Ethan disappeared three years ago. I waited three years. Everyone said I loved him to death. Only I knew he wasn’t dead at all. He was overseas, spending my money on other women. Since he wanted to play dead, sleeping with his best friend seemed fair enough, didn’t it? Adrian Blackwood, the circle’s infamous devil incarnate, waited in his car for me every night after work. He kissed me and asked again when we could go public. Then Ethan came back. With his new girlfriend. At his engagement party, he humiliated me in front of everyone. Made me hand his new lover her ring. I was pushed and shoved by the crowd, helpless. Suddenly, the ballroom doors burst open with a violent kick. Adrian stood in the doorway, his eyes cold as knives. He walked straight to me, took the ring, and tossed it into the trash like it was nothing. Then, in front of everyone, he pulled me into his arms. “I’m her husband. Anyone who touches her answers to me.” The room went dead silent. Ethan’s face turned green. And the hand on my waist began stroking gently through my dress. “Show’s over,” he murmured in my ear with a smile. “Time to go home and work on making a baby.”
Lina’s POV “Are you a dog?” I buttoned my shirt all the way up in the rearview mirror, covering the bite marks on my collarbone. Adrian didn’t respond. He leaned back in his seat, looking thoroughly satisfied as he tapped out a cigarette and lit it. The car still smelled like what we’d just done. Who would’ve thought that the billionaire heir everyone was so afraid of had just spent the last hour ravaging his best friend’s fiancée in this very car? The world thought I had faithfully waited three years for Ethan, devoted and loyal. But I had long known Ethan wasn’t dead. He was just playing dead overseas while hooking up with women. Since he was faking his death, sleeping with his best friend seemed perfectly fair. Adrian exhaled a smoke ring, his voice husky. “Text me when you’re done. I’ll be waiting in the car.” I pushed open the car door and walked quickly toward the café with my project contracts. I had an investor meeting and needed to compose myself so no one would suspect anything. As I climbed the steps, a group emerged from the adjacent building, noisy and boisterous-all those idle rich heirs from the circle. Leading them was none other than Ethan, who had disappeared three years ago. He had his arm around a young woman, listening lazily to someone beside him. His friends saw me and their expressions shifted awkwardly-the guilty look of people caught in wrongdoing. Someone scratched his head. “We run into her already? Who opened their big mouth and told Lina?” Another friend named Lucas explained awkwardly. “Lina, when Ethan fell into the ocean, he had a head injury. He’s been recovering overseas. We didn’t tell you because we didn’t want you to worry needlessly.” “Now that he’s back, it’s a cause for celebration. Sure, Ethan lost his memory, but at least he’s alive, right?” Ethan stopped, his gaze landing lazily on me. He didn’t release the girl in his arms, just raised an eyebrow and assessed me casually. “So this is the fiancée?” he asked his friends, tone indifferent. “Not bad looking. I guess I can see why you all said she wouldn’t marry anyone but me, chasing after me so desperately.” Then he gestured to the girl in his arms. “Even though I don’t remember you, I’ll honor the engagement.” “This is Chloe. I met her overseas. She’s timid, so don’t bully her.” Chloe nestled against him and called out softly, “Hi, Lina.” I held up my contracts. “Excuse me, I have business. Please let me through.” With that, I checked the time to confirm I wasn’t late and headed toward the café. Behind me, voices rose in disbelief. “Seriously? She’s just leaving?” Ethan’s mocking laugh rang out. “Maybe she can’t believe I’m still alive.” Another friend chimed in with a laugh. “Of course! Everyone knows Lina loves you to death. She probably can’t process the wonderful surprise that you’re alive.” “Once she calms down, she’ll naturally come crying to our Ethan begging to get back together.” Ethan’s lazy voice said, “Get back together? We’ll see if I’m in the mood.” I had no idea what they said after I left. After finishing my business discussion with the investors, I returned to the car. The moment I closed the door, Adrian’s scorching breath pressed down on me. “What took so long?” His tone was displeased, his hand sliding directly under my clothes. Just then, someone knocked on the window. I froze completely. Adrian’s movement paused, his brow furrowing. Through the privacy film, Ethan’s face was pressed right against the window! “Adrian, it really is you! I spotted your car from way over there.” I held my breath in fear, instinctively gripping Adrian’s sleeve. We were inside. He was outside. Only a layer of glass between us. Adrian glanced down at me, then used one hand to press me against him, using his large suit jacket to shield my face. Then he calmly lowered the window halfway. “What is it?” Adrian’s voice was low, laced with the irritation of being interrupted. Ethan didn’t notice me hidden under the jacket. He leaned one hand on the window frame, peering inside. “Lina just played hard to get with me and ran off. I’m worried she might do something stupid. Did you see her come this way?” Adrian’s hand rested on the window frame blocking the view, while his other hand squeezed my waist. “Didn’t see her.” He answered without changing expression. Ethan pursed his lips. “That woman really doesn’t know what’s good for her. I was going to let her catch a ride home with you. Forget it, never mind her.” Then his gaze fell on Adrian’s open collar, revealing a knowing, mischievous smile. “Did I interrupt something good? Got a woman hiding in the car?” I bit my lip, not daring to make a sound. Not because I cared about him, but because my disheveled state wasn’t suitable for being seen. Adrian glanced at Ethan, the corner of his mouth curving slightly. “Mm. A rather disobedient little wildcat throwing a tantrum.” Ethan laughed loudly, patting the roof. “Then I won’t be a third wheel. Bring her out to meet us sometime-I want to see what kind of woman finally got through to you.” Ethan turned and left. The window rose. I went limp in Adrian’s arms. Adrian looked down at me, his fingertip brushing the cold sweat from my forehead, voice low. “What’s wrong? Afraid your ex will discover you lying beneath his best friend?”
Lina’s POV Adrian’s fingertips traced along my waist. I pushed his hand away and straightened my rumpled dress. “The contract is signed. I need to get back to the company.” Adrian reluctantly withdrew his hand, leaning back against the seat, his eyes dark. “Come to my place tonight?” “Can’t.” I refused flatly. “I have a video conference tonight.” Adrian chuckled softly but didn’t push it, having the driver take me back to the company. As soon as I entered the office, the receptionist intern rushed over with a huge bouquet of red roses. “Lina, someone sent you flowers. No card, just said to wish you everything you desire.” The girl looked thoroughly gossipy. “From your boyfriend? That’s so romantic.” I glanced at the gaudy bouquet of red roses, probably ninety-nine of them. No need to guess who sent them. Three years ago, Ethan loved sending these. He always had his lackeys order them, too lazy to even write a card himself. Right after receiving the flowers, I got a text from an unknown number. “Got the flowers? Even though I don’t remember the past, Lucas said you like red roses. I’ve arranged a gathering at the club tonight. Come meet everyone.” I tossed my phone aside and pointed at the bouquet. “Throw it out.” The receptionist froze. “What? But that’s such a waste…” “If you like them, take them for a vase. Just don’t put them in my office-the smell is too strong.” With that, I walked straight into my office and opened my computer to handle emails. At nine that evening, I finished my meeting and rubbed my temples. My phone screen lit up with an incoming call from Adrian. “Come downstairs.” Just two simple words. I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. That familiar car was parked by the roadside, hazard lights flashing. I gathered my things, went downstairs, and got into the passenger seat. Adrian smoothly took my bag and placed it in the back seat. “Didn’t Ethan organize something at the club?” I asked casually. “Why didn’t you go?” Adrian started the car, a mocking smile playing at his lips. “Boring. I’d rather pick you up from work.” As soon as he finished speaking, the car display suddenly lit up showing an incoming call: “Ethan.” Adrian glanced at me, tapped answer on the screen, and put it on speaker. Ethan’s voice came through. “Adrian! Still not here? Been waiting forever!” Adrian steered one-handed, tone flat. “Got held up. I’ll come by later.” “What could be more important than hanging with the guys?” Ethan complained, then changed the subject. “Lina hasn’t shown up either. Can you get in touch with her? That woman is probably at home picking out an outfit, not answering her phone.” Adrian looked over at me, eyes playful. He said into the phone, “You sure she’ll come?” “Definitely.” Ethan sounded confident. “Once she gets that bouquet, she’ll have gotten over being mad. She always fell for this stuff before. I set up this gathering tonight specifically to announce we’re getting back together and give her some official status. That’s a pretty big olive branch, right?” Adrian took advantage of the red light, reached into the glove compartment, and pulled out an exquisite velvet box. He flipped it open with one hand and held it up to me. Inside lay a dazzling diamond necklace. His eyes signaled: Put it on. On the phone, Ethan continued rambling. “I’ll coax her back first, but I’ll still play however I want. As long as she behaves.” Ethan went on. “Actually, Lina’s pretty great. She loves me so much-if I sweet-talk her a bit, she’ll go back to revolving her whole world around me like before.” Ethan on the other end seemed to hear something and asked suspiciously, “Adrian, what’s that sound on your end? It sounds like there’s a woman?” Adrian looked at me and replied casually, “Nothing. Just the GPS voice.” I couldn’t help it-I opened my mouth and lightly bit his finger. Adrian’s eyes darkened. He immediately gripped the back of my head and kissed me. The call ended. The car fell silent. Then Adrian chuckled softly and restarted the engine. “You’re not going? Aren’t you afraid he’ll lose face in that circle?” “Face?” I looked at the night scenery flying past the window, tone flat. “Did he think about my face when he was faking his death and playing around?” Adrian said nothing, pressing hard on the accelerator as the car’s speed suddenly increased. He reached over to hold my hand, his fingertip gently caressing my palm. “True enough.” Then he added, “Someone who dares to sleep with me-you really don’t have anything you wouldn’t dare do.” My heart jumped. I turned to look at him. Adrian kept his eyes on the road, expression calm, as if that statement had just been casual observation.
Lina’s POV The next day at noon, my phone received multiple messages, all from Maya. Maya was my college roommate. Over these three years, we often went shopping and had afternoon tea together. “Where are you? You really didn’t go to Ethan’s thing last night? You’re so good at playing it cool!” “That Chloe spent all last night on Ins posting about the bags Ethan bought her, passive-aggressively saying out with the old, in with the new. I’m about to explode watching it!” “No way, I can’t swallow this! Tonight I’m calling Ethan out, and we’re going to put that girl in her place face to face!” I was in the middle of processing emails and the interruptions were giving me a headache. I replied casually: “Let them be.” Maya’s call immediately came through. “Lina! How can you just let them be?! The more you hide, the more smug that Chloe gets! She’s telling the whole world that you’re too scared of her to show your face!” “I already told everyone you’d definitely come tonight to tear that homewrecker apart. If you don’t show up, people will really think you’re afraid of that mistress!” “Just make an appearance and prove you don’t give a damn about that bastard!” I thought about it. She had a point. If I didn’t go, it would look like I still cared, still hiding from him. “Fine.” I agreed. “What time?” “Eight tonight! VIP room at Azure Bay Club!” … 8 PM, Azure Bay Club. I pushed open the door to the private room. The air inside was thick with smoke. Ethan sat in the center, surrounded by a circle of so-called friends, all watching the drama unfold, over a dozen men and women. The moment I stepped in, Maya sprang up and grabbed my arm, all warmth and enthusiasm. “Lina! You’re here! Come, sit with us, we’re right in the middle of a game!” She pressed me directly into the seat opposite Ethan. A huge spinning wheel sat on the table. “Truth or Dare. Everyone’s already played a round, we’ve just been waiting for you.” Maya poured me a drink and shot me a wink, lowering her voice. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it all set up. When it lands on Ethan, I’ll make him choose Dare and have him kiss you right in front of everyone. Let that Chloe see!” My brow furrowed slightly. Playing this kind of game in this setting-besides awkwardness, who would it actually upset? But before I could speak, Ethan had already opened his mouth lazily. “Since you’re here, follow the rules. Losers drink. If you’re too scared to play, get lost.” First round-the wheel stopped right in front of me. Maya immediately shouted, “Oh Lina! You’re so lucky! Truth or dare?” I looked at the eyes around me waiting for a show. “Truth.” Maya immediately threw out her question. “Lina, everyone knows you waited three years for Ethan. During those three years, did you ever have thoughts about any other man?” The whole room went quiet. Everyone stared at me. Ethan’s lighter paused. He looked up at me. His eyes held a casual certainty, as if the answer was already within his expectations. Who else could I possibly be interested in besides him? I picked up the drink in front of me and swirled it gently. Looking at Maya’s gossip-hungry eyes, I smiled. “Of course.” My tone was calm. Almost light. The room erupted.
Lina’s POV Ethan’s expression visibly darkened, a flash of shock and anger crossing his eyes. Maya hadn’t expected me to admit it so readily either. After a stunned moment, she excitedly pressed on. “Is it someone we know? Quick, tell us who!” I set down my glass, my gaze sweeping past Ethan before finally landing on Maya. Then I smiled. “Secret.” Ethan slammed his lighter down on the table. The glass surface let out a sharp crack. “Lina! You’ll make up anything just to piss me off?” His friends chimed in. “Yeah, Lina. Everyone knows you used to have eyes only for Ethan. Saying you’d be interested in other men-who’d believe that?” “Exactly! Who could compare to someone as high-quality as Ethan?” Everyone took turns with their teasing commentary, none of them believing I could be interested in any man besides Ethan. They all thought I was just throwing a tantrum. I silently sneered but offered no explanation. The Truth or Dare continued. The pointer spun and stopped in front of me again. Maya smiled. “Let’s do dare this time.” “Call the first male contact in your recent calls and tell him: I miss you, come pick me up.” People around started egging it on. “Everyone knows Lina’s contacts are just Ethan and delivery guys. This call’s probably going to some food delivery driver, right?” I took out my phone. First in my call history, labeled: Mr. B. As in, Adrian Blackwood. Ethan glanced at the screen and sneered. “Mr. B? Well, well. Lina’s learned to keep a backup, has she?” He jerked his chin. “Call him. Speaker.” I pressed dial and turned on speaker. The phone rang only once before being answered. A low, cool male voice came through. “Hello.” The room quieted slightly. I spoke into the phone, tone flat as I recited the script. “I miss you. Come pick me up.” “Address is Azure Bay.” Two seconds of silence on the other end. Then a short reply. “Okay.” Click. The call ended. The whole room went quiet for a moment, then burst into mocking laughter. “Lina, you found yourself a pretty good actor! Great teamwork!” Ethan laughed even harder, sprawled back on the sofa, dripping with contempt. “Lina, you’re really going out of your way to upset me. Is it fun, hiring some random guy to put on a show?” He tapped his watch. “If nobody shows up, you’re drinking everything on this table.” I ignored their mockery, picked up my bag and stood. “Then let’s go to the entrance and see.” The whole group followed in a mighty procession, waiting to watch me make a fool of myself. Ethan walked in front with his arm around Chloe, a confident smile on his face.
Lina’s POV Outside the club entrance, everyone’s attention was captured by a silver-gray supercar slowly approaching. The windows were tinted dark, impossible to see inside. The car came to a smooth stop at the entrance. The door automatically opened. I turned to look at the slack-jawed crowd, my gaze finally landing on Ethan’s rigid face. “The car’s here.” “Mr. Rivers, enjoy yourself.” With that, I walked straight over, bent down, and slid into the passenger seat. The door closed. The car let out a low rumble and sped away into the distance, leaving a group of people stunned behind us. “Oh my God! Is that a rental car?” “Rental? There are only a few of that model in the whole country! You couldn’t rent one even if you had money!” “Who is that guy? When did Lina get to know someone that powerful?” “The streetlight was too dim. Couldn’t see his face.” Ethan’s expression was dark enough to drip water. He stared at the direction where the taillights had disappeared, crushing the cigarette in his hand to shreds. Lucas beside him quickly tried to smooth things over. “Ethan, don’t take it seriously. She probably rented some old man’s car to save face! Lina really went all out to upset you!” Ethan’s expression relaxed. He threw away the ruined cigarette, lit a new one, and sneered. “To piss me off, she really will try anything.” He turned to look at his assistant. “Release the engagement announcement. Next Friday. Make it a big production.” Chloe looked up in delight. “Really, Ethan?” Ethan exhaled a puff of smoke casually. “Of course it’s real. Make a big splash-best if everyone knows about it.” … The car turned onto a quiet coastal road and came to a smooth stop at a scenic overlook by the roadside. Engine off. Adrian unbuckled his seatbelt, turned toward me, eyes unreadable in the darkness. “Using me?” His voice was low as his finger lifted a strand of my hair, winding it around his fingertip. “Just said you missed me in front of all those people. Pretty bold.” I didn’t dodge, meeting his gaze with a smile. “Didn’t you play along perfectly?” “And I won.” “Won?” Adrian scoffed, suddenly gripping the back of my head and kissing me. “That’s because Ethan’s an idiot.” “Using me as a weapon means you owe me payment.” This kiss was fierce and urgent, carrying punishing force. The temperature in the cramped car cabin rapidly climbed. Just then, the car display lit up. “Ethan.” Adrian’s movement paused. He glanced at the screen but showed no intention of stopping, casually pressing answer and putting it on speaker. Ethan’s voice came through, laced with mockery and disdain. “To piss me off, Lina really went all out-found herself some old man to upset me.” Adrian kept one hand on my waist, voice steady. “Is that so.” I bit my lip, my body tensing from his movements. Ethan sneered. “I knew she was putting on an act. Since she wants to play big, I’ll humor her.” “Next Friday I’m holding an engagement party. Send her the invitation. Her expression is going to be priceless.” Adrian’s fingers moved with deliberate cruelty. I shuddered, nearly crying out, and could only bite down on his shoulder. “Engagement party?” Adrian said flatly into the phone, “You sure about this?” “I’m sure.” Ethan’s tone was confident. “She likes to act all high and mighty, doesn’t she? When she finds out I’m marrying someone else, let’s see how she keeps up the act. I bet before that day even comes, she’ll be crying and begging me to cancel.” He paused, tone casual. “Oh, and you have to come. This is my first big event since coming back. I need you there for peace of mind.” Adrian kissed away the physiological tears at the corner of my eye, voice low. “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be there.” “Such a spectacular show-how could I miss it?” “Great, then it’s settled.” Ethan hung up. The car interior fell back into dead silence, only the sound of our tangled breathing. Adrian released me, looking at my reddened eyes, his fingertip gently brushing my lips. “Did you hear?” “He said to make you come crying and begging him to cancel.” I steadied my breathing, a cold glint in my eyes. “Then let’s see who ends up crying.” Adrian laughed. He restarted the car. The engine roar echoed through the night. “Let’s go. Time to go back and finish paying the rest of that compensation you owe me.”
Lina’s POV The engagement party was set for Friday evening at the most luxurious seven-star hotel in the city. For days, the entire social circle had been buzzing about Young Master Rivers throwing money around for his engagement party, sending invitations throughout the entire social scene. Friday afternoon, I was reviewing documents at the company when Maya burst straight into my office. “Lina! How can you just sit there so calmly?!” She snatched the pen from my hand, stamping her feet anxiously. “Tonight’s the engagement party! You’re really not planning to go?” I leaned back in my chair, voice flat. “Go for what? To watch those two swear before God they’ll never part?” “To stop him, of course!” Maya looked completely exasperated. “You’re the fiancée! Who does that Chloe think she is? If you don’t go, you’re basically handing Ethan over to her! That little homewrecker will definitely be laughing at you behind your back!” “Tonight, you dress up gorgeous and just show up. The second you walk in, Ethan will dump her on the spot!” I looked at her anxious face and laughed on the inside. No one wanted me to go more than Maya did. After all, if I didn’t go, Ethan wouldn’t get his revenge, and that Chloe would truly rise to power. “Fine.” I closed my documents and stood. “Since you insist, let’s go take a look.” Maya breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll take you to get styled. Tonight we absolutely must outshine everyone!” At the hotel, Maya led me to a VIP lounge on the second floor. “Touch up your makeup first. I’ll go check things out up front and come right back for you.” I sat in the lounge for a while. Feeling stuffy, I got up to use the restroom. I had just reached the balcony at the end of the hallway when I heard a hushed voice inside. It was Maya. She seemed to be on a phone call, her tone unable to hide her smugness. “Don’t worry, I already brought her here. She’s sitting in the lounge like an idiot waiting.” The person on the other end said something, and Maya scoffed. “Object to the wedding? It’d be great if she actually did! You know Ethan’s temper. If Lina dares make a scene, Ethan will absolutely humiliate her publicly and make sure she can never show her face in this circle again!” Her tone turned vicious. “As for that Chloe, she’s just an idiot.” “Once Lina makes a scene, the engagement party definitely won’t happen. The position of Ethan’s wife, who else but me could take it?” “Okay, I’m not talking anymore. I need to keep an eye on things so nothing goes wrong.” I stood behind the curtain, listening to this calculated scheme, finding it utterly laughable. She wanted to eliminate me, crush Chloe, and reap all the benefits herself in the end. Maya hung up and turned to leave. After her footsteps faded, I unhurriedly emerged from behind the curtain and returned to the lounge. Not long after, Maya came back. Her face flushed with anxious excitement as she grabbed me. “Lina, let’s go! The ceremony’s about to start! That Chloe is up there right now, putting on a show. Let’s go give her a piece of our minds!” I looked at that fake face and smiled. “Sure.” Maya led the way, her steps light, almost hurried. I followed behind her, the corner of my mouth slowly curling up. The show was about to begin.
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