Chapter 2

Although Ryan was Seth's youngest uncle, he was only four years older than Seth. The two of us were practically childhood friends.

However, he had lost the use of his legs in a car accident, after which we had gradually grown apart.

In my past life, he had been the first one to discover me after Seth imprisoned me in the basement.

He had called out again and again, "Don't be scared!"

At the same time, he had repeatedly smashed the door. I had seen clearly that he wasn't paralyzed.

When Seth arrived at the scene, he and a bunch of men beat Ryan half to death.

I remembered Seth demanding viciously, "Uncle Ryan, why didn't you die when I got them to run you over?

"You wanted to take my dad's business, and now you want to take my woman! How could you be such an asshole?"

Ryan hadn't gotten angry. He had even knelt down in front of him. "Let Lulu out, and I'll do whatever you want!"

Seth sneered and banged Ryan's head against the wall. It thumped loudly again and again.

I would never forget what Ryan had said. "Lulu, I've looked for you for so long."

Therefore, choosing Ryan was not a rash decision. As for Seth, I would make him pay the price!

Breaking free from my reverie, I looked at the Garners. "I've considered it thoroughly, and I want to marry Ryan."

When they saw how firm I was, they did not try to dissuade me further and agreed.

After making the decision, I breathed a sigh of relief. I decided to go to Ryan's bar to look for him.

However, I saw Seth and Ashley at the entrance to the bar.

Seth saw me, and his smile immediately turned into a look of impatience. "Luna? Why are you so annoying? Why do you follow me wherever I go?"

His friend, who was standing behind him, laughed loudly. "I told you she would come tonight! I bet that she'd kneel and lick Mr. Garner's shoes if he told her to!"

Seth grinned slyly and gave me a calculating look. He lifted his foot.

I felt revulsion rise up inside me, and I circled around him coldly. "Move aside."

Seth was startled. When he had recovered, he grabbed me forcefully. "Luna, I already know that you're holding the investment funds over me for the marriage alliance. What kind of act are you putting on now? You don't think that I'll take a second glance at you just because you're pretending to act aloof, do you?"

I glanced impassively at him and said truthfully, "I don't want to be in a marriage alliance with you."

Seth was silent for a moment, but he suddenly jeered scornfully. "You don't? Garner Group has already received an investment of ten billion from your father. How can you still say that you don't want to be with me? Don't you know how demeaning it is for you to beg me to marry you?"

I nodded. "I do know. That's why I won't marry you."

When Seth realized what I was saying, he stood still, looking stunned.

Finally, Ashley spoke up beside him. "Seth, I'm guessing that Luna doesn't want to see me. If you don't marry her, Garner Group will… forget it, I'll just go."

Seth let go of me abruptly and turned to take Ashley into his arms. "She's nothing! Even if she marries me like she wants to, I don't love her. Be good, Ash. We'll go and take wedding photos tomorrow. In my heart, you're my wife."

The onlookers all let out wolf whistles when they heard him and began teasing Ashley and calling her "Mrs. Garner."

Seth glanced triumphantly at me, as if he were waiting for my reaction.

In the past, he had loved watching me get humiliated. However, I did not react at all. "Marry whoever you want. I don't care."

Just as I was about to leave, Ashley blocked my path. "Luna, drop the act. The media released reports this afternoon about the marriage alliance between the Woods and the Garners.

"I don't mind about the fact that you sent thugs to humiliate me, but I'm begging you, please be good to Seth in the future…"

The truth about those thugs was that Ashley had orchestrated the entire thing. She had framed me to make herself look pitiful.

I had tried to defend myself, but Seth just did not believe me.

Now, I could not be bothered to explain.

Seth's expression darkened. "Why are you pleading with her? She's the kind of woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She can never compare with you."

He warned me. "Marrying you is just for the sake of our mutual benefits. If you bully Ash again and I find out about it, I won't forgive—"

Before he could finish, I looked up and cut him off. "Alright. I've got it. If that's all, I'm going to leave."

I headed into the bar without looking back.

Mrs. Garner? In a few days, Seth would have to address me respectfully as his aunt!