Chapter 2

At one in the morning, I was sitting in my office, texting my assistant, Simon Ford.

[Make some changes to tomorrow's engagement party schedule.

[Keep the first part as usual, guests arrive, speeches.

[Before the ring exchange in the second segment, play a video.]

Simon replied instantly: [Mr. Grant, what video?]

I sent him the video.

This time, Simon didn't reply right away.

After two full minutes, he finally texted back: [Mr. Grant, you really want to show this to everyone?]

I replied: [Yes.]

Simon typed: [There are over three hundred guests coming, half the city's elite will be there.]

I replied: [I know.]

I leaned back in my chair, spinning my pen.

Then I typed: [That's exactly what I want, half the city to see it.]

Simon didn't ask any more questions.

He just replied, [Got it.]"

I scrolled through my contacts until I found a number.

Olivia Lane. The Lane Family's only daughter, two years younger than me, just finished her PhD abroad and came back.

I met her once last month at a family dinner. She didn't talk much, but those eyes of hers were sharp.

My dad had hinted at it back then, "If you weren't already set to marry into the Carter Family..."

Now, that was all out the window.

I didn't bother calling her myself.

This kind of thing was better left to my dad and Mr. Lane.

At two in the morning, my dad texted me.

[The Lane Family's in. Olivia will be there tomorrow.]

I put my phone down, closed my eyes, and slept for four hours.

My alarm rang at six.

I opened my eyes, wide awake.

I got up, washed my face, and slipped into my tailored suit for the engagement.

I fixed my tie in front of the mirror.

I left those cufflinks behind.

They were engraved with "E&J", Edward and Julia.

Now, those two letters were nothing but a punchline to me.

At 7:30, my car rolled up to the banquet hotel.

Grand Regency Hotel, the city's most exclusive banquet hall.

Crystal chandeliers, white roses, a string quartet, everything was top-tier.

The Carter Family couldn't afford any of this. The Grant Family picked up the tab for everything.

I stood in the center of the banquet hall, looking around.

The big screen was hanging above the stage, and the connections were already set up.

Simon stood beside me, lowering his voice. "Mr. Grant, the USB is plugged in. I'll hit play when it's time."

I nodded.

"What about the Carter Family?"

"Richard Carter was at the hotel at five this morning with his wife, sampling the menu. He couldn't stop smiling."

I smiled.

Well, who wouldn't be thrilled to marry into the Grant Family?

Most people spend their whole lives just trying to get a foot in the door here.

Richard probably thought his daughter had hit the jackpot.

Too bad his daughter didn't see it that way.

At eight, Julia texted me.

It was a selfie, she was in full makeup, wearing a white dress and pearl earrings.

[Honey, do I look good?]

She added three heart emojis.

I stared at her selfie for a couple of seconds.

I just texted back: [Good.]

She followed up with a voice message.

[Honey, why didn't you come home last night? I still have your cufflinks for you.]

Julia's voice was all sugary and coy, nothing like the wild sounds she made with Nathan just hours ago.

I turned off my phone and shoved it in my pocket.

Why did I even bother replying?

After that day, she wouldn't even have the right to send me a message.

*****

At nine sharp, guests started filing in.

The banquet hall was packed with over three hundred people.

All the city's top entrepreneurs, socialites, and industry heavyweights showed up.

They weren't here for the Carter Family.

They were here for the Grant Family's name.

I stood backstage, peeking through the curtain at the scene outside.

Richard was in a brand-new suit, his belly sticking out as he made the rounds, toasting everyone.

"Ah, Mr. Brown, welcome! Please, come in!"

"Mrs. Lee, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, I'm Julia's father!"

Mrs. Carter trailed behind him, her face creased with a huge grin, telling everyone, "My daughter's marrying into the Grant Family."

She had to have rehearsed that line in her head a million times.

Watching their smug faces, I couldn't help but remember three years ago.

Three years ago, when the Grant Family first sent someone to the Carter Family to propose, Richard and his wife actually got down on their knees and kowtowed three times to my dad.

Not to me.

To my dad.

From that day on, Julia had a Porsche, a limitless black card, and a river-view apartment at Grand Regency, all courtesy of the Grant Family.

All of it was a gift from the Grant Family.

And what did Julia give the Grant Family in return?

She made the Grant family look like fools.

At 9:30, Julia arrived.

She glided in, her white gown sweeping the floor behind her, wearing a smile so reserved it looked rehearsed.

She looked exactly like the picture-perfect future lady of the Grant Family.

Julia came right up to me and hooked her arm through mine.

"Honey, you look so handsome today," Julia cooed.

I looked down at her, my expression unreadable.

Her makeup was flawless, hiding any trace of last night's exhaustion.

"You look gorgeous," I said.

Her smile got even brighter as she rose up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

Some guests nearby caught the moment and started to tease, "A match made in heaven!"

I didn't bother wiping off the lipstick mark.

Let her enjoy her moment.

Anyway, it was the last chance she'd ever have.

At ten sharp, the ceremony kicked off.