The loud disturbing sound of a phone ringing suddenly woke Roxanne out of her deep slumber.
“Roxy, how can you still sleep when your sister has snatched your fiancé? I saw them flaunting their love at your mother’s shopping mall!” Heather Jacobs screamed at her best friend on the phone with anger laced in her voice. "Aren’t you going to teach them a lesson?"
The previous night, Roxanne Smith’s stepsister announced that she was pregnant and would be getting married to Victor Morgan who was also the father of her child. She claimed the two were in love and couldn’t stay away from each other.
Victor Morgan was Roxanne’s fiancé and yet, he was easily snatched by Maya Smith, her stepsister.
He even got her pregnant!
Nevertheless, Roxanne seemed to be unbothered by this matter. After receiving the news that night, she even slept like a baby until 10:00 a.m.
“Babe, I don’t care whether Maya and Victor are an item or not-”
“Are you crazy?! Why wouldn’t you care? Don’t you get it? Maya wants everything that you have. You shouldn’t let her get what belongs to you this time,” Heather responded, cutting off Roxanne’s words.
Roxanne Smith was once the only daughter of Kenneth and Grace Smith. However, things changed when her mother died and then Kenneth later married Miriam Hopper and had a daughter.
Although, on the surface, Miriam pretended to be good to Roxanne, she secretly mistreated her. Her father, on the other hand, believed in what he saw rather than what his daughter said.
In the end, Roxanne gave up and went with the flow. For the past twenty-five years, she always yielded to Maya Smith without a fight.
This time wasn’t any different. Maya had expressed interest in her fiancé like always and since Roxanne didn't love him, she happily let him go.
Rubbing her eyes to wake herself up, Roxanne said, “I don’t love Victor anyway. It’s good riddance. I’m a free woman now.”
“I would celebrate with you if that was the case, Roxy! I’ve called you because there’s some big news! You’re still getting married but your fiance is now Henry Ford! You and your sister have switched places! The news says you’re marrying her fiancé!”
“What?!”
Roxanne jolted up from bed, unable to feel sleepy anymore. Her stomach sank as she asked, “Are you being for real? Why would I marry Henry Ford?”
“It’s all over the news, Roxy. Maybe someone leaked the news but everyone knows now,” Heather replied sympathetically.
Feeling her heart go wild in her chest, Roxanne cut the call and immediately went online. She wanted to check for herself.
Her eyes widened when she saw the article that had gone viral all over social media and when she read the headline, her heart sank to the pits of her stomach.
[Henry Ford, the new CEO of the Ford corporation, is engaged to marry Roxanne Smith, the eldest daughter of Kenneth Smith, CEO of Starlight Inc.]
Roxanne couldn’t believe what she was reading!
When did she get engaged to Henry Ford? This piece of news was ludicrous!
She quickly rushed downstairs and found everyone seated in the living room.
“Father, why am I being announced as Henry Ford’s fiancée? Wasn’t he arranged to marry Maya?” Roxanne questioned, her heart thundering in her chest.
Were they making her marry Henry Ford because Maya refused to marry him?
Kenneth cleared his throat and averted her gaze, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. He was about to reply when Miriam beat him to it.
“Roxanne, dear, you finally woke up? I was going to tell you the good news when you woke up. Victor fell in love with your sister and got her pregnant. As your mother, I cannot stand by and watch you be aggrieved. Henry is so handsome and rich. You are our lovely daughter, and you and Henry couldn't be more compatible. It was the best arrangement and I'm really happy for you. As a mother, I am so glad to see my two favorite daughters finally grow up and will soon get married.” Miriam said fakely, trying to wipe away the tears that didn't exist.
Roxanne clenched her hands into fists. Here it was again. Miriam was once again exercising her hypocrisy, just as she had always done since she was a child.
Roxanne’s eyes fell on Maya and she saw the smug smile on her lips. Roxanne knew it was all part of their plan. Maya switched sides so quickly because her fiancé had an accident six months earlier and lost feeling in both legs. After seducing Roxanne's fiancé, she also wanted to let her marry her disabled fiancé in her place.
“Did you discuss it with Mr. Ford?” Roxanne asked, “Does he agree to switch the brides?”
As the top CEO who lived abroad with his grandfather for years, Henry decided to return to the Country and take over as CEO of the Ford Corporation. However, he was involved in a terrible accident and was bedridden for months. Despite the many months of physiotherapy, it was confirmed that the heir to the Ford Corporation would be bound to a wheelchair forever.
This information was all over the news. Henry Ford was disabled and bound to a wheelchair for life! Roxanne knew Maya didn’t want to marry a crippled man so she came up with such a scheme to have her take her place.
“Even though Dad was friends with Henry's late father, and even though Henry's parents died in an accident when he was ten and he and his grandfather went abroad, I don't think Henry forgot who his bride is. If we suddenly switched brides after his car accident, I'm sure Henry and his grandfather would misunderstand,” Roxanne reasoned.
She saw her father's thoughtful expression after hearing her words and a sigh of relief escaped her lips.
That’s it, she knew her father's weaknesses.
However, Miriam wasn't going to let Roxanne convince her father. She quickly cleared her throat and intervened in a gentle voice that didn't match her demeanour.
"Roxanne, dear, why do you think so? We are doing all this for you. The original agreement did not specify who was Henry's bride. As our favorite eldest daughter, you should have been Henry's bride. It turns out that you are more patient and caring. You are a better match for Henry than Maya."
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Miriam seemed to have a warm smile on her face, but Roxanne could see through her façade that Miriam just didn't want her daughter to marry a disabled man. What an excuse. Internally rolling her eyes, Roxanne was about to say something but Miriam continued, "My dear daughter, since your mother passed away, your father and I have worked hard to raise you and your sister. We all hope that you can marry the best man, and now, Henry is a good choice. Moreover, if we break the agreement, the reputation of the Smith family will be ruined. Likewise, the friendship between your father and the Ford family will cease to exist. As the best-behaved daughter of the Smith family, this must not be what you want, right? Kenneth?" Miriam threw the ball into Kenneth's hands. Indirectly urging him to convince Roxanne. Having mentioned the Smith family's reputation, Miriam knew Kenneth would not change his mind. Kenneth cleared his throat and looked at his daughter, saying, “I think there’s no probl
"Father, I don't want to destroy this shopping mall, it was left to me by my mother, wasn't it? And this shopping center is very profitable. Also, Henry is an extraordinary man. He is so rich and so outstanding, I'm afraid he will not see me as a good partner if I have nothing to my name. What if he annuls the marriage? After I marry Henry, I believe that he will help me run this shopping center. This is a great opportunity for the Smith family,” Roxanne reasoned with Kenneth and tried to persuade him. She was not going to give up without a fight! The area fell into silence as Roxanne waited with bated breath. Her future lay in what her father’s decision would be that day and he did not disappoint. When Kenneth sighed again, Miriam’s heart skipped a beat. She forced a smile and asked him, “Honey, you’re not thinking of putting her in charge of the mall, are you?” “I am… she’s right. The Fords won’t accept a wife with no proper qualities. Roxanne, you will be the managing director
Victor Morgan raised an eyebrow. The confident manner in which Roxanne confronted them caught him off-guard. Wasn't she a pushover? Where did she get the courage to stand up to them and humiliate them this way? "You want to call the police?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowing. "I will if you don't pay. We have a word for people who get stuff without paying," Roxanne paused for a dramatic effect. "They are called THIEVES." The temperature around them reduced to a negative. Victor narrowed his eyes at Roxanne dangerously but she wasn't intimidated by him. Although he was handsome, tall with sandy brown hair and a rough beard, Roxanne looked down on him for having a poor sense of judgement. Who in their right mind would love Maya? She had a rotten personality. Her fakeness was evident in the way she carried herself. Was he blind? Regardless, his choice was none of Roxanne’s concern. She was there to make money. “Mr Morgan… if you and your fiancée are not buying anything, please l
Henry Ford's assistant, Diego Montero, pushed Henry's wheelchair. Diego used to work for Henry while he was abroad and when Henry came back to the Country, he was transferred back to continue working for him. He was an outspoken but kind man with curly dark brown hair and wore gold-rimmed glasses. When Roxanne got into the elevator with Henry Ford and his assistant, she felt like she couldn’t breathe. The place felt so small. Her heart was racing the entire time. Henry Ford’s powerful aura surged around them and she felt so small in his presence. How could a man still look so powerful despite his physical condition? Henry carried himself with an air of confidence that no one would dare look down on him. The moment the elevator doors opened, Roxanne let go of the breath she didn't realise she was holding. "Follow me," she told Diego and strode down the hallway confidently with her head and chin raised. When they arrived in her office, Roxanne pushed away the chair in front of her
Roxanne rolled her eyes and turned to face her sister who was standing next to Victor and her obnoxious friend, Alisha. A scoff escaped her lips. Indeed, they were birds of the same feather. Maya hooked her arm around Victor’s and sneered, “I didn't expect to see you here, Roxanne. Did you sneak in?” Of course, Maya thought Roxanne wouldn't have an invitation to such an upper-class event. It wasn't open to any Jim and Jack and only a few invitations were sent out. Maya was only able to go because Kenneth was invited and she begged him to give her his invitation card. Seeing Roxanne at the banquet came as a shock to her. "Henry hasn't seen you since news of your engagement was released and neither did he admit it to the media. It seems he doesn’t care about you. How do you still have the courage to attend a banquet?” Maya said sarcastically. “Mind your own business, Maya. I didn't come here for you,” Roxanne responded flatly. Meanwhile, Victor furrowed his eyebrows as a sliv
After Roxanne played the last notes, she stood up and curtsied while the audience erupted in applause. She whipped around to face the shell-shocked Maya. Smirking, she remarked, “Thank you, sis. I was wondering how I would introduce myself as Henry's future wife. Look around,” Roxanne said as cheers and praise echoed around them. “They love me.” Maya clenched her hands into fists and gritted her teeth. She didn't expect Roxanne to know how to play the piano. She was even better than her! How did she know? Roxanne never went for piano lessons. She was useless! Her mother made sure of that! Maya couldn't fathom how her plan to humiliate Roxanne changed into an opportunity for her to look good in front of figures from wealthy families. This was not supposed to happen! A malicious glint flashed through Maya's eyes as she glared at Roxanne. 'I can't wait to get rid of her.' On the other hand, Victor frowned but he didn't say anything. Deep down, he was impressed. He initially thoug
“Tell us how you plan to increase the shopping mall’s sales, Miss Smith. What’s your strategy?” One of the board members, Sean Anderson, questioned during a meeting on a Monday morning. The news that Roxanne who had no experience in marketing was appointed as the marketing director of the shopping mall spread like wildfire. A lot were against the appointment, especially those who were on Miriam Hopper’s side. They quickly called for a board member’s meeting to find a way to get rid of Roxanne. Since she was appointed by Kenneth Smith, they couldn’t just send her away but if the majority of board members agreed, it would be easier. Knowing she was going to be put under the microscope, Roxanne had prepared adequately for the meeting. With open confidence, she answered, “To increase sales, I suggest we implement strategies such as offering discounts, promotional codes and coupons. As much as we want to make money, we need to think about the customer too. If our goods and services are to
David Miller was known for luring women to his bed after drugging them. Of course, many women who went to negotiate deals with him often fell prey to his antics. Roxanne didn’t know any of this and innocently sat across from him in the private room. Glancing at him, she presented, “Mr Miller, I’m here to negotiate-” “Let’s talk about that later, baby. Tell me about yourself,” David muttered and his friends snickered. Roxanne’s stomach churned with disgust. David was in his sixties and he had a huge beer belly. She resisted the urge to wrinkle her nose and said, “I’m the marketing director of RG shopping mall. I’m here to discuss our pending partnership-” “Come on. I want to know about you, not work! What do you want to drink? A beer?” David interrupted her. “I’ll think you’re looking down on me if you refuse my offer to buy you a drink.” “I’ll have a soda. I don’t drink alcohol while working,” Roxanne responded calmly, trying to be patient. “Great! Let’s talk after that drin