Alexander Sterling, the "Crown Prince" of the elite Sterling family, fell in love with a disabled, pregnant woman. He was determined to dump me, the "Princess" of the Vanderbilt family. I was committed to our family alliance, so I paid for the woman's leg surgery and her delivery. But she developed postpartum depression and jumped off a building with the baby. Years later, Alexander controlled all the resources in New York and the Hamptons. He acquired my family's company, swallowed our assets, and sent my family to prison. "This is the price for ruining my love! Now we're even!" When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the past. Alexander was publicly proposing to the 38-year-old disabled, pregnant woman. I walked over to the corner, where the ostracized "New Money" billionaire from Texas sat in a mink coat with a thick gold chain around his neck. I sat on his lap, hooked my finger around his necklace, and commanded: "Kiss me! Hard!" 1 In the VIP room, Alexander held a diamond ring, proposing to the woman in the wheelchair. Our friends looked shocked. And a little awkwardly at me. After all, I was Alexander's fiancée. Proposing to someone else right in front of me was a slap in the face. Someone tried to smooth things over: "Alex, stop joking. Vivian is right here." "Have your fun, but don't take it too far. She's 38 and pregnant with her ex-husband's kid!" "Apologize to Vivian. She won't hold it against you." In our circle, there are unspoken rules. Alexander could play around with other women, but the position of Mrs. Sterling would never go to someone outside our class. Everyone knew that strong alliances ensured maximum family benefit. But Alexander didn't understand this. He was stubbornly in love with Susan White. A 38-year-old woman with paralyzed legs, but a beautiful face and a "strong will." Facing the advice of others, Alexander looked disdainful. "I'm not joking. I love Susan, and no one can stop me." "Vivian, I told you long ago I don't love you." "Don't force me. I won't change my mind." He looked at me coldly. Three sentences to make me back off. I was dazed for a moment, not responding. Susan pushed him away, looking righteous: "I won't be a homewrecker. Alex, stop it. Apologize to Miss Vanderbilt." Facing Alexander's intense pursuit, Susan had always maintained a refusal. She said she knew her place. And she knew about the engagement between Alexander and me. She hated homewreckers. So, Alexander staged this scene to clear her name. Breaking the engagement in front of me, giving Susan a promise. "Vivian, our engagement is off. Understood? Don't stop me from marrying Susan." Everyone looked at me. Some even offered kindness: "Vivian, don't mind Alex, he's just acting out." "Don't worry, no one can cancel your engagement." "Ignore him, let's go somewhere else..." The relationships between major families are intricate. Everyone present had some connection. No one wanted to see contracts and collaborations canceled because of a conflict between Alexander and me. Someone tried to pull me away. My eyes cleared, and I shook off my friend's hand. I stood up slowly and faced Alexander. "Fine. I agree. The engagement is off. From now on, the Vanderbilt family has nothing to do with you, Alexander Sterling." As soon as I spoke, everyone froze. Alexander breathed a sigh of relief. He added, "This choice is best for both of us. Marriage is the grave of love. Being with you would only lead to misery." Yes, he was right. Being with him was destined for misery. But being with Susan was just walking into another grave. How could a massive dynasty be controlled by a self-righteous poor person like Susan? Someone with so little will that she couldn't even handle being taken care of in my past life. In the power struggles of the wealthy, she would only be eaten alive. I glanced at Susan, who looked secretly delighted. She immediately straightened her face and said, "Miss Vanderbilt, I didn't steal your lover." I nodded: "Of course. Trash like Alexander belongs in the dumpster! Only you deserve him." Susan's face turned pale. Alexander frowned: "Vivian, why hate just because you can't have me?" I sneered: "I love you? Love your fickleness or your blindness? Hilarious. You think you're worth my love, Alexander?" With that, I walked toward the corner where the Texas billionaire, who had been silent and ostracized by the New York and Hamptons elite, was sitting. He looked up at me, his deep eyes narrowing slightly. Under the shifting lights, the thick gold chain around his neck almost blinded me. I extended my long legs and straddled him. I hooked his chin. "Jax, kiss me. Hard!" His eyes flashed with surprise. Everyone around us held their breath, staring at us. Jax looked confused: "You crazy or somethin'?" A thick Texas accent instantly filled the room. The elites frowned. But I found this familiar voice incredibly safe and warm. In my past life, this man spent his entire fortune fighting Alexander to the death for me. Even though I hadn't spoken two words to him. Yet I became the person he loved most. I smiled, tears welling up, and pressed him: "Marry me. Yes or no?" He pursed his thin lips, his handsome face unreadable. Then, he captured my lips. A tearing force pulled at my mouth. My waist was firmly gripped by his large hands. Under the friction, Jax's gold chains clanked loudly. He didn't let go until I tasted blood. When he released me, he licked the corner of my mouth, looking like a husky wanting more. "Wait for me to bring the dowry to your house." He glanced at the ring on Alexander's hand and tutted, "That piece of junk ain't worth a dime. I'll get you something better." With that, he started to walk out. But after two steps, he turned back, pecked me on the cheek, and pointed a finger at me, warning: "No backin' out!" "Even if you change your mind, I'm gonna snatch you up and marry you anyway!" "You started it!" 2 Jax's dowry was transported from Texas to New York by a dozen helicopters. The New York and Hamptons circles usually didn't play with the Texas oil money crowd. So no one in my circle had ever married into that group. I was the first. Breaking the barrier between Old Money and New Money. And witnessing such an extravagant scene. Gold bars were carried into the house box by box. Cash was hauled in by the sack. Deeds and luxury car keys were presented on trays to my grandfather. Jax finally took off his million-dollar mink coat, unable to stand the indoor heat, revealing a sharp, custom-made suit. As soon as he entered, he dropped to both knees in front of my grandfather, shouting: "Grandpa Vanderbilt! Your grandson-in-law is here to ask for your granddaughter's hand! Please say yes and give me the chance to love and protect her for the rest of my life!" Thud! Thud! Thud! Three loud kowtows! Jax didn't hold back. I stood dazed beside my grandfather, feeling lost. My grandfather stared dumbfounded at everything, his hands trembling. I soothed him: "Grandpa, small scene. Stay calm!" Grandpa gritted his teeth. He had many reservations. But he couldn't ignore the grievances I suffered with Alexander. And he couldn't ignore Jax's impeccable etiquette—in his own way. In the entire circle, Jax was the first to offer such a massive dowry. And the first to kowtow so enthusiastically. After a long while, Grandpa finally convinced himself. "A bit rough around the edges, but if you can accept him, I can't say anything!" "Marry him. Once you're married, live well. Don't make a mess of things." That night, while counting the dowry, Grandpa quietly handed my ID documents to Jax. Early the next morning, before dawn. Before I even woke up. Jax rushed into my room, scooped me out of bed, and stuffed me into a stretch limo. "Let's go! City Hall! Getting hitched." I was groggy and confused, nestled in Jax's arms. Before I could figure out what was happening. I heard two gulps. Then, my lips were covered, and my body felt like it was being kneaded into water. I pushed him, but I had no strength. When he let go, I was finally awake. He looked restrained, eyes red, shouting: "Wifey! I'm so happy!" Angry, I slapped his face: "What are you doing! We aren't married yet!" His handsome face froze. Just when I thought he would explode. He held my hand like a treasure. His voice trembled. "Wifey, does your hand hurt?" "Physics says forces are equal and opposite. Your tender little hand must hurt." "Next time you wanna hit me, just say the word. I can hit myself!" I paused. Then I saw him raise his hand and slap himself hard. "Wifey, I was wrong." "But I was scared you'd fly away. Couldn't help it." "With the certificate, everything I do is legal! Forgive me this once." "When we get back, I'll kneel on a washboard, on broken glass, let you whip me! I won't make a sound." 3 When we got the marriage certificate. Jax cried. Tears streamed down his face. "Wifey, you suffered." "I know, if Alexander wasn't blind, this incredible luck wouldn't have fallen on me!" "Wifey, don't worry. With me, you won't suffer a bit." "Whatever the Prince of New York can give you, the Prince of Texas will give you more." So. This competitive, flashy Texas man, upon learning the date of Alexander and Susan's engagement party. Without hesitation, set our engagement party on the same day. Alexander booked the penthouse of the Queens Hotel for Susan. Jax booked every floor of the Queens Hotel except the penthouse for me. Alexander picked eighteen luxury cars for the procession. Jax waved his hand and transported every car owned by his Texas buddies to New York—a total of 108 limited-edition supercars. Alexander custom-ordered a unique diamond ring for Susan. Jax united the entire Texas mining industry to find me the largest pink diamond available, bigger than a pigeon egg. People said Jax was just trying to buy me face. Alexander laughed when he heard. "A nouveau riche. Besides spending money, what class does he have? Engagement parties are for family and friends. What he's doing is tacky. Vivian chose him out of spite; she'll regret it." Jax was uncharacteristically calm hearing this. He just focused on arranging the party. On the day of the engagement. Alexander's eighteen luxury cars trailed behind the Texas fleet, looking pathetic next to the decorated supercars. Alexander's drivers wanted to pass. But their cars couldn't compete with world-class supercars. Same brand, but a ten-million-dollar car has a bloodline advantage over a one-million-dollar car. Besides, the hired drivers didn't dare mess with the 108 Texas billionaires driving their own cars. They didn't care about scratches. They only cared about supporting their brother Jax. The two groups went to their respective venues. Halfway through our ceremony. A torrential downpour started outside. I was surprised. Then I saw Alexander pushing Susan, her makeup ruined by the rain, down from the rooftop. The bride and groom looked incredibly pathetic compared to Jax and me. The few guests at Alexander's party lowered their heads in front of the gathered tycoons from Texas and New York. I realized then that not a single member of the Sterling family attended Alexander's party. "Rooftop romance is nice, but your party is so shabby even God couldn't watch." "Imperfect weddings are memorable, just like some people love imperfect partners." "Yeah, some people like disabilities, and becoming a stepdad to an older woman's kid." Mockery from the New York and Texas crowds. Susan's face turned red, refusing to look up. Alexander protected her, glaring at me: "Shut your mouths. You money-grubbing people wouldn't understand true love." Yes, we didn't understand true love. We valued interests above all. We valued family alliances. So when Alexander chose Susan over me, the elite circles stopped caring about him. The Sterling family had many heirs. Without the Vanderbilt support, Alexander was nothing. The fact that the Sterlings didn't show up said it all. The Texas circle hadn't mixed with New York before because New York didn't know their real power. My engagement to Jax showed them. Power respects power. So, the friends who used to hang out with Alexander switched sides. To distance themselves from him. And to curry favor with the Texas royals. Giving me face meant giving Jax face. Giving Jax face meant giving Texas face. My marriage to Jax was just the opening shot of Texas integrating into the New York elite. 4 Alexander's party ended hastily. The princes and princesses of New York and Texas partied with us until late. The next day, I heard Alexander was kicked out of the Sterling family. He was stripped of his CEO title. He had no voice in the family anymore. Friends said: "Without Vivian, Alexander is just like Susan—crippled." "He wanted true love? Let's see how long it lasts without money." "Taking care of a disabled fiancée and someone else's kid... he must be blind to leave Vivian." I worried Jax's temper would flair hearing this. But he said: "Why would I be mad?" "I am your rebound!" "I understand Alexander's love-brain because I have it too." "Seriously, wifey, if you were crippled and pregnant with another man's kid, as long as you were willing, I'd still marry you!" He pulled me onto his lap. Nuzzling and biting. Between breaths, I asked when he fell for me. He said: "From the first time I saw you." The Texas circle had their own industries and connections. They were new money, overflowing with cash. After being cold-shouldered by New York, he kept hanging around just to see me. He planned to confess for years. But I was engaged. He was looked down upon, and didn't want to deepen my dislike. "Alexander is blind. How can a self-righteous disabled pregnant woman compare to my Princess Vivian?" "Is her waist as thin as yours?" "Are her lips as soft as yours?" His words were direct and passionate. Praising my beauty, kindness, and intelligence, his eyes exploring, hoping, demanding. Like a hungry husky. "Wifey, I can't hold back. Really can't." "You don't know, when you sat on my lap that day, I almost lost it." "I went back and looked for your photos everywhere. I didn't sleep all night." His chin rested on my collarbone. Pitiful. I clenched my hands, cheeks burning. Maintaining my reserve, I placed my hand on his neck, tracing circles. I swallowed: "Well, this is my office, you can't..." His voice turned soft. Dropping the accent. Using a vocal fry. "Please? My little princess!" "Princess, Princess Vivian, I want it here." Heart pounding. His restlessness broke my will. I reached to unbutton his collar... He ripped his shirt open. Buttons flew into the air one by one. Some hit my face, stinging slightly.
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