Chapter 4
Cassandra froze when she heard her mother's words.
"A ring? When did I—"
She suddenly remembered. "Oh! Yesterday, an anonymous fan mailed me a diamond ring! I was afraid the paparazzi would twist it into some scandal, so I kept it hidden instead of wearing it."
Victoria's face lit up with excitement. "That must be it! Mister Nathaniel has been secretly admiring you for ages! He sent that ring pretending to be a fan to win your heart! I had someone investigate the visitors from yesterday—their leader was none other than Nathaniel Grayson's personal assistant!"
"Cassandra, the Graysons are a top-tier family! Nathaniel is clearly head over heels for you! Marrying him would secure your future!"
Nathaniel Grayson...
Cassandra's cheeks flushed, her pulse quickening. She'd heard of him—the golden heir of the prestigious Grayson family, a titan in the business world. To think someone like him was her devoted fan, so infatuated that he'd sent betrothal gifts to her doorstep! It only proved how irresistible she was.
That afternoon, Evelyn returned home cradling a delicate photo frame. She slipped into her house shoes and headed straight upstairs.
Cassandra intercepted her on purpose. "What's that? Did you steal something from my betrothal gifts?"
Evelyn stopped cold. "It's mine."
"Prove it. Show me!" Cassandra had always despised her country-bred half-sister, seeing her as a stain on the Whitmore name. She snatched the frame from Evelyn's arms.
"Ugh. The way you were clutching it, I thought it was jewelry. Just some picture of your homewrecker mother!"
"My mother wasn't a homewrecker!"
Evelyn lunged for it, but Cassandra deliberately let it fall. "Oops! My bad!"
Evelyn's eyes burned as Cassandra stepped on the fallen frame.
It was an old photo of her mother, painstakingly restored and framed earlier that day. She'd planned to display it in her room.
Furious, Evelyn grabbed Cassandra's collar. "Pick. It. Up."
Cassandra scoffed. "How dare you lay hands on me? I'm about to become a Grayson! Cross me, and they'll ruin you!"
Evelyn stiffened. The Graysons? Her scalp prickled—the man who'd forced an engagement on her yesterday shared that surname.
"You mean that elite family?"
Cassandra smirked. "Obviously! Scared? You should be! Nathaniel is obsessed with me. Those gifts? All from the Graysons. Touch anything, and you'll never afford the damages!"
Evelyn glanced at the lavish betrothal gifts, then froze.
Nathaniel must have lost his mind.
Her lips curled. "Congratulations, then. But are you sure a family like the Graysons would accept a scandal-ridden actress?"
Cassandra's face darkened. "Nathaniel loves me. He'll protect me!"
"Really?" Evelyn smirked, picking up the photo and dusting it off before walking away.
She'd been searching for a way out of yesterday's mess—now, Cassandra had handed her the perfect solution.
Cassandra sneered, but unease twisted inside her. Evelyn's words struck a nerve. The Graysons were untouchable, while her acting career was barely respectable. If they learned of her scandals...
Decision made, she pulled out her phone to quit the industry.
Before she could dial, it rang—another spam call. She almost ignored it until she recognized the caller: a recent "benefactor."
"Miss me, babe? Come to the hotel tonight!"
Disgusted, she snapped, "Don't call me that. It's revolting."
"What? After begging me for that Lotus Award role?"
"I've quit acting. Find someone else. Never call me again!"
On the other end, the greasy old man seethed. He'd bought her that diamond ring, and this was her thanks?
Ungrateful witch. Your career is over.
Three days later, the Whitmores hosted a grand wedding banquet.
Victoria had insisted on extravagance to showcase her daughter's glorious match.
"Look! The Grayson procession is here! Only a top-tier family could afford these limited-edition cars!"
"That first one costs ten Bugattis!"
"I'm so jealous! Nathaniel Grayson is a dream groom!"
Cassandra preened in her wedding gown, basking in the envy.
Evelyn was conspicuously absent—probably sulking somewhere.
Let her rot in jealousy.
Cassandra eagerly anticipated meeting Nathaniel. He'd be devastatingly handsome, kneeling before her with a passionate declaration under everyone's awe...
The procession halted at the Whitmore villa gates.
Nathaniel stepped out of the lead car—tall, commanding, effortlessly elegant.
Lucas signaled the groomsmen to follow as they approached the villa's entrance, adorned with "Congratulations Newlyweds!"
Suddenly, Nathaniel stopped. His gaze lifted to the villa's attic balcony, where a pajama-clad woman leaned against the railing, watching.
Their eyes met.
She immediately turned and vanished.
Evelyn's breath hitched. He saw me.
But without yesterday's heavy makeup, maybe he wouldn't recognize her.
Still, she needed to leave—now.
Below, Lucas frowned at Nathaniel's abrupt halt. "Sir, the ceremony is about to start."