Chapter 1

The day Don Luca Romano proposed to me, he gave me a diamond necklace.

I had just taken it in my hands when every light in the living room flicked on at once.

A second later, his friends stepped out of the shadows.

Standing at the front was Grace Walker, the girl who had grown up with him.

She stood with her arms crossed, smiling without the slightest attempt to hide it.

"I told you, didn't I? She's a gold digger."

"A small-town girl, and she actually had the nerve to accept something from the Romano family."

She walked up to me and gave a little blink.

"Sorry, Ava. That necklace isn't for you. It's a birthday present Luca got for me."

I looked down at the necklace in my hands.

In that moment, every ounce of emotion I had felt was ripped to shreds in front of everyone.

I tore the necklace off and threw it on the ground.

Then I broke up with Luca.

Two years later, won over by Don Noah Bennett's gentle and patient pursuit, I finally said yes to his proposal.

He was the new Don of the Bennett family in New York. Polished. Steady.

The night before we were supposed to register our marriage, he said he had a surprise for me.

When I pushed open the door, the same group of people from two years ago was standing inside.

Grace was doubled over laughing.

"See? I told you I wasn't wrong about her."

"Some women put on an innocent face while they cherry-pick the richest, most powerful men to date. At the end of the day, they're just trying to get their hands on the ultimate prize."

Luca stood in the crowd, looking at me with disappointment.

"Ava, I always thought you genuinely liked me."

"Turns out, as long as the guy's rich enough and the last name's big enough, any Don can crook his finger and you'll come running."

I looked at Noah.

He held up both hands, his expression innocent to the point of cruelty.

"Don't look at me. I was just playing along. Can't help it if you're this easy to fool."

Looking at their grinning faces, one after another, a wave of absurdity washed over me.

So my heart, my real feelings, had to be dragged out and tested again and again.

Well, I was done playing their game.

I pulled off the engagement ring Noah had given me and threw it on the floor.

It hit the hardwood with a sharp, clear sound, then rolled into the shadows beneath the sofa.

"Noah Bennett. We're done."

The room went silent for a beat.

Then everyone erupted into laughter.

Grace laughed so hard she clutched her stomach, tears streaming down her face.

"Noah, she says she's done with you. That's hilarious. When did you two even start? How come we didn't know?"

Luca walked up to me and reached out to touch my hair.

I stepped back.

His hand froze in midair, and then he casually pulled it back as if nothing had happened.

"You silly girl. You and Noah never started anything. The one texting you was me. The one buying you gifts was me. Even that engagement ring? I bought it."

He looked at me and lowered his voice.

"All those sweet moments you thought belonged to you and Noah? They were all me."

Grace immediately raised her hand, grinning with triumph.

"And us. All those ideas for chasing you? We came up with them together. Surprise, Ava. This whole thing was arranged by the Boss to test you."

The others laughed along, their eyes roaming over me like they were watching a cheap joke unfold.

"I can't believe how easily she took the bait."

"Grace called it from the start. As long as the guy's rich enough, she'll say yes to anyone."

"Honestly, Ava's kind of impressive. She'll put up with anything to get into a family like that."

My nails dug hard into my palms.

All those days with Noah. The sincerity I had poured out. The vulnerability and pain I had shared in the middle of the night.

It had all been part of their entertainment.

Maybe because my face had gone too pale, Luca grabbed my wrist.

"Ava, you've really disappointed me. You already got it wrong during the test two years ago. And now it looks like you haven't changed one bit."

He paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, his tone had the ring of charity.

"But what can I do? I like you. I know you want to marry me. Just sign this prenup, and I'll make you my wife."

He held out the document in front of me.

I scanned it.

All assets under the husband's name after marriage, including the family trust, shares in legitimate businesses, and all earnings of the Romano family, shall have no connection to the wife.

Essential household expenses shall be split equally between both parties.

Every purchase made by the wife must be pre-approved by the husband, and receipts must be submitted for reimbursement, to ensure that the Romano family's assets remain uncompromised.

I had been with Luca for five years. I knew our backgrounds were worlds apart.

I had never dared accept a single expensive gift from him.

But five years of being together, day in and day out, apparently counted for less than one offhand remark from Grace.

I ripped the document to pieces and hurled them in Luca's face.

"Don't ever let me see any of you again. You make me sick."

As I turned to leave, I caught Luca's expression freeze for a split second.

Then he called out to my back.

"Ava, drop the act. If you want something, just say it. I don't like this hard-to-get routine."

"I'm only giving you this one chance. All you have to do is ask. Hmm?"

My steps didn't slow.

After I walked out of that house, I dialed my boss.

"Mr. Clark, the overseas posting to Australia. I'll take it."