Chapter 1

Reborn, the first thing I did was resign from my position as Chief Art Restorer at Sterling Antiques, earning the scandalous label of an industry pariah.

In fact, when Sterling Antiques was raided and sealed off for fraud, I couldn’t help but gloat.

Because in my previous life, Serena Hayes, the woman Julian Sterling had always pined for, had met an untimely end.

And I, bound by a debt to the Sterling family for clearing my adoptive father’s name, married Julian as Serena’s stand-in, becoming Mrs. Sterling.

For three years, I stood by him through thick and thin, expanding Sterling Antiques into a thriving empire.

My innovative restoration techniques allowed a near-bankrupt Sterling Antiques to dominate the authentication market, becoming an official partner of the government’s heritage preservation bureau.

I genuinely believed that our shared dedication would eventually earn his heart.

But at the celebration party on the penthouse floor, he publicly played a video, accusing me of swapping Serena Hayes’s restoration report.

"Stella Sterling, you didn't just switch Serena's report, you stole her entire life!"

My own apprentice, Amber Evans, even held up an evidence bag, her voice sharp with accusation:

"Professor Sterling, fragments of Serena's report were found right in your office!"

In the chaos, I was shoved, lost my footing, and plummeted to my death.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the very day the Sterling family was deciding on my engagement.

Grandpa Sterling excitedly announced.

"Stella, my dear, you and Julian have the best rapport. I think this marriage is settled."