Chapter 9
The Drake family engagement party was a gathering of society’s elite.
Victoria Bennett entered this legendary family’s world for the first time, though not at their ancestral
estate.
The engagement was held in an exclusive, high–end venue that exuded both luxury and discretion.
Standing beside her husband, she finally got a proper look at the Drake heir Emma had been asking
about.
He wore a bespoke suit, his burgundy bow tie lending a sensual edge to his aristocratic features.
She wouldn’t dare speak to him, or even look too long – it wouldn’t be proper.
While getting air outside, she glimpsed him through the crowd taking a call, his brow furrowed.
Clutching her diamond–studded clutch, she overheard the gossip until a familiar name caught her attention.
She grabbed her husband James White’s arm in disbelief: “Did you say Emma? The girl they’re talking about, the one he’s been playing with – is she Emma Walker? The one from my university I told you about?”
James flicked his cigarette ash, unconcerned: “Don’t know. Probably.”
Victoria recalled Emma’s recent inquiries. The world could be so cruelly coincidental.
She’d heard the whole story by now.
“So everyone in your circle knew? Knew he spent five years pretending and deceiving a girl?”
“Everyone’s heard bits and pieces. No one cared – it was just a game, he’d come back eventually.”
Just then, Alex hurried past them toward the exit.
Victoria suddenly called out, furious: “Stop right there, you monster!”
James jumped, rushing to restrain her: “Darling, what are you doing? I thought you didn’t even like Emma – why play hero?”
“I don’t like her-” Victoria glared at Alex, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t sympathize. Five years! Not five hours, not five days – five years of a woman’s most precious youth. You privileged people – is life so boring
06:35
Chapter 5
you have to destroy things?”
“Now I understand. Emma was gorgeous, brilliant–boys used to line up outside our dorm. Wealthy men threw money just to take her to dinner. Then suddenly after graduation, it’s like she was cursed – no suitors, just stuck with a supposedly poor boyfriend. You’d already trapped her!”
James tugged her sleeve: “Victoria, quiet down. You’ll cost us that construction contract.”
Victoria elbowed him back: “I despise you, Mr. Drake. Everyone mocks Emma, but I mock you. You’re a coward,”
Alex remained calm: “When did she find out?”
The woman before him stayed silent; he didn’t press.
He’d just received a call from their landlord: “Weren’t you moving out today? I’m here to check the apartment, but no one’s here?”
He had more urgent matters. Days ago, he’d hesitated before telling her: “When I’m back from this trip, We need to talk,”
Emma had smiled softly, agreeing. She’d been too quiet, too good, her body containing all her screaming pain.
Taking half a step, Alex turned back to this stranger: “If I’d been myself from the start, it would have been five seconds, not five years.”
A cryptic statement Victoria didn’t understand, but noted in her phone.
His car sped toward their apartment, then suddenly changed lanes.
Then, as if mad, he raced toward the airport.
