She patted Prescott’s arm. “You too, Luna is
my classmate, why did you arrange so much
work for her? Capitalists can’t exploit workers
like that.”
Livia’s words seemed to be concerned about
me, but in reality, she was showing off that
she was the president’s wife, while I was just
a miserable corporate slave.
I looked at her, and she seemingly casually
raised her hand and brushed a stray hair
behind her ear.
The huge diamond ring sparkled dazzlingly
under the lights.
“Women, why bother working so hard? Marrying a good man is better than anything!”
Her words drew a chorus of agreement from
around the room.
I ignored her and turned my gaze to Prescott
Landis beside her.
He cooperated with Livia throughout, a smile
on his lips.
But the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
His eyes were still hollow, like those of a
soulless puppet.
I could even feel a faint, cold aura emanating
from him.
It was an aura… tainted with death.
In my previous life, I slowly noticed this
weirdness after I married him.
But now, I could see it clearly.
“Oh, right.” Livia suddenly took out an exquisite invitation from her bag and handed
it to me.
“We’re getting engaged next month, you must
come and be my bridesmaid.”
She smiled insincerely. “You were my best
friend in college, come and share my joy.”
I took the red invitation and opened it.
く
The engagement was set at the Landis
family’s old mansion, and the time was
midnight.
My fingertip gently traced those words.
Such a strange time. Livia was probably so
dizzy with the dream of becoming the
president’s wife that she didn’t find it strange
at all.
Midnight was the time when yin energy was
at its peak.
In my previous life, my wedding was also at
this place, at this time.
At the time, I just thought it was a peculiar
rule of the wealthy.
く
It wasn’t until later that I understood the true
meaning of that wedding.
Livia, do you think you received a wedding
invitation?
I raised my head, met Livia’s expectant gaze,
and agreed with a smile.
“Okay.”
“I will definitely be there for such a happy
occasion!”
On the day of the engagement party, I arrived
at the Landis family’s old mansion early.
The car drove into a dark, tree-lined road and
finally stopped in front of a huge Chinese-
style courtyard.
I opened the door and got out of the car, and
a cold wind swept over me, carrying a musty
smell.
Livia had several bridesmaids, all of whom
were her close friends from college.
Everyone was a little daunted by the scene.
“Livia, this… this place feels so eerie?”
“Yeah, why would you choose to have the
engagement party here? And why are there
white lanterns hanging?”
In the dressing room, Livia was sitting in front
of the mirror, wearing a snow-white wedding
dress.
r
Her face was full of uncontrollable excitement
and happiness.
Hearing her classmates’ questions, she waved
her hand dismissively.
“You don’t understand, this is called style.”
“The Landis family is a centuries-old family
with many rules, and they value heritage.
Prescott said that this is the most important
ritual in their family and must be held at the
old mansion to receive the blessings of the
ancestors.”
Her words convinced the girls who had never
seen the world.
They immediately began to feel envious.
<
“I see, the wealthy are so different!”
“Livia, you’re so lucky, Prescott is so good to
you.”
I sat quietly on the side, watching Livia being
surrounded by everyone, her face filled with
longing for the future.
She was probably thinking that after tonight,
she would be the legitimate daughter-in-law
of the Landis family, and no one would dare
to underestimate her again.
But she didn’t know what she was about to
face.
The night grew darker and darker.
E
L
The entire mansion was eerily quiet, with only
the rustling of leaves in the wind.
There was no festive atmosphere that an
engagement party should have, only a large
number of white chrysanthemums and quietly
burning white candles placed in the courtyard.
The bridesmaids couldn’t smile anymore, their
faces pale as they huddled together.
Only Livia was still immersed in the beautiful
dream she had woven.
Finally, the old-fashioned clock on the wall
struck twelve times.
Dong-dong-dong-
The chimes were hollow and distant, as if
coming from another world.
An emcee dressed in a black robe walked to
the front of the stage and announced in a
monotone voice:
