Chapter 1

Ryan Wellington had barely stepped out of the lounge when he pressed a hand to his forehead and swayed. Everyone rushed over immediately.

My mother, Tina Wellington, supported him while my sister, Claire Wellington, shoved a chair out of the way. "Ryan's getting a headache. We need to get him to the hospital."

As my father, Joseph Wellington, walked past me, all he said was, "Stay here and hold the room. We don't need the guests to make us into a laughingstock."

The lights in the banquet hall went out one by one.

The manager approached me with the bill, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "Sir, the change of suit on short notice, the extra guest seating, and the damage to the champagne tower come to another 18,000 dollars."

I looked at the name of the person responsible for payment.

Leon Wellington. That was my name.

Ryan had stolen my engagement party, but I was expected to pay for everything he had damaged.

I turned to the attached paperwork and stopped. The groom's name, the main table's seating chart, and the photo displays had all been changed a week earlier.

Dad had approved everything, and Claire had handled the arrangements. Natalie had signed the documents herself.

She had even left a note about the video I had recorded about my life. "It has nothing to do with today's event. Delete it."

The manager gave me a cautious look. "Sir, didn't you approve these changes?"

I shook my head. "I only found out today."

What they kept calling a "temporary performance" had been planned well in advance. They just had not bothered to tell the fiance that he was being replaced.

I paid the balance with my card and went backstage to collect my belongings.

The bag for my suit had been thrown beside a trash can. The hem of my suit jacket was covered in red wine stains and shoe prints.

I had visited seven tailors and had the suit altered six times before I was satisfied. Now that Ryan had worn it, they apparently saw no reason even to return it.

I left the suit where it was and took only my documents and laptop.

My phone rang as I stepped out of the hotel. It was Peter Harrison, the head of Summit Group.

Three months earlier, he had invited me to join the company's overseas headquarters to expand its business in Liveria.

I had turned him down then. Natalie had said she did not want me living too far away from home after we got married.

"Leon, the position is still open." Peter got straight to the point. "I'm asking you one last time. Will you take it?"

I felt the night breeze on my bare ring finger, and I did not look back at the hotel. "I will."

Peter laughed softly. "Good. I'll have someone book you a flight in five days from now."

The confirmation email arrived almost at once. I clicked "Accept."

"Thank you. And Leon? Welcome aboard. See you in five days."