Chapter 4

Amelia's POV

After moving out of the hillside mansion, I threw all my energy into endless work.

I tried to numb myself with hectic international meetings and high-intensity negotiations. The moment my brain stopped functioning for a second, a dull, sharp ache would throb in my heart, reminding me how ridiculous those seven years of sacrifice had been.

A week later, New York's annual top-tier charity gala was held at the Waldorf Astoria.

As one of the owners of Hayes Enterprises, I walked the red carpet alone, dressed in a black velvet haute couture gown.

I was still stunningly beautiful. The cool detachment in my eyes added an aura of untouchable regality.

The media and socialites who had come to witness my downfall instinctively silenced themselves the moment they met my icy gaze.

However, as the gala was halfway through and a graceful waltz had just begun, a hushed stir suddenly rippled through the crowd.

The heavy doors of the ballroom were pushed open by a waiter.

Ethan, in a tailored tuxedo, entered with a figure draped in pure white: Lily Sterling.

Lily was clearly attending such a high-society event for the first time. She clung nervously to Ethan, like an ugly duckling who had stumbled into a flock of swans.

But what truly made all the socialites gasp in awe, and even green with envy, was the diamond necklace around Lily's neck.

The Tears of Victoria!

Three years ago, Ethan had acquired that peerless pink diamond at Sotheby's auction house for an exorbitant price.

At the time, all of New York's media had widely reported that it was Ethan's chosen accessory for my wedding gown.

My hand, holding the champagne flute, trembled violently, nearly spilling the golden liquid.

Ethan had once personally placed that necklace around my neck.

It was on the eve of Hayes Enterprises' greatest crisis. He had wrapped his arms around me from behind, pressing the cold diamonds against my collarbone, his voice hoarse as he promised:

"Amelia, once we overcome this hurdle, once Hayes Enterprises rings the bell for its IPO, I'll marry you with this necklace."

Now, Hayes Enterprises had long gone public. The grand bell-ringing ceremony was still vivid in my memory. Yet, that necklace, laden with his promise, now adorned another woman's neck.

"Amelia, Mr. Hayes is really playing favorites, isn't he?"

A rival, who had always been at odds with me, chuckled lightly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "He spent so much money on you back then, and now he's given it to some nobody with no background. Men, you know, they still prefer innocent, pure, and easy-to-control women."

I ignored the cold taunts of others.

My gaze cut through the bustling crowd, fixing directly on Ethan.

Ethan seemed to sense my stare.

He turned, and our eyes met across the room.

A flicker of awkwardness crossed Ethan's eyes, but he didn't walk over. Instead, he leaned down and whispered something to Lily.

Lily followed Ethan's gaze and saw me.

She bit her lip, then surprisingly, took Ethan's hand and, weaving through the crowd, walked towards me.

"Amelia."

Lily lowered her head slightly, but her hand unconsciously caressed the pink diamond around her neck, her posture timid yet radiating a hidden smug satisfaction. "This necklace... Ethan said my dress was too plain tonight, so he lent it to me. Please don't misunderstand, I don't mean anything by it."

Her words perfectly balanced feigned innocence with blatant showing off.

Looking at her pitiful act, a wave of visceral disgust churned in my stomach.

I looked at Ethan coldly, my eyes full of derision. "Mr. Hayes' taste is certainly unique. Pairing a priceless heirloom worth millions with a simple white dress doesn't that seem like a waste?"

"Amelia, watch your tone!"

Ethan's face darkened, and he instinctively shielded Lily behind him. "Lily doesn't understand these luxury items. I insisted she wear it. Don't be so aggressive here just because of a necklace."

"I'm aggressive?"

I let out a bitter laugh, but my eyes stung. "Ethan, do you have any idea what this necklace means to me?"

"That's all in the past."

Ethan cut me off coldly, his eyes cold and rational. "You have everything now. Shares in Hayes Enterprises, status, wealth, reputation. Why do you insist on fighting Lily over a necklace? She has nothing. She only has me."

His words struck me like a lightning bolt.

I had everything?

I gave up my own life, stained my hands with corporate schemes and dirt, earned myself a bad reputation, only to be dismissed with a casual "she has everything"?

I looked at the man before me, the man I had cultivated with seven years of my youth, and suddenly felt utterly alienated, so much so that it terrified me.

"Fine, very well."

I nodded slowly, draining the champagne in my hand.

The cold liquid slid down my throat, burning like a knife. "Since Mr. Hayes is so generous, consider this necklace my welcome gift to Ms. Sterling. After all, I find things used by others... dirty."

With that, I placed the empty glass heavily on a waiter's tray and turned, walking out of the ballroom with resolute pride.

I didn't cry. My tears had long since run dry in the countless dark nights I spent taking bullets for him.