Author: Momo Chan

Married for ten years, Phoebe has been incarcerated ten times. Each time she is released, she arrives with a newborn, leaving the chaos for me to handle. “There are no precautions in prison, so why can’t you just take care of a few more kids?” The wives of the fathers of these children show up at my door, demanding child support and compensation for the nights they lost with their husbands. They even injured my five-year-old son because of this. On the day my son was seriously injured, after bearing humiliation, I hurried to pick up Phoebe from prison, only to find her friends had already organized a welcome party for her at the most luxurious restaurant. “Phoebe, Gideon has waited for you for over a decade and has been raising kids that aren’t his. He’s more loyal than any devoted follower.” “Yeah, while you’ve been off visiting dozens of countries under the guise of being in jail, he’s been so broke he’s been washing other people’s clothes for money.” Phoebe laughed, “If I weren’t pregnant with Asher’s child, I wouldn’t have come back so soon this time. Just looking at that old fool disgusts me. But since he’s willing to be a nanny, let him serve both me and Asher well.” My face turned pale as I left the divorce papers and walked away. Her friends tried to calm the situation, “Come on, Gideon, we’re just joking.” Phoebe stopped them, “If you want to leave, then leave for real. Don’t come crawling back later.” I looked at Phoebe, resolute, “I will never regret this.”

As I stepped out of the room, my younger son and daughter ran over, “Dad, where are you going?” I hesitated, and Phoebe immediately laughed. Her friends shouted, “Wow! That was fast. Not even half a minute!” “No wonder he’s such a devoted follower. He’s getting paid, getting paid!” Phoebe knew my weak spot. Even if these two kids were fathered by someone else, I raised them myself. I couldn’t bear to leave them. My son and daughter looked at me hesitantly, “Dad, what’s wrong with you? You smell awful.” Phoebe got up and kicked me like a dog, “I heard you slept with a woman. At least wash off the stench. What would the kids think?” I glared back at her, unable to hold back, “And what about bringing the kids to a place like this?” At that moment, Finn came out of the bathroom, and the two kids immediately ran to hug him, “Uncle Asher, we missed you so much!” Finn looked at me with a challenging gaze, “So, do you like your dad more or Uncle Asher?” “Of course, Uncle Asher!” Finn smugly handed them a piece of cake, “Uncle has a little cake for you.” The kids, who had never seen a cake before after all these years with me, were drooling at the sight. Finn elongated his words, “But only good kids get to eat cake.” Before I could understand what he meant, my son lunged at me and bit me hard, “You jerk!” My beloved daughter walked up to me, slapped me, and hugged Finn, saying, “You’re a dirty nobody, poor and always with women. You’re disgusting! I don’t want you as my dad! I want Daddy Asher!” Finn was extremely pleased, “Gideon, look at what you’ve taught the kids, using foul language and doing such things in front of them.” Phoebe looked at me with disgust, “Is this the kind of children you raise?” My hand, my face, and my heart all hurt. The two kids who had just insulted me were now devouring the cake beside Finn. They humiliated me for a piece of cake. My heart broke, “I’m not fit to be their father. Let’s get a divorce.” I handed the divorce papers to Phoebe again. Phoebe walked toward me, mockingly tore up the papers, “Gideon, you know Grandma will never agree to our divorce. You want me to sign, just to tattle to Grandma about Asher? Dream on!”

“You’re unbelievable!” I was furious, thinking of my sick son at home, and was about to leave. Phoebe grabbed my hair, “What, got a woman waiting for you in bed? We’re celebrating me being pregnant with Asher’s kid. Make us happy, and you can go.” Her friends egged me on, “Gideon, you’re here, might as well join the fun.” “Yeah, it’s a rare gathering. Tell us, how do you handle all those women? Still got your stamina?” “Do you deal with them one by one, or all together? Hahaha!” The kids finished their cake and looked at me expectantly. I couldn’t stand it, “Phoebe! The kids are here. How can you let them say such things?” Phoebe snorted, “But you don’t find it disgusting to do such things in front of them.” “Show us how you usually take care of the kids. Or maybe, give us a demonstration?” Her friends excitedly jumped up, “Phoebe, I’ll play the lead!” “I’ll be the second lead!” Without hesitation, they pulled me onto the sofa, touching me over my pants, “Gideon, don’t be shy, just let loose.” My son and daughter stared at me, “That’s not how it is! Dad is usually on the bottom!” I couldn’t believe my ears, struggling to push away the person in front of me. She grabbed my hand, “Oh, you like it rough.” “Looks like you’ve been busy. Even your niece and nephew know your moves!” My torn clothes exposed bruises and hickeys. Extreme shame washed over me. But they were even more excited, “Such a wild man! Look at those muscles, must be a beast!” My daughter said again, “Mom, where are the third and fourth leads? Dad likes a crowd.” Her words shattered my worldview. I couldn’t believe my cherished daughter said such things for half a piece of cake, “Nora, who taught you this nonsense!” Frightened, my daughter hid behind Phoebe, “Mom, I’m not lying. Dad wasn’t like this before, he used to enjoy it!” My heart went cold. Phoebe frowned at me, “Even with scum like this, you guys can still have fun? Who knows how many diseases he has.” The person with me was getting more excited, “Phoebe, you don’t know, experienced men are thrilling…” The room fell silent. Phoebe’s face turned dark, and they let go of me. I hurriedly crawled to the corner to put on my tattered clothes. Phoebe held Finn’s chin and said, “I don’t want Asher’s eyes dirtied. Drink all the wine on the table, consider it our celebration.” The person was annoyed, “Such fine wine, Gideon, you’ve never seen it, right? Consider yourself lucky.” I couldn’t handle alcohol, but for my son, I forced myself to drink. I was dizzy, “Can I go now?” Phoebe raised an eyebrow. Just as I stepped out, I remembered something important and turned back.

Standing awkwardly in front of Phoebe, “Phoebe, my son is sick, I don’t have money for his treatment…” For years, I’ve taken care of ten kids alone, with a seriously ill Grandma in the hospital, while being bullied and exploited. I had no money for my son’s treatment. Phoebe laughed, “So, you want money. My money doesn’t grow on trees. Can’t let you take it for nothing.” I felt a chill, “What do you want?” “Here, you earn it by skill.” Phoebe slapped a stack of cash on the table, “How much you get depends on your ability.” The group got interested again, “Gideon, a drink for a bill, how about it?” The 96-proof liquor was too much for me. Finn whispered something to my daughter, who immediately rushed at me, slapping me hard, “Weren’t you good at drinking and sleeping with women? Why aren’t you earning money now?” She cried and hugged Phoebe, “Mom, take me away. I don’t want to live with this dirty nobody…” Fueled by alcohol, I lunged at Finn, “What did you say to my daughter! What have you taught her?” Phoebe lost her patience, kicked me hard, “Gideon, are you done acting? Aren’t you disgusting enough! I’m nauseous at night, Asher can’t take it, you serve.” I was desperate, “Phoebe, my son is really sick! I need to take care of him!” Earlier, I was about to go to the prison to welcome Phoebe. But those women got drunk and caused trouble, clinging to me. My five-year-old biological son tried to protect me, but they mercilessly beat him until he was covered in blood, now lying in bed unable to move. Phoebe sneered, “You just want to trick me into sleeping with you, right? Gideon, look at your disgusting self, which woman would want you? In my heart, there’s only Asher.” “Take care of me until Asher’s child is born safely. I’ll have someone treat that little bastard.” I reluctantly agreed and returned home with Phoebe. Only then did I realize she never went bankrupt. She never went to jail. She just avoided me, wanting to punish me. But I didn’t care anymore. I just wanted my son to live. In the middle of the night, Finn said he was hungry, wanting me to cook. He ate my food and vomited. Phoebe grabbed me up and slapped me hard, “You scum, are you trying to poison Asher?” “You need to keep me happy until Asher’s child is safely born. I’ll have someone take care of that little brat.” I had no choice but to agree. I went home with Phoebe. It was then that I realized she had never gone bankrupt, nor had she been in jail. She was simply hiding from me, intent on punishing me. But I no longer cared about that; all I wanted was for my son to survive. In the middle of the night, Finn said he was hungry and asked me to make him something to eat. After eating, he vomited everything up. Phoebe grabbed me and slapped me hard, “You scumbag, are you trying to poison Asher?”

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Zombie hordes were taking over the city, and the last iron door protecting my home was on the verge of collapse. I ended the call when my sister-in-law tried to contact my brother for help. That day, my brother opened the protective gates of the safe zone, allowing the zombies to raid and pillage everything from everyone. He ordered a highly intelligent zombie to cruelly claw the unborn child from my sister-in-law’s womb and even demanded that my skin be flayed. “If it weren’t for your jealousy, Phoebe wouldn’t have been disfigured by the zombies!” he exclaimed. “Now, with the umbilical cord blood and your skin, I can give Phoebe a complete transformation. She’ll be even more beautiful than before!” With the last bit of strength, I crawled to my sister-in-law’s lifeless body, only to find my fiancé, having discarded his suit, gently holding my skin and coaxing softly, “Silly Phoebe, this cheap skin doesn’t match your gentle and kind heart. But it’ll have to do.” They kept me barely alive, just enough to witness as they drained my body for their experiments. When I opened my eyes again, I heard my sister-in-law desperately calling my brother.

I awoke abruptly to the sound of fighting beyond the iron gate. “Declan! Hurry back and save us! Zombies have broken through the outer city and reached the neighborhood!” My sister-in-law’s words jolted me back to reality. I had truly been reborn! Suddenly, I heard my brother’s impatient voice on the phone: “Women are such a hassle. Aren’t you already pregnant? Why are you bothering me?” “Today’s Phoebe’s twentieth birthday. She’s been alone her entire life. Only I, her mentor, can give her a proper celebration.” “You two always exclude her. Can you stop causing me trouble?” “Every time there’s a zombie attack, you call me with excuses. I’ve had enough! No matter what happens tonight, it won’t stop me from celebrating Phoebe’s birthday!” Seeing the zombies about to break through the gate, I pressed my sister-in-law’s phone, “Brother, we got it. Zombies are out tonight. Be careful.” Then I hung up and quickly pulled my sister-in-law to the armory. She looked at me, confused and panicked, asking, “Cora! Why won’t you let your brother come save us? He’s an elite guardian martial artist of the City of Laurel. No matter how busy he is, he shouldn’t be out now!” The explanation caught in my throat. My sister-in-law still believed my brother was a peerless hero, not realizing that beneath his cool, restrained exterior lay a black heart. He claimed he was discussing defense strategies with a senior martial artist, but he was actually preparing a fireworks display at the beach with his junior student, Phoebe Carter. The fireworks we could only buy with high honors were casually used for Phoebe, enough to fend off zombies for three months. After two failed attempts to unlock the armory, a message appeared: only one chance left, or it would lock permanently. Meanwhile, the sound of zombies approaching grew louder. My sister-in-law couldn’t resist and called my brother a fifth time. Again, I heard my brother’s impatient voice: “I knew you would try to bring me back. Do you want to open the armory and face the zombies yourselves?” “Luckily, Phoebe reminded me to prevent you from using the armory at home! I’ve changed the password remotely, so don’t bother trying!” My muscles tensed. I couldn’t believe that even in this reborn life, even without asking my brother for help, he gave us no chance to survive! He was so heartless, sealing off the armory completely. How would two women, unarmed, escape the zombies’ grasp? My sister-in-law sobbed, overwhelmed by the stench of blood. She cried, “To your brother, is Phoebe more important than his wife, child, and sister?” “Groaning sounds!” Before I could respond, a skeletal hand with decayed flesh appeared over the wall and leapt into the yard. My pupils shrank as I grabbed a stick and smashed the small zombie’s head, sending it rolling across the ground. Seizing the moment, trembling, I grabbed my sister-in-law’s wrist to flee. In the basement, she clutched her aching abdomen. I hugged her tightly, placing her hand on her stomach and reassuring her, “Sister-in-law, hold on! Now’s not the time to be sad. We have to save ourselves!” “My brother isn’t coming back. We have to find a way to survive!” “The City of Laurel is the most important defense barrier! If it’s overtaken, more of our family will perish!” I called my brother’s superior, Heath, for help. After five rings, someone lazily answered, with fireworks crackling in the background.

“Cora, your brother told me there’s no zombie invasion. It’s just your sister-in-law’s pregnancy causing drama. You shouldn’t get involved in their couple’s quarrels!” My sister-in-law and I couldn’t help but plead with Heath not to believe my brother. But we were met with cheers and applause from the martial artists. “Phoebe’s got real archery skills! No wonder Declan favors you. You found the zombies’ weak spot and killed them in one shot. Impressive!” Heath joined in their games. Meanwhile, outside the secret chamber, zombies dismantled the iron gate. They followed their scent to the chamber, moving in an orderly fashion under the highly intelligent zombie’s command, attacking the strong families first. Their familiarity was like a rehearsed routine. In my previous life, my brother returned quickly under Heath’s orders. But now, even Heath joined him at the beach for Phoebe’s birthday. Pressing matters left no time to ponder this twist. Heath’s unexpected absence felt like a heavy weight on my back. With zombies blocking every road, we had no way out unless we could fly. Our secret chamber had a passage leading outside, but… I hesitated at the path leading to my fiancé Jasper’s home. On our wedding day, he conspired with the zombies to give my skin to Phoebe. It was fresh in my mind. If I sought help from him again, it would be the height of foolishness! The other path led to the Night Beast King’s territory. My sister-in-law, seeing me glance that way, quickly wiped her tears and pleaded, “Cora, Dad warned us never to open the gate to the Orc Dark Territory!” Behind us, the foul stench and clattering footsteps of zombies drew closer. Clutching my sister-in-law’s hand, I hesitated. Though unarmed, with her pregnant, I finally pressed the switch for the passage to the Orc Dark Territory as the zombies broke in. Just then, my sister-in-law’s phone vibrated. It was a taunting message from Phoebe. In the ocean-view room, Phoebe sat disheveled on a strong man’s lap. Her soft voice begged, “Declan, am I really no match for Lin Yu?” “I heard she’s pregnant. Has it been difficult for you?” “You prepared such a grand birthday party for me. I don’t know how to repay you.” Under bright lights, she slowly lifted her skirt, her purple-pink satin butterfly dress clinging to her hips. “I learned from a private tutor just to please you… Don’t you want my first time to be yours?” My sister-in-law shook, struggling to type on her phone. The video showed my brother pouncing, eyes filled with fierce desire, too impatient for foreplay, already entwined with Phoebe. Their silhouettes blended on the translucent curtains. Furious, I threw the phone, cursing, “Declan, you dog! The City of Laurel is surrounded by zombies, and he abandons his wife and sister to sleep with his mistress? He’ll die for this!” Suddenly, zombies flooded the passage within minutes. My sister-in-law quickly released every obstacle to block them. Two robots activated, guarding us. “Cora! Go get help!” “If you can’t, save yourself!” “Reach the next safe zone and warn them to resist the zombies!” Tears of determination streamed down her face. “Two robots can’t hold off the zombies!” “I’ll stay and buy you time!” Tears of helplessness poured down my face. “Go! If one survives, it’s something!” Two robots sprang to life instantly, standing guard behind us. “Cora! Hurry, go outside and get help!” “If you can’t find help, escape on your own!” “Quickly reach the next safe zone, and tell them to resist the zombies!” Tears of determination welled in her eyes. “Just two robots won’t hold off the zombies!” “I’ll stay here to buy you some time!” Tears of helpless fear streamed down my face. “Go! If even one of us survives, it’s worth it!” “Your brother is no good; we can’t let everyone in the City of Laurel die because of us!” I stumbled a few steps, witnessing the bloodthirsty madness of the zombies. In the endless darkness, skulls with sharp mutated teeth glinted coldly. Some zombies, having recently feasted, still had fingers and leg bones in their mouths. I made a swift decision. “Sister-in-law, take care! I’ll come back to save you!” My sister-in-law’s phone had taunting messages from Phoebe Carter. “Are you surrounded by zombies now?” “Who told you to ignore me just because you’re Declan’s wife?” “Honestly, those zombies are after Cora. Her innate spiritual blood is full of yang energy, the only thing that can restrain zombies.” “Once Cora is dead, I won’t have anything else to worry about!” In the long, endless secret passage of the chamber. I suddenly realized that I might never have truly understood my brother. Or this world. And I never deeply thought about why Phoebe Carter wanted to harm me and my sister-in-law. In my past life, my brother ordered my skin to be peeled off. My sister-in-law was even torn apart by zombies competing for the child. Was our previous disaster really just a simple zombie siege? I felt like I was overlooking something important. The secret passage I used to play in as a child seemed different now. I remembered there should be a fork here. With a “thud,” I stepped into dark, muddy ground, and the sound of trickling water reached my ears. A branch pierced through my wrist, and crimson blood mingled with the silver-bright dark river. I was stunned. It felt like something eerie beneath the dark river was about to awaken. At the same time, I realized that it had been a long time since the world had such clean, sweet water. Suddenly, I felt a mysterious calling. It was as if a voice told me: [You must cross the dark river! Once you do, you can gain the help of the Orc Dark Territory!] But at this moment, there were suddenly some faint, shadowy knives on the ground. A familiar figure emerged from the darkness. My eyes couldn’t withstand the dazzling light ahead. “Cora?” “I’ve been waiting for you at home for so long. Why haven’t you sent a distress message yet? This isn’t like your past life behavior.” I vaguely remembered that in my past life, I also frantically sent distress messages to my fiancé, Jasper. But Jasper said he was busy and couldn’t come to save me, asking me to wait. In the end, someone set fire to the armory in the City of Laurel, attracting the attention of surrounding cities. My brother’s superior, Heath, led everyone to fight the zombies. In my past life, my brother was forcibly recalled by Heath, which finally stabilized the City of Laurel against the zombies. Although my brother saved many people after returning to the city, the City of Laurel lost its survival resources, making the city defense more vulnerable. People had to evacuate with their families to the rear! It seemed like a victory for self-defense, but in fact, after the evacuation, zombies quickly took over the City of Laurel! Now I faced Jasper’s bright, shining eyes in the darkness. A sudden, sharp fear surged in my heart.

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My younger sister, who is in college, got pregnant out of wedlock. When asked about the father’s identity, she refused to disclose it, insisting on having the child as a testament to their love. I felt sorry for her because she was so young and pregnant, so I brought her home and took good care of her. Only on the day she was about to give birth did she tearfully admit in front of everyone that the child was hers and my husband’s. After a huge uproar, it turned out my whole family saw me as nothing but a free nanny. “Say it again, whose child is this?” Even in the hospital gown, my sister’s pretty face couldn’t be concealed. She stubbornly held her head high, lovingly stroking her large pregnant belly. Her voice choked with tears as she urged me to accept the child, saying that the child shouldn’t be born without a father. As her sister, I should consider her situation. If word got out that the child had no father, how many people would gossip about us and the child? You can’t be so heartless. I stood there silently, listening to all her accusations, as if I were the one who did such shameful things. I swallowed my bitterness and stood frozen, unsure of how to respond, so I looked to my parents standing by the bed for help. I hoped they would stand up for me. But to my surprise, even after my sister did something so vile, my parents’ first reaction was to ask me, as the older sister, to be more forgiving and not to argue with her. They said, “There’s no obstacle that can’t be overcome. Forgive your sister’s youthful ignorance.” They also said, “Your parents are getting old. Your sister needs someone by her side. Take good care of her during her confinement period, and don’t let her suffer any health issues.” The favoritism in their words pierced my heart like a thousand tiny needles. Because of the saying that the older should yield to the younger, my sister always managed to take everything from me effortlessly since we were kids. Our family was poor when we were young. We ate cabbage stew with tofu every day, only affording a roasted chicken once a month. But when it came to dividing the chicken, all I got was the dry head and the smelly tail. According to them, “Your sister is still growing, so the legs and wings are hers. Your parents do physical labor every day, so they get the meatiest parts for strength.” Even when my sister couldn’t finish her food, my mom never thought to share a bit with me. She would meticulously strip the meat off the bones, shred it, and mix it with rice for my sister to eat the next day. Even now, any good food is always for my sister first. They showered her with love and were always strict with me. When my sister fell behind in her studies, my parents paid for expensive tutors. When I fell behind, I got scolded and whipped, so much that I couldn’t sleep at night. Mom said girls should dress up from a young age, so she bought my sister countless dresses to wear every day, while I got my relatives’ kids’ old clothes. During my teenage years, I wanted to look nice and begged a friend to do my makeup, only to be called a “tramp” by my parents. I even suspected at one point that my mom had taken the wrong baby home from the hospital. It wasn’t until adulthood that I learned my mom gave birth to me in a wheat field, not even making it to the hospital. It seemed I was destined to be lesser the moment I was born. But they never admitted to being unfair. Whenever I questioned why they loved my sister more, they would beat and scold me, telling me to stop causing trouble. “We raised you, and you think we’re wrong? How did we end up with an ungrateful child like you?” “When will you grow up and stop competing with your sister for attention?” My sister took my parents’ love, everything that should have been mine, and now she wants to take my place too. But this time, I refuse to endure it. Who set the rule that the older must yield to the younger?

As I thought about this, a fierce determination emerged in my eyes. My sister noticed I hadn’t comforted her or responded, so she glanced at me from the corner of her eye to gauge my reaction. After all, whenever we disagreed, I was always the one to lower myself, appease her, and agree to all her unreasonable demands. She assumed I hadn’t heard clearly, so she raised her voice and repeated, “Sister, you’re not still clinging to those outdated ideas, are you? Only those who aren’t loved are the third wheel! You should be the one to leave!” “You’re not worthy of my Finn!” Honestly, I wanted to see what nonsense was in her head. I didn’t expect “disgraceful” to slip out of my mouth. I lunged forward, grabbing my sister’s shiny black hair and pulling with all my strength. No one could pry me off her. My sister probably didn’t expect my sudden outburst and didn’t defend herself at all. She was caught off guard, letting me unleash all the suffering I’d endured. I sat up, tears in my eyes, and loudly questioned her, “Since we were kids, tell me what I’ve done to wrong you. You got the best food, the best toys.” “Do you know how scared I was when I got a call from your school at 3:30 a.m. telling me you were pregnant?” “I took the earliest flight to pick you up, didn’t sleep a wink, and was terrified you’d be upset. I handled all the paperwork for your leave of absence, climbing several flights of stairs for you.” “Afraid you’d be tired, during your time at my home, I didn’t let you lift a finger. You just lay in bed, ate, and enjoyed my care.” “I dare say I’ve done more for you than your own parents. How could you do this to me!” Only then did a hint of panic show on my sister’s delicate face as she realized I was serious. She cursed at the crowd watching the scene, yelling, “What are you all staring at? Get this crazy woman off me! What are you waiting for? She’s insane!” Everyone told me it wasn’t worth it, but they were too scared to come near me. It wasn’t until a familiar figure entered my view that I gradually eased my grip, giving my sister a chance to escape. I tidied my wild hair, trying to maintain a shred of dignity, forcing a stiff smile, “Mom, why are you here, I…” But before I finished, my mother-in-law’s slap landed squarely on my face. The force was so strong that I had to brace myself after taking the hit. I held my swollen face, looking in disbelief at my sister seeking refuge behind my mother-in-law. My voice trembled, “Mom, you knew all along?” My mother-in-law beamed, affectionately adjusting my sister’s hair dampened by sweat, softly asking if she was scared by me. Then she cleared her throat, put her hands on her hips, and looked down at me, “If you can’t keep your man, that’s your own fault. He just made the mistake all men make. If you won’t have a child, plenty of others will.” “You’ve been married to Finn Nolan for three years and haven’t delivered. Who can you blame?” “I’m telling you, a hen that doesn’t lay eggs can’t hog my Finn Nolan’s nest!” “This is outrageous. What woman is as cold-hearted as you? You can’t stand to see our Nolan family prosper! Are you hoping our Nolan family ends with Finn Nolan?” My mother-in-law didn’t bother to hide her disdain for me. Her angry words were accompanied by spittle, but I didn’t even bother to wipe it off. I’ve been married to Finn Nolan for three years, and my mother-in-law has been giving me trouble for three years. I always knew she looked down on me. I didn’t have a degree or beauty. Not just her, everyone said I married up with Finn Nolan. So I treaded carefully in this family, afraid to step out of line and offend my mother-in-law. But even so, my inability to give Finn Nolan a child was a thorn in her side, and she found excuses to pick fights. No matter what grievances I suffered at my in-laws, I swallowed them silently, afraid my husband would be caught between me and his mom. But now, I didn’t know what I was even doing all this for. I must be truly pathetic, because even now, her dismissive words made me tremble with fear.

“Stop filming, what are you looking at!” “Are you okay, honey?” My husband, Finn Nolan, pushed through the crowd blocking the door, closing the hospital room door heavily. He must have rushed here straight from work, barely catching his breath, eager to stand up for me. My sister blushed and leaned towards Finn Nolan. But to her surprise, he showed no sympathy, pushing her to the floor. With Finn Nolan here, I finally felt like I had someone to rely on. I leaned against his shoulder, exhausted. He held me, silently comforting my turbulent emotions. But the tender moment didn’t last long. My mother-in-law and sister’s cries rose from below. Finn must have rushed over immediately after work. He barely had time to catch his breath before stepping in to support me. When Cora saw Finn Nolan arrive, she shyly nestled into Asher’s arms. However, to her surprise, Asher showed no sympathy and pushed her to the ground. Seeing Finn Nolan gave me a sense of reassurance. I leaned my exhausted body against the shoulder I had longed for. Asher embraced me, silently calming my restless emotions. But the imagined warmth didn’t last long. Hazel and Cora’s cries rang out from below. Hazel was also on the ground, crying and accusing Asher: “Now that you have a wife, you’ve forgotten your mother! You won’t even let me have a say in this small matter!” “I raised you as a woman; was that easy? I suffered ten times more than any man, and look at this, it’s all for nothing! A son is raised for someone else!” Not content with just crying, Hazel got up and rushed towards the hospital’s load-bearing wall. She mumbled, “Oh dear, I’m coming down to join you. We’ll meet again below, but I regret not seeing my eldest grandson before I go.” However, the hospital wasn’t a place for such dramatics. The commotion was too loud, and security came to separate Hazel. I looked at Asher with gratitude, thinking, “With a husband who protects and loves me like this, I have no regrets in this life.” I felt confident I could overcome anyone who coveted my marriage. But in this situation, it was only me who was truly involved. After hearing Hazel’s words, Asher’s eyes welled with tears. He fiercely shook off our tightly held hands, his face contorted as he told me not to make things difficult for him. His mother raised him, and it wasn’t easy. She just wanted a grandson to enjoy her old age; she wasn’t wrong! I stared at the man I’d known for four years and loved for eight. His face overlapped with the memory of the shy boy who asked if I’d marry him and promised to love me forever. I realized I never truly understood him, or maybe I never saw through him. But the years of emotional foundation left a shred of hope in my heart. With a voice that couldn’t hide my disappointment, I asked him, “What about me? What did I do wrong?” “Please, tell me, okay? I’ll change.” I’ve always been strong in front of Asher. This was the first time I showed my vulnerability. He hesitated for a moment, but when he heard that Cora’s water broke, he turned and left without hesitation. If I could excuse his earlier actions as being forced by filial piety, anyone could see now that he had feelings for this child. Outside the delivery room, everyone was anxiously awaiting the new life, but I tore the prepared gift in a corner where no one noticed, hoping no one would discover this secret. “Congratulations! Eight pounds and six ounces, a healthy boy.” “Lucky! He’s the first boy today.” Everyone rushed to hold the baby, marveling at him. Cora, exhausted, was pulled out, but no one cared. She raised her hand but slowly put it down again. The nearly nine-pound baby was naturally delivered by petite Cora because Hazel said natural birth made smarter babies. Cora endured it to please her. Now, she’s utterly exhausted. After being transferred to the general ward, Cora couldn’t get out of bed. Beatrix and Hazel agreed to take turns caring for her. But within days, their strong alliance showed cracks. Beatrix was annoyed that Cora only knew how to order her around. Hazel thought Cora was too demanding, insisting on separate basins for washing different things. But who has that many? The basins all serve the same purpose. She’s just picky, only good-looking but can’t manage a household, a wasteful person! Soon, everyone found excuses not to come. Cora, who was always proud, felt helpless with postpartum bleeding, at their mercy. Finn Nolan didn’t come to see her. She could only watch the affectionate couple next to her and silently cry. Postpartum emotions are volatile, and the baby’s nightly cries didn’t help. Cora’s once beautiful face was gone, and her hair, once a source of pride, fell out in clumps each night. Seeing this scene, I found it laughable. This was the happy life Cora chose over me. But perhaps Beatrix realized leaving Cora alone in the hospital wasn’t right. She called me, ordering, “Your sister is hospitalized, go stay with her, quickly! Don’t make me angry! I’m telling you only once!” Silence, a long silence. The person on the other end grew impatient: “Are you deaf? Your mom is talking to you. Don’t you know to answer? Who taught you to be so rude?” “You’re all making me worry, did I raise enemies? I’m your mom, you have to listen to me whether you like it or not!” I am committed to ensuring that the content remains true to its original meaning while adapting it to be more naturally expressed in English for easier understanding. During this process, we will maintain the original formatting, including line breaks and paragraph breaks.

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I went downstairs to take out the trash. But I noticed a rare Lamborghini rocking unnaturally. In the back seat, my two brothers were caught up with the orphan girl they had brought home. I wasn’t surprised. I quietly recorded a video and sent it to the world’s largest Global News Network. “By 7 PM tomorrow, I want this video to be seen by everyone worldwide.” In my previous life, the orphan leveraged her role as my brother’s kept companion to usurp my identity as the eldest daughter of Boston’s elite Harrison family. At the birthday banquet for the Harrison family’s eldest daughter, the orphan Adeline Harrison and my brother confronted me, twisting the narrative. “Do you, just an orphan, have the right to be here?” “I am now the eldest daughter of the Harrison family. And you?! You should crawl back to your kennel and stop embarrassing yourself here.” In my past life, I feared my brother’s wrath and always gave in to Adeline Harrison. But now I’ve been reborn. At the banquet the next day, when the orphan Adeline Harrison blocked my way as she had in my past life, I kicked her to the ground without hesitation. “Who do you think you are, daring to stand in my way?” I shot a sideways glance at the maid nearby, “What are you waiting for? Remove this impostor!” Everyone present was stunned into silence. No one expected me, once so timid, to dare take action. The maid hurried over to help Adeline Harrison up. When she looked back at me, her eyes were filled with fear. “Second Miss, aren’t you afraid the eldest young master will be angry for treating the eldest miss like this?” She knew full well I was the eldest daughter, yet she addressed me otherwise on purpose. “Remember this! The Harrison family has only one daughter, Cora Harrison!” The maid was so frightened she trembled all over, lowering her head, not daring to respond. I stepped up and slapped her to the ground, “Can’t even recognize your own master, what use are you? Get lost!” In my past life, this maid, seeing that my parents were often not home, took my brother’s authority as her own, and insulted me, the eldest daughter of the Harrison family, without restraint. The orphan Adeline Harrison ordered her to find someone to disfigure me and then had me killed and my body disposed of. The maid obeyed, becoming Adeline Harrison’s servant. Now, she was completely intimidated by my aura, kneeling on the ground, “I was only acting on the eldest miss’s orders, how could you hit me?” “If the eldest young master finds out, he definitely won’t let you off.” At this moment, Adeline Harrison, in her orphan identity, began to win people over, helping the maid up and adopting a sisterly posture to scold me. “Truly an orphan taken in.” “Even after all these years in our Harrison family, you still haven’t changed your habit of lying.” Adeline Harrison’s friend, Phoebe Thompson, couldn’t wait to come forward and link arms with her, looking at me with eyes full of resentment. “You’re shameless. Not only do you not appreciate the great kindness of the Harrison family, but you also slander Adeline at her own party.” Everyone present immediately began to whisper. “This person was clearly taken in by the Harrison family, and yet she repays kindness with enmity.” “I heard the Harrison family treats this orphan they took in very well, treating her as one of their own. Even Miss Adeline Harrison treats her as a real sister, sharing everything with her.” “An orphan without parents, yet she wants to impersonate the eldest daughter of the Harrison family, she’s really tired of living.” These people didn’t know the truth. Back then, I saw how pitiful Adeline Harrison was and begged my parents to bring her home to keep me company. As Adeline Harrison grew up, she became sweet-talking and was very likable, which made my cousin fond of her. So whenever there was an event in the circle, my brother would only take Adeline Harrison, leaving me at home, forbidding me to go out. Over time, everyone thought Adeline Harrison was the Harrison family’s eldest daughter, and I was the one taken in. Reborn, I will never swallow my anger again. My dad has billions in assets, and his word is law in the New York social circle, known as Mr. Harrison. My mom is an International Film Star, renowned in the film industry. Many people’s lives and fortunes here depend on my parents’ words. Why should I let an orphan and a cousin ride on my head? Sweeping my gaze over everyone present, my eyes finally locked onto Phoebe Thompson, boiling with hatred, clenching my fists. “Your father’s multinational company only got off the ground because he begged my dad for three days and nights for funding. Ask him if he dares meddle in our family’s affairs?” Publicly humiliated by me, Phoebe Thompson couldn’t swallow her pride and came up intending to slap me. I grabbed her wrist and slapped her back instead. She was instantly furious, her face contorted with rage, her chin trembling, “You, you brat, how dare you hit me?” Adeline Harrison looked around and shouted, “Where are the security guards? Are they all dead?” The security guards had just started to move when I turned and shot them a sharp look, so intense they didn’t dare meet my eyes. “I am the Harrison family’s eldest daughter, who dares lay a finger on me?” Adeline Harrison, afraid others would believe me, immediately shrieked with a guilty conscience. “Cora Harrison, everyone knows you are the brat my dad picked up.” “You think you can reverse black and white, and everyone will believe you? Dream on!” Everyone nodded in agreement. “Miss Harrison is right. Every time there’s an important event, it’s always the Harrison family’s young master attending with Miss Harrison, never seen you.” “Today is the Harrison family’s banquet celebrating Miss Harrison officially entering the New York social circle, yet it’s been ruined by an orphan.” I laughed coldly at their words. I turned to the maid beside me, “Go call my respected brother, and tell him the brat Adeline Harrison wants to impersonate the eldest daughter of the Harrison family and bring shame to us.” “Isn’t he afraid Adeline Harrison will become a rat everyone wants to beat?” The maid hesitated. She knew my brother always held Adeline Harrison in the palm of his hand, even spending billions to make her an online celebrity. Every time Adeline Harrison bullied me, he would take her side, even scolding me harshly for being immature, grounding me without food or drink, and finally forcing me to kneel and apologize to Adeline Harrison before letting it go. “Go, I’ll handle everything.” Hearing this, the maid finally left. Adeline Harrison, the orphan, laughed mockingly, “Cora Harrison, have you forgotten how my brother dealt with you every time you offended me?” Relying on my brother Nolan Harrison’s favor, she never took me seriously. In my past life, when Adeline Harrison had the maid throw acid on me, I called Nolan Harrison for help. Not only did he not believe me, but he also scolded me on the phone for slandering Adeline Harrison, telling me to die far away if I wanted to die. In the end, filled with deep despair and pain, I was beaten to death by people arranged by Adeline Harrison and thrown into the icy, bone-chilling river. In this new life, I will make them pay for their blood debts! Chapter Two Unexpectedly, before Nolan Harrison arrived, my childhood friend Wesley Johnson came pushing a huge bouquet, dressed in a sharp suit, walking gracefully. “Harrison family sister, to show my love for you, I bought out all the flower shops in the city to gather these 9,999 roses.” Phoebe Thompson, Adeline Harrison’s friend, suddenly froze, her face turning pale with shock. She glanced nervously and doubtfully at Adeline Harrison beside her. Could Wesley Johnson’s words be meant for me? Looking at Wesley Johnson’s affectionate expression, I couldn’t help but find it ridiculous. He used to cling to me as a child, often playing the game of groom and bride with me, even telling my dad he wanted to marry me when he grew up. But after seeing the orphan Adeline Harrison, he immediately transferred his affections, starting to fawn over her. Even when Adeline Harrison bullied me, he watched coldly, telling me to recognize my place. Standing in front of Adeline Harrison, Wesley Johnson wore a gentle smile, lightly brushing aside the hair on her forehead, “Adeline, you’re truly beautiful.” Turning his gaze to me, his eyes were sharp as knives, “You, an orphan nearly starved to death on the streets, dare to impersonate the eldest daughter of the Harrison family?” “Cora Harrison, even if you beg me on your knees now, I won’t spare you a glance.” “The only one I love is the true eldest daughter of the Harrison family, Adeline Harrison.” The Wesley Johnson who once swore to love me for a lifetime now shamelessly groveled at the feet of the orphan Adeline Harrison, accusing me of being the one taken in. Many people present already doubted my identity, and now they immediately believed Wesley Johnson’s words, all speaking out against me. “The eldest daughter of the Harrison family is truly kind, always yielding to this brat, only to be bullied in return.” “Such an ungrateful, heartless brat, Mr. Harrison should have let her die on the roadside back then.” The orphan Adeline Harrison was secretly delighted, a trace of pride flashing in her eyes. Watching her and Wesley Johnson exchange flirty glances, I laughed instead of getting angry, removing a blood-patterned white jade shaped like a phoenix from my neck, holding it high. “This is the Phoenix Blood Jade that has been passed down through the Harrison family generations. Only the true eldest daughter of the Harrison family has the right to wear it.” “Adeline Harrison, do you have it?” Everyone quickly stepped forward, scrutinizing the Phoenix Blood Jade carefully. Many among them were long-time friends of my parents, exclaiming in surprise. “I’ve heard Mr. Harrison mention this before. It seems Cora Harrison is indeed Mr. Harrison’s daughter.” “Strange. Then why did the Harrison family young master tell us Mr. Harrison invited us here to pave the way for Miss Adeline Harrison?” Adeline Harrison instantly panicked, her face turning white. She knew nothing about the Phoenix Blood Jade, let alone possessed one. Wesley Johnson, my childhood friend, suddenly laughed, “Cora Harrison, you randomly pick up some junk from a street vendor and claim it’s the Harrison family’s heirloom? Then I could buy a hairpin and say it was worn by Empress Wu Zetian.” Once again, those present were plunged into confusion, their eyes darting between Adeline Harrison and me, unsure of what to believe. “That’s odd. Why did the young master of the Harrison family tell us that Mr. Harrison invited us here to give Ms. Adeline Harrison an advantage?” Adeline Harrison suddenly looked alarmed, her face going pale. She knew nothing about the Phoenix Blood Jade and couldn’t possibly possess it. Wesley Johnson, with whom I shared many childhood memories, suddenly laughed. “Cora Harrison, you picked up some trinket from a street vendor and claim it’s the Harrison family heirloom? If I bought a hairpin, I could say it was once worn by Empress Wu Zetian.” The people around us were puzzled again, their eyes darting between me and Adeline, unsure of what to believe. Coming from a prestigious family, I was raised with cultural refinement, possessing a graceful and dignified manner. Adeline, an orphan who came to live with us, read a lot but couldn’t fully erase her innate duplicity. No matter how much she tried to imitate, it was just a poor attempt. Feeling guilty, Adeline’s confidence wavered, yet she stubbornly argued. “You claim to be the Harrison family’s eldest daughter, so why does my brother always take me to important events instead of you?” The more Wesley Johnson looked at me, the more he found me irritating. “Adeline has treated you like a sister since childhood, yet you repay her with betrayal. How shameless!” Their performance swayed the crowd towards them again. I wanted to explain further, but several security guards forcibly grabbed my arms. Adeline’s friend, Phoebe Thompson, immediately slapped me in retaliation. Not satisfied, she hit my face with her bag. “You’re just someone the Harrison family took in, yet you want to take everything from Adeline?” “Apologize to Adeline right now!” Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth, dripping to the ground and splattering like a small red flower. I glared at the three of them, filled with intense hatred. “Wait until my parents arrive and see how you explain this to them.” In the past, Adeline, the orphan, replaced me as the Harrison family’s eldest daughter. I was harmed by her, my body sinking in the dark river. My parents didn’t know and thought I had run away in anger, searching the world for me. This time, I immediately told my parents and asked them to come back quickly because something important was happening at home. By my calculation, they should arrive in a few minutes. Adeline saw me spitting blood and quietly mocked me. “Dad and mom are going abroad; they won’t come back. Telling such a lie is incredibly foolish.” “Besides, Wesley’s father has decades of friendship with our parents and owns a multinational corporation. If I marry Wesley, even if our parents find out the truth in the future, they wouldn’t dare do anything to me.” As soon as she finished speaking, a voice suddenly shouted, “Nonsense! What are you doing?” Chapter Three I looked up to see my cousin Nolan Harrison striding in with eight bodyguards. The security guards quickly released me and retreated. Adeline, the orphan, was so scared she nearly fell but sighed in relief when she saw it was Nolan. She then shot me a gloating glance. A maid with a bruised face was pushed by the bodyguards in front of me, crying with an apologetic look. Nolan Harrison came over, first checking that Adeline was okay, then glaring at me coldly with disgust in his eyes. “Good thing Adeline is fine. Otherwise, no matter how much you, an orphan we took in, try to please me, I wouldn’t spare you!” In the past, no matter what happened, Nolan always favored Adeline. To survive, I mimicked Adeline’s behavior to please Nolan, but they treated me like a clown, mocking and ridiculing me, making me feel worthless. Over time, those unaware of the truth thought I was the orphan they took in. Now I understand that trying to please someone who doesn’t like you deep down is futile. I’m sorry, but it seems that the text to be translated hasn’t been provided or is missing from your request. Could you please supply the specific text that needs translation?

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The popular guy decided to become the bodyguard for the heiress of my family, just so he could always be near me. We shared secret moments of freedom 99 times in the mansion’s basement. The room was dark and windowless, with just a narrow single bed. Yet, he seemed to relish it. After each encounter, he’d hold me close and say it was all worth it for me. He’d often make grand promises, swearing to the sky. “One day, when I’m wealthy, I’ll buy you a mansion this big, and I’ll definitely marry you.” His words pushed me to secretly juggle eight or nine jobs every day. But it wasn’t to buy a grand house. It was to afford a better cochlear implant for his congenital deafness. One day, while washing dishes at a restaurant, I unexpectedly ran into Declan. He was supposed to be working at the mansion. 1 Declan pulled out a premium gold card and ordered a lavish meal worth over a hundred thousand with his friends. I was cleaning in the next room and could hear their conversation clearly. “Declan, how long are you going to play with that young maid? If she finds out you’re worth billions and haven’t spent a dime on her, she’d probably cry.” “You don’t get it, Declan’s doing this to upset Adeline. Adeline’s taken a liking to Declan’s chauffeur, so Declan’s flirting with Adeline’s maid to see who gives in first.” “Do you really think Declan would fall for someone so insignificant?” “But Declan’s quite the romantic. To see Adeline all the time, he’d even work as a bodyguard for her family. Respect.” “And how’s that young maid? Is she any good in bed?” Their degrading words pierced my heart, leaving me wounded. Declan didn’t utter a word, letting them speak about me in such vile terms. It was only then I realized the truth. The man working alongside me in Adeline’s family was actually the wealthiest young master in the elite circle! The person he wanted to see wasn’t me, but the heiress Adeline. He deceived my feelings and used my body because my status was lowly. Just like the chauffeur Adeline liked, we’re all ants they could crush. I carried the tray back to the kitchen, only noticing I’d cut my hand deeply when my colleague gasped. Blood stained every step I took. After composing myself in the kitchen, I called my advisor. “I want to go to Africa as an exchange student. Please give me this opportunity.” I fought back tears, but my voice still trembled. Thankfully, my advisor didn’t press further, just expressed surprise and concern. “Zoe, have you really thought this through? The research in Africa is extremely challenging. You can’t return for at least five years or see your family. Didn’t you say your boyfriend is disabled, and you’re worried about him?” Someone like Declan, even with hearing issues, would have countless people lining up to curry favor with him. He doesn’t need my concern. I replied firmly, “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to Africa.” My advisor was pleased. “That’s good. I was worried you’d miss this great opportunity. I’ll register you now, and the flight is in two weeks.” “If you’re really worried about your boyfriend, give me his number, and I’ll check on him periodically.” I looked at the cochlear implant I had already ordered on my phone, trying to smile, but it felt bitter. “No need. We’re planning to break up.” After finishing my late shift at the restaurant, I resigned and collected my pay from my supervisor. Returning to the mansion, Declan was already waiting in the room. “Why are you back so late? Zoe, what happened to your hand? What have you been busy with? You look pale.” I pulled back my hand that he was examining closely. “Almost graduating, been busy.” Declan didn’t care about my response and turned to take out a bottle of luxury face serum from his backpack, smiling happily. “I bought this with my salary for you. I saw other girls love it. Do you like it?” I placed it on the coffee table, expressionless. “I like it.” He seemed surprised that I didn’t even pick it up to look. In the past, I’d treasure a fifty-dollar phone case from him, too reluctant to use it, even scolding him for wasting money. Now, looking back, I was so foolish. Declan cautiously asked, “What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?” I pretended nothing was wrong. “No, you don’t need to buy me such expensive cosmetics. Didn’t you say you were saving up to get married?” Seeing me behave as usual, he visibly relaxed, hugging me from behind and nuzzling my ear. “Don’t worry about saving money for me. I’ll give you a good life. You can even bathe in luxury face serum.” I hid my scorn, pushed him away, and returned to the bedroom. I picked up my phone to book a moving company and saw Adeline’s new Snapchat story. “Thanks to someone for personally bringing me to the hotel.” “But this presidential suite is too shabby. Next time, book a better one.” 2 The hotel in Adeline’s photo has rooms starting at fifty thousand a night. Above the bright bathtub, there’s a row of luxury skincare products. The luxury face serum Declan gave me was among them, the least noticeable. It turns out, what he gave me was a freebie from Adeline’s hotel. Not costing him a dime. I should have felt heartbroken, shed tears, cursed the man’s heartlessness. But at this moment, I couldn’t muster the desire to confront him. My heart died today. I’m poor, but I have dignity. Why become the clown for these young masters and heiresses to toy with? Thinking Declan was someone from my world was the dumbest mistake of my life. In the following week, I didn’t see Declan. He said Adeline was traveling, and he had to protect the heiress. But I saw his phone records. I knew he arranged to airlift 520 bouquets to each city along the way, planning to propose to Adeline. I didn’t expose him. I just went to school and completed the procedures for my trip to Africa. But before a week passed, Declan returned in a sorry state. His forehead was hot enough to fry an egg, his eyes red from fever, and he collapsed onto me, questioning in tears. “Do you know how much I’ve done for you?” “You love flowers, I had them airlifted. You love diamonds, I bid a hundred million for a ring. I invited all my friends to witness my proposal, but why, why did you take him to the hospital just because he coughed once?” “I’ve loved you for over a decade. I lowered myself to be a bodyguard for your family. Can’t you see my sincerity?” His burning tears fell on my shoulder. For the first time, I saw Declan so miserable, but I felt no sympathy. He was delirious from the fever. He mistook me for Adeline. And obviously, his confession to Adeline failed again. The room was dimly lit, and I suddenly thought, during our intimate moments, he never saw my face clearly. What was he thinking? Declan crawled off me, his swollen red eyes staring straight at me. I thought he had come to his senses and was about to speak, but he removed his cochlear implant from his ears. He held the little things in his palm, presenting them to me. “Adeline, I didn’t fall for Zoe. Look at this Bluetooth earbuds, it’s filled with your voice.” I froze. Taking the objects from his palm, my fingers trembled uncontrollably. The small device slipped from my grasp, but in that brief moment, I saw it clearly. It was just a pair of Bluetooth earbuds. His so-called congenital deafness was a lie. An imported cochlear implant costs 150,000, money I earned through starvation and exhaustion. Yet, with me, he listened to Adeline’s voice. I slapped Declan hard across the face and left the mansion, leaving him in his fevered state. Declan developed pneumonia. When he woke in the hospital, he had no idea why his face hurt so much. And I wasn’t there. In the past, if Declan was even slightly uncomfortable, I’d stay up all night watching over him. Afraid something might happen to him. But now I’m gone. Not only that, when Declan asked other servants in Adeline’s family, he found out I had quit. When Declan called me, the panic almost spilled from the screen. I never thought he’d care so much about my whereabouts. “Zoe, why did you quit? Where are you planning to go if you’re not working here?” I packed my things into the suitcase. “My contract with Adeline’s family ended. I can find a formal job after graduation.” Declan’s tone softened. “Yeah, with your good grades, many companies would want you. It’s better than being a maid.” “But my contract isn’t over. I have to keep working. Adeline’s family pays well, and I can save up quickly to marry you.” I casually replied and hung up. The chauffeur appeared more frequently in Adeline’s Snapchat stories. Often with photos of them kissing and holding hands. Every time Adeline showed off her relationship, Declan would call, speaking incoherently, making no sense. He was also insistent on saying he loved me and missed me in the mansion of Adeline’s family. He even mentioned his ears hurt and wanted me to massage them. I just listened quietly. “My contract isn’t over yet. I’ll keep working a bit longer. Adeline’s family pays well, and soon I’ll have enough money to marry you.” I replied offhandedly and hung up the phone. In Adeline’s Snapchat story, that chauffeur appeared more and more often. There were frequent photos of them kissing and holding hands. Every time Adeline flaunted her love, Declan would call me. His words were always muddled and hard to understand. He kept insisting he loved me and missed me at Adeline’s family’s mansion. He even mentioned his ear hurt a little and asked if I could massage it for him. I listened without saying a word. Three days before the flight, I shipped all my luggage to Africa. Two days before the flight, I got a new SIM card and told all my friends I was going to Africa as an exchange student for five years. Until the last day, the cochlear implant staff contacted me to install it for a patient at home. Declan’s friend called to say Declan was drunk and kept calling out for me. After thinking for a moment, I told him, “Where are you guys? I have something to give him.” Everything of mine was out of the country except for a cardboard box I packed. Inside were all the things Declan had given me, carefully preserved. On each item, I noted what he had originally bought. A bouquet of dried flowers was originally a 3,000-yuan fresh bouquet, cost zero yuan. A box of macarons was exchanged with points after buying 20,000-yuan chocolates, cost zero yuan. A teddy bear was a prize from a game after he rented out an amusement park, cost zero yuan. The box was full. Each item was beautifully packaged, as if meticulously prepared by its owner. But they were all dispensable freebies. In Declan’s eyes, maybe I was just another freebie from Adeline. Compared to the main person, I was too easy to get and even easier to abandon. I put a notebook inside. It was my record of saving money for a cochlear implant. Tutoring, 200 yuan an hour. Writing copy, 150 yuan a piece. Selling bracelets, 25 yuan each. I recorded every drop of my blood, sweat, and tears. It ended up as a 150,000-yuan bill that was already refunded. I took them and rushed to the bar Declan’s friend mentioned. As soon as I entered, I saw Declan kissing Adeline under the spotlight in the center of the bar. His face was full of joy as he happily announced to everyone present, “Today’s on me, put all your tabs on my bill.” He didn’t see me. Declan’s friend, sweating, tried to explain, “Sister-in-law, it’s all a misunderstanding. Declan recently won a prize and is in a good mood.” “He and Miss Adeline both drank too much and lost their sense of boundaries.” I handed him the box. “It’s okay, I don’t mind. Tell Declan I’ve broken up with him.” I turned and got into a cab to the airport. By the time the car arrived at the airport, two hours had passed. My phone kept ringing, and Instagram notifications buzzed nonstop. They were all from Declan. I didn’t answer any calls or look at any messages. Without any hesitation, I pulled out the SIM card and blocked and deleted Declan. After passing through the ticket gate, I left this place and would never return in this lifetime. ### Chapter 2 I’m sorry, but I am unable to fulfill your request because the specific text you need translated is missing. If you can provide the exact content you’d like translated, I’ll be happy to assist! 4 Declan cleared his mind. When he saw that box, the thrill of his successful confession was still buzzing in his head. He hadn’t considered what Zoe might do next. The thought of breaking up with a girl who was so devoted to him stirred a touch of reluctance in his heart.

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Everyone in the city knows me as a Manhattan socialite. Jasper loves me deeply. I once thought I would spend a warm and peaceful life with him. But everything changed when his adopted sister, Kaia, developed gender identity disorder and became obsessed with him, treating him as if he were a romantic partner. When I confronted Jasper, he was indifferent: “It’s just temporary. Be patient. Once Kaia gets better, I’ll love you again!” He allowed Kaia to hurt me repeatedly without concern. My heart grew weary. On the day he married Kaia, I started a confidential 10-year project. Later, I heard my husband mention that Jasper had been searching for me for ten years. “Adeline, we really had no other choice.” I stared blankly at the signed divorce papers in the living room. Jasper’s mother spoke with a tone of helplessness and pain, but I caught a fleeting smile at the corner of her mouth. “Kaia’s illness came out of nowhere. She only recognizes her brother, and we watched her grow up…” “Adeline, we didn’t want this to happen. Can you… understand?” I opened my mouth but couldn’t speak. Jasper, who had been silent, looked at me with guilt. “Adeline, the doctor says Kaia’s illness is peculiar, but she’s recovering quickly, just a few months.” “Could we divorce temporarily? To stabilize Kaia’s emotions, and we’ll remarry once she’s stable, okay?” Jasper’s eyes were sincere. “Kaia may be adopted, but she’s been family for years.” “Exactly!” My mother-in-law chimed in. ” Adeline, a divorce is also good for you. We’ll compensate you financially,” “You can travel for a few months, and Kaia’s illness will be cured, not affecting your relationship with Jasper!” My fingers trembled, and the words stuck in my throat wouldn’t come out. In Manhattan, I’m known as the most famous “good girl” in the upper circles. My life’s decisions were all made by my family, with Jasper being the only exception. He promised to always love me, and he kept that promise well, except his sister Kaia targeted and pranked me when Jasper wasn’t around. She once said Jasper was her man and I was intruding. My mother-in-law even hinted several times that Kaia was her ideal daughter-in-law. I thought I could endure them with Jasper’s love for decades until three days ago when Kaia claimed she could make Jasper divorce me. Today, she was diagnosed with gender identity disorder, and even got Jasper to sign the divorce papers. Her actions were too fast… I felt a chill and looked at Jasper. “Jasper, only by divorcing me can Kaia’s illness be cured, right?” “How can you be sure she’s really sick and not faking it to trick you?” But Jasper’s eyes were full of disapproval: “Adeline, you don’t understand. Why would Kaia pretend to be sick to make us divorce?” “And what benefit would that give her?” “Yeah, Adeline, how can you say that about Kaia?” My mother-in-law disagreed as well. “Alright, stop hesitating and just sign the divorce papers!” I clenched my fist, my eyes hot, my hand instinctively covering my abdomen. I was already two months pregnant, the baby’s heartbeat was already there… I had planned to surprise Jasper and my mother-in-law after returning from the hospital, but what awaited me was a divorce agreement. In the past, when I was dating Jasper, my parents had warned me he wasn’t the right person for me. I didn’t believe them. But now, I realize I might have been wrong… My hand trembled as I picked up the pen to sign my name, pressing hard into the paper. As soon as I finished, my mother-in-law eagerly picked up the papers and smiled. “Good! Now Kaia’s illness should recover!” She looked at me with a more genuine smile. “Adeline, it’s good you understand our family’s difficulties. I’ve always told Jasper that you’re a good girl and would understand!” “Don’t worry, even if we’re divorced, we’re still family. This is just temporary!” Jasper also held my hand tightly, full of guilt and love. “I’m sorry, Adeline. In a few months, I’ll hold a grand wedding to bring you back in!” I forced a smile, my heart aching. I went upstairs first, and once back in my room, I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Just then, a message vibrated on my phone. It was from my professor. [Xiao Xu, I really hope you’ll consider the S-level project research!] [I know a 10-year confidentiality period is hard for you to accept, but you’re the head of the institution, and without you, this project will be tough!] Through blurred vision, I typed my reply: [Professor, I agree to go to Y City. I’ll depart with the research team in two days!] After replying, I slid to the ground as if all my strength had left me. I had already tasted the bitter fruit of marrying Jasper against all odds. But now, I didn’t want to endure this pain any longer. Fortunately, it wasn’t too late. Jasper, this time, you personally pushed me away.

The next day, I scheduled a medical abortion. After the procedure, I left the hospital, clutching my stomach, and went to a nearby restaurant to regain my strength. There, I saw the last person I wanted to see—Kaia. “Hey! Adeline, did you really sign the divorce papers?” “Hahaha, I told you, how could you compete with me for my brother Jasper?” I forced myself to sit up and glared at her. “Your method of dealing with me is pretending to be sick to trick Jasper. Are you so sure it won’t backfire one day?” Kaia shrugged. “Why worry? Even if I am pretending, so what?” “Jasper had so many girlfriends over the years, I ruined them all, and he never said a word to me. But only you, Jasper wouldn’t let go, so I had to do this!” Her face twisted as she stood over me. “Adeline, Jasper loved your high and mighty, obedient nature. But I want to see, if you turn from a good girl to a harlot, what will he think of you then?” With that, Kaia gave a meaningful smile and left the café. I felt furious and uneasy, but could only suppress it and returned to the old house left by my parents. That night, I slept restlessly, my right eyelid twitching constantly, only barely falling asleep in the early hours. The next morning, I was awakened by the phone ringing. Looking at it, I saw nearly hundreds of missed calls, from friends and other unknown numbers. A foreboding feeling washed over me, and with trembling hands, I called a friend back. The next second, my friend’s panicked voice pierced my eardrums: “Adeline, what’s going on? Do you know your private photos have been spread all over the city!” My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly opened the video forwarded by my friend. In it, on a city’s Ferris wheel capable of projection, my photos, without a stitch of clothing, flushed and asleep, were pieced together into a puzzle, being completed above the Ferris wheel! In an instant, my mind exploded, and my whole body trembled uncontrollably. I remembered the photo. After getting married, Jasper and I had a harmonious intimate life. He was always innovative and even bought a camera to record it. This camera was always well kept by Jasper. But why… why were my photos projected on the Ferris wheel? Someone had even started a live broadcast, showing everything. I watched helplessly as the live comments were full of insults, calling me a harlot, a whore… With shaking hands, I dialed Jasper’s number, but it was always off. A flash of realization hit me, recalling Kaia’s meaningful smile before she left. Before I could react, a message from Kaia came through. [Do you like the gift I gave you?] [Adeline, with your wanton appearance, no wonder my brother is so obsessed with you!] [Do you like this gift? Should I give you another big one?] I rushed home in anger. When I arrived, Jasper was agitated, and when he saw me, guilt flickered in his eyes. “Adeline, I originally lent that camera to Kaia to take some photos, but Kaia lent it to someone else,” “I didn’t realize there were such photos in it, so…” Jasper apologized, but Kaia, unseen by him, looked at me with a smug expression. “Jasper, do you still think Kaia was careless?” I couldn’t hold back my emotions any longer and pointed at Kaia, choking up. “This is clearly her pretending to be sick to force us to divorce, then deliberately releasing my photos!” “She must have been in and out of our room often; otherwise, how could she know where the camera was!” But Jasper’s gaze darkened. “Adeline, stop it! I told you Kaia accidentally did it!” “This is my fault, but don’t worry, I’ll handle it!” As soon as Jasper finished, Kaia rushed over with teary eyes. “Brother Jasper, are you going to ignore me? I’m carrying your child!” “I’m clearly male, how could I be pregnant with your child? Or did you deliberately want me to have one?” “She must come and go from our room often; otherwise, how would she know where the camera is?” But Jasper’s eyes darkened. “Adeline, stop overreacting! I’ve already told you it was Kaia’s carelessness that caused this!” “This is my fault; don’t worry, I’ll handle it!” As soon as Jasper finished speaking, Kaia rushed up with tears in her eyes. “Brother Jasper, are you going to ignore me now? I’m carrying your child!” “But I’m a man, how could I be carrying your child? Or did you deliberately make me have a child?” Kaia spoke with a smug look, staring at me. I was stunned. A child? Jasper and Aunt Sue looked uncomfortable. A flash of realization hit me, and I began trembling. “Jasper, what does she mean? Explain yourself!” Jasper looked awkward, but the next second, my mother-in-law stood up. “Alright, if you’re too embarrassed to say it, I will!” “Adeline, the reason we want you to divorce isn’t just because Kaia is unwell. The most important thing is that Kaia is pregnant with Jasper’s child, and it’s been two months!” I stood there in disbelief, frozen. Jasper’s face showed embarrassment. “Adeline, believe me! I was drugged that day and mistook Kaia for you, that’s why…” I took a few steps back, my heart aching as if it were curling up. Suddenly, I remembered that two months ago, Jasper did say he was set up, but at the time, he explained it as a contract setup. Turns out he was actually involved with Kaia that day… No wonder he reeked of alcohol when he came back that night, and there was a hint of madness mixed with guilt in his eyes when he was with me. So, he was hiding it from me two months ago… Cold sweat soaked through my clothes. This is the “big gift” Kaia gave me. “Adeline, don’t blame Jasper and Kaia. Kaia is our adopted daughter, but she has no blood relation with Jasper,” my mother-in-law said. “Plus, Kaia has liked Jasper for so many years. It’s nothing for them to be together!” “Just think of it as them playing house. When Kaia recovers, you can remarry!” My mother-in-law’s words interrupted my thoughts. “Adeline, I know you’ve always been obedient and sensible, don’t be too bothered by it,” she continued. “If you’re really reluctant to part with Jasper, you can still have a child and be part of our family!” I let out a sarcastic laugh, tears streaming uncontrollably. This is the man I loved, the man and family I insisted on marrying against my parents’ wishes… Ignoring Jasper’s calls, I rushed out the door. When I came to my senses, I found myself back at the old house. A notification sounded, and I picked it up to see yet another message from Kaia! My heart ached unbearably, and I closed my eyes in pain. What more does she want?! I opened the message page; Kaia’s message appeared: [You lost! Remember to come to my and Jasper’s wedding tomorrow~] [Sister-in-law~~ I’ll make sure you see me and brother happy with your own eyes, you’ll be jealous~~] Attached was a photo of Jasper preparing pregnancy oil for Kaia. My vision blurred again. If it weren’t for Kaia, Jasper and I should have been like this too… The notification sounded again; this time it was a message from Professor: [Adeline, the paperwork is done, you’re leaving tomorrow!] I wiped my tears, and my blurred vision became clear again. I may be gentle and obedient, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to be degraded, blindly trusting. Jasper, Kaia, and my mother-in-law all disgust me. So, this relationship isn’t worth keeping. I picked up my phone, looking for the account owner I hadn’t contacted in a long time. Jasper, if I find evidence of Kaia faking her illness, what will you do then? At that time, what would you do? * The next morning, I packed my luggage and had someone ship it to the airport. At the same time, Jasper came to the old house to find me. “I found a flight purchase record; are you going somewhere?” “Today… is my and Kaia’s wedding, won’t you come to see me?” I turned my head, looking at the wounded face of Jasper in his groom’s suit. Before and after marriage, Jasper always liked to stick to me. He kept a tight grip on my schedule, always knowing what I was doing, except for the confidential research project in Y City, which I didn’t tell him about. At this moment, I was very glad I hadn’t told him about it. “Yeah, going out for a break,” I responded lightly. Jasper was silent for a moment, then spoke with a hoarse voice, “Adeline, I admit I was a jerk in this matter, and I wronged you,” he said, “But I really didn’t do it on purpose. I mistook Kaia for you that day, that’s why we’re in this mess.” “Plus, Kaia is ill now, I really have no choice, can you understand me? I’m in pain too!” Jasper grasped my shoulders, “Adeline, I know you’ve always been good and sensible. I’ve already invited foreign doctors to treat Kaia’s illness. As for the child… Kaia’s health has always been weak; she can only give birth.” “But don’t worry, I won’t let this child affect us, so can you attend the wedding and then go for a break?” I pulled a sarcastic smile, the pain in my heart becoming numb. “Okay,” I heard myself answer. Jasper’s face instantly showed a smile, “Then I’ll go to the chapel first, you hurry and come over, I’ll be waiting for you!” I watched as Jasper left in a hurry, picked up my luggage, and took a taxi to the airport. At the same time, the account owner sent me a folder, [It’s handled, you don’t need to worry about your ex-husband’s wedding!] [Focus on your own stuff, I’ve got your back!] Looking at the message on my phone, I smiled slightly, Jasper, from now on, let’s never meet again. I’m sorry, but it appears that the Chinese text you want translated is missing. Could you please provide the text you’d like me to translate? 4. “Son, the wedding is about to begin. What’s keeping you?” Jasper’s mother asked, puzzled to see Jasper still outside the venue.

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Husband’s long-lost love returned with a child. She had been gone for six years. For six years, he missed her. Five years ago, my face was scarred. He was the one who performed my reconstructive surgery. From the day we met to the day we married, he was always fascinated by my face. But he was indifferent to our daughter. Until I saw a woman in the hospital who looked just like me. I realized he always saw me as a substitute. I can accept not being loved, but I won’t accept love built on deceit. “Uncle Joe, can you book me a flight home in three days…” If we can’t be together, I’ll choose to distance myself. — On the other end of the phone, a very familiar voice came through. “Miss, you’re finally willing to come back!” “Mr. and Mrs. have been hoping for you every day. You insisted on proving yourself, and then you had a big fallout with the family over a man…” “It’s been six years, and they just want you to come back so the family can be whole again!” Hearing this, my nose tingled, and tears began to flow uncontrollably. “Please tell my parents I was wrong… I’ll bring Sweetie home with me…” After hanging up, I sat by my daughter Sweetie’s hospital bed, crying helplessly. I recalled the scene in the hospital lobby just now. Ethan Johnson was holding another child’s hand, gently coaxing her to sleep. Beside him sat a woman, leaning closely against him. They looked like a real family, making one envious. When that woman turned her head, I couldn’t believe my eyes; she looked exactly like me! I instantly felt a chill and steadied myself against the wall. So, I was always just her stand-in? I always knew Ethan Johnson had a long-lost love who went missing six years ago while working abroad. But I never knew her name or what she looked like. I heard about it from a best friend who often received treatments from Ethan Johnson. He never mentioned this other woman to me, so I never thought much of it. Who would have thought, the template he used for my surgery was actually based on her face! Turns out, I had already seen his lost and found love… No wonder he always tenderly caressed my face after the surgery; I thought he genuinely loved me. I didn’t realize he was seeing another woman through my face… My daughter slowly woke up, and I quickly held her cold little hands. She looked around and weakly asked, “Mom, didn’t Dad come?” Facing my daughter’s question, I didn’t know how to answer. I forced a smile, making an excuse for Ethan Johnson. “Dad’s busy with work and can’t come over, but Mom’s here with you.” Though my daughter seemed a bit disappointed, the look quickly faded. Her little face broke into a smile, comforting me instead: “It’s okay! As long as Mom is with me~” If it weren’t for Sweetie suddenly having a high fever that night, I anxiously called Ethan Johnson. He said he had an important client for surgery and couldn’t take Sweetie to the hospital. I wouldn’t have discovered that he had no such surgery… His daughter had a persistent high fever, yet he was at the same hospital, with his long-lost love and their child… I gently stroked my daughter’s pale face, more determined to leave. — Sweetie was discharged the next day after her fever subsided, and I took her home. I immediately contacted a lawyer to draft a divorce agreement. While passing by Ethan Johnson’s clinic, I saw a familiar figure enter the clinic; it was his long-lost love. I quickly put on sunglasses and a mask, covering my face tightly, and cautiously followed her. The nurse at the front desk saw her enter, mistaking her for me, Warmly greeted her and joked, “What brings you here today? Checking up on Brother Ethan?” She smiled politely but didn’t answer. In no time, Ethan Johnson came down from upstairs, his face lighting up with a bright smile upon seeing her, gently smoothing her hair. The nurses at the front desk watched excitedly, envious of their affection. “Why did you come suddenly?” Ethan Johnson asked. “Sunny wanted you to take her to the amusement park, so I came to ask if Dr. Johnson is available?” she replied. “Of course I am! Let me change clothes, wait for me in my office.” With that, she took Ethan Johnson’s arm, and they went upstairs together. The nurse at the front desk muttered, “Something seems off with her today.” Another nurse excitedly said, “Didn’t you notice she has a beauty mark today? Absolutely stunning!” “Indeed!” “Standing with our director, they truly are a perfect match!” I clenched my fists, my fingertips digging into my palm, yet feeling no pain. Perhaps now, the only difference between her face and mine is that beauty mark at the corner of her eye. Recalling the past, when a stranger threw acid on me, disfiguring my face, A best friend recommended Ethan Johnson’s business card to me. He enthusiastically suggested that face, saying the template was somewhat similar to my previous look, making surgery easier. I nodded in agreement, but felt the beauty mark seemed too seductive on that face. He immediately restrained his smile, his tone turning cold: “If you don’t like the beauty mark, we won’t do it.” My heart tightened, unsure what I said to upset him. He quickly switched back to a professional smile, continuing to explain the specific surgical process. So, that beauty mark became his long-lost love’s exclusive mark. Whenever I wanted to please him, I would use eyeliner to dot a beauty mark at the corner of my eye… “Hello? Are you here for a procedure?” The voice of the front desk girl pulled me back to reality. I snapped back, hurriedly gestured no, and rushed out of the hospital as if fleeing. — After putting Sweetie to sleep, I sat at home waiting for Ethan Johnson to return. He hadn’t come back even by midnight. My mind kept imagining Ethan Johnson with his long-lost love and child, happily strolling through the amusement park. Sweetie once said she wanted to go to the amusement park with both mom and dad. But he coldly refused: “You guys go, I’m not interested in amusement parks.” He took me there, I took my daughter there. But we never went as a family. Feeling a wave of frustration, I clenched the corner of the divorce agreement tightly. The sound of the door opening caught my attention. Ethan Johnson finally came back. He still wore a cute antler headband from the amusement park. He glanced at me and asked indifferently, “Why aren’t you asleep?” I stood up to hand him the divorce agreement. His phone suddenly rang, the caller ID displayed “Lydia.” That must be his long-lost love’s name, I guess. He answered instantly, his voice tender enough to drown someone. “What’s up?” I heard a woman’s anxious voice on the other end: “Ethan! Sunny started vomiting and having diarrhea after coming back from the amusement park! I don’t know what’s wrong with her! Please come over!” He kicked off his new slippers, putting on his outside shoes again. I quickly grabbed his clothes, handing him the divorce agreement. “Sign it,” I said blandly. Without even looking, he swiftly signed his name. Then he slammed the door and left. I stared at the divorce agreement, exhaustion evident in my eyes. Because she returned, you don’t need this fake anymore, is that why you treat me like this? I squatted down, unable to stop the tears from falling. Sweetie gently opened the door and came out, seeing me trembling. She hugged me with her slender arms. “Mommy, don’t cry. It’s okay if Daddy doesn’t love us. Sweetie loves Mommy, and Mommy loves Sweetie, that’s enough.” I looked up at my understanding Sweetie, tears flowing uncontrollably. I hugged her and asked, “How about Mommy takes you away?” She nodded obediently, “Okay.” — Tomorrow is the day I leave with Sweetie. And today is my birthday. Ethan Johnson had booked a birthday party for me a month in advance, inviting everyone from the hospital. When I took my daughter to the birthday party venue, I found no one there. Seeing the empty venue, my daughter looked up and asked, “Mom, isn’t today your birthday? Why is no one here? Isn’t Dad coming?” I squatted down to explain to her, “Maybe they got the time wrong, let’s wait a bit.” I asked the waiter to watch my daughter while I went to the restroom. On the way back, I passed a room with a banner saying “Happy Birthday Lydia!” The door was ajar, and it seemed lively inside. I peeked in and saw the front desk nurse from the hospital was there too. I frowned and leaned closer, seeing familiar faces from the hospital. Ethan Johnson was holding his long-lost love’s slender waist, kissing her in front of everyone. There were whistles and cheers. And I, peeking through the door crack outside, felt like an outsider. Ethan Johnson joyfully picked up the child named Sunny, raising his chin to point at the woman looking at him tenderly. “Look closely, the one with the beauty mark at the corner of her eye is your real sister-in-law!” People from the hospital raised their hands to ask: “What should we call the previous one? The fake sister-in-law?” A burst of laughter echoed. I peeked inside and noticed that the hospital’s front desk nurse was present. Frowning, I leaned closer to get a better look—it was all familiar faces from the hospital. Ethan Johnson was holding the slender waist of his Ideal Love, kissing her in front of everyone. The crowd erupted with whistles and cheers. Meanwhile, I stood outside, peeking through the door, feeling like an outsider.

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Five years ago, I was found by the wealthy Collins family and discovered to be their long-lost daughter. Later, I married Jack Thompson, a principled lawyer who grew up with my brother. Jack was the childhood friend of my brother Ethan, a forensic pathologist. On the night of my birthday, my brother and husband went out in the pouring rain to rescue Olivia, who had been kidnapped. Olivia was the girl who had been raised as the Collins’ daughter before I was found. In an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town, Jack discovered a mutilated female corpse. My forensic pathologist brother Ethan, wearing a mask and gloves, calmly dissected the body. He carelessly tossed aside an undeveloped fetus he had cut from the dead woman’s womb. After Jack burned the fetus to ashes, he poured sulfuric acid that he had prepared in advance over the corpse that Ethan had already processed. They worked together seamlessly to destroy all evidence of the crime. But what they didn’t know was that the corpse belonged to me.

A sharp bolt of lightning tore through the curtain of rain, illuminating two shadowy figures in the abandoned warehouse. Jack Thompson dragged a mutilated female corpse to an open space. “This must be what they were talking about.” Ethan Collins swept his cold gaze over the scene, putting on a mask while handing one to Jack. “The smell is unpleasant.” He gripped a scalpel, his eyes falling on the corpse, seeming to zone out for a moment. “What are you spacing out for? Just open up the chest and abdominal cavities. I’ll pour the acid. We can’t waste time, Olivia is still in the kidnappers’ hands.” Ethan snapped back to attention, skillfully cutting open the woman’s body. He pulled out a shapeless lump of flesh from the corpse’s abdomen. Jack took one look and couldn’t help but retch. “What is that?” Ethan casually tossed the bloody mass aside, his tone flat: “The victim was pregnant, probably about three months along.” Jack found some discarded cardboard boxes and set them on fire, burning the bloody embryo to ashes. Even though Ethan had performed countless autopsies over his years in the field, he couldn’t help but be shocked at the gruesome state of this female corpse. Thirteen steel nails, each about three inches long, were driven into the skull. Almost all the ribs had punctured the lungs. The heart had been brutally excavated. The bones in all ten fingers had been ground to powder. The leg bones were bent at extremely unnatural angles. It was clear the victim had endured unimaginably horrific torture before death. Ethan couldn’t help but sigh, “I hope once we’re done with this body, the kidnappers will release Olivia. Their methods are extremely cruel. Olivia must be terrified right now.” Ethan stood up and stepped back a bit. “It’s done. Go ahead.” Jack poured the sulfuric acid he had prepared into the open abdominal cavity, then doused the entire corpse. The already mangled flesh quickly shriveled and fused together upon contact with the acid, making a sizzling sound as it emitted large clouds of white smoke. Soon, the corpse was damaged beyond recognition, barely resembling a human form. As a professional forensic pathologist, Ethan knew exactly how to destroy evidence of a crime on a body. My soul hovered in midair, watching them work together seamlessly to destroy the evidence. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. These two men were my biological brother, the renowned forensic pathologist Ethan Collins who had cracked many difficult cases, and my husband, Jack Thompson, the principled lawyer with an undefeated record. And here they were, out in the pouring rain, doing something that went against all their professional ethics, all because they had received a distress call from Olivia White two hours ago. Olivia, the fake heiress, the one they had always cherished and protected above all else. “Ethan, Jack, save me… I’m so scared…” As soon as they heard Olivia’s tearful voice, Ethan and Jack couldn’t sit still. “Olivia, where are you?!” “I—” Olivia’s phone was snatched away by the kidnapper. “I hear you two are some big-shot forensic pathologist and lawyer. Want this woman to live?” Jack anxiously asked, “How much money do you want? I can give you anything, just let Olivia go!” Even the usually calm and collected Ethan was as agitated as an ant on a hot pan. “Don’t hurt Olivia. Whatever your conditions are, just name them!” The kidnapper unhurriedly said, “I know the Collins are a wealthy family. Ten million dollars is nothing to you. Plus, do something for me, and I’ll let this woman go.” Ethan agreed without hesitation: “I’ll do it!” Jack quickly followed, “Whatever it is, we’ll do it. Just don’t harm Olivia!” They agreed without even asking what the task was, all to ensure Olivia wouldn’t be harmed in the slightest. “I killed someone and dumped the body in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Go destroy the evidence for me. Otherwise, this Olivia looks quite delicate and juicy…” “Ah! Don’t touch me! My brothers will save me! Don’t tear my clothes! Brothers, help me!” Olivia’s voice came through the phone. Ethan and Jack roared in anger, “Don’t you dare touch her! We’re going right now!”

Ethan and Jack watched as my body was corroded by the acid, emitting wisps of white smoke. They finally furrowed their brows in discomfort, but only for a moment. Right now, Olivia’s safety was more important than this unknown female corpse. Jack took a few photos and sent them to the kidnapper. “We’ve done what you asked. The police won’t be able to trace this back to you. Now release Olivia!” My soul hovered in the air, watching as the lump of flesh Ethan had cut from my abdomen was consumed by flames. That was my child with Jack! He was so tiny, not even given the chance to come into this world and see his parents. Yet he was cut out and carelessly tossed aside by his own uncle, then burned to ashes by his own father. I floated over, desperately trying to save him from the flames, but my body passed right through him. Only the flames flickered slightly. Why?! Today was my birthday. I had planned to share the happy news of my pregnancy with the two most important people in my life tonight. But today was also Olivia’s birthday. Ethan and Jack had spent the entire day with Olivia, shopping with her, taking her to the amusement park. At noon, Jack had messaged me to come to the amusement park, saying he and Ethan had rented out the whole place to celebrate my birthday. I was overjoyed. I first met Jack at an amusement park. It was also at an amusement park where my long-lost brother Ethan recognized me and brought me back to the Collins family. In the first two years after I returned to the Collins family, Ethan and Jack were quite nice to me. Though I couldn’t compare to Olivia’s status in their hearts, they did pamper me to some extent. For the first time, I tasted what it was like to be loved. Until two years ago, when Olivia voluntarily suggested giving her birthday back to me, changing hers to the next day. She said, “Big sister Aria shares the same birthday as me every year. She must feel sad about it. I’ll give the birthday back to her. As long as big sister Aria is happy, I don’t mind not celebrating my own birthday!” Though Ethan and Jack didn’t refuse Olivia’s suggestion, their attitude towards me changed dramatically after that. My brother never again called me “Ari” affectionately. Instead, he addressed me coldly as “Aria Collins.” Jack also stopped holding me close every night, whispering sweet nothings about wanting me to bear him a daughter. He used to say he loved daughters, and wanted one as cute as me, with a smile as bright and beautiful. Now, all that remained were the nights when he was drunk, roughly throwing me onto the bed to forcefully satisfy his desires. But on my way to the amusement park, I was drugged and kidnapped, then tortured to death. At that time, Ethan was stopping Olivia from eating ice cream during her period, while Jack was queuing to buy her rainbow cotton candy. “Once I receive the ten million dollars, I’ll naturally release this woman!” The kidnapper’s tone was arrogant. “You’d better not try any clever tricks. Otherwise, this woman will end up just like that corpse!” Ethan nervously said, “The money is ready. Don’t touch her!” Ethan and Jack exchanged a glance before hurriedly leaving. As they reached the door, something caught Ethan’s attention under his feet. He bent down to pick it up. It was a wedding ring, the one I wore every day and never took off. Jack frowned, wondering why Aria’s ring would be here. He looked back at the unrecognizable corpse in the warehouse. Ethan interrupted Jack’s train of thought: “Let’s go quickly. If we’re late, Olivia will be scared!” Jack nodded, pocketing the ring and hurrying to catch up. Saving Olivia was more important right now. I floated behind them, unable to help but mock myself. In their hearts, Olivia was indeed still the most important person.

My body was discovered by a scavenging old man the next afternoon. Ethan arrived at the abandoned warehouse with the police. He calmly crouched in front of me, putting on gloves and a mask to begin the autopsy. Last night, the lighting had been dim, and they had been focused on quickly destroying the evidence. Only now did he carefully examine this body from a forensic pathologist’s perspective. “The victim is a young woman, approximately 25 years old…” “Height around 5’6″…” “The victim’s heart was brutally excavated while she was still alive…” As Ethan examined and turned over the body, the figure seemed increasingly familiar. How could it look so much like Aria? Before I was killed, I had managed to call Ethan for help. He had only said one thing. “Stop playing these despicable tricks to compete with Olivia for attention!” I then called Jack, but he too only said one thing before impatiently hanging up. “Honey, save—” “Aria Collins, when will you ever stop?! Olivia already gave her birthday to you. What more do you want?!” Ethan’s movements became somewhat frantic as he went to check the victim’s left ear. I had three moles in a row on my left ear lobe. That was how he had recognized me years ago. But where the ear should have been was now bare. Both my ears had been cruelly cut off by the kidnapper. It couldn’t be, right? It must just be his imagination. Ethan reassured himself and breathed a sigh of relief. He told his assistant to record the conclusion that the victim had been brutally tortured and murdered, then walked away. Meanwhile, Jack was at the hospital, accompanying Olivia who had just been rescued from the kidnappers and was still in shock. Olivia was eating the nutritious meal Jack had personally prepared for her. Since Olivia had given her birthday to me, I had never again tasted anything Jack made himself. Jack sat by the bed, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone. He kept refreshing our chat window. He must find it strange that I hadn’t confronted him yet. Yesterday was my birthday, but he had stayed at the hospital all night to take care of Olivia out of concern for her. Based on what he knew of me, I should have been bombarding him with calls and messages by now. But at this moment, our chat window was still quietly displaying my last message from two days ago, asking if he would be home for dinner. He hadn’t replied. The call log also showed my last call to him yesterday afternoon, lasting only five seconds. “Still sulking? Olivia’s in the hospital, so I had to stay and take care of her. Can’t you be more understanding as her sister?” He sent me a message on his own initiative. Then he started refreshing the chat window again, expecting me to reply instantly. In the past, I always responded to his messages immediately. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t happen this time. He frowned, growing increasingly irritated. Olivia observed all of this. “Jack, I want you and Ethan to take me to ride the Ferris wheel at the amusement park.”

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I married the young, handsome billionaire, but on our wedding night, he didn’t touch me. He said, “I want to save our precious first time for the most beautiful day.” But even after more than ten years of marriage, my husband still hadn’t touched me once. I initially thought he had some embarrassing medical issue and spent years helping him seek treatment, but to no avail. It wasn’t until I saw Derek Starr in Hawaii, arm-in-arm with my sister, surrounded by a pair of twins who were the spitting image of him and called him “Daddy,” that I finally woke up from my delusion. He didn’t have any problems at all. He just wasn’t interested in me. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day I was about to join the wealthy Starr family. I saw the pink roses that Derek had planted for Sophia, filling the entire living room and our marital bedroom. But he didn’t know that this time, I was going to marry his uncle instead. The moment the text message was delivered, the phone rang. The voice on the other end was filled with barely contained magnetic joy: “Good, uncle wants to marry you too.”

On the day we set the wedding date, I ran into Derek at a bar. His friends saw me suddenly appear and their faces were full of disdain and mockery: “Oh look, Young Master Starr, your little crybaby stalker has followed you here!” “Mrs. Starr-to-be, the news of your engagement to the Starr family is all over social media. Why are you still keeping such a close eye on him? We’re throwing one last bachelor party for Derek here – are you trying to ruin it?” When Derek looked up and saw it was me, he angrily downed his drink in one gulp. “Lily Frost, are you really that desperate to throw yourself at me? You sent over the dowry without my consent, and now the whole world knows you’re about to become Mrs. Starr. You’re quite the schemer, aren’t you?” His look of disgust made my heart skip a beat. After a moment, I calmly replied: “The person I’m marrying isn’t you, so why would I need your consent?” As soon as I said this, the whole place erupted in laughter. Derek’s buddies were laughing so hard they had tears in their eyes. They urged him: “Derek, you’d better comfort your little wife here, or she might start crying and making a scene to get sympathy again!” Derek frowned: “Where did you learn to play hard to get? Let me tell you, Lily Frost, that trick won’t work on me.” “You’ve set the wedding date with my family, who else could you possibly be marrying if not me? My father?” “Besides, you’ve been following me around like a lovesick puppy since elementary school. Who would believe you’re marrying someone else?” He walked over and stroked my messy hair in a seemingly affectionate gesture, but his grip was painfully tight. “I’ll let the unauthorized engagement slide, but listen carefully – I can go through with a wedding ceremony for show… but don’t even think about me touching you!” He leaned in close to my ear and lowered his voice: “If you don’t want to live as a lonely wife, you’d better wise up and get lost. I’ll only have children with someone I truly love!” Hearing this, I frowned slightly. In my past life, Derek had indeed obediently followed his family’s arrangements and quickly married me. Could it be… that he had been reborn too? Before I could further analyze the information hidden in his words, my sister Sophia suddenly appeared at the door. Seeing Derek’s intimate behavior next to me, Sophia’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears as she covered her mouth. “Derek, I heard you’re going to marry my sister. Even though we’ll be family soon, I didn’t bring any gifts. I just wish you eternal happiness!” With that, Sophia ran out crying as if escaping for her life. “Lily Frost, are you fucking satisfied now?” Derek pointed at me, fuming with anger, then stormed out without looking back. Chapter

Half an hour later, Sophia was led back in by Derek, holding his hand. She walked with a limp, and there were obvious signs of tearing on the stockings on her inner thighs. Everyone looked at me with schadenfreude, waiting for me to make a scene. Because in the past, I would have inevitably cried my heart out in this situation, drawing attention to myself. Derek pulled Sophia behind him protectively, his expression seeming to anticipate the drama as well. However, several minutes passed, and I remained calm, slowly swirling the drink in my hand. Derek was a bit surprised. After a moment, he let out a cold laugh: “Well, well, looks like you’ve grown up and aren’t making a fuss like before!” I couldn’t be bothered to watch him make a fool of himself, so I picked up my bag to leave, but he grabbed me: “You’ve been drinking, it’s late. Don’t go wandering around alone – I can’t have you getting picked up by some stranger and embarrassing me!” Since someone was offering to take me home, I naturally didn’t refuse. When I tried to walk towards the back seat, Derek quickly blocked the front passenger door. “Sit in the back.” He then helped Sophia into the front passenger seat. “Derek is worried I’ll get carsick. You won’t be petty about this, will you, sis?” Sophia’s tone was apologetic, but her expression was smug as she looked at me. I sat quietly in the back seat, not saying a word. Thinking I was so weak, she became even more unbridled. Taking advantage of the traffic jam ahead, Sophia took off her shoes and propped her long, slender legs up on the steering wheel. “My legs hurt so much. Derek, your hands are so big and strong. Sophia loves it when you massage my legs.” Seeing the beautiful feet in front of him, Derek froze, his breathing becoming heavy. The next second, Derek suddenly looked back at the rear seat, as if just remembering I was in the car too. “Don’t hold back on my account. We’re all going to be family soon, no need to be shy around me.” Seeing me looking out at the night scenery nonchalantly, his expression faltered, and he gently put Sophia’s feet down. The car pulled up in front of my building first. After I got out and headed straight upstairs, Derek chased after me. He pulled out a diamond ring and handed it to me: “You’re still my fiancée in name, so consider this ring a compensation from me.” Seeing that I didn’t take it, Derek took a deep breath and continued trying to persuade me. “That’s enough, you’ve embarrassed me so much tonight. How am I supposed to face others in the future?” “As long as you don’t make trouble, I’ll make sure you keep your position as Mrs. Starr securely. There will be plenty of benefits for you in the future.” I took the ring and tried it on, finding it a size too big. I looked up and asked: “So who’s the real Mrs. Starr you’re going to have children with? Sophia, right?” Derek suddenly became angry, but his expression also held a hint of smug satisfaction. “So you knew all along. I’m warning you, you absolutely cannot breathe a word of this to our parents!” “Sophia and I are meant to be together! She’s pure and kind, not scheming like you. If you dare to make her cry again like tonight, be careful or you’ll end up with nothing!” I laughed. He was clearly the one who was cowardly and afraid to tell his family his true wishes, yet somehow I had become the schemer standing in the way. I ignored him and turned to go upstairs. Just as I was about to go to sleep after showering, I received a video from Sophia. In the video, Derek was lovingly and carefully helping her put on an even larger diamond ring. “This one suits my beloved Sophia much better. That outdated piece of junk from earlier – I threw it away.” When things got heated, the two of them fell onto the bed in a tight embrace. The screen went black, but unmistakable sounds could still be heard. At the end, Sophia sent me a string of text messages like a victor: [Be content, sister. Even though you’re getting my leftovers, not many people can compare to this life of luxury.] [For the rest of your life, just keep playing your role well. We won’t mistreat you.] Chapter

So Sophia had been reborn too. No wonder in my past life, she and Derek had no apparent connection on the surface, yet they had secretly been carrying on behind the scenes. I suppose they had already confessed their feelings to each other and were looking to rekindle their relationship in this life. I lowered my eyes, remembering how after I married into the Starr family in my past life, Starr Industries suddenly took off, not only securing endless contracts but also going public on NASDAQ. The Starr family elders all praised me for bringing good fortune to my husband, and treated me like their own daughter. So even though Derek and I never had children of our own, I always thought I was happy, until I later discovered the truth. My mother called to tell me that Harrison Moon was about to return to the country. I was a bit surprised, because in my past life, Derek’s uncle, who was only ten years older than him, never married. I hadn’t expected our arranged marriage to progress so smoothly. I only vaguely remembered him as a stern elder who rarely smiled. When I was little, every time Derek bullied me to tears, he would patiently hand me tissues. Then a few days later, Derek would sport bruises and be on his best behavior towards me for a while. I had thought our relationship was simply that of an elder and a junior, nothing more. Until in my past life, after I accidentally discovered Sophia and Derek’s family of three and died from falling into water in shock. At my funeral, I saw Harrison Moon with bloodshot eyes, pinning Derek to the ground and beating him over and over again. Only then did I realize that his feelings for me had unknowingly sprouted long ago. The next day, I arrived early at my clothing workshop in the company to modify the design of my wedding dress. Ever since I started studying fashion design in college, I had been working on designing my wedding dress. Except back then, the person I wanted to marry with all my heart was Derek. From the style to the accessories, everything had to be according to his preferences, without any of my own ideas. In this life, I could finally wear the wedding dress I truly wanted, to marry someone else. I hadn’t rested well for several days. After finishing the dress, I slept for a day and a night. When I woke up, I saw Sophia’s social media post. In the photo, my newly altered wedding dress had its skirt cut off, turned into a short dress worn on her body as she coquettishly posed in Derek’s arms with her legs raised. [Derek knew I was doing a photoshoot, so he specially brought this for me~ It feels so good to be loved!] I rushed to the photo studio in disbelief. Sophia and Derek were resting, while my wedding dress was crumpled into a ball and tossed on the ground like garbage. “How dare you touch my wedding dress and deliberately ruin it!” Seeing me, Sophia immediately put on an act of being scared and started crying. “Derek… Did I make my sister angry? Why does she look like she wants to hit me?” Derek pulled her behind him protectively. “Lily Frost, it’s just a dress! You were going to wear it for me to see anyway, so what’s wrong with letting Sophia wear it for a photoshoot?!” “Besides, I don’t even like this style. You might as well make a new one! Don’t make such a big deal out of nothing!” I could hardly believe his shamelessness. “Stop being so full of yourself! This is the wedding dress I made for myself!” Derek shook his head and sneered, “That’s enough, Lily Frost. Isn’t our wedding basically our wedding? I’ve already agreed to marry you, don’t push your luck here!” I grabbed the Zippo lighter from the coffee table and flicked it open. Sophia thought I was going to burn her alive and hid behind Derek in terror, her face pale with fright. “Derek Starr, open your eyes wide and watch carefully! I won’t keep anything that’s been dirtied! And I certainly won’t stoop so low as to marry a man who has hurt me countless times!” I picked up the ruined wedding dress, set it on fire, and tossed it into the air before turning to leave. Seeing my resolute attitude, Derek was caught off guard. In the past, no matter how much I cried and made a fuss, I would always give in first. He had never seen me act like this before. He instinctively wanted to stop me, but Sophia’s exaggerated, affected voice rang out at the wrong moment. “Sophia is so scared, my heart is racing… But it’s okay, Derek, don’t worry about me. It’s all my fault, you should go after my sister…” Derek hesitated for a moment, then looked at my retreating figure and snorted coldly: “Who are you trying to impress?! Lily Frost, you said it yourself – even if you strip naked and kneel on the ground begging me later, I won’t marry you!”

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My father is an incredibly wealthy businessman, one of the richest men in the world. He once declared that if anyone dared to harm a hair on his precious daughter’s head, he would make them disappear from the face of the earth. But my stepmother Vanessa and stepbrother William doted excessively on Melody, a singer from a nightclub. They even allowed her to impersonate me at a gala dinner attended by wealthy elites, letting her sit in the place of honor meant for the true Chloe Collins. When I showed up, Melody tried to drive me away forcefully. “How dare a low-class singer like you try to attend tonight’s exclusive gala?” she sneered. “Mom and William have already let me take your place as the real Chloe Collins. You should leave now before you embarrass our family any further.” In my previous life, I was weak-willed and didn’t dare anger my stepmother and stepbrother. I tolerated all of Melody’s abuse. But now I’ve been reborn. Looking at the arrogant and domineering Melody, I walked up and slapped her hard across the face. “You ignorant nobody. A small gala like this has gone to your head,” I said coldly. “Who do you think you are? You’re not fit to use the Collins name.” 0

Melody was shocked that I, who had always been timid and afraid, dared to fight back. She immediately ordered the butler, Mr. Quinn, to drag me away. Mr. Quinn had barely taken a step when I glared at him. He quickly stepped back, a flicker of panic in his eyes. “Miss Chloe, didn’t Madam and Master William confine you at home? How…how did you get here?” I fixed Mr. Quinn with an icy stare, frightening him so much he lowered his head, not daring to meet my eyes. “My father is one of the world’s wealthiest men, and I’m his only daughter. Yet you dare call me ‘Miss Chloe’?” “Mr. Quinn, you’ve worked for our family for 20 years. If you can’t even recognize your true masters, what use are you to me?” In my previous life, Mr. Quinn ignored my father’s orders to take good care of me. Instead, he followed my stepmother and stepbrother’s commands, often depriving me of food and clothes and verbally abusing me. When Melody beat me to death with a golf club, he even stood by watching coldly. Now hearing that I wanted to fire him, Mr. Quinn fell to his knees begging for mercy. “Please spare me, Miss…” Melody put on an act of helping Mr. Quinn up, then took on a sisterly tone to scold me. “Chloe, you’re just a singer I picked up from a nightclub. What right do you have to fire Mr. Quinn?” Tiffany, the daughter of the company’s general manager who always fawned over Melody, couldn’t wait to jump in and yell at me. “If it wasn’t for our Melody taking you in from that nightclub, who knows where you’d be now. How dare you be so rude to Melody!” The other guests all felt indignant and started criticizing me as well. “So this is the singer that Miss Collins took in? How ungrateful!” “Exactly! I heard Miss Collins took her in and treated her like a real sister, indulging her in everything. Who knew she’d be so presumptuous!” “A mere singer dares to impersonate the real Chloe Collins? She must have a death wish!” How ridiculous. The truth was that I was the one who had taken Melody in from the nightclub. But to my surprise, when my stepmother Vanessa saw Melody, she strangely loved her like her own child. My stepbrother William was thoroughly captivated by Melody’s charms and sweet talk, doting on her excessively. So for any company events or galas, they would have Melody attend while keeping me confined at home. Living this life again, I’ve finally woken up. My father is an incredibly wealthy and powerful man who adores me. Why should I let these people walk all over me? I swept my gaze across the crowd, finally locking eyes with Tiffany. I gave her a contemptuous smile. “Who do you think you are? Even if your father Thomas were here, he wouldn’t dare raise his voice to me.” Tiffany was stunned that I dared to call out her father’s name in public. Enraged, she raised her hand to slap me. I was quicker, slapping her across the face first. Her face turned deathly pale with anger as she shrieked, “You…you dare hit me? I won’t let you get away with this!” Melody gnashed her teeth and shouted, “Someone come and seize this singer Chloe!” Security guards rushed over. I swept my cold gaze across them and declared loudly, “My father said that if anyone dares touch a hair on my head, he’ll make them disappear from this world!” With those words, the guards froze in place, not daring to take another step forward. Melody took two steps back, her guilty conscience showing. She tried to maintain her composure as she yelled, “You…you’re lying! Everyone here knows that for any company events or galas, Mom and William always have me attend.” “If you’re really the true Chloe Collins, why have they never once let you appear?” The crowd nodded in agreement. “Miss Collins has a point. That singer must be lying and trying to impersonate the real Chloe Collins!” “How outrageous. A perfectly good gala ruined by this singer who snuck in.” I gave a disdainful laugh and turned to Mr. Quinn standing nearby. I ordered him, “If you don’t want to be thrown out of the Collins family, go fetch my stepmother and stepbrother.” “Tell them that if they don’t come immediately, I’m going to beat Melody to death.” Mr. Quinn was shocked. He knew that Vanessa and William both doted excessively on Melody. Every time, no matter who was right or wrong, as long as Melody was unhappy, they would severely punish me. But after a brief hesitation, he still hurried out. Melody smiled smugly at me. “Chloe, I think you’ve lost your mind. How dare you summon Mom and William here.” In my previous life, when Melody was beating me bloody with a golf club, I had begged them for help, only to be cruelly rejected. Now that I’ve returned from hell, I won’t let any of them off the hook. Before she finished speaking, a warning voice suddenly came from outside. “Chloe, you haven’t been disciplined for three days and now you think you can do whatever you want?” Chapter

William strode into the banquet hall, hands in his pockets, flanked by two bodyguards in black suits. The guests all greeted him as “Young Master Collins.” William nodded in response, then walked over to us. Melody immediately threw herself into his arms, her eyes brimming with tears and a wronged expression on her face. “William, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault for bringing Chloe back from that nightclub in the first place.” “That’s what caused her to make such a big scene now.” William gently stroked the back of her head, his voice soft as he comforted her. “It’s alright. With me here, she can’t do anything.” Then he turned to glare at me coldly, his face full of anger. “Chloe, I only allowed you, a mere singer, to stay in our home out of consideration for Melody.” “I never expected that after living with us for a few years, you’d become so presumptuous as to try impersonating her and becoming the real Chloe Collins.” William was the only son of my father’s younger brother. He had lost both parents at a young age. In the past, he would often come to our house under the pretext of visiting my father, but in reality he was trying to use my father’s status and influence to gain a foothold for himself. My father, out of consideration for his late brother, arranged for William to be a director in the company. He even allowed William to call him “Dad” just like I did. Back then, William doted on me a lot, saying having such a beautiful sister was his greatest fortune in three lifetimes. I never expected that after living in our home for ten years, William would turn against his own family and help Melody bully me! With just a few sentences, my cousin William had confirmed my identity as a mere singer. The crowd below immediately turned on me with vicious verbal attacks. “Miss Collins is too kind-hearted. That’s why this singer was able to bully her.” “Such an ungrateful wretch who doesn’t know her place. She should be locked up and left to rot in jail!” Having regained the upper hand, Melody shot me a look of smug triumph. I completely ignored her and turned to confront my biased cousin William. “Why are you the only one here? Where’s my dear stepmother? Is she too guilty to face me?” “Mom said dealing with a singer like you doesn’t require her personal attention.” I immediately took off the priceless jadeite necklace from around my neck and held it up high. “This was a birthday gift my father gave me when I turned 8. He said only his daughter, the true Chloe Collins, was worthy of wearing it.” “The 99 jadeite beads on this necklace came from a single piece of raw jadeite worth $50 million that my father specially bought at an international auction. He then commissioned John, a top French jewelry master, to carve my name onto each bead.” “William, do you still dare claim I’m just a singer now?” Hearing this, the crowd below all rushed forward, their eyes fixed greedily on the necklace in my hand. “Mr. Collins did indeed announce publicly before that he gave this billion-dollar necklace to his daughter.” “Strange. Why would Mrs. Collins and Young Master William let Melody take the place of the real Chloe Collins?” Melody’s eyes filled with panic, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. She had never imagined I would have such a powerful trump card up my sleeve. William’s face darkened as he reached out to grab the necklace. “Chloe, how dare you steal Melody’s things. Give it back to her immediately!” His deliberate false accusation caused the crowd below to once again become unsure of who was telling the truth. I dodged his grasp. William signaled with his eyes, and the two bodyguards rushed forward to pin me down, snatching away the necklace and handing it to him. After receiving it, William personally put it around Melody’s neck, comforting her, “Sis, be more careful in the future. Don’t let this singer Chloe steal it again.” Melody nodded lightly. “Thank you, William, for getting it back for me.” She flashed me another smug smile. “Chloe, I took you in out of kindness, but you repaid me by stealing the birthday gift Dad gave me and claiming it as your own. You really deserve to die. Grab her and put her hands on the table. I’m going to teach her a lesson she’ll never forget!” The two bodyguards yanked me up and pressed my hands down on the table, leaving me unable to move. Melody skillfully picked up a wine bottle and smashed it down hard on my hands. Excruciating pain shot through me as bones shattered. The back of my hand was instantly a bloody mess, the white tablecloth stained crimson in a horrifying sight. I gritted my teeth and let out an anguished growl: “Dad will be here any minute. When he sees how you’ve hurt me, he’ll never let you off!” In my previous life, when Melody stole my identity as the real Chloe Collins and had me killed, my father never showed up. But this time, I had notified him in advance. He promised he would arrive at 10 pm sharp, just 5 minutes from now. Seeing me in such a pitiful state, Melody leaned in close to whisper mockingly in my ear. “Your dad is still overseas. How stupid are you to lie like this?” “Besides, with Mom and William backing me, even if your dad found out, he might not dare do anything to me.” Before she finished speaking, a furious bellow suddenly rang out. “Outrageous! Who gave you such audacity?” Chapter

The smug look on Melody’s face instantly turned to terror as she looked up. Vanessa strode into the banquet hall. The guests all bowed slightly in greeting. “Mrs. Collins.” The bodyguards immediately released their grip on me. Seeing it was Vanessa, the fear in Melody’s eyes dissipated. She flashed me a gloating smile. Vanessa’s eyes swept over Melody with concern, making sure she was unharmed. Only then did she turn to glare at me with utter disgust. “Who gave you permission to steal Melody’s identity as the real Chloe Collins?” In my previous life, I never understood why Vanessa was so biased towards Melody. It wasn’t until after I died that I learned the truth – Melody was actually the daughter of Vanessa’s true love. That man had once sworn undying love to Vanessa. But later, Vanessa was forced to marry my widowed father in order to save her family’s failing business. A year after marrying my father, that man died in a car accident while trying to save Vanessa. So when Vanessa discovered Melody’s true identity, she loved her like her own flesh and blood, vowing to give Melody the best of everything. Although Vanessa held the position of CEO in my father’s company, the person with true absolute power was still my father. Understanding the full story now, I couldn’t help but laugh coldly. “I’m only taking back what rightfully belongs to me. How is that stealing?” Now that even Vanessa was backing Melody’s claims, the crowd below became even bolder in hurling abuse at me. “This singer not only impersonates the real Chloe Collins, she even dares to speak so rudely to Mrs. Collins. She really doesn’t know her place!” “I think she’s gone mad with greed, fantasizing about being rich. What a fool!” William angrily declared, “Chloe, you’ve been eating and living well in our home all thanks to Melody’s kindness.” “But we never imagined our generosity would lead you to have such foolish delusions of impersonating Melody.” A cunning look flashed through Melody’s eyes. She pointed to the jadeite necklace around her neck and asked, “Mom, isn’t my necklace beautiful?” Vanessa was momentarily stunned. She glanced at me, realizing Melody had snatched it from me. She smiled and nodded. “It’s beautiful. It suits you perfectly.” Getting the answer she wanted, Melody grew even bolder. “Everyone, you all heard that, right? My mom has confirmed this necklace belongs to me.” “Chloe was just lying earlier when she said my dad gave it to her. She actually stole it from me.” The crowd below all chimed in agreement. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already 9:59 pm. I couldn’t help but smirk. In less than a minute, my father would arrive. Seeing I showed no signs of remorse, William flew into a rage. “Mom, Chloe has publicly impersonated our family’s true daughter. It’s unforgivable. I suggest we kick her out of the Collins family!” Vanessa hesitated, not agreeing immediately. “Chloe, if you kneel down and apologize to Melody now, and promise never to steal her identity as the real Chloe Collins again, I can allow you to continue staying in our family.” Melody’s eyes flashed with displeasure. Of course she didn’t want me to stay. She quickly spoke up. “Mom, it’s fine. She can’t really steal my identity as the real Chloe anyway.” “But she did try to impersonate me in public. If we don’t punish her severely, won’t others think our wealthy Collins family is easy to bully?” Seeing how this could damage the family’s reputation, Vanessa’s expression instantly changed. She berated me harshly. “Chloe, I’ll give you one last chance. Kneel down and apologize to Melody right now. Otherwise, I’ll kick you out of the Collins family immediately!” I laughed disdainfully. With my father away, she really thought she could act like the queen of the family. “You and William have twisted the truth, allowing Melody to impersonate me as the real Chloe Collins. You’re the ones at fault. Why should I apologize?” “Besides, you’re just my stepmother. What right do you have to kick me out of the Collins family?” William snorted coldly. “When Dad’s not here, Mom is in charge of all family affairs. Of course she has the right to kick you out.” Seeing me dare to talk back, Vanessa flew into a rage. She shouted for all to hear. “Someone come and take Chloe away.” “From today on, Chloe is forbidden from ever setting foot in the Collins family again!” Melody shook her head at me in mock pity, sneering, “Chloe, bullying me is one thing, but you dare to disrespect Mom like that?” “Someone bring me a bottle of acid. I’m going to destroy her face. Let’s see how she tries to impersonate me after that!” Vanessa and William nodded in approval. Melody was practically giddy with excitement. Dong, dong. The grandfather clock struck 10 pm. Mr. Quinn came running up to me, out of breath. “Miss, the Master has returned.” A large group of bodyguards in black suits rushed in, lining up on both sides like an honor guard. The atmosphere turned solemn. Then, my father strode in with a group of company executives, his voice booming like thunder. “Such big talk! Let’s see who dares touch a hair on my precious daughter’s head!”

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