Outside the grand hall.
Liam Winston stood in the shadows.
His gaze was fixed on Sophia Sullivan.
She laughed brightly with a group of men.
Her smile was radiant.
Liam's expression darkened like storm clouds.
"Liam."
Chloe Evans stood beside him.
Her face was pale.
Her voice trembled.
"You just woke up."
"We've already offended Sophia."
"Should we still go in?"
Chloe only wanted to leave.
The humiliation from the auction still burned in her mind.
Sophia had thrown a knife.
It nearly took her life.
The blade grazed her cheek.
Leaving a bloody mark.
A fraction closer.
And she would have been disfigured.
"Let's go back first."
Chloe covered her face.
Her voice was small and wounded.
"You're still injured."
"You need medical attention."
In the past.
Liam would have comforted her tenderly.
But now.
Ever since waking up, he had changed.
He had grown silent.
Expressionless.
"Chloe."
Liam spoke.
His voice was icy.
"Go back first."
His eyes remained locked on Sophia.
He wanted answers.
What had happened in those three years.
Why she had deceived him.
The Decagon.
Pottery.
Perfumery.
Talents she had never revealed before.
He could overlook all that.
But seeing her surrounded by men.
That was unbearable.
He refused to believe.
That her love could vanish so easily.
Chloe froze.
Her tears halted mid-fall.
"Liam Winston."
She spoke each word deliberately.
"Are you trying to rekindle things with her?"
Today had been nothing but torment.
Sophia had outmaneuvered her at the auction.
Nearly killed her.
When Sophia produced The Decagon platinum card.
Everyone had mocked Chloe.
Their stares were like knives.
Cutting her to shreds.
She could endure that.
But not Liam's change.
This man who once adored her like a devoted dog.
Now, for Sophia's sake.
Acted as if Chloe didn't exist.
Liam frowned.
"Don't be unreasonable."
He caught himself, softening his tone.
"I just need information about The Decagon."
"Mother's headaches require treatment."
"The Nexus hasn't delivered results."
"The auction failed."
"The Decagon is our only hope now."
Half-truths.
The Decagon was indeed his goal.
But what he truly wanted.
Was to know Sophia's relationship with those men.
Even divorced.
His possessiveness remained.
This loss of control.
Frustrated him deeply.
"Chloe."
He met her gaze.
"You trust me, don't you?"
"We can't return empty-handed."
Chloe bit her lip.
"I'll go with you."
Liam nodded.
"Fine."
Outwardly compliant.
Inside, her hatred seethed.