Betrayed On The Supposed Wedding Day.

CHAPTER 3

​“What a joke, hmm,” William muttered bitterly.

“What is trash doing in a place like this?”

​Sophia looked over William’s shoulder, and her jaw dropped in utter disbelief.

​Sitting on one of the imported leather couches in the waiting area was Alex.

He was still wearing his simple, washed-out clothes, leaning back patiently as if he were waiting for an appointment.

​Sophia’s shock quickly turned into sharp annoyance. She marched straight over to him.

​“Alex?!” Sophia demanded, looking down at him as if he were a stain on the floor.

“How on earth did someone with a fresh criminal record like you get past security into B Corporation’s reception?”

​Alex slowly lifted his eyes, looking at her with complete indifference.

​Sophia crossed her arms, a mocking smirk appearing on her lips. “Don’t tell me... did you track my location and follow me all the way here because you’re desperate to beg me for a second chance?”

Alex didn't move. He sat back comfortably on the couch and placed his hand on his pocket, where the Black Gold Card was safe.

​“Beg you?” Alex asked calmly. His voice was steady and quiet. “Sophia, we signed the divorce papers. You think I would be following you to beg you. You think too much of yourself.”

​Sophia stared at him in total shock. Where was the broken, sad man she expected to see?

​Two years ago, Alex had taken the blame for a car accident to save her family; three years ago, he had taken the blame for her brother's offense and was put in prison.

He remembered her crying on that rainy night, promising to wait for him.

But as soon as her family’s business was safe, she dumped him and moved on to a rich man.

​“Listen to yourself, you useless loser!” William said angrily, stepping closer.

He adjusted his expensive suit and glared at Alex. “Do you know where you are? This is B Corporation! A person like you doesn't belong here. Leave right now, or I will call security to throw you out.”

​

Alex didn't answer. He lightly touched the Phoenix Ring on his finger.

​Suddenly, a woman’s loud voice echoed across the quiet building lobby.

​“Where is he? Has he arrived yet?”

​A sharp woman in a dark suit rushed out of the private elevators, followed by two big bodyguards and a worried security boss.

It was Helen, the Chief Operating Officer of B Corporation.

​Sophia grabbed William’s arm excitedly. “William, look! That’s COO Helen! The person you had an appointment with!”

​William smiled proudly and stood straight. “Yes! She came down to welcome us personally.” He sneered at Alex one last time. “Watch closely, trash. This is what real success looks like.”

​William moved forward with a fake smile. “COO Helen! It is an honor. I am William Vance, and this is—Sophia”

​Helen didn't even stop. She walked right past William, accidentally bumping his shoulder.

The chief of security pushed William out of the way.

​William stood frozen in embarrassment.

“Ah”

Sophia’s mouth dropped open as Helen rushed straight toward Alex.

​Helen stopped right in front of Alex on the couch. She immediately bowed down deep before him.

​“Mr. Alex,” Helen said, her voice full

with respect. “President Clara is in an important meeting with bad people who want to steal the company.

She sent me to bring you upstairs immediately. Please follow me.”

​

The whole lobby became completely quiet.

​William stood like a statue, his face turning bright red. Sophia could not believe her eyes.

How can a poor ex-convict be treated like a king? she thought frantically.

​“Wait! There is a huge mistake!” Sophia shouted, stepping forward. “COO Helen, you don't know this man! He just got out of prison today! He has no money! He is lying to you!”

​Helen slowly turned around. Her gentle face turned cold as ice.

She noticed the dark Phoenix Ring on Alex’s hand—the exact ring her boss had told her to look out for.

​“An ex-convict?” Helen asked softly.

​“Yes!” Sophia said triumphantly. “He is a fake!”

​“Marcus,” Helen said to the security boss.

​“Yes, COO Helen?” Marcus replied quickly.

​“Cancel Mr. Vance’s appointment. Ban both of them from B Corporation forever, and kick them out immediately.”

​“What?!” William yelled in a panic. “You can't do this! We are from rich families! We want to invest millions!”

​“Leave now,” Marcus warned, pointing to the door, “or my men will throw you out onto the street.”

​Alex stood up slowly and brushed off his jacket. He didn't say a single word to William or Sophia.

He walked calmly toward the private elevator.

​As the elevator doors slowly closed, Alex looked back one last time. His eyes met Sophia’s terrified, confused face.

​

She stood all alone in the middle of the lobby, watching her ex-husband step into a powerful world she could never reach.

​“This way, Mr. Alex,” Helen said as the elevator sped up to the top floor. “President Clara needs your help.”

Alex replied, “I understand”

The private elevator sped silently up to the eighty-eighth floor.

When the polished doors slid open, the quiet hallway gave way to a tense, heavy atmosphere.

Behind the ​wooden doors at the end of the hall, angry voices echoed through.

​Helen quickly walked ahead and opened the doors for Alex.

​Inside the grand boardroom, a dozen older men in expensive suits were standing around a long conference table.

At the head of the table sat a young woman in a sharp white suit.

Her face was pale, and her knuckles were white as she gripped the armrests of her chair.

​The woman was Clara, the daughter of the prison warden and the President of B Corporation.

​"Face reality, Clara!" an older man with silver hair shouted, slamming his hand onto the table. "Your father is gone, and you don't have the backing to run this empire. Sign the transfer papers today, or we will crash B Corporation's stock by nightfall!"