HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 34: Liam Smith (1)

’~Ayana.’

Liam Smith was like a prince...a true prince.

He was without wealth and a reputed name like her ex-fiance and her little brother in her past life, yet she had always seen him as a prince because of how he acted to others.

’Thank you for always been there, Ayana.’

In her mind, he had always been elegant and gentle, every time he called her name—with a warmth that wrapped around his words like the softest silk.

’Forgive me, Ayana. You know the fans love news like this. You’re the only one for me till the end of time.’

In those moments of doubts, she truly and always believed him. His words and actions always made her feel irreplaceable, each word tying her heart closer to his....or so she had imagined.

’I couldn’t have done this without your help, Ayana. Thank you for loving me this much.’

Back then, His gratitude had always felt genuine and his words had never failed in soothing the ache of his frequent absences in her heart.

’Sometimes I wonder if I’m worth your deep love.’

She had always assured him that she would never choose another over him. Her broken engagement was a good example of her loyalty.

’Sorry I couldn’t make it to your birthday, the shoot took much longer than I expected.’

Even though she sometimes caught his lies, she never suspected him and always believed in him and their love.

’Happy birthday, my Ayana. I love you so much.’

Every time, those three words sounded like a promise. A delicate assurance that she had clung to always.

’’He’s a distant relative of your aunt, Liam Smith.’’ Her uncle introduced the man with a fine silhouette against the polished floors from the shimmering lights, heading towards them in a graceful manner. Her hazel eyes shook with the familiar warm honey-brown eyes and gentle smile.

’’Please to make your acquaintance, Miss Ayana.’’

His voice was exactly as she remembered—soft-spoken and tender, that could make any girl’s heart skip a beat.

Just like hers in her past life.

’...Good.’ Upon seeing the stunned face of his niece, Mark Kingston’s eyes glinted with satisfaction

His wife was right.

Since the spies were no more in his late brother’s mansion and always seemed to have vanished into thin air—no doubt an action from his niece, he could still keep any eye on the latter through adolescent love.

And it seemed he had chosen the right person for the job.

’I heard he’s a new actor and has recently debuted in a successful highschool drama.’ Mark shifted his gaze from his niece to Liam. ’Though a side character in the drama, his acting skills and charming face had attracted a handful of fans. He’s on the path of a rising star and his future is bound to be successful if no problem arises.’

’I should proceed with the deal, then.’

If such a person could charm his difficult niece, win her trust, and perhaps even her affection as a lover, Mark knew that Liam could be an invaluable pawn. Through him, he would have eyes on Ayana and the means to sway all her decisions. His late brother’s son and the Kingston Corporation would also be within his reach.

Mark could already imagine himself in the president’s seat and giving out orders just like his younger brother had done before death.

"Since Noah is often busy with work, and you have school, Liam can occasionally help out with Jason," He suggested with a smile. "Just like my son, Liam can also be a sort of elder sibling to you and your brother."

His words were reasonable, and there was no doubt that Ayana wouldn’t agree with him, especially with her reaction to Liam.

’’.....’’

’You came prepared,’ Ayana thought calmly, staring at her smiling uncle.

’It’s different though.’ She suddenly realized something.

The birthday banquet in this life, and the birthday banquet of her past life, were quite different.

Her uncle did not convince her this much about Liam in her past life. He only introduced her to Liam and, having fallen for his gentle refinement, her arrogant self took the initiative to converse with him.

However, it was different in this life.

Her actions in this life had changed a lot of things.

Just like her confrontation with Arabella.

That was something that had not happened in her past life. Heck, she had never fought with the latter in her past life.

’Does that mean the future will change too?’ This thought suddenly crossed her mind.

If her actions changed a lot of things in this life, then would what happened in her past life not happen in this life? Would her memories be useless and not to her advantage?

Ayana wondered why she hadn’t thought about such an important observation.

’’Miss Ayana?’’ Liam’s gentle voice broke through her reverie, and she looked up, only to find his eyes filled with concern for her.

Eyes that had once held disgust when her inheritance had been stolen and she was of no use to him and his career anymore.

’’It’s Young miss Kingston to you, Mr. Smith,’’ She corrected coldly. ’’Don’t address me causally like we’re family.’’

Liam’s smile stiffened instantly, and his eyes flickered with surprise. Not only him, but Mark and Lucinda were also taken aback by the sudden change.

They had assumed Ayana had already fallen for Liam’s gentle charm and princely countenance, but her distant attitude now was the opposite of their assumption.

Arabella, on the other hand, had long forgotten her embarrassment from before and fixed her fervent eyes on the elegant Liam.

As a young miss of the Kingston family, there were no shortage of rich and handsome suitors in her life. However, Liam was the kind she had never seen.

His presence exuded an effortless charm that captivated her instantly, much like a rare piece of jade. There was a refinement about him that set him apart from the typical suitors vying for her attention and favor. His eyes were gentle and warm, radiating the kind of affection one might expect from a prince gazing at his princess.

But in that moment, the princess in his eyes was not her.

Arabella’s gaze trailed over to her second cousin, Ayana, who was treating him distantly.

A surge of jealousy coursed through her, and her fingers curled into a tight fist. The passion in her eyes transformed into a sharp glare aimed at Ayana, momentarily forgetting the fact that she was under the scrutiny of many eyes.

That glare wasn’t limited to Arabella alone. It reflected the sentiments of many hearts of the young misses in the banquet hall, all sharing a collective disdain for the Young miss Kingston who was the center of Liam’s gentle eyes and dared to treat him with such indifference.

’Still the same as ever.’ Ayana was amused in her heart. Even at this younger age, he was still capable of eliciting jealousy among the opposite gender.

She wasn’t oblivious to the stares or more like glares stinging her face from all directions. If anything, she had grown accustomed to them from her past life. Liam had always been the kind of man who attracted numerous admirers with his princely charm. As the woman by his side in her past life, she had borne the brunt of that attention.

But not anymore.

’’I apologize then, Young miss Kingston.’’ Ayana watched as Liam was quick to reflect on his mistake with a humble attitude.

Very different from the arrogant one in her past life when she had been abandoned.

’’Are you a young master, Mr. Smith?’’

’’Y-Yes?’’

’’Judging from your reaction, it seems you’re not one. What are you then?’’

’’...an aspiring actor.’’

’’An aspiring actor? You want to be an actor? You don’t look much younger than me and are quite ambitious. How old are you?"

’’Sixteen-years-old, Young miss Kingston.’’

’’You’re still in highschool then.’’ Ayana then gave a polite smile. ’’Good luck on your journey to be an actor.’’

’’Thank you, Young miss.’’

’’I assumed you’re a young master given that Uncle introduced you as a distant relative from Aunt’s side. Since you’re not one and just an aspiring actor, then don’t speak to me like we’re close, Mr. Smith.’’ Having said that, Ayana turned her gaze to her uncle.

’’Your words are quite hilarious, uncle. How could Mr. Smith be of help, like an elder brother to my family?’’

’’W-Well, he’s a distant relative of your Aunt....’’ Mark was very confused. His niece acted like a young missus in love at the beginning, yet she was being sharp and acted somewhat vigilant now.

Was she in favour of Liam or not?

’’There’s a reason for the word distant, uncle.’’ Ayana chuckled slightly. ’’Aunt and I are not of the same blood, so Mr. Smith is not related to me or my brothers in any way. Well, Noah is a little different, but a distant relative is almost the same as strangers in my eyes. Uncle should also be careful of these so-called distant relatives, especially in a family like ours.’’

Her smile remained on her lips, but the undertone of her words carried a warning.

’’I hope you understand my vigilance, Mr. Smith.’’ As she spoke, her gaze swept over Liam, who stood there momentarily stunned by her words.

’’I don’t have a prejudice against you, but I am very cautious when it comes to my family, particularly my brothers.’’

So, don’t try to get close to them and myself.