When I was selecting a marriage partner, I saw the chat.

[Girl, don’t pick Max Lawrence. He’s a mama’s boy. If you marry him, his mother would make your life miserable.]

[Choose Daniel Quinn. He may be an illegitimate son who isn’t valued now, but he’ll rise to power and become the head of the Quinn family.]

In my past life, I had trusted those comments and chose Daniel. After we got married, he abused me. I had three miscarriages in a row.

By the last miscarriage, I could not take it anymore and ran back home. There, I saw my father’s illegitimate daughter, Pearl Sullivan. She had married Max in my place. With my father’s arm in her hand, she had pointed at me while saying, “Mindy, why do you always make Daniel angry? You’re so immature.”

My father looked unhappy. “You’re already married, yet you keep coming back home. Send her back.”

They sent me back to the Quinn family. Daniel beat me to death.

After I returned to the past, I saw those misleading comments again. I was not going to sit back and accept my fate again.

Pearl Sullivan slipped her arm through mine and said in a sweet voice, “Mindy, who are you going to choose? I think Daniel is a great option.”

I was confused. It took me a moment to return to my senses. I put two and two together before realizing that I had returned to the past.

I turned to look at Pearl. A chill ran through me.

She was my father’s illegitimate daughter. After her mother died, my father brought her home. He said she could keep me company.

In my past life, Pearl had married Max Lawrence and lived in luxury.

On the other hand, I was beaten to death.

When I heard her words, I clenched my fists.

“Max and I grew up together. When my mother was still alive, she said she wanted me to marry into the Lawrence family.”

Pearl said from the side, “But Max has no mind of his own. I’ve already asked around for you. His mother is very controlling. Didn’t you say before that Mrs. Lawrence was very strict with you? She’s probably afraid you’d take him away.”

“That’s right, Mindy. If you marry into that family and she gives you a hard time, what will you do?”

My father also tried to persuade me. They exchanged a brief glance and quickly looked away as if nothing had happened.

The chat in front of me blew up.

[If you don’t listen to their advice, you’ll regret it! Girl, you have to listen, or you’ll suffer!]

[Hurry up and decide. Max is already on his way. He’s even bringing his mother along!]

[Daniel is right outside. If you call his name now, he would give you everything, even his life!]

Something did not quite add up.

In my past life, Daniel Quinn and Max had walked in at the same time. I had chosen Daniel. Max’s face had turned grim while his mother, Rachel Walter, flew into a rage.

Later, Pearl married Max, and the two families made peace again. Even then, Rachel often found fault with Pearl.

I took a deep breath. “Dad, if I choose Daniel, he can’t help the family right now. We would have to spend money to support him. Isn’t that too risky?”

My father glanced at me. His expression was complicated. “Why would it be? The Sullivan family’s resources will remain untouched. You can use the resources from your mother’s side.

“That way, our family would retain its strength.”

I looked at my father. His gaze was sharp and calculative.

How had I missed it in my past life? He had been planning this out since the beginning.

I was far wiser this time.

I frowned. The chat started flooding again.

[Girl, getting married is like being born a second time. Your father and your sister won’t ever harm you!]

[Daniel even brought all his assets today. That shows real sincerity!]

I could not help but sneer. How much could an illegitimate son possibly have?

At that moment, the doorbell rang. They had arrived.

Max and Daniel walked in at the same time. Rachel carried a quiet but commanding presence.

I looked at them and made up my mind.

“I choose Max. This way, I can fulfill my mother’s wish.”

I made my choice in front of Rachel.

Pearl immediately tightened her grip on my arm. A sharp pain shot through my arm. I pulled my arm away and looked at the nail marks on my skin. My face turned cold. “Pearl, what are you doing?

“You hurt me!”

Pearl’s eyes filled with tears. “Mindy, I didn’t mean to. You said you liked Daniel. You even gave him a love token. How could you go back on your word?”

“What are you talking about? When did I ever give him anything?”

I turned and saw the ring on Daniel’s finger. I froze in shock.

That was a pair of rings I designed myself. One of them went missing after it was finished. I never expected to see it on his finger.

I looked at Pearl. She was the only one who could have entered my room. My dear sister had been plotting against me all along.

I felt a chill in my heart.

The chat kept flashing in front of me.

[Girl, don’t blame your sister. She just wants you to be happy!]

[Daniel is really a rising star. If you stay with him, you won’t regret it!]

[Yeah, hurry up and agree to it. The Lawrence family will put pressure on you soon. That old woman will humiliate you!]

Seeing those comments, I took a deep breath and looked at Daniel. “Are you sure this was from me?”

“Mindy, I know you feel embarrassed, but I’m serious. When I received your ring, I was already prepared. This is everything I own. I want to stay with you for my whole life.”

Rachel sneered. “Mindy, are you trying to be a two-timer? Even if the Lawrence family is not that impressive, we would never compete with someone like him.

“This engagement—”

“Mrs. Lawrence, since you’re not happy with it, let’s end this engagement,” I said seriously. “The Lawrence family and the Sullivan family are evenly matched. A marriage like this should benefit both sides. But you can see what’s happening right now. My father and my sister are forcing me to choose Daniel. They even stole my ring and gave it to him.

“Now that I can’t proceed with this engagement, I’ll report this to the police and learn the truth.”

Hearing this, Rachel froze. My father’s face turned red with anger. “What nonsense are you saying? What do you mean it was stolen? You clearly gave it to him!”

“That was a ring I made for the competition. I would never give it to anyone. I didn’t even know him before this. I would have to be crazy to give it away!”

After I finished speaking, I took out my phone and prepared to call the police. Pearl rushed over and smashed it out of my hand.

“Mindy, stop making a scene.”

“Daniel and you already… Mindy, I know you’re too embarrassed to admit it. I’ll say it for you. I’ll take your place and marry into the Lawrence family. That way, you won’t be put in a difficult position.”

She walked up to Rachel and said, “Mrs. Lawrence, Mindy was just afraid this would end badly, so she is acting this way.

“But the marriage between the Lawrence family and the Sullivan family will still go on as planned. Don’t worry. We won’t go back on our word.”

Max looked at her, and then at me. I could not help but sneer. “The engagement between the two families was arranged by my mother when she was still alive. Even if it’s not me, it’s not your turn.

“Mrs. Lawrence, if you trust me, please help me call the police. After everything is cleared up, I’ll give you the Northvale contract as thanks.

“As for you, Daniel, you had better think carefully about how you’ll explain yourself later.”

My stance was very clear. Rachel hesitated.

My father stood to the side and shouted, “What a disgrace to the family! You ungrateful daughter! When are you going to stop this nonsense?”

“Am I the one causing trouble, or are you the ones sending me down a poisonous path? My mother arranged this marriage when she was alive. You saw an opportunity and tried to give it to your precious daughter instead.

“Ask yourself. Does she even deserve it?”

Hearing this, a dark glint appeared in Pearl’s eyes. She grabbed my hand. “Mindy, how could you think that of me? I’m doing this for your own good.

“I know I’m not good enough, but I’m still a daughter of the Sullivan family.

“Stop denying it. Isn’t marrying Daniel always your wish?”

She was still trying to force me into a corner.

I saw Max’s complicated expression and could no longer hold back. I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face.

“Watch your mouth!”

A sharp slap rang out.

My head was forced to the side. It was my father. He had slapped me. One strike sent me straight to the floor.

Rachel’s expression turned cold with anger. “Enough! If you want to discipline your daughter, we won’t interfere.

“Max, let’s go.”

Rachel turned and left with Max.

I panicked and tried to go after them, but Daniel grabbed my arm. “Mindy, trust me. I promise I’ll make sure you’ll live a good life in the future.”

The chat in front of me immediately started popping up again.

[Girl, your match is already set. Stop making a scene.]

[Why do you have to pick Max? Didn’t you see how arrogant Mrs. Lawrence was just now? They clearly don’t want you in their family.]

[Girl, don’t mess this up.]

Seeing all these comments, I could not help but laugh. I shook off Daniel’s hand and said to them, “I’ll never marry you. Give up on that idea.”

My father’s face turned red with anger. “You don’t get a say in this! I’m announcing the engagement right now! The wedding will be in three days!”

“No way!”

I tried to rush out, but the bodyguards pushed me down and held me on the floor. Pearl walked over to me.

“Mindy, don’t make Dad sad, okay?”

I glanced at her. “I’m not your sister. My mother only gave birth to me.

“I’d rather die than marry him.”

“You don’t get a choice in this!” my father shouted. He quickly softened his tone. “Mindy, I’m doing this for your own good.

“You’re an adult, and I have never asked anything from you. But you don’t understand. Our company is already in serious trouble.

“If we get help from the Quinn family, all our supply chain factories will be settled.”

In my father’s eyes, I was nothing more than a pawn to be exchanged for profit.

Unfortunately, Daniel was useless. In my past life, he took out his frustration on me whenever things went wrong. He never made any progress in his career either.

Even if I married him, I could not help the Sullivan family stay afloat. But my father could not see that. He only wanted to give the best to his daughter.

Pearl was his favorite.

I was about to argue when Daniel said, “Don’t worry. I’ll treat Mindy well.”

I looked at his vicious gaze and felt a chill run through me. Pearl then said, “Why don’t we let Mindy go to Daniel’s place today so that they get to know each other?”

I quickly turned to her. Pearl’s eyes were full of viciousness. My heart sank.

My father waved his hand. The bodyguards dragged me toward Daniel’s car and shoved me inside. I struggled hard. My father responded with two slaps. Blood came out of the corner of my mouth, and my ears rang loudly.

At that moment, I finally understood that the nightmare from my previous life never really went away. Tears streamed down my face.

A dark glint appeared in Daniel’s eyes.

“I heard the Sullivan family’s young lady is spoiled. I am finally seeing it for myself. Don’t worry. I’ll be very gentle.”

Seeing his expression, I shivered. A deep sense of despair rose in my chest. I did not want to live like that again. I did not want it.

Unfortunately, the driver stepped on the gas and drove off. I watched the scenery outside rush backward, and I felt completely hopeless.

If I went with him, I would only be beaten to death like before. I would rather jump out of the car.

Daniel grabbed my hand and let out a cruel smile. “Mindy, don’t even think about it. I won’t let you die.”

I lowered my head and bit down hard on his wrist. He cried out in pain. I took the chance to open the car door and tried to jump out.

At the last second, the car screeched to a stop.

Daniel immediately realized what I was trying to do. He grabbed my hair and slapped me hard across the face.

The force almost knocked me out.

Just then, the driver stammered, “Mr. Quinn, that car is…”

Fear appeared on his face.

Daniel also saw who was in that car. He immediately let go of me.

I finally let out a sigh of relief. He was here at last.