Chapter 1

"Miss Skylar, as the heiress of the Su Corporation, are you really going to marry someone with absolutely no standing?"

I nodded firmly, completely unfazed by the matchmaker's bewildered stare, as if I'd lost my mind.

"It's the only way the Su Corporation won't go bankrupt."

The matchmaker sighed regretfully, unable to comprehend why I was throwing myself into such ruin.

"Before, every elite daughter in this city envied you. You were showered with love from the moment you were born."

"Who would've thought that now, the Su family would marry you off to an outcast, all for the sake of a driver's daughter?"

I remained silent, simply signing my name on the marriage contract.

By the time I returned to the Su family home, dusk had already fallen.

I wanted to tell everyone that the Su Corporation's problems had been resolved.

But before I could utter a single word, my brother, Liam, slapped me across the face.

"Skylar, how dare you show your face here again!"

"You actually forced Chloe to marry an outcast, just so *you* could continue to enjoy a life of luxury and comfort!"

"And what's this about the 'head of the Outcasts'? This isn't some old-school gangster flick!"

"You're truly heartless, literally throwing Chloe to the wolves!"

My ears buzzed from the blow, and my heart ached fiercely.

Ever since Dad died in the car accident, the Su Corporation had been targeted by malicious rivals, plunging us into crisis.

Dax, the head of the Outcasts, was not to be underestimated; only he could save the Su Corporation now.

But when I went to him for help, Dax's expression was utterly unreadable.

"You want me to save the Su Corporation? Only if one of you—you or Chloe—marries me and becomes mine to do with as I please."

I knew he was intentionally trying to mess with our family.

And I knew Liam and my fiancé, Noah, couldn't stand to see Chloe suffer such humiliation.

So, without consulting anyone, I took matters into my own hands and agreed to Dax's terms.

I was about to explain, but Chloe, who had been sobbing quietly, suddenly knelt before me.

"Sister, I know you hate me, but I've done everything you asked. Please, don't hit me anymore."

With that, she pulled up her sleeves, revealing angry red marks on her arms for everyone to see.

She continued to sob, tears streaming from her large, innocent eyes. Liam gazed at Chloe with aching tenderness, and Noah stepped forward, pulling her into his arms to comfort her softly.

Before I could explain, Liam had the bodyguards drag me to the gloomy basement.

"Skylar, you've always been spoiled and bossy. I used to turn a blind eye when you bullied Chloe, but now you've become truly malicious."

"As the eldest, I'm practically your father now. I'll punish you, my ungrateful daughter, in Dad's stead!"

He then grabbed a wooden paddle from a nearby table and mercilessly struck me.

I struggled, desperate to explain, but they wouldn't give me a chance to speak.

Gradually, my vision blurred, and the pain in my body faded into a dull throb.

In a haze, I remembered a time when I hated learning the violin as a child, and Mom would hit my legs with a ruler.

But back then, Liam and Noah would watch my injuries, their eyes welling up with tears.

"Skylar, you don't need to learn these things. You were born to a life of luxury."

"Before marriage, you're the Su Corporation's heiress; after marriage, you'll be the lady of the Chengs. Trust us, you'll never suffer a day in your life."

Yet now, the very two people who once promised I'd never suffer were the ones causing me the deepest pain.

They only stopped when I was on the verge of being beaten to death.

I gasped for air on the floor, forcing myself to endure the pain.

They, meanwhile, crowded around Chloe, as if afraid she'd been hurt.

Noah gently held Chloe, his voice filled with tenderness.

"Chloe, I know all about your feelings for me."

"Don't worry. Once this storm passes, I'll convince my father to break off my engagement with Skylar, and then I'll marry you openly and honestly."

Liam chimed in, "Exactly. All the dowry Father prepared for Skylar? It's all yours."

Watching the three of them, so deeply in love and united, I swallowed my bitterness.

There was no point in saying anything now.

My clothes were in tatters, and the house staff, seeing my state, whispered and pointed.

Noah noticed their gazes on me and realized I was barely covered.

He quickly took off his jacket and started walking towards me.

But before he could offer it, Chloe's soft sigh reached his ears.

He didn't hesitate, immediately placing the jacket over Chloe's shoulders.

"Chloe, go back to your room and rest."

"Mrs. Davis, please make Chloe a cup of ginger tea to help her calm down. She must be shaken by all this."

A wave of bitterness washed over me. *That 'someone else,' was that me?*

To think that the two men who once treasured me like gold now feared I might upset another woman.

Seeing their disregard for me, none of the Su family staff paid me any mind.

I forced a wry smile, my steps faltering as I made my way back to my room.

I don't know how much time passed before Noah came to my room, carrying a cup of ginger tea that had long gone cold.

"Skylar, we've been betrothed since childhood, but your character is no longer fit to be a Cheng.

"I remember our past affections. As long as you promise not to cause trouble for Chloe, I'll still provide for you."

I looked at Noah, suddenly realizing I'd never truly seen him.

Our past affection now felt like a cruel joke.

I was the eldest daughter of the Su family, and he was suggesting I become his mistress, hidden from sight.

Before my father passed, Noah was just an executive in the company. What made him think I'd agree to such a degrading proposal?

Was it based on the last vestiges of our relationship, which had long withered away?

I suppressed the anger bubbling within me.

"Get out!"

Noah remained motionless, but then Chloe gracefully walked in.

"Sister, are you still angry?"

She cooed delicately.

"Both my brothers just couldn't stand what you did to me, so they're standing up for me."

"We're family, why are you being so petty?"

I looked away, ignoring her.

"Sister, to apologize, let me feed you this ginger tea."

Chloe took the tea from Noah's hand and, ignoring my protests, brought it to my lips.

I struggled to pull away, and a few drops of the tea spilled onto Chloe's hand.

Her eyes immediately welled up.

"Sister, do you dislike me that much?"

"I know my father was just a driver, and I don't deserve to be called your sister, an heiress."

"But I'm about to marry for the Su family's sake, so I won't be any threat to you.

"Even then, you still can't stand the sight of me?"

With that, her tears streamed down her face.

"Skylar, that's enough! Chloe is already so pathetic, why do you have to be so cruel?"

Noah, heedless of my injuries, violently pushed me.

I stumbled and fell, shards of the bowl digging deep into my flesh.

Blood welled uncontrollably from my hands.

As I looked up, my mother stood in the doorway, a storm in her eyes.