Chapter 2

The wedding was held at the most expensive hotel in Mierian. The Graves Group booked out the entire place for the place. The extravagance was off the charts.

I walked down the aisle, arm in arm with my adoptive father, Howell Kimmons. The seats on both sides were packed, and every influential person in Mierian showed up.

Milton stood at the end of the aisle, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

He stood tall and proud, with sharp, chiseled features and his thin lips set in a hard line. He was like a walking block of ice.

He was known for being cold and rich in Mierian. He was also the sole heir to the Graves Group. Every socialite in Mierian would kill to marry him.

Eventually, he decided to marry the Kimmons family's daughter.

But he picked the fake one.

Scarlett was sitting in the front row in a pale pink dress, eyes a little red, playing the fragile victim.

When she saw me coming, she ducked her head and put on a show of dabbing at her eyes.

I knew her way too well.

That look wasn't sadness. It was her way of showing off.

She was letting everyone know that Milton might be marrying me, but his heart belonged to her.

When I reached Milton, Howell placed my hand in his.

Milton took it without a hint of emotion. The moment his fingers touched mine, I didn't feel warmth, just cold indifference.

The officiant stood at the front, reciting the vows and asking if we would take each other as husband and wife.

When Milton said, "I do," he looked right past me and glanced at Scarlett sitting in the audience.

The whole place was clapping, but I was the only one who caught that hint of resentment in his eyes.

As we exchanged rings, he leaned in close, his voice cold as ice as he whispered, "Nadia, remember your place. You're a stand-in. Stick to your role."

Those were the same words as in my previous life.

In my previous life, hearing that felt like being stabbed right in the heart. I was so hurt that I nearly burst into tears.

This time, I smiled and whispered back, "Don't worry. I remember."

Milton seemed caught off guard by my response, shooting me a quick frown.

I didn't bother with him, turned to the guests, and flashed a flawless smile.

The wedding rolled on. We toasted guests, cut the cake, and tossed the bouquet. Every step went by the book.

When it was time for the toast, Scarlett walked over holding a glass, her eyes red and her voice trembling. "Nadia, Milton, I wish you both a lifetime of happiness."

Milton glanced at her, and his tone instantly softened. "Scarlett, don't drink. Your stomach can't handle it."

He took the glass from Scarlett and drank it for me.

Actually, he didn't do it for me. He did it for Scarlett.

I was the bride, but I stood there like I was invisible.

Scarlett lowered her head, her voice barely audible and full of sweetness. "Milton, I'm fine..."

"Be good," Milton said, frowning. There was a trace of reproach in his tone, but even more concern.

I watched them put on their little show, my heart numb, like a pool with no life left in it.

In my previous life, I would've gone back to our room and cried the whole night over this.

This time, all I felt was disgust.

After the toasts, we went back to the main table. Milton was right next to me, but he didn't bother to talk to me at all. He stayed glued to his phone the whole time.

I glanced over and caught him texting Scarlett. [Don't be sad. I've got it under control.]

I looked away and put a piece of pork into my mouth.

It was not bad. The chef at this hotel really knew his stuff.

With the wedding over and the guests gone, I sat in the car. Milton was on the other side, a solid two feet of space between us.

The only thing I could hear was the engine purring.

He broke the silence. "Nadia."

"Yes?" I turned to look at him.

He didn't even look at me. He kept his eyes on the city lights outside and said coldly, "This marriage is an alliance between our families.

"We both get what we need. Don't get your hopes up."

"I know," I said, nodding.

He paused, like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he muttered quietly, "Yeah."

The car pulled up to the Graves Villa. I pushed the door open and stepped out, my heels clicking sharply on the stone path.

Milton walked ahead, and I trailed behind.

He pushed open the door and said without even looking back, "You'll be in the room on the right upstairs. I'm on the left. Don't bother me unless it's important."

"Okay," I replied.

I gathered up my dress and headed upstairs, pushing open the door to the bedroom on the right.

The room was huge, tastefully decorated, and the closet was stuffed with all the latest designer outfits. The Graves family never shortchanged me when it came to material things.

I closed the door, sat down on the edge of the bed, and pulled out my phone.

I scrolled through my contacts until I found Jordan Bishop's number.

In my previous life, I didn't find out until after the divorce that Jordan was an old friend of my biological father, and he'd been looking for me.

I hit the call button.

"Hello?" A steady male voice answered on the other end.

"Hi, Jordan. It's Nadia," I said.

"Nadia?!" Jordan's voice jumped with excitement. "You finally called. I've been waiting three years for you to reach out about your father's legacy."

I leaned back against the headboard, a faint smile tugging at my lips.

In my previous life, I was so foolish and so wrapped up in Milton that I completely forgot about the inheritance my real father left me.

This time, I wasn't going to make the same mistake.

"Jordan, I'll visit you tomorrow," I said.

He said, "Fantastic. Nadia, your father left AK Lab behind. All the core technology is still there, waiting for you to take charge!"

After hanging up, I lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

AK Lab was the legacy my real father left me. It was a cutting-edge biomedical research institute.

In my previous life, I didn't take over AK Lab until after the divorce, and it took me three years to build it up into the world's biggest pharmaceutical giant.

This time, I was starting three years earlier.

[Host has triggered a key plotline: AK inheritance. Reward: 100 Regret Points.]

The system's notification chimed, and a small smile tugged at my lips.

I would make Milton, Scarlett, and the Kimmons family pay.