His Proposal? I Tore It With His Moonlight

Chapter 4 The Transformation

Over the next two weeks, I found myself busier than ever. I was not only guiding Yvonne through the ins and outs of the company but also putting together the team for the Skyward project. At the same time, I was quietly gathering intel on Yale and his architecture firm.

Yvonne surprised me with how quickly she adapted. Once I offered her the trust and freedom she needed, her inner strength and talent began to shine.

She took the lead, pouring countless hours into the project. The initial design drafts she created left the higher-ups utterly impressed.

Seeing her express her ideas with such confidence in meetings brought me genuine happiness.

We were two uncut gems held back by Yale's oppressive influence. Now, I was determined to refine us both into the most dazzling diamonds.

At the same time, it appeared that Yale had realized his tactics of cold treatment and intimidation weren't working, so he started to soften his approach.

Every day, without fail, he sent flowers and afternoon tea to my office. That charade led everyone in the company to believe we were caught in some dramatic lovers' spat, like a rich man trying desperately to win back his estranged partner.

Even Harper, fresh from graduation, felt the need to weigh in.

"Ms. Stone, Mr. Clark really does treat you well. You should consider forgiving him. Just look at him down there, waiting for you after work, rain or shine. How romantic!"

Romantic?

I looked down at the man leaning against his car, adopting a forlorn stance, and couldn't help but feel a wave of irony wash over me.

Every bit of his affection was nothing more than a façade for the outside world. If I hadn't stumbled upon that memo myself, I might have truly believed in his performance.

One day, he delivered an extravagant bouquet of red roses along with a beautifully wrapped box.

In front of the entire office, I ordered the cleaner to toss the flowers into the trash. Then I proceeded to open the box.

Inside was the limited-edition model of my favorite sports car, the one he had coerced me into giving away, claiming it was a distraction.

A card nestled within read:

Scarlett, I'm sorry. To make amends, I've arranged a surprise. I hope you can show up.

It listed the time and venue, the city's priciest riverside restaurant, where he had booked the entire top floor.

Just by thinking about it, I could predict his intentions.

It was nothing short of a public execution masquerading as a proposal. He aimed to use a lavish engagement, coupled with the weight of friends and family, to shove me back into the role of his compliant canary.

What a shame!

I wasn't a canary, but an eagle.

Before the dinner, I shot a message to Yvonne.

Scarlett: Dress to impress tonight. Meet me at the office after work. I'm taking you to meet an old friend.

Yvonne: Why?

I couldn't help but smirk as I added a little more.

Scarlett: Let's cause a bit of chaos.

I chose not to wear the luxurious white designer gown that Yale had sent, rumored to be worth a small fortune. Instead, I rummaged through my closet and pulled out a sleek black skirt suit.

I had only donned this outfit once, during my partner promotion presentation at Illumine Ventures. That day, I had commanded respect from everyone. Today, I planned to wear it to reclaim my lost dignity.

I applied bold makeup and painted my lips a striking red.

When I stepped into the lobby, Yvonne gazed at me with a blend of admiration and confusion. She wore a stunning starry gown that I had taken her to buy just a few days earlier, making her shine brightly.

"Ms. Stone, where are we off to?"

"To a slaughterhouse." I extended my hand toward her. "Are you ready, my lead designer?"

She hesitated for a moment but then slipped her hand into mine. "At your service, my boss."

As we walked arm in arm and approached the entrance of the riverside restaurant, every head turned in our direction.

The banquet hall sparkled with lights and was packed to the brim. It seemed to host nearly all the city's business elite, along with friends and family from both sides.

Yale stood beneath a canopy of flowers and balloons, dressed in a crisp white suit, a massive diamond ring cradled in his hand. Behind him, the towering LED screen cycled through snapshots of our last three years together.

There were pictures of him cooking for me, rushing through the rain to bring me an umbrella, carrying me along the shoreline. Every image had once been a trophy I proudly showed off on f*******:. Now, they felt like blades twisting deeper into my chest.

As the music drifted through the room, his eyes remained fixed on the entrance.

"Three years ago today, I met the woman of my dreams. She was like a spark, bright, warm, and genuine. She lit up my entire world.

"For three years, we've laughed together, fought together, and shared even more unforgettable moments.

"She changed from a fiery beauty who adored red into the gentle, elegant, soft-spoken woman she is now. I know love made that happen."

The crowd answered with laughter and applause. Yale's parents sat at the main table, glowing with pride and satisfaction. My parents, on the other hand, looked my way with quiet concern, their eyes searching for an answer.

Yale's voice rang across the hall through the microphone.

"Scarlett, I know you're here. Come up and let me place this ring on your finger. Let me give you my promise for the rest of our lives."

The spotlight swept toward the entrance, and every gaze followed it until it landed on me.

I stayed where I was.

The smile on Yale's face faltered. "Scarlett?"

I made no move toward him. Instead, I stopped at the doorway and reached a hand behind me. Amid the crowd's confused gazes, Yvonne emerged in the starry gown. She was visibly tense, yet she slipped her arm through mine without hesitation and stood shoulder to shoulder with me.

Linked together, we walked through the sea of stunned faces in my 4-inch heels, step by deliberate step. The crisp tapping of my heels against the marble floor echoed through the hall, sharp and resolute.

We came to a stop before Yale. His face had gone deathly pale. I looked up at him with a smile.

"Hold on, babe. No need to get down on one knee just yet."

I reached out and gently tapped his rigid cheek with my fingertips. Then I turned to Yvonne beside me and introduced her with perfect composure.

"Meet Yvonne Smith, the newest Chief Designer at my company and the person in charge of the Skyward project."

I paused, my smile growing brighter.

"Now that I think about it, she's your dream, isn't she? The one you've carried in your heart all these years. Funny thing is, she's mine now."