A sour feeling filled my chest, but I still spoke. "I'm not giving you the design drafts. And I agree to end the engagement."

Willa's expression darkened as she stared at me. "Fine, Shane. I'll grant you that. Just don't regret it later."

With that, she left with Aaron.

I had barely reached the gate when a voice called out.

"Shane."

I turned and saw a neatly dressed woman walking toward me.

"I heard everything. Are you alright?"

Amber Archer had been a scholarship student sponsored by my family.

She'd moved out after Willa and I had gotten engaged, saying it would be inappropriate otherwise.

This was the first time I had seen her in three years.

I didn't want to linger on anything. I just shook my head. "I'm fine. The engagement is ending soon anyway."

Amber hesitated, then patted my shoulder. "Don't be upset."

I looked at her. "Shouldn't you be congratulating me for finally escaping a miserable relationship?"

She met my eyes, then laughed. "You're right. Congratulations on finally escaping."

Talking to Amber eased the tightness in my chest, but the moment I stepped inside the house, I found Willa and Aaron sitting in the living room putting on a show.

Willa's eyes glistened as she looked at my parents.

"Mr. and Mrs. Dalton, you've watched me grow up. You know I've always been softhearted. I treat Aaron like my own brother. I want him to win the design competition so he can have an easier path ahead.

"Shane doesn't need that kind of prestige anymore, but he's jealous of Aaron and refuses to give him a chance. I have no choice but to ask for your help."

I never imagined she would drag Aaron to my parents' house to smear my name. I couldn't believe my ears. Not only did she twist every fact, but she also made herself sound perfectly righteous.

My father slammed the table. "Shane, what have we taught you? Why can't you show a little kindness?"

My fists clenched. Willa, seeing their reaction, grew even bolder.

"By the way, that ring design Shane made earlier… Could you give it to Aaron too? We're all one family anyway."

I cut her off. "I'm not your family. Get lost!"

My mother looked at me, then at Willa. She finally said, "Willa, that design was Shane's hard work."

When she realized she wasn't getting her way, Willa dropped the act instantly. Her face twisted as she pointed at my mother.

"You always say you treat me like your own daughter, yet you can't even give me a single design draft? Aaron is basically my brother, and I'll be the Daltons' daughter-in-law. Everything the Daltons have includes a share for him. You won't even give me a draft? That's ridiculous!"

My eyes widened. I couldn't believe she would say something that shameless.

I wondered if I had been blind all these years. How had I ever liked someone like her?

No wonder she felt no guilt demanding my designs. In her mind, the Daltons' entire estate was already hers.

I let out a cold laugh. "Do you think everything you set your eyes on automatically belongs to you?"

Willa turned to my parents. "If I don't agree, the Quinns won't proceed with the marriage alliance. I suggest you hand over the designs now, or don't blame me for what happens next."

Her arrogance almost amused me. Had she forgotten that the Daltons were one of the four major families, and the Quinns were nothing but upjumped nouveau riche?

If I hadn't liked her, she would never have been my fiancée at all.

No, she hadn't forgotten. She simply never understood. She really thought I chased her all those years for the Quinns' money?

My smile faded. "You seemed confused. The Daltons don't need a marriage alliance with anyone."

The moment she heard the mockery in my voice, fury flashed in her eyes.

"Shane, it seems I've been far too generous with you. Just wait. I'm going home right now to tell my parents I'm ending this engagement.

"Let's hope you don't come crawling back to beg me later."

Aaron stepped in with false concern. "Mr. Dalton, maybe you should apologize. It isn't easy to land someone like Willa, a real rich and pretty catch."

I shoved his hand away. "Get lost. My business doesn't need your advice."

After they left, my parents watched me nervously. I dialed my lawyer with complete calm.

"Prepare a termination of engagement agreement. And have the Quinns return everything they've taken from the Daltons."

I asked my parents to begin the annulment process, but I still had other matters to deal with.

I had prepared for the design competition for far too long to give up at the final moment.

If nothing went wrong, my entry would take first place.

At the award ceremony, the host had just read my name when the doors burst open.

"Wait. There's a problem with the results."

Everyone turned toward Aaron.

He fixed his eyes on me. "Mr. Dalton, I know you have money and influence, but I'd like to fight for justice."

I frowned. "What justice?"

A mocking smile tugged at his lips. "The design that won first place was actually created by me."

Willa stepped out from behind him.

"Shane, I don't understand why you're so vain. You knew Aaron and I were close, yet you used my name to steal his work. You were born with a silver spoon. You have no idea how hard it is for someone to climb upward. I hope you return what belongs to Aaron and apologize to him in front of everyone."

I gritted my teeth forcefully.

To admit plagiarism in the design competition would ruin me. Willa wasn't stupid. She knew that confessing here would end any future I had as a designer.

This dream was all I wanted, and even though my heart had already been shredded a thousand times, her words still cut deep.

My voice came out hoarse. "I designed that piece myself. I stole nothing."

Aaron let out a sharp laugh. "You designed it? That ring was handmade by me for Willa. She's my goddess. I knew I'd never have a chance with her, so the ring was my blessing for her future marriage.

My eyes flew wide. That ring had been the engagement ring I designed for Willa, carrying every wish I'd had for her.

I never imagined she would reveal something so personal just to help him.

A vein pulsed hard at my temple.

Willa continued, acting righteous. "You're a Dalton, so of course you can throw your weight around. I'm here to make things right for Aaron."

She pulled out her phone. On the screen was a video. In it, I slipped quietly into her study, picked up the design drafts from her desk, and left with them.

"What else do you have to say?" she asked, staring at me.

My mouth opened, but no words came.

They had planned everything long before today. The person in the footage was me. I hadn't gone there to steal anything, but I had no way to prove otherwise.

Someone threw something at me, then another followed, until trash rained over me.

"Shameless thief!"

"How awful that someone like this made it into the competition."

"Good thing Ms. Quinn exposed him, or who knows how long this injustice would have lasted."

"This is the world we live in. Ordinary people can't win against the rich."

Covered in filth, I stared at Willa with bloodshot eyes. She walked to the organizers. "He's a thief. He doesn't deserve to compete. Throw him out."

"That design is mine," I shouted, feeling something inside me tear.

The organizers looked between the two of us. Finally, one turned to me, "Please step aside. We need to investigate this matter."

A cold heaviness dropped into my chest. They believed her.

I tried to defend myself. "I designed that piece myself. It has nothing to do with anyone else."

"Can you prove the design belongs to you?"

I fell silent. If I had any way to prove it, I wouldn't be standing here cornered.

One of the staff held out a hand. "Mr. Dalton, please leave for now."

I had just taken a step to turn away when a voice rose from behind me.

"Wait. I have evidence that Shane is the real designer."