Chapter 1

I was trying on my bridal dress when the hotel manager called.

"Miss McPherson, someone's come to wreck your grand wedding venue," he announced, his voice tinged with a hint of glee. "You should come here to assess the damage."

I was stunned. I had spent half a year of my hard-earned savings on this wedding! Who did these culprits think they were?

Tomorrow was supposed to be the day I married my fiancé of seven years, Matteo Brando. Why was someone sabotaging our wedding now?

Furious, I texted Matteo, grabbed my bag, and headed to the hotel.

…

As I approached the entrance, I could hear the hotel manager's ingratiating tone. "I didn't know Mrs. Brando could be this beautiful! You are truly a perfect match for Mr. Brando.

"No wonder she's never seen with the man himself when she's inspecting the preparations. She's not really who she claims to be, is she?

"Please give me your number, Mrs. Brando. I would love your support for the hotel's ventures and projects in the future!"

My heart skipped a beat.

A woman with bewitching curves and long, wavy hair was holding the manager's business card.

"No problem," she replied. "But first, I need to take care of a brazen vixen. I'll remember you helping me today."

I strode into the venue.

The flowers I had painstakingly arranged had been thrown to the floor. Shattered champagne bottles littered the ground. Rotten eggshells and squashed tomatoes were scattered everywhere.

My wedding venue had looked so dreamy that afternoon, and now it was a complete battleground!

I tried my best to control my rage.

"Who did this?" I snarled.

The woman slapped me hard across the face. "I did! Tia Lydic! Remember me? Time for you to get your just desserts for coming between Matteo and me!"

I staggered from the force. "Tia?"

The name sounded familiar. Who…

Of course! Matteo had once told me that one of his juniors had asked him for job connections. That was her name!

I sneered. Matteo, you jackass. My dad had let him take over the company's leadership position temporarily because I got pregnant, but now he acted like he'd always owned his spot and title. And he had kept a mistress behind my back!

"Who the hell do you think you are?!"

Tia shoved her phone in my face. It displayed a picture of her and Matteo in wedding attire. She pointed at another photo of Matteo and me welcoming guests at an event.

"No, you tell me who 'you' are! I took this picture with my husband about half a year ago! How dare you seduce him?!" Tia barked.

Seduce him? Ridiculous!

I grabbed my phone, ready to call Matteo for an explanation.

Tia snatched it away and threw it to the floor. "Don't you know your place, homewrecker?!"

Tia's voice was loud enough to draw a crowd. People gathered around, pointing fingers at me and whispering.

"I did a little research. The groom is Mr. Matteo from Lonboto Inc.!"

"Young people nowadays will do anything for money and clout."

"Exactly! She's so beautiful! Why did he have to…"

The manager rushed to Tia, trying to soothe her. "Don't be mad, Mrs. Brando. It's not good for your health! How about a stay in our presidential suite and a year's worth of free spa treatments? It'll help relieve your tension, I promise."

Finally, he turned to me and said, "Sorry, Miss McPherson, but we're not hosting your wedding now."