After spending eighty-eight million, eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars in betrothal payments, I turned myself in for marriage fraud. But then, my housekeeper’s daughter panicked. On May 5th, Sterling Holdings and Blackwood Enterprises were set to unite through a commercial marriage. Yet, I, the supposed bride, was locked in a dark room. By the time I finally found a way to reach the wedding venue, the housekeeper’s daughter had already used my identity to conclude the ceremony. I stormed onto the stage, declaring I was the true Sterling heiress, only to be met with skepticism from every employee of Sterling Holdings. All because Clara Hayes, the housekeeper’s daughter, had been parading around the company as me for half a year. Clara shoved me to the ground. “What are you, the housekeeper’s daughter, doing here, making a scene?” Before I could produce any proof, Clara’s hired security guards dragged me out and threw me onto the street. A car sped by, and I died on the spot. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day before the wedding. … “I’m getting married tomorrow, everyone! Please come, no need for gifts, just come and celebrate with us!” My heart lurched as I saw Clara Hayes’s message in the company chat. I couldn’t believe it—I had reborn to the day before Clara used my identity to marry into a powerful family. “So the rumors about Sterling Holdings and Blackwood Enterprises uniting are true!” “We’re so lucky to witness a high-society wedding! The young Miss and the Blackwood CEO must be a perfect match!” The company chat buzzed with congratulations. Perhaps realizing I had only just joined the group yesterday, Clara quickly added, “It’s not a commercial alliance at all. It’s just my childhood friend, who’s like a brother.” But Clara’s clarification only made the chat explode further. “I’m obsessed! High-society romance is even sweeter than we imagined!” My palm, tightly gripping my phone, began to sweat. I was about to ask directly in the chat who she was marrying tomorrow when a knock sounded at my door. Clara walked in, a look of apology on her face. “Elara, I’m getting married tomorrow too, so I’m so sorry I can’t attend your wedding.” She looked around the opulent master suite. “May I get ready here, at this villa, for my wedding tomorrow?” In my previous life, Clara had said the exact same words. Clara had lived with her mother at my family’s estate since childhood; she had no home of her own. We grew up together, and I truly considered her my younger sister. I not only let her wear my clothes, but I also personally arranged for her to join Sterling Holdings. So, when she said she was getting married on the same day as me, I didn’t suspect a thing. Instead, I looked at her with envy, wishing her well, hoping she was marrying for love. I not only agreed to let her depart from my family’s villa but also found a golden hairpin from the dowry my mother had prepared for me, giving it to her as a wedding gift! But I never imagined Clara’s greed. Her so-called wedding was a calculated deception: taking advantage of my older brother, the CEO, being away on a business trip, she impersonated me and married directly into the Blackwood family. Because I wasn't thrilled about the arranged marriage, the Sterling-Blackwood wedding was kept low-key. I hadn’t invited any relatives, which gave Clara the perfect loophole. When I rushed to the wedding venue, they had already completed the ceremony. I desperately tried to prove I was the true Sterling heiress, but to my shock, every employee of Sterling Holdings recognized only Clara. Clara looked at me with feigned sorrow, her voice trembling with accusation. “Elara, even though you’re the housekeeper’s daughter, I’ve always treated you like my sister. Why are you trying to ruin my wedding? What has Sterling Holdings ever done to deserve this from you?!” The security guards dragged me out and tossed me onto the street. I managed to grab my phone, intending to call my brother, but a speeding car struck me down instantly. My fingers dug into my palm, my knuckles white, as I met Clara’s gaze. “Of course not,” I said, my voice cutting. Clara seemed taken aback by my refusal, her face darkening instantly. “Elara, did you see the message in the chat and misunderstand something? I already explained, I’m marrying my childhood friend, who’s like a brother.” “Misunderstand? She’s just jealous of your beauty, afraid you’ll steal her thunder!” The housekeeper, Clara’s mother, shot me a disdainful glance. She then began to lecture me, pretending to be a wise elder. “Elara, a double blessing is a good thing. Don’t be so petty. Both of you will be wearing veils anyway, so Clara won’t outshine you much.” I feigned surprise. “You’re right!” I exclaimed. “If we’re both wearing veils and leaving from the same house, what if they pick up the wrong bride?” I added, my voice dripping with false concern, “It’s absolutely impossible for you to get married from my house now! You two should go find a hotel and decorate it. You probably still have time.” Clara panicked. “Elara, we grew up together! Are you really going to ruin my wedding?” The other servants chimed in. “Clara always let you have your way since you were little. Their mother and daughter have worked for the Sterling family for twenty years, taking care of you. How can you be so heartless?” “Exactly! This is such a big day for her. If you’re not going to help, at least don’t cause trouble! Do you have no conscience?” “I think she’s just scared Clara will marry better than her!” One of them even finished by directly comforting Clara. “Why do we need to consult her anyway? Soon, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling will arrange a beautiful wedding chamber for you, a hundred times grander than hers!” Clara sniffled, her voice choked with manufactured emotion. I scoffed internally, my gaze sweeping coldly over the servants. I used to be too kind, letting them forget who the true mistress of this house was. I grabbed a cup and threw it to the floor. Immediately, the servants’ eyes narrowed, their gazes wary. “Why did you throw that cup? Do you know how hard it is to clean up?” “She has no sympathy! Not even a single hair of Clara’s is worth less than her. If it weren’t for her family background, no man would ever want her.” I walked over and slapped the one who had spoken. “So you do know my family background. And you do know this is the Sterling estate?” My voice was dangerously low. “Let me tell you, your wages come from my brother. If you don’t want to work, then get out now!” But to my utter shock, they didn’t cower. Instead, they laughed. “Playing the high-and-mighty Miss every day, still think you’ve got any real power?” “We’re not leaving. What are you going to do about it?!” “We’re going to give Clara a grand send-off!” “Is there anyone in this entire villa who listens to you? You’re just barking orders!” “Once Clara’s married, we’ll all go work for her. Leaving you alone in this villa, terrified by ghosts every single night, you wretched thing!” No wonder they were so bold. They had already decided to ditch the Sterling family and cling to Clara’s new influence! It made sense. In my previous life, if not for their cooperation, Clara wouldn’t have successfully impersonated me and married into Blackwood Enterprises. I gritted my teeth, holding back a storm of emotions. Clara’s mother glared at me. “What are you looking at? You were given a chance, and you threw it away. Get ready to be despised by the Blackwood family!” “Mom, stop talking to her. The wedding tomorrow is more important.” Clara turned to me, her face feigning regret. “Elara, I didn’t want it to come to this, but you were so petty today. It’s truly disheartening.” “Clara, ignore this useless creature. I’ll go decorate your wedding chamber now.” A group of them surrounded Clara and walked further into the villa. Clara looked back, a triumphant glint in her eyes. I clenched my fists. Even if I called my brother now, it would be too late. His most trusted associates were with him overseas. The company’s employees had probably already pledged their loyalty to Clara. My phone vibrated, an alert for a deposit of eighty-eight million, eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars. This was the betrothal payment from Blackwood Enterprises. An idea immediately sparked in my mind. I turned and headed to the mall. First, I purchased a property, then I bought a car. After ensuring I had spent every last penny of the eighty-eight million, eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars, I turned myself in at the police station. The officer looked at me, utterly bewildered. “Say that again. What are you here for?” “I committed marriage fraud. I’m here to confess.” The officer’s brow furrowed. “If you don’t want to marry them, can’t you just discuss calling off the engagement?” But I continued, “The wedding is tomorrow. I’ve already spent the entire betrothal payment, but I don’t want to get married.” “How much was the payment? Negotiate with them. Return the money.” “Eighty-eight million, eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand.” The police officer fell silent. This wasn't just a high betrothal payment; it was an astronomical sum. The police insisted I negotiate with the groom’s family. I’d heard that Julian Blackwood, my intended fiancé, wasn’t known for his patience. Trembling, I took the phone from the officer. Surprisingly, the person on the other end didn't sound angry. But it made sense. It was a commercial alliance, and we hadn’t even met. Plus, the wedding hadn't been widely publicized, so the impact on Blackwood Enterprises wouldn't be significant. “Are you certain you don’t wish to marry me?” the man’s voice came through the receiver. I responded softly, “Yes.” “Then let’s call off the engagement.” Through police mediation, I was required to return the eighty-eight million, eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollar betrothal payment to Blackwood Enterprises’ account by noon tomorrow. Otherwise, Blackwood Enterprises would press charges. I nodded, secretly elated. But that night, instead of trying to raise the money, I spent the entire night at a club. The next day, when I returned home, the entire villa was buzzing with joyous activity. The courtyard teemed with people. Not only had all the employees from Sterling Holdings arrived, but so had all of Clara’s and my former classmates. They surrounded Clara, praising her. “Clara has really blossomed. Our class, only Clara has truly made something of herself.” “Yes, we’ll all be relying on Clara for our livelihoods from now on.” The employees also chimed in. “They say CEO Blackwood is aloof and uninterested in women, but our young CEO Clara still managed to get him wrapped around her finger!” “From now on, we really need to stick close to CEO Clara.” Hearing this, I let out a cold laugh. You’re not marrying into Blackwood Enterprises, Clara. Eighty-eight million, eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars in betrothal payments are waiting for you to return! They were still lavishing praises when someone suddenly spotted me at the entrance. “Elara Sterling, what’s with those dark circles under your eyes? Where were you carousing last night?” “It’s Clara’s wedding day today. Even if you are their housekeeper’s daughter, you shouldn’t look so disheveled.” My gaze landed on Clara. To my surprise, she met my eyes directly and said, “Elara Sterling, you haven’t actually started believing you’re the Sterling heiress, have you?” Her voice rose, laced with contempt. “On my wedding day, are you going to wander around like a stray dog, ruining the ceremony? Can you bear the consequences?!” “What do you mean, ‘I think I’m the Sterling heiress’? This is my home.” The moment the words left my lips, they all burst into laughter. Clara’s little hangers-on from school, in particular, scoffed at me. “Elara Sterling, have you no shame? Your mother is a housekeeper here; that’s why you get to live in the villa. Clara, in her kindness, always prepared a share of everything good for you. And now you’re acting like you belong here.” He laughed. “We’ve all known Clara for years. Who doesn’t know she’s CEO Sterling’s only sister?” The Sterling Holdings employees also said they had never seen me at the company. Clara’s lackey wore a knowing smirk. “Clara arranged for many classmates to work at Sterling Holdings. So, this stray dog didn’t get a position, and that’s why she’s barking here.” “You might bark well, but Clara only managed to get you a job with a three-thousand-dollar monthly salary.” The moment I said that, the enraged woman slapped me across the face. My cheek instantly reddened and swelled. I gritted my teeth and glared at Clara’s lackey. “I’m warning you. I’m getting married today.” My voice was tight with suppressed fury. “If you dare lay a hand on me, Blackwood Enterprises will make sure you suffer!” “Still dreaming, are we? Drank too much last night and didn’t wake up?” “Need a cold shower to sober you up?” They started to approach with a basin of cold water. I tried to dodge, but two people grabbed my arms. The cold water poured over my head, its icy chill making my body tremble. Before I could even react, another slap landed on my face. Clara stepped forward, pinching my chin. “Sober now?” Her eyes narrowed. “If not, maybe we can try some props. A knife, a whip, hot tongs… which do you prefer?” Her small lackey already handed her a fruit knife. Clara tapped my face with the fruit knife. “Elara, we grew up together. I wanted to let you off, but you insisted on causing trouble on my wedding day.” Her voice hardened. “The Blackwood family is marrying me, not a useless wretch like you!” Clara’s little lackey kicked my knee. My legs buckled, and I fell directly to the ground. Clara put her foot on my face. “Elara Sterling, you’re just my dog. Now, kowtow to me a hundred times and apologize, and maybe I’ll forgive you.” Blood trickled from my lips as I sneered at her. “Dream on. Clara Hayes, as long as I don’t give my consent, the Blackwood family’s procession will never arrive today!”
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