Chapter 1

"James, between me and Haley, who do you love more?"

"Of course, it's you, my dear. Haven't my actions proven it enough? Hmm?"

"But, I want to hear you say it yourself."

"Darling, you are the woman I love the most. Relax, you're too tense..."

The man's suppressed heavy breathing, mixed with the woman's seductive moans, soon filled the hotel suite.

Haley Carter stood outside the slightly ajar door, her blood almost freezing, unable to stop trembling from the piercing cold.

An hour ago, someone sent her a video clip. In the video, her fiancé, James Ford, was passionately kissing her half-sister Xena Carter in the corridor of this hotel. She initially thought it was a prank, but she never expected that these two had long been involved with each other.

She took a deep breath, trying to restrain the anger surging in her chest. Quietly, she took out her phone from her pocket and pushed the door open.

The two on the bed were still immersed in their intense pleasure when suddenly they heard a cold voice, "What a splendid drama. Shall I applaud for you?"

Both froze, turning their gaze towards the direction of the door.

"Ah!" Xena screamed, panicked, and shrank into James's embrace. "Haley? What are you doing here?"

James covered himself with a blanket, displeased. "Who let you come in?"

Haley crossed her arms, looking at him mockingly. "If I didn't come, wouldn't I miss such a splendid scene?"

"Haley, James and I truly love each other. Please, let us be together!" Xena's eyes reddened, tears glistening, portraying an innocent and pitiful look.

James felt heartbroken, tightly holding her in his arms, and said in a deep voice, "Haley, if you have any issues, take them up with me. Xena is innocent!"

Haley sneered, "Innocent? How dare you utter those words?"

"That's enough! The one I love, from beginning to end, has only been Xena. If you had an ounce of self-awareness, you would go to Grandma and cancel our engagement!"

What he liked was someone like Xena, gentle and submissive, yet uninhibited and open-minded in bed. But Haley was awkward and conservative, not even allowing a touch of hands, utterly boring! Being with Haley, he couldn't feel an ounce of joy!

Haley's eyes narrowed, a dangerous and icy light flickering at the depths. "Cheating is cheating. Don't give yourselves excuses. If I were to release the video of you two in bed, would anyone still think you're innocent?"

James and Xena's faces turned pale, roaring, "Haley, delete the video now!"

"And if I say no?"

Haley stepped back two paces, provocatively lifting her chin towards them.

"James, if you don't like me, you could have straightforwardly called off the engagement. I'm not someone who can't live without you. Your current behavior disgusts me."

If James had openly called off the engagement, maybe she would have respected him a bit more. But alas...

"Haley, stop right there!"

Watching Haley walk away, James burned with anger, instinctively wanting to chase after her. However, Xena held onto his waist tightly, crying with grievance.

"James, what should we do? Haley must be mad at me. Perhaps from the beginning, I shouldn't have liked you, then I wouldn't have hurt her..."

Hearing this, James's heart filled with guilt and pity, leaving him with no inclination to chase after Haley.

He kissed Xena's forehead and whispered softly, "Xena, you're just too kind. If it weren't for her interference, maybe we would have been together long ago!"

"James, you're so good to me..."

Xena's lips curved slightly, her eyes fixed on the direction Haley disappeared, a trace of a triumphant smile flashing.

Thinking of competing with her? Haley was still too naive!

She believed it wouldn't be long before she snatched away the position of Mrs. Ford!

…

As Haley left the hotel, it started to pour outside. Endless night enveloped her, with only occasional flashes of lightning and dim streetlights visible through the pouring rain.

Standing in the rain, Haley was drenched from head to toe. The scenes of James and Xena's affair played over and over in her mind, making her feel nauseous. On top of not eating all day, her stomach was cramping painfully.

She forced herself to walk to the roadside, but finally couldn't bear it anymore and slowly crouched down. The icy rain hit her snow-white skin, sending shivers down her spine. Her vision blurred, making it hard for her to distinguish reality from dreams.

After who knows how long, the rain hitting her seemed to gradually stop. Haley slowly opened her eyes and noticed a shadow before her. She had a sense of it and slowly lifted her gaze.

The first thing she saw was a pair of well-tailored trousers, wrapping around a pair of long, straight legs. Moving upwards, she saw a handsome face with a cold demeanor. The man's slightly furrowed brows, high nose bridge, and tightly pursed lips were striking.

His deep eyes were lowered, shrouded in darkness, seemingly blending with the night. Haley stared at him in surprise, a hint of bewilderment in her eyes. "Mr. Ford? Why are you here?"

The man before her was Shane Ford, the most influential member of the Ford family, the top-tier business family in Jasper City. He was also her former fiancé's uncle, James's uncle.

He was the late child of Mr. Ford Sr. and inherited exceptional business acumen. Taking over the Ford Corporation in just a few years, its market value multiplied several times over.

What was most feared about him was his ruthless methods and decisive personality. However, he always remained low-key and mysterious, seldom interacting with the younger generation like them.

Haley had only crossed paths with him a few times at the Ford family gatherings and hardly ever exchanged words. This man exuded an aura of danger, and Haley usually avoided him whenever possible.

Never did she expect to encounter him today, especially in her current disheveled state.

"What could possibly make you disregard your own well-being like this?"

The man's brow furrowed slightly, his deep, velvety voice sensual and captivating, as if it sent an electric current tingling through her ears, simultaneously soothing and arousing. There was also a subtle hint of concern mixed in.

Haley suddenly snapped out of her daze, hastily trying to stand up. However, due to crouching on the ground for too long, her legs had gone numb. Her body swayed suddenly, uncontrollably tilting backward.

Just when she thought she was about to fall awkwardly, a pair of warm and powerful hands suddenly wrapped around her waist. The next moment, she fell into a warm and broad chest.

Anxiously, she grabbed onto the front of his shirt, afraid of falling. At this moment, the man's rich and husky voice sounded in her ear, tinged with a hint of mockery: "Are you taking advantage of me?"