Chapter 2

Victoria's POV

The next morning, the makeup artist covered the dark circles under my eyes with concealer. I stared at myself in the mirror—the dress fit perfectly, the diamond earrings sparkled, but I couldn't manage to smile.

"Miss Victoria, it's time," my assistant called from outside the door.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The ballroom was filled with the scent of roses and champagne. Crystal chandeliers bathed the entire hall in bright light. Over two hundred guests sat below, and reporters' cameras turned toward the entrance, flashing the moment they saw me.

"My God, Victoria looks absolutely stunning!"

"The Tesla family really struck gold this time."

"Look how happy Nathaniel is—he can't take his eyes off her."

The guests' praise reached my ears, but all my attention was on Nathaniel. He did look handsome today—black suit, gold tie, the picture of a prince.

My father stood nearby, shooting me a look that said "don't screw this up." Nathaniel waited for me at the end of the red carpet in his black suit and gold tie, looking sharp, though his eyes seemed evasive.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, reaching for my hand.

I placed my hand in his, my fingertips touching his ice-cold skin. Murmurs rose from the guests below, mostly compliments about how well-matched we looked, but my ears were buzzing and I couldn't hear clearly.

I scanned the crowd and quickly spotted her—Scarlett, Nathaniel's project director. She sat in the third row on the left, wearing a loose blue dress, her hand resting gently on her stomach. She even smiled at me.

In that moment, my blood felt like it was on fire.

"Distinguished guests, welcome to the engagement ceremony of Miss Victoria Whitmore and Mr. Nathaniel Tesla..."

The officiant began the ceremony, introducing both families' histories and the significance of this union. But I couldn't hear a word. My gaze kept shifting between Nathaniel and Scarlett.

Nathaniel pulled out a velvet box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a massive diamond ring. He took my hand and was about to slip the ring on when I suddenly pulled away.

The entire hall fell silent. The music stopped. All eyes turned to me. My father's face went white as he hurried toward me.

"Victoria, what are you doing?" Nathaniel frowned, panic creeping into his voice.

I looked into his eyes for one final confirmation. "Nathaniel, before we exchange rings, is there anything you need to confess?"

His expression changed. "Victoria, what are you talking about?"

"I'm giving you one last chance." My voice echoed through the ballroom. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

The crowd erupted. Reporters pushed forward, camera shutters clicking non-stop.

"Victoria, we can... we can talk about this later, okay?" He tried to grab my hand.

I pulled away again. "Your 'business trip' to New York—you were actually seeing Scarlett. The baby she's carrying is yours too, isn't it?"

The room exploded.

"What?"

"Pregnant? Who's pregnant?"

"What does this mean?"

Nathaniel's face went completely white. He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

I pulled out my phone and opened the photos from last night. "Everyone, please look at the big screen."

I'd already contacted the venue's tech team, telling them I might need to display something. The screen quickly showed Scarlett's photos—first the hotel pictures of them together, then the half-naked bed photo, and finally screenshots from the video, all timestamped during his New York trip.

"This is the Tesla family heir," I pointed at the screen, my voice trembling but clear. "Planning our engagement while sleeping with another woman and getting her pregnant. He's been playing me for a fool!"

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

"And who is this pregnant lady?" My gaze turned to Scarlett.

Her face flushed, but she didn't avoid my stare. Instead, she straightened her shoulders.

Nathaniel finally spoke: "Victoria, I can explain..."

"Explain?" I laughed coldly. "How are you going to explain telling me 'I love you' while booking hotel rooms with her?"

More photos appeared on screen. Each one drew louder gasps from the audience.

I addressed the crowd: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the character of the Tesla family heir! This is my 'perfect' fiancé!"

Nathaniel suddenly straightened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Enough, Victoria." His voice turned icy. "Yes, Scarlett is pregnant. So what? I never wanted this arranged marriage anyway—I can succeed in business on my own. What about you? Besides the Whitmore family background, what do you have? You're just a fresh graduate who doesn't even know how to deal with people, and you dare make a scene here!"

The room fell dead silent. Everyone was shocked by this sudden turn.

My heart shattered. Completely shattered.

"Is that so?" I smiled, but it looked worse than crying. "Then congratulations, Nathaniel Tesla. You're free."

I removed the diamond necklace from my neck—his engagement gift from last month—and hurled it at his face with all my strength.

"You think one sentence can dismiss me? You ruined my life! You destroyed all my faith in love!"

The necklace struck his cheek, the diamonds glinting coldly under the lights. He staggered back a step but didn't dodge, just stared at me coldly.

In that moment, I saw pain in his eyes, but also relief.

Maybe this was the ending he wanted all along.

I turned and left the stage, my back straight, my steps firm. Even though my heart was breaking and I could barely breathe, I would leave this place with dignity.

"Victoria!" My father caught up. "What are you doing? This is our family's disgrace!"

"I'm not the disgrace," I said without looking back. "He is."

The ballroom instantly erupted into chaos. Reporters swarmed forward, flashbulbs blazing, but I simply raised my hand calmly and pointed to Scarlett in the corner.

"You should be interviewing the real leading lady now."

All eyes immediately turned to Scarlett. Nathaniel's face changed dramatically as he rushed over to shield her.

But it was too late.

The reporters descended like hungry wolves, flashbulbs illuminating the pair with nowhere to hide.

"Are you Mr. Nathaniel's mistress?"

"How long has this relationship been going on?"

"What do you have to say about breaking up this engagement?"

As I turned to leave, I heard Nathaniel's angry roars and Scarlett's fake sobs behind me.