Before, while Cole had lost his memory, Paige had taken advantage, twisting his confusion to her gain. She had demanded he fulfill the promise by signing her with Twinkle Entertainment—the Evans family’s talent agency—and granting her access to its best resources.

Cole, unaware of her deceit, had agreed.

With Twinkle’s vast influence, turning Paige into a star had been effortless. A single blockbuster later, Paige had become famous—basking in the spotlight, adored by millions.

To Paige, Raylan was now just an old chapter she was ready to close. She had come today to end their engagement once and for all.

But Raylan wasn’t having it. He had stood by her when the world mocked her name. He had even given up his position as the family heir for her. And now that she’d made it, she thought she could just toss him aside? He refused to let her. That was why the two were arguing right at the gate.

Paige looked flawless in her designer outfit, every inch the celebrity. Her voice dripped with disdain. “Raylan, let’s face reality. We don’t suit each other. Let’s end this peacefully. Stop clinging to me.”

Raylan seized her wrist, his voice shaking with fury. “When no one else wanted you, I did! I stood by you when you were nothing. Now that you’ve made it, you think you can just kick me to the curb? I won’t let you.”

Paige tried to wrench her hand free, her patience thinning. “You really don’t know your place. Back then, you were barely enough. But now, powerful men want me. What makes you think a man like you still belongs by my side?”

“You!” Raylan’s words caught in his throat, his face pale with rage.

Paige added, “It’s called moving up in life, Raylan. I’m done settling for less. Do yourself a favor—accept it and stop holding me back.”

She reached into her handbag, pulled out a check, and thrust it at him. “Here. One million dollars. Think of it as compensation.”

Raylan stared at the check and then let out a hollow laugh. A million? Did she really think she could buy him off like that? Not in this lifetime.

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Furious, Raylan tore the check into shreds and flung the pieces directly into Paige’s face. “You think a million dollars can erase everything I’ve done for you? What am I to you—some kind of beggar?”

Paige’s hand immediately dove into her purse, retrieving a small compact mirror. Her first concern wasn’t the insult but whether her makeup had smudged in the chaos. She examined her reflection carefully, confirmed her appearance remained flawless, and then put away the compact mirror. When she looked back at Raylan, her contempt had deepened into something colder.

“So a million isn’t enough for you? Fine. Tell me your number. What will it cost to make you disappear from my life?”

“You…” A sharp pain seized Raylan’s chest, and his entire body shook with barely contained fury.

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