"Ethan's a CEO now. There's nothing I can't afford."

She snapped her fingers at the men behind her. "Smash it. Let's see if I can buy one or not."

They moved toward my car, iron rods in hand.

My heart lurched. I stepped forward to stop them—

A rod cracked across my back.

White-hot pain tore through me. I staggered, then dropped to one knee with a heavy thud.

I looked up at Serena, teeth clenched.

"Serena Matthews, if you smash my car today, I guarantee no one will be able to protect you—no matter who shows up!"

Serena looked at me with pure disdain.

"Smash it. I want to see who's protecting who."

The moment she finished, Ethan's entourage grabbed iron rods and swung at my car with obvious glee.

The first blow landed. Not a scratch on the body.

Serena's eyes narrowed. She ordered them to keep going with bricks. Finally, the body caved in. Glass shattered.

"You're looking for death, Serena!"

I clenched my teeth, trying to stand, but she had someone press down hard on my shoulder.

"Smashing your car is nothing—today, even if I hit you, no one would dare touch me!"

She raised her hand, ready to bring it down on my face.

Then a cold, sharp voice cut through from behind.

"What's going on here?"

I lifted my head with difficulty. My gaze met Ethan's deep eyes.

Three months apart, and he looked even more high-spirited.

The second Serena saw him, she threw herself into his arms, voice dripping with grievance.

"Ethan, Alex knew today was your wedding day, and she still showed up in some beat-up domestic car just to embarrass you. She even mocked me for not being able to afford one."

Ethan swept his gaze over my car—now dented beyond recognition—then looked at me with disgust.

"Alex, several important leaders are attending our wedding today. You show up dressed like that, driving a domestic car—are you trying to make me lose face?"

I glanced down at the work uniform I hadn't had time to change out of.

Sure, it was worn. But it was made of specialized materials—cold-resistant, fire-resistant. You couldn't buy this with money. You couldn't even get it custom-made.

Besides, the leaders attending today? They were coming because of me. Not him.

For years, I'd worked at the Classified Institute. The leadership appreciated my contributions enough to hand Ethan several projects—just to put my mind at ease about the future.

I looked at him and let out a cold laugh.