As the heiress of a prominent family, I fell in love with Kyle Ford, a man from modest beginnings. My parents proposed a challenge: if I hid my true identity and Kyle proposed before my 25th birthday, they would bless our marriage; otherwise, I had to agree to their arranged dates.

On the last day of our agreement, I eagerly waited for Kyle's proposal.

"Hattie, will you marry me?"

Tears filled my eyes as I was about to extend my hand, only for him to place the ring on another woman’s finger, sparking laughter all around us.

With a sneer, he jeered, “How could someone as broke as you think you could land me? It's a pipe dream! Unlike my Ayra, who's classy and sophisticated—we’re a perfect fit.”

What he didn't know was that Ayra Castro, who pretended to be the Griffin heiress, was nothing more than a fraud. I was the real heiress.

Pointing to the enormous billboard of superstar Alistair White outside the window, I declared, “Sorry, I'm already engaged to him.”

At my words, everyone froze in disbelief. They only saw me as the clueless girl hopelessly chasing after Kyle Ford. Moments later, laughter echoed through the hall.

Mocking glances were thrown my way, someone jeering, “Has she lost it? Does she actually think someone like Alistair White would be engaged to her? What a joke!”

“Right? Pointing at an ad to inflate her status? She should take a good look at herself; even being his housekeeper would be a stretch!”

Ayra, fiddling with her hair, flaunted the diamond ring on her finger and feigned concern: “Sister, I know you're upset, but making up stories just gives people more to laugh about.”

Kyle interjected, “Alright, it’s Hattie’s birthday today. Let’s not hold it against her for my sake.”

“She’s just lying to get back at me.”

With my fists clenched, waves of humiliation and sorrow crashed over me. Once, I might have tried to justify myself to him, but now I just looked at him with icy detachment and said, “Kyle Ford, it's over between us.”

I turned to leave, but he blocked my way.

“What’s this? Can’t handle a bit of criticism?”

“Playing hard to get just to grab my attention, huh? Don’t think I don’t see through your little games. That reverse psychology stuff doesn’t work on me.”

Ayra, clinging to his arm, cooed softly, “Kyle, sister is already upset, don’t rile her up more.”

Then she turned to me, “Sister, you can’t force love. Acting like this only makes you look worse.”

The crowd's gaze grew even more disdainful, and their false sympathy was bitterly ironic.

Three days earlier, I had taken Ayra shopping, intending to buy her some clothes, only to accidentally uncover her true nature. Her father was our family chauffeur, who had always driven me to and from school. I regarded Aurelio Castro as family and naturally treated Ayra like a sister. I was generous with her in both life and studies, sharing my secrets freely, including my parents’ condition to keep my identity hidden from Kyle.

Little did I know that in her eyes, my kindness only bred jealousy and deceit. During our shopping trip, while I briefly stepped away to the restroom, I overheard her on the phone.

“Kyle, isn’t publicly humiliating her a bit much? My sister has always been kind to me. What if she flips out at the birthday party?”

Then she added, “If my sister finds out we’re together, I’m worried she might overreact, especially since she’s so into you.”

Whatever the response was on the other end, it made Ayra giggle shyly, while I stood behind a wall, my heart twisted in knots, my stomach churning, almost suffocating.

After returning home, I shut myself in my room, refusing to eat or drink as I was overwhelmed by self-doubt. I couldn't comprehend why the two people I trusted most would betray me. Was I too kind, allowing them to stomp all over my genuine feelings as they wished? Or was I simply undeserving of true affection, destined to be a casualty in this charade?

Everyone knew how much I cared for Kyle, my heart and mind completely absorbed with him. But what they didn't know was how he first drew me in with his intense love, slowly capturing my heart. During our freshman orientation party, I twisted my ankle by tripping backstage, and he was the one who carried me to the medical center. He was also the one who woke up early every morning to buy me breakfast, patiently waiting in line without complaint.

But after I accepted his advances, he changed abruptly, claiming he needed to concentrate on his studies. Before long, I found myself the one chasing after him.

"Hattie, if you kneel down and beg me now, I might be gracious enough to forgive your earlier lack of sensitivity," Kyle's voice jolted me back to reality. Looking at this stranger I once adored, now filled with contempt, I replied icily, "Kyle, do you really think you're worth it? Just looking at you makes my skin crawl."

He was taken aback by my response, and his expression darkened immediately. I pushed him aside resolutely and walked away quickly. It took Kyle a moment to react, and then he yelled at my retreating figure, "Hattie, do you think making up some imaginary fiancé will force me to be with you? Keep dreaming! Your little ploys are utterly childish in my eyes!"

I paused at his words, turned back, and said coolly, "Believe whatever you want." With that, I headed straight for the door. Behind me, I could hear the mocking voices of his friends. "I bet Hattie won't last three days before she's crawling back, begging Kyle for forgiveness."

Kyle shouted loudly, "Even if she gets down on her knees, I will never forgive her! Hattie, let's see how long you can keep this up!"

I walked away confidently, ignoring him completely.

The next day.

On my way to meet Alistair White for a date, I unexpectedly encountered Kyle Ford and his friends gathered downstairs at the same restaurant.

I aimed to head straight to the private room on the second floor, but they blocked my way.

One of them jeered, "Hattie, didn't expect you'd come crawling back to make amends with Kyle this quickly."

Kyle, hands casually in his pockets, smirked cockily, "Even if you got down on your knees today, I wouldn't forgive you."

I gazed at him steadily, wondering how someone once so gentle could change so drastically.

With a slight frown, I replied coolly, "Why would anyone apologize to a jerk like you? I'm not here for you; I'm here to meet my fiancé."

"It's just a coincidence we ran into each other here."

"Hahaha, that's a good one! That's really funny."

One of his friends laughed until tears streamed down his face. "Anyone dining here must be wealthy or important. You, a broke nobody, coming here for a date? Sounds more like you're trying to snag a sugar daddy."

Another chimed in, "Her fiancé is supposed to be the famous Alistair White, so it's only natural for her to be here, right?"

He scanned the room with a smug grin, "But... where's this big celebrity, anyway?"

"Hahaha, I bet you've never even met him, yet you dare to claim to be his fiancée—such nerve!"

As the laughter continued, Ayra Castro intervened with feigned gentleness, "Come on, guys, let's not be too harsh. I’m sure my sister didn't mean to mislead us."

She turned to me with mock concern, "Sister, if you're really engaged, why not bring your fiancé to the Thanksgiving dinner three days from now? You wouldn't want people to keep misunderstanding, would you?"

"Exactly, if you're brave enough, bring Alistair White!" the others chimed in.

I scoffed, "Fine, I'll bring him, and we'll be there."

With that, I walked straight up to the second floor, ignoring the angry shouts from Kyle behind me, "I can't wait to see you try to get superstar Alistair White to go along with this!"

I didn't acknowledge him or look back as I continued upstairs.

Upon entering the VIP room, I found Alistair already waiting on the couch.

I told him about the Thanksgiving dinner, and without hesitation, he agreed to accompany me.