Chapter 4

Chapter 4
After Colby Tanner stepped out of the meeting room with Henry Duke, his phone buzzed again. He frowned and walked further down the hallway, away from the noise of the engagement party, before answering it. He didn’t notice the tension building back inside the ballroom.

Downstairs, Tanya’s eyes darted around the crowd. She stood frozen for a moment, searching the faces, scanning every corner.

But there was still no sign of Anna.

The emcee, now visibly uncomfortable, kept clearing his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, once again, let’s put our hands together for our lovely couple—Anna and Sam—who should be joining us any moment now…”

He trailed off as the silence stretched.

Tanya’s stomach tightened. She could feel eyes shifting, people murmuring. She moved closer to the center of the room, weaving past groups of curious guests.

That’s when she noticed something strange—how so many people were drifting toward Michelle Briggs and the man beside her.

Tanya stopped. Her eyes narrowed.

The man was tall, clean-cut, and well dressed. She recognized his face from the pictures Anna had shown her just days ago. That’s Sam. Anna’s fiancé. But… why was he with Michelle?

And where was Anna?

Tanya kept her distance, lowering her head slightly as she pulled out her phone and switched to video mode. She zoomed in and pretended to scroll, slowly inching closer until their voices became clear enough to pick up.

“Will the plan work?” Michelle asked, her voice low.

Sam gave a small nod. “Yeah. I saw her go in to room twenty.”

Michelle sighed. "Good thing she took the drink without questions. In the morning, she'll blame everything on alcohol.

Sam smirked while Tanya’s hand tightened around her phone.

Michelle gave him a slow smile. “And that’s when you announce the breakup… and we finally make it official.”

“It’s what she deserves. She actually believed I loved her.”

Michelle's voice dropped, venomous. “Let’s see if she still feels like part of the Briggs family after tonight.”

Tanya almost dropped her phone.

She stepped back, stunned. Her heart pounded in her ears. They set her up. Anna—sweet, soft-hearted Anna—had no idea. And now, she was alone in a hotel room with a stranger while her fiancé and cousin planned to destroy her in front of everyone.

She dialed Anna immediately. No answer. Again. Nothing.

She tried Colby. Busy.

Her fingers trembled. Her mind raced. What should she do? Go to Anna’s grandfather? But Michelle was family—Anna wasn’t. And Tanya was just a guest. They could twist the truth. Make her look crazy.

Across the hall, a man’s voice shouted.

“I saw her! I saw Anna go into Room twenty with another man!”

Gasps swept across the hall.

Michelle turned sharply. “That’s a lie! Anna would never do that!”

“I saw it with my own eyes!” the man insisted.

Michelle folded her arms. “Fine. Let’s go up there right now. I’ll prove you’re wrong.”

The crowd shifted with excitement. Phones were pulled out, reporters adjusted their cameras, and a growing number of people began following Michelle toward the hallway.

Before she turned, Michelle gave Sam a little wink. Sam widened his eyes and played shocked. His mother quietly led him to a seat nearby, as if helping him recover from the "scandal."

Tanya slipped into the crowd and followed them, her heart racing.

'Please be okay,' she kept repeating in her mind. 'Please, Anna. Hold on.'

Upstairs, Henry Duke was pacing the room, shirt unbuttoned, his jacket now covering the girl on the bed.

Anna had stirred only moments ago.

“Please… help me,” she had whispered, voice shaking. “It’s my engagement today. He… he tried to force himself on me.”

Henry had frozen. She was barely clothed, trembling under his jacket.

He cursed under his breath, then gently carried her to the bed.

“Stay still,” he said. “You’re safe.”

Now, he stood by the door, phone to his ear. “Get up here now,” he told his bodyguard. “Room twenty.”

The moment his guard arrived, Henry pointed to the unconscious man on the floor. “Dump him. Quietly. Somewhere far. I don’t want him in my sight.”

“Yes, sir.”

The man dragged the attacker out through the side exit, unseen.

Henry took a breath and looked back at Anna. Her dress was ruined. She lay still, barely moving. After a moment, he approached, scanned her size, and made a decision.

“Buy a red dress,” he told his guard before he left. “Her dress was red.”

Now, silence. Henry paced, annoyed.

This wasn’t how he’d planned his night.

Then, he heard her shift. Anna sat up, weakly. When she saw the jacket over her body, she broke down. Her hands covered her face as quiet sobs escaped her.

Henry turned slightly, watching her. He didn’t say a word.

Let her cry. Let her feel. He didn’t do emotions.

He was already preparing to leave as soon as the dress arrived.

But then, a sharp knock at the door froze both of them.

Anna’s head jerked up.

“No,” she whispered. “No, they can’t see me like this. It’s my engagement today!”

“I’ve got it,” Henry said calmly. “Go to the bathroom. Now.”

Anna picked up the torn pieces of her dress and slipped away into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Henry sighed, ran a hand down his face, and unbuttoned the rest of his shirt, leaving only his pants on.

Then he opened the door.

Michelle stood there.

She blinked in surprise. “Who are you?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You knock on my door, and you’re asking me who I am? Are you stupid?”

Michelle stuttered. “I-I… umm…”

“Get out of here,” Henry snapped, his voice rising. “Do I look like someone who appreciates being disturbed?”

“I-I’m sorry, sir,” Michelle said quickly, shrinking back.

“Go!”

She turned and scurried away down the hallway.