Chapter 3

After what seemed like an eternity, Pearson finally approached me and gestured to explain, "Callie, I know you're not feeling well, so I called Scarlett over to help manage the event. Let her host this gala, and you can just be a spectator."

A spectator? I gazed silently into Pearson's eyes. This gala wasn't just a simple charity dinner; it was also a veiled celebration of our wedding anniversary, our shared promise to each other.

He had said that on every anniversary from now on, year after year, I would be the only star, irreplaceable.

If I'm just a spectator, does that mean Scarlett gets to be the star?

When did my position become so blatantly usurped by someone else?

On stage, Scarlett and Pearson worked together with remarkable chemistry, their every word and gesture making them look like a real family.

Everyone's inquisitive eyes turned to me. As I watched the two on stage, I finally messaged my assistant: "Did you bring the cooler? Remember what I said. At midnight, open it in front of everyone and give it to Pearson. It's my most special wedding anniversary gift for him."

"Certainly, Callie."I took the liberty of arranging a lawyer through my connections to draft a divorce agreement for me.

I signed it directly using an electronic signature and scheduled it for timed delivery in my email.

This was the second gift I prepared for Pearson.

After finishing these tasks, the stage lights shifted, and the two of them finally descended together.

Pearson carefully held Scarlett's hand as they came down, while someone nearby joked, "Mr. Langdon, if I didn't know you were married, I'd think the lady by your side was your darling. You two look quite compatible!"

Pearson unconsciously smiled, but his voice turned cold when he glanced at me: "Watch your mouth."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'll punish myself with three drinks!"

Pearson let go of Scarlett's hand and explained to me, "Someone was just joking with me, don't take it to heart."

I smiled faintly, placing Scarlett and Pearson's hands on top of each other in my palm. I looked at them and gestured like that person had: "That person wasn't wrong, you two do look quite compatible."

A scumbag and a harlot, a perfect match.

Scarlett's eyes reddened as she said to me with a hurt expression, "Callie, are you upset?""I shouldn't have taken this job, I told you," I said. "But Pearson insisted, 'Your injuries haven't healed yet. I should be the one doing this heavy lifting.' If I'd known you'd be upset, I never would have come."

Pearson pulled Scarlett behind him protectively, his expression dark. "That's enough, Callie. Since you became deaf and mute, we've all been bending over backwards for you, tiptoeing around your feelings. Scarlett worked herself to exhaustion preparing this party for you. How can you still be so passive-aggressive?"

I couldn't speak, but Pearson's words pierced my ears, grating and harsh.

He didn't even bother to use sign language, just dragged Scarlett away.

As the clock struck midnight, the light above my head suddenly came crashing down towards me.

Mike appeared out of nowhere, pulling me out of harm's way, but shards of glass still pierced my skin, drawing blood.

Chaos erupted, but Pearson had already disappeared around the corner with Scarlett in his arms, not even glancing back.

After receiving basic first aid on site, I had my assistant take me to the airport.Upon arriving at the airport, Mike spoke with deep emotion and gravity: "Callie, I just found out that the chandelier rope was deliberately sabotaged by Miss Shaw. I'm so sorry. Mr. Langdon has been shielding a murderer, and I've been covering up his affair..."

I shook my head, no longer concerned with his regrets. It didn't matter anymore.

The airport announcements kept urging me to board. I left without looking back.

Back at the gala, the grand finale I had arranged was quietly unfolding.

As the midnight fireworks erupted, Pearson and Scarlett took the stage together, pulling back the red silk to reveal tonight's fundraising total.

But as the cloth fell away, a refrigerator with an open door came into view, containing the body of a fully-formed child.

Pearson's face instantly drained of color. He dropped the cloth and shouted.

"Mike! What is the meaning of this?"

Mike had just rushed back. This time, he didn't shy away. He declared loudly: "Mr. Langdon, this is your child!"

"My child? Bullshit! How could my child be here?! Where's Callie?!""Where is she?"

"Mr. Langdon, Miss Sterling has left. This is the child she was carrying - your child. The one she tragically lost in a car accident a month ago."