Chapter 1

The upscale club in Belvery was a hotspot for the wealthy, where everything reeked of money and status.

A slender, delicate hand rested on the door handle. The woman it belonged to was ready to open the door when a familiar voice could be heard from inside the room.

"Cassandra? I'm bored with her," Aidan Ziegler said, taking a drag from his cigarette. He exhaled slowly, his voice full of smug indifference.

Others in the private room laughed along. "Can't blame you. No matter how stunning she is, she'll get boring sooner or later."

"But Aidan, are you really willing to let her go? You've been together three years, and you chased her for ages."

"Right! And Cassandra is gorgeous, with a figure better than any celebrity."

"Why wouldn't I let her go? I prefer a woman who's sweet and delicate. Clara's gentle and affectionate. I've been hooked on her for a while now. Being on and off with Cassandra these past few years has been tiresome." Aidan scoffed, his charming eyes tinged red from the alcohol, giving him a slightly jaded look.

"Damn! You're with Clara now? Isn't she Cassandra's stepsister? So you went for both of them?"

Aidan smirked, thoroughly enjoying himself. "Clara's sweet and innocent. Every time she calls me, it just melts my heart."

"You're something else, man. Definitely our role model. But yeah, women are just toys anyway."

"But she is..."

The room was filled with laughter. Cassandra Callum stood outside the door, gripping the handle tightly. She heard every word clearly.

Aidan's words felt like icy blades stabbing into her heart. She never imagined that Aidan had already hooked up with Clara Callum.

Cassandra took a deep breath, then decisively pushed the door open.

The lively private room suddenly fell silent. Everyone exchanged nervous glances, unsure whether Cassandra had overheard.

Lucas Olson, who was one of Aidan's closest and smartest friends, quickly stepped up to ease the tension. "Hey, Cassandra. Come sit down and have a drink."

Cassandra ignored him, walked straight up to Aidan, and spoke coldly. "Aidan, we're done. Let's break up."

Without another word, Cassandra picked up a glass of red wine from the table and threw the drink at Aidan's face. She then turned and walked away without so much as a backward glance.

Dripping with wine, Aidan's face twisted in anger. He snorted coldly. "Cassandra, if you leave this room tonight, we're completely over."

His tone was full of confidence, knowing he had always controlled their relationship.

During these three years, he'd dated celebrities, college beauties, and even his own employees. Cassandra had always turned a blind eye.

They'd broken up many times, but Cassandra was always the first to give in. So, Aidan didn't believe she was serious this time.

Cassandra paused, and Aidan smirked, believing she'd regretted it already.

However, without any hesitation, Cassandra walked out of the private room.

Aidan's expression froze.

One of his friends advised, "Aidan, Cassandra seems really upset this time. You should go after her."

"Go after her? Are you kidding? She'll come crawling back in two hours. I don't need to coax her." He spoke as if Cassandra were merely his pet dog.

His friends stopped trying to convince him, remembering how Cassandra had always come back within an hour. They figured this time would be no different.

...

After leaving the room, Cassandra collided with someone approaching from the opposite direction.

The distinct scent of a man enveloped her, making her feel strangely flushed.

The man's top button was undone on his black shirt, revealing a glimpse of his attractive collarbone. Paired with crisp black trousers, he exuded a mature charm and elegance.

The dim lighting outlined his striking features—cold, aloof, yet alluringly restrained.

He furrowed his brow slightly, preparing to leave.

Cassandra suddenly reached out and tightly grasped the man's sleeve, holding onto it as if it were her last lifeline.

Her heart raced anxiously, the man's unique scent clouding her thoughts.

Recalling the humiliating scene she'd just witnessed, she recklessly thought, if Aidan could cheat on her, then why couldn't she do the same?

"Let go!" the man said coldly, his tone completely detached.

"No," Cassandra replied in a soft voice that held an irresistible charm.

The man glanced down at her, lips curling faintly. "No? Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?"

His voice was both dangerous and enticing.

"Interested in marrying me?" Cassandra asked, eyes slightly red, but voice determined.

She thought she had to be losing her mind. Still, she genuinely wanted to marry someone. This wasn't impulsive. She meant every word of it.

Cassandra's grandmother, Eleanor Reed, was getting older and wanted to see her married. She and Aidan had discussed marriage, but it was impossible now.

She didn't want her grandmother to worry, nor give herself any room to turn back. Any man would be better than a jerk like Aidan.

The man before her wasn't wearing a ring. He was probably single, so why not give it a try?

Moreover, his cool, clean scent wasn't the least bit unpleasant.

At this moment, she felt completely clear-headed.

The man reached out and gently tilted her chin up. His eyes landed on a delicate, stunning face with clear eyes that held a perfect blend of innocence and allure. She was the kind of beautiful that could make any man lose his way.

It was her!

"Are you sure? Do you even know who I am?" The man's voice was deep and magnetic, laced with an unmistakable sense of authority.

Hearing this, Cassandra raised her head abruptly.

Tristan Freeman!

Could it actually have been him all along?

Who was Tristan Freeman, one may ask? He was a well-known figure in Belvery, both mysterious and influential. By the age of 15, he had already taken over Crestfall Street in its entirety. A flick of his fingers could shake the city whole.

He was rich and undeniably handsome. Countless socialites dreamed of marrying him. His ruthless business tactics meant no one who crossed him walked away unharmed.

He was someone no one dared to provoke.

Looking at his cold expression, Cassandra's eyelashes trembled slightly. She suddenly wanted to run away.

In fact, she'd encountered Tristan twice before.

The first instance was during a business meeting. At the time, she'd been in trouble, and he stepped in to help.

Later, while attending a gala with Aidan, she realized the man who had previously helped her was Tristan Freeman. His presence had always felt cold and menacing.

Smart people avoided him at all costs.

Cassandra felt a chill go down her spine, and she suddenly regretted her impulsive decision.

Had he recognized her?

But when she thought about what Aidan had done to her, Cassandra straightened her back and firmly said, "I'm sure."

Even if Tristan was dangerous, she wasn't afraid anymore. She wanted Aidan to see that she didn't need him.

Worried that Tristan might not believe her, Cassandra stole another cautious glance at him, then gathered her courage and said, "I'm serious. I'm not joking."

"Why? Don't you have a boyfriend? Or are you just looking for a backup?" Tristan remembered seeing her with another man at the gala.

Chapter 2

Cassandra's eyes widened in shock. She quickly explained, "No, it's not like that at all! My relationship with Aidan really is falling apart. My grandmother's getting older, and her greatest wish is to see me married. That's why I'm looking for someone to marry."

Using Tristan as a backup? She hadn't lost her mind.

Tristan's expression remained unreadable. "You're really willing to leave that man?"

"What's there to cling to about a guy who can't stop cheating?" Cassandra's eyes flashed with disgust.

After hearing what Aidan said earlier, her heart had finally turned cold.

Tristan raised an eyebrow, a subtle gleam passing through his eyes. He leaned closer, his voice turning husky and dangerously seductive as he asked, "Are you sure about this?"

Cassandra's eyes glistened, but her voice was steady. "I've never been more sure. It's time I dumped that jerk for good."

Without another word, Tristan pulled Cassandra into his arms, leaning closer to her ear. His warm breath brushed against her sensitive skin, making her tremble. "Remember, you started this. Don't regret it later."

Cassandra flushed deeply, her heartbeat racing uncontrollably. After a long moment, she raised her eyes to meet his gaze, whispering softly but firmly, "I won't regret it."

She had tossed all logic out the window.

"Good. We'll register our marriage tomorrow," Tristan said, giving her no room to change her mind.

Cassandra blinked in surprise. "So soon?"

"Why? Do you have a problem with that?"

"None at all. But could you drive me home first?" Cassandra needed to go home and get her documents.

Not long after, Tristan dropped Cassandra off at her house.

Currently, Cassandra was living with her grandmother. Her father, Jack Callum, abandoned her and her mother years ago for another woman, Sophia Winslow. Sophia's daughter had even changed her name to Clara Callum.

After the betrayal, Cassandra's mother, Matilda Kingsley, suffered a mental breakdown, later passing away tragically in a car accident.

It was a pain that Cassandra carried every day, blaming her father for her mother's death. She would never forgive him.

Clara was three years younger than Cassandra and had just graduated from college. Coincidentally, she was now working at Aidan's company, F&W Jewelry.

At the company's recent annual party, Clara performed a stunning solo dance. That must have been when she and Aidan first hooked up.

F&W Jewelry had rapidly risen in the past two years, becoming a rising star in the jewelry industry. It was probably because of this alone that Clara found her way into the company.

Cassandra also worked at F&W Jewelry, but she specialized in design. She rarely interacted with Aidan during work, and she had never gotten involved in hiring decisions. She only learned Clara had joined the company at the annual party.

At the time, Cassandra hadn't said anything. She'd cut ties with the Callum family long ago, so she hadn't expected Aidan would stoop low enough to hook up with her stepsister.

Cassandra had always worked harder than anyone to win over Aidan's family. Now, it was clear that all her efforts had been wasted.

She'd always been a talented designer. Back then, she'd even won first place at the national jewelry competition.

When she and Aidan got together, they founded F&W Jewelry, carefully choosing the name together. Now, even thinking about it felt like a cruel joke.

"We're here." Tristan's deep voice brought her back from her thoughts. "It's late, so I won't disturb your grandmother tonight. I'll visit another time."

Cassandra snapped back to reality and nodded. "Alright."

"Get some rest. Tomorrow morning, I'll send someone to pick you up," Tristan said.

"Okay." Cassandra obediently agreed.

Only when Tristan's luxury car vanished into the distance did Cassandra finally head inside, feeling like everything that happened tonight had been a strange dream.

Quietly entering the house, she saw that her grandmother was already asleep.

Checking her phone, Cassandra realized then that she'd missed numerous calls, some from Aidan and others from her best friend, Victoria Ashford.

Victoria had been her roommate and closest friend since college, someone she could always count on. She understood her better than anyone.

Now a sales manager at a major company, Victoria was an unstoppable workaholic.

Cassandra quickly called her back.

The moment the call connected, Victoria's worried voice came through immediately. "Cassie, are you okay? Why didn't you answer your phone? Where are you right now?"

"I'm fine. Don't worry. I'm already home," Cassandra responded, trying to sound casual.

"That's good. But is everything okay between you and Aidan? He called me earlier, sounding really anxious. He said he couldn't find you anywhere," Victoria said suspiciously.

"Actually... I have something to tell you, but you have to promise me not to freak out." Cassandra hesitated but decided to be honest. Victoria would find out eventually anyway.

Victoria paused nervously, sensing trouble. "Okay. Tell me what happened."

"I broke up with Aidan. We're officially done. By the way, he's with Clara now," Cassandra admitted calmly. She was starting to come to terms with it already.

"What?" Victoria exploded immediately. "You're saying that jerk, Aidan, is actually dating that bitch, Clara?"

Cassandra quickly moved the phone away from her ear as Victoria unleashed a rapid-fire tirade.

"Does she have no shame at all? Are there no other men in the world? She really had to go after her stepsister's boyfriend?

"Aidan's a total jerk! He knows you and Clara can't stand each other, yet he still went and hooked up with her?

"I knew trouble was coming when Clara joined F&W! That woman is always scheming something!"

"Hey, calm down." Cassandra chuckled helplessly but felt deeply moved by Victoria's fierce support of her. Her fury-driven rant was oddly comforting at this moment.

Victoria continued, "So, what's your plan? You're not just letting them get away with this, right? You were the campus queen. You could've had anyone, yet you chose Aidan. You built that company for him, and this is how he repays you?

"Clara acts all sweet and innocent in public, but she's just like her mother—a total homewrecker who steals other people's men! You should let everyone know her true colors!"

"And then what? Make everyone think I'm pathetic because I couldn't keep my man?" Cassandra sighed softly. "Honestly, I've thought it through already."

"But that's just letting them off too easily!" Victoria huffed.

"Don't worry. They'll pay for what they've done. Besides, there's always something better waiting after you let go of the old," Cassandra replied calmly.

She suddenly remembered the upcoming jewelry competition. Clara had been eager to use it to become famous.

Just a few days ago, Aidan mentioned it in passing. Cassandra found that odd at the time, but now it all made sense. He simply wanted to promote his new girlfriend.

Winning the competition was the fastest way to fame, after all.

Tonight's events had already been shocking enough, so Cassandra decided against mentioning her marriage plans with Tristan to Victoria right now.

"True," Victoria said reluctantly. "Then, what's your next move?"

"Settle existing accounts and leave the company," Cassandra replied firmly. She'd had enough of these toxic people and situations.

"Good. You have my support. Call me if you need anything at all!" Victoria said.

Back in college, Cassandra had been a shining star. She was beautiful, smart, always at the top of her class, and won every competition she entered.

If she hadn't been so blindly in love, nothing could've held her back.

"Relax, I'm fine," Cassandra assured her gently.

After hanging up, Cassandra turned her phone off completely, refusing to let Aidan contact her again.

Starting tomorrow, she would never settle for trash like him again.

Chapter 3

The next day, Tristan seemed afraid Cassandra might change her mind, so he arrived early to pick her up for the marriage registration.

Thanks to his status, they received VIP treatment and got everything done quickly.

While they were signing the papers, the clerk remarked on how perfect they looked together.

Cassandra felt embarrassed. When they took a photo together to commemorate the occasion, she thought she saw Tristan smile, but it might've been her imagination.

Half an hour later, they walked out of the courthouse, and Cassandra still felt like she was in a dream.

She was officially married now.

Before Cassandra could fully process it, Tristan pulled a silver ring off his pinky finger and slipped it onto her ring finger.

Cassandra paused, staring at the ring carefully. It had a unique pattern that intrigued her.

Being a jewelry designer herself, Cassandra had extensive knowledge about jewelry, but she couldn't even identify what material the ring was made of.

It seemed symbolic, like it carried a special meaning.

"This seems very valuable," Cassandra said hesitantly.

"It's nothing special. Just wear this for now. I'll have custom wedding bands made later," Tristan replied calmly.

Cassandra parted her lips, wanting to say something, but ultimately just nodded. "Alright."

This man clearly had a possessive streak and didn't seem to take no for an answer.

Tristan appeared satisfied with her response. "Good. Shall I drive you home or drop you at the office?"

At that moment, Cassandra's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and paused briefly.

After a few rings, she picked up.

"Hello?"

"Cassandra, where are you?" Aidan's voice sounded anxious.

"I'm busy." Hearing Aidan's voice again, Cassandra felt completely detached.

"What? Why aren't you at the office yet? There's an important meeting today about the jewelry competition. Did you forget?" Aidan's voice rose in irritation.

"Mr. Ziegler, I took the day off," Cassandra replied coldly.

"Cassandra, is something wrong? Is this about last night? You know the guys were just drunk and joking around," Aidan said without any guilt, dismissing everything as a joke.

"Whether it was a joke or not, I don't care anymore. By the way, I took the day off because I got married," Cassandra replied with a sarcastic smile on her face.

"Married? Are you kidding me? Cassandra, who did you marry? Are you just trying to pressure me?" Aidan's voice was sharp, disbelief apparent in his tone.

Cassandra almost laughed out loud.

Pressure him? So that was how he saw her all along?

Perhaps her heart had already gone numb, because hearing him say that didn't hurt at all.

"Relax. The groom isn't you. By the way, I'll be in the office this afternoon," Cassandra said calmly and hung up.

Her expression instantly turned complicated.

Tristan glanced at her. "Was that Aidan Ziegler?"

Cassandra nodded.

Tristan frowned slightly, suddenly uncomfortable. "From now on, I hope you won't get too involved with him."

Cassandra looked at Tristan calmly. "Don't worry, I won't. But we just registered our marriage today, and I'm still adjusting. Could we keep our marriage quiet for now?"

She wanted to sort things out properly first.

Tristan paused. "Fine. Take your time. But since you married me, we'll need to fulfill our responsibilities as husband and wife. I'm not interested in having a wife in name only."

Hearing this, Cassandra's face immediately flushed red.

Despite his suggestive words, Tristan had said it casually, as if discussing the weather.

Cassandra bit her lower lip and said, "Alright, I understand. But could you give me three days to explain things to my grandmother first?"

She had already accepted what marrying Tristan entailed. She wasn't prudish or overly conservative. But they had just met, and she wanted more time to adjust.

Seeing her shy reaction, Tristan allowed himself a faint smile.

Remembering her phone call earlier, Tristan asked, "Do you need any help?"

"No... It's okay. I can handle it myself. Just give me a little time. I promise I'll cut all ties with Aidan cleanly." Cassandra quickly reassured him.

Tristan was slightly surprised. Most women would want their husband's support after marriage.

"Alright. In three days, I'll send my assistant to pick you up. Pack your belongings and find a suitable time to introduce me to your grandmother," Tristan said.

"Okay." Cassandra nodded, deeply touched.

They had just met and married, yet he was already thinking about her grandmother.

During all the years Cassandra dated Aidan, he rarely ever visited her grandmother and was always impatient when he did.

Thinking back now, she realized how blind she'd been. But it didn't matter anymore. She'd seen his true colors and could now move on without regrets.

"Call me if you need anything. Let's get you home first," Tristan said warmly, gently guiding Cassandra toward his luxury car.

Cassandra tensed briefly, but then reminded herself that she was his wife now. She'd have to get used to this sooner or later.

Life was truly unpredictable. Who could've predicted that she'd be Aidan's girlfriend yesterday, but become Tristan's wife today?

Still, Cassandra didn't regret it. For her, this was the best decision.

After returning home, Cassandra carefully put away her identification document.

As for their marriage certificates, Tristan had taken both, claiming he was worried she might lose them, so he'd store them securely.

Cassandra was left speechless at the time, but it wasn't a big deal since they rarely needed them anyway.

...

When Cassandra walked into the kitchen, she saw that her grandmother was already making lunch.

Cassandra quickly helped her.

Eleanor, despite her age, was still quite nimble.

While washing vegetables, Eleanor asked casually, "Cassie, why didn't you go to work today? Invite Aidan over when he's free, and I'll cook something special for him."

Cassandra paused briefly, then came up with a quick excuse. "I had something to handle this morning, but I'll go to the office this afternoon. He's really busy these days, so he probably won't have time."

Eleanor looked disappointed. "Alright. Aidan's busy, so try to be more understanding. Once you're married, you both need to be patient and support each other."

Eleanor continued chatting away, but Cassandra stayed quiet.

Understanding? Patience? Weren't those things supposed to go both ways?

Aidan had never shown her any of that.

But it didn't matter anymore. Soon, none of this would matter at all.

That afternoon, Cassandra went directly to the company, planning to talk to Aidan about business matters.

When they founded the company together, Cassandra had taken a 40% stake.

To prove himself without his family's help, Aidan started F&W Jewelry with Cassandra from scratch.

Initially, there were just a few employees. Now, the company had grown to house over a hundred staff members and gained considerable fame in the industry.

F&W had a strong design team. Cassandra was both the Design Director and Chief Designer. Every piece she created was a bestseller, driving rapid company growth over the past few years.

Yet, Aidan seemed oblivious, arrogantly believing that the company's success was solely due to his management. His ego had grown enormously because of that. Even the Ziegler family began viewing him differently.

But things were about to change completely.

Chapter 4

Cassandra headed directly for Aidan's office and was about to knock when she noticed that the door was slightly ajar.

Through the gap, she saw Clara leaning intimately into Aidan's arms, whispering softly, "Honey, do you prefer me or Cassandra?"

Aidan wrapped an arm around Clara's waist and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Of course, I only love you, sweetheart. But we should be careful at work. Cassandra's still around."

Clara pouted, sounding aggrieved and unhappy. "You always say that, but you're still so nice to her. You don't really love me!"

Aidan immediately rubbed her back, comforting her gently. "Come on, you're the only one I love. Cassandra's one of the founders and still holds significant shares. Right now, we still need her designs. But once the time is right, I'll deal with her. Trust me, you're the only one in my heart."

Only then did Clara smile, though still somewhat reluctant. She continued in a sweet but demanding voice, "Aidan, how about giving me Cassandra's latest designs for the competition? I want to help you out."

Aidan smiled softly, a calculating look flashing through his eyes. "Not yet. After this jewelry competition, I'll find an appropriate reason to remove her from management. Then, the company will belong to us."

Clara finally nodded, satisfied. She spoke coyly. "That's more like it. But you better keep your word. Don't go soft-hearted on me again."

Aidan playfully pinched her nose and chuckled. "Relax, when have I ever lied to you?"

Standing just outside the door, Cassandra's heart turned icy.

She hadn't expected Aidan to already start plotting to remove her from the company entirely—in cahoots with Clara, to boot.

Cassandra clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging painfully into her palms, though she couldn't even feel it right now.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. She quietly took a few steps back and left the doorway.

Back in her office, Cassandra sat in her seat, her mind racing.

Her gaze fell on the unfinished jewelry designs scattered across her desk, and an idea slowly formed in her mind.

Aidan knew Cassandra had arrived at the company and soon entered her office.

Seeing her calm and composed at her desk, he frowned slightly.

He walked over and leaned toward her desk, placing both hands on it. His voice softened as he tried to ease the tension. "Cassandra, like I already told you, Clara is just like a younger sister to me. The guys were just drunk and joking around last night."

Cassandra raised her head and looked at him calmly, a faint smile forming on her lips, though her eyes remained cold. "Aidan, I made myself clear yesterday. We're done. Also, I'll be selling my shares. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Aidan's expression stiffened slightly. "Cassie, you're really misunderstanding things. If you don't believe me, I can have Clara personally explain things."

"No need," Cassandra interrupted coldly. "Aidan, we're not children anymore. Some things should remain unspoken. Whatever you and Clara have going on doesn't interest me anymore."

Aidan's face darkened, his voice becoming threatening. "Cassandra, what exactly do you mean by this? Are you seriously letting something this minor affect our relationship?"

"Something minor?" Cassandra chuckled bitterly, sarcasm evident in her eyes. "Is this minor to you, Aidan? Or do you just think I'm some fool you can play whenever you want?"

Aidan's brows knitted together, his tone turning cold and harsh. "Don't push me too far, Cassandra. I'll forgive your attitude this time, but don't let it happen again."

Cassandra stood up, meeting his gaze directly, her voice calm and unwavering. "Aidan, I'm serious."

Tension filled the room instantly, the atmosphere charged as though about to explode.

Aidan clenched his fists briefly, but in the end, he just laughed coldly, turning toward the door. "Think carefully about this, Cassandra."

With those words, he left the office without looking back, slamming the door shut.

Cassandra stood quietly, inhaling deeply to calm her emotions.

Then, she immediately began to work. Soon, she'd transfer her projects, sell her shares, and walk away from this mess forever.

...

A limited-edition Maybach rolled smoothly into the driveway of the Freeman residence. Its sleek, modern design stood out against the classic, stately home. It came to a clean stop in the center of the driveway.

The car door opened, revealing a pair of polished leather shoes as Tristan stepped out and entered the living room with long strides.

Inside, Julia Durham was sitting comfortably, watching TV. Hearing footsteps, she glanced up and immediately brightened. "Well, look who finally made it home! So, did you go through the photos I sent you?"

Tristan approached, his usually stern face showing a hint of helplessness. "Mom, what were you thinking? Why were there pictures of men mixed in with the matchmaking profiles?"

Julia pursed her lips and replied casually, "I just wanted to give you more options. What if you turned out to prefer men? Honestly, I don't care who you bring home. Just get married soon."

Tristan's mouth twitched slightly, replying firmly but gently, "Mom, my preferences are perfectly normal. Please stop doing things like this. Do you really think I don't have options?"

Julia waved dismissively, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Honestly, why are you so stubborn? It's a modern world. It doesn't matter whether you like men or women."

Tristan tugged at his deep blue tie, visibly exasperated. "Mom, don't trouble yourself anymore. I've already found myself a wife."

Julia immediately rolled her eyes again. "Oh, please. You're bluffing again. Fine, if you really did find a wife, then bring her home!"

"I will, in three days," Tristan replied calmly.

Julia stared at him, momentarily convinced she'd heard wrong. "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely!" Tristan nodded, then walked upstairs.

Julia sprang up from the couch, shouting frantically, "Benjamin, come quick! Your stubborn son is finally getting married!"

Upstairs, Tristan sighed helplessly at his mother's reaction.

...

After leaving the office, Cassandra returned home and had dinner with Eleanor. Now, she was quietly packing her belongings.

She was still worrying about how to tell Eleanor she'd married someone other than Aidan.

It gave her a terrible headache.

At that moment, her phone chimed with a new message.

Chapter 5

Cassandra glanced down and saw that the message was from Clara. Her brows immediately knitted together.

She opened the message and saw a photo of a broken amulet.

Staring at the screen, Cassandra's frown deepened. She recognized the amulet instantly.

Two years ago, she had gotten the amulet from Willowstone Hill. She believed in an old superstition that said climbing the 999 stone steps to the top and making a heartfelt wish would bring health and happiness to someone she loved.

The wind had been fierce that day. Cassandra's knees bled from kneeling, but her heart was full of warmth, convinced the amulet would protect Aidan forever.

When she gave it to him, he hugged her, spun her joyfully, and said, "Cassie, I'm the luckiest man in the world!"

Now, that same amulet was in pieces, as broken as their relationship.

Looking back, it all seemed like a cruel joke.

Another provocative message quickly followed.

"Oh, Cass. I'm so sorry. Aidan gave me this amulet to wish me good health. I'm sure you recognize it since you worked so hard to get it. Unfortunately, I accidentally broke it. You won't blame me, will you?

"I felt really bad, but Aidan reassured me that it was worthless anyway."

Clara's message had a smug tone, clearly written to hurt Cassandra.

Cassandra stared blankly at the broken amulet for a moment, then calmly replied, "You're right. It's worthless. I bought it online for a dollar. If you like it that much, I can order a whole box for you. Then again, I doubt even an amulet could protect someone as twisted as you."

Reading Cassandra's reply, Clara flew into a rage. Was Cassandra mocking her?

Just wait! She'd make Cassandra regret her words!

Right now, Cassandra was practically alone. Once she lost her fiancé, she probably wouldn't even have the strength to live on. Just imagining it made Clara feel immensely satisfied.

But Cassandra no longer cared about any of this. Instead, she felt oddly excited about her new married life.

She turned the ring on her finger thoughtfully. What was Tristan doing right now?

She realized how bold she'd been, marrying a man she hardly knew. Yet, strangely, she didn't regret it at all.

Thinking about this, Cassandra opened Tristan's chat window on her phone.

Clicking on his profile picture, she was surprised—it was a latte art coffee cup, beautifully decorated and comforting. It seemed out of character for someone as cold as Tristan.

Did Tristan like latte art?

The coffee looked oddly familiar, like something from a distant memory she couldn't quite place.

While Cassandra was lost in thought, a message from Tristan suddenly appeared.

"Are you asleep?"

Cassandra quickly replied, "Just about to."

"Good. By the way, my parents are eager to meet you."

His words hit her like a bombshell.

Cassandra felt her heart pounding nervously. Of course, she'd eventually have to meet her new in-laws.

Bracing herself, she typed, "Okay. You can arrange the meeting."

Tristan seemed pleased. "Great. Sleep early. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Cassandra closed the chat, her heart still racing.

She scolded herself silently, "Get a grip, Cassandra! It was just a marriage of convenience. Both of you did it to keep your families happy."

...

The next day at noon, Victoria invited Cassandra to lunch at The Grand Garden, a downtown restaurant. Victoria was worried about Cassandra after everything that had happened.

The Grand Garden was a luxurious spot in a bustling city area, famous for its elegant landscape gardens that provided a peaceful escape amid the urban rush.

Halfway through lunch, Cassandra went to the restroom. Unexpectedly, she ran into Clara, standing at the mirror, touching up her makeup.

Clara wore an elegant Valentino dress with flawless makeup on her face, looking graceful and innocent.

Seeing Cassandra enter, Clara's lips curled into a slight smirk. "Oh, Cass. What a coincidence!"

Cassandra was annoyed. Of all places, why did she have to run into Clara here?

She felt haunted by this woman, unable to escape her presence.

When Cassandra remained silent, Clara continued mockingly, "I'm here with Aidan. He's waiting in the private dining room. Would you like to join us?"

"No, thank you," Cassandra replied coolly. "I'm afraid I might lose my appetite."

"Cass, are you still mad at me? I'm really sorry, but Aidan and I..." Clara pretended to look remorseful and innocent.

Seeing Clara's fake expression, Cassandra wasn't going to back down. "Mad? Actually, I should thank you. Aidan is garbage, and you clearly love picking up trash. Keep him since I'm not interested anymore. We're done. I hope you two stay together forever."

Clara's eyes flashed, unwilling to believe Cassandra could truly let Aidan go. Determined to provoke her further, she sneered. "Cass, I know you're still desperately in love with him, but love doesn't care who was there first. Didn't your mom ever teach you that?"

Hearing Clara mention her mother, Cassandra's anger exploded. Without thinking, she stepped forward and slapped Clara hard across the face.

"You stole my fiancé, and now you have the nerve to rub it in my face? You deserve much worse than that!

"Or are you just following in your mother's footsteps? Are there no single men left in the world? You just had to go after someone else's fiancé? How shameless can you be?"

Clara, completely stunned, held her reddened cheek and stared at Cassandra in disbelief. The sweet, innocent act she always put on crumbled in an instant, leaving her humiliated and speechless.

Cassandra had no intention of wasting more words on her and turned to leave.

Suddenly, Clara grabbed Cassandra's arm, her eyes quickly filling with tears, as if she had suffered terribly. "Cass, I'm sorry! It wasn't on purpose, really! You misunderstood! There's nothing between Aidan and me! Please don't be angry!"

Cassandra froze, startled by Clara's sudden performance.

Just moments ago, Clara had been smugly gloating, and now she acted like a helpless victim?

Clara's grip was painfully tight, so Cassandra shook her arm free. Clara dramatically stumbled backward, deliberately falling onto the floor with a loud cry of pain.

Cassandra stared in disbelief. Was Clara made of glass or something? How could she be so fragile?

But when Cassandra noticed a familiar figure rushing toward them, she immediately understood—this was all an act. Clara had staged this drama perfectly.

How ironic! With acting skills like that, Clara really should've gone into acting.

Aidan's angry voice rang out instantly. "Cassandra, what did you do to Clara?"