The surveillance footage clearly showed Maeve sneaking backstage and swapping out the photos with the bedroom shot of her and Grayson. To make sure everyone could see it clearly, I projected the video onto the screen.

The video was in high definition. Even the smug, sinister smile at the corner of Maeve's mouth was captured perfectly.

The entire venue erupted once again.

"What? She did it to herself? Framing Calla like that is truly vicious."

"Seriously. And she was crying and playing the victim so convincingly. Her acting really fooled all of us."

Not only did public opinion flip immediately, but even Grayson looked at Maeve in surprise. He had not expected that the kind Maeve he remembered could have such a malicious side.

Maeve was seething inside, but on the surface, she put on an aggrieved expression.

"Even you don't trust me? Fine. If that's the case, I might as well die. The person I love doesn't believe in me, so there's no point in living anyway."

Maeve suddenly started breathing rapidly, as if she could not catch her breath. Grayson panicked immediately.

"How could I not trust you? Calla arranged this wedding. This must be a trap she set up in advance. Calm down, please."

Grayson scooped her up in his arms and prepared to leave. I walked forward slowly and blocked their path. My voice was flat and emotionless.

"I've provided the evidence. Now, you two owe me an apology for your disrespect."

Hearing that, Grayson did not apologize. Instead, he grew furious. "Can't you see you've upset Maeve so much she's hyperventilating? And you still have the nerve to push this? You're going to regret being so cruel."

I was already used to his unconditional protection of Maeve. At this point, I felt nothing. I simply repeated word for word, "You make a mistake, you apologize. You just admitted that yourself. You're not going back on your word, are you?"

Grayson scoffed coldly. "Of course not. I always keep my word. But Maeve is the victim here. There's no way she would hurt herself, and she has no reason for her to do it either. You think you can force me to apologize with some AI-generated video? Dream on! Move!"

With one arm holding Maeve, he shoved me hard with his free hand and then left with her.

Caught off guard, I lost my footing and fell heavily. My elbow slammed against the edge of a table, instantly tearing a deep gash. Blood spread rapidly.

"Calla!"

Seeing me injured, everyone rushed toward me to check on my condition. Only Grayson did not stop. Instead, he quickened his pace and left.

I was taken to the hospital and received 18 stitches.

When Grayson's mother, Vivian Sterling, heard the news, she rushed over to see me. Seeing my hand wrapped in bandages, her eyes immediately reddened.

"That damned animal. He hurt you this badly and still only cares about being with that vixen instead of coming to see you. This is outrageous. I'm calling him right now to make him come here and grovel for forgiveness!"

I tried to stop her, but she was faster. The call went through instantly.

The moment Grayson's voice came through, Vivian unleashed a torrent of scolding.

Watching this scene, I sighed inwardly. Before we were married in my past life, Vivian had always protected me too. I thought she was a good person who genuinely cared about me, so even though Grayson was lacking, I was willing to marry him.

I even believed that marriage was about choosing the right in-laws, and that a kind mother-in-law could make anything bearable. Slowly, I discovered I was wrong. She kept telling me to 'endure', and life gradually lost all meaning.

A mother-in-law would always be her son's mother above all else. In small matters, she might put on a show of supporting me, but when it came to anything important, she would always side with her son and criticize my faults.

"Look at what you've done to Calla!" Vivian was so distressed that she wiped away tears.

Through the video call, Grayson saw my hand wrapped in bandages. His expression froze for a moment.

Then, the sound of Maeve coughing came from beside him. Grayson snapped back to attention and scoffed coldly.

"Calla, you put Maeve in the hospital, and I haven't even come after you for it. Yet here you are, turning the tables and tattling to my mother! Besides, I barely pushed you. It's not like I stabbed you with a knife. Why are you acting like you're seriously injured?

"I get it now. You saw me taking care of Maeve while she's sick, so you're faking an injury to copy her. You think that'll make me feel sorry for you? Dream on! All you're doing is making me despise you even more.

"I was willing to look past everything and go through with the wedding, but since you're the kind of woman who makes a scene just to compete for attention, we're not having a wedding anymore.

"In seven days, once Maeve is discharged, I'll force myself to accompany you to get our marriage certificate."

With that, he hung up.

Vivian looked at me awkwardly. "That boy has been spoiled rotten by me. Don't worry, Calla. I'll go talk some sense into him.

"How can we not have a wedding? Our family may have fallen on hard times, and it's true that we can't give you a grand ceremony, but the basics are still a must. You're going to be his wife for life. We can't shortchange you."

She hurried off without giving me a chance to speak. I shook my head silently. They had no idea that in seven days, I would be getting engaged to Emmett.

My injuries looked severe, but they were all superficial. I could recover just fine at home.

The next few days, I was busy with preparations for my engagement ceremony. I had no time to worry about Grayson and Maeve.

Ironically, Grayson, who used to ignore me, kept messaging me constantly. Not with sweet words, though. Instead, he kept finding new ways to pressure me into apologizing to Maeve.

I ignored all of it.

The night before my engagement, he sent another angry text.

[Calla Finley, your avoidance is really pissing me off. I'm informing you now that we're moving our marriage registration to the afternoon. Consider it your punishment.]

I laughed and did not bother reading the rest. I turned off my phone and went to sleep.

Tomorrow was my big engagement day. It would be broadcast on the big screens around the city. I could not afford to look tired.

…

The next day, my engagement ceremony began flawlessly. Media reporters sat below, capturing my most beautiful moments.

Meanwhile, that afternoon, Grayson drove himself to the city hall with Maeve, who had insisted on coming along. Their car drove past a bustling commercial building.

At that moment, the giant screen on the building displayed my and Emmett's wedding photo.