Chapter 3

The live stream comments instantly blew up again.

"Using today's happy news, as the sole legal heir of the Blackwood Group, I officially announce..." His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, yet it silenced the entire venue. "Next month, Maya will become our Mrs. Blackwood."

Maya lowered her head shyly in his arms, then, out of Julian's sight, she gave me a smug eyebrow raise.

I, however, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, I could stay away from that lunatic.

One reality show, two people getting what they wanted.

While the cameras were focused on the "perfect couple," I subtly moved closer to Liam Blackwood. "Hey, new husband, how about we go to the beach for our honeymoon...?"

I hadn't expected Liam's ears to turn red, which suddenly made Julian tighten his grip on Maya.

Maya yelped in pain, and noticed us in the corner.

She stood on her tiptoes and whispered in Julian's ear, "Julian, my sister actually threatened me... forced me to drop out. Luckily, I was already in love with you."

Her eyes were slightly red, but her voice was just loud enough for those nearby to hear. "Now she's finally got what she wanted, but..."

She deliberately paused, "Now that she knows you're the true heir, will she regret choosing the wrong person?"

Julian's eyes darkened instantly when he heard the word "threat," but his brow relaxed slightly when he heard "drop out."

He reassuringly tightened his arm around Maya's waist. "Don't worry, the position of Mrs. Blackwood will forever belong only to you."

He deliberately raised his voice for the last half of the sentence, his gaze fixed on me, laughing and talking with Liam Blackwood not far away.

After the show ended, I arranged to grab a late-night bite with Liam and went backstage to change.

To my surprise, Julian Thorne stopped me in a corner and directly laid out his cards.

"Reborn, you've certainly gotten smarter," he chuckled. "Too bad... do you think marrying Liam will help you escape?"

He gripped my chin. "Your little schemes are probably going to fall apart. I won't let you marry him with that face identical to Maya's."

"You were so ruthless in your past life," he suddenly yanked my hair, forcing my head back. "To frame Maya, you actually jumped off a building. The entire internet cursed her for forcing her own sister to die..."

He sneered, "Too bad, even if I spent thirty million to bury the trending news, it still ruined her career."

Julian's words hit me like a thunderclap.

So, that fall from the building was actually a meticulously planned setup by me?

Even my death was my fault?

"I know you chose Liam purely for money. I'll give you fifty million. Disappear within a month. Don't let me see that face again."

Seeing me staring fixedly at him, he disgustedly threw my chin away. "And don't ever covet what you shouldn't."

I almost laughed out loud.

He actually thought I still harbored any feelings for him?

On my sister's wedding night in my past life, that madman had held me captive in his basement.

He slowly, methodically, pulled out my fingernails with pliers, savoring my twisted expression of pain.

"Beg me," he choked my throat, making me gasp for air. "Say you were wrong, say you want to marry me."

Blood dripped from my fingertips onto a customized wedding dress identical to my sister's.

When I was too hoarse to scream, he slapped me in a rage. "Smile for me! You don't look like her when you cry!"

He pressed me against a mirror, forcing me to look at my tear-streaked face, then gently licked away my tears. "Maya, I've looked for you for so long... how could you marry another man...?"

Unable to have my sister, he filled the void in his heart by torturing me.

Amidst my fragmented cries, he fantasized that the person beneath him was the unattainable girl of his dreams.

Now, reborn, he thought I would repeat the same mistakes?

He turned to leave, but suddenly pivoted back, grabbing my throat fiercely.

"Tell me... if this mouth could never speak again, wouldn't some secrets be safer?"

Though I was the one suffocating, I saw a flicker of unease in his eyes.

This lunatic, he was afraid of his secrets being exposed after all.