Only after seeing my bare finger did a satisfied smirk appear on Julian's face.

"Finally got rid of that eyesore."

The rage I had suppressed for so long finally erupted. I swung my hand back and landed a sharp slap across his cheek.

But Julian didn't get angry. Instead, a condescendingly fond smile touched his lips. "It was just a worthless trinket. Don't be mad. I'll buy you ten that are better. As long as you play nice with Bianca, you'll have everything she does."

The casual, dismissive way he spoke made my stomach clench with disgust.

Just then, Julian's phone rang. Bianca's delicate voice floated from the speaker. "Julian, Bella's feeling a little sick. Can you come back? She's crying for you."

Julian's expression immediately softened. "Okay, I'm on my way."

After hanging up, he pulled a black, unbranded credit card from his wallet and tossed it onto the table in front of me. "A million dollars in compensation, Elara. I keep my word. In five days, I'll come to your house to pick you up."

Before leaving, he couldn't resist a parting shot. "By the way, give Sofia a heads-up. We wouldn't want the old woman to get overexcited and have another spell."

He even magnanimously declared that the bill for the party should be put on his tab.

Just then, Marco, the club manager, approached. "Sir," he said respectfully, "the entire VIP section has already been taken care of by Mrs. Moretti."

Julian froze, then let out a scornful laugh.

"Elara, I never thought you'd sink to selling yourself to men for money. But since you'll be with me soon, you're not allowed to frequent places like this anymore. That's enough for today." He waved a dismissive hand. "You can't afford it, so don't put on airs. Tonight's on my tab."

With that, he left without a backward glance.

Marco carefully retrieved the ring from the champagne flute and handed it to me, his expression apologetic.

I took the ring and gave him the black card Julian had left.

"Inform everyone that tonight is on the house. If anyone asks, tell them to thank Mr. Thorne for his generosity." I paused, then added, "And if Mr. Thorne ever comes looking for me again, tell him I am Mrs. Moretti."

A ripple of stunned silence spread through the nearby tables as all eyes snapped to me.

The party's atmosphere was ruined. I didn't stay any longer.

Two days later, on the anniversary of Dante's grandfather's death, I was in an antique watch shop selecting a gift for him. A child suddenly darted past me, clambered onto a nearby display case, and with a single swipe, sent the antique pocket watch I was about to buy crashing to the floor. The watch shattered with a sharp crack.

"You!"

Before I could react, a familiar voice rang out.

"Bella, don't be afraid. Even if you smash up the whole store, Daddy can afford it."

Julian swept the child, Bella, into his arms. When he turned and saw me, he paused, then a knowing smile spread across his face.

"Elara, your methods are getting more impressive. You even managed to find out my schedule."

I frowned.

Bianca, standing beside him, sneered. "Everything in this shop costs more than you'll make in a lifetime. Why else would you be here, if not to trap Julian?" She grew more aggressive. "I know you were trailing him at the party. If you want to marry into the Thorne family, you need to learn some manners. We're not paying for this pocket watch. Consider it a welcome gift from you to our daughter."

This pocket watch, from its selection to its restoration, had taken me a full month. It was a symbol of the Moretti family's honor; it was priceless.

I took a deep breath, fighting down the fury in my chest, and said to the shop assistant, "Charge them the full price. Tell them how much this watch is worth."

The assistant timidly replied, "Ma'am, this is a one-of-a-kind piece. Including the restoration by our master craftsman, its market value is at least ten million dollars."

Hearing this, they both burst out laughing as if it were the funniest joke in the world.

"Ten million? Elara, you must be desperate for money to cook up a lie like that," Bianca mocked, covering her mouth. "The Thornes might be rich, but we're not marks for a cheap hustler like you."

Julian clearly thought I was in league with the shop to scam him. He showed no remorse, cooing at his daughter as he warned me,

"Elara, I don't like greedy women."

He pointed to his daughter. "Look, you've scared Bella. Her little face has gone all pale, poor thing."

"How about this? We'll call the watch a gift from you to Bella. You come over and apologize to her, and we'll call it even."

Their audacity was so staggering I let out a laugh of pure disbelief.

I immediately took out my phone, ready to have my bodyguards handle them.

But the next second, Bianca slapped the phone from my hand, the impact followed by the sharp sting of her palm across my face.

Her tone was vicious. "Elara, letting you even be near Julian is my greatest concession!"

"You know he's trying to secure a partnership with the Moretti family. Why are you causing trouble now? Are you trying to make him lose this deal on purpose?"

"Besides, Julian already gave you a million dollars. Isn't that enough for you? Have you no shame?"

I was furious. I raised my hand to strike back, but Julian's hand clamped around my wrist like a vise.

"Elara, don't push it. You'll ruin what we have."

"Fine, then let's talk damages." I wrenched my arm free and turned to the shop assistant. "Send the bill directly to the Thorne Group. If they refuse to pay, we'll proceed with legal action, and... our own methods. I have all the time in the world."

With that, I turned to leave.

Julian impatiently stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "Elara, why have you become so cold? Think about the three years you waited for me. Just apologize to Bella and Bianca, and we can put this behind us."

"If you keep making a scene, you'll only destroy what's between us!"

The rage I'd held back finally broke free.

I spun around and slapped him hard across the face.

"Julian, there is nothing left between us."

In the struggle, Julian violently tore at my collar. Two buttons popped off, exposing the unique mark on the back of my neck to the air—a possessive mark left by Dante. Last night, his fury over Julian's phone call had led him to torment me for hours, using this primitive method to stake his claim.

The stares of passersby burned into us, and I frantically clutched my collar, trying to cover the mark.

But Julian's eyes were already blazing.

"Elara, how could you sink this low? Did you let some random man touch you just to spite me?" He grabbed my arm, his grip so tight I thought the bone would snap.

"Let go of me, Julian! What I do is none of your business!"

Just then, Bianca emerged from the shop with her daughter, drawn by the commotion. She was holding the two broken halves of the pocket watch. She pieced them together and presented them to Julian triumphantly.

"Julian, our Bella did a great thing! Look, the watch box has the Moretti family crest on it."

"In a few days, it's an important anniversary for the Morettis. This must have been a gift Elara's sugar daddy sent her to pick up. How else could she afford it?"

"He was probably trying to suck up to Don Moretti at the gala and compete with you for the partnership. Who knew their little plan would be ruined by our Bella? She's such a lucky charm."

But Julian didn't seem to hear a word. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at me. "Who is he?!" he snarled. "How long have you been with him? How far have you gone?"

I couldn't waste another breath on him and yanked my arm free. "Julian, what right do you have to question me? I could be with anyone in the world, but it will never be you."

What stood between us wasn't just his betrayal and my family's ruin, but my grandmother's life.

It was a debt I would make him pay.

I would wait for the Moretti family gala. I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when I appeared on Dante's arm.

I was truly looking forward to it.