Before I could even react, Harper grabbed my hand and dumped my red wine all over her own face. Then, she staggered backward and collapsed onto the floor.

The members of the Glendale family immediately gathered around.

Harper had already switched to her delicate, pitiful act, tears spilling from her eyes like shattered pearls. "Lily, I asked you to design my wedding dress because I recognize your talent, not because I see you as a servant.

"You really misunderstood me. If you don't want to do it, fine, but why push me? My foot hurts so much…"

As soon as she said that, the guests, who had been unsure of what had happened, quickly formed their own conclusions. One by one, disdainful eyes turned toward me.

"I knew it. Women from poor families are always so sensitive and insecure, always thinking the whole world is against them."

"Apart from her face, she really doesn't have anything going for her."

"Marriage only lasts when both sides are equally matched."

They spoke freely, openly, as if I wasn't there. No one gave me a chance to explain.

Amid the commotion, I saw a painfully familiar figure rushing toward us.

"Harper, what happened?" Samuel took off his suit jacket and draped it over Harper's shoulders, carefully checking her leg.

"I'm fine; I just fell. Don't be mad."

"You're wearing such high heels. It must hurt a lot." Samuel took off her heels and massaged her foot with such tenderness that it was as if he wished he had been the one to fall instead.

Then, he carefully scooped Harper into his arms. As he passed by me, he shot me a sharp glare, his voice low and harsh.

"If you didn't want to design the dress, you could've just said so. Why did you have to lay a hand on her? How did you become so disgusting? Right now, I don't think you're even fit to be the mother of my child."

The man in front of me wasn't my husband.

He was another woman's lover.

I fought to keep my voice steady as I defended myself. "Did you even see what happened? Why do you automatically assume I pushed her?"

"She's not like you. She's innocent."

"If that's how you see me, then let's end this. Go find another woman to be the mother of your child. I'm done being humiliated like this."

Maybe sensing my frustration and determination, Samuel's tone softened slightly. "Harper isn't seriously hurt, so I'll let this go. I'll take her to the hospital for a check-up. You should stay home and reflect on yourself. If you ever pull something like this again, don't say I didn't warn you."

Harper, still nestled in Samuel's arms, winked at me before putting on her fragile act again. "Ugh, it still hurts. Let's go."

"I'll take you to the hospital right now."

I couldn't stop smiling bitterly. My husband sure treated his girlfriend well.

Exhausted, I turned and walked away. Looking back one last time from a distance, I realized that from that moment on, the Glendale family had nothing to do with me anymore.

I slipped off my high heels and left them in the sand, then hurled my handbag into the depths of the sea. Without looking back, I walked toward the horizon.

The next day, a shocking headline exploded on social media. "The lady of the Glendale Group has gone missing."