Chapter 2：Billion-Dollar Wedding
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"Why choose lily of the valley?" Clara's voice came from behind, carrying undisguised discontent.
"Oh?" I turned around, feigning surprise, "I forgot you're allergic to them. After all, true Sinclair family members wouldn't be allergic to lily of the valley."
Clara's face instantly turned pale: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"It's nothing." I smiled, handing her a gold-embossed invitation card decorated with delicate lily-of-the-valley patterns along the edges. "I hope you can attend my wedding, 'sister'."
Clara took the invitation, her hands trembling slightly: "Father is very unhappy about your sudden announcement of marriage to Alexander Knight."
"Foster father," I corrected. "He was never my father, was he?"
Clara's gaze flickered: "You've been strange lately, Vivi."
"When facing death, one sees many things clearly." I said meaningfully, enjoying the fleeting fear that crossed her face.
On the wedding day, New York's high society elites gathered together. The total assets of the attending guests were estimated to exceed one trillion dollars, with media dubbing it the "Billion-Dollar Wedding."
I chose a simple white gown, without elaborate lace or jewelry, wearing only that family crest necklace on my chest—the only proof of my true identity.
Alexander was dressed in a black tailored suit, his silver-gray tie matching the color of his eyes. When we exchanged rings at the altar, his fingers lingered on my wrist for a second, and I felt my pulse quicken.
"Nervous?" he asked in a low voice.
"Just acting," I responded, although my heartbeat was indeed a few beats faster than usual.
Halfway through the wedding, a reporter suddenly raised his hand with a question: "Miss Sinclair, there are rumors that you have a hereditary disease. Would this affect the Naite family's inheritance plans?"
The crowd was in an uproar. I felt Clara's gaze piercing me, a mixture of fear and anger. This question wasn't part of the plan—a carefully designed trap.
"An interesting question," I smiled, my voice clearly reaching throughout the entire venue, "I recently did indeed undergo comprehensive genetic testing. The results show that my genome not only has no hereditary diseases." My gaze swept across Clara's increasingly rigid face, "In fact, I suggest all members of the Sinclair family should undergo such testing. After all, purity of bloodline is crucial for family inheritance, isn't it?"
Alexander suddenly took my hand and kissed me in front of everyone. Not a ceremonial peck, but a real, possessive kiss. His lips were warm and firm, his tongue lightly grazing my lower lip, with a hint of teasing and declaration of ownership. My heartbeat suddenly accelerated, a strange current flowing from my lips throughout my body. This kiss far exceeded the scope of our contract, yet strangely, I couldn't resist it.
When he released me, my cheeks were slightly flushed, and the entire venue erupted into enthusiastic applause and cheers.
"You've violated the contract." I whispered through clenched teeth while maintaining my perfect smile.
"A punishment worth taking." Alexander responded, his eyes flickering with dangerous and captivating light, fingers tightening around my waist, "Besides, your reaction tells me you don't really mind."
After the wedding, I returned to my new home—Alexander's penthouse apartment on Central Park West. I found a new contract placed on the bed.
"Amendment to breach clause: Any physical contact will require temperature compensation." I read aloud, frowning toward the doorway.
Alexander leaned against the doorframe, loosening his tie: "Sign it, bride. The game is just beginning."
I picked up the pen and signed my name on the contract: "You'll regret this."
"I'm looking forward to it." Alexander's smile was as dangerous as a predator's.
I watched his departing figure, my heart filled with mixed emotions. Alexander Knight was more dangerous than I had anticipated, and more captivating too. He always seemed to see through my plans, even staying one step ahead of me. But this was precisely why I had chosen him—I needed an ally who could match me.
Lying on the unfamiliar bed, I recalled Clara's expression at the wedding today. She thought her secrets were safe, unaware that fate had given me a chance to start over.
"This is just the beginning, Clara," I whispered into the darkness. "You took everything from me, and now it's my turn."
