Chapter 4

Selena's POV

A week later, London's most elite charity gala.

Tristan brought Summer Lynn.

But he brought me too.

Summer Lynn, as his companion, held his arm, wearing a million-pound haute couture gown like a proud little princess.

While I wore a rigid black suit, holding a schedule in my hand, following behind them.

Like a complete lackey.

"Mr. Vale, at tonight's auction, the 'Tears of the Deep' sapphire necklace you had your eye on earlier will be the finale piece."

I reported to him.

Tristan gave a faint "mm."

That necklace he'd promised me a month ago, saying it was to celebrate our seven years together.

I didn't actually care about any necklace. I just wanted proof that he still cared about me.

But now, I knew it was impossible.

The gala was filled with elegant guests in fine attire.

Tristan brought Summer Lynn around to network with business tycoons.

I was stationed in a shadowy corner, ready to attend to him at any moment.

Halfway through the event, I got up to use the restroom.

The corridor lighting was dim.

Passing a VIP lounge, the door was ajar, and low conversation came from inside.

I glanced inadvertently.

A man sat inside.

He wore an impeccably tailored dark suit, his posture upright, broad-shouldered and long-legged.

His coldly defined jawline looked particularly imposing in the half-light.

Even with his eyes closed, the aura of someone in power couldn't be ignored.

Most striking was the black cane he idly twirled in his hands.

The head of the Ashford family, Lucas.

London's most mysterious and most feared figure.

Rumor had it that he'd been in a car accident a year ago and lost his sight. But even so, under his iron-fisted methods, the Ashford family remained powerful.

He was truly ruthless.

I didn't want to stare, and was about to leave.

The deep gray handkerchief in his hand suddenly slipped, falling near the doorway.

My steps paused. Inexplicably, I walked over, bent down, and picked up the handkerchief.

Just as I was about to hand it to him.

A slender, powerful hand with prominent knuckles suddenly reached out and gripped my wrist.

His strength was immense, brooking no resistance.

I gasped, jerking my head up.

Lucas had somehow already moved to the doorway.

His eyes were closed, his face slightly turned toward me, his nose seeming to twitch.

"Who?"

His voice was low and magnetic, like a cold, hard cello.

"Mr. Ashford, you dropped your handkerchief."

I suppressed the panic in my heart, trying to pull my hand back.

He didn't let go. Instead, his fingers tightened slightly, his fingertips brushing over the still-healing glass cut on my palm.

"Selena Hart?"

He called my name accurately.

I froze.

"You know me?"

The corner of Lucas's mouth curved into a faint arc.

"Tristan Vale's obedient little dog."

The words were too harsh.

I yanked my hand free forcefully.

"Mr. Ashford, please show some respect."

I shoved the handkerchief into his hand and turned to leave.

But as I turned, I collided into a cold embrace.

Tristan stood at the end of the corridor, I don't know since when.

He looked at me and Lucas, his eyes frighteningly sinister.

"Mr. Vale..."

Tristan jerked me behind him, his grip nearly crushing my wrist.

"Mr. Ashford, long time no see. What, interested in my people?"

Lucas held the handkerchief, casually straightening his cuff.

"Just a biting dog. If Mr. Vale can't control it, might as well throw it away early."

With that, he gripped his cane and, assisted by his aide, left calmly.

Tristan stared at his retreating figure until it disappeared, then violently released my hand.

"Selena, you really are shameless."

He ground his teeth,

"Lucas is blind, and you still throw yourself at him?"

I rubbed my reddened wrist, looking at him.

"I only picked up his handkerchief."

"Stop making excuses!"

Tristan's eyes were full of malice,

"Behave yourself and stop embarrassing me!"

With that, he turned and headed toward the auction hall.

The auction began.

The finale piece, "Tears of the Deep," was brought onto the display platform.

The brilliant sapphires sparkled dazzlingly under the lights.

Starting bid: fifty million.

Tristan raised his paddle without hesitation.

"Eighty million."

The entire hall gasped. No one dared compete with him anymore.

The auctioneer's gavel fell.

Tristan stood up, and under everyone's envious gazes, took the necklace in his hands.

Then, he walked past me and straight to Summer Lynn.

He personally placed that necklace-originally meant for me-around Summer Lynn's neck.

"Summer, do you like it?"

He smiled with tender affection.

Summer covered her mouth, so moved she was nearly in tears.

"I love it... but it's too expensive."

"As long as you like it, I could give you the entire family fortune."

Warm applause and cheers erupted around them.

I stood in the corner, watching this scene, the last pathetic shred of hope in my heart completely reduced to ashes.

After the gala ended, Tristan put Summer in the car, then turned to look at me.

"Tomorrow, give Mr. Cooper three points off the profit from the West District project. He helped Summer tonight."

He spoke as if it were the most ordinary thing.

I looked at him, suddenly finding this face terrifyingly unfamiliar.

"Tristan."

I called his name.

He frowned.

"What?"

"Let's break up."

The winter night wind was cold, cutting like a knife across my face.

Tristan froze.

Then he laughed mockingly, as if he'd heard the most absurd joke.

"Selena, what tantrum are you throwing now?"

"Because of that necklace? It's just a necklace. Tomorrow I'll have my assistant pick out something more expensive for you."

He looked down at me, his tone full of disdain.

"Don't threaten me with breaking up. Can you even leave me?"

"Your father's gambling debts, your brother's life-which one doesn't need me?"

"Put away those ridiculous tricks and obediently go back to work."

He finished speaking, turned, got in his car, and slammed the door shut.

The car sped away.

I stood there, watching the taillights disappear into the night.

He thought I was playing hard to get.

He thought I was a dog that would never leave.

But he was wrong.

Even a dog, when pushed to its limit, will bite through its chain.