Author: Momo Chan

As the legendary surgeon, the moment I announced I was putting away my scalpel and stepping off the operating table for good, the entire surgical department erupted in excitement. They even threw a celebration. But only Serena White, the intern Mark brought in – the one hailed as a once-in-a-generation medical prodigy – approached me, a look of unease on her face. “Dr. Chen, even though you’ve made a few mistakes in your recent surgeries, your skills are still there. We need you, and so do countless patients.” She spoke with such earnestness, if I hadn’t been the one involved, I might have actually fallen for it. I turned and walked away, my face expressionless. In my past life, she was an intern who followed me into surgery. But every time, right in the middle of an operation, my body would suddenly go out of control. And every time, Serena would step in, taking over and flawlessly completing the surgery. After a few such incidents, she became the medical genius everyone praised, while I was branded a fraud, someone who stole her reputation. Desperate to prove my true capabilities, I took on a world-class, complex surgical case, despite immense pressure. I spent sleepless nights researching materials, searching for similar cases, and developing a surgical plan. But the moment I confidently stepped into the operating room, my body once again betrayed me. Serena flawlessly completed the surgery again, and her surgical plan was exactly identical to the one I had meticulously devised. She became the miracle worker everyone talked about, and I became an incompetent quack, scorned by all. Unable to bear the blow, I ended my life with the very scalpel I once mastered. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day Serena first arrived at the hospital. ………. “The patient suddenly had a massive hemorrhage, and our Dr. Chen was so scared she just froze. Good thing Serena was there, otherwise, we would have been in big trouble.” “And she still calls herself a legendary surgeon? Doesn’t she feel any shame? Always acting so high and mighty. Well, now with Serena, a true genius, as a comparison, how can she even show her face in the operating room again?” Familiar mocking voices yanked me back to reality. That’s when I realized, I had been reborn. Ignoring their taunts, I rushed straight to Neurology for a full body check-up. The results, as expected, showed I was perfectly normal. I suspected Serena was the source of the problem. To test my theory, I immediately scheduled another surgery. This time, I refused to let Serena into the operating room with me. The surgery started smoothly, but at the most critical moment, my body once again went out of control. Just then, Serena, as if she had predicted it, quickly walked in and finished the rest of the surgery. Coming out of the operating room, Dr. Thompson, the Vice Dean, called me into his office and said to me with grave concern, “Valerie, have you been too tired lately? How about I give you a few days off to rest?” “You don’t have to worry about the hospital. I think that young woman, Serena White, is quite good; she’s handled these last few surgeries beautifully.” “You’re not getting any younger. Perhaps it’s time to consider taking a step back and enjoying your well-deserved retirement.” I stared at Dr. Thompson, my former mentor and teacher, in disbelief. He should know my capabilities better than anyone. Was even he losing faith in me now? My eyes instantly welled up. “Teacher, even you don’t trust my skills anymore?” Seeing my distress, Dr. Thompson sighed deeply. “You’re my student; of course, I know your level. It’s just, considering your performance in these last few incidents, I think it’s time for you to step down.” I left the Vice Dean’s office, utterly devastated, and returned to the surgical department. Everyone was gathered around Serena, asking her for advice on emergency solutions for unexpected surgical complications. She was confidently explaining everything, holding nothing back. But what she was saying was all the experience I had accumulated over many years. How was this possible? I had painstakingly summarized these insights from thousands of surgeries, never formally teaching them to anyone. Everyone murmured in envious admiration. “Serena, you must be a legendary medical genius. You’ve only been in a few surgeries, yet you can anticipate so many emergencies and handle them so perfectly. Is this truly the difference between people?” Just then, Mark spotted me through the crowd, a sneering smile twisting his lips. “Serena is the real genius, unlike some people who, after performing so many surgeries, still get scared and lost when a patient bleeds heavily. I don’t know how she still has the nerve to call herself a surgical maestro.” Serena looked over, following his gaze, her eyes brimming with undisguised triumph. “Mark, don’t talk about Valerie like that. She’s still your wife, after all.” “I came here to learn from Dr. Chen, not to steal anything from her. But since I have a talent for surgery, I should make good use of it to save more patients.” Her words earned her a chorus of praise and applause. Initially, everyone had been skeptical of Serena’s medical genius, but as she successfully performed one critical rescue after another, they gradually became convinced. Even the hospital’s top management held her in high regard, giving her priority for training. She became a miracle worker, sought after by all. My husband and colleagues, who once flocked around me, had all abandoned me to fawn over Serena. I could understand this; after all, in such circumstances, following Serena would easily grant them more resources and compensation. “Serena, you’re too generous! Dr. Chen can’t even compare to you. In the last surgery, she was afraid you’d steal her thunder and deliberately kept you out of the operating room. In the end, didn’t you have to clean up her mess anyway?” “Exactly! When I asked her for anything, she wouldn’t say a word, claiming she could only teach me if I encountered it during surgery. I think she just didn’t know how and was brushing me off.” “Serena, you’re the future hope of our surgical department. We’re all counting on you.” … I coldly watched the group of people and Serena, who was surrounded by them. In my past life, it was this kind of betrayal that pushed me to end my life with a scalpel. And in doing so, I had only cleared the way for Mark and Serena. Reborn, I would take back everything that was mine. I silently turned and walked away, not returning to the home I shared with Mark. Instead, I went back to the apartment I had bought before we got married. I couldn’t understand where things had gone wrong. But one thing I was certain of: this whole situation was connected to Serena. Even if she was a so-called medical genius, it was impossible for her to come up with such detailed emergency protocols without extensive practical experience. More importantly, every time she took the spotlight, my body would suddenly go out of my control. What exactly had Serena done to me? As I thought this, a name suddenly flashed in my mind. Yes! That’s it! I could tell him what was happening to me. Maybe he would know how to fix it. I quickly found his phone number and dialed it directly. He answered quickly. I thoroughly explained the strange things happening to me and Serena’s abnormal behavior. He pondered for a moment, then said he would give me an answer in three days. He advised me to avoid contact with Serena during these three days. With his assurance, I felt much more at ease. I immediately requested a week’s leave from the hospital. I had planned to relax for a few days. But while I was avoiding Serena, she seemed determined not to let me go. On the third morning of my leave, Mark suddenly called me. His tone was incredibly hostile as he demanded, “Valerie Chen, why didn’t you tell me you were taking leave?” I had no patience for him anymore. “What does my leave have to do with you?” Mark on the other end of the line paused, surprised. But it was only for a second. Then, he irritably ordered me, “Never mind that. Get to the hospital now.” I scoffed. “I’m on vacation. If you need something, find someone else.” With that, I decisively hung up. I lay back down on the bed, just about to drift off to sleep again. Suddenly, someone started pounding loudly on my door. At the same time, they were shouting my name. I looked through the peephole. It was Mark and Serena. I didn’t want them to disturb my neighbors, so I irritably opened the door. “Mark, what do you two want?” Seeing the door open, he grabbed my arm without a word and started pulling me out. I forcefully shook him off. “Are you out of your minds? If you have something to say, say it here. Otherwise, I’m calling the police.” Mark’s face turned livid. “You’re coming back to the hospital with me now. There’s a surgery today that only you can perform.” I looked at him, his expectation so blatant, and burst out laughing mockingly. “Isn’t Serena a medical genius? Why doesn’t *she* go? Why call me?” Mark’s face was filled with impatience. “Valerie Chen, I’m giving you one last chance. Are you coming back to the hospital with me or not?” “No!” I refused, cold and decisive. He let out a cold laugh, clearly infuriated. “You’re forcing my hand.” Then he pulled out his phone and shoved it in front of me. A video clip was playing on the screen. In the video, a woman was trying to hand me an under-the-table payment, which I refused. The next second, she burst into tears, kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly in front of me. I remembered this incident. The woman’s son had suffered a sudden cerebral infarction, and I had saved him. After the surgery, the woman wanted to give me a bribe to thank me for saving her son’s life. When I refused, she immediately knelt down and kowtowed. I looked at Mark, confused. “Why are you showing me this?” Mark’s lips twisted into a challenging smirk. “Don’t be so hasty, just keep watching.” The video clip ended, and the woman who had kowtowed to me appeared on screen. Dressed in ragged clothes, she tearfully accused me in front of the camera, “It was this Dr. Valerie Chen who caused my son to be paralyzed!” “She refused to operate on my son because she thought my bribe was too small, making us miss the best time for treatment!” “But I truly couldn’t afford more money. It’s my fault for being useless and harming my son!” The video ended there, and Mark threatened me with a cold sneer. “If you don’t come back with me obediently today, I’ll post this online and completely ruin your reputation!” I looked at Mark in disbelief. I never imagined he would stoop to such lengths to frame me, all for Serena. “Fine, I’ll go back with you.” Since you want me back so badly, I’ll humor you. Just don’t regret it later. The moment I stepped through the hospital entrance, Dr. Harrison, the Head of Surgery, grabbed me and hurried me inside. “Valerie, you’re finally here! We just got a car crash victim with an intracranial hemorrhage and an unruptured aneurysm. This is a complex case, and you’re the only one in this hospital who’s ever done this specific procedure. Get ready quickly!” I asked for the patient’s detailed condition; for now, their life wasn’t immediately at risk. I looked at Serena, who was about to change into scrubs, and calmly stated, “Dr. Harrison, you know my recent situation. I’m really not suitable for surgery right now.” Dr. Harrison heard me and seemed to recall something, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. But he couldn’t think of anyone more suitable than me. Seeing the sweat forming on his brow, I tentatively suggested, “Dr. Harrison, don’t rush. I can find someone to come over, we should still have enough time.” At this, Serena, whose face had been full of anticipation, turned pale. Without waiting for Dr. Harrison to speak, she hastily objected. “No way!” Both Dr. Harrison and I looked at her. Her expression was a little unnatural. “What I mean is, the patient might not be able to wait. Since Dr. Chen is here, let Dr. Chen do it.” Dr. Harrison looked at me, somewhat hesitantly. “Valerie, why don’t you just go ahead?” Before I could even speak. Serena’s eyes turned red with urgency. “Dr. Chen, I know you’re still angry with me, blaming me for stealing your thunder. But you really can’t just stand by and watch someone die!” As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears. Seeing her cry, Mark’s face filled with distress, and he glared at me, his expression even darker. “Valerie Chen, that’s enough! I never knew you were such a cold-hearted person!” “Just go and perform the surgery obediently, and let Serena be your assistant.” I looked at him coldly. “How am I cold-hearted? I know my own condition. I’m not suitable for such a complex surgery right now.” “And I already said I would find someone to replace me for this operation.” My words left Mark speechless. At this point, Serena suddenly burst into tears and knelt before me. “Dr. Chen, I was wrong. I can resign. I’ll never bother you again.” “But the patient in the operating room truly can’t wait. Please, I’m begging you for him, save him!” Her actions instantly ignited the anger of everyone present towards me. “Is this even a doctor? She’s a butcher!” “How can she be so cold-blooded, letting someone die without helping?” Then, someone shouted, “I just saw online that someone exposed her! She refused the surgery because the family didn’t give her an under-the-table payment!” This statement caused a massive uproar, pushing the crowd’s anger to its peak. No one listened to my explanations anymore. The scene instantly erupted into chaos, and someone rushed forward to hit me. “Kill this heartless, unethical doctor!” “Kill her!” I was surrounded by the crowd. Someone kicked me hard in the knee. “You beast, get down on your knees!” I cried out in pain and collapsed, clearly hearing the sound of bone cracking. Then, someone grabbed my hair and slammed my head onto the ground. “You greedy, murderous, unethical doctor, hurry and kowtow to confess your sins!” Blood instantly gushed from my forehead, and my vision blurred repeatedly. Powerless to resist, I could only curl up on the ground, covering my head, as everyone continued to hit me. Fists rained down on my body relentlessly. Then, someone kicked me hard in the abdomen. I instantly coughed up a mouthful of blood. Only then did security guards arrive and control the angry crowd. Dr. Harrison and a few colleagues haphazardly helped me, who was on the verge of fainting, to my feet. Looking up, I saw the triumphant glint in Serena’s eyes. She wanted to force me into this surgery, then use her trick again. She wanted to step on me to gain higher honors, while I would be utterly crushed into the mud, never to rise again. She was paving her path to glory with my blood and flesh. “Dr. Chen, please agree, otherwise, we can’t save you either!” Serena’s expression was earnest as she pressured me again. I silently swept my gaze across the faces of everyone present: some angry, some sneering, some just waiting to see me fail. Among them were patients I had saved. But now, they were all glaring at me as if I were their enemy. Just then, my phone rang. I answered, listening in silence, a mocking smile unconsciously twisting my lips. Seeing this, the crowd grew angry again, ready to charge at me. “She’s still smiling! She’s cold-blooded, not even human! Kill her!” But then, I suddenly bowed deeply to everyone. “I’m sorry, but as you can see, my current condition makes it impossible for me to perform surgery.” As I spoke, I raised my right hand, which was now bruised and bloody from being stomped on, my fingers dangling limply. The eyes of those who had just hit me flashed with a hint of panic, but they quickly regained their indignant composure. “We hit you because you’re greedy and murderous, unfit to be a doctor!” “Since everyone believes I’m unfit, then I hereby announce that from today onwards, I am stepping down, and will never again enter an operating room.” I calmly looked at Serena, whose face was slowly turning ashen. I wanted to see, without me, how she would continue to be her medical genius.

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For eight long years, I was married to Caleb Hayes, the man who was blind, all because I felt bound by a debt of gratitude. But the moment his cornea transplant bandages came off, he was instantly smitten by the nurse who removed them. To pursue Serena Vance, he recklessly disregarded every hospital protocol, letting an intern perform a critical surgery herself – a move that nearly cost a life. When I finally filed for divorce, I was hit with the crushing truth: our marriage certificate was a fake. He didn’t even spare me a glance, his voice chillingly flat as I confronted him: “You orchestrated the crash that took my sight. I, in turn, systematically tormented your youth for eight years. Seems perfectly fair, wouldn’t you say?” Blinded by rage, I unleashed a damning video of Serena Vance bullying others at his extravagant engagement party, shattering her pristine image overnight. That very night, Caleb Hayes brazenly replaced our son, Leo’s, life-saving medication with the cheapest saline solution he could find. As if that wasn’t enough to satisfy his cruel heart, he then had Leo and me shipped off to a war-torn country, leaving us to fend for ourselves, or die. The next time we met, his eyes fell upon my wedding gown, and he sneered, “All these years, and you’re still clinging to the pathetic dream of marrying me!” Little did he know, I – and his formidable stepfather, the man who truly pulled all the strings – were the actual stars of this new wedding.

“Still so high and mighty, even when you’re trying to make amends, Aurora.” “Too bad you’re out of luck. Blair and I are getting married any minute now.” Julian Thorne pulled the shy Blair Sterling closer, then shot me a contemptuous glance, as if daring me to find a flicker of sadness on my face. I was in my heavy wedding gown, ready to walk to the stage and announce my *own* wedding reception was abruptly called off. My fiancé’s flight was delayed; he wouldn’t make it back today. Seeing me move, Julian reached out, blocking my path, a frown on his face. “Aurora, are you deaf? I’m talking to you.” The murmuring guests instantly fell silent, turning to stare. “I remember Leo’s condition – only the specialized medication developed by Thorne Pharmaceuticals can keep it in check.” “Aurora,” he sneered, swirling the drink in his hand, then deliberately splashing it onto Blair’s gown right in front of me, “if you get down on your knees and *lick* that stain clean off her dress, maybe I’ll consider helping you.” When he saw me bend down, the fury in his eyes intensified. He gritted his teeth. “Looks like Leo means a lot to you!” I shook my stinging palm, my voice suddenly piercing. “Julian Thorne!” “Leo is *your son* too!” Julian’s lips curved into a smirk. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his thumb. “Oh, really? I was blind back then, couldn’t see anything. For all I knew, you were messing around with anyone you pleased.” A wave of humiliated rage surged through me. I clenched my fists. Knowing this wasn’t the time to argue, I took a deep breath and walked to the center of the stage. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, today’s wedding reception has to be temporarily canceled. My apologies, everyone.” Before I could finish, the microphone was knocked over. Julian yanked my wrist hard, the atmosphere around him dropping instantly. “Aurora Vance! This is the Thorne family’s wedding! Don’t you think it’s childish to try and get my attention this way?” I looked at him calmly, a small laugh escaping my lips. “Is it?” “Don’t you know your stepfather, Marcus Blackwood, is marrying *me*?” My words landed like a bomb, and the entire room erupted in gasps. Everyone knew the story: how the former golden boy went blind saving me. And how I, a brilliant, groundbreaking surgeon, gave up my career and returned to family life for him. Blair quickly stepped forward, trying to smooth things over. “Ms. Vance, if you truly still love Julian, you shouldn’t be publicly humiliating the Thorne name in front of all these people.” “I’m not bringing up how you tried to frame me with that fake bullying video back then, switching out your face for mine. But now, for my sake, can’t you just—” *Agh!* “Aurora, are you insane!” Julian rushed to Blair, checking her reddened face, glaring at me with fury. “Your son’s specialized medication? The Thorne family would rather trash it than sell it to you!” “And don’t forget, Aurora, your parents are still in the nursing home under my name.” Seeing my silence, he assumed I was scared. A sneer touched his lips. “Get down and apologize.” “What choice do you have now?” I tilted my head back, forcing the tears away, suppressing the ache in my eyes. “My parents?” I roared, “My parents were used for drug trials and *killed* by your precious Blair Sterling!” “Julian Thorne, Leo almost died because of your so-called punishment. You sent Leo and me to a war-torn country where we nearly got blown to pieces.” “You think I still have feelings for you?” I scoffed, pulling out a brand-new marriage certificate and thrusting it at him. “This ‘old woman’ is now your legal stepmother!” “You touch me, and your stepfather won’t let you get away with it!” His fingers trembled as he snatched the certificate from my hand, shaking his head in disbelief. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his temple. Unfamiliar memories surged, and amidst the terror, the fragmented recollections began to overlap with my face.

“Mrs. Gable, please arrange for the guests to leave shortly.” I removed my veil, tapping on my phone to send a message to Marcus, but it vanished into thin air. This sight, to Blair Sterling, only solidified her belief that I was putting on an act. She spoke, her voice laced with saccharine sweetness and thinly veiled digs. “Ms. Vance, this is a Thorne family event. I don’t think you have the authority to order the staff around, do you?” “I get that you’re angry, but how could you debase yourself like this just to spite Julian? Mr. Thorne is nearly fifty, Aurora. Don’t throw away your dignity over spite, getting involved with a man like that…” Blair batted her eyelashes, her words dripping with fake sympathy. Julian’s knuckles were white as he swallowed a pill. Once he composed himself, he stared at me like a predator locking onto its prey. “Blair Sterling, I’ve already cleared the path. What’s wrong? You still haven’t managed to marry Julian?” The air instantly congealed, like a frozen glacier. It was utterly silent. Blair’s face contorted with rage, yet she couldn’t utter a single word in rebuttal. The incident where she almost *killed* someone back then, though Julian had suppressed it, meant the Thorne family, with their long-standing legacy in pharmaceuticals, would *never* accept someone like her into their ranks. I let out a soft laugh and confidently strode towards Marcus’s study, knowing the way intimately. As I walked away, Julian kept his gaze fixed on me, afraid to confirm the suspicion forming in his mind. Soon, the guests began to leave. Just then, I received a call from the hospital: Leo was having an episode! “I’ll be there as fast as I can!” I hung up, barely thinking as I sprinted to the garage. Just as I opened the car door, Blair blocked it, her eyes red and swollen. “Ms. Vance, I know you hate me and think I stole Julian away.” “But have you ever considered that the person in Julian’s memories was always me? The eight years of happiness you had with him—weren’t they just stolen years that belonged to me?” I frowned, pushing her hand away. I didn’t have time for her melodrama right now. But she wouldn’t let go, grabbing my wrist and suddenly dropping to her knees in front of me. “Aurora, I’m begging you.” “Please stop bothering Julian. We’ve already missed eight years; can’t you just let him go…?” “Are you done or not!” I pushed her away coldly and quickly slipped into the car. “Aurora Vance!” Blair crumpled precisely into the arms of Julian, who had just arrived. He glared at me, then froze when he saw the familiar license plate. He asked, his voice hoarse, “This car… why is it with you?” I scoffed, a humorless laugh escaping me. “I’m Marcus’s wife. Where else would his car be?” With that, I pressed the ignition. As I prepared to rush to the hospital, Blair suddenly shrieked, her entire body trembling violently. She backed away, then knelt on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy. “Aurora, I’m sorry, I won’t fight you for Julian anymore, please don’t hurt me…” Classic trauma response. Julian instantly flew into a rage. He yanked me out of the car, pulled me violently, and shoved me to the ground. “Julian Thorne, Leo’s having an episode! I need to get to the hospital *now*!” He remained unmoved. I took a deep breath and called Mrs. Gable. “Mrs. Gable, Julian is blocking me, not letting me leave. Marcus said that if anyone tries to stop me, the bodyguards are to intervene immediately!” Mrs. Gable hesitated for a long time, not saying a word. Suddenly, a strange noise echoed from the garage. All the bodyguards from inside the mansion stood in orderly rows behind Julian. He pinched my chin, sneering. “Aurora Vance, that bastard Marcus married the heiress of the renowned Vance medical dynasty, not some stray Phoenix like you!” “There’s a limit to how much you can lie. Looks like the punishment I gave you back then was still too light.” Soon, the bodyguards blocked all my exits. Thinking of Leo’s pale face, I grabbed Julian’s hand and pleaded. “Leo really needs me. Please let me go to the hospital, okay?” “I’m begging you, Julian Thorne…” Our eyes met. He laughed softly, lifted my chin, and in my hopeful gaze, his voice was as cold as ice. “Aurora Vance, you make a mistake, you pay the price.” “Hurting Blair crosses my line!”

I was confined to the Thorne mansion by Julian. Seeing Marcus’s message that he had landed, the anxiety in my chest finally eased. It seemed what he set out to do was successful. Catching sight of the gentle expression on my face, Julian snatched my phone. He tried his birthday, then all our anniversaries, but it eventually locked itself. “Julian Thorne, illegal detainment is a jail offense.” He toyed with my phone, then violently pinned me beneath him. “Aurora Vance! Would it kill you to just give in once?” I froze, his bloodshot eyes reflected in mine. “Yes, I hurt you back then, but if you hadn’t orchestrated that car accident, I wouldn’t have been blind for eight years trying to save you.” He sighed, a note of weariness in his voice. “Aurora, why can’t we ever just *talk* properly?” “You know, for years, there’s been a blurry figure in my mind. And Blair was the first person I saw when I regained my sight. I just wanted to figure out who that person in my head was, but you, you’ve hurt her time and time again.” “She’s innocent. Nothing happened between us.” Sensing eyes outside the door, I met Julian’s intense gaze and smiled. “I believe you.” Julian’s face lit up, his eyes instantly filled with lust, and he lowered his head to kiss me. *This* was the man’s ‘punishment’? It was absolutely disgusting! I closed my eyes, counting down from three. Before I could even reach one, a startled cry came from outside. “Master, something’s wrong! Ms. Sterling was agitated again and tried to kill herself!” Julian released me with lightning speed. As he opened the door, he hesitated, a conflicted look on his face. “Aurora, it was your bullying in high school that left her with such severe trauma.” “I can’t just ignore her.” I said nothing. This flimsy lie, only he would believe it. In high school, I was rarely at school, spending every spare hour, 24/7, studying at the hospital. How would I have time to bully someone I didn’t even know? Soon after, crashing sounds came from outside. Gradually, the noise subsided, replaced by the maids’ suggestive whispers. “Looks like Master and Ms. Sterling will be making things official soon. I wonder when we’ll have a little master running around.” Recalling Julian’s earlier closeness, a wave of nausea washed over me. I looked around. The furnishings were the same, but there were more pill bottles. Remembering Julian swallowing pills earlier, I sharply noticed something was off. He was taking what looked like ordinary pain relievers, but these were for treating neurological conditions. The only person who could have access to these was Blair Sterling. “Julian Thorne, if that’s how it is, then I’ll send you a grand gift.” After swapping the pills, I walked to the window. I knew this place well; even if I jumped, I’d only suffer a fracture. My immediate priority was to get to the hospital. I tied up my hair and opened the window. As I braced my arms and tried to hoist myself up, *clatter!* My body suddenly lost its balance. I flexed my twisted ankle, getting back up. The air around me was abnormally cold. Perhaps it was instinct, but I stepped towards the foul-smelling room ahead. Yet, just a step away, A familiar, chilling voice came from behind me. “Aurora, what are you doing?”

Seeing my silence, Julian’s demeanor darkened again. My peripheral vision scanned the surroundings, but there was nothing to help me escape. I hid the disgust in my eyes, then looked up at him with a smile. “I didn’t realize you had a hobby of setting up secret rooms.” “Julian Thorne, it’s the twenty-first century. This kind of thing is quite creepy.” Noticing my unnatural ankle, he let out a helpless chuckle, then swept me into his arms and carried me out. I leaned into him slightly in his embrace. Julian’s entire body tensed instantly. Seeing that he hadn’t grown suspicious, I slowly curved my lips. My little test just now seemed to have no effect on him. But judging by his reaction, he was clearly very familiar with this secret room. After that day, I learned my lesson. I stopped openly defying Julian, and instead, subtly provoked Blair Sterling from time to time. One day, I again proposed visiting Leo. Julian, surprisingly, didn’t refuse. Instead, he dressed very formally. “Aurora, today will be a very special day.” I didn’t understand. I watched him take a large handful of pills before leaving. By my count, this should be his fifth course of treatment. With enough external stimulation, he could be forced back to his original state. Finally, the suffering he inflicted upon me was about to come back to bite him. “Ms. Vance, wait a moment.” Seeing my frown, she rattled the vegetable juice in her hand. “I haven’t thanked you for the drink you sent me. I love it.” “And my baby loves it too.” Her boasting was obvious, instantly sending Julian into a panic, especially since he’d kept this from me. He quickly looked at me, wanting to explain. “Aurora, about this…” I smiled, shaking my head. “I trust you.” Perhaps it was sheer confidence, but Julian firmly believed I still loved him. All the way, he subtly observed my expression, until we got into the car. Since his eyes were now fine, I was driving. Following the route I remembered, I headed towards the outskirts. Halfway there, Julian received a SnapChat call from Blair. Her voice was filled with pain. “Julian, I’m so sorry…” “Ms. Vance definitely didn’t mean to hurt my baby. My stomach hurts so much… Julian, I think our baby might be gone…” *Bang!* Julian’s mind felt like it exploded. He glared at me fiercely. So, that was Blair’s plan. “Stop the car!” “Turn around right now! Blair needs me!” I pressed my lips together, silent. This quickly angered Julian, and he reached to snatch the steering wheel. With a screech of brakes, the car slammed into the guardrail. Julian, clutching his dizzy head, unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped out, getting into a taxi. The very next second, *BOOM!* The car exploded, engulfed in flames. The familiar scene sent sharp pains through Julian’s head. He stared at the burning car. Suddenly, he stumbled out of the taxi and ran towards it, collapsing to his knees with a guttural roar. “I remember everything! I remember it all…” “The person I forgot was Aurora… it was eighteen-year-old Aurora, not Blair Sterling…” His eyes unfocused, he walked towards the burning car. Just as his outstretched hand was about to touch it, A cold metallic sound. Handcuffs, glinting, clamped around his wrist. A police officer’s voice was frigid. “Julian Thorne, you’re being arrested in connection with a murder.”

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That night, my biological parents finally found me. Isabelle’s fiancé, Caleb Blackwood, had gone out to battle. He returned with his legs shredded by zombies, leaving him paralyzed. Doctors had delivered a grim verdict: he’d never stand again. My parents, utterly devoted to Isabelle, forced me into a proxy marriage, tying me up and dragging me to the altar. But Isabelle wasn’t one to give up easily. She caused a dramatic scene on our wedding night, crying to Caleb that I had usurped her place as his fiancée. Caleb, swayed by her poisonous whispers, gripped my chin. “A useless nobody with no abilities? You think you’re fit to be my wife?” After injecting me with a potent zombie virus strain, he ordered me to be thrown out to the zombie dogs. From then on, torturing me became his twisted pleasure. He claimed his legs were useless, yet his thirst for thrill drove him to force me to leap into deep ravines to dig for zombie cores with my bare hands, or throw me into clusters of mutated flora to retrieve antidotes. He’d only crack a faint smile when he saw me, battered and bruised, collapsing to my knees. Isabelle would feign concern, “Sister, don’t blame Caleb. His legs hurt, that’s why he’s so irritable.” But still, I stayed by his side, unafraid of death. All because I’d signed a secret pact. Until one day, ignoring my desperate pleas, he tied me to an armored vehicle and careened through a raging zombie horde. After a barrage of reckless, bone-jarring maneuvers, I collapsed, unconscious, my body already betraying the life within. I found Eleanor Blackwood, Caleb’s grandmother, my voice flat, empty. “The term is up. Please, let me live.”

“Eleanor Blackwood, you promised that if my life were ever threatened, you would let me go.” My face was a ghostly white, my body desperately weak after the miscarriage. My voice was barely a whisper, a fragile thread of sound. Eleanor, still unaware of the full truth, couldn’t hide her dismay at Caleb’s increasingly deranged behavior. Her tone was filled with a mix of helplessness and an attempt to soothe me: “Seraphina, deep down, Caleb isn’t a bad boy. It’s just losing his parents so young, and now his legs… it’s made him bitter and volatile. We’ve been so fortunate to have you by his side all these years.” As she spoke, she rose and walked to a strongbox, retrieving a metallic case. Inside, a single energy core glowed with a pure, high-purity blue luminescence. “Seraphina, this miscarriage has taken a heavy toll on your body. I’ve cultivated this core for ten years. Consider it compensation.” I stood my ground, silent, then simply held out my phone to her, playing a secretly recorded video. Caleb’s chilling conversation with Captain Rex echoed clearly from the device. “Warlord, all your orders have been carried out. As you saw from the surveillance, the armored vehicle’s brutal impact and jostling in the wasteland caused the lady to bleed uncontrollably. The baby inside her certainly couldn’t have survived.” Caleb’s icy voice responded: “Well done. Her terrified, near-death expression was incredibly satisfying to watch. And the child inside her was never meant to be. This outcome is nothing less than she deserves!” Isabelle nestled against Caleb, her voice barely concealing a triumphant laugh: “Does that mean you didn’t want this baby, Caleb dearest?” Caleb sneered: “I only want *our* child. No other woman is worthy of bearing my offspring.” Immediately after, the two embraced, entangled in a frantic, sickening kiss. Their sounds were utterly unbearable. Eleanor Blackwood’s face flushed with fury. The hand gripping her cane trembled as she took several deep breaths, trying to compose herself. “Caleb… how could he become like this? This is simply outrageous!” Her voice was laced with an incredulous, heartbreaking pain. “Even the most savage beast doesn’t turn on its own offspring! How could he do something so monstrous?” I closed my eyes, my heart aching so fiercely I could barely breathe. That nightmare was etched deep into my mind, refusing to fade. After Caleb’s injury, with hordes of zombies amassed outside the city, panic had gripped everyone. That day, Captain Rex had unveiled his new, heavily modified armored vehicle, a true engineering marvel. Caleb pulled me into his arms, whispering in my ear: “With danger looming, the Warlord’s wife must stand united with her husband, and selflessly serve the people in their time of need.” I had no time to react, a potent wave of unease washing over me. A cruel smile twisted his lips, and then he announced to the gathered crowd: “My leg injury hasn’t healed, so my wife has bravely volunteered to personally accompany the armored vehicle out of the city to scout the dangers ahead.” Panic seized me. I frantically tried to refuse: “I can’t. I’m pregnant. This mission is too dangerous, I can’t risk it.” Hearing my refusal, his face instantly turned cold. His hands clamped down on me, pinning me, making it impossible to move. I struggled with all my might, but he still dragged me towards the armored vehicle. His men held me down in the passenger seat, my hands tied behind my back. Caleb then cinched my seatbelt impossibly tight. I shook my head violently, pleading with Caleb, desperately hoping he wouldn’t completely disregard the child in my womb. “Caleb, please, let me down. The baby… something terrible will happen.”

“Shut up! Who are you putting on this pathetic act for? What could possibly happen?” Caleb’s face showed not a flicker of concern. Instead, he watched my distress with open contempt. “Let’s roll out!” Captain Rex, hearing the command, slammed his foot on the accelerator. A powerful jolt threw me back. I felt as if I were flying. My tied hands were useless, and my voice, broken and fragmented by the speed, tried to cry out: “Please, slow down…” The zombies lurking outside the city, drawn by the noise, surged towards the armored vehicle from all directions. Captain Rex, visibly thrilled, accelerated further, utterly ignoring my pleas. The world spun around me. The vehicle’s full-throttle charge transformed the zombies into a mangled pile of flesh and bone. Then, with an abrupt screech, it reversed dozens of meters, only for Captain Rex to drive it forward again, like a madman possessed. My fear intensified, rendering my pleas unspoken. My heart hammered against my ribs, lodged in my throat. As the vehicle climbed over the zombie pile, the violently jolting chassis suddenly launched into the air, landing with a deafening crash on an open patch of ground ten meters away, kicking up a storm of dust. At that exact moment, a heavy, dragging sensation tore through my lower abdomen. A gush of warm liquid spilled from beneath me. My brows furrowed, my face instantly draining of color, pale as parchment. I looked at the remote camera mounted in the cockpit, shaking my head violently, begging for mercy. I knew Caleb was watching my pathetic, tortured state, taking it all in. But the armored vehicle continued its wild rampage, circling again and again, showing no signs of stopping. My throat burned from screaming, my cries for help torn apart by the wind. The tearing pain in my lower abdomen sapped every ounce of my strength. On the other end of the surveillance feed, Isabelle had appeared beside Caleb. They were both laughing, watching me transition from frantic screams to a deathly pale silence, until I finally succumbed, collapsing into unconsciousness. When I was carried out, my lower body was a bloody mess. “Barely lasted this long? Useless.” Caleb didn’t spare me a single second of his gaze. “Oh, Caleb dearest, that armored vehicle is amazing! Isabelle hasn’t had enough fun yet!” Isabelle cooed, playfully fawning over him. Caleb looked at Isabelle with doting affection, leaning in to whisper in her ear: “I’ll show you some real fun later.” His eyes briefly swept over me, then he gave a cold command: “Drag this dead woman away. Don’t let her taint everyone.” I completely lost consciousness. Under the dim surgical lights, blurry images of the past flickered before my eyes. Three years ago, I was nothing more than a nameless, lowly slave in this city. When my biological parents found me, I was already bruised and battered, barely clinging to life in an iron cage. It turned out I was the real destined one, swapped at birth. My biological father was Reverend Silas Sterling, the Patriarch of the Purity Doctrine, revered by the people of this ravaged world. I appeared before them, trembling, hoping I’d finally found loving parents, a warm home. Instead, I saw my mother gently soothing Isabelle, who was weeping inconsolably in her arms: “Don’t cry, Isabelle, darling. How could you not be your father’s and my daughter? You’re our only precious one, our treasure.” My father sat silently at the head of the table. Everyone else cast unfriendly, sidelong glances at me, whispering amongst themselves. I stood there, enduring their stares, my hands twisting the blood-stained fabric of my clothes, utterly an outsider. Finally, my father slowly spoke: “Seraphina, we brought you into this world. Now that you’re grown, it’s time you repaid us.” They weaponized the fact of my birth, twisting it into an inescapable obligation, commanding me to marry Warlord Caleb Blackwood in Isabelle’s place. This was because Caleb had been severely wounded in battle, and Isabelle, in a dramatic display, declared she’d rather die than marry a cripple. It became painfully clear: my parents’ search for their lost child was merely a cynical ploy to mask their sinister agenda. I wiped away a humble tear from the corner of my eye and said: “I agree. But first, delete my slave genetic coding.” “From this day forward, we will have no further ties.” They agreed. And so, I married Warlord Caleb Blackwood. Standing before Caleb, he never once looked at me directly. After the wedding, I learned of his isolated upbringing, devoid of parental love, and I felt a pang of pity for him. In public, he used a mask of cold detachment to uphold his pride. But when I caught him alone, in despair, impotently striking his own useless legs, my heart inexplicably ached for him. I foolishly believed that two people starved of love could find solace in each other. I wanted to heal his scarred soul, to pull us both from the shadows that had defined our miserable lives. I poured every ounce of my effort into being a dutiful wife. But the deeper I went, the more I lost myself. Until, tragically, I couldn’t even protect myself, letting the life within me be cruelly extinguished before it even had a chance to breathe.

Eleanor Blackwood sighed deeply, her eyes filled with regret. “Seraphina, our family has wronged you terribly. I will handle all the divorce proceedings. However, I have one last, difficult request.” “Could you… wait until Caleb’s surgery is done before leaving?” She seemed to realize the unfairness of her plea and quickly added: “Just three days. I’m afraid if he wakes up and finds you gone, he’ll become unstable and refuse the surgery.” I looked at her pleading expression, silent for a long moment. In the end, my soft heart prevailed, and I nodded. “I was wrong. You are a good girl, and I shouldn’t have forced you to endure more suffering by Caleb’s side.” As she spoke, Eleanor took off her necklace and placed it in my palm. The rose-shaped pendant glowed with a faint pink luminescence as it touched my skin. “This is the only untainted seed from the ravaged world, infused with half a lifetime of my own abilities. With it, you can cultivate your own powers and nurture many plants now thought extinct. I believe in your hands, it will unleash its true value.” “In three days, I will send people to escort you to a safe place. Go far away this time, where no one can ever harm you again.” Eleanor caressed the back of my hand. My nose stung, and tears welled in my eyes. It was like a child, long enduring pain in silence, finally breaking down. Without anyone to care, they bite their lip and hold on. But once someone shows concern, the brave facade crumbles, and a torrent of suppressed sorrow overwhelms them. Exhausted from crying, I drifted into sleep. Somewhere in the hazy depths of my slumber, a powerful force yanked at my wrist. Caleb’s furious voice ripped through my ears: “Seraphina Sterling, you dared to complain to Grandmother? You truly never learn, do you? Did you forget how I warned you last time?!” Caleb violently dragged me from the bed, throwing me onto the cold floor. My stomach slammed against the sharp corner of a chair, and a soft groan escaped my lips. Caleb, consumed by his rage, simply pointed a furious finger at me: “No one is allowed to bring her food! Spend these next few days reflecting on what you’ve done!” In the past, I would have meekly obeyed, apologizing and trying to explain. But now, I felt like a still pool of water, my voice utterly devoid of emotion: “Do with me what you will.” Caleb’s eyes suddenly darkened. My attitude had clearly enraged him. He then scoffed, a cold sneer on his face: “You really think acting like this will make me go easy on you?” No one knew Caleb’s methods of torment better than I did. The first time, Isabelle had deliberately provoked me at a dinner party. I lost my temper, spilling wine over her head. Before she could lunge, I slapped her hard across the face. The next second, Caleb’s face went cold. He barked at me to kneel, then grabbed my neck, slamming my head against the nearby fish tank. Water streamed over me, soaking my clothes, and a large shard of glass lodged itself deep in my thigh. I was a pathetic, trembling mess. Caleb stood by, watching with cold indifference, refusing to let anyone approach me. I struggled in the pile of broken glass for what felt like an eternity, unable to move. Finally, biting back a scream, I ripped the glass from my flesh, slowly pushing myself upright. Blood gushed from the wound. The zombie fish on the floor, driven into a frenzy by the scent of blood, thrashed and snapped at me. In my panic, I tried to swat them away, only to stumble and fall heavily back onto the shattered glass. Caleb and Isabelle’s mocking laughter echoed in my ears. From that day forward, no matter how Isabelle humiliated me, I endured it in silence. Caleb’s face loomed closer, that familiar, cruel smile close enough to touch. His cold breath ghosted my neck. “Your pain is my stimulant.” “From now on, you’d better pray hard. My legs will be restored after surgery, and then we can continue our little games.” He spoke with a tone of smug triumph and eager anticipation. His smile twisted into something increasingly sinister as he stared at my eyes, expecting to see the fearful, cowering look he so enjoyed. Instead, my expression was lifeless, my eyes vacant. This clearly bored him. He dropped his smile, turned his wheelchair, and left. As his silhouette vanished through the doorway, I softly uttered: “Caleb, there will be no ‘after’ for us.”

On the day I was discharged, the doctor repeatedly stressed the importance of rest and recovery. After much hesitation, I returned to the Blackwood estate. Stepping through the front door, I saw Caleb with Isabelle in his arms, his cold, mocking eyes filled with a tender affection I had never known. “Sister is out of the hospital! Caleb dearest and I should have gone to pick you up!” Caleb frowned in annoyance at her words. “Don’t mention that wretched woman and spoil our mood.” Then he playfully tapped Isabelle’s nose, and their poison-laced lips met in a passionate, wild kiss. I felt no anger, no sadness. And certainly no desire to witness their intense display. I simply quietly took off my shoes, walked upstairs, and burrowed into the blankets, wanting nothing more than to sleep. Three days left. Soon, everything would be over. When I woke, the empty rooms echoed with their unrestrained laughter from the living room. Their laughter, sharp as fangs, betrayed the endless malice festering within them. Seeing me emerge, Caleb’s lips curved into a playful smirk. He beckoned me over with a flick of his wrist. I calmly walked towards Caleb, then looked up at the large screen on the wall. It was playing videos from years past: Caleb forcing me to dig for zombie cores with my bare hands, throwing me into clusters of mutated flora for antidotes, leaving me suspended over a thousand-foot cliff while zombies gnawed at me. My screams, my terror, my frantic struggle for survival, my desperate pleas—they had always been nothing more than entertainment in their eyes. In the video, a thick rope bit into my waist. I clung desperately to Caleb’s wheelchair, my legs like jelly. Suffering from severe acrophobia, I was ghostly pale, staring at the bottomless abyss before me: “Caleb, please, let me go!” Caleb glanced at me indifferently: “Then kneel. Kneel and apologize to Isabelle, tell her your deceitful schemes prevented her from marrying me.” I didn’t hesitate. I instantly dropped to my knees, begging humbly, apologizing frantically: “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have married you. I’m shameless, I’m despicable.” Caleb’s lips curved in satisfaction. He pushed his wheelchair closer and extended a hand. My tear-streaked face was covered in wild strands of hair. A flicker of hope ignited within me, and I quickly reached out, allowing his hand to help me up. Before I could even discern the expression on his face, I felt a violent shove. I looked at Caleb in shock. He was smiling as he personally pushed me off the cliff. In those fleeting seconds, I finally saw his treacherous, true nature. The sensation of freefall threatened to drag me straight to hell. My screams echoed through the valley, disturbing the zombies lurking in the darkness. Their agitated roars grew closer, more numerous. I could already picture myself being torn apart, not even bones left. The rope suddenly went taut, leaving me dangling precariously over that valley of death. I gripped the rope tightly, swallowing my fear. The rumbling of the earth below reminded me to hold onto this lifeline and escape immediately. My feet scrambled against the loose, crumbling earth of the cliff face. The rope chafed my hands raw, turning them bloody. When I finally reached the ground, I collapsed, utterly drained, my face devoid of color. I lay at Isabelle’s feet, too weak to struggle, watching her double over with laughter: “Sister, you’re so resilient! I can’t believe we’re seeing you alive again. Come and see how scared you were, your mouth was wide open!” I clenched my fists tight, the biting pain of my nails digging into my palms was the only thing keeping me from screaming, keeping me from collapsing into tears. If my suffering brought them such joy, then I would absolutely deny them that satisfaction!

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My fiancé was drugged. As he burned up, completely out of his mind, clinging to Seraphina, I didn’t stop him. It was only because, in my past life, I was his ‘cure.’ And we were caught in a compromising position, entwined together. Against our will, our engagement was rushed. But after we married, Julian’s childhood sweetheart left the country, and he grew increasingly cold towards me. After using my family’s resources to climb the social ladder, he locked me in a basement, letting people torment me day and night. “Elara, you love to seduce men, don’t you? Well, I’ll let you have your fill!” I was brutalized in that lightless basement. After I got pregnant, he beat me until I miscarried, then bled to death. This time, I chose to watch, cold and detached. I turned and walked away, leaving the room behind me a scene of absolute debauchery. Stumbling, I reached my parents, tears welling in my eyes. “Mom, I don’t feel well. I want to go home, fast!” Seeing my state, Mrs. Sterling asked worriedly, “Elara, what’s wrong? Where’s Julian? Where did he go?” “Please don’t ask, just take me home quickly. I never want to see him again!” My voice was choked with sobs, a mix of sorrow and resentment. My distressed appearance drew the attention of everyone around us. “Oh, look, the young couple’s having a spat!” “It’s the Harringtons’ birthday gala today, you can’t cause a scene here!” “That’s right, Elara, Julian’s usually so good to you. Don’t be so dramatic!” Those who usually crossed me were now desperate to pin the blame on me for ruining Mrs. Harrington’s birthday gala. I couldn’t help but sneer, “He’s getting hot and heavy with another woman. Is that me being ‘dramatic’ too?” The crowd gasped in shock! My parents were furious. “Elara, what are you saying!” “That Julian dared to betray you? Where is he?!” I didn’t speak, just stared up at the second floor. My mom, agitated, immediately grabbed my hand. “Come on, take me up there!” “Mom, forget it. Let’s just go home!” “Absolutely not! Julian practically begged us for your hand. How long has it been, and he’s already with another woman? Where does that leave our family’s reputation?” Without another word, she dragged me forward. We ran into Mrs. Harrington, who saw red, absolutely furious that someone would be so brazenly intimate at her family’s birthday gala. She marched upstairs with her bodyguards. I protested out loud, but inside, I was practically cackling with glee. If Mrs. Harrington knew that the woman Julian was messing around with was her beloved niece, Seraphina, I wondered how utterly enraged she’d be! By then, a crowd was following. I kept pulling on Mrs. Harrington’s arm. “Mrs. Harrington, please, let’s just drop it. Julian’s family can apologize later. Let’s not go up!” Before Mrs. Harrington could speak, my mom tightened her grip on my hand and snapped, “Elara, what have I taught you? Are you always going to be so soft-hearted?” “It’s just Julian! There are plenty of other men. Our family doesn’t need trash like him!” Mrs. Harrington scoffed. “Mrs. Sterling is right. Miss Sterling, your taste in men is truly dreadful!” At her words, I had no choice but to shut up. Mrs. Harrington, I truly hope you can maintain that high-and-mighty attitude for a little while longer. Just as we reached the second floor, we heard loud, piercing screams from a woman echoing down the hallway. Everyone around us instantly flushed crimson. “Tsk, tsk, how shameless! Who is that tramp?” “Young blood, eh? Julian’s really something, isn’t he?” Mrs. Harrington’s face was dark with fury. “Go, kick that door open!” At her command, the bodyguards brutally kicked the door wide! The people inside hadn’t even reacted. The woman was still violently writhing on top of the man, and torn clothes were scattered all over the floor. Seeing this, Mrs. Harrington pointed at them. “Drag them out for me!” “Let me see which shameless hussy this is!” A bodyguard stepped forward and grabbed the woman’s hair, yanking her off the man. But she just shrieked, clutching Julian’s hand, refusing to let go. “No!” “I want more! You guys should join us too!” Her coquettish wails made everyone sick to their stomachs and even made the bodyguard pause. I stood to the side, clearly seeing the look of horror on the bodyguard’s face. Yes, horror. He clearly recognized who the woman was. “Utterly shameless!” “Still clinging on like that? Utterly depraved!” Mrs. Harrington was even more enraged. “What are you all standing around for? Go on, drag her off!”

The moment she spoke, the lead bodyguard sighed. Gritting his teeth, he brutally pulled the woman’s arm and literally threw her onto the floor! On the bed, Julian’s face was flushed crimson. He then scrambled off the bed, still trying to crawl back onto the woman, but a bodyguard kicked him away! He cried out in pain, then pounced and hugged the bodyguard, starting to thrust against him. The sight made everyone around them visibly nauseated. “My God, what’s wrong with Julian?” Mrs. Harrington trembled with rage. “Go, pin him down in the bathroom! Get him to sober up, fast!” Several bodyguards forcefully dragged Julian into the bathroom. My mom was yelling furiously, “That animal is behaving like a rabid dog!” “And this woman, she has no self-respect!” I quickly pulled my mom back. “It’s fine, stop yelling.” “Why not yell? You’re too soft-hearted! A woman like this deserves a good lesson!” With that, she grabbed the woman’s hair, raising her hand to strike. I was about to shout, but my mom froze. “This…” She looked up at Mrs. Harrington, then at me. Mrs. Harrington was utterly confused. “Mrs. Sterling, why are you looking at me like that?” “Don’t tell me this woman belongs to your family?” My mom sneered. “I wouldn’t dare to speak carelessly. A rotten, depraved, filthy woman like that isn’t worth dirtying my hands with. Mrs. Harrington, you should deal with her yourself.” Though Mrs. Harrington was confused, she still ordered her bodyguards to pull the woman up. At this point, Seraphina finally seemed to fully regain her senses. Seeing the crowd around her, she quickly grabbed a nearby bedsheet, wrapped it around her face, and shrieked, “Get out! All of you, get out!” Mrs. Harrington sneered, “Weren’t you so promiscuous just now? Now you suddenly feel shame?” “Throw her out!” The bodyguards hesitated, but Mrs. Harrington snapped, “Just do as I say! Or do you want to lose your job?!” The next moment, the bodyguard took a deep breath, grabbed Seraphina, and started to drag her out. Seraphina shrieked, “Auntie! Auntie, it’s me!” Hearing that voice, Mrs. Harrington’s face went from pale to ashen. Her hands trembling, she immediately yanked the bedsheet away. When she saw that familiar face, Mrs. Harrington stumbled back several steps, collapsing onto the floor. And I exclaimed, “Seraphina, how could it be you!” “Mrs. Harrington, isn’t this your niece? So, so it was *her* who seduced Julian!” “Your family, the Harringtons, are truly too much!” I covered my face, though in reality, I was almost laughing out loud. I pinched my mom’s arm hard, and she also caught on. “Fine, Mrs. Harrington! This is your family’s upbringing? Rather than behaving like a respectable young lady, she chooses to act like a common tramp!” Mrs. Harrington’s face instantly darkened. Before, she had always been high-and-mighty, looking down on us. But now, she was in this state. By now, everyone else had gathered around. “So it’s Mrs. Harrington’s niece!” “Didn’t Mrs. Harrington herself sleep her way to the top back in the day?” “Mrs. Harrington, what a role model! Leading by example, teaching her niece how it’s done!” Mrs. Harrington’s face was livid, and Julian was now completely sober. When he saw the scene, Julian’s face turned beet red. I rushed forward and slapped him hard, twice! “You animal! You scumbag! Our engagement is off!” Julian stared at me, his face a mask of disbelief. It took him a long moment to react. “Elara, you…” “Shut up! Julian, you’ve ruined Mrs. Harrington’s birthday gala, and you’re utterly shameless! From this moment on, we walk separate paths!”

Julian roared, “No! It’s you, Elara, you set me up!” My mom, enraged, stepped forward and slapped him hard! “You beast, you’re the one who debased yourself! How dare you blame us?” “If the Harringtons don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll immediately contact the press!” “Mrs. Harrington, you should check the surveillance to see who drugged Julian!” “After all, this animal didn’t even spare a man earlier!” Thinking of how Julian had been thrusting against a man earlier, Mrs. Harrington was beside herself with rage. Her face pale, she glared at Julian with venomous eyes. Seraphina whimpered, “Auntie, it’s all my fault, but I really love him. Why don’t you let him and I…” “Shut up!” Mrs. Harrington cut her off without hesitation. “Your marriage is *not* up to you!” I understood. Mrs. Harrington had married into the Harrington family herself, and Seraphina was her carefully groomed protégée. Naturally, she wanted to make the best use of her. All these years of pampering her like her own daughter, wasn’t it all in hopes of selling her for a good price? She at least expected Seraphina to marry someone of equal social standing. What was Julian? Mrs. Harrington wouldn’t even deign to look at him. Mrs. Harrington took a deep breath. “Check the surveillance!” Seraphina, still wrapped in the bedsheet, stood up. “Don’t check! I did it willingly!” “Auntie, I want to marry him! Elara just broke off her engagement anyway!” Julian, hearing this, immediately grew excited. “Yes, I made a mistake, and I’m willing to take responsibility! I’ll marry her!” “You’ll marry her?” Mrs. Harrington was so furious she clutched her chest, as if she might faint any second. With things escalating to this point, Mrs. Harrington was in a bind. Mr. Harrington arrived. Seeing the scene, his face darkened. He ordered the guests to disperse, leaving only our two families and Julian. The surveillance footage quickly emerged. It showed a servant from the banquet, but surprisingly, Seraphina was directing her. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but say coolly, “Miss Seraphina, quite the talent! Today has certainly been an eye-opener!” Mr. Harrington looked at me. “This is Seraphina’s fault. To make amends, you can name your price!” My heart leaped at his words! Alexander Harrington was not like his wife, Sarah. He was cunning and deeply calculating. If not now, when would be a better time to profit? “The Quantum Pharmaceuticals contract. Our Sterling family wants it.” Hearing me say this, my parents clenched their fists. Alexander merely pondered for a moment, then agreed. “Alright, I’ll arrange it. However, Miss Sterling, about today’s events, I hope you’ll keep it under wraps!” “Mr. Harrington, rest assured, we’re not gossips.” With Alexander Harrington’s promise, my parents and I left. Before leaving, I glanced at Julian. I hoped he’d be lucky! As we stepped outside, I could still hear screams echoing from within. My mom was still shaken. “Elara, how could you dare to ask him for that contract? It’s worth two billion!” “They owe me this!” Seraphina caused such a scandal, and at the Harrington’s house no less. If word got out, it would only bring shame upon their family. He used two billion to buy our silence. Someone would still have to take the fall for today’s mess. That unlucky scapegoat could only be Julian. But judging by Seraphina’s attitude, she wouldn’t let him down. However, a Seraphina who had lost her usefulness would never get another penny from the Harringtons! In my past life, Julian always blamed me, saying I made him lose the chance to climb higher. He wasn’t satisfied with just using my family’s resources and connections; he was foolishly ambitious, trying to latch onto the Harringtons. This life, I’m giving you the chance. Let’s see if you can seize it! Too bad Alexander Harrington came along. Julian, your good days are over! I promised Alexander Harrington I wouldn’t say anything, but there’s no such thing as a completely soundproof wall. Especially with so many people there that day, even if the Harringtons tried to seal it up, the rumors still got out.

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Fourteen years of marriage. I thought our days would drift by, peaceful and steady, but fate had a cruel twist in store. Julian Thorne actually brought his first love, the one he had always pined for, into our home. And she was pregnant with his child. He stood before me, his expression disturbingly calm, almost cold. Yet his words were like a blade, stabbing directly into my heart: “Cassandra, I need a child. But don’t overthink this. Nothing between us will change because of it. Everything will remain just as it was.” Later, something happened that completely shattered me. Elara Jenkins, the woman who had loved me like her own daughter, was brutally pushed down the stairs by Veronica Reed. She died on the spot. My grief was overwhelming. I desperately yearned for Julian to give me justice, to punish the murderer severely. But he only frowned, dismissing it with a casual wave: “Cassandra, she’s carrying my child. Just bear with it.” In that moment, my heart plummeted into an endless abyss. And our little dog, Buddy, the one we adopted together. He was so adorable, so utterly dependent on us. But he ended up cruelly served on our dinner table. When I confronted Julian, he maintained that same indifferent demeanor, brushing me off with, “Cassandra, just hold on a little longer. Everything will be fine once the baby is born.” However, even before the child arrived, something far more horrifying occurred. Julian actually tricked me into drinking a sterilization elixir. He held me close, whispering in my ear, “Cassandra, I’ll love you forever. Believe me.” Those tender words, now sounded so fake, so utterly nauseating. From that day on, I became a different person. Each day, I acted docile and obedient. Whatever he asked, I never refused. He believed I had accepted my fate, that I would continue to endure everything with quiet submission. Until one day, I silently blocked and deleted every single contact related to him. I packed my bags and left that heartbreaking house without a backward glance, clean and gone, not a single shred of attachment remaining. But I never imagined he wouldn’t let me go. One rainy day, he appeared by my car, drenched to the bone, frantically banging on my window. I slowly rolled it down. His eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse and desperate: “Cassandra, are you leaving me?” I gazed at him quietly, my heart unmoving. Then I rolled up the window again and drove away, leaving him to cry alone in the rain.

Julian Thorne returned, his cherished first love, Veronica Reed, trailing behind him. He stood in the doorway, a flustered look on his face. His lips parted slightly, then closed, hesitating for a long moment before he seemed to steel himself, gritting his teeth. “Cassandra, this is… Veronica. She’s pregnant with my child, and I can’t leave her alone out there, without anyone…” I froze, my mind blank for a split second, completely failing to grasp the true meaning behind his words. Before I could even react, Veronica, who had been hiding behind Julian, stepped forward as if summoning all her courage. She grabbed my arm tightly, her eyes welling up with tears, saying pitifully, “Sister, I didn’t mean to come between you two. It’s just that I desperately needed the money. I had nowhere else to turn, so I resorted to this…” A wave of disgust washed over me. Instinctively, I recoiled, yanking my arm free. Seeing this, Julian immediately lunged forward, pulling Veronica close into his embrace. His eyes were sharp with警惕, and he exclaimed, “Cassandra, if you have an issue, direct it at me. She’s pregnant; she can’t handle stress!” After saying that, he seemed to realize his tone had been too harsh. He paused, then quickly explained, “The pregnancy is unstable. The doctor said she can’t endure any stress, or it could be dangerous.” I lowered my gaze, looking at the red marks Veronica had left on my wrist. A sharp pain pierced my heart, and I remained silent. Seeing my prolonged quiet, Julian finally looked down at me, only then noticing my wrist was completely red. Veronica, noticing this, immediately put on a pained expression. Her voice was laced with tears as she whimpered, “Oh, sister, I didn’t mean it. I really didn’t use much force…” Her voice trailed off, becoming an almost inaudible murmur between the two of them. Julian, worried that Veronica might feel guilty, quickly turned to her, explaining gently, “It’s nothing. Her skin is just like that, it reddens with the slightest touch. It has nothing to do with you, don’t take it to heart.” Listening to their back-and-forth, my mind was a tangled mess. I struggled to extract the key information from their conversation and asked, “What child?” Julian’s face instantly became awkward. His eyes darted around, unable to meet mine, and he stammered, “Cassandra, she’s just staying here temporarily. It won’t affect your life. Once the child is born, nothing will change. We’ll go back to how things were.” My heart ached so much I could barely breathe. Each word felt squeezed through clenched teeth as I demanded, “If you want a child, we can adopt one from an orphanage. Why did you have to find someone else to have a baby for you?” Julian frowned, a flicker of impatience crossing his face. He snapped, “Cassandra! A child from an orphanage wouldn’t be my blood! How could that be my child? It’s not the same!” I looked at his expression, which didn’t seem like a lie. A sudden, immense sense of absurdity washed over me, as if everything before my eyes was a ridiculous farce. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and said, “But you didn’t discuss this with me beforehand. You only told me after she was pregnant. What kind of arrangement is this?” Julian seemed provoked by my words. He loudly cut me off, “Isn’t it all your fault for not being able to have children!” After saying that, he seemed to realize he had gone too far. He added, irritably, “I’m sorry, Cassandra. I didn’t mean it that way. Don’t take it to heart.” I stared at this man, familiar yet so strange, a mix of emotions churning inside me. We hadn’t been together for a day or two; he wasn’t learning about my condition for the first time. Yet now he was using it to blame me. I bit my lip, enunciating each word: “Julian Thorne, in this house, it’s either her or me. Not both.” With that, I stopped looking at his face, turned, walked into the bedroom, and slammed the door shut. After a while, the conversation in the living room gradually quieted down. I didn’t know how he had settled Veronica. Not long after, the bedroom door behind me gently opened, and Julian walked in. He softly pulled me into his embrace, his voice low: “Cassandra, I’m sorry, but I really need a child. This is the only way my mom would agree to our marriage. Don’t worry, we’ve already discussed it. After she gives birth, she’ll disappear. She won’t come between us.” I looked at him, full of questions and confusion. He sighed and continued, “My mother never accepted us. Then, she somehow found out you couldn’t have children and absolutely refused to let us marry. I had no choice but to come up with this plan…” He didn’t finish, but I understood everything. I looked at him coldly and said, “Julian Thorne, you shouldn’t have lied to me. And you definitely shouldn’t have waited until Veronica was pregnant to tell me. Did you even consider my feelings?” Julian quickly said, “I’m sorry, Cassandra, I promise it won’t happen again! I, Julian Thorne, swear to God, if I ever deceive Cassandra Hayes again, may I be struck by lightning…” I quickly covered his mouth, completing his unfinished oath for him: “May I never see Julian Thorne again, and lose the one I love forever.” Julian listened, a hint of confusion on his face, as if he didn’t understand why he was making the oath, but the consequence would fall upon me. Veronica was temporarily settled in our guest bedroom. At first, she would cautiously watch my every move, timid in everything she did. It wasn’t until she realized I didn’t pay much attention to her that she slowly began to assert herself. In the past, Julian would leave for work without breakfast, and our housekeeper would only prepare meals after I woke up. But after Veronica arrived, she insisted that skipping breakfast was unacceptable and started preparing breakfast for Julian where I couldn’t see. Elara, our housekeeper, tried to warn me several times, but seeing that I seemed indifferent even after accidentally witnessing it, she eventually gave up. Perhaps my indifference emboldened Veronica, as she began to meddle in our household affairs. Initially, it was small things, like which brand of laundry detergent to use. She claimed that a certain brand was better for pregnant women and replaced all the detergent we had used for years. Then came the daily meals; she started making occasional requests – no cilantro, she loved winter melon, and so on. To me, these were minor matters, so I let her have her way. But I never imagined she would dare to lay her hands on someone close to me. Recently, wanting to avoid seeing Julian and Veronica, I confined myself to my room. Elara Jenkins, the housekeeper, brought my three meals upstairs. Elara had been with me since I was a child; in my heart, she was like family. Besides Julian, she was the person I trusted most. Yet, when I saw her again, she was lying in a pool of blood. The sight was a blinding red. Elara lay on the ground, bleeding profusely; the scene was horrifying. My mind went blank. I violently shoved Veronica, who was standing by the stairs, and frantically rushed downstairs, cradling Elara tightly in my arms. My voice trembled as I cried, “Elara, hold on, I’m taking you to the hospital right now!” Hearing the commotion, Julian rushed out of his study. Seeing the scene, he gasped, “What happened?!” A large pool of blood had gathered at the bottom of the stairs. Upstairs, Veronica clutched her stomach, slowly crouching down, moaning in pain. I desperately yelled at Julian, “Julian! Drive Elara to the hospital, now!” But I saw his eyes fixed on Veronica, filled with worry. He quickly ran upstairs, helped Veronica down, and said, “Cassandra, Veronica is pregnant. I have to take care of her first.” “Go, now!” I shouted at Julian again, my voice sharp with urgency. The 911 ambulance would still be a while, and I wanted Julian to rush Elara to the hospital, but he refused. He frowned and said, “Cassandra, you should stay here and wait for the ambulance. Their equipment is better, and if anything happens to Elara on the way, they can handle it.” “No! Julian Thorne, Elara’s situation is critical. Drive us, please!” Tears streamed down my face, my voice choked with sobs. Veronica clutched her stomach, crying out in pain. Julian roughly shoved my hand away and helped Veronica into the car. I clung to the car door, pleading desperately, “Julian Thorne, I’m begging you. Elara is bleeding so much, please.” “I’ll kneel for you, Julian Thorne, if that’s what it takes.” I said, slowly bending my legs, kneeling on the ground. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. “Please, Julian Thorne, save Elara.”

My tears, uncontrollable, dripped onto Julian’s hand. He flinched back as if seared by hot coals, his movement startlingly swift. “Cassandra, don’t do this…” His voice held a mix of panic and helplessness. “Julian darling, my stomach really hurts. Is something wrong with our baby?” I clutched his sleeve tightly, my eyes filled with fear and vulnerability. At her words, Julian’s gaze instantly hardened. He no longer hesitated, turning back to the driver’s seat, closing the car door, and stomping on the accelerator. The car shot away like an arrow from a bow, vanishing from my sight. “Cassandra…” A weak voice called from behind me. It was Elara. “Elara!” I crawled to her side with difficulty, holding her tightly in my arms, as if that could lend her some strength. “Cassandra, Elara might not be able to walk with you much longer.” Elara’s voice was faint and trembling. “Elara wanted to see our Cassandra in a wedding dress, getting married and having children, what a shame…” Her eyes shimmered with tears, filled with regret. “Elara, hold on! The paramedics will be here soon, you’ll be fine!” I desperately tried to reassure her, and myself. “Elara, don’t sleep, please don’t sleep…” I squeezed her hand tightly, terrified that if I let go, she would leave me. “Elara!” No matter how I called out, Elara slowly closed her eyes in my arms, and her hand gradually grew cold. By the time the ambulance sirens wailed to a stop outside our house, Elara had already stopped breathing. The paramedics quickly checked her vital signs, then shook their heads at me, their eyes full of sympathy. “I’m sorry, Ms. Hayes…” The doctor’s words were like cold blades, piercing my heart. I couldn’t accept the truth. I grabbed the doctor’s sleeve, tears gushing like a broken dam: “Please save her, Doctor, please! She was just talking to me! She was fine!” “Please, hurry and save her! She’s always been so strong, there has to be hope, right?” I knelt on the ground, repeatedly bowing my head, begging them to save my Elara. “Ms. Hayes, I’m truly sorry. If we had been half an hour earlier, there might have been hope…” The doctor sighed helplessly. “Ms. Hayes, the deceased is gone. Please accept our condolences.” Another paramedic gently comforted me. “Elara is just sleeping. She’s just mad at Cassandra, she’ll wake up…” I held Elara’s body, refusing to let go, as if my warmth could make her feel it, make her wake up. “Elara, Cassandra will be good, Cassandra won’t be naughty anymore, please wake up?” I murmured, tears constantly falling onto Elara’s face. “Elara, you said you hadn’t seen Cassandra get married and have children yet, how could you leave first?” I held Elara tightly, just as she had held me when I was little, giving me endless warmth and comfort. The paramedics stood silently to the side, watching my last moments with Elara, unwilling to disturb the peace and sorrow. With the help of the paramedics, I took Elara’s body to the hospital and obtained the death certificate. At that moment, I felt as if all my strength had drained away, and I completely collapsed. “Hello, yes, I want to report a murder!” I dialed 911, my voice trembling. The police were efficient. In no time, they brought Veronica, who was at the maternity ward entrance, to Elara’s side. “Ms. Hayes, someone has reported a murder.” Officer Miller looked at me sternly. “Our investigation shows that Elara Jenkins’ death was due to a cranial cerebral injury and intracranial hemorrhage from falling down the stairs.” Officer Miller continued. “According to Ms. Hayes, you were standing at the top of the stairs at the time of the incident.” Officer Miller’s gaze was sharp and calm. Veronica’s face was pale, whether from fright or some other reason, she bit her lower lip tightly, saying nothing. “No… no, Officer,” I quickly argued. “Officer, Ms. Hayes must have mistaken what she saw.” Julian suddenly stepped forward, shielding Veronica behind him. “I was also present at the time. Veronica did not touch Elara Jenkins.” His tone was firm and resolute. “Elara Jenkins simply lost her footing and fell down the stairs by accident.” He added, as if that could clear Veronica of suspicion. I stared with wide eyes at this man, once so familiar, now so utterly foreign, my heart filled with disappointment and sorrow. Elara had been with us since I was a child; even now, she was like family. But now, Julian Thorne was willing to protect someone he barely knew, abandoning any pursuit of the person who had killed Elara. “Officer, they’re lying!” I shouted back, my voice brimming with fury and indignation.

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My girlfriend got into a car accident and lost her memory. My brother, Liam, pretended to be me and became her new boyfriend. Watching Liam’s sweet smile in the photo, I couldn’t help but curl my own lips. He had no idea that woman was a cage I had personally designed. And I? I was the only hunter. Liam just posted a new update on SnapChat. No caption. Just a picture of him with a woman, against a backdrop of vibrant Globe Amaranth flowers – the kind that symbolize eternal love. I stared at the photo, the screen’s light casting a cold, hard glint in my eyes. The woman in the picture was my girlfriend, Celeste. But she’d lost her memory in a carefully orchestrated car accident. She’d gotten into that accident because she was trying to catch me. Celeste and I met during summer break. The salty air of the coast, the sun-drenched paths of an old resort town. She smiled at me, backlit by the setting sun, and said it was love at first sight. I once believed it was destiny. Later, I learned that “destiny” was just the beginning of another hunt. Celeste was a possessive, controlling fanatic. Just because I wanted to cut our trip short and go home, she saw it as betrayal. She locked me away. Like training a disobedient beast, she chained me to the bed with cold metal, leaving me at her mercy. That month, I lived like something less than human. I found a way to escape. I thought that out-of-control car would end the nightmare. I never expected she’d only lose her memory. Now, this amnesiac lamb has caught the eye of my foolish brother.

He somehow found out about Celeste’s incredible family fortune and brazenly wormed his way into her life, taking advantage of her vulnerability. But he was still my brother. I couldn’t let him fall into a trap I’d personally dug. The moment Liam came home, I cornered him. The faint, unfamiliar scent of his cologne still hung in the air. “You know that’s my girlfriend,” my voice was flat, devoid of emotion. When I first ‘escaped’ home, nightmares haunted me every night. I’d scream Celeste’s name in my sleep. It was terror, a shiver etched deep into my bones. Liam, though, mistook it for profound love. He rushed forward, slapped me hard a few times, his eyes red as he grilled me about every single detail of my time with Celeste. “Julian, just let me have her,” he suddenly changed his demeanor, blinking with wide, wet eyes, like an innocent puppy. “You’ve always been the best big brother to me.” Always the same. Ever since we were kids, our parents always favored him. They always told me, as the older brother, to take care of Liam. We were twins; I was only born a few minutes before him, yet I was expected to bear the responsibility of looking after him for his entire life. My favorite toys, the candy apples I loved, the drawings I saved up for – if he so much as hinted he wanted them, they were his. He’d been raised with a spoiled, selfish streak. “Do you even know what kind of person Celeste is?” I asked him. Just thinking of that woman made my throat tighten, a lingering physical memory. “The Blackwood heiress? You think I don’t know that?” His eyes gleamed with astonishing brightness. “I know a lot more than you think.” “Now that Celeste lost her memory, I’ve been pretending to be her boyfriend and taking care of her for days.” Liam couldn’t hide the smug satisfaction from his lips. He’d always dreamed of marrying into a wealthy family, and now, opportunity had practically landed in his lap. My eyes widened instinctively. I thought he was just helping out. I never expected him to steal my identity. “Don’t you know you’re going to get yourself killed?” My voice held a tremor I hadn’t even realized was there—a mix of anger and a secret thrill. His stupidity would only drag him into the abyss. A thin layer of anger flushed Liam’s face. He suddenly lunged, grabbing for the chain on my wrist. The bracelet Celeste had given me, the one I hadn’t had time to take off. “Give it to me!” he snarled, using all his strength, yelling at the top of his lungs. “This was never yours to begin with!” Mom and Dad were traveling overseas, but I still worried his piercing voice would be heard by the neighbors. And if it was, I’d be the one getting yelled at. I let go, watching him snatch the silver bracelet. If he wanted to be Celeste’s boyfriend so badly, then let him. “This bracelet, and Celeste, they’re both mine now.” Liam put on the bracelet, swaggering as he flashed it at me. His eyes crinkled with a smile, like a child who’d gotten the whole world, already deeply immersed in the beautiful dream he’d woven for himself.

I dreamt of Celeste again. One moment, we were sitting side-by-side by a quiet lake, her eyes looking at me, filled with crushed starlight and intense, almost possessive affection. “I’ll wait for you forever,” she said, gripping my hand, her voice soft yet firm, like a vow carried on the wind. But the next second, the scene shifted. In a dark room, she was fiercely choking my neck, her cold lips pressed against my earlobe, her breath reeking of blood. “Why did you run away? Why did you leave me?” In the endless darkness, her face was shrouded in a sinister gloom, her gaze fierce and fixated, like a dying beast. “I wasn’t leaving you, I just wanted to go home.” Tears streamed down my face, the air slowly draining from my lungs. “I won’t run away. Can you… can you please not lock me up again? I’m scared.” Celeste let out a soft chuckle. Her hand finally moved from my vulnerable neck, and instead, gently stroked my hair, over and over. Like calming a frightened pet. “Julian, I know you’re the goodest boy,” her voice was hypnotic. “Just stay here with me, don’t go anywhere.” “If you don’t answer me again…” she paused, her tone suddenly chilling, “I’ll turn you into a beautiful dried corpse, to keep you by my side forever.” I shivered, then, with all my might, I trembled out those words. “I’ll… I’ll stay with you forever.” “Good boy.” … I woke from the nightmare, cold sweat soaking my back. Celeste’s scorching, possessive breath seemed to cling to me, branded onto my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I was terrified she would regain her memory and drag me back into that hell. That month was a gaping, bloody wound in my life, and I never wanted to look back. Thankfully, in just one more month, I’d be off to college in another city. I would leave this place forever and never cross paths with her again. I clutched my pounding heart, gasping for air. But then I looked up, and my eyes slammed into a pair of dark eyes silently watching me from the shadows. I instantly lost my voice and screamed.

“My fault,” a soft female voice said. “I accidentally came into the wrong room and scared your brother.” Celeste was wearing cotton bunny pajamas, her bangs falling over her eyes, concealing any emotion, making her look delicate and harmless. She offered a perfectly pitched apology, nodding slightly at me. Liam rushed in, pulling her protectively behind him, gripping her hand tightly, like a possessive wolf pup, terrified I’d snatch her away. “It’s fine, just go.” I avoided Celeste’s gaze. I couldn’t bear to look into those eyes. Those eyes, they seemed to pierce through my skin, seeing every hidden thought, leaving me nowhere to hide. Liam actually dared to bring her home to stay, without even telling me first. A surge of anger, like my territory had been invaded, burned in my chest. “Where’s your girlfriend staying? Why did you bring her home without telling me?” I stepped out of the room, lowering my voice to question him. “We only have a few rooms. How could she ‘accidentally’ get lost?” My tone was stern, my brows furrowed. He really was destined for a drama major. Liam’s eyes welled up instantly, long lashes glistening with tears, making him look like a frightened fawn. He looked as if he’d suffered some monumental injustice, a sight designed to provoke anyone’s protective instincts. “Julian was sleeping so early, I was afraid of disturbing him, so I didn’t get a chance to say anything.” He choked out his words, making me sound like a cruel, malicious older brother. Ever since we were kids, his best trick was crying. The loudest one always got what they wanted. He effortlessly reaped all the attention and affection that was always denied to me. And I, with my stubborn pride, always unwilling to back down, was forever the one being blamed. “It’s my fault,” Celeste gently raised a hand, wiping away Liam’s tears, her face full of self-reproach. “My memory hasn’t fully returned since the accident, and I keep forgetting things. I just accidentally came into the wrong room. I’m so, so sorry.” The light spilled into her bright, clear eyes, making her appear even more gentle and charming. But I knew what kind of obsessive, twisted heart lurked beneath that beautiful exterior. I involuntarily took a step back. “Then you two should go. Leave my room.” “Are you Liam’s brother, Julian?” Celeste’s voice was soft, yet it felt like a needle pricking my ear. She looked at me intently, her gaze filled with a probing curiosity, then quickly withdrew it, as if talking to herself. “I must have been mistaken. You’re twins, it’s normal for you to look alike.” Liam quickly pulled her arm and led her away. He didn’t want Celeste to spend another second with me, terrified her damn memory might suddenly return. As they reached the doorway, Celeste looked back and said softly, “Your brother seems a little afraid of me. I must have scared him. I’m truly sorry.” “Julian’s just a bit timid, it’s fine,” Liam reassured her, but shot me a warning look. After they left, I frantically locked my bedroom door. That night, I huddled with my blanket, leaning against the cold door, and slept there. Terrified she’d reappear like a phantom, silently at the foot of my bed.

Celeste completely dominated my dreams. Ever since she locked me up, I was constantly plotting my escape. She was incredibly attentive, gentle as water. If not for the cold metal touching my wrists and ankles, I would have truly believed I’d found love. “I’m saving you, not hurting you,” I once cried, my voice raw and hoarse. “How could you do this to me?” I first met her on a cliffside trail. She slipped, and I caught her just in time. She insisted on treating me to dinner. During the meal, we were amazed to discover how remarkably similar our tastes were – from movies to our plans for the future. I admitted I liked childish things, like having my entire room filled with plush toys. Celeste did too. Just like now, this soft, large bed was piled high with all sorts of bunny plushies. Their glass-bead eyes watched impassively as she pinned me beneath her, unable to move. “I only want what’s best for you,” her dark, deep eyes were like bottomless pools, locking onto mine. “Just be a good boy, stop thinking about running away, and I’ll let you go.” To escape, I retracted all my claws, becoming utterly obedient to her. “Good boy.” She finally revealed a satisfied, brilliant smile, then lowered her head and bit my neck. It didn’t hurt, but it carried the humiliation of a declaration of ownership. I could clearly feel the surge of her obsessive passion, her burning breath on my skin, an suffocating aggression. I felt nauseous. It was a primal revulsion, mixed with fear and disgust, churning in my stomach. She gently unlocked my chains, then brazenly began to toy with my body. The chains clicked open, a sound that should have been the gospel of freedom, but now it felt like the prelude to hell opening. The cold of the metal had barely receded from my wrists when her fingertips covered them. It wasn’t a caress of desire, but more like… an appraisal. She was like a calm artisan admiring a masterpiece nearing completion. Her fingertips traced my collarbone, my chest, my waist, with an irresistible pressure, as if branding her mark onto my skin. The air was thick with her cool perfume, mingling with the cold sweat of my fear, transforming into a sticky, oppressive scent. I was forced to tilt my head back, looking at the dim light on the ceiling, feeling less like a person and more like an object laid bare, stripped of all dignity and the right to resist. Her kisses were cold and damp, falling on my eyelids, my lips, my jaw. Each kiss was like a mark, an occupation. She whispered in my ear, those gentle words now more chilling than the most malicious curse. “Julian, you’re mine.” “Every inch of your skin, every breath you take, is mine.” My body trembled almost imperceptibly, not from excitement, but from extreme humiliation and fury. I clenched my teeth, swallowing every protest and scream. Because I knew that any hint of disobedience would only result in a longer, more desperate confinement. She handled my limbs as if I were a cherished piece of porcelain, exploring every corner of my body. In her eyes, there was no lust, only a near-insane obsession and possessiveness. I felt my soul being slowly peeled from my body, floating in mid-air, coldly observing this shell endure everything. That night was absurd and endless. I quietly put on my clothes, tightly clutching the car keys I’d stolen from her jacket pocket. Like a startled rabbit, I fled desperately from that cage. But I never expected her to wake up so quickly. Another black car blocked me on the winding mountain road, like a silent beast. Celeste got out of the car, her dark hair glowing softly in the morning sun. She looked at me quietly, a gentle, almost resigned smile on her face. “You lied to me,” she said softly, her voice scattered by the wind. In that moment, every nerve in my brain snapped. I slammed on the accelerator, driving straight at her. I’d rather be a murderer than return to that hell. There were no cameras here. Let her rot. But I never thought she’d still be alive. Not only alive, but brought into my home by my foolish brother. I couldn’t imagine how she would drag me back into the abyss once her memory returned.

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. When I stepped out of my room, Celeste and Liam were sitting at the dining table. She considerately handed Liam a napkin, her face adorned with a doting, unblemished smile. Those gentle, water-like eyes seemed to forever hold boundless affection. “Thanks,” Liam’s face flushed, his eyes cast down like dewy grapes. “It’s nothing,” Celeste looked up, her gaze bypassing him and settling on me, a smile playing on her lips. “It’s what I should do as your girlfriend.” Her gaze felt like feathers, yet also like barbed whips, slowly tracing my exposed neck and arms. I shivered, then hurried into the bathroom, head down. When I came out after washing up, Celeste was in the kitchen washing dishes. The sunlight outlined her slender back, that picture of domestic tranquility, enough to deceive anyone. Who could imagine the obsessive, rotten core beneath that facade of false warmth? “Julian,” Liam’s voice chimed in my ear. He sat down beside me, grinning, but his hand unceremoniously pinched my arm. “You deliberately wore so little. Don’t think I don’t know you’re trying to seduce Celeste.” A sharp pain shot through me. I yanked my arm back, then grabbed his wrist. I stared at him coldly. “Liam, get this straight. You’re the one who stole my identity and took my girlfriend.” “If you want my trash, and you treat it like treasure, then keep it safe.” “But as your brother, I have to warn you,” I watched his face instantly drain of color, speaking each word slowly. “How could a car accident only result in superficial injuries? She’s been amnesiac for so long, not bothering to look for her family or regain her memory. Instead, she’s happily living in a stranger’s house. You know exactly what you’re thinking.” Our family was just a regular, ordinary working-class family. Between us and the Blackwoods, a prestigious old-money family, there was a whole galaxy. Liam was just taking advantage of her amnesia, trying to stage a cheap drama of “Billionaire Heiress Falls for Me.” Seeing his guilty face, I released his hand and turned to the kitchen. I took a plate of sliced watermelon from the fridge, and when I turned around, I bumped right into Celeste’s smiling eyes. She was standing right behind me, silent as a shadow. I tried to walk around her, but she reached out, placing a light but firm hand on my shoulder. “Can I have a slice of watermelon?” Her voice was soft, but her eyes were fixed on me, as if trying to see through my soul. I slapped her hand away fiercely, my heart skipping a beat. Every cell in my body screamed: kill this woman, kill her. I forced down the fear and the surging killing intent, managing to squeeze out a smile. “Go ahead.” Celeste naturally picked up the largest slice of watermelon, chewing it slowly. The bright red juice trickled down the corner of her lips, a sight that made it seem as if she were chewing my very flesh. I pressed my lips together, carrying the remaining watermelon, and fled back to my bedroom. *Click.* I locked the door. For the next month, I had to keep my distance from her. Just under a month. If I could just hold on for one more month, I’d be free. Not long after, the lock on my door clicked. Liam swayed the spare key in his hand and swaggered in. “Julian, you’re not going to stay in your room all day, are you?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298706”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

I was Skylar Adams, the illegitimate daughter my family kept hidden away. My only purpose was to take my sister’s place and marry the notorious Damian Thorne – a powerful magnate, rumored to be ill-tempered and confined to a wheelchair. At the wedding, when the minister asked if I was willing, I grabbed the microphone, right there in front of all the city’s elite. “I am not.” The entire room erupted. My father, Mr. Adams, was shaking with rage, his finger jabbing furiously as he screamed that I was insane. But they had no idea. A voice in my head had just spoken. [Congratulations, Host, for rejecting the arranged marriage! The Single Survival System is officially activated. Day one of being single: Reward – one million dollars, Life Points +1.] “Skylar Adams, say that again, I dare you!” My father, Mr. Harrison Adams’s, roar threatened to blow the roof off the chapel. My sister, Amber, standing beside me in her bridesmaid’s dress, hissed under her breath. “Are you insane? If you dare ruin this marriage, Mom and Dad will kill you!” I looked at her calmly, then at the stunned guests below. Finally, my gaze settled on Damian Thorne, sitting in his wheelchair. He was a business titan, a man who commanded an empire and could practically rule the city. An accident six months ago had left him wheelchair-bound, transforming his already formidable personality into something even darker and more ruthless. Everyone said the Adams family was pushing me, their illegitimate daughter, into a living hell. But they had no idea. The Adams family securing this connection to the Thornes? My parents had practically begged, pulling out every desperate plea they had to land this unimaginable fortune. Damian Thorne’s face was expressionless, his deep-set eyes watching me from several feet away, as if observing a drama that had nothing to do with him. His assistant, Liam Stone, behind him, looked furious and was already preparing to intervene. “I am not willing,” I repeated, my voice not loud, but clear enough to echo through the entire chapel. SMACK! A stinging slap landed across my face. It was my mother. She stormed onto the stage, trembling as she pointed at me. “You ungrateful wretch! You’re absolutely insane! You’ve completely shamed our family! Apologize to Mr. Thorne right now!” I licked the metallic taste of blood from my lip and smiled. “Apologize? Why? My marriage is *mine*. If I don’t want to go through with it, does someone else get to force me?” My father’s lips quivered with fury. “You… you bastard! You *will* marry him today, whether you like it or not!” He started to lunge for me. “Enough.” Damian Thorne maneuvered his electric wheelchair slowly to the front of the stage, his gaze calm as he looked at me. “Give me a reason.” I looked at him, this man rumored to be so brutal. There was no anger in his eyes now, only a piercing curiosity. I took a deep breath and delivered the line I’d rehearsed. “I don’t like you. And I certainly don’t want to marry someone who’s… disabled.” The words were harsh, venomous, even to my own ears. As expected, the entire room gasped. Mr. Harrison Adams’s face went completely white; he looked like he was about to faint. Amber stared at me as if I were already dead. Damian Thorne’s gaze finally darkened. Liam Stone, his assistant, stepped forward, his voice cold. “Miss Adams, words have consequences. You can’t just insult the Thorne family like that.” The atmosphere plummeted to a freezing point, but in my head, I silently chanted, “System, settle up!” [Ding! Day one of being single: Reward – one million dollars, Life Points +1. Cash has been transferred to your anonymous account.] The system’s cold, robotic voice was my only comfort. With money and more life, what did I have to fear? I straightened my back, meeting Damian Thorne’s icy stare. “I’m telling the truth. You can’t force happiness. Mr. Thorne, this marriage? It’s off.” With that, I lifted the hem of my expensive wedding dress and, to everyone’s disbelief, turned to leave. I didn’t make it out of the chapel. Two bodyguards in black suits blocked my path. My father, Mr. Adams, his voice trembling, pleaded with Damian Thorne, “Mr. Thorne, please don’t be angry. This girl isn’t thinking straight. I’ll tie her up and send her to you right away…” “Dad!” Amber quickly grabbed his arm, her eyes darting to Damian Thorne. “Mr. Thorne, my sister is just being childish. Please don’t take her seriously.” Damian Thorne ignored their little performance. He just watched me, his gaze unreadable. “Miss Adams, you agreed to this wedding yourself. Now you’re publicly backing out, just playing games with me?” I clenched my fists. “I wasn’t playing games. I just realized that I want a life of my own, not one dependent on anyone else.” “Is that so?” Damian Thorne let out a soft chuckle, though no amusement reached his eyes. “Miss Adams, I admire your pursuit of independence. However, everything comes at a price.” The moment he finished speaking, Liam Stone stepped forward and addressed Mr. Harrison Adams. “Mr. Adams, according to the agreement, a failed alliance requires Adams Holdings to pay Thorne Industries a breach of contract penalty of one billion dollars. Furthermore, Thorne Industries will withdraw all investments and project collaborations with Adams Holdings.”

“One billion dollars!” Mr. Harrison Adams’s eyes rolled back, and he nearly collapsed. Amber’s face went white too. The Adams family’s total assets, combined, barely amounted to two or three hundred million. A billion dollars? That would drive them to ruin! Mr. Harrison Adams dropped to his knees with a thud, facing Damian Thorne. “Mr. Thorne, please have mercy! This rebellious girl is solely to blame. Punish her, but leave the Adams family out of this!” I watched his pathetic display with cold disdain, feeling nothing but disgust. This was my father, ready to throw me under the bus without a second thought for his own gain. My mother started wailing. “Mr. Thorne, we’ll send her back to her room immediately. Tonight, she’s yours! Please, spare us!” Watching my family’s ugly charade, my stomach churned. I turned to Damian Thorne. “This was my decision, and I’ll bear the consequences alone. Let my parents go. Let the Adams family go.” Damian Thorne raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused. “You’ll take responsibility? With what? A billion dollars? Do you even have that kind of money?” “I will repay it,” I said, my voice firm and unwavering. A wave of scoffing spread through the room. An illegitimate daughter, discarded by her family, how could she possibly repay a billion? It was pure fantasy. Amber’s taunt was particularly sharp. “Skylar, stop spouting nonsense! How will you pay it back? With your worthless life?” I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Damian Thorne. “Give me three years.” Damian Thorne looked deeply into my eyes, and then, surprisingly, he smiled. “Alright, I’ll give you three years.” He waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards to step aside. “From today onward, you, Skylar Adams, owe me, Damian Thorne, one billion dollars. Interest will be calculated at the highest bank rate.” He paused, then added, “Don’t even think about running. You know what I’m capable of.” With that, he maneuvered his wheelchair and left the chapel without looking back. My parents lay sprawled on the floor, their eyes fixed on me, looks that could have devoured me whole. “You wretch! You absolute wretch! You’ve ruined the Adams family!” I didn’t spare them another glance. Clutching the hem of my priceless wedding dress, I walked out of that cage-like chapel. The sunlight was blinding, but I felt a freedom I’d never known. [Ding! Host has successfully escaped the toxic family environment! Reward: one luxury apartment, Life Points +5.] Standing on the street in a wedding dress, I felt like a living, breathing joke. Passersby stared and pointed, but I didn’t care. My phone vibrated. A bank alert: $1,000,000 deposited. I smiled. Having money felt good. Immediately after, another message came in from an unknown number. [Bellagio Heights, Unit A-3201. Passcode: your birthday. -Liam Stone] It was Damian Thorne’s assistant. I was surprised. He actually gave me an apartment. Was he trying to keep an eye on me, afraid I’d run? Whatever. A place to live was better than being homeless. I hailed a cab and gave the address. The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, looking like he wanted to say something but held back. When we arrived at Bellagio Heights, I realized it was a renowned upscale neighborhood, with extremely strict security. My wedding dress made me far too conspicuous, and a security guard stopped me. I gave him the apartment number and my name. After checking, he respectfully waved me through. I swiped the card for Unit 3201 and was stunned by what I saw. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist modern decor, top-brand furniture and appliances. The walk-in closet even had a selection of seasonal designer clothes, shoes, and bags, still with their tags on. The refrigerator was stocked with fresh produce and imported fruits. On the table sat a black card and a new phone. A bold, flowing signature on the card read: [Stay put. -Thorne] This didn’t look like something prepared for someone owing a billion dollars. It was more like a gilded cage. What exactly did Damian Thorne want? I shook my head, pushing the thought away. First things first, a shower, a change of clothes, and a good meal.

Soaking comfortably in the bathtub, the system’s voice chimed again. [Day two of being single: Reward – one million dollars, Life Points +1.] [Current Life Points: 7.] [Current Account Balance: $2,000,000.] I looked at my pale face in the mirror, a faint smile on my lips. Before the wedding, I had a sudden acute heart failure. The doctors said I wouldn’t live more than a month. It was this [Single Survival System] that had suddenly appeared, giving me hope. As long as I stayed single, I could live, and I could have immense wealth. Chase after guys? No thanks. I’d rather get rich, extend my life, and thrive all on my own. Just then, the doorbell rang. I was puzzled. Who would come looking for me here? Wrapped in my plush robe, I peeked through the peephole. It was Amber. How in the world did she find me here? I opened the door. Amber stood there, looking utterly condescending. She gave me a once-over, her gaze lingering on my robe, eyes brimming with a venomous mix of jealousy and scorn. “Skylar, you really have some nerve! You broke off your engagement and now you’re living in a place like this? Who’s the old man you’ve hooked up with now?” I leaned against the doorframe, lazily looking at her. “Something you need?” My nonchalant attitude infuriated Amber. “Something I need? Of course I do! Mom and Dad are furious, the company’s on the verge of bankruptcy, and here you are, living it up!” She started to push her way inside. I held out a hand to stop her. “This is my home. You’re not welcome.” “Your home?” Amber sounded like she’d just heard the funniest joke. “Skylar, don’t you forget, you have Adams family blood running through your veins! You ruined us; you have to take responsibility!” “Responsibility? How? By going back and marrying Damian Thorne in your place?” I scoffed. “Amber, you were the one crying and screaming that you wouldn’t marry him. Now you’re blaming me?” Originally, the marriage contract between the Adams and Thorne families had specified Amber, the eldest daughter. But she despised Damian because of his disability, throwing such dramatic tantrums and threats that my parents finally set their sights on me, their illegitimate daughter. They promised me that if I just married him, they’d give my mother a large sum of money to live out her golden years comfortably. For my mother, I agreed. But just a week before the wedding, my mother suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away. And at that very time, I was diagnosed with the same heart condition. Not a single person from the Adams family came to see me. They only cared if I would show up on time for the wedding. From that moment, I completely gave up on the Adams family. “You… you’re talking nonsense!” Amber’s eyes darted away. “That was… I had someone I loved! Not like you, who’s promiscuous and shameless!” She grew more agitated, her voice rising several octaves. “Skylar, I’m warning you, you’d better go apologize to Mr. Thorne and beg him to spare the Adams family! Otherwise, I’ll make sure you can’t stay in this city!” “Oh? Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow. “I’d like to see you try.” With a loud BANG, I slammed the door shut. Amber’s frustrated screams echoed from outside, but I ignored them. Wasting another breath on someone like her was a waste of my precious Life Points. The next morning, my name was trending online. #AdamsIllegitimateDaughterPubliclyBreaksEngagementInsultsDisabledMagnate# #UngratefulSkylarAdams# #AdamsGroupOnTheBrinkOfBankruptcy# Clicking on them, it was all hate comments about me. They called me a gold-digger, saying I dumped Damian Thorne because he was disabled, a complete opportunist. There were even so-called “insiders” who claimed I had a chaotic private life and had already hooked up with other men. Attached were several blurry photos of a girl with a similar build to me, intimately close with different men. I recognized her immediately: it was Amber. How ruthless could she be? To ruin me, she’d even released her own scandalous secrets and tried to pin them on me. The comments section was a cesspool of insults. “Women like her deserve to be canceled!” “Feel bad for Mr. Thorne, tricked by such a despicable woman.” “The Adams family must have done something truly awful to raise such an ungrateful ingrate.” I looked at the comments, not angry at all, but rather amused. These netizens were certainly easily swayed. I ignored the online storm, calmly making myself a lavish breakfast.

Just as I finished eating, my phone rang. It was an unknown number. I answered, and a haughty female voice came through. “Is this Skylar Adams? I’m Brittany Hayes.” Brittany Hayes? I thought for a moment. Amber’s rich, spoiled friend. “What do you want?” “Skylar, you really outdid yourself, daring to offend Mr. Thorne. Now the Adams family is ruined. Are you happy?” Brittany Hayes’s tone was dripping with schadenfreude. I couldn’t be bothered to waste words on her. Just as I was about to hang up, she spoke again. “However, I’m in a good mood today, so I can show you a way out.” “What way out?” “Tonight at eight, Regal Club, Mr. Albright’s party. Mr. Albright loves your type – innocent with a hint of wildness. If you please him well, he’ll give you twenty billion, not just one.” The Regal Club was a notorious den of indulgence in the city. And Mr. Albright, I’d heard whispers about him. A fifty-something, sleazy old man known for his scandalous escapades. Amber and Brittany Hayes were trying to throw me into a living hell. “What’s wrong? Scared to come?” Brittany Hayes taunted. “If you still want to survive in this city, you’d better show up. Otherwise, face the consequences.” With that, she hung up. I looked at my phone, my eyes turning cold. Did they really think I was still the old Skylar, easily manipulated? I originally didn’t want to bother with these clowns, but their repeated provocations made me wonder if they thought I was made of mud. Eight PM, Regal Club. I changed into a little black dress, put on exquisite makeup, and arrived promptly. Just outside the private room, I heard Brittany Hayes’s voice. “Don’t worry, Mr. Albright, that little bitch will definitely come. She’s desperate now; what else can she do but cling to a big shot like you?” A vulgar male voice chuckled. “Good, good, Brittany, you’re so smart. You’ll be well rewarded when this is done.” “Thank you in advance, Mr. Albright.” I pushed open the door and walked in. The room was smoky and chaotic. Besides Brittany Hayes and the corpulent Mr. Albright, there were a few other scantily clad men and women. Amber was there too, and she froze when she saw me. “Oh, she actually came?” Brittany Hayes said mockingly. “Come on, quickly, come toast Mr. Albright.” Mr. Albright’s lecherous eyes raked over me, making my skin crawl. “Nice, nice, even prettier than in the photos.” He rubbed his hands together, his smile obscene. I didn’t move, just stared at them coldly. “Skylar, what are you waiting for? Come on over!” Amber urged, clearly worried I’d ruin her plans. I picked up a glass of red wine from the table and slowly walked toward Mr. Albright. He thought I was going to toast him and chuckled, raising his own glass. Just as he was about to clink glasses with me, I flicked my wrist, and the entire glass of red wine splashed across his greasy face. “Agh!” Mr. Albright cried out. The entire room fell silent instantly. Everyone stared at me, wide-eyed. Brittany Hayes reacted first, screaming, “Skylar! You’re crazy!” Amber’s face paled with fright. “You… what are you doing!” Mr. Albright wiped the wine from his face, trembling with rage. “You dirty bitch! You dared to throw wine on me! Grab her! I’m going to make you regret this tonight!” Several men immediately lunged at me. But I was ready. Grabbing an empty wine bottle from the table, I smashed it against the edge with a sickening CRACK! The bottle shattered, and I gripped the remaining half, its sharp, jagged end pointed at the man in front. “Who dares come closer?” I spat, my voice cold. The men were stunned by my ferocity and hesitated to advance. Mr. Albright yelled furiously, “Useless! You’re all useless! Go get her! I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens!” Just then, the private room door was kicked open from the outside. “I’d like to see who dares touch her,” an icy voice cut through the room. My gaze snapped to the sound, and I froze. Damian Thorne? What was he doing here? He was still in his specialized wheelchair, followed by an expressionless Liam Stone and several black-suited bodyguards. His appearance instantly dropped the room’s pressure to zero. Mr. Albright saw Damian Thorne, and the anger on his face instantly transformed into a fawning smile. “Mr… Mr. Thorne? What brings you here?” He stammered, frantically wiping the wine from his face.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298705”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

I was born with a nose that was far more sensitive than most. To be precise, I could literally *smell* the goodness or rottenness in a person’s soul. Kind people had a faint, fresh scent, while evil people reeked of decay. All my life, this ability helped me dodge a lot of trouble. For instance, in elementary school, my deskmate, Brad, who always bullied people? He reeked like something had crawled into a dark corner and died. In high school, Tiffany, the class beauty who acted sweet but spread rumors behind everyone’s back? She reeked of a sourness so intense it made my eyes water. And Mr. Davies, the foreign exchange professor who always tried to get a little too handsy with the female students at summer camp? He had a fishy stench that made me sick to my stomach. But today, I smelled a third kind of scent: bitter. At the freshman orientation, I sat in the back row, bored out of my mind, spinning my pen. The host announced loudly, “Next, please welcome Professor Julian Harrington from the Chemistry Department, to address the new students.” The hall erupted in applause. I looked up and saw a tall, imposing man stride onto the stage. He looked around six-foot-three, dressed impeccably in a suit, broad-shouldered and lean. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the eyes behind the lenses were deep, unfathomable. This was the legendary Julian Harrington? Oceanview University’s youngest professor, a genius in the academic world, and, according to students, the nightmare professor. They said his research group had an 80% attrition rate, and he’s rumored to have reduced enough grad students to tears to form their own support group. Curiously, I sniffed the air. Usually, strict p I was born with a nose that was far more sensitive than most. To be precise, I could literally *smell* the goodness or rottenness in a person’s soul. Kind people had a faint, fresh scent, while evil people reeked of decay. All my life, this ability helped me dodge a lot of trouble. For instance, in elementary school, my deskmate, Brad, who always bullied people? He reeked like something had crawled into a dark corner and died. In high school, Tiffany, the class beauty who acted sweet but spread rumors behind everyone’s back? She reeked of a sourness so intense it made my eyes water. And Mr. Davies, the foreign exchange professor who always tried to get a little too handsy with the female students at summer camp? He had a fishy stench that made me sick to my stomach. But today, I smelled a third kind of scent: bitter. At the freshman orientation, I sat in the back row, bored out of my mind, spinning my pen. The host announced loudly, “Next, please welcome Professor Julian Harrington from the Chemistry Department, to address the new students.” The hall erupted in applause. I looked up and saw a tall, imposing man stride onto the stage. He looked around six-foot-three, dressed impeccably in a suit, broad-shouldered and lean. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the eyes behind the lenses were deep, unfathomable. This was the legendary Julian Harrington? Oceanview University’s youngest professor, a genius in the academic world, and, according to students, the nightmare professor. eople aren’t necessarily bad, but they often have a pungent or cold scent. But Julian Harrington… He carried a heavy, bitter scent, like an over-brewed, forgotten coffee, a deep, acrid bitterness that, for some inexplicable reason, made my heart ache with a strange pang of sympathy. I froze. He wasn’t a bad person, but he wasn’t happy either. After the orientation, compelled by a strange impulse, I fo I was born with a nose that was far more sensitive than most. To be precise, I could literally *smell* the goodness or rottenness in a person’s soul. Kind people had a faint, fresh scent, while evil people reeked of decay. All my life, this ability helped me dodge a lot of trouble. For instance, in elementary school, my deskmate, Brad, who always bullied people? He reeked like something had crawled into a dark corner and died. In high school, Tiffany, the class beauty who acted sweet but spread rumors behind everyone’s back? She reeked of a sourness so intense it made my eyes water. And Mr. Davies, the foreign exchange professor who always tried to get a little too handsy with the female students at summer camp? He had a fishy stench that made me sick to my stomach. But today, I smelled a third kind of scent: bitter. At the freshman orientation, I sat in the back row, bored out of my mind, spinning my pen. The host announced loudly, “Next, please welcome Professor Julian Harrington from the Chemistry Department, to address the new students.” The hall erupted in applause. I looked up and saw a tall, imposing man stride onto the stage. He looked around six-foot-three, dressed impeccably in a suit, broad-shouldered and lean. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the eyes behind the lenses were deep, unfathomable. This was the legendary Julian Harrington? Oceanview University’s youngest professor, a genius in the academic world, and, according to students, the nightmare professor. They said his research group had an 80% attrition rate, and he’s rumored to have reduced enough grad students to tears to form their own support group. Curiously, I sniffed the air. Usually, strict people aren’t necessarily bad, but they often have a pungent or cold scent. But Julian Harrington… He carried a heavy, bitter scent, like an over-brewed, forgotten coffee, a deep, acrid bitterness that, for some inexplicable reason, made my heart ache with a strange pang of sympathy. und myself trailing Julian. He walked quickly, nodding curtly to the many students who greeted him along the way, stingy even with his smiles. I hid around the corner of the corridor, watching him enter his office. The door hadn’t closed properly. After a moment of hesitation, I pulled out a box of matcha nougat crackers I’d made last night. I’d planned to snack on them myself, but now… he looked like he needed something sweet more than I did. When the hallway was empty, I tiptoed in, placing the nougat crackers on the most conspicuous spot on his desk. I even attached a sticky note: “A little sweetness always helps. – Willow, Chemistry.” Done, I turned to leave, then suddenly remembered my USB drive was still plugged into the office computer. I quickly rushed back to get it. When I returned, the office door was ajar, and low voices drifted out. “Professor Harrington, this collaboration benefits both parties. Why be so stubborn?” It was a middle-aged man’s voice. My steps faltered, and instinctively, I sniffed. An intense, putrid stench, more acrid than rotting fish. A dangerous smell. I held my breath, peeking through the crack in the door. Julian Harrington stood by the window, his back to the door, and said coldly, “Mr. Hayes, experimental data is not within the scope of negotiation.” The man, referred to as Mr. Hayes, sneered, “Young man, don’t be ungrateful. Do you really think you can hold onto such a huge project alone?” Julian Harrington remained silent. Mr. Hayes leaned in closer, whispering, “I heard… your father hasn’t been well lately? I might be able to help with the Harrington family matters.” The air instantly chilled. Julian Harrington slowly turned around, his eyes behind the glasses cold and terrifying. “Are you threatening me?” Mr. Hayes grinned, “Oh, I wouldn’t dare. I’m just reminding you.” They faced off for a few seconds. Mr. Hayes snorted, then turned and left. I quickly hid behind a potted plant in the hallway corner, my heart pounding so fast I thought it would burst out of my chest. Only after his footsteps completely faded did I let out a sigh of relief. Just as I was about to sneak away, a low male voice suddenly spoke behind me. “Seen enough?” I froze instantly. Julian Harrington held the box of nougat crackers, a slight curve on his lips, but no humor in his eyes. “Sending me so many sweets, are you trying to make sure I don’t flunk you out even if I need insulin?” He asked slowly, “Hmm? Willow?” 2 I froze, my mind flashing with frantic thoughts: *Oh no, oh no, oh no…* Caught eavesdropping, then busted red-handed delivering the nougat? This was a top-tier social suicide moment, straight out of a reality show. Julian Harrington stood right in front of me, looking down with a half-smile on his face. I swallowed, and managed to stammer, “P-Professor Harrington, hello…” He raised an eyebrow, saying nothing. The air solidified. Bravely, I pointed to the nougat crackers in his hand: “Um… are they good?” As soon as I said it, I wanted to slap myself. What kind of idiotic question was that?! Julian Harrington seemed surprised by my question. He paused, glanced down at the nougat, then looked back at me: “Haven’t tasted them yet.” “Then… would you like to try one?” I chuckled awkwardly, “I made them myself, I promise, it’s seriously so good!” He studied me intently, his gaze so deep it felt like he could read my every thought. His scrutiny made my scalp tingle. I instinctively took a step back, only to hit my heel against the wall and almost trip. Julian Harrington reached out a hand to steady me. I quickly regained my balance, my heart racing like I’d just run a mile. “Why did you bring me sweets?” he asked. “I…” My mind went blank. I could only stammer out a few words, “I want to use my sweetness to make sure you’re not bitter anymore.” The moment the words left my mouth, I froze. Julian Harrington froze too. In that instant, I thought I smelled the heavy bitterness on him lessen just a tiny bit. But quickly, he resumed his usual indifferent, ice-cold expression. “Bitter? You know me that well?” “I do!” I nodded, “Your name is Julian Harrington, you’re the nightmare professor in the Chemistry Department, your research group has an 80% attrition rate, and you once made an entire class of grad students cry. You’re also rated as the top campus crush by all the female students, with an eight-pack…” Mid-sentence, I clammed up. *Crap, I said everything I shouldn’t have!* Julian Harrington, however, chuckled. “Looks like my reputation isn’t so good,” he said. I forced a laugh, “N-no, not really…” He looked down at the nougat crackers in his hand, then suddenly asked, “Your name is Willow?” “Yes, Willow from Chemistry.” I answered honestly. He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. “How much did you hear outside the door earlier?” My scalp tightened. I immediately shook my head, “Didn’t hear anything! My ears aren’t working right!” “Your ears aren’t working, but your nose is super sensitive?” He gave a half-smile. I: “…” *Seriously, how does this guy always nail the important stuff?* Julian Harrington didn’t press further. He slowly unwrapped a nougat cracker and took a bite. I watched him nervously. He chewed a couple of times, then nodded slightly: “It’s very sweet, indeed.” I sighed in relief. Just as I was about to speak, he continued, “However, eavesdropping on a professor’s conversation, and then sneaking into their office to leave sweets…” My heart leaped into my throat again. He said calmly, “By rights, this should result in disciplinary action.” My heart just sank. *Goodbye, scholarship!* “But…” He changed his tone, “I happen to have a project right now that requires someone with a sensitive sense of smell.” I blinked. “Huh?” “The potential application of specialized olfaction in chemical analysis.” He looked at me, “Interested in joining my research group?” I was stunned, unable to process it for a moment. Julian Harrington’s research group? That’s the absolute pinnacle of the Oceanview University Chemistry Department, a place countless people would kill to get into! “C-can I…?” I stammered. “Didn’t you say your sense of smell was sensitive?” he countered. “It is pretty sensitive…” I mumbled, “But aren’t you afraid I’ll be clumsy and mess up the experiments?” Julian Harrington gave a faint smile: “Don’t worry, if you mess up, I’ll just have to dissect your nose for science.” I: “…” *He has a dark, witty side, doesn’t he?* Seeing my silence, he added, “The research group offers good benefits, monthly stipends, and the lab has 24/7 access to coffee and desserts.” Huh? Desserts? Coffee? I immediately brightened, instantly forgetting my earlier nervousness: “Really?” He nodded: “Really.” “Then… then I’m in!” I agreed without hesitation. Julian Harrington seemed to have anticipated my answer. He chuckled softly, then glanced at his watch: “Tomorrow morning at eight, Experiment Building B. Don’t be late.” He turned to leave after saying that. I quickly called out, “Wait! What about Mr. Hayes… will he come bother you again?” Julian Harrington paused, turned his head, and said coldly, “That’s not for you to worry about.” I wanted to ask more, but he had already strode away with his long legs. My heart was racing, my hands trembling. My emotions took a long time to settle. 3 First thing the next morning, I went to the experiment building. Standing outside the lab door, I took more than ten deep breaths before mustering the courage to knock. The door opened. A guy with black-rimmed glasses poked his head out, scrutinizing me. “Hey, are you…?” “I’m Willow. Professor Harrington asked me to report today…” “Oh! You’re the genius girl with the super sense of smell?” The guy looked surprised, then enthusiastically pulled me in. “Hi, I’m Leo, a second-year grad student. I mostly slack off in this group.” The lab was spacious and bright. Leo gave me a quick tour, introducing a bunch of names. I was so overwhelmed I only remembered Chloe and Sam, the senior students. “Where’s Professor Harrington?” I asked. Leo pointed to the inner office, “He’s in there, but right now he’s…” Before he could finish, the office door opened, and Julian Harrington emerged. The lab instantly fell silent. Everyone stood up in unison. Julian Harrington scanned the room, then glanced at me. “You’re here?” I nodded, feeling a strange flutter of nervousness. He walked up to me and handed me a stack of papers. “First, review the experiment protocols. This afternoon, Leo will teach you the basic operations.” I took the papers and stared, dumbfounded. It was a thick stack, at least fifty pages. “That much?” The words slipped out. Julian Harrington raised an eyebrow. “Problem?” “N-no…” I answered softly. He nodded, then turned and left. “Willow, you recorded this data wrong!” “Willow, that’s not how you use a centrifuge!” “Willow, you can’t touch that reagent with your bare hands!” Three days later, I had officially become the group’s favorite and its resident target for teasing. “Willow! Come smell this sample for any odd smells!” Leo waved a test tube at me. I sighed, resigned, and leaned in to sniff: “Acetaldehyde is too high. Did you guys forget to add the inhibitor?” The lab instantly erupted in cheers. “Genius! Just saved us half an hour on that chromatography analysis!” “Willow, you’re the GOAT!” Before I could even bask in the glory, someone lightly tapped the back of my head with a folder. Julian Harrington had appeared behind me. “Willow, your job is to assist with experiments, not to be a human detection device.” I hunched my shoulders. “Oh…” “And you all…” He scanned the room. The lab instantly became silent. “If I hear anyone shout ‘GOAT’ again, everyone gets an extra data set to analyze.” Everyone scattered like startled birds. I secretly sniffed Julian Harrington’s scent. I noticed the bitterness on him was much fainter today, replaced by a subtle hint of… caramel? *Strange, did he eat candy today?* “What are you staring at?” He suddenly turned, and I almost bumped into his chin. “N-nothing!” I quickly held up my lab notebook to hide my face. “I’m studying diligently!” He snorted softly, then tapped the instrument in front of me with his long, slender finger. “The centrifuge parameters are set wrong. Do you want to launch the sample into orbit?” I looked closely and almost fainted. I had accidentally added an extra zero to the rotation speed. “I’m sorry! I’ll fix it right away!” Julian Harrington sighed, reached out and took my wrist, guiding my fingers as he re-entered the parameters on the control panel. The caramel scent on him became even more distinct, so pleasant that for a moment, I forgot to breathe. “Got it?” He released my hand. I nodded, my mind buzzing with: *His hands are so nice… wait, no, I got the parameters!* “Professor Harrington!” Chloe poked her head out from the inner office. “The NMR results you wanted are ready!” He acknowledged her, then glanced at me again before leaving. “Make another mistake and you’ll write a ten-thousand-word apology.” I: “…” 4 *Is this the legendary nightmare professor?* *Alright, I’m in love.* Lunchtime arrived. Clutching the last serving of sweet and sour pork ribs I’d managed to snatch from the cafeteria, I was surrounded by the research group, subjected to an intense interrogation. “Spill it! What’s your relationship with Professor Harrington?” Leo slapped his fork on the table. “He personally teaches you how to operate instruments?” Chloe looked heartbroken. “Last year, when I made an operating error, he made me copy the safety protocols twenty times!” I stuffed a piece of pork rib into my mouth, mumbling indistinctly, “Maybe… because I’m clumsy?” Everyone gave me a look that screamed, “Do you seriously expect us to believe that?” “I know!” Sam slapped his thigh. “Professor Harrington must be craving your nougat! Last time, I saw his office drawer was full of those nougat cracker wrappers!” I nearly choked on my rice. *He actually ate them?* *And he collects the wrappers? Talk about a secret softie!* “But speaking of which…” Leo said mysteriously, “Do you guys know why Professor Harrington is so strict?” We all shook our heads in unison. “I heard he was screwed over by his own advisor back then. His experimental data was plagiarized, and he almost didn’t graduate. That’s why he has zero tolerance for academic misconduct now…” I suddenly remembered the conversation I’d overheard outside his office that day. *Mr. Hayes, was he also trying to…* “Willow.” A cool voice came from behind. I was so startled I dropped my fork. “P-Professor… good to see you!” Everyone instantly stood up. Julian Harrington gave a slight nod, then gestured for me to follow him. “Come to my office after you finish eating.” When I nervously arrived at his office, he was still buried in grading papers. “Sit,” he said without looking up. I obediently sat down, unable to resist secretly taking a deep breath. *This caramel scent, it’s really so good…* “Smelled enough?” he suddenly asked. I froze. “W-what?” He looked up, his eyes behind the glasses glinting with a hint of amusement: “Your little bloodhound nose has secretly sniffed around at least seven times since you stepped in.” My face instantly flushed hot. *Does this guy have a built-in radar or something?* “I… I just…” “Take a look at this.” He pushed a document toward me. I looked down. It was a non-disclosure agreement. “Starting next week, you’ll be involved in the development of a new type of molecular sieve. This project has a make-or-break agreement with the Hayes Group.” I sharply looked up: “That Mr. Hayes from that day…” “Clever.” He gave a slight smirk, “So, once you sign this agreement, there’s no backing out.” I signed my name without a second thought. When I looked up, our eyes met. “Aren’t you going to ask why I chose you?” “Because my nose is useful?” I ventured. He chuckled softly, and ruffled my hair: “Because you were the only one who said I was bitter.” The gesture was too intimate. My brain instantly short-circuited. Even more shocking, in that exact moment, the bitterness on him suddenly faded, and that caramel scent became incredibly prominent, intensely sweet, like freshly made toffee. By the time I came to my senses, I had, as if by some strange impulse, blurted out the words: “Professor Harrington, you just… smelled a little sweet?” The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to bite off my tongue. *What was that audacious, almost brazen thing I just said, Willow?!* Julian Harrington froze. The office was so quiet I could hear my own deafening heartbeat. Just as I was considering whether to jump out the window and escape, he suddenly took off his gold-rimmed glasses. *Oh no, they say when Professor Julian takes off his glasses, things are about to get serious!* “Willow.” He slowly leaned in, close enough for me to count his eyelashes. “Do you know what happens in a lab when you tell your professor he’s sweet?” I frantically shook my head. He grinned mischievously: “You get penalized by having to sort through all the experimental data, alone.” I: “…” *Help! This professor is both sweet and utterly shameless!* 5 Monday morning, I sneezed the moment I walked into the lab. “What’s wrong, Willow? Catch a cold?” Leo handed me a tissue. I shook my head, wrinkling my nose as I looked around: “Don’t you guys smell it? A… rotten smell, it’s awful!” The lab members exchanged confused glances. Chloe sniffed hard: “No, I don’t smell anything.” The sickening stench of decay grew stronger. I followed the scent to the doorway. A girl in a tight black dress stood there, looking around. That smell, it was exactly like Mr. Hayes, who had threatened Julian Harrington in the office that day! “Excuse me, is this Professor Harrington’s research group?” She said in a high-pitched voice, “I’m Skylar Hayes. My dad is Mr. Hayes from the Hayes Group. Professor Harrington specially approved me to join the group.” I rolled my eyes. *How could Julian Harrington agree to let someone like her join the team?* At lunch in the cafeteria, I poked at the rice on my plate, completely losing my appetite. I couldn’t help but ask Leo, “That Skylar, why is she suddenly in our group?” “I heard she’s an exchange student. Her family donated a building to the university.” Leo looked gossipy. “Her dad seems to know Professor Harrington.” My fork clattered. *Know him? Mr. Hayes was threatening Julian Harrington!* Back in the lab that afternoon, Skylar had already made herself at home, mingling with everyone. She handed out popular lipstick shades to the girls and the latest game skin redemption codes to the guys. “Hi, Skylar.” Chloe enthusiastically greeted her. “Let me show you around the lab? We…” “No need.” Skylar smiled, cutting her off, then glanced at me. “Excuse me, would you mind showing me around?” She walked towards me, that putrid stench washing over me. I instinctively recoiled. “I… I’m busy! I have an experiment…” I turned to flee. “Willow, project done?” Julian Harrington walked towards me. Before I could even speak, Skylar latched onto him like a shark smelling blood. “Professor Harrington!” She resumed her high-pitched voice. “Long time no see, you look even more handsome!” Julian Harrington frowned, then gave me a cold glance. “Show the new student around the lab.” I gritted my teeth and walked over, suppressing my disgust as I stood next to Skylar. Her cheap perfume, mixed with that putrid stench, was absolutely suffocating. “Let’s go,” I mumbled, walking quickly ahead. Skylar jogged to catch up: “You’re Willow, right? I heard your sense of smell is super sensitive?” I ignored her, heading straight for the lab bench. “Oh dear, how do I use this instrument?” She reached out to touch the centrifuge. “Don’t touch that!” I slapped her hand away. “It’s dangerous!” Skylar’s tears came instantly. She looked at me pitifully, “Why are you being so mean… I just want to learn…” The lab fell silent. Everyone stared at us. My head buzzed with anger. *Her acting skills, they’re wasted if she’s not an actress!* “What’s going on?” Julian Harrington walked over. Skylar immediately teared up, “Professor Harrington, Willow seems to dislike me…” Julian Harrington looked at me. “Explain.” “She touched the instrument without permission!” I pointed at the centrifuge, “And she…” I abruptly stopped myself, almost blurting out “She smells awful.” “And what?” Julian Harrington raised an eyebrow. “And… she…” I stammered, then suddenly had an idea, “She’s wearing nail polish! Lab Safety Rule #9: No nail polish when handling instruments!” Skylar’s face changed. She instinctively hid her hand behind her back. Julian Harrington gave a faint smile: “Skylar, go wash it off.” After Skylar reluctantly left, Julian Harrington quietly asked me, “What’s really going on?” 6 I couldn’t help but complain in a low voice, “She stinks!” “How does she stink?” He suddenly leaned closer. “Like her dad?” My eyes widened in shock: “How did you know…?” “A guess.”

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The coastal breeze whipped Scarlett’s wedding gown around her as she embraced her childhood friend, Julian. The crowd around them chanted in unison, “Marry them! Marry them! Marry them!” Julian looked at Scarlett with a gaze so full of adoration it twisted something inside me. He knelt on one knee, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. Clutching my aching chest, I turned and walked away. “Honey, I’m back!” “This business trip absolutely killed me.” Scarlett burst through the door two nights later, rushing towards me the moment she stepped inside. If I hadn’t been on the same business trip, if I hadn’t seen her and Julian intimately dressed in wedding attire with my own eyes… Perhaps, I might still believe that her entire world revolved around me as she ran into my arms. I sidestepped, avoiding her embrace, my face a mask of indifference. Scarlett’s steps faltered. A flicker of annoyance crossed her eyes. “Honey, why the long face? Are you upset because I was gone for too long?” She put on a sweet act, her arms gently opening, trying to melt into my embrace, just like she’d done countless times before. I remained silent. Before, whenever she’d pull that hurt, sweet act, I’d drop everything instantly, my world revolving around her. But now, I just sat there, unmoving. Scarlett’s face crumpled with feigned hurt, her eyes slowly welling up. “Honey, why are you treating me like this?” Her voice cracked, as if I were the one who had wronged her. “I have things to do. I’m going to rest.” Instead of heading to our bedroom, I turned towards the guest room. I barely stepped inside before Scarlett followed. She wrapped her arms around my arm, her soft body pressing against me. “Hmph, I even bought you a gift! And you’re giving me the cold shoulder the moment I get back?” With that, she held up an exquisite gift box. “Look! I bought you a watch. Do you like it?” She opened the box as she spoke, revealing an expensive men’s watch. But I knew this watch all too well. It was from a series I particularly liked, and Julian, who constantly tried to one-up me, had also expressed his admiration for this exact model to Scarlett. Scarlett had even promised to get him one for his birthday. Just this morning, I’d seen a photo Julian posted on his Ins story. He was wearing another, even more expensive watch from the same series, with a caption boasting that Scarlett had specially picked it out for him. Another photo showed a discarded watch in a trash can. It was the exact one Scarlett was holding in her hands. “Is it appropriate to give me something Julian threw away?” I asked, my voice chillingly cold. Scarlett’s face instantly paled. She quickly stammered, “I’ve always treated Julian like a brother. Giving him a watch… you’re not really upset about that, are you?” “I’m not particularly bothered, I just want a divorce,” I stated calmly. Scarlett froze, her face etched with disbelief. In the past, even if she’d just been angry and said she didn’t want to talk to me, I couldn’t bear it. But this time, I was the one suggesting divorce. “Liam, do you even know what you’re saying?!” Scarlett’s voice shot up, a clear tremor in her last words. “You want to divorce me over *this*?!” Her tone was a mix of anger and bewilderment. “It’s just a watch! Even if the one I gave you was discarded by him, it’s still worth a lot! I was willing to spend millions on you, and you’re still angry?” I couldn’t help but want to laugh. When did our relationship start being measured by money? She was always like this, never thinking she was in the wrong. If she couldn’t argue with me, she’d blame everything on me. I glanced at her dispassionately, unable to say anything more. “You’re absolutely beyond reasoning with!” she spat, then stood and left the guest room. I stood there, looking out at the bright sunny day, my thoughts drifting back a few years. I remembered how we met. It was outside a shopping mall. I was working a part-time promotional gig for the mall, wearing a uniform and a bunny ear headband because they thought I had ‘the look’. I was handing out flyers when I saw a few sleazy guys harassing Scarlett, their hands reaching for her face. No one around seemed willing to step in. Without hesitation, I rushed over and punched one of the jerks to the ground. But they outnumbered me. To protect Scarlett, I took some hits. Finally, my head was struck by a stick, and I blacked out. The thugs fled. Through the haze, I felt Scarlett cradling me, crying out amidst the noisy crowd. She was so gentle, so soft. She was the first person who had ever cried for me. Chapter Two After that day, I was left with lingering effects – occasional headaches in stressful situations. But I never regretted it. Because in my heart, she was the one worth fighting for, worth protecting with everything I had. Later, Sinclair Corp. came to our university to recruit, and Scarlett personally hand-picked me.

From the start, I knew Scarlett chose me only to repay a favor. And to avoid any rumors about her, I poured all my passion and effort into my work. Professionally, we were clearly defined as boss and subordinate. But in private, she loved calling me “Mr. Bunny,” and would always pester me for piggyback rides, saying that being carried by me was when she felt safest. Later, we naturally fell for each other. But Scarlett’s family elders didn’t approve. She fought fiercely against her family’s wishes, and that’s how our marriage came to be. The Sinclairs’ precious daughter marrying me, a man from an ordinary background, was seen as settling for less and an embarrassment in their eyes. So, we had no lavish wedding, just a quiet ceremony at City Hall. In public, I couldn’t even stand too close to her, as her family worried it would damage their reputation. With my work abilities and achievements, I should have been promoted to Department Head long ago, but the Sinclairs adamantly opposed it, keeping me as a low-level employee. For Scarlett, I endured all of it. She said that outside, she could be the formidable CEO Scarlett, but at home, she wanted to be my sweet girl. I thought we would live happily ever after. Until three months ago, when Julian returned from overseas. Scarlett took me to pick him up at the airport. The moment they reunited, Scarlett actually threw her arms around Julian in a tight embrace. In front of the bustling crowd, Julian excitedly swept Scarlett into his arms and spun her around. Anyone watching would have thought they were long-lost lovers reuniting. Scarlett, fearing my jealousy, quickly explained that they were childhood friends, and she saw Julian as a younger brother. Julian, knowing how to play the game, called me “bro” like we were best friends and even brought me a gift. At the time, I was foolishly naive and didn’t think much of it. Soon after, Julian joined the company. Despite knowing nothing about the business, he begged Scarlett to make him a Director. Scarlett knew that position meant everything to me, yet she still gave it to Julian. From then on, the two of them were inseparable at the company, both in public and private, appearing uncomfortably close. Though I felt uneasy, I believed Scarlett whenever she offered an explanation. Until that day, when I saw her in a wedding gown, embracing Julian tightly, and facing the crowd’s shouts of “Marry them!” She didn’t even object, not even a single word of explanation or an attempt to distance herself. I loved her, but I couldn’t love her to the point of losing myself and my dignity. My heart was completely dead. I wanted a divorce. I don’t know how long passed before I fell into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by a familiar scent. “Honey, I’m starving. Can you make me breakfast?” Scarlett’s nose gently brushed my cheek. I pushed her face away. This face, which once mesmerized me, now filled me with disgust. Scarlett stumbled, nearly falling. Her brow furrowed. “Are you serious? You threw a tantrum yesterday, and I came here specifically to make up, to give you an out, and you push me away?”

I ignored her, silently getting up and heading to the bathroom. Scarlett called after me, “Liam, what is your attitude? I’m not going to argue with you this time, but if you ever do that again, I’ll…” “You’ll what? Divorce me? Fine. Let’s go to City Hall right now.” “Are you out of your mind? When did I ever say I wanted a divorce?” “Liam, what’s gotten into you? You’ve been acting weird since yesterday!” Scarlett finally lost her composure, her emotions erupting. I gave her a cold glance. “Didn’t you and Julian already make your intentions clear on the beach?” Scarlett froze, her expression instantly flustered. Her words tumbled out disjointedly. “You couldn’t possibly know! I already had PR delete everything from that day!” “I was there that day. I saw it all with my own eyes.” “I saw Julian holding you tight, the crowd chanting for him to marry you, him kneeling, and you smiling back at him. Everything you both did, I saw it all.” “No, it’s not like that!” “Listen to me, honey, there’s a misunderstanding! Julian and I…” Chapter Three “Enough! No explanation is needed. I don’t care what his reason was, even if he was dying – if you had any respect for me, you wouldn’t have agreed to such inappropriate requests!” Scarlett’s face hardened. “I don’t need to explain myself, because to me, Julian is just a friend. I swear, I have never betrayed you!” “Emotional infidelity is still infidelity, Scarlett. Whether it’s a lingering glance or a physical act, the color of betrayal still feels the same to me.” I said calmly, “Scarlett, we’re getting a divorce. You should prepare yourself.” With that, I turned and left. Upon arriving at the office, I immediately immersed myself in work. Even though our department revolved around me, my workspace was cramped, a constant reminder of my undervalued position. I wanted to leave, but I couldn’t. I had signed an agreement that prevented me from resigning before the project was completed, or I would face severe consequences. Just then, a man approached. It was Kevin, Julian’s assistant. Kevin casually tossed a folder onto my desk, saying arrogantly, “Liam, your design draft was rejected. You’re paid so much, yet you can’t even handle a simple task? What exactly do you do around here?” He was Julian’s lackey, constantly finding ways to provoke me. Afterward, Julian would play the good cop, then go to Scarlett to score points, taking every opportunity to belittle me. I was used to it and ignored him. The design draft I’d given Julian was just a throwaway. He had no authority to decide on truly important projects. Suddenly, I felt a sudden splash. Kevin had picked up my water bottle and poured the entire contents over my head. “Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me talking!” Even the calmest person would lose their temper. I barely stood up when a searing pain shot through my head. I fumbled in my pocket for my medicine bottle but couldn’t find it anywhere. “What’s with this reaction? Saying a few words and you’re already faking an illness? Pathetic for a grown man!” Kevin sneered. My colleagues froze, too scared to intervene. Kevin was known for making people’s lives hell. “What’s going on?” Julian walked in. Kevin immediately fawned over him. “Mr. Julian, you see? I just said a few words to Liam, and he poured water on himself to fake being sick.” Julian smiled, feigning concern while subtly twisting the knife. “Liam, as a key technical expert, professionalism is essential. Faking illness is not good behavior.” He took two steps closer, leaning in and whispering in my ear, “Headache acting up again, huh? When are you finally going to drop dead, Liam? Hurry up and die, so I can be with Scarlett, haha.” “You!” The headache intensified, and I collapsed onto my desk. A female colleague, Chloe, seeing my distress, rushed over to help me find my medication. She quickly located the pill bottle and bent down to put the medicine in my mouth. However, Kevin suddenly grabbed Chloe’s head, forcing her face towards mine, making it look like she was kissing my cheek. Then he shoved her, sending her tumbling right into my arms. “What are you doing?!” Scarlett’s furious voice suddenly echoed, like a wife catching her husband cheating.

That was Julian’s calculating move. Seeing Scarlett approach, he deliberately set me up. This way, the usually assertive Scarlett would get angry. And he, in turn, could seize the opportunity to console Scarlett. I had no energy to explain, but Chloe had kindly helped me. My silence would only drag her down with me. “I’m not feeling well. She was helping me find my medicine,” I said, standing up, trying to explain. Kevin, seeing his chance, eagerly spun a false narrative. “CEO Scarlett, don’t let Liam trick you. I just walked by, and he was harassing a female colleague!” Scarlett’s face instantly darkened. She gave me a cold glare, then turned to Chloe for confirmation. “Is that true?” Chloe looked flustered. Kevin stood nearby, threatening her with his eyes. She gritted her teeth, clearly torn, and then gave me an apologetic glance. “Yes…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. I sighed, understanding her difficult position. “Liam, how could you do this?” Scarlett’s tone was filled with disappointment. “Even if you’re a key technical expert, you can’t just harass my female employees!” Julian feigned a sigh beside her. “I heard you’re married. Imagine how heartbroken your wife would be if she found out.” I had just taken the medicine, feeling a slight relief, but this argument made me feel unwell again. “I’m really not well. I need to go to the hospital immediately.” I struggled to take a step. But Kevin reached out to block me. “You can’t leave. Who said you could just walk out?” “Let go of me!” I forcefully struggled out of his grip, accidentally falling to the ground. I noticed Julian’s foot subtly pulled back, and it clicked instantly. Chapter Four “Liam, you’re such a faker. You always play the tough guy, but now you’re suddenly so fragile?” Kevin sneered. Julian, meanwhile, feigned concern. “Don’t just stand there, someone help Liam up.” But Scarlett coldly ordered, “No one move! If he likes pretending to be sick, let him pretend!” I gasped, the searing pain in my head making it almost impossible to breathe. I could only weakly whisper, “Please… call an ambulance…” Scarlett paused. “What’s he saying?” Kevin immediately twisted the facts. “CEO Scarlett, he’s actually cursing you out…” “Enough!” Scarlett snapped, cutting Kevin off. Just then, Chloe bravely stepped forward to clarify. “CEO Scarlett, he’s saying to call an ambulance! Liam suffers from severe headaches; everyone in our department knows.” Scarlett finally realized. She quickly ordered, “Get him to the hospital! Now!” Kevin still tried to stir trouble. “CEO Scarlett, don’t worry, he’s definitely faking it.” “You shut up!” Scarlett glared at Kevin. The pungent smell of hospital disinfectant was the first thing that brought me back. By my bedside, Scarlett and Julian were practically glued together, heads bent in conversation, their faces alight with an inappropriate intimacy. I silently shifted. Julian was the first to notice I was awake. He suddenly put on a pained expression, his body gently twitching. “Julian, what’s wrong?” Scarlett asked, clutching him anxiously. “Sister Scarlett, my chest feels so tight, like I can’t breathe.” Julian said weakly. “I’ll get the doctor!” Scarlett hastily stood up, her gaze sweeping over me for only a brief moment before she hurried away. The doctor soon arrived. Seeing that I was also awake, he started to ask about my condition, but Scarlett cut him off. “Doctor, don’t mind him. Please check on my brother first, he’s in worse shape!” I smiled bitterly. This was the woman who swore to spend her life with me. The nurses wheeled Julian away, Scarlett following closely, never once looking back at me. I shook my head, my resolve for divorce strengthening further. I forced myself to sit up and left the hospital alone, returning home. I grabbed a bite to eat, then started packing my belongings. A little later, Scarlett also returned home. She rushed into the bedroom. Seeing me still there, her expression softened slightly. “Honey, are you feeling better? Is your head still hurting?” she asked gently. I truly wanted to laugh. She had abandoned me to take care of her “dear brother,” and now she asked this question? Didn’t she find herself ridiculous? Such an act! I gave her a cold glance, continuing to pack my clothes. “Scarlett, at the hospital, your choice said it all. Stop pretending.” “Liam, don’t say that. I really was worried about you,” Scarlett’s voice held a hint of panic. “Scarlett, from the moment we met until now, I’ve never asked you for anything. But now, I’m begging you, release me. Let’s get a divorce.” “No! I only ever loved you!” Scarlett hugged me from behind, her face pressed against my back. “In your heart, Julian is more important than I am. Even strangers could see there was something going on between you two.” I pried her hands away and turned to face her. “Let’s get a divorce. That way, you two can be together without any qualms.” Just then, the doorbell rang. Julian, dressed in a hospital gown, appeared at the door, looking extremely fragile. “Sister Scarlett, I was scared being alone at the hospital. Can I stay here tonight?” he asked cautiously. Scarlett looked at him, surprised and full of sympathy, then turned to me. “Liam, Julian is scared. Let him stay for one night.” I laughed. “So he gets to pretend to be sick and needs comfort, but I, who am actually dealing with a medical condition, am just supposed to fend for myself? Is that it?” “Whatever. We’re getting divorced anyway.” I picked up my suitcase, ready to leave. Scarlett grabbed me, pleading, “Liam, don’t be like this. Julian is just sick and wants to feel safe. Do you really have to get a divorce over this?” “Scarlett, whether he came tonight or not, divorce is inevitable. Besides, he’s not an orphan, does he not have his own home? Why does he have to come here?” I said coldly. Chapter Five “Sister Scarlett, Liam, please don’t fight. I’ll just go.” Julian feigned an attempt to leave. “You’re not going anywhere!” Scarlett stopped him sternly, then glared at me. “Liam, I’m letting Julian stay here. Do you have a problem with that?” “I have no problem, because we’ve already decided to divorce,” I said calmly, unwilling to argue further. Scarlett stomped her foot in anger. “Why are you so stubborn? I love you, Liam! Julian is just my brother!” I let out a soft laugh. “Scarlett, I’ll give you a choice. Send him away and promise to cut off all contact, and I won’t bring up divorce again. Otherwise, agree to the divorce.” Scarlett was torn. Julian couldn’t help but complain, “Bro, why are you so petty? You’re seriously jealous of me?” “Don’t mind him!” Scarlett said softly to Julian, then glared at me. “Liam, don’t be so unreasonable!” I shook my head and turned to leave, my heart feeling nothing. At this time of day, the sounds of families having dinner echoed from every household in the neighborhood. Watching the warm lights and hearing the sounds, I thought back to all my moments with Scarlett, all the love and promises we once shared, now all empty. Ever since Julian came back, everything had changed. She was no longer my Scarlett. The moment I saw her in a wedding gown, intimately intertwined with Julian, I completely gave up on her.

The next day, I went to work as usual. I needed to finish this project quickly so I could leave Sinclair Corp. sooner. Soon after I arrived, Kevin appeared at my desk again. He stood with his arms crossed, smugly saying, “Liam, how do you still have the nerve to show up at work?” I put down my pen and leaned back in my chair, responding as calmly as possible: “I’ll submit my resignation after I finish this project, which I’m sure Julian would be happy about. So, if I were you, I wouldn’t cause trouble right now. Instead, you should help me finish this project efficiently.” Kevin paused, clearly realizing my words weren’t empty threats. But then, he sneered: “But I think if you can’t finish the project and leave, your reputation in the industry will be ruined, and it’ll be tough to find another job. Mr. Julian would probably prefer that outcome, wouldn’t he?” As he spoke, he reached out to touch me. I grabbed his wrist and twisted hard, then kicked him. He cried out and fell to the floor. I grabbed the water bottle from my desk and smashed it against his face. “Your mouth just loves to run, doesn’t it?” “You want to mess with me? Don’t you know who you’re dealing with!” “Do you really think being Julian’s lapdog means you can bark at everyone?” I spoke with force, each word seeming to accompany a crack against his teeth. Design department colleagues heard the commotion and gathered, but no one stepped forward to stop me. Kevin usually lorded his power over everyone, and he’d made many enemies, but everyone was too scared to speak out. Soon, Julian rushed over, his face pale, shouting, “Call the cops! Why are you all just standing there? Call the cops!” “Security? Get over here and restrain Liam!” Julian was clearly terrified. I was known for my calm demeanor, and no one had ever seen this violent side of me. “Don’t call the police!” Scarlett suddenly stormed through the crowd, her tone sharper with Julian. “Calling the police will affect the company’s image!” “But CEO Scarlett, Liam attacked me!” Julian protested. Scarlett took a deep breath and looked at me. “Liam, I didn’t realize you were so violent…” “From the first day he joined, he’s constantly caused me trouble. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, so I just recorded our conversation. You can listen for yourself.” I calmly opened my phone and played the recording of Kevin and me. Scarlett’s expression instantly became complicated. She even glared at Julian, realizing he was behind all this. I stood up and met Scarlett’s gaze. “Being targeted like this every day, if I kept letting it happen, I might as well just resign. So, do you still think this is violence? I’m just defending myself!” “Hmph, you didn’t ‘tolerate’ anything. I think you’re the most vicious one,” Julian sneered from the side. I pointed at him. “Shut your mouth! If I wasn’t vicious, how do you think I protected Scarlett from those thugs back then, fighting off several of them alone? My condition is a result of that day!” At these words, the whole office erupted. No one had known about that part of Scarlett and my past. Someone whispered, “What exactly is the relationship between Liam and CEO Scarlett?” I didn’t answer, just looked at Scarlett, waiting for her reaction. Chapter Six Scarlett took a deep breath, and to everyone’s surprise, she took my hand and said, “I am Liam’s wife. We’ve been secretly married for years. We didn’t make it public because he didn’t want special treatment.” At these words, the whole office erupted. Kevin, lying on the floor, also stared wide-eyed, terrified. But I pulled my hand away, stating calmly, “CEO Scarlett is right, but we are indeed getting a divorce soon, and I’ll be resigning once this project is complete. So, everyone can just pretend nothing happened.” This time, the shock in the room reached its peak. They couldn’t understand why I would divorce Scarlett. I ignored Scarlett’s pale face, crouched down, and patted Kevin’s cheek: “Here’s a lesson for you, Kevin. When your boss tells you to target someone, you’re just a disposable pawn. You’ve already made yourself dirty.” I turned to Julian. “Mr. Julian, shouldn’t Kevin be fired?” Julian gritted his teeth. “Kevin is my assistant. He’s very capable. I won’t…” But Scarlett cut him off. “Fire him. Immediately.” I stood and looked at Julian. “Sinclair Corp. doesn’t tolerate scandals. A project director instructing his assistant to bully a key technical expert—that would cause too much damage if it got out.” Julian trembled with anger, but was speechless. I added, “But I guess it doesn’t matter. You have the capital to be reckless, don’t you? Who can resist a man as popular with women as you?” At that moment, Julian’s face visibly drained of color, then turned a furious shade of crimson. He froze, his lips trembling slightly. It was clear he wanted to say something, but before he could, Scarlett’s icy glare stopped him. Helpless, he could only glare at me with seething hatred. In his infinite rage, this seemed to be his only outlet. I ignored him, turned back to my desk, and opened my computer to continue working. The sooner this project was done, the sooner I could leave this place. Aside from us, the direct participants, the other employees stared wide-eyed, utterly bewildered. The entire office was thick with tension and unease. “CEO Scarlett, if there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.” Julian forced a smile, greeted Scarlett, and turned to leave. The atmosphere in the office was clearly not to his liking. “Mr. Julian.” Just then, Scarlett called out to Julian’s retreating back, breaking the awkward silence in the office. “CEO Scarlett, do you have any other instructions?” Julian stopped, a wide smile plastered on his face as he looked at Scarlett. Scarlett stood there, her gaze lingering on me for a moment before she looked at Julian and said coldly: “Mr. Julian, due to your staffing error and the negative impact it has had on the company, I’ve decided to suspend you. You can go home tomorrow and rest.” 6. **Boom!** Scarlett’s voice wasn’t loud, but it still sparked a small murmur of discussion in the quiet office. Everyone looked at Scarlett and Julian in astonishment. No one had expected Scarlett to impose such a severe punishment on Julian. Julian stood frozen for a long moment, then looked at Scarlett, his face incredulous. “Scarlett, are you crazy? You’re suspending me for *this* incompetent waste of space?” “Incompetent waste of space? What gives you the right to call him that?” Scarlett sneered at Julian, then said with a stern face: “Liam is Sinclair Corp.’s technical core. The entire company’s operations are built upon the foundation Liam established. The company can exist without a Director, but it cannot exist without Liam.” At that moment, Julian was so choked by Scarlett’s words that he couldn’t speak. He stared intently at Scarlett, frozen for a few moments, before finally gritting his teeth and nodding heavily: “Fine, since CEO Scarlett has made her decision, I respect the company’s punishment.” “Good. Suspension is indefinite. Go home and wait for further notice.” Scarlett’s expression was cold, her icy gaze more chilling than a summer air conditioner. Julian looked at the cold Scarlett, clenching his fists tightly. Then he abruptly turned, pushed through the crowd, and left the office in disgrace. Though I had heard their conversation and knew Scarlett was doing this to get back at him for me, I didn’t look up at either of them, my fingers still rapidly tapping on the keyboard. I understood that Scarlett’s actions, while ostensibly defending me, were actually a way to manipulate me. Chapter Seven For my sake, she could make anyone in the company leave. That way, if I ever wanted to leave the company, I would be painted as the villain. Scarlett didn’t bother me again. Instead, she walked over to my side, the earlier coldness melting from her face as she looked at me with a warm smile: “Liam, don’t forget the family dinner my parents arranged. Make sure you’re not late.” “Scarlett, don’t put on a show for everyone here. I told you we’re getting a divorce. You don’t need to do this.” I still didn’t look up, my voice flat as I rejected her enthusiasm. To prevent myself from being emotionally manipulated again in the future, I had to make my stance clear now. Hearing my answer, Scarlett visibly froze for a moment, even her breathing hitched. But only for a moment. Her face quickly returned to its warm expression. She leaned in gently and whispered in my ear: “Honey, this entire company is your life’s work. Can you really bear to abandon the empire you built with your own hands just for your stubbornness? And you have a team, you have colleagues who fought alongside you. Can you bear to see them lose their livelihoods because of you?” At that moment, I, who thought I could face all this calmly, felt my heart twist with a familiar ache. She was right. Those were the things I cared about most. It seemed my guess was right. She was resorting to emotional manipulation. My fingers paused on the keyboard on my desk. After a moment, I nodded heavily: “Whatever you say.” After these few soft words, my fingers once again tapped the keyboard, and I continued working without looking up. Nothing lasts forever, and I had to take responsibility for my own future. I didn’t want to live like this anymore. Seeing my resolve, Scarlett said no more. She stood up and turned to leave. Her heels clicked crisply on the floor, echoing through the office. *Tap, tap, tap…* At that moment, it was like a predator marking its territory, declaring its dominance to everything around. 7. During lunch, the atmosphere in the office remained incredibly tense. Everyone seemed to be still reeling from the morning’s events. My colleagues dared not speak, only occasionally glancing my way, their eyes filled with a thirst for gossip. “Liam, are you and CEO Scarlett… really getting a divorce?” Daniel, a colleague I usually got along with, walked over, holding a cup of coffee. I gave him a bitter smile, saying nothing, just nodding gently. “Ah…” Seeing my silence, Daniel awkwardly chuckled, took a sip of his coffee, and turned to leave. “Liam, did what happened yesterday make CEO Scarlett misunderstand something? I’m willing to go to her office and explain again… I really was just worried yesterday; I didn’t mean anything else.” Chloe, the female colleague who had helped me find my medicine yesterday evening, walked over, her face full of apology. “It’s okay. This has nothing to do with you. If anything, I should thank you.” I looked at Chloe, shaking my head slightly, letting out a long sigh. Chloe looked at my tired face, biting her lip. She wanted to say something but ultimately didn’t, sighing before she left. I watched Chloe’s retreating back, gently rubbing my temples. The dull throb of yesterday’s headache still lingered, and today’s aggravating events made my mind feel like a complete mess. Julian’s provocations, Scarlett’s threats, the undercurrents in the company… All of it felt like an invisible net, trapping me tighter and tighter. In the afternoon, the project team held a meeting. As the lead technical expert, I reported on the progress to senior management as usual. In the conference room, Scarlett sat at the head of the table, her gaze occasionally sweeping over me, carrying an unsettling tenderness. I tried my best to ignore her, focusing on explaining the project details. Just as I was about to conclude, an unfamiliar voice suddenly spoke up. “Mr. Knight, your project progress seems to be lagging.” I looked up and saw a middle-aged man in a suit. He sat next to Scarlett, his smile friendly, yet exuding an unsettling pressure. “This is Mr. Davies, a representative from Cloud Corp.” Seeing the confusion in my eyes, Scarlett smiled and explained, “Cloud Corp. is one of the investors in this project, so Mr. Davies is concerned about the progress.” I frowned, looking at the unfamiliar man. A sense of unease rose within me. Chapter Eight Although Cloud Corp. was a partner of Sinclair Corp., I had never heard of any external involvement in the investment details of this project. Now, this man suddenly appearing felt like someone with ill intentions.

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Everyone in the capital city used to say Aubrey Vance was fortunate, that she’d married a wonderful husband. Caleb Vance, Chief of the Elite Security Task Force, was a rising star. Accomplished and exceptionally capable, he was the man every woman dreamed of. He was cold and distant to everyone, yet his sole tenderness was reserved for Aubrey. But only Aubrey knew that Caleb’s heart had long been claimed by another woman. Aubrey’s eyes were red when she found Serena Harrison outside the State Department. Before she could even speak, her wrist was seized in a death grip. It was Caleb. He dragged her towards their home, his strength frightening. “What kind of scene are you trying to create here? Get in the car, now!” Aubrey struggled. “I need to find Serena, to get to the bottom of what happened to my father all those years ago!” “That case was closed ages ago!” Caleb’s voice was devoid of emotion. “That was a rivalry between their fathers, it has nothing to do with Serena. Stop making things difficult for her!” Aubrey scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her. “I’m not making things difficult for her! I just want the truth! Make her father, Mr. Harrison, come and face me!” “Aubrey, stop making baseless accusations.” Caleb’s brows furrowed into a tight knot. “Serena is a vital diplomatic talent, just returned from studying abroad. She can’t afford any negative publicity!” “Your father’s case was handled by the authorities a long time ago. Why are you still clinging to this? It won’t do you any good.” “I will not let it go!” Aubrey stared into Caleb’s eyes, wanting to say more. He knew how much this festered inside her— *“Slap!”* A sharp, stinging sound. Aubrey’s face was knocked sideways, a fiery pain erupting on her cheek. She looked at him, utterly disbelieving. “You… you hit me? For her?” Caleb looked at his own hand, momentarily stunned, a flicker of regret crossing his face. But he quickly hardened his expression, resuming his righteous demeanor. “If I hadn’t slapped you, how would you have calmed down? Stop being so irrational.” “Serena just returned, and I’ve been assigned by command to protect her. If you cause any more trouble, I’ll have to handle this officially!” That single slap shattered the last vestiges of hope in Aubrey’s heart. Aubrey didn’t argue with Caleb any further. That very night, she took a train back to the county precinct where her father had once worked and submitted a transfer request. Mr. Hayes, an old comrade of her father, was overjoyed to see Aubrey. “Aubrey, I’m so glad you’re transferring back and reopening your father’s badge number! All us old timers are thrilled!” Then his expression shifted, a hint of worry in his voice. “But your husband is with the Elite Security Task Force in the capital. If you come back here, won’t you two be separated?” Aubrey’s hand paused. She offered a dry laugh. “Mr. Hayes, I’ve taken a week off to finalize my divorce.” Mr. Hayes was momentarily stunned but didn’t press further. He simply patted Aubrey’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. All of us here, your uncles and mentors, will look out for you.” Aubrey’s nose stung. She took a deep breath and strode out of the police department. Returning to the home she’d lived in for years, Caleb’s scent still seemed to linger. Aubrey pulled open a drawer and dumped out all the old items inside. Faded photographs, letters he’d written to her, and the bullet casing ring he’d made with his own hands. She was lost in thought when the door burst open with a *bang!* Caleb stormed in, radiating a chilling aura. He snatched the photos from her hand, glaring at her fiercely. “Aubrey! Why did you run back to the county without telling me? Why haven’t you answered my calls for the past two days?” “Are you still obsessed with what happened, looking for your father’s old comrades to go after Serena again?” “I’m telling you, they’re old men. No matter how far they try to reach, I’m in the capital. If they think they can hurt Serena, they’re dreaming!” His eyes were bloodshot as he gripped her wrist, his force so strong it felt like he might crush her bones. Aubrey endured the searing pain in her hand, staring coldly at him, a sarcastic smile twisting her lips. “What’s wrong? Is she feeling guilty? Afraid I’ll uncover something by returning to the county?” Caleb knew she was talking about Serena, and his face darkened further. He thought she was still jealous, still throwing a tantrum. He looked down and saw the red marks his grip had left on Aubrey’s wrist, finally softening his tone. “Aubrey, don’t be like this. While I do have personal feelings for Serena, my primary duty in assisting her is to complete the mission assigned by command. It’s for the country, for…” “Stop using that as an excuse!” Aubrey cut him off directly. “Caleb, aren’t you disgusted with yourself?” Caleb was already at a loss for words, knowing he was in the wrong. He suddenly swept Aubrey into his arms, roughly tossing her onto the bed. The next second, his hot body pressed down on hers. Aubrey’s lower abdomen had just endured a catastrophe; she hadn’t even fully recovered from the miscarriage yet, and her body ached terribly. She struggled with all her might. “Let go of me!” “Caleb, stop pretending you care! Don’t touch me, you make me sick!” Caleb saw Aubrey’s resistance, and anger surged through him. How *dare* she say such things? She used to blush at his slightest touch. Now she found him disgusting? Caleb scoffed. “Stop playing innocent! Isn’t this just because you feel neglected and are trying to get a rise out of Serena? I’ll satisfy you right now!” “It’ll save you from constantly throwing jealous fits and interfering with my work!” Aubrey’s body was incredibly sore; she was no match for Caleb. But even so, she fought back with every ounce of strength. The thought of his tenderness towards Serena made her stomach churn. Just then, the phone by the bed rang, its sound piercing. Caleb’s movements froze. He got up to answer the call, his voice instantly softening. “Serena? What’s wrong? Don’t rush, I’ll be right there.” He hung up, not even glancing at Aubrey on the bed. He grabbed his jacket and rushed out. The door clicked shut, and silence descended upon the room once more. Aubrey lay on the cold bed, dizzy and disoriented. Caleb didn’t return all night, and Aubrey lay there, fully clothed, enduring the entire night. Chapter 3 The next morning, Aubrey changed into casual clothes and went to the police department. Her residency was still registered in the capital, and with her job transferred to the county, her residency would need to be moved as well. Just as she was about to enter the department, Aubrey saw a few familiar figures across the street. Caleb and Serena stood side by side under a large oak tree, with Officer Miller, Caleb’s aide, standing nearby. Even from a distance, Officer Miller’s loud voice carried clearly. “Caleb, you and Serena were so good together back then. Now that she’s come back for you, why don’t you make a move?” Serena hung her head, a faint smile on her lips. Officer Miller pressed on. “Serena studied abroad, she’s a highly educated talent, now a junior diplomat. She’s beautiful, so many people are asking about her!” Caleb’s brows were furrowed, and he was about to speak, but Serena, blushing, spoke first. “Officer Miller, don’t talk nonsense.” “Caleb is married. It wouldn’t be good if Aubrey heard that.” As she spoke, a hint of worry clouded her brow. Officer Miller seemed deeply sympathetic, unconsciously raising his voice. “You don’t understand! He doesn’t have those kinds of feelings for Aubrey. They’re just settling for each other!” Aubrey looked at Caleb from afar. He didn’t refute it. Instead, he abruptly changed the subject. “Enough. It’s more important to take care of Serena’s business. I still have to get back to my post later.” Serena chuckled softly. “You’re truly too kind, both of you.” The three walked side by side, a sight that sent a sharp pang through Aubrey’s chest. Leaving him was a rational decision. But her heart, it was disobedient. It wasn’t like a faucet that could be turned off at will. All she could do was tell herself, *It’s okay. The pain will fade soon.* Aubrey entered the police department first. After greeting her old colleagues, she handed her household registration booklet to the counter. “I want to transfer my residency out of the capital.” No sooner had she spoken than a soft, sweet voice came from behind her. “Hello, officer. I’m here to apply for a residency transfer.” Aubrey turned around, directly meeting Caleb’s deep, unfathomable eyes. His face was devoid of emotion, his voice giving no hint of his feelings. “You’re transferring your residency out?” Caleb was always like this. He wouldn’t ask why she was back in the county, wouldn’t ask why she was transferring out. It was as if any decision she made had nothing to do with him. Aubrey casually retrieved her registration booklet. “Yes.” “You’re processing her transfer in? Perfect. I’m transferring out, making room for her.” Caleb’s gaze darkened, but he said nothing. Aubrey sighed inwardly. He truly didn’t care. Caleb glanced at her casual clothes, remembering her miscarriage, and his voice dropped a few tones. “Your body hasn’t even fully recovered, and you’re causing trouble again? Did you follow me just to argue? Can’t you make a little less fuss?” Aubrey was about to say something when Serena, who had been at the counter, suddenly walked back, looking wronged. “Caleb, the officer at the counter says my documents are incomplete, so I can’t process it.” She saw Aubrey standing beside Caleb and her tone suddenly softened, pleading plaintively. “Aubrey, he’s your colleague. Could you… could you help him out?” “My current department requires capital residency to get official benefits…” She hadn’t finished her sentence before Aubrey cut her off. “I’m sorry, Serena. Rules are rules. They apply to everyone; there are no exceptions.” “Next time, please bring all your documents.” Serena’s eyes immediately welled up, and she stood there helplessly, looking utterly wronged, as if she’d been bullied. Caleb’s brows instantly furrowed into a tight knot. “If she can’t process it, she can’t process it. Do you need to be so rude to her?” Aubrey raised her eyes, her voice slightly hoarse. “Chief Vance, don’t you always say that without rules, there’s no order?” “If one person gets special treatment, then everyone will expect it in the future, right?” Caleb was choked by her words, unable to retort. “This isn’t some major principled matter. Why are you being so aggressive?” “We’re all colleagues. It’s something you could easily handle, so why stick to the rules so strictly?” Aubrey was utterly stunned. Caleb Vance, Chief of the Elite Security Task Force, a man known for his strict self-discipline and rigid adherence to orders, whose private life was as meticulously structured as a ruler. But when it came to Serena, all rules, all principles, simply vanished. Serena, tearful, whispered from the side, “Please don’t argue. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have made such an unreasonable request…” Caleb immediately comforted her. “It’s not your fault.” Aubrey forced a smile. If it wasn’t Serena’s fault, then it must be hers, right? Of course. When you’re not loved, everything you do feels wrong. An indescribable surge of injustice welled up in her throat, and her eyes quickly misted over. She turned and walked quickly towards the inner offices. By the time she finished her paperwork and emerged, Caleb and Serena were no longer in the lobby. Only the murmur of her colleagues’ gossip drifted over. “Did you see her? That was Chief Vance’s first love. She’s really beautiful.” “No wonder Aubrey’s transferring out. Who could stand that?” “What makes that woman better than Aubrey? Aubrey’s amazing, a top investigator at the department!” “You don’t get it. Women who are too strong aren’t good. Men like those soft, sweet ones who can flirt…” Aubrey didn’t dare look up, walking quickly out. She feared someone would see her reddened eyes. She didn’t stop until she reached the main entrance, then she paused, turning to look at the Wall of Honor outside the police department. Her photo hung there, in uniform, looking dashing and resolute, with a long list of awards beneath it. Aubrey looked at her reflection in the photo, wiped away her tears, and whispered to herself. “Aubrey, remember, you became a police officer not to be liked by any man.” “You have more important things to do. Look up, move forward. For your father, you must be strong!” Her dream was to be a good police officer, to uncover the truth behind her father’s unjust case. And then, like her father, to uphold justice, fight evil, and protect the innocent! Aubrey straightened her back and walked out the police department doors. Chapter 4 It was still early, and Aubrey, having left the police department, suddenly didn’t know what to do. In all her years in the capital, her heart had been solely focused on her work and Caleb. She hadn’t really explored the city on her own. She had once playfully tugged on Caleb’s arm, saying she wanted to go boating in Northlake Park, wanted to see the sunset from Hilltop Garden. But Caleb always put her off, citing his busy schedule. Aubrey followed the crowd, unknowingly visiting many places. Northlake Park, Hilltop Garden, the Department Store… All the places she’d wanted to go with Caleb but had been repeatedly refused, she now visited alone, one by one. Aubrey stopped abruptly outside the Culture Palace. Caleb was walking into the movie theater with Serena. The chalkboard outside the cinema announced the day’s screening: *Love on Mount Lushan*. It was a romance film, one she had wanted to see. But when she’d asked Caleb, he’d said, “Given our positions, it’s not appropriate to spend all our time watching these romantic things.” But she hardly ever watched them. Caleb seemed to have forgotten that they had never once been to the movies together. Aubrey leaned against the wall, watching Caleb hand Serena a cream popsicle as they walked in, shoulder to shoulder. She offered a helpless smile. It turned out Chief Vance wasn’t busy; he just wasn’t busy *with her*. It turned out she, his wife, wasn’t allowed any special treatment. Aubrey simply let her mind wander, strolling aimlessly until she found herself home. By the time she pushed open the door, it was half past five. Caleb was already back. In their three years of marriage, his military duties kept him so busy that he’d never been home this early. Aubrey asked, “So early? No need to look after her anymore?” Caleb didn’t answer. Aubrey glanced at the sunset outside the window, speaking to herself. “I walked around a bit today. The capital is really vast!” Caleb flinched, his brows unconsciously furrowing. “We agreed I’d take you when I had time.” Aubrey recalled all the unfulfilled promises and simply chuckled softly. “I realized that many things, I can do by myself.” A peculiar, unidentifiable feeling stirred in Caleb’s heart. He skipped the topic. “Tonight, let’s eat at the classic restaurant downtown. Serena insisted on treating us to dinner.” He added, “A few of my comrades will be there too. It’s not just her and me.” Aubrey’s brow subtly twitched. She didn’t want to go, not at all. She didn’t even care how many people would be at the dinner, or if Serena would be alone with Caleb. “What? You don’t want to go?” Caleb noticed her hesitation, and his tone instantly turned cold. “Serena feels a little bad about today’s incident and genuinely wants to treat you to dinner. You’re unwilling to go?” “Aubrey, are you trying to make us look ridiculous? To make Serena think you’re narrow-minded and still holding a grudge?” “Everyone knows we’re married. How can a wife not attend? Won’t people think you’re bothered by Serena?” “Do you really want to see her talked about behind her back?” Aubrey looked at the pressure in his eyes and finally conceded. “Fine, I’ll go.” Caleb breathed a sigh of relief, rubbing her hair as he often did. “Give me a moment to shower and change.” When Caleb emerged from the room, he had changed out of his uniform. White shirt, black pants, hair still damp, even freshly shaven. He looked incredibly refreshed. Aubrey forced a smile. It seemed not only women primped for those who pleased them; men did too. She remembered once complaining that Caleb’s stubble was scratchy, and he’d lectured her then, telling her to focus on her work. By the time they arrived at the classic restaurant, Serena and the others were already there. Caleb’s comrades were seated in the private room. When they saw Aubrey, they greeted her warmly as “Chief’s wife.” Only Officer Miller was busy pouring tea, seemingly oblivious to her presence. Aubrey didn’t mind and found a seat. Halfway through the meal, a plate of stir-fried chicken chunks was brought out. Serena saw it and naturally served Caleb a piece with her fork. “Caleb, you love this the most. Eat more.” Caleb’s hand, holding his fork, paused. He said in a deep voice, “Eat your own. Don’t worry about me.” He said that, but still put the chicken in his mouth. Serena then seemed to realize Aubrey was present, suddenly looking up with an apologetic expression. “Aubrey, Chief’s wife, please don’t misunderstand, we…” She stopped mid-sentence, her face gradually turning red, looking distressed and unsure how to explain. Aubrey finished her sentence for her. “I know. You two were first loves.” The entire private room fell silent. No one had expected Aubrey to bring it up so directly. Serena’s face turned from green to pale. But Aubrey smiled faintly, as if stating the most ordinary fact. “But that’s all in the past. Now, we’re all comrades, pure and simple. Helping each other, looking out for each other, is only right.” “Let’s eat!” Forks clinked again, but everyone at the table was lost in their own thoughts. Caleb’s eyes were shadowed, lost in thought. Serena also settled down, making no more subtle gestures. After a few rounds of drinks, one of Caleb’s comrades raised his glass. “Come on, it’s rare for Chief Vance and his wife to join us for dinner. Let’s all drink a toast!” Serena coughed lightly, delicately covering her mouth. “Oh dear, I… I can’t drink much. My throat hasn’t been feeling well lately.” Caleb’s gaze immediately fell on her, with a hint of concern. He turned to Aubrey, his tone calm but unyielding. “Aubrey, Serena isn’t feeling well. Please drink on her behalf.” Aubrey’s body stiffened. Drink on her behalf? She had just had a miscarriage, her lower abdomen still ached, and her body hadn’t fully recovered. He was actually asking her to drink for Serena! Aubrey’s face paled. She looked at Caleb, searching for a trace of hesitation or pity in his eyes. But Caleb’s eyes held only Serena. “Drink it. I know you can handle your liquor. Is it so hard to help Serena?” he spoke again, his voice deeper. Seeing this, the other comrades also started urging her to drink. Aubrey’s hand trembled as she picked up the glass. Under everyone’s gaze, she tilted her head back and downed it. The pungent liquor slid down her throat, burning her esophagus, and her heart. As soon as the alcohol hit her stomach, she immediately felt dizzy, and her stomach began to ache. The comrades around them exchanged glances, the atmosphere becoming even more subtle. They had expected Aubrey to cause a scene, but she had drunk it down so readily. Caleb ignored his wife’s pale face, pouring a bowl of soup for Serena. “You haven’t been well lately. This soup is good for you, drink more.” Serena’s lips curved slightly. “Mmm, Caleb, you’re still as thoughtful as ever.” Aubrey swayed, almost falling. She clenched her hands tightly under the table, her nails almost digging into her palms, finally regaining her composure. After dinner, Serena suddenly smiled and invited everyone. “It’s still early. Why don’t you all come over to my place for a bit?” She added, a little shyly, “Actually, today is my birthday.” “I was afraid you wouldn’t want to come, so I only dared to say it now.” Everyone chuckled and agreed to go. Caleb, without asking Aubrey’s preference, pulled her along with him. Upon arriving at Serena’s apartment, while she was in the back room boiling water, Caleb walked over to Aubrey. He lowered his voice, with clear reproach. “Aubrey, you shouldn’t have said those things at the dinner table earlier.” “Serena isn’t married yet; how will she face people later? You embarrassed her so much, and she’s a sensitive person…” “How many times do I have to tell you? Your fathers’ old feuds are their business. It has nothing to do with her. Stop deliberately making things difficult for her!” Aubrey looked into his eyes and asked very seriously, “So, do I need to apologize to her?” Caleb was silent for a moment, then his tone softened, but his words were even more hurtful. “Yes.” “Not only do you need to apologize, but I also hope you’ll talk to her and comfort her. She must be very upset right now, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.” In an instant, a thick layer of mist clouded Aubrey’s eyes. She suddenly let out a soft laugh, but a clear sniffle came with it. “Caleb, do you remember what day it is today?” Chapter 5 Caleb frowned, asking confusedly, “What day?” Today was her father’s death anniversary. He didn’t remember. Aubrey shook her head, a smile still on her lips. “Never mind.” “Caleb, let’s get a divo—” Her words were abruptly cut off by a sharp scream. Serena’s hot water kettle *clanged* to the floor, splashing scalding water onto her foot. Before Aubrey could react, the man beside her had already rushed past everyone. Caleb was known for his composure. But at this moment, the panic in his eyes was something Aubrey had never seen. He didn’t even wait for someone to bring the car, instead bending down to scoop Serena into his arms and striding rapidly towards the nearest hospital. At the hospital, a group of people crowded around Serena like stars around the moon. “It’s nothing serious, just a minor burn. Apply some ointment, and it’ll heal in a few days.” Caleb, who had been guarding the door of the hospital room, finally let out a sigh of relief when he heard the doctor’s words. A nurse helped Serena walk away. Caleb strode over to Aubrey, who was in a corner, his face as cold as ice. “Aubrey, come with me.” Aubrey was silent for a moment, then looked up. “Caleb, I have something to say to you.” Caleb frowned deeply, his eyes cold. “Whatever it is, say it later.” “Right now, come inside with me and apologize to Serena.” Aubrey flinched, staring at him in disbelief. “Apologize? Why should I apologize?” “Did I push her? Did I scald her? She couldn’t hold the kettle herself, and that’s my fault too?” Caleb’s eyes became even more accusatory. “You’re still being sarcastic!” “If you hadn’t said those things at dinner, making Serena distracted, how would she have gotten hurt?” “Go and admit your mistake to her. It might make her feel better.” Aubrey’s hands trembled slightly as she countered, “So you think her injury is my fault?” Seeing Aubrey’s pale face, Caleb felt a pang of guilt, but thinking of Serena, he hardened his expression again. “If we’re to trace the cause, you also bear some responsibility.” “Go apologize. Whatever you want to say to me, I’ll listen seriously later.” Aubrey stared fixedly at Caleb, and a laugh escaped her, but there was no mirth in her eyes, only tears that streamed down her face. Caleb had never seen Aubrey like this. He instinctively reached out to wipe her tears. But Aubrey sharply turned her head, avoiding his hand. “Yes, I was wrong.” “I shouldn’t have been foolish enough to marry a man who didn’t love me at all.” Caleb tried to step closer, but she stopped him with a raised hand. “Don’t come near me.” Between them, it was as if an unbridgeable chasm had opened. “Caleb, let’s get a divorce.” She laughed freely. “It’s time for me to pay for my mistakes.” After she spoke, she saw a momentary blankness and helplessness on Caleb’s face. It took him a long time to find his voice. “Aubrey, don’t say things you don’t mean.” “If you don’t want to apologize to Serena, then don’t. Just don’t be like this.” Aubrey smiled, her eyes misty with tears. “I’ve never been more serious than I am right now.” Even at this point, he still thought she was saying it out of anger. He truly had never understood her. “Let’s go home and talk, okay?” Caleb’s voice held an urgency he hadn’t even noticed himself. “You must have misunderstood something…” Aubrey closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, they were clear. “Alright, let’s go back first.” She also didn’t want to make a scene in a hospital, for all to know. His status was special; a divorce required his consent and military approval before paperwork could be processed. Just as they were about to turn, Officer Miller’s voice suddenly came from behind them. “Caleb, where are you going? Serena is looking for you.” Caleb paused, then frowned and looked back. “Tell her I’ll see her tomorrow.” No sooner had he spoken than Serena’s muffled sobs and screams erupted from the hospital room. Caleb didn’t hesitate for a second, turning and rushing inside. Aubrey smiled, her face showing indifference. She turned around, tilted her head back slightly, and forced the mist from her eyes. Tears, like anything else, had their worth. If no one cared, they were shed in vain. Chapter 6 Aubrey returned home alone. This home, which she had personally decorated and once believed she’d live in forever, now felt like an ice-cold vault.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298702”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #后宫Harem #重生Reborn