Chapter 4

Before I even set foot on shore, Tristan's call came through.

"Skylar, are you really trying to go against me? Do you truly think I wouldn't dare touch you?"

I couldn't fathom how he had the nerve to say such a thing. To avoid further trouble, I patiently replied.

"I don't want to go against you. I just want to live my own life."

But he didn't believe a word, his tone harsh.

"Too late! The moment you escaped, you should have known the consequences!"

The Thorne family's influence was indeed vast. Overnight, my dad's old legal dispute was dug up.

All the major media outlets and social networks were plastered with headlines: "Daughter of Notorious Con Artist from the City's Elite Circles, Venomous Schemer Trying to Manipulate Her Way into the Thorne Empire."

I became the daughter of a fraudster.

"Like father, like daughter, a whole family of con artists!"

"This kind of person wants to marry into the Thorne family? Mr. Thorne would be crazy to even look at her!"

"I heard Mr. Thorne and Ms. Brooke are getting married soon. Now *that's* a match!"

Our home address and my photos were leaked.

A group claiming to be victims' families from my dad's past surrounded our house, smashing our windows with rocks.

They weren't satisfied. In the middle of the night, they dumped trash and sewage at our doorstep, even cutting off our water and electricity.

I was trapped once again.

Tristan's call came again.

"Skylar, this was just a small warning. If you dare pull any more stunts, I'll send your parents back to jail for good!"

I trembled with rage. How dare he!

Just then, a commotion erupted downstairs. Several police cars and black sedans pulled up.

Leo, accompanied by lawyers and police officers, swiftly brought everyone blockading our house under control.

The man leading them was cool, dignified, and exceptionally poised.

"Skylar, I'm here to take you home."

I followed him to the Harrison family estate. It was there I learned that Leo's sister, Celeste, had once been my dad's most capable business partner.

When my dad's company ran into trouble, Celeste was implicated and eventually died of depression.

Leo had been secretly investigating the truth behind those events.

I offered to use my ability to help him, but Mr. Harrison shook his head.

"My dear, we Harrisons don't believe in such things. But the truth of what happened back then, we *will* uncover."

"You're a good child, I can see that. The Harrison family is weathering a storm right now. Would you be willing to get engaged to Leo, to become allies? Our two families, together, against the Thornes?"

I stared blankly at Leo. He looked a little shy.

In my previous life, my soul hadn't dissipated after my death. I witnessed Leo, in his efforts to clear my name and my family's, squander his entire fortune. He ultimately blew up the Thorne Group's building, dying with Tristan.

He traded his life for Tristan's.

It turned out, the person I was truly meant to save had always been him.

This time, I wouldn't choose wrong again.

"I will!"

Hearing my answer, the tension in his body visibly relaxed.

I took the jade pendant I always wore close to my skin and placed it in his palm.

"This is my pledge. From now on, I will save you."