I backed away, panicking. The media cameras rushed forward, trying to zoom in on me. I stumbled, turned around, and ran.
As I passed by, a door swung wide open.
“Please arrange my wedding with Elena within a month, Hans,” Bryan’s voice echoed out.
“Are you really willing to give up your childhood sweetheart for that poor girl by marrying her?”
“I need to be by Elena’s side at all times so she’ll keep her mouth shut if she ever finds out; her father was imprisoned to cover up the mistake Livia’s older sister made while drunk back then. For Livia, I’ll make sure she always has a happy life. By any means necessary, even if it means sacrificing Elena.”
Bile rose in my throat. My body felt like it had been struck by lightning.
The marriage Bryan promised wasn’t compensation for my pain. It was worse than that. It was to keep me quiet.
For three years, my father suffered in prison. A hit-and-run charge.
Three years that bankrupted my father’s big restaurant and turned my life upside down until I had to settle for being a chef at a small culinary association. I started from scratch to build a better life.
I never imagined that from the very beginning, when Bryan met me, he already had a carefully orchestrated plan of his own.
Our seven failed marriages were all his doing.
My head was spinning.
Both my hands were clenched tightly. Now that I knew this, I was absolutely going to get my revenge on Bryan and Livia! I had to find the evidence immediately!
As I turned around, I accidentally kicked a vase. It made a noise. Panicked, I hid behind the door.
“Who’s there?” Bryan asked, his footsteps drawing closer.
“Bryan, it looks like no one’s there. Alright, for your wedding, I’ll get everything ready right away.”
Bryan nodded. “Yeah, I have to go pick up Livia and secure Elena now.”
As Bryan walked past me, I breathed a sigh of relief. But suddenly, the door opened. Hans, Bryan’s friend, appeared.
My heart nearly stopped.
“Hello, Miss Elena, calm down.” Hans looked around casually. “I’m Mr. Zidane’s messenger. In five days, I’ll gather evidence of crimes that can incriminate Bryan and Livia.”
I gasped. Zidane?
Hans raised his phone. “I even recorded my conversation with Bryan just now.”
“You don’t have much time; Bryan will definitely be looking for you. Hang in there for the remainder of the time, and then Mr. Zidane will come to pick you up in triumph.”