Addison screamed loudly, “Since Miss Ophelia insists on forcing me, I’ll die right here for you to see!”

Gideon was stunned. “Ophelia, are you even human? Are you really going to drive a living person to death over something that belonged to the dead?”

Before he could finish speaking, my hand came up, and I slapped him twice, hard.

“Gideon, if you dare insult my mother again, your good days are truly over.”

Time went by quickly, and Enzo’s birthday banquet soon arrived.

Early that morning, Gideon came rushing to my house. I had wanted to send him away, but remembering the business ties between our families, I could only agree to attend the banquet with him.

When I opened the passenger door, as always, Addison was already sitting there, eating cookies.

Seeing the safety charm I had once knelt nine hundred and ninety-nine steps to pray for, now crushed beneath her feet, pain stabbed through my heart.

When I suddenly looked up at Gideon, guilt briefly crossed his face.

“Addison has never attended such an event before. I wanted to bring her along to broaden her horizons. In the future, when you’re busy with work and can’t attend, she can go in your place as my companion.”

“It’s your family’s banquet. Whoever you wish to invite is your choice.” I swallowed the bitterness in my throat.

Relief spread across his face. “I knew Ophelia would always be the most understanding. If Granspa asks, just say she’s here accompanying you, all right?”

I took a deep breath. “Gideon, there’s nothing between us anymore. I have no obligation to lie to your grandfather for you.”

Gideon’s brows drew together, displeased. “Ophelia, even if you’re angry, you should know your limits.”

“I’m truly exhausted.” Meeting Gideon’s unhappy eyes, I felt numb, unable to feel any movement inside my heart.

“From the moment you walked out of our engagement banquet, there was nothing left between us.”

After speaking, I turned toward Addison, the delight in her eyes barely hidden. “Congratulations, Miss Addison Cooper. From now on, Gideon is yours.”

“Ophelia!” Gideon’s face changed completely. “Are you serious?”

“Gideon!” My voice suddenly rose. “You’re the one who betrayed me first!”

While we argued, a black Maybach stopped beside me. “Miss Ophelia, get in the car.”

The cold voice carried authority. Turning around, I got in without hesitation.

“Senior, I just broke up with President Gideon and already accepted my proposal. Does that mean you’ve been secretly in love with me all along?”

Helpless, I looked at Archer Sinclair , who had leaned close.

He was the son of my mother’s closest friend. He had stubbornly entered the same university as me, but after I confirmed my relationship with Gideon, he changed his major.

I had heard he was now the chosen heir of the Sinclair family, and suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

At first, I saw him only as a convenient tool to make a clean break with Gideon. But now, perhaps joining forces with him might not be such a bad idea.

The moment Archer and I entered, the attention of the entire banquet turned toward us.

After all, I had just caused a scene with Gideon, and now I was standing beside the rising star, Archer.

Everyone in this circle knew each other, and quiet whispers of speculation spread quickly.

But Addison just couldn’t stay quiet.

Coming up beside me, she suddenly dropped the wine glass in her hand, collapsing hard onto the floor.

“Miss Ophelia!”

Addison cried out. “I know Miss Ophelia misunderstood my relationship with President Gideon. Please, I beg you to let me go. I promise I’ll never appear before President Gideon again.”

Her scream pulled countless curious eyes.

People around began whispering and pointing.

“They say Addison is just a substitute for Ophelia, but look at her, she’s dressed far better than Ophelia.”

“Isn’t that the engagement ring President Gideon prepared a few days ago for Ophelia? Poor Ophelia, she came all the way back for her engagement, and the ring ended up with someone else.”

Whispers around the room reached Enzo’s ears, and his face turned pale with anger.

Gideon quickly pulled Addison forward.

“Grandpa, she’s only a secretary in my company. There’s absolutely nothing improper between us…”

“Gideon, remember what you promised me when you first joined the company.”

Enzo’s eyes moved toward me, and I immediately stepped up to support him.

“Grandpa Enzo, please take care of your health. Nothing else matters.”

“Ophelia,” he said, his voice heavy with sadness, “back then, your parents had that car accident because they went to pick up your uncle and aunt for me. It was our family that caused you and your brother to be left alone. How could I stand by and let Gideon hurt you again?”

His voice sounded weary, yet I could still hear the helplessness in it.

Before I could say anything, Addison broke down in tears. “I know I’m just a poor college student from the mountains, unworthy of the powerful President Gideon, but I truly love him. Is it wrong to love someone?”

Crying out hysterically, she screamed, “I said I didn’t want a title! I only wanted to stay in the Fontaine Corporation!”

“Miss Ophelia came back, and it wasn’t enough that she took away the man I love; now she even wants to destroy the job I worked so hard for?”

The room went completely silent.

Enzo’s hand shook as he pointed at Gideon, his voice trembling.

“You… You brought this worthless thing here. Are you trying to make me die of anger?”

Uncle Vale Fontaine, his anger barely contained, rushed forward and slapped Gideon hard across the face.

“You’d better think carefully. Either apologize to Ophelia, or take this mistress and leave the Fontaine family.”

After being hit in front of everyone, Gideon couldn’t keep his composure anymore.

He directed all his anger toward me. “Ophelia, are you happy now?”

“You’ve used your parents’ favor to keep the Fontaine family tied down for so many years. Does that make you proud?”

“I already told you I would marry you in the end. Why do you keep pushing? Aren’t you afraid I’ll truly stop wanting you?”

Gideon’s words hit my ears like thunder. So this was what he had really thought all along.

“It must have been painful being with me, right?” I forced a smile.

“I never used my parents’ kindness to demand repayment. You were the one who said you’d take care of me for life. But now, I don’t want you anymore.”

I took out the Fontaine family’s heirloom sapphire bracelet that Enzo had given me.

“Grandpa Enzo, I came here today to end the engagement, and to reclaim the fifty-one percent of the Fontaine family shares that belong to my parents.”