Chapter 3

Because Marcus had proposed early on, and the Sterling contract was finalized later, Chloe’s wedding was set a few months before mine.

Chloe was happily picking out designer wedding dresses and diamond rings when Marcus suddenly showed up, claiming his family was too poor to afford a proper wedding.

In a fit of rage, Chloe smashed everything in her room, scattering custom jewelry and designer clothes all over the floor.

In the end, Victoria, heartbroken for her daughter, stepped in and offered to have the Vance family fully fund the wedding. Only then was Chloe appeased.

In our past life, Marcus had used the exact same excuse.

But Victoria had pretended not to know, coldly stating that a married couple should fund their own wedding.

Marcus had simply told me to endure it, promising he would make it up to me once we were rich.

So, enduring the mockery of New York’s elite, I packed my bags and took a cheap cab to Marcus's cramped apartment.

But in this life,

Ethan was the sole heir of the Sterling empire. Naturally, his family spared no expense, making our wedding a lavish, breathtaking affair.

Though Chloe’s wedding was grand, it paled in comparison to mine. She looked almost deformed with jealousy when she arrived.

Even standing on the altar, I could feel her venomous gaze locking onto me from the guest seats.

But then, thinking of the glorious future she believed was waiting for her, she calmed down. When I went around offering toasts, she leaned in and whispered:

"That precious groom of yours looks like he’s going to kick the bucket any day now, Elena. You better prepare your black dress."

In our past life, Ethan, the highly anticipated heir, went missing during a business trip. Despite the Sterling family deploying massive resources, they found nothing, and he was eventually presumed dead.

During the search, the Sterling family collapsed after being exposed for trafficking counterfeit pharmaceuticals and bribing government officials.

Ultimately, they declared bankruptcy. Desperate to find a way out, Chloe threw herself into the arms of Julian Carter, a notorious playboy.

But during a gala, the old Mrs. Sterling caught them red-handed in a private room, nearly fainting from rage.

The old lady used her remaining influence to completely banish Chloe from high society, turning her into New York's ultimate laughingstock.

My face remained calm as I replied:

"I wish you and Marcus eternal happiness too, Chloe."

Seeing that I wasn't bothered in the slightest, her elegant mask cracked. She gritted her teeth and hissed:

"Thank you, Elena."

Seeing Chloe look so miserable brought a wave of satisfaction over me.

Suddenly, I felt a strange gaze on me.

I looked back and realized it came from Marcus's direction.

He seemed busy raising his glass to some CEO, never once looking my way.

But I was absolutely certain that the snake-like, calculating stare belonged to him.