Chapter 3: Chapter 3: It Turns Out I’m the Unworthy One

Under the gaze of so many people, in front of countless cameras—several of which were even streaming live to tens of thousands of viewers.

He kissed her gently, with such deep affection, such tenderness.

And Yvonne Sutton was the backdrop, looking superfluous and ridiculous in that moment.

"See that? Still have doubts?"

Vincent Reed, his face burning with anger, pointed at the sasaeng fans and reporters crowding the doorway.

"You want to hear our love story? Fine, I’ll satisfy you all today!"

"I’ve had a crush on Wendy since middle school. I confessed after we graduated high school, and we’ve been in love for eight years! For these past eight years, I’ve been completely devoted to Wendy. I love only her, and for the rest of my life, I will only ever love her!"

"I’m going to give her the wedding of the century! In this world, only Wendy is worthy of my, Vincent Reed’s, love. No one else is!"

A spectacular confession with countless witnesses, both online and off.

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.

The crisp sound of applause was jarringly out of place, so everyone turned to look at the person clapping.

It was Yvonne Sutton, dressed in a white lab coat. She had a short pixie cut, a refined and gentle beauty, and a clean, reserved aura.

She was smiling as she clapped. Spurred on by her, the sasaeng fans, reporters, and onlookers all began to applaud as well.

Vincent Reed looked at Yvonne, his gaze flickering. He seemed a bit guilty.

"Mr. Reed’s devotion is truly moving. I wish you both the best," Yvonne said calmly.

Hearing this, Vincent Reed’s expression suddenly darkened.

"Keep your blessings. We don’t need them!"

With that, Vincent Reed wrapped his arm around Wendy Winters and walked out.

After the two of them left, the sasaeng fans and onlookers also departed, and the office suddenly fell silent.

Yvonne supported her lower back as she sat down. A sharp, piercing pain came from where she’d been bumped earlier. Lifting her clothes to look, she saw two bruises forming.

In the afternoon, just before she was about to get off work, Yvonne’s phone buzzed. She opened it to see a new friend request on WeChat.

"This is Wyatt Shaw."

’Wyatt Shaw?’

Yvonne was momentarily confused before she remembered who Wyatt Shaw was.

She had actually only been in contact with him twice, both times by phone. ’He’s my marriage partner, after all,’ she thought. ’I should probably add him on WeChat.’ With that in mind, Yvonne accepted his friend request.

After accepting, she stared at the blank chat window, unsure of what to say. After thinking for a moment, she simply exited WeChat, packed her things, and got ready to leave work.

She was on the day shift. After making a round in the inpatient ward and leaving the hospital, she saw that the sky had already grown dark. Just as she was about to hail a cab, a black Maybach pulled up in front of her.

The window rolled down, and Leo Flynn waved at her with a grin. "Yvonne! Joshua’s new tavern is opening today. He specifically sent me to pick you up after work to come celebrate."

Leo heavily emphasized the word "specifically," then grinned like a fool.

Leo Flynn and Joshua Hale were Vincent Reed’s best friends, having grown up with him, but they were also on very good terms with her.

She felt she had to at least show up for Joshua.

After getting into the car, Leo handed her a bottle of water.

"I was there on Wendy’s birthday, too," Leo said, his voice tinged with guilt.

Yvonne twisted the cap off and took a few sips of water. She had seen the video of them celebrating Wendy Winters’s birthday. When Vincent Reed knelt to propose, Leo had been pumping his fist and yelling, "Marry him! Marry him!"

"Isn’t that just a regular feature of Wendy’s birthdays? I didn’t take it seriously. I figured Vincent didn’t either. Who knew Wendy would actually say yes? Of course, she had her reasons for accepting, but the whole thing is still pretty unfair to you."

"Thank you for being willing to say it was ’unfair’."

"Uh, Vincent was really just trying to help Wendy."

"If you had to choose between me and Wendy Winters, just as a friend, who would you pick?"

Leo didn’t hesitate. "You, of course!"

Yvonne smiled. "Even if you’re just saying that to make me feel better, I’m happy to hear it."

Leo shook his head. "I’m not lying. Even though I’ve known Wendy longer, I prefer being friends with you."

"Right. And that’s why, when you came to pick me up, I got in your car. But from now on, if we’re going to see each other, don’t bring up Vincent Reed. We’ve already broken up."

Leo stuck out his tongue. "People say impulsive things when they’re angry. It doesn’t count."

Yvonne frowned. ’So he thinks I’m just angry and not serious about breaking up with Vincent?’

Joshua Hale’s new tavern was located in a siheyuan at the very end of an alley. The screen wall was painted with opera masks, a small pond sat in the courtyard, and lanterns hung from the covered walkway. It was quiet and had a great atmosphere.

Leo pointed her toward the easternmost room, then ran off to the restroom.

She walked up to the door and was about to push it open when she heard Vincent Reed suddenly curse.

"Joshua Hale, are you going to give it a rest? She’s the one throwing a fit about breaking up, not me!"

Joshua sighed. "But you were still in the wrong on this."

"Wendy was in trouble. How could I not help her?"

"But Yvonne..."

"Yvonne? She’s jack shit. How could she compare to Wendy?"

"You! Sooner or later, you’ll regret this!"

"She’s the one who should have regrets. Every time Wendy needs me, she throws a tantrum and threatens to break up. But she’s the one who says it, and she’s the one who comes shamelessly crawling back in the end. It’ll be the same this time. I’ll just ignore her."

"Alright, whatever. You’re just taking advantage of the fact that Yvonne loves you, but even the greatest love can run out one day. I got a bouquet of roses for you. You’d better take these flowers and give Yvonne a proper apology later."

Having heard all this, Yvonne took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Joshua quickly stood up and came over to greet her. "Yvonne, I’m so glad you could make it."

Knowing that Joshua’s new tavern was opening, she had prepared a gift in advance: a lucky cat figurine.

"Congratulations on the grand opening. I wish you every success," she said as she gave it to him.

Joshua took it. "Thank you."

He glanced back and shot Vincent Reed a look, then said to Yvonne, "Have a seat. I’m just going to go greet some guests outside."

"I won’t be sitting down," Yvonne said, following Joshua out. "I’ll come back another day to show my support."

"Yvonne..."

"Sorry to have troubled you."

With that, she gave Joshua an apologetic smile and turned to leave.

But just as she reached the entrance, Vincent Reed chased after her. "Yvonne, haven’t you caused enough of a scene?"

Yvonne ignored him and kept walking.

"I already explained it to you! Don’t push your luck!"

Vincent Reed blocked her path, his face a mask of impatience.

Yvonne eyed Vincent Reed and let out a cold scoff. "I heard every single word you said in that room. I used to be pathetic, thinking I was actually worthy of you, ’Mr. Reed.’ I was wrong. Consider the past eight years the price I paid for my own mistake. But from now on, I won’t be making that same mistake again!"

Yvonne finished speaking and tried to leave, but Vincent Reed grabbed her wrist, his eyes locked on hers.

"Do you really have to be this way?"

"Let go of me!"

Vincent Reed tightened his grip on Yvonne’s wrist, his eyes blazing with fury.

But a moment later, he suddenly started dragging her toward the car.

"Vincent Reed, I’m not getting in your car!"

"We’re going home!"

"No!"

"It seems I’ve been neglecting you lately, so much so that you’ve learned to bring up breaking up with me! Tonight, I’ll compensate you properly. No, for the next two days, don’t even think about getting out of bed!"