Chapter 1: Chapter 1

754 words

<html><head></head><body>On my twentieth birthday, my parents handed me a portfolio containing profiles of the nation's most prominent heirs. The gilded album was filled with detailed information about the scions of various elite circles. I calmly informed my father that I would decide my marriage partner by drawing lots. In my previous life, I had chosen Zephyr Ashcroft from the Shanghai Elite Circle without hesitation. Only after our marriage did I discover that his unattainable crush, Seraphina Vance, had been devastated by our union. In her despair, she turned to alcohol and met with a tragic accident. She attempted suicide three times. Zephyr blamed me for everything. He transferred all my family's assets to Seraphina, completely draining the Valrose fortune. In the end, he even allowed her to cut the brake lines of our family car. We perished in the resulting crash. Now, reborn, I closed my eyes and randomly drew a name. Unfolding the slip of paper, I saw the name Alistair Cortez from the Fujian Elite Circle. This heir apparent had been living in seclusion at a temple, detached from worldly affairs. At the engagement gala, I made a grand entrance on Alistair's arm. Suddenly, Zephyr burst into the ballroom.  His eyes bloodshot, he grabbed my wrist. "Astrid, you were supposed to choose me." I gently placed the photo of Alistair Cortez in front of my parents. My mother picked it up and examined it carefully, while my father frowned. "Astrid, are you sure about the Cortez family?" My mother worriedly held my hand. "You've always liked Zephyr Ashcroft. Why the sudden change of heart..." I shook my head firmly. "Since fate has given me a second chance, I'm willing to try." Images from my past life flashed through my mind, the cold marriage sending shivers down my spine. My parents exchanged a glance and finally nodded in agreement. "We'll discuss the marriage alliance with the Cortez family," my father said solemnly. "But both families are prominent. Keep this confidential until the engagement gala." I softly agreed and turned to prepare for tonight's charity ball.  As soon as I arrived at the venue, reporters swarmed around me like sharks smelling blood. "Miss Valrose, is it true you're about to get engaged to the Ashcroft heir?" The camera flashes hurt my eyes. As I raised my hand to shield them, I accidentally met Zephyr Ashcroft's icy gaze. He stood in the center of the crowd, like an unmeltable iceberg. "Move aside." His bodyguards roughly pushed the reporters away, shielding Seraphina Vance behind them. Seraphina looked pale, leaning weakly against him. "My heart belongs only to Seraphina," Zephyr's voice was clear and cold. "Even if I'm forced into a marriage alliance, my heart will always be hers." Seraphina's eyes welled up with tears, and she clung tightly to his waist. Whispers spread around us. "Even the Valrose heiress can't compare to the daughter of a nouveau riche."  "How humiliating, throwing herself at him like that." Seraphina shot me a triumphant look, a faint smile playing on her lips. I turned away expressionlessly and found my seat. Fate had a cruel sense of humor—Zephyr's seat was right next to mine. He sat down, bringing a chill with him. "Astrid Valrose, how long are you going to keep pestering me?" His words were like a cold knife, stabbing into my heart. "I'm not pestering you." Zephyr slammed his hand on the table, drawing the attention of those around us. "Then why insist on marrying me? Just because the Valrose family is powerful, you think you can control my life?" "You're humiliating me. Even if we marry, I won't spare you a glance."  The memories of my past life came flooding back—he had indeed kept his word. Seraphina chose that moment to approach, tears streaming down her face like broken strings. She suddenly knelt before me, her voice choked with sobs. "Miss Valrose, please show mercy. My parents are old, they can't handle this..." Zephyr immediately helped her up, his eyes filled with disgust as he looked at me. "If you have a problem, take it out on me. Why hurt Seraphina?" I was stunned. "I didn't do anything." "Spoiled heiresses like you never know when to stop." At that moment, a sycophantic voice chimed in. "Mr. Ashcroft, this is a gift for you and Miss Valrose's engagement..." Zephyr snatched the gift box and hurled it at me. "Apologize," his voice was as cold as ice. "Or I'd rather break the agreement than marry a woman like you!"  </body></html>