Chapter 1

I was Southport’s untouchable rose, admired by everyone yet criticized by no one.

Behind me stood Southport’s three most powerful families—the Carters, the Bennetts, and the Hayeses.

My fiancée, Ava Bennett, was a law professor who had never lost a case. Fierce, decisive, and ruthless in court, she was the eldest daughter of Southport’s most influential legal family.

Yet whenever she faced me, she would grow shy and lose the ability to speak.

My childhood friend, Nora Hayes, was a brilliant doctor. When I had a fever that wouldn’t break as a child, she stayed by my bed all night, her eyes red from crying.

She had sworn to become a doctor so she could keep me safe and healthy for the rest of my life.

My sister, Claire Carter, was ten years older than me. She had held the entire Carter Group together and given all her love to me, her little brother.

I had thought I would be happy forever.

Until the day of my engagement, when I saw my sister’s brutally murdered body with my own eyes.

I grabbed her killer’s brother by the throat and roared that I would never let him go!

But Nora shoved me to the ground.

And Ava shielded him behind her, threatening me.

“Ethan, sign the letter of forgiveness.”

“Your sister is dead, but Nora and I will still protect you for the rest of your life.”

“But Damien can’t lose his brother, too.”

I took the letter without hesitation.

Then I tore it to pieces in front of them.

“You’re all animals!”

“My sister’s body was covered in horrific wounds, and you’re telling me not to press charges? You even brought me this piece of trash and expect me to forgive him? You’re insane!”

“Ava, Nora, what the hell happened to you? My sister watched all three of us grow up. She treated you like family. And now you’re protecting a murderer and helping some outsider escape justice!”

Faced with my furious accusations, Ava let out a helpless sigh.

Then she reached down and helped me up.

“Damien isn’t an outsider to us. He saved our lives. He did us a huge favor and never asked for anything in return. The only thing he’s ever begged us for is help protecting his brother.”

“Ethan, stop throwing a tantrum. I’ll have another letter brought over. Sign it.”

“We’ll continue with the engagement party. After the celebration, we’ll give your sister the grandest funeral Southport has ever seen. She loved you so much. She’ll forgive you.”

The gentleness on Ava’s face looked monstrous to me.

My engagement suit was still stained with my sister’s blood. How could she stand there smiling and say something like that?

I trembled with rage.

Smack!

I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.

“Don’t even dream of it!”

“Ava, we’re done. I’m breaking off the engagement!”

Before I could say another word, Damien rushed over with a wounded expression and gently touched Ava’s cheek.

Then he turned to me, tears in his eyes.

“Mr. Carter, what are you doing?”

“Everything is my fault. Blame me if you want, but don’t drag anyone else into this. I know someone like you could crush my brother as easily as an ant.”

“I’m begging you. Even if you want my life, I’ll give it to you. Please, let my brother go.”

With that, Damien started to kneel.

But before his knees touched the floor, Nora hurried over and pulled him back up.

Then she glared at me.

“Ethan, you’ve gone too far!”

“Ava and I could have covered this up and made it look like an accident. But we respected you enough to tell you the truth. Your sister is dead. Why are you determined to destroy Damien?”

I bit my lower lip until it bled and glared at Nora.

“I’ve gone too far? My sister was murdered on the day of my engagement, and my fiancée and childhood friend are protecting the killer! Which one of us is actually crossing the line?”

“Even if none of you help me, I’ll still get justice for my sister!”

I turned and walked away.

Ava shouted after me.

“Ethan, don’t be stubborn. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to protect the Carter Group your sister left you!”