Chapter 2
I immediately called my fiancé, Edward. He picked up quickly, sounding surprised but delighted.
“Baby, are you not mad anymore? I knew you’d come around!”
rolled my eyes in exasperation.
“Edward, we’ve only been upset with each other for a few days, and now you’re marrying someone else? You even gave away the car and ring you gifted me?”
Edward’s tone was firm, “No way!”
I explained the situation with Natalia, and he replied, “Sweetheart, are you sure you did
make a mistake? I would never give your things to someone else, nor would I get engaged to
anyone else.”
He added, “Couldn’t be a thief, could it? But with Jake watching our house, that’s impossible.”
After the call, I was still confused. I didn’t know much about cars, so maybe I’d
misidentified it–but how could the ring be a coincidence?
The day before Natalia’s wedding, she posted photos of her dowry on social media: stacks of
cash neatly arranged on her bed. Clearly, her fiancé was no ordinary man. Maybe I’d learn
the truth tomorrow.
The next day, I went with my parents to the wedding venue. As we arrived, I overheard a
couple of staff members chatting.
“Hey, I heard New York’s richest man, Edward, is getting married here today.”
“No way. If Mr. Lewis were getting married, there’d be news coverage.”
“Believe it or not, he’s the one who booked this place. You’ll see him soon enough.”
Edward? Edward is getting married today? To Natalia? Their conversation left me baffled. Was this some kind of misunderstanding? I called Edward to confirm.
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A Losing Game of Love.
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Chapter 2
“Hello? Edward, are you getting married at the Century Hotel today?”
He sounded completely lost, asking me what was going on. From his reaction, he seemed genuinely clueless.
Could there be two rich Edwards in New York? I didn’t have time to think further before my
mom called me over to help.
A while later, a sudden scream erupted from the dressing room. Everyone rushed over to
ke Natalia in a panic.
“My ring is gone! I left it here in the dressing room, went out for a moment, and now it’s
missing!”
My mom scolded her anxiously, “Oh dear, how could you leave something so important lying around?”
Just as my parents were about to ask the staff for help, Natalia’s expression shifted, as if a thought had struck her. She stopped them abruptly.
“Mom, Dad, when I came back, I saw Kate leaving the dressing room.” She even started
sobbing.
Stunned, I hurriedly defended myself, “How could I have taken your things? I was just on
the phone!”
But my father wouldn’t listen and slapped me without a second thought.
“You disgraceful child, you even learned to steal!”
The injustice overwhelmed me; they’d always stood by Natalia no matter what.
“Natalia, stop slandering me! I told you, I didn’t take anything. If you don’t believe me, let’s call the police.”
I pulled out my phone, prepared to dial. Natalia, however, grabbed my hand.
“Enough! Everyone here is someone of status. If you don’t mind the humiliation, I certainly do. Now, hand it over.”
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Chapter 2
Her eyes fixed on my bag.
“Did you hide it in there?”
At that, my mother lunged to grab my bag, determined to search it.
But I held it tightly, unwilling to fall into Natalia’s trap of self–incrimination. I knew there was a good chance her ring was never lost–she was just trying to humiliate me.
Why should I let you search? If you think I took Natalia’s ring, then it’s your job to find evidence. I don’t have to prove I didn’t steal.”
