Severing the Sacred First Bond

Medical accidents on the East Coast resulting from illegal experiments had been soaring. That's why Rhys was so desperate to launch this investigation.

Nelson Dynamics was headquartered in California. I had refused to come to the East Coast with him for years, so it was no surprise that no one here recognized me.

"What's the matter? Speechless now that I've called your bluff?"

Seeing my silence, he jeered at me.

"There's an important industry summit here today. If Mr. Nelson finds out some low-level employee trespassed, you're finished."

A flicker of pity crossed his eyes.

"But for old times' sake, I can get you in. You just have to beg me. Grovel a little. I might even consider offering your pitiful boss an internship at the Hayes Corporation."

Submission? An internship spot?

For me? The woman whose fiancé practically owns the entire industry?

For the woman who could have anything she wanted?

Who the hell did Preston think he was?

"Alicia, you're as stubborn as ever." He shook his head at my expression. "Three years, and you haven't grown up at all."

In a fit of rage, I stomped on his foot.

My sharp heel dug deep into his expensive Ferragamo leather shoe.

"Ah!" Preston cried out in pain but quickly grabbed my wrist. "You—you think this is your house? You can just walk in? This is Rhys Nelson's territory! Even I need an invitation!"

"Three years, and you're still the same spoiled princess. For God's sake, grow up!"

"Look at you now! Was the title of 'Mrs. Hayes' really worth all this? Worth throwing a tantrum and disappearing?"

Just as we were about to explode, Camila clutched her chest and began to gasp.

"I'm sorry... if I hadn't lost my husband..." she said weakly, "Preston wouldn't have felt so much sympathy for me that he wanted to take care of me at the wedding..."

Here we go again. Same old act.

"After you left, everything was chaos. For a while, Preston struggled to explain his fiancée's disappearance," she went on, laying the drama on thick. "But now that you're back, you can take everything back. I'm just an outsider. I'll step aside..."

Seeing her pale, fragile state, Preston immediately steadied her.

"Camila, don't say that." He comforted her gently, then glared at me. "Are you happy now, Alicia?"

His voice turned cold and cruel.

"The place beside me is reserved for Camila. Even if you came crawling back on your knees, begging for a shred of my attention, I wouldn't waste another glance on you."

In his arms, Camila gave me a triumphant smirk that only I could see.

Everything from three years ago came flooding back—my meticulously planned wedding, which became a backdrop for someone else; the agony in the sanatorium, the despair as drugs clouded my consciousness...

But this time was different.

I was no longer the Alicia who cried in the sanatorium.

"Don't flatter yourself," I sneered. "My fiancé is Rhys. Rhys Nelson. I don't think I have anything to regret."

Preston flinched, the contempt in his eyes instantly replaced by shock.

"Rhys?" he repeated, his voice trembling slightly. "You mean... Rhys Nelson, the CEO of Nelson Dynamics?"

Camila let out a sharp laugh.

"Alicia, have you lost your mind?" Camila shrieked. "Why would a top tycoon like Rhys Nelson want a woman cast out by high society?"

An outcast.

My heart clenched.

Only Preston knew that word.

When we first met, I'd hidden my true identity, playing the part of an outcast from a wealthy family with no one to turn to.

He had even told Camila that.

"Stop talking nonsense," Preston recovered, shaking his head with a mocking smirk. "Alicia, there's a limit to your lies."

"You don't believe me? Then watch. I'll have him come out and get me himself."

I tried to call Rhys, but the signal bar was empty.

Damn it. The resort had signal jammers enabled. To prevent corporate espionage, all communication signals in the area were blocked for the summit.

But I remained calm.

I fumbled with my phone, my heart sinking as I remembered it was new, purchased after I returned to the East Coast. The contact list was practically empty.

Seeing my predicament, Camila burst out laughing.

"Look, she can't even make a call. Alicia, your act is pretty pathetic, isn't it?"

She stepped forward, feigning sympathy.