The Bennett family’s car was already waiting outside. I grabbed my luggage and turned back to look at the three people in the
house.
Michael was wearily rubbing his temples, Bella was holding Maya with concern, and Maya—when they weren’t looking— flashed me a triumphant smile.
I watched this charade coldly, sneering inwardly.
Fool. You think stealing my path from the last life will give you a happy ending?
This time, I’ll make you experience what it truly means to wish you were dead.
The Bennett family estate was even more magnificent than I remembered.
In my past life, after Maya married Waylon, she had smugly bragged to me about the luxury here.
But back then, I was too worried about the company’s financial troubles to pay attention to her boasting.
Now that I was here myself, I realized she hadn’t even begun to capture its true opulence.
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Chapter 3
+2 Bonus
“Miss Garcia, we’ve arrived.” The driver respectfully opened the car door.
I stepped out and looked up at the building that resembled a European castle.
The Bennett family was true Washington elite–a top–tier dynasty with global enterprises. Even politicians reportedly showed them respect.
If it weren’t for the deep friendship between my grandfather’s generation and the Bennetts, the Garcia family would never have had a chance at such an alliance.
“So you’re Lydia?” A lazy male voice came from nearby.
I turned to see a well–built man leaning against a Roman column.
His white shirt was casually unbuttoned at the top two buttons, revealing an elegant collarbone, a cigarette between his fingers.
Through the swirling smoke, he squinted as he looked me up and down.
This was Waylon.
I repeated the name in my mind.
In my past life, this was the man who had tortured Maya beyond
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Chapter 3
endurance.
“Hello, Mr. Bennett.” I smiled.
(+2 Bonus
I lowered my head slightly, deliberately letting a strand of hair fall beside my car. Maya had mentioned in the past life that Waylon despised arrogant women.
Waylon suddenly straightened up, stubbing out his cigarette on a nearby ashtray stand.
He strode over to me and reached out to tuck that strand of hair behind my ear.
“Just call me honey. You don’t need to be so formal with your fiancé.”
His voice was deep and carried a barely detectable hint of amusement.
I stiffened.
This was completely different from the cold, ruthless Waylon that Maya had described.
“What? Did I scare you?” Waylon asked.
He raised an eyebrow and suddenly leaned close to my ear.
“Don’t worry. I’m very gentle with women.”
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Chapter 3
+2 Bonus
Waylon’s warm breath brushed against my car. I instinctively stepped back half a pace, but he caught my wrist.
“Cute fiancée, shouldn’t we work on building some chemistry?” Waylon said with a smile.
I knew that beneath the surface, Waylon was definitely not as harmless as he appeared.
I pulled free from his grip and asked somewhat awkwardly, “Where will I be staying?”
Waylon gave me an unreadable smile and led me into the
mansion.
“Your room is right next to mine.” He pushed open an ornately carved wooden door and added, “If you need anything, just tell the butler, James Howard.”
This room was more than three times larger than my bedroom at the Garcia mansion. The overall décor was understated gray–blue tones, with floor–to–ceiling windows opening onto a private balcony.
I walked to the window and discovered the balcony overlooked the rose garden in the back yard.
“Do you like it?” Waylon leaned against the doorframe. “I had it specially prepared for you.”
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Chapter 3
I turned to look at him, filled with surprise.
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“Mr. Bennell–no, Waylon–when is our wedding date set for?”
“What’s the rush?” He smiled. “Is my fiancée that eager to marry
me?”
Hearing this, I nearly missed a breath.
After saying this, he gave me a meaningful look and left.
Only after his footsteps completely faded did I exhale in relief and sit on the bed.
Something was wrong. All of this was wrong.
Waylon’s attitude toward me was completely different from how he’d treated Maya in the past life.
Could my different choices have triggered some kind of chain
reaction?
I opened my phone to find over a dozen missed calls. All from
Maya.
I sneered and ignored them.
In my past life, when I was running around trying to save the company, she had never shown such concern for me.
Chapter 3
Just as I put down my phone, a text message popped up.
+2 Bonus
It was from Maya: [Lydia, why aren’t you answering your phone? I’m really worried about you. Is the Bennett family giving you trouble? Is Waylon scary? Do you need me to come see you?]
I replied: [Everything’s fine. Waylon is quite the gentleman. Maya, you should worry more about the company. I heard creditors showed up today?]
Less than ten seconds after I sent my message, the phone rang.
I smiled and answered.
“Lydia, what are you so smug about? Waylon’s treating you well? I think you’re just trying to make me jealous!” Maya shouted into the phone.
I said nothing. Maya probably thought she’d hit a nerve and became even more pleased with herself.
“Stop pretending. When you’re crying, don’t come begging me to let the company take you back!”
I just smiled faintly: “You should deal with the creditors first.”
After hanging up, I laughed silently.
Maya, enjoy the first gift of your rebirth.
My sister lets me to marry the heir to a …
