Chapter 1
A grand banquet was being held in the most luxurious hotel in Yorkhaven.
Luxury cars arrived one after another, causing passersby to step side subconsciously.
The security at the event was maintained not only by the hotel staff but also by private bodyguards. A number of celebrities had even been invited, sparking speculation about who the host of the event might be.
Outside the red carpet, a crowd of reporters and fatis had gathered. Each time a celebrity appeared, excited screams filled
the air.
Another car arrived, and everyone instinctively craned their necks, but the door remained closed for a long moment.
Inside the car, the driver in the front seat glanced back and noticed that the young lady he was driving hadn’t moved, her head still lowered. He gently reminded her, “Ms. Broderick, we’ve arrived.”
His voice came suddenly, and it seemed to startle the woman in the backseat, who looked as pretty as a porcelain doll. She lifted her head sharply, revealing her beautiful eyes, which were icy cold.
The driver, catching her gaze in the rearview mirror, quickly looked away, his heart racing.
Loretta turned her head to look out the window, where she saw red carpet leading to the hotel entrance. Businessmen, accompanied by their partners, strolled in groups, chatting and laughing. Celebrities vied for attention, basking in the flash
of cameras.
It had been a long time since Loretta had experienced such a lively atmosphere.
She raised her hand and looked at it. This hand, once thin and withered from years of restoring antiques, was now slender and smooth, even more beautiful than a hand model’s.
It was as if fate had played a joke on her. She had returned to a year ago. Now, there were still more than two months until her engagement to Bruno Young, and three months until her father John would be killed by Bruno’s scheme.
At the thought of this, a soft laugh escaped her lips. The sound made the driver in the front seat break out in goosebumps. He didn’t understand what Loretta was laughing about, but he couldn’t shake the sudden chill that crept over him.
“It feels good to be back, Loretta murmured softly, not getting out of the car immediately. Instead, she pulled out her phone and made a call. The phone rang only twice before a familiar, doting voice answered.
“Sweetheart, have you arrived at the hotel? I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it back in time. Today, you’ll be the representative of the Broderick family. If you don’t enjoy socializing, just greet Mr. Pearson and then stay with Bruno. Being your boyfriend, he has to take care of you,” John said.
Loretta’s tears instantly welled up and fell. She quickly closed her eyes, trying to suppress the surge of emotions, but she couldn’t stop the tremble in her voice. “Dad…”
“What is it, sweetheart? Did someone upset you?” John asked. Loretta’s voice was low and shaky, causing John, who was on a business trip abroad, to grow even more worried, his voice rising several notches.
“Sweetheart, tell me, who upset you? I’ll have my secretary book the next flight home and come to your side right away,” John said.
Loretta struggled to keep her emotions in check, her voice low but firm. “Dad, I don’t like Bruno anymore. I want to break up with him.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line. After a while. John finally asked, “Sweetheart, did Bruno do something to hurt you?”
Chapter 1
Sol, Dec 21
Loretta thought of the words Amy had spoken to her before she died in her past life. She didn’t plan on hiding Bruno’s infidelity from John, but she didn’t reveal the whole truth either Yes, I saw him with another woman”
She was determined to gather evidence of Bruno’s affair with Amy, expose it to the public, and make their lives a living hell. Only by making them feel the pain she suffered in her previous fe would she feel a bit better.
Heavy breathing came through the phone, and it was clear that john was furious. “Just wait until I get back and teach that linle pink a lesson!”
“Dad, this is between me and him. You don’t need to get involved Loretta said.
“No way, I won’t let you be mistreated like that,” John fuined.
“It’s nothing. I didn’t like Bruno to begin with, Loretta replied, her gaze hardening as she looked out the window. “I’m your daughter, the sole heir to Broderick Groups, You have to trust me
John was silent for a moment, then sighed in resignation. “Alriglu, you can handle it yourself. But if they dare wrong you even a little, I’ll step in immediately.”
“Okay.” Loretta said with a smile. As she expected, John would always support her unconditionally, and the dark clouds in her heart lifted a little. After a few more words, they hung up.
She was back, and Jolus was still alive. She intended to deal with all those who had wronged her, one by one.
At the same time, she wondered if Malcolm knew that a soul could linger in the world for a while after death. She had seen hum avenge her, and she had heard him say that he loved her.
She thought. Was it love at first sight for you? Well, in this life, I want to get to know you all over again. Are you ready?
Loretta put away her phone and finally stepped out of the car. As the bodyguard opened the door, gasps of surprise filled the
“Oh my God! Isn’t that Ms. Broderick? She’s so beautiful, so elegant and poised. This is what a true lady of high society should be like.”
“Loretta really is the prettiest woman in Yorkhaven. If she ever entered the entertainment industry, she’d definitely be a top
star.
“Are you kidding? Think about who Ms. Broderick is. With the Broderick family’s wealth, why would she ever need to enter showbiz?”
The scene nearly descended into chaos. Even the famous stars were outshone by her presence. Ignoring the chatter, Loretta smiled and walked gracefully toward the hotel entrance.
As she passed, the celebrities all stepped aside to make way for her. After all, Loretta was the heir to the Broderick Group, far beyond their reach.
The Pearson family had reserved the 12th–floor banquet hall for today’s event, with several elevators exclusively serving their guests.
Upon arriving on the 12th floor, Loretta stopped by the reception area to register the gift her family had sent before entering the hall.
The banquet hall was a vision of splendor. Soft violin music played in the background as guests, dressed in their finest attire, mingled with drinks in hand, chatting and laughing.
As Loretta entered, many of the younger attendees noticed her arrival and began whispering among themselves.
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Chapter 1
“Look, Loretta’s here.
“I heard Mr. Broderick is away on a business trip abroad. I thought she’d come with Bruno.
“There’s no way she’d come with Bruno to an event like this. They’re still just dating–they’re not engaged yet.”
“I don’t know how Bruno got so lucky, catching Loretta’s eye.”
“Come on, Bruno’s charming, dignified, and lse’s even a professor at the university. They’re a great match.”
Loretta approached Patrick Pearson and raised the glass of wine she’d picked up from a server. “Mr. Pearson, happy birthday. I wish you health and longevity”
Thank you. Loretta. Patrick laughed heartily as he accepted her well–wishes. After exchanging a few casual pleasantries with her, he called his granddaughter, Linda, to come and accompany Loretta
Linda had been Loretta’s high school classmate. Once they movell away from the crowd, she whispered a warning to Loretta. “Malcolm’s here, too. If he gives you any trouble, just let Bruno handle it.”
The Broderick and Lindsey families had been bitter rivals for generations. Though they had no personal interactions, they were tierce competitors in business, constantly trying to outdo each other.
The animosity between the older generations had naturally affected their descendants, so Loretta and Malcolm had always been at odds.
Back in high school, they’d coincidentally ended up in the same class, and Malcolm would oppose Loretta at every turn. After graduating, he left the country for four years, only returning at the end of last year.
Once he returned, Malcolm immediately joined the Lindsey Group, making a name for himself with his ruthless, decisive tactics in the business world. His character had earned him the nickname “Madman” among those who spoke of him in private.
Loretta steadied her racing heart, keeping her tone calm as she asked. “Where’s Malcolm?”
“He’s probably with Olly,” Linda replied, glancing around the room uncertainly. “But he might have stepped outside.”
This was a garden hotel, and outside the banquet hall was a large open–air garden. Loretta tightened her grip on the wine glass in her hand and gave a small nod.
At that moment, a gentle voice called out, “Loretta, there you are
Hearing the voice, both Loretta and Linda turned to look.
Bruno was walking toward them, dressed in a deep blue suit. With his handsome features and refined, gentlemanly demeanor, it was no surprise many women were secretly glancing his way.
Linda shot Loretta a teasing wink. When Bruno reached them, she intentionally said, “Since you’re here now, I’ll leave you two to it. Have fun!” Then, she tactfully walked away.
Loretta turned her head to look at Bruno. She remembered how ever since they’d met, he had always played the role of the devoted, affectionate boyfriend in front of her. Yet, in private, he had an affair with her cousin, Amy,
In the end, he had caused John’s death, framed Malcolm for it, and manipulated Loretta’s hatred of Malcolm to help him armass wealth, all while he and Amy enjoyed their lives together
A wave of disgust rose in Lorella’s heart. Recalling everything that had happened in her past life, she didn’t even bother to pretend anymore. Her gaze was ice–cold and distant.
Bruno, startled by the expression in her eyes, instinctively stopped in his tracks, looking at her in confusion. “Loretta, what’s
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Chapter 1
wrong?”
Loretta suddenly smiled, and Bruno was momentarily dazed by. Then she raised her glass and, with a slow, deliberate tone, said. “Bruno, long time no see”
Bruno was even more confused. They had just seen each other two days ago.
Loretta leaned in close to him, her subtle fragrance filling the air. Her face was so captivating, and the tight dress she wore accentuated her alluring figure, causing Bruno’s gaze to heat up. le didn’t notice the disdain in Loretta’s eyes.
“Loretta,” he called her gently, instinctively.
But then, he heard her frosty voice: “Bruno, it’s over between us
Meanwhile, Olly, who had been talking to Malcolm, noticed that Malcolm seemed distracted. He followed Malcolm’s gaze and saw Loretta leaning in close to Bruno. Olly couldn’t help but rutted.
Knowing how much Malcolm and Loretta had disliked each other in high school, Olly joked, “Look at Loretta. Isn’t she getting prettier? You used to bully her in high school, and now she’s got herself a boyfriend. I hear they’re about to get engaged. Do you know how they met?“.
Malcolm tightened his grip on his wine glass, his expression indifferent. The sapphire earring in his left ear gleamed with an ley light. “What does that have to do with me?”
“You were always butting heads with Loretta. I just thought you might want to know. They met in their freshman year of college. I heard Loretta accidentally fell into a lake, and Bruno rescued her. After that, he turned on the charm, and by the time she graduated, they were a couple. If you try to mess with her now, Bruno will definitely step in. Olly said.
Malcolm’s expression grew even colder, and a flash of disdain crossed his eyes. That weak–looking man? I could take him down in one minute.”
With that, Malcolm started walking in their direction.
Olly, startled by Malcolm’s sudden outburst, quickly stepped in front of him. “Dude, I was just joking! Don’t take it so seriously. This is my grandfather’s birthday party!”
Malcolm scoffed. “You think I’d waste my time picking a fight with him?”
With that, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.
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