Chapter 1

Caleb Hale and Hannah White were chatting when I brought the coffee to the balcony.

"It's just a string of sandalwood beads. Do you hate it that much?"

Lighting a cigarette, Caleb narrowed his eyes as he stared at Hannah.

"I never fancied these things. I wouldn't want to see it every day after we get married."

While holding a glass of wine, Hannah leaned forward and curved her lips.

"Are you perhaps reluctant to part with it, my dear fiancé?"

I didn't say anything as I subconsciously held my breath and awaited Caleb's reply.

What would he do?

He seemed to be stunned.

He frowned. Then, he touched his right wrist with his left hand out of habit.

For an instant, I thought he would decline.

However, he was expressionless as he said nonchalantly, "It's just an accessory. I've gotten tired of it, anyway."

With that, he casually tossed the bracelet from the balcony into the building nearby.

I bit my lip hard. After the painful sensation, the taste of iron began to spread in my mouth.

I could only feel my heart breaking as endless bitterness and pain welled up in my heart.

The string of sandalwood beads was a gift from me to Caleb.

Last year, some trouble had cropped up with the real estate Caleb's company invested in. An investor had embezzled the funds and escaped to Marisland.

For the sake of his company, Caleb had brought some men with him and gone to Marisland to go after the investor. Unfortunately, he had fallen into a trap there.

He had fallen off the grid for an entire three days.

The police had run out of options as well.

I had been beside myself with anxiety, and I had looked for solutions online. I had read somewhere that wishes had a very high chance of being fulfilled if they were made at Highspire Hall.

I immediately traveled overnight to Mountara, where Highspire Hall was. I had taken the three thousand stone steps to reach Highspire Hall while repeating the wish and prayer in my heart with every step I took.

It had been winter then, and it had even snowed heavily that day. I had remained outdoors as I wished and prayed throughout that night. The next day, I finally received news of his safe return.

Before leaving, I had asked for a blessed sandalwood bead bracelet from an elder in the hall.

The bracelet was said to warrant the wearer's safety and health, and it might bring some good luck too.

When I had returned, I had personally put it on Caleb's right wrist.

He had never taken it off in the past year or so.

At that moment, Caleb and Hannah had no clue about the thoughts in my mind.

Caleb had never acknowledged me in public all this while. In the eyes of the public, I was nothing more than his senior secretary who dealt with all his trivial matters.

Hannah's face was all smiles when she saw Caleb tossing away the bracelet without hesitation.

For an instant, I felt like I couldn't breathe.

How could such earnest wishes and blessings be tossed away just like that?

Suddenly, a pungent smell of unknown origin permeated the air.

Caleb subconsciously shouted.

Then, the butler's voice rang out.

"The wires in the next building short-circuited, and the building caught fire. I've already called the fire department. The situation isn't that serious, so everything is fine."

From our spot on the balcony, we looked up at the building beside us.

Sure enough, we saw smoke drifting from the building toward us.

Covering her nose, Hannah complained, "How long will they take to settle this? The smell is terrible!"

I couldn't be bothered to talk to them as I hastily walked toward the building.

Hannah glanced thoughtfully at me. Then, she spoke to Caleb.