She waited in the grand villa they shared, every minute an ache of anticipation.
But the man she waited for never came.
Instead, she saw him—on live television.
Kevin stood beneath a cascade of flashing lights, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his handsome features sharp and refined as he officially announced his takeover of the McAuliffe Group.
The reporter smiled and congratulated him."Congratulations, Mr. McAuliffe. May I ask a few personal questions?"
Kevin accepted the microphone with a practiced charm."I know what you're going to ask. Yes—I'm getting engaged."
The crowd fell silent, waiting for the second half of the sentence.
"My fiancée," Kevin said, smiling at the camera, "is Miss Stefanie Cervantes."
Of course everyone knew that name.
Stefanie was the eldest daughter of the powerful Cervantes family—his godsister.
"Stefanie devoted her youth to me, I can't make her wait any longer. Seven days from now, we'll hold our engagement banquet at the Pearl Tower. Welcome everyone to my engagement party."
Venice staggered back, her face turning white.
What about her?
She had stayed with him through the hardest three years of his life, waited another five, given him eight years of her youth—only to watch him announce another woman as his bride.
The revelation spread across the internet like wildfire, climbing the trending searches within minutes.
Another reporter pressed, "But Mr. McAuliffe, wasn't there a mute café owner who once saved your life? Some say she even offered herself to repay the debt. Does she know about your engagement?"
Kevin's expression remained cold and composed.
"A mute woman isn't worthy of the McAuliffe family name. She was just my caretaker."
Standing before the television, Venice shut her eyes as silent tears streamed down her face.
That night, she packed her things and decided to leave as soon as the sun rose, leaving Kevin forever!
But when she woke up, she found herself lying on the cold ground of the villa courtyard—and her beloved dog, the one that had followed her faithfully for five years, was hanging in midair.
Suspended by a drone.
Her blood froze. She frantically raised her hands, signing with trembling fingers.
[Kevin, what are you doing?! Put my dog down!]
Dressed immaculately in a dark suit, Kevin sat on a nearby bench, one leg casually crossed over the other.