My uncle’s rival, Emmett Meyer, saved me twice.

The first time, I was drowning after a shipwreck—until he cut through the waves on a speedboat and dragged me ashore.

The second time was after someone had slipped drugs into my drink.

That night, I seduced him, a hardened man ten years my senior.

In the dim glow of a private room, he guided my hand downward and growled, “I want you so bad, Babe.”

He took me ruthlessly, ignoring my sobs and pleas.

From then on, Emmett—the untamable “Prince of Silverbridge”—abandoned his reckless ways and devoted himself to me. Or so I believed.

Then one day, he coaxed me into his Rolls-Royce and captured our tryst on camera. I flushed with embarrassment and secret delight.

Later, as I hurried after him to return some documents he had left behind, I heard the sneers whispered in the hallway:

“You’re so wild, Emmett. Everyone heard your girl moaning.”

“Damn, the car rocked so hard I thought you’d break it.”

“Hey, if Franklin Reed ever finds out that his precious niece has been your plaything for three years… think he’ll have a heart attack?”

My heart lurched, freezing me in place.

"Hahaha! Franklin's busy playing corporate chess with Emmett, completely unaware that the guy’s already raided his home turf!" one voice crowed.

"Our Emmett even staged that shipwreck rescue—made Franklin's precious niece fall for him right then and there!"

"They’ve dated for years now—how many photos of her has he snapped? When’s Emmett ending this game?

“I’d kill to see her meltdown... but God, Franklin’s face when he finds out his treasure got snatched by Emmett."

Emmett and his friends roared with laughter, oblivious to my presence just beyond the elevator doors.

Their words echoed in my mind, pounding against my sanity.

Emmett Meyer…

Had his heroic rescue been a calculated trap?

Had our entire relationship just been a move in his vendetta against Uncle Franklin?

"Cat got your tongue?" someone jeered at Emmett.

"You only chased Claire because Franklin stole that prime piece of real estate in Brighton Reach, didn’t you? Don’t tell us you’ve actually fallen for this girl?"

"Fallen for her?"

The man who’d murmured "Babe" only moments before now stood silhouetted against the window, his silence louder than any confession.

He flicked the lighter open and shut with careless precision, a mocking smile on his lips.

"Franklin has been my sworn enemy since we were kids. You all know how much he treasures his niece, right?

“So, when do you think would be the best time to release those photos? Maybe... the day of Claire’s graduation ceremony?

“I’d pay to see the look on Franklin’s face when he discovers his treasured girl’s... performances."

"Brilliant as always, Emmett!"

Then they all burst into laughter, voices thick with excitement and anticipation.

My palms turned clammy, and I felt my heart jump to my throat.

I turned and fled, tears streaking silent trails under the neon lights.

So this so-called act of saving my life had been nothing more than a carefully staged performance from the very beginning.

I didn’t know how long I wandered the streets before the cold night wind dried the tear tracks on my face.

That was when Uncle Franklin called.

“Hi Claire! The estate in Montverre I gifted to you for your birthday last year has finally been renovated.

“I’ve also selected a suitable candidate to call your fiancé. Please end things with that boy you're dating, okay?

“You know, everyone in the family was worried about you being alone in Silverbridge. It was already a stretch for you to go to university so far from home, but marriage? Forget it!”

The moment I heard his familiar voice, the tears I’d tried to hold back surged forth once more.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and nodded quietly.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Franklin. I know I’ve made you all worry these past few years. But now you won’t have to!

“I’ve decided to return to Brighton Reach after my graduation…and meet your candidate.”

I could hear Uncle Franklin exhale in relief.

“Are you really returning to Brighton Reach? You’re even willing to meet the guy I picked?

“What about that little boyfriend you claimed to love so much that you’d marry no one else?” he teased.

I shook my head and whispered, “It’s over.”

Uncle Franklin clicked his tongue.

“So you’re finally willing to break up with him? After all these years, every time I visited the Silverbridge, he never once dared to meet me.

“I knew from the start you two wouldn’t last.”

At the certainty in his voice, I lowered my eyes and murmured a quiet reply.

We chatted a little while longer before he reluctantly ended the call.

Back in my apartment, I drew a bath, letting the scalding water strip away the day’s exhaustion.

After getting dressed, I took the calendar down from the wall and began to make a plan.

First, sort my belongings. Next, pack my luggage, collect my diploma, say goodbye to my classmates, and delete the photos we had accumulated over the years.

These were all the things I needed to take care of before leaving Silverbridge.

My eyes lingered on the last line. The tip of my pen trembled slightly.

With the graduation ceremony approaching, I had to tie up every loose end before I left.

Especially that one.

At the thought, I circled the date on the calendar with a black pen.

Then a voice asked menacingly, “You marked it on purpose, didn’t you? Think I’m going to forget?”

The apartment door eased open.

Emmett’s voice drifted in from the entrance, laced with playful affection.

My fingers froze.

The pen tip left a long, black streak across the calendar.

His eyes landed on the calendar in my hand, and his lips curved into a faint smirk.

“How could I possibly forget my baby’s graduation ceremony? I even planned something special for you that day.”

My fingers clenched tightly around the calendar.

I looked up, forcing a faint smile as I met his eyes.

“I’ve prepared a special gift for you, too.”

Emmett paused, then chuckled.

“You’re graduating, and yet you’re the one with a gift for me?”

I met his eyes, my gaze calm.

“Why not? Is that not allowed?”

Emmett paused, then chuckled softly.

“Of course it is. But Babe, will your Uncle Franklin be attending the graduation?”

I smiled, but the warmth didn’t reach my eyes.

“Do you want him there?”

“Well… if he finds out his lifelong rival has been with his precious niece, he might beat me so badly in front of the entire ceremony that even my parents wouldn’t recognize me.”

Hearing the humor in his voice, I glanced up nonchalantly.

“But Uncle Franklin just called. He said he’ll be attending the ceremony.”

Emmett raised his eyebrows slightly at my words. He let out a quiet laugh.

“Then let him come. It’s the perfect chance to let Franklin know what’s really going on between us.

“We’ve never seen eye to eye—but what can I do? He’s my lover’s uncle. I’ll just have to bite the bullet and call him ‘uncle’ too.

“Getting punched by an uncle doesn’t sound all that embarrassing, right?”

An invisible hand seemed to clutch my heart, squeezing until even breathing felt difficult.

Emmett slowly leaned in, his breath warm against my ear.

My body tensed immediately. I turned my head quickly to avoid his kiss.

"I… I'm a little tired tonight."

His lips paused briefly against the curve of my neck. With a sigh, he looped an arm around me and held me close.

"Alright. Then rest well tonight."

He tousled my hair gently before turning toward the bathroom.

The next morning, I woke early and packed a box full of old things.

Watches, tie clips, cufflinks, leather shoes...

Each of these had once been a carefully chosen gift from me to him, selected one by one over the years.

The moment I saw them again, I remembered the half-smiling, half-mocking look he always wore when receiving them.

Back then, I thought we shared something special.

Now I realized—it had only ever been me, hopelessly infatuated.

I picked up the box and headed downstairs.

I tossed it all into the trash bin without a second thought.

By the time Emmett woke, the apartment already felt noticeably emptier.

He glanced around the room, a flicker of surprise on his face.

"Why does it feel like a bunch of things are missing? Where’s my razor? And the matching mugs we used to have—where are they?"

I kept my expression calm and said evenly, "I threw them out."

He rubbed his brow, confusion in his voice, "Why throw everything out all of a sudden?"

I met his eyes, my gaze steady.

"They were outdated. It's time for something new."

Emmett didn’t press further.

"Hmm. Alright then. Send my assistant a list of what you need, and I’ll have him pick everything up. It’s almost ten—I’ll drive you to the office?"

I smiled and gently declined.

"No need. I quit this morning."

He paused mid-step and turned to look at me, frowning slightly.

"Didn’t you like that job? You wouldn’t even agree to intern at my company. Why quit all of a sudden?"

I remained silent for a few seconds before answering quietly, "Graduation’s coming. I want to focus on finishing school first."

There was a flicker in his eyes—a trace of something unreadable. He quickly set down what he was holding and nudged me onto the sofa.

"That’s fine. You’ll be graduating soon anyway. Once you’re done, come work at my company."

He slipped an arm around my shoulders while the other hand gently toyed with my earlobe.

His voice dropped to a lazy murmur, low and hoarse.

"That way, I can see you every minute of every day."

I stood abruptly, stepping away from his touch.

"If you don’t leave now, you’ll be late,” I said icily.

Emmett opened his mouth to speak, but after glancing at his watch, he chuckled and tapped me lightly on the forehead.

He adjusted his tie and walked to the door.

Then he turned back.

"Babe, I’ve got a dinner engagement tonight. Don’t wait up, okay?"

I didn’t say anything.

After he left, I returned to the bedroom.

I spent the entire afternoon sorting through and tossing out everything we once shared—every last item.

By the time I stood again in the middle of the apartment that no longer felt like home, it felt as if an anvil had settled on my chest, pressing down until I could barely breathe.

That was when my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.

[7 PM. Cloudview Restaurant. I’m Emmett’s fiancée. Don’t be late.]

I pushed open the restaurant door.

My gaze swept across each table until it landed on a woman seated by the window.

She wore an elegant dress and flawless makeup, her every movement exuding the effortless grace of someone born into wealth.

I walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down without a trace of emotion on my face.

She glanced at me.

“I booked a private room. Let’s talk there.”

Without waiting for a reply, she stood and walked ahead.

I had no choice but to follow.

Inside the private room, she began pouring a glass of water with deliberate, unhurried gestures.

I didn’t rush her. I simply sat in silence and watched.

“I’m Amelie Poldark,” she announced abruptly. “Emmett’s fiancée.”

She spoke plainly, her tone laced with a hint of provocation.

I said nothing, but calmly met her gaze.

Amelie clearly hadn’t expected my composure.

She pursed her lips.

“Aren’t you supposed to be his girlfriend? Don’t you have anything to say about me suddenly showing up as his fiancée?”

I shook my head, my eyes hollow and distant.

What thoughts could I possibly have?

The moment I overheard that conversation in the hallway, I had given up on Emmett for good.

She bit her lip and let out a low chuckle.

“The Meyers and Poldarks are about to enter a major partnership. Both sides have already agreed to a marriage alliance. Emmett has given his consent.

“No matter what promises he made to you, in the end, he’ll marry me. So I suggest you walk away while you still can.

“I can even offer you some compensation—save you from ending up with nothing.”

I took a deep breath and kept a steady gaze on her.

“When does this project between your families launch? When do you plan to announce the engagement?”

Amelie looked a little caught off guard, but a triumphant smile soon crept across her lips.

“By the end of this month. The exact date isn’t set, but it’ll be around then.”

The end of the month, right when I was supposed to graduate.

So Emmett had planned it all out.

Expose the scandalous photos at my graduation, then ride the wave straight into a public alliance with the Poldarks.

A perfect strategy, one even Uncle Franklin wouldn’t be able to counter.

But still…Emmett, oh Emmett.

You were colder than I ever imagined.

It’d been three years, and I still couldn’t warm your heart.

I looked up at her and calmly poured myself a cup of water.

My voice came out light and even. “Alright. I understand.”

Amelie hadn’t expected such a composed reaction.

Her face darkened instantly.

I set my cup down and didn’t give her a chance to speak.

“Don’t worry. I don’t want Emmett anymore. He’s all yours.”

As soon as the words left my lips, I rose from my seat, ready to leave.

But Amelie suddenly stood up and grabbed my arm.

Before I could react, she seized the steaming cup of water from the table and hurled it at me.

The scalding liquid splashed across my shoulder and chest.

Still not satisfied, she reached for her handbag and aimed it straight at my face.

I raised my hand instinctively and slapped her hard across the cheek.

Stunned and seething, Amelie lunged forward and shoved me to the floor with all her strength.

I had been sheltered my whole life, raised as a gentle, soft-spoken girl, but even docile lambs grow teeth when cornered.

And at that moment, faced with a woman so vicious and irrational, I didn’t even think.

I stood up and struck her again.

"How dare you!" she shrieked, her face twisted in rage.

I stared at her, unflinching, not the slightest bit afraid.

In fact, I almost laughed.

“I’ll kill you!” she screamed.

Hearing her hurl those words, my patience snapped.

I raised my hand once more, ready to deliver another slap.

But just before my palm met her cheek again, someone caught my wrist.