Chapter 1
Being the sole heir to Montclair Industries meant nothing when you’re a woman in this world[]
Everyone whispered behind my back that the three boys raised to be my future husbands since childhood were the true heirs, yet none of them ever gave me the time of day
I’d tried to get Jasper Callahan’s attention hundreds of times, only to be met with those cold, dismissive looks of his.[]
I thought he was just like that with all women until I caught him on his knees in front of our driver’s daughter, Doria Gallet, swearing his heart out: “I’m only agreeing to marry Charlotte to pay back the Montclairs for taking me in. Once I’m running the company, I’ll marry you with all the bells and whistles. As long as Charlotte doesn’t mess with you, I’ll cut her a few million to disappear overseas.“[]
“You’re the only woman I want to call my wife.“[]
The night before the shareholders‘ meeting, Dad asked for my decision.[]
Remembering all those averted gazes, I smiled and said, “I am a Montclair after all. Marriage is about maximizing advantages.“[]
“I choose Hextor Harrington from Washington.“[]
Dad’s eyebrows knitted together. “Hextor’s been paralyzed since that car crash five years ago. He’s not only confined to a wheelchair but also… incapable of performing as a husband. Are you sure about this?“]
I kept my voice soft but firm: “People like us don’t get fairy tale endings, Dad. It’s all business. If I’m choosing based on advantage, the Harringtons offer the most.”
Dad’s face grew serious. “That’s all well and good, but out of the three boys I raised for you, not one of them caught your eye?“]]
Dad had loved Mom with his whole heart, but she died from a brain hemorrhage the year I was born. He couldn’t bring himself to remarry, but he also couldn’t stomach leaving Montclair Industries entirely in a woman’s hands.
Following his best friend’s advice, he’d adopted three orphaned boys. His will stated that whichever one I chose would help me run the company and keep the board members in line.
Dad loved me deeply, but that didn’t change his belief that a woman couldn’t handle the Montclair empire alone.[]
I met his gaze. “Hextor may be paralyzed and unable to perform, but we can have children through IVF. He’s the only Harrington heir. Instead of picking an orphan to prop up the Montclairs, why not secure a powerful ally?“]
Dad nodded slowly. “If those three couldn’t win you over, they have no business at Montclair Industries.”
If I’d simply complained that Jasper didn’t love me and I refused to force him, Dad would have made Jasper kneel and demanded to know what right an adopted nobody had to turn down his daughter.]]
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I didn’t want Dad using years of charity to manipulate Jasper, didn’t want to force him into a loveless marriage, didn’t want to trap us both in mutual resentment.]]
Besides, what Jasper said had already broken something inside me that couldn’t be fixed.[]
A clean break was the kindest thing I could offer.[]
As I left the office, Dad shot Jasper a sideways glance.[]
After dutifully seeing Dad out, Jasper turned to me with narrowed eyes: “What BS have you been feeding him now?”
His eyes were full of disgust and impatience, like I was something stuck to the bottom of his shoe.]
Before I could answer, Finn Sawyer let out a snort: “Same old crap, right?”
“Whining that we don’t let her hang with us, don’t kiss the ground she walks on.”
Griffin Carver joined in with a sneer: “Listen, Princess Montclair, hate to break it to you, but this isn’t some fairy tale. You think your trust fund makes you royalty everyone has to bow down to?”
The three of them stood there, united against me, their words cutting deeper than they knew.[]
Genuinely confused, I asked: “If none of you wants to marry me, why hasn’t anyone just told my father?”
