My heart tightened as I listened to the way Sullivan casually dismissed me.


    In their eyes, I was nothing more than a tool—barely even human, just a disposable pawn in their grander schemes.


    Sullivan had spent his entire life working to bring the Fay family under his control through this engagement. Now, that n was crumbling right before his eyes, and he hated it. I could see it in his sneer, the way he barely even looked at me.


    In the past, Cole had never protested the engagement to Sophie. He epted it, no questions asked.


    But this time was different—he was different. And that terrified me. The future, which once seemed so certain, was now shrouded in doubt.


    From this moment forward, I was stepping into the unknown,pletely blind to what theing days would bring. Every familiar certainty had crumbled beneath my feet, leaving me standing on the edge of a future I couldn''t predict.


    My future had changed. I hadn''t been cast away, exiled to some forgotten ind to be left to rot. No, I was still here, still fighting.


    Cole''s eyes narrowed dangerously, and when he spoke, his voice was stony as his face. "Have you forgotten that my own mother came from a poor family? From unknown origins, just like what you''re saying now. Are you mocking my family?"


    Sullivan paled, his smug confidence cracking. "That''s not what I meant, but . . ."


    If I were him, I''d keep my mouth shut. Every word he spoke was like another shovel of dirt, burying him deeper in a grave he was digging for himself.


    And honestly, pushing yourself on a man who didn''t want you—it was humiliating. I knew that all too well.


    I''d been that fool before, clinging to something that was never mine, chasing a love that was always out of reach. It was a bitter lesson.


    But I couldn''t entirely me them. Letting go of the Fays now? That was like signing your own death sentence, especially with Sinir standing firm against them.


    Desperation made people reckless, and they were teetering on the edge of destruction.


    "There will be no engagement between me and your


    maid


    ," Cole said, his tone absolute, leaving no room for argument.


    Sullivan and Sophie''s faces drained of all color. They couldn''t even muster the energy to be angry anymore—there was nothing left but the bitter sting of defeat.


    Sophie, red with embarrassment, stormed off, disappearing into the crowd without a word.


    I suppose the party was over now. Good. At least I could finally go back and get some rest.


    But Sullivan wasn''t finished. His voiceshed out like a whip, dripping with venom. "I hope you''re happy now, Eve. You''ve ruined this party, and worse—you''ve destroyed Sophie''s engagement. After everything we''ve done for you, is this how you repay us?"


    I frowned. What was he even talking about? They were the ones who had wrecked their own lives, and they almost ruined mine.


    If it hadn''t been for Sinir, I would''veshed out at him right then and there. How dare he use me? He was the one behind my kidnapping, the one who nearly ended me.


    Cole knew that too. He had to. By now, he must have figured out that it was Sullivan who had ordered the whole thing.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But for some reason, he hadn''t said a word. Maybe it was because of Sinir, or because I hadn''t said a word about that incident. Either way, he was silent about it which I didn''t know what to think of.


    If not for Sinir, I would''ve confronted Sullivan myself. But I bit back the rage, holding it inside.


    "Let''s go, Eve."


    The voice cut through the stiffness, freezing everyone in ce.


    All eyes turned to Sinir as he strode toward me, the crowd parting for him.


    When he reached out his hand, it felt like a lifeline, and without hesitation, I took it.


    "Eve . . ."


    Cole''s voice stopped me, barely a whisper, but I heard it. I wasn''t used to that tone—the warmth, the softness, the gentleness. It chipped away at the ice I had carefully built around my heart.


    With everything in me, I wished he would go back to being cold, indifferent Cole. Anything but this. Not now. Not like this.


    I had spent years longing for him to love me, to speak to me with the same tenderness he was showing now. How ironic that, when I finally let go and no longer wanted him, that wish wasing true.


    It was toote.


    Without looking back, I walked away with Sinir, leaving the party behind. We had aplished what we came for—there was no need to linger in this mess any longer.


    As we settled into the car, I had no idea what to expect from tomorrow''s headlines. But one thing was certain: this night would be the talk of everyone for months toe.


    And in the center of it all—was me and Sophia.


    === ===


    Sophie stormed into her room, trembling with rage. Everything she touched instantly shattered against the cold, unforgiving floor—vases, perfume bottles, delicate trinkets—all destroyed in her fury.


    "Eve! That


    bitch


    Read exclusive content at empire


    !" she screamed, her voice raw with anger, every ounce of her heart''s torment pouring out in that single word.


    Momentster, Sophia rushed in, pulling her distraught daughter into her arms. She stroked Sophie''s back, her voice a soft, soothing melody. "Honey, rx. Don''t let her get to you."


    "How can I rx, Mother?!" Sophie''s voice cracked, her eyes burning with hot, bitter tears. "Eve ruined everything—my birthday, my


    special


    day! It''s all about me, but she stole all the attention, humiliated me in front of everyone! And worst of all, Cole . . . Cole''s breaking off the engagement with me!"


    Sophia gently wiped the tears from Sophie''s cheeks, her touchforting, though her eyes gleamed with a cunning edge. "Not everything is lost, darling. You''re still a Rosette by blood. Eve, on the other hand? She''s nothing but an adopted name. When Sinir is no longer around, do you really think the world will still ept her? It''s only a matter of time before she loses everything."


    Sophie''s sobs quieted, her breath still hitching as her mother''s words sank in.


    "As for Cole," Sophia continued, her voice low and calcted, "don''t give up so easily. You have


    plenty


    of chances, Sophie. You''re the true heir to the Rosette name. Fate is on your side. Trust the process, my dear. You can still have whatever you desire—because of who you are. The Rosette name holds power.


    You


    hold power."


    Sophie''s trembling began to subside, her mother''s words like poison dripping into her ears, soothing the sting of her defeat.


    She nodded, her tear-streaked face hardening with resolve.


    The game wasn''t over yet.


    Not by a long shot.