Chapter 2

The party was set up on the first floor of the mansion. When Aria and I appeared together, the previously lively atmosphere in the room instantly dropped to freezing point.

"Isn't that Miss Montgomery? What's she doing here?"

"Didn't you see the young girl she's dragging behind her? Today's celebration is for her. I heard Mr. Channing had been secretly..."

"What? Is she here to crash the party?"

The gossip grew louder, and Aria's face, which I had slapped earlier, gradually turned pale.

"Anyone who spreads rumors again can get out."

A familiar voice came from behind, easily silencing all other sounds.

Wylie walked in carrying a trophy and pushing a cake. His eyes were filled with displeasure when he looked at me.

"Elise, why are you here?"

"Am I not allowed to come?"

Seeing his reaction, I immediately understood the situation.

It was probably Aria's idea alone to come pick me up, with the sole purpose of humiliating me once again at the celebration.

As for Wylie, he likely intended to let me out only after the party was over.

"Do any of your guests in this crowded room know that your fiancée is locked up beneath this lively gathering?"I release my grip on Aria's hand and fix my gaze intently on Wylie.

After spending a day and night in my most terrifying place, even without looking in a mirror, I know how disheveled I must appear right now.

"Wylie, you know I have claustrophobia," I rasp accusingly.

Wylie furrows his brow and responds in a low voice, "Let's not discuss this here."

"The room was lit all night, and all the necessities were provided. You just didn't have cell service. It's not like you suffered any real hardship."

"Such a minor issue, and you're causing this much of a scene?"

The impatient Wylie before me gradually merges with the Wylie from two years ago who smiled and promised, "I'll never let you enter any room without windows."

They merge, then separate.

But I don't have time to reminisce about these things.

"Lit all night?" As I ask this, I clearly see a flash of guilt cross Aria's face, who had already hidden behind Wylie.

So that's how it is.

Before I can speak, Aria tugs on Wylie's sleeve and says with a whimper, "Wylie, my face really hurts."

Seeing her delicate little face, noticeably swollen on both sides, Wylie's composed demeanor instantly crumbles."What's going on? Who's been bullying you?!"

Aria pouted without making a sound, her eyes timidly glancing in my direction.

The rage in Wylie's eyes was intense enough to ignite the air around me.

He protectively shielded Aria behind him.

"Elise, why do you always have to pick on Aria?"

"You've been idle at home for too long. You're already washed up, Mr. Langdon, and can't design anything good anymore. But Aria is fresh and spirited, with a bright future ahead. Can't you stop being so petty?"

Washed up, Mr. Langdon?

It was as if I'd just heard the joke of the century.

"Spirited? You mean that award-winning piece of hers?"

"That's just the best of Aria's many works so far."

Seeing me sneer silently, his tone softened.

"Elise, Aria and I grew up together. She's my most important little sister, and I have to take care of her."

"The winner of this competition will get full funding and be taken as an apprentice by Master Thorn. Aria's resume needs this honor."

I looked at Wylie, and those features I knew so well suddenly became blurry and unfamiliar, making me lose the will to argue."Thorn, is it?" I smile.

"Indeed, he's quite an impressive figure. I wish you both success."

My ass.

As Wylie said, he did take excellent care of Aria.

The day after our engagement party, he brought Aria home, saying her parents had entrusted him with her care.

I didn't have any objections to that.

Until the dress Wylie had once promised to design especially for me ended up on Aria's body.