Chapter 2

I had barely stepped out of my car when I spotted Jasper pacing by the parking entrance.

The banquet hadn't even started yet. He strode over, his fingers closing tightly around my wrist.

"Tess, please. No more drama today," he warned, his voice low and urgent.

"This isn't just a big night for the Rainer family. It's the turning point of my entire career."

Jasper had been racking up some decent wins for the family business lately.

And his uncle—the head of the Rainer empire—was supposedly thinking about restructuring and handing over some real power.

Three years ago, I underwent a split-liver transplant surgery.

The piece of my liver they took out saved two lives: Jasper's, and his uncle's, Gilbert Rainer.

Yesterday, Jasper had been screaming at me.

Today, his attitude had completely flipped.

He needed me to clear up that "misunderstanding" on my private social media post.

More importantly, he needed me to put in a good word for him with his powerful uncle.

I saw right through him.

Meeting his fake, pleading puppy-dog eyes, I let out a soft laugh.

"Don't worry. I know exactly what I'm doing."

Jasper let out a massive sigh of relief and reached out, trying to pull me into a hug.

"Tess, I knew you'd be reasonable. Once tonight is over and I secure my position, I'm wiring thirty million dollars into your account. Consider it an early wedding gift."

I took a quick step back, dodging his embrace.

I locked my car, slung my purse over my shoulder, and turned on my heel.

Without looking back, I waved a hand at him, leaving him stunned in the driveway.

"Keep your money."

I didn't want a single cent of his dirty money.

If I wanted to drain the Rainer family's offshore accounts, I had a thousand ways to do it.

Taking what belongs to the Rainers is like taking candy from a baby for me.

I didn't need his pathetic charity.

The second I stepped onto the carpet at the banquet entrance, a swarm of reporters ambushed me.

"Ms. Mercer! Is it true your recent social media post was just a fabricated stunt to get Jasper's attention? Can you explain?"

"Ms. Mercer! As the future daughter-in-law of the Rainer family, don't you think playing these kinds of jealous mind games is a bit pathetic?"

"Ms. Mercer, where did you even get those photos of the stained bedsheets? They looked incredibly real..."

Jasper was always so thorough.

He had clearly paid off these media vultures in advance.

They were just waiting for me to step up to the podium and play the perfect, forgiving fiancée to cover up his mess.

I maintained a perfect, polite smile as I faced the flashing bulbs. "Keep your cameras rolling, everyone. You'll have all your answers very soon."

As I turned away from the press, my eyes caught a commotion near the VIP entrance.

Gilbert Rainer was walking in, surrounded by a heavy security detail and kissing up executives.

Looking at Gilbert's commanding presence, I smirked.

Tonight really was going to be the turning point of Jasper's life—just not the way he thought.

While Jasper was busy kissing up to Gilbert and fetching him a drink, I slowly made my way up to the main stage.

Just as I reached the steps, my phone buzzed in my hand.

A text from Jasper:

[Tess, thank you for doing this. I love you.]

I quickly typed back:

[Don't thank me yet, Jasper.]

The second I hit send, the LED screen behind the podium flickered to life.

A split second later, the banquet hall's state-of-the-art surround sound system blasted a highly explicit audio recording.

It was Jasper, moaning and tangled up in bed with one of his many mistresses.

I had secretly maxed out the volume on the console.

Jasper's heavy, breathless panting echoed off the high ceilings, crystal clear.

"Oh, Stacy... my baby... God, I love you so much..."

The entire hall froze in shock.

As the audio continued to play, my fingernails dug hard into my palms.

I stared down at the glowing screen of my phone, reading that 'I love you' he had just sent me.

A sharp, familiar pain twisted in my chest.

How many women had this man whispered those exact words to?

His love was so incredibly easy to give.

And it was so utterly, disgustingly cheap.