return something to me completely intact when it’s already this filthy?”
Kelly was pale and stood there at a loss.
Bergen strode over, his expression gloomy as he seized Vanessie’s wrist to drag her away.
But Vanessie twisted free and slapped him across the face with all her strength.
The room fell dead silent.
Her
palm sung from the impact, but the shock on Bergen’s face was almost worth it.
Bergen looked at her with a dark expression, his eyes filled with an indescribable coldness.
The staff didn’t dare to look at his face, and even Kelly held her breath.
Since Venberg Group established itself in Leavenworth, he’d never been disrespected in public, let alone struck by a woman.
Vanessie’s heart pounded under his murderous stare. She knew the strength disparity. If he retaliated, she couldn’t defeat him. Bergen’s eyes flickered to her fluttering lashes. He exhaled softly, then wrapped an arm around her waist
“Did you cool off yet?”
