Chapter 1

The four of us stared at the pigeon-egg-sized diamond ring, completely stunned.

All the family members who could go had already gone. Who exactly did Celeste Leblanc want to marry?

Edgar Braun repeatedly asked Donny Griffin for confirmation. "Could there be a mistake? There shouldn't be anyone in our family that Celeste is interested in, right?"

Otherwise, she wouldn't have gotten married four times, practically making a hobby out of collecting dead husbands.

But Donny frowned slightly with displeasure and replied with solemn earnestness, "At Ms. Leblanc's banquet, the four of you occupied an entire table by yourselves.

"She only glanced your way once and said the owner of the ring was among you. So, no, there's no mistake."

With that, he presented the diamond ring and added haughtily, "Why don't the four of you take turns trying it on?"

George Braun, who cared most about his pride, immediately backed off. "I'm allergic to diamond rings. Wearing one would kill me on the spot."

Roger Braun, who valued money as much as his own life, waved his hands in refusal. "I'm so fat. I'd probably snap the ring in half."

Edgar Braun, who had long wanted to find a new wife, managed a smile uglier than a grimace. "My heart still belongs to my late wife. There's no way Celeste is in love with me."

In the end, everyone turned to look at me in unison.

Donny grinned, deepening the wrinkles across his face. "Mr. Bernard, didn't you once cross paths with Ms. Leblanc and fall for her at first sight? This ring must be meant for you."

Fall for her? I was so terrified that my heart almost stopped beating.

However, I had to admit I was indeed moved beyond measure when I heard those words in my previous life.

After all, Celeste and I did share a secret romance, and she even had the ring custom-made to fit my finger.

Thus, when I finally escaped the control of those three at home and successfully married Celeste, I thought my hardships were finally over. After toasting the guests, I entered our bedroom excitedly and eagerly.

But as soon as Celeste saw my face clearly, she angrily grabbed a knife and stabbed me repeatedly.

My face was reflected in her eyes as she glared at me in raging fury. "You're not him! How dare you take his place and marry me?"

I bled out completely in immense agony, and even in death, I couldn't understand one thing.

If Celeste wasn't looking for me, then who on earth was she looking for?

Lost in memories, I stood frozen in place, making no move to take the ring from Donny's hand.

"Since Ms. Leblanc is the only child of the wealthiest family in the country, marrying her does come with immense pressure," Donny said with a smile. "Perhaps you need some time to prepare yourselves, so how about this?

"Ms. Leblanc will visit in person tomorrow. You all have the night to think it over carefully, and I'll leave the ring right here for now."

Donny left the ring behind and turned to leave in his diamond-studded, luxurious stretched limousine.

Yet, as we stared at that blinding diamond, none of us dared to feel the slightest temptation. After all, we were terrified of dying.

The three men, who had been locked in a fierce rivalry with me all these years, were uncharacteristically united for once. They pulled me into the living room to hold a meeting.

One by one, they tried sliding the ring onto their own fingers, only to confirm in the end that it fit properly on mine alone.

Edgar eyed me suspiciously. "Are you sure Celeste killed you on your wedding night too?"

I rolled my eyes helplessly. "Didn't you all see? I was sent back here, stabbed full of holes."

Roger nodded vigorously. "That was brutal. There wasn't a single patch of unbroken skin left on your body."

George sighed in agreement. "Despite competing with Bernard for a decade, even I felt sorry for him when I saw what happened to him."

The four of us exchanged glances and let out a resigned sigh.

"But if we don't hand someone over tomorrow, won't she just kill all of us?" Edgar asked, breaking down.

The three of them wore expressions of deep distress.

Suddenly, I lifted my head. "But it's not completely hopeless. For example, there should be surveillance footage from that banquet, right? If the man Celeste is looking for isn't among us, maybe we can find her true love through the footage?"