After Rebirth I Chose The Other Sterling

On my twenty-first birthday, my grandfather, seeking to solidify our family's business empire in New York City, presented me with the files of the two Sterling heirs. As the sole legal heir to the Ashworth family, it was my duty to choose one for a strategic marriage.

Without a moment's hesitation, I chose Rhys Sterling.

Everyone present was stunned. The clinking of crystal champagne flutes abruptly ceased. A dead silence fell over the ballroom.

After all, everyone in New York's high society knew that Paige, the heiress of the Ashworth family, had been deeply in love with Jasper, the acclaimed eldest son of the Sterling family, for years.

At a recent family dinner, I had even made a fool of myself, publicly declaring to our elders that I would marry no one but Jasper.

In my previous life, I got my wish and married Jasper.

But on the second day of our marriage, he eagerly moved my perpetually-in-distress stepsister, Sabrina Ashworth, into our marital home.

Using "postpartum depression" and "mental instability" as excuses, he bribed my psychiatrist, controlled me with medication, and confined me to a suburban villa while he seized control of the Ashworth family.

Ultimately, I died in a car crash that was meticulously staged to look like an accident.

In this new life, gazing at my unharmed reflection in the mirror, I vowed to stay far away from him. He and Sabrina could have each other for all I cared.

But to my surprise, the moment the engagement was announced, Jasper, the very person I was trying to avoid, lost his composure and publicly opposed the marriage.

...

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1

I hadn't expected to run into Jasper as I was leaving the chairman's office at the Sterling Group headquarters.

He had just finished a major board meeting and was flanked by a group of executives in sharp suits.

The moment they saw me, the group exchanged smirks that quickly turned to taunts. "Chasing Jasper all the way to corporate headquarters now, Paige?" one of them sneered. "If Mr. Ashworth knew his daughter was stooping this low, his blood pressure would probably go through the roof."

Jasper shot me a look of utter annoyance, his tone icy. "What are you doing at the company? What new stunt are you trying to pull to force me into this marriage? Paige, I'm warning you, cut the crap."

I was all too familiar with that look of disgust.

Swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth, I spoke calmly. "Mr. William Sterling invited me to discuss the joint ventures that will follow our families' union. This has nothing to do with you."

As soon as I finished, a wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. "Joint ventures?"

I knew why they were so shocked.

It was because the founder of the Sterling Group had left an unwritten rule: the marriage partner chosen by the Ashworth daughter would lead the core collaborative projects between the two families.

My statement was a clear signal that the balance of power within the Sterling Group was about to shift.

After the initial shock, they assumed I was either bluffing or that Jasper's victory was a foregone conclusion. One by one, they began to congratulate him.

"It seems we'll be addressing you as CEO before long, Mr. Sterling."

A smug smile spread across Jasper's face, but when he looked at me, his eyes were still filled with scorn.

He used his height to back me into a corner. "Paige, you've chased me for so many years. Now you're finally getting what you want. You must be ecstatic."

He leaned in, his hot breath brushing against my ear as he lowered his voice. "I won't make the same mistake twice, so there's something you must agree to before I agree to marry you."

"After we're married, I'll make Sabrina my special assistant, and she will join the board of directors at the same level as you," he paused, his voice growing deeper. "She has suffered too much at home because of her status. As her sister, you owe her that much."

My heart sank. I stared at him in disbelief.

So, he was reborn too? And even with a second chance, he still wanted to bleed me dry for her sake.

Before I could respond, a delicate voice called out from behind me, "Paige."

It was my stepsister, Sabrina. She approached, her steps fragile and unsteady.

Her face was pale, and Jasper immediately rushed to support her, his voice thick with concern. "Sabrina, why did you come to the office? Didn't the doctor say you need to rest?"

Sabrina theatrically pressed a hand to her forehead, sinking into his embrace as her voice trembled on the verge of tears. "Today's the day Paige is finalizing her engagement. As her sister, how could I not be here to give her my blessing? It's just... my migraine flared up. I hope Paige won't be upset with me."

Hearing this, Jasper shot me a harsh glare. "How can you be so cold-hearted? Must you put so much pressure on Sabrina at a time like this?"

With that, he swept Sabrina into his arms. "Sabrina, let's go to my office. I'll call my private doctor to take a look at you."

Before leaving, he shot one last cold warning over his shoulder. "Paige, you'd better take a good look at yourself. If you keep acting like this, we'll have to reconsider this marriage."

Then, holding Sabrina, he strode away without a backward glance.

Watching his retreating back, a cold smile touched my lips.

Reconsider? Oh, we'll be reconsidering, alright. Except this time, Jasper, you're the one getting thrown out.