Author: Momo Chan

The 99th time I woke up in a hotel room with my childhood best friend, Liam Hayes, he was still just as wild. The next morning, my body was covered in hickeys. The slightest movement sent a sharp ache through my lower back. The lingering scent of intimacy still hung heavy in the air. Liam’s long arm wrapped around me, savoring the soft warmth of my body. “Dress formally tomorrow,” he said, his voice casual. “Come home with me.” I shot up, a surge of hope swelling in my chest. “Are you finally going to… make us public?” Liam arched an eyebrow, glancing at me sideways. “Public? About what? I have a date at my place tomorrow. I need you to help liven things up. Make sure the girl doesn’t feel awkward.” Each word landed like a thunderclap, echoing in my ears. My heart threatened to stop. My mind went completely blank. “You have a date? Then what am I to you?” Liam was already getting dressed. He spared me a lazy look. “You? You’re my go-to for everything. My dinner buddy, my gaming buddy, and, you know, my *bed buddy* for when we need to unwind.” A chill spread through me, draining the color from my face. My lips trembled. Seeing my expression, Liam’s smile slowly faded. He leaned closer. “No, Maya. You didn’t actually think we were, like, boyfriend and girlfriend all these years, did you?” His playful tone pierced my heart like a sharp knife. I fought back the stinging in my nose, my voice fracturing, barely coherent. “Wh-what are you talking about? I-I’m going to take a shower.” I scrambled off the bed, my legs shaky, and stumbled into the bathroom. The moment the door clicked shut, all strength left me. I collapsed onto the floor. His words still rang in my ears. I stared at the dense array of hickeys Liam had left all over me, and tears streamed down my face. We’d known each other for over twenty years, grown up together. We’d shared the same juice box, flipped through the same comic books. When we turned eighteen, one drunken night, we even ended up in bed together. Once became twice, then thrice… At night, our bodies fit together perfectly. During the day, we did everything a couple would. We walked hand-in-hand through crowds, kissed at New Year’s promising to be together next year, and spent hours on the phone every day to keep the spark alive… I always thought we were together, just not officially public. And now Liam was telling me we weren’t a couple? The pain was suffocating. I turned the shower on full blast with trembling hands, finally daring to cry out loud. I don’t know how long I stayed there, tears flowing until they ran dry. Only then did I compose myself and step out. Liam was already dressed and sitting on the sofa, talking on the phone. “More people are coming tomorrow, so book a bigger private room at the restaurant. Chloe prefers light flavors, so upscale Mediterranean cuisine will be perfect. A Red Velvet Cake, and pink and white roses for flowers. Send me pictures when it’s set up so I can check. And prepare a dozen suits for me to choose from, all black. Chloe only likes that color.” Hearing that name, my heart seized. Involuntarily, I glanced over and saw the sweet smile playing on Liam’s lips. Chloe? His date was Chloe Peterson? The light in my eyes dimmed. If it was Chloe, then I understood why he was so happy. In high school, Liam had a massive crush on Chloe. He’d drone on about her name in my ear dozens of times a day. But before he could ever confess, Chloe moved abroad. Since then, I’d never heard him mention her again. Later, after our own reckless night, we grew closer, and I thought he had long forgotten about Chloe. But it seems that perfect ideal, that first love he never spoke of, he’d never truly forgotten. The sharp pang in my chest returned, so intense I almost dropped my phone. *Bang!* Liam turned at the sound, a playful smile on his face. “All showered? Good. Can you check out later? I already paid for the room.” He picked up his jacket and headed for the door. Just before stepping out, he turned back, a half-smile on his face. “Maya, I’ve always thought of you as my best friend, like a brother. Don’t give me that heartbroken look again. Otherwise, I might think you’re getting some ideas about me.” “I know you inside out. You can tell what I’m thinking with just one look. Don’t you think that kind of life would be boring? If we were actually together, it would feel like the end of everything.” His voice faded with his footsteps, but his words echoed endlessly in my heart. I sat on the cold bed, then I started to laugh, and the laughter turned into tears. So, all these years, that’s what Liam thought of me. I sat there alone until late into the night before finally going downstairs to check out. A heavy rain was falling outside, but I barely registered it as I numbly walked home. My parents rushed over, dry towels in hand, their voices laced with concern when they saw me drenched to the bone. “Such heavy rain, why didn’t you take a cab?” I looked at them, my eyes vacant, my voice hoarse. “Dad, Mom, with the group’s business changes, haven’t you always wanted to move abroad? I’ve made up my mind. Let’s immigrate. Let’s never come back.” They’d been trying to convince me for months, and now, finally hearing me relent, my parents were surprised. “You’ve really thought it through? Did you break up with your boyfriend?” Recalling Liam’s words, my heart ached. I forced a bitter smile and shook my head. “There was no boyfriend. Never was. I just made it up to avoid getting hounded about marriage.” Though unsure if I was telling the truth, my parents were overjoyed. They immediately began preparing the immigration paperwork, urging me to pack. I hummed in agreement and went to my bedroom, throwing away everything related to Liam. Years of carefully preserved photo albums, all the jewelry, dresses, and handmade figurines he’d given me… Now, all of it went into the trash. “Miss Sterling, so many good things. You don’t want any of it?” The housekeeper’s voice held a touch of regret. I simply nodded, my voice flat. “No, I don’t.” Not just these things, but this relationship, and Liam himself – I wanted none of it anymore. The next day, I was woken up by Liam’s SnapChat messages. Dozens of them, asking when I was coming over. My heart felt bitter. Liam, do you even see how cruel you are? With trembling fingers, I typed out a reply: “Not feeling well today. Can’t make it.” A moment later, my parents knocked on my door. “Maya, even if you’re upset with Liam, don’t pick now to be difficult! Get dressed and go to his house. You have no idea how important this date is to Liam. He’s liked Chloe Peterson for years, and as soon as he heard she was back in the country, he practically begged your father to set them up!” “That’s right,” my mom chimed in. “Chloe took piano lessons from me for a while, and I personally went over to make this meeting happen. From gifts to dinner, everything is so formal! He’s asking you to go just to liven things up. With a girl your age there, Chloe won’t feel awkward. Liam is serious about this one, and you two are so close, how can you not help him?” Liam, upon hearing I wouldn’t come, had even called my parents! Listening to their earnest pleas, I could only swallow my tears, get ready, and head downstairs. The two families lived close by. Ten minutes later, I stood at the Hayes’ front door and opened the shoe cabinet in the entryway. It was completely empty. My little bunny slippers weren’t there. I searched high and low, finally finding them in the trash can outside the door. Besides the slippers, there was my water bottle, toothbrush, towel, pajamas… all my things. “Miss Sterling, these were all thrown out by the young master. Please use these shoe covers for now.” I stared at the trash can, silent for a long moment. Because the Sterling and Hayes families had always been close, I used to drop by almost every day and often stayed overnight. Liam had even set aside a bedroom just for me and bought me all sorts of daily necessities, specifically picking out the little bunny designs I liked. He told me the Hayes’ house was my home, and I shouldn’t be a stranger. We’d kept secrets from our parents, embracing and kissing at the front door, intertwining our fingers under the dinner table, sharing intimate moments in his study. Now that Chloe was here, he was afraid his crush might misunderstand. So he’d thrown out everything connected to me. It took me a while to compose myself and put on the shoe covers. The moment I stepped inside, I saw Liam peeling fruit for Chloe. They were laughing and chatting happily. He sat on the sofa, dressed in a custom satin suit, his hair meticulously styled, wearing cologne. He exuded a forbidden allure, like a dark academic with a hidden edge. Back in school, I’d heard countless girls say how handsome he was, that he’d look good even in a sack. If he actually dressed up, no celebrity idol could compare. But Liam was naturally wild and carefree, usually just wearing a T-shirt and jeans, not bothering with dressing up. So, he *did* fluff his feathers for the person he liked? The man who had been tangled up with me in bed just yesterday now acted like he didn’t even know me. He glanced at me once, then his gaze slid away, completely focused on Chloe. They talked about everything from hobbies to the weather, from work to jewelry brands, from childhood anecdotes to their school days. Watching Liam tirelessly find topics and chat animatedly, I lowered my eyes in self-mockery. So, he *did* take the initiative like this for the person he liked. “It’s funny, in high school,” Chloe laughed, recalling old times, “you were a year ahead of me, and we weren’t even in the same building, but we’d often run into each other at school. It felt like destiny.” I watched Liam’s ears turn red, smiling silently. Destiny? No. Those “chance encounters” were all carefully orchestrated by Liam. Back then, I’d followed him, watching him pull out all the stops for his crush, my heart aching. Later, when Chloe moved abroad, I thought I’d finally gotten what I wished for. But now, it seemed Liam was the one getting his wish. Lost in thought, I suddenly heard my name. “I heard in high school that you had a very close childhood friend. That must be Maya, right?” I paused, looking up to meet Chloe’s probing gaze. Before I could speak, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes chimed in cheerfully. “They’re incredibly close! Inseparable since birth, practically grew up joined at the hip. We were even thinking of arranging an engagement between them…” Mid-sentence, Liam’s face darkened, and he abruptly cut them off. “Mom, Dad, stop talking nonsense. I would never fall for Maya Sterling, no matter who else I liked.” I lowered my gaze, hiding the disappointment in my eyes, and forced a smile. “Me neither. Out of everyone, I would never get together with Liam Hayes.” Liam’s expression froze for a split second, then quickly returned to normal. He slung an arm over my shoulder, as if embracing a brother, and said casually, “Exactly! We have a purely platonic friendship.” Suddenly, the tension in the living room eased. I joined in the laughter, vaguely hearing Liam whisper a relieved “Thanks.” I didn’t say anything, just subtly moved a few steps away from him, creating distance. Liven up the atmosphere? No, what I said was the truth. As evening approached, the Hayes family’s car was ready to take us to the restaurant. The three young people sat in one car. Throughout the ride, Liam, who sat in the middle, lavished attention on Chloe. He adjusted the AC, fetched a blanket, and even helped unscrew her water bottle. I sat on the left, watching their lively conversation, and silently turned to gaze out the window. Halfway there, a torrential rain began to fall. The road was dimly lit, and the car in front suddenly switched on its high beams. As we drove downhill, the driver was momentarily blinded, couldn’t make the turn, and crashed directly into the guardrail. In that split second of danger, Liam instinctively pulled Chloe into his arms, shielding her. *Bang!* The car windows shattered, glass flying. I, sitting on the inner side, was left bleeding profusely. A searing pain spread through my entire body. I felt like I was coming apart. My consciousness faded, but I saw the car door on the right open. Liam, frantic, carried Chloe out of the car, calling the hospital while gently comforting her. He seemed to have completely forgotten there was another person in the car, showing no concern for me at all. When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics suggested treating the more severely injured person first. But caught between me, lying in a pool of blood, and Chloe, who was merely shaken in his arms, Liam hesitated for only a few seconds before choosing to take Chloe to the hospital first. Watching the ambulance drive away, my vision blurred, and tears I could no longer hold back streamed down my face. Liam, oh Liam. Twenty years of history, and it still couldn’t compare to one look from her! My eyelids grew heavy. The relentless pain that had tortured me dissipated like smoke. I couldn’t wait for the next ambulance. Everything went black, and I lost consciousness. I don’t know how much time passed. I heard a cacophony of voices. Opening my eyes, I saw my mother clutching her chest, her voice a mix of worry and relief. “Thank goodness, Maya, you’re finally awake! It’s a miracle the ambulance got here in time. You lost so much blood, the hospital almost ran out. You three were in one car, how is it that Chloe only scraped her hand, but you’re so badly injured?” My father sighed with relief, taking a sip of water. “That’s because Liam protected her, of course. True feelings are revealed in times of trouble, and that girl was incredibly moved. I just visited her in the next room. Liam was spoon-feeding her porridge. Just seeing the tenderness in their eyes, I’d say they’re practically official.” I listened silently. After they finished their gossip, I finally spoke, my voice hoarse. “How long was I asleep? Are the immigration papers ready?” “You slept for two days! You scared us half to death!” “Don’t you worry about the paperwork. It’ll be finalized in less than a month. Just focus on recovering.” Hearing it was less than a month away, a sense of liberated relief washed over me. For the next two or three days, I kept hearing nurses talk about all the things Liam was doing for Chloe. He stayed by her bedside constantly. If he heard her cough in the middle of the night, he’d fret for ages, then go find a nurse for hot water. He’d personally test the temperature of all her medicine and have candied fruit ready, afraid the poor girl might find it bitter. Fearing she’d be bored cooped up in the room, he’d go to great lengths to find all sorts of fun toys to cheer her up. I listened in silence, saying nothing. When the nurse pushed me for a recheck, I heard a commotion in the hallway. Passing the room next door, I glanced over and saw Liam, holding a huge bouquet of roses, confessing his feelings to Chloe. “Chloe, I fell in love with you eight years ago. All those ‘chance encounters’ were actually me deliberately trying to get close to you. I remember all your favorite things, and I know your dreams. I never got to confess back then. Will you give me a chance now?” Listening to his voice, filled with anticipation and nervousness, I couldn’t help but recall how Liam had been preparing this confession a month before Chloe moved abroad. Though it was missed due to a twist of fate, it had only been delayed by a few years. Hearing Chloe say “Yes, I will,” I gave a soft smile and walked towards the examination room. The moment I turned away, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause. Liam turned at the sound, and his eyes landed on my solitary, somewhat forlorn figure. The smile on his face froze, a flicker of something unsettling stirring within him. But the discomfort lasted only a moment, quickly drowned out by a tide of joy. He reached out, openly and unapologetically, pulling Chloe into his embrace. That night, I opened a booking app and searched for direct flights from Seattle to Barcelona. Just after I completed the payment, Liam arrived with Chloe. “Maya, good news! Chloe agreed to be my girlfriend. See? I’m a good friend, telling you first.” I looked at their tightly clasped hands, nodded, and said flatly, “Congratulations.” Chloe’s eyes overflowed with happiness. She smiled shyly. “Thank you for your blessings. Mrs. Sterling said you were seriously injured. Are you feeling better lately? I brought some fish soup for you. You should have some.” She spoke while urging Liam to quickly serve the soup. Seeing him obediently comply, I paused for a moment before realizing what was happening. “Thanks, but no need for the fish soup.” At my words, Liam’s face instantly turned cold. He looked at me with displeasure. “This soup was personally cooked by Chloe. I was already reluctant to give it to you. It’s because Chloe cares about your injuries that I reluctantly agreed to let you have some. How can you be so ungrateful?” He said, pouring a bowl and thrusting it into my hands, insisting I drink it now. I tried to explain, but he grabbed my wrist. In the struggle, the bowl spilled, and the hot soup splashed all over my wound. “Ah!” Pain made cold sweat break out on my forehead. My face crumpled, pale as paper. Chloe gasped, startled, and pulled out tissues, looking apologetic, trying to help wipe it away. Fearing she might get burned, Liam quickly shielded her behind him. “Chloe, this has nothing to do with you. She’s always been tough, it’s nothing serious. Don’t blame yourself.” My hand, holding the tissue, trembled several times. My heart seized. The next second, my father burst into the room. Seeing my wound start to bleed again, he quickly called for a nurse. My mother, though heartbroken, patiently put away the fish soup and explained to Chloe. “Chloe, Maya is allergic to seafood. She can’t drink fish soup. We appreciate your kindness, thank you.” Liam froze, his face turning unnatural. “Why didn’t you say so sooner?” Looking at the blood-stained bandage, my heart was filled with bitterness. He used to remember all my dietary restrictions. Every time we went to a restaurant, he would repeatedly emphasize to the waiter: no seafood, no onions, no cilantro. But now that Chloe was here, his eyes were only on her. Of course, he wouldn’t remember such a small detail about me. A person’s heart is only so big. It can only truly hold one person. The one he loved most. After a long silence, I finally pulled at my lips and replied. “You never gave me a chance to speak.” The hospital room fell silent. Chloe looked so guilty she was almost in tears. Liam, pitying her, said nothing more and left with her. Due to the wound infection, I stayed in the hospital for three more days before being discharged. Immigration day was drawing near, and the Sterling family was busy packing. My parents were too occupied, so they prepared a generous gift and asked me to visit the Hayes’ house. As soon as I entered, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes pulled me aside, apologizing profusely. “Maya, we’re so sorry. After all these years between you and Liam, in such a dangerous car accident, he only protected Chloe and didn’t even care about you. It caused you such serious injuries. We feel absolutely terrible, and we’ll make sure he apologizes to you.” I shook my head, gently comforting them. “Chloe is Liam’s girlfriend. It was right for him to protect her. I’m fine, nothing serious happened. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, please don’t worry.” Seeing that I wasn’t taking it to heart, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes finally eased their worries. After a brief chat, I brought up the real reason for my visit, informing them about my family’s immigration plans. Hearing the news so suddenly, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes were shocked. “So sudden?” “Our company’s business adjusted. We actually started preparing about six months ago, but it was only recently finalized. My parents specifically asked me to come and tell you.” Sad at the thought of their old friends leaving, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes’ voices were filled with reluctance. “Will you ever come back?” I smiled, my voice remarkably clear in the quiet living room. “Once we leave this time, we won’t be coming back.” Just then, Liam returned, pushing open the door. He frowned, looking at us. “Who’s not coming back?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299037”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

Eighteen years of relying on each other, inseparable, my brother died. He died on a rich socialite’s private yacht, simply because he accidentally stained her dress. She, always pampered and arrogant, ordered her men to break his bones and throw him into the ocean to feed the fish. When his body was recovered, it was already shattered beyond recognition. I didn’t shed a tear, didn’t make a scene. I only did two things. First, I found out that the rich socialite’s most beloved person was Marcus Thorne, the CEO of Thorne Enterprises. Second, I became Marcus Thorne’s personal assistant. Phoebe Sterling, since you made me lose the person I loved most, it’s time for you to taste that pain too. ### It was midnight, in the lavish Grand Imperial Hotel. I led Marcus Thorne to the presidential suite at the very end of the hall. The man beside me had quite a bit to drink today. A faint blush touched his usually stoic face, his eyes were tightly shut, and his breath reeked of strong liquor. I expertly swiped the room card, unlocked the door, and then slipped his phone from his pocket, dialing the number pinned at the top. Once the call connected, I deliberately loosened my grip, letting him accidentally pull me close as we tumbled heavily onto the bed behind us. The sound, heard from the other end of the phone, took on a completely different, suggestive meaning. Sure enough, the person on the other end instantly flared up. “Marcus? Where are you?” “Hello?” “Is there a woman there?! Marcus?” Before the person on the other end could completely lose her mind, I discreetly hung up. Everyone in their circle knew how much Phoebe Sterling loved Marcus Thorne. They had grown up together. Although Marcus Thorne was known for being aloof and self-controlled, deeply affectionate and loyal, with only her in his heart, never getting close to other women, she still lacked a sense of security. From childhood, she never allowed any other woman within arm’s reach of him. Too much love often leads to too much possessiveness. If she were to lose him completely one day, she’d surely go insane. And that, exactly, was what I wanted. Now, by deliberately creating this misunderstanding, I figured it wouldn’t be half an hour before she’d come banging on the door, making a huge scene. A cold smirk played on my lips. I set the phone aside and walked into the bathroom to wet a towel. Before stepping back into the living room, I delicately unbuttoned the top button of my shirt. The handsome man on the bed was still fast asleep. I leaned in close, gently wiping his face. He truly was the kind of man every woman in this city dreamed of but couldn’t touch. His exquisite features, his undeniably handsome face—any woman who saw him couldn’t help but feel a flutter. But what I wanted was far more than something so simple. I pressed harder, and he frowned, then opened his eyes. Seeing my face, his eyes instantly sharpened, and he grabbed my hand, questioning. “What are you doing?” Like a deer caught in headlights, I flinched back. “Mr. Thorne, you drank too much. I haven’t been with the company long, and I didn’t know your address, so I just booked a room for you upstairs from the banquet hall to rest.” “I was worried you wouldn’t be comfortable, so I used a wet towel to wipe your face.” After hearing my explanation, Marcus Thorne’s expression softened slightly. He loosened his tie, taking a deep breath. His gaze casually dropped to me. Feeling his eyes on me, I quickly clutched my neckline with a hurried hand. A rapid knocking on the door sounded, right on cue. “You little fox, get out here now!” “How dare you try to seduce my man? Are you asking for trouble?!” “Open the door!” I jumped off the bed, heart pounding, and whispered urgently, pleading with him. “Mr. Thorne, Ms. Sterling can’t know I’m in here. A man and a woman in the same room, no matter what we say, she won’t believe it.” “If she sees me, I’ll lose my job!” “Please, I’m begging you, okay?” My face was pale, my large, bright eyes wide and innocent, making me appear even more delicate and vulnerable. Marcus Thorne frowned, a silent acknowledgment of my plea. A wave of relief washed over me. I quickly scurried into the bathroom and hid. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, the vulnerable expression wiped clean from my face. Phoebe Sterling. The show is about to begin. Get ready for what’s coming… ###

The door opened, and Phoebe Sterling stormed in, her face etched with fury. She glanced around, but only saw Marcus Thorne. Some of the anger in her chest dissipated. She then noticed Marcus Thorne’s slightly haggard face and rushed to steady him with concern. “Marcus, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Marcus Thorne rubbed his temples with his strong, elegant fingers, his voice low. “I had a few too many drinks at the banquet tonight, so I just booked a room upstairs to rest.” “What is it, has someone been gossiping and upset you?” Phoebe Sterling’s face was tinged with guilt. She forced a smile, her eyes darting around the room. “No one, I just came to check on you.” “You’re just so desirable; there are so many women in this city who want you. If I’m not vigilant, and someone snatches you away, where would I go to cry?” Marcus Thorne chuckled softly, pulling her into his embrace. “Phoebe, don’t you know who’s in my heart?” “All these years, have I ever looked at another woman?” He’s always so distant; I’d never seen him look so tender since I started working for him. He really must love Phoebe Sterling. His words finally made Phoebe Sterling completely drop her guard. His gentle words melted away any lingering doubt. She helped him sit on the nearby sofa and instructed him, “You should get some rest since you’ve had too much to drink. I won’t disturb you.” With that, she turned to leave, but the next second, a “thump” suddenly came from the bathroom. Phoebe Sterling’s brows instantly furrowed, her sharp gaze sweeping fiercely towards the bathroom. “Who’s in there?” No one answered. She immediately started to walk towards it. In that critical moment, Marcus Thorne rose and went to her side, gently pulling her into his arms. “I was about to take a shower, so I turned on the faucet. It must have just fallen off.” “I told you I was alone. Don’t you trust me?” Phoebe Sterling quickly pushed him playfully. “Of course I trust you, Marcus. I’ll leave right away, don’t be angry.” In front of Marcus Thorne, the proud socialite, so used to getting her way, was actually lowering herself like this. A cold smirk played on my lips. The more she cared about Marcus Thorne, the more I would make her suffer. As the door clicked shut, Marcus Thorne’s cool voice sounded again. “You can come out now.” I emerged barefoot, carefully. Earlier, I had deliberately turned on the shower, soaking myself halfway. Now, my long, wavy hair fell loosely around my shoulders, making me look like a pure, innocent fawn that had just stumbled out of the woods. Marcus Thorne scrutinized me, his gaze cold and dismissive. Seeing this, I quickly lowered my head, looking cautious and nervous. “Mr. Thorne, I accidentally touched the shower just now. I’m sorry, it wasn’t intentional.” He spoke coldly, “Are you very afraid of her?” I bit my soft, red lips tightly, hesitating. “Yes, I am…” “I’m even more afraid of losing my job. This job is incredibly important to me.” After speaking, as if afraid he would press further, I rushed to say goodbye before he could open his mouth. “Thank you for today, Mr. Thorne. I won’t disturb your rest. I’ll be leaving now!” With those words, I grabbed my coat and hurried out the door. Downstairs, just as I was about to pull out my phone to call a ride, Marcus Thorne’s black Maybach slowly pulled up in front of me. The driver got out, opened the door, and greeted me. “Ms. Wen, Mr. Thorne asked me to drive you home.” I paused for a moment, then opened the car door and got in. With tonight’s little stunt, I was certain I had caught Marcus Thorne’s attention. But he was clever, and I still couldn’t underestimate him. ###

In the days that followed, I went about my regular duties as if nothing had happened, maintaining a calm demeanor. Even when I saw Marcus Thorne, I remained respectful but distant as always. Phoebe Sterling, however, developed an intense hostility towards me after seeing me emerge from Marcus Thorne’s office a few times. She had never known there was such a beautiful woman working so closely with Marcus Thorne. I had never doubted my own beauty; from childhood, my looks had earned me a lot of preferential treatment. And this beauty was a huge threat to Phoebe Sterling. Because of this, whenever she came to the company, she would constantly make my life hell. She’d order me to get her coffee, intentionally spill water on me, mess up my documents, and make me work late into the night. These childish games, I never took to heart, nor did I ever mention her mistreatment to Marcus Thorne. But, each time I was harassed, I would “accidentally” make sure he saw it. This evening, after Marcus Thorne finished a meeting and left the office, he paused unconsciously as he passed my cubicle, watching the woman engrossed in her work under the lamp. His eyes flickered, but he said nothing, simply walking away. I allowed a faint smile to touch my lips. Phoebe Sterling’s behavior these past few days had already planted a seed of doubt in his mind; now, I just needed to fan the flames. The next day, as soon as I sat down at my desk, a stinging slap landed hard across my face. I was knocked directly to the floor, my cheek burning with pain. Phoebe Sterling’s furious, cutting insults rained down on me from above. “I knew you were a troublemaker. It’s just as I expected.” “You’re truly shameless, doing anything to hook Marcus Thorne. Today, I’ll show you what it costs to cross me!” I clutched my cheek, looking up at her with a pitiful expression. “Ms. Sterling, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” The more vulnerable and helpless I appeared, the more Phoebe Sterling’s rage intensified, making her unable to control herself. “Still playing innocent with me? You deliberately left that lipstick stain on Marcus’s shirt, didn’t you? Do you think I don’t know?” I shook my head frantically. “It wasn’t me, I didn’t do it, Ms. Sterling, you’ve misunderstood!” “Misunderstood?” Phoebe Sterling sneered, delivering another harsh slap. “You’re the only one in the whole company who wears that shade! Still trying to deny it?” “You dress so provocatively every day, just to seduce Marcus, aren’t you? Why are you playing the innocent act with me now, huh?” The commotion quickly attracted others in the company. People surrounded me, whispering to each other. “I knew she wasn’t any good, thinking her looks could hook Mr. Thorne. It’s disgusting.” “Exactly, exactly! She probably just used her looks to get hired in the first place.” I feebly explained, “I really didn’t. I have no designs on Mr. Thorne. Ms. Sterling, you truly misunderstood!” Phoebe, blinded by rage, wasn’t listening. She grabbed my collar and started dragging me towards the door. “You’re going to kneel right here and let everyone see what a pathetic slut you are!” Then she ordered her bodyguards, “Strip her!” “She has no shame, so today I’m going to make sure she’ll be too ashamed to ever show her face here again!” With her words, two men immediately stepped forward and began to pull at my clothes. Terrified, I curled into a ball, begging for mercy. “It really wasn’t me, Ms. Sterling…” “Ms. Sterling, you truly misunderstood…” But no matter how much I pleaded, Phoebe Sterling showed no sign of letting me go. The men tugged at my clothes, and I struggled fiercely, my eyes burning red. “Enough!” A clear, calm voice suddenly interrupted the escalating scene. The main door opened, and Marcus Thorne strode in, step by step, towards the crowd. He exuded a powerful aura, making everyone involuntarily shiver. I looked up at him, my eyes instantly clouded with tears. “Mr. Thorne…” My cheeks were flushed, and my clothes were disheveled and torn, but it only made me look more fragile and beautiful. I hadn’t said a word, yet it felt as if I had conveyed everything. Marcus Thorne’s eyes flashed. His assistant immediately took off his jacket and draped it over me. Phoebe Sterling, seething, was about to speak, but Marcus Thorne cut her off. He pressed his fingers to his temples. “Phoebe, the lipstick on my collar was accidentally transferred by one of the maids at home.” “If you don’t believe me, you can check the security footage.” Phoebe Sterling froze, then blinked, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. She quickly tugged his sleeve, trying to appease him. “Marcus, I’m sorry. I just care about you too much.” “I won’t do this again, please don’t be angry, okay?” Marcus Thorne’s gaze darkened, but perhaps because he loved her so much, he said nothing more, simply instructing his assistant to escort her back. Once everyone had dispersed, he looked down at me, still kneeling on the floor. “Come to my office.” ###

In the CEO’s office, I first sent a quick text to the maid: “Well done. Payment sent.” Then, as Marcus Thorne turned around, I discreetly hid my phone, clutching the jacket around me and trembling on the sofa. I kept my head down, tears streaming down my face. Marcus Thorne looked at me and an unfamiliar sensation stirred within him. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to me. His sharp gaze softened as he spoke calmly. “What happened today, Phoebe was in the wrong. I apologize on her behalf. She’s just a little spoiled, she doesn’t mean any real harm. Please don’t take it to heart.” *No real harm?* I scoffed inwardly, finding it utterly cynical. She thinks there’s “no real harm” now, humiliating me in front of everyone. If she *did* have bad intentions, would I end up like my brother? Such a woman—vicious and cruel—but in Marcus Thorne’s eyes, she was dismissed with a few dismissive words. Did he know that my brother was killed by Phoebe Sterling? He was the brother who raised me, who bought me the dresses I loved, working on construction sites until his hands were raw and calloused, never complaining. Even when he was accepted into a prestigious overseas university, he willingly dropped out of college to take the toughest, most exhausting jobs, just to take care of me. Though our home was poor, my brother never let me feel the hardships of life. My good, kind brother… I would never see him again. Thinking of my brother, my eyes glistened with tears even more, unstoppable. “I won’t blame Ms. Sterling, and I certainly won’t blame you, Mr. Thorne.” “I just hope that Ms. Sterling won’t misunderstand me again, and that I can work peacefully in this position.” Seeing my vulnerable appearance, Marcus Thorne couldn’t help but frown. “Is this job so important to you?” My eyes, glistening with tears, wavered. “Yes, it’s very important.” “My parents passed away when I was very young. It was my brother who gave up his studies to raise me, but a year ago, my brother also passed away.” “Our family accumulated a lot of debt for my education, so I can’t afford to lose this job.” Marcus Thorne’s gaze deepened, but he didn’t ask any more questions. “Compose yourself. You can go out later.” I nodded, leaned back on the sofa, and soon cried myself to sleep. Marcus Thorne had seen countless beautiful women. His stern eyes betrayed no other emotions, but seeing the sparkling tears still clinging to my pale face, his gaze flickered involuntarily. He took the blanket nearby and draped it over me, then half-knelt in front of me, his expression cool. Just as he was about to stand, I, in my sleep, suddenly grabbed his hand and, crying, placed it on my face. “Brother, don’t leave me…” “Brother, I miss you so much…” He paused, hesitated for a moment, then gently withdrew his hand. A few days later, Marcus Thorne was invited to a corporate gala, and as his assistant, I naturally attended with him. Phoebe Sterling saw me at the event. Though seething with anger, with Marcus Thorne present, she could only grit her teeth and put on a facade of generosity. She intended to keep a close eye on me, but unexpectedly, she felt lightheaded after only a few drinks and was about to fall asleep. She had no choice but to say goodbye to Marcus Thorne and go upstairs to rest. Watching Phoebe Sterling leave, my lips curled into a cold smile. Of course she would drink too much and leave early. Earlier, when she asked me to fetch her a drink, I had secretly put quite a bit of sleeping medicine in it when no one was looking. Now, with her gone, everything would be much easier. Many people at the banquet toasted Marcus Thorne. He was in a good mood and hardly refused anyone. Even with his high alcohol tolerance, he was swaying and about to collapse. I helped him sit down and casually poured a glass of water to hand to him. But my hand slipped, and the entire glass of water spilled directly onto him. I grabbed some tissues to frantically wipe it, but Marcus Thorne, his breathing hitched, gripped my wrist tight. “Don’t move!” His shout startled me, and I then realized the water had spilled in an awkward spot. I quickly retreated a few steps. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Thorne! I’ll go get you a clean set of clothes.” Marcus Thorne’s face was cold, and he practically gritted his teeth. “No need. You can go first.” I didn’t dare look at him again, quickly pulled a room key card from my pocket, placed it on his table, and fled in a panic. Leaving the banquet hall, I took the elevator directly to the twenty-second floor. The room key card I gave him was for Phoebe Sterling’s room, but I had already arranged for Phoebe to be sent home. I changed my clothes, lay down on the bed, and turned off the lights. Half an hour later, Marcus Thorne indeed swiped the key card and opened the door. He didn’t turn on the lights, staggering in, loosening his tie, and taking off his jacket. An intoxicating floral scent filled the air, making him instinctively reach out and pull me close. My soft, slender waist curved perfectly into his palm. He leaned down and kissed me, his voice hoarse and low. “Phoebe…”

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“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll marry that vegetable, Julian Sterling.” I leaned against the doorframe of the Vance family mansion, a mocking smile playing on my red lips. My father’s cigar nearly dropped onto the priceless Persian rug. He shot upright from his leather armchair, the wrinkles around his eyes smoothing out. “Anya, you’ve come to your senses? That’s wonderful! The Sterlings are pushing for it; you’ll need to move to Azure Bay within two weeks. What kind of wedding dress do you like? Your father will have someone order it for you…” “Is that all?” I sneered. “I’m marrying in place of your beloved love child. Aren’t you going to offer something?” The temperature in the living room plummeted. My father’s face darkened. “How dare you speak like that? What love child? That’s your sister.” “A sister is someone you share a mother with,” I chuckled, my eyes like chips of ice. “She’s the living proof of your betrayal. I’ll never acknowledge her.” A vein throbbed in my father’s temple, but he forcibly suppressed his anger before it could erupt. He took a deep breath, and ashes from his cigar fluttered down. “What do you want?” “Ten billion dollars,” I said, my red lips parting slightly. “And, after I marry, reassign Damon Cross to protect your precious love child.” My father’s expression froze. He stared at me as if I were insane. “Are you out of your mind? Ten billion will drain all my liquid assets! And Damon Cross? Isn’t he your favorite bodyguard? You used to constantly pester me about marrying him. Now you’re getting married, and you’re not taking him with you?!” “Just tell me if you agree or not,” I said, growing impatient, turning to leave. “Fine!” My father slammed his hand on the table. “The day you leave for Azure Bay to get married, both requests will be handled immediately.” He had no time to ponder; he just wanted to finalize this matter. Years ago, the Sterling family’s only son was a brilliant young man, and my father had rushed to arrange an engagement between our families, planning to marry Celeste off to him then, ensuring a good match for his younger daughter. Who would have thought that an accident would turn the Sterling heir into a vegetable? He couldn’t bear for Celeste to suffer, so he finally remembered that I, too, was his daughter… I waved a dismissive hand, my back to him. My heels clicked sharply on the marble floor, a sound like a slap across someone’s face. Just as my hand touched the doorknob, my father’s voice came from behind me again. “I understand you want money, but aren’t you crazy about Damon? How can you bear to give him to Celeste?” My fingers stiffened. I didn’t turn around, but my eyes suddenly burned. That name was like a thorn, piercing the softest part of my heart. I shoved the door open, closing my father and his question behind me. Back at the villa, it was already late. I walked upstairs in my heels, and as I passed Damon Cross’s room, I heard muffled sounds from inside. The door wasn’t fully closed. I looked up and saw a scene with perfect clarity— Damon was half-reclined against the headboard, a photo clutched between his long fingers. His eyes were closed, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and a low, sensual voice spilled from his lips: “Celeste… baby… good girl…” It was a photo of Celeste. Taken at her birthday party last year, she wore a white dress, smiling innocently. My nails dug deep crescent marks into the strap of my designer bag. Finally, I answered my father’s question in my heart. Because he, like you, only loves Celeste. The answer churned inside me, burning my insides with pain. Three years ago, I first saw Damon Cross on the day I was choosing a bodyguard. Among a group of tall, burly bodyguards, my eyes immediately fixated on him. The reason was simple: he was ridiculously handsome. Six feet two inches tall, broad shoulders, narrow waist, sharp features, especially those deep, dark eyes, cold as ice. I was known as the notorious wild child in our social circle, intending to flirt with him for fun, but over three years— I deliberately pretended to be drunk and fell into his arms, but he simply lifted me by the nape of my neck, like a kitten, and placed me back on the sofa. I wore a spaghetti-strap nightgown and knocked on his door late at night, but he immediately wrapped me in his suit jacket and respectfully escorted me back to my room. I even faked drowning in the pool. He jumped in to save me but didn’t even touch my waist. No matter how I flirted, he remained completely aloof, always prim and proper, calling me “Miss Vance.” Yet, I fell for him anyway. I don’t know how it happened. Maybe it was because, after my mother died, I was incredibly lonely. When I was seven, my father had an affair and brought home a love child. Her name was Celeste Vance, and she was only three months younger than me. It turned out that in ten years of marriage, he had been cheating for nine. That day, my supposedly happy and peaceful family completely shattered. At that time, my mother was pregnant with my father’s second child, nine months along, just days from giving birth. My mother loved my father desperately. She frantically questioned him, crying until she almost fainted. That night, she went into preterm labor and was rushed to the hospital. She didn’t even make it to the operating room; she died in childbirth, taking her unborn child with her. From then on, I hated my father, and I hated Celeste Vance. I moved out of the Vance mansion. I went to school alone, ate alone, grew up alone. It wasn’t until I became too beautiful, and too many playboys harassed me, that I thought about getting a bodyguard. Damon Cross was my first bodyguard. After that, I wasn’t alone. Damon was with me everywhere. My feelings for him progressed from admiration, to flirtation, to falling in love. But three years, over a thousand days and nights, he never even blinked an eyelash for me. I thought he was just cold by nature, until that day, when I caught him with Celeste Vance’s photo, and then watched him finish before answering a call— “Mr. Cross, how long are you going to keep playing this bodyguard game? You’re the heir to the Cross empire in Veridian City. What woman can’t you have? If you’re so smitten with Celeste, why not just sweep her off her feet? Instead, you’re playing the innocent type, becoming her sister’s bodyguard just to see her constantly?” Damon’s expression was cold. “I’ve checked. Celeste is a love child, she had a difficult upbringing and lacks a sense of security. Pursuing her directly would scare her. I want to take it slow.” “Right, how did the Cross family produce such a lovesick fool? I thought with Miss Vance flirting with you every day, you might actually develop feelings for her. I’m telling you, she’s known as the most notorious wild child in the city. The line of men who want her stretches all the way to France…” Damon seemed to smile, but his words sent me plummeting into an icy abyss. “Oh? Not interested. She’s not even worth a single strand of Celeste’s hair.” Every word was like a knife, deeply piercing my heart! In that moment, I stopped loving Damon Cross too. I don’t know how long it continued inside. For some reason, Damon Cross was taking his time today. Seeing this, I coldly curled my lips and suddenly pushed open the door— The moment Damon looked up, I saw a bottomless darkness in his eyes. Perhaps because he was naturally an alpha, his expression didn’t waver in the slightest even after being caught in such an intimate act. He calmly tucked the photo under his pillow, his long fingers unhurriedly adjusting the startling bulge in his trousers. In mere seconds, he reverted to his usual aloof, ascetic self, as if the man out of control just moments ago had been an illusion. I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. “Putting it back without finishing? Aren’t you afraid of being too pent up? Want me to help you?” Damon’s expression remained unchanged, he just leaned back slightly, creating distance between us. “Miss Vance, is there something you need?” He was always like this. He could be deeply aroused by Celeste’s photo, but with me, he was like a monk dedicated to celibacy. My nails dug into my palms as I recalled Celeste Vance’s plain, innocent face— she had a less impressive figure and was less attractive than me, yet everyone fell for her pure act. It didn’t matter. I had beauty, money, and a great body. From today onwards, anyone who didn’t like me, I simply wouldn’t bother with. “There’s an auction tomorrow. You’re coming with me,” I said coolly, then turned to leave. Damon frowned. “I believe I requested two days off…” “I heard Celeste Vance will be there too,” I said without looking back. A moment of silence, then his low, deep response: “Understood, Miss Vance.” My heart felt a prick, like a needle. Sure enough, mention Celeste Vance, and he’d break any rule. Don’t worry. Soon, I will personally deliver him to Celeste Vance. The next morning, as I stepped out of the villa, I saw Damon Cross already waiting by the car. His black suit highlighted his broad shoulders and narrow waist, his perfect physique. The morning light cast a golden edge on his stern profile. Usually, at times like this, I would playfully flirt with him, perhaps feigning a twisted ankle to fall into his arms, or deliberately breathing softly near his ear. But today, I simply got into the car with a blank expression, not even sparing him a glance. Damon seemed somewhat surprised, giving me an extra look, but quickly averted his gaze and silently settled into the passenger seat. The car drove towards the auction house. All the way, I stared out the window, not making excuses to talk to him as usual. The car was so quiet, we could hear each other’s breathing. The auction was held at the city center’s most exclusive hotel. Crystal chandeliers lit the hall as brightly as day, filled with distinguished guests and powerful figures. As soon as I entered, I spotted Celeste Vance at the front. She wore a white dress, her long, straight black hair falling over her shoulders, laughing and chatting with a few socialites, looking utterly pure and harmless. Damon Cross’s eyes immediately changed. Though he still stood behind me, fulfilling his bodyguard duties, I could feel his attention completely drawn to Celeste. “Sister!” Celeste spotted us and immediately scurried over, affectionately linking her arm through mine. “What a coincidence, you’re here for the auction too?” I coldly pulled my arm away. “Don’t touch me.” Celeste’s eyes immediately welled up, and she looked tearfully at Damon. “Damon, I just wanted to be closer to my sister…” Damon’s brow furrowed slightly, and his gaze at me held a barely suppressed distaste. Celeste seized the opportunity to tug on Damon’s sleeve. “Damon, I heard that when I had a fever last time and wanted artisanal pastries, you were the one who bought them late at night in the pouring rain and delivered them to the Vance mansion? It’s a shame I was so sick then and have been recovering these past few days, so I haven’t had a chance to thank you properly.” Damon’s stern features instantly softened. “Miss Vance, it was nothing. Just on my way.” On his way? I sneered. That day, he disappeared for five hours and returned soaked to the bone. *That* was his “on his way”? “Then I must treat you to dinner!” Celeste said sweetly. Damon didn’t refuse this time. “As Miss Vance wishes.” “Then let’s invite my sister too!” Celeste looked at me, then suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, sister, why do you look so tired? I’m the one who was sick…” I coldly cut her off. “Are we close? You’re the daughter of a mistress. Mind your own business.” Celeste’s face paled, and Damon’s frown deepened. Just then, the auctioneer announced the start of the auction, finally interrupting the awkward conversation. I couldn’t be bothered with her any longer and took my seat. I was about to marry into the Sterling family, and counting on my father for a dowry was unrealistic. I had to prepare these things myself, which was my true purpose for coming to this auction. As I settled down, the first item was presented. A pigeon’s blood ruby necklace, starting bid one million. I raised my paddle without hesitation. “Two million.” To my surprise, Celeste also raised her paddle. “Three million.” I looked at Celeste, who offered me a slight smile. “Sister, I like this piece too. You don’t mind letting me have it, do you? After all, Father’s allowance for you isn’t as much as mine.” I scoffed. Not just not as much as hers? From childhood, my father gave Celeste five million every month for allowance, while I only got five hundred. If not for my mother’s inheritance, I might have starved long ago. But now, things were different. I had ten billion. “Four million.” I raised my paddle again. Celeste was clearly stunned, but still gritted her teeth and raised the bid. “Four and a half million.” “Five million.” “Five and a half million.” After several rounds of bidding, Celeste’s face grew uglier. “Sister, where did you get so much money? Aren’t you afraid you can’t afford it?” “Ten million!” I doubled the bid directly, then looked at her with a sarcastic smile. “I’m starting to think, who’s the one who can’t afford it now?” Celeste’s face flushed from pale to red, and the surrounding guests began to whisper. The auctioneer politely asked, “Miss Celeste Vance, do you wish to bid higher?” “Wait a moment.” Celeste frantically pulled out her phone to text my father. A moment later, her face grew even more distressed. She’d clearly been rejected. Seeing this, I curled my lips. Of course he’d refuse. He’d given me ten billion; how could he have any money left to save face for his precious daughter? It was at this awkward moment that a man in a sharp suit suddenly appeared in the center of the hall and announced loudly: “He’s sweeping the auction!” The entire hall erupted in murmurs. “Sir, are you saying…?” the auctioneer asked in surprise. The man explained, “I am Mr. Cross’s assistant. Mr. Cross has instructed that any item Miss Celeste Vance takes an interest in today is to be purchased, no matter the cost.” The auction hall instantly exploded. “Mr. Cross? The only heir to the Cross family? The famous prince of Veridian City?” “Doesn’t he usually keep his distance from women? How could he sweep the auction for Miss Celeste Vance?” “It seems Miss Celeste Vance is about to climb the social ladder…” The discussions around us rose and fell. Celeste’s face shifted from shock to delight, then to unconcealed triumph. “Where is Mr. Cross? Can I thank him in person?” she asked, her face flushed. The assistant respectfully replied, “Mr. Cross finds it inconvenient to appear at the moment. When the time is right, he will naturally meet with you.” Celeste then turned to me, her eyes filled with victorious joy. “Sister, are you still bidding?” The next second, she feigned innocence and added, “Oh, I almost forgot. Mr. Cross bought out the auction for me. If you keep bidding, I’m afraid you’ll go bankrupt. After all, in this circle, who has more money than Mr. Cross?” My face instantly changed, and I sharply looked at Damon Cross, only to see him gazing at Celeste with indulgent tenderness. The rest of the auction was like a romantic drama. Any item Celeste so much as glanced at, the assistant immediately bought out. That ruby necklace, the Northern Song Ru ware tea set, even the Monet Water Lilies painting with a starting bid of eighty million—all fell into Celeste Vance’s hands. I abruptly stood up, no longer able to hold back. “Does your Mr. Cross intend to leave nothing for anyone else?” I demanded of the assistant. The assistant cautiously glanced at Damon Cross, who imperceptibly nodded. “Apologies, Miss Vance,” the assistant replied coldly. “These are all gifts from Mr. Cross to Miss Celeste Vance. He only wishes for Miss Celeste Vance to enjoy this auction. As for everyone else’s feelings, they are not within his consideration.” I laughed, my nails digging deep into my palms. I looked at Damon, but his gaze remained fixed on the triumphant Celeste. Damon Cross, you’re quite something. You truly are! The auction ended, and Celeste Vance was surrounded by a crowd of socialites and wealthy women, flattered like a star. I couldn’t bear the hypocritical scene and quickly left the venue. As soon as I got into the car, I told the driver, “To the Nightfall Club.” I needed alcohol to numb myself. To my surprise, the car door hadn’t even closed when Celeste squeezed in. “Sister, are you going to the club to have fun? I’ve been so bored lately, take me with you!” I was about to kick her out, but Damon Cross subtly held the car door open and simply told the driver, “Drive.” Throughout the ride, Celeste excitedly chatted about the day’s auction. “Damon, why do you think Mr. Cross is so good to me? We’ve never even met!” Damon’s voice was incredibly gentle. “Because he likes you.” Celeste’s eyes widened instantly, her cheeks flushed. “Damon, don’t joke around!” “A man knows a man best,” he said, his gaze intensely fixed on Celeste. “Where there’s money, there’s love. Moreover…” He paused. “Miss Vance is so wonderful, it’s not strange for him to fall for you.” “Then… do you like me too, Damon?” Celeste suddenly asked. Damon froze, about to speak, when I coldly cut him off. “If you’re going to flirt, get out of my car! This is *my* car!” Celeste’s eyes immediately reddened. “I’m sorry, Sister, I bothered you. I won’t speak anymore.” I ignored her, turning to look out the window. Through the reflection in the glass, I clearly saw Damon looking at Celeste with heartache and tenderness, while his gaze at me was cold and disgusted. I gave a self-deprecating laugh. It seemed all men only liked the manipulative innocent type. The club lights were hazy. I tipped back my third glass of whiskey. The alcohol burned my throat, but it couldn’t extinguish the frustration in my heart. On the dance floor, I swayed in my stilettos, my red dress swirling. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Damon standing by the VIP booth. He was supposed to be my bodyguard, yet he was glued to Celeste’s side. Celeste whispered something, her lips almost brushing Damon’s ear. That man, who was always icy cold towards me, actually had a faint blush on his ear. I scoffed. As I turned, I was surrounded by a group of playboys. “Miss Vance, care to share a drink?” “Want to exchange SnapChat IDs?” “I’ve wanted to meet Miss Vance for ages. Your beauty truly lives up to its reputation.” I was trapped in the corner, unable to move, unable to refuse. More men crowded around, and one even touched my waist. “Damon Cross!” I finally snapped. The man seemed to just notice my predicament, frowning as he pushed through the crowd. The muscles of his arms, encased in the black suit, were sharply defined. With just one look, he sent the playboys retreating sheepishly. “Anyone would think *she’s* your client,” I sneered, raising a hand to wipe away the drink stain on my collarbone. Damon lowered his gaze. “My apologies, I didn’t see it just now.” “Didn’t see it?” I suddenly leaned closer, my red lips almost brushing his chin. “Or simply didn’t want to see it?” My breath abruptly closed in on him. Damon’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he took half a step back. “Miss Vance has had too much to drink.” “Don’t worry, once I’m married, you can protect Celeste Vance to your heart’s content—” My voice was completely drowned out by a sudden burst of screams from the stage. Staff rolled out an iron cage, where two adult Tibetan Mastiffs restlessly paced. “Tonight’s special event!” the host shouted excitedly. “Black Cyclone versus Fiery Red! Betting lines are open!” I frowned. The Nightfall Club often featured such bloody fighting spectacles, but I always detested them. Just as I was about to leave, the iron cage emitted a groaning creak—the latch was loose. The mishap happened in an instant. The larger Mastiff crashed through the cage door, charging straight for the nearest crowd. Amidst the screams, I saw Damon Cross turn without hesitation, instinctively rushing to Celeste’s side, shielding her completely as he pushed her towards the emergency exit. And I stood closest to the Mastiff, close enough to see the saliva dripping from its fangs. “Ah…” The searing pain came without warning. As the Mastiff’s sharp teeth tore into my calf muscle, I vaguely heard the sound of fabric and flesh ripping together. A chunk of my leg was brutally torn away, blood gushing out. I collapsed to the ground, watching in horror as the beast lunged again— “Bang!” A gunshot blasted, making my eardrums ache. The Mastiff fell instantly. The last thing I saw was Damon Cross, gun in hand, shielding Celeste, and the ceiling spinning and darkening. The smell of disinfectant. When I regained consciousness amidst excruciating pain, the first thing I saw was a pristine white ceiling. My calf felt as though it had been seared with a branding iron; every breath tugged at the wound. I painfully turned my head, and the scene at the hospital room door struck my not-yet-fully-awake brain another heavy blow. Celeste Vance was buried in Damon Cross’s embrace, sobbing. “Damon, you’re my sister’s bodyguard, why did you protect me? It’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have come…” His finely-boned hand gently patted her back, his voice incredibly soft. “Miss Vance, you don’t need to blame yourself.” “Even if I had to do it a hundred times over,” he paused, his fingertip wiping away a tear from her cheek, “I would still choose to protect you first.” “Why?” Celeste looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. Damon gazed at her, his deep, dark eyes tinged with affection. “Because… I lo—” “Smash!” The sound of a water glass shattering on the floor cut off Damon’s unfinished words.

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My parents always adored my brother, Brandon. Me? I was just a *tool*, born solely to provide the umbilical cord blood that would treat his leukemia. Even the woman I fell deeply in love with, my girlfriend, Celeste, abandoned me without a second thought the moment she met my brother and fell for him. I knew she had mistaken him for me. I tried every possible way to make her see the truth, but all I earned was her deeper contempt. In the end, Brandon had me run over and killed. The last news I heard was of his wedding to Celeste. My girlfriend coldly *declared*, “People like him *deserve* to die sooner!” When I opened my eyes again, I was reborn, back to the time when Brandon and Celeste had just gotten engaged. **Chapter One** “Leo, your brother is already engaged to Celeste. Stop trying to sabotage them. Your mother and I have bought your plane ticket; you’ll stay abroad for a few years and only return after your brother’s wedding.” Seeing the “we’re doing this for your own good” expressions on my parents’ faces, I realized I had been reborn. I was back on the day my parents forced me to go abroad, the day I was meant to completely give up on Celeste. In my previous life, I had been pressured to leave just like this, but I couldn’t accept it. I’d tried countless times to explain to Celeste that I was the one she truly loved, begged my parents repeatedly to reveal the truth, to stop letting Brandon take credit for what I had done. But all I got was Celeste’s even deeper disgust. She even had the audacity to coldly tell the nurse over the phone, as I lay dying in a car accident, “What new trick is he pulling now? Tell him not to ruin Brandon’s and my wedding.” And I? I died on the operating table, watching that globally televised, lavish wedding on the TV screen, watching Brandon gently slide a ring onto Celeste’s finger, watching them bathed in everyone’s blessings… Since fate has granted me this second chance, I refuse to degrade myself, to waste my life, ever again. “Okay, I’ll go.” I reached out and picked up the plane ticket, my voice unnaturally calm. My parents were stunned by how readily I agreed. “Leo, you’re really agreeing to leave? You’re not planning another trick to sabotage your brother’s wedding, are you?!” Sabotage? It’s a bitter joke. Celeste was always *mine*. But my parents cruelly ripped her away and handed her to Brandon. More than two decades ago, Brandon was diagnosed with leukemia. My parents, without hesitation, decided to have another child. And so, I was born. My umbilical cord blood saved my brother’s life, but from that moment on, I lived entirely in his shadow. Because Brandon was always frail and sickly, my parents showered all their affection on him. From childhood, I gave way to him in everything – my room, my friends, even spots in competitions… There was only one thing I wouldn’t concede: the girl I fell for at first sight – Celeste, the Sterling heiress. She had been the belle of every ball, a darling of fate. But after a birthday party, a car accident left her blind, and her family abandoned her in a secluded estate. I kept it a secret from my family, stole the keys, and every day after school, I would climb the fence to go be with her. “I’ll be here every day.” In the darkness, my deep, resonant voice became Celeste’s only anchor, her only salvation. I never revealed my name, simply tracing “Call me Seven” into her palm, stroke by careful stroke. I combed her hair, she played piano for me, and on stormy nights, she’d press my cold hands to her chest. The night before her eye surgery, she kissed my fingertips and vowed, “When I get my sight back, you’ll be the first person I want to see. And then, we’ll be together, okay?” The surgery lasted twelve hours. But when Celeste woke up, the first person she saw was Brandon. Because as soon as my parents learned Brandon also had feelings for Celeste, they secretly slipped sleeping pills into my drink, knocking me out for an entire day and night. Then, they *lied*, fabricating stories that Brandon had been the one by her side all those years, allowing him to take my place. Celeste never suspected a thing. She and Brandon dated and became engaged, their love seemingly boundless. For three years, I tried to explain countless times that I was the one who had been with her, that I was the one she should love. But she never believed me. Not until I died. I looked at my biological parents standing before me, finding it utterly absurd. “You tried to make me leave repeatedly before. Now that I’ve agreed, you don’t believe me? Don’t you find that strange?” “That’s not what we meant. It’s best if you’re willing to go, of course. You’ll depart for Europe in half a month. Use this time to pack your things and sort out your affairs.” My parents, afraid I might change my mind, quickly added a few more instructions before happily leaving. I turned and went back to my room. The moment I closed the door, my phone vibrated. It was a SnapChat message from Celeste. [8 PM, The Grand Hyatt, Room 1808.] I stared at the message, my fingers tightening slightly. In my previous life, I was ecstatic when I received this message, thinking she was finally willing to listen to me. But when I arrived, I found she had deliberately called me there to witness her and Brandon together, to make me give up. I broke down and cried, but she just said coldly, “Did you see clearly? He’s the only one I love.” Thinking back now, it was ridiculous. I took a deep breath and replied: [Okay.] At 8 PM, I arrived at the hotel precisely. Room 1808’s door was ajar. Celeste was embracing Brandon, both of them naked. Used condoms were scattered around, and the room was thick with desire. Seeing me standing outside, Celeste let out a surprised gasp. Brandon lowered his head, tracing delicate kisses along her collarbone. Celeste’s voice was soft and seductive. “I called him here on purpose, so he’d know you’re the one I love. That way, he won’t harbor any inappropriate thoughts about me. He needs to realize I’ll only ever be his sister-in-law.” Reborn, watching this scene unfold for the second time, my heart still felt a brutal stab, bleeding profusely, an unbearable agony. But I *have* to get used to it! Because from now on, Celeste will only ever be my brother’s wife. I don’t know how much time passed. I unclenched my hands, seeing the nail marks digging into my skin. Then, Celeste, fully dressed, walked towards me. “Did you see clearly? My only love is your brother. Remember your place. I’m your sister-in-law. Don’t ever do anything so shameless again!” My face was completely devoid of emotion. “I saw clearly. And I understand.” Celeste paused, seemingly surprised by my calm reaction. After a moment, she picked up an invitation from the bedside table and handed it to me. “Brandon’s and my wedding is next month. I hope you’ll come.” I took the invitation. “I’ll be there on time. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.” Celeste stared at my face, her brows slightly furrowed. For some reason, I was uncharacteristically compliant today. But she asked nothing, allowing Brandon to lead her out of the hotel. I followed behind, my steps heavy. My head was down, my thoughts hazy, when I heard a scream beside me. The next second, the giant overhead light fixture crashed straight down. Celeste instinctively recoiled, pulling Brandon back, perfectly dodging the impact. Only I remained where I stood, struck down, covered in blood, collapsing to the floor. Waves of pain surged over me, tearing at my nerves. I trembled uncontrollably in the pool of my own blood. Large tears welled up, blurring my vision. I watched her shield Brandon, then closed my eyes. The girl whose heart had only ever been mine was truly gone. And I, at last, could finally let go completely. **Chapter Two** When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in the hospital. The nurse was changing my IV drip. Seeing me awake, she let out a sigh of relief. “You were in a coma for two days. Glad you’re finally awake. How do you feel? Your brother fainted from shock the day he brought you in. Your parents and your sister-in-law are in the next room, taking care of him. Should I call them over?” At her words, my eyelashes fluttered. I shook my head. “No need. They wouldn’t want to see me, and I don’t want to see them.” A flicker of sympathy crossed the nurse’s eyes as she turned to leave the room. “Oh, they’re brothers, but the younger one suffered a major hemorrhage and was in the ICU. Yet his family didn’t even ask about him, only tending to the ‘shocked’ older brother. They haven’t visited him once in two days.” “I heard his sister-in-law is the CEO of the Sterling Group. His brother’s social status has risen because of her. It’s understandable if they neglect the younger brother. But the sister-in-law is truly devoted; she stays by the older brother’s side, personally assisting with medication and meals. She even hired a retired psychologist for counseling, and comfort gifts are constantly pouring into his room…” Their hushed comments reached my ears clearly. But I remained expressionless throughout. I was already accustomed to such situations. In the afternoon, the doctor called me for a follow-up check-up. With no one to accompany me, I had to force my weak body out of bed on my own. As I passed the room next door, I saw my parents and Celeste gathered around Brandon, showering him with concern. My father was tucking him in, my mother peeling grapes to feed him. A sweet smile spread across his face, his voice gentle. “Mom, Dad, you’ve been taking care of me these past few days and haven’t checked on Leo. I’m full now, so why don’t you send the rest of this fish soup to him? He was injured so severely, he definitely needs to recover.” “Oh, don’t worry about him. He’ll survive anywhere. This soup took your mother all night to make. Sending it to him would just be a waste.” My father refused without a second thought, and my mother nodded in agreement. Celeste smoothed Brandon’s hair, her eyes overflowing with tenderness. “Brandon, the doctor said you fainted due to excessive anxiety. Leo has always been cold and heartless, with no regard for brotherly affection. He even dared to covet his own brother’s fiancée! Why bother with him?” Hearing her icy assessment, I gave a self-deprecating, bitter laugh. I was born with a severe seafood allergy, unable to eat any aquatic products. But Brandon adored fish, shrimp, and crab, so our family meals always featured seafood. I couldn’t touch any of it, left with only vegetables and bread, and still, my parents would scold me for being a ‘picky eater.’ Brandon put on an act of being incredibly concerned about his younger brother in front of others. But the moment we were alone, he’d unleash a barrage of cruel taunts and often resorted to punching and kicking me. Worse still, after beating me, Brandon would cry to our parents, twisting the narrative, making it seem like *I* was the aggressor. My parents, without even asking, punished me by making me kneel in the rain all night. From then on, I kept my distance from him, giving Brandon whatever he wanted. In my last life, Celeste was the only thing I wanted to fight for. But it ended in such a miserable fate. In this life, I just want to live my own life. No fighting, no snatching, and no more loving. I completed my check-up alone and went to the pharmacy to pick up my medication. The pharmacy was in a building behind us, requiring a walk through a garden. As I passed the fountain, someone stopped me. I looked up and saw Brandon. “Well, look who’s able to get out of bed so quickly. Doesn’t seem like you were hurt too badly, huh? Let me tell you, Mom and Dad are both on my side. Even if you tell Celeste that you were the one who was with her back then, that you’re the one she truly loves, it’s useless. Save your breath!” Faced with his provocation, my reaction was calm. “Don’t worry. From now on, I won’t love Celeste anymore. Everything you want, I’ll give to you.” Brandon was already accustomed to my submissive nature. The smugness in his eyes grew more pronounced. “Give? Do I need you to *give* me anything? I’ve had everything I’ve ever wanted since I was a kid. You only deserve my leftovers! You’ll never win against me in this lifetime!” **Chapter Three** I didn’t want to engage with his taunts and tried to slip past him. Seeing my attempt to leave, Brandon frowned, about to scold me further, when a familiar figure suddenly appeared in the corridor. An idea sparked in his mind. He grabbed my arm and dragged me into the fountain. Neither of us could swim. We thrashed frantically in the water, calling for help. My wounds reopened, and blood stained the water red. The icy water surged into my nostrils, making me cough uncontrollably. The pain was so overwhelming I had no strength to struggle. My body sank straight down. Just as I was about to suffocate, I saw Celeste rushing towards us, jumping into the water. She swam past me, not sparing me a single glance or offering any help, pulling Brandon straight out of the water and onto the bank. Brandon, eyes red, pulled her into a tight embrace. He looked at me, still drowning in the water, and feigned a look of urgency. “Leo accidentally pushed me into the water, Celeste. You know he’s my only brother. Could you please save him?” At his words, and seeing me in the water, Celeste’s face turned as cold as ice. “Brandon, don’t make excuses for him. He clearly intended to harm you, even going so far as to jump in himself to gain sympathy. Since he refuses to learn his lesson, let him stay in the water and reflect properly!” Every single word pierced my heart deeply. My face was turning purple, my ears buzzed with a deafening hum, every ounce of strength draining from me. My consciousness grew hazy, and the scene before my eyes blurred. I watched Celeste and Brandon leave, then lost consciousness… I don’t know how long passed, but a gust of cold wind jolted me awake. I shivered and woke to find my parents standing before me, their faces livid. “Have you lost your damn mind, daring to push Brandon into the water? Were you trying to kill him, to take his place, to be with Celeste?” “I’m telling you, as long as your father and I are alive, we will never let that happen! You don’t hold a candle to your brother in any way. You’re simply not worthy of Celeste. I advise you to face reality and stop harboring such false hopes!” Hearing their enraged shouts, I felt a chilling despair slowly creep into my eyes. The years of suppressed pain, the anguish I’d swallowed for so long, finally, violently erupted. “I’m not worthy? Does *he* deserve her? If you hadn’t fabricated stories and lied, Celeste would never have looked at him in this lifetime! You stole what was rightfully mine and gave it to him – don’t you feel any shame?!” Seeing me dare to talk back, my mother’s face flushed with anger. My father raised his hand and slapped me across the face. “You ungrateful son! We are your parents. Your life, everything you possess, we gave it to you. We can take it back, give it to your brother, whenever we please! What right do you have to object?” “If you dare to reveal the truth again, you’ll see what we—” Before he could finish, the hospital room door was flung open. Celeste walked in, her brows furrowed. “The truth? What truth?” My parents were startled by her sudden intrusion, their words stumbling. “It’s just… we were disciplining this ungrateful son of ours. Asking him to tell the truth about why he pushed Brandon into the water.” “Yes, yes. He utterly refuses to admit his fault. Your aunt and I are furious; we don’t know how to punish him.” They exchanged a glance, then smoothly changed the subject. Celeste didn’t think much of it, her gaze towards me icy cold. “Since he still won’t admit his mistake, then lock him in the morgue. He’ll stay there until he realizes his mistake.” My parents both thought it was an excellent idea and immediately called for bodyguards to lock me away. I clutched my swollen face, my eyes numb and hollow. I knew that resistance would only invite harsher punishment, so I didn’t struggle, letting them drag me away. Wrapped in the bone-chilling, eerie cold of the morgue, I could only hug my trembling body, shivering uncontrollably. In a daze, I remembered the days at the old Sterling estate, snuggled up with Celeste for warmth during thunder and lightning storms. Back then, I’d take off my jacket and give it to her, and she’d tightly hold my hand, lying in my arms, whispering again and again, “I’m here, don’t be afraid.” Sweet memories intertwined with the icy reality, tormenting my mind. Time passed minute by minute. Hunger and cold gnawed at me, and my consciousness began to fade. Then, I saw the door open. Celeste walked in, her face cold, her gaze razor-sharp. “After a day and a night in here, have you realized your mistake?” “Yes, I’ve realized my mistake. Completely.” I huddled, forcing a hoarse, ragged whisper from my throat. Watching the satisfied expression on her face, I stumbled to my feet and left, murmuring inwardly. My mistake was in believing her promise that we’d be together, in falling in love with her. **Chapter Four** After being discharged from the hospital, I returned home and cleared out everything related to Celeste. Diaries and love letters from my teenage years, photos of her I’d secretly collected, gifts I’d planned to give her, surprises I’d prepared… I had intended to tell her my story of secret love, piece by piece, once we were finally together. But now I knew that we would never have a future, and these things would never be useful. I threw them all away. As I turned, I bumped into Celeste, who had just dropped Brandon off. She glanced at the trash can, then her gaze fell on me, still indifferent. Brandon also saw the items and deliberately took her hand, smiling. “Celeste, it seems Leo has truly learned his lesson this time. He definitely won’t bother you anymore. He’s still my brother, after all, so please don’t be so cold to him.” Celeste looked at me with a detached expression. “I’m always indifferent to people I don’t like. I simply can’t force myself to be pleasant.” I listened silently, saying nothing. I took a shallow breath, swallowing down the ineffable emotions, and returned to my room. The next day was Brandon’s birthday party. The grand hall was packed with guests, buzzing with conversation. “Ms. Sterling truly put on a magnificent birthday party for her fiancé! I heard these flowers were flown in from Europe this morning. Later, there will be fireworks for three days and three nights to celebrate! Mr. Hayes’s suit and watch are said to be worth hundreds of millions; Ms. Sterling personally bid for them at Sotheby’s!” “To make her beloved happy, Ms. Sterling really went all out! Mr. Hayes is so fortunate to marry her; the Hayes family’s fortunes will soar with this marriage. It’s just a shame they have Leo, that ticking time bomb, always coveting his sister-in-law. So shameless!” “Exactly. Why is it that the two brothers are so different? Leo’s looks and personality are both inferior, and he shamelessly clings to Ms. Sterling. Even his morals are twisted! If I had such a corrupt son, I’d want to kick him out of the house. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are truly kind-hearted!” Listening to the gossip, my heart lay still, a dead sea, stirred by no ripple. I sat like an invisible man in a corner, wanting to attract no attention. Not far away, my parents and Celeste surrounded Brandon, showering him with adoration like satellites around a star. They adjusted his suit, shielded him from toasts, lit his birthday candles, and sang “Happy Birthday” with smiles. Watching their harmonious scene, I remembered my own past birthdays. Brandon would always find an excuse to take my parents away, leaving me to celebrate alone, blowing out candles by myself. During the years I was with Celeste, having her by my side to make wishes and eat cake, receiving her gifts, I thought I would never be lonely again. But that fleeting sense of care and warmth I once had was now completely stripped away. And I wouldn’t cling to it anymore. Amidst the joyful atmosphere, Brandon closed his eyes and made a wish. Guests then presented their gifts. He unwrapped each one, from luxury handbags to exquisite jewelry, his smile unwavering. The last two gifts, from my parents and Celeste, caused a huge stir when announced. “Your mother and I deliberated for a long time and decided to make Brandon the successor of Hayes Corp, inheriting all the family assets!” “My gift to Brandon is a fifty percent stake in the Sterling Group, and the Sterling family’s heirloom wedding ring. My grandmother once told me that any couple wearing these rings is destined for a lifetime of mutual devotion and eternal love. Brandon, you are the only man I wish to marry in this life. Thank you for choosing me.” Under the gaze of a thousand eyes, Brandon personally slid the ring onto Celeste’s finger, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. The entire hall erupted in cheers and applause, showering them with blessings. I watched from afar, a suffocating weight pressing down on my chest. I pinched my palm hard, wanting to leave, but Brandon called out to me. “Leo, where’s your gift? When are you going to give it to me?” Suddenly, all eyes were on me. I paused, took out the gift I had prepared long ago, and handed it to him. Brandon smiled broadly, about to make a snide remark, when Celeste, standing beside him, froze, staring intently at my raised hand. “Why do you have that watch?” I looked up at her, meeting her incredulous gaze, and instinctively touched the watch. During the time Celeste was blind, even though I knew she couldn’t see, I would still dress carefully to visit her. Back then, I often wore this watch. Every time she held my hand, she’d touch it, asking about the gems embedded in it. Seeing my silence, Celeste suddenly grabbed my wrist, her voice urgent.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299034”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My husband, Dylan Sterling, only married me because of a family alliance. After we tied the knot, I discovered the truth: his heart belonged to Serena Hayes, the nanny’s daughter. Our intimacy was a cold, distant affair, while he secretly hoarded thousands of Serena’s photos, using them to fulfill his darkest desires. I clung to the hope that I could make it work, for our daughter’s sake. Until the day both my daughter and Serena’s son were kidnapped. Faced with an impossible choice, Dylan didn’t hesitate. He chose to save Serena’s son, a boy with whom he shared no blood. I watched in agony as my daughter was pushed from the towering building, her life ending in an instant. Heartbroken, I followed, leaping from the eighteenth floor. When I opened my eyes again, I was back. Reborn to a time before our wedding. This time, I chose to walk away from Dylan. This time, I decisively married his uncle! ### After my rebirth, the first thing I did was to stand before my parents, my words earnest and resolute. “Dad, Mom, for the alliance with the Sterling family, I choose to marry Julian Sterling.” My parents stared at me, their faces a mixture of surprise and confusion at my sudden request. “Eleanor, didn’t you love Dylan? Julian is Dylan’s uncle!” A flicker of sorrow crossed my eyes as I remembered the past. My voice dropped to a pained whisper. “Precisely because I know the consequences of loving him, I no longer dare to.” “Dad, Mom, I’ve never asked anything of you. As the heiress of our family’s prestige, I understand a strategic marriage is my duty. I only have this one request; please, let me have it.” Seeing the redness in my eyes, my parents sighed softly and helped me up. “Since you’ve made up your mind, your father and I will approach the Sterling family. The only issue is Julian Sterling is a man of immense power and influence. He might not agree to this union, so you must prepare yourself.” My parents comforted me as they prepared lavish gifts for their visit. The black sedan slowly pulled away, and I turned back, gazing at the familiar decor of our living room, a surreal feeling washing over me. Suddenly, my phone on the table vibrated. “Bar, now.” It was a text from Dylan Sterling, a curt invitation to meet, followed by a bar address. Remembering my purpose, I wanted to clarify the change in marriage plans, so I headed over. But the moment I pushed open the VIP room door, a bucket of ice-cold water drenched me, leaving me shivering and soaked. A chill seeped into my bones, and I heard laughter erupting from all around. “Well, well, isn’t it Eleanor Vance? Why, you’re absolutely drenched and looking pathetic!” “Serves her right! Serves her right! Who told her to chase Dylan Sterling day in and day out? This is what you get for shamelessly fawning over someone!” Dylan Sterling approached me, his face cold, his eyes dark with annoyance. “Are you that desperate to marry me? The news of our supposed alliance just leaked, and you immediately sent your parents to my house to discuss the wedding, making sure everyone knew. Now the whole social circle thinks we’re getting married. Are you satisfied?” I knew he had misunderstood. I wiped the water from my face, pushing my damp hair from my forehead. My gaze met his, calm and steady. “The alliance between the Vance and Sterling families is set. It makes no difference which house discusses it. But you needn’t worry, because this marriage has nothing to do with you.” Dylan Sterling paused, then let out a cold laugh. “Nothing to do with me? You’re not going to tell me that the person you’re marrying isn’t me, are you? Ridiculous. Besides me, who else in the Sterling family would even consider marrying you?” I was about to speak when the half-open door pushed inward. Serena Hayes burst in, her eyes welling with tears as she took in the scene. “Young Master… I… I heard you’re getting married. I came specifically to wish you happiness. I hope you and Ms. Vance have a beautiful life together, growing old and content.” With those words, she turned and rushed out, her faint sobs echoing behind her. “Serena!” Dylan Sterling instantly panicked. He shoved me aside without a second thought and chased after her. I stumbled backward, hitting the coffee table, a cut forming on my forehead. Blood trickled down, looking alarmingly stark against my pale skin. A sharp pain shot through me as I watched their retreating figures. My mind flooded with memories from my previous life. In that life, Dylan Sterling and I grew up together, and our bond was strong. When my parents mentioned the family alliance upon my coming of age, I remembered his unwavering care for me over the years and chose him without hesitation. But after the news broke, his attitude toward me slowly changed – from anger to coldness, eventually bordering on outright disgust. I didn’t understand why, but I still married him, hoping things would improve after the wedding. Yet, even after our child was born, I stumbled upon thousands of Serena Hayes’s photos hidden in Dylan’s study. It was then I realized he had always loved his nanny’s daughter, but their differing social statuses had prevented him from pursuing her. Serena eventually married someone else two years after our wedding, but their marriage was always unhappy. He drowned his sorrows in drink every day, grieving for her. The day her husband died in a car accident was the happiest day of his life. I witnessed it all, my heart a desolate wasteland. I could only force myself to ignore it, dedicating my life to raising our daughter. Until a kidnapping case embroiled both my daughter and Serena’s son. The kidnappers demanded Dylan choose one. He hesitated for mere seconds before picking the boy with whom he shared no blood. The next second, our daughter was pushed from a high-rise building and fell to her death. Watching it unfold, I broke down completely and leaped from the building myself. Now, with a second chance at life, I refused to torment myself again. I only wanted to cut all ties with Dylan Sterling! In the VIP room, Dylan’s friends continued their snarky remarks. “A forced relationship won’t bring happiness. If Dylan doesn’t want to marry someone, what good is it even if they tie the knot?” “Then Dylan won’t come home, and those who only fawn over him will be left to endure the loneliness of neglect!” Amidst the mocking, my phone rang. I picked it up and saw a message from my parents. “Eleanor! Julian agreed! The wedding is in two weeks!” My parents were usually so composed; three exclamation marks clearly showed their surprise and excitement that Julian Sterling had agreed. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I forced myself to stand, looking at the laughing onlookers, my eyes holding a newfound resolve. “Whether I find happiness in my marriage is none of your concern, and it has nothing to do with Dylan Sterling.” “Please tell him: I’m getting married in two weeks, and the groom won’t be him!” ###

After leaving the bar, I went to the hospital to have my wound treated. Back home, I systematically packed away everything related to Dylan Sterling, sealing it all in boxes. My parents, returning home, noticed and paused. “Eleanor, have you truly let go of Dylan? Do you no longer love him?” Seeing my unhesitating nod, they looked relieved, a smile gracing their lips. “That’s good. Julian has been busy abroad, but today the Sterling family video-called us and finalized the arrangements. He’s calm and composed, certainly a better match for you than Dylan. His reputation precedes him, and his accomplishments are impressive, so we hadn’t dared to consider him. We expected him to refuse, but he readily agreed.” My eyes welled up. When I first made up my mind, I knew Julian Sterling would agree. In my past life, due to the age difference and the awe he commanded, even among the influential families, I, too, kept my distance. We rarely interacted outside of family gatherings. I only knew he was utterly devoted to his career, building a brilliant business empire from scratch, and remained unmarried. It wasn’t until he took his own life at thirty-five that, while his belongings were being sorted, a stack of love letters was found in his bedroom. Each letter was addressed “To Star.” No one in the Sterling family knew who “Star” was. Only I knew: I was born on a night of dazzling stars, and “Star” was the nickname given to me by my closest elder. I had never realized that the man who seemed so cold, distant, and unapproachable had loved me silently all along. Now, with this second chance, I was willing to give us both an opportunity. Lost in thought, my parents presented a gift box, their voices filled with contentment. “Eleanor, tomorrow is your birthday. Julian couldn’t make it back, so he had his assistant retrieve this gift from his study. See if you like it?” I opened the box to reveal a dazzling ring. It was “Star-Picker,” the most expensive diamond ring sold by Sotheby’s in nearly fifty years. I’d seen it once and had never forgotten its beauty. It warmed my heart to think Julian Sterling would send such a priceless gift. In my previous life, Dylan Sterling hadn’t given me any gifts since the alliance was announced. I had long forgotten what it felt like to receive a present from someone who cared. The next day, my birthday banquet began promptly at seven in the evening at the city’s most luxurious hotel. Guests offered their congratulations, and with the alliance settled, a huge weight lifted from my shoulders, allowing a genuine smile to grace my lips. Then, a sudden commotion broke out among the crowd, and everyone turned to stare at the entrance. I followed their gaze, only to see Dylan Sterling, accompanied by Serena Hayes, walking into my birthday party. But that wasn’t the most mortifying part – what truly made me want to vanish was Dylan’s group of friends, making a grand entrance, carrying a massive banner straight towards me. Emblazoned in the center of the banner were the words: **HYPOCRITE** For: Eleanor Vance. Guests pressed closer, whispering and murmuring, eager for the drama. My face turned stark white. I clenched my fists tightly, my eyes fixed on the troublemakers. My voice was dangerously cold. “What is the meaning of this?” A few of Dylan’s friends sneered back, deliberately shouting their words across the room. “So the wedding preparations have begun, huh? No one’s better at playing hard to get than Ms. Vance. I’d say ‘hypocrite’ describes her perfectly!” “I told you yesterday she was just saying things in a fit of pique! Everyone knows she’s been chasing Dylan for years, even willing to give up her dignity! Now suddenly she claims she doesn’t like him, doesn’t want to marry him? That’s just a temporary tactic. In the Sterling family, only Dylan is a suitable match. Who else could Ms. Vance possibly choose?” A burst of laughter filled the hall. Dylan Sterling looked at me, his face grim. “Eleanor Vance, stop with these fake theatrics. Don’t think you can still attract me. When we get married, you’ll have the title of Mrs. Sterling, nothing else. I won’t give you anything more.” I’d heard those exact words from him in my past life. And he hadn’t lied. In seven years of marriage, beyond the title, I truly had nothing. The murmurs around me grew louder. I took a deep breath, my voice rising. “Dylan Sterling! I don’t need your title! Listen carefully: my fiancé isn’t you, nor is he from your generation. He’s your…” The name was caught in my throat, interrupted by a sudden incident. Serena Hayes suddenly clutched her nose and mouth, her face erupting in a dense rash. Her eyes red-rimmed, she collapsed into Dylan Sterling’s arms. “Young Master, I’m so itchy! Why are there so many hyacinths here? I’m allergic to hyacinths!” Hyacinths were my favorite flowers, so the entire hall was decorated with them. Hearing Serena’s increasingly ragged breathing, Dylan Sterling’s face grew anxious. He kept calling her name, then scooped her up in his arms. He left me with two parting statements. One for me: “Eleanor Vance, after we’re married, you’re forbidden from planting or displaying hyacinths anywhere!” The other for his friends: “After I leave, trash this banquet hall!” “You got it, Dylan! Mission accomplished!” Before his words even faded, his friends descended like thugs, grabbing tables and chairs and smashing everything. Birthday cake was smeared across the floor, shards of glasses and dishes flew through the air, and flowers were trampled into mud by dodging guests. “Stop! How dare you trash my birthday party? Stop!” “You’re marrying Dylan soon! Everything revolves around your husband, so what Dylan says, goes, hahahaha!” My throat grew hoarse from shouting, but I couldn’t stop the rampage. Instead, it only drew endless mockery. Finally, all the guests left, and my birthday ended in utter wreckage. ###

In the days that followed, I locked myself in my bedroom, tears blurring my vision, almost completely cutting off contact with the outside world. My parents, having learned of Dylan Sterling’s outrageous behavior, felt even more certain that not marrying me to him was the right decision. They even threatened to go confront the Sterling family, but I, finally emerging after days of seclusion, stopped them. The wedding was imminent; I wanted no more complications. After calming my parents, I left with a design sketch. During my seclusion, I hadn’t been fretting over Dylan Sterling; he was already irrelevant to me. I had been in my room, meticulously designing a wedding ring for Julian Sterling. I knew the “Star-Picker” ring was priceless, so I secretly wanted to repay his unspoken affection with a heartfelt gift of my own. I handed the design to the butler, instructing him to find a master jeweler to hand-craft it. But when the agreed-upon deadline passed, the wedding ring still hadn’t arrived. When I inquired, I learned that Dylan Sterling had come a few days prior to pick out jewelry, spotted my ring design, and after a brief inquiry, simply took it. He’d only left a message: “It’s for me anyway, no need to have Eleanor Vance come pick it up.” The staff, aware of the upcoming Sterling-Vance alliance, hadn’t stopped him. My heart sank. I rushed to the Sterling residence to confront Dylan Sterling and retrieve the ring. But the moment I entered, I saw Serena Hayes sitting amidst a pile of packages, cooing sweetly. “Young Master, you secretly emptied my Amazon cart again, didn’t you? You’re so good to me, how can I ever repay you?” “I enjoy it; you don’t need to repay me. And I’ve told you several times, don’t call me ‘Young Master’ anymore.” Serena Hayes then shyly, coyly, called him “Dylan.” Watching them exchange loving glances, I didn’t blink. I simply strode into the room. Hearing my footsteps, Dylan Sterling turned, a frown creasing his brow. “What are you doing here?” “Give me back the wedding ring you took.” Seeing my outstretched hand, Dylan Sterling raised an eyebrow. “It’s gone.” My gaze hardened, my voice dropping a few degrees. “What do you mean, ‘gone’?” Dylan Sterling was still scrambling for an excuse when Serena Hayes, still seated on the floor, spoke up timidly. “Ms. Vance, I saw online that wedding rings are easiest for opening packages, so I used it to open hundreds of deliveries. The ring is all scratched up now. Do you still want it?” With that, she opened her palm, revealing the ring, now marred and scratched. Dylan Sterling had taken *my* wedding ring and given it to Serena Hayes to open packages?! A surge of anger flared within me, rapidly spreading through my limbs. I could no longer control my emotions. My eyes red, I glared at the two nonchalant figures before me. “Dylan Sterling, by what right did you take my property? Serena Hayes, how dare you desecrate it like this? Don’t you know the meaning of the word ‘respect’?” Seeing me so distraught over a mere ring ruined Dylan Sterling’s good mood. His voice was laced with impatience. “This wedding ring was meant for me anyway. What are you even arguing about? Oh, right, I’ve decided we’ll just sign the papers, no wedding. So your ring design is useless. Don’t bother wasting your time.” His dismissive attitude made my fists clench. I stated it again, my voice firm. “Dylan Sterling, this wedding ring was not for you!” “If not for me, then who? Eleanor Vance, that’s enough. You’re overacting!” Dylan Sterling retorted, then casually tossed the ring aside, grabbing Serena Hayes’s hand as he headed for the door. “Don’t waste time with her. Serena, didn’t you say you wanted to learn to drive a few days ago? Come on, I’ll teach you.” Watching their retreating backs, countless waves of fury and indignation crashed over me. I wanted to chase after them, but I was powerless. I could only crouch on the ground, searching for the ring. It took me a good thirty minutes to find it in a flowerbed. Carefully placing it in my pocket, I didn’t hesitate for a moment. I turned and left. It was too late to remake it; I could only find someone to restore it, hoping it could be brought back to its original state. But just as I walked out of the villa, I heard a strange noise. Looking up, I saw a car hurtling straight towards me. My eyes widened in terror. With a heavy *thud*, I was thrown ten feet away, collapsing in a pool of my own blood. Serena Hayes, feigning fright, got out of the car, crying. “Oh no, oh no! I just started learning to drive, and I accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake! Now I’ve caused trouble! Ms. Vance is bleeding so much, Dylan, will something bad happen?” Seeing the large patch of blood staining the stone steps, Dylan Sterling frowned. He pulled Serena Hayes into his arms, comforting her softly. “It’s fine. She always pretends to be pitiful. She’s just putting on an act now. Ignore her. She’ll wake up when she can’t keep up the charade. Serena, don’t be scared, don’t cry.” Hearing those words through a haze, I felt a bone-deep chill. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Dylan Sterling, I had thought that even if you didn’t love me, after all our years as childhood friends, you would at least have a tiny bit of affection for me. Yet, to appease Serena, you were willing to completely disregard my life. Why, in my previous life, did I ever fall in love with you? I struggled to call for help, but just as my fingers brushed my phone, my strength completely abandoned me. An endless darkness rushed in, swallowing me whole. When I opened my eyes again, it was the next day. Soon after I woke, the doctor entered with my medical chart, speaking in a grave tone. “Why wasn’t she brought in immediately after the accident? You waited until she lost so much blood before bringing her to the hospital? This is reckless!” Recalling the scene before I lost consciousness, my lips moved, but I could only offer a bitter smile, unsure how to answer. Should I tell him my childhood friend was too busy comforting another woman to care if I lived or died? The doctor didn’t press further, continuing, “Where’s your husband? Have him sign the admission papers.” The anesthesia hadn’t worn off, and I blurted out instinctively. “He’s abroad.” The words had barely left my lips when the door to my hospital room pushed open. Dylan Sterling stood there, staring intently at me. “Who’s abroad?!”

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Before the wedding, I went to pick up our wedding photos, but the bride in the pictures wasn’t me. It was Daniel’s childhood sweetheart. As I stood there, dumbfounded, the shop assistant brought out another stack of photos and apologized: “I’m so sorry, these are your wedding photos.” I stared blankly at the same groom, two different brides, and two sets of wedding photos. In a flash, I pulled out my phone, snapped a picture of Daniel and Ashley’s wedding photos, and posted it on Ins. With the caption: “A match made in heaven, truly.” Daniel called me immediately. “Chloe, are you serious? Ashley just wanted to fulfill a dream by taking wedding photos with me, and you’re being this petty?” I said calmly, “Let’s break up. I don’t want this wedding anymore.” Later, Daniel begged me to take wedding photos again, but I pushed him away: “Sorry, I don’t like taking pictures, and I especially don’t like you.” Stepping out of the photography studio, I casually tossed my wedding photos into a trash can. Those were the wedding photos I’d dreamed of for ten years, now just a pile of garbage. Along with them, I tossed in ten years of my feelings. Back home, Daniel was already sitting on the couch, looking furious. I ignored him and walked straight to the bedroom. Daniel grabbed my arm. “Chloe, what exactly is your problem? It’s just a small thing, why are you making such a big deal out of it, and giving me attitude?” He took wedding photos with another woman and then dared to ask what *my* problem was. Right. I’d indulged him too much over the years, my boundless tolerance made him think he could walk all over me, that I didn’t even have the right to be angry. I lowered my eyes and said coldly, “No problem. I just find it utterly meaningless now.” Daniel’s voice rose, his impatience practically overflowing. “I already explained it to you! Ashley just wanted to fulfill a dream by taking wedding photos with me. You know she has a heart condition and can never get married in her life. I’m the only one she trusts.” I stared at him, stunned. “Daniel, let’s break up.” A flicker of panic crossed Daniel’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. “Chloe, don’t try that with me. I, Daniel, have never been threatened by anyone.” “Go apologize to Ashley right now. I’ll let this slide, and the wedding will proceed as planned.” In ten years of dating, this was the first time I felt Daniel was truly repulsive. Before, I might have thrown a tantrum over Ashley, but now, it felt completely unnecessary. I ignored him, walked into the bedroom, pulled out the wedding invitations, gently tore them to shreds, and scattered them on the floor. The red paper confetti drifted down like snowflakes. “Daniel, I’m not marrying you.” Daniel sneered, “Chloe, you said it yourself. Don’t you dare regret it.” *Slam!* Daniel slammed the door and left. I don’t know when Daniel started acting like this. Whenever I questioned his behavior, I was met with either accusation or the silent treatment. Maybe he’d always been like this, and my love had just blinded me. Daniel didn’t like having his picture taken. Our joint photos during our relationship were few and far between. I had to nag him for ages just to get him to agree to the wedding photos. According to him, taking such things was meaningless; they’d just gather dust at home. I disagreed. I thought even when we were old, looking at them would bring back beautiful memories. I visited countless photography studios before finally choosing a style I loved. During the shoot, Daniel was completely uncooperative. He’d complain the clothes were uncomfortable or posing was too tiring. The two-day photo shoot we’d planned was crammed into a single day, leaving two outfits untaken. But who would’ve thought he’d turn around and take a full set of wedding photos with Ashley? Suddenly, I felt incredibly tired, utterly exhausted. I had loved him for ten years, endured him for ten years. Now, I just didn’t want to torment myself anymore.

I pulled out my phone and saw Ashley’s Ins post. “Everyone, please don’t misunderstand. Big Brother Daniel just sympathized with my poor health, which is why he took wedding photos with me. We’re just good friends, really.” The sickly sweet fake innocence was practically dripping off her post. Soon, several mutual friends of Daniel and I started sending me messages on SnapChat. “Chloe, you shouldn’t bother with Ashley. Daniel is just taking care of her. Everyone knows Daniel only has eyes for you.” “There’s absolutely nothing going on between Ashley and Daniel. They grew up together; don’t overthink it, okay?” “Daniel just feels too sorry for Ashley. His true feelings are for you. Don’t take it out on Ashley.” I let out a bitter laugh as I read those messages. It just showed how much sway Ashley had, sickening me while making me out to be the jealous, petty one who couldn’t tolerate her. But it didn’t matter. I didn’t want Daniel anymore, let alone these outsiders. I blocked everyone who had sent me messages, one by one. Next, I called the wedding planning company. The person on the other end was very enthusiastic: “Miss Chloe, your wedding plan has been revised according to your requests. When would you like to come in to finalize it?” I said blandly, “No need. My wedding is canceled. I apologize for all your work on the plan; you can keep the deposit.” From start to finish, Daniel had shown no interest in the wedding. Whenever I asked for his opinion, he’d just say a wedding was a meaningless performance. For Ashley, it was “fulfilling a dream.” For me, it was “a meaningless performance.” What a double standard. Hanging up the phone, I let out a long breath. It turns out letting go of a fixation wasn’t that hard after all. Marrying Daniel and starting a family had always been my dream. My family wasn’t well-off, so I got a part-time job in the campus cafeteria during college. Daniel often came to my serving window. He said I was always generous with portions, making sure everyone got a full plate. I smiled and gave him an extra scoop of rice and a bit more soup. Later, Daniel told me to quit, saying he could work part-time to support me. I laughed, calling him silly, wondering why I’d quit such a good job. We made a pact: every month after payday, we’d go out for a big meal. The rest of the money, we’d save. Every time we saved a sum, Daniel would happily hug me. “Chloe, I’m one step closer to marrying you.” Those days, though poor, were filled with sweetness and hope. Now, we had enough money, but we detested each other. Daniel sent me a SnapChat message: “Friends’ dinner tonight. Get ready and come over.” “Ashley wants to explain things to you herself.” Explain what? To gather a bunch of people as Ashley’s advocates, just to criticize my pettiness again? I wasn’t that desperate. “Can’t make it, busy.” I refused directly. I wasn’t lying to Daniel; I truly was busy, packing my things. This apartment was Daniel’s; it was his pre-marital property. Since we were breaking up, I naturally had to move out. We’d lived together for too long, accumulated too many things. I needed to buy some large boxes. As soon as I stepped out, I ran into Daniel. “Where are you going?” Daniel grabbed me. “To buy some things.” I turned sideways, trying to leave quickly. Daniel pulled me directly into his car. “Stop being dramatic. All our friends are here tonight, and you’re the only one missing.” The ride was silent. I was fiddling with my phone, but then I noticed the passenger seat floor mat had been replaced with a cartoon design. Sailor Moon, of all things. Daniel saw me staring at the floor mat and said, a little sheepishly, “Ashley said my car was too boring, so she took the liberty of changing the floor mats.” I glanced at Daniel’s feet; his side also had cartoon floor mats. Ever since Daniel bought this car, he’d never allowed anyone to decorate it freely. I once bought a few cute ornaments for the passenger seat, and he’d immediately thrown them out. “Putting these things in a perfectly good car really cheapens it.” After that, I never bought any car decorations again. It seemed it wasn’t the ornaments that cheapened things, but me. Realizing this, I actually found it a little laughable. “Hm, they’re nice.” Daniel opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately said nothing. He just floored the gas pedal. I knew Daniel was angry. He thought I was being petty and jealous again. In the past, I would have argued with him, but every argument always ended with my compromise. So, why bother making myself unhappy? When we arrived at the restaurant, before I even got out of the car, Ashley practically fluttered over like a butterfly, the small, jade-like amulet on her neck swaying and glinting under the lights. “Sister Chloe, you’re here!” Ashley intimately linked her arm through mine; anyone watching would have thought we were close sisters. We barely settled down. Ashley, acting like the hostess, began to address the others: “Everyone, please make yourselves at home. Big Brother Daniel is treating us tonight, so don’t be shy.” That “Big Brother Daniel” nickname made my stomach churn. Ashley raised a glass of wine to me, apologizing: “Sister Chloe, Big Brother Daniel and I really didn’t have any other intentions with the wedding photos. I just wanted to experience wearing a wedding dress. You know I can’t ever get married because of my heart.” As she spoke, tears welled up and rolled down Ashley’s face, making her look utterly pathetic. The others started to chime in: “Exactly, Ashley is just a kid at heart. Chloe, don’t hold it against her.” “Ashley’s so considerate. Chloe, just drink it. You two will still be good friends afterwards.” Everyone stared at me, as if refusing Ashley’s apology would be a crime. I looked at Daniel. His arms were crossed over his chest, his head down, wearing an expression of smug confidence. He was signaling that I had to drink this wine, whether I wanted to or not. Ashley’s wishes were his wishes. He was certain I wouldn’t dare publicly embarrass him. I smiled faintly, taking the glass from Ashley.

“My dear sister, since you’ve already taken the wedding photos, why don’t you stand in for me at the wedding too?” “If you’re going to experience it, go all out. Just taking wedding photos is so boring, isn’t it?” Ashley’s face instantly flushed a furious crimson, stammering, unable to form a coherent sentence. Daniel stood up to shield Ashley: “Chloe, if you have a problem, direct it at me. Don’t pick on a young girl like Ashley.” “She’s not as venomous as you, and not as petty.” Ten years of our relationship, and to Daniel, all that was left of me was venom and pettiness. Even though I’d already decided to sever ties, Daniel’s words still pierced me deeply, like a thousand tiny cuts. My hand trembled uncontrollably. I took a deep breath to steady myself. I turned to Daniel. “Do you think you’re some kind of saint? You’re old enough to know better, still playing that sickening ‘big brother, little sister’ act? Don’t you find it disgusting?” I poured the entire glass of wine over Daniel’s head. “You said I was petty? Well, today I’ll show you what true pettiness looks like.” Daniel wiped his face, his eyes wide with disbelief. I grabbed Ashley, ripping the protective pendant from her neck. “If I’m not mistaken, this pendant was *mine*, the one I got for you. You almost died in that car accident years ago, and I prayed for days and nights at the temple just to get you this protective pendant.” “Then you told me you lost it. Turns out you gave it to Ashley.” “Is this how you trample all over my sincerity?” I practically screamed the words. All the grievances of the past few days exploded out of me. My chest heaved violently. Everyone present was too stunned to utter a sound. Daniel’s face, which had been contorted in anger, instantly deflated. He quickly stammered an explanation: “Chloe, it’s not what you think. Ashley had a heart attack and was in critical condition. I was afraid she wouldn’t make it, so I gave it to her…” “Enough.” I cut Daniel off. Painful memories assaulted me one after another. Ever since Ashley returned, the cracks in my relationship with Daniel had grown wider and wider. Ashley’s issues always took precedence over mine. On my birthday, one call from Ashley was enough to pull Daniel away. During our vacation, Ashley claimed her heart hurt, and Daniel abandoned me, buying a plane ticket to rush to her side. Even when my mother passed away, Daniel stayed with Ashley at the hospital. I was consumed by grief, but Daniel lightly dismissed it: “She’s already gone. What good would I do there? But Ashley only has me.” We had reached this point because the final straw had fallen, breaking the camel’s back. I picked up the pendant, tracing its surface with my fingers, then, with a sharp movement, I smashed it onto the floor. Daniel tried to grab it, but he was too late. The exquisite jade shattered instantly, just like my relationship with Daniel at that moment. I lifted my face, wiped away my tears, and forced a bright smile. “Everyone, Daniel’s and my wedding is canceled. From now on, Daniel and I are completely done, separate paths, no looking back.”

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For five years into my marriage with Dominic, I discovered he was secretly preparing to divorce me for some girl. I still loved him. Just as he was about to drop the divorce bombshell, I preemptively presented him with my pregnancy test results. That night, Dominic stood on the balcony, smoking an entire pack. After that, he broke things off with that girl. It wasn’t until I was six months pregnant that the girl herself showed up at our house, delivering her wedding invitation. “Mr. Vance, my wedding is tomorrow. If you tell me to stay, I’ll cancel it for you.” With those words, she placed the invitation down and burst into tears, running out the door. Dominic stood up, ready to chase after her. Watching his retreating back, I clutched my aching stomach and called out to him. “Dominic, if you dare to leave today, I’ll go to the hospital and terminate this pregnancy.” Dominic froze for a second, but in the end, he walked out the door. 1 I found out Dominic was planning to divorce me because the company’s legal team kept asking me to sign documents. Changing the corporate legal representative, changing the company’s official accounts. Even our family home, Dominic was trying to sell at a low price. And the company’s cash flow—it had been profitable just six months ago, but this year it had been losing money for several months straight. On top of that, Dominic was frequently away on business, often for more than half a month at a time. Whenever I asked, he’d say the company was facing problems, and he was trying to turn things around. I didn’t expose his lies, nor did I tell him. That video clip of him intimately kissing his beloved girl at a trending pop concert had even gone viral as a scandalous CEO affair on social media. And the only reason I tolerated all this was because I still had feelings for him. Five years of dating, five years of marriage—the end of such a long relationship couldn’t be simply severed by an affair. So, even when he occasionally came home with hickeys. Even when he sometimes came home reeking of a sweet, cloying perfume, the kind young women favored. Even when he chose to sleep in his study, separating from me, unwilling to even touch me, I pretended not to know. But I didn’t want a divorce, yet Dominic did. It just so happened that the lawyer he hired to draft the divorce papers was from a law firm I had secretly invested in. So I not only knew how conflicted and agitated he was during this period of deciding on a divorce. I even knew when he would hand me the divorce papers. To save this marriage, I went to the clinic first and underwent IVF. The night before he planned to propose a divorce, I even specifically FaceTimed him to call him home. Dominic was extremely impatient about me calling him home. That day, the meal I personally cooked for him was reheated three times by Mrs. Gable before he finally arrived home. But he didn’t even glance at the food on the table. Seeing me sitting on the sofa, he just gave me a cold nod and headed straight to his study. After showering and dragging his feet for two hours, he finally emerged. “Didn’t you have something to tell me? Well, what is it?” Dominic’s tone was cold and hard, just like how he spoke to his employees. I didn’t say a word, just calmly handed him the prenatal report. “I’m pregnant. Two weeks.” Dominic’s breath hitched, the veins on the back of his hand, clutching the report, bulged. I knew why he was so emotional. My mother had died during a difficult childbirth, giving birth to my younger brother. I had seen too many women compromise for the sake of marriage. So, from the early days of my relationship with Dominic, I had told him I was firmly child-free and would never have children. Dominic, blinded by love at the time, agreed without a second thought. But after we got married, as he grew older, Dominic would occasionally bring up wanting children. Each time, I refused, and I’d vehemently accuse him of breaking his promise. Yet now, I was presenting him with a prenatal report. He took several deep breaths, as if trying to regain his composure. “Thank you, for being willing to compromise and have a child for me.” He quickly grabbed the pregnancy report and stood up, almost stumbling. He even hit his knee hard on the table leg from the force of it. “Sorry, this news just… it’s too much of a surprise. I need a moment to calm down.” With that, he hurriedly retreated to his study again, slamming the door shut. It wasn’t until the sound of the slammed door in the living room faded that I noticed. The fruit knife I was clutching had already pierced my palm, and blood was dripping into the glass of water beside me. 2 That night, I only smelled smoke in the house. But I knew Dominic must have smoked all night. Even though our rooms were separate, the windows were far apart, and the scent of smoke was so thick, he must have smoked a lot. The next day, I was informed by HR that Dominic’s new secretary had resigned. And the company, which had been offloading some business, was now operating again. The day I received this news, I caressed my still-flat stomach and cried until my pillow was soaked. In the end, I hadn’t let what was once a beautiful love story conclude with calculation and coldness. After that, Dominic reverted to the loving husband he had been during our blissful times. He would accompany me to every prenatal appointment. He meticulously chose and re-chose the best recovery center for my postpartum care. He bought endless piles of baby supplies, enough for the child until they were ten years old. He did everything a father should do. But he still stayed in his study, never moving back into the master bedroom, and never initiating any physical intimacy with me. I even secretly caught him pleasuring himself to that girl’s photos and videos. It was almost laughable, yet utterly sickening. And now, here she was again, brazenly at the villa. After provocatively delivering her wedding invitation and spouting a bunch of nonsensical things before fleeing. Dominic didn’t choose to explain himself to me. Instead, he desperately wanted to chase after that girl. Even when I called out, forbidding him to leave. He turned, tormented and hysterical, and roared at me: “Isabelle, I’ve already come back to our family for you. What more do you want from me?” “She’s getting married tomorrow! Can’t I even say goodbye to her?” I looked at his furrowed brow and the disgust he couldn’t hide in his expression. I wiped away the tears that involuntarily streamed down my face. “No, you can’t, Dominic. If you go after that girl today, I will terminate the baby in my womb.” Dominic’s entire body went rigid. He stared at my face for what felt like an eternity before finally snapping, annoyance and hatred lacing his voice: “Isabelle, you are truly evil.” Hearing his accusation, my chest ached, suffocating and numb. Was I evil? But for this marriage, to keep him, I pretended to be blind. I went against my own wishes, enduring painful injections that left my belly bruised, all to carry his child. Yet I tried so hard to keep him. So why, in his eyes, had I become evil? Tears poured down my face like a waterfall. But my tears and the baby in my belly still couldn’t keep Dominic. Annoyed and impatient, he angrily kicked the sofa. “Fine, go to the hospital. Terminate the pregnancy! Today, no matter what, I’m going to find her!” Then Dominic, like a reckless twenty-year-old, frantically chased after the girl’s fleeing figure. Watching his departing back, my fingers trembled as I dialed 91

Yes, since Dominic had made his choice. Then I, too, should make mine. To terminate the child Dominic had longed for, and to utterly destroy his reputation. 3 That day, I was rushed to the hospital by the paramedics. I had originally intended to go for an abortion. But the ambulance had barely driven halfway when I started bleeding heavily. I wasn’t surprised by this. After all, when I first became pregnant, the doctor had repeatedly warned me. I was over thirty-five, my health wasn’t great, and pregnancy put me at high risk for miscarriage. They stressed that I must keep my emotions stable. For these six months of pregnancy, I had endured and endured, meditating daily, practicing mindfulness, anything to keep my emotions steady. But Dominic’s girlfriend, Chloe, had been relentless. Not only did she send me daily bed photos of her and Dominic, but she also cursed at me with the vilest language. She called me an old hag. She called the baby in my belly a bastard. She even sent me disturbing videos of deformed babies. Now, she even came to my house with a fake wedding invitation, just to provoke me. And Dominic? A few tears from that girl, and his heart was gone. He wouldn’t even stay home, even when I threatened him with the baby. Maybe it was better the baby was gone. After all, her father didn’t love her. My chest ached with tremors. In the five days I was hospitalized, Dominic didn’t call me once. He didn’t even know I’d lost the baby. Instead, his SnapChat profile picture changed to a couple’s photo with that girl. And a million dollars was suddenly withdrawn from our bank account. I didn’t know why Dominic had suddenly become so reckless until Mr. Hayes, my lawyer, came to my hospital room. Then I found out: Chloe was pregnant. Looking at the photos Mr. Hayes showed me, I let out another cynical laugh. There were at least a hundred photos, each one showing Dominic holding Chloe’s hand, his expression doting. There he was, accompanying her to prenatal appointments. There he was, going with her to the supermarket to buy groceries. In some photos, I even saw Dominic and Chloe wearing matching wedding rings. A suffocating pain seized my chest again, and my eyes welled up with tears. After all, Dominic had once looked at *me* with such doting affection. But now, his eyes were filled only with that girl. Seeing me cry again, Mr. Hayes immediately tried to comfort me. “Isabelle, don’t be sad. It’s just a divorce…” I wiped away the tears at the corners of my eyes. Yes, just a divorce. It’s nothing major. Besides, I had more important things to do now. Masking my choked voice, I looked up at Mr. Hayes. “Do we have enough evidence for a bigamy charge yet?” Mr. Hayes nodded immediately. “Yes, I’ve compiled it all.” “And the evidence of Dominic’s tax evasion over the years? Is the team prepared?” “Fully prepared. Six months ago, the information might have been insufficient, but now we have enough.” “And the evidence of Dominic’s bribery?” “That’s all together too.” I clenched the photos of Dominic and Chloe in my hand again. “So, according to your estimate, if these evidences are submitted to the prosecutors, how many years will Dominic have to serve?” Mr. Hayes consulted his file. “Around eight years.” My eyes welled up again. “That’s not enough time. He should at least get twenty years.” After all, Dominic had once sworn to take care of me for a lifetime. Trading twenty years of his imprisonment for a lifetime of his freedom. Dominic loved Chloe so much, he’d surely be willing. Mr. Hayes nodded immediately. “Alright, Isabelle. I’ll make the arrangements.” With that, Mr. Hayes turned and left. And I, watching the flock of birds flying outside the window, shed tears once more. Indeed, one should never trust men. Dominic had ultimately become just like his father.

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The night before the company’s IPO, Victoria Sterling was buzzing with excitement. She hosted a lavish celebration party and had her secretary hand out double year-end bonuses in cash. Blake Harrison, her secretary, grinned, handing everyone a carefully wrapped stack of crisp bills. But when he got to me, he shoved me aside. “Get out of the way, you’re blocking the path!” Confused, I asked him what he meant. He just sneered and slapped a termination letter on my face: “You lowlife player, how dare you even show your face for a bonus? Get out of here, you’re a disgrace!” With a flick of his wrist, a barrage of intimate photos of me and various high-profile clients flashed across the screen. The last image was a bonus roster. The numbers on the screen burned my eyes. Everyone else had at least a six-figure bonus, but my column was marked with a stark, red zero. I clenched my fists and looked up at Victoria Sterling, standing not far away: “Are you serious about firing me, tonight?” On the screen, photo after photo of me and the clients continued to scroll. In them, I was either walking side-by-side with these women, or clinking glasses with them. One shot even showed a woman with her arm around my waist, leading me into a hotel. Hearing my question, Victoria averted her gaze from the screen and stared at me, coldly, without a word. “Are you serious about firing me, tonight?” I asked again. Everyone’s eyes turned to her, filled with a mixture of sympathy and pity. She ignored their stares and slowly walked up to me, her face dripping with disdain: “Leo Maxwell, what right do you have to be here? Every achievement this company has made is thanks to everyone’s hard work. You’re the only exception!” “Did I ever lack your money or your love for you to humiliate me like this?” “Don’t tell me these women are the reason you absolutely refused to let me manage our top clients!” She abruptly pulled a stack of photos from her pocket and violently threw them at my face. The sharp edges of the photos grazed my cheek and scattered across the floor. A stinging pain flared, and I lifted my hand, feeling a patch of warm, sticky blood. “This company’s IPO is my lifelong dream. I won’t allow a parasite like you to corrupt it, not even if you’re my fiancé!” Looking at the elegant, sophisticated woman before me, I assumed she had simply misunderstood because of the photos. I patiently explained: “Victoria, if others won’t believe me, won’t you? My achievements, I fought for them myself. They have nothing to do with those photos!” “Fought for them yourself?” Blake Harrison suddenly cut in, his voice laced with mockery: “What exactly did you ‘fight’ for? Your bedroom skills? We’ve all heard how ‘deep’ your collaborations with the clients were!” A ripple of laughter swept through the room, and someone murmured in agreement: “Exactly. Who knows how many beds he had to warm to get those results? And to think we used to admire him so much, even secretly trying to learn from him!” They were all kicking me when I was down. I never thought my colleagues, whom I thought I had a decent relationship with, would be so quick to stab me in the back. I gritted my teeth, trying desperately to stay calm: “Those photos don’t prove anything. My interactions with them were purely professional!” “Professional interactions in bed, perhaps?” “Then explain this photo!” Blake Harrison picked up the photo of me being embraced by a woman as we entered a hotel: “This is a high-definition video screenshot. Want me to play the full video for everyone to see?” I stared at the photo and suddenly broke into a relieved smile. The woman in the photo was my own sister. That night, I was drunk and had intended to call Victoria to pick me up, but I ended up calling my sister instead. Coincidentally, my sister had just rushed in from back home in the capital, acting as our parents’ envoy, hoping to convince me to stop sulking with the family. She arrived just in time to rescue me from a group of women trying to take advantage. Who would have thought that my sister bringing me to a hotel to rest would be captured by someone with ulterior motives? No wonder, ever since that night, Victoria’s attitude towards me had been so erratic, blowing hot and cold. She was remarkably patient, holding it all in until I secured various major clients for her and secretly leveraged my family’s influence to get her company ready for its IPO. Only then did she choose tonight to make her move. Though her lack of trust deeply disappointed me, she was the first woman I’d ever truly fallen for. I didn’t want us to miss out on each other because of a misunderstanding. And I certainly didn’t want my parents to know that my first head-over-heels love affair had ended so abruptly. Because I had fled back home from the capital specifically to escape an arranged marriage my parents had set up. I wanted to choose my own partner, to walk alongside her as equals, not enter into a loveless business arrangement. I had never told anyone about any of this, not even Victoria. I was afraid that if she found out I was the heir to the powerful Maxwell dynasty, she’d feel insecure, anxious, and overwhelmed by the pressure. From a young age, the women around me had always been drawn to me because of my status. I loathed those calculating attempts to please me. What I cherished was the sparkle in Victoria’s eyes when she looked at me. The memories of our past made me chuckle involuntarily. “What are you laughing at?” Victoria frowned, her voice filled with disgust: “At a time like this, you can still laugh?” I looked up, directly into Victoria’s eyes: “Do you really think I’m some kind of gigolo who climbs his way up by sleeping around?” “Otherwise?” She sneered: “What else makes you think I’d give you a second glance?” My chest tightened as if an invisible hand had clenched my heart, making it hard to breathe. I took a deep breath and slowly said: “The woman in that photo, she’s my sister.” “Your sister?” Blake Harrison burst into laughter: “Do you think we’re fools? Calling some random woman your ‘sister’? Do you call every woman you sleep with ‘sister’? Honestly, it sounds like quite the kinky little game!” The laughter around me grew even more piercing, someone even whistled. Victoria’s eyes were full of contempt: “Enough! Don’t make a fool of yourself here. Take your termination letter and get out! From this moment on, you and I are nothing!” I clutched the termination letter, my heart turning to ice. For five years, I had hidden my identity, working as an ordinary employee to pave the way for her company to grow and flourish. But now, after I had personally helped her reach the pinnacle of her career, she was using me and then throwing me away. I wasn’t a sore loser; I just considered those five years of my youth wasted on a dog! “Victoria, you’re going to regret this.” Victoria heard my soft murmur and reacted as if I’d told the biggest joke. “Regret?” She scoffed: “My only regret is ever knowing a scumbag like you who sleeps around!” With that, she extended her hand to Blake Harrison, who stood beside her. They exchanged a knowing smile and walked hand-in-hand to the center of the banquet hall. Only then did I notice that Blake Harrison’s custom-tailored suit and her low-cut evening gown were a custom-made matching couple’s outfit. Victoria raised their intertwined hands, her voice sweet and confident: “Tomorrow, we will usher in the most important moment in our company’s history – our IPO! None of this would be possible without the hard work of every single one of you! May we continue to work together to create more brilliance!” A thunderous applause erupted, followed by cheers. Flattering remarks about her and Blake Harrison being a picture-perfect couple clearly reached my ears. Victoria’s gaze swept over me but didn’t linger, as if I were just an irrelevant stranger. Looking at the woman I had loved for five years, I finally understood why my parents always said I had terrible judgment. It was clear I was completely blind, not realizing that Blake Harrison, her secretary, had been involved with Victoria for ages. But as the heir of the Maxwell family, being blind didn’t mean I was incompetent. I could lift her to the top, and I could also send her plummeting from the clouds! Without me, I’d like to see how long this company can survive after its IPO. I clutched the termination letter and turned to leave this suffocating place. However, as soon as I took a step, Mr. Miller, the HR manager, blocked my path, a fake smile plastered on his face. “Leo Maxwell, don’t be in such a hurry to leave.” He adjusted his glasses, his voice carrying an undeniable forcefulness: “Company policy states that before resigning, you need to sign a declaration confirming that all your actions during your employment are unrelated to the company. Additionally, you’ll need to sign a non-compete agreement to prevent you from using underhanded tactics to poach our clients after you leave.” Before this, everyone knew I was Victoria Sterling’s fiancé, and I consistently secured major clients for the company. Everyone treated me with respect. Especially Mr. Miller. Back then, to curry favor with me, he would always meekly call me ‘boss’. Now, he looked down his nose at me, his eyebrows arched in disdain, as if trying to reclaim some sense of superiority. I looked at his petty display and said coldly: “A declaration? A non-compete agreement? What makes you think I’ll sign them?” Mr. Miller’s smile vanished instantly, and his voice turned sharp: “What makes us think? Because of your shady dealings! The company has been benevolent enough not to pursue legal action. Don’t push your luck!” I scoffed in response: “Shady dealings? Do you have any evidence? Based on a few out-of-context photos?” “Evidence?” Blake Harrison walked over, pointing at my phone: “Isn’t the evidence right there in your phone? Who knows how many client contacts you’ve saved? You’re probably planning to hook up with them all once you walk out that door, looking for a new livelihood!” As he finished speaking, Mr. Miller lunged for my phone. I was caught off guard, and my phone was snatched away: “Give it back!” Blake Harrison, however, took the phone from Mr. Miller and quickly retreated: “Look how nervous you are! Must be plenty of dirty secrets on that phone!” He asked Victoria for my password, but they found that neither my birthday, Victoria’s birthday, nor our anniversary could unlock it. Victoria, losing patience, snatched the phone and ordered the security guards to hold me still. She tried to use facial recognition to unlock it. But the phone, after several failed unlock attempts, could only be opened with a password. “What’s the password?” Ever since we started dating, my phone password had been the date I first confessed my feelings to her. It was laughable that she had forgotten. But then again, perhaps not surprising. Victoria’s inability to unlock my phone made her feel increasingly humiliated in front of her employees. Her face turned as dark as a pot bottom. “Leo Maxwell, you keep saying those photos are a misunderstanding. Then why did you secretly change your password behind my back?” Her accusation struck me as incredibly dull. “It’s the date I first told you I loved you.” She froze for a long moment, unable to recall the date, her face a kaleidoscope of emotions. I forcefully broke free from the security guard’s grip and snatched my phone back from her. She watched me unlock the phone, her lips moving, her eyes filled with a complicated expression. The next second, she snatched my phone again, trying to find proof of my infidelity. When she saw a close-up selfie of me and my sister, she completely lost her temper: “Leo Maxwell, you really are something else! The evidence is undeniable, what do you have to say now?” “I told you, she’s my sister!” “Give me back my phone!” “This is robbery! This is slander! This is an invasion of my privacy!” Victoria raised her hand and slapped me across the face, then violently smashed my phone on the floor. The screen instantly shattered, fragments scattering everywhere. I clutched my burning cheek, furious, and raised my hand to push her, but the security guards quickly restrained me again. Victoria, provoked by my intense reaction, spoke coldly: “Leo Maxwell, don’t try to play innocent. If you hadn’t been fawning over those women, how could you have achieved those ‘glorious’ results? Don’t even try to tell me you offered yourself to them for my sake. That’s disgusting!” I looked up at her, my eyes filled with disappointment: “Victoria, do you really have to humiliate me like this?” She laughed nonchalantly: “Humiliate you? You’re not even worth it.” Faced with her distrust and humiliation, I felt utterly wronged. “Fine. Since you won’t be reasonable, then let’s call the police. We’ll see who’s spreading rumors and who’s truly indecent!” “Call the police?” She looked at me coldly: “You think you still have a chance? You might be shameless, but I’m not!” “I’m so glad I only got engaged to you, not married. Otherwise, you’d be the biggest disgrace of my life!” I stared at my shattered phone on the floor, and the anger in my heart finally erupted: “Victoria, if you dare treat me like this, then forget about tomorrow’s IPO!” “Hahaha…” A burst of laughter echoed around the room. “Leo Maxwell, have you gone crazy?” Blake Harrison clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he doubled over: “Who do you think you are? You think you can stop a company’s IPO?” Victoria also looked at me mockingly: “Do you think you’re some kind of heir to a powerful dynasty who can just cancel my IPO plans with a single word?” I looked up, meeting her gaze directly, and spoke each word clearly: “That’s right. I *am* the heir to a powerful dynasty. And the woman in those photos? That’s my sister, Isabelle Maxwell.” The laughter grew even louder. “Leo Maxwell, have you been so shocked you’ve lost your mind?” Mr. Miller slapped the table, laughing: “If you’re an heir to a powerful dynasty, then I’m Richard Maxwell, CEO of Horizon Corp!” “Yeah, right!” Others chimed in: “If you’re an heir to a powerful dynasty, we’ll eat dirt for you!” I looked at them coldly, a sarcastic smile playing on my lips: “Richard Maxwell is my father, you ignorant fools!”

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My multi-millionaire foster dad finally found his long-lost biological daughter. But the same morning he announced I was adopted, my fiancé wanted to call off our engagement. “Sera Price, so you’re not your dad’s real daughter after all. In that case, you’re simply not good enough for me anymore.” I just laughed. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but my real dad? He’s a *billionaire*.” 0My dad’s long-lost daughter was finally found, and he brought her home, publicly announcing that I was only his adopted child. My fiancé, Brandon Miller, heard the news and immediately dragged me to see his mom. Brandon and I had just gotten engaged and were busy planning our wedding. I had a sinking feeling something was off. But after two years with Brandon, he’d been so attentive, treating me like a princess. I still had faith in our relationship. As we stepped inside, Mrs. Miller sat on the sofa, slowly peeling an orange, acting as if I wasn’t even there. Usually, she’d be standing at the door, greeting me with her usual beaming smile before I even reached the house. “Mrs. Miller,” I said, holding out a basket of gourmet treats and expensive wellness products I’d bought on the way. “These are some health supplements I picked up for you. To keep you healthy.” I also had a bespoke designer gown, carefully packaged in a gift box, for her to wear to my wedding with Brandon. Mrs. Miller finally finished her orange, glancing at me. “Sera, Brandon and I heard about your family. We just wanted to hear from you directly what’s going on.” “It’s true, I’m my dad’s adopted daughter. His biological daughter’s name is Chloe Price,” I explained, forcing a smile. “What? So it’s real?” Mrs. Miller’s eyes widened, staring at me. “Sera, you’ve been to our house so many times. Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” “Uh, I didn’t know myself. Dad only told me this morning.” The news was sudden, even for me. I hadn’t expected it either. “Oh, I see,” Mrs. Miller said dismissively, popping an orange segment into her mouth. “What are you planning to do now? Do you have a job?” “I’ve already told Dad I don’t want any of his property; it all belongs to Chloe. I’m planning to move out on my own. Currently, I work at my dad’s company, I…” Before I could finish, Brandon anxiously cut me off: “Sera Price, are you crazy? Even as an adopted daughter, your dad would still give you some assets! How can you just say you don’t want anything?” Mrs. Miller’s face soured, stretching a mile long. “Sera, you’re not Mr. Price’s biological daughter anymore, so he won’t let you inherit the family business. If you move out of the Price family, you’ll have nothing. Our family has a house in Rosewood City, and Brandon has a stable corporate job. You, on the other hand, don’t have a ‘proper’ job, just working at a company for a few thousand dollars a month. Where will you two live after you get married? You’re from completely different worlds now. The gap between you two is just too wide.” I sighed, looking at Brandon’s fifty-square-meter apartment. It was indeed quite small, barely enough for one person. Brandon and I definitely couldn’t live here after we got married. So, working at a company wasn’t a ‘proper’ job? I was the CFO of my dad’s company and a minor shareholder. Was Brandon’s mom just worried sick? “I understand, Mrs. Miller, I’ll do my best at work, I…” Before I could finish, Mrs. Miller cut me off again: “Sera, how about you two just don’t bother with the wedding plans? You’re not a good match anymore; you won’t have a good life if you get married.” I choked on my words. I had wanted to say that I not only had houses in Rosewood City but also mansions, and I’d already prepared a huge apartment for us as a wedding home, expecting Brandon and her to move in with me. I’d bought a new place near the company that was currently being renovated, which was why I was planning to rent an apartment temporarily. But this woman gave me no chance, changing her tune faster than flipping a page. “Ma’am.” Brandon’s mom seemed momentarily flustered by my sudden shift back to the more formal address. “Are you refusing to let me marry Brandon?” I asked her directly. Brandon’s mom tapped her finger on the table. “How can you get married? How? Your meager salary wouldn’t even cover the down payment on a broom closet! If Brandon marries you, our family’s quality of life will plummet.” “Come back when you can actually make some money and are worthy of my son.” I looked at Brandon, who stood silently beside her, his eyes wide, a look of utter disappointment, like I was failing him. I had planned to surprise Brandon that afternoon with five six-figure custom wedding gowns. I wanted to try them on one by one for him, but now, I saw no point. “Ma’am, I’m leaving then. We won’t be getting married.” “Go on, go on.” Brandon’s mom waved her hand dismissively. I stood up to leave. “Wait,” she called out. “I won’t be wearing this dress. You don’t make much money, so keep it for yourself.” Heh. She thought my few thousands a month couldn’t afford her a nice dress. A five-figure designer dress, and you don’t want it? Fine, I’ll take it back. Walking out of Brandon’s apartment complex, he roughly yanked his hand away and snarled at me. “Sera Price, you’re so stupid! Your dad raised you for so many years, even a stray cat would show more loyalty! He’d definitely take care of you and leave you something. How could you just refuse it?” Passersby stared at me curiously, as if I were a child being scolded by her mom for a mistake. My mind went completely blank. Was this really the Brandon I used to know? He used to be so polite, speaking softly to me, so gentle and considerate. He’d never once lost his temper in front of me; even if I yelled at him, he’d just playfully try to win me over. “Come on, babe,” Brandon said, seeing my dazed expression, and stroked my head. “Go talk to Mr. Price. Don’t give up your rightful share! We’re getting married soon and we still need to buy a wedding house.” I was bewildered. Was that what I should ask for? My foster dad had raised me for so many years; I hadn’t even had a chance to repay him. Now that he’d found his biological daughter, I couldn’t bring myself to ask for anything. “Brandon, I’ve already made it clear to Mr. Price. And I’m just his adopted daughter. I won’t bring this up to him again.” “Then in your current situation, my mom won’t support me marrying you. We can’t get married.” “Brandon, I’m marrying *you*, not your mom,” I said, a bitter laugh escaping me. “If your mom disagrees, then you won’t marry me, is that it?” Seeing Brandon stand there silently, I turned and walked away. “Hey, Sera!” Brandon called out from behind me. “Are you not coming to my place tonight?” “No.” Tears welled up in my eyes; I didn’t want him to see me cry. I went alone to a Michelin-starred restaurant for dinner. It seemed only good food could soothe my current mood. Brandon and I met at my birthday party. My best friend had invited a few guys to celebrate with me. Brandon, tall and slender, stood out in his trench coat among the other guys. His gaze seemed fixed on me the entire time. After the birthday dinner, he pursued me for three whole months. He treated my roommates and me to dinner, sent me flowers, and practically tripped over himself to bring us our packages every day. When I was sick, he stayed by my side day and night. That’s how I fell for his relentless charm offensive. We dated for two years. I bought him clothes and changed his hairstyle. Gradually, he became trendier and more handsome. More and more women were throwing themselves at him, but he never looked at anyone else, always boasting to others that I was his personal glow-up specialist. We were already engaged, and I still felt a little attached to him. I wandered the streets alone, unknowingly ending up near Brandon’s current apartment. Under the streetlights, a tall, slender figure was holding a girl’s hand, clutching a woman’s designer handbag. “Babe, my shoelace is untied.” The girl extended her foot. The tall, slender figure immediately knelt down to tie it for her, saying, “Sweetheart, let me tie this other one for you too. Wouldn’t want you to fall and hurt yourself; it would break my heart.” I don’t remember Brandon ever kneeling down to tie my shoelace. I saw Brandon stand up and kiss the girl’s forehead. She linked her arm through his, and they laughed happily. Brandon was renting in an old, rundown complex, with only a small path connecting it to the main road. I couldn’t avoid them. When Brandon turned around, he met my indignant gaze. The two bubble teas I held in my hands felt awkwardly exposed. “Sera, I thought you said you weren’t coming tonight,” he said, looking surprised. “So, I’m not coming means you can find a new girlfriend, does it?” “Sera, don’t overthink it. She was introduced to me by my mom’s friend.” He paused, as if finally gathering courage. “You’re nothing now, and you refuse to ask your foster dad for money to buy a house. My mom also disapproves of our marriage. I can’t just hang myself on one tree, can I?” I looked at the girl—no, woman, I should say. I estimated she was at least thirty; no amount of makeup could hide the years. The vintage Chanel bag she was holding? It was the one I’d given to Brandon’s mom, a special order, a limited edition. Right in front of me, Brandon took the woman’s hand. “Monica’s family is quite well-off. She even bought a hundred-square-meter apartment. You know how much pressure there is in big cities these days; people are very practical. I had no reason to refuse her, did I?” Oh, wow. A single apartment was enough for Brandon to fall for a woman significantly older than him. Brandon had once again successfully lowered my opinion of him. I must have been blind to agree to date him. “Brandon, who is she?” The woman pointed at me, looking annoyed. “She’s my ex-girlfriend, just a pathetic nobody. My mom didn’t approve of us getting married, but she still won’t let go.” Brandon’s gaze on my face grew arrogant. “Well, well, well,” the woman said, wiggling her ‘snake-like’ waist, sizing me up lazily. “Her own mother doesn’t want you two to get married, so why are you, little girl, still shamelessly clinging to Brandon?” My blood ran cold. Can a person change so quickly and be so shameless? Fine. His mom was right; he and I were indeed not from the same circle anymore. “Brandon, who said I was clinging to you? If anyone’s doing the breaking up, it’s me, Sera Price. Listen closely: I, Sera Price, am dumping you, starting today.” With that, I turned around and tossed the two bubble teas in my hand into a nearby trash can. I called my driver, then got into my Rolls-Royce, heading back to my sprawling mansion. “Mom, big sis is home!” my younger brother shouted excitedly towards the house. Mom instantly rushed out. “Oh, Sera, you haven’t been home in so long, I missed you terribly!” “After you were taken from us, your dad and I searched for you for twenty years until we finally found you. Can’t you come home every day to see Mom and your brother?” My nose stung, and I hugged Mom, feeling tears well up. “Mom, I’ll come home every day from now on.” “Good, you should. Your dad’s away on a business trip, but when he gets back, he’ll announce the return of the Kensington Group’s only daughter and hold a formal welcome ceremony for you.” “Yeah, sis, Dad’s been calling every day, making sure I’m getting everything ready,” Leo chimed in, circling us. It suddenly dawned on me that after my parents found me and we reconnected, I’d still been spending most of my time with Brandon, rarely coming home. I’d neglected them. I didn’t dare tell my parents about Brandon and me; I didn’t want them to worry about me so soon after finding me. “Leo, tomorrow, let’s go to Free Restaurant,” I said, hoping to soothe my empty heart with good food. “Sounds good!” It was the weekend, and even high-end restaurants were packed. Leo and I walked straight in. The hostess skipped the waiting line and led us directly to a private table by the window. My butt hadn’t even warmed the seat when a sharp voice pierced my ears: “Excuse me, why do *they* get a window seat? Why couldn’t we sit there earlier?” Holy crap, the person pointing at us was the ‘snake-waisted’ woman from yesterday, and across from her sat Brandon. Brandon saw me too, and he saw Leo next to me. He frowned, then snapped at the waiter, “Excuse me, how did those two get in without waiting in line? They must have snuck in, didn’t they? They’re not following the rules; you should kick them out!” He deliberately shouted loudly, and the entire restaurant fell silent, customers craning their necks to look at him. I was speechless. Seriously, did I have some kind of vendetta with him? I couldn’t even eat in peace. “Asshole,” Leo muttered under his breath. The waiter quickly walked over. “Sir, it’s like this: the customers you’re referring to are our Premium VIPs. Premium VIPs don’t need to queue.” The hand pointing at us abruptly retracted, and Brandon immediately shrank back. The ‘snake-waisted’ woman beside him asked, “How do you get a Premium VIP membership? Let’s get one too.” “A Premium VIP membership requires over a million in spending within six months, or five million annually. Sir, would you like to apply for one?” the waiter asked Brandon, bowing slightly. The ‘snake-waisted’ woman tugged on his arm, looking at him expectantly. “Honey, should we get one too?” Brandon froze for a long moment, not daring to speak. “Sir? Sir, would you still like to apply for the card?”

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When Derek, the R&D Director, publicly ranted again about me trying to hook up with him and trick him into being a step-dad to my kid, I didn’t vehemently deny it and defend my innocence like I used to. Instead, I calmly returned to my desk and quietly rejected the procurement request he had just submitted. “The petty cash is gone; the process can’t be approved.” As expected, he stormed over, fuming. “This month’s petty cash just came in ten minutes ago! How could it be gone? Where’s the money?!” I ignored him, turning to take an admin assistant’s purchase order and process its payment right in front of him. Only his request was rejected, again and again. He was furious, immediately marching off to find Mr. Stone, the CEO, to complain. “Just because I don’t want to be her kid’s dad, she’s trying to sabotage me like this?” “Our R&D project is worth hundreds of millions in market share! If we delay any longer, the whole thing will completely go south!” “If every woman in this company acts like her, how are we supposed to get any work done? I’m putting it out there right now: either she goes, or I go!” In the stalemate, I calmly pulled out the resignation letter I’d prepared long ago. Derek instantly flashed a smug, triumphant grin. But when I then handed Mr. Stone a stack of R&D project quotations, his face fell.

Perhaps he felt my earlier indifference had challenged the R&D Director’s authority. Derek snatched the file from my hand and tossed it into the air. The office fell silent instantly. Eyes accompanied by whispers rapidly converged on me. “Did your husband take your brain with him when he divorced you? How dare you reject my procurement request?” “I’d like to know, how is the petty cash, which just came in, already gone? I bet someone’s using company funds to buy baby formula!” Derek leaned casually against my desk, looking like a thug, his index finger tapping loudly on my desktop. He made sure everyone could hear the words “using company funds to buy baby formula.” I remained unperturbed, bending down to pick up the loose page he had stomped on. I said calmly, “The R&D department’s petty cash is indeed gone.” “I can’t process it on my end. If you’re in a hurry, you can go to Mr. Stone for special approval.” Derek froze, choked by my words. He glared at the curious colleagues around us, his voice laced with menace. “Ava Stone, right? I’m giving you one last chance! Think carefully before you speak!” I slowly stood up, a faint smile on my lips. “Mr. Stone, my name is Ava Stone.” “And no matter how many chances you give me, the answer will be the same. No money, no approval.” He hadn’t expected me to talk back directly. His face instantly changed. He pointed at my nose and started yelling. “You’re just procurement staff, what gives you the right to act so superior?!” “Our department gets a hundred thousand every month for petty cash! It only hit the account ten minutes ago!” “You say it’s gone, and it’s gone? If you can do the job, do it. If not, then get the hell out!” His voice grew louder and louder. The surrounding colleagues didn’t dare to breathe. I remained silent throughout, turning to take an admin assistant’s purchase order. I submitted the payment process right in front of him. Less than three minutes later, I received the payment confirmation from finance. This move completely infuriated Derek. “Ava Stone, what the hell is wrong with you? You said there was no petty cash! How come the admin’s order gets approved but mine doesn’t?!” “I work day and night for this company’s products! Who the hell do you think you are, throwing your weight around with a speck of authority and tripping me up?” “You’d better give me a reasonable explanation, or don’t blame me for getting nasty.” Seeing Derek grow more agitated, his little lackeys immediately jumped in to smooth things over. “Calm down, Derek. They say ‘baby brain’ really makes some women lose their marbles. Don’t let a woman like her get to you; it’s bad luck.” A few colleagues who usually interacted with me also chimed in. “Some people have unhappy lives, divorced with kids, and think the whole world owes them something!” “Does she think she’s an eighteen-year-old girl looking for a sugar daddy?” “Exactly! If she failed to hook up with him and is now using her position for personal revenge, she shouldn’t drag us down with her! If the project is delayed, we won’t even be able to pay rent…” I quietly sorted the pages I had picked up earlier, tapping away on my calculator. Only after entering the last number did I look up at Derek. My tone remained calm. “Derek, the admin department’s purchasing prices are all below market average, and they used their department’s petty cash balance from last month. According to protocol, it can be directly approved.” “However, the orders submitted by the R&D department aren’t just eighty percent overpriced; your petty cash was already overdrawn last month.” “So, not only this month but this entire quarter, your department’s purchasing requests will be rejected.” I held up his signed purchase order, my voice neither humble nor arrogant. The colleagues who had been watching the drama instantly busied themselves. The only sound in the entire office was the rapid clicking of keyboards. No one would have thought that I, a divorced mom with no connections or seniority, would dare to stand up to an arrogant R&D Director who looked down on everyone. After all, everyone knew that the R&D department always lorded over all other departments in the company. Derek, as the R&D Director, was Mr. Stone’s favorite, looking down on everyone except the CEO himself. He naturally hadn’t expected to be put in such an awkward position by a new mom he couldn’t even remember the name of. Seeing that I no longer paid him any attention, he shot me a vicious glare and stomped away in a huff.

The executive office door slammed shut with a bang that echoed through the building. Downstairs, colleagues exchanged worried glances. A few colleagues who Derek had previously given a hard time, and who I sometimes talked to, sent me messages on SnapChat, advising me to let it go, saying jobs were hard to find now, and since I had a child, I should apologize to Derek. Why should I apologize? Yes, I was on maternity leave and divorced, and it was only two months ago that I transferred to the procurement department after my leave ended. But ever since I took over R&D project procurement, I realized it was a complete mess. When I first started, they took advantage of my inexperience, even including toilet paper for the department’s restrooms in their purchase orders. I got yelled at a lot for it. Later, they would cite the urgency of R&D projects and ask me to front the money for purchases. At first, they were polite, playing on my emotions. “Ava, this project is really urgent, we just need this one thing. Could you help us out and pay for it? We’ll reimburse you from the R&D petty cash next month after I sign off.” My heart softened, and I believed them. After all, why would a dignified R&D Director make things difficult for a divorced mom raising a child? But when I took the reimbursement receipts to him for a signature, he refused to acknowledge the money I’d paid out of pocket. After several attempts, I finally saw his true colors. Later, when people from his department asked me to front funds, I flat-out refused. Then he started threatening me subtly with performance reviews. “Ava, raising a kid on your own must be tough financially, right? Work hard, and I’ll put in a good word for you with Mr. Stone for a promotion and raise.” “But if the project is delayed, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Pay out of pocket when needed, and you won’t lose a penny once the project funds are in.” He said it nicely, but he still hasn’t reimbursed me for even a mere three hundred bucks worth of consumables. Just yesterday, I went to him again for reimbursement. He not only cursed at me in front of the entire office but also turned around and accused me of trying to seduce him. “You were the one who eagerly volunteered to pay for me, right?” “I felt your intentions weren’t pure back then, but for the project, I just put up with it.” “But you? Always looking for shortcuts, if you put the same effort you put into pestering me for three or five hundred bucks into your work, maybe you wouldn’t have gotten divorced right after having a baby?” I trembled with rage. I couldn’t believe a supposedly dignified R&D Director could be so utterly shameless. As of today, I’ve paid over ten thousand dollars for the R&D department, even some paid for with my credit card. And my salary was cut in half because he reassigned me after my maternity leave. I’m at that age with elderly parents and young children to support. My child’s baby formula was almost empty, my mortgage was three months overdue, and if I didn’t get that money, my whole family would starve. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Overnight, I reviewed all historical purchasing contracts and organized a list of procurement items handled by Derek for R&D projects. It was shocking. The contracts and invoices clearly showed exorbitant overpricing everywhere. Even many materials were replaced with cheaper substitutes. I then compared the delivery details against the purchase records. It turned out the R&D project was far more corrupt than I had imagined. Derek thought I was just an ignorant mom, unable to do anything to him. He even spread rumors in the company that I was deliberately pestering him with such tricks because I failed to hook up with him. So, when he came in this morning, he felt no guilt about owing me money. Instead, he was even more arrogant. At this moment, his thunderous roars and whining complaints to Mr. Stone echoed from the executive office upstairs. Everyone whispered, as if waiting for a big show. And I was waiting too. Waiting for Derek to blow things up. Waiting for him to play with fire and dig his own grave.

The fawning phone calls from upstairs came one after another. Everyone knew what was happening. Derek would win this undisputed conflict effortlessly. The office atmosphere subtly shifted. Colleagues who used to eat with me in the cafeteria now declined my invitations, citing overtime, only for me to see them later, animatedly chatting with the new R&D intern in the cafeteria. Every meal, I’d quietly stand at the very end of the line. Just as it was almost my turn, R&D engineers would cut in front of me. “So jealous of some people who get to eat on time. Unlike us, born workhorses, we have to rush even for a meal.” “Oh well, she has to feed her baby, if she doesn’t eat on time, she won’t have milk!” After that, a few of them looked at my chest and let out undisguised, lewd laughs. I clenched my lips, remaining silent. By the time I finally reached the front, there was nothing left but some watery scraps. As soon as I sat down, Maria, the cleaning lady, shooed me away. She looked down at me, her oily rag wiping relentlessly near my plate. A cold snort from her nostrils slammed directly into my ears. And this was just the prelude from Derek and his crew. When I returned to my desk, my workspace was piled high with various procurement request forms, both urgent and non-urgent. Kyle, the intern, also approached with a thick stack of files, looking arrogant. “Ava, Derek said all products purchased in the last three years need a supplier qualification report organized by the end of today. He needs it for a meeting tomorrow.” Colleagues around me whispered and chuckled at my expense. Day after day, the vulgar insults didn’t stop because of my silence; instead, they escalated. In just a week, I went from being a divorced mom to being called a “slut” and “easy” — someone so desperate she’d throw herself at anyone. They started openly scrutinizing and commenting on me. “How can she eat so much? Does she think she’s a milk-producing sow?” “Oh, you don’t get it. How else would she use pumping as an excuse to slack off? She closes the door and disappears for half the day; who knows what she’s doing in there?” “Look at those saggy, empty breasts. No wonder her husband left her; who wouldn’t be disgusted by that?” Not only that. My desk started accumulating disgusting fruit peels and trash. Even walking down a wide aisle, someone would “accidentally” bump into me. Meetings about my work modules became more frequent, and the absurd demands from various departments grew increasingly outlandish. My direct line would ring with all sorts of calls, asking ‘300 a night, wanna hook up?’ Derek thought this would force me to leave, but I continued to play dumb. The more he tried to make things difficult for me, the more flawlessly I performed my work. And the calmer I remained, the angrier he became. Finally, after another week passed without receiving my resignation letter, he couldn’t take it anymore. Mr. Stone, who had been on a business trip, had barely returned when Derek, laptop in hand, immediately dove into his office. The storm was finally coming.

Sure enough, half an hour later, Derek emerged from Mr. Stone’s office like a triumphant rooster. He then announced an urgent company-wide meeting, requiring full attendance. I happened to be at the front desk picking up a supplier invoice delivery and missed the message. When I rushed in, everyone’s eyes turned to me. Before Mr. Stone could speak, Derek launched into a tirade. “Mr. Stone, look! She usually neglects the R&D department’s work, but now she’s even late for your meeting, dragging her feet for half an hour!” “The company’s preferential policies for female employees, she’s just exploiting them to slack off!” Mr. Stone toyed with his bead bracelet, his brows furrowed. “Ava Stone, is it?” His slightly angered voice was very low. I didn’t answer. “Why does buying anything for the R&D department become so complicated as soon as it goes through you?” “Our ongoing projects are stalled because we can’t get the materials! Our engineers are about to quit because they’re not getting their project bonuses!” “The market is only so big; every day you delay gives our competitors another advantage!” He slammed his bracelet onto the table, beads scattering and clattering onto the floor. The sound was deafening. “The company pays everyone for eight hours a day. I haven’t shortchanged anyone a single penny in all these years, have I?” “Are we just going to let the market share our frontline employees fought so hard to win be handed over to others because of some internal ‘procedures’ or ‘budgets’?” “Are you all elementary school kids fresh out of school? Do I have to emphasize something this basic?” He didn’t mention me by name once, but every word was aimed at me. Across the room, Derek knelt reverently, picking up the beads, a look of vengeful triumph in his eyes as he glanced my way. Suddenly, I found it utterly meaningless. A company where everyone’s decisions were driven by their own pockets had truly rotted to this extent. The “frontline engineers” he claimed were working themselves to death for project bonuses had long since hollowed out the company like parasites. And I, who upheld my principles, was being cursed out. Fine. I sighed softly, answering calmly. “Understood, Mr. Stone. I know what to do.” My apparent obedience greatly pleased him. He softened his tone. “It’s good for young people to be driven, but you should learn from Derek in the future and pay more attention to tact in your dealings.” I nodded numbly, turning to leave. This long-planned drama was finally about to conclude with my silent endurance. But then, Derek called out to me. “Wait! Based on the negative impact you’ve caused us, I demand you apologize to our team publicly!” “Apologize?” For a moment, I thought I’d misheard him. But then I saw Mr. Stone nod in silent agreement. The office instantly erupted in chatter. Scornful and mocking voices almost drowned me out. The people who bullied me, isolated me, insulted me, and spread malicious rumors about me now wanted *me* to apologize to *them*. I clenched my hands tightly, forcing myself to calm down. Seeing that I remained unmoving, Derek feigned extreme distress. “Mr. Stone, just because I don’t want to be her kid’s dad, she’s trying to sabotage me like this? Is it too much to ask her for an apology?” “I’m only being lenient because I feel sorry for her. An apology would be enough, but look at her attitude.” “I’m putting it out there right now: she *must* apologize, or either she goes, or I go!” In the stalemate, I calmly pulled out the resignation letter I’d prepared long ago.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299028”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #玄幻Fantasy #重生Reborn