Chapter 1 A Birthday Humiliation
Adrian Hawthorne showed up at my birthday party again with Lila Ashbourne on his arm.
His hand rested at her waist as he introduced her to the guests. "This is Serena's best friend," he said, his tone smooth and effortless. "And the newest partner of Vale Corporation."
My fingers tightened around the champagne glass until they turned pale. Just last week, Lila had stolen the project I had spent three years securing.
Adrian leaned in close, his breath brushing against my ear. "Babe, you should thank me. I've helped you preserve such a precious friendship."
After that, Lila wore my jewelry to a charity gala, used my personal makeup artist, and even attended the Board of Directors meeting on behalf of Hawthorne Group.
On Family Hunt Day, Adrian let her ride my horse.
He adjusted her stirrups himself, not even sparing me a glance. "Your riding isn't good enough," he said flatly. "Don't slow everyone down."
I stood by the field, watching them clear the obstacles side by side, perfectly in sync. Members of the Hawthorne family looked on, smiling with approval.
"Lila and Adrian really are a perfect match."
On the way back, the rain came down in sheets. No one remembered that I had no car. A message from Adrian popped up on my phone.
Adrian: Figure it out yourself. Don't ruin the mood.
I slipped off my engagement ring and replied with a single word.
Serena: Okay.
The screen lit up again. A message from Victor Blackwood appeared.
Victor: Serena, did you ever receive that letter back then?
Rainwater slid down my lashes as the message lingered on the screen. Then another text came through, abrupt and insistent.
Victor: Did you get the letter I sent you back then?
I wiped the rain from my face and struggled to unlock my phone, my fingers slipping over the soaked screen.
In the distance, a sports car roared to life. The red taillights of Adrian's black Lamborghini burned through the curtain of rain.
The window rolled down. A black umbrella was tossed out, landing in the mud and rolling twice before stopping.
"Don't get sick," Adrian's voice carried through the rain. "You'll delay next week's event."
Lila leaned out from the passenger seat, her freshly styled curls untouched by the storm.
"Serena, should we wait for you?" she asked sweetly, even as her finger pressed the window button.
The engine roared again.
I bent down and picked up the umbrella. It snapped the moment I opened it. One of the ribs broke with a sharp c***k, and the wind flipped it inside out. Rain poured over me without mercy.
My phone buzzed again.
Victor: Call me when you see this.
I stared at Victor's name for three seconds, then let out a quiet laugh.
How ironic. The person I used to get along with the least was now the only one reaching out to me. And my fiancé had just driven off with my best friend.
"Miss Vale!"
A security guard from the equestrian club jogged over. "Mr. Hawthorne said you'll need to call a car yourself."
I shook the water off the broken umbrella. "Are there any vehicles left near the stables?"
The guard hesitated, rubbing his hands. "Well… Miss Ashbourne just took the last utility cart. Said Mr. Hawthorne approved it."
Rain ran down my spine, soaking through my dress as it clung to my legs. I pulled out my wallet. The cash inside was completely drenched, and my credit card had somehow snapped in half.
"Can I use a phone?"
The guard handed me a walkie-talkie, but it suddenly crackled to life.
"Tom, lock the east gate. Mr. Hawthorne said it's to keep out thieves."
My grip tightened around the umbrella handle. Just last week, I had paid off Lila's gambling debts. And now, I was the thief?
The voice continued over the static. "Mr. Hawthorne said Miss Vale knows the way. Tell her to take the west gate."
The west gate required crossing the entire hunting grounds, a distance of at least three miles.
I glanced at the guard's uneasy expression and said nothing more. The rain only grew heavier.
I walked toward the west gate in my heels, my dress hem dragging through the mud. Every step felt like pulling my feet out of wet earth.
Half an hour later, my phone began vibrating wildly. The Hawthorne family's butler had sent three messages in a row.
Hawthorne family's butler: Mr. Hawthorne wants to know where you are.
Hawthorne family's butler: Miss Ashbourne says you're deliberately stalling. Please hurry.
Hawthorne family's butler: Mr. Hawthorne's father requests that you return immediately to try on the gown.
