Chapter 1

I sat on the sofa in the Andrew family's living room, watching my brother, Henry Andrew, see off the third batch of visitors for the day.

As the glass door closed, the smile plastered on his face instantly collapsed.

"Mr. Johnson offered the lowest price, only eight hundred thousand." My sister-in-law, Nola Andrew, whose voice came from the stairway, "Anna Andrew, you're really becoming less and less valuable."

I didn't respond, just looked out at the neatly trimmed lawn.

Three days ago, my mother fell seriously ill, and Henry called me back.

In these three days, I sat here and met seven men.

Each one was a marriage prospect carefully selected by Henry, either widowed middle-aged men or spoiled rich kids.

They pointed and commented on me like I was merchandise, each offering a lower price than the last.

"Who are you putting on this high-and-mighty act for?" Nola walked up to me, looking displeased. "Do you think you're still the Andrew family's precious daughter? You're old now, they don't want you anymore."

"You really have no luck. Back then, James Smith liked you so much, but too bad he was poor. Who knew that after you dumped him, he'd become super rich, and now even if you want him back, he won't have you..."

Hearing James's name, my heart involuntarily tightened.

Three years ago, his company ran into problems and needed five million to survive. To get that money, I agreed to my father and Henry's conditions. Givingg up the inheritance my mom left me and resigning as vice president of the Andrew Group, then leaving town.

After that, his company got back on track and bounced back.

But in his eyes, I became a gold digger, heartless and ungrateful...

Nola's words kept hitting my sore spots. I couldn't help but interrupt, "Stop it!"

Nola paused, "What's with that attitude? I'm not wrong. Let me tell you, if you can't get married soon, your mom's medical bills will really run out..."

"Nola, watch your mouth!" Hearing her disrespect my mother, I interrupted her again.

Nola's eyes turned vicious, "Yelling at me? How dare you!"

She reached out to push me.

I raised my elbow to block her and pushed her back.

Three years of wandering had taught me how to protect myself.

Nola stumbled backward into Henry's arms.

Henry caught her and immediately scolded me, "Anna, you've gone too far. How can you bully Nola? Apologize to her right now."

My voice turned cold, "I won't! Didn't you hear what she said?"

"You really want to be like this? Fine. Mom's medical bills," Henry's voice carried a threat, "you figure it out yourself."

I looked at Henry and couldn't help but laugh coldly, "Sure, you were just going to sell me for the medical bills anyway. I might as well find my own buyer."

"I'll find whoever offers the most, cut you out completely, and give all the money to Mom for treatment. You won't get a single benefit."

"You..." Henry clenched his fists in anger, but quickly relaxed them.

He tugged at the furious-looking Nola, then said to me:

"Anna, what are you saying? We're all family. If mom knew, she'd be so upset."

He brought up my mother, and the anger in my heart couldn't help but fade a bit.

Henry smiled, "That's better. Stop making a scene, Anna. Mom's condition is already very serious. Pull yourself together. The Smith family's second son is coming soon, and he's really rich..."

Before he finished speaking, a servant came to announce, "Sir, Mr. Smith is here."

As she spoke, the door was pushed open.

A figure walked in against the light.

But it wasn't the Smith family's second son. It was... James.

Why was he here?

My heart felt like something had grabbed it and squeezed hard.

He wore a well-tailored black suit, his eyes still deep, but the youthful spirit from three years ago was gone, replaced by a layer of frost.

Henry was more shocked than I was. A smile instantly spread across his face as he hurried forward, "Mr. Smith! What an honor! You should have let us know in advance so we could prepare..."

James stopped in the middle of the living room, just a few steps away from me.

He turned his head, his gaze like icicles, landing on me.

Then he looked away, turning to Henry, "I heard you're selling your sister. What's the price?"

I froze. What did he mean?

Henry was also stunned for a moment.

But Nola reacted quickly, swaying forward, "Mr. Smith, you want Anna too? That's wonderful! With your status now, if Anna could marry you, that would be a blessing others could only dream of!"

My palms clenched tightly, feeling utterly desolate.

Back then, I was carefree and willful in front of him, and he practically held me in the palm of his hand.

But when he was at his lowest, I left him, and from then on, he hated me.

Now, he had become the high and mighty Mr. Smith, while I was merchandise waiting to be sold...

Nola tugged at Henry's sleeve, and he immediately put on a fawning smile, "Mr. Smith, it's all a misunderstanding. I just want to help Anna find a good home, so I'm considering a few options."

"In fact, your brother Joshua from the Smith family is also coming to meet her. He's the type to settle down properly..."

"Joshua?" James slowly repeated the name, looking up at me, though his words were directed at Henry.

"No need to wait."

He looked back at Henry, his eyes ice-cold.

"One hundred million."

The living room fell dead silent.

James added unhurriedly, "I want her."