Mariah, who was over forty and had a child, still maintained a charming figure.
When she saw Claire looking at her, she immediately put on a gentle smile and walked over, swaying her hips. "What are you talking about? Once something is decided, it can't be changed so easily," she said, her voice laced with hidden meaning.
"You have a habit of speaking without thinking—just like your mother, who passed away from the same disease."
What did she mean by the same disease? Claire's mother had been a skilled doctor, just like Claire's grandmother. Her death had always seemed suspicious. Claire vividly recalled the day her mother was pushed off a cliff—Claire had been there but couldn't remember what exactly happened. She didn't believe for a second that Mariah had nothing to do with it.
Looking into Mariah's malicious eyes, Claire suddenly made up her mind: she would stay in City A.
Putting on a cute and gentle smile, Claire responded, "Aunt Mariah, don't worry. I'm here now." Mariah's eyes filled with sarcasm and disdain. A country bumpkin like her, Mariah thought, if it weren't for the need for her to marry in, she probably wouldn't have had the chance to step foot in City A in her lifetime.
Mariah smiled. "You've just arrived. Why don't you rest and take a tour around the family mansion? Tomorrow, you will meet your fiancé for a brief introduction." Her voice was sweet, but the undertone was mocking. "It will just be the two of you," she added.
Claire nodded. Shortly after, the housekeeper came in to show her to her room. After unpacking, Claire lay on the bed, reflecting on her life over the past two years. During that time, she had honed the skills her grandmother had taught her. Despite the James family's constant harassment, Claire had managed to adapt and survive.
Now, tomorrow, she would be meeting Tristan Grey—the man who had betrayed her with her sister and ultimately killed her in her past life.
The Day of the Meeting
It was Claire's second day in City A. At precisely 8 p.m., she sat in the VIP area of one of the city's most famous restaurants, waiting for Tristan. She had been there for half an hour, but Tristan had yet to show up. Bored, she began sipping on the non-alcoholic wine that the waitress had served her. Little did she know that the wine had been spiked.
A few minutes after drinking it, she began feeling dizzy and uncomfortably warm.
Claire gritted her teeth, forcing herself to ascend the stairs to the top floor, struggling to suppress the turmoil inside her. Barefoot, she crept along the stairwell, trying to remain unnoticed, terrified of attracting pursuers.
"Tsk… That woman drank the spiked wine. She can't run far!"
"Find her for me!" The deep voice of a man echoed through the stairwell.
Hearing them searching nearby, Claire pushed open the emergency door and hid in the darkness. Her hands shook as she dialed a familiar number.
Before she could speak, a delicate, familiar voice sounded on the other end of the line. Claire froze, trembling. It was her younger sister, Anna.
"Anna... you and Tristan?" Claire's voice wavered. She was shocked, though deep down she wasn't entirely surprised. She had known what awaited her the moment she stepped into City A. Still, hearing it from Anna hurt, and her face darkened with anger.
Without any shame, Anna's voice continued, loud and gleeful. Claire could hear the rustling sounds in the background. Tristan took over the phone, his tone smug.
"Since it's a candlelit dinner, how could it be without a man?" he sneered.
"Claire, tonight, I wanted you to enjoy it!" he mocked. "Do you really think I would marry a country bumpkin like you?"
"Dream on! Tomorrow, pictures of you in bed will be in every major newspaper. Let them all see what kind of slut the Smith family's eldest daughter really is!"
"I'll make sure you fall from grace!" Tristan's voice dripped with cruelty.
Beep.
The call ended abruptly. Claire's hand trembled as she held the phone. She had fallen right into their trap. She was supposed to meet her fiancé today, and instead, they had conspired against her.
A cold light flickered in Claire's eyes. Tristan Grey, you may be the heir to the Grey family, but don't blame me for being ruthless. He thought he could ruin her reputation? He underestimated her. Claire had never truly accepted the arranged marriage in the first place; she had gone along with it for her own reasons. But she never expected Tristan to go this far.
She had misjudged him. If he had put this much effort into his business, the Grey family would have already expanded its territory by now.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps and a loud noise as the rooftop door was forced open.
"I found her!" someone shouted.
Several men approached. Claire gritted her teeth and weakly pressed the teleport button on the interface. Struggling to stand, she faced them defiantly. Her flushed face caught the attention of the group leader, who grinned at her distress.
"Let's see where you can run now. Why don't you come play with me?" the man taunted.
Outside, the waves crashed against the cliff, the sight both terrifying and mesmerizing.