Chapter 2

"Mr. Caldwell, he's the one who didn't want to marry me."

The study was dimly lit.

Julian's father sat at his desk, his face etched with worry.

He sighed.

"I truly believed, with how close our families have always been, that our children could also...

"Never mind, never mind...

"Matters of the heart truly aren't something you can force."

He handed me the engagement agreement and a check, both clearly marked "VOID."

"You should leave. Fill in whatever number you want on the check."

I walked out.

Leaving the check behind.

Our families had been close for generations, arranging my engagement to Julian.

Of course, it was also about status and mutual advantage.

But truthfully, aside from Julian himself, the Caldwell family had never wronged me.

And I wouldn't take a single dime from Mr. Caldwell.

Stepping out of the mansion, I looked at the blazing sun, vaguely recalling that my first meeting with Julian had also been on such a bright, sunny day.

He was like a rose on a high cliff, formidable and unapproachable, and I fell for him at first sight.

But he sized me up, then sneered:

"You're not bad looking, but don't even *think* about things that aren't meant for you."

I thought he was talking about the Caldwell family fortune.

He thought I was a gold-digger.

For three years, I tried to make him understand I wasn't after his money.

It wasn't until Seraphina returned from overseas and he eagerly brought her in as his personal assistant that I finally understood. He was talking about *his love*.

I couldn't accept that I'd wasted three years, so I clung to our engagement.

But now.

I tore the agreement to shreds and threw it into the trash.

Then, a new message popped up on my phone:

【I'm leaving. If you're really sure you won't say yes, we won't ever see each other again.】

【I agree.】

Not long after I sent the message, my phone rang.

"You're not just playing hard to get with him, are you?"

"I swear, as Eleanor Vance's daughter, I'm not lying to you."

On the other end, he took a few shaky breaths.

Finally, he choked out one sentence:

"I'll treat you well."

I smiled.

For Arthur, that was the biggest declaration of love he could make.

My flight ticket arrived soon after.

Departing tonight.

I returned to the mansion to pack my bags.

As I pushed open the door, I found Julian, who rarely showed his face at the mansion, actually waiting for me.

"Have you thought it over?"

In the darkness, his voice was chillingly low.

"The necklace, are you going to give it to her?"

I clutched the necklace around my neck.

"Seraphina comes from a humble background; she's only just started to experience luxury these past couple of years. She's not even upset you *usurped her position*, she just liked your necklace. What, that's not enough for you?"

He walked closer, leaning over me.

"Do you want me to really cancel our engagement?"

That was his biggest threat to me.

I used to feel so unwilling to let go.

I felt like I was here first.

Even if Seraphina had met him earlier, she had never truly loved him.

Otherwise, why would she marry a rich old guy?

Why would she instantly divorce him when she found her name wasn't in his will, only to come back to Julian?

I smiled.

"Wouldn't that be... exactly what you wanted?"

I looked into his eyes.

He frowned.

Then, he turned and picked up two round-the-world tickets.

One was his.

The other...

My heart seized up –

It was my name?

I was stunned –

I had once said I wanted to travel the world before getting married.

Would he actually buy me a ticket?

The next second, the ticket was ripped to shreds.

He tossed them carelessly, and the pieces fluttered down, landing on my hair, on my shoulders.

He picked up his phone.

"Rebook the tickets, for Seraphina and me.

"Yes, I changed my mind."

With that, he glanced down at my astonished face, a sneer playing on his lips.

He brushed past my shoulder, walking away from me.