Book 1: Chapter 3

The young assistant clutched Leigh's arm, her voice trembling with desperation. "Mr. Holt, you can't waste another second! Ms. Cherie's fading fast!" Leigh turned to me, his face twisted with disdain. "Fine, Lira. If you're so set on marrying Callen, I'll let you have your way. It works out perfectly. Once Sloane has our child, I'll make her my wife. Don't come crying to me when you regret this!"

With a dramatic flourish, he tore off his suit jacket, flung it aside, and stormed out, leaving a stunned crowd in his wake.

I turned to my assistant, keeping my voice low but firm. "Get my father and Celeste here. Tell them to bring the engagement contract with Leigh."

My parents arrived swiftly, their faces etched with fury.

My father, Silas Voss, fixed Hugo with a steely glare. "What kind of circus is this, Holt? Do you think the Vosss will just swallow this humiliation? Your son ditches my daughter on her wedding day for his mistress, and you expect us to stay quiet?"

I stepped in before his anger boiled over. "Father, I've already settled things with Leigh. I won't marry him. This alliance is about our families' partnership, not about tying me to one specific man. Leigh has betrayed me with another woman and had a child. I refuse to bind myself to him. But the Holt have another son—Callen."

My mother, Celeste Voss, leaned close, her voice soft but resolute. "Lira, you don't have to sacrifice yourself. If this engagement falls apart, the fault lies with the Holt, not you."

I gave her a faint, reassuring smile.

Breaking a family alliance was no small feat, but swapping grooms? That was far simpler.

The elite circles we moved in wouldn't care whether I married Callen or Leigh Holt.

As long as the union solidified the partnership, it would silence any scheming whispers.

In my past life, after Leigh drove me to my death for Sloane's sake, it was Callen who stood at my memorial, publicly condemning his brother's betrayal and exposing Leigh's true colors.

My father mulled it over, then nodded. He turned to Hugo and asked, "What do you say, Holt?"

Hugo and Elowen nodded eagerly, almost tripping over themselves. "It's a fine solution. Lira, you're so gracious and understanding." They turned to a servant. "Quick, fetch Callen."

My father raised a hand, cutting them off. "Don't rush to sweet-talk us. This has disgraced my daughter. Your son Leigh behaved shamelessly and violated the contract. If this scandal spreads, both our families will be mocked. He cheated on my daughter during their engagement and fathered a child. Now, on the wedding day, this disgraceful drama has erupted. Our family will be a laughingstock if we just let it go.

"If you don't take a stand, people might think this fiasco wasn't just Leigh's doing but something the Holt condoned."

Hugo's face paled. "What do you propose?"

I stepped forward, my voice calm but razor-sharp. "Mr. Holt, out of respect for both our families' reputations, I've kept this from escalating. As you know, my father also hasn't filed for breach of contract yet. Since you agree I've been wronged, the best course is clear. I want you to hold a family meeting and strip Leigh of his inheritance. Let Callen take over the Holt arms empire.

"Leigh has brought nothing but trouble and disgrace, while Callen's proven himself capable and respected by all. Don't you think he's the better leader?"

Hugo's expression crumbled, but after a tense pause, he nodded. "Very well. I'll call a family meeting tomorrow to propose changing the heir."

Suddenly someone called out, "Mr. Callen's here!"

I lifted my head and saw Callen standing at the edge of the crowd, his presence quiet but commanding. It seemed he had been there for a while and had heard our words.