Chapter 1

"Claire Sharp! Why are you throwing tantrum?”

The man's hand clamped down on my wrist with such force it felt as though he meant to crush the bones.

I stopped and looked at him coldly.

Jason Gordon was breathing heavily, several strands of hair falling loose from his once perfectly styled haircut, making him look unusually disheveled.

"Was the diamond ring too small?"

His brows were knitted together, his voice laced with undisguised impatience.

"How many times had I told you? The company's cash flow was tight lately. Once we secured the Southside development project, I'd buy you a ten-carat ring to make up for it!"

As I looked at the face that destroyed my family in my previous life, my stomach churned with disgust.

"Jason Gordon, did you not understand plain English?"

I wrenched my hand free.

"I said I don’t want to marry you."

"What is this nonsense now?"

He drew in a deep breath, forcing down his anger as he adopted the magnanimous air of someone bestowing mercy.

"Claire, there were so many elders and reporters here today. You embarrassed me in front of everyone, and I'm letting it slide.

"Be good. Stop making a scene and come back with me."

As he spoke, he reached for me again.

"Jason!"

A sweet, delicate voice called from behind him.

Denise Lowe gathered up the hem of her dress and hurried over in a pair of five-inch heels.

She immediately wrapped herself around Jason's arm, her eyes red as she looked at me.

"Claire, are you still angry with me?

"Jason and I really are just best friends. We were at the hotel last night going over the accounts. We only worked so late because we were swamped.

"If it bothers you, I'll never meet Jason alone again. Please don't ruin your engagement party because of me."

As she spoke, she leaned even closer against him.

Jason immediately patted her shoulder comfortingly.

"Denise, this has nothing to do with you. She's just too petty."

He turned to me, his eyes filled with reproach.

"Claire, Denise's my closest friend. Could you stop being so paranoid all the time?"

Watching the two of them play off each other in perfect harmony, I almost laughed.

In my previous life, after Jason had stripped my family's company of everything it was worth, this so-called "best friend" moved into my villa as if she owned the place.

She even wore my pajamas, standing at the top of the staircase as she sneered that I was so pathetic I couldn't even keep my own man.

"Best friend?"

I gave Denise a slow once-over.

"What kind of best friend stayed in a hotel late at night to go over the accounts, then walked away with a neck covered in hickeys?"

Denise's face turned pale, and she instinctively covered her neck.

Jason's gaze flickered for a moment before he straightened up again with renewed confidence.

"Those are mosquito bites! Claire, why do you always assume the worst?"

I couldn't be bothered arguing with them anymore and turned toward the Maybach parked by the curb.

It had been my twentieth birthday gift from my father before he passed away.

The moment I pulled open the door, the overpowering smell of greasy burgers and fries hit me in the face.

I frowned and looked inside.

Jason's mother, Linda Lane, had kicked off her shoes and propped her feet, still wrapped in torn black stockings, on the dashboard.

She was clutching a half-empty carton of fries, grease glistening around her mouth.

The leather seats were littered with greasy crumbs and stray fries.

"Oh, Claire, you're finally out."

Still chewing, Linda reached for the steering wheel with her greasy hand.

"This car's really nice. So roomy. Jason said that once you two got married, this car would be mine. It'll be perfect for driving to the farmers' market. It'll make quite the statement."

Looking at the interior she'd trashed beyond recognition, I felt my anger surge.

"Who gave you permission to get into my car?"

Linda froze for a second before rolling her eyes.

"Watch your tone. My son's about to take over your family's company. What's yours is his anyway. So, what's wrong with me sitting in my own son's car?"

Jason walked over, frowning at me.

"Claire, don't take this too far. She's my mother. So, what if she made a little mess? The driver can have it cleaned tomorrow.

"Do you really have to yell at an elder like that?"

Looking at the entitlement written all over his face, the chill in my heart only deepened.

"Jason, give me the car keys."

I held out my hand.

He instinctively covered his pocket.

"You're too emotional to drive right now. I'll hold onto them for you."

I let out a cold laugh.

"Fine. I don't want the car anymore. You and your family can keep it as your personal trash can."

I turned and walked to the roadside, hailing a taxi.

As I pulled the door open, I looked back at them.

"Jason Gordon, we're over."