Chapter 4

Grandfather's funeral was grand.

Everyone who was anyone in New York attended. Except Cyrus.

Because his cards were canceled, he'd lost face in front of his friends and couldn't even buy Meadow a purse.

He sent me hundreds of text messages, starting with curses, moving to accusations, then finally threats.

I didn't respond to a single one. I blocked him directly.

On the day of the funeral procession, Cyrus finally appeared.

He'd probably climbed over the wall to get in, wearing a motorcycle jacket with the zipper half-open, his face full of hostility.

What's more, Meadow followed behind him.

At this solemn occasion where everyone wore black, Meadow had on a pale pink Chanel suit, innocent makeup, and was even holding a milk tea.

The guests immediately erupted in outrage.

"Who is that? How rude!"

"Isn't that the boy toy Miss Sterling keeps? How dare he bring a girl in pink to a funeral?"

Cyrus ignored it all. He strode directly to me and grabbed my wrist, his eyes bloodshot.

"Vivienne, have you had enough? Is canceling my cards fun for you? Let me tell you, Meadow was terrified. You apologize to her right now, and give her that Westhill villa as compensation for emotional distress. Then I'll forgive you this time!"

I slowly raised my head, looking at that face.

Once, looking at Sebastian through this face gave me momentary comfort.

Now, I only felt disgusted.

Like I'd swallowed ten thousand flies.

"Take your filthy hands off me." My voice was hoarse but cold as ice.

Cyrus froze, seemingly unable to believe I dared speak to him this way.

Meadow immediately stepped forward, clinging to Cyrus's arm, looking at me with teary eyes.

"Vivienne,don't be angry at Cyrus. It's all my fault... I wasn't feeling well, that's why Cyrus was so worried. And... and I didn't wear pink on purpose. I just thought Grandfather going to heaven should be a happy thing..."

Slap!

I backhanded her hard across the face.

The slap was so loud the entire funeral hall fell silent.

Meadow was stunned, milk tea spilling all over her, leaving her in a sorry state.

"This is the Sterling family funeral hall, not your hookup nightclub."

I accepted a wet wipe from a bodyguard and methodically wiped my fingers. Each word landed like a nail.

"Wearing pink to a funeral. Is this your upbringing? Since your parents didn't teach you properly, I'll teach you in their place."

"Vivienne! Are you insane?!"

Cyrus flew into a rage, raising his fist to charge at me. "You dare hit her? You believe I'll..."

Before he could get close, two bodyguards over six feet tall pressed him to his knees on the ground.

His kneecaps hit the marble floor with a sickening crack.

I looked down at Cyrus kneeling before me.

"Cyrus, the game is over."

"You're just a substitute, a plaything. When I favored you, you were a treasure. Now that I'm done with you, you're not even worth a stray dog."

"Throw them both out. From now on, they show up on Sterling property once, we beat them once."