Chapter 2Two Heirs, One Bride

"Eleanor, what's going on? You're really just going to let that slide?"

My friends huddled around me, buzzing with gossip.

"That's just the younger Miss Vance, recently back from abroad. Her family hasn’t really made any headway over the years, but she certainly puts on airs."

"Eleanor, you're just too modest. If they truly knew who you were, they wouldn’t have dared to utter a peep…"

I stared at the deep red liquid shimmering in my wine glass, a faint smile playing on my lips. I shook my head nonchalantly.

"You all know Steve and I were just a casual fling. If they knew too much, it would be harder for me to disengage."

So, in Steve’s eyes all these years, my friends and I were merely idle descendants of parvenus. And he, the supposed false heir of a prominent family, was scorned by the entire social circle after being repeatedly ousted from the Patton family for his jealousy of the true heir, Evan Patton.

I hadn't even known of his existence until a particular night. It was at a cocktail party, and I’d noticed him being ridiculed by those trying to curry favor.

That day, he wore a custom-tailored suit that was still somewhat presentable, but his cool brown hair was drenched in spilled wine. Distinguished men and women, dressed in opulent attire, stood before him, their mocking voices drifting to the next booth:

"Steve, why don’t you just become a male model? Even if your background is utterly lowly, that face of yours is passable. Maybe some wealthy older woman with specific tastes would take you on…"

"Hahahaha, seriously, I think Steve appeals more to men. How about going out with some guys? Steve, if you’re desperate for cash, I can introduce you right now!"

As the words fell, the slightly overweight man with glasses reached for his wine glass, poised to douse him again.

"Enough."

I happened to be in a bad mood that day, finding their clamor too irritating. I turned and called out softly to their table. My gaze then drifted down to Steve’s almost perfect profile, a flicker of admiration in my eyes.

"Who are you?!" the slightly chubby man asked, clearly annoyed at the interruption.

I averted my gaze. Walking over, I bent down and gently took Steve’s hand, intending to lead him away. He was so thin then, like a delicate puppet devoid of a soul.

"Did I say you could leave?"

Many people crowded around. The Thorne family had kept an extremely low profile in Port Royale over the years. Many knew the Thornes were a deeply established noble family, yet few had ever seen the Thorne heiress. So, naturally, they didn't recognize me.

I glanced at the few people in front, sighing.

"Alright, speak. What will it take for me to take him away?"

"Oh, you’re an unfamiliar face, miss. Quite the act." The young woman next to the slightly chubby man giggled. "How about this, Mr. Davies? Let her pay our tab, then we’ll let them go."

Mr. Davies wore a sinister smile. He then called over a familiar face from the bar. The middle-aged man turned to me. "Beautiful, come settle the bill here."

In the end, under the incredulous stares of everyone present, I paid five hundred and ten thousand dollars to take Steve away.

From then on, we knew each other, though he only knew the fabricated identity of a nouveau riche single daughter that I’d spun for him. I knew his reputation was poor—arrogant, materialistic, and cold-blooded. After the Patton family found their true heir, he had repeatedly caused trouble for him.

Yes, Steve was truly despicable, but I couldn't deny that he was incredibly handsome, his physique perfectly to my taste. The first time I saw him, pale and fragile, his hair wet with wine, I was momentarily lost in his exquisite brokenness. So, I offered him a hundred thousand a month to be my kept man.

This illicit arrangement, mutually beneficial, brought me two years of enjoyment. He was mostly compliant, and I covertly supported his career without his knowledge.

However, last week, my mother informed me that the Patton family wished to arrange a marriage with me. My heart gave a sudden jolt. The proposed groom, of course, was not Steve, the imposter, but Evan Patton, the true heir.

My thoughts drifted back to the private room. Facing my friends’ questions, I let out a soft sigh of relief and confessed.

"I originally arranged this gathering hoping you’d help me find an excuse to break up with Steve. But it seems I don’t need to anymore."

"Oh, what a coincidence! Just as Steve and Iris got together…"

"Yes."

"Eleanor, that’s great! With your kind of arrangement with Steve, if you had initiated the breakup, he would have demanded a huge severance package…"

My friend was right. With Steve and my financial relationship, a breakup would undoubtedly cost me. I had already mentally prepared to give him the limited edition supercar and the riverside penthouse he’d coveted for so long. His infidelity, however, saved me a hefty sum.

"But Eleanor, why did you suddenly want to break up? Wasn't Steve exactly your type?"

I pondered for a moment, deciding a small disclosure wouldn't hurt.

“Because I’m getting married.”

"What?! Whose family? From Port Royale, or out of town?"

I didn't elaborate, merely stating, "You'll all know soon enough."