Chapter 2

The next morning, Brenda, the managing director of the elite matchmaking agency, arrived at our penthouse in person.

Dressed in a sharp designer suit, her face was a masterclass in rehearsed deference.

"Mrs. Hayes, these are the top-tier candidates we curated based on Mr. Hayes’s explicit criteria."

She handed over a gold-embossed leather folder that felt heavy and expensive.

Victoria sat directly across from me on the velvet sofa, stiff as a board.

She held a porcelain cup of herbal tea, her icy glare flicking toward the folder with venom.

After Julian screamed at her yesterday, she had refused to touch dinner.

Early this morning, she had stormed into my bedroom, accusing me of whining to her son behind her back.

I had simply said, "Brenda from the agency is coming by this morning, Victoria. Care to join us and review the options?"

That shut her up instantly. She rushed back to her wing to change into an haute couture dress, desperate to maintain her stature as the grand matriarch.

I took my time opening the folder.

Candidate one: Fifty years old, an oil and mining tycoon. In his photo, he stood before an elongated stretch limousine, flashing a blinding grin with a gold watch thick enough to anchor a boat.

The dossier noted his net worth was twenty times Julian's.

Victoria's hand trembled, nearly spilling her tea.

I flipped to page two.

This one was younger, early forties, a Silicon Valley tech billionaire. Caught candid at a global summit, his gaze was calculating and sharp.

His bio read: *Strictly childfree. Seeking a stunning wife to host dinners and stay out of his personal affairs.*

Victoria’s composure began to crack.

I kept turning the pages.

Third page, fourth page...

Every single one was a walking caricature of obscene wealth—filthy rich, devoid of taste, and saddled with bizarre, controlling conditions.

"Mrs. Hayes, what do you think?" Brenda asked cautiously. "These gentlemen are extremely eager. Just give the word, and we can arrange a private dinner immediately."

I snapped the folder shut and met Victoria’s gaze.

"Victoria, why don't you give me your opinion?"

Her face shifted through shades of green, red, and pale white, like a faulty traffic light.

"Stella! What is the meaning of this? You actually plan to go see them?!"

"Why wouldn't I?" I blinked, playing wide-eyed and innocent. "Wasn't this your idea from the start? Julian fully supports it. He paid a fortune—it would be a shame to waste it."

I paused, tapping the first profile thoughtfully.

"I think Mr. Carl seems sweet. He's a bit older, but older men know how to pamper a woman. His aesthetic, though..."

I gave Victoria a warm, conspiratorial look. "Do you think I should redo his entire penthouse in solid gold after the wedding?"

"You... you shameless tramp!"

Livid, Victoria slammed her teacup onto the marble table. The dark liquid splashed across the polished stone.

Brenda flinched, but her professional composure held. "Please, Mrs. Hayes, don't upset yourself. This package is tailored for maximum lifestyle upgrades. The financial power of these candidates guarantees Stella will be set for life."

Every single word poured gasoline onto Victoria’s burning pride.

She never dreamed her pathetic attempt to humiliate me would backfire like this—courtesy of her own son—turning into my personal runway to a man ten times wealthier than Julian.

Her finger pointed at me, lips quivering, unable to form a coherent curse.

I stood up, walked to her side, and gently patted her back.

"Take your time, Victoria. This is my future we're talking about. We have to be thorough."

With that, I picked up the folder and flashed Brenda a radiant smile.

"Brenda, let's go with candidate two—the childfree tech executive. Set up a meeting."

I put extra emphasis on the word *childfree*.

Victoria’s greatest obsession in life was an heir. For three years, she had badgered me mercilessly because my womb remained quiet.

Now, picking a man who explicitly wanted no children was a clean, silent dagger through her heart. It drew no blood, but left her fingers shaking with fury.

"Let’s meet at The Gilded Club," I added casually.

The Gilded Club—Julian’s favorite private cigar and business lounge.

The general manager happened to be one of Victoria’s closest bridge partners.

Brenda’s eyes sparkled. "Right away, Mrs. Hayes!"

Victoria stared at me as if looking at a complete stranger.