Chapter 7

A collective gasp swept through the room at the security guard's words. It was shocking enough to discover that Summer Knight, long ridiculed as the ugliest girl in City Q, was actually breathtakingly beautiful. But this? The infamous Alexander Barron—the supposedly unwanted eldest son—was not only devastatingly handsome but had also taken control of the Barron Group? Had everyone been living under a rock? While the crowd was stunned, Summer, standing beside Alexander, felt more confused than anything. In her previous life, Alexander didn’t seize control of the Barron Group until six months later, after outmaneuvering Daniel Barron. Before that, everyone looked down on him. Had her return—and her restored mind—somehow changed the timeline? Her thoughts were cut off by a sharp, mocking voice. “Hey, security, did you hit your head? The only ‘Mr. Barron’ is the old man himself. Why are you kneeling to Alexander?” Though slowly accepting that the unbelievably handsome man really was Alexander, Isabella Knight still refused to believe he could possibly lead the Barron empire. The man she’d rejected? No way he could outclass her now—right? Even after her taunt, the security guard remained on his knees, clearly terrified. “This guy’s lost his mind,”Isabella sneered, her smile sharp enough to cut.“Since when does anyone kneel to a Barron nobody even cares about?” Summer’s gaze turned icy. She focused on Isabella’s neck, where the skin was already darkening—an allergic reaction about to explode. Isabella had the nerve to mock Alexander? She had no idea what was coming. Suddenly— A deep, authoritative voice carried across the hall:“I want to thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate the engagement of my grandson, Alexander, to Miss Summer Knight. But before we continue, I have an important announcement!” Every head turned toward the stage. There stood Old Mr. Barron, looking sharp and full of energy as he held the microphone, his voice ringing with gravity. “My eldest grandson, Alexander Barron, is now the new head of the Barron Group!” The moment he finished, a spotlight snapped onto Alexander offstage. That light didn’t just illuminate him—it crowned him. In that moment, Alexander radiated power and elegance. Anyone with sense would feel the urge to kneel in his presence. But in the entire room, only one person stood truly beside him—Summer, whose hand he held firmly, like claiming what had always been his. Watching from the stage, Old Mr. Barron gave a slow, satisfied nod. He remembered how, just yesterday, Alexander had come to him, confident and direct, demanding the CEO role. The timid boy from years ago was gone. He’d always seen through Alexander’s act—his quiet endurance, his calculated restraint. Those were the very traits that convinced him Alexander was light years ahead of Daniel. Alexander carried himself like a born king. He was exactly what the company needed to soar. Meanwhile, jaws across the room were on the floor. Alexander—the same man they’d dismissed as a worthless heir—had not only transformed into a stunning figure but now led the Barron Group? No one could process it. Especially those who’d once gossiped about his past—they were now burning with regret. No one more than Isabella. If Alexander really was leading the Barron Group… that made him a billionaire-level catch. And she—she had thrown him away. She’d handed this incredible man over to Summer Knight, that brainless fool, practically gifting her the jackpot. The thought made her shoot a vicious glare at Summer, like she wanted to tear her apart on the spot. What Isabella didn’t expect was that Summer was looking right back—grinning like an idiot. That silly smile sent a chill down her spine. Before she could react, her throat suddenly felt strange, like something was rising fast. Then—splurt! She couldn’t hold it back. Right in front of everyone, she vomited everything she’d eaten. Some even splattered on guests’ shoes. People shrieked, scrambling back, all staring at her like she was a rotting pile of garbage. So this was City Q’s so-called top beauty? What a joke. “Eww, sis, you’re gross! You stink!” Summer popped out cheerfully, made a silly face, and clapped her hands, laughing like she’d just won a prize. That one comment hit every nerve in Isabella’s body. Her image and reputation were everything. She’d spent a fortune keeping both flawless. “You idiot, I’ll kill you!” She completely forgot her usual high-society act and lunged at Summer, nails aimed at that smug face. Noticing guests pulling out phones to record, Summer smirked inwardly. With a flick of her wrist, a silver needle flew. Isabella’s legs gave out, and she fell face-first into her own vomit. “!!!” The crowd immediately covered their noses, disgust written all over their faces. “Take her out. She’s no longer welcome,”Alexander said calmly, barely glancing her way. He waved a hand, and his bodyguards moved in immediately. Even they couldn’t hide their revulsion, which only deepened Isabella’s humiliation. “Mr. Barron, please, have mercy!” Margaret Blake rushed over in a panic, a dark-faced Charles Knight following behind. Now that Alexander led the Barron Empire, Charles knew better than to challenge him. He bowed slightly and said,“Mr. Barron, my daughter Isabella misspoke and offended you. She brought this on herself. I hope you can find it in yourself to overlook this.” “Yes, she crossed the line,”Alexander replied coldly, his tone final. Isabella felt her blood pressure spike, nearly fainting from rage and shame. Charles, however, acted like nothing had happened. He turned a warm smile to Summer.“Summer, you’re really moving up in the world—engaged to the heir of the Barron Empire! Just don’t follow your sister’s example and say the wrong thing to Mr. Barron.” To him, it didn’t matter if Summer was a fool. Her fiancé’s status meant he, as her father, could benefit. So now he played the doting dad. But the sugary act made Summer want to vomit. If she hadn’t lived through her past life, she might have believed he cared. But it was him—this very man—who’d sold her out to Isabella and James Carter, leaving her to die in agony on an operating table. She would make him pay. 100%. “Mr. Barron, I’m so sorry,”Margaret stammered, quickly dragging her disgraced daughter toward the exit. Just then, a deep, commanding voice cut through the noise: “You think you can bully my future granddaughter-in-law and just walk away?”