Chapter 5

Sage's POV

The scene instantly descended into chaos, camera flashes going wild.

Several reporters excitedly yelled, "This is definitely front-page news!"

I felt dizzy, my entire body extremely uncomfortable. Someone pushed me hard from behind, and I fell heavily to the ground.

"Stop!" A sharp voice rang out.

It was Ashton's voice.

The previously arrogant reporters instantly froze like statues, trembling as they said, "Mr. Pierce."

Ashton strode forward and gently draped his expensive jacket over me.

"It's okay now."

I had no idea what this man was thinking.

He scooped me up in his arms and turned to scan every reporter present.

"Not a single photo from today gets published. Otherwise, you're going up against the Pierce family!"

...

When I opened my eyes again, I saw Ashton asleep with his head on my bed.

I moved slightly, reaching for my phone on the pillow and instinctively opening the news.

The top trending topic hit me right in the face-"Chanel Changes Ambassador."

Just this morning, Chanel had ruthlessly scrubbed all content related to me and made a big announcement that Kara was their new brand ambassador.

Under various gossip accounts, at first there were quite a few passersby and fans indignantly defending me, but strangely, those comments were quickly deleted.

The next second, several messages popped up.

"Sage, what's going on? Right after yesterday's event ended, Chanel would rather pay the penalty than continue our contract!"

"Sage, please reply! The company is freaking out!"

...

I looked at Ashton beside me, feeling as if I'd been plunged into an icy abyss, trembling uncontrollably.

Sensing movement, Ashton opened his eyes and slowly sat up.

"Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

I laughed coldly, my eyes completely red as I held up my phone and demanded, "Did you do all this?"

Ashton seemed somewhat guilty, instinctively looking away, though his mouth remained dismissive:

"Kara just likes this brand, so I got it for her. It's just an endorsement. I'll get you another one."

I felt fury shoot straight to my head. I slapped Ashton hard across the face and roared, "Who do you think you are?"

Ashton's expression instantly turned ugly. "Sage, there's a limit to throwing tantrums! How many days has this been going on? Didn't I say that after we get married, I'll naturally settle down?"

At his words, I sneered.

He was always like this-arrogant, conceited, looking down on everyone. Everyone used to say Ashton loved me more than life itself, but only I knew that in this relationship, he had always been the one in control, the one with all the power.

I looked at him coldly, enunciating each word. "Not necessary."

Ashton stood up with an ashen face and said harshly, "Fine. Don't regret this."

Then he walked out without looking back.

Shortly after Ashton left, Kara swaggered in.

She looked at me on the bed, a mocking smile curving her lips, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "How does it feel to lose everything?"

I looked at her sharply. "Finally done playing the victim?"

Kara's smile instantly vanished. She stared at me hard, her eyes full of resentment.

"Don't look at me like that. You're the one I hate most! We're twins, so why was I the one who got taken? Why did I end up in some backwoods doing farm work while you grew up a princess in the city? If it weren't for that kidnapping, I'd be the one standing next to Ashton right now."

She smiled again. "I told you, I'm going to take back everything I missed!"

I looked at her like she was insane, saying coldly, "Are you even worthy?"

Kara snorted. "We'll see about that."

After Kara left, I quietly took out my phone, turned off the voice recorder, and pressed save.

Next, I would make sure Kara paid the price!