The Scapegoat’s Return Chapter 1

My fiancé fell for the scholarship student I sponsored.

To prove his dedication, he defied his family and even showed up at our house to publicly break off the engagement. My dad was furious; my mom nearly fainted. Overnight, I became the laughingstock of our social circle.

No one knew that we held a full family war council that very night. Every step was analyzed, every risk assessed.

My Dad took a sip of tea: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and distance dulls the sting. Spend a few years abroad. Retreat is the best offensive."

My Mom's expression was calm: "Change the narrative. She plays the fragile, pure flower. You become the unattainable, perfect 'moonlight.'"

I smiled: "Then I should start with a good case of depression."

* * *

The day I returned home, my friends threw me a welcome-back party.

Three rounds of drinks in, the private room was filled with laughter.

The door opened. In the next moment, the warm atmosphere solidified into ice.

The newcomers were none other than my ex-fiancé, Caleb Preston, and his girlfriend, Harper Stone.

I turned my head and met a pair of cold, familiar eyes.

Caleb’s gaze lingered on me for a beat too long, causing Harper’s face behind him to visibly sour.

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, cautiously watching my reaction.

After a brief pause, I naturally raised a hand and invited them to join us.

"Look who it is. Come on in, sit down."

It was as if the drama from three years ago had never happened.

Caleb's expression flickered with complexity, seeming about to speak, but he only gave a curt, neutral acknowledgment.

Harper sat beside him, struggling to maintain a pleasant smile that couldn't hide her stiffness.

Everyone present knew the story: I pulled her out of poverty and paid for her education; she repaid me by stealing my fiancé. What kind of snake would stoop that low? No one respected a traitor.

My family’s company, Chen Group, had grown exponentially over the years, quietly overshadowing Caleb’s family business, Preston Corp.

The more astute guests, whether out of loyalty to me or simple business sense, deliberately isolated Harper. She was treated like a ghost during the constant toasts and conversations.

She looked to Caleb for help, but he was unusually silent, allowing the subtle cold shoulder to continue.

A lingering, assessing gaze kept falling on me.

Even in the dim light, you couldn't miss the pale, tight grip Harper had on her composure.

Having enjoyed the show enough, I slowly raised my glass to rescue her.

"You two are late. Three shots as a penalty. No objections?

"Don't try to weasel out of it. It’s tradition."

At my words, everyone's expressions changed quickly, then they enthusiastically chimed in.

"That's right! Jane is back today, don't be a buzzkill!"

Caleb said nothing, downing the three shots neatly. He inverted the glass, not a drop spilled. His eyes met mine, an unspoken apology for the past three years.

I gave a slight smile and looked at Harper.

She picked up her glass and forced a grimace, but wouldn't meet my gaze. I moved to clink glasses with her, but she flinched violently, as if avoiding the plague.

The glass slipped, shattering on the floor.

My friends couldn't hold back.

"Seriously, Caleb, what’s up with your girlfriend? Jane is being the bigger person, and she's giving us attitude? Is she trying to ruin the party?"

Caleb glanced at her, frowning in displeasure, but still defended her.

"Harper didn't mean it. That's enough."

Harper lowered her head and apologized softly, her eyes welling up as if she were the one suffering.

One of my friends who had no business ties to the Prestons was about to explode.

"Oh, now you've done it, I'm about to—"

I stopped him, my smile warm.

"We’re all friends here. It’s no big deal. The past is the past; let's not bring it up again."

I looked at Caleb and Harper, tilted my head back, and finished my drink, my eyes conveying reassurance.

Caleb’s face softened, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

Everyone took the hint: the feud was over. The atmosphere quickly warmed up again.