No Gods But Me
The year I became one of the country's top defense attorneys, I received a case request from my ex-boyfriend, Julian Sterling.
We'd loved each other for four years, yet I couldn't marry him, couldn't have children with him, and couldn't even meet his family.
All because the Sterling family had a rule: whoever cast nine blessed oracle blocks in a row would be the daughter-in-law recognized by their ancestors.
I begged for that blessing a thousand times. Every cast came back cold.
Everyone in Harbor City laughed and said I was born without the fortune to marry into wealth.
Then my adopted sister returned from overseas, casually cast nine blessed blocks, and became engaged to Julian Sterling.
At last, he told me the truth.
"I weighted those oracle blocks with lead. No matter how many times you cast them, they were never going to bless you.
"Celia had a difficult background. I had to do this to win her the dignity and status she deserved."
So the humiliation I endured for four years had all been his way of paving a road for another woman.
On the day of the Sterling family's century wedding, I left Harbor City for Capital City and joined a law firm.
Now I was a top attorney with a perfect win rate.
Julian Sterling, trapped in a legal crisis, sat across from me and pushed over a check.
"You're the only one who can win this case.
"Take it, and fifty million is yours."
I gave a soft laugh.
Then I opened my drawer, took out a pair of oracle blocks, and set them in front of him.
"The Sterling family has Sterling rules. I have mine.
"If you can cast nine blessed blocks in a row, I'll take your case."