A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

The Hale Family held a preeminent position in Aethelgard. In years past, the Hales and the Sterlings had been evenly matched in the business world, but ever since Seraphina Sterling’s father, Orson Sterling, passed away, control of The Sterling Group had fallen almost entirely into Owen Sterling’s hands. Owen Sterling was a man of immense ambition, but his ability was in inverse proportion to it.

To make matters worse, Seraphina Sterling’s generation of the family had no sons—only two daughters. The Hale family, on the other hand, had two sons, Justin and Zion Hale, as well as a daughter, Rainie Hale; they were blessed with a full family. Justin Hale was already a renowned young prodigy in the business world, meaning the Hale Corporation had a worthy successor. The Sterling Group, by contrast, faced a much grimmer outlook. The other prominent families could already foresee the fate that likely awaited it.

Faye Sterling, however, was oblivious to the future her family was about to face. All she knew was that she was still the Eldest Young Miss of the Sterling Family! All she knew was that among everyone present, only the Sterling Family was worthy of the Hale Family’s status. She hadn’t interacted much with Zion Hale before, but they moved in the same circles. He was a little older than her, but she’d still seen him a few times at banquets.

’In terms of status alone, Zion Hale is far more significant than Wyatt Gallagher! So what if Wyatt didn’t give me the rose? It’ll be just as good if Zion gives it to me! The Hales are so much more powerful than the Gallaghers!’

Faye Sterling was smarter this time. Instead of just standing there foolishly, she put on a smile and elegantly walked in front of Seraphina, positioning herself so that Zion Hale would see her first.

Zion Hale, dressed in casual attire, approached the two of them. He had a bright, handsome face, and between his slender fingers, he held a single, exquisite rose that looked as if it were still glistening with morning dew. Faye Sterling’s smile widened. ’I’m standing in such an obvious spot,’ she thought. ’He has to notice me now!’

When he was just two steps away, Faye suddenly took a step forward. She had calculated the distance with perfect precision—not so close as to be inappropriate, yet flawlessly blocking his path. ’Now he has no choice but to give the rose to me!’

Many who saw Faye’s move couldn’t help but mutter about how scheming she was. Still, only someone like Faye Sterling could pull off such a shameless move. Without a certain standing, without the backing of a powerful family like the Sterlings, who would dare to get in the way of a Hale?

All eyes were on Zion Hale, fixed on the rose in his hand. Would he give it to Faye Sterling?

"Miss Sterling, long time no see," Zion Hale said amicably, extending his right hand—the one holding the rose—as if he were about to present it to her.

An excited smile played on Faye Sterling’s lips. ’This single rose from Zion Hale,’ she thought, ’is worth more than that entire bouquet I just received!’

But just as Faye reached out to take the flower, Zion Hale seemed to recall something. He pulled his right hand back and offered his left hand for a handshake instead. Faye was a little disappointed, but she didn’t lose heart. ’He’s just being polite,’ she told herself. ’He’ll give me the flower after we greet each other properly.’

However, Faye was in for a disappointment.

After a brief handshake, Zion Hale spoke quite politely. "Miss Sterling, you’re blocking my path. Excuse me."

In an instant, the smile on Faye Sterling’s lips froze. ’Me, the Eldest Young Miss of the Sterling Family... I’ve never been this humiliated in public before!’

Zion Hale walked right up to Seraphina and handed her the rose. "Seraphina, you’re not doing a very good job as my little sis, are you? You show up on my turf and don’t even call me to roll out the welcome mat!"

"I just got back. I haven’t had a chance to call you yet!" Seraphina replied with a warm smile. She was also very happy to see Zion Hale again. ’Even though I hate Justin Hale and we’re destined to be enemies,’ she thought, ’I will do everything in my power to change Zion’s fate of dying in that fire.’