Chapter 2 Can He Really Be Ruthless Enough to Kill Her

Hanging up the phone, Michael felt a surge of excitement.

He was certain Ronan would come to settle the score with Alice, and hopefully, ruin her wedding. Michael had never liked that woman. She had clung to Ronan relentlessly, chased him until he was hers, and then shamelessly betrayed him-leaving him utterly humiliated before disappearing from everyone's sight.

Why should she get to marry and live happily now?

Why?

Michael felt indignant on behalf of his best friend, itching to go teach that woman a lesson himself. But reason reminded him-he had no right.

In the banquet hall, Alice moved in a panic and collided with a waiter carrying a tray of drinks. The tray wobbled, and red wine spilled onto her pale pink dress, quickly blooming into an unsightly stain.

The waiter stepped back, his face turning pale. He bowed repeatedly, panicked. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-your dress..." His voice trailed off as he glanced at her gown-it looked expensive, far beyond what he could afford to compensate.

Alice knew the waiter was innocent. She had been too flustered and hadn't watched where she was going.

"It's not your fault. Go on with your work."

Relieved, the waiter bowed again before quickly leaving with the tray.

Ann noticed the commotion and made her way through the crowd. She took Alice's arm, checking her dress. Seeing her sister's unsettled expression, Ann asked with concern, "Sis, are you okay?"

Alice shook her head. Her heartbeat was still erratic, pounding rapidly.

Ann said, "That wine stain won't come off quickly, and you definitely can't wear this dress anymore. I brought a backup dress for the toasts. Come with me and change into it."

Alice hesitated. "I can't just wear your dress-"

Before she could finish, Ann pulled her towards the exit. "We're sisters. Don't be so formal."

The two entered a room temporarily used as a dressing area. Ann took out the spare dress and handed it to Alice.

It was a strapless white gown, with a slit on one side and a sheer fabric bow tied elegantly at the back, resembling delicate wings fluttering as one moved.

Ann's eyes lit up with admiration. She hugged Alice and pressed their cheeks together affectionately. "My sister is stunning!"

Alice pinched her round cheek playfully.

Suddenly, Ann's smile faded slightly, her voice tinged with sadness. "If only our eldest sister were here..."

Alice fell silent.

Ann sighed. "I originally wanted to wait until she was released before having the wedding, but Joyce's mother consulted a fortune teller. He said our birth charts align best today, or else we'd have to wait another two years."

Alice patted her back and smiled gently. "She wouldn't mind something like that. Your happiness is what matters most. Enough of that-let's head back to the banquet hall before we keep the guests waiting."

Night Elegance Club-one of New York City's most exclusive and high-end entertainment clubs. Membership-only. Not just anyone could get in.

In a dimly lit VIP lounge with an air of decadence, the scent of alcohol lingered. A vintage record player spun slowly, emitting a soft and sultry English tune, like the whispered murmurs between lovers.

The luxury here was intoxicating.

In the shadowy corner, a man dressed in black blended almost completely into the darkness. His features were obscured, but his long, pale fingers gripped a square glass, ice swirling in the amber liquid.

Everyone in the room had overheard most of Michael's phone call.

John, sitting across from Ronan, was the first to speak. "Ronan, are you really going?"

Ronan twirled his glass, silent.

Another man chimed in, "If you ask me, so many years have passed. Even the biggest grudges should have faded by now. Isn't the best kind of ex the kind that's dead to you?" He snorted. "Don't let Michael egg you on-he just loves stirring up trouble."

"That's not entirely wrong," someone else muttered. "But what she did back then? Any man would find that unforgivable. Could you swallow that humiliation?"

"Fair point..."

That woman was truly despicable.

"I bet Ronan will go," Adam, usually quiet, suddenly spoke up.

Before the others could argue, Ronan placed his glass down. The crisp clink of glass against marble echoed through the room, silencing everyone.

The man in the shadows stood up.

Light and shadow intertwined, gradually revealing his face-so breathtakingly handsome that even Hollywood's top actors would pale in comparison. Every feature-his eyes, nose, lips-seemed sculpted by the gods themselves.

No wonder the wealthy heiresses of New York City were obsessed with him.

At Night Elegance Club, a place filled with the rich and powerful, women frequently faked dizziness just to fall into his arms.

But at this moment, his expression was unreadably indifferent. Some thought he was angered by Adam's words, ready to refute them. Instead, he lifted his gaze lazily, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

"I bet you're right."

Everyone, "...?"

What did that mean? Was he really going to find Alice?

John suddenly coughed, drawing their attention. They all turned to look at him as he casually pulled out a few books and tossed them onto the table. He nudged his chin towards Ronan. "Here. Take these for reference."

Ronan glanced down at the gaudy book covers.

CEO's Cold Love, The Fiery Wife Who Can't Escape

The Billionaire's Contract Marriage, 100 Days of Forced Love

Obsessive Tycoon's Long-Planned Capture, The Innocent Girl's Inevitable Fate

...What the hell?

John smirked. "Confiscated these from my niece. Bored one day, so I skimmed through a few pages. Surprisingly dramatic. You could study them-learn how those cold CEOs torment their women."

Ronan shot him an icy glance and walked out of the lounge.

John pressed the service bell, summoning a waiter.

A well-dressed server in a white shirt and black vest quickly arrived, bowing respectfully. "President John, how may I assist you?"

John, barely suppressing his laughter, pointed at the books. "I'll send you an address later. Get someone to deliver these."

The waiter, unbothered by the strange request, nodded and left.

Adam took a sip of his whiskey, his voice calm. "John, there's a limit to joking around."

John shrugged, unfazed. He leaned in closer, dropping his voice. "You, of all people, know Ronan's personality best. Do you really think, after reuniting with Alice, he could be ruthless enough to destroy her?"

They had all witnessed firsthand how much Ronan had once adored Alice. He had been willing to hand over shares of The Brown Family's business for her. Fortunately, she had the sense not to accept them, or Ronan's father would've died of fury.

Adam exhaled. "So, you think the same as I do."

Same? John understood-Adam had reached the same conclusion.

Only Michael, that fool, couldn't see it. Running around stirring up trouble, more anxious than even Ronan himself. Sooner or later, he was going to push Ronan too far.

At Imperial Grand Hotel, the wedding was about to begin. The banquet hall buzzed with lively chatter.

Ann's health wasn't great, so Alice helped greet the groom's distant relatives and friends.

More guests had arrived than expected. Alice was making last-minute arrangements with the hotel manager to add extra tables, completely unaware that Ronan had already arrived.

Michael, having learned of Ronan's arrival through a group chat, waited in the lobby.

A black Bentley Mulsanne pulled up at the entrance. Recognizing it as Ronan's car, Michael stood up. A valet, quick on his feet, rushed to open the back door.

Polished dress shoes stepped onto the red carpet. Ronan emerged, adjusting his suit.

Michael bolted over like a gust of wind, dragging Ronan straight to the wedding floor. Outside the banquet hall, he pointed at the entrance display and spat, "The groom isn't even the guy she cheated with! Look at him-what a loser! And his name? Stinky Dumbass! How can you tolerate this? Want me to call more people and wreck this whole wedding?"

Ronan's first thought, Who the hell names their kid Stinky Dumbass?

Then he looked at the name initials.

Ronan, "..."

Without sparing Michael a glance, Ronan strode into the banquet hall.

His composed demeanor was so natural that, to an outsider, he might as well have been just another wedding guest.