Chapter 21
6 AM – Olivia’s Departure
I left my parents’ house early.
Usually, at this hour—
My father would be out for his morning walk.
My mother would be making breakfast.
But today—
They were still asleep.
They had stayed up waiting for me last night.
Guilt tugged at my chest.
I left a note on the refrigerator before heading out.
Then—I disappeared.
Sherry’s Apartment
I knocked once.
Twice.
Then—the door creaked open.
Sherry stood there, dark circles under her eyes.
The moment she saw me—her rage erupted.
“Julian Shaw—IS HE EVEN HUMAN?!”
Her voice was hoarse with fury.
“He’s a beast! No—calling him a beast is too kind! And Rita and her vile mother—”
She clenched her fists.
“They’re worse than animals!”
Since my dawn phone call, she had been fuming.
She wanted to tear them apart.
While she raged—
I remained unusually calm.
I walked past her, heading straight for the kitchen.
“…Is there anything in the fridge?”
She blinked.
“What?”
“I’ll make breakfast.”
Sherry stared at me.
“You have the appetite for breakfast?”
I shrugged, taking off my coat and pushing her onto the sofa.
“Why waste time being hungry because of those animals?”
I smiled faintly.
“We need energy—to deal with them.”
I turned to leave—
But she grabbed my wrist.
The moment she saw my bruised, bloody marks, her face drained of color.
Her voice shook.
“…They tied your hands?”
“They didn’t give you a single chance to escape?”
I smiled.
“No. They didn’t.”
Sherry’s Realization
Sherry’s breath hitched.
“Rita is vicious, but… Julian…”
She swallowed hard.
“…Even if he doesn’t love you anymore… they could have just separated.”
Her voice cracked.
“Why go to such extremes?”
She trembled.
“Eight years, Olivia.”
Her hands clenched into fists.
“For a new lover he’s known for less than six months—he could be this cruel?”
I smiled bitterly.
“He’ll do anything to please his new lover.”
Sherry’s eyes burned with fury.
“But he was searching for you like he actually—”
Cared?
I let out a cold laugh.
“He was only putting on a show.”
Then, I dropped the bomb.
“Do you know?”
I glanced at her.
“He’s announcing his engagement to Rita tonight.”
Sherry’s head snapped up.
“WHAT?!”
The Setup
“They’re not even divorced yet!”
Then—her expression changed.
A horrible thought crossed her mind.
“…Wait.”
Her breath hitched.
“…Does he know you tricked him into signing the divorce papers?”
I pressed my lips together.
“I’ve considered that possibility.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“…Did he set this up from the start?”
She pieced it together, her hands shaking.
“His mother kept you calm while he deliberately provoked you to finalize the divorce. Once the divorce and compensation were signed, he’d be free—without paying you a single cent.”
I didn’t respond.
Her voice lowered.
“…If you refused, he had the video to blackmail you.”
My body stiffened.
“He planned everything,” she whispered.
Her fingers dug into the sofa.
“That man is terrifying.”
I was silent.
Because she was right.
I clenched my fists.
Then, I looked at her.
“Sherry.”
She met my gaze.
“I need your help.”
She nodded instantly.
“Just tell me,” she said fiercely.
“I’ll do anything.”
7 PM – The Peninsula Hotel
The ballroom was breathtaking.
Magnificent crystal chandeliers cast golden light across the elegantly dressed guests.
Soft classical music played.
Half of Chicago’s elite were present.
And the Crowes—were out in full force.
Anyone could see—
Something big was about to happen.
Rita’s Unease
Rita, clinging to Julian’s arm, frowned at her phone.
No updates.
No calls.
No videos.
Her lips curled in displeasure.
What’s going on?
They should have sent her proof by now.
Had they failed?
No.
They couldn’t have.
Unless…
A slow, cruel smirk spread across her lips.
Did they kill her instead?
She sighed dramatically.
“Boring.”
A dead woman was less fun.
She wanted Olivia to suffer.
Giving her AIDS—making her rot—that was far more entertaining.
Julian’s Suspicion
Julian stood on the balcony, lighting a cigarette.
His brows furrowed as he made a call.
“She’s still at her parents’ house?”
His jaw tightened.
“She didn’t leave all day?”
Silence.
“…Okay. Understood.”
He hung up.
Something felt off.
The Auction
Inside, Rita clung to his arm.
“Julian, darling, help me choose.”
She shoved the auction catalog in his hands.
“The pink diamonds are beautiful. But Mrs. Liu’s ring is nice too—”
Julian wasn’t listening.
Then—his gaze sharpened.
He snatched the catalog from her hands.
Flipping the page—his blood ran cold.
Those diamonds…
They were familiar.
His brows knitted together.
That was the one-of-a-kind pink diamond set he had custom-ordered for Olivia.
From Italy.
For their anniversary.
His fingers tightened around the paper.
How the hell did Mrs. Lin get them?
Then, he remembered—
The empty drawers in Olivia’s closet.
A slow, cold dread filled him.
He tried to call her.
Blocked.
He tried texting.
Blocked.
A chill ran down his spine.
“I need to leave,” he said abruptly.
Rita panicked.
“What?! You can’t leave! Tonight is important!”
Julian’s eyes narrowed.
“What’s so important?”
Then—
A microphone clicked on.
Seraphine stood on the stage.
Before the auction, she smiled and announced:
“My son, Julian Shaw, is engaged to Miss Caffrey.”
The ballroom erupted.
Julian froze.
His mind reeled.
What?
The Entrance
The chatter was deafening.
The applause thunderous.
Then—
Silence.
Every head turned.
The doors to the ballroom swept open.
A woman stepped inside.
Her dark red silk gown trailed behind her—
Her long hair like flowing ink.
Makeup—intense. Elegant. Deadly.
Her heels clicked against the floor, each step measured, lethal.
She was stunning.
Beautifully—menacing.
Every socialite in the room paled in comparison.
A slow, deliberate smile curled her lips.
Then, a voice whispered in horror—
“Olivia Frost.”
