Betrayed During My Engagement Party Chapter 05

Betrayed During My Engagement Party Chapter 05

I plugged my USB drive into the projector.

A photo popped up.

On the screen, Luna had her arms around a guy, kissing on a beach.

Timestamp: two months ago.

“This guy’s Mark. You met him in Paris. And while you were with him, Silco was out buying you a diamond ring, right?”

Luna let go of my hand and took a step back.

“You… how do you know that…”

I looked at her.

“You really thought posting it on a private account meant no one would see it?”

Her lips trembled.

“Luna, you’ve never been some rich girl. Your place is rented. Your car’s on a loan. Every penny you spend, you hustled off men.”

I paused.

“And Silco isn’t your only man. You were seeing at least four at the same time.”

The room blew up.

Luna completely panicked.

“Mel… you…”

“Didn’t you say it was fate?” I stared at her. “How many men does fate come with?”

Her mouth opened and closed. But nothing came out.

Silco turned, glaring at Luna.

“Is she telling the truth?”

“No… let me explain…”

I couldn’t be bothered with their fight. I turned to leave.

Silco yanked me back.

His face was bright red, his chest heaving.

“No! You’re not leaving! If you don’t pay me, I’m not letting you go! You owe me a hundred and fifty grand!”

He tightened his grip on me.

“I’m telling you, I already called the cops!”

He waved his phone.

“You forged an IOU and sländered me in public. Enjoy prison!”

Luna came out behind him.

Her makeup was a mess. Her eyes were red–rimmed, but no tears.

Finished

“Mel, how could you do this? We’ve been like sisters for over ten years. Why are you trying to destroy me?”

I was about to answer.

Down the hotel hallway, the elevator doors slid open.

Alex walked out with a lawyer trailing behind him.

He wore a silver–gray suit. He walked easy, steady steps.

“Mel.” He came up and stopped beside me. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Good.”

Silco squinted at him. “Who the hell are you?”

Alex didn’t answer. He turned to the lawyer.

The lawyer stepped forward, opened his briefcase, and pulled out a stack of documents.

“Mr. Silco, I’m Ms. Mel’s attorney. This is a notice of case filing from the court. We’ve submitted a complete chain of evidence that you owe Ms. Mel $457,300–original IOUS, transfer records, bank statements, and chat logs. All notarized.”

He handed the papers over.

“If you believe any of this is fake, you can challenge it in court. For now, you have fifteen days to pay in full.”

Silco took the file. His hand shook a little.

He flipped a couple pages, then looked up at me.

“You… you really sued me?”

“Didn’t you call the cops?” I said. “Let them decide whose evidence is real.”

His mouth moved, but nothing came out.

By then, a crowd had formed in the hallway–guests from the banquet hall. Phones were up everywhere.

Luna shoved in and grabbed Silco’s arm.

“Didn’t you say you had money?” Her voice went shrill. “Didn’t you say that $150,000 was what you lent her? What is this?”

Her tears finally fell.

“You lied to me! You said you were loaded, and it turns out you’re drowning in debt!”

“I’m in debt because I bought you a diamond ring!”

“Bullshit! You’re in debt because you gamble! You think I don’t know?”

They got louder and louder.

More people stopped to watch.

Someone started a live stream, phone held high.

Alex stood beside me and said under his breath, “Let’s go.”

I nodded.

We pushed through the crowd and stepped into the elevator.

Right as the doors closed, we could still hear the shouting in the hall.

Luna was screaming.

Silco was cursing.

The elevator descended.

Alex turned his head, studying me.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“You were well–prepared.”

“It took me three days.”

He smiled.

“You’re always impressive. Clear logic. Steady emotions.”

I didn’t answer.

The elevator reached the first floor. The doors opened.

We walked out, crossed the lobby, and pushed through the doors.

The night air hit my face, a little cool.

I drew a deep breath.

Alex’s car was waiting at the curb. The driver opened the door.

“Hop in,” he said. “I’ll take you home.”

I met his eyes.

I hesitated a second.

Then, I got in.

The car pulled away.

Streetlights slid past one by one.

My phone buzzed a few times.

It was from a group chat.

Someone sent a video. The title read: “Cheater stiffed his debts then played the victim–ex–fiancée exposes him on the spot!”

Views were already in the tens of thousands.

I set my phone down.

I leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes.

The car stopped.

I opened my eyes. We were at my place.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. Come by the office tomorrow. There’s a project I want to talk to you about.”

“What project?”

“I’ll tell you tomorrow. Get some rest tonight.”

I got out and headed into my apartment complex.

Behind me, the headlights flashed once, then the car drove off.

I stood at the base of my building and looked up at the night sky.

No stars. No moon.

But it didn’t feel that cold anymore.