Chapter 1

Catherine's POV

The three o'clock Manhattan sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into Bennett & Associates' conference room.

I took a deep breath, surveying the room full of employees and board members.

The subtle shifts in everyone's attitudes over the past three months had left me on edge, but I told myself that today's presentation would prove everything.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this project continues my mother Elena's design philosophy—architecture isn't just commercial space, it's the heart of the community." I clicked the remote, and images of humanistic design filled the screen.

The room fell silent.

My fiancé Marcus Hayes sat in the front row, expressionless, staring at his phone. My brother David Bennett had his arms crossed, his gaze drifting toward Vivienne Bennett in the corner—my "cousin" who'd joined the company just three months ago.

"The budget is controlled within eight million dollars, with the community beneficiaries exceeding—"

"Hold on." Marcus suddenly looked up, his voice cutting sharply through the quiet conference room. "Catherine, are you certain this project has commercial value?"

I froze. This was my fiancé—the man who just three months ago would fight tooth and nail for every one of my design proposals in board meetings.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Marcus stood up, adjusting his tie, "eight million invested in a community project with at least a ten-year payback period. The board needs to see more practical returns."

Murmurs rippled through the conference room. I felt my cheeks burning, blood rushing to my head.

"Marcus, you know what this project means—"

"Business is business, Catherine." Marcus's tone was as cold as a stranger's. "Perhaps you need more experience."

My heart skipped a beat. Was this really the same man I knew—the one who'd always supported me?

David cleared his throat. "Thank you for Catherine's presentation. Now let's have Vivienne share her proposal."

Vivienne rose gracefully. She wore a perfectly tailored Chanel suit, her brown hair arranged in an elegant chignon. Looking at her, I suddenly felt the fear of being replaced.

"My proposal is to transform this land into a high-end commercial complex." Her voice carried a slight French accent. "Projected ROI of 300%, break-even in two years."

Luxurious shopping center designs appeared on screen.

"Brilliant!" one board member applauded.

"This is exactly the international vision we need!" another chimed in.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. This was their idea of "brilliance"? Turning community development into a money-grabbing scheme?

David stood, his face beaming with satisfaction. "From today forward, all major projects will be led by Vivienne. Catherine needs more experience."

The conference room erupted in applause. Each clap felt like a slap across my face.

Vivienne approached me, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Sister Catherine. We can collaborate and learn together."

Her tone sounded like she was consoling a failed child. I wanted to shake off her hand, but under everyone's watchful eyes, I could only maintain a rigid smile.

Rage burned in my chest. I shot to my feet, my chair scraping backward with a harsh sound. "This continues my mother's design philosophy! How can you do this and still call yourselves worthy of the Bennett name?"

The air froze instantly. Everyone stared at me like I was a hysterical madwoman.

David's face turned ashen. "Enough, Catherine. Meeting adjourned."

I felt everyone's eyes burning into me, humiliation and anger making it hard to breathe. I grabbed my files and stumbled out of the conference room.

In the hallway, my heels clicked loudly against the floor. I heard Marcus's footsteps behind me.

"Catherine, wait."

I stopped without turning around. I was afraid if I turned, I'd see a stranger's face. "What? Here to humiliate me some more?"

"Don't be like this." Marcus stepped in front of me. "I'm just being realistic."

"Realistic?" I turned, my eyes blazing with fury. "Since when did you become so concerned with company profits? Or have you been dazzled by my 'cousin's' talents?"

Marcus's expression flickered unnaturally. "Don't talk like that, Catherine. It's unbecoming."

"Unbecoming?" I laughed bitterly, my heart breaking. "You know what's unbecoming? You choosing to stand against me when I need your support most!"

"Maybe you should learn from Vivienne what real design thinking looks like." Marcus's words pierced my heart like a dagger.

I stared at this man in his tailored suit, suddenly feeling like he was a complete stranger. Three years together—apparently nothing but a joke.

"Real design thinking?" My voice began to tremble. "Marcus, this is my mother's legacy!"

"Business is business, Catherine. Emotions can't influence professional judgment."

"Yes, I'm crazy." I stepped back. "Crazy enough to think you'd stand by my side."

At seven that evening, I sat through the routine dinner with Marcus's parents, trying to pretend nothing had happened.

At Le Bernardin in the Upper East Side, under crystal chandeliers, Marcus's parents were enthusiastically discussing the day's meeting.

I sat at the table, mechanically twirling my fork. The engagement ring caught the light, suddenly feeling as heavy as lead.

"That Vivienne is truly brilliant!" Mrs. Hayes's eyes sparkled. "Catherine, you should learn from her. The business world doesn't believe in tears, only results."

"Vivienne's international mindset is the future." Mr. Hayes nodded in agreement.

Marcus sat silently, focused on his lobster. He wouldn't even say a word in my defense.

My stomach churned. These people discussed me as if I were invisible.

Enough. Really enough.

"You're absolutely right." I suddenly put down my utensils and stood up.

Everyone looked at me.

I slowly removed the engagement ring from my finger—the ring Marcus had said I'd wear forever when he proposed—and placed it in the center of the table. The diamond blazed coldly in the candlelight.

"The wedding is off."

Other diners turned to stare. Mrs. Hayes nearly choked on her wine.

"Catherine!" Marcus jumped up. "Have you lost your mind? Over some work disagreement?"

"Some disagreement?" My voice was crystal clear, each word like a bullet. "No, this is me finally seeing the truth."

I picked up my purse, feeling an unprecedented lightness.

"I won't marry a man who doesn't respect me."

Behind me came the sound of falling chairs and Marcus's angry curses, but I didn't look back.

An hour later, I returned to our—no, his—apartment and began packing. Marcus called dozens of times; I ignored every call.

Deep into the Manhattan night, I dragged my suitcase out of his luxury apartment. The cold wind brushed my face, carrying away the tears from my eyes.

Three years of living together, just like that—over. Strangely, I didn't feel the pain I'd expected. Instead, there was a sense of liberation.

I hailed a cab and went straight back to the Bennett family mansion. All I wanted was to retreat to my room and sort through everything that had happened today.

Just as I reached the front door, my phone rang—Father calling. I didn't want to talk to anyone and hung up immediately.

I quietly unlocked the front door. The living room was pitch black. As I headed for the stairs, I heard Father's hushed voice coming from his study.

I stopped, my heart inexplicably racing. Why was Father speaking in such low tones at this hour?

"Just stall for another month. Once the paperwork for that land is complete, Catherine won't have the power to stop anything..."

My heart nearly stopped beating.

What paperwork? What "power to stop"?

"Vivienne's cooperation has been excellent, and Marcus has distanced himself from Catherine as planned... Everything is proceeding according to schedule."

My blood ran cold. I felt my world collapsing.

So it had all been planned.