Chapter 1

Seeing me constantly dressed in black, privately reading theological books, and even joking that "I might as well become a nun for some peace," my father worried I would truly withdraw from the world.

So he decided to push forward the engagement arranged with our cousin's family and had me return to the city for the betrothal.

I arrived early at the private room my father had reserved for my engagement party at the club.

The moment I pushed open the door, I froze.

The entire space was decorated as a pink birthday party scene, with a banner reading "Clara's 26th Birthday."

A woman saw me enter and frowned.

"Security!" she called sharply. "How can just anyone walk in here? Get her out immediately!"

Security guards roughly grabbed my arms, trying to drag me out.

I broke free and confirmed the room number. "I reserved this private room. Please leave."

The server looked troubled: "This room was reserved by this lady. Perhaps you could work something out."

The woman looked me up and down, then laughed contemptuously.

"Can you even afford the room fee? I thought some beggar had wandered in asking for handouts."

"I'm Clara, secretary and personal assistant to Eclipse Group's CEO Tristan. Do you know what Eclipse represents? This hotel belongs to Eclipse."

Tristan? The CEO of Eclipse Group - wasn't that my arranged fiancé whom I'd never met?

I smiled coldly and called Tristan directly.

"Your secretary has taken over the private room I reserved. How do you plan to handle this?"

My arm still ached from being manhandled.

For a secretary to be so arrogant, or perhaps she was more than just a secretary. This domineering behavior made me suspicious of this fiancé.

If he couldn't give me a reasonable explanation today, this engagement party was unnecessary.

A cold male voice came through the phone:

"I don't know who you are, but Clara is important to me. She can use whichever private room she wants!"

Important to him?

I was about to say I was his fiancée, but he hung up directly.

Clara heard the phone conversation and couldn't help covering her mouth as she sneered:

"Bitch, did you really think that getting the CEO's number through some scheme would let you climb up the social ladder?"

She circled around me like examining some strange animal.

"Dressed so shabbily, you're an eyesore. That black outfit - are you attending a funeral?"

Having been trained in combat and shooting by my father since childhood, I naturally dressed for comfort and practicality, and wearing black was my habit. I never expected to be attacked for this.

"I'll wear whatever I want. Hiring such a shallow person as secretary and indulging her in taking over guests' reserved rooms - that Eclipse CEO doesn't seem like much either."

I gestured to the server to clear the room, but the server looked at me apologetically.

"I'm sorry, miss. Clara is a VIP guest at our club. Could you perhaps take a different private room?"

"But this is clearly my reservation!"

Anger surged in my chest.

My father had specifically chosen a club under Eclipse as the engagement party venue, intending it to symbolize the union of our two families, never expecting this situation.

The server looked at me helplessly.

"Miss, I know you made the reservation, but we can't afford to offend CEO Tristan."

Clara smiled triumphantly and grabbed a bottle of red wine from the table, pouring it all over my head.

The cold liquid ran down my face.

"Just get lost. Even the server has more sense than you. You really have no self-awareness."

"Let me tell you, whatever I, Clara, want, there's nothing in this entire city I can't have!"

Other guests witnessing this scene also quietly advised me.

"This woman is done for. How dare she challenge Clara? This Clara is Tristan's beloved, used to being arrogant."

"Yes, a rich girl offended her before, and the next day Eclipse acquired her family's company."

"You'd better apologize to Miss Clara and leave quickly. Don't let this reach Tristan - he protects Clara the most."

Hearing others' flattery, Clara smiled smugly.

"Did you hear that? Now kneel down, lick up this wine, and apologize to me. I might consider letting you go."

"Beg me nicely, and maybe I'll let you work here as a server."