Anna's hands seemed to finally give out, and she hurled the steaming cup straight at Jemma, sending a wave of boiling water splattering across her face.

Screams tore from Jemma as the burn hit, her hands flying to her cheeks as the pain threatened to peel the skin from her bones.

The servant who had lingered in the doorway froze in terror before rushing forward. "Mrs. Russell! Are you alright?"

Wild with pain, Jemma could only clutch her face, her cries growing louder. "My face! Somebody help me—my face is burning!"

One look at Jemma's blistered skin made the servant blanch in horror, nearly dropping the tray.

The flawless complexion she had always boasted about was now ruined, mottled with angry red burns and swollen blisters.

"I'll call the doctor—right away! Please, let me help you," the servant stammered, trying to steady Jemma.

Jemma burned with rage and humiliation. She wanted nothing more than to punish Anna herself, but she remembered Anna still needed to marry into the White family. She swallowed her anger and lashed out with a savage kick, catching Anna hard in the chest.

"Lock the attic! She's not to have dinner tonight, no matter what!" Jemma snapped.

Shaken, the servant hurried to support the sobbing Jemma and led her from the room.

The attic door slammed, shutting off the last sliver of light and leaving Anna alone in darkness.

After a moment, Anna lifted her head. A cold, sharp smile curved her lips, and a dangerous glint flickered in her eyes.

This was only the beginning of what she had planned. Jemma would pay dearly.

Getting to her feet, Anna crossed the cramped attic, shoved aside broken boxes, and pressed her fingers to a hidden switch on the wall.

A ladder slid down from above, revealing a passage to a secret room tucked away beyond anyone's notice in the Russell family's home.

Up in that hidden space, a man lounged on a weathered sofa, swirling a glass of wine. The moment Anna climbed up, he set the glass aside and said, "Back in trouble, I see? I keep telling you, just give the signal and I'll make everyone downstairs disappear before morning."

Anna shot him a steely look before moving to the far side of the room and settling into a chair. "Cade's not sharp enough to have orchestrated everything back then. Whoever gave him orders is still in the shadows. My only option is to keep playing the fool until the real mastermind shows up."

He studied her for a moment, then asked, "They're marrying you off to the White family as a pawn. Do you honestly think you can dig up the truth from there?"

A bitter smile tugged at Anna's lips, but her gaze stayed cold. "Being married off is actually a step up. With fewer eyes on me, I'll finally be able to move freely."

Seven years had crawled by since the crash that shattered her life.

Memories of her mother's final moments never faded from Anna's mind.

Inside that wrecked car, her mother had spent her last bit of strength shielding Anna, her voice frail as she begged, "Hide your intelligence. Survive this. Steer clear of the Russell family."

Anna pressed her nails into her burnt palm, refusing to let any pain reach her features.

Nothing mattered more than watching Cade and his precious family crumble, piece by piece.

"It's not as if you'd listen to me anyway." Joshua Bradley leaned back, a trace of resignation in his voice. He reached for his phone and added, "You should know your last payment's already in your account. And there's another job waiting, if you're up for it."

He retrieved a photo from his pocket and slid it across the table. "You have three months. The organization wants this man gone."

Anna lifted the picture and studied it.

Though out of focus, the photo still managed to capture the man's striking features—a sharp jawline, strong profile, and a presence that commanded attention even in a candid shot.

"I need everything you can get me on him," Anna replied coolly.

"He's the mastermind behind the Shadow Group overseas. Four years ago, three of the most powerful families tried to take him down together, but he dismantled two of their empires all by himself. Plenty have tried hunting him since then, but after that, he disappeared completely. No one's glimpsed his real face, except for this single, fuzzy photograph. We've just received—he's laying low somewhere in Aresrora." Joshua spoke with quiet certainty.

Anna studied the blurred photo, then shot Joshua a skeptical look. "You really think I can track down someone with nothing but a shadowy profile? That's asking a lot, even from me."

Joshua's lips twisted in a knowing grin. "Let's be honest, there's nobody else in the group with our eye for faces. I have to stay behind the scenes. If you can't pull this off, nobody can."

She traced the outline of the man's jaw with her thumb, considering. "If the price is right, I'll take the job."

After Joshua slipped away, Anna sparked a match and held it to the edge of the photograph.

She watched as flames licked across the image, a sly smile spreading as the picture curled and blackened. "Russell family, your quiet days are over. I hope you're ready for what's coming."

On the morning of the ceremony, the White family delivered a wedding gown meant for Anna.

Ivy, on a whim, slipped into the dress herself. She spun in front of the tall mirror, beaming as the expensive fabric shimmered around her.

In the reflection, Ivy caught sight of Anna hovering uncertainly nearby. She turned with a grin and approached. "Anna, what do you think?"

Anna's hands flew together, her face bright with a guileless smile. "It's nice, Ivy. It's really nice!"

A soft laugh escaped Ivy as she sized Anna up from head to toe.

Standing there in an old-fashioned red frock, Anna had a huge artificial flower pinned awkwardly to her hair.

As far as Ivy was concerned, Anna could never do justice to the designer gown from the White family. That dress deserved to shine on someone like her.

"Come on. Let's get moving," Ivy said.

When they arrived outside the Serene Hotel, Ivy climbed out and fussed with her dress before yanking Anna out of the car. "Stop stalling and get going!"

Together, they walked into the banquet hall, drawing a wave of curious eyes their way.

"Is she the one marrying into the White family?"

"She doesn't stand out at all, does she? Even with that high-end gown, it just doesn't look right on her."

"And who's the woman in red next to her?"

"I heard Cade's got a daughter with a brain injury. That must be her."

"Look at her! Even in that old-fashioned dress, she's actually gorgeous!"

That single remark from the crowd lit a fire in Ivy's chest. How could Anna, dressed so ridiculously, still manage to draw admiration? The urge to hush everyone up nearly overwhelmed her.

Before Ivy could say anything, Roderick Green, Owen's assistant, stepped forward and addressed Anna. "Miss Russell, the ceremony hasn't started yet. Mr. Owen White wants you to wait in the lounge and rest for a bit."

Casting a sideways glance at Roderick, Ivy quickly grabbed Anna's arm. "I'm coming too. I don't trust leaving my sister by herself."

Roderick's eyes lingered on Ivy's gown for a moment, but he only nodded. "This way, please."

As they walked, Ivy dug her fingers into Anna's side, hissing under her breath, "Don't you say anything you shouldn't once we're inside!"

Anna's eyes widened in pain and she nodded, shrinking back, her lips tightly sealed.

At the lounge door, Roderick knocked and then opened it. "Mr. White, your bride is here."

They stepped inside together, and Ivy immediately craned her neck, eager for her first glimpse of Owen.

Her breath caught when she spotted the man waiting in a wheelchair. Despite looking delicate, there was a striking elegance about him that couldn't be ignored.

"That can't be right!" Ivy blurted, stunned.

She had always believed the rumors about his supposed ugliness, but the man before her was anything but unattractive.

Even Anna, standing quietly at her side, couldn't hide her own shock.

What surprised her wasn't Owen's appearance, but the realization that the man in the wheelchair was her new target, and once she took him out, she would get three billion dollars.

Roderick's expression tightened. "Please, lower your voice. Mr. White is not to be agitated."

Regaining her composure, Ivy guided Anna by the arm. "Mr. White, let me introduce my sister. She's the one who will be marrying you."

"Is that so?" Owen's eyes drifted to Ivy. "If she's supposed to be my bride, why are you the one wearing the gown that was sent for her?"

Even with illness written across his face, Owen's gaze had a gravity that made Ivy's confidence falter.

"I—" Ivy started, then shoved Anna ahead. "Anna asked me to put it on. She insisted it looked better on me, didn't you, Anna?"

Anna stared, eyes wide with curiosity, taking in every detail of the man sitting before her.

Owen met Anna's gaze, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips.

When Anna didn't answer, Ivy jabbed her sharply. "Say something!"

Anna lurched forward, almost losing her balance.

Owen moved fast, steadying Anna before she could stumble any further. He looked down at her, his voice gentle as he asked, "You good?"

"I'm okay," Anna replied, though her hand was wrapped so tightly around his sleeve that her knuckles turned pale, as if letting go was the last thing she wanted.

Owen offered a reassuring pat on her back, silently telling her she was safe.

His attention then shifted, and the warmth in his gaze vanished as he focused on Ivy. His words came out cool and commanding. "Take off the dress."

Ivy's eyes widened in shock. "What are you saying, Mr. White?"

Roderick quickly stepped in to clarify. "Mr. White is particular about his gifts. That gown was meant for his bride. Now that someone else has worn it, she can't possibly put it on. If she won't wear it, then nobody else should either—not even for a moment."

Mortified, Ivy felt her whole body tremble with fury. No one had ever embarrassed her like this before. "My sister gave me this dress! How dare you treat me like this?"

Owen's gaze didn't soften in the slightest. "Would you prefer I call someone to help you out of it?"

As soon as he spoke, two female attendants entered the lounge.

With his eyes resting on Ivy, Owen addressed them. "Miss Russell seems reluctant to remove the gown. Please help her with it."

The attendants didn't hesitate, guiding Ivy away toward the inner chamber without a word.

"Keep your hands off me!" Ivy fought to break free, but the two attendants held her firm and led her straight into the adjoining room.

A sharp rip of fabric split the air, followed by Ivy's shrill protests echoing through the suite.

Owen showed no interest in the commotion. Instead, he looked down at Anna, who sat quietly on his lap. "You don't have to wear that dress. Let me get you something even nicer. Would you like a brand new dress?"

Anna clapped with innocent delight. "Yes! I want new clothes. Can I really get new clothes?"

Her smile was bright and childlike, but inside, her mind was already turning, weighing her options.

He had made it painfully clear he was not a man to be underestimated.

If she made a move too soon, she might not make it out unscathed.

While Anna wrestled with her thoughts, Ivy shuffled out of the inner room dressed in an outdated, unflattering frock.

Roderick gave a low, amused laugh. "That outfit actually suits you better."

"You'll all be sorry for this, just wait!" Ivy snapped, stamping her foot before storming away.

With Ivy gone, Owen turned his attention back to Anna. "Go change into your new dress. We'll need to be ready for the ceremony soon."

Anna tilted her head in agreement, hopped down from his lap, and followed the attendants into the inner chamber to get dressed.

When the door clicked shut behind Anna, Roderick stepped closer to Owen. "Mr. White, you've already known Cade tried to trick you by sending his brain-injured daughter. Why go through with the marriage?"

Owen kept his eyes fixed on the inner room, silent for a moment.

It had been years since they first crossed paths. She had changed a lot.

This wedding was more than a ceremony—it was his way of giving Anna a real escape from the Russell family.

The White family weren't exactly known for being gentle, but if he used the last half-year of his life to plan for Anna's safety, she would stand a far better chance than if she stayed with her own family.

"It's because she's Anna Russell," Owen answered quietly.

Anna soon stepped out, radiant in her wedding gown.

A sea of tiny diamonds sparkled along the hem, making her seem almost otherworldly, like a storybook princess come to life.

Owen couldn't help but pause at the sight, then smiled with rare tenderness. Reaching out, he offered his hand. "Let's go. It's time."

Anna came over, slipping her hand into his. "Just stay close to me. There's nothing for you to worry about," Owen said softly.

Anna nodded, her voice bright and simple. "I promise I'll be good."

Together, Anna and Owen left the lounge, moving side by side as he guided his wheelchair and she stole a curious glance at him.

Was he nice to her because he felt sorry for her?

The moment they entered the banquet hall, the whole venue buzzed with excitement, all eyes drawn to the couple at the center of it all.

Since he turned eighteen, Owen had vanished from Aresrora's public eye, with endless gossip swirling about his supposed disfigurement.

Yet the man wheeled onto the stage today was striking, every bit as elegant as any in the room.

Ivy couldn't tear her gaze from Anna, standing beneath the bright lights, irritation simmering in her chest.

How did Anna end up in a fresh, dazzling wedding dress after everything?

It was as if the crowd picked up on Ivy's disbelief, their hushed voices filling the hall.

"Did you see that? Mr. White must treasure his bride if he's willing to give her a dress like that. I heard it's the only one in existence, created by that world-famous designer!"

"Word is, the gown cost well over a hundred million."

A hundred million for a dress?

Ivy's scheme to ruin Anna's big day had backfired spectacularly. Not only was Anna not humiliated, but she now stood in a gown worth a fortune. How did she always land on her feet?

As Anna stood on stage, her expression sweet but vacant, Ivy let out a mocking laugh. "Anna, do you think the Whites would still pamper you if they found out you're a dimwit?" she muttered under her breath.