Author: Momo Chan

At the wedding, Finn Carter, the struggling student my fiancée Seraphina had sponsored, burst in, screaming. “Seraphina! A hornet stung me… *down there*! What if I can never… be a man again?” Seraphina didn’t hesitate. She abandoned me and all our guests, ready to leave with Finn. I grabbed her arm, suggesting we finish the ceremony first, then find a doctor for him. She shoved me hard, sending me sprawling to the ground, her eyes blazing with furious rage. “Liam Miller! If you truly loved me, you wouldn’t be standing in my way right now!” With that, she dragged the injured Finn to a private room at the venue. When I finally got there, I saw Seraphina straddling Finn. Seraphina, who had once promised to save her precious virginity for our wedding day, glared at me. “Finn’s situation is so serious, how could I just stand by and do nothing?” “It’s just my first time, isn’t it? If you want it, I’ll just get it ‘fixed’ and give it to you later, okay?” 1 The mic on Seraphina’s wedding dress was still on. Groans, loud and unmistakable, pulsed from the wedding venue’s speakers. The guests’ eyes, a cruel mix of mockery and pity, burned into my face. I gripped my glass so tightly my knuckles turned white. I swallowed the bitter humiliation and the bitter drink in one gulp, my throat tightening. An hour later, Seraphina finally emerged from the room. Her face was flushed an unnatural red, and her million-dollar wedding dress was stained with flecks of blood. The crowd began to cheer, “Congratulations, Ms. Thorne, on your big moment!” someone jeered. “How was it? Finn a good lay, huh?” The words had barely left their lips when my married sister, Aubrey Sterling, walked into the venue, supporting her heavily pregnant belly. She scanned the room, a cold smirk on her face. “You’re certainly generous with your compliments! Why don’t you all be just as generous and offer up your own wives for everyone to sleep with?” She shot a venomous glare at Seraphina, then turned to me, trying to coax me away. “Liam, our family, the Millers, is old money, established. We don’t take wives who aren’t… untouched. Never have.” “Since Ms. Thorne is no longer pure, we can’t break our ancestors’ rules. The engagement is null and void. We’re going home!” As we walked out, whispers followed us every step of the way. “So what if Liam Miller is the richest man? He’s still being wrapped around a woman’s finger, completely played.” “Seraphina Thorne has some nerve, daring to slap Mr. Miller’s face in front of so many! This alliance between the Miller and Thorne families is probably toast…” I lost myself in thought for a moment. Years ago, my grandfather made a pact with Seraphina’s grandfather to repay a life-saving debt, sealing our families in an engagement. After my grandfather passed, my father tried several times to break it off, wanting me to marry a more suitable heiress from a prominent family. But I was dead set on marrying Seraphina, even going so far as to threaten drastic measures if I couldn’t. The Thorne family, leveraging the Millers’ influence, skyrocketed to success. Seraphina had cried, promising to save herself, her most precious gift, for our wedding night. But she had forgotten every single word she ever said, all for Finn Carter, the struggling student she’d sponsored for three years! “Liam Miller!” I snapped back to reality, my foot already halfway into the car. Seraphina rubbed her temples, her expression utterly impatient. “So what if my first time is gone? I promise you, after we’re married, I’ll make it up to you for the rest of your life!” The rest of my life? What once felt like a beautiful vow now just sounded absurd. Seeing my silence, Seraphina gave me a triumphant glance, then lifted her chin, commanding, “Liam, go buy me some condoms. After Finn takes his medicine, I need to test if he’s actually better.” I felt a chill run through my entire body. I couldn’t believe those words came out of Seraphina’s mouth. The next second, Finn, disheveled, stumbled out of the private room. He clutched Seraphina’s hand, whimpering pitifully, “Seraphina, sis, I feel so bad…” Instantly, Seraphina’s patience with me evaporated. She frowned in annoyance. “Liam Miller! If you don’t go buy them, then this wedding is truly off!” But I couldn’t even bring myself to spare Seraphina another glance. As soon as I got in the car, Aubrey slammed her phone down, gritting her teeth. The news about Seraphina and me had already spread like wildfire, headlines everywhere: 【Even the richest man can’t buy love: Shocking wedding day…】 【Top wedding in Northwood! Bride forgets to remove mic, intimate conversation with lover goes public…】 My heart sank deeper and deeper as I scrolled through the news. When Seraphina and I were dating, I never refused any of her requests. I thought, since she wanted to save her most precious ‘first’ for our wedding night, why should I object? But I never imagined that my repeated indulgence and concessions would lead to her and Finn sleeping together on our wedding day. She didn’t care at all what kind of media firestorm I would be thrown into. 2 The wedding scandal hit the trending topics that very day. The Miller family immediately moved to quash the stories, blacklisting major media outlets. Seeing the Millers’ wrath, the Thorne family frantically came knocking. “Liam, please calm down, she’s already apologized to us!” “Don’t worry, she definitely knows she was wrong. How about… we pick another good day and have the wedding?” Mr. Thorne’s words made me laugh, a bitter, humorless sound. “Pick another good day for what? For Seraphina and Finn?” The sarcasm was unmistakable. Mr. Thorne’s face fell, then he plastered on a fawning smile. “Liam, once you and Seraphina are married, I’ll put the Thorne family in your hands.” I looked down at him, a cold smirk on my face, and tossed a stack of acquisition contracts onto the table in front of him. “The Thorne family? What *are* they, truly?” Mr. Thorne was used to being buttered up, accustomed to flattery. He had never been so humiliated. Seeing he was about to speak again, Aubrey’s face hardened. She stepped forward. “Mr. Thorne, a woman who cheats before marriage will never enter our Miller family home. I suggest you think carefully before you speak!” Mr. and Mrs. Thorne’s faces instantly cycled through shades of green and white—panic, embarrassment, and fury all at once. I didn’t want to prolong the argument. I cut straight to the chase. “Out of respect for the long-standing friendship between our grandfathers, have Seraphina meet me at the courthouse tomorrow to finalize our divorce.” With that, I had my staff escort my former in-laws, who were still trying to plead their case, out of the house, and tossed all their gifts with them. The next day, I canceled all my appointments and waited at the courthouse from morning till night. Watching the endless stream of newlyweds coming and going, I found it hard to describe my feelings. I remembered the night before Seraphina and I got our marriage license; she was so excited she couldn’t sleep. We ended up waiting at the courthouse in the middle of the night, becoming the first couple to register their marriage that day. Seraphina couldn’t wait to show off to the entire world. Even now, I can still see the radiant smile on her face. But the image of Seraphina protecting Finn forcibly invaded my mind, making me feel like nothing but a clown. The shrill ring of my phone jolted me back. The moment I hit the video call button, I saw Finn straddling Seraphina, thrusting relentlessly. Finn’s voice was thick with lust. “Seraphina, sis, what we’re doing is wronging Liam. If you two really divorce because of me…” Seraphina cut him off with a soft gasp. “Don’t worry, Liam is just trying to scare me. He loves me so much, how could he ever divorce me?!” The obscene scene instantly drained all strength from my body, and my stomach churned. Finn even deliberately showed off the decor of our bridal suite, his eyes full of blatant provocation. My knuckles, gripping the phone, turned white. I had personally arranged every corner of that room, intending to give Seraphina the best possible experience for her ‘first time.’ I never imagined it would be dressed up for *them*! Suppressing the swirling emotions, I sneered, “Seraphina, you seem quite busy. Do you have time to invite me to observe?” But hearing my voice, Seraphina instantly panicked. She hastily pushed Finn off her, snatched the phone, and glared at me. “Liam Miller! Are you sick? Why are you calling me for no reason?!” I laughed, a bitter sound. “Seraphina, I have no interest in watching a live sex show. Didn’t your wonderful little brother call *me*?” 3 A flicker of doubt crossed Seraphina’s eyes as she looked at Finn. Seeing Finn lower his head in a show of false grievance, Seraphina couldn’t stand it. She turned to me and yelled, “Enough, Liam Miller! Who told you to threaten my parents with divorce? Finn was just trying to help me get back at you!” “Besides, before marriage, my body is my own! I can give my first time to *anyone* I choose!” I calmly cut her off. “You’re right. You have sovereignty over your body. You can give your first time to anyone you want. I can’t, and shouldn’t, have any complaints.” “And I have sovereignty over my mind. I can divorce anyone I want, and you can’t have any complaints either.” Seraphina froze, her face turning instantly, utterly pale. But quickly, she rolled her eyes and sneered, “Liam Miller, our engagement was decided by our grandfathers!” “Don’t you forget, you only secured your position as the heir to the wealthiest family because of our alliance!” Seeing my silence, she softened her tone, coaxing me. “As long as you don’t make things difficult for Finn, I’ll overlook what you said to my parents.” I watched Seraphina, her words twisting everything. Not only did she claim my current position was all thanks to her, but now she even wanted a future with Finn. My past affection and indulgence had become her leverage against me. One of them brazenly called to gloat, the other shamelessly threatened me with our past relationship. They really were a match made in hell! Aubrey, who had been listening for a while, finally couldn’t help but scoff, “Seraphina, as a woman, I’m truly ashamed of you!” “Liam is the sole male heir to the Miller family. He doesn’t *need* you to inherit! Do you honestly think I’d compete with my own brother for that?” Seraphina’s face reddened. I looked at her calmly, my expression composed. “Seraphina, we are completely over.” Hanging up the phone, I felt a strange sense of unreality. Years ago, the Thorne Corporation faced a financial crisis. Seraphina had cried until she fainted in front of me, begging me to save her family. I knelt before my parents for three days and three nights, eventually helping the Thorne family through their crisis. But I fell gravely ill afterward, and Seraphina nursed me back to health, practically living by my bedside for three months straight. I never thought she could change so drastically… I thought I had been very clear with Seraphina. Considering the long-standing ties between our families, I just wanted her to come and divorce me quietly; I didn’t want to make a scene. But when Aubrey and I arrived at the family estate, we found it swarming with people. Seraphina was holding Finn’s hand, giving interviews to the media. “Finn and I are truly in love. So what if Liam Miller is rich beyond measure, the wealthiest man? That can’t buy my love.” “If it weren’t for my grandfather saving his grandfather, there wouldn’t even be a Miller family today…” Seraphina continued her endless accusations. In her narrative, I had become the homewrecker, using money and status to interfere with her and Finn’s love. She even claimed that our Miller family had built its fortune by “sucking the blood” of their Thorne Corporation. And then, she said… “I just wanted to give my first time to the man I truly love. How can virginity be treated as an item for transaction? Isn’t a woman’s body her own?” Her words hit me like a hammer, a throbbing pain in my nerves. It was laughable, but more than that, it was deeply chilling. She claimed Finn was the man she loved most, Yet the person she officially married, with a license, was *me*. Hearing Seraphina pontificating to the reporters, Aubrey couldn’t take it. She immediately got out of the car and, cradling her belly, charged forward. Seeing us, the reporters erupted, swarming around us. Scandal and secrets often plague the wealthy. They were all scrambling, digging for every juicy detail. “Mr. Miller, are you truly the third party, as Ms. Thorne claims, interfering in their relationship?” Before I could speak, Aubrey, furious, burst out, “Did you all sleep through elementary school? You’re just taking Seraphina’s word for it? She’s clearly the one who cheated…” Aubrey’s words were cut short. *Smack!* Seraphina landed a vicious slap across Aubrey’s face. Aubrey, heavily pregnant, stumbled backward and fell to the ground, crying out in pain. But Seraphina, still enraged, continued to curse at her. “I’m your sister-in-law! And the future sole mistress of the Miller family!” “Why do you insist on stirring up trouble between your brother and me? And even fabricating videos to upload online!” Seraphina’s two consecutive accusations exploded like thunderclaps among the reporters. Their eyes widened. They immediately surged forward, pressing us with questions. “Mr. Miller, is what Ms. Thorne said true? Did your sister really upload that video?” “Is this about a family inheritance dispute? Ms. Thorne claims there would be no Miller family without her grandfather, and your sister uploaded a video to sabotage the family alliance. Does she also have designs on the inheritance? Mr. Miller, what’s your take?” Aubrey was pushed and jostled, collapsing onto the ground, blood quickly appearing between her legs. But Seraphina still lunged at Aubrey, and I roared, my eyes spitting fire. “Seraphina! Touch my sister one more time, and I will wipe the Thorne family off the face of the earth!” I glared fiercely at all the reporters, my emotions running high. “I don’t care what baseless rumors you intend to report, but the consequences of slandering and harming the Miller family, even the Thorne family cannot bear!” “If anything happens to my sister because you’re blocking our way, the Thorne family will pay dearly!” At my words, the reporters gasped, scrambling to clear a path. But Seraphina still stood directly in front of me. “Get out of the way!” I shoved her aside. Seeing Aubrey trembling in pain, I quickly pulled out my phone to dial 91But Seraphina slapped the phone right out of my hand, her tone still arrogant. “Liam Miller! You can’t leave! You and your sister *must* apologize to Finn today!” My eyes blazed with a sudden, overwhelming fury. “Get *out*!” “Liam Miller! Seraphina, sis, has already given you a way out; don’t be ungrateful!” Finn, emboldened by Seraphina’s presence, chimed in, mocking me. But before he could finish speaking, I had already summoned my bodyguards. Then I pointed at Finn, my gaze ice-cold. “Beat him to a pulp! For every injury my sister suffered, I’ll make him pay a hundredfold!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298571”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Blake Sterling, in front of everyone, presented the core “Digital Transformation” plan I had personally crafted for Reed Media, to Chloe Hayes. “Chloe isn’t just the love of my life; she’s the future hope of Reed Media. From today forward, she will take over from Alex Reed as the Group’s new CEO.” Silence blanketed the room. I stared at the perfect couple on stage: he, handsome and commanding; she, delicate and vulnerable. Behind them, on the massive screen, was the business plan I’d painstakingly written over three sleepless months, totaling over a million words. Chloe nestled into Blake’s embrace, her gaze landing precisely on me. “Alex, I’m so sorry. Blake and I truly love each other. We’ve been together for three years. My baby, they can’t grow up without a father.” Three years ago. That was exactly when I earned my Oxford PhD, brimming with ambition, returning home ready to conquer the world. Turns out, my life had been a joke since then. Blake Sterling’s eyes were like ice. “Alex Reed, your family is bankrupt. Reed Media is now *mine*. I need a wife who can help my career, not someone who’s all theoretical nonsense and no practical value.” “Look at yourself now – paranoid, suspicious, completely unstable. Chloe is kind, pure. She’s the one who truly belongs by my side.” “Mentally unstable.” *Huh.* What a convenient label to slap on me. Before I could even speak, Chloe suddenly gasped, her body dramatically slumping towards me. Blake lunged forward, catching her securely in his arms. Then he glared at me like I was a madwoman, roaring, “Alex Reed! Are you out of your mind? Chloe is pregnant, and you’d lay a hand on her!” I stood rooted to the spot, not moving an inch. But everyone around me had already condemned me, nailing me to the pillar of shame as the “evil ex-fiancée who pushed a pregnant woman.” Flashbulbs popped like crazy, reporters, like sharks scenting blood, shoved microphones into my face. “Ms. Reed, did you truly push her out of jealousy?” “We heard your mental state has deteriorated since your family’s bankruptcy, is that true?” “How do you feel about Mr. Sterling and Ms. Hayes’ relationship?” Blake held Chloe tightly, letting the vicious accusations and cold cameras crucify me. In that moment, I didn’t cry. All my tears flowed back inward, hardening into the coldest ice. I watched the phony horror and concern on that repulsive pair’s faces, and the contemptuous, gloating looks from the crowd. The docile, kind Alex Reed of the past twenty-seven years, the one who believed in love and friendship, was utterly destroyed by them in that moment. From her ashes rose a brand new me. Only one thought burned in my mind. I wanted them to pay, in blood.

I was “escorted” out of the ballroom. Two security guards “supported” me, one on each side, their posture polite, their grip unyielding. Blake was afraid I, the “madwoman,” would stay and ruin his little show. I was dumped outside the hotel entrance. The evening breeze hit me, sobering me up considerably. My phone vibrated wildly in my pocket. I didn’t even need to look to know what the notifications would say. #EliteScandal: Heiress Alex Reed Suffers Breakdown, Causes Scene at Gala, Pushes Pregnant Friend# #BlakeSterlingChloeHayes: Fairytale Love, True Feelings Revealed in Adversity# #PerfectHeiressAlexReedPersonaCrumbles# *Huh*, what a brilliant “public execution” strategy. They understood the power of the media perfectly. First, they branded me “mentally unstable,” so anything I said or did afterward would be dismissed as a madwoman’s ramblings. Ruthless, professional. Fitting, considering they stole my plan and then applied it so cleverly. I didn’t go home. That so-called home had already been stolen from me. I hailed a taxi on the street and gave the address of a quiet, older apartment complex. It was a small apartment I’d bought with my first scholarship check during college, registered solely in my name. Thankfully, I’d left myself one last fallback. The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, his eyes a mix of sympathy and gossip. “Miss, you’re… Ms. Reed from the news, aren’t you?” I said nothing. He sighed to himself. “Ah, these rich family dramas, they’re truly messy. That guy isn’t much better, looks decent on the outside.” I gave a faint smile, not responding. Messy? It was about to get a whole lot messier. Back at the apartment, I stripped off the six-figure gown, tossed it into the trash, and took a long, hot shower. The warm water rinsed my body, and the confusion from my mind. I had no time to collapse, no time to cry. Tears were the ultimate sign of weakness. From the moment they pushed me off that cliff, this war had begun. My only weapon wasn’t the Reed family name, nor the pitiful balance in my bank account. It was the knowledge in my brain, the very “theoretical nonsense” Blake had mocked. Oxford University, PhD in Media and Communications. I had spent seven years learning how to shape public opinion, create trends, twist narratives, and redefine perceptions. Before, I treated these as academic concepts. Now, they were my weapons of war. I dried my hair and dragged out a dusty box from under my bed. Inside was an old laptop and several encrypted satellite phones. I’d prepared this gear during my studies for sensitive fieldwork in certain regions. The laptop booted up, the screen flickering to life. I expertly logged into several global social platforms and deep web forums, activating seven or eight anonymous accounts I’d registered long ago. These accounts didn’t have huge followings, but each one represented a contact I’d built over the years across the globe, through my professional expertise and personal charisma. There were renowned investigative journalists, top-tier hackers, and classmates who were now executives at multinational PR firms. In the past, we discussed theories and case studies. Now, I was going to talk to them about business. I didn’t immediately expose Blake and Chloe’s dirty laundry. That would be foolish. Given that they’d already painted me as a “crazy woman,” any leak from me would be dismissed as “a madwoman’s revenge.” To trap your prey, first, you need to make them drop their guard. Then, you weave a net they can’t escape. I needed leverage, a legal anchor to pry open the entire situation. My gaze fell on an old news article on my laptop screen. *Industry Conscience or Business Idiot? Star Lawyer Julian Thorne Expelled from Top Law Firm ‘Revelation Legal’ for Refusing to Participate in Hostile Takeover of Reed Media.* The date was just a week before my “bankruptcy.” *Interesting.* Turns out, I wasn’t the only one who’d been betrayed. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I picked up a satellite phone and dialed a number. The call connected. A clear, cautious male voice answered. “Who is this?” “Mr. Thorne,” I began, my voice as calm as if discussing the weather. “This is Alex Reed. I think we have a common enemy, and perhaps we could discuss how to send him straight to hell.”

Julian Thorne arranged to meet me at an unassuming coffee shop. He was leaner than in his photos, his features sharp, his eyes behind his glasses like scalpels. A sugar-free Americano sat untouched before him, his entire demeanor radiating an unapproachable bitterness. “Ms. Reed, are you looking for me to overturn a verdict?” He cut straight to the chase, no pleasantries. I shook my head, taking a sip of my lemon water. “No, overturning it is too slow. I’m here to propose a partnership. Together, we’ll start a new company.” Julian’s eyebrow twitched; he clearly hadn’t expected that. “A new company?” “Yes,” I leaned forward, meeting his gaze directly. “A firm specializing in crisis PR and legal warfare. I handle media strategy, you handle legal support. Our first client will be myself. Our first job will be to bury Blake Sterling and Chloe Hayes, along with all the capital investors behind them.” My knuckles tapped lightly on the table, a subconscious habit when I was thinking. *Tap, tap, tap…* Steady and unhurried. Julian watched me, his gaze analytical, assessing. “Ms. Reed, what makes you think you can win? You’re disgraced, you have nothing. Blake Sterling, on the other hand, has the entire Sterling family behind him, plus all the capital giants who profited from this hostile takeover.” “Because I understand the rules of the game better than they do.” I smiled, though no warmth reached my eyes. “They thought by ruining my reputation, I’d lose. On the contrary, when someone’s been dragged through the mud and has nothing left to lose, that’s when they become truly terrifying.” “Mr. Thorne, you were kicked out of Revelation Legal and blacklisted from the industry because of your professional integrity. Are you willing to accept that?” I looked into his eyes, asking each word deliberately. His hand, under the table, subtly clenched. I knew I’d hit a nerve. “Blake Sterling’s hostile takeover of Reed Media, using illegal means, isn’t without legal loopholes. It’s just that neither of us had the evidence at the time.” I upped the ante. “But public opinion can be the knife that cuts through that veil. If we can channel public outrage and force regulatory bodies to intervene, you’ll have a chance to reclaim everything that’s yours in court.” Julian was silent for a long time, so long that his coffee grew cold. Finally, he looked up, his eyes no longer skeptical but alight with a certain kind of fire. “I need to see your plan.” “The plan has already begun.” I pushed my phone across the table to him. On the screen was a post I’d made with one of my anonymous burner accounts on a popular women’s forum overseas. The title: *I Was Jointly Betrayed by My Husband and Best Friend, Went from Billionaire Heiress to Being Kicked Out. What Should I Do?* In the post, I didn’t name names. I used a fictional identity to tearfully recount the story of a “vilified victim.” The protagonist was portrayed as kind, naive, giving her all for love, only to be betrayed by those she trusted most, her family’s fortune stolen, and then smeared as “crazy.” I cleverly wove in every single thing Blake and Chloe had done to me, subtly disguised in this fictional narrative. But I made sure to mention nothing of commercial competition, only emotional betrayal. Because I knew the public’s interest in complex business disputes paled in comparison to their hunger for moral judgment of “cheaters and home-wreckers.” This post, in just a few hours, was translated into multiple languages and spread virally across major social platforms. Sympathy, outrage, condemnation… Countless comments poured in, netizens globally demanding justice for this fictional “me.” “This is the first step,” I said to Julian, retrieving my phone. “Before the official war begins, I need to seize the moral high ground and firmly label myself as the ‘victim.’” “I want the whole world to believe that a pitiful woman is suffering a grave injustice. Once that emotional foundation is laid, when I finally drop Blake Sterling and Chloe Hayes’ names, the explosion of public opinion will be truly devastating.” Julian looked at me, his expression transformed. If before it was scrutiny, now it was shock, even a hint of awe. He probably hadn’t imagined a woman, after such a colossal blow, could remain so calm, rational, and even possess a nearly cruel precision in orchestrating her revenge. “I’m in,” he finally said, his voice hoarse but resolute. “What do you need me to do?” “It’s simple,” I pushed a pre-prepared list across to him. “Help me uncover three things.” “First, an irrefutable chain of evidence proving Chloe Hayes stole my plan, including the earliest time she accessed it and email records of her leaking it to Blake Sterling.” “Second, all financial records of Blake Sterling misusing company funds to buy her homes, cars, and luxury items during their affair.” “Third, and most crucially, the names of all the capital groups involved in that hostile takeover, besides the Sterling family. I want a complete list of every single one of them.” I paused, adding a final sentence. “I want Blake Sterling to know who he truly offended for the sake of one woman.”

Over the next month, I lived like a ghost. By day, I holed myself up in my small apartment, weaving my web across the digital world like a precise machine. I operated over a dozen anonymous social media accounts, each with a different identity and nationality, posting carefully designed content daily. Some accounts were radical feminists, railing against injustice in emotional betrayals; some were rational financial bloggers, analyzing the collapse of business ethics; others were gentle emotional support channels, continuing the serialized story of the “poor woman” and garnering immense sympathy. These accounts seemed unconnected, yet they were like countless tiny streams, converging into a single powerful emotion across the internet – rage against “cheaters and home-wreckers.” I didn’t mention Blake Sterling or Chloe Hayes by name, but through this fabricated story, their public image became increasingly clear, increasingly detestable in the public consciousness. This was a classic application of “agenda-setting” theory. Before igniting a topic, first establish its framework and tone in public discourse. And Blake and Chloe were completely oblivious. They were basking in the glow of their victory. Chloe, sporting a growing baby bump, frequently gave interviews to major financial media outlets, presenting herself as an “inspirational goddess.” In these interviews, she glorified my “Digital Transformation” plan, portraying herself as a brilliant, fate-defying business prodigy. She even, in one interview, feigned “fond remembrance” of me. “Alex was actually very talented, but unfortunately, she was too extreme in her personality, too stubborn… Sigh, I truly feel for her.” The more she performed, the calmer I became. I downloaded all her interview videos, analyzing them frame by frame, comparing every word she said about the plan to my original document on my computer, annotating everything. These would all become exhibits in court. Meanwhile, Blake was busy with a massive purge within Reed Media, installing his own people in all key positions as the new owner. He was thriving in business, and even more so in his personal life. He hosted a lavish engagement party for Chloe, sending invitations across the entire upper crust of society. Photos of the party, all over Ins, showed Chloe’s pigeon-egg-sized pink diamond blinding everyone. I looked at those photos, feeling absolutely nothing. *Dance, dance your hearts out.* The higher you jump, the harder you’ll fall. Julian Thorne’s efficiency was remarkable. Using his past connections at Revelation Legal and some less-than-above-board channels, he quickly sent me everything I needed, one by one, to my encrypted email. Chloe and Blake’s email exchanges were irrefutable proof. She first saw my plan one afternoon three years ago, in my home study. She’d made an excuse to wait for me, and then copied all the files onto a miniature USB drive. Blake’s evidence of embezzling company funds was even more shocking. The luxury mansion he bought for Chloe in a prime downtown location, the three sports cars registered in her name, even the pink diamond on her finger – every single penny came from Reed Media’s accounts. Most critically, the list of capital groups involved in the hostile takeover. I stared at the long list of familiar names: old Sterling family associates, former rivals of the Reed family, and even a few “uncles” and “aunts” my father had once implicitly trusted. *Good, very good.* One clean sweep, made things easier. Everything was ready, just waiting for the opportune moment. A moment that would allow this public opinion storm to unleash its maximum impact. Soon, that moment arrived. Reed Media announced that it would hold its annual shareholder meeting at the end of the month, simultaneously hosting a grand press conference to officially launch its new “Digital Transformation Strategy” to the global market. The star, naturally, would be the new CEO, Chloe Hayes. I looked at the announcement and smiled. They were eager to declare their stolen fruits to the world, to firmly cement their false accomplishments. *Perfect.* The judgment, of course, had to take place on the grandest stage to be truly impactful. I sent Julian a message. “The time is now. Prepare to reel them in.” A week before the shareholder meeting, I fired the first shot. The target was Chloe Hayes’ most prized “talented woman” persona. I sent a carefully compiled anonymous tip to *Business Deep Throat*, the nation’s top industry media known for its in-depth investigative reporting. Attached to the email were two documents.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298570”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Julian Sterling, the A-list darling of our city’s elite, and my fiancé – at least on paper – was planning a big surprise for me tonight at the charity gala. In my last life, that surprise was him publicly dumping me and then proudly parading my stepsister, Chloe Hayes, as his new love. I cried, I threw tantrums, and in the end, they teamed up to frame me. They slapped me with labels like “fake socialite” and “business fraud,” tearing me down from my peak as a top streamer. I crashed and burned, utterly shattered and ruined. They called me greedy and vain, said I was jealous of my sister. Even my own parents stepped forward, pointing fingers and screaming, “You ungrateful snake! We should have disowned you ages ago!” Then, right there in public, they announced they were cutting all ties with me. Finally, I jumped from the city’s tallest abandoned skyscraper. When I opened my eyes again, I was back. Back to the moments just before the gala began. A chill ran down my wrist, and a surge of information flooded my mind. [Truth Recall System Activated.] [Ability: Recall real action records of any designated target within the last seven days.]

Instinctively, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and silently commanded, “Activate.” My vision blurred for a split second. I saw “myself” being thrown into a viral scandal three days ago, drowned in a torrent of online hate, all orchestrated by Chloe Hayes and Julian Sterling. I watched Julian laugh as he told Chloe, “Cassie is too naive. Millions of followers and she doesn’t know how to monetize them – what a waste. Once I’ve squeezed every last drop of her influence and connections, I’ll kick her to the curb.” I saw my own parents, bowing and scraping as they accepted a million-dollar check from Julian, assuring him, “Don’t worry, Mr. Sterling. We know what to do. That rebellious daughter? We’ve wanted to disown her for ages!” So that was it. Every betrayal, every calculated move, all had a price tag. I trembled with rage, then a smile slowly spread across my face. Good. It saved me from holding onto any more unrealistic fantasies about “blood ties.” I lowered my gaze, meticulously wiping my phone screen with my thumb until it gleamed like new. This was my bread and butter. And my weapon of revenge. Julian Sterling, Chloe Hayes, and my dearest “family.” The “surprise” you gave me in my last life? This time, I’m giving you an “extra special gift,” doubled. Clutching my custom handbag, my ten-centimeter heels clicking rhythmically, I walked back into the glittering, bustling ballroom. Bright lights, clinking glasses, and lively chatter filled the air. The moment I stepped inside, every eye in the room fixated on me. “Cassie Hayes is here! No wonder she’s a top streamer with millions of followers, that aura…” “Why is she alone? Where’s Mr. Sterling?” “Shhh, I heard there’s big news tonight.” Ignoring the whispers, I walked straight to the main table. Julian Sterling stood there, a champagne flute in his hand, surrounded by a cluster of privileged young men from influential families. He saw me, and a flicker of almost imperceptible distaste crossed his eyes, but his face still wore that signature, smooth and charming smile. “Cassie, you’re here.” Beside him, Chloe Hayes, dressed in a white chiffon gown from the same designer as my haute couture dress but with a more “innocent” cut, glanced at me timidly. Then, like a startled fawn, she shrank back behind Julian. Oh, a delicate little “pure” act. I wasn’t in the mood for their drama. I cut straight to the chase: “Julian, didn’t you say we were announcing our wedding date tonight? Why haven’t we started yet?” Instantly, all eyes in the room zeroed in on us. The Sterling family elders, seated at the head table, exchanged a subtle frown. Julian’s father, Mr. Sterling, the chairman of the Sterling Group, furrowed his brows. “Julian, what’s going on? Aren’t you and Cassie supposed to announce your engagement tonight?” Julian put down his glass, gave Chloe a reassuring look, then cleared his throat and picked up a microphone. Here it came. The nightmare of my last life, about to replay. “Distinguished guests, dear friends, thank you for coming tonight.” He paused, then gazed adoringly at Chloe, who stood behind him. “Taking this opportunity, I want to announce something. The woman I, Julian Sterling, truly love, is Chloe Hayes.” “My engagement to Cassie Hayes is officially called off, effective today!” BOOM—the entire room erupted. “Holy sh*t? Engagement called off?” “What the hell? A public breakup? How utterly humiliating for Cassie Hayes!” “Mr. Sterling is in love with his stepsister? Ugh, such drama in high society.” The spotlight *whooshed* off Julian and landed squarely on my face. Countless gazes, laced with pity, schadenfreude, and disdain, stabbed into me like daggers. My parents sprang out of their seats immediately, not to defend me, but to rush to the Sterling family, faces plastered with smiles. “Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling, what…what exactly is going on?” my mother asked frantically. My father, on the other hand, wore a face contorted with rage, but his glare wasn’t for Julian; it was for me. “Cassie Hayes! Have you done something to offend Julian again? Apologize to him right now!” Hah. My wonderful father. Julian raised a hand, signaling for silence. “This isn’t Cassie’s fault, it’s just that we’re not compatible.” His words sounded pretty, but he pulled Chloe to his side, protectively wrapping his arm around her. “Chloe is pure and kind, unlike some people who treat their live streams like a performance and their fans like cash cows, reeking of nothing but money. I cannot marry such a hypocritical woman and tarnish the Sterling family name.” With those words, he immediately labeled me. Hypocritical. Reeking of money. In his arms, Chloe perfectly revealed half her tear-streaked face. “Sister, please don’t blame Julian, it’s all my fault…I shouldn’t have fallen for him, but we truly love each other, please, just let us be together…” Act. She was a damn good actress. I looked at the two-timing bastards and smiled. I picked up a glass of red wine from the table and slowly walked toward them. Under the horrified gazes of everyone present, I didn’t splash either of them. Instead, I raised the glass, looking out at the entire room, and at the media cameras lurking in the shadows, with a faint smile. “Are you done talking?” “Because if you are, it’s my turn.” I pulled out my phone, unlocked it, and opened my live-streaming app. “Since Mr. Sterling and Ms. Hayes like to air their dirty laundry for the whole internet to see, then as a ‘top streamer’ with millions of followers, it would be terribly unprofessional of me not to live stream, wouldn’t it?” The moment the live stream went online, the viewer count exploded exponentially. “Holy sh*t! Front row! What’s happening? Goddess Cassie live-streaming at the gala?” “Title: Century Breakup Live Stream? So much tea!” “Who are those two-timing bastards opposite her? Julian Sterling and Chloe Hayes? I just came from the trending scandal, is the queen herself getting involved?” Julian’s face finally changed.

“Cassie Hayes, are you insane? Turn off that phone!” Julian’s voice carried a hint of suppressed fury. I wiggled my phone, and the rapidly scrolling comments on the screen made his pupils constrict. “Insane?” I smirked. “I’m perfectly lucid. Mr. CEO, aren’t you the expert on monetizing traffic? With such massive drama, how else will you hit your KPIs without a live stream?” My father’s face turned purple with rage. He pointed at me and roared, “You, you rebellious girl! Turn that off right now! You’re disgracing our family!” “Disgrace?” I smiled even wider. “Dad, when you just accepted that million-dollar check from Julian, why didn’t you think about our family’s ‘honor’ then?” With one sentence, my father’s face went from purple to white. My mother panicked too, rushing forward to snatch my phone. “Cassie, what nonsense are you spewing! What check? Are you out of your mind from shock?” I lightly sidestepped her, dodging her grab. “Easy, Mom. The real show is just beginning.” Chloe, seeing the situation going south, immediately buried herself in Julian’s arms, tears streaming down her face. “Julian…it’s all my fault. Sister must be acting this way because of me…she didn’t mean it, please don’t be angry with her.” Julian lovingly embraced her, then turned to me, his gaze as cold as ice. “Cassie Hayes, you’re clearly ungrateful. All your so-called personas have been stripped bare! Who are you trying to fool with your ‘socialite’ act? You’re nothing but a gold-digger who built a fake image to con fans out of money!” “Let me tell you this right now, a woman like you isn’t fit to tie my shoes!” “Oh?” I calmly and deliberately wiped my phone screen, facing the live camera, a cool and unbothered smile on my face. “Since Mr. Sterling put it that way, then let’s talk about who’s the gold-digger, and who’s truly ‘dirty’.” I activated [Truth Recall]. Target: Chloe Hayes. Instantly, a series of images flashed through my mind. The smile on my lips grew wider. “Chloe Hayes, my dear sister. You told your followers that all your design works are brimming with creativity, a reflection of your pure heart, right?” Chloe froze, not knowing what trick I was pulling, and could only nod tearfully. “Sister, I…I just love design. I never meant to compete with you for anything.” “Don’t be silly,” I interrupted her. “As your older sister, I simply *must* promote you.” I faced the live camera and slowly began to speak. “Three days ago, at 2:15 PM, you met an independent designer named Marcus Green at ‘Whispering Winds’ Café. You paid him fifty thousand dollars to buy out a set of jewelry designs called ‘Starlight Dream,’ then immediately turned around and posted on your Ins, claiming you stayed up three nights designing it as a ‘surprise’ for Julian.” “Am I right?” Chloe’s face went paper-white in an instant. She stared at me in horror, her lips trembling. “You…you’re lying! I don’t even know anyone named Marcus Green!” “Don’t know him?” I laughed. “Well, Marcus Green has a burn scar on his left wrist, from when you accidentally spilled coffee on him. He even smiled and said it was fine, that it was an honor to be scalded by the ‘Miss Hayes.’ He was so loyal to you, you really shouldn’t disown him now.” The live stream comments went wild. “Holy sh*t! Plagiarism? Seriously?” “She’s got all the details! Time, place, person, even a scar! If this is made up, I’ll eat my own shoe standing on my head!” “@WhisperingWindsCafe, we need the surveillance! @DesignerMarcusGreen, get out here and confront her!” Julian’s face also completely darkened. He wasn’t a fool; he knew that for me to be so specific, it couldn’t be a baseless rumor. He looked at Chloe, a hint of scrutiny entering his eyes. Chloe was on the verge of tears, clutching his arm desperately. “Julian, don’t listen to her! She’s jealous of me, she’s trying to frame me!” Just then, my mother, my dearest mother, rushed forward again. This time, she didn’t try to snatch my phone. Instead, with a heartbroken and furious tone, she screamed at everyone, and at my live camera: “Enough! Cassie Hayes! How much longer are you going to cause a scene?!” “We didn’t want you to marry Julian, not because we favor Chloe, but because you…you’re simply not pure!” “At such a young age, you messed around with those questionable influencers and shady businessmen. You’ve contracted an incurable disease! We were afraid you’d harm Julian, that’s why we were forced to resort to this drastic measure!” That blow was even more vicious than the public breakup. More toxic than accusing me of being hypocritical and materialistic. This was meant to utterly obliterate my social standing. The entire room fell into a dead silence. The live stream comments also paused for a second. Then, they exploded with even greater fury.

The way people around me looked at me changed instantly. It was as if I were a carrier of disease, and everyone recoiled, creating distance. My mother’s move, pulling the rug out from under me, was truly brilliant. She thought this would force me to turn off the live stream and back down. Too bad. I curved my lips into a smile, pulled a portable charger from my handbag, and calmly and deliberately connected it to my phone. “Mom, are you talking about *these* men?” I tapped open my phone gallery, displaying the high-definition footage I had just captured using the system’s recall function. I held my phone screen up to the live camera, swiping through the pictures one by one. Even though they were just screenshots from a mental recall, the clarity blew any paparazzi shot out of the water. “Chloe Hayes, I’ll ask you one more time. Do you recognize these men?” The photos showed Chloe intimately embracing different men. There were investors in tailored suits, muscular gym trainers, and even a lead singer of an underground band with bright green hair. The locations varied from luxury hotel suites to the backseats of cars, to dimly lit bar booths. The poses…were varied and too explicit to watch. These were all photos that had only been leaked by paparazzi in my previous life, *after* I died. At the time, Chloe had already been championed by Julian as the epitome of pure innocence. When these photos came out, the entire internet was stunned. Julian, to protect her reputation, spent a fortune buying back all the photos, then blamed the scandal on a rival actress. Didn’t expect this, Julian. Your paid-for black history? Here it is, free and in high-definition replay, courtesy of me. “No! This isn’t me!” Chloe went wild, rushing forward to snatch my phone. “These photos are fake! They’re doctored! Cassie Hayes, you’re so malicious, you used your own face to Photoshop onto mine just to ruin me!” Hah, blame-shifting. I calmly pulled my phone back, then took a small USB drive from my bag. “Inside this, I have the original video footage I ‘accidentally’ recorded during the recall… oh, sorry, during my ‘accidental’ filming.” “Since you claim they’re photoshopped, why don’t we connect it to the ballroom’s big screen right now? We can invite the media and technical experts present to verify it together, and see who’s really lying?” Of course, I had no original video footage. The USB drive was empty. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was Chloe’s guilty conscience. Her face instantly turned paper-white. She clutched Julian’s arm desperately, trembling all over. “Julian…she’s doing this on purpose, she just wants to humiliate me…Even if they’re fake, I don’t want those dirty things to be seen by everyone…” Julian protectively pulled her into his embrace, then looked at me, his gaze chillingly cold. “Cassie Hayes, do you really think I’ll be afraid of you if you use such despicable tactics to ruin Chloe’s reputation? Give it up!” “My mother said it! You’re the one with the messy private life! Don’t make a scene here!” I sneered. “Alright, since you all insist it’s me, then let’s go to the hospital for a check-up right now. Do you dare?” Chloe’s breath hitched. Her nails dug so hard into Julian’s arm, they almost broke his skin. “I…” She stammered, unable to form words. Julian made the decision for her. “We’ll go! I’ll make sure you lose so completely that you can’t say a word!” He called over their family doctor, a professional-looking middle-aged woman. I shrugged nonchalantly, following the female doctor into a private room. Ten minutes later, the doctor emerged, shaking her head at Julian. “Mr. Sterling, Ms. Hayes is perfectly healthy, no issues whatsoever.” I looked at Chloe, calmly composed. “Sister, your turn.” Chloe’s face flushed crimson. Her eyes darted away, and she slowly backed away, step by step. Just as everyone was waiting to see her embarrassed, she suddenly clutched her lower abdomen and dropped a bombshell. “I can’t be examined! Because…because I’m already pregnant with Julian’s baby!” The words hung in the air, and the entire room froze. I feigned a gasp, covering my mouth, but the amusement in my eyes was practically overflowing.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298569”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

For ten years, I was Cassandra’s secret partner, her hidden companion through thick and thin. From the time she had nothing to commanding a multi-billion dollar empire. In the end, she died in my arms, a victim of late-stage stomach cancer. At the funeral, everyone praised me as a loyal and honorable man, silently by her side even after her rise to fame. But only I knew that, in her final moments, gripping my hand, her lips whispered the name of Liam, the true love of her life. She left me with just one sentence: “Dean, in your next life, please don’t find me again. I could never give you the name you deserved.” “If there’s an afterlife, I truly wish… I could marry Liam.” I mourned for a full week, my heart turned to ash, and consumed by sorrow, I wasted away. When I opened my eyes again, I was back ten years ago, at our university graduation party. She stood there, publicly confessing her unrequited love to Liam, the campus golden boy, only to be rejected. Then, with tear-rimmed eyes, she approached me in the corner, asking, “Dean, didn’t you say you liked me? Let’s be together.” I looked at the fresh tear stains beneath her eyes and smiled. Then, right in front of her, I deleted all her contacts. “Cassandra, I don’t like you anymore.” Liam’s discards? Not interested, not anymore.

The air seemed to freeze. Cassandra stared, her face twisting in shock and humiliation. She had never imagined that I, Dean, who had always been at her beck and call, would ever refuse her. “What did you say?” Her voice was hoarse, as if she couldn’t believe her own ears. The murmuring of our classmates died down. All eyes were on us, filled with a thirst for drama. After all, my affection for Cassandra was an open secret across the entire campus. For four long years, I had loved her like a fool, a walking punchline. Meeting her gaze, I repeated my words, slowly and clearly: “I said, I don’t like you anymore.” Then I held up my phone. On the screen, her deleted SnapChat contact screamed at her, a brutal slap to the face. The red exclamation mark was particularly glaring. “Did you get it, Cassandra?” The blood vessels in her eyes instantly burst, and she snatched my wrist, her grip alarmingly strong, her nails almost digging into my skin. “Dean, have you played enough of your little game of playing hard to get?!” “Don’t think I’ll even glance at you if you use such pathetic tricks!” A sharp pain shot through my wrist, strikingly similar to the way she had clutched me in her dying moments in my past life. Then, she had used her last ounce of strength to beg for my forgiveness for her inability to love. Now, she was using all her strength to accuse me of not loving her. The irony was crushing. I didn’t struggle. A sarcastic smirk curved my lips. “Cassandra, have you forgotten? Just a minute ago, you were begging Liam to be with you.” “And now, you’re coming to me, your backup plan?” “What makes you think I, Dean, should wait around for you?” “Wait for you to be rejected by someone else, just so I can pick up your unwanted leftovers?” Cassandra’s face instantly paled, and the strength in her grip loosened. I seized the opportunity to pull my hand free, rubbing my reddened wrist. Without another look at her, I turned and walked away. Behind me, her low roar, thick with suppressed fury, followed. “Dean, you’ll regret this! You’ll come back begging for me!” My steps didn’t falter. Regret? In my past life, I sacrificed ten years of my youth for her, accompanying her from nothing to a multi-billion dollar fortune, only to receive, in the end, a wish to marry Liam. I had already tasted all the regret this life and the next could offer. This time, the one who should regret, Cassandra, is you. Walking out of the noisy auditorium, the evening breeze brushed my face, carrying a hint of coolness. I took a deep breath. The crushing weight that had pressed on my chest for a decade finally seemed to crack. My eyes inexplicably stung, and a single tear silently traced a path down my cheek. Not for her, but for my pathetic, foolish past self. Back in the dorm, it was a complete mess. After the graduation frenzy, all that remained was the hollow quiet of empty rooms. Silently, I began to pack my things, unearthing one by one the objects connected to Cassandra. The inexpensive cufflinks she had carelessly given me, which I had cherished for ten years. The first draft of her business plan, which I had burned the midnight oil for three nights, helping her refine and perfect. And the first, and only, gift she ever gave me: a copy of *One Hundred Years of Solitude*. On the flyleaf, she had written: “For a soul as solitary as yours.” I thought it was a romantic gesture, a sign we were kindred spirits. Later, I learned she had given Liam a copy of *Love in the Time of Cholera*. That was the true love of her life. I was just a convenient distraction for her loneliness.

I found a cardboard box and carefully placed all these items, remnants of my decade of quiet, self-sacrificing devotion, inside. Finally, I struck a match and dropped it in. The flames instantly leaped up, engulfing the yellowed papers and faded objects. The firelight danced on my face as I watched, impassively, as ten years of our tangled history burned to ash. My phone rang abruptly. It was an unknown number. I casually answered. A commanding yet familiar voice came from the other end. “Dean, you’ve graduated. It’s time to come home.” It was my mother. In my past life, to protect Cassandra’s pride, I had lied, telling her I was from a regular, middle-class family, just like her, needing to work hard to make my own way. I rejected everything my mother had arranged, choosing instead to squeeze into a tiny, cramped apartment with Cassandra, eating the cheapest ramen, dreaming of our future. But after she achieved success, she found me wasn’t sophisticated enough to match her new world, unable to further her burgeoning empire like someone from a wealthy background like Liam. I clenched my phone, my throat thick with emotion. “Mom, I’m sorry.” Silence stretched for a moment on the other end, followed by a sigh. “Silly boy, what do you have to apologize for to family? Pack your bags. I’ll send the driver to pick you up.” After hanging up, I looked out the window. Dawn was breaking. Meanwhile, Cassandra, in a corner of the graduation party, was deeply intoxicated. The alcohol numbed her senses, yet my resolute face became clearer and clearer in her mind. She couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t believe that Dean, who loved her to the bone, would truly leave. He must be throwing a tantrum, waiting for her to coax him back. She fumbled for her phone, her blurry, alcohol-hazed eyes finding my familiar profile picture. She typed a message: “Dean, I was wrong. Let’s talk.” The next second, the red exclamation mark screamed at her, a brutal slap to the face. Cassandra instantly sobered, a wave of unprecedented panic surging through her chest. He… he really didn’t want her anymore? A week later, I stood beneath the towering skyscraper of Victoria Corp., taking a deep breath. This was a top-tier investment firm, a place I wouldn’t have dared to dream of in my past life. Because Cassandra had said she didn’t like driven, career-focused men; she preferred gentle, home-loving men. So, I had given up the chance to enter a top investment firm and instead took an admin assistant job at a small company, just to have more time to cater to her every need. Looking back now, it was utterly ridiculous. The interview went smoothly. My professional capabilities and excellent academic record from university impressed the interviewers, who nodded frequently. The final round was with the CEO herself. As I pushed open the office door, I paused slightly at the sight of the woman seated behind the desk. She wore a perfectly tailored black suit, exuding an air of cool sophistication and noble grace. With piercing, deep-set eyes and striking red lips, she was captivating. She was looking down at my resume, her long, elegant fingers tapping lightly on the desk. It was her, Victoria. In my past life, I had met her once. At Cassandra’s company IPO celebration, she had attended as the most important investor. At that time, as Cassandra’s assistant, I could only stand in the most inconspicuous corner. When Victoria came over to toast, Cassandra hadn’t even bothered to introduce me. It was Victoria who had subtly raised her glass to me, saying in a calm voice, “Mr. Dean, you’ve worked hard.” Just one sentence, but it was the only respect I received in that entire extravagant feast, which belonged solely to Cassandra. I never thought that in this life, we would meet again in such a way. Victoria lifted her eyes, her calm gaze resting on me, as if she didn’t recognize me at all.

“Dean?” Victoria spoke, her voice clear and pleasant. “Why Victoria Corp.?” I steadied myself and answered her questions with composure. The interview concluded. She closed my resume and said indifferently, “Come in tomorrow to complete your onboarding.” A wave of joy swelled in my heart. Just as I was about to thank her, the office door was roughly shoved open from the outside. “Dean!” Cassandra stormed in, looking much more haggard, her eyes bloodshot. She grabbed me, her eyes red, and demanded, “Why are you avoiding me? Not answering calls, not replying to messages, what exactly do you want?” She had found me here. I frowned, trying to shake off her hand. “Cassandra, we have nothing to do with each other anymore. Please let go.” “Nothing to do with each other?” She laughed, a self-deprecating sound, as if she’d heard the biggest joke. “Dean, you were with me for four years. Now you’re saying we have nothing to do with each other?” “Did you find someone else? Is that why you were so eager to dump me?” Her words grew increasingly nasty, and my face hardened. Just then, a cool voice came from beside us. “Miss, please release my employee.” Victoria had risen at some point. She walked to my side, her gaze calmly fixed on Cassandra. Her tone was level, but carried an undeniable authority. Cassandra froze, subconsciously releasing her grip. Victoria naturally shielded me protectively behind her. “If I recall correctly, at the graduation party, you were the one who was rejected.” “And now you’re back, relentlessly harassing him? This persistent harassment isn’t exactly classy, is it?” Victoria’s words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing Cassandra’s raging anger. She stood there, looking utterly disheveled, watching Victoria shield me, a flicker of jealousy and resentment in her eyes. “Just you wait!” She threw out that empty threat, then turned and fled in a panic. Silence returned to the office. I looked at Victoria, feeling a bit awkward, wondering how she knew about the graduation party incident. But I still bowed respectfully and apologized. “Victoria, I’m sorry. I caused you trouble.” “It’s nothing.” She returned to her desk, her gaze falling on my wrist, which Cassandra had gripped red. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “After you start, I don’t want to see similar incidents happen again.” “Understood.” I nodded. She was warning me to keep my personal life separate from my professional responsibilities. That was fine. In this life, I only wanted to focus on my career. I wanted nothing more to do with emotions. After joining the company, I immersed myself fully in my work. Leveraging my experience from my past life and a sharp business acumen far beyond my peers, I quickly rose to prominence within the department. And Cassandra, just like in my past life, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. She believed that if she succeeded again, I would return to her side, just as I had before. Occasionally, she would send messages from new numbers, mostly empty promises like, “Dean, once I succeed, I’ll marry you in style.” I never replied. She seemed to be holding her breath, not coming to find me again. Until a month later, when I received an unknown call. It was Cassandra’s business partner. He anxiously asked, “Dean, you need to come and see! Cassandra drank so much to secure an investment, she’s in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer!”

A bleeding ulcer? I froze. In my past life, she had done the same, gambling with her health for her career. In the end, she won a multi-billion dollar fortune but lost her life. My heart still felt an undeniable pang of pain. But it was only for a moment. I calmly told the person on the other end, “I’m not your Dean. You have the wrong number.” Then I hung up. I thought that would be the end of it. But the next day, Cassandra directly blocked my path downstairs from the company building. Her face was pale, her lips bloodless. She clearly looked very ill. She grabbed me, her voice tinged with a plea and a hint of accusation. “Dean, I was hospitalized. Why didn’t you come to see me?” “I called you so many times. Why didn’t you answer?” Listening to her words, I suddenly felt a profound sense of weariness. “Cassandra, we have nothing to do with each other anymore. Besides, your health is your own responsibility. It has nothing to do with me.” Cassandra seemed enraged by my coldness and abruptly pinned me against the wall. “Dean, how can you be so heartless? I risked everything for you, and you say it has nothing to do with you?” “Are you just waiting for me to die?” Trapped in her embrace, I caught the faint scent of antiseptic on her, exactly the same as the smell from her in my past life when she died in my arms. A familiar suffocating sensation seized my chest. Just as I was about to gasp for air, a black Bentley glided silently to a stop in front of us. The car window lowered, revealing Victoria’s elegant, impassive face. Her gaze swept over me, finally landing on Cassandra. “Let him go.” Cassandra met her gaze, refusing to back down. Victoria, however, suddenly smiled—a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, laced with a hint of disdain. “Miss Cassandra, don’t you think the process of securing funding for your first project was a little *too* smooth?” Cassandra froze. Victoria slowly uttered her next words. “It was Dean. He gave up a full scholarship to Stanford University to secure that opportunity for you.” “He laid out the path for you, and here you are, questioning why he wouldn’t walk it with you?” “Cassandra, you don’t even deserve him.” Cassandra was thunderstruck, her entire body stiffening. She looked at me, utterly disbelieving. “Stanford… a full scholarship?” I had never told her about that.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298568”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

I was livestreaming, chatting with my followers as I walked, forcing a weak smile at the camera before my vision swam, and I felt myself slowly, inevitably, go down. Amidst my followers’ frantic calls for help, a uniformed officer, gun at the ready, appeared in everyone’s view. I confidently collapsed onto the sturdy chest of the officer. In my previous life, my mentor, Dr. Silas Vance, had stolen crucial experimental data, selling it to a rival nation. Yet, the surveillance footage showed *me* as the last person to enter and leave. Two minutes after I left, a fire erupted, causing the lab building to explode and incinerate all evidence. Sleeping soundly in my dorm, I had no one who could provide an alibi. Convicted of arson, causing significant property damage, I was sentenced to life imprisonment and eventually died in a prison brawl. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the fire. If he could fake surveillance evidence against me, then I would use irrefutable proof to rip off his deceptive mask. Without me as his scapegoat, how would he ever convince the university to swallow hundreds of millions in losses?

I livestreamed for half an hour straight. Without any filters, my face was visibly pale. The chat feed had shifted from: “Audrey’s genuinely a PhD, her ideas are so advanced!” “Holy crap, her method could solve my current technical problems!” To: “Audrey, do you researchers ever exercise? You’re breathing so heavily!” “Audrey, I know this path. Just a few more steps, there’s a federal facility ahead, go ask for help! You look like you’re about to pass out.” “Mom, help! Someone’s about to collapse on my screen!” I looked up, weakly gazing at the screen, my forehead visibly drenched in cold sweat. “Yeah, I don’t feel so great. Might be low blood sugar, I’m so sorry.” The comments scrolled thick and fast: “No, no, no, Audrey, don’t talk! Someone save her!” “Officer! This citizen needs serious help!” Finally, I saw the gates of the facility. I mustered all my strength, sped up a few steps, and stumbled past the yellow warning line. “Hold it right there! What are you doing?!” The officer at the gate, gun in hand, immediately went on high alert, seeing someone holding a selfie device walk directly into the restricted area. I kept my head down; the camera could capture my pale face and half-closed eyes, but the officer couldn’t see them. To him, an unknown individual was ignoring his warnings and barging into the base. One officer raised his weapon, while another called for backup and cautiously approached me. Until I crashed heavily into him, then softly collapsed to the ground. I squinted at the time: 9:48 PM. Seven minutes until the fire. I gasped, a tense knot in my chest suddenly loosening, my consciousness instantly fading. I felt someone shaking me. I struggled to open my eyes, unable to make out the face in front of me. I tried to speak as loudly as I could, but the sound was barely a whisper until he leaned his ear close to my mouth. “I’m sorry… I’m not a bad person… I’m still livestreaming, could you… turn it off for me?” The last image on the livestream was the officer’s cap. My consciousness receded, and I saw my past life. Waking up to my blankets being ripped off and being dragged out of bed while still half-asleep—that was the nightmare that haunted my past life. Dressed in thin pajamas, surrounded by a group of police officers and university officials, repeatedly questioned in harsh tones about why I started the fire, all I could do was offer a weak, helpless “I didn’t.” Nothing more. My hands were clamped in cold handcuffs, and I felt as though my entire life had been locked away. During my days and nights in prison, I replayed countless scenarios. The best possible explanation was that the fire was caused by a short circuit, not intentional arson, meaning I wouldn’t be sentenced so severely. But I couldn’t prove it wasn’t me who was last in and out of the lab. The surveillance clearly showed me entering and exiting the building, and the lab’s access card records were under my ID. The evidence was so solid, it could crush me. It wasn’t until a year later, when my former mentor was teaching in the States, and the research he published was built directly upon my core technology, that I finally understood the truth. The fire wasn’t meant to destroy anything; it was meant to cover something up. And now, without my unwitting cooperation, who else could help him pull off this clandestine data swap?

I felt someone moving me and struggled to open my eyes. My vision was too blurry. I could only grasp onto the person in the uniform, whoever it was. “Alright, young lady, just let go for a moment. Let the paramedics check you over.” I didn’t want paramedics, and I didn’t want to go to the hospital. I wanted to stay under *their* surveillance, here at the facility. Someone was prying my fingers open. It hurt so much. Tears streamed down my face. I clung on with all my might, refusing to let go. “She’s probably just startled, nothing serious, just low blood sugar. If she won’t let go, let’s carry her to the duty room for now.” I stopped struggling, letting them carry me through the gates. I looked up at the security cameras above the entrance—such solid evidence. Someone put a piece of candy in my mouth, and I slowly regained some strength, enough to sit up. A group of people surrounded me. None of the harsh, cold faces from my past life. Their expressions of concern made tears well up in my eyes. “Feeling a little better, miss?” Seeing the light return to my eyes, Captain Miller, a man with two stripes and one bar on his uniform, asked with genuine concern. A wave of injustice and sorrow surged within me, like floodgates bursting open, and I couldn’t stop it anymore. I began to sob uncontrollably. The clock on the wall seemed to be counting down, bringing me closer and closer to safety. 9:50 PM. Dr. Silas Vance must be in the lab copying my data by now, right? I had considered calling the police beforehand to catch him red-handed, but then I realized: he not only faked my access card but also tampered with the university’s surveillance data. This wasn’t something a professor, who had only returned to teach here for less than a year, could do alone. 9:53 PM. I was crying so hard I started to hiccup. The people around me, initially flustered, had calmed down, passing me water and tissues. Dr. Silas Vance must have already left, locking up behind him. I wondered how he started the fire. Logically, the lab had excellent power cut-off and fire safety measures. How could it catch fire so easily, and even spread to cause the entire building to explode? 9:54 PM. My emotions slowly stabilized. Captain Miller couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “Young lady, you’re the most impressive crier I’ve ever seen.” I pouted, embarrassed. I was terrified of what I’d endured, and ecstatic about my rebirth. Heaven knows, the sheer joy that erupted when I realized I’d been reborn an hour before the fire almost drowned me. “I can’t stay in the dorm!” That was my only thought. I grabbed my essentials and fled immediately. It wasn’t until I was in the taxi that I came to my senses and started thinking about what else I could do. I usually recorded faceless videos to share study tips and methods. Now, I decided to go live, face and all, to have all my followers bear witness. Collapsing at the facility gates was a sheer coincidence. When I was reborn, I had been up for over twenty hours and was finally ready to sleep. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have slept so soundly that I was oblivious to the fire. The dual pressure of mental exhaustion and physical strain had simply overwhelmed me. In this situation, the timing of my low blood sugar was perfect. “Do you want me to call an ambulance?” Captain Miller’s smiling eyes met mine. “You still look frightfully pale.” 9:55 PM. The second hand on the clock seemed to tick directly on my heart. “Yes, please. Thank you so much.” I stopped my sobbing and said gratefully.

Emergency sirens howled, not for an ambulance, but for the fire department, racing past the window. I watched, dazed, as the red lights vanished into the distance. “We’ve verified your identification. Here, take your documents back.” I snapped out of it, taking the documents Captain Miller handed me. All my IDs: driver’s license, student ID, and the lab access card. “Don’t worry, we’ll go to the hospital with you.” His clear, reassuring voice gave me such a sense of security that I drifted into a deep sleep before the ambulance even arrived, waking only when my body was suddenly yanked, almost throwing me off the bed. “Audrey Hayes, you’re suspected of arson. We need you to cooperate with our investigation!” The same cold, stern voice as in my past life sent a shiver down my spine. My head was still a bit foggy. I stared blankly at the people in front of me and asked, bewildered, “What?” “Do you think getting yourself admitted to the hospital will get you out of this?” Dean Henderson’s voice was hoarse; he looked like he hadn’t slept all night. “Audrey, you were caught on camera escaping after starting the fire.” Dr. Silas Vance, still looking refined and scholarly, condemned me in the gentlest tone. “Your recent research progress has stalled, and you’ve been under too much stress.” “I told her she wouldn’t have to delay graduation, but who knew she’d be so extreme, rather destroying everything than admitting her own incompetence.” He explained to the Dean and the officers, playing the part of a caring mentor. “This really is her fault, but I hope you can go easy on her, considering how young she is.” The officers ignored his soft-spoken pleas. Detective Captain Hayes coldly addressed me: “She’s an adult and must take responsibility for her actions.” “What exactly happened?” I asked, completely confused. “Still playing dumb!” Dean Henderson roared, pointing at me. “Minutes after you left the lab last night, it caught fire!” “The fire spread, causing an explosion, and half the lab building was destroyed!” “The whole university didn’t dare close an eye last night, and here you are, having a leisurely sleep in the hospital!” He turned to Detective Captain Hayes, shaking his head in disappointment. “Detective Captain Hayes, just take her. I’m done with this.” “I never went to the academic building last night!” I propped myself up on the hospital bed, leaning forward, desperately trying to make them believe me. “I have no reason to burn down the academic building, please believe me!” No matter how earnest or anxious I was, everyone around me stared coldly, as if I were a jumping clown. “You should be grateful no one was hurt. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be speaking to you so politely.” “I am Detective Captain Hayes of the city’s Major Crimes Unit. You are officially under arrest. Take her away!” He roughly yanked my arm, pulling me off the bed without a shred of gentleness. I stood barefoot on the cold floor, the chill seeming to freeze my heart. A female officer next to me gripped my wrist tightly, the cold glint of handcuffs about to snap shut. “What are you doing?!” A firm shout from the doorway interrupted her. A young uniformed officer, clutching a lunchbox, stood in the doorway, frowning as he glared at everyone in the room. “Who are you?” Dr. Silas Vance asked him gently. “Are you Audrey Hayes’ boyfriend?” His words instantly undercut the officer’s authoritative presence. “My commanding officer sent me to look after her.” The young officer ignored Dr. Silas Vance, walking straight past him to address Detective Captain Hayes. “What’s going on? She’s still a patient!” “She’s suspected of arson, causing significant property damage. We need to take her to the precinct,” Detective Captain Hayes said, strictly professional. The young officer looked at me, troubled. Seeing my pleading gaze, he thought for a moment, then stepped directly in front of me. “I’m coming with her, and I’ll inform my commanding officer. Otherwise, you’re not taking her anywhere.” It was the familiar interrogation room, and the intense lights made me squint. “Audrey Hayes, what were you doing at the lab last night?!” Detective Captain Hayes and a female officer sat opposite me, questioning me sternly.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298567”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

The Future Stole My First Love After the senior year exams, everyone in school let loose, and love letters were flying everywhere. But the biggest buzz was about Stella Hayes, the most popular girl in school, who was finally going to confess to *me*, her childhood crush, after years of unspoken feelings. I stood by the back door of the classroom, my fingertips just about to brush against that pink and blue love letter when a mature, sophisticated woman suddenly barged in and tore the letter to shreds. She claimed to be Stella Hayes, but from ten years in the future. She said she’d traveled back in time. “Don’t confess to Julian,” she’d snarled, dragging my Stella by the arm. “He’s not your true love.” She pointed to Caleb Thorne, a guy in a faded uniform, sitting in the corner. “See Caleb? Ten years from now, you’ll love him passionately, to the point of obsession. Since you’re destined to be with him, why waste these ten years?” My Stella just looked utterly appalled. She violently shook off the woman’s hand. “You’re crazy!” she’d shouted. “I’ll only ever love Julian!” But that confession, that moment I’d waited for, never got to finish. Future Stella also seized the opportunity to stay, claiming she wanted to help my Stella “see her true feelings” early. Gradually, I started to notice that Stella was changing. When Caleb got sick, she’d immediately rush to help him to the hospital, completely forgetting that *I* was waiting for her for a full hour at the amusement park. At dinner, she’d instinctively remember that Caleb didn’t like peanuts, carefully picking them out of the spicy stir-fry to give to *me*, completely oblivious to the fact that *I* was severely allergic to peanuts. On rainy days, she’d rather get soaked herself than not lend her umbrella to Caleb, even when *I* was standing right beside her, getting drenched in the rain. These subtle shifts, like a dull knife slowly carving away at me, made my heart sink deeper and deeper into a cold abyss. Until the day we had to fill out our university applications. “Julian, I’m so sorry,” Stella said, her eyes flickering, unable to meet mine. “I can’t go to a top-tier university with you anymore. The new AI major at State University is a better fit for me.” My heart went completely cold in an instant. I knew it too well. State University was the only school Caleb, with his barely-passing grades, could get into. She took my hand, her voice laced with her usual playful tone. “Come to a top-tier university with me, please? That way we can still be together. I’ve always listened to you; this time, just let me have my way, okay?” Those words were like tiny needles pricking my soul. She silently pulled her hand away, then nodded. But then, behind her back, I quickly prepared all the necessary documents and applied for an offer at a prestigious university abroad. Stella, if your love isn’t solely mine anymore, then I don’t want it at all. … The day the acceptance letter arrived, a strange calm settled over me. I pulled out the huge storage box, filled with everything Stella had given me over the years. Childish crayon drawings, limited edition sneakers, a necklace engraved with our initials, a thick stack of movie ticket stubs, notes she’d stayed up late to organize for me… Once, I’d treasured them more than anything. Now, I walked with the box to the dumpster downstairs, and without a second thought, I tossed them all into its gaping maw. Just as I turned, I saw two figures arguing in the distance. Future Stella, dressed in a sleek, form-fitting dress, gripped my Stella’s wrist tightly. My younger Stella, with her slender waist and long legs, her uniform billowing in the wind, had a face full of fury – a face that made every guy at school shout her name. “Let go!” “Why are you still looking for him?” Future Stella’s voice was strained. “The most important thing for you to do right now is to be with Caleb! He’s the one you truly love!” “Nonsense!” My Stella violently yanked her hand away, her brow furrowed with arrogance. “Julian is the only one I like. Can you, you crazy woman, just disappear already?” “Is that so?” Future Stella sneered, her voice sharp. “Then why did you give up your future and prestigious universities for Caleb?!” My Stella’s face stiffened, her voice growing colder. “Who says I did it for him!” I didn’t want to watch their absurd argument any longer and turned to leave, but Stella spotted me instantly. She rushed over, grabbing my hand, her voice softening in a flash. “Julian, didn’t you say you wanted to see that new romance movie last time? I bought the tickets! Let’s go together, okay?” “No,” I replied, my voice completely devoid of emotion. Stella’s smile froze for a moment, then she softened her voice again, playfully. “Are you still mad about me changing my university choice? You already agreed to go to State University with me, didn’t you? That major really has great prospects, just this once, please agree to my request, okay?” As she spoke, the corners of her eyes drooped slightly, that vulnerable expression I could never resist. In the past, whenever she looked at me like that, I would agree to anything. But now, I just felt numb. Before I could answer, Stella half-forced me into her newly bought sports car. Future Stella, her face grim, followed, sitting silently in the back seat. The car started, and the cramped space was filled with a suffocating tension. Future Stella scanned the car’s interior and suddenly spoke. “You just bought this car, didn’t you? You should change the starry night air freshener Julian likes; Caleb can’t stand it, he prefers fruity scents. And replace the milk in the storage compartment too; Caleb is lactose intolerant. Keep some soda crackers in there.” My Stella’s fingers, gripping the steering wheel, tightened abruptly, her knuckles turning white. “Are you done yet? I’m telling you one last time, Julian is the only one I like. There’s no way I’d ever like that Caleb!” Future Stella, however, seemed to ignore her outburst. “Is that so? You’ll clearly love him to your bones in the future, staying up all night for him, waiting downstairs at his house for an entire night, and even…” She rattled off a list of crazy things her future self had done for Caleb, ten years from now. I sat in the passenger seat, each word like an ice shard piercing my heart, the pain so intense it stole my breath. I looked out the window, watching the rapidly receding streetlights, everything blurring into a painful haze. At the movie theater, Stella leaned against my shoulder, holding a bag of caramel popcorn—my favorite flavor. During the movie, she’d instinctively lean over, wanting to whisper her critiques of the plot. The screen’s light illuminated her delicate profile, her eyelashes impossibly long. As I watched her, a sense of déjà vu washed over me. Memories flooded back, uncontrolled. When she was three, she’d tottered onto my bed with a small pillow, her voice sweet and childlike, saying, “Mommy says girls are supposed to sleep with their husbands in the future.” When she was seven, I got a black eye and a bloody nose fighting a fat kid from the next class to get back her hair clip, which he’d stolen. I kept the broken clip, recovered from the fight, in my pocket like a treasure. When I was twelve, I was hospitalized with a fever. She skipped school, her eyes red, and clung to my bedside, whispering, “Big brother, don’t scare me.” When she was fifteen, girls her age started getting crushes earlier. She awkwardly wrote me a love letter, full of typos, but meticulously drew a whole page of hearts. I couldn’t fathom it. We had so many dramatic, memorable experiences together. How could it be, as that woman said, that ten years from now, she would fall for an utterly unremarkable Caleb, loving him with such intense, desperate devotion? Yet, everything that had happened recently made it impossible for me to disbelieve. Just then, Stella’s phone vibrated wildly. The name flashing on the screen was “Caleb.” She glanced at it, then hung up immediately. The phone rang again, relentlessly. She hung up again. After who knows how many times, Future Stella, who had been silent in the back seat, suddenly grabbed Stella’s hand, her voice urgent. “What’s today’s date?” “The tenth, why?” Stella replied, annoyed. “Answer it! Answer it quickly!” Future Stella’s voice was filled with a panic I’d never heard before. “It’s today! Caleb will be harassed by some debt collectors. To escape them, he’ll jump from a second-story window, break his leg, and be bedridden for a month! Go now!” Stella’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about? Even if something did happen, it has nothing to do with me. We’re just classmates, at most!” “You’ll regret it if you don’t go! You’ll hate yourself so much!” Future Stella was practically screaming. Stella scoffed, her tone resolute. “I’d regret leaving Julian here alone right now!” With that, she silenced her phone and flipped it face down on the seat. Future Stella stared at her for a few seconds, her gaze complex, then finally turned and left. “If you won’t go, *I* will!” Then, she strode purposefully and disappeared into the cinema entrance. The movie continued, but I could clearly feel that Stella’s mind was no longer with me. She became agitated, her fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest, her eyes frequently darting to the phone, which was still face down, its screen silently lighting up repeatedly. Finally, after another silent screen flash, she abruptly stood up, her voice rushed as she lied to me. “Julian, I… I forgot to buy you a drink! Wait here, I’ll be right back!” With that, she didn’t even dare to meet my eyes. She snatched up her phone and hurried out of the screening room. I watched her practically run away, my heart sinking little by little, down to the frigid, silent ocean floor. I had a strong premonition: she wouldn’t be coming back. Sure enough, a few minutes later, my phone vibrated. It was a video from “Future Stella.” ### 第二章 I tapped on the video. The shaky footage showed a dimly lit alley. In the video, the familiar figure of my Stella, her eyes blazing red, was wildly punching and kicking several thugs with her bodyguards, her attacks ruthless, completely devoid of her usual elegance and composure. Caleb, on the other hand, was badly beaten and barely conscious. In the brief pause when she stopped, breathing heavily, he lunged forward and tightly embraced her waist, his voice trembling. “Stella, don’t keep fighting! I’m worried about you…” Stella’s body stiffened. She turned back to look at him, still panting, her voice carrying a mix of fear and agitated reprimand I had never heard before. “Are you a complete idiot? Why didn’t you call the police when something like this happened?!” Caleb hesitated for a moment. “I don’t have any other friends. You’re my only good friend. I’m sorry, I worried you…” Stella clearly paused, looking at the boy’s trusting, sincere eyes. After a moment of silence, her voice softened unconsciously. “You set me as your emergency contact. That way… I won’t miss your calls again.” “You set me as your emergency contact.” That sentence was a poisoned blade, plunged precisely into my heart. Once upon a time, I had asked her to do the same for me. There was one time I accidentally dialed her number in my sleep. She called out a few times, but I didn’t respond, and she was so scared she rushed back from another city that very night. There were no flights, so this pampered princess endured an eight-hour train ride. Only when she burst into my house and saw me safe and sound did she embrace me, her eyes red. “Julian, you scared me to death.” At that time, she made me set her as my emergency contact. I thought she would be my only one, forever. Turns out, she wasn’t. The image in the video became blurry. I exited the video, a dull, throbbing ache pulsed in my chest. I stared numbly at the joys and sorrows unfolding on the big screen, but not a single word registered. The movie ended, the lights came on, and the crowd began to stir, filing out. Just as I was about to reach the exit, an excruciating creaking sound came from above my head! Immediately followed by gasps and screams! “The cinema ceiling is collapsing! Run!” *Boom!* A tremendous crash and violent tremor instantly swallowed everything. I didn’t even have time to react. My vision went black, and I was completely buried under heavy building materials and debris. In the second before my consciousness plunged into darkness, only an endless, desolate self-mockery remained in my heart. Look, Julian. Future Stella, she only remembered today was the day Caleb was in danger. She urged her past self to save him. But she specifically forgot, or simply didn’t care, that on this same day, in this same place, *I* would also face utter disaster. It turns out that ten years from now, she truly… didn’t love me at all. I woke up in heavy darkness. “Here! There are still vital signs! Quickly!” As rescue workers carefully lifted me out of the rubble, the blinding sunlight instantly brought physiological tears to my eyes. In a daze, I felt myself being moved rapidly, the sharp wail of an ambulance siren piercing the sky. I regained consciousness again to the acrid smell of disinfectant in a hospital. The anesthetic was wearing off, and the dull post-surgery pain was unmistakably present. A nurse wheeled me out of the operating room, and the doctor gently explained by my side: “The surgery was successful. The fracture in your left leg has been set. You have a mild concussion that needs observation, and your body is mostly covered in superficial wounds. Just rest up well…” Before he finished speaking, the gurney suddenly stopped. I struggled to lift my eyes, directly meeting a familiar pair of wide, astonished eyes. It was Stella. She was coming out of the adjacent hospital room. Caleb was by her side, his face pale, a small piece of gauze taped to his forehead. Future Stella stood on Caleb’s other side, supporting his arm. Seeing me, wrapped in bandages, my face ashen, and my leg in a heavy cast, Stella’s face changed drastically. She almost instantly let go of Caleb and rushed to my bedside. “Julian? What happened to you?” Her voice was filled with panic. She reached out to touch me but then hesitated, her fingers frozen in mid-air. Future Stella, having steadied a stumbling Caleb, cast a fleeting, almost imperceptible glance of surprise at me, then quickly reverted to her usual detached indifference. I was too tired, physically and mentally exhausted. I didn’t want to say another word, so I simply closed my eyes. The doctor next to me sighed and explained to Stella, “This young man was rescued from that collapsed cinema downtown. He was buried quite deep and lost a lot of blood. Any later, and it might have been dangerous.” Stella’s face instantly drained of color. She sharply turned her head, her gaze piercing Future Stella. Her lips moved, as if she wanted to question something, but ultimately, she first urgently told the doctor, “I’m his girlfriend. I’ll take him back to his room.” “The patient needs absolute rest right now,” the doctor interjected. “You can wait a bit before visiting.” The moment the nurse pushed me into the room and closed the door, the muffled sounds of an argument from outside still clearly reached me. “Aren’t you me from ten years in the future?!” It was my Stella’s voice, choked with suppressed anger and trembling. “Since you remember even a minor detail like Caleb being ambushed by thugs today so clearly, why didn’t you say a single word about Julian being in trouble at the cinema? Do you know he almost died?!” “Why should I remember?” Future Stella’s voice was cold and impatient, as if stating an obvious fact. “My heart only holds Caleb, so naturally I only remember things about him. As for irrelevant people, whether they live or die, what does it matter to me?” “You’re utterly unreasonable!” Then came the muffled thud of a fist hitting flesh, the nurses’ gasps and pleas, and Caleb’s attempts to intervene… Inside the room, I lay quietly, tears silently streaming from the corners of my eyes, soaking the pillow. Irrelevant people… ### 第三章 So, ten years from now, in her world, I was reduced to those six dismissive words. But once, everything about me—even the small habits I’d long forgotten, or tiny wishes I’d casually mentioned—Stella had held dear, as if they were sacred commands. I’d tease her about her incredible memory, but she’d just lie in my arms, rubbing her chin against my arm, lazily yet earnestly saying, “Julian, I don’t want to forget a single thing about you.” I don’t know how much time passed, but the commotion outside finally subsided. The hospital room door was gently pushed open, and Stella walked in, her face still showing a trace of lingering anger and obvious guilt. She came to my bedside and cautiously sat down, reaching for my hand, the one not hooked up to an IV, but I gently pulled it away. Her hand froze in mid-air, her eyes dimming. “Julian, I’m so sorry…” her voice was hoarse, filled with regret. “I truly didn’t know you’d get hurt… I was… I was just so afraid something would really happen to Caleb, after all, we’re classmates, and it would be awful if someone died. And I was afraid you’d overthink it and get angry if you knew, that’s why I lied about getting a drink… I didn’t expect…” She apologized over and over, repeatedly promising, “It won’t happen again, Julian, I promise you, I will absolutely never let something like this happen again. Please believe me!” I listened quietly, a sharp, tiny pain pricking the cold, numb spot in my chest. I was about to leave, to go somewhere she wasn’t. Her promises, to me, were utterly meaningless now. So I remained silent, eyes closed, as if I were asleep. For the next few days, Stella barely left my hospital room, feeding me water, peeling apples, awkwardly trying to cheer me up. Future Stella, however, was like a ghost, appearing now and then with cold, biting remarks: “Stella, think clearly. Caleb is the one you’ll love in the future. He sprained his ankle, he’s all alone in the hospital. You shouldn’t be wasting your time here. Julian has a nurse’s aide, but Caleb only has you. If you’re cold to him now, you’ll regret it bitterly later!” Each time, my Stella would tell her to get lost. “I’m telling you one last time, I like Julian. Caleb has no one to take care of him, you say? Fine! I’ll hire him the best nurse’s aides, three of them, is that enough? Now, can you shut up?!” Though her words were firm, as evening approached and the sky outside darkened, she would still become restless. Eventually, with a look of apology and struggle, she’d say to me, “Julian, I… I’m still a little worried about Caleb. I’ll just go check on him, and as soon as I confirm he’s okay, I’ll be right back. Wait for me.” But once she left, she never came back. Not until late that night, when my phone lit up with a message from Future Stella: “Julian, face the reality. Future Stella is destined to be with Caleb. Let go, and make way for my eighteen-year-old self and him. I don’t want to miss a single moment of being with Caleb.” Every single word was like a needle pricking my soul. So, all those years of laughter and little moments we shared, were they all as light as dust, utterly meaningless in the face of this supposed “destiny”? Immediately after, another video was sent. In the video, Stella was sitting by Caleb’s hospital bed, carefully peeling an orange for him, even meticulously removing the white pith. Caleb said innocently, “Stella, if you’re taking care of me, will Julian get mad?” Stella’s movements in the video paused for a moment, then she casually said, “Julian is a man, he’s very understanding. He won’t get mad.” I watched the screen, my heart clenching with a sharp, familiar pain. Yes, I was truly “understanding.” Understanding enough to willingly step aside, to allow her to pursue her “destiny.” On the day I was discharged, Stella, who had been absent for almost an entire day, finally rushed in, her face showing obvious fatigue and apology. “Julian, I’m so sorry, Caleb’s situation has been a bit complicated these past few days, and I couldn’t get away. You’ve lost so much weight. Come on, I’ll take you to get some good food and properly spoil you.” As she spoke, Future Stella walked out, supporting a frail-looking Caleb. “You’re going to eat?” Future Stella raised an eyebrow. “Perfect, let’s all go together. Caleb is hungry too.” Stella frowned, her lips pressed into a thin line. She seemed to want to refuse, but seeing Caleb’s longing eyes, she ultimately said nothing, silently agreeing. At the restaurant, Stella took the menu and, without hesitation, rattled off a string of dish names, all my favorites. Future Stella immediately tapped the table, displeased. “Why did you order only things Caleb doesn’t like?” “I don’t even know what he likes,” Stella retorted, her tone stiff. Future Stella snorted, snatched the menu, and fluently ordered several light dishes. Then she shoved her phone screen in Stella’s face. “Look carefully, these are all things Caleb will like in the future.” Caleb’s eyes widened in surprise. “How do you know I like these?” Future Stella immediately turned to him, her eyes filled with undisguised affection. “I told you, I’m Stella from ten years in the future. Back then, I loved you more than anything.” “Enough!” Stella interrupted her coldly, grabbing my hand beside her, her voice urgent as she declared her loyalty to me. “Julian! Don’t listen to her nonsense! No matter what the future holds, right now, I only like you! Truly!” Future Stella seemed provoked, her voice rising sharply. “What’s the use of being stubborn now? Your feelings for him are just a temporary infatuation; your love for Caleb is for a lifetime! In the future, you’ll run all over town just to buy him his favorite sweet porridge! You’ll drive across cities in the middle of the night to buy him mung bean cakes just because he said he couldn’t sleep! When he’s sick, you’ll wish you could suffer the pain for him! You’ll do all these things in the future! The person you’re protecting now—you’ll break his heart for Caleb’s sake!” As she spoke, she again opened her phone’s memo app and shoved it under Stella’s nose. “Look clearly! Remember this! These are all of Caleb’s preferences and dietary restrictions!” Stella looked at the densely packed memo, then at the pale-faced Caleb beside her. She actually fell silent, her eyes complex, and even genuinely looked at the memo a few more times. ### 第四章 In that moment, my heart felt completely shredded. I suddenly remembered that Stella’s phone’s notes app had once been my exclusive domain. From my biggest birthday dreams to a casual remark I made about “really wanting the osmanthus cake from South Side,” she would diligently write it all down, then make each one come true for me. She even refused when my mom asked her to jot down a grocery list, proudly looping her arm through mine and saying, “My notes app is exclusively for *my* Julian!” That earned her teasing from the whole family, calling her a “lovesick puppy” at such a young age. It turns out that ten years from now, that memo, once exclusively mine, was already densely filled with another boy’s joys and sorrows. I couldn’t stand to watch any longer. I abruptly stood up, my voice hoarse. “I need to go to the restroom.” In the restroom, I splashed cold water repeatedly on my face, barely managing to suppress the suffocating wave of grief. When I came out, I didn’t even glance at their table, walking straight out of the restaurant. “Julian!” Stella immediately chased after me. Future Stella also followed, pulling Caleb. “Stella, you take Caleb home. The streetlights in his old apartment complex are dim; it’s not safe.” Caleb quickly waved his hands, but his eyes darted to Stella. “No, no, it’s too much trouble for you. You two take Julian. I can go back by myself…” “No!” Future Stella flatly refused, then turned to Stella. “Did you forget he was followed by debt collectors last time and jumped from a window? What if something happens again?” Stella’s face showed clear struggle and hesitation. She looked at me, then at Caleb. I felt incredibly weary, wanting nothing more than to escape all of it. I took a deep breath. “You take him first. I’ll just get a cab back.” “No!” Stella immediately panicked, grabbing my wrist tightly. “I can’t let you go back alone! I want to go with you!” My heart turned cold and sarcastic. “What about him, then?” Stella hesitated again, finally, as if making a huge decision, she said, “I’ll take him first, his place is close. Then I’ll take you; we’ll all go together!” With that, she practically half-forced me into the car. The car soon pulled up in front of Caleb’s dilapidated apartment building. The surroundings were dim, and the stairwell entrance was pitch black. Future Stella was the first to get out, supporting Caleb, and told Stella, “This building doesn’t have an elevator, and the sound-activated lights are broken. I’ll take Caleb up. You come along and help with some light.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298566”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

My sister, Mia, was trapped in a remote, snow-covered mountain, caught in an unexpected blizzard during her hike. I immediately called my husband, Ryan, who was the captain of the local search and rescue team and knew that mountain like the back of his hand. Ryan got the call and instantly rallied his team, preparing to deploy. But just as they were about to head out, he answered a phone call. He abruptly ordered the entire team to stand down, then jumped into his truck and sped down the mountain himself. I ran after the truck, stumbling and falling in the snow, watching helplessly as his vehicle vanished around the bend. “Ryan, the blizzard’s about to seal off the mountain!” “If you don’t go now, Mia will die! Please, I’m begging you, come back and save her!” But all he left me with was: “Stand by.” I waited for three agonizing hours until I saw him on the local news channel. Ryan was carefully prying a diamond bracelet, frozen solid to the icy railing of a scenic overlook, from a pampered heiress’s wrist. The heiress, Valerie, batting her eyelashes at the camera, played up her ‘terrified ordeal’ with a simpering mix of fear and exaggerated relief. “Thank goodness for Captain Ryan,” she gushed. “Otherwise, my necklace would have been ruined!” So, as my sister’s life ticked away, his more urgent priority was rescuing a rich socialite’s priceless jewelry. But what he didn’t know was that Mia had braved that storm-ravaged mountain not for adventure, but for him. She was there to retrieve a cherished heirloom from his mentor, lost years ago on that very mountain. And when Mia’s body was finally found, frozen solid in the raging blizzard, it would be the avalanche that buried not just her, but every shred of his life as he knew it.

The television screen’s glow reflected on my bloodless face. Ryan’s handsome profile was incredibly clear in the camera’s frame. He was bent over, carefully handling Valerie’s bracelet. Meanwhile, my sister, Mia, was all alone, trapped on a snow-capped mountain where temperatures plunged dozens of degrees below zero. Three whole hours! What I got wasn’t Ryan returning with his team, but him driving the rescue command vehicle back along a different scenic road. I frantically rushed in front of his truck, beating desperately on the window. “Ryan! Where were you?!” “What about Mia? Did you save her?!” The window slowly lowered, revealing his face, etched with impatience. “Harper, calm down,” he frowned. “I was handling an emergency.” An emergency? I was shaking with rage, pointing towards the mountain, tears blurring my vision instantly. “Your ‘emergency’ was retrieving a bracelet for some rich girl?!” “What about my sister? Is Mia’s life not more urgent than some stupid bracelet?!” Ryan’s expression darkened. “Miss Valerie’s hand was frozen to the metal railing of the overlook. There was a risk of amputation.” “And besides, I’d already had the team prepare everything. We were going to leave the moment I returned, not a minute wasted!” “Not a minute wasted?!” I let out a shrill, hysterical laugh. “Ryan, do you even realize, the blizzard peaked *three hours ago*! The entire mountain is locked down now! You didn’t just delay for a minute; you stole Mia’s *only* chance to live!” He seemed stung by my raw desperation, his voice hardening like ice. “Harper, I’m the captain! I know more about rescues than you do!” “If I say I can save her, I *will* save her!” “Now, move! Stop being irrational and getting in the way of my actual work!” Just then, his walkie-talkie crackled to life. A young team member’s trembling voice came through: “C-captain, we… we found Miss Mia near beacon number three on the west ridge…” My heart instantly clenched. “How is she?” A moment of silence passed on the other end of the walkie-talkie, followed by muffled sobs. “She… she’s no longer showing signs of life.” “Hypothermia, full organ failure, her body completely frozen solid…” My world seemed to crumble in that instant. I sank helplessly onto the snow. Ryan’s face went instantly ashen, a powerful shock and panic flashing in his eyes. But it was all too late. My sister, who just yesterday held my hand, laughing and promising to bring back the most beautiful snow-capped photos from the mountain, was now gone forever, left behind on that cold peak. When the rescue team brought her body back, she was curled up, her hands clutching a small wooden box tightly, never letting go, even in death.

Mia’s funeral was simple. She had always been so lively and full of smiles, so I chose a photo of her laughing brightest for her memorial picture. In the picture, she was wearing her hiking gear, a clear blue sky stretching behind her. But as I stared, that blue sky twisted into a brutal, bone-chilling blizzard in my mind’s eye. Ryan stood beside me, dressed in a black suit, silent as a statue. He tried to take my hand, but I pulled away. Those hands that had countless times pulled me into a loving embrace now made my stomach churn with a sickening repulsion. After the funeral, I held Mia’s urn and returned to the home Ryan and I shared. This place, once filled with laughter, was now terrifyingly quiet. Ryan followed behind me, cautiously speaking. “Harper, I know you’re hurting, but the dead can’t be brought back. You need to move forward.” Move forward? I turned, looking at him coldly. “Ryan, do you know why Mia went up that snowy mountain?” He paused, as if he’d never considered the question. “Didn’t she always love hiking and exploring?” “Yes, she did,” I forced a bitter smile. “But she loved her sister more. She knew I loved you, so she worshipped you like a hero, too.” I placed the wooden box the rescue team had retrieved from Mia’s arms onto the coffee table between us. “She heard me say that years ago, during a rescue mission, you lost a cherished heirloom from your mentor on that mountain.” “It was your biggest regret, and she wanted to make it right for you before your birthday.” Ryan’s body stiffened violently. He stared at the box, reaching out a hand but not daring to touch it. I opened it for him. Inside lay a brass compass, its needle no longer turning, its casing marked with the scratches of time. “She braved that storm-ravaged mountain, not for adventure, but for *you*, Ryan.” “She sacrificed her life for one of your insignificant sentiments.” “And you, when her life was hanging by a thread, when she needed you most, abandoned her for some woman’s jewelry.” Ryan’s breathing grew ragged. His tall frame swayed, his face ashen. “I… I didn’t know…” He murmured, a flicker of genuine pain and regret finally appearing in his eyes. “I truly didn’t know…” “Of course, you didn’t.” I looked at him, the last trace of warmth vanishing from my gaze. “Because you never truly cared about my sister and me.” “In your heart, we were probably less important than Miss Valerie’s bracelet.” I pulled another document from my bag and placed it beside the wooden box. “Ryan, we’re getting a divorce.” His pupils suddenly constricted. He stared at me, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Divorce? Harper, do you even know what you’re saying?” “I know perfectly well.” I stood up, clutching Mia’s urn. “Everything in this house is yours. I don’t want anything. I just want you to sign this.” With that, I carried Mia’s urn into her room and locked the door.

I stayed in Mia’s room all night. The next morning, when I walked out with my already packed suitcase, Ryan was sitting on the sofa, his eyes bloodshot, the divorce papers crumpled in his hand. Seeing me, he shot up, rushing over in a few strides and gripping my wrist. “Harper, do you really have to do this?” His voice was hoarse, tinged with a plea. “I’m devastated about Mia’s death too. I admit I was responsible, that I made a misjudgment.” “But you can’t let this one incident negate all our years together!” I tried to pull away, but he held on tighter. “All these years together?” I looked up, meeting his gaze directly. “Ryan, which years are you talking about?” “The years I quit my job to support your career, moving with you to this isolated mountain town?” “Or every time you went on a mission, when I couldn’t sleep all night, sick with worry for you?” “Or perhaps, this relationship where my sister lost her life for one of your so-called regrets?” His face went pale, and his grip on my hand loosened slightly. “I didn’t ask you to do any of that…” he argued. “I thought you did it willingly.” “I *was* willing,” I conceded with a nod. “But that was because I thought, in your heart, my family and I came first.” “Now I know I was wrong.” “To you, your ‘principles’ and ‘judgment’ were more important than my sister’s life itself.” “That’s different!” he interrupted, agitated. “Valerie’s situation was an *accident*! I was just—” “Enough, Ryan.” I didn’t want to hear any more of his excuses. “I don’t care what you were thinking at the time. I only know the outcome.” “And the outcome is that my sister is dead, and you are indirectly responsible for it.” The word “responsible” hit Ryan like a sledgehammer. He completely let go of me, stepping back, his eyes filled with hurt and anger. “Harper, do you have to use such hurtful words to stab at me? I know you’re angry, but this isn’t solving anything; you’re just being irrational!” In his eyes, my grief over losing my sister, my despair for him, was just irrationality. I suddenly found it both ridiculous and pathetic. Just then, his phone rang abruptly. He glanced at the caller ID, his brow instinctively furrowing. He deliberately lowered his voice, but I still caught the sweet, delicate female voice on the other end. “Captain Ryan, are you still mad at me?” “I really didn’t mean to cause you trouble. My dad wants to invite you to dinner to thank you in person…” Ryan turned his back to me, his voice a gentle tone I’d never heard him use before. “Miss Valerie, you’re too kind. It was just part of my job.” “No need for dinner. How’s your hand?” “Much better, the doctor said it was lucky you handled it so quickly. All thanks to you…” I watched his back impassively, then picked up my suitcase and walked towards the door. Ryan seemed to sense my movement. He quickly said, “I have to go, I’m busy,” into the phone, then turned and rushed after me, blocking my path again. “Harper, let’s talk this through. Please don’t go.” I looked at him, then asked an unrelated question. “Ryan, do you know what Mia’s ashes feel like to the touch?” He froze. I continued, ignoring him. “They’re cold. Colder than the snow on that mountain.” He suddenly became agitated, snatching my suitcase from my hand. “I won’t agree to a divorce!”

“I told you, what happened to Mia was an accident, but that can’t be your reason for leaving me!” “Compensation?” I looked at this man I had once loved to my core, repeating the word. “Ryan, what could you possibly compensate? Can you bring Mia back to life?” “Can you turn back time, and choose to save her that day instead?” He was speechless, only able to futilely emphasize: “That’s different! Rescue operations have procedures and judgments! I—” “Don’t talk to me about your procedures and judgments anymore!” I finally exploded, screaming out all my pain and despair. “Your ‘judgment’ was that my sister’s cry for help needed verification, but Miss Valerie’s frozen bracelet was a top emergency!” “Your ‘procedure’ was to keep your entire rescue team standing by while *you* drove dozens of miles to play hero to a rich heiress!” My voice was shrill, attracting the curious stares of the neighbors. A flicker of embarrassment crossed Ryan’s face. He tried to cover my mouth. “Lower your voice! Don’t air our dirty laundry in public!” I violently shook off his hand, tears finally streaming down my face. “Dirty laundry? Ryan, *now* you care about dirty laundry?!” “When you treated Mia’s life like a joke, did you ever consider it would come to this?” “While you smugly enjoyed Valerie’s thanks and the media’s praise, did you ever spare a thought for the girl slowly taking her last breaths in the blizzard?!” “I told you I didn’t know she was there for *me*!” He was enraged now too, veins bulging on his forehead. “If I had known, I would have gone to save her first!” “Really?” I retorted with a cold laugh. “But you *didn’t* know. You didn’t even spend a second thinking about it.” “You just *assumed* she was some reckless idiot, not worth a hero captain like you prioritizing her rescue.” Ryan fell silent instantly, the fire in his eyes slowly dying, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness. Perhaps only at this moment did he truly realize that the problem between us was no longer something an apology or compensation could fix. It was a human life, a chasm my sister had carved with her very existence, a gulf we could never bridge. I slowly, one by one, peeled his fingers from the handle of my suitcase. His hand was warm, strong, once my most cherished harbor. But now, I only felt cold. “Ryan, let go,” my voice was calm again. “We’re truly over.”

I pulled my suitcase, walking towards the main road at the village entrance without looking back. Ryan’s gaze felt like thorns digging into my back. But I didn’t turn around, not once. I was afraid if I did, I’d see regret in his eyes, and my heart would soften. But my heart couldn’t afford to be soft anymore. Mia’s urn was still in my backpack; she hated the cold, and I needed to take her somewhere warm. A place without Ryan, and without blizzards. Not long after I left, a pink Porsche pulled up to Ryan’s house. The window rolled down, and Valerie peeked out. Seeing a distraught Ryan, a flicker of glee crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by a look of concern. “Captain Ryan, are you alright? I heard… your wife might have misunderstood us?” She spoke softly, with just the right amount of concern. “I couldn’t explain it to her, she was just being irrational.” Ryan tiredly rubbed his temples, his voice filled with frustration. A triumphant smile curled Valerie’s lips. Then, the two of them left for the restaurant she had already arranged, while I departed the small town nestled beneath the snowy mountains.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298565”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Lily’s desperate cry pierced the air as Ethan pinned her against the wall, his eyes blazing with fury. She struggled futilely against his iron grip, her heart pounding with fear. “Let go of me!” she pleaded, but Ethan only tightened his hold, his handsome face twisted with rage. Suddenly, he flung her aside violently. Lily’s head slammed against the bedside table, pain exploding through her skull. She curled into herself protectively, glaring at Ethan through tear-filled eyes. “Don’t you dare touch me!” Ethan’s lip curled in disgust. “As if you have any right to make demands of me, you worthless woman.” His voice dripped with venom, each word burning like acid. Lily trembled uncontrollably, her entire body rejecting Ethan’s cruel advances. No matter what, she refused to bear his child! “Don’t forget, Lily – your life is in my hands,” Ethan snarled, his eyes flashing dangerously. “I can do whatever I want with you.” A chill ran down Lily’s spine at the murderous look in his eyes. Before she could react, Ethan grabbed her roughly. “You drugged me?!” Lily gasped in disbelief, staring at him in horror. How could he stoop so low? Ethan glanced at her coldly, his dark eyes devoid of emotion. “You bastard!” Lily spat, hatred burning in her eyes. In an instant, Ethan seized her jaw, forcing her to look at him. “Bastard? Who’s the real bastard here – me, or the woman who crippled her own sister?” A wave of anguish washed over Lily. For the sake of his sister’s legs, Ethan was willing to destroy her very life. “Ethan…” Lily whimpered as consciousness began to slip away. Even as darkness closed in, she forced herself to glare at him defiantly. “Is that all you can take?” Ethan sneered. “You weren’t so resistant when you were with Oliver, were you?” His handsome features contorted with disgust. The cruel insult made Lily’s battered body curl in on itself in shame. Just days ago, Ethan – the terrifyingly powerful heir to the Evans family fortune – had imprisoned Lily in this filthy warehouse. He forced her to sleep on the cold hard floor with only a thin blanket, demanding she atone for crippling his beloved sister Sophia. “The more you resist, Lily, the more I’ll break you,” Ethan growled menacingly. His harsh words pierced Lily’s heart. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. He hated her. Hated her to his very core. Hated her enough to want to torture her to death. Because she had betrayed him. Betrayed him in the cruelest way imaginable. Fury overtaking him, Ethan grabbed Lily’s throat. “Do you know what I regret most, Ethan?” she choked out. He glared at her coldly. “I regret…not killing Sophia when I had the chance,” Lily snarled. “I should have crushed more than just her legs.” Ethan recoiled as if struck, releasing Lily in disgust. “You’re not just filthy, Lily – you’re rotten to the core.” Filthy and rotten. Lily laughed bitterly. Ethan had already shattered her completely – why should his cruel words hurt her now? A wave of despair washed over her, nearly suffocating in its intensity. Lily struggled to breathe as Ethan stared at her with revulsion before storming out, leaving her alone in the darkness. She curled up on the thin blanket, icy coldness seeping into her bones. In the distance, Ethan smirked as he heard her agonized sobs. Late that night, Lily jolted awake as she sensed someone approaching. She instinctively tried to pull away, eyes wide with fear. “Ethan, haven’t you done enough?!” The figure looming over her froze. In the darkness, a pair of eyes bore into her intensely. Lily’s blood ran cold as she realized this wasn’t Ethan, but a strange man she’d never seen before. Terror flooded her veins. Lily’s shoulders shook violently as she found herself unable to even cry for help. Who would come to her rescue in this isolated warehouse anyway? “Get your filthy hands off me,” she snarled, jerking away in disgust. Her resistance only seemed to enrage the man further. He tossed aside his belt, eyes gleaming dangerously. “I’m going to teach you a lesson, you little bitch!” he growled. Suddenly, Lily saw Ethan appear in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame. His cold eyes swept over the scene with disdain. “How does he compare to Oliver?” Ethan sneered. “Let’s see if he can satisfy your cravings.” Lily stared at him in stunned disbelief, her whole body trembling. She never imagined Ethan could be so cruel as to allow this. He truly wanted to destroy her entire life. “Ethan, do you have no conscience?!” she cried desperately, cornered by the aggressive stranger. “Conscience? Did you have a conscience when you abandoned my family?” he shot back, his piercing gaze cutting her to the core. “Make him stop!” Lily screamed, using the last of her strength. But Ethan’s eyes remained cold and unfeeling. He was really going to stand by and watch as she was violated. Lily laughed bitterly. What could be more devastating than the man she loved most in the world pushing her into the arms of another man to be abused? In a split second decision, she slammed her head against the wall with all her might. Blood splattered as Lily collapsed to the floor, her vacant eyes fixed on Ethan. Though his fists clenched involuntarily, Ethan forced himself to remain impassive. He couldn’t show weakness now, not after her unforgivable betrayal. He approached her prone form, his expression cold. “Playing the martyr now, Lily? You’re filthy to the core – don’t pretend to have any pride left.” Lily was in too much pain to speak, but the explanation stuck in her throat. She loved him – how could she let that incident destroy him? She simply stared at Ethan, deliberately provoking him further. “You hate me so much – why not just kill me? I’m damaged goods now. Oliver is the only man I want!” She hurled insults at herself, satisfied to see the hatred burning in his eyes. The more he despised her, the more vindicated she felt – even as his loathing shattered her heart into pieces. Suddenly, Ethan seized her bloodied chin in an iron grip. His eyes blazed with murderous rage. “Kill you? Death would be too merciful. You don’t deserve to live, Lily, but your death wouldn’t be enough to repay Sophia.” Her life wasn’t even worth Sophia’s legs in his eyes. Lily should be enslaved, forced to serve Sophia for the rest of her miserable existence. Ethan roughly grabbed her frail body, his expression twisted with revulsion. “From today on, you’ll live at the Evans estate and be Sophia’s servant until she forgives you.” Lily was stunned for a moment. Live at the Evans estate? That would be no different than descending into hell. Sophia would torment her relentlessly, and Ethan would use every means to make her suffer. She couldn’t bear it. Tears of blood stained Lily’s cheeks, making her look hauntingly beautiful. “If you force me back there, I’ll kill myself right in front of you.” She tried to wrench free of Ethan’s grasp, preparing to slam her head against the wall once more. But in that instant, Ethan kicked her legs out from under her. Lily crashed to the floor as his foot pressed down on her bloodied forehead. The pain was indescribable. No, “pain” wasn’t nearly a strong enough word. More than anything, she felt despair. Despair at what this man was doing to her. “Want to die?” he sneered, his brow furrowed mockingly. “Who will atone for Sophia’s suffering if you’re gone?” The constant mentions of “Sophia” felt like knives twisting in Lily’s heart. In Ethan’s eyes, his precious Sophia was human while Lily was nothing but a dog to be kicked. How ironic that the man who once cherished her above all else now tortured her for another woman’s sake. Lily’s vision blurred as she stared blankly ahead. Why couldn’t that car accident have killed her instead? Because of that crash, she and Ethan had become mortal enemies overnight!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298564”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

They say no one escapes the seven-year itch in marriage, but Aubrey and Julian Davies’ loving days only lasted five. After five years, Julian fell for someone else. To force Aubrey to donate her bone marrow, he even kidnapped her only living family member. When Aubrey arrived, her younger brother, Liam, was already beaten and covered in blood. Guards had him pinned down, roughly forcing bottle after bottle of alcohol down his throat. Julian looked at her, a smirk playing on his lips. “Here are ten bottles of hard liquor. Every minute, I’ll force one down his throat. But I don’t quite remember which one is poisoned.” “Will you watch your brother drink himself to death, or will you sign the bone marrow donation agreement?” Aubrey’s tears streamed down her face as she looked at Liam, covered in blood. “No!” She shrieked at Julian, “He’s my only brother, my only family! How – how could you do this to him?!” Julian calmly swirled the wine in his glass, his gaze empty of any pity. Instead, he simply raised a hand, signaling the guards to pry Liam’s mouth open and continue forcing the liquor down. Julian pointed to the remaining bottles. “One of these is poisoned!” “Care to guess which one?” Aubrey’s heart pounded, threatening to burst from her chest. Julian stood before her, his eyes lowered, radiating a chilling aura. “Aubrey, your blood type matches Serena’s. Donating a bit of bone marrow won’t affect you at all.” Julian gripped her chin, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Or are you thinking Liam won’t feel any pain if he drinks this poison after getting drunk? Is that why you’re so unconcerned?” Aubrey bit her lip so hard the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. Her parents were gone; Liam was all she had left. After she got together with Julian, he had spoiled Liam even more than she did. Yet now, for another woman, he was threatening her with her brother’s life. Seeing her hesitation, Julian grew impatient. “Are you truly willing to watch your brother die right in front of you?” Julian’s eyes hardened. He picked up another bottle and handed it to a guard. “Only one left.” “Julian Davies!” Aubrey screamed, utterly heartbroken. “Are you really going to kill my brother for your lover?!” “Her health is important, but what about mine? Do I deserve to die?!” Julian raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips as he wiped a smudge from her cheek. “Of course not. It’s just a bone marrow donation.” “Or are you afraid Serena will take your place? Don’t worry, no one will ever shake your position as Mrs. Davies.” “Serena is very obedient, just like you used to be. She listens to everything I say.” The moment Serena’s name was mentioned, Julian’s eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of someone who had found a perfect acquisition. Aubrey remembered. She was orphaned in middle school. With nowhere else to turn, a twist of fate led her to be taken in by the Davies family. Back then, Julian’s parents were often away on business, and the nannies didn’t care much for him. He was malnourished, scrawny. That’s why Mr. Davies Sr. used to call him a scrawny kid who couldn’t even stand up for himself. Caught in a cycle of extreme verbal abuse and emotional distress, he spiraled into depression. It was Aubrey who quietly stayed by his side, learning to cook to nurse him back to health. She stopped him from attempting suicide, comforting and caring for his emotional well-being. She stayed with him until he became the celebrated CEO of Davies Corporation. Through countless days and nights spent together, a silent affection blossomed between them. At a Davies family gala, someone had called her a charity case trying to marry into wealth, warning the family to be careful not to be seduced by her. The very next day, Julian had systematically crushed that person’s company, issuing a chilling warning to everyone: no one was to speak ill of Aubrey ever again. He had made her feel completely safe and cherished. … They had walked hand-in-hand through life, Julian’s boundless favoritism protecting her from ridicule and disdain. He had given her and Liam a home, a sanctuary. At their wedding, Julian had declared that only she, Aubrey, would ever be Mrs. Davies. He had kept his word, yet his heart now belonged to another woman. Aubrey clutched the lapel of Julian’s jacket until her knuckles turned white. Fighting back tears, she choked out, “Julian, is Serena truly that important to you?” Julian paused for a moment. “Important, yes. I can’t live without her.” “Serena lacks a sense of security. You should give her half of your shares too.” Every word he spoke was like a knife, twisting deeper into Aubrey’s heart. Those shares had been given to her by Mrs. Davies; they were rightfully hers. Why should she give them to Serena? It was her fault, she had let a viper into her home. When she first met Serena, she was a fresh college graduate, struggling to find work. She had pulled some strings, asking Aubrey for help. Thinking she seemed nice enough, Aubrey hired Serena as her personal assistant. She never expected her to be so impulsive and a law unto herself. Serena constantly disrupted her plans and interfered with her schedule. Aubrey had gotten into trouble with Mr. Davies Sr. more times than she could count because of her. When she finally fired Serena, Serena still believed she’d done nothing wrong. She’d claimed Aubrey was just using her position as Mrs. Davies to lord it over people. Serena swore that once she reached Aubrey’s position, she would make sure Aubrey suffered. Aubrey had dismissed them as empty threats, paying them no mind. But she never imagined Serena would turn around and start an affair with Julian. Still, she didn’t take it seriously. Julian had many lovers; they were always just flings. She was wrong. Things slowly spiraled out of control. Serena was different. Julian was completely obsessed with her, madly in love with her. The thought sent a wave of agonizing pain through Aubrey. She struggled to compose herself. “There are so many people who could be a match for her. Why does it have to be me?” Julian replied, “Because I don’t trust anyone else. But you’re absolutely clean, no diseases.” “You’re holding the position of Mrs. Davies. What more could you be unsatisfied with? It’s just bone marrow. Don’t be so petty.” Aubrey froze. He spoke as if this were some grand favor bestowed upon her. Did receiving these things mean she had to give up her life? Her body was already haggard and frail. After undergoing surgery, she might not make it off the table. Seeing her continued refusal, Julian’s patience ran out. He warned, “Aubrey, don’t forget, without me, you and your brother would be beggars.” “Just as I gave you everything, I can take it all away.” Aubrey fell silent, her eyes filled with a soul-crushing agony. Everything she had done was to stand proudly beside Julian. Yet everyone saw her efforts, everyone but Julian, who, deep down, only ever looked down on her. The young man who, full of vigor, declared his love to him in the rain. The Julian who confessed his love under the spotlight and swore to love only her. He was long gone. Aubrey stubbornly lifted her head. “What if I refuse to donate?” Julian frowned in displeasure, sighing softly before prying Liam’s mouth open again. She panicked, quickly saying, “I’ll find someone else for you, absolutely clean and healthy!” “Three…” “Julian, there are other options! It doesn’t have to be me!” “Two… Aubrey, do you really think your brother isn’t as important as your bone marrow?” His voice was bone-chillingly cold, and the indifference in his eyes tore her in two. “Fine, I agree. I’ll give you my bone marrow.” The words tasted bitter in her mouth. “Good girl. That’s my Aubrey.” Julian took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, his arm around her firm and warm. He signaled the guards to release Liam, who crumpled to the ground like a broken rag doll. A cold fear bloomed in Aubrey’s heart. Julian had always seen her as an object. Like a helmsman who could steer her emotions at will. She couldn’t endure this life of sharing one man with countless other women. She had to take Liam and leave. She had to get a divorce.

Aubrey shoved Julian away and rushed to the unconscious Liam. She shrieked at Julian, “Quick! Get him to a hospital!” Julian frowned. Just as he was about to call for someone to take Liam to the hospital, His phone suddenly rang. He looked at the screen—it was Serena. The moment he answered, her weeping voice came through. “Julian, my chest hurts so much! I feel like I can’t hold on!” Julian grew anxious, hearing Serena’s cries. He tried to comfort her. “I’m coming right away. Just wait for me.” Seeing him about to leave, Aubrey grabbed his jacket. “Julian, Julian, please, I’m begging you! Get Liam to the hospital first, he’s dying!” Julian’s brows furrowed deeply. He yanked his jacket free. “Call an ambulance yourself. Serena said her condition worsened.” “I have to go take care of her first!” She tried to argue, but he ignored her. Aubrey placed her last hope on the ambulance. When she finally found her phone, it was shattered, utterly unusable. In the end, it was one of the guards, with a pang of conscience, who called for an ambulance. All the way to the hospital, she kept asking the doctors if Liam would be okay. But they couldn’t make any promises. After Liam was wheeled into the emergency room, Aubrey stood outside, pacing anxiously. Less than half an hour after the doctors went in, they suddenly rushed out, looking utterly frantic. She frowned, stepping forward and gripping a doctor’s wrist tightly. “Where are you going? How is the person inside?” The doctor, frantic, explained, “A patient named Serena has had an emergency. The hospital just called us all over.” “We’ll be back here very soon.” Aubrey held the doctor’s arm even tighter, refusing to let go. “No! If you leave, my brother will have no one to save him!” “So many doctors are going. It won’t matter if one of you stays!” Aubrey cried and knelt, pleading with the doctor to stay, but he was torn. If he didn’t go, he could kiss his career at the hospital goodbye. After a moment of agonizing deliberation, the doctor. Still, he pulled his wrist free from Aubrey’s grasp, guilt etched on his face. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.” With that, he abandoned her and left. She peered into the operating room, seeing Liam lying alone on the hospital bed. His breathing grew shallow. Aubrey gritted her teeth and rushed to another emergency room, where she saw Julian standing outside, his face etched with worry. “Did you call all the doctors away?” Julian looked up. “Serena’s situation is critical.” The operating room was packed with doctors. Aubrey cried out in fury, “You don’t need this many! Just give me a few doctors, please!” Aubrey’s eyes were red-rimmed as she tugged at Julian’s sleeve, begging him. But he was unmoved, rejecting her with a stone-cold expression. “Stop making a scene. If anything happens to Serena, I couldn’t bear it.” “It’ll be quick. Just wait a little longer.” Aubrey snatched her hand away and screamed at him, “Liam is really dying! I’ll kneel for you, okay?!” Finally, she knelt down in front of everyone. Julian’s face instantly changed. He pulled her up. His voice laced with impatience, “I just praised you for being obedient, and now you’re going to upset me again?” Aubrey softened her tone, tears streaming down her face. “Liam really can’t wait.” Julian, with a cold look, cupped her face and began to soothe her. “It was just a few drinks. How could anything happen?” “I didn’t put any poison in that alcohol. I knew you were trying to trick me into coming over with Liam.” “This isn’t the time for jealousy. Be a good girl. Serena’s situation is much more serious than Liam’s.” Aubrey could no longer hide her collapsing emotions. She screamed at Julian, “No! I’m not being jealous!” Julian’s brows furrowed slightly, his expression displeased. “Enough. Stop being so disobedient. Once Serena’s surgery is over, they’ll go to Liam.” Seeing that she couldn’t reason with Julian, she decided to transfer Liam to another hospital. Just as she was about to arrange the transfer, the door to Serena’s operating room suddenly opened. Serena’s face was pale, and her eyes, red-rimmed, looked at Julian with an expression that made her appear utterly pitiful. “Julian, I thought I’d never wake up again.” Julian comforted her with a pained expression, his voice full of tenderness. “It’s okay. I’m here. Nothing bad will happen to you.” Aubrey stood to the side, watching the two of them embrace. She felt like a hysterical madwoman. Julian used to cherish her, treating her like a precious treasure. Knowing she was afraid of pain, he had all the sharp furniture and wall corners in their home rounded. If she ever got a scratch or a bump, he would panic as if the world were about to explode. When she faced difficulties, he was always the first to appear by her side. But then, this relationship started to sour. Looking back, it seemed to be from the moment she stopped obeying his every command. After the doctors emerged from Serena’s operating room, they immediately went to Liam’s. Who knew how much time had passed? The doctor came out and shook his head at Aubrey. “It’s too late. If you had brought him a few minutes earlier, he might have been saved.” “Now, he’s in a vegetative state. As for when he’ll wake up, that’s an unknown.” Aubrey’s legs gave out when she heard the news. He was alive, but what was the difference between this and being dead? She walked to his side, gently stroking his pale face. Just a few minutes. If Julian hadn’t called all the doctors away, her brother would be waking up right now! Aubrey collapsed beside Liam, no longer able to hold back her emotions, and cried out loud. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t fallen in love with Julian, you wouldn’t be like this.” “If I had agreed to give Julian my bone marrow earlier, he wouldn’t have been so cruel to you!” If the old Liam had heard her crying, he would have long since wiped away her tears and sought out whoever had made her cry to settle the score. But now, he lay motionless on the bed. Finally, Aubrey coughed up a mouthful of blood, staining the hospital floor.

When she woke again, a doctor stood over her, frowning at her test results. “Your body is very weak. You need to rest properly.” Aubrey smiled faintly. “Doctor, will I die?” “No, but if you keep pushing yourself, you won’t have many days left.” After saying this, the doctor sighed, leaving her with a simple instruction to take care of herself before departing. Ever since Liam became a vegetable, Aubrey had dedicated all her energy to him. One day, the elevator broke, forcing her to climb five flights of stairs. But by the third floor, she was breathless, her chest tight, her legs weak. By the time she reached Liam’s side, she was drenched in sweat. That’s when she realized just how frail her body was. If she went into surgery like this, it would surely be a gamble with her life. She needed to recover properly. After several days of rest and treatment in the hospital, her body finally started to regain some strength. She planned to go home to pick up some things, then rent a room near the hospital so she could better care for Liam. Standing at the door, she overheard words that shattered her heart. “Do you think our baby will be a boy or a girl?” Serena asked, her face full of anticipation. Julian, with a doting expression, replied, “Boy or girl, they’re my child.” A child? A sudden, sharp pain pierced Aubrey’s heart, an unspeakable ache spreading through her entire body. They had been together for five years and never conceived. He and Serena got pregnant in less than half a year? Just then, Serena suddenly began to sob. “Maybe I should just get rid of this baby?” Julian’s grip on Serena’s hand tightened abruptly, his eyes wide with panic. “Why?!” “My body… I can’t carry a baby. Julian, I really want to be a mother, but I…” Julian frowned, his thin lips parting. “It’s okay. I found a bone marrow match for you, and Aubrey has agreed.” Aubrey’s heart clenched in the hallway. The world began to spin. The metallic tang in her throat constantly reminded her that her body was no longer healthy. If she didn’t make it off the operating table this time, what would happen to Liam? What would he do, alone? Aubrey knocked on the door. The two in the living room immediately turned to the entrance. Only then did they realize Aubrey had been listening the whole time. Julian frowned. “What are you doing here?” Aubrey walked over to them. “Can I… can I get my body stronger first… before I donate?” Serena clutched her stomach, tears wetting her sleeves. “But I can’t wait! The doctor said the surgery needs to be done as soon as possible.” “Julian, if Aubrey isn’t willing, then… we won’t have the baby.” Serena said this with a sob in her voice. With just one sentence, she shifted all the blame onto Aubrey. Julian frowned, his voice low and firm, laced with an undeniable command. “You just heard, Serena is pregnant.” “Aubrey, you promised to donate your bone marrow. Or do you want your brother to keep drinking?” Aubrey responded, “It’s not that I won’t donate. It’s just that my body right now…” “Aubrey! You used to agree to everything I said. Why are you constantly refusing me now?!” Julian’s voice was icy, radiating a deep, cold indifference. “Serena and the baby can’t wait.” Aubrey knew she couldn’t escape. So, if that was the case, she would fight for something for herself. “Alright, but I need a sum of money.” Julian was pleased by Aubrey’s sudden obedience, his mood brightening considerably. “I need sixty million.” Julian didn’t bat an eye, nodding. “I’ll have Mr. Sterling transfer it to you.” But Serena, sitting beside him, wasn’t happy. “Why so much money?” “What are you going to do with it?” Aubrey frowned. This mistress, acting like the lady of the house, interrogating her. “It’s just sixty million,” Julian said. Serena pouted. “That sixty million would be so much better for our baby.” Aubrey looked anxiously at Julian. She was terrified he would actually listen to Serena and take the money back. This was the amount she’d calculated for Liam’s future medical expenses. She immediately explained, “No, Liam is in a vegetative state. I need this money.” Julian looked disbelieving. “How is that possible? He just had a few drinks. That wouldn’t put him in a vegetative state, would it?” “I’m really not lying to you.” He let out a cold laugh. “Alright, if you want money in the future, just ask me directly. No need to lie about Liam being in a vegetative state.” “You’re Mrs. Davies. It’s only right that I give you money.” Aubrey opened her mouth, but no words came out. Serena, however, shot Aubrey a venomous look, as if wishing her dead. Just then, she touched her belly, as if an idea had struck her. “Julian, since I’m pregnant now, shouldn’t we find someone to care for me during my pregnancy?” Julian said, “I’ll immediately have someone find a maternity nurse for you.” Serena stopped Julian and looked at Aubrey. “I don’t think that’s necessary. Couldn’t Aubrey just take care of me?” “I only trust family.”

Julian, hearing this, smiled. “That’s a good idea. She’s excellent at taking care of people.” Aubrey’s face drained of color. Her throat felt dry. “Excellent at taking care of people.” Was he talking about how she had acted like a nanny to him throughout their youth? His words made all her sacrifices during her youth feel like a cruel joke. Julian picked up a strand of her hair, twisting it between his fingers. “You’ll agree, won’t you?” Aubrey’s eyes welled up. After they announced their relationship, Julian had never let her do any housework. Now, he was asking her to care for his pregnant mistress. Her mouth opened slightly, but she couldn’t utter a refusal. She could only nod. She couldn’t go against Julian yet. She hadn’t received the divorce papers, and the money hadn’t been transferred to her account. Serena, seeing Aubrey’s humiliated expression, brightened considerably. Just then, Julian’s phone rang. He gave Serena a doting look. “I’ll take this call.” As soon as he stepped out, the pitiful innocence in Serena’s eyes vanished. It was replaced by malice and calculation. “Well, does it hurt to see how much Julian loves me?” Serena looked triumphant, her chin slightly raised, a victor’s pose. “I found out. You were just a beggar picking through trash on the streets. After getting help from the Davies family, you transformed into Mrs. Davies.” “If you can marry Julian, so can I.” Saying this, Serena grabbed Aubrey’s wrist. “I advise you to leave Julian on your own. Otherwise, once I start playing games, you won’t be able to handle it.” Aubrey didn’t take Serena’s threats seriously. She sneered. “Oh really? Then why don’t you just tell him you want him to divorce me?” “Do you know why he loves you so much, yet still hasn’t divorced me?” “Because, to him, you’re nothing but a mistress.” Aubrey’s words hit home, crushing Serena’s pride. “You!” Serena pointed a furious finger at her, barely restraining herself from striking Aubrey. “Don’t get cocky. The position of Mrs. Davies will be mine eventually.” With that, Serena violently shoved the table, spilling a cup of hot water. Then she let out a piercing scream. “Ah!” Julian, hearing Serena’s shriek, burst through the door and saw Serena’s scalded, red hand. He rushed over and pulled her into his arms. “What happened?!” Serena leaned into Julian’s embrace, tears welling in her eyes. She sniffled as she cried. She looked utterly pathetic. “Julian, I don’t know what I said wrong to anger Aubrey.” “She suddenly threw hot water on me.” As she spoke, she clutched her stomach, crying even harder. “Thankfully, I protected my belly. If anything happened to the baby, what would I do?!” Julian’s deep, inky eyes blazed with fury. He let out a sudden roar that made Aubrey flinch. “Aubrey!” “Don’t you know she’s pregnant?! How could you be so vicious?!” It was the first time Aubrey had seen Julian so enraged. She tried to explain, “There are security cameras in the living room. You can check them to see if I did it.” She had been kidnapped once before, and though she was rescued safely, it had left Julian with intense psychological trauma. He’d had cameras installed in every corner of the house. A flicker of panic crossed Serena’s face. She quickly said, “Aubrey, I know you want to say I framed you, but I would never endanger Julian’s baby just to frame you!” Julian held Serena tightly, his heart aching. He looked at her tear-filled eyes and her scalded, red hand. “No need to check. I believe Serena.” “Aubrey, I never thought you could become so malicious.” Aubrey tried to explain again. “I never…” “Aubrey!” His roar was so loud, it made her heart pound. Even Serena flinched at the sound, forgetting to cry. Julian, seeing Serena startled, immediately comforted her. “Don’t be scared. I’m not yelling at you!” Tears spilled from Aubrey’s eyes, uncontrollable. If she had cried before, Julian would have frantically fumbled to comfort her. But now, he was busy soothing another woman. Julian looked up, frowning. “Why are you crying? I guess you don’t understand pain until it happens to you.” He gave a look to the guards, who immediately understood. They grabbed Aubrey’s arms, pulling her towards the basement. Looking at the pitch-black basement, Aubrey immediately struggled. “I’m begging you! I’m scared!” “Don’t do this, Julian Davies! You know I can’t be in confined spaces, you know it!” No matter how much Aubrey pleaded, he ignored her. The basement was just a storage room, not very large. The lights there had broken a long time ago and hadn’t been fixed. Once the door closed, nothing could be seen. In that sealed, narrow space, her fear magnified infinitely. Aubrey couldn’t take it anymore. She hammered on the door, shouting, “Let me out! Please, let me out!” No one paid any attention to her cries for help. Gradually, she felt her breathing grow ragged, and her entire being was consumed by extreme terror. When she finally saw light again, it was three days later. For those three days, she hadn’t eaten or drunk anything. Julian looked at her, covered in dirt, and wrinkled his nose in disgust. Serena, hiding behind him, looked smug. Julian sneered, “If you had just been a good girl and listened, none of this would have happened!” She had no strength left and slowly closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Julian sitting by her bedside. He held a glass of water out to her. “Drink some water.” His voice was incredibly gentle, making her believe the young Julian from years ago had returned. But then she looked up and saw the hickeys on his neck, instantly snapping her back to reality. Julian placed the water glass aside. “Are you worried Serena’s child will steal your inheritance?”

“Once Serena’s surgery is done, we’ll have a child of our own. That way, you’ll feel more secure, won’t you?” Aubrey thought she had misheard him. She looked up at the man she had loved for over a decade. He now seemed utterly foreign to her. She suppressed her nausea and replied, “Understood.” “Then rest well. I’m leaving.” After Julian left, Aubrey rushed to the bathroom and vomited violently into the toilet. A child? If a child were born into this environment, it would be irresponsible of her. She couldn’t continue like this. Aubrey went to Julian’s office door. Julian barely looked up when he saw her. “What do you need?” “This is the contract for an apartment I bought. Liam needs to be hospitalized, so I’ll live near the hospital to take care of him.” Julian took the contract from her hand and read it carefully. When he flipped to the divorce agreement page, Aubrey’s heart tightened. She quickly reached out to cover the content, pointing to the signature line. “Just sign here.” Julian looked up at her, then, without much thought, signed the document. “Take good care of Serena. She’s in a critical period right now.” Aubrey nodded and left the office. Looking at Julian’s signature on the divorce agreement, the reality finally sank in: she was truly divorced from Julian. Next, she would go to the law firm to divide their assets. Mrs. Davies had given her a substantial amount of shares after they married. Once she converted those into cash, it would be enough for her and Liam to live comfortably for the rest of their lives. As she was at home brewing herbal medicine, her phone suddenly rang. It was Julian. The moment she answered, his anxious voice came through. “Where are you right now?” Aubrey frowned. “I’m home.” Julian said, “I’m coming back to pick you up now.” About ten minutes after the call ended, he appeared at her house. Without a word, he pulled her into the car. On the way, Aubrey couldn’t help but ask, “Where are you taking me?” Julian frowned. “Serena fainted. She needs emergency surgery.” Aubrey flinched. Her body wasn’t ready for surgery yet. Her health and weight weren’t up to par. If she donated now, what would happen to her? “Not today. Let me get my strength back…” “Enough!” Julian slammed on the horn, glaring into the rearview mirror. “You just don’t want to donate, so you’re making excuses!” “Don’t you know myelodysplastic syndrome can be fatal? If you don’t donate today, Serena and the baby will be in danger.” Upon arriving at the hospital, Julian pushed her directly to a doctor. “Her bone marrow is a match. Take hers.” “No! You can’t! I’ll die! Doctor, please tell him!” Aubrey looked at the doctor, her face etched with despair. She placed all her hope in him. The doctor frowned. The person before him was skeletal, far from meeting donation standards. He was about to object. Julian’s voice cut in, a warning. “If you don’t want this hospital to go under, then draw her blood!” The doctor’s words were swallowed back down. He could only lead Aubrey into the operating room. Aubrey grabbed Julian’s jacket, crying out, “Julian Davies! What if I really die?!” Her desperate plea made everyone present wince in pain. Julian, however, was unfazed. He gripped her chin. “I’ve looked into it. Bone marrow donation won’t kill you. Stop being dramatic.” “What are you all looking at? Get her in there!” Fearing repercussions, the doctors could only take her arms and pull her towards the operating room. Despite her desperate struggles, she couldn’t resist a single anesthesia injection. The operating lamp switched on, its white glare painfully bright. Then, gradually, she lost consciousness. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Serena clinging to Julian’s waist, her face tear-stained. “Julian, do you know how close I came to never seeing you again?” Julian frantically wiped away her tears, comforting her. “I’m here with you. Don’t be afraid.” In contrast, Aubrey lay unattended. She tried to push herself up to reach the water glass on her bedside table. But her hands were too weak. She couldn’t hold the full glass. The loud crash of the glass hitting the floor seemed to startle Serena, who flinched in Julian’s arms. She cried even louder. Julian let her tears soak his clothes. He looked at Aubrey with an accusing glare. He had severe germaphobia. In the past, if Aubrey accidentally touched his hand with sand, he would wash his hands several times with soap. But now, Serena’s tears were soaking his collar, and he didn’t seem annoyed at all. Julian soothed Serena, then angrily turned to Aubrey.

“What are you whining about? Don’t you know Serena just had surgery and can’t handle being startled?!” Aubrey could only silently endure his accusations. For some reason, her incision was hurting excruciatingly. She was gasping for breath, and she turned to Julian. “Please, call a doctor for me!” Serena, at that moment, said, “Let’s switch rooms. I want a private room.” Julian’s attention was entirely focused on Serena. He’d completely forgotten what Aubrey had said. “Understood! I’ll arrange it right away!” Julian carried Serena away, leaving Aubrey alone in the room. Later, a nurse doing rounds discovered Aubrey had fainted. Acute kidney failure. After the doctors’ efforts, she barely survived. A week later, Serena and Julian reappeared in her hospital room. Looking at Aubrey’s pale face, Serena said, “The doctor told me the technology is mature now. Bone marrow donation has no risks at all.” “Aubrey, even if you want to get Julian’s attention, you don’t need to fake it so badly.” With that, she stepped forward and pinched Aubrey’s face hard, until it turned red. She turned to Julian and said, “See how pale her face is? It’s all makeup.” Aubrey’s body hadn’t fully recovered. Hearing Serena’s words, she coughed fiercely. Julian frowned. “Aubrey, you’re really disappointing me more and more!” “The doctor said you need another surgery. Get ready.” Aubrey looked up, her eyes filled with despair. “What did you say?” “What, you put on such a good act, and now you can’t handle donating a second time?” “Do you know Serena gets a headache if she feels even a slight draft? It’s because you kept delaying the donation, and it left her with lingering issues!” Tears silently streamed down Aubrey’s face. She had barely returned from the brink of death, and now he wanted to push her back in again. “I won’t donate,” Aubrey gritted out. Julian frowned. “What did you say?” Aubrey repeated, “I won’t donate. I’d rather die than sacrifice my life for her.” Julian was about to say something when a nurse suddenly entered. “Aubrey, one dialysis session, and then you’ll recover with medication!” Dialysis? Julian frowned, about to ask what was going on. Serena, beside him, immediately grabbed his arm. “Julian, I suddenly feel so dizzy. Did I not get enough rest?” Julian, hearing Serena hadn’t rested well, quickly supported her, his face filled with concern. “Let’s go rest now.” As for Aubrey, Julian didn’t ask another word. The nurse helped Aubrey out of bed. “Was that your family just now? Why didn’t you ask him to accompany you for dialysis?” Aubrey’s face was numb. “Not family. I can do it alone.” She received treatment at the hospital for half a month. During that time, she had no one to talk to, only watching TV to pass the time. The news lately was all about Julian and Serena. At a new product launch, Serena was dressed elegantly, sitting beside Julian. She greeted everyone like the lady of the Davies household. At a charity gala, reporters asked Julian about their relationship, and he generously admitted they were a couple. He gave Serena all the security she needed, and even the media’s headlines for the three of them were: “The unloved one is the mistress.” Julian’s doting on Serena was known to all: hot air balloon confessions, starting a company for her, gifting her luxury cars and mansions. Seeing these scenes, people couldn’t help but remember that Julian’s pursuit of Aubrey hadn’t been nearly as grand. Everyone was saying Serena was Julian’s true love. Aubrey felt no emotion from seeing these things anymore. All she wanted now was to take what belonged to her and leave with her brother. As far away as possible. When she was well enough to be discharged, her first priority was to find Liam. She hadn’t been around for so long; she wondered how her brother was doing. As she pushed open the door, she saw a group of men in black ransacking the room, throwing things everywhere. They were even trying to rip Liam’s oxygen tube out. Aubrey saw this and rushed forward, using all her strength to push the burly guard to the ground. “What are you doing?! Who told you to touch him?!” Serena, arms crossed, walked out from a short distance away, looking at the unconscious man on the bed. “What’s the point of keeping a living corpse here?” “It’s just a waste of resources!” The term “living corpse” pierced Aubrey’s heart. She broke free from the guard and screamed at Serena, “My brother will wake up! He will!” “He’s not a living corpse!” Serena, seeing her frantic state, raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused. She gestured to the guards. “What are you waiting for? Get him out of here!” With that, the guards moved towards Liam. As their hands were about to touch him, Aubrey lunged forward and bit one of them on the arm, biting so hard she nearly tore off a chunk of flesh. The guard shrieked and recoiled, looking at the crazed Aubrey, daring not to approach. He turned to Serena, embarrassed. “No, she’s too wild! We can’t get near her!” Serena cursed, “You useless fools!” With that, she kicked Liam’s hospital bed. Liam tumbled to the floor with a loud thud. His head hit the ground and began to bleed profusely. Liam was Aubrey’s breaking point. After their parents died, Liam knew she was too proud to beg for food. But dishwashing jobs couldn’t support both of them. In the dead of winter, ten-year-old Liam, who should have been a child pampered in his parents’ arms, instead crouched in the snow, begging. When he returned, his face was chapped and bleeding from the bitter cold, yet he smiled and said they had warmth for the winter. From that day on, she swore she would never let him suffer any harm, but she hadn’t been able to prevent any of it. Aubrey rushed forward, desperate to press down on Liam’s bleeding wound, her eyes blurred with tears. Looking at the motionless Liam, she felt an overwhelming sense of injustice, and her tears flowed uncontrollably.

Serena’s voice rang out, “What are you just standing there for? Get her away from him!” “Throw this useless thing out! Half-dead, wasting money here!” Hearing those words, Aubrey couldn’t take it anymore. She sprang up, rushed to Serena, and slapped her hard across the face. Serena clutched her face, utterly stunned. Then, Aubrey’s next slap landed. “You’re crazy! How dare you hit me!” Serena, holding her face, pointed at Aubrey, seething with rage. “Fine, you just wait!” After Serena left, Aubrey called for a doctor. She breathed a sigh of relief when she learned Liam was okay. Only after he was stable did she return to her apartment. As she opened the door, she heard Julian’s voice from inside. “Grab her.” No sooner had he spoken than a bodyguard emerged from the shadows behind her, grabbing her by the shoulders. He pushed her in front of Julian, while Serena, seeing her, looked utterly heartbroken. She leaned into Julian’s embrace, sniffing as she cried. “Aubrey, I just went to the hospital to give you this gift, hoping we could get along better.” “But you hit me and insulted me. Julian, what did I do wrong?” Serena felt even more wronged, crying louder. Aubrey tried to explain, “That’s not true! She…” *Slap!* Julian’s hand landed cleanly on her face. He didn’t even give her a chance to explain. Julian’s eyes grew cold. “Aubrey, I’ve indulged you in every way, but you cannot touch Serena.” He then looked at Serena. “How do you want to get even?” Serena glanced at Aubrey, then pretended to shrink into Julian’s arms, feigning fear. “I don’t dare say. What if Aubrey holds a grudge?” “Who knows how she’ll torment me later.” “She wouldn’t dare!” “Then… just a few slaps,” Serena said timidly. “Serena, you’re too kind. A few slaps aren’t enough.” Julian raised a hand, gesturing to a bodyguard. “One hundred. Don’t stop until they’re all done.” As soon as he spoke, the bodyguard’s palm slammed across her face. The blow made her ears ring. In an instant, she felt dizzy and disoriented. Before she could recover, the next slap followed. A warm trickle flowed from her nose, blood splattering on the floor. Her vision blurred crimson. Julian stood before her, watching emotionlessly. It wasn’t until Serena grew bored of the spectacle that she whined to Julian, “It’s too bloody, Julian. I think that’s enough.” “No, this is a lesson for her, so she won’t bully you, right?” Serena was touched by Julian’s words. She pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thank you. You’re so good to me.” Julian smiled, wrapping his arm around Serena’s slender waist, and leaned in to kiss her again. As they embraced, Serena shot Aubrey a triumphant glance. She thought this would anger her. But Aubrey had long since given up on Julian. Only after they finished their intimate display did he walk over to her and warn her. “Aubrey, you’re still Mrs. Davies, after all. Don’t do such shameful things again.” Serena, standing nearby, flinched, then looked at Aubrey with utter hostility. *Again*? Did Julian not intend to divorce her? Serena’s eyes darted around, then she looked at Julian. “You go first. I have a few words to say to Aubrey.” Julian didn’t ask any questions, smiling as he agreed. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.” Serena nodded. Once he left, her face instantly changed. She reached out, disdainfully lifting Aubrey’s chin, and frowned. “This is only a few slaps, and you’re already like this? Tsk, tsk, tsk.” “How did you feel when you saw Julian kiss me? If Mrs. Davies doesn’t want to be tortured to death, then give up your position.” Aubrey’s ears were still ringing, and she couldn’t make out what Serena was saying to her. Seeing she still wouldn’t budge, Serena’s face darkened, and she slapped Aubrey again. “Still won’t give in?!” “I’ll just have to see whose mouth is harder, yours or your bones!” She sneered, then looked at the bodyguards. “Hit her hard! If any of you slack off, you’ll regret it!” After the beating, all Aubrey saw was red, and her consciousness slowly blurred. Until she couldn’t bear it anymore and passed out. When she opened her eyes again, Aubrey found herself in an abandoned building. Serena, seeing she was awake, gave her a sinister smile. “You’re awake?” With that, she grabbed Aubrey by the collar and pulled her to a window with no railing. Looking down, it was at least a dozen stories high. She instantly panicked, her voice trembling. “You’re crazy! Why are we suddenly here?” “You’re the one who refused to give up the position of Mrs. Davies! You forced me to do this!” Aubrey was drenched in sweat from fear. “Let me go! I’ll give you the position! It’s just Mrs. Davies, right? I’ll give you whatever you want!” But Serena wasn’t pleased by this. She screamed at Aubrey, “Do you think I’ll believe you? You’re just saying that because you don’t want me to push you out the window!” “I’m going to make you commit a huge mistake, a mistake that Julian won’t be able to forgive.” “That way, he’ll definitely divorce you and be with me.” With that, Serena’s face grew increasingly distorted, terrifying Aubrey. No sooner had she spoken than several cars pulled up below. Julian got out of his car and looked up, seeing Aubrey pushing Serena. He shouted furiously, “Let her go immediately!” Aubrey, hearing this, also began to struggle. “Let go of me!” But Serena held Aubrey’s hands tightly, waiting until Julian reached the staircase. Then she screamed, “Aubrey, I know you’re unhappy seeing me and Julian together!” “But you can’t try to kill me! I’m carrying Julian’s child!” Aubrey tried to pull her hands back, but Serena held them with all her might. Seeing this, Aubrey shouted at Serena, “What are you doing? Hurry up and…” Before she could finish her sentence, Serena pulled Aubrey’s hands and lunged towards the window. The next second, as she hit the ground, she could hear the sound of her bones shattering, a tearing pain consuming her entire body. 8

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298563”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

“Strip!” The cold, hard voice brooked no refusal, echoing from the dark screen of the video call. Aria Clarke trembled, tears welling in her eyes. Facing the camera, she still did as she was told. “Stop!” As if granted a reprieve, Aria fumbled to flip her phone over, fleeing to the bathroom like her life depended on it. A ragged breath floated from behind her, and her mind went utterly blank. She slid down the shower wall, collapsing into the corner, scrubbing her skin until it was raw and red wherever she had touched herself. Finally, at the chime of her mobile banking app announcing a $100,000 deposit, she curled up, hugging her knees, and sobbed uncontrollably. $100,000. She needed to pay back $200,000 in a month. Aria knew she couldn’t afford it, but she *had* to pay this money back. Suddenly, the living room phone rang. Aria saw the caller ID and tremblingly answered, “Please, just give me a little more time.” A cold, automated female voice replied, “Ms. Clarke, please come to the penthouse of Sterling Tower to discuss the details.” She hurried over, guided by the front desk, and fled towards the elevator. With each floor the elevator ascended, it felt like an invisible chain tightening, relentlessly squeezing her heart. The elevator doors slowly parted, revealing a grand, single-floor office space. In front of the huge, bright floor-to-ceiling windows, a man in a perfectly tailored suit stood with his back to her, gazing out. “Aria Clarke, long time no see.” The man turned. His eyes were dark and stormy, a mocking sneer twisting his lips. Aria felt like she was nailed to the spot, like a wave of ice washing over her, leaving her limbs cold and numb. “Julian Thorne…” Each syllable drained her last bit of strength, and Aria’s head swam. She never imagined that the lover she hadn’t seen in so many years would be the creditor demanding her explicit videos. This reunion felt like a cruel joke that had dragged on for years. Aria took a step back, turned, instinctively wanting to escape. “I never thought Ms. Clarke would have a day when she was short on cash. Didn’t you leave with a rich businessman back then? What? He couldn’t satisfy you?” Aria paused, offering no explanation. “Please, just give me more time. I’ll pay it back as soon as possible.” Her voice was barely a whisper, as pathetic as dirt on the street. A surge of pure fury welled within Julian, his eyes darkening to obsidian. “And what will Ms. Clarke use to pay it back?” Aria’s head snapped up, disbelief etched across her face. “Spend a month with me. Consider it debt repayment.” A wave of humiliation washed over her. Aria’s nails dug into her palms as she took a deep breath, painstakingly walking towards him. She opened her mouth, “Julian Thorne, you know I won’t do that.” After saying this, Aria turned and walked towards the door. A thunderous crash ripped through the silence as the office desk behind her was violently overturned, sending expensive office supplies shattering across the floor. Julian stood amidst the wreckage, his voice chilling. “Ms. Clarke, don’t forget, your delightful video is still in my hands. Do you want me to upload it to a website, or send it to your friends and family?” “You!” Aria trembled with rage, her limbs turning to ice. The Julian who no longer loved her was truly cold-hearted. Her dress was crumpled from where her hands had clenched it, the pain so intense she wanted to double over, her face ghostly pale. But she forced a bitter smile, feigning indifference, and choked out, “Fine.” In front of a downtown villa, Aria stepped out of a taxi in a revealing maid outfit, instantly drawing the heated stares of numerous security guards. The housekeeper leading the way glanced back periodically, looking at Aria with disdain, wishing she could be anywhere but near her. Aria tried desperately to keep her gaze forward, ignoring their stares. She never thought Julian would be so cruel, making her parade around like this. Inside the living room, Julian sat on the central sofa. Seeing her enter, his gaze darkened, and he waved for everyone to leave. The moment Aria stepped in and stopped, the large door behind her quietly closed. “Nice outfit. Looks like that rich old man taught you a lot.” “Who would’ve thought our university’s cool, aloof campus queen would be such a cheap slut in private?” Julian looked at her, rage flaring in his chest. “What, is that how your sugar daddy taught you?” Her hands, hanging by her sides, clenched and unclenched, over and over. Aria tightly closed her eyes. When she reopened them, they held a knowing, alluring smile, tinged with forced subservience. On the sofa, Julian’s jaw clenched, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His eyes darkened to a deep obsidian. He reached out, grabbing her wrist, and fiercely pinned her into the sofa’s cushions, watching her bite her lip in pain, stubbornly refusing to make a sound. Her eyes were rimmed red with pain, shimmering with unshed tears, her delicate brows arched, disappearing into her messy hair. She wanted to break free, but felt as helpless as a caged bird. Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Aria tore free, instinctively springing up, ready to run. Julian’s gaze flickered to Aria’s retreating, panicked form, and a cold sneer escaped his lips. “Ms. Clarke, are you trying to welch on your debt?” The courage Aria had just mustered vanished instantly. She needed money, yes, she couldn’t be without money. “Made up your mind?” Julian circled behind her, gripping her hair, his gaze piercing into her flat, emotionless eyes. Those amber eyes, once alight with love and joy for him, were now utterly blank. Julian’s hand suddenly tightened, pulling Aria roughly against his body. “I’ve thought it over. $200,000 a month, that’s a decent sum. If I do well, Mr. Thorne, can you give me more of a bonus?” “Aria, you’re utterly depraved,” he snarled, his large hand clamping down painfully on her wrist. Julian bit out the words through gritted teeth. “I could buy you designer bags and clothes, so why did you leave me for money? Why? Tell me!” In the years since Aria left, Julian had asked himself countless times: what was so difficult about letting go of a vain, materialistic woman? But he just couldn’t let go. He couldn’t accept that three years of their relationship had been worth less than the temptation of money. Nor could he believe that the woman he loved for three years would abandon him for designer clothes and bags. Aria’s face was ghost-white with pain, yet she twisted her lips into an even more alluring, taunting smile, dodging his question. “What, Mr. Thorne, must you ask such a mood-killing question at a time like this?” Her slender, pale fingers continued to trace downwards. Aria drew out her words slowly, “Or perhaps, Mr. Thorne, you’re just not up to it?” Aria’s hand was violently slapped away. A dark shadow flickered in Julian’s bloodshot eyes, and his right hand squeezed her waist with punishing force. Pain! Julian looked at the woman he once doted on to the bone, now transformed into this. His heart swelled with both hatred and fury. But feeling a thin barrier and seeing a few drops of blood on the sofa made Julian stop, frowning. “You…” Aria smiled. “Looks like my period isn’t quite over yet.” “Mr. Thorne, you don’t really think this is my first time, do you? If so, can I get more money?” Julian exploded in rage. After he finished, he calmly straightened his clothes, then casually threw a hundred-dollar bill onto the floor. “Thank you for the tip, Master.” Aria forced her body up, stumbling off the sofa, desperate to pick up the hundred-dollar bill. A pair of expensive, gleaming leather shoes pinned one corner. Julian’s brows furrowed with suppressed anger. “Aria, are you really so cheap, so obsessed with money?” Before, she left him to climb the social ladder with a rich businessman, and now, for a mere hundred dollars, she would kneel naked before him. “Money’s a good thing, who doesn’t like it?” Aria clung to the corner, refusing to let go, tilting her head up like a pet begging for scraps. Julian’s brows darkened to stormy clouds. He violently kicked the sofa, then turned and left. The thud echoed like a kick to her very soul, making her heart spasm violently. Her mask of a smile slowly dissolved into a bitter, hollow one. Aria carefully tucked away the money, then tilted her head back, forcing the tears welling in her eyes back down! Yes, she loved money. No one loved money more than her now, and no one needed it more. Aria rushed to the hospital, burying her face in her hands, sitting outside the ward but afraid to step inside. Her neck and face were covered in bruises and red marks, impossible to conceal. The attending doctor, finished with rounds, glanced at her with blatant contempt, warning, “If you don’t pay the medical fees soon, we will stop treatment for the patient.” Aria had heard this warning more than once in the past few days, but now she didn’t know what to say. Crying, begging, even kneeling—none would earn her the hospital’s sympathy. Aria numbly rose from the floor, peeking through the half-open door. The tears she hadn’t shed through humiliation or pain now burst forth. The doctor behind her was still ranting on and on. “If you can’t pay, just let the old woman go. She’s almost a hundred; she’s lived long enough. The pain of cancer chemotherapy isn’t something just anyone can endure.” “But Grandma is my only family. If she leaves too, I’ll truly be an orphan, utterly alone.” Aria lowered her head, her voice so small that no one but herself could hear it. Julian arranged for Aria to live in his villa, buying her many designer clothes and bags, then using those things to humiliate her repeatedly. But he kept his word, sending her money intermittently. However, for Grandma Rose’s treatment costs, it was merely a drop in the bucket. *Click-click-click.* No sooner had the phone call ended than another pair of high heels clicked sharply on the tiled floor. “Aria, is that really you?” A soft, uncertain voice. The stranger who had suddenly entered covered her cherry-red lips in surprise. “Scarlett Sterling?” Aria tucked away her phone, equally surprised as she turned around. Scarlett had once been her best friend; they were inseparable. Seeing each other again, they both sighed with regret. Aria had been running herself ragged for money, while Scarlett had become her ex-boyfriend’s current girlfriend. And now, Aria was his secret mistress. Aria’s embrace stiffened. Scarlett’s eyes brimmed with tears, on the verge of crying. “I’m sorry, Aria, I didn’t mean for this to happen. It’s just that your sudden departure really hurt Julian, which is why he fell in love with me.” Aria no longer cared about the truth; she was the one who had pushed Julian into someone else’s arms. Aria smiled and shook her head, stopping Scarlett’s further explanations. “Aria, do you… really need money?” Scarlett asked. It turned out Scarlett had overheard her phone call. Aria nodded in affirmation. Scarlett hesitated. “Aria, I have a way for you to earn money, but it depends on if you’re willing to do it.” Anything to earn money and save Grandma Rose. What wouldn’t Aria do? On a luxury cruise ship out at sea, Aria worked as a hostess. Among a crowd of the rich and powerful, she smiled charmingly, clinging to her employer’s arm. Aria knew coming to such a place was unsafe, but Scarlett had said she could earn $500,000 by entertaining for a day. The party began. All the women on board gathered in the main hall, dressed in seductive gowns. Some male guests rudely began to harass the hostesses beside them, and the atmosphere grew increasingly chaotic. Aria frowned. Her job didn’t include this kind of thing, and she prepared to leave. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist. Aria turned to see a man in a sharp suit, a revealing beauty in his arms, leering at her. “You’re beautiful, but Mr. Davies has already booked you,” the man and the woman in his arms grew even more brazen. “This isn’t my job.” Aria felt a pang of fear and tried to quickly walk away. “My apologies, Ms. Clarke, but you can’t leave.” A man in a black suit blocked the exit with his body. A thin, small old man slowly approached Aria from behind, reaching out a cold, hard hand that traced from her face downwards. “You’re Aria Clarke? Even more beautiful than in the photo.” Aria felt utterly disgusted wherever the old man’s hand touched. She turned her head, biting back a gasp, enduring the revulsion, while desperately trying to figure out how to escape. “Looks like my little darling is shy,” the old man, however, grew excited by Aria’s pure reaction. “Then let’s go to our room.” Aria was very nervous. She knew the rules here; if you took the money and refused a guest on the ship, whether you could even make it back to shore was a question. Aria pretended to comply, following the old man into the room. After the door was locked, the old man eagerly pushed Aria to the floor, the cold, hard tiles bruising her. Aria couldn’t take it anymore. She forcefully pushed the old man away. “This is disgusting. I said I’m only here to be a hostess, not to do this kind of thing.” The old man’s face darkened. “You dare to be disgusted? So what if you’re a hostess? Hostesses also do this work. Heh heh, Miss Scarlett Sterling was right, you truly are a beauty.” Aria’s eyes widened. Scarlett Sterling? She had been too careless after all. Even the best friendships from the past could never compare to love, money, and status. Aria furiously smashed a vase against the old man’s head and rushed for the door. The moment she opened it, she was met by bodyguards waiting outside. “Grab this slut for me!” The old man clutched his bleeding forehead, pulling Aria’s hair. “You slut, you dare to hit me? I’ll throw you into the sea to feed the fish!” The old man roughly dragged Aria into the bathroom, forcing her head into the bathtub. Aria felt her breathing grow more and more difficult. From desperately struggling at first, her strength gradually faded, her long hair fanning out on the water. She had planned for everything, but Aria never imagined she would die at the hands of someone she thought was a good friend. Aria’s vision began to blur. In her last moments before death, she even thought to herself, self-deprecatingly. If she died, Julian would probably hate her even more, wouldn’t he? *Bang!* The room door was violently kicked open. Aria’s gaze grew even more hollow, all strength leaving her. She was curled up in the bathtub, her nostrils submerged in the water. The surrounding water blocked her breath. Aria had no strength left to struggle, her body sinking to the bottom. In that final moment, Aria even thought that if she were to die right then, it wouldn’t be so bad. Upon entering, Julian saw the old man holding Aria’s head, and a vein throbbed on his forehead. “Get out!” Bodyguards surged in from outside, dragging the old man away. The water in the huge bathtub was calm, without a ripple, yet beneath, the woman showed no sign of struggling. Aria, do you want to die so badly? Julian was consumed by an unnamed fury. He clamped down fiercely on Aria’s shoulders, pulling her from the water and throwing her onto the floor. Aria lay with her eyes closed, her breath faint, too weak to move a finger. Julian pressed down on her chest with all his might. After several compressions, Aria arched her back and coughed, expelling the water from her stomach. She lay on her side for a long time before looking up, a faint, pale smile on her lips. “Thank you.” As she struggled halfway up, Julian reached out and brutally shoved her. Julian’s teeth ground in furious anger. “Aria, you’re truly depraved. Didn’t the money I gave you satisfy you?” The shove sent Aria crashing into the corner of a table. Her vision went black, and it took a long time for her to weakly recover from the dizziness. Bracing her hands on the floor, she looked up, her expression cold, her tone nonchalant and carefree. “Of course. In your eyes, I’m nothing without money, am I? How could that paltry sum you gave me ever satisfy me?” He reached out, his fingers digging into Aria’s jaw, finding her calm, unrepentant expression even more infuriating. So infuriating, he wanted to twist her neck right then and there. “Ah!” A delicate shriek. High heels clicked rapidly as Scarlett sped in, immediately crouching down to hug Aria, subtly separating the two. “Aria, what happened to you? Why are you like this? It’s all my fault.” Scarlett’s expression was concerned, her voice filled with anxious worry. Aria looked at her feigning face and felt only disgust. With a push, Aria stood up on her own. A pained cry escaped Scarlett as she dramatically twisted her ankle, falling to the ground, tears welling in her eyes as she clutched her ankle, looking at Aria with a wronged expression. Like a gust of wind, Julian surged past Aria, helping Scarlett up, and roaring, “Aria, what the hell is wrong with you?!” His voice was so loud that Aria’s right ear, directly facing him, began to ring abnormally. “Yes… I am crazy.” Aria reached up, running her fingers through her soft, long hair, gently combing it. Her voice, however, was tinged with mockery. “Julian Thorne, don’t you want to know who introduced me to this… business?” Julian’s brows furrowed deeply. He remained silent, seemingly waiting for her explanation. “Julian, I’m in pain. Please take me to the hospital quickly.” Scarlett’s delicate, soft hand clung to Julian’s arm, tears glistening in her eyes, looking utterly pitiful. This effectively choked Aria’s remaining words in her throat. Julian bent down, picked Scarlett up in his arms, and hurried away. Scarlett, nestled in Julian’s embrace, poked her head out, facing Aria, and mouthed a silent message. “Naïve. Julian loves me now.” Scarlett buried her face in Julian’s chest, her eyes gleaming with venom and triumph. After all this time, you haven’t improved one bit. Aria, I used to deliberately arrange for you to see Julian kissing me. Now I can make Julian hate and despise you. Aria’s body slumped weakly against the wall, sliding down, tears gushing from her eyes. Only Julian’s name, choked and raw, repeatedly escaped her lips. After returning from the cruise, Aria often felt her stomach churn violently, sending her stumbling to the bathroom where she retched until the world spun. For the first few days, she didn’t pay attention, thinking it was just from choking on water during the cruise that had upset her stomach. It wasn’t until she realized she hadn’t had her period in a long time that panic seized her. She quickly hailed a taxi to the hospital. Three months… Aria held the test results, her steps unsteady, as she walked out of the corridor, leaning against the wall, gasping for air. How could she be pregnant? Julian had always used protection. Was it from that first time? Aria stared at the thin piece of paper. She never imagined she would have a child, *her* child with Julian. This was a dream she hadn’t dared to have in years. Should she tell Julian? He always used protection; he’d probably despise her baby. But she couldn’t bear to abort the child. She was afraid to be alone. She had self-deceptively clung to Grandma Rose’s life with money, thinking that would give her the courage to keep living. But now, with a baby, her stagnant heart came back to life. She thought she should fight for it. After all, Julian had once said he only wanted children she bore. If she told him why she left him back then, he probably wouldn’t hate her anymore, would he? Focused on the pregnancy test, Aria didn’t notice the eyes behind her, blazing with a venomous hatred, like a snake. — Back at the villa, Aria prepared a table full of dishes, waiting for Julian. Hearing a car pull up, Aria rushed to the door, only to see Julian approaching slowly, his arm around Scarlett Sterling’s shoulder. Forcing down the bitterness in her heart, Aria spoke, “Julian, I made dinner!” “Aria, you’re still so domestic! I’m hungry too, and with a baby on the way, I can’t go hungry. I was planning to eat out, but Julian said restaurant food isn’t clean and not good for the baby, so I’ll be trying your cooking more often from now on!” Aria watched Scarlett’s lips move, her mind utterly blank. A baby? Scarlett was pregnant too? Scarlett continued to chat happily at the dinner table, her blissful expression especially jarring. Aria looked at Julian, who was gazing at Scarlett’s stomach with a doting expression. Scarlett was pregnant, so what about *her* baby? “Aria, why aren’t you coming to eat? Julian and I discussed it, the room you’re in has great sunlight, perfect for pregnancy, so I’m going to swap with you.” Aria looked at Scarlett’s triumphant face, feeling an even deeper pang of pain. “Julian, I have something to tell you.” A corner of his suit jacket was gently tugged. Julian looked down to see Aria’s eyes, full of desperate pleading, fixed on him. “Just say what you want to say right here.” Aria lowered her head, gently caressing her still-flat abdomen, and spoke hesitantly. “Julian, I…”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298562”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic