In my past life, my best friend wanted to marry my grandfather. I fiercely opposed it, and she didn’t succeed. Later, my grandfather married a woman close to her age, and they had a lavish wedding. My best friend harbored deep resentment. She lured me hiking, then on the mountain peak, she stabbed me 18 times before pushing me off a cliff. “This is all your fault for stopping me from marrying into the Thorne family! Everything should have been mine!” Reborn, I smiled as I sent her off to marry my grandfather. What she didn’t know was that in the past decade, my grandfather had married eight other brides. She was the ninth, and the previous eight had all met untimely ends. Since she was so desperate to marry him, I would grant her wish. “I saw your grandfather at the charity gala yesterday. He even complimented me, saying I reminded him of his first love when he was young.” Genevieve said, clutching her coffee cup, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She grabbed my hand, her gaze filled with calculation. “I want to pursue your grandfather.” I was utterly stunned. “Are you insane? He’s forty years older than you!” “Age is just a number! Besides, he doesn’t look a day over forty, not even close to his sixties.” In my last life, this was where I stopped her, sternly warning her to stay away from my grandfather. She’d flashed a twisted smile. “Cassidy Thorne, who do you think you are? Why are you blocking my path?” Later, my grandfather married someone around our age, and they had a grand wedding. Full of hatred, Genevieve pushed me off a cliff. “This is all your fault for stopping me from marrying into the Thorne family! Everything should have been mine!” But now, I just watched her, silently observing the undisguised greed in her eyes. My grandfather, Sterling Thorne, was the patriarch of Thorne Enterprises, worth billions. “You don’t object?” Genevieve seemed surprised by my silence. I picked up my coffee, a meaningful smile playing on my lips. “Why would I object?” “Everyone has the right to pursue happiness, and love shouldn’t be limited by age, right?” Her eyes lit up; she clearly hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly. Genevieve excitedly hugged me. “That’s great! I knew you’d understand me!” “Don’t worry, once I become your grandmother, I won’t treat you unfairly!” Where she couldn’t see, my smile completely vanished. I softly murmured, “I wish you success.” Grandfather had already married eight other women in the past ten years, and she was about to become the ninth. Only, she didn’t know that all eight previous brides had met untimely ends. As I stepped out of the coffee shop, I stood by the curb, waiting for my driver. A black Mercedes-Benz pulled up slowly in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing Mr. Jenkins, the butler. “Miss Cassidy, Mr. Thorne requests your presence for dinner tonight.” “Alright.” I opened the car door and slid inside. “Mr. Jenkins,” I suddenly said, “How has Grandfather’s health been lately?” The old butler glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Mr. Thorne is in excellent health. Last week’s check-up showed all his vital signs were twenty years younger than his actual age.” My fists clenched. In my last life, I had never doubted my grandfather. Now, looking back, many things seemed highly suspicious. The most unsettling part was that whenever a bride died, Grandfather was always away on a business trip, with a perfect alibi. He always seemed strangely indifferent after their deaths. During dinner, I observed Grandfather. He did indeed look much younger than his actual age. “I heard you met the Miller girl today?” My body tensed. How did Grandfather know? Unless he had been monitoring me, or Genevieve. “Yes, Genevieve, she’s my best friend.” A slight smile played on Grandfather’s lips. “She’s a very vibrant girl. My birthday celebration is in two days. You can invite her to come over tomorrow and stay until the party ends.” In my last life, I had tried everything to keep Genevieve away from Grandfather, so she never received a formal invitation from the Thorne family. “Of course,” I replied sweetly. After dinner, Grandfather always took a stroll in the garden. I used this opportunity to find the secret compartment in his study. My mother had told me about it before she died, but I had never opened it. Behind a copy of the Bible on the third shelf, there was a hidden button. Pressing it revealed a small secret room. On a desk inside the room lay a notebook and a safe. My hands trembling, I opened the notebook. What I saw almost made me scream.
It was a list, neatly recording eight names, along with their wedding and death dates. Each name had a photo attached, and to my horror, I noticed that these women shared certain similarities. The shape of their eyes, the curve of their lips, especially the last three—they were almost like replicas of the same type. On the last page was the ninth name: Genevieve. A red question mark was drawn next to it, and the date column was blank. My gaze was drawn to the safe. My gut told me it held an even more terrifying secret. But the safe required both a fingerprint and a password, so I couldn’t open it. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching the door. I hastily closed the notebook and ducked behind the curtains. The study door opened, and Grandfather and the butler walked in. “The ninth one should be the most suitable,” Grandfather’s voice was low and calm. “Her birth attributes match perfectly.” “We’ll finally have all nine. Bring that Genevieve to me tomorrow.” “Yes, Mr. Thorne.” After they left, I collapsed onto the floor, my back drenched in cold sweat. Grandfather knew Genevieve, and it seemed he was actively planning something. Even more terrifying, he appeared to be performing some kind of… ritual that required nine brides? The next day, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Genevieve. “Cassidy! Amazing news! I received a formal invitation from the Thorne family! Can I come over to your place today?” I stared at the screen, a cold smile slowly spreading across my face. “Of course, you’re more than welcome.” Genevieve spent two days at Thorne Manor, and I did my best to create opportunities for her and Grandfather to be alone. On the day of the birthday celebration, all the prominent figures in the city were present. I stood in a corner, watching with detached eyes as Genevieve clung to Grandfather’s arm, smiling flirtatiously. Things were progressing quickly between them. It seemed both were quite eager. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Grandfather, Sterling Thorne, stood on the grand staircase, gently patting Genevieve’s hand. His voice was steady and authoritative. “Thank you all for coming to my birthday celebration. Today, I have some joyous news to announce.” The entire hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on them. “Genevieve and I have found a deep connection and decided to get married.” “The wedding will be in three days, and everyone is welcome to attend our ceremony.” Though I had anticipated it, hearing the words aloud made my heart involuntarily tremble. The guests were briefly stunned, then erupted into a chorus of insincere congratulations. After all, a sixty-year-old business magnate marrying a woman in her twenties wasn’t uncommon in high society. As long as there was enough money, age was never an issue. Genevieve wore a triumphant smile, her gaze sweeping through the crowd before finally landing on me. Was she flaunting it? I calmly took a sip of champagne, a slight smile on my lips, and even walked forward. I spoke softly, “Congratulations, Grandfather. Congratulations, Genevieve.” Grandfather nodded in satisfaction, while Genevieve narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly surprised by my composure. And so, she eagerly bared her claws.
“Oh, by the way, Cassidy.” She feigned intimacy, taking my hand, but her voice was deliberately loud enough for everyone around to hear. “Since I’m now the future mistress of Thorne Manor, there are some things I need to handle for you.” “Oh? What things?” She stared at me, enunciating each word. “Your engagement with young Master Miller? It’s time to call it off.” The Millers—long-standing family friends of the Thornes. Declan Miller, the only son of the Miller family, and I had been engaged since childhood. Though it was an arranged marriage, Declan had always treated me incredibly well. And now, Genevieve wanted to force me to break off the engagement? Before I could speak, Grandfather actually nodded. “Genevieve is right. The Millers’ business has been struggling lately, not fitting our family’s standing. Cassidy, this engagement? It’s over.” My breath hitched. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Declan standing nearby, his wine glass almost shattering in his hand. “Grandfather,” I heard my voice tremble, “My engagement with Declan was arranged by our ancestors…” “That was all in the past.” Grandfather waved a dismissive hand, and an attendant immediately offered him a cigar. He took a deep puff. “What’s the Miller family’s situation now? Do they even deserve to be associated with us?” Whispers started to spread through the banquet hall. I saw Declan’s face turn ashen, while Genevieve smirked at me triumphantly. “Grandfather!” I dropped to my knees before him. “Please reconsider. While the Miller family might be struggling now, Declan—” *Smash!* Genevieve suddenly threw her hand up, knocking over a tray of red wine a server was carrying. The red wine poured down over my head. Guests exchanged glances, some snickering softly, others looking on with pity. “Oops, my hand slipped.” She feigned surprise, covering her mouth, but then leaned down and whispered in my ear, in a voice only I could hear. “You think begging on your knees will work? Let me tell you, after tonight, you won’t even have the right to kneel.” I looked up at her, astonished. “Enough!” Grandfather pulled his hand away from me. “This matter is settled!” Declan crushed his wine glass, glaring intensely at Genevieve. As I went upstairs to change, I saw Declan and Genevieve embracing in the hallway corner. “Genevieve, how was my acting? She even knelt for me.” “Constantly parading around as your fiancée, it’s irritating.” My heart ached. I hadn’t realized they were already involved. My judgment of people was truly terrible. “You disgusting cheats!” I swore. Declan chuckled softly. “Watching you beg like a fool, thinking we’d actually get married.” Genevieve giggled, leaning into his arms. “Your man has been mine for ages.” They were both sickening. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Grandfather?” “Go ahead!” Genevieve taunted, unafraid. “See who he believes—you, or me.” “Once the old man dies, everything at Thorne Manor will be ours.” Declan fantasized, his arm around her waist. “I thought we were best friends.” Genevieve sneered. “Hmph, friends. Don’t play innocent. In your eyes, I was just a dog. You’d throw me scraps when you pitied me. I’m sick of it!” “Now I’m above you, and you’ll dance to my tune!” I remembered how, back in college, Genevieve couldn’t afford tuition, so I paid for it. When she ran out of living expenses, I shared everything I had. Later, when her mother fell critically ill, I immediately arranged for her to be admitted to the best hospital. And in her eyes, all that was just pity? I should have let her starve! I was so angry, I laughed. “Then consider everything I ever did for you wasted.” I wasn’t in a hurry, because soon enough, they would both get what they deserved.
After the birthday celebration, Genevieve officially moved into Thorne Manor as the future Mrs. Thorne. The first thing she did was take my room. “Cassidy, this room has the best light, it’s perfect for me,” she said, leaning against the doorframe. “You’ll be moving out soon anyway, why not get used to it beforehand?” I stood in the hallway, calmly looking at her. “If you like it, it’s yours.” She narrowed her eyes, seemingly displeased by my compliance, then sneered. “Oh, by the way, Sterling said your allowance will be handled by me from now on. After all, you’re not a child anymore, you should learn to be frugal.” She pulled a card from her designer purse and handed it to me. “Five thousand a month. Enough?” Five thousand. It wasn’t even enough for a single bracelet I used to buy on a whim. I reached out and took the card, offering a small smile. “Thank you, Grandma.” Her expression froze for a moment, clearly stung by the address, but she quickly reverted to her arrogant demeanor. “Such a good girl.” I turned and went to the guest room. But the next day, Genevieve dragged me to her walk-in closet. “Cassidy, look, isn’t my wedding dress beautiful?” She unfurled a pure white wedding gown, its skirt adorned with countless tiny diamonds, shimmering brilliantly under the light. I nodded. “It’s very pretty.” She suddenly sighed, feigning regret. “Actually, I originally wanted to choose your mother’s antique wedding gown from back then, but Sterling said it was bad luck.” My blood instantly ran cold. How dare she mention my mother?! In my last life, my mother had died in Thorne Manor, her cause of death a mystery. And her wedding gown had been sealed in the Thorne family vault, a place even I couldn’t easily access. Genevieve tilted her head, enjoying my instantly pale face. “But it’s fine, my wedding dress is much more expensive than your mother’s, wouldn’t you say?” I dug my nails into my palms, barely managing to maintain a calm expression. “Yes,” I said softly. “I hope you get to live many days wearing it.” She paused, then burst into laughter. “Cassidy Thorne, you’re not actually thinking about revenge, are you?” She leaned closer to me. “Don’t forget, now the entire Thorne family is mine.” On the wedding day, Thorne Manor was decorated with extravagant luxury. The wedding march began, and Genevieve, arm in arm with Grandfather, slowly walked towards the officiant. Guests applauded their congratulations, while I stood in a corner, quietly watching it all unfold. When the officiant opened his book and solemnly asked if they were willing, Grandfather slowly looked up. His eyes, however, weren’t their usual gentle self; instead, they held a peculiar coldness. “I do.” When it was time to exchange rings, Mr. Jenkins, the butler, stepped forward, holding a delicate velvet box. Inside lay two rings, each set with a blood-red gemstone. They placed them on each other’s fingers, completing the ceremony. I saw Grandfather slowly exhale a long breath. The next day, the butler frantically sought me out. “Bad news, Mrs. Thorne… something’s happened.” “Mr. Thorne left on a business trip abroad last night…”
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