After yesterday's drama, today's engagement party became all about Lucas and me.Lucy and her mother didn't show up. My father came, but his face was bruised and he was limping slightly.Alex reportedly had knelt at the family estate all night. Mrs. Channing had announced she would take back his shares in the company.Before the engagement party, Mrs. Channing told us a story.I learned that my birth mother and Lucy's mother were sisters.Which meant Lucy's mother was actually my aunt.My mother had been happily married to my father until my aunt, jealous of her sister's happiness, dumped her boyfriend and seduced her brother-in-law.Finding the cheat during her pregnancy, my mother gave birth to me but suffered severe depression. Two years later, distracted while crossing the street on a rainy day, she was hit by a car and killed.My aunt quickly married my father, and they both decided to hide the truth.So that photo I'd seen at my grandmother's house—of a woman holding me
At the engagement party, I met Alex and his father, Richard Channing.Richard's features somewhat resembled Lucas's, but his gloomy demeanor couldn't have been more different from his brother's.Alex followed cautiously behind his father.Richard casually clinked glasses with me and said, “Since you're part of the Channing family now, come by the company. I'll have someone arrange a position for you."His condescending tone made my skin crawl.My father nudged my arm, urging me to accept and say something nice.Lucas fearlessly met his brother's eyes. “Richard, my fiancee's employment isn't your concern."Besides, I hear you've had quite a few problems lately. Perhaps you should focus on your own affairs first?"He glanced at my father and added with a smirk, “Oh, and look after my father-in-law too, since he's one of your people."Lucas had told me that Richard must have plenty of shady business requiring my father's help.That's why he'd do favors for the Sanders family on
Not long after the engagement party, Lucy's hotel video spread across the internet like wildfire.Richard was so furious that he beat Alex in his office. When his son emerged, his face was a mess of bruises and swelling.Despite Richard's aggressive efforts to suppress the trending topic, Mrs. Channing worked behind the scenes to ensure the story stayed alive.After discovering I had been impersonated all these years, Mrs. Channing had completely written off her eldest son.While abroad, Lucas had established a small publishing house. With his mother's financial backing, what had originally been a five-year plan accelerated dramatically.Two years later, our books dominated the bestseller lists across all major platforms, becoming the literary sensation of the year.Around the same time, someone anonymously reported Richard for money laundering with ironclad evidence. The government swiftly moved in, seizing all his connected companies overnight.Thankfully, Mrs. Channing had di
The person behind me suddenly wrapped an arm around my waist, his body heat burning against my skin."Be good now," he whispered, his voice husky.Rising temperature, heated skin, and irregular breathing mingled together.My legs gradually wrapped around his waist, my voice changing from resistance to seduction.I opened my eyes in the morning light without even glancing at the man beside me.Silently, I dressed and left the room.When I got home, my mother looked up from brewing tea, her eyes filled with expectation."Mom," I said, my voice raw, "I'll break off my engagement with Alex Channing and marry Lucas Channing instead."Seeing her satisfied nod, I gave a bitter smile, then asked, ”Mom, what exactly did you put in that coffee yesterday?"Panic flashed across her eyes for just a moment before she composed herself. "It was just a cup of coffee! What—you think I'd poison my own daughter?"So ungrateful! Don't expect me to make you anything ever again!"I took a deep bre
From an early age, Lucy Sanders always liked to take my things, even though she never lacked anything.It was as if everything of mine should rightfully be hers.Anything that belonged to me would inevitably catch her eye.I loved writing stories, but couldn't keep a single one safe.No matter how well I hid them, she would find and take them.Then, by the next morning, I'd discover the shredded remains of my manuscripts in the trash.Dad didn't want to get involved, and Mom always took Lucy's side. If I so much as shed a tear, she'd scold me, “It's just some worthless paper! Are you seriously blaming your sister?"If I exchanged more than a few words with any boy, the very next day Lucy would be hanging on his arm, introducing him right in front of me, "Let me introduce you to my boyfriend."Then there was Alex Channing. His grandmother and my grandma had been close friends since childhood, so Alex and I had met when we were very young.When we crossed paths again in college,
By the time I woke up, it was already past 2 PM.Lucy was sitting in the living room playing with her phone, wearing a spaghetti-strap nightgown. When she saw me come out of the bedroom, she looked up, malice gleaming in her eyes."How was the old man's taste?"Someone dark like you who only writes horror stories—did you actually enjoy it?"I often wrote mystery novels, and since Lucy discovered this, she frequently used it to mock me for being mentally disturbed.I paused, instinctively recalling the man from last night.Broad shoulders, long legs, narrow waist—my hands still remembered the feel of solid muscle.Hmm... not bad, actually?Lucas Channing had been sent abroad in middle school. Apparently, Mrs. Channing spoiled her younger son terribly, and he had developed quite a reputation for his bad behavior.He'd been back for nearly two years but never went to the Channing publishing house."I heard Lucas Channing looks particularly creepy," Lucy said lazily. "His body's
A week later, my parents took both of us to a reception hosted by the Channing family.The party was incredibly boring. I didn't know a single person, so I huddled in a corner thinking about new mystery plots from my writers' group.My parents used their status as the Channings' future in-laws to network with everyone.Lucy came over with Alex on her arm. I glanced at them once, then went back to eating and puzzling through my plot ideas.Alex called to me reluctantly, “Hey, Nina."I paused with my fork midair and looked up at him.Lucy pouted and tugged at his sleeve. Alex cleared his throat, "Lucy's still young. Please be more understanding when she makes mistakes.""But you can't get physical with her. Your temper is too volatile—you really need to work on that."I set down my plate and laughed coldly. "She's older than me.”Alex's face froze. He said, displeased, "Nina, I know you're upset."But seeing you sisters fighting over me doesn't feel good either."Feeling nause
I was just about to fire back when a voice—familiar yet strange—came from nearby,” My girl doesn't need your disappointment."A man with tousled hair sat up from the couch behind us.He held a glass of red wine, eyeing Alex with a sideways glance. "Talking to your future aunt this way? Where are your manners?"Alex gasped, "Uncle Lucas?”Uncle?Lucas Channing!
Not long after the engagement party, Lucy's hotel video spread across the internet like wildfire.Richard was so furious that he beat Alex in his office. When his son emerged, his face was a mess of bruises and swelling.Despite Richard's aggressive efforts to suppress the trending topic, Mrs. Channing worked behind the scenes to ensure the story stayed alive.After discovering I had been impersonated all these years, Mrs. Channing had completely written off her eldest son.While abroad, Lucas had established a small publishing house. With his mother's financial backing, what had originally been a five-year plan accelerated dramatically.Two years later, our books dominated the bestseller lists across all major platforms, becoming the literary sensation of the year.Around the same time, someone anonymously reported Richard for money laundering with ironclad evidence. The government swiftly moved in, seizing all his connected companies overnight.Thankfully, Mrs. Channing had di
At the engagement party, I met Alex and his father, Richard Channing.Richard's features somewhat resembled Lucas's, but his gloomy demeanor couldn't have been more different from his brother's.Alex followed cautiously behind his father.Richard casually clinked glasses with me and said, “Since you're part of the Channing family now, come by the company. I'll have someone arrange a position for you."His condescending tone made my skin crawl.My father nudged my arm, urging me to accept and say something nice.Lucas fearlessly met his brother's eyes. “Richard, my fiancee's employment isn't your concern."Besides, I hear you've had quite a few problems lately. Perhaps you should focus on your own affairs first?"He glanced at my father and added with a smirk, “Oh, and look after my father-in-law too, since he's one of your people."Lucas had told me that Richard must have plenty of shady business requiring my father's help.That's why he'd do favors for the Sanders family on
After yesterday's drama, today's engagement party became all about Lucas and me.Lucy and her mother didn't show up. My father came, but his face was bruised and he was limping slightly.Alex reportedly had knelt at the family estate all night. Mrs. Channing had announced she would take back his shares in the company.Before the engagement party, Mrs. Channing told us a story.I learned that my birth mother and Lucy's mother were sisters.Which meant Lucy's mother was actually my aunt.My mother had been happily married to my father until my aunt, jealous of her sister's happiness, dumped her boyfriend and seduced her brother-in-law.Finding the cheat during her pregnancy, my mother gave birth to me but suffered severe depression. Two years later, distracted while crossing the street on a rainy day, she was hit by a car and killed.My aunt quickly married my father, and they both decided to hide the truth.So that photo I'd seen at my grandmother's house—of a woman holding me
Lucy was unable to hide the hatred in her eyes anymore, "Nina, want to know why Mom never liked you no matter what you did?"Because you're not even her child!"Your favourite grandmother knew everything but went to her grave without telling you this secret!"You're just unwanted trash that nobody loves!"She screamed the last sentence almost hysterically.My mind felt like a million bombs exploding at once, the deafening roar bringing fragments of the past rushing back.I vaguely registered my father grabbing Lucy's hair, slapping and hitting her.Her mother—not mine—fought like a madwoman to save her daughter.I'd had my suspicions before, but Lucy and I both resembled her mother.Our blood types matched too.I'd even seen photos at my grandmother's house of Mom holding me as a baby, smiling with such tenderness and contentment.So I always thought she didn't love me because I wasn't good enough.Lucas held my face, calling my name, forcing me to look at him.I blinked a
Lucy sobbed loudly in my mother's arms.My father's first instinct was to hit me, but seeing Lucas's threatening expression, he didn't dare.Alex finished his phone call and walked over, rubbing his temples. He had composed himself back into the image of a proper gentleman, but his words remained ice cold, "My father knows everything now. After what Lucy's done, she'll never be allowed into the Channing family."My father panicked—his investment company survived entirely on the Channing family's support."Alex, Lucy didn't mean it. Maybe nothing even happened. Don't—"Alex's mouth twitched into a smile. "However, there might be another solution."His gaze fell on me, "Perhaps returning to the beginning wouldn't be so bad?"Lucas's face darkened instantly.My mother finally caught on and shouted, "No, Alex! You can't abandon my Lucy!"My father caught his breath sharply, involuntarily glancing at Lucas.My mother looked at Lucy in her arms and desperately told Alex, "Alex, Nin
The lazy voice of Lucas rang out again as he held up his phone, “The hallway security footage just came in. Why don't we all take a look?"Lucy's face instantly drained of color.Soon, her syrupy voice came from the phone, “Lucas, I fell for you the moment I saw you."If I could be your woman, even just once would be enough for me."In the footage, Lucy was leaning against a door, her face flushed with desire.When the door opened, a hand wearing a gold watch reached out and pulled her inside.Everyone turned to look at Jack, whose face had been beaten to a pulp. Sure enough, that same gold watch was on his wrist.Those who understood the situation began to mock her, "Looks like Lucy's plan backfired. She meant to hook Lucas but ended up knocking on Jack's door instead.""Tsk, Lucy always seemed so sweet and innocent. Who knew she had such a wild side?""Remember what Alex just said about helping Lucy do all the dirty work? Talk about wolves in sheep's clothing. Disgusting!"
In the hallway, a shirtless man was trying to escape but got knocked to the ground by Alex's furious kick.Alex, straddling the man and throwing punches, had bloodshot eyes. No one dared to pull him off.It was only after Lucas spoke that two people finally went over and forcibly dragged Alex away.By then, Lucy had also been pulled out of the room, her hair disheveled.She collapsed on the floor, her body covered in marks.Lucy looked up, saw Lucas, and suddenly lunged toward him like a madwoman."Lucas! It was you who helped me back to the room! Why did it turn into Jack Ferguson?”Jack Ferguson was a notorious playboy in our social circle.He was also the man Lucy had originally planned to set me up with.Lucas gave her a mocking smile, "Miss Sanders, don't worry. The hotel security footage will be available soon."Alex let out a harsh laugh, wiping the corner of his mouth with his thumb. His eyes filled with hatred as he looked at Lucy, “Lucy, you bitch. Haven't I been go
I found myself in a dark room, held tightly in a man's arms as he breathed heavily."Lucas," I called out uncomfortably.A soft chuckle tickled my ear, followed by his playful voice, "Keep it down. We're waiting for the show to start."After receiving Lucas's message earlier, I quickly realized it couldn't have been from him.The real Lucas, despite his lazy, carefree appearance, had a core of stubborn pride.If he truly felt threatened, he'd be the last person to drag someone else into it.I was planning to go home when Lucas intercepted me at the corner and brought me to this room.Now held in his arms, I was adjusting to the darkness. "What are you up to?"Lucas raised his hands innocently, "I'm not the one with plans—Lucy is."I immediately recalled Lucy's strange expression after Lucas drank the juice.In a flash, I understood her scheme.She must have spiked the juice.Lucy probably intended to send me to another man's room, then stage a scene catching us in the act.
The day before the engagement party, Lucy suggested we have one last singles' party.I had no interest, but Lucas agreed with a smile.At the party, Lucy came over with a glass of juice. ”Nina, since things have come to this, why don't we call a truce? We can look out for each other in the Channing family."I pressed my lips together, eyeing the juice suspiciously.Lucy's lips curved slightly as she took a big sip through the straw, then handed it to me. "Satisfied now?"Just as I took it, Lucas appeared out of nowhere and grabbed my wrist.Using my hand, he drank the juice in a few gulps.Seeing my wide eyes, he feigned innocence, "I was thirsty."I helplessly held the empty glass and said to Lucy, “The person who hurt me calls a truce. Don't you find that ironic?""Lucy, regret or something?"Lucy wasn't bothered at all. She stared intensely at Lucas with an odd smile and nodded. “Nina, when have you ever known me to have regrets?"At the height of the party, Alex sudden