Chapter 2

Cecilia and Mike's wedding was straight out of a magazine—held at the iconic Centennial Hotel, packed with industry elites.

Dressed in a custom gown, Cecilia was glowing with pride, arrogance practically dripping off her as she made her rounds.

She dragged Mike over to toast me, clearly just to flex.

"Demi, first time meeting your brother-in-law, huh? When your business tanks, maybe he'll toss you a lifeline. Women shouldn't have to work so hard anyway. You should've found a man—too bad luck skipped you."

She really thought she'd finally won. That look on her face? Pure victory.

Mike gave me a polite nod, playing the part.

But the second her tone turned smug, I caught the flicker in his eyes—his brow twitching.

I knew that look. I'd lived it. He was already sick of her.

Cecilia was a walking disaster. Once Mike's interest fizzled, she was toast.

When I didn't react, she figured I was just bitter. Threw a few more jabs, then strutted off clinging to Mike like she'd bagged a prize.

I didn't have time for her drama anyway. I'd just taken over the company—networking was the real win tonight.

With half the city's power players here, I grabbed a drink and got to work.

In my past life, Cecilia thought she was some business queen who didn't need to respect anyone. She blew off potential partners and acted like the rules didn't apply to her.

That arrogance got her blacklisted by the powerful Felton family before dessert was even served.

Not me. I played it smart—cards out, smile on. Left the right kind of impression on all the right people.

Just as I was finally catching my breath, chaos popped off in the middle of the hall.

"You bumped into me on purpose! What, you think I'm blind? Trying to ruin my wedding day? Do you even know who my husband is?!"

Cecilia, all sweet and glowy five seconds ago, now had fire in her eyes, snapping at some poor girl.

The girl looked like she was about to cry, clearly not built for this kind of public meltdown.

"I didn't mean to! I was looking for my brother and accidentally bumped into you... I already apologized..."

She stood frozen, cheeks flushed, eyes wide, everyone staring like she was some villain.

It was barely a thing—definitely not worth a meltdown.

But Cecilia saw her chance to flex and wasn't about to let it slide.

"This dress was flown in from France! You stepped on it! You couldn't afford a single thread! Who even are you—some servant who snuck in?"

Everyone in that elite circle knew each other. So when she didn't recognize the girl, she pounced.

Clearly figured she'd found a nobody to humiliate.

The girl looked seconds from crying. I couldn't just watch.

"Cecilia, come on—it's your wedding. She didn't mean it. Let it go."

That wiped the smug off her face fast. She sneered.

"How do you know she didn't do it on purpose? Maybe she's jealous of my marriage! I've seen her type before—desperate and bitter. You defending her? What, did you plant her to wreck my day?"

Didn't expect her to go full psycho. My smile dropped cold.

But before I could fire back, a voice sliced through the tension.

"The Spencer family really picked a gem."