Chapter 2

William came knocking at my door as I was packing up my things.

To be exact, I was getting ready to move out of the Cantrell Manor.

Since I'd already decided not to marry into the Stokes family, there was no point in sticking around.

My stepmother and stepbrother were practically dying to see me gone.

"Louise!" William barked, his face stormy as he strode into the living room.

Right behind him was Genevieve, the woman who'd ended my life in my previous life.

She wore a white dress, her long hair loose, playing the innocent girl to perfection.

If I hadn't died and seen what she was really like, I probably would've been fooled by her, too.

Genevieve said, feigning concern with her innocent act, "William, don't be mad. Louise probably acted on impulse."

I said, pausing my packing, "Yeah, I was impulsive. Impulsive enough to almost marry a total loser."

William's expression grew even more sour.

William demanded, stepping closer, "What are you playing at? Louise, this is your last chance. All you have to do is apologize..."

I cut him off. "Apologize? Why should I be the one saying sorry? You're the one who slept around, and you're the one who stabbed me in the back.

"Isn't it obvious I should break off the engagement?"

Genevieve's expression stiffened for a moment, then she slipped right back into her helpless routine.

She said, "Louise, what are you talking about? William and I are friends..."

"Friends?" I laughed. "Friends don't text each other at three in the morning saying 'I miss you.' Friends don't drop by my house to 'help out' when I'm away on business."

Back in my previous life, I didn't find out about their dirty little secrets until after I was already married.

This time, tearing off the fig leaf early actually felt pretty damn good.

William looked genuinely rattled. "You went through my phone?"

I shot back, locking eyes with him, "How else would I know I was being played for a fool?

"William, I'm giving you one last shred of dignity. If you know what's good for you, you'll disappear.

"Otherwise, I won't hesitate to post those screenshots online and let everyone see how 'devoted' the heir to the Stokes Group really is."

"You wouldn't dare!" William snapped.

"Watch me," I shot back.

As the tension was about to boil over, my stepmother came down the stairs.

The moment she saw what was happening, her eyes lit up.

She was practically rubbing her hands together, hoping I'd fall out with the Stokes family so her precious son could finally get his shot at the top.

She said, putting on her best concerned act, "Oh my, what's going on here? Louise, let's not make a scene. Let's talk this out, okay?"

"Get lost," I said, not even bothering to look at her.

Her face turned sour, but she quickly turned to William. "Mr. Stokes, please, Louise is still young and doesn't know any better. Don't hold it against her."

William's face was thunderous as he shot me one last glare. "Louise, you'll regret this."

I said softly, "I already regretted it in my previous life. Not this time."

With that, he left with Genevieve in tow.

As they reached the door, Genevieve glanced back at me, giving me that nasty look I knew all too well.

But I wasn't afraid anymore.

The next day, I set up a meeting at a café.

I was going to see Quinn Bradley.

He was the most dangerous man in Omandoria and the CEO of the Bradley Group.

In my previous life, I never crossed paths with him. All I knew was that he was cold as ice, and every socialite in town steered clear of him.

But this time, I needed a powerful ally.

I needed someone strong enough to take on the Stokes family.

"Miss Cantrell," Quinn said, striding in right on time.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his features sharp and striking. "I heard you wanted to see me."

I said, gesturing for him to sit, "Mr. Bradley, I have a proposal."

"Go on," he replied.

"Let's get married," I said.

Quinn raised an eyebrow. "Miss Cantrell, are you sure you know what you're proposing?"

I replied, locking eyes with him, "Absolutely. It's mutually beneficial.

"I need someone powerful in my corner, and you need a wife to get your family to stop nagging you about marriage. Isn't that right?"

Silence hung in the air.

When I thought he was about to turn me down, Quinn finally spoke. "Why me?"

I said, picking up my coffee, "Because you're the only one who can stand up to the Stokes family, and the only one I trust not to betray me."

I meant every word.

In my previous life, Quinn was the only one who never took part in the conspiracy.

As for the reason, I wasn't ready to get into it right now.

Quinn said, standing up, "Let's see how things go. Same time next week, I'll be waiting for your answer."

With that, he walked out.

I watched him walk away, deep in thought.

It turned out that Quinn wasn't nearly as tough to deal with as the rumors made him out to be.