Chapter 1

"Jade Sterling, this is Mr. Silas Vance. Starting today, you’ll be serving as his executive assistant". The HR Director, Brenda Pattison, flashed a polite, practiced smile as she led me to the door of the CEO's office, only to make a disappearing act the second we arrived.

Inside, the man seated behind the expansive mahogany desk looked up. I held my breath. That face—every sharp angle and familiar line—was a perfect replica of Lucas Thorne, the man etched into my darkest memories. He was the one who had used sweet words to drain my life savings, buried me in soul-crushing debt, and vanished into thin air the moment I was most vulnerable.

A wave of pure, unadulterated hatred surged through me, nearly snapping my composure.

Silas’s lips moved, cold and dismissive. "Get out".

My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag as the crushing desperation of my past life flashed before my eyes. However, before I could react, a voice exploded inside my head.

[Whoa! She’s gorgeous! Is that look on her face... Is she already head-over-heels for me? No, no, Silas, stay composed. You can't let her think you're an easy catch. Right, keep it up. Stay cold. Make her want to chase you!]

I froze in my tracks. What on earth was that?

I stared at Silas’s expressionless face, but the voice in my head continued to blare.

[Why isn't she saying anything? Did I scare her with my alpha energy? Oh man, was I too mean?]

[It’s all Grandpa’s fault for showing me her photo early. I’ve been dying to meet her. She’s a million times better-looking in person. That skin, that body... Focus, Silas! You’re a serious CEO!]

Everything clicked. The childhood betrothal. The mind-reading. In my previous life, I had flatly rejected the marriage my grandfather, Arthur Sterling, arranged just to stay with Lucas, only to end up bankrupt and dying in the gutter. Now, fate had given me a second chance, not just to fix my mistakes, but with a psychic "cheat code" to boot.

I suppressed my internal chaos and gave Silas a slight, professional bow. "Mr. Vance, if my presence displeases you, I can leave immediately".

"However," I continued, emphasizing carefully, "my grandfather pulled a lot of strings to secure this position for me. If I leave now, it will be quite difficult to explain things to the family."

Silas’s face remained a mask of ice as his fingers drummed rhythmically on the desk.

[Grandpa! She mentioned Grandpa! This proves she's here for our betrothal! I knew she couldn't resist me. My charisma is practically a hazard!]

He cleared his throat. "Given the family's request, I will allow you to stay. But bear in mind that the Vance Group doesn't carry dead weight. If you can’t handle the work, you’ll be out the door immediately."

"I understand perfectly, Mr. Vance," I answered, feeling a private sense of amusement bloom within me.