The world's top female assassin, Nova, was dead.
On her way to the capital to complete a mission, she was betrayed and killed.
You dare lay a hand on me? You're all dead!
The moment Nova regained consciousness, her first thought was to seek the mastermind and take revenge.
Wait...
Wasn't she dead? How was she awake?
Just then, two voices sounded nearby.
"Zelda, is that little bastard really dead?"
"She ingested poison. I don’t know if she’s stopped breathing yet."
"That Nova Jacquez! Dead or not, she must take Jayla's place and marry into the Lambert family!"
Nova Jacquez?
At that moment, unfamiliar memories flooded Nova’s mind.
She really had met her end, but she was now reborn in the body of a 19-year-old student, Nova Jaquez, who had just died.
When Nova Jacquez was 11 years old, her mother passed away. Less than a month later, her father, Yosef Jacquez, brought his new wife, Posey Watson, into the Jacquez family, along with Jayla Jacquez, a daughter only three months younger than Nova.
Soon after, Yosef embezzled Nova’s mother’s dowry, framed her maternal uncle for tax evasion and had him imprisoned, then seized control of the family fortune.
Using the excuse that Nova’s natal chart was ill-omened, her villainous father and scheming stepmother sent her to the backwoods, where she suffered abuse, disfigurement, and relentless exploitation.
The same voice spoke again.
"Zelda, hurry up and tie that little bastard up!"
Danger loomed. As an assassin, Nova had honed razor-sharp instincts.
Her eyes snapped open, and she sat up abruptly. A surge of intrinsic power erupted...
"Ow! That hurts…"
Zelda, who had been in the midst of tying up Nova, was suddenly thrown to the floor by an invisible force.
Dressed in luxurious robes, Posey witnessed the scene and was shocked.
"You little bastard, so you were faking your death!"
She strode forward, preparing to strike.
She had effortlessly gotten rid of Nova’s mother and taken her place as the lady of the Jacquez family; how could she not handle a worthless bastard?
But just as Posey’s raised hand was about to slap Nova’s face...
Quicker than lightning, Nova dodged to the side.
In the next instant, she grabbed Posey’s outstretched wrist and swung it back, smacking it right into her face.
The crisp sound echoed through the room.
Posey didn’t even have time to scream before her right cheek swelled up.
Stunned by the slap, she took a few seconds to process what just happened before she shrieked in disbelief.
"Y-You... little bastard! How dare you hit me?!"
The cowardly, beaten-down girl who never dared to resist had just hit her?!
Nova glanced down at the bridal robes she was wearing. Her whole body ached, and her face stung. She was not in a good mood.
Her hands were covered in bruises from past abuse, and her face... scarred and ruined.
Heh, she scoffed inwardly. I was once the world’s top healer. These injuries? Nothing.
Irritation flashed in Nova’s eyes as she said coldly, "Getting old must be ruining your eyesight. Clearly, it was your own hand that slapped your ugly face."
"You!" Posey was so enraged that her face twisted.
She had spent hundreds of thousands to maintain her beauty, and now this little bastard dared to call her old and ugly?!
Nova was the true ugly one, her people had made sure of that when they disfigured her!
Posey regretted not having her muted or blinded years ago!
Just as she was about to strike again, Nova didn’t give her the chance.
Still sitting on the bed, she lifted her leg and with a swift kick, Posey was sent sprawling to the floor.
Just as the latter was about to throw a tantrum. the door opened, revealing a man in a classic tunic suit.
Yosef Jacquez, the head of the Jacquez family.
"What’s all this noise? The Lambert family’s wedding convoy has been waiting too long!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Nova sitting up in bed. His expression brightened.
"Nova, you’re awake? Good. Whether you like it or not, you must marry into the Lambert family!"
Upon hearing his voice, Posey’s expression shifted. She adopted a pitiful, tearful look and whined.
"My love, I was only trying to persuade Nova, but she refused to listen. She even hit and kicked me!"
Yosef’s face scrunched up with concern.
Nova, however, remained indifferent.
So this is the original owner’s scum of a father. What a pair of disgusting creatures.
Suppressing the cold glint in her eyes, she put on an innocent expression and said, "She tripped on her own. How is that my fault? Besides, I never said I wouldn’t marry."
Posey parted her lips to argue, but Yosef stopped her.
Because Nova’s words "I never said I wouldn’t marry" were all that mattered.
The heir of the Lambert family was critically ill, and needed to marry a wife to ward off bad luck. Otherwise, with the Jacquez family’s status in the capital, they’d never have the chance to climb into the Lambert family’s social circle.
Besides, the Lambert family had offered a five-hundred-million-dollar dowry and several lucrative business projects.
But there was no way he’d let his precious daughter, Jayla, marry into that situation.
The Lambert family only required a Jacquez family daughter, so Nova was the perfect choice.
Yosef’s face lit up as he coaxed, "I’m glad you understand. As the Lambert family’s sole heir, marrying him will bring you a lifetime of luxury."
Luxury? Nova sneered inwardly.
The original owner might have been easy to fool, but she wasn’t stupid.
In the capital, Skylen Lambert was known for his ruthless methods and terrifying reputation.
He kept a pack of wild beasts in his castle, calling them his pets, for amusement. The man was an absolute lunatic.
Six months ago, he fell seriously ill. Few had ever seen his face, and now, in his weakened state, no one was allowed near him.
The Lambert family had already sent several women to him, only for them all to disappear mysteriously.
And yet, she was still expected to marry him?
Sure. Why not?
Like hell I’d be scared.
"I’ll marry him. But on one condition."