Chapter 1

Under the unforgiving midday sun, I was on a delivery run, carrying a customized Western meal worth a whopping eighty-eight thousand, eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars.

When I reached the mansion gates, I heard bursts of laughter from inside.

“She actually believes you’re a failed entrepreneur, slaving away at odd jobs every day to support you?”

“I heard she even sold her grandmother’s heirlooms for your eighth startup.”

“If she knew you were the high-and-mighty scion of Ford Industries, deliberately faking poverty to make Briar happy, she’d probably pass out from rage.”

Declan Ford's voice dripped with mockery.

“Well, she *did* target Briar back in college. This is just a little lesson for her.”

I stood frozen at the entrance, tears streaming down my face, unstoppable.

For the past two years, for him, I’d rebelled against my Grandpa Richard and ran away from home. I’d even refused my arranged engagement to the Thorne family, dedicating myself completely to him.

And this was the result.

Finally, with trembling hands, I dialed a number I hadn’t called in ages.

“Grandpa, I was wrong. I’ll agree to the engagement.”