On my twentieth birthday, my parents presented me with photos of heirs from across the country, asking me to choose a marriage partner. I told my father I would draw lots. All because in my past life, I chose Julian Thorne, the heir to the prestigious Thorne family of Shanghai, without hesitation. But it was only after our marriage that I learned his "white moonlight"—the love of his life—was heartbroken over this. She went to a bar to drown her sorrows and was assaulted by thugs. She attempted suicide three times, and Julian decided I was the root of all this suffering. He gave all my family's assets to her, hollowing out the entire Jiang family fortune. In the end, he even allowed her to cut the brake lines of our car, causing my parents and me to die tragically in a crash. Reborn, I drew the lot for Caden Chen, the devout Buddhist heir from the Min circle who cared nothing for worldly affairs. But when I walked into our engagement party holding his arm, Julian Thorne went mad. 1 I placed Caden Chen's photo in front of my parents. They exchanged a glance, both worried. "Stella, we know you've liked Julian Thorne since you were little. Why don't you reconsid..." I shook my head. "Since it's fate, I might as well go with the flow this time." Besides, I already knew the ending of forcing a marriage with him. Seeing my determination, my parents nodded. "Alright, we'll discuss the marriage with the Chen family. But both the Jiang and Chen families are prominent. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it's best to keep it a secret before the engagement party." I agreed. However, when I went out to attend a charity gala, reporters swarmed me, seemingly having heard some news. "Miss Jiang, may I ask which family you've decided to ally with?" Another reporter chimed in before I could answer, "Everyone knows you have feelings for Young Master Thorne. Surely you chose him?" I looked up and locked eyes with Julian Thorne, who had just walked into the venue. Surrounded by flashing cameras, his coldness and disdain were the same as ever. "Excuse me, please make way." After speaking, his bodyguards pushed the reporters aside, and he pulled a pale-faced Chloe Zhou into his arms. "The only person I have ever loved, from beginning to end, is Chloe. Even if I am forced by family pressure to marry another woman, I will not give even half a share of my love for Chloe to anyone else." Chloe Zhou, moved to tears with flushed cheeks, hugged his waist tightly. Nearby, a few socialites who had long disliked me whispered mockingly. "So what if she's the only daughter of the top-ranking Jiang family? Young Master Thorne doesn't even look at her; he only likes the daughter of a nouveau riche." "She's really disgracing the Jiang family, rushing to play second fiddle to Chloe Zhou." The mockery grew louder. Chloe lifted her head from Julian's embrace and gave me a provocative look. I just turned my head away, focusing on the gala. The organizers, however, had seated him right next to me. When Julian sat down, anger still lingered on his face. "Stella Jiang, I've told you many times I don't want to marry you. Why do you insist on clinging to me?" I had heard this sentence many times, but hearing it again was still inevitably painful. "I am not clinging to you." Julian slammed his fist on the table, his expression even more disgusted. "Then why do you insist I marry you? Just because the Jiang family has high status, you think you can decide the rest of my life?" "You are trampling on my dignity. Even if we do get married, I won't give you a second glance." He was true to his word; in my past life, he indeed didn't spare me a shred of affection. At this moment, the woman he loved with all his heart walked over, tears in her eyes, and knelt down in public without a word. "Miss Jiang, I know you hate me, but my parents are innocent. You had security kick them out, and my dad almost died of a heart attack." "Please let us go. Even if... even if I have to step aside for you and Julian, I'm willing..." Her last few words were choked with sobs. Before I could process what she meant, Julian helped her up, looking at me with added hatred. "What happens between us has nothing to do with Chloe. Why are you treating her like this!" His accusation baffled me. "I didn't..." "You really were spoiled growing up, spoiled to the point of lawlessness." Just as Julian finished speaking, someone fawningly handed over a gift box. "Young Master Thorne, this is an engagement gift for you and Miss Jiang..." Before the person could finish, Julian grabbed the gift box and smashed it at me in front of everyone. "Stella Jiang, apologize to Chloe." "Otherwise, even if our Thorne family can't compare to your Jiang family, I will refuse this marriage. I absolutely cannot marry a woman as vicious as you!" 2 The gift box was exquisitely packaged, but its sharp corner cut a gash on my chin. People around gasped, but no one dared to step forward. I touched the wound, my palm immediately stained with blood. The Julian Thorne in front of me became increasingly unfamiliar, merging with the image of him publicly berating me for Chloe Zhou in my past life. My heart went cold inch by inch. "I won't apologize for something I haven't done." "Fine, then don't regret it!" Julian left with his arm around Chloe. My parents were frantic when they saw my injury. They immediately took me home and had our private doctor treat it. Watching their anxious faces, I felt incredibly fortunate. Thank god fate gave me a chance to start over and correct my mistakes. This time, my parents are still here, and the Jiang family fortune hasn't fallen into outsider hands. I will stay as far away from Julian Thorne and Chloe Zhou as possible! A few days later, the Chen family sent engagement gifts, piling up high in the villa. Among them was an heirloom bracelet passed down in the Chen family, signifying the importance they placed on this marriage. I couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness. In my past life, the Thorne family knew I was deeply in love with Julian. They told everyone they didn't like me as a daughter-in-law and that I had pestered their son into marrying me. So we had no engagement party, the Thorne family gave no betrothal gifts, and even the wedding was just a meal between the two families. Thinking of his parents' cold sarcasm at the dinner table and Julian's cold indifference, then looking at the Chen family's respect, I felt even more grateful for this second chance. After much thought, I decided to personally select an engagement gift for Caden. In a century-old shop, I was discussing the design of cufflinks with an old master when Julian suddenly walked in holding Chloe's hand. "Why are you here?" Disgust flashed across his face. The master explained from the side, "Miss Jiang is thoughtful; she wants to design the groom's engagement suit personally." He glanced disdainfully at the design drafts on the table, chin slightly raised. "I told you I don't want to marry you at all. No matter how much you do, I won't change my mind." "Also, I hate engraving on cufflinks. It's tacky." I looked down at the 'C' on the cufflink design, realizing he probably misunderstood. "Actually, these cufflinks are for..." "Julian, this cheongsam is so beautiful." Chloe's eyes lit up as she walked past me to stroke a red cheongsam on display. Julian's expression softened. "If you like it, have the master customize one just like it for you." "But I want to wear it tonight to the concert with you." Chloe's almost coquettish tone made him smile. He then commanded the master: "Then please trouble the master to alter it quickly according to Chloe's figure. Don't delay our concert." I frowned. "Julian Thorne, that is my engagement dress." He didn't care. "I'm very busy; I don't have time to play engagement party with your Jiang family." "Besides, Chloe suits a cheongsam better than you." Chloe had her back to him, her arrogant expression on full display. But her words were apologetic: "If Miss Jiang isn't willing, then forget it. This cheongsam looks very noble; it's not for a nobody like me..." "What nonsense, how could the woman I love be a nobody? Stella Jiang relies on her parents too; she's not that noble." After finishing his ruthless remarks, Julian handed the cheongsam directly to the master. The master's expression didn't change; he still respectfully waited for my instructions. After all, starting from his grandfather's grandfather, the Jiang family has been this shop's biggest client. But his hesitation angered Julian. "You..." "If Miss Zhou likes it, let her have it." I interrupted him. Julian's expression finally softened. "Seeing that you're somewhat sensible, after we get married, I can eat with you once a month." His arrogant manner was like he was bestowing a tiny bit of love upon me. At this moment, I suddenly understood why his attitude toward me changed after he learned that the Jiang family was the top prominent family while his Thorne family was outside the top ten. I used to love his youthful fearlessness, never measuring people's worth by money. But since then, "your Jiang family" was always on his lips, constantly emphasizing that I relied on my parents, belittling and scorning me, picking the harshest words just because I loved him. To put it bluntly, he was insecure. Thinking of this, I suddenly smiled. "Julian, what makes you so sure that I'm going to marry you?" 3 Julian smirked dismissively. As if he'd heard the world's biggest joke. "You've chased me since we were kids saying you liked me. Your birthday wish every year was to marry me at twenty." "Now that you're finally twenty, would you be willing to marry someone else?" Chloe leaned into his arms, her tone also mocking. "Not necessarily. With the Jiang family's status, heirs from all over the country are fighting to marry her." "Even if all the heirs in the world fought for her, she'd only be willing to be my wife." After they finished speaking, they turned and left. Before walking out, Julian didn't forget to instruct the master: "Deliver the cheongsam to my house after altering it. And those tacky cufflinks, change them to square ones, no engraving." The master looked at his retreating back and sighed helplessly. "Miss Jiang, about this..." "If she wants it, give it to her. I can just design a new one separately." I sat down and continued drawing. "Ignore him about the cufflinks. He's not the groom; he has no right to interfere." A friend had a birthday party that night. Halfway through the party, Chloe arrived late, followed by Julian's bodyguard. The bodyguard was carrying a red plastic bag and placed it at my feet. "Miss Jiang must have been waiting anxiously? I wanted to return the dress right after the concert, but Julian insisted on pulling me into the car..." "But Miss Jiang is famous for being magnanimous, so you shouldn't mind, right?" I looked down and saw the three-million-dollar cheongsam now looked like a dirty rag, crumpled into a ball. White bodily fluids stained the red fabric, glaringly obvious. People around me saw this. Some were indignant for me, others were laughing at me. "Provoked right in her face, and she's still so calm. She really loves Julian Thorne to death." "What's the use of loving him to death? Young Master Thorne only loves Chloe Zhou." "The dignified only daughter of the Jiang family throwing herself at him like this. I think the Jiang family's business will be surnamed Thorne in the future." I looked away, not wanting to see it, and just signaled someone to take it away and throw it out. "As long as Miss Zhou liked it." My indifferent tone made Chloe's showing off hit cotton. She clenched her fists indignantly and walked to her seat at the last table. Soon, her Weibo account with millions of followers hit the trending list. "A wonderful day is wearing a fitting cheongsam, holding my lover's hand, and listening to a favorite concert." The attached photo was of her and Julian, fingers interlocked, kissing deeply. Soon, countless marketing accounts dug up my old Weibos confessing to Julian, comparing them with Chloe's, publicly executing me. And on the most popular comparison video, Julian liked it. This made netizens even more excited. "Stella Jiang simping" became a meme. I sternly deactivated my account and messaged the company's PR department. Within ten minutes, related search terms were wiped clean. The day before the engagement party. I went to the company in the morning to handle matters but was forcibly taken to the Thorne villa by their bodyguards. As soon as I entered, I saw Chloe sitting on the sofa crying her heart out. Julian was comforting her gently. Seeing me, his face immediately turned cold. "Stella Jiang, you're going too far. Chloe just posted a Weibo. Was it necessary to have all her social media accounts banned?! You know she does social media; you're cutting off her livelihood!" I was confused. "I just had search terms about me removed. I didn't do anything else." "Still quibbling! Who else but you, Stella Jiang, has this kind of power? It's clearly your jealousy!" "It wasn't me..." Julian gritted his teeth. Just as I was about to retort, a contemptuous sneer came from the stairs. "Contradicting your husband before even getting married. Is this how the Jiang family educates their daughter?" Mrs. Thorne sat down in front of me with an arrogant look. And Mr. Thorne, who was bowing and respectful to me a while ago, now crossed his legs. "Stella, although we don't approve of a spoiled young miss like you, we heard you won't marry anyone but our son, so we respect your wish." "But we have conditions. The dowry from the Jiang family must exceed fifty percent of the Jiang family's total assets." I sneered inwardly, shaking my head to refuse him. Suddenly, a bodyguard behind me punched my knee. I cried out in pain and fell to my knees the next second. Mrs. Thorne waved her hand, and a servant brought a tea tray. "Since you'll be the Thorne family's daughter-in-law sooner or later, drinking a cup of daughter-in-law tea in advance isn't excessive, right?" 4 "Miss Jiang, you have to kneel and crawl over to serve tea to Madam." The servant stuffed a scalding cup of tea into my hand. My fingers retracted immediately upon touching the cup wall, and the cup shattered on the floor. "Stella Jiang, haven't you even learned to respect your elders!" Julian scolded angrily. I looked down, rubbing my red fingertips, and shook my head. "I only serve tea to my in-laws. Since you don't want to marry me, it just so happens I don't want to marry you either." After speaking, I pushed against the ground trying to stand up, but bodyguards pinched my arms on both sides. I struggled with all my might. "What are you doing? I am the Jiang family's daughter; how dare you treat me like this!" Mrs. Thorne, with anger on her face, strode forward and slapped me across the face. This slap seemed to overlap with the dozens she gave me in my past life. I froze. "It's the engagement party tomorrow, and you're still so presumptuous!" "Julian, look, this is the wife you're going to marry. Disrespectful to elders, ignorant of etiquette!" Julian wouldn't even look at me. "She's the one pestering me to marry her. Otherwise, I would be marrying Chloe." Chloe's tears started flowing again. "Julian, I dream of marrying you, but my family is humble and powerless; we really can't afford to offend the Jiang family." She cried uncontrollably as she spoke, making Julian's heart ache even more. He simply walked over, looking down at me coldly. "Stella Jiang, didn't you use every means to marry me?" "Fine. I want you to guarantee that after marriage, you will never interfere with any of my decisions, and you are not allowed to return to the Jiang family. You must stay in our home to serve my parents and take care of me and Chloe!" A servant brought a prenuptial agreement, which prominently stated "Fifty percent of Jiang family assets as dowry." I clenched my fingers, refusing to sign, my eyes red as I looked up. "Julian Thorne! The person I'm marrying is not you at all!" Mrs. Thorne saw the opportunity and slapped me again. "What kind of prominent family is the Jiang family, raising a daughter who disobeys her husband?" "Today I'll educate you properly on behalf of your parents, so you don't disgrace our Thorne family after entering the door!" That day, I don't know how many slaps I took or how many fingerprints I was forced to press. I only know that when they let me go, they also demanded I wear a green dress tomorrow. Because Mrs. Thorne and Chloe Zhou were going to wear red. I just found it laughable. For the engagement party the next day, I still wore the newly designed red cheongsam. My parents and the Chen family were chatting inside, while I welcomed guests at the door. It wasn't until noon that the Thorne family arrived, surrounded by a crowd. Their family dressed flamboyantly. Chloe held Julian's arm, one in red and one in black, looking just like a happy bride and groom. In the past, Mr. Thorne would bow and scrape to others on such occasions. Today, he held his head high, ignoring everyone, as if he were the most honored person at this engagement party. Seeing me still wearing red, Mrs. Thorne's face darkened immediately. "Where are your parents? I want to ask today how there can be a family like yours that doesn't understand etiquette!" But the guests today were all respectable figures, and I didn't want to cause trouble. "My parents are inside, you can go in..." Halfway through my sentence, Mrs. Thorne's crude finger poked my right shoulder. "Make them come out to see me!" I frowned and dodged. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Julian walking over with an indifferent expression. He stood with me, acting as if he were going to welcome guests with me. "Stella Jiang, you got what you wanted. You must be very happy." "But don't get carried away. You only got my body, but you will never get my heart." His voice was full of hatred. As if I had ruined the rest of his life relying on my parents. "Julian, I think you misunderstood. Actually, today I..." "You ignored me? Did you forget how you knelt and begged me yesterday?" Mrs. Thorne's voice was high. She tapped her phone, holding up the video of me kneeling yesterday. Passing guests were shocked, and some even took out their phones to record. Even the reporters blocked outside noticed and broke through the cordon to run over. "Miss Jiang, is this your future mother-in-law giving you a warning?" "Does your kneeling mean you have submitted to your in-laws? Does this mean the Jiang family will be subservient to the Thorne family in the future?" I gasped, signaling bodyguards while grabbing Julian. "Tell your mom to turn off the video!" He pulled his arm away, coldly looking down to adjust his tie. "If this teaches you to respect your in-laws, losing face isn't a bad thing." "Julian, your family is simply unreasonable!" "What right does someone who begged to marry me have to criticize my family?" I couldn't bear it anymore, grabbing a thermos from the table to throw. But a hand suddenly reached out from behind, gently holding my wrist. I turned back to see Caden Chen in white, his gaze calm but sharp. "Young Master Thorne, how many lives does your mother have, daring to make my fiancée kneel to her?"
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