"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.

Alexander Barron?

The moment she saw him, Summer Knight felt a dizzying rush of surprise and joy.

She hadn't expected him to step in like that. And the fact that he'd shown up to their engagement party-did that mean he was willing to go through with it?

Under the soft glow of the crystal chandelier, Alexander's sharply defined features looked even more mesmerizing, adding a dangerous, mysterious edge to his already god-like looks. He resembled an untouchable sculpture from Greek myth.

Sharp, angled brows, deep-set eyes that held a hint of wickedness, lips so finely cut they looked carved-every part of his face was impossibly perfect.

The whole room had fallen into a stunned silence.

Truth was, no wealthy young master in City Q could hold a candle to him.

"Who is that?"

"Hey, little fool. Done staring?"

Summer's dazed expression drew a soft, low chuckle from Alexander.

He leaned in close, his voice a husky murmur that brushed against her ear like dark velvet.

Even when he wasn't smiling, he was breathtaking. But when he did? It was like watching glaciers melt.

His voice snapped her back to reality, but the blush spreading across her cheeks-and the tips of her ears-gave away just how flustered she was.

And when her eyes met his-dark, unfathomable, like a still, deep lake-her heart skipped. She nearly forgot to keep playing her role.

Still, Summer caught herself quickly. She kept gazing at him like an infatuated kitten and beamed sheepishly."Big brother, what did you eat to grow up so pretty? Tell Summer! I wanna be pretty like you, too!"

Alexander had never heard her compliment his looks before. Clearly, it pleased him-a subtle glint flickered in his eyes.

"But what's this thing you have that Summer doesn't? Hmph! Now Summer's jealous!"

And then-just like that-she reached out and lightly touched his Adam's apple.

Soft. Dangerous. Tempting.

Yeah, big mistake.

That one touch was like stepping on a tiger's tail. There was no walking away unscathed.

Alexander's breath hitched. His eyes darkened, simmering with intensity.

He was still silent when Summer pouted, her candy-glossy pink lips practically begging to be kissed.

Good thing he'd had his fill just the night before.

Still riding the wave of that memory, Alexander was about to spoil his little fool with something sweet-when an unwelcome voice cut in.

"Excuse me? You just ruined my dress!"

Isabella Knight had tried to humiliate Summer, only to have her plan backfire-leaving herself drenched in wine. To make it worse, the whole scene had been caught on camera.

Flushed with rage, she yanked a shawl from a nearby socialite to clumsily cover herself. Then, storming over, she zeroed in on Alexander, ready for a fight.

Since his back was to her, she couldn't see his face and had no idea who he was.

But in her book? Anyone who helped Summer was an enemy. And she was going to make him pay.

"Huh?"

Alexander was not pleased by the interruption. His face cooled, lips thinning, brows knitting with clear irritation.

Even that single glance over his shoulder sent a chill through the air.

His gaze was ice, his expression detached-but that one look had Isabella gas softly, her heart hammering, face heating in an instant.

She'd been circulating among City Q's elite for years and had never seen a man who carried himself like this.

He didn't need to say a word. Just standing there, he was the undeniable center of gravity-and for once, Isabella couldn't look away.

"What 'huh'? I'm talking to you! Do you even know who I am? I'm Isabella Knight, the second daughter of the Knight family! Apologize nicely, and maybe I'll let this slide."

Isabella had always carried herself like royalty, convinced everyone in City Q knew her as both a beauty and a medical prodigy. In her mind, even if this man was some scion of wealth, he ought to show her respect.

"You can't bully big brother, Isabella! I won't let you!"

The moment Isabella demanded that apology, Summer's temper flared. She remembered this from her past life. Her eyes darkened, and she rushed forward without hesitation to shield Alexander.

That beautiful, innocent face now held a fierce protectiveness that made Alexander unsure whether to laugh or sigh.

But he did catch the faint glint in her hand.

A silver needle, nearly invisible.

Summer still remembered-at this point in her past life, Alexander hadn't yet taken over the Barron empire. He was still an overlooked figure in the family. If he offended Isabella now, the rest of the Barrons wouldn't just ignore it-they'd mock him.

She refused to let her man be humiliated like that again.

Summer was ready to shut Isabella up-permanently.

But just as she moved, Alexander stepped smoothly in front of her.

"You want an apology from me? Are you sure you're worthy?"

His voice was calm, but the words cut like a blade.

Isabella stared, stunned, then snapped back, face twisted in anger and disbelief."And why wouldn't I be? What, are you the host tonight? You're claiming to be the CEO of Barron Enterprises now?"

".Yes."

His strikingly handsome face remained unreadable, but Alexander gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"You-you're actually saying you're the head of the Barron empire? Really?"Isabella laughed until tears gathered in her eyes."Did everyone hear that? This guy claims he's the CEO!"

She knew the Barron family better than anyone here.

If James Carter hadn't promised to help her swindle Summer's inheritance and hand it to her, the man she intended to marry was supposed to be the real CEO.

There were only three Barron sons. Alexander-the "ugly," ignored eldest. The third son was still studying abroad. Both had been ruled out as heirs long ago. That left only Daniel Barron from the second branch-the actual future head.

She'd met Daniel once. He looked nothing like the man in front of her.

And yet this random guy thought he could impersonate the CEO?

What a joke.

Isabella laughed loud and scornfully, and the guests around her joined in, scoffing at Alexander like he was delusional.

Summer, meanwhile, was seething.

Her silver needle shot out like lightning toward Isabella's throat. Almost no one noticed-except Alexander.

All Isabella felt was a faint prick on her neck, like a mosquito bite. She brushed it off.

Instead, she sneered and yelled,"Security! This man is impersonating the CEO of Barron Enterprises! Get him out of here!"

The guards, always eager to please the powerful, strutted over with fierce expressions-until they saw Alexander's face.

Then their legs gave way.

Thud.

The head guard dropped straight to his knees.

"M-Mr. Barron! Sir! F-forgive me! I didn't recognize you!"

Mr. Barron?

Alexander?

The CEO of Barron Enterprises?!