Chapter 5

Valerie Vance POV

On the night of the gala, I wore a simple, elegant evening gown that I usually wore to these kinds of formal events.

Serena glanced at me, raised an eyebrow slightly, but said nothing.

When we arrived at the grand ballroom, Serena was clinging tightly to Julian's arm. I followed a step behind them, quietly whispering into her ear about the guests at each table. Their names, their social standing, and their personal preferences.

All this information was mapped out in my brain. After five years, I knew the temperaments of everyone in Julian's circle like the back of my hand.

Armed with my notes, Serena floated toward the guests with a radiant smile.

The crowd raised their glasses in congratulations. Not a single person looked at me.

Then, Serena led me over to a table of elite socialites.

"Let me introduce you all. This is Valerie. She's been by Julian's side for years, taking excellent care of him."

She picked up a glass of champagne and forced it into my hand with a tight smile.

"Valerie, why don't you propose a toast to everyone? They are my friends now, so you'll need to help me maintain these relationships in the future."

The women chimed in, laughing. "Yes, drink up!"

I took the glass and downed it in one go. The alcohol burned my throat, making my eyes water, but I forced myself not to cough.

One of the socialites scrutinized me from head to toe, then whispered to Serena, "Serena, you are way too sweet. If I were you, I would never keep such a pretty girl running around my fiancé."

Serena offered a sweet, calculated smile. "Valerie is practically family to Julian. Right, Valerie?"

She stared straight at me, her bright smile demanding my cooperation.

Clutching the empty glass, I forced the corners of my mouth up. "Yes. We are like family."

The women laughed, satisfied, and Serena beamed.

Only I knew how bitter that drink tasted.

Toward the end of the gala, I went to the restroom. On my way back down the dim hallway, one of Julian's drunken business associates blocked my path.

The man grabbed my wrist, his breath reeking of expensive whiskey. "Ms. Vance, you've worked so hard all these years. Now that Julian has a new toy, what's your next move? Why don't you let me take care of you instead?"

Before I could react, his hands began to slide down my waist.

I pushed against his chest with all my might, but I couldn't break his grip. Emboldened by the alcohol, he pinned me against the wall, his flushed face looming closer.

"Stop struggling, Valerie. In your position, you should be grateful someone still wants you."

I turned my head away, panic rising in my chest. "Let me go!" I screamed.

Footsteps echoed from the other end of the hallway.

It was Julian.

The moment I saw him, tears almost welled in my eyes.

For five years, no matter how cold he was to me in private, he had never allowed anyone else to touch me in public.

Julian walked up and grabbed the man's collar, pulling him back with an effortless yank.

"You've had too much to drink," Julian said, his tone flat. He sounded as if he were merely handling an untidy inconvenience.

Then, he cast a cold glance at me.

"What are you doing wandering around the hallway dressed like this?"

This was the same gown I had worn to countless events before, and he had never complained.

Back then, when I stood by his side, he found it elegant.

Now, when I was being assaulted by another man, he found it to be my fault.

Julian escorted his drunken friend away, never once looking back.

I was left standing alone in the empty, silent hallway. My wrists were already bruised.

He didn't ask if I was hurt.

He didn't ask what that man had done to me.

He didn't care how I collapsed onto the floor.

I curled up in the corner of the hallway, clutching my arms, my entire body shaking violently.

In the end, I had to swallow all the pain and humiliation by myself.