Everyone stared at me in disbelief. No one expected that, at a moment like this, I would agree to marry a man on the brink of bankruptcy.

A faint smile tugged at Gordon's handsome face. He leaned in and brushed a gentle kiss against my forehead.

"Of course," he murmured. "I've been dreaming of making you my bride."

The room fell silent.

Guests covered their mouths, whispering behind their hands.

"Has Leah lost her mind? Why would she marry someone who's about to go under?"

"Why not? Maybe she cheated with Gordon first and pushed Adrian into calling off the engagement!"

Adrian's face twisted with anger when he heard that. With a cold snort, he pulled Isabelle away and stormed out.

…

The next day, I went to the Hunt residence as promised to discuss the wedding.

Gordon couldn't take his eyes off me—worried, it seemed, that I might vanish if he blinked too long.

His family burst into laughter at how dream-struck he looked.

His grandmother pulled me down beside her, warmth shining in her expression. Then she laid out all the priceless jewelry she'd collected over the years—every piece meant as a wedding gift.

"OMG… this is too much." Startled, I stood quickly, hands hovering as if afraid to touch them.

But she packed everything back into a box and pushed it firmly into my arms.

"Leah, you're a rare, good girl. We're all delighted that Gordon can marry you. These gifts are my blessing. Please don't refuse my goodwill."

I smiled and nodded, finally accepting the box from her hands.

When I left the Hunt residence, I was surprised to find Adrian pacing at the gate.

The moment he saw me, he rushed over.

"Leah, you're really here! So you're actually going to marry Gordon?"

I stepped back immediately, keeping space between us.

"Of course. Who jokes about marriage?"

Adrian stared at me like he couldn't process the words, then let out a low laugh.

"Leah, I know you're only doing this to spite me."

His gaze searched my face, looking for heartbreak, humiliation—anything.

"Why go this far to get back at me? We loved each other once. I can't bear to watch you throw yourself into a fire pit just to make a point.

"So… even if I marry Isabelle, you can still be my mistress. We can keep seeing each other."

He didn't seem to notice the fury radiating off me—just kept talking, as if everything made perfect sense to him.

"Isabelle is understanding. She won't fight you over it. Since she's pregnant, I'll need to take care of her, but I'll spend every weekend at your place. Don't expect too much. This is my biggest compromise."

He gave me a smile—waiting, somehow, for gratitude.

"Isabelle is willing to tolerate you. You should know how to repay that."

I pressed my palms over my ears, irritation flaring.

"Are you drunk? Do you even hear the nonsense coming out of your mouth?

"Let me make it clear—when you broke off the engagement at the party, we ended. Completely. And you still think I'd be your mistress? You're delusional."

My words finally pushed him into anger.

"Leah, I admit I went too far at the engagement party. But I came personally to get you, and I'm giving you a place at my side. You should know when to give in."

His shamelessness made me want to laugh.

"Keep dreaming. I'm getting married soon. Don't bother me again."

Adrian let out a short, incredulous breath, then grabbed my wrist.

"Don't be stubborn! Gordon is about to go bankrupt—what can he give you?

"I can give you everything except marriage. If you insist on leaving, I'll end the partnership between our families immediately!

"Do you really want to watch your family company go under?"

I turned away from him, my voice cold and cutting. "The Madison family's business is none of your concern."

He stared at me, his frustration leaking into every word.

"Leah, when did you become so selfish? Let me tell you—when a woman gets too willful, she stops being lovable.

"Come with me now. Once you move in with me, I'll fix that temper of yours."

I struggled hard against his grip.

Then a voice, deep and edged with pressure, sliced through the air.

"Let go."

I turned my head.

Gordon had arrived in a rush, his hand clamped so tightly around Adrian's wrist that sweat gathered on Adrian's forehead. With one sharp motion, Gordon flung him aside.

"Leah is my wife," he said quietly. "I'll take care of her future. If you dare bother her again, you'll pay for it."

Adrian let out a cold, mocking laugh. "You? Don't make me laugh."

But he was no match for Gordon's strength. Forced back, he turned away, a sneer lingering on his face.

"Gordon, you're nothing but a tool Leah's using to get revenge on me. What exactly are you proud of? Give it three days—she'll come crawling back to me."

…

That night, Adrian formally announced the termination of all collaboration with the Madison family. The impact was immediate. Madison Group took a devastating hit, its stock price plunging straight into free fall.

The next morning, every shareholder rushed to the emergency meeting.

No one expected Adrian to show up uninvited—bringing Isabelle with him.

He carried himself with a smug air of superiority, even though his voice sounded almost gentle.

"Leah, forgive me, but you're too stubborn and headstrong. Acting out was inevitable. Think of this as a lesson—something to teach you how to behave."

He snapped his fingers. A group of hotel staff walked in, arms full of gowns and jewelry.

Adrian stepped up beside me, chin lifted arrogantly.

"I know you've been refusing to come back because you were embarrassed at the engagement party. So I'll hold a wedding for you—fulfill that little dream of yours."

My whole body trembled with anger. He was absurd—almost laughably so.

Isabelle approached, placing the clothing beside me with an expression full of gracious sacrifice.

"Leah, all your friends are waiting for you to attend the wedding. You should hurry and change."

I looked closely. It wasn't a wedding dress—just a simple gown.

Adrian caught the displeasure in my expression.

"Leah, the wedding dress is for Isabelle. She's the wife. You're the mistress. There has to be a difference."

I threw the gown to the floor and told them both to get out.

Isabelle's eyes flickered—then, a moment later, tears covered her entire face.

"Leah, it's fine if you hate me, but how can you trample on Adrian's kindness like this? He went everywhere trying to pick out that dress for you."

I let out a cold laugh, picked up the gown by its cheap rhinestones, and tossed it back at her.

"If you like it, take it. I'm not interested in anything that pretends to be luxurious but is just trash underneath—much like the man standing beside you."

Adrian's expression darkened, the air turning suffocating around him.

Isabelle rushed toward me, reaching for my hand.

"Leah, you really misunderstood Adrian. Actually—"

I yanked my hand away, irritated—and she immediately crumpled to the floor.

She wrapped both arms around her stomach and wailed.

"It hurts—my stomach—! Leah, I only wanted you and Adrian to make up. Why did you push me?"

Panic flashed across Adrian's face. He lunged toward her and swept her into his arms, grip tightening, veins bulging along his forehead.

"Doctor! Call a doctor! Isabelle, don't be afraid. I won't let anyone hurt you or the baby!"

Then he turned on me, breath shaking with fury.

"Leah, Isabelle has already yielded so much for you, and still you act so viciously! If anything happens to that child, I'll bury the entire Madison family with it!"

I responded with a soft, humorless laugh and said nothing.

When he learned the baby was fine, relief washed over him. Then he planted himself in front of me again, chin lifted in self-righteous confidence.

"Even if Isabelle's fine, you still owe her an apology. I know your mother left you three chests of jewelry. Give them to Isabelle, and I won't pursue this further."

The moment he mentioned the jewelry, unmistakable greed lit up Isabelle's eyes.

I steadied myself, pushing down the storm inside.

"Those jewels are my mother's keepsakes. They're priceless. And you dare dream of taking them?"

Adrian smiled faintly.

"Once you're with me, what's yours is mine. Naturally, I have the right to decide where things go."

I bit down hard, swallowing the anger burning through me.

"Keep dreaming. I won't be your mistress, and I won't hand over those jewels. Take Isabelle and get out of my life, or I'll make sure you regret it."

Adrian clearly hadn't expected me to humiliate him in public. His entire body trembled with rage.

He stepped closer.

"It seems I've been far too indulgent with you. You'll pay for this stupidity—and that malice of yours."

Then he pulled out his phone, eyes cold as steel.

"Send out the order. Buy up whatever remains of the Madison family's assets. I want them ruined. Completely."

The room froze for three full seconds before chaos erupted.

Isabelle peeked out from behind him, eager to watch me break down.

But before she could smile, his secretary burst into the room, breathless and frantic.

"Mr. Reese! The company… it—it's bankrupt!"