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I slapped my stepsister for speaking disrespectfully about my late mother. I never imagined that later that night, my boyfriend would slap me a hundred times to avenge her.
As he hit me, his friend seemed puzzled. “You’ve been with Lilianna Caide for three years. I thought you were truly deeply in love with her, but I didn’t expect you to be so cruel today.”
My boyfriend’s mouth twisted into a sneer. “If it weren’t necessary to help Eva reclaim her position in the Caide family, I’d be disgusted to stay with Lilianna for even another second.
“Lilianna has been using her status as the heir to bully Eva. Naturally, I must teach her a lesson.”
My heart sank.
It became clear that he had only gotten close to me in order to get closer to my stepsister.
With a bitter smile, I called my biological father.
“I’ll fulfill the marriage contract for your illegitimate daughter and marry the sickly son of the Hachett family to bring good fortune for him.”
***
My father, John Caide, his eyes brightened with excitement as he asked, “Lilianna, are you serious? I saw you pursuing your male secretary for three years. I thought you’d never marry anyone but him.”
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I ignored his comment and replied with an even colder tone, “The condition is that you transfer 50% of the company’s shares to me.”
He hesitated, his voice turning icy. “Lilianna, you’re asking too much.”
I turned to leave.
“Wait!” he called after me. “I agree, but no one else can know about this.”
My heart ached deeply.
My father was cunning and driven by profit, yet he was willing to give away 50% of the shares to help his favored illegitimate daughter out of her troubles.
However, he showed no concern for sacrificing the happiness of his other daughter.
“Alright, it’s a deal,” I managed to say before walking away.
Recalling his earlier skepticism, I chuckled at myself.
For years, I believed I couldn’t live without Jacob Relf.
But last night, while at a drinking party with my friends, I unexpectedly discovered that Jacob was in the next private room.
As I debated whether to greet him, I overheard his conversation with a
friend.
“Jacob, are you hooked on pretending to be a bodyguard? You’re from one of the most influential families in Boston, yet you work daily. Is Lilianna really that captivating?”
Jacob’s lips turned up slightly at the corners.
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“Does she even deserve it? If it weren’t for wanting to get closer to Eva, I wouldn’t have stayed with Lilianna for so long.”
He continued, “Eva’s situation is rather sensitive. The stubborn old man in my family would never approve of me marrying Eva. But once I help Eva take Lilianna’s place in the Caide family, I’ll leave Lilianna and marry Eva in style.”
His friend was taken aback.
“You’re really playing the long game. But isn’t Lilianna beautiful and devoted to you? Aren’t you even a little tempted?”
Jacob replied nonchalantly, “If you like her, I can send you a video of her in bed. To me, she isn’t worthy of carrying Eva’s parasol.”
After his friend left, Jacob remained alone in the private room.
His vision was hazy from the alcohol as he stared at the enlarged photo of Eva on the screen, one hand reaching down to pleasure himself.
“Babe… my Eva, babe… I miss you so much.”
It hit me like a bolt of lightning.
At that moment, I realized why Jacob had been indifferent to me despite my pursuit over the past three years.
He had always kept a certain distance, never allowing me to get too close, yet not completely pushing me away.
Whether it was me taking the initiative to shower him with gifts or trying to win his affection, or when I traveled to Indiana, going out of my way to find a lucky charm and hanging something like a dreamcatcher for him, he would just quietly maintain his distance.
He would politely accept the gifts, say thank you, but then set them
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aside, showing no further interest.
I used to think Jacob was just naturally aloof and didn’t like being close to others.
Now I finally understand that he doesn’t like me at all.
The occasional kindness he showed was just a way to keep me engaged, giving him a chance to connect with Eva.
After everyone had left, I went into the private room where he had been.
I tortured myself by replaying the scenes I had witnessed epeatedly in my mind.
After sitting there quietly for a long time, the duty manager approached me hesitantly and asked if I needed any assistance.
I shook my head and then called John.
“You don’t want Eva to end up a widow after marrying into the Hachett family, yet you also don’t want to miss the opportunity to ally with them, right? I’m willing to marry into the Hachett family.”
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