Chapter 4

Blair quickly turned on the bedroom lights. The sudden brightness made Gregory squint. When he saw the woman by the bed, his expression darkened instantly. Still, the sight of Blair looking helpless softened something in him. Her long, dark hair draped over her shoulders, and her dress hugged her figure, tracing every curve. Under the light, her pale cheeks contrasted with her blood-red lips, creating a beauty that was both alluring and innocent. She was utterly stunning. Gregory's eyes darkened, a vein pulsing at his temple. He pressed his fingers against it, thinking about her possible motives for being here. "Blair, what are you trying to pull? You still haven't given up, have you?" he said as he grabbed Blair's arm and pulled her toward the door. Thunder boomed outside, and Blair broke into a cold sweat as panic washed over her. She grabbed onto the doorframe desperately, tears streaming down her face. "I didn't know you'd be here, Greg! Please, just let me stay inside. I can explain everything." Gregory's face remained stone cold as he peeled her fingers away one by one. The door slammed shut in her face. No matter how desperately Blair pounded on the door, he wouldn't open it. Blair slumped against the door, her hands sliding down the wood. Thunder crashed outside as she huddled in the corner, covering her ears and squeezing her eyes shut, crying for her parents. "Dad, Mom, I'm so scared… I miss you both so much..." The Gregory who used to cherish her was gone. She was completely alone now. … Blair caught a cold, but she didn't let it stop her from doing what needed to be done. She had saved almost enough money and had already quit her job at the restaurant to start packing her things. Gregory's engagement party was scheduled for the following week. Blair checked the calendar. She had just enough time to do everything. By all logic and sentiment, she knew she had to be there. Three days had passed before she saw Gregory again. She went back to the Croft residence to gather some of her things and happened to run into him. With her bag packed, Blair greeted him quietly and prepared to leave. Gregory stepped in front of her, blocking her path. There was something unreadable in his eyes. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "I'm sorry about that night." Just hearing him bring it up made Blair's shoulders tense. She quickly steadied herself and smiled. "It's fine, Greg. It's already behind us." Gregory's eyes fell to the thin black string tied around her wrist. His brow tightened, and whatever trace of softness had been in his expression disappeared. He knew some young couples liked wearing bracelets like that, especially people her age. Just the thought soured his mood. "Are you seeing someone?" he asked. Blair looked puzzled and shook her head, but Gregory didn't believe her. "I don't even know where you're staying. Take me there." It wasn't a suggestion. Blair had no choice but to bring him along. When she unlocked the door to her place, the documents for her study abroad plans were still scattered across the table. To her dismay, Gregory noticed them right away. … A week later, Blair showed up at Gregory and Beatrice's engagement party. She arrived a little late, having just picked up her visa. As she stood among the guests, her mind drifted back to the moment a week earlier, when Gregory had seen the documents on her table. Luckily, she hadn't signed them. She made up a quick excuse, saying they belonged to a friend. Gregory didn't ask too many questions after that. He only told her there was no need to rush into a relationship. She was still young, and she should be focusing on her future. What he told her now was completely different from what he had said before. Blair couldn't figure out what he was thinking, and she had no intention of trying to. On the day of the engagement party, Blair sat quietly among the guests. She watched the two of them raise their glasses in perfect sync, weaving through the crowd with ease. Beatrice's eyes were overflowing with happiness. Blair stared at Gregory for a long time. This was likely the last chance she had to look at him so openly, without holding back. She had fallen for him when she was 16. Ever since, she had always imagined herself standing beside him and pictured herself in a wedding dress, one she would wear only for him. But now, that dream was completely gone. As the crowd cheered around them and the couple kissed, Blair quietly made her way toward the exit. But just as she was about to leave, a strange sound came from the projector at the center of the hall. She froze when she heard her own voice echo through the speakers. Eyes wide, she looked up in disbelief. The screen was playing footage from the day she had confessed her feelings to Gregory. Every moment, every word, captured in sharp detail. The room quickly filled with whispers. The gossip spread like wildfire, and none of it was kind. Some sneered that she was pathetic, chasing after someone so far out of her league. Others whispered that without parents to teach her better, it was no surprise she'd pursue someone else's fiance with no shame. Blair's fingertips went numb. She turned to look at Gregory, her eyes filled with disbelief, silently asking him why he would do such a thing. Gregory took the microphone and said calmly, "As of today, Blair Montez has nothing to do with the Croft family." He didn't explain the video. He didn't offer any context. He just delivered the sentence coldly, without hesitation. Blair's reputation was ruined in an instant. And now, she no longer had the Croft family backing her. It was almost laughable. The man who once promised to protect her, who said he'd never let her get hurt, was now the one throwing her into the center of a storm. He let her be ridiculed and torn apart. Some things, once broken, could never be restored. She took a slow, deep breath and accepted it all with quiet calm. Blair thought maybe this was for the best. At least when she left for her studies abroad, there would be nothing tying her to the Croft family anymore. They could say whatever they wanted about her. None of it mattered to her now. Blair turned to leave, but Beatrice's friends blocked her path, demanding that she explain the video. She didn't want to engage, but the surrounding guests closed in, forming a wall of judgment that left her with no way out. Blair stepped up onto the stage expressionlessly. With no other choice, she took the microphone, raised her head, and admitted without hesitation, "Yes. I admit I had feelings for Mr. Croft." At that moment, Gregory's gaze was so intense that it felt like it could cut straight through her.