Chapter 3

It was Mr. Carmichael's 90th birthday, and all us younger relatives were summoned to celebrate.

I absolutely dreaded going, but Mr. Carmichael loved his reputation more than anything. If I dared to disrespect him publicly, he'd probably banish me from New York City. Besides, he was the one who stopped my half-siblings when they tried to make my life hell. So, even though I knew the feast would turn my stomach, I had to go.

Thankfully, Landon would be with me.

My half-siblings still looked at me as if I were garbage, their disgust impossible to hide.

There were four illegitimate children in the Carmichael family, but my half-siblings hated me the most. My mother, you see, was very shrewd, and she almost managed to marry their father, becoming his official wife.

I was brought into the Carmichael household at age twelve. They gave me a privileged life, but it was also the place I detested most.

Genevieve never liked me. She constantly bullied me behind the scenes—locking me in the yard during rainstorms, cutting off the power to my room and sealing the windows shut in the summer, inciting my classmates to bully me at school. Of everyone in the Carmichael family, I hated Genevieve the most.

When I discovered Genevieve had a crush on Liam, a method of revenge suddenly clicked in my mind. I would hook Liam, and let that stuck-up princess Genevieve experience the taste of loss.

I spent two years carefully cultivating an innocent, unassuming persona around Liam. Others whispered that I was as low-class as my mother, learning to ensnare men at such a young age. I didn't care because back then, I hated Genevieve to my core.

In the end, I successfully got together with Liam. I still remember Genevieve's eyes, practically spitting fire, when I walked in front of her, holding Liam's hand.

"Willow, you're like a persistent ghost," Genevieve hissed darkly.

The more miserable she was, the happier I became.

I smiled brightly. "Thanks to you all, I'm doing perfectly fine in New York City."

Genevieve glanced at Landon beside me and scoffed, "Who's this stray you picked up now?"

"Ms. Carmichael, long time no see. I'm Landon, Willow's husband," Landon said calmly.

Genevieve's disdain immediately vanished when she heard Landon's words. Landon's family had been prominent in law for generations; his grandfather had even participated in drafting important legislation.

"Ms. Carmichael, your words just now not only offended Willow but also insulted me. I kindly request an apology," Landon said softly, yet his presence was overwhelmingly authoritative.

Genevieve's face flushed with anger, her neck stiff, refusing to apologize. I noticed more and more eyes gathering on us.

Harrison said gravely, "Genevieve, apologize to them."

Genevieve was furious, but she still begrudgingly apologized.

*Sigh.* Honestly, adult Genevieve is far more of a pushover than her younger self.

Just as I was reflecting, I felt someone staring at me. I searched for the source of the gaze and found it was Liam.

Of course. Given the relationship between the Carmichael and Knight families, Liam was definitely expected to be here.

After years apart, Liam seemed much more composed, exuding that classic, overbearing CEO vibe.

I plastered a fake smile on my face, purely to annoy him. To my surprise, his expression changed drastically.

The clinking of glasses and chatter of the banquet made me feel suffocated. I slipped away to the Carmichael family's back garden for some fresh air.

Just as I was about to head back to find Landon, Liam suddenly appeared.

"What was that smile for just now?"

I was actually quite irritated by Liam. He was always so high-handed, with that classic spoiled rich kid attitude. Back then, to ensnare him, I'd put in so much effort. Even though my initial intentions weren't pure, people develop feelings. Liam had helped me a few times, and for someone as isolated as I was then, it was a lifeline. So, later, I genuinely fell for him.

But we only dated for three months. When we broke up, he trampled on my dignity, making me feel utterly worthless.

I casually brushed him off: "Nothing, really. Just saying hello after all these years."

He was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, whether it was my imagination or not, his voice sounded a bit strained: "Are you really married?"

"What else would it be? A fake marriage?" My tone was laced with sarcasm, because when we broke up, he'd said, "I was just pretending to mess around with you, and you actually believed it."

"The Davies family has been in politics for generations; they would never approve of someone like you, an illegitimate child. Willow, don't delude yourself. Break up with him soon." He said this in a tone that suggested he was looking out for me, but his words dripped with contempt for my background.

A voice came from behind us: "Does Mr. Knight enjoy meddling in other people's relationships so much? My relationship with Willow is none of your concern, Mr. Knight. Our families adore Willow. One cannot choose their birth, and that should never be a chain binding Willow."

Landon walked up to me and quietly asked, "Where did you go? I've been looking for you."

Little did I know that our intimate moment, whispering close together, made Liam's eyes burn red with fury.

He sneered a few times, "Willow, do you really think Landon is such a good guy?"

I gave him a strange look. How did Liam become so good at making baseless accusations after a few years abroad?

"If he isn't, then you are?"

Liam's chest heaved with anger. I didn't see the triumphant smirk Landon flashed at Liam.

After the banquet, Liam sent me a SnapChat message.

[Willow, what I said that day wasn't meant to mock you. I just wanted to warn you.]