On the day of my birthday banquet, Grandpa asks me which of the Sterling family's daughters I want to marry.

I choose the Sterling family's fifth daughter without hesitation, which surprises my family elders.

After all, everyone in our circle knows that I, the eldest son of the Hamiltons, am deeply in love with the eldest daughter of the Sterling family, Violet, spoiling and indulging her to an outrageous degree.

In my previous life, I did marry Violet. But after only three months, I discovered that Violet was having secret meetings with my illegitimate half-brother, Sebastian Hamilton.

At the time, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at me pitifully. "Please, I'm begging you. This really was just an accident."

My heart softened, but Grandpa still found out and ordered people to send Sebastian far away to another country. Violet assumed it was my doing and hated me to the bone.

In the years that followed, the company's confidential information was stolen. I was killed in a car accident on the very day she discovered she was pregnant.

Given a second chance at life, I decide to let the lovebirds be together. But unexpectedly, after the news of my engagement is announced, Violet appears in a wedding dress, crying and begging to marry me.

After leaving the study, I saw Violet Sterling. She sat among the crowd in an elegant long gown, but her gaze kept drifting toward the door.

When her best friend, Kayla Whitmore, spotted me, she quickly nudged her arm. "Your lapdog—oh, I mean your devoted admirer is here."

"Why are you here? What do you want?" Violet glanced at me with clear disappointment in her voice.

In my previous life, I would've immediately rushed to her side to comfort her. But the image of that truck charging straight toward me was still burned into my mind, so I replied coldly, "It's my birthday banquet. Why wouldn't I be here?"

Picking up on my cold tone, Violet instantly flew into a rage.

"Nathan, what's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to pick a fight? I took time out of my busy schedule to attend your birthday banquet, and this is the attitude you give me? Don't think that just because you went running to your grandfather, our engagement is set in stone!"

Seeing us argue, Kayla immediately jumped to her defense. "Exactly! Nathan, what kind of attitude is that? You should apologize to Lettie right now. If you weren't shamelessly chasing after Lettie every day, she wouldn't even bother with you."

I was rather speechless.

"It's my banquet, and anyone who's unhappy is free to leave. As for my marriage, it'll be announced at my grandpa's 80th birthday celebration next month. Since it has nothing to do with you, I won't trouble you to worry about it."

Though I intended to marry Sophia Sterling in this lifetime, I hadn't asked for her opinion yet. Even though she was different in my previous life... I couldn't rashly announce anything here just yet.

"Marriage?" a guest asked excitedly. "It looks like both patriarchs are truly preparing to step down. The Sterling Group heiress will finally be decided."

The two patriarchs of the Hamilton and Sterling families were lifelong friends and should've retired to enjoy their golden years long ago. But the Sterlings of this generation only had daughters.

The two men later made an agreement that whoever I married would receive Mr. Sterling Senior's 20% stake in the company. Combined with Violet's existing 15% share, marrying me had made her the true decision-maker of Sterling Group in my previous life.

Well, now, Sterling Group was about to change hands.

Kayla erupted in excitement upon hearing that. "Lettie, you're really going to become the Sterling heiress!"

Violet's face immediately lit up with smugness. "Nathan, don't think that just because I decide to marry you, you've succeeded. I hate that smug look on your face.

"I'll learn from the lessons of my previous life. I can marry you, but you'll be joining the Sterling household and not the other way around. Also, before we wed, arrange a good position for that pitiful brother of yours."

I was about to tell her the marriage had nothing to do with her when I realized with shock that she had been reborn too. In my previous life, it was a tip from the Sterling family's housekeeper that led me to discover her affair with Sebastian. Even with a second chance, she still wanted to repeat the same mistake.

I was about to throw her out when someone behind me called out timidly, "Nate."

Sebastian Hamilton approached with injuries on his face, looking frail and drawing stares from everyone around. Seeing him in this state, Violet immediately rushed over with concern.

"What happened? How did you end up like this? Who hurt you?"

Before Sebastian could answer, Violet whipped around and glared at me with vicious eyes. "Nathan, do you enjoy using these underhanded tactics?"

I was about to explain when Sebastian interrupted, "The injuries aren't serious. I just accidentally bumped into something on the way here. Today is Nate's birthday, and even though Nate has never liked me, I still wanted to come and wish him well."

Hearing that, Violet looked at me with disdain. "Nathan, if you had even half his generosity..."

Before Violet could finish, Sebastian gently took her hand. "Vivi, don't be angry. I believe that someday, Nate will let go of his resentment toward me."

Violet instantly softened and linked their arms together. "Let's find a doctor immediately. I hate seeing you hurt."

Before leaving, she didn't forget to shoot me a threatening glare. "Nathan, mind your own business! If you bully Sebastian again, I can't guarantee our engagement party will proceed as scheduled."

With that, she pulled Sebastian away and left in a huff.

That evening, as the birthday banquet officially began, Sebastian and Violet were nowhere to be seen. It wasn't until near the end of the event, when only close friends and a few business associates remained, that the two finally made their appearance.

Violet had changed into a different outfit. Her face was flushed and her lips were slightly swollen. Meanwhile, Sebastian looked smugly satisfied, his partially unbuttoned shirt revealing faint red marks beneath.

Everyone could tell at a glance what had transpired between them. Guests exchanged knowing looks as their eyes shifted between the pair and me, while my close friends could only shake their heads in silent disapproval.

In my previous life, I would've charged forward and beaten Sebastian senseless. But now, I simply picked up a cup of tea from the table and took a sip.

Violet protectively stepped in front of Sebastian, bracing herself for my outburst. When she saw me completely ignore them both, she frowned with obvious displeasure.

Sebastian pulled Violet closer and began kissing her openly, as if no one else existed. Violet didn't resist, even settling onto his lap.

If the two of them wanted to degrade themselves, what concern was it of mine?

But one of my friends reached his limit. He yanked Violet and Sebastian apart. "Sebastian, Violet is practically Nathan's fiancee! Do you have no shame at all?"

Before Sebastian could respond, Violet exploded. "What the hell, Henry? I recall your family has several projects funded by Sterling Group, no? What gives you the right to lecture me? Nathan hasn't even said a word, so what makes you think you're in any position to scold me?"

"Violet, watch your tongue." Henry Sinclair had always been a true friend to me, and I would never allow her to insult him.

"Mr. Sterling Senior hasn't retired yet, so what makes you so certain that I'd choose you and that you'd receive that 20% stake?"

At my words, Violet froze, then burst into laughter.

"Are you throwing a tantrum?" she said between laughs. "Setting aside the fact that everyone in our circle knows you're devoted to me and refuse to marry anyone else...

"Just look at the other daughters of the Sterling family. The second married abroad, the third locked herself away to create her so-called art, and the fourth is even more pathetic—she's currently in prison. Unless you want to join her there?"

As if remembering something, Violet continued, "Whatever the reason, Nathan, I hope you understand that the grudges of the previous generation should remain in the past. No matter how petty you are about it, your mother isn't coming back to life.

"It's better for everyone if we just move on. Sebastian is innocent in all this."

Innocent? I laughed.

When Mom was pregnant, Sebastian's mother came to our house with him in tow, causing a scene. She insisted that Dad had forced himself on her and then abandoned her, aggressively accusing Mom of being the other woman.

During the confrontation, she pushed Mom down the stairs, killing both Mom and my unborn sibling. Only later did we discover that Sebastian and his mother weren't even Dad's illegitimate family. Sebastian was the child of my late uncle, a notorious playboy who had died young. Despite the truth, he always posed as my younger brother in public.

The true identity of Sebastian's mother was nothing more than a bar hostess. Mom and my unborn brother were the truly innocent ones.

Lost in these painful memories, I fell silent. Violet, mistaking my silence for agreement, said cheerfully, "Oh, that's right! Today is your birthday."

With that, she casually removed one of her earrings and tossed it at me. "Here, this is your present."

Seeing that, Sebastian immediately chimed in, "Vivi, do you think Nate will actually like it? He won't blame me for taking away his original gift, will he?"

As he spoke, he loosened the brand-new tie around his collar. Violet reassured him, saying, "Don't worry. He doesn't like anything except my hand-me-downs. Besides, what do you mean by 'his original gift'? If I gave it to you, then it's yours."

They both snickered mockingly. The earring struck my face hard, its sharp edge cutting a bloody line across my skin. The whole situation was tiresome.

In my previous life, I had indeed loved collecting Violet's used belongings. I treasured the hair clip she wore when we first met, the necklace from our wedding day, and the watch she wore at the succession announcement. I had asked for them all, storing each piece in elegant boxes as treasured mementos of our relationship.

She had mocked me then too, calling them worthless junk that she would throw away after only wearing them once. She said only I would treat such things like treasures.

Objects became precious when we invested them with emotion. Since she didn't love me, she naturally couldn't understand. I sighed and picked up the earring that had fallen from my face, casually tossing it into a nearby trash can.

"Trash belongs where trash goes."

Seeing that, Violet flew into a rage. "Alright, fine! Nathan, don't expect our engagement to go as planned!"

That evening, Sebastian and I arrived home together, his face glowing with satisfaction.

"Nate, so what if you end up marrying Violet? You might get her body, but you'll never have her heart. Actually, she probably won't even let you touch her."

Without Violet around, he finally dropped his innocent facade.

"I was able to cause your mother's death, and I can just as easily steal away your beloved Violet. Just wait and see, everything that belongs to you will eventually be mine."

Sebastian thought he could provoke me, but I merely glanced at him indifferently. "Well then, I wish you luck moving out of the housekeepers' quarters soon."

I ignored him completely after that and walked straight into the house. Later, Grandpa looked for me to inform me that Sophia still needed more time to consider the proposal.

Violet had probably forgotten she even had another female cousin.

Mr. Sterling Senior once had a daughter who fell in love with a police officer. She gave up her inheritance rights to become a police officer herself. Later, both she and her husband died in the line of duty, leaving behind only one daughter.

Mr. Sterling Senior and his daughter had a terrible falling out over her marriage choice. After his daughter's death, Mr. Sterling Senior was filled with regret, but his granddaughter had grown up in the police compound and rarely returned to the Sterling residence.

When I reminded him of her existence, Mr. Sterling Senior realized how much he owed her. Even if she didn't marry me, he'd still leave her a portion of his wealth.

Violet was determined to gain complete control of Sterling Group, not realizing she could never have it all. I was curious to see how things would unfold for Violet this time around.

On the day of Grandpa's 80th birthday, all the prominent figures in our social circle attended. To ensure the banquet would proceed smoothly, his doctor, Dr. Stevenson, and I conducted another thorough examination of Grandpa's health.

Sebastian spotted me and walked over. In the past few days, Violet had taken him shopping at numerous luxury boutiques.

A quick glance at his social media revealed post after post showcasing their intimate moments together.

When he saw me, he approached with a smile. "Nate, Vivi is truly wonderful. She took me shopping for so many luxury items. Not only that, but she personally took my measurements, saying she wants to have custom suits made for me."

Seeing that I was ignoring him, he continued, "Vivi also said that even after you two are married, I shouldn't feel like an outsider with her. We're all family, so it's only natural for her to take care of me."

My conversation with Dr. Stevenson kept getting interrupted. I turned around, ready to tell him to get lost but froze when I noticed the pin on his chest. That pin had been a birthday gift from my parents when I was young.

My parents had loved each other deeply. Mom had personally designed the pin, and Dad had commissioned the finest craftsman abroad to create it. It represented their wish for my lifelong happiness and fulfillment.

Later, after that terrible incident—when Mom died and Dad's heart died with her, leading him to withdraw from the world entirely—I never received another birthday gift from my parents.

That pin was one of a kind in the world. I treasured it so much that I couldn't even bring myself to wear it.

I grabbed Sebastian by the collar and shoved him into a corner, towering over him as I demanded, "Where did you get that pin?"

Sebastian suddenly began to choke up, "Nate, even though you've always resented me, I've always considered you my big brother. Vivi only bought me a few clothes because she felt sorry for me. Even if you're angry, you shouldn't resort to violence!"

I wasn't buying his act. Without loosening my grip, I snarled, "Tell me where you got that pin! Who gave it to you?"

Sebastian just stared at me with wide eyes. Disgusted, I reached to snatch it away, but my wrist was firmly caught by another hand.

A cold voice spoke from behind me. "Nathan Hamilton, what do you think you're doing? Do you plan to assault someone in broad daylight?"