I turned around and saw Jennifer in a pink dress, flanked by her friends.

I gave her a cold glance and was about to leave when Jennifer's friend blocked my way.

Sophia Fuller pushed me forcefully and sneered, "Jennifer is talking to you. Didn't you hear her?"

I brushed her hand away and frowned. "Don't touch me."

Sophia's face twisted with anger. "You were a cheap college student. You schemed your way into Timothy's bed and got married to him. Do you really think you're part of high society?"

Jennifer's friends immediately chimed in, "Exactly. You completely took Jennifer's place. She's the one everyone recognizes as Mrs. Rossi."

Jennifer feigned innocence and tugged Sophia's arm. "Don't say that. Eliza and Timothy aren't divorced yet."

She then deliberately raised her left hand and flaunted the emerald ring around her ring finger that glittered blindingly.

My heart sank sharply.

That was the Rossi family heirloom ring and symbolizes the identity of Timothy's wife.

Timothy's parents never liked me and had never accepted me as their daughter-in-law. So I never possessed that ring. Yet it was around Jennifer's finger now.

"Eliza, let me explain..." Jennifer hid her hand behind her back and pretended to feel guilty.

Did she want to explain?

I didn't need it.

I forced a smile and said flatly, "Congratulations to you and Timothy."

Jennifer's eyes flashed with triumph, but she continued her act. "Thank you. But I remind you that this exclusive event isn't really suitable for you. You'd better leave soon."

"Why should I leave?" I said coldly. "The Brooks Auction House isn't owned by the Rossi family."

Sophia laughed derisively and arrogantly. "You know what? Today's auction is funded by Jennifer's father, Mr. Walker. Jennifer has the right to decide who gets the invitation."

"Really?" I retorted with a cold laugh. "How do you know I don't have an invitation?"

Jennifer frowned and looked certain. "I didn't send you an invitation. Stop lying, Eliza."

Sophia immediately raised her voice to echo throughout the banquet hall. "Your invitation wasn't stolen, was it?"

Jennifer's friends quickly joined in, shouting, "Where is the security? There's a woman here who gatecrashed with a stolen invite!"

Two security guards in black uniforms promptly rushed over. They looked at me sternly and said, "Ma'am, please show us your invitation."

I was attending as Samuel's guest and didn't have the invitation with me.

Just as I was about to explain, many curious guests had already gathered around me. They pointed and whispered.

Timothy and his parents pushed their way through.

Amilia looked at me with contempt. "I knew she couldn't have an invitation. It turns out she stole one. She's truly disgraced the Rossi family."

Marcus's face was livid, and he repeatedly apologized to the security guards. "I'm terribly sorry. I didn't discipline her, so she caused you trouble."

"I didn't steal anything." I looked at Timothy and said, "Can't you trust me even this much?"

Timothy's face turned beet red, and he shouted at me, "Stop making a scene. Apologize and leave immediately."

My heart froze solid.

To him, my innocence didn't matter. What mattered was the Rossi family's reputation.

Seeing this, Jennifer couldn't hide her smugness and secretly signaled to Sophia.

Sophia immediately understood and lunged forward to pull at my dress. "She must have hidden the invitation."

"Don't touch me. Get away!" I struggled desperately, but her grip was strong, and one of the dress straps snapped.

The surrounding whispers grew louder, and some even took out their phones to take photos.

In the chaos, I twisted my ankle and fell forward uncontrollably. There was the champagne tower not far from the table.

Just as I was about to crash into it, I closed my eyes in despair.

Suddenly, a firm embrace caught me around the waist, pulling me into a strong chest.

The familiar scent of cigars filled the air. It was Samuel.

Sophia was unable to stop herself and slammed into the table with a loud crash.

The champagne tower collapsed spectacularly. The sound of shattering crystal glasses was piercing, and the golden liquid splashed all over her.

"Ah—!" Sophia's scream echoed through the hall.

Jennifer looked at Samuel, and her face turned deathly pale instantly. Her voice trembled. "Daddy."

The entire hall went silent.

Everyone was stunned, including me.

Jennifer called Samuel... Dad?

Samuel's languid gaze swept over everyone and finally landed on Sophia's ashen face. His deep voice carried an undeniable authority. "How dare you treat my lead engineer this way?"

Samuel's hand rested firmly around my waist, and his steady strength lent me an unexpected sense of safety.

I looked up at his sharply defined profile, and my heart raced uncontrollably.

"The lead engineer?" Amilia stammered, "Mr. Walker, are you serious? She's nothing but a woman of lowly status...."

Samuel chuckled and glanced down at me tenderly. My new energy project in Europe still relies on Eliza to lead the research and development. Her capabilities far surpass those of you who only know how to play petty tricks—by a hundredfold."

He paused, and his gaze suddenly turned cold as he looked at Timothy and his parents. "And, Mr. Rossi, discipline your people. If I see anyone bullying her again, the consequences will be more than you can bear."

Timothy's face flushed, then paled. He seemed about to speak, but he fell silent under Samuel's piercing gaze.

Marcus even sweated profusely. He nodded repeatedly and said, "Okay, Mr. Walker. It won't happen again."

Jennifer stood frozen, and her face was pale.

She never imagined that Samuel, whom she tried so hard to please, would defend me like that or that he was my boss.

Samuel ignored the others and draped his suit jacket over my shoulders. He said gently, "Are you alright?"

I shook my head, but my eyes felt warm.

When others doubted and bullied me, Samuel, who was reputed for his ruthlessness, sided with me without hesitation.

"Let's go." Samuel wrapped an arm around me, and we were about to leave.

"Wait!" Jennifer suddenly screamed and rushed forward to grab Samuel's arm. "Dad, you can't take her away. She's Timothy's wife. And she is a thief."

Samuel halted and turned to look at her. His gaze was icily cold.

He didn't need to say a word, and Jennifer's face turned ashen. She released Samuel's arm in fear.

Under the gaze of others, Samuel led me out of the banquet hall. He opened the door to the back seat of the luxury car for me.

I hesitated for a moment. "Is that okay? The auction hasn't officially started yet. As the investor, don't you need to stay and mingle with the guests?"

Samuel leaned in and looked at me. "I came here to let everyone know I've recruited you, a genius engineer. Your first appearance was more impressive than I planned. I have achieved my goal. It is pointless for us to stay."

He sounded like he was teasing me, but his words managed to ease the guilt in my heart.

I obediently sat in the car. The faint scent of his cologne lingered on the suit jacket. It made me feel profoundly at ease.

"Care for dinner?" Samuel asked as he settled into the car.

I shook my head and had no appetite after the earlier drama. "Thank you, but I'm a bit tired and would like to go home and have a rest."

Seeing my weary expression, Samuel didn't press further. He just asked the driver to start the car.

The car finally came to a stop in front of my apartment building. Before we said goodbye, he took a delicate white box from his bodyguard and handed it to me. "This cake from a renowned Italian bakery is quite good."

I was momentarily stunned, as I never expected him to have arranged this. I had barely eaten at dinner, so my stomach was indeed empty. I accepted the box and said softly, "Thank you."

Samuel said, "Have a good rest."

Watching the luxury car drive away, I turned and entered my apartment.

I bought this apartment with my savings from working before getting married to Timothy.

On the coffee table lay two documents. One was the divorce agreement from the lawyer, and the other was an apartment sale contract.

I had decided to follow Samuel to Italy as his lead engineer, so I began handling all my assets in the United States, including this apartment, my mother's place, and several new energy patents I previously developed.

I planned to exchange these patents for shares in Samuel's new energy project in Europe so that I could seek more influence.

As for Timothy and his parents, who were dreaming of using my patent to please Jennifer?

They only dreamed of it.

I picked up a pen and swiftly signed my name on the patent transfer agreement. Then I scanned and faxed it to Samuel's assistant.

After everything was done, I opened the cake box and scooped a spoonful of strawberry mousse into my mouth. The deliciously balanced flavor melted on my tongue. It even dispelled much of my fatigue.

Just then, loud banging came from the door, accompanied by Timothy's drunken shouting. "Eliza, open the door. I need to talk to you."

My hand holding the spoon paused, and I frowned instantly.

What could he possibly want to say?

The banging grew louder, and Timothy's voice more agitated. "Eliza, don't pretend you're not there. I know you're at home. Open up."