I possess a superpower: absolute obliviousness. My childhood frenemy, who has secretly loved me for years, performed a seductive dance right in front of me. Me: "If you've got a rash, go take a shower." At a gala, an arrogant heiress tried to flex her massive diamond ring in my face. Me: "Sorry, I'm straight. Not interested." The cold, abstinent billionaire heir of New York suddenly tripped and fell right into my arms. Me: "Mr. Thorne, do you have stamina issues?" His handsome face crumbled into heartbreak and despair. Suddenly, a stream of comments floated across my vision. [He’s winking at the blind! Fate is really pranking the Prince!] [Baby girl, open your eyes! I refuse to believe your head is that empty!] [Forget it, forget it. Our girl has terminal obliviousness. Julian, just go cry in the corner.] 1 I was born with a delayed reaction time. Everyone calls me the "Oblivious Beauty." Honestly, I don't care what they call me. As a wealthy heiress, my first twenty years were spent eating, sleeping, and repeating. Life was good. But today, my parents were crying, telling me the Winters family was bankrupt. Panicking, I shoved the last piece of fried chicken into my mouth and stared hungrily at my brother, Oliver’s portion. Oliver’s mouth twitched. "It's already in your mouth, Lily. No one's stealing it." He turned back to comfort our parents. "It’s okay. We can sell the jewelry and the villa. We’ll make a comeback!" Hearing this, Mom and Dad cried harder. "Gone. It's all gone. Jewelry sold, villa mortgaged." Oliver looked like he was about to crack, but he kept a brave smile. "It’s fine. As long as I’m here, I can still earn money!" My parents suddenly exchanged guilty looks. "Well, son... actually, you’ve been mortgaged too." "That Anderson girl promised our family ten million dollars. Your mother and I thought about it, and it seems like a solid deal..." Oliver finally broke. He snatched the chicken bone out of my mouth and made a show of gnawing on it. "Gwen Anderson is a tyrant! If I go to her house, I won't even get to eat bones. I’d rather starve here!" I interrupted him. "Bro, you can't get full on just one bone." Oliver’s expression cycled through shock, confusion, sadness, depression, and finally, resolve. He let out a long sigh, patted my head, and shook our parents' hands. Painful, yet determined. "Mom, Dad, Lily. I’m going. This might be goodbye forever. Don't miss me too much." Mom stopped him. "It’s just an arranged marriage, Oliver. What are you imagining?" Seeing Oliver’s tragic face, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Suddenly, my parents turned their gaze to me. Dad flashed a toothy grin. "Baby girl, don't laugh. You have to get married too. Neither of you is escaping this." !!! It took a moment to sink in. Then, I hugged Oliver, and we wept together. "Bro, we’ve been played by capitalism!" 2 To restore the family fortune, my brother, sobbing, was carted off by Gwen Anderson. I waved a tearful goodbye. Then, I immediately ordered a birthday cake. Today was the birthday of my childhood friend, Parker Yates. Speaking of arranged marriages, he was the first person I thought of. If I could marry into the Yates family, my life of luxury was secured. Unfortunately, Parker wasn't just my childhood friend; he was also my nemesis. He’d been bullying me since we were in diapers. Carrying the cake, I followed the address he sent and walked into the VIP lounge. The moment I opened the door, I was hit with a scene straight out of a music video. Parker had his arms around two models, his collar unbuttoned, red wine sliding over his Adam's apple and down his chest. His frat brothers were cheering. "Parker, you animal!" "As expected of the Yates heir, drowning in ladies." "Haha, careful Parker, don't let your little neighbor see this. She’ll get jealous." Parker smirked. "My future wife has to be obedient." I stood at the door, genuinely confused. Why would I be jealous? "Lily... Lily?" Seeing me, Parker stiffened. He shoveled the two girls away, dusted off his shirt, and walked toward me. "You're late. Do you not care about my birthday at all?" He frowned, his eyes full of accusation. I placed the cake in front of him. His eyes softened instantly, and he coughed lightly. "Hmph. At least you have a conscience." He led me to a seat. Everyone else kept their distance. One bold guy joked, "I heard the Winters family is looking for marriage alliances. Oliver got snatched up by Gwen at first sight. Who is Lily planning to marry?" The guy next to Parker chimed in, "Do you even have to ask? It’s obviously Parker. They grew up together. If Parker doesn't marry her, who would dare?" Parker cut him off sharply. "Nothing’s happening. Don't spread rumors." But the corners of his lips were twitching upwards. I nodded dumbly. It was true; the marriage alliance was still just a pipe dream. "Yeah, exactly. Nothing’s happening, so stop talking nonsense." Parker’s face instantly turned ice cold. See? I told them to stop talking nonsense, and now he's mad. 3 "Who do you want to marry?" Parker suddenly grabbed my wrist, asking through gritted teeth. I was just about to discuss it with him. Should we give it a try? He’s a playboy, I’m a lazy couch potato. We’re a perfect match. But before I could speak, he let go and pulled a girl onto his lap who threw herself at him. "Mr. Yates, I'm a little tipsy~" A hot girl in a mini skirt. Definitely Parker's type. "Whatever. I don't care who you marry. Lily, I don't like you anyway." The room went silent. His friends looked at each other, awkwardness hanging in the air. Parker suddenly stood up, blasted the music, and dragged the girl to the center of the room. He gave a roguish grin. "Great stage. Shame not to dance." I sat on the sofa and watched him. First, he danced with the girl. Then, he went solo. It got abstract. He was basically mopping the floor with his butt. I didn't get the appeal. His eyes were full of provocation, as if saying: Listen up, Lily! I don't like you! I don't want to marry you! I figured I got the message, so I grabbed my bag to leave. Before I could stand, rows of text appeared in the air. [Damn Parker, stubborn mouth. His palms are probably sweating while he dances, right?] [Look at those hips moving, that seductive little look. He’s like a siren. Bet he practiced this K-pop routine at home a hundred times. What is his motive!] [Baby Lily is staring blankly. She’s probably drooling internally.] [Haha, Lily is terrified by Parker's 'hot' dance. Look, she grabbed her bag. She’s about to flee.] I did want to flee. Can someone explain to me the connection between Parker’s dance and "hot"? Is he really not just cleaning the floor? After finishing his floor routine, Parker was panting, sweat glistening. He undid two more buttons. "Just something I learned casually. How was it?" Maybe I was seeing things, but why did he look... expectant? It was his birthday. I should have lied and praised him. But remembering he rejected the marriage alliance, the virtue of honesty suddenly possessed me. "Oh. If you've got a rash, go take a shower." 4 Parker froze. His pupils dilated, his face went blank. He looked fragile, like he might shatter. After a long time, his mouth twitched. He looked at me with disgust. "Lily, is this revenge?" "The Winters family is bankrupt. Do you think you're still some high-and-mighty princess?" "I don't like crude, unromantic women like you. I won't marry you. Get lost! As far as you can!" The price of honesty was getting kicked out. I couldn't believe it. After more than ten years, Parker still couldn't handle the truth. When I got home, I told my parents that Parker rejected the alliance. To my surprise, they just said "Oh." I scratched my head. "Don't you want me to marry into the Yates family?" Mom hugged me, her voice gentle. "Silly child, your father and I aren't blind. We're close with the Yates family, but that boy isn't the right match for you." I felt a belated wave of emotion. Compared to money, my parents cared about my happiness. I thumped my chest. "Don't worry, Mom, Dad! There are plenty of rich guys in New York. I'll snag a wealthy, handsome one!" Dad shook his head. "Honey, you don't have enough brain cells for scheming. I never expected you to handle the alliance." "The Anderson girl likes your brother. With Oliver taking one for the team, we three can relax. Come on, keep the music playing, keep dancing!" I felt a sudden pang of loss. So in my parents' hearts, I was just a useless little waste of space? No! If Oliver can marry rich, so can I! Fueled by adrenaline, I ran upstairs and dug out my best dress. I remembered there was a gala next week. The elite of the city would be there. I was going to wear my battle armor and catch a man! That night, the floating comments popped up again. [Parker has such a bad temper. No wonder Lily hates him. He’s dishonest, dying of love but spewing hurtful words. Red flag, red flag!] [Wow, Baby Lily put on the dress! So pretty! She looks like a soft, sweet cupcake. Mwah mwah mwah!] [Parents are partying downstairs, Lily is dressing up upstairs. Meanwhile, our Big Brother Oliver is crying at the Anderson estate, getting his abs touched 18 times a day. Hehe.] [Who will Lily end up with? I’m so excited! Author update faster!] [Please not Parker. He hugged other girls, he's dirty! I don't want a redemption arc. Don't let our Lily be a doormat!]
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