Chater 1 Inside the private room at the hotel, beneath the glittering glow of a towering ten-tier champagne pyramid, Benson Gray stood with his newly hired assistant, Sophie Scott.

The two of them were cutting a birthday cake together, their fingers interlocked.

When Sierra Shaw entered the room, Benson didn't flinch or even look guilty. Instead, he spoke as casually as if they were discussing the weather.

"Sophie has the same birthday as you. She's here all alone, far from home, with no friends. So, I decided to move your birthday party to hers for now. I'll make it up to you in a couple of days."

Sierra's smile faltered, freezing in place as her grip on her purse slowly tightened.

Today was her 25th birthday. Benson had promised he would propose to her on this special day.

She'd worn the elegant white dress he had gifted her, spent hours perfecting her hair and makeup, and arrived at the hotel excitedly.

But the sight before her felt like a bucket of ice-cold water cascading over her head.

The engagement ring she had dreamed of—the three-carat pink diamond she had spent years imagining on her finger—was now sparkling brightly on Sophie's hand as Benson held her hand.

A sting of pain blurred her vision. Still, she forced her feet to move. Approaching Benson, she took a deep breath and pointed directly at Sophie's hand. "What about that ring?"

I didn't have time

she had spent three years choosing

as her voice broke. "And me,

I celebrated enough of your birthdays

had to back down? Benson had sabotaged the deal she was about to close to boost Sophie's standing in the company.

clean up the mess, hiding behind the

what exactly had Benson taken her for? Did everyone else always matter more than she did? Tears blurred Sierra's vision. She clenched her fists, desperate to preserve the last shred of dignity she had

of disapproval rippled through the small

gone too far

much Sierra cares about this proposal, but you brought Sophie here just

unbothered, continued slicing the cake. He placed one

she quickly masked it with a nervous, apologetic expression. "Mr. Gray, it's my fault. I shouldn't have come and upset Ms. Shaw. I'll apologize to her later, okay?" Benson gave Sophie's shoulder a reassuring

might get mad and

of smoke, a mocking laugh escaping his lips as though he'd just heard the most

dying to marry me since she was a kid, desperate to slap the name Mrs. Gray on herself. How could she possibly say no? If she wasn't obedient enough, she wouldn't even have the right to stay by my

him erupted

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