Chapter 2

I stared into nothingness as I processed the fact that I was finally free. I felt the urge to express my happiness, but the status of poverty was waving at me. I knew there would be regrets in the future. Still, I just couldn't let my father dictate ltw1my marriage, especially with someone so despicable!

"Are you alright?"

When I looked up at the man who stood tall before me, my brain refused to function well — as the COO of Vera's Architectural Firm, meeting someone gorgeous was nothing special in my line of work. However, with the stranger near me, I was immediately drawn to his athletic build, and I couldn't take my gaze away from the veins on his arms.

I stood up and said, "I'm fine," before his hands could touch my skin. "Just don't mind me," I told him.

"Are you sure?" He doubted my words, and I hated him for it. "You seemed lost. Are you new in this town?"

He was trying to be friendly, so the least I could do was not be a snob. I was about to wal