Simp No More and He Lost It

Verena Johnson was the wild card among the wealthy heiresses—bold, reckless, and fiercely radiant.

While other socialites were busy chasing arranged marriages, she was out winning street-racing championships on the notorious "Death Highway," rising to global fame as a jewelry designer, and leaving a trail of ex-boyfriends begging to get back together after she dumped them.

Verena once said, "Marriage? Never. Men are like lipstick—try a shade, move on. No need to keep the tube."

But no one expected that Verena would one day marry a cold, taciturn physicist with monk-level self-discipline.

"Mom, I fell for Lanny Williams at first sight. It took me forever to win him over. The wedding's in two weeks. I hope you'll come."

She set the invitation on the coffee table and walked out.

In the car, she glanced at her phone wallpaper—his handsome profile as he analyzed planetary trajectories—and her heart melted.

She had never liked anyone this much.

For the first time in her life, Lanny made her want marriage. Made her want forever.

Just as she was about to reach home, a black sedan pulled out of the driveway.

Verena froze.

Where would Lanny go this late?

Suspicious, she followed him straight to a hospital.

Lanny hurried into a ward, anxiety written all over his face as he looked at the sleeping girl in the bed.

Verena's eyes sharpened. It was her half-sister, Bethany Nash.

Verena's father had cheated while her mother was pregnant, and the marriage ended soon after.

Verena had barely kept contact with that side of the family, seeing them only at a few business events.

"The blood clot in her brain is almost gone. She could wake up any time now," the doctor said, then added playfully, "So… you're really marrying Verena?"

"Yeah, " Lanny replied flatly.

"Tsk, how touching. All this just because Bethany likes Vernon Blair, and you're clearing every obstacle for her. You even dated Verena while Bethany was in a coma just to break Verena's engagement with the Blair family."

Lanny's voice stayed calm. "As long as Bethany ends up happy, that's enough for me."

"And Verena—she's a famous beauty. You never felt anything for her?"

"No."

That single, indifferent word landed on Verena's heart like a hammer.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

Lanny stared at her in shock, then quickly returned to his usual cool expression. "You followed me?"

"You're not planning to explain?" Verena asked coldly.

"You heard everything. What's left to explain?" Lanny replied, not the slightest guilt on his face. "You like me. I'm with you. Isn't that the outcome you wanted?"

Verena's throat tightened.

"Oh, right," he added casually, "I have to fly abroad on the day of the wedding for a symposium. Tell the planner to shorten the ceremony to one hour."

With that, Lanny walked away.

Verena felt as if a blade were carving through her heart over and over, leaving her gasping for air.

She had thought he was simply reserved. That one day, she would