Chapter 1

Brett Walker's lips curled into a triumphant smirk as he watched Jenny Morse distance herself from me.

"Ah, a humble agriculturist," he said, his tone dripping with fake reverence as he stepped back, as though I carried a contagious disease.

"Still, Mr. Poole, a venue like this calls for a little effort. This is a Morse family gathering, not dinner in the barn with your ranch hands."

I looked down at my casual attire. I had changed my clothes specifically to meet Jenny's family.

It wasn't expensive, but at least it was presentable.

Brett appraised me with blatant contempt. "Is that off the rack? The threads are practically unraveling. Jenny, couldn't you buy your boyfriend something presentable?"

I frowned, bristling at the insult, but Jenny's relatives quickly jumped in.

"Seriously, Jenny. You're a daughter of the Morse family. How did you end up with someone so low-rent?"

"A classic case of beauty and the beast. What a waste."

Jenny's face flushed bright red.

Before I could defend myself, she glared at me, her eyes full of resentment. "Hayden Poole, haven't you embarrassed me enough? Just find a corner, sit down, and keep your mouth shut!"

When she turned back to Brett, her gaze instantly softened. "Ignore him, Brett. He's just a cattle farmer. He doesn't know any better. Let's focus on us."

Left on the sidelines, I felt a chill settle in my chest.

"So, Brett, I heard you've been doing really well in Auristelle," someone chimed in. "Are you planning to settle down here in Calveria?"

"That's the plan. Calveria has plenty of opportunities, but more importantly…" Brett looked deeply into Jenny's eyes. "…there's someone here I couldn't leave behind."

The room erupted into collective cheers.

"Oh, wow! That is so romantic!"

"Jenny, he came back just for you!"

Jenny's mother, Avery Herman, beamed with delight. "Oh, Brett, you've always been so sweet. I've rooted for you two ever since you were kids!"

Jenny lowered her head in bashful delight, unable to hide her grin.

She seemed to completely forget that her actual boyfriend was sitting less than ten feet away.

When the waiter arrived with the menus, Jenny's father, Jackson Morse, handed them straight to Brett. "Order whatever you like, Brett. It's on me!"

"Please, Mr. Morse, let me handle it," Brett said, raising his glass to toast Jackson.

"You and Mrs. Morse have always treated me like family. To me, you're as dear as my own parents. Please let me treat you this time. It's the least I can do to show you how much you mean to me."

His gesture won over Jenny's parents completely, and the rest of the Morse family chimed in with warm praise.

"I've always loved Brett. He and Jenny go way back. They're such a perfect match!"

"Right? Look at them! They practically look like newlyweds already!"

As the playful teasing buzzed around the room, Jenny and Brett exchanged a shy, lingering glance before looking away.

The table was filled with laughter and cheer, while I sat in the corner with a bitter smile.

When I first learned the Morse family was holding a gathering, I used my name to secure the largest private dining room at the finest hotel in town.

Without my intervention, a family running a modest local steakhouse wouldn't have managed to book a table in the main dining hall, let alone here.

I had even covered the entire bill in advance, keeping it quiet so Jenny's family wouldn't feel indebted.

Yet my girlfriend and her childhood friend were staging a matchmaking session right in the room I had provided.