I started to cry.

“Thank you, Uncle Michael.”

“Scarlett, you don’t have to thank me. We’re… We’re family.”

For some reason, my uncle’s voice sounded sad.

Even though he’d been happy and relieved when I said I wanted to end the engagement.

My birthday was in two days.

In my past life, the Foster and Scarlett families announced my engagement to Liam on my birthday.

But that couldn’t happen this time.

I had to cut things off completely.

My birthday party was a big deal.

It was at the Scarlett family mansion.

Crystal chandeliers scattered light everywhere, and guests mingled with glasses of champagne, laughing and talking…

I was the birthday girl, surrounded by people flattering me.

Liam and Bethany showed up late, when the party was already halfway over.

When he walked in, everyone stared.

“Isn’t that Liam Foster? Why is he so late?”

“Who’s the girl with him? I’ve never seen her before.”

“She’s not anyone’s daughter, she’s the housekeeper’s daughter.”

Bethany heard them gossiping, and she glared at them.

“So what if I’m the housekeeper’s daughter? Everyone’s equal. Who do you think you are?”

Everyone went quiet for a second.

Liam looked at her, impressed.

Seeing Bethany’s watery eyes, he patted her head.

Then he told the people who were gossiping to leave,

“Get out. You’re not welcome here.”

Like he was in charge of the party.

I didn’t say anything, so the bodyguards didn’t move. They all looked at me.

I walked over. “You’re here?”

Liam pointed at the girls who looked terrified.

“Get them out of here.”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I said loudly,

“Welcome, everyone, to my birthday party. I’d like to thank Liam Foster for bringing his date, Miss Bethany.”

My voice was steady and confident.

I made sure to sound polite at the end.

The murmuring died down.

Bethany gripped Liam’s arm, stubbornly looking at me.

Liam gently patted Bethany’s hand, telling her to calm down.

Then he looked around and said,

“Scarlett, they were saying nasty things about Bethany. As the hostess, you should do something about it.”

I kept smiling.

Inside, I was fuming.

That son of a gun was making a scene at my birthday party. I'd make him pay after the party.

“Liam’s right.”

I nodded.

Then I asked the butler for a champagne glass.

The glass reflected the chandelier, making Liam squint.

“As the hostess, I’m sorry for ruining everyone’s good time. I’ll make it up to you.”

Then I toasted the guests and drank the whole glass.

Liam didn’t expect me to do that.

He looked surprised for a second.

I used to treat him and Bethany like royalty.

I wouldn’t let anyone say a bad word about them.

The way I was acting made it clear I wasn’t going to do anything about the people who were gossiping.

Liam tugged at his tie, annoyed.

“What’s that supposed to mean? You say you and Bethany are best friends, and you’re just going to let them bully her?”

He knew he shouldn’t make a scene, but he couldn’t swallow his anger.

Bethany looked humiliated.

I clapped and went to Bethany, whispering in her ear,

“Best friends? Bethany, have you ever thought of me as a friend?”

Bethany didn’t say anything. She just stared at me.

Liam snapped.

“Leave her alone. The three of us grew up together. Of course she sees you as a sister.”

“Three people can be a crowd, especially when it comes to love.”

I looked meaningfully at Liam.