At my engagement dinner with Greg Willis, the Rossi mafia family’s underboss, his assistant, Sydney Carlson, casually tossed a half-eaten cookie on his plate in front of everyone. Greg didn’t react. In full view of the guests, he calmly picked it up and ate it.

That night, after we returned, I told him I wanted to call off the engagement. He rubbed his brow with his fingertips, his voice steady in that familiar, composed way of his, yet there was distance beneath it.

“All this,” he said, “over a cookie?”

“She already took a bite,” I corrected him.

He fell silent for a moment before replying in a low voice, “Zoe, you’ve always been sensible. Why get hung up on something so small?”

“I’m not hung up,” I said evenly. “I just don’t want to settle.”

When he saw that I wouldn’t back down, something complicated flickered in his eyes. Then, his tone hardened, almost like a warning.

“Think it through carefully. Don’t you regret it.”

He was certain I couldn’t leave him. After all, he was a mafia underboss. There were countless people eager to take the position of Mrs. Willis, and I was nothing more than a minor employee at his company.

What he didn’t know was that I had never coveted the title of his wife. All I ever had for him was love. But now, that love was gone, and once I turned away, I would never look back again.

I turned around, went back to my room, and called my parents.

“Dad, Mom,” I said calmly, “I’ve thought it through. I’ll accept the family’s matchmaking plans.”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before my parents spoke again, their voices hesitant.

“Zoe, are you sure?” Mom asked softly. “You spent three years pursuing him just to be with him. Are you ready to give that up?”

“I’ve made my decision,” I interrupted firmly.

Dad sighed before speaking with unmistakable relief, “Good. Your mother and I never thought that the underboss was reliable to begin with. He’s just a mid-level leader, yet so arrogant. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was the Don.”

Then, he continued, “Do you remember Julian Rossi? The mafia boss based in Florence, Italy?”

My phone buzzed as he sent me a photo. The man in it was tall and striking, with sharp features and an imposing presence.

I was surprised. I had met him before. He was Greg’s superior.

“When you were little, our families arranged a marriage between you two,” Dad explained. “But later, when you insisted on being with Greg, no matter how much we tried to talk you out of it, we had no choice but to put it on hold.

“Now that you’ve agreed,” he said decisively, “we’ll contact their family and start discussing the wedding immediately.”

My family was the world’s largest arms dealer, and I was one of the top investment experts in the financial world. Our status among the elite was unquestionable. However, for Greg’s sake, I had never once mentioned my background to him. I had tried to protect his pride, and that consideration became the very reason he looked down on me.

“Okay,” I said, nodding as I spoke to Dad.

Over the next few days, Greg gave me the full silent treatment. He blocked every way of contacting him. It was a tactic he used to control the situation as he was certain that I would be the one to give in first. Yet, this time, I didn’t want to bow down to him anymore.

A week later, it was Greg’s birthday. I hadn’t planned on going, but considering the delicate balance between my family and the mafia organizations, I decided to attend anyway to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Inside the private room, Greg sat at the head of the table. Sydney was seated right next to him, the two of them whispering to each other and smiling. I chose a seat in the corner and sat down quietly. I hadn’t brought a gift.

Greg scanned the room before his gaze finally landed on me. A knowing look crossed his face. He walked over, dressed in a black suit that made his presence sharp and commanding, as if everything was still under his control.

Stopping in front of me, he glanced at my empty hands, disappointment slipping into his tone.

“Zoe, did you forget what day it is?”

“No,” I replied, my eyes flicking briefly toward Sydney, who was half-hidden behind him.

“I just thought you had plenty of people celebrating with you.”

Sydney’s eyes instantly reddened. She twisted the hem of her dress nervously.

“Zoe, you’ve misunderstood,” she said softly. “I’m just Greg’s–”

“Just what?” I cut her off. “You’re just an assistant? Do assistants usually share food that they’ve bitten into with their boss?”

Whispers immediately filled the room. Several of Greg’s friends leaned toward each other, their looks sharp as knives.

“Here she goes again. Who’s she putting up the act for?”

“Exactly. Everyone knows she stood in the rain for three hours just to pursue Mr. Willis back then. And now she’s acting all high and mighty.”

“She’s not even his wife yet, and she’s already putting on airs. Does she really think she deserves him?”

Sydney’s tears fell as her body trembled. Greg immediately pulled her behind him, shielding her.

“She’s timid,” he said gently. “Don’t scare her.”

However, when he turned back to me, his expression turned icy.

“Zoe, have you had enough?”

I stood up and met his gaze head-on.

“Have I had enough?” I asked calmly. “Greg, ask yourself this. Everything she’s done these past few days… does that really look like just an assistant to you?”

“I-I’m just used to it,” Sydney sobbed harder. “After all, Greg and I grew up together. I never had any other intentions…”

People immediately gathered around her, offering tissues, patting her back, and glaring at me with open disgust.

“Does Zoe really think she’s that important? If she drives Mr. Willis away, won’t she still end up begging him to come back?”

“When has she ever been different? She talked so tough about canceling the engagement, yet here she is again.”

Greg’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed as he listened. He, too, believed that everything I said before had just been words spoken in anger and that I could never truly leave him.

When our eyes met, he only said coldly, “Zoe, that’s enough. Don’t make things harder for me.”

I didn’t bother arguing anymore. I grabbed my bag and turned to leave.

As I passed Sydney, she suddenly reached out and grabbed my arm.

“Zoe, please don’t go…” she sobbed. “This is all my fault. Don’t blame Greg…”

Annoyed, I tried to shake her off. Before I could do it, she suddenly collapsed onto the floor, crying even harder.

Gasps rang out around the room.

“Zoe!” Greg roared as he rushed forward to help her up. “This is too much!”

Greg tightened his grip on Sydney’s wrist. His gaze swept over the bag in my hand, and a cold smile curled at his lips.

“What? Are you not even pretending anymore?” he sneered. “You’re showing your true colors now, huh? You used to be gentle, kind, and considerate. And now you’re getting violent? Or is this just another act, pretending you’re leaving so I’ll stop you?”

One of his friends immediately laughed and chimed in.

“Mr. Willis, like she’d really leave. Last time you were hospitalized for your stomach, she stayed outside your room for three days and three nights.”

“Exactly!” another rich kid with dyed blue hair added mockingly. “At that auction, Miss Lowe spent eight figures just to buy an antique watch you casually mentioned.”

“I heard she didn’t even have enough money,” someone else said. “She took out a loan.”

Sydney leaned against Greg’s shoulder, sobbing softly.

“Greg, Zoe bullies me because she loves you too much,” she said through her tears. “She’s just jealous because we’re close. Please don’t fight because of me.”

It sounded considerate, but in truth, every word was a blatant display, showing everyone that her place in Greg’s heart outweighed mine.

My fingers dug into my palm. For the first time, I felt how utterly worthless my years of devotion had been.

“Zoe.” Greg suddenly spoke, his tone decisive, as if announcing a verdict. “Apologize now, and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”

His friends burst into laughter.

“Mr. Willis, that’s a pretty generous offering.”

“That’s right,” Sydney added, wiping her tears, though the corners of her lips lifted slightly. “Greg has the softest heart.”

“No need.” I heard myself speak, my voice light, almost weightless. “Mr. Willis, I wish you and Miss Carlson… a lifetime of happiness.”

The private room fell completely silent. For a brief moment, Greg’s expression went blank. Then, his sneer deepened.

“You’d better keep your word.”

He pulled out his phone and posted a photo of himself with Sydney on his social media before turning to the crowd and announcing loudly, “If this post gets more than ten thousand likes, I’ll marry Syd!”

As he said it, his eyes deliberately flicked toward me. I knew what he was doing. He was forcing me to bow my head again, just like countless times before. Suddenly, it all felt childish, and I didn’t want to be entangled with them anymore.

Seeing that I didn’t react, Greg wrapped an arm around Sydney and strode away. As they passed me, Sydney lowered her voice so only I could hear.

“Miss Lowe, guess how many photos of Greg and me are saved on his phone?”

I tightened my grip on my wine glass. So those so-called “accidentally” sent photos and “slip-of-the-finger” likes had all been deliberate provocation.

“Ten thousand likes to get married?” I suddenly spoke, staring at Greg’s stiffened back. “Mr. Willis, do you keep your word?”

He turned around sharply. Panic flashed through his eyes before being replaced by disdain.

“Of course.”

I tilted my head back and downed the glass of wine.

“In that case,” I said calmly, “may everything go exactly as you wish.”

As I left, I heard Greg laugh dismissively behind me. “She’ll definitely go home and secretly check my post.”

One of his friends leaned closer.

“Mr. Willis, with Miss Lowe’s personality, she won’t last more than three days before coming back to beg you.”

“Three days?” Greg questioned, eyebrow raised. “She won’t even last three hours.”

Sydney leaned against him, sobbing softly. “Greg, do you think Zoe is really angry this time?”

“Angry?” Greg tugged at his tie, utterly unconcerned. “She’d give up her life for me.”

I stood outside the private room, listening to every word. My fingers trembled slightly. The engagement ring pressed painfully into my palm. I flicked my wrist without hesitation, and the ring flung out, landing in the trash.

The next morning, Greg’s company group chat exploded.

“Miss Lowe resigned?” The manager’s voice message was filled with shock. “Is she out of her mind?”

Greg stared at his phone, his expression dark.

“This is too much. Does she really think the company can’t function without her?”

Sydney leaned closer and spoke softly, “Greg, no matter how angry Zoe is, she shouldn’t joke about work… Several investment projects are waiting for her assessment. If something goes wrong, the Don will be furious. You were originally in line to be promoted, from managing two districts to three–”

“Don’t worry, Miss Carlson,” someone quickly interjected. “This is just Miss Lowe’s retreat-to-advance tactic. She’s trying to make Mr. Willis comfort her.”

Greg finally relaxed, saying, “I knew it. She can’t leave me. This is just another trick she came up with. It’s fine. If I ignore her for a few days, she’ll realize her mistake and come back.”

I stood outside the company building and took a deep breath. My phone vibrated nonstop, every message from Greg.

“Zoe, stop making a scene. You’re an adult. Can you be more mature? Take some time off to cool off. In a few days, I’ll be attending the Don’s engagement banquet with Syd.”

I turned off my phone and walked away from the building. At last, it was time to put an end to our years of relationship.

I hugged my resignation papers to my chest, watching the endless stream of cars pass by. My thoughts drifted uncontrollably.

I remembered when Sydney had just returned from overseas, Greg had broken company protocol to hire her as his assistant. Back then, he had even explained it to me.

“Zoe, she ran into some trouble. I’m just helping out. Don’t overthink it. I’ve known her for years. There’s really nothing between us.”

I believed him. I even foolishly helped him with arranging a place for Sydney to live. Yet, what happened after that?

At company dinners, every dish on the menu was something Sydney liked. She worked sporadically at best, yet she was always by Greg’s side, dumping all her responsibilities onto me. They shared a single straw when drinking iced coffee. Sydney would apply sunscreen for him, eat the lunch I made, and then replace it with the sandwich she brought.

Once, she caught a simple cold, and Greg skipped my birthday dinner because of it. I forgave them again and again. However, all I got in return was their growing lack of boundaries—bolder and more shameless with each interaction.

My engagement to Julian was never publicly announced. Half a month later, the engagement party arrived as scheduled. As a minor underboss under the Rossi mafia family, Greg also received an invitation. He walked in arm-in-arm with Sydney, looking arrogant and self-assured. However, the moment he saw me seated at the main table, he froze.

Frowning, he strode toward me, irritation clear in his voice.

“Zoe, you haven’t apologized to Syd yet, and that means you’re no longer my fiancée. You have no right to attend the Don’s engagement banquet. You either apologize right now and attend as my fiancée or get out immediately.”

Whispers erupted around us, followed by open mockery.

“This woman has no shame, pursuing Mr. Willis so desperately.”

“Exactly. She doesn’t even know her own place, yet she has the nerve to show up here.”

I smiled calmly, took the invitation from my bag, and gently placed it on the table.

“Mr. Willis,” I said lightly, “I’m here by invitation. I didn’t stalk you.”

Sydney suddenly spoke up, her voice soft. “Zoe, your invitation… It’s not fake, is it? Invitations to events like this aren’t something just anyone can get. Forging one just to see Greg… Aren’t you trying to embarrass him?”

Her words only fueled the ridicule around us. Greg’s expression darkened briefly before returning to his usual air of superiority.

“Zoe, even if you managed to get a fake invitation, it changes nothing. As long as you apologize to Syd right now, I’ll be generous and bring you into the venue with me.”

My gaze swept over Sydney, and I let out a soft laugh. “Miss Carlson, you don’t even have an invitation yourself. What gives you the right to question mine?”

Sydney’s face flushed red. She stammered, unable to say a word.

Seeing that, Greg immediately stepped in front of her protectively and said, “Syd is here as my family. She’s my sister!”

“Sister?” I curled my lips in mockery. “Mr. Willis, the engagement of Don Rossi only allows spouses to attend. Sisters aren’t permitted. You wouldn’t be ignorant of that, would you?”

The murmurs started again, quieter but sharper.

Sydney’s eyes reddened as she looked at Greg, voice trembling. “Greg… is Zoe still angry with me?”

Greg looked at me with obvious impatience, his voice threatening. “Zoe, haven’t you caused enough trouble? Coming with a fake invitation like that, are you trying to humiliate me?

“I’ll make it clear. The photo of Syd and me already has nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine likes. She’s about to go from ‘sister’ to my wife. Apologize to Syd right now. Otherwise, there’s no chance of reconciliation between us.”

I sneered, pulled out my phone, and tapped the like button on their photo.

“Now it’s ten thousand,” I said calmly, crossing my arms as I looked at them. “You can get married now.”

Greg’s expression darkened instantly.

“Zoe, it seems I’ve really spoiled you rotten.”

He raised a hand. Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward, reaching for me. They shoved me roughly, causing me to lose my footing and fall to the ground.

At that moment, a long, powerful hand suddenly appeared in front of me and steadily pulled me to my feet. The crowd fell silent. People instinctively stepped back.

The man scanned the room before fixing his gaze on Greg, his voice icy.

“Who,” he asked, “is bullying my fiancée?”

I looked up. My eyes met Julian’s deep, unfathomable gaze.