Xavier Fostern's icy voice rang out, his gaze fixed on the person crumpled on the floor.

Vivian Belle immediately switched to a pitiful, aggrieved look, holding out her wrist where the dog had indeed left a few bloodied bite marks. "Ah Ye, she sicced her dog on me and pushed me over! I just wanted to take the puppy for a walk, but they both ganged up on me."

Cecilia Ye looked down at her, a sneer curling at her lips. She’d seen this kind of act too many times to be amused.

"That’s Cecilia Ye’s dog. I never agreed to let you take it out," Xavier Fostern replied coolly. He bent down, pulling her up from the ground. No matter what, Zoey Zhang truly had bitten her.

Cecilia Ye, after being the perfect, well-behaved girl for too long, suddenly felt a surge of rebellious mischief.

Taking advantage of Xavier Fostern pulling her upright, Cecilia Ye grabbed the cup of coffee from the table and—without warning—splashed the entire cup over Vivian Belle. Even Xavier Fostern, standing nearby, got a fair share of it on himself.

For a moment, everyone froze, except the little dog, who whimpered quietly in Cecilia Ye's arms.

"Cecilia Ye!"

Xavier Fostern spun around. The girl he’d known for so many years finally showed her claws for the first time.

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "You want me to apologize, right? Now you've seen it was me. Sorry. Is that enough for you?"

Vivian Belle snatched tissues from the table, frantically wiping the coffee from her face. She even tiptoed to try to clean Xavier Fostern's face, but he turned away, cold eyes fixed unblinkingly on Cecilia Ye.

The air seemed to chill by several degrees. All the onlookers' murmurs disappeared.

"Fine. Very good. Cecilia Ye, you’re completely out of line."

His emotionless words struck Cecilia Ye hard as a hammer, making her whole body go cold. All these years at the Fu house, she’d been trapped by their expectations of 'good behavior.' Just one misstep—did that really erase everything?

Mia Moore now realized just who Cecilia Ye's husband was and instantly sized up the situation.

"Who is this? The little white flower's* husband? Why is he holding her so tight? What, being bullied and just taking it makes you a saint? Well then, your whole family must be saints!" (Note: 'Little white flower' is internet slang for someone who pretends to be delicate and pure to garner sympathy.)

She dragged Cecilia Ye behind her, like a fiercely protective mother.

Xavier Fostern ignored her barbs, his attention still on Cecilia Ye. The look in his eyes was so unfamiliar, it was frightening. "Cecilia Ye, today you’ve gone too far."

Stubbornly, Cecilia Ye looked back at Xavier Fostern. She realized that no matter how much her heart hurt, it still hurt all the same.

Didn't he notice Zoey Zhang’s ear was injured?

He had promised he’d raise Zoey Zhang with her.

He’d forgotten everything. He couldn't protect anyone—his eyes held only Vivian Belle.

Cecilia Ye shook her head, her voice barely a whisper, "So you'll let her throw coffee back at me? Otherwise, I’m leaving."

She hugged Zoey Zhang tighter, her face pale, like all her support had been stripped away.

Xavier Fostern’s tall figure stood in their way, disappointment written all over his features.

Cecilia Ye’s eyes dimmed. So this is it, Xavier Fostern? Just because of my reaction, you’re disappointed in me?

Fine. Go ahead and hate me. Run me out if that’s what you want.

Even soaked with coffee and utterly humiliated, Vivian Belle still latched onto Xavier Fostern's arm, a flash of triumph gleaming in her eyes.

Ha! Cecilia Ye really brought this on herself. There's no way Xavier Fostern will ever take her side now.

"Yao Yao, let’s take Zoey Zhang to the vet."

She glanced at the little dog whimpering in pain, its blood-tainted ear staining the soft white fur. As for Xavier Fostern, she didn’t want anything from him anymore.

Why did they have to keep appearing in her life? She’d already stepped aside.

"Alright, don’t worry Cecilia. I’ll drive you right now," Mia Moore said, grabbing her bag.

"Ah Ye, she let her dog bite me. What if I get rabies? Boo hoo..." Vivian Belle continued her pitiful performance, tears streaming down, looking nothing like the arrogant girl she’d been moments before.

Xavier Fostern whirled around and snapped, "Enough." Then, bending over, he helped Vivian Belle up: "Let’s get you to the hospital. I’ll make sure she gives you an explanation."

Watching his retreating back as he led Vivian Belle away, Cecilia Ye finally broke into tears.

"Cecilia, don’t cry. He’s not worth it," Mia Moore tried to comfort the heartbroken girl, completely out of her depth. After over two years of friendship, this was the first time she’d ever seen Cecilia Ye cry this hard.

Cecilia Ye used to mention her husband all the time, her face glowing with happiness whenever she talked about him.

Xavier Fostern might be handsome—but clearly, he’s blind.

Meanwhile, Xavier Fostern brought Vivian Belle to the hospital for her shot. He waited outside, leaning against the cold tiled wall, brows furrowed.

Today, Cecilia Ye had been the one to cross the line, but all he could see in his mind were her hurt eyes. That pained look still made his heart ache.

Six years ago, Cecilia Ye had come to the Fu family—small, frail, and barely daring to speak up. She’d volunteered for chores around the house, doing her best to please everyone.

Over time, she’d grown bolder, acting as his girlfriend and fitting in seamlessly.

Later, Cecilia Ye took up painting, and he’d arranged a studio for her. She’d been overjoyed for ages.

Eventually they married—she became his sweet wife, soft and attentive, hugging him like a gentle little bunny at night.

But today, she was baring her teeth.

Vivian Belle glanced at her wrist, still marked by bloody bite lines, and at her arm, newly pricked by the vaccine needle. To her, it had been worth it for the sympathy she gained.

Determined to press her advantage, Vivian Belle emerged with a gentle expression masked over her face.

"Zhiyen, you really shouldn’t blame Miss Ye. She was probably just too upset. It’s my fault for taking out her dog."

Xavier Fostern shot her a glance, his voice cold: "You shouldn’t have taken Zoey Zhang out. Vivian Belle, you've overstepped—first at Grandpa Rivers’s birthday, now again today. Just do what’s expected of you. I said I’d marry you, so wait as you should."

When he was angry, his brow seemed carved from ice, radiating a coldness that kept everyone at bay.

Vivian Belle was caught off guard—she’d never expected Xavier Fostern to say such a thing. Didn’t he... like her?

Her pale fingers curled tightly into a fist, but she forced a smile. "I understand. I won’t do it again. Don’t be angry, Ah Ye."

"I’ll give you an explanation about today. Go home with the driver."

With that, Xavier Fostern gave her a frosty look and left the hospital without another word.

It wasn’t until the car had driven a good distance that Cecilia Ye finally stopped crying. Zoey Zhang, understanding as always, curled quietly on her lap.

"Sorry, Yao Yao... your neck…"

"Don’t be silly, Cecilia, what’s there to apologize for? If anyone should be saying sorry, it’s that fake little white lily. Just looking at her makes my blood boil—I’m the one who should worry about catching rabies!" Mia Moore joked as she drove, doing her best to cheer up her friend.

"By the way, what’s going on with your husband? Weren’t you two doing well before?"

Cecilia Ye stared out the window, her thoughts far away. "Yeah, we were… once."

But he was never really mine. I’m just giving him back to whom he belongs.

Just… Xavier Fostern, could you at least let me keep a bit of dignity?

Mia Moore didn't push further. "Never mind. No need to talk about them. Next time I see that little white lily, I’ll help you take revenge and give her a good beating."

Cecilia Ye let out a tearful laugh. At least she had someone who truly cared for her. She was still luckier than before.

Luckily, Zoey Zhang’s ear injury wasn’t too serious. After picking up some ointment and new dog food from the pet clinic, Mia Moore drove Cecilia Ye home.