Chapter 3

Jasmine's tone instantly changed as she spoke sweetly into the phone.

"Don't worry, darling. No one will make things hard for you today. I'll lead the bridesmaids to welcome you at the hotel entrance ahead of time. Your friends will be jealous of you instead!"

Harold's voice on the phone was cold and commanding, nothing like the gentle, submissive tone he used with me.

I bit down on the sock in my mouth, struggling to make any noise.

Upon seeing this, Jasmine smirked and continued.

"Darling, the mistress you keep outside tried to ruin our wedding. Would you be mad at me if I gave her a beating?"

Harold's indifferent voice came through the speaker, "Do whatever you want, as long as it makes you happy. You're the only one I love. I've never kept another woman. It's obviously just her making up lies.

"If she's really pissing you off, just beat her to death. With my protection, you have nothing to be afraid of."

Jasmine shot me a mocking look and replied, "Darling, you're the best. Love you!"

I sneered internally. Harold had no idea it was me on the other end of the call. If he did, he'd be on his knees begging.

I regretted my blind faith in love. Back then, I ignored my father's warnings and insisted on marrying my so-called true love.

Luckily, before I boarded the plane, I had told my steward about where I was going. By now, he should be on his way with my subordinates.

Jasmine hung up and stomped on my hand.

"Regina, did you hear that? I'm the one Harold truly loves. You? You're nothing but a stray dog I can kill on a whim!"

Looking at her arrogant face, I regretted ever showing her kindness. Back in college, she had spread vicious rumors about me, yet I let it slide. I even had my company sponsor her tuition.

I had chosen to stay in a regular dorm instead of my family's apartment, wanting to experience college life like everyone else.

On the first day, when she saw my high-end makeup, she cried and told me her sob story. Her parents were divorced, and her grandmother made a living selling street food to pay for her tuition.

She never ordered any meat dishes at the cafeteria and never bought any makeup due to her financial struggles.

She wept pitifully and I felt bad for her. I secretly had someone look into her background, and it turned out to be true.

So, I had my company fund her education. I even gifted her beauty products and taught her skincare and makeup techniques.

But at some point, rumors started spreading that I was a gold-digger, leaving campus every weekend in luxury cars to "entertain" rich men.

My assistant investigated and found out that the one who started the rumors was none other than Jasmine.

Furious, I confronted her, but she screamed and cried, claiming I was using my wealth to bully her in the dorm.

The commotion reached our advisor.

Instead of listening to reason, the advisor admonished me, "Regina, hitting your roommate is a crime. Apologize to Jasmine immediately. I know your family has money, but could you be a little more low-key?

"You're always riding around in luxury cars to party outside. It's only natural that people can misunderstand your situation."

I had to go to my company for work every weekend. To save time and make curfew, my steward would drive me around.

But even though I was the victim, the advisor sided with Jasmine. It was completely unfair.

When my father heard about it, he had the advisor fired for misconduct. Jasmine wrote me an apology letter, promising never to spread lies about me again.

Feeling sorry for her, I let it go and continued sponsoring her education.

Just then, the sound of car horns interrupted my thoughts. A line of luxury cars honked as they arrived.

Panicked, Jasmine ordered her friends to toss me aside. She then went to the hotel entrance with her bridesmaids, all prim and proper, to prepare a grand welcome.

I looked up and saw Harold walking down the red carpet, surrounded by an entourage.

His tailored black suit only made him look more refined and imposing. He was undeniably handsome. If he weren't, I wouldn't have fallen for him and defied my father to marry him.

Seeing the crowd bowing respectfully, he curled his lips in a smug smile. He loved this—the feeling of superiority, being worshipped by others.

He ascended the steps and took Jasmine's outstretched hands, pulling her into his embrace. As they turned, his gaze landed on me, lying on the ground.

His brows furrowed in disgust, and his voice was full of displeasure. "Jas, why is there a crazy woman lying behind you? If she ends up in our wedding video, that'd be such an eyesore."

Jasmine chuckled and pointed at me, saying, "Darling, don't you recognize her? She's your little mistress. I want everyone to see what happens to a woman who tries to steal my husband!"

Harold scoffed in disdain and said, "I'm the richest man. Why would I be interested in someone like that? Guards, chop her up and turn her into fish food."

A wave of fear spread through the crowd. No one dared make a sound. Everyone knew offending the richest man could result in them vanishing without a trace.

Ignoring the pain in my fingers, I pushed myself up.

"Hmph! Harold, aren't you an impressive person now?" I scoffed.