1 Chapter 1: Death

A gold-colored Rolls Royce stopped in front of a five-star hotel's entrance. Immediately, a doorman in uniform respectfully opened the car door, and a middle-aged man and woman, along with a woman in her twenties, stepped out of the car.

The middle-aged man was tall and handsome, with an extraordinary aura. He straightened his Dior suit with a somewhat serious expression, while a beautiful middle-aged woman in a Chanel dress beside him smiled and held his arm, looking back at the young woman behind her and saying, "Helen, hurry up."

The woman called Helen covered her mouth and secretly yawned, lazily replying, "Coming."

She fixed her shoulder-length curly hair, which was the trendiest hairstyle at the time. She had spent yesterday morning at a top-notch salon to get it done for today's blind date, and it perfectly showcased her cuteness.

She hurried a few steps to catch up with the middle-aged couple.

The three of them crossed the revolving crystal door and entered the luxurious lobby.

The middle-aged man looked back at Helen and frowned, "Why are you so listless? Today's dinner is crucial. The other party is the Vista Group, and Oliver Hoffman is their prince, the only heir to the corporation. He is a suitable match for our Carter Family. We are going to have significant project collaborations with their family in the future. It would be best if we could form marital ties. Don't screw this up for me!"

Although his voice was low, the tone was quite severe.

Helen bowed her head and said nothing.

Seeing her like this seemed to anger the middle-aged man further, "I've already settled all the terrible things you've done in the past! This opportunity is invaluable. If you weren't a Blair, it wouldn't be your turn! Be careful, and don't blame me for not considering our father-daughter relationship if there's a screw-up!"

Helen looked at her father, Sebastian Carter, with slightly pale face.

The father's surname was Carter, while her surname was Blair because she followed her mother's surname. When her father married into the Blair Family, her Grandpa had already told him that the first child born to her mother would only have the last name, Blair, regardless of the child's gender.

Unfortunately, Helen's mother died early, and most of the Blair Group's shares ended up in her father's hands. Now, the Blair Group had turned into the Carter Group.

The beautiful middle-aged woman beside Helen saw her sad expression and couldn't bear it. She said to Sebastian Carter, "Sebastian, why are you bringing up the past again? Who hasn't made mistakes? Why cling to them and embarrass the child? Bringing up these things today would affect Helen's mood even more, wouldn't it?"

Her voice was as gentle as water, smoothing Sebastian's anger and soothing Helen's scarred heart.

Helen cast a grateful glance at her stepmother.

Everyone said that stepmothers were cruel, but this stepmother, Amelia Walker, was genuinely kind to her. She cared for her every need and was more considerate than her own daughter. Helen felt love from Amelia.

Ever since her mother's death, Helen had felt the warmth of her stepmother's love in City B, during her time studying abroad, and even during her darkest days. In Helen's heart, her stepmother's position was equal to her birth mother, Isabella Blair.

Amelia held Helen's hand and whispered softly, "Helen, your dad is just concerned about you; don't mind him." After finishing her sentence, she let go of Sebastian's hand, moved closer to Helen, and whispered affectionately, "I heard that Hoffman's prince is a handsome and talented young man, just like an idol star. You can't blame your father for meddling in your marriage. The other party is indeed a rare good man. Only you are qualified for him. Unlike Ruby, even if she wanted to, she couldn't come here."

Her tone was entirely comforting, without an ounce of bitterness.

Helen responded, "I think my sister would be more suitable for him."

Amelia smiled, "Unfortunately, Ruby is not a Blair."

Helen understood her meaning. Her elder sister, Ruby Carter, was brought into the Carter Family by Amelia after she married her father. Ruby was the child of Amelia and her ex-husband. Upon entering the family, she changed her last name to Carter. Everyone knew this, and Ruby's social status couldn't compare to Helen's. It was no wonder that the Hoffman Family couldn't accept her.

Actually, Helen didn't mind her father arranging her marriage at all. After all that, who she married didn't matter.

The three of them entered the elevator and went to the hotel's restaurant. As soon as the restaurant Manager saw them, he came over with a smile, "President Carter, Mrs. Carter, Miss Blair, President Hoffman is already waiting in the private room."