"Mr. McAuliffe," his assistant reported, "Miss Cervantes just had a fight with her family and ran away from home..."
His expression darkened.
"I'm on my way."
He hung up, ordered the guards to watch Venice closely, and left without another glance.
Back in her room, Venice locked the doors and windows.
Once she was sure no one could hear her, she picked up her phone and dialed a number she hadn't called in eight years.
"Dad," she whispered, her voice clear and steady. "I've made up my mind. I'm ready to return to the Robles family and fulfill my engagement with Adam."
Adam was Kevin's younger uncle.
Venice had never been mute, nor was she truly a café owner. Her true identity was the only daughter of the world's richest man.
Pretending to be a mute had been part of a bet—a test her father set, to see whether Kevin's love for her was genuine.
And now, Venice knew the answer.
Her father was silent for a moment before speaking gravely, "Didn't you have a boyfriend? Does he know who you really are?"
"No," she said softly. "And there's no need. I'll be ending things with him."
Just mentioning Kevin sent a sharp pain through her chest.
"Tell Adam this—our wedding will be held at Pearl Tower in seven days. If he refuses, consider the engagement void."
Seven days from now, Kevin would be holding his engagement banquet with Stefanie at Pearl Tower.
Then so would she—a grand wedding in the same place.
If he was going to celebrate betrayal there, she would make sure he witnessed regret!
"And, Dad," Venice added softly, "you'll come back for my wedding with Adam, won't you?"
On the other end of the line, her father chuckled warmly.
"Venice, you're my only daughter. Of course, I'll be there."
He paused, then sighed. "But your call came a bit suddenly. I've still got work to finish here, so I probably can't fly out immediately. I'll land in Los Angeles in about seven days."
When the call ended, Venice finally exhaled, the tension in her chest easing slightly.
Her mother had died young, and her father was all she had left in this world.
But she knew Kevin far too well. His love had always been a kind of possession—deep, obsessive, and suffocating. He would never let her go easily.
If he suspected even once that she wanted to leave him again, he would lock her up without hesitation.
Her father was thousands of miles away. No one could protect her now.