Harriet's POV

So, in Damian’s eyes, I was nothing more than an obedient, presentable trophy girlfriend? How ridiculous.

I nodded to myself. If that’s how it is, so be it.

It hurt, sure. But I’d always been someone who could pick up the pieces and move on.

I came here hoping to salvage things. If that wasn’t possible, I’d walk away.

Looking at Damian, I forced a bitter smile. “Alright then. I wish you happiness.”

With that, I turned to step off the stage.

I even caught a glimpse of Damian clenching his fists and avoiding meeting my gaze. But Astrid wasn’t about to let me leave.

She blocked my way, sneering. “Since you’re already here, you might as well stay and watch the ceremony. Otherwise, you’re disrespecting me. And disrespecting me means disrespecting my family. And disrespecting my family means disrespecting all of Denver!”

“So dramatic,” I replied with a smirk.

I’d heard similar nonsense before.

Back in the Washinton, there were plenty of people who didn’t know who I was and tried to pull stunts like this. But after I dealt with a few clueless fools, no one dared speak to me this way anymore.

Astrid didn’t catch the disdain in my tone. Instead, she clapped her hands, summoning a group of men in black suits. They surrounded the stage, closing in.

“You filthy little tramp,” she said coldly. “If I’m not happy, you’re not leaving this room.”

Suddenly, Damian rushed over, glaring at me. “Get out! I don’t want to see you again!”

But Astrid snapped at him. “Did I tell you to speak?” Her face turned icy as she continued, “Do you think I’m stupid? I can tell you’re trying to protect her.”

Protect me?

I glanced at Damian, catching the worry in his eyes.

Was he lying to me earlier?

But before I could make sense of it, Damian shook his head and said, “I just don’t want anything from my past showing up here. Today is about us. Having my ex here—what kind of impression does that leave? What will people think of you, Astrid?”

His tone softened as he added, “I’m only thinking of you, Astrid.”

Astrid’s expression eased slightly, but she still declared, “I’m not worried about appearances. Here in Denver, I’m the one who makes the rules.”

Afterward, she pointed at me and instructed, “Go sit down and watch the ceremony.”

I shrugged and shot Damian a faint, mocking smile before stepping off the stage.

But as soon as I reached the floor, four men in black suits surrounded me and escorted me to a corner seat.

Clearly, they were worried I might make a run for it.

From the stage, Astrid called out, “You’ll sit there and watch quietly. You’re not leaving unless I say so.”

I chuckled softly. “You may not let me leave now, but when you want me gone, I might decide to stay.”

“Shut up!” Damian barked.

I smiled but didn’t say another word. If they wanted to play, I’d play along.

Astrid added with a sly grin, “I heard you’re from Washington. Perfect timing. Some big shots from your neck of the woods will be here later—the true heirs of the capital’s elite. I’ll introduce you to them and let you see what real power looks like.”

“Thanks in advance,” I said with a laugh I couldn’t quite suppress.

Just then, a group of young people swaggered into the room. Their arrogance was palpable—it was obvious they were Astrid’s crowd.

One of them, a young man with a sneer, leaned toward me. “You should’ve stayed out of this, you know?”

“You really think Damian can protect you?” another chimed in.

“Here’s the truth,” a third said with a smirk. “Even if you hadn’t shown up today, Astrid wouldn’t have let you off. Do you really think she’d let someone who spent four years with her fiancé walk away unscathed?”

The fourth one even waved a phone at me. “Want me to call the cops for you?”

Harriet's POV

The group around me laughed openly, their taunts relentless.

Still, I ignored them, keeping my eyes on my phone. It wasn’t worth engaging with these people.

But one thing became clear amidst all this.

Damian was, in his own way, trying to protect me.

The engagement ceremony wrapped up quickly. Next came the usual mingling—guests drinking, eating, and making small talk.

Astrid paraded Damian from table to table, raising her glass with each guest. Every single one of them fawned over her, their smiles almost painfully forced.

I’d taken a moment to look into the Holden family’s background. Calling them the wealthiest family in Denver wasn’t wrong, but they lacked any real foundation—classic nouveau riche.

Their rise was tied to connections in Washington, which had helped them secure major projects here in Denver. That’s how they climbed to the top.

Still, her family hadn’t managed to break into Denver’s circle of true elites yet.

Today’s attendees were just mostly hangers-on hoping to gain favor with the Holden, along with a smattering of acquaintances from Damian’s family.

As for the Harris family, they used to hold status as one of Denver’s prominent families. But those days were long gone—they were only a shadow of their former selves now.

This engagement was a matter of mutual benefit.

For the Holden family, marrying into an established family like Harris was their ticket into high society.

For the Harris family, it was all about the money—a desperate attempt to claw their way back to relevance.

I’d seen countless arrangements like this growing up, so it no longer surprised me.

Historically, alliances through marriage have always been more about strategy than romance.

As I mused over this, a girl, no more than sixteen or seventeen, slipped into the seat beside me.

She was adorable—soft features with a hint of baby fat—and her resemblance to Damian was unmistakable.

“I’m Kara,” she introduced. “Your ex’s younger sister.”

Before I could respond, she added in a cold, clipped tone, “Don’t talk. Just follow me.”

Her hand wrapped around mine, tugging me to stand.

But I didn’t budge. Instead, I asked, “Did your brother send you to help me?”

“What do you think?” she replied, her brows furrowing in irritation. “If you don’t come with me now, you won’t get another chance!”

By then, a group of men in black suits had begun closing in.

Kara sighed in exasperation, letting go of my hand. She sat back down, clearly resigning herself to the fact that there was no escaping.

“You shouldn’t have come,” she muttered.

Then, with another sigh, she added, “If it weren’t for you, my brother wouldn’t have to marry that pig, Astrid!”

For me?

Her words took me by surprise, but I didn’t have time to ask more as a commotion broke out near the entrance to the banquet hall.

Seeing that, Astrid and Damian quickly made their way to the doors, signaling for everyone to stand.

As such, I turned to see what the fuss was about and spotted a group of seven or eight people walking in.

They were all young—men and women—but carried themselves with an air of quiet authority.

The one at the front stood out the most. Barely in his twenties, yet his presence commanded the room.

“Vernon, you’re finally here!” Astrid beamed, rushing forward to greet him. She extended a hand, clearly eager to make an impression. “Your arrival makes this engagement party truly complete.”

But Vernon Kirk didn’t take her hand. In fact, he didn’t even spare her a glance.

His sharp eyes locked on Damian instead. After a long, scrutinizing look, he finally spoke. “You’re Damian Harris?”

Damian hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Vernon’s demeanor softened slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “She hid herself well. Otherwise, we should’ve met long ago.”

I saw Astrid’s expression falter for a moment, confusion flickering across her face. She probably thought he was referring to her, but couldn't I figure out what she had hidden.

Nonetheless, she didn’t dwell on it for long.

Turning to the rest of the room, she announced proudly, “Everyone, this is Vernon Kirk from Washington—a true prince among men. His family has been our greatest ally in Denver!”

The room erupted into exaggerated applause, the guests eagerly putting on a show of excitement.

But Astrid’s eyes locked onto me, still seated on the sofa. Her face twisted with anger as she spat, “You wretched girl! Who gave you the audacity to stay seated?”

Damian immediately chimed in, “Harriet, stand up. Now!”