Chapter 2

I grabbed a tablecloth and wiped the wine from my eyes—only to see a man in a white suit, a crimson rose tucked into his breast pocket.

Tall, refined, and elegant, he stood at the center of attention. The crowd around him seemed to orbit his presence, as if he were the very sun and they, a galaxy of stars.

My grandmother knew me well—this man was practically crafted to my taste.

Yet the warmth I expected vanished the moment he turned, his brow knitting tightly as he looked at Seraphine.

"Seraphine, what are you doing? It's my wedding day, and I've been running myself ragged. Must I chase after you too? Can't you spare me even a little trouble?"

Seraphine's face crumpled into practiced grievance. "I only wanted to settle the ring matter before leaving, but that wretch wouldn't stop making a scene. Not only did she steal your family's diamond, she even demanded a twenty-carat ring as compensation."

The sheer audacity left me reeling.

I straightened, ready to defend myself, but Owen's voice cut in first, sharp with disdain.

"Who let the cleaning woman in here? Get out now! You'll ruin my wedding."

I drew a steadying breath, forcing calm. "Owen, it's me, Rachel Waitrose, your bride. You took the ten-carat pink diamond I sent and promised it would be made into my wedding ring. I—"

"Enough." His voice cracked like a whip. "The Buckley family doesn't need a shrew, much less a country bumpkin who doesn't know her place. As of now, the wedding will be handled by Seraphine. I'll explain everything to both families. Don't embarrass yourself further."

The words stunned me. His secretary had provoked this entire mess—yet he cast all blame on me.

"But it was your secretary—"

"Oh, right." His eyes, suddenly cold as knives, pinned me like I was vermin crawling out of a sewer. "I nearly forgot. Today's guests include titans of industry and renowned jewel designers. You wasted my secretary's time and prevented her from assisting me with our distinguished guests. That delay has harmed Buckley Group's interests."

His next words struck like ice. "She's upset now. Go on—strip and dance for her, let her vent her anger."

I choked on disbelief. Her mood? How was that my responsibility?

"Rachel," he sneered, "my grandfather said you were attractive. But seeing you now—you're nothing but a toad. I can't fathom what trick you pulled to blind him."

I stood frozen, numb with shock. It took me a long moment to find my voice. "Owen… after everything you've said, what makes you think I'd still marry you?"

He tilted his head, as though I'd uttered a joke, and the crowd roared with laughter.

"Plenty of women want to marry Owen. If not for Owen's grandpa threatening his own life, do you think some no-name toad like you would be worthy?"

"My uncle belongs to Seraphine! You don't deserve to even speak to him, tramp!"

"If you're smart, you'll start stripping now. Otherwise, we'll be happy to help."

A pack of beasts—every last one of them. Not a shred of decency in the Buckley family.

"I won't stay for this wedding. And I certainly won't marry you, Owen. But one thing—return my ten-carat pink diamond. You're the CEO of Buckley Group; surely you wouldn't stoop so low as to covet a country girl's stone."

For the first time, his expression faltered. "A single diamond? The Buckley family doesn't even care for such trifles."

With that, he snatched the Hello Kitty ring and tossed it at my feet. The pink gem clattered across the floor, rolling to a stop before me.

"There—take your diamond. Now dance, or stop wasting my time."

I bent to examine it. At a glance, the color and facets seemed right, but the fire, the brilliance—it was all wrong. This wasn't my diamond.

It was nothing but a pink padparadscha sapphire.

I drew a long breath. "I told you, I won't marry you. And another thing—"

Seraphine cut in with a theatrical snort. "Who asked your opinion? You're just a pawn Owen uses to show filial piety. If his grandpa hadn't insisted on you, you wouldn't even be standing here. Don't act self-important.

"Be clever—flatter me, and maybe I'll let you have the honor of appearing beside Owen on the marriage certificate. Otherwise, there are plenty waiting to replace you."

I gave a short, bitter laugh, though my temper was slipping fast. "Then let them replace me. For now, return my diamond. That stone is not mine."

I pulled out my phone to call my superior, intending to cancel the wedding on the spot.

But Seraphine lunged forward, snatched it from my hand, and smashed it to the ground. "Trying to run? Not a chance. You'll apologize to me today!"

The crowd jeered, voices overlapping in disdain.

"Rachel, hurry and apologize. Seraphine can close deals worth ten times more than your diamond in minutes. You've wasted enough of her time."

"Owen is far too patient, indulging a toad like this before the marriage even begins."

"She's just playing hard to get, banking on Owen's filial piety. Typical scheming tramp."

"Exactly. The moment she saw him toss the diamond back, she tried to bolt. She just wants his attention."

Me? Trying to catch Owen's attention? The thought was laughable.

I raised my voice. "First of all, the diamond you took is worth fifty million. It's a rare vivid purplish-pink stone. This Hello Kitty ring is a padparadscha sapphire, barely three carats, poorly cut, worth at most a few ten thousands. Owen, I don't care for your worthless stone. You will compensate me with the original diamond—intact."

Seraphine's eyes narrowed. She leaned toward Owen and whispered something.

His face darkened with fury. "Rachel, don't mistake my kindness for weakness!"