Chapter 1

Simon sounded so arrogant that even my gentle mother-in-law, Laurel, could not help but frown.

“Mr. Miles, barging in on my dinner is rude enough, but to act so insolently toward the person beside me… Are you trying to say the Windsor family is insignificant to you?”

As the mother of the wealthiest tycoon, Laurel’s voice held natural authority. She gave Simon a cold, warning look as she spoke.

Simon panicked when he heard this. Just as he stepped forward to explain, someone spoke from behind him in a deliberately pitiful voice.

“Some people really know how to work their charms. In just eight years, you’ve managed to fool even Mdm. Windsor herself into defending you.”

It was Simon’s beloved childhood friend, Iris.

She was clad in designer brands from head to toe. As she walked over, she kept raising her right hand to show off her diamond ring. Then, she put on an innocent look and leaned toward Laurel.

“Mdm. Windsor, I’ve heard so much about your kind and merciful nature. Please don’t let some scheming woman take advantage of you. She spent eight years not getting over being dumped. The moment she heard we were back, she ran straight to you just to badmouth my fiance and ruin our business deal. It’s absolutely pathetic.”

When I heard her words, I understood what these two clowns were really after today. They had come to sling mud at me.

I scoffed and said, “Eight years, and you’ve only gotten more shameless.”

“Clara, shut your mouth!” Glaring at me, Simon immediately stepped in and shielded Iris behind him.

“I won’t let you talk about Iris that way. I was the one who broke off the engagement with you. I was the one who fell in love with Iris. If you have a problem, take it up with me. Don’t pick on her just because she’s timid.”

When Iris saw Simon defending her, she appeared even more smug. But then, she quickly squeezed out a few tears and sobbed.

“Simon, please don’t. As long as Clara agrees not to badmouth you to Mdm. Windsor, I’ll... I’ll step aside if that’s what it takes.”

She then turned to Laurel and spoke to her in a tearful voice. “Mdm. Windsor, I know Clara resents Simon because she waited eight years and couldn’t have him. She must’ve said all kinds of terrible things about him to you. But if you just give him a chance to work with you, I’m willing to even give Simon up to Clara.”

Simon grew anxious upon hearing this. He immediately stepped forward and embraced Iris.

His voice was filled with tenderness as he said to her, “What are you saying, Iris? You’re the only one I’ve ever loved. Clara means nothing to me. Why would I ever leave you for her?”

He then turned to me again and said patronizingly, “Clara, I know you’re obsessed with me. You’ve visited the Capital Hotel every year for the last eight years just to win me back. It’s not going to work. I’ve already chosen Iris. No matter what you do, I’m never going to marry you. So, get a grip and give up already.”

Hearing this disgusted me so much that I could barely breathe. Eight years had passed. How could this man still be so shameless?

I took a deep breath before looking at him coldly and replying, “You need to get your head checked. Seriously, get out of my sight. Marry you? I wouldn’t even look at you if you were the last person on Earth.”