Victor let go of me and hurried after Emma. He unabashedly wiped the water droplets from her face with his hand right in front of me.

His friends saw me still standing there with an ugly expression on my face and began whispering disapprovingly among themselves. Every word was a criticism of me, accusing me of bullying her. Emma also looked at me timidly.

At that moment, I truly felt like I was the one who should leave. I barely touched my food that evening before claiming I felt unwell and leaving early.

I thought Victor would stay behind to take care of the fragile Emma, but instead he rushed into the rain and grabbed me.

He took me to the nearest coffee shop, ordered a hot drink and placed it in my hands, then rushed back into the rain to buy a towel to wrap around me.

"Claire, don't be angry with me. Emma comes from a very strict family. If I really let her go home and tell her father about breaking off the engagement, she'd face severe punishment.

"I only think of her as a sister, and that's why I look out for her a little more. Don't overthink it. You're the only one I have eyes for, the only one in my heart."

Seeing me shivering, he sat closer and held me tightly, constantly rubbing my hands to warm them up. Although I struggled internally, I decided to let go of my concerns given his attentive care and how much I trusted him.

However, he ultimately betrayed my trust.

After that day, Emma openly clung to Victor's side. They discussed company development and jewelry exhibitions, looking so perfectly matched that they seemed like a golden couple.

It wasn't just the other students anymore—even I thought they were dating.

Emma even approached me with the attitude of someone who'd won, saying arrogantly, "Claire, if Victor can treat me like a sister now, he can treat me like a lover later. We'll see."

I couldn't find the words to refute her and watched as she left with a victor's smile.

That day was a weekend. Victor had told me he was going to play basketball with some friends to relax. I called him at the last minute, asking him to come see me instead.

He was extremely annoyed by that. "Didn't we agree I could go play basketball? How am I supposed to face my friends after standing them up like this?"

I was also angry and told him everything Emma had said in an unfriendly tone. His attitude became even worse after hearing me out.

"You made me come over just because of this trivial matter? How many times do I need to promise you that Emma and I are just friends?

"Claire, do you know how exhausting it is to date you when you're like this? Maybe I should report my every breath to you from now on. Would that satisfy you?"

His words deeply hurt me. I looked at him with tears in my eyes and pressed my lips together as I asked, "So you don't believe me?"

Victor stared back at me, then sighed after a long moment. "Fine, I understand that insecurity is a common problem among you ladies. Since you don't like Emma, I'll find an opportunity to make things clear with her.

"But Claire, I'm begging you, please stop tormenting me over these little things, okay? I'm already overwhelmed by the pressure my dad's putting on me. When I finally get some time to relax, can't you just give me a break?"

We were approaching graduation then, and his father, Peter Whitmore, was forcing him to give up his beloved law studies to take over the family jewelry business. The father and son were locked in a cold war because of this.

Peter already disliked me, so I couldn't really advise Victor about anything. I could only give him space to relax.

"I've been very busy with graduation season lately, so let's not contact each other for now."

He simply turned and left after saying that. A chill ran through me as I watched his retreating figure. For the first time, I wondered if he was worth it.

For a long time after that, he didn't contact me again. But I kept seeing him and Emma going to the library for late-night study sessions. Even when he finally gave up law and chose to go abroad to study jewelry design, I had to hear the news from Sam.

When Ethereal Jewelry noticed the design I made for my graduation project and wanted to sign a contract for mass production, a group of reporters suddenly surrounded me. They shoved cameras in my face.

"Claire, we received a tip that you plagiarized Emma Palmer's work for your graduation project. Is this true?"

I was stunned and stepped back, protesting, "I didn't. You're slandering me!"

Emma also appeared at that moment, her eyes red as she accused me, "Claire, I could overlook it when you plagiarized my designs for your previous assignments…

"But this graduation project, the 'Wild Roses' series, is something I created specifically for Victor's birthday. He even helped me with the revisions. How can you still claim you didn't plagiarize it?"

All the cameras turned toward Victor in an instant as the reporters waited for his response. I looked at him too.

Victor avoided my gaze and said to the reporters, "The 'Wild Roses' design is indeed Emma's creation. When we studied together late at night, I watched her draw the blueprints with my own eyes."

I completely froze in place. Walking toward him under the flashing lights, I stared into his eyes and asked, "Are you certain that I plagiarized her work?"

My eyes were filled with tears, and my voice was choked up. Victor's eyes showed his reluctance and internal conflict, but in the end he still insisted the design was Emma's original work.

Emma also condemned me right then. "Claire, I know you're Victor's girlfriend, but you can't force him to lie and cover for you because of that!"

I was already too choked up to say anything. I blinked as I watched the two of them work together, my heart aching.

Victor seemed somewhat reluctant and had just reached out toward me when Emma's words made him falter.

"You even hired people to threaten me, trying to make me admit that I was the plagiarizer. If Victor hadn't testified for me today, you would have ruined my entire life..."

As she raised her hand to wipe her tears, her chiffon sleeve slid to her elbow, revealing several ugly knife wounds on her arm. Victor's pupils contracted sharply as he grabbed her hand.

"What are these knife wounds? Did someone harass you?"

As he spoke, he looked at me with eyes so cold that they pierced my heart. I swallowed my heartache and lifted my face slightly.

"I didn't do it. If you want to play the hero, I won't stop you, but please don't use me as part of your little performance!"

"Claire Webb! You're still making excuses!"

Victor's eyes were filled with utter disgust. "Emma has a gentle personality, but you're sharp-tongued and always badmouthing her behind her back! She's been tolerant time and time again, but instead of apologizing and changing, you've become even more vicious!"

His words left me stunned again, and I felt my blood run cold. "Victor, is this really what you think of me? You'd rather believe her lies than trust me?"

"I trusted you before, and instead of repenting, you bullied her even worse!"

As soon as he finished speaking, reporters swarmed toward me like bees, their sharp questions stabbing at my heart.

I stared at him blankly. I was nearly pushed down several times, but he just watched coldly.

Harsh laughter and contempt filled my ears. Victor even stepped onto the stage and picked up the microphone.

"As the brand representative of Ethereal Jewelry, I announce the termination of our collaboration with Claire Webb. I hope every designer follows professional ethics. Plagiarism is just shameful!"

The spotlight created a halo around him, making him look like some divine figure. Emma gazed at him adoringly.

All I could hear was him announcing that I was to be blacklisted across the industry. I couldn't take in anything else.

Someone threw a cup of water at me first, and then more things were thrown at me. I kept stepping back until I stumbled and fell at the feet of that crowd.

Looking up, I saw Victor protecting Emma as they retreated backstage. I curled my lips in a bitter smile and gave up struggling.

After everything ended, I received a call from the dean. He informed me that my graduation certificate had been revoked and my graduation postponed.

On the day my reputation was ruined, I bought a plane ticket abroad. From then on, I disappeared without a trace.

…

When I came back to my senses, Sam was still staring at me.

"Claire, what do you say? Why don't you have a good talk with Victor? You two are so perfect for each other, it's criminal that you aren't together."

I looked at him in amusement. "No need. I should go."

"Don't leave yet! Just wait a bit longer. Victor's already at the parking lot!" He blocked my path, his tone urgent.

I felt somewhat impatient. "Victor and I have nothing to talk about. Besides, I'm already married."