The next morning.

Just as the first hint of dawn tinged the sky, Alexander Barron's eyes snapped open-cold and sharply alert.

His gaze swept briefly across the room before landing on the woman sleeping peacefully beside him. Only then did the ice in his expression thaw slightly.

He always woke at six, sharp. But today, he'd overslept by almost half an hour.

Then again, he'd finally gotten the one woman he'd been obsessed with for years.

But looking down at Summer Knight-her skin marked with bruises he'd left behind-a heavy wave of guilt crashed over him.

He knew perfectly well what he'd done. He'd taken her while she was scared, crying, pushing him away. He remembered it all, and it clawed at him.

Still, he hadn't seen any other way to make her stay-to keep her with him, and safe.

Even though someone had drugged him to the edge of madness, in the end. it had played right into his hands.

Now he had to return and confront his family. He'd demand they change the bride.

After all, the only one he ever wanted was Summer.

He leaned in, gently smoothing the faint crease between her brows. His lips hovered near her ear, voice low but firm.

"Nina, I'll make this right for you."

With that, Alexander slipped silently from the bed and began to dress.

His men had handled everything the night before-the entire Knight household had been drugged into unconsciousness long before he ever arrived.

So now, he could leave without looking back.

-

Summer didn't wake until the sun was high.

Her whole body ached as if she'd been hit by a truck.

Still half-asleep, she reached out instinctively toward the other side of the bed-just like she used to in her past life.

It was empty. Cold.

Alexander was gone.

She didn't know if he even realized what he'd done to her last night.

But the fact that he'd left without a word said it all.

Clearly, in this life, Alexander Barron felt nothing for her.

A dull, heavy pain tightened in her chest. Summer pressed a hand there, breathing slowly, and sat up.

Then, shaky but resolved, she rose and walked to the wardrobe.

She lifted her glistening eyes, took one look inside, and instantly frowned. Every piece was some shade of shocking red or electric purple-the kind of tacky that burned the eyes.

Just thinking about how she used to cake her face white, slap on clownish blush, and parade around in these ridiculous dresses made Summer's skin crawl. No wonder all of City Q knew the Knight family's second daughter-and forgot the first even existed.

People used to say she took after her mother-Claire Ford, once hailed as City Q's top surgical genius. They called them a pair:one lunatic, one fool.

But no one knew better than Summer why her mother really lost her mind. or how she truly died.

Now that she'd been given a second chance, she wouldn't just chase love or revenge-this time, she'd clear her name and her mother's.

Summer finally dug out the least offensive thing from that rainbow disaster, changed, and headed downstairs.

In the dining room, Charles Knight, Isabella, and Margaret Blake were already seated, playing happy family-what a pathetic joke.

They used to act like she didn't exist. But now, since Isabella still needed her to take her place and marry Alexander, things were different. The moment they saw her, Isabella flashed an exaggerated smile and chirped,"Sis! Come sit! Hurry!"

"If Summer eats her egg today, she'll grow even prettier!"

A cold glint flashed through Summer's eyes, though her face stayed blank and naive.

She skipped over like a careless child, plopped down, and began shoveling food into her mouth with her hands-exactly the way Margaret and Isabella had taught her to eat-so Charles would see her as disgusting and all of high society would want nothing to do with her.

Sure enough, not two seconds later, Charles Knight's face already twisting in disgust, ready to scream at her like always.

But before he could get a word out, Summer suddenly looked up, grinned vacantly, and giggled:

"Daddy, remember when you asked about Mom's treasure? I just remembered where it is!"

"Where?!"he blurted out.

Instantly, not just Charles-but Isabella and Margaret too-snapped to attention, eyes wide, hanging on her every word.

"It's riiight heeere."

Summer Knight grinned vacantly, deliberately drawing out her words, clearly savoring the tense anticipation on Charles Knight's face-and everyone else's.

"Where?!"

This time, all three of them blurted it out in unison, faces strained, eyes blazing with impatience.

Charles Knight, Margaret Blake, and Isabella Knight were practically vibrating with greed.

Sure, the Knights still clung to the fringes of City Q's high society, but behind the scenes, they were drowning in debt. Their only lifelines were the massive inheritance Summer's mother had left behind-and this shaky marriage alliance with the Barron family.

Too bad the "prince" in question was Alexander Barron-the most neglected, least wanted heir in the entire Barron clan.

Naturally, Charles had no intention of wasting his precious younger daughter, Isabella, on a lost cause.

The only silver lining? Isabella was cunning enough to cook up this little plan-to have Summer, the family "idiot," take her place.

Under their feverish stares, Summer blinked her big, deceptively innocent eyes, then broke into a wide, silly grin. She clapped her hands together and suddenly burst into cheerful song:

"In the land of blue little folks, where the mushrooms grow~

Behind a wooden door, in a mushroom house they know~"

"Are you mocking me?! You want to die?!"

Charles exploded. He grabbed a bowl from the table and hurled it straight at Summer's face.

Honestly, outbursts like this weren't even surprising anymore-they happened all the time.

The old Summer? She would've scrambled under the table, shaking like a leaf.

And Isabella and Margaret would be right there, laughing at her misery.

But this time, something different happened-Summer didn't flinch.

She sat still and let the bowl smash into her forehead. Hard. Hard enough to split the skin.

Blood instantly streamed down her face.

Charles froze, thrown completely off balance. His mind raced, irritation bubbling up.

It made no sense. His ex-wife, Claire Ford, had been so graceful, so elegant-how did she give birth to someone this stupid?

What he conveniently forgot, of course, was that Summer hadn't been born this way.

She became like this because of him-years ago, just to force Claire to sign the divorce papers, he locked a young Summer out in the freezing cold all night. She nearly died; the fever burned away her brightness and left her broken.

Not that he felt even a flicker of guilt. If anything, he'd only grown crueler over the years.

But Summer? She was counting seconds in her head, her eyes cold behind the veil of tears.

Right on cue-

"Sir, the Barron family's steward is here!" a maid announced urgently from the doorway.

As the servant stepped aside, the Barron steward entered, ready to deliver a message from Old Mr. Barron himself.

Summer's eyes glinted slyly.Perfect timing.

She crumpled to the floor, clutching her bleeding forehead, and burst into theatrical sobs.

"Owwieee! It huuurts! Daddy hit Summer! Daddy's always mean! Summer hates Daddy!"

"Charles Knight!"

The steward's face darkened like a thundercloud.

Sure, he'd never had a high opinion of Summer-the infamous fool of the Knight family.

But before he left, Old Mr. Barron had stressed it again and again: Summer was now Alexander's chosen fiancée. She was to be treated with respect. No exceptions.

He didn't know what made the old man change his mind overnight-yesterday it was all about Isabella, today suddenly Summer.

But now? Right in front of him? Charles had the nerve to raise a hand against the girl handpicked by Old Mr. Barron himself?

Unacceptable.

The steward strode over urgently, helped Summer up, and fixed Charles with an icy glare. Anger simmered in his voice."Miss Summer is the future granddaughter-in-law chosen personally by Old Mr. Barron. Have you lost your mind, striking her? Call a doctor-now!"

"Y-yes! Right away!"

Charles Knight flinched, fear flashing in his eyes, and immediately waved for the maids to tend to Summer's injury.

The Barrons were the most powerful family in City Q, and this steward was no mere servant-he was Old Mr. Barron's most trusted aide.

Someone like Charles wouldn't dare cross him.

Summer knew when to fold. She didn't say another word about the abuse.

She wasn't ready to flip the table just yet-first, she'd let them walk right into the trap she was laying.

The steward cleared his throat and spoke coolly, "Charles Knight, Old Mr. Barron has instructed me to inform you: the engagement banquet for Miss Summer and Young Master Alexander will be held tonight at 7 p.m., at the JL Hotel."

"Of course! We'll be there without fail!"

Charles nodded eagerly, ambition gleaming in his eyes.

Only then did the steward turn to leave. But just before stepping out, he shot one last look at Summer.

Dressed simply, without a trace of makeup, she still looked strikingly beautiful-nothing like the ugly fool rumors made her out to be.

And judging by Charles's behavior. this wasn't the first time he'd mistreated her. The steward made a mental note to report everything to Old Mr. Barron.

Isabella followed the man's gaze and finally really looked at Summer. Her expression shifted-something felt off.

Since when did that idiot know how to dress herself?

And that outfit. it actually suited her?

After the steward left, Charles didn't even glance Summer's way.

Sure, JL was the most luxurious hotel in the city, but Alexander Barron? He was the least favored son. What was the point?

If it weren't for the money, Charles wouldn't even bother handing Summer over.

"Do whatever. Just get her ready," he tossed out coldly before heading upstairs to rest.

Isabella and Margaret shot Summer looks full of resentment but still walked over to start prepping her.

They weren't happy, but they had no choice: make Summer presentable, convince Old Mr. Barron she was a suitable match, and marry her off to Alexander.

That way, Isabella wouldn't have to go through with it.

But when they casually cleaned her up and Summer stood before them-wearing light makeup and a simple mid-range dress-the two were genuinely stunned.

That fool looked like she'd stepped out of a classical painting.

Hers was a beauty that couldn't be hidden-elegant, bright features, a sharp nose, lips red like rose petals. She looked like she was carved by the gods themselves.

Even with Isabella in full glamour, standing next to Summer made her look. plain.

Realizing she'd been completely outshone, Isabella gritted her teeth, jealousy flaring.

But she got over it quickly.

After all, once that idiot married Alexander Barron-the cold, violent, terrifying eldest son-she'd probably be chewed up and spit out within a week.

-

Meanwhile, the man Isabella feared like a nightmare-Alexander Barron-had just stepped out of the Barron estate.

Dressed in a impeccably tailored dark suit, he stood under the sunlight, every movement exuding quiet authority. Like some ancient king-aloof, untouchable, the kind whose presence alone made people instinctively lower their heads.

"Sir, Mr. Frost said if you don't feel like attending the engagement banquet tonight, you're welcome to relax at his place," Ethan Hart said as he approached.

"Why wouldn't I go?"

Alexander's lips curved into a faint smile-a rare softness in his usually cold expression.

He knew perfectly well that tonight, at that banquet, someone was planning to make a move.

And his little fool?

He had to be there.

He had to have her back.

Just like always.

It was almost 7 p.m.

Summer Knight, now fully dressed, was being hurriedly pulled downstairs by Margaret Blake to attend her engagement party with Alexander Barron at the JL Hotel.

But halfway down, Summer suddenly dug in her heels and refused to budge. She pouted, pointed at Isabella Knight, and whined,"Sis, you can't dress prettier than me! What if Alexander sees you and changes his mind? I'm the one marrying into the Barrons! I'm the one who gets the good life!"

Isabella's smile stiffened. As ridiculous as Summer sounded, she had a point.

She, Isabella, was known as the top beauty in City Q. Whenever she showed up at an event, all eyes were on her.

If she showed up too glamorous at this party, the Barron patriarch might take one look at clueless Summer and decide she wasn't good enough. What if they tried to force her, the prettier and "better" daughter, to marry Alexander instead?

No way. She'd heard the rumors-violent, ruthless, and even.impotent. She wasn't about to throw her life away on a man like that.

Isabella paused, then quickly headed back upstairs. She wiped off her makeup and slipped into a plain, dull grey dress that looked more like a maid's uniform than evening wear.

One last glance in the mirror confirmed she looked utterly forgettable. Satisfied, she happily tugged Summer toward the car.

Maybe the idiot has some taste after all, she thought.Fine, I'll let her have her moment in the sun before her world falls apart.

Little did she know-she'd just walked right into the trap Summer had laid.

In her past life, it was at this very engagement party that Isabella had publicly humiliated her, posting edited clips online that destroyed Summer's already fragile reputation and even dragged her late mother's name through the mud.

This time, Summer was going to return every bit of that shame.

In the car, Margaret was still lecturing her. "Summer, remember to behave when you see Mr. Barron and Alexander. Don't act strange and scare people off!"

"Got it! Summer's smart-I know what to do!"

Summer nodded along, playing the fool.

But the truth was, no one wanted to be at that party more than she did.

She was going to stand beside Alexander Barron and face whatever came next-with him.

He might not love her yet. but as long as that girl named "Nina" hadn't appeared, she still had a chance.

-

Over at the JL Hotel, the atmosphere was already electric.

Even though Alexander had been living off-grid for years and wasn't exactly the Barron family's golden boy, the moment word got out that Old Mr. Barron himself would attend, every important name in City Q had shown up.

Not to offer congratulations-they were there for the drama.

"Hey, did you hear? This wedding was supposed to be for Isabella Knight-she's the one who refused!"

"No surprise there. A dumb girl for an ugly guy-sounds like a perfect match."

As the crowd buzzed with gossip, the main door slowly swung open.

Everyone turned-and the room fell silent.

You could've heard a pin drop. It was as if any sound might break the spell and scare away the vision that had just entered.

There stood Summer Knight, wearing a sleek silver gown that hugged her curves perfectly.

Her usually loose hair was styled in soft, effortless waves, highlighting her smooth shoulders, elegant neck, and those delicate, striking features.

Under the warm glow of the lights, she looked almost ethereal-like she'd stepped straight out of a dream.

Even with only light makeup, Summer's natural beauty was enough to make every other young woman in the room fade into the background.

Someone in the crowd muttered in disbelief, "Wait. is that really the 'crazy' Summer Knight from City Q?"

A collective gasp seemed to ripple through the hall.

Crazy Summer Knight!?

The most notorious girl in the city-the one who used to slather her face in ghost-white powder and dress like a circus clown, convinced she was a goddess?

But no one had ever mentioned that underneath all that, she could look like this.

"You call that pretty? Just wait till you see her little sister, Isabella-she'sthe real number-one beauty of City Q. Summer doesn't even come close."

Some weren't convinced and spoke up in defense of Isabella's reputation.

But then Isabella walked in-dressed like a maid in a drab, shapeless gray dress-and everyone who had praised her suddenly looked like they'd been slapped.

Especially those who had called her a "once-in-a-generation beauty." Yeah, their faces were burning.

Because let's be honest-that plain, frumpy look with zero makeup? That wasn't "top beauty" material.

"This is Isabella? City Q's crown jewel? More like the court jester."

"Compared to Summer? It's like night and day. Summer's a star shining bright-Isabella's just the mud on the ground."

The shift in the room was brutal. The mockery and criticism came without mercy.

But Summer didn't even flinch.

She was too busy scanning the crowd, looking for Alexander Barron.

She was scared. After what happened the night before, what if he didn't show?

What if, in this life, he had already decided she wasn't the one?

-

Meanwhile, standing in the center of that brewing storm, Isabella was seething. Her hands were clenched so tight her knuckles turned white, nails digging deep into her palms.

Damn it.

She'd been played-by Summer, of all people!

She was going to make her pay. Big time.

Then, a wicked idea flashed in Isabella's eyes. A smirk tugged at her lips.

Summer, you were made for disaster. And I've got just the thing for you.

She snatched a glass of brandy from a passing tray, her face dark with anger, and began striding toward Summer-who was glowing like a queen surrounded by admirers.

Isabella wasn't thinking straight anymore. She just wanted to ruin that flawless white gown-one splash, and the thin fabric would turn transparent, clinging to her like a second skin.

And once that happened? She'd snap a few pictures, leak them to the gossip sites, and watch Summer's brand-new image crash and burn.

The thought alone made her almost grin.

She moved closer, step by step.

Just a foot away now.

Isabella raised the glass.

But Summer had already caught the movement from the corner of her eye. Her gaze turned icy.

You dare come for me? You'll regret it.

Between her fingers, a cold glint of silver-a tiny needle, ready to fly.

Then, right at the most critical moment, a strong arm swept out of nowhere, pulling Summer firmly back by the waist.

The silver dress fluttered like a wave mid-air, the fabric swirling dazzlingly under the lights.

At that exact moment, the needle in Summer's hand shot forward.

Then-

A loud crash split the air.

The wine glass shattered on the floor-sharp and clear!

A woman's piercing shriek cut through the noise.

Summer whipped her head around.

And saw.