9:46 am
Chapter 2
After everyone had left, I took out the envelope I’d prepared and handed it to the male model. “Thanks for your hard work. I’ve doubled your pay.”
He accepted the money, then suddenly leaned in, his towering 190cm frame radiating quiet dominance. “Ms. Everly, feel free to call me anytime if you need help.”
As the ward door clicked shut, I let out a long breath.
Sunlight streamed in through the window. I inhaled deeply–the air reeked of disinfectant, but it was the scent of life.
In my past life, it was in this very hospital room that I signed the marriage agreement while struggling with memory loss. I even personally handed my Everly Group shares to Ethan.
This time, I won’t make the same mistake.
My phone vibrated unexpectedly. I answered.
“Luna,” my mother’s voice was cautious and probing. “The Foster family from Sterling Heights visited today. They want to marry into our family. Would you reconsider?”
I clutched the phone tightly.
She had brought this up in my previous life, but I had turned it down without hesitation.
“Mom knows you were crazy about that Alexander boy, but arranged marriages rarely work. I just want you to find someone better.”
“Who said I liked Ethan?” I laughed. “Mom, I was always competing with him–for the company’s
sake.”
My mother paused, clearly surprised. “I’ll accept the Foster family’s proposal,” I replied calmly. “They’re strict, principled, and the most suitable match.”
“Really?” My mother’s voice brightened instantly. “The Foster family’s eldest son may be cold, but he’s still far better than that Alexander brat! I’ll tell your father now!”
After hanging up, I stared blankly at the ceiling.
The Foster family was indeed the wiser choice. Not only were they powerful and deeply rooted in Beijing, but in my past life, they were the only ones who stood by the Everly Group despite pressure from the Alexander family.
Before my mother’s birthday, I went to a prestigious auction alone.
As soon as I entered, I saw Ethan with his arm wrapped around Vanessa’s waist–the two of them cozy and affectionate.
Vanessa’s eyes landed on my limited–edition suit, and a flash of envy flickered through them.
“Interesting,” Ethan raised a brow. “You stalking me now?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. It’s just coincidence.” I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist. “Enough with the hard–to–get act,” he whispered. “Think that’ll catch my attention?”
I yanked my hand free. “Mr. Alexander flatters himself too much.”
Once the auction started, Vanessa deliberately bid on anything I showed interest in.
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Ethan took it further, tripling the offers.
“Five million!” He shot me a smug look. “Miss Everly, care to go higher?”
Gasps echoed through the hall.
That antique vase wasn’t even worth two million.
I gently laid down my number card and rose to leave.
Then a message popped up on my phone:
“If you want to be Mrs. Alexander, start by being humble. You’re not even good enough to be my mistress right now.”
I stared at it for two seconds–then blocked the number for good.
But just three days later, I ran into Ethan again–this time at the mall.
Vanessa’s eyes lit up when she saw the shoes in my hand. Ethan noticed immediately, wrappec his arm around her, and said,
“Vanessa, want them? I’ll buy them for you.”
The store clerk then interjected, “Sir, I’m sorry. That pair is a limited edition–Miss Everly pre–ordered it three months ago. It’s the only one left in the city…”
“I said,” Ethan raised his voice suddenly, eyes locked on the clerk, “I want those shoes. Now.”
Chapter 2
