Chapter 1

I spent four years helping Ethan rebuild after bankruptcy, only to watch him propose to my half-sister Vivian at his victory celebration.

He said marriage could only be for Vivian. I was nothing more than his most obedient pawn.

Vivian deliberately framed me for causing her miscarriage, then had someone inject me with poison. He witnessed it all with his own eyes, yet he chose to believe her over me.

At the engagement party, surveillance footage revealed the truth, exposing her cruelty for all to see.

Ethan collapsed in regret, kneeling before me and begging for reconciliation.

But I simply took the arm of my new lover, Adrian Luton, and smiled faintly. "Ethan, it's too late."

Lily's POV

When Ethan Sterling's family went bankrupt and everyone said the former genius would never rise again, I was the only one who stood by him without hesitation.

I believed he could start over. I believed he could make a comeback and reclaim his place at the top, restoring the Sterling name.

Four years later, he proved me right.

Not only did Ethan pay off all his debts, but he took Sterling Tech to new heights.

After four years, he stood at the pinnacle of power once more, his glory unmatched.

Everyone marveled at how Ethan truly was a genius, different from ordinary people.

"Lily, your suffering has finally paid off," my friend Sophie called excitedly. "Ethan's been working himself to death these past years just so he could marry you in style, right? I heard he's planning to propose tonight at the victory party. Did he give you any hint about this huge event?"

Ethan was planning to propose tonight at the victory party?

My heart skipped a beat.

I knew about the party. It was to celebrate Sterling Tech successfully securing that crucial project.

But a proposal... he'd been secretly planning this?

"He didn't tell me. Maybe he wants to surprise me," I said, unable to hide the smile on my lips. "I have to go. I'm picking up the gift I prepared for him."

After hanging up, I accepted the deep blue velvet box from the clerk.

Inside was a pair of cufflinks, platinum settings inlaid with two perfectly cut black diamonds.

I'd had these custom-made specifically to celebrate Ethan's success with this project.

But I never expected he would propose at this very party.

At the thought, warmth flooded my chest like honey.

I tucked away the jewelry box and was about to leave when a familiar voice drifted from behind a marble column nearby.

"Is everything ready?" It was Ethan.

"All set, Mr. Sterling. This is the ring custom-made according to your design and specifications. Please take a look."

His design?

So for tonight's proposal, he'd even personally designed the ring.

He was just like me. We both wanted to surprise each other tonight.

My heart grew even sweeter, and I looked forward to the party even more.

I was debating whether to go over and greet him when I heard the voice of Ethan's friend Marcus, tinged with amusement. "Wonder if Vivian will be more happy or surprised when she sees this ring you designed for her?"

I felt like I'd been nailed to the spot, my mind suddenly blank.

Vivian... my half-sister?

Marcus asked curiously, "You specifically invited Vivian to tonight's party, but I'll be there too. Aren't you afraid Lily will see you propose to another woman and make a scene?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Then I heard Ethan reply in a tone so calm it was almost indifferent, "She won't know. I'll find an excuse to keep her away."

Marcus sighed.

"Four years ago when the Sterling family went bankrupt and everyone thought you were finished, only Lily believed in you. She stayed by your side through four years of hardship, even sold the sapphire necklace her grandmother left her to cover project expenses... Does all that still not compare to the girl who saved your life when you were young?"

"During the hardest times, Lily was willing to stay with me. She's been very good to me," Ethan said after several seconds of silence. "I can give her anything. But marriage... I just can't."

Marcus sighed heavily. "Fine. Since you've made up your mind, I won't say more."

Soon the sound of footsteps faded from behind the column.

I leaned against the cold jewelry counter, my fingers trembling, my blood freezing instantly. I couldn't believe what I'd just heard.

My phone buzzed at that moment. A message from Ethan.

"Lily, there'll be a lot of drinking at tonight's party, and you've been having stomach trouble. You've never liked these social events anyway. Stay home and wait for me, okay? I'll come straight back after the party."

I stared at those words, cold spreading from deep within, a sharp pain stabbing through me.

Slowly, I lifted my stiff fingers and typed: "Okay."