In my previous life, my parents made me choose a bride from the three most powerful families in the capital.

I did not hesitate. I chose the one I loved most: Holly Smith.

However, on our wedding day, she died in a car accident on her way to the hotel.

The Smith family was devastated. Though they did not dare blame my family, I was consumed with guilt. I transferred all my assets and shares to them without hesitation.

Twenty years later, while on a business trip overseas, I saw Holly, alive, locked in a passionate kiss with my former best man on the street.

The other two heiresses stood nearby, watching with envy.

"Faking your death for twenty years just to end up with your true love? Worth it," one of them said.

"And Hayden, that pathetic lapdog, stayed faithful to you all this time. What a joke."

I lost control and rushed over to confront them, but Holly had people waiting. They dragged me into a pickup truck and beat me half to death.

With a twisted smile, she sneered, "You've got some nerve showing up here.

"You wanted me so badly back then that you had Jack beaten, he almost lost his memory and forgot about me!

"Since you came all this way, I'll make sure you experience what it feels like to wish you were dead."

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my parents asked me to choose my bride.

I pointed to the maid's daughter standing in the corner.

"I'll take her."

My father, Marvin Yates, and my mother, Anna Carter, froze for a second before standing up, disbelief written all over their faces.

"Hayden Yates, are you pulling our leg?"

I looked at them, my voice steady. "I'm serious. I like Larissa."

I glanced over at the small, delicate figure tucked away in the corner, and my heart missed a beat.

In my previous life, Holly Smith had shattered my heart with her fake death. It was Larissa Shaw who had been there, slowly helping me piece it back together.

Larissa stayed by my side through it all, right up until my last breath. In those final moments, through the haze, I saw her holding me, weeping as if her world was ending.

That was when I knew she was in love with me all along.

"Hayden!" Marvin hissed, trying to keep his voice down.

"You've always had a thing for Holly from the Smiths, right? If not her, there's the Gibsons and the Stewarts!

"You grew up with those girls, you know them through and through, but Larissa… She's just a maid's kid..."

I could not help but smile, leaned in close, and whispered something that made them go stone-still.

Marvin's voice trembled as he asked, "You're telling the truth?"

I nodded, hard.

My parents looked at each other, a wave of relief washing over them. "Alright, then. We'll have the family host your wedding in three days."

With that settled, I turned to Larissa, took her hand, and said, "Come on. Let's get you some jewelry."

She just laughed, clueless but happy to follow my lead.

However, the moment we stepped into the upscale boutique, my eyes landed on the trio swooning around Jack Ferguson.

Holly was slipping a diamond bracelet onto his wrist, Wren Gibson crouched down to tie his shoes, and Tracy Stewart, black card in hand, was all set to foot the bill.

Jack jumped to his feet the moment he caught sight of me. "Hayden, you've got it all wrong. I swear I wasn't trying to keep Holly from going back and getting hitched with you."

Holly yanked him back and fixed me with an icy stare. "Hayden, I've already told my family that I'm not marrying you. I'm in love with Jack, and he's the only one for me. Period."

Wren and Tracy quickly stepped in front of him, shielding him.

"You're the richest guy in the city. You could have any woman you want. Why go after Jack?"

"Exactly. You're just a spoiled rich kid, only looking out for yourself. You're nothing compared to Jack."

Their words were like a punchline to a bad joke, and I could not help but laugh.

Jack was nothing more than a poor college kid I had taken under my wing.

I felt sorry for his rough past, so I brought him to the big city and even asked him to be my best man. Little did I know, he had been charming my three potential brides right under my nose.

However, I had my wake-up call.

Before I could get a word in, Larissa cut in with a hard edge to her voice. "So, the Smiths are out. What about the Gibsons and the Stewarts?"

Wren and Tracy snickered.

"We'd never marry Hayden and break Jack's heart, even if we can't be with him."

"He's like a brother to us. Betray him? Not in a million years."

Holly's eyes were wary as she locked her gaze on me. "As long as Jack stays safe and doesn't forget me, I'll have no regrets."

I stared back at Holly, a flicker of surprise crossing my face.

'Could she also have been reborn?' I thought.

Holly, growing impatient with my silence, yanked at my wrist.

"You're so set on this marriage alliance, but isn't it all for the business dealings between the Smiths and the Yates?

"If you just apologize to Jack now and agree that our marriage is in name only, we'll live separate lives after the wedding. You can't object to me being with Jack, and as long as he stops his foolishness and doesn't hurt himself, I'm in."

Before I could even respond, Larissa's fist flew, connecting with Holly's face. "Who do you think you are, talking to Hayden like that?"

'Exactly. The Yates are the top dogs in the capital. How dare you challenge us?' I seethed internally.

Larissa's punch sent Holly sprawling to the floor.

Regaining her composure, Holly shot up and jabbed a finger at Larissa's nose as she shouted, "You're just a maid's daughter! How dare you hit me?!"

Jack tenderly caressed Holly's face, his own twisted with concern, before turning his attention to me. "Hayden, if you're mad, come at me, but don't you dare hit a woman!"

His words barely hung in the air before my fist connected with his cheek. "It's not just her. I'm hitting you too!"

Jack clutched his face, his eyes brimming with defiance.

Wren quickly stepped in, shoving me back. "Hayden! You might be the rich heir, but that doesn't give you the right to act like this! No wonder Holly has been avoiding your gaze for years. You're just too cruel!"

I turned to face them, an icy laugh escaping me. "Seems like you've forgotten that your family's business owes its success to the Yates family's backing. Even Larissa gets it. How come you don't?"

At that, Wren clamped her mouth shut.

Tracy looked away, her words faltering. "What if that's true? Does that give you the right to force us into marriage?"

I scoffed, "I never planned on marrying any of you three nobodies."

Holly snapped her head up. "Hayden, what game are you playing now?!"

Jack held Holly tight, his eyes brimming with tears. "Looks like Hayden's still mad at me. I shouldn't have said I was feeling down today and dragged you all out here."

Holly, seeing his distress, soothed him. "It's not your fault. Hayden's been hounding us for years, and everyone knows he can't let go. He wouldn't dare do anything for real. Ijust can't stand him picking on you. Thought I'd teach him a lesson."

I was at a loss for words.

If they did not believe me, then there was no point in arguing. I turned to leave, Larissa's shoulder under my arm, but Holly blocked us.

Her eyes narrowed at our clasped hands. lWhen did you get so chummy with a maid's daughter?!"

I brushed off her hand, each word deliberate, "She's not just a maid's daughter. Larissa is my fiancee, the one I'm going to marry."

With that bombshell, all eyes were suddenly on me.

Holly's eyes bulged with fury as she jabbed a finger at Larissa and bellowed, "You expect me to believe you'd marry a maid's daughter? Are you out of your mind?"

Larissa shivered slightly, obviously rattled by her words.

Wren and Tracy snapped out of their shock and sneered as they stepped closer.

"Hayden, you're really not choosy, huh? Even a maid's daughter is good enough for you!"

I pointed at Jack, a smirk on my face, and shot back, "Like you're any better."

Jack reeled, his voice catching in his throat, "Hayden, don't spout such nonsense. The three girls might have been kind to me, but I've done nothing to wrong you. There's no need for your biting remarks."

He paused, his face washed with guilt as he looked at Holly.

"Hayden knows what he's done. In fact, I've noticed that the maid's daughter has been sneaking in and out of his room for a while now. It's my fault for not telling you earlier, Holly. I was trying to cover for him…"

I used to think of Jack as a good friend and even made him my only groomsman.

Was that how he repaid me?

I was seething inside.

Holly let out a scornful snort and yanked him back.

"Jack, you're too innocent, still making excuses for Hayden! I bet he's just jealous of how well we treat you, so he's desperate for our attention. A filthy maid's daughter is hardly worth our notice."

I nodded, pleased with myself. "Well then, I won't interrupt your little harem."

With that, I led Larissa into the upscale boutique next door.

I gestured to the priciest jewelry behind the glass. "Bring these out for me. Let my bride-to-be have a try."

Larissa came back to her senses and glanced at me. "Hayden, you're just kidding, right?"

I looked at her with a playful glint in my eye and smiled. "What if I'm not? You wouldn't want to?"

"Why wouldn't I want to..."

Before Larissa could finish, Holly's voice pierced through from outside.

"I've bought everything in the store!"

Her voice was laced with barely concealed annoyance. "I might as well give it all to the homeless!"

The salesperson, holding the jewelry I had picked out for Larissa, gave her an apologetic look.

"Mr. Yates has already purchased these pieces…"

Holly icily interrupted, "He hasn't paid yet, has he?!"

She whipped out her exclusive black card and waved it in front of the clerk. "Money talks. I'm paying now, so they're mine."

I chuckled under my breath and took the jewelry from the salesperson. "Charge it to my prepaid card."

The salesperson let out a relieved sigh and quickly processed the transaction.

As I walked away, Holly's booming voice followed, "Hayden, cut the act! All this playing hard to get? Your game is weak!"

I did not give her the satisfaction of a response and sped up my exit.

On the way home, Larissa gripped my hand firmly, her eyes earnest.

"Hayden, you can count on me. Marry me, and I promise I won't embarrass you."

Her solemn vow almost made me laugh.

Embarrass me?

Not a chance.

Little did she know, I was well aware of who she really was.

The next day, as Larissa and I set out to decorate our future home, I was taken aback by what greeted us.

The lavish villa, a Yates family purchase, was decked out in all of Jack's preferred foreign decor.

There, on the wall of the master bedroom, hung a bold statement. It was a wedding portrait of Holly and Jack.

The butler's voice trembled as he spoke, "Ms. Smith is adamant that she's your betrothed, claiming you approved the wedding suite's decor..."

Before he could finish, Holly's call came through.

Satisfaction oozed in her voice. "Our wedding's in two days, so cut the complaints.

"After we're married, Jack and I will take the master bedroom. Though, if you fancy, you're welcome to crash here every now and then."

Fuming, I ended the call and instructed the butler to put the house on the market.

On the wedding day, I waited at the hotel's entrance, anticipating Larissa's arrival in her bridal car.

That was when Holly showed up, clad in a bridal gown, her face twisted with scorn.

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Isn't the bride supposed to be from the Smith family?"

"She's not, and the Yates family didn't even invite them. What's she doing here?"

Holly ignored the whispers, striding toward me, reaching for my hand.

"Hayden, you've outdone yourself," she said, her voice dripping with unwarranted assurance.

"You might've fooled my parents, but I'm not so gullible. You've really overstepped this time, though. Luckily, I've calmed Jack down and kept him out of sight."

I jerked my hand away and asked, "What are you implying?"

Her laugh was icy as she replied, "Still playing dumb? You've been given a second chance, haven't you? Just remember, as long as Jack's safe, I won't touch you."

With that, she forced a tacky ring onto my finger and smirked. "Jack picked this out for you, so try to show some thanks. After the wedding, you'd better go and express your gratitude to him."

Wren and Tracy were losing their patience too.

"Hayden, come on. Take a hint. Don't leave Jack hanging."

I let out an icy laugh and scanned the room. "Holly, what on earth gave you the idea that I have to marry you? I've already told you that Larissa is the one I'm going to marry."

My parents came rushing out of the hotel.

"What's all this commotion?"

Holly was unfazed by their arrival and continued smiling. "Hayden's throwing a little fit. He's just messing with me. I show up and he's still putting on this act. What's it going to be like when I'm part of the family?"

I was puzzled by her audacity, speaking so boldly in front of my parents.

Wren and Tracy could not help but laugh.

"You guys are out of the loop, huh? The world's wealthiest person is visiting the capital today, and the Smiths have finally scored a meeting with them. If things go their way, the Smiths will be on top in no time."

"Exactly, the so-called capital's richest young guy won't hold that title for long."

"In the future, if Holly decides to bring Jack home to stay, he won't have a say in it."

Marvin, shaking with rage at their words, finally understood why I had not chosen them.

He exploded at Holly. "This is outrageous!"

However, Holly, mistaking his anger as directed at me, gave a mocking laugh, grabbed my wrist, and started dragging me inside.

"You hear that? Even your dad thinks you're out of line! Move it! I don't want to be late getting back to Jack!"

My parents tried to intervene, but Wren and Tracy blocked them.

Caught off guard, I was yanked forward. "Let go! You'll be sorry when my wife shows up!"

The moment the words left my lips, Holly slapped me across the face without a second's hesitation.

The room went dead quiet.

With a look of total indifference, Holly declared, "Your wife? I'm your wife! Let's go now!"

Right then, the screech of tires echoed from outside the hotel, and a fleet of flashy supercars pulled up in a showy procession.

Larissa, clad in her bridal gown, descended from her ride and bellowed, "Hands off my man!"