chapter 3

[What’s there to be mad about? Back then, wasn’t Olivia Stone the one who stole someone else’s man? If it weren’t for her, Ryan and Chloe would’ve ended up together long ago.]

My finger paused mid-swipe across the screen.

On camera, Chloe leaned in to straighten his tie.

The comment section exploded again.

[Come on, spill the details—what exactly happened?]

[They were inseparable in college, okay? Whenever Ryan played basketball, Chloe brought him water. When Chloe had rehearsals, Ryan stayed with her until midnight. The whole campus thought they were a couple.]

[And then Olivia showed up. No one knows what tricks she used, but she clung to Ryan every single day.]

[I was in the same class as Olivia. She was dirt poor back then, always eating the cheapest meals in the cafeteria. Her clothes were washed until the color faded. Ryan probably just felt sorry for her—and that’s how she latched onto him.]

[Isn’t this just a real-life Cinderella story? Look at that wedding dress she’s wearing—custom-made, worth millions. If she hadn’t climbed her way up through Ryan, could she ever afford something like that?]

My nails dug deep into my palm.

Suddenly, the camera swept across the center of the head table.

Some society lady was admiring the jade bracelet on Chloe’s wrist.

Mrs. Carter held Chloe’s hand and said something with a warm smile.

The comments burst into cheers.

[That’s clearly Ryan’s mother giving her approval!]

[Now that’s the posture of the true young mistress of the Carter family.]

I closed my eyes.

And remembered that afternoon last month, when Mrs. Carter personally handed me the pearl bracelet.

“Olivia, this pearl bracelet has been passed down through the Carter family for generations. By tradition, it should be given to you.”

“But you’re still young, and your temperament is so gentle. I’m not sure whether it would truly suit you.”

At the time, I thought Mrs. Carter was being considerate of me.

Turns out, she simply had someone else in mind—someone she thought was more suitable.

The comments kept praising how perfect Chloe and Ryan looked together, how well-matched they were in status and background.

Well-matched?

A laugh escaped my lips, sharp and out of place in the empty dressing room.

My phone vibrated again. It was a message from my college roommate.

[Olivia, did you see the livestream? Don’t take those people’s nonsense to heart! Back then, Ryan was the one who chased after you!]

Yes.

Ryan was the one who pursued me.

In my sophomore year, a professor from the sculpture department took a liking to me. Because I stubbornly refused to switch majors, the old professor was so furious his mustache practically twisted sideways. He insisted on punishing me by making me clean the sculpture studio.

Ryan had been running from a girl who kept confessing to him. He rushed into the sculpture studio and locked the door behind him.

The sudden noise startled me so badly that the rag slipped from my hand and splashed into the bucket of water.

He froze for a moment, then walked toward me.

“In weather this cold, you’re cleaning all by yourself?”

I ignored him and kept hauling those heavy plaster blocks.

He watched me for a while, then snatched the broom from my hand.

“I’ll do it. You take a break.”

After that, he kept appearing around me.

He would say—

“Olivia, why do you always eat alone? Come join me.”

“You’re so skillful with your hands. Whatever you make must be beautiful.”

“I saw this necklace and immediately thought it would suit you. Here, it’s for you.”

I turned him down many times.

But he never seemed to mind.

“Olivia, I’m not going to give up. In all my life, you’re the first girl I’ve ever truly liked.”

The phone screen dimmed—then lit up again.

Someone had posted an old photo of me from my college days.

I was wearing a plain white shirt, my expression distant and reserved.

[Look at her—so shabby and poor.]

[I heard her parents died early and she was raised by her grandfather. Climbing into the Carter family is basically a sparrow turning into a phoenix.]

[Do you really think the Carter parents would approve? Their families aren’t even on the same level.]