Chapter 1

"Nessa, your family arranged a marriage for you when you were young. Now that you're almost recovered from your illness, would you like to go back to Jirphia and get married?" "If you still don't want to, I'll talk to your father again and cancel the wedding." In the dim room, Vanessa could only hear silence. Just as the person on the other end of the phone thought they couldn't persuade her this time, she suddenly spoke up, "I'm willing to go back and get married." Diane was stunned on the other end of the phone, as if it was unexpected, "You, you agree?" Vanessa's tone was calm, "Yes, but I need some time to finish things here in Xerton. I'll be back within half a month. Mom, prepare the wedding first." After saying that, she hung up the phone after giving a few more instructions. The moment the call ended, the loud music from downstairs also came through, and faintly, someone could be heard singing "Happy Birthday." This was the birthday party Keanu and Seamus threw for Hannah Zahn. Suddenly, footsteps could be heard outside the door, and Hannah walked in with a Black Forest cake, smiling. Her doe-eyed gaze fluttered several times, and her delicate face was adorned with exquisite makeup, with a few smudges of cream looking out of place, "Nessa, come down and join us?" Vanessa had already seen through her disguise, and her tone was cold, "I have work to do, so I won't go. Have fun." Almost instantly, tears welled up in Hannah's eyes, "Nessa, is it because you don't like me that you're making excuses?" Vanessa instinctively furrowed her brows. She hadn't done anything, yet Hannah acted as if she had bullied her. She laughed coldly in her heart and didn't have the patience to continue listening to her manipulative act, "Save these performances for Keanu and Seamus. They won't work on me." As soon as she finished speaking, she was about to close the door. "Nessa, don't..." Hannah suddenly reached out a hand and blocked the door frame. This caused her entire hand to be slammed shut when the door closed. A patch of purple appeared on her white hand. "Ouch—" Keanu and Seamus just happened to be upstairs, and what they saw was this scene. The two men almost simultaneously rushed over, scooped Hannah into their arms, and tenderly held her hand, carefully examining it. Seeing the injury on Hannah's hand, Seamus's eyes reddened with pain. He was always a bit impulsive and straightforwardly scolded Vanessa, "If you don't like Hannah, that's fine, but why would you do such a despicable thing, Vanessa? When did you become like this?" Keanu was usually cool-headed, but at that moment, his deep eyes were filled with disappointment as he looked at Vanessa. "Nessa, today is Hannah's birthday. You shouldn't be so excessive." But when he lowered his head to look at Hannah, his tone instantly changed, "Hannah, does it still hurt? I'll take you to apply medicine." Seeing Keanu lead Hannah away, Seamus also followed her, hurriedly comforting her, "Hannah, don't be sad. I'll give you the new sports car I just got. After the party ends, I'll take you for a drive. A drive will make you feel better!" Being doted on by the two men like the moon surrounded by star, Hannah finally stopped crying, but her voice was still a bit choked, "Thank you, Keanu." After thanking Keanu, she turned to Seamus, tearfully pleading, "Seamus, don't race cars. Racing cars are dangerous, and I'll worry." Seeing Hannah turned her tears into laughter, Seamus hastily agreed, "Okay, okay, my princess, as long as you're happy, whatever you say is fine!" Watching them walk downstairs, Vanessa stood at the door, feeling as if she was in a dream. She remembered that a long time ago, the person standing between Keanu and Seamus was herself. She had been weak and sickly since childhood, suffering from asthma, and Jirphia was humid and rainy, unsuitable for her recovery. So at the age of five, she was sent from Jirphia to the spring-like Xerton by her parents, to be raised by her aunt who was a doctor. It was around this time that Vanessa met Keanu and Seamus, who lived next door to her aunt's house. The three of them grew up together, childhood sweethearts. At first sight of her, both of them fell in love, sticking by her side every day, becoming guardians protecting her. When they were young, they picked her up and dropped her off from school every day, bought her breakfast and milk, tore up all the love letters she received, and wouldn't allow any boys to approach her. As they grew up, one inherited the family business and became a CEO, while the other became an internationally renowned racing driver. Both were busy with work, but they bought houses on either side of Vanessa's, connected them, and lived with her, returning home every day to cook for her. Even when Vanessa's health had largely stabilized and her family urged her to return to Jirphia, they both begged her with red eyes, begging her not to leave, otherwise they would abandon everything and follow her. They vowed to follow wherever Nessa goes. It was because of them that Vanessa, whose condition had stabilized, had delayed returning to Jirphia. But ever since Hannah Zahn appeared, everything changed. Hannah Zahn was Vanessa's intern. On her first day at the company, she hesitated to go downstairs for lunch with everyone else, and continued to do so every day until Vanessa found her alone in a corner eating steamed buns and pickled vegetables. Upon inquiry, she learned that Hannah Zahn had come from the mountains to the big city, was poor, and tried to save as much as possible. Vanessa was the daughter of the Shepherd family, raised in a wealthy environment since childhood. Hearing this for the first time, she felt sorry for her and kindly took care of her in various ways. Occasionally, when she ate with Keanu and Seamus, she would bring her along. It was because of this that Hannah Zahn met Keanu and Seamus. Keanu was usually cold and aloof and never attended such noisy parties before, but now he made an exception for Hannah Zahn. Seamus valued racing above all else, and no one could persuade him, but now, Hannah Zahn's light words could make him give up. Such things had happened countless times in the past month. They had staged many love triangles, forcing Vanessa to choose between them. Vanessa had actually been attracted to them and wanted to choose one of them to be with. But now, accepting the arranged marriage seemed like a good idea too. Vanessa forced a bitter smile and set a countdown timer on her phone to leave. From now on, she wouldn't disturb the three of them anymore.