"Why?" Braydon asked.

"Because I am your wife," Caroline replied.

A faint look crossed Braydon's eyes. "That's not the answer I wanted."

Caroline went quiet.

She understood exactly what he meant.

People knew how obsessed she used to be with Jacob. They talked about the things she had done for him like gossip over dinner tables.

Now she suddenly turned around and married Braydon instead. Of course he'd find it strange.

However, she couldn't tell him the real reason.

There was no way she could tell him she'd already lived through one lifetime before this one. She also couldn't admit she had seen how well Vivian lived after marrying him, or how disgusting Jacob truly was beneath his mask.

After staying silent for a while, Caroline finally looked at him and answered, "I prefer powerful men."

For the first time since entering the room, Braydon actually looked surprised.

Caroline continued, "Jacob can't even walk. How could someone like him protect me or support the Palmer family? But you're different. Nobody in Praginia dares to challenge you. If I'm standing beside you, I won't have to be afraid of anyone."

Every word came out direct and honest.

Braydon stared at her for a moment before chuckling. "So that's why you married me. You wanted my power."

"That's right."

"Not because you like me?"

A small smile appeared on Caroline's lips. "We barely know each other, Braydon. It'd be strange if I claimed I married you because of love."

"Fine," Braydon said, his voice turning playful. "You've got three minutes to convince me this marriage should stay. If you fail, I'll send you back to the Palmer family tomorrow and end all of this."

Caroline's fingers tightened slightly. Ever since her father died, the Palmer family had been losing ground little by little.

That was the whole reason her family pushed so hard for this marriage alliance in the first place.

If Braydon cast her aside now, the Palmer family would collapse completely.

Caroline was keenly aware of all this.

In her past life, Amanda worked endlessly to build ties with both the Lewis family and the Lloyd family through marriage. She wanted both Caroline and Vivian to become support for the Palmer family.

Unfortunately, Caroline was blinded by love back then. Her attention stayed fixed on Jacob alone. She never cared about the family's situation.

This time, she planned to change both the Palmer family's fate and her own.

Looking straight at Braydon, Caroline finally spoke. "The land in the south of the city."

The smile in Braydon's eyes disappeared little by little.

"You're planning to take that land for yourself." Caroline gave him a small smile. "I understand finance, economics, and real estate development. My family background makes the cut. I'm good-looking, and I won't stick my nose into your affairs with other women. To put it simply, I am a low-maintenance, understanding, tactful partner. Trust me, I am your ideal choice for a wife."

Braydon stayed silent. His expression darkened slightly, but he still didn't interrupt her.

"Since you haven't refused, I'll take that as agreement." Caroline slowly stood from her chair. "I hope we'll have a happy life together as a married couple."

After leaving those words behind, Caroline didn't stay another second. She turned around and walked out of the room.

Just then, Jared slipped out of the next room in slow, careful steps. "She couldn't have actually known that, could she? How could she possibly know you're trying to acquire the land in the south?"

The acquisition had never been made public.

That piece of land had already been reserved for casino development.

How could a woman known only for shopping and parties learn something that secret?

"Does her background mention anything about finance, economics, or real estate?"

Without waiting for permission, Jared picked up the documents scattered across Braydon's desk and skimmed through the pages.

"What the hell? She had perfect grades the entire time she was in college? And she already secured admission for graduate school? If she was this smart, why'd she quit studying?" Jared's eyes widened in disbelief.

Not long after leaving the study, Caroline contacted the bank.

Now that she was Braydon's wife, the president personally answered her call.

"Mrs. Lewis, what can I assist you with?"

"I'd like to borrow sixty million dollars," Caroline said plainly.

The amount stunned the president into silence for a moment.

Caroline came from the Palmer family. On top of that, she was now Braydon's wife.

Someone with her background shouldn't have needed a loan for only sixty million dollars.

"Mrs. Lewis," the president said carefully, "the interest rate for this amount won't be low. Should we speak with Mr. Lewis first?"

Caroline answered calmly, "He's overloaded with work lately, and he forgot to transfer my allowance. I only need the money because I want to buy him a gift at the auction. Please don't bring this up to him. I'll repay everything within three months, so there won't be any issue."

The explanation cleared up the confusion almost immediately.

Everyone in their social circle knew Caroline had always spent money freely, even before marrying into the Lewis family. To ordinary people, sixty million dollars would've sounded impossible. For Caroline, however, it was only money meant for a gift.

The president saw no reason to hesitate over the loan.

After all, he was helping Braydon's wife while earning interest at the same time. The deal was practically foolproof.

"You don't need to worry, Mrs. Lewis. I'll keep this matter private."

Caroline asked, "What about the credit check?"

"You're Mrs. Lewis now. There's no need for that process. We'll complete the contract online, and I'll transfer the money immediately after."

"Thank you," Caroline replied.

Then she ended the call.

The southern land was valuable, sure. But nobody paid attention to a piece of land in the east of the city. Right now, the place counted as undeveloped land, so buying it wouldn't require much money.

That was one of the reasons she had married Braydon. She wanted the title of "Mrs. Lewis" because it allowed her to bypass the bank's asset verification. And in the future, that identity would continue opening doors for her.

Later that afternoon, Caroline received a call from Vivian.

Her voice sounded hesitant. "Caroline, are you free right now? I want to see you."

At the time, Caroline was resting in the garden beneath the sun. "What is it?"

"I'd rather tell you face-to-face."

"Alright. Come over."

After hanging up, Caroline already understood what was happening.

Vivian started regretting her decision.

About half an hour later, Vivian arrived.

A light pink dress covered her figure, while her pale face and swollen eyes made it obvious she'd been crying.

The sight nearly made Caroline laugh inwardly.

Only a few days had passed, yet Vivian was already beginning to break.

Walking over slowly, Vivian pressed her lips together before speaking. "Caroline, I..."

"Sit down first." Caroline motioned toward the chair beside her.

Without another word, Vivian lowered herself into the seat with her head down.

Caroline didn't rush her to continue speaking. She remained stretched across the recliner beneath the sunlight, looking completely at ease in the role of a wealthy wife.

Eventually, Vivian couldn't hold back anymore. "Caroline," she said quietly, "I want a divorce."

Caroline lifted a brow, yet chose to remain silent.

Tears kept rolling down Vivian's cheeks as she spoke. "Jacob's condition has gotten worse lately. I've been with him these few days, and the way he looks now... Caroline, I'm only twenty. I don't want my whole life tied to someone like that."

Still, Caroline gave no response.

Taking her silence as indifference, Vivian broke down even more. "Jacob's brother, Alec Lloyd, doesn't treat him like family at all. He humiliates him, calls him useless, a burden. His wife is even worse. She never misses a chance to insult me and bring up my background. I can't stand it anymore."

At first, Vivian believed Jacob's affection would secure her a comfortable and wealthy life within the Lloyd family.

However, reality proved otherwise. Jacob had no authority in that household.

He couldn't even stand up for her.

Time and again, he stayed silent while his sister-in-law picked on her.

Thinking of that, Vivian wiped her tears and looked at Caroline with desperation.

"Caroline, please help me get a divorce. And ask Braydon to find a better man for me. I don't need a rich one. I just want someone kind. I don't want anything to do with the Lloyds anymore."

Caroline looked at her, sneering inside.

In her previous life, she had gone through the exact same humiliation after marrying into the Lloyd family.

Alec once pointed at her and called her a fool. His wife even dumped leftovers onto her plate and told her, "The Lloyd family doesn't support freeloaders. If you want to eat, then work."

She took care of Jacob and handled everything for him, yet they still accused her of pretending to be devoted just to get their money.

And back then, where was Vivian?

Vivian married Braydon and lived in luxury. Occasionally, she would visit, dressed in expensive brands and covered in jewelry, looking down on her. "Caroline, if you had listened to me, you wouldn't have ended up like this."

Now their roles had reversed, and Vivian was the one crying.

Letting out a soft sigh, Caroline put on a conflicted expression. "Vivian, it's not that I don't want to help. I'm barely managing my own situation right now."

Shock flashed across Vivian's face. "What do you mean? Didn't you marry Braydon?"

"I did, but he has no feelings for me," Caroline replied with a bitter smile. "We didn't even have a wedding. After we registered the marriage, he left me at the villa and never gave me any allowance. If I want to buy something, I have to figure it out on my own."

That explanation was only partly true. It was true that there was no wedding, and he hadn't given her money. But none of that mattered to her.

Vivian hadn't expected that answer at all. She forgot to wipe her tears. "Then... what should I do now?"

Caroline shook her head lightly. "I'm barely managing things on my end. How could I go to him and ask him to find you a new husband? And with someone like Braydon, asking for favors would only make him look down on me more."

Panic flashed across Vivian's face. She bit her lip, then suddenly grabbed Caroline's hand. "Caroline, please. I'm begging you. You have to help me!"

Inside, Caroline felt nothing but disdain, yet she didn't let it show. "I'm sorry, but I don't know how to help you."

"Caroline!" Vivian clutched her hand more tightly. "I'm your sister. Can you really stand by and watch me fall into this? Please help me. I'll do anything, as long as I get a divorce."

Caroline watched her in silence for a moment. After a brief pause, she sighed and patted Vivian's hand. "Alright. I'll think of something."

Hope instantly lit up Vivian's eyes. "You mean it?"

"Of course." Caroline nodded. "You mentioned earlier that Jacob isn't well?"

Vivian nodded quickly. "He's been sick for days, and no one's taking care of him. When I visited, he was alone in his room. No one even gave him water."

After thinking it over, Caroline suggested, "Then that gives you even more reason to step in and take care of him."

Vivian stared at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Think about how the Lloyd family sees you right now."

A hint of frustration crossed Vivian's face. "His brother and sister-in-law both dislike me."

"Right. So what should you be doing now?" Caroline's tone softened as she guided her. "From what I know, Jacob's mother rarely interferes in family matters. First, take Jacob to the hospital. The Lloyd family has strong ties in the medical field, so once she hears about it, she'll definitely ask questions. That's your chance. Tell her you want to move out with Jacob so you can care for him properly. Most importantly, you need to mention that he's been mistreated by his brother. Once she finds out her youngest son has been suffering, she won't stay calm. Then you'll take him for treatment and look after him. She'll see you as thoughtful and responsible."

Vivian hesitated. "But..."

"No buts." Caroline cut her off. "Build your reputation now and get the Lloyd family on your side. That way, you'll have leverage later. When you say you can't endure it anymore and want a divorce, they won't be able to force you to stay. Do you understand?"

Vivian fell into thought.

Caroline added casually, "Besides, you're taking him for treatment anyway. What if he actually recovers? If he can walk again, you might not want to divorce him anymore."

Hope flickered in Vivian's eyes. "But what if his condition can't be fixed..."

"Even if he never recovers, you still come out of it with a good name." Caroline gave a small smile. "When you ask for a divorce, people will blame him for not cherishing such a devoted wife. No one will accuse you of leaving him for a better life. Do you understand?"

Vivian nodded quickly. "I do! Caroline, you really think things through. But... I don't have much cash right now."

Caroline let out a soft sigh. "I'm not exactly well-off either, but I've saved a little. The treatment shouldn't cost too much at the start. I can give you fifty thousand. Will that be enough?"

A bright gleam lit up Vivian's eyes. "That's more than enough. Thank you, Caroline!"

Caroline gave a small nod, grabbed her phone, and sent her fifty thousand.

After thanking her repeatedly, Vivian finally left.

Once she was gone, Caroline leaned back and allowed a slow smile to form.

In her previous life, the moment she married Jacob, she took him for treatment right away.

She went from one hospital to another across Praginia, pleading with every doctor she could find. Yet no matter what she tried, his condition only worsened. His legs never improved, and his overall health declined further.

It was only later that she uncovered that Jacob and Alec didn't share the same mother, and Jacob was an illegitimate son.

Years back, Rory Lloyd, Jacob and Alec's father, got a woman pregnant after a drunken fling. To hide the scandal, he claimed the child was his wife's son and brought the baby home.

His wife, Stacey Lloyd, despised that illegitimate child, and Alec hated him even more for threatening his share of the inheritance.

Alec was the one who had shattered Jacob's legs.

And as for Jacob's worsening condition, Stacey had been tampering with his meals all along.

They didn't want Jacob to die outright. That would raise suspicion. Instead, they kept him weak and bedridden, letting him fade away slowly.

Now, Vivian was about to step in and push for his treatment, digging into the cause of his illness.

How would the Lloyd family react to that?

A faint smile appeared on Caroline's lips.

"Vivian, now it's your turn to go through all the pain I endured before."

The bank loan reached Caroline's account not long after the call ended.

When the notification appeared on her phone screen, a slight curve touched her lips.

Being Braydon's wife really did make things easier.

After putting her phone aside, she returned to finishing her makeup.

Tonight was the auction for the land.

In her past life, Jacob had attended the same auction with only ten million dollars. In the end, he could only purchase the land in the east of the city.

Everyone laughed at him. Alec even mocked, "You spent money on that piece of trash? You really are pathetic."

Nobody believed the land held any value at all.

Later, though, everything changed once the treasure buried beneath that land was discovered.

Jacob's status rose overnight because of it. Meanwhile, the Lloyd family nearly regretted themselves to death.

Caroline remembered another thing even more clearly. At that time, she knelt before Vivian and begged her to put in a good word with Braydon.

The memory filled her with ridicule.

This time, she would secure that land.

By evening, the auction house had already filled with people.

Caroline arrived wearing a black dress that reached her knees. Her hair had been pinned up neatly, exposing her slender neck.

She wasn't wearing any jewelry that night. Still, people looked at her the moment she walked inside.

At nearly the same time, Braydon arrived outside the entrance.

A dark gray suit covered his tall figure while Jared followed beside him.

The entire walk there, Jared kept talking without pause. "We absolutely can't lose the land in the south tonight. I've already checked the competition. Only three companies are bidding against us, and none of them should be difficult to handle."

Braydon gave no response. Instead, his gaze moved across the crowd gathered near the entrance.

And that was when he spotted Caroline, who was supposed to be at home.

The moment Jared noticed where Braydon was looking, his expression changed. "Hold on. Isn't that your wife?"

A bidder paddle rested in Caroline's hand while she lowered her head to look at her phone near the doorway.

Jared rubbed his eyes before looking again. "She came to the auction? Did she mention this to you?"

Braydon gave no response. His attention remained on Caroline while his eyes narrowed slightly.

At that moment, Caroline lifted her head. The instant their eyes met, she paused briefly before walking toward him with calm steps. "Braydon, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Braydon looked at her. "Why are you here?"

"I'm just here to pass the time," Caroline answered casually, waving the paddle in her hand. "I didn't have anything else to do."

Jared leaned closer. "This is an auction house, not a mall. You're treating this as entertainment?"

One of Caroline's brows lifted slightly. "Are you saying I shouldn't be here?"

That question left Jared speechless.

Braydon glanced at her once more before turning away and walking inside without another word.

Jared quickly followed after him while glancing back again. "What's your wife really up to?"

Braydon stayed silent. He wanted the answer himself.

As more guests entered the auction hall, Caroline found a seat that didn't attract attention and set her paddle beside her.

Not long after, another pair entered the hall.

Jacob sat in a wheelchair. Compared to this same time in her previous life, he looked thinner and paler now.

Still, he carried that refined appearance that always made him stand out. At the same time, the cold distance around him made him difficult to approach.

Standing behind him, Vivian pushed the wheelchair forward, wearing a butter-yellow dress. Although a smile rested on her face, it looked somewhat forced.

Watching the two of them, Caroline slowly curved her lips upward.

While pushing Jacob deeper into the hall, Vivian suddenly stopped after spotting Caroline nearby.

"Caroline?" Surprise immediately appeared on her face. "You came too?"

Lifting her gaze toward them, Caroline answered with a small smile, "I did."

Jacob looked at Caroline quietly. Something complicated flickered through his eyes.

He'd genuinely believed Caroline would become his wife. Never once had he expected Vivian to be the one standing beside him instead.

Because of that, the Lloyd family constantly mocked him. To them, he was nothing more than someone who overestimated himself and wasn't worthy of Caroline.

"Carrie, how have you been lately?" Jacob asked softly.

Caroline looked at him calmly while keeping the smile on her face. "I'm doing very well, Mr. Lloyd. Thank you for asking."

The formality in her words made Jacob pause. She called him "Mr. Lloyd." Before this, she'd always addressed him as Jacob.

Vivian failed to notice the shift between them entirely. After glancing around the auction hall, she lowered her voice and moved closer to Caroline. "Do you know anything about today's auction lots? We honestly don't understand this stuff. Jacob's brother only gave us ten million and told us to buy whichever land we could afford."

Caroline repeated, "Only ten million?"

Vivian nodded immediately. "Exactly. What kind of land can we even get with that amount? I heard the southern land is the best one tonight, but there's no way ten million would be enough for it."

Caroline's gaze shifted toward Jacob.

Throughout the conversation, he kept his head lowered without speaking.

Everything matched her previous life perfectly.

Back then, Alec handed Jacob ten million, wanting him to embarrass himself at the auction.

Once Jacob returned empty-handed, Alec would gain another excuse to humiliate him during the next family gathering.

Pulling her attention away from him, Caroline smiled faintly. "The southern land is valuable, but nobody's getting it for only ten million."

Another sigh escaped Vivian's lips. "Then what are we supposed to do? We can't leave without buying anything."

Caroline thought quietly for a brief moment before speaking again. "Actually, the land in the west isn't a bad option. The price should just be a little higher."

"The west?" Vivian looked at her immediately.

"Yes." Caroline gave a small nod. "That land has a decent location. It can't compare to the one in the south, but you wouldn't lose money buying it."

Vivian hesitated slightly. "When you say the price is a little higher, how much higher are you talking about?"