After a moment of silence, Caroline asked softly, with a hint of hope in her voice, "What about you? Were you really with Gloria all this time? Did you know about today's plan all along?"

A flicker of complicated emotions flashed across Ivan's eyes.

He nervously grabbed Caroline by the shoulders and explained, "It's not what you think. This was all my family's idea. I have to marry Gloria to inherit the company."

"I've fought against it countless times because I want to be with you, my darling, but in the face of reality, I had no choice! Only Gloria has the inheritance rights to the Lorenz family. Even if I don't like her, I have to go along with it!"

His words sounded noble, but at the core, he had known about everything from the start. He simply chose to go along with it without resisting.

Though Caroline was the biological daughter of her parents, she had no claim to the Lorenz Enterprises inheritance, so Ivan chose to marry Gloria.

And to gain more benefits, Caroline's own mother had sent her to a stranger's bed.

The people she had once trusted—the family she loved and the man she cared for—only saw her as a tool, someone disposable.

Thinking of this, Caroline felt an overwhelming chill seize her heart. She closed her eyes in pain, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill over.

"The only person I truly love is you! Don't marry Andrew. Please, wait for me! As soon as I inherit the company, I'll come back for you."

Ivan's voice was filled with urgency, his eyes pleading.

"If I don't marry Andrew, should I marry that Mr. Brown instead? Ivan, you've really disappointed me. If you didn't love me, you could have just broken up with me. Why did you have to deceive me with them?"

Caroline fought back the bitterness in her heart and spoke coldly, "Andrew and I are already married. Whoever you choose to be with is your business. It has nothing to do with me. We're done."

With that, she turned her head and walked away.

In a moment of panic, Ivan grabbed the back of her clothes. "Don't go, listen to me!"

Her blouse had delicate lace at the collar and sleeves, making it fragile.

In his desperation, Ivan's grip was too forceful, tearing a large section of the neckline.

Caroline gasped in shock, instinctively covering her chest to prevent herself from being exposed.

"Carol, I'm sorry! I was just so scared of losing you. Please, don't leave me!" Ivan continued to grip her hand.

Just then, Andrew strode over.

He took off his jacket and draped it over Caroline's shoulders, pulling her into his arms, He shot a menacing look at Ivan.

"Trying to take someone from me on my turf? You're the first to try." Andrew's proud face showed a hint of anger as he spoke in a deep voice.

Ivan, aware of Andrew's power, hesitated before speaking. "Mr. Morgan, I'm so sorry, Carol is my girlfriend. It's only natural for me to take her with me."

"Your girlfriend?" Andrew grabbed Ivan by the collar. "Get it straight. She's my wife now. You really think you can take her from me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of bodyguards rushed in, surrounding Ivan.

Panic flashed across Ivan's face as he spoke in a low voice, "Carol, is he forcing you? Just say the word and I'll do whatever it takes to get you out of here. Your mother and Gloria are worried about you too. They're afraid that you're making a mistake. Please, just hear me out."

At this point, Caroline wasn't listening to a word he said. She knew his mother and Gloria had ulterior motives, yet he still insisted on bringing her back. There was definitely something suspicious going on.

She took a step back, and shook her head.

Andrew immediately understood. "If you want to leave, go on your own. If not, my men will help you roll out of here."

The bodyguards stepped forward menacingly, ready to act at any moment.

"I-I'm not afraid of you!" Ivan shouted, his face clearly showing fear, but his unwillingness remained as he glared at Andrew. The tension in the air thickened, danger looming.