I used to be a professional ghost-tester. I’d kept my nose clean for years. But to get my ambitious boyfriend into his dream university, I decided to quietly take on his case. The day before the exam, he even got down on one knee and proposed. My heart pounded, ready to tell him I’d make his dreams come true. Then, I overheard his conversation with his buddies: “Julian, it’s just a bit of fun, right? You’re not actually going to marry Blair Hayes?” “Hahaha, of course not! How could I marry some trailer park girl? She was just a temporary thrill.” He paused, a smirk playing on his lips, then added, “Besides, Seraphina’s coming back soon. Grandpa always disapproved of her, so I’ll just pick someone utterly unpresentable. The family will definitely object, and then I’ll have a perfectly legitimate excuse to marry Seraphina.” “Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! You really have all your bases covered, man…” “Oh, right, didn’t the old man say he’d only hand over the family fortune once you got into Stanton University?” “Don’t worry, I’ve got that covered. I hired a genius ghost-tester. Why do you think I was with Blair Hayes in the first place? To get all my exams aced! Now that she’s banned from taking tests, she’s useless anyway.” My grip tightened on the exam admission ticket in my hand. I ended up getting Julian a 2.50.
“How did you do?” It was a text from Julian’s burner phone. “Don’t worry, I guarantee you’ll be ‘satisfied.’” After I sent it, I squeezed my phone tight. Oh, Julian, this score? You’re going to *love* it. Three days ago, the scene of Julian kneeling before me, proposing, was still vivid in my mind. Tears welled in his eyes, and he said I was the most important person in his life. Now, it all seemed so laughable. Back home, Julian had just gone into the bathroom. On the couch, his phone screen was still lit, showing a SnapChat group chat called “The Bro Zone.” The messages that flashed across the screen made my stomach clench into a painful knot. They were private photos and videos of me and him, during our most intimate moments. He’d posted them all in that group, accompanied by vile comments. “Trailer park girls really let loose.” “Julian’s done with her, can I have a turn?” “Girls like her? Throw some cash, and they’ll do anything.” The latest message was from Julian: “Seraphina’s coming back tomorrow. Finally, I don’t have to pretend to be deeply in love anymore. This girl actually thought I was going to marry her, LOL. With her background, she’s not even fit to be a maid in my house.” I bit down on my lower lip, hard, until I tasted blood. My phone trembled in my hand, not from sorrow, but from a raging fury. What I’d believed was love, in Julian’s eyes, was nothing more than a game, and I was just the clown there for his and his friends’ amusement. The toilet flushed in the bathroom, and I quickly put his phone back, a docile smile plastered back onto my face. When Julian came out, I was kneeling on the floor, polishing his leather shoes, just as I often did over the past six months. He looked down at me, his gaze as dismissive as if I were a dog. Then he spoke, “Seraphina’s coming back tomorrow. I need to pick her up at the airport. You can grab dinner on your own tonight.” I looked up, blinking innocently, feigning confusion. “Seraphina?” “Just an old friend,” he said dismissively. “You wouldn’t know her.” I lowered my head, continuing to polish his shoes, hiding the icy coldness in my eyes. Of course, I knew exactly who Seraphina Vance was – Julian’s childhood sweetheart. After Julian left, I opened my laptop and started searching for everything I could find on Sterling Corp. I needed to understand my enemy if I was going to deliver a fatal blow. Three days later. Julian suddenly appeared at my doorstep, holding a massive bouquet of roses, his face sporting that familiar, ‘sincere’ expression. “My father wants to meet you.” He finally revealed his true purpose. “He… he approved of us.” I raised an eyebrow. “Approved of what?” “Our marriage.” Julian said urgently, “Just come home with me tomorrow to meet him.” I almost burst out laughing. Julian’s sudden change was too suspicious. There had to be a catch. But I decided to play along. “Really?” I feigned surprise. “Your father really agreed?” “Yes!” Julian grabbed my hand. “As long as you make a good impression, we’ll be married very soon.” I lowered my head, concealing the calculation swirling in my eyes. Meet Mr. Sterling? Oh, this was *perfectly* playing into my hands. “Okay, I’ll go,” I said softly.
Julian drove me to the Sterling family’s sprawling estate in the suburbs. I wore my plainest white dress and flat shoes, feeling utterly out of place amidst the opulent surroundings. “Remember,” Julian specifically instructed me before we got out of the car, “talk a lot, smile less, don’t be stiff. Just relax and be yourself. My father doesn’t like overly formal women.” I nodded. In truth, I knew perfectly well that this kind of old-money family valued elegance and composure above all else. Julian was telling me to be casual only because he wanted me to make a fool of myself in front of everyone. As soon as we entered, the Sterling family members eyed me with scrutinizing looks, as if I were a cheap knock-off. “Is *that* the trailer park girl? Ugh, she practically *screams* low-rent.” Someone snickered. “Julian, your taste is getting worse and worse.” “Right? Each one’s worse than the last. Honestly, she’s not even as good as Seraphina Vance…” Julian didn’t object. He just smirked, a look of triumph on his face. I stood my ground, my fingers gripping the hem of my dress tightly, but keeping a polite smile. “I hear your folks run a fish stand at the local market, don’t they?” “No wonder she smells like fish as soon as she walks in.” This comment sparked another round of laughter. Julian, especially, was practically bursting with laughter. This was exactly the reaction he wanted today. I was like a clown, there specifically for them to insult. But I just kept smiling. For revenge, I had no choice but to endure. “Enough.” A commanding voice echoed from the staircase, and everyone instantly fell silent. Mr. Sterling pointed at me. “You, come with me to the study. Everyone else, disperse.” Under the gazes of either jealousy or schadenfreude, I followed Mr. Sterling into the study on the second floor. Once I sat down, before Mr. Sterling could speak, I picked up the paper and pen on the desk and began writing from memory. It was this year’s Stanton University entrance exam. Mr. Sterling’s expression shifted from skepticism to surprise, and finally, to admiration. “Julian came to you because he wanted you to take the Stanton entrance exam for him, didn’t he?” I didn’t answer immediately. This was a dangerous moment—if I admitted it, Julian would hate me to my core. But if I denied it, my revenge plan couldn’t continue. Ultimately, I chose the truth. “I took it for him,” I said, a sarcastic smile touching my lips. “2.5 points.” Unexpectedly, Mr. Sterling suddenly burst out laughing. “Good! Good!” He slapped the table. “That waste of a son, Julian! He can’t even cheat properly!” I looked at him in surprise, not understanding his reaction. “I suspected Julian would find someone to take the exam for him. That good-for-nothing has never done anything on his own merits, not since he was a kid.” “There’s one thing I need you to do…” Two hours later, I walked out of the study. The Sterling family in the living room, seeing my expression, all broke into smiles of schadenfreude. “Got kicked out?” Julian’s Aunt Carol shrieked. I lowered my head, said nothing, and hurried toward the front door. Julian said casually, “Scared her speechless, didn’t it? I knew my dad wouldn’t agree. From now on, we’re going our separate ways. My family is simply way out of your league…” I suddenly looked up, a brilliant smile spreading across my face. “He… he said he agreed to our marriage.” Julian’s face instantly went pale. “What? No way! He’s always been so picky…” “How could he possibly approve of *you*?!” “You’re lying! You don’t deserve it…” Julian let go of my arm, stumbling back a few steps. “It’s over… it’s all over…” Looks like his little game just blew up in his face. Watching Julian in such a panic, my heart sang with cold satisfaction. This was just the first step, Julian. You’re going to *love* what’s coming.
News of my engagement to Julian exploded like a bombshell through the city’s elite circles. The one who took it the hardest, of course, was Seraphina Vance. To appease her, Julian shoved the tip of his polished leather shoe into the back of my knee, forcing my kneecap to crack against the hard floor. “Apologize.” His voice came from above me, cold as ice. The eyes of those around us, filled with either pity or mockery, fell upon me. “I’m sorry, Miss Vance.” I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to endure. My nails dug deep into my palms, the pain keeping my voice steady. “I shouldn’t have… taken your rightful place.” Seraphina suddenly leaned down, gripping my chin and forcing my head up. “Julian and I grew up together. Who do you think you are? A fishmonger’s daughter? You’re not even fit to polish my shoes.” A few snickers rippled through the onlookers. From the corner of my eye, I saw Julian’s lips curve into a slight smirk—he was enjoying this moment. “Seraphina, don’t stoop to her level.” Julian wrapped an arm around Seraphina’s waist, his voice sickeningly affectionate. “Come on, I’ll take you to that Japanese restaurant you love.” That night, fireworks exploded across the city sky, lighting it up all night. News alerts popped up constantly. [STERLING SCION DROPS SERIOUS CASH FOR HIS LADY LOVE] [STERLING HEIR LIGHTS UP THE SKY WITH CUSTOM FIREWORKS – EACH ONE COSTING SIX FIGURES!] [BREAKING: JULIAN STERLING TRANSFERS 5% OF STERLING CORP. SHARES TO SERAPHINA VANCE, VALUED AT $980 MILLION!] These shares were core assets Julian was set to inherit. Seeing him squander them like this… It was no wonder Mr. Sterling had a contingency plan. The front door was suddenly kicked open. Julian stormed in, drenched, with Seraphina, equally soaked, trailing behind him. She was wrapped in Julian’s tailored blazer, and he was looking at her with an intensity I’d never seen directed at me. Julian’s face twisted the moment he saw me. “What are you still doing here?” I offered my standard sweet smile. “Dad told me to stay here. He said to wait for you.” Seraphina suddenly giggled. “Look at your fiancée, Julian, she’s like a pathetic little guard dog!” Julian’s face instantly darkened. “Dad told you to stay here?” He sneered. “How come *I* don’t know about it?” “Mr. Sterling called personally this afternoon. Said for me to get ready for the wedding.” Julian’s eyebrow twitched violently. Mr. Sterling had never been fond of Seraphina; Julian knew that better than anyone. Yet, Seraphina, banking on Julian’s blatant favoritism, had never bothered to show respect to anyone. And now, she sat on the couch, legs crossed, pointing a manicured finger at me with an infuriating air of entitlement— “Julian, my foot hurts. Tell her to rub it.” The air instantly froze. Julian narrowed his eyes. He spoke coldly, “You. Come here.” —He wanted me to kneel and rub Seraphina’s foot? Seeing my lack of reaction, Julian’s eyes turned menacing. “What, did you suddenly forget how to understand English?” I took a deep breath and slowly walked toward her. Just as I was about to bend my knees— “Enough!” A commanding voice roared from the staircase. Mr. Sterling stood there, leaning on his cane, his face terrifyingly grim. “Dad…” Julian’s expression instantly changed. Seraphina panicked too, quickly putting her feet down and standing up awkwardly. “Mr. S-Sterling…” Mr. Sterling didn’t even spare her a glance. “My Sterling family’s future daughter-in-law is not for outsiders to order around.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it was like a slap, landing hard across Seraphina’s face. Seraphina’s face went chalk-white. “Mr. Sterling, I… I was just…” “Just what?” Mr. Sterling sneered. He continued, “Miss Vance, I hear your ‘studies’ abroad were quite *eventful*?” Seraphina trembled from head to toe. “Her drug abuse, her compulsive gambling, her… *indiscretions* abroad,” Mr. Sterling’s words, sharp as knives, sliced into her. “The doors of the Sterling family are not open to someone with your… *habits*.” Seraphina’s face instantly turned ashen. She whipped her head around to look at Julian, her eyes wide with panic. “Julian, I…” But Julian didn’t speak this time. Mr. Sterling scoffed, then directly ordered the butler, “Show her out.” Seraphina panicked, reaching out to tug Julian’s sleeve. “Julian! Say something!” Julian was silent for a few seconds. Finally, he slowly pulled his hand away, his voice low. “Seraphina, you should go home.” Seraphina stared at him in disbelief, her eyes shifting from shock to resentment, finally fixating on me— “Blair Hayes, you just wait!” As she left, her venomous gaze seemed to promise she’d tear me apart. 4 After Seraphina left, a strange silence fell over the entire living room. Julian stared at Mr. Sterling, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Dad, aren’t you being a bit too harsh? Seraphina was just confused for a moment…”
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