Chapter 2

Everyone at the party was in the same circle, connected in ways visible and invisible.

If the Lawsons and my family ended up fighting over Casper's behavior, nobody would gain anything.

The ones with all the connections came over smiling, trying to play peacemaker and keep things from getting awkward.

But Casper, acting like he didn't get what was going on, spoke again, sounding desperate.

He insisted, "No, I haven't been drinking. I'm completely sober.

"I want to be with Wendy, no matter what."

Wendy stood there, covering her mouth, her voice shaking badly.

"Mr. Lawson, you really don't have to go this far because of me," she muttered.

My parents walked over to me. Dad smiled and laid down a warning.

"Are you really sure you want to end this engagement? Don't blame us if things go south after this," he said.

Casper saw his chance and nodded eagerly.

"Yeah, I'm absolutely sure," he replied.

Before Miller and his wife could say anything, I jumped in.

I said firmly, "Fine, I agree to end the engagement. From now on, the Shelton family and the Lawson family are done. We won't have anything to do with each other ever again."

Miller's face went ghostly pale.

"Elena, can't we talk about this a little more?" he asked.

I looked at Miller with a smile.

"Mr. Lawson, we've already given Casper a chance, but he didn't want it.

"I'm the heiress of a prestigious family. I'm not so desperate that I'd beg some guy to marry me.

"If Casper doesn't want to be with me, trust me that there will always be someone who does," I said.

Casper let out a sigh of relief after hearing me.

"Elena, I'm so glad you understand," he said.

But as soon as he finished, Miller slapped him hard across the face.

"You idiot! All our family's upcoming projects are about to fall apart. Let's see how you live like a rich guy after this," Miller snapped.

Wendy turned toward the sound of my voice, looking at me with a soft, gentle smile on her lips.

"Thank you, Ms. Shelton," she said.

Wendy had a distant, untouchable quality, like a fragile but stubborn little flower standing alone.

But fragile flowers didn't last in the world of the rich.

This was a world where only the strong made it out alive.

I replied coldly, "No worries."

Then, in front of everyone, I walked straight over to Antonio Sampson, the mining tycoon from the northwest who'd been quietly sitting in the corner.

Antonio looked up at me, momentarily surprised.

His skin was tan, and he smelled like smoke, as if he'd just walked out of a mine.

I strode over, sat sideways on his lap, wrapped my arms around his neck, and placed his hand on my waist.

"Kiss me," I demanded.

When he hesitated, I leaned in, cupped his face, and pressed my lips to his.

I heard him take a deep breath. Then, he pulled me closer and kissed me back, harder.

It felt like forever before he finally let me go.

Our foreheads rested against each other as we stared into each other's eyes.

Antonio was breathing heavily.

He asked in a husky voice, "What does this mean?"

I stayed close, raising my voice so everyone could hear.

"I like you. I want to be with you," I declared.

In my previous life, after I died, Antonio did everything he could to get revenge for me. He made sure Casper went to prison, and with that news, he knelt at my grave and apologized.

"I'm sorry. I was too late," he said.

That was when I finally understood. The guy who'd always been at odds with me growing up actually loved me deeply.

Casper, furious, yelled at me from across the room.

"Elena, what are you doing?" he snapped.

I stayed in Antonio's arms and turned to face Casper.

"You get to fall for someone at first sight, but I can't?" I shot back.

"I know you love me, but that doesn't mean you can kiss any random guy out of anger, does it?" Casper said, shocked.

I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"As if you deserve my love," I retorted.

Antonio's breath caught, and he pulled me closer, his grip on my waist tightening.

He stopped me from talking to Casper, holding my chin and gently turning my face back to him.

He said, his voice low and intense, "I'll take what you said for real.

"From today on, you're mine."

He took my hand, his eyes landing on the simple ring I wore. His brows furrowed.

"That's so plain. I'll get you a nice one," he said.