Alice had only been back in New York City for less than a month when she heard a rumor-Ronan had declared that if he ever saw that woman Alice again, he would make sure to kill her!

It was clear that his hatred for her ran deep; even after all these years, he still couldn't forget.

Alice wondered, was it too late to change her name now?

It was definitely too late...

Thinking about it carefully, it made sense that Ronan would say such things. After all, she had gone through so much effort to win him over back then, only to discard him like an old shoe. If she were in Ronan's shoes, she would probably want to tear that heartless person to pieces too.

New York City wasn't too big, but it wasn't too small either. Her world and Ronan's didn't overlap, so she probably wouldn't be unlucky enough to run into him, right?

Alice admitted she was being a little too optimistic.

Today was an important day, and she couldn't afford any distractions. Standing in front of the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows, she patted her cheeks to clear her mind.

But the next second, she couldn't help but think of that man again.

Perhaps it was because the Imperial Grand Hotel held special significance-it was the place where she and Ronan had first shared a bed. Closing her eyes, the memories flooded back, the white bed, the walnut-colored floor, the clothes scattered messily across it-his and hers-entwined just like their bodies.

Back then, she had schemed relentlessly to win over that unattainable man, wanting to make him hers and hers alone, to hide him away from the world. She had been wild, obsessive, and relentless, seizing every opportunity to be with him.

Like a seductive temptress, she had pursued him-this noble, virtuous scholar-luring him into the indulgence of desire.

But Ronan was no mere scholar. He was the dream of every girl in school. No-beyond the school, he was a prodigy, the sun itself-brilliant and out of reach.

That night, it had rained heavily. She had pretended to be afraid of thunder, refusing to sleep in the adjacent room. Knocking on his door, she had thrown herself into his arms, clinging to his neck, unwilling to let go.

He had been a gentleman, insisting on taking the sofa while letting her have the bed.

But she hadn't been that innocent. Seizing an opportunity, she had squeezed onto the sofa, burrowing into his arms and kissing him. Her boldness was shocking-even thinking back now, she was astonished by her own audacity.

At the time, Ronan had liked her too. Naturally, he hadn't been able to resist her relentless teasing, and once his defenses fell, there had been no turning back.

Alice's gaze dimmed, a mixture of nostalgia and helplessness clouding her eyes.

A knock at the door snapped her out of her reverie.

A hotel staff member gently reminded her, "Miss Hughes, the wedding ceremony is about to begin."

"Alright, I'll be right there."

Alice exhaled slowly, pushing her emotions aside. She turned to the mirror, adjusted her expression slightly, and walked out in her high heels.

Michael's cousin was hosting a baby's full moon banquet today at the Imperial Grand Hotel, and Michael had called Ronan to invite him. As expected, Ronan declined and simply sent a monetary gift.

Michael wasn't surprised.

If it weren't for the fact that this was his cousin's event, he wouldn't have wanted to come either. Family gatherings meant being nagged by elders, and he dreaded the inevitable lectures about marriage.

The thought of relatives pressuring him to settle down made Michael's head hurt. He tried again to persuade Ronan, "Are you really that busy today? If not, just drop by for a meal. My cousin was just asking about you the other day. Oh, by the way, Elizabeth will be there too."

Ronan hung up immediately.

Hearing the dial tone, Michael smirked and shook his head.

That was just like Ronan-once he said no, no amount of persuasion would change his mind.

Michael slipped his phone back into his pocket and stepped into the elevator, humming a tune as he pressed the button for the 28th floor. The blue digital numbers flashed as the elevator ascended. When it reached the 26th floor, the doors opened.

A woman stepped in.

She was wearing a delicate pink slip dress, her hair elegantly pinned up. She was looking down at her phone, so Michael couldn't see her face clearly. But based on his years of experience flirting with women, he was certain-this woman was an absolute beauty.

Her dress was adorned with delicate pearl flower embellishments that shimmered under the lights. Around her slender neck, she wore layered pearl necklaces-one a string of tiny seed pearls, the other a row of round, luminous pearls.

Her taste was impeccable, which only made Michael more curious about her appearance.

He stared at her for a long while. The woman seemed to sense it and turned slightly to glance in his direction.

Their eyes met.

Both of them froze.

Michael's eyes widened in shock-this... this was Ronan's ex-girlfriend?!

He would recognize her even if she turned to ashes.

Alice's heart thudded violently, as if struck by a drum. She had never expected the world to be so small! She had just been thinking she wouldn't run into Ronan, and yet, she had bumped into his close friend instead.

With a soft "ding," the elevator reached its destination.

Alice quickly checked the floor number-yes, this was where she needed to be. Without a second glance, she stepped out of the elevator in a hurry.

Her retreat was practically an escape.

Six years had passed, and she had changed a lot. She hoped Michael hadn't recognized her... No, she couldn't fool herself. Michael's expression-the look of someone who had just seen a ghost-made it clear he had recognized her instantly.

Alice's heart pounded wildly, panic creeping into her veins. Even her fingertips felt numb.

How could this be happening?

As the elevator doors were about to close, Michael finally snapped out of his daze. He quickly pressed the door open button and rushed out, following Alice's direction.

She had disappeared into the banquet hall.

Standing outside, Michael's gaze fell on a large display stand by the entrance-a wedding poster.

It was a massive, framed photo of Alice. She was wearing a white wedding dress, standing next to a man he didn't recognize, dressed in a black tuxedo.

They were smiling blissfully.

Michael had attended enough weddings to know what this meant. This was the wedding reception hall.

His eyes dropped to the text below the photo. As expected, in elegant script, it read,

"Joined in Matrimony, A Lifetime of Happiness."

And the names below?

Alice.

Ronan's ex-girlfriend was getting married?!

For a moment, Michael was overwhelmed with emotions-was it pity for his best friend? Anger? Or both?

Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed Ronan's number.

No answer.

Damn it! Ronan wouldn't seriously think he was still trying to persuade him to attend the baby banquet, right?

Michael refused to give up. As soon as the call ended, he redialed.

This time, after a long pause, Ronan finally picked up. His voice was indifferent,

"I already said I'm not going. I'm drinking with John at Night Elegance Club."

Michael rolled his eyes. "Drinking in broad daylight instead of attending the banquet? My cousin treats you like a brother, and this is how you repay her? Are you even human?"

Then he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Forget that-I called to tell you something. Guess who I just saw? Your ex-girlfriend! That woman who played you! She's getting married today-at Imperial Grand Hotel! Don't you want to crash the wedding?"

Silence.

As if he had just imagined what he'd heard.

Michael frowned. "Ronan? Are you still there? Did you hear me?"

Another long pause. Then-Ronan's voice, hoarse and dry,

"Which hotel?"

"Imperial Grand Hotel." Michael answered, then quickly realized that Imperial Grand Hotel was a chain with multiple locations across New York City. He promptly added, "The one on Huaqing Road."

Pausing for a moment, he tentatively asked, "Are you... coming over?"

Just last month, this guy was drunk at Night Elegance Club, muttering about how he would kill that woman-Alice.

Now, the opportunity had presented itself.