"You set the wedding venue at a crematorium—and you're worried about embarrassment?"

Before he could respond, Serena spoke over him, looking down at me.

"What would a bumpkin like you understand? Holding it here shows a thrifty side to the leaders. Wins a good impression. You think everyone's like you—all bark, no brain?"

"There's a piece of land in Linport City going up for bidding soon. Once Ethan takes it, his net worth multiplies. A bumpkin like you was never worthy of him."

The entourage piled on immediately.

"Exactly. Our Ethan's about to head a publicly traded company. A country woman like you isn't fit to carry his shoes."

"If Ethan wasn't so kind-hearted—if he hadn't felt obligated after three years together—you think you'd be marrying him?"

"Honestly, only a beauty like Serena matches Ethan's status now. A woman like Alex? If she ate my fruit platter at a nightclub, I'd still slap her around."

Laughter erupted.

Ethan looked at me coldly, eyes full of disgust.

"Alex, if we hadn't been together for three years—if I hadn't promised to marry you—do you think I'd ever marry a country woman like you? You've never helped my career. All you do is embarrass me."

I stared at his face—so familiar, yet so foreign now.

All I felt was how unbelievably ridiculous this was.

Back then, when Ethan went bankrupt and hit rock bottom, I was the one who pulled him back up.

Without my connections and the influence behind me, there would be no Ethan Gilbert today. Even that piece of land Serena mentioned—it had already been arranged for him.

Now? No need.

I lifted my head and met his eyes with ice in mine. "Since that's the case, let's break off the engagement."

He froze for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. "Alex, that playing-hard-to-get routine doesn't work on me."

I clenched my fists, trying to stand, but the men holding me down wouldn't budge. I swallowed my rage and stared at him. "Ethan, I'm advising you—have them let go. Now."

His expression softened slightly.

Serena immediately latched onto his arm. "Ethan, just now, trying to stop Alex from driving that crappy domestic car and embarrassing you—my hand got cut."

She held up her finger—barely a scratch, nothing that even needed a bandage—and gazed at him with wounded eyes.

He took her hand, all concern, then turned a dark look on me. "You let Serena get hurt? Kneel and apologize to her. Right now. Or I won't let this go."