"Sebastian."
It wasn't Nora’s first time to ever hear that name. Sebastian Hunt was a well-known name in the US business world. In fact, he was even considered a god-like figure in Houston.
"I'll try to talk about it with him."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
There were loud voices coming from outside the study.
Nora walked out and saw Sally, who was supposed to go home, was standing behind her parents.
To Nora’s shock, her parents had brought Sally, her replacement, to the family dinner.
"Nora," Mrs. Riley said, holding Sally who was wearing a white dress that made her shine even more.
"Take Sally to see Grandpa."
This was to emphasize Sally's position at the family dinner.
Meanwhile, Nora stood frozen on the second floor. After a long moment of surprise, her heart tightened with pain and she felt like she couldn't breathe.
On the other hand, the older Mr. Riley walked out of the study.
"It's already late at night. Mr. Jones, please send Miss Duncan home early."
One sentence was enough to decide Sally’s fate.
Immediately, Sally’s face turned pale. She couldn’t help but bit her lower lip, feeling hurt. Even though she was rejected on the spot, she didn't seem upset.
Instead, she obediently said, "Yes, Grandpa."
The butler, Mr. Jones, reminded her, "You should call him Mr. Riley, MIss."
Sally’s lips grew even paler, while tears were welling up in her eyes. Mr. and Mrs. Riley were about to speak in her defense, but the butler insisted she leave the mansion.
As for Nora, she just ate her meal absent-mindedly. After dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Riley quickly took her away and rushed home. When they arrived, Nora saw Sally directing the servants to move her belongings while wiping away tears.
Sally cried so hard that her eyes were swollen.
When she saw Mr. and Mrs. Riley, she said as she sobbed, "The happiest thing in my life is to be your daughter. But what Grandpa said today reminded me that I’m living in Nora's room, so I shouldn’t be occupying the space. I’ll move out tonight."
Sally had never shown any desire to move before. But after facing Grandpa today, she suddenly decided to leave the room. The servants carefully carried her things out, one by one.
The porcelain vase that Nora had used in her room as a child was replaced with an antique Sally had bought. The oil painting Nora’s friend had given her was thrown into the basement, replaced by a landscape painting by a famous artist.
The precious tulips Nora had planted were long gone, replaced by roses that Sally preferred.
When Nora woke up after the car accident, she realized she had even lost her room. She saw all this unfolding before her parents’ eyes. The items were moved out one by one and Mr. and Mrs. Riley looked at Nora with some guilt.
But Mrs. Riley still called the servant, saying to Nora, "It’s just a room, why make such a big deal out of it? Nora, you have a new room anyway. If you want, you can … "
Nora looked up at her and didn’t respond.
Mr. Riley also added, "Nora, Sally is your younger sister. She was humiliated by your grandfather today. Don’t fight with her over the room. Let her live in it now!"
Nora forced a weak smile.
"My parents will decide these things. What more do you want me to say?"
As soon as she said that, she turned around and went upstairs to her room.
After closing the door, Nora received a call from her grandfather.
His voice was unusually cheerful as he told her, "Nora, Sebastian agreed to the marriage. The wedding date has been moved forward since this is urgent, so it will be set for next month."
A heavy weight finally lifted off Nora’s heart.
"Thank you, Grandpa. But … can you not tell my parents yet?"
The older Mr. Riley could only sigh softly as he said, "You stubborn child … Alright then."
After the call, Nora found her diary. The last entry had been written five years ago. She tore out all the pages that mentioned her parents and Benjamin, then picked up the pen and wrote a new entry.
[I just had family dinner. I got engaged with Sebastian Hunt.]
The next day, the older Mr. Riley sent someone to deliver a set of expensive jewelry. At the same time, the Hunt Family also sent a wedding ring meant for Nora. Benjamin also came along to deliver it himself.
"Nora, are you so eager to get married? My marriage ring was delivered by my uncle’s special assistant," Benjamin said with a self-assured tone.
Nora looked at him, but kept silent. She decided to not tell him the truth.
"Get in the car," Benjamin said.
"I happen to be free today. I’ll take you to try on the wedding dress."
"No need," Nora refused.
Benjamin sneered, looking down at her condescendingly.
"What are you playing at now? Do you think I’ll look up to you like this?"
Nora’s heart sank as she looked at his annoyed expression. Suddenly, she remembered the wish she had written in her diary. She wished to wear the most beautiful wedding dress in the world in front of Benjamin.
She hesitated for a moment, then got into the car.
When they arrived at the bridal shop, Benjamin didn’t let her choose. He directly picked a wedding dress for her to wear. The size didn’t fit and the clerk didn’t seem to care much. The heavy wedding dress left red marks on her skin.
As soon as she walked out of the fitting room, she heard Benjamin gently coaxing Sally.
"I’ve let Nora wear the wedding dress you tried on. Sally, when are you going to think about yourself?"
Nora froze as she held up the hem of the skirt. Her eyes fell on the wedding dress that had caused her skin to react.
It turned out that it was the dress Sally had tried on?
