

Three years ago, Zoey, the sole heiress of the wealthy Spence family, faked her death to leave behind Ian, the man she loved, believing it was the best choice for his future. Now Ian returns as the newly crowned top scholar, just as Zoey is forced to marry in order to secure her family's inheritance. She chooses her future husband by throwing a ball, and the ball lands right in Ian's hands. Using an investigation as his excuse to move into the Spence estate, Ian relentlessly pursues Zoey, risking his life for her, and even volunteering to marry into her family. Together, they uncover a conspiracy linking Zoey's uncle Frank to Prince Nathan. In the end, Ian gives up his career at court to become Zoey's husband, while Zoey saves her family legacy and earns royal recognition. After years apart, the two finally reunite and live happily ever after.

My father and brother had preferred my sister over me since we were kids. In fact, they hated me. When I was bullied at a party, it was a mafia boss, Edwin Carlson, who stepped in. He saved me and announced right there in front of everyone that I was the woman he loved. He warned that anyone who dared mess with me again would have to deal with him. Edwin bought a castle deep in the forest just for me. He filled the garden with my favorite tulips and held a grand wedding there that made headlines across the country. For a while, I became the woman everyone envied. Seven months pregnant, I attended my father's birthday party. But that night, a sudden fire broke out. My biased father and brother only cared about saving my sister, Kelsey Grant. They rushed her out while I was left behind to die in the flames. In the end, it was Edwin who carried me out. But when I woke up in the hospital, I saw something that shattered my heart. "What the hell were you thinking, starting that fire?" Edwin's face was dark with rage. "Stephanie's only seven months pregnant! Are you trying to force her into early labor? Were you trying to kill her and the baby?" My father and brother spoke in hushed voices, trying to explain. "Kelsey has leukemia. The doctors said we can't wait anymore—she needs surgery soon. And she needs the baby's bone marrow..." "I care about Kelsey's life more than you do. Why else would I have married Stephanie? But you can't hurt her. I have my own plan!" Edwin warned coldly. "Saving Kelsey is the goal, yes—but if you try to save her at the cost of Stephanie's life, I won't allow it!" After hearing that, I fled the hospital room in a panic. So that was why he married me. Not because he loved me, but to save Kelsey. Everything he did for me—his kindness, his care—was all for her. Just like my father and brother, he loved Kelsey. Not me. If no one loved me, then I figured I might as well just disappear.