Chapter 1

"June Langley?"

My parents glanced at the name on the lot, then back at me with concern. "Tristan, have you thought this through? Weren't you always fond of Jasmine? It's only the three of us here. If you're not satisfied with the result, we can change—"

"I'm fine with it," I cut them off. "Since I drew June, she'll be my future wife."

Seeing my parents so close to me again made my eyes sting. In my previous life, I never got to see them one last time before they died.

Since Jasmine Turner's heart had already belonged to Marcus Lockwood, I'd decided to let her have him.

After reassuring my parents, I left the office. As soon as I reached the ground floor, I saw Jasmine and June.

Jasmine was the scholarship student our family had sponsored. She had talent in business, and my father intended to train her as a successor. If she married me, her position in York Group would be completely justified.

June, on the other hand, had once risked her life to save mine. My parents favored her for that and made her my personal bodyguard. But in recent years, her quiet loyalty had been overshadowed by Jasmine's ambition.

The moment June saw me, she stepped forward and greeted me. "Mr. York."

She stood respectfully before me with a calm expression.

In contrast, Jasmine's face screamed arrogance.

"I heard you drew my name, Tristan," she sneered. "You should know your place. I like Marcus. You can't force me to marry you!"

Word about the drawing had already spread, so it wasn't surprising they knew. But how was Jasmine so sure I had drawn her name?

"It was my fault. I overheard Mr. York and Mr. York Senior talking about switching both lots to Jasmine's name," Marcus said in a strange tone. "Jasmine, you should keep your distance from me from now on. Mr. York has never liked me anyway."

I hadn't said a single word, yet Jasmine's gaze toward me immediately filled with disgust.

"Tristan, I told you I don't like you. Are you really that desperate? I know your father is about to take over the family business. You must be panicking without an heir. Since you value me so much, I'll give you a chance. There's a class reunion tomorrow. Come with us!"

It was absurd.

I was the family's only son, yet she claimed the York family had no heir.

Marcus had buttered up Jasmine so much that she believed her business talent was unmatched and that marrying me would be beneath her. She didn't realize it was the York name that gave her status.

Without York Group, she couldn't achieve a thing, no matter how talented she was.

As for that class reunion, Jasmine had used it as an opportunity to help Marcus twist the truth and accuse me of being the impostor in my previous life. I let her control me and endured three hours of humiliation without saying a word.

She wanted a repeat of the same trick, but that would depend on whether I was willing to play along again.

"Oh, and don't bring June. I find her annoying."

With that, Jasmine walked away with Marcus, leaving June behind.

June looked at me with concern. "Mr. York, you shouldn't attend the reunion. If you must go, please take me with you. I'll protect you."

She spoke calmly, but I knew she would keep her word.

Warmth rose in my chest. I patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."