Chapter 3

The wedding dress was so tight that I could barely breathe.

I stood in front of the mirror and looked at my reflection. I was wrapped in a snow-white gown. I looked exactly like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

Nancy tilted her head and smiled at me. “Stella, you look beautiful today.”

I stared at her fake smile in the mirror. I returned the same smile and said, “Thank you, Nancy.”

I heard noises coming from downstairs. The wedding convoy had arrived.

I turned around and took the bouquet from the dresser. I brushed my fingers over the metal hidden beneath the white roses.

I had prepared a folding knife last night.

I sucked in a deep breath. Then, I lifted my heavy hem of the gown and headed downstairs.

Alfred stood at the door. A tacky red flower was pinned to his chest.

When he saw me, the corners of his lips curved upward. The next moment, he shot a glance at Nancy, who stood behind me.

At that instant, the memories from my previous life flooded my mind like a tide.

Apparently, they had hooked up with each other a long time ago!

“The bride needs to get in the car now.” Catherine gave me a push.

Alfred reached out to help me. I slapped his hand away.

Before everyone came to their senses, I bolted toward the Rolls-Royce decorated in red ribbons. I yanked the door open and jumped inside.

“Head to Faber’s Corporation now. I said right now!” I took out the folding knife and pressed it against the driver’s neck.

The driver did not start the engine. Instead, he calmly straightened his cuffs.

“Miss, are you sure you want to do this?”

Outside the window, Alfred had already sent his men toward us.

I panicked. I pressed the knife harder against his neck. “I said now!”

A trace of blood slid down his long neck and stained the collar of his crisp white shirt.

The car engine finally roared to life.

The Rolls-Royce shot forward like an arrow. It left the noisy wedding far behind.

I finally let out a sigh of relief. I let go of the folding knife. After that, I took out a tissue from my bag and dabbed the blood on his neck.

“Sorry, I was a little too anxious just now.”

The driver said nothing. He merely glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

There was something in his gaze that made a chill crawl down my spine. He did not look like a frightened driver. Instead, he looked like a predator studying his prey.

After ten minutes, he said in a playful tone, “We’re here.”

Outside the window, Faber’s Corporation towered above us. Its glass facade gleamed under the harsh sunlight.

I thanked him. I got out of the car and rushed to the nearest mall. I bought the cheapest business outfit and changed into it.

Just like in my previous life, the interviewers asked a few routine questions, and I answered each one flawlessly.

The experience I accumulated in my previous life was my greatest weapon.

Strangely enough, right after the interview session ended, the human resource director personally walked in to inform me that I had been hired.

“You can start tomorrow,” she said with a smile. “Our CEO admires your ‘courage’.”

I froze in place. Even after I walked out of the building, I still found the whole situation surreal.

Suddenly, a high-pitched scream split through the crowd.

“Stella!”

Before I returned to my senses, I felt a searing pain tear across my scalp.

Catherine had grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me down the steps.

“You shameless trash!”

Her hysterical shout drew the crowd’s attention. “The Goodwin family had hundreds of guests waiting for you, and you dared to run away from your wedding?! Are you keeping a man on the side?!”

George slapped me across my face so hard that I stumbled into a lamppost.

Blood filled my mouth, and stars burst in my vision.

Through my messy hair, I saw Alfred and Nancy standing side by side. The corners of their lips curved into evil smiles.

Nancy raised her voice. Her eyes instantly misted over. “Everyone, judge this for yourselves! My sister despises the Goodwin family for being broke. She literally ran off from the wedding!”

The crowd began to whisper among themselves.

Some of them recognized Alfred. “Isn’t he the young master of Goodwin’s Corporation? Rumor has it that they’re facing a cash flow issue…”

“Young ladies these days are so materialistic…”

“She has a pretty face. Why did she have to be such a shallow-minded gold-digger…?”

Every stare felt like blades cutting into me.

George violently dragged me into the car. “Is Faber’s Corporation a place you can simply set foot in? Get in the car and stop embarrassing us!”

Alfred took the chance and slid an arm around my waist. He squeezed cruelly at my ribs. “Honey, stop making a scene. Let’s go home.”

“I’m not your wife! We haven’t even—”

He abruptly covered my mouth. His nails dug into my cheeks.

He took the opportunity and shoved me into the car.

Nancy turned around from the front seat. “Stella, stop wasting your effort—”

Before she finished her sentence, a violent crash slammed us all forward.

A familiar-looking Rolls-Royce had rammed into our car.

Alfred got out of the car furiously. “Trash, are you blind?! Do you know whose car this is?!”

The Rolls-Royce door opened slowly, and the driver I had previously “taken hostage” got out of it.

He straightened his cuffs again. The glint of his Patek Philippe caught the light.

Alfred’s fury instantly subsided. “Mr. Faber?”