My stepsister and I were kidnapped at the same time, but my boyfriend only paid the ransom for her. In that moment, close to death, I saw the soul of my mom, who had passed away years ago. “Those two – that scumbag and that manipulative witch – they’re playing Celeste for a fool, both for her feelings and her money! My poor daughter is surrounded by monsters who want to devour her!” My mom’s figure was faint, but she filled me with a sense of security. “I can’t believe so many people are coveting the inheritance I left behind. Damn Julian Vance and Blair! Not only did they deliberately hurt my daughter, but they also planned to ruin her reputation and make her an outcast!” “My dear, at tomorrow’s engagement banquet, you absolutely must not choose Julian Vance. Take a closer look at Asher Hayes. That boy genuinely likes you.” The next day at the banquet, my father had four heirs from the most influential families stand before me, asking me to choose one to marry. I chose Asher Hayes without a moment’s hesitation. I’ve always listened to my mom. If she said Julian Vance wanted to hurt me, then I’d just switch husbands.
My father was clearly taken aback by my choice. “Aren’t you dating Julian Vance? Why the sudden choice for Asher Hayes? Celeste, marriage isn’t a joke, you need to choose carefully.” I nodded. “Dad, I broke up with Julian Vance. I like Asher Hayes now.” My father gently patted my head. “Our family doesn’t need a strategic alliance through marriage. If you don’t like any of them, we can just cancel the engagement.” At the entrance, Julian Vance’s parents walked in, all smiles. “Mr. Richard, since we’ll be family soon, please guide us through ‘Project Pawa’ this time.” My dad is the wealthiest man in the state, and the group’s project partners depend on who I choose as his son-in-law. My dad gave them a cold glance and announced, “Don’t be ridiculous. My daughter’s fiancé is Asher Hayes.” Mr. Vance looked stunned. “What does this mean? Celeste, aren’t you my son’s girlfriend?” My mom, with her hands on her hips, practically yelled, “Nonsense! Julian Vance not only deceived my daughter but also publicly claimed Blair was his girlfriend, even going as far as to call Celeste the other woman! They trampled all over her reputation, and it was Asher Hayes who helped suppress those rumors!” My heart clenched painfully. My mind instantly cleared. No wonder when Julian Vance and I went to friend gatherings, they always looked like they were watching a show. Turns out, I was the joke. Blair and Julian Vance became “good friends” shortly after she moved into our house. I thought they were just close, but I never imagined they were already together. I glanced at Mr. Vance, and said flatly, “I only have one fiancé, and that’s Asher Hayes.” Mrs. Vance stomped her foot in anger. “Celeste, I treated you like a daughter-in-law, and yet you turned out to be such a hypocritical person.” My mom’s soul stood in front of me, gently comforting me. “Sweetheart, the Vance family conspired together to deceive you. Don’t let them make you angry.” “But I’m so happy you finally saw Julian Vance for who he really is.” Soon, everyone had arrived. Seated on either side of me were two handsome, stylish men: Julian Vance, Asher Hayes, and then Ryan and Leo. We all lived in the same villa complex, and being similar in age, we’d grown up together. After the meal, the elders left early, leaving just the four of us looking at each other awkwardly. But just as I was about to speak to Asher Hayes, his father called him away. The moment he left, Ryan put on a playful smirk. “Celeste, as the daughter of the state’s wealthiest man, you must be pretty pleased with yourself, getting to pick the most suitable husband from four powerful families.” Leo scoffed. “So what if she was born with a silver spoon? She’s still just a complete pushover, constantly chasing after Julian Vance like a lost puppy.” Julian Vance put on a facade of deep affection, looking at me. “Celeste, since you’ve chosen me, I will naturally fulfill my responsibilities and duties as a husband. Don’t worry, I’ll treat you well.” My mom stood by, sneering, and reached out to hit him. If only she wasn’t a soul, she couldn’t touch anything. “He truly is a manipulative liar! That kidnapping was orchestrated by him and Blair! They wanted to trick Celeste into giving up her newly inherited fortune, then release her dirt, and Blair would step over her to rise to the top.” Listening to my mom’s furious accusations, a wave of bitterness washed over me. If my mom hadn’t been unable to let go of me even after her death, I might not have been alive anymore. Julian Vance reached for a napkin to wipe my mouth, but I pulled away. “Don’t touch me.” Julian Vance’s face changed, but only for a moment before he regained his composure. “Celeste, are you still upset about the kidnapping? I already explained, it was an emergency, I had no choice but to ensure Blair’s safety first.” “Blair is your sister, I was doing it all for your own good.” Julian Vance had always been so gentle. He knew I had low blood sugar, so his pocket always had my favorite candies. He knew my stomach wasn’t good, so he’d have his housekeeper make me stomach-soothing porridge every day. I was touched by his thoughtfulness and fell hopelessly in love with him. He used to say: “Celeste, I love your star-bright eyes, I adore your beautiful face. Please allow me to protect you for a lifetime.” But time had passed, and he was no longer that gentle, considerate gentleman. His love was like a dazzling fireworks display, quickly blooming for someone else. Now, his devotion was entirely for Blair, yet he continued to feign sincerity for my inheritance. I shifted my gaze, and said coldly, “I don’t need it.” Julian Vance peeled a shrimp and placed it in my bowl. “At the Freshman Orientation Week in a few days, Blair wants to perform a piano piece. You’re about to start your company internship, there’s no need to waste time on this. I’ve already replaced your name with hers.” I looked up at him in disbelief, then quickly felt a sense of resignation. He was the Student Body President, and this Freshman Orientation Week was his to organize. He could do whatever he wanted. “Do what you want.” But what he didn’t know was… The school board had personally begged me to perform at the Freshman Orientation Week this year.
He had a smile on his face as he fed me a cherry tomato. But Julian Vance, I’m allergic to cherry tomatoes. How could he be so meticulous and yet forget that? “Come on, your birthday is next month. I’ll get you that ring you love. Oh, and when are you planning to try on wedding dresses?” I pushed his hand away, but I didn’t completely lose my temper with him. If he wanted to put on an act, I’d play along. Ryan suddenly frowned and asked, “Celeste, is this engagement banquet for you and Julian Vance?” I smirked, but didn’t answer directly. “On my birthday, I’ll have the groom’s suit and groomsmen’s suits ready for you guys. Remember to pick them up on time.” Since it was *my* grand wedding, I would personally confirm every detail. My father came to the private room to call me, and I stood up to leave. Leo, who had been silent for a while, scoffed. “Why even ask? Back when Julian Vance was bullied by the former Student Body President, she spent a month taking him down to get Julian Vance promoted. And for his birthday the past three years, wasn’t it always her who spent a fortune organizing them? Julian Vance, you really have a good fiancée.” “That’s enough.” Julian Vance’s voice was cold. “Blair is waiting for us. Don’t say anything out of line when we get there.” Hearing Blair’s name, I completely lost it. I thought my heart had turned to ash, but apparently, it could still ache. I had loved Julian Vance for three years. Every day, I felt like I was living for him. After my mom died, I was heartbroken and depressed for a long time. I once believed he was the prince who pulled me out of hell, but I never thought he’d become someone else’s knight. “Celeste.” Julian Vance called out to me. He roughly grabbed my arm, and said coldly, “I don’t want Blair to know about the Freshman Orientation Week. I’m afraid she’ll be upset.” “She’s always like that, so sweet and kind, always thinking of others even when she’s hurt.” The pampering in his tone was like a sharp knife twisting in my heart. “Julian Vance, why are you so confident that I’ll always love you?” His tone was slightly displeased. “I agreed to marry you, but don’t be unreasonable.” I shook off his hand, trembling. “Julian Vance, we’re over.” I hurried toward my father, but a cake cart suddenly rolled toward me. I instinctively dodged, but my foot was still run over, and my dress was covered in cream. “Oh dear, big sister, are you alright? It’s all my fault for being so clumsy, I can’t even push a cake cart properly.” My mom’s figure stood before me again, enraged, she yelled, “What clumsy? I think you did it on purpose! You just want to harm my daughter, not only to inherit her shares in the Richard family but also to covet my inheritance! Ugh, you shameless wretch!” Julian Vance rushed to Blair’s side and hugged her. “Are you alright? You’re not hurt, are you? It’s that awful cake cart, it’s got nothing to do with you. Don’t blame yourself.” He looked at me with extreme impatience. “Blair is already scared, why aren’t you apologizing to her?” Apologize? Why should I? “These two scumbags! They think my daughter has no one to back her up, do they? It’s infuriating!” Seeing my mom so upset, I gritted my teeth, enduring the pain, and stood up. I slowly walked over to them, picked up the remaining cake, and smashed it onto them. In an instant, the hall had two new Santa Clauses. Julian Vance was furious, roaring, “Celeste, you have no manners!” I pushed the cart towards them again. “Manners? Those are for people, not for dogs.” Seeing them stunned, I clapped my hands and strode away. Once in the car, I told the driver to take me home. After hearing the whole story, my father asked if I needed him to handle it, but I shook my head. At the beginning of our relationship, Julian Vance would fret even if a single strand of my hair fell. He always had a handkerchief in his pocket. If there was a speck of dirt on my shoe, he would kneel down and wipe it for me. Now, he cared less and less about me. He even humiliated me for another woman. If I married him, my life would only become more miserable day by day.
While waiting for the family doctor, I was painting in my art studio. Halfway through, I heard sounds coming from the piano room next door. “Julian Vance, if Celeste found out you were the one who hired the kidnappers, I wonder if her heart would break.” After a moment of silence, Julian Vance let out a sound of desire. “So what? Everything she has is mine. I originally wanted to take the opportunity to make her hand over the inheritance, but she was so stubborn, she’d rather die than give in.” “But it doesn’t matter. Once I marry her and get the assets, I’ll be the richest man in the world!” Blair pouted coquettishly. “Hmph, then you’d be a two-time married man when you marry me.” My mom was very sad, her voice choked. “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t died so early, my daughter wouldn’t have been manipulated by these wolves.” She then instantly brightened up. “But they’re going to be disappointed! My daughter chose Asher Hayes!” Their movements and sounds grew louder and louder. I felt like the entire second floor was tainted. “Excuse me, is Miss Celeste here?” He wore a white lab coat, an unfamiliar family doctor. “Dr. Miller was off today, feeling unwell, so I’m covering for him.” The man kept his head down, but his eyes were strange. Yet, as he approached me, he suddenly lunged. “Celeste, go to hell!” In his hand was a syringe, just a fraction of an inch from piercing my body. In that moment of life and death, I screamed, “Julian Vance, help me!” In a flash, I had ducked behind my easel. If Julian Vance could just grab him while he was unprepared, I could be saved. Blair let out a cry, “No, Julian Vance, I don’t want you to get hurt.” Julian Vance hesitated for a moment, and the man’s syringe plunged into my skin. I struggled frantically, only to find my body gradually losing control. My mom paced anxiously around me. “Oh no! This is one of the kidnapper’s accomplices! Because the Richard family rounded up their whole gang, he’s furious and wants revenge! Julian Vance, my daughter has been so good to you, can you really bear to watch her get hurt?” On the other side, Blair, traumatized, had fainted in Julian Vance’s arms. In his panic, he simply picked her up and carried her away. A chill ran through my heart. Three years of feelings, and yet I held no place in his heart. Perhaps I should have known the moment he paid the ransom for Blair. In a haze, I saw a man rush up and pull me into his arms. He called my name repeatedly, but I couldn’t hear anything anymore. Fortunately, the dose of the poison wasn’t much, and it didn’t cause me great harm. For the following time, I stayed home to recover, even missing the Freshman Orientation Week at school. I heard Blair made quite a splash. Many men pursued her, but Julian Vance shut them all down. The kidnapper from that day had already been caught and executed, but Asher Hayes was still worried. He stayed by my side when I slept, and left as soon as I woke up. On my birthday, my father painstakingly prepared the most exquisite and beautiful wedding dress in the world for me. When I appeared in full regalia before the four men, Julian Vance, Ryan, and Leo’s eyes were filled with awe. Only Asher Hayes lowered his head, not daring to meet my gaze. I called for the bodyguards and handed them the clothes I had prepared. But when they changed and reappeared, Julian Vance finally realized something was off. “Celeste, did you mix up Asher Hayes’s and my clothes?” I gave him a faint glance, and said softly, “No mistake. Because my groom is—” “The groom I’ve chosen, the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with, is Asher Hayes.” At these words, everyone present froze.
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