Chapter 1

The day my engagement to the Golden Boy of Pearlford City got called off, his war-hero brother showed up and proposed to me with chests of gold and jewels.

His movie star mom handed me the golden key to the family's finances, and his powerful dad straight-up named me the company's CEO.

I just stood there, completely stunned.

I never would've thought they had actually come back from the future.

*****

Russell Pearson's childhood sweetheart posted a picture of a wedding ring on social media.

The comments came pouring in.

[Here she goes again, showing off.]

[Yeah, we get it. Russell, the Golden Boy of Pearlford City, gave you that.]

[He already has a fiancée, and you're still stirring up drama every day.]

[Just because he's not married yet, you think that doesn't make you a homewrecker, huh?]

Alice Pearson, Russell's childhood sweetheart, got dragged all over trending topics.

Not long after, she deleted the ring photo herself and was caught by paparazzi crying on set.

While everyone was laughing at her, Russell finally spoke up. He said he'd put an end to it himself.

The next day, Russell went live. His topic was: breaking off the engagement.

He stood in front of me, dressed sharply, looking ice-cold. "Sophie, I don't love you. Stop clinging to me.

"And please return everything the Pearson family gave the Alvarado family—the house, the cars, five percent of Pearson family stock, and three million dollars in cash."

The spotlight hit my pale face. No matter how torn up I felt inside, I forced myself to hold it together and not lose all my dignity.

I knew exactly why he was doing this live. Russell wanted to clear things up for Alice.

To him, the only way to prove Alice wasn't a homewrecker was to humiliate me in front of the whole world.

Whether Russell broke up with me or not didn't matter much anymore.

What mattered was that the Alvarado family was already bankrupt. I simply couldn't return everything the Pearsons had given us.

Noticing my hesitation, Russell sneered, "If you don't have the money, you can make it up to me another way. Apologize to Alice. Get her forgiveness. Then hold a press conference and tell the world that you were the one who came between me and her."

I froze, my pride stopping me from giving in.

I had done nothing wrong—I was the one being wronged here. But standing in front of everyone, I had no choice.

Meanwhile, the live chat was blowing up. Russell and Alice shippers drowned out the few voices still on my side.

[Pay it back! You've been living off him for twenty years—now you're trying to keep what is supposed to belong to Alice, huh?]

[You fallen Alvarado girl, look at yourself. How could you ever be good enough for the Golden Boy of Pearlford City?]

[Apologize to Alice! She's been crying nonstop because of you!]

I took a shaky breath. With no way out, I finally agreed to hold a press conference and apologize to Alice.

Just then, a deep voice came from the doorway. "Wait."

Everyone was stunned and turned to look.

A tall figure in a military uniform stood there, broad shoulders blocking the view behind him. His presence was overwhelming.

His sharp gaze landed on me—and instantly softened.

I froze when I saw who it was. It was Raymond, the eldest Pearson son. But why was he here?

Russell frowned the moment he saw Raymond. "Aren't you supposed to be at the border? Why'd you suddenly come back?"

Raymond didn't even glance at him. He walked straight toward me, then bowed deeply.

I was stunned and instinctively stepped back.

He said in a steady voice, "I'm sorry, Miss Alvarado. Our families' engagement was meant to repay your father for saving my father's life. After your father passed, we failed to take care of your family, and we even drained your business. Now Russell even wants to call it off, forgetting the promise we owe you."

As he spoke, he dropped to one knee and removed his hat.

The entire place went silent, and then the live chat exploded.

[Holy crap! That's Raymond—the war hero Raymond!]

[He's a major general, and he's kneeling to Sophie, huh? What's happening right now?]

[That posture, that body... He's drop-dead gorgeous!]

Raymond lifted his head, his voice firm. "When our families made this arrangement, they never said which Pearson would marry you. Back then, Russell claimed the spot because he fell for you at first sight, so I stepped aside. But now that he's changed his heart, I'm asking you to give me a chance."