Chapter 2: You Are Asking For A Lot.

"Is he really Asher?" Mia gazed at the elegant, noble-looking man in the wheelchair, struggling to link him with Finn's depiction of a deranged, antisocial brother. In her past life, Mia never met her "brother-in-law" face-to-face. Yet, Asher was Finn's fiercest rival for the inheritance. Manipulated by Finn, Mia covertly troubled Asher. Once, she hacked into Asher's computer, discovering voyeuristic photos. Shockingly, the woman in them was her sister, Aria. Could this man also secretly admire Aria, amidst a larger circle of suitors? Mia's gaze on him shifted to slight disdain. Despite their sibling bond, Aria and Mia were strikingly different. Aria possessed the quintessential influencer allure — tall, striking, with a flamboyant presence. Conversely, Mia, save for her large black eyes, appeared quite plain. A pair of large glasses could easily camouflage her in any crowd. This contrast perhaps influenced the Carns' choice during their marriage proposal to the Parries. Initially captivated by Aria, they overlooked Mia in the corner. Ironically, fate intervened, sending Mia in the bridal car to the Carns. While reflecting, Mia's headache intensified. Before she could reply, someone hurried in, addressing Asher with respect. "Master Asher, the auspicious moment is upon us. The guests grow restless, inquiring about the ceremony's commencement." "With my brother still unconscious, what ceremony can we speak of?" "The guests are many; postponement isn't viable." Asher, frowning slightly, glanced at Mia, proposing, "Let Finn represent his father in the ceremony with her." Post-proposal, he wheeled away. Startled, Mia instinctively clutched his shirt sleeve, halting his departure. "Wait!" Asher paused, his icy gaze climbing her arm, finally settling on her face. His sideways glance radiated an air of untouchable authority. Mia's grip loosened under his frosty stare, nervously smoothing the crumpled silk. Fidgeting, she preferred facing her "brother-in-law" over enduring the ceremony with despicable Finn. Summoning bravery, she declared, "I want you!" Asher's eyes narrowed, puzzled. "Not Finn! Please... accompany me in the ceremony! You're Samuel's legal delegate, aren't you?" Her logic seemed sound, anticipating Asher's consent. A mocking glint danced in his cool eyes. "You seek a substantial favor, little sister-in-law." His dark eyes narrowed, veiling his thoughts. Mia, masking her nervousness, feigned composure. "If it's substantial, would you consent?" Asher's amusement was evident in his soft snort. "Why should I agree?" Mia, cunningly smiling, retorted, "It's about the shares in my dowry! If you push me towards Finn, his and my shares combined will eclipse yours. Your family business dominance might waver!" Asher's eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Interesting!" A glint of amusement shone in his eyes. "So, you seek to sway me, to recruit me?" "No, merely self-preservation!" Mia candidly faced his penetrating gaze. Asher's stare lingered, as if assessing, then he snorted lightly: "Your demise is irrelevant to me!" With that, he departed, leaving Mia in the turbulent wind. Soon, stylists arrived, preparing Mia with a new wedding dress and makeup. The ceremony unfolded in the Carns' mansion's grand garden. Mia's discomfort surged, recalling her previous life's walk down the aisle with Finn. Beneath the sheer white veil, Mia observed the guests, overhearing whispers. "Which Carns' young master marries today?" "It's Samuel Carn, the patriarch!" "Remarkable, Samuel marrying at over sixty!" "Despite wealth, Samuel's three previous wives perished! What's wealth without companionship? Perhaps it's the youth's concern for Samuel's loneliness prompting this marriage." "Silence! It's divined, not merely for the Parry beauty!" "Come on! That Parry girl is a famous beauty in Hampshire City. The divination must be an excuse!" "Ah, what a waste of beauty..." "Shut up! Apart from being older, Samuel Carn is wealthy, powerful, and a typical cold and domineering CEO, okay?" "Yes, yes, yes! They are a match made in heaven, a couple of wealth and beauty, a perfect match!" ... Although Mia had heard these gossips before, she still found them interesting! In her previous life, she focused all her attention on Finn, the scumbag, and never really thought about these idle talks. Now, thinking about them, she realized the conspiracies mixed within. Could it be that the Carns and the Parries are not just a typical business marriage? While thinking, through the semi-transparent white veil, Mia saw a familiar face. Daniel was about to hold his daughter's hand and walk down the aisle, but he inadvertently glimpsed the face behind the veil and froze for a moment. "Mia?" Mia quickly gestured for silence. "It's a long story!" Realizing what was happening, Daniel Parry, as a father, immediately understood. He resumed his formal smile and naturally took her hand. The two walked to the center of the red carpet, and Daniel was about to solemnly hand his daughter's hand to today's male lead. However, his hand stopped mid-air, and he froze again. Not only Daniel froze, but Mia's brain also froze in surprise for a few seconds. Why is it him? Mia's lips twitched dryly. Who was it that swore that her life and death had nothing to do with him? Who was it that coldly refused her and turned away without looking back? Mia laughed coldly in her heart. Haha, Asher, are you embarrassed?