In Andrew's eyes, Julia was undeniably attractive. Still, when she stood beside Rosalyn, her presence seemed to fade slightly.

Andrew suddenly reached for Rosalyn's hand and held it up while looking at the dress on her. "Does it feel a little tight? Maybe you should cut back on food before the wedding. I'll join you on a diet."

He seemed extremely pleased with the wedding dress on Rosalyn.

Rosalyn's brows tightened for a brief moment. When she lifted her head, her gaze met Julia's across the room.

Julia carried herself with a cool and distant air. Her expression revealed almost nothing. Her eyes slowly swept through the room before landing on Rosalyn.

Even though Rosalyn looked more striking in comparison, Julia didn't show the slightest embarrassment. Instead, she lifted her brow with a trace of disdain. "Have you seen my fiancé anywhere?"

Rosalyn pressed her lips together and shook her head quietly.

Before the silence could settle, Andrew spoke up. "I actually saw Mr. Harvey here earlier. I thought he came to find you."

"Oh..." Julia's gaze shifted back to Rosalyn, this time studying her more closely. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

The memory of the previous night surfaced in Julia's mind. The lighting in that hotel room had been dim. She hadn't bothered to look closely at the woman tangled up with Nathan in the photos at the time. But now, as she stared at Rosalyn, recognition dawned. The woman who had been involved with her fiancé last night was the same woman currently trying on a wedding dress that looked almost like hers.

Andrew let out an easy laugh. "Mrs. Harvey, this is my fiancée, Rosalyn. She used to stay in Okemont for a while to study dance. Maybe you crossed paths back then."

A cold laugh slipped from Julia's lips. She clearly had no interest in hearing about the lives of ordinary people. "Nathan and I haven't held our wedding yet," she said flatly. "Just call me Miss Sutton."

After that, Julia turned slightly and gestured toward the sales assistant nearby. "Bring me my handbag."

Within a few brief exchanges, Julia had already taken out her phone and called Nathan.

The call connected, yet the line remained silent.

A faint crease appeared between Julia's brows. She didn't complain about the missed call. Instead, she looked toward the sales assistant and said flatly, "This dress doesn't suit me. I don't want it."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked straight into the dressing room.

Andrew leaned to Rosalyn and murmured, "Honestly, you look far better in that dress than she does. To me, you're the most beautiful one here."

His words should have comforted her, yet Rosalyn felt something tighten in her throat.

During the drive home, regret crept in. Rosalyn wished she had told Andrew about her past from the beginning. If she had, she wouldn't feel this uneasy now.

Meanwhile, Andrew seemed to be in good spirits. He chatted happily about their future wedding and occasionally reached over to hold her hand with warmth.

"Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you," Andrew said suddenly. "The contract has been finalized. Harvey Group will send the first payment soon." He lifted two fingers with a smile. "Twenty million. That amount is enough to help my company get through this crisis. It's a huge relief for us. But there's an supplementary agreement to sign."

The words made her heart sink. "Supplementary agreement?"

Three years spent beside Nathan had shown her exactly how he handled business. Could this supplementary agreement hide some kind of trap?

"Don't worry. I've already looked through it carefully. It's just a normal risk control clause. Nothing unusual," he said reassuringly.

Rosalyn opened her mouth as if to respond. Before she could speak, Andrew leaned in and kissed her without warning.

Normally, she would have responded. But this time, her lips stayed tense.

A shiver ran through her body. She quickly pulled away and wriggled out of Andrew's arms. Nathan's smug smile suddenly appeared in her mind.

Feeling uneasy, Rosalyn lowered her eyes and spoke quietly. "Andrew, I'm a little tired."

"Sorry for not being considerate enough. After all that trying on the wedding dress, you really need a rest." He didn't mind her rejection.

Once home, Rosalyn almost fell asleep immediately and didn't wake until the afternoon had passed.

When she finally reached for her phone, several messages from her friend Eleanor Collins appeared on the screen.

"That jerk just announced the wedding news."

"Isn't he worried about karma after showing off like that?"

"If he comes bothering you again, just send him the photos and remind him he's already taken."

Rosalyn opened the newly released pictures. Seeing them made her mind feel slightly clearer. Nathan and Julia stood together in the photos like a perfect match. Their families were equal in status, and their appearances suited each other. When their wedding day arrived, there was no doubt the entire city would be talking about them.

What Rosalyn couldn't understand was this. Nathan already had everything. So why did he still insist on dragging her back into his life?

A sharp headache throbbed in her temples. After staring at the messages for a while, she quietly deleted the entire chat.

The following morning, Rosalyn went to the TV station for an appointment.

A group of children from an arts institution in her hometown had come to Okemont to participate in a dance competition.

The organizer of the event invited Rosalyn to serve as an honorary guidance counselor during the final round.

After watching the children perform at the TV station, Rosalyn eventually agreed.

She had just stepped outside the building when her phone rang. Nathan's name appeared on the screen.

Remembering the wedding announcement released the night before, Rosalyn hoped he had finally decided to leave her alone. With a hint of nervousness, she answered the call.

Nathan's voice came through the phone instantly. "Tomorrow night, there's a banquet celebrating your fiancé's project with the Harvey Group. If you don't confess to him before the banquet starts, then everyone attending will hear about your past."

Rosalyn's thoughts scattered, and she stepped into the street without noticing the traffic. A car screeched to a stop inches from her.

The driver leaned out the window and shouted angrily, "Are you trying to die out here?"

Rosalyn barely reacted. Her eyes stayed unfocused as she raised the phone in her trembling hand. "I already told you I'd handle it. Stop pushing me!"

Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call and moved away slowly, as though every step weighed heavily on her.

The phone started ringing again.

A surge of anger rose in her chest as she assumed it was Nathan again. She glanced at the screen, only to see Andrew's name.

The moment she answered, his excited voice burst through the line. "You won't believe it. Mr. Harvey says he's impressed with our company. He wants to celebrate the partnership by hosting a ball. You have to come with me. This deal wouldn't have gone through so smoothly without you."

Her brows tightened slightly. "I didn't do anything helpful."

Unease left her throat dry.

"That's not true. You've brought me only luck since we became an item. You're the one who made this happen. I'm sending some money right now. Ask Eleanor to help you pick a dress for the ball."

Rosalyn didn't even notice when the call ended. Her thoughts churned in complete confusion. Deep down, she felt herself at fault and owed him an apology.

A soft chime signaled a new notification. Andrew had sent money, but the amount was only a thousand dollars. It wouldn't even cover the cost of a luxury dress.

Rosalyn ignored the transfer and decided not to accept it. In her mind, she was already thinking of a reason to avoid the event. Until everything settled, she didn't want to cross paths with Nathan.

Yet, before the ball, Nathan called Rosalyn himself to extend the invitation, and Andrew insisted that she go.

With no other option, Rosalyn pulled out a gown she had kept tucked away for a long time. She brought it to a boutique for adjustments and slipped into it once more.

Nathan had given the dress to her five years earlier, and its staggering price alone made it something she'd tucked away after only wearing once.

Back then, her figure had been slimmer, so the dress didn't sit quite right on her frame. Now that her figure had filled out, the details of the gown stood out more.

By evening, the banquet hall at the Harvey Group's hotel gleamed with luxury and elegance.

Rosalyn entered alongside Andrew and then quietly slipped away to a secluded spot. Even so, she couldn't escape Nathan's notice.

"You have two hours left. Before that time runs out, you need to tell Andrew everything about your past with me," Nathan said as he gently swirled his wine, the scent adding to his composed presence.

Rosalyn angled her body away from him and tightened her hand at her side.

Nathan's brow lifted slightly as he looked her over from head to toe. "You're wearing the dress I bought for you back in the day? I figure it is hardly worth keeping."

"I just picked something to put on," Rosalyn answered in a sharp tone.

A faint smile crossed Nathan's face when he caught the look of displeasure on hers. "If it bothers you that much, then just get rid of it. Why keep wearing something you hate? You're only making things harder for yourself."

His remark cut deeper than she expected. That dress, no matter how plain it seemed, wasn't something a mere thousand dollars could replace.

Silence was all he got in return. Taking a few steps toward her, he studied her expression and finally caught the irritation she tried to hide. "I'm only speaking the truth. So why are you reacting like that?"

A sharp reply was already at the tip of Rosalyn's tongue, but before she could speak, Andrew's overly eager voice came from behind.

"Mr. Harvey! I'm sorry I didn't greet you earlier!" Andrew moved toward Nathan with respect, nearly breaking into a jog.

As he stepped closer, he kept offering compliments. "Everything Evergreen Company has achieved is thanks to the Harvey Group. You have my word, Mr. Harvey, I won't disappoint you."

He reached out his hand, expecting a handshake, yet Nathan showed no intention of responding at all.

With a hint of awkwardness, Andrew pulled his hand back and asked, "Did you arrive by yourself tonight?"

Before anyone could respond, a sudden stir broke out near the entrance of the hall.

All eyes turned at once. Julia stepped in, drawing attention the moment she appeared. She acknowledged the attention with a soft smile while her gaze moved across the room. It passed over Nathan without pause, yet stopped for a brief moment when she noticed Rosalyn standing in the corner.

Her fingers tightened slightly. The gown Rosalyn wore was instantly familiar to her. It was a limited DreamHue piece from five years ago, with only a handful ever made.

At that time, her source mentioned that Nathan had purchased one for a steep price. She paid little attention to it then and never imagined it would appear before her today.

As Julia approached Nathan, her expression lost a hint of warmth. "Have you handled the issue already?"

The question caught Nathan off guard. His eyes briefly shifted to Andrew, who was still trying to impress him. Without another word, he took hold of Julia's wrist and led her away to a quieter area. "What issue?"

"Did it slip your mind already, or did you never treat it seriously?" A sneer crossed Julia's face as she cast a look toward Rosalyn in the corner. "I don't like that woman."

A soft laugh left Nathan as he looked unconcerned. "Since when did you start paying attention to other women around me?"

From the moment they got engaged five years ago, Julia had always been clear about her intentions. What she wanted from Nathan was his influence within the Harvey family and his sharp business mind. Competing with other women had never interested her.

Mockery filled her expression. "Why would I bother with her? But the one being captured with you was her, wasn't it?"

She almost chose harsher words, yet stopped herself because of where they were.

"Yep," Nathan admitted, a teasing note in his voice. "You've asked so many questions, yet you still say you don't care?"

"Nathan, I'm your fiancée!"

"You may be my fiancée, but I don't concern myself with the men around you."

"You..." Julia's temper erupted, and she almost lifted her hand.

Their tense exchange began to draw attention.

Even from a distance, Rosalyn noticed something was off and glanced their way. She knew Nathan well enough to recognize his usual playful attitude, and it was easy to tell Julia wasn't pleased.

Back when Rosalyn stayed by Nathan's side, she endured very little, since she always followed his lead.

"Nathan, this is the last time I'm warning you." Julia steadied herself, though her voice still shook. "This marriage arrangement benefits the Harvey family the most, so don't treat me the same way you treat other women. I'm not one of them."

As soon as she finished, her gaze drifted toward Rosalyn, yet it landed on Andrew instead.

With a hopeful smile, Andrew stepped forward. "Miss Sutton, would you give me the honor of a dance?"

The floor had already been cleared, and the music began to play.

Julia was ready to decline, but the moment she saw Nathan turn away without a second glance, a trace of defiance surfaced. "Of course," she agreed.

Relief showed on Andrew's face. As he stepped back, he called out to Nathan, "Mr. Harvey, I'll take the lead for now, but please look after my fiancée. She's not used to events like this and feels a bit uncomfortable. Thank you."

Without waiting, Andrew guided Julia onto the dance floor.

Nathan paused where he stood. The chill in his expression faded, replaced by a subtle, playful look. He then walked straight toward Rosalyn. "Your fiancé asked me to take care of you."

Rosalyn retreated a few steps. "I'll be fine on my own. Thank you."

By now, several guests had shifted their gazes over.

Rosalyn had no intention of turning the banquet into a spectacle. Even though discomfort twisted in her chest, she forced herself to remain composed.

Nathan, however, behaved as though he hadn't heard her words. Without hesitation, his arm slid around her waist and drew her straight into his embrace.

Their bodies ended up pressed close together, the closeness impossible to ignore.

The sight immediately stirred whispers among the surrounding guests.

Julia had barely stepped onto the dance floor when the disturbance reached her ears. She turned to look, and the coldness in her gaze deepened.

"Mr. Harvey." Rosalyn spoke through clenched teeth as she shot Nathan a sharp look.

Nathan's face showed nothing unusual. His arm loosened slightly as he stepped back, creating a small space between them. "My apologies. I'm not very experienced dancing with others. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable, Miss Carter."

Despite his words, a faint curve touched the corner of his mouth, a detail only Rosalyn noticed.

The words he spoke clearly held another meaning meant only for her. To everyone else, however, he looked both commanding and polite.

To Rosalyn, the situation was maddening. Yet, resisting him here would lead nowhere. Creating a scene by pushing him away would only draw more attention.

Nathan said in a low voice, "Just behave and dance with me. If I'm in a good mood, I might let you off the hook."

Heat rushed to Rosalyn's face as anger surged inside her. Dozens of insults crowded her mind, yet none of them reached her lips.

In the end, she lowered her head and stopped struggling. Her movements followed the music, but each step felt stiff and empty.

Suddenly, a faint breath brushed against her ear. "Dancing with me bothers you that much?"

His words carried a teasing tone, and his breath came so close that it almost touched her earlobe.

Rosalyn forced herself to stay calm. She lifted her head and answered through clenched teeth, "Of course not."

The music faded soon after.

Taking the chance to break away, she spoke quickly. "Excuse me. I need to go to the restroom."

She avoided looking at Nathan, though she could still feel the intensity of his gaze following her.

Without turning back, Rosalyn walked away at a fast pace.

Once inside the restroom, she took out her phone and sent Andrew a message. "I'm not feeling well. I think I should leave early."

Andrew's call came through promptly. "What's wrong? Are you upset because I asked you to dance with Mr. Harvey? I only asked Miss Sutton to dance because I wanted to talk with her about some business matters. I was afraid you'd feel awkward standing alone, so I asked Mr. Harvey to keep you company. I should've asked how you felt first. I'm really sorry."

His tone grew heavier with each word, filled with genuine regret.

Rosalyn couldn't bring herself to blame him. "I'm not angry with you. I really just feel—"

Andrew cut in, "Honey, could you stay until the banquet ends? Just this once. Please."

She didn't quite understand why he cared so much about her staying. Still, she couldn't find a convincing reason to refuse. After a moment of hesitation, she sighed quietly. "Alright."

Later, Rosalyn found a secluded corner and unlocked her phone. She typed out a message to Andrew several times, editing it again and again. In the end, she still couldn't press send. Something like this couldn't be explained through a message. It had to be said face to face.

Finally, she chose to send a short message to Nathan instead. "I'll tell Andrew everything, but he isn't with me right now. Give me a little time."

To her surprise, Nathan actually agreed.

A quiet sense of relief washed over Rosalyn, and the tightness in her chest eased for a moment.

But when the banquet finally came to an end, Andrew was nowhere to be found.

She tried calling him several times. No one answered.

Left standing at the hotel entrance, Rosalyn watched as the guests slowly dispersed into the night.

A cold breeze swept through the area.

Just then, a luxury car rolled to a smooth stop in front of her.

The window lowered, revealing Julia's refined face. A hint of fatigue showed beneath her usual composure. "Miss Carter, where did your fiancé disappear to?"

Rosalyn could clearly recognize Nathan inside the dimly lit car. His eyes remained locked on her, steady and intent, like a hunter waiting for its prey.

"He... had something he needed to handle," Rosalyn answered. "I'll head home on my own."

"Let us give you a ride." Nathan spoke without hesitation. Before she could respond, he stepped out of the car and walked straight toward her.

Unease rushed through Rosalyn's chest. Only a short distance away, Julia was still watching. What exactly was Nathan planning? Had he really become so bold?