Chapter 3

In my entire life, I had never knelt to anyone. The last person who dared speak to me like this was probably six feet under by now.

I took a step forward and slapped Nadia across her face.

Her head whipped to the side, her eyes wide with fury.

"You dare hit me?!"

She clutched her red cheek and screamed at the maids to attack me.

I curled my lips into a cold smile.

Before I went to Paris, Grandpa Arthur was so worried about me being alone abroad that he personally trained me in kickboxing.

A few out-of-shape maids were nothing to me.

With a few quick punches and sweeps, I left them groaning on the grass, dazed and disoriented.

"Pathetic," I muttered, shaking out my slightly numb knuckles. I turned to walk away while Nadia shrieked in rage behind me.

Suddenly, a maid gasped.

"Master Julian is back!"

I looked up. A tall man in a bespoke, tailored suit was walking toward us, his handsome face clouded with anger.

Nadia instantly dropped her vicious look, replacing it with a tearful, fragile expression as she threw herself into Julian's arms.

"Julian! You're finally here! She almost killed me!"

Honestly, Julian Sterling was extremely good-looking. He could easily pass for a Hollywood lead.

Unfortunately, knowing he had an active marriage agreement with me, he was still holding his childhood sweetheart with such desperate tenderness.

I rolled my eyes. I needed to tell Grandpa to take me home. This wedding was officially off.

Ignoring their little drama, I headed straight for the garden exit.

"Stop right there! You think you can touch my woman and just walk away?"

Julian didn't even look at me. He was busy wiping Nadia's tears.

Several heavy-set bodyguards stepped forward, blocking my exit.

I took a deep, exhausted breath and turned back to face him.

"Master Sterling, right now, my grandfather is in your grandfather's study discussing our alliance. If they find out you're treating me like this, it won't end well for you."

Hearing me mention the elder Mr. Sterling, the maids' faces paled slightly.

"Wait... is she really Master Julian's fiancée?"

"Who cares? Look at how protective Master Julian is of Miss Thorne. This wedding might not even happen."

"Exactly. Let's not offend Miss Thorne, or we'll pay for it later!"

Julian’s face darkened when he heard the word "alliance."

"What alliance? I never agreed to it. Besides, my grandfather loves me more than anyone. He would never force me to marry a nameless, classless girl like you!"

Nadia peeked out from his chest, looking at me triumphantly.

"Julian and I are soulmates. A filthy thief like you actually thinks she can be the next Mrs. Sterling? Delusional."

I nodded slowly. "Great, these two trash bags are perfect for each other. Please stay locked together forever."

But I remembered my grandpa saying that of all the families who begged for my hand, the Sterling family had put in the most effort.

I had met old Marcus Sterling a few times; he was a highly respectable elder. If he found out his precious alliance was ruined by his stupid grandson, there would be a bloodbath.

But oh well. A rotten apple ruins the basket.