I'm the only daughter of the Su family. The price of being worth hundreds of billions was being kidnapped three times as a child. My father assigned me a hundred bodyguards. Even going to school required three bulletproof cars for escort. "Choose a husband. Let him guard you day and night." I chose Julian, who was the gentlest to me. But on our wedding day, he withdrew all my bodyguards. I was tied up on a rooftop, the kidnapper's knife against my neck. On the other end of the phone, Julian sneered, "Chloe, are you for real? You got thugs to bully Mia. She's the real victim. Who are you putting on this show for?" "I just let your bodyguards protect her for 24 hours, to let you taste what it feels like to be scared." I counted the chime of the rooftop clock. Every hour, I lost a finger. 24 hours later, my blood ran dry, and my heart died. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day I chose my husband. In my father's hand were still those eight photos. This time, my finger swept right past Julian and pointed to the cynical smiling face in the farthest corner. But my father said, "This person is already dead." 1 I stared at the eight photos in my father's hand. My fingertip swept past Julian's gentle, jade-like face without hesitation, pointing straight to the face at the very bottom, with slightly tanned skin and a roguish smile. My father was stunned. "Chloe, didn't you like Julian the most? Why choose Xander?" I clenched my fingers tightly, nails almost digging into my palm. Xander, athletic since childhood, was also a famous playboy in our circle. His skin was tanned dark, spending all day at the racetrack and nightclubs, the women around him more glamorous than the last. My father looked down on him and casually threw him a hard job in a remote mountain area to get rid of him. But I remembered, in my past life, when I was tied up on the rooftop, blood draining drop by drop, the moment I jumped off the rooftop, the last thing I saw was Xander rushing over like crazy. His face was full of terror and heartache. "Him." My voice trembled. My father frowned, took out his phone to search his contacts, and suddenly paused awkwardly. He hadn't even saved Xander's number. How ironic. These eight were all his adopted "sons," but Xander didn't even deserve a contact name. The chief assistant called back quickly. "Chairman, Xander passed away last month in Yungou Village. He encountered a mudslide." My father sighed. "Chloe, pick another one. Julian is actually..." "I won't pick anymore." I stood up abruptly, my throat tight. "Except for him, I don't want anyone." In my past life, those so-called "brothers" were either fawning over Julian's cousin or watching my jokes coldly. Reliving this life, I'd rather die alone than be stabbed by their hypocritical gentleness again. I walked out of the office in a daze, my mind full of Xander's last look. If even he is dead, who else in this world would risk their life for me? Suddenly, a cold hand grabbed my wrist hard. I looked up. It was Julian. Mia stood beside him, her slender body leaning slightly on him, the corners of her eyes still red, as if she had suffered a huge grievance. Although Julian looked gentle, the words he spat out were stiff. "Chloe, Mia isn't feeling well. Your hot spring villa is empty anyway, let her go there to recuperate for a few days. She hasn't been sleeping well lately and keeps coughing." If it were before, I would have softened and nodded long ago. But this time, I just glanced at them lightly. "I don't agree." After speaking, I directly called my little assistant. "Lock the villa gate tight. Don't let any messy people sneak in." Julian's face changed abruptly. "Chloe!" He grabbed my wrist, his grip painfully strong. "She's my cousin, she'll be your family in the future too. Can't you be a bit sensible?" I sneered and flung his hand away hard. "Who's family with you?" His pupils contracted, as if stung. "What kind of crazy fit are you throwing? Just because Mia wore your hairpin last time? Your room is piled with jewelry, what's wrong with letting her wear one?" Mia started sobbing at the right time, tears hanging on her eyelashes, about to fall. "Julian, forget it... Miss Su looks down on me, I, I didn't deserve it anyway..." I was too lazy to watch this drama anymore and turned to leave. "I said no means no." Back in my room, I covered myself with the quilt and slept. The dizziness of rebirth was still churning in my mind until a harsh ringtone woke me up. "Miss!" The little assistant's crying voice came. "Mr. Fu took Miss Xu and broke into the villa! I couldn't stop them; those bodyguards listen to him..." I sat up abruptly. The scenes of being kidnapped in my past life flashed before my eyes. Those bodyguards who were supposed to protect me did the same thing, following Julian without hesitation, leaving me alone with the kidnappers. When I rushed into the villa, a bodyguard dared to reach out and stop me. "Eldest Miss, Mr. Fu ordered that no one is allowed to disturb." "Slap!" I slapped him hard across the face. "Eating my food but listening to others?" I trembled with anger. "Get out now!" The moment I pushed open the inner room door, the scene before me made my blood freeze. Chapter 2 2 Amidst the steaming hot spring mist, Mia leaned weakly against the edge of the pool, her cheeks flushed with an unnatural redness. "Cousin, I feel so dizzy..." Before she finished speaking, her body went limp, and she slid towards the bottom of the water. Julian jumped into the pool without hesitation and scooped her up. Water droplets slid down his tense jawline, dripping onto Mia's exposed shoulder. "Julian," I interrupted coldly, "I said, you are not welcome here." He stiffened, and Mia in his arms trembled slightly. "Chloe!" A trace of panic flashed in his eyes, immediately replaced by anger. "Do you have to be so aggressive? She almost fainted! Can't you stop being so mean!" Mia suddenly broke free from his embrace, knelt before me with a "thud," and kowtowed heavily on the floor. "Eldest Miss, I'm sorry! It's all my fault!" Blood trickled down her pale cheek. Suddenly, she lunged forward to hug my legs, but the next second, as if pushed, she fell back into the pool. She struggled painfully in the water. "Help! I have a cramp..." Julian jumped in again to pick her up. When he got ashore, his eyes were full of disgust as he looked at me. "Chloe Su, you've gone too far!" He suddenly reached out and pushed me into the pool. "Bang!" My arm hit the pool wall hard, instantly bruising. "If you bully Mia like this again," he said coldly, holding the shivering Mia, "I won't marry you." Watching their departing backs, I climbed out of the pool wretchedly. "Everyone who let them in today, get out!" While I was changing clothes, the little assistant ran over in a hurry. "Eldest Miss! We found a lead on Xander!" I rushed to Yungou Village overnight. The mountain roads destroyed by heavy rain were muddy and difficult to traverse. Just as I settled down in the town, a pair of large hands suddenly grabbed me. The person dragged me into a dark alley, a warm palm covering my mouth tightly. I looked up in horror and met a pair of eyes as bright as stars. "Xander?!" He quickly let go, his face under the mask flushing red. "Eldest Miss, why did you come to a place like this..." "Aren't you dead?" My voice trembled. He scratched his head embarrassedly, revealing that cute little canine tooth. "There was a mole in the project here. I used the mudslide to fake my death and flush out the mole." "You know this trick?" I was a bit surprised. His smile suddenly dimmed. "Did I disappoint Eldest Miss? Did you... always think I was stupid?" My heart convulsed with pain. Anxious, I grabbed his hand. "Listen! You must come back before the wedding on the 8th!" He stiffened, his eyes instantly turning gray. "Okay, your wedding, I'll definitely be there." "Dummy," I stamped my foot in anger, "I want to marry..." "Boss! The mole is running!" A shout came from the distance. He backed away in panic. "Eldest Miss, it might be dangerous here, go back quickly! I'll go to the wedding!" Xander's hurried retreating figure soon disappeared at the alley entrance. I stood there, a thousand thoughts surging in my mind. In my past life, he was the one I paid the least attention to among the eight. Everyone said he was all brawn and no brains, only hanging out at racetracks and outdoors. Unlike Julian, always in a suit, strategizing behind gold-rimmed glasses. But the most marginal businesses, the trickiest relationships, were always thrown to Xander to handle. But thinking about it now, these so-called "marginal businesses" involved dealing with the most difficult characters from all walks of life. Without the skill to navigate all sides, how could they be handled properly? On the way back, I had someone remake the electronic invitation and send it to Xander. It wasn't until the latter half of the night that the phone lit up with a notification. "Miss, the groom's name is wrong, remember to change it." The "typing" indicator above the chat box flashed for a long time, and finally, he added another sentence. "Don't worry, I will definitely come to the wedding." I couldn't help but chuckle. He wouldn't believe whatever I said now; better to explain face to face when he comes back. My phone kept vibrating. Julian sent message after message: "Mia needs your apology." "Don't be so willful." I tapped the screen and deleted him from WeChat without hesitation. Chapter 3 3 Knowing Xander was still alive and far more outstanding than I imagined, my mood brightened like never before. I started preparing for the wedding. That day, I pushed open the glass door of the bridal shop, and a pungent perfume smell hit me. "Cousin~ Look, do I look good in this?" Mia's sugary voice instantly gave me goosebumps. She was wearing the wedding dress my mother custom-ordered for me, admiring herself in the mirror. Julian looked at her gently. "Mia, you look good in anything." "Oh, you~ Cousin knows how to coax people best~" Mia spun around coyly, the smell of cheap perfume filling the air. I suppressed my anger and walked forward. The moment Julian saw me, his face visibly froze. He subconsciously stepped forward, blocking Mia, his voice deliberately gentle. "Chloe, don't misunderstand. Mia isn't in good health, she might... might not make it to her wedding day. She just wanted to experience wearing a wedding dress." Mia started coughing. I interrupted coldly, "Take it off." Mia's eyes reddened immediately. "Eldest Miss, sorry, I just envied you too much." She tremblingly grabbed Julian's sleeve. "It's all my fault, don't blame Cousin..." Julian's face sank. "You're going to marry me sooner or later anyway. What does it matter if she wears it? Can't you be considerate and let her be happy?" "I said, take it off." I repeated word for word, my gaze sweeping over the trembling shop assistants. "Since when did others get to try on the wedding dress I ordered?" Two assistants scrambled to help Mia take off the dress. Her fair arms had red marks from the tight fit. Mia cried like a pear blossom bathed in rain. "Sorry, I'm cheap, I don't deserve to wear such good clothes!" Suddenly, her legs went weak, and she fell towards the ground. Julian rushed forward to catch her, turning to roar at me, "Chloe Su, are you satisfied?" "Disinfect it three times." I frowned in disgust. "Don't leave a single scent." Mia covered her face and ran out. Julian glared at me with an iron-green face, finally slamming the door as he left. At night, the little assistant leaned close to my ear mysteriously. "Eldest Miss, guess what? That Mia who pretends to be weak all day got hit by a car today! Heard her leg is broken!" She gestured excitedly. "If you ask me, this is retribution! Knowing Julian is your fiancé, she still sticks to him all day, acting like a little white flower. Disgusting!" I gently swirled the red wine glass, a sneer curling my lips. "Who told you Julian is my fiancé?" The little assistant's eyes widened, almost spilling the fruit platter in her hand. "Eldest Miss, you mean..." "Go tell the wedding planner to change the groom's name." I took a sip of wine. "Change it to Xander." "Great!" The little assistant clapped excitedly. "Eldest Miss! Although Julian looks okay, he has no boundaries, hanging out with Mia all day. He's just a central air conditioner." I couldn't help smiling. Even the little assistant saw it so clearly. How was I so blinded in my past life? Love indeed blinds people. Thinking of this, I couldn't help but sigh softly. Early the next morning, just as I stepped out of the company gate, my vision went black, and a sack was suddenly pulled over my head! "Who?! Let go of me!" I struggled desperately. The other party roughly stuffed me into a car. My back hit the car door hard, making me gasp in pain. Familiar fear swept through my body instantly. Memories of being kidnapped in my past life surged like a tide. "Please! I'll give you however much money you want!" My voice couldn't stop trembling, tears soaking the blindfold. The only response was suffocating silence. Until that familiar scent drifted into my nose, Julian's usual cologne. My heart sank to the bottom. "You... what exactly do you want..." "Someone wants me to teach you a good lesson." He deliberately lowered his voice. Even though I had decided not to marry him, his actions at this moment still made my heart ache so much I couldn't breathe. "Bang!" An iron rod hit my leg hard. The severe pain made my vision go black. Tearing pain came from my heart. I endured it and didn't expose his disguise. I curled up in the corner of the carriage, tears silently soaking the sack. At the last moment before losing consciousness, I heard his cold voice, "Remember this lesson." Chapter 4 4 The iron rod hit my leg with dull thuds. One, two, three... Fifteen hits in total. The sound of bones cracking was clearly audible. I fainted from the pain and was thrown in front of the Su family gate. The smell of disinfectant in the hospital was pungent and unpleasant. Mia's voice came from the VIP ward next door. "Cousin, you accompany me every day, it's too hard on you!" My heart ached as if crushed. Julian, to vent anger for Mia, you could be so cruel! "Daughter!" My father rushed in and hugged me tightly, his voice trembling. "Who did this? Dad will make him wish he were dead!" "Dad, I'm fine." I forced a smile despite the pain. "Change a batch of bodyguards for me!" "By the way, Xander is still alive. After we get married, he will protect me too." After my father left, I leaned on crutches and went to the window. In the garden downstairs, Julian was carrying Mia on his back, spinning around. She whispered something in his ear, making the tips of his ears red, and he smiled so gently. That was a smile I had never received. The day before the wedding, Xander arrived travel-worn, still carrying the scent of soil. He carefully took out a smooth jade stone from his bosom. "Eldest Miss, wedding gift!" "The groom is finally back." I smiled and took the jade, deliberately raising my voice. Xander stood frozen on the spot, his eyes red instantly, lips trembling but unable to speak. The assistant whispered to me that Julian hadn't been seen for days. I sneered. He was waiting for me to bow my head and admit my mistake, waiting for me to cry and beg him to come back for the wedding. Unfortunately, his calculations were wrong. At night, my phone vibrated suddenly. Mia sent a video. In the frame, she and Julian were entangled together, unsightly. But soon, the video was withdrawn. "Clumsy." I sneered and turned off the phone. This trick was laughable. Standing by the window, I saw Xander standing alone under the starry sky, looking up at my window. He waved at me, his smile warm and firm. At this moment, my heart settled down like never before. Early on the wedding day, my phone rang. "As long as you apologize to Mia, I'll come marry you immediately." Julian's voice was still high and mighty. "No need." I hung up the phone decisively, a sneer curling my lips. At the wedding venue, guests whispered. "Why hasn't Julian come yet?" "Are they going to cancel the wedding?" I turned a deaf ear, walking onto the red carpet holding Xander's arm. His arm muscles were tense, yet he carefully controlled his strength, afraid of hurting me. "Let's congratulate Mr. Xander and the Eldest Miss of the Su family!" The emcee's voice resonated through the hall. Just then, the banquet hall doors were pushed open violently. The latecomer Julian stood at the door, his face pale, the bouquet in his hand dropping to the ground with a "thud." I curled my lips and, under his incredulous gaze, actively kissed Xander.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "388590", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel