Karl heard my voice and glanced at me briefly.

His gaze was cold, distant, and carried an almost imperceptible hint of resistance. His forehead slammed against the cold floor, his voice hoarse yet resolute. "Father, all the blame lies with me. I've failed the Cole family and Tabitha, but Karen and the child are innocent. I can't let them suffer because of me. Please, just let me be with them."

The dull thud echoed in my mind. "Karen and the child?"

I followed his gaze to the shadowy corner of the room. A woman in an old blue dress timidly stepped out from the shadows. She looked younger than me, her face pale and her eyes brimming with tears.

She cradled her swollen belly and knelt in front of my dad, sobbing uncontrollably, "Please, let us have this."

Dad was as silent as the grave.

Karl probably hadn't expected that, after returning victorious, this marriage proposal would be so difficult.

After all, his engagement to me had never been made public.

But he had forgotten one thing. If it hadn't been for my insistence on marrying him, with the Cole family's status, I would have been married off to another elite heir long ago.

Inside and outside the room, everyone who knew the truth looked at me with an odd expression. I had a sweet appearance, but everyone in the Cole family knew about my fiery temper deep down.

My second brother, Steve Carson, lunged to hit Karl, but I raised a hand, looking coldly at the man on the ground.

Two years had changed him. He was more composed, his cheeks sunken, and a scar marred his face. It seemed capturing the overseas market had been no easy feat.

"Karl's success in securing the overseas market is cause for celebration," I said calmly. "Father, let them rise."

Dad waved his hand, and someone helped them up.

I grinned, my eyes sweeping over the woman's swollen belly. "Let's arrange for Karl and Karen to wed next Tuesday. We can't keep the child waiting."

Dad choked, turning his face away. My brothers all lowered their heads in silence.

Only two people in the room were relieved. They embraced and cried on each other's shoulders.

Next Tuesday was my birthday and the supposed date of Karl's marriage proposal to me in front of everyone. He would become my husband and be named to take over the family business.

He had returned, and the wedding was to be held. But another bride had come back with him.

I read gratitude and guilt in Karl's eyes, and my heart finally died.

I frowned, raising my voice. "What's wrong? Didn't anyone hear me? Aren't you going to congratulate Karl?"

The servants stiffened at my command, exchanging uncertain glances. Under my cold gaze, they forced out awkward and dry congratulations.

"C-Congratulations, Mr. Boone."

"Congratulations, Mr. Boone and Ms. Brock."

...

Ignoring the pain in my ankle, I turned to leave.

A burning gaze followed me. I didn't have to look to know who it was.

Just as I turned the corner of the corridor, a timid voice called out, "Miss Cole."

It was the woman Karl had been cautiously protecting. She had followed me out at some point, holding something in her hand.

It was a faded, worn-out charm, its edges frayed. This was the same charm I had gotten for Karl after learning about the danger he was facing overseas last year.

I had secretly traveled to a distant church alone, praying earnestly for three days and nights to obtain this charm for Karl.

"This," Karen Brock said with feigned gratitude, "is something Karl gave me before. He said it looked delicate and offered it to amuse me, asking me to wear it for safety."

Karen continued, "I just heard from the servants that it was a gift from you. How thoughtful of you! It has really protected me and the baby."

So, the blessing I had earned through blood and devotion had become nothing more than a trinket Karl could casually give to his new love.

The air froze for a second. I could feel my second brother's rage igniting behind me, but I just stared quietly at the charm in her hand for a full three seconds.

"Oh, that?" My voice was light and carefree. "I'd forgotten about it. Bought it from a souvenir shop at the church. Ten bucks for three. It looked nice, so I grabbed some. Since you like picking up other people's trash, it's yours."

I ignored her frozen smile and walked off. Steve shot her a glare and hurried after me.

His voice trembled with heartache. "Tabitha, don't hold it in. I know you're hurting. Remember those 'blind boxes' I made of all the eligible young heirs in the city? You can draw one at random. Whoever you pick, I'll tie him up and bring him to you tomorrow. I guarantee he'll be better than Karl."

I said nothing, letting him drag me back to my room. Sure enough, stacks of boxes were piled there. He hadn't been joking.

I casually grabbed one from the top, didn't even look at it, and shoved it into his arms. My voice was flat. "This one."

He looked down at the name on the card inside and stiffened. "Well, this guy might not be the best choice. How about we pick another? I can get you someone better."

"Why change?" A calm, lazy voice suddenly came from the open doorway.

Steve and I looked over simultaneously. There stood a man leaning casually against the doorframe, amusement flickering in his eyes. It wasn't clear how long he'd been there.

He smirked, "Just because I'm Karl's sworn enemy?"

"Richard Torres," Steve sulked, "you've already got enough women fluttering around you. Leave my sister alone."

I motioned for him to be quiet and sized up the man.

"You're good-looking," I said at last. "Better than Karl. Get ready to marry me."

Richard Torres straightened up from the doorframe. "Alright. I'll go handle my messes. You deal with yours."

He stepped aside with a smirk, and a tall shadow became visible in the hallway. It was none other than Karl.

Richard chuckled, walked over to me, and leaned close to whisper in my ear, "Next Tuesday, I'll come pick you up for our wedding."

...

After Richard and Steve left, I turned to face Karl. "Since when do you enjoy eavesdropping?"

He stepped out of the shadows. "What did you say to Richard?"

I realized he hadn't heard our conversation earlier. I lay back and said indifferently, "Does it concern you?"

His fists clenched, then loosened. He sighed, "The sapphire necklace you wanted is one of a kind. I risked everything to get it for you."

I gave it a careless glance, then swept it off the table. "I have a dozen like it in my cabinet. What makes you think this would make me forgive you?"

His eyes dimmed, and he started slapping himself until blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He pleaded, "I'm begging you. Let Karen and the baby go. I'm the one who betrayed you. Do whatever you want to me to vent your anger."

I arched a brow and lifted his chin with one finger. "What if I want you to die?"

He looked shocked, wounded.

Unimpressed, I turned to the door and called over Brenda. I bent down to pick up the necklace and handed it to her.

"Brenda, I've got a necklace for you," I said. "Keep it if you like, or toss it if you don't."

Brenda was overjoyed. "Thank you, Miss."

Karl wanted to protest, but I casually opened the liquor cabinet and poured myself a glass of wine. He shook his head and walked away.

After finishing my wine, I made my way to the main hall, where numerous high-end wedding dresses were lined up.

As I arrived, Karen was already picking through them. She enthused, "Thank God, you're here. Come help me choose. See which one looks best on me."

I found her excitement amusing. These clothes were all mine.

She stood fixated beside a dress encrusted with diamonds, her eyes overflowing with greed.

"Anyone you like?" I asked flatly.

Karen turned her head, instantly plastering on a fake smile. "This one is beautiful. I like it so much."

She stroked the fabric, her tone patronizing: "I know you're envious, but you need to understand that you're a daughter who will eventually marry into another family. The Cole family business will go to Karl one day. Don't envy me. Just get used to it."

With no one around, she dropped the fragile, pitiful act and bared her fangs.

A chuckle was my only response. I turned to the door and called out, "Brenda."

The maid quickly came in. "Miss."

I lifted my chin slightly. "She picked that one. Burn it."

"Yes, Miss." Brenda nodded.

The smile on Karen's face froze, twisting into disbelief and fury. She clutched the dress protectively and shrieked, "No one touches my wedding dress! I'm a member of this family now, pregnant with Donald's grandchild. Touch it and see what happens!"

I couldn't help but sneer at Karl's blindness. This was the innocent slum girl he talked about.

Undeterred, Brenda yanked the dress away from her grip and started toward the door. Karen watched helplessly, her reason snapping in rage.

She screamed and lunged at me, shoving my shoulders hard. Caught off guard, I stumbled back, my waist slamming into the sharp corner of the heavy mahogany coffee table.

A searing pain shot through me, and I instinctively raised my hand to wipe it—bright red blood, blinding in its intensity.

Karen, after knocking me down, collapsed limply onto the carpet. She clutched her belly, letting out an agonized wail. "My belly! It hurts! Karl, save our baby!"

Her screams were heartrending, and her terrified act was Oscar-worthy.

Soon, hurried footsteps came from the hallway. Karl rushed in, wrapped her in his arms, and shouted at the family doctor behind him. "Quick! Help her! Save the baby!"

He glared up at me, his voice raw and broken. "Tabitha! You can't tolerate her that much? What has she ever done to you? How could you harm her and my child like this?"

"You're blind and stupid! I pity you!" I shot back. "Keep your woman in check. If this happens again, I won't mind turning her lies into reality."

Just then, Richard strolled calmly into the hall, holding a pair of custom-made wedding rings.