Chapter 1

After work, I got a call from Mom.

"Elisa, come home for dinner tonight. Poppy’s getting engaged. Come meet your future brother-in-law."

I lifted my head from the mountain of documents on my desk. Finally, the moment I had been waiting for was almost here.

My sister, Poppy Hart, immediately grabbed the phone. "Elisa, bring your boyfriend too. I saw him in your post. His side profile looked so hot! Bring him home so we can all meet him."

I agreed and asked my rich boyfriend, James Porter, to come with me.

James was good at handling social situations. Knowing we were meeting my mom, he showed up with expensive gift baskets and premium health supplements. In comparison, my future brother-in-law, Ralph Gardner, came up short. He had brought normal stuff like wine, dessert, and flowers.

At dinner, Mom and James hit it off, discussing everything from international news to social trends. The conversation flowed easily.

Ralph was quieter and could not contribute to their conversations, but he was attentive to my sister and kept putting food on her plate.

Poppy kept a stony expression the whole time. She clearly was not happy.

After dinner, James and Ralph both left. I cleaned up the kitchen and headed to my sister's room to chat with her, only to overhear her complaining to Mom.

"Mom, look at how amazing Elisa's boyfriend is. He's gorgeous, loaded, and so articulate! The gold bracelet and necklace Elisa is wearing were definitely from him.

"Unlike Ralph! He's so cheap. Look at what he brought: chicken and more meat. It's so embarrassing! I wish James were my boyfriend instead."

I stood outside the door and smiled, listening to my sister complain. Just as I expected, the second she saw my boyfriend, she wanted him for herself.

For once, Mom actually scolded her. "You should stick with Ralph and stop getting such ideas! Ralph may be frugal, but he's honest and straightforward.

"The Gardners' neighborhood is getting demolished for redevelopment. Ralph is an only child. Once you marry him and pop out a kid, all that compensation money and those new apartments will be yours!"

Poppy was still unhappy. "But Ralph isn’t as good-looking as James, and he's nowhere near as charming."

I almost laughed. Before I brought James home, Poppy had been perfectly content with Ralph. The moment I showed up with James, she immediately turned on him.

Maybe she was not even interested in James himself and just wanted whatever belonged to me. After all, taking my things had been a habit of hers since childhood.

Mom was about to continue lecturing her when I pushed the door open and cut them off. "Poppy, James and I are planning a trip overseas next week. Want to come along with Ralph?

"Don't worry about money. James knows Ralph's family is struggling financially. He said he'll cover everything."

Poppy shot Mom another look before turning to me. "Elisa, is James's family really that wealthy?"

I nodded. "Yeah. His parents work abroad, and he grew up rich. His personal assets are worth close to nine figures."

Poppy's eyes lit up immediately. "God, I'm so jealous. You landed a guy who has everything. How did you two even meet?"

My smile widened slightly. "We met through work. Poppy, you're gorgeous. I bet you could find someone even better than James."

Hearing this, Poppy brightened and shot Mom a triumphant look. "See, Mom? Even Elisa agrees Ralph isn't good enough for me!"

Mom exhaled sharply. "Elisa, out. I need to talk to your sister."

I nodded and left. Judging by the look on Poppy's face, she had taken the bait.