Chapter 5

Melanie Johnson POV

I didn't know when Julian had arrived at the banquet. Standing beside him was the smiling Moira.

He looked down at me with disappointed eyes, his tone ice-cold.

"I thought you just liked to have some fun. I know I wronged you badly back then, but I believed that as long as I was sincere, you would definitely come back to me."

"But I never imagined my sincerity would be met with your betrayal! I could overlook you drinking with male models before the remarriage. But you went alone to meet the Rivers family's biggest competitor. How dare you claim you're innocent?"

I looked at the man before me and suddenly felt how strange he'd become.

Even everything I'd done for him before now seemed so ridiculous in this moment.

Perhaps his mother should never have paid my ransom back then. She should have let me be beaten to death by those kidnappers!

That way I wouldn't have to fulfill any contract, better than now experiencing the taste of sincere devotion being betrayed and wasted!

I suddenly laughed, laughing until tears flowed, my whole body trembling violently.

"Julian Rivers, you don't believe me, but I didn't do it! If it weren't for the inheritance-related agreement, I..."

Slap.

Before I could finish, I heard a loud slapping sound.

The next second, I felt a burning pain on my cheek.

"What right do you have to mention that?! That was my mother's life's work in the Rivers family. You actually wanted to destroy it!"

Julian's eyes turned bloodshot, his words spoken through gritted teeth.

"Melanie Johnson, you're not worthy to stand at this banquet. Get out-! Get..."

Before the man could finish, the surrounding guests suddenly erupted in shocked commotion.

Before I could turn around, I heard someone roar, "Julian Rivers, go to hell!"

In that moment, I don't know if it was because of my former feelings for Julian or that contract requiring him to stay alive. I just instinctively rushed in front of him.

As the voice hit the ground the next second, I only felt my abdomen go hollow.

Blood instantly sprayed out, immediately staining the white dress I was wearing red.

I saw Julian's face change dramatically in that moment. Suddenly flustered, he rushed to me and caught me as I fell.

Before losing consciousness, I seemed to clearly hear Julian's panicked, terrified voice ringing in my ears.

"Melanie Johnson, don't fall asleep! You can't die! Do you hear me?!"

"Someone come quickly, call an ambulance now!"

"If you can't save Melanie Johnson, you'll have me to answer to!"

Warm palms seemed to press tightly against my bleeding wound.

In a daze, I blinked weakly and finally couldn't hold on anymore and passed out.