Chapter 3

Now that Arthur had spoken, the tense crowd finally let out a breath.

This engagement party had gathered the city's most elite business moguls, and everyone was dying to see how this drama would unfold.

Amidst the hushed whispers of the guests, Julian held Chloe’s hand and faced the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming to celebrate my engagement to Chloe Vance today."

The guests exchanged looks, stunned that the Sterling and Vance families would pull off a last-minute bride swap right on stage.

My father, Marcus, hadn't expected this either. His face darkened instantly. I didn't look great either, but I forced my spine straight, holding up my champagne glass to toast them under the scrutiny of the crowd.

"Julian actually swapped his fiancée on the spot. He didn't show Aria any respect at all."

"Didn't Arthur insist on Aria being his granddaughter-in-law? Why did he agree to the swap?"

"Getting swapped at your own engagement gala... how humiliating. I wonder what Aria did to make Julian reject her so publicly."

The whispers weren't quiet. Marcus glared at Chloe, then turned to Julian with a cold expression.

"Do you have any idea how much gossip your stunt is going to cause Aria?"

"And you, Chloe. You're old enough to think about the consequences. Are you trying to humiliate me?"

Rebuked by Marcus, Chloe timidly tried to slip the ring off her finger to hand it to me.

Arthur raised a hand to stop her. He patted my head with deep guilt and said warmly,

"Aria, don't worry. I will make this right for you. If you're willing, there are several other fine young men in the Sterling family."

Julian's parents heard this, but they assumed the old man was just comforting me, so they didn't pay it much attention.

But to their absolute shock, I pointed toward the corner of the room, right at the illegitimate Sterling son who was quietly watching the drama.

"Actually, I've always had a crush on Luke. I hope you can bless our relationship, Arthur."

Everyone's eyes darted to Luke, scanning back and forth between him and me.

Luke was the illegitimate son of Julian's late uncle. Ever since his father passed away, he had been ignored and mistreated by the family.

But since he was still a Sterling, Arthur, wanting to avoid rumors that the family abused its own blood, had brought him in to raise him.

Marcus looked at me in shock, whispering urgently in my ear.

"Aria, I know you're upset, but he's just an illegitimate son. The Sterlings don't care about him."

I casually swirled my champagne glass, raising it toward Luke.

"It's not his fault he was born illegitimate. I think he's great, and I'd like to give it a shot."

Luke met my gaze with a lazy, amused smirk.

"Since Miss Thorne likes me, let's give it a shot."

The crowd's glances became even more loaded with meaning.

The news of the Sterling bride swap spread like wildfire through the elite circles. The moment the gala ended, I received a text from my mother.

In a private lounge, my mother held me tightly, her eyes flashing with anger as she glared at Marcus.

"Marcus Vance, how dare you let my daughter suffer such humiliation? Do you want to lose everything?"

I squeezed her hand, steering the conversation back to business.

"Arthur offered me a different partner. His name is Luke Sterling, and I actually like him."

Marcus wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed.

"He's just an illegitimate son. He's a complete outsider in the Sterling family. Why him?"

Looking at my parents' confused faces, I spoke calmly.

"The marriage alliance was agreed upon by Arthur and Grandfather Thorne. I have to marry into the Sterling family regardless."

"Luke might be illegitimate, but he is by far the most capable man in the younger generation of Sterlings. From a business standpoint, he is the perfect partner."