"How about this? If Asher loses the bet, we can have Violet sing for us. I heard she's studying music..."

Before he could finish, Asher kicked him to the ground. His face turned terrifyingly dark.

"What the hell do you think Violet is? She's a serious music student! Not some bar chick!"

Everyone in their circle knew that Violet Shaw was the person Asher cared about most. Her reputation mattered more to him than his own life. If anyone said a single bad word about Violet, they'd end up broken and bleeding the next day.

The guy who'd just made the joke immediately dropped to his knees to apologize. "I'm sorry, Asher!

"I'm an idiot, I'm sick in the head. You're the bigger man here, so just ignore me!"

Watching this, I felt like my heart was being ripped apart. I didn't even realize I was crying until the tears soaked my collar.

Asher had long forgotten the promises he had once made to me.

"Little girl, from now on, you'll stay with me. I'll protect you. No one will dare to hurt you," he'd said.

"Claire, if we're both still single in ten years, let's just get married," he'd said.

I'd held onto those two promises all this time. Yet he'd forgotten them all.

Today marked exactly ten years, and I felt that I really should get married. However, the person I needed to marry wasn't Asher Bennett.

Snapping back to reality, I forced a smile.

"Alright, I need to go get my marriage license. I won't keep you any longer."

The moment I took a step toward the exit, Asher grabbed my wrist tightly. "Claire, what are you trying to pull?

"Don't tell me you actually want to drag me to get a marriage license with you? Can you have some self-respect?"

Looking at his face full of disgust, I felt completely helpless. The Asher who once fought a gang of thugs alone to protect me was long gone. Now, he couldn't wait for me to disappear.

Just as I was about to explain, a sweet voice rang out. "Asher!"

I turned my head to see Violet jogging over to Asher's side. She blinked at him flirtatiously. Asher immediately released my wrist and wiped his hand on his clothes several times before taking Violet's hand. He looked at her tenderly, his voice going soft.

"What are you doing in a place like this? This isn't the right place for you."

Violet put her hands on her hips and pouted with displeasure.

"You have some nerve! I heard your friend was proposing today. That's such an important occasion, and you didn't even invite me? You actually came here alone!"

Panic flashed across Asher's face. Then, he looked around, randomly pulled one of his friends forward, and said with a laugh, "Well, you've been so busy with training lately. I didn't want to disturb you.

"Ray here was proposing to Claire today. You showed up at the perfect time. Let's all witness their happy moment together!"

After speaking, he nudged Raymond Smith. Raymond hurriedly put his arm around my shoulders and chimed in.

"Right! We're about to go get our marriage license!"

I looked up to find myself face to face with his oily, acne-covered skin. Out of everyone in this group, I hated him the most. He was always making crude sexual jokes about me in front of everyone. He was also the one who had ruined my reputation.

Raymond bent down and whispered in my ear. "Asher will never want you. Why don't you be with me instead? I bet I can make you feel amazing!"

Disgust rolled through me. I shoved him away hard and headed for the exit. Seeing this, Raymond moved to pull me into his arms.

In my desperation, I shouted, "I already have a husband! He'll be here any minute!"

The moment those words left my mouth, everyone froze before bursting into laughter.

"Claire, give it a rest. Aren't you tired of living a lie?"

"Seriously, Ray's crazy about you. Don't break his heart like that!"

"Get together! Get together! Kiss her! Kiss her!"

Watching me get humiliated, Asher showed no concern whatsoever. Instead, he joined in the jeering.

"Claire, I actually think you and Ray make a pretty good match."

I clenched my fists and said through gritted teeth, "I told you, I already have a husband!

"If you don't believe me, you can all come with me to city hall and see for yourselves!"

Worried they still wouldn't believe me, I reached into my bag for an invitation, only to remember I'd handed out the last one yesterday. When she saw my expression, Violet put on a sympathetic act.

"Claire, you know I've always had your back, but this time I really need to speak up for Ray.

"He finally worked up the courage to confess his feelings. If you don't want to accept, fine, but how can you hurt him with such a terrible excuse?

"After all, everyone knows you've been chasing after Asher this whole time. Where would you even get a husband?

"Don't be upset. Everyone just wants what's best for you, so just stop lying. You're only hurting yourself."

When Violet finished, everyone nodded in approval.

"She really is cultured, being a music student and all. So refined and reasonable."

"No wonder Asher likes her. I'd pick someone like that too. Who would want someone as unreasonable as Claire Sutton?"

At that, Violet frowned slightly as if feeling sorry for me. "Claire, just apologize, and we can pretend this never happened, okay? We're all still friends."

That same line again. Whenever there was any kind of conflict, she always played the peacemaker. She seemed to take my side, but really, she was just forcing me to admit fault.

It worked perfectly on Asher and his friends. So I opened my phone, scrolled through it a few times, then held it up in front of them.

"I'm out of paper invitations, but I saved a digital copy. If anyone's interested, feel free to come. I'll make sure to give you all a proper welcome."

The group crowded around to look at the invitation. Someone gasped.

"Holy shit! A wedding on a private island!"

"This island is privately owned. It's worth hundreds of millions!"

Hearing this, Asher scoffed and locked my phone. "God. This is obviously fake. Does Claire look like someone who could afford to get married there?

"She probably took someone else's invitation and changed the names. Talk about shallow and vain!"

After he spoke, everyone's mocking expressions intensified.

"Claire, you really know how to delude yourself!"

"That's what I'm saying. How could someone like you possibly land a wealthy man who owns a private island?"

Violet came over and took my arm, trying to reason with me. "Claire, there's really no need for this. Why are you humiliating yourself like this?

"Even though Asher doesn't have feelings for you, he's always treated you like family. Acting like this will only make him hate you more!"

Asher waved a dismissive hand. "Violet, you can't reason with someone like her. Just leave her alone."

I sighed and pulled off my gloves. A massive diamond glittered on my ring finger.

Violet went still.

"Isn't that the Star of Radiance from the auction?"

Asher attended auctions constantly, so naturally, he recognized the name. He came up close, grabbed my hand, and stared at the diamond ring.

After a long moment, he looked up and demanded, "Where did you get this? This thing is worth over a hundred million dollars."

I froze. I hadn't realized the ring was that expensive. Derek Powell had given it to me when we got engaged.

Seeing me lost in thought, Asher mocked, "You didn't steal it, did you? Even if you sold every organ in your body, you probably couldn't scrape together a fraction of what this costs."

Just as I was about to speak, my phone rang. I pushed through the crowd and ran to a quiet spot to answer.

"Okay, I'll be right there. Wait for me."

When I hung up and turned around, Asher was standing right behind me. He was holding a cigarette, and his expression was unreadable.

"Oh, don't tell me that was your so-called husband calling?"

I nodded seriously. "Yes, it's time for our appointment to register our marriage. If you're interested, you can come with me."

Before Asher could respond, one of his friends chimed in.

"Sure, I'd love to see this billionaire who can buy private islands and bid on the Star of Radiance! Claire, you better not be biting off more than you can chew!"

I turned to leave, but Asher suddenly grabbed me. "You still have a chance to tell the truth before we leave. Otherwise, when we actually get to city hall, you'll be the one humiliated."

I frowned. "Asher, why are you so sure I'm lying? I really am getting married."

Without waiting for his response, I led the group outside. Along the way, his friends pulled out their phones to record me.

"Wow, Asher's little lapdog is actually getting married. Can you believe this?"

"Everyone, look! Claire Sutton, this pathetic hanger-on, claims she has a billionaire husband!"

They posted the videos to social media, and instantly, I became the laughingstock of their entire circle. Everyone was waiting to watch me get exposed.

When we arrived at city hall, I didn't see Derek anywhere near the entrance. They finally had their ammunition.

"So where's this husband of yours? I don't see anyone!"

"Maybe your husband is that stray dog on the ground!"

They mocked me while calling out to passersby.

"Everyone, come look! This woman told us that she's marrying a billionaire and insisted on bringing us here to witness it! Would you look at that? There's not even a single soul in sight!"

"People these days lie without even thinking! How dare she make up something like this?"

"I'll make a bet right now! If this billionaire she's talking about shows up within 15 minutes, I'll give everyone here ten thousand dollars!"

"But if he doesn't show, this lying lady here will pay everyone 100 thousand dollars!"

At that, people began gathering around and surrounding me. They pointed and whispered at me. They were all waiting to watch me fall apart.

Seeing the growing crowd, I instinctively stepped backward.

"What is it? Are you scared? Planning to run away?"

Asher's friend stared straight at me. Just as I was about to explain, someone wrapped his arm around my shoulders. Then, a bouquet of handmade flowers appeared in front of me.

"Sorry, I'm late, honey."