Chapter 4

The door slammed shut. I heard the lock click.

I wriggled painfully, trying to loosen the ropes.

My wrists were already bleeding, but the rope showed no sign of giving.

Time crawled by. I could hear music and laughter from the banquet hall.

Thinking of Liam parading around with Yvette as his fiancée in front of everyone, I was nearly consumed by rage and humiliation.

Suddenly, there was a slight sound at the window.

I turned my head in alarm to see a dark figure nimbly climb through.

"Who?!" My voice shook.

The shadow quickly approached. In the moonlight, I recognized Frederick, my father's most trusted bodyguard.

"Miss, the chairman sent me to get you."

He swiftly cut through the ropes and helped me to my feet.

"The chairman says the contract has been voided. We won't be sending anyone to tonight's banquet. Let me take you home to rest."

I looked toward the brightly lit banquet hall outside the window, all song and dance and celebration.

"No. I'm going to the banquet."

Frederick frowned: "Miss, in your condition..."

"Contact my father." I cut him off. "Tell him I want to appear as the client representative."

Half an hour later, I stood in the shadows by the banquet hall's side entrance.

My father sent a message: [Everything's arranged. Do whatever you want.]

Inside the banquet hall, Liam stood on stage in a sharp suit, wearing a confident smile.

"Thank you all for coming to tonight's celebration."

He surveyed the room, his tone smug. "I'm honored to have led the partnership with Stellar Group."

Thunderous applause erupted. Yvette sat at the head table in that champagne mermaid gown, looking every bit the lady of the house, shooting triumphant glances at those around her.

Liam raised his hand for silence and continued: "Next, let us welcome..."

He paused deliberately, his eyes sweeping the room. "The chairman of Stellar Group!"

The room fell instantly silent, all eyes focused on the entrance.

Liam's face wore an obsequious smile. He even bowed slightly in a welcoming gesture.

But the door didn't open as he'd expected.

One second, two seconds... The room descended into awkward silence.

Sweat beaded on Liam's forehead as he repeated with a forced smile: "Let us welcome Chairman Laurel of Stellar Group!"

Still no response.

The audience began to whisper. Yvette stood up uneasily.

Just then, all the lights in the banquet hall suddenly went out, leaving only a single spotlight trained on the side entrance.

The door slowly opened.

I stepped forward in my heels, walking into the spotlight.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, I smiled lightly.

"As the daughter of Stellar Group's chairman, I'm here to announce that Stellar Group is terminating our partnership with Horizon Tech, effective immediately. The signed contract is now void!"