07
Upon hearing that my marriage partner was Caleb, my father joyfully announced our engagement.
Lily said, “I don’t blame Dad for favoring you,” but she blatantly wiped away tears.
Father, feeling cornered, arranged our engagement parties on the same day.
On the day of the engagement party, he patted my shoulder, his smile benevolent: “I knew my daughter wouldn’t have poor judgment.”
The shareholders gathered around, taking turns to toast and congratulate us.
“Aria hasn’t given birth to a child yet. Is Mr. Reed already planning to let her inherit Reed Enterprises?”
“Of course. Caleb’s condition for company cooperation was that Miss Reed take over Reed Enterprises. If the company goes to the second daughter, the contract is void.”
“But I heard the eldest daughter kept three live–in suitors. How did this Caleb suddenly appear?”
“You don’t know? All three suitors fell in love with the second daughter and swore they wouldn’t marry the eldest!”
“One of them even married the second daughter. What a shame. With such an excellent sister and brother–in–law, how could Reed Enterprises
ever fall into their hands?”
The three men who were once potential suitors had faces as black as the bottom of a pot.
9:23 AM
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“Zachary, let’s go,” said Lily, who could no longer maintain her smile after being ignored. She tugged at Zachary, ready to leave.
But after pulling for a while, she turned back to find Zachary staring blankly at me.
She stomped her foot in anger and ran off.
But Zachary didn’t follow her to console her gently as he usually did. Instead, he pulled me into a corner and asked, “Have you had enough of this game?”
“What?”
I looked up to see his complicated expression.
“I know you’re trying to stimulate me by marrying someone else. You’ve achieved your goal. Can you announce the cancellation of the engagement now?”
His confidence made me laugh. “Zachary, who do you think you are? You think I’m getting married just to upset you?”
“You’re allowed to use my money to flirt with my sister, but I’m not allowed to gracefully let go and find happiness elsewhere?”
с
He gripped my shoulders, anxiously saying, “He’s only met you once. You can’t judge a book by its cover. I’m the boyfriend who’s been with you for several years!”
How ridiculous. I spent both money and emotions, only to be called a “bitch.”
Now that I’m moving on, he suddenly claims to be my boyfriend.
I waved the microphone in my hand, asking casually, “But you’re already engaged to Lily. What can I do now?”
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Zachary immediately brightened up: “I’ll cancel the engagement right away!”
! pressed further: “You’ve made my father lose face. How could he possibly agree to let us be together?”
He was stumped, pondering for a moment before suddenly having an epiphany.
“Aria, for our future, you’d do anything, right?!”
I remained silent.
He continued talking to himself.
“You marry Xavier! Or Felix would do too! After the wedding, you and I can be a real couple!”
“They like Lily anyway. Since they can’t get the title of Lily’s heir, being a de facto couple with you is already a huge blessing for them! This kind of marriage is a win–win for everyone!”
He shook my shoulders frantically, proud of his clever idea, but completely oblivious to my darkening expression.
Caleb rushed out from the main hall and punched Zachary square in the nose, causing blood to flow instantly.
