Chapter 1

I was ordered to retreat into the mountains for three years. My mission was to focus on restoring a lost ancient technique of wood carving.

Once the project was finished, my mentor granted me leave to visit my family.

When my fiancé heard the news, he didn't come to welcome me. Instead, he showed up at my doorstep with his new girlfriend. He had only one goal: to break off our engagement.

His mother stood there with her arms crossed, screeching at my grandmother.

"Your granddaughter has been gone for three years, playing with sticks in the woods without a word. She wasted three prime years of my Waylan's life. You must pay us three million dollars in compensation for his lost youth!"

My grandmother looked helpless and overwhelmed.

"Sianna didn't mean it. Before she left, she told us her work was special. She had to stay isolated from the outside world."

His mother let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

"Isolated? I bet she was just too ashamed to show her face! Anyone can carve wood. The old carpenter at the end of the street does it every day. He doesn't act like he's some top-secret national asset!"

"Besides, she could carve for a lifetime and still not compare to our future daughter-in-law. Today, with Lyndsey here, this engagement is over! And you won't get away without paying every cent of that money!"

I stood outside the door, almost wanting to laugh out loud. If I were just an ordinary woodcarver, her words might have crushed me.

But what I had spent three years carving was the Obsidian Serenity Buddha. It was a masterpiece lost for centuries―a literal national treasure.

1

"This is far enough, Mr. Weaver. Thank you."

The Department of Cultural Affairs took my return very seriously. They had provided a private car and a security detail to escort me all the way.

The entourage was a bit much, and I didn't want to startle the neighbors in our quiet town. I just wanted a low-profile visit to see my grandmother. So, I asked Mr. Weaver to park at the edge of the neighborhood.

Mr. Weaver nodded respectfully.

"Ms. Blackwell, we will wait right here. If anything happens, please contact us immediately."

After saying goodbye, I followed my memory to my front door. Just as I was about to push it open, a shrill, nasty voice drifted from inside.

"Break it off! This engagement ends today, whether you like it or not!"

I froze for a moment. It took me a few seconds to realize it was Mrs. Chislett, the mother of my fiancé, Waylan.

In my memory, she had always been a kind woman who praised my craftsmanship. Waylan and I had known each other since we were kids. It was she who had pushed for our engagement.

When I received the summons from the Department of Cultural Affairs, I knew I'd be gone for a long time. I told my grandmother I didn't want to hold Waylan back and suggested we end things then.

But back then, Mrs. Chislett refused to hear of it. Waylan had even sworn to wait for me forever, no matter how long it took.

I had been moved by his promise. I came back thinking we would finally discuss a wedding date. I never expected this nightmare.

My grandmother's voice sounded strained.

"Sianna will be home any minute. Can't we wait until she gets here to talk?"

"Wait for what? You're just trying to stall! My son is a famous food blogger now with millions of followers. He's worth tens of millions. Does your granddaughter really think she can still climb this social ladder?"

Mrs. Chislett hadn't come alone. She had brought a crowd of neighbors, surrounding our old family house.

The crowd started chiming in.

"Exactly. Waylan is a big-shot influencer now. His girlfriend, Lyndsey, comes from a family that owns a massive restaurant chain. They're a perfect match. Don't be selfish, you two. Don't ruin a good man's future."

Waylan stood in the middle of the crowd, looking smug. He had his arm around a girl, whispering softly to her.

"Don't worry, Lyndsey. For your sake, I'm ending this once and for all today."

My grandmother, a woman of integrity, was blushing from the public shaming. Seeing Waylan's resolve, she finally nodded with a heavy heart.

"If Waylan has found someone else, my Sianna isn't the type to beg. The engagement is off."

I thought that would be the end of it. But Mrs. Chislett's eyes gleamed with greed.

"Breaking it off isn't enough! Your granddaughter stayed in the mountains for three years carving junk. She wasted my son's time. We need to settle the bill!"

"My son makes hundreds of thousands in a single livestream. Three years of his time is worth way more than three million dollars!"

"The wedding is canceled, but the money must be paid!"