Chapter 2

Half an hour later, a Rolls-Royce Phantom glided to a stop in front of a hillside manor. After getting out of the car, I stared at the brightly lit manor in front of me, feeling like it'd been a lifetime since I last saw this place.

For the past three years, in order to be with Marvin, I'd almost cut myself off from my family entirely.

The moment Mom saw me, she swiftly rushed over. Holding my hands, she looked me up and down, her eyes slowly reddening.

"My precious Evelyn, you've finally come to your senses! I knew from the moment I laid eyes on Marvin that he wasn't a good man. His gaze was calculating and full of schemes! He didn't have an ounce of sincerity in him."

Dad sighed before handing me a cup of warm water. "Your mom's right. You were so madly in love with him before that we couldn't say too much about it. We didn't want to push you away. It's good that you've finally seen through him yourself."

I gripped the warm cup, my throat tightening.

He was right. I'd finally seen Marvin's true colors, but it'd come at the cost of having wasted three years of my love and devotion.

To prove to everyone that Marvin loved me for who I was and not for my money, I'd pretended to be an ordinary woman from an average background. But even while I kept that act up for three years, I never let him suffer. In fact, I paid for all of his expenses.

Not long ago, I'd even convinced my parents to agree to let me marry him. My plan was to tell him the truth on his birthday and give him the deed to three buildings as a token of my love and commitment to him.

But now…

Mom looked at me and changed the subject. "What's done is done. It's in the past now. I found someone new for you. He's perfect in every way, including his family background, his looks, and even his character. Marvin doesn't even come close to holding a candle to him!"

"Mom, for the time being, I don't want to—"

"You have to meet him!" Mom remained firm. "You won't regret meeting the man I chose for you!"

Seeing that I was still hesitant about it, Dad said, "Just meet the guy. Think of it as making a new friend. Your mom has spent so much time worrying about you, you know."

At their insistence, I had no choice but to agree to the blind date.

"Fine. I'll go. Who is it anyway?"

But Mom chose to keep me in suspense. With a meaningful smile, she said, "Oh, you'll see when the time comes. I promise it's going to be a happy surprise!"

…

The next day, I headed to the mall in the city center, which was the location Mom gave me for the blind date. After parking the car, I walked toward the restaurant while texting her to grumble about how cliché the spot for the blind date was.

I was still typing away with my head lowered when a familiar voice rang out in front of me. "It's only been a day since we broke up, Evelyn, and you couldn't help tailing me already?"

I looked over and saw Camellia clinging to Marvin's arm as she eyed me with a mocking smile. Snorting, she stepped forward to stand in front of Marvin.

"I'm warning you, bitch. A broke wench like you should know your place. Marv is my man now. If you even try to pester him, don't blame me for not showing you any mercy!"

I couldn't be bothered to waste my breath on them, so I tried to move past them. However, Marvin doggedly followed after me, commenting sarcastically, "Evelyn, I know you're still hung up on me, but we're worlds apart now.

"Look at you! Even after we've broken up, you're still wearing the same shabby clothes you got from some random thrift store. Meanwhile, look at what Cammy got me. This watch alone is worth more money than you can possibly make in a lifetime. Knowing your place is a crucial part of life, you know?"

He flexed the Rolex on his wrist with an air of superiority.

At my silence, Camellia assumed that I was feeling hurt and crushed, which only made her even more smug.

She linked arms with Marvin again and announced loudly, "Marv and I are getting married at The Haven Hotel on the eighth of this month. Don't you dare show up, and don't bother sending us a gift either. We don't need poor people sullying our wedding.

"And stop pestering him so shamelessly. Give it up, Evelyn!"